The new Luce is the coolest and the one you want to follow!　Interview with Luce Twinkle Wink☆ on "Shinkansen Transformers Shinkarion Z" ED theme "Terminal ~We, the place we should be~", Luce Twinkle Wink☆ Interview

Luce Twinkle Wink☆ is a five-member idol group that aims to bridge the gap between anime songs and idols under the catchphrase, "Shining at the right moment, making your heart flutter. On August 14, 2021, original member Kaho Higaki graduated from the group, and on August 22, Koizumi Kanon joined the group to start their activities under a new structure.

On November 24, 2021, they released a new single, "Terminal ~We, the place we should be~. The title number is the ending theme of the TV anime "Shinkansen Transformable Robot Shinkarion Z".

We asked the five members of Luce Twinkle Wink☆, now running under a new structure, to talk about the new single and "Shinkarion Z," their relationship with new member Koizumi, and their current state of mind.

Behind-the-scenes of new member Kanon Koizumi's member color

─ On August 22, 2021, Luce Twinkle Wink☆ announced the addition of Kanon Koizumi as a new member, and Luce Twinkle Wink☆ became a new organization. What kind of time did you spend after joining Luce Twinkle Wink☆?

Koizumi Kanon: It was very intense. I had never been an idol before joining Luce, so I didn't know what it was really like or what kind of activities I would be doing. So every single experience I had and every single thing I was allowed to accumulate was a learning experience. But I am really enjoying it now!

─ So you had no experience at all.

Koizumi I was a normal student for a long time. When I entered university and was thinking about becoming an idol (......), I happened to see an audition notice for Luce, which I liked. I thought it would be a good opportunity to change myself, so I passed the audition, and I am happy to be able to perform as Luce.

─ ─ What is your dance experience?

Koizumi I took ballet in elementary school and was in the dance club in middle and high school. Actually, I joined the dance club because I was longing to dance like idols, but when I joined, I was a bit shocked to find out that it was more like modern dance (laughs). So I am very happy to be able to dance like an idol now, as a member of Luce.

─ ─ Isn't luce dance hard work?

Koizumi It is hard work!　But I came to Luce because I admired their performances, so I was prepared for that. But there are a lot of rules and particulars, such as "stop here in 1.5 seconds" and "angle at 45 degrees," so it was more than I imagined (laughs).

Kanon Koizumi

─ What kind of girl is Koizumi-san from the viewpoint of your seniors?

Saori Itayama: She looks like a beautiful girl, and I feel that we have a very cute girl here, but I think she has a very lucid spirit inside. We have to learn a lot of songs in a limited amount of time, but she is learning as she goes, and I think she understands the importance of synchronization (of movements) for Luce. Whenever we are unsure of something, she asks us if we are doing it right, which makes it very easy for us to work with her. I am a shy person, but I feel as if we have never met before in our lessons together.

Mio Sakimoto: I think it takes a lot of determination to join Luce as a new member, but I think I fit in well because I have no experience as an idol. I really like the fact that she asks me about things she doesn't understand. It is because Kanon-chan says what she thinks and listens that I am able to respond, so I am happy to have a girl who is willing to share her opinions and questions with me.

─ ─ Mr. Sakimoto and Ms. Kinosaki, you understand your position as new members, don't you?

Sakimoto: I am very shy, and when I first joined the group, I used to go to gigs wondering what to talk about backstage and what we could talk about today.

Yukino Usami You are so heavy (laughs).

Sakimoto It's not heavy!　But I couldn't talk to Yukino today even though I wanted to talk to her about this. Kanon-chan talks to me without making me nervous, so even though I am a shy person, I think I have become very comfortable in a short period of time. I am really grateful for that.

Momoka Josaki: Luce is a group that has been active for a long time and has strong ties with each other, so I don't think it would be easy for a new member to join the group. Kanon-chan is not like that, she is not reserved and doesn't move, and she says whatever she thinks. It's been about a year since I joined Luce, and even when I didn't understand something, I often wondered if it was appropriate to ask something that was obvious to everyone else. I often couldn't ask because I thought, "What's the point of asking here if I don't understand something that is so obvious to everyone else? I think it is great that Kanon-chan listens to me. She has influenced me to ask questions to my seniors, so I think she has a good influence on me.

Yukino Usami

─ Are you conscious of asking questions on your own?

Koizumi I don't (laughs). (laughs) But like Saaki-un (Sakimoto), I was wondering what to talk about at first. I knew that Luce was performing live, but I didn't know what kind of things they usually talked about. I was so nervous because I felt as if I was a nerd who had just entered the dressing room. But the seniors were so kind that I started to ask them about anything I felt uneasy about and they spoiled me. Luce is wonderful.

─ ─ In light of that, what do you think about Koizumi-san and Luce after he joined the group, Usami-san, the leader of Luce?

Usami: I really feel that all the members have grown up. The addition of the inexperienced 18-year-old Kanon-chan has created a sense that we all have to nurture her! I think it has created an awareness that we all have to nurture Kanon-chan. I think she has become an adult as a result of everyone's united effort to polish this gem.

─ The members' color is mint green, and the new color is a new challenge.

Usami: Since the members had no experience as idols, we had talked about how we wanted them to find their own unique color without being limited by conventional colors or shapes, and how it would be okay to use a different color. I wondered why the adults were suggesting mint green. I wondered why the adults were suggesting mint green, but later I realized that it was a Shinkarion color (laughs).

Kinosaki: The audition was to make Luce stronger, and Kaho Ham's (Kaho Higaki) graduation was after the audition. So the audition was originally a preparation audition with the intention of adding new colors, so the new colors didn't seem out of place to me. There was some talk about orange because it was fresh, but the adults went for green (laughs).

Usami: Once it was decided, I think it has a nice transparent feel!

Saori Itayama

"Follow my back! I want you to feel the pressure of

─ You mentioned the Shinkarion colors, and your new song "Terminal - We, the place we should be" is being broadcast as the ending theme for the TV anime "Shinkansen Transformers Shinkarion Z".

Itayama: This is an anime that airs in primetime, and I think the demographic of people who watch the program is different from before, so I was very curious to see what kind of response I would get. I also have nieces and grandpas who can't stay up late at night, so I am glad to have the opportunity to have them watch the show. My grandfather actually told me that I am doing my best.

Sakimoto: I have been watching children's animation since I was a child, and I continued to watch children's animation as I grew up. Children's cartoons are filled with nothing but happiness, and I love that about them. I love that. I don't forget the songs from the cartoons I watched as a child, even as an adult. So I would be happy if "Terminal ~We Are Where We Should Be~" stays with the children who are watching "Shinkarion Z" now.

Kinosaki: Actually, when I was with Saaqyun before, the producer of NBC mentioned something like "...... for children" next. However, when I listened to the new song "Terminal ~We, the place we should be~" after that, it was a really cool song, so I wondered if I was mistaken when I said it was for children. I was wondering if I was mistaken when I said it was for children. So I was really surprised when I heard that it was a tie-up for "Shinkarion Z. I had already talked about "Shinkarion" on the radio ("Luce Twinkle Wink☆'s Aniluce☆"), so I really thought it was a dream come true. I was very happy that even little kids could listen to it, and the reason I am doing this now is because I wanted to sing ani-songs. So I would be happy if this song could be a trigger for children to think that they like ani-songs and want to sing ani-songs.

Koizumi This is my first single song, and I never thought I would be asked to sing ani-songs. Luce has always aimed to be a bridge between ani-songs and idols, and I have always aspired to be a part of that, but I never thought it would happen so soon. When I heard about it, I was more shocked than happy. I was more shocked than happy when I heard about it. Like I-chan (Itayama), my relatives knew about "Shinkarion Z" and contacted me, telling me that I was doing my best. I felt happy to be involved in a work that is truly loved by people. Every week I realize how great and happy I am to have my voice heard in an anime.

Usami: When I first heard about the project, I thought that Winker (fans) would be very happy. I was joking with the Winker fans that it would be great if Luce could be like Precure, and that it would be great if the songs could be heard by a wide range of people in Golden. It was a distant dream, so I thought this must make everyone at Winker jump for joy. So I was itching to report it as soon as possible (laughs). I was happy when I was able to report it in person, and I felt like I was able to repay the favor a little.

─ What do you think is the appeal of "Shinkansen Transformers: Shinkarion Z" as a work of art?

Usami: It's an animation for children, but it's full of friendship and bonds, and I think it's a work that adults can watch and learn a lot from. It is very moving. Luce is also a unit that values the bonds and trust between its members and fans, so I think we are in synch with each other. I sang the song while hoping that I could link it with the bond and passion of Luce.

Itayama: I'm the type of person who has always watched anime with cute girls, so this is the first time I've seen a robot merge scene. When I looked at it carefully, I thought the combined scene was really cool (laughs). (Laughs.) I really enjoy hearing the familiar sounds of the various bullet trains.

Sakimoto: There are many names of stations and places that I used to use often. I am also from Miyagi Prefecture and used to take the Hayabusa and Komachi bullet trains often, so it makes me happy to see Sendai Station and other stations in the work. I used to go to Shinkansen ceremonies with my family when I was little, so the Shinkansen that I loved was made into an anime, and I am singing the ending theme song for the work. I can enjoy this work as a fan and as an idol who sang the theme song. It's a lot of fun.

Kinosaki: I am very impressed with the collaborations, and I think it is exciting that they collaborate with various anime and characters. It was "Neon Genesis Evangelion," Kitty, Hatsune Miku, etc. It's an anime for children, but it's also an old-fashioned anime!　I think these collaborations are very exciting for people who have been watching anime for a long time, even though they are aimed at children. I think it's great that not only children but also adults can enjoy it. I think it is similar to Luce in that each character has a very passionate heart. The lyrics of "Terminal ~We Are Where We Should Be~" are also about "Shinkarion Z," and it fits Luce perfectly.

Koizumi My cousin is a train enthusiast. I thought it was a work for children, but the other day my cousin, who is in junior high school, spoke to me passionately about the appeal of "Shinkarion Z." The combination of trains and heroes is very fresh. The combination of railroads and heroes was very fresh, and I became interested in railroads, even though I am not an expert. My cousin was surprised that I was chosen to sing the ending song.

Mio Sakimoto

─ I feel that "Terminal ~We, the place we should be~" is the coolest song in Luce so far. Please tell us about your impression of the song and episodes in the recording process.

Itayama: We wanted to sing a cool song as an ani-song!　That's what we were talking about with the members of Luce. We wanted to show Luce dancing to the beat at a big anime song festival or something. My dream came true when we received such a song and were able to show it in a full-on dance performance. I think the choreography is well-balanced in showing both the passion and sharpness of the dance. The choreographer, Kanami-sensei, has been watching Luce for a long time, so I feel she understands our strengths very well. I am very happy to have such wonderful choreography, and I would like to share it with many people.

Sakimoto: I was surprised that we were going to sing this cool tune as the title song. There is a part where I have to harmonize in a low tone, and I struggled a lot with that part in the recording. I thought I would only sing the main part in the live performance, but I ended up singing the whole song in the live performance as well (laughs). (Laughs.) Until now, Usamii (Usami) has often been in charge of the harmonies, so I felt that this song was a new challenge for me.

Kinosaki: With a new member, Kanon-chan, joining us, I expected the song to be fresh and cute, but it turned out to be really cool and very difficult, which surprised me!　But I thought that meant that they were expecting a lot from us as the new Luce, and I practiced a lot more for the recording than I had ever practiced before. I was worried about whether the cool songs would suit my voice, so I practiced with a heightened awareness of coolness and was happy to receive compliments when I went to the recording session. The song has many lyrics that remind me of a fresh start, so I sang it with the feeling that I am going to do my best and show my new appearance under the new Luce organization with the addition of Kanon-chan.

Koizumi I was waiting for the first song for me, wondering what kind of song it would be. As a fan of Luce, I had a strong image of a cute song, so when I heard that the next song would be difficult, I wondered what that meant. It was my first time to record a song, so I was nervous going into the studio, and I realized that I still had a lot of work to do. The lyrics are very positive, so I feel passionate about the song and try my best to catch up with the song.

Usami: When I first heard the song, I thought, "This is it! I thought, "This is it!　I think it's my style to "send out pressure" from the stage (to the audience), but until now, most of the title songs have been cuddly songs that push you to go, or cute romance songs. That's why I couldn't really put much pressure on the title song, or rather, I had to put that aside and focus on the theme of "the cute idol Yukino Usami". This time, I thought I could incorporate that pressure directly into the worldview, so I thought, "Okay, here I am, I have no choice but to show my pressure to the fullest. I thought, "I have no choice but to show my full strength of pressure! I am performing live with a feeling of "follow my back" and the intensity of the pressure.

───The music video for "Terminal ~We, the place we should be~" was shot in a studio, and it has a new taste with a lot of lasers, etc. What are your impressions of the music video and any episodes from the shooting?

Usami: The music videos used to have a strong cute element, so this time I watched a lot of cool music videos and studied them before shooting. I thought for sure that the taste of the music video would be different from the previous ones, but the content was kept a secret until the actual shooting, so I prepared for it while making various predictions (laugh). (Laughs) I think it was worth it, because we were able to capture a cool Luce that matched the worldview.

Kinosaki: We watched the finished music video at the same time as the fans. For "I'mpossible?" we had a chance to confirm the content beforehand, but actually, at the time of this interview, we had not yet seen the finished (full-size) music video. During the filming, we shot a scene with a firework called "Color Smoke" in our hands. I hope it will be included in the video. I hope it is included in the film, and I wonder how it will turn out.

Usami: It has to be in there! It took me quite a while to shoot it (laughs).

Sakimoto: I really like the scene where the wind blows from the camera, and sparkling confetti falls while being blown by the wind. A lot of staff members cooperated with us, and it was really fun to shoot the scene, feeling like "Oh, I'm idolizing. When we were shooting the wind scene, I was also holding a blower when I was not on camera (laughs). It was fun and I tried my best to make the members' hair blow.

Itayama: I made it blow too, and it made Saakyu get a lot of wind (laughs).

(laughs) Sakimoto I think those scenes are included in the making of the music video, so I hope you enjoy it too.

Koizumi This was my first time shooting a music video, so I couldn't imagine what it would be like. When I entered the studio, I was surprised to see lasers flying around. I experienced many things, such as dancing in the laser and being hit by the wind. In this music video, it was important to show silhouettes, and there was a shot where we showed silhouettes in total darkness and the camera moved on a rail. I was asked to strike a cool pose just as the camera was coming to the front, and it was a fun shoot, even though I was a bit confused. Everyone around me could do cool poses in a flash, but I was so flustered that I had to look sideways at the person next to me (laughs).

Sakimoto They looked at me a lot (laughs).

Koizumi I did my best, so I think it turned out cool. The thing I am most worried about is the color smoke!　I thought it was amazing that Usami-san looked so unconcerned with the sparks flying around his hand.

Usami: I was surprised when I was told at rehearsal that "Usami is going to do a test piece, so please watch. It was a little hot (laughs).

Momoka Kinosaki

I want you to feel the pressure of "Follow my back! I want you to feel the pressure of

─ ─ Let me ask you about the couplings. First of all, let's start with "Shiny flower," which is included in the limited first edition and regular edition A.

Koizumi "Shiny flower" is a soft song different in color from the title track! The lyrics are about a girl whose love that doesn't work out comes to fruition in the end. You might think it is a sad song, but it does come to fruition in the end. I was in charge of the first part of the song, and when I sang it for the first time, I wondered what I should do because the song starts singing "la la la la" from a quiet place. But when I sang it nervously, I was happy to hear my fans say that I had improved my singing. I really like this song because it gives me energy!

Itayama: This song is the opposite of "Terminal. Luce is actually a group of sensitive people, and "Shiny flower" is a song that fits that side of us!　I think it's interesting that you can hear each member's breath at each live performance, so it sounds different at each moment. I heard Yukino's breathing at the live performance today, and it was great to hear her breathing. I hope you could feel the emotions and breathing of each of the girls. It is a precious song that shows the sensitive Luce, and I am glad that fans praised it.

─ What do you think about "Choi ViVi" included in the regular disc B?

Sakimoto: My favorite part of the song is the lyric "What is my color?　I was wondering what my color was on the way home. Whenever a member graduates or joins the group, I think a lot about my position in the group and what kind of person I should be for Luce from now on. I am very excited to be given this part at this time, and since there is a part for Kanon and I to sing together in the first verse, I hope to deepen the bond between Kanon and I through singing the song. In fact, we will perform the song live for the first time after this interview, so I hope to be able to make eye contact with Kanon at that time (laughs). Also, there is a choreography in the last chorus that everyone can dance to. It's really cute, so I would be happy if you could see it at the live performance and dance along with me on the distribution.

Kinosaki: This song was written by Soflan Daichi, the same lyricist as "I'mpossible? He has a very nice twist on the lyrics, and this song also has many interesting expressions. I love the use of phrases such as "erased ideal image (selfie)" and "Scroll and run like this. I am happy to hear those phrases in "I'm Possible?" which is very special to me. The lyrics fit Luce so well, and they are the kind of lyrics that make me cry because they are so piercing. The sound of the song is very difficult, and it is probably the most difficult song I have ever sung as an idol. There were many changes from what I expected, and I struggled a lot while recording it. I was also happy that I got to sing both the first and second parts of the B melody, which was very difficult but was praised by the audience. When I feel like I'm going to have a hard time or get lost in the future, I will remember this song and do my best.

Usami: Can I play a set of three? In "Terminal ~We, the place we should be~," you can see a very cool, strong, and hot Luce, and in "Choi Vi Vi Vi," you can see a girlish Luce. Choreographically, there are a lot of cute gestures, which is the opposite of the strength of "Terminal: Where We Should Be". Shiny flower" is a quieter version of "Terminal," which is moving. It is a luce with fewer swings and a quieter presentation. I think that each song is an indispensable part of the single, as it shows a different Luce in the set.

─ ─ Finally, do you have a message for your fans?

Itayama: This is the first song from the new Luce group, so I'm sure the fans are very enthusiastic about supporting us, and I want to deliver this song to those who don't know Luce yet. I would like to continue to be the kind of Luce that can cheer up the daily lives of those who pick up the song, and I hope to sing a song that will give them the courage to take the first step forward.

Sakimoto: During the many release events we hold, some people come with their parents and children after seeing "Shinkarion Z". I am very happy to see them cheering for us with a bullet train during the live performance. I feel firsthand the greatness of anime, so I would like to deliver our songs while increasing the synchronization rate of Luce even more. Although we are limited in our live performances at the moment, we hope to deliver a lot of power through our distribution as well, so that when the day comes when we are able to show our support, many people will come to our live performances. I would be very happy if you could come to see us live or on our distribution.

Kinosaki: This CD was released at an early date after the new organization was formed, but I think it is a CD that is filled with the feelings of unity and bonds that have deepened in that short period of time. The support and words of our fans have been a great source of strength for us. With the positive lyrics of "Terminal," I want to be a person who can show dreams to many fans, and I would like to return the gratitude by achieving big dreams.

Koizumi This is my first single song, and there are still many things I haven't quite worked out. I think this song will be important when I look back on it years from now, so I would like to grow even more with this song. I hope to strengthen the bond with my fans as well.

Usami: I would like to sing the song "Terminal" as "Luce I want to follow". Through our daily live performances, CDs, animations, and everything else we do, we want to become the new Luce that people want to follow and that they can trust and support. I have received a lot of things from "Shinkarion Z" such as unprecedented power, new feelings, joy, and pressure. I would like to use this as a springboard for Luce to continue to evolve and become as strong as Shinkarion. Believe me, let's do our best together!

(Reporting and writing by Kiri Nakazato; Photography by Akiba Research Institute editorial department)

CD Information

Terminal -Bokuura, aru ha narishimashite basho" / Luce Twinkle Wink☆ (Luce Twinkle Wink Wink☆)

Release date: November 24, 2021

Price: [Limited First Edition (CD + bonus DVD)] 2,000 yen (including tax), [Normal Edition A] 1,300 yen (including tax), [Normal Edition B] 1,300 yen (including tax)

<Songs on the CD

Limited First Edition / Normal Edition A

Terminal ~We, the place we should be

Shiny flower

Terminal ~We, the place we should be~ <instrumental> 4.

Shiny flower ＜instrumental

Normal disc B

Terminal ~We, the place we should be~ <instrumental> 2.

Choi ViVi

Terminal ~We, the place we should be~ <instrumental> 4.

Choi ViVi <instrumental>.

＜Special DVD INDEX (*Only for limited first edition)