Interview] Even the cast was unintentionally moved to tears by ......! Mai Kanno, who plays Sakura Kawasaki, and Amamiya Ten, who plays Rui Amadou, talk a lot about episode 10 of "IDOLY PRIDE," which depicts the clash of two major idols, Sanipi vs. Triel!

Legendary idol Mana Nagase, known as the "Starry Miracle," has carved her name in idol history. The much-talked-about winter 2021 anime "IDOLY PRIDE," which opened with the shocking first episode in which she dies in an accident, has continued to portray various aspects of idols ever since.

In the 10th episode, "Sunny Peace," a new idol group from Hoshimi Production, and "TRINITYAiLE," an idol group that is overwhelmingly popular and talented, had a direct confrontation.

In front of Rui Amado, the center of TRINITYAiLE, Sakura Kawasaki of "Sunny Peace" declared that from now on she would not sing Mana's songs but only Sunny Peace's songs to reach the top. On the other hand, Rui Tendou tries her best to stand at the top of the idol world in order to surpass Mana Nagase, the best idol recognized by Asakura, the president of the office and her father. How did the cast perform in this heated drama revolving around these two very related characters?

We asked Mai Kanno, who plays Sakura Kawasaki, and Ten Amamiya, who plays Rui Tendou, about their impressions after the battle.

⇒[ Interview] Two major idol groups finally clash! Mai Kanno, who plays Sakura Kawasaki, and Amemiya Amado, who plays Rui Tendou, look back on episode 9 of the anime "IDOLY PRIDE," which reached a climax!

Q: What did you think when you first read the script for episode 10?

Kanno: I was very excited because episode 10 will be the first time Sakura sings on stage with her own voice instead of Mana's. When I read the script, I took new steps forward!　Reading the script made me want to support Sunny Peace even more as they take a new step forward. Also, when TRINITYAiLE was told for the first time by President Asakura that "it was a good stage" and Rui cried, I couldn't help but cry as well. I was moved to think that all her hard work had finally paid off.

Amemiya: I was moved by the script alone because it depicted Rui's past, her way of thinking, and the relationship between TRINITYAiLE, as well as the subtle changes in Rui's feelings. I was moved by the script alone. I fell even more in love with Rui, who seems strong but has a soft, human heart.

Amemiya Ten

Q: By the way, when did you find out about the relationship between Rui and her father?

Amemiya: I had originally recorded the game first, so that's how I first learned about her relationship with her father and her complicated feelings. Her extraordinary drive comes from her strong desire, almost an obsession, to be recognized by her father, so I wanted to give her a bizarre stoic aura in her performance as well.

Q: In episode 10, Sunny Peace and TRINITYAiLE clashed in the "NEXT VENUS Grand Prix. I would like to ask you about the song you sang at that time. First of all, how did you feel when you sang "les plumes" by TRINITYAiLE?

Amemiya: I thought it was a very beautiful song, with a sense of transparency and floating that is typical of TRINITYAiLE. It was a little difficult for me to sing, but I tried to sing along with the stoicism in the lyrics of this light song, which is typical of TRINITYAiLE.

Mai Kanno

What was your impression of Sunny Peace's "EVERYDAY! SUNNYDAY!

Kanno: It is a cheerful, bright, and courageous song, so I really enjoyed singing it. I was smiling the whole time I was recording the song, clapping my hands to the rhythm and jumping up and down. I was later told that the lyrics were written by the five members of Sunny Peace, and I was very impressed.

We always talked about how beautiful the harmony of our voices is when we sing together, so I was happy to hear that Sakura-chan and the other five members thought so too. Also, my favorite part of the song is the D melody, "The little flower I found that night in the beginning, it was like the blue of the sky. I love the way the melody suddenly changes from energetic to a gentle, enveloping sound, and the lyrics are really emo as it describes the memories of the nemophila found in the 5th episode of the anime!

Q: How did you feel about the change in singing style that you mentioned earlier?

Kanno: In the anime, there is a clear timing for the change, but as for the recording (the CD), everything is recorded in the way Sakura sings. I sang "First Step" in episode 2, "Sunny Peace Harmony" in episode 6, and "song for you" in episode 9.

I didn't realize that! As for the result of the "NEXT VENUS Grand Prix," Sunny Peace won, but the way Tendou behaved on stage was really cool.

Amemiya: Even on stage, Rui's words were not false, and I think they came out of her sincere recognition of Sunny Peace. Of course, it was impossible not to be frustrated, but I think the reason why Rui was still able to recognize the other side was because Rui was literally giving his all, both before and on this stage. Rui, who is always and to all intents and purposes more professional than anyone else, is really cool!

Kanno: Over there, Rui said, "I thought the reason your singing voice touched my heart was because you sounded like Mana. But it seems I was wrong. Thank you for giving us the best stage," I was moved by what she said to Sakura!　I believe that Sunny Peace was able to deliver the best stage because of the wonderful stage of TRINITYAiLE, a too strong competitor.

ーAfterwards, Tendou cried when President Asakura told him offstage that it was a great stage. Mr. Kanno also said that he cried from the script. How did you feel when you saw those tears, Amemiya?

Amemiya: It was the moment when all of Rui's efforts were rewarded. I think it was the moment when she realized for the first time that everything she had gone through, all the hardships she had endured, and all the pain she had gone through, had not been a mistake. When I was checking the footage at home, I would watch that scene over and over again and feel like I was crying because I felt Rui's emotions. I am so glad that Yu and Sumire were by Rui's side as she cried.

Q: Now that the story is entering its climax, could you give a message to the fans of "IDOLY PRIDE"?

Amemiya: Please support the idols who are pursuing their dreams with their own strong feelings until the final episode!

Kanno: Finally, there are only two episodes left, so what will be the outcome of the showdown between LizNoir and Moon Tempest? And which group will come out on top in the Grand Prix?　And what will happen to Mana? ...... These two episodes are concentrated with developments that you definitely can't miss, so please look forward to them!

(Composition by Junichi Tsukagoshi)