Takahiro says Keyakizaka46 was inspiring and he'd love to work with them again

In an interview in modelpress magazine, Takahiro (Ueno Takahiro 上野隆博) talks about his work choreographing Keyakizaka46's performance of Silent Majority.

Takahiro is a world-famous dancer who has worked with Madonna and some years ago was chosen one of the hundred most internationally respected Japanese by Newsweek Japan. (click images to enlarge)

The enormous success of Silent Majority is due to a number of factors, from the words and music to Hirate's dancing and singing. But I think Takahiro's choreography was a key factor in getting 15 million people to view the music video on YouTube.



Takahiro says that when he was asked to do the choreography, he listened to the song over and over again, letting it sink in. He wanted the dance to convey the spirit of  the words and music, the strength and energy of young people who could cut through the world's restrictions. Images boiled up in his mind. For example, one thing he obsessed over was the opening movement, when the surrounding group suddenly turns their arms outward, and the centre thrusts her arm horizontally. He wanted it to represent the leaves of a keyaki tree, the group's symbol.

It seems to me that Hirate's intensity in the MV may come in part from being able to imbibe Takahiro's intensity and drama:

 

Management did not push Hirate on him, but it became obvious that she was the one. Of course he auditioned her, but working through the entire choreography is another matter -- and she more than fulfilled his hopes.

The whole group was sincere and hard-working. They wanted to make something good. Most people, when they get to the end of a tiring day of rehearsal, feel down and just want to stop. But with these girls it was different: they asked to do things one more time, in order to get better.

Seeing this, anyone who works with them just wants to do their best to help them advance. They have, as their motto says, humility, kindness, and emotional ties.

In addition to Silent Majority, Takahiro choreographed Te wo Tsunaide Kaerou ka and Kimi ga Inai. He drew out from the group everything from coolness and strength to cute pop to philosophical musings.

"If I get to work with them again, I'd like to convey even more worlds. I really look forward to seeing the Keyaki leaves grow."

Here's a Vine giving some idea of Takahiro's amazing dancing: his body control, nimbleness, good nature, and ability to convey feeling.





There's only one thing about this wonderful interview that bothers me: it sounds as if Takahiro has not been asked -- at least not yet -- to choreograph their second single. Come on, Aki-P. He's worth it.

To get an idea of how Takahiro (and their teachers) worked with Keyakizaka46, check out this video on YouTube.