In an effort to introduce the Ps of HPT to the world, I’m happy to announce the start of the Better Know a Producer series of HPT interviews focusing on a new Producer each post. And this time the top batter is… me.

1. How did you first learn about “The iDOLM@STER”? What were your first impressions?

The very first time I ever learned and was exposed to im@s was through a Tales game oddly. Back in 2006, the PSP game Tales of World: Radiant Mythology had a free DLC campaign with im@s costumes to promote the arcade game. Since it was free (I miss old Namco) I downloaded it, although it was quite odd to see my male character wearing the cute im@s costumes now that I think about it.

2. Have you played any of the idolm@ster games? Which is your favorite?

I’ve played DS, SP, im@s 2, Shiny Festa, Shiny TV, and OFA. im@s 2 was the first one I played and it influenced me a lot as a Producer from my early days so it has a special place in my heart. It’s my dream to play arcademas one day!

3. Which idol is your favorite and why?

Amami Haruka. There are just so many reasons . From her always positive attitude, to her incredible integrity, to her silly but cute habits and double ribbons, I love everything that makes up Haruka. What makes Haruka special to me is how real she is. Haruka makes mistakes, gets afraid, and often lack confidence in herself but she’s always giving it her best no matter what. To be able to give her that small push that she may sometimes need, that is my pride as a P.

4. What is your favorite idolm@ster song and why?

There are of course many but my favorite im@s song for a long time would be sora sung by our favorite OL Kotori. This was one of the few songs that I listened to since the old old Xboxm@s days off of nico nico douga. It’s a beautiful song and although it’s usually sung solo by Kotori herself, I feel that it connects 765pro together and everyone is actually there with her in spirit. SSA realized those feelings when every idol actually did appear on stage to sing the final verse with Jurikichi. Unsurprisingly I cried a little when I watched it!

5. What’s your favorite aspect of the idolm@ster series?

I don’t want to just say “everything” because that feels lazy but it’s hard to not to too. I think for many people there are just some things that click and they know are just made for them. And some people live their lives never finding anything like that so I think I’m blessed to have found im@s. The characters, the music, the fans, the staff, the live concerts, everything that has made up this wonderful world and life called im@s, I love it all.

6. When and how did you become a “Producer”? That is, when did you consider yourself an idolm@ster fan?

Probably when I first completed Haruka’s story in im@s 2 the game. It was an emotional ride and was the defining point of me as a HarukaP. Prior to playing im@s 2, becoming P seemed very overwhelming to me. I didn’t think I could ever catch up to all the experienced Ps before me especially since I was an overseas fan. After completing im@s 2 though I felt for the first time that I was needed by my 3 idols. I remember I lost to Ryugu Komachi in the second battle and my idols cried, after I swore that I’d never let them cry again so I went to read the online guide and wiki to make sure I’d get the good end! But I think that’s when I finally understood what it meant to be a Producer and I could finally call myself ExcielP.

7. Have you ever been to an idolm@ster live concert? Please share your experience or any particularly special memories if so.

9th!!!!

The story behind 9th was a bit funny, because I wasn’t planning to go at all but after winning a good number  of tickets in the eplus lottery thanks to the many contributors of OFA codes from Twitter and Facebook (thanks you guys are awesome), I decided to go to 9th Anniversary in Tokyo of October 2014. Tokyo had the final showing of the 9th anniversary tour and it just so happened to be perhaps the most emotional im@s live in maybe ever? Across both days there were just so many feels all around between the performers and fans and the performances were simply incredible. I don’t think I’ve ever cried as hard as I did during Azumin’s First Step on day 2… but it was Mingosu’s Yakusoku later that killed everyone (you could literally hear the sobbing from Ps along the rows and aisles). I also enjoyed creating a ruckus outside the venue the first day with the gaijin crew.

8. Do you play any of the mobile game series such as Cinderella Girls and Million Live? 

I have an account on both although I focus more on Million Live since mobage and Cinderella Girls has restrictions on unregistered accounts. I’ve spent a bit of money on Million Live as well but lately I’m trying to control my gambling habits!

9. Are you watching the Cinderella Girls anime? What are your thoughts?

Egao desu.

It’s been a very enjoyable show so far and while it is very different from the 2011 idolm@ster anime I am enjoying its unique atmosphere. The girls are all very cute (especially Miku and Kirari) and this is my first time getting to really know a lot of them so I’m looking forward to seeing how the show continues. TakeP is love!

10. Do you have any favorite seiyuu related to the idolm@ster series?

765pro’s seiyuu are like a second family to me. The several memories I’ve gained since meeting them are the most precious I have. Eriko and Mingosu (the voices for Haruka and Chihaya) are the absolute most important people to me in the world and I’m ever supporting their marriage even if it’s to each other.

11. Shout out your love about the idolm@ster series, say anything you’d like!

I’ve been an im@s fan for 3 going on 4 years now. To be honest it isn’t a very long time, but at the same time a lot of things have happened since. In that time not only has the series expanded immensely but I feel that I’ve grown as well, as a Producer and as a person.

im@s is really my life.10 years ago no one suspected that im@s would ever become this big. From the start, im@s has always been about progressing towards the uncertain future. I don’t know where it will take me another 10 years from now but the way I feel now, I want to keep on moving forward as a Producer side-by-side my idols. And it’s my hope to continue forging new bonds with im@s Ps from around the world and to make many more awesome memories with everyone!

12. Say something about the next interviewed person (Kurotsuki), also please ask them a question.

Kurotsuki… the first time I ever met him I was completely drunk. The second time I met him I was also completely drunk. But when I first met him he wasn’t into im@s at all and last Anime Expo we ran an idolm@ster panel together and now he’s enabling other people into becoming Ps in Canada… life is very unpredictable, and I think Kurotsuki is the proof. We have that kind of relationship I suppose ww

To Kurotsuki: What’s your favorite thing about Mocho (Asakura Momo, Hakozaki Serika’s voice actress)?

 

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You can follow Exciel on Twitter @exciel_co_log

<Better Know A Producer>

#01 – [Exciel] ←Here
#02 – [Kurotsuki]