10000 Character Interview [Kiriyama Akito, Myojo, Oct. 2014 Issue] {Translated}
T/N: The original article split the interview into little sections, so I took the liberty of titling the sections and putting them in different 'cuts' (???) for organisational purposes. IMO the parts that really moved me was (1), (5), (6), (7), (8), and (9).
I would say prepare a box of tissues, cos some of this stuff is pretty… ;_____________;[I ( Read more... )
I would say prepare a box of tissues, cos some of this stuff is pretty… ;_____________;[I ( Read more... )
I'll start off by saying that you clearly know Akito+JWest a lot better than I do, haha
I feel kind of out of my element trying to discuss this with you but I shall try my best (I've only really gotten into JWest and Akito this past month >.<)
I see what you mean about being shocked by this interview in the beginning
In my original draft, I put in my T/N that for readers not to judge Akito in the beginning like I did, and to read to the end (I did end up taking it out), because when I read the first section for the first time, I was so
Shocked? I dunno, I had this image of a really really tight group and Akito as a very central part of it, and this idea in my mind that the four fought really hard against the decision, so to start the interview off knowing that Akito was prepared to be as a four made me kind of uncomfortable to go on
But of course I'm glad I did, like you said he really did work his ass off and really grew as a person with his time as a junior. Although I was kind of ? at how to respond to the interview in the beginning, when I was translating it I realised I love how honest he is about his feelings with the situation and how he thought through the logistics behind of a four member group vs. a seven. On radio when they did the section where they go through the Myojo magazine monthly, Akito mentioned that in his interview he revealed some more dark sides of him, and I think that really shows how he knew that the information presented in the interview could paint him negatively, but he went out with it anyway and with complete honesty and I love that about him.
I'm really excited about their future too! They really have a lot of potential, and I can't wait to see how it all turns out!
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Ah, so you started to get into them recently? Well, I think it's never too late to join a fandom ^^ (like for example, I joines Arashi-fandom at the beginning of 2012 and they debuted in 1999 XD THAT's late haha).
Yes, I was really shocked. But tbh, I was more shocked about his attitude when he was young, this urge to stay in the center, to get successful etc., because even if it's common that people want to have success, it's seldom that people admit that, especially for Japanese since I think that they usually are... how to describe it... they often don't voice their real opinion and they tend to step back? I'm not sure how to say it but maybe you know what I mean. Akito gave of the vibe of a lone fighter and that somehow surprised me because I somehow had the image that Kansai Juniors are pretty close. I also didn't know that he had such problems with Junta, so I was surprised about this tue but the fact that they kept on working together and finally grew into friends, makes the whole thing even more impressive to me! ^^ I'm really happy about that! Also that he from first wanting to be a lone fighter and successful on his own in first place, he developed to a person with a strong sense of responsibility (I refer to the part when he said that he felt sorry for the other Kansai juniors that he didn't manage to make them more popular. Aw~ Akito >.< It's not only your responsibility... *hugs him*)
Because of the 4 nin vs 7 nin stuff. I have to admit, I can totally understand his thinking in this. I think (or at least I interpret it this way), that when he said that he decided to do it as the 4 of them, this wasn't actually a bad thing. I think, I would have reacted in a similar way, considering all the possibilities and worrying about the members as well as the 3 that were not included first - like what will happen to them? What would be better for them, to join or not to join? Also as a idol that didn't debut yet, of course you have to obey to the higher ups in some way or you might get into serious trouble and then, everything was for nothing and nobody will be happy... But after all, Akito is a straight forward person and even if he gave up on becoming 7 at one point, in the end he stood up for them (and I think in Japan it's a big deal to stand up against a decision from a higher up, especially if it's the big boss!) and succeeded to make them a group of 7! ^^ Akito, you did your best, growing from a selfish and self-centered lone fighter to a responsible group leader! Ah... I just realize that I don't even know if Johnny's WEST actually HAS a leader... but somehow, I always had the feeling of Akito being the leader (even if he isn't the oldest, that would be Junta, right?).
It's true, the interview might show Akito's dark and negative sides as well, but I personally think that it's important for the fans to also know these sides of an idol. As I mentioned in the last comment, I think, the 10 000 character interviews are perfect for that, I learned a lot of Johnny's from such interviews and I was always impressed about their characters (well, most of the time XD)! They reveil so much, I really love them! I'm already curious about the other members' interviews. ^^
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