Shizaki Kanon
Keyboard – Shirokane Rinko
The movies show what happens in between chapters. They reveal feelings that used to be hidden from the audience. Thanks to all of that, I could see how all five of them love Roselia. It’s a great band
———Now that you are done recording your lines for both movies, could you tell us a little about how you’re feeling?
Recording lots of the early lines let me review Roselia’s history – starting with events before the band formed – and develop an even better sense of what the band is about.
———You took on the role of Shirokane Rinko in 2018. You didn’t get a chance to retrace the band’s steps until after that. Now, you get to do it with the rest of the band, starting from the very beginning.
When I did my first lines for the game, I looked back on the events that had occurred already, then recorded lines for each new chapter as they came. All of that formed the overarching story. This time, with the movies, everything is condensed into one long story arc. I spent time with the rest of the band as I reviewed Roselia’s path. Throughout the band’s history, the characters all faced their own struggles, overcame them, and then strengthened their bonds. The conflict and troubles that they feel, plus how everyone comes together to sort things out, are an absolutely essential part. The movies show what happens in between chapters. They reveal feelings that used to be hidden from the audience. Thanks to all of that, I could see how all five of them love Roselia. It’s a great band.
———Now that you’ve had this experience, what do you think about your character, Rinko?
As I was recording lines for the first movie, I started thinking “was Rinko always this shy?”. Because in more recent events, she starts to grow and change. So when I did my lines, I had to keep in mind that I couldn’t speak as openly or energetically as she does now. She’s always the one who takes a step back and lets others take the wheel. But when the other members lose their way and don’t know what to do, she comes through and says something that gets them moving again. She’s the type who can see Roselia through an objective lens, I think. And that gets conveyed through scenes in the movies.
———I’m sure there are many scenes that are important to you.
There really are a lot of them. Rinko is always by Ako-chan’s side to support her. So during the scene when Yukina-san and Ako-chan are arguing, Rinko speaks up – even though she doesn’t usually raise her voice – and speaks to Yukina, so she can protect Ako-chan. After that, the band starts to come together more. I like that scene because of how realistic it feels.
———Like Rinko-chan, you also have experience with piano, right?
Right. I played from when I was six until around eighteen.
———Piano offers a number of opportunities to stand alone on stage, through recitals and competitions. But though you can play alongside other people, isn’t that still different from being in a proper band?
Rinko spent a long time playing piano by herself. And she liked that, but after discovering Roselia, she realized how wonderful being in a band is, and her perspective shifted. In my case, I actually sang a lot too. I have experience being part of a band. I think that helps me understand Rinko’s feelings towards Roselia a little more. But still, Roselia is the first time I’ve been the pianist for a band. As part of Roselia, as the pianist, I want to support everyone with my sound and my rhythm. Rinko was my very first role as a voice actress, and the others helped me learn the ins and outs of that style of vocal performance. So I want to pull from my own experience in music and help the others in our concerts. That state of mind is something Rinko and I have in common.
———Did you pull from your experience performing real concerts when you recorded your lines?
The scenes related to concerts are some of my favorite parts. We get to see the members during performances, and before going on stage – their nervousness, their preparedness to do it. The mood in those scenes feels so real. When I recorded my lines, I pulled from moments like our concert at the Nippon Budokan… the way I felt during every concert we’ve done so far, the unique vibe that emerges when we’re standing in the stage wings. I thought about that combination of nervous excitement when I did my lines. When I saw the movies at an advance screening, I started feeling nervous all over again. There was so much overlap with what I feel before going on stage. The scenes felt so real that my palms were getting sweaty just watching them.
———It’s as though your band experience has been packaged into these movies.
It definitely has been. The time I’ve spent on stage, the love and cheers I’ve received, the smiles from the crowd that my eyes have looked upon… all of it is included in the movies.
———Was there anything in particular that you kept in mind when recording your lines?
I was kinda worried about how well the expressiveness in my voice would carry when played at a louder volume in theaters. While I was recording, I kept in mind both the big screen and the loud sound system. I had to make Rinko’s lines fit in with everyone else’s. When everything was done, the other members said “you did a good job” and the director told me “you’ve improved”. Hearing that made me feel good and all, but there was a part of me deep down that wondered if they were only saying that to make me feel better. Until I finally watched the movies, I wondered if I really did good enough. When that day came and I sat down in the movie theater, I heard how my lines blended in with everyone else’s and how our performances meshed, even though I’m still so much less experienced than the rest of the cast. I felt so overwhelmed that I nearly cried. I think my experience being in the band and performing live has made me more emotionally invested in everything.
———Does the real-life Roselia also hold review meetings after concerts, like we see the characters do in the movies?
We did, yeah. We can’t do it now, but we used to go out to eat yakiniku after our concerts, both to celebrate and to review what happened. We’d take notes and discuss each performance. “During this part, this happened”. One person might say “I want to try doing this next time”, then someone else goes “okay, let’s ask the staff if we can”. Kinda like that. We talk about how to take what we learned in that concert and apply it towards our next. In the end, we all really want each concert to be better than the last.
———So then scenes like that are linked to real-life events.
We all put our heads together to create each concert. I think that’s a similarity between the two Roselias.
There’s this one scene in the first movie where Lisa-san puts herself down because she’s struggling with her complex. Hikawa-san’s response really struck a chord with me
———What do you think of Roselia and the Bandori project as a whole?
I think it’s a really wonderful place. There’s more to it than people realize. It’s got the game, the anime, the movies, and the real concerts. It’s a franchise full of possibilities. Roselia is something I’ll treasure until the day I die!
———It feels like you want to face what the future holds and keep walking forwards.
We plan to keep going forever! That’s something we talk about all the time. Like, “let’s keep performing even when we’re in nursing homes” (*laughs*).
———I suppose that means you really enjoy performing at such large venues and overcoming different challenges.
Over the last two years, we’ve had fewer opportunities to do things because of what’s going on. But still, we’ve been able to perform in front of lots of people at big venues. As we’ve done more, it’s felt as though something almost like a sense of responsibility has sprouted in me. We have constant discussions about how we want to make Roselia great, and sometimes our opinions don’t exactly mesh. But that conflict is because we all feel some responsibility towards the band. It’s because we all love it so much. Because we share that love, we can come together and do our best for the sake of the band. As long as this kind of relationship lasts, I think we’ll be able to keep going on forever (*laughs*).
———That’s just like the band we see in the movies (*laughs*). It’s not every day that people get to stand on stage in front of thousands of people, hearing their own music sound out, basking in the cheers coming from the crowd. Has that experience led to any change in you?
I think it’s helped me grow. There’s this one scene in the first movie where Lisa-san puts herself down because she’s struggling with her complex. Hikawa-san’s response really struck a chord with me. I used to be like Lisa-san…. But after becoming part of Roselia and performing in front of everyone, I feel like I’ve been able to love myself more and more. I realized that loving myself is tied to everything else – into loving the fans, the staff, and my friends in the band. I think that’s one aspect of myself that has changed.
———If you lack the strength to perform on stage in front of other people, and to accept the support and depth of the feelings that those people hold, you’ll start to tremble.
I think… if I didn’t find a way to support myself, if I didn’t strengthen my resolve… I never would have been able to stand in front of everyone. If you can’t recognize the value you hold, other people won’t either. So I can’t do bad things to myself. I can’t put myself down. All of that comes from the strength and willpower that it takes to stand tall on stage.
———It’s something that can only be appreciated and understood by those who have actually experienced it, right?
I think so. And you know, I really love what happens in that moment. The way I feel when people acknowledge and accept me and Roselia… I don’t think I can go back to how I was before feeling it. I am extremely grateful for it.
———Do you still remember the first time you felt that sensation?
I do. It was at our concert “Vier”. Shinagawa Stellar Ball, November 7, 2018. During the encore, I stepped on stage for the first time to play my piano solo. I was so desperate not to make any mistakes, so I could only focus on what my hands were doing. Then it segued into LOUDER, the other members came back on stage, and they introduced me as “the new keyboardist”. The spotlights shone and the crowd went wild. When I glanced up from the keys for the first time, so many people had their penlights set to Rinko’s color. They did that for me. Taking in that scenery, I felt like all my hard work had finally been appreciated. It was overwhelming. Whenever I look back on that moment, on the scene I saw, I feel chills run through my body. It’s such a treasured experience for me. Truly unforgettable.
———Would you consider that your most memorable concert?
All of them are really memorable! But if I had to pick just a few, then the most memorable are Stellar Ball, where I pushed myself to my limits, and our next performance after that, at the Nippon Budokan. It was the first Roselia concert that I did the whole way through. And personally, I’d always dreamed of performing there.
———So you’d wanted to perform at the Budokan for a long time then.
I’d seen bands and singers that I admire perform at the Budokan before. I’ve always viewed it as a sanctum of music. So when I heard we were going to play there, I thought “I’ll really get to perform at the Budokan! I’m so happy to be alive!!”. I knew I absolutely had to make it a success. I practiced and rehearsed more than I ever had in my life – even more than when I crammed for exams. I drilled those 15 songs into my head. Those efforts paid off. We were able to put on a good performance because of all that effort. Even now, the whole thing feels like a dream!
———Taking the stage for piano competitions is a different experience. In that case, you’d be standing alone the entire time. But what you do now goes beyond that. I can’t imagine much that would be more nerve-wracking.
The stress I felt in the days leading up to the Stellar Ball and Budokan concerts was way worse than anything I felt while actually playing piano at them (*laughs*). I seriously felt like there’d be no point in going on living if I couldn’t pull it off. After it ended and I realized it had gone well, it was like I was able to accept myself. I felt like I could go even further. When you actually get up on stage, the Budokan is a really incredible place. When I’d go to watch other performers, it was always on the upper floors. That gave off the impression that the singer on stage was on a really big stage, standing alone. But when you shift perspectives – when you’re the one on the stage looking out at the crowd – you feel so close to the people sitting way at the top. I kept thinking about that the entire time I was there. And then, when the lights dim, all the shining penlights swaying in the darkness make it feel so vast. The lights reach the very top. It’s like you’re looking up at the night sky. To this day, I’d consider the Nippon Budokan to be one of my favorite places.
———Striving to stand on the Budokan’s stage, feeling like you can’t afford to make any mistakes, and the desire to devote yourself fully to practice… all of those things feel like they’ve been brought to life in your performance in these movies.
Right. Performing at live houses was something that Rinko used to fear. Part of her wants to make absolutely sure that she doesn’t mess up on stage. She probably felt the same way that I did. I recorded my lines while embracing that feeling.
Both movies will be released soon. I hope they’ll help you get to know Roselia in an easy-to-understand way. I’d be happy if it would make you love Roselia even more than you do now. I hope you’ll join us on our journey to the pinnacle
———As a keyboardist, what do you consider to be the best part of performing with Roselia?
Each and every time we receive sheet music for a new song, the difficulty level demanded of us goes up. Every time, part of me thinks there’s no way I’ll be able to play it. Maybe this is because I love music so much, but once I start working, I’m filled with the desire to make it work. A sort of ambition, I guess, to make sure I can do it (*laughs*). And once I can play it, it becomes a lot of fun.
———The piano’s melodic approach, giving rise to the rhythm of the ensemble, the playstyle that uses chords to produce a sense of depth…. The freedom of expression is so expansive.
I’d never played a synth before joining Roselia. Synths tend to have an echo to them, and they add some life and variety to performances. That’s my responsibility as the keyboardist. Keeping the tempo and rhythm are also extremely important. Back when I was taking piano lessons, I was focused on classical music, so my style is based on that. I studied vocal music in collage, and when I would sing rock or R&B songs, people would be like “I know you’re singing rock, but isn’t that rhythm sorta classical?”. So it was also a weakness of mine. Roselia songs also require a non-classical approach to rhythm. But the piano is supposed to support everyone else’s rhythm, so that’s something I concentrate on during rehearsals!
———It’s different than playing classical music, where following a metronome and staying faithful to the score is the right play.
Even after all this time, when I hear the syncopation, I’m like “huh!?” (*laughs*). I think the most important thing a band needs to get right is the sense of groove. Everyone needs to get into the same groove as a group. When I first joined, we practiced by syncing up to a metronome. But that changed. At some point, we got together and said “let’s try to cherish our groove”. We turned the metronome off and started playing while really listening to each other’s music.
———You really are a band.
Right. That kind of thing is what makes being in a band so fun.
———Which song would you consider your “turning point” from a playstyle perspective?
Ringing Bloom. The song ties into Rinko’s story. The lyrics capture her emotions. There’s a solo singing part, a difficult keyboard solo, and the piano is prominent all throughout. It has a beautiful melody. We performed it for the first time at Fuji-Q Highland Conifer Forest (“Flamme/Wasser”), and that whole experience was very moving. “UNIONS” Road is another. We haven’t played it at a concert yet, but the song symbolizes how Rinko has taken a big step forwards. It’s about the bond between Ako-chan and Rinko. It’s about the bonds the all five of them share. I met with Sakuragawa-san before recording the part where Ako-chan and Rinko sing together. It’s a precious song. I love it. When we eventually do perform it, I’ll need to make sure the piano sounds just right!
———The piano’s part is nice. It’s a wonderful song. Now that you’ve performed both of the songs that lend their titles to the movies, what are your thoughts of them?
When you watch “Promise”, you can get a sense of why the song exists. Some people already know it was written by Lisa-san, but I think seeing the thoughts and feelings she pours into the song will make everyone even more emotional. I love the melody and lyrics of the part that Yukina-san and Lisa-san sing together, “let’s forge a path that leads to the future”. Roselia exists because of their relationship. The promise they made has not changed. But Roselia consists of a new promise between the whole band. New trust. New bonds. When it comes to Song I am, the first thing I should mention is the line “We will sing our way into a new world”. I love that one. This is the song that LOUDER gave rise to. I hope that the significance of the lyrics and the overall message of the song will be conveyed to people who watch both movies.
———Both songs contain a lot of emotion and ties to the story. The first movie, “Promise”, also features a few new songs.
Proud of oneself is a traditional Roselia-style song, one appropriate as an opening theme. We all have singing parts. I’d love if everyone could feel its pure Roselia-ness. overturRe is a cool song. I think it signifies how Roselia will not stop. It carries a determination to carry on.
———overturRe may be the ending theme, but the title itself means “prelude”, doesn’t it…?
That feels like a meaningful choice, doesn’t it? (*laughs*).
———It does. To bring this interview to a close, could you please share your future plans and goals for Roselia?
Both movies will be released soon. I hope they’ll help you get to know Roselia in an easy-to-understand way. I’d be happy if it would make you love Roselia even more than you do now. I hope you’ll join us on our journey to the pinnacle. We’ll keep working hard so we can improve our concerts. Please, look forward to that. And please, keep watching over the characters as they grow alongside us.
Keyword Q&A
Q1 — How would you describe your personality?
My personality is all over the place (*laughs*). People I know call me that all the time. When I get sick of something, I try to give up on it. I decide on things really quickly. I guess that’s both a blessing and a curse. I’m also a surprisingly competitive person. And when I get interested in something, I become fully obsessed and it takes over my life. That’s happened with hot-pot, Shaoxing wine, cinnamon… I devour it like a hungry wolf (*laughs*).
———You try to consume all of it (*laughs*).
Exactly! (*laughs*)
———So you’re quick to make decisions, plus you tend to obsess over things that you like?
Right. Whether I like something or hate it, my decisions are based on intuition. I have my own way of putting all my energy towards things I love and want to do. And I’m quick to drop things that I don’t enjoy or think are just okay. The gap between how I handle things I like and things I don’t like is crazy wide (*laughs*). Music is something I love, something I need, so it’s one of the things that I’ll keep devoting myself to.
Q2 — What kind of year do you want 2021 to be?
I hope 2021 is a year where we can put things behind us and move on. I want to make it a year where I can decide with certainty what I need and what I don’t. And there are so many things that I want to try out… but mainly, I love to sing. I’d love to figure out a way for everyone to hear it.
Q3 — April is the month when students graduate and go on to higher education or employment. When you enter a new environment or face new circumstances, what do you pay attention to?
First impressions are something that I care about. Apparently, the first impression that other people get of me is completely different depending on if I’m talking or staying quiet. If I go too long without talking about myself, people tend to get the wrong impression and misunderstand what I’m like. When I enter new groups, I’m often told that I seem scary or hard to talk to. So I focus on first impressions, showing people the kind of person I am in a more proactive way. I don’t want any misunderstandings to cause problems later down the line.
Q4 — What kind of fashion has caught your eye this Spring?
I pick out my clothes based on how I feel each day. And people around me can usually tell what kinds of things I’d want to buy. But I want to wear more loud, bright colors this Spring. I’ve realized that color-choices really have a huge impact on my mood and emotions. When I look back, I feel like haven’t wanted to wear lots of bright colors lately. So I’d like to express how I feel through fashion this year!
Q5 — Where and when do you feel the most relaxed?
The evenings. I love sunsets. Every time I see one, I feel more relaxed. My happy place is by the river. When I’m having trouble with something, I usually head to the riverside by myself. It’s peaceful there, and I can see the wide blue sky. Merely looking at the river helps me deal with whatever I have going on. I can think “it will be okay. This too will pass, just like how the river flows”. It makes me feel calm.
———Lots of people associate sunsets with nostalgia, but you find them calming. Do you think there’s a difference there?
I think nostalgia is part of what I feel. But I think it’s more like evening is the time of day where it feels like good things are most likely to happen. When I first heard that I passed my audition to join Roselia, the news came to me via phone while I was out walking and admiring the sunset. It’s a positive symbol for me. I think it brings me luck.
Q6 — If you could meet Shirokane Rinko, what would you want to talk about?
I feel like I love Rinko-chan too much (*laughs*). Like “look how cute she is!”. So if I had the chance to meet her, I’d like to have a conversation at her pace. We could get closer over time, and gradually become good friends. I’d want her to teach me how she makes clothes, and other stuff like that. I feel like there’s a lot I could learn from her.
Q7 — If you could be a character from Bandori for one day, who would you chose and what would you do during that time?
If I had to pick just one… then it’s probably Yukina-san. Because she’s someone who can take charge. People follow her. She doesn’t sway from what she wants. Yukina-san can say things that I never could because I wouldn’t want to hurt someone else. She’s also prepared to have people say equally intense – or even more intense – things back to her. I think she’s a strong person. So I’d be Yukina-san, saying things like “do this” or “don’t do this”. It’d probably make me feel restless inside, but I want to say things that I can’t normally say (*laughs*).
Q8 — When you’re on stage during a performance, what routines or items are essential to you?
I play air-piano in the stage wings before our concerts start. Imagining how I’ll look when I’m playing on stage while I do it helps me feel a little more at ease.
Q9 — Send a message to the Roselia members!
Dear Aiba Aina: I hope you’ll be able to eat spicier food someday (*laughs*). Aiba-san is the only other person in the band who can handle spice, and she’s told me that she wants to grab hotpot and stuff together! But she still doesn’t have a super strong spice tolerance. I want her to be able to handle just as much spice as I can. I want to share that deliciousness with her (*laughs*).
Dear Kudou Haruka: I want to go to the movies with you. Both of us like movies, so we talk about them all the time. Plus, I think she has good taste in film. I want her to show me all sorts of movies.
Dear Nakashima Yuki: Please don’t ever change. I don’t think that needs an explanation! She’s wonderful the way she is.
Dear Sakuragawa Megu: Please share some of your energy with me. Because Meguchii is a super energetic, super lively person.
Q10 — And please leave a message for all the BanG Dreamers!
Thank you for all your support. I think our movies will make you love Roselia even more than you do already, so please go and see them. If you can, go see them in theaters. We will keep working hard!
More from this book:
I. Aiba Aina – II. Kudou Haruka – III. Nakashima Yuki – IV. Sakuragawa Megu – V. Shizaki Kanon
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