Better Know a Producer #15: vae

Makoto

The P we’re looking at today is a Makoto P by the name of vae (which apparently is pronounced “vay” not “vai”) and if you couldn’t guess from the way he writes “-our” in stead of “-or” and “-ise” instead of “-ize”, he’s a French Canadian P and another good friend from the cold north. I first met vae in a session of GTAV I believe… but I had the pleasure of meeting vae a couple times now at Anime North and im@s 10th where we actually roomed together along with the other Canadians. And while that was an experience of its own, I greatly enjoyed the few moments of off-time when I got to hang out with him and a few of the other Canadabros and hopefully we can do something like that again in the future.

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

My path of discovery was a bit different from other producers who learned the franchise through ways of Nico Nico Douga or songs. I, firstly, was briefly exposed to the series from all those short glimpses of the game that came out in 2007 and songs that were played. I did not get and was not into the idea of simulating anime girls with choices to gain affection. I almost found it creepy. I didn’t bother looking at it for a while.

Then, I had second thoughts after I browsed in one of those H sites. I read a ‘doujinshi’ whom the Producer and Hoshii Miki, in her ‘Awakened’ form were involved. She had her usual vanilla slice of the cake, but the journey was so captivating between the two that I decided to look more into the concept of a producer raising their girls to stardom.

Basically, I can thank the Lewd part of the anime medium for making me rethink my decision.

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

So far, by the time of this writing, I have only played the iDOLM@STER 2 for a short while (I can’t read fast enough) and One for All (yay for pauses). I did have Shiny Festa on my Sketchy PSP, but I never took the time to play at all.

I say One for All has been my favourite due to it’s beginner friendliness, and the fact that you could produce anyone from the get-go.

I am willing to go back to iDOLM@STER 2 since it has an actual story arc that sounds promising, but laziness is killing me.

I did tap a bit on Million Live, but I am not really a Mobage person. Let’s see when Cinderella Girl’s rhythm game will get me hyped! Oh, the next-gen iDOLM@STER will be my decision maker of getting whatever console it is going to release to.

 

3. Which idol is your favorite and why?

This was not a permanent pick. I have shifted to 3 idols during my course. I was into Miki a lot because of how distinct she is. Then, the attractive klutzyness, and the optimistic character of Haruka made me thought she was my go-to idol. I ended up loving Makoto in the end.

She is the one that reflected to me the most. I can not pinpoint the exact reason my love for her, other than the fact I have biased opinions with tomboys and short haired girls. Everytime I see her, my feeling of awe roams around in joy. Maybe, it is her two faces trying to correlate together. I admire how she can sustain both personality without losing sight to neither of them. It is more like she never fakes herself, but stay true to her strengths and weaknesses from both characters and incorporates them, in making a big piece of her image. Having both gender roles is a wonderful thing.

Now, out from the 765 original cast, I have a soft spot for Yokoyama Nao from ML. Read Kara’s post. His reasons are almost the exact same as I do.

27386_Makoto

 

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

I have three songs that I tend to favour over most, even though I love to listen to all of them.

The song that got me further into this series was “Colourful Days”. This piece, for me symbolised the introduction of the characters and their personalities with all their quirks. You may notice that in the ‘My Stage’ choreography, every characters winked at their colour schemes. It was a grasp of detail that made me enjoy the song the more I listen and watch it.

“Jitensha”, is an obligatory song as a Makoto Producer. It describes most of her personality from her masculinity to her femininity. The way she sings this song gives a lot of feminine vibe as she tries really hard to. Though, it comes up as masculine with her tone which is okay since such constrast is pleasing sight to me.

Last but not least it has to be “Watashi-tachi wa Zutto… Deshou?” This song gives so many feelings even if I listen to it a thousand times. It gives that inspiration and hope where this franchise can get that juggernaut label and not fall down. It gives that sense where it can last for 10 more years, shining their energy to us fans and make this thing called the iDOLM@STER as lovable as 10 years ago.

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

Variety.

I found that this aspect alone resonates this series well, almost like it is its main selling point, whether it is for the music, the characters, or even the games. It has always been my take on how people were drawn to this series in the first place. At one point you listen to a song that is totally idol and hype, then you come across another one that even questions it’s relevance to the series. Same goes with the characters. You can have a klutzy, a tomboy, a rocker, a loner, a big-eater, you name it. No matter what preferences you may have, there is something for everybody.

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

Despite the fact that I knew the series for a while, I couldn’t say that I was fully turned Producer until the middle of 2013 by watching the 2010 anime adaptation a second time. I have to thank the Love Live! series to make me realise how much I really like idol shows. It’s because of this have made me ponder why I never managed to finish it back then. My subconsciousness asks for more development, for more songs to listen, for more of everything. It further solidified my appreciation after meeting the community on twitter, which I never thought possible.

 

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

Yes!

I have been to the 10th Anniversary Live ‘M@STER OF THE iDOL WORLD 2015’. I tend to attend my first lives and events at the worst time possible (ie. Summer Humidity in Japan)

My first experience attending a real concert on Japanese soil really hit hard on me. The authenticity of the calls, the energy given by the folks in the dome gives a magical feeling, just like in those dreams with people who come together, cheer and support their favourite idols/seiyuus.

The only things that I remembered from my stay in Japan for the live were the following:

– Buppan and how the rain was beneficial for us live goers
– Off-k–
– Eating with @Mahouko from twitter
– Yton and Reichama combo on Super Lover. (Oh god the legs)
– THE SEIYUUS ON CARTS! Especially Ruuri, and Hirorin
– The feels intermission.
– Don’t forget the Dome in orange UOs.

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

I really want to try playing those games, but my lack of attention span on mobile games keeps me away from enjoying the full experience of throwing money to the games to fund new experiences for us all Producers.

As I mentioned earlier, I would think that it will change when the Cinderella Girls rhythm game comes out though. (laughs)

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

Yes! I have been watching the Cinderella Girls anime since it first aired.

To be frank, in the first few episodes of the first season adaptation, I had skeptical thoughts on how the formula was going to be played out. I wondered on they would introduce each of the core CG characters. Later we found out it was in unit sequences which kind of let room to breathe for the amount of characters to be screened to the number of episodes ratio. Having an episode for every single girls would take redundancy to an absurd level. Therefore, I respect how the staff managed to screen the girls in the most efficient way possible without giving up the essence.

Also, I rep *.

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

I like so many that I can’t land of a favourite.

In all seriousness. I would choose Asami Shimoda or Asapon by her nickname, given the fact that I saw her twice and managed to talk to her in person. She is authentic. She is real. She is passionate. Her energy alone is enough to love her. Her smile and her cheerful nature that encompasses that energy is enough to make someone as fun and engaging to interact with. Even her English, despite bad, she really makes an effort on connecting to Producers. Stay true, Afapon (laughs)

I also really like the last interviewee favourite seiyuu, Yuiton. Although, it’s another story for another day.

Actually, I’ll wife and prpr her LE–

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

I am really glad to meet a such wonderful community whom takes by the hands and support each other. Prior to this iM@S community thing on Twitter, I thought I was within that small bracket of people who enjoyed listening to idols who bring a smile to our face. This is until I met those Producers. Jealousy were felt as I met such dedicated individuals where their knowledge reigns king. As time goes on, I realised it did not have any importance. The time that I shared, laughed, cried, learned together with these people can not be replaced by anything else, and I have come to appreciate it.

United, miracles happen. “The world is all one!! Unity Mind.”

Now, where’s my ML adaptation?

12. [From karagea] One day Makoto arrived to Montreal and you are her guide. Where would you bring her to sightsee and to chill? What restaurants would you bring her to dine in? Let’s just say she will be visiting for a maximum of one week (obviously you can have the trip shorter if you want).

For a week? That isn’t enough to see Montreal.

As typical for any newcomers to my hometown, I’d make her eat as many Montreal things as possible. Whether it’s poutine, smoke meat sandwiches, bagels, and shepherds pie, she needs to chow down all of those I mentioned. I’d race her with a bike to Mount Royal and just sight see the landscape. I’d bring her to an amusement park just like in that episode and make her a princess.

This is just a tip of the iceberg. There’s so many things that she can do here.

Now, I really want to be her tour guide for Hirorin (Hirata Hiromi) if she does decide to travel to Canada. It’ll be my dream come true!

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

The first time I met Frank, I was on my mission to find this famed KusoT (Teitoku for kancolle) and teach him a lesson, but that didn’t happen. He was the photographer for Anime North. I did think that he was a troll kind of person, but he’s way different in real life.

My question to you is this. With your DSLR camera, what 3 photos with any seiyuus would you take? It can be 3 different seiyuus too. You have the freedom to do anything and everything, only your imagination stands (Hah imaginationless).

 


 

You can follow vae on Twitter @vaepo

<Better Know A Producer>

#01 – [Exciel]
#02 – [Kurotsuki]
#03 – [vota]
#04 – [Seraph]
#05 – [Shinikenshi]
#06 – [Erwin]
#07 – [JT]
#08 – [garbejP]
#09 – [KenP]
#10 – [YashaFoxP]
#11 – [omo]
#12 – [ShinP]
#13 – [Basu]
#14 – [karagea]
#15 – [vae]←Here
#16 – [Frank]

 

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