Nino More 06/2011
What I Can Say
Nino MORE
June 2011
The interview is conducted a scant few days after the disastrous earthquake. Nino appears earlier than the scheduled time, looking a little run down. When asked what he feels about that day he looks troubled, sinking momentarily into silence. It's an uncommon thing. In a position like his, there's no shortage of things he's prevented from saying. But our magazine promotes speaking straight from the heart, regardless of the question. "If you think about everyone's feelings and circumstances, nothing is easily said." In that case, an abstract conversation. Right now, is there anything Nino fears?
I don't think so… But I mean, fear is a momentary thing, right? If you fall from a cliff and hurt yourself, right afterwards that wound will be frightening, but the fear isn't going to continue over the next 24 hour period. And I'm not someone that imagines negative things. It's important to be prepared for things and to toughen yourself up for them, but you can't defend against fear by imagining it, after all. Doing the job I do, no matter how frightening something is, you just have to do it when you have to do it.
In his view, saying things that aren't supposed to be said just happens sometimes.
I do think that sometimes it's important to say those things that need to be said. For example, talents have a public image, right? And there are those who feel like occasionally saying things that deviate from that image is just going to happen. I myself don't care about image. (smiling) Even if it's not consistent, every once in a while saying why not say what you think? Though of course the magazines are looking for a certain image, and they often want something that's not the natural me. Times like that, I'll happily comply. (smiling)
Though when it comes to Arashi, "I don't think my public image is that far off from the real me," Nino says. Which is why even if their popularity explodes, even if they become a symbol of the generation, they'll easily live up to that position.
Especially during times like this, we hear a lot of people saying "We want to see Arashi's friendship," though that friendship is certainly nothing that's feigned. True that we don't hang out outside of work. Because of that I really have no idea what goes on in the private lives of Arashi's other members. But I also think it's good that we don't butt into each others' affairs… We may not know about each others' lives, but we know that we're all good people. (smiling) Arashi is a group that unconsciously works its hardest even if we've been requested to do something we don't like. Like how on our own tv programs we'll end up smiling even when we don't like what we're doing. Something like that, it's pretty good, right? (smiling)
It's true that in times like this, the courage that Arashi shows, coupled with the kindness they display by doing things for others instead of themselves, goes right to the heart.
It's not like we were aiming to become part of this generation, and we weren't trying to oppose anything either. There's never been a time that Arashi has had that "This is it!" conviction, not even at the start. There were times of conflict and losing our way, but as the result of "going on like we are," we've been recognized by our generation, and I think that's something wonderful.
It's because of loving unfulfillable dreams that we're seduced by past loves.
I still don't really have time to watch movies or see stage plays, but when it comes to what the members are in, I watch everything. I feel like very single one really has the power of this era in it. There are those elite people that influence Arashi's works, and everyone works together making a new generation of entertainment that lots of people are able to enjoy. I think it's fascinating, and something to be happy for.
The only problem is that I'm a little odd. (smiling) Not just with GANTZ, but also things like Freeter, Ie o Kau, I'm not precisely making new things, these are dramas that are reviving old things. With things like Haikei, Chichiue-sama and Marathon, they're dramas that I've always followed that route.
Because it's what's sought after, of course he's creating the generation. We asked once more how he would like to frame the future in a time like this.
Just like always, keeping the status quo. I keep feeling like this is an eternally romantic view. The 'now' and 'reality' will never stop for you, they'll keep endlessly changing. So I feel it's important to use my full power to produce things of quality, but even still I can't guarantee that will come true. Everything is that way. The relationships between people change. No matter how much fun you're having, there will be a day when things like enjoyment and the people you get along with will change with your circumstances. It's bittersweet, but men like those unfulfillable dreams. (smiling) Though people's dreams are different depending on who they are….
Those words are optimistically tolerant, and seem to be wrapped in kindness.
Those men in their fifties who still like young women are remembering the shadows of their romances when they were happiest. (smiling) Even though they recognize they can't go back to those days. But even still, it's not like they don't love the women they're with now!