[EN]Seiani May 2017 - Interview with Suwa Nanaka

Translated by: @kuuxkat

Additional TL & QC by: @yujachachacha

Originally TL by: 明智梨五郎 from 七喵研究所 here

DO NOT USE THE SUBS FOR COMMERCIAL PURPOSES!



Contents under the Cut!

It really is quite shocking to welcome the 2nd Live Tour not even half a year after the end of February’s live, and with each location being held at a big stage. This is especially so for the Live held at Seibu Prince Dome in September 2017. It is a stage that is even bigger than Yokohama Arena. It is something even more unimaginable even when compared to 1st Live. But this time, I am even more motivated than usual with the Tour being titled after the song “HAPPY PARTY TRAIN” with Kanan as the center. In addition, I guess I would like to see a different sight in every stage? From now on, my heart is filled with eager anticipation.





Progress

Q: In what ways has the 1st Live caused you to advance or grow?

Suwawa: As the 1st Live was something that was completely new to me, I could only think, “What kind of stage would it be?”. But, with the experience I had gained from being able to perform on a big stage, I would think, “I wish to do this”, “We can do these things too” next time, and think about all the possibilities while preparing for the live.





Aqours

Q: A post-1st Live message for everyone.

Suwawa: The 1st Live was something that was only possible because everyone supported and filled in for each other’s weaknesses on our way here together… so what I would like to say is, “Thank you”. But even giving thanks is not enough. During the entire period of the Live, everyone spent more time with each other than before and after it ended, and everyone said that they did not want to go back just yet, which is something that’s unforgettable.





Release

Q: Your enthusiasm and anticipations towards the release of the Duo/Trio Collection CDs.

Suwawa: Kanan gives an image of a quiet and calm big sister, so pairing her with her childhood friend (Chika) who is full of energy makes me eagerly anticipate what side of them can be seen. I totally can’t imagine how the song would be like (laughs)! I would be happy if the song could showcase the strong camaraderie between the two of them.





Together

Q: Please say a few words to the fans who are looking forward to the Aqours Next Step! Project.

Suwawa: After experiencing the 1st Live, I experienced the support and strength that we received from everyone once again. For the 2nd Live Tour along with the Season 2 of the TV Anime and others later on, there are still many things that I wish to show and express to everyone. Let us all look forward to it and take that next step forward together!





Yourself

Q: After 1st Live, what part of you do you feel has grown the most?

Suwawa: It was my first time performing so many songs in front of everyone, so it was a big step for me to be able to perform properly. In the encore animation in the first day, Kanan said, “We can still sing 100 more songs”, and in the second day she added on, “We can still sing another 200 songs,” and it does feel that we can do that (laughs).





We were able to complete a performance that was more spectacular than imagined.





Q: Now that the 1st Live has ended, what is your mental state right now?

Suwawa: Now that we are on the topic, there might be still some doubts. On one hand, it feels like it (1st Live) has not ended, and on the other hand it does feel like I have accomplished something huge, so I have very mixed feelings about it. Perhaps if you give me more time, I will be able to arrange my thoughts properly.





Q: Did you have fun during the Live itself?

Suwawa: I was really very happy! Just being able to perform properly from the start until the end for the two days has given me a large confidence boost. And I saw many, many fans who cheered for us. The smiles of the fans made me feel that I have completed something that is even more spectacular than I had imagined.





Q: Was there any pressure?

Suwawa: When we arrived at Yokohama Arena, initially I was pressured by the thoughts of, “To think that it’s such a big arena”. As I have never been there before, even as a member of the audience, I totally couldn’t imagine how it would be like. But when the rehearsals began, there wasn’t any time to even feel nervous, as the preparatory work had already left us all battered and bruised (laughs). I didn’t know whether it was a good or bad thing. In summary, we didn’t really feel any pressure as I welcomed the official start of the performance. But before the opening performance, (Kobayashi) Aika-chan and I were crying for a while.





Q: What happened before the performance?

Suwawa: The dance teacher said, “You guys can do it”, and gave us a push from the back. As the dance teacher was someone who usually would be at our side teaching us strictly, after listening to her strong encouragement, I felt very touched.





Q: What were your thoughts when you stood on the stage for the first time on the first day?

Suwawa: “Aozora Jumping Heart” was the song that left me with the deepest impression on Day 1. As the position where I was standing was one that faced the back, I could not see what the arena was like, but there were small flashes of light sporadically flashing at us. And afterwards when I turned around, it was really a rush when the sparkling shining lights hit us. I don’t think that I will ever forget that particular patch of lights for my entire life.





Q: How was it like on the second day, then?

Suwawa: The insert song in the TV anime where the 3rd years joined, “MIJUKU DREAMER”, encompassed very deep feelings and emotions. Besides having the same Japanese style outfits, I was really very happy that the shower of fireworks was shown once again on the stage. In the anime, I was also looking forward to (Matsuura) Kanan joining (Aqours), and in the Live it followed the same plot development in the Anime, so by incorporating this song into it, it created joyful emotions where I felt that “I can finally sing with everyone else.”





Q: And afterwards, the 3rd Single that will be released on April 5th, 2017 is a song with Matsuura Kanan as the center, right?

Suwawa: Although we had gone through repeated practices with the previous songs as well, for this particular song, the extent to which I practiced it was such that you could say, “This is the song that I had practiced the most in my entire life”. In the “Second Center Position Popularity Poll”, the three individuals who took the first three positions would have a small solo portion in accordance to their placing. For the second position (Yoshiko) and the third position (Hanamaru), the two of them are the ones with the best vocals in singing, so I thought that “I can’t be holding them back” (laughs). I used that to motivate myself to practice with that momentum.

Suwawa: It was a song that was written to represent spring, and the tune of the song has a slight tinge of sadness to it. So I sang it while being aware of two themes - “Graduation and a new beginning” and “Meetings and Leavings”, with a combination of emotions for loneliness and anticipation. And when it entered the start of the refrain/chorus portion, the animated PV showcased a portion with a very terrific view. Everyone, please do check that part out. I am very eagerly awaiting this performance in the Live!

(Source: weibo.com)