♡

Q&A which I’ve asked Mayuyu!!! (part 2)

Q22. If you have to compare yourself to an animal, then what kind of animal? What would it be… I was usually told that I was like a Chihuahua, but I didn’t know which part of me was like a Chihuahua (laughs). What kind… Rabbit. Because I love rabbits.

Q23. Things you would do first right after you came home? To put off my make-up.

Q24. Your favorite type of man? A really really gentle person.

Q25. Then conversely, what type of man you couldn’t go out with? A sloppy man.

Q26. In what age would you want to marry? If I could before I die (laughs). I really don’t have any wishes to marry. If such a wish would arise in my life afterward, then I would want to marry.

Q27. Do you have any simple questions you’d like to ask men? What to ask…U~n…I’ll pass (laughs).

Q28. A time when your heart was broken recently? I really hate to have be broken-hearted. That’s why I’ll try to be strong so that I won’t be broken-hearted.

Q29. Housework you’re good at? None. I completely cannot do housework. So to speak, maybe cleaning.

Q30. When do you think would be your mental age? When I was 8 years old (laughs). It stopped when I was still in primary school.

Q31. Do you have any complexes? Well…Shyness.

Q32. Your favorite fashion? Cute and girly clothes.

Q33. Do you have anything you would do without thinking? Touching my fringe. I’m very worry about it absolutely.

Q34. Then…your favorite phrases? Favorite phrases….I don’t have any, do I?

It’s “What*” right? You’ve said it like for 20 times until now. (laughs) You’re right. (laughs) *What she said was “Nandarou”, but I tried to translate it to different phrases like “Well,”, “What would it be”, etc. :) sorry

Q35. Your sleep time in a day? About 3 or 4 hours.

Q36. How do you look like when you sleep at night? I wear 2 or 3 pieces of Moko Moko pajamas over another then sleep. It’s just as hot as I want. I hate to be cold.

Q37. Your favorite season? Winter. Because somehow it’s interesting.

Q38. A time when you could be relaxed the most? When I’m in my living room in my home. Basically, I’m always daydreaming alone at night.

Q39. Anything you’re collecting into a collection? Takarazuka’s goods.

Q40. You’re turning 19 soon. Your image being 19? I’m turning into an adult soon. Like I’m in a borderline between being a kid and an adult.

Q41. Do you have any wishes like “You want to be like this…” or something when you turn 19? Well…I want to become a person that would have my own opinions properly. I want to grow up as a person.

Q42. If you could meet your future self, of what age do you want to meet? My 30-year-old self. I want to try to meet her, since I can’t imagine how would I be at that time. I wonder if she is happy…?

Q43. How would you describe Watanabe Mayu? Well… A complex…U~n…Perfectionizm, maybe.

Q&A which I’ve asked Mayuyu!!! (part 1, part 2 coming soon)

I’ve had a talkathon with Mayuyu! Though I have troubles with some answers, but thanks to that I’ve found Mayuyu’s favorite phrases!?  An interview which is a little different than usual that I could see a side of her.

Q1. Food that you’re addicted to now? Now? Mimi garfish. I quite love its delicacy. (laughs)

Q2. Your favorite drink? What is it… maybe water. Through one circle it became water.

Q3. Your favorite anime recently? “Ginga Eiyuu Densetsu (Legend of the Galactic Heroes)”, it was an old one though. I really love Takarazuka, and it turns out that they will do “Gineiden (in short)” in Takarazuka, so to prepare for that I wanted to watch its anime and manga first, but they were very interesting, and I became addicted to them.

Q4. What was your first dream of the year? I didn’t see any dream. I wanted to but I couldn’t so I was very shocked.

Q5. Your favorite color? Pink.

Q6. Any kinds of character you want to try to play? A little mysterious girl.

Q7. If you were a manga or anime character? Well….Oscar. (see here)

Q8. A song you usually sing in karaoke? An Evangelion song. Like “Zankoku na tenshi no Thesis (A Cruel Angel’s Thesis)”. I usually go to karaoke. I also love going to karaoke alone.

Q9. Your favorite AKB48’s song? Shonichi.

Q10. Your favorite member now? Kotani Riho-chan who comes from NMB48 and also takes part in team A. Ripopo is kinda interesting, but she still hasn’t shown that interesting part of her in team A yet. I wonder when she will come out of her shell (like to show her real self), I’m waiting.

Q11. If you were to have a one-month holiday, what would you do? I’ll go around Europe.

Q12. A country you especially want to go to? France. My most favorite country.

Q13. If you were to have your own butler, what would you like him to do? Cooking.

Q14. Dish you are good at? None. I cannot cook at all. There were a few times I cooked with my mother, but I’ve never cooked by myself. I know that I must do that, but I completely don’t know what to do and what I should do… That’s why I want somebody else to cook for me.

Q15. How long do you stay in your bath? For an hour. I do things very slow, so after I’ve relaxed an hour has passed. (laughs)

Q16. Thing that you would always bring while going out? Mouthwash. Since I have to take care of my throat properly.

Q17. Your way to relax from stresses? Shouting. If I want to shout out, I would shout it out anywhere. But mainly at home. It’s a common thing to my parents so they don’t surprise. My sisters also shout with me (laughs).

Q18. A time you cried recently? At the Record Awards at the end of last year. Though I’d decided that I wouldn’t cry but my tears still came out… I tried my best suppressing them. But I couldn’t stop them. Even after the recording I still cried a lot.

Q19. Thing you did and was very happy in last year? When we could make it to the Tokyo Dome concert. Since it was AKB48’s biggest goal.

Q20. I think year 2012 was the most shocking year to AKB48, but what event do you think was the most shocking in the year? Definitely Maeda-san’s graduation. It was very shocking to me too.

Q21. Thing you’ve been addicted to recently? What is it… Room cleaning. But I have many things, so it’s like one block for a day, I have a feeling that I’ve been cleaning restless (laughs).

DISCUSSION RIGHT BEFORE THE AKB48 ELECTION STARTS!!

Someone might get knocked down at the election!

This week is finally the release of AKB48’s latest single “Sayonara Crawl”. This is an interview to commemorate it. They are both close that they made an unofficial unit called “Oshiri Sisters”

Watanabe: Oshiri~ (does a W sign with Oshima with their hands)

-By the way, this oshiri mark was created during Shukan Playboy’s Gravure.

Oshima: Uh-huh, it was from then! Nostalgic!

- During a photoshoot, wearing short pants and a t-shirt and while playing with a big jump rope, Kashiwagi-san sat somewhere weird and her butt got all dirty. It all started when you made fun of it.

Oshima: So fast~

- Finally, the Nissan Stadium live, which has capacity 70,000 people, and the election will be held!

Oshima: Moreover, after the live is the election.

-Don’t you always do mini-lives before the election? But every year everyone’s faces look nervous and stiff. What is everyone going to do?

Oshima: But conversely, we might be able to relax. The nervousness won’t go away with a little singing, but if we do the live, our bodies will let loose. When we sit on our seats during the elections, won’t there be members who’ll fall asleep from being tired? (lol)

Watanabe: That might happen! As for me, I fall asleep in a instant! It’s embarrassing if the camera catches it!

-And there are might also be people who use up their physical strength during the live!

Oshima: That’s possible! Even under normal circumstances, we fall into our nervousness. And also the live’s fatigue! When the members’ names are called, they’re going to come out all unsteady and helped by the staff.

- It’s like the person who got #2 during the first election.

Oshima: It’s me! (lol). Like coming out from the side “Everyone, thank you so much (trembling voice)”

Watanabe: In addition to that, if it rains it’s going to be outrageous. But if it rains, conversely, the feeling might be whatever happens, happens! Like “it rained this much so let’s have fun!”

Oshima: Maybe this year’s election is going to be troublesome! Absolutely!

The next generation’s face has changed!

-Well then, in AKB48’s documentary which went public this year, when last year’s election finished, the backstage scenes were shot. At that time Oshima-san said “Become stronger” and “Use me as your stepping stone” to Watanabe-san. What about it? It has been one year since then.

Watanabe: That’s right. Yes. I think she became a stepping stone.

-She was able to?

Oshima: Yes. I think I have. I also think that I became a stepping stone this year.

Watanabe: This year passed while keeping that in mind.

-Ohhh! But it’s not only Watanabe-san, I felt that the AKB48 group lately has really grown.

Oshima: Is that so? But, I also feel that way. Recently, the sister teams each have had their own Budoukan lives!

Watanabe: Ahh! That’s right.

Oshima: The girls who are called the next generation have also grown. Just before that, the girls who I thought “Is this person alright?” have completely changed their expressions and their point of view in regards to the stage.

Watanabe: Also, the sister group’s fighting spirit is amazing. I watched NMB48 solo live. I’ve been interested since before. As expected they were really interesting, cute, more than anything lively, and shining….I got motivated. As a group, they were amazing.

Oshima: Actually, the AKB48 solo live was the hardest, more so than the last day’s all-groups live.

SKE48, NMB48, HKT48 did it, so at the end we felt responsibility over closing it off.

Watanabe: There was that. There were also thoughts that people will think “As expected of AKB48!”

Oshima: But, I don’t know if anyone thought that way.

-But, personally I thought it was amazing during AKB48’s solo live, every member’s faces were full of confidence. I felt the “We are AKB48!” aura.

Oshima: That makes me happy! On that day, rather than thinking “what atmosphere should we make” and “let’s dance like this”, we felt more like “right now, we should make a live with the members next to us!”

Watanabe: No matter which way you look at it we were glad as AKB48.

Oshima: Honestly, there were also those that thought “NMB’s dancing is better” and “You lose to SKE’s uniform dancing and powerfulness.” That’s why, I’m glad that everyone in AKB made a stage by being self aware, concentrated, and by showing their individuality. I’m really glad that we had a performance in Budoukan before the election. That is, our and the sister group’s members.

-Iyaa, amazing! Well then, lastly, your enthusiasm towards the election and the rank you aim for!

Watanabe: The rank I aim for is like I said last year, #1. During handshake events and others, fans enthusiastically tell me “This year you’ll definitely get it”, which encourage me and make me think to try even harder. I want to try my best with all my fans to each #1!

Oshima: I am fine with whatever rank I get this year. I just want to enjoy myself.

-By the way, speaking of Oshima-san, every year after the election, you create a wise saying during your speech. What kind of wise saying you will make this year?

Oshima: Yeahhh, that’s right. I really want to enjoy myself so I want to show that feeling.

Watanabe Mayu “Your thoughts about your solo work, what have you grown up at!?”

Link to the original interview at ORICON website: http://www.oricon.co.jp/music/interview/page/613/

Watanabe Mayu, also known as “Mayuyu” whose last single ranked 1st on weekly single ranking for the first time, and is keeping her good performance. While her popularity is increasing, she releases her 4th single “Rappa Renshuuchuu”, the 1st single in year 2013 after about 8 months! Here she told us straight about the “criticizing”-Akimoto-Yasushi-san incident (?) or the collaboration with OreSka band, her feelings about the new song which has been a hot topic before its release for sure, and even her feelings towards AKB48 and her solo career.

The hook of the song is cute and catchy, and the song is also very lovely, so I’m glad.

  ――Your 4th single’s name, “Rappa Renshuuchuu” has quite a strong impact.

[Watanabe Mayu]  When I first looked at the title, I thought like “Why is it Rappa Renshuuchuu?” (laugh). But when I looked at the lyrics, I understood why.

――This is a refreshing summer song, but how do you, Mayuyu, understand the word “Rappa” (Trumpet) or the lyrics?

[Watanabe]  Well… I think the hook “Papala Papala～” is the comparison between the sound of the trumpet with the heartbeat, and “Renshuuchuu” (Practicing) is a step to confess to a girl who is working at a family restaurant.

――Your last single  “Hikaru Monotachi” was the 1st one of all your solo singles to be ranked 1st on weekly single ranking. So do you feel any pressures this time?

[Watanabe]  Rather than pressures, I have to do my best so that more people will listen to it. I think there are lots of people who hear AKB48’s songs, but still haven’t heard any solo or unit songs.

――We would like to talk about you “criticizing” Akimoto Yasushi-san when this song were being decided…

[Watanabe]  Before “Rappa Renshuuchuu”, I received different lyrics, but it was a little comical. After I had re-read and thought for many times, I told him straight that “I still want to sing orthodox idol-like songs”. After that, “Rappa Renshuuchuu” lyrics was immediately sent to my (via mail), and I was surprised (laugh). The hook of the song is cute and catchy, and overall it is a very lovely song, so I’m glad.

――Please tell us your thoughts after performing with OreSka band.

[Watanabe]  I had been playing euphonium in wind instruments club in middle school, so I felt familiar and I was happy! It was a great honor to have a chance to perform with a brass rock band who plays in both in and outside the country, and with the brass sound adding more liveliness, it becomes a very exciting song.

Challenged to play trumpet for bonus video――I graded myself 78 points

  ――What are your highlights about this music video which can make viewers become more dreamy and energetic?

[Watanabe]  Throughout my solo career, I have performed with Nogizaka46 once, but I have never collaborated with music artists. Everyone looks really cool just by holding the instruments. I also hold a trumpet as one of the members, but I don’t really look good (bitter laugh). The “Horn Queen” outfit (laugh), with the designs of musical instruments put on the dress, is also cute so I want everyone to see. For the hook, everyone becomes the members of OreSka band, and I join everyone wearing a monotone outfit. But there were a lot of outfits with bright colors in my solo singles before, so this one is very new.

――For the bonus video, you bought a trumpet with your own money?

[Watanabe]  Yes (laugh). In wind instruments club in middle school, my friends were the ones who played trumpet, so I got to use it a little bit, but after that… … about 7 years later, I got to use the trumpet again. The size of its mouthpiece is different from euphonium so it was really difficult; especially I had a hard time playing high notes. Also I only had 1 hour to practice (sweat). Still, the result of my practice was shown after a short time given, so I would like to grade myself 78 points for that performance (laugh).

――The coupling songs, starting with “Seifuku Identity”, are also variegated.

[Watanabe]   “Seifuku Identity” is of the type where it has up-tempo and a cool melody, also I have to sing with a loud voice, but I haven’t sung many songs of that type before. So at first when I heard this song, “Can I manage to sing it?”, such an uneasiness flashed in my head for an instant. But, I also thought that I want to sing rock songs like this, so I challenged to sing it and I was very happy about that.

―― On the other hand, you could say that the contents of “Kyoujou na Junjou” is like a student song, right?

[Watanabe]  Songs about a girl in her rebellious period when she is still a student like this song, in all coupling songs in my singles up until now… … starting with “Shinjuku Yuutousei”, I sing them quite a lot so it was easy to imagine the song in my head. I frowned while singing it (laugh). This song is also of the cool type, so I challenged to a different singing style with usual. Recently, I usually suggest director-san specifically “I think I should sing like this at this part”, and we build up that part while talking about it.

――There was a public contest for CD’s cover design?

[Watanabe]  Yes. There were more than 1000 applicants, and I had looked at all of their works. “They must have drawn with all their heart”, all of them all passed this feeling to me, so I felt really grateful. All were very fascinating works, so I couldn’t decide… … At the end, I chose based on “Which designs can make you happy if you line them up in your shop?”, that kind of viewpoint. And the final decisive factor was, it is colorful and has a cute drawing, also it fits the bright and lively world view of the song.

――Do you think your awareness as a solo artist has got stronger?

[Watanabe]  Maybe. The me before, even if I thought “I want to do it like this”, I didn’t know how to express it by words… … But recently, I have finally seen that “They will understand if I do it like this”. For the first time I feel that I’ve grown up strongly in my solo career at that part. In such a meaning, I’m glad that I was able to start my solo career.

Watanabe Mayu’s comment (translation)

――Since the beginning of this year, you’ve been increasingly busy with solo activities. Do you have a different feeling from when you’re working as AKB48?

【Watanabe】The members are there when it’s AKB48, so it’s like, ‘We’re going to cooperate and do one thing!’ but for solo stuff, I have to do it on my own so that increases the pressure. I guess that part is quite different.

――This time, you’re debuting as a voice actress in an anime movie!

【Watanabe】Yes. I  had my doubts, but I was able to enjoy doing the voice over! I was nervous though because there were professional voice actors around me.

――You worked together with voice actors you look up to, like Hanazawa Kana-san and Ono Daisuke-san.

【Watanabe】Yes! They’re in my favorite anime, and I also look up to them as a person, so I was really happy. I wasn’t able to meet them when we were doing the voice over, but it was like a dream being able to work with them on the same project!!

――I read the movie’s script, and there are a lot of scenes that make your heart ache.

【Watanabe】There is indeed this bitter sweet impression of youth that makes your heart ache. I felt it too. My heart was aching even while I was playing Natsuki-chan.

――Was there any advice from the director when you were doing the voice over?

【Watanabe】Not particularly. Oh, but I was told to 'Act without over doing it,“ so I made sure it’d be natural.

――Do you have anything in common with Natsuki-chan?

【Watanabe】Maybe how I’m a little tsundere (laughs). But Natsuki-chan is athletic. I’m jealous because sports aren’t really my thing.

――I thought the scene where Natsuki-chan fights with the student council was a highlight. Natsuki-chan has a really good line.

【Watanabe】I agree! Natsuki’s line in that scene might be the theme of this movie in a way. But this feeling of calling out to them was difficult to convey in the voice over process. And for me, the scene where Natsuki-chan tells Kenji how she feels was memorable. It’s an important scene for Natsuki-chan too. 

――Before playing Natsuki-chan and after, was there any difference in how much you were invested in her?

【Watanabe】It was different. At first, I had an impression that she was a bright and full of energy, but as I was doing the voice over, I came realize her inner feminine elements. At first glance, her best friend Kahori looks girlier, but I felt like it was actually Natsuki-chan who is girlier. The relationship between Natsuki-chan and Kenji is not being able to convey their feelings properly, and when you first see it, it’s hectic. On the other hand, Kahori and Kyogoku’s has a smart feel and I think that’s cool. But Natsuki-chan and Kenji grew up together, and I think it’s probably a situation that anyone would yearn for.

――What do you do when you tell somebody how you feel?

【Watanabe】I don’t think I could. I might be bad at conveying, like Natsuki-chan (laughs).

――The theme song you sing, 'Sayonara no Hashi’ is really heart breaking too and it seeps into your heart. The part in the chorus where it goes, 'I liked you’ was cry worthy.

【Watanabe】It’s a nostalgic, Showa-type of song. The lyrics are really close to how Natsuki-chan feels in her one-sided love towards Kenji. So when I was recording, I thought of Natsuki-chan while I sang.

――The main characters are in 8th grade, but are there any feelings you can relate to from when you were in middle school?

【Watanabe】I joined AKB48 when I was in 8th grade, the same age as Natsuki-chan and them. The lessons were hard, but I think putting your all into something you love doing is probably the same. Everyone was once a middle schooler, not the mention current middle school students, so I think if you watch this movie, you’ll be able to have a bitter sweet experience together with Natsuki-chan and them. I hope everyone can really get into this wonderful world and enjoy it.

Sato Sumire and Watanabe Mayu in KERA January 2013

Download full magazine: http://jmagazinescans.blogspot.com/2012/12/kera-january-2013.html

Translation of Watanabe Mayu’s interview

–The outfits we had you wear this time were coordinated for Christmas. What did you think of them?

WM: The striped coat and dress had me falling in love at first sight with the angel dress!! It’s too cute! I want to go to an amusement park wearing this. The skirt with the bears is very cute too. I don’t often wear berets, so that was refreshing. It makes me want to go shopping with friends!

–Please tell us about a Christmas memory you have.

WM: Santa never gave me what my first choice was… (laughs).

–How do you want to spend Christmas this year?

WM: I want to go see the lights!

–For your new song “Hikaru Monotachi,” you attempted electronic!

WM: It’s different from the idol-ish style from before, so I was excited to see how it would be if I sang it and it’s a popular style of music, so I was pleased. In the lyrics, there’s a meaningful message that if you believe in yourself and aren’t afraid, you’ll find the dreams and hopes you’re looking for = hikaru mono (shining things). I think it’s a song that gives people courage.

–The song is also sort Vocaloid-ish.

WM: My voice was manipulated, so it’s me, but not really. It was a new feeling. I tried to sing it in a cool, reserved manner rather than cutely.

–Your outfit was painstakingly made to fit the song.

WM: It was quite difficult to move around in it, but it was in a style that I really love so I was happy and it was greatly welcomed! There was manga printed on the skirt and tubes connected to my body. There were a lot of small details. When I’m wearing that outfit, I feel like I’m not human (laughs). I’ve been told many times before that I’m CG-ish, so for the music video, I didn’t want to do too much. I was just my usual self. Actually, this song’s visual style came from me being told I’m CG-ish.

–In the video, you hold a concert at Nicofarre.

WM: I’ve sang there twice before. The whole wall is LED and has a futuristic feel, so I thought it was perfect for the song. I did an actual concert with a real audience, and that was the first time they heard the song, but they were really lively and it was fun. For the concert scenes, I tried to make it feel like real concert so I could connect with the audience.

–2012 was a year of accomplishments for you.

Watanabe Mayu in mini January 2013

Download full magazine: http://jmagazinescans.blogspot.com/2012/12/mini-january-2013.html

Download full magazine: http://goo.gl/eYjYP

One of magazines which always feature 48Group, Weekly Playboy ends this 2012 by releasing a special magazine titted AKB48 X Weekly Playboy 2012. They gives spotlight to the next top 7 of 48 Group and brings an interesting interview between the so-called-next-top-2 in AKB’s 2nd Chapter. Talking about their relationship, being candidates of next center along with Paruru, and about Milky, this interview is quite worth to read

Please read our FAQ before sharing the translation.

A fun and light talk between Watanabe Mayu and Matsui Jurina taken from AKB48 Yusatsu The Yellow Album which was released back on Dec 26, 2012. They’re not talking about next generation, but about their relationship, what keeps them talking to each other, a problem with Jurina, their characters and their own unit! A very don’t-miss-it talk especially if you’re a JuriMayu shipper ;)

Requested.

Q: About 5 months passed since you made your solo debut with Synchro Tokimeki at the end of February. By looking back at your own self in what you think you’ve changed and grown? Mayu: In the beginning, the point was having to do something just by myself, so I was pretty nervous but now I’ve considerably calmed down.  Even during the shootings for the MV, I could properly be relaxed and enjoy myself. That kind of skirts spreading out is really cute, it’s just the kind of girly clothes I use to love. Q: It really suited you. The CD cover, with you surrounded by grass playing with a rabbit is really cute! Mayu: I was incredibly happy, ‘cause I love rabbits too! I used to pet and hug it even when we weren’t shooting (laughs). Even though Synchro Tokimeki was strongly idolish, this time the theme was about potraying a natural adult-like atmosphere. That’s why I got my hair down and tried  to roll them lightly. Since I don’t usually have that kind of hairstyle, it felt fresh and enjoyable. 

Q: After all, the lead song itself - Otona Jelly Beans - is about being born as an adult after a sudden first kiss.

Mayu: That’s right.  However, the lyrics also have cute words like “Amusement Park” and “Coffee Cup” so, while singing during the recording I tried to put in it both  innocent and mature feels. When I first listened to it I thought it was a very cute song, and, isn’t the expression “Jelly Beans” itself really colorful, pop, and girly?

Q: True. It really suits the cute sound. Being it a very fresh and summeri-ish song, would you recommend, after all, to listen to it being outside?

Mayu: Yeah…outside would be good too but, since there also is a sad essence to the song, I’d like people to listen to it inside their rooms, quietly. Differently from Synchro Tokimeki - which was from a male point of view - this one is from a girl’s point of view, so I’d like girls to link the feeling of excitements of a first date or kiss with their own dreams or experiences. As for guys, they could use it as a reference for their dates.

Q: By the way, do you have any memory related to an Amusement Park?

Mayu: Well, you know, I’m really bad with rollercoasters. Once, I went to an Amusement Part with other members. Since the others were going on rollercoasters, I did my best and decided to try too. But, fastened the belt, as the coaster was about to move…I suddenly started feeling scared. I yelled “I’m scared! Let me go down!!” and I got down. In the end I just watched from the ground the others riding on. (laughs)

Q: Oh, oh. Then, going to an Amusement Part on a date might be impossible for you.

Mayu: Well, I’m totally fine with coofee cups. But if it’s about a date…I’d like to have a walk. On a day with fine weather, we’d walk as we peacefully talk. I’d also love to be immersed inside the nature, just like the green on the CD cover, and doing shopping in town sounds fun too! 

Q: How wonderful. Moreover, a combo unit with Nogizaka46 - Mayuzaka46 - was created for “Twintails wa mou shinai”, the coupling song part of the limited version of the Type B.

Mayu: I worked together with the Nogizaka members for Sabadoru (aired from January to March 2012) and they’re really all good girls so I ended up liking them a lot. I was really happy when I was told I would’ve worked with them again.

Q: It looked like the MV was meant to represent something like “What if Mayuyu was Nogizaka’s center?” but…how did it come out, in the end?

Mayu: The MV’s story shows how, opening the dressing room’s curtain, behind it there are the Nogizaka girls that, lined up, are writing signs, learning scripts and doing other works in my place. Moreover, they’re all wearing the same outfit, similar to a school uniform, so they all look tidy and cute. However, since the Nogizaka girls are all so young, I’m a bit worried I might be out of place.

Q: You’re totally merged with them! By the way, are you really going to stop having twintails?

Mayu: I still don’t think about it. Since I’ve always had long hair, I’d also like to try a short cut but twintails are so girly and I love them and they’re also like my trademark. It feels like I won’t stop having them anytime soon. (laughs)

Q: I’m a bit relieved. The CD release will happen in the middle of summer so…to end this, please tell us a dream you’d like to fulfill this summer.

Requested

Mayuyu x bunny, Mayuyu x Nogizaka46.

The realization of a too cute collaboration?  

Mayu, on the cover of the first number of Sugar & Spice, representing well the magazine’s title, appears once again! The long waited new work, “Otona Jellybeans” is a sparkling and exciting love song showing a bit more mature Mayuyu.

Interviewer: I’ve just had the pleasure to watch the Music Video, and it turned out as a very cute and pop piece of work! However, it was also a bit weird… Mayu: That’s right…Like, my hands getting multiplied… I: What did you do during the shootings? M: When I had the chance to see it in the film making they told me about the other hands and how they would’ve taken the rhythm, so I thought it was going to become something stylish.  Everything would’ve been fine in the final product so I  had to stop paying attention to the hands that should’ve been there. It was a bit hard. Of course, they’re not really there so I did everything keeping them as an image in my head. 

I: Does this song have its own choreography? M: Yeah, there’s a choreography with me moving as I’m picking jellybeans. (laughs) I: Also…during the final part with the “Birth of an adult” you make a cat pose… M:  That’s a bit devilish  pose, isn’t it? <3 I: Yeah, no doubt about that. M: Uhuhuhuhuh. I: With a sparkling sound and Mayu-chan’s voice overflowing with cleanness and  making everyone’s heart tighens, this really is a wonderful song. M: When I listened to it for the first time, with that sparkling feel starting from the intro, I thought it was a very fresh song. The tempo is fast but the melody is not intense, it’s more of a mature sound I’d say. I have to say I like that as well. 

I: The lyrics also have parts that would make hearts flutter. M: True. Yeah, ending up getting one’s lips stolen during the first date. It is exciting, isn’ it? I: According to the lyrics it lasted 12 second, but isn’t that a bit too much? M: Right…At first, I thought it was too much too, but then, when I thought about it having the scene in mind, I realized that it was the perfect amount of seconds. (laughs) I: By the way, would you go to an Amusement Park for a date, Mayu-chan? M: I would! It sounds fun! However, I really can’t ride roller coasters and such.  FujiQ Highland’s riding attractions are all so scary for me and I can’t ride them. But if it’s Disneyland I think I’d be fine. I can’t ride Disneyland’s Splash Mountain, but I love Space Mountain. I always be sure to ride it! (laughs).

I: What would you do if you were to go to an Amusement Park for a date? M: Oh…I wonder…I might be able to ride the Ferris wheel, I guess…. Even though I have fear of heights, once reached the top it’s really moving to look at the scenery. I: What caught my attention was that for the coupling song “Twintails wa mou shinai” was created a new group named Mayuzaka46. M: That’s a dream-like collaboration with my beloved Nogizaka46! I was very happy to do it! I met them for the first time for Sabadoll, a drama with me starring, but after that I just saw them once in a while inside the TV station so it’s really a long time since we first worked together!  It was fun! They’re all so cute and I love them. I kept gazing at them even during the MV shootings. (laughs) I: This MV has a proper story and it’s very interesting, right? M: Yeah, the Nogizaka girls are my other selves, copy robots! I: With so many Mayuyu it feel like you could be able to do everything! M: Yeah! It would be awesome. I could sleep! They’d work in my place! I: If you were to have copy robots, what would you have them do? M: I wonder…For the time being, I want to sleep, so I’ll leave everything to them. (laughs) I’ll say “I’m counting on you for everything” and I’ll fall asleep. *pretends to sleep* I: Oh, she fell asleep. The parts when you all dance together remind of a musical and look so fun! M: They really were fun! We were together in the drama but this was the first time we sang and danced together and I’d love to do a live performance as MayuZaka one day! I: What was the most memorable thing during the shootings? M: How Rina-chan’s way of speaking is cute! There’s a very weird taste about it and everytime I meet her and she talks like that I go “Waaa, so cute”. I feel like approaching and talking to her! Also…how everyone is so young!! During the recording they were being noisy all the time and I kept gazing at them thinking about how energetic they were. They look ed so cute! (laughs)

I: The lyrics’ contents show something like “I’m an adult now, so don’t treat me like a kid”. M: Right. I myself, always have twintails so it doesn’t really is about me but somehow I understand that feeling. I: Mayu-chan, you’re not really going to stop having twintails, are you? M: Uhuhuh (laughs). By singing it, people ended up feeling like I wanted to graduate from my twintails, but I totally love them, so I won’t stop. Let me say it here so that the fans won’t misunderstand. (laughs) I: In case you’ll ever going to think somethihg like “Don’t treat me like a kid”, what hairstyle would you choose in place of twintails? M: I wonder… Rolled hair I guess. They have that adult feel to them, don’t they? I: Now that you say that, on the song’s cover you actually have rolled hair. M: Yeah, I tried to go with a casual adult look.

I: Basically you’re something in between a girl and a woman, so I think we were able to see a new Mayu. M: Maybe you’re right. The debut single had a very idoli-ish feel about it, while this time there’s a more natural appeal. There was a very nice weather during the shootings, you know. I: It’s a very beautiful place, it looks like England. M: Oh, great!! (laughs) But it’s definitely Japan.  I: Well, you don’t look like you have the time to go overseas.

M: Perfect: I’ll go overseas next time!! I: Oh…The staff members surrounding you went all “WHAT?”, though… M: But even just saying it makes me feel like it can happen! (laughs) I: I also had the chance to watch the making of and Mayu-chan, you and the bunny were really cute. Weren’t you scared of an actually living bunny? M: It wasn’t really big and it was also pretty quiet… In the beginning I was a bit startled but as I kept hugging it countless times, it got attached to me. In the end I was just like “AHHH so cute!!” I: Did you think about keeping one? M: I thought about it 2-3 years ago but I couldn’t do it at that time, being unable to properly look after it. And now, having the chance to be in contact with it, I realized I’d really love to keep one. I really like small animals. And now bunnies are n°1 in my list of animals I want to keep. I: So maybe, next time you’ll come here you’ll be together with a bunny. 

M: Yeah, I want to keep one soon. Definitely! I: Now…About “Saigo no Jack”. Is that the cards’ jack? M: Exactly. N°11. It’s about playing cards. The song tells a story where they’re playing a game in which the one who gets the jack must express their love. There are four jacks, right? They couldn’t wait for all of them to come out so they ended up kissing…HEY! This is a song for people having a satisfactory life!! I: That’s lovelove, isn’t it?

M: A song for people with satisfactory lives. But after all, happy songs are better, aren’t they? They make you lean towards happiness (laughs)

I: This time you also recorded a solo version of Zannen Shoujo.

M: I always sing it in a 3 people unit but this time I had the pleasure to sing it alone. The girl described in the lyrics is a bad one…she has a dark side. I tried to sing it in a cool way. I: The way of speaking that’s in the lyrics doesn’t sound like the one Mayuyu would usually use…

M: That’s not right…Truth is… (laughs)

I: Eh!?

M: It’s also a way to show this part of me too.