Matsui Jurina, Kitagawa Ryoha, Miyamae Ami talk about being centers of SKE48

SKE48 16th single “December’s Kangaroo” will be released on 10th December 2014. Centers are Kitagawa Ryoha(16) and Miyamae Ami(17). These girls are the firsts to take on the role of centers other than double center combi Matsui Jurina(17) and Matsui Rena(23) since the group’s debut in 2009. Lets hear from the new centers and Matsui Jurina.

What do you girls think of Matsui Jurina?
Jurina: Eh..?
Ami: I often talk about her when she’s not around.
Jurina: What? You were talking bad things about me? (laugh)
Ami: I watched Jurina at the theater before i joined SKE48. I’ve always looked up to her.
Jurina: You’re lying (laugh)
Ami: It’s the truth! When the fans are exchanging photos of the members, i got one of Jurina san. From now, i will also be looking at your back.

What about Kitagawa san?
Jurina: You can say anything!
Ryoha: *in a small voice* Even if she’s tired she will not give up. She worries about us and gives us advice. Like a goddess..
Jurina: Goddess? I’m not that great. Although there’s a song like that in SKE…
Ryoha: She’s really great.
Jurina: Thank you.

 

Since Kitagawa and Miyamae have replaced Jurina as the center, you’ll have to aim for the “Kami” rankings don’t you think?
Miyamae:  Even if i can get closer to Jurina, I’m different from Jurina so i have to work at my own pace.
Jurina: You can’t impersonate me right?
Ryoha: I will do what i can so people think that it’s right for one half of the double center to be Ryoha.
Miyamae and Kitagawa, please introduce yourselves.
Miyamae: I have a strong image of a dancer, so i’ll develop from there.
Ryoha: I’m really clumsy in every way. I can’t dance, can’t talk, but the only thing i won’t lose in is my perseverance.

Jurina, what will you do from now on?
Jurina: I want to make people think i’m the center wherever I go. Whether i’m in the 3rd line or elsewhere, i’d be happy if fans decide to look my way.

So behind Kitagawa and Miyamae, there will be a great aura?
Jurina: Because within SKE my passion has never burned that strongly…(laughs)

That’s because no one stands in front of you right?
Jurina: Yes. No one so i’m looking forward to it this time.

It’s true that we can see your burning passion when you are in AKB.
Jurina: When the seniors are around I become like that.

Next time, for the sake of SKE48, Jurina should be the wall that everyone has to climb over.
Jurina: Yes, I want to become the ultimate aim for everyone.

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AKB48 Kashiwagi Yuki: “Mayuyu is the most suitable center”

From Left: Kashiwagi, Mayuyu

 

AKB48 Kashiwagi Yuki  recently spoke about Watanabe Mayu(20) in an interview, saying she deserves the center position due to her “skills, popularity, effort”, and added that if it’s her, nobody would raise any objections.

The group’s 36th single “Labrador Retriever”‘ center position is held by Watanabe Mayu. This is Mayuyu’s 2nd appointment as solo center since “So Long!” in February 2013. This appointment is of great importance as it reflects the management’s expectations on the next ace after Oshima Yuko’s departure.

In the same interview published in 28th April issue of “Weekly Playboy”, Kashiwagi also said that “there is no other choice for center except for Mayuyu…Yuko and Takamina also feels the same.”

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Shimazaki Haruka’s salty response to “Who wants to be center?”

Translated an article from Tokyo Sports:

On May 5th, members of AKB48 participated in a live event held at Chiba by bayfm, named “Flea-ma Paradise“.

Watanabe Mayu(19), the super idol, and Shimazaki Haruka(19), who is enjoying rising popularity despite her “salty” personality, contrasted each other as one waved cheerfully to the audience while the other looked far into the distance from the event’s start till end.

MC Noro Kayo, talked about the upcoming elections and asked which of them wanted to be the center. All the members raised their hands, except for Shimazaki Haruka.

“I’m not aiming for it at all,” she said.

Noro Kayo, an OG who was Mayuyu’s senior in AKB48 before she graduated, commented that Mayuyu has grown up well. Noro has also submitted her candidacy for this year’s elections and hopes to rank in the future girls (49-64).

I really like this girl for being so straightforward. 

Mayuyu, the center who pulled out from “UZA”

There was a brief period of time when i was thinking why Matsui Jurina and Oshima Yuko were the double centers for AKB48’s 28th single “UZA”. Based on the rankings of General Elections 2012, Watanabe Mayu, who placed 2nd after Oshima Yuko, should be rightfully pushed alongside Yuko. But looking at the style of “UZA” which requires strong dancing skills and a fierce aura, Jurina seems like a better fit instead.

Yesterday,Yahoo Japan posted an article which revealed that the real center of “UZA” was supposed to be Watanabe Mayu. I’ve translated it with my limited Japanese…so pls don’t mind if you find my translation awkward.

[Interviewer] I’ve interviewed you for so many times. Recently, your face seems to have changed?
[Mayuyu] Really?

[Interviewer] Seems like you’re showing the face of someone who has been entrusted with the responsibilities of a center. Did you even notice that you’ve changed?
[Mayuyu] I’ve changed. I’m from the 3rd generation so i’ve always relied on the 1st and 2nd generation seniors. But now i have to think deeper about the group as compared to the past. My time spent thinking about the group has really increased.

[Interviewer] Is it tough? Thinking about the group?
[Mayuyu] Yes

[Interviewer] The first time when you knew that you’d be the center for “So Long” was in November last year when you were shooting for the PV?
[Mayuyu] Yes

[Interviewer] What were you feeling at that time?
[Mayuyu] I was abit nervous, but i looked forward and told myself to work hard.

[Interviewer] Your dreams of becoming the center of AKB48 has finally come true!
[Mayuyu] Really…i’ve worked hard all these while so i’m happy that everything has turned out well. Just like what Takamina-san said (“If you work hard, your efforts will be rewarded.”), i truly feel the meaning of her words.

[Interviewer] Actually, you were entrusted with the center position of “UZA” last year, but as you were unable to perform the difficult dance, it ended with Oshima Yuko and Matsui Jurina taking over as double center right?
[Mayuyu] Yes

[Interviewer] Do you regret that moment?
[Mayuyu] Yes, i thought that i have to work harder than ever at that moment. It became a great experience actually.

[Interviewer] At the backstage after last year’s General Elections, Oshima Yuko said that she wanted to entrust you with the title “Next Generation Ace”. Have you thought about carrying the burden of leading AKB48 after that?
[Mayuyu] Yes, having placed 2nd in the General Elections, i’ve in fact thought much more about that.

[Interviewer] You made an impression when you were crying at last year’s Japan Record Award?
[Mayuyu] I took over Maeda Atsuko san’s center position for “Manatsu no Sounds Good!” after she graduated, so i thought i had to do a good job and was pressured by that. It was the first time we “challenged” the Japan Record Award after Acchan graduated, so when i heard we won, my nervousness and happiness just spilled out in the form of tears.

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