Anchan’s interview from Seiyuu Animedia - 09/18

From the September 2018 issue of Seiyuu Animedia.

I was most nervous for the first song out of our setlist.



Q: First, what are your thoughts looking back on the 3rd live tour.

A: First of all, above everything else, I was really happy to be able to experience things through Chika’s perspective. Continuing the 2nd tour, I was very happy to be able to go to various places and perform. Personally, I was really nervous since we started rehearsing. But after we successful performance at the Metlife Dome, I was relieved. I was able to relieve all the tension and I was able to enjoy the remaining performances.

Q: What do you mean you were nervous during rehearsal?

A: These concerts followed along with season 2 of the anime, so the songs from season 2 were the focus of the concert. One one hand “I’m happy to be able to perform these songs with everyone” on the other hand, there was pressure from not being used to the songs. I couldn’t really calm down until the end of the first performance at the Metlife Dome.

Q: I see, do you remember the MC portion on the first day?

A: I said, “I’m back!”, didn’t I? It was the same place as the final day of the 2nd tour. It’s like a dream come true to be able to perform at such a big venue again. I think being able to say “I’m back” somewhere other than Numazu is pretty blessed. Also, the feeling that everyone was waiting got through to us, so I ended up yelling that out (lol).

Q: What was your state of mind the moment “Mirai wo Bokura ha Shitteiru yo” started?

A: Honestly speaking, I was at MAX nervousness during that opening (lol). We’d performed the song a few times before, but this was the first time we did it in full and there’s also my solo, so I just got more and more nervous. I also had the feeling that we needed to give everyone a feeling that the concert started and we wanted to do it with a bang. I also worried, “What happens if I get too into it and my voice betrays me?” (lol).

Q: Well, once the song was over were you able to calm down a bit?

A: I guess (lol). Since the falling hook [song term, idk] is Chika’s solo, I wasn’t able to relax till the very end, with that, after I finished singing, I thought “yes! We made it through the first song!” and it felt like a burden off my shoulders (lol).

Q: Chika’s “One More Sunshine Story” was the top batter on the first day of the 2 day concert.

A: Yep. With that I had a strong feeling that “I’m passing the baton to everyone!”. On the other hand, after my turn I was able to simply enjoy everyone’s solos. “Hanamaru’s cute!” “Yohane’s here!” “Riko-chan’s so pretty!” (lol).

Q: A complete fan’s POV (lol).

A: For real! (lol). But viewing them objectively like that, my thoughts and loves for Aqours grows stronger. Everyone’s outfit and performance differs, it gives you a sense of Aqours’ individual personalities. Given that, it makes me feel that all these personalities gathering to become really gives birth to something amazing.

Q: Chika’s costume was cute.

A: Thank you! A lot of thought went into it. “Should we make this solid mikan-colored?” (lol). There are a lot of cute Chika-like elements incorporated into the costume. Chika wears a BIG ribbon in “Mirai Ticket” and “Yume de Yozora wo Terashitai” right? I love that Chika-chan. So I had them include a hair ribbon for my solo costume!

Q: Were there other costumes you liked?

A: “Miracle Wave”. While I love shocking pink, I liked big heart with Aqours written in it across the chest, despite it being so basic. I was happy because we hadn’t had a costume like this one before.

Q: Speaking of “Miracle Wave”, you showed us all a backflip. I think those acrobatics were a highlight of the concert.

A: Of course I was happy from all the applause from the fans at the venue, but on the first day when I landed the backflip and seeing everyone in the members crying and being happy for me made me very happy. Truth is, I wasn’t able to tell everyone I was going to challenge this up until the very end of rehearsals. I didn’t want to worry everyone, until I got it down perfectly, I thought I would persist by myself. Truthfully, there were times it felt like I was going to break. But in the end I safely did it and hearing “I’m glad” from all the fans and the members made me glad I went for it.

Q: After you jumped you said, “Chika flew! This is the power of Aqours!” didn’t you?

A: I said it (lol). If I succeeded, I decided I’d definitely say “Chika flew!” I wanted to convey the happiness from Chika’s success and I also wanted to express some of the dialogue that I have with Chika within me. So that line was spoken both to Chika-chan and to myself. And “This is the power of Aqours!” was something for the members. In the first place, attempting a backflip all came from Chika doing it in the anime. If she did it, there was no way that I wouldn’t. But if I were to do it, I definitely didn’t want to worry or sadden the members. Despite myself, I’m the leader after all (lol). On the other hand, I did want to see everyone happy so I stepped up to the challenge. Even with that reason, success was a result of the feelings of our 9 members, without a doubt it was due to the power of Aqours.

Q: The sense of unity of all 9 of you was expressed clearly throughout the entire show.

A: I’m happy to hear that. Throughout the tour, from what we showed at all the different venues, I got the impression that “Wow, Aqours can really do all these different things”. At the same time, it was a tour wher I felt everyone’s warmth and sense of unity strongly. When Saint Snow came on to all the cheering. When those two were worried with, “I wasn’t sure if you’d welcome us”, I thought, “There’s no way they wouldn’t get excited with such a cool unit coming on stage” (lol), and the fans cheered for them beyond my imagination. Seeing that, it even made me happy. Really, through this tour, I’ve come to like everyone more and more!

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