Translation - Kanjani8 Popolo June 2009
Kanjani∞'s “Puzzle” is now on sale, and in May their nationwide tour will begin. So this month we'll see an honest “piece” of the members' lives. From Spring dates to banana diets, it's full of private information!
A [Ace > Trump Card]
★ Like the Ace of Hearts, what is your own trump card? *By this, I believe they mean the thing they are better at than other members*
Shibutani: Whenever a fart comes out! It's so soothing just letting that air come out (LOL).
Nishikido: I'm quick on my feet. I just want to hurry and go home, so I always dash to get done early (LOL).
Maruyama: I guess it's laughing. Whenever, wherever, I always bring a smiling face. This is something I am confident about.
Yasuda: Being Active. I got my diving license and next I want to get my boating license. Someday, I'd like to fly a plane over the ocean by myself!
Ohkura: When it comes to dramas, I don't think anyone can defeat me within Eito. But that's not really saying much (LOL)
Murakami: I use my trump card like in a crisis, to prevent a fight before it happens (LOL). Preventing these things from happening is my trump card, I guess.
Yokoyama: Eating a meal quickly. Even within the members, I think I am the fastest.
B [Book]
★What would a book made for Kanjani8 be like?
Yasuda: A picture book is what comes to mind. Something like the member's bad drawings but with no words. But we'd all be trying our best to give something good to people, so in the end the contents wouldn't be so bad. I'll draw the pictures, I guess.
Yokoyama: The person who makes the book will call it “Leaving the task to Kanjani8”. It'll include things like “What can Kanjani8 cook with the following materials?” When I think about it, someone really should make this book.
C [Can!Jani]
★Airing on TV Asahi, Kanjani8's program Can!Jani. What was the most fun filming location?
Nishikido: On the first episode, Murakami and I went mountain climbing. It was really difficult but when we were watching the VTR in the studio, everyone was guffawing. I could only think, “What the hell is wrong with you guys!?”
Ohkura: We went to Bousouhantou for a gourmet clam eating location. It was fun and delicious. My job was to make sure everything we ate looked delicious, so I did my best at eating.
D [Date]
★Where would you like to go for a date in the Springtime?
Shibutani: Ohanami! I've only properly done it once. That's why I'd like to do it perfect this time, eating a bento while flowering viewing. This is what I long for!
Nishikido: I want to go to the riverbed and together, we will throw stones. I can't really throw stones well, so if the girl is really good at it, I'll want to stop (LOL). Then, we'll just relax at the edge of the river.
Maruyama: Strolling while flower-viewing. The cherry blossoms in Kyoto are really pretty and I want to see them with the girl I like. Tokyo's cherry blossoms are different but in a good way, so I'd like to see them too.
Yasuda: I want to go to Hokkaido. There's still some snow left, so we'll find somewhere warm and eat. Then we'll turn around and go diving together in Okinawa.
Ohkura: Because it's the season when it starts warming up, I want to go for a walk. While the flowers are blooming, I want to walk along the river with the girl I like. While looking at the flowers, we'll spend the date relaxing.
Murakami: Since it's Spring, as expected its ohanami, right? We'll watch the scene as the flowers bloom, which is pretty normal I think. But walking through the park while viewing the flowers would make me really happy.
Yokoyama: As expected, I guess its cherry blossoms. We'll hold hands as we walk along the riverside. This would be really fun, I think.
*Ohanami - cherry blossom viewing. The O added to the front is honorific and beautifies the word.
E [EDEN > Paradise]
★The title of a song from their first album, Kansha ni Eito. What is your own personal paradise?
Shibutani: Right now, as expected, it's the concert halls. It's so much fun, and being there really raises your mood. Particularly now because Flat Five Flowers is participating in J -Rock LIVE's nationwide tour for the first time. I'm having so much fun making songs with the other members. From here, continuing on, having a good time, and being well received would make me happy. And of course, I'm looking forward to May, when Eito's tour starts!
Maruyama: For me, this world we live in is paradise, even though you're always hearing depressing news. Just being able to live right now is special. No matter what the circumstances in the world are, you are able find and make your own happiness. When you think about it that way, this world is paradise simply because people are able to make it into one. This is my positive way of thinking.
F [FASHION]
★What is the fashion item that you own a lot of?
Shibutani: Sneakers. I have around 100, maybe 200 pairs. If my collection keeps growing, it might be a bit of a problem (LOL).
Nishikido: Hats. I think I have around 100 and they're all stacked on top of each other in my closet. Caps are definitely my number one fashion item.
Maruyama: Powerstone Bracelets. For a while, you can feel the stones hum with power. My favorite one is the first one I bought myself, a topaz one.
Yasuda: What I own the most of is T-Shirts, but recently what I've been collecting is neckties and bow ties. All together, I only have about 10, but that's my current favorite item. I also like casual clothing like today's outfit.
Ohkura: Shoes. I have around 60 pairs. They're mostly sneakers though.
Murakami: Underwear. It's underwear. I get them as gifts. As for the color, white or black.
Yokoyama: I own a lot of stuff with a checkered pattern. Shirts and pants and lots of everything. I even have a lot of hats and accessories with a checkered pattern.
G [Glitter]
★When is the moment that you shine the most?
Maruyama: Of course, it's having everyone's support. I think that feeling of being needed by people is when I shine the most. For example, during lives, right? Of course, it's my job, but when the audience is shining with happiness, that gives me the power to shine too.
Ohkura: The time when I shine the most is during concerts. Especially that moment when I first step out! The feeling I get during concert is the best feeling in the world. When I step out onto the stage and the lights shower me, I can see everyone in the audience encouraging and supporting me - that's an amazing feeling.
H [Happy]
★Lately, what has been the thing that makes you super happy?
Shibutani: Being in the height of the J -Rock LIVE concert. At the opening show in Sapporo, the audience's reaction made me so happy. Live concerts in general are fun - my happiness.
Maruyama: When the album is released and the tour's details have been settled. This time we're going to Sendai, which we didn't make it to during our last tour, so I am happy! It's not our first time going there, but still, I am happy!
I [Idol > popular-kun!]
★What type of idol are you?
Shibutani: “We are the Do-sukebe idols (Very lewd idols)”. The only time we're not being perverted is when we're in front of a lot of girls. And that's only because we're not allowed (LOL).
Nishikido: “We are the Pure Idols.” We focus on things such as our image. But Maru has a very dirty nature (LOL). He really isn't pure at all.
Maruyama: “We are the Happy Idols.” Things like live concerts and doing variety shows really let us display our personalities and give us an air of happiness.
Yasuda: “We are the Everlasting Idols.” We're always trying to the best of our abilities, and no matter how old we get, we'll continue on as idols, I think.
Ohkura: “We are the People's Idols.” Over the years, we haven't changed at all. We're idols, but we're also normal people.
Murakami: “We are the Smiling Idols.” We have the image of always being fun in public. Having fun is the most important thing to us.
Yokoyama: “We are Johnny's idols.” I know this is the image that we already have. But when you think of idols, you think of Johnny's.
J [Jya Jya Jya Jyan!]
★Lyrics from the single Musekinin Hero! What information would you like to present with a JYA JYA JYA JYAN?
Ohkura: Today's lunch was... Udon and onigiri (LOL)! Wakabu Udon* and kelp Onigiri. A little while ago when we had our break from shooting, I ate. It was healthy AND delicious!
*Wakabu = the thick part of wakame (a type of seaweed) *Onigiri = rice balls
Murakami: Saying something like, “I'm getting married!” would be good here, huh? But I'm not! Actually, Japan's soccer team will be playing a game in Bahrain, so I'm looking forward to that.
K [Kanjani]
★What does Kanjani8 mean to you?
Shibutani: Kanjani8 is like my family. From the very beginning, we've been in harmony with each other.
Nishikido: Whether or not we're working, we still have a feeling of a tight group of friends.
Maruyama: There's the feeling that there's so much we haven't done yet. We still don't know the depth of what we can accomplish as a group.
Yasuda: Kanjani8 has been my everything since the beginning. Who I am now is because of them.
Ohkura: We're not blood related, but they're still my family. It's good to be a member, and we all feel at ease and have fun together. We all have a really great relationship.
Murakami: We understand that we've become a part of one another, friends and companions.
Yokoyama: Kanjani8 is the place I can always return to, my home. Everything in my life stems from this group.
L [Live]
★Up until now, what has been your favorite moment during a concert?
Nishikido: It was during the acoustic corner of our concert in Okinawa during the 47 tour. It was Subaru's birthday and I was playing the guitar when all of a sudden “Happy Birthday” started playing and the audience began singing. Subaru-kun's face was so surprised! I'll never forget that expression.
Yasuda: For me, it was when we were filming for Spirits!! in Osaka Jou Hall and I fell off the stage. I was dancing behind Murakami-kun during his solo when I fell off the stage. Luckily the staff caught me and I wasn't hurt. What a miracle!
Murakami: It was a live we did at Osaka Zepp. We were still juniors at the time. Looking back at that time, I was really desperate.
M [Maruyama Ryuhei]
Born 11/26/1983 Birthplace: Kyoto Blood-type: A
Maruyama Ryuhei, a peaceful person.
I'm the type of person who observes and admires things. I'm not able to deceive anyone or blow smoke in people's face because I'm always thinking of other's feelings. Lately, I've been going to a lot of movies. I saw Matsuo Suzuki's “Love's Gate” and Miyazaki Aoi's “The Children of Darkness”. “Children of Darkness” had a lot of heavy themes, and I still haven't been able to shake it off.
Continue to part 2