WASUTA at Anime Friends 2024

Most idols tend to focus their activities more on Asia, but you have always had a more active international career. Why did you choose to take this path?

Nanase: The group's name, The World Standard, already has "the world" in it because our concept is to bring Japanese music to the world, to places where people love and want to know more about our culture.

WASUTA interact a lot with fans, taking photos, and making videos during shows. The idol industry isn't usually like that. How is this experience for you?

Ririka: We always try our best to have this communication and contact with the fans because even from afar, they support us. So, we have this desire to give back their affection.

Are you interested in recording any songs for J-dramas?

Ruka: We've already worked on some anime projects, but we hope to work on dramas in the future as well.

How was it work with the series “Kiratto Pri☆chan,” which is a famous children's series about idols?

Miri: We were very happy to be able to work with this series because we love anime, and also because we were able to bring Japan's "kawaii" to other places in the world. Because of that, we were able to perform outside of Japan.

Do you like tokusatsu? Have you ever been interested in singing for a franchise like “Kamen Rider” or “Super Sentai”?

Ruka: My older brother and I used to do transformations together. (laughs)

Miri: My dream is to be able to fly in some performance. (laughs) So, yes, I would love to make a song for a tokusatsu franchise.

You made a concept album about RPGs and a concert with the concept "Kawaii Quest," where the audience interacted with you and decided where the story would go, so each show had a different ending. Did that make the shows very different from each other? How was that experience?

Ririka: This dynamic made us very excited because all the concerts were different, and we didn't know which song would be the next. So, we were anxious to see how it would be. It was challenging. We'd like to have new challenges like that in the future because it was very fun.

Can you tell us a bit about your latest release, Natsu Koi Dilemma?

Miri: Natsu Koi Dilemma, "Summer Love Dilemma" in translation, is like bringing out the emotional side of summer; like a summer romance. I think we're good at conveying this kind of feeling, and this work shows that well.

What does "kawaii" mean to each of you, and when did it become so important in your lives?

Ririka: There are many "kawaii" things in the world, but for me, it's my dog. He came into my family at the same time that WASUTA was formed, so it involves many stories and feelings, and that's why it brings me so much happiness.

Nanase: I've always loved idols, and that's why I became one, which is a very important milestone for me. "Kawaii" and being an idol are things that changed my life. I started to become interested in idols because of AKB48 when I was still in elementary school.

Ruka: I really like 2D girls, for example, from anime and VTubers, like Sakura Miko! (laughs) I got inspired by these idols and characters and became who I am today. It was around that time that I started getting interested in “kawaii” things.

Miri: My mom loves children, and ever since I was little, I've heard "you're kawaii." So, I grew up very used to this theme. As I grew up, I started to like cute things, like sparkles and hearts.

How does it feel knowing that your work has crossed the world and reached Brazil? There are many fans waiting for you here today.

Nanase: We were very anxious because when our concert here in Brazil was announced, many Brazilian fans reached out to us. It was a big reaction from the audience. We are very happy and excited about the performance.

From the time you've been here in Brazil, what have you liked the most so far?

Miri: We went on the ferris wheel, the “Roda Rico” (the name of the ferris wheel), and the view was very beautiful.

Ririka: We were moved by the view.

And what about the food?

Miri: Barbecue!

Ririka: We were surprised by the speed and the amount of meat that arrived at our table.

Miri: Is it common in Brazil for waiters to be so fast and bring so many things? (The press responds that in São Paulo's steakhouses, yes, and everyone laughs.) Ah! In São Paulo. Japanese people don't run. (laughs)

What are your expectations for the concert?

Ruka: We have an hour-long concert, so we hope to be able to perform many of our songs for the fans.

Nanase: This outfit here is from four years ago. It has a specific kimono shape and parts with kittens. (Nanase stands up and goes to the front of the table to show the details of the outfit.)

Ririka: And the outfit has several words like "thank you" and "hospitality." Words that represent Japan. So, this outfit is also to show Japan’s “kawaii” to the world.

Ruka: We are also going to do a cover of a very famous anime song, and we hope everyone can sing along with us.

JaME would like to thank WASUTA, Maru Division, and interpreter Gabrielle Kaori “Dolly.” for making this coverage of the press conference possible.

WASUTA made their debut in Brazil on Friday, July 19th, on the main stage of Anime Friends 2024, performing for an audience of approximately 5,000 people eagerly waiting to see the "kawaii" idols straight from Japan.

Nanase, Ruka, Ririka and Miri took to the stage wearing their colorful, stylized kimonos and delivered a set of 15 songs. Among their original songs, they also prepared some covers of popular anime themes, including themes from "Sailor Moon," "Pokémon," and "One Piece."

At the end of the concert, WASUTA thanked everyone for attending. The fans sang along throughout the entire performance, which moved the girls so much that some of them left the stage in tears of happiness.

Shortly after, they shared some messages about their experience in Brazil. Check them out below.

Group leader Nanase made the emotional comment, “During this two-day period, I was moved to tears over and over again by the love from all our fans so far from Japan. I know it won’t be easy, but I definitely want to come see them again.”

To their fans in Brazil, Miri wrote, “I learned we have allies on the other side of the world. I’ve come to love Brazil from the bottom of my heart! I’ll definitely see you again someday, somewhere. Take care and stay healthy!”

Ruka was also deeply touched, writing, “I’m extremely happy that we could communicate directly with our fans who have been watching from afar. Now I have a new feeling of belonging. How is it possible to be this happy?!”

Ririka reflected, “I was really happy to be able to perform at such a wonderful event, and to be able to meet our fans who have supported us on the other side of the world.”

Set list

01. Inu Neko Seishun Massakari
02. Tapioca Milk Tea
03. Melo Melo! Love Rock
04. Moonlight Densetsu (DALI cover)
05. Pawawawawan!!! Powerpuff Girls
06. Eikyu Muchu De Koushinchuu！♡
07. Pretty Channel
08. Magical World
09. Stand Alone Complex
10. Meranyaizer!!!!! ～Kimi ni, A・ge・u♪～
11. Mezase Pokémon Master (Rica Matsumoto cover)
12. We Are ( Hiroshi Kitadani cover]
13. Suman, Inu.
14. Ultra Miracle-cle Final Ultimate Choco Beam
15. The Biggest Paradox