Fujii Kaze LOVE ALL ARENA TOUR - Fujii Kaze App Staff Diary Update Feb 14 2023 “LAAT Semi Final - Dancers Introduction”
Hi, how are you doing? In Feb 14th diary, Zuzzu featured dancers, and I am very happy. To share my personal story, when I watched HEAT live streaming as well as Blu-ray, I sent a recommendation to the staff office that dancers can be more diverse ( not only Japanese), reflecting Kaze's value to be inclusive. I thought Kaze would nicely fit and would look great with the dancers with more different backgrounds. Of course, it must have been just one of the fans' comments to the office, but when I saw Kaze performing live for the first time at Panasonic Stadium Osaka Suita, I was so happy to discover his dancers changed a lot. I think HEAT dancers were great too, but just overall stage production was greater and the dancers were definitely a key factor. That's why I am happy Zuzzu-san is highlighting them this round, so we can get to know them better. so let's read the diary together, here we go.
“LAAT" Semi Final. (by Zuzzu san)
(This is a key highlight from Fujii Kaze's manager Zuzzu's staff diary)
Hello Yokohama.
Last time, I introduced Team's Kaze's young staff (under 25 years old).
Director Yamada ( Dutch Tokyo) said, "the idea of featuring young staff was great but wasn't it too late? :-)
Me Zuzzu "oh yes, that's right."
It was an impromptu idea that came up to my mind toward the end of the tour…. and I want to introduce our dancers today.
Pat (25 y/o). Performed in the Matsuri MV.
He danced at both Panasonic Stadium live and LAAT per an invitation from Shingo Okamoto invited him. He had to choose either PE or dance unit and he did not want to take PE and thus took the dance unit. After he started practicing dancing, it changed the way he listens to music. He realized the importance of sound not only lyrics. He found there is something which is difficult to express via lyrics only and he realized he can express it via dance, using his body. He is from San Diego, CA.
Kou (21 y/o) Performed in Matsuri MV
He joined Panasonic Stadium as Solomon pulled him in, and LAAT as Shingo Okamoto invited him to join. He always wanted to dance and became a dancer when he moved from New Zealand to Japan when he was 16 y/o. He has been suppressing his dream due to a lack of braveness, but he got a chance to be a dancer in Japan and that liberated him, according to Kou.
Raphael (29 y/o)
He joined Panasonic Stadium as Solomon pulled him in, met Shingo Okamoto, and joined LAAT as per Shingo's invitation. He belong to the football club till middle school (left wing) and he started dancing in high school ( grade 12) as his classmate invited him to dance and he like it.
Joel (22y/o) Performed in Kirari & MoEhYo MV
He could not join Matsuri MV / Panasonic Stadium due to a schedule conflict but Shingo invited him to join LAAT. He originally watched Shingo and other dancers in Shigo's generation, and it made him visit the dance studio and started dancing in his 1st year in high school. After graduating from high school, he moved to LA for 2 years and a half and also was inspired by fashion, not only dancing.
Yasu (32 y/o)
Shingo invited Yasu to join both Panasonic Stadium and LAAT. Yasu started to be interested in dancing when he visited the dance studio where his elder sister was practicing. Yasu joined a beginner dancing class casually, just going with the flow, just before graduating high school. He went to US LA/NY when he was 19 and learned the dance for 3 years. Yasu met Shingo in LA when he was 20.
Neese (22 y/o)
Joel invited Neese to join LAAT, as they have been working together on various projects for close to 1 year. Neese started dancing when he was 9. His initial inspiration was the concert his mom took him together. He watched the dancers and wanted to become like them.
Vinih Malukin (27 y/o)
Michael invited him to join Panasonic Stadium and Shingo invited him to join LAAT. Prior to the start of rehearsal at Panasonic Stadium, he was feeling down, and the experience of working with Kaze as his dancer saved Vinih. He said words can't express his gratitude toward Kaze enough. He grew up listening to Michael Jackson and joined the dance club when he was 16, and he became wanting to be an expressionist.
Shingo Okamoto - Performed in Kirari / damn MV
He started dancing when he was in 6th grade after seeing his cousin's dance recital. He became a professional dancer when he was 19. When he was 20 years old, he went to New York to train his dancing further. He is a role model for all team members, not only for dancers, as he has a high level of professionalism and mature character, which is something that we can all learn from. Although Shingo-san is usually mild-mannered, he inspires the dancers with his passionate words when he gets them fired up before the stage.
Kaze (25 y/o) - performed Kirari, MoEhYo, Matsuri, damn, grace MV.
Kaze always had a passion for dancing. Dancing in Kirari MV has become the trigger to pursue dancing more seriously.
Well then, Yokohama Arena, Semi final. Best regards. （by Zuzzu）
That's all of app translation.
hope you enjoyd discovering more about talented LAAT dancers !