In the September 2017 issue of Dengeki G’s Magazine, each of the Aqours cast was interviewed on their thoughts about the 2nd Live Tour, with a question on each location (Nagoya, Kobe, Saitama) as well as one on the tour as a whole.

Here’s my attempt at translating their answers; let me know if you have any errors or suggestions to report. (I was half-asleep on a plane while translating parts of this…)

If you need a refresher, their 2nd Live Tour begins this Saturday:

8/5, 8/6: Nagoya

8/19, 8/20: Kobe

9/29, 9/30: Saitama

I’ll be in Nagoya (and Saitama) cheering them on, so I wanted to get this out before their show on Saturday. I’m glad that I’ve gotten to see Aqours come this far, and I’m hyped to see what they have in store for this tour!

Anju Inami (Anchan) as Chika Takami

A1: Impression of Nagoya

This 2nd Live Tour is my second time in Nagoya! The first time I went to Nagoya was in November 2015, for the talk and meet-and-greet event celebrating the release of our first single, “Aqours Extracurricular Activities: Journey of Greetings ~DOKI-DOKI SUNSHINE!!~”. We split up by our school year groups, and us three 2nd years went to Nagoya back then. I’m very happy that this time, all nine of us can come back like this! ♪

A2: Impression of Kobe

It’s my first time in Kobe!! So the first thing that comes to mind when you ask is Kobe beef. After that, the name of the venue is “World Memorial Hall”, so I wonder “what kind of amazing venue could this be?”. I’ve been excited about visiting this new place!

A3: Impression of Saitama

This is the second time I’ve been to the performance venue, the MetLife Dome! The first time was about four years ago, when I went to see one of my favorite artists perform. To think that on my next visit, it’d be me standing on that stage… it didn’t even cross my mind as a possibility, so I’m very surprised!

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

On this 2nd Live Tour, I’m super happy that we can visit all these places! Really, it’s thanks to everyone who has been so kind as to cheer us on. With a smile like Chika’s, shining as brightly as the sun, I want to say to everyone “thank you” and “from here on”! Please look forward to it!!

Rikako Aida (Rikyako) as Riko Sakurauchi

A1: Impression of Nagoya

For Nagoya, as one might expect, I have a strong impression from the 2nd years’ talk and meet-and-greet event in 2015. In the 2nd years’ group, we went around eating kushikatsu [TL: various fried foods on skewers], visiting Nagoya Castle, and taking pictures of us posing like Shachihoko [TL: a mythical carp; there’s a statue at Nagoya Castle] (laugh). Being able to come back and perform in this memory-filled Nagoya brings me a lot of joy!

A2: Impression of Kobe

This is the first time in my life that I’ve been to Kobe, so it’s full of nothing but unknowns for me. All of it will be fresh to me, so whatever happens, I feel like I’ll be able to have a good time (laugh).

A3: Impression of Saitama

Saitama prefecture is so close to Tokyo that my impression of it is roughly the same as that for Tokyo. And to say the least, it’ll be at the MetLife Dome! The sound of “Dome” really resonates, and that’s very moving.

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

This is Aqours’ first live tour, so I hope we can show Aqours’ passionate emotions to everyone from each stage!! I have a lot of feelings like that! I want to have a bright, blazing hot summer, living up to the title of “Love Live! Sunshine!!”!! When the day of the show comes, let’s forget about the next day, and have our hearts burn with passion to the end!!

Nanaka Suwa (Suwawa) as Kanan Matsuura

A1: Impression of Nagoya

I’ve always wanted to go to Nagoya, but this is my first time going there, so I’m looking forward to it ♪ I’ve heard of the venue we’re performing in, Nippon Gaishi Hall, but I’ve never been there, so I’m very curious and excited to see what kind of place it is. This is the first venue of our 2nd Live Tour, and while I want to get a grip on the atmosphere there, from Nagoya onward, I want to put all my strength into firing everyone up!

A2: Impression of Kobe

Thinking about Kobe, I have the impression of a beautiful townscape. The 1st year group loves taking pictures, and it seems like Kobe will have a lot of photography spots that’ll delight them…! I haven’t been to Kobe either, so I’m looking forward to finding out what kind of place it is! I’m happy that I can go to these places I haven’t visited yet on this live tour. One day, I want to try visiting every prefecture in Japan.

[TL: Technically, not all of the administrative divisions referred to here are called “prefectures”, but it’s close enough and makes for easier reading to translate it that way.]

A3: Impression of Saitama

MetLife Dome is a very big venue, so I’m really looking forward to being able to perform there ♪ I’ll try my best so that we can unleash all the excitement built up from our performances in Nagoya and Kobe!

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

Though it feels like we just finished the 1st Live, I want to experience that scenery of a sea of lights once more! Together with everyone that comes to watch us, I hope we can see an even more beautiful landscape! I want to have a HAPPY PARTY TRAIN TOUR where we can bring everyone lots of happiness!!

Arisa Komiya (Arisha) as Dia Kurosawa

A1: Impression of Nagoya

When talking about Nagoya, as I thought, the image of Nagoya Castle comes to mind! I want to see Shachihoko, since I haven’t seen it in person before!! I’ve only been to Nagoya for work, so my own impression is very busy, but I think I’d really like to do some relaxed sightseeing（^^）

A2: Impression of Kobe

I’ve also been to Kobe for work, once or twice. But I don’t know very much about what’s there, so I’m thinking that I’ll ask (Takatsuki) Kanako-chan, who’s from Kobe, to teach me about it. The Kobe performance is after the two days we spend in Nagoya, so I think that’ll mean that my nervousness will settle down, and I hope to have a wonderful performance in Kobe!

A3: Impression of Saitama

The Seibu Line that goes to MetLife Dome is one that I took often for work when I was 18-19, so personally, there are a lot of feelings associated with that place. When I was going home, I’d see many people wearing the performers’ T-shirts. But back then, I never thought at all that I would stand on that stage. On this live tour, and out of all the venues we’ve performed at before, this will be the largest one. I want to firmly project my feelings and smile to everyone, even those furthest from the stage!!

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

The theme for our previous live was “0 to 1”, but on this tour, it would be great if we could show off exactly how much we’ve grown in the half year since then! On this tour, we can meet even the people in the outskirts of the Kansai region who couldn’t come before, so I’ll try with all I’ve got to bring enjoyment to everyone!

Shuka Saitou (Shukashuu) as You Watanabe

A1: Impression of Nagoya

Us 2nd years went to Nagoya for the meet-and-greet event!! So being able to come to Nagoya again like this makes me happy! The time we visited Nagoya Castle is dear to me~ （* ^^ *）I’m looking forward to being able to perform at Nippon Gaishi Hall!! Let’s have a Nagoya-esque performance~! …what does it mean to be Nagoya-esque?? (laugh)

A2: Impression of Kobe

My first visit ☆ to Kobe!! It’s hereee ☆☆ This is my first time going to Kobe! It’ll be my first impression! Just about everything will be fresh to me, so there’s no end to my excitement!! I’m happy that my first Kobe visit is for our 2nd Live Tour!! This is the best!!

A3: Impression of Saitama

Saitamaaaa—!! To think that we can perform in Saitama!! Wow! Wow! My happiness is going to overflow!! The venue is huge, too!! I might say that my impression of Saitama is good, as it has this mysterious sense of security!! (laugh)

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

Finally! It’s here!!! The 2nd Live Tour! Ever since it was announced at our 1st Live, I’ve thinking “Is it here yet? Is it here yet?”, and now it’s coming so soon ☆☆ We’re coming to visit everyone. And when I think about being able to make so many wishes come true in so many places, my anticipation and heartbeats just won’t stop ☆ I wonder what scenery we’ll see, and what dreams we’ll create this time around. And since this is our first tour, my fighting spirit can’t help but get fired up. From the most amazing stages, I want to reach everyone who has supported us all this time! I’ll be holding hands with the rest of Aqours and You-chan! Looking towards all our performances: Full speed ahead!! Yousoro!!!

Aika Kobayashi (Aikyan) as Yoshiko Tsushima

A1: Impression of Nagoya

The 1st years have descended on Nagoya before, for the meet and greet event! Now that we’re coming back, this time in the form of the 2nd Live Tour, I’m thinking “We can meet everyone~”, so I’m very happy and really looking forward to it! When we heard that we have the privilege of performing at Nippon Gaishi Hall, I thought that I’ll have to work even harder than before so that we can show everyone Aqours’ radiance. Everyone, let’s enjoy ourselves~!!

A2: Impression of Kobe

My first time here!! …at last, the fallen angel descends onto Kobe—To Kobeeee? I fall! [TL: this worked a lot better in Japanese] I want to eat a lot of tasty food!! And the venue is the World Memorial Hall!! Meeting our little demons, and seeing our numbers grow… I’m looking forward to it!

A3: Impression of Saitama

When Saitama was mentioned, I thought of Seibu Dome (now MetLife Dome). Well, I never! Never! Never expected that the day would come when we’d have the chance to perform there!! I wasn’t thinking of that at all, so I thought “wow, this dream hasn’t ended, huh?”! With everyone in Aqours, I want to continue making various dreams come true! I’ve thought this many times over!

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

Thanks for waiting! Little demons! Aqours is coming to see you all! It’s the 2nd Live Tour! Let’s board a happy train with Yohane, and go to the ends of the earth! Everyone, let’s shine together!

Kanako Takatsuki (King) as Hanamaru Kunikida

A1: Impression of Nagoya

Kushikatsu, chicken wing tips, dagyaa~! Personally, I’ve been to Nagoya so many times! I’m from Kobe, so my number one memory is taking the slow train for over 4 hours to meet my friends in Nagoya (laugh).

A2: Impression of Kobe

I am Kobe girl! [TL: literally what she said] My hometown ♡ Riding the Port Liner is exciting. It’s a very strange feeling, coming to my hometown as a part of Aqours. I’ll try my best to make everyone like Kobe so that we’ll want to come back!!

A3: Impression of Saitama

Saitama seems close, but I can never really go! I’ve been to MetLife Dome once to see a performance. I ate yakisoba [TL: stir-fried noodles] at one of the food courts outside the venue. All I do is eat (laugh).

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

Thinking about all the skills we’ve cultivated during the 1st Live and all the events after that, I’m wondering whether we’ll be able to show them off in a big way on our 2nd Live Tour. For both the songs we’re performing for the first time, as well as the ones we’ve performed a lot, I’m sure our dances and performance will surprise everyone, so I’d be very happy if you had high hopes for us! As Hanamaru Kunikida, from the bottom of my heart, I’m looking forward to being able to meet everyone.

Aina Suzuki (Ainya) as Mari Ohara

A1: Impression of Nagoya

To be honest, I’ve never been to Nagoya, so this will be my first time!! I haven’t been there before, so I can’t help but be very excited ♪ I’ve heard that our venue, Nippon Gaishi Hall, is really big, so my heart is already pounding ♡

A2: Impression of Kobe

To be honest, I’ve never been to Kobe either, so this will be my first time!! I haven’t been there before, so I can’t help but be very excited ♪ My impression of Kobe is that it has streets full of stylish fashion and full of sweets!! If I go, I get the feeling that I’d become a girl with a strong sense of both body and soul!! (laugh)

A3: Impression of Saitama

My impression of Saitama is that it seems very cheap to live there!! I feel like you can spend your days living peacefully there ♪ MetLife Dome is often used for baseball games, right!? It must be very spacious ♪ I’m deeply touched by the fact that we’re able to perform in this kind of place!!!

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

At our 1st Live, we were on stage at Yokohama Arena. And for our 2nd Live, we have a tour… Normally, you wouldn’t think this would happen, so it feels like we’re walking in a Cinderella story. After experiencing our 1st Live, now that I’ve reflected on and improved on my shortcomings, I think I’d like to show everyone how much I’ve grown. I’m really looking forward to meeting everyone in each of these places, and I think that each of these encounters will become precious treasures to me. So I’m hoping that each encounter with us will become something important to everyone as well.

Ai Furihata (Furirin/Aiai) as Ruby Kurosawa

A1: Impression of Nagoya

I remember going to Nagoya on a school study trip. We did things like going to the harbor’s aquarium and taking photos, so I want to go again! Afterwards, we ate lots of delicious stuff! I like uirou [TL: a rice flour candy], so I want to buy “uiro bar” [TL: a frozen popsicle-like take on it; no English source, but pics here] as a souvenir (laugh).

A2: Impression of Kobe

This is my first time in Kobe! I want to learn about it from Kanako-chan, Hanamaru Kunikida’s voice actor. It’s also my first time at World Memorial Hall, so I can’t really imagine what kind of atmosphere it has. If I said one thing, maybe it’d be “It’ll definitely be an unforgettable time!”. My heart is already pounding.

A3: Impression of Saitama

The other members took some time to tell me about MetLife Dome. I heard that it’s incredibly big, “huge!!”, and “hot!!” (laugh). Thus, I want to try my best, so that with our energy, we can blow the heat away from the venue, and reach everyone with our happiness. To everyone coming to this venue, please take care to hydrate yourself!

A4: Message for Everyone ♪

On this tour, we’ll be able to go to so many places, and have the chance to make an enjoyable time for so many people; I think this kind of privilege is extremely rare. Aqours, Love Live! Sunshine!!, and Numazu: I want to put on a performance that will make everyone love them more and more! I want to reach everyone with Aqours’ Numazu Power. Please look forward to it ☆

