"Miracle: Debikuro-kun no Koi to Mahou" Stage Greeting, 10/26/2014
So I was extremely lucky to get tickets to the Miracle stage greeting and screening! Note that this is NOT the talk show event that happened before; these were two separate events.
Because it was the Tokyo International Film Festival, there was an English interpreter who I wish wasn't there because a) she was kind of bad at her job and b) her presence made it really hard for them, Aiba especially, to have a continuous conversation since she had to translate for like the four people who needed her.
Aiba was wearing a blue velvet suit with a red velvet bowtie and had the Debikuro plushie tied to his arm. Toma was in a grey suit. The thing is, I've been to multiple Arashi concerts, including in arena seats, so I've gotten kind of used to seeing Aiba in person (though each time is a thrill, of course. He's so beautiful!) But you don't get to see Toma in person at all, so I was thrilled to get the chance. He's shorter than I expected (about the same height as Aiba, though Toma's soles were really thick), he has huge feet, and he's super hot.
Chronological summary (of just what's Aiba and Toma related; if you care about Eikura Nana and Han Hyo-Joo just let me know and I'll add!):
Aiba says he thinks the movie is perfect for Christmas and he's glad that everyone can see it.
Toma welcomes everyone to the movie and he says that the song used in the movie, Christmas Eve by Yamashita Tatsuro, has always given him goosebumps and he thinks that everyone, including families, can watch and enjoy this movie together.
They asked the cast to confess what happened during filming that made the cast's heart beat. Aiba got REALLY nervous because of course they made him go first and he was like D:. He says that the actresses gave him plenty of moments that made his heart thump, but that when filming started it was right after his birthday. It was really cold, so Toma (who he calls Toma) said "Aiba-chan. Use this," and gave him a benchcoat. Toma, in response, says that Aiba picking him made his heart throb. Then the director asked if Toma threw the benchcoat around Aiba's shoulders and Aiba said no, that was what made it so heart-throbbingly cool.
Then Eikura Nana said that instead of making her heart throb, it made her go "yay!" Aiba doesn't show his true self often, it's very what you see is what you get with him, but when they had a scene together he was very nervous and he gripped her hand so hard it shoved all her fingers together. She said it showed his nervousness and it made her really happy. Aiba was SUPER EMBARRASSED that she told this story, lol. Then the MC said "as they say in English, you're 'shy'?" And Aiba said, "yes. Shy desu."
Han Hyo-joo said that in a scene where Soyeon and Hikaru meet, when they filmed it, it was very, very cold. Cold enough to remain in her memory. And in that cold, she heard Aiba go 'oh!' And when she looked at him, Aiba's nose was running.
When she told this story, Aiba turned BRIGHT RED, it was adorable.
Anyway, she was like, "omg, his nose is running! I can tell that this person is very pure."
The MC goes, "Very pure da." And Aiba said, "Hai. Pure boy desu."
Toma: "It's hard to talk after that story." He had a flashback scene with Han Hyo-joo where they were adlibbing (since the dialogue wouldn't be used) and they were just talking about dinner and nothing important, but suddenly she picked up his hand. He had a small cut on his hand, but she picked it up and was like "what happened?" And he thought she was very cute when she did that because it showed her kindness. That scene is in the movie as-is, so you can see him go *_* at her.
The director says he was very moved by Toma agreeing to be in the movie, because he thought that Toma would reject the offer due to being busy and because he wouldn't want to be in the same movie as Aiba because they're in the same agency. But then Toma agreed, and he said he felt Toma and Aiba's friendship. He says that when they were waiting around on set Aiba and Toma talked often, and he felt how long their friendship has lasted and their history, even when they were with other people. Aiba says it's because they've been friends for 17-18 years now, even if they can't meet as often as they've liked.
Then they announced that...
Miracle will be screened in South Korea, Taiwan, and Hong Kong!
People in those countries, please enjoy the movie if you can go see it!!
Aiba started to give his comment at the same time the interpreter started to translate and he went ":< I am sorry." It was very cute.
About the movies airing overseas, Aiba said: "As Arashi, they are places that we've been to for concerts. I'm very happy that my movie will go to those countries and people there can see it too."
Aiba's final words: "This is a lovely movie. It's a movie that will make you want to fall in love. If you watch this, you can see Toma being shy and you can see Hikaru's nose running. Thank you!"
Then Aiba tried to leave out of the wrong exit. :D
Now, about the movie: the book is very important to me for a number of reasons, and they changed a lot in the adaptation, but I feel that the movie keeps the spirit of the book very well. It's a lovely, adorable movie, and perfect for Aiba-chan. I hope everyone enjoys it when they get a chance to see it!
EDITED TO ADD: At one point in the movie Aiba eats doughnuts from a Mister Donut plate and everyone started laughing. Nice product placement.