sakaeandfrog:

Translation of Jurina&Rena interview from Nikkei Entertainment March 2012 .

(I confess, I mostly translated this because of the last 2 sentences (*´-д-)ﾌｩ-3 )

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From Nagoya and on their way to conquer Japan, SKE48 is aiming for the top
 
The two pillars supporting SKE48, Matsui Jurina and Matsui Rena.
With claiming Oricon charts 1st and launching its first national tour among other things, 2011 has been a year full of 1st times for SKE48. We will discuss how the members perceive their popularity after this successful year.
 
Q- How does it feel to rank top on Oricon’s charts?

Rena - I realized that it was thanks to our fans if we could make it that far, their unwavering support put end by end leading us to place 1st on charts. To answer this feeling, I feel it’s our duty to sing and dance with all our heart when we face our audience and aim to a performance that will make everyone happy.

Jurina - I was delighted, but I thought to myself I shouldn’t be satisfied yet. Bearing in our chests the will to aim higher, we keep giving our best, quarreling when necessary, like we always did.

Rena - Also we were given the chance to perform around Japan, seeing those fans from all over the country with my own eyes, I gained a lot of self-confidence.

Jurina - Indeed. I wasn’t completely sure if we would manage to keep up with AKB48, even now…. but compared with before those doubts are wearing off.

The two are also AKB48 senbatsu members, but their hearts lie in SKE48. Nevertheless, they’re often mistaken with being AKB48 members. But exactly because of who they are, they have a clear vision of the present condition of SKE48 and are aware of the importance of Nagoya for the group.

Q- What is Nagoya for you?

Rena - Our starting point of sort.

Jurina - Our base. Gradually, I want to contribute to make that place where we were born more attractive. I think it’s wonderful that, since SKE48 originated here, we’re able to make people gain interest in Nagoya.

Rena - We want to have the same aura than the Chuunichi Dragons (laugh). Like Doala who was at first only know through Aichi-ken and is now famous countrywide, I wish that someday everyone know about SKE48.

Q - On a scale from 1 to 10, if we pretend that Doala popularity is at 10, where do you put SKE48?

Jurina - Around 5?

Rena - 3.5 for me. SKE is pretty well known among students form middle school to college so I’d say 3. And during the latest handshake events there were also elementary students and little kids, plus a few more adults so add 0.5. If we were to become Aichi-ken tourism ambassadors, we would probably reach 5.

Jurina - I see, I see~ But in Nagoya area we are at 8 or 9 (laugh)

Q - So how do you plan on making it to 10?

Rena - Following the path AKB48 has walked before us won’t be enough, rather SKE48 should try new things, turning it into a strong point and progress from there.

Jurina - As our 1st ever activity in Nagoya, I want to perform more in our theater. Even if all our other fields of work were to disappear, SKE48 will always find its strength in this theater. It’s the same for the other groups but…　if we were to perform exclusively in the theater, I’m sure we could make it a more regular show and appear more often.

Rena - AKB48 and NMB48 hold a show everyday, like them I wish SKE48 could perform everyday.

Jurina - Hum. Also lately, during handshake events, I’m receiving a lot of confessions from girls  「Go out with me」「Would you marry me?」(laugh). I want SKE48 to be come a group appealing more to girls.

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Beware, rant ahead : to make things clear, I’m glad Jurina is taking those confessions so well and is able to laugh about it. Even more so if that pushes the group to try to get girls to like them more. But, I still think it’s NOT ok to ask things like ” marry me ” to a 14 years old. Do people really consider how she feels, how that kid feels, when they do that?

I don’t think so. You’re no freaking hero when you ask a middle school student to marry or go out with you (except if you’re around the same age, but I doubt that was the case). Not like I have any hope those fans will turn less creepy and less selfish any time soon, but was feeling like voicing my thoughts on the subject.