This is probably the last article i will translate about Rena. Excerpts from interview after her last theater stage on 31st Aug 2015.
Q: Pls talk about your last dress.
Purple(a color i love) was used in it, as with the costume in “Mae no Meri”. The special part is this linkage with “Mae no Meri”.
Q: Your thoughts while singing the last song?
I always thought it’d be a happy moment, but while introducing the song i cried. It was abit embarrassing. For the last time i wanted to smile and convey my happiness.
Q: Your happiest and more regretful moments in these 7 years?
Being able to smile and end the stage today is most special for me. It was a great day. Regretful and tiring moments are just happy moments for me now.
Q: You can start dating now.
I didn’t think about it so i don’t know how to answer you. But i want friends fast! Someone who doesn’t think that i’m a female, a friend who can express thoughts frankly and objectively.
Q: What are you doing tomorrow?
Tomorrow’s work. If there’s a holiday i’d like to bring my family to see me doing power sports! (Rena actually does muscle training.)
Q:How are you going to take advantage of the things you learnt in SKE?
In SKE there are various bright or sad love songs. My feelings towards the songs change everyday. I hope to express these feelings through my acting.
Q:Would you challenge bed scenes?
If there’s a need to.I’d talk to the producer.I’m prepared for it. It also depends on the time and place.
Q: What’s your aim as an actress?
I’ve always received opportunities to appear on Kouhaku with SKE48. It’d be great if i can get a role in Taiga dramas or Asadora(morning dramas), and appear in Kouhaku in a different way.
Matsui Rena held her graduation concert on the 29th and 30th August in Nagoya’s Toyota Stadium, mobilising 75,000 fans.
Kizaki Yuria who was transferred to AKB48 last year made a surprise appearance. Nogizaka46, whom Rena had held a concurrent position with also made a live video call from their concert venue in Tokyo to express their well-wishes. Rena was quite surprised and exclaimed “Wait wait, this is live?” Nogizaka46 then presented Rena with the first costume she wore as a member of Nogizaka46 and said “We don’t want Rena to forget us.When you want to be cheered up pls return to Nogizaka46.” Rena replied “I’m happy with this many surprises, lets get everyone excited for our lives!”
At the end, remaining members from the 1st generation of SKE48 read her a letter.
Matsui Jurina: Actually, i didn’t want to say it, but congratulations.Rena is like the sun to me. I wasn’t able to be frank, but i really like you. Today is the last time i can stand on stage with you, so i feel lonely. I don’t want you to worry. I will become stronger. There are only 2 members from the 1st generation left, but we’ll protect SKE,so Rena chan, please watch over us. This is my last promise.
Matsui Rena: 7 years seems long, but it flew past quickly for me. “What is your most treasured memory so far?” is a question i’m always asked. I can’t pinpoint one as every single moment was special. For SKE48, being able to stand on Toyota Stadium stage like this is something i have to thank everyone for.We started off in the theater, with only 1 performance a week. That one performance is more fun that anything else. Because the fans supported and discovered various members, we were able to stand here. I will be leaving on another path from now, but my experience here will always follow me. Thank you.
The crying members watched on as Rena sang her solo song “2588 days” and said her goodbyes to the fans. When she left the stage, rain fell from the skies.
It is said that the Nogizaka46 fans displayed this “sea of green” as well. Green is Rena’s lightstick color.
First generation members
Beautiful graduation dress, i love it
While Akane is crying away, i’m fixated by the backview of this dress
JuriRena pic
I would have loved to attend her graduation concert… Rena has very good expressions when she performs. When it is a dance song she makes it look energetic(even though she’s frail looking). When it’s a ballad, she makes me think the song is beautiful. My favourite 48Group song in the past year is actually Bukiyou Taiyou.
This week was Matsui Rena’s last Music Station appearance. Despite her being ranked amongst the top AKB48 girls over the past few years, Music Station did not grant her a solo stage(atrocity!!). Anyways, below is the translation of their talk with the MC.
Jurina: I received a mail from Rena at 4am in the morning, saying she’s announcing her graduation the next day. I was shocked and called her. Rena:I was informed that my announcement would be reported in the sports papers the next day, so i scrambled to contact her. Tamori: What did you talk about? Jurina: I was crying so much i can’t remember.. Rena: I was quite cool but Jurina was crying for 1 hour..anyways i told her we could always meet in private after graduation, or go for meals together. Jurina: I can only remember this part. Tamori: It’s tough to talk to a crying person for 1 hour? Rena: If i had talked to her earlier, this wouldn’t have happened so i felt guilty and obliged to listen to her.
Towards the end of the show, Fukuyama Masaharu was asked for a comment but he showed some care for Rena, saying “Today’s Matsui san’s last appearance so please talk instead.”
Taken aback, Rena said “Thank you, sorry. I’ve received alot of opportunities to appear on Music Station and i’m thankful for the wonderful memories.”
His gentlemenly response has gotten a wave of good reviews on GirlsChannel.
[+1760] Both his face and heart is ikemen [+1239] That’s kind. He doesn’t even know AKB that well..
[+1435] With this Matsui san will fall for him
[+1233] But this will embarrass the female announcer. According to the order, Matsui should be the last to talk.
[+610] Anyways, Matsui is graduating?
Well it’s hard not to fall for him after this. He just showed respect to an idol! And he’s a top level singer as well!
Checkout other posts from the “Countdown to Graduation” corner:
On the 17th August, SKE48 Matsui Rena held a thanksgiving festival at Saitama Super Arena, with 5000 fans in attendance. Tickets were all given out 30mins before the event and staff scrambled to arrange message boards and exhibits for the rest of the fans who could not enter.
During the event, Rena gave out message cards bearing her heartfelt thanks to the fans. The music playing in the background was also chosen by DJ Rena.
When all the message cards were given out, Rena said to the remaining fans “I hope that my feelings of gratitude have been relayed and i wish to see you all again.” Fans responded with “Thank you Rena chan”.
With 14 days left to go, Rena’s graduation live will be on the 29th and 30th August in Toyota Stadium.
Graduating SKE48 member Matsui Rena(23) revealed an episode when she asked Group Producer Akimoto Yasushi to rewrite his lyrics for single “12gatsu no Kangaroo”, released in December last year.
On a TV show “Gyoretsuno dekiru horitsu sodanjo” aired on 19th July,there was a theme “Person i want to Dogeza to” and Matsui Rena nominated Akimoto Yasushi.
She said that whilst looking over the lyrics to “12gatsu no Kangaroo” for the first time, something felt wrong so she directly sought out Akimoto san and asked him to revise the lyrics. When she received version 2 and compared both of them, she came to realise that the original version was the better one,so she’d like to apologise for her immature attitude.
“What is ‘December’s Kangaroo’?” was what Rena thought at that time. “I asked for another version since Akimoto san should have a better phrase to express the close relationship between a guy and girl.”
In the TV show, Akimoto san also left a comment. “Matsui’s stubbornness is also due to her being young. In a way it’s a great thing. Having worked in this industry for years, even though i know that the first lyrics were better, i didn’t want to force it. So i wrote other lyrics and hoped for Matsui to accept it.”
In the past, fans asked Akimoto san what was brilliant about Matsui Rena. He replied, “Beautiful stubbornness”.
The other person Rena wants to apologise to is AKB48’s Kizaki Yuria. Yuria was originally from SKE48 and during her early days as a member, she witnessed Rena banging her head against a clothes rack. She was traumatised by scary Rena, couldn’t talk to anyone and continued her activities in fear for a long time.
Rena explained, “At that time i had alot of pain around my waist, but i was doing a live show with 3 songs left. When i was thinking about how to disperse the pain, i saw the clothes rack infront of me. When i finished banging, i was feeling dizzy. But usually before going on stage, i’d slap my cheeks to get in shape. My juniors are pretty scared after seeing it.”
She demonstrates slapping her cheeks causing guests around her to be scared too.
There’s Miura Haruma in this episode too if anyone’s interested. Basically he wants to apologise to a senior actor for not recognizing him when he called, and also drinking his beer. Fortunately, the senior actor is a jolly man and forgave Miura because of his bright smile =)
Decided to dedicate more “airtime” for my favourite SKE48 member Matsui Rena since she’s graduating soon. I hope Music Station gives her a special graduation stage next week just like all the former top members. Rena certainly deserves it!
Full MVs for “Mae no Meri” and “2588 days”
I was expecting alot of tear jerking footage of Matsui Rena since this is her last single but this music video was very bright just like the song itself. What i liked are the natural scenes of members surprising Rena with a party as she arrived in Okinawa. No script, no directing. The members each pass a sunflower to Rena and relay their personal messages. From there you can see what a motherly figure Rena has been for the group. One scene which struck me was the backview shot of Jurina crying. I’ve never been much of a Jurina fan but she must be feeling really lonely now that her co-pillar is leaving.
This is Matsui Rena’s last solo song “2588 days”, a documentary style music video showing footage from auditions, concerts, sousenkyos.
Matsui Rena x Takahashi Minami talk on Mujack
Matsui Rena appeared on Mujack hosted by Takahashi Minami and chatted about private topics.
Takamina: Who are the members you’ve dined out with so far(just the 2 of you)? Rena: Takayanagi Akane only.
(Takamina is shocked.) Only her? So i’m the 2nd member you’re dining together with? Rena: Yes
Takamina: Your graduation is a big thing for SKE48. Are you worried? Rena: How do i say it? When i decided to graduate, i believed i had done what i can, so naturally i had to take the next step. Surely, when i pull out, something new will takeover. More than being worried, i’m looking forward to seeing how everyone creates a new SKE48.
Takamina: I’m most worried about Jurina. What are your feelings about Jurina? I thought that you were quite troubled in the past since Jurina is childish. She has to lead SKE and when she doesn’t know how to go about doing it you’d have to guide her. What is her presence like to you? Rena: She’s like a sister to me, so i didn’t spoil her. (Takamina: Surprisingly you were rather strict?) Well she’s young and i can just praise her by saying she’s cute. But as we’re also colleagues,during times like @#$@#$ i’d say No, and when i see her feeling weak i’d encourage her. I think i was a rather strict sister.
Takamina: Did your relationship change after you announced graduation? Rena: I didn’t change but Jurina will keep cuddling up to me, saying she’s lonely for example.
Takamina reads a letter to Rena: What i want to say is – Thank You.Even though Rena is straightforward,principled and concentrates well, i think you’re unable to multi-task. Your body seems weak too, so i was often worried.Also, you’re more of a loner and not accustomed to group activities but for the sake of SKE48, you didn’t choose to graduate immediately. As part of WMatsui, you led SKE48 together with Jurina. Jurina was quite the child in the past, and the person who supported her was Rena.You were like her sister, but now that both of you have grown up, seeing how you discuss the future of SKE48 and sometimes disagree, i think you’re both no longer sisters but friends. Honestly, i’m not able to imagine SKE48 without Rena, but since you’ve decided to graduate now, you must have seen the new SKE48. I’m also graduating myself. There must be lots of things that can’t be started without graduating first. This applies not only to the group, but also yourself. So please move ahead to realise your dreams as an actress.
Rena reads a letter to Takamina:To me, AKB48 was my idol. When i first saw your performance “Skirt Hirari” on TV, i never stopped being a fan. Entering SKE48, being selected for AKB48 Senbatsu, standing on the same stage as the people i admired, i never thought this day would come.When i first entered senbatsu “Juunen Sakura”, i couldn’t remember the dance moves but Takamina encouraged me and gave me courage. We were the same age, but you were so mature. In such circumstances, you didn’t complain.I learnt alot, and i think alot of members gained courage the same way. When i talked about graduation the day after sousenkyo this year, you supported me just like the first day you talked to me. We will go on different paths from now on, but you’ll always be my star. I want to go to Takamina san’s live and cheer in a loud voice. This was my dream as a fan in middle school. From now on, please continue to show a cool side to everyone.
WMatsui talk on Nikkan Sports
SKE48 Matsui Rena(24) will be graduating on the 31st August after her last theater show. She has been active as part of WMatsui together with Matsui Jurina(18) since 2008. Even though Nikkan Sports got the scoop on her graduation first, Rena had already called Jurina to tell her the news 1 day before she announced graduation.
Q: Rena announced her graduation in June.
Rena: I wanted to tell the first generation members first. But, Jurina was sad after the sousenkyo, so it was bad timing to tell her. While i was worrying about it, Nikkan Sports had reported it.
Jurina: Laughs
Rena: But i had contacted her 1 day before the report came out.
Jurina: It was good that you told me, otherwise i’d be mad.
Rena: She cried hard over the phone.
Jurina: I was practically hyperventilating.
Rena: She was more emotional than me.
Rena: Oya Masana had asked me when I was planning to graduate. I thought everyone had an inkling about it.Although the day was decided, Masana told everyone my graduation hasn’t been approved yet.
Jurina: Masana was happily telling me that you won’t be graduating. *laughs*
Q: Your relationship?
Jurina: Soulmate will be good.
Rena: Eh? Friends? It’s more like family. Very often, people will ask me “Jurina is very special to you?” but personally, she’s like a sister.
Jurina: To me, Rena chan is special.
Q: You 2 look very balanced together.
Rena: We don’t share the same perspectives. Although we’re facing different directions, we try to be move towards the ideal goal. There are always 2 choices, so that’s good.
Jurina: During the early period, i didn’t think that people would call us “JuriRena” or “WMatsui” for long. The fans see us as rivals, so I also thought that we had to become rivals.
Q: What would have happened if one of you wasn’t around?
Jurina:…..I would have quit immediately.
Rena: Eh??Immediately?
Interviewer: That’s if you didn’t have a compatible partner.
Jurina: Yes..
Rena: I also think that if it wasn’t Jurina, we wouldn’t be compatible. But as a rival its different. Because it’s impossible to topple her presence, i had to think about how to approach so I can move foward.
Q: You will be holding a graduation concert on the 29th and 30th in Aichi Prefecture Toyota Stadium?
Rena: What do i want to do? I want to sing Kareha no Station, if the fans and members are happy with it.
Jurina: I want to do all the songs with pair dances. Shall we?
The music video starts off with SKE48’s Matsui Rena making her graduation announcement on radio show All Night Nippon. Shet set off for Okinawa the very next day to film this music video, not knowing that her members had arrived earlier to prepare a surprise party for her. This music video relays the message of giving a push to someone who is chasing her dreams.
Apart from the usual team songs included in the single, Rena will also have a solo song titled “2588 days”. There is also a special documentary which include scenes of Rena’s audition up till now.
Matsui Rena has announced her graduation on the radio show. She will leave the group at the end of August 2015. “There is little time left, but staff have been planning a live show for me in Nagoya. There are other events other than the handshake sessions, and i am thinking so i can meet as many fans as possible.”
She had been thinking about graduation 2 years ago, and seriously considered it this year. When fans asked about graduation she did not lie and deny as she was indeed thinking about it. When asked about her reason for revealing it today, she said “My schedule towards graduation has been planned so with this chance i decided to tell everyone.”
SKE48 Matsui Rena(23) has decided to graduate from the group, as reported 9th June. She entered SKE48 at the age of 17 in 2008 and worked as one half double center WMatsui. As one of the main figures in 48Group, she was ranked 5th in last year’s Sousenkyo but held back from participation this year. She will talk about graduation herself possibly on the 10th June.
Behind the fuss of this year’s Sousenkyo, she had already made the important decision and expressed her intentions to Akimoto Yasushi. It seems like they had made preparations for the announcement in secret.
-Skip part about her achievements-
After the age of 20, she branched out into various fields like acting, reporting, radio. This year she also challenged voice acting and boasts a busy solo portfolio. Last month she also took on the leading role for AKB48 musical “Majisuka Gakuen”. “She might have felt that her role in AKB48 Group is fulfilled,”said insider. It seems like she will continue to fulfill her dreams as an actress.
Tonight, she will appear in radio show “AKB48 no All Night Nippon” at 1am. On the show’s homepage, they had already posted “Something big has happened to that person! The first move after Sousenkyo! Something big will happen!” in teasers. NikkanSports talked about this teaser “It happens everytime, but you won’t know what happens.”
Akimoto Yasushi on graduation “I’ll leave it to her”
SKE48’s Matsui Rena(23) has decided to graduate from the group. Akimoto Yasushi appeared on a radio show and talked about his discussions with Rena.
Matsui Rena’s graduation was reported by NikkanSports. She is set to appear on All Night Nippon(radio show) at 1am to talk about it. On the website, a teaser title describes “Tonight, Matsui Rena Announcement Special ~Starting at 1am! Please listen to it live!”
Akimoto Yasushi commented “As a first generation from SKE, she has led the members thus far. She is someone who supported the members in various ways.”
When asked about his consultations with Rena, he said “We talk about various topics on a regular basis, but i told her i’d leave it to her. The method of announcement in her hands. Of course, it could be graduation, but it can also be a hiatus. She is someone who thinks properly. Not participating in Sousenkyo is a way of discovering herself one more time. It’s also not a call for her to resign. She will talk about it in her own way.”
About her possible graduation announcement tonight, he said “What will happen? I leave it to her. What she announces and in what way. It might be something related to Graduation. It could also be what she wants to do in future. I think she’ll talk about the improvement in SKE48’s performance in Sousenkyo too.”
“Will SKE48 be fine without Matsui Rena?”
“She probably thought much about it. If she speaks about graduation and alot of SKE members enter senbatsu, she might see a path for SKE without her.She thinks alot about SKE and loves it alot. When she was working with Nogizaka she saw their strengths and seeked to reflect it in SKE.”
Idol group Nogizaka46 appeared at the opening ceremony of Nogizaka46 Cafe 2015 and talked about the group shuffle which occurred at AKB48’s solo concert in Saitama Arena yesterday. SKE48 Matsui Rena and Nogizaka46 Ikoma Rina, who have been holding concurrencies in each other’s group for 1 year now, will have their appointments cancelled.
When asked about Matsui Rena leaving the group, captain Sakurai Reika expressed her regrets. “We felt pressure having to work with a big senior for 1 year, but actually it went by in a flash. We’d have liked to show more of Nogizaka, and do more things.” As the official date for Matsui’s departure hasn’t been fixed, Sakurai hoped to treasure the remaining time with her.
She also added that Nogizaka had “changed drastically” since Matsui joined, from the way they spent time backstage to their positionings onstage during live performances. They had learnt alot from Matsui
Nishino Nanase also commented that it feels lonely after hearing the shuffle announcements. “But Ikoma chan has been busy so she’ll probably be able to take it slowly from now. “(With regards to stories about AKB) We hope she’ll share it,” she said.
The Nogizaka46 Cafe 2015 is a temporary cafe which will operate from now till 10th May 2015 at Harajuku Omotesando’s Q Plaza.
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