SANO FUMIYA Sano Fumiya attracted attention for being “cute” during PRODUCE 101 JAPAN, but in OWV he is seen as “melancholic”. His personality is both manly and honest to a fault. We will look back to half a lifetime in which he climbed to the top in 2 years besides starting to dance seriously starting in his university days.
In his childhood he was a sports allrounder, director of the student's council and honour student.
Please tell us about your hometown. I’m from the prefecture Yamanashi. My hometown is a town where not many people live, so I pretty much know everyone living there –laughs- When I walked home from school, the grandpas from the neighbourhood told me “welcome back~”. It felt like the socialising is like the whole town is like a family, everyone was close to each other and relations were very warm. What kind of kid were you? I was strong willed and an attention seeker. Also, I was easily influenceable. I admired the characters of the drama “Waterboys” which is about male high school students who do synchronized swimming, but when I wanted to start with competitions, I was a complete beginner at swimming. Furthermore, during my elementary school days, I wanted to become a police officer because of the “Bayside Shakedown” series in which Oda Yuji played a passionate detective or “Security Police” (SP Metropolitan Police Department Security Police Division, 4th District) in which Okada Junichi starred as a Special Police officer. I watched those shows right after another. Is there a sport or something else you continued to practise during your school days? I was the president of the elementary school student council, during middle school I was part of the executive of the student council and vice-captain of the baseball club and in high school I was the captain of the track and field club. You seemed like a sports allrounder and a friend you can rely on. You think so? I took care of my way of speaking, but actually I was the type who spoke up. I also diligently acted. For example, for the morning practise of my clubs I was the first one to come and I prepared the utensils on the field. When I continued to do those things, my seniors entrusted me with those important positions when they graduated. Day after day those things accumulated and before I noticed it I was entrusted with various positions. There is some elite feeling floating around you. On the other hand, I was quite bad with acting in a group or team competitions. To be honest, in group sports like baseball don’t you lose because of people’s mistakes? Of course, because it also happened that my team lost because of my mistake, it wasn’t anyone’s fault, but it didn’t feel right for me. Thus, I changed to the track and field group in which everything happened was my responsibility. Even as a middle schooler you had a quite adult like thinking. I might have had that way of thinking for a long time. Since I was younger, I did Karate and I did both Kumite where you fight using protection and Kata. The result was that I was able to go to a nationwide competition, but I wanted to have fun rather than doing karate –laughs- My parents told me “You can stop when you have the black belt", so I studied a lot about karate. And then, I didn’t give up in the middle and directly I was able to gain the black belt and participate in a big tournament. You are so stoic that one can’t no longer judge whether it was serious or not. Back then, your talent must be something terrifying... Since I was younger, I was told that when I get muscles, it will be hard for me to grow, but my lower part of the body is sturdy and steady and it lives by doing exercises and sport. The way I’m using my body core and my body axis which I developed with karate is alive in dancing now, so you can’t say that it’s wasted. I like my body including my height and body build –laughs- For dancing I can control it easily and it’s easy to handle... I think. Your dancing has some aura. You said you are someone attention seeking, but was there a place or situation where your individuality was displayed? At the sports or school festival. When I could display my physical abilities fully. In baseball which I did during middle school I was number one and my position was center. I did base stealing and I was often the pinch runner. After that, a scout of the high school track and field club who saw my speed, called my family. As expected you are a sports elite! This episode is too cool. Also, an episode that showcased that you were popular. During your school years, wasn’t that emitted? No, but there might have been something... In high school there was a 20km running competition, but because I was the long-distance runner of the track and field club, my couch would have become angry if I didn’t enter the top 3. At my school, during competitions the girls gave good luck charms to the guys they were interested in and the guys ran while wearing them. I got that too. Also, at the sports festival messages for my headband were written. Of course, I brought the right results –laughs- An episode of manliness! Surely, no matter the competition you can do it. When did you start to be interested in dancing and singing back then? The very first time was thanks to OKAZILE who I saw at “Mecha Mecha Iketeru!” when I was in the 3rd or 4th year of elementary school. Okamura-san did the windmill dance during which you roll his torso continuously in a circular path on the floor, across the shoulders while twirling his legs through the air and I thought It’s cool when you can do that~. Also, Sato Takeru who starred in the lead role of “Kamen Rider Den-O'' which I watched at that time, too, did breakdancing during the story and I thought “everyone does that!” -laughs- From then on, I was interested in dancing. When all the cool guys danced, the pure boy you were was influenced. That’s right. Then I watched the program “Shonen Champloo” and I admired the cool dancers there. I thought of dancing as something interesting, but until High school I did sport the whole time, so I didn’t have the desire to learn it. But from time to time, I performed on stage during school festivals and my feelings regarding dancing became stronger.
Because he wanted to work as a dancer he jumped in the world of pros right away
When was the turning point that you wanted to advance on the path of a dancer? I wanted to go to Tokyo to become a dancer, so I went to an university in Tokyo. I wanted to start properly quickly, so I joined the dance circle on the spot. But after some time, I left. Besides that, you came to Tokyo with passion? Did you become interested in something else? No on the contrary. I understood the perks of the circle of course, but I decided to live as a dancer and I wanted my future occupation to be dancing, so I started to enter the world of the pros. I never learned at a dance studio, but I searched for Numbers (showcases in which the main dancer choreographs the dance) of people who were active as a dance teacher or dancer and I worked hard so that I could appear on those. Gradually I got along with the pros and I continued to participate in numbers. Then I was able to become the number leader for a group of about 50 people. Afterwards, I joined the group which was led by a famous dancer. An acquaintance told me about back dancer jobs for Miura Daichi and I was able to do that. Exactly because you had that strong dream, you were able to take the shortest way towards it. I think it’s a path that’s unique to you who has determination and drive. I think so, too. It’s kind of the way an unruly outlaw does it. I don’t know whether my dancing has some foundation, but it’s a way of doing it by getting used to completing countless real stages. Because I started dancing properly in university, I felt that even if I went to the dance circle or a dance school properly, I wouldn’t be able to fill the gap between me and the ones who have some experience. That’s why I switched over to put emphasis on efficiency. It felt like although it is connected to the stage I want to appear on, in my own way I make sure of it and move forward. After that and before PRODUCE 101 JAPAN (shortened to PDJP later), with whom did you stand on stage? I have experience as a back dancer for Naoto Into Raymi, RADIO FISH, BTS, SEVENTEEN, PENTAGON, Wanna one and so on. Excluding this, I was also a dance teacher. That’s why even without doing an actual part time job, it happened that I was barely able to go to classes.... How did you know about PDJP? I was also a back dancer for K-POP artists and so I was told the information that it seemed like that Produce would start in Japan, too. I was in the right age so that I could apply for it and I had a career as a dancer, so I thought I should try to challenge it. By the time I was in the 3rd year of university after accomplishing various jobs I’ve put a halt in that, participated in PDJP during my 4th year and after my graduation I made my debut with OWV.
Having real abilities was obvious however how you show yourself is important
When you participated in PDJP with which thoughts did you tackle the hard battle? I was wondering how to stand out from the crowd. Even if you were good at singing or dancing, because you will be evaluated, I wondered whether I was seen eventually. If you don’t have the charm to attract the audience, it ends up being nothing but a mere gratification of the ego. Because it was a place where so many people with talents gathered, it’s just as you said. What did you do concretely? Well, in terms of how to show my performances and my character, I thought how I could draw attention to me, so I’ve decided to dye my hair blue and get piercings. Until then during the class evaluation and the position battles and so on, I stood on stage 3 times with black hair and no piercings. During the position battle back then, I was entrusted with the choreography, I thought the time that I appear on screen also increases and I hoped that I could appeal myself more while aiming for my team to win. The dance lesson scene in which you portrayed your thoughts was also impressive in the episodes. I was able to clear the evaluation safely, but there was some irritating feeling of nervousness that I can’t describe. I didn’t know whether I could advance further, but finally I headed towards the ranking ceremony with blue hair. When it was announced that I could pass on... There was no other trainee who had blue hair, so I felt that I was able to leave quite the impression on the national producers. I really admire your self produce abilities so that you can reach a lot of people. What do you think is the factor that completes you now? It might be that I’m mentally strong. Because I grew up in the countryside where I couldn’t fulfil the things I wanted to do or to get them easily, I might have the mental strength to gain the things myself since a while. A strong will which is slightly unrefined and for continued to live. When I decided to start dancing to make it my profession, I properly told that to my family. Until that point, I never told them anything about what I was interested in, so they seemed to think “That’s rare.”. They gladly accepted it. However, it seemed like they didn’t expect me to continue dancing that long, so they are quite surprised –laughs- Because I also didn’t imagine I would come until this point, it’s a strange feeling. Your family is surely happy. Please continue to surprise everyone in the future. Ahaha, that’s right. My family saw OWV’s activities and they are happy about those. When I just became a dancer, they seemed to worry how I would do in the future, but I’m glad that I was able to reassure them now. But when I met my younger brother recently, he told me “It’s a mystery to me that you who only had vague plans for your future, is steadily moving forward on his way to make his dreams come true now...” -laughs- How do you want to do activities in the future? I’m still a rookie, so I want to work with all my might on the things right in front of me. Then, I want to digest those things I’ve experienced and produce some results. When I was active as a dancer, I saw various prominent senior artists, but everyone was someone of great composure. I also want to be like them soon. I want to be active in a wide world both in the aspects of genres and areas. I want to try jobs outside of the artist world. What I’m considering now is that I want to open a dance school in a place like my hometown which is underpopulated and has nothing but my former high school is left. There I want to provide an opportunity to pursue dreams like I used to seek for. 100 Q&A 001: A message to the fans who bought the first photobook! It’s an honour that we can release such a photobook right after our debut. I think you can see sides that we normally don’t show, so please enjoy it. The shooting at the gas station, reminded me of how I felt when I was young and did work experience at a nearby shopping mall. Please pay attention to this! 002: Your childhood dream? Police officer 003: A moment when you think you are happy? When I'm dancing 004: If you compare yourself to an animal? I’m often told that I’m like a wolf 005: Your charm point? The mole under my right eye 006: What would you eat as your last supper? Red bean rice 007: Comment on your fashion today? It has a sense of freshness. I tucked in my top. 008: Tell us about your favourite pair of shoes? Dance lesson shoes 009: What's the most favourite fashion item right now? A hat I got from a friend 010: If you appeared in a drama, what role would you play? A corrupted character 011: You are the director. What kind of movie would you make? A work with a suspense atmosphere 012: The muscles you are the most confident about? My stable lower body half 013: A part of your body that you like? Stature 014: A part of your body that you dislike? Dry eyes 015: A song you sing for sure during Karaoke? At Karaoke I was made to dance 016: Which is the most memorable YouTube video? What else do you want to try? When we made fried rice. I would like to visit everyone’s hometowns 017: What makes you feel secure if you have it? Long socks 018: How does your family call you? Fumiya and without a suffix 019: How do your friends call you? Fumiya, Sano 020: What’s your lock screen? OWV’s logo 021: How long do you sleep? 5 to 6 hours 022: Speaking of café menus? Iced café latte 023: Speaking of home cooking? Chinese style pepper steak (at my home we use potatoes instead of bamboo shoots) 024: A hairstyle you want to try? Or a hair colour? Letting them grow until I can braid them, purple, blonde or black 025: Do you easily gain weight or is it hard for you? It’s hard 026: If you compared yourself to a thing? 鉄砲玉 (gunshot, bull’s eye or lost messenger) 027: A colour that fits you? Also, a colour that doesn’t fit you? What fits to me is blue, what doesn’t fit is gold 028: Are you better with hot or cold weather? I’m good with hot weather 029: Your taste in interior design of your home? None. I don’t have much 030: Your favourite spot at home? Bed 031: Do you have a lot of luggage? Or only a bit? Not much 032: Your favourite manga? “Beck” I wanted to learn guitar because of it, but it was fruitless 033: Your favourite book? What I recently read was “Innocent days” (by Hayami Kazumasa) 034: Your favourite movie? "Shutter Island”, “Hairspray”, “Stand by me” 035: Your favourite drama? “Water boys” (but I’m a hopeless swimmer) 036: If you suddenly had tomorrow off, what would you do? Either I invite a lot of friends or I just sleep 037: Your speaking habit? Nemui (I’m tired) 038: Your ideal image of an adult man? Someone who has room in his heart 039: An actor you admire? Nishijima Hidetoshi and Suda Masaki 040: Your type? Someone who has self confidence 041: What’s your image of meeting your lover? After holding a paper back in your arms, potatoes are rolling down the hill and we meet when we pick them up 042: What kind of scent would you like your lover to use? Because I’m not using those... a refreshing fragrant olive smell or a citrus smell 043: Do you want to spoil your lover? Or to be spoiled by them? Be spoiled by them 044: How do you appeal to the person you like? Slowly increasing the times, we talk to each other 045: Do you believe in love at the first sight? It wasn’t that I liked them at the first sight but more like that I got interested in them 046: When were you the most popular (with the other gender)? There wasn’t such a time yet. I’m waiting for the time when I’m popular. 047: Are you someone jealous? Or not? I’m not really jealous 048: What do you do when you are heartbroken? I forget by going to eat with my friends and dancing 049: What is the ideal fashion of your lover? Them wearing something casual. Because I tend to be myself (so I want them to be themself too) 050: What is the ideal hairstyle of your lover? If I have to choose, short hair 051: What is your ideal way of proposing and in which situation? Apples are rolling down the hill and instead of giving the apples back, I’m giving them the ring 052: Your ideal image of a family? I want to keep a pet. I like dogs 053: What would you like for your lover to cook for you? A dish they are confident about 054: What was your strong subject back in school? P.E. is the only option 055: What was your weak subject back in school? Math 056: Your motto? Giving your all automatically 057: Something you value? Living without being discriminated regardless of your gender 058: What do you want to do the most right now? I want to have a live with audience 059: What do you think you will do in 10 years? A dance studio for kids seems fun 060: Do you act superstitiously? If yes, what do you do? I don’t. I’m barely nervous. 061: Your favourite Sushi ingredient? When I was younger, it was Kappa maki 062: Which kind of ramen do you like? Miso 063: Please tell us your blood type with adjectives? Free and uncontrolled B type 064: Something other than singing or dancing you want to improve? I want to improve my talking abilities 065: A drink you always buy? Sprite 066: How much do you spend each month on beauty items? I’m not doing anything, but about 2000 yen 067: Is there a must have beauty item? Which is it? There is none 068: A beauty item you always carry with you? There is none 069: Please tell us how you train your body? Because I easily gain muscles, I’m not training 070: If you compared each member to a family? Honda-kun is my little brother, Shuta is the pet. Katsu-kun is my older brother. 071: What is your position inside the group? Something like the shortstop (a quite demanding defence position between the 2nd and 3rd base because a lot of hit balls tend to go in this direction). Honda-kun is the leader, Katsu-kun is the subleader, Shuta is the mood maker and I make the adequate movement 072: Is there something you don’t lose to the other members? The strongness of my feelings towards everything 073: What do you want to challenge with all OWV members? Each one learning different languages 074: Do you celebrate your birthday with the members? Did you get gifts? We celebrated everyone’s birthdays this year. I got an aroma diffuser from them. 075: What do you like about Kosuke? What do you want him to change? That he has various interests and a lot of hobbies. Because of his various hobbies he uses too much money 076: What do you like about Shuta? What do you want him to change? That our comedy knowledge matches. He’s loud and hyper 077: What do you like about Katsunari? What do you want him to change? That he is careless. That he sleeps super long. But he isn’t late. 078: Please tell us something common among the members? Honda-kun and me often don’t get enough sleep. Until late at night we talk and play games 079: To what would you compare the members’ love? Like a vertical and horizontal thread (it seems to be an allegory to the song Ito by Nakajima Miyu in which she uses that metaphor to express that once they met they form something a cloth that can warm someone) 080: An episode that made the members inexpectly laugh? All the ups and downs in our show when we climbed the mountain 081: Please tell us about one time when a member sent you a message? With Shuta I talked about the MC arrangements to make people laugh 082: Please tell us who is NO.1 of ___ among the members? Honda-kun -> NO.1 of having a lot of hobbies, Katsu-kun -> NO.1 of feigned ignorance, Shuta -> NO.1 liveliness 083: Have you fought with the members? no 084: Who is the most passionate one of the members? Honda-kun. For the debut commemoration stage or TGC his posture during the training became straight 085: What would you do now if there was no OWV? Dancer 086: A habit that you often end up doing? I keep blinking because of my dry eyes 087: What is the first impression that other people often tell you? Untalkative, cool 088: What is your lucky number? 238. It’s Fu Mi Ya. (fu mi ya are alternate readings for 2 3 and 8) 089: Your favourite season? Summer because there are various festivals 090: A country you would like to visit? NY in the USA to learn about dance culture, its origin and history 091: A prefecture you would like to visit? Kyushu. Because I haven’t been there yet 092: A celebrity you would like to meet Suda Masaki 093: If you could use magic, what would you do? I want to be able to talk to dogs 094: If you compared yourself to a colour? Sparkling blue 095: Something you want to insist on? I know it’s impossible but! I would like to have a live in front of everyone who supports us! 096: The thing you dislike the most in this world? A place with no feeling of cleanness 097: Your future dream? To cross over the Fuji 098: What is something OWV doesn’t lose to other groups? Each member has his own “colour/personality” 099: If you could go out alone with QWV, what would you do? Going a summer festival 100: Something you want to promise to QWV? We will take you to the promised stages and targeted places.