Interview: Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu
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Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu is a six-girl idol group produced by Stardust Promotion. They formed on April 11, 2015 under the name Tokimeki♡Sendenbu and were renamed Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu on April 1, 2020. Their philosophy is “singing again today across the fields and the mountains, to promote something joyful” and their catchphrase is “Locking onto your heart ♡”.
Ken: First of all, thank you so much for letting us do this interview. We are big fans and love what you bring to the Japanese music industry, and also, congratulations on your latest release!
Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu: Thank you for having us!
K: What was your impression of the popularity of “Suki! CHO ver”?
Kanami Tsujino: I'm glad that the song is loved so much across Japan, and we received a lot of comments from overseas! I felt so nice they conveyed their feelings into words!
K: Which new song off of your album Heart-Gyutto are you most excited to perform live?
Julia An: When thinking about answering this question, only unreleased “Kitto Standard” came to mind. I really like the song itself, but I'd like to perform live as soon as possible because the choreography isn't so common compared to other past songs. The other members also said, "It's definitely fun to show this song live! I want to do it soon!"
K:. As Heart-Gyutto is a mini-album full of emotions, is there a specific song you related to the most? How did you relate to it?
Hitoka Sakai: When I listen to "Memories" I often feel nostalgic and the memories of everyone come to my mind and link to my old self. It's a song that reminds me that it's only now and it's over, but it always turns into memories, so I feel loved.
I sing every time while remembering the memories of many loved ones and the warm words the loved ones gave me.
K: The song “Dear Friend” conveys the emotion of “thank you”. When singing this track, what came to mind?
Haruka Koizumi: Of course, I think of the promotion staff (fans) who supports us and I think of my best friends and family who support me in the shadows as well. I can be here now because there are people who support me. I sing every time while remembering the memories of many loved ones and the warm words the loved ones gave me.
K: What was it like to work with Maguro Taniguchi?
Aki Suda: This time was the second time we got a song provided from a collaboration, and following the endless song of the first song, we received wonderful lyrics and songs as if I had known Taniguchi for a long time! I'm just so grateful. Thank you!
K: Your costume design for this release was by Shinobu Kayano. What was it like wearing her designs?
Hiyori Yoshikawa:I knew that Shinobu Kayano was working on costumes for 48 groups such as AKB48, so I was surprised when I heard that Shinobu could design a costume for us!
I really like the costumes, which are full of cute idol styles such as frills, ribbons, bijou, hearts, etc. in pastel colors that are typical of Tokisen!
K: Is there another designer you would like to work with?
Kanami Tsujino: I would like to work with Haruka Takeuchi, TOMOKOIZUMI, and Mika Ninagawa!
K: As your “Mid-Summer Heart-Gyutto TOUR2022 - Let’s get together with the Sanrio characters” begins, who is your favorite Sanrio character?
Kanami Tsujino: Cinnamoroll, Kogimyun, and Little Twin Stars! I used to have a lot of Cinnamoroll goods when I was little but when we did the collaboration with them, the goods included illustrations of Cinnamoroll with me, and I became more fond of them!
I was also allowed to pair with Kogimyun, and when I met him for the first time I was locked on by the feeling of his eyes and the cuteness of his movements!
For Little Twin Stars, I love the glitter of Glitter and Lara, the fluffy world view and atmosphere!
Julia An: It would have to be Hankyodon! The more I know, the more I like it. The number of our Hankyodon goods is increasing day by day. Also, I really like the character Paupipo!
Hitoka Sakai: I like Pompompurin and Kogimyun. Anyway, I love the place where each movement is cute and full of energy! The way to jump is cute and you will always get energized when you meet!
I met Kogimyun for the first time recently, and I want to protect her, with her round eyes, which are one of her charming points! It tickles my heart.
Haruka Koizumi: Pochakko, Kuromi, and Cinnamoroll! My blanket at home has always been Pochakko! I've been using it since I was a kid! I'm sure I'll be locked on because I can meet the real thing for the first time on the tour.
I love Kuromi gesture because she is really cute. I'm sure Kuromi will be locked on because I can meet the real thing for the first time on the tour!
My love for Cinnamoroll was a love at first sight when he first had an event with Sanrio... I love that fluffy feeling and small hands! The movement is too cute!
Aki Suda: My favorite character is Cinnamoroll! !!
That fluffy, flying in the sky with your ears is too cute!
Also, the tail is round and cute 🤍
Also, I like milk! It's lovely ~ cute ~!
Also, I met the character directly and was impressed by the cuteness of Kogimyun! The eyes and legs are too cute!
Hiyori Yoshikawa: When I first met the character Hankyodon, I was shot through my heart by the loveliness of it! The movement of it is very cute!
K: How long does the choreograph process of a song take to master and was it difficult to do during the ongoing pandemic?
Julia An: In fact, the time we learn is getting shorter little by little. I think the choreography of the new song has been about four hours lately. Regarding the choreography, it wasn't a big deal because of the ongoing pandemic.
K: What song(s) had an impact on you growing up?
Hitoka Sakai: With "Suki!", many people got to know us, and from there we had more opportunities to appear on TV and talk with people from overseas. I think "Suki!" Has made us grow even more!
K: What are some challenges you have faced as an artist? How have you overcome them?
Haruka Koizumi: Immediately during the pandemic there was a time when I was worried because I couldn't do what I wanted. I was lonely because I couldn't meet the promotion staff (fans) at all.
However, I was able to connect with the promotion staff through SNS and networks, and I was able to overcome it with the support of comments everyday.
Even now, there are some things that I can't do like before the pandemic, but the excitement of meeting them grows and I can reaffirm the importance of meeting them.
K: What made you choose a path in the music industry? Who had the most inspiration on you and led you to choose this path?
Aki Suda: I was watching an anime called "Pretty Rhythm" when I was little, and I wanted to be an idol at that time! I have a dream! !!
“We want to be a super idol group who can surpass Momokuro-san!”
K: Which artist would you say is your biggest inspiration? Also are there any international artists who inspire you guys as well?
Hiyori Yoshikawa: It would have to be Momoiro Clover Z, who are our senior members in our entertainment office. I think they are a representative of Japanese idols because they are well-known not only in Japan but also overseas!
We are super crushing ♡ The promotion staff (fans) does not forget our uniqueness and we want to be a super idol group who can surpass Momokuro-san! !!
K: Is there a particular genre of music you would like to try that you haven’t already?
Hiyori Yoshikawa: There aren’t many songs that contain a lot of English so I’d like to sing an English song!
That way, when we perform live overseas, I think there will be more things to be able to connect to overseas fans!
K: For international fans, how they usually find out about J-pop is through anime. First, do you guys watch anime? And if so, which would you say is your favorite?
Aki Suda: I love anime! !!
I have a lot of favorite anime, but my latest recommendations are Akebi’s Sailor Clothes, Link Click, Violet Evergarden, Fruits Basket, etc. I like so many anime so much, I can’t write them all!
“! When we are standing on the stage with the desire to convey our feelings to everyone through music”
K: Is there a venue you performed at you’ll never forget? Also, is there a dream venue you would like to perform at?
Haruka Koizumi: At the venue called Yokohama Budokan I was shown the scenery with about 3000 members of our fans. The light of the penlight that shines in the venue is really beautiful and it left a strong impression on me.
Our number one dream venue is Nippon Budokan.
K: What track(s) is your favorite to perform live, and why?
Hitoka Sakai: I especially like the song “Jinsei Saikou no Melody”! When we are standing on the stage with the desire to convey our feelings to everyone through music and such. It’s a song that conveys that feeling straight, so I love to perform it live.
K: What would you say is your most difficult song to perform?
Julia An: I think it’s different for each person, but for me it’s the song called "DEADHEAT". I think it's difficult because there are a lot of moves, the standing position is complicated, and the risk for several spots is high.
K: Who is the one artist you would love to work with in the future?
Kanami Tsujino: I would like to collaborate with Maguro Taniguchi and KANA-BOON, who provided our songs "Endless" and "Memories"!
K:. What song have you created that you wish had a music video? What type of music video would you film?
Julia An: It would actually be a remake of the music video for "Seishun Heart Shaker". In the MV released now, I took a shooting camera and took a rough picture of us, so I would like to shoot a music video that allows you to see more of our regular appearance!
K:. Do you have a message for your international fans?
Hitoka Sakai: I am very happy that you the readers know a bit more about us! I've never been able to do this kind of interview, so I'm grateful! We'd like to have a live concert abroad someday, so I'm looking forward to seeing everyone soon!
K: Once again, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy schedule and we look forward to your upcoming releases!
Cho Tokimeki Sendenbu: Thank you very much for having us!
