Long interview with i☆Ris "Th!s !s i☆Ris! is the 2nd. album, a proof of their leap and growth!

i☆Ris" is the hottest idol voice-over unit in Japan today. Last year, the third anniversary of their debut, i☆Ris released their first album, went on their first national tour, had another hit with the TV anime "Pripara," in which all six of them appear, and won the singing award at the 10th Voice Actor Awards.

i☆Ris, which also performs at "Pripara" events for children, is an "idol voice-over unit" and at the same time a kind of "singing sister," a stance that seems to be hard to find in other groups.

On April 20, i☆Ris will release their long-awaited 2nd album "Th!s ! will be released on April 20. The album contains a total of 11 songs, including the title track from last year's three singles, which was used as the OP song for the second season of "Pripara," and three of the eight new songs feature the members in solo, duo, and trio configurations, which adds to the sense of variety. Including these three songs, there are many cool songs with rock-style beats and a sense of speed. The voice of i☆Ris really fits in well with these songs, and this is also one of the highlights of this album.

The topic of "Th!s !s i☆Ris! and other topics, they also talked about their enthusiasm for the nationwide ZEPP tour that starts in April, how they look back on the past year, and "Pripara," which has entered its third year.

This is i☆Ris! The title of the album expresses the feeling of "This is i☆Ris!

What is the concept behind your 2nd album "Th!s ! Please tell us about the concept of the album.

Yamakita: Well, I, as the leader, represent you here. Last year, "We are i☆Ris! As the title says, "We are i☆Ris! This is our 2nd album after exactly one year since we released the album as a substitute for our business card. We six of us thought about what to do with the songs other than the three singles we released last year.　The six of us thought about what to do with the songs other than the three singles we released last year. We wanted to show various aspects of i☆Ris in as many songs as possible, so we included various types of songs in this album. The title of the album is also "Th" because we wanted to say "This is i☆Ris! That's i☆Ris! This is i☆Ris! It was also combined with the previous "We are i☆Ris! and it also has a nice ring to it. Also, last time was the 3rd anniversary of i☆Ris, so the title had three "! was in the title. So this time, as it is the fourth year, we added four "! I added four "! We challenged songs that have never been on i☆Ris before, and we hope this album will show you that we can do such things! I think this is the one that can show you that we can do such things.

Shibuya: As expected of the leader!　You said everything so well that I have nothing to regret!

Serizawa You really said everything!

Yamakita Thanks! （Thank you!)

Commentary 1 - Solo, Duo and Trio songs

─ ─ Three songs that are not sung by all six members stand out. In the order of recording order, I would like to start with "Over the Future" by Ms. Yamakita and Mr. Serizawa, and ask you what to listen to.

Serizawa Well, I'll go first!　There are many new songs on this album, but this song is a cool song that even first-time listeners can get into the groove with. I am looking forward to performing it live. Also, I usually sing cute songs, but I am challenging myself to sing a cool song. Saki-sama (Yamakita-san) was cool last time, so I'll do my best not to drag her down. I'll do my best not to drag you down!

Yamakita: The chorus of this song is divided into upper and lower parts, but both parts are sung as the main melody. I hope you will enjoy it at the live performance and on the CD. Last time I sang a cool song called "Believe in" with Zuccchan (Shibuya), but I think I was able to express a slightly different, calmer "coolness". I hope you are looking forward to "Saki Yamakita Cool Version 2"!

─ ─ Next is "Secret Garden" by Akaneya-san, Kubota-san and Shibuya-san.

Akaneya: I have been singing songs like Morning Musume。 I have always wanted to sing something like Morning Musume・さん's songs!　This song has an atmosphere like "Whimsical Princess", so I was very happy. So I feel like my wish came true. I think the most surprising thing is that Miyu-tan (Kubota-san) is in the group with Zuchan-san and me. When I heard this combination, I thought, "Oh, that's unexpected," but when we actually sang the song, the three of us seemed to fit together perfectly. But when I actually tried to sing the song, the three of us seemed to fit well together. I had a new discovery.

Kubota: When I heard that we were going to sing as a trio, I also thought, "What a place I've come to! (laughs). I didn't think I would be teaming up with these two cool guys. But I think I was able to find a "new Kubota" in the recording of this song that I had not been able to find in myself. I am sure the choreography will be cool and sexy.　I think the choreography will be cool and sexy. I think you will see a "new Kubota Miyu" in this song as well. In this way, I was challenged in a way. I am learning from the backs of the two who are good at cool type of music.

Shibuya: I have never sung a Latin song in i☆Ris, so I had an image that it is a new genre of song, and I am a member of this "unique group". And the lyrics of the song is about an adult love story. The lyrics depict a very mature love story, and even in the midst of the struggle, there is a core feeling of "I will never give up! I think the song expresses a strong feeling, apart from love.　I think so. In fact, the three of them have different parts of strength. ...... I would say, "I love music so much, I can't shake it! I would say something like "I love music so much I can't shake it! I can't say no to dancing and acting! I hope you will listen to the song and enjoy it as well.

─ ─ "My Blight..." is a solo by Ms. Wakai, isn't it? is your solo, isn't it?

Wakai: I have been aiming to be a solo artist for a long time, and I have always been particular about my singing, so when I was given the opportunity to sing solo this time, I filled it with "my particularities. I had sung ballad-style songs as a solo artist before, but this time I sang a rock-style song ....... After 4 years in i☆Ris, I finally have the ability to sing this kind of song as a solo artist. In that sense, I think that singing this song will become my strength.　But it is not yet in its finished form. However, it is not yet in its completed form, and I believe that it will not become "my real song" until I sing it a lot in live performances.