[EN] Potato (June 2024): MIRROR SixTONES Solo Shoot (Morimoto Shintarou)
MIRROR
SixTONES Solo Shoot vol. 2
Morimoto Shintarou
This month we have SixTONES’ youngest and shock troop commander, Morimoto. Strength, kindness, sensitivity… the factors that shape him are rooted in his impulses to “enjoy what I like”. Alongside visuals of a grown-up Snow Prince, let’s take a peek into Morimoto’s feelings.
I will be the shock troop commander so that everyone else can shine
If I were to summarise who I am, I would use “someone who’s having fun”. In general, I enjoy everything I do, and stop doing it if I’m not [having fun]. This has always been the case since I was a kid. I quite like this way of life. And of course, I’m having fun 5 years into debut as SixTONES. My role in the group is probably “the person who says everything out loud”. For example, at a meeting with staff, I’ll point it out without mincing my words if something doesn’t sound right. We each have our own ideal image of the group and know when we’re having the most fun, so SixTONES’ goodness will be halved if that execution isn’t right. I want to avoid situations where we can’t shine, so I will often be the shock troop commander. And, I get to be so straightforward because the other 5 members are good at building relationships. Their reputation doesn’t get tarnished from my comments. If anything, they probably follow up after me with something like “Shintarou may say that [in a harsh manner], but it’s because he wants the best for the group”.
Something that I think about lately is that I want SixTONES to have a late-night TV show. Something apart from YouTube, things that can only be done on TV… if I’m honest, something like “Gaki Tsuka” [“Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!” - a popular long running late night TV show]. (laughs) We’ll invite various comedians, and challenge different crazy things that are only doable on late night slots. I think it’ll be a hit.
It’ll be finished by the time this issue is published, but I feel really good about our dome tour that we’re in the middle of. The 360° stage actually came about from my wilfulness. I had this lightbulb moment, thinking “it’ll be cool if SixTONES’ does a 360° stage!”, and when I promoted that vehemently, everyone else agreed. To be honest, it was a gamble about whether it’d fit well or not, but in the end, it worked brilliantly. I think we all did a great job. So much so that I thought for the first time “if only more of our kouhais can come to watch”. It’s actually pretty difficult to produce a 360° stage once you get into the workings of it. But we were able to do it all; flaunt our group’s charms while being entertaining, not boring the audience and holding their attention. There was lots to learn too. Gratefully, our food catering was robust again this time. We had takoyaki in Osaka and motsunabe in Fukuoka [T/N: Both are local delicacies]. I wanted to go out to eat Hakata ramen, but when I checked for availabilities at nearby restaurants, I gave up upon hearing “it’s a tourist spot so there are lines all day” (cries). I’ll be back next time.
Q. A complex that you have?
A. The right side of my face is stiff for some reason. Only the left side of my lips rise when I smile. Same when I’m talking too, it always feels like only my left side is moving.
Q. Do you have an oshi [person/thing you’re a fan of]?
A. Nah I don’t. That’s why I’ve never experienced “oshi-katsu” [activities to support your faves] either. The closest thing would probably be going to Disneyland often when I was a kid since I always had lots of fun.
Q. Are you the type to look in mirrors?
A. Nope! The only time would be about a quick glance after I brush my teeth.
Q. Do you check social media?
A. A fair bit on Instagram. Motorbikes, watches, the beach, diving… I’ll scroll through all the recommended posts that come up. Jesse’s Instagram? I’ll check it out when I feel like it (laughs).
Q. If you had to come up with a radio name?
A. “I am the real Morimoto Shintarou”. I’ve actually sent in a message with that name and the staff picked it out without realising, and I read it out loud myself.
Q. What is something you want to learn right now?
A. English. I’m in the middle of taking online classes. I thought “I wanna speak!” when I’m overseas.
Q. What part of Tanaka Juri are you envious about?
A. His slender body. Because when you’re that slim, I don’t think you need to be worried about your fashion and choose clothes carefully. I’m asking for the impossible though.
Q. What sort of people do you think most of your fans are?
A. People who are cheerful, talkative and always laugh. A lot of my fan-letters are written casually like we’re friends.
Q. A line that you want to say that you haven’t said before?
A. “Father!”. In a role. It isn’t that common right?
Q. What are the charms of “SixTONES’ music”?
A. Multi-genre. Each of our 6 voices are distinct, and the “blend” that is created and presented in the forefront for each song is also one of our strengths.
SixTONES Solo Shoot vol. 2
Morimoto Shintarou
This month we have SixTONES’ youngest and shock troop commander, Morimoto. Strength, kindness, sensitivity… the factors that shape him are rooted in his impulses to “enjoy what I like”. Alongside visuals of a grown-up Snow Prince, let’s take a peek into Morimoto’s feelings.
I will be the shock troop commander so that everyone else can shine
If I were to summarise who I am, I would use “someone who’s having fun”. In general, I enjoy everything I do, and stop doing it if I’m not [having fun]. This has always been the case since I was a kid. I quite like this way of life. And of course, I’m having fun 5 years into debut as SixTONES. My role in the group is probably “the person who says everything out loud”. For example, at a meeting with staff, I’ll point it out without mincing my words if something doesn’t sound right. We each have our own ideal image of the group and know when we’re having the most fun, so SixTONES’ goodness will be halved if that execution isn’t right. I want to avoid situations where we can’t shine, so I will often be the shock troop commander. And, I get to be so straightforward because the other 5 members are good at building relationships. Their reputation doesn’t get tarnished from my comments. If anything, they probably follow up after me with something like “Shintarou may say that [in a harsh manner], but it’s because he wants the best for the group”.
Something that I think about lately is that I want SixTONES to have a late-night TV show. Something apart from YouTube, things that can only be done on TV… if I’m honest, something like “Gaki Tsuka” [“Downtown no Gaki no Tsukai ya Arahende!!” - a popular long running late night TV show]. (laughs) We’ll invite various comedians, and challenge different crazy things that are only doable on late night slots. I think it’ll be a hit.
It’ll be finished by the time this issue is published, but I feel really good about our dome tour that we’re in the middle of. The 360° stage actually came about from my wilfulness. I had this lightbulb moment, thinking “it’ll be cool if SixTONES’ does a 360° stage!”, and when I promoted that vehemently, everyone else agreed. To be honest, it was a gamble about whether it’d fit well or not, but in the end, it worked brilliantly. I think we all did a great job. So much so that I thought for the first time “if only more of our kouhais can come to watch”. It’s actually pretty difficult to produce a 360° stage once you get into the workings of it. But we were able to do it all; flaunt our group’s charms while being entertaining, not boring the audience and holding their attention. There was lots to learn too. Gratefully, our food catering was robust again this time. We had takoyaki in Osaka and motsunabe in Fukuoka [T/N: Both are local delicacies]. I wanted to go out to eat Hakata ramen, but when I checked for availabilities at nearby restaurants, I gave up upon hearing “it’s a tourist spot so there are lines all day” (cries). I’ll be back next time.
Q. A complex that you have?
A. The right side of my face is stiff for some reason. Only the left side of my lips rise when I smile. Same when I’m talking too, it always feels like only my left side is moving.
Q. Do you have an oshi [person/thing you’re a fan of]?
A. Nah I don’t. That’s why I’ve never experienced “oshi-katsu” [activities to support your faves] either. The closest thing would probably be going to Disneyland often when I was a kid since I always had lots of fun.
Q. Are you the type to look in mirrors?
A. Nope! The only time would be about a quick glance after I brush my teeth.
Q. Do you check social media?
A. A fair bit on Instagram. Motorbikes, watches, the beach, diving… I’ll scroll through all the recommended posts that come up. Jesse’s Instagram? I’ll check it out when I feel like it (laughs).
Q. If you had to come up with a radio name?
A. “I am the real Morimoto Shintarou”. I’ve actually sent in a message with that name and the staff picked it out without realising, and I read it out loud myself.
Q. What is something you want to learn right now?
A. English. I’m in the middle of taking online classes. I thought “I wanna speak!” when I’m overseas.
Q. What part of Tanaka Juri are you envious about?
A. His slender body. Because when you’re that slim, I don’t think you need to be worried about your fashion and choose clothes carefully. I’m asking for the impossible though.
Q. What sort of people do you think most of your fans are?
A. People who are cheerful, talkative and always laugh. A lot of my fan-letters are written casually like we’re friends.
Q. A line that you want to say that you haven’t said before?
A. “Father!”. In a role. It isn’t that common right?
Q. What are the charms of “SixTONES’ music”?
A. Multi-genre. Each of our 6 voices are distinct, and the “blend” that is created and presented in the forefront for each song is also one of our strengths.