Last Idol - Natalie 1st Single Interview Part 3

*This was originally posted on OneHallyu on Jan. 8th, 2018. Like the other 2 parts, this translation is a bit rough.

"Winning through Battle is your own victory"

-- You all won tough Battles. Why do you think you were chosen?

Yako: How is it...I feel. I'm not very good at singing or dancing. I think that may have been the reason.

Midori: In the case of Yako-chan, you don't need singing or dancing techniques!

Aya: I want to help the mood. The Judges said "I'm attracted to a troubling atmosphere".

-- Haruka's victory as an inexperienced Idol? (*not sure about this).

Airi: Her eyes are sparkling. There is a sparkle like an Idol.

Midori: I personally think it's the farthest from being an Idol. I won't hide it, I will tell you everything (laughs) (*not sure about this).

Yako: However, I'm good at showing myself. I think twitter is amazing. I want to learn by observing.

Midori: Is that true? Thank you!

-- Isn't Airi an Initial Member?

Abe: Her character is intense!

Airi: Eh?! (laughs)

Midori: First of all, look at the eyes. Doesn't she look like Miranda Kerr? She lives in San Francisco.

Yako: Even so, when you say "I don't know" or get confused...

-- Is that a girl's system?

Midori: It's a woman's wording. However, the usage is wrong (laughs).

Aya: But it's a point that comes up.

"Center Abe's Gap"

-- Next is the youngest, Natsumi.

Aya: I think this girl understands her own charm. She says so herself (laughs).

Natsumi: Eh!? I don't know.

Aya: The Judge said "she's 13?".

Natsumi: Eh? what!?

Abe: I can't remember?

Natsumi: Oh, I remember! I was told that "I'm a 13 yr. old mature adult!" Kurata Mayumi said "Oka-san" (laughs)

Yako: Isn't it because the songs chosen were for an older person?

-- On the show you sang "Furimukanaide (Don't turn around)" by the Peanuts, right? Why did you choose that song?

Natsumi: Because I am learning Japanese Dance, I am surrounded by older people. That's why I liked it. Also, the songs from the Showa era are written straight forward and I can feel the message. I like it.

-- Is Aya the oldest?

Yako: Aya has the power of a "Big Sister" that brought everyone together. When she says something, it gives everyone peace of mind.

Midori: There is no leader in Last Idol, but Aya is the one who is most concerned about everyone. Aya gives us all peace of mind, so she is the most essential member of Last Idol.

Aya: So Cute! I want to hug you!

Midori: Eh? Please, restrain yourself (laughs).

-- Last is the Center, Abe.

Natsumi: Her performance is amazing!

Yako: She's been an Idol since 3 yrs. old. Even though she's usually quite, the switch happens when it comes to performance. Even watching it on the monitor, it's overwhelming how amazing it is.

Aya: She won against the Center Member Majima Wakana (now in Someday Somewhere). It's difficult to change the Center. Usually, the image will change drastically (*not sure about the last sentence, so I'll work on it some more before posting it).

Airi: There is also a big gap (*Airi says something strange about 3 cup fulls of wine).

Yako: I love beef jerky, and I have an image that I'm always eating. I also love Cola!

Abe: You've become aware that you have a gluttonous character (laughs).

"I want to listen to someone who has a dream"

-- The long awaited Debut Single "Bandwagon" has been released, and the activities of Last Idol will start from here.

Aya: I can say with confidence that the Debut Single is a really nice production. The lyrics can only be sung by us, and allot of people can relate to them. I think it's a song that can appeal to people who watched the program, as well as those who didn't.

Airi: That's right. If you have a dream, I want you to listen to this song and watch the video too! Allot of people devoted themselves to this song. The MV's Director is Tsutsumi Yukihiko and the Jacket photo was taken by Ninagawa Mika. The Staff and Members made this work without compromise. It is our first important step, so thank you for your continued support!

-- The interview is over. However, it's surprising that the group just formed, but everyone is so close to each other.

Abe: We feel it ourselves. I think we've become equals (*I couldn't quite figure this out).

Midori: Fans often tell us as handshake meetings that "you laugh more than I expected". That program had a serious feeling, didn't it? So, we often had serious facial expressions, but actually the members are cheerful. I think you can understand that (laughs).

https://natalie.mu/music/pp/lastidol/page/3

And that does it. I'm glad I took the time to translate this as best I could. Quite a few things I didn't know about the members, so it was well worth it. I'm going to keep working on the parts that were confusing.

Last Idol - Natalie 1st Single Interview Part 2

*This was originally posted on OneHallyu on Dec. 31st, 2017. Since it was one of my earliest translations, it's a bit rough. I may go back and fix some things.

"The members from Rural Areas. How is their dialect?"

-- Koga-san (Yako) and Yoshizaki-san (Aya) are both from Fukuoka.

Aya: That's right. Actually, we have the same seniors nearby (*I guess they have the same senpai?).

Yako: In the beginning, when we had our first dance lesson together, I got excited when I heard that. You're lying! Do you know them?! (laughs)

Aya: At one time, I aimed to be a model and was enrolled at a local office. The result was't good at all. It was so surprising that we had a connection.

-- Do you two speak with Hakata-dialect often?

Yako: Aya normally uses a standard dialect, but when speaking to me, the Kyushu style returns.

Aya: I'm relieved. Ah, that dear fragrance of Fukuoka (laughs).

Midori: When the two to them are talking, the words of Kyushu transfer to us.

Aya: Really? It comes out?

Yako: I didn't notice at all. I use it unconsciously.

Midori: Because I am from Ehime, it  feels somewhat familiar. I will say "get out" if you notice (laughs).

-- Can I also challenge Midori-san about her local dialect?

Midori: (*She's basically talking about pronunciation)

(*Not sure about this) (Airi)

-- I think there many difficulties until the debut. How do you feel about it now?

Midori: Well, I've exhausted the word "incredible".

-- Because Nagatsuki-san lost once, the return was dramatic, wasn't it?

Midori: In the lyrics of the debut song "I will not be swayed by the Bandwagon", but in fact I keep being swayed (laughs).

Aya: The thing that I feel most strongly about is that it's been so long. About 4 months after the show began, I felt like I wanted to run away, but I could finally debut. Until then, it was really painful. So I tried to share my excitement by saying "we can finally debut!", but except for me, the response was weak (laughs). I was surprised at the response "What do you mean?".

Natsumi: Aya's the only one that cried (laughs).

Airi: That's not right! It didn't feel real. Is still doesn't!

Midori: "It's nice to be here. Is it really over? It feels suspicious" (laughs), so the reaction got weak.

Airi: That program is serious and harsh. My heart died. When the Interim members came down to only Aya and I, I saw our hopes leaving and I cried. Every time there is something happy, my spirit will collapse.

-- Even though you had a hard time, the joy is greater than if the group had debuted normally.

Haruka: I might feel that way.

Airi: I can't say I'd do it all over again (laughs).

"Every time we compete, the light in our eyes shines brighter" (Aya)

​-- In the program, the system allowed the Challenger to nominate their opponent. How does it feel to be nominated in that way?

Natsumi: The first time was scary! Since the girl who nominated me was an Idol and her singing was good, I thought it was dangerous. At the same time, I had a nice feeling. It's strange though. (*Not sure about the last sentence, so I'm leaving it out for now).

Haruka: I also understand. I was relieved because I was nominated at the time "3 Challengers Remain" and was not selected as an opponent at that time (*I thought Haruka did get challenged at the end so there might be an issue with this translation). About a month and a half after becoming a member, I had not been nominated for a long time. I only had one performance and wanted to be nominated early. Even though it's a show about survival, if you cannot confront it, there is no meaning (*I think she means that she wanted to confront it head on and survive another Battle to prove herself).

-- There is a strategy, there was a pattern that some names escape quietly without being nominated, right?

Haruka: At first, I thought so, but when you actually stand there, you wouldn't be able to say that.

Aya: I also wasn't nominated in the beginning. Some of the members that started together had already been nominated 3 times, so I was getting impatient. Because, every time we compete, the light in our eyes shines brighter. After all, it builds confidence. I felt I couldn't debut without being nominated.

Midori: Everyone is preparing so the match up can be decided (*Not sure about the last sentence. Something about being marked if you don't get chosen?).

-- What do you do specifically to prepare?

Midori: Of course, we practice singing and dancing, but comments are also important. Comment preparation...(*She might mean that you don't want to sound similar to other people's comments).

Everyone: (Laughs!)

Midori: Not only the comments, but the expressions when walking down the stairs. We try to give off a sense of intimidation, like "What?". This is a Battle, and when it's over (*the last phrase is confusing).

-- Midori-san is Militant (Laughs).

Airi: Conversely, I was only thinking about comments if I lost (Laughs). My loser comment was perfect. I didn't feel like winning.

-- It's different for everyone, isn't it? On the other hand, when nominating as a Challenger, what criteria did you use to choose your opponent?

Haruka: The difficult thing is that, even if the Interim member has talent, there might not be good compatibility. So when I came out as a Challenger, I chose someone who was similar to me. I chose Yamada Mahiro-chan (now in Someday Somewhere). She's good at dancing so I thought we were similar.

https://natalie.mu/music/pp/lastidol/page/2

Last Idol - Natalie 1st Single Interview Part 1

*This Interview was originally posted on OneHallyu on Dec. 27th, 2017. It's one of the first interviews I attempted to translate, so I got help from User telecasterstripes with some parts I had trouble with.

"The tears and sympathy of 7 people who survived a fierce battle"

Part 1

"At the age of 3, I thought I wanted to become an Idol" (Abe)

-- Please introduce yourself (to all the members), tell me how you felt about auditioning for the program (Last Idol), and about an Idol you admire.

Abe: I first wanted to be an Idol when I was 3 yrs. old because of Morning Musume. I saw live footage and thought "I want to do this!". I particularly liked Tanaka Reina. Soon after that, I got an audition and joined the group mlmi. Eventually, mlmi was renamed to Pax Puella.

-- You are also concurrent with Pax Puella.

Abe: Yes, but everything is different between Pax Puella and Last Idol. The number of the staff and the size of the event we appear at. Even the bento boxes and the way we move is different (laughs). (*When Abe says "the way we move" she means how they travel). But I don't want to quit Pax Puella. Some members have been together for 6 yrs. I feel that I can be in both groups at the same time. Up until now, Pax Puella wanted be come popular but couldn't. With my appearance on Last Idol, I'm hoping for Pax Puella to also gain popularity.

-- I see. So the Idol you admire is named Tanaka Reina?

Abe: Yes, Tanaka was also in Morning Musume. There is member currently in Morning Musume '17 named Ishida Ayumi. When I was in Sendai, we took lesson together. From that time, I really respected her dancing ability.

Aya: In my case, it was Solo Artists like Koizumi Kyoko and Matsuda Seiko. I watched them on a video site and began to admire them very much. I felt that they had strength inside their cuteness, and they're not only active in singing and dancing but in different areas as well... So I wish I can be like that"

Natsumi: I was doing Musicals and I liked singing and dancing. Since anyone could audition on Last Idol, I applied with the courage. I don't know if can say they're an Idol, but I respect Kanda Sayaka. She used to do musicals, so I can't help but pay attention to her. I think she's very cute.

-- If Aya is the Mother, Natsumi is part of the Daughter group?

Aya: Definitely. I've suffered a bit (laughs).

"I want to rise above the ground" (Midori)

​Airi: The reason I applied was because I love Kara. I especially like Nichole and Jiyoung. Nichole is a hard worker. When I went to their concert, Nicole came close to me with the trolley and I saw her feet, I saw marks of her painful practices... When I saw that, I was very touched. That was the first time I realized that idols aren't just shining bright all the time. I thought that it's a difficult job where each person works hard behind the scenes to make everyone smile.

-- Nichole was struggling to learn Japanese as well.

Airi: That's right! And now her Japanese is the best among the members. Her work ethic is really cool. I want to learn from her example.

Midori: The reason I lost weight is because of something that happened when I was part of a different group... One day my fan brought their friends to see me. That person was an avid fan of Nogizaka46. When I found out about that, I suddenly became embarrassed.... My fan was like "This is my bias" and was confident. But when I compared myself with Nogizaka46, no matter how you see it, I'm inferior. Because back then, I was 13kg heavier than now.

-- It's amazing how you were able to lose so much weight.

Midori: I was ashamed. To someone who is familiar with cute Idols, they must have thought "this girl is also an Idol?". At the time, I was a typical underground Idol. I felt like I didn't want to stay in the underground forever. I said that I could not have pride (*Not sure about this) and wanted to rise above the ground.

-- Who is your favorite Idol?

Midori: Nogizaka46's Fukagawa Mai. I am attracted to that gentle atmosphere.

"I ran away" (Yako)

Haruka: I originally liked Idols and I often went to Handshake Meetings and lives. I also collected goods. Then I started to feel like I wanted to shine on my own, but I didn't have the courage to go on an Audition. Last Idol is the first Audition I went on.

-- Whose lines did you go to at the Handshake Meetings?

Haruka: Former AKB48 Oshima Yuko. She always puts in full effort right? Even during performances, you can't see a limit which is amazing, and without realizing it, I'm always chasing after her with my eyes.

Yako: I was born in Fukuoka Prefecture and did a little modeling in High School. But the modeling world is too strict. I can't go to an Audition unless I'm 165 cm. I'm 159 cm so that was my limit (*She might have said, "my legs weren't long enough to reach). There was talk about giving up being a Model and going to a Tokyo Office to become an Actress, but in the end I gave up. I wanted some stability so I joined a Dental Hygienist's School locally.

-- Your legs were long enough to reach after all (*not sure about this)

Yako: No, I ran away. But, I couldn't give up on my dream of working in Entertainment. Since I wanted to be a model in the beginning, I wasn't committed to being an Idol. However, after becoming an Interim Member after winning against Ruka (now in Good Tears), I have to take over her feelings. Besides, when we are holding a Handshake Meeting as an Interim Member (*she says something about a "regular person"). I began to learn how fun it can be to work as an Idol.

https://natalie.mu/music/pp/lastidol