4月24日よりテレビ朝日水曜深夜の「スーパーバラバラ大作戦」枠で放送されるシン・時代劇ドラマ『君とゆきて咲く～新選組青春録～』に上野凱が出演する。   本作は、漫画家・手塚治虫の隠れた名作『新選組』を脚本・坪田文、演出・河合勇人によって初映像化し、2クール連続で放送されるもの。幕末を閃光のごとく駆け抜け、はかなく散っていった新選組隊士たちの青春を、2人のオリジナルキャクターを中心に描く。   上野は、本作のメインキャストに加わる若手俳優を選出すべく1月より放送された『人生が変わる、シン・時代劇オーディション『真剣　SHINKEN』～新選組への道～」に参加。応募総数約800名の中から、個人演技、殺陣、ダンス、団体演技などのサバイバルバトルを経てファイナリストに選ばれ、本作への出演が決定しました。上野は主人公の父を斬り殺した長州藩士・庄内玄悟役を演じる。   ＜庄内玄悟役：上野凱 コメント＞ ――出演が決まった際の率直な感想を教えてください。 もちろんうれしかったのですが、オーディションで目指していた役柄に合格したわけではないので、いつものオーディションに受かったときとは違った感覚で、“喜びと悔しさが混じった合格通知”みたいな気持ちでした。   ――ご自身の役柄の印象や、演じる上で意識していることを教えてください 第１話で主人公・丘十郎の父を間髪入れずに斬り殺すシーンが出てくるので、この庄内玄悟という人間がどこかで報われてほしい、彼がこうなったのには何か理由があってほしいと願いながら演じてきました。回が進むにつれて過去の回想シーンも登場し、現在の庄内になる前の彼も描かれるので、この役を好きになるきっかけになりました。   ――時代劇ならではの難しさ、面白さはどのようなところでしょうか？ 自分が普通に生活する中では絶対に着ることのない衣装、見ることのない景色の中で生きるので一瞬、テーマパークに来たみたいな感覚になって、すぐに芝居に入り込むことができますね。 その反面、着物や刀の扱い方を把握していないと芝居に支障が出てしまうので、そこは気をつけています。また、刀を使う殺陣は初めてで、抜刀と納刀に苦戦しています。それはみなさんも同じだと思うのでそれぞれ待ち時間に抜刀の練習をしていますね。   ――撮影現場の雰囲気はいかがですか？ なかなかみなさんと同じシーンがないのですが、現場は学生時代に味わった感覚を追体験しているようでめちゃくちゃ楽しいです。主演のけんちゃん（＝前田拳太郎）は、オフのときはめちゃくちゃフラットで、プライベートのこともよく話すのですが、現場では芝居に集中しなきゃと思わせるオーラみたいなものを感じます。それが主演の力なのかな、１コ下でめっちゃかわいいんですけど、すごくしっかりしていますね。おっくん（＝奥智哉）はホテルの大浴場で３回ぐらい連続で一緒になったのですが、コンタクトを外していてよく見えなかったのか、僕と間違えて全然知らない一般の人に近づいていって隣に座っていました（笑）。おっちょこちょいなところがあってかわいいですね。   ――視聴者のみなさまへ意気込みをお願いいたします！ ドラマ上では仇だとしても、自分の中で庄内を敵として演じるのは違うと思い、庄内は純粋に自分の正義を持って行動している、ということを自分の中で落とし込んで演じています。“この国をよくしよう”という思いは新選組と同じですが、ただ純粋に信じたものが異なり、見たい未来が違うだけ…。自分だけは庄内玄悟を悪い人間として捉えずに演じていこうと思っています！

The KAWAII LAB. idol project has announced a new group, SWEET STEADY. Previously, the project has been responsible for the formation of FRUITS ZIPPER, who won the Best New Artist award at the 2023 Japan Record Awards and whose song Watashino Ichiban Kawaiitokoro has pulled in 900 million views on TikTok, and CANDY TUNE, who filled Zepp Shinjuku to capacity just six months after their debut.   The group’s name, SWEET STEADY, is inspired by the hope that these sweet girls, like a bouquet of colorful flowers, will steadily grow step by step through their idol experiences. The group will be produced by Misa Kimura, general producer of KAWAII LAB.     [SWEET STEADY Member Profiles / Comments] ■ Ayu Okuda : Blue “Hi there, I’m Ayu Okuda! I’m happy to announce that I’ll be continuing my activities as part of SWEET STEADY. I never thought I’d be able to be an idol under KAWAII LAB. again, so I’m super excited to be debuting with a new group and am looking forward to meeting all the fans! I hope we can all aim higher and make our dreams come true! I’ll give it my all! Thank you for your support!”   X: @ayu_ss0107 Instagram: @okudaayu TikTok: @okudaayu     ■Yui Otoi : Light Blue     ■Natsuka Kurita : Pink  

The vocal-dance group ATARASHII GAKKO! made their global debut in 2021 on the 88rising label, which promotes Asian music and culture to the world. The four members have continued to attract attention over the past few years, recently performing on NHK’s New Year’s staple Kohaku Uta Gassen for the first time and starting their own TV show. On January 9, the group held its first concert, SEISHUN SHURAI (Youth Invasion),  at Nippon Budokan.

When the first notes of Tokyo Calling began playing, all 12,000 fans in attendance instantly reached maximum excitement as they focused their attention on the 360-degree stage. The LED lights covering the stage began to shine and the members, clad in red sailor uniforms, appeared to the sound of wild applause. After performing Toryanse, a new song released from embargo just before the start of the concert, and thePineapple Kryptonite Remix, the members began a brief MC, eager to address and thank the audience. “All of you fans out there, can you see us in all 360 degrees? We’ve dreamed of the day that all four of us would be here, standing on our own feet on this legendary stage.”

After a short intermission, the group moved on to a block of songs appearing on their first and second albums, including Night Before the Exam, Tomei Boy, Koi Geba, and other fan favorites, followed by a medley featuring Freaks, NAINAINAI, and other songs released following the group’s international debut in 2021. Rin performed finger drumming and the members amused fans with a cover of the Beastie Boys’ classic Intergalactic while wearing traffic guard costumes.

The audience’s excitement only continued to grow as the girls called out, screaming “Budokan, here we go!” before breaking into an intense performance of Saisyu Jinrui filled with head-banging and shoulder rides. During the last part of the concert, ATARASHII GAKKO! performed their new song BORN TO BE FREE!!!! for the first time. The track’s fast-paced sound immediately captured the hearts of fans, and the girls closed the main event with SEISHUN WO KIRISAKU HADO, an extremely popular song at their live performances.

During the final MC portion, there was a tearful moment in which Suzuka cried and hugged the other members. “I don’t want anyone to suffer alone,” she said. “We’re all here together. Thank you all so much.” The group’s first concert at Nippon Budokan ended with Mayoeba Toutoshi, known as a common final song at ATARASHII GAKKO! concerts. “If you ever feel lost, you can always rely on us–on our concerts, our videos, and everything else,” Suzuka said.

Along with the announcement of a new fan club, the group’s first fan club tour, which will visit five prefectures, was announced during the show. Additionally, the new song Toryanse will be available to stream on January 26.

■SET LIST Tokyo Calling Giri Giri Toryanse Pineapple Kryptonite (Yohji Igarashi Remix) Night Before the Exam Sekigae Gattuso Tomei Boy Koi Geba Dokubana Shiritai Freaks NAINAINAI Fantastico Pineapple Kryptonite Intergalactic Saishuu Jinrui Janaindayo BORN TO BE FREE!!!! SEISHUN WO KIRISAKU HADO

 

＜ENCORE＞ OTONABLUE Que Sera, Sera Mayoeba Toutoshi

Having celebrated her 10th year in showbiz in 2023, Yui Sakurai, a member of the popular idol group FRUITS ZIPPER, will release her first photobook on February 20, 2024.

 

The photos were shot in Phuket, Thailand, and the Phi Phi Islands, which Sakurai had dreamed of visiting. On the world-class island of Phuket, the artist experienced riding an elephant along the beach and enjoyed a romantic floating breakfast in a warm pool. When visiting the Phi Phi Islands, Sakurai visited Maya Bay, which served as the location for the film The Beach and is known by many as ‘Phantom Beach.’ Along with some swimsuit shots, Sakurai also makes her first appearance in lingerie.

 

A special edition of the photobook including an acrylic stand, a special book, and an exclusive box will be sold exclusively at HMV&BOOKS online, HMV&BOOKS, HMV (participating stores), and Tower Records (the Shibuya store and online). The special book features an exclusive dialogue between Sakurai and the other members of FRUITS ZIPPER, snapshots of their many outfits, and other rare personal details. Those who purchase the special edition will also be invited to attend an exclusive event.

 

<Comment from Yui Sakurai>

“I am so excited to announce the release of my first photobook! Shooting this book overseas during the 10th anniversary of my idol career was a dream come true. The release date is February 20, which is the last day I’ll be 23 years old. I’m so lucky to be able to experience so many wonderful things!

 

Thank you so much to the fans and all of the people whose support has made this dream come true! In the book, you’ll see plenty of photos that show not only my on-stage self, but also my more relaxed self and a more personal side of me! I hope this release will give more people an opportunity to get to know me…I hope you’ll enjoy it…”

As part of the True Colors Festival -Super Diversity Arts Festival-, the diversity dance project True Colors DANCE 2024 will be held alongside several other exciting events. The festival invites artists and audience members to celebrate their individuality in terms of disability, gender, age, language, and nationality through performing arts. Both Miyu and ATARASHII GAKKO! will participate in the project.   Held in September 2019, True Colors DANCE wowed audiences and subverted expectations when focusing on disabilities. The multinational world-class breakdance team ILL-Abilities, whose members all have physical disabilities, and the Japanese group Bboy Shigekixx came together for some intense battles, leaving an impression on viewers.   In 2024, a group of unique dancers, many of whom are junior high and high school students, will hit the stage along with ATARASHII GAKKO!, the dance and vocal group taking the world by storm. Under the themes of individuality and freedom, the unpredictable, wild, and powerful concert is sure to impress audiences next March. The theme song for the event has been announced as Odoru Honnou 001 by ATARASHII GAKKO!   Miyu, active in many fields both in Japan and abroad, and the group SOCIAL WORKEEERZ will work as mentors to support the True Color DANCERS. The latter is led by DAIKI, a dancer with chondrodysplasia, and its members work in the welfare sector helping both children and the disabled.   The schedule for the event next month will be posted on the special True Colors DANCE 2024 website, as well as the official YouTube channel and social media accounts. Details can also be found on the website of the high school dance club magazine D-S-K. We hope you’ll look forward to seeing how the True Colors DANCERS transform the stage with their unique personalities next year!   The theme song for the project, Odoru Honnou 001, will also be aired as the January theme of HNK’s SDGs campaign ‘Minna no Uta ~Hirogare! Irotoridori.’ The project aims to share the fundamental power of dance with a wider audience.   <Comment from ATARASHII GAKKO!> “Hi there, we’re ATARASHII GAKKO! We’re happy to announce that our song Odoru Honnou 001 has been chosen as the theme song for True Colors DANCE 2024! When we started performing overseas, we realized that dance is a form of communication that everyone can understand, regardless of differences in gender, language, nationality, or background. We’re looking forward to going all out on stage with these uniquely individual dancers while our song plays! We’ll put on a special show for everyone, so please come watch!”   <Comment from Miyu> “Last year, I had the amazing opportunity to see True Colors Festival THE CONCERT 2022 in person and I was shocked by the wonderful performance. I hoped that more people would know about it, so when I was invited to participate, I immediately said yes. Though it’s my first time participating, I’ve been looking forward to it the moment it was announced. I’d like this year’s performance to express each dancer’s personality, and I hope that they can inspire the world itself through dance. I hope to open up even more possibilities while respecting the unique qualities of every person, so let’s have a fun and memorable time together!”