8th March

Jurina to appear in 「Black board~ Teachers who fought with their time~ 」

From Sanspo , up March 8th.

——

Teacher - Matsushita Nao , student and “relations between men and women”!?

Actress Matsushita Sato (27) will star in the 3rd and last episode of the special evening drama 「Black board~ Teachers who fought with their time~ 」which will be broadcast consecutively for 3 days on TBS starting April 5th. Matsushita Sato staring episode which is to be broadcast on the 7th. She will play the teacher in charge of a middle school student doubting “relations between men and women”.

This drama takes place successively during the immediate post war period, in the 80s when violence at school was at its peak and the present days. For each period those 3 episodes will depict how three different teachers dealt with the hardship of education.
Matsushita plays a middle school teacher in Tokyo area nowadays, who, to gain back the trust of her student will teach him English with all her heart.

Kamiki Ryunosuke (18) co-staring in the episode plays the role of the student who, because he was abandoned as a child can barely read and write. Jealous of the relation between the teacher and this student, a female student will launch the false rumor that 「those two are having an affair」. Matsushita will then be suspected by her co-workers and reported to the PTA, but she will fight to protect her student.　

[…] skip for more about Matsushita…

Besides, Katou Shigeaki (24) from the group News will play Matsushita co-worker and Matsui Jurina (15) from SKE48 will appear as a student.

——

Article doesn’t say much about Jurina’s role since it mostly focus on Matsushita Nao, but it seems that Jurina will only appear in the last episode broadcast on April 7th on TBS. She could be the one starting the rumor… Very much looking forward for her to play a “villain” role!

Happy 15th birthday Jurina *’ㅅ’* =3

3rd March

W Matsui

bubukitty:

Rena, stop playing with that poor Ju’ only to laugh it out when she catches the bait. Meanie! ,_,

26th February

Not the most interesting interview out there, but more Ju’ never hurts! From Smart magazine, April 2012. Also the part where she talks about her mom a bit was absolutely endearing ( *°-°). Such a good kid~

——

This month we’ve released a special volume for this issue thus you got to wear many outfits, what are your impressions after the shoots?

Jurina - I’m glad I got to wear many clothes! The outfit for the front page is close from the kind of cool civilian clothes I were myself, so I felt at ease when I posed wearing it. But I can absolutely not relax when I pose wearing cute clothes (laugh).

You’ve appeared a lot in Smart magazine already, what responses do you receive for those photos?

Jurina - Since I’m given the chance to wear many clothes of various style, a great number of fans praise me 「I love when Jurina appears in Smart!」. Also last month, I gave my opinion on my ideal men style, as a result there were lots of fans who dressed that way during the handshake event. That made me really happy!

It’s the first time we interview you for Smart, I will then proceed to inquire about your career. This spring will mark your 3rd and an half year being part of SKE48. What led you to enter SKE48?

Jurina - Since kindergarten, I had in mind 「Later I want to be a singer, I want to enter the world of show-business」. So when I entered elementary school I was constantly thinking 「I really want to pass some auditions…」, but I lacked the courage to go to Tokyo to pass them so I kept that for myself at the time. And then, during Kohaku in 2007 I saw AKB performance. Already a short while before I had seen Kojiharu in a drama and thought 「She is cute!」. That’s when I became very interested in AKB48.
Several months later, I heard about the project to create a sister group based in Nagoya, right away I made up my mind 「I want to pass the audition!」.

Right after entering SKE48, you’ve been selected to participate in AKB48’s 「Oogoe Diamond」, even becoming the center for this title. Didn’t you feel some pressure at that time?

Jurina - At first, I had no idea how hard it would be to remember both the song and the dance, so I was simply happy to join AKB48 to train. But it was the first time I really had to dance and sing, somehow I couldn’t remember neither the song or the dance, as the lessons went by I steadily felt the pressure growing. Since I couldn’t remember the choreography, I trained even during recess. But practicing with Mariko-san and the rest of AKB48 sempai, I somehow managed to remember the moves and song. At the end of the day, the enjoyment took over the pressure.

After this, SKE released it’s first single and you became active in both groups. How do you perceive your role in both groups?

Jurina - When I work for SKE48, I really feel that since I stand on top, I have to lead the group. I constantly share things I’ve learned by working with AKB48 to bring SKE48 to the next level.
Inversely when I’m with AKB48, members are mostly older than me and instead of leading I feel like I’m being pulled forward. But even though, I’m often being told by fans 「You seem more childish when you’re with SKE48 than AKB48」 (laugh).

Since your debut, you’ve been working a lot. When has it been the most difficult time for you?

Jurina - Lessons for Oogoe Diamond and those for SKE48 theater debut overlapped , I had too many things to remember and I was anxious all the time. I was able to practice form Oogoe Diamond with all the AKB48 sempai, but it was SKE48 first stage and since I didn’t spent much time with everyone I didn’t feel like I really fit in. Nevertheless I frantically tried to be ready for the performance. But the day of the premiere, just before the performance start, my body refused to move and I blurt to the staff 「I don’t want to go!」. At that moment, Akimoto sensei who had come to see our opening day, came talk to me out of concern. He somehow managed to calm me down and I could perform normally.

It must have been very hard for a little girl who was still in elementary school at the time to overcome such trial.

Jurina - But the fact that I managed to overcome the lessons at that time, considerably increased the speed at which I remember both dance and chant. I think that’s something I will never lose against anybody at.

Now, the thing that made you the most happy since your debut?

Jurina - Since my debut until now, the constant support I receive from my fans. To rejoice together when something good happens, to share the same frustration when I feel frustrated… That’s really thanks to the warm support of all our fans that we can work hard. I feel it the most during our birthday ceremony*. It’s such a great joy to be congratulated by so many people for your own birthday! I’m very much looking forward to my birthday, it’s getting close now!

I’ll now ask you some questions on your private life. Spring will be there soon, did you buy any accessory to go with the season?

Jurina - I’ve always had rockish tastes and liked wearing the cool type of clothes, I only have monotones items, but reading magazines and looking at my AKB48 sempai I noticed wearing blue or green clothes brings out a mature appearance, so lately I’ve bought a few clothes in those tones.

Have you liked this style since you were little?

Jurina - When I was in elementary school, I wore pink and stuff but after talking a lot with older members in AKB48, my tastes changed. Also, I grew up and as a result it became possible for my mother and me to share our clothes. And so when I shop I pay attention and wonder if 「Mom can wear it too」 or not. Lately I’ve been too busy and don’t have time to wear them, so my mother is the one who wear them first (laugh).

Do you sometimes go shopping with SKE48 or AKB48 members?

Jurina - I often go together with Mariko-sama. Even if I think some clothes won’t suit me she would help me 「You should still try them on」. She is expert in fashion so she gives me lot of advices and broaden my horizons. Recently, while we were shooting a MV we got a bit of free time so I went shopping with Mariko-sama and Kojiharu-san.

You must be busy everyday, how do you relax?

Jurina - I like bathing powder so when I have the chance, I take long baths with powder. Also lately, hot eye mask. I sometime were it when I go to sleep and I feel immediately at ease.

Back to talk about work, could you tell us about SKE48 objective from now on, as well as your personal goal?

Jurina - Something I’ve noticed during the last SKE48 handshake events, the age range of our fans is broadening. And so, SKE48 goal from now on will be to improve our own characteristics, by remaining our energetic and enthusiast selves. I want SKE48 to grow into a group appealing to boys and girls, young people and older ones alike.
Personally, I want a solo stage song! I don’t have a solo song yet, I want to sing it soon (laugh). (TL : same pun as usual) Also, maybe am I already walking that path, but rather than a simply cute idol, I want to become a lovely and cool young lady other girls will look up to/yearn for.

Last, a word for Smart readers please.

Jurina - Thank you for always encouraging me! I love how Smart always presents all kinds of fashions in its pages, from now on please keep reading Smart and enjoy fashion. And if you’re interested in me or SKE48, we’re currently having handshake events all across the country, by all means come spend some time with us! We hope you will keep supporting us from now on.

*Birthday ceremony / festival - 生誕祭 : Event hold in the theater to celebrate the birthday of a member. Cake is shared between the members, fans wear a T-shirt especially created for the occasion… An important date for the members and the fans alike. (TL : here is what this year Jurina’s birthday T-shirt looks like)

11th February

hiems:

jurina is seme to everyone except rena

for rena, jurina is a WOBBLING UKE

~~but to be fair if rena came up to me and was exerting her seme influence i think i would probably just quibble to the ground in submission as well~~

27th January

Air drum master! As much as I want to take Jurina playing seriously, it seems to me she is hitting the air more than her drum lol But for looking so awesomely cool (and stealing the show!), I forgive heｒ!

27th January

Another interview preceding KataFai release, with Jurina, Rena, Akane, Yuria and Shiori from De☆View magazine (February 2012)

——

「Our second single 「Aozora Kataomoi」 had this taking on unrequited love : “I’m ok by looking at you from afar”. 2 years later it transformed to “I need to tell you how I feel!” burning feeling. The sign of SKE48 evolution?」

Q - With this new song, SKE48 is getting slightly more cool (kakkoi) no?

Rena - Thank you! The introduction is dramatic but when the singing part starts you’re like “I— It’s amazing!”, I think that’s really catchy. And with its climax furious like the intro, this song is like a breaking ball for me.

Q - Even though the theme is “unrequited love”, I could clearly feel that the song was about not giving up…

Jurina - This title is more direct (straight) than any of our previous releases. Until now, we didn’t use the word “love” too much, so when I listened to Kataomoi Finally for the first time my chest tightened.

Yuria - Those lyrics tell a story. It starts by getting aware of someone existence, fall for this person and finally say “I love you”. From trifling little things to love… It moved me too!

Akane - This song is about putting an end to one-sided feelings by confessing. Our second single 「Aozora Kataomoi」 had this taking on unrequited love : “I’m ok by looking at you from afar”. 2 years later it transformed to “I need to tell you how I feel!” burning feeling. The sign of SKE48 evolution?

Q - Would you girls have the courage to confess like in this song?

Rena - I don’t think I could….

Jurina (raising her hand) - I can! But rather than seriously confessing, I think I would simply say it out of impulse. It’s the same with the members, I can suddenly approach them and blurt 「I love you so much ♥」. Probably because I’m still a child. Once I grow up, maybe I won’t be able anymore.

Shiori - In my case, even if I say nothing it would be will be written all over my face (lol).

Yuria - If I perceive signs that the other party is interested by me then maybe. 「I think I love you, is it ok?」kind of thing.

Akane - With me 「Kataomoi Finally」would have turn differently. Not managing to confess my feeling until graduation. My crush would have never known. Would have ended like this… Finally. Bad Finally… (gloomy face).

Q - How did the MV turn out?

Shiori - Until now we always worked in joyful atmosphere but this time the shooting was oppressive.

Rena - The song itself is about confronting and coming to term with your one-sided love, while the MV follows the development of a love affair inside an all female high school.　But this love isn’t fulfilling.

Q - So there is a proper storyline…

Rena - There are also scenes where the members had to kiss.

Akane - It starts with the first scene. Quite a shock.

Rena - It’s possible some fans will faint (lol)

Jurina - With us 5 here, you have a good depiction of the relationships in the MV.

Akane - Hum, indeed. Shiorin and Yuria get along so well that they’re referred together as 「OgiYuri」 and in the MV too they get along very well.

Shiori - And thus during the shooting we simply needed to act like we always do around each other. In the story, they appear as observers of the confusion that reigns in their school.

Akane - And us three, we are at the center of this confusion.

Jurina - Roughly, Rena-chan and Akane-chan like me so it forms a triangular relationship, but I’m mostly interested in Rena-chan.

Akane - So for me it’s yet another “Bad kataomoi Finally”…. (gloomy face)

Jurina - The dance is very geometric. It feels like we’re carried by the sound. Like Shiori said rather the our usual smiling selves, this time we bear more serious expression. Still feminine but
more intense and cool.

Rena - We’re showing a new, more adult aspect of SKE48 I think.

Q - And if now you told us about the confession you would dream of?

Yuria - There is this boy in my class, the most popular and pleasant one, I’ve never talked to him….

Jurina - Delusion full power (laugh).

Yuria - …after a month or so we would move to new desks and he would be seating right next to me!

Shiori - You’re really pushing the delusion this far (laugh)?

Yuria - I would forget my textbook and we would have to look over his own together, getting close during the lecture ♥.

Jurina - Straight from a manga!

Ogiso - Unlike Yuria I can’t suddenly become intimate with someone (lol).　I’d like to start with someone who is just a friend, little by little gaining more interest in each other, and confess in the middle of some idle talk.

Jurina - My ideal crush would be my friend big brother, he would be popular in our neighborhood and very affectionate with me. I’d also play/flirt with him. If he was to get a girlfriend, I would stay close to him like a young sister figure (imouto character), like before I’d play/flirt with him and someday confess 「I love you! Go out with me!」.*

Rena - What should I do? Even though I’m 20 now I can’t come with anything (lol).

Churi - Maybe because it could become real, who knows… If I had to confess, I would want to hide my face so I would wait right after the sun has set and for us to be engulf by the darkness. Then, while we walk I want to say it.

Jurina - Say what?

Churi - Let see~ Something like 「I want this instant to never end」 (TLN : literally “Just like now, I want us to be together”)

Everyone - Kyaaa~ ♥

Rena - By a cold winter day, the person I’m interested in would buy me a warm can of drink. 「For you. You like this right?」, with this my heart would twinge…. Probably unrealistic but on the spurt of the moment say 「I love you」.

Everyone - Kyaa!!

Rena - I would feel happy because he/she would knew what kind of drink I like, plus he/she would buy it especially for me because of the cold. My heart would race for sure.

Jurina - If I was asked 「You like this, right?」, I would reply 「I like you even more」!

Akane - Sounds just like you.

Q - (laugh) Now, looking back, how was 2011 for SKE48?

Jurina - It’s great that all our 3 singles became number 1 of the Oricon chart!

Yuria - The nation wide tour was also exciting.

Akane - Must be the same for Ogi-chan, the happiest thing that happened to us this year was for team KII to be given its first original stage!

Shiori - Exactly, that was the best that happened to us this year!

Rena - SKE48 started 3 years ago already. Next year too, with the same dynamism, it would be good if we could expand our field of activity, as SKE48 or individually.

*Hurt so much to translate this part…

Edit : Fixed the names. Thanks gekikaraclub for pointing it out.

Edit 2 : For those wondering, I pay extra attention to genders in my translations. Yuria and Jurina clearly state the confession they are imagining here would be made to boys, while Akane, Shiori and Rena stayed completely neutral.
Heck, Rena said before on her blog she could eventually date a girl ( 。・・。).

26th January

*noc noc* dance!

26th January

Interview of Jurina dated from last December. (Un)fortunately, no bread talk…

—-

Right border : 「Leave the role of the genki character to the young members … I want to change in many ways.」 by Jurina

Looks like the way you dress has changed lately, no?

J - Really?! Today I opted for a leather riders jacket and black jeans! 　Lately I’ve been thinking 「It’s about time I can, right? (implied “it’s about time I can wear this”)」

About time you say…(lol)?

J - The first time I appeared in G TV in was still in elementary school (lol).　Since then I’ve loved what you could call cool fashion, but I was restraining myself because I was too young.

Even though people tend to think you’re older than your real age…

J - The most extreme case was Kuwabara Mizuki’s friend who told me 「You look like you’re 27」!

What the…?!

J - But since I finally enter high school in April, I want to change my image! When speaking of Matsui Jurina everyone says 「She is always genki 」 or something like this, right?

Hum, right now you look in high spirit too.

J - But I want get closer from being an young lady (stated “adult” lady). Among the new members, some girls are younger than me. I should leave the role of the genki character to the young members. I want to try to change in many ways. Maybe the effect of puberty (lol).

A young lady, I see…　Then should we talk about your ideal type of men?

J - Oi (lol)! It’s true that usually I joke a lot, but during work or when the situation requires it I snap back (to her professional and resolute self). I value people with a gap*. Also, I’m popular with women** but the kind of person who says 「I love only you」!

You have a strong image, don’t you? (TLN : fixed, but still quite unclear. Probably meaning an image that makes a strong impression on people)

J - To tell the truth, just yesterday we were talking love stories with a boy from my school***. For example 「Do you think I’m trying to control her too much?」「I wouldn’t do that~」.(TL note: “control” could be interpret like “binding”… emotionally or physically. One could also read this small dialogue as kinky talk… (”’･ω･))

Is there a lot of love stories going on in your school?

J - Around me most people have a lover. Me too I’m told half-jokingly things like 「I love you」 but I reply 「Sorry, would have been with pleasure if I wasn’t in SKE48」 (lol).

Superb parry!

J - I’ve polished my skill to play with word thanks to those theater MCs!　Oh, and this year the number of students who enrolled in my school and who were interested in SKE48 increased! I’m glad when I’m asked things like 「What will be the new song like this time?」.

Indeed this year SKE48 made a leap and became more famous.

J - Thank you! Certainly, I’m very grateful that 「Banzai Venus」made it to top 1 of Weekly Oricon chart. Until then it had always been 2nd or 3rd, we were all thinking 「Next one will be the one!」.

On the other hand, this year NMB48 and HKT48 have appeared and the competition has increased.

J - All the members say the same thing, but I think that compared to the other 「48」 SKE48 wins by 「the amount of sweat」spent.　Like never minding how intense we get on stage or how the sweat drench our faces even if we look sloppy (lol).
By following this course next year and keep polishing our performance skills, I want SKE48 to appeal to people from all around Japan .

On a personal level, what are your ambitions for 2012?

J - I want to be given a solo song in Team S new stage! As for it’s content, I hope it carries an adult feeling to it. I’ve said it before but since I will enter high school, I want to bring out a new Matsui Jurina.

*Someone who has several facets. The opposite of a flat personality.
**No kidding ( ´艸｀)ハハ
*** People who felt jealous of that brat and/or wished him dead for a split second reading this, raise your hand! ＼( ￣o￣)

24th January

Interesting interview of Jurina, Rena and Akane by Sponichi Annex regarding the future of SKE and how to someday surpass AKB.

SKE48 new single 「片思いFinally」 to be release on the 25th. Last year their 3 singles became n°1 of Oricon Single chart and their popularity is still rising. For a certain time the members have claimed 「We want to surpass AKB」, how close from that goal are they now?
Let’s hear the honest answer from Jurina Matsui (14) , Rena Matsui (20), Takayanagi Akane (20).

Q - What needs to be done next to surpass AKB?

Akane - Something AKB haven’t try yet… What about baseball?!

Jurina - Ohhh, sounds good! *sparkling eyes*

Akane - I like baseball.

Jurina - We haven’t done much regarding sport until now, isn’t it?

Akane - There are lots of athletic members in SKE, that would be great if we could do something related to sport.

Jurina - I want! I want!

Akane - And then when we become strong enough, they will certainly report it in the news. If we reach the point where they think 「How can some idols be that strong?!」, we will certainly gather a lot of attention.

Jurina - Should we really? What if everyone ends up brawny (lol).

Q - If you had to choose, which sport would you select Jurina?

Jurina - I want to play dodge ball. Form a team and if there was a tournament, that would be great fun.

Q - … what about you Rena?

Rena - I’m not fond of sport *gloomy face*.

Akane - Table tennis?

Rena - I can’t play it either.

Jurina - But you can swim right?

Rena - Me, I can’t swim. *even more gloomy face*

Q - So Rena could not enter “SKE sport election”?

Rena - I would not participate.

Akane - Then you would cheer us by singing (lol).

Rena - I will be the manager.

Jurina - But indeed it would be weird/unpleasant if Rena-chan had to go all out during a game (lol).

Q - In your chase after AKB, did you get closer yet?

……silence of the 3……

Q - So?

Rena - I don’t think the distance between them (AKB) and us (SKE) has shorten.　Or at least, we can’t spontaneously answer 「Yes, we got closer to them」.

Jurina - But SKE is given more and more chances to do things that have been done by AKB before, it’s a step forward in my opinion.

Q - What should be done to get closer to AKB?

Akane - Our activity as a group is one thing, but there is a need to increase the individual popularity of the members.

Q - Indeed, there are a lot of popular members inside AKB.

Akane - And among them a number of outstanding members keep appearing. I believe we will see an increase of them (AKB members) offer to star in drama.

Jurina - I think the point is that we do things that differ from what AKB has done. Because today you ear people say 「SKE is the Nagoya version of AKB」. I want SKE to show it’s own true color, AKB is AKB, SKE is SKE. I want to be judge for what we are worth, independently.

Q - In my opinion, a good proof that you’ve reach AKB level would be, for example, for your new single 「片思いFinally」 to win the Japan Record Award*. What do you think about winning JRA?

Rena - Until now I had not considered it, but last year when AKB claimed the prize, it seemed like the fans’ awareness changed and we were told 「Do your best as SKE to win JRA too」.
It’s a path AKB have opened for themselves, I wonder if it’s suitable to become our goal.

Q - Jurina?

Jurina - Award? Let’s take it! (lol) [TN: 賞ですか！？獲りましょう！-> shiou desuka? torimashiou]

Q - That sounds like a pun…

Jurina - The Award may be too much of a dream, but I would like SKE to perform for Kohaku (as SKE).

Q - Last year you performed as part of AKB, among a total 210 members right?

Jurina - We’ve been told by fans 「It was hard to find you」, earring things like this brought us down a bit, I want SKE to perform at Kohaku.

* won in 2011 by AKB with Flying Get. Rena was there to receive the prize and perform as part of senbatsu member (curfew was enforced for Jurina though).

—-

They’ve got it all right. Be yourself, follow your own path.

There is no need for a second AKB. SKE is SKE and we love it because of its uniqueness =).

24th January

Translation of Rena and Jurina interview from today’s Flash

Same-sex love, bullying, violence… Insight from SKE48 members about the MV packed with shocking scenes of their new single 「片思いFinally」.
In those pages, the famous “two top” present us with the 「Forbidden Love gravure」.

Jurina : Normally I’m the one who hug tightly the other members, but today, Rena(chan) startled me* when she suddenly approached my ear.

Rena : Rather than simply drawing closer, I thought I would take advantage of the situation. I’m probably extremely selfish. When I feel like being spoiled, you should let me do as I please, when I’m not in the mood (not feeling like being spoiled) you should leave me alone. That’s how I am (lol).

Q : Now, about the long awaited new single PR (preview release?)

Jurina : Until now SKE48 had a “genki” image (full of pep, positive, easy going etc), this single carries a more adult image, appropriate for 2012. And because the members get along well, we could realize such a MV.

Rena : I’m sure those who already knew about SKE48 will be greatly surprised by the MV, but using this new song vigor/momentum, I want 2012 to become the year when SKE48 will meet with major success**.

Q : Rena has celebrated her entry in adulthood (Coming of age ceremony), Jurina will enter high school this spring. Next time, what type of gravure do you want to deliver.

Jurina : As I enter high school, I think I’ll be given the chance to wear a wider range of clothes*** , I want to overcome my embarrassment and deliver a mature image / pose like an adult****.

Rena : I want to ty to cosplay seriously based on a anime or a manga character. Fans often tell me 「You should try it」. I’d be really happy to do it (cosplay) for a gravure.

* there is a wide range of possible interpretations for ドキッと like “being extremely surprised/taken aback/ to panic” or…”to be flustered”.
** may your wish become true Rena-chan! Let’s break 1 million sales with KataFai!(☄ฺ◣д◢)☄ฺﾜｼｬｰ
*** call me prude, but I certainly hope she doesn’t imply “sexier cloths”, that could wait after she graduate HS.
**** I’m officially worried about that kid…

———

It’s now clear that in the WMatsui relationship, it’s when Rena wants, if she wants and how she wants it （*TωT） ~~Jurina is such a cute little uke when confronted to Rena~~