[Feature] Sakana LOCKS - Love Philosophy Interview

This is a translation of a rather interesting/amusing interview of Yamaguchi Ichiro with a listener that took place on the Sakana LOCKS radio program a couple of weeks ago. The original Japanese transcript is up on the School of Locks website here.

If you're interested to know more about Yamaguchi and what he's like, this might be a good read!

*When reading this interview, note that all School of Locks programs play on a "classroom" kind of atmosphere with listeners being called "students" and each episode is a "class". Yamaguchi refers to himself as "sensei", and the listeners also address him that way.

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Now for the first time in a long time, I'll present to you the "Love Philosophy Interview."

This class is for sakanaction, who have few love songs, and also I, Yamaguchi Ichiro's own dried-up private life, where I would like to interview and feature students who are willing to talk about love. I've done this several times in the past but, when I search Twitter, I see people write things like "I don't need that kind of love advice"....(Laughs). I have also thought to not do this again but I would like to listen to the students' love philosophy and someday reflect that in a song.

By the way, in the newest album "sakanaction", the love song.... doesn't exist! (Laughs) The one that made me wonder if it would be good if it was looked at as being a love song was the song "mellow." Well...while keeping in mind that I want to be able to write a love song, even if entering delusional territory (laughs), I'll listen to what the student has to say.

Here's the message from the student whom I'm going to call!

Of the 4 girls I've dated up til now, 3 of them were older than me. If you ask why I date older girls I'd say that, a little sense of tension is necessary, and I think that I'll fall in love with people whom I feel comfortable being around, and that evolves into [real] love and becomes a relationship. By the way, even though I say these things, there's a fair amount of times that I've been rejected (lol).

- Kaminoke Broccoli (lit. Broccoli Hair), Male / 15 / Shizuoka Prefecture

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Eh!? There's such thing as having dated 4 girls at 15 years old?.... That's fast. Moreover, older girls. Even at 15, he likes older girls and dated 4 girls already; the reason for liking older girls is "a little sense of tension"; amazing. I wonder what kind of person he is.... Kaminoke Broccoli as a radio name has also piqued my curiosity, so let's try speaking to him.

Yamaguchi (Y): Hello!

Kaminoke Broccoli (K): Hello!

Y: Kaminoke Broccoli, we'll begin the interview immediately, so please treat me well. [*yoroshiku onegaishimasu]

K: Please treat me well.

Y: When you said older girls, how much older do you mean?

K: The biggest gap was 3 years older.

Y: 3 years older!?.... 18 years old?

K: Ah, when we were dating it was when I was in junior high grade 1, so...

Y: Eh, wait a moment, you're saying you had a girlfriend when you were junior high grade 1?

K: Yes, that's the case.

Y: How old were you when you first started dating?

K: That was the first time I properly dated.

Y: 13 years old?

K: Yes.

Y: You dated a 16-year-old when you were 13? So she was in high school?

K: Yes, she was in high school grade 1.

Y: Eeeeh~!... I can't believe this (laughs). Amazing. Where did you guys meet?

K: We had some common lessons, so we became acquainted there, and then we started texting each other, and then continuing like that, it evolved into a relationship.

Y: Who confessed?

K: It was me. The other party sent a text saying "I have someone I like", and at that time I thought it must be about me, and I had a weird confidence.... So, after confessing and getting an OK, we started dating.

Y: Heeee~h....! That's amazing, Kaminoke Broccoli.

K: No no no...

Y: "No no no" (laughs)... I got a little annoyed just now (laughs). To you, what's the attraction of someone older?

K: Hmm...somehow, with someone in the same grade, it happens a lot that you're too friendly with each other that it's difficult to develop into a relationship, but with someone older, there's also a bit of a sense of tension...

Y: The sense of tension, is it the kind of tension with using Keigo?

K: We use plain speech, but, somewhere I have the thought that, ah we're not peers, and that's the interesting thing...

Y: Is younger also acceptable?

K: Younger is acceptable.

Y: Hohh~... By the way, do you have a girlfriend now?

K: Now, i'm in the situation of waiting for an answer after confessing.

Y: Eh...! You're waiting for a reply now?

K: Yes, I'm fairly nervous.

Y: Incidentally, how old is that person?

K: We were classmates in junior high.

Y: So you've known each other for a long time?

K: Yes. We were in the same kindergarten and the same elementary school.

Y: Earlier, you said that a little sense of tension is necessary, but dating someone that you've always been together with since kindergarten?

K: Yeah. This time, you could say I am seeking fun...

Y: So it's that kind of mood.

K: Yes.

Y: Do you think about wanting a girlfriend on a regular basis?

K: I do, yeah.

Y: Why so?

K: Probably it's because I have friends around me who are dating and I get envious; when I have a girlfriend it's like there's a special existence so it's fun... because you get a feeling different from with a friend. In the case of friends, you can really grow accustomed to them, but with a girlfriend, you have to speak carefully to make sure not to spoil the mood too much, and you'll wonder if she has a different side to her.

Y: You're saying that it's good to have more different types of relationships?

K: Yes. It's more fun when there's the existence of a girlfriend.

Y: Heeh~... I see... Sensei is kind of shocked....

K: Eh....

Y: Sensei also, has had girlfriends in the past, you know. Sensei's first time dating since birth was, in junior high grade 2, but even though I said "Let's go out", when we went out I became unable to talk. From then on, I became really timid about dating. Therefore, I respect the "carnivorous type" Kaminoke Broccoli who steadily makes confessions, and attempts to satisfy what he seeks.

K: Thank you very much.

--

Y:  So Kaminoke Broccoli, normally what kind of music do you like?

K: I listen to pretty much everything... J-Rock, Western music, rap, jazz, I listen to all these.

Y: Kaminoke Broccoli.... by any chance... aren't you actually a cool guy!?

K: No! No such thing!

Y: I get the feeling that you're in the top clique of your class. ...Well, sensei doesn't really have any advice for you, but can I consult you on something?

K: Sure, if you're okay with just me.

Y: (Laughs) ... You know, sensei isn't really able to hang out with people properly. I love being alone so when playing outside, going out to eat, and being at home, I like being by myself. When there's someone else around, I shudder. But, everyone has a girlfriend, and when at sensei's age, people get married right. So it happens that even though I like being alone, I've tasted the sense of loneliness. What should this sensei do to satisfy this sense of loneliness?

K: To satisfy the sense of loneliness, when I fall into such a state, the best thing to do is listen to music. Also, just think of things you like so that you don't over think too much about being lonely.

Y: I see... (laughs). It's better not to over think eh?

K: Yes. I think that way.

Y: Thank you, Kaminoke Broccoli.

--

Y: By the way, in J-Rock, who do you listen to?

K: I listen to a lot of sakanaction-sensei; also, like, Creephyp-sensei, and also even though he's not rock, I like Hoshino Gen-sensei too.

Y: All those you just listed are all Victor (laughs). Hooh~. In your class, are there other people who listen to Hoshino Gen-sensei's songs?

K: There are people who know his name and listen to a few songs, but if we're talking about big fans, I haven't really found any.

Y: Well then... I don't need flattery for this, but are there people in your class who like sakanaction-sensei?

K: There are!

Y: That's good! What about popular bands in your class or those in the same grade?

K: Bands like ONE OK ROCK-sensei. UVERworld-sensei, SEKAI NO OWARI-sensei too.

Y: I see.... As expected it's the "High School Big Three"! (Laughs) It's around there right. Alright! With this, the interview ends. Sensei too, will fight with loneliness!

K: Okay! Please work hard!

Y: Mhm, I will! (Laughs) And, I hope you get a good reply on the confession. Please mail me about what happens with that reply. Thank you, Kaminoke Broccoli. Let's both work hard okay?

K: Okay! Thank you very much!

Y: Well then, see you again. Bye bye~

K: Bye bye.

--

With that, this time's class is also coming to a close.

Fighting with loneliness means, not realising that you're lonely... (laughs). But, sensei has made music when fighting with that loneliness...! Because I've come to face music that feed on loneliness, even if I'm not as aggressive as Kaminoke Broccoli, sensei gets the feeling that he can continue to live (laughs). ...But! I think in the world, people like Kaminoke Broccoli are few. I think that people like me, who are in loneliness, and think "what should I do at night, it's lonely" are many. Therefore, there should be many people who share the same sentiments as sensei! ....Thank you very much! (Laughs)


Hope you enjoyed reading this interview as much as I did! 
If you spot any errors please do correct me. :)
a.m.