[TRANS] WiNK UP (July 2021): Solo Cover Series vol.5 - Morimoto Shintarou
SixTONES Solo Series Vol. 05
Morimoto Shintarou
We have the group’s suekko [youngest] Morimoto Shintarou for the 5th installation of the solo cover series! Shin-chan smiled with “it’s super cute!” as he had fun with the big dog in the photoshoot. In the interview, he talked to us about his members, Junior period and his current thoughts.
¾ About appearing on WiNK UP (Jan 2007) for the first time
I didn’t think about it as work. It was like a second school; like a place I hung out at after school where I took lessons with lots of other people and had fun with them. Same with the magazine interview shoots. There was lots of food and it made me excited. But [looking at this picture of] me from my first appearance on WiNK UP looks super bored doesn’t he (laughs). There wasn’t anyone that I knew and I think there’s this “why am I here?” face. My family loved to take photos so I probably got weirded out and thought “what’s with this shoot? Why am I taking photos with them?” since it was different to usual.
¾ Someone you couldn’t win over since Johnnys Junior days
(Nakajima) Yuuto-kun. Yuuto-kun was performing alone with the senpais since he was young, had solo stages and was always in the center; he was shining very brightly. After Hey! Say! JUMP debuted and I too had the chance to be the Juniors center and do various things, Johnny-san told me “you should watch videos of Yuuto”. When I watched Yuuto-kun’s footage and actually compared myself to him for the first time, I thought I couldn’t surpass him in anything - confidence, performance or cuteness. Yuuto-kun was clearly better than me in everything. Yuuto-kun was performing, while I was just playing… that’s what it looked like [to me]. There were times where I was randomly conscious of Yuuto-kun and copied him.
¾ Happy and vexing things from your Johnnys Junior days
This is back from when I was young, but something vexing was rehearsing for stage plays and concerts and then not actually being in the show - that was vexing. I was called to rehearsals. So I went through the rehearsals but one day, I didn’t get called anymore and was told that I won’t be in the show. I didn’t know if it was my fault so I was really confused. And when people around me were talking about it, I didn’t understand and let out a “what are you saying?” as a kid’s way of showing frustration. Something happy, and it applies to this cover shoot as well, was being asked “what do you want to do?”. When I was a Junior, things were mainly decided about what I was going to do next. That’s what it felt like and Johnny-san would tell me to do this and that. In my case, it was “be someone that people will call cute” and there were times where I hated that and struggled despite being a kid. Of course, being in a position where people critique me is a thankful thing, and I think I was super protected as well. But being able to decide things from the very beginning for myself after debuting was really gratifying. There’s more responsibility, but you don’t know if you never try and my desire to stay true to myself has intensified.
¾ Changes as a group
Compared to before, we’ve gotten more solo jobs like variety shows, drama and stage plays, so there’ve been less chances for the 6 of us to meet and that makes me feel really lonely. For me that is. Receiving solo work is a great thing for the group of course, and it’s amazing too, but we were always together when we were Juniors. In the past, we could’ve immediately pointed out the pluses and minuses like “that was good” or “that was a bit…” from when we saw each other on TV, but now that we have lesser chances to meet, it’s hard to bring it up when so much time has passed. Not being able to immediately say the things that I want to does make me sad. I think SixTONES’ fans will watch our solo works as well, but they like us as SixTONES so I think there are many people who like to see the 6 of us singing together. I won’t ask for the same as before, but I hope we can continue as a group where the 6 of us can tell things to each other straightaway.
¾ Your feelings now that over a year has passed since your debut
I’ve started to think that there are a lot of things that I don’t know. Only a year has passed so I can’t determine if our performances in this condition are good or bad, and to be honest, I don’t know what is or isn’t being critiqued. We are able to work because of our fans, so we want to meet their expectations and think about what we need to do in order to achieve that, but I too want to respect my own ambitions on the other hand. We’re often told that we’re “SixTONES-like”, but I think those words really work like a magic spell. It’s not that everything and anything is allowed because of that phrase, but there are things that get pushed along because of that phrase right? However, I think that phrase can both work positively and negatively, so I’ve spent more time thinking about how to make those words work positively and it’s got me in a quandary. There’re definitely more happier things, but there are also more things that I think we need to work on, so I think I’ve spent more time thinking about things.
¾ What relationship do you want to maintain with the members?
I want us to be in perfect harmony. I think it’s fine as long as it shows when we’re working even if we don’t talk about it. We have many chances to talk amongst ourselves and I believe we understand each other, but I hope to be able to highlight that more in our performances. For example, if someone makes a mistake during a performance, well not that we have to cover for it, but naturally being able to follow up after each other without saying anything - that perfect harmony is something I hope we can cultivate more of. To be honest, I don’t think we have it yet. Onlookers might think we have it, but I think we can do better. I want everyone to know each other better.
I hope we can continue as a group where the 6 of us can tell things to each other straightaway.
Looking back at SixTONES’ suekko Morimoto Shintarou right from his very first appearance
We have Shin-chan for SixTONES’ solo cover and opening page series! In addition to the message board to members & fans, plus playback corner looking back from his first appearance, don’t miss out Shin-chan’s expressions from when he was toyed around by the dog from his photoshoot!
To MEMBER & FAN
Message board from Shin-chan to the members & fans
To Kyomo
Kyomo is a super hardworker and doesn’t settle for second-best, so he has a habit to push himself and see mistakes that normal people will miss, as huge mistakes. But I think it’s okay if he doesn’t strive for perfection that strongly. That’s why I hope he can take things a little easier.
To Kouchi
There are times where he says he’s lacking in skills or unsure whether he’s contributing to the group or not, but I think just having Kouchi missing will lose SixTONES-likeness. I think SixTONES will be scattered without Kouchi and there were many times that he’s saved me, so I want him to say more and more positive things.
To Hokuto
Hokuto surprisingly has a worrisome side to him, so I hope that doesn’t make him think things in a weird way and go in circles. He’s bad at interacting with people so he tries to solve things internally without consulting others, but all of us are watching and supporting Hokuto carefully so that that doesn’t happen. That’s why I hope he can talk to us openly without worrying.
To Jesse
Everyone calls him SixTONES’ center and pillar, but I hope he doesn’t overthink about it. There’s still a lot that we’re lacking in, but I think there are areas we’ve matured in when compared to our very beginnings, so I hope he can enjoy himself in the moment without thinking too much about having to lead us or having to be proper because he’s in the center.
To Juri
There are many things that I can empathise with exactly because we’ve gone through similar experiences, which is why I think Juri and I are enjoying these moments being true to ourselves, but Juri doesn’t really show his weaknesses. I’m sure he doesn’t want to show his weak side, but I think it’s fine if he shows even a little of that.
To Fans
Out of SixTONES, I’m the one who does things as I wish, or like, I have a tendency to act according to how I feel or think at that moment, so I want people to see me as a simple person. I’m someone who wants to enjoy life, so if you think “ah, Shintarou’s not smiling”, I don’t want fans to worry too much and just think “he’s in that mood” (laughs). Because I’m someone who wants to enjoy life.
From Shintarou
Looking back at Morimoto Shintarou’s history through interviews 2007 ⇒ 2019
2007
First appearance
Strength: Good at making people laugh. Shortcoming: Making up excuses immediately. Admired senpai: Takizawa (Hideaki)-kun. Type of girls you like: Someone kind. Sell your strengths: I’m still not that good at dancing since I haven’t been a Junior for long, but I’ll do my best. (January 2007)
2008
[What you want to learn from here on]
Kyomocchan on stage is really cool and good at dancing! He says that he practises at home as well, but I really gotta do that too. But I don’t have a big mirror at home. Doesn’t it feel like Kyomocchan’s house will have a room fitted with mirrors? (Kyomoto smiles wryly with “no no no”) I see. But I am getting a big mirror bought for me soon. I’m going to practise heaps when the mirror arrives~! (October 2008)
2009
Something that’s made my heart skip a beat lately… Hmm what could it be? Something that seems heart-skipping would be talking with someone I like. That’d definitely get my heart skipping. I’m totally normal usually, but I’d get tongue-tied if I talked in front of the girl I like. Even if I pick up the courage and speak to them, I’d get nervous from the beginning… That sort of pattern. Something heart-skipping from valentines? None at all! It’s not that I have any bad memories, but I go to school every year thinking “I’m not going to get any” strongly. (March 2009)
2010
[Ideal family within Johnnys]
Father⇒ Kawai (Fumito)-kun. He can do lots of monomane [impersonations] so don’t you think that’ll liven up the family? My wishes for pocket money is 2000+ yen so that I can buy snacks and games with ease!
Older brother⇒ Juri. He always comes up with new games and he’s a fun person who’s a mood-maker in the Juniors. I think he’d think a lot about how to have fun at home too.
2011
[Image of popular guys]
A kind person who’s cool and good-natured! Image-wise I think a wild manly feel is more popular. Like KinKi Kids or Kimura (Takuya)-san, I think mature men like them are popular. There’s a popular guy in my class too. He’s athletic and acts like a leader. Nerds aren’t popular. In terms of clubs, the soccer club and basketball club are popular in my school.
2012
[For Hokuto]
I watch every episode of “Kuro no Onna Kyoushi” and he’s cool in every episode. Usually, he likes to tease me who’s younger. Although Hokuto’s tsun-tsun [aloof/”cold”] like that, he’ll be dere-dere [fawning/”hot”] sometimes. Like talking to me in a sweet voice. I like that side of Hokuto too, but I think it’d be nice too if he could be like an onii-chan [older brother] who takes the lead without teasing his juniors. That said, Hokuto is cool so it’s fine if he stays that way. (October 2012)
2013
[People with a samurai spirit are?]
Kouchi! He’s a super honest guy in any case. His pureness is no joke and he also has a childish side whilst having a mature core. He’s reliable. He’s considerate about others and kind as well. He’ll say “wah, I don’t want to do this”, but he’ll do it when he needs to. There isn’t a single person around him who’d say he has a bad personality. …Crap, did I praise him too much? (laughs) (February 2013)
2014
[A Junior who you’d think will actually give a romantic confession or date?]
It’s gotta be Juri! He may be a jokester in front of everyone, but he thinks quickly and I think he can come up with ideas and things that his girlfriend would like. I definitely can’t do that. I can say the lines from delinquent dramas, but those sweet words from a romance drama… I’ll do my best since it’s my job but I’d definitely blush! (laughs) (January 2014)
2015
[The best among the members]
Something I won’t lose out in is how much I talk. The time where I wasn’t talking since I entered the studio today is seriously not even a minute (laughs). I’ll talk even when I’m alone at home. Even when I’m watching TV, I’ll talk with it saying “no no, that’s not right” (laughs) (October 2015)
2016
[Cute me]
I may look like this but my mother… no, my mama if I were to use what I call her usually, I fawn on her a lot (laughs). I’d often call her after work or something and act spoilt saying “pick me up at the station~”. Though she often replies “can’t” (laughs). I try to talk with her as much as possible when we’re together. (June 2016)
2017
[Jesse’s OFF]
He talks a lot in any case! His hospitality is crazy. For example, when we’re showing “Amazing!!!!!!” to someone who doesn’t know SixTONES, he’ll say “ok, next is ___. He does this subtle move here. Ok next is meee. I’m acting cool aren’t I~”, and give a verbal commentary from start to finish (laughs). I think he’s a person with American’s energy and straightforwardness mixed with Japanese’s moderate seriousness. (December 2017)
2018
[Matsumura Hokuto’s cute side]
Up till now, when I bother Hokuto, he’d give a boring reaction like “yeah yeah”, or give off this aura that makes it hard to bother him. But that’s changed lately. When I teased a kouhai [junior] yesterday and told him to “say ___ to Hokuto”, Hokuto was there grinning and “waiting for the teasing”. Hokuto is super cute like that and knowing that “he’s opened up to me!” makes me happy. (June 2018)
2019
[Chilling stories]
Kansai’s Fujiwara Jyouichirou suddenly sent me a message saying “Thank you. I’m 23 years old.” (laughs). It seemed like it was his birthday that day and he added a second message with “I’m still waiting for my present from last year you know” (laughs). He didn’t even send me happy birthday on my birthday so Jyou who sent such a message gave me the chills (laughs). I’ve known Jyou for over 10 years. We still go out for a meal nowadays if the time’s right. (April 2019)