"The Chemistry Between Our Six Voices is Amazing" ── Love Live! New Series "Hasunosora Girls' High School Idol Club" Cast Interview Series Vol.3: Nonaka Kokona, the Voice of Murano Sayaka
April 4, 2023
As a new project in the Love Live! series, details were announced on February 10th during the unveiling livestream for Hasunosora Girls’ High School Idol Club. A new “story to be realized by everyone (school idol project)” begins at the private Hasunosora Girls’ High School, located in a secluded area of Kanazawa City, Ishikawa Prefecture.
The debut mini-album Dream Believers was released on March 29th, and will be followed by a release commemorative event at Toyosu PIT in Tokyo on April 21st and an opening live event at the Pacifico Yokohama National Hall on June 4th! The app Link! Like! Love Live! is also currently accepting pre-registrations.
We will be publishing a series of interviews daily in which each of the six cast members portraying the members of the talked-about Hasunosora Girls’ High School Idol Club discusses the appeal of Hasunosora!
The third installment features Nonaka Kokona. We talked to her about her character Murano Sayaka, her subunit DOLLCHESTRA, her personal life, the songs she sings in the debut mini-album Dream Believers, her enthusiasm for the release commemorative event and opening live just about a month away, and more.
Please enjoy the interview along with keyword talks inspired by Love Live!.
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
First, please introduce yourself.
Nonaka Kokona (voice of Murano Sayaka) (hereinafter, Nonaka): I’m Nonaka Kokona. I’m from Nagasaki Prefecture, and I’m the oldest of four siblings. My birthday is January 28th, and my younger brother’s birthday is on the 27th, just one day apart. Three out of us four siblings are Aquarians.
My hobby is listening to music, and I like to choose a song to set the tone for my day before going to school. I also enjoy watching music videos, especially those that match the music’s message or have a dramatic touch. I particularly like Shiina Ringo’s music video for Koufukuron.
I like the song itself, but the music video has a fascinating message where Ringo lies on the ground while people around her sing as they watch her. The lyrics make you realize that each person has someone important to them, which I enjoy.
Your profile says your favorite food is yam teppanyaki steak, which is quite unique.
Nonaka: I first encountered yam teppanyaki steak (山芋鉄板ステーキ) when I was in 6th grade. My family went out to eat, and while the rest of us chose meat or fish dishes, my grandparents ordered the yam teppanyaki steak. I tried it and was captivated by its warm and melty texture, which filled me up.
Ever since then, I’ve been answering yam teppanyaki steak when asked about my favorite food. Everyone should go try it.
I see. You also participated in track and field, right?
Nonaka: When I was in middle school, I asked my father if I could take painting lessons, but for some reason, he said, “Then you should also learn track and field.” Among my siblings, three of us did track and field. I kept participating until I entered this industry.
Since I didn’t start track and field by choice, I decided to make it fun by not limiting myself to any specific event. I tried various activities like long-distance running, short-distance running, long jump, high jump, and hurdles.
(Nirei Nozomi, the voice of Hinoshita Kaho, sitting next to her: “She has both explosive power and endurance. She’s amazing.”)
(Hanamiya Nina, the voice of Otomune Kozue: “Her dancing is sharp, and she never seems tired.”)
Nonaka: If that’s the case, it might be thanks to my father (laughs).
What are your hobbies?
Nonaka: My hobby is “seeing children smile.” I like watching videos of kindergarten and preschool-age children playing with animals or going out with their parents. It makes me emotional and makes me think things like, I hope their happiness lasts forever or I hope they continue to enjoy life with these feelings.
(Nirei: “Nasu-chan is still a child too, right?”)
(Hanamiya: “Yup.”)
Nonaka: I guess that’s true (laughs). But it makes me feel better.
What is your personal motto?
Nonaka: I like to fill up notebooks with quotes. I already have about three or four of them. My favorite quote out of all of them is “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”
My mother taught me this saying, and since we don’t know what could happen tonight, let alone tomorrow, I want to live a life where I can think, “I did my best” even if it ends at any moment. That’s why I treasure this quote.
Please tell us how you felt when you were chosen for the role of Sayaka.
Nonaka: My mother found out about the audition results through my manager before I did. When I came home from school that evening, my mother, with a serious expression, told me, “We’re going to have a meeting with the manager now.” And then, we heard the results from the manager in an online meeting.
Normally, the manager would inform you of the results by phone. It’s kind of unusual for them to hold a meeting with you and your parent.
Nonaka: That’s true (laughs). For me, Love Live! has become a part of my life, and I was happy to think that I could work as part of something that might become a part of someone else’s life.
During the audition, I also wanted to play Sayaka-chan, so I put in more effort than I ever had before. So not only was I overjoyed, I felt a surge of determination.
Sayaka is a diligent and hardworking girl and Nonaka-san’s type!?
Please tell us about your impression of Sayaka, who you play, the similarities and differences between you and her, and what you find charming about her.
Nonaka: When I first saw Sayaka-chan, I thought, “She’s so cute.” She has fair skin, her hair is tied in two, she’s graceful, wearing a cardigan, and I thought she was the type of girl I like.
Although she’s the youngest with an older sister, she’s quite responsible and good at studying. She’s been figure skating since she was young and works hard every day. However, when she tries to exert more power than usual, she sometimes stumbles. Her slightly clumsy side is lovely too.
Her hobbies are making bento and researching bento, which is something you wouldn’t expect a high school girl to write. I think it’s wonderful that she does this to manage her health and because she likes having people eat her cooking.
There are more differences between Sayaka-chan and me than similarities. She’s good at studying, but my grades are average, and I don’t really enjoy studying (laughs). However, I do like looking up and learning new things, so I think studying has its perks.
Something we have in common is that I also like making to-do lists. I enjoy making a plan for the day and feeling good when I can follow through with it, so if I have time at night, I like making to-do lists and coming up with a good plan.
Also, Sayaka-chan is the second daughter, but I’m the eldest daughter. Sometimes I feel like I’ve become Sayaka-chan’s older sister and think, “I want to help her in times like this” or “I want to go out with her.” It reminds me of my own younger sister.
Sayaka seems more responsible because she takes care of Tsuzuri.
Nonaka: Yes, that’s true. Hasunosora Girls’ High School is a boarding school, so they spend almost the entire day together. I think Sayaka-chan must have Tsuzuri-senpai on her mind all the time (laughs).
And being responsible for your age is a common point between you and Sayaka.
(Nirei: “Exactly!”)
(Hanamiya: “Even though she’s the youngest, she has the highest mental age.”)
Nonaka: I don’t think so… (laughs)
Please tell us about DOLLCHESTRA, the subunit Sayaka belongs to and its charms and appeal points.
Nonaka: DOLLCHESTRA is a subunit with a unique combination. Tsuzuri-senpai performs with genius-like talent but is mysterious, laid-back, and does things at her own pace. Sayaka-chan is responsible and takes care of her.
The music has a style and atmosphere that hasn’t been seen in the Love Live! series so far. Even I was surprised to hear school idols singing such songs. One thing that Kocchan (Sasaki), who plays Tsuzuri-senpai, and I often talk about is that many of the songs convey feelings that many high school girls want to express but can’t and keep bottled up inside.
The songs are cool but carry delicate feelings. They express the uncertainty of being bound by the present and the future, which I like (laughs).
The subunit name is derived from the words “doll” and “orchestra.” “Doll” is a metaphor for having no freedom and being bound by something. “Orchestra” represents the theatrical nature of their songs that transform the stage.
In “AWOKE”, which has already been released, there are many lyrics that seem to express jumbled desires and wishes, like “I want to dance” and “Reaching out for your outstretched hand.” It reminds me of emotions I once had, and it made me wonder if I might feel the same way in the future. I think they’re an interesting, mysterious, and cool unit.
Tsuzuri-senpai is laid-back and tends to follow insects and animals when you take your eyes off her. But once she’s on stage, she delivers a performance that captivates everyone with her overwhelming expressive power. I think people will enjoy the gap between the two’s usual images.
My impression of Tsuzuri-senpai is like a small animal, maybe a kitten or a penguin (laughs). Before meeting Sayaka-chan, I wondered how she managed to wake up and go to school every day, since she’s now constantly being taken care of by Sayaka-chan (laughs).
She also wears various accessories like hair ornaments, chokers, and black gloves, but it doesn’t feel out of place at school. Perhaps it’s due to her unique beauty and boyish charm, which draw your attention.
Kocchan, who plays her, has a broad outlook on life and is good at expressing things in words, so I respect and admire her. We both have different strengths and weaknesses, so we complement and support each other. I think we have a great relationship.
If my partner in this unit hadn’t been Kocchan, I think it would have been much more challenging. Kocchan is good at being spoiled, and since I like spoiling others, it makes me happy (laughs). I’m very glad that Kocchan is my partner.
The great chemistry of the six voices in the debut song “Dream Believers”
Please tell us about your impressions of the debut song “Dream Believers” and its highlights.
Nonaka: “Dream Believers” is the first song we received as the Hasunosora Girls’ High School Idol Club, and it was the first time we recorded and heard the voices of all six members together.
I thought the chemistry of the six voices is amazing, as there was both cuteness and a mature and emotional aspect from the second-years. In the D-melody part of the song, where the lyrics are “Even when chasing fun things, sometimes we feel like crying,” the two from DOLLCHESTRA are singing, and from there, each member has a solo.
Each person’s story and thoughts are reflected in the lyrics, and I like the feeling of moving forward relentlessly. Chasing freedom, fun, and happiness can sometimes lead to encountering walls and difficulties. But I love encountering new things and gaining resilience along the way.
It’s the first song we sang as the Hasunosora Girls’ High School Idol Club and the one we’ve listened to the most, so it’s an important song for us. I believe many people have listened to the song since the preview video was first released on YouTube, but I hope everyone will listen to it many times in the future, as it feels fresh every time you listen to it.
Please introduce “AWOKE” by DOLLCHESTRA, which is included in the debut mini-album.
Nonaka: My first impression of the song when I heard it was “What? What is this song?” (laughs). It was a melody I hadn’t heard much before, but it grew on me quickly. The opening line “Notice me…” also has an impact.
I knew it was an essential song that would define the unit’s image, and I was worried about how to sing it as Sayaka-chan. There were many difficult words in the lyrics, but as I read them carefully, I found similarities with myself and could empathize with the emotions being expressed.
During the recording, I simply did my best, and when I listened to the finished song, I was drawn into its world. I felt like I saw a new side of Sayaka-chan and myself.
I want people to listen to it a lot, especially at night. I would be happy if people listen to it on their way home from school or work or before going to bed to wrap up their day.
It’s a challenging song with lyrics that expose inner feelings and has a chaotic sound and arrangement, isn’t it?
Nonaka: That’s right. The chords suddenly change in the middle of the song, which I think might represent the flow and changes in emotions. I think the fast parts are exciting and thrilling, while the slow parts might represent the feeling of being lost in your thoughts. It’s amazing how the movement of the heart and the song seem to match.
Hoping to show their growth at the opening live event
The mini-album release event is scheduled for April 21st at Toyosu PIT, and the opening live event is set for June 4th at Pacifico Yokohama. Please tell us about your enthusiasm for these events.
Nonaka: First of all, I think each of us has challenges we want to overcome before the performance on April 21st, and I believe the preparation period is essential. I want to cherish each day’s lessons and work hard, imagining myself performing on stage that day. I hope I can express Sayaka-chan’s passion for the stage and deliver that on stage.
As a personal goal, I want to make eye contact with as many people as possible. I am grateful for everyone who prepares for and comes to the event, and I want to show my appreciation and gratitude to everyone who helps create the stage with us.
I also heard that there will be live streaming and archives available later, so I want many people to get to know Hasunosora. Moreover, I hope we can create a stage at the opening live event on June 4th that shows our growth, making people think, “Hasunosora has grown!”
Please give a message to everyone.
Nonaka: Thank you for reading this long article. I think you got to know more about Sayaka-chan and me, so please check out our official YouTube channel and the upcoming debut mini-album, and I hope you will come to like us even more.
For now, I hope you get to know Hasunosora better and become interested in each member, subunit, and us cast members. Please watch over Sayaka-chan and my growth through this work.
The app will start soon, and the theme is to share every second with all of you, so let’s build a wonderful relationship where we can be a part of your daily life. I’m looking forward to meeting you at the release commemoration event and the opening live event.
