Aikyan_☺︎

😈

[kobayashi-aika]

Before “a new departure”—Kobayashi Aika, Takatsuki Kanako, Furihata Ai’s five years with Aqours (Translated Interview)

For simplicity’s sake, each seiyuu’s line indicators will be denoted as either F(urihata), K(obayashi), or T(akatsuki).

TL: arb TLC: xIceArcher QC: Mega, Yujacha

All nine of us are a little different, but put us together and we become Aqours

—It’s the 5th anniversary of Love Live Sunshine’s school idol group Aqours. The “Aqours 5th Anniversary Jimo Ai! Take Me Higher Project” is now underway, including the series’ first dome tour. But first, please tell us your impressions about the Dome Tour’s theme song, “Fantastic Departure!”.

T: (joyfully) It feels like “the sea”! (laughs)

F: A whale?

T: A dolphin?

All 3: (all having fun) Yeah, yeah, yeah! (laughs)

K: That’s the part that leaves an impression on you, right?

T: It’s easy to think of what it would look like at the concert, right? Like, you...

K: Like getting beckoned by a dolphin to ride a whale? (laughs)

F: The new songs totally have a sea motif, which is something we’ve surprisingly never had before.

K: “Fantastic Departure!” has lots of back-and-forth lyrics, so the image of everyone [in the audience] singing comes to mind. It’s making me excited for the concerts.

F: It’ll definitely be a really nice song live.

T: It feels like every year, our new songs keep getting more difficult.

K: Right, right.

F: [This song has] quite a lot of low parts, right?

T: The A melody is low, but the chorus is high.

K: I think it’s also because we’ve become an Aqours that can take on these kinds of challenges. Our cooler sides can start showing.

T: Recently, our songs have stopped sounding anime song-ish, but in a good way. We’ve had a lot of songs that are somewhere in between anime songs and J-pop — a very “Aqours-like” place.

K: The genre is “Aqours”!

T: A stylish feel...?

K: Stylish sound!

T, F: Ahaha!

F: The lyrics are packed with an Aqours-like feeling, and the song has a stylish sound!

—What were some of your favorite lines during the recording?

K: I like Hanamaru’s “Where is it? Where is it?”

T: Hey! (laughs) Recently, my habit’s been getting worse every time we record...

K: You noticed? (laughs)

F: (while looking at K and T) Those two often record first. I listen to their voices while I record.

K: When I listen to Hanamaru-chan singing, I can find lots of parts that I really like.

T: I want to listen to all of the individual versions once. When we’re recording, we don’t know who will get which part, so there are phrases we approach differently. Everyone has their own unique ideas, so it’s exciting to hear them and think “Ah, so that’s how they’re singing it!”

K: They’re releasing the solo albums (Aqours First Solo Concert Album), right?

T, F: Right! That’s great.

F: I want everyone to hear how much we’ve all grown. The nine of us are all different, but the moment you put us together and we become Aqours is amazing.

K: And speaking of the “Fantastic Departure!” lyrics, the “A fantastic departure” phrase had a pretty difficult rhythm.

T: I know~. The rhythm was really tight.

K: Right. I could really get used to that.

F: It’s a little nerve-wracking thinking we’ll have to perform that live, huh?

Hata Aki-san’s lyrics really represent Aqours’ feelings

—In the B-side “Aqours Pirates Desire”, you have the “Dan-Da-Dan//We’ll steal it!” part. It’s a really addicting song.

All 3: (joyfully) Dan-Da-Dan!

K: You like that part, right, Kanako?

T: Right, I love the world view. I also love the “Dan-Da-Dan” and the “Da-Dan Da-Dan” parts.

—How was the recording?

All 3: (smiling) It was really fun!

F: There were a lot of “Dan-Da-Dan”s, so it was really fun.

K: But it feels like I’ll mess it up at some point, so I’m a little worried about the concerts. (laughs)

F: You might end up repeating the wrong one.

T: I’m excited for the choreography and the costumes! I want to have some accessories on it.

F: Some pirate accessories?

K: Oh, right! I thought we would have taiko drums! (laughs)

T: Just call them regular drums! (laughs)

F: There’s that line, “Beat the signal drum“. (laughs)

K: Everyone doing it together!

T: We might just have a performance like that (laughs).

F: I like the (singing) “The red flag of freedom//will part the wind for you to run“ part.

T, K: I know, right?

T: Then there’s “(A black skull and crossbones//The wild seas)//We’ll overcome it～～♪ “, and it gets really low after.

K: Is that the lowest Aqours has ever gone?

F: Maybe! Both songs are really cool. They’ve got a lot of really powerful lyrics like “Plunder” or “We’ll steal it! “.

T: “Fantastic Departure!” and “Aqours Pirates Desire” make for a strong combination. Both give the feeling of strength on the seas. I think they’ll be popular songs at the concerts.

K: They seem really exciting. [The fans] will probably like them.

—In what ways do you feel the charm of Hata Aki-san’s lyrics?

K: The lyrics often represent our feelings. In these two songs, there’s “A fantastic departure”, “A huge world//A vast world is waiting for us “, and “Search for it“. All of which really symbolize the current Aqours.

T: Recently, it feels like we’re walking down a path Hata-sensei created. It feels like she’s guiding us towards the future.

F: Even if we haven’t fully grasped the lyrics by the time we record, as time passes, we come to realize that “this is what Hata-sensei was talking about.” We sing a lot of songs about how we’ll feel in the future. Like, “Hata-sensei was already thinking this far into the future with her lyrics”. And as time passes, the appeal of those lyrics start to sink in.

K: Very deep.

T: Yup, very deep.

“It’s thanks to Aqours that we’re back” μ's words were really moving

—Going back in time a bit, Love Live! Fes was held in January 2020. You overcame the “walls” of the franchise to perform together with μ's and the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club. In particular, you were all able to make the dream of standing on the same stage as μ's come true. Looking back, how was that? 

F: It was really... I’m glad we did it. (She seems deeply emotional)

T: (lost for words) Wow... It truly was...

K: (while deeply nodding) Yeah...

F: The thing we’ve always been wishing for these five years finally came true.

K: We've been wishing for it for so long... while it was a goal, we also ended up thinking it would be a dream that would never come true. So it made us really, really happy. 

T: The Love Live! series’ 9th anniversary project gave us a lot of chances to interact with μ's and the Nijigasaki High School Idol Club, so we had a lot of chances to speak with them. μ's gave us some very kind words.

“It’s because Aqours has been doing these concerts and other activities that we, too, could come back here.” When they said that... it was so touching. They really were watching us. It made me so happy.

K, F: (nodding)

—If I might ask, were there any other happenings with μ's?

K: We had a sort of photoshoot after Fes, right?

F: Was it after Day 1?

K: We came on stage to take a group photo, and afterwards it turned into one.

T: And then it turned into free time?

K: Right. Photo time started. It was sort of like at a theme park, when...

—Sort of like when you meet the mascot characters?

K: That’s right. (laughs) Everyone was lining up, and going “Please take a photo with me”. Well, except for Aqours.

—Except for Aqours? 

K: Everyone in Aqours was a little gun-shy. μ's are pretty much goddesses... they’re like something out of a dream, so we all thought “Is it really okay for us to be this happy?”, and started acting really shifty. (laughs)

—To have them right in front of you...

K: We stiffened up. (laughs)

F: Even when they said it was okay, we still didn’t go. We turned into regular old otakus. (laughs). But I think Komiya (Arisa)-san took the initiative and went over to the other groups.

—When μ's came on stage, were you in awe?

T: We felt the mood in the arena change in an instant. It was the moment that so many people who came were waiting for; it felt just like a holy atmosphere.

K: I couldn’t stop my goosebumps. The arena started shaking. It really was.

T: It felt like it’d be alright if they just stood there doing nothing. At the end of Day 2, Aqours went after μ's, and after the audience was engulfed in orange light for “Snow halation”, we came out on our ship. We felt just like pirates.

K: When I saw that orange light reflecting off the ceiling, I thought “Ah...” And when we came out, it changed into a sea of blue, and I went “Ah...” again. It was really moving.

Eating natto rice... it’s freedom before the live starts!

—Aqours also debuted their new song “Mitaiken HORIZON” at Love Live! Fes. The trio units of CYaRon!, AZALEA, and Guilty Kiss also performed, right?.

T: Debuting a song, and especially as the first song at Fes, was pretty nerve-wracking. The “Mitaiken HORIZON” costumes are cute, and it’s really in sync with the PV, so we really wanted to kick things off with a “This is Aqours!” kind of performance. It really was an honor to be able to debut it there at Fes.

F: CYaRon! was the first subunit, and because there were a lot of groups performing at Fes, some people might not know CYaRon!. So we were really enthusiastic about giving it our all.

But when we got on stage, the entire arena was really warm and welcoming. So while we were dancing, we were thinking that “Love Live! is really amazing.” That warmth is one of the good points about the fans.

K: Some of Guilty Kiss’ songs make you want to do the “Guilty Kiss!” call, even if you don’t know us. (laughs) Even the first timers do the “Guilty Kiss!” with everyone. So I feel like everyone will remember us. Or at least their mouths will remember us from the calls. (laughs)

T, F: Just their mouths? (laughs)

K: Mouths that blow Guilty Kisses. (laughs) On the grand stage of Love Live! Fes, we were able to show the greatness of the Love Live! series as both the Aqours that worked so hard to get here and as our subunits..

—How do you spend your time backstage? Is there anything you always do before every live?

K: It’s just the huddle up, right?

T: We’re quite free, huh? And then there are people who eat a lot of natto. (laughs)

K: Natto and egg rice is the fad. Pretty much everyone is eating it, right?

T, F: Yeah, yeah.

K: On live days, you have to do that. My mouth will remember the taste.

T, F: (laughs)

T: Having the chocolate fondue from catering was so nice!

K: I was so happy! It was white chocolate, right?

T: I was like, “Do you think I can drink this chocolate?”, and Komiya Arisa-chan went, “I said the exact same thing earlier.” (laughs)

K: We’re all just talking about food. (laughs) Some things never change. But when showtime comes, we flip a switch, right?

F: That’s right. Our liveliness has an on/off switch. Speaking of which, (Osaka) Shizuku-chan (Maeda Kaori) gave us all chocolate. It was the kind with a message on the back, and she wrote messages like “Ganbaruby!” for everyone. It was really cute.

K: We wouldn’t normally do something like that, huh? (laughs)

F: Right. So it was really cool.

T: The only thing we think about is eating. (laughs)

The first years’ strong point is being able to feel “at home”. We can be ourselves around each other

—There have been a lot of subunit activities recently, but this interview is with your year group. How would you sum up the first years’ strong point in a phrase?

K: (happily:) We get along!

T: (smiling:) Yup.

F: Like a place to come home.

—A place to come home?

F: We’re all in different units, but when we’re together as first years, I really feel at home and at ease. That’s the atmosphere when I’m with everyone.

K: It’s like you’re “at home”.

F: “At home”! Yeah, that’s it.

T: It’s simple, but fun. Enjoy!

K: We can just be ourselves.

F: We can mess around and have fun. The first years have lots of very energetic songs, and the three of us all play around with each other and enjoy, so concerts are always really fun too.

T: We’re like a box of toys.

F: And I think that’s great. The second years are very serious, and the third years give off this mature and calm vibe, and we have an energetic and casual style. But of course, I really respect the other year groups.

K: And we have that underclassman vibe.

T: We’re the moodmakers, too!

—I definitely can see that. While talking to the three of you, I’ve felt strangely relaxed and at ease.

All 3: (together) That’s great! (laughs) At home.

—Tell me about some times when you’ve felt the bond between you three.

All 3: Our bond, huh?

K: We’ve never had those kinds of emotional moments. (laughs)

T, F: Yeah. (laughs)

F: But when we debuted “Mitaiken Horizon”, I somehow felt... glad that we were the first years. (doing the choreography) Like in the “Let’s give today everything we’ve got”, where the three of us form a triangle and dance with our arms out, and we look into each other's' eyes as we sing. That part is really touching. It made me think, “Ah, we’ve really grown.”

K, T: Yeah, yeah. That’s true.

K: It’s nice that the first years are always in the center for “Mitaiken Horizon”!

T: I’m glad that the three of us are always together.

F: Our singing parts are also all together, and it feels really powerful.

T: Even so, in the chorus, we’re the ones who have to bring the energy. (laughs)

F: Right, the “More!” “More!” “Yeah!” parts. (laughs)

K: Usually, the first years (when dividing the lines in songs) are in charge of the extra lines. Like the “Fu!”s. Those energetic parts are very “first year”.

—Between the three of you, who’s the mature one, or the one who can help you when you’re in a pinch?

All 3: (together) Eh... none of us are really the mature one?

F: We really feel like we’re in the same year. That’s pretty much how we are with each other. But I’m the one who gets teased, and (looking at T) she’s the teasing type.

K: (while pointing at herself) I tease and get teased. Even when the other years are ignoring us, we feel like we’re always energetic. The first years are always just going off and doing whatever. (laughs) We pretend to be clueless, but we’re always watching our surroundings while we play around... I think.

T: And the helper... do we even have times when we’re in a pinch?

K: We probably just laugh our problems away. (laughs)

T: If I had to say, we’re the type to have fun even when we’re in a pinch. They (pointing at K and F) probably feel the same way, and it puts me at ease.

—What are your tics? 

F: Recently, it’s been “Right, right?”. It changes a lot, but before that it was “Yup, yup.”

T: She says it twice. (laughs)

K: All three of us do this, but I always say funny things a second time. (laughs)

T: It’s immediately after, too. We do it unconsciously.

F: What was your tic, Kanako?

T: “Water”, maybe? I really like water. (laughs) I drink about two liters a day, so I’m always looking for water. What’s your tic, Kyan (Kobayashi)?

K: Maybe when I always say “Oh no~”. I say it no matter what happens. (laughs)

I’m glad that we can be one with Yohane, Hanamaru, and Ruby

—Now, looking back on Aqours’ activities, can I ask how you feel now that five years have passed?

F: When Aqours first formed, the other eight members... I still really look up to and respect everyone... but when I compared myself to everyone, it was really clear that I had no experience. I couldn’t dance, I couldn’t sing well, and I couldn’t act.

But now, we’ve spent five years together, so I’ve come to realize my own place in Aqours, and I’m really glad that Aqours is the nine of us. If it wasn’t these eight members with me, I probably wouldn’t have felt like this.

—Five years is quite a long time.

F: Getting this close with a person for this long, as I have with Kurosawa Ruby, is the kind of thing that doesn’t happen often. But on both the outside and the inside, getting closer to her in my own way is something I’ve thought of as very important. It’s made me aware of a lot of different sides to myself, and I feel like my love for both the franchise and Ruby is stronger than anyone else’s. Of course, the other eight members probably feel the same way.

—What about you, Takatsuki-san?

T: For me, my natural voice isn’t very high, and I’m taller than Hanamaru-chan, so I don’t have much in common with her. So when we started our activities, on top of being Aqours, I was also worried about if everyone would accept me. During concerts and performances, I was focused on whether people were looking at me.... I had a period where I didn’t have much confidence in myself.

But now, no matter what I do, even if I’m just talking normally, people often say to me, “Oh, it’s Hanamaru-chan~”, so I’m really glad that I could become one with Hanamaru.

—When did that start to change?

T: Around 2nd Live. (2017′s Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 2nd LoveLive! HAPPY PARTY TRAIN TOUR) Up until then, I was afraid of people looking at me on stage, but since 2nd Live, it’s become just like a festival, and I’ve been able to do more and more things.

I wasn’t very good at dancing to start, but I felt myself slowly getting better, and I started to really feel the joy of Love Live! inside me.

—What about you, Kobayashi-san? 

K: Aqours had a few people who were new to voice acting, and I was one of them. Acting with your voice, and living Yohane’s life alongside her was a first for me. But by asking myself, “How can I get closer to her?”, I’ve been able to grow all the way until today.

Over these five years, I’ve learned to do a lot of new things, like learning how to use a low voice, how to sing in a voice completely different from my natural voice, and lots of other things.

By facing Yohane (Yoshiko) head-on, so many new possibilities have opened up; it feels like “a me that isn’t me”. Every day, I get the chance to grow alongside her. I’m so happy that this mysterious feeling can continue. It’d be great if Yohane and I, as part of Aqours, can do more and more and more fun things together.

—Takatsuki-san was talking about how she changed around 2nd. Live. So, Furihata-san and Kobayashi-san, when did your outlook change, and you started becoming more confident?

F: For me, it was slightly after 3rd Live (2018′s Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 3rd LoveLive! Tour ~WONDERFUL STORIES~).

At 3rd Live, we debuted “Awaken the power”, which had 11 people. (Saint Aqours Snow’s collaboration song with 9 of Aqours and 2 of Saint Snow) I felt a lot of pressure for that song. I was desperately giving it my all, and there are a lot of painful memories... But when everyone who went to 3rd Live was cheering, “I’m glad that Kurosawa Ruby is Furihata Ai”, it was a really big moment for me.

—The voices of your fans became your strength...

F: That’s right. Up until then, I didn’t have any self-confidence. And so for 4th Live (2018′s Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 4th LoveLive!~Sailing to the Sunshine~), I went in with the positive mindset of “Aqours made it to Tokyo Dome!”.

—What about you, Kobayashi-san? 

K: I think it was at 2nd Live. 1st Live (2017′s Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours First LoveLive! ~Step! ZERO to ONE~) was at Yokohama Arena, a place where I never thought I would be, even in my wildest dreams . And then 2nd Live was a tour. In my mind, I was thinking “Is this really going to be alright?”.

You have to really take care of your health, and because it’s a tour, you have to treat every venue with care and importance, while also making sure every performance is better than the last. And because we all overcame that together, and made each and every performance of the HAPPY PARTY TRAIN TOUR a unique one, I realized that my outlook had started to change.

—Thank you all for your stories. Now, the focal point of your 5th Anniversary Project is the series’ first Dome Tour, isn’t it?

F: It’s our first nine-person concert since Love Live!’s 9th anniversary’s first full-member Fes in January. Just like how the lyrics of “Fantastic Departure!” and “Aqours Pirates Desire” are, I want to bring out an even stronger Aqours.

I’ve always felt a sort of desperation, but for this tour, I feel a sort of calm from being more in sync with Kurosawa Ruby. I hope this can be a concert where we can show off what’s in store for Aqours.

T: The Dome Tour will probably have a lot of songs that we’ve never performed before. I’m excited to see the setlist, and I want to find all my favorite points in the staging, choreography, and costumes. I’m really looking forward to it!

K: When I look back, when we made it to Tokyo Dome for 4th Live, we sort of “burnt out” in a way... While we felt the relief of having reached our goal, it was also a day where we decided that we would keep on giving it our all. So this dome tour performance really feels like a dream. 

Up until now, for our tours, we always just made small changes to the setlist, but this time, I’ve been thinking, “What if every performance had a different setlist?” I feel like the current Aqours could pull something like that off, so I hope everyone can have fun with both our new songs and some of the songs that are important to us, in true Aqours fashion.

What are the charm points of each of the first years?

Kobayashi Aika -> Takatsuki Kanako

It’s amazing how she can brighten up everything around her so naturally. Her smile is contagious. Her charm point is her sleeping face; it’s really cute! It’s my favorite part about her. (laughs) The two of them (Takatsuki-san and Furihata-san) have this in common, but she pays close attention to her surroundings and says the right things. Her actions give off this air of maturity, and I love how she’ll always mess around together with me. (laughs)

Kobayashi Aika -> Furihata Ai

The fact that she’s created her very own genre. Her existence itself is a charm point. (laughs) The small things she says are amusing, and she has a lot of parts that are so cute that you just want to imitate her. The three of us are really close, and we have a lot of matching things. We have matching sweatshirts, and sometimes we wear things that we find together at a sale, but pick in different colors.

Takatsuki Kanako -> Kobayashi Aika

I love that Aikyan (Kobayashi-san) is so amusing, and she brightens up the dressing room. When I first met her, she seemed really mature and stylish, and her long black hair was really beautiful; she seemed like the picture perfect city girl. But we’re the same age, and as I spent more time with her, she opened up. Recently, it feels like we’re partners-in-crime. It’s amazing how she’s more devout than anyone for Yohane, too.

Takatsuki Kanako -> Furihata Ai

Furi-san (Furihata-san) is an airhead, but in a good way. (laughs) The things she says are funny, and I like how she’s always the butt of the joke. My first impression of her was that she really had things together, and since she's the eldest of three siblings, I thought she would be like a big sister. But she unexpectedly has some weird sides to her. (laughs) But she’s also my partner-in-crime.

Furihata Ai -> Kobayashi Aika

Kobayashi Aika-chan is our trendy fashion leader, and she’s really knowledgeable. I’m a tech boomer, so she’s the first person I turn to for help with games and social media. Also, she takes really good care of her image. She’s really good at singing and dancing, and it’s amazing just how multi-faceted she is.

Furihata Ai -> Takatsuki Kanako

Takatsuki Kanako-chan’s unique personality and vocabulary are really charming. She latches onto things that most people will let slide, so you can’t just deal with her like your average person. She works really hard at being a good singer, but she never shows that. I think she taught me how to be serious with my work. 

Kobayashi Aika’s Q&A!

Q1: Tell us what you really love about Tsushima Yoshiko-chan!

(sounding troubled) I love everything about Yohane...

I love how she’s honest about the things she loves. After meeting Aqours, she’s been able to be more open about the things she loves. She’s grown to be able to share that love with so many different people. I’m glad that she met Aqours.

Q2: What’s something you want to have or want to do?

I’ve always wanted to go to England, which is Yohane’s “World Image Girl” country. They have a “Magic Museum”, where they have a lot of pots and things that real witches used on display, so I want to go see that. I think Yohane would like it, too.

Q3: Have you read any interesting books or played any interesting games recently?

Animal Crossing: New Horizons. I even play in my dreams, and in one of my dreams I built a bridge. (laughs)

Q4: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

A singer and a nursery school teacher. I’ve loved singing and dancing since I was a kid. And I love taking care of little children, so I’ve always admired nursery school teachers. I went to school and got my nursery school teacher’s license. Hopefully, my second dream will come true some day.

Q5: What do you do on your days off?

Usually I stay at home. I’m either sleeping or playing games. I play so much that it’s the only thing I think about. Like, “When I go home today, I need to do X in ACNH.” (laughs)

Takatsuki Kanako’s Q&A!

Q1: Tell us what you really love about Kunikida Hanamaru-chan!

How cute she is! (laughs) I fell in love with her from the moment I met her. She’s a shy bookworm, but she’s also super curious. And as the story progresses, she begins to feel more real. In season 2, she started becoming a gag character, but I love watching Hanamaru eat, so I was happy to see so much of it.

Q2: What’s something you want to have or want to do? 

I’m not actually a very materialistic person. So for now, I just want some inner peace. I hope the whole world can be enveloped in happiness soon.

Q3: Have you read any interesting books or played any interesting games recently? 

It’s actually a movie. I recently bought a projector, and I’m enjoying using it to watch movies or dramas. Ninagawa Mika’s “Followers” is really interesting.

Q4: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

A singer. I started wanting to become one around 4th grade, when we sang for our class recital. I didn’t have a particular genre I wanted to sing, so I just vaguely wanted to become a star.

Q5: What do you do on your days off? 

I’m an indoor-type, so I just play games or watch TV. Also, I like going on trips, so it’s a little tough right now, but I want to go to Hawaii one day.

Furihata Ai’s Q&A!

Q1: Tell us what you really love about Kurosawa Ruby-chan!

She seemed like a little sister-type from the moment I saw her, so on the flipside, how she’s very strong-willed. She might seem a little timid, but mentally, I think she’s just like her big sister (Kurosawa Dia). I love how much she loves her big sister, too. And like with school idols, I think it’s wonderful how dedicated she is to the things that she loves.

Q2: What’s something you want to have or want to do? 

To spend time with all the people who support me. When I take questions on Instagram, I get a lot of messages from overseas fans, too. And of course, there are plenty of fans from Japan, too. I just want to see them soon.

Q3: Have you read any interesting books or played any interesting games recently? 

Grand Maison Tokyo. I got hooked on the drama, so I read the novel, too. The scenes and food appear vividly in my mind, so it was an easy read.

Q4: As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up? 

I loved drawing, so I wanted to be a mangaka, artist, or something to do with art. But I thought that doing something I like for work might make it tough, so I started wanting to become an anime seiyuu.

Q5: What do you do on your days off? 

My little sister, little brother, and I all live together, but usually I’m with my sister. I’m also the kind of person who likes to go out in the rain, so I go out and end up buying something I don’t really need, and my sister usually gets mad at me. (laughs) I collect vinyl records as a hobby, so I end up buying jackets for them.

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 6-30-20: Five years😈

Five years of Aqours! Congratulations! Thank you!

The last five years I've spent with everyone have been more meaningful than anything else could be

Every day, I'm reminded that I'm truly living out the days of my youth

I treasure everything we've done on the path we walked together

I'm thankful to everyone, and I'll have love for them forever. And ever!

The days we worked up a sweat were filled with love and joy That was a first for me

I thought, "Forever! I want this to go on forever!" "I want to be with Yohane forever," "And be with Aqours forever!" "I want to sing with them forever! Together!"

Meeting Aqours Meeting Yohane Meeting everyone And meeting all of the people who support us It made me really happy.

Thank you so much for everything! I'll keep counting on you from now on, too

We were all surely bound by fate Friends destined to meet each other So together, we'll keep on taking on all sort of new challenges

Aqours will always be challengers.

It's cooler that way!

I'll do my very best to bring Love Live!, Love Live! Sunshine!!, Numazu, and Aqours to more and more people!

That goes for the Dome Tour, too. It'll make it to you!

And... It's almost July, and almost my beloved Yohane's birthday...!

I can't go to Numazu on 7/13 for Yohane's birthday this year... But once everything has calmed down, I'd love to stroll down the town where she lives!

If every little demon celebrated Yohane's birthday at home, I'm sure she'd be happy😈😈

I'm sure Yohane will descend wherever you may be!❤️ Give summoning Yohane a try!

I'm still thinking about what I want to do this year...❤️❤️❤️

I'm not sure if my feelings got across to you or not...( ´•ω•` ) This has gotten a little long,

So for this wonderful anniversary, I'll say Thank you. ❤️

Aikyan_ ☺︎

[kobayashi-aika]

A re-upload of the entire Aicampus series

I was reminded to do this by a viewer request, but I’ve re-uploaded all the episodes of Aicampus to Google Drive. You can either stream them directly from the drive or download them for offline archival.

Get the episodes here!

If the collection stops working, let me know through DM here, on Twitter, or on Discord, and I’ll try to find a fix for it.

-arb

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 2-14-20: Guilty Kiss!!!!

Blogging again.

Thank you for coming to  Guilty Kiss 1st Love Live! -New Romantic Sailors- on 2020.2.8 and 9!

(My shadow looks like a final boss)

Did this aggressive version of Guilty Kiss reach all of you...?

When we were thinking about the setlist, we were imagining so many things, but “Let’s make it exciting! Let’s make it exciting!” is the feeling that we made sure was packed into it!

On stage, we were thinking “Ah! This live is so fun”, but we also were really excited to watch it. (lol)

When I was looking over the setlist at home, I thought “Eh? We’re doing this in those long-sleeved costumes, right? Eh? Is this going to be okay? Isn’t this setlist really intense? (Isn’t it going to be really hot?)” This is really fiery... it’s going to be hot...” I was feeling impatient like that... (lol)

During rehearsal, I always felt like saying “Whose bright idea was this setlist?” That’s how tiring it was.

(The Guilty ones who made this setlist was us, though)

We performed our new songs, and Aqours songs as just the three of us...

I was so nervous because I wanted you all to see it soon... I always feel like that, but this time, it was like I felt that emotion for the first time.

But, for our current selves, I had the confidence that Guilty Kiss will be alright, so I had a ton of fun at this live!

From Guilty Kiss to CYaRon! We’ve passed the baton onto you!

I’m really looking forward to when our three units can come together in May at Perfect World!

I’ll keep on working hard so that we can have a 2nd Live

I want us to have an album And while we’re at it, let’s make a unit music video or something... Hmm... There’s no limit to the things I want to to... 🤔

I’ll work hard so we can make them all come true!!!!

After all, Waida-san said that Guilty Kiss will never die!

And Waina-san was laughing really hard! That makes Waika happy!

I really love Guilty Kiss 😘😘😘 Let’s keep on being Guilty Kiss with all of our Familiars!

Aikyan_ 😈

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 1-1-20: 2020🐼

Happy new year. It's here! It's 2020!

I had always thought that 2020 was far off, but it's finally here... That's how my New Year's was.

I had my food in  an Aika Bowl🎍

Right now, I'm so excited for the future that everything seems to be sparkling much more than usual.

I bet everything that happens in 2020 will be really special.

I hope the future is really wonderful!

The long-awaited Love Live! Festival is this year.

My love for Love Live! and my love for school idols I'll give it my all and make them shine

My wish is that the radiance of school idols reaches all of your hearts!

Brilliance Radiance Excitement

❤️

Also, "NO LIFE CODE" will be released in 2020!

I'll have my first release event, too. I feel so happy being able to meet all of you.

I want these feelings to reach not just anyone, but you.

I'm sending these feelings to you! Look forward to it!

"NO LIFE CODE" is my invitation for us to leap into a new world.

A clear, pure white world That can become any color Any color we want it to be.

I can't wait to leap into this brand new world.

I'll give all of it my very best.

And while I'm imagining all these exciting things, I've had a relaxing New Year's that's made me stronger.

There's lots to prepare in this beginning of the year.

And once again, I'll be counting on you all in 2020.

Nooow, it's time for a beer!!!

🍻

Aikyan_ 🐭

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 11-6-19: And Liand

Once again, thank you very much for coming to the 2nd Fan Meeting "BIRTHDAY PARTY" in Osaka on 11/5 and in Nagoya on 11/6!

Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya! A fanmeet tour! Wow! Wow.

(photo by Suzuki Yuri)

Thank you for writing a wonderful story with me at these fanmeets.

At these fanmeets, I wanted to tell you all, straight from my own mouth all of these wonderful announcements.

And with these songs and this music, I wanted to have a great time with you all.

What kind of MC should I do? How should I sing? Will I reach you all?

Will you all like the new song?

Those kinds of thoughts were in my head as the day came around.

Up until then, I was really nervous. More than I've ever been before.

Is my heart beating from my nerves? Or maybe because I have a fever...!?

And then thinking about those things just made my heart beat even faster. (lol)

Turns out it was just my nerves. (lol)

But I think this nervousness is because I'm taking a big step forward in my life And it's just really on my mind

And so, I gave everything I had as Kobayashi Aika as I stood on stage.

Not hoping that it would reach you, but so that it would.

And so that I can have even more fun with you all from now on!

"Kimi wo Mamoritai"

"A.N.D"

My new song from Toy's Factory, going on sale on 2/26/2020, "NO LIFE CODE"

And the song that we'll keep on making together from now on "Can you singalong?"

I think that each and every one of them reached you!

The 2nd Fan Meeting helped me grow as a person.

Thank you all for having fun with me and singing along!

Your voices, and your love made me so happy (;_;)❤️

All of this is the greatest!

With all of you by my side, I'll face my dreams and move forward!

And to all the Liands that couldn't come this time, I'll work hard so I can meet you again🐼

Because it's always "and".

And so, thank you for reading to the very end🐶

(This drawing at the afterparty was so cute!)

Aikyan_ ☺︎

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 10-30-19: All of this is the best!!!!!!!

Once again, thank you very much for the 2nd Fan Meeting "Birthday PARTY!!" in Tokyo!!!

There were definitely a lot of things that I prepared for this day, but

I'm glad that in Tokyo, I could make a direct, in-person, important announcement!

(For the three days leading up to it, I was so nervous...)

And afterwards, I got to hand out my original bottled water... I'm glad I could tell each and everyone of you "thank you" in person!

Osaka, Nagoya, wait for me, okay? 🌟

At this fanmeet, I took a look back at my history, and at my life

For the longest time, I've always loved singing

And being able to turn that love into something real

I'll be working with TOY'S FACTORY to spread that love even farther across this huge world

From now on, we'll be spreading this love around the world.

It's so much fun that I can't help myself from chasing after it.

All of you were so happy to hear that announcement. You've given me the power to go with you into a new world.

I have nothing but gratitude From now on, the excitement won't stop!

Let's just have fun together and make the days of our lives free of dress codes

Together!!

(TL Comment: oh shit is this a lyric drop)

It's the start of my dreams.

Look forward to "NO LIFE CODE" in 2020 🌟🌟🌟🌟 And everyone in Osaka and Nagoya, wait for me!!!!!

And to everyone who couldn't come to these fanmeets I'll definitely come and see you, so wait for me!

Aikyan_ ☺︎

[kobayashi-aika]

After 8 years, Aikyan will be releasing another solo single!

The time has come and so have I.

During last night’s session of 2nd Birthday Party, she announced her new single in the middle of her set, and sang two songs from it!

The single will be titled NO LIFE CODE (jacket art above), with two tracks: the eponymous A-side and Can you sing more? as (one of) the B-side(s).

It’ll release sometime in 2020, likely with many store-specific pre-order bonuses and release events!

Let’s celebrate today!

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 9-15-19: Hamuriha.

On 9/13 in Nakano ZERO Hall we finally, finally had a public Public Rehearsal!!!

It was a wonderful event with lots of staff ham-bers!

Thanks so much!

The feeling of unity between all of the staff ham-bers, the smiles, the cheers, the nursery rhymes...

Hamuriha... It makes me wish we could do a public Public Rehearsal every time! (lol)

Looking back, it's been about two years I've done Hamuriha every month And I think I've grown in a few ways.

In my heart, I just... Just a bit! I want to praise myself a bit.

Things I never saw myself doing, and things I told myself I could never do. I feel like I've grown.

And it's thanks to aaaaaaaaaaaall of you staff ham-bers.

I'm alone on screen, but on the other side, all of you staff ham-bers are there🐷🐷🐷🐷🐷

Rehearsing with all of you

Thanks again!

I'll keep, keep doing my best( `•ω•´ )!

And we'll definitely do another public Public Rehearsal!

...

The nursery rhyme I showed on Hamuriha.

Finally!

At this public Public Rehearsal, I got to do it with all of you staff ham-bers!

Take a look!

Click here for the video

On the fourth time, everyone did the wave... I guess... (lol)

Let's do it again!! (lol)

# Aikyan_ ☺︎

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 8-17-19: yipyip!

Once again, Shinjuku! Osaka! Nagoya! Fukuoka! Thank you all for coming to the yipyip meet and greet!

Gyouba-san and I really obsessed over the designs And it really felt like you all were really treasuring those special clothes

Thank you so much.

I'm happy to see everyone posting their yipyip outfits on Instagram.

Those moments where you fuss over how you're going to wear it are really special.

For the yipyip events, I was secretly having fun making outfits, and it was really exciting thinking about what clothes would go well together

And those moments are definitely great! I can feel our mutual love.

Stay excited for more yipyip! I still have a ton of ideas

Click here to see the video Aikyan uploaded with this post

A strange dance.

Aikyan_ ☺︎

[kobayashi-aika]

“Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie Over the Rainbow” Guilty Kiss Interviews #2: Kobayashi Aika (Part 3)

combining pages 3 and 4 together since they’re both really short

“Guilty Kiss’ highlight at the Subunit National Battle Tour was definitely…?”

--The special edition [of the Over the Rainbow Blu-ray] has a recording of the “Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours Club Activities LIVE & FAN MEETING 2018 Subunit Battle National Tour in Tokyo”, right?

Kobayashi: You’ll be able to watch Guilty Kiss tumble down from first place...

--Any scenes you want people to pay attention to?

Kobayashi: Probably the part where we lose. (laughs) The talk portion was recorded, so you can watch us fall in the rankings in all of its glory!

In that portion, the first place team gets to sit on the highest platform, with the other platforms’ height matching the rankings. And Guilty Kiss got to experience all three of those heights, starting from the top. (laughs) The view was pretty nice from up there. But I guess that’s just how Guilty Kiss is, so I hope you watch every last bit of it (laughs).

--How would you describe Guilty Kiss in one phrase?

Kobayashi: I think of us as the “final boss”. We always come last in a lot of the orderings; the CD releases go CyaRon! -> AZALEA -> Guilty Kiss. Everyone’s thinking, “Where’s Guilty Kiss?” and we hit them with a bang.

So we’re kind of like the final boss that comes at you from behind. Like, “We won’t let you down!” and “We’ll definitely be cool!”. Recently, the ordering hasn’t really mattered, but even so, I want to continue giving off those vibes!

--Do you have any messages for the other two?

Kobayashi: I love the way that Guilty Kiss is, so please keep going with me through the good and bad times (laughs). Let’s keep being the final bosses. Love you ♡

“I want to keep being an Aqours that can love and be loved by the fans”

--So many people love Love Live! Sunshine!! and Aqours, but do you think there’s a reason that they love them this much?

Kobayashi: It’s because we love Love Live! and Love Live! Sunshine!! ourselves. And the fans who love Love Live! and Love Live! Sunshine!! just as we do match the love that we have... that’s definitely a reason for it.

I want us to keep being an Aqours that can love and be loved by the fans. We’ll keep sending out our love to everyone, and I hope that we can receiving love as Aqours from many more people.

--To love and be loved as Aqours by the fans... they certainly must feel the same way, which explains the sights that you can see at the lives.

Kobayashi: Yeah... I hope that’s the case. (laughs) It’s not every day that you have so many people who feel the same way coming together for a live, so if that’s the case, I’d be really happy!

--Please give a word to the fans who are looking forward to the Blu-ray.

Kobayashi: You’ve probably already seen it a bunch in theaters, but at home, you’ll be able to focus on it to enjoy it even more. Please watch it a bunch, make lots of discoveries, and let us know about them! I think when you see everyone in motion, you’ll once again think “This song is really nice”. And once again, I’d be really happy if you love it a lot.

And Aqours is still running forward on our path! 5th Live’s title was “Next SPARKLING!!”... “Next” means “what’s to come”, so please keep believing in Aqours from now on!

--And last, please give a message to Yoshiko, who’s been with you all this time.

Kobayashi: There’s only one thing I need to say to Yohane.

“I’m in your care, Yohane!”

Extra Photos

[kobayashi-aika]

“Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie Over the Rainbow” Guilty Kiss Interviews #2: Kobayashi Aika (Part 2)

fun fact this headline is different from the one at the end of part 1 because i didn’t actually read part 2 until i did this

also this should be obvious based on the title but this part contains heavy movie spoilers

“I’m glad she met Aqours”

--The movie came out in the middle of all these events. What were your thoughts when you first saw the story?

Kobayashi: I cried so much. The third years were going towards their own futures, and it felt like everyone was leaving for somewhere far away. It was sad and lonely, but because Aqours was able to see the future ahead of them, there’s a lot of happiness in it for them.

In fact, if you told me “Let’s end Aqours’ story right here”, I’d be at a loss. But I’m glad that I got to see them embark on a new path.

--The third years leaving certainly isn’t something we should be dwelling on.

Kobayashi: I was crying from the very first moments of the movie... I didn’t expect to cry so much. Everyone was just passing the tissues back and forth (laughs).

--(also laughs) Do you still remember the recording sessions?

Kobayashi: Of course I do. It took place over three days, but on the first day, the third years weren’t there for the opening scenes. They were with us for the second day onward, but I felt uneasy without the three of them there (strained laugh).

Of course, Tsuki-chan (Kurosawa Tomoyo-san) and everyone else was there, but having just the six of us there felt really lonely. I knew how the story was supposed to progress, but I still felt like crying throughout the recording session.

--It’s just like how they feel in the story; without the third years, it feels so lonely.

Kobayashi: That’s definitely true. That’s why what Saint Snow said felt so on point, and I really felt it even as a voice actress.

--What scenes left an impression on you?

Kobayashi: Hmm... there were a lot, but for me, I like the performance of “Next SPARKLING!!” the most. The part where Chika sees the third years, who are already gone, and reaches out with both of her hands before bringing them to her heart, as it transitions to a performance with all nine of them was really moving. I bet a lot of the fans love that part, too.

After that, there’s the part where we join hands and form a circle. That’s actually reserved for the most important moments for us. We also start “Brightest Melody” off in a circle; it’s moments like that where we’ll form a circle. That why that scene really stays in my heart.

Also, the credits start rolling after the second verse, and while there are still some lingering emotions there, I was crying the entire time. Maybe they put that there so people can calm their emotions down a bit (laughs).

Seeing my name beside Yoshiko’s name in the credits, along with the rest of the cast, and everyone involved in the making of this movie was a reminder of just how many were supporting us and helped bring this to completion.

--Tell us about your favorite scenes with Yoshiko.

Kobayashi: When Mari’s mother tasks the first and second years with finding the third years, the very last chocolate coin that falls from the ceiling hits her head, and she goes “Ow!”. I love that scene! It’s that misfortune of hers that I love. (laughs).

Also, there’s the scene where everyone is in Mari’s vacation home, and for some reason Yoshiko falls from the balcony. I have no clue why she was even there in the first place, and I’m amazed at how she gets away without getting hurt all the time (laughs). They should put a disclaimer saying “This is special training for fallen angels. Please don’t try this at home” (laughs).

--That’s true (laughs). She also had a reunion with her middle school classmates in the scene where everyone helps to come with the preparations for the final live.

Kobayashi: She’s a girl that’s carrying a lot of dark history that she probably wants to forget, so to see her successfully exchange contact information like that personally made me feel like she’s grown.

--The Yoshiko from season one definitely couldn’t have pulled that off.

Kobayashi: She probably would have just run away. But it’s because Aqours didn’t run away either, accepted Yoshiko for who she was, and gave her a place to belong that she could face her past. So I’m glad she met Aqours.

--As the voice of a first year, what did you think of the second and third years?

Kobayashi: Seeing the third years go towards the future like that makes me think that the second years must have a lot of the same worries as them. But through the movie, we’ve seen them grow so much after the third years’ graduation that they’ll surely be fine from now on.

And of course, the first years grew a lot as a unit, too. I kept watching them and thinking, “One day, they’ll have some juniors that they’ll have to take care of, too”. They’re all very unique in their own way, but rather than falling apart, they’ve really stuck together, so I imagine that they’ll be fine from now on, too.

--In the movie, there are two scenes where the six of you are running on the beach. At the beginning of the movie, they were completely exhausted and trailing behind the second years, but at the end, they ended up overtaking and running past them.

Kobayashi: At the beginning, it was really tough for them, but after their live in Italy and the Love Live! finals against Saint Snow, their feelings of “Let’s follow the second years” changed to “Let’s chase after the second years”. I really love that.

Personally, I had thought that they were still just kids at heart. At the beginning of season one, they couldn’t really do anything, and their personalities were conflicting and all over the place. They were really just “first year students that were a part of Aqours”.

But because Aqours was working together towards their goals, they got so close, and they all developed these feelings of wanting to work hard. They’ve grown so much, and they’ve given me a push to work harder as well.

--The Blu-ray will go on sale on July 26th, so are there any other scenes you want people to rewatch?

Kobayashi: Definitely all the little details in the performance scenes. With a Blu-ray, you can go through it at your own pace, so I hope you can have all sorts of fun making new discoveries like that!

That being said, I think our fans watch and think about these things more than even we do... (laughs) We’ll make sure to watch it a lot, and I hope we can have fun making those discoveries, too!

Next time: “Guilty Kiss’ highlight at the Subunit National Battle Tour was definitely...?”

[kobayashi-aika]

“Love Live! Sunshine!! The School Idol Movie Over the Rainbow” Guilty Kiss Interviews #2: Kobayashi Aika (Part 1)

this interview is long as hell so i’ll be posting in in multiple parts based on the themes covered in the original

A changing world beyond the grand stages of 4th Live and Kouhaku Uta Gassen

--From last fall to this spring, you’ve had the 4th Live, an appearance on the 69th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen, the National Subunit Battle Tour, and the Asia Tour. The last half year has been packed, hasn’t it?

Kobayashi Aika (henceforth Kobayashi): Up until now, I’ve been putting so much of myself into it that I haven’t thought about anything other than what’s right in front of me. But looking back, we really have been able to perform at so many events.

--Especially the 4th Live at Tokyo Dome and your appearance on the 69th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen. Those are some big events, even by Aqours’ standards.

Kobayashi: The path to both of those was paved by μ's, but it’s something that Aqours has been aiming for too, and something that we felt like we had to accomplish. But now that it’s over, I feel like I can finally appreciate it.

This certainly is a new beginning for us. It feels like the colors we saw in Tokyo Dome, and the world we saw before our eyes at the 69th NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen has changed.

We’re school idols, but we’re neither idols nor characters in an anime. We exist between both the two-dimensonal and three-dimensional world. So I think that our strength is our ability to synchronize with the videos so well. That’s why for all of the things we can only do as Aqours, I really want to take them all on in our own unique way.

--You’ve successfully followed in the footsteps of μ's, but what was it like before you reached that point?

Kobayashi: It’s not like we were in a “hurry”, but we felt the pressure of constantly being pushed towards something. Our 1st Live was in the huge Yokohama Arena, and we constantly felt the pressure of that.

But while that was all piling up, our fans were always supporting us, so there were lots of times where we thought “We’re glad to be here”. And because of that, our bonds with each other got even deeper.

--Is that pressure no longer overwhelming you?

Kobayashi: Right... we’re always feeling some sort of pressure from somewhere. But unlike before, we’ve slowly learned ways for us to just enjoy the moment and have fun. Having fun and being able to shine is a theme that always comes up in Aqours’ story, and I think we’re now able to personify that.

--Moving on, you just had two long tours, with the National Subunit Battle Tour and the Asia Tour, right?

Kobayashi: For the National Subunit Battle Tour, the three of us in Guilty Kiss really felt this sense of togetherness, and it definitely showed in the Subunit Battles. But the final standings ended up being a little disappointing for us... (laughs). I guess that’s just that way things go for Guilty Kiss!

Also, throughout the Asia Tour, we had similar setlists, but it was both difficult and fun to give everyone in all the difference cities the same kind of performance.

--What do you think about your overseas fans?

Kobayashi: Because we don’t perform overseas very often, I can really feel everyone’s emotion. In Seoul, when everyone was singing for us, it felt like we were all performing a live together. (laughs)

It was interesting to see how people received and enjoyed our songs in different places, and through the Asia Tour, I was able to learn a lot. In China, there were even people who knew Japanese and memorized our lyrics! Music really is the universal language. It was really moving to see!

--You wouldn’t memorize lyrics in a foreign language unless you really like an artist and their songs, huh?

Kobayashi: Even if I liked a song in a foreign language, I wouldn’t be able to memorize the lyrics so perfectly. That’s why I’m so thankful that they practiced so much in preparation for us.

--Do you feel like you’ve grown in any way through all of these activities?

Kobayashi: Personally, my singing and my stable health! I’ve stopped catching colds as much. Every since I joined Aqours, I’ve been careful, but I still used to catch a cold about once a month.

By doing these activities with Aqours, my health has gotten better; I can even control my pollen allergies! It’s all a result of me being more conscious about it.

--What about in terms of performing?

Kobayashi: During the lives, even if we perform the same songs, every performance is slightly different, right? In dealing with those happenings, I’ve feel like I’ve become a lot more flexible.

In one live, CYaRon!, AZALEA, and Guilty Kiss split up and got on carts to sing. We were supposed to come back together at the same time, but we weren’t able to, and the three of us ended up reaching there first. And in that song, we’re supposed to strike a pose at a certain time.

Only Guilty Kiss was there, so we ad-libbed it, got in a circle and hugged each other, and then went back to the choreography.

--Doesn’t your head just go blank when you’re on a cart with nowhere to hide?

Kobayashi: Being able to just go with the flow when that happens and remembering that we’ll be okay is one area where I’ve grown a lot. We weren’t really able to do that before, so now, when we get off the stage, it’s like, “That’s awesome! We’ve really grown!”, and we’re happy about it (laughs).

Next time: “I’m glad I met Aqours”

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 6-27-19: Next Sparkling.

Thank you again for coming to

Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours 5th LoveLive! ~Next SPARKLING~!!~ on 6/8 and 6/9 at Metlife Dome! 😈

I didn't write a blog, so here I go~

I feel like in our 5th Live, the movie's music was able to bring you both Aqours in the present, and the future of Aqours!

There were a lot of new songs that we were able to perform I was nervous, but because you all got so fired up with us I had a really fun time.

And this was a live where I felt the bonds of Aqours even more than usual.

And of course, our bond with our 10th members.

When I saw the rainbow you all made for us, I felt that Aqours will still be able to move forward from here.

Thank you so much.

We had the songs from the movie this time

so there was both the atmosphere and emotion of the movie.

It wasn't all fun and exciting songs There were a lot of quieter parts, too There were times where I wanted to cry because the songs were overflowing with so much emotion

I ended up teary-eyed the entire time (lol)

Especially right before Next SPARKLING!!.

On stage, when the first and second years were standing in a ring, it felt a little lonely

But when we sing Next SPARKLING!! I have a lot more fun than when we sing any other song.

Maybe it's just like Yohane says "It's the song of our beginning"

I thought about it like that And I put all my feelings into singing this important song.

You know, everyone's closing comments felt like they had a lot more emotion in them than they normally do.

But I want to say just one thing loud and clear.

Aqours will keep on chasing our dreams!

Don't worry! You and I are still in the middle of chasing them.

That's why from here on out, I'll keep chasing the radiance.

I want to spread my wings even bigger together with Yohane!

6/30 will be Aqours' anniversary.

I'm looking forward to celebrating it with you all 😈

And also, Yohane's birthday is in July! I'm still thinking about what to do~😈😈

There's still lots to come.

I'm excited!

Aikyan_ ☺︎

[kobayashi-aika]

Aqours 5th LoveLive! ~Next SPARKLING!!~ Pamphlet: Kobayashi Aika

The smiles of Yohane and her little demons will come together to form a rainbow!

These jet-black magic wings will turn pure white with Aqours’ miracle in our sights!

Q1. The name of this live is “Next SPARKLING!!”. What does “SPARKLING” mean?

A1. To “burst with excitement”. In other words, it has the feeling of leaping forward. So “Next SPARKLING!!” is a song about reaching out for our next radiance, which makes it a perfect song for us.

Q2. Tell us what you really think about Saint Snow!

A2. Through the movie, we got to deepen our bonds as Saint Aqours Snow. We’re sometimes rivals, and sometimes friends. I hope that from now on, we can bring even more excitement to Love Live! Sunshine!! together.

Q3. Were there any songs in the movie that left an impression on you?

A3. Brightest Melody. Especially the line that goes “There’s something amazing there”; I really love Yohane’s expression there! I feel like she has the look on her face because she’s been looking from the bottom of her heart for some excitement, and found that with all of her friends. It makes me want to say “Thank you, Aqours!”, as if I was her parent. (laughs)

Q4. In the vein of “Hop? Stop? Nonstop!”, tell us about something exciting that’s happened to you recently!

A4. It’s not really recent, but I’m excited all the time! Whenever I listen to Aqours’ songs, I get really excited. When people tell me their thoughts on the movie, I get really excited. And when we’re doing dance rehearsals for the live, and I think about the meaning that goes behind all of the choreography, I get really excited!

Q5. Do you have any special thoughts or memories about the stage events for the movie?

A5. The stage was really close to the seats, so I felt like I was really able to speak directly to everyone about the movie. Being able to share a common interest with people made it really fun. And getting to eat a lot of popcorn made me really happy. (laughs)

Q6. Did any scenes from the movie leave an impression on you?

A6. The first thing that came to mind when I read this question was when there were so many girls in school idol costumes singing and dancing in “Bokura no Hashitte kita Michi wa...” in the streets of Numazu. I really just can’t forget that opening scene. It’s a scene that really makes you feel the warmth of Numazu, and I love it.

Q7. Were there any scenes where the character you play really shines?

A7. My favorite scene for Yohane was when Mari’s mother was playing the piano, and chocolate coins started falling from the ceiling. Just when you think they’ve all fallen, one last one falls and hits Yohane in the head with a little “thunk”. That’s my fallen angel.

Q8. Are there any places that you like in Numazu, or places that you want to go?

A8. Dollhouse Kimura!! It’s the store that Yohane goes to in the HAPPY PARTY TRAIN PV, and they dance in front of it in the movie, but I’ve never gone. I really want to go there one day!

Q9. Three things that you have to take with you on a trip!

A9. 

1. Microphone 2. Charger 3. Heat pads

Q10. Is there anything you want to change about yourself, or maybe something that you’ll never change about yourself?

A10. Rather than something I want to change now, it’s something that I want to change going forward. I want to bring Love Live! to even more people that don’t know about it. I want even more people to know about this wonderful story. As for something I wouldn’t change, it would be the bonds that I have with everyone. I want these to continue on forever.

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 5-1-19: and PARTY!!

Thank you very much for coming to Kobayashi Aika's 1st Fan Meeting "and PARTY!!"

on 4/30 in Maihama Amphitheater!

Together, we all made this and PARTY!! a wonderful day!

It reminded me that I really love being able to sing.

(photo: Suzuki Yuri-san)

Thank you for listening to my songs.

And thank you very much for coming into my life.

At the hi-five session at the end, you all told me "I had fun!" and "That was great!"...

Through those hi-fives, I was able to feel the gratitude from each and every one of you That really is great...!

And thank you so much for all of your wonderful flower stands!

I took pictures with all of them☺︎

So many...

Filled with all of your love... I'm just so happy. Thank you very much!

I've never gotten flowers filled with so much love before(;_;)

Thank you.

And thank you for your letters and presents, too. I'll take my time and go through each and every one of them!

On this last day of the Heisei Era, I was able to have a wonderful day with all you Liands.

I'll never forget this day for the rest of my life.

In the Reiwa Era, I'll do my best so that I can have wonderful days like this with all of you again. I'll do-do-do my best!

So that I can be with all the Liands I love so much.

The second fan meeting was announced! This time, it's in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya!!!

This love will connect us!!!

Here's the set list from the live portion of this and PARTY!!

▼

M1. "Kimi wo Mamoritai"/by Kobayashi Aika M2. "BLUE"/by SAWA

[Request Medley] M3. "Body Feels EXIT"/by Amuro Namie M4. "Kimagure Romantic"/by Ikimono-gakari M5. "Sugar Song and Bitter Step"/by UNISON SQUARE GARDEN M6. "COLOR"/by MARiA M7. "Kimi Janakya Dame Mitai"/by Ooishi Masayoshi M8. "GLAMOROUS SKY"/by NANA starring MIKA NAKASHIMA

M9. "A.N.D"/ and Theme Song

▼

I wanted to surprise you all... and make you all happy... so this time, I wrote a theme song for and!

I asked my old friend SAWA-san to do the composing( ˵˙o˙˵ )

And I wrote the lyrics!

Here are the lyrics for "A.N.D".

▼

you see there would be lyrics here but i swore off translating lyrics for the rest of my life

therefore this section will remain empty unless ice finishes TLing it

just know that the lyrics are very aikyan

▼

It's... a little embarassing... (lol) But now that you've all heard it, I feel like "A.N.D" is now complete!

Thank you!!!

I love you all~

(photo: Suzuki Yuri-san)

Aikyan_ ☺︎

[kobayashi-aika]

AikyanBlog 4-29-19: Tomorrow is...

Tomorrow is finally...

Kobayashi Aika's 1st FAN MEETING "and PARTY!!"

Are you all in good health! I'm raring to go!

Until now, when I think about you all, a lot of different things come to mind.

For me, for you, and for all of the staff, it's a really, really important day!

For me to able to keep moving forward...

I'm really looking forward to it And I really want to see you all

I wonder if you'll all be happy with this... I want to do this for all of you!

Ah~ I hope it doesn't rain

I'm so anxious for it to start...

I hope you're all feeling the same way... hehe.

(It looks like Mama's preparing something to make you all happy)

The last day of the Heisei era!

I hope that you "and" the people next to you will be able to have a good time!

I hope these feeling of love will be connected and that there are lots of smiles

With all of you "and" members, I want this event to overflow with love!

I hope the last day of the Heisei era, 4/30, will be the best day for you all... ❤

Look forward to it!

All right!

Are you ready to have a great time?

Wooooooooooah!!!

(lol)

(a strange pose from rehearsal)

I'll work hard so that one day, I can meet all of you who aren't able to come this time Wait for me.

I really am always thinking of you all.

I'll accept all of these feelings from you and it'll take me to the future!

With love, to all of you!

Aikyan_ ☺︎☺︎