The first animated film based on the popular smartphone game "Project Sekai Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku (ProSeka)", "Project Sekai the Movie: Broken World and Miku Who Can't Sing", will be released on January 17th. The film has a completely original story, depicting a "new Hatsune Miku" not depicted in the game meeting the characters of "ProSeka" and growing up. We spoke to Ogura Yui, who plays Hanazato Minori, Furuhata Ai, who plays Momoi Airi, and Motoizumi Rina, who plays Hinomori Shizuku, of the unique idol unit "MORE MORE JUMP!", which features a dreamy girl and a group of girls who have quit being idols, about "ProSeka" and the film.
◇The importance of "the desire to convey your thoughts"
--What is the appeal of the movie version?
Ogura: My first impression of the movie was that it had a different appeal from the app. Of course, the app also has a lot of appeal in the units, but it also depicts connections that go beyond the units, is on a larger scale, and is very original. The animation and singing scenes also have a different approach from the app. I got the impression that it was a work that was full of the unique charm of the movie.
I've always felt that the staff's love for the app was amazing, but I could tell from the movie proposal that they were trying not to spill anything. It's a movie version that jumps over a lot of things. I 'd like people who haven't touched "ProSeka" before to watch it, and I'm really happy that it will be one of the opportunities to get people interested in apps and other things.
The quality of the singing scenes in the Motoizumi app is getting better and better, and I felt that everyone's love was packed into the production, costumes, and expressions. I can't wait to be enveloped in the sound of the theater and the big screen. The newly written song is one of the climaxes, so I can't wait to see it. I'm really looking forward to it.
-What was your impression when you read the movie script?
Mr. Furuhata: What will happen to Miku? I felt it was very unexpected. I was surprised.
Motoizumi: I was happy and excited to be able to reaffirm the importance of "the desire to convey one's feelings," which is one of the themes of "Project Sekai."
Ogura: The story goes back a little in time from the app, and Miku appears in the movie version, and everyone tries to save her. I was impressed by how the bond and connection between characters who normally don't have much contact with each other was depicted.
◇Momojan is down-to-earth!?
--What is the appeal of "Project Sekai," including the app?
Ogura: I think this world, born from the combination of complex charms such as sound, words, and story, is very original. One point is that each unit has a different color and musicality, and there is also a harmony that is born by mixing in Hatsune Miku, a character that everyone knows. I feel that there is something that only "ProSeka" has.
Furuhata-san: It's a work that is always challenging itself with new things. There are songs that I've known for a long time, and new songs are being born, so it's a case of learning from the past. I think it's a work that has a warmth to it.
Motoizumi: In one word, I think it's "potential". Miku is an entity that has nothing but potential, and new information is constantly being added, with creators and fans getting involved to create the world. It's been put together in a meticulous way, and I can't wait to see what happens next.
--Each character and unit has their own unique personality. What is the strength of "MORE MORE JUMP!?"
Mr. Furuhata: I think that the biggest thing about "Momo Jump" is that it's a story within the app, and they progress through it on their own. Each person has their own power, and at first Minori takes the lead, but I think that the strength of the four of them is that they have the power to fly.
Ogura: I think they are modern idols, broadcasting on their own and actively using SNS. Nowadays, if you have the motivation, you can use various powers to make things happen. I think their charm is that they are a unit that gives hope, that if you don't give up, you can make anything happen.
Motoizumi: I really like how down-to-earth they are. They're all hard workers, but each of them has a different way of working hard. There are things they can overcome because of the four of them. The efforts each of them has made them who they are today. I think one of their charms is that they don't just show the sparkly side of idols, but also show the various expressions of real people. Even in the movie, each unit has a different approach, but the desire to make people smile is very strong.
◇Inner strength
-- Were all four members able to record together?
There was a day when all four of us got together! The shopping scene was fun. I got to see what kind of clothes I would choose! It was a lot of fun. I was recording alone for the app, so it was a fresh experience. Some things were born because the four of us were together.
Ogura-san, the recording was really fast.
I felt a sense of security working with Motoizumi-san .
-What do you keep in mind when acting?
Each and every Furuhata-san has a backstory, and I can only sympathize with her. She has always done what is expected of her, not what she wanted to be, but she can't give up. She is trying to get closer to what she is pursuing. She is a girl I really respect, so I cherish that about her. There are down-to-earth parts, a realistic story, and many parts that make me think, "I've had these experiences before..." I'm trying to keep that in mind when I play the role.
Ogura-san Minori's charm is her positive mind. She never gives up and always strives to improve. I always value her dedication and pure heart when I play her. She's also playful, so I think she's a worthwhile character to play, and I always have fun acting in a comical way.
As you go through your daily life, there are times when you look back and think, "Why did I say that?" or "I was embarrassed..." It's only natural, because your past self was less mature than your current self, but that's how I feel on a daily basis. Before becoming "Momojan", Shizuku was produced as a mysterious character, a character she was not, and continued to play. After becoming "Momojan", people started accepting her for who she is, and she became the fluffy Shizuku she is today, who seems like she's about to fly away, but I like both sides of Shizuku. She has the strength to accept her past self, and I love the strength of her heart, which she has, as she is always growing, for herself, for the members, for everyone...
◇ Yui Ogura feels like it's "destiny"
--What do Vocaloid songs mean to you?
I'm exactly the same age as Furuhata -san. I used to watch Nico Nico Douga and sing karaoke. I used to sing "magnet" as a duet with my friends, and I think my 10-year-old self would be surprised to see that I can now sing the songs I loved as Airi.
Ogura-san: I was in charge of the motions for "Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA-" when I was 13 or 14 years old. At the time, I never imagined that I would become a voice actor, so I feel like it's fate that I've been involved in this way. I'm very happy. The song I remember the most is "Mikumiku ni shite ageru♪ [Shiteyanyo]". I danced to it on Nico Nico Douga when I was about 14 years old, and it's a song that left a strong impression on me.
Motoizumi: A friend of mine in high school liked Miku-chan, and through her I started listening to a lot of different songs. I played "Hatsune Miku -Project DIVA- 2nd" and was really surprised by the opening. I can't forget the impact of the theme song "Look at Me Baby". It was so well-made, I thought to myself, "The world today is so amazing!" I was also happy to be able to sing "Romeo and Cinderella." If I told my younger self that, I'd be surprised.
--The original songs are also fascinating. Which is your favorite?
I love Furuhata-san's "Momoiro no Kagi"! Being able to sing a song that requires falsetto and falsetto has helped me grow as a person.
Ogura-san: Recently, it was "Teammate". It was a song by HoneyWorks, and I had always wanted to listen to it, so I was happy. What's more, Minori is at the center of the story, and it brings back fond memories. I love how the melody line, lyrics, and story all match up, and it's not just sparkly, but also contains the efforts, sadness, and conflicts that have gone before.
This is the new song "Run! Go! Reach!" from Motoizumi's Shizuku banner event. There is a line in this song that says "Look at me." Shizuku has continued to evolve, but she doesn't usually use strong words. This song shows her determination, and I love the lyrics.
You can feel the cast's love for ProSeka in the movie version. Be sure to check out Momojan's performance.
