#hiro mfs

I was quite taken by the polar opposite ways that the two youngest members of MY FIRST STORY reacted with over the hiatus of their leader Sho Tsuchiya at Countdown Japan 15/16. I’m sure many already knew what happened to Hiroki  who burst into tears. Yet as that was happening, on the other side of the spectrum, Teruki showed a different kind of reaction.

As Hiro was slowly regaining his composure at the front of the stage towards the ending of the song 不可逆リプレイス, Teruki dropped his guitar and ran towards their leader Sho, laughingly grabbing him and started goofing around in the usual persona he likes to splash all over social media. While Hiro had tears on his face, Teru had laughter all over his.

Just look at the contrasting behaviour of Teru and Hiro!

The truth is, Sho’s hiatus greatly impacted these two young guys Hiro and Teru. For Hiro, he would miss having that big brother/mentor/pillar figure he looks up to. For Teru, as a co-guitarist, the biggest impact falls on his shoulders as he has to handle ALL the guitar parts himself from then on. Most of all, he had to let go of his partner of 4 years. 

All those years, Sho never left the younger and less experienced Teru in the background with the guitar arrangement. It was Teru who played the guitar solo on Warning which was on their 1st album. The pair took the heavily layered twin guitar approach starting with 不可逆リプレイス single and  虚言NEUROSE album. While Sho ran the melody licks of 不可逆リプレイス, Teru complemented it with his finger-tapping (the climax point to me). The layered twin guitars are even more evident on ALONE.

To me, Teru was just as sad as Hiro and even feeling scared too as the whole thing directly impacts him. It’s just he handles the emotion a different way. Hiro eased up his feelings by letting the tears flow. Teru on the other hand, lightened the tense moment with a big smile and his burst of laughter. Either way, it gave them both the relief they badly needed.

Hiro’s BLACK RAIL Outfits Metaphors

Reading through viewers’ comments over MY FIRST STORY’s Black Rail MV back then. Honestly, I had no clue who was Kaneki or Killua at the time.

I guess it’s a good thing for me to be older and pretty clueless about Anime and Manga because I wasn’t distracted by what his outfits look like. Instead it allowed me to see objectively what those outfits represent based on Hiro’s message in the song. I’m sure by now some people have noticed how much Hiro likes metaphors. So, I think he keeps that line of thinking for Black Rail too.

* After finally watching Tokyo Ghoul out of curiosity, I now understand why it gets people distracted XD

I decided to come into MFS fandom in November 2013 with the background story of Hiro’s quitting Twitter which I talked about here. He tweeted his goodbye around 2 months before that. So, as soon as I heard BLACK RAIL, everything just fell into places quickly. Piecing the puzzles together, it was clear to whom Hiro was singing those lyrics and how it was presented visually in the MV.

For Hiro’s in-depth explanation about BLACK RAIL, refer here.

The Suit:

“Conforming” to people’s words. Doing what is expected of him. Following what is dictated.

The Strait Jacket:

Feeling trapped between “conforming” and “what he really wants”. The blood is the “pain” and the “hurt” it is causing him. The blindfold is anything from “feeling lost / unable to find the path / dead end / darkness”.

The casual “Killua” outfit:

It represents what Hiro wants to be and free to do what he wants to do which is music. It is no coincidence that this is the outfit he wore in the scene with his bandmates.

Hiro pulling the blindfold off:

“Realizing” that he doesn’t have to be in that “darkness”. Hands now free. No more being shackled down.

The rain / storm effect

This is quite a no-brainer. The band members are together doing what they want come “rain or storm” i.e “obstacles”.

The moment I realized Hiroki was not a baby anymore....

Screenshot and retouched by me from FAKE trailer.

Admittedly this accidental screenshot alone got my mind racing to places it didn't go before with him. It's easy to assume Hiro was going through some kind of major sexual awakening.

Despite where imagination can take me, HERE is what I really feel about FAKE . It has never been about “one night stand escapades” as some believe it to be.  

To me, it has always been about a guy who desperately wants to be out of an unhappy relationship  (“All I want is to release myself") but he also admits it that he always falls for girls who are unsuitable for him  (“I will repeat the same mistake"). The kind who can’t accept him for who he is inside. So, the “for this one night....only tonight...” is for him to let it all out. Yet, a man is a man and he doesn’t resist the physical part of the relationship. Just don't mistake it for him wanting intimacy.

The more I read Hiro’s words through his old tweets, blog posts and especially interviews, the more I have dived into his head and the stronger my thought has become about the message in FAKE. “One night stand” just doesn’t feel like his state of mind. Besides, he has said a few times that his lyrics are based on his own life, personal experience or real observations but fictionalized a bit to make it not totally his own.

*IMPORTANT: Kindly please do not copy and post the translation somewhere else. Reblogging (Tumblr) and linking (from outside Tumblr) are very much welcomed. I apologize for any mistakes and inaccuracies.

This translation was rather unplanned. But I am CRAZY about the new song in the trailer. So, I just had to understand what these guys have to say about this project. I’m so glad I did because here, Hiro finally confirmed what I had always suspected from the start. He really DID use “Keigo” or “honorific language” towards the other members in the beginning because they are all older than him. I don’t know how it is now but I believe he probably still keeps some degree of respectfulness especially towards the oldest member and Leader Sho who is a decade older.

Original text and photos belong to the PROJECT HAL Website.

Translation text belongs to me

PROJECT HAL

MUSICIAN SPECIAL INTERVIEW

今回、HALのTVCMの音楽を提供したMY FIRST STORY。

彼らはPROJECT HALを支えたプロのミュージシャンであると同時に、PROJECT HALのメンバーと同世代の若手クリエイターでもある。その創作の姿勢とこだわり、そして彼らから見たPROJECT HALへの想いを聞いた。

This time, MY FIRST STORY who provided the music for PROJECT HAL.

They are at the same time are professional musicians who supported PROJECT HAL, and the same generation as the young creators of the PROJECT HAL's members. Their stance and judgement of that creation (produced work), and hearing their thoughts towards the PROJECT HAL as seen by them.

好きなことを仕事にする“責任”。 "Responsibility" towards working on the things you like to do.

●本日はよろしくお願いいたします。 まずは、今回の楽曲に込めた想いをお聞かせいただけますか？

Today thanking you in advance. First of all, could you tell us the thought that you loaded this musical piece with?

HIRO 僕はお話をいただいてから、まずこれまでのCMを調べたり、それこそHALのWEBサイトを読み込んだりしました（笑） 学校からのメッセージや今回のPROJECT HALのコンセプトに僕たちが今まで歌ってきた歌詞とリンクする部分がたくさんあったので、TVCMに登場するロボットやPROJECT HALの学生たちの気持ちを自分自身に置き換えて、共感しながら歌詞をつくることができました。

After receiving the story, first I started, so far, examining the CM among other things, and thoroughly read the HAL's website (laughs) The message and concept of the PROJECT HAL from the school this time, because we, up to this point, already have a lot of sung lyrics and portions that link (to it), the robot appearing in the TVCM and the PROJECT HAL's students' feelings replaced with self-confidence, we were able to make lyrics while feeling empathetic (towards them).

●プロになる前となった後で、何か変化したことはありますか？ Before turning professional and becoming one afterwards, is there any changes that you do?

HIRO ひとつ1つの楽曲のリリースや1回1回のライブをするたびに、創ることへのこだわりや責任感がどんどん強くなるようになりました。 自分たちの好きなことを仕事にさせてもらっているので。 というか、好きなことじゃないと続かない5人が集まったバンドなので（笑）、それを“プロ”としてやっている以上、中途半端なものは創りたくないし、妥協 はしたくない。 僕1人で活動しているわけではないから、バンドのメンバーに対してや、僕たちの曲を聴いてくれる人に対しての責任感は、創作活動を続けるたびにどんどん大 きくなっていきますね。

With each and every one of the music release and with each and every Live show, the "pickiness" and the sense of responsibility to creating seems to become stronger and stronger. Because we let ourselves work on our own favourite thing to do (which is doing music). Or rather, isn't it to do (your) favourite thing and continue (that) 5 people got together as a band (laughs) so, it's nothing less than doing is as a "Pro" that we don't want to create half-baked artistic work and we don't want to compromise (our work). It's not the case of me being active just by myself because, the responsibility, towards the band members and the people who listen to our music, is getting bigger and bigger.

●クリエイティブ・チームは“創る”ことで強くなる。 The creative team becomes stronger at "creating".

Q: 学生たちは今回はじめてプロとして“仕事”をしたわけですが、皆さんはプロとしてデビューが決まった時、またその最初の作品制作やライブの準備を進めてい る間、どのようなことを一番考えていましたか？

The students this time did the "work" for the first time professionally but all of you, at the time when (you were) set to debut as a "Pro", what did you think about the most in that period of time of pushing forward for the first work production and Live preparations?

HIRO 最初は本当に何も知らなくて、わからなくて、無我夢中でした。 いろんなことを自分なりに考えてはみるんですけど、いざやってみるともちろん考えたとおりにはいかないし、の繰り返し。 でも、どんなバンドにしたいかや、どんな曲をつくりたいかを悩みに悩んで、何もわからないなりにできることを全部詰め込んだのがファーストアルバムでし た。 完成したときは、その喜び以上に「駆け抜けた感」がすごかったですね。 次のライブやアルバムのことが全然考えられないくらいでした。 今思えば、それくらい全力を注げたってことなのかなと思います。

In the beginning, we knew nothing and we understood nothing, it was really frantic. Seeing various things we think of in our own way but, (there is) repeating of (things where you) try to take a chance at something and (they) don't go as you thought.

But, we were troubled (concerned) by what kind of band we wanted to make and what kind of songs we wanted to make, and that first album was the one which we crammed into everything we were able to do in our own way (despite) not knowing anything.

Upon completion, the joy was nothing less than amazing "sensation running through", I tell ya. 

Doing the next Live and album was more or less completely unimaginable. When looking back on it now, we pretty much poured our whole energy (into it) no matter how, I think.

 ●今回各校でチームを組んだPROJECT HALのメンバーのように、皆さんもバンドというチームで音楽やライブなどの創作活動をされていますが、そのプロセスの中で、チームならではの喜びや苦悩 を感じる瞬間はありますか。

Similar to the PROJECT HAL team members put together in each school this time, everyone also is in the team called the band of creative production to be done such as the music and the Live but, within that process, is there a moment of feeling the joy and agony uniquely only to that team?

HIRO 僕たちはメンバーの年齢もバラバラですし、もともと仲がよかったり、同級生だったりで結成したバンドではないので、最初の1年はメンバー同士の距離感を縮 めることが一番大変でした。 僕はそれこそ、他のメンバーに対してガチガチの敬語で話していましたし（笑）。 そんなところから、何度もレコーディングして、リハーサルして、ライブをやって、というのを繰り返していくうちに、バンドへの愛着も沸いてきて…それから メンバーがひとつになっていきました。 それぞれに責任感が芽生えてきたぶん、ぶつかることも増えましたけど（笑）。 特に最近のツアーでは、今まで以上に新しいアイディアや失敗したときの反省点を話し合ったりできるようになっていて。 やっぱりチームとして一番成長できるのは、力を合せて1つのものに向かっていく瞬間なんだ、というのをすごく実感しています。

For us, as the ages of the members are so inconsistent, and thankfully..... the relationship from the start, because it was not formed as classmates-getting-a-band-together-style, the sense of fellowship distance was immensely reduced the most in that 1 year of the beginning.

Me, because of THAT, was  paranoid stiff  talking  to the other members using "Keigo" (laughs)

* Keigo - honourific language

And from all that, while many times over recording, rehearsing, doing Lives and such repeatedly, the attachment (love) to the band also started to energetically take place......and then after that the band became more and more into one.

As that sense of responsibility to each was sprouting more and more maybe, the clashing (conflict) also multiplied though (laughs).

Especially during the recent Tour, more than ever before, it seemed like we just have to (by all means) talk together at points of reflection (reconsideration) when there are new ideas or failures and mistakes.

Of course (the moment of) being able to grow the most as a team is, the moment of (us) joining forces to go towards one thing, (where) we feel an immense solid feeling for such.

 SHO 僕はやっぱり、アルバムのリリースだったりの節目ごとに回ってきたツアーが印象に残っています。曲も良くなって、会場も大きくなって、今はどんどんステッ プアップできている感じがして。 MY FIRST STORYは結成4年目ですけど、他のバンドが10年かけて手に入れるようなものを、僕たちは4年で手に入れることができていて。 それって、普通は10年かけてする努力をギュッと凝縮してやってきたっていうことで、もちろんラクではないし、そりゃいろんなことが起きるよな、と。 とにかく濃い4年でした。 これからもたぶん同じ感じで、来年も再来年も、1回1回のステップで全力を尽くしながら、駆け抜けて行くんだと思います。

Me, likewise, at each milestone of album release and going around on Tour, the impression (of it all) remains. The songs also getting better and better, the venues also getting bigger and bigger. Now, feeling that we can steadily step up.

MY FIRST STORY is in its 4th year formation but, we have been able to obtain something like what take other bands 10 years to obtain.

With that, normally, tightly condensing out the effort over the period of 10 years, of course isn't luck and well many things take place (to get things going).

At any rate, it has been rich 4 years. I think from now on also perhaps by the same feeling, next year too and the year after next year as well, while devoting all our might step-by-step, we're going to run through (the obstacles).

●創作活動において、譲れないこだわりなどがあれば教えてください。

In regards to the produced work, if there is any not-to-be-compromised critique, please tell me.

SHO 1人で全部創ってしまったら、それはチームでやる意味ないな、ということはいつも考えています。 僕1人でも曲は創れるけど、メンバーがそこに歌詞をつけてくれたり、僕の想像のつかないようなベースを弾いてくれたり。 創作の種を誰かが創ったら、それをもっと大きく開花させるためにみんなのアイディアや個性を合せていくことが、チームで何かを創るということなんだと思っ ています。

If one is to do everything alone, that is meaningless in a team, I will always think of it like that. Even when I make the melody by myself, the band will make lyrics for it among other things, and things that my imagination cannot make like the bass playing (on it). If someone makes (comes up with) any kind of original creation, for it to "bloom" even bigger, everyone's idea and idiosyncrasy is joint together, but I think that IS what makes a team.

●同じプロ、同じクリエイター同士として臨んだPROJECT HAL。

The same professionals, dealing with PROJECT HAL as the same creators.

●PROJECT HALの企画内容を最初に聞いたときの印象はいかがでしたか？ PROJECT HAL's planning details, when you first heard it, what was your impression?

 SHO すごく素敵だなって思いました。 学生がプロの仕事に挑戦するストーリーもそうですし、僕たち自身、誰かの作品と1つになるというのを、あまり体験したことがなくて。 僕たちは楽曲、学生たちはCGやアニメーション、効果音という、異なるジャンルのクリエイター同士で個性をぶつけあうようなイメージ。 自分たちの楽曲が学生たちの作品と融合して僕たちだけでは創れないものが完成するんだと思うと、単純に楽しみで、嬉しかったですね。

I think it is very nice. 

The students' professional work, even with the challenging story to it, we're confident, (as they are) the ones with the produced work coming together, with not much experience.

For us, the music, for the students, the CG animation, the sound effects, it's like an image of differing genres' creators' individuality bumping into each other.

 ●（ここで、MY FIRST STORYの皆さんに、完成したてのTVCMをご覧いただきました。）

Here, everyone in MY FIRST STORY was "invited" to watch the freshly completed TVCM.

SHO おぉ・・・(Wo...wo) TERU すげー！(Cool..!) NOB ハンパねぇ。(OMG!) HIRO すごい・・・！(Awesome....!)

●学生たちが創り上げたTVCM、ご覧になった感想はいかがですか？

The TVCM created and produced by the students, how is your impression after previewing it?

HIRO

学生が創ったとは思えないですね。 プロの仕事だと言われても違和感ないくらい。 ロボットのディテールも、ミュージック学科の皆さんがつくった効果音も、僕らもここまでの創作の過程を見てきたので、ここまでのものが完成した、という喜 びを当事者として共有できるのが嬉しいですね。 It doesn't feel like students created it! You won't be feeling out of place saying that it's the work of professionals! The details of the robots, also everyone in the music department who make the sound effects, we also, since we have been seeing the process up to this stage, it having been completed this far, we're glad to be able to have the pleasure of being a part of the involved parties who have jointly taken part in this.

 SHO 逆に、僕がPROJECT HALのメンバーたちに聞いてみたい。 僕らの創った曲を映像と合せていくときに、どう思っていたのか…カッコいいと思ってもらえていたなら最高だなって思います。

On the contrary, I want to ask the members of the PROJECT HAL. When you were matching the music that we made to the video, how did you go about thinking of it......if I think it (the TVCM) is awesome, then it is really is awesome.

 TERU そうしたら、もっとこうしたかった！っていうのが出てきそうじゃないですか。 誰の曲か知ったらきっと印象も変わるし※、「完成です」って言われても、たぶん僕らも学生も、ここからもっといいものを創りたい！って思うから。

"And then, we wanted to do (things) like this more!" or so you can say how it appears, isn't it so? Even if knowing whose song it is ※, the impression unquestionably change and, "It's accomplished!" you can say that as well, because I think, maybe we and the students too, "From now on will want to create even better things!"

●（※ 制作当時、学生たちにはミュージシャン名は伏せられていました。）

At the time of the creation, the musicians' names were withheld from the students.

●自分の意志を貫ける者だけが、自分の望むFirst Storyを描くことができる。

Only a person with self-determination to carry through will be able to shape the path of his/her own desired First Story.

●最後に、PROJECT HALのメンバーや、クリエイターになりたいと思っている人たちへのメッセージをお願いします。

Lastly, what message you want to give to those people who want to become like the PROJECT HAL's members and creators, please.

HIRO 自分の進路を考えたり、やりたいことを探して過ごす1、2年は、これからの人生の何十年を決める大事な時期になりますよね。 だからこそ、周りの人がこう言うから、こうするから、じゃなくて、自分の意志で決めて、後悔のないように突き進んでほしい。 自分が楽しいと思えること、自分のやりたいと思えることには妥協しないで挑戦していってください。

You can think of your own path, the 1, 2 years you spend looking for things you want to do, is a very important time for you to decide on what will become of the many decades of your life from then on. For this reason, because people around you will say it in this way, do it in this way, isn't it, decide on your own accord, push forward for what you want so you won't have any regret. If something seems enjoyable, please dare to challenge what you yourself seem to want to do with no compromise.

SHO もしやりたいことを見つけて、それをやると決めたなら、半年やそこらで「向いてないな」ってあきらめちゃうんじゃなくて、悩んでも辛くても、5年でも10 年でもいいから続けてください。 自分もそうだったので。フリーターをしているときも、それでもやっぱり音楽が好きで…いろんな経験をしましたけど、「あ、もうダメだ」みたいなのが、 25、6歳くらいで1回来るんです。

If looking for the things you want to do, if you have decided to do it, rather not give up when somewhere about half a year (finding it) "Eh...this is not suitable!", even how troubled even how painful, whether it's 5 years or even 10 years, it's fine too....so please continue. Because that's how it was for myself. Even when I was a job-hopping part-timer, and yet all the same, because I love music .....I have various experiences but, it's like "Aaahh, that's all I can take (because it's useless experiences)!" because 25 or 26 or so years of age come (only) once.

（一同笑）

(Everyone laughs)

* Poor Sho. I think what he meant is if you give up now and wait till later, you'll only get older and still be a "zero".

SHO 思うんですよ、ほんとに！周りの友達が大学へ行ったり就職したりするのを見て、自分と比べて不安になったりするんですけど、そこでどうするか。 それでもまだ続けたいのか、辞めたいのか。 続けることができるなら、いつか必ず結果が出ると思います。 だから、簡単にあきらめて欲しくないな、と思いますね。

Hey, that's what I think, for real!! Looking at the friends around me doing things like going to the university or finding employment, comparing it to myself, I couldn't help feeling restless but, what to do about that? To keep on continuing or to quit? Because if I continue, one day surely the result will come out, I think. Therefore, I didn't want to easily give up, THAT's what I think, ok.

 PROJECT HAL Musicians： MY FIRST STORY

学校法人モード学園

HAL東京 (Tokyo) HAL大阪 (Osaka) HAL名古屋 (Nagoya)

@sakaeyatencho ヒロキとぐっさんが遊びきてくれました!! いつもありがとう(ﾉ^^)ﾉ して…只今絶賛スマブラちう(*･ω･)ﾉ

----***---

*Important: Kindly please do not copy & paste this anywhere else. Only reblog (Tumblr) or provide link (from outside Tumblr) please. Apart from 3 sentences which I consulted a native speaker (TQ Mariko), I worked my butt off on the rest myself. I apologize in advance for mistakes, inaccuracies and the weird English. I did paraphrase and added notes here and there to make the sentences flow better when I could and I included the Japanese text for reference. (*^_^*) I love this interview and the bond these two share with each other.

Original Japanese text & photos belong to Natalie website.

Translation text belongs to me.

SWANKY DANKが6月4日に新作CD「Circles」をリリースする。 SWANKY DANK releases a new CD “Circles” on June 4

本作はKO-TA（G）が正式加入し4人編成となってから初めてリリースされる音源で、バンドの持つパワフルさにさらに磨きがかかった1枚に仕上がっている。そして2曲目にはMY FIRST STORYのHiro（Vo）をフィーチャーした「Sink Like a Stone feat. Hiro from MY FIRST STORY」を収録。この曲ではAIR SWELL、BLUE ENCOUNT、MY FIRST STORY、SWANKY DANKの4組によるスプリットアルバム「BONEDS」ならびに同作品のレコ発ツアーを経て親交を深めた2組による、濃厚なコラボを堪能できる。

This work is the first release of the sound generated since the official entry of KO-TA (G) turning it (the band) into a 4-member formation. Its completion as a piece (of work) has brought more polished (sound) to the powerfulness that the band has. And featured in the Track No.2 is the recorded work with MY FIRST STORY’s vocalist Hiro [Sink Like a Stone feat. Hiro from MY FIRST STORY]. In this song, you can enjoy the strong collaboration of the 2-set team whose friendship had been deepened through the 4-set team of AIRSWELL, BLUE ENCOUNT, MY FIRST STORY, SWANKY DANK of the Split Album BONEDS and the same work’s Record Release Tour (that followed).

今回ナタリーではSWANKY DANKのKOJI（Vo, B）と、Hiroの対談を実施。今回のコラボの経緯はもちろん、BONEDSツアーの思い出から互いの魅力までじっくりと語ってもらった。

This time Natalie held a conversation with SWANKY DANK’s KOJI (Vo, B) and Hiro. With the story behind the current collaboration, of course, they took the time telling us the recollections from BONEDS Tour with their mutual fascination with each other.

取材・文 / 小林千絵 撮影 / 上山陽介

Interview / Kobayashi Chie Photoshoot / Ueyama Yosuke

Page 1

「スター来た！」■"Here comes the ‘star’!“■

N:   お2人の出会いはいつですか？

N:   When did the two of you meet?

Hiro:　去年でしたっけ？ うーん……全然覚えてない（笑）。

Hiro:   Was it last year? Well….I do not remember at all (laughs)

KOJI:　2年前くらいかな。八王子RIPSでのFAT PROPと俺らとマイファスっていう3組の対バンライブで初めて会いました。

KOJI: About 2yrs ago. At the live in Hachioji RIPS (livehouse) of a set of three (bands) taiban (“Battle of the Bands”) with FAT PROP, us and MY FIRST STORY when we met for the first time.

*taiban ~ when bands play on the same bill

N:   それまでお互いのバンドのことは？

N:   Up to then, did the bands know each other?

KOJI:　俺は一方的に知ってましたけど。

KOJI:   I did, but it was one-sided though.

Hiro:　僕は全然知らなかったです（笑）。

Hiro:   I did not know at all (laughs)

KOJI:　あはは（笑）。

KOJI:   Ah, ha (laughs)

Hiro:   その対バンライブの前にYouTube観てメンバーと「超カッコいいね」って話はしてたんですけど、当日はバタバタしてて観れなくて。そしたらライブを観てたうちのマネージャーが「すごいカッコよかった」って言うので、俺らのツアーのときに声をかけさせてもらったんです。その日はリハから観てたんですけど衝撃でした。コーラスうまいし、演奏もうまいし「こんなバンドだったんだ！」って。初めて対バンしたときに観なかったことをすごく後悔しました。

Hiro:   Before that taiban live, I was watching the members on YouTube and saying “Super cool!”, but that day itself, it was so hectic, I had not seen you. And then the Tour Manager who had been watching you guys live said “That was amazing cool!”, and he had called me out at the time of our tour (BONEDS). That day I was watching from the rehearsal and was shocked. Good chorus, also good performance. “What a band!” Now I regretted very much for not watching you guys during the first taiban.

KOJI:   マイファスはサウンドもしっかりしてるし、同期もがっつがつだし、ライブもすげーパフォーマンスだし、歌もいいし。本当にこんなバンドいるんだなっていう感じでしたね。

KOJI:   MFS sound is also solid, with this hunger in their synchronization too, great live performance, good songs as well. Really, I was feeling “This is the kind of band that seems to have 'it’”.

N:   個人の印象はどうでした？ N:   What was your individual impression of each other?

KOJI:　八王子のときは……「スター来た！」みたいな（笑）。

KOJI:  At Hachioji it was like! “Here comes the star!” …… (laughs).

Hiro:　何それ！ 思ってないでしょ（笑）。

Hiro: What’s that! You can’t possibly think that (laughs).

KOJI:　サングラスかけて、ぶわーって来て（笑）。

KOJI: With sunglasses, BOOWAA…..“Here I come” (laughs).

Hiro:　やめてよ！（笑） だって俺、当時高校生だよ。

Hiro: Stop it! (laughs) I, at that time, was just a high school student.

KOJI:　え！ 高校生のオーラではなかった。「俺、こいつと仲良くできるのかな……」って思いました（笑）。でも話してみたらすげーいいやつだし、話も合うし、楽しいやつだなって思って。

KOJI: Eh! It was not an aura of a high school student’s. I thought “I … wonder if can get along with this guy,” (laughs). But when I got to talk to him, he’s just soooo a good guy, our conversation just fit together, and I thought “This dude is fun”.

N:   “スター”の印象は変わりました？

N:   It has changed the impression of the “–star–”?

KOJI:　仲良くなって、よりスターだなって（笑）。

KOJI:   When we became friends, I think he became more of a star (laughs).

Hiro:　あはは、なんでだよ！（笑）

Hiro: Haha, why is that! (Laughs)

KOJI:　細かいこと気にしないんですよ。ロックスターみたい。俺はすっげー細かいところまで気にしてビビったりするんで、（Hiroは）すごいなって思います。

KOJI:  He does not bother about fine details. Like a Rock star. I on the other hand unbelievably care about every minute details vividly, but (Hiro is) a cool guy though.

■ 一番びっくりしたバンドがSWANKY DANK■

■ The band that I was surprised with the most was SWANKY DANK ■

N:   HiroさんはSWANKY DANKの印象、最初と今とで変わりました？

N:   Impression of SWANKY DANK, how has it changed from the beginning compared to now Hiro-san?

Hiro:　初めて会ったときの印象を覚えてないんです。知らない間に仲良くなってて。で、俺らのツアーに出てもらって、個人的にライブ遊びに行かせてもらったりとかして。今回BONEDSで一緒になって。でもこんなに仲良くなったの、BONEDSからだよね？

Hiro:  I do not remember the impression when we first met. I do not know, when all the while we were getting along. And then, we got asked to participate in our tour, going to play live individually just melting together. This time, with BONEDS, we got to take part together. But we becoming friends, it is from BONEDS right?

KOJI:　そうだね。

KOJI: That’s right.

Hiro　BONEDSツアーで一番びっくりしたバンドがSWANKY DANKでしたね。毎回毎回ライブへの向き合い方だったり、見せ方とか曲間とかすごい試行錯誤してて。このツアー、そんなに回ってないじゃん？

Hiro: The band that was the most surprising on the BONEDS tour was SWANKY DANK. Each and every time, playing against each other, there was always something, such as the presentation techniques or the in-betweens of songs that have been an amazing trial-and-error. This tour, it didn’t go around (visit many places) that much, did it?

KOJI:　うん、9本くらい。

KOJI: Yeah, about nine.

Hiro:　9本だったんですけど、全部のライブで確実に上がっていってるのが見えて。「バンドってこんなにも、1つのツアーで刺激を受けてどんどん形になっていくんだ」と思いました。それを観て衝撃と同時に焦りがきて、「俺らもがんばんなきゃ」ってかなり刺激を受けたバンドでした。

Hiro: It was nine, but altogether the lives were getting better and better and appeared more solid. I thought, “This kind of band-inspired tour is so well received and is steadily coming into form”. Seeing that and a sense of shock and impatience coming at the same time, the thought of “We have to go for it no matter what” inspiration went down fairly well with the bands.

■BONEDSツアーはかなり刺激になった■ ■BONEDS Tour is more or less a stimulus■

Page 2

N:   KOJIさんはBONEDSツアーどうでした？

N:   How was BONEDS tour for you KOJI-san?

KOJI:　いやーすごかったですね。他の3バンドのことを観てて「ああ、こういうことをすればいいんだな」っていうのもすごくわかったし。始まる前も成長すると思ったけど、それ以上に成長できたツアーだったなってすごく思いましたね。

KOJI:  Ah, it was so amazing. Looking at the other 3 bands, there was a thought “Oh, should I do or should I not do this kind of thing…” as I found out. Before starting, there was room for growth but with the tour you were truly able to grow even more, that’s my thought on it.

N:   具体的にはどういうところが？

N:   Specifically how as according to you?

KOJI:　コミュニケーションの取り方とかです。ライブやバンドに対する考え方も影響を受けました。

KOJI:   Such as how to handle communication. Way of thinking and how it affects things in a pairing of bands and live concerts situation went down well.

N:    先ほどHiroさんが「1回ごとによくなっていた」と言っていましたけど、毎回意識されていたんですか？

N:   Earlier Hiro-san had said, “was getting better with each and every one”, but had you yourself been aware of it each time?

KOJI:　そうですね。みんなそうだと思うんですけど、同じ4バンドで9カ所一緒に回るっていうのはほとんどないことなので「負けたくない」って気持ちで、いろいろ考えながらやっていった結果ですかね。

KOJI:   Well, sure. And I think it’s like that for everyone, but as they say how often (quite rare) that the same 4 bands touring to 9 places at the same time, so there was the “I don’t want to lose!” feeling, various thoughts went through your minds while you were doing it, as a result, you know.

N:   4バンドの仲もずいぶん深まったんじゃないですか？

N:    The relationships of the 4 bands, are they not deepened a lot?

KOJI:　関係はすごく濃くなりましたね。

KOJI:　The bonds became very much stronger.

Hiro:　僕は正直、個人的にカッコいいなって思ったバンド以外興味がないんですけど、今回BONEDSをBLUE ENCOUNTとAIR SWELLとSWANKY DANKと俺らっていう4組でやりますってなったときから「来たな」って思って。本当にカッコいいと思ってた3バンドだったんで、自分自身を奮い立たせてもらいましたね。KOJIも言った通り、同じ4バンドで1つのアルバムを作って、ずっと同じメンツで回るってなかなかないじゃないですか。なので、その日の出順とか場所とか自分たちのお客さんがいないとか、いろんな場面をシミュレーションしたりして、かなり刺激になりました。

Hiro:  I honestly, personally thought that it became so cool how bands with no reason to be curious about each other at first, but, this time with BONEDS, BLUE ENCOUNT, AIRSWELL, SWANKY DANK and us (MFS), how should I put it, turning into 4 teams (like colleagues) who now will do “Hey, you came!” ever since then, that’s what I’m thinking. I thought those 3 bands were really cool, I got inspired myself. As KOJI also said, the same 4 bands making 1 album, isn’t it like the whole time not the same faces over and over again? Rest assured, various scenarios whether simulated or not, such as the time of sunrise or the locations or was there no audience, it all became pretty exciting.

■シャワーを浴びるHiroの部屋へ■ ■To Hiro’s room as he was taking a shower■

★N: 左からKOJI、Hiro（MY FIRST STORY）。From left KOJI, Hiro (MY FIRST STORY)★

N:    今回のコラボ曲「Sink Like a Stone feat. Hiro from MY FIRST STORY」はどのような経緯で実現したんですか？

N:    Now what kind of circumstances that brought the collaboration song “Sink Like a Stone feat. Hiro from MY FIRST STORY” into materialization?

KOJI:　BONEDSツアーの中で1回だけ俺らの曲でヒロキ（Hiro）が歌ったことがあったんです。そのときに、何か一緒にやってみたいってすごく思って。でメンバーに相談したあと、ツアー中にホテルのヒロキの部屋に……。

KOJI: In BONEDS Tour, Hiroki (Hiro) sang on our song only once. At that time, I thought I really wanted to do something together. After discussing with the other members, and then…..on to Hiroki’s hotel room during the tour.

Hiro:　どこだっけ、あれ？ 大阪か。

Hiro:　Where was it, that? Oh Osaka.

KOJI:　リハ終わって一旦帰って、シャワー浴びてるときにコンコンって行って……。

KOJI:  When we returned once we finished rehearsal, … I went knocking but at the time you were taking the shower.

Hiro:　スタッフとごはん食べに行って、ホテル戻ったらKOJIから急に真面目なトーンで「ちょっと話があるからあとで部屋行っていい？」って言われて。「え、なに？ 急にどうしたの？」みたいな（笑）。むしろちょっと怖くて 。

Hiro:  The staff were going out to eat (meal), when we returned to the hotel, suddenly in a serious tone from KOJI, “You may go to your room because we’re gonna have a little talk later, ok?” He said to me. I was like “Eh, what the? Suddenly? What’s the matter?” (laughs). Got a little bit scared.

KOJI:　あはははは（笑）。

KOJI:　Ahahahaha (laughs).

Hiro:　「なに？ 電話で言えないことなの？」って聞いたら「部屋でちゃんと話したいんだよね」って言われて、「お、お、おう……」みたいな（笑）。

Hiro:   Such if I had asked “What? It cannot be said through the telephone?” The reply to me would be, “In the room because I want a serious talk, you know”, it was like “Oh, …oh, …. ok, you the king” (laughs)

KOJI:　で、部屋で曲に対する俺の思いとか曲の構想とかを話して。そしたら「面白いじゃん」って言ってくれて。

KOJI:   There, in the hotel room, we had a talk on the song such as my idea and song concept. Then, “Interesting, isn’t it?” I said.

N: ──伝えたコンセプトはどんなものだったんですか？

N: What kind of concept that you told (conveyed)?

KOJI:　実際に曲にも入ってますけど、ドアを開ける「ガチャッ」とかの効果音を入れたくて、俺らにしかできない新しいことをやりたいっていう話をさせてもらいました。

KOJI:  In actual practice, what the song would contain but also the sound effect we want to insert into it such as the door opening sound “Gatcha….(clank)”, merely something new that we wanted to do that the talk (conversation) had let me convey.

Hiro:　そういうことをやってるバンドを僕は知らないし、斬新だなって思いました。バンドにはエンタテインメント性って必ず必要だし、効果音っていうエッセンスを曲の中に入れて表現するっていうのは単純にすごいカッコいいねって。今のSWANKY DANKよりもさらに進化して、ネクストステージに行けるんじゃない？みたいな話もして。それに自分を選んでくれたのもすごいうれしかったし、協力できることはなんでもしたいって思ったので、速攻「いいよ」って返事をしました。

Hiro:　I do not know of bands doing such a thing, and I thought it was a novel idea. There is absolute necessity to have entertainment nature (characteristics) to a band, such things like sound effects being put into a song to express / present that essence is simply so cool. To evolve further than the now (current) SWANKY DANK, isn’t it (by) going to the next stage? Also it’s like a story. Besides, I was so happy that myself was chosen, I thought of wanting to be able to collaborate in whatever way, thus quickly I responded “OKAY!“

KOJI:　濡れた髪の毛でね（笑）。

KOJI:　In wet hair (laughs).

■自分の中でのフィーチャリング像が完璧に出てる■ My idea of “Featuring” image has appeared perfectly

N:    そして実際に曲ができて。Hiroさんはあの曲を受け取ったときにどう思いました？

N:    Now that the song could come into life (practically be made). What you thought when you received the song Hiro-san?

Hiro:　「この曲、高いなー」と。

Hiro:　"This song, high…!“.

KOJI:　あはははは（笑）。

KOJI:　Ahahahaha (laughs).

Hiro:　とりあえず話をもらったときに「（キー）どのくらいなの？」って言われて「まあ高めでいいんじゃない？」くらいに言ったら本当に高かった。俺らの曲よりも全然高いキーで、俺の地声のギリギリのラインです。彼が仮歌を裏声で歌ってたんですけど、それさえもちょっと出てないくらいだったのに、俺に地声で歌わせようとしてきて。

Hiro:    For a start, the topic that was said at the time of receiving (the song) was, “Such high is it (the key)?” and “Oh well, a bit on the high side isn’t it?“ more or less what was said about how really high it was. The key was higher than all of our (MY FIRST STORY) songs, just barely on the border of my natural voice. He (KOJI) sang the temporary song in falsetto but, as long as just a little that (I) could not let out, he was going to let me sing as my natural voice.

KOJI:　はは（笑）。でもすげーエモい部分出たもんね。

KOJI:   Haha (laughs). But soooo Emo-ish the part that came out.

Hiro:　うん。めっちゃカッコいい。ずっと聴いてる。よかったね。

Hiro:　Yeah. Hella cool. I’ve been listening (to it) all the time. Well, it was good.

KOJI:　すごくよかった。

KOJI:　It was really good.

N:    この曲、途中までHiroさんが出てこないですよね。それはどうしてですか？

N:    This song, Hiro-san did not come out until the middle. Why is that?

KOJI:　自分の中でのフィーチャリング像っていうのが、この曲に完璧に出てて。俺の中ではフィーチャリングゲストが頭からいるってカッコいいものではないんですよね。

KOJI: My own so called “Featuring” image, came out perfectly in this song. To me, the cool thing of “Featuring Guest" just would not be if appearing entirely from the very beginning you know.

Hiro:　なんか最初から出てくるのってくどいよね。

Hiro: It would be like lengthy long-winded if I came out from the very beginning.

KOJI:　そうそうそう。出るんだったらケツのDパートからダンって出てきて、インパクト残して終わるみたいなのが俺は好きですね。

KOJI: That’s right, that’s right. In the case of appearing in Part D*, when it was done, I like how leaving-behind-with-an-impact it ends like.

* Japanese musicians seem to break apart a song into Part A, B, C and so on from what I observe in their interviews. First verse would be Part A and so forth.

Page 3

■ 改めて「歌うめえな」■

■But then again “He sings it well!“■

N:    Hiroさんは、自分のバンドで歌うときと、コラボでほかのバンドで歌うときで意識的に変えてる部分はあるんですか？

N:     Hiro-san, when you sing in your own band, compared to when singing in other bands in collaboration, is there any part you are consciously changing?

Hiro:　自分の中では考えてやってるつもりはないんですけど、本能的に変えてるんだろうなっていうのは感じます。やっぱり自分のバンドはこれからもずっと一緒にやっていくメンバーだからいい意味でも悪い意味でも気を遣うし、自分の見え方がそのまま自分のバンドの見え方になるし。それと、ほかのバンドにフィーチャリングしにいくっていうのは全然別のものなので。ま、実際はそんな深く考えてないんですけどね。

Hiro:    For myself, though I do not intend to be thinking that but, I do feel that seemingly called instinctive change. Of course, in one’s own band, you’re in it together for now and into the future and that’s why whether in good sense or bad sense we just have to care about things, your own outlook as it stands is going to be your band’s outlook. And then, going to another band to make “featuring” (collaboration) is like an entirely different thing. Therefore….err….. oh well, I actually have not thought such fact deeply.*

*Haha....Hiro and his character of not-fussing-over-such-details (^^)

N:     KOJIさんは一緒にレコーディングしてみて、Hiroさんの違いみたいなものは感じました？

N:    KOJI-san, trying to do a recording together, did you feel (think) the sort-of-different thing with Hiro?

KOJI:　うーん……。そんな感じはなかったですね。自由にやってくれました。

KOJI　…… Hmm. There was no such feeling. It was all done in free reign.

N:    今回のレコーディングでHiroさんの新たに見えた面ってどんなところでした？

N:    Was there any “place" that seems to be new ground with Hiro in this recording?

KOJI:　ヒロキからもアイデア出てきたりとかして、ボーカリストとしてしっかりと考えてるなと。あとは改めて「歌うめえな」って。

KOJI:   From Hiroki coming out with ideas or such, as a vocalist firmly giving thoughts to it. But then again, “He sings it well!“ (*he did a good job)

Hiro:　ふはは（笑）。

Hiro　Hu ha ha (laughs).

KOJI:　PVもいい感じでできました。

KOJI:    Also being able to make the PV with good feeling.

Hiro:　撮影現場は新鮮でしたね。自分1人で違うバンドに入ってPVを撮るっていうのは、力が入りすぎず、客観的な目で見ていられるので。遊びに行くくらいのテンションで楽しかったです。

Hiro :   The filming spot was fresh (new). Because I could watch that I enter a different band alone by myself and take the PV with objective eyes without too much power entering. That bit of tension so as to how much (you can) go out to play (with it) was fun.

N:  KOJIさん、自分たちのバンドだけで撮影するのと雰囲気は変わりました？

N:  KOJI, the filming and the atmosphere changed (from) being in only your own band?

KOJI:　そうっすね。そもそも楽器を持たないボーカルがいるっていうのが新鮮で楽しかったですね。さらに火を使ったり大がかりな撮影でテンションが上がりました。

KOJI:    That’s right. In the first place (to begin with), the freshness of there being this vocalist who did not have a musical instrument was fun. Furthermore, we used the fire, and the tension went up by large-scale during filming.

■ ようやく夢だった“バンド”になった■ ■ Finally the dream "band” it became ■

N:     今作「Circles」はSWANKY DANKが4人編成になって初のアルバムですが、気持ち的に変わったところはありますか？

N:     Now “Circles” is the first album that SWANKY DANK becomes a 4-person organization, but, is there a place where the feel of it has changed?

KOJI:　これまでずっとサポートメンバーを入れていたので、ようやく揃ったというか……7年間やっててようやく、夢だった“バンド”になったんですよ。新しい出発点みたいな。これくらい長い期間やって出発できるバンドもいるんだって思ってもらいたいという気持ちもありますね。

KOJI:    Up to this point, we always put in a support member, so at last it’s like, well, you can say…..aligned…..it took us 7 years and finally, it became the “band" that was a dream. It’s like the new starting point. I think I just prefer to have the feelings that there are even bands (out there) doing it for much longer period.

N:    曲はどういうふうに作っていったんですか？

N:   How you went about the way to make a song (*now that there are 4 members)?

KOJI:　俺らはこのアルバムに限らずなんですけど、アコギで全曲作るんですよ。ロックの曲でもアコースティックでできる曲っていうのを自分たちの中でコンセプトとしてやってるんです。あと「Circles」っていうタイトルは、ヒロキも含めて友達との信頼関係とか、人と人とのつながりをもっとつなげていきたいって意味で付けました。

KOJI:   As for us, it’s not just this album, we compose songs on acoustic guitars. It’s also about being able to do our own concept done acoustically into rock songs. Subsequently “Circles" which is the title, was put in the sense that I want to connect more such as trust relationship with friends, the connection between people, Hiroki included.

Hiro:　そういうタイトルなの？ 今初めて知った（笑）。

Hiro:　So the title is like that? I learned for the first time now (laughs).

N:      4人になって音的にできることって変わりました？

N:     What has changed now that by becoming 4-people has made it possible to sound?

KOJI:　基本的には3人のときもレコーディングはギターを2本入れてたんですけど、うちの兄貴（YUICHI / Vo, G）がメインとサブの両方を弾いてたのが、一方をKO-TA（G）が弾くことによって全然違うサウンドになりました。ギターソロとかリフの付け方が全然変わって、すごく向上したなと思います。

KOJI:   Basically, when it was 3 people, recording was still put in as 2-guitar parts but, it was my elder brother (YUICHI / Vo, G) playing both the Main and the Sub, with KOTA (G) playing one side therefore the sound has become totally different. At guitar solo time, the way to put (application) riffs entirely change, I think it made tremendous improvement.

■ ライブは単純に楽しい空間にしたい■ ■ I simply want a fun space to do Live ■

N: ──このアルバムを携えて6月28日からツアーが始まります。どんなツアーにしたいですか？

N: Armed with this album, the tour will start from June 28. What kind of tour do you want to make?

KOJI:　単純に楽しい空間にしたい。ライブを観てるお客さんにとって、嫌なことだったり、日々の生活みたいなのを忘れられるような空間にしていきたいです。

KOJI: We want to create a space that’s just simply fun. A space you want to go for the people-who-come (fans) to watch the Live, where they are made to forget day-to-day unpleasant things in life.

N:    アルバムの中には初披露の曲もありますよね。

N:    There will also be songs debuted in the album right.

KOJI:　楽しみですね。どういう反応が返ってくるのかなとか、どういうふうに遊ばせてあげればいいのかなとか。

KOJI: Looking forward to it. Such as what kind of reaction comes back or how (in what way) should we play for them that would be good.

N:  Hiroさんとのコラボ曲はどうされるんですか？

N:   How are you going to do the Hiro collaboration song?

KOJI:　あれはキーをすごく高く作ったので、再現が難しくて……。

KOJI:  Since we have created a very high key,  reproducing it would be difficult…….

N:   ファイナルにはHiroさんも出られますね。

N:   Hiro will be made (is scheduled) to appear in the Final (Live) right.

Hiro:　……今知りました。

Hiro:　......... I just knew THAT …… now. (*seemed surprised)

KOJI:　出ることを!? あはははは！（笑）

KOJI:   About the appearing!? Ahahahaha? (Laughs)

N: （笑）。では改めて……。ファイナルにはMY FIRST STORYが出られますが。

N:    (laughs). Then…….again. In the Final (Live) MY FIRST STORY will be made (arranged) to appear right.

Hiro:　あ、MY FIRST STORYで？ なるほどね。

Hiro:　Oh, with MY FIRST STORY? I see. (*seemed surprised again)

KOJI:　ね、細かいことは気にしないでしょ！ ロックスター！

KOJI:   See, can’t you care about the details! ROCK STAR!

Hiro:　がんばります！ 俺らもBONEDSツアーが終わってからライブならではのアレンジとかいろいろと考えてるので、そういうところを出せたらいいなと思っています。

Hiro:　I will do my best! We too, since the BONEDS Tour ended, have been thinking of various things such as arrangement if we were to do Live again, so that place if we can appear (perfom together again) is good I think.

N:  コラボ曲の披露も期待できそうですね。

N:    Showcase of collaboration song also seems to be expected.

Hiro:　そうですね、途中で帰ってなければ……（笑）。

Hiro:　Yup right, if I hadn’t gone on the way home (already) … (laughs).

KOJI:　帰んなよ！（笑 )

I am dedicating my first post here to Hiroki Moriuchi.

Photo credit: Rolling Stone Japan

When I first decided to write here, I didn't plan on writing about someone other than myself for my first post. But one day, my friend triggered an idea in my mind when she asked for feedback on MY FIRST STORY's 3rd album 虚言NEUROSE and the fans' personal thoughts on the band plus our favourite members on her FB page. As I started writing my comment, I suddenly realized it got way too long for a Facebook comment. Thus, turning it into a special blog post was it. I'd be lying if I say I don't have a favourite member in any band. So, who is or are mine in MFS? The Leader and then the one I gave a few nicknames to i.e Little Darling and Fluffy White Fur Ball. 

Photo credit: MY FIRST STORY Instagram

Sho certainly is my most respected member in the band. Even back when I used to ignore MFS because I wasn't impressed by Hiro's vocals, I thought Sho was a really good musician. But I couldn't get into a band if I wasn't keen on the singer. However, I do admit that Hiro was the deciding factor in converting me into liking the band. Just like he was the reason I stayed away. But I kept an open mind and was always willing to give artists a chance. Hiro pulled me back after 最終回Story. But there is more to the story as I shifted gear into being a Hiro defender after that. Hiro quitting Twitter was the hot news at the time and out of curiosity, I started to go through his tweets and dug into a few Japanese forums & sites. What I found both nicely surprised and terribly shocked me. Now, the good part first. Looking at his Twitter contents, his personality jumped right out at me. He rarely posted selfies but he preferred to show the world the things he enjoyed doing. Good food, doodlings, movies he watched, music collection, concert tickets, views he saw from the windows and weird things he found interesting (anyone remembers that men stocking photo?). It seemed to me that he wanted people to see him for the person inside rather than cashing in on his looks.

Photo credit: (Sorry I forgot this one)

Despite his "fluffy appearance" and a penchant for hugging plushy soft toys, Hiro surprised me when he beamed about this true-story movie Into The Wild....about a man named Christopher McCandless who went  soul-searching by leaving all materialistic things behind. He was found dead but his last days were captured on his camera. I then started to understand that buried underneath it all, Hiro's soul goes much deeper than his appearance might suggest.

Photo credit: Happinet-p.com

I saw how supportive Hiro is to his friends by tweeting and retweeting when they released new CDs. Proudly displaying their CDs in his hands. Or attending their shows. Even during the 虚言 Neurose Tour, he took the time out to support SWANKY DANK at their Monster MV shoot. Though in the end, his own tour crashed when he fell sick. But that's the kind of person Hiro is. Also, notice how since he was a kid, he's been working with mostly older people. Guess what? They all like him. That alone tells us how he must have treated those older than him. Though I have never met him in person, it is easy to see that Hiro is indeed a beautiful person on the inside. Now, the terrible part that brought me here. Hiro shutting himself out.

At the time, I had a vague idea that Hiro wasn't happy with people bringing up his brother over and over again. But the extent that some people would go to insult him really shook me to the core.

 I still remember that fateful moment. I was browsing through a forum and saw one insult message after another all posted by anonymous users. Making fun of his father's illness, his mother and the band itself. Accusing him of using his connection and that things were handed to him on a silver platter. Of course, there were fans who did their best defending him.

Then it happened. I saw a post with a series of disgusting pictures of a woman crapping in bed and a message with an arrow pointing to those pictures with the words 「ヒロくんが生まれた」 or "Hiro was born". I was SHOCKED! If one doesn't find that super insulting to a person and his parents, then I don't know what else is. My eyes watered.

Photo credit: What the heck would I credit this one for?

I've been using the Internet since the 90s. Becoming more active once I discovered YouTube, MySpace and blogging. Throughout that time, I had come across many different types of trolling including troll messages to myself. But none had ever shocked me the way THAT troll DID. I rarely cry either and most of the time, I'm neutral towards people BUT that moment really made me tear up. At that moment, I realized the extent of troll abuse Hiro had endured. Imagine yourself in Hiro's place. At that age 18-19, many would fall apart over hurtful words. There had been teenagers with good lives on the outside but were driven to suicides over internet trolling. Just because he was born into a celebrity family, it doesn't mean he doesn't have any feeling like the rest of us. What did he do to you, haters? This guy wouldn't hurt anybody. Ok.....figuratively he does hurt my ears every now and then with his shaky singing but he's working hard to improve his weakness. Hiro deserves all the right to shield himself away from such abuse. Limiting himself on the social media is the right thing. Those troll photos haunted me for weeks.

Each time those images came to my mind, I felt shaken. It disturbed me really bad that I never mentioned it to anyone. This is the first time I have talked about it. On FB, I hesitated talking about it at first because I kept thinking what if Hiro came over and saw it and it brought back terrible memories to him? But I am sure he is a much stronger person now and can probably handle it better than ever. So, it's here tucked away from a place as open as FB that I talk about it. That troll discovery changed the way I looked at Hiro.

From that moment, I saw him as a real person first rather than this guy in a band. A beautiful-hearted person is a treasure in today's world. When you come across one, doesn't matter that he's that boy on TV or that voice from a CD or a face on YouTube, you cherish the person even from across another continent on this big blue marble we live on.