Yokoyama Yui x Shimazaki Haruka x Mukaichi Mion’s Interview from Nikkei Entertainment 2016.06
The frustrating feeling of AKB48 full-time members who are going through a generation change.
高橋みなみの卒業によって、AKB48グループ総監督を引き継いだ横山由依。昨年は主演映画『劇場霊』が公開されるなど女優としてのソロ活動が目立った島崎遥香。6月1日に発売されるAKB48の44thシングルで初の単独センターに抜てきされた向井地美音。AKB48の専任メンバーとして活動している3人だが、グループの現状にはどこかもやもやした思いを抱いているようだ。
Yokoyama Yui who succeeded the general manager of AKB48 Group position by the graduation of Takahashi Minami. Shimazaki Haruka whose solo activities as an actress were outstanding, such as her role movie “Gekijourei” which was shown last year. Mukaichi Mion who was selected for the first time as the solo center in AKB48’s 44th single that will be released on June 1st. They are three people who are active as full-time members of AKB48, but seems to have pent-up feelings about the current conditions of the group.
— How do you feel about the attention on the sister groups’ strides in last year’s general election?
Yokoyama: I feel frustrated that the fans still don’t know well enough the faces and names of AKB48 younger members who are working hard. As for the young members in the sister groups, there are a lot of chances for them to have all the fans to pay attention to their performances that is through their own tours in their own group. Therefore, I would like for AKB48 to have more solo activities too. Even Paruru came up with something on her twitter.
Shimazaki: When I introduced the young members’ faces and names, I added them with “AKB48Wakate(Young)” for the hashtag. I thought that it might attract people’s attention if it was on the trend.
Mukaichi: Takamina-san left and the great seniors are graduating, the current AKB48 is feeling like one of the cub new sister groups.
Surprised at the first solo center
— Mukaichi Mion as the solo center for the first time in the new song “Tsubasa wa Iranai” that will be released on June 1st.
Yokoyama: She (Miion) is always hell-bent at the theater performances and handshake events, so I think Miion being the center as AKB48’s first step toward its second chapters is perfect. As for Miion, when did you hear about it?
Mukaichi: During the break time of a handshake event, I was told, “We’re taking reviews, so come and don’t tell anyone”. And when I went to the corner of the venue, I was told that I will be the center. It’s the important time for the new AKB48 of the eleventh year to start, so I absolutely wanted to enter the senbatsu, I wanted to show the new AKB48 together with the young members. But, unexpectedly I am the center, I couldn’t believe it, I thought it’s just a prank. Then I realized that it’s real on the day we filmed the music video (lol).
Yokoyama: From Miion, I feel the good old AKB48-ism. I want to build the new AKB48 together.
Shimazaki: I have always been careful to consider how to express myself. I think that there’s a time when Miion must be conscious of such a thing too, right?
一 Takahashi Minami-san was sent off in her graduation concert at Yokohama Stadium on March 27th and in her graduation stage at AKB48 stage on April 8th.
Yokoyama: When I saw Takamina-san’s back off at Yokohama Stadium, I strongly felt that the first chapter of AKB48 is over. Therefore, before I went down the stage, I said, “I want us to join our efforts and work hard for the second chapter of AKB48”.
Shimazaki: Yui is a general manager who suppress her own thought and care about the members around her. I think that she really has the talent to gather up the members. But, I don’t want her to do something general manager-like even when we’re in private.
Yokoyama: (lol). Paruru’s comments always make me feel relieved. She simply is the polar opposite type of me, so I often think, “After all, if she isn’t there, I’d be troubled”.
Mukaichi: I was the only one who is from the undergirls that was allowed to participate in “Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby” on a singing program. When I was worried about is it okay for me to be there, Yokoyama-san gave me an advise, “Both Paruru and I have a similar experience”, I was so happy. She is a very dependable general manager.
The sense of crisis in the mobilization of the events
一 Please tell me your current goal.
Yokoyama: Individually, I want to enter Kami 7 in this year’s general election. But, my head is so filled with AKB48 Group. Compared to before Maeda (Atsuko)-san and Oshima (Yuko)-san’s graduations, I sometimes find that there become fewer fans who come to see us in various events. Handshake event is definitely an important event, but I think a new form of event where we get to communicate closely with all the fans should be considered.
Also, even though our theater performances are being rated, I want to continue being told, “The concert was great” even it’s at the massive venue. Therefore as the general manager, I want to give my opinion more and more even in such as the setlist and directing.
Shimazaki: Being the center of “Bokutachi wa Tatakwanai” that builded my confidence, I was evaluated by a lot of people. Therefore, I think what the current AKB48 needs is to challenge new things more and more to improve each member. This year, I want to take the lead (in AKB48) and I want to focus on my solo career as well.
Mukaichi: I want to take the opportunity to gain confidence in myself. The general election is right after I served as the solo center, so I feel a pressure. But, I know well that this is a turning point for myself, so I want to leave a result. I’d be so happy if my result in general election will lead to increasing number of AKB48 hako-oshi fans.
Yokoyama: Recently, Nogizaka46 became a topic that is often discussed, I think it’s given us a chance to once again think about what could AKB48’s strength be. I wonder is Nogizaka46’s characteristic that they have many woman fans? But, even if we imitate that, the fans won’t be happy about it. AKB48 has a lot of songs that are knows by people such as “Flying Get” and “Heavy Rotation”. It may take time, but with the current AKB48’s members, I want to create our representative songs and win the Record Award.
Comment from Yokoyama General Manager for Shimazaki Haruka::
She seems to think that she’s not suitable to be the center, but I honestly think that she fits. Even though she’s clumsy, she always thinks deeply about things, so I hope that her ideas of the things around will be able to be more properly conveyed and realized.
Comment from Yokoyama General Manager for Mukaichi Mion:
She’s a hard worker in any case. I think her origin to move people’s heart is there, so I want her to have the confidence. I wish for her to grow to be the the steadfast center to symbolize the second chapter of AKB48.
Comment to herself:
At her graduation concert, Yuko-san also told me, “You should go on the path that you believe in yourself” and I finally burst through to become myself. I want to be the kind of general manager who goes forward while valuing the communication with the members.
※Thanks to @mirokuu48 for the help with th translation
dededos
turnnoffyourmind
stormborns
blakekathryn
