/jp/ - Otaku Culture

- Performing as center(lol). It's your first live! Did many watched?
Oguri: There wasn't much(lol). Even though they told them to come and watch. I was nervous, but it was fun.

- It's the first legendary live then! Did the audience also do chants and stuff like Gachi Koi Kojou?
Oguri: I did not hear any back then(LOL). We did it by watching TV, solo practice and stuff. It's wonderful, but everybody worked hard and performed. It's really fun.

- Excellent, Oguri-san's roots, such memories. After all of that, you passed the audition and become Tokyo's representative.
Oguri: Yes, I went on a trip the day I received the letter that I passed. I also received a phone call while eating rice that I passed. . . I was surprised of course, I wanted to, but I thought "Will I still be able to see my parents when I become an artist?"

- Of course you won't be isolated(lol). You really thought that you're gonna be separated from your family?
Oguri: I really thought so, well, there's lots of thoughts in my mind back then. I immediately called my group of friend and asked them "I got accepted, but should I do?" they told me that I should proceed with it absolutely. It gave me a boost then proceeded with it.

- And so came Tokyo's Representative that is so cute and immediately become a hot topic with the "Once-in-a-20,000-year Beautiful Girl"
Oguri: No, wait. I'm really thankful for what you've just said. But with the "Once-in-a-20,000-year" introduction and all. I appreciate it, but I'm really sorry as well since there's no such Once-in-a-20,000-year at all.

- Well, there isn't someone that's cute such as Oguri-san 20,000 years ago. That would be an exaggeration.
Oguri: Yup, that's right. It's normal!

- Then, just in case. How many years do you think it'll be if we consider it?
Oguri: Err?? Well... When it comes to Team8, I think 8 days will do.

- Only 8 days! So it'll be like walking around the city and you'll probably get to pass by the most beautiful girl that you'll ever encounter, but all in a span of just 8 days?? What? Isn't that estimation a bit small...
Oguri: No, that'll be enough please.

- So, I'll write about it(lol). Well then, It's about time to tell us your goals for this year. Last year, after Watanabe Mayu graduated, I think a lot fans are saying that Oguri-san "I want you to carry AKB48"
Oguri: I'm really happy that Mayu-san called me a "successor" at the last 11 gatsu no Anklet performance. I was in the middle position-third row seeing while watching Mayu-san's back. Also during Kouhaku, Mayu-san's performance was burned through my eyes. I think my goal this year is to be one of the members that will carry AKB48.

- One of the members that will carry AKB――What's necessary to achieve that?
Oguri: I ask Mayu-san about "What do I need to be an idol?" She told me that "You just have to be myself, go straight into the path the you believed in, if it's what you believe then whatever others may see. It'll be ok."
The more I think about it, the more difficult it gets. But I'll embrace those words that I received from Mayu-san and go straight into what I believed this 2018.

- So, what's the idol image that Oguri Yui believes into?
Oguri: It is to delight people and make them smile. For that reason I practice every day. Brimming with aura and shining on stage.
You have to place all your consciousness in your toes and fingers for the performance. As well as to watch your figure and whole behavior. It's really hard, but I have to aim straight for it to move forward on what I believed.

- Well said, from the pure and straightforward Oguri-san. Please do your best this year as well.