Translation of Paul's interview for Cotonete TV (Portugal, 08.11.2009), aka the giant q-tip interview
Hallo, ist Paul von Rrrrrrrrrrrrrrrammstein und es ist Coconet??? 🤨👂
This is a translation of the Portuguese voice-over, not what Paul said originally in German. So there may be some inconsistencies. My German is not the best so I didn't verify if the audible bits are translated correctly. The transcription of the PT voice-over is after this if you want to check it out 🇩🇪 -> 🇵🇹 -> 🇬🇧
Link for the video
Rammstein are back on stage and to the recording studio with “Liebe ist für alle da”, which translates to "Love Is For Everyone". Cotonete TV spoke to guitarist Paul Landers just a few hours before the concert at the Pavilhão Atlântico in Lisbon, the kickoff for the German band's world tour, known for the spectacular nature of their live performances.
It's going to be a great show, as usual. Lots of light, lots of explosions, there will be some new things too. It's the first show of the tour, so we hope everything goes smoothly.
What was like to record a new album after a year's break?
After half an hour together in the studio, no one could remember that we'd been apart for a year. Everything was just the same. It felt like seeing a friend you haven't seen in years. It's a if you'd never been apart. Personally I had absolutely no desire to start playing again. But they convinced me by arguing that it had to be now. Now is the time to record.
Quit Rammstein?
No. Come to think of it, maybe yes. But once you think back on how much fun we had as a band, you quickly forget all the less pleasant parts and and all that remains are the fabulous experiences we went through.
Album title
"Liebe ist für alle da". Coming up with a title for a record is always complicated. It always requires a lot of imagination. We would have liked to have come up with a better one, but that’s how it turned out. "Liebe ist für alle da" - Love is for everyone.
Pussy?
As soon as the song was written down, the word "Pussy" was right there in the middle. We ended up writing the whole thing in English, but some people didn't like it, so we ended up having German lyrics as well as English ones.
What about the video?
We had fun filming it, but we were also really scared. It was almost like going to the dentist - I had to work up the courage. We thought about putting girls on stage, but the result was a bit embarrassing, so we never did it again.
Are Rammstein becoming more and more provocative?
We like to provoke, and that's our trademark [?*]. Even when we don’t mean to provoke, the result ends up being provocative. We play the innocent, just like teenagers getting into trouble. Journalists think we’re calculating. But no, it’s pure and simple stupidity.
*I couldn't figure out what was said in this part. The voice-over guy's diction is a bit tricky to understand and the audio quality doesn't help either. It sounded like "Fizemos sexo" (We had sex) but I'm not sure tbh. It doesn't make sense, grammatically speaking.
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Transcription of the Portuguese voice-over:
Os Rammstein estão de regresso aos palcos e aos discos com “Liebe ist für alle da”, título que traduzido significa “O amor é para todos”. O Cotonete TV esteve à conversa com o guitarrista Paul Landers, poucas horas antes do concerto no Pavilhão Atlântico em Lisboa, o pontapé de saída para a digressão mundial da banda alemã, conhecida pela espetacularidade que imprime às suas apresentações ao vivo.
Vai ser um grande espetáculo como de habitual. Muita luz, muita explosão, vai haver coisas novas. É o primeiro da digressão, por isso esperamos que tudo funcione como deve ser.
Como foi gravar um disco depois de um ano de pausa?
Depois de meia hora juntos no estúdio já ninguém se lembrava que tinha passado um ano de separação. Estava tudo na mesma. A sensação é a mesma que ver um amigo que não vias há muitos anos. É como se nunca se tivessem afastado. Eu pessoalmente não tinha vontade nenhuma de voltar a tocar. Mas convenceram-me com o argumento de que tinha que ser agora. Agora é o momento para gravar.
Desistir dos Rammstein?
Não. Talvez pensando um pouco, seja sim. Mas depois de relembrar o que nos divertimos como banda, rapidamente esqueces tudo o que foi menos agradável e só ficam as coisas fabulosas pelas quais passámos.
Título do disco
"Liebe ist für alle da". Ver um nome para um disco é sempre complicado. Exige sempre muita imaginação. Até gostávamos de ter dado um nome melhor, mas ficou assim. "Liebe ist für alle da" – O amor é para todos.
Pussy?
Mal a canção apareceu no papel, tinha logo lá no meio o nome "Pussy". Nós acabámos por escrever tudo em inglês mas houve quem não gostasse e então acabou por ter uma letra também em alemão, além do inglês.
E o vídeo?
Divertimo-nos a filmar, mas também estamos com muito medo. Foi quase como ir ao dentista, precisei de ganhar coragem. Pensámos em pôr meninas no palco, mas o resultado foi um bocado envergonhador, por isso nunca mais fizemos.
Rammstein cada vez mais provocadores?
Gostamos, e queremos provocar, é a nossa marca [?]. Mesmo quando não queremos provocar, o resultado acaba por ser provocador. Fazemo-nos de ingénuos, assim como adolescentes a fazer asneiras. Os jornalistas acham que nós somos calculistas. Mas não, é estupidez pura e dura.
[INTERVIEW TRANSLATION] HOSHINO KATSURA'S INTERVIEW ABOUT D.GRAY-MAN FOR KIKAN ACE SPRING 2016 (PART 3/3)
Hello, this is the third and last part of my three-parted translation of Hoshino Katsura for the magazine Kikan Ace, back in 2016.
First part here :
💬 0 🔁 14 ❤️ 45 · [INTERVIEW TRANSLATION] HOSHINO KATSURA INTERVIEW ABOUT D.GRAY-MAN FOR KIKAN ACE SPRING 2016 (PART 1/3) · Hello everyone,
Second part here:
💬 0 🔁 0 ❤️ 0 · [INTERVIEW TRANSLATION] HOSHINO KATSURA INTERVIEW ABOUT D.GRAY-MAN FOR KIKAN ACE SPRING 2016 (PART 2/3) · Hello everyone,
No real spoilers here, because it is a 10 year old interview !
For me, this part is the most interesting because it tackles what is coming next in the story, the future revelations etc.
HOSHINO KATSURA X KIKAN ACE : ABOUT D.GRAY-MAN ART STYLE, THE HEART AND THE HELIX OF LIFE
A. Back then, I was really trying to change my drawing style. More recently, however, I decided to draw in the way that feels both best and easiest for me. When I look at my recent manuscripts, I feel that I have somewhat returned to the style of the first volume. Of course, the lines are not as thick as they were back then, ahaha, but I do feel that after hesitating for a long time, I’ve finally come back to it.
Here is another version of the plot for night 219. Some sketches were included in the magazine !
Another sketch. In this version, Nea says "I home, Mana" (Tadaima, Mana) "Thank you for keeping your promise with me, Mana" dudjsiendueiwksksid AAAAHHG
Q. As for realism, I feel that every panel you draw is almost like a living picture. I can really sense an entire world behind each one. Could you tell me how you achieve that?
A. After graduating from high school, I worked as an animator at Studio Ghibli. When you first enter the company, you go through a kind of training where they teach you what is essential for animation. I didn’t attend an art school and had no formal knowledge at all, so at first I couldn’t do anything properly.
I remember one exercise in which we had to animate the feathers at the tip of a bird’s tail. I was told, “You’re not just moving lines. You have to think of every line as part of a bird’s tail. Draw each line as if it is the bird’s tail.” At first, I thought this was far too difficult, but little by little I began to understand what those words meant.
There is a saying: “If you draw a leaf, draw lines that express the lightness of a leaf.” Don’t simply draw lines, think about the object you are drawing, what material it is made of, and try to express that through your drawing. Those words still resonate in my mind even today.
Even now, I tell my assistants things like, “Draw this line as if it were a tree,” or “Be careful, thelines used for roofs, walls, and plants should not be the same.” I feel that at this point, I am constantly thinking about what each line represents: what material, what object.
(I must admit, I skipped a whole part here about the art style because it was a bit too technical for me, but if some of you are interested, I can translate it if you want!)
Q. Please tell us about what is coming next. Since the hiatus ended, we’ve had several major revelations. For example, the fact that the Earl was divided into two people for seventeen years. Had you planned this development from the very beginning?
A. Of course. There are many mysteries in D.Gray-man, and I deliberately scattered them throughout the story. I really wanted to draw those elements, but my editor often told me that I needed to keep the plot moving and gradually begin unraveling the mysteries.
*as bonus, I'm also posting the pictures: you have here rough sketches of Cross and the Earl before DGM serialisation began.
Q. There are many hints throughout the story, aren’t there? For instance, Road told Allen that Nea was fighting for Mana. I’m very curious about what that means.
A. Right now, I’m actually preparing the conditions necessary to reveal everything all at once. I’m sure the time will come when I’ll be able to uncover all of the secrets (laughs).
Q. I’m so excited for what’s coming next. I wonder, if there are so many revelations ahead, does that mean D.Gray-man will end soon? Perhaps in just a few more volumes?
A. Of course not! I’m not even halfway there yet. There are still so many things to come, at least, that’s what I hope. Of course, everything depends on whether I’m able to continue drawing or not. However, I have already decided how the final chapter will end and how the storyline will progress up to that point.
If I’m able to draw all the way to the end, there will be many stories and revelations. I know a lot of people are concerned about the final chapter, but let me tell you this: what truly matters isn’t the ending itself, it’s everything that comes before it (laughs).
Q. Yes, for example, all the mysteries surrounding the Heart, or in Chapter 221, when you mentioned the “Helix of Life.” I’m curious about what that is.
A. When I talk about the Helix of Life, it connects to the Exorcists’ stories. Why do AKUMA exist? How were they created? People tend to think of AKUMA as nothing more than weapons made to kill, but that is not the case. They are a very important key to the story.AKUMA are made from human souls. The Earl devours people’s souls, while Innocence uses the vital energy of its accommodators. Allen, as the protagonist, wants to save the souls trapped inside the AKUMA. I hope that later in the story, I will be able to explain more about the concept of “human souls.”
Q. So this is the core of the story... I am very excited for what’s to come! If there are so many things in store, can we expect the story pace to quicken as well?
A. I am so slow, I know. But my editor has really created a good environment for me to work in, so, if I am being honest, I am always thinking "I have to draw more!". Like, in a magazine like Crown (note : back then, DGM was still serialised in SQ. CROWN), I would love to be able to draw 100 pages...I am know trying to draw as much as I can, I feel like I found the pace, so now, I am trying to work steadily.
Host: If you had the chance to make changes, which scene would you modify, and why?
Lan Xiaolong: I might have Wu Liuyi join Old A.
—Audience applauds—
Lan Xiaolong: I think it would be interesting to see these two men—the strongest of the bunch—come together. At that point, the outcome wouldn’t be something the writer could control. I have immense respect for both of them. I really hope that these two qualities I deeply admire could collide and create something that would benefit me greatly. So, this hope of mine is entirely selfish—it’s for my own sake. I’m thinking purely from my own perspective, hoping to add another layer to my life experience or my experience as a screenwriter.
Host: It would create even more intense sparks, right?
Lan Xiaolong: Right.
Host: Well, of course, your idea has clearly won the audience’s approval, hasn’t it? Otherwise, there wouldn’t be such long-lasting applause.
Lan Xiaolong: I didn’t expect the applause to be so overwhelming.
—Audience applauds—
Host: So, this is another lesson. Look, even though you haven’t actually made the change, the idea has already been planted. If you were to make this change, everyone would definitely love it.
FOR THE FULL INTERVIEW CLICK HERE.
3 YEARS LATER: 《MY CHIEF AND MY REGIMENT》
THE LONG AWAITED COLLISION OF WU LIUYI AND YUAN LANG FINALLY THERE, IN THE FORM OF YU XIAOQING AND LONG WENZHANG:
ROF-MAO is a male unit consisting four members of VTuber group "Nijisanji": Kagami Hayato, Kenmochi Toya, Fuwa Minato, and Kaida Haru, the four have been active in a wide range of activities, mainly variety shows and music on YouTube. On April 13, they released a mini-album "Crack Up!!!!" containing 6 original songs. SPICE had an exclusive interview with the busy group, which is scheduled to hold another live concert in July. We asked them about their thoughts on their activities.
――ROF-MAO was announced on October 21 last year, and on April 21, it was just half a year since its formation. Could you share with us miscellaneous thoughts about your activities so far?
Kagami: “What kind of scene will it create when we as VTubers do something akin to a live-action entertainment show?” I think this is the concept and theme of each of the videos that are being uploaded now. I feel that it is becoming more and more familiar to us, to our fans, and to the public.
――Like you're getting used to it, or it’s starting to get well received?
Kagami: Yes, that's right. I think people are starting to look at us not because we are "unusual", but because "the four of them went there!", not just fans but also non-fans are gradually acknowledging this in the past six months or so.
――I see. How about you, Kenmochi-san?
Kenmochi: At first I was filled with the fear that I would be made to give "fanservice" because it is a four man group.
――Asked to do fanservice (laughs) How was it in reality?
Kenmochi: I think I managed to get by with just a little bit of that after the reveal (laughs), also, as Prez (note: Shachō–Kagami's nickname) said, there was a strong mood of ‘new movement’ when it first got unveiled, the viewer reaction gave a sense of "Are you going to start something that is not Nijisanji-like?” However, now I feel that we were able to greatly expand the range of what can be expressed without changing the form and groundwork of "Nijisanji".
Fuwa: Personally, I’m surprised that it has already been half a year. I have been enjoying our activities with the same excitement I had when we first formed the group, and I still don't feel like I have been "active for half a year," and that is honestly it.
Kaida: For me, too, the past six months have been very hectic, and my impression is that I have become more involved with many different people. When ROF-MAO was formed, the viewers and even the four of us wondered what kind of unit it would become, but from that point on, it has become known that "ROF-MAO is this kind of unit!", this recognition of ROF-MAO as a unit is now well established. I think the past six months have only been the "prologue" of the group, and it’s been a half year for people to get to know what kind of group we are.
――What are some unforgettable things that happened during the past six months of working together? This could be something from the shows, behind the scenes, etc.
Kagami: I have a variety of special favorite times on the show. One that I particularly remember is the day when we had three outside location shoots, which was a lot of fun. Maybe I didn't mention this, but the "Go-Karting," "No Plan Drive," and "Private Boat" sessions were all shot on the same day. On a day that gave out "Let's have fun in Tokyo all day!" vibes, I was thinking “It's great to have this kind of shooting because of our activities....” in the car that Kaida-san drives.
(No Plan Drive Episode) ノープランドライブ 墨田～お台場付近
――How would Kaida-san describe your most memorable experience then?
Kaida: The Private Boat episode was so much fun that I remember every detail of the shoot. To begin with, I’m not the type of person who enjoys going out for leisure, so I don't think I would ever think of taking on a private boat in my life. Besides, after being active as a Liver for so long, I don't get to see the outside scenery as much, so that time when we took pictures while enjoying the night view was really memorable for me.
(Private Boat Episode) 【屋形船貸切】初心者の一眼レフ写真対決！
――How is it for Fuwa-san?
Fuwa: Well...like you two, I am attracted to outside shoots, partly because I don't usually go outside. I think Go-karting is the first thing that comes to mind in terms of having fun with everyone. The guest times are also a lot of fun, but I do have to pay attention whenever it is with a guest......
(Go-Kart Episode) 【クラッシュ】ゴーカートで日和ってるやついる？いねえよなぁ！？
――When it comes to guests, that reminds of syudou's times as a guest (laughs)
Fuwa: I was quite nervous that time, but I had fun doing it...
(syudou as Guest Episode) 【過去最高の緊張感】絶っっっっ対に失敗できない戦いがここにある・・・！
Fuwa: If I had to name the riskiest/most dangerous episode ever, I would have to say the "Safari Park" episode. Actually, I had to record this episode early in the morning after not being able to get much sleep because we had the "Paranormal Spot Location” shoot late at night the day before, perhaps this was the one time I was the most listless. Kaida was driving and wobbled me around, so I became even more quiet... If you are curious, please do check the episode out.
(Safari Park Episode) サファリパークで運転したら囲まれ舐められ大変なことに……
Kenmochi: If I could add a light story that hasn’t got caught on camera. But one time he fled from the shooting spot by boat at full speed, because of an urgent situation.
――By boat? (laughs)
Kenmochi: Looking back, surely it was a sort of dangerous situation, but I remember well everyone was enjoying the unexpected turn of events and it was a good time. I think it will eventually be made into a video in some form and get released. When it does, I hope you will enjoy it by all means.
Kagami: Actually that part is the one that definitely shouldn’t get released to the public.
Fuwa: Now that I think about it, we might got a little out of our mind too (laughs).
――I'll be looking forward to your weekly updates then, as it made me very curious about it. Now, on the mini-album "Crack Up!!!!" released a few days ago. Placed No.1 on the weekly album chart on both Oricon and Billboard, it was a great place to start off with.
Kagami: Honestly, there wasn’t much reaction from my surroundings to the fact that it got #1 position on Oricon and Billboard, which made me not feel special about it. Isn’t that the case with everyone? How is it?
Kenmochi: When I saw a big advertisement in front of the train station, or when I went into an anime-related store and heard our song being played, I still could feel the "Is this… for real!?”
Kagami: That being said, there were times when I avoided going to CD stores on purpose, so I may have been completely oblivious to that.
Fuwa: You could also find huge advertisements for the album on station platforms.
Kaida: For me, it's actually the opposite. When I got a call that we had reached #1 on the Oricon and Billboard charts, I thought, "Huh? Could it be that we're actually popular?” (laughs)
Kagami: I see. It feels like the initial Spirit Gun in Yu Yu Hakusho*, it wasn’t only us, but also all the staff involved in this work, who put everything they had into this at one blow, which is why we were able to get such great results.
*(霊丸 / Spirit Gun, Yu Yu Hakusho MC’s signature move as he concentrates his Spirit Energy into his right index finger and releases it as a projectile)
――When it comes to the four of you, it seems that all of you is someone who has shown your passion for music and been actively involved in music even before the formation of ROF-MAO. Can you name one musical artist who has had the greatest influence on you and whom you respect?
Kaida: For me, it was the composer ryo, I was greatly influenced by supercell and EGOIST, including their vocalist.
Kagami: There are many artists who have influenced me, so this kind of question is difficult, but if I had to narrow it down to one person, I would say Moto Fujiwara of BUMP OF CHICKEN. Fujiwara-san is the first vocalist of a rock band that I was into in my life, so I’ll have to mention him.
Fuwa: I also have many favorite artists, but if I had to name one, it would be TAKUYA∞ of UVERworld. One time, I had the opportunity to perform at a live house as a hobby, and I heard from a staff member that he "always gives his all". I learned a lot from his attitude and stance and grew a strong admiration for him.
Kenmochi: Even though I have more opportunities to be involved with many people in the music industry now, I would say it is FLOW, with whom I had the opportunity to perform live together at last year's "Nijisanji Anniversary Eve Festival 2021”. I was able to experience firsthand how these amazing people have been working in this field for many years. In the midst of feeling like I’ve been allowed to stand on a stage that is beyond my capacity, I was shown "how to be on stage" and "where I should aim to be”.
――How did the mini-album "Crack Up!!!!" proceed in the making? Did you record the vocals while the tracks were already in the works?
Kagami: The production itself starts around the end of 2021? That was as far as I could remember.
Kaida: Vocals were basically recorded by two people at a time, with one group consisting of me and Prez (note: Shachō–Kagami's nickname) and the other group being Mochi-san (note: Kenmochi's nickname) and Fuwa-san, and so on. We would proceed in such a way that the first person that records the song would be the one to do the harmonizing, and so on.
――There are a lot of duets and harmonizing in the song, it must’ve been quite difficult?
Kagami: It was difficult.
Kaida: That’s right.
――Kaida-san also had some comical duet parts with Fuwa-san, Isn’t it?
Fuwa: When you say "duet" do you mean that part?* (the talking part in Let’s Get The Party Started!)
Let’s Get The Party Started!
――It's that part for example (laughs), it gives off all over the place feeling.
Kaida: That was me summoning "Imaginary Fuwa Minato" inside me and thinking, "Is this how he would act?"
Kagami: Ah, I see, now that I think about it, that was recorded on a different day, wasn't it?
Kaida: That song was recorded with me and Fuwa-san in a separate group. I remember we recorded that song at a time when our schedules were quite tight.
――You have assembled a very splendid team of creators, including Q-MHz, KEYTALK's Shuto, syudou, Maeyamada Keniichi (Hyadain), Noi, and MONACA’s Keiichi Hirokawa. Did you get a chance to meet them in person for the actual recording and be given any direction?
Kaida: Everyone was present during the recording. I think it turned out to be a good recording session because they could clearly convey the passion in "this is how I would like it to be”.
Fuwa: Maeyamada-san's direction was so memorable because it’s so fast-paced. “OK!” “OK!” “OK!” It proceeds just like that. That was very interesting because the speed was totally different from the others.
――It looks like everyone was getting on board with what Maeyamada-san was seeking from the start. Now, this is not meant to be demeaning at all, but on the other hand, what song took the longest time to record?
Kagami: For me, it was “Shitteiru Tegami/Familiar Letter”.
Kenmochi: That was the same for me.
Kagami: In a sense, this song is a literary composition that placed particular emphasis on the singing expressions. We each had our own views with Hirokawa-san's view laid out about the song, and then asked each other, "How should we do it?” We started the recording by singing the same phrase in several different patterns, using different voices and nuances, and the process ended up taking quite some time.
Kenmochi: While the other songs are energetic, this song has a slightly different flavor, so I tried various approaches to the song, such as emphasizing expressiveness in the way I sing it, and it took me a long time to grips the song.
知っている手紙
――I see. Now, please tell us one recommended song for each of the four of you from the songs included in "Crack Up!!!!".
Fuwa: I would recommend listening to any of them depending on your mood, but if I had to pick just one, I would pick "Shitteiru Tegami/Familiar Letter"
It may seem like a follow-up from their answer (Kagami and Kenmochi's previous answers), but the interplay between the instruments, especially the guitar and bass in the second half, is really cool, so please do give it a listen!
Kenmochi: I would also choose "Shitteiru Tegami/Familiar Letter". I think this song has the "The ROF-MAO you can't grasp unless it’s through music" in it, that can't be conveyed only through ROF-MAO Cram School where we appear. I hope you will give a listen to it.
Kaida: I would have to say "Lack Hack". It is a song composed by Vocaloid P, Noi, with a very catchy intro and powerful grip in it. There are parts of the song where the notes go very high and the structure of the song was also difficult, so I practiced a lot for it at home. On the recording, I felt quite the sense of “I sang it well!”
ラックハック
――Kaida-san in “Lack Hack” is remarkably good (laughs).
Kaida: When we were recording together, Prez praised me so much that I left home with a big smile on my face (laughs).
――How about Kagami-san?
Kagami: I think it's "I wanna! You wanna!”. I simply love the song. The person who wrote this song was Shuto-san of KEYTALK, and of course I knew that he was known to be a band member with a lot of energy but I was surprised to find out later that he used to be a member of “the cabs”, and in that sense, I was deeply impressed.
ROF-MAO "I wanna! You wanna!"
――Shuto-san is well known for KEYTALK, but his work with “the cabs”(note *1) is also great, too.
Kagami: While the song is not something like the cabs, the bass right before the last chorus plays a ridiculous phrase, almost like it’s Billy Sheehan (*2).
――the Mr.Big bassist? (note *2)
Kagami: Yes, that's right (laughs) the part feels really wild as if messing around. During the recording, I was barely able to keep up with the music, and I was doing aggressive shouts from the top to the bottom, to the point where I thought, "Can I really go this far?” It was fun to record the vocals.
the cabs: A three-member post-rock band that belonged to Zankyo Records from the mid-2000s to the early 2010s and was active with ‘te’, ‘cinema staff’, ‘mudy on the last night’, ‘highsinonasa’, ‘3nd’ etc. After the disband, Shuto focused on KEYTALK, and Kunimitsu Takahashi, who was also a member of the band, is currently working on a solo project "österreich”.
Billy Sheehan: American bassist active on the rock scene from the 1980s to the present. After playing in the Talas and David Lee Roth bands, he made his big breakthrough with Mr. Big and became the center of attention for his super plays. He is still active with various artists and is one of the greatest rock bass heroes with one of the best techniques of all time.
Kaida: When I heard Prez's chorus, I had a feeling that he really had fun recording it.
――Is there anything that you have become more conscious of or pay attention to in your daily life as you work in ROF-MAO?
Kagami: We have a regular ROF-MAO meeting about once a week, we and the staff have to come up with ideas to the point where we are all heaving with frustration to squeeze it out. It would be great if we could come up with various projects from our own ideas, so we start to look at our daily lives and think "This might be useful" or "This might be interesting”.
Fuwa: One thing I have learned in ROF-MAO is that I have to be very careful to get a good night's sleep the day before a recording session. Since the recording sessions sometimes start early in the morning and last until late at night, In fact, I have become much more conscious of this during other on-site recording sessions as well.
――You mentioned the same thing before. (On how the Safari Park episode was shot when he lack asleep)
Kagami: I think it really is such a huge deal for him. There was one time he slept really well, and he mentioned it maybe 13 times that day, "It totally feels different!!”, he kept saying it over and over (laughs).
Kaida: I get that (laughs) When Fuwa-san is listless, he looks like he could actually fall asleep in the middle of recording, so I can see it in his eyes.
――Haha (laughs) Kaida-san, do you have anything to add?
Kaida: I, the same as Prez, have started to look for ideas everywhere, and become more conscious of the video contents uploaded by creators. I also try my best not to get injured. ROF-MAO Cram School involves a lot of physical activity, so even a slight injury can prevent us from doing it at full strength. Of course, we take safety precautions during the recording, but I am very careful not to sprain or injure myself because I am the type of person who is careless and prone to it.
――How about Kenmochi-san?
Kenmochi: Something I become more conscious of, huh… I wonder... If I had to put it bluntly, I'd say that I try "not to be too conscious" of anything. I think being in this kind of showbiz industry sometimes makes you feel like you should give away your own true self for fame, but I’ll still make sure not to act too idol-like, flirty/giving fanservice, and push myself too much.
Fuwa: Like ROF-MAO’s last frontier?
Kaida: The one who wants to keep his beliefs intact and unwavering, right?
Kenmochi: Yeah, just like that.
――To wrap it up, Kuzuha & Kanae & ROF-MAO Three-Man LIVE "Aim Higher" is scheduled to be held on July 27th. I know it is still early to prepare for the event, but we would like to hear your feelings toward the live performance such as "I want to do something like this!” or “I want it to be this kind of live performance!”
Kaida: The strongest image of what I want to do is to show everyone who has supported me so far that "I can now do this!" This will be my first time performing at a live concert, and I am very excited to be able to sing on stage. I would like to experience the heat of the moment, which is something you can't understand unless you are there.
Fuwa: We ROF-MAO, Kanae, and Kuzuha are going to perform as three separate artists, so I imagined this concert as a battle of live performances. I’m really looking forward to seeing what kind of performance we will have, and I hope we can give a performance that won’t lose to the other two.
――Thank you very much. Kagami-san?
Kagami: One thing I keep in mind is that it’s my defeat if the audience thinks, "It was good this time, too."
――Defeat? Why is that?
Kagami: I think we are at the point where holding live concerts in Nijisanji is now becoming the norm, in a sense. Except for Kaida-san, if the members who have the opportunity to perform on many live stages cannot excite the audience with something brand new and fresh, there won't be next time. Personally, for me, it’d be better not to consider "It was good this time too." as a passing grade. I want to aim for the live performance holding a certain sense of risk in order to go to a higher level.
――I see. And finally, how about you, Kenmochi-san?
Kenmochi: I have participated in various live performances since the early days of VTuber, and I feel that VTuber live performances have progressed rapidly. This is because not only the performers, but also all the staff behind the scenes, such as the one in charge of lighting, sound, and producers who plan the events, share the same attitude that I can sense from Prez's talk. Even the way we set up this 3-man live concert was quite aggressive, and it was the first time for the four of us to perform in a live concert. We are trying to present something new in terms of performance, and we hope to make it a new experience for the audience as well.
――Indeed, and with that, I'm sure to look forward to the July live concert! Thank you very much to all ROF-MAO members for your valuable stories today!
(Per request by @ericksmalamia & for whoever else wants the translation)
CNCO Responds to the internet’s questions // Really me
R: Hey people, I am Rich.
E: I am Erick
Z: Zabdiel
C: I am Christopher
R: and we are…
ALL: CNCO
R: and this is “really us”
“Really Me” with CNCO
We made CNCO create real accounts and covertly enter the internet.
R: Yeah, Let’s do this. Okay, let’s hit up twitter. @cncoxcrushfive says: “where do I send my resume to work in CNCO’s team?”
Z: You can send it to Zabdiel’s email zabdiel1344…
R: or you can it send it to Richard Camacho’s Instagram.
C: or to Erick’s Instagram. Or to my Instagram. Haha
Z: or possibly to Walter Kolm’s too.
R: Thank you Karlita for your question:
C: (he repeats what Rich says) for your question.
R: Ale: “I’m thinking of making a sweater, idk if in black or white. What do you say?” (It shows the sweater) I like it in black.
E: Yeah, it looks cool.
C: I mean in white too. Both.
R: In case, you can go to cncomusic.com and there we have good merch too. You know, nice.
C: good merch. Good, cool, cool, cool. And there is merch coming. Merch coming.
R: Yes, there is a lot of colors. But this is very creative. Thank you, Ale. “How is it that I created and Instagram very recently and… I uploaded something referring to the interview… and CNCO sees it? I cannot anymore.”
E: We love to surprise. We love to surprise.
R: (I’m not 1000% sure what he said cause Erick talks over him but it’s something like this lol) I’m horrible at reading Spanish.
C: and we love to see all your little things.
R: @erickbmyboo: “Where are you going looking so handsome? STAY WITH ME” (I’m not translating word for word cause it wouldn’t totally make sense. lol) and then she adds the pictures of us 4.
C: ayyyy, chacho (chacho is kinda like bro or dude. It’s short for muchacho which basically means guy) she look good there.
R: cute cute cute
C: beautiful
E: Right there we were going to a…
C: in LA
E: yes, we were going to uhhhh
C: a dinner
E: a little dinner we had over there. That night was good.
C: yes, we had a good time.
Z: yes
E: but you’re the cute one, my love.
R: sylvia @erickporsolis: “How are you not gonna know Reggaeton Lento by CNCO? Bro that’s general culture.”
E & C: AYYYYY
C: yes that’s general culture
E& C: she knows she knows
R: Well Reggaeton Lento was one of our.. well it is our biggest song till now. I think that song solidified CNCO. @1DFtCNCO_: “Take a shot with Chris. Dance bachata with Rich. Be drunk with Zab. Receive those hugs from Erick. What do we have to do for that to happen to us in Latin America? I can’t with this suffering. ‘LIKE A COMET’” Like a comet that leaves
C: We would love to be able to go to Latin America in the future, God willing. We are starting here in the states with this club tour to see how things go. If it were up to us, tomorrow we’d go to Latin America.
E: yes
R: Meli; @erickftchrisss: “Someone tell me what I have to study to work with CNCO’ team? This year I have to decide what career I’m going to study for.”
C: well she could be the person that records us (he’s talking about like a music producer basically) Imagine, like production. You can also study manager (lol I’m sure he meant to say study to be a manager LOL) you can study marketing.
E & Z: Marketing
C: you can study
R: the tour stuff. Well Meli, you can study whatever you want honestly. It could be music, marketing, production manager, it could be anything tbh.
C: Manager
R: It could be anything that has to do with the music industry. But it is very important to do what comes out of your heart at the end of the day.
C: Okay Rich.
R: Go go
C: Like all serious hahaha
E: hahaha
C: okay so Amelia Selman and her @ is @trulythee… (? Not what it shows on the screen lol) “Is it wrong that the only Spanish song I know is Reagaeton Lento by Little Mix and CNCO?” It’s not wrong at all. It’s a very good song. Honestly, it’s really good that you know it. We have a ton of other songs. Toa La Noche is out now, it is really good. You gotta listen to it. I recommend it. The music video is also on Youtube.
@SadlyKelly: “I just finished crying after watching a video of CNCO’s trajectory, whyyyyyyyyyyy?” (the literal translation is trajectory but I would say journey is more fitting.) She’s like “why?” That’s cute, though. Thank you, my love. Really lovely, we’ve had 5 years on this path. I think I would also cry if I saw it. But thank you. We love you a lot.
The next one says @gracielcnco21 “How does one get a video tattooed? It’s cause @velezcolon1 and I want to know how we can get Erick’s little dance tattooed on our forehead.” Ahahahaha
Z: which little dance?
E: idk it’s cause I have a lot of dance moves , honestly.
C: yeah, that’s true.
E: tell me which one
C: yeah, he does have a couple. A night at the club.
ALL: jajajajajajaja
C: you could tattoo the link of the video, that’d be good! Hahaha no no no. I’m joking.
@daydreamxshawn: “If CNCO weren’t called CNCO, how would you guys like to be called?” hmm..
E: GENERATION jajaja
Z: The Latin Kings
C: The Latin Kings
E: yooo
Z: CNCO is perfect.
C: CNCO is perfect. I think it’s the best name. It’s cool, huh?
Z: Cool, it’s brutal.
C: short, simple. @velezmysoulmate: “I have an existential doubt. What do the guys factor in to bring fans on stage?” nothing, really just that you’re really happy, that you come with all the positivity to the show, that you are super emotional. We like that. We like o see when yall are really emotional, really excited, really happy, crying. Honestly, the bigger your reaction, the faster you’ll get onstage.
@cncoXjoel_5: “Tell me why I love these 4 guys that are strangers to me so much?”
R: thaaaat
C: Thank you! We love you the same. We send you a big hug wherever you are. Thank you for supporting us and thank you for listening to Toa La Noche.
@laura57marcela: “which is CNCO’s best album?” Hmm, which is CNCO’s best album?
R: the one that is coming…
C: ayyyeee that one goes hard. They all go hard, but the on e that’s coming…. Bro, just hold on!
Z: hold on, can I answer some of those questions?
C: yeah, yeah,
Z: (I didn’t understand what he said here. But he hit the mic with his head lol) @Rodrigo_020 says: “Which CNCO song is each member’s favorite? So like what song is each of their favorites?” My favorite CNCO song is Que Va Ser De Mi.
E: My favorite CNCO song is… I think I’m gonna go for Beso or La Ley.
C: I really like Hey DJ honestly.
R: I like the chorus of De Cero.
Z: okay well let’s go to youtube now. Alison Dulce Aliaga Machaca N. says “Handsome guys, when are you going on tour again. The cncowners we miss you.” We’re hoping that soon we’ll be able to travel to all those countries that we haven’t been to in a wile, especially Latin America since it’s been a while since we last were there and we have so much love for them.
Marialis deole’o says “I’m waiting for them to announce a tour in the Dominican Republic, I love you cuties.” We are crazy to go and eat Mangu over there.
R: ayyyeee
Z: We love the Dominican Republic honestly. Well you guys know.
Erian Julian Cruz Apaza says “How would it feel to get a like from CNCO?” Well there’s your like.
Ile cotez says “Does anyone else do the tiktok dance on Richard’s solo or is it just me?” How cool that you do it and can do it. It’s not an easy dance, so congratulations that you can.
R: yeah
C: yeah, it’s not easy.
Z: Rut Cea: “This is awesome… and the guys said this only a sample of what is coming. Uff this is not at all a joke… the new era is coming with everything.” Rut cea is completely right. We’re coming with everything. Solid. Activated. We’re hoping that you guys like everything that we have prepared for yall.
E: we’re coming with hunger.
C: literally
Z: we love you all so much.
E: I’ll shoot
Z: okay
E: we’re gonna make a change (this when Erick starts answering questions lol)
Z: a yummy little change (LOL)
E: this seat is…
VALERIA CNCOWNER TAVARES says “idk if I’m more jealous of the guys pets or of the gum that Zabdiel has in his mouth.”
R: yooooooo
Z: damn
E: well that’s good, my love, that you like our pets. We all have a pet. Chris and I are team dog. And Zabdiluchi and Richuki are team cat. But we love animals/our pets.”
Yuryangel Huerta says “You guys always show your face in whatever circumstance, guys are the best at what you do. How to not love you guys?” (salen a dar la cara is more like facing the consequences, man up to something, own up to it. God, it’s so hard to explain in English lol) Yeah, I feel like we are good at facing the consequences when we have to.
C: yeah, we’re right here. What happened?
R & Z: jajaja
E: Thank you, my love. You love you a lot.
Angela Nohely Guevara Betancourt asks “When is there going to be new music?”
C: Damn dude
E: well new music, the truth is we hope it comes out soon. We have so many songs we are crazy to release already.. but for now, toa la noche is out, people, the music video is out, it’s on youtube, you can go watch it.
Okay well, let’s go to Instagram now… vibezab asks “can we talk about those boots?” I think those are the ones I’m wearing.
Z: dude, but I’m wearing boots too.
R: me too. I’m wearing boots too.
Z: (to Erick) Why they gotta be yours?
E: jajaja well the boots are part of the swag.
R: of course
Z & C agree
E: well thank you my love for the swag. We try what we can. Coco.velezz: “don’t you guys get tired of making girls fall in love with you?” no, no, no well thank you. Honestly, we don’t try but it happens. Thank you for your question.
Well people, this is the last question. Let’s see. Cnco_joel_aidan: “when are you coming to Latin America?” well right now we are in the middle of our club tour in the United States. Believe me, it’s been a long time since we went to Latin America and we are dying to go. We will let you know through our social medias, so keep an eye out. Believe me, if you guys desire for us to go. We desire it even more.
Well we made it to the end. Thank you so much for sending us all your questions. The truth is we are dying to go to Latin America, so keep an eye out on social media. We love you so much. Hugs and kisses from CNCO.
Interviewer: I heard that Machida-san was overflowing with love during the shooting [of Cherry Magic]. Please tell me all about it.
Akaso Eiji: There were many moments like that. There’s a scene where we were hugging each other and grinning. Maybe we were just too happy, but when the director called cut, we still couldn’t stop smiling.
Also, there’s a scene where Kurosawa winks at Adachi, but even when the director called cut, he still kept winking at me. He also kabe-dons me when we’re not even filming (laughs)
Discreto, quasi timido, eppure in grado di dare corpo ai cattivi più interessanti del moderno cinema italiano
Luca Marinelli, a Diabolik full of consistency and emotion
Discreet, almost shy, yet capable of bringing to life the most interesting villains in modern Italian cinema.
[English translation of full article under the cut]
Who knows what the sisters Angela and Luciana Guissani would say seeing Luca Marinelli wearing the black catsuit of their Diabolik (in Italian cinemas from 16 December, directed by the Manetti Bros)? Their character design was inspired by the actor Robert Taylor, whose photo they kept in their office, although for the first film adaptation, in 1968, they wanted Alain Delon. They had to settle for John Phillip Law.
The Milanese Angela Guissani dreamed up Diabolik while gazing out of her office window, on Piazza Cadorna, and seeing the commuters from the Ferrovie Nord [Northern Railway] pouring into the streets. She wanted to create a comic they could read in half an hour on the train and, to make them dream, she drew the thief driving a Jaguar. Today, would she have appreciated that Marinelli doesn't fly, partly for environmental reasons and partly because, he says, flying doesn't "drive him crazy"?
Marinelli, 37, originally from Rome's Prati district but now living in Berlin for love, doesn't lack the icy eyes and physique needed for the role. He also has a cinematic penchant for dark characters: he played the difficult Cesare in Non Essere Cattivo [Don't Be Bad] (Pasinetti Award for Best Actor, Venice International Film Festival, 2015) and the insane Zingaro, an exhibitionist thug, in Lo Chiamanvano Jeeg Robot [They Call Me Jeeg] (David di Donatello award for Best Actor In a Supporting Role, followed by the Ciak d'oro and Nastro d'Argento awards, 2016). To play a bad character (well) also needs study; indeed, as he says, it needs "consistency" and "emotion," the concepts that guide his work. Because of this he studied before playing Diabolik: "I approached the character as I always try to, gathering as much information as possible," he said in an interview with Sette [Corriere della Sera Sette magazine]. In particular, a panther came to mind: "As a child I used to go to the zoo to see her and hear the sound of her breathing. And with the mask I thought of this dark presence."
His dedication when playing the role of Mattia in Solitudine dei Numeri Primi [The Solitude of Prime Numbers] saw him gain 15 kg. It took three months. To get back to a healthy weight, one month was enough. "I like to maintain a certain rigour in my lifestyle: it increases concentration." Kissing Miriam Leone, who plays Eva Kant, on the set of Diabolik also took application: "We discussed with the directors how to approach the kiss. The comics reminded us a lot of the kissing style of classic 1950s movies so we decided together to follow that style."
Very reserved, when he reveals himself he combines commitment and candour, such as when he confesses that as a young child he wanted to be an archaeologist after seeing Indiana Jones at the cinema. Or when he admits he failed the entrance exam for the centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia [the Italian National film school]: "Perhaps because during the auditions, when asked by Lina Wertmüller 'What is the last film you saw?' I said 'Batman'." Yet he had a poster next to his bed of Marlon Brando in Apocalypse Now: "with his hair shaved and a cockroach on his head."
He is married to the German actor Alissa Jung. They met in 2012 on the set of the film Maria di Nazaret [Mary of Nazareth] and live in Berlin with her children from a previous marriage. He shyly hinted at their happiness when receiving the award for best actor in Venice (for Martin Eden in 2019): "I would like to thank my wife and two wonderful children, who endure and support me in this crazy and wonderful job and who soothe my soul with their presence and their smiles." He's almost astonished as he reveals the rapport they have with each other: "A very good thing that happens with my wife is that she realises when I'm starting to think about a character. 'You're already starting, aren't you?' And I say 'what?' and realise that she's right, I'm seeing things through the character."
With "consistency" and "emotion" Luca Marinelli is building an enviable career and a family full of love. Maybe he is inspired by his carpenter grandfather: "He made furniture without nails, fitting the parts together. I like the joints without the clumsiness of nails."
