As promised, this is for the long wait for Aiji x Ryutaro’s Interview. See after the article for some additional interesting notes (I suggest to you take a look) and info on the WORLD FANBOOK 2015. Thanks all! * <–Indicates Translators note.</i>

Maya’s “My Universe” Column, vol. 32 , KERA Magazine, June 2015, vol. 202

Theme: Fan letters

Right now, we’re in the middle of our 2015 tour for our album PERFECT RAINBOW, which was released in December of 2014. We’re finally doing our long-awaited tour. LM.C has literally exploded in and outside of Japan; there is a lot of fun things other than just lives when we’re touring. No, it’s not a lot, just some fun things. For one thing, there is the joy of receiving a letter, the so-called “Fan Letter.” In my case, I read them when I am moving between locations, and before sleeping at a hotel*(1). It’s an extremely happy fun time.

The first thing I always think about is the different kinds of stationary some use. I think about that before the contents of the letter. That’s the truth. Aha. It’s been 8 and a half years since LM.C began; now, I know who writes depending on the stationary. I know just by looking at the character or name. As I’m writing this, I think I realize these are a lovely phenomenon. Whether flashy or simple, there’s always a peculiar seal or sticker*(2) on them, so many different people. The subject matter is always different too.

Each and every one is truly lovely. Sometimes the letters are difficult to open, like an impregnable fortress, but it’s still lovely. Ah ha ha, I still remember the first fan letter I got, it was when I was still in a cover band back at a live house in my hometown of Nagano. It was from a lady 2 years older than me.*(3) Everything, from the appearance to the contents of the letter suited her. It was pleasant.

Even now that letter is at home in Nagano*(4), somewhere. When I think of that moment, now the letters I have are becoming much more precious. We mainly communicate through email or texts with our phones or computers. I am happy to receive fans feelings in any form, but still the effort put into a handwritten is special. Handwritten will always be special, and the best gift. I’ll receive your feelings wholeheartedly.

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Translators Notes:

1) The sentence here specifically refers to hotels, implying this may be the only times when he reads fan letters, while travelling or while at a hotel.

2) This could be either seal or sticker or both.

3) This one was my favorite, Mari-sensei and I both noted that way he went into detail about this particular letter was a little unusual. She noted that it seemed to have a romantic subtext. I recalled the song “BABY TALK” from LM.C’s STRONG POP album. “BABY TALK” was a song about a shy but kind of childish guy trying to work up the nerve to tell a girl, 2 years older than him, he loves her. Sadly, it ends with the revelation that she is already married. Maya has been asked in the past if his songs are based on real-life events. He didn’t really answer at the time, but in subsequent interviews such as talking about “Dolce Vitter”, it has become clear that at least some of them are. I can’t say how many, or even how much of his lyrics draw from his own life, but I can say for sure that they do to an extent. The more I read the more apparent it seems. I think a lot of the songs draw from actual events, more than Maya cares to admit, but that’s all just speculation.

Any thoughts? I’d love to hear.

4) In the Japanese it literally translates to: “My parents house.”

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Posting this again:

Hey everybody working away hard on translating those interviews for you. I wanted to keep up the word about the phonebook going on. The due date is November 25 so please encourage everyone to participate. If we don’t get 50 countries at least the book won’t be made. In the next few weeks I’m going to be starting a letter requesting an international fan club for LM.C fans and thanking them for all the years of joy that you brought to their fans..

The plan was to submit the letter as my contribution to the fan-book. However, all of that will fall flat if it doesn’t get me. I was also thinking of once the letter’s done of posting it online And collecting signatures of fans to let them know that there’s a real desire for this.

I hope you’re all girl your support be hind LM.C, the fan-book, and me as well. So please tell everyone you know and spread the word and love.

More info:

Here: http://www.mad-lmc-family.com/t961-world-scrapbook-2015#4753

&

Here: https://www.facebook.com/groups/802002163144317/permalink/1093354357342428/

** Mari recommended that I also write to the agency that manages them, that might help. If I can find out, I will. If anyone knows tell me please.