Voice Newtype Vol.48 Interview with Nakamura Shuugo / Kikuchi Takeru

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On a Life Journey Filled with Passion

The 46 characters that sing and dance in “Idolm@ster SideM: LIVE ON ST@GE!” head on a world tour that goes beyond units! What’s the thing that the idols in France pledge upon, and those in America discover……?

——What was your impression upon being told that Tendou Teru would be a part of the France group, “Towa naru Yonjuushi”?

Nakamura: France has a very elegant image, so at first I was surprised. When I heard the song, though, I understood it. “I see, this is the passion put into ‘Three Musketeers’,” or something like that. Moreover, with Hideo, Suzaku, and Amehiko…… Since they were such strong members (laughs), I thought that this song could convey a lot of power during its entirety. It’s not just passionate, and [the line] “I want to protect you” has a warmth of wrapping you up that I like.

Kikuchi: It’s a passion with warmth that can only be brought by these four! I imagine that they became of one soul. When I saw the four of them hold up their swords so smoothly during “THE IDOLM@STER SideM 3rdLIVE TOUR ~GLORIOUS ST@GE!~ Shizuoka Stage”, I got the chills.

Nakamura: Yes, yes. Guys do admire those sorts of things. I was happy seeing that the 4 swords were made with their respective idol’s personalities in mind, too.

——The line “To combine our strengths” in the very first song of a new series must have been deeply emotional.

Nakamura: Teru’s line “For the sake of victory” does mean that, but considering its meanings, but I think it can also be to achieve the same goals that lie inside of everyone’s hearts. But, they can’t work on their own in order if they want to attain it, so they have to combine each of what they can do in order to create an even greater power. The song is one which allowed me to think again that, this is how they have built everything up this way, and in order to connect to a place further ahead, it’s important for them to keep going.

——How was the America group that Aoi Yuusuke took part in, for “Treasure Party!”?

Kikuchi: It’s a song in which the idols’ characteristic brightness is expressed through the country tune. In order to memorize the song, I often listened to the provisional version while moving along to it, and my footsteps naturally moved more easily. [The part of] “Why can’t I just say some things to show off sometimes?” to the “AAH~~~!!!” has a feeling of excitedly searching for treasure, moving forward and not shrinking away from the advancing danger, so I like that part.

Nakamura: That feeling of a banjo rhythm really does lift the mood. The part with “Let’s Join Hi Ho” makes you want to sing and dance along to it. Wait, huh? What does “Hi Ho” even mean in the first place? Is it something like the “Rassera!” (*らっせーらー!) that you hear at festivals?

Kikuchi: That’s how I thought about it (laughs). I sang it with the feeling of “Let’s go, let’s go!”

——How did you feel about the members who went on an adventure together?

Kikuchi: When I heard it was a shuffle unit, I became nervous. I’m sure it was the case for any unit, but especially because W has twins, they’ve treasured their connection to each other more than anything else…… I wondered if they’d be able to interact well enough with the other idols if they’re apart. But, I believed, if he sings it with Ryuu and Haruna, he’d think “With this, we’ll definitely be able to have fun singing this during the live, too!” Actually, when we were practicing, it was just so, so fun, that we asked if we could use the same dance movements as those from the game. For me, it was a song that re-confirmed the ties of 315 Productions, where it wasn’t just about the units [this time].

——Both songs were first sung at the live’s final day, weren’t they.

Nakamura: Ever since the moment the four of us were told to standby on the darkened stage, we could feel the nervousness from the audience being conveyed to us. The introduction began, and on top of that, at the moment when Masuyama Takeaki-san (Voicing Akai Suzaku), who wasn’t supposed to be there, the lights lit up, and the cheers were deafening; I felt a shock, like my entire body was being electrified.

Kikuchi: It was something that would only happen because it was a secret. It was the same for me, too, but since Yuusuke loves to surprise others, I was incredibly happy knowing that the surprise succeeded! Not only that, but I showed up on the trolleys, so I could see everyone’s smiles from up close. The true words “Everyone’s smiles are my treasures!” came out from my heart.

——Also, for Teru and Yuusuke, what kinds of souvenirs do you think they would buy from the country that they visited?

Nakamura: Teru would be the type to prepare beforehand very properly and visit the streets around famous places. Also, he likes cooking, so he’d probably think about how he would cook it himself while enjoying the food. For souvenirs…… he’d buy a t-shirt with a design of the Eiffel Tower or something and cause Sakuraba to make a disgusted expression on his face.

Kikuchi: I think Yuusuke would do the complete opposite of Teru, going anywhere randomly. But since he could get along immediately with just about anyone, he’d have memories of people that he met, or pick up an interesting-shaped rock that he found there, and bring it home for Kyousuke, I think.

——The song “MEET THE WORLD!” that includes everyone, is a song that’s filled with a brand new hope.

Nakamura: When I first heard the song, it had a refreshing image to it, but when I listened to Suzaku’s part sing before me in the recording, I realized, suddenly, that “That’s right! That’s right! This is the good part where the idols’ individual quirks can really explode!” (laughs)

Kikuchi: I was allowed to listen to the France group’s version of the song, and I wondered if I could sing it as coolly as they did. In the end, although their [respective] songs are written completely differently, they’re still facing in the same direction; I like that kind of feeling.

Nakamura: So do I. You can think that it’s somewhat of a journey, when they’re moving on to the next step of their lives. It’s really how the idols who “for some reason,” are now doing this, that they can sing this song. You can’t actually go outside of the country without a passport, but if your life is passionate, you can go just about anywhere!

Kikuchi: If you think about it as a blank sheet of paper that’s added on with everyone’s individual personalities and use that as a map, instead of the world that’s already completed, then you can truly look forward to “WORLD TRE@SURE 03” and later ones.

——Please tell us your memories of your own travels or places that you want to go.

Nakamura: When I was in junior high school, I visited Niagara Falls. Because of the water spray, I couldn’t see anything, but I can’t forget how I thought that the Earth’s power was really amazing.

Kikuchi: Travels are usually done to refresh your heart, right? But a while ago, when I went to Hokkaido, there were so many plans to do “This and that” all shoved in, it actually tired me out. I like riding[/driving?], so I’d like to go on more relaxing travels so that I can enjoy the scenery that goes past me.

——What are your thoughts on the TV anime event, “Five-St@r Party!!” and what you want to tell to the “producers”?

Kikuchi: It was fun how, unlike our usual “lives”, Ishikawa Kaito-san, who voices the TV anime producer, and Kawanishi Kengo-san, who voices Yamamura Ken, showed up as well!

Nakamura: It was really wonderful how everyone sang the company song “Aah, Jounetsu ni Hoshi wa Kagayaku ～315 Production Shaka～” too.

Kikuchi: We also had a game corner, along with thanks and words from the idols, which brought to mind how much we’ve built things up until now. But…… I really do want to do something with “all of us”. We’ll keep on hitting out more unique things along with the “WORLD TRE@SURE”!

Nakamura: Yes! Definitely. We want to hear more of the producers’ passion, so if you could all continue to support 315 Production, we’ll be incredibly happy!

column: Remember Summer

Nakamura Shuugo

When I was a child, I would go to the river with my family. We would barbecue together, catch fish, act like Tarzan when jumping through trees…… After that, we’d sleep in tents, but when it would rain, we would sleep in the car. I have good memories of it.

Nakamura Shuugo — Born on July 28 / From Okinawa / Across Entertainment / Main roles: “IDOLM@STER SideM” (Tendou Teru), “TSUKIPRO THE ANIMATION” (Kuga Issei), etc.

column: Remember Summer

Kikuchi Takeru

When I was in elementary school, I visited Australia. On a boat, I could see dolphins, but unfortunately, I got seasick halfway through [the ride]. (laughs) But during nighttime, I could see a beautiful starry sky spreading all around, and I’ll never forget it.

Kikuchi Takeru — Born on January 15 / From Tokyo / WITH LINE / Main roles: “IDOLM@STER SideM” (Aoi Yuusuke), “Nanamaru Sanbatsu” (Kiyosumi Shinya)