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  A look back at the frenzied concert that bloomed with high spirits! Sakurazaka46 “BACKS LIVE!!” After Talk  Part 1 Two extra cute girls talk about the evolving Sakurazaka46 Changing group and unchanging affections Sakurazaka46 celebrated its first anniversary last December after renaming from Keyakizaka46. The group continues to change, with the graduation of Moriya Akane and Watanabe Rika, but there is also an unchanging enthusiasm. This time, 1st gens Uemura Rina and Ozeki Rika looked back on the recently held “BACKS LIVE!!” and talked about their thoughts on the group. ----- “I wanted to meet you” matched my state of mind Q Uemura-san, how has the experience of participating in the last BACKS LIVE!! helped you in your activities after? Uemura: We had about a month to rehearse for the previous BACKS LIVE!!, so the distance between us and the 2nd gen became much closer all at once. At first, I had reservations about interacting with the 2nd gen, but I wasn’t in a situation ...

Though the two of you are from separate groups, since being grouped together for the “Sakamichi Joint Audition” campaign 2 years ago, I’ve heard that you have been interacting under the name of “MatsuO Party.” I think it would be great if you could become even closer through this magazine. Basically, I will have the two of you talk candidly, but it might become like an extension of “KochiHoshi” which Ozeki-san serves as the host for so I feel a little bit sorry (laughs).  Ozeki: It’s completely fine! Konoka~, how are you? Matsuda: Long time no see, I’m well~. Ozeki: It’s been a while hasn’t it. Matsuda: Recently, on my birthday (27th of April) Ozeki-san sent me a message of congratulation, thank you very much! Ozeki: That’s right. It was when we were still in the middle of the self-imposed lockdown, when we weren't able to meet, right. Matsuda: Yes. When the lockdown was lifted and we were allowed to go out, I was invited to go out for food again [by Ozeki]. I was ve...

Interviewer: This was the first time we’ve photographed either of you outside since you each did your solo gravure shootings for BLT’s extra issue 「graduation」. Ozeki: How nostalgic! I was a third year in high school! Harada: I was a third year in middle school, damn.....I aged (laughs). I believe I became an adult compared to 4 years ago! Ozeki: But, if Aoi became an adult it would be boring (laughs). Harada: Having 4 years passed and not becoming an adult would be a much bigger problem! Even I’d become an adult after 4 years! Ozeki: You turned into a woman! Harada: Yay! Interviewer: How do you spend your everyday lives? Harada: I stay at home watching movies and dramas, reading manga a lot. (Watanabe) Risa said that “Masquerade Hotel” is interesting, so I wanted to watch it. Ozeki: For me, whenever a movie comes out I immediately go to the movie theater! Harada: Also, I regularly rewatch “Kimi no suizou o tabetai” and cry (laughs). Interviewer: Hamabe Minami...

Keyakizaka46 that became more gentle after the 2nd generation joined Keyakizaka46, since its formation, has always had dense days. Especially the period from 2019 to 2020 was a particularly fulfilling period up to now. Ishimori: It sure is. In fact, what was the biggest difference from your previous activities? Ishimori: I think I've done a lot of live performances up until now, but I have a personal memory of doing more than that last year. After all, I think the Tokyo Dome is the big one. Ozeki: It was also the year I spent a lot of time with the 2nd generation. From winter a year before last year (2018) we participated together on singing programs, and we were really joining our activities together in April during Anniversary Live from Osaka. Because of it, I wonder if last year was when Keyakizaka46 started to change bit by bit. Ishimori: Last year was the first time for the 2nd generation to fill graduated members’ position and perform live. Because of it, the ...

In 2019, the full-scale participation of 2ki, a tour, Tokyo Dome, the introduction of a selection system and many more happened in a year in Keyakizaka46. The members have been running with an understanding each of it, but sometimes it's good to stop. What did they see when they look back upon the year of the raging storm? Interviewer:　It's a year-end interview. The theme is looking back on 2019, but you might be sick and tired of it, so you can choose a different theme. What should we do? Ozeki:　I may haven’t done a “looking back” interview. Yamasaki:　I only got interviewed about that once. Interviewer: Ah, that’s right. Ozeki:　Otherwise, we can just talk about whatever Ten is interested in. (laughs) Yamasaki:　Recently, I have only been watching children's videos. The behavior of kindergarteners is interesting, so I just watch it. Ozeki:　I see. I'm addicted to cooking hot pots. The other day, I cooked tonkotsu-soy sauce hot pot. Interviewer:　Is that t...

From “Ozeki-Style”, to “cute Ozeki”, then “beautiful Ozeki”. The girl who has plenty of topics. She turned 22 years old this October. That being said, she reveals herself naturally. The theme this time is “Natural Adult Oze-chan!” 2019 was a year filled with doing live performances. I would like 2020 be the year where I would grow as a person. Ozeki-Chan, you turned 22 years old this October. Generally it’s the age to graduate from University and become a working adult, right? It is. Because I’ve taken all classes and credits needed for graduation, now I only go to university occasionally, meeting my classmates and juniors, and also getting a consultation for my future. I see. Ozeki-chan’s career plan is already been decided, eh? (laughs) What decided is just that  my graduation thesis’ theme is about Keyakizaka46. Listening to my friends talking about “I don’t know what I want to do”, I feel thankful that I can do what I want to do. Because the scenario of being entru...

I’m all fired up now, i think right now I still want to do tour again tomorrow. It was a national tour where many things happened, including the difficult ones. But for the people in question, we will talk about the summer like elementary schoolers thinking about their summer memories. To talk about themselves who have grown big, about how they have embraced the experiences now, and their surprising desires. The Summer That Changed Me I think it was a raging summer for Keyakizaka46. How was it now that it’s over? OZE: It was our first time doing a live event for an extended period of time together. The last time we were like this was for "Who killed Tokuyama Daigoro?”. I learned so much about them that i didn't know before and I feel like this summer has made our unity much stronger. Until recently i have no time to think of other members and during lives even if i move swiftly by myself it doesn't go smoothly. So next time when someone isn't doing well, ...