#works been slow ok
Translator’s Notes:
1. This interview was conducted before Hajimari no Kyojin rehearsals began.
2. Engeki Haikyuu is rendered as “Haikyuu Stage” and Gekidan Haikyuu as “Haikyuu Theater Troupe” – not sure if I will stick with this in the future but. for now. Individual productions are given their more-or-less official translations.
3. If you’d like to take a look at the original text yourself, @engekihaikyuuhaskindly provided scans.
Believing in themselves as they stand at a new starting line, refining and tempering their specialties. This is the latest model of Karasuno, racing toward their autumn goal.
Question: Suga-san, you’ve said “one of the themes [of the previous show, Summer of Evolution] is ‘What if Haikyuu Stage were produced in a different way…?’”
Suga: Yeah, yeah. Thinking back, it was a mega-experiment. Even at practice, as the days went by we’d lose the ability to tell, like, “is this actually working?”
Tomimori: Starting from the staging of the opening it was completely different from what we’d done before. I still remember the “what just happened??” buzz from opening day. (laughter)
Suga: But the Hamlet opening was created expanding on a minor element there in the original manga. The previous show is the one most influenced by that theatric frame of mind. I think it showed “the point of theater”. So coming from that to this production, I’m really excited. Because in a way, we’re back to doing our specialty.
Q: That tough “unrelenting matches” structure that’s peak Haikyuu Stage.
Suga: Right. When we get back to that, I myself am really interested to see what we’ll be like now that we’ve been through all this experimentation.
Q: Kageyama-san, last show was your first performance with the Haikyuu Theater Troupe.
Kageyama: I think it was easier for me to come in there rather than suddenly come in for another match like “Winners and Losers” – I could enjoy the character and get a grasp on interpersonal relationships. The Haikyuu Stage rehearsal atmosphere and creative methods are completely different from other productions, so I was able to adjust to that as well. Kenta would listen to pretty much anything, so from the beginning I could really trust and be up front with him. The whole company has that kind of attitude, and I think that’s why I was able to build a relationship with them as Kageyama.
Q: Tanaka Naoki-san, this production will be your first performance.
Naoki: Yes. I actually saw the last show, and at first when The Moon came out I was like “Whaa, this is how it’s starting?” While it was kinda surprising (laughter), I could feel the cast’s enthusiasm and it ended up being a really valuable time for me as an actor. But as I was watching, I was thinking “Aww, nice, how fun,” and I started to relax, naturally. More than anything it seemed like the cast were having fun, and they won me over just like anyone in the audience. I knew they were acting, but it really seemed like they were genuinely enjoying themselves… I’m glad my wish back then – “I want to be in a play like this” – came true.
Tomimori: Last show was fun. We’d go “ohshit” when we knocked the barbecue equipment over and stuff. (laughter) The set was different, and there were a lot of accidents. (laughter)
Suga: Jus was our ideaman, he had all kinds of suggestions from rehearsal.
Tomimori: Well… that’s the kind of place this is, right, it’s fun when everyone shares their ideas to create something together. And especially since part of “Summer of Evolution” was about a play, there was a lot of room for creativity. I hope this time we can think about things from a different angle.
Q: And then Tanaka Keita-san, you’re back as Sawamura Daichi for the first time since shoen.
Keita: Yes. I also saw the last show in theaters. Everyone doing Shakespeare was so unexpected and fun. Because I knew the next part of the plot, I followed the story thinking, “They’re all going to get stronger to face the next thing, huh.” You could really see the steps leading up to them taking flight during the matches coming up now, and I wanted to carry those feelings over.
Q: After training camp there are two matches, Johzenji and Wakutani Minami.
Suga: I feel like it resembles the approach of “Karasuno, Revival!”… Well, for Karasuno, the keys this time will be Kawahara Kazuma who’s been waiting in the wings and Tanaka Keita who we’re welcoming back. All of a sudden Sawamura has to shoulder some big things.
Keita: That’s right.
Q: Furthermore… one gets the impression that those two aside, the drama accumulates for Karasuno as the two matches continue.
Suga: First of all, making one show out of Johzenji and Wakunan is, like, this is Haikyuu Stage, quite a challenge. I think. In the original, both matches are concluded relatively easily, or rather… a lot happens, but in terms of the result they’re “safe” matches for Karasuno, so it’s not like we couldn’t do both matches in thirty minutes, hypothetically. But to spend that extra time on them, and get a real grip on the drama portrayed there, is particularly Haikyuu Stage-esque. The Tokoname match was the same. “Including these stories is what makes Haikyuu Stage what it is.” The way this show pays close attention to that point is something I really like.
Tomimori: You’ve got Ushiwaka there too so… right? “Born from the concrete.”
Suga: That Hinata/Ushiwaka scene is so good. As the protagonist that’s a point I have to deliver on. I have to show it right. I still don’t know how I’m going to express it but… I’m thinking about it a lot. I want to make it a standout piece.
Q: How about the rest of you? What are your personal issues and themes this time?
Suga: From what I’ve heard, Tanaka-kun [Naoki] has some pretty good moves.
Tomimori: Yeah, yeah. Our rising star.
Naoki: ….is what I would like to be, but. Sugawara has the feel of a character that supports everyone from the shadows, but I hope that both on stage and in rehearsal, my joining in will result in a new performance expression, even just slightly. I can teach people acrobatics, too.
Suga: That’s awesome.
Naoki: Since I have this special opportunity, I want to take on the character from a slightly different angle than before, to add a new shade to him. In the original manga, at first Sugawara has a very earnest and kind image, but recently there have been these spots where he kind of flips out, like, “Oh, there’s another side to him,” so I want to show that part on stage, too. I mean, I’m pretty competitive. (laughs) I want to make the most of that “get your teeth into it” part. I hope I can portray a Sugawara unique to me, one that everyone will accept, while at the same time carrying on the Sugawara of previous Haikyuu Stages.
Keita: I feel that this is a part that really makes you understand the importance of the captain, through these two matches. Sawamura talks a lot during these matches. More than ever before. There’s a ton of drama in the run up to switching with Ennoshita, so if we get those parts right, the parts like “Give it all you’ve got” and the collision and injury will be even more impactful.
Kageyama: I heard that the Johzenji and Wakutani casts are both physically talented, so with rival schools spurring us on, how high can we go? I think the average level demanded of us is going to rise pretty high, so I’ve been thinking all over again about what it would take to beat that. This is my own first official match, so I want to put that this-isn’t-practice nervousness to use. We can’t lose, right.
Tomimori: Yeah. I… you know, personally I enjoy it when I have some challenges, whether in rehearsal or on stage. So I wonder what issue I should choose this time… Hm, maybe I’ll lose some weight.
Suga: He always says that!
Kageyama/Keita/Naoki/Tomimori: (explosion of laughter)
Tomimori: No, when we go on tour there’s delicious food everywhere… Especially Fukuoka, Asahi-san likes tonkotsu ramen.
Suga: Oh, yeah, Asahi-san does like that, so that’s fine… yeah right?!
Keita/Naoki: (laughter)
Kageyama: The lifts get heavier day by day, so that’s something to watch out for. (laughter)
Suga: But in previous productions, you were always playing in the match. Jus and… Shio-san.
Tomimori: Yeah. Alllllways playing. Furthermore… we’re the relatively older guys. (laughter) Well, as long as everyone seeing that cheers us on.
Naoki: I’ve only seen the finished product, so I’m wondering what rehearsals are like, with so much going on… This is a totally unknown world for me.
Suga: It’s fine. You’ll get used to it within three days.
Naoki: That’s pretty high speed! I’ll have to keep up.
Suga: Putting together the matches is really something we do together, so go step by step and say “I want to include this move” and you’ll be fine.
Tomimori: Karasuno in particular are self-centered, so if you don’t speak up for yourself you won’t have anything left to do.
Kageyama: I learned that last time. (laughter)
Keita: There are also times when all of a sudden we’ll break down the thing we’ve been working on and start again from zero. But to get past that and successfully usher in a completed show is really rewarding.
Suga: Speaking of, have you learned to count yet?
Q: Eh, you mean…
Suga: He was really bad at first. (laughter)
Keita: The truth is back then I couldn’t get a count at all. I’d have Kazuma-kun tap me on the back to say “Now, go.”Suga: Bad, right?
Keita: So after that… when I went to see the show as a spectator, I’d find myself following everyone along… counting the beat…
Suga/Kageyama/Naoki/Tomimori: (laughter)
Keita: I’m fine now. No need for taps. (laughter)
Q: Rehearsals begin soon. A new Karasuno will take shape.
Suga: I’m going to be hard on everyone this time. We’ve got a lot of new people, and we tried so many new things during “Summer of Evolution”, that I don’t think it would be good to get too caught up in novelty, unnaturally so… I want us to take a steady look around and lay some firm groundwork. Though I also want the new people to go all out in expressing their individuality… In any case, I want Karasuno to hunker down and solidify the team. Quickly identifying a weapon unique to us, then refining and intensifying it… that’s what I want to focus on.
Tomimori: Karasuno’s weapon, huh… That would be “passion”, no?
Suga: Right? That super analog sweating our hearts out thing suits us, I think.
Tomimori: For us third years, we’re standing at a new starting line in this form. I want us to rely on each other as we build up our strength and trust, both professionally and personally, with an eye to both “The Start of the Giant” and our final production this autumn.
Keita: Yeah. I want to connect this to everything the Haikyuu Theater Troupe’s done so far, but without abandoning our attacking mindset. And, amidst that, to convey a proper sense of “captaincy”.
Naoki: I don’t want to just get along with everyone, I want to earn their trust on the basis of my ability and contribute to the team. Cheers!
Kageyama: I want to prioritize the balance of the team even more… As Kageyama-Tatsuya-the-actor, I think of this show as a real fight. Not exactly that I’m breaking my own limits but… I’m going to raise myself even higher and drive toward the autumn goal!
Suga: Now, with our graduation announced and the future decided, we’ve truly, genuninely accumulated a lot here, bit by bit… Until the very end, I want us to be a Karasuno that makes everyone say “They were Haikyuu Stage.’” I think we will be. As Hinata Shouyou I’m going to work harder than anyone else this time. And I think if everyone else also “lives” their characters on stage, that’s the most important. It should absolutely be an exhilirating production—no, we’ll make sure it is! We’ll be waiting for you.
