I’ve Got a New Favorite, For Real! ☆”

Hello, everyone!

My name is Natsuko, and I am a member of the Participant Support Department. I study in the Department of English Communication, Faculty of Language and Communication.

Let me ask you a question. Do you have a favorite artist or group that you really support?

This July, I became interested in a Japanese pop group called MONAKI after seeing them on a music TV program. Before I knew it, I had become a big fan of theirs!

Then, in August, I attended their mini-live performance for the first time. Watching them perform right in front of me was a completely different experience from watching them on a screen. It was so much fun, and their performance gave me a lot of energy!

One special part of MONAKI’s mini-live performances is called “Round Time.” During this time, the members come down from the stage and walk around while singing, getting closer to their fans.

At the live show I attended, there was a priority area near the stage for people who had purchased CDs, followed by a free viewing area behind it. The two areas were separated by belt barriers. Since I was in the free viewing area, I thought the members would probably only visit the priority area this time.

But then, something amazing happened!

One of the members, Oyone, actually ducked under the barrier and came all the way into the free viewing area! 😭

I watched Oyone right in front of me, greeting the fans while singing, almost as if they wanted to say hello to every single person there. I was so moved by that moment. It made me realize just how much they value each and every fan.

Because of this experience, something Oyone said at the event left an even stronger impression on me:

“Even when we start appearing on more TV shows and becoming more popular, I still want to cherish the time we spend with the fans who are here with us right now.”

I believe this feeling of valuing the people right in front of us is also closely connected to what a university festival is all about.

Of course, making the festival bigger, welcoming more visitors, and creating an exciting atmosphere are all important. However, I think it is just as important to make sure that every person who takes the time to visit leaves thinking, “I’m so glad I came! I had such a great time!”

I received so much energy and happiness from MONAKI, and now I want to share that same positive energy with everyone who visits our festival.

With that in mind, I will continue working hard on the preparations so that every visitor can have a wonderful experience!