“It’s still hard for me to believe that I’m in the line for “TIKIBUN” and forming the heart-shape for “What is LOVE?”
How did you feel as an onlooker of Morning Musume｡compared to now as a member of Morning Musume｡?

Ogata “I saw Morning Musume｡’14 in concert for the first time a year ago, during their Fall tour, and I remember be so blown away by their singing and dancing that I was worried if there was actually a place for me here. But just as they moved me, I wanted to be able to move fans in the same way, so I just trained as hard as I could. It’s still hard for me to believe that I’m in the line for “TIKIBUN” and forming the heart-shape for “What is LOVE? though.”

Nonaka “I never realized how much preparation goes into a live performance and how much practice you have to do up until the opening day. It was a real eye opener for me. I now know that all the senior members are able to shine as brightly on stage as they do because of all the work they put in behind the scenes. You push yourself, then you push yourself some more, and then you finally you start to get that feeling of accomplishment. After the first day of our tour I was in tears and just glad that I’d put in the effort to come this far.”

Haga “I wanted to put on a performance that the fans could say they enjoyed, even with all the new 12th gen members. But I still have moments when it hits me, I’m actually a member of Morning Musume｡."
　
Last day of tour for the 12th generation at the Budokan.
These girls still have moments when they’re coming to terms with the fact that they’re apart of this group that they’ve admired for so long. Even leader Fukumura says she feels the same. I’ve written about this on numerous occasions, but it’s the tradition of Morning Musume｡that invokes these feelings and I think everyone is able to work as hard as they do because they want that realization.

Makino　 “I remember dancing behind Morning Musume｡countless times when I was in training, but at the time it was all about dancing big to try and stand out. If you dance like that as one of the members, it doesn’t go with the choreography. You fall out of sync on all the finer details. The senior members are all able to carry out the hard parts and do it with a smile. I have a new appreciation for just how amazing the senior members are.”

The Budokan on their first day. From where I’m looking, the 12th generation members have definitely come a long way. It’s reminded me just how great the power that this platform called Morning Musume｡has, and it’s also a real testament to the effort that these four girls have put in.

Part 2 of my extended interview with the 12th gen members continues next installment.

A new article alternate Wednesdays!
*Next update: the 8th of July

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