mikiki.tokyo.jp/articles/-/274…
Disclaimer: I'm not Hello!Project fan so I apologize ahead if there's any offending mistake in translation. If you find any part in this translated article useful, please feel free to post anywhere with my credits. - Umechan
This is a moment that will never happen again--
The much-talked-about coming-of-age film that depicts the lovely "those days" that everyone has through the men who devoted everything to Hello!Project is finally in theaters. The film's star, Matsuzaka Tori, and others talk about its charms!
Mikito Tsurugi, the former manager of Shinsei Kamattechan and the bassist for Arakajime Kimerareta Koibito Tachi E, has written his first novel, "Ano Koro. Danshi Ka Shimashi Monogatari" (2014). This autobiographical comic essay is about the life of a young man who suddenly became fascinated with the idols of Hello!Project idols and the otaku friends he met along the way. Based on this story, which slowly gained attention and popularity, Director Rikiya Imaizumi has now made a movie called "Ano Koro/ In Those Days" adapting this story. Here, we interviewed Tori Matsuzaka, who plays the main character Tsurugi, Yuhane Yamazaki (BEYOOOONDS), who plays Aya Matsuura, Tsurugi's favorite idol, and Mikito Tsurugi, the author, about the making of the film.
Q: It's probably well-known that Aya Matsuura is your senior in junior high school, but what did you think when you were asked to play the lead role in the movie?
Tori: My manager told me about the role before the content of the film. She said, "How about a role as an Ayaya fan?". I was in the first year of junior high school when Matsuura-san was in the third year. So, when I heard about this role, I felt a bit like I was destined to do it, and before I knew anything about the film, I said, "Let's do it!" (lol). The actual scene was also strange. I found myself wearing a t-shirt with a photo of my junior high senior on it. (lol)
Q: Aya Matsuura is played by Yuhane Yamazaki, Hello!Project's junior member.
Yuhane: I've had many fans tell me that I have a similar vibe to her. Aya Matsuura-san is a senior member of Hello!Project and we have always admired her. So, I was happy when I got the offer, but also felt a lot of pressure. I thought, "Will I be able to play the role of Matsuura-san properly?" But it's not often that I get a chance like this, so I did my best in my own way.
Q: Did you think that Yuhane looked like Ayaya, too?
Tsurugi: Yes, Yamazaki-san was my first choice to play Ayaya.
Tori: Was it a recommendation from Tsurugi-san?
Tsurugi: I recommended her, or rather, I gave them some ideas. I told them that I didn't think it'd be a good idea to choose another actress/idol for this role just because it's better to have someone with acting experience. After all, this is a story about Hello!Project, it should be done by a junior member of Hello!Project. I told the producers that there's actually someone who is very similar to Ayaya.
Tori: They really look alike. I was surprised when we were shooting.
Yuhane: Really?
Tsurugi: Matsuzaka-san shouted on set, "Oh, it's Matsuura-senpai!" (lol).
Yuhane: I didn't sing or dance in the film, so I was wondering how I could express Matsuura-san. I watched the live performance videos and tried my best to get as close to Matsuura-san as possible by looking for features like how she opens her mouth when she does MC-ing.
Tsurugi: Matsuzaka-san also gave off a great atmosphere. One of the people in the film crew was an acquaintance of mine. He contacted me as soon as the film was cranked in and said, 'Everything about Matsuzaka is Tsurugi except for his face and height' (lol).
Q: Did he look similar from your own eyes?
Tsurugi: Especially, when I see the video. A scene where Matsuzaka-san plays an instrument in the room. During the camera test, there was a moment when he was a little out of focus. I thought I was seeing myself when I was really young. You might think that it would be crazy to say that he looks like me (lol), but if you watch the movie properly, it's about me. I think everyone who knows me can feel like so (he looks similar). When I was young, I was much thinner too (lol).
Tori: I'm glad you said that. The costume was also the old clothes of Tsurugi-san especially that red jacket. It's a rare opportunity to wear an actual person's own clothes in a film, so I can switch the character mode on by wearing your clothes.
Tsurugi: I've had it for a long time. I'm glad I kept it (lol).
Tori: I'm so grateful.
Tsurugi: I know Tori Matsuzaka is a good actor and can play a variety of roles but from my point of view, I thought he would simply act himself as a Hello!Project fan rather than me; But he seemed to match my nuances with a tremendous pinpoint. I don't think I can say any complaints.
Q: Matsuzaka, what kind of impression did you get from your role in this film, when you were exposed to the reality of passionate idol fans?
Tori: During the shooting period, every day was like an off-day party (lol). It's very comfortable to spend time with people who share what you really like. When you find someone you like, it gives you the energy to live. I think you can say that about anything, not just idols. Through my role, I was able to relate to the idea that having a place where you can share the things you like makes your days more enjoyable. The word "otaku" itself is not something I would use lightly. I rather think of it as a title given to people who have mastered something.
Tsurugi: The status of "otaku" has risen a lot, though at the time, it was still very low-profile (looked down?).
Tori: Was it really hard to get people to accept you?
Tsurugi: Yes, even in the scene at the school festival in the movie (where Tsurugi and his friends perform at the festival and have a lot of fun with otaku performances), the girl who was in charge of the stage actually cried and wouldn't talk to us. I was like, "Oh, we were asked to participate in this event, but (she didn't talk)......". Nowadays, I don't think people would be so shocked if I suddenly present them with something like that.
Q: How did you feel about the atmosphere of idol fans at that time, Yamazaki? There is a scene in the film where you shake hands with fans.
Yuhane: I feel the words they said during handshakes haven't changed much. I can feel that they must be trying their best to squeeze out the words.
Tsurugi: Handshakes were much more valuable in those days. Because there weren't as many handshake events as there are now. If you wanted to shake hands with Morning Musume, you had to go to Hawaii on a fan club tour.
Tori: Right, it was normal not to be able to meet them, wasn't it?
Q: That handshake scene is very memorable.
Tori: I was so nervous. Yamazaki-san's atmosphere reminded me of Matsuura-san's, so it was a strange feeling.
Yuhane: Thank you very much!
Tori: Thank you very much, too!
Q: Did you have any difficulties in creating your role throughout the film?
Tori: I was very grateful that Tsurugi-san was there. That made me nervous, but I was very grateful. I tried to absorb as much as I could of his actions, gestures, and the way he speaks. I tried to integrate as much as I could.
Q: Did Tsurugi-san give any advice to the director?
Tsurugi: I was there because I'm the only one who could understand a lot of the details of the film. I helped the director when he had trouble making decisions.
Tori: When we had Tsurugi-san here, we feel like we can get to the point where we feel stuck. I think he talked a lot with the director behind the monitor about how the fans were cheering, how passionate they were, and how it all came together.
Tsurugi: Like how the nerds hang out (lol).
Tori: Yeah, like in front of the concert hall (lol).
Q: What was the most memorable scene for you?
Tori: The handshake scene with Matsuura-san is very memorable. We started shooting the last scene on the second day, and that was really memorable. It was the last scene with Taiga (Nakano). After we finished, Taiga and I said, "Oh no, we finished the last scene first!" and "Yes, let's work hard from here!". I think that was a good thing because it made us feel like we were ready to go for that last scene.
Tsurugi: I think that last scene will remain in the history of Japanese cinema. I was so surprised when I saw it. I thought that if I were to meet my friend on the street, I would behave like that. I can't talk too much about it because it would spoil the story, but there's a sense of distance. I was really impressed with the actors who were able to create that feeling. Even now, when I remember it, it makes my body shiver.
Q: The bond and friendship between Kozumin (Taiga Nakano) and the members of 恋愛研究会 ( Renai kenkyuukai / Love Research Group?) is a major theme that makes the work shine. The scene at Kozumin's funeral, where everyone sings "Koi-ING" together, was also very moving.
Tori: We practiced that. We sang it together while playing music in the dressing room. We sang it while waiting for the night shoot on the location bus. It was really like a junior high school club activity.
Q: It was like a junior high school club.
Tori: We were all from different generations so, that was interesting.
Yuhane: I thought the scene where everyone takes a bath together was cute and youthful (lol).
Tori: I am surprised how grown-ups could get along so well in a public bath (lol).
Tsurugi: I'm really embarrassed about all the episodes in front of Yamazaki-san. (lol)
Tori: But I really understand this feeling of fun. As we grow older, there are more things we can't do, things we had to give up. But it's fun to be able to do the same things as we did (back then) as an adult.
Tsurugi: The oldest member of Renai kenkyuukai. I think he was 36 or 37 at the time, but he's still like that. I can't believe it! But I'm sure there are people like that among the BEYOOOOONDS fans (lol).
Yuhane: (lol) But through this film, I've been able to see the old Hello!Project and the current Hello!Project. Of course, there are things that haven't changed, but there are also a lot of things that have improved, so I hope it will be a good opportunity for people to get to know us.
Tsurugi: From the original story, I wanted to make it not only nostalgic but also relevant to the present, so as Yamazaki-san said, I hope it will be relevant to the current Hello!Project fans as well. I really feel that that's what the actors and the production staff were able to achieve with this film.
Tori: I think it's really empowering to have a moment when you can be absorbed in what you love, and I think it's a source of energy. I think everyone has their own 'In Those Days'. I hope that this film will give us a chance to immerse ourselves in that time, even if just a little."
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