*English translation* _Kana Arima x Akane Kurokawa Special Interview [Commemorating the end of the stage play "Tokyo Blade"]_ 0:05 Interviewer: "Thank you for your performances in the stage play _Tokyo Blade_ ." 0:11 Kana: "Thank you so much. It's been a long time since I've performed on stage. And also, this is the first time I've been cast in a 2.5D play. On top of that, it was a hard month with a lot of activities, but thanks to the support of the staff, my co-actors and, above all, the kind words from the audience, we managed to get through the month with no problem." 0:36 Akane: "I’ve been on stage for a long time as a member of the Lala Lai Theatrical Company, but just like Kana-chan, this was my first experience with a 2.5D play. Even though we were all performing on the same stage, there were still differences in the way we did things, and there were many challenges. I’m relieved that we made it through." 1:02 Interviewer: "Before _Tokyo Blade_ , you two worked together several times as child actors, right?" 1:09 Kana: "Yes, that's right." 1:11 Akane: "Yeah, good old times." 1:14 Interviewer: "Does co-starring this time feel like renewing an old friendship?" 1:17 Kana: "Hm… That’s in the past. When I was a child actor, I didn’t really feel like talking to the other kids around me…" 1:23 Akane: "Because back then, you were veeery scary, right? 🤭" 1:27 Kana: "Oh, for God’s sake! Are you sure? In the magazine interview, you…" 1:32 Akane: "Ha?! That story again?! 💢" 1:35 Interviewer: "The interview that appeared in _Age of Theater_ , wasn’t it? Actually, I brought the magazine with me because I thought it might be a good topic to talk about." 1:41 Kana: "What?! No way! Can I have a look? 👉👈" 1:44 Interviewer: "Sure, go ahead." 1:47 Kana: "Wooow! Akane is soo tiny and cute in the photo! Title: _Admiring Kana Arima_ 😍" 1:56 Akane: "You don’t have to read it out aloud! I mean, it’s not the first time you're seeing this! You’ve already seen it in the rehearsal room!😩" 2:02 Kana: "🤭" 2:04 Interviewer: "Ahaha, I see. But how did it actually feel to perform with someone you admired so much?" 2:10 Akane: "It was a great performance, just as I expected. The role of Tsurugi is dazzling. The character has a sun-like charm which naturally drew my attention to her during rehearsals." 2:25 Kana: "That makes me happy. It was an energetic role which I wasn’t used to playing much as an adult. I wasn’t sure if I could get that vibe right." 2:36 Akane: "Kana-chan, you’ve been expanding your activities recently to include idol work and livestreaming as B-Komachi, haven’t you? Did those experiences contribute to your acting?" 2:48 Kana: "Yeah, maybe. Kurokawa-san, you appeared in the dating reality show _LoveforReal_ , and I wonder if there were some positive aspects to trying something other than theater." 3:00 Akane: "Hehe... I also wonder... 😅" 3:04 Interviewer: "Speaking of _LoveforReal_ … Aqua Hoshino, who you have been in a relationship with since you co-starred in _LoveforReal_ , also appeared in _Tokyo Blade_ as Touki, right?" 3:10 Akane: "That’s right. I was so excited. 💓" 3:14 Kana: "Didn’t you think that the casting was a bit too aimed? 🙄" 3:19 Akane: "I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t think that… But I feel like some of the stuff that was put into the play was because of that, so I’m happy with the outcome. 😊" 3:29 Interviewer: "Tsurugi, played by Arima-san, also has a deep relationship with Touki…" 3:32 Kana: "Actually, me and Hoshino-san… oh. I’m not used to calling him this way. I always call him Aqua. Ah, but I don’t want to be misunderstood. His twin sister Ruby is a member of B-Komachi. They’re both named Hoshino, so we just naturally started calling them by their first names. I’m not going to get in the way of you two dating, so don’t give me that angry look. 😬" 3:58 Akane: "I’m not! Jeez… You’re always making that joke!💢" 4:02 Kana: "Ahaha. Sorry, sorry. 🤣" 4:05 Interviewer: "The love triangle is only in _Tokyo Blade_ ." 4:08 Kana: "Ahaha, yes yes, that’s right. Anyway, Aqua and I worked together when I was a child actor. We’re like childhood friends, if you like to put it that way. But I felt the same way when we performed together in _I’ll Go With Sweet Today_ . He’s always paying attention to his surroundings, so it was very easy to work with him again." 4:31 Akane: "But Aqua-kun’s performance this time was really good. I was surprised by his emotional acting, especially at the climax." 4:42 Kana: "That was because of Princess Saya’s performance, I think. This play really made me realize how high the level of the Lala Lai Theatrical Company is. Kurokawa-san’s Princess Saya, but also Himekawa-san’s Blade were amazing. I feel like my performance was improved by them.” 5:00 Interviewer: "Well, I’ve been told that it’s time for you to go. So, finally, I’m afraid this is a standard question, but could you give a message to your fans? It's up to you who goes first." 5:09 Kana: "I‘ll go first, then. Again, thank you very much to everyone who attended the _Tokyo Blade_ play. I did my best to keep the essence of Abiko Samejima’s wonderful original work intact, and I think I did my best to play Tsurugi in my own way. I hope you enjoyed it. I’ve learned a lot from being involved in the 2.5D culture. I would like to make use of what I have gained here and continue to work hard as an actor, a TV personality and an idol. I hope to see you all again on some other occasion. That’s it from me, Kana Arima. ❤" 5:57 Akane: "Wow, she’s familiar with this, as I expected. Uhm… what should I say…? When I read the original work, the complexity of Princess Saya… born between human and demon, she wishes not to kill if she can help it. Leading the Shibuya faction, she bears the responsibility of the demon royalty and she can act cruelly when necessary. I was strongly attracted to such fragility, strength, tenderness and fear. The stage version of Princess Saya was naturally rearranged due to the different media, but the core of the story was kept intact and the power of the original story was preserved, of course. We were very impressed with the work of the scriptwriter GOA-san. I was honored to be able to live in the world of _Tokyo Blade_ as Princess Saya for a month, taking in the thoughts and feelings of all the creators. Right now, I can only say thank you. To everyone involved, to the fans who supported us, thank you so much. I will use this experience to work even harder in the future. I’m still young, but I hope you’ll give me your warmest regards. 💙" 7:22 Interviewer: "Thank you very much! This has been an enjoyable interview with breathtaking exchanges. We look forward to your next appearances together." 7:28 Kana: "Yes, thank you so much!" 7:31 Akane: "I'm looking forward to performing with Kana-chan, too!😄”