Morning Musume’s 25th Anniversary year has begun! Read on for Morning Musume’22 Interview with anan (October 2022) Magazine!
Q1 What’s a Morning Musume song that charges up your energy?
Q2 What kind of entertainment and culture gives you energy?
Mizuki: The overall feel of the looks that we produced for each other matched really well, didn’t they?
Erina: That shouldn’t come as a surprise! When I was asked to produce for the first time, I thought that this might indicate that a series will be made, so when we were discussing at the planning stage, I said that it’d be nice if we could make it work together. I’m glad we were able to do it.
Mizuki: Whenever we were travelling to places, we’d always be discussing and consulting with each other on ideas. Eripon said that she doesn’t really look good in purple, but I told her that I think she’d look good in purple, so I was kinda forced to do it. As Eripon always has a rather strong and cool image, I wanted to see a different Eripon with a gentle and warm vibe.
Erina: It was similar for me too, just that I wanted to complete it with a slightly different genre. Imagine the feeling of our outfits matching perfectly when we take a two-shot selfie at the end. It really was an invaluable experience since it’s rare that we’re able to have the freedom to reflect our wishes in our works.
Mizuki: My first impression of Eripon is that this girl is really outgoing (laughs). It was as if she was friends with everyone she met since day one.
Erina: Yes, that’s right (laughs)!
Mizuki: I was the only one that joined from the Eggs, but as the 3 of them were always together during the audition, they already knew each other. There were quite a few occasions where I was separated from the three of them, so they would initially add a “san” at the back of my name when calling me. But when I told them that it’d be good if they didn’t add a “san” at the back since we were generation mates after all, Eripon said “Then, I’ll call you Mizuki~!” a few seconds later. So I wonder if it’s because of what Eripon said that the other two were able to talk to me at a relatively early stage. As I’m a little stubborn, it’s all thanks to Eripon for softening me up that the distance between the 9th gen was reduced.
Erina: I wouldn’t say that I was trying to help or anything (laughs), but the people that I met at that time really felt like we were friends. Even during the audition, there will always be that one person that would go up and make friends once, twice, and even three times. But for some reason, I think I’m becoming more shy as the times go on. I even thought to myself “can my personality even change that much?” (laughs).
Mizuki: That’s just extreme (lol). There are times where I say that “I’m scared of people!” (laughs). I can’t help but laugh when I say “that Eripon?!” (laughs).
Erina: It was probably because I was really happy to be part of Morning Musume at that time since the entertainment world = being in a dream world everyday and I’ve always dreamt of being in the entertainment world so my tension was probably at its max. And that since I was a child at that time, I was just probably a really simple and super happy person. But initially, as it was mentioned earlier, we were often divided into groups of 3 people and 1 person. And on the contrary, I was actually rather jealous that Mizuki was the only one who was treated specially!
Mizuki: I was wondering why I was being left out?! (laughs). On the contrary, I was thinking for a while whether it was expected that I’d be left out since I was the only one who was added from the Eggs.
rina: But since the concert rehearsal began, I was equally angry. As a matter of fact, I soon realised that it had nothing to do with it.
Mizuki: That’s right. When we were working, the fans started calling Sayashi Riho-chan and Suzuki Kanon-chan as “Riho Kano”. As we felt envious, we started referring to the both of us as “Pon Pon”. The reason why we came up with the name “Ponpon” was because I was called “Mizupon” by my friends at school.
Erina: Although I had many opportunities to have a proper conversation with all three members, but Mizuki was by far the best person to talk to since we talked a lot about school and work. Also, in the audition group, our parents knew each other’s contact details. As I really didn’t like being asked about things by my parents, I felt like it’d be more convenient to be with Mizuki (laughs).
Mizuki: We used to hang out alot didn’t we? Our best memory has to be when we went to Disney Sea?! I’ve always wanted for the both of us to go on a trip together.
Erina: That’s impossible since Mizuki’s family is really strict about such things! But we still have time to go on one.
Mizuki: That’s right. Let’s grab hold and enjoy my youth days like a normal teenager!
Erina: I think it’ll be over when Mizuki’s parents no longer trust me. That’s why I feel like your guardian whenever we’re together.
Mizuki: Hahaha
Erina: I’ve always have to be careful to make sure you reach home by 9pm and consider carefully whenever we’re staying overnight since I don’t want Mizuki’s mother to have to worry about you!
Mizuki: Are you my guardian or boyfriend? (laughs)
Erina: That’s true (laughs)
Erina: Most of the memories of the four of us in the 9th and 10th gens are made in the dressing room at Nakano Sunplaza. The dressing room is divided into about 3 parts according to our ages, and there are the 4 of us plus Oda in the older team. We were really playfully laughing at each other a lot didn’t we? In Eri’s video folder on my phone, I still have the video of Masaki-chan saying “I’m hungry~”. Although it happened almost everyday, it was always so much fun.
Mizuki: Looking back over the past 10 years, most of our memories were probably made there. The 9th gen started from there, and the dressing room at Nakano was always fun no matter what. Normally, everyone would be holding back because they don’t want their kouhais to see them like that, and when it comes to groups that have been around for a long time, there’s this strange tension. Eripon once brought a hot carpet to the dressing room in Nakano for everyone. It was really the best.
Erina: We had a 4 to 5 hour break between the next countdown concert. I wanted to relax but it wouldn’t be good if I got a cold, so I bought a lot the day before.
Mizuki: It was really fun and reminiscing the past memories, the dressing room in Nakano is a sacred place!
Erina: In the 9th gen, I did acrobatics, Riho-chan had dance, and Kanon-chan joined as a comedian, but Mizuki had been stressing over not having any special talents for a long time. But as a result of all the changes to the member lineups over the past 10 years, Mizuki has become a member with many parts in songs.
Mizuki: I was honestly not confident in myself at all since the only thing that I had was that I liked Hello! Project and Morning Musume’s songs. Eripon, on the other hand, is a person who’s able to also demonstrate and showcase her abilities in her solo work. It’s like she gives off the feeling that she’s been waiting and is able to proactively do her work. That’s the feeling she gives off to the staff members around her. Many of Eripon’s solo works have been going on for a long time. For me, whenever I have to do solo work, I always worry whether my attitude and the words that I say are alright for the image of the group. Because of that, I often feel like I can’t get myself out there.
Erina: I think it’s because people that came from Eggs and Kenshuusei were taught rules from then, what is important before debuting, and how difficult it is to even debut, so i guess it’s good in both good and bad ways. For me, I’m someone who thinks that my dreams will come true if I say that it’ll happen, so I face them straight on without thinking too much. This also has its good and bad points.
Mizuki: With that in mind, although we get along well, we’re actually of completely different types. In fact, there are times where I think that there’s no way we should do this whether it’s in the group or something else, but Eripon would be like it’s okay to try it out. So sometimes it makes me wonder if I should neutralise my thoughts a little. When teaching something to the kouhais, I’ve been wondering whether it’s good if we separate the bad from the acceptable based on the images of each other. After all, we have a relationship where we can talk properly without getting into conflicts with each other. Things will get better if we take the time to get better.
Mizuki: Recently, I’ve often been thinking that I want my kouhais to know what they have experienced even if it’s just a little. During the platinum era concert tour rehearsal, the 9th gen had feelings of wanting to stand at the front with Takahashi Ai-san who was the leader, Niigaki Risa-san, Tanaka Reina-san, and Michishige Sayumi-san. Of course Eripon and I felt proud when we were able to come to the front. I wonder whether there are any kouhais who thought that the 9th gen back then was good and whether they knew what we were thinking back then?
Erina: There can’t be (laughs)
Mizuki: That’s true. We were the same, but we did our best. I want the kouhais to take over the “keep going forward” spirit and other good parts that Morning Musume has inherited from generation to generation which will definitely show. I think that’s what it means for the both of us of 9th gen to still be here.
Erina: Speaking of rehearsals, it’s also really important to watch the movements of your senpais. For example, I like this movement of this person so I’ll try to imitate it. But of course, it’s equally important to be confident in your own performance. Above that, looking around at the people around you while dancing gives off the best Morning Musume vibes. Also, I want you to watch various past concert footages.
Mizuki: I’d never thought I’d have the opportunity to hear Eripon saying “Morning Musume-ish” as I’m someone who’d never say such things in front of my kouhais.
Erina: It’s because I love Morning Musume! Although Oda has only stood on the stage with Tanaka-san and Michishie-san, the platinum era-ism is definitely there until the 11th gen. The greatness of the senpais up till the platinum era is just amazing!!
Mizuki: Oda also really loves Hello! Project, doesn’t she?
Erina: If not, we’re likely to be in another group when we graduate. However, I don’t like such a future at all.
Mizuki: I’m looking forward to see the Morning Musume that will be created by the new members.
Erina: I’m unexpectedly looking forward to that too!
Mizuki: I get it~!! I wonder what kind of relationship we’ll have when we graduate?
Erina: I have a lot of contacts now that I can contact frequently, but if that’s gone…
Mizuki: No, I’m sure we’ll be sending super crazy photos to each other and we’d probably be laughing over something interesting or funny that our kouhai posted on her blog.
Erina: Those photos are only sent by Mizuki! Rather, let’s plan our trip!
Mizuki: I wonder if that day will even come…
Erina: I want to at least be able to go on a graduation trip. Is that too much to ask for forgiveness?
Mizuki: Yes, somewhere nearby! A place with all of our memories!
Erina: Eh, Nakano?
Mizuki: That’s not it (laughs)
* For maximum enjoyment, please purchase your own copy of the Morning Musume 9.10 10th Anniversary Book.
A1 Out of all the songs from 1997 till now, what’s your favourite Morning Musume song?
A2 If you could describe Morning Musume in one phrase what would it be? Please tell us your reason.
For the first time in about 2 years, Morning Musume will be holding their concert titled “Teenage Solution ~Sato Masaki Graduation Special~” on 13 December 2021. Tickets were sold out immediately as Masaki Sato who is known for her airhead and naive character, her energy and high level performances, will be graduating at this concert. This time, in line with the decision to broadcast this concert live on Hikari TV, we will be interviewing Masaki Sato, Ayumi Ishida who has gone through thick and thin for the past 10 years with Masaki as her generation mate, and 15th generation’s Rio Kitagawa.
Read More »
Morning Musume’21 released their 70th single on 8 December after about 1 year. This is a triple A-side single consisting of songs produced by Tsunku-san such as 『Teenage Solution』 and 『Yoshi Yoshi Shite Hoshii No』, as well as an upbeat funky song 『Beat no Wakuseii』. 10th generation member Masaki Sato will be graduating from both Morning Musume and Hello! Project at the concert that will be held at Nippon Budokan on 13 December 2021 titled “Morning Musume’21 Concert Teenage Solution ~Sato Masaki Graduation Special~”. As such, this single will be her last.
This time, we conducted an interview between 10th generation’s member, Ayumi Ishida (sub-leader) and Masaki Sato. Masaki first joined Morning Musume as a 10th generation member in September 2011 has been active for many years and had to send off her generation mates at their graduations. They will be talking about how they expressed themselves through the new songs, how they felt the rapid growth of their kouhais through the new songs, Sato’s honest feelings regarding her graduation, and what Ishida wishes to convey to Sato at the moment.
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I apologise for the very very long hiatus and the lack of translations. But I wanted to at least finish this translation project so the fourth member of the series is Chisaki Morito!
She’ll be introducing fashion oufits for 7 days, with the theme being “sweet and casual girl”.
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The third member of this series is Mei Yamazaki!
The theme is 『The Best Makeup in My History Part 2 ~Love Destiny~』♡
Mei talks about how she initially didn’t have much interest in makeup, but has recently gotten into it more thanks to her senpais. Mei went for a pinkish makeup look that increases her cuteness by 200% and a panda-san style twin tails half-up arrangement that is airy yet natural.
The second member for this series is Homare Okamura!
The theme is 『The Best Makeup in My History Part 2 ~Love Destiny~』♡
Homatan talks about the cosmetics that she likes using, how she’s recently gotten into makeup and cosmetics, as well as the things she’s learned about makeup. The look that Homatan went for is the no makeup look as it suits her baby-like face and enhances the features of her face.
Read More »I hope that we can get more fans until we’re able to hold a world tour someday!
Miki Nonaka
Hellopedia ♡ Translations 