BG Brand's First Sequin Item

—What was the theme this time?




TodaThat's rude to the aunties of Osaka (laughs)! We always bring our own ideas to the table, and we'll go back and forth endlessly discussing and debating until we decide on the direction and design, but I think that's when that phrase came up (laughs).

UekiSequins can be tricky to use. We went through a lot of trial and error to make them sparkle just the right amount, not too gaudy, but charmingly so.

TodaIt's the first time we're using sequins for the BG brand, too.

UekiIf you look closely, you'll see that the eyes and mouth of the smiley face are made with black sequins. This is the biggest detail we focused on this time. Initially, we were going to go without sequins, using the base color of the T-shirt as is, but as an experiment, we had them make two types of samples: one with sequins and one without.





TodaAs we looked at the samples that came back, the one with the sequins just seemed cuter. I told Go, 'This one is better.'

UekiYes, after a battle of fists, I lost (laughs).

TodaWe were also very particular about the gold sequins. Gold can range from garish to a subdued, brownish hue. Since it's spring, we chose a sparkle that wasn't too flashy and a color that gave a cool impression.

UekiWe had a few more fistfights over this (laughs)! But as the final design took shape, I started to feel attached to it.

TodaGradually, yes. It felt like it was truly us, with our own originality. We had a pre-sale at the live tour, including in Osaka, and it seems to be selling well.

UekiIt seems Osaka sold particularly well (laughs).

The Osaka Live: A Successful Revenge

UekiThe last Osaka live was too sudden. Perhaps it was because we didn't announce it or do any promotion beforehand. So, I told her, 'Don't worry, if the venue isn't full this time, I'll get off stage and shout my lungs out to liven things up!' to encourage her (laughs).

TodaYes, he gave me some strange encouragement (laughs), saying it would be okay. Still, based on our previous experience, we went to Kansai local variety shows for promotion and made sure to get the word out through various channels, so we were fully prepared. And to our surprise, it was completely sold out! I was truly astonished.

UekiIt was incredible. The venue was packed, and the applause was so powerful it felt like the building was shaking. All I could say was, 'Wow.' The unique energy of Osaka was also refreshing and pleasant. This might sound a bit blunt, but the last Osaka live felt like a distant memory. It was like, 'Is this really the same Osaka?'

TodaI was so happy that so many people came. And the Osaka-specific setlist, which included a reading of Mr. Takashi Yanase's poetry, was a great success. We were able to successfully achieve our 'Osaka revenge.'





UekiYour "cherry blossom medley" this time was particularly wonderful. It started with an upbeat tempo, then suddenly shifted to a quiet piano intro. I was listening from the wings, and it really woke me up.

TodaWere you sleeping (laughs)!

UekiNo, no, I mean it was eye-opening (laughs)!

TodaOh, you're always sleeping (laughs). It was right in the middle of spring, and there were many cherry blossoms blooming around the venue, so the Osaka version of the "cherry blossom medley" was perfect. The venue in Osaka was really spacious, so I bet you could dance to your heart's content, right?

UekiThat's what I thought, but the floor was covered with "jigazuri," wasn't it?

Toda...That's right (laughs).

Ueki"Jigazuri" means the entire floor is covered with fabric. It felt like dancing on an unmade bed, and every step I took, I'd slide. It was the most unsuitable floor for dancing... But I managed to deliver a performance that was a perfect 100 points. I had a similar experience with this type of floor years ago, and I couldn't do anything then. I was able to overcome that bitter experience on this stage, and now I'm confident I can dance anywhere. Nothing scares me anymore!

TodaSo, we both got to avenge our traumas. Osaka is a special place for us.

Special T-shirts for this Autumn's Live Shows!

—After the Osaka performance, where did you go?

TodaAfter Osaka, we went to Nagoya, and finally Tokyo. The venue in Nagoya was the usual "Blue Note Nagoya," and we had two 70-minute sets in one night! We also had to handle merchandise sales in between, so it was incredibly busy. But because the time was shorter than usual, we had to tighten up the setlist, which makes each live performance feel fresh and enjoyable.

UekiEven though I knew the time was limited, I found myself dancing for longer than planned. It was a fun time.

A New Song That Defied Suspense Drama Conventions

—Did you perform any new songs?

UekiWe premiered two songs in Osaka: "Boogie Woogie★Baby" and "Dancin' on the Earth." Like "Dancin' on the Earth," which carries a grand message about cherishing the unique colors of the sky and shapes of clouds, I feel we were able to share each moment with the audience in Osaka.

TodaThe new song "OVER THE SEA," which we premiered at this live show, will be aired on TV soon. It's the ending theme for the two-hour drama "Cabin Attendant Hyosuke Natsuko: Luxury Ferry Murder Case," starring me, and Go wrote the lyrics and music.





UekiWhen you hear "ending theme for a two-hour drama," you might imagine a sad or melancholic melody, but this song is catchy and positive, in a good way. The melody came to me instantly with the keywords "sea" and "Sister," and I added lyrics that I wanted Sister to sing.

TodaIt's a very positive and wonderful song. It's a message that no matter if you're a cabin attendant, a flight attendant, or a cook, everyone is facing the rough seas of life with a positive attitude.

UekiIt's a song that makes you want to drive your car to the sea when you're feeling a bit tired!

TodaBut the melody is undeniably pop. It's sure to be the coolest ending theme in the history of two-hour dramas (laughs). We're planning to film a second installment of "Cabin Attendant Hyosuke Natsuko: Luxury Ferry Murder Case," and I'm thinking of asking him to do the ending theme again. Something like "OVER THE SEA 2."

Ueki"2"? (laughs) We wouldn't use the same theme twice for a song...

Special 5th Anniversary T-shirts This Autumn!?

UekiLike smoking a cigarette, or a shouting expression, or even like Sister when she's driving (laughs). It will likely be a rock-inspired portrait with a bit of a rebellious vibe. We'll continue to have our "fistfights" (laughs) to decide on the final direction.

TodaYes, while having our "fistfights" (laughs). I'm looking forward to creating the ultimate anniversary T-shirt with Go, so please look forward to it!

—Thank you very much.