──Here’s a question fitting for an anniversary year.
Perfume is often praised by the public for being “amazing because you never change.” But after 25 years, I imagine you must feel changes within yourselves. Looking back, what do you think has changed the most?
Nocchi: Since we formed the group when we were still in elementary school, I’d say the biggest change is that as we’ve grown up, the bond among the three of us has become stronger and stronger.
A~chan: That’s true. In our case, Perfume really is our whole life, so maybe it’s less “change” and more “growth.”
Nocchi: I think part of it is thanks to our staff not treating us like kids. From early on, they engaged with us as adults, and that helped us quickly develop the stance of “the three of us should take the lead.” People who don’t know Perfume very well sometimes assume we’re “controlled, not even allowed to change our hairstyles,” but fans who know us well understand that no one’s making us do anything—it’s our own choice. That difference in perception is pretty interesting to me.
A~chan: But because Perfume was always there as we grew into adulthood, we ended up spending a long time being a little too serious. We could have been more relaxed, but maybe all three of us were chasing after the idea of “Perfume should be like this.” For example, even when we were on tour, instead of going out to eat at restaurants, we’d just buy food at a convenience store, then each of us would go back to our hotel rooms to review choreography or lyrics, or study our performance videos. Even asking for something felt like a burden, like we’d be causing trouble, so we thought it was normal to live modestly.
──That stoic image definitely came across.
A~chan: But at some point, I realized, “We can’t keep this up forever.” That’s when our goal shifted from things like “We want to stand on the stage of Nippon Budokan” to “We want the three of us to stay together for a long time.” And then our way of thinking became, “Okay, so what do we need to do to stay together for a long time?”
──Was there some specific trigger for that change?
A~chan: The words we received during our talk with Ken Shimura on NHK had a huge impact. He told us, “You three are already complete as you are. You don’t need to grow by centimeters. As long as today you can lift your gaze even a millimeter, that’s enough.” Hearing that made me think, “Oh, so we’ve already reached the ‘Perfume’ we were striving for.” Of course, I still often feel that anxious “I’m not there yet” feeling, but it allowed me to shift the angle of my goals. After that, on tours we started thinking, “Since we’re going to different regions anyway, let’s stay somewhere with hot springs, and enjoy delicious food together as the three of us!” That way, we could enjoy the actual concert day even more. For years, we had only been outputting—so much that when I tried to draw something out of myself, there was nothing left, and I thought, “Wow, I’m such a boring person.” But then, I finally felt like I was taking things in again. Maybe I realized it too late, but that’s the moment I truly felt we had “changed.”
Kashiyuka: Of course, in order for the three of us to stay together for a long time, we also need to think about “why people want Perfume to exist.” And the answer is, it’s the music. People look forward to “What kind of song will they release next? What kind of visuals and what kind of live performance will it be?” Because fans have that anticipation, we can keep going as Perfume. So while we try to live up to those expectations, I personally also look forward to it myself.
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Kondo: He became the father of the Shinsengumi because of the way he leads and emotionally anchors the group, not just as a commander, but as someone who deeply cares for and nurtures them, often in spite of himself. Shinsengumi members have been willing to die for him time and time again, which shows how genuine their love is (despite his stalker tendencies and hairy ass).
Isaburo: Despite his outwardly stern demeanor, he understands Nobume's past traumas and helps her cope with them, while also educating her on the harsh realities they face. He named her after his deceased daughter and cared for her as such, even texting her frequently and buying her donuts.
A
Shouyo: He's a father figure for several characters in the series, demonstrating unwavering love and acceptance, and provided a supportive environment for them to grow. His memory and teachings remain a guiding force for his students. Reason for losing points: He left his kids concussed and dumb.
Gintoki: He consistently shows protectiveness towards Kagura and Shinpachi, often putting their safety and well-being above his own. He's playful with them, teaches them important life lessons, and accepts them unconditionally. Despite his flaws, Kagura and Shinpachi love him very much. Reason for losing points: Has several mental health issues and his feet stink.
Zenzou's dad: He became a father figure to many children as he taught ninja arts and played kick the can with them. Many of his students attended his funeral, showing how loved he was. Reason for losing points: Sold Zenzou's JUMP collection to buy p*rn.
Matsugorou: Also known as Musashi, he's Ikumatsu's dad. It's shown that despite their poverty they were very happy together, until he lost his memory trying to save a boy from drowning. He saves her daughter and reconnects with her. Reason for losing points: He wears a jacket and fundoshi.
B
Jirochou: He abandoned his daughter Pirako because he felt compelled to protect what his friend Tatsugorou left behind after he died. His subsequent actions reflect a desire for redemption and a willingness to spend more time with her. Reason for losing points: Was too chicken to have a threesome with Tatsugorou and Otose.
Abuto: He's not the stepdad, he's the dad that stepped up. Although he's not exactly a parental figure to Kamui, he has been by his side since he was a kid and cares about him a lot. Kamui was even shown to hesitate attacking him. Reason for losing points: He's losing his will to live.
C
Shimura Ken: Not much is known about him, only that he died leaving Tae and Shinpachi with a huge debt. Although he cannot be blamed for dying from an illness, he didn't take any measures to prevent his children from suffering because of him. Reason for losing points: His name is a parody of a comedy actor.
Koshinori: Since the heir of the Yagyuu clan had to be a man, instead of changing the rules, he forced Kyuubei to conform to that identity. He later decides to let her live as she sees fit. Reason for losing points: His height is 122 cm (4'0").
Umibouzu: He has a complex relationship with Kamui and Kagura. His absence leaves a void in their lives and creates feelings of abandonment, even if he'd reasons to do so. His two children ended up finding substitute father figures elsewhere. Reason for losing points: Stopped a 3 day fight to take a dump.
D aka Betrayed their students tier
Jiraia: He takes on the role of Tsukuyo's mentor and trainer, but his influence extended beyond that, manipulating her emotions and exploiting her vulnerabilities. Their relationship becomes increasingly abusive and toxic until she breaks free of it. Reason for losing points: Bad skincare habits.
Utsuro: Despite his mentorship role, he manipulates his students' emotions and desires for his own ends, creating emotional turmoil within them as they uncover his true intentions and the extent of his malevolence. Reason for losing points: His existence.
[Note: ‘AI~N’ is the catchphrase of Japanese comedian Shimura Ken’s character ‘Bakatono-sama’. The phrase itself does not have any particular meaning, often referred to as a ‘nonsense phrase’. When said, it is often accompanied with the gesture of jutting your chin out, and bending your arm in front of your face, like seen in the music video for this song. Therefore, I won’t be translating in, and just leaving it in its Romanised form throughout the song.]
It’s time to do AI~N exercises! Yay!!
Today, a morning full of energy and high spirits has arrived
A morning full of happiness has arrived
And when all of my friends have gathered, we’ll start doing AI~N exercises
An AI~N forward, an AI~N to the right
Let’s AI~N to the left, AI~N down to the earth, AI~N up to the sky
AI~N AI~N AI~N AI~N
It’s so fun! AI~N
The weather is so pleasant today
So much that I smile widely, grinning to myself
I’ll take a deep breath of good-tasting air, and start doing AI~N exercises
An AI~N to you, an AI~N to you too
AI~N to everybody, AI~N up to outer space, let’s AI~N to ourselves
AI~N AI~N AI~N AI~N
It’s so fun! AI~N
Let’s keep going! (Okay!!)
Today’s been a good day
Like, lucky! Happy! A good day
And before I go to sleep, I’ll do the thing I enjoy, let’s start doing AI~N exercises
Laugh! And AI~N, Cry! And AI~N
Be angry and AI~N, an energetic AI~N, a foolish-looking AI~N
AI~N AI~N AI~N AI~N
It’s so fun! AI~N
An AI~N forward, an AI~N to the right
Let’s AI~N to the left, AI~N down to the earth, AI~N up to the sky
AI~N AI~N AI~N AI~N
It’s so fun! AI~N
We’re going to be getting faster!
An AI~N forward, an AI~N to the right
Let’s AI~N to the left, AI~N down to the earth, AI~N up to the sky
AI~N AI~N AI~N AI~N
It’s so fun! AI~N
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