T/N: Happy Birthday Coco-chan! Hope everyone’s been enjoying her stellar performances throughout the Nijitabi sessions so far. Here’s an interview with her from the June 2023 edition of LoveLive!Days, available for purchase on Amazon JP here. This is the text version; the typeset version can be found here.

Credits – TLC/QC: Dyrea, xIceArcher; TS: Amaranth, PokéFanOne

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This spring marks the start of Hayashi Coco-san’s activities as Yuki Setsuna/Nakagawa Nana of Nijigasaki High School Idol Club. Now that she’s received Kusonoki Tomori-san’s encouragement and precious feelings for Setsuna, how does she feel coming face to face with Setsuna?
In this exclusive interview, we’ll press her on those hidden feelings.

Coco Hayashi
Born on May 15th in Shizuoka Prefecture. Debuted as a voice actress in 2017 as Hayashi Ayumi in Wake Up, Girls! New Chapter. Taking on the role of Yuki Setsuna in Nijigasaki High School Idol Club starting from April 1st, 2023. Her hobbies are anime and appreciating musicals. 

On March 25th, during the Love Live! series joint stage in AnimeJapan 2023, it was revealed that you would be taking over the role of Yuki Setsuna in a video message. Please tell me what your mental state was at the time.

I was extremely nervous before the reveal, but all of the [School Idol] Club’s supporters welcomed me so warmly, beyond what I could’ve imagined, which made me glad. I’ve firmly grasped the baton that Tomoriru (Kusunoki Tomori-san’s nickname) lovingly handed me, and, for now, will try and do my best in order to convey the feeling of “love” that Setsuna holds dear to her. My first goal is to stand on stage as Setsuna would. 

In a video released on the official Love Live! series channel, Kusonoki Tomori-san, who had played Setsuna up until this point, said in her handover message, “I’m relieved–the role will be in good hands with Coco-chan!”–a huge seal of approval.

That message was a great source of encouragement for me! When I first learned that Tomoriru would be swapping out of her role as Yuki Setsuna/Nakagawa Nana due to health matters, I couldn’t believe it… The first time I met her was in an audition before I debuted. We were in middle school and high school respectively, and had both made it to the final round. After that, we ended up at different agencies, and begun our individual journeys as voice actresses, but in the first show which I had a lead role in, Kiratto Pri☆Chan, we ended up playing siblings. What’s more, that same year, we both received the Best Newcomer Actress award at the Seiyu Awards. She’s a more experienced actress that I look up to, and someone who always has an influence on me from nearby. That’s why when I try to imagine what Tomoriru was feeling as she stood on stage, my chest feels like it’s tightening–that’s how much I respect her. It’s also why, up until just a bit before this, in addition to feeling honored at being chosen for the role of Yuki Setsuna, I was worried for Tomoriru’s health. My heart felt a mix of emotions, and I couldn’t sort out my feelings a lot of the time. But after having received everyone’s support following the cast announcement, I’d like to put all my strength into taking on the role of Yuki Setsuna so that both Tomoriru and the fans can think, “I’m glad that the role was given to Hayashi Coco!”

You were able to start thinking positively about it!

That’s right. Tomoriru truly was one with Setsuna, and I felt like her passion came across on stage. I’ll treasure the Setsuna that Tomoriru has built up in addition to believing in the possibilities of the new “Setsuna” that I will be acting. I think I’ll have to act with confidence.

By the way, I heard that you were a big fan of the Love Live! Series. When did that start?

When I was in elementary school, I was really into the anime Love Live!. High school girls becoming school idols, creating their own outfits and songs, putting on performances… The aspect of “everyone creating it together” was a fun atmosphere, and captivated me as an elementary schooler. After excitedly wondering if there are people who are actually like μ’s while watching the anime, learning that their voice actresses dance with the same formations as the animated segments must be astonishing, right? I started genuinely admiring them, thinking, “I want to be like that too!” I listened to my favorite member’s subunit songs and practiced the dance steps for songs I liked. I had fun dancing along with the videos of μ’s concerts and the animated music videos.

Whoa! So who was your favorite member?

At first it was Minami Kotori-chan. When I saw her hairstyle, which looked like a small bird, I thought, “That’s super cute ♡” and was captivated by that. Also, her solo Blueberry♡Train particularly resonated with me. The girly lyrics about the emotions of a first date as well as Uchida Aya-san’s voice were adorable. Also, after watching the anime, I started liking Kayochin (Koizumi Hanayo’s nickname). Kayochin also loves idols, so I felt like our circumstances were similar. As I experienced the story of someone like that working up the courage to join μ’s, I felt like I could empathize a lot! That’s why Kotori-chan and Kayochin hold special places in my heart. I found out about school idols in elementary school and kept supporting them from there, so I feel like the Love Live! series is like one part of my youth. After that, I got to play the role of a female student in Love Live! Sunshine!! and Love Live! Superstar!!. Getting to be a part of the project which I’d admired for so long gave me a deep feeling of joy. 

I guess the reason why you decided to take on the audition for the role of Yuki Setsuna must’ve been because you hold such special feelings towards the Love Live! series…

Yes. Starting with Kotori-chan and Kayochin, the people I’ve admired since all the way back then have been people who can single mindedly work hard at the thing they love. I’ve always thought that I’d like to become someone like that someday. That’s why I can relate a lot with Setsuna’s declaration to create a world where everyone can talk about the things they love. It might be an embarrassing thing to say normally, but the fact that she can say it straight is part of what makes her so charming. Also, Setsuna loves anime, games, and idols. She’s a girl with geeky hobbies. That’s also an aspect in which I feel that she’s similar to me. I want to be able to confidently declare the things I like, and share them with everyone. But I can’t work up the courage to be upfront about what I like–I’d like to change myself… I feel like Setsuna is speaking on behalf of our feelings, which makes me want to run together with her. Doesn’t Setsuna show with her own actions that it’s important to not fear failure and carry your passion with you when you take things on? That goes along with a frame of mind I’ve always considered to be important. Setsuna’s someone that I feel assured about following. I felt like we could move forward while carrying the same feelings. I was able to believe in that, so I thought that I’d go all out in taking on the school idols I’d admired, and decided I’d participate in the audition. At that time, as I was carried along by my determination, this mental image that, “If I take this on with all I have, I’ll definitely pass,” came to my head…

Having an optimistic outlook is indeed important. What was the state of your mind leading up to the actual audition?

Up until the audition, I was constantly taking in the Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club anime to cheer myself up. I don’t know just how many times Yu’s line in Season 2 Episode 13, “It’s your turn next!” has encouraged me. That single line gave me courage, and made me think, “I can’t give into the pressure! I’ve gotta try my best.” Even so, at that time, I was so nervous that I started feeling this haziness somewhere around my stomach. And then, starting from a week before the audition, I’d go visit a shrine every morning… I remember that it was because I needed to calm myself down, given how frantic I was. 

Were you able to get enough sleep the night before the audition?
To be honest, I didn’t sleep that much. I was up late into the night, thinking about how I could get closer to Setsuna, checking my acting, and listening intently to the assigned song, Setsuna’s solo, CHASE!. As I mentioned earlier, Tomoriru and Setsuna truly were one. I think that that’s a result of Tomoriru wholeheartedly facing the role, and turning both her body and mind into Setsuna. That’s why I also thought that I’d focus solely on being Yuki Setsuna when acting during the audition. In the end, that’s all I thought about as I took on the audition.

What was it like actually taking on the audition with those feelings?

When I entered the studio at the venue of the audition, a lot of the people involved were lined up, and I was overwhelmed. Acting and singing were done in the dubbing booth, while the question and answer session was outside. That was the peak of my nervousness, and I don’t remember what I talked about at all (laughs). It probably took a while… but I felt like it finished in the blink of an eye. I didn’t feel like I was able to play Setsuna particularly well either, so my first thought when it was over was that it was hopeless. My feeling at the time was 80% preparing myself for the sad news, and 20% staying hopeful. I couldn’t help but keep on looking at the notifications on my phone, thinking, “When are the results going to come out? How much longer?”

So then what was it like when you learned that you had passed?

I felt pure relief, seriously. The feeling of tension loosened up, and I was so glad. My chest was full of warm feelings and I felt like I was going to cry, but having my manager see me cry would’ve been embarrassing, so I firmly held it down. I might’ve looked composed? But it was tough, since my heart was swelling with emotions. After all of that settled down, anxieties like, “What’s going to happen to me from here on out?” or “What exactly would be the best place to start?” started coming to mind. What caused those feelings to change was my twenty-year-old coming of age ceremony. A letter from my sixth grade self was delivered to my home. An actual time capsule! When I read it, I saw the words “Right now, the thing I like is Love Live!” I couldn’t believe that these kinds of miracles could actually happen, and I was deeply moved. The pure feeling of love that my twelve-year-old self had moved me, and it made me think that I had to do my best all over again. I’m truly grateful that I was able to remember what I felt back then and face my own honest feelings at that time. 

These feelings that haven’t changed over all these years really should be treasured. So then, what has changed since you actually started activities as a member of the cast?

First off, what I feel when I watch concerts has changed. Up until now, I had attended a live viewing of μ’s final concert, created a Noppopan penlight for an Aqours concert, and watched Love Live! Fest, having a blast with my dad who likes μ’s… I was able to purely enjoy them as a fan. In particular, Love Live! Fest, the joint concert between the three groups, was the first time I closely watched Tomoriru’s Setsuna, so it left a huge impression on me. Setsuna was singing in the center of a round stage, surrounded by flames rising in the air, while the whole venue was filled with scarlet. I remember being moved, thinking, “I didn’t know solos could unite the audience to this extent!” Now, that’s changed to me studying the performances and staging, which is a different type of enjoyment. That’s probably the biggest difference. But when I watched Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club UNIT LIVE! ~A・ZU・NA LAGOON~ on February 4th and 5th, I ended up returning to my old self. I had work, so I was supporting them through the stream. The bonds between the three cast members were conveyed through their performance, and before I knew it, I was crying on the other side of the screen. On top of that, cheering was allowed, so I could really feel the fans’ passion. “This is what a concert truly is ♪” I thought. At that time, I was able to actually experience what a concert that everyone creates together really is. Just Believe!!! also really resonated with me and I won’t be able to forget it. 

Listening to you talk, I can feel how much you love Setsuna and the Love Live! series. Continuing on, what do you personally find to be appealing about Nijigaku?

Nijigaku is built on solo activities, and treats everyone’s individual “love” as important. Because everyone is able to polish their individuality as solo performers, when they come together as one those individualities stack on top of each other and resonate beautifully. That’s what I find to be their appeal. There’s the impression that their strong individualities might clash with each other, but if everyone accepts each other, they might find new possibilities that they didn’t have previously, which I think is wonderful. Seeing the members’ variety of expressions and charms in the solo, subunit, and full group songs is amazing! That’s presented in a direct manner in Episode 13 of the second season of the anime, I think. Because everyone has the ability to stand on stage by themselves, the explosive brilliance when they’re all gathered together is amazing!! And of course, you can’t forget about Yu-chan’s presence, yelling out, “I love it!” She was someone who was just supporting school idols at first, one of “you”. I was also there, so I can relate… I think seeing the members earnestly pursuing that “love” is another charm.

Unsurprisingly, “love” is justice, isn’t it!

Yes! I believe music, dance, and acting are all born from “love”.

It’s about time to wrap up. Lastly, please give a message to all the readers who are rooting for you and Setsuna.

Thank you for reading all the way to the end! I’ve just begun taking this on, so I’ve been fumbling around, but since Setsuna is someone who’s full of passionate feelings, I’d like to act in a powerful way to not fall behind. I personally love Setsuna… and I don’t plan for that love to be less than anyone else’s. As such, I’d be glad if all of you would express your “love” with all your might. To tell you the truth, the day of the photoshoot was the first time I wore this uniform. My body tensed up, but at the same time, I thought, “Ah, this is Nijigaku!” and was filled with excitement. This uniform is the one I’ve seen the cast wear to live broadcasts and such, so it really makes me feel like I’ve become a member of the [School Idol] Club. It’s freshly tailored, so the collar is a bit stiff, but it’ll be my valuable partner. I hope that we can get along so that everyone can say that it suits me. From here on out, I’d like to be hand in hand with Setsuna as we move forward one step at a time. Please continue to support me in that.

An Unforgettable Day
The cast announcement brought both nervousness and determination into her heart

On the first day of AnimeJapan 2023 at Tokyo Big Sight, during the Love Live! series joint stage event, Hayashi-san’s introductory video was broadcast for the first time at the venue and via livestream. 

There were also other new announcements on that day. Of course, we’re looking forward to Hayashi-san’s future as a school idol!

T/N: Part of a blog post Hayashi Coco wrote in Jan 2020. In the latter half of the original blog post, she also talks about going to one of Sasaki Rico’s concerts, as well as about Kiratto Pri☆Chan. I’ve chosen to omit that section in this translation, as I don’t think I have enough context to do it justice.

Credits – TLC: xIceArcher; QC: PokéFanOne, zura, Dyrea

Hello-ko! ٩( ‘ω’ )و

Hayamaru, aka Hayashi Coco here.

I got to attend Love Live! Fest the other day!

I’ve had the opportunity to speak about it on numerous occasions before, but I seriously love Love Live!

So it makes me super happy to be able to attend like this!!!

To be honest, I brought two penlights with me to enjoy the concert with…💦

One from μ‘s-san’s final live, and a noppopan one I created with my dad. 

How nostalgic😢😢😢

(By the way, the last time I used it was during the ANiUTa concert in 2017.)

From now on I’ll be sharing some personal thoughts, so for those of you who might be reading it going like, “Huh?” please be gracious to me🙇‍♀️

Being on the receiving end of the radiance each of the three groups gave off was overwhelming from start to end.

First off, the members of Nijigasaki High.

That was the first time I saw them perform!

Since they focus on solos…I wanted to see all of them😭😭😭

I was there on Day 2, so…I was really sad that I wasn’t able to see Karin-senpai’s performance. Miyu-chan…You were the absolute cutest on Day 2 also.

Also, Tomoriru was super cool during her solo as Setsuna-chan~! I could feel the heat both physically and emotionally🔥🔥🔥

Saint Snow-san.

Let me just say that they were amazing…

First off, their songs and voices were powerful. On top of that, they were great at MCing. They made the audience feel like they were one with them, and the hype was amazing!

I ended up yelling a lot and enjoying their part😳😳😳

Everyone in Aqours.

I was once again surprised by their ability to perform, or rather, their ability to charm.

I was moved by how linked they were with their characters😢

Even after splitting into their subunits, CYaRon!, Guilty Kiss, and AZALEA, they each shone with their own color, as I’ve come to expect.

When I learned that the new Love Live! series would be set in my hometown of Shizuoka, I was so happy.

On top of that, I got to appear in last year’s Sunshine movie…!!

I don’t know how I can express this in words. I’m truly grateful.

μ‘s-san.

Where it all started for me. When I watched them, when I watched Love Live!, I started to strongly realize that I wanted to become a voice actress.

The moment the first song, Bokura no LIVE Kimi to no LIFE, started, my eyes became watery… Memories came flooding into my mind…and the tears started flowing.

Recording the anime, and watching and rewatching it over and over again.

The concerts, the live viewings that I went to.

Playing around and drawing art of μ‘s-san with my friends during breaks at school.

Constantly listening to Love Live! songs in the car on the way to my lessons. 

Getting to sing μ‘s-san’s songs at various events in my hometown and at auditions.

Getting to sing Snow halation at Anison Vocal.

μ‘s-san was my youth.

So when they performed the anime medley and their other songs, I got so excited I almost couldn’t see what was in front of me.

“The nine goddesses who gave me my dream, and pushed me towards it. I love you,” I thought.

Once again, I found myself pierced to the core by this line in Aqours-san’s song, Todokanai Hoshi da to Shitemo–“Isn’t aspiring a wonderful thing?”

μ‘s-san and Aqours-san were one of the reasons I decided to enter this [voice acting] industry.

At first, it was just admiration.

But as that feeling grew larger and larger within me,

I started to think, “Someday, I want to stand on that stage as well.”

I’ve been told that it’ll be difficult, and I’ve experienced wanting to give up because I thought I might not be cut out for it,

But I continued chasing that aspiration, reaching out my hand.

I’ve achieved one dream now–becoming a voice actress.

I’m nowhere near my senpais, though.

One day, my dream, my aspiration, will be realized.

One day, hopefully, I can become someone’s aspiration too.

It was a day that let me come back to those feelings I had in the beginning.

Thank you so much!!!

Actually, I was invited by Niconii’s actress, Tokui Sora-san, who I acted together with in Prichan! 😳😳😳

She remembered that I told her I loved Love Live! during the recording for Prichan…😭 

Thank you!

I also got to take a picture with her!

My nickname “Hayamaru” actually comes from Tokui-san’s “Soramaru”…🥰

I love Soramaru-senpai when she’s acting as Niconii😢Truly the galaxy’s number one idol…

She shone even more than normal, and her love for Love Live! was on full display. I was moved.

Also, I got to take a picture with Umi-chan’s actress, Mimori Suzuko-san!

I also had the chance to act with Mimori-san in Prichan😘

Every time I meet her she looks so cute and beautiful, but this time especially…!

It was wonderful to watch her movements, which captured Umi-chan’s elegance and nimbleness. I feel like I get literally shot every time the “Love Arrow Shoot” comes out…

I still can’t believe that I’m standing right next to these senpais who were in Love Live!, and I’m acting beside the people I’ve admired for so long.

Even though I was just a girl who liked anime a little more than other people.

Love Live! really is, “the story we all fulfill,” connected through μ‘s-san, Aqours-san, A-RISE-san, Saint Snow-san, and finally, the members of Nijigasaki High. 

I love Love Live!!!!

I’m so happy it’s been 9 years already!!!

Truly, truly,

Thank you so much!!!

T/N: Check out the original interview in the LoveLive!Days Liella Special, available for purchase on Amazon JP here.

Credits – TLC: xIceArcher; QC: PokéFanOne, Yujacha

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As the three of them have an earnest discussion about taking on the 3rd Live Tour, we get to see a glimpse of their closeness, as well as some messing around. Also, Misaki-san will say something for the first time on this edition of Liella Special!?

The fan meeting was the first time we all stood on stage together, and I’d like to think that doing that across three cities made us get a lot closer.

It’s been over half a year since the formation of the nine-member Liella!. What are your thoughts and feelings about it now?

Misaki: Since we’re currently preparing for the 3rd Live Tour, honestly I feel like I’ve been really looking forward to it. As the time the nine of us spend together increases, I think about how we’ll transform as we stand on that big stage, or how what we saw as five members we’ll now experience as nine, which makes me excited. 

Yabushima: The [OP/ED] release event was the first time the nine of us performed together, and I was really anxious about how the fans would take it. When we finished, we got a warm response from the fans, which made me relieved. It’s because of the release event that I’m able to look forward to the 3rd Live Tour. The scale of the venue is completely different, though. I can’t even picture myself standing on a stage like that. Hearing about how everyone is looking forward to it makes me want to give a performance that will live up to their excitement. 

Ookuma: We heard that the nine of us were going to put on a concert after the fan meeting. I was like, “Yes!!” Then we were told it was going to be a tour and I thought, “Wow, we’re going to get to go all around the country as part of it?” I was full of surprise and happiness and ended up not feeling too anxious.

In what ways has the atmosphere within Liella! changed? 

Misaki: The increase in members brought about chemistry that we didn’t have before, and the number of conversations flying around the room has increased, so it’s pretty clear that it’s become more lively (laughs). We talk a lot about how for us first generation members, our hearts became almost connected as a result of the 1st Live Tour, but with the second generation members, it might’ve been the fan meetings. It was the first time we all stood on stage together, and I’d like to think that doing that across three cities made us get a lot closer.

Did you feel any pressure with the second generation members coming in?

Misaki: A ton. Somehow, my mentality became that of the second generation members, unconsciously thinking things like, “Wait, I’m going to become a senpai?!” (laughs). So I thought about it and figured it’d be best if rather than trying to do any weird keeping up of appearances, I just acted like I normally would so the second generation members could fit in easier. 

Were the two of you able to feel that Misaki-san and the other first generation members were there looking out for you?

Ookuma: From the very beginning, they weren’t like, “Let’s be friends,” but rather like, “If they’re coming, we’ll take them in,” which made me really happy. Perhaps it’d be better to say that the feeling of, “They’re actually going to accept us…” was really strong. I expected more resistance, or something like…

Yabushima: “Don’t you dare join Liella!”? (laughs)

Ookuma: Exactly (laughs). I’m the type of person who’s very forward when it comes to making friends, but I’m sure there’s people who aren’t good at dealing with that. The first generation members accepted all of that, which made me feel like they were really mature.

Misaki: Woohoo!

Yabushima: Looking in from the outside, it’s hard to tell what the first generation members are actually like. But the moment we met them, I realized that they’re just like how they seem, which made me relieved.

So then, at what moment did it actually feel like Liella! had become nine?

Ookuma: Before the release event, there was one time when our cogs weren’t quite aligned.

Misaki: Indeed (laughs).

Ookuma: Our choreography teacher told us, “Your performance lacks the impact that nine people should have,” and we talked it out among the nine of us right then and there. Everyone said everything they wanted to, and we all talked about our visions going forward. We had been practicing while misunderstanding each other, which made it harder to say what we wanted to. That conversation might’ve been the moment my mindset shifted to that of us being a group of nine.

Misaki: I was just about to tell the exact same story. In the end, communicating with each other face to face is important, I thought afterwards. Also, through those events, I learned that acting off of speculation and judging how others feel based purely off of your own imagination is not good. I think the point at which it was clear that we had become one was the first song of our release event, We Will!!. We finish off the song by posing, but my pose doesn’t let me see the audience straight on. When I glanced at the audience through the corner of my eye, I could see nine hues of light stretching across the arena, which left a big impression on me. 

Yabushima: I’m not good at dancing, so negative thoughts like, “I wasn’t able to do this part again…” constantly surrounded me. As a result I wasn’t really able to face forward, and during our conversation, it was pointed out that I wasn’t facing the same way as the others. I know that I have to work much harder on my technique, but I want to first enjoy performing as nine, and learn how to convey my goals through my performance.

Was there anything that changed after the fan meeting?

Yabushima: I learned that with singing and dancing, a slight deviation in feeling can have a huge effect, or rather, a tiny deviation can cause a large change in the intention of your performance. When I’m constantly facing forward while performing, I’ll get nervous, but when the choreography leads me to look towards everyone’s faces or make eye contact, a smile naturally comes to my face. It also makes me feel relieved, so I hope that I can have more opportunities to see everyone’s faces outside of the choreography while performing. 

Ookuma: There’s a part of me that considered that I had to constantly be doing something, and I thought that if I took action and improved myself, everything might be able to go smoothly. But after discussing with everyone else, that changed. Exchanging advice at that time was a lot of fun and made me really happy. If I were to work at it on my own, I wouldn’t be able to experience that kind of back and forth. 

I’ve been thinking about how I can give a performance that will make the viewers happy, just like Mei-chan does.

I’m sure the two second generation members had various challenges to take on, but how about you?

Misaki: These two are the type to take on everything by themselves, and similarly, I’m also the type to start off by trying to do it myself. That might be an obvious thing, though. Something I’ve thought ever since we started our activities as five is that the stage is not a place where I’m standing alone; instead, it’s where all five members of Liella! are, and when you count both the members and the cast, there’s ten people there. Working crazily hard by yourself is something that should be reserved for when you’re practicing on your own. When we’re performing to show how amazing Liella! is, we have nine, now an eighteen-person group, so I hope we can be in sync with each other. 

What does the phrase on the teaser visual for the anime’s second season, “Reaching, Surpassing” mean to all of you?

Misaki: At first, I took it to be from the second generation members’ perspective. After all, for the second generation members, the first generation members are a presence to catch up to and ones they have to surpass. But thinking about it more, if the first generation members get caught up to, they have to then further surpass that. I feel that that phrase encompasses the eighteen members who are constantly growing.

Yabushima: The “Reaching” part made sense to me when I first saw it, but when it came to “Surpassing,” I thought, “There’s no way that’s going to happen!” (laughs). “How exactly would we surpass them,” or “won’t we have our hands full catching up to them,” were thoughts that swirled around my head. But as we became more and more involved with our activities, I realized that if I didn’t have the energy and desire to surpass the first generation members, I probably wouldn’t be able to properly stand next to the others as a member of Liella!.

Ookuma: Coincidentally, before this catchphrase was released, during one of the second generation member post-practice review sessions, Emori Aya declared, “I want us to make ‘We’re going to reach and surpass the first generation members’ our motto as we do this.” It was a great phrase, so it stuck in my mind. Then when the catchphrase was announced along with the teaser visual, I was shocked, like, “This is what Aya said, right?!”

Misaki: Huuuh?!

Ookuma: Coincidence though it may be, it holds a special meaning for me. 

The release event on September 21st was the first time we got to see the nine of you perform together. Please tell us once again how you felt at the time.

Misaki: Of course, there was a huge sense of accomplishment. Yabuchan also talked about it earlier, but based on everyone’s reactions and such, we were able to properly convey the nine-person Liella!, which made me very relieved. 

Yabushima: The first thing that comes to mind is that I had fun. It felt like time passed by in a flash.

Ookuma: Even though all the rehearsals we’d done up to that point were full run-throughs, they were nothing compared to the real thing; my body felt so heavy afterwards. We only performed five songs, so I wonder how tough doing the 3rd Live Tour will be…

A question for Yabushima-san and Ookuma-san. Amidst all the practicing for the 3rd Live Tour, what do you personally consider to be your biggest challenge or objective?

Yabushima: When Mei-chan performs with Liella!, her expressions are at their softest and that’s wonderful. I’ve been thinking about how I can give a performance that will make the viewers happy, just like she does. I’m beginning to realize that I can’t catch up with how fast Mei-chan is growing, so my first challenge will be to catch up to her. 

Ookuma: Our choreography teacher told me, “I want you to show me improvement at every rehearsal,” which made the rehearsals really tough. The 3rd Live Tour consists of fourteen performances, and I don’t want to give the same performance twice, so it’d be nice if the growth I have during each performance could be that change. I said “It’d be nice,” but I am thinking about how I can grow in that way.

Misaki-san, do you have any new challenges or objectives now that the second generation members are here?

Misaki: The radiance only a nine-member Liella! can display is something we can do with the synergy that we have with nine, I think. Once again I’m reminded that that’s exactly why I need to polish my own skills and further improve. 

How do each of you tackle the challenges and objectives you mentioned?

Ookuma: We were told that Liella! is a musical artist, so I studied up on not just idols but also singers. Of course, I also watched the previous Love Live! groups. I wanted to be able to take on a new approach, so as I suggest new ways of singing and performing, I’ll also show them by honing my skills. That’s also tied in with being a motivator for me.

Misaki: I’m fundamentally a negative person, so when I felt very strongly that I wasn’t good at singing, that feeling stuck around for one, two years. So I’m going to affirm myself in everything. I can’t help comparing myself to the people around me, so I want to tell myself, “I did great today!” for even the smallest things, and press the “like button” in my heart on a regular basis for my song and dance.

Yabushima: There’s still a lot of things I’m anxious about when it comes to singing and dancing, so for songs I used to only listen to, I’ve started watching the live footage as well. The way the singers let out their emotions varies from performance to performance, so I think about how to let those emotions break out while I watch them. It’d be great if I could also express what I’m feeling during the concert with my performance.

As I suggest new ways of singing and performing, I’ll also show them by honing my skills. That’s also tied in with being a motivator for me.

What are some things you look up to or want to learn from the others here?

Ookuma: For Nako, it’s, “I get to sing and dance with her?!” When I reflect on the fact that I’ll get to work with her going forward, I also feel strongly that I’ll have to work even harder. Also, I’m happy every time our eyes meet, and she cheers me up. I’m the type of person who focuses on myself and can’t pay attention to what’s going around me, so when Nako comes to talk to me, I realize that I’ve been stuck. She’s really something…I’d like to see her every day.

Misaki: (laughs) I’ll come see you every day then!

Ookuma: I’d love for us to see each other every day and encourage each other (laughs).

Misaki: If you call for me, I’ll be there in an instant!

Ookuma: I’ve been with Akane even since before we were in Liella!. Do you remember how we went home together after the audition?

Yabushima: Mhm.

Ookuma: When we were on the way back after the audition, I said, “I wonder if I did okay,” to which I vividly remember Akane casually replying, “Yeah, don’t worry. You got this, you got this.” 

Misaki: (dying of laughter)

Ookuma: Akane doesn’t really notice when the others are on edge, but she’ll do things like change the topic with the gentle atmosphere she has around her. Even if I were to notice it, I wouldn’t be able to do anything about it, so I think that’s amazing. Akane’s gentle like that, but she also knows to point out when things are wrong, which is also something I can learn from.

Yabushima: Something the other two share is their ability to draw people in with their dance and performance. When I saw Nako-chan live, even from an audience point of view her dance had a lot of power, and her performance makes your eyes follow her without even thinking. Ever since we started practicing together, when I see Nako-chan and Wakana, I think that I also want to find my own way of presentation. I don’t know what I should do…

Misaki: She’s spiraling into worry (laughs).

Ookuma: You don’t need to think so hard, just be as you are (laughs).

Yabushima: Nako-chan is really good at putting what she feels into words. For me, even though I’ll have a bunch of words and phrases pop into my head, I still can’t do it well a lot of the time. For livestreams and radios and such, she’s good at affirming what other people say, in addition to properly getting out her own thoughts, which I think is wonderful. 

Misaki: Thanks♪

Yabushima: For Wakana…

Ookuma: You don’t need to think so hard about it! If there’s nothing that’s fine (laughs).

Yabushima: I don’t have anything for Wakana (laughs). But actually, the fact that she notices even the little things that are different about me and mentions them to me makes me really happy. That’s helped me out a lot many times. …Dang, she won’t look me in the eye.

Ookuma: I just can’t look her in the eye…

Misaki: (laughs)

Ookuma: Akane’s got some kind of look in her eyes. I’m going to come clean here, but I usually talk a lot, right? But when I lock eyes with Akane I can’t all of a sudden. 

Misaki: Even though Yabuchan is trying to look you in the eye. 

Yabushima: It makes me glad to see Wakana spilling out everything she normally holds up within herself, so I hope to create the sort of atmosphere that will make her feel more at ease.

Misaki: These two are just like Mei and Shiki, and they’ve both got their own unique atmosphere. I really like watching over them. The two of them properly communicate on the things that can’t be brought up between the first and second generation members. That makes me happy both as myself and as Arashi Chisato. Also, I mean this in a good way, but I’d really like Yabuchan to treat me more carelessly. …Listening to that statement alone might be kinda dangerous (laughs). 

Ookuma: Indeed.

Yabushima: (laughs)

Misaki: To rephrase that, that’s how much I want her to be at ease and have a more rough relationship with me. I’m saying this here, but I’d also like to call her Akane. 

Yabushima: Please, go ahead…!

Misaki: Then I’ll call you Akane from now on, okay?

Yabushima: Yes!

Misaki: Thanks to this Liella! Special, I’m calling her Akane for the first time! (laughs)

Yabushima: (laughs)

Misaki: I don’t have that feeling for Wakana though (laughs).

Ookuma: I mean, we’re always talking!

Misaki: The first time we took our promo photos, she came up to me and was like, “Could I give your hair buns a twist?” to which I thought, “Ah, she’s a strange one!” It made me happy to know that Wakana was really looking forward to dancing with me. Also, she often compliments even the smallest things. 

Ookuma: You do that too, Nako!

Misaki: Sometimes we’ll pass each other by and be like, “That performance earlier was amazing!” …and then we’re gone (laughs).

Ookuma/Yabushima: (laughs)

Misaki: We would be like, “The way you moved your arm just now was so cool…” almost like some shady transaction, and that naturally turned into a sort of war with words. But the fact that we’re able to identify each others’ good points makes for a great relationship. Also, I’m always thinking about how I’d like to be someone that the two of them can truly rely on, as well as view as an equal.

Finally, please give a message to the fans. 

Yabushima: I’m really glad that we’ll be able to see everyone at the 3rd Live Tour. It’ll be held across seven cities, so those who weren’t able to come to the fan meetings because they were too far will hopefully have more opportunities to come. I can’t even begin to imagine what kind of tour it’ll be like yet, but with the eighteen of us as one, I’d like to put on concerts that’ll make everyone like Liella! even more. 

Ookuma: I think there are a lot of people who will come looking forward to the concert and to meeting Liella!, so first of all I hope to answer those expectations. It’s also a concert that’s connected to the anime, so I think everyone will be overlapping us and the members. That’s why I’ll work hard to show everyone how the eighteen of us have been growing together!

Misaki: Something that left a huge impression on me from the 1st Live Tour was the large amount of letters I got that said, “Today was the first time I went to a concert.” Hearing, “I’m so glad Liella! was the first one,” has left a huge mark on my heart. Everyone sees the same sights at a concert, but Liella! or not, coming to a concert for the first time or having been several times will change one’s impression, I think. Nonetheless, no matter who comes, I hope to share an unforgettable, irreplaceable moment with them. 

T/N: 🐻 Check out the original interview in LoveLive!Days Vol. 32, available for purchase on Amazon JP here.

Credits – TLC: xIceArcher; QC: Yujacha

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Among the second-generation Liella! members, Ookuma Wakana-san, voice of Wakana Shiki, tends to display some quirky tendencies. We asked this carefree-seeming lady to tell some behind-the-scenes stories from the auditions, and more.

The weeping of frustration at the first-generation cast announcement became the impetus behind taking on the audition. 

First off, please tell us about why you decided to become a voice actress.

An anime I was really into during elementary school had a character who was a boy, but was played by a voice actress. I was so impressed by that voice that I started wanting to become one myself. I think I was particularly drawn to the fact that it was a girl playing a guy’s role. I watched a number of other anime, and eventually came across Love Live! in middle school. My classmates would repeat Yazawa Nico-chan’s “Nico Nico Nii” over and over again, and that caused me to become interested in the series. I watched the anime, and thought it was great, but at that time I wasn’t necessarily super absorbed into it. 

A while after that, you participated in the audition for Love Live! Superstar!!.

I received news that a new series with a completely new story was starting up from my agency, and thought it seemed interesting. I listened to a bunch of songs from the Love Live! series before the audition, and felt that this might be what I wanted to do. The power of the songs and their lyrics caused me to get even more into it. Actually, I had also participated in the first-generation cast audition. At that time, I gave it all I had, and left with the feeling that I might’ve passed. But then, when my manager called me to tell me that I had failed, my body started shaking, to the point where I thought I was going to cry. As soon as the call ended, I became aware of how strongly I felt about the series. I was frustrated, and felt like I was betraying people’s expectations for me. I was in Yamagata when I saw the cast announcement, and I started bawling amidst the heavy snow. As I watched the first-generation cast members go about their activities, the entire time I felt like I couldn’t sort out my feelings… I thought I wouldn’t be able to watch the livestreams, but got curious and ended up watching, and somehow, I naturally found myself rooting for them. My frustrations weren’t gone, but watching the five of them shine caused feelings of respect to spring up inside of me. After that, when I received the materials for the second-generation cast audition, I saw Wakana Shiki-chan’s name and appearance, thought, “It’s gotta be her,” and jumped right into practicing her lines. I went in not wanting to lose to anyone. I spent about a year not being able to think about anything other than Love Live!.

Turning the difference in experience into a source of strength! The relationships between Liella! members that allow them to improve together with their seniors. 

I hear that by the final audition round, you had already met the second-generation cast members. How have your impressions of them changed since the first time you met them?

Nozomi was looking down, with her face covered by her hair. When I introduced myself, she didn’t have much of a reaction, so I thought she might be kind of a gloomy person (laughs). Now though, she seems really cute, with her bright smile. Akane’s hair and nails were red, so I thought that she must be used to auditions. We ended up going home at the same time, so we walked to the station together. I tried talking to her, and found out that she was a more gentle person than I had thought. That difference surprised me. Aya didn’t seem younger than me at all–she seemed like a mature lady. Her cheerful responses make her give off an idol-like aura, and she makes the lights at the venue seem like spotlights (laughs). When we met up after our roles had been decided, everyone was so stiff and nervous, but as we went through our lessons, we were able to open up to each other. 

What was it like meeting the first-generation cast members and watching their concerts?

I had originally watched the streams online, and despite the fact that some of the cast members didn’t have experience singing or dancing, they were able to put on a magnificent performance, which I thought was simply incredible. Being able to perform at this level in such a short time and stand in front of the fans with dazzling smiles was seriously impressive. The auras they gave off during the concerts and livestreams made them seem larger than life, so I was surprised when I actually met them and it turned out that many of them were quite petite. I was given the opportunity to see the 1st Live Tour performances in person. It was my first time going to a Love Live! performance, and I was overwhelmed by the sense of unity at the venue. I was able to actually feel that Liella! is who they are because of the fans, and more than anything else, the concert was a blast! If I paid too much attention to the fact that we were going to join Liella! soon, I felt that I would become more easily hurt, so I decided to try taking on a different frame of mind and enjoy the concert with everyone instead. Of course, there’s a huge gap between the first- and second-generation members. But it’s amazing that a series about club activities is able to show the relationship between senior and junior members. Because the senior members are there, we have a goal that we can progress towards, and can build each other up. I think having people to do that with is something to be grateful for, so I’ll try to take this difference in experience and also turn it into a source of strength. 

Bringing something new to Liella! Eagerly waiting for the new member announcement. 

I heard that you were together with the rest of the second-generation cast members for the cast and member reveal. How did that go?

I put on a festive mood, like, “Let’s get hyped up!” (laughs). It wasn’t like the fact that there would be additional members was going to change, so I felt more excited than nervous that something new was going to happen. The other three tend to be more anxious, so I figured that I should bring up the mood. I turned off my phone, and turned my attention to looking at the fans’ comments with the others.

You left quite the mark in your first livestream appearance!

Even though I was nervous, I wanted to make the audience laugh and have fun. There’s a certain mood that we can only bring during the time we’re new members, so I made sure my brain was operating at max when I would speak. I felt like if I held back too much, it would seem like there’s a wall between the first- and second-generation members, and I thought that I should act like myself as much as possible. It’d be great if that got across!

The fan meetings were the first time you were in front of the fans.

At first, I thought that they wouldn’t really accept us. But actually, we were received very warmly. I was incredibly nervous at first, but gradually, I could feel our teamwork as Liella! developing, and that made me happy. 

As the second season of the anime is currently airing, please give us a refresher on Shiki’s charms. 

She’s a clever kid who has outstanding athletic ability and is good at school too. She also has a great figure, so at first glance she might seem perfect, but she’s also awkward in some ways as well. I think that gap makes her lovable. Her eccentricity in Episode 1 was quite something… I’m sure that shocked some people (laughs). She’s quiet but not necessarily shy, which is a type of character that hasn’t really existed in Love Live! before. Please pay attention to Shiki-chan’s development from here on out!

Finally, a message for the fans!

Thank you very much for continuing to support Liella!. Just like how all of you are always thinking about us, we’re always thinking about you as we go about our activities as Liella!. Through Liella!, I’d like to polish up my acting and performance abilities, and as a result, grow as a voice actress. As Wakana Shiki’s voice, I’d like to continue to walk alongside her and the fans. Let’s pursue all those dreams out there together!

Ookuma Wakana – born in Saitama Prefecture. Failing the audition for the first-generation cast was a huge shock for her, but nonetheless, she was moved by Liella!’s performances, and took dance lessons among other things, which speak to how she’s been making progress together with Liella! this entire time. She memorized all of the lyrics and choreography for “Hajimari wa Kimi no Sora” before she even joined.

T/N: Happy birthday Mei! You can check out the original interview in LoveLive!Days Vol. 31, available for purchase on Amazon JP here. This link also directed to the Vol. 30 magazine earlier. Sorry!

Credits – QC: xIceArcher

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An interview with Yabushima Akane-san, who was selected to play Liella! second generation member Yoneme Mei! She tells us some behind-the-scenes stories of the audition and talks about her feelings about everything that’s happened since then.

Never in my wildest dreams did I think I would become a cast member.

First off, tell us how you came to know about Love Live!

I first heard about Love Live! in middle school. A recap video of a μ’s concert popped up on a video site, and I clicked on it, thinking, “What is this?” I was very surprised that they were wearing the same outfits as the anime characters, had the same hairstyles, and were even performing the same dance steps. At that time, there wasn’t much media like that, so it was quite shocking. From there, I watched the anime series and bought some CDs… However, at that time, I didn’t even consider wanting to become a voice actress for Love Live!. I was already supporting them as a fan, and the thought of being a part of one of my favorite series didn’t even cross my mind.

How was the audition for Love Live! Superstar!!?

I had watched the first season of the anime just as a fan, so when I received the offer to audition I was surprised. It had been 8 years since I found out about Love Live!, so I hadn’t even dreamed of being able to audition. In addition, I didn’t have much confidence in myself. The audition was different from regular auditions in that it involved singing and dancing, neither of which I had much confidence in, so I was incredibly anxious. But if I was going to do it, I’d definitely want to make it, so I decided to challenge myself and try my hardest. I was totally focused as I practiced facing the mirror in my room, but honestly, I had no idea if my singing and dancing were even accurate! The day of the audition, I was nervous and put too much strength into it. Since I wasn’t able to perform as well as I had in practice, I felt down as I returned home.

And then, you received the role of Yoneme Mei. How did you feel when you heard the news?

My manager contacted me and told me to come over without telling me anything, so I thought I was going to be yelled at (laughs). I was in a meeting room at my agency when I heard, but it didn’t hit me that I had actually passed. Being a part of the Love Live! series, which I had been a fan of for all this time… I was sort of spaced out as I headed home that day, but when I got home and saw my mom’s face, the tears finally came to me. My family was also really happy for me, which made me glad. However, uneasiness started coming to me as well. Even though I was selected to play Mei-chan, I had worried about how best to express her ever since the time of the audition. At the beginning, I didn’t yet know that Mei-chan was a huge idol fan, so it was just her being angry, always saying “Shut up!” Now I think she’s a character with all sorts of charming points, but at that time I had my hands full thinking about Mei’s feelings as she said that phrase. It was only after the recording for the anime that I finally started to feel like I was getting closer to Mei-chan’s feelings.

Every day was full of anxiety and pressure, but the fans’ voices helped steadily ease my nervousness.

After that, you met the other members of the cast for the first time.

I had also met the second-generation cast members at the final audition, and even though we all had masks on I could tell that they were very cute. We finally introduced ourselves at our first formal meeting, and during the lessons that followed, we actually got to know each other. Nozomi was like a baby animal, which made me want to protect her. When I met Wakana, her hair was long, so I thought she might be like a cool and collected older sister… that is what I thought at the beginning, yeah! I thought Aya had a lot of energy, which hasn’t changed even now. She’s someone who can change your negative thoughts into positive ones. Some of those impressions have changed, and some haven’t (laughs). When we were going to meet the first-generation members, all I could feel was nervousness, but when I saw their faces, my nervousness eased a bit. I had only seen them on-screen before, but they were right there, and they were really cute…!

I heard that all the second-generation members went to Liella!’s First Live Tour to learn from their performances. What was it like seeing that in person?

The atmosphere of the performance itself, the fans, and everything else was overwhelming. Cheers and calls were still prohibited, but I could still feel the excitement, and wondered what it would be like to see it all from the stage. I would even watch the online streams for all the performances in the First Live Tour which we didn’t go to observe. At first, I was all like, “You got this!” while watching the performances, but as the performances kept going on, and Liella! kept improving, I started to become more and more anxious, wondering if I could fit in. I was very moved by the concerts themselves, but the greater the concert was, the more anxious I felt. The variations in the setlist increased, the held note at the end of Tokonatsu Sunshine got longer, and with every new thing I was moved by, a flicker of anxiety would pop into my heart. We also got to go watch the additional performance in Tokyo, and at that time I could feel how close we were to joining the group.

And from there, at last, the new characters and cast members were announced.

I didn’t think I would be able to sit still if I were by myself, so I ended up gathering together with the rest of the second-generation members. Ever since the announcement that there would be new characters, I had chosen to not look at reactions on the internet. This continued all the way until after we all gathered together, when I finally saw the replies on the official post. Rather than being worried about whether we, the cast members, would be accepted, we were more worried about whether the fans would accept the new characters.

After that, the video with Mei’s voice was uploaded. Did you see the reactions to that?

Yes, I did. Unfortunately. I told myself I wouldn’t look at them, but I got curious, so…! As the day of the reveal got closer, I started worrying more and more about whether I sounded too boyish, or if my voice was too high, or other parts that I normally wouldn’t be worried about, so I was relieved when I saw that a lot of people wrote affirmative comments. There were a lot of people who made positive comments about how there hadn’t been a character with a similarly forceful manner of speaking before, which made me relieved. It made me a bit more confident.

At last, you had the opportunity to appear before the fans as a member of the cast with your first livestream in June and the Fan Meeting Tour in July.

The first half of the livestream was done by just the first-generation members. At that point I was just a ball of nerves. Even though our photos had been revealed before, this was my first time speaking as just myself and not as Mei, so I was anxious going into it. But when I actually appeared on the livestream and saw the comments, they were so friendly that my nerves dissipated. For the fan meetings, while I was on standby backstage, once I could tell the fans were there I immediately got nervous. After that, when I got on stage and looked out at the sea of penlights, I got nervous again. But I got emotional every time I saw everyone’s penlights turn rouge as I did Mei’s introduction. At first, my hands were full just talking on stage, but I feel like I started being able to see each individual member of the audience, and have fun with them. I still can’t imagine singing and dancing in front of them, but I’d like to work hard so that I can be accepted on stage. 

Now that the second season of the anime is currently airing, what are some points that viewers should pay attention to?

The second-generation members have a lot of quirks, so it’ll be interesting seeing how they interact with the first-generation members. Mei-chan loves school idols, but that’s also the reason why she thinks she can’t be one. I feel like that part of her is similar to me. I hope that viewers will pay attention to how her feelings change over the course of the show.

Lastly, please give a message to the fans!

Thank you so much for your continuous support. There’s a lot of ways that the second-generation members are similar to us cast members, in their troubles and helping each other out. For me personally, ever since I became a member of Liella!, there have been a lot of people who have helped me out that I want to return the favor to. Also, I want to become someone worthy of the penlights that are being waved for me. That’s something I think about every day. Please watch over the members as they continue to be a part of Liella!, and us cast members as we continue to grow!

Yabushima Akane – born in Kanagawa Prefecture. She has strong athletic ability from playing mini-basketball when she was in elementary school, but isn’t good at dancing. She wanted to follow after her mother and become a nursery school teacher, but an anime she got really into while in elementary school caused her to change her mind and enter a voice actor training school when she was in middle school. She loves voice actresses so much she would travel far and wide for their concerts.