*This is a translation I did in January 2018. I'm reposting it for archiving purposes.
This Interview with Mirin was posted on Natalie back in November 2017, but I didn't have a chance to translate it until now. I did my best, but it's not perfect, so I tried to indicate where I thought I made mistakes.
It's been decided that Dempagumi.inc will perform a one-man live for the first time in about 11 months at Osaka-jo Hall on Dec. 30th. On December 31st that day, the group will also appear on "COUNTDOWN JAPAN 17/18" and will showcase full-scale live performances to Hisabusa in front of fans.
At the Nippon Budokan live performance in January of this year, the group tearfully announced to fans that there were no plans for future lives on the stage of Budokan. (see: "Dempagumi .inc will not give up" they're determination to return to Budokan in the future for the 2nd time). In addition, member Mogami Moga announced her withdrawal from the group in August which drew allot of attention.
(*Dempagumi.inc will not give up' is linking an article that was written about the Live at Budokan in Jan. 2017)
It seemed to be a situation where, by no means, it could be said it was smooth sailing for Dempagumi.inc in 2017, but what was the actual situation? As the time draws near for restarting Live activity, the groups Center, Furukawa Mirin, shares her feelings.
"Friends become companions"
--Approximately ten months have passed since Nippon Budokan performance on January 20th this year. Looking back on the past year, how is it?
If I take a break, I've thought I could effectively use 150%, but I couldn't do it much. I ended up with a mess and I rarely left my house when I was not working (laughs).
--You said at the Budokan MC "I won't give up on Dempagumi.inc whatever happens", but on the contrary, that remark made me feel like their were problems in the group and had no choice but to give up. What was the situation of Dempagumi.inc at that time?
Well, after all, it is a group of six people with strong individuality ... so what do you say, everyone has different opinions and directions, so I think that it is good to do that separately. I said it before, this is why I think it's interesting as a group. It was just that the feelings of all these years came and it wasn't until now that I got lost. (*Not sure about the last sentence)
--It was not the atmosphere of 6 people united.
That's right. However, all of the members still love Dempagumi.inc, and we absolutely wanted the group to be famous. The goal should be the same. So we had allot of conversations. I myself hate that kind of thing "let's talk individually" (laughs). I'm the type who's like "The small things are good! Let's do it for now!", so it's rare to participate in a discussion. But I cried after all and there were things I couldn't convey well, so I wondered, if I said something more, would it have changed.
--From the people who don't know the circumstances, there's a rumor that there was a disagreement.
That was said allot. Originally, I haven't thought that Dempagumi.inc are very good friends. Rather than "friend" something like "comrades" sounds better. Everyone has their own vision, and in co-operating towards that, perhaps everyone thinks something like "If the power of six people combines, it becomes greater". While running nonstop for many years together, I'd say "lets sell!" and sometimes there was conflict. Such a relationship might create problems. Perhaps it might be different from the image of intimate friends that the fans have. But all 6 people have the same goal, and there is not doubt we will progress towards it.
"Dempa will absolutely never end"
--During the MC of the Budokan performance, including the members who were crying, it felt like there was an uneasy atmosphere floating in the air. Do you remember that time?
"Eh, what's this?" "Is this a dissolution announcement?" it was like that kind of atmosphere. However, since that was the last Dempagumi.inc Live, and it might have been the last live, it would be unavoidable to think that way.
--That means future plans were not visible?
Yes. But I did that with the feeling that "Dempa will absolutely not end". I was thinking about it all the time. So I also said that "I do not have any plans for live ahead" on the premise that I will definitely do the next live.
--Did you tell the members in advance that you would talk about it?
I did not intend to talk about suspending live activity at first, but about 2 days before the live, but it was definitely about two days before the live, I consulted with the members. I said "Since the suspension has already been decided, I would like to report it to all the fans properly. I will say this and to look forward to the next live." So, everyone said "We think that's good. Pleas do it Mirin-chan".
--At that time, did the office staff say something?
Since the subject of the talk was left up to the members, after speaking with the members, I told the Chief Manager, they said they understood, and that was it.
--In the MC, you also said "I will try my best to return to the stage with six people".
That's right. I cannot keep that word ... hmm. So when Moga-chan retired, I wrote on Twitter "I'm sorry that the live performance with six people does not come true".
"Moga and I are similar"
--Moga wrote in her blog at the time of her withdrawal that she was unable to balance both mind and body, so it would be difficult to continue with Dempagumi.inc this way.
I knew Moga was a very passionate person after all. (*She says "atsui", but is sounds more like she means "passion" instead of "hot"). That's a human emotion I don't have. For example, if a friend is hurt badly, she would use all her power to go for help. I can't do anything like that so I think she's amazing. That's part of her charm. That's why I thought that her withdrawal was the result of that part of the human heart.
--The impression of 5 yrs. spent as 6 people is strong, but in 2011 Atobe Miu-chan withdrew and Moga and Pinky (Fujisawa Ayane) joined the group.
That's right. In fact, up to now, members have joined and graduated repeatedly.
--Were you able to immediately sort out your emotions when Moga withdrew?
There are other members here, so to be honest, I had a strong feeling that I want to move forward quickly! Before we forget about the fans. I thought that I can't stop because of Moga-chan. So at the end of the year, we started talking about the Osaka Live, and we decided "let's do it!"
--Mirin-chan always seems to have the feeling "I must do it soon.
It's said "I'm always in a hurry" (laughs). Maybe my job is my hobby. How to increase live mobilization (*Not sure the if "mobilize is the best translations for "douin"). I like talking and thinking about how to make a cool live.
--As a matter of fact, I think Mirin and Moga have the same mindset.
We are a little similar, Moga and I.
--The Vector is a little different, but the amount of passion you have is the same.
That's often said. I know what she's thinking. We think "That's right" about allot of things. However, that way of communicating is probably different, but the principle is the same.
"There was a night when I cried"
--There's a rough impression, Moga-chan is a person who emotions are very important to while Mirin-chan has an image of person that is not bothered by emotions.
Probably. My emotions don't move very much. I'm the type that's like "It's fine, let's do it anyway", "Please practice if you have time". To be in my current occupation, to be in a really blessed environment, I guess I have not choice but to do it.
--What was the situation that the Live could not be done?
I really thought "What if I can't do a live like this?". Not being able to see the previous vision is the most stressful thing. So, in fact, this past year was really depressing and there was a night when I cried. I was seriously thinking "There's no demand for me anymore" and "I wonder what I should do if Dempa is over?".
--As a result, you went into a state of withdrawal.
I pulled away, didn't I. There was no place in the room to stand and there are remains of Cup Ramen and Mandarin Orange skins. I was really terrible (laughs). It was like a room you withdraw to paint. I thought "it isn't usable like this". Nothing could move.
(*Mirin basically says she became a shut in and stuff had piled up. This is a pretty literal translation so it sounds a bit weird. The last 2 sentences were confusing, but this the best I could come up with)
--Even though Dempagumi.inc didn't have any lives during that time, there were still opportunities to appear in front of fans, including fan club events and a collaboration project with Sanrio Puroland.
But I thought all of them are made up with a Dempagumi.inc Live. All the Fans said "It was fun", but make no mistake, everyone absolutely wants to see a Live. Performing Live is the main purpose of the group, so it was a painful feeling.
(*Not sure if the first sentence is correct. I think she might mean that the new Live makes up for fans having to settle for other things)
--Mirin-chan talks particularly about the rule of live supremacy and has a strong sense about having a stage.
I don't have anything to be proud of to people, but the one thing I have confidence in is that Dempagumi.inc's lives are well liked. "If I sing Solo" then it's really going to die, but "Performing Live with Dempagumi.inc" then it absolutely will be fine. If fans watch, it will give me confidence. So the feeling that I should not stop doing Lives was strong.
--The Osaka-jo Hall performance on Dec. 30th is coming up soon. Tell me how you feel about it now.
Maybe I don't care what kind of live it is. I think it will be divided into people who think "Oh, it was better in the past" and "that was really good! Let's go again". How much you can increase the number or people who think it was good is the challenge, so it's a really important live in that sense.
--Are you confident?
Yes. All the member are practicing hard now and everyone is very motivated. I'm saying more and more "I want to do this, I want to do it". I'm kind of having an emotional crisis, but even though I'm anxious, I'm doing my best.
--Do you still have concerns?
I do. It's about whether you can accept it. But I'd like to have a nice live and make everyone happy and I think I can do it.
--Are you having any trouble with practicing?
Of course, it's difficult to change what you've grown accustomed to. We will change the formation of the songs and dances we've done with 6 people.
--For fans, there may be a feeling like "the phrase of this song will be played with the voice of Moga".
Yes, I think there will be many moments during the Live where fans will go "Eh?" They will definitely remember Moga-chan and that feeling is the same with us as well (*Not sure about this). It's been really difficult to change the image up to now, but I want you to see the new Dempagumi.inc.
"Mirin became the real Center"
--Do you feel something when rehearsing and photographing under the new system?
Due to the odd number of members, when I'm asleep, in my dreams I say "Mirin finally became a real center" (laughs). (*I'm not sure if she's supposed to be saying this to herself in her sleep or other people are saying it)
--Certainly, it was an even number up to now, so the standing position when lined up was off center.
Personally, I haven't gotten used to it yet. When I'm finally standing in the middle of the real thing, it'll probably look something like "I'm sorry" (laughs).
--Do you feel like you're going to pull everyone in more as the Center?
Oh, no. I don't think that Dempagumi.inc is a group that 1 person can pull people in. Everyone is going to try and show their individuality. In Ghost in the Shell, they say "Team Play does not exist. If there is one, it is only Team Work comes from Stand Play". (*I don't remember much dialogue from Ghost in the Shell, so I'm not sure what she's referring to here). Which way is it? I'm doing it with that kind of feeling.
--Is the condition of the group good now?
Yes, it is. Everyone is really having fun. In the past year, everyone has had allot of personal projects. Eitaso (Naruse Eimi) practiced a play and Risa-chan (Aizawa Risa) started a brand. But that is the strength of dempagumi.inc, so I think it's a good thing.
(*I'm not sure what Eimi did last year. I couldn't find any info about a play. I did see an article about some voice acting she did, so I don't know if that's it. Mirin's referring to Risa's Fashion Brand, Memuse)
--Well then, it seem you can fulfill the promise of "Each person will come back with power" that you made at Budokan.
Yes. I was somewhat absent-minded (laughs), however I think I came back with some kind of skill, so I think I can show you a Dempagumi.inc that has improved our fighting power.
"The Stage is set, so the rest is up to us"
--When you hear the talk, the expectation for the end of the year will come up.
Yes, it's good to have expectations. The costumes will be new and we are thinking about the set list. We're discussing over and over "here is good, and there is good".
--What is the set list going to be?
After all, since it will be the first live in a long time, I am considering the best song selection, member's favorite songs, and songs that will make fans happy.
--Is the W.W.D Series still sealed?
That's right. It's a painful thing, but as you said, it can't be helped. Of course you know, it's a signature song, so I feel bad about that. I also feel like WWDBEST was a song made by putting our minds together, so we can't perform it that much live.
(*I'm not sure why they can't perform WWD)
--By the way, I heard that the Osaka-jo Hall performance has already sold out.
For me, it finally feels likes I'm "standing at the starting line" again. The stage is ready, so it's up to us. However, I think it will be a good Live. Something like that is on my mind.
--I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of Live the new Dempagumi.inc system will show us.
I want to make a Live so that Fans who say "what will happen?" will be pleased. After all, I get the most pleasure from people, and performing Live will continue that (*She could mean, I like it the most when people are happy). I want to sing and announce something with happiness. That's why I couldn't make a pleasant announcement at Budokan. I was regretful, so I cried that time. But perhaps, from the end of the this year into the next, I think Dempagumi.inc can make allot of happy announcements. We're looking forward to it.
My take away from this:
- I'm a fan of Dempagumi.inc, but I don't follow their month to month activities, so I didn't know they had suspended Lives a year ago. I had no idea how uncertain the future of the group was.
- When Moga announced she was leaving, people naturally wondered why she didn't have a graduation concert. Now it makes sense. Since Dempa weren't performing live and were on hiatus, there was no way to do one. The Osaka-jo Hall concert wasn't something that was planned at the time so I don't think they could have put something together on such short notice. The show at Budokan was essentially her farewell, so it's a great way to go out.
- Dempagumi.inc revealed 2 new members last month, but Mirin didn't say anything about that in the Interview. Maybe she wanted to keep it quiet since new members can be polarizing to fans, especially since the line up had been stable for so long.
