10000 Character Interview [Hamada Takahiro, Myojo, Nov. 2014 Issue] {Translated}
T/N: Once again, the original article split the interview into little sections, so I took the liberty of titling the sections and putting them in different 'cuts' for organisational purposes.
Here’s Akito’s that I translated previously, in case you haven’t read that one yet. And kebing translated Kotaki's here.
I am planning to translate Kamichan's when it comes out next ^^
*I used scans from yoshiko-mama (lj) to translate!
** (w) = lol
-When did you learn that during the Countdown concert, Nakama (Junta)-kun, Kiriyama (Akito)-kun, Shigeoka (Daiki)-kun, and Kotaki (Nozomu)-kun would announce their debut?
A few hours before the public announcement. It was New Year’s Eve so I was free. “Lucky! Let’s go Hatsumoude*!!” I invited my friends from my pre-school era, and I, without a care, went to a local shrine. At the entrance they were selling gyuutankushi**, and I said “I’ll treat you all!” and paid for my friends portions as well, and while stuffing my mouth we lined up for a chance to pay homage, when I got a mail notification.
*Hatsumoude = a tradition of visiting a shrine on New Year’s Day
**gyuutankushi = Beef cut into pieces, on a stick. Street venders sell themsometimes
-Who was the mail from?
From Junta… “I’m sorry for not telling you before; to be honest…” it started. It was a long email, and I realized instantly that it wasn’t a simple matter. I was panicking so I didn’t really understand what I was reading, so I just scrolled to the very bottom, where it said “It has been decided that the four of us will debut” …
-You were informed directly from them.
I shouldn’t have been casually eating gyuutan. More than shock, it was more “Eh? Eh?! Tell me you’re kidding!!”; I couldn’t take in the situation. It was a group mail, and (Fujii) Ryusei and Kamichan (Kamiyama Tomohiro) both replied “Thank you for telling me.” I hadn’t accepted it at all and I still didn’t understand, but I thought I had to respond as well, so I sent back the same words, “Thank you for telling me.”
-It’s difficult to take in easily.
It felt like in the whole world, I was all alone. Then it was my turn to pay homage. I thought, “What should I pray to God?” I felt like I was dying. “I, I hope I will stay healthy!” I prayed (w). My friends told me, “I don’t know what you asked for, but when you were praying, you closed your eyes really tightly. You’re too desperate,” they laughed.
-As time passed, it started to sink in?
Progressively I got more and more upset. But, my friends didn’t know. “Let’s go omikuji*!” they said, with excitement. I pulled out an unexpected ookichi**. “Don’t lie to me!!” I shouted, half crying (w).
*omikuji - at shrines usually there’s like a wooden box that you pull a slip of paper out of that tells you your amount of luck for the year
**ookichi - really good luck; out of all the paper slips you can pull out, it indicates the best luck
-Did you think, “It’s over now”?
To be honest, I thought I was done for. Like, give up mode. I mean, they announced “With these four.” But, I got a phone call from Ryusei, who said, “I’ll make sure I get in, no matter what I have to do. Hamachan, you shouldn’t give up either.” With those words, a switch was turned on. I’m sure Kamichan had been giving up at first as well. Only Ryusei didn’t. I thought he was amazing. Even in a real pinch, instead of being downcast, he raises his head. I thought, I can’t give up either.
-So why did you go into Johnny’s?
I have two sisters and a brother, and my sisters like Johnny’s. They tried to get me to join because they thought that way they could meet the juniors they liked. Without realizing their ulterior motive, I said, “Count on me! I’ll get in!!” (w)
-You’re the youngest of 4 siblings.
Yes. My family was a farming family, and my parents were always busy, so it was like the siblings all had to care for the younger brother. I have more memory of my sisters taking care of me than my mother.
-Did you help out with the farming?
My specialty is tractor driving. When my dad did it he would sit me on his lap and let me see, and I naturally picked up driving that way.
-You started learning dance in 5th grade?
I got invited by a girl in my class, so.
-Does that mean you were popular with the ladies?
Probably not. I think just because I was really athletic (w). At first it was fun, but then I started to fall behind, and I tried to quit. Everyone knew who the girl I like was, and, just when I was about to quit, I got told “Oh, that girl’s joining too.” The girl I liked would be joining the class. “Alright, I’ll try just a little more!” (w)
-Did you have any dreams then?
In middle school I joined the basketball team. “The activity I can best show my athletic-ness in is this!” and I thought I would try to become a basketball player.
-You sent your resume to the agency when you were in 8th grade, yes?
My sisters finally carried out their plan to meet their favourite Johnny’s boys then, yes.
-But, I saw the picture attached to your resume, that was quite something (w).
‘The hook is important!’ I thought. My mom went out and bought the nose-glasses, and I put them on and took a photo. I am really dumb. I didn’t understand at all. How important it the picture is to the application process. So, I sent my resume but I didn’t get a reply. I thought, without even auditioning I failed. “Dammit!!”
-Hahahahahaha.
After a very long time, I got a notice for audition. It was around the time I set my eyes on basketball, so at first I didn’t even want to go to the audition. Plus the Johnny’s boy my sister had her eye on wasn’t a junior anymore. But anyway, my sister convinced me, “Let’s just try going anyway.”
-How was the audition?
It was scary. I thought it might be only around 10 people. Then I when I got there there were around 300 people. People trying too hard to be cool, people with girl-like level of pretty faces, and also someone with a mohawk. Ah, that was Akito (w). I’m bad at getting to know people so I didn’t speak to him, but I thought, “This kid, he’ll probably end up the owarai road.” In some ways, I was right (w).
-Did you think you would get in?
I thought it would be impossible. I went wearing a Nike t-shirt, and pants that my mother bought for me that I didn’t quite understand, and on a Hamada-family basis I was wearing the most fashionable clothes, but in reality they were totally revealing of my country (ie; farmer boy) status.
-Did you not try to appeal something of yourself?
My mother told me, “You can do a back handspring.” I almost could, but it wasn’t like I actually could. But, she said “You should show them that.” So when it came time to show your special skills I raised my hand. Then, the guy who got picked before me, was super good at acrobatics. “I can do a back flip!” he said, and blew everyone away. Kanjani8-san were all watching, and went “Woah! Awesome!” Then, I got picked next, and I thought, no way, I can’t follow up that kid (w). But, I said, “Sorry. I can do a back handspring…almost.” I got a little help, and somehow did it. Kanjani8 members were all, “Maybe just a little more,” at a loss for words (w).
-I would probably think I wouldn’t get in too (w).
Some boys were being photographed for magazine photos. I didn’t get picked, so I thought, there’s no way I made it. But, that night, we got a call saying there’s a play called “ANOTHER” so I should come. Since I had given up hope, it made me all the more happier.
-Immediately after you entered, you got put into BOYS, right?
Yup. During “ANOTHER,” me and a few others were called together. Try singing, they said. Probably, they were testing our singing skills. Right after that I was put into boys, and I got to hold a mike. But I didn’t understand what it meant to be able to sing. My sister’s friend’s said, “Immediately after entering and you get to hold a mike, that’s amazing! You have a big future ahead of you!” Oh, I see, I’m in a great position right now, I thought (w).
-So what happened to your dreams of being a basketball player?
Without me knowing, my mother had already told my basketball coach, “He has to perform, so he can’t go to practice some days. Performance is that kid’s dream!” (w). The coach said “If it’s Hamada’s dream I’ll support it!” Even though I wanted to be a basketball player, that future was closed off now to me without any of my input (w). After performance, participating in basketball, even if I made a bad move my coach wouldn’t yell at me. Oh, he’s being sensitive, I thought. I can’t deal with this. So, the dream that I had discovered in 7th grade, I gave up in 8th. I thought, from now on my future is Johnny’s (w).
-What did you think about debuting?
At first, I didn’t think I could debut. There wasn’t anything I could do. I thought, for now, I guess I’ll just keep going with it. I didn’t really think that deeply about it. Kanjani8 debuted and we got to have our own concert at Shochikuza, and I got to know more and more how fun this world was. Also, watching our senpai, it made me realize I want to be like this, I want to be like that. Gradually I began to like this world.
-Do you senpai's play a big role in your life?
Very big. I learnt everything from my senpai. Kansai don't even get a manager. You learn everything from your senpai, and do it yourself. Once, when I went to Tokyo for a Shounen Club recording, the Tokyo Jrs' managers were putting away their clothes. We were surprised, "Eh? Why?" For us, the older Bun-chan [Hamanaka Bunichi] or someone of the like would say "Fold like this, tie like this, and put it away like this!" and would show us an example. "You all will have to each your kouhai as well," he taught us. Really, our senpais taught us everything.
-I see.
Kanjani8-san as well would let us watch from up close. Of course, not just the parts where they flourished, but also their struggles. When we were juniors, they treated us to so many meals it's almost uncountable. During stage plays, there would times when there would be bento's for Kanjani8-san, but not for the Jrs. At those times, Nishikido (Ryo)-kun, or Yasuda (Shota)-kun would get delivery for us. "Everyone, eat up," they would say.
-Who's a senpai you admire a lot?
Maruyama Ryuhei. He's a very sincerely nice person. Often he would say "Hey, who wants to go to dinner?", and he would invite a whole load of juniors. When we went to dinner with Maruyama-kun, it seemed like everyone was laughing/happy.
-Well then, when you were a junior, was there any time you wanted to quit?
When I was in grade12, probably. There was just one time I considered quitting. How do I say, I had felt for a few years that there had been no progress that had continued. No matter how much I tried there was no progress, like I was stepping on my own feet. “Ah, this is impossible. I’ll quit,” I thought…
-But?
I didn’t have the courage to quit. If I quit, I would have nothing. “What am I gonna do now?” I was scared. That same time, there were also a lot of people that quit. I thought that their determination was amazing. Like I had just let my life pass by me, I had been straying my eyes away from reality. Even if I wanted to quit, the moment where I couldn’t quit, I was ashamed, and went Uwaa-
-Did you consult someone?
I did not. Everyone was cheering me on, so I couldn’t. Plus, I didn’t always have this character in the past. I was a little more cool (w). So, it was even harder to consult someone.
-Was there a specific turning point that made you stop feeling this way?
More than just me, there was a turning point in the Kansai juniors. It was due to Akito. It was around when he starred in “Gokusen.” He started running towards owarai with his MC-ing. That moment, a chemical reaction occurred in the Kansai juniors.
-What do you mean?
That guy, instead of making himself look cool, he went the third way (三枚目)*, shifting towards owarai. Even now, he says, “To be honest I actually want to for people to say ‘Kyaa!’ about me” jokingly, but it’s actually true (w). But, he steered us towards owarai. Probably, it wasn’t for himself but for the Kansai juniors. And everyone grabbed onto his act. It was like, “This is the road we should go down.”
*third way（三枚目） - in japan there’s this concept of二枚目 v. 三枚目, where
二枚目à cool beauty (ie; Fujigaya, Yamapi, etc)
三枚目à funny/humorous guy, clown (ie; Akito, I guess what Busaiku have turned into, and like a shit ton of Kansai guys)
-You all followed his lead.
Yes. In his MC there was love.
-Love?
Up till then, of course everyone still spoke a lot, but they spoke to make themselves look cool or to stand out. I think a lot of people realize this, but in Akito’s talks, most of them, he lowers himself and raises the other person. In some ways, by making himself the sacrifice, he makes his friends look cooler.
-True, that is love.
On top of that, he got laughs. I thought, this is amazing. There was so much more I could have been doing, but I had been thinking of quitting. That’s why I decided then to change. I started bringing out my dumb side (w). Seeing that side of me, I’m sure there were people that were surprised, but there were also people that would say “That’s the kind of person you were. It’s funny!” I’m sure there were people that didn’t like it as well. But, I think there were more people that started to like me, or more people that started to hold an interest in the Kansai Juniors that it outweighed the loss. That’s why I brought it out even more, and in that way tried to get more laughs. Of course, a lot of times it didn’t work. Even now sometimes it fails, but I don’t care. From failing so much, I’ve got in my hands a heart of steel.
-Hahahahaha.
I think the part of Kansai Juniors that Akito changed is big. We became real friends. Of course, all Kansai Juniors are rivals. When 7WEST was created, they had momentum that I panicked a bit like “These guys might debut,” but I decided I definitely wouldn’t lose. Not wanting to lose, I learnt a lot, like my acrobatics. Even though we were rivals, we were friends, and even though we were friends, we were rivals, and it was a good relationship.
-What did you think of NYC’s debut?
Many had a feeling (Nakayama) Yuma would debut early, and so while I was surprised on the inside, I acted as if I had a rational stance on it, “I already thought he would debut” (w).
-Well then, what about when Kisumai (Kis-My-Ft2) debuted?
Certainly then, I panicked a bit, “This is bad!!” To be honest, my goal had been to debut before Kisumai. But, instead of feeling down about, I thought, “Well I got bested. But next, I’ll debut!”
-How did you feel your distance from your debut was?
To be honest, I think I underestimated. The distance that we thought how far away our debut was, and the distance that the jimusho is thinking, there was a difference. That’s why, around when Kisumai debuted, I decided, “From now on we’ll directly say what we want to do.” Till then, I had never vocally stated what I wanted.
-You started putting it in words.
Yes. From the time Kisumai in their Jr. times had a tour I had been jealous. But, if you show people this “jealousy,” you feel defeated. There are probably tons of juniors that, even if they wanted to debuted, they wouldn’t loudly appeal “I want to!” but instead wouldn’t say anything and debut smartly. But, for us, we voiced what we wanted. I decided I wouldn’t waste my efforts to get there. Every time we would say “We want a tour!” and then we were able to do one, and now we debuted. Your ego or your pride…more than that, even if you don’t come off as cool, by voicing what you want, you can show your seriousness to the people around you.
-I see. Personally, in 2011, when BOYS ended, wasn’t that a big thing as well?
Yes. More and members would quit… Personally, I was surprised, but I think people around be were even more shaken. Even though I hadn’t said anything, a rumour spread “Hamada said he would quit.” Kawai (Fumito)-kun asked me “Are you really going to quit?” (w)
-In reality, what were you thinking?
I decided I wouldn’t quit no matter what. Definitely I will debut, I had decided. My fans would be oddly worried about me and were nice. Like, “I’ll keep following you!” No, stop, no one said I was quitting. I was full of intention to keep going (w). I was thankful. But, I had worried them. That’s why I wanted to debut, in order to reassure them.
-I see.
But, if I took anything from the disintegration of BOYS, is that “There are things you realize that are important when they’re gone.” To be honest, there was a time period where I thought, “Maybe I don’t need a unit.” But, once it was gone, that’s when I realised. Alone, I can’t do anything. Until then, even when I made a mistake, there were people besides me who would change it into laughs. But, once I was alone, a mistake is just a mistake. That’s why, if there’s something you’re too close to that you don’t understand its true worth, you should try to reevaluate just how important that something is in your life, and, tell them.
-May 2013, Nakama-kun, Kiriyama-kun, and you directly asked Johnny-san if you could debut, right?
Coincidentally it was decided during our tour that we would stay at his house. The three of us had decided, “Now is our only chance!”
-First he answered curtly, right?
Well he seemed sleepy (w). We were desperately begging, “We want to debut!” At first he tried to move away the conversation like, “You guys are old” (w). But little by little, he started being like “That’s true.” The three of us made eye contact, “This is it!” and pushed and pushed and pushed. The captain was Akito. To finish off we tried to persuade him with tears. “If it continues like this we won’t be able to eat. We want to debut genuinely, of course. But, if we can continue to eat, then that’s what matters in the end,” (w). President was slowly coming around to it. In the end, he told us, “I’ll think about it.”
-Kiriyama had been saying, if after this conversation there was still no chance of debut, then he probably would have quit.
Hmm, me, probably if everyone else quit I would have quit. Rather than if I couldn’t debut would push me to quit, it’s more if the people I had been with were going to quit, then I would have quit.
-Isn’t that being too dependent on other people?
In some ways yes (w). I thought, why have I continued to exist in this world (ie; entertainment industry/Johnny’s). To begin with, it wasn’t my own will that I joined this world. But, here, what I gained, without a doubt, are friends. Even up to then, people I had worked with had quit. Every time, it felt like a whole was opening in my heart. Why did I continue being in this world…. Because I liked these members, and with these friends, I enjoyed standing in front of our fans.
-Because it was those members.
When I’m fooling around, when I’m serious, no matter what, we’re on the same wavelength. If I said this, they’ll respond that. If even one person is missing, that falls apart. If someone isn’t there, then the idiotic talk of the dressing room, dirty jokes, our ridiculous hype up before we get on stage; when I think of all that disappearing, it feels like there’s no reason to be there. If someone leaves, for me to stay would be impossible, I thought.
-Bit by bit, and yet surely your bond grew stronger.
If you asked us how our MC style arose, it started when Johnny-san told us “Your MC isn’t funny.” Well then, let’s do this, let’s try that, we began discussing. “If I say this, you boke like that,” or, “If it becomes like this, tsukkomi like this,” and gradually we built that up. At times, we argued like “I boke’d, so why didn’t you tsukkomi?” “No, I couldn’t in that situation!”, an everyday incident. But, in the past I couldn’t do that. If we’re going to argue about it I may as well shut up, I thought. That’s why, till our current MC style arose, the things that we’ve been through together, the time we’ve had to build up our experiences, it’s because of these members that it arose. That’s why when someone is missing, that atmosphere, the world crashes. If it became like that, I thought I would quit. If everyone stays, then, whether or not we’ll debut I’ll stay too. But if someone will quit, I’ll quit too.”
-But, even though you were one of the three to directly ask for it, Hamachan was not one of the people at the Countdown concert.
Right? Like the moment I open the lid, it was like “Hey, I’m not there! (w)”
-After the countdown concert, when was the first time you saw the four again?
The next day, there was rehearsal for the Akeome concert. How should I face them, it feels awkward. Ryusei and Kamichan both barely talked. But, the four hadn’t come yet from Tokyo. In the middle of everyone dancing, I felt paralyzed, suddenly feeling “Ah, how pathetic.” I slipped out of rehearsal through the back door and went outside. It was like hell.
-The day that the four came was the next day?
Yes. We wanted them to interact normally with us, and we with them, but the atmosphere just wasn’t anything like it usually was. Like they were sparing our feelings. That night, I called Junta. “Can you please talk to us like always? I don’t want you to spare our feelings,” I told him. I could understand Junta’s feelings. I knew there was something terrible happening. And yet, I didn’t like them not interacting normally with us. It was like, something we’ve all worked little by little to build up was about to collapse.
-How was the Akeome concert?
I got up on stage with the decision that I definitely wouldn’t cry. But, I could see some fans crying… I don’t know how much my message can get across with my songs. But, “I still believe in myself,” I tried to project with my singing.
-Did you have any jobs set for after the concert?
After the concert I didn’t have anything. The choreographer asked me, “The 4 will do a stage play, what do you want to do?” If I didn’t want to be in, that would be fine as well, he said. I felt then that, if I wasn’t in it, everything would really be over, so I said, “I want to be in it!”
-During these worrying days, did you have anything that was your support?
I overheard stories that the four were trying to work on the matter with the President and the Jimusho. And yet, there was no progress…. I told Shige (Shigeoka) this: “I heard you’re doing a lot for us. Thank you. But, it’s impossible, isn’t it. I’ll try to find another path for myself.” Then, Shige, with a very serious face, responded, “Please wait a little. I’m not saying, 100% for certain you will be in. Right now, that’s all I can say.” With those words, my nerves, or my worries went away. This is probably something I can say only now that we are members, but, I thought, I will try to accept any result that comes out of this. It might not go the way I want it to. But, I’d done all that I could. And, these wonderful friends of mine, they were strenuously working trying to help us. ….I won’t have any regrets.
-Well then, when did the wind direction change?
The story of ‘Naniwa Zamurai’ came from the idea that we display our current situation in a stage play. The story we were told we would perform is that on the first rehearsal day, to the 4 that got accepted through audition, the 3 that got rejected are added, and they come together to form one group, and we would come up with our own lines together. When we heard that, it wasn’t like it was confirmed, but, I did think “Ah, maybe I will get in.” That night, we went to dinner with all 7 of us.
-In “Naniwa Zamurai,” it was linke to the real life situation, and a lot the audience were tearing up.
…The last scene only, we didn’t have scripted lines, and we decided we would say our real feelings, ad lib. In that scene, Akito, half crying, told me, “We need Hamachan!” and I almost cried. Then Shige said, “Now we’ve all assembled together!” “I’m not crying,” Shige said, but his eyes were wet. In everyone else’s eyes too, there were tears. Really, it was bad. I thought, I’m so, so glad it’s with these seven.
-I’m going to ask you about the group’s future plans, but do you have any personal goals?
Well, for one I’d like to develop my acting, so that when I’m in my 30’s I’ll be doing roles no one else will be able to do. My athletic ability that I wasn’t able to display with basketball, I want to make use of in a movie someday (w).
-What do you think about “advancement into Tokyo”?
It makes you imagine a raid. Our Kansai quality, our personal qualities, we’re knocking against others. It’s like a challenge. Of course still we don’t know for ourselves what we can do, what we will face in the future. To find that out, and to develop more and more and become stronger, and someday become a new type of Johnny’s is what I want.
-New type of Johnny’s?
Kanjani8-san are also doing new things, right? We too, in this new age, in this new realm, want to cut it open with these 7. We don’t know yet what we can do. But, there must be something that because it is these 7, that isn’t possible if it weren’t this 7, that we are able do.
-It’s good for you that you debuted with these 7.
Yes! In my time as a junior, while whenever someone got a job opportunity I said “Congrats!” there was still somewhere within me a little bitterness. But, recently, when Ryusei’s drama was confirmed, I was able to say “Congratulations” from the bottom of my heart. Now, if something good happens to my members, I can celebrate for them from the bottom of my heart. It does make me think, it’s probably because it’s these 7. That’s probably not something I’m alone in thinking. When Ryusei was so busy that he could only make it to concert rehearsal on one day, when we were practicing without him, Akito said, “If we do this here, it’s difficult for Ryusei, because he doesn’t have time to practice. Let’s make it easier.” We’re all thinking of each other. I’m glad it’s these 7.
-It seems like your ookichi (good luck) wasn’t mistaken.
Yes. And not just the ookichi, but at the place where you make your wishes, it was written “If you wait it will be granted.” Isn’t that insane?! But, it’s tough to wait now, so from now on, I’ll run towards my dream. Together, with these 7.
Here’s Akito’s that I translated previously, in case you haven’t read that one yet. And kebing translated Kotaki's here.
I am planning to translate Kamichan's when it comes out next ^^
*I used scans from yoshiko-mama (lj) to translate!
** (w) = lol
-When did you learn that during the Countdown concert, Nakama (Junta)-kun, Kiriyama (Akito)-kun, Shigeoka (Daiki)-kun, and Kotaki (Nozomu)-kun would announce their debut?
A few hours before the public announcement. It was New Year’s Eve so I was free. “Lucky! Let’s go Hatsumoude*!!” I invited my friends from my pre-school era, and I, without a care, went to a local shrine. At the entrance they were selling gyuutankushi**, and I said “I’ll treat you all!” and paid for my friends portions as well, and while stuffing my mouth we lined up for a chance to pay homage, when I got a mail notification.
*Hatsumoude = a tradition of visiting a shrine on New Year’s Day
**gyuutankushi = Beef cut into pieces, on a stick. Street venders sell themsometimes
-Who was the mail from?
From Junta… “I’m sorry for not telling you before; to be honest…” it started. It was a long email, and I realized instantly that it wasn’t a simple matter. I was panicking so I didn’t really understand what I was reading, so I just scrolled to the very bottom, where it said “It has been decided that the four of us will debut” …
-You were informed directly from them.
I shouldn’t have been casually eating gyuutan. More than shock, it was more “Eh? Eh?! Tell me you’re kidding!!”; I couldn’t take in the situation. It was a group mail, and (Fujii) Ryusei and Kamichan (Kamiyama Tomohiro) both replied “Thank you for telling me.” I hadn’t accepted it at all and I still didn’t understand, but I thought I had to respond as well, so I sent back the same words, “Thank you for telling me.”
-It’s difficult to take in easily.
It felt like in the whole world, I was all alone. Then it was my turn to pay homage. I thought, “What should I pray to God?” I felt like I was dying. “I, I hope I will stay healthy!” I prayed (w). My friends told me, “I don’t know what you asked for, but when you were praying, you closed your eyes really tightly. You’re too desperate,” they laughed.
-As time passed, it started to sink in?
Progressively I got more and more upset. But, my friends didn’t know. “Let’s go omikuji*!” they said, with excitement. I pulled out an unexpected ookichi**. “Don’t lie to me!!” I shouted, half crying (w).
*omikuji - at shrines usually there’s like a wooden box that you pull a slip of paper out of that tells you your amount of luck for the year
**ookichi - really good luck; out of all the paper slips you can pull out, it indicates the best luck
-Did you think, “It’s over now”?
To be honest, I thought I was done for. Like, give up mode. I mean, they announced “With these four.” But, I got a phone call from Ryusei, who said, “I’ll make sure I get in, no matter what I have to do. Hamachan, you shouldn’t give up either.” With those words, a switch was turned on. I’m sure Kamichan had been giving up at first as well. Only Ryusei didn’t. I thought he was amazing. Even in a real pinch, instead of being downcast, he raises his head. I thought, I can’t give up either.
-So why did you go into Johnny’s?
I have two sisters and a brother, and my sisters like Johnny’s. They tried to get me to join because they thought that way they could meet the juniors they liked. Without realizing their ulterior motive, I said, “Count on me! I’ll get in!!” (w)
-You’re the youngest of 4 siblings.
Yes. My family was a farming family, and my parents were always busy, so it was like the siblings all had to care for the younger brother. I have more memory of my sisters taking care of me than my mother.
-Did you help out with the farming?
My specialty is tractor driving. When my dad did it he would sit me on his lap and let me see, and I naturally picked up driving that way.
-You started learning dance in 5th grade?
I got invited by a girl in my class, so.
-Does that mean you were popular with the ladies?
Probably not. I think just because I was really athletic (w). At first it was fun, but then I started to fall behind, and I tried to quit. Everyone knew who the girl I like was, and, just when I was about to quit, I got told “Oh, that girl’s joining too.” The girl I liked would be joining the class. “Alright, I’ll try just a little more!” (w)
-Did you have any dreams then?
In middle school I joined the basketball team. “The activity I can best show my athletic-ness in is this!” and I thought I would try to become a basketball player.
-You sent your resume to the agency when you were in 8th grade, yes?
My sisters finally carried out their plan to meet their favourite Johnny’s boys then, yes.
-But, I saw the picture attached to your resume, that was quite something (w).
‘The hook is important!’ I thought. My mom went out and bought the nose-glasses, and I put them on and took a photo. I am really dumb. I didn’t understand at all. How important it the picture is to the application process. So, I sent my resume but I didn’t get a reply. I thought, without even auditioning I failed. “Dammit!!”
-Hahahahahaha.
After a very long time, I got a notice for audition. It was around the time I set my eyes on basketball, so at first I didn’t even want to go to the audition. Plus the Johnny’s boy my sister had her eye on wasn’t a junior anymore. But anyway, my sister convinced me, “Let’s just try going anyway.”
-How was the audition?
It was scary. I thought it might be only around 10 people. Then I when I got there there were around 300 people. People trying too hard to be cool, people with girl-like level of pretty faces, and also someone with a mohawk. Ah, that was Akito (w). I’m bad at getting to know people so I didn’t speak to him, but I thought, “This kid, he’ll probably end up the owarai road.” In some ways, I was right (w).
-Did you think you would get in?
I thought it would be impossible. I went wearing a Nike t-shirt, and pants that my mother bought for me that I didn’t quite understand, and on a Hamada-family basis I was wearing the most fashionable clothes, but in reality they were totally revealing of my country (ie; farmer boy) status.
-Did you not try to appeal something of yourself?
My mother told me, “You can do a back handspring.” I almost could, but it wasn’t like I actually could. But, she said “You should show them that.” So when it came time to show your special skills I raised my hand. Then, the guy who got picked before me, was super good at acrobatics. “I can do a back flip!” he said, and blew everyone away. Kanjani8-san were all watching, and went “Woah! Awesome!” Then, I got picked next, and I thought, no way, I can’t follow up that kid (w). But, I said, “Sorry. I can do a back handspring…almost.” I got a little help, and somehow did it. Kanjani8 members were all, “Maybe just a little more,” at a loss for words (w).
-I would probably think I wouldn’t get in too (w).
Some boys were being photographed for magazine photos. I didn’t get picked, so I thought, there’s no way I made it. But, that night, we got a call saying there’s a play called “ANOTHER” so I should come. Since I had given up hope, it made me all the more happier.
-Immediately after you entered, you got put into BOYS, right?
Yup. During “ANOTHER,” me and a few others were called together. Try singing, they said. Probably, they were testing our singing skills. Right after that I was put into boys, and I got to hold a mike. But I didn’t understand what it meant to be able to sing. My sister’s friend’s said, “Immediately after entering and you get to hold a mike, that’s amazing! You have a big future ahead of you!” Oh, I see, I’m in a great position right now, I thought (w).
-So what happened to your dreams of being a basketball player?
Without me knowing, my mother had already told my basketball coach, “He has to perform, so he can’t go to practice some days. Performance is that kid’s dream!” (w). The coach said “If it’s Hamada’s dream I’ll support it!” Even though I wanted to be a basketball player, that future was closed off now to me without any of my input (w). After performance, participating in basketball, even if I made a bad move my coach wouldn’t yell at me. Oh, he’s being sensitive, I thought. I can’t deal with this. So, the dream that I had discovered in 7th grade, I gave up in 8th. I thought, from now on my future is Johnny’s (w).
-What did you think about debuting?
At first, I didn’t think I could debut. There wasn’t anything I could do. I thought, for now, I guess I’ll just keep going with it. I didn’t really think that deeply about it. Kanjani8 debuted and we got to have our own concert at Shochikuza, and I got to know more and more how fun this world was. Also, watching our senpai, it made me realize I want to be like this, I want to be like that. Gradually I began to like this world.
-Do you senpai's play a big role in your life?
Very big. I learnt everything from my senpai. Kansai don't even get a manager. You learn everything from your senpai, and do it yourself. Once, when I went to Tokyo for a Shounen Club recording, the Tokyo Jrs' managers were putting away their clothes. We were surprised, "Eh? Why?" For us, the older Bun-chan [Hamanaka Bunichi] or someone of the like would say "Fold like this, tie like this, and put it away like this!" and would show us an example. "You all will have to each your kouhai as well," he taught us. Really, our senpais taught us everything.
-I see.
Kanjani8-san as well would let us watch from up close. Of course, not just the parts where they flourished, but also their struggles. When we were juniors, they treated us to so many meals it's almost uncountable. During stage plays, there would times when there would be bento's for Kanjani8-san, but not for the Jrs. At those times, Nishikido (Ryo)-kun, or Yasuda (Shota)-kun would get delivery for us. "Everyone, eat up," they would say.
-Who's a senpai you admire a lot?
Maruyama Ryuhei. He's a very sincerely nice person. Often he would say "Hey, who wants to go to dinner?", and he would invite a whole load of juniors. When we went to dinner with Maruyama-kun, it seemed like everyone was laughing/happy.
-Well then, when you were a junior, was there any time you wanted to quit?
When I was in grade12, probably. There was just one time I considered quitting. How do I say, I had felt for a few years that there had been no progress that had continued. No matter how much I tried there was no progress, like I was stepping on my own feet. “Ah, this is impossible. I’ll quit,” I thought…
-But?
I didn’t have the courage to quit. If I quit, I would have nothing. “What am I gonna do now?” I was scared. That same time, there were also a lot of people that quit. I thought that their determination was amazing. Like I had just let my life pass by me, I had been straying my eyes away from reality. Even if I wanted to quit, the moment where I couldn’t quit, I was ashamed, and went Uwaa-
-Did you consult someone?
I did not. Everyone was cheering me on, so I couldn’t. Plus, I didn’t always have this character in the past. I was a little more cool (w). So, it was even harder to consult someone.
-Was there a specific turning point that made you stop feeling this way?
More than just me, there was a turning point in the Kansai juniors. It was due to Akito. It was around when he starred in “Gokusen.” He started running towards owarai with his MC-ing. That moment, a chemical reaction occurred in the Kansai juniors.
-What do you mean?
That guy, instead of making himself look cool, he went the third way (三枚目)*, shifting towards owarai. Even now, he says, “To be honest I actually want to for people to say ‘Kyaa!’ about me” jokingly, but it’s actually true (w). But, he steered us towards owarai. Probably, it wasn’t for himself but for the Kansai juniors. And everyone grabbed onto his act. It was like, “This is the road we should go down.”
*third way（三枚目） - in japan there’s this concept of二枚目 v. 三枚目, where
二枚目à cool beauty (ie; Fujigaya, Yamapi, etc)
三枚目à funny/humorous guy, clown (ie; Akito, I guess what Busaiku have turned into, and like a shit ton of Kansai guys)
-You all followed his lead.
Yes. In his MC there was love.
-Love?
Up till then, of course everyone still spoke a lot, but they spoke to make themselves look cool or to stand out. I think a lot of people realize this, but in Akito’s talks, most of them, he lowers himself and raises the other person. In some ways, by making himself the sacrifice, he makes his friends look cooler.
-True, that is love.
On top of that, he got laughs. I thought, this is amazing. There was so much more I could have been doing, but I had been thinking of quitting. That’s why I decided then to change. I started bringing out my dumb side (w). Seeing that side of me, I’m sure there were people that were surprised, but there were also people that would say “That’s the kind of person you were. It’s funny!” I’m sure there were people that didn’t like it as well. But, I think there were more people that started to like me, or more people that started to hold an interest in the Kansai Juniors that it outweighed the loss. That’s why I brought it out even more, and in that way tried to get more laughs. Of course, a lot of times it didn’t work. Even now sometimes it fails, but I don’t care. From failing so much, I’ve got in my hands a heart of steel.
-Hahahahaha.
I think the part of Kansai Juniors that Akito changed is big. We became real friends. Of course, all Kansai Juniors are rivals. When 7WEST was created, they had momentum that I panicked a bit like “These guys might debut,” but I decided I definitely wouldn’t lose. Not wanting to lose, I learnt a lot, like my acrobatics. Even though we were rivals, we were friends, and even though we were friends, we were rivals, and it was a good relationship.
-What did you think of NYC’s debut?
Many had a feeling (Nakayama) Yuma would debut early, and so while I was surprised on the inside, I acted as if I had a rational stance on it, “I already thought he would debut” (w).
-Well then, what about when Kisumai (Kis-My-Ft2) debuted?
Certainly then, I panicked a bit, “This is bad!!” To be honest, my goal had been to debut before Kisumai. But, instead of feeling down about, I thought, “Well I got bested. But next, I’ll debut!”
-How did you feel your distance from your debut was?
To be honest, I think I underestimated. The distance that we thought how far away our debut was, and the distance that the jimusho is thinking, there was a difference. That’s why, around when Kisumai debuted, I decided, “From now on we’ll directly say what we want to do.” Till then, I had never vocally stated what I wanted.
-You started putting it in words.
Yes. From the time Kisumai in their Jr. times had a tour I had been jealous. But, if you show people this “jealousy,” you feel defeated. There are probably tons of juniors that, even if they wanted to debuted, they wouldn’t loudly appeal “I want to!” but instead wouldn’t say anything and debut smartly. But, for us, we voiced what we wanted. I decided I wouldn’t waste my efforts to get there. Every time we would say “We want a tour!” and then we were able to do one, and now we debuted. Your ego or your pride…more than that, even if you don’t come off as cool, by voicing what you want, you can show your seriousness to the people around you.
-I see. Personally, in 2011, when BOYS ended, wasn’t that a big thing as well?
Yes. More and members would quit… Personally, I was surprised, but I think people around be were even more shaken. Even though I hadn’t said anything, a rumour spread “Hamada said he would quit.” Kawai (Fumito)-kun asked me “Are you really going to quit?” (w)
-In reality, what were you thinking?
I decided I wouldn’t quit no matter what. Definitely I will debut, I had decided. My fans would be oddly worried about me and were nice. Like, “I’ll keep following you!” No, stop, no one said I was quitting. I was full of intention to keep going (w). I was thankful. But, I had worried them. That’s why I wanted to debut, in order to reassure them.
-I see.
But, if I took anything from the disintegration of BOYS, is that “There are things you realize that are important when they’re gone.” To be honest, there was a time period where I thought, “Maybe I don’t need a unit.” But, once it was gone, that’s when I realised. Alone, I can’t do anything. Until then, even when I made a mistake, there were people besides me who would change it into laughs. But, once I was alone, a mistake is just a mistake. That’s why, if there’s something you’re too close to that you don’t understand its true worth, you should try to reevaluate just how important that something is in your life, and, tell them.
-May 2013, Nakama-kun, Kiriyama-kun, and you directly asked Johnny-san if you could debut, right?
Coincidentally it was decided during our tour that we would stay at his house. The three of us had decided, “Now is our only chance!”
-First he answered curtly, right?
Well he seemed sleepy (w). We were desperately begging, “We want to debut!” At first he tried to move away the conversation like, “You guys are old” (w). But little by little, he started being like “That’s true.” The three of us made eye contact, “This is it!” and pushed and pushed and pushed. The captain was Akito. To finish off we tried to persuade him with tears. “If it continues like this we won’t be able to eat. We want to debut genuinely, of course. But, if we can continue to eat, then that’s what matters in the end,” (w). President was slowly coming around to it. In the end, he told us, “I’ll think about it.”
-Kiriyama had been saying, if after this conversation there was still no chance of debut, then he probably would have quit.
Hmm, me, probably if everyone else quit I would have quit. Rather than if I couldn’t debut would push me to quit, it’s more if the people I had been with were going to quit, then I would have quit.
-Isn’t that being too dependent on other people?
In some ways yes (w). I thought, why have I continued to exist in this world (ie; entertainment industry/Johnny’s). To begin with, it wasn’t my own will that I joined this world. But, here, what I gained, without a doubt, are friends. Even up to then, people I had worked with had quit. Every time, it felt like a whole was opening in my heart. Why did I continue being in this world…. Because I liked these members, and with these friends, I enjoyed standing in front of our fans.
-Because it was those members.
When I’m fooling around, when I’m serious, no matter what, we’re on the same wavelength. If I said this, they’ll respond that. If even one person is missing, that falls apart. If someone isn’t there, then the idiotic talk of the dressing room, dirty jokes, our ridiculous hype up before we get on stage; when I think of all that disappearing, it feels like there’s no reason to be there. If someone leaves, for me to stay would be impossible, I thought.
-Bit by bit, and yet surely your bond grew stronger.
If you asked us how our MC style arose, it started when Johnny-san told us “Your MC isn’t funny.” Well then, let’s do this, let’s try that, we began discussing. “If I say this, you boke like that,” or, “If it becomes like this, tsukkomi like this,” and gradually we built that up. At times, we argued like “I boke’d, so why didn’t you tsukkomi?” “No, I couldn’t in that situation!”, an everyday incident. But, in the past I couldn’t do that. If we’re going to argue about it I may as well shut up, I thought. That’s why, till our current MC style arose, the things that we’ve been through together, the time we’ve had to build up our experiences, it’s because of these members that it arose. That’s why when someone is missing, that atmosphere, the world crashes. If it became like that, I thought I would quit. If everyone stays, then, whether or not we’ll debut I’ll stay too. But if someone will quit, I’ll quit too.”
-But, even though you were one of the three to directly ask for it, Hamachan was not one of the people at the Countdown concert.
Right? Like the moment I open the lid, it was like “Hey, I’m not there! (w)”
-After the countdown concert, when was the first time you saw the four again?
The next day, there was rehearsal for the Akeome concert. How should I face them, it feels awkward. Ryusei and Kamichan both barely talked. But, the four hadn’t come yet from Tokyo. In the middle of everyone dancing, I felt paralyzed, suddenly feeling “Ah, how pathetic.” I slipped out of rehearsal through the back door and went outside. It was like hell.
-The day that the four came was the next day?
Yes. We wanted them to interact normally with us, and we with them, but the atmosphere just wasn’t anything like it usually was. Like they were sparing our feelings. That night, I called Junta. “Can you please talk to us like always? I don’t want you to spare our feelings,” I told him. I could understand Junta’s feelings. I knew there was something terrible happening. And yet, I didn’t like them not interacting normally with us. It was like, something we’ve all worked little by little to build up was about to collapse.
-How was the Akeome concert?
I got up on stage with the decision that I definitely wouldn’t cry. But, I could see some fans crying… I don’t know how much my message can get across with my songs. But, “I still believe in myself,” I tried to project with my singing.
-Did you have any jobs set for after the concert?
After the concert I didn’t have anything. The choreographer asked me, “The 4 will do a stage play, what do you want to do?” If I didn’t want to be in, that would be fine as well, he said. I felt then that, if I wasn’t in it, everything would really be over, so I said, “I want to be in it!”
-During these worrying days, did you have anything that was your support?
I overheard stories that the four were trying to work on the matter with the President and the Jimusho. And yet, there was no progress…. I told Shige (Shigeoka) this: “I heard you’re doing a lot for us. Thank you. But, it’s impossible, isn’t it. I’ll try to find another path for myself.” Then, Shige, with a very serious face, responded, “Please wait a little. I’m not saying, 100% for certain you will be in. Right now, that’s all I can say.” With those words, my nerves, or my worries went away. This is probably something I can say only now that we are members, but, I thought, I will try to accept any result that comes out of this. It might not go the way I want it to. But, I’d done all that I could. And, these wonderful friends of mine, they were strenuously working trying to help us. ….I won’t have any regrets.
-Well then, when did the wind direction change?
The story of ‘Naniwa Zamurai’ came from the idea that we display our current situation in a stage play. The story we were told we would perform is that on the first rehearsal day, to the 4 that got accepted through audition, the 3 that got rejected are added, and they come together to form one group, and we would come up with our own lines together. When we heard that, it wasn’t like it was confirmed, but, I did think “Ah, maybe I will get in.” That night, we went to dinner with all 7 of us.
-In “Naniwa Zamurai,” it was linke to the real life situation, and a lot the audience were tearing up.
…The last scene only, we didn’t have scripted lines, and we decided we would say our real feelings, ad lib. In that scene, Akito, half crying, told me, “We need Hamachan!” and I almost cried. Then Shige said, “Now we’ve all assembled together!” “I’m not crying,” Shige said, but his eyes were wet. In everyone else’s eyes too, there were tears. Really, it was bad. I thought, I’m so, so glad it’s with these seven.
-I’m going to ask you about the group’s future plans, but do you have any personal goals?
Well, for one I’d like to develop my acting, so that when I’m in my 30’s I’ll be doing roles no one else will be able to do. My athletic ability that I wasn’t able to display with basketball, I want to make use of in a movie someday (w).
-What do you think about “advancement into Tokyo”?
It makes you imagine a raid. Our Kansai quality, our personal qualities, we’re knocking against others. It’s like a challenge. Of course still we don’t know for ourselves what we can do, what we will face in the future. To find that out, and to develop more and more and become stronger, and someday become a new type of Johnny’s is what I want.
-New type of Johnny’s?
Kanjani8-san are also doing new things, right? We too, in this new age, in this new realm, want to cut it open with these 7. We don’t know yet what we can do. But, there must be something that because it is these 7, that isn’t possible if it weren’t this 7, that we are able do.
-It’s good for you that you debuted with these 7.
Yes! In my time as a junior, while whenever someone got a job opportunity I said “Congrats!” there was still somewhere within me a little bitterness. But, recently, when Ryusei’s drama was confirmed, I was able to say “Congratulations” from the bottom of my heart. Now, if something good happens to my members, I can celebrate for them from the bottom of my heart. It does make me think, it’s probably because it’s these 7. That’s probably not something I’m alone in thinking. When Ryusei was so busy that he could only make it to concert rehearsal on one day, when we were practicing without him, Akito said, “If we do this here, it’s difficult for Ryusei, because he doesn’t have time to practice. Let’s make it easier.” We’re all thinking of each other. I’m glad it’s these 7.
-It seems like your ookichi (good luck) wasn’t mistaken.
Yes. And not just the ookichi, but at the place where you make your wishes, it was written “If you wait it will be granted.” Isn’t that insane?! But, it’s tough to wait now, so from now on, I’ll run towards my dream. Together, with these 7.