V6 - SUPER Very best (LE A) - ~Project: 6-man training camp~ Until Now - MISSION 02-04
It's been a really tiring 1+ weeks, for various reasons... But, a few lines a night and tadah! The completed translations to SVb mission 2-4! (still no promises about the subsequent missions though)
It's interesting how these solo interviews probably also prompted or otherwise reflect some of the lyrics of " ~Koko Kara~" - like how Go's line about "just the right distance" comes up even here in his solo interview. Also, I really, really just went "awww" when Masa answered the last question the way he did (made me think of that song from their "Ready?" album, too).
On a side note, the good thing about the solo interviews is that only one person speaks at one time :D And no (or minimal) mumbling! My "major" problem was just Go's sentences because he (as Inocchi mentioned too) likes to throw out phrases or words instead of sentences. Sometimes it's so fragmented you have to piece it together into a proper sentence and figure out what he's trying to say.
Mission 02: The Birth of "~Koko Kara~"
Saka: What's this?
Everyone: Where are we?
Ino: Looks like a music room.
Saka: It's pretty amazing! Look at this! Amazing!
Naga: How nostalgic!
Go: Amazing!
Naga: It's huge!
Saka: It's enormous!
Naga: Yeah!
Ino: It's a melodion!
Everyone: What?
Ino: What is it?
Saka: Why are we here?
Staff: In this room...
Everyone: Yes.
Staff: We will have you carry out the second mission.
Everyone: Okay!
Staff: Well then, Leader.
Saka: Got it.
Go: How many have we done already?
Naga: Feels like we've already done a lot, right? But it's only our second mission.
Ino: Yeah!
Saka: Here goes. Mission 02. All 6 members, please collaborate to write a new song.
Everyone: Song!? We said it at the same time. "Song!?"
Saka: We did it again.
Ino: All 6 members? Have we ever written a song together?
Saka: Not with all 6 of us.
Ken: Nope.
Naga: Nope, never.
Ino: Never expected this to be a mission.
Saka: This is going to take a helluva long time though. Won't that be tough? Are we really doing this?
Staff: Of course.
Ino: He's serious.
Saka: Ah, so it wasn't a joke.
Ino: It's our 20th anniversary, so something anniversary-ish...
Saka: Oh, that?
Oka: We've written songs before.
Ino: I see.
Saka: Are you saying... This will actually go into the album? Wow. Let's do this then!
Oka: Let's do our best.
Ino: Let's do this! Shall we?
Saka: How do we even begin?
Go: This is a first!
Ino: It is!
Naga: For all 6 of us.
Go: But we're 6 guys overflowing with talent.
Ino: Guess this will be unexpectedly quick, huh?
Saka: All 6 of us together.
Oka: We can do this.
Ino: We're overflowing right now. We really are. With lyrics, right?
Naga: Where do we begin?
Ino: Well, I guess, you know. We've got 6 of us. So let's start with the lyrics.
Saka: With the lyrics, huh?
Ino: Let's work on the lyrics first.
Oka: Lyrics, huh?
Naga: Lyrics first.
Ino: We'll do the lyrics first, then we'll think about the melody later.
Saka: I see.
Go: Let's come up with some lyrics!
Oka: Let's!
Naga: Lyrics?
Saka: What's our theme?
Ino: Let's just throw words out.
Saka: Ah, you're right.
Ino: Throw stuff out, and I'll write them down. Then we'll see which phrases share the same meaning, that kinda thing. Shall we do that?
Go: Yeah.
Naga: It's gonna be a bit of a mess.
Go: It will.
Naga: Yeah. Well, I'll just sit down.
Ino: So to begin, let's start with thoughts about our anniversary, and our gratitude to the fans.
Saka: In terms of words... What about "thank you?"
Ino: "Thank you."
Saka: Are we putting that in?
Ino: "Thank you."
Saka: "Thank you."
Naga: What about "your voice reverberated?"
Ino: "Your voice..."
Naga: Your... I can hear all your voices. Something like that.
Ino: Whose voice?
Naga: The fans'!
Ino: The fans, huh.
Naga: Who else but the fans?
Ino: So, "your voices were reverberating?"
Naga: Like, "I can hear you."
Ino: "I can hear you?"
Naga: "I can hear you."
Ino: Which!?
Naga: Reverberating.
Ino: "Reverberating?"
Naga: Reverberating. "Which?" Yeah. I was vacillating.
Go: You better make up your mind.
Naga: Yeah, since he's writing it down.
Go: They mean totally different things.
Naga: Do they?
Go: "Reverberating" and "hearing."
Naga: They do, huh?
Ino: They're totally different. "Reverberating."
Ken: I guess, you know. When our concerts are approaching... Our fans would study really hard, or work really hard at their jobs. But on the day of the concert, right? Some of them go to a beauty parlour the day before, and there are those who really deck themselves out, right? That makes us happy, doesn't it?
Ino: It does.
Naga: That they do that for us, it makes us happy.
Oka: Well I feel that words like "thank you" are really important. We have to say it at an important juncture, or it won't be well-conveyed.
Ino: Important juncture? Like where?
Oka: Like, umm... We should put a "thank you" in the best position for it to be conveyed well. We have to find that "best position."
Ino: It's good that you brought that up. Because you know.... There's also the fact that we are thankful, precisely because we got to experience those tough times and such.
Saka: You're right.
Ino: You know what I mean?
Narrator: Thereafter, the members poured their hearts into writing this 20th anniversary song of gratitude to their fans. And so...
Staff: Leader! Leader!
Mission 03: Masa's Solo Interview
Staff: Leader!
Saka: Yes!
Staff: This is the next mission.
Saka: Okay. As you look back on the past 20 years, please share with us your thoughts regarding V6. This is gonna be so embarrassing. Seriously?
Staff: Seriously.
Saka: Okay. Seriously, right?
Staff: Yup.
Saka: Okay.
Staff: We separated you out so that you'd be able to answer boldly and seriously.
Saka: I see.
Staff: Yep. Leader, what have the past 20 years as V6 been like to you?
Saka: 20 years... Well, it's not a span that can be expressed in a single word. But... How do I say this. In general, groups being formed and taking a few years before they debut... Well, it's not really a theory, but that's how it goes in our company. But V6 was a bit different. We were suddenly gathered together, told that "you're V6," and debuted. We didn't know anything, and didn't even know each other... Especially Kamisen, you know? I didn't know them at all at the start, and I didn't get a chance to get to understand them a bit better. And the first 10 years we just kept going and going... And the next 10 years was where we started to put our strengths together, and start to put our hearts into our work on this end. That's what it felt like. But you know, 20 years is a long time. Yet, it went by in a flash. Yeah. I guess a lot of people use that phrase, "in a flash," but it's because we worked so hard at various things, time just seemed to fly by. That's what I think.
Staff: There's never been a group before with such a large age gap between the members, right?
Saka: Yes.
Staff: Did you have any doubts about that?
Saka: Well, in the first place, when we were first told that we were debuting as V6, I was wondering if I could really do this at all. This idol thing. I didn't think I could be an idol at 24. As happy as I was, I was just as full of feelings of insecurity and wanting to turn down the offer. If I were to put it in words... Well, we've made it to our 20th anniversary now, but back then I didn't feel like we could keep this up at all. Age was one thing, of course. I wondered to myself, what would happen if it all ended up half-baked, like what if I debuted with a bang, only to fall from glory in a year, having achieved absolutely nothing in the process? I had all these insecurities. And back then, before debuting I was doing a lot of stage plays. Half of me had already decided on going down that path. So there was this conflict within me. Should I turn down the offer? What should I do? Can I do this? I was just full of insecurities back then.
Staff: When you started working with the other members, did you have to be mindful about certain things as their leader?
Saka: About that... I was the only one who was thinking that V6 has to keep running together, with me as the leader. I was taking it all upon myself. Like, "follow me!" I did everything on my own. Naturally, all the members were like, "what's up? Why are you carrying this burden all on your own?" I only realized it about 5 or 6 years later. Yeah. I started out always thinking, "but I'm the one doing everything," but I only realized later that I was the one not depending on the other members, that I wasn't trusting them.
Staff: And when that happened, were you still running the way you were?
Saka: Quite the contrary. I followed behind the others. Yeah. I'd watch if they went left or right, and follow where they went. Yeah. And ever since I started doing that, how do I say this. I started to actually have fun. Working with V6.
Staff: In the past 20 years as V6, what is one thing that has left an impression on you, Leader?
Saka: What would that be... Umm... We get injured quite a lot, you know. We used to do acrobatics at concerts, so it's expected that we'd get injured. But concerts are live, you know. When you get injured, it affects the formation. Like when we go from 6 to 5 or 4 people all of a sudden, when we have parts where the 6 of us gather together... When we become 5 people, our formation has to change all of a sudden, or the choreography has to change, or the acrobatics are suddenly cancelled. We don't have to say a word, but when our eyes meet, in that moment, we all know what to do. Well, it's not about the injuries, but it's because it's the 6 of us... I wouldn't say it's because of our bond, but it's just V6's special brand of teamwork. That's what I think. Yeah.
Staff: Next, among all of V6's songs, which is the one song that most stands out to you?
Saka: One song? This is tough. Which one... One song. "Over..." I guess. Well, it's a ballad, but as for why I chose it... Umm. Well, the melody was done, and the lyrics were done, so we went to the studio to record the song. But when we got there, the director said, "these lyrics are no good." So... But we didn't have time, either. "I'm sorry, Tonisen, please write the lyrics," we were told. It was in the middle of the night, because we'd gathered at night. We were all like, "we're writing the lyrics now!?" But there wasn't a point dawdling, since we couldn't do anything without lyrics. So the three of us sat down and started writing, a little like what we were doing just now. And so we did it, making mistakes here and there, and by the time we were finally done, it was 7... No, 8 or 9am in the morning. And after that, without sleeping a wink, we went to record for a music show. And as for me, I happened to be doing a musical at that time, and it was the first night of full-dress rehearsals. So off I went for the rehearsal... Well, that was really something... I thought I was gonna die. But I never did something like that before, and it was our first time have our names in the credits, like, "Lyrics: 20th Century." And it was also the theme song of Kamisen's drama. So in that sense, it's really a special song to us. That's what I think. Yeah.
Staff: And the last question.
Saka: Okay.
Staff: These past 20 years, inclusive of course. What has V6 been to you, Leader?
Saka: Air. Well, if you were to ask what is important to a human, the answer would be air. In order to live. Well, to me, V6 is that all-important air. Without it, I wouldn't be here today. Yeah. It may be invisible, but it's absolutely essential. Yeah. And from here on out, too. Yeah.
Mission 04: Go's Solo Interview
Go: Yes.
Staff: This is the next mission.
Go: Okay. As you look back on the past 20 years, please share with us your thoughts regarding V6. Hmm.
Staff: Go-kun, what have the past 20 years as V6 been like to you?
Go: Well, you know. It was a long... Yet fast... 20 years where various things happened, I guess.
Staff: Do you remember the time when you became a member of V6?
Go: I... Was called by the president (TN: Johnny), and asked, "are you up for this?" I believe.
Staff: When you first met everyone, what was your first impression of them?
Go: Well, to be honest, anyone would have been fine. I wasn't really that cognizant of the whole "comrade" thing you know, even as a junior. So... Even when I was put into a group, and had to meet these new people, that didn't really change much. So we kept being told like, "Kamisen," "Tonisen," that we are split into two groups, or that we've got this age difference... But I never really bothered about those things. Looking back now, I probably wasn't thinking of anything else but what I myself should do.
Staff: Looking back now, what were you like, 20 years ago?
Go: Well, I was suddenly thrown into the adult world. Umm. I didn't have an outlet to tell anyone about the things I wanted to do and stuff. There was some fear and uncertainty... That's what it was like.
Staff: And this uncertainty, would it sometimes show on your face?
Go: Yes, yes.
Staff: Like getting annoyed?
Go: Exactly. I got annoyed a lot. Well, I was a kid. So when I got to go out like this, I'd be running about excitedly. The fun things were fun, but little things would irritate me, or make me doubt myself.
Staff: And did you ever tell the other members about this sense of uncertainty you had, or ask for their advice?
Go: Oh, never. But essentially, I've never been the type of person to ask for advice, even as a kid. Neither from the friends around me, nor my parents, nor my teachers. So I never did either, with the members. But then again, I've never had a bunch of people like this with whom I spent this much time with, every single day. So that sense of distance... I think we really maintain an exquisite distance from each other. But it's really hard to put it in words. Well, not too near, yet not too far. When we were doing work as the 6 of us, we still act as spoilt as always, but we each have our own niche, and we have that atmosphere about us. We'll depend on each other for whatever we can, but when it comes to our solo work, how we view and tackle them... I think that's something that has changed along the way.
Staff: Go-kun, your work in stage plays has been critically acclaimed. Looking at you in your stage plays, you give off this very stoic image. When you do stage plays, and get into character, how is that different from the person you are when you're with V6?
Go: I guess so. When I'm with V6, it's like I'm home. It's like being among family. So when I'm working solo, it's like being away from home. Especially when it comes to stage plays, there are various people involved so I can be more temperate. And that's somehow comfortable, I suppose. That's what I think.
Staff: To Go-kun, what is one thing in V6's 20 years of history that has left an impression on you?
Go: I do have memories. But I don't often look back at them. This is tough. Well, it's really respectable, after all. You just can't do things for 20 years... And with the same people... It'd suck, right? Being together, every single day, for 20 years isn't something you can normally do. So... Whatever it is, that's something worthy of respect. Being able to be together for 20 years. That's what's been on my mind a lot lately.
Staff: Next, Go-kun, if you could recommend just one song, what would it be?
Go: Well, that's got to be "Timeless," I suppose. Our latest one.
Staff: And why's that?
Go: Why? As you'd expect, the most recent one is always the best. Well... Every song has its own memories associated with it.
Staff: In that case, this is the last question.
Go: Okay.
Staff: What is V6 to you, Go-kun?
Go: I wonder... I don't really know. Well, V6 is V6, you know. Comrades at work, I suppose? That's all there is to it. Yet somehow, the feel we have now about us is really nice. Yeah, nice, I suppose? I don't really know. Right now, we each have our own things we want to do, and umm, we've been actively pursuing those things, and that's really nice, I think. And when we gather together like this, it becomes a matter of what we can achieve together each time.
Staff: And is it comfortable when you're with those five "comrades at work?"
Go: Not really. But... I don't mean that in a weird or negative way. Being around them is just something I take for granted. I mean, if I really hated it, I wouldn't have stayed. But the fact that I did means that it's something precious, I think. But I wouldn't say it's comfortable. I'm more comfortable being alone, yes.
I've half a mind to also translate some of V6's guest appearances on the various NTV shows to promote 24hTV... I mean, V6+Arashi and V6+Tokio are among my most favourite combinations ever, so I really enjoyed seeing Inocchi on DASH, Ken on Sakurai Ariyoshi Abunai Yakai (not to mention Tanaka Kei!), and Masa on Shiyagare. But, we'll see how things go~ I imagine the Arashi shows will get subbed even without me doing anything though, since Arashi has such a huge fan community (which is why I rarely translate their stuff) XD
It's interesting how these solo interviews probably also prompted or otherwise reflect some of the lyrics of " ~Koko Kara~" - like how Go's line about "just the right distance" comes up even here in his solo interview. Also, I really, really just went "awww" when Masa answered the last question the way he did (made me think of that song from their "Ready?" album, too).
On a side note, the good thing about the solo interviews is that only one person speaks at one time :D And no (or minimal) mumbling! My "major" problem was just Go's sentences because he (as Inocchi mentioned too) likes to throw out phrases or words instead of sentences. Sometimes it's so fragmented you have to piece it together into a proper sentence and figure out what he's trying to say.
Mission 02: The Birth of "~Koko Kara~"
Saka: What's this?
Everyone: Where are we?
Ino: Looks like a music room.
Saka: It's pretty amazing! Look at this! Amazing!
Naga: How nostalgic!
Go: Amazing!
Naga: It's huge!
Saka: It's enormous!
Naga: Yeah!
Ino: It's a melodion!
Everyone: What?
Ino: What is it?
Saka: Why are we here?
Staff: In this room...
Everyone: Yes.
Staff: We will have you carry out the second mission.
Everyone: Okay!
Staff: Well then, Leader.
Saka: Got it.
Go: How many have we done already?
Naga: Feels like we've already done a lot, right? But it's only our second mission.
Ino: Yeah!
Saka: Here goes. Mission 02. All 6 members, please collaborate to write a new song.
Everyone: Song!? We said it at the same time. "Song!?"
Saka: We did it again.
Ino: All 6 members? Have we ever written a song together?
Saka: Not with all 6 of us.
Ken: Nope.
Naga: Nope, never.
Ino: Never expected this to be a mission.
Saka: This is going to take a helluva long time though. Won't that be tough? Are we really doing this?
Staff: Of course.
Ino: He's serious.
Saka: Ah, so it wasn't a joke.
Ino: It's our 20th anniversary, so something anniversary-ish...
Saka: Oh, that?
Oka: We've written songs before.
Ino: I see.
Saka: Are you saying... This will actually go into the album? Wow. Let's do this then!
Oka: Let's do our best.
Ino: Let's do this! Shall we?
Saka: How do we even begin?
Go: This is a first!
Ino: It is!
Naga: For all 6 of us.
Go: But we're 6 guys overflowing with talent.
Ino: Guess this will be unexpectedly quick, huh?
Saka: All 6 of us together.
Oka: We can do this.
Ino: We're overflowing right now. We really are. With lyrics, right?
Naga: Where do we begin?
Ino: Well, I guess, you know. We've got 6 of us. So let's start with the lyrics.
Saka: With the lyrics, huh?
Ino: Let's work on the lyrics first.
Oka: Lyrics, huh?
Naga: Lyrics first.
Ino: We'll do the lyrics first, then we'll think about the melody later.
Saka: I see.
Go: Let's come up with some lyrics!
Oka: Let's!
Naga: Lyrics?
Saka: What's our theme?
Ino: Let's just throw words out.
Saka: Ah, you're right.
Ino: Throw stuff out, and I'll write them down. Then we'll see which phrases share the same meaning, that kinda thing. Shall we do that?
Go: Yeah.
Naga: It's gonna be a bit of a mess.
Go: It will.
Naga: Yeah. Well, I'll just sit down.
Ino: So to begin, let's start with thoughts about our anniversary, and our gratitude to the fans.
Saka: In terms of words... What about "thank you?"
Ino: "Thank you."
Saka: Are we putting that in?
Ino: "Thank you."
Saka: "Thank you."
Naga: What about "your voice reverberated?"
Ino: "Your voice..."
Naga: Your... I can hear all your voices. Something like that.
Ino: Whose voice?
Naga: The fans'!
Ino: The fans, huh.
Naga: Who else but the fans?
Ino: So, "your voices were reverberating?"
Naga: Like, "I can hear you."
Ino: "I can hear you?"
Naga: "I can hear you."
Ino: Which!?
Naga: Reverberating.
Ino: "Reverberating?"
Naga: Reverberating. "Which?" Yeah. I was vacillating.
Go: You better make up your mind.
Naga: Yeah, since he's writing it down.
Go: They mean totally different things.
Naga: Do they?
Go: "Reverberating" and "hearing."
Naga: They do, huh?
Ino: They're totally different. "Reverberating."
Ken: I guess, you know. When our concerts are approaching... Our fans would study really hard, or work really hard at their jobs. But on the day of the concert, right? Some of them go to a beauty parlour the day before, and there are those who really deck themselves out, right? That makes us happy, doesn't it?
Ino: It does.
Naga: That they do that for us, it makes us happy.
Oka: Well I feel that words like "thank you" are really important. We have to say it at an important juncture, or it won't be well-conveyed.
Ino: Important juncture? Like where?
Oka: Like, umm... We should put a "thank you" in the best position for it to be conveyed well. We have to find that "best position."
Ino: It's good that you brought that up. Because you know.... There's also the fact that we are thankful, precisely because we got to experience those tough times and such.
Saka: You're right.
Ino: You know what I mean?
Narrator: Thereafter, the members poured their hearts into writing this 20th anniversary song of gratitude to their fans. And so...
Staff: Leader! Leader!
Mission 03: Masa's Solo Interview
Staff: Leader!
Saka: Yes!
Staff: This is the next mission.
Saka: Okay. As you look back on the past 20 years, please share with us your thoughts regarding V6. This is gonna be so embarrassing. Seriously?
Staff: Seriously.
Saka: Okay. Seriously, right?
Staff: Yup.
Saka: Okay.
Staff: We separated you out so that you'd be able to answer boldly and seriously.
Saka: I see.
Staff: Yep. Leader, what have the past 20 years as V6 been like to you?
Saka: 20 years... Well, it's not a span that can be expressed in a single word. But... How do I say this. In general, groups being formed and taking a few years before they debut... Well, it's not really a theory, but that's how it goes in our company. But V6 was a bit different. We were suddenly gathered together, told that "you're V6," and debuted. We didn't know anything, and didn't even know each other... Especially Kamisen, you know? I didn't know them at all at the start, and I didn't get a chance to get to understand them a bit better. And the first 10 years we just kept going and going... And the next 10 years was where we started to put our strengths together, and start to put our hearts into our work on this end. That's what it felt like. But you know, 20 years is a long time. Yet, it went by in a flash. Yeah. I guess a lot of people use that phrase, "in a flash," but it's because we worked so hard at various things, time just seemed to fly by. That's what I think.
Staff: There's never been a group before with such a large age gap between the members, right?
Saka: Yes.
Staff: Did you have any doubts about that?
Saka: Well, in the first place, when we were first told that we were debuting as V6, I was wondering if I could really do this at all. This idol thing. I didn't think I could be an idol at 24. As happy as I was, I was just as full of feelings of insecurity and wanting to turn down the offer. If I were to put it in words... Well, we've made it to our 20th anniversary now, but back then I didn't feel like we could keep this up at all. Age was one thing, of course. I wondered to myself, what would happen if it all ended up half-baked, like what if I debuted with a bang, only to fall from glory in a year, having achieved absolutely nothing in the process? I had all these insecurities. And back then, before debuting I was doing a lot of stage plays. Half of me had already decided on going down that path. So there was this conflict within me. Should I turn down the offer? What should I do? Can I do this? I was just full of insecurities back then.
Staff: When you started working with the other members, did you have to be mindful about certain things as their leader?
Saka: About that... I was the only one who was thinking that V6 has to keep running together, with me as the leader. I was taking it all upon myself. Like, "follow me!" I did everything on my own. Naturally, all the members were like, "what's up? Why are you carrying this burden all on your own?" I only realized it about 5 or 6 years later. Yeah. I started out always thinking, "but I'm the one doing everything," but I only realized later that I was the one not depending on the other members, that I wasn't trusting them.
Staff: And when that happened, were you still running the way you were?
Saka: Quite the contrary. I followed behind the others. Yeah. I'd watch if they went left or right, and follow where they went. Yeah. And ever since I started doing that, how do I say this. I started to actually have fun. Working with V6.
Staff: In the past 20 years as V6, what is one thing that has left an impression on you, Leader?
Saka: What would that be... Umm... We get injured quite a lot, you know. We used to do acrobatics at concerts, so it's expected that we'd get injured. But concerts are live, you know. When you get injured, it affects the formation. Like when we go from 6 to 5 or 4 people all of a sudden, when we have parts where the 6 of us gather together... When we become 5 people, our formation has to change all of a sudden, or the choreography has to change, or the acrobatics are suddenly cancelled. We don't have to say a word, but when our eyes meet, in that moment, we all know what to do. Well, it's not about the injuries, but it's because it's the 6 of us... I wouldn't say it's because of our bond, but it's just V6's special brand of teamwork. That's what I think. Yeah.
Staff: Next, among all of V6's songs, which is the one song that most stands out to you?
Saka: One song? This is tough. Which one... One song. "Over..." I guess. Well, it's a ballad, but as for why I chose it... Umm. Well, the melody was done, and the lyrics were done, so we went to the studio to record the song. But when we got there, the director said, "these lyrics are no good." So... But we didn't have time, either. "I'm sorry, Tonisen, please write the lyrics," we were told. It was in the middle of the night, because we'd gathered at night. We were all like, "we're writing the lyrics now!?" But there wasn't a point dawdling, since we couldn't do anything without lyrics. So the three of us sat down and started writing, a little like what we were doing just now. And so we did it, making mistakes here and there, and by the time we were finally done, it was 7... No, 8 or 9am in the morning. And after that, without sleeping a wink, we went to record for a music show. And as for me, I happened to be doing a musical at that time, and it was the first night of full-dress rehearsals. So off I went for the rehearsal... Well, that was really something... I thought I was gonna die. But I never did something like that before, and it was our first time have our names in the credits, like, "Lyrics: 20th Century." And it was also the theme song of Kamisen's drama. So in that sense, it's really a special song to us. That's what I think. Yeah.
Staff: And the last question.
Saka: Okay.
Staff: These past 20 years, inclusive of course. What has V6 been to you, Leader?
Saka: Air. Well, if you were to ask what is important to a human, the answer would be air. In order to live. Well, to me, V6 is that all-important air. Without it, I wouldn't be here today. Yeah. It may be invisible, but it's absolutely essential. Yeah. And from here on out, too. Yeah.
Mission 04: Go's Solo Interview
Go: Yes.
Staff: This is the next mission.
Go: Okay. As you look back on the past 20 years, please share with us your thoughts regarding V6. Hmm.
Staff: Go-kun, what have the past 20 years as V6 been like to you?
Go: Well, you know. It was a long... Yet fast... 20 years where various things happened, I guess.
Staff: Do you remember the time when you became a member of V6?
Go: I... Was called by the president (TN: Johnny), and asked, "are you up for this?" I believe.
Staff: When you first met everyone, what was your first impression of them?
Go: Well, to be honest, anyone would have been fine. I wasn't really that cognizant of the whole "comrade" thing you know, even as a junior. So... Even when I was put into a group, and had to meet these new people, that didn't really change much. So we kept being told like, "Kamisen," "Tonisen," that we are split into two groups, or that we've got this age difference... But I never really bothered about those things. Looking back now, I probably wasn't thinking of anything else but what I myself should do.
Staff: Looking back now, what were you like, 20 years ago?
Go: Well, I was suddenly thrown into the adult world. Umm. I didn't have an outlet to tell anyone about the things I wanted to do and stuff. There was some fear and uncertainty... That's what it was like.
Staff: And this uncertainty, would it sometimes show on your face?
Go: Yes, yes.
Staff: Like getting annoyed?
Go: Exactly. I got annoyed a lot. Well, I was a kid. So when I got to go out like this, I'd be running about excitedly. The fun things were fun, but little things would irritate me, or make me doubt myself.
Staff: And did you ever tell the other members about this sense of uncertainty you had, or ask for their advice?
Go: Oh, never. But essentially, I've never been the type of person to ask for advice, even as a kid. Neither from the friends around me, nor my parents, nor my teachers. So I never did either, with the members. But then again, I've never had a bunch of people like this with whom I spent this much time with, every single day. So that sense of distance... I think we really maintain an exquisite distance from each other. But it's really hard to put it in words. Well, not too near, yet not too far. When we were doing work as the 6 of us, we still act as spoilt as always, but we each have our own niche, and we have that atmosphere about us. We'll depend on each other for whatever we can, but when it comes to our solo work, how we view and tackle them... I think that's something that has changed along the way.
Staff: Go-kun, your work in stage plays has been critically acclaimed. Looking at you in your stage plays, you give off this very stoic image. When you do stage plays, and get into character, how is that different from the person you are when you're with V6?
Go: I guess so. When I'm with V6, it's like I'm home. It's like being among family. So when I'm working solo, it's like being away from home. Especially when it comes to stage plays, there are various people involved so I can be more temperate. And that's somehow comfortable, I suppose. That's what I think.
Staff: To Go-kun, what is one thing in V6's 20 years of history that has left an impression on you?
Go: I do have memories. But I don't often look back at them. This is tough. Well, it's really respectable, after all. You just can't do things for 20 years... And with the same people... It'd suck, right? Being together, every single day, for 20 years isn't something you can normally do. So... Whatever it is, that's something worthy of respect. Being able to be together for 20 years. That's what's been on my mind a lot lately.
Staff: Next, Go-kun, if you could recommend just one song, what would it be?
Go: Well, that's got to be "Timeless," I suppose. Our latest one.
Staff: And why's that?
Go: Why? As you'd expect, the most recent one is always the best. Well... Every song has its own memories associated with it.
Staff: In that case, this is the last question.
Go: Okay.
Staff: What is V6 to you, Go-kun?
Go: I wonder... I don't really know. Well, V6 is V6, you know. Comrades at work, I suppose? That's all there is to it. Yet somehow, the feel we have now about us is really nice. Yeah, nice, I suppose? I don't really know. Right now, we each have our own things we want to do, and umm, we've been actively pursuing those things, and that's really nice, I think. And when we gather together like this, it becomes a matter of what we can achieve together each time.
Staff: And is it comfortable when you're with those five "comrades at work?"
Go: Not really. But... I don't mean that in a weird or negative way. Being around them is just something I take for granted. I mean, if I really hated it, I wouldn't have stayed. But the fact that I did means that it's something precious, I think. But I wouldn't say it's comfortable. I'm more comfortable being alone, yes.
I've half a mind to also translate some of V6's guest appearances on the various NTV shows to promote 24hTV... I mean, V6+Arashi and V6+Tokio are among my most favourite combinations ever, so I really enjoyed seeing Inocchi on DASH, Ken on Sakurai Ariyoshi Abunai Yakai (not to mention Tanaka Kei!), and Masa on Shiyagare. But, we'll see how things go~ I imagine the Arashi shows will get subbed even without me doing anything though, since Arashi has such a huge fan community (which is why I rarely translate their stuff) XD