[C3 CHARAEXPO’16] INTERVIEW WITH AQOURS [LOVELIVE! SUNSHINE!!] [J-EXPERIENCE]

JExperience Uncategorized September 10, 2016 | 0

Aqours (pronounce as ‘aqua’ or ‘a-ku- a’) is a school idol group that was formed in last year. It consists of 9 members:

Chika Takami (CV.: Anju Inami)
Riko Sakurauchi (CV.: Rikako Aida)
Kanan Matsuura (CV.: Nanaka Suwa)
Dia Kurosawa (CV.: Arisa Komiya)
You Watanabe (CV.: Shuka Saito)
Yoshiko Tsushima (CV.: Aika Kobayashi)
Hanamaru Kunikida (CV.: Kanako Takatsuki)
Mari Ohara (CV.: Aina Suzuki)
Ruby Kurosawa (CV.: Ai Furihata)

The new project was announced on February 2015, with the planning details being announced subsequently. The group name, Aqours, was announced in June 28th, with the 3 units – CYaRon, AZALEA and Guilty Kiss, and their group placings – being formed via public voting. Following that, the airing of the TV animation started in Japan from July.

The venue of the project takes place at Uranohoshi Girls’ High, which is located at Numazu, Shizuoka, in the idyllic town of Uchiura.

The second years from Aqours, which includes Anju Inami (voice of Chika Takami), Rikako Aida (voice of Riko Sakurauchi) and Shuka Saito (voice of You Watanabe) were here in sunny Singapore to promote their new anime, Love Live! Sunshine!! , as well as attending as guests in C3 CharaExpo 2016. We got a chance to talk with them, to get to know more about them! Let’s dive right in!

Interview

Self-introduction

Aqours: Pleased to meet you! We are the second year members from Love Live! Sunshine!!
Inami: I am Anju Inami, and I play the role of Chika Takami!
Aida: I am Rikako Aida, and I play the role of Riko Sakurauchi!
Saito: I am Shuka Saito, and I play the role of You Watanabe.
Aqours: Please take care of us!

Q1: What do you think about this event so far? (C3 Chara Expo 2016)

Inami: Today, during our stage event, it was really heart-warming to see so many people attending our event; it was filled all the way out of the hall! I was really excited over it, and I feel really motivated to work even harder in the future.
Saito: This is actually my first time travelling overseas. I was worried whether if there would be people coming to support us. When I saw the reactions from the crowd, I felt really, really happy. For this event, only the 3 of us got to participate. If there is a chance in the near future, I hope that all 9 of Aqours would be able to come together!

Q2: Is there any food that you would like to try in Singapore?

Inami: There is! Which should we try? I would like to try all sorts of food! Kaya toast maybe! What else is there?
Saito: Hainanese Chicken Rice!
All: Yea, chicken rice!

Q3: What is your most memorable scene in the TV Animation aired so far?

Inami: In the first episode, in the scene just before the opening, Chika was narrating and knew that she wanted to shine brightly. I was deeply moved by this scene, and this was definitely the most memorable.

Q4: Is there any similarities with the member you play?

Inami: For me, Chika-chan is a very out-going and cheerful person, yet I am her opposite. In the past, I was a little negative and pessimistic. However, after getting to meet and know Chika, I started thinking more positively and behaving more cheerfully. Instead of thinking about how similar we are, it is more like I started to change and become more like Chika.
Aida: Both Riko-chan and I have a serious nature. Riko has strong beliefs and is very determined. Once Riko has decided on something, she will always do her best to complete it till the end. However, both of us also tend to be a little bit stubborn. These are our similar aspects.
Saito: You-chan is a sporty girl, and she is also very out-going and active person. I think we are very similar on these aspects. Furthermore, we both have a clear-cut behaviour, and are slightly boyish. These are our similarities.

Q5: Do you play School Idol Festival? Who is the best in playing School Idol Festival among the members of Aqours?

Saito: Yes, We do play School Idol Festival. The game is interesting and fun to play! Nanaka Suwa, the voice actress of Kanan Matsuura, is the best player among us. (laughs)

Q6: Among the various activities – such as live streaming, radio, singing or going to event – as Aqours, what left the deepest impression on you?

Inami: Earlier this year on the 11th of January, there was an event in Tokyo, Japan where we first performed together.
Inami: During the event, we performed our first single as a whole team. This is what we found to be the most memorable activity among all our tours that we have done so far.

*Note: The event is called “ラブライブ！サンシャイン!! Aqours スペシャル課外活動みんな準備はできてるかい？～せーのでSUNSHINE!!～”.

(Love Live! Sunshine!! Aqours Special Extra-curricular activities. Is everyone ready? Ready set go SUNSHINE!!)

Q7: Please elaborate on the good points of Love Live! Sunshine!! .

Inami: Firstly, “Love Live! Sunshine!!” is a story about 9 girls, centred on Chika Takami, trying to chase after their common dreams as school idols. In this story, the location is not set in Tokyo but in the countryside of Numazu, Shizuoka prefecture. I find the story – where Aqours try their best to work together towards a common dream, and strive to shine brightly and sparkle as school idols – to be very exciting. Basically, it is a youth story where 9 girls chase after a common dream. However, I feel that this is not the only charming point of the whole show, and I hope that everyone can try to understand the story and to watch Love Live! Sunshine!! .

Message for Singapore fans

Inami: I am really happy that everyone appreciates the event . I will continue to do my best to make it a memorable show and to leave a deep impression in everyone’s mind! I will continue to work hard. So everyone, please continue to support Aqours!
Aida: I will continue to try my very best to make Love Live! Sunshine!! an even better show. I will also continue to work hard so that I will have a chance to come back here again with all the other members of Aqours.
Saito: This is barely our first step for Aqours to appear in public together. I will continue to work hard in all aspects – making Aqours even greater, to deliver better performances and to give everyone a more pleasant experience. Of course, I also hope to have a chance in the future to come back as a group, with all 9 of us together.
Everyone: Thank you very much!

Images: https://www.facebook.com/charaexpo/posts/669489666550144

Aqours are looking set for a bright start with their 2 singles as well as their sub-unit singles and the opening and ending songs!! The Opening – Aozora Jumping Heart – had been will be released on 20th July while the ending – Yume Kataru yori Yume Utaou – will be released on 24th August! We hope that you guys will continue to support them as they try their best to reach their dreams! Don’t forget: Because School Idols make you smile!

*Update: Aqours has already released 8 singles. The Episode 6 & 9 insert songs (9th single) – Yume de Yozora o Terashitai/ Mijuku DREAMER – will be releasing on this coming 14th September!!!

Aqours 1st single – Kimi no Kokoro wa Kagayai Teru Kai? / Aqours