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On July 19 and 20, 2014, San Francisco’s Japantown hosted the annual J-Pop Summit featuring artists including the Guest of Honor, former AKB48 member Tomomi Itano. The idol took time out of her busy schedule and answered several questions for us before she took the stage on Saturday night at San Francisco’s Union Square. Without further ado, let us relive Tomomi Itano’s US solo debut with first ever US solo interview!
TOM: How did you feel when you learned that you would be performing at J-Pop Summit 2014?
Itano: It was unbelievable. During rehearsal (prior to the press conference) many people cheered me on, so I’m looking forward to the concert itself too.
TOM: Are you surprised that there is such a large audience for you and AKB48 outside Japan?
Itano: I have always wanted to perform in America and am really happy to be here today. I hope more people from outside Japan will get to know me and my music from now on as well.
TOM: Now that you have graduated from AKB48, what’s the best thing about being a solo artist as opposed to being part of AKB48? And vice versa?
Itano: It’s been less than a year since I graduated from AKB48, but I’ve dreamt of being a solo artist since I was in kindergarten, so the best thing about being part of AKB48 was that a lot of people got to know me. Now that I am a solo artist, I want to work harder so that more people will know about me, as well as AKB48.
TOM: On the contrary, what is the hardest part about being solo?
Itano: In AKB48, each member has her own character, and when combined, it seems really exciting. Now that I am by myself, I have to assume the cute, the cool, the sexy and all the other characters by myself, and I think that is the hardest part.
TOM: Which of those characters are you best at assuming?
Itano: Well...in AKB48 I was an idol so I was often “cute.” Going forward, I want to be cool and sexy too.
TOM: You seem to have adopted a cool and sexy concept in your first album SxWxAxG. How do you intend to differentiate your style of music from AKB48?
Itano: Although most of the songs on SxWxAxG were from my AKB48 times, there are four new songs included in this album. Among them, I’ve challenged EDM and hip-hop as well. In the future I hope to continue to express myself through my music.
TOM: With the release of your album SxWxAxG and your upcoming tour, your schedule seems really busy. What is a typical off-day for you?
Itano: Now that I’m a solo artist, there are days when I’m really busy, such as when I’m going on tour. But on my off-days I go travelling and such.
TOM: Recently, there are a lot of anime titles based on idols (such as AKB0048). Do you think you are part of that world, or are you trying to break away from that world as you attempt to build a new image for yourself?
Itano: Well, I was happy that AKB48 got made into an anime. I’m not trying to break away from the Akihabara image or anything at all. In fact, I like watching anime.
TOM: What is your favorite anime?
Itano: When I was young I liked Pokémon and Doraemon.
TOM: On a slightly different note, you are also known for being a fashion leader in Japan. What kind of fashion do you wear?
Itano: I wear a lot of different clothes, but it changes every day. However, I do try to vary. For example, if I wear something cool the day before, I’ll go for a girlier look the next day.
TOM: What is your favorite fashion?
Itano: I like flashier outfits recently. I prefer a cool look to a cute one, but I still incorporate colors into my outfits.
TOM: On Twitter you always post pictures of your caps. How many do you own?
Itano: I have about 50 caps.
TOM: Wow! That’s a lot of caps. You have also posted pictures of yourself during rehearsals on Twitter. How many hours a week do you practice dancing?
Itano: Right now I practice about once a week, but after returning to Japan I will have practices every day as I have a tour coming up.
TOM: With your new album, tours, variety shows and modelling, you have accomplished so much in your career. Is there anything that you haven’t challenged yet that you would like to try?
Itano: I want to be in a movie.
TOM: Lastly, what are you most grateful for in your career thus far?
Itano: I really love performing, so when my fans get hyped up at my concerts and show me their best smiles, I feel energized.
One year after her graduation from AKB48 and Tomomi Itano is still going strong! We at TOM are also looking forward to her future activities as the up and coming diva heads back to Japan for her nationwide tour.
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
