[OWV] Oggi 241129

[OWV interview] “This is awesome about the members!” Introducing each other with “strong praise”

OWV is a four member boy group who have been active in various fields as “Pioniers”, pushing forward on an unprecedented path. Their new song “Frontier”, produced by Kudo Taiki from Da-iCE, is a driven dance tune about their history and their future ambitions. We asked the members to introduce the song and each other, in a way they can only do here!

“Frontier” is like “water” soaking through your body
Katsunari: We debuted in the corona pandemic (2020) and we were constantly worried as we were absolutely unable to do what we wanted. But when we found our own “light” we were able to push forward. I believe that our new song “Frontier” is a song that will touch people who are struggling like we did. I hope that listening to this song will help you get over your hardships and troubles.
Kosuke: I would be really happy if seeing us, OWV, paving a way that has never been taken before, could give you even the slightest bit of courage or emotional support. The song contains the message “it’s okay not to rush”, so I think it will resonate with the people who are working hard every day like the readers of Oggi. The song has a fresh and bright melody and it is a soothing song for those who are looking for healing. It is a song that you can listen to in the morning and it will soak throughout your body comfortably, so please give it a listen.
Katsunari: It soaks throughout your body just like “water”. It will surely become an essential song in your life.
Kosuke: Right!

“TRVCKSTVR” is a song that brings the excitement to a new high!
Shuta: The b-side “TRVCKSTVR” is a song I hope you check out. As the lyrics “Gear it up!” symbolise it is a song that will raise your spirits and make you go crazy!
Fumiya: Because of the nature of our work, our bodies are our capital. There are many times when we have to gear it up, so for example I always run 5km before leaving home.
Shuta: That’s impossible to copy? (laughs)
Fumiya: You can do 5 kilometres ! That's a short distance!
Katsunari: Since Fumiya started getting public attention for his marathons, he also tells everyone around him “Run!” It’s becoming more and more like bullying. He is also becoming crazier and says 5km as if they were 50m (laughs).
Fumiya: Our manager is also getting a little crazy. He thinks because I can run so easily, the members can run 40km.
Katsunari: Well, we can’t run this at all (laughs)!
Shuta: By the way, if I want to get into the mood, I try to eat sweet things.
Kosuke: Because sweet foods give you energy.
Shuta: When I am at home, I always have a seasonal dessert after each meal.
Kosuke: Cause you still live with your parents? It’s time you really think about living alone! (laughs)
Fumiya: He gets a LINE message from his mother saying “which sweets do you want today?”.
Shuta: Today I left early, but I had a roll cake after breakfast.
Katsunari: The love is strong!
Shuta: Thank you, mom!
Everyone: hahaha

We want Oggi readers to get to know OWV better! Therefore, they will introduce each other here! Let’s start with the Honda & Sano pair.

Kosuke: Fumiya won the 2024 “All Star Thanksgiving” Akasaka 5-chome Mini Marathon! It was shocking! His first participation and first win! The winner of the previous edition was K-san from &TEAM, and the next one Sano Fumiya from us, OWV, establishing a new path of enlightenment for boy groups! He became 4th in the recently held fall edition of the Akasaka 5-chome Mini Marathon but he lost to an Olympic runner. Well, I think in 4 years Fumiya could participate in the Olympics.
(*Furthermore, Fumiya finished in around 3 hours and 20 mins in the Osaka marathon in February 2024 and placed second in the 100km survival marathon of “27 hour TV” from Fuji TV)
Fumiya: No way I could participate! (laughs)
Kosuke: Of course he has many other qualities other than marathons. He is a strong dancer, a good singer and an all-rounder. I think that is what makes him stand out. Also, he says everything straightforwardly, which I think makes working women happy. Sometimes he says kind things to me. That’s his tsundere side.
Fumiya: No, I’m not like this at all!
Kosuke: Hey, now introduce me.
Fumiya: Honda-kun is our undisputed leader and the emotional support of QWV. He is a player and at the same time he has a very strong fan focus. I think it is a huge strength for a group to have a leader who has understanding and awareness. Now that he also does stage plays, his ability to express himself and his performances have been brushed up. Since OWV has only 4 members, I’m really looking forward to who will be the next one who will show off and blow up.
Kosuke: （ (◦ˉ ˘ ˉ◦)nyanya）

Conclusion!

Sano Fumiya is:
running, singing, dancing, sometimes tsundere. And in 4 years OWV’s pride, the perfect performer…?

Honda Kosuke is:
OWV’s dependable leader who guides the group and provides emotional support to the fans!

Next up is the Nakagawa & Urano pair!

Katsunari: I think the Oggi readers often work hard, so they want to be healed right here and there. Shuta is very funny and he is a healing person who can bring laughter into the midst of our daily lives. He is also surprisingly considerate. He often sleeps at my place, but each time he comes over he asks me if I need anything. When you come to someone’s place often you tend to forget that kind of consideration, don’t you? But Shuta never ever forgets to show his appreciation for me hosting him.
Shuta: Yes, I will heal you!
Katsunari: The fact that he is unexpectedly well-behaved makes me annoyed! I don’t think so but I think women will think Shuta is cute. But I don’t think so (laughs).
Shuta: No need to say this twice! Kacchan is a good driver and cook and he is a kind guy who makes you a quick meal after coming home. He picks you up and takes you home. He does everything I just mentioned for me!
Katsunari: You happily ate the healthy gyoza I made from lettuce, didn’t you?
Shuta: They were delicious-! Also, it’s easy to make us laugh, so we are laughing all the time, which creates a nice atmosphere. This is a good point, isn’t it?
Katsunari: You have to smile at least once, because when Shuta is down, it immediately shows on his face.
Shuta: Really!?
Katsunari: Recently, we traveled to Singapore privately. We laughed the whole time, and yeah maybe it is just comfortable for us to be together.
Shuta: Oh, I’m embarrassed!(laughs)

Conclusion!

Nakagawa Katsunari is:
Save driver & good cook. His laughing and lettuce gyoza are healing. OWV’s visual!

Urano Shuta is:
OWV’s youngest who brightens up your everyday life with laughter and subtle care.

As the years since their formation are passing, OWV have deepened their bonds and grew stronger. Their song is an inspirational song that encourages us every day as it depicts them pushing forward on their unique path which is not the traditional one to reach a goal that only they can reach. Please listen to it on your way to work or when you are exhausted. In the second part, we asked the four members to look back on their path. Please enjoy the “OWV Chronicles” filled with their sense of humour.

[OWV] B-Pass 240719

OWV - A hyper dance-rock tune that takes them to even greater heights!

OWV, whose previous single “BREMEN” brought them the 1st place in the Oricon weekly ranking for the first, are at the height of their power currently. Now aiming for even greater heights, they next unleash a hyper dance-rock tune that mixes band sounds into a dance track! We asked the four members to talk about “LOVE BANDITZ”, a challenging song just at the right time.

Your new song “LOVE BANDITZ” is a passionate song that is perfect for summer. What kind of discussions did you have when the song was chosen?
Fumiya: Our basic idea was that we didn't want to lose the steam that we gained from reaching the first place on the Oricon charts with “BREMEN”. We also talked about how we wanted to create an atmosphere where people who didn't know us would think it would be fun to support us, and that they would always be somewhat energized.
Kosuke: I feel that people who had only heard of OWV or had seen the one of the members but did not know the group existed, finally became aware of the group because of the hype related to our previous release “BREMEN” and Fumiya’s first place in the Akasaka Marathon at the “All Star Thanksgiving Festival”.

Right, it feels like the winds are blowing in the right direction for you now.
Kosuke: I am grateful and happy about it. That was also the reason why we chose “LOVE BANDITZ”. When it came to decide on the next song after “BREMEN”, we listened to a lot of candidates, but only “LOVE BANDITZ” was obviously the right one. But there was also the talk about whether the song would be a bit of a challenge when chosen, but we all felt that it has to be this song.
Shuta: Honda-kun’s excitement was huge back then.
Katsunari: He was happy like a child finally getting the toy he wanted. (laughs)
Kosuke: That’s how impactful it was!
Shuta: He felt alien in a good way.
Fumiya: Right, just like OWV’s Shuta.
Shuta: Hey, who are you calling alien?!
Everyone: ahahaha
Shuta: But well, in a good way… am I an alien?
Fumiya & Honda: Yes.
Katsunari: Physically you might be.
Shuta: From space!?
TN: This part was tricky to translate cause 浮いてる usually means “floating” but can also mean “being out of place”. I tried to find something that could somehow translate the jokes into English.

Let’s go back to the topic. (laughs) The song felt aggressive.
Kosuke: I think we have established a band sound since implementing this into “Gamer”. “LOVE BANDITZ” is even more metal oriented with a very fast BPM. But I believe by choosing such a song now, we can establish OWV’s identity even more.
Katsunari: When we first decided on this song, I felt like this was not a song boy groups tend to do. I wondered what kind of dance it would have. But at this moment with “BREMEN” getting the first place, we felt that if we hadn’t chosen the song with the current momentum, we would have never been able to release this song. Hence, I thought this was the moment to release it and I was excited that it would be a fresh breeze of air for OWV.

If you can showcase this song well, it will increase OWV’s strengths.
Katsunari: I think the most important thing for a group is to express something unique, so I thought this song would allow us to do that.
Shuta: The hook of the song is the dance break. The choreographer of the song is YORITO-san with whom we worked since “Bling Bling”, but in the songs we entrusted to him previously we did not dance much in the dance break. Pretty much that there was not even a dance break in the MV. However, this time the moment we enter the dance break we dance fiercely. There are a lot of movements and sound frames, the formations are also detailed. The difficulty level is quite high, but I think this makes a good hook.
Katsunari: This time there was not much time for the choreography…
Shuta: And the difficulty level was also high. But me and Kacchan were told “you learnt the choreography faster than last time”, which made us really happy. Last time I could not remember the choreography after one day, but this time we were able to gasp the flow in one session, so I felt that we improved.

Honda-kun and Sano-kun, do you feel that the two have improved in dancing?
Kosuke: I feel it, but they made some big mistakes during the “Poka Poka” changeover dance…
Shuta: (cuts him off) Next question please!
Kosuke: That was fast. (laughs)
Shuta: No~, during the changeover dance I made a big mistake and I ended up having a mental blackout…
Fumiya: So your head was Poka Poka? (= fuzzy)
Shuta: It’s a live show!
Fumiya: Well, they surely became faster in learning the choreography. When we are rehearsing on tour, they remember things faster, and they are also learning additional choreography faster. I think the quality has also improved.
Shuta: …! (seems happy)
Fumiya: YORITA-san is someone very busy, so we made a quite absurd request this time. But not only have we worked together many times, but we have also improved our ability to absorb things, so we were able to discuss and create together, which was really amazing. YORITO-san also contacted us outside of practice hours and we communicated closely if there was anything we wanted to change. I knew that YORITO-san was a reliable and experienced partner.
Kosuke: While there is a formation in the chorus this time, there is no dancing. That’s how much we devoted ourselves to the dance break. I felt that the dance that incorporates every single sound is a masterpiece by YORITO-san. It became pretty much the highlight, so I hope you will anticipate it.
TN: Poka Poka is a TV show on Fuji TV in which Shuta & Katsunari appear every two weeks on Tuesdays. Sometimes when they change the studio interior during the live broadcast, the two will dance to a popular song and this segment seems to be called 転換ダンス or “changeover dance” when literally translated.

The lyrics have been written by ZERO-san like the last time.
Kosuke: I really like the whole idea of not letting go of the momentum and recognition we gained with “BREMEN”, and making people like us and become fans.
Shuta: Until now it was often that we told QWV (through the music) “we go ahead and you follow us”, but now that the people who support us have increased, the urge to release lyrics that say “Let’s go to take over the world” is there.
Katsunari: I love the words that ZERO-san chooses. It is also wonderful how our name was inserted in a cool way like in Fumiya’s part “CODE: Operation OWV starts”. In “LOVE BANDITZ” there is also the meaning that we want to steal everyone’s hearts and make them like us. It’s really typical for OWV and once more I was glad that we asked ZERO-san to write them. It became a powerful song in which each part has its highlights.

ZERO-san wrote lyrics for all 3 featured songs, right?
Katsunari: We are totally addicted to his lyrics!
Fumiya: Not only are the lyrics cool, but there is no mismatch between each member's part, and the lyrics fit the characters nicely. It's because ZERO-san wrote the lyrics with a clear understanding of us which makes them easy for us to interpret, and it feels really good to sing them. It's great that there is absolutely no contradiction between the message we have and the lyrics written by ZERO-san.
Kosuke: He is originally a rapper, so he has a cool way of phrasing things, and he puts what we want to say into words in a cool way, which really surprises us each time. He always writes things beyond our imagination, so we are really happy that we could ask him to write all three songs this time.

[OWV] BoyAge Festival Issue 230111

OWV reached the third year since their formation. How do they keep their team work in mind as these four strong individual personalities move forward on their way? Which sides of them changed from the time they met to now, and which of those evolved?

Theme Talk
Team Work -How to build a relationship of trust-

That we became able to have such good teamwork, is because each one of us was able to establish their own character

Does everyone of you have something they keep in mind or is particular about in your activities with OWV?
Katsunari: We tend not to do so, right?
Kosuke: Not really~
Katsunari: What I feel is that we all have strong individual personalities. We all have our own strong feelings and determination. But we want to do the same things as a group and this was clear since the formation. Thus, it never happened that I thought something like 'We have to emphasize this as a group!', but I feel there is a strange balance of the four of us getting along very well.
Shuta: We also unconsciously help each other. We are four members, so when for example someone gets something to drink during a MC or someone has a coughing fit and thus stops talking, there are even less members who can talk. But in such moments the other members follow the flow naturally. This is not just the case for live shows but also in interviews or variety shows. On the other hand, when three members talk a lot, I feel one member calmly watches. In the last two years this developed naturally.
Katsunari: Because it’s like we are always together, both at work and in private, right?
Shuta: The way you say it sounds like song lyrics? (Laughs)
Katsunari: Like 'Be always with me' (laughs). But it’s really like this and I feel the result of this that the team work came to be on its own. We don’t really keep this in mind, but we are close with each other.
Fumiya: I think this is also because we are not just close with each other, we trust each other, too.
Kosuke: It might be this, but I believe that we were able to have such good teamwork, is also because each one of us was able to establish our own character. We all understand our own characters, so we think ‘I can leave this to this person’ or ‘Here I will talk’.

This feels like you distributed the roles, right?
Kosuke: That’s right. We do this diligently. We were close from the start, so there was consistency, but everyone made truly use of their characters after they became able to comprehend all characters. Hence, I can feel that we can move forward in our talks and work more smoothly than before.

And having these characters also happened naturally?
Kosuke: That’s right. Because it happened that during our activities, the members and the fans got the image of ‘This person is like this’. A certain person however, that guy Nakagawa, his character became blurry currently (laughs).
Shuta: Rather than becoming blurry, it’s that his wall was taken down (laughs).
Katsunari: Indeed. Because I think there had been a huge wall in the beginning.
Shuta: Because you are shy.
Katsunari: Yes. But this one disappeared now and I became normal. I feel this makes my character blurry on the other hand (laughs). Thus, I feel a bit sorry that Honda-kun became interested in me and asked me whether we want to do this together in a time when the wall was still there (laughs).
Kosuke: No, I’m fine, however, if you are like now in private.
Katsunari: I was weird in the beginning, wasn’t I? But I want to diligently protect the character that is needed for performances in the future.

Sano-kun, what are your thoughts regarding OWV’s teamwork?
Fumiya: To work as a team was something I really disliked in the past. I hated acting as a group so much that I left the baseball club and joined the track and field club (laughs).

Such people often join boy groups and are active with those (laughs).
Fumiya: That’s absolutely right.
Katsunari: This is also funny, isn’t it?
Fumiya: Because I didn't think much about it. Speaking of this, In a boy group, it’s like there is someone other than me, too! (Laughs). But while being active with OWV, I can actually feel the perks of everyone having the same goal and running towards it. Hence, despite me having my own pace, I want to cherish the team during this.

Of course. Teams also have their perks.
Katsunari: They have a lot. Sure enough in your activities, you will discover the sides where you lack. But when the members are there at this moment, they will compensate for this. Thanks to this we can create something good, so I feel the team is something really great.

You can balance each other.
Katsunari: That’s right! That’s right! To make it simple, there is the role of the leader, right? That’s a role I can’t do. But there is someone in the group who takes up this role. I feel this is an amazing merit.

I feel that exactly because it is these four people OWV’s charms are getting refined.

This connects to the “role distribution” that Honda-kun had mentioned earlier. Like the right person is at the right place.
Kosuke: Exactly this. I believe we are like this.
Fumiya: This is like a… Yakiniku menu?
Katsunari: Hm? What do you mean? (Laughs)
Fumiya: Isn’t it “Let’s say it in a four character idiom!”?
TN: 適材適所(the right person at the right place) and 焼肉定食 (yakiniku menu) are both 4 characters in Japanese. A lot of Japanese metaphors are 4 character idioms.
Katsunari: No, because it’s not this (laughs). Also, yakiniku menu isn’t such a four character idiom.
Fumiya: Well, to answer this seriously, when I arrive at the workplace and say “Good morning”, they reply “Good morning”. This makes me happy.
Katsunari: Cute!
Fumiya: But I think if I had debuted alone, this would not happen. It is the same as when I return home to my family and say “I’m home” and they reply “Welcome back” and it makes me somehow feel relieved. Because I feel the members are like a family and this makes me feel happy.
Shuta: But you rarely say “Good morning”, don’t you?
Fumiya: Yes, and even if someone else says it I don’t reply.
Kosuke: Someone reading this must think you are the worst.
Fumiya: But when I say it from time to time and get a reply, I’m happy!
Shuta: Makes sense. What I think is a perk of the group is that we all come from different backgrounds. That's exactly why everyone can teach me a lot about the things I don’t know. I feel this is really great.

Can you give an example for this?
Shuta: Games, manga, anime and sports. I rarely came in touch with those (in the past). But they gifted me a game for my birthday and they told me about manga, so I’m reading “ONE PIECE” right now.

Right now!? You started pretty late (laughs).
Fumiya: See! They all react like this!
Shuta: But after reading it it’s pretty funny, and since we started to cook on YouTube, everyone teaches me this and so on. There might be something I would have never noticed myself, so I feel my life has become richer.
Kosuke: I get that. There is a lot we can learn from everyone, isn’t it? We are different kinds of people, so when these four people come together, lots of different opinions and ideas come out. I feel that thanks to this my brain grew bigger. This is also reflected in the brain as OWV. Thus, I became able to image things I would have never thought of myself and the topics for the MC also became more, so I feel that exactly because it is these four people OWV’s charms are getting refined. They even reply to my advanced gags, so this is amazing, too.
Shuta: Because they are not advanced.
Katsunari: I don’t know. Maybe these will be well received jokes in the future.
Fumiya: Yes, in the year 20XX.

Sure enough our style is to cover each other’s weaknesses and work hard together!

Do you also consult with each other in regards to the song production?
Kosuke: We do. We chose the songs all together and from time to time our opinions on those differ. At such times, we discuss with each other why we think that song is good.
Fumiya: Also regarding the choreography, we get proposals from the vocal-line such as 'This choreographer would be good' and also when we record the songs, when someone records alone, the other three members listen to it. Because of this, there is the feeling that we created everything together.
Shuta: When we struggle with the dancing, another member will help us. I certainly feel that we improved (thanks to this).
Katsunari: In regard to dancing, they help me so much that I’m a bit ashamed. They diligently help me when I ask them, for which I am grateful. From time to time a member does the choreography for one of our songs, but this is also something I personally can’t do. Hence, I feel like this is another strengh for this group and another virtue of it, too.
Fumiya: If I didn't teach you, I could be the popular one however (laughs).
Katsunari: He might say so, but in reality he teaches me with a really happy face.
Shuta: Right. With a wide smile he teaches up to the extra parts.
Fumiya: To be honest, I’m the happiest when I’m told “Teach me!”. Sure enough our style is to cover each other’s weaknesses and work hard together!
Katsunari: But during the MC everyone tries to make the audience laugh.
Fumiya: It’s a battle royal, isn’t it?
Kosuke: Right. In the MC it’s like who can make the others laugh.
Fumiya: It’s the World Martial Arts Tournament.
TN: World Martial Arts Tournament is a reference to “Dragonball”, a tournament that features the Earth’s strongest fighters.
Katsunari: That said, I think my character is becoming blurry because everyone is too funny. Because I can’t survive if I stay quiet.
Shuta: Because lately, Kacchan puts great importance on the adjective “funny”, doesn’t he? (Laughs) But I’m sure there is a lot of demand for “cool” and such, too.
Katsunari: No, the “cool” is weak inside of me.
Fumiya: Indeed. The expiry date of “cool” might be early. “Someone funny” keeps on being told they are funny no matter how much time passes.
Katsunari: Exactly! That’s why I feel “funnily cool” is the best.

It is different at oneman shows and at festivals, but actually it’s not right to say festival, rather we go into a battle.

And in order to become so, you are surely studying “funny” right now (laughs).
Katsunari: That’s right.
Kosuke: Also now you are funny enough when you are relaxed.
Fumiya: But everyone has a different style of being funny.
Shuta: That’s right. Honda-kun is a specialist for one-liners and I guess I’m the one for reactions.
Katsunari: And it depends on who picks up Honda-kun's jokes, as well as what happens afterwards.

Because one of OWV’s strengths are your MCs during your live shows, right? (Laughs)
Fumiya: Because we see MC also like a song.
Shuta: Yes. We want to make the audience as satisfied as if they had heard another song.
Kosuke: Last year during the “Inazuma Rockfest”, we squeezed in 2 MCs. But other artists didn’t even have one.

2 MCs, during how many songs? (Laughs)
Kosuke: During 5 songs (laughs)
Shuta: I heard you don’t really do MCs at a rock festival. Because everyone came to hear the music.
Kosuke: But we put too much effort in our MCs and squeezed in two of them. Thus, when no one else did them, we thought ‘Huh? They don’t do that?’
Shuta: It was normal (what they did).
Fumiya: Maybe in our case, I feel that one day our first song will be a MC.
Katsunari: This would be hilarious! But during the “Inazuma Rockfest”, Nishikawa-san also told us 'I’m looking forward to your MC! Because I will be watching you from the wing (of the stage).' So we had no choice but to do it.
Kosuke: We had no choice but to squeeze in two. But since we were the first ones to perform, I think we warmed up the crowd.

Furthermore, this was good because it made you different from the other artists.
Katsunari: I agree. I think we want to walk a little different way.

Including these MCs, I believe live shows are a very important place for OWV. Is there something you keep in mind at such times?
Fumiya: It is different at oneman shows and at festivals, but actually it’s not right to say festival, rather we imagine that we go into a battle.
Kosuke: Exactly. We think on how we can make the parts of the audience who are not our fans raise their hands for example.
Katsunari: When we find someone who doesn’t raise their hand, we launch a concentrated attack against them! (Laughs)
Shuta: Because in reality we say something like 'Please raise your hand' or to sitting people 'Please stand up'. We have the huge intention of wanting to have fun with everyone.
Katsunari: Because there are lots of shy people among Japanese people, it is sometimes important to tell them something. It’s like if you like music, it doesn’t matter (to us) whose fan you are!
Kosuke: Furthermore, we will make our big breakthrough in the future and it would be a shame if you didn’t see us back then.
Fumiya: As long as you can still see us closely.
Shuta: We are a confident group.

Then how is it during a oneman show?
Kosuke: We have a concept, so we value this and we create it considering a flow adding songs that makes the fans happy. An oneman show is a creation, so our way of thinking is absolutely different compared to a show with other artists.
Fumiya: The key point is that QWV are included in the making of it. And for outside events, (the key point is) that people discover us. In contrast, oneman shows have the sense that everyone is creating the space together.

Your favorite and least favorite weekday
A question for all artists appearing in this issue! “What was your favorite and least favorite weekday as a child?” We bring you their answers along with their reasons!

Favorite day
Kosuke: Sunday
Back then on Sundays between 7:30 am and 8:30 am two Sentai shows, bundled together as “Super Hero time” aired. I loved those, and on Sundays the whole family came together, we were able to eat lunch together or go shopping, which I enjoyed.
Katsunari: Friday
I really hated studying, but due to my parents’ upbringing I pretty much went to cram school every day. Only on the weekend I didn’t have to go. And I prepared for that on Friday (laughs). I enjoyed this day because my favorite anime such as “Doraemon” and “Crayon Shin-chan” aired on this day.
Shuta: Thursday
Because it had a 'long lunch break' that was about 10 minutes longer than (the one) on other days. So, together with my friends I used to play 'SASUKE' (= Ninja Warrior) using the school playground equipment such as the monkey bars, climbing bars, slides and so on. We also played dodgeball and soccer. But I wasn’t particularly active in any of these (laughs).
Fumiya: Saturday
On Saturdays I had out of school activities. I hated these activities itself, but as an elementary school student it’s exciting to meet your friends at night, isn’t it? We felt a bit like we did something bad (laughs). It was only 9pm, but (it felt like this) because it was something you normally can’t do.

Least favorite day
Kosuke: Wednesday
I went to school so often, but only half of the week had passed… I hated this thought. I also didn’t like my timetable on Wednesdays much. It was annoying to have lots of humanities and there was no art class. Because I only liked arts and sports (laughs).
Katsunari: Monday
Despite relaxing since Friday and finally resting on the weekend, my body reset itself again and a long week started. I remember how tough it was for me to keep studying in my mind. On the contrary, I recall that by Wednesday I somewhat got used to studying (laughs).
Shuta: Monday
I went to a cram school because I wanted to take the entrance exam for middle school. Their (weekly evaluation) result came out on Monday. Since my parents supported me in my studies, I was always nervous on Mondays. However, in the summer during my 6th year in elementary school, I started to aim for the entertainment world, so I pretty much gave up on the middle school entrance exam (laughs).
Fumiya: Tuesday
I was somehow able to overcome Monday which had some remains of the weekend (laughs). But Tuesdays were just awful. Moreover in summer we had swimming lessons on Tuesdays, but I am a hopeless swimmer. So, it felt like a punishment and I hated it. Despite, on the ground, I ranked first in the prefectural fitness test!

[OWV] Ray 221122

You can stan them now ♥️
We met these guys!

Overwhelming stage presence and their variety power makes you fall for them♥️
OWV
OWV was formed by former trainees of “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”. Their performance is powerful and when they start talking, they won’t stop!?
The amazing four member group that makes you fall for their deep characters♥️

What is the reason to stan you?
Kosuke: The days are fun when you stan me. When you come to the live shows, I will be cool, cute, funny and impress you. I think I can make you feel all possible emotions.
Katsunari: Your self confidence will rise. I am always super clumsy, so you might think “Even so you can live your life” (laughs). Some days ago, I went to a sushi restaurant with Urano and I said “The fall hineri sushi please”, but they told me “It’s minori”… Let’s live together strongly!
Shuta: That my voice is big. However, it happens that I am called noisy (laughs). It’s everywhere, so it is easy to remember.
Fumiya: That I am fast to absorb things. If I do something I had no experience in previously for one or two times, I can do it afterwards, so for example also in the case of housework, if we lived together, I will absorb it and do it (for you). The ochazuke the other day was a failure, but if you taught me…!

What are you into right now?
Kosuke: Animes. My phone case has a “Dragonball”-motive and I have a lot of merch at home. Yet actually I would like to have a simple and stylish home. But with figures, my Kamen Rider belt, Gundam models and the Chainsaw Man-plush toy I got from a gacha recently, it’s impossible to be simple (laughs).
Katsunari: Collecting “Yu-Gi-Oh” and “Pokemon” cards. I don’t play the card games but I enjoy looking at the illustrations after I put them into an album. I want to have the “Blue-Eyes White Dragon” from “Yu-Gi-Oh” one day.
Shuta: Saunas. Because after Katsunari recommended those to me, I got completely into visiting them (laughs). Lately we went together. My sauna hat is in my member color yellow!
Fumiya: Taking walks at night. I like to take a walk in a cold season like now. I also like the time being idly in a coin laundry. I have a laundry machine at home, but I guess I like to go there to be absorbed in my thoughts.

Who is your bias in the group?
Kosuke: Katsunari. His performances are cool but his personality is cute. I feel there are a lot of people falling for him once they discover this gap.
Katsunari: Honda-kun has the impression of him being like an older brother, but he is actually the youngest of his family, as he has two older sisters and an older brother. His charm is that he is unexpectedly indecisive and has human kindness.
Shuta: Fumiya. I can learn a lot from watching him such as the strength of his heart that allows him to make decisions on point! I am a worry wart and tend to get nervous, so it is reassuring just to have Fumiya around me.
Fumiya: Shuta who is the key to our vocal line. We have the same antenna for things and talk about similar topics. The other day we analyzed “King of conte” together.
TN: King of conte - a comedy contest program airing on TBS

If you described your fans in a few words?
Kosuke: We are a “family” that works hard together. I also work hard for everyone and they are all supporting us with their lives. Our feelings are the same.
Katsunari: The fans tell me their clumsy episodes, too, so I also call them “clumsy” (laughs).
Shuta: “Flower garden”. They are also beautiful flowers who make the way we walk a flower road and that they kindly watch over all of our sides, makes me feel like they are a “flower garden” (laughs).
Fumiya: "Competitive". Maybe because I am the same, I feel there are a lot of fans like this. During the online talks or for the radio messages, they try to fool around or say something more funny to me.

Something that makes you happy to hear from a fan?
Kosuke: “You are cool”. It’s simple but it is pretty much what makes me happy the most.
Katsunari: Something like “I was able to do my best” because they saw me doing so. Knowing I am someone's source of energy, makes me glad I am working hard.
Fumiya: “You are taller than I expected.” I was happy when someone told me that for the first time at the meet & greet some time ago.
Shuta: “I am glad that you are part of OWV.” A lot has happened before we formed and started our activities, so when someone tells me this, I feel in my heart “I’m glad to be here”.

A message to the fans who are stanning you!
Kosuke: I am going to work hard to bring you days full of enjoyment! Please continue to support us!
Katsunari: Aren’t you interested in clumsy me???
Shuta: Don’t you want to try to make Urano Shuta a part of your live?
Fumiya: Stan Sano Fumiya and you won’t regret it!

[OWV] KELLY 221118

https://kelly-net.jp/enjoytoday/2022111822002272299.html

OWV are here! An interview in celebration of the release of their awaited new song “Let Go” and their first live in Nagoya

OWV, who celebrated their second anniversary in September, released their 7th single “Let Go” on 2nd November.
As the creative concept is “holding close”, the 3 featured sounds portray various situations of holding people close.
As the final show of their fall tour “OWV LIVE TOUR 2022 -STRANGE-, they performed at Nagoya Shimin Hall in Aichi on the 3rd November 2022.
We held in interview in which the 4 members, Honda Kosuke, Nakagawa Katsunari, Urano Shuta and Sano Fumiya talked a lot about “Let Go”, their memories of Nagoya and the changes in themselves and the other members.

“OWV and Nagoya” Each one’s memories

Welcome to Nagoya! I heard it is the first time for you as OWV to come to Nagoya, but have you come here before?
Katsunari: I am from the prefecture Hyogo and back when I was a student I went on a drive with 4-5 friends that brought us up to Nagoya. Back then we just felt like going to Nagoya and no plan at all, but I heard from a friend that “Yabaton is delicious”, So I ate Miso-Katsu at ‘Yabaton’ there.
Fumiya: Like “Yabaton, it’s insanely good?”
Katsunari: Right (laughs). Because of that I went home, thinking “So Nagoya is this kind of place”. There are so many delicious things. This time I also want to go home after eating lots of things!
Fumiya: I came to Nagoya for a Karate tournament when I was in the later years of elementary school.
Katsunari: So cool! My story was lame (laughs).
Fumiya: So for me, Nagoya is “place where I went to to punch people’s bodies”.
Katsunari: It is better to say, it is “the place where you came to deliver your fists”.
Fumiya: I remember eating Ten-musu in the bus on the way home. I am interested in the food specialities of Nagoya, but I want to visit Nagoya castle.
TN: Ten-musu is a rice ball wrapped in nori and filled with deep-fried shrimp. A speciality of Nagoya.
Katsunari: I also want to visit Nagoya castle!
Shuta: I passed Nagoya on the way to a shooting. Since I just passed it, I had no chance to eat anything delicious there. This time I want to eat a lot of Nagoya’s specialties!
Kosuke: I have gone to Nagoya in the past when I was still active in another group.
Shuta: And you ate something in Nagoya back then? So nice! What did you eat?
Kosuke: It is just something banal, but the Onigiri from ____ (a certain conbini).
Shuta: Eh! Tell me about a speciality of Nagoya.
Kosuke: And there was ____ (a certain conveyor-belt sushi chain). Maybe this was because it was in Nagoya. But it was really delicious.
Shuta: I guess you haven’t eaten any specialities of Nagoya, have you? I thought you had tried Miso-Katsu.
Kosuke: Oh, I did. The Miso-Katsu was delicious.
Shuta: Eat it for real! (Laughs)

Deciphering the feelings in the dance and the lyrics of “Let Go”

The main track “Let Go” has a different atmosphere than before. Please tell us your favorite parts of it.
Katsunari: “Let Go” is a beautiful ballad, a heartbreak song, that holds close to people who experience a breakup with their loved one, as in the lyrics “You who used to laugh beside me is not here anymore”.
I like the clean transition from the verses to the chorus: The verses are sung in a sad and tranquil way, bringing some gloom to everyone while the chorus expresses a strength in the sadness. The transition makes the song pleasant.
My favorite lyrics are, when talking about my own parts, “Even when I try to forget I can’t erase it”. The choreography changes in the verses there, so I think it is an impressive part.
Fumiya: I will talk about the dance. This time, we express the concept of “holding close” and the feelings of parting, sadness and melancholy through the dance. Until the chorus, each one of us is a different person and we just perform as we should. But in the chorus, we send a positive message that we as OWV “are holding the fans close” in the nuance of holding our hands up to the sky, gasping the light that lies beyond.
Kosuke: I like the lyrics “Since the day we untied our fingers, the love I felt for you still calls to you.”
Shuta: What do those lyrics mean?
Kosuke: You used to hold hands with the other one, but after that day it is not possible anymore. It’s that there still love left?
Shuta: !?
Kosuke: So, you are singing that you are still thinking of the day you broke up. The title “Let Go” means “to let go (of the hand of the other one)” and the lyrics here fully express that feeling of “I want to let go but I can’t”. Just as the lyrics say, you are left behind with those feelings.
Shuta: It is a part I sing, but it’s “I don’t want you to laugh in someone else’s arms”. Just as these lyrics are, they straightly reveal the feelings of the heart, which is heartbreaking. I can picture this scene and I feel many others can do so, too.
Kosuke: If you think of ”Let Go” as a contemporary writing question, where would you find the right answer? It’s a question like “Think about what the author wants to express”.
Shuta: If it was such a question… (thinks) It is either “Even if I tried to forget I can’t erase it” or “I don’t want you to laugh in someone else’s arms”.
Kosuke: The right answer is… “I cannot let go”.
Shuta: This one! I overlooked that part.
Kosuke: These lyrics are about wanting to let go but being unable to. Actually, the song is not about “Let Go” but “I cannot let go”. But well, I’m not the one who wrote it.
Shuta: Right. We were not involved, were we?
Kosuke: Yes. I just read the lyrics we received.
Shuta: That’s how many emotions are into it.

A glimpse of their actors’ sides are shown in the acting scenes of the MV, where they challenge being emotionally invested into it♡

I watched the MV which was full of emotions! It was your first MV with acting scenes, right?
Kosuke: Since two of us have been acting.
Shuta: You are talking like an actor! (Laughs)
Kosuke: Shuta, you have appeared in a drama before, right?
Shuta: I played a young doctor in a New Year’s special..
Kosuke: Oh! That’s so cool!
Shuta: … It was just a reenactment-VTR.
Kosuke: A reenactment-VTR!
Shuta: But I did it properly! This is also my experience as an actor (laughs). But Honda-kun, well…
Kosuke: It is a terrestrial one and my role got a proper name.
Shuta: Amazing!
Kosuke: I am appearing in a serial drama! It is the TBS drama “Watashi no shite kurenai feromon kareshi”. There is some pressure, but I’m doing my best at acting.
Shuta: I have to watch it!
Kosuke: I’m still pretty much a beginner, so I worked hard on the acting in the MV, too.
Shuta: I expressed the lyrics by letting them possess me. OWV has a lot of concepts with intense dancing and flames, but this time it is a sad song, so I tried to put that into my expressions. Honda-kun filmed his scenes in a car, right?
Kosuke: When I pictured the lyrics in my mind, I acted those or rather it was just happening. I was so immersed into those memories, so it didn’t feel like acting to me.
Shuta: You are probably just joking right now (laughs),

I have no idea whether it was a joke or not!
Shuta: Was it the side of us being signed to Yoshimoto or the side of being an artist? I said something good now (laughs).
Kosuke: I also thought I was saying something good in the middle of it (laughs).

It was refreshing to see a MV with all of you acting.
Shuta: This time there were people other than OWV appearing there, too, and the other two (Nakagawa & Sano) had person-to-person expressions, so I think we were able to show a new side in the MV and as OWV as a whole.
Kosuke: Everytime we release a dance performance video, but exactly because the dance performance of “Let Go” is really beautiful, I hope you will both watch the MV and the performance video. The ratio of lip scenes and dance scenes is different for each MV. So far it was always about 50% each, but in this MV the dance scenes are only 30%, so I hope you watch the performance video and feel “Let Go” in the dance, too.

What OWV, who are committed in everything they do, want to challenge next I was impressed by the way you discussed your standing positions and such during the filming!
Katsunari: It depends on the situation on the set, but we often discuss the finer details ourselves and check the cuts as we film.
Fumiya: It ends up with us pushing the time. What should we do… They might think “They are too particular, it’s annoying”? (Laughs)
Katsunari: That would be the worst (laughs).

You showed a new side of yourself in the new song, but what would you like to challenge in the future?
Kosuke: Playing a doctor in a Special…
Shuta: You will play my role in the reenactment-VTR! (Laughs)
Kosuke: I watched that show with my family and even through it was just a reenactment, it was just cool!
Shuta: You sent me a message back then. Well, I will teach you how to play a doctor.
Kosuke: But being honest, I hope to have a concert in Nagoya each year. This was our first time coming to Nagoya and I am really happy about it. We want to come more often as we finally made it possible!
Shuta: We want to hype up Nagoya!
Kosuke: The time you need to go to Nagoya by Shinkansen is also just right. You just nap a bit and then you are already there. I feel it’s also easy to have fun here in private. I will take KELLY along and do some sightseeing. I will just take KELLY with me.
Shuta: Right. KELLY is all you need.

If you compared the coupling tracks to certain characters…

Thank you very much!! Please tell us also about the other two songs.
Shuta: “Tararam” is an uptempo song that holds close those who want to raise their mood. It is a song that has two sides.
Katsunari: If it was a human, it would have a dual personality that entertains people.
Kosuke: It is like H-san from the manga that takes place at a police station in front of a park.
Fumiya: And when he rides a motorbike, his personality changes.
Katsunari: Like L-san in the anime which is about collecting seven balls?
Kosuke: Yes yes! Like changing your appearance and personality when you sneeze.
Shuta: (laughs) The sound changes completely between the verses and chorus.
Katsunari: The verses are like a fresh pop-song, but in the chorus there is a heavy bass sound. This change is the key point.

How about “Gonna Getcha”?
Shuta: “Gonna Getcha” holds close those who don’t feel well, a song that raises your self esteem. A song that pushes you forward.
Kosuke: It is a song that gives you hope that you can get up from there again when you feel down and listen to it! Out of the three songs, this one is the easiest to get into someone’s ears and the refrain sticks in your mind. I hope people will feel better after listening to it.
Katsunari: The melody line is also very clear, so please sing it, everyone ♪

Congratulations on reaching your second debut anniversary in September. Do you feel like something about the members has changed?
Kosuke: Katsu had a cool impression in the beginning, but recently he is like a character who came from a “pirates manga” and he really laughs like “gahahaha”, making me worried “Is he okay?” (Laughs).
Shuta: Didn’t he say he has a wall around his heart in the beginning? This wall broke down by now (laughs).
Katsunari: Even the walls that were not supposed to be taken down, were taken down!
Kosuke: Even the walls you should protect as a human were broken down (laughs).
Fumiya: If you were a building, it would be difficult to get rid of you. You cannot be repaired anymore.
Katsunari: I’m a lot like my father when it comes to the way I laugh.
Fumiya: In this context, you must feel sorry for your father (laughs).
Katsunari: Well, in a way, this is just how he is.
Shuta: Everyone is now able to show their true selves.
Katsunari: Rather than being able to, it just comes out, at least in my case.
Everyone: (laughs)
Kosuke: Everyone also has unchanging sides in a good way, and I like this. The distance between the members was always close.
Shuta: Sometimes for the MCs at our concerts we just decide only on the general things beforehand and the details just happen. I like this because it shows the normal OWV which makes the fans happy.
Fumiya: It always feels fresh.
Katsunari: I feel the tempo sense has improved in the last two years. It’s always like this even when there is no camera.
Speaking of this, I discovered a hidden side of a member recently. Urano, whose member color is yellow, is cheerful during MCs and such, fitting perfectly to his member color, but after work, he doesn’t talk at all.
Fumiya: Even when he doesn’t talk right now, he adds a bit of coolness (laughs).
Shuta: You are all talking so much, so I have to do it properly! Be grateful. I want to actually talk!! (Laughs)
Fumiya: In my case, I want you to outdo me. “Oh that’s just as I expected it. I can’t keep up with Shuta’s talking” (laughs).
Shuta: Everyone wants attention so much, so you are talking too much! (Laughs)
Fumiya: Then, I will be silent from now on.
Shuta: Too late! (Laughs)

Other than the change of Nakagawa-san, is there anything else that makes you think a member has changed in this regard?
Fumiya: I will analyze myself. I think I was really determined. I went from being an ordinary person to suddenly joining an audition to debuting, so I was ignorant about this world and I met the people around me for the first time, too, so I was clueless about a lot of things. But now I am gradually getting the hang on how far I should go.
Katsunari: You came to understand a lot of things.
Shuta: I was really quiet during the audition and played cool. After it ended and I was with the other OWV members, they told me "Shuta, that’s not your position” and got my current member color yellow.
Kosuke: What is your actual color?
Shuta: My true member color happens to be red.
Fumiya: So you are the type to take the lead in the front?
Shuta: Yes. But thanks to the members I got yellow and my character changed. How about Honda-kun who is red?
Kosuke: In my case the red became a bit pink. Fumiya: White got mixed into it so it became lighter (laughs). Kosuke: In a good way, I started being pampered by everyone. If there is anything, they will say “Try it.” Or “Can I ask you to do it for me?”. OWV is getting bigger and we have more things to do. I do what I have to do, but to broaden the scope of what we do, I often have to rely on everyone.
Shuta: It means you trust us, right?

Lastly, please send a message to QWV.
Shuta: Then, let our leader do it.
Kosuke: We will always “hold you close”.

Perfect! Thank you very much for this interview with those well-matched reponses!

[OWV] VoCE 221111

https://i-voce.jp/feed/2102827/

[Currently popular: OWV] The first appearance of the group, made of 4 former trainees of “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”! The member who is full of self esteem is…!?

The 4 members of the boy group OWV come from the survival audition “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”. They have been charting in the TOP 5 of Oricon and Billboard since their debut and are finally making their first appearance at VoCE web! We will bring you an interview full of their charms that will of course make their fans and also people who don’t know them fall for them!

I want you to listen to a song that holds you close in a season that makes you wish for the human touch

I heard that your 7th single “Let Go” that had been released some days ago was created under the concept of “holding close”. Please tell us what kind of message is included in it!
Katsunari: Isn’t the season when it turns from fall to winter, the one where you wish for the human touch? We released this single, thinking that if there is a song that gently holds you in this song, it will warm everyone’s hearts, and we wanted to do so. Furthermore, there is the thought that as OWV reached its second year after debuting this year, we wanted to show you a different side of OWV while we move forward.
Kosuke: I want you to enjoy the expressions we showcase in the “Let Go” MV. Everyone shows expressions fitting the world of “Let Go”, so I want you to especially enjoy this a lot! And especially my crying scene! (Laughs)

(Laughs) Did anything happen during the filming that makes you wish you could hold close to another member?
Fumiya: This time we did not film the MV scenes together but went individually. One after another had his filming, but save for Urano’s scenes, our leader Honda-kun stayed close to our scenes and watched them. He should have been resting however, as it was early in the morning. He also was there when we individually shot our dance scenes and I really felt that our leader is always holding us close to himself.
Shuta: However, he took a break right when I had my filming! (Cries) When I asked “Honda-kuuuun, how was my expression?”, the staff replied “He is not here anymore”.
Kosuke: No, right during your turn I had another schedule! (Laughs)
Katsunari: Because Honda-kun is super busy! (Laughs)
Shuta: Still~! (Cries) Ah, but the other day when I muttered “Honda-kun, let’s film a TikTok in during the MV shooting”, he came really close to me. I had thought that Honda-kun had already gone somewhere else, and might have forgotten about it already, so I considered going home after my filming, but he came all the way back to take the TikTok with me. I was moved that he remembered it, saying “Alright, time to take the TikTok.”
Kosuke: And, that TikTok was done in about 10 seconds (laughs).
Katsunari: So short (laughs). When will you upload it?
Shuta: We haven’t done so yet (at the time of the interview, but we will do it soon!!!

When your self esteem drops, watch me… No, “Watch OWV”

As the coupling track “Gonna Getcha” is one that holds close to the ones who want to raise their self esteem, please tell us what you try to do to raise your self esteem!
Fumiya: Well, I have no idea because it never happened that my self esteem dropped. It is constantly overflowing and unstoppable.
Kosuke: Can I have some of that overflowing esteem?
Fumiya: Sure, take some. Even when I shower, the flow of self esteem doesn’t stop.
Kosuke: What I do to raise my own confidence is to take some of Fumiya's overflowing self esteem. Well, it’s not actually low, but when it seems to drop, I take some from Fumiya.
Fumiya: Put some of my self esteem in a vial. Like a self esteem water.
Shuta: We can’t sell something like that as merchandise.
Katsunari: (laughs) Makeup helps me to raise my self esteem. It was always pretty low, but when I wear my costume and get my makeup down, I don’t feel like myself, so the switch is turned and it gets me into the mood.
Shuta: You look cool even without makeup!
Kosuke: You look cool even without makeup!
Katsunari: You are just messing with me (laughs)!
Shuta: I think I have low self esteem because I’m a worrywart, but at such times I’m looking at old posing pictures of myself.
Kosuke: You mean because you used to not be as good as now?
Shuta: Right. I look at my potato day pictures and the ones from now, and think “Wow, I became so cool!”.

By the way, do you all remember that pose?
Everyone: It was like this.

Kosuke: I have a phrase for the ones who get depressed by comparing themselves to others. “You don’t need to be an One in a million. Because you always have been a special One in a million.”
Shuta: Those are not your words (laughs)
Kosuke: Well, lastly let’s have Sano-kun tell us what you should do when your self esteem drops.
Katsunari: Won’t it be ‘watch me’?
Fumiya: Watch me. Well, ultimately watch OWV.
Everyone: That’s it!

Getting to know OWV! Member Q&A

Your nickname?
Kosuke: Honda-kun for me.
Katsunari: Hm… Lately it’s Katsu-chan.
Shuta: Shu-chan.
Fumiya: Charisma.
Shuta: No (laughs). It’s Fumiya or Pumiya!
Kosuke: I haven’t heard Pumiya yet (laughs).
Fumiya: Just as it is, Fumiya.

Something you are into recently?
Kosuke: Collecting hats!
Fumiya: Charisma!
Kosuke: No no, not like this (laughs)
Shuta: How can you be into charisma!?
Katsunari: I just go ahead. Collecting (trading) cards!
Fumiya: Eh, then, vitamins! Beauty supplements!

An essential beauty care?
Fumiya: Doesn’t this kill the joke? (Laughs)
Shuta: You don’t have anything more to say, because of the beauty supplements. In my case it’s drinking lots of water!
Fumiya: Ah! Got something! I don’t swiftly remove my makeup on the set, but I do so carefully and thoughtfully with a gel-type cleanser after getting home.
Kosuke: This is important. I do the same!
Katsunari: For me, it’s not letting stress build up.

Some words to QWV!
Kosuke: Thank you for everything.
Katsunari: Please continue to support us! Shuta: Continue to stay at our side!
Fumiya: Show some guts!
TN: Fumiya’s answer might be based on a famous song by Japanese rock band “Ulfuls”, “Gattsu da ze!”, which was released in December 1995. It was their biggest hit and earned them their first Kouhaku appearance the next year.

Some words to another member!
Kosuke -> Fumiya: Show some guts!
Fumiya -> Shuta: Eh, so, show some guts!
Shuta -> Katsunari: Hey! Show some guts.
Katsunari -> Kosuke: I gotcha!
Kosuke: No, you have to say Gattsu here! (Laughs)
TN: ガッツ (gattsu) - guts & ガッチャ (gatcha) - gotcha

[OWV] Classy 221109

https://classy-online.jp/lifestyle/242321/

What is something that OWV’s Urano Shuta-kun “wants QWV to bring to the winter offline meet & greets”?

The popular boy group OWV released their 7th single “Let Go” under the concept of “holding close” on 2nd November. Following the concept of “holding close” we held special interviews with OWV about “what do you want to share with OWV this winter”.For this we bring you new shots of OWV dressed in the mid-winter London coat style. The third one is OWV’s mood maker! The always cheerful and lively Urano Shuta!

SHUTA URANO
Born 17th June 1997. 25 years old and from the prefecture of Kanagawa. He is the main vocalist with a broad and extended high tone voice. He is the mood maker of the group whose variety skills become more and more polished over the years.

“What do you want to do this winter?” Chasing the true side of Urano-kun!

What is the first thing that comes into your mind when you hear “winter”?
Illuminations! I like the night sky, shiny things and such. In winter they set up illuminations in the city such as at Omotesando. Even when you make a huge detour you will end up seeing illuminations, right? And if we speak of especially memorable illuminations, the ones of Lake Sagami, which I saw at a job before becoming a member of OWV. I was moved, thinking “Wow there are such beautiful illuminations!”. Last year, I took a video with Katsu-kun excitingly jumping up and down at the Omotesando illuminations. This brings back memories~!
(despite answering so, after the interview he suddenly said to the writer,… “I’ve said earlier that the most impressive illuminations were at Lake Sagami, but can I change it to live shows? Is it too cheesy!? (laughs) But the penlights are so beautiful!” He tried to change his answer!)

A memory he made at the high school festivall… Urano-kun’s favorite winter menu

Please tell us “something you want to eat this winter”!
Beef Stew! At the school festival of my school I had a beef stew stall. I have nice memories of cooking and eating piping hot stew with everyone together in this season when fall is about to end and winter is close. I prefer beef stew with bread. Baguette is good with it. In the case of rice… only in the case of western-style dishes like omuraisu!

What kind of fashion do you want to wear this winter?
So far I always went out with a scarf but lately it’s hot when traveling somewhere or boarding something, so it becomes luggage and I rarely wear it anymore. Hence, I feel like I want to get a warm cap this year. I usually wear hats each day, but I felt it would be cute to have one that keeps my head warm in the winter.

The song he wants to listen to this winter is “that song”, a synonym for OWV’s winter song!

Your ideal winter date?
For me… at home maybe?
(Nakagawa-kun, who was next to him suddenly joined, saying “No no (laughs) Suddenly you are at your home?”)
Ah, somewhere you want to go for a date in winter, right? Well then it’s going to watch the illuminations. Also, I want to go to an amusement park. They sell hot chocolate in winter. We will drink something warm while saying ‘it’s so cold~’.
Katsunari: That’s what you do with your family!
No no, at a date. We won’t share a scarf or such because it’s hard to walk around like this. But let’s do at least this. And… putting the cold hands in the pocket (of the other one).
Katsunari: That's nice!
But in the chest pocket!
Katsunari: It’s hard to walk around like that!
But I want to do that.

The music you want to listen to in winter?
I intentionally end up wanting to listen to TUBE-san’s music (laughs). But aside from that, in terms of your songs, there is “Scattered” from our second single “Ready Set Go”. Personally, I think this song is a synonym for OWV’s winter song. I think my crystal clear singing in the chorus is like the winter, so please check it out!

The thing he wants QWV to bring to the offline meet & greets

Speaking of something you want to have this winter?
I want to have the warmth/kindness of QWV. As an event for the release of the 7th single, we will have offline meet & greets. What I hope from the participating QWV is that they should just bring their feeling of liking us and I will be happy. I don’t want them to be so full of love for us that they end up feeling weird (laughs). I will rub myself in it and keep myself warm, so I can calmly talk to them!

Something you want to try this winter?
(Nakagawa-san who was next to him, threw in the joke: I got something I want Shuta to try, however! Cooking for himself!)
Cooking for myself? Recently, no about one year ago we uploaded cooking projects on our YouTube channel, but that was also a well received huge disaster. I do think I want to be able to cook. It seems like it makes you popular with women (laughs). But well, I’m not sure whether I can catch up if I start learning it now, and since I’m still living with my parents I can only try it in such projects. Even if I become good at it, it’s like this. But what I really want to try is visiting various saunas. I mean it in the dimension of wanting to visit the ones in other prefectures and other countries like Finland and Canada one day. Katsu-kun and I always go to the sauna together when we can find the time for it.

[OWV] JJ 221108

https://jj-jj.net/lifestyle/159986/

OWV’s Urano Shuta-kun “Actually my self confidence is low…” What is his secret to maintain his positivity?

The popular boy group OWV released their 7th single “Let Go” under the concept of “holding close” on 2nd November. We based the interview on the keyword “self affirmation” based on one of the coupling songs, “Gonna Getcha”, a cheer song for people who want to raise their self confidence. The second member to appear is Urano Shuta-kun who leads OWV with his high tone voice and variety skills!

SHUTA URANO
Born 17th June 1997. 25 years old and from the prefecture of Kanagawa. He is the main vocalist with a broad and extended high tone voice. He is the mood maker of the group whose variety skills become more and more polished over the years.

Is Urano-kun's self confidence high? Or low?

The keyword, the JJ generation is curious about, is “self confidence”. Is your self confidence high, Urano-kun? Or is it low?
In the past I really didn’t have any and each time I looked into the mirror, I thought about nothing but negative things. But my family advised me that since I am someone who is aiming for the entertainment industry I have to set an example for others. Since then, I have tried to keep my self confidence high.

How were you able to raise your self confidence?
For example, I compare old pictures of the time when I had no self confidence with cool pictures from now and try to think “I became so cool~”. Furthermore, I started to accept compliments openly. Through these efforts, I maintain a sense of self-confidence, so that i don’t fall into some slump anymore.

When you can’t raise your self confidence… The mental management advice in the Urano-kun style!

When your self confidence drops more than necessary, how do you gain it back?
I kind of have a better ability to cope with stress than others. Some time ago, when I had my blood pressure and other things checked at the doctor, it was discovered that only my blood pressure was extremely high. Maybe that’s because I naturally don’t get stressed out, so when I fail or feel down, it’s only for that moment. That’s also why I don’t remember how to cope with a drop in self confidence. Maybe also because I try to look at things in the long run. If I look at it in the long run, it ends up being “Oh, I was struggling with this 3 years ago.”

Do you have any advice to readers who struggle with raising their self confidence?
To think long term. My life in the entertainment industry has been long already. I used to struggle, thinking “I can’t join a group like this.” or “I need more individuality”. I worked hard on juggling everything, trying to learn special skills no one else had. But now I’m in this group and I feel my character is loved for what it is. So, I want you to think long term, don’t rush, and live your life imagining yourself smiling in the future!

Urano-kun is “genius vocalist belonging to Yoshimoto”!? Checking OWV’s characters one more time!

You have appeared in JJ several times since your debut, but let’s check on OWV’s characters one more time! Is it correct to say that Honda Kosuke-kun is “The Aniki and leader who is full of chivalry”?
Yes, it is. He praises us when he should and points out when we do something wrong. I feel he is THE leader! Well, there is also the side of him that when he gets some laughs from a joke, he will repeat it until it’s not funny anymore. He is a greedy guy.

Sano Fumiya-kun was “a charismatic dancer”.
He got charisma and he is good at dancing!

Does Sano-kun have an unexpected side?
He seems cool, but behind the scenes he is naive. We have the same sense of humor, so we laugh about the same silly things.

Do you think “genius vocalist belonging to Yoshimoto” fits to you?
Why I am the only one who got “belonging to Yoshimoto” added? (Laughs) But I will accept it. It means I am a dual talent, right? This makes me happy. But “genius” is a bit too much, so I am kind of intimidated by this.

And Nakagawa-kun was “In charge of the visuals and the rapper”?
This fits. He used to be just simply cool, but lately he talks the most and is the craziest member (laughs). If you watch the videos of us when we are just relaxed and other content on YouTube, you will know what I mean!

The attention worthy point of the 7th single “‘Let Go” is?

Lastly, please give a message to the JJ readers in connection to your recommended point of the 7th single!
As the title track is a ballad again, I went into the recording with the feeling that I, as the vocalist, have to take charge of this song, too. In the title track “Let Go”, there is the phrase “I don’t want you to laugh in someone else’s arms”, and I think such a scene comes into one’s mind easily. I thought these lyrics would easily reach the hearts of the listeners, so I sang it with all my feelings and this image floating in my mind. Please listen to it!

[OWV] Encore 221104

https://e.usen.com/interview/interview-original/owv-letgo.html

OWV “Let Go” Interview - Their thoughts on a beautiful ballad which hugs those who have experienced a break up with their loved one

OWV are a group made of 4 former trainees of “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”, a Japanese audition program that became a social phenomenon in 2019. The creative concept of the 7th single the group, which aims to become an unique super performance group that Japan has never seen before, is “snuggling close”. Their intention is?

OWV’s 7th single is under the creative concept of “snuggling close”. The lead track “Let Go” is a sad ballad that is sung with the feelings of a man who can’t forget about his ex lover. It is a theme a lot of artists have sung about before, but what did you keep in mind to bring out OWV’s uniqueness in this?
Shuta: I kept in mind to have a gap in it. A sad ballad sung by seemingly strong guys. That gap is good, right? (Laughs)

Indeed, there are many people falling for such gaps.
Shuta: That’s right! We thought that it would be nice to have a heart break song sung by strong people who don’t seem to become depressed over a heartbreak. Personally, I like showing gaps, so I kept that in mind.
Kosuke: To sum it up, I think it is something akin to a weakness shown by strong people.
Shuta: Why did it seem like my words couldn’t convey (the meaning)!? But well, it fits… (laughs)

(Laughs) Honda-san, Sano-san, is there some part in the lyrics that you can relate to?
Fumiya: Hm.. I’m pretty much the type who goes bam! And switches back without dragging it out, so there isn’t really…
Kosuke: I’m the type who sends a LINE message every two minutes after breaking up…
Shuta: Eh!? For real!?
Kosuke: No (laughs) Because I never hit such a low before.
Fumiya: Yes. So rather than relating to the song, I just tried to express myself.
Kosuke: By expressing myself like this I was able to experience this kind of love of “Let Go”.

It’s like you take something from the song and give it back through the performance.
Kosuke: Yes. I hope the fans can feel something from our performance. I guess they will do so?

You also performed the song at “OWV LIVE TOUR 2022 -STRANGE-“, but what was the response from QWV?
Katsunari: We first performed it at the Tokyo shows, which had been a surprise for QWV, too, so everyone was excited how they would receive it, but I felt that the response was really good. I feel it’s good that it is a song that comforts everyone's hearts in this time when winter follows fall.

I saw your performance live and the moment when Urano-san leans back with the three others encircling him during the “I don’t want you to laugh in someone else’s arms”- part was impressive.
Shuta: This movement is wonderful, right?
Katsunari: To what image are we dancing to?
Shuta: What I tried to express was to remember the warmth of the ex-lover, (while singing) “I don’t want you to laugh in someone else’s arms”.
Fumiya: Right answer!
Kosuke: You won!
Shuta: What do you mean with Right answer and You won? (Laughs)

(Laughs) Please tell us anything else you were particular about regarding the performance.
Fumiya: Whereas the previous “Time Jackerz” was driven with a powerful performance full of vigor, this time it is more flowing but powerful expressions and the impression that the moves are to convey the lyrics.

So this was a new feeling for everyone?
Fumiya: That’s right. So far we have had a lot of performances where the one who is singing is in the middle. For “Let Go” we have a different way to show it. We are only 4 members, so we try out a lot of different formations and hope to show a lot of different patterns.

The music video is also unusual as it not only includes dance scenes but also image-cuts. What part do you want the audience to pay attention to?
Katsunari: For the first time other people than the 4 of us appear in it. We felt that by each of us acting, showing something fitting to the lyrics, the world of the song might be conveyed better. So far the main focus of our MVs were dancing, but this time the music video features dance mainly at the intro and the chorus, and all together there aren’t many dance scenes, but each one of our visuals are shown often. It has a different taste, so I hope that everyone will watch it over and over.

Is there something you struggled with during the filming?
Katsunari: Honda-kun struggled a lot, didn’t he?
Kosuke: Yes. The scene of me crying was a struggle.
Shuta: It is one of the highlights, isn’t it?
Kosuke: One tear, plop
Fumiya: But you made some adjustments?
Kosuke: Yes, in a way. The part was about “me being rejected but looking forward” and as there wasn’t really the image of me crying a lot, only one tear rolled down. The adjustment was it being just one tear. The director asked, “Do you need eye drops?”, but I said “No need!”.
Shuta: So cool〜
Kosuke: But I only remember this much, I can’t remember the rest cause I was too much into the acting.
Shuta: You know, there are actors who are getting absorbed (by their role). Despite you shedding just one tear (laughs).

You are the actor type (laughs). Are there any scenes of the other members that surprised you in such a way, or are there any particular points you want everyone to pay attention to?
Fumiya: In this regard, I think Honda-kun crying perfectly is amazing.
Shuta: I didn’t see the filming of the other ones. I only heard about him crying.
Katsunari: When I came to the studio to film my scenes, Honda-kun was also there and said “Watch it! I cried!” He looked so happy, so I thought “He is lying?”, but when I watched the video, he indeed cried.
Fumiya: Back then it felt like “he worked really hard on it”, but earlier he said “I can’t remember it”. (Laughs)
Katsunari: We asked “You cried, but did you use eye drops for this?”.
Shuta: We made a quiz out of it at first, didn’t we? (Laughs) Like did you use eye drops or how was it?
Katsunari: I believed he used eye drops, but when I watched the video, he diligently cried and I thought it was really amazing.
Kosuke: Thank you very much (laughs).

How about you, Sano-san?
Fumiya: In this video only Nakagawa and I had scenes where we appeared along with someone else. I had my filming first, so I was curious about what kind of feeling Kacchan would film it and how it would turn out. I thought “ohh〜” when I watched the result.
Katsunari: In terms of atmosphere we were a bit similar, right?

Did you have some talks beforehand to match the atmosphere?
Fumiya: We only discussed it with the producer, but we members did not really discuss it. I feared everything might feel different despite being one single video…, but I’m glad that the atmosphere is similar.
Katsunari: My filming was after Fumiya’s one, so I was able to watch his setting. It was fun to watch everyone acting. But I didn’t see Shuta’s one…
Shuta: No one was there.
Kosuke: Thus, when I saw the finished MV, I was surprised to see Shuta laying down.
Katsunari: His acting as if his right arm hurts was also really…
Shuta: It wasn’t my right arm hurting (laughs).
Kosuke: So it was no baseball elbow?
(TN: as the name suggests it’s a kind of overuse muscle injury that’s common with young baseball players.)
Shuta: It did not hurt because I threw too much (laughs).
Kosuke: But it was fun to see a new side of everyone. And the scene in which Fumiya turns around in the second chorus is good, too.
Fumiya: Everyone likes that scene.

There are also the two coupling songs “Tararam” and “Gonna Getcha” featured and both have some kind of impact. Please tell us the highlights of each song.
Katsunari: “Tararam” is a song that shines at live shows. I especially like how the transitions are made: The two verses sound like fresh pop music, but the chorus has a spectacular feel with thick and broad instruments, and I was blown away by it when I first heard it. Furthermore, more and more sounds are added from the last chorus to the end of the song, and it ends with a “bang!”. I think it will be fun when everyone gets hyped up, so I can’t wait to perform it.

How about “Gonna Getcha”?
Shuta: There are the phrases “You can do it!” And “a new world” in the lyrics which made it a song that gives a push to those who are worried about a lot. I guess they can feel better just by listening to it. Katsu-kun, you know the meaning of “Gonna Getcha”?
Katsunari: …!! It’s “I’m going to get you for sure” or “I’m going to win you over”.
Shuta: It is really like this, and it is a song that makes you think positively again. When you come to our concert, I want you to enjoy the song and forget all the bad things just for this moment.
Kosuke: The way you connected it… like a genius (laughs).
Katsunari: My translation was totally drowned (laughs).

(Laughs) By the way, are the choreographies for the songs already completed?
Kosuke: Not yet. (*at the time of the interview)

In the past there have been songs with choreographies made by Honda-san and Sano-san, but when you receive a song, do you have some images like “I want to dance like this, I want to try this formation” in your minds?
Kosuke: There are countless.
Fumiya: Those are coming to our minds, but… For example, you can make curry with carrots, potatoes and curry paste, right? But you don’t know how to make curry with these alone. When listening to the song, I know “We can do this kind of dancing”, but I can’t put everything together on the spot.
Katsunari: It’s like you can picture the choreo in fragments?
Fumiya: Yes this. I can picture the complete version but how to go there is what I don’t know.
Kosuke: Same for me.
Fumiya: Thus, I want to do my best watching recipe videos.
Katsunari: And with that you can make curry.
Kosuke: Wow, this tsukkomi was so good!? That you said “And with that you can make curry”
Katsunari: No no, not at all.
Fumiya: This is how the members raise the confidence of themselves and each other (laughs).

(Laughs) Thinking about the whole single, the main character who was depressed in “Let Go” could be cheered up by the two coupling songs. In this regard, how would you cheer up a depressed friend?
Fumiya: I invite them for a meal. Like “Let’s go to eat something together”.
Shuta: Nice. You keep them close.
Fumiya: And then we go to a gyudon-restaurant.
Shuta: I see that’s what you do. But you will finish eating soon and you won’t be able to talk about it.
Katsunari: It depends on the personality of the other one. Some people are better off being left alone. For others, I will just listen to what they say. But I don’t give much counsel. I feel it’s enough of a stress reliever for them just to talk about their problems and complaints. How about you, Shuta?
Shuta: I hug them gently from behind.
Kosuke: In this case, I will gently kiss them.

I actually imagined the other one was a male friend (laughs). Shuta: Oh, it was a guy! Well, what should I do…
Fumiya: So, how about this? You go up to him and hand him a can of coffee without saying anything. Wouldn’t that be cool?
Shuta: Yes it would be.

After the release of the new single, there is still the tour final in Nagoya and the “OWV LIVE TOUR 2022 - STRANGE - After Party” left. What is that After Party going to be like?
Kosuke: The After Party will be more of a talk with behind stories and souvenirs from this tour, and showing of videos taken in Osaka and Nagoya. We hope to wrap up the tour with OWV together, so I hope everyone will come to the After Party and have fun.

[OWV] Nikkei XTREND 221028

https://xtrend.nikkei.com/atcl/contents/18/00602/00025/

OWV - A talented group x Yoshimoto Kyogo, a pride of unique characters

OWV is an up-and-coming boy group, formed in April 2020 by 4 former participants of PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, the survival audition that gave birth to JO1. In addition to their solid skills in dancing and singing, they won the heart of their fans with the gap between having a mature and sexy look, and also an easy approachable and honest side.

Their activities started after the audition ended, when Honda Kosuke, the future leader of the group, approached Yoshimoto Kyogo, their current agency, directly regarding (possible) activities. He made the self-analysis that a “boy group of Yoshimoto Kyogo” would their own novelty and strength amidst the countless active boy groups. This also turned out to be the origin of the group name “Our only Way to get Victory” (= becoming an unique group that no one is able to copy and taking the victory in this world’), a pride they have.

Kosuke: After the audition ended, while talking to Yoshimoto Kyogo (who were involved in the production of the program), I said “Wouldn’t it be possible to be active as an unit?” and after receiving a “Let’s do it”, OWV was formed. The main factor for the four of us forming this group was, that we just got along very well together. We were four people having the same dreams, or rather we were aiming in the same direction of what we wanted to do. This group is a project from a blank sheet of paper, something Yoshimoto Kyogo and we created together. I believe we have paved a new way.

Shuta: I think that this time, where there are a lot of artists, you will be unable to reach the top even if you walk the same path as a similar group as walked before. We want to widen the qualities of Yoshimoto Kyogo & Universal Sigma (OWV’s recording label). There is the gap between OWV’s music and the sternness of our visuals, where you can feel our mature side and on the other hand our banters in the MCs. If we can perfect this, OWV will surely become a strong and unique group.

Kosuke: Sure enough, being signed to Yoshimoto was the biggest thing for the group (so far). When I think about how it would have been if we would have signed to some so-called artist agency… I can’t really imagine it. Especially since we are able to actively collaborate with comedians, we have been shaped into what we are now, with our fun talks. In regards to music, Universal Sigma is pushing us forward, and we are learning from various seniors by participating in festivals. Another motivation had been our meetings with comedians. I think it is rare for other groups to be in an environment where comedians are close by and approach you. The group’s direction of being artists who can sing, dance and be funny is something we are only able to do under Yoshimoto Kyogo.

Fumiya: We signed right at the break into the “7th generation” of comedians. In this regard, OWV is a “7th generation artist”. I would like our catch phrase to be “Following the footsteps of Shimofuri Myojo! The 7th generation artist”
TN: Shimofuri Myojo - a manzai duo from Yoshimoto Kyogo. They are actually critical of the 7th generation of comedians, saying people are just in it for the glory. Still the media counts them as one of the representative comedians of this era.

Their mid term goal is to have an oneman show in front of 10.000 people

The 6 singles they have released since their debut all charted in the Top 5 of the Orion weekly charts. On 2nd November 2022, they will release their 7th single “Let Go”. The title track, that has been pre-released already, is a beautiful ballad that expresses with a sad singing the feelings of parting from a loved one and not being able to let go afterwards. They performed it for the first time on their second tour “OWV LIVE TOUR 2022 -STRANGE-“ which started on 1st October, and their epic performance attracted quite the attention.

Kosuke: Since we released (the dance tune) Time Jackerz (as our 6th single), we all said “Next, a ballad would be nice’”. First we had set up the theme of “a ballad that could work out even if we don’t dance”, but after all one of OWV’s strengths is dancing. So we said “Let’s try to dance to it” and added choreography as well.

Katsunari: We first showed it to the fans at the tour. About a year ago we first performed new songs at our tour and I felt happy regarding this.

Kosuke: The performance on stage was more difficult than I had imagined. It has choreography and lyrics so unlike our other songs, and it was hard for me to put emotions into it. However, there was the sense of “a song that makes you listen” and I was abler to immerse myself into the song. It was a new kind of fun for me.

Fumiya: Indeed. I feel that the lyrics reached the fans straight in their hearts. When I was watching their reactions and expressions during the performance, I could tell they were directly affected by those.

Katsunari: Also the music video displays a new atmosphere. So far we had a lot of videos that were made of dancing and image cuts, but this time it contains a lot of scenes in which the members act a bit. On top of that, we show the dance in the chorus. I think it got a fresh feeling, something different from OWV’s prevíous music videos, so I hope you will listen to it and watch it a lot.

When asked about their future goals, they replied with some worry “We said so much…” (Sano), they also talked about the hot topics they only talk about during live shows. The group, always friendly and cheerful, were constantly chattering about their goals.

Fumiya: The short term goal is of course that everyone stays fit and we can finish the tour.

Shuta: Yes, that’s important.

Kosuke: The long term goal is to have 50.000 people coming to our tour all together.

Katsunari: And staying fit in this case, too.

Shuta: That all together 50.000 people come to the tour?

Kosuke: Yes. 5 times more than the current tour. I guess we could make it happen if we had 30 shows on that tour. I am thinking that this time we are doing 6 shows in 3 cities, and next year we are gonna visit a few more places and then in the end, bam! We will have a concert in a big venue. Ah no, this sounds somehow vague. I aim “to have a solo concert in a venue that has a capacity of 10.000 people within 2-3 years”.

Shuta: Ah this sounds better.

Kosuke: It’s easier to understand, right? Earlier was vague, I will reflect on this (laughs).

Lastly, we asked Honda, born in 1995 and who is proud to be “exactly a Generation Z member” and the two years younger Nakagawa, the two oldest members of the group, about their favorite form of entertainment lately.

Katsunari: I have been playing (the shooting game) “Apex Legends” since about my final year of highschool and I’m so into it that I already broke one controller from playing too much. It all started when I first tried it out at my friend’s house, with whom I have been close since middle school. But what I really want to say is that “I am into watching stage plays”. There are a lot of plays lately that I want to watch. I really want to see the Harry Potter one (Harry Potter and the Cursed Child), but so far the dates never worked out, so I didn’t go yet. So I can’t really say “I’m into this” yet…

Kosuke: I’m into Disney movies these days.

Katsunari: Really?

Kosuke: Really. I subscribed to “Disney Plus”. As an artist who expresses himself, when I thought about “What could be the best entertainment?”, I just knew I had to watch Disney movies. The first era animation movies, that had no text yet, were particularly interesting and they attracted me. Originally Mickey Mouse had been my role model, but from the viewpoint of just not being “interesting”, I’m watching one movie per day to rediscover myself and learn something. Disney’s own way of linking music and story is also a great teacher for my work.

[OWV] Nylon 200928

DO YOU FEEL YOUR MUSIC? OWV who still hide their shine are spreading their wings to the world
In the middle of the world welcoming a huge change, the rookie boy group OWV appeared like a comet. In the gazes of the members, who have made both bitter and sweet experiences in the audition program “PRODUCE 101 JAPAN”, a strong light is dwelling.
This interview will unravel their state of mind after the audition, the hidden stories of their formation and episodes they haven’t talked about until now. Unfolding the real faces of the four members who have a huge hidden potential.

How did you honestly feel when OWV’s formation was decided?
Kosuke: I felt grateful that once more I became able to run towards my dream. It has been so frustrating to be unable to grasp my dream after coming close to it in PDJ (as PRODUCE 101 JAPAN is shortened to) but I’m glad that I continued without ever giving up.
Shuta: In my case, I was surprised that the attention for this program was bigger than I expected. I had the wish to be active in a dance-vocal unit since I was a child, so PDJ was the chance for it, but even though I missed that chance I was looking for a new one, thinking “I’m gonna continue to do my best”. While I was wondering how I should open up a new path, the talks for this group’s formation reached me and I was honestly happy about it.
Fumiya: As I was a university student during PDJ, I felt like a loser as I was the only looking sloopy while all my friends were job hunting in suits. When I was eliminated in PDJ, I was highly anxious, thinking “What should I do with my career?”. I was really happy when this group was decided and I felt relieved that everything I have done so far was no mistake in the end.
Katsunari: I had already begun job hunting. Hence, when I got another chance to debut, I was so happy that I could have cried. But I didn’t cry (laughs). And, I had made the promise to my parents that if I fail PDJ I will start job hunting. It had been my intent to work in a normal company (laughs).
Shuta: What? So you are saying it was either being a standard company employee or OWV for you?
Katsunari: That’s what I just said? (laughs)

We both have the experience of being back dancers and we have similar worries

How were the members decided?
Kosuke: After the show ended, when the former trainees exchanged messages “What should we do from now on?”, the 4 of us naturally came together as our aim and thoughts were similar, just like our passion. For example, if you look at me and Fumiya, we both worked as back dancers and we had similar worries.
Fumiya: I feel it was at the time the agency also mentioned that “Don’t you want to do it together?”. The person in charge of us eliminated trainees had been concerned back then.

In this case, it was something spontaneous, right?
Shuta: That’s right. I feel it just happened while we were talking with each other.

In which regard did you share the feelings with the other members?
Kosuke: The biggest one was the will to be more artists than idols.
Katsunari: In my opinion, idols have more of a “young and fresh” image and as we have experienced being at the bottom and also older, I felt I want to do it as an artist with a mature feeling… How about you guys?
Shuta: Ah, yes. That‘s right (laughs).
Fumiya: I feel the border between idol and artist is disappearing more and more. Especially in K-POP.
Kosuke: We might not live up to the title artist for now, but one day I hope we become someone who is called “an artist who represents Japan”. To be recognised as someone with real abilities.
Fumiya: Both me and Honda used to be dancers, so we would like to choreograph and create our own songs.

Which member came up with the name OWV for the group?
Fumiya: Well, each one of us had his own ideas and we wrote them down on a white board.
Kosuke: The people from the agency also entrusted us with this, saying “It will be more meaningful if the members decided it together after discussing it”. However…
Fumiya: You don’t want to remember it, right? The thing we struggled the most was deciding on our group name (laughs).
Shuta: We were discussing it over and over with the members and staff and OWV was the one name we all could agree on. As this overlapped with the lockdown because of the covid pandemic, we exchanged our ideas on LINE, too.
Katsunari: Normally, we texted, but out of nowhere Honda-kun sent a picture. It was a picture with the group name written in a cool font on a black background.
Shuta: It was a chat, wasn’t it? Everything looks cool there.

Are there any people or artists you see as your role model?
Katsunari: It is hard to say ‘It’s them for sure’!
Fumiya: For example, we have the goal to be like BIGBANG-san who can make each one’s individual charm shine more by the low number of members. I personally respect G-DRAGON-san.
Kosuke: There is also WINNER-san.
Shuta: As the 4 of us get along very well… While it might be a bit ridiculous, I would like us to be like Arashi-san and be always close with each other.
Katsunari: We are really close, so I want this to be seen, too. But I think if someone set up a camera, you would understand it (laughs).
Kosuke: Like us living in a dorm again (laughs)? But this might be impossible for Shuta.

Is that so? Why?
Fumiya: Shuta’s mother is very worried about him.
Shuta: When we stayed in the dorm in Korea for the program, I was unable to reply to the LINE messages of my mother and when I opened the app afterwards, 214 messages from her had come. She even told me yesterday and this morning “Don’t live in a dorm again” (laughs). She would surely follow me if I ever moved into a dorm again. For real!
Katsunari: Among the 101 trainees, your mother was there, too, right? (laughs)
Shuta: No (laughs).
Kosuke: But you don’t seem to dislike your mother being worried about you?
Shuta: I really dislike it (laughs).
Kosuke: Only Shuta lives a little far from the city center with his family, so it would be better if he moved closer for work.
Katsunari: Your commuting expenses must be high (laughs).
Shuta: They are! But, I stay there for my family as I’m a kind guy.
Katsunari: You said so (laughs).
Kosuke: Another goal of ours might be to have our own show where we could have private talks like this. We are always laughing with each other over the most trivial things and everyone always thinks about topics to talk about.
Fumiya: Sometimes, our discussions about talks are far more intense than the one about singing and dancing. We only have evaluation meetings that go “At this point, we make more people laugh if we do it like this”. (laughs)
Kosuke: We think about a flow like if we come to this point we reply like that. It would be nice to showcase this chatty side along with our artist activities.
Fumiya: Yes.
Kosuke: Also, personally, I would like to produce one day. But as we are still before our debut, it is not the time to say that, right? (laughs) For this, I would like to become first someone who can produce his own group. I would like to advance with the goal of becoming the number 1 in Japan and becoming someone the world pays attention to.

By the way, has been OWV’s leader decided?
Fumiya: Right now a leader hasn’t been formally appointed. However, sure enough Honda-kun is the one who leads us in various aspects. I’m sure the fans also agree with this.
Shuta: Because he is “Nation’s aniki”.
Katsunari: We rely on him.
Shuta: After all that’s because he is “Nation’s aniki”.
Katsunari: I heard you (laughs).
Kosuke: When we come to the point of deciding a leader, we will once more refer to everyone’s opinions and decide him based on this. The result might be that Shuta becomes the leader (laughs).
Everyone: (laughs)
Shuta: Why are you laughing?
Fumiya: But I think this is impossible.
Shuta: Hey!
Kosuke: (laughs) We also need to decide on the member colors.

I am deeply moved that we have become friends who rush through life together.

Please tell us about the reason each one of you started to aim for the entertainment world. You surely yearned for it since your childhood?
Shuta: In my case yes. I have watched K-POP since I was young and the quality of the dancing, singing and performances was amazing and I started to feel that I want to do this, too. I think the first ones were SHINee-san.
Katsunari: I only entered the entertainment world when I was 20 years old and started dancing after that. I think I’m a late bloomer. To the point that I expected my future career will involve a normal job hunting. .
Fumiya: I am also a late bloomer. I only started dancing in my second year of university. It had been a hurdle that I learnt everything myself instead of being part of a circle or going to dance lessons. I didn’t like studying. I learnt it by watching dance competitions and analyzing myself. I learnt dancing while competing at events at live houses late at night. Also, my work as a back dancer comes from people approaching me at such events. Hence, my mindset is more like the street style. Maybe that’s why I am really bad at teaching others. That’s why I entrusted this to Honda-kun.
Kosuke: I am the full opposite of Fumiya. I began visiting the dance school which I always wanted to do after leaving my school club because of an injury in high school. Afterwards, I moved to Tokyo to visit a dance vocational school and this led to me starting to work as a back dancer.Judging from your characters, I assumed Honda-kun comes from the street style and Fumiya was the one who was taught at a school.
Kosuke: Right! The impression is the opposite, isn’t it?

By the way, in what kind of club were you?
Kosuke: In high school I was in the track and field club.
Fumiya: We are the same. Baseball club in middle school and track and field in high school.

You didn’t consider continuing baseball in high school?
Kosuke: I hated being bald (laughs).
Fumiya: I disliked team sports.
Everyone: (laughs)
Fumiya: Back then! I hated losing because of the faults of others. At the same time, I hated if the team lost because of my mistakes. As track and field is an individual sport, I chose that in high school.

Do you remember your first impression of the other members?
Kosuke: I knew Fumiya already before the show, but back then I had no idea that he was that much of a street like dancer. I didn't expect him to be such a cool and ambitious person who worked his way up. ”You are such a person!” As I am the type of person who didn’t have such a hurdle and examined everything closely through the lessons, I had the feeling of wanting to have some hurdle deep inside of me. When I see someone who has such a background, I can tell that directly. It makes me wish to live like this too.
Fumiya: But I just jumped into the dance battle world without having a clue what I was actually doing, so I was really bad. No matter which event I joined, there was no positive result. But if you keep on trying, you will eventually hit.
Kosuke: It is amazing that you endured such a period without being discouraged.
Fumiya: Because I am competitive. The first time me and Honda-kun met, it was that Honda-kun was one of the performing artists and I was back dancer for another group.
Kosuke: Back then I was in an indie dance and vocal group and on that day we had a live show with another dance and vocal group for which Fumiya was the back dancer. Back then, I wouldn’t have believed that now we would be in the same group.
Fumiya: Me too.
Shuta: Me and Fumiya were friends already before we appeared on the show.
Fumiya: That’s the truth.
Shuta: Since we were good friends for a while, I am deeply moved that we have become friends who rush through life together.
Kosuke: My image of Shuta never changed.
Fumiya: It’s just the part (which never changed) that I assumed “That guy seems kind” and he proved to be kind after becoming friends (laughs).
Katsunari: Shuta felt like a funny moodmaker from the start. This image barely changed (laughs). He is a common kind guy.
Shuta: Why is everyone teasing me? (laughs) I also felt from the start that Katsu-kun is a funny guy.
Kosuke: He has no hidden side (laughs). I felt that Katsu was a scary guy in the beginning. His way of replying was really short. A way only a truly handsome guy can reply (laughs). I thought “I can’t do that!”. But once I started talking to him, he was the typical funny older brother from Kansai.
Fumiya: He was tall and back then his hair was blonde. My first impression was “There are people who are cool just by their height”. When we were together for the second screening, I ended up thinking “This guy will advance to a good place”.
Kosuke: The outlook of a producer (laughs).
Katsunari: Speaking of this, I also thought Honda-kun was scary? Because I often witnessed his passion exploding during PDJ.
Shuta: I thought so, too. Kosuke-kun is just “THE GUY”, so I was nervous initially. But when we were in the same group he was really kind and I started to like him. He also got a cute side with him always rolling his little face roller in his face.
Katsunari: We are always borrowing sunscreen from Honda-kun, because he always has it with him.
Shuta: He got the one which is the best for the skin (laughs). I guess I only realized that gap about him after the group was formed. Speaking of gaps, you would think on the first glance that Fumiya is no joker at all as he seems cool, but surprisingly he talks a lot and tries to get some laughs.
Katsunari: My first impression of Fumiya was the same. After we became friends I was surprised that he is such a mischievous person.

Well, then I would like to ask you about the sides you respect about each other.
Fumiya: I try to absorb the movements of a body by watching them, but Shuta has an excellent ear. You might know that he can play the piano, but he can also do voice percussion. He is good in absorbuíng music with his ears. I envy this. I think there are many things I can learn from him in this regard.
Katsunari: That’s right. I think that Shuta is not just good at singing, but he also has a human side. I am a bit ashamed to say it again but I feel I have to imitate his side of brighting the atmosphere as the moodmaker (laughs).
Shuta: (laughs) I believe Katsu-kun is amazing. I think it is because he brings a different balance than a moodmaker. His gentleness of pacifying the atmosphere and his ability to read the mood. Moodmakers tend to hype up the atmosphere and that’s it, but in Katsu-kun’s case, he adjusts the mood so that the whole place feels good.
Katsunari: Right.
Shuta: Don’t say “right” (laughs). But I truly think you are amazing.
Katsunari: Thank you very much (embarrassed). Fumiya’s desire to pursue and his hunger for dance, of course, but also for the things he is interested in is amazing. This is the part I lack the most or rather I just do everything averagely, so I respect this side of him.
Kosuke: Sure enough I admire Fumiya for competing on the streets. Because this is something you can only do if you have the right self esteem and resolution and you have to fully go to the bottom of expressing yourself.
Shuta: Compared to the time I first met Fumiya, I feel he has become quite good and he has become able to devote himself to dancing. Also, that he is competitive. He is not only competitive, but also works hard until the very end and this side brings him into a good direction, or rather, it is giving him a certain confidence. Next, let’s talk about Aniki (Honda-kun).
Katsunari: Naturally, I highly respect Aniki’s dancing. Regarding his personality I already said that, but I think it is cool that he is reliable, that he really values personal relationships and that he is a proper adult in that way. I think this is important no matter the industry.
Fumiya: After all, he always leads us and he is also good at teaching us. He really feels like an older brother (= aniki).
Shuta: There is a lot (that I respect) like him valuing the relationships between people, his passionate heart and his leadership, but I think what I respect the most is that he “can pay attention”. For example, when someone asks me “What do you think of this move?”, I am the type of person who barely can give honest feedback. I would just say “It’s good” and that’s it. But Kosuke-kun would tell me flatly everything up to what was not so good. But he doesn’t make me feel bad about being admonished or being warned. I can tell he really thinks about the other person when he says those things. He understands them and tells them so, in order for everyone to improve together. I think that is something hard to do.

What is your goal as OWV?
Kosuke: Both us and the staff decided that in the 1 or 2 years after our debut we want to stand on stage of the Budokan, so this is what we want to make come true.
Fumiya: In addition, there is also the goal that we want to become fashion icons as OWV. For us, BIGBANG-san are like this and we want to become a group that is influential in a lot of areas.
Kosuke: We want to become a group that can be also liked by guys, right?
Shuta: Yes. We want to become someone who is imitated. I would be happy if someone made dance covers of our songs. Or that someone thinks “Because they are wearing this, I want to wear this, too”.
Katsunari: To say it boldly, we hope to become a trend.
Shuta: It would be awesome, if we really became such a group. Someone that makes people say “That clothes are typical OWV”.
Katsunari: That’s great! I want to do my best in this regard!
Fumiya: I also want to us to become a strong group that can tell our own story on documentary programs like “Jonetsu Tairiku” or “Pro no ugokikata”. I want us to become a strong group who is told “Please appear on our program” instead of us saying “We want to appear there”.
Kosuke: But you seem already ready to appear there, Fumiya (laughs). With all your ups and downs of competing on the street after you started dancing and your debut happening even though you were eliminated during the audition.
TN: It seems like since 2021 the second program is named “Why not? Watashitachi no ugokikata”.

Next I would like to ask about music. First of all, which kind of music or which artists do each of you like?
Katsunari: I’m often listening to western music. I like R&B and I’m often listening to Shawn Mendes. When it comes to enjoying music, including the videos, I often listen to K-POP. It is not one group I like, but rather there are songs that I enjoy.
Kosuke: I mainly listen to Japanese bands. I only listen to western music when I look for songs to dance to. But I think this is typical for people who have been back dancers (laughs). The bands I often listen to include SHE’S-san and I Don’t Like Mondays-san. Also, back number-san. And I’m listening to the hits of Higedan-san (Official Higedan dism).
Fumiya: I mainly listen to Western hip hop, R&B and pop music. When it comes to Japanese songs, I love Obukuro Nariaki-san. I think this person is a genius who does it amazingly without being tied to a genre. I originally got into Western music through hip hop and it was also the reason why I got interested in dancing.
Shuta: Since I was a child classical music was played at home, so I’m extremely familiar with it. Also during breakfast these days, classical music is played.
Katsunari: There are really such families…
Kosuke: What kind of classical music?
Shuta: Eh… the usual stuff. Like Mozart-san or Chopin-san…
Everyone: (laugh)
Kosuke: You use “san” for them (laughs)
Fumiya: Another one. I want to know another one.
Shuta: Eh… Who else. I think Tschaikowski.
Kosuke: Now, there was no “san” (laughs).
Katsunari: You really live like a royal.
Shuta: But my meals are not royal at all. Normally, it’s bacon and eggs or bread.
Kosuke: Bread-san?
Shuta: Yes, I eat bread-san. And as music-san I add Mozert-san to it. And, during my school years I started to like SHINee and since then I also listen to K-POP.
Kosuke: No no no. You have to add a “san” to SHINee-san.
Everyone: (laugh)
Shuta: I have no idea anymore where I should add the “san”.

The lyrics about the feeling of living in a far away town stick with me

(laughs) Now, please tell us the first CD or song you bought from your pocket money or part time salary.
Katsunari: It was from Bangtan-san (BTS). I think it was the album “DARK&WILD” which included the song “War of Hormones”. I also bought a CD of BIGBANG-san released at the same time.
TN: As Dark & Wild was released in August 2014, he likely refers to “The Best of Big Bang 2006-2014” or the live album “2014 BIGBANG +a IN SEOUL”.
Kosuke: It was Mr. Children-san’s “Hanabi”.
Shuta: This is such a nice song~
Kosuke: I remember the case not being plastic but paper.
Fumiya: In my case it was something like a best of CD that featured hit songs from various hip hop artists. I often listened to the CD when my family went somewhere by car and gradually my parents also knew those well (laughs). Eventually, my father nodded along while driving.
Katsunari: What a cool family (laughs).

After the hip hop family I would like to hear about the classic family next.
Shuta: The very first CD I bought was in fact a classical one.
Kosuke: For real?
Shuta: Yes, really. Because in order to improve my piano skills it was good to listen to this kind of music.
Fumiya: That’s true however (laughs). It’s kinda different and funny, Shuta.
Shuta: I think it was a CD that features a lot of famous works from various composers. It was played during breakfast for example.
Kosuke: Powerful. Everything you have said so far.
Katsunari: Really! Someone we feel so small compared with your excellence (laughs)
Shuta: You don't have to!

Please tell us whether there is a memorable song for you.
Kosuke: For me it is the song “Tegami” by back number-san. The song text is really like a letter to one’s parents, telling them “I’m working hard to reach my dreams”. When I was on the verge of being discouraged and wanted to go home again, this was the song that made me think “I will work hard again”. It’s like going back to the start. Because when I moved to Tokyo to chase my dreams, I thought about my parents a lot before making my decision.
Shuta: For me it is Mr. Children-san’s “Owarinaki tabi”. I like the lyrics that hit you right into the heart. I like the part “I feel great when I climb progressively higher walls.”, but when I first heard it it shocked me, thinking “what are those lyrics…”.
Fumiya: For me it is Shimizu Shota-san’s “Tokyo”. The lyrics about the feeling of living in a far away town stick with me, because I long felt stuck at the bottom after moving from the countryside to Tokyo, too. I often listened to it when I felt I was buried under everything.
Shuta: When you were buried under (laughs).
TN: 下積み has a double meaning by once being literally buried by something or be at the bottom layer of something and feeling it metaphorical to the point of being a loser, a failure. While Fumiya meant it in a metaphorical way, Shuta tries to lighten the mood by putting up the image of Fumiya being literally buried under something while listening to the song.
Katsunari: This song is great. As someone who also moved from the countryside to Tokyo I can understand. For me it is ONE OK ROCK-san’s “Yokubou ni michita seinendan”. I often listened to it when I was part of a small agency and felt insecure, thinking “If I can’t make it with the next chance, I’ll give up.” Back then I felt I could link the lyrics to my own situation.

I hope to remember the times when there was no reward.

Next, please tell us your favorite lyrics.
Katsunari: From the song “Tabako” from Koresawa-san. There are the lyrics “I set the clock five minutes early for my lower who tends to oversleep, but this has no meaning anymore.”. Their point is that the two have already broken up. I think this kind of technical writing style makes the melancholy of the song stronger and better.
Shuta: For me it is the lyrics of the song “My Pace” from the K-POP group Stray Kids. I feel it fits our situation. It feels that we go on in our pace without being compared to others, but especially the parts “Don’t give up Don’t give up Even if you compare there is no meaning in it” gives me energy.
Fumiya: For me it is the song “Kadode” by Obukuro Nariaki. There is the phrase “Somehow I miss being alive”. I guess there are a lot of interpretations regarding this but.. It’s hard to speak of such a highly intellectual level.
Katsunari: I am curious. Would it be quicker to listen to it myself?
Fumiya: Yes. It’s hard to explain. Try to listen to it.
Kosuke: For me it is the song “Alarm” by tensaibonzin. During my indie times I appeared along with tensaibonzin and I listened to this song from then on often. It is a song for people who are trying to reach their dreams, but I like the lyrics “What is the right answer I only decide that I trust my choices”. It clearly fit my situation back then and it renewed my motivation to give my all.

There are a lot of songs that are hungry to reach one’s dreams in your choices.
Fumiya: Because there has been a long time of us being losers.

What kind of worries did you have in your times at back dancers, Honda-san and Sano-san?
Kosuke: I originally started dancing because I wanted to work in the spotlight and I felt I wasn’t cut to be a back dancer. I quit when I felt a bit frustrated about not being in the spotlight. Of course, it is a matter of being suited for it, so I am not saying that dancing at the front is superior to dancing in the back. It was simply not something for me. After realizing this, I started my former indie group.
Fumiya: It was the same for me. There was a time when I felt extremely uncomfortable about receiving a lot of cheers while being on stage as none of those cheers were for me. I believed in myself being a back dancer, but at one point I felt “I can’t keep on doing this…”. That’s why I am really grateful for what I am doing now.
Kosuke: Both in my times as a back dancer and during my indie days it was hard to continue with the activities. Even when I appeared at some dance event, I had to prepare my costume myself, pay for the participation, pay for the dance studio to practice until the performance, there was also a ticket quota… I really appreciate the current environment. We are the ones who were eliminated from the audition once, and I hope to remember the times when there was no reward.

Now I would like to ask you for one song “that you want to listen to with someone special by sharing your earphones”.
Katsunari: Hm.. which one… There is the song “Eat” by Zion.T, which might be good. It is a song for people who are always working hard and it says “Don’t exert yourself too much, relax a bit while eating chocolate and listen to this song”. I want to listen to it together when my special one is exhausted from being busy.
Fumiya: Special someone… I have no interest in that. I only listen to songs based on whether I want to dance to them or not.
Everyone: Wow~ So cool.
Fumiya: (laughs) However, I think “Closer feat. Haley” by Chainsmokers which has a slightly sad atmosphere but a melody that lifts your mood, might be good.
Kosuke: It is a song I often listened to in the past, but it would be “milk tea” by Fukuyama Masaharu. The lyrics scream of love from the bottom of one’s heart. It has a very moving composition with the milk tea from the title finally coming up towards the end “On a rainy slope Under one umbrella The milk tea you gave me”.
Shuta: …. is a classical song okay?
Members: (laugh)
Shuta: I pick “Liebestraum” (Love Dream) by Liszt. The impact from the melody of the intro is great and it makes me feel at peace… Classical music has no lyrics, so you can only guess the message of the song based on the title “Liebestraum”, but the impression is greatly different for each person. I imagine it to be fun to see how the other one would interpret the song and try to compare it with mine. I think it is perfect for listening with your partner. Classical music is really great (for this).
Kosuke: Wow, he is so cool.
Fumiya: It’s so different from the rest of us (laughs). You can feel him being an intellectual.
Since the lockdown to fight the Corona virus has started, how do you spend your days?
Katsunari: We announced OWV’s formation on Honda-kun’s birthday (11th April), but we first came together shortly before the implementation of the emergency state. Just when we decided “We are gonna start our activities as OWV!” The emergency state began, so we discussed it and every day we called each other for a long time.
Kosuke: We barely even talked, we were just connected to each other (laughs).
Shuta: Really we were connected to each other the whooole time.
Kosuke: We had no idea when to end the calls.
Shuta: Right, we are all not the people to end calls.
Katsunari: As we were all like this, it ended up being like a marathon (laughs).
Fumiya: It was pretty much as if we lived together.
Shuta: It was often until 2 or 3 am.

To be continued...