2020 Famitsu TD3rd Interview with Machico

Walking side by side with Tsubasa, while chasing her back


- First, I'd like to look back on your past 7 years with Tsubasa, do you remember what it was like when you accepted the audition?

Machico: "Million Live!" was my debut work as a voice actor. Since I had no experience with auditions, I was really nervous. Actually, I accepted Mirai Kasuga-chan, not Tsubasa. I even drew Mirai-chan and analyzed her character before the audition.


- I can really feel your fighting spirit. As for the role of Tsubasa, was it something recommended to you during the audition?

Machico: That's right. After my performance was over, I was told "we'd like you to try Shizuka (Mogami) and Tsubasa", with a special request to perform for Tsubasa "the same way you performed for Mirai"...... I had this image that Tsubasa was a "boyish girl", so when I was told to perform differently I went "eh?", I was so confused (laughs). Thinking about it later, I realized I learned a lot, but back then I was so nervous from start to finish that I felt my head was spinning the whole time.


- How did you feel when it was decided you were going to get the role of Tsubasa?

Machico: "iM@S" is a really big franchise, so when I realized a newbie like me got accepted, I was really happy. Truth is, back then I had a misunderstanding, and at that point, I thought that it was good that I had a role that didn't have a lot of pressure on it.


- A misunderstanding?

Machico: Mirai, Shizuka and Tsubasa were called the "traffic light trio", and back then I didn't know that Tsubasa was such a central member.


- Wait, what! (laughs)

Machico: The 3 personalities decided for "MiriRaji" were Mirai, Shizuka and Serika (Hakozaki), so I thought those 3 were the main members. I only found out the truth during "M@STERS OF IDOL WORLD!!" at SSA back in 2014.


- That long ago......time has really passed since then (laughs).

Machico: Back when I was waiting for my turn backstage, Haru-nyan came up to me and said "Finally, the 'traffic light trio' has been assembled!", and I replied "what are you talking about?" with that blank look on my face. Once I asked that, Haru-nyan replied "the 'traffic light' is the 3 of us!".


- So you learned a shocking truth right before you went on stage!

Machico: I seriously went "eh!?" when that happened (laughs). Thanks to that sudden rush of pressure, I could stand on the stage.


- How was the stage in that condition?

Machico: I was under some unexpected pressure (laughs), but having lessons with my seniors, it allowed me to stand on the stage until the very end, and I feel that it really helped develop my confidence and my growth.


- What were the lessons like?

Machico: It wasn't like we were taught one word at a time, but rather I got to see the attitude of attending lessons up close. One of my clearest memories is that, during one of the lessons where all our seniors were there, along with everyone in the "Cinderella Girls", it was just me and Yuiton representing "Million Live!". Back then, me and Yuiton weren't very close to one another, and we practiced our dances in the corner so we couldn't get in the way, but then Kugimiya-san called out to us. She said, "You can't validate your dance just watching it from behind. We're doing this song many times, so it's not impolite if we went in front of the mirror and watch our moves, since I think it's easier to remember that way".


- That must have surprised you, what she said.

Machico: Even though "Million Live!" was still new to the franchise, when she reached out and spoke to us, I felt a really warm sensation. It didn't matter if we were senior or junior, I got the strong feeling that everyone would liven things up together, and I had a strong impression that I wasn't just a member of "Million Live!", but rather the entirety of "iM@S", and I think that's when my own feelings changed.


- Over these past 7 years, has there been any change in your feelings and behavior towards Tsubasa?

Machico: 7 years ago, I didn't have much experience with anything, so I though, how should I really get into a genius like Tsubasa...... that's how I felt back then. But, after gaining various experiences in recording, with Lives, acting, singing and dancing, I feel like I've finally reached a point where I can bring out Tsubasa's best points on equal footing, rather than having to chase her from behind.


- Was it really hard to chase after her because it feels like Tsubasa can do anything?

Machico: Rather, if Tsubasa wasn't that kind of character, I may not have worked so hard. In areas where I was weaker, in order to allow Tsubasa to shine in these areas, that was the motivation I needed in order to overcome my own weakness.


- So now, what kind of existence is Tsubasa to you, Machico-san?

Machico: No matter how difficult the mission may be, for Tsubasa I will do anything......in that way, she's a precious existence.


- Is there anything you need to pay special attention to when playing Tsubasa?

Machico: I try not to forget the "straightforward-ness" of someone at the age of 14. Tsubasa tries to wrap people around her little finger. But, being cunning isn't really Tsubasa. Maybe her behavior is cunning, but Tsubasa doesn't behave with actual slyness in mind. It's this balance that is something I'm always very careful about. I think, "what would Tsubasa seem more cute?", and when I try various things every time, all the staff members know, and if I overdo it they'll tell me "just a little different". So, even until now I'm still studying everyday. Perhaps, Tsubasa has me wrapped around her finger (laughs).


- In "Mirishita", once the story reset and restarted, did you have to change your acting too?

Machico: The relationship with the Producer was also reset, so having to return to Tsubasa from the beginning was tough (laughs). I did have to review the performance plan a little, and I had to emphasize not overdoing the parts where she wants people to do things for her and the parts where she doesn't care about things. It's also a big thing that they introduced 3D motion as well. "For this line, this is how they move", I can imagine these things as I perform.


- For you yourself, Machico-san, what was the most memorable Live over these past 7 years?

Machico: It would have to be the 3rd Live. It was the first Tour where we had all 37 participants. At that time, I wondered if the image of Tsubasa that I had constructed had, on the contrary, narrowed Tsubasa's own potential, and I was worried about that. Until then, I was singing with "Tsubasa's voice", and I didn't want to distort the feelings of the song with my own emotions, but I wondered then if that was really Tsubasa. Tsubasa can be emotional, and can sing in a key not belonging of her natural voice too. I wondered, how could I allow Tsubasa to grow more? My worries grew with each performance.


- Maybe it's because you've been together with Tsubasa for a while then.

Machico: Also for the 3rd Live, there was a cover corner for our seniors' (765 AS) songs, and I felt like I was really under a lot of pressure. Around the time when it was nearing the final performance in Makuhari, I started to receive advice from the seniors, including Mingosu-san, and by confronting myself internally, I was able to have new discoveries about myself.


- What kind of advice did they give you?

Machico: For example, when Tsubasa was to replace Chihaya singing "Alive Factor", Mingosu-san told me to "throw away the idea that you're just a 'replacement'". And then, she said "While I'm happy that you respect us seniors, that would also narrow the potential of your idol. That would be wasteful". Those words allowed me to grow significantly, and I was able to unlock Tsubasa's potential, which I had narrowed due to my own image of her that I built.


- That must have been a big turning point for you.

Machico: At Makuhari, we all worked together to make the performance a success, and up to that point, I thought that "only Tsubasa needs to shine", but I think I was able to experience the bonds of my companions and the support of everyone in a new way.


- So then, were there any concrete changes in any subsequent Lives?

Machico: After 3rd Live, I felt that Tsubasa clashed more with the other idols. At Hotchpotch, when I sang "Marionette no Kokoro" with Akky-san, I felt happy that Tsubasa could sing with Miki-chan, who she admired so much, and therefore I felt that I could aim for greater heights, standing on the stage with such strong feelings. And it's because I'm not alone, with all my companions and seniors......I think that's what really drew me in to the contents of "iDOLM@STER".


- In May, a special livestream was attempted, which was fully remote.

Machico: I was relaxed in my "home mode", so internally I thought "is this tension really alright?" when I appeared (laughs). Our appearance then, I think it was something fresh for the Producers. Even so, I was surprised when even could participate in that fashion, and it was really interesting seeing everyone's true nature in the chat. Maybe this is the relationship we've built over these 7 years. I wanna do something like this again!


- I was surprised, the way everyone burst off in the chat.

Machico: I watched the 1st day even though I wasn't participating, but in the chat Kouri-chan and Minami-chan completely blended in, and Minami-chan's comment "You're the winner!", I couldn't stop laughing at that. For this event, 3 people appeared in the talk part per day, but I want more members to talk about how much they love their character. I think the Producers also want to see it!


- Is there anything you'd like to do if it's possible to do Lives in the future?

Machico: I'd like to stand up there with more videos of the characters, and I also would like to try a stage-like mechanism that allows you to "fly" like Kotori Koiwai-chan often says. After all, this is the theme of "Mirishita", the "theater". With Kouri-chan and Minami-chan joining our ranks, I'd like to return to my original intentions and take on this challenge.


- With the addition of Kaori and Tsumugi to give "Million Live!" 52 idols, who is your favorite idol, Machico-san?

Machico: I like Rio-nee. She's really soft and comfortable like an older sister so I like her (laughs). With "Mirishita" and it's 3D animations, I became strongly aware of the fact that Rika-nee's performance has really leveled-up. Even in the real world, Yuiton and Yukiyo-san are like that! Not just because they're pretty. That's why Rio-nee is my favorite character.


- What about your favorite unit?

Machico: That would be GRA&CE NOCTURNE. The cast's popularity might be number one. When we can go karaoke again, I'm planning to introduce everyone to "Kuraki Hoshi, Tooi Tsuki". Of course, I'll sing all 4 parts by myself (laughs). It's not really a "Million Live!" unit. The costumes and stories are great, and I feel like I'm stuck to their hearts.


- So, do you have a favorite song other than "Kuraki Hoshi, Tooi Tsuki"?

Machico: (cuts off interviewer) I like "fruity love! I keep recommending it after it released! The commu is really good too. The awkwardness of this close duo was depicted, and watching them collide from the front, growing both as friends and idols, it's irresistable. So I kept saying "I want to sing this!" on various places including the radio, and even memorized the choreography, appealing to myself "personal practice is fine", so when my wish came true at 6th Live, I was really happy.


- About 3 and a half years after the CD came out, finally.

Machico: But I'm not satisfied just saying that "Machico got to sing because she wanted to sing". At 6th Live, Akane and Roco went through their conflict, and they led their respective units, Rirukyan and Jelly PoP Beans, to join forces and sing together; that's the shape that I feel in my heart that it took. So afterwards, when people were saying "Machico was good", I wanted to tell them "No, Machico wasn't the one that was good, compared to those 2. That was the part that had the real value. Do you understand that!!", you know! This is something I want to strongly convey to everyone (laughs).


- So hot! If that's the case, please talk about the idols you'd like to form a unit with in the future.

Machico: I already mentioned Akane and Roco, but I would like to work with idols where mentioning their name immediately gives a clear image. For example, Tomoka-chan and Matsuri-chan. When you think "Holy Mother" or "Princess", these words bring them to mind, right? Tsubasa is kinda all-purpose, so she doesn't have such a thing, so I'd like to see what happens when she teams up with girls like those. Maybe a new door might open for her!


- Speaking about new doors, Tsubasa has been chosen to appear in "THE iDOLM@STER Starlit Season",

Machico: Since it's already established that Tsubasa is a part of 765 Pro, "how will she get along with idols from a different office?", or "what idols will be in the same category as her?", I'm looking forward to those kinds of chemical reactions. Recording has already started, and getting to see that "Tsubasa can actually get this serious" this part of her, it made me very happy. I also got to see some development footage, and I thought "the way the foutain sprays looks amazing" (laughs). There are a wide variety of expressions, and the development footage looked beautiful. I was also very moved watching the idols of "Shinymas" dancing in 3D for the first time.


- Looking forward to release, then! Lastly, please give the Producers a message.

Machico: It's a shame about the cancellation of 7th Live, but all of the members are doing our best focusing on the future, and there will come a day when we can have fun in the same space and time again. Together with Tsubasa, I've overcome a lot of obstacles over the past 7 years, but just like "Chupacabra", "Mirishita" is something where we don't know where the content is gonna go (laughs), so in a good way, I'd like to betray everyone's expectations. We look forward to your continued suuport♪