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Maho Channel #19, Guest: Moepi, Aiba Aina Calls

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An important announcement from Kaji Yuuki

To my precious supporters,

With my heart full of gratitude, I’d like to announce the following.

As of today, June 23rd, I, Kaji Yuuki have gotten married to Taketatsu Ayana.

Although we’re still immature, we’ll work hard to become a couple who is worthy of anyone’s support.

At the same time, I’ll learn and grow both as a person and as an actor.   I’ll devote my mind and body to repaying my debts to everyone who has supported me.

From here on, I’ll work to become someone worthy of receiving your guidance and encouragement.

1st year of Reiwa, June 23rd.

Kaji Yuuki

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An important announcement from Ayachi

I have a announcement for everyone who has been supporting.

As of today, June 23rd, I, Taketatsu Ayana have gotten married.

My partner is my fellow seiyuu, Kaji Yuuki.

Despite still being immature, I would like to build a warm family, which is overflowing with smiles.

From starting this profession up till today, I have been blessed with many different connections, many wonderful experiences as an actress and I am very grateful.

From here on, I’ll give it my all to grow and surpass myself both as a seiyuu and as an actress.

I’d be blesssed if If you could watch over me warmly.

1st year of Reiwa, June 23rd.

Taketatsu Ayana

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Dear everyone, from Mimori Suzuko’s Line Blog 2019/4/12

Dear everyone, I beg your pardon, but I have a personal matter, At this time, I'd like to announce that I have entered a family registry with New Japan Pro-Wrestling’s Okada Kazuchika. As a person, I'm still immature but, like my mother, I want to work hard to become a woman who can support a bright, fun and warm family. And, as Mimori Suzuko, the artist, I will continue devoting myself to the craft and try to aim for even greater heights. Everyone, truly, thank you for all your continued support. Mimori Suzuko

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Suwawa’s interview from Seiyuu Animedia - 09/18

From the September 2018 issue of Seiyuu Animedia.

Breaking through our anxiety was due to everyone’s growth.

Q: Good job with the 3rd Live tour.  Frankly, how do you feel now?

A:  Well it was fast!  It ended in a blink of an eye.  It was big that there was barely a week between finishing in the Metlife Dome till we were at Osaka Castle Hall.

Q: What do you feel changed between the 1st and 2nd Live tours?

A: This time there were barely any MC portions in the 2nd half of the show.  Aqours has an image that they have a lot of MC sections so that was rare.

Q: How was the stage performance?

A: Going through 5 songs without changing costumes was a first, I think it was an interesting challenge.  But the jacket for the costume for “Mirai no Bokura ha Shitteru yo” is long sleeved, it was really hot!  Even dancing in a t-shirt is hot, so going crazy dancing in long sleeves for 5 songs was a bit much! (lol)

Q: Could you tell us the songs that left an impression during the first half of the performance?

A: It’d have to be “Miracle Wave”.  Anju worked really hard for the back flip.  During rehearsals and she practiced by herself after we were done.  Watching her, it was more like ‘I want her to succeed’ rather than ‘I want her to try her best’.

Q: After “Miracle Wave” on the first day of the you hugging Inami-san left an impression.

A: Actually, I wanted to go over to her as soon as she did the backflip.  But we had to keep dancing so I held myself back (lol).  I definitely think the rest of the cast felt the same way.  It felt like everyone’s movements were pumped up.

Q: You performed “Sakanakanandaka?”

A: Performing solo at an Aqours show was fresh.  I was wondering how it would feel, but because I was performing the 2nd day I was able to imagine the atmosphere on stage would be like from watching everyone’s performances.  Mari was up before me.  Her song was was quite emotional,  with everyone thinking that was the end and with my song about wanting to become a fish.  It was an interesting setlist, wasn’t it?

Q: Being your first solo performance, were you able to have fun singing?

A: It was fun!  It was fun and mysterious, being able to stand among everyone waving Kanan’s image color.  I think it’s quite an experience you can’t really get anywhere else.

Q: Could you give us some insight on your choice to use a baton for your song?

A: When you hear this song, the first thing you imagine is being in front of Kanan’s house and going into the sea.  The second thing you imagine is playing with all your friends from the sea and returning back to reality, so I thought I wanted to use a baton somewhere in there.  I used a real baton to practice at first, but it was super heavy.  It wasn’t that I couldn’t throw it and catch it, but I were to drop it or it fell on myself, or flew into the seats it’d be dangerous, so I changed to using a cute baton instead.

Q: How do you think the reaction was?

A: I think it left an impact! It looked simple but it was hard.  I couldn’t use it well so I thought about giving up,  I was worried about actually using it in the performance or not.  So I ended up taking it home to practice, I was relieved when I was able to make it through to the end.

Q: Well then, could you tell us which songs from the 2nd half left impressions at all the tour venues?

A: “Awaken the power”.  It was fresh to perform with Saint Snow.

Q: Was there a different feeling to perform with 11 people instead of the usual 9?

A: Yeah.  I had the sensation that, “We have a different voice than the normal Aqours!”.  At first it was a mysterious feeling, but before I knew it I was having fun with that.

Q: How was the fan reaction?

A: Everyone’s calls felt great.  Especially all the people sitting near the center of the stage, I could see them getting excited and I got a lot of power from them!

Q: Could you tell us a bit about the encore?

A: It was happy to perform the full version of “Yuki ha doko ni? Kimi no mune ni!” for the first time.  Furthermore, everyone sang along with us.  Also, being so close to everyone while riding on the carts.  It was especially amazing at Osaka Castle Hall.  It felt like I was close enough to reach everyone when just reaching out.  When we were rehearsing, some of the cast were in the stands and we said to each other “I can touch you!” (lol).

Q: Again, looking back at the 1st and 2nd live tours, do you think you have grown?

A: The weird sense of eagerness has gone away.  For the 2nd live tour, the opening of the first song “Happy Party Train” was Kanan so I was really nervous.  But the 3rd tour, the first part is Chika so I feel a bit liberated.  It’s not quite growth, but I think it was a big change.

Q: Are there any aspects Aqours has grown in?

A: Honestly, before we started the 3rd tour, I was worried about whether or not we could really pull off the setlist.  For example, could we really make it with barely any rest until “Miracle Wave”?  And for the 5th song “Kimi no kokoro ha kagayaiteru kai?” there’s some leapfrogging in the choreography…… Being so tired, could we really pull it off? Is what I thought, but in reality we were able to pull it off without any trouble at for the first day at the Metlife Dome, so I wonder if this was a sign of how much we had all grown.

Q: Aqours raises the hurdle every time, but you guys make it over every time.

A: It’s due to everyone’s hard work.  For me I just ride that momentum (lol).  Unexpectedly, I was negative up until right before the performance.  For the performance I don’t have any other choice so I just have to go for it.  And then, I just hoped I could make everyone watching happy.  I tried my hardest with that in mind.

Q: And finally, could you give us a highlight point of Aqours’ shows?

A: For all the tours so far, there’s definitely been a new challenge.  The songs are obviously going to differ, but what we show, the production, our ability to perform, all these things keep changing and growing.  I think that having different highlights for every show is Aqours’s strength.

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Rikyako’s interview from Seiyuu Animedia - 09/18

From the September 2018 issue of Seiyuu Animedia.

It was a tour where you demonstrated the essence of Aqours.

Q: What kind of concert was the 3rd Live to you, Aida-san?

A: Like the 1st Live, this live also shouldered the story from the anime and it felt like it was packed with new challenges.  Anchan’s backflip in “Miracle Wave”, everyone’s solo songs, the joint performance with Saint Snow, more was asked of us than ever before and pressure came along with that.  It was nervous up until we finished all our performances.

Q: The concert followed the anime (‘s story) and there were a lot of costume changes too.

A: Including the encore, there were 6 outfits.  There were outfits that we only wore for one song too, in addition to that, depending on the day there were solo songs too so backstage was nuts (lol).  Personally, I liked the costume from “Mirai no Bokura ha Shitteru yo”  We wore it for some performances and fan meetings before, it was the first song for this performance and it was the first time singing the full version, so there was kind of a fresh feeling that went with it that I hadn’t experienced before.  I also found that I got used to wearing different costumes depending on each production.

Q: Well then, what left an impression on you during your performances?

A: Truthfully, everything (lol).  If I had to give an answer “WATER BLUE NEW WORLD”.  When I was the anime I thought to myself, “can we really replicate in a show?”.  She changes costumes in the middle of the song, her skirt turns into wings?! (lol).  But thanks to everyone’s ideas, we were able to pull it off, I got the feeling through our performance that, if we combine everyone’s power, there isn’t anything we can’t do, which is the essence of Aqours.

Q: The fan’s reaction when the feathers floated through the air was amazing.

A: Was it?  I was so desperate I didn’t have the leeway to see everyone’s reactions (lol).  Well, afterwards I watched a video, and watching the countless feathers dance through the air and seeing everyone’s penlights going nuts.  I was so moved I started tearing up, even thinking about now is making me tear up a little (lol).  On the other hand, I was afraid.  Letting your guard down makes it easy to make mistakes, I kept telling myself that “I have to do this by clinging on to some nerves up until the very end”, speaking of getting emotional, the 2nd season digest during the intermission!  Even though I’m supposed to know what happened already I got a little teary eyed (lol).

Q: Did the cast get to watch that video to?

A:  During standby, everyone was staring at the screen (lol).  Because the end of the video leads into our appearance on stage, it’s easier to create the right mood.  Especially for “Miracle Wave” I thought, “Chika-chan’s about to fly!”.  With the end of the video, I felt like we were able to stand on stage with the same feelings as the anime Aqours.

Q: Speaking of replicating the anime, we were finally able to see Saint Aqours Snow’s “Awaken the power” in person.

A: I was really happy having a joint performance with Saint Snow.  In reality, our first joint performance with them was at “Saint Snow PRESENTS LOVE LIVE! SUNSHINE!! HAKODATE UNIT CARNIVAL”.  At that time I was overwhelmed by their powerful impression.  That happening made me feel, “Like hell we’re gonna lose!”, in that way, during the 3rd Live I felt like Saint Snow really fired up our motivation.

Q: So it really felt like they were both friends and rivals.

A: I really think that.  When we’re in the studio it feels a bit lonely without the 2 members of Saint Snow (lol).  That’s how irreplaceable they are.

Q: How was your solo song “Pianoforte Monologue”?

A:  I was nervous!  Because it was my first time performing solo I was really afraid at the beginning.  Being that I’m not great at either singing or dancing, will I be really okay by myself?  But I wanted to repay the debt to all the fans who supported Riko-chan’s performances, over everything else, if I was able to enjoy the performance, it would definitely get through to everyone and I sang while holding on to that precious feeling.

Q:  Was the costume your idea?

A:  Yep.  It was the outfit that Riko-chan wore for the piano competition in season 1.  I thought if I ever had a chance to sing a solo, I’d definitely wear that outfit, the solo song itself uses piano as a motif so, “I can’t wear anything else, can I?” (lol).  I also thought that the fans would be expecting that costume for a performance, so I was happy to be able to fulfill that dream of mine.  

Q:  The piano-playing like choreography  was also wonderful.

A:  I really worried about what kind of performance I wanted to do.  The fans wanted me to play piano again, but it wasn’t something I could simply decided by myself.  There was also idea for me to pretend to play, but that really isn’t Riko-chan, and I also played live during the first live, so I didn’t want to deceive anyone.   But I wanted to answer everyone’s feelings and that’s how the idea of choreography that emulated piano playing came up.   If I was able to show Riko-chan relaxed and having fun playing on stage with video of piano keys in the background, I felt like I’d be able to show a side of Riko-chan we hadn’t seen before.  In addition, when I was working with our choreographer she suggested “outside of the hooks, why don’t you try showing what’s in your heart?”, so I thought of almost all of the movements and they let me perform freely.

Q:  Is that proof that Aida-san has matured?

A:  I wonder (lol). It’s just, for every show and event, I decided to find something I have trouble with and conquer it.  For this tour, it was my expressions on stage and my singing voice.  I also have bad stage fright, there’s a lot of stuff I do in practice which I can’t get a hold of during our performances.  I’m working hard to be able to show the results of my training no matter how nervous I am.  Whether I’ve grown or not is something others feel so I don’t have a good idea myself.  If the fruits of my labour took shape, I’d be really happy.

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Anchan’s interview from Seiyuu Animedia - 09/18

From the September 2018 issue of Seiyuu Animedia.

I was most nervous for the first song out of our setlist.

Q: First, what are your thoughts looking back on the 3rd live tour.

A: First of all, above everything else, I was really happy to be able to experience things through Chika’s perspective.  Continuing the 2nd tour, I was very happy to be able to go to various places and perform.  Personally, I was really nervous since we started rehearsing.  But after we successful performance at the Metlife Dome, I was relieved.  I was able to relieve all the tension and I was able to enjoy the remaining performances.

Q: What do you mean you were nervous during rehearsal?

A: These concerts followed along with season 2 of the anime, so the songs from season 2 were the focus of the concert.  One one hand “I’m happy to be able to perform these songs with everyone” on the other hand, there was pressure from not being used to the songs.  I couldn’t really calm down until the end of the first performance at the Metlife Dome.

Q: I see, do you remember the MC portion on the first day?

A: I said, “I’m back!”, didn’t I?  It was the same place as the final day of the 2nd tour.  It’s like a dream come true to be able to perform at such a big venue again.  I think being able to say “I’m back” somewhere other than Numazu is pretty blessed.  Also, the feeling that everyone was waiting got through to us, so I ended up yelling that out (lol).

Q: What was your state of mind the moment “Mirai wo Bokura ha Shitteiru yo” started?

A: Honestly speaking, I was at MAX nervousness during that opening (lol). We’d performed the song a few times before, but this was the first time we did it in full and there’s also my solo, so I just got more and more nervous.  I also had the feeling that we needed to give everyone a feeling that the concert started and we wanted to do it with a bang.  I also worried, “What happens if I get too into it and my voice betrays me?” (lol).

Q: Well, once the song was over were you able to calm down a bit?

A: I guess (lol). Since the falling hook [song term, idk] is Chika’s solo, I wasn’t able to relax till the very end, with that, after I finished singing, I thought “yes! We made it through the first song!” and it felt like a burden off my shoulders (lol).

Q: Chika’s “One More Sunshine Story” was the top batter on the first day of the 2 day concert.

A: Yep.  With that I had a strong feeling that “I’m passing the baton to everyone!”.  On the other hand, after my turn I was able to simply enjoy everyone’s solos.  “Hanamaru’s cute!” “Yohane’s here!” “Riko-chan’s so pretty!” (lol).

Q: A complete fan’s POV (lol).

A: For real! (lol).  But viewing them objectively like that, my thoughts and loves for Aqours grows stronger.  Everyone’s outfit and performance differs, it gives you a sense of Aqours’ individual personalities.  Given that, it makes me feel that all these personalities gathering to become really gives birth to something amazing.

Q: Chika’s costume was cute.

A: Thank you!  A lot of thought went into it. “Should we make this solid mikan-colored?” (lol).  There are a lot of cute Chika-like elements incorporated into the costume.  Chika wears a BIG ribbon in “Mirai Ticket” and “Yume de Yozora wo Terashitai” right?  I love that Chika-chan.  So I had them include a hair ribbon for my solo costume!

Q: Were there other costumes you liked?

A: “Miracle Wave”.  While I love shocking pink, I liked big heart with Aqours written in it across the chest, despite it being so basic.  I was happy because we hadn’t had a costume like this one before.

Q:  Speaking of “Miracle Wave”, you showed us all a backflip.  I think those acrobatics were a highlight of the concert.

A:  Of course I was happy from all the applause from the fans at the venue, but on the first day when I landed the backflip and seeing everyone in the members crying and being happy for me made me very happy.  Truth is, I wasn’t able to tell everyone I was going to challenge this up until the very end of rehearsals.  I didn’t want to worry everyone, until I got it down perfectly, I thought I would persist by myself.  Truthfully, there were times it felt like I was going to break.  But in the end I safely did it and hearing “I’m glad” from all the fans and the members made me glad I went for it.

Q:  After you jumped you said, “Chika flew!  This is the power of Aqours!” didn’t you?

A:  I said it (lol).  If I succeeded, I decided I’d definitely say “Chika flew!” I wanted to convey the happiness from Chika’s success and I also wanted to express some of the dialogue that I have with Chika within me.  So that line was spoken both to Chika-chan and to myself.  And “This is the power of Aqours!” was something for the members.  In the first place, attempting a backflip all came from Chika doing it in the anime.  If she did it, there was no way that I wouldn’t.  But if I were to do it, I definitely didn’t want to worry or sadden the members.  Despite myself, I’m the leader after all (lol).  On the other hand, I did want to see everyone happy so I stepped up to the challenge.  Even with that reason, success was a result of the feelings of our 9 members, without a doubt it was due to the power of Aqours.

Q: The sense of unity of all 9 of you was expressed clearly throughout the entire show.

A:  I’m happy to hear that. Throughout the tour, from what we showed at all the different venues, I got the impression that “Wow, Aqours can really do all these different things”.  At the same time,  it was a tour wher I felt everyone’s warmth and sense of unity strongly.  When Saint Snow came on to all the cheering.  When those two were worried with, “I wasn’t sure if you’d welcome us”, I thought, “There’s no way they wouldn’t get excited with such a cool unit coming on stage” (lol), and the fans cheered for them beyond my imagination.  Seeing that, it even made me happy.  Really, through this tour, I’ve come to like everyone more and more!

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It feels like I’ve arrived at another with work, so a little story about me.

I got a real sense of how so many people have supported me to let me shine on stage.

Because of that, each and every line from Starlight echoes inside me.

Since it’s night time, it’s kind of a serious story.

Like nagashi soumen, I’ll let it flow smoothly!

Thank you always.

During my third year of middle school,

As I graduated from the idol group “Sakura Gakuin” I said, “I’ll become a BIG actress.”

But truthfully at that time, I finally came to love singing and dancing so I didn’t want to quit.

But right now, I’m not at the level a pro should be.  During that dilemma “Quit” is what the I chose as a 3rd year.

Of course, I really act that time I really loved acting too - but there was a huge disparity between other actresses in my generation who focused on song and dance - I didn’t know what to do.

And now, so many fans are watching me doing them all - acting, my beloved song and dance - to a degree I could have never imagined. I’m grateful for and really appreciate the importance of the word “detour”.

Ahhhh, dear past me, I’m having a lot of fun right now!

「終わりは始まり」- an end is a beginning

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Good evening. . January ended before I knew it. It went by fast, didn't it. . Experiencing lives through various roles, Feeling these astonishing worlds, Living within all these works. . Passing through this I, myself, met many people. And got to know them . 18, 19, 20, 21 . The next landscape I see, I'm excited for what scenery charms me next, although I'm scared, I'll make that step forward. Now, that's how I feel. . The smiles and words of those around me have been my motivation. What I've been moooooost happy about. . Because of that, since when I've been able to transform into a bright, positive man once again. . More! Earnestly! I want to be able to convey "thank you". . Starting tomorrow Devoting myself every day I'm aiming to be a positive man in every way. lol . That said, please watch over me warmly.

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Thanks to shukamod, Chezz on the /r/LoveLive Discord and a few people on the Japanese-English Language Exchange Discord for helping transcribe and figure out Pile’s handwriting.

Page 1:

Writing a letter like this really makes me feel like, “it has been a while, huh.” FINAL LOVE LIVE! ended one year ago today.  It feels like it went by really fast. For some reason, ever since the performance at Saitama Super Arena I haven’t been able to write, before I knew it, it had already been 2 years.

There was still a lot of coverage after FINAL LOVE LIVE! Ended, I think I’ve had a chance to tell my story at various places.  

It was 6 years where I was busy every day.  I really was able to receive so many experiences. Right now those days are already a little nostalgic.

In the beginning I had no experience as a voice actress so I was really anxious. Having to be someone else on top of being shy, so I wasn’t able to do it well.  But, now no matter where or who I meet, I have truly fun and relieving people called members. Looking at how energetic and outgoing they were, I couldn’t help but think: that’s amazing, this is really fun, I can’t lose!

For the members who I’ve caused plenty of trouble for… I have nothing but gratitude.

Truth is, one time, if I really think about it now, I don’t really know why I turned out like this but, we had rehearsals daily as the concert approached, our time spent rehearsing became very long.  After the performance at Saitama Super Arena, I went from feeling fired up to feeling empty. After the latter half our rehearsals, Maki-chan didn’t have anyone other than me. It’s something to be grateful for, but it became a heavy responsibility, I ended up forgetting my tenacity, it was like my feelings became cut off.  At that time, despite it all, I have nothing but gratitude for the members who accepted me.  For someone who lives at their own pace, it might have been impossible for my heart to keep up with those bewilderingly wonderful days.  The year after that passed by in a flash.  The Tokyo Dome performance came up in a flash.  Two days where we scrambled around.  That’s the summary of that dream-like year.  In an instant, really, the concert was mixed with so many different feelings that it became difficult to recall.

Because it has been a year now, I can finally reflect like this again.

Anyways, it was a wonderful view. It was a wonderful period.  It was a wonderful space.

When we finally lined up, shoulder to shoulder, without a doubt, my 6 year-old feelings and the member’s different feelings were there.  For me “no way!’s” have piled up over these 6 years (lol) for all of you who have supported me over these 6 years, I’m truly grateful. [Note: “No way” as in unbelievable i.e. “A: Maki just confessed to Nico.  B: No way!]

Page 2:

And I’m really glad that I met Maki-chan.

From meeting her, I’ve been given a lot of experiences.  I’ve been brought along to various performances.  I’ve been shown various scenery.

To me, that Maki-chan is a precious, precious existence.

If she didn’t exist, I don’t think I would have been able to continue with music till now.

Because she was pushing me from behind, I’ve been able to endure till now.

Frankly, her presence might’ve been too great…I’ve thought that before, despite that because she was here Pile could be here.

I’ve earnestly thought, from here on, in order to not lose to the one who was pushing me along, in order to let everyone know about Pile, I want to give it my all.

“From here on, please take care of me even more, after all there’s no way we could be separated!”

That’s right, huh? Seriously, please take care of me from now on. This time I want to show her the scenery, like she showed me when we met.

I wonder if I’ve been preparing for the past year up till today.  It’s a passing of the baton.  This time, I’m going try my hardest so I can show you all.

I’m grateful to all of you who were able to make me feel this way.

Please take care of me from now on!!

P.S.  Thanks. Sorry my handwriting sucks.