BLT Graph vol. 35 (Sept 2018) - Interview with Inami Anju
The voice of Takami Chika, protagonist of the hit anime Love Live! Sunshine!!, with a theatrical release early next year. As a member of the school idol group Aqours from said series, she’ll perform a two-day long live at Tokyo Dome in November. Moreover, she stars as an actress in multiple stage plays. Aside from performing in her first recitation drama in August, she also stars as the protagonist of another play in December. With her multiple roles across many fields, she tells us about her thoughts about acting, as well as her deep and emotional connection with “water”.
This summer, you challenged yourself by performing in a recitation drama, right?
Yup, fear was the only emotion within me at first, and I was constantly worried about whether I’d mess it up. But, when I put on my costume and faced my script, without me even realizing it, I just faded from existence. As a result of that, I completely immersed myself in that world, and I once again realized just how much I love acting. Even during the actual performance, I managed to have fun in that world as well.
This was your first time performing in a recitation drama. Do you enjoy trying new things?
Yup! I love trying new things!
Does that desire carry over to your private life as well?
Yup! Even now, I can list out three new things that I’d like to try.
Could you tell us what those three things are?
The first one is still a secret (laughs). The second is scuba diving! I went diving at Osezaki in October last year for work, and I was praised for being a natural! So I definitely want to get a license for that. The last one is to get a license for a jet ski! You actually need to go through a nationally-administrated exam to get a jet ski license, and it also serves as a photo ID, so getting one is killing two birds with one stone for me, since I don’t have a driver’s license yet.
Both things you told us about have something to do with marine sports.
I love swimming, the sea, and visiting aquariums by myself. Up till now, I’ve been swimming at rivers or pools, and haven’t really had the opportunity to come into contact with the “ocean”. This might sound like an impulsive decision, but now I feel like I should conquer all kinds of marine sports. I want to try surfing too! Apparently there’s places where you can try it out even in the city, so I’d like to give that a try first.
So, I guess you’ve been spending quite a bit of your time researching marine sports on your days off?
I do that, but I also think about my work, watch plays, play games… I also play my favorite songs and sing to my heart’s content in my room. Sometimes, without me noticing, four hours just fly by like that (laughs).
Any songs you’re particularly hooked on recently?
There’s this song called “Warae yo, otome” (Smile, Young Maiden) by this singer and songwriter called Koresawa. It’s a song that fits my current state of mind perfectly, and it really motivates me. There’s times when I end up crying without realizing it too, when listening to this song (laughs).
Could you give an example of when you find yourself crying without noticing?
There’s quite a few, but one occasion is when I’m not acting, and all kinds of emotions well up within me. Of course, “being myself” is important, but when acting, I’m the type of person who needs to create “time during which I’m not myself”. That’s why, if I’m not in another world with the character I’m playing, I’ll become really frustrated.
Are there any genres that you’d like to challenge yourself to do in the future?
I’ve always wanted to do a musical. I get unusually excited when watching Broadway musicals, and they really motivate me, but they also make me realize that even giving my 120%, it’s still not enough. That makes me disappointed with myself, but it also gives me the drive to move forward. Musicals are one thing that really motivate me.
How would you introduce yourself to someone who’s hearing about you for the first time?
“I love singing and acting, and being able to live in all kinds of worlds as the characters I play is what I live for!”
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