GENIC: From being the one who receives dreams to being the one who gives them.

■ Profile

Seven men and women were selected from the a-genic PROJECT, a project to develop a new dance and vocal group that inherits the DNA of avex.
Formed in 2019. Made their major debut in May 2020 with their first album, "GENEX"!
Nishizawa Akira / Koike Tatsuaki / Ui Yuri / Masuko Atsuki / Amemiya Sho / Nishimoto Mao / Kanaya Mari

GENIC is a seven-member dance and vocal group born from Avex, a label that has led the Japanese music scene, and inherits that same DNA. What kind of chemical reaction will be created when seven individuals with different experiences, strengths, and backgrounds come together? We spoke to them about their journey, their latest song, "Haru Urara," and their future prospects.

■Please tell us what made you get into this industry.

Nishimoto Mao (leader)
I've loved singing ever since I was old enough to understand, and I was glued to the TV watching music programs. I started dancing when a senior student invited me to join in middle school. When I entered high school, a friend applied for a dance audition (laughs). Before I knew it, I was here today.

Ryuki Koike
Although I have always loved music, my dream up until elementary school was to become a chef. It was after that, influenced by my parents, that I started going to live concerts, that I developed a strong interest in singing. Gradually, I thought, "Now I want to be the one who moves people through my songs," and I began aiming to become a singer.

Nishizawa Akira
Ever since I was old enough to understand, I was not good at studying, but I loved Michael Jackson as a child. Whenever he appeared on stage, many people were drawn to him. Seeing that, I was inspired by the power of the stage and decided to aim for a career in this industry.

More children are more expensive
I've loved soccer since I was little, and even got into high school on a soccer recommendation. However, I had no desire to become a professional, and even thought, "I'd be happy if I could just get a 'normal' job after graduation." But one day, I decided to try my luck and applied for an audition. And I passed (laughs). That was the start of my love for music and dance.

Kanaya Mari
I originally wanted to be a flight attendant. But when I was in sixth grade, I came across an opportunity to appear in a magazine with my favorite model. Feeling a kind of connection, I applied and ended up winning the grand prize. This inspired me to aim to become a model, wanting to walk the runway. However, when I was visiting Tokyo, I was scouted by Avex, and my dream changed to dancing and vocals.

Yuuri Ui
I've been learning dance since I was in the first grade of elementary school, and when I was in the sixth grade, I was approached by Avex at an audition asking if I wanted to do dance and vocals. I'd loved singing since I was a child, but it was the a-genic PROJECT that made me want to make it my job.

Sho Amemiya
I started dancing when I was about 3 years old. And by the time I was 5, I had already started thinking, "I want to be a dancer in the future." It all started when I saw a live performance by my seniors, AAA, and was inspired by them.

■What do you find rewarding about your job?

Kanaya Mari
The reason I entered this industry is because someone gave me energy, courage, and dreams. Now it's my turn to give back to our fans and be a source of emotional support. I find this extremely rewarding.

Mao Nishimoto
It's all about the fans. It's created by the synergistic effect of the energy of the audience's reaction at the live show and our own reaction. So even if we use the same set list, the color changes with each live show. The audience is a very important presence for us too.

Nishizawa Akira
Social media allows communication across locations, so the various messages I receive from fans are all very encouraging and make me happy.

Yuuri Ui
I was particularly touched by the words I received in the past: "Thank you for becoming GENIC." Whenever I remember these words, I am grateful and remind myself that being able to work as GENIC is not something to be taken for granted.

■Have you ever had any difficulties while working on this project?

Ryuki Koike
In fact, we've all had the bitter experience of forming and disbanding other groups in the past. It was tough at the time, but because we overcame it and met these members, we can now see that it wasn't such a struggle. We all have a strong desire to overcome any adversity, whether it be to stand on this stage or to achieve our big goals, using what we've cultivated up until now as fuel.

■What do the members think about each other?

More children are more expensive
We are a group with a strong desire to fulfill our promises to our fans.

Mao Nishimoto
At first, we were a little tentative with each other. But now, we've become close enough to have deep discussions with each other and be honest about it. With seven heads, opinions often clash. But by honestly accepting what's good and being willing to compromise, we're ultimately able to find a compromise. It's thanks to these frank discussions that we've become closer so quickly over the past year and a half. Also, Mari and Sho sometimes fight, but that's just a kind of playfulness (laughs).

Yuuri Ui
As the group is made up of both men and women, it can be difficult for the women to match the strength of the men in terms of performance, but the strength of the group is that it can create depth through the expression that only a mixed group can provide.

■Please tell us what to look out for in your new song "Haru Urara"!

Ryuki Koike
This song is the ending theme song for the anime "Fruits Basket" The Final, which has been airing since April.
I was so happy when it was decided. In addition to the film's theme of friendship and mutual help, and the love that develops within that, we also included our own feelings in the lyrics. It's a song that expresses the essence of spring.

Nishizawa Akira
I would like people to listen to this song in conjunction with the anime, but even if you're unfamiliar with it, I think it's a song that will resonate with people who are currently experiencing a new life or working towards their dreams. Also, if you're feeling confused about love, listening to this song may clear your mind.

Mao Nishimoto
My favorite phrase is the chorus and the opening line, "The path I've walked is not a mistake."

■Is there anything you would like to try in the future?

Mao Nishimoto
Our first tour, which starts in July, is fast approaching. We want to further strengthen our current excitement and become fully prepared for our first tour.

Kanaya Mari
In my private time, I'd love to get together with everyone on the weekends and have fun! For example, I'd love to make some memories at Disneyland!

■Message to university students

Mao Nishimoto
Once you become a university student, you will have more freedom than before, so I think your self-control will be put to the test. When it's time to play, have fun to the fullest, and when it's time to study hard, do so. I hope you will cherish this balance and spend your four years having fun. And, as we have in our group name, we hope that we, GENIC, can add a little color to the joys, sorrows, anger, and happiness that you experience in your daily lives, and be there for you. So, if you have time, please give GENIC's songs a listen!

Interviewed by Student Newspaper Online on March 3, 2021 by Tsuda University sophomore Ayako Miyata

DIGITAL RELEASES "Springtime"