Autographs will be given away! Interview with Fruit Tart (Hiyori Nitta, Risa Kubota, Haruka Shiraishi, Reina Kondo, Toruka Moriya) in commemoration of the end of "Ochibore Fruit Tart" broadcast!

The TV anime "Ochibore Fruit Tart" (also known as "Ochifuru") aired from October to December 2020.

Four unsuccessful talents (Ino Sakura, Rocco Sekino, Hayu Nukui, and Nina Maehara) belong to the entertainment agency "Rat Productions. One day, they learn that the dormitory where they live, "Rat Manor," will be demolished due to the agency's desire "not to hold on to these talent who are losing money forever. The girls form an idol unit called "Fruit Tart" to prevent the demolition of the dormitory, and eventually become a big name in the idol story ......, but the characters, each with their own quirks, go on a rampage!　The story of this work has attracted a great deal of attention because of the slapstick that unfolds every episode with "Midori Hemo," who is transferred from a rival agency, Cat Productions.

In this issue, we interviewed Fruit Tart members Hiyori Nitta as Ino Sakura, Risa Kubota as Rocco Sekino, Haruka Shiraishi as Hayu Nukui, Reina Kondo as Nina Maehara, and Toruka Moriya as Hemo Midori about their impressions after the broadcast and about the NHK "Anisong! Premium! We also asked them about their memories of appearing on NHK's "Anisong!

The live performance scene was truly "craftsmanship"!

--How do you feel about the 12 episodes?

Shiraishi: There was a fetishism that you don't often see in other idol works, and I felt a sense of intimacy with it. Just for the record, I don't have any weird fetishes, you know? (Laughs)

(laughs) Toward the final episode, there were many scenes that showcased the members, and I would like to thank "Hayu-mama" (Hayu's mother, Hayo, who sponsors the show) for her support.

Nitta: I wasn't sure how the live scenes would be depicted during recording, but when I saw the finished product, it was truly "craftsmanship".

Also, I felt a connection with one of the members who was in charge of choreography by motion capture, whom I had worked with in the past.

Kubota: I went to Koganei City, where the work was set. It is also the location of the animation production company feel.

Kondo: I auditioned for the role a long time ago, so there was quite a bit of time before we could start the postrecording, and in the middle of the recording, I was affected by Corona.

I was very moved when I saw the video, probably because it took a long time before the role was decided and broadcast. The sound effects were also very distinctive, and I was happy to be surrounded by staff members with love.

Moriya: In the singing scene from the original work, the personalities of the fruit tarts and the cream anmitsu are all shown, and there are scenes that make you cry a little. But I think it's wonderful that they don't end there and make it interesting in the end and make you think, "This is "Ochifuru," isn't it?

Hiyori Nitta, who plays the role of Ino Sakura

--I heard that it became difficult to record with all the members together during the post recording.

Nitta: That's right. So, from the middle of the recording, I played the role while remembering the times when we were all together.

Kondo I remember how happy I was to see everyone in the studio.

--Kondo: I remember how happy I was to see everyone in the studio.

Shiraishi It is Rion Honmachi. She understands Fruit Tart very well, and she knows a lot about the idol industry as a whole, so she gives advice to the members. She also has a pleasant Kansai dialect. She is an indispensable member of Fruits Tart.

Kubota: I am Nua Nakamachi, a member of the rival idol group Cream Anmitsu. She has a different "puppy dog" attitude from Rocco, and the scenes where she is being teased by Rua (Nakamachi) are great.

Moriya: The manager, Hoyo. If she existed in real life, she might be a bit dangerous (laughs), but her presence makes the story more interesting. I think she is an indispensable character in "Ochifuru!

Kondo: I would like to say that the fruit tart is the manager of "Cream Anmitsu," Lili Azuma, on the premise that she is "boxed in.

She is very capable at her job, but has a very nice gap with her mild-mannered atmosphere. I was surprised that she could speak properly even when she was talking seriously in the CatPro office (laughs).

Nitta It pains me to single out just one person, but if I had to choose someone other than Fruit Tart, it would be Kogane Otoshi-san (who is the acting president of Cat Pro). He was to appear in the second half of the anime, but in fact, he is still very active in the original work, which increased my desire to see what happens next in the anime. Above all, I can't wait to see Yui Horie play the role!

Risa Kubota, who plays the role of Rocco Sekino

--The preview for the next episode, which pays homage to a certain national anime (?), is also impressive. The preview for the next episode is also impressive, isn't it?

Shiraishi: Ms. Hikasa-san, who plays Hoho, improvised every trailer. She would ask us on site, "What do you think would be good for the next one? (laugh). We had a lot of fun.

--We had a lot of fun with it! Premium! (NHK) on November 15, 2020 and sang the opening theme "Kibo Darake no EVERYDAY".

Shiraishi: I was surprised when we were chosen to perform, but I was happy to have the opportunity to show everyone Fruit Tart's performance!

Kubota: I thought everyone could dance except for me, so I was really fired up for the performance thinking, "I have to practice hard. The choreography was linked to the lyrics, so it was easy to remember.

Moriya It was fun that the video of Fruit Tart performing was linked to our movements.

Nitta This was my first time to perform in a music program. I was very moved to be able to stand with the members of Fruit Tart at such a memorable place!　There is an opening line at the beginning of the song, but it was difficult to get everyone to sing along. With the help of the staff, we managed to get through it!

I was also thrilled to be able to eat at NHK's company cafeteria, which I had longed to do!

Kondo: When it was first decided that I would sing the theme song for "Ochifuru," I heard that there would be costumes and wondered if I would have the opportunity to sing in costume somewhere. I was wondering if I would have a chance to sing in costume somewhere! Premium! I was surprised.

We didn't have much time to practice, but I am glad that we were able to unite our hearts and sing and dance as one!

Haruka Shiraishi as Hayu Nukui

Kuborisa is the "human" of the members (laughs).

--By the way, if you had to choose a member to be "in charge of the ●●", what would it be?

Nitta: Harunyan (Ms. Shiraishi) is ...... "in charge of leader"!

Shiraishi Eh, Hiyori-n (Nitta-san), are you okay with being the chairperson (laugh)?

Nitta: Because she is very dependable. When I look at Harunyan when I'm in trouble, she always helps me out. ...... Even during the live delivery on November 29, when I was in a panic as the host, she gave me a helping hand.

Shiraishi I don't feel bad about being praised (laughs). Reirei (Ms. Kondo) has a unique view of the world. When we are together, we come up with fresh opinions, which is very stimulating!　I guess I'm not "in charge of superhumans" ......, but "in charge of creativity".

Kondo Thanks for the nice name (laughs). Then I'll also be ...... Hiyori-n as "Gag in Charge".

Nitta Eh, do I usually say that many gags (laughs)?

Kondo We have been working together since we were both in high school, and Hiyorin is a genius. She is a genius and makes everyone around her smile just by talking, and she is very dependable as an MC because she enlivens the place while also reading the atmosphere.

Reina Kondo as Nina Maehara

Moriya I feel her kindness.

Nitta: Could this be a "praise killer"? (laugh)

Shiraishi In summary, I am "in charge of gag" and "in charge of moody".

Nitta If I say "moody" in this work, people might imagine various strange things. ...... But thank you (laughs). Kyon-chan-san (Moriya-san) is "in charge of idols. She is like an eternal idol. Shall I put you in "charge of immortality"?

Moriya Oh, what is that? (laughs)

Shiraishi Just being there makes me feel like an idol.

Kondo It's a green costume, and it looks like it's emitting oxygen. Thanks to that clean air, we are always in good spirits.

Kubota As expected of Reirei, I hadn't thought of that (laughs).

Moriya (blurts out) Kuborisa (Mr. Kubota) is ...... "in charge of clunkers"?

Kubota Eh ...... clunkers?

Moriya When it is Kuborisa's turn to talk, there is something different in the air. I would say that there is a different vector of naturalness from that of Reirei. ......

Kondo: When I asked her at the recording studio, "What did you do during the period of self-restraint? I asked her what she was doing during the period of self-restraint, and after a short pause, she said, "Well, you know... ......". That unique tempo is very comfortable.

Nitta Also, at first she didn't talk much, so I thought, "Is Kuborisa-san very cool? but in fact, she had the most "human heart" of the five of us.

Kubota What do you mean? (Laughs)

Nitta When the first episode was over, he contacted me and said, "I'm glad it went on-air safely." I thought, "Oh, he's human. ......

Shiraishi So, Kuborisa is "in charge of humans" (laughs).

Kubota I'm not sure I agree, but ...... well, that's okay (laughs).

Toruka Moriya, who plays the role of Midori Hemo

--Ms. Nitta, please give us a concluding message on behalf of the chairperson of the show.

Nitta: Thank you very much for watching until the end. Because of this situation, we were sometimes frustrated because we could not do what we wanted to do, such as holding events for fans.

But because of that, we went into the recording sessions with a strong desire to make each episode count. I was also able to interact not only with the sound people but also with the staff involved in the animation production, and I think we were able to build a strong bond with them.

I hope that when the DVD and Blu-ray are released, you will be able to watch them with an empty head and it would be great if we could make a second season of the anime and a theater version. I would also like to do a supporting screening. ......

The people of Koganei City, where the film is set, have also been very supportive, and we hope to be able to go there and hold events in the future, so please continue to support us!

(Reporting, writing, and photography by Atsushi Saeki)

Outline of the Present Campaign

<Prize
Commemorative "Ochibore Fruit Tart" commemorating the end of the broadcast: Fruit Tart (Hiyori Nitta, Risa Kubota, Haruka Shiraishi, Reina Kondo, and Toruka Moriya) autographs will be given away!

<Entry requirements
Entry period: Monday, February 1, 2021 - Monday, February 8, 2020 (23:59)
Number of winners: 1 person
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