INDEX
The Comfortable Warmth of Yoshida’s Lyrics
Imaizumi： This is something I feel with every project, whether it’s a movie or a drama, but even with Winter Morning you perform a new song for the first time?
Yoshida: I don’t really worry about getting scolded or anything. But I do have this fear—what if the song we think is amazing doesn’t resonate with people? That’s definitely something I worry about, especially with songs we’ve really pushed ourselves to create.
Yamagishi: There’s always a bit of a disconnect between how we define “ZOOKARADERU’s style” and what the audience thinks it is. We never really know until we put something out there. Interestingly, it’s often the tracks where we’ve taken risks and pushed our boundaries that people say are the most “ZOOKARADERU.”
Imaizumi: That’s interesting! It sounds like the image of ZOOKARADERU the audience holds is even bigger than what you imagined! [laughs]
Washimi： A lot of people view Yoshida as almost a Buddha-like figure. It’s not a bad perspective, but those people are seeing a side of Zukadel that we, ourselves, don’t. And I find that pretty interesting.
Imaizumi: There are so many things I only realize after seeing how people react. I know some creators think about how the audience will interpret it, but honestly, I’m shocked by how little I think about it [laughs]. I don’t even put much thought into the character’s backstory.
When actors, who want to dive deeper into their characters, ask me questions, it really throws me off. There was this one time an older actor asked, “Has this character ever been married?” and I was like, “Uh, I’m not sure… maybe? Oh, if that’s the case, maybe they’d need a ring!” I totally panicked [laughs].
In Winter Morning, the character description for Sakai simply says, “Recently, he met Miho somewhere.”
Imaizumi: I’m grateful that this kind of approach is allowed [laughs]. This script is an original one, but I don’t think directors need to have every detail figured out. When people watch and ask questions, we come up with the answers together. It might sound a bit lofty, but I don’t view the characters as entirely imaginary beings. I don’t claim to know everything about them.
Yoshida: I thought you knew every single detail while making it, and it honestly scared me. Of course, I know the core of the work comes from you, but the level of detail is just incredible.
Imaizumi: Honestly, it’s not that extraordinary [laughs].
Yoshida: No, no, but now that I have a better grasp of the structure, I feel reassured. I at least understand the direction you’re taking with it.
Imaizumi: Your lyrics also carry this sense of openness, a kind of gentle ambiguity. I imagine that’s part of what makes them feel so warm. But they’re not abstract either. The focus isn’t on everyone, but on one person. That’s why, in “Tomodachi no Uta”, there’s this feeling of comfort and warmth.
It’s not about limiting the situation, but it’s not abstract either.
Imaizumi： Exactly. That’s probably why it evokes different images for each listener. For instance, there’s a line, “If I can’t laugh, I’ll sing a song,” which doesn’t desire everything. It connects to that idea we discussed earlier—about relationships that aren’t overly intimate but still meaningful—and that’s why it feels so soothing to listen to.
Yoshida: That really makes me happy. Thank you.
Winter Morning
Director/Screenplay: Rikiya Imaizumi
Cast: Shion Sasaki / Shion Naito / Taro Uchibori
★The entire film is now available on ZOOKARADERU’s official YouTube channel for a limited time!
ZOOKARADERU Digital Single ”Tomodachi no Uta”
February 19, 2025(Wed) Release
https://jvcmusic.lnk.to/tomodachinouta
Available on major streaming services and download sites!
Music streaming services: Apple Music, Spotify, YouTube Music, LINE MUSIC, Amazon Music, Deezer, AWA, Rakuten Music, KKBOX
