VOL.137／138 第 56 回 AZUKI 七／第 57 回 Hitoshi Okamoto

●○○ From music freak magazine Vol.137 / Vol.138

GARNET CROW’s *word scope in M.F.M* (Vol.56)

GARNET CROW’s new song “夢・花火” is currently airing as the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime *MÄRHEAVEN*. This time AZUKI NANA talks about a recent episode involving sightseeing in Kyoto.

Why do people from other countries love Kyoto so much?
It is certainly a beautiful city, but it gets unbearably crowded during the tourist seasons...
I really hate crowds... They give me a headache...
Still, during cherry blossom season, someone almost always comes to me and says, “Take me to Kyoto.”
There are so many beautiful places to see cherry blossoms all over Japan, though...
Lately I have found myself thinking that, since they probably do not have a proper grasp of the geography anyway, I might as well take them somewhere reasonably far away, visit a temple, and say, “This is Kyoto.”

While I was thinking about that, I was riding the Shinkansen the other day when the Japanese person sitting next to me asked, “Have you ever been to Kyoto?”
They wanted to arrive early for a business trip, do some sightseeing in Kyoto, and have me put together a sightseeing route for them.
Then yesterday, a friend who had moved abroad contacted me to say, “I want to come back in spring and go to Kyoto while I see the cherry blossoms.”
I am beginning to feel as though I am being told that this is the time for me to study Kyoto sightseeing properly.
Well, you have to learn whatever you can when you have the opportunity.
So I have bought an English guidebook to famous Kyoto sights for visitors from overseas, and I am currently memorizing it word for word.
But if they are saying they want to go because they have seen books like this, will they just think, “We do not need all that explanation,” even after I memorize the whole thing?

【INFORMATION】
New single
“籟・来・也”
GZCA-4066
¥1,260 (tax included)

OFFICIAL WEBSITE: garnetcrow.com

GARNET CROW’s *word scope in M.F.M* (Vol.57)

GARNET CROW’s new song “夢・花火” (the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime *MÄRHEAVEN*) has been confirmed for release as a new single on July 5. This time Hitoshi Okamoto shares his passionate thoughts ahead of the World Cup!

Hi, this is Okamoto. It is cherry blossom season right now, but there are not many cherry trees near my house, so I do not really feel it this year either (-.-"). By the way, just as pinpoint weather forecasts are now available online, I hear you can also get detailed, pinpoint information about the conditions at cherry-blossom-viewing spots. It really is convenient. Anyway, the blossoms will fall and Golden Week will arrive before we know it. Apparently this year’s Golden Week is going to be exceptionally long... Once I recover from the “excuse illness” known as the May blues, what comes next...? Yes! The World Cup! Yaaaahoooo! I cannot make it to the venues, but at least I can feel as though I am in Germany. I had better keep some German beer on hand! Wow, I am getting excited. So from here on, this is a soccer column. Well, it only happens once every four years, right? Right.

『Full of twists and turns! A preview of the groups to watch』
Among the groups worth watching this time, apart from Group F containing Japan, the obvious choices are Groups B, E, and C. The cursed draws: B, E, and C...

Group B (England, Paraguay, Trinidad and Tobago, Sweden)
This is still the easiest of B, E, and C to predict. England would surely be the favorite. They have strong talent in attack, midfield, and defense, and the quality of their midfielders is especially beyond dispute. Up front is England’s new gossip king, Rooney. If he can keep his temper under control and do his job comfortably, England’s passage through the group is a realistic prospect. If the key players are in perfect condition, we should see a formidable performance. Next comes the perennial dark horse, Sweden. I want everyone to keep an eye on Ibrahimović, the taekwondo-loving man who resembles Ian Thorpe. He is tall but extremely skillful, and if he can unleash his taekwondo-trained kicks with precision, Sweden could even finish top of the group. The problem, however, is Paraguay, whose defensive strength is respected around the world. If this powerful South American side delivers the disciplined defense and fast counterattacks everyone expects, Group B will inevitably descend into chaos. It is no exaggeration to say that Paraguay holds the key to this group.

Group E (Italy, Ghana, the United States, the Czech Republic)
This is a terribly unfortunate group. The teams are closely matched, but if things proceed as expected, Italy and the Czech Republic should advance... probably. These two countries look like strong sides at first glance, but neither is without concerns. Italy is always called a slow starter (sob!). When every team in the group is tricky, as they are this time, taking too long to get the engine running could itself be fatal. I am also interested in how well Totti has recovered from his fracture. Italy should have abundant talent, but I want to see Totti. As for the Czech Republic, the fact that they recalled Nedvěd after he had retired from international football when the team was in danger of failing even to qualify tells you everything about their situation: the squad lacks depth. There are star players in every position, but they still have a slight shortage of depth for getting through a grueling tournament. Ghana, Africa’s rising power, is also a more than troublesome opponent, while the United States, with its strong unity and organization and its ability to become unstoppable once it gathers momentum, is dangerous too. In sports and beyond, the explosive power Americans show when everyone directs themselves toward one goal is a weapon unique to them. Judging from the teams alone, Italy is the favorite thanks to the presence of veterans and the depth of its squad, including the younger players, but depending on how the opening matches unfold, Group E is certain to take a complicated shape! Expect a major upheaval in Group E.

Group C (Argentina, Côte d’Ivoire, Serbia and Montenegro, the Netherlands)
The worst group, Group C. It is painful to watch a powerhouse go out in the group stage. Two countries will be eliminated here, but that cannot be helped. Still, we are guaranteed to see an even greater number of spectacular plays in Group C from the group stage onward, so first of all we should be grateful for that. It would be better to watch the matches with the aim of enjoying the quality of play rather than focusing on the results. Argentina in particular: even non-football fans should remember the rising star Messi, a hard-working genius. There is the distinctly Argentine Riquelme, Crespo, perhaps appearing in his final World Cup, and plenty more besides. I hope they can do their best to erase the nightmare of the previous tournament. Meanwhile, the Netherlands, the attack-loving orange army and the biggest challenger, have one of the world’s best attacking lines. Argentina versus the Netherlands is unquestionably the most anticipated match of all the group-stage games this time. Côte d’Ivoire tends to attract attention only for its ace Drogba, but they have enough team potential to throw the group into confusion. Serbia and Montenegro will also stand in their way, carrying the distinction of conceding only one goal in qualifying and once being called the Brazil of Eastern Europe. The only thing that can be said about the countries in this group is that they are “absurdly unlucky.” That is all. But what a delicious group it is.

So I am sorry that I have let my tastes run completely wild! I have really gone charging ahead, haven’t I? The type must be incredibly tiny by now, I imagine...
Finally, my heartfelt thanks to you for seriously reading all the way here. Adios!!

【INFORMATION】
★ New single “夢・花火” (the opening theme for the TV Tokyo anime *MÄRHEAVEN*) confirmed for release July 5!!
→ See p.41 of this issue for details.

New single
“籟・来・也”
GZCA-4066
¥1,260 (tax included)

■ OFFICIAL WEBSITE
garnetcrow.com