Run Girls, Run! Run Girls, Run! New single "Break the Blue! / never-ending! Interview with Run Girls, Run

The fourth single by the voice actress unit "Run Girls, Run!" consisting of Koko Hayashi, Yuka Morishima, and Nanami Atsugi, born from the "Wake Up, Girls! AUDITION: The 3rd Animation Song Vocal Audition," will be released on February 6, 2019 (Wednesday). The long-awaited new single "Break" will be released on February 6, 2019.

The long-awaited new single "Break the Blue! is the opening theme song for the TV anime "Girly Air Force," which has been airing since January. And "never-ending! is the opening theme song for the TV anime "Kirakto Pri☆Chan" (the 4th cool opening theme song), and is a double A-side single.

With the release of these gorgeous new singles, all of which are anime tie-in songs, we asked the three to look back on a turbulent 2018 and talk about what to listen to in the singles and the music videos, as well as their goals for 2019!

We hope that fans will agree that this song is "royal"!

--The long-awaited new single has been decided to be a double A-side single, the theme song of "Girly Air Force" and "Kiratto Pri☆Chan".

Morishima: We were surprised and happy to be able to release it as a double A-side single. I think it was a turning point for us!

Hayashi: I think the fan base for "Girly Air Force" and "Kiratto Pri☆Chan" is a little different, so I'm happy to be able to include two different types of songs on one single. I am sure that people will be able to understand what kind of songs we are singing, so I am really looking forward to the release of the album.

Atsugi: I am very happy that our commemorative first single of 2019 has such gorgeous specifications!

--I'm very happy to hear that the first time I heard the song "Break the Blue! What was your impression when you first heard "Break the Blue!

Morishima: The common impression of all three of us was "It's so cool! Morishima: "It's so cool! The lyrics were appropriate for the theme song of the work, and I can proudly say that the music is sure to satisfy those who like the original work!

Hayashi: I really like rock tunes, so it was easy for me to imagine what the song would be like if I sang it, and the recording went smoothly.

Atsugi: My first impression was, "This is the kind of song ani-songs are supposed to be. I am not very good at rhythm, so I had a particularly hard time with the solo parts.

--What did you find difficult about the solo parts?

Hayashi: I also had some difficulty with the rhythm, but on the contrary, I enjoyed it. The composer, Kazuya Takase, complimented me on my shakuri, saying, "Your shakuri is good," and I was able to do whatever I wanted to do. I was also in charge of most of the harmonizing parts in this song, so I would like you to pay attention to that as well.

Morishima: (At the time of recording) the recording of "Girly Air Force" had already started, so I was able to put my feelings into the song. Mr. Takase came all the way from Hokkaido for the recording, so I was able to record with a sense of gratitude.

--As I mentioned earlier, I was very grateful to the producer of the song "Break the Blue! Hayashi: Yes!

Hayashi: Yes, I did!　The sound creators of I've Sound have been active since before I was born, so they are truly "legends".

Atsugi: They have created many songs that I have been listening to since I was aspiring to be a voice actor, "This is exactly the kind of ani-song", so I would be happy if the fans would recognize this song as "royal road".

--You sang "Break the Blue!" for the first time on stage at the "Dengeki Bunko 25th Anniversary Autumn Dengeki Festival" held in Akihabara in October. Please tell us what you thought of it.

Morishima: I was very moved to see the name "Run Girls, Run!" painted among the works I have known for a long time. We performed for the first time as secret guests and for the first time in front of everyone, but it was the first time for us to have such an experience, so we were very nervous. We didn't have much time to practice, so we had to concentrate and work hard in a short period of time.

Hayashi: We were worried about the audience's reaction since we were the secret guests, but they were very excited thanks to the music. I was determined to make the work even more exciting with "Break the Blue!

Atsugi: I was relieved to see many people who always support us gathered at the venue, as if they knew what to expect. The event was also broadcast live on the Internet, and I believe many fans of the original work were watching the event, so I took the stage with the hope of giving a good performance for them as well. I was relieved when I finished the performance because the cast members who took the stage with me also applauded.

--Please tell us about the character you played and your impressions of the recording session.

Morishima: Gripen is not the type of character that shows her emotions very much, and she is the complete opposite of me, but as we went through the postrecording, I wanted to know more about her. By the end of the recording, I felt like I had become one with her.

--I heard that the recording of the anime went well.

Morishima I thought it would be tense because there is a dogfight scene (fighters fight each other in the air), but all the co-stars talked to me and we were able to record in a very good atmosphere.

Hitomi Owada, who plays Eagle, and I went to the "Air Festival" held at Komatsu Air Base in Ishikawa Prefecture, and we talked about our souvenirs from the festival and said, "I hope we can all go together next time! We had a lot of fun talking about our souvenirs from that festival and saying, "I hope we can all go together next time!

--By the way, how would you describe "Girly Air Force" in a few words?

Morishima (Thinking for a while) "Air". As I mentioned earlier, the aerial battles are very powerful, and the blue sky is depicted very realistically. The staff's love for their work can be felt in the detailed depiction.

--I heard that Hayashi-san and Atsugi-san also read the original story for the recording.

Hayashi: It is a work that depicts not only the battles but also the daily lives of the girls, so even though I am not very familiar with fighter planes, it was very easy for me to read.

Atsugi: At first I was also worried, "Will it be okay to read this book even though I have no knowledge about it?" But as I read the book, I found that there were explanations for difficult terms, and I felt like I benefited from learning technical terms (laughs)!

Also, there are many highlights, such as the change in the relationship between Toshi and Gripen, and the secret about the mysterious flying object "Zai," so if you are interested in the anime, please read the original story as well.

The pilot suit in the music video is custom-made!

--The music video "Break the Blue! was also shot at Komatsu Air Base for the music video.

Morishima It was snowing heavily when we shot the music video for our debut single "Slide Ride" (laugh), but this time it cleared up quickly!

Hayashi: It was a great experience to dance with the blue sky and fighter planes in the background. It was the first time for me to see a fighter jet up close, and its aura was amazing. I felt that the planes were made to "protect us" rather than "defeat the enemy," and I felt their sturdiness and dependability.

Morishima It would not have been possible to shoot the music video at Komatsu Air Base without being involved in the "Girly Air Force" production, and I was able to wear the pilot suit!　I was really fired up for the shoot, as if to say, "I'm Gripen!

By the way, the pilot's suit was custom-made to my size by the Self-Defense Forces!　The nameplate was also made on ...... just for us. I was very impressed!

Atsugi: It was the first time for me to set foot on a Self-Defense Forces base, and at first I was very excited to be in a place where it is usually difficult for me to set foot, but when I visited the Public Relations Museum and saw the many weapons on display, I felt more relaxed (laughs).

--I was very excited to come to this place at first, but when I visited the publicity museum, I saw a lot of weapons on display, which made me feel more relaxed.

Morishima That's right!　Gripen's hair is straight, so I tried to keep that in mind.

Hayashi Twinted hair is good, but straight hair is also good. I'd like to see that haircut at a live performance, too!

--By the way, do you have any memories or episodes related to fighter planes?

Morishima My hometown is Kyoto, but I once went to Gifu Air Base and saw the Blue Impulse (nickname of an aerobatic squadron belonging to the Air Self-Defense Force) at an air show. My father has always been interested in air shows, and he actually drove all the way from Kyoto to attend a talk show I gave at the Komatsu Air Base Air Festival last September (laughs).

Hayashi: I also have a Hamamatsu Air Base in my hometown, and I used to visit the adjacent Hamamatsu Public Relations Center to see fighter planes. I remember watching fighter jets practicing outside my window during class when there was an air festival.

Atsugi: Unfortunately, there are no aviation-related facilities in Nagano Prefecture, where I am from, but my father was a military enthusiast and a fan of the propeller-driven aircraft that the Japanese military flew during the war, so when I was little I used to touch plastic models and model guns.

Never-ending! is a song suitable for looking back on the history of "Kiratte Pri☆Chan!

--I was surprised to hear three different episodes from three different people (laughs). On the other hand, "never-ending! is the opening theme song for the fourth season of the TV anime "KIRAGHTPuri☆CHAN.

Hayashi: I think it has something to do with the atmosphere of the work, but I felt it was very idol-like. Also, many of the lyrics are linked to the characters. The lyric, "You won't know until you try," is a phrase that my character Mirai (Momoyama) and Emo (Moeo), played by Miyu Kubota, say. I thought it was a fitting song to look back on the history of "Kiratto Pri☆Chan.

Morishima: I went into the recording with a pure heart because I wanted to convey my feelings in a straightforward manner. I sang the song carefully so that it would reach my little friends.

Atsugi: The title "never-ending! is a perfect title for the song, since it will be aired for a second year.

--In the production, Hayashi-san plays Mirai Momoyama, Morishima-san plays Meru Shido, and Atsugi-san plays Rinka Aoba.

Hayashi: Mirai may be a natural and outgoing person, but in fact, she has a stronger core than anyone else and sees everything around her. She is a dazzling person to watch. I also came to want to become someone who can do her best for everyone. I was really shocked by the line "You have to try to become a Pri☆Chan idol to know what it's like. It's amazing that Mirai has the goal of wanting to see what happens after she becomes a top idol.

Atsugi: I have always loved the "Pretty Series" and I am very happy to be able to perform in the series. I feel that I am growing together with Rinka, and I am truly grateful to the "Pretty Series!

Morishima: When I appeared at an event, I was cheered by fans who said, "You always cheer me up! I feel like I have to do my best in singing and acting for everyone! It motivates me to do my best in my work. It motivates me to do my best in my work, and I hope to continue to perform to the best of my ability.

--I will continue to do my best in my work. series.

Hayashi: With so many attractive works out there, how can we push "Kiratto Pri☆Chan" forward? Hayashi: I learned how to push "Kirakto Pri☆Chan" among so many attractive works by watching the senior voice actors, and it was a good stimulus for me. If I am allowed to perform again, I would like to do it so much that my seniors would stop me and say, "Hey, hey, hey! (laugh), I would like to be able to push harder this time.

Morishima In addition to the variety part, I was also able to sing as Run Girls, Run!

Atsugi: The seniors in the variety part were really strong (laughs). Everyone knows how to present themselves, and I want to learn from them. The Maihama Amphitheater, where the event was held, has a gimmick where the stage rotates, and the audience is very close, so I have a goal to perform as a soloist next time!

--What was the most impressive event or performer at the event?

Atsugi: Rika Matsumoto. She is a great singer and an interesting talker, and I would love to learn the skills she has!

Hayashi: I remember when I was rehearsing with Ms. Matsumoto in her Mirai costume, she said to me, "Wow, you have wings! I remember when I was rehearsing in my Mirai costume and Ms. Matsumoto said to me, "Wow, you've got wings! I also had the opportunity to record Mirai's voiceover before the event as Mirai, and it was great to see her interacting with the characters from "Kemono Friends" and "Aikatsu! I was very happy to see her voice in a fresh way, interacting with the characters from "Kemono Friends" and "Aikatsu!

Morishima In the variety corner, the cast members who appeared in the productions were divided into different teams to fight, and I was impressed by the outstanding teamwork they demonstrated. I hope we can show our teamwork next time we perform.

--On February 2, we will be holding a Valentine's Day event "i☆Ris&Wake Up, Girls! amp;Run Girls, Run! Valentine Live 2019" will be held.

Hayashi I had the opportunity to watch "Valentine Live" before, and when I first heard that Run Girls, Run! had decided to participate, I wondered, "Is it safe for us to join this event?" I thought, "Is it okay for us to be a part of this?" and I went to ....... Since we are participating, we want to show our group's colors, and we hope that everyone who comes to see the show will be able to feel the individuality of each group.

Morishima: I was able to observe the event and found the interaction between the members and the groups to be very interesting, and the live part to be very exciting. I have always wanted to be a part of this event, and now that my dream has come true so soon, I am filled with emotion. We will do our best!

Atsugi: As with "Anime JAM," our seniors are very talented performers, so I wonder how well we will be able to keep up with them. I am also looking forward to seeing how everyone will react when we take the stage.

--Lastly, what are your hopes for 2019?

Hayashi: In 2006, I was able to try many things with the support of many people. I believe that if you set limits, it will end there, so this year I want to be strict with myself and aim high!

Morishima The first single of the new year, "Break the Blue! and "never-ending! I think it's a great chance for us to show you the cool and cute Run Girls, Run! I would like to expand the scope of our activities in the future, and I would like to make us a unit that can put all of our energy into each and every one of our activities.

Atsugi: I am often nervous and tend to shy away from challenges before taking them on, but I hope to eliminate this tendency this year and make it a year in which I can take on a variety of challenges!

(Interview, text, and photography by Atsushi Saeki)