Takanashi Kiara / Ninomae Ina’nis 1st Concert "Drawn to Dawn" Talent Interview — Part 1: Takanashi Kiara

Takanashi Kiara shares her thoughts about her upcoming concert in this two-part interview series!

How does the theme of this concert connect to what you’re feeling lately?

Getting this live to happen feels like a new dawn to me after having given up some hope. I'm filled with fresh motivation and eagerness, so I hope it feels like a new dawn for all of you, too!

How is this concert different from your past performances, emotionally or personally?

It’s finally a concert of my own, where I can really make it (almost) all about me! So you better be sure I’ll be making the most of it. I have never worked so hard on something before, because this is just the biggest project I’ve ever had so far. I hope people can see that. This is a big tribute to myself, basically.

Can you remember an earlier version of yourself around this month, 5 years ago? How was she feeling and what was she up to? Do you think she’d already been imagining herself starring in a concert of this scale?

I think I always did, since I joined knowing that doing concerts is a thing in hololive.
Maybe solo concerts weren’t so much on my radar yet, though. Five years ago, I was certainly stressed out because I had just joined hololive a few months prior, and everything that could go wrong did go wrong, and I was also reaching the end of my working holiday visa in Japan and about to move back to Austria (leaving Calli as the only hololive English member in Japan).
I think I was so busy with all the aspects of that, that I definitely couldn’t even think about anything besides that! I was super excited to go back though, because it was the first time in a whole year that I would see my cats again…

What was your involvement in the development of the key visual? What were you inspired by when it came to the featured costume direction? Any favorite parts?

For the costume, I wanted a dirndl turned into an idol outfit! I thought it would be nice, since a dirndl is my country’s national dress and has a lot of potential for looking cute!
Then, of course, I asked for the key visual location to match it. So it's supposed to resemble Austrian mountains and countryside, perhaps even reminiscent of The Sound of Music. There’s a lot of Edelsweiss around, but to be honest, I actually have never seen Edelweiss in person before…
One of my favourite parts about the outfit is actually not visible in the key visual, and perhaps will barely see the light of day in the concert too because I think it will be hard to dance in— is the hat! Yes, there is a hat. It’s a pretty cool one! Combined with the cape, it turns the whole outfit from a stage-focused dirndl dress into a RPG alchemist. If you ask me… it’s super cute!

Let’s talk about rehearsals! What has been the most challenging part of preparing for the concert?

Definitely maintaining stamina and strength. I have been trying to build it up for months before! Even half a year of prep does not seem to be enough… but even in the most exhausting moments, my dancers are super supportive and always fun to be around. Together, we always joke and are up to shenanigans, doing little celebratory dances in between, and so on. I am so glad to work with those girls because we really click, and that positive energy has been so helpful to keep on fighting.

Does the wait feel longer or shorter now that the concert is approaching? Why?

Fes. comes first, but in my mind it’s hard to remember that. I feel like I keep on forgetting that. It feels like the concert is so soon really. Like next week. But there’s still a few hurdles to overcome!!!

What do you think are some of the best things fans can do for you when it comes to showing their support? How do fans support you in ways they probably don’t even realize?

Learn the fan chants!!!!!!!!!!! I really love hearing loud (organized) chants to my songs.
I am gonna do guides to every single song of mine a while before the concert, so I hope everyone will take some time to try and learn them! It doesn’t have to be perfect, but the more everyone familiarizes themselves with it, the better!
In other events, like the EN concerts, I always see big gatherings of fans in nearby parks or similar, practicing chants with even more than just KFP. But usually it's almost always someone from KFP leading the whole session. Their passion is very noticeable and seems contagious!

What was your first impression of your co-star, and how has it changed since then? What’s something about them that fans might not expect?

My first impression… is hard to remember. I definitely didn’t see her as a big performer!
But when I thought about the duolive and who might be a great partner, I could not stop thinking about Ina. The way she has been nailing every musical release since she debuted, because she has such a special quality about her. The way she has been working hard on her body, and finding joy in dancing more and more. I definitely see her as a performer now. She’s so different from me, and I love that.

If you could send a supportive message to your co-star now to refer back to on concert day, what would it be?

I’m so glad we are doing this together! I couldn’t think of a better partner than you for this special weekend. Let’s make the most beautiful memories together and keep them for an eternity!

How would you describe TakoTori’s energy together?

A perfect balance of cat fueled energy mixed with energy drink fueled energy!

Without giving anything away, what new side of yourself do you think fans will like to get to see at the concert?

Every side you could imagine, I think!!! I’m covering all my bases.

What do you hope fans will take home with them after the concert?

All of their belongings!
HAHA just kidding, I hope they cherish this. I think this could be our only opportunity like this. Let’s never forget it. And please know that you, the fans, are the reason this happens.
You made it possible. We came so far, and we deserve this big moment!