The first live-action drama of the popular anime series "Love Live! School Idol Musical the DRAMA" will be broadcast every Thursday at 1:29 a.m. on MBS's Drama Phil slot from November 21st. The completely original musical "School Idol Musical (Sukumi)," which has been performed since 2022, has been made into a live-action drama, and former member of idol group "Hinatazaka46" Watanabe Miho and idol group "≠ME" Tomita Nanaka will be co-starring. We asked Watanabe about her thoughts on the work.
◇Is it okay for me? I'm worried
The "Love Live! Series" project started in 2010, and has produced "Love Live!", "Love Live! Sunshine!!", "Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club", "Love Live! Superstar!!", and other works, and has developed into TV anime and live events. The drama tells the story of Takizakura Girls' Academy in Osaka, which has successfully branded itself thanks to the efforts of its performing arts course idol club, and Tsubaki Sakka Girls' High School in Hyogo, a traditional preparatory school. When Tsubaki Rurika and Takizawa Anzu, the daughters of the chairpersons of the two rival schools, meet through their idol activities, big changes begin to take place in the small world that surrounds them. Watanabe plays Rurika and Tomita plays Anzu, with Asai Nanami, Yasumoto Ayaka, Anzu Julia, Nakamura Yuna, Yamauchi Mizuki, Rina, Yura Shugo and Yamamoto Airi also appearing.
Watanabe says she has always played the game "Love Live! School Idol Festival (Sukufes)," and has always loved the "Love Live!" series.
"I listened to the songs on a regular basis, and I'd even gone to see the musicals. My older brother was a big fan of Love Live! and it was popular at school, so I started playing School Idol Festival. I like songs that cheer me up, so I like Takaramonozu. I've loved female idols since I was little, and I was naturally drawn to them. I think one of the great things about idol groups is that there are lots of cute girls, and each one is different, so you can find the one you're most excited about, your favorite member. The school idols in the Love Live! series also have completely different looks and personalities, and they're all unique and charming. The first person I fell in love with was Nico (Yazawa Nico). I've always loved twin tails."
It's clear that Watanabe is a serious fan because she can easily name her favorite songs and members, but she humbly says, "I'm not a fan at all..." However, she probably says this because she loves them. Because she loved them, she was surprised when she heard about the first live-action drama adaptation, saying, "What?! Is that even possible?!"
"At first, I felt a lot of pressure. I was worried about whether I was the right person for the role, especially with so many fans. But I've been an idol for five years, so I really wanted to make use of that experience!"
Watanabe plays Rurika, a second-year high school student and the daughter of the chairman of Tsubakisakka Girls' High School. She's not the type to take the lead, but she's honest and naturally attracts people around her.
"Ever since I first saw the musical, I thought she was a girl who was innocent and carefree. She doesn't consciously try to lead others, but she has an energy that overflows from within, and before you know it, she's leading people. She's like the sun. I myself was energized by Rurika-chan, and she has a natural talent for naturally attracting people. Rurika-chan is dazzling, and she reminded me of myself when I was 17. I became an idol when I was 17, and at that time, for better or worse, I didn't know anything about the world, I had unfounded confidence, I was invincible, and I was innocent."
◇Idols are something to aspire to, and they are the energy to get through your daily life.
The singing and dancing live scenes are also a major highlight of the drama. I was able to make use of my experience as an idol.
"There is a scene where all 10 of us dance. I hope you will watch it! In the drama, it is not Watanabe Miho who dances, but Rurika-chan. I had fun facing the role and dancing while thinking about what Rurika-chan would do. Each dance style is unique, so I hope you will pay attention to that as well. Rurika-chan has a strong desire to be an idol! She is full of energy and is conscious of being a hard-working girl who wants to convey her feelings to the people in front of her! Since we had a foundation of singing and dancing, that experience came in handy. In group activities, members share opinions, refine them, and support each other. In this drama, we discussed it with everyone and created it, so that experience came in handy there as well." Watanabe graduated from "Hinatazaka46" in 2022 and is currently active as an actor. What does an "idol" mean to Watanabe? "I've loved idols since I was in elementary school, and as a fan I've always been energized by them. When I was in high school and club activities and studying were tough, listening to my favorite group's new songs and radio shows was a great way to relax, and they gave me courage and energy, and gave me the energy to get through my days. They've also always been something I look up to. When I became an idol, I tried not to forget how I felt as a fan, and I continued to work. Now I have fewer opportunities to meet all the people who support me, but I'm really happy that there are people who continue to support me. I've always wanted to work hard and give back to everyone."
The thing he values most about working as an actor is being "flexible."
"I'm having a lot of fun acting, but I still don't know the right answer. But I think it's just a repetition of that. As I've experienced various productions, I've also felt that it's important to discuss things with the people around me and exchange opinions. It's important to listen to what the people around you say and respond flexibly on set. I felt that again this time. It's difficult, but that's what makes it so interesting. I also discovered that I have unexpected sides to me! This time too, I felt pressure at first, but when I got to the set, I felt like I had no choice but to do it! I thought that maybe I'm surprisingly strong in a good way. I'm starting to see what's going on around me little by little. I still don't have any time to spare."
The "Love Live! Series" is a "story that everyone can make come true." While playing Rurika, she felt the importance of "making dreams come true."
"I had friends and a family who supported me... I felt that there were some similarities. I also receive a lot of support from the people around me and my family. When I became an idol, my parents were worried at first, but they accepted it and now they support me a lot. I wouldn't be who I am today without my family and the people around me. There are similarities in that respect."
We hope you will keep an eye on Watanabe, who is making the most of his experience as an idol while also thriving as an actor.
