[Translation]Wink Up 01/2012 Mukai, Koja, Kitada
The title of this interview was "Christmas Comes Along," but the theme was "episodes of failure." Since it's Kansai juniors, of course it's full of funny things. Mukai reveals that he actually likes to fail, Koja doesn't have any confidence in himself when it comes to comedy, and for some reason Kitada misses the topic and talks about skiing for a while before finally getting to his fail. Translated for jumploud.
The theme of the last interview of this year is: “episode of failure.” In Kansai, where they’re strict about comedy, what are the times when the Shadow~ members totally failed at something?
Koji Mukai: It was never shown in a concert or anything, but backstage I did a lot of “old man” style gags. If someone asked: “what time is it?” I’d quickly respond: “it’s KouJI” (smile)* My gags are like “predictable stand-up comedy routines.” If no one tells me: “ah, so lame!” or “you’re still doing that!” it makes me feel lonely (smile). But the truth is… I’m horrible at failing (smile). Rather, you could say that it’s something I love. Maybe it’s because, by chance, I have the same DNA as Masaya Muro-kun (smile).
Note: in Japanese, times are said as “number-ji,” “ji” meaning “hour.” For example, “one o’clock” would be “ichiji” or “the first hour.” When you ask: “what time is it?” you’re literally asking “what hour/ji is it?” The joke here is that, while they’re written differently, the “ji” for time and the “ji” in “Kouji” sound the same, so Kouji is making a play on words, responding: “it’s KouJI” to the question “what hour/ji is it. If you’re familiar with the Three Stooges, this is a little bit like the “who’s on second…” gag.
Nairu Koja: If you’re talking about failing, there are so many times (smile). The time that I felt the most pressure was during a comedy competition in a stage-play at the Osaka Jyou Hall. My partner was Senzaki-kun! There was already a 100% chance of completely defeat (smile). Rather than a failure, it was just plain sad (smile). But thanks to that experienced, I realized that I’m better at keeping the conversation flowing than being the “straight man” part of a comedy duo, so it became a good personal experience. Shadow~ hasn’t gone somewhere that we’ve had to show off our stand-up comedy at again, but based on the way he tells stories, guys like Kitada would be legendary at it (smile). I think I’ll bloom someday.
Kazuya Kitada: Looking at me, it seems like I’m the kind of guy who can ski. Actually, when I was still a student I had a part-time job as a ski instructor, and I learned how to ski at a young age. But I haven’t been skiing in about 5 years. If I got to go on a ski trip with the rest of Shadow~, I’d get really excited. Also, if you’re talking about failing, I fail at MC-ing, but I’ve never gotten another chance to (smile). The one time I got a chance, I played it really safe and spoke carefully. At home, while I was in the bath, I reflected: “ah~ I could have answered like that!” I want to train so that I can answer more powerfully!
The theme of the last interview of this year is: “episode of failure.” In Kansai, where they’re strict about comedy, what are the times when the Shadow~ members totally failed at something?
Koji Mukai: It was never shown in a concert or anything, but backstage I did a lot of “old man” style gags. If someone asked: “what time is it?” I’d quickly respond: “it’s KouJI” (smile)* My gags are like “predictable stand-up comedy routines.” If no one tells me: “ah, so lame!” or “you’re still doing that!” it makes me feel lonely (smile). But the truth is… I’m horrible at failing (smile). Rather, you could say that it’s something I love. Maybe it’s because, by chance, I have the same DNA as Masaya Muro-kun (smile).
Note: in Japanese, times are said as “number-ji,” “ji” meaning “hour.” For example, “one o’clock” would be “ichiji” or “the first hour.” When you ask: “what time is it?” you’re literally asking “what hour/ji is it?” The joke here is that, while they’re written differently, the “ji” for time and the “ji” in “Kouji” sound the same, so Kouji is making a play on words, responding: “it’s KouJI” to the question “what hour/ji is it. If you’re familiar with the Three Stooges, this is a little bit like the “who’s on second…” gag.
Nairu Koja: If you’re talking about failing, there are so many times (smile). The time that I felt the most pressure was during a comedy competition in a stage-play at the Osaka Jyou Hall. My partner was Senzaki-kun! There was already a 100% chance of completely defeat (smile). Rather than a failure, it was just plain sad (smile). But thanks to that experienced, I realized that I’m better at keeping the conversation flowing than being the “straight man” part of a comedy duo, so it became a good personal experience. Shadow~ hasn’t gone somewhere that we’ve had to show off our stand-up comedy at again, but based on the way he tells stories, guys like Kitada would be legendary at it (smile). I think I’ll bloom someday.
Kazuya Kitada: Looking at me, it seems like I’m the kind of guy who can ski. Actually, when I was still a student I had a part-time job as a ski instructor, and I learned how to ski at a young age. But I haven’t been skiing in about 5 years. If I got to go on a ski trip with the rest of Shadow~, I’d get really excited. Also, if you’re talking about failing, I fail at MC-ing, but I’ve never gotten another chance to (smile). The one time I got a chance, I played it really safe and spoke carefully. At home, while I was in the bath, I reflected: “ah~ I could have answered like that!” I want to train so that I can answer more powerfully!