I am organizing a birthday project for Ino Hiroki to give him during his birthday event early September! ^^Ā
I will be collecting birthday messages and fan art to compile into an album like what I did before 2 years ago.Ā
How to participate:Ā
1) Send me a birthday message for Ino!Ā
- Message has to be a maximum of 5 lines. I will transcribe all messages by hand to the best of my ability so please stick to the 5-line-limit!Ā
- Messages can be in Japanese, or simple English. You can also send a message in your language, but please provide a translation in simple English. If the language is in a script I cannot write, I will print that out and write the English translation. (Of course, I will discuss it with you first!)Ā
- Please sign off with which country you are from ^^Ā
2) Send me fan art of Ino!Ā
- Iām designing the book with a space theme, in reference to the quoteĀ āhitch your wagon to a starā. So submit fan art with the theme of stars! Whether its space, stargazing, or anything you can come up with that fits the theme :)Ā
- Size for art: A6 (105mm x 148mm). If you are unsure, I will resize any submissions I receive without changing the proportions to fit the book.Ā
Deadline is tentatively 16 AUGUST 2019.Ā
DM me on twitter @ sieepymochi or on instagram @ makoyyann if youĀ are interested in participating! Send me your message on one of those platforms, and for art, DM me and I will provide you an email or a way for you to send it :)Ā
The stage ended on the 22nd, and soon after Christmas is here. Did everyone give a present to someone dear to themmm? ^^
The streets are coloured with beautiful illumination lightsā¦ there are people dressed up as santa claus, and people with presents in their hands are here and there. Just like this, there are lots of people thinking of others, and being thought about. When I see them holding presents with such care, I feel warm.
And so and so, as someone with those thoughts, this christmas, I went on a solo trip.
Why I did that: I suddenly felt like going, so the next morning, I got on an empty romance car and went.
An onsen day trip.
I reached Hakone, had an onsen manju, and entered the open air bath. I entrusted my body to nature and reminisced on the yearās happenings alone.Ā
It was a year with lots of distress and agony, and a year I recognized how little my ability is.
Without noticing, I started singing to myself.
āNaanka kimochiiiiisa~ā
āOooree waaa kono sekai kara kanashimi woooā
ānaaagaku nobitaaa futaaatsu no kage wo~ā
It wasnāt just songs. I recalled the performances and eating Chinese food with everyone, and crying in the park night after night when I couldnāt do it. These days came back to me like a revolving lantern.
And then I focused hard on the path that I would take from now on...
I wonder if going to Hakone on Xmas was right.
Itās not just stage practice, but having precious alone time really calmed me down
It really is okay to be alone once in a whileā¦ Itās not a reset button, but I was able to get a fresh start!
Ok! Tomorrow Iāll go to the office and look for more opportunities to grow, and then itāll be the countdown talk with Keito!
AT LAST, I HAVE FINISHED PUTTING TOGETHER THE ALBUM FOR INOāS BIRTHDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!Ā
Thank you everyone who sent in lovely messages and art work!!!!! I wish I was more creative so I could have made it look prettier, but Iām really proud of how it turned out!!! I hope everyone who sent something in is happy with it too!Ā
It will be mailed out tomorrow, so it will reach Japan in time for his birthday event on the 26th of August!!!Ā
Submissions for the Ino Hiroki Birthday Project are now closed!!!!!!
Thank you so much to everyone who sent in a message or art!!!! There are so many messages for Ino, Iām so happy!!! I have to start writing them now!Ā
I will post a picture of it all when it is done!!!
Hello! If anyone has sent me an ask, but didnāt get a reply within a day, please message me again! >_< Idk how reliable Tumblr is with replying messages hahaha.Ā
One more week to send something in for Ino Hirokiās Birthday Project!Ā
Ino Hirokiās birthday is on September 11th, and he is having a birthday event on August 26th. Iām planning to compile birthday messages from his fans all over the world for him!Ā
Please please join and let him know how loved and supported he is from all over the world! I want him to have the best birthday!!!!!!Ā
1. Art/Scans/Graphics will be printed in A6 size! So please send me the file to fit that size!Ā
2. The deadline is July 20th, 10am JST!Ā
3. Iām accepting donations thru Paypal! If anyone would like to contribute to this project financially, do message me! :D Any little amount youād like is fine!Ā
Ino Hirokiās birthday is on September 11th, and he is having a birthday event on August 26th. Iām planning to compile birthday messages from his fans all over the world for him!Ā
Please please join and let him know how loved and supported he is from all over the world! I want him to have the best birthday!!!!!!Ā
I have settled on a size for art work and scans!Ā
The maximum size is A6 (105 mm x 148 mm).Ā
I am planning to buy an album that is A4 in size, and because there seems to be quite a number of people joining this project, I want everyone to have some space in the book. I hope everyone understands the limit!Ā
Thank you to those who have sent in your messages! ^^ My heart is so warm just thinking about all the love heās going to get!!Ā
Ino Hirokiās birthday is on September 11th, and he is having a birthday event on August 26th. Iām planning to compile birthday messages from his fans all over the world for him!Ā
Please please join and let him know how loved and supported he is from all over the world! I want him to have the best birthday!!!!!!Ā
Details under the cut!Ā
DetailsĀ
Deadline: July 20th, 10am JST
For simple questions: messageĀ @chiisanakyojin on tumblr or dm @ makoyyann on twitter!
If youāre just sending a message, you can send it to @chiisanakyojin on tumblr.Ā For artwork and scans, please message me off anon and I will give you an email to send it to! (:Ā
Either:Ā
1) Send a short birthday message to Ino - max. 5 lines
*Please include which country youāre from! ^^
- Japanese (if possible)
- Simple EnglishĀ
- Native language + English/Japanese translation of that
2) Digital art work (graphic stuff is ok too!!)
3) Scans of handwritten messages or art work
(For messages, please follow the same guidelines above!)
*Note: Maximum size of art work or scans is A6 (105 mm x 148 mm). If anything exceeds this size, I will resize it (without changing proportions) to make it fit.
I will handwrite the messages sent in (unless you scanned your message) and put them in an album for Ino.Ā
I will update this post again if there are any changes! :)Ā
I hope many people are interested!!!Ā
(P.S. Ā I am accepting donations if anyone would like to contribute financially haha, because I am a poor kid. These are to cover the cost of the album, paper to write messages on, printing of art, and shipping to Japan. Please message me if youād like to help me out, thank you!)
āTaking a step forward towards the next scene ā from stage to screen, Ino Hirokiās endeavourā Livedoor News Translation
Original article:Ā http://news.livedoor.com/article/detail/12562364/
(Translatorās note: this translation is of the second section onwards. I got lazy with translating the first section, where he talks about how acting in a stage and in a television drama is different. My Japanese isnāt good, so I left some parts I completely donāt understand in the original text.)
-
The character and I are so similar, reading the script scared me.
This work is about boys, who live together, aiming to have an idol debut, right?
In a way, but how should I put it. Itās a story about aiming to become an idol, so I recalled my own experiences such as when I joined my company, and when I decided to become an actor, and acted out this drama.
The characters in the drama each have their own personalities that stand out as an idol, so what sort of character is Eikura Hiroki?
āTHE Average Boyā, I would sayā¦ Actually, it should be āTHE Most Difficult!ā (laughs)
(T/N: idk how to translate this better, sorry haha.)
I see.
Heās an optimistic, simple-minded idiot who means well. In any case, heās someone who works hard to make others smile. He cares about others more than himself, and whenever someone has problems, he wants to help them solve it. Heās someone who acts before he thinks. But because he only looks at whatās around him, he doesnāt understand anything about himself.
For example?
This drama is made to be like an otome-game and so the manager is the audience. For example his feelings towards the managerā¦ When she holds hands with someone, he would think āFor some reason, I donāt like thisā, but he doesnāt know what that feeling is.
Is he dense? (Laughs)
Heād react like āEh? I donāt like that. What is this?ā And Iām like āIsnāt that love! Why canāt you see it?!ā (Laughs) Also, when everyone is having fun, rather than joining them, we would just stand at the back and laugh along.
Standing at a distance and watching people have fun, seems like something you have said before about yourself in our previous interview.
Yeah. Hiroki and I have this in common too. Hirokiās reason in wanting to become an idol is because he wants to make many people smile, even if heās just one person.
And this relates to you.
Yes, I think I behave exactly like that. For example during my first event, and during curtain call when I see the audienceās smiles, Iād think āIām glad I did this.ā How I present myself, even if itās just a few people, or a small matter, in what way am I able to change myself? This is something Iām always thinking about.
On the other hand, were there parts where you were like āIām different from Hiroki!ā
The one difference has to be āpositivityā. I donāt have any confidence in myself. Iām a dark-natured pessimist (laughs).
Ehhh? (Laughs)
At my core, Iām a mellow person. Always. Hiroki is a naturally hyper person, so acting out his excited scenes were really difficult.
You said that you donāt have confidence in yourself, but this time, when it was decided that you would be the main character of the drama, did that give you confidence?
When this series ends, I wonder if Iāll become more confident, even if itās just a little bit. Right now, the only thing I have in mind is doing this with all Iāve got. Hiroki and I are both āTHE Average Boyā kind of people. Weāre not that great at singing, dancing, or performing, and jumped into this world with just our feelings.
It seems like Ino-san is growing together with Hiroki.
It certainly does seem like that, doesnāt it? I have the exact same worry of āIs it really okay for someone as average as me to be here?ā How is Hiroki going to move forward, what decisions is he going to make? Because Iām in the same position as him, reading the script was really nerve-wrecking.
How Hiroki is going to move forward, and what decisions heās going to make... ? You probably canāt say more without giving away any spoilers, but could you tell us your feelings when reading the script?
āHeās so strongā. I thought, āHiroki is strong, I like him.ā When Starcon begun, many problems arose but is he able to overcome them? How is Hiroki going to change? I looked forward to how things were going to progress as I looked over him. It made me happy.
Practicing dance until 2amā¦ Feeling the value of friendship
Since you were the main character, you definitely had thoughts like āI have to lift the mood when weāre filming.ā
Yeah. But, that was pretty difficultā¦ For stage practices, they usually start in the afternoon, but now I have to wake up at 5am to start filming. Before this being my first role as the main character, this is my first time being in a serialized drama, so Iām not used to the mornings, and at the beginning I was always very sleepy (laughs).
(Laughs).
I was able to lift my mood, but Iām not able to lift the mood of those around me. Rather, the person who can do that is Kenken-san.
Was Kamakari-san able to help you?
Before, I told him, āYouāre seriously helping me outā (laughs). He really looks out for those around him. When Kenken-san was around, I feel like I can be myself.
Speaking of other members, youāve acted with Kawasumi Bishin, who plays Hasegawa Shon, in Haikyuu!!.
Bishin-kun is someone who is extremely enthusiastic about performing. Even though weāre the same age, he has much more experience with performing than I do, and has many respectable qualities.
Youāve also acted in a few productions with Nagata Takato, who plays Hanamiya Minami, right?
Takato is the mood maker. From morning till night, heās really energetic (laughs). The set is always really lively, but Takato is by far the noisiest (laughs). When I look at him, I think āHirokiās brightness is probably something like this huh.ā But mostly, he gives me the feeling of someone who really loves performing. To be honest, each time we act together, it seems like heās growing.
Something like this would inspire you right?
Exactly. Whatever Takato is thinking of, he would be straightforward and voice it. I think this courage comes from him being from Kyushu. Since I debuted, this is something Iām not able to do.
The film set seems wonderful.
While thereās the feeling of āIn any case, letās make this a good production,ā everyone really is strong. Such as during the script reading, everyone helps me through the parts Iām not feeling good about, and of course, I will help the others too. During the dance scenes too, weāll help each other out, and teach each other patiently until we can do it well.
The dance scenes are an important part of the show, arenāt they?
It was a really hard fight for meā¦ The teacher taught us at the beginning, but I didnāt have much time to practice. They said āRemember what Iām doingā, and after one or two times, I was to do it on my own. But I wasnāt able to remember something as easy as thatā¦
During that time, did the other actors teach you?
Bishin-kun has experience in dance, so he memorized the dances really quickly. And so, Bishin-sensei taught the rest of us.
Teamwork!
Before, something happened that made me really happy. During a dance practice, I wasnāt able to remember the steps like how it was shown. After practice ended, it was about 10pm but I couldnāt stop feeling anxious, so I told the producer āI want to practice alone.ā They replied with āThen Iāll book a place where you can practice till the morning,ā and lent me a studio. After our practice ended, I said āIām gonna go to another studio to practice so Iāll go home from thereā and everyone followed me.
Even though everyone had an early day tomorrow as well.Ā
Exactly. In spite of that, they said āWeāre feeling uneasy too, so weāll accompany you.ā And so, Bishin-kun said āIf thatās the case, Iāll teach you.ā We practiced until about 2.30am. At that time, whoa, I was extremely happy. Iām so grateful to have friends around, I thought.
Secrets behind filming scenes that make the viewās heart raceĀ
In this drama, there are sparkly scenes such as ākabe-donā scenes, and āclose-up scenesā, that make the viewerās heart race.
Fufufu, thatās right (laughs). The screen looks like itās from an otome-game, and we act towards the person in the camera.
Youāre pretty close to the camera, right?Ā
Thatās right. Well, the cameraman is a guy thoughā¦ (laughs).
During the filming of these scenes, was it embarrassing? Or were you excited?Ā
Excitedā¦ definitely not (laughs). At the beginning I was definitely embarrassed and wanted to hide. I wasnāt able to look at the camera and do it. I got used to it while I acted (laughs).
During the start of the first episode, when Hiroki bumped into the manager and pushed her down, my heart was racing (laughs).
Really?! Did the viewerās heart race too?! (laughs) I was uncomfortably close, it felt like you could see my pores (laughs).
After doing a scene like this, did you have the realization of āSo this is what makes girlsā hearts raceā?
A long time ago, I did otome game production stage plays, but I still donāt understand it, girlsās heartsā¦ Takamatsu Kouichi-san who plays Tanaka Riichirou, his sparkly scenes are such a mystery to me (laugh). His character is established to be like a dadā¦ I mean a mom, so his sparkly scenes show that characteristic. If everyoneās hearts were racing from those scenes, I think for the rest of my life, I wonāt understand girlsā hearts (laughs).
On the contrary, what are some things girls do that make your heart skip a beat?
Hmmā¦ For people with long hair, itās when they tie their hair backs. And if the person has a bob-cut, (using his right hand to tuck hair thatās covering the left side of face behind his ear) when they tuck their hair behind their ears.
Why does this make your heart skip a beat?
It feels like youāre seeing a crop circle (laughs). With long hair, parts from the shoulder up such as the nape is usually hidden right? The ears too. Seeing these parts that are usually hidden in that sudden moment makes your heart skip a beat.
The method he resorts to for relaxationā¦ zen meditation!?
From here on, Iāll ask you about your personal life. In our last interview, you said that during your day offs you would take your road bike and travel far out, or bring your camera out. What do you do recently?
Recentlyā¦ Iāve been going shopping a lot.
And what about exercising and such?
Recently, huh. Actually last year, after the Engeki Haikyuu!! Regional performances ended, we went to Spocha. But after playing basketball for 3 minutes, I was already out of breath (laughs).
(T/N: Spocha is a game center where you can play sports and stuff.)
You guys went right after a stage performanceā¦?
Yeah, exactly. We completely forgot about how much we used our bodies in the stage (laughs). I thought about my high school days and wanted to try playing basketball, but I had a coughing fit and gulped down all my water. I couldnāt do it (laughs). Since then, Iāve dedicated my breaks to shopping.
Do you go shopping for clothes?
Yes. Before, I used to go shopping with Hashimoto Shouhei and often buy whatever he tells me to (laughs), but recently I go shopping alone more often.
In the midst of your busy schedule, do you have time every day to relax and take a breather?
Iāve always liked soaking in the bath for a long time. Just that, while weāre filming the drama, I would read the next dayās script while soaking in the tub. So even though my body is resting, my mind probably isnāt (laughs).
I see... thatās tough.
Another thing I thought about, is zen meditation.
Zen meditation!?
First, play some relaxation music. And for the meditation posture, you can do it however you like. As long as you feel relaxed. I would sit upright in a chair, and put my fingers like this (making a circle with his thumb and index finger).
Even though no one can see you, you still did the pose genuinely.
Iām the type to start with looks* (laughs). After that, to get into the mood, Iād light some aroma candles and imagine being in nature. Please imagine being in a big, wide open meadow that makes you think āThe sun is so warm~!āĀ
Hmmā¦ā¦ā¦
Iām sitting in a meadow, and in front of there are mountains, from the left sunrays are shining down, and butterflies are fluttering around. Once in awhile, a ferocious bear would appear and I would feel like I have to think about removing it. But when you accept its presence, it would slowly go away. Thatās the secret to zen meditation, or rather, daydreaming.
But itās not daydreaming, itās meditation (laughs).
E-Eh? (laughs) It feels bad if itās daydreaming, huh (laughs). Itās meditation. My head used to be really tense, but since I started meditating, Iāve begun to feel more refreshed in the mornings.
Even though youāve had a lot of experience with stage plays, it must be difficult being in your first screen production.
Thatās rightā¦ā¦ But I think this experience would be useful in the future.
When I meet you again after this drama is over, I hope you will be brimming with confidenceā¦ā¦!
Ahahaha. Itāll be funny when I become really confident and eloquent. Please look forward to how Iād change as a person (laughs).
Thank you to those who came out to the Geki Dan Live today!
Also, thank you to those who made reservations, and those who came from afar, even though it was decided at the last minute. I was honestly really happy.
Iāve also received the presents and lettersā¦ Thank you so much (._.)
The Geki Dan Sports Eventā¦
To those who cheered for the green team: sorry. Because of the rules of variety, we lostā¦ (._.) (T/N: Idk what āvarietyā refers to. Probably one of the segments.)
Damn it!
If there is a next time, I definitely wonāt lose then!
Also, please definitely come for Kiritori III. (T/N: one of their shows.)Ā
...
Because I want to say it again, I will.
Thank you to those who took time off and coming down even though it was decided at the last minute.
Itās thanks to everyone that we, the actors, are able to continue standing on the stage for stage plays and events. We wonāt forget such an important thing.Ā
Although we are actors, itās because of the people who are involved in our work, and the people who have given us support, they have let us intertwined our lives with theirs. These people have also used their hard-earned money to come meet us.Ā
For example, even if Iām lousy, I have to straighten out my feelings. I have to convey them. And of course, I also have to produce results.Ā
But if results donāt show, you still canāt give up on anything so quickly. You have to work hard. If you work hard, if you change the way you see things, what you are seeking for will definitely come to you.. And even if what you wish for doesnāt come true, I think your efforts will still bear fruit elsewhere.
Thatās what I think.
If weāre able to deliver our performances, thatās all that matters.
I think āchangeā really is difficult. When we change, we have to get clear out unnecessary things in our lifeā¦ If weāre able to change, we will burn bridgesā¦ And after weāve changed and settled, we should pick up the things we cleared out before, one by one.
And thatās what Iāve been thinking about today!
Yesterday, I went to watch a play that Arisa Ikoshi-chan, who I worked with in CZ, appeared in - Copy Light. Every characterās relationships were so clear and well-organized that I could see that everyone was able to use their abilities to the fullest!
By the way, Arisa Ikoshi-chanās acting was different from when she acted as Nadeshioki. She was so cool...
I happened to bump into Noda-kun who played Bishop in the rerun so we took a picture.
On 14/8 Ino Hiroki and Sakurai Keito had a fan event together. This is a translated report of the night session. Itās pretty long, but I hope you enjoy! I laughed to myself a lot while reading this. (Some parts I did not understand so I left the original Japanese dialogue there.)
I: The afternoon show was really exciting! (Emphasized) So now, let's get on with the night show!!!
The camera fades out and the door opens. PERFECT HUMAN plays in the background and the both of them appear in the same suits they wore in the video. (Are they wearing sunglasses too? Idk lol.)
I think they walk down the aisles and high five the guests along the way. Ino goes to sit down at an area that's less crowded.
I: Iyaiyaiyaiya, can I stay here? I can't calm down.
They get on stage and dance to PERFECT HUMAN. They also do some running man thing, which was probably a misunderstanding lol.
I: Ehhh... So.. Let's do a self-introduction! I'm Ino Hiroki, born in Kanagawa Prefecture, from Tokyo. About the video earlier, the comments were really crappy, but I'm glad it made everyone excited.
S: Hai. Ehh-Ā *PERFECT HUMAN PLAYS* The timing of the music was so good that they both fell over laughing.Ā The guy in charge of music really supports me! (laughs)Ā Ehhh, once again.. I'm Sakurai Keito from Toyko. I'm 23 years old.
Everyone, are you readyyyy!?
*cheering*
I can't hear you! Are you readyyy!?
*louder cheering*
Thank you very much. (grinning)
I: What the... that's good..
S: You wanna do it? (laughs)
I: I wanna do it. (laughs)
Everyone, do you love Ino Hirokiiii?!??!
*cheering*
Do you love Sakurai Keitooo!?!?!?
*cheering*
Do you love Japannn?!?!?!
*cheering*
S: What was that last part?! (laughs)
I: Eh, Japan.
During the afternoon show, we said this at the beginning, but for this event, we've been planning to do it since 3 years ago? Since we acted together...
Suddenly a photo of the both of them from Hanayaka appears on the screen
I/S: UWAAAAAAA--- OMG!! EMBARRASSING!!! Don't we look young? Have our faces changed?
I: Keito was my half-sibling. He called me a commoner for his role.
S: Ah, that felt good! (smiling)
I: Waaaaa, it's too embarrassing so let's move on to the next one!
The photo changes to a picture of both of them from Clock Zero.
I/S: Uwaaaaaaa!!!!!!!!
I: Keito, doesn't your face look fat here? LOL
S: It's because of the wig! Hiroki too, aren't your pants terrible!
I: Yeah! The costume pants were suuuupper skinny. I wondered if I could fit into them. But when I put them on, my butt would stick out! (laughing) I also had a hard time moving around in them.
The photo changes to a picture of the both of them in Toki no Kizuna
I/S: Waaaaaa!!!!
I: Keito, you have honest eyes here (points to picture)
S: (Trying to make the same face) Hmmm. Something isn't quite right. It's only during that time. I've been tainted. (laughs)
S: How's it been recently?!
I: This again! (laughs) ... Recently? Recently huh... I've already talked about going on drives during the afternoon show but... I went to renew my license...But about that, when I went, they said I don't update it yet.
S: Eh?!
I: Has anyone here renewed their license before?
*about half the people in the audience raise their hands*
I: Ah. There's quite a lot of you. So, you guys know it? The period from a month before your birthday.
*audience nods*
S: ????
I: I went to the counter excited but they told me, "Because it's before the deadline, you can't go through the legal procedures." Ehhh?!?! I said, I didn't know about that, and I came all the way here! I can't come here again, so is there anything you can do? I asked. But they told me "The time period is written on your card." Eh... Such fine print... Eh, card? Ah, it's really written there! Che-... So I ended up going there just to drive for an hour.
S: Hehhhh...
Ino: That's why, even though I said "Do you love Japannn!?" earlier, right now I kind of hate it. (laughs)
S: What?! Getting your license on your birthday? You can't go there on the day itself?
I: No, no. It's from a month before your birthday.
(OP: people in the audience started talking during this talk so it got noisy... lol)
S: So itās been decided? Then thatās not good. Thatās Hirokiās fault.
I: Youāre blaming me?!?!?! Ah well, I know itās my fault! (laughs)
S: Well, earlier-
I: No no, Iām not angry at you! Damn it!!! (stops his feet) Iām not okay? Che-... (puts his hands behinds his back and pretends to kick a stone) Okayā¦ cheā¦. (OP said this was rly cuteā¦) (T/N: che! Is like a ātskā if that was confusing)
S: After your birthday, any time is good?
Crowd: The period is a month from one month before your birthday
S: Eh, is that so! Eh. And if you can't go then?
Crowd: It expires!
I: Your license expires.
S: ...Eh!!!!?!?! It expires?!?!!!
I: Yeah.. That's why, I'm thinking of going again tomorrow or the day after.
S: Uwaaaa!!?!? So that's how it is huh. Amazing. Ehhhh!!! It's amazing to do so well in society! Having a license. I want to get one now! (Really intrigued now)
Ino: There's one person who seems lonely, so should I call for him?! (laughs)
S: Then, let's call for him.
I: (clears his throat) (in English:) LADIES AND GENTLEMAN!!! BOYS AND GIRLS!!! WELCOME, INOSAKU!!!!
R: Ahh, I didn't know when to come out! (laughs)
Since they played against each other during the afternoon show, for the night show they will have to work together to clear the game "Buddy Check." If they can't clear it, there will be a punishment game.
Association Game
Questions will be asked, and if the both of them answer the same thing, they clear the game! They have to get 3 out of 5 questions right.
I: Ahh. This will be easy right? I can see it in his eyes.
R: It's a hurdle to overcome huh. Then, please look into each othersā eyes!
Question: An example of a summer dessert
S: Shaved Ice
I: Almond Jelly
--> Wrong
I: Shaved ice is a dessert!!?!?!?!
Ah yeah... sorry... My bad... Almond jelly will melt in the summer...
Question: An example of a summer flower
S: Flower?! Ehhhhh... flower?! Flower... (Thinking very hard) Ah, I don't know, so is it okay if I say a flower that I like?
I: No no no. C'mon, you can get power from the audience.
S: (staring at the audience) Mmmmm.. Ok.
S: Lavender
I: Sunflower
--> Wrong
I: We aren't on the same wavelength!!! (laughs)
Question: A place to go during summer vacation
S: In the summer... I didn't go anywhere so... uhmmm... Mm. Mm. (thinking hard again)
R: What about a place that the both of you would go?
I: That was a good hint!
S: Hakone
I: Onsen
R: (To the audience) Was that okay? Yeah? Then, OK!
Question: A bug in the summer
Both: CICADAS!!!
--> OK!!!
Question: A song in the summer
I: I can't remember the title...! Uuuuuā¦. (moving both his arms)
S: Natsu Matsuri
I: Natsu Matsuri
(- Summer Festival)
Both: Did we get it? Did we get it? Yaaayyy!!!!!!!! (They hugged)
ā Total: CLEAR!
This segment finished, and Sakurai gets water to drink.
I: Earlier, ~someone~ spilled water at the event, so be careful ok? (grin)
(Sakurai fell in the afternoon show I think lol)
Balloon Bursting Game Ā
The both of them have to work together and burst 7 balloons in 30 seconds, but they canāt use their feet or the floor. They have to use their body, so they passed their mics and the things in their pockets to Ryo.
R: Unexpectedly, I received a lot of things huhā¦ And why did you bring your cellphone?!
I: I thought about taking a picture afterwards~ (OP said this was rly cute)
R: Ehhh- since I have all your stuff, you guys canāt look at your scripts now (laughs) Do your best working together, alright? Then, start!
OP: From this point, time became a blur hahaha
They put a balloon between their bodies and hugged tightly, trying to burst the balloon. But they couldnāt even burst one within 30 seconds. Since they were using their stomachs before, they decided to change tactics and use their chest instead. But even though they cried once (?) they couldnāt burst it at all. The entire audience was laughing so hard they had to hold their tummies as they watched Ino and Sakurai try so hard and so desperately but not being able to burst a single balloon hahahaha.
Ryo-kun tried it by himself too but couldnāt burst it. It was terrible lol.
Eventually they cleared by making one person put a balloon by the otherās butt and bursting it. Cleared through forced cooperation!!
After the game ended, There was a piece of blue balloon stuck to the middle of Sakuraiās buttā¦ As expected of the Miracle Boys lol lol (T/N: idk what this is referring to)
Charades
They have to change every 30 seconds, and they win if they answer 10 within a minute.
Sakurai had to act like he was playing on a swing, and his voice got increasing high (and strange) as he went āHyyaaa~ā
Ino had to act as a cat washing its face with its paw. (OP: It was unbelievably cute //// Iām left with that image)
They only guessed 2 or 3 so they didnāt clear this game!
ā Penalty Game: A performance from the both of them
S: Is a short skit okay?
R: Arenāt you making this difficult for yourself? (laughs)
(The both of them couldnāt think of anything, so they asked the audience for a topic.)
R: Ah, for the sake of the venue, please donāt jump repeatedly!
S/I: OK!! We have a good feeling about this. Weāre gonna do it.
Topic: Fireworks
I: Fuu. This seasonās come again this year huh. Well now, itās good this year too isnāt it? Ā Yoisho! Yoisho! (carries Sakurai who was squatting to the middle of the stage) Yosh! Kacha! (Looks like heās lighting a flame)
S: ...HIIII----UUUUUUUUUUā¦.. DOOOOOONNNN!! (Does a star jump of sorts)
(T/N: specifically, watch this video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AfdqzvSqA1E )
Audience: Ah!
S: Ah, I forgot and I jumpedā¦ Sorryā¦
I: The staff had scared looks on their faces when they saw itā¦ lol.
R: Ah well, weāll have a talk later backstage.
S: Oh manā¦. Your face when you said thatā¦
R: Thatās all for the Buddy Check corner!!!
While they were changing positions for the next section, Ino kicked a bottle and spilled water.
I: Aaaaā¦ even though I was the one who said itā¦..
Question Corner
Question: What is something about your room you are particular about/unwilling to change?
S: I have lots of posters pinned up on my wall.
R/I: You have posters pinned up?
S: I do! Ehā¦? Wait, no. I donāt have any up now. I took them all down.
I: Then thatās not something youāre particular about anymore! (laughs)
R: What kind of posters did you have up?
S: Posters of bands (metal) I like and such.
I: I have old car plates on my wall, about 2 or 3 I think.
S: Didnāt you use to collect bottles? We would go out and eat, and youād say āDid you bring it?ā and when Iād ask what are you going to do with it? You replied āItās to decorate my room.ā
I: Ahhh.. I did. But I quit after two weeks. I thought it would be dangerous if the bottles dropped.
R: The thing about boys, is that they have a habit to collect things.
(no idea what this meansā¦ā¦ something about making his own spaceā¦ and sucking in airā¦ making coffeeā¦ i donāt knowā¦.)
I: For me, I go to the park. Whether itās day or night. Even during practice when it gets too overwhelming, Iāll want to go outside. Whenever Iām troubled, to the park!!!
S: Me too! The outdoors and indoors is different right! Surely, Hiroki wants to receive power from the earth right? Whatever Hirokiās lacking now, he just hasnāt found it yet!
I: Whatās that all of a sudden?! (laughs)
Question: Each otherās charm points
Sakurai ā Ino
S: Hirokiās smile! (smiles)
I: Thatās an important place!!! (laughs) *** (T/N: literal translation, not sureā¦)
S: Itās like the sun, isnāt it? Like a young boyā¦
I: Your impression of me earlier, are you making fun of me?! (laughs)
S: No, no. Your smiling face is great. I really think itās great!
I: Since youāve said that now I canāt stop smiling. (Smiles brightly)
Ino ā Sakurai
I: Keitoās eyes! Iāve said this earlier about that photo, but his eyes are really honest. Keitoās entire personality is unique, but just his eyes are really honest.
S: Just my eyesā¦ (laughs)
I: Thatās not what I meant. I can sense your ambition through your eyes. Itās really always been upright/honest. Just your eyes are really honest. (laughs)
Question: How do you prepare for a role? What do you need?
I: Paper and pen I guess. I write! Until the first day of practice, Iāll make a list of what I have to do. Iāll write earnestly! Thereās a lot of vocabulary regarding the role. So Iāll write those down and connect them afterwards. (Mindmap) Iāll earnestly write it like buwaaahh~ and after I finish writingI can review it.
S: During the time we acted together, didnāt you write about 60 pages of notes in your motherās notebook?! ***
I: Yeah, I really wrote a lot then. By the way, even now you still remember the matter about my mom? *** (T/N: Iām not sure whose mom theyāre talking aboutā¦ lol)
I: Everyone has their own way of doing things huh. How interesting!
Question: Whatās a challenge you want to try in the future?
I: Acrobatics! It will be good for stages too.
S: I want to get a license! Hearing about only being able to renew your license within a month Ā before your birthday and such got me really interested, so I want to get a license!
I: You got influenced too easily! (laughs) Thereās a written test. Itās okay.
S: Is it difficult?
I: Uhmm. If you study properly, itās okay. But if you donāt score 90%...
S: Did you get it?
I: I canāt memorize well but I did it to pass. My dad told me, āItās bad if you failed this!ā
S: Itās impossible!!! ;;;;
I: Thereās a difference between auto and manual tooā¦
S: Whatās the difference?
I: Uhhhhmmm. Itās hard to explainā¦ Basically, manual is for old cards, and auto is for new cars.
S: Eh!? Really! Amazing! Doesnāt it feel like Mario Kart!?
I: No, itās different from Mario Kart! Isnāt that auto? You can turn at the bends freely!
I: Manual has a clutch too..
(After this, an explanation course about the difference between auto and manual cars from Ino-sensei.)
S: Okay. Iāll work hard.
(OP lost track of time at this part but so no dialogue)
Ino and Sakurai talked about how theyāre afraid of haunted houses. But they want to try one that has small CCD cameras installed.
Ino immediately leaves from the first exit in the Shock Labyrinth (a super scary haunted house in Fujikyu Highlands)
Sakurai is bad at roller coasters too. (ā I mean, doesnāt it seem like your heart is being left behind at the peak?!ā)
ā If youāre scared of haunted houses, and roller coasters too, what rides do you go on when you go to theme parks?
S: The teacups! From afar it makes you dizzy, but when youāre riding it and stare at the handle, itās okay!
Image Questionnaire
Continuing from the afternoon show, in the questionnaire, the audience can choose either Ino or Sakurai. The more votes they get, they win. The loser has to do a punishment game.
Question: Who seems like the type who would stand in line with you when ordering ramen?
S: Ah, I can get this one, right!
I: Because you love ramen, right?!
R: Ah, then do you two talk about ramen and stuff online? (Their blogs, and stuff I guess?)
I/S: Noo, not at all (shaking their heads)
R: What the heck! (laughs)
ā By a narrow margin, Ino wins!
Who do you want to be your senpai?
S: Ahhh, I canāt!!! (laughs)
R: Arenāt you reliable?
I: You expect this person to be reliable?!
S: Ah, but, Iām reliable during times of emergency! I can unleash my hidden strength! If the earth only had 3 days left, Iāll be more reliable than anyone else!
(For some reason, the other two agreed. āWe get it. We get it.ā)
ā In the end, Ino won with 70% of the votes! (unexpectedly)
Someone wrote in Inoās section: ā[I voted for him] because during the handshake session earlier, he shook my hand very gently as if I was younger than him. But we are the same age.ā
I: For that, I apologize! (90 degree bow)
R: But how is it like, actually.
I: I donāt think Iāve seen Keito be a senpai before.
S: Thatās because Iām not thought of as a senpai right? But Iām well-liked by children!
R: Isnāt that good!
I: Since weāre at it, we might as well do an interview! (Whispers something into Sakuraiās ear)
S: Coming to help us today, itās my kouhai from the office, Matsuda Masaki-kun!
I: So, what is it like actually?
Matsuda: Ehhā¦ Having got to know Sakurai, he is very friendly, and is a great senpai.
S: Thank youuu!!! (cry)
Whenever Ino wins, he runs through the audience and shakes their hands, saying āThank you, thank you!ā And heāll say to the people at the back: āTo the people at the back, for coming all the way here, sorry!ā So kind ;;;;
Question:Who seems to be liked by animals?
(In the afternoon show, they just talked about Ino being hated by Sakuraiās dog so the audience burst out laughing)
I: Uwaaahh!!! Thatās unfair!! Iām done.. Iām done. This is mean!!
R: Ah, I donāt understand whatās going on! (to the audience) Whoās went to the afternoon show too? How many of you?
*About half the audience raised their hands*
I: Uwaaaah!!!! (collapsing)
R: Okay, but I still donāt understand whatās going on! (laughs) So, the results!
ā Winning 90% of the votes, Sakurai is the clear winner!
S: Yay!!!! (laughs)
Ino is still collapsed.
R: Come on, Hiroki, there are people who voted for you too! Iāll present the reasons now. Ehhh.. (looking through the stack of questionnaires) Eeeeeehh (looking through another stack of questionnaires)
I: There isnāt any, is thereā¦!!!
R: No, there should be! (laughs) Because there are people who voted for you! (mumbling as he reads the questionnaires) Ah! There is! See, there is! Ehh. āI think if itās cats, Ino will be liked by them.ā (laughs)
I: Uwaaaaahhhh!!! (crying)
R: Then, would you all like the see the many reasons for Sakurai?
S: Yes please!
Reasons why Sakurai seems to be liked by animals
It seems like animals would gather around him, like in a Ghibli-movie
Keito-kun himself seems cute like an animal
He seems like a Disney prince thatās well-liked by animals
R: Then, Hiroki. Itās time for your punishment game. Do an impersonation.
I: Ehhhh, yes. Ok. But I only know one. Also I think there are people who already know it.
Impersonation
ā He impersonated President Takata of Japanet and talked about Medama no Oyaji. (T/N: ā¦ I think.. Itās an eyeball monster or something, you can google it.) (OP: It looked exactly like the video he posted!!!)
R: It seems like youāre experienced in this.
I: Itās become my trademark gag. If thereās any occasion, Iāll do it.
S: Hiroki, do that thing!!! (Whispers)
I: Eeeehhh!!!! No way!
R: Keito did 3 gags earlier! (laughs) So if you do this it will be even.
I: ...I got itā¦ Just to tie it up perfectly!
S: Please do your best!
One-liner gag
āāŖ Don guri koro koro, don, guriko!ā
Ino sang while hugging his knee and swaying, and at the guriko! (glico!) part, he did the Glico Pose.
(T/N: don guri koro koro song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y3cPq5vmXng. And u can google the glico man pose haha)
R/S: Okay. Thank you very much!
I: Now itās even! (laughs)
At the end, they took a photo for an interview.
I: Come on. Weāre going to take a photo. Everyone, touch up your face with powder! (pats his own face)
Then they took a photo with Inoās phone.
I: Everyone looks great, so itās ok! (smiles)
Wrap-up
Ryo-kun left the stage so it was left with the both of them. They each said their closing remarks. OP doesnāt really remember Sakuraiās closing speech ;;; It was something along the lines of āEveryone smiled for me and so tomorrow will be bright too!ā
I: Iāve said this earlier but, since Keito and I acted together, weāve talked about wanting to have an event together someday. Being able to have this event today, itās not just from our own strength, but also from the staff behind the scenes and through our connection with Ryo-kun who came here to help us as the MC, but more than anything, with these many fans who came here today for us, and seeing everyoneās smiling faces, itās thanks to everyone that our dreams have come true. ä»å大åć«ććć®ćÆāē“ ć®2äŗŗāć§ćWhile being ourselves, I wondered if everyone would smile and return homeā¦ā
S: ā¦ Hiroki, arenāt you tearing up?
I: No!!! During Bleach this time, everyone was crying, but I decided not to cry on stageā¦ butā¦ todayā¦ for comingā¦
S: Are you okay? (Leans in to look at Hirokiās face)
I: ā¦ yeah.
S: Youāre twitching here. Are you okay??
I: Yeah, Iām okay. But, the more you ask if Iām okay, the more I wonāt be okay.
S: Eh. Are you okay? Are you okay?
I: Iāve calmed down thanks to that. (laughs) Okay. Iāve calmed down. (laughs) Uhm.. with the fans who got to know us through stage plays, and with Keito who I became good friends with, standing here with these people through these relationships makes me happy. Thinking that weāre able to create such a warm environment, if itās possible, I want to do an event again.With the power that everyone gave me today, I want to improve more and more as an actor and return these feelings, as I stand before everyone, and think about what I have to do, I want to convey these thoughts. Thank you so much for today!!!!
I: Haahhā¦ Thatās great. Wasnāt it fun?
S: Yeah! (smiling)
I: But wait. We still have the high touch session.
S: Yeah. Itās not over yet!
I: Since itās the end, please express your true feelings with a bang!
Since itās the end, letās smile wholeheartedly! (smiles) And so once again to wrap up.
S/I: For today, thank you very much!!!
High Touch Session
Similar to the afternoon session, the fans will meet Ino first then Sakurai.
T/N: Since this part of the report is OPās own words, Iām not going to translate it. But she talks about how Ino gave lots of attention to the fans sitting at the back which was very nice of him.
-
And thatās all for the night show! Some bits I couldnāt understand, so I apologize for that. But I hope you had fun reading! ^^
Iām going to introduce one of my prized possessions at home.
An American Football.
When it comes to America, itās the Statue of Liberty, Hollywood, hamburgers, baseball, the American flag and American football! I bought the American football when I went on exchange the year before.
But itās not just an American football. Itās something that the friends that I had made, from various countries, gave me when I was returning home to Japan. It contains many messages from them.
English, Mandarin, Korean, Arabic, Spanishā¦ Messages in many different languages from their countries.
Whenever I look at it, I wonder what everyone is doing and am filled with nostalgia.
Iāll also think about childish things like having got rid of my small pride and being able to be friends with all of you.
āThatās why, Iām not going to stop acting.ā - Ino Hiroki, following the life of an actor. Livedoor Interview Translation
āThatās why, Iām not going to stop acting.ā - Ino Hiroki, following the life of an actor.
Grabbing onto fate. Going to Harajuku to get scouted.
You entered the entertainment industry in high school, right? Were you scouted at the beginning?
Yes, around my first year of high school. I was scouted when I was walking down Takeshita Street at Harajuku. But actually, I didnāt just happen to be walking down Takeshita Street.
What do you mean?
I walked down Takeshita Street to get scouted. I did it on purpose (laughs)
On purpose?! At the time, did you have an interest in the entertainment industry?
Hmm, rather than wanting to get scouted because I had an interest, I had an interest because I was scouted. During my third year of middle school, I was scouted for the first time. My parents opposed to it but after that, because I was called out to, my interest in the entertainment industry increased.
I seeā¦
I really liked Ichihara Hayato. And since it couldnāt be helped that I wanted to meet him, so I sent an application for the role of an extra of [ROOKIES], the drama being aired then, and took part in the shoot.
So, you wanted to become an actor because you were a fan of Ichihara?
Yes, exactly (laughs). Although I was the only student gathered in the gymnasium [of the shoot], when I saw the actors in person, I went āUwaaa~! Itās Ichihara Hayato~! Itās Satou Ryuuta~! So cool~!!ā (laughs)
Itās exciting seeing your favourite actors right in front of your eyes, huh (laughs)
Yes (laughs). Ā Back to the story, with the excitement lingering, I called my parents and told them, āIām going to Harajuku. If I donāt get scouted there, I wonāt talk about wanting to join the entertainment industry anymore. But if I get scouted, I want you to let me do it.ā Then, I walked with my friend down Takeshita Street and got scouted by the company Iām with now.
Whatā¦! On top of being scouted, you got scouted by the same company as Ichihara-san. It really is fate.
Isnāt it? I grabbed fate and went with it (laughs).
And then, last March, you got to act together with Ichihara-san in the stage [The Last Samurai] where he was the main role too.
Ahh.. I was nervous since the introduction and I couldnāt speak properlyā¦ I got scared because the person I looked up to was so close to me, and became anxious as I wondered, is it okay for someone like me to be acting alongside him? I had lots of emotions like that.
Did you get any advice regarding stage plays from Ichihara-san?
I think Ichihara-san is a man of few words but is great in the way he carries himself. Usually, he will always be concentrating on reading the script. Ā When I saw that form, I thought āHeās amazing and coolāā
By the way, did you tell him that you were a fan?
Yes. āOohh, thank you!ā he replied happily. When I told him about the time I was an extra in the drama, we laughed a lot. And even though I was really nervous to be acting together with him, I was very happy.
Towards the path of performing and finding a job. The day of deciding.
Until you graduated from university in 2015, you studied and worked at the same time right? What did you study in university?
I studied intercultural communication. I also went on exchange to Boston.
So youāre good at languages tooā¦ After graduating, did you struggle with deciding on an acting job?
Honestly, I was really troubled. I wanted to become an actor, but Iām not talented so finding a full-time job would be better, I thought. During the period of finding employment in my third year, I chanced upon a stage play job. But when I went back to school during the off-days, everyone was wearing a suit and carrying a business bag. āWhat the heck, during the time I was away, this became the common outfit,ā I first thought and laughed, but gradually it became difficult to deal with.
As soon as the time to find employment came, everyone became eager huhā¦
Thatās why at the time, my mental state was affected. And once, my manager said to me, āStop with this job and find a full-time job.ā
Yesā¦ I cried hearing it. Letās work hard, I thought.
At the beginning your parents opposed to this career right? How did you manage to persuade them after you graduated?
I didnāt speak to them when I was troubled. After I had decided on my own to pursue an acting career, I said āIām going to die at the end, so I want to die honourably doing what I want to doā Then they said āLive freely, and in return, take responsibility over yourself.ā
So thatās how it was. Did they come watch the plays and such you performed in?
Yes, even now they support me a lot. Now they say āNext time weāre going to watch the play, so help us get tickets ok?ā (laughs).
Thinking, and thinking, and thinking. Acting is difficult.
Firstly about Hyper Projection Engeki Haikyuu!!, youāve appeared in many 2.5D stage plays right?
Honestly speaking, Iām not very good at 2.5D stage playsā¦
Oh really?
How do I put itā¦ The things Iāve come to study from plays, and the skills I have now donāt apply to many things. There are quite a few things I am unsure of in the process of the making of the play. My problem now is how to apply my acting skills. Although straight plays are like that too, I think itās especially difficult in 2.5D plays.
I seeā¦
For me, because Iām the type to thoroughly think about the character then act it out, without a foundation Iāve first built for the character, I canāt act freely. I mean, isnāt it unstable? (laughs) Although I want to take on this challenge, itās difficult.
Youāre the type to think before you act then.
I think, and think, and think. I will also write out the characterās lines.
Do you confide in your co-actors and the staff about your thoughts and worries regarding the play?
I do want to say it, butā¦
By the way, youāre shyā¦ so asking these things would beā¦
Ah, yesā¦ thatās right. However, acting together and not being able to properly say what I want, I think I have to change that about me.
You mean, on the site of the Haikyuu stage playā¦
The company is great. Among the Karasuno High members, there are many out-spoken people. Mainly, Kageyama Tobioās actor Kimura Tatsunari (laughs). Ā He would ask the introverted me, āWhat do you think about this?ā Iām very grateful.
Director Worry Kinoshita-san too, wants to know the actorsā opinions right?
Yeah. Of course Worry-san, the sound crew, the stage crew, and everyone in the staff, their carefreeness is impressive. Also, Iām glad Iām with together with Hinata and Kageyama.
How would you describe your moments with them?
While Tatsunari-kun firmly voices his opinions, he is really strong-willed. Kenta-kun (Hinata Shouyou) handles this really well. Kenta-kun is really considerate of the people around him. As expected of the chairman. Suga Kenta-san is amazing!
Strong, cool, and a sadistā¦? Suga-sanās charm.
Moving on, about the Haikyuu Stage Play, you will appear in this fallās the long-awaited new series āKarasuno, reborn!ā
Yes! The new series was decided thanks to everyone who came to watch, and the staff who supported us from behind. Iām really grateful. Honestly, until the very first show, I was afraid. I thought, āWhat if Iām not accepted by the fans?ā
So it was like that, huh.
Performing in a 2.5D stage play, I wondered what everyoneās thoughts were, but everyone had these worries and we inspired and supported each other. But after the performances begun, I donāt want this to end~ I thought. It was really fun.
After the first run, you could play Sugawara Koushi again. Being a third year at Karasuno High, until Kageyama joined, you were the official setter.
Even after the talented setter Kageyama joined, Sugawara didnāt give up.
Usually, when there is a kouhai thatās more talented than you, you would be jealous right?
Iāll be jealous! If it were me, Iāll definitely be jealous! (Laughs). Of course, Sugawara didnāt accept it easily and I think he kept it in his heart. Because heās not one to express his true feelings, to his team members he acts like his normal bright self. Even so, the third years noticed that Sugawara was hiding his feelings.
I see.
Thatās why, I think Sugawaraās strong heart is amazing. He took the negative feelings towards Kageyama and used it as motivation to change and become stronger. Heās cool. I really respect him. Those feelings are associated with being a āsadistā. In the next play, I will try to emphasize on that sadistic side.
Since the beginning, your approach has changed slightly I see.
Yes. While performing in the first stage, I wondered if Sugawara kind of has a sadistic side. In the new stage play, I thought about that and made Sugawaraās character darker. Because it is an important episode for Sugawara, I want to carefully act it out. (T/N: Iām not too sure what he means by sadistic sideā¦ Does he mean hitting people more? LOL)
Previously, you talked about Suga-san and Kimura-san voicing their opinions and how everyone in the cast gets along well. The Karasuno team seems friendly and welcoming!
Itās good that itās welcoming, right? There are lots of idiots, you know, the good kind of idiots (laughs). I will take a step back and look at them. While thinking āWhat are they doing~ā and watching them from afar, āWhat are you doing!ā I would say and join them anyway (laughs).
It seems fun (laughs). Who are you closest to in the cast?
(Nishinoya Yuuās actor) Hashimoto Shouhei, because Iāve worked with him in other productions too. After practice, we would go home together often, and go out for meals too.
You two get along well and click well right?
Thatās right. Well, itās also because I like Shouhei-kun (laughs). According to him, when Iām together with him, the way I talk becomes more lively. Also, because I am more passive, I think the balance is good. Iām always getting caught up in his pace (laugh).
When the two of you go out and eat together, what topics are brought up?
Hmmā¦ Things like, āIno-chan, arenāt your clothes lame?ā āEh, no way!ā (laughs)
How harsh! (Laughs)
Thatās why, I go clothes shopping with Shouhei-kun often. Something like āHow is this?ā āIt doesnāt suit you, this one is better.ā āThen Iāll get this one.ā Iāll usually do what he tells me (laughs).
Now then, please tell us about what you anticipate regarding the stage play in fall!
Although Karasuno did the most important parts of the play, in the next stage play, Nekoma, Datekou, Tokonami and Aoba Jousai will appear and the number of cast members will increase. One by one, each school is planning to take control over the stage play with their strength and power. As such, the audience can step into the world of Haikyuu in an instant. Please look forward to the improved Karasuno!
In realityā¦ full of inferiority
From here, weāll talk about your personal life. How do you spend your day-offs?
I wake up at around 11am, and I go out to the veranda to bask in the sun. I donāt do that on rainy days (laughs). I donāt eat breakfast once I wake up, so I drink a cup of water.
And after that you go out?
Yeah. Because of Suga Kenta-sanās influence, Iām crazy about film cameras. Iāll bring my film camera out and go for a walk, and if I have more time, Iāll ride my road bike and go far, or I would go swimming to train my muscles.
How active!
I love nature. Iāll bring a picnic mat to the park, and with a speaker under my arm, Iāll listen to music while basking in the sun. Alone. Eh, isnāt this kind of sad? (Laughs.)
(Laughs) Do you do a lot of things alone?
Yeah, there are a lot of things I do alone. I want to hang out with my friends, but our schedules donāt match upā¦!
Actors all have difficult schedules huhā¦ What do you do on your off-days when you stay home?
I watch DVDs often. I would watch the productions Iāve appeared in so far and reflect. āItās really no good,ā Iāll think. Also, I watch movies, and videos of official dress rehearsals on YouTube, and study from these productionsā¦
Even on your off days you think about work huh.
Even on off days I think about it. Because Iām not very skilled.
Hearing this, it seems like you have a low self āestem ā¦? Your results are excellent, youāre athletic, youāre really really cool. Itāll be good if you have more confidence in yourself I thinkā¦
Ehhh! I donāt have an inferiority complex!!
When would you feel like that?
When I canāt do something at one shot. Like with choreography and with action scenes.
Arenāt you being too hard on yourself? Not being able to do it at the beginning is okay.
But there are people who can do it. āThese people are at this age and can do it. It would be good if I can be able to do it at this age too. But the way I am now, Iām not good enough,ā Iāll think and become impatient. Iāll lose confidence in myself and become anxious and think āAm I able to perform well?ā
There are times when you get rid of this anxiety too right?
At times like when the director says āThatās itā, or when it makes sense in my head. At times when it makes sense, I feel like Iām floating, like Iām submerged in water. When I appeared in Poseidonās Fang, it felt exactly like that.
When you feel depressed, or when you have no self-confidence, in those moments, you still can continue to performā¦?
When I experience those feelings, I cannot quit anymore (laughs).
Thank you to those who came to the Geki Dan Live in this cold!Ā
How was it? Was it fun? I had lots of fun! o(ļ½ĻĀ“ )o Even though I was a little nervous since it's been a while, seeing everyone's smiles helped me. I had lots of fun being able to meet and talk with everyone.Ā
And then when I got home and read the letters I received from everyone, I cried loudly... So today, I want to tell everyone a single message:
"Thank you for cheering on someone like me. Thank you for always supporting me. Thank you for always encouraging me."
During my solo show this time, I was completely full of negativity. I thought that this negativity that I witnessed in my head will happen someday. Being on my own, I was scared and anxious, so I wanted to make that reality happen no matter what, to express it and share it... So I used Geki Dan Live and made that inner-reality happen. How selfish of me, huh?Ā
Actually, at this time's Clock Zero practice, I hit a wall and couldn't find a solution. Why did I become an actor?! I thought throughout practice and in the train, and went home and cried... I thought to myself, āIt's hard being an actor, what the hell am I doing?! I envy those who can do it well, and I want to become like that too, but because i can't, I have to work hard. But soon, I hit a wall again, and no matter what I do, it's because of my lack of skill. For someone like me, it's just impossible, I would think, and become negative.Ā
For not being able to live up the the expectations around me, I hate and feel frustrated at myself. I understand that I'm different from other people so it can't be helped, but even so, I'm still aware of other people. I hate that side of me too. The side of me that goes out too, and the side of me that does anything, becomes scared. And I think that everything I do is wrong.Ā
But after reading the letters I received, I felt saved tremendously. Seeing the words that were written, sentence by sentence, I realised that all that I've done so far isn't wrong, and that my feelings have been conveyed to everyone. And so, I cried non-stop over the words "I like Ino Hiroki the actor. I will always support you."Ā
I'm not alone at all... I followed my dream...
Now, when I'm tossed about by hardships, I will continue to be tossed about, because I want to return that kindness. Because I want everyone to smile. Even if it's just a little bit, I want to know what it's like to not give up. Everyone, you have a dream, right? I don't want you to abandon that dream. Together with everyone, I want to prove that our dreams can come true if we don't give up on it. That's why, no matter how much I get hurt, I want to move forward.Ā
And in the end, I want to finish with a smile. Everyone's smile is the best.Ā
Yesterday, after 4 years, Iāve graduated from Hosei University. It was a student life of fun and difficult events.
Ā Even though I was unable to go to school much because of stage plays, Iāve somehow managed to acquire the required credits. Iām grateful to the teachers who understood my job as an actor. At the same time, Iām once again grateful to the office and my manager for arranging my schedule so that I can earn credits. My family, my manager, friends at university, friends at workā¦ because many people supported me, I was able to graduate. From today, Iām no longer a student but a working adult that will devote myself to the acting industry. And also, Iām incredibly thankful for my parents, for I was a bother these few years.
Since I was in elementary school, for always paying my expensive school fees for me, for letting me go on exchange to Boston, for letting me choose the path of an āactorā. Day after day, my parents opposed to it. I know it too, how much love and care Iāve been brought up with. Thatās why, this opposition from my parents is also one that Iāve thought about on my own. Day after day I troubled over it. What is it I really want to do? Various career options appeared in front of me, and Iāve struggled over it, and cried. Ā But after all my worrying, the answer I found was still acting. More than anything, I want to act. I just want to act for the rest of my life, I thought.
I believe that stage performances will become a healing hand for the heart, for there is music that encourages me when I am overwhelmed, and music that lifts my spirits before a competition. Thatās why I want to continue doing this. I want to contribute to society with this healing hand. This thought is what people take the most pride in.
And so, for being so understanding and sensitive to my feelings, thank you once again, to my father, to my motherā¦ Because we only live once, for letting me do this, thank you so much. Thank you for raising me until now. I will definitely be filial and show you a grandchild. I promise. For this purpose, I will put in more effort, and when it comes to devoting myself to the thing I love, I will not lose to anyone. I only have my eyes on the path Iām determined to go follow, towards being an actor.
