Rikkai Close-Up: Yagami, Ono, Kanesaki, Ookawa
--Did you know about the "Prince of Tennis" manga and anime before this?
All
I knew about it!
Kanesaki
I've known about it since it first started serializing, ne.
Ookawa
Me, too.
--Is there a character that you like?
Ookawa
Kaidou. In Tenimyu, it was acted by my senpai (Gomoto).
Kanesaki
I think I like Tezuka. He's pretty strong, isn't he? I like the strong ones, after all. (lol)
Ono
For me, it's Echizen Ryoma. When I was in middle school, I would always mimic his Twist Serve.
Yagami
For me, it’s Akutsu. Since long ago, I’ve always liked the more villainous roles, ne. Although, they usually eventually lose (lol)
--How was it, when you watched the Tenimyu DVD?
Kanesaki
I was surprised about the representation of the ball, and methods like these. It was pretty interesting.
Ono
Everyone looked like they were they were really enjoying performing, and their enjoyment was transmitted to me.
Kanesaki
It was also really interesting how everyone really became their characters, ne.
Yagami
I’ve seen it many times since training has begun, as well, and knowing the difficulties they went through, I was motivated to do my best as well.
Ookawa
Afterwards, I couldn’t get the songs out of my head. (lol)
Yagami
Like “DO YOUR BEST”.
Ookawa
Yeah, yeah. I couldn’t get that one out for about 3 days.
Kanesaki
I’m getting heated up, trembling with excitement and with my heart pounding, over my joy in being able to stand on this stage/performance.
Ookawa
Seems it’ll be happy from now, ne. (lol)
Kanesaki
Well, yeah, we’re feeling pretty good, aren’t we.
--When training started, how was the mood of the members?
Yagami
Although there were also some who were worried, we all spoke with each other, and it feels good now, ne. It feels like a bunch of disconnected guys had gathered, and have now very well become one. Just that, in dance, Masa is somehow apart from us, being a leader within that sphere
Ookawa
In singing, it’s Ba-chan, ne. And Ouji is the fashion leader. (lol)
--Now, then. Let me ask about the members. First, Nakagauchi-kun.
Ookawa
Oniisan.
Kanesaki
Frivolous! (lol)
Yagami
Because he has the most experience when it comes to musicals, he’s the one who has the strongest feelings in fussing over it. There’s a lot we can learn from him, ne. Although, he’s usually rather silly. (lol)
Kanesaki
He’ll dance while your back’s turned..
Ono
He’ll dance anywhere, ne.
Kanesaki
If there are any opportunities to do so, he’ll dance. He seems pretty fun, although he doesn’t really say much in particular (lol).
--How is Baba-kun?
Ookawa
In my view, Ba-chan would be the one in Rikkai most likely to lose his head. His head’s always spinning so fast. And his gags, too, ne... (lol)
Yagami
Although, his imitation of De Niro doesn’t really resemble the real thing (lol)
Ookawa
No, he does! (lol) But he’s really mature.
Kanesaki
His way of thinking is, too.
Ookawa
It feels like he’s older than me.
Kanesaki
Yeah.
Ookawa
Don’t say “yeah”! (lol)
Yagami
He’s good at singing, and he remembers everything about other people’s parts, too.
Ookawa
Yeah, yeah. That’s why everyone often asks him, “How’s this?”
--Kiriyama-kun?
Ookawa
He goes at his own pace.
Yagami
Cheerful.
Kanesaki
But, occasionally, when you look at him, he’s actually spacing out. (lol)
Yagami
From what I can see, I think he’s very fashionable. There are a lot of variations.
Ookawa
A kind oniisan. Whenever there’s a problem, he first gathers everybody and makes sure we resolve it.
--Yuuki-kun?
Yagami
A great guy.
Ookawa
A hard-working person. In singing, in dance, in everything, he gives them his all.
Kanesaki
And, he looks pretty good, ne. The make-up of his face is really nice.
Yagami
(lol) Definitely cool, ne.
Ono
He’s always very caring, and always has kind words, ne.
Yagami
A very thoughtful person.
Kanesaki
Yeah. He’s the kind of guy who can make friends with anybody easily.
--And, Kanesaki-kun?
Ookawa
He’s very much like Sanada (lol).
Yagami
That’s true. At this time, the one who most resembles their role is Kane-chan. The resemblance is great.
Kanesaki
Of course, since I specialize in physical stuff, I might have been able to quickly grap how to use my body to portray my character in something like Tenimyu.
Ono
He doesn't just tell you about the form, he does it with you to show you; he's really nice.
--Ookawa-kun?
Ookawa
He’s the most mature, very manly...
Yagami
I don’t think he’s like that.
Ookawa
Ah, I see... (All laugh)
Kanesaki
But he's pretty clever, Genki is. Knows various things. Very knowledgeable.
Yagami
That’s because he’s an otaku, ne. (All laugh)
Ookawa
I'm not going to deny that (lol). I love anime.
Yagami
But I'm an American car otaku, too. I'm a minicar type of guy; I have over 400 of them at home.
Ookawa
You’re more of an otaku than I am! (All laugh)
--Ono-kun?
Ookawa
Just as I thought, he's a pretty playful kid, ne.
Kanesaki
He is, isn't he.
Ookawa
This time, he hit me from behind with a racket. Bash! (lol)
Yagami
I thought it was some kind of a batsu-game, but, on the train, he suddenly started mimicking Hachikou; I was surprised. (All laugh) [note: batsu-game - punishment as a consequence of a game, hachikou - famous dog statue]
Kanesaki
Ah, that surprised me. He suddenly knelt down; I was wondering what he was doing (lol).
--And, last, Yagami-kun?
Ono
He really has that “Ouji” feeling.
Ookawa
I can’t find another word to describe him, other than “Ouji”.
Kanesaki
He goes at his own pace. Even when we go out to eat together at a family restaurant, he ate using his knife and fork, and then he put his rice on the back side of his fork. But he’s extremely slow when he’s eating! (lol)
Yagami
Don't rush... Well, it's just good manners. (laugh)
Ookawa
I kind of look up to his fashion sense. I want to try wearing clothes like this. Or, rather, I want to be someone who’d look good in them.
Kanesaki
Even that hat that looks like it's going to grow wings looks good on him, ne. I think it's great to be so individualistic.
Ono
I... want to gradually start imitating him.
Ookawa
Kento has declared his "Ouji transformation"! (All laugh)
Yagami
That’s fine isn’t it? (lol) I just like picking out clothes that people rarely wear.
--How are the practices?
Kanesaki
I think that the scene when we first appear on stage is especially important, though we're extremely discrete at that time. The song is really good, and, besides that, we're telling them that we won't lose. The song has a really dignified "fear", and the tempo is good.
Ookawa
It has a different "sense of fear" than with Hyotei.
Kanesaki
That's true. All of the songs were good. It's always good, but most especially on that one.
Ookawa
Yeah. As we practice together as a team, little by little, it feels as if everyone's sense of unity is growing.
Kanesaki
As the Rikkai members spoke honestly with each other about what we were thinking, we already decided to do it all together, ne.
Ookawa
The practices are really fun. But there really is quite a lot of them (lol). It's a good tension.
Kanesaki
Because the performance is coming up soon, I want to perfect this already, and then continue to improve that, but... In any case, we still have some worries, but we can only really do our best so that we can come closer to Ueshima-san's ideal.
Yagami
In the song that Kane-chan and I have, I have the higher part and he has the lower part, but, we're still being drawn to each other.
Kanesaki
There's a connection that exists only between Sanada and Yukimura, which must be represented in the setting of the song. That's a good song, too.
Yagami
Yeah. That part also brings the pressure, ne (lol).
--In the practices after this, what is it that you would like to continue working on?
Yagami
I would like to do my best in focusing on singing.
Kanesaki
It's singing for me as well.
Ookawa
Acting. Of course, I can't just do whatever I want because there's an original work to follow, but I want to show the audience Ookawa Genki's Kirihara Akaya.
Ono
Everything for me. This is the first time I'll be performing in front of people, so, for now, I would like to rise up to average level in everything.
--Please give a message of your enthusiasm for the upcoming performance to the people viewing the HP.
Yagami
Because it's not like you can come and see every single performance, we want to do our best in all performances, so that we can show you something wonderful when you can come and see it. Afterwards, there is also the summer performance, so we'll do our best in order for you to think, "I want to go again."
Ono
Since this is my first time in a musical, there are a lot of things I still don't know or are hard for me, but I'm doing my best, putting in my efforts as I climb over this, so please support us.
Ookawa
Of course, I'm having fun doing this, but I'll make this a stage that the guests can watch and enjoy, and not just a one-way road of feelings, so please do absolutely look forward to it!
Kanesaki
I hope that each and everyone of us can really become our roles, and definitely become Rikkaidai.
source: rikkai close-up
All
I knew about it!
Kanesaki
I've known about it since it first started serializing, ne.
Ookawa
Me, too.
--Is there a character that you like?
Ookawa
Kaidou. In Tenimyu, it was acted by my senpai (Gomoto).
Kanesaki
I think I like Tezuka. He's pretty strong, isn't he? I like the strong ones, after all. (lol)
Ono
For me, it's Echizen Ryoma. When I was in middle school, I would always mimic his Twist Serve.
Yagami
For me, it’s Akutsu. Since long ago, I’ve always liked the more villainous roles, ne. Although, they usually eventually lose (lol)
--How was it, when you watched the Tenimyu DVD?
Kanesaki
I was surprised about the representation of the ball, and methods like these. It was pretty interesting.
Ono
Everyone looked like they were they were really enjoying performing, and their enjoyment was transmitted to me.
Kanesaki
It was also really interesting how everyone really became their characters, ne.
Yagami
I’ve seen it many times since training has begun, as well, and knowing the difficulties they went through, I was motivated to do my best as well.
Ookawa
Afterwards, I couldn’t get the songs out of my head. (lol)
Yagami
Like “DO YOUR BEST”.
Ookawa
Yeah, yeah. I couldn’t get that one out for about 3 days.
Kanesaki
I’m getting heated up, trembling with excitement and with my heart pounding, over my joy in being able to stand on this stage/performance.
Ookawa
Seems it’ll be happy from now, ne. (lol)
Kanesaki
Well, yeah, we’re feeling pretty good, aren’t we.
--When training started, how was the mood of the members?
Yagami
Although there were also some who were worried, we all spoke with each other, and it feels good now, ne. It feels like a bunch of disconnected guys had gathered, and have now very well become one. Just that, in dance, Masa is somehow apart from us, being a leader within that sphere
Ookawa
In singing, it’s Ba-chan, ne. And Ouji is the fashion leader. (lol)
--Now, then. Let me ask about the members. First, Nakagauchi-kun.
Ookawa
Oniisan.
Kanesaki
Frivolous! (lol)
Yagami
Because he has the most experience when it comes to musicals, he’s the one who has the strongest feelings in fussing over it. There’s a lot we can learn from him, ne. Although, he’s usually rather silly. (lol)
Kanesaki
He’ll dance while your back’s turned..
Ono
He’ll dance anywhere, ne.
Kanesaki
If there are any opportunities to do so, he’ll dance. He seems pretty fun, although he doesn’t really say much in particular (lol).
--How is Baba-kun?
Ookawa
In my view, Ba-chan would be the one in Rikkai most likely to lose his head. His head’s always spinning so fast. And his gags, too, ne... (lol)
Yagami
Although, his imitation of De Niro doesn’t really resemble the real thing (lol)
Ookawa
No, he does! (lol) But he’s really mature.
Kanesaki
His way of thinking is, too.
Ookawa
It feels like he’s older than me.
Kanesaki
Yeah.
Ookawa
Don’t say “yeah”! (lol)
Yagami
He’s good at singing, and he remembers everything about other people’s parts, too.
Ookawa
Yeah, yeah. That’s why everyone often asks him, “How’s this?”
--Kiriyama-kun?
Ookawa
He goes at his own pace.
Yagami
Cheerful.
Kanesaki
But, occasionally, when you look at him, he’s actually spacing out. (lol)
Yagami
From what I can see, I think he’s very fashionable. There are a lot of variations.
Ookawa
A kind oniisan. Whenever there’s a problem, he first gathers everybody and makes sure we resolve it.
--Yuuki-kun?
Yagami
A great guy.
Ookawa
A hard-working person. In singing, in dance, in everything, he gives them his all.
Kanesaki
And, he looks pretty good, ne. The make-up of his face is really nice.
Yagami
(lol) Definitely cool, ne.
Ono
He’s always very caring, and always has kind words, ne.
Yagami
A very thoughtful person.
Kanesaki
Yeah. He’s the kind of guy who can make friends with anybody easily.
--And, Kanesaki-kun?
Ookawa
He’s very much like Sanada (lol).
Yagami
That’s true. At this time, the one who most resembles their role is Kane-chan. The resemblance is great.
Kanesaki
Of course, since I specialize in physical stuff, I might have been able to quickly grap how to use my body to portray my character in something like Tenimyu.
Ono
He doesn't just tell you about the form, he does it with you to show you; he's really nice.
--Ookawa-kun?
Ookawa
He’s the most mature, very manly...
Yagami
I don’t think he’s like that.
Ookawa
Ah, I see... (All laugh)
Kanesaki
But he's pretty clever, Genki is. Knows various things. Very knowledgeable.
Yagami
That’s because he’s an otaku, ne. (All laugh)
Ookawa
I'm not going to deny that (lol). I love anime.
Yagami
But I'm an American car otaku, too. I'm a minicar type of guy; I have over 400 of them at home.
Ookawa
You’re more of an otaku than I am! (All laugh)
--Ono-kun?
Ookawa
Just as I thought, he's a pretty playful kid, ne.
Kanesaki
He is, isn't he.
Ookawa
This time, he hit me from behind with a racket. Bash! (lol)
Yagami
I thought it was some kind of a batsu-game, but, on the train, he suddenly started mimicking Hachikou; I was surprised. (All laugh) [note: batsu-game - punishment as a consequence of a game, hachikou - famous dog statue]
Kanesaki
Ah, that surprised me. He suddenly knelt down; I was wondering what he was doing (lol).
--And, last, Yagami-kun?
Ono
He really has that “Ouji” feeling.
Ookawa
I can’t find another word to describe him, other than “Ouji”.
Kanesaki
He goes at his own pace. Even when we go out to eat together at a family restaurant, he ate using his knife and fork, and then he put his rice on the back side of his fork. But he’s extremely slow when he’s eating! (lol)
Yagami
Don't rush... Well, it's just good manners. (laugh)
Ookawa
I kind of look up to his fashion sense. I want to try wearing clothes like this. Or, rather, I want to be someone who’d look good in them.
Kanesaki
Even that hat that looks like it's going to grow wings looks good on him, ne. I think it's great to be so individualistic.
Ono
I... want to gradually start imitating him.
Ookawa
Kento has declared his "Ouji transformation"! (All laugh)
Yagami
That’s fine isn’t it? (lol) I just like picking out clothes that people rarely wear.
--How are the practices?
Kanesaki
I think that the scene when we first appear on stage is especially important, though we're extremely discrete at that time. The song is really good, and, besides that, we're telling them that we won't lose. The song has a really dignified "fear", and the tempo is good.
Ookawa
It has a different "sense of fear" than with Hyotei.
Kanesaki
That's true. All of the songs were good. It's always good, but most especially on that one.
Ookawa
Yeah. As we practice together as a team, little by little, it feels as if everyone's sense of unity is growing.
Kanesaki
As the Rikkai members spoke honestly with each other about what we were thinking, we already decided to do it all together, ne.
Ookawa
The practices are really fun. But there really is quite a lot of them (lol). It's a good tension.
Kanesaki
Because the performance is coming up soon, I want to perfect this already, and then continue to improve that, but... In any case, we still have some worries, but we can only really do our best so that we can come closer to Ueshima-san's ideal.
Yagami
In the song that Kane-chan and I have, I have the higher part and he has the lower part, but, we're still being drawn to each other.
Kanesaki
There's a connection that exists only between Sanada and Yukimura, which must be represented in the setting of the song. That's a good song, too.
Yagami
Yeah. That part also brings the pressure, ne (lol).
--In the practices after this, what is it that you would like to continue working on?
Yagami
I would like to do my best in focusing on singing.
Kanesaki
It's singing for me as well.
Ookawa
Acting. Of course, I can't just do whatever I want because there's an original work to follow, but I want to show the audience Ookawa Genki's Kirihara Akaya.
Ono
Everything for me. This is the first time I'll be performing in front of people, so, for now, I would like to rise up to average level in everything.
--Please give a message of your enthusiasm for the upcoming performance to the people viewing the HP.
Yagami
Because it's not like you can come and see every single performance, we want to do our best in all performances, so that we can show you something wonderful when you can come and see it. Afterwards, there is also the summer performance, so we'll do our best in order for you to think, "I want to go again."
Ono
Since this is my first time in a musical, there are a lot of things I still don't know or are hard for me, but I'm doing my best, putting in my efforts as I climb over this, so please support us.
Ookawa
Of course, I'm having fun doing this, but I'll make this a stage that the guests can watch and enjoy, and not just a one-way road of feelings, so please do absolutely look forward to it!
Kanesaki
I hope that each and everyone of us can really become our roles, and definitely become Rikkaidai.
source: rikkai close-up