Famitsu Idolm@ster Poplinks Takatsuka Tomohito Interview

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On January 21, 2021, the idols of five brands from the “Idolm@ster” (IM@S) series appeared in the phone game “Idolm@ster Poplinks” (Popmas) released on iOS and Android.

To celebrate the broadcast of the original game, we interviewed Takatsuka Tomohito-san, the role of Watanabe Minori in “Idolm@ster SideM,” who also acts as the advertising chief in “Popmas.” We met with Takatsuka-san, who also works as a producer (A name for a fan of the “IM@S” series) for “IM@S,” to hear him talk about the appeal of the game and his encounter with “IM@S” and Minori.

*This interview took place before “Popmas” began service.

A game where you can fully enjoy concerts, the appeal of “IM@S,” in a puzzle game

—Please tell us your impressions when you heard about “Popmas.”

Takatsuka: I was very surprised because it was a game where the idols from the five branches in the “IM@S” series could work alongside each other. But at the same time, I felt happy, thinking “The five brands are finally coming together in a single work.” Although, the games in the “IM@S” series up until now have been mostly simulation games or rhythm games, so when I heard it was going to be a puzzle game, it also felt like it came out of left field.

—You were also tasked with being the advertising chief for the game, correct?

Takatsuka: I myself adore the “IM@S” series, so having them choose me as the representative for “SideM” as the chief of advertising made me happy.

—As a chief of advertising, you played the game during the official programs for “Popmas,” but what were your impressions on it?

Takatsuka: “Popmas” is in the genre of puzzle games, which is different from the “IM@S” games up until now. But it represents the number one charm of “IM@S,” its concerts, by having the idols stand atop the stage while singing and dancing while you connect the notes in the puzzle game. It surprised me a lot.

—You built a unit in the program, but if you were to put Watanabe Minori (*) in a unit, who would you put him with?

*Watanabe Minori was not implemented when “Idolm@ster Poplinks” began service.

Takatsuka: Right now, I’m dreaming of a three-person unit with Watanabe Minori, with my most beloved idol Moroboshi Kirari-chan, and I’m mulling over the last one a ton, but I’d go with Mayuzumi Fuyuko-chan.

Starting as a single Producer and becoming a member of his cherished “IM@S”

—I see. We talked about this just before, but you were a fan of the “IM@S” series even before you were tasked with the role of Watanabe Minori, correct? How was your encounter with “IM@S”?

Takatsuka: A friend who played the arcade game recommended it to me, which was when I first learned about “IM@S.” But at that time, I wasn’t as absorbed in it as I was now. Afterwards, in “Idolm@ster SP,” I saw Shijou Takane, who appeared in it as a rival character, and I was incredibly drawn to her. That was the starting point of me coming to love “IM@S,” and starting there, I began to play the games that came out from “IM@S.”

—By the way, do you have a song that you like the most out of the “IM@S” series as a whole?

Takatsuka: Let me see…… I have a lot, but I’d have to say that the one I love most would be “M@STERPIECE.” I think there would be a lot of people who would reply with this song, but I believe that “M@STERPIECE” is a song that made producers incredibly emotional. It’s the song that I would recommend, personally. In addition to that, I listened to that song when I was working as a producer. Now that I’m here, a part of “IM@S," there’s a side of the lyrics that feels different to me when I listen to it now. That’s why my attachment to it has gotten even stronger.

—I see. Considering how much you love “IM@S,” then, weren’t you surprised when you heard about the auditions for “SideM”?

Takatsuka: Well, yes. First and foremost, I thought, “I wanna pass [the audition]!” During it, I ended up auditioning for both Sakuraba Kaoru and Watanabe Minori. Before it, my manager, same-year coworkers, and seniors in the company all got together to practice.

At the time, I thought that Sakuraba Kaoru was easier to act out, and I felt like there was better feedback for what I was able to gain, but the people around me told me “Watanabe Minori seems like he suits you better.” On the day of the audition, I acted out both Sakuraba Kaoru and Watanabe Minori in front of the acting examiners, but during the singing exam, they requested me “Please sing as Watanabe Minori.” That moment, I was able to most firmly realize that I suited Watanabe Minori.

—How was the feedback that you gained from the audition?

Takatsuka: Actually, that was the very first time I had taken a studio audition. I was unbelievably nervous, even when I was headed to the venue. Even in the studio, there were rivals sitting around me holding the same documents I had. I was so terrified. (laughs)

But when I entered the recording booth, I was able to enjoy myself as I challenged myself. And there, I had a sort of Q-and-A session with the staff members, but it was in a very relaxed environment, so I was able to get themselves interested in me. That’s why I was able to report to my manager that “I was able to enjoy myself and do all I could.” I also felt a good response.

—After the audition, how did you feel when you heard that your role as Watanabe Minori was settled?

Takatsuka: My agency set it up as a surprise for me, that I’d been set as Minori’s voice actor. I received a message from my manager, saying “We’re going to record a new audition voice clip, so come to the agency.” When I reached the office, and I looked at the documents that were handed to me, it read out “Congratulations. You will be Watanabe Minori.” The instant I saw that, I collapsed to my feet, crying, right then and there. (wry laugh)

—That sounds like a wonderful surprise.

Takatsuka: Yes, it was. My manager also took a video of that scene. (laughs) That moment was the instant where my life as a voice actor started, and I cried my eyes out, bawling then. It’ll be a memory I remember for the rest of my life.

—Could we have you talk about the charm of the character, Watanabe Minori here?

Takatsuka: I think he’s an idol with appealing points all around. At first glance, he’s a gentle older man, but he’s 31 years old and was actually a former delinquent, while also having a side to him that absolutely adores idols. Honestly, the more you learn about him, the more allure comes surging out. I believe that he could be an idol who drags you deeper into a swamp.

[沼-swamp, where “Dragging someone/something deep into a swamp” is the equivalent of making someone so engrossed into a series/product that they can’t get out any longer.]

—When you act as Minori, is there a direction you have to take, or something that’s impressionable on you?

Takatsuka: The part that I was directed on and had to re-do things by keeping it in mind again and again, was the speed at which he speaks. He has a past as a former delinquent, but at his core, he’s a kind, soft older man. The staff members told me “We want you to speak incredibly leisurely.”

And then I said, “Is it okay for me to talk this slowly?” at around this speed, but they responded with “Even slower than right now. Just a little more leisurely, please.” (laughs) That can also be a part of what I mean by having to struggle a lot until I had gotten used to Minori’s method of speaking.

—Is that so? Are there any parts of you that resemble Minori?

Takatsuka: Well, the first thing that comes to mind is how we’re both idol lovers. I think something else that we have in common is how, at first glance, we’re gentle older guys, but who we are inside is different from who we look on the surface. Also, Minori looks closely at those around him in his unit and 315Pro when they do work, and he’s considerate of them. I think that I’m similar to him in that way.

—Finally, please state a message for the fans as the “Popmas” advertising chief.

Takatsuka: “Idolm@ster” truly does have so many idols affiliated with it. “Popmas” is a game that overcomes the series’ boundaries, so I believe that [fans] will be able to come to know about idols from branches that they have yet to learn of through the game.

On top of that, I’m certain that you’ll be able to discover new charms to the familiar idols you already know, by having them interact with idols of different brands. I would like all producers out there to feel the appeal of “Popmas” that way. I’ll also do my best so that I can properly promote it!