Rikyako’s interview from Seiyuu Animedia - 09/18

From the September 2018 issue of Seiyuu Animedia.

It was a tour where you demonstrated the essence of Aqours.



Q: What kind of concert was the 3rd Live to you, Aida-san?

A: Like the 1st Live, this live also shouldered the story from the anime and it felt like it was packed with new challenges. Anchan’s backflip in “Miracle Wave”, everyone’s solo songs, the joint performance with Saint Snow, more was asked of us than ever before and pressure came along with that. It was nervous up until we finished all our performances.

Q: The concert followed the anime (‘s story) and there were a lot of costume changes too.

A: Including the encore, there were 6 outfits. There were outfits that we only wore for one song too, in addition to that, depending on the day there were solo songs too so backstage was nuts (lol). Personally, I liked the costume from “Mirai no Bokura ha Shitteru yo” We wore it for some performances and fan meetings before, it was the first song for this performance and it was the first time singing the full version, so there was kind of a fresh feeling that went with it that I hadn’t experienced before. I also found that I got used to wearing different costumes depending on each production.

Q: Well then, what left an impression on you during your performances?

A: Truthfully, everything (lol). If I had to give an answer “WATER BLUE NEW WORLD”. When I was the anime I thought to myself, “can we really replicate in a show?”. She changes costumes in the middle of the song, her skirt turns into wings?! (lol). But thanks to everyone’s ideas, we were able to pull it off, I got the feeling through our performance that, if we combine everyone’s power, there isn’t anything we can’t do, which is the essence of Aqours.

Q: The fan’s reaction when the feathers floated through the air was amazing.

A: Was it? I was so desperate I didn’t have the leeway to see everyone’s reactions (lol). Well, afterwards I watched a video, and watching the countless feathers dance through the air and seeing everyone’s penlights going nuts. I was so moved I started tearing up, even thinking about now is making me tear up a little (lol). On the other hand, I was afraid. Letting your guard down makes it easy to make mistakes, I kept telling myself that “I have to do this by clinging on to some nerves up until the very end”, speaking of getting emotional, the 2nd season digest during the intermission! Even though I’m supposed to know what happened already I got a little teary eyed (lol).

Q: Did the cast get to watch that video to?

A: During standby, everyone was staring at the screen (lol). Because the end of the video leads into our appearance on stage, it’s easier to create the right mood. Especially for “Miracle Wave” I thought, “Chika-chan’s about to fly!”. With the end of the video, I felt like we were able to stand on stage with the same feelings as the anime Aqours.

Q: Speaking of replicating the anime, we were finally able to see Saint Aqours Snow’s “Awaken the power” in person.

A: I was really happy having a joint performance with Saint Snow. In reality, our first joint performance with them was at “Saint Snow PRESENTS LOVE LIVE! SUNSHINE!! HAKODATE UNIT CARNIVAL”. At that time I was overwhelmed by their powerful impression. That happening made me feel, “Like hell we’re gonna lose!”, in that way, during the 3rd Live I felt like Saint Snow really fired up our motivation.

Q: So it really felt like they were both friends and rivals.

A: I really think that. When we’re in the studio it feels a bit lonely without the 2 members of Saint Snow (lol). That’s how irreplaceable they are.

Q: How was your solo song “Pianoforte Monologue”?

A: I was nervous! Because it was my first time performing solo I was really afraid at the beginning. Being that I’m not great at either singing or dancing, will I be really okay by myself? But I wanted to repay the debt to all the fans who supported Riko-chan’s performances, over everything else, if I was able to enjoy the performance, it would definitely get through to everyone and I sang while holding on to that precious feeling.

Q: Was the costume your idea?

A: Yep. It was the outfit that Riko-chan wore for the piano competition in season 1. I thought if I ever had a chance to sing a solo, I’d definitely wear that outfit, the solo song itself uses piano as a motif so, “I can’t wear anything else, can I?” (lol). I also thought that the fans would be expecting that costume for a performance, so I was happy to be able to fulfill that dream of mine.

Q: The piano-playing like choreography was also wonderful.

A: I really worried about what kind of performance I wanted to do. The fans wanted me to play piano again, but it wasn’t something I could simply decided by myself. There was also idea for me to pretend to play, but that really isn’t Riko-chan, and I also played live during the first live, so I didn’t want to deceive anyone. But I wanted to answer everyone’s feelings and that’s how the idea of choreography that emulated piano playing came up. If I was able to show Riko-chan relaxed and having fun playing on stage with video of piano keys in the background, I felt like I’d be able to show a side of Riko-chan we hadn’t seen before. In addition, when I was working with our choreographer she suggested “outside of the hooks, why don’t you try showing what’s in your heart?”, so I thought of almost all of the movements and they let me perform freely.

Q: Is that proof that Aida-san has matured?

A: I wonder (lol). It’s just, for every show and event, I decided to find something I have trouble with and conquer it. For this tour, it was my expressions on stage and my singing voice. I also have bad stage fright, there’s a lot of stuff I do in practice which I can’t get a hold of during our performances. I’m working hard to be able to show the results of my training no matter how nervous I am. Whether I’ve grown or not is something others feel so I don’t have a good idea myself. If the fruits of my labour took shape, I’d be really happy.

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