 |
NMB48 Performs at 17LIVE Super Live Streaming Festival 2024 in Shinjuku
On 3rd November, NMB48 appeared at the “Super Live Streaming Festival 2024,” a real-world event hosted by 17LIVE in Shinjuku, Tokyo, gathering popular streamers.
The group served as presenters for the awards ceremony recognising top streamers and performed three songs, including their new single Ganbaranu Wai, delivering a lively stage that thrilled the audience.
After their performance, NMB48 members Rei Jonishi, Wakana Abe, Mikana Yamamoto, Miu Wada, and Rei Haga gave an interview, sharing thoughts on the value of live streaming and their aspirations for the upcoming Osaka Expo.
――Unlike usual live performances, this event was free for attendees and streamed online. You performed three songs with ten members. How was the audience's response?
Rei Jonishi: This event was filled with the passionate energy of all the streamers. We participated as presenters for the awards ceremony, and I think our fans got to see that too. After witnessing such passionate moments, we performed, and both we and our fans seemed to be even more enthusiastic than usual. It was a lot of fun.
――Today's performance featured ten members.
Wakana Abe: That’s right. This was our first time performing Ganbaranu Wai with ten members at such an event.
――It was a special version of your live performance today, making it quite lucky for those who got to see it.
Wakana Abe: Indeed! Many of our usual fans, who are always vocal in their support, were present, but about half of the audience seemed to be experiencing NMB48 for the first time. It felt like even those who were fans of the streamers enjoyed the performance, and I realised once again how kind 17LIVE fans are.
――In August, NMB48 members participated in a relay stream on 17LIVE. There are many platforms for live streaming, but how did you find using 17LIVE?
Mikana Yamamoto: The visuals for the gifts are super cute, with adorable and funny effects. I got so excited about them that even the viewers enjoyed it. It was really fun.
Rei Haga: Usually, our live streams are short or focus on singing and dancing. But when we streamed on 17LIVE, it was really interesting to show our more natural sides. The unique aspects of the platform, like the fun gifts, allowed us to have a different kind of fun in real-time with our fans, which left a strong impression on me.
――Typically, your streams are individual, but relay streams require a different approach. How was that?
Wakana Abe: Since it was a relay stream, there was a flow from the previous person’s talk or a senior-junior dynamic. That connection was unique to relay streaming.
――Live streaming seems to offer various ways to engage. For idols, what does live streaming mean for your activities?
Miu Wada: For me, it’s about valuing the closeness with fans. Live streaming reflects comments in real time, so I make sure to read each one. It feels like a place where I can be honest.
――The title of this event was “Dreams Achieved Together.” NMB48 also carries the slogan “From Osaka to the World.” What are your efforts or priorities to reach a global audience?
Mikana Yamamoto: I focus on SNS. Social media can be seen by people from any country, so I post photos on Instagram hoping they’ll be discovered by overseas fans.
――It seems Mikana-san is the “SNS Queen” of NMB48.
Wakana Abe: Definitely the Queen.
Mikana Yamamoto: Yes, the Queen (laughs).
Rei Haga: At theatre shows, we’ve seen an increase in overseas fans recently. Some even stop by Namba when they visit Japan. I want to make these performances, which are our home base, a place where international fans can fall in love with NMB48.
Wakana Abe: I want to be able to speak English. I’ve been studying English vocabulary for five minutes daily.
――Wakana-san is known as NMB48’s intellectual, right?
Wakana Abe: I’m aiming for that intellectual, global image (laughs). Also, with my book Idol Shikkaku being adapted into a drama and manga, I want to share it with people worldwide.
Rei Jonishi: I’ve been working hard on SNS, modelling, and gravure to capture international fans’ attention. I use hashtags in English to broaden my reach.
Mikana Yamamoto: Rei-san also does cosplay, which I think will definitely resonate with overseas fans. I hope she keeps at it!
Miu Wada: In today’s world, numbers are crucial. I’m trying to increase all my metrics. Mikana and Rei have so many followers on Instagram, and I’m working hard to catch up. Instead of just relying on photos to go viral, I experiment with catchy words and creative posts. My focus is on quality over quantity, aiming to get even one more person interested in NMB48.