Welcome to Gaia! ::

Here I will post H!P related things that have been translated!

Behind the Scenes at the Mini Moni Cafe ~ Part 2
Tsuji Nozomi
What was your reaction when you heard Mini Moni would star in their own movie?

I heard it was going to be a story about lots of candy, so I thought I'd get to eat lots of candy in it. But that wasn't true. All the cakes were plastic or computer generated. I thought, "Aww... I can't eat them." So I was a little disappointed.

You were looking forward to that?

It's because when we had our meeting they showed us a picture and said, "There's going to be a house made of candy like this." And we all asked, "Will it really be all edible?" And they said, "Yeah, you can eat it." So I was really looking forward to it, thinking, "There's going to be a house of candy!". Bit when I got to the studio... there was just a big green screen.

A green background for the computer graphics?

Yeah. There was no house of candy.

But yesterday you had a scene where you ate cake, didn't you?

I got to eat the one that was for Ai-chan. And then we had I scene where we got to eat cakes, so I had more then. I ate them all.

Were they good?

They were good!

This time you're playing a waitress who loves food, right?

Right.

What sort of things can we look forward to in your scenes?

There's a scene where I steal food and my stomach gets really big. We filmed it by putting a big balloon into my shirt. I wonder how that looked. I haven't seen the scene myself yet. I'm really looking forward to it, and I hope everyone will watch out for it.

We look forward to it too.

It's really great. After filming that scene I decided I don't want to get fat! It's really hard. It's not just your stomache getting big. You can't pick things up from below you. And the balloon burst (laugh)!

Ouch...

They said there was no way it could break, so I was really surprised.

That must have been a tough scene to film.

I did a lot of situps to prepare, so the next day my muscles were all sore.

You work hard... So how was it filming in front of a green screen?

The very first scene we filmed was with a big cake. On top of the plate was white plastic. There was no actual cake. Since I couldn't see the cake I didn't know how big it was supposed to be or where I should put my hands. So that was really hard.

It must have been hard to set the mood.

And then we were told, "Look at that plastic as though it were delicious." But how are you supposed to look at plastic as though it's delicious... you know (laugh)?

So how did you handle that?

I tried to imagine the house of candy they showed us at the meeting.

Did it work? Did you get the right expression?

I wonder!

When you saw the overall highlights, what did you think?

I haven't really seen it all, but the computer graphics backgrounds are really cute. When I saw the sketches there are so many Minimo-chans, and cakes, and the fridge in the kitchen is shaped like Minimo-chan. Also... we go through lasers.

Inside the Mini Moni Cafe?

Yeah. Mika-chan installs lasers to stop the cakes from being stolen.

A security system?

That's right, but it's kind of a dangerous setup.

So you and Kago-chan have to sneak through the lasers to steal the cakes, right?

Yeah, yeah. That should be good too. I wonder how it will turn out. I know we had a lot of fun filming it.

I guess it would be harder to act like you're sneaking past the lasers than just imagining a piece of plastic is a cake,

It was really hard! I couldn't see where the lasers were supposed to be. So I just had to make my way through them as best as I could (laugh).

So were the hardest scenes the balloon scene and the laser scene?

There were other hard ones, but with the balloon it was pressing down against my stomach. So if I ate anything before filming I'd feel sick. Aibon and I were really hungry then, but we knew if we ate anything we'd throw up. So we had to go for about an hour and a half without eating anything.

And that scene was filmed before lunch, right?

Yeah. I was starving.

You have to be a real pro to hold on like that! And you managed to go without eating?

No. I was so hungry I started to feel bad, so I had to eat something during filming (laugh).

You didn't want to get dizzy.

Right. So I chewed on ice.

Ice?

Ice. Because it's low in calories! I guess.

Ice. That wouldn't really get rid of your hunger, but... Did you like it?

It was almost as important as my life! I guess (laugh).

Now, on the other hand, what parts of filming have been fun?

I guess that would be the balloon scene... The balloon burst, and my muscles hurt. That was tough. But it was the first time I'd done something like that, so it was really fun.

It got bigger than could be possible, didn't it?

And the pyjamas I was wearing in that scene. They were really cute, and no matter how big my stomach got, they didn't break.

They were very loose pyjamas... Anything else fun?

We did some closeups with a camera that had a fisheye lens. It made everyone's faces look like fish. That was kind of fun.

You were all playing around.

Yeah. They kept telling us, "You're getting too close!" (laugh)

So what was your first impression of the director, Higuchi?

I thought he was really big. But he's really funny. He'll just suddenly start dancing, and if you look at him and go, "Huh?", he'll just say, "Never mind. Never mind."

He's big, but he seems gentle.

He is gentle!

Do you have a message for Higuchi?

Umm... I really wish you could have made the house of candy real! I was looking forward to that...

Okay, how were the other members on the set?

Mika-chan seems so international, when she sings or when she acts! Her Japanese comes out sounding kind of English-like... You know, it's kind of like she has a 'dialect', an English-like one.

I see. How about Ai-chan?

Ai-chan's a really good actor. And she has a really mature kind of image. Her acting is really mature. She's normally quite cheerful, like a regular girl. But when she's acting, she gets really cool and mature.

And Yagucchan?

It's like Yaguchi-san can see everything. She's really good at acting like she can see things around her on the green screen.

That's just like her. And what about Kago-chan?

Aibon's always so cheerful.

Even during the difficult filming, she's still the same?

Yeah. No matter what happens, she doesn't change. She doesn't change. She's always cheerful and laughing.

There's a lot of candy and cakes in this movie. What's your favourite junk food?

Crepes. I'm good at making crepes.

So when you think of junk food, you think of crepes?

I think of cheap candy stores.

What kind of cheap candy do you like?

Soy bean sticks. I'm crazy about those.

What kind of candy would you like to be able to have?

I think I'd like to have my own house made of candy.

What would happen with a house made of candy?

When a typhoon comes along, it would probably collapse (laugh).

Wouldn't you eat your house?

I'd eat it. If I ate it, then it would be nice to have a house that would return to nature after a few hours.

It would be best to make it out of lots of different kinds of candy.

Like chocolate that wouldn't melt in summer.

Okay, let's get away from the movie for a bit and talk about your private life... What are some of your favourite sayings lately?

Let's see... "What's that?" or maybe "What time is it?" (laugh)

Oh, I'd heard that you'd been saying, "I can't eat now. I have to be strong." lately...

No way!

Are you trying to be strong?

I'm trying to go easy on the sweets, I guess. One time I want to have a great stomache. All of our Morning Musume costumes show off our stomaches, and it really hurts that I can't show mine off. I'm not good at sticking with things, but since the first time I thought I'd cut back on the sweets I've pretty much kept it up.

Have you gotten slimmer?

I weigh less than I did at my peak.

You say you're not good at sticking to things, but what do you really see as your personality?

I don't listen to what people tell me. I'm slow.

So what's your good point?

My good point... I'm healthy (laugh).

That's not really your personality... Let's get back to your work. This is the first movie you've played a leading role in. What kind of work do you want to do next?

I want to do a show where I make candy. Also, I want to do that one. Where you remember the things to buy and go out and buy them.

The one where little kids go out on errands for the first time?

That one! Everyone is told to buy about ten things, and they have to go and buy them without a list. I want to play that game.

And finally, please give a message to everyone reading this 'making of' book!

In the movie, the real Mini Moni and Ai-chan come out, then it becomes a cartoon, and then it returns to live action. I want you to pay careful attention to the cartoon parts!

Behind the Scenes at the Mini Moni Cafe ~ Part 4
Mika
What was your reaction when you heard Mini Moni would star in their own movie?

I was really surprised. I'd never dreamed we'd be in a movie this quickly. But I love movies and always wanted to be in one. So I was surprised, but also really happy.

And since it was a leading role, you were even happier?

That's right. But I think I was more nervous than anything. It's my first movie, and I've never done any serious acting like that before. I've only acted in musicals before, and only as a comic relief character. I wondered if I could handle this kind of real acting... Would I just get in everyone's way... That kind of thing.

But in this movie, you're still playing 'Mika'.

That really helped to ease my mind. Playing myself made it much easier.

But there are differences. Like the fact that you play a patissiere.

Yeah.

Just like in the musical, you're playing a patissiere again.

To be honest, I'm not a good cook. But I'm playing a patissiere (laugh).

"To be honest" huh? (laugh)

So for this role I've had to do a lot of research of professional patissieres. There's a scene where I have to break an egg with one hand. I practiced that a lot at home. But it seemed like a waste to throw all those eggs away. So I ended up eating fried eggs for about five days in a row.

How many eggs did you use to practice?

Too many to count!

But because of that practice, you were able to do it, right?

Yeah. But before we started filming, I talked to the egg. I said, "Please, please, I'm begging you!"

"Please break properly," right?

Yeah.

What practice did you do apart from breaking eggs with one hand?

I watched a lot of cooking programs. I wanted to see how a professional mixes. Lots of research.

Is it difficult filming in front of a green screen for the computer graphics?

It was hard. The director would show us pictures of how the final scene would look and explain it. But when there's nothing on the set with you, you really have to use your imagination.

But you got used to it?

Yeah. When I really get into character, I feel like I'm entering a fantasy world. And I don't want to return to reality.

You must have a great imagination. So you've worked hard for your role. What should we look for in your character?

Hmm... She's a patissiere who has a real passion for cakes. Whatever she does, she always works her hardest, and is always thinking how to make delicious cakes. She's very serious. So I'd like everyone to watch for that hard work.

Were you okay with learning your lines?

With a movie you can break it down and just learn it scene by scene. So that made it easy.

Do you enjoy acting?

I do. This movie has been wonderful and fun and a new experience for me. After this I want to go on and do more acting.

And a star is born (laugh).

But I have to study harder!

Working hard, just like your character... Okay, what's the overall highlight of the movie?

Overall, I'd say the final scene is really moving.

We should watch that closely.

Also, Tsuji-chan and Kago-chan's characters are really cute. And the cooking tools are really cute. And the eggs are regular eggs. They've been painted up.

And the security system you buy from mail order in the movie, that's shaped like a cute Minimo-chan, right?

There are so many things included in the movie. I think it's really great for families. There are comic scenes like the one with the security system. There are cool scenes, and moving scenes. It's the kind of movie anyone from 0 to 100 could enjoy.

Okay, now tell us about your impressions of the other members on the set.

Yaguchi-san... She's really amazing. You can really tell she's a leader. You can see how she looks out for Tsuji-chan and Kago-chan. She's responsible and she's got leadership in her bones. She's always watching out for things going on around her. I'm going to be the leader in spring, so I think I'll have to do the same sort of thing.

Yagucchan said she 'speaks her mind'.

She always says things directly, but she knows how to keep us from getting down. I have to learn that from her, and how to calm things down before filming, and what to do back in the dressing room... That kind of thing.

How about Tsuji-chan?

Tsuji-chan is so funny. Her acting is really funny too. You can see her own personality in her character.

She always eats a lot of cake on the set.

She does, but I think that's cute.

And Kago-chan?

Kago-chan's character is also really cute. The two of them are like cartoon characters (laugh).

And how about Ai-chan?

I've always thought this, but she's naturally a really good actor. So for this movie I'm really watching to learn from her.

What kinds of things do you do when you have a break from filming?

What we usually do is take a lot of instant photos of each other.

Making funny faces as usual?

Yes (laugh).

What kind of person is the director, Higuchi?

He's so nice. When we're working together I can see he has a great imagination. I thought it would be great to see him appear in the movie too.

You think he's a good actor?

He's imaginative. He'll tell us, "I think it would be funnier if you did it like this." And when he shows us, I get the feeling he'd be really funny starring in his own movie.

Having such a unique director must help to keep the atmosphere pleasant on the set.

We can really relax. I think that's also because of the staff. There's always an image the the staff on a movie or TV show just sit silently around, watching you. But for this movie, they're all really friendly and easy going. I wonder if that helps make our acting more natural.

The title of this movie is 'Mini Moni the Movie: The Great Cake Adventure!'...

When I first heard the title I thought it was 'The Great Strange (okashii) Adventure!'. Since Mini Moni is pretty strange. But when I saw it written down, it was 'The Great Cake (okashi) Adventure!' And I thought that works too (laugh)!

Both titles would fit Mini Moni's image perfectly. So when you hear 'cake', what comes to mind?

Tsuji-chan and Kago-chan eating a house made of candy. They're eating it every day, but it's always getting bigger (laugh).

By the way, what kind of cake do you like?

I guess I love anything sweet. As long as it's sweet, I don't mind.

Do you get to eat any cake in this movie?

No. The patissiere I play enjoys working hard to make cakes that other people will enjoy.

And the cakes on the set, did you find yourself wanting to eat them?

I did get one bite! It was a kind of orange cheesecake.

Was it good?

It was!

Okay, let's get away from the movie a bit and talk about your private life... What kinds of things are you into these days?

I'm really into punk rock.

Foreign punk?

Yeah. When I'm travelling, or I'm by myself, I like to listen to it.

Do you sing along?

Of course. I start head banging and screaming... Just kidding (laugh). But listening to punk rock helps to clear my head.

What else are you into?

Plums. Dried plums.

The kind you buy from the convenience store?

Yeah. I like the regular ones, but my favourites are the big honey flavoured ones. Also, vegetable juice.

Dried plums and vegetable juice. That's very healthy. And what don't you like?

I'll eat pretty much anything, but I can't stand sea urchin or other really raw smelling food.

And unlike most people, you like milk?

I love milk. But I don't really like ground beef.

How about steak?

Not really... I don't like big chunks of meat. I can't eat meat with lots of fat in it. I don't like really fatty things.

So the source of your power is dried plums and vegetable juice?

Yeah!

Okay, let's get back to your work. Now that your dream of being in a movie has come true, tell us what your new dream for the future is.

There are lots of things I'd like to do in the future. This was my first time being in a movie, and I think there's still more I need to learn. I'm sure there are lots more fun things to do, so I want to study hard now so that I can do more things later.

You sing, you act in musicals and movies... I get the feeling you've done pretty much everything though.

I want to study more. So lately I've gone to see musicals. It's given me a lot encouragement seeing so many people's performances. I've really learned a lot.

We look forward to seeing more from you in the future! Finally, please give a message to everyone reading this 'making of' book.

I think this upcoming movie is really very Mini Moni like, so I hope everyone will enjoy it. And you should be able to see lots of photos in the photobook, so be sure to check it out!

Okay, this is hard work, getting all of the questions bolded takes lots of time! However, I don't want to leave you without information! So I'll post stuff, and then when I have the time to bold it then I'll go back to bold it! mrgreen Thank you for your patience!

Mini Moni Lucky Cha cha cha Interviews

Mini Moni's Last Single Release
~ Mika to graduate, group on hiatus... ~
"I'm graduating to study music further in L.A., but I want to keep believing in myself," was Mika's sudden announcement that she'd be graduating from Hello! Project. From that, Tsunku decided to suspend Mini Moni's activities, saying, "Think of it as retiring their number." On April 21, their last single "Lucky Cha Cha Cha!" will be released. Be sure to carve the super unit's singing voices into your heart!

Mika: This song is the theme song to Mini Moni's drama "Mini Moni's Brementown Musicians" (NHK Kyouiku), and originally it wasn't going to be released on CD. So it was really surprising to hear it would be our next single, wasn't it?

Takahashi: Yeah. But my mother seemed to like it, since she kept asking, "Aren't you going to release this as a single?" So she was really happy when I told her she could buy it.

Tsuji: My mother was really happy too! It seems that parents really like the cute Mini Moni (laugh)

Kago: I was really happy too when I heard the song and it seemed like the old cute Mini Moni again.

Takahashi: But the high tempo was really surprising. We all had to sing so quickly (laugh)

Mika: It was really hard to get back the old style. This time we had to get excited before we went into the recording!

Tsuji: Our last song was a mature sounding one, so it was difficult at first. But once we started singing, it felt really fun!

Mika: The video for this song is really cute too, so you should watch for that! Especially the robot dance. I hope everyone tries to copy that!

Takahashi: It's an easy dance even for little kids, so you can do it at concerts, of course. But I also hope you can dance it at school or with your friends!

Tsuji: And at karaoke. I think it would be really exciting to sing it in a group, or just passionately by yourself (laugh)

Kago: When I sing it, I can't get it out of my head. It's a song that makes an impression on you even if you only hear it once. I'll be really happy if everyone starts humming it.

Mika: We went to karaoke together recently. I'd like to go somewhere together again.

Takahashi: Yeah. The four of us should go somewhere again. Even when we meet in private, we get super excited!

Tsuji: When we hang out together, we do it at full power!

Mika: Also, we all want to learn to cook, so we should have a party where everyone brings a plate!

Kago: A party would be great! I hope we can each have our own dish (laugh)

Mika: It's really fun when we all hang out together, so we should make more memories together!

---
At the end we all form an L with our bodies. You should look for that.

Interviewer: Your new single, Lucky Cha Cha Cha!, is the theme song to the NHK Kyouiku show "Mini Moni's Brementown Musicians", so it should already be familiar to many fans. What are your feelings about it being such a cheerful, happy song?

Mika: We recorded a lot of cool songs for our last album, and it's been a while since we did any Mini Mini-style songs. So it felt like, "I'm finally home!"

Tsuji: Our last single, Crazy About You, was a mature sounding one. So this time, coming back to a more cheerful sound, it felt more relaxed and more like us. I'm 16 now, but it reminded me of being back in primary school.

Kago: The new song is really cute. It really feels like Mini Moni. So it was like "It's back! It's back! It's back!" (laugh) It was a song that I really felt comfortable with. As soon as we started recording, things got exciting and we gave it 120% effort.

Takahashi: We first heard the song as the theme to the show. When I heard it was going to be a single, I was really thrilled. My mother was happy too (laugh) It feels like I've learned about the feminine room in the song, and the various things that go with youth.

Interviewer: What about the dance and costumes that go with this "Mini Moni-style song"?

Mika: The costumes are springlike. They're pale pastel pink, but the pants are oversized.

Kago: We've got hats, too.

Tsuji: The theme of the song is the letter L, so at the end we all form an L with our bodies. You should look for that.

Takahashi: It's bad if any of us make a misstep (laugh)

Interviewer: The new song is about having cute little dreams. What times do you feel "Lucky!"?

Takahashi: If I manage to time my train ride well, I think, "I was lucky today!" (laugh)

Mika: Yesterday when I was in bed, my dog farted under my futon (laugh)

Tsuji: That's unlucky!

Mika: I guess so (laugh) Then I'm lucky that I have wonderful family. It's thanks to my family and friends that I'm able to work hard, even when I'm stressed!

Tsuji: Recently my beloved chihuahua Muku was hit by a car. But in the end he was only lightly bruised. Wasn't that really lucky?

Takahashi: That's both unlucky and lucky.

Kago: When I get about three emails in a day I think, "Lucky!" If I'm asked to go to the centre 5 times, that's really "Lucky!" But recently I got 5 emails and was really happy, but they turned out to be all mistakenly sent by Matsura Aya-chan (laugh)

Interviewer: What is each of your little dreams?

Tsuji: We all have a big dream. Ready?

All: Marriage! (clapping)

Mika: A passionate marriage!

Interviewer: Don't you have any small dreams?

Takahashi: I'd like to grow about another 5cm. I want to be taller than my mother.

Mika: My short-term goal is to do strength training to get healthier muscles. Also, after work today, I'd like to go out and drink a "green tea latte".

Tsuji: I'd like to become a better cook than my mother. I want to be able to cook well for my own children some day. Lately I've been cooking meat stew, croquets, beef, pepperoncino, gyoza, stew, rice omelettes, cakes... and kimchi pork!

Kago: A small-sounding but really big dream of mine is to become more like my mother, who I really look up to. I'm trying my best! A smaller dream I have is to be an attractive woman. But I don't mean that in a sexy way. Um... Something more like Betty-chan (laugh) Also I want to make my nails match Nono's (laugh)

Tsuji: We should promise to always do our nails the same.

Kago: Next time we have an interview with Zappy we'll have matching nails (laugh)
Flash news:
As was announced on March 31, Mika wants to move to Los Angeles to study music. Because of that, she'll be graduating from Hello! Project and from Mini Moni. She'll never forget all the fans who've supported her until now. Below are comments from Mika:
It's been around five years since I came to Japan to make my debut.
I've met so many wonderful people in the five years since I left Hawaii, and had so many great experiences. I'm really happy about it all. When I first arrived here, I didn't know much about the Japanese language or culture. But for everything I've received from the other members, the staff, and all the fans who've supported me, I want to thank you all from the bottom of my heart. Thank you all so much!
I'm graduating to study music more in L.A., but I really want to work hard doing what I believe in. I'll treasure my memories of Japan for the rest of my life!
Thank you for all your love and support over the years!
Mika

---

Interviewer: At last, it's a Mini Moni style song!

Takahashi: Yeah. When I heard it, I thought, "Wow! It's Mini Moni!"

Tsuji: Because "Crazy About You" and our album were so mature sounding, I didn't think it would be such a cheerful song... I was kind of happy that it was our natural style. Because Mini Moni equals happy songs.

Mika: When I'm recording a song, I think about the clothes that would go with the melody. This time... I don't really remember (laugh) but I think it was rough clothes that were easy to move in!

Interviewer: Because your mood changes based on your clothes, right?

Tsuji: And for me, it's when I'm in Mini Moni and I put my hair up. When I do that, I can get into my Mini Moni character.

Interviewer: This song feels like it has the excitement of challenging something new...

Mika: It feels like life to me. We all have big dreams and little dreams. But it's having those dreams that makes us strive our hardest. Maybe it's that people who have dreams like that are lucky?

Takahashi: For me it feels like youth! I find the lyrics to be encouraging and understand that when I sing them.

Kago: Right now we're in the middle of our youth.

Tsuji: I sung it with the feeling of being a girl.

Kago: Huh? Weren't you a boy?

Tsuji: Ha ha... No. But I wonder, am I more like a boy?

Mika: Tsuji-chan is like that.

Tsuji: "I'm longing to fall in love!" Isn't that a girl? Something like that?

Interviewer: I think you're getting close to a girl's feelings.

Tsuji/: At least when we're recording! (laugh)

Interviewer: Once you step out of the studio?

Tsuji: Then I become like a boy! (big laugh)

Kago: For me, the phrase "The moon is looking over you" really overlapped with me. Because I'm always looking at the moon.

Interviewer: You like to gaze at the sky?

Kago: I do a lot! I don't just do it a little! The sky is so pretty.

Mika: I'd like to take you to Hawaii! The stars are so pretty there.

Tsuji: They were great when we went to Australia too. You could see so many shooting stars with the naked eye!

Tsuji[b]Kago[b/]: If one time the sky and the ground got turned around, I'd like to try living in the sky!

Interviewer: By the way, the song mentions that "every girl has one" regarding dreams. What do you think the dream is that every girl has?

Mika: I think it would be... marriage!?

Kago: Yeah. I think so too!

All: Marriage!

Tsuji: And then, everyone wants to raise kids! I hear that all the time.

Takahashi: But I wonder, what kind of person will I marry?

Tsuji: I'm sure he's out there somewhere.

Kago: They say it's about your destiny! Like if I hadn't been at the right place at the right time, I wouldn't have met him, right?

Tsuji: I think meeting Mika was fate. Because normally you wouldn't get to sing with a Hawaiian!

Mika: Ha ha ha! I think it's important to make your own way, but I get the feeling there's a certain fated path to follow.

Kago: I'm sure there's someone fated for you out there, so you just have to give your best.

No problem we're working on finding more articles