Hashimoto Ryosuke's 10.000 words interview from Myojo 2017 (English Translation)
cr raw : yoshiko-mama@LJ
Note: I'm not fluent and I understand there are parts that I can't explain properly because English is not my native language, please do comment if you can correct me and I would be really happy for that, and also if there are parts that you can't understand please leave a comment or message and I will do my best to explain it to you. I hope you enjoy reading this as much as I do while doing this, please send a lot of love to A.B.C-Z <3
"If I don't enjoy this now, then when will I get some fun!?"
- Congratulations for getting number 1 in Oricon with the 5th year anniversary single, "Reboot!!!"!
Thank you very much. When I first heard the song my tension went higher than the usual. There's an impact to the song, it's the kind of music that will stay in your mind and it's different from what A.B.C-Z had done so far. Kawai-san said that he wanted to put in a lot of new acrobats in it, so we included a lot of new ones, I think that the performance left an impact as well. It's not only the members, but the staffs are also more enthusiastic than the usual. Ah, but I guess I was the most enthusiastic. When I found out we were getting the 1st place, it felt like my first time getting number 1. When I shouted "Yossha! We're getting the first place!", the members calmly said "We have been on 1st place too, before". I forgot that "Moonlight Walker" was getting the 1st place too, so I said "Ehh, is that so!?" (laugh)
- The commemoration event was also successful, right..
Yes! A lot of people came. We hurriedly extended the time from 9 in the morning until 8.30 pm. At the last event, everyone was really unsteady but everyone had waited for a long time. I can't effort to lose from my tiredness. As expected, the presence of the fans are really great. I became really tired halfway, my heart seems like falling apart but when we appear in front of the fans and they said, "We're looking forward to it!" and I saw their faces as they said it, those kind of feeling reached to me right away. After that I got better. The power of the fans are really amazing.
- That's right..
A.B.C-Z's fans are really a bunch of kind people. Not only to the members they like, they properly give their support kindly to each members. It's not only a simple words like "Please do your best!", but like "Goseki-kun, thank you for your hard work on the stage play!!" or "Tsukada-kun, I'll support you on Sasuke!", such words like that. I think that while they are waiting, they have properly thought about what to tell the members. They said those words while their hearts are beating so fast. That kind of feelings made me happy. You know, I'm an idiot, my Japanese is really no good, I was wondering something nice to say, but I couldn't say anything. There is no words that convey my feelings properly other than "Thank you!". It takes time but I want to tell my feelings to each of them properly but I couldn't get it done in time. Somehow, it was an event that mixed with happy feeling and the feel of being sorry.
- What kind of year do you want this 5th year to be?
Anyhow, I will look forward to it! For A.B.C-Z the number "5" is an important number. It's an important thing for us, it has always been there. Our group has 5 people, it's also the symbol of 5 stars, there also a lot of our song title and lyrics that has "5" in it. I think that 5 years later when we're on our 10th year it will be a lot more fun, but this is a commemoration year where the number 5 is attached, the next one will be on our 50th year anniversary. That's why, this year I will keep on this feeling like, "If I don't enjoy this now, then when will I get some fun!?"
"I can do it even when I'm by myself!"
- I listened to a lot of things from the other members, they said you became an adult after your debut.
Is that so?
- Recently, you can sum up your words during the interview, you now talk with your own words without ruining it, right?
It's probably because I was raised by Kawai-san. I came to realize that, "This flow is right for me!!".
- Everyone said that you grow a lot after your solo concert. In the first place, what did you think when the first solo concert has been decided in 2015?
It's like "Yossha!!". I thought that I would overtake my members. I want to show the members and Johnny-san that I can do it even when I'm by myself.
- I see that..
No.. That's not it. I wanted to tell that to the fans, not the members. Soon A.B.C-Z will turn 9 years after it was formed. I entered the group last, well I am the last member, but it has always been said that "Hashimoto-kun is always surrounded by 4 older brothers so he must be happy". Somehow, well, it's only my selfish thought but I feel like I was being told "If the 4 members aren't there then Hashimoto-kun couldn't do anything". It's not a rebellious phase of me, but I somehow feel like I want to oppose it. I want to show it to people that I can do it even when I'm alone.
- I see.
Even though I said that, the members encouraged me, Goseki-kun even came up with the choreography for me. Especially at the beginning, I was completely depending on Goseki-kun.
- Goseki-kun saw your growth from the first solo concert to the one in the middle of the year..
Because Goseki-kun has been in charge for it a lot. After my solo concert, he immediately took care for all of the choreography in for first time for A.B.C-Z's concert. He also had a stage play "Faust". At the rehearsal for my solo concert, I am watching Goseki-kun who keep moving in front of the mirror for two hours, I keep thinking and not moving at all. He got his hands full of things, I am sorry to cause troubles for him. I have to do what I can.
- Do you remember the first day of your solo concert? Goseki-kun was really nervous, but Hashimoto-kun isn't worried at all and tried not to let it out.
I didn't show it at all (laugh). I wish I could say that I'm anxious about it. I want to him feel reassured so I said "It's okay, I will do it properly!". But, even though he is anxious, those kind of thing came out from him. I'm happy to be treated that way by the oldest member, but I am somewhat a little bit lonely. I want him to trust me more even though I don't have a lot of experiences yet.
- But having a solo concert as an experience, it made you gained confidence, right?
Certainly, "You got more confident now. Your expression is different" hearing the words from my surroundings made me very happy. However, during the middle of solo concert it was really fun to the point I thought "Doing it as a solo is yabai!! I might not able to go back to the group!", but as soon as the four of them are beside me, I feel relieved after all. Well, I feel amazed. I was told that I got the confidence, it's only me but I think that from that kind of words such expression came out from me. (sorry I am not to sure about this part)
- Then, how was the solo concert in 2016?
After doing it once, I enjoyed having such good tension. Because I already know the order to built them up. Goseki-kun also did the choreography for the 2nd year, Hashimoto too, in 2nd year has become more smooth, since I already know the order of things that I should do. I wonder what I should say, In 2015, I did carry A.B.C-Z on my back alone during my solo concert. In 2016, it felt like like a Hashimoto Ryosuke's concert.
- Isn't it nice being told by everyone that you have become an adult?
No.. no.. no. No.. Well, I think that I changed a little bit, but I don't want to say it by my own. I have not changed since I was 15 from the time I entered A.B.C-Z, I'm still as I am, a child. Well, but being 23 is an adult after all, I guess it's time soon for me to say "I have changed", but on the contrary I think it will annoy the members. I'm an adult, and I have to realize it by myself. But I also feel like I want to keep staying as a child.........
- It's complicated right....
I'm pretending to be calm, I'm getting a lot more serious but I want to be a lot more playful and not caring about things. Because the other 4 are adults. I am the youngest, I want to do as I please and make them forgot about their troubles, I want to give energy to the other 4 members. But there are parts where I should become an adult, so it's difficult..
- Recently, I felt that your smile had started to disappear, but perhaps it's your purpose to do it?
Ah, of course, I think even for me there are times when I find myself not smiling. But it's not my intention to do it, there's also an adult part of me myself. It showed a good appearance. I think that it's better to laugh when there is something to laugh just like when you're a child, so it will reflect on yourself.
"Subaru-kun is like a person from the world of pirates"
- Who is the senior that has been looking after you?
I think that I'm blessed that I'm in the Johnny's office, after all it's the place filled with nice seniors. First of all, the president is kind. I think that I'm blessed by these people. All the seniors that I've met are really kind. But as expected, the person that I'm indebted more than anyone else is Subaru-kun. The senior who love me deeply is none other than Subaru-kun.
- You guys are getting along from a long time ago, right..
It's from the "Dream Boys" period 8 years ago. That time Subaru-kun is always being mean (Tsundere), so no one would dare to get close to the seniors.
- Hashimoto-kun, weren't scared of him?
At first, I was afraid for a moment (laugh). However, during the rehearsal time for the stage play, he showed an unexpected smile, it was a very kind smile. I thought that, "This person is really nice!". Then I got a command from my brain, "Go! Let's get along with him!". Subaru-kun is like a person from the world of pirates, you either be friends with him or get killed by him, I kept wondering which one will I get, I thought that I was making a huge bet but he was really nice and kind.
- During the performances in Osaka, both of you would eat together everyday, right?
1 full month, everyday. After our show ended I would hear him calling me out, "Ryosuke, let's go!!". I was convinced that he likes me. At first, the hotel we stayed in were different, but at the first day he moved to the room beside me. "If you can, you can come here anytime, okay!?" he said that. I thought that he was too kind.
- Are you guys going out for a meal recently?
Yes. Before this Tackey and Subaru-kun attended as the guest in "Johnny's All Stars Island". Because Subaru-kun might have another schedule so I couldn't invite him, but after the performances, he called out to me just like the old days, "Ryosuke, Let's go!". It's been a while since the last I went out with Subaru-kun so I got really hyped. The two of us went to eat Nabe.
- Was it fun?
It was really fun! During the performance, Subaru-kun was wearing the "Subaru from the west" T-shirt, and Tackey was wearing the "Tackey from the East". I also went out and wear the "Subaru from the west" for the MC. I really like Subaru-kun so much, so I went to the Nabe place with that shirt. The moment I took off my coat, he told me "Oi! Change your clothes! It's embarrassing!", but I said "Ehhh? Isn't this good?" and I keep wearing that shirt for about 4 hours.
- Hahahaha. What did you guys talked about?
I did a lot of consultation with him. About things I should do from now on and about A.B.C-Z. But well, he really listen to my stories seriously. He is really kind. I don't really want to cry in front of Subaru-kun, but I was crying really hard that time.
- You got a lot of advice..
Yes. A lot of it. But, we were drinking after it, so I completely forgot everything (laugh)
- Don't forget it!
I really wanted to take notes that time, but I want to see it with my own eyes and listen to those words properly. "If you are lost, you can always come to me and I will hear you out anytime", I think I forgot the rest right after he told me that. It's no good, I'm completely amazed by him. I will see him again soon and this time I won't forget what he said to me.
- What do you think now about the kids on the same age as you, or about the people who were once with you in J.J Express?
They're a comrade. I don't have any jealousy now. I don't have it at all. It's only when the time I couldn't entered Hey! Say! JUMP, I regretted that.
- Did you ever thought how was it like if you are in Hey! Say! JUMP?
About it, thinking that way is no good but there is a time when I think that way. Even now I still think about it. I'm basically a negative person, if there is something bad happened, I'm the kind of person that want to run away from the reality (laugh). At times like that, I will think "I wish I was in Hey! Say! JUMP" or "I wish I was in Sexy Zone". It's not like I seriously want to enter the group, but if I had members that are on the same age with me, I wonder what kind of things will happen? I had those delusional thinking.
- On the other hand, did you ever think how it will be like if someone else other than you is the one to join A.B.C-Z?
Ah, about that, I never thought about that. If someone else joined the group........ How it will be like..... I don't want to think about it. If someone else joined the group, I don't want to imagine the 5 of them playing and having so much fun together.
- Hashimoto-kun, when you joined A.B.C-Z, you memorized dozens of songs in a very short period of time
Yes
- Last year too, when Hashimoto-kun did the diet, it seems you are the person who can do something if you have the will to do it, so I guess that's why you could do it for A.B.C-Z
About that.. Well, the diet last year was really a foolish thing to do. It's just simply stupid (laugh). Well I'm happy that I got to look cooler, so that diet is a present for myself. But somehow, I want to test how far I have the guts to do it. I'm an Idol and most of all, I'm the center of A.B.C-Z, that's why I want to tell and show it to people that I can do anything if I do it seriously. So it's like a courage test, I'm learning something.
- You told us three and a half years ago that there was a time you wanted to quit Johnny's during your Junior era. Is there any thoughts like that now?
Yes, there is a moment when I'm at my down and feeling depressed that I thought this work isn't suitable for me. I'm unexpectedly weak when I got stuck (laugh). But, I won't quit for sure. Because I think that if I am not an idol I don't think I will be useful as a human being. Yup. If I don't have this job, what will I do now? Well, whatever I do, I'm sure that I will do my best for the sake of my family's happiness, but what I'm doing now is making a lot of people smile and having fun, If I do another job I don't think I will be able to do that.
"That's fine, it'll be okay if it's you.."
- Next, can you tell me what do you like about the members, what part of them that had changed and doesn't change at all?
The things I like about them..
- First Kawai-kun..
I think that he had changed a little, somehow his shyness towards people had seem to disappear. I did the stage play "Ludwig・B" with Kawai-kun, and last year we also did the "Coin Locker Babies". Like at the rehearsal place for "Coin Locker" and "Ludwig B", Kawai-kun looks so different because he is so bright during the practice. He already invited other casts to go out for eating or gather them out together. I thought that he had changed.
- Kawai-kun said that he learned how to socialize from Hasshi. Is there anything from him that doesn't change?
His kindness. He's completely a kind person. Well, when I first joined A.B.C-Z, Kawai-kun scolded me a lot. He will told me "Do it properly" and such. But at that time, when there's only two of us, he will become really nice. "Hashimoto, you don't have to worry, just think of me as your friend", I was really happy when he told me that. Even now, his kindness is unchanging.
- And how about Totsuka-kun?
I wonder how is it.. Uhm. Tottsu is just like the usual himself, always kind. That part of him doesn't change, he is always kind. He has always been kind to me from the beginning. Like when there's just two of us in the dressing room and we don't have anything to do, he will call me "Hasshi~" and winked at me. I think that "Ah, this guy, he likes me". Talking about him, I think that he is probably the one that understands me the most, because both of us have the same blood type. Recently, we have different route on going back home so I can't go back with him that much, but I want to go with him again.
- Totsuka-kun also really likes Subaru-kun. Why don't the three of you go out to eat together?
Well.. That's a bit different. I don't really mind it if Subaru-kun and Tottsu went to see each other with the two of them, but if there are three of us and I see the two of them talking in front of my eyes, I will get jealous (laugh).
- Then which part of Tsukada-kun that doesn't change?
A good person and someone who gives his all in everything. He works too hard and sometimes goes too far, that part of him doesn't change that much. This year, I also participated in "Out x Deluxe" new year party. He introduced me to the people and going to every single table to greet them. When I introduced myself, Tsuka-chan came right away from another place while running. "Ah, hello this is Hashimoto!!", Tsuka-chan will be the one who introduce me to them. Deep inside I thought, "I'm fine though, I feel sorry for the trouble and also I feel thankful" (laugh).
- That kind of scene happened in front of your eyes, right..
Well.. He's seriously forcing it.. Like "Ah right, right, well Hashimoto, this here.. well.. this.. this.. this is Out x Deluxe~", it's very typical of Tsuka-chan, he's just pushing me there casually, but he's doing it too much that it looks like the staffs are in trouble. I am happy with that, well I am happy with that, but he has been pushing and giving his everything from a long time ago so I don't think he changed at all.
- Tsuka-chan said that he is expecting things from you, and he think that you could do better..
Well for that, I'm happy to hear that, but then, hey Tsukada-kun, you're already doing your best, but I want you to try harder before telling other people that (laugh).
- And the last one, how about Goseki-kun?
Goseki-kun's choreography, I like that. For the dancing, he knows how to make the choreography based on the image of the members properly, somehow I'm really pleased with that. I also really like Goseki-kun's dance, I will imitate his figure when he's dancing.
- How was his choreography for your solo concert?
Well I heard it from the superior about it, I immediately think, "Ah, he knows me the most" and he choreographed my solo concert. Ah, then my feeling is the same as Goseki-kun. Actually, Goseki-kun is the youngest child and he has an older sister, isn't he? I actually want to spoil him more. But he is the oldest in A.B.C-Z, so I can't do it. I went to see "Shakespeare Monogatari" last year, and he was surrounded by older people and he was pretty lively, he was really excited when he was talking to Ohno-kun. I want to spoil him more. That's why, no one really mind the age gap, so I want him to be more pampered even within our group.
- I heard that Goseki-kun cried during the year-end party last year, what was that about?
Somehow, it looks like he cried behind our back. But actually the first one to cry was me. It was the first time that I cried in front of everyone. It's when we were rehearsing for "Reboot!!!". That song has such a fierce dance and the acrobat is also amazing. Moreover, I have to sing too. I think it happened during our MV shooting, I made mistakes both in dancing and the acrobats, but even though I made mistakes, I got an OK for it. But it's regretful, so I said "Please, let us do it once again" I pleaded them to do another take. On the second take, all my part was perfect, but the other members made a mistake on the acrobat part. I think the next day after the shooting is the year-end party. Somehow, I was pretty drunk, so I let out the feelings that I regretted through words.. I said, "I had enough of this! I won't do the acrobats!!". After that, my emotion exploded and tears came out. I hit them out with the words that came out, "Yesterday, you guys, why did everyone not doing it properly on the second take?!!". Well it's a bad feeling that I can't escape, because I can't do it properly on the first take. I understand that well. I understand that, but I feel really bad. After that, I couldn't stop my tears.
- So such thing happened...
After that, the crying Goseki-kun who sat next to me asked, "What happened?", then followed by, "The things that Ryosuke said a while ago..". Before I cried, Goseki-kun talked with the staffs about the mv shooting from the day before. Goseki-kun asked the staffs, "Can you please put the Hashimoto from the 2nd take and combine it with us from the first take?". After that, they listened to my story. Tottsu then hugged me while I cried, "That's fine, if it'll be fine if it's you.." he said that while patting my head all the time. Kawai-kun and Tsuka-chan are also watching over me that time. Somehow I felt like, "I'm glad that we are with this 5 people" and tears came out when I think about it.
- It was a good meeting, right?
It was a good one. But it's also really embarrassing. It was the first time that I cried in front of the members. For the year-end party and new year party, I always send off the drunk staffs by taxi, that's my own rule. But during the last year-end party is the first time I got so drunk that I regret I couldn't send everyone off.
"That's why, first of all, we will stand on the Dome"
- I also heard many stories from other members, as expected, A.B.C-Z is a wonderful group..
There's no doubt about it. As we celebrate our 5th anniversary, we have been more respectful to each other. Now, I'm at the age when the 4 other members made their debut. I want to do the fullest with the other 4 members, I would like to do what I can, I would like to be depended on by someone, to be spoiled by someone, ever since I joined, they are doing the best as the big brothers. I could finally debut, I supposed there were part of me that I kept and endured because I have to do things properly. The truth is, it's better if we put up more absurdity. For example, what if all of us go blond. This group absolutely can do better and go more if we break out from our shell. Because everyone has always been the big brothers, there is absolutely this feeling like "I have to act like the older one". I don't want that. I want them to feel like we are on the same age, that's why I want to tell them that I'm also an adult. That's why, I feel like I will change.
- So there's such thought in you..
To be honest, there's part of me that won't take a step forward. There are things that I want to say to the members, but I couldn't say it at all. "I'm bad when it comes to saying things" that's what I thought, I was told by Subaru-kun when I consulted with him, "When you can say all the things in your mind, that's what a group is". Yeah, there are things I can't say.
- As I thought, you're still being careful about it?
Well, I can say it to Tsukada and Goseki, but there are things I couldn't say to Totsuka and Kawai.
- Because you're afraid they might get angry?
It's actually the opposite. They are too kind. Tsukada and Goseki will hear and listen to me as it is, but if I said it to Totsuka, he will think about it too much and will act roughly. He will worry too much and said "Hasshi said such thing to me...". Kawai will do things Kawai-like, if there's something wrong, he will hold it himself. I also understand it. Because Kawai already had too much burden on his back. He's a leader and has to summarized and put everyone together.
- I see. Then, you said you will change, how exactly will you change?
Well.. I'm really hopeless when it comes to saying something, so what kind of words should I say?? I will never leave A.B.C-Z, but do I want to leave..? On the contrary, I want to be trusted by them. Undoubtedly, I am really no good as I am now. Everyone has a strong sense of responsibility, like each of us will say "Let me do it". I think it's only Goseki-kun who didn't think that way. That's a lie, but everyone seems to have a strong sense of responsibility and each of us seems to be quite an S, I think there is a part of us that is rebelling, because everyone is quite stubborn. But when someone is rushing or working alone to be on the front, I will feel uncomfortable, I will get sad because we are a group. That's why, I think it's about time for the five of us to be at the front. For sure, everyone won't say it because they are too kind to say it themselves.
- Could it be, because you consulted to Subaru-kun that you figured how to cut it out?
That's right. It felt like we would break if we face each other properly, I didn't take that step yet, but after all, I would like to speak properly with 5 of us. Moreover, it's about A.B.C-Z's future. It's not because Tsuka-chan told me that "Hashimoto can do better than this!", but the truth is A.B.C-Z can still go a lot more. Something amazing will happen if we are able to break the wall. I wonder what am I saying, I wonder how it's supposed to be? If our surroundings can notice it, we will absolutely become an amazing group. If people found out about us, it will surely be amazing.
- That's right..
I wonder if there's a mass possibility for A.B.C-Z.. The possibility is infinite for our group. If we have no skills, the performances won't be fun and I think that the audiences won't enjoy it either. If you think about it, there are endless possibilities for us, because we can dance, do acrobats, singing, acting and I'm confident that our live performances and stage play are fun. After that, when we appear on music program, or TV program, I think about how to attract new fans and I think about how to make them going into our concert.
- If A.B.C-Z break out from their shell, what kind of group do you think it will be?
Yes, there's also this thing. The members have been talking about this. I talked about this the most. This year we have our 5th year anniversary, so everyone was asked about their ambition and target. "What do you want to do?" and "How do you picture A.B.C-Z in the future?". Everyone talked and made a comment about it. There is things like, "I want the five of us to get along well!" and such. It's only comments like that, I wish everyone said something bigger than that. I wish someone could say "I want to surpass Arashi!" or "I want to surpass SMAP!".
- Then, I will ask you. Hashimoto-kun, what kind of group do you want A.B.C-Z to be?
You can't really say them in here though (laugh). "First of all, a dome", I was told that by Subaru-kun. Indeed, I also think dome should be the first. That's why, I will stand on Tokyo Dome first. Beyond that, I will become a proper center for A.B.C-Z and I will become a talent who could pull A.B.C-Z with a great meaning, I would like A.B.C-Z to be a group that can pull the Johnny's office. I want to do it. No, I don't want to do it. I will do it.
- You just declared it, right..
I always believe it. Between the group that had debuted now, there's no group that use their power to move their body as much as us. A.B.C-Z is "The Johnny's Group". Recently, looking at the Jr groups, I think that it's really amazing that they can do a lot of things, but I don't think that we will lose to the generation below us. I think that in total, we are the top. Because I believe we have endless possibility as a group. That's why, I always and always believe in it. With these 5 people, A.B.C-Z is the strongest.