Quick Japan Vol.176 [Cover] FRUITS ZIPPER / Kitamura Takumi, Hagiwara Riku and Todo Hinata

[Machine Translation] FRUITS ZIPPER and the question "What is 'cute'? FRUITS ZIPPER is blowing a new wind in the current idol scene with their concept of "NEW KAWAII", while K-POP is the mainstream. The word "kawaii (cute)" is now used as a common word in many countries around the world, but what exactly is "kawaii" for these girls? In this 50-page special feature, we unravel their careers as idols and consider the meaning of "kawaii" and what lies ahead as they live their lives to the fullest in the present moment. The cover and frontispiece gravure are by Erika Iida, a girl photographer who mainly creates portraits of girls that can be captured only in the present. With creative locations and styling inspired by the theme of this issue, she captures the moments when the ephemerality and sanctity of "cuteness" of the FRUITS ZIPPER members oozes out. Special solo interviews with the members of FRUITS ZIPPER totaling more than 20,000 words are also included. The girls themselves are asked about the meaning of "cute," and they think about it together. Also included is a special project that goes back to each member's "memory of the word 'kawaii'". Also included is a report on the last day of the tour and an interview with Misa Kimura! FRUITS ZIPPER's hall tour "FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2024 - AUTUMN -", which toured 13 shows in 12 cities nationwide, includes a report on the final show (December 16) and an interview with producer Misa Kimura (ex-Musubizum). The report also includes an interview with producer Misa Kimura (formerly of Musubusubism), and a look at FRUITS ZIPPER's goal of "cute" from every angle. The back cover features Shokai Kitamura, Toshihisa Hagiwara, and Hyuga Toudou, who directed the first short film "I Quit Conquering the World," and Toshihisa Hagiwara and Hyuga Toudou, who appear in the same film. The featurette is titled "Shoumi Kitamura and Wonderboy ~To You Ten Years from Now~," and is about the poetry rapper Wonderboy, who sings the song of the same name that was the motif of the film.

FRUITS ZIPPERと考える「“かわいい”ってなんだろう？」K-POP路線が主流の今、「NEW KAWAII」をコンセプトに掲げ、現在のアイドルシーンに新しい風を吹かせているFRUITS ZIPPER。今や世界各国で共通語として使われている「かわいい（KAWAII）」という言葉だが、彼女たちにとっての「かわいい」とは、いったいなんなのか。それぞれのアイドルとしてのキャリアを紐解き、今この瞬間を全力で生きる彼女たちの「かわいい」の意味と、その先にあるものを考える、50ページの総力特集。 ■少女写真家・飯田エリカによる撮り下ろしグラビア表紙＆巻頭グラビアを担当するのは、「今だからこそ写せる」女の子のポートレートを中心に作品を制作する、少女写真家・飯田エリカ。今回の特集テーマからイメージした独創的なロケーションやスタイリングで、FRUITS ZIPPERメンバーの「かわいさ」の刹那性と聖性がにじみ出る瞬間を切り取る。 ■合計2万以上のスペシャルソロインタビューFRUITS ZIPPERメンバーの合計2万字以上のソロインタビューも収録。彼女たち自身に「かわいい」の意味を真正面から問いかけ、一緒に考えていく。また、一人ひとりの中にある「“かわいい”という言葉の記憶」もさかのぼるスペシャル企画も。 ■ツアー最終日レポート、木村ミサのインタビューも収録！全国12都市13公演をまわるFRUITS ZIPPERホールツアー「FRUITS ZIPPER JAPAN TOUR 2024 - AUTUMN -」最終公演（12月16日）レポートや、プロデューサー・木村ミサ（元・むすびズム）インタビューも収録。あらゆる角度からFRUITS ZIPPERが目指す「かわいい」の正体を紐解く。 ■バックカバーは北村匠海＆萩原利久＆藤堂日向バックカバーには、短編映画『世界征服やめた』で初めて監督を務めた北村匠海、同作に出演する萩原利久と藤堂日向が登場。「北村匠海と不可思議／wonderboy ～十年後のお前へ～」と題し、作品のモチーフとなった同名曲を歌うポエトリーラッパー・不可思議／wonderboyをめぐる特集を掲載する。