Nogizaka46 Yumi Wakatsuki Graduation Ceremony : Unbelievably Expressive Performer Delivered Top Rate Entertainment & Always Spread Affection

乃木坂46若月佑美卒業セレモニー開催 : 超A級表現者による極上エンターテインメントと、与え続ける愛情

| Idol | Posted by TokyoGirls'Update on Dec.13.2018

Nogizaka46 Yumi Wakatsuki Graduation Ceremony : Unbelievably Expressive Performer Delivered Top Rate Entertainment & Always Spread Affection

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The other day a member of Nogizaka46 graduated after discovering for herself the clear goal of becoming an “actress.” As a first generation member, ever since their 3rd single Wakatsuki Yumi (24) was a selected member for 20 consecutive songs. She is also a skilled designer, winning design awards from the Nika Association seven years in a row since joining Nogizaka46. Her graduation ceremony, held at the Nippon Budokan in Tokyo, had production and organization befitting Wakatsuki, and just as you’d expect from an actress, this highly expressive performer had a strong presence, giving a top rate stage performance that is sure to remain in the memories of her fans. The impact that she made on Nogizaka46, as well as her affection and feelings, are beyond measure.

「女優」という明確な目標をみつけた乃木坂46のメンバーが先日卒業した。1期生として3rdシングル以降、20作連続で選抜メンバーをつとめた若月佑美（２４）は、乃木坂46加入後に二科展のデザイン部門で７年連続入賞するなど、デザイナーとしても才能を発揮。東京・日本武道館で行われたその卒業セレモニーは、まさに若月らしい演出と構成で、女優としてはもちろん、一流の表現者としての存在感を示した極上の舞台作品としてファンの記憶に残ることだろう。彼女が乃木坂46に残した功績、そして愛情・思いは計り知れない。

Held on December 4th, the “Nogizaka46 Wakatsuki Yumi Graduation Ceremony” took place in front of more than 10,000 fans in Nippon Budokan, and for the fans who could not make it there were live viewings held on 73 screens at 60 movie theaters across the country.

12月4日に開催した「乃木坂46　若月佑美卒業セレモニー」には、日本武道館には、1万人を超えるファンが来場、そして会場に来られなかったファンのために全国60館73スクリーンでのライブビューイングも行われた。

The event signs hung outside the Nippon Budokan featured a design based on chopsticks, an homage to Wakatsuki’s trademark “Hashi-kun” (a one person act talking with disposable chopsticks). This was just the beginning of the amazing level of detail exhibited by this ceremony.

まず、日本武道館の屋外に掲げられたイベント看板は、若月自身の持ちネタ「箸くん」（割りばしと会話する一人芸）にちなんだ、割りばしをデザインしたもの。このセレモニーへのこだわりはここから始まっていた。

According to people connected with the program, this stage performance had only a single day of rehearsal with all members present. Aside from Wakatsuki herself the selected members were performing in Shanghai, China until two days before. Following the completion of the stage performance of “Tekkonkinkreet” in which Wakatsuki starred, she carefully arranged and rearranged the program herself in only a week.

関係者によると、今回のステージの全員リハーサルはわずか1日。若月をのぞく選抜メンバーは、2日前まで中国・上海公演をこなしていた中、このセレモニーのために若月は自身主演の舞台「鉄コン筋クリート」終幕後、わずか1週間で綿密な打ち合わせを何度も重ねたという。

Before the curtain rose to begin the ceremony, the narration was provided by the three third generation members of the Wakasama Gundan that Wakatsuki formed. One of the unit members, Yamashita Mizuki, who is expected to become the next ace for Nogizaka46, started crying, and her strong feelings for Wakatsuki united with those of the fans in attendance before the curtain rose.

いよいよ始まるセレモニー開演前の影ナレは、若月が結成した若様軍団のメンバー・3期生の3人が担当。ユニットメンバーのひとりで、いまや乃木坂46の次期エースといわれる山下美月はその時点で号泣しており、若月へのあふれる思いは、会場に足を運んだファンと開演前からひとつになっていた。

As the performance begin and the dancers took the stage, Wakatsuki appeared, doing a comical routine of the “Wakatsuki Robot” that has gained notoriety and has even been discussed on regular TV shows. With an exclamation of “Let’s go, Budokan!” she performed the robot dance that has become synonymous with her. Those familiar with her history first laughed and then cried at this performance.

ついに始まったステージ、ダンサーに続いてあらわれた若月は、レギュラー番組でも話題となった「若月ロボット」として、コミカルにステージ中央へ。「武道館、行くぞ」とささやくと、若月の代名詞でもあるロボットダンスを披露した。若月の歴史を知るものは、まずこの演出に笑い、そして泣く。

After that the screen showed a full moon. The song chosen to lead off the ceremony was “Ookami ni Kuchibue wo,” which featured Ito Marika and Fukagawa Mai joining Wakatsuki herself front and center. With the performance of this popular and highly regarded song, the atmosphere inside the building instantly rose.

その後のスクリーンには大きな満月。セレモニーの一曲目に選んだ曲は、すでに卒業した伊藤万理華、深川麻衣とともに本人がフロントをつとめた「狼に口笛を」披露。ファンの中で名曲との呼び声が高い曲の披露で会場の空気は一気に昇華をはじめる。

At one point during the performance Wakatsuki said, “While this is a graduation, because it is December I want us to relax a bit.” Following this suggestion, tiered choral risers rarely seen at Nogizaka46 concerts were brought on stage, allowing the other members to watch the performance in a delightful twist. This allowed the fans to see the members of Nogizaka as Nogizaka fans themselves, making it a fun development for everyone. Waving their penlights in unison, the fans were overjoyed as they watched the members eating fried food and rice on the choral risers.

今回は演出のひとつとして、「卒業とは言いつつ、師走なのでゆっくりしたい」という若月本人の意見で、乃木坂46のコンサートでは珍しいステージ上にヒナ壇が設置され、メンバーのパフォーマンスを、他のメンバーもみることができるという楽しすぎる設定。これは、ファンとして楽しむ乃木坂メンバーの姿を直接みることができる一般ファンも大満足の展開となった。一緒にペンライトをふり、ひな壇でから揚げや白米を食べる姿に、一般ファンも大喜びした。

During this the plan shifted as Wakatsuki said, “These are the BEST 5 songs I want to do before I graduate!” Songs not normally heard at live shows continued one after another.

そうした中始まった企画パートは、若月自身が「私が卒業前にやっておきたい曲BEST5！」という内容で、普段のライブではあまりやらない楽曲が続く。

The Under Members’ song “Border,” which Wakatsuki loves, was performed with Wakatsuki standing on the aforementioned risers giving her support, giving the second generation members who had worked hard beside her an opportunity to be in the spotlight. Many fans became aware of the singing skill and power of expression of the second generation members. Second generation member Ito Junna, who has been recognized for her strong acting ability, was overcome with emotion by her elder Wakatsuki blazing the trail as an “actress,” and the scene as she began to cry during the song left a deep impression.

若月自身が好きだというアンダーメンバーの楽曲「ボーダー」では、若月は上記のひな壇で2期生メンバーを笑顔で応援、目をかけ苦労をともにしてきた2期生にパフォーマンスの場をプレゼント。２期生の歌唱力・表現力の豊かさを多くのファンに知らしめた。いまや2期生の中では特に演技力を評価される伊藤純奈は、「女優」というカテゴリーを切り拓いてきた先輩・若月への思いを抑えきれず、歌唱中に号泣するシーンはあまりに印象的だった。

Wakatsuki was involved not just with second generation members but with third generation members as well, combining her own “Hashi” (chopsticks) with Spoon, Knife, and Fork characters to create the “Wakasama Gundan” unit during her time with Nogizaka46. On this day, while performing the unit’s top song “Shitsuren Osoujinin,” as a surprise she sent the three members a special message.

また、若月は2期生だけでなく3期生のメンバーとも自身の「箸」に加えて、スプーン・ナイフ・フォークのキャラクターを設定した「若様軍団」というユニットを乃木坂46活動期間中に結成。そしてこの日、ユニット唯一の楽曲「失恋お掃除人」の披露中に、サプライズでメンバー3人に特別なメッセージを贈る。

Having gained popularity by working with Wakatsuki, current selected members Yamashita Mizuki and Umezawa Minami were each recognized with, “She will become a core person to Nogizaka46” and “She is the flower of Nogizaka46.” Sakaguchi Tamami, who has not yet become a selected member, was told, “You are the future of Nogizaka,” as Wakatsuki showed her affection for all of them on stage without holding back. After performing the songs, as Wakatsuki’s favorite Christmas song “Senjo no Christmas” played in the background, as an homage to the famous scene from the farewell concert for former great Yamaguchi Momoe, chopsticks were left on stage in place of a microphone as she walked off. Once again, everybody present cried and laughed.

若月とのユニット活動をきっかけに注目を集め、現在は選抜メンバーに定着した山下美月・梅澤美波には、「乃木坂46の核になる人」、「乃木坂46の華」とそれぞれを評価。いまだ選抜経験はない阪口珠美には「あなたは乃木坂の未来そのもの」と、若月はそれぞれに対する愛情を惜しげなくステージ上で注いだ。楽曲の披露後には、若月がいちばん好きなクリスマスソングという「戦場のメリークリスマス」のテーマ曲を背景に、往年の山口百恵引退コンサートでの名シーンをオマージュし、マイクのかわりに、割り箸をステージに置いてその場を去る。そして会場は再び泣き、笑う。

This cool performance was done with a smile, and with a hint of the style of Fukuda Yuichi, who is her director in the currently running popular drama “Kyo Kara Ore Wa!”, you could feel how her talents will be properly used in the “Fukuda Group.” After Wakatsuki made an announcement about the breakup of the “Wakasama Gundan,” there was a discussion about changing groups with the three group members and Takayama Kazumi, who had been acting as MC from the choral risers, but Yamashita Mizuki announced, “After this there will be a fourth generation group to spread the magnificence of Wakatsuki!” She was unable to contain her unchanging feeling of respect for Wakatsuki. By the way, on this day Yamashita’s hairstyle was the “amikomi” wave style that Wakatsuki often wore for concerts. This was likely Yamashita’s own way of showing her respect for Wakatsuki.

カッコよさの中に、笑いを添えるその演出は、現在放送中の人気ドラマ「今日から俺は！」でも一緒する監督福田雄一イズムさえかいまみせ、「福田組」ならでは若月の多才さを感じさせた。若月による「若様軍団」解散宣言のあと、ひな壇MCを担当した高山一実から、他軍団への移籍を打診された軍団員の3人だったが、山下美月は「これからは4期生に若月さんの素晴らしさを布教する軍団になります！」と宣言し、若月への変わらぬ尊敬の気持ちを隠すことをしなかった。ちなみにこの日の山下の髪型は、若月がコンサート時によくしていた「編み込み」。これは山下なりの、若月へのリスペクトの表現だったのだろう。

Then, the “School Girl Quartet” unit (Wakatsuki Yumi, Akimoto Manatsu, Sakurai Reika, and Nakada Kana) that Wakatsuki had the strongest emotional attachment to performed the song “Kokuhaku no Junban” for the first and last time on this day. Before the song the video was played of her telling her fellow first generation members, who had shared in so much joy and sorrow, firsthand of her graduation, bringing the crowd to tears. The performance that the four of them gave must surely have been etched deeply into the fourth generation members in attendance who had had their own event the previous day.

そして、若月自身がもっとも思い入れが強い“女子校カルテット”と呼ばれるユニット(若月佑美、秋元真夏、桜井玲香、中田花奈)の楽曲「告白の順番」は、この日が最初で最後の披露。苦楽をともにした1期生の同期メンバーに、自身の卒業を直接伝えた日のVTRを歌唱前に放送し、ファンの涙をさそった。この日の４人のパフォーマンスは、前日にお見立て会を開催しこの日見学に訪れていた４期生メンバーの目にも強く刻まれたことだろう。

This graduation ceremony was filled with crying and laughter, and it was truly first rate entertainment. Credit for the entire production goes to the very expressive Wakatsuki Yumi, and it was loved by all watching, be they fans or Nogizaka46 members.

今回の卒業セレモニーは、泣きそして笑う、まさに極上のエンターテインメント。その演出のすべては、表現者・若月佑美によるもの、観客はファンであり、そして乃木坂４６のメンバーでもあった。

The second half of the ceremony featured famous Nogizaka46 songs one after another. Starting with the debut single “Guruguru Curtain,” which has hardly been performed at all recently, when the cw “Aitakatta Kamoshirenai” was performed the intro alone caused a commotion in the building, and “Girls Rule” and “Seifuku no Mannequin” sent the crowd into a frenzy. Along with Nishino Nanase, Wakatsuki performed her final single as a Nogizaka46 member, “Kaerimichi ha Tomawari Shitakunaru,” as a finale. From this day forward we will never again be able to see Nishino in the center with Wakatsuki by her side smiling, and watching this scene the fans could not stop their tears from flowing.

セレモニーの後半は、乃木坂46の名曲を怒涛の如く披露。近年ほとんど披露されることがなかったデビューシングル「ぐるぐるカーテン」のｃｗ「会いたかったかもしれない」の披露時はイントロだけで会場がどよめき、「ガールズルール」「制服のマネキン」への展開で会場のボルテージは最高潮に。ラストは、西野七瀬と共に乃木坂４６メンバーとして最後のシングルとなる「帰り道は遠回りしたくなる」で本編は終了。この日以降、二度とみることができないセンター西野によりそう若月の最後のシーンの笑顔に、ファンは涙をとめることはできなかった。

The encores came without end. Following a big chorus of “No-gizaka, Wa-katsuki,” a video was shown looking back at the 2658 days since the debut of Wakatsuki Yumi. Then, as Wakatsuki took the stage in a black dress, she turned to the fans and read a letter aloud.

アンコールはなりやまない。「のーぎざか、わーかつき」の大合唱のあと、スクリーンには若月佑美が歩んできたデビュー日からの2658日を振り返る映像が流れ始める。そして、黒いドレスに身を包んだ若月がステージ中央にあらわれ、ファンに向けての手紙を朗読。

This letter, which was also posted on her blog, was very profound.

彼女の最後のブログにも掲載されたこの手紙の内容はあまりに深い。

“When asked about my dreams for the future, I have always answered the same way. It wasn’t that I wanted to be an actress or something like that, but rather my wonderful dream was to be a person who made a positive impact on somebody else’s life. If that showed up in someplace I didn’t know about then that would make it all the more special. There are many times in life where you can make an impact on those close to you, but to make an impact on somebody you have never met requires a choice by that person, and if they don’t accept you then nothing really comes of it. Furthermore, only a very small number of people are able to make such an impact. If I have been able to achieve this in some small way, then I feel that everything over my seven years has been rewarded and has been worthwhile.”

「将来の夢を聞かれてずっと答えていたものがあります。それは女優さんとかそういう職業についてじゃなくて、誰かの人生に良い影響を与えられる人になるっていう不思議な夢です。それが私の知らない何処かでだったら尚素敵だなって。近しい人から影響を貰うっていうのは人生で多々ある状況で、でも直接的に会ったことない人から何か影響をもらうことってその人が選択して、受け取らないとなかなかないじゃないですか。しかもその影響を与える側になるってほんの一握り。これが、少しでも叶っていたら、私の7年間の全てが報われて救われるんです」

After these remarks the song “Ushinaitakunai Kara” was performed. During this song Wakatsuki said, “Thank you” to each of the 39 members, and she also handed them Gerbera flowers as a present. The first person she handed one to was Nishino Nanase, who has also decided to graduate, and the very last person she handed a flower to was her true friend and Nogizaka46 captain Sakurai Reika. At first Sakurai declined the flower, but as Wakatsuki took a knee and handed her the Gerbera, all the emotion of the past seven years came together. The pink Gerbera flowers are said to represent “gratitude.” This was an amazing scene that will be spoken of for the rest of our lives.

この挨拶のあと披露した楽曲は、「失いたくないから」。この楽曲の最中で若月は、メンバー39人それぞれに「ありがとう」の言葉を添えて、ガーベラの花をプレゼント。同じく卒業が決まっている西野七瀬から渡し始め、最後の最後に花を渡した相手は、乃木坂46のキャプテンであり、盟友の桜井玲香だった。いちどは受け取りを拒んだ桜井に、ひざまずくような姿になりガーベラを手渡した若月の姿にこの7年間のすべての感情が集約されていた。ピンクのガーベラの花言葉は、「感謝」。このシーンは一生語り継がれる名シーンとなった。

The song she chose for the grand finale was “Danke Sheen.” The final words of the song are the signature phrase “Of course, it’s Nogizaka!” that Wakatsuki Yumi had always been in charge of saying. The fans would always reply with “It is!” However, the other members had one final surprise in store, and as the song played a second time the members closed by saying, “Of course, it’s Wakatsuki!” The fans joined in with a huge “It is!” as Wakatsuki said, “Uh oh. Now I’m going to cry…” With a smile she showed her first tears of the day.

そして、セレモニーで彼女がラストの楽曲に選んだ曲は「ダンケシェーン」だった。楽曲の最後のセリフは若月佑美がいつも担当していた「やっぱ乃木坂だな！」の決め台詞。ファンがそのあと「だなー！」というのがお決まりの流れだった。しかし最後の最後に、残るメンバーからの逆サプライズ、再度流れた楽曲の締め台詞は、メンバーからの「やっぱ若月だな！」。あわせてファンも再び大合唱で「だなー！」この言葉を送られた若月は、「やばい。今ので泣きそう・・・」と、笑顔ながらもこの日初めての涙をみせた。

I will close this report with the final words she left us with at the end of the Wakasama Gundan performance.

リポートのおしまいに、若様軍団楽曲披露の最後に彼女が残した言葉を刻む。

“Hashi-kun, Hashi-kun, you have done so much for me. I guess this where we separate.”

“箸くん箸くん、君には今まで本当にお世話になったね。これで離れ離れだね”

“What are you saying, Waka-sama?! Chopsticks separate like this (separates disposable chopsticks) so that they can be used to grab things.”

“何を言ってるんだ若さま！箸というのはね、こうやって（割りばしを割る）離れ離れになってから何かを掴むことができるんだよ”

Actress Wakatsuki Yumi, expressive performer Wakatsuki Yumi, she will surely keep on giving after this.

女優・若月佑美、表現者・若月佑美は、これからも与え続ける人であることだろう。

Author: Yama Junta

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