The BLACK WINDS OVER ALBION tour wasn’t all wotagei and sudden friend-betraying crown theft; it was also a chance for Homicidols.com to get a little bit closer to some of the idols we’ve been covering since the very beginning. Official WACK Meme and UK Idol Tour Interview Correspondent Kerrie was at the show in Manchester and got to connect with everybody. Here’s the first installment.

Saki’s set was the first and the shortest of the night, much like how she was also the shortest idol of the night. (I’m sorry!) But what she lacked in height she more than made up for with her intense stage presence.

This woman is a powerhouse. Even backstage, while I was in the middle of interviewing Necroma, I spotted her out of the corner of my eye jumping up and down on the spot. She is a bundle of energy, both on-stage and off.

She did seem a little nervous once it came to the actual interview part, as she read her answers for me in English from her notebook, but to be honest, I was probably even more so. I’ve strongly admired Saki ever since discovering Guso Drop (one of my top three favourite units up until they disbanded last year), and now we were stood in a hallway (the quietest place we could find) speaking in English. But like the other idols I spoke to that night, she was really sweet in person, and an incredible performer on-stage.

Her set was wild! At one point I thought my ribs would get crushed by the Japanese wota who were behind me! She knows how to fire up an audience, that’s for sure! 100 percent worth the injury scare, would highly recommend, but maybe wear armour if you’re small and easily-breakable, she’s a powerful girl.

What are you the most excited about coming to the UK?

I want to meet my overseas fans. I’ve always dreamed of coming overseas.

How does it feel to know that you have so many international fans?

It’s interesting. The overseas fans give me more energy. I’m happy to see the 2& family all over the world.

As an Independent idol act, what had changed the most compared to when you were in a group / had a manager?

As a person, I’ve become a lot more independent. It’s exciting!

Would you ever get involved in another group project like Guso Drop?

Some of my favourite idols are in groups, but I enjoy being a soloist right now. I prefer being in control of everything myself.

Do you have any goals as an independent performer?

I want to perform at Nippon Budokan someday.

How has winning Cheerz and other promotional events impacted your career growth?

It’s been fun. I’ve been able to do things that I wouldn’t have been able to experience without Cheerz.

How has the idol scene changed since you first started 2& and now, a few years later?

There are a lot of great idols these days. I want to continue to share the stage with them.

Can you describe the difference, for you, between releasing a single that you wrote completely yourself vs. your prior work with writers and producers?

I just started songwriting, and it is more challenging than when my old producer made songs for me. But I want to keep challenging myself in the future.

What inspires you to write your music?

I want to share the experiences I’ve had through my songs.

What’s next for 2&?

I want to release more singles independently.

Which other performers do you most admire?

I really like Hello! Project. My favourite artist is S/mileage.

If you could have any other person join as the & in 2&, who would it be?

2& is “Me and You” so I want everyone to join me!