#churi with her 2nd gens

[skysora27]

[jyurineko]

Takayanagi Akane announced graduation

Yesterday after SKE’s Midnight stage, Churi announced that she would be graduating from the group in spring next year.

Churi has been part of SKE for 10 years now as a member of the 2nd gen. She’s had a lot of memorable moments being part of the group so even though it’s sad she’ll be leaving, I wish her the best in whatever she decides to pursue next.

In addition to this, SKE announced they will be holding two arena concerts next year, and March 15th in Yokohama Arena will be Churi’s graduation concert.

[akanemachurida-blog]

Short report of today’s event at Sunshine Sakae for SKE48′s ninth anniversary.

While I lost the lottery for the special talk show and the midnight stage (I’ve yet to win a theatre application), I decided to go to Sunshine anyway today to see what was happening for the ninth anniversary.

I arrived around 3pm and was greeted with a long line to buy goods for members that were designed for the ninth anniversary. I didn’t plan on buying anything so I just looked at the members from afar. The members rotated at random intervals, so it meant that you might not get the member you thought you might get after waiting in line for a long time. One member would be a MC of sorts, carrying a microphone and trying to encourage people to buy goods of their generation. When I arrived Arai Yuki was the “MC.” Sakipon became the MC on two later occasions.

While the long line for goods in the basement floor was going on until 8pm, other sporadic events were happening throughout the building at the same time. It was hard to know when they would start and a lot of people basically camped out at the various locations. Other people like me moved from one to another.

There was a stage set up inside Tsutaya (2nd floor) where members would have talk shows. When I first got there a lot of 8th gen members were talking. They later appeared another time, but I paid attention to another talk when Rara, Sakipon, Takatsuka Natsuki and Aiai were there. Rara was nice and kept waving to the floor above where I was watching. It was pretty variety-like; the members spoke about their various stages and taught each other dance moves. Sakipon in particular was very energetic and really guided the talk well.

Members would also appear at the SKE Cafe on the 4th floor, but I didn’t go inside. I saw quite a few eighth gens throughout the day there, as well as Sakipon.

There was also this stand on the opposite side of the 4th floor where mochis were being sold. They all had a little thing on them designed by a member so you were supposed to pick a member’s mochi. I originally didn’t plan on eating one but I got hungry and Chikako and Saanan showed up at the stand to hand them over. I hadn’t met either of them before and they asked me where I came from and complimented my Japanese. I asked for a Chikako mochi but they were sold out so I got Makiko’s instead. I actually didn’t look much at Saanan because Chikako was just beaming at me the entire time and being very friendly. Both of the members said “Thank you!” when I left.

Afterwards I met a fan I hadn’t seen since last year and we queued up together for the merchandise line. I originally didn’t want to buy anything but I decided to buy one of these badges since it was the cheapest thing and none of the people I talked to had gotten a Churi badge so far. Sakipon, who was MCing when I got in, was replaced by Kaotan, who was exceptionally loud with the microphone, to the extent that I couldn’t chat with my friend. Of the members that were around, I wanted to get either Kocchan or Rara, and I ended up getting Kocchan. Unfortunately I hadn’t prepared anything to tell her and she didn’t ask me anything so I bought the badge and thanked her.

I then decided to go back to Tsutaya to check out who was doing the talk show when a horde of fans whizzed past me. I followed them to Tsutaya and found out that members took over the cash to have an event where they hand something you purchase over to you, as well as give you a postcard designed by a 2D club member. (There was a corner in Tsutaya where each 2D club member recommended a series of movies or manga that they liked. They each drew a little a message about that recommendation, which became those postcards)

I wasn’t planning on buying anything else, but the spur of the moment got to me and I noticed that Chikako was there which made me want to speak to her again since she had been nice to me before. The other members were Renahyuu, Piyosu and Sakipon, none of whom I had met before. The line was super long by the way, and while I was among the first ones to get in, it still took a long time, since there was only one cash with four members to interact with. 

Sakipon noticed my Churi hoodie when I walked up and asked me if I wanted her postcard, to which I happily said yes. I think Sakipon went to grab it, while Chikako said she remembered me from before and beamed another smile, and Renahyuu and Piyosu said hello to me. Renahyuu and Chikako asked me who my oshimen was and I told them who it was. They didn’t make a big fuss about it, and Renahyuu handed over the 100% SKE Vol. 3 I bought along with the postcard. They all waved me bye and I wished them good luck. Chikako and someone else, I think either Piyosu or Sakipon, yelled a “Thank you!”

I didn’t know where to fit this in, but I took the elevator down at one point, which got me right behind the area where the goods on the basement floor were being sold. Members use the elevators as well as other stairs on the side of the building to move throughout, and when I got off the elevator at the bottom I came face to face with Ryoha! I was really surprised and didn’t know what to say so i just nodded and got out of her way.

My final member interaction was at the fourth floor when the mochi stand was reopened by Chikako and Saanan. At this point I got hungry again and thought that I might as well talk to Chikako again but it turned out that they only had nine mochis left! The person who got the last one received something special and I think he had a picture taken with them. The two of them then passed through the rest of us who had been in the line and waved. Chikako waved at me by the way.

That concludes what happened during the day, and a lot of this happened during the Talk Show stage in the theatre. I’m sure there were other little events that took place that I didn’t get to see.

My personal highlights in terms of members today were:

Chikako (if that wasn’t obvious), for making me smile a lot and being really receptive. She’s really good at getting your attention and asking questions too.

Sakipon, for being around the entire time and doing pretty much everything humanly possible. I think I listed her name for every event I saw, which meant that from 3pm-9pm she was constantly moving from event to event and MCing.

[sweetlittlelie48]

[Translation] 100% SKE48 vol.1 Takayanagi Akane

Here goes another interview of this volume. Churi’s spirit is always fired up and I love her for that!

Dear all Churi fans, let’s do our best for this year, too!

*note* This interview is from last year (2016).

“We are out of crisis”

Though many members said that

But Takayanagi Akane is still “not satisfied”

She has gone through the days of glory and the days of pitch-dark slump

That’s why she can feel the crisis

Unshakable believe that is burning inside her chest keeps her walking forward

 The life in SKE48 in these 7 years, the only answer I got

is “doing with all my might”

 A thoughtful running for general election

 - In 100%SKE48 deluxe edition this time, we mainly ask 2 things. Firstly, let’s start with general election.

Churi: Why does BUBKA-san invite me for interview every time there’s general election? *laugh*

- It became tradition *laugh* Please start with the reason that made you run for election this time.

Churi: Last year, I got 14th. I got works as AKB48 Senbatsu, showed at Music station and 24 Jikan Terebi. Fans were overjoyed because of this. It was unforgettable summer in my 48 life. It was so fun. However, after that, there were many frustrating things. So, if I want to enjoy with fans again, maybe general election is the only way.

- I understand.

Churi: But, I also hesitated a bit because my position in SKE48 Senbatsu is still not as expected even though I got 14th. I can’t truly say that I work for SKE48 to the fullest. Last year, I thought “I have to make people aware of SKE48’s Takayanagi Akane again” “I want to do more various things”, so I ran for election. Anyways, those goals are not all achieved. That’s why I’m so thoughtful about running for election.

- This must be the thing that made you worried. To be honest, when I knew that Takayanagi-san will participate, I thought “Here’s Churi!” because last year, I felt like you would never participate again.

Churi: There are many people said that “Did you say last year would be your last!?” but I’ve never said “last” at all. I also didn’t think about this when I participated last year. It’s just that if last year I got into Senbatsu and had a big change, that might be the last time.

- If there are more works as SKE48 and you see your own new direction…

Churi: That’s right. If there had been more individual works, if I had chosen which way to go and if my position in SKE48 had been clear, last year may have been the last.

- 2 days ago, when you were hosting your regular program “Umarete kono kata” with Matsui Rena-san, you also talked about general election.

Churi: Actually, I didn’t prepare to talk about it. The time when we record it was the same time as application period. I still hadn’t decided yet whether I should apply or not. But, the topics that staff-san provided me, there was “consulting about Churi’s worries” At first, I thought we would talk about election privately, never thought we would talk on air *laugh* Rena-san told me that “No matter how it will turn out, it is still general election” These words saved me.

- Just applying or not, you worry that much?

Churi: Since they applied candidacy system, it’s never been the same. If I didn’t apply, I would be asked “why didn’t you apply?” and if I applied, I would be asked “why did you apply?” Though I thought about it real hard but they said “maybe you should step down for juniors already”. Of course, there weren’t many who said that. I think that’s too kind. Shinoda Mariko-san also said “members who can’t step up unless someone hand over positions to them will never win in AKB”. I will not back down…moreover, my position in SKE Senbatsu is still behind juniors, so I think “since I’m still at the back in Senbatsu, at least, I will be at front in General Election!”

- That’s right!

Churi: I’ve been participated in General Election all along. Even though Jurina-san and Rena-san from SKE48 didn’t rank at the first election, when I saw those 2 seniors ranked wonderfully, I deeply felt “I want to stand on that stage, too!” That’s why I also want juniors to look at me on that stage and think “I want to get ranked, too!”

 I only have NOW

 - Understood. Speaking of phenomenon of this year’s election, it must be that SKE48 members withdrew one after another, especially, members who are close to Takayanagi-san and members who got high rank last year, also.

Churi: (Ishida) Anna from 2nd gen and (Oya) Masana-san from 1st gen decided not to participate. They had their own reason, so I will not talk about that much. In fact, you need to be very courageous to decide like that. During application period, the thought in the morning and the thought in the evening are totally different. You may change your mind every hour.

- apply, not apply, apply, not apply…right?

Churi: Yes. When night falls, you would be panic. There were lots of time to think. I also saw fan’s feedback from blog and Twitter. Of course, I was scared to face the result but I already promised my fans. No matter how frustrated I will be, I will not cry. I will not cry regardless of the result.

- As you mentioned, Masana-san didn’t participate this year. When you know the news, you said you’re “shocked”, was that because you feel lonely?

Churi: Yes. Although I never told her, Masana-san has the goal to be in Senbatsu same as me. Since “namida no seesaw game” (Undergirls song in 2010), we’ve been in Undergirls together. If there’s Masana-san, I would feel relieved.

- To be honest, what’s your goal this year?

Churi: About this, I’m still worried whether I should say it clearly. I want to hold a meeting with fans.

- Why is that?

Churi: I want to talk with fans directly for quite an amount of time. Just writing blog, it’s hard to express my feeling to them. They also don’t know how I feel when I write it. Some may say “there’s handshake event, anyways” but I think you can’t speak it all in just few seconds.

- I understand.

Churi: I also want to hear what my fans say, speak to them openly. If that can align my fans’ feeling, that would be good. The time that I can be idol is limited. During this time, I want them to like me till the very end because I only have ‘NOW’. Anyways, once I say like this, it may seem I already decided to graduate. Please don’t worry, I am going to graduate soon *laugh* but I’m thinking about many things. I don’t know what’s right, maybe nothing is right.

 Takayanagi Akane’s status at the present

 - Then, let’s move to next topic. Actually, you already mentioned about it. It’s related to last topic, also.

Churi: It’s about “SKE48 from now on”, isn’t it?

- Including that, but what I would like to ask is what “status” do you think you are now in SKE48?

Churi: I see. I also want it to be clear.

- That’s great. Takayanagi-san was always KII leader. You were discharged from this position. You’re also neither vice-leader nor captain.

Churi: It’s been 2 years already.

- That’s right. Then, where do you think you should be?

Churi: In my opinion, for SKE48, except for Jurina-san who is center, others have no fixed position. Members, aside from those promising juniors, are also like that. But AKB48 is different. For example, Kojiharu-san is model, Paruru-san is actress, Watanabe mayu-san is the face of AKB48, Mion-chan is the next gen center. If it’s AKB48, everyone clearly has her own job. But for SKE48, only jobs in the group that’s clear…

- Like captain and leaders, those are jobs in the group, right?

Churi: Yes. But outside jobs are not clear so I don’t know what I should do, wouldn’t it be better if it’s clear?

- I think so, too.

Churi: Ah! I want to tell everyone that “If you think about live performance, it must be Takayanagi Akane” I’m in charge of heating up the live performances. I was gone wild at national tours *laugh*

- I went only at Ibaraki, it’s really lively.

Churi: The time when I could be myself the most is when I stand on the stage. If I could be the one that everyone thinks “rest assured, this girl is here”, that would be good.

- Current national tour switches between each team and Kenkyuusei, right?

Churi: I want everyone to be together, explode with full strength. I want to tell them “you can go a bit wilder” Both (Suda) Akari and Yakata Miki-chan also said to me“ If there’s Churi in the live, it gets fun” My comrades who were in the same team said this to me, I’m so glad.

 All for SKE48

 - Last summer, Rena-san graduated. I would like to know how Takayanagi-san’s feeling has changed since then.

Churi: First of all, once Rena-san graduated, I felt “I’m alone now…” Rena-san, Miepii (Sato Mieko), (Furukawa) Airi, everyone’s gone.

- Those whom you are close to graduated one by one.

Churi: It’s sad without the ones who are close to me. I also thought that I don’t want to get close to any members again. Last autumn, I was always alone in KII dressing room. Everyone was so kind to me, anyways. They asked “Churi-san, anything wrong?” such as Arai Yuki-chan, Kitano Ruka-chan and Ego-chan. They saved me, brought me back to resume trying again.

- When Rena-san graduated, how has the group changed?

Churi: Last autumn, there was next gen unit “Love Crescendo” This spring, there were many children at the front in “Chicken LINE” I think that was result from Rena-san’s graduation.

- Takayanagi-san, how do think personally?

Churi: I got to be in “Transit Girls” unit. When I knew that “Transit” means “change”, I didn’t think it represents me well. I didn’t want to change or anything yet.

- Still waiting at the airport *laugh*

Churi: Yeah *laugh* Though I felt discontent a bit, I didn’t say it out.

- How about “Chicken LINE”?

Churi: It was very cool song. If not from Takayanagi’s point of view, it was a great song.

- And your point of view was?

Churi: I was frustrated. In fact, I thought I would spend the time teaching juniors which I’ve been doing all along, but no one came to audition to be behind juniors.

- No one would.

Churi: Like (Takagi) Yumana, she likes SKE48 children, wants to support each and every one of them. That’s wonderful. But for me, I dream to be idol that shines. Of course, there are juniors I like. I also want them to get more attention.

- Could you please tell me the name?

Churi: For example…I couldn’t tell*laugh* I already said to those children because I saw potential in them. At times like this, I couldn’t tell their name.

- How many of them?

Churi: Yeah, there are some which I want them to get to Senbatsu and some that are already in Senbatsu but I want them to get praised more…many of them.

- Takayanagi-san, Jurina-san and Rena-san were called “JRA”, maybe around 2011-2012, how did you feel at that time?

Churi: That time, there was nothing to be afraid of because I got the position unexpectedly. When I got in “Aozora kataomoi” Senbatsu, I felt pressure from seniors like “ah! Crap!” *laugh* After that, I was so glad that I got to sing with Jurina-san and Rena-san. I like them and respect them for a long time. Getting to sing with them, but…what did I think at that time? I don’t remember at all. Maybe, wanting to be center?

- The reason why I ask is that I think the answer may lead juniors a way.

Churi: I can only tell that I do it with all my might to be center someday. Effort you put today will get back to you someday. I did it with that thought in mind. What I can say is “Though effort doesn’t payback, since you’re here, you only have to do more, don’t you?” Don’t think too much. That’s the only thing I can proudly say. These 7 years that I’m in SKE48, no matter it’s working time or private time, I always think of SKE48 except only when I play with birdies at home.

- That time, please leave it *laugh*

Churi: But I really love birds so I want to work involving with birds. If birds get protected and live happily, that would be good.

- You think that far!?

Churi: Yes. I want bird population to increase. I want people to love these birds because they can live only around 10 years…we need to talk about this.

- Maybe next time *laugh*

Churi: Anyways, what I want to tell is I do it for the sake of SKE48. In order to avoid misunderstanding, I didn’t attend coming of age ceremony. I also didn’t walk with brothers when my family gathered during new year holiday.

- That’s “SKE48 people” *laugh* By the way, Saito Makiko from the same gen got to be captain.

Churi: I told her that “you need to be yourself. No matter what happens, we are with you” She’s been a good model for everyone all along, just do like she always does.

- As I asked many members from interviews this time, everyone said the same thing “the feeling of the group has changed, not stagnant anymore” What Takayanagi-san thinks?

Churi: I still feel that it doesn’t change much. So, we need to continue changing, try something new. For example, when center was changed in “12 gatsu no kangaroo” but that time, it was NMB48 that changed first.

- If we try something new, we want to be the first, right?

Churi: That’s right. Actually, I want regular TV program *laugh* Up until now, there are many people who like us because of TV program. It’s also a good opportunity to let people know each member’s personality.

- It’s an interview that we can truly understand Takayanagi-san’s thought.

Churi: I’m happy to hear that. Also, about last year’s “Kouhaku” that we couldn’t get there, I was so frustrated that I cried. However, it seems there are not many members frustrated about this. This makes me even more frustrated. Sometimes, I think that’s how SKE48 situation is like right now. I want everyone to be confident to get back there!    

- That’s alright. SKE48 still can go on!