URANO SHUTA Urano Shuta has put himself into the world of artists since a young age and has experienced countless stages. His weapons are skilful performances and a lovable personality. His long held dream of being a part of a dance and vocal group blooms on the stages with OWV.
With the excitement he feels in his chest when he is on stage He continues to compete in the world of singing and dancing.
Please tell us about the region you are from and your hometown. I’m from the prefecture Kanagawa. I was raised at a place with a lot of nature and it was a peaceful and calm place. In the neighbourhood there were a lot of parks, so I remember often playing in the sandbox.... It was a normal town –laughs- What kind of child were you? When I was young, I couldn’t sit still at all and I wasn’t a calm child at all. When I went swimming, besides being forbidden I jumped into it, or even when I was playing soccer with my friends and I was entrusted with the role of the keeper, I built mountains of sand when I didn’t have anything to do –laughs- Well, I was quite lively. You seemed childlike and cute! But my parents wanted me to calm down and they said that they were increasing my lessons. Since I was two years old, I’ve learned English conversation and Aikido and since I was 5 years old, I went to piano, swimming and soccer lessons. I tried various things, but there was nothing that made me sit still fully unless I sat in front of the piano. From then on, I’ve kept learning how to play the piano, and I didn’t go out to play with my classmates after school or played outside in the summer holidays. That I experienced real summer holidays for the first time was in middle school. Because it was a habit, I naturally put my heart into my lessons. That is an education for gifted children. You experienced various things, so what was your childhood dream? At first, I wanted to become a pilot, I think. Afterwards, until I was in the 6th year of elementary school I earnestly took lessons, but when I became a middle schooler, I entered an artist agency because of a recommendation from my mom. I remember the big happiness I felt when I was able to dance on stage as a child. Somehow my heart beat faster, and the world became much more fun. Thus, it happened that my dream became that I also wanted to dance on stage as the main artist. You were able to do school and artist schedules well at the same time? I think so. I gave my best. I had promised to balance school work and artist activities, so I diligently studied and got good grades. When I got my report card, I was usually one 4 and the first a 5. (A 5 equals an A and a 4 equals a B) I took my homework to the workplace and finished them completely. However, if I didn’t pay attention to my surroundings and acted, I would fall behind, so I diligently listened to the words of the staff and paid attention on how I should move. My dad encouraged me to study and my mom supported my artist activities. You are powerful’! You were already part of the working part of society. Yes. The times I stood on stage gradually increased and at the same time I often had to leave school early, so I wasn’t on the same wavelengths as my classmates and there were times when I was a little lonely, but... But I continued to carry the strong emotions that I felt during my first stage, so I both gave my best during artist activities and studying. What was the start for you to decide that you want to do genuinely singing and dancing which were part of your artist activities? When I became a middle school student, I got into K-POP and I started to think that I want to polish my singing and dancing skills much more than before. In the beginning it was the simple interest and feeling “Standing on stage is amazing”, but then it became clear that I aimed for the direction of singing and dancing. I left my agency during my 2nd year of middle school and felt that I should intensively train my unskilled self, so I started going to a school on my own. Who influenced me with his performances back then was Shinee’s Taemin-san. Furthermore, I watched various K-POP groups and their skills and charms left a strong impression. Whenever I watched them, I was able to rethink whether I would be able to reach the bottom of my own performance skills. Did you have any other interests back then? I continued to play the piano the whole time, so back then it was my skills and hobby. For singing and dancing your expressiveness is important, so I was reminded that I can’t neglect those. If you were such an outstanding person, you must have been popular with the girls. Please tell me of an episode related to love. I was popular with them during elementary school –laughs- I remember getting a lot for Valentine’s day. Other than that, because I devoted myself to the artist activities, I think there aren’t any romantic episodes... only because as a middle schooler I danced at the school festival and played the piano at choral competitions, my juniors asked to take pictures with me. Basically, I was flirting, so please guess the rest –laughs-
What made him hold on his dream that he was about to give up was the warm support of his family.
Afterwards you polished your singing and dancing skills at the school that visited on your own? Because I wanted to continue doing work related to singing and dancing, I signed to an artist agency during my 2nd year of high school once again. After all I didn’t give up on doing those activities and I wanted to be active as an artist. Because I promised my parents that in exchange for letting me do the things I wanted to do, I would enter university and properly graduate, I worked hard on my school work, too. Then I joined an actors' group. Because the activities were nothing but new to me, it was fun and I was able to experience various things. I was signed until my 3rd year of university, but I was barely able to do the singing and dancing activities that I’ve imagined. In the latter half of those years, when I was about 20 years old, there was the time I worried the most whether I could continue my dream of becoming a part of a group that sings and dances. It was the time when the people around started job hunting and were aware of the future, right? That surely played a part, too, but more than that, I got older and it was frustrating that I wasn’t able to complete the things I wanted to do. It seemed like that by continuing artist activities for a long time, the people who I put a burden on also increased and it was disappointing. I was also told “When will you be popular” or “it’s better when you give up”. At the same time as this irritating period, it was also a time when my feelings were renewed. When I was young I pursued my dreams innocently, but because as I became an adult, I became aware of the reality I was in, too. What was your driving force to continue pursuing your dream? The presence of my family was big. My family were the only ones who believed in my activities and dreams. That was a huge support for me. It may sound tough, but I was able to imagine myself dancing on stage. The wish to succeed for sure on the path of an artist was strong, so I felt that I was able to continue the path. Originally, I entered the artist world without knowing anything, but since I’ve decided to continue by my own choice, I didn’t want to trouble anyone and make my dream reality. When you heard about “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN” (later shortened to PDJP), did you decide to join on the spot? I applied for it with the thought that it would be my last chance. I left my agency that I was signed to as part of the actor’s group and when I thought what should I do for a moment, my mom told me about the program. “They seem to do that audition in Japan” and that information made me happy. I decided on the spot, but first I wanted to consult my parents who supported me from the very beginning and we hold a family council. Nonetheless, your family supported you from behind? Yes, they gave me a supportive push forward. I felt that I had to wager myself there and cleared the requirement of not being part of an agency at that moment, and because I liked K-POP, I thought it was the audition for me!
He can convey his charms and what he wanted to show through OWV
When you participated in PDJP with which thoughts did you tackle it? At first, I thought “I have to work even harder” and “I can do it better!” and I was disappointed about my stagnant self. Without knowing the details of the audition, I was told “Please do a 1 minute PR” and I had to do that recording... I thought “I can do it better” and constantly regretted it. While there were also people who gathered attention with their promotional pictures, I blamed myself when I saw the finished pictures, thinking “Self-appeal is what determines the first impression, I should have done better.” -laughs- That’s true. When you felt frustrated, how did you motivate yourself? I was trying to put up the façade of a bright character, but I could hardly show it on air. After a while, Honda-kun told me “You become stiff in front of the camera” -laughs- In order to stand out in front of the camera, I joked around, but it was boring, wasn’t it –laughs- I gave my best to bring out my abilities in singing and dancing that I had cultivated before and I had experience of standing on stage, thus I know the atmosphere of performance which was my advantage compared to everyone else, so I set my mind on tackling each performance with self-confidence. What you have experienced since you were a child is something no one else has, right? I think so. On the other hand, when I think about it now, because I know about the atmosphere during performances and the recordings, I feel like I also thought of myself as safe. Actually, during the auditions I frequently felt that I wasn’t able to show my charms. At the evaluations from the outside, there were comments written like “He’s someone who sings steadily” or “His dancing is not good”. The whole time I thought how I can make myself more known. The trainees that lived together with me knew about what wasn’t displayed on camera like about my actual character and my accumulated experiences, so when I was chosen as the first team member for the group battle, I was very glad. Bonds that were born in the middle of an earnest fight are wonderful. But of course, the participating trainees also had some difficult times... Thanks to my comrades, I got the benefit of the group battle and my ranking also rose, so that I was able to advance to the group battle at the last moment. At PDJP where people gathered who were pursuing their dreams, there were also old friends and acquaintances, so it was really fun and it encouraged me. To that extent, because I also understood the gap between me and my friends when the definite numbers of votes were announced, it was quite hard. I started to be worried that next time I might be the one who is eliminated. As my friends started to be eliminated, I took the matter in my own hands and cheered for the people around me. During the 3rd ranking ceremony after my name was called first, I hoped for my good friend Fumiya to go to the final. True, during PDJP it happened that you two were eliminated before the final, but now you are united as comrades in the same group. A fated reunion! I was very happy that I finally made my last chance come true and that I was also able to meet these members! In OWV I can do the things I want and my life is this right now. I’m nothing but thankful for the members and the staff members supporting us. I think after becoming a part of OWV, the people who supported me during the audition, the ones who didn’t notice me and also the ones who didn’t know about my existence, got to know the human Urano Shuta better. That I’m someone bright who likes to joke around or that I’m friends with Fumiya and so on. When you talk with the other OWV members you always seem to have fun, to be glad and happy. It’s of course the same for the other members. You said that you weren’t able to show your charms during PDJP, but when the fans see you in OWV they will be happy. It makes me happy that you think like that. My character is inherited from my parents. It’s a family that likes to joke around or to make people laugh by doing silly things. Also, it's a family that often interacts with each other. I think I’m similar to them in those things. By the way, that I’m always worrying, resembles my mother. I’m sensitive –laughs- My mother often told me “Your dream is my dream. Step by step you make it true. Thank you.” After becoming a part of OWV, she was happier than ever. When I go to work, I’m always thankful to my parents who see me off. When they don’t expect it, I give them presents, but in the future, I want to be active the whole time and be a good son. Also, I like comedy a lot. Even before becoming part of Yoshimoto I loved their comedians. That I can make my dream of being part of a dance and vocal group come true at Yoshimoto is a miracle and the biggest luck for me.
100 Q&A 001: A message to the fans who bought the first photobook! It’s like a dream that we were able to release a photobook. That’s really thanks to QWV. Thinking about everyone I stuffed it with pictures that show various versions of myself, so find your favourite one! 002: Your childhood dream? Pilot 003: A moment when you think you are happy? When I'm laughing together with the members (right now that I’m able to do this work) 004: If you compare yourself to an animal? Squirrel, monkey 005: Your charm point? Fingers 006: What would you eat as your last supper? Something made by my mom 007: Comment on your fashion today? I’m wearing a wide top. Also, a knit hat. 008: Tell us about your favourite pair of shoes? Acne Studios 009: What's the most favourite fashion item right now? Big knit 010: If you appeared in a drama, what role would you play? I want to try all assigned roles. Is that greedy? -laughs- 011: You are the director. What kind of movie would you make? Something grand like a Hollywood movie 012: The muscles you are the most confident about? None –laughs- 013: A part of your body that you like? Hands 014: A part of your body that you dislike? I wanted to have eyes bags~ 015: A song you sing for sure during Karaoke? Something from back number 016: Which is the most memorable YouTube video? What else do you want to try? The cooking videos 017: What makes you feel secure if you have it? My Donald towel 018: How does your family call you? Shuu-chan 019: How do your friends call you? Shuuta 020: What’s your lock screen? OWV’s logo 021: How long do you sleep? 7 hours 022: Speaking of café menus? Cake 023: Speaking of home cooking? Curry 024: A hairstyle you want to try? Or a hair colour? Perm 025: Do you easily gain weight or is it hard for you? It’s hard 026: If you compared yourself to a thing? Matchstick 027: A colour that fits you? Also, a colour that doesn’t fit you? I want to be someone who matches every colour 028: Are you better with hot or cold weather? Cold 029: Your taste in interior design of your home? Simple 030: Your favourite spot at home? The corner of my sofa 031: Do you have a lot of luggage? Or only a bit? Not much 032: Your favourite manga? "Demon Slayer” 033: Your favourite book? All novels 034: Your favourite movie? I have a lot, but if I had to choose one it’s “The fast and the furious” 035: Your favourite drama? "The Hero Yoshihiko and the demon kings castle” and “Ikemen Paradise” (also known as Hana Kimi) 036: If you suddenly had tomorrow off, what would you do? I would go abroad for a day 037: Your speaking habit? Iina~ (That’s good) 038: Your ideal image of an adult man? My father 039: An actor you admire? Nakamura Tomoya and Yamada Takayuki 040: Your type? Someone neat and clean 041: What’s your image of meeting your lover? We are in the library and at the same time we want to take a book and we say “ah!” when our hands touch –laughs- 042: What kind of scent would you like your lover to use? Something not that intense is good 043: Do you want to spoil your lover? Or to be spoiled by them? It depends, but I think I want to be spoiled 044: How do you appeal to the person you like? Peering and then our eyes meet –laughs- 045: Do you believe in love at the first sight? A bit 046: When were you the most popular (with the other gender)? During the 6th grade of elementary school 047: Are you someone jealous? Or not? I think I’m someone jealous 048: What do you do when you are heartbroken? I sulk! -laughs- 049: What is the ideal fashion of your lover? A dress 050: What is the ideal hairstyle of your lover? Soft and fluffy 051: What is your ideal way of proposing and in which situation? With a night scenery in the background 052: Your ideal image of a family? Like my home! 053: What would you like for your lover to cook for you? Boiled eggs 054: What was your strong subject back in school? Math, music, Japanese history 055: What was your weak subject back in school? P.E. 056: Your motto? You only live once 057: Something you value? Fun and delightful things 058: What do you want to do the most right now? A LIVE! 059: What do you think you will do in 10 years? OWV of course! 060: Do you act superstitiously? If yes, what do you do? Watching the moon 061: Your favourite Sushi ingredient? Wa-! It’s salmon! 062: Which kind of ramen do you like? Tonkotsu (soup made from pork bones) 063: Please tell us your blood type with adjectives? Serious & precise A type 064: Something other than singing or dancing you want to improve? I want to improve everything, but song writing the most 065: A drink you always buy? Café latte 066: How much do you spend each month on beauty items? Several thousand yen 067: Is there a must have beauty item? Which is it? Face roller 068: A beauty item you always carry with you? There isn’t anything I think 069: Please tell us how you train your body? Please tell me how to? -laughs- 070: If you compared each member to a family? Honda -> mom, Nakagawa -> dad , Sano -> younger brother 071: What is your position inside the group? Mood creator 072: Is there something you don’t lose to the other members? Sense of pitch 073: What do you want to challenge with all OWV members? A variety show in the terrestrial program 074: Do you celebrate your birthday with the members? Did you get gifts? We celebrate! I also got something! I still use it! 075: What do you like about Kosuke? What do you want him to change? His humanity. That he becomes loud suddenly 076: What do you like about Fumiya? What do you want him to change? That he sees his surroundings. That he eats too fast 077: What do you like about Katsunari? What do you want him to change? His smile. That he tends to prank me 078: Please tell us something common among the members? That we want to calm down 079: To what would you compare the members’ love? Like a family 080: An episode that made the members inexpertly laugh? Nakagawa’s clumsy incident 081: Please tell us about one time when a member sent you a message? "where are you?” “here-” “I’m also there” “ah, there” 082: Please tell us who is NO.1 of ___ among the members? Honda -> NO.1 of having a childlike innocence, Sano -> NO.1 of gluttony Nakagawa -> NO.1 of being an airhead 083: Have you fought with the members? Not yet 084: Who is the most passionate one of the members? PUBG (-> you can interpret the question also as "what’s the hottest thing among the members") 085: What would you do now if there was no OWV? Still something related to entertainment 086: A habit that you often end up doing? Tousling my bangs 087: What is the first impression that other people often tell you? That I seem gentle 088: What is your lucky number? 17 089: Your favourite season? Summer nights, end of fall 090: A country you would like to visit? Macao, Bali 091: A prefecture you would like to visit? Hokkaido 092: A celebrity you would like to meet Downtown 093: If you could use magic, what would you do? Becoming a bird and flying around in the sky 094: If you compared yourself to a colour? Yellow! But gold is good, too –laughs- 095: Something you want to insist on? When eating I’m starting with the salad 096: The thing you dislike the most in this world? All bugs 097: Your future dream? Advancing to the world 098: What is something OWV doesn’t lose to other groups? How well the member’s truly get along 099: If you could go out alone with QWV, what would you do? Going on a drive 100: Something you want to promise to QWV? I will take you to a big stage! For sure
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