What thoughts did SCANDAL have during these ten years? 【MAMI & RINA edition】

―― Looking back on these past ten years, is there anything you felt anew?

MAMI: That we really didn't understand anything when we first started.

RINA: Yeah. We were just really frantic back then.

MAMI: That's right. I think for me, especially, my feelings towards everything--the band, instruments, our visual aspect--were more insensitive than anyone else's. It's not that I changed gradually, but I think everything changed just before we started writing our own songs. By living our lives as a band, I began to think about what I ought to do.

――What specific changes happened?

MAMI: The way I listen to music changed. I began to take interest in all kinds of things. I still have so much more to study, but after that had changed, I didn't think about anything almost to the point of thinking, "Eh?! What should I do? Sleep?" when I would look back on who I was until that point. But, I believe that who I was until that point did her best in her own way. It felt like I just managed to get through things. It's because I went through that is why I want to do so many things now. That's why I'm glad there was a point of time where I didn't think about anything.

――It's because humans don't understand things in the heat of the moment.

MAMI: Yes! That's so true! I don't regret it because it was an important time in my life. But, thinking about it now, I wish I had studied even more. Each day of each year was so profound.

――What about you, RINA?

RINA: It's the same for me. These ten years were truly the best. Even at the end of my life, I'll think of how glad I was to be a part of SCANDAL. It's my entire youth and will forever be my core. It's so important to me. Since I had been dreaming about this kind of world since I was little, nothing has changed since the time of our major debut. But, I feel that my ambitions and wants are becoming more colorful. I'm clearing the things I'm bad at a little at a time. That's why I think there's still much more to come and that everything starts from here on.

――It's like things are still developing.

RINA: Yes. We're truly still on our way. What I mean by that is we've been fighting against ourselves during these ten years.

――A while back, when I grabbed RINA's arm for a second, I was surprised at how it's so delicate but the muscles under your elbow are very defined. I remember thinking, "She really practices hard, doesn't she?" It was so heart-pounding that I was on the verge of tears.

RINA: Ahaha. It was heart-pounding, was it (laughs)? But that makes me happy. My muscles are really defined because I practice with all my strength. I don't think it's hard on me, though. Since I do what I fundamentally want to do and what I like to do, it'll always be fun and enjoyable for me. For that, the more we play lives, the more confident I become. Similarly, there are also days I don't have confidence. It's not easy. I think each year were ones where it seemed like the same thing can't happen twice.

――SCANDAL is your entire life, isn't it?

RINA: Yes. But recently, you know, I've been searching for something outside of music that rounds myself out. I can now challenge myself to do all sorts of things, and I feel that my way of living has become very open. Going out, taking trips by myself, going to language school--I never thought that I wanted to learn so much after becoming an adult. I'm currently the most interested I've ever been in many things. Some time ago when I was drinking with the members, they told me, "RINA's entire self is a banner; no matter where she's pressed, the link jumps back to SCANDAL" (laughs).

MAMI: But, you know, it really is like that (laughs). RINA is always thinking about SCANDAL.

RINA: I am always thinking about SCANDAL (laughs). I'm always thinking "Can't we do this?" I want to become stronger for SCANDAL's sake, so I'm always thinking "What can I do?" every day.

――Each one of RINA's emotions becomes a piece of SCANDAL's music and a piece of the lyrics. When MAMI writes music or lyrics, how does it start from 0 and turn into 1?

MAMI: I'm very much influenced by music I like listening to. I always go back to my favorite musical roots even while writing songs. Although I listen to many kinds of music, I really do go back to my roots. Now I have "MAMI-like songs." When I bring along songs I've written, the members will often tell me, "That's so MAMI-like!" I've become able to understand that kind of "individuality" recently.

――That's awesome that you were able to understand your individuality for yourself. That's also an incredible strength. You make your roots as your own and are able to make that part of your personality.

MAMI: For better or worse, I look at that very objectively. That's why, for a while, I didn't have that awareness of making songs for ourselves--I made them with a "MAMI is making songs for a band called SCANDAL" sense. Staff members have actually told me that, and I was somehow able to understand that meaning.

――I see. That differs from RINA. RINA just said that she doesn't make songs from a third-party perspective.

RINA: That's right. I think I'm really in the middle. In my case, there are words that come forth precisely because of our current situations, and a theme I want to write about is born due of my lifestyle.

――It's directly connected.

RINA: Yes. I think it's directly connected. That's why, you know, I've been thinking recently that the ways we live our daily lives are so important.

――The evolution in lyrics is connected to RINA's evolution.

RINA: That's right. Recently I've had many chances to go eat and drink with musicians. Up until now I would avoid times like that, but recently I made my own rule of not trying not to refuse invites and am trying to go as much as possible. It's a wonder that the number of people inviting me out has increased. So, I got a few more friends in our tenth year (laughs). We mainly talk about music, but it really is fun to listen to other peoples' stories. There have been many times I've been told that their image of me changed after us talking together, which makes me wonder how in the world did they see me before (laughs)? Also, since SCANDAL has appeared on TV from our start, there have been some misunderstandings regarding our public image. But, by talking to people one-on-one, they understand that we're the bandmen with the same heart. That is truly enjoyable for me right now. That's such a big evolution since I was someone who was like "I'm okay being with just the members!" (laughs).

◆What are the emotions included in 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 and 「HELLO」?


――Regarding new songs 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 and 「HELLO」 on your best album 『SCANDAL』, RINA wrote the lyrics and MAMI wrote the music for both songs. What kinds of emotions do they have, and what forms did they take?

RINA: 「HELLO」 was completed a little while ago as a heated-up song that we wanted everyone to hear when the right timing came along. We initially selected it because our best album hits stores on Valentine's Day and we wanted people to listen to a love song perfect for the season. For 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 it's exactly the opposite--we wanted to a killer tune packed with our best aspects. We began writing from the lyrics, keeping an intense melody and coolness in mind.

MAMI: We decided to include 「HELLO」 first, so we thought of how we wanted to include the exact opposite essence. The members discussed it and completed 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」. 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 made the ideal form of SCANDAL. It feels like we included all of our special moves in it. It's a song we're very happy with, in regards to being able to write this kind of song at the same timing of our tenth anniversary and being able to include it in this best album. It became a culmination song in a good way. Of course, it doesn't mean that we have no future; it's that it means that it's a culmination of our ten years.

――It certainly is a song that includes everything. But, it's a bit surprising that the lyrics came first. You'd imagine that the music came first.

RINA: Right. There's a message we really want to convey. We wrote this song while imagining a scene of asserting your freedom and marching on the streets. There's an overwhelming amount of middle and high school students among our listeners, and the message we most want to convey to them is "We want you to live freely." There are many times when you ask yourself "Who am I?", and I think the influences from your favorite music around that time in your life has a profound effect on you. It also has the power to greatly influence your life from then on and your future, so we wanted to say to those kids, "You can live freely" and "Choose the future you want for yourself." It was necessary to have original views to put those words into lyrics, so we took our time to carefully write it. We're making songs during various conflicts while asking ourselves questions. It actually took a long time to give a shape to 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」. We were worried; it was clear that there was something we wanted to convey, and because it was so strong, it was hard to grasp and it took a long time. Because we will be telling people strong messages, we must write only the songs that we truly want to do. We have many ways to make songs, but we can only make songs that we can continue to perform for the rest of our lives--we thoroughly stuck with that as we wrote it.

――Your feelings towards yourselves shows there too.

RINA: That's right! We wanted to reach all of our fans, but it became a song that also encouraged the band. It feels like we're fighting together.

――That's true. But, you four are still in your 20s. Even though there are still people in the world who have not yet determined their own paths, it's because the four of you have been living your lives as SCANDAL from early on, that you were able to create 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 as real feelings.

RINA: That's right. There truly are words and sounds that we couldn't have produced if we didn't go on this journey. But, you know, that's why it's also been a challenge for us to release this song into this world. We, who have been able to continue saying this, must stay as we are. We worked hard in order to proudly be able to send out this song. That got us fired up again.

――You didn't want to support everyone irresponsibly.

RINA: Yeah. If we lived in such a way where we wouldn't have been able to proudly send out a song, we couldn't have been able to properly convey this message.

MAMI: Right. I really think that's our mode right now. It feels like, without having to say anything, all of our consciousnesses are focused on the band when the four of us talk about what kind of lives we want to play and what kind of stages we want to stand on from this point on. By being in this mode we believed that we were able to deliver 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 and were able to put it on this album. It's because I think that this song is one where we needed that kind of resolution and had to do it. We made sure to confirm it together and include it in the album, so we hope to prove our feelings we entrusted here over the course of our tenth year..

◆What are words that have supported MAMI and RINA?


―― There's a phrase in 「HELLO」, "Words you gave me." Do you each have words that support you?

MAMI: There are words that made me take notice of something. We have times when we want to do many things ourselves; like, I had a time when I suddenly went blonde. Everyone told me "You've changed, haven't you?" at the time. I had only changed the color of my hair, but it definitely was a time when I was able to naturally be ambitious in regards to lives and song production. Those around me all said "You've changed, haven't you." It didn't really occur to me at the time, but I understood it later on. This made me realize again that everyone's words made me develop self-awareness.

――That's a great story. How about for RINA?

RINA: For me, it was something that our long-time manager said. I feel that we have the same ways of thinking. That manager always tells me, "There isn't anything you can't do, so feel free to do whatever you'd like. You guys aren't 'goody two-shoes' ; just go out and do what you want to do." Those words give me courage to play music. After we started SCANDAL I've always thought, "Someday we'll all die." Someday our lives will come to an end, so when there's something that I want to do, I make sure to do it. That perfectly describes 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 right there (laughs)!


◆What feelings do you want to convey to each of the members?


――May we ask about messages you'd tell the members since it's your tenth anniversary?

RINA: This is kind of embarrassing.

MAMI: Eh～. I wonder.

――All right, how about HARUNA first?

MAMI: HARU-chan? Okay. SCANDAL's beginning was special, so we started off from not knowing anything. But, amidst that, we became a band and sang while playing instruments. I think that must have been especially hard on HARU-chan, who became our leader. She was a third year high schooler at the time. HARU-chan had a dream of being a singer, and being in a leading position, she had to pull us along. When I think about those times, I think of how she really put up with a lot. She's someone who is well-attuned to many things and can deal with them too. Being together for such a long time, I've come to understand the parts she's not too good at. She's the type that gets stronger, doesn't complain, and has endurance, so I think the three of us must follow and support each other. I think SCANDAL will become more and more band-oriented from here on, and I understand that HARU-chan will desperately be trying to change, so I'm really looking forward to what she'll become!

RINA: Thanks as always. I've always been watching HARUNA from the back. She's always standing firm at the last second even when it seems like she has time to spare, and she's worked hard to stand on stage, so I think that that's really cool. She's a rock goddess. She's always fighting with herself. I want her to become who she wants to be and always shine on. Together, let's do a ton of things you want to do! Love you.

――To TOMOMI.

MAMI: TOMO-chan, huh. I've truly always respected her dexterity. What comes from TOMOMI is like turning a jack-in-the-box upside down. Her lyrics are also unique and she has something that others absolutely do not have. I think she's someone who is very talented, so I want her to keep continuing on without changing; like, "It's okay to have more confidence in yourself." The members, staff, and fans all recognize TOMO-chan; have more confidence in yourself! That's what I'd like to say.

RINA: Yeah. TOMOMI can do anything, so it feels great watching her. We say that a dexterous person is someone who's like TOMOMI. Although I think she's often told that she's spontaneous or flighty, she's a very capable person who has her own way of thinking and is a lovely woman of principle. So, I think that it would be great if everyone knew the TOMOMI that only we know. She's such an interesting person......I love her (laughs).

――Ahahaha. A confession (laughs)!? All right, how about each other?

MAMI: We have many responsibilities among the SCANDAL members: HARU-chan is our leader, TOMO-chan is our life and soul, I'm the bandmaster, and RINA-chan is the leader in back who has always been supporting the three of us. We're all inspired by RINA-chan's words and actions. She often says, "Okay let's do our best!" HARU, TOMO, and I are motivated by RINA. She's even speedy with her songwriting, she tells us when she understands us, and we can really count on her. I hope the two of us can continue to write the core parts of SCANDAL's music. Please continue to be a great partner.

RINA: Okay! That makes me happy! But honestly, that does make really embarrassed.

――Finally, RINA to MAMI.

RINA: I think MAMI currently stands at the helm of SCANDAL. The band's future has significantly lengthened due to MAMI's explosive songwriting abilities; she opened a new door for us. We write the songs we want and can go on tours--we're here now because MAMI is here. She's so interesting and so much fun even when we're just having normal conversations. It makes me really happy that we have a member like this in our band. She's an asset of the band and a member I'm proud of. So.......I love her (laughs).

MAMI: Ahahaha. Thank you very much (laughs)!

RINA: I truly do want the four of us to continue to stay together for a long time. Truly.

I loved this interview ! Retrospective and insightful. Also very emotional. Thoughts to convey to each of the members was quite a pleasure to read. You understand why these four endure, get stronger and continue to evolve. Thanks for the post  I hope there is also more coming from the perspective of Haruna and Tomomi !

Wow! Another very emotional interview...makes me tear up as well. You know just how close these 4 have gotten over the past 10 years...it hasn't all been easy and that has made them stronger, and evolve. Love the pictures that accompany the interview. I love the support they show each other...there appears to be no ego which you see in a lot of bands...just a common goal and drive. The messages to each other is always so hard to express, but something I thoroughly enjoyed in both parts of the interview. Let this next 10 years define who they are, and let them make the music they have always wanted to make. Regardless of what criticisms Haruna may have taken over the years that had made her doubt herself for awhile, her voice continually moves me, she sings so beautifully and with feeling. I do hope Tomomi can embrace confidence in her abilities the way the other members view her. She is such a joy to watch and listen to.  Rina's energy and love for what she is doing captures you from the first time you watch them live. To hear that she is the best with expressing her thoughts, it is no wonder she has become the ambassador for the band, defining who they are and clearing up the misunderstandings. Mami has always come off to me as well as someone who thinks a lot internally...it is great to hear she has evolved and is on the forefront of the bands music and where Scandal's sound will be taken in the future. It does feel like they are stepping into a New Year One and will be walking together from here. I hope their popularity soars and through it all, they are the happiest they have ever been !

I do agree with what you have said @Don Dio and also, completely with regards to Haruna's pictures, she pulls off casual, beautifully !

WOW!! Now thats an interview!! What a great look inside the thoughts and feelings
of Four lovely and talented ladies!! Thanks for sharing this with all of us!!

Good interview.  I always enjoy learning about their creative process and how they view each other.

Rina mentions there were misunderstandings about their public image amongst her musician friends.  I have a hunch, but I am curious what that may be.

Thank you a lot for the interview :D
And those photos... Uau \o/
I will make a very good "necessary evil" with them.
.knuckles.

Rina is just so sweet  .love.
Interviews like this make me love them more and more each day 

i deal with it despite the fact that i bad at English. thanks for the translation)

Love is in the air, he, he, he.
Is good for all if the girls love each other xP
The good fellowship is something they convey a lot.
Thanks for the translation .love.

What thoughts did SCANDAL have during these ten years? 【HARUNA & TOMOMI edition】

―― Looking back on these past ten years, is there anything you felt anew?

HARUNA: Speaking personally, these ten years were very fun and also harsh. It was also a decade that seriously confronted what that I always loved: singing. Not singing how I wanted to was harsh. Having a major label debut meant that I'd be singing as a professional, so it's a given that it's different from singing as a hobby. It was a decade where I found out that it's quite a difficult thing to keep singing amongst receiving evaluations from people and the opinions of various people.


――MAMI and RINA both think very highly of you. They thought that you truly had a hard time being in a position as the leader where you had to pull them along into the unknown. They're very grateful. RINA said how she's always been watching your backside on stage, and that she thinks that you're truly a woman who lives her life in a very cool fashion.

HARUNA: You're going to make me cry.


――You can really hear the Nagoyan dialect in that (laughs).

HARUNA: Ah, sorry about that; that came out unexpectedly (laughs). I might not have even be skilled at Nagoyan dialect to begin with (laughs). That makes me very happy. I'm so happy that they think of me like that. But, I thought that I couldn't be counted on and I honestly had a lot of conflicts within myself. I had dreamed of wanting to sing and dance since I was young and attended a vocal & dance school, so I've been walking these past 10 years while living the life of being in a band. Although they're not the same songs, I chose to sing in a completely different form than I dreamed about doing. It's been ten years since then. I really did have some conflicts within myself when I look back. Because I was just a leader in regards to seniority, not originally having the temperament of a leader was also difficult. But, the members became more capable as time passed and it wasn't just me that shouldered the burden. Everything was a first-time experience when we were just starting out; we desperately did our best.

――What is life like now for SCANDAL?

HARUNA: It seems like the decisions we've made have been the right ones. I'm glad that SCANDAL has made it this far.


――That's wonderful that you say that it's what it seems like now.

HARUNA: Yeah. Our tenth year truly was so much fun. It made me even more excited for what's to come.


――It's like you can see what you're seeing now because you've made it though so many things. What about you, TOMOMI? MAMI and RINA both said that TOMOMI gives off a spontaneous or flighty image, but she's actually someone who's very capable and is a dexterous person who can do anything.

TOMOMI: The members say that I'm dexterous, but I don't see myself like that at all. I think I've gone through these ten years thinking that I'm not capable because the three of them are very capable (laughs).

HARUNA: But, you know, we know that TOMO thinks she's not skillful and that she says the other members are. There's no doubt that she really is skilled. TOMO first started out on guitar when we first picked up instruments, but a teacher at the school saw that TOMO was a faster learner compared to the rest of us and thought she might be able to play the bass and had her learn it too. She truly is dexterous. She has all kinds of interesting senses and truly astonishes us with her lyrics--she's someone who surprises us.

TOMOMI: That makes me happy.

HARUNA: But, that's not to say that she doesn't come out of it having no difficulties; she gets on top of hardships and difficulties. TOMO truly is someone who makes sure to really think things over.

TOMOMI: That makes me happy.

HARUNA: That's why, you know, on the surface it seems like TOMO is a "spontaneous, flighty, cute person." It might be because she's actually a skilled hardworker. I think we understand that precisely because we've been together for ten years. TOMO truly has thought about so many things during these ten years.


――Being told that makes you tear up, doesn't it?

TOMOMI: Yeah. I'm tearing up. It's because I don't understand myself at all. I think it's okay to not understand myself until I die (laughs).


――She certainly puts forth the effort, but she certainly also has a natural gift.

HARUNA: Yeah. It really seems like that. It's something I'm envious of.


――By splitting you up into pairs to do interviews, it feels like we can peek into conversations that the four of you can't have together. It feels like we get to hear what you've felt during your ten years. Does it feel like there's been an evolution in your lyrics and music?

HARUNA: Definitely. What I first faced in regards to singing, or rather what I wanted to change was around the time we were making our third album 『BABY ACTION』. Up until then I never had any problems with our songs. We had our major label debut, many people listened to us, and we began to receive all kinds of feedback. I began to objectively look at my own way of singing. Around then was when I was worried and thought, "How should I improve my singing?" It was hard to do away with that and I felt depressed. Right when we began rehearsals for our first Budokan performance, I thought, "I can't stand on stage at Budokan like this!" and pumped myself up. I began to rebuild myself little by little. It really was a repetition of feeling down and rebuilding myself back up. It truly only has been recently that singing has become enjoyable for me.

――TOMOMI, have there been changes in production for you?

TOMOMI: There have been. Regarding lyrics, in our early days I would be given a song written by a writer and it would spread out from words that would go with the sounds that called out to me. It came together like a puzzle. We learned that there were kids in light music clubs who started playing instruments after seeing us, so I started to think that I could write a message as lyrics that we could convey for them, established a theme, and started to write lyrics. That was a huge change for me.


――You've climbed many stairs in your ten years and have reached the present.

TOMOMI: That's really what it seems like. After our major debut, there's been a mode change in the band every year. It's not really like we have conversations where we're like, "Let's do it like this this year!", but there are times when it seems like we share the same atmosphere and all of the members are like, "Let's do it like this somehow." That's pretty much what a year's like. In that sense too, SCANDAL has been changing for the last ten years. In order for us to remain unchanged, we must change. In that sense, we weren't scared of change in the least. Because we had that is exactly why we're here now. We must continue to change; we can't stay the same as we are now.

◆What did new songs 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 and 「HELLO」 make the members realize?


――What was your impression when first listening to 「HELLO」?

TOMOMI: First I listened to it as a synth melody, and then listened to it with lyrics attached to it later.

HARUNA: We finished a bunch of winter songs right when we were making several winter songs. Our love songs up until then were fresh for us, so I remember thinking, "I want to try singing this!" Rather, I felt a happiness of singing love songs. When it comes to a single song's title song, there are many songs that encourage you and that makes you feel the strong will of a woman, so I felt that it would very fresh to sing a song with more familiar theme.


――I see. Your singing voice is completely different than it is in 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」--it's very gentle. Did the way you put emotions into it differ?

HARUNA: That's right. You can really superimpose your memories onto emotions in the lyrics of love songs, so perhaps your voice naturally becomes soft. I think they definitely also draw out those kinds of feelings in listeners too. For me, when I sang 「HELLO」, the feeling of bittersweet love I had when I was a student came back.

TOMOMI: We made a standard winter song. We also wrote 「SUKI-SUKI」 during the same time, but I think 「SUKI-SUKI」 is a song where you hear the sound first before you think it's a winter song. We made a winter song that's different by 180 degrees. I personally like the seasonal songs--not just winter ones--that have special feelings that can only be sung at that time, so I truly do love this song. Although I dislike winter, I can enjoy winter a bit thanks to 「SUKI-SUKI」 and 「HELLO」!


――「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 is exactly a song in which you can feel the meaning of what the current SCANDAL is singing about.

TOMOMI: Yeah. It's a song that's packed with what we're good at. The lyrics link very well to that story I mentioned earlier about the change in my way of writing lyrics.


――In 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」 there's a line where you say ＜Until our last sleep＞. When your last sleep comes around, what kind of person would you hope to be?

TOMOMI: You mean when we die?

HARUNA: It sounds way too straightforward when you put it like that (laughs).

TOMOMI: Indeed (laughs). Let's see. Since we have a job where we're in the public and can convey things, and since there are people who say they started a band after seeing SCANDAL, I hope to be able to be someone who can do activities that can make people who have known us think, "I'm glad I was touched by SCANDAL's music."

HARUNA: It'd be great if I could live in a way where I can make people think, "That person looked like they had so much fun～," or, "I want to live like that person." That's why I want to enjoy life from here on and more than I have until now. I want to live just like the lyrics in 「FREEDOM FIGHTERS」.


――My impression of HARUNA has changed a bit. It feels like you're more positive than ever.

HARUNA: Yeah. That might be true. It's because, right now, I want to enjoy everything. I couldn't break my shell until now. Convincing myself "Because I like this, this is the only thing I can do" makes me feel like I can break my shell now. I hope to take it all in and enjoy it.

◆What are words that have supported HARUNA and TOMOMI?


――There's a phrase in 「HELLO」, "Words you gave me." Do you each have words that support you?

TOMOMI: Around 2015 is when I couldn't write lyrics. But, I couldn't tell that to anyone. We were on tour and I felt so down that it seemed to be affecting my playing live, so before our world tour I clearly told the members I was in a slump. At that time, they told me, "We have our world tour; take a break from writing lyrics and experience the scenery and the people and the cultures around the world. Why not just enjoy absorbing new things? Also, why not try writing after you naturally feel like wanting to write again?" Those words were so relieving. In regards to not being able to write, I thought, "Why can't I write? Why can't I write?" before I confided to the members and was so impatient. I could no longer see what I could do for the band by not being able to write lyrics. I no longer understood the meaning of my being in SCANDAL. That's why I honestly would have broken apart if they didn't say those words to me then. Those words the members said to me truly saved me. I never said the word "slump" and thought that it was a word that absolutely should not be said, so being able to say it made me feel at ease. I'm so grateful to the members for saying them to me.


――How about HARUNA?

HARUNA: I try harder than necessary during our MCs at lives or on stage. That's what I believe HARUNA of SCANDAL should be. Like, "I need to do it like this!" That's my behavior on stage; it's something I crafted up there. My 20-year-old, unchaged self has come around more recently. It feels like I don't match my current age, but it's not something that can easily be changed. But, really, the members have been telling me recently, "You don't need to work so hard. Why not just be the same HARUNA as always?" Those words have really put me at ease. It feels like I was able to change.


――I wonder if it's because of that is why impression of you has totally changed. Like, I lost my stance. It feels like you really broke through.

HARUNA: Yeah. That might be it. I was able to kick off to a fresh start in 2017. We truly were continuing to frantically run through these past ten years. That's exactly why it's become fun when I think of how we're running anew from here. We truly were able to kick off to a new start in our eleventh year.


◆What feelings do you want to convey to each of the members?


――May we ask about messages you'd tell the members since it's your tenth anniversary? Let's start with MAMI.

TOMOMI: MAMI and I are the only ones who are the same age and I feel a sense of security with her, like she's a hometown friend. The things we've listened to and have seen--we're the same age so there are many things that really link together. It really puts my heart at rest. In our early days she didn't try expressing herself through music. But, her strengths have changed a bit recently and are all reflected in her music. Now MAMI can project all the lifestyles that she has lived through on the things she likes the most.

HARUNA: She's truly had a significant evolution compared to our beginning days. Her appearance, of course, has evolved, but even more so she's become an affluent person. Before, even if the four of us were together, she'd be doing something different on her own. When we would say the four of us should go out to eat, she'd say, "I'm not going." That was MAMI, but it never once felt like she disliked doing that. She's really changed recently and a cooperative personality has come forth. Rather, it's become possible to share all kinds of things with her. I'm sure MAMI's had a growth within herself, but it really feels like she's really grown as a person during these past ten years. Right now, like what TOMO said, she's become able to turn out music as well. She's a person who holds a different kind of skillfulness from TOMO.


――To RINA.

TOMOMI: MAMI and I feel like we entered the entertainment world unintentionally, but RINA is someone who's been aiming for this world since she was 3 years old, so I think SCANDAL has been able to come this far because of RINA's energeticness. If we didn't have RINA's energy, SCANDAL definitely would have ended up as just a hobby. It's enough that we've continued on for ten years without quitting. Because she's such a strong-willed and emotional person, I'm so glad that RINA is a part of SCANDAL.

HARUNA: She's the youngest among us but is so strong-willed. She has a strong core. She's someone who has her own kind of words. She's someone who can properly convey her thoughts with her words. I think that's an amazing talent. She cares so much about others like me and doesn't sugarcoat her words, so I've always been envious of RINA ever since meeting her. I too think we've been able to come this far because of RINA. I think we've been able to communicate that "SCANDAL is this kind of band" in Japan because of RINA.


――All right, finally, how about each other?

TOMOMI: HARUNA really cares about people, really takes a good look at people, doesn't lie, is straightforward, and is awkward. But, these are all things that can be respected and that I really like. We can tell many people many things exactly because she's a person that has these qualities. She's our leader who uses her voice to express herself, which I think is the most difficult thing. It feels like there are many songs that we can sing because of HARUNA's conflicts during these past ten years. If HARUNA was very skillful and didn't really bump into walls, then maybe the music that SCANDAL would be doing now would be completely different. But, having many people listen to us and being able to become a band who has continued on for ten years is because HARUNA has been standing right in the middle of everything.

HARUNA: Oh no. I'm going to cry!


――That isn't easily said face-to-face. They're also words that you don't really hear. But, I'm happy that you think that way.

HARUNA: Yeah. That makes me so happy.


――What are HARUNA's thoughts to TOMOMI?

HARUNA: TOMO is someone who really considers many things. She's someone who wouldn't say those kinds of things outloud, so it doesn't feel like she's thinking that deeply about it. But, she really understands things when you consult with her, looks at you with very calm eyes, and gives you accurate advice. TOMO has had a strong presence as I've stood in the middle and have been able to do many things. We often go out to eat regularly and talk about all kinds of things then. TOMO is the eas‪iest one to talk to about things I'm worried about or about the future, so (turning to TOMOMI beside her), best regards from here on out too (laughs)!

TOMOMI: Ahahaha. (Turning to HARUNA) Same here; best regards (laughs).

thank's for the translation as always) it's really interesting to read about what they thinking about each other.

What a nice interview. 

What stood out for me is that for a band that's in their eleventh year, they speak so well of each other.  This is at odds with so many bands that have been together for so long. Usually you have petty infighting, or egos taking over, or some other internal disagreement that comes out in interviews.  Not Scandal.  It's refreshing to know they truly like and respect one another and this isn't just a job for them to be together. 

It was also interesting to read how each of them view themselves so differently from how the other three view them.  I don't know if it's a cultural thing, but none of them seemed as positive of themselves and their abilities as the others felt about them.  I find it hard to believe there will ever be an ego problem in this band.

Lastly, TOMO is adorable as always, but I love these pictures of HARU.  She is stunning dressed so casual.

Very refreshing to see people that not only can, but are willing to be honest with and about, each other! That is one of the very special things about Scandal! They are more than just a Band...they are Sisters and friends as well!! .uhuh.

Thanks for the translations! 

I love seeing the more human side of these girls. Love all the interviews, love the BTS, love all the specials. Thanks again to jade and everyone for providing translations for us!