We have the latest issue of spoon.2Di in our hands, which has an interview with some of the HypMic cast about DEATH RESPECT and the upcoming Final Battle! Highlights incoming...
First is Wataru Komada (Juto).
Upon hearing DEATH RESPECT, Komada noticed vulgar words in the lyrics. Samatoki usually initiates the attacks, but this time it's Juto, so he pondered how to set the mood and taunt Doppo. He expected to start as Juto has a very clear attack style.
Upon hearing DEATH RESPECT, Komada noticed vulgar words in the lyrics. Samatoki usually initiates the attacks, but this time it's Juto, so he pondered how to set the mood and taunt Doppo. He expected to start as Juto has a very clear attack style.
Komada really likes the "respect" in the title, since in hip-hop culture it's what both sides feel towards each other at the end of a battle. He believes "death" represents the final outcome of the match, as it's a battle with both sides putting their lives on the line.
Ito (Doppo) recorded his part first, so Komada was able to listen and plan Juto's style to taunt Doppo accordingly. He raised his tone as he imagined Juto getting up in Doppo's face and staring him down. He's impressed at how Ito was able to bring out Doppo's character.
Komada personally thinks Doppo may be a little scared. He thinks while Doppo's lyrics are very emotional, they're not aggressive enough like Juto's. He emphasized that these are his personal impressions though, and interpretations may vary among listeners.
Komada thinks that Juto and the rest of Yokohama radiate sex appeal through their confidence. From his lyrics, Komada doesn't think Juto is the hot blooded type; instead, he would just quietly annihilate his opponent.
Komada thinks Rio is naturally confident, unlike Hifumi who requires his host club uniform to feel the same. So in DEATH RESPECT, while it may appear he is on the offensive, Komada feels Hifumi is actually the one being taunted instead.
As for the leaders, Komada feels both Samatoki and Jakurai are very stable. He thinks Samatoki actually acknowledges Jakurai's strength; unlike before where he attacks with a string of words, Samatoki carefully matches lyrics and rhythm, which shows Jakurai's a tough opponent.
After listening to the full version, Komada thinks DEATH RESPECT is a difficult yet powerful song. He gets goosebumps thinking about performing it at third live.
In regards to second live, Komada was especially happy to see so many blue lights in the crowd. He thinks second live was different from typical concerts in that fans cheered at any parts they thought were cool, regardless of which division it corresponded to.
Yokohama standing quietly at the beginning of second live and creating a presence was not planned beforehand. Komada saw the intentions of Asanuma (Samatoki) and Kamio (Rio) and played along, but he really wanted to cuff everyone and "throw 'em into the slammer".
During "Bayside Smoking Blues", some parts were improv; originally the "Lonely only rabbit" part was Juto's solo, but the other two chimed in for it. Komada was really happy about that, as it showed the rabbit wasn't so lonely anymore, and MTC took a step forward as a team.
During the interlude, they were concerned about fans crowding the stage, but didn't want to ruin the atmosphere. So Komada suggested that having Juto instructing the crowd to take half a step back and complimenting them afterwards would fix the problem while being in-character.
In "War War War" they stood against each other face to face in battle. Once they faced each other, members of Ikebukuro came up as if they were going to give Yokohama a beatdown. Especially a certain Jiro...
Komada and Ishiya (Jiro) are pretty close friends, and the night before the concert Ishiya told him he was looking forward to the live and would do his best. But once it started, Komada thought Ishiya sounded like he really wanted to crush him.
Komada especially enjoyed Ikebukuro's performance. Whereas in Yokohama Samatoki gives the orders, each member of Ikebukuro knows when to take action. He's thankful the live opened with them and that they were able to hype up the crowd.
The members of Ikebukuro cypher (freestyle rap) occasionally, and when Komada goes drinking with them they usually all end up rapping. Even in the Nico broadcasts Komada was able to rap on the spot thanks to Ishiya (Jiro) being quite annoying.
During the polls MTC was briefly losing against BB, and Komada expected that to be the final result. Once he found out they won, he lost his cool and shouted on stage, thankful for his team. He thinks the best part of a decision-based battle is the narrative developed around it.
Komada doesn't mind being kicked around by Ichijiku, but he imagined Juto isn't too thrilled. She expects Juto to listen to her and he cannot help but obey.
Only Komada and Kamio (Rio) will be attending third live, so "Yokohama Walker" and "War War War" will be without their leader. They'll figure out a way to show how strong Yokohama can be even without Samatoki.
Juto is not the type of character Komada normally plays; he's both aggressive and cool at the same time. He's happy people are starting to know him more through Juto, and HypMic is a motivation booster for him. He hopes to do this for at least another 10 years!
Final words: Komada hopes people will witness the final battle between MTC and Matenrou, and that they'll vote for the team that leaves the deepest impression on them. He hopes fans will feel Samatoki's presence through Juto and Rio at third live
