Shimazaki Haruka: I want AKB48 to still be around when I become a grandma

After their big milestone, the Tokyo Dome Concert, AKB48 has started their 2nd chapter, “After the graduation of the irreplaceable ace, Maeda Atsuko”. Who will be the next Ace? How about the rise of new generations? What about members who will transfer overseas?
There are plenty of things to discuss.
This time, we conducted an interview to Shimazaki Haruka, the member we may be able to call a symbol of the 2nd chapter of AKB48.
AKB48 will never ever stop their breakthrough.

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What girls have in mind,
Now that they've set out to their new dream.

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-After Maeda Atsuko's graduation ceremony at Tokyo Dome, on the stage there were three girls who were in Center position where Maeda used to dominate.
They were Watanabe Mayu (for Shojo Tachiyo), Matsui Jurina (for Heavy Rotation) and Shimazaki Haruka (for First Rabbit).

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“Though it might be my mere assumption, when I was performing First Rabbit, I felt everyone was watching my back. As expected, I felt that dancing behind others and dancing in front of others are totally different. And it was the first time that I realized that Tokyo Dome is a really huge place.”

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-Center position, the position where she stands in front of 250 members. She talked about how being the Center of AKB48 as a whole is totally different from being the Center of team 4.

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“This is the first song that I was chosen for Senbatsu, and its choreography is relatively easy… probably because I'm in the back row. But this time I perform as the Center so I felt the pressure that I must never make a mistake and perform better than I used to”

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-Shimazaki is definitely not a kind of person who is good at dancing. She stands as the Center of team 4, but her performance always makes us feel uneasy.

She is poor at dancing, and soon gets tired. She is poor at conveying her thoughts to others too. She loves eating and sleeping. Because of her personality, fans affectionately call her Ponkotsu.
During the Tokyo Dome concert, Shimazaki Haruka, Mukaida Manatsu, Kawaei Rina, Takahashi Juri and Maeda Atsuko, all members who share the same characteristics performed “7:12 no Hatsukoi” (7時12分の初恋) together. Following the performance, the 5 members had a talk session that left a big impression to fans.

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“I was so surprised. I couldn't imagine that it would be a headliner on Yahoo.”

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Maeda said to Shimazaki “You're poor at MC-ing, aren't you?” “Your words don't sound like it's from your heart.” These are the words that Maeda has always been told by others at the time when she was the center of AKB48. For all fans, it was funny to see Maeda throw the same word at Shimazaki without a single bit of hesitation.

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“It's a typical conversation with Maeda-san lol. I was told that we'll do MC during the rehearsal of the very day of the concert. I only decided to what to ask, but….. I'm glad that everyone had fun with our MC.”

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The 5 girls, who are often dubbed Ponkotsu, never change their personality no matter how big or small the stage they're standing is.

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“I became friends with Mukaida Manatsu-chan. We never talked to each other before, but when we were together during the practice of the dance. So I greeted to her saying, 'Ah~~~~ Ponkotsu!!'. She was like 'Ah~~~~'. It's very rare that I initiate talking with someone.”

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Speaking of Mukaida Manatsu, she is also called Ponkotsu among SKE fans.

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“We are Ponkotsu from West and East. We spoke with each other. It seems like Mukaida-chan doesn't like to be called Ponkotsu. Me neither, but it can't be helped lol.”

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During the Tokyo Dome concert, it was announced that team 4 will be broken up.

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“I was so shocked. When Togasaki-san appeared, I was wondering what would happen. And the moment he said team 4 would disappear, I was lost. I think at that moment, I was empty.”

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Because 21:00 was approaching, Togasak

i announced the new members lineup quickly.

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“I didn't have enough time to ponder upon it. I only started realizing it the day after. Hashire Penguin (走れ！ペンギン) is the first original song for team 4. When I thought that we will no longer be able to sing this song, I felt so sad… ”

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On day two. Members of team 4 were crying on their first performance of the day.

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“When I looked back, (Takahashi) Juri was crying, and it made me cry, too. And it spread through all members….”

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Her feeling towards team 4.
She talked about her first transfer.

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“I think….. the team ended without doing anything particular. It's so sad to know that team 4 ended without having our original setlist. But this is the first time for us to join the teams where we are together with senior members, so I'm excited to learn a lot from them.”

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It was announced that Shimazaki will transfer to team B along with fellow team 4 members, Ohba Mina and Ichikawa Miori. Captain of the team is Umeda Ayaka. Other members of the team include Kashiwagi Yuki, Kojima Haruna, Minegishi Minami and Watanabe Miyuki.

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“We gathered for the filming of an MV awhile ago. It was a peaceful atmosphere. Very relaxing and funny. We talked to each other and played together during the break. We were like a family and I felt it's very comfortable to be with them.”

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Everyone is saying that 3 of the next generation's aces were deliberately separated with Mayuyu in team A, Jurina in team K and Paruru in team B. What do you think about the fact that many people are expecting you to be Center.

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“I don't have any clear idea about it. I wonder about it but I don't really know why my name was there. I really don't have confidence in myself. But those two can do anything by themselves. They're my great seniors. I've loved Mayuyu-san way before I joined AKB48. When we appeared on TV show together, she was able to make interesting comments, while I could do nothing. Jurina-san is good at dancing, and you can feel confidence from her. She openly says, 'I'm aiming at Center'. She is outstanding, and is the polar opposite of me”

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AKB group has the type of rivalry where they respect each other, compete against each other and grow together.
For instance, Maeda Atsuko and Oshima Yuko, Watanabe Mayu and Kashiwagi Yuki, Matsui Jurina and Matsui Rena, Yamamoto Sayaka and Watanabe Miyuki, are all famous rivalries in 48 groups.

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“I'm often asked who my rival is, but I actually never had a rival in my whole life. I have no sense of rivalry. So I can't understand what rivalry looks like. Probably I'm like this because, my little brother is far younger than me, and I've been a spoiled only child for a long time.”

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Among the 9gen members, there's Yokoyama Yui who has become a regular member far faster than the rest and even won the 15th spot in the last election. Do you have a feeling that you don't want to lose to her?

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“Not at all. Yui has had a solid dream since when she was Kenkyusei (研究生/けんきゅうせい), and she joined the lessons by commuting from Kyoto…. I've always admired her. She has had a higher level of awareness about her dream from the beginning than anyone else in 9gen.”

“(About the Shiritsu Bakaleya Koukou movie (劇場版 私立バカレア高校/げきじょうばん しりつばかれあこうこう)) I think everyone, no matter whether you watched TV version or not, can enjoy this movie. The highlights is our cosplay. For the school festival, I did a Maid Cosplay lol. Also the mystery that you couldn't figure out in the TV Drama version will be revealed, and we have Kojima Haruna-san! She is so beautiful like beautiful flowers.”

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What will the 2nd chapter of AKB48 be like? I asked her again.

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“What it will be like? I can't say it's gonna be like great, but personally I wish AKB48 will be still there even when I become a grandma.”

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In order to last forever, someone has to succeed Maeda Atsuko.

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“You mean Me? I kinda feel you're putting pressure on me lol. But….. I want to earn my place in the history of AKB48.”

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With her saying that, I had an impression that her voice sounded a little stronger than usual.

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