[INTERVIEW] Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu (Tokisen)

Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu (Tokisen) is a six (6) member Japanese girl group under Stardust Promotion. The group belongs to section 3 of the talent agency and are promoted by the label, AVEX TRAX. Together they sit down to answer some questions for HypnoticAsia readers.

Their name is very unique as “Tokimeki” means “sparking joy” and “Sendenbu” means “publicity club” in English. In short, the group go by Tokisen.

The Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu members include Julia Ann, Hiyori Yoshikawa, Hitoka Sakai, Haruka Koizumi, Aki Suda, and Kanami Tsujino. Each of the girls under the group represent a color. They have introduced themselves and their colors officially below.

Check out the interview where they talk about their hobbies, music and more.

Cho Tokimeki♡Sendenbu (Tokisen) Interview

Please introduce yourself to the HypnoticAsia readers.

• Julia Ann: I’m Cho Tokimeki♡ Purple, Julia Ann aka Juli! My nickname is Juli, but I’m not called Juli that much, I’ve been called Julia more often.
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: I’m Cho Tokimeki♡ Green, Hiyori Yoshikawa!
• Hitoka Sakai: I’m Hitoka Sakai aka Hito-chan! I’m a little sassy, but people tell me I’m really energetic during live concerts!
• Haruka Koizumi: I’m Cho Tokimeki♡ Pink, Haruka Koizumi.
• Aki Suda: I’m the lemon color, Aki Suda! 18-years-old, the youngest in the group!  I’m the best when it comes to smiles and positive energy! I love cute and sweet things, and especially sweet potato!
• Kanami Tsujino: I’m Cho Tokimeki♡ Blue, Kanami aka Kanamin!

You recently released the music video for “Kawaii Memorial”. Any interesting stories from the filming?

• Julia Ann: While filming the scenes of riding the bike, I wasn’t used to riding a bike and was not stable, so there was a big difference between me and Hiyori who were riding gracefully.
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: It seemed like Julia hadn’t ridden a bike in a while, and she was a little unsteady! Just seeing that was so funny but cute!
• Hitoka Sakai: We were filming in Indonesia, and I was staying in the same room as Aki! Sleeping on the same bed on the last night was very cozy and heart-warming!  
• Haruka Koizumi: It was my first time filming in Indonesia. I went to a food market in Indonesia and saw some types of fruit I’d never seen before and filmed at a beautiful beach, so I think we shot videos that were completely different from those we shot in Japan! We had locals join in the video shoot and were able to interact closely with Indonesian people! 
• Aki Suda: For me, riding on the carriage horse. It was my first time, and the horse worked hard. I enjoyed it so much! 
• Kanami Tsujino: It was our first time shooting a music video in Indonesia. When we went to the market in Indonesia, I had Indonesian Coca-cola and I was surprised to find that it had a refreshing  taste than Japanese Coca-Cola!  

Comparing this track to “SUKI!”, how do you feel you have grown/changed as artists?

• Julia Ann: I feel like every time we release a new single, we are able to keep showing a new side of TOKISEN. I think we have been able to express a more grown-up side than we did in “SUKI!”
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: Since my name has been known by people overseas through “SUKI!”, I’ve made a conscious effort to deliver our messages overseas and above all, I think the level of cuteness of our group has gone up.
• Hitoka Sakai: Because of this song, our group became known by many people. We are now able to broaden our horizons since people outside of Japan have become more interested in our activities! We have more opportunities to receive compliments on our singing ability, which has made us want to become even better singers.
• Haruka Koizumi: I feel like everyone’s solo parts have improved! Since the song “SUKI!”, became more popular, I received more and more compliments on my singing voice.  I am now more determined to put effort into voice training. 
• Aki Suda: I think I am now able to express more of my own unique “Tokimeki” (sparks of joy).
• Kanami Tsujino: I think my singing and other aspects of my performing ability are gradually shifting in the right direction.

Speaking of “SUKI!” which became a worldwide hit, did you expect this track to be a hit when you first heard it? 

• Julia Ann: When I first listened to “SUKI!”, I wasn’t a member of Tokisen yet, but the melodies got stuck in my head and the choreography was cute so it was really striking. I never thought it would be this popular, but I still felt like it was a song that could be popular somehow.
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: Of course! We want to deliver the best song to the audience all the time, and this song sticks in your head and is catchy as it repeats “SUKI! SUKI! SUKI!”a lot.  I was hoping it would be a hit and we were able to reach overseas and receive a better response than expected! 
• Hitoka Sakai: I wanted it to make a hit. But I didn’t think it would be listened to by this many people so I was really happy.  
• Haruka Koizumi: I, of course, wanted it to make a hit, but I didn’t think it would go this far around the world! It’s a real surprise! You never know what will happen in life, so I was reminded that it is important to take on different challenges.  
• Aki Suda: I thought this song was cute and catchy, but I didn’t think it would be this popular!
• Kanami Tsujino: When I first heard this song, it got stuck in my head, and I thought it was an easy song to remember! So, I was hoping that it would get stuck in many people’s heads! 

What do you believe has changed the most since your debut, individually and as a group?

• Julia Ann: As for myself, I think I’ve grown a lot by being able to just be myself. At the time of my debut, I was very shy and had difficulty expressing myself. But now I think I’m able to express myself during performances and talks. As a group, our colors have become clearer. There are many songs about love and youth, but I think in all of them there is “kawaii (cuteness)” in it. I think Tokisen has established the image of kawaii through our music and outfits (and also ourselves). 
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: The lifestyle! Tokisen is at the center of my life, so lately it’s been fun to be able to have different kinds of work every day! Also, I feel like there are more opportunities to work as an individual and not just as a group. 
• Hitoka Sakai: I feel like my feelings towards performances have changed significantly. I’ve always wanted to bring smiles to people’s faces, but I have come to realize the importance of performance in order to do so, and have come to value it. 
• Haruka Koizumi: My “Tokimeki” (sparks of joy) increased! Through these activities, we’ve experienced many cute things, fulfilling experiences, delicious food, and fun times. I realized that we find ourselves full of Tokimeki on a regular basis. I was full of Tokimeki when I made my debut, but now I feel like I’m even more full of Tokimeki!
• Aki Suda: I think my personality is becoming brighter! I feel like my life is becoming more fun with more dreams.
• Kanami Tsujino: Recently, we have gained more fans in my generation! We see ourselves in posters all over the city, so the environment has changed a lot since the time of our debut! Also, we were reckless at first, but now we have been improving as we perform with more focus.

From all of your releases, which is your favorite song and concept?

• Julia Ann: It’s very hard to decide which song and concept I like best, but right now it’s “かわいいメモリアル” (Kawaii Memorial). I love the extremely cute lyrics and melodies filled with lots of cuteness and the outfits that look like they could be in an anime.
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: I like the extreme ones like the heavy love song, “愛Song!” (Ai Song) or super heart-breaking songs like “ゼッタイだよ” (Zettaidayo) and “きっとスタンダード (Kitto Standard)! In my view, Tokisen’s image is classically “idol”, and I like that concept, so I want to keep wearing frills and be an idol as long as I can stay a classic idol.   
• Hitoka Sakai: Among the songs we recently released, “きみと青春” (Kimito Seishun) is my favorite, it’s a song about youth. I look forward to building up this song with my fans at concerts! As for the concept I want to try, I want to do a self-introduction song.
• Haruka Koizumi: I really like the concept of “かわいいメモリアル (Kawaii Memorial) な日のBGMになる” I think it’s very sparkly and lovely! As for the concept I want to try, I wanna see members with a cool look! Black outfits, chic makeup, or something we don’t usually do might be cool to do!
• Aki Suda: I like cute songs so I especially like “LOVEイヤイヤ期” (Love Iyaiyaki). We still don’t have a self-introduction song, so I’d love to sing one!
• Kanami Tsujino: “ときめきがすべて” (Tokimekigasubete) The title song is “エンドレス,” (Endless) which is about youth, and I feel like our youth is filled with it, so I like it! Since we were widely known for the love song, “SUKI!” we might be known for singing love songs, but there are really great songs among cute youthful songs, too! The CD jackets and outfits are also very cute and are my favorites! A concept I want to try is a “cute lady” type of concept where we appear grownup like ladies.

When Tokisen aren’t promoting and performing, what do you enjoy doing?

• Julia Ann: I like to spend a lot of time with my family. We go to dinner, go shopping, drive around, and recently practice golf. When I’m home for the day, I work through my anime and TV series backlog, study, or practice songs.
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: On days off, I’m the type who wants to make plans with friends, so I invite close friends and hang out! If plans don’t work out or if I’m tired, I also like to chill at home, but even on those days, I go out to the grocery store, cook dinner, and have my family or friends come over to eat. ♪
• Hitoka Sakai: I like driving and campfires, so I’m pretty active on my days off! 
• Haruka Koizumi: These days, I go to onsen (hot springs) and the sauna to relax or go see my nephew and niece and spend time with them, or eat a lot of delicious Japanese food to get energized!
• Aki Suda: I love anime, so I watch anime most of the time. My favorite anime is “HUNTER × HUNTER”!
• Kanami Tsujino: I go on trips with friends, do cooking, or go shopping for clothes!

This track shows the true color of each member’s vocals. We also heard that Masa Takumi directed the vocals himself! How was recording with the Grammy Award-winning composer?

• Julia Ann: The direction was very respectful of our individuality. He was very kind and let us sing the way we wanted to sing, which made us feel relaxed and happy.
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: I was nervous about singing in front of Mr. Takumi, but his directing allowed me to sing freely!
• Hitoka Sakai: I was really nervous during the recording. I heard that he had won a Grammy Award, so I was thrilled to have such an amazing person direct me. Usually, I receive detailed instructions, but on this occasion, I was told to drop my usual quirks and sing straightforwardly and relaxed, which was difficult because I sang in a way I had never done before. 
• Haruka Koizumi: I was very nervous, but Mr. Takumi was very respectful of the individuality of our singing styles, so I was able to sing freely. He was very friendly and kind, and I hope to see him again!
• Aki Suda: I was more nervous and stiff than ever, but he gently directed me while respecting my individuality.
• Kanami Tsujino: I was so nervous! But he let me sing in my own style, so it was recorded in a way that was very me!

Many fans are probably wondering now, will the group be performing this track live anywhere?

• Julia Ann: I believe there will be an opportunity to showcase it in the near future, so I hope you will look forward to it!
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: It is a very magnificent song and I would like to sing it freely on a big stage!
• Hitoka Sakai: When we perform, all of us talk about many things together, such as how we are going to present the performance and the choreography of the dance! The song is difficult, so I will work hard on my voice training!
• Haruka Koizumi: I am sure we will be performing it live in the future and we are looking forward to performing it as well!
• Aki Suda: We can’t yet imagine how we will perform it yet. But since it’s a magnificent song that spreads dreams, we would like to perform it at a big venue with a view of the sky.
• Kanami Tsujino: I think it will be soon! I hope you can wait and look forward to when we sing!

Any final words? Please say a few words to your fans who have been there since the beginning of your journey.

• Julia Ann: Thank you for all your support! It is because of you that we are able to try many things and see many wonderful places ♡. We will continue to do our best so that we can grow into a group that can bring you more excitement, energy, courage, and smiles, along with Tokimeki (sparks of joy) and hope that you will support us for a long time to come! Thank you for your continued support!
• Hiyori Yoshikawa: Thank you very much for your support of the Cho Tokimeki♡ Sendenbu! We have been interviewed by overseas media and sung the global theme song for a Singaporean movie! I’m surprised at the wonderful activities I’ve been involved in! I will continue to do my best to spread happy news and Tokimeki to all of you who support us! Thank you for your continued support!
• Hitoka Sakai: Thank you for your continued support. We will continue to do our best to bring smiles and Tokimeki to everyone. We will send Tokimeki to the world, so I would be happy if you could continue to support us in the future! Please look forward to seeing us!
• Haruka Koizumi: Thank you for always supporting us! I strongly believe that it is because of our fans that we are able to do what we do and that we are what we are today, thanks to our fans! I will do my best to repay you with many smiles and Tokimeki! Thank you for your continued support! And I will do my best so that I can go to the U.S. someday!
• Aki Suda: Everyone’s support has made me the person I am today, and I am truly grateful for it. I will be grateful if I could continue to make many more memories and share happiness with you.
• Kanami Tsujino: Thank you for all your support! We are what we are because of the support of our fans! It is because of you that we are able to be idols and have a good time with you! We hope you will spend many more exciting times with us! Please look forward to it!