Which Akanishi Jin Do You Like?

Non-No April 2009 Magazine Issue
Special Photo Session & Talk
Which do you like?

The varied gestures and expressions that he showed to go along with four keywords.... which Akanishi will you be drawn in by?

COOL
Cool = the ability to form and hold your own opinions

"Even during concerts, each one of us has things that we'd like to do, so when I think of an idea like that, I tell the other members. This time (KAT-TUN's May concerts in Tokyo Dome) will come together that way, too. For us, maybe this is the coolest way to do things."

SEXY
It's not a matter of specific parts or things someone does, but a feeling that comes from their entire being

"The first thing that comes to my mind when I hear the word 'sexy' is Angelina Jolie. Especially in the WANTED (2008) DVD I watched recently.... she was great! Sexiness isn't just the surface, but something that's emitted through the atmosphere or that person's entire being."

SWEET
The closest adjective to describing the feeling of liking someone

"I would want my girlfriend to always remain a sweet place for me, so I have a bunch of different expectations. For example, I'd like her to be someone who understands manners and common sense. Fashion, though... as long as she wears things that complement her, that's all I would ask for."

SPORTY
Moving around outside, one of my favorite things

"I like casual fashion, but just about the only time I go all-out sporty is when I'm going to play soccer. While it was still cold, I didn't do it at all, but since it's started to get warm again, I'd like to go kick a ball around with my friends."

I want to be a young dad

"I was out with a big group until 6AM today... even though I had work, it's my fault."

He enters the studio in lower spirits, mentioning with a dry smile that he still can't have anything but fruit. Perhaps because of his healthily-tanned skin, it's hard to believe that he was out all night.

"Oh, this, I was overseas. About two weeks, somewhere warm. I went out on walks, hung out at my friend's place, nothing special at all, but it was fun because I hadn't had a continuous break like that for a while."

The goal for this year of "going abroad often" seems as if it is being achieved. His "going my way" lifestyle is certainly alive and well. Both during his travels and in his everyday Tokyo, he says that the place that he finds himself wanting to go every so often is, surprisingly, church.

"Are there times I want to pray? Yes, of course."

Akanishi-kun, who looks so cool at first glance, making earnest wishes to God.... about what? My interest is piqued. "On the work side of things, there's nothing like 'I wish I was like this person,' but in private terms... there are a lot of things I hope for."

To the question, "Like what?"

"I want children," he answers without a second thought. "I really like them. I think they're adorable. I often carry my friend's kid and just walk around Shibuya normally."

Without realizing it, a slight smile peeks through while he talks. "I want three children. Boys are fine, too, but I would be really happy if the first were a girl. I would have her learn dance from a young age... and to keep her from becoming an easy(/promiscuous) woman, I'd be very strict about discipline (laugh). I want to be a young dad, so I've got to hurry. But, before that, there are still the steps of having a relationship and getting married... of course, I want to get through each of those properly, too."

What does Akanishi-kun think of passive "herbivore" men these days who think of relationships and marriages as risky and avoid them?

"I can't think of them as risky. Both love and marriage are things that are necessary for me. In regards to work, I don't have an appetite, so I am more of the passive/herbivore type, but for those other things I'm a carnivore (laugh). Really, I'd just want to be normal."

What he wants to emphasize is always clear. I've been made to realize that he uses the word "normal" very often. While maintaining his presence in the entertainment industry, a place that is not normal, his strong desire to protect his natural self is palpable. Although his words and actions can easily be taken as whims, in actuality, his feelings come through without any blur.

At nearly 25, after having studied abroad and resumed his career, does he feel any changes in himself?

"Not at all. I'm sorry, talking to me isn't interesting at all (laugh). But my feelings won't change. There are people who say you go abroad to 'look for yourself,' but I can't understand that at all. There's no need to make a big deal to go and search for yourself... even from before, I've always understood myself well."

Unadorned words, almost to the extent of clumsiness, but they are very straightforward and unwavering.

All I want is to do what I like

He begins talking with a self-deprecating preface, "Someone like this never would have been acceptable a generation ago."

"All I want is to be able to do what I enjoy doing. I don't do what I don't want to do. I sing and dance because I enjoy both... and as a result, I'm glad that there are people who accept that. But if I can't do things in my own style until the end, I think it would be a shame if things fall through, but it can't be avoided."

The source of these feelings must be a strong belief in himself, perhaps it could be called confidence.

"It's not so much confidence... just, I'm fond of myself, and I don't think I'm doing anything wrong on a human level. Right now, though, I have no family to look after... I'm just myself. That's why I can afford to say things like that. Someday, when I have my own family, I think that my lifestyle will change, too. Am I prepared for that? Absolutely."

Another completely unhesitant answer. While stubbornly dedicated to staying the same, he simultaneously has the softness inside to change according to the natural flow of things. One wonders what kinds of sights he will show us in the future... with him, there's no way you can go without thinking such thoughts.


Take out with full credits.
Translations: http://bonjovial.livejournal.com/898851.html#cutid1
Credit : vitkay@LJ