odorekijin

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

Rubileo’s workload is expanding quickly, huh! (laugh)

Of course, there’s plenty of talents out there, but the more activities they do, the closer they are to the office - it really felt like it was Gan-chan’s time to shine!

Gan-chan is basically unshakeable, so it was interesting to see how he interacted with Haiji in a way that reaffirmed his maturity over him.

Q2. This is your second drama CD volume as part of Rubileo. Have your impressions of your own character or the band members changed since last time? Were there any points that you were especially conscious of when acting?

Gan-chan himself hasn't changed much, but I got the impression that he had more lines in which he asked Akane and the others to trust in him more than before.

Gan-chan's approach to his talents’ management has become more intimate, and the group is able to respond immediately, without hesitation, which makes me think that this story reinforced the good side of their pride.
The most important part of this role was to create a sense of proximity, even as a manager.

Q3. In this volume, Rubileo shot their CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

If I’m shooting in groups, the staff will raise the light position to their maximum capacity as my turn comes. ”Komada disrupts the flow of the shoot because of his height” (laugh). If they don’t, they soon realise “Huh! The light doesn’t even reach his face!”, I must apologize for the trouble...

Q4. In the imagine of Rubileo going to a sushi-go-round, what is the first thing you would order at a sushi bar?

As a starter, seared salmon, of course! To finish off the meal, I’d lean more towards steamed shrimps, spot prawns, and tiger prawns.

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

This is a six-volume series, with CDs being released monthly, carefully created with keen consideration for the story in a way that gives the characters proper development throughout the three volumes. I think this is what makes DIG-ROCK and each of their bands stand out.

I hope you will discover and listen carefully to them, anticipating what kind of ideas they will develop in the future, the kind of work and troubles they will have to face.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

This time, we got to know Haiji a little better: as Satou-san said, we got a glimpse of Haiji’s way of thinking, his weaknesses, when alone. But most importantly, Mashiro was sexy! We learned a lot about coolness and adult tactics (laugh).

Haiji was a bit more “brother-like” than last time. Cute, wasn't he? I think it was easier to play out as the main talk was about improving together, as a band. I found everyone in Rubileo to be actually very nice (laugh).

Each character was unique and hard to get to know, but it was fun to see how they felt about music and how they trusted each other, even though they may not directly say it!

Q3. In this volume, Rubileo shot their CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

I'm so embarrassed to be photographed outside... It's alright if it's somewhere with few people, but I've been photographed in the middle of Harajuku before...! I think it's amazing that some people can be pictured without hesitation in the presence of so many people. If possible, I’d prefer indoor studios for next shoots!

Q4. In the imagine of Rubileo going to a sushi-go-round, what is the first thing you would order at a sushi bar?

Tuna... Maybe medium-fatty tuna. I’d finish with mackerel pike or sardines! Maybe that’ll be too much silver-skinned fish.

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

Like in the first volume, Rubileo is very sexy, with the exception of Haiji, who is more low-key (laugh). I’m sure it’ll help you get a good night’s rest, so I hope you’ll listen to this CD every night, and recommend it to your friends. The music will keep on improving along with the drama, so please look forward to it!

NOTE　光り物 (hikari mono) is a sushi-restaurant term specific to sliced fish, but with their blue-ish silver skin left on. It is more distinguished than regular white meat fish, in Japanese cuisine, and is overall deemed as more delicate.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

In the previous CD, as it was the first installment, we only got introduced to the members of Rubileo. This time around, we delved deeper into the story, with Mashiro and Haiji under the spotlight.

I think I managed to convey that Mashiro was surprisingly a well-behaved person!

What I felt closest to was Haiji's way of thinking. Even if you work with people you get along with on a regular basis, you may have moments where you compare yourself to those around you. “I totally get that stinging feeling!”, said a certain Satou Takuya, shaken by Haiji’s words (laugh).

I felt that Kurono bickers a lot with Mashiro because they clumsily care about each other.

Also, our King and talented manager working behind the scenes were amazing! They’re a very efficient duo, I think. As for Mashiro, he felt grateful to the members of Rubileo for their acceptance and place they have given him.

The way they understood each other and worked hard to improve one another made it really stand out as a “boys be boys!” moment. I absolutely loved that story.

Q3. In this volume, Rubileo shot their CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

I’m with Hanae-san in that we both are embarrassed to be photographed outside. I always feel like I need to excuse myself whenever passersby comment “Who is it…!? A celebrity…?” (laugh).

Also, I’m still getting used to being the one photographed. It’s a lot of trial and error figuring out how to act in front of the camera.

Q4. In the imagine of Rubileo going to a sushi-go-round, what is the first thing you would order at a sushi bar?

Mackerel, I guess, and steamed shrimps for the end! I’m one of those who finish their meal on a lighter note.

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

It’s already our second volume! I’ve seen Rubileo's music video on Twitter, and they were so impactful that it makes it look like they actually exist as artists. I think these kinds of events are fun.

I hope that the drama CD made you feel closer to Rubileo and, if things go well, we can get the King to sing two or three more songs, portray their daily lives, so please continue to support us!

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

I always struggle with this question, so if you’re asking what I’m thinking right now, I guess “We’re finally done…!” (laugh).

Compared to last time, I was more confident as Kurono. I didn't have a bad impression of Mashiro to begin with, but since he was the focus of this story, my opinion on him only improved.

The part where you see the change in Mashiro's seriousness about music was very heartwarming and, thanks to this story, I realized that Rubileo's career was taking a new step forward.

Q3. In this volume, Rubileo shot their CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

I'm not very good at being photographed, so I'm doing my best from advice photographers and editors give me.

The most important thing, for me, is to “have fun and joke around with the staff”. Thanks to NG cuts, I get to make weird faces and just as strange poses: I get scolded by my manager, but at least the photographer is delighted (laugh).

Q4. In the imagine of Rubileo going to a sushi-go-round, what is the first thing you would order at a sushi bar?

Depends on the time and place, but I generally get white meat fish. I feel like if I eat red meat or something with a strong flavor first, I won’t be able to appreciate the delicate taste of the white meat ones… As mentioned in the drama CD, I too try to pick something light, like squid. Even if I’m full already, I’ll wrap up dinner with an egg! (laugh)

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

This is Ishikawa Kaito, playing as Tokito Kurono. The previous volume has helped you to get to know Rubileo, however this story is about Rubileo's musical activities, how they deepen their bond and learn about each other's personalities, which makes me look forward to their future a lot. I hope you will as well, and will enjoy Vol.2. Thank you very much!

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

This story was about deepening the members’ relationships. Rubileo is such a powerful band, but their relations were very business-like… They don’t have a very deep bond, except for Kurono-kun, he’s a whole different story (laugh).

It didn’t particularly change compared to the first volume. It dug deeper into each of the members’ stories, especially Mashiro who was the middleman of it all: he made me go “As expected, he has that kind of thing going on…!” (laugh).

I feel like Kurono-kun took a turn in his music career, and Haiji-kun is just a really nice kid.
Akane-kun is the type of person who works hard behind the scenes, but never entitles himself of it. I think it's cool that he's not so much of a show off: it's something I think I can relate to when I play him.

Throughout the drama tracks, you’ll see that not only Akane-kun, but all the members of Rubileo are good people!

Q3. In this volume, Rubileo shot their CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

It was pouring outside, as we went to the shooting location...! As expected, it was still raining when we got there, so we waited for about 20 minutes to see if it cleared up, and what we would do if we had to cancel the shoot… But it did clear up, and real fast!

As we wrapped up the last cut, we didn’t even get to congratulate each other for the work as it started pouring all over again. Clothes and bags soaked, I was like “You were waiting for your me, huh, gods!”. I’m glad we got to finish that photoshoot, though (laugh).

Q4. In the imagine of Rubileo going to a sushi-go-round, what is the first thing you would order at a sushi bar?

I can’t think of anything at the top of my head, though I used to get a lot of salmon back in the days. Sushi rolls are also really good. Shellfish are trendy these days too! There’s a sushi restaurant near the studio, and the abalone there was so delicious…! I felt luxurious just eating it (laugh).

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

The story is full of each member’s different appeals. If you listen to the new song, which is also a love song from the drama tracks, I think the story will strike you even more.

We hope that you will enjoy the rest of the story along with Vol.1. Currently, Vol.3 has yet to be released, but with your support, there’s always room for more!

We hope you will keep on listening to our songs as Rubileo, so please continue to follow DIG-ROCK and Rubileo!

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♪ When recording for「Chained to You」

Q1. What were your first impressions when you heard the song and read the lyrics?

The song was very technical, so I had the impression that it was written by a senior band with a lot of experience. That's why I thought it would be a good song for our second album as Rubileo.

Also, compared to Answer, I found the lyrics to step more into one’s boundaries, and expressed a very “adult-like” appeal, which is something I think only Rubileo can do.

Again, I hope you will read the lyrics and enjoy it along with the drama.

Q2. What was it like to actually sing it? Tell us what you were the most conscious about and what we should look forward to.

It was super hard! So, instead, I sang without paying attention to the pitch in some parts (laugh).

I often got struck, like “I have to go lower here!? Ah, I have the rise up now!”, and I sang with a delay of half a tempo. It’s probably one of the most technically difficult songs, rhythm-wise, I have ever performed.

However, I couldn’t afford to lose the momentum and impression Answer had left: I wanted to convey that not only are we unbeatable technically-wise, but that we could increase our power enough to encourage the audience to come to their shows.

I think I was more conscious of the emotions at stake than last time.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

Tobikura’s impression changed quite a lot since he revealed his true self in “BLUE”! (laugh)

This made me feel like it was okay to show his darker side, which was fun to play, but difficult at the same time. More and more people got to loosen their tongue like Samejima, which brought forth a new surprising side to Tobikura.

Q2. Every DIG-ROCK volume contains new songs from each band. Do you have any favorite song or artist that you have been listening to recently?

I listen to YOASOBI! I found out about them only recently, and thought they were a brand new group before discovering about their story-heavy songs involving VOCALOID.

Q3. The new band, HOUND ROAR, has just been introduced. Do you have any new experience you've been introduced to recently?

I launched a gaming live broadcast! I generally play games that I feel like, but now that I’m trying out the Super Famicom and Playstation, I can confirm that pixel games are great! Because they are so constraining, you can truly feel the past developers’ ingenuity behind their craft.

Q4. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

With the addition of a new band, I think the world just became more lively.

I can't wait to see what kind of character they are and the kind of songs they will produce. I hope everyone is looking forward to this series!

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

Hibari was like a middleman in this story, which is why I think we got to see his "kind" parts, gently supporting the members' with their concerns and solving them together.

Q2. Every DIG-ROCK volume contains new songs from each band. Do you have any favorite song or artist that you have been listening to recently?

I haven’t listened to anything for my personal enjoyment lately, as all I do is review audio materials for work… I sometimes pull out my old albums and listen to The Drifters and MEN’S 5. They sing really well, though they have some interesting messages to convey (laugh).

Q3. The new band, HOUND ROAR, has just been introduced. Do you have any new experience you've been introduced to recently?

I started game streaming! I'm a gamer at heart, which explains why I've been playing for 60 hours in a single month (laugh). But it’s still not enough... Having this much fun, I don't get sleepy so I can push it for a few hours more. Online games allow you to interact with many different people, which feels fresh and captivating.

Q4. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

This season has been going on swiftly for DIG-ROCK, and it is thanks to all of you who have been supporting us. We would be delighted to have you keep on cheering us on. I also hope that we’ll be able to hold another event with the entire cast in front of you all someday. We hope you can wait a bit longer and, until then, wish for you to enjoy the story.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

I had been in touch with DIG-ROCK through releases and events, but it had been a while since I last recorded a drama CD for it. I was happy to play as Mitsuru again, and even more being able to record with Yuuma-kun!

Q2. Every DIG-ROCK volume contains new songs from each band. Do you have any favorite song or artist that you have been listening to recently?

When I turn my car on, it automatically connects to the radio, so I kind of have to listen: so I just end up liking the hit songs they play (laugh). I can’t look up the name of neither the song nor the artist as I’m driving though, so I can’t tell you…!

Q3. The new band, HOUND ROAR, has just been introduced. Do you have any new experience you've been introduced to recently?

I used to visit my parents' house every year, but this time we had to talk through video calls.

I believe that there will be many ways to share the present even if we are far away from one another, so I hope that we can enjoy and share these same moments with everyone.

Q4. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

Trying different things, hitting walls... I hope you will enjoy the CD while paying attention to the way they face themselves. Inkuro is the best! Please look forward to the new song!

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

I’m so glad Toki was able to do that! (laugh)　　※Find out in the CD what “that” is!

Focusing on his work, I felt like he was internalizing a lot of information to grow stronger. I also liked his mentor-disciple relationship with Samejima.

Q2. Every DIG-ROCK volume contains new songs from each band. Do you have any favorite song or artist that you have been listening to recently?

I’ve been listening to POLKADOT STINGRAY. Their song for the anime Godzilla S.P got me curious, so I listened to their full album and all the tracks were really good! I drive every once in a while, but every time I do I put this title on.

Q3. The new band, HOUND ROAR, has just been introduced. Do you have any new experience you've been introduced to recently?

I’m someone who’s too lazy to even bother, so I try no to add new stuff on my plate as much as possible... (laugh)

I'm working on getting rid of bad eating habits before my next health check. I'm used to eating vegetables about once a month, but I'm working hard to increase that to once a week (laugh).

Q4. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

With this, I suddenly realized the deep ocean that is DIG-ROCK’s world. The more rivals they have, the more exciting things will be, so I'm looking forward to their future. Tsugumi sang a really nice song, so we all are very proud to present it to you! Please look forward to it.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

I felt Tsugumi’s “faithful heart” and it cheered me up! This time, I had the chance to have dialogues with Mitsuru and Samejima, and I’m happy to enter this new series with a breath of fresh novelties for everyone.

Q2. Every DIG-ROCK volume contains new songs from each band. Do you have any favorite song or artist that you have been listening to recently?

I've been listening to Anzen Chitai lately. They give me the impression that it’s such a big world out there... It makes me want to listen to them while driving. I also love Kohei Tanaka’s music. I would recommend them, no matter the age!

Q3. The new band, HOUND ROAR, has just been introduced. Do you have any new experience you've been introduced to recently?

I had my wisdom teeth removed not so long ago! I went to the dentist to get braces, but found out instead that my wisdom teeth had cavities. By the time this interview is released, I think I will already have my braces on (laugh).

Q4. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

Thanks to your support, we were able to release this brand new series. Thank you very much!

Mitsuru’s brother is in that new band, HOUND ROAR, that just got introduced… I can’t wait to see how the rest of the story will go! I hope you will continue to enjoy DIG-ROCK’s new image and everyone’s progress. Once again, Inkuro is the best! Let’s get it!

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♪ When recording for「Updraft」

Q1. What were your first impressions when you heard the song and read the lyrics?

The atmosphere was cool and sombre, unlike anything I've done before!

The lyrics were mature, but the basic parts of the song still had Inkuro’s rhythm. I liked that they were not doing music for the sake of it, and felt more of their growth in the way they attacked with great control the song. It fired me up: "We've got a new band coming up, Inkuro's got to do its best!".

Q2. What was it like to actually sing it? Tell us what you were the most conscious about and what we should look forward to.

The song had a low, subdued intensity, that’s why I wanted to bring out Tsugumi’s energy and vigor the most in my voice.

There was less of Inkuro’s up-beat tempo, less of the "jump" or "fly" image that had been present in their previous songs. I thought that if the song didn't have some life to it, it would tend to weigh it down: I went through various trial and errors to surpass that challenge. I had a lot of fun singing, so I hope you can feel the different atmosphere to this title.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

In DIG-ROCK, Tobikura is often the storyteller. This time around, however, I personally liked that the performances and event scenes started with his “Take care!” and “Good work out there!”, which impressively didn’t feel like awkward additions.

Q2. This is your second drama CD volume as part of Inkuro. Have your impressions of your own character or the band members changed since last time? Were there any points that you were especially conscious of when acting?

Playing as Tobikura, I enjoyed getting to know the four of them more: the bluntly honest Tsugumi; Toki, the outspoken tsukkomi; Mitsuru’s surprising passionate side; and Hibari, who brightens up the mood.

As for Tobikura, I was very happy to learn about his efforts to support Inkuro, as a new employee in their company, and how he handles the job.

Q3. In this volume, Inkuro was shooting for the CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

In the summer, as night falls sooner, the light spots we were using often attracted a lot of insects. Once, I had to shoot with as little light as a phone flashlight, yet still struggled with the bugs for a while…!

The photographer seemed to have a lot of fun with the insects though, so it turned out to be a very fun shooting session (laugh).

Q4. Tobikura played yet again an active role as a manager. What would you do for him if you could help with his busy schedule?

※ Check the「A’s×Darling」interview page!

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

The CD depicts Inkuro’s activities as they begin their journey as professional musicians, as well as what they were able to experience consequently.

I'm sure you'll be able to relate to their happiness and frustrations, and I hope you'll enjoy watching them and Tobikura grow, together with their links with the other band. Thank you very much!

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

This time around, I felt a stronger sense of adolescence among the four of them, as they were all together in their daily lives, getting along, worrying and working hard. I had a great time with the recording!

As a continuation of the previous tracks, there was a bit about Hibari and Mitsuru’s old band members. I was impressed that the story was not only about current Inkuro, but also about their past.

Hibari is a character with a range of emotions that are difficult to express. I hope I have managed to show when he's fooling around on purpose, and when he's just being himself.

Q3. In this volume, Inkuro was shooting for the CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

I think we were shooting for a pamphlet, and we went to this beautiful, pristine, semi-basement studio.

I knew from the moment I walked in that I wasn't going to like it. When the make-up artist looked through the studio, they found a bill stuck on a door in the darkest part of the room… As we started shooting, we heard noises out of nowhere, like some real psychic phenomena!

Despite being extremely unsettling, I was able to take good photos (laugh).

Q4. Tobikura played yet again an active role as a manager. What would you do for him if you could help with his busy schedule?

Like Tobikura-san, managers in our industry are always busy, aren't they?

In my company, we offer quite the raise! (laugh)

It would also help his motivation, I want to reward him well for his keen work.

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

This is Inkuro’s second volume, continuing with the story of the four’s youth and bonds. There is still one more volume to go, so look forward to more of their activities and continue to support them!

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

I could feel the atmosphere and bond that only a band can have, so I was glad to be able to share their happy moments and worries in the drama tracks. The recording was a lot of fun!

As the story progresses, I'm having a lot of fun playing Mitsuru, who is a character who speaks in a simple, honest way. In fact, some of his lines have a deeper meaning that makes you double take his words. The part where Mitsuru and Hibari face their past selves in order for Inkuro to do their best for their debut was very emotional, I think it was a great scene.

Q3. In this volume, Inkuro was shooting for the CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

For the cover of a booklet, I had to take pictures at Kasai Rinkai Park, in winter, laying on the grass with my eyes closed; however, I’m very sensitive to cold temperatures. I was freezing so much that my eyes shut for good… As I started to lose consciousness, I thought “At this rate, I’m just going to die…!?”. In the midst of it, the staff called “Hatano-san!? Hatano-san…!?” and I was woken up (laugh). I would like to avoid shooting in ice-cold places in the future.

Q4. Tobikura played yet again an active role as a manager. What would you do for him if you could help with his busy schedule?

Looking at the manager, I think he’s too busy to even spend his money anywhere. I'd like to take on some of his burden and offer him fairly long vacations. It’d be nice if he could spend time doing the things he loves, going on a spa trip or visiting his parents.

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

In the second volume, each character's personality has been explored more deeply, made in a way where the dialogue is very enjoyable to listen to. (laugh). As Eguchi-kun already said, Toki’s “hard worker” position has been plentily showcased this time around (laugh).

We hope you will look forward and continue to support us in the future as well!

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

I was happy to feel and work in Inkuro’s atmosphere together with these members again. We were able to record the song with more enthusiasm than last time, so it was lots of fun.

I had been aware of this for a while but my character, Toki, was supposed to be a cool and level-headed leader. However, when you understand their group dynamic, you soon find out that he’s more of a tsukkomi to the others’ bluntness… (laugh) ¹ I used to wonder how far I could go with this character, but now I can answer without any hesitation. I’d like to be razor-sharp from now on (laugh).

Q3. In this volume, Inkuro was shooting for the CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

I was shooting for a magazine in a place that used to be a hospital, but I happened to have a high fever that day... I wasn't feeling well to begin with, but from the moment we arrived the staff started feeling just as sick, saying ”Something feels weird”. Once we got to the basement for the shooting, they got to the point of saying "Nope, not there, I won’t go in”... We wrapped up the shoot without any issues, though a few days later the building got listed as a “haunted spot” (laugh). I was surprised to see that everyone's intuition was spot on.

Q4. Tobikura played yet again an active role as a manager. What would you do for him if you could help with his busy schedule?

“It’s either money or vacations!” I thought, but if it’s a man… (Ito-san: How about Kamakura ²?) ...Ah! Was it Kamakura?! Right, Kamakura! I think that visiting the Great Buddha or seeing historical buildings like that helps to cleanse your mind. I feel like I would be healed too by going with him (laugh).

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

There are many scenes scattered throughout the tracks that are key to deepening the members’ bonds, though we'll have to wait and see how Inkuro’s debut got them out there in the entertainment world. We hope you’ll enjoy the song as much as we did while imagining what their future activities will be!

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⁽¹⁾ A “tsukkomi” is one of the archetype characters played in traditional Japanese comedy known as manzai, based on duo-banters with a “boke”. The tsukkomi is usually played by a serious, straightforward individual, who uses dry humor to verbally criticize the simplest spontaneity of the boke. When Eguchi says he wants to be “sharper”, he means in the way he’ll play Toki’s critical banters.

⁽²⁾ Kamakura used to be, on paper, Japan’s capital during the Kamakura period. It became a popular tourist destination thanks to their numerous festivals, as well as Buddhist and Shinto temples.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

Tsugumi is a very energetic character, so I am just as energized when I play him! After recording the second volume, I felt how appealing he is as a character all over again.

This time the story was about Inkuro's debut, so I wanted to convey the enthusiasm and positivity that went along with it, as well as the nervousness and anxiety of their current situation.

I was also impressed by the members’ passion who didn’t rest on the fact that they were rookies just starting out, enjoying the uncertainty of their debut, and thinking about how to improve more than before. It was my favorite scene as it showed Inkuro’s nice teamwork!

Q3. In this volume, Inkuro was shooting for the CD jacket. Do you have any personal memorable moments from magazine shoots that you'd like to share?

I was eating a rice ball during a photo shoot, both my hair and makeup were perfect, so I said, "Alright, let's take some pictures!” but when I checked them, I found seaweed on my teeth… “That was close!”, I said (laugh). It sure is hard to notice it on your own... Moral of the story is that it's better not to eat in between shoots.

Q4. Tobikura played yet again an active role as a manager. What would you do for him if you could help with his busy schedule?

I guess the only thing I can do is to take him out for dinner… Inkuro is now rising in popularity, I think Tobi-chan is very busy managing them. I'd like to listen to his stories as much as possible over a good meal and talk about the future of Inkuro. He would say “Let's keep working together!”, so I'd like to share Tobi-chan’s enthusiasm.

Q5. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

As this is the second volume, I sang a new song this time around as well. Through the events that have occurred since Inkuro's debut, they started to develop professional awareness, and I believe that they will continue to grow in the future. We hope that you will enjoy their activities and new songs as much as we do!

..................................................................................................................................................................................

♪ When recording for「RISE」

Q1. What were your first impressions when you heard the song and read the lyrics?

It had a more party-like feel than “RISE”. As this is their second song after their debut, I thought it would be good to take on the song with a lot of energy to not lose their momentum. Tsugumi has that air to him that pushes us to go as far as we want: the lyrics emphasized that sensation, especially the “Ain’t it better to just do it?” ⁽¹⁾ part which truly made his personality shine. I think it's the kind of song we can all get excited about and have fun listening to!

Q2. What was it like to actually sing it? Tell us what you were the most conscious about and what we should look forward to.

It's a fast-paced song with a nice groove, so I tried to keep that rhythm throughout the song. I’m also looking forward to how the counting at the beginning will look like in the finished song (laugh). ⁽²⁾

⁽¹⁾ “Ain’t it better to just do it?” is the first sentence of “Pump it!!” first chorus.

⁽²⁾ He’s referring to the count up from 1 to 3 at the very beginning of “Pump it!!”.

Scenario writer: Ryoko Seki

Posted on June 24th, 2020 (original post)

Reading recommended after listening to DIG-ROCK ―DUEL FES― Vol.1 (track 5)
 
 
	Suddenly, the weight that was binding me tightly disappeared, and the adrenaline slowly unraveled. From my guts, heart, to my throat, the heat traveled all the way through my face up to the roof of my skull, where it had nowhere to escape. From head to toe I felt warm—too warm—and crazily giddy. Ah, just like when you faint from heat stroke in the bath.
	I hurried myself up; to my surprise, I couldn't even walk straight. I had no other choice but to hold my body using the wall next to the sound equipment, pressing my back on a corner. I didn’t want to get in the way. I could tell that the people passing by would get startled—I looked up, blurting out a small apology.

	ー The stage.
	Too bright, the darkness over here making it impossible to see a thing. Blinding, distant. Yet… 
	(Why was he aiming directly at us.)
	His devious, calculating voice played fool behind haughty pretenses, and fiercely pierced me right through my heart.
	Say, what do you eat, what's your routine—how do you live with a voice like that?
	What kind of face do you make, what do you think about when singing with that obscene mouth?
	(...It's useless to try 'n make sense of it.)
	I don’t get it, like, at all.
	(It won’t do, far from it.)
	My heart aches. His voice reverberates throughout my body, raging. Painful. Even so… I must listen to him.
	Ain’t that unfair.

	"Hey, Tsugu."

	Before I knew it, Toki was beside me. I burst out laughing.

	“What are you laughing at?”
	“Fo’real, you’re squatting like a real delinquent in those movies.”  (1)
	“Oh shut up.”

	After that, his lips sealed shut, yet a voice still lingered—"We did it, we made it here." I couldn’t clearly hear it, but I’m persuaded it was there. Ah, I'm being real dumb now, aren't I...

	“You look annoyed.” Toki said, looking at me with eyes that didn’t smile, not even for a second. I gazed deep back into hisーah, so that’s what it is, that's what it means to lock eyes, to connect with someone.
	A sudden thought came to me:

	“Hey, Toki, tell me.”
	“Hm?”
	“Have you ever felt like you’d almost die from adrenaline?”

	Same as ever, heavy bass was overwhelmingly crushing the stage.
	My eardrums were palpitating from the relentless drumming; the songs, the melodies and the cheers pierced right through me. Lost between the borders of reality, my head was boiling with the noise, unable to know what was going on anymore. Still, in spite of everything: 

	“I did.” Toki answered quietly.

	Everything around us was absurdly loud, I couldn’t have possibly heard that—yet, it was clear as day to me. There's clearly something wrong with me right now.

	“Come on, get up. We're going back after their encore, so get ready.”
	“Got it. ...Ah.”

	I looked up at Toki. I was surprised to find his fingers were cold as ice when I took them.

	”What now?”
	”You too...”
	”Me?”
	“You’re over the moon, ain'tcha.”

	His face was bright red. His fingers, freezing cold, may be due to all the blood flowing back from the neck up, just like I was.

	“We’re in the same boat here!”
	“No we’re not.”

	Toki spun on his heels, looking all grumpy.

	“You’re lying.”
	“Just shut up.”
	“Come ooon, embrace it!”

	The back of his ears were obviously bright red.

	”Oh well, ‘s fine.”

	My ears and heart were still painfully convulsing, but our fingers gradually got their warmth back again.
	It felt good.
	So I decided to forgive his little lie, just this once.

 
 
(1) The sentence here originally says 「なんか横でウンコ座りしてんし」which would literally translate to “squat (or sit) like you’re taking a dump”, which is why Tsugumi is laughing in the first place. The closest image would be the typical yankee squat mentioned, sitting on your heels.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

It was very exciting to work with all of them and feel that a new story had been set in motion - especially since I'm DIGP’s manager, watching over all the other characters.

Q2. What kind of person is the character you play? Tell us about your impressions and their appeal. Are there any similarities between the character and you?

※ Check the interview page of「A’s×Darling」!

Q3. In Rubileo's fashion, have you had friends over at your house recently?

I went to Shohei Komatsu-kun’s house, where he taught me various board games!

Q4. If you were a woman, which of the characters would you want to date? Tell us why.

As expected, I’d pick the gentle Haiji. I don’t want to be swayed by arrogant or free-spirited men. I want to live in peace (laugh).

Q5. If you were in a band, is there any part you would like to play in particular? Additionally, if you could write lyrics or compose, which would you like to try?

(If you already did in the past, we'd love to hear about it!)

I want to try out the drums! Must feel good to play hard and fiercely.
 
Lyrics. I had the chance to write my own, and it was a real challenge. Lyricists are impressive, that’s why, if I could, I'd like to come up with more verses.

Q6. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

Rubileo’s the real deal! I think this is the CD that will make you want to support them! I hope you will listen to it plenty once you have it, and immerse yourself in Rubileo’s charms.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

At first, my manager only informed me of the title "DIG-ROCK", so I was a bit confused when he told me that I would be playing the role of Tobikura Sora (laugh). When I read the script, I sensed that it was going to be easy to act as I have the same role in 「A’s×Darling」, though Tobikura's story is set in a different timeline, which feels like a fresh, new experience for me. Although it has only just begun, I can't wait to see what the future holds for Inkuro!

Q2. What kind of person is the character you play? Tell us about your impressions and their appeal. Are there any similarities between the character and you?

※ Check the interview page of「A’s×Darling」!

Q3. In Inkuro’s fashion, what were your hobbies when you were a student?

I was in a band! Though it was more of a hobby I was really keen on… I didn't have any particular ambition, and I didn't expect it to become part of my job.
Students would say "Let's go to the arcade or karaoke after school!”, right? In my case, it was the recording studio. They welcomed local students with open arms, and I often played with my band members while making friends with the staff. We had a lot of fun writing and covering songs.

Q4. If you were a woman, which of the characters would you want to date? Tell us why.

I'm troubled because I've only seen one side of them yet. I like the four of them a lot! The cheerful and honest Tsugumi-kun is lovely, the serious and competitive Toki-kun is just as nice, and the absent-minded Mitsuru-kun is rather cute… But at the end of the day, I think Hibari-kun is the one I can talk to and hang out with the most. I want to talk to him without Hibari putting up faces, but also want to spew our venom together (laugh).

Q5. If you were in a band, is there any part you would like to play in particular? Additionally, if you could write lyrics or compose, which would you like to try?

(If you already did in the past, we'd love to hear about it!)

I've been in a band before, but if I had to pick one to play as of now, I'd say drums! Percussions are a great stress reliever… (laugh)

I already have some experience in songwriting, but I think writing lyrics is the most difficult part. I can't help but express my inner thoughts in all honesty, which is embarrassing to review the day after writing it. I'd like to challenge myself to have the mindset to write about them without being shy about it!

Q6. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

I'm sure many people already support their favorite artists on a regular basis, however this work has a story about how an indie band grows after joining a company: I really like the ambiance and it makes me want to cheer them on myself. Indies that become pros, it makes you kind of emotional… This drama CD concentrates all the feelings of conflict and happiness, so we hope you'll enjoy it while supporting Inkuro and Tobikura. Look forward to it!

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

I think the story of their band activities, each member's past, their youth and daily life together really came to life during the recording. I was able to play out the scenes with Mitsuru, voiced by Hatano-kun, which made it easier for me to act. It turned out to be a very fun recording!

Q2. What kind of person is the character you play? Tell us about your impressions and their appeal. Are there any similarities between the character and you?

Hibari's appearance is gentle, but his words can be very scything. I had the impression that his interventions were rather blunt, though not all of them show his true intention. Moreover, he seems to have a lot more on his mind than what he lets appear. I think the balance between the members and the fact that he knows when to step out and back off is one of his strengths and charms, along with the fact that he’s straightforward with his feelings and thoughts.

Similarities...? I don't have a silver tongue like him, I wonder if we’re even alike…? I admire his nerve though! (laugh) I used to visit pet stores until recently, and do read a lot as I’m a President myself, so I think our interests can be somewhat similar!

Q3. In Inkuro’s fashion, what were your hobbies when you were a student?

I used to play games a lot when I was in school, ever since the NES came out when I was in elementary school. Besides that, the most serious club activity I had in high school was for Go. My whole family played shogi, mahjong and chess, but the only thing we didn't play yet was that. I ended up inviting my friends to join the Go Circle. We did well for two and a half years, more members joined, thus we participated in prefectural tournaments: the year after I graduated, it got promoted to a club.

I used to watch Hikaru no Go⁽¹⁾ and used the moves they did in real life. I have very fond memories of this.

Q4. If you were a woman, which of the characters would you want to date? Tell us why.

Definitely Hibari! Because 95% of the world can be bought with money! Just being rich can be a valuable asset (laugh).

Q5. If you were in a band, is there any part you would like to play in particular? Additionally, if you could write lyrics or compose, which would you like to try?

(If you already did in the past, we'd love to hear about it!)

Long ago, I used to play acoustic guitar, but I got frustrated because my fingers were too short to hold the neck. What I’d like to try in a band is the drums! Dexterity can be amazing to move your arms and legs from side to side, I think it's the most technically challenging. However there’s also a high chance of hurting yourself, or breaking the instrument… It takes a lot of work and skill, which is why I want to give it a try!

I've been writing lyrics for a while now, so I've never had any real trouble. I have my own way of creating and my own view on the world, so it doesn’t take me much time for it to take shape. Furthermore, I've never tried to compose before, I think I'm a little afraid of it leaning more towards the music only I can like. I've never properly played an instrument before, so I would probably end up copying someone else… If I had to choose I'd say that, through my experience in writing lyrics, I would still try my hand at composing.

Q6. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

I hope you will enjoy listening to the mingling coming of age story of four unique youths. Even if you think that adolescence is of the past, I think it’s a good opportunity to look back on your own nostalgic young days, together.

Of course, since this is a collective work, I hope you will to the music along with the drama; since the other band, RUBIA Leopard, is also going to be released in the near future, I would like you to enjoy the both of them with their own qualities, and I would be delighted if we could make this project more exciting all together. Thank you for your continued support!

(1)Hikaru no Go was a manga and anime from the early 2000s.

Q1. Thank you so much for your work today! To start things off, give us your impressions after the recording.

I was able to record smoothly together with Shin-chan, who plays Hibari, the scenes with the two of them, encapsulating their close relationship. As this project is about a band, it was very fun acting parts that made me feel like I was young again!

Q2. What kind of person is the character you play? Tell us about your impressions and their appeal. Are there any similarities between the character and you?

While recording, I tried to channel an atmosphere and image where I could relax my shoulders and just let myself be naturally.

Realistically speaking, if Mitsuru-kun is in the middle of a very fast conversation, the tempo may drag a bit… (laugh). But that kind of slow pace is also part of Mitsuru-kun's charm, and I think he's the kind of boy who can speak his mind without deferring to anyone. Mitsuru-kun's favorite things are "cats" and "sleeping", and that's exactly what I want right now! (laugh) I feel that I was able to portray a character that is close to myself!

Q3. In Inkuro’s fashion, what were your hobbies when you were a student?

I think there are a lot of things in this world that are still kept secret. Nowadays, the Internet is pretty advanced, but when we were students we couldn't just look something up and get the gist of it, so we planned our journey to find out where said truth was, fail… And do it over and over again! I’ve been hooked ever since my student days... To the search for truth in this world... I guess (laugh).

Q4. If you were a woman, which of the characters would you want to date? Tell us why.

If you’re as rich as Hibari-kun, you can hire a cleaning lady! I’d pick Hibari-kun for her!

Q5. If you were in a band, is there any part you would like to play in particular? Additionally, if you could write lyrics or compose, which would you like to try?

(If you already did in the past, we'd love to hear about it!)

When I was a student, my father gave me a second-hand guitar and I used to play it by myself at home; at the time, there was a ‘band boom’, so I thought it would be fun to join the light music club. My school was originally an all-girls' high school, and probably because there were very few boys, I would have to form a band from nothing and enroll in the light music club… Else, I’d have to play by myself!

Turns out, I gave up on joining the club (laugh).

So with that in mind, if I could play in a band, I'd like to be at the guitar! The bass is also good for support. Both ways are very cool.
As for the lyrics and composition, I'd be asked to do it, so I'll keep quiet for now (laugh). I don't usually do this. I feel that I can focus more on being a character if someone else writes it for me. If I work on it, it will have my own world and melody: however, by having someone else work on it, I can be any character I want to be, which I think is similar to my job as an actor.

Q6. Finally, do you have any comments for your fans who are looking forward to the release of the CD?

As the first volume in the series, this CD describes how these four youths came to be a band. I hope you will enjoy the songs sung by Yuma Uchida-kun, and also pay attention to the drama part.
The band members are all unique, so you may find your favorite among them: we'd be grateful if you could support the four of us! I hope that the series will be loved for a long time, thank you for cheering us on! 

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Entries tagged with .dig-rock

Cast Comment : Komada Wataru (as Iwahara Shiki)

Cast Comment : Hanae Natsuki (as Sumizome Haiji)

Cast Comment : Satou Takuya (as Fuyuki Mashiro)

Cast Comment : Ishikawa Kaito (as Tokito Kurono)

Cast Comment : Furukawa Makoto (as Higurashi Akane)

Cast Comment : Kento Ito (as Tobikura Sora)

Cast Comment : Tachibana Shinnosuke (as Shibasaki Hibari)

Cast Comment : Hatano Wataru (as Hayama Mitsuru)

Cast Comment : Eguchi Takuya (as Mizukawa Toki)

Cast Comment : Yuuma Uchida (as Nonaka Tsugumi)

Cast Comment : Kento Ito (as Tobikura Sora)

Cast Comment : Tachibana Shinnosuke（as Shibasaki Hibari）

Cast Comment : Hatano Wataru（as Hayama Mitsuru）

Cast Comment : Eguchi Takuya (as Mizukawa Toki)

Cast Comment : Yuuma Uchida (as Nonaka Tsugumi)

"Behind the scenes of BLAST"

Cast Comment：Komada Wataru (as Iwahara Shiki)

Cast Comment : Kento Ito (as Tobikura Sora)

Cast Comment : Tachibana Shinnosuke（as Shibasaki Hibari）

Cast Comment : Hatano Wataru（as Hayama Mitsuru）

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