This feature was published in the September 2017 GRAPH. 

It is being posted in two parts due to length. Part 1 contains Tamaki Ryou’s description of her likes and dislikes. The Q&A section, including questions from readers and questions themed around her Grand Theatre show ALL FOR ONE, will follow in Part 2 (posted here).

Tamaki Ryou ‘Anything’

Likes:

When it’s a nice day in Spring or Fall and the wind starts blowing ‘Fuwa~!’
The scent of the wind is different depending on the season, isn’t it? I like being able to feel ‘Ah, it’s spring!’ or ‘Ah, this smells like summer!’

Spending time in my living room watching TV
Laying around on my favorite sofa watching TV is just the best! I think that’s probably my main method of refreshing myself. I love TV. I couldn’t live without TV (laughs).

Gyoza and salted salmon roe
I get so happy the moment I put it in my mouth. Gyoza are just perfect when they’re fried until the skin is nice and crisp! I wouldn’t mind eating gyoza 5 days a week! As for salted salmon roe, if you asked why I wouldn’t really be able to explain, but ever since I was little I’ve always loved it (laughs).

When I’m driving and get to where I’m going without being stopped by any traffic lights.
I’m like ‘Wow, I’m lucky today!’ (laughs). It makes me think ‘today’s going to be a good day~!’

After watching a good movie or stage production.
That excited feeling of ‘I saw something really good~!!!’ is so nice, right? It’s fun telling someone about those feelings afterwards later, too. Even though I don’t really know if they actually think it’s interesting to hear about it (laughs).

Seeing the smiles of the fans who have been waiting for me every morning and evening
They’re so important to me. They’ll even change their own plans in order to come. Times like that make me think that I need to work hard for all of them.

Variety TV
If a really funny comedian comes on, I’ll look them up on the internet and check out other videos of them, and end up getting more and more into them. Recently, Robert Akiyama has been really popular among my friends. He’s so funny! Mayupon (Kizuki), Reiko (Tsukishiro), and I are really into him.

Dislikes:

Bugs
I hate, hate, haaaaate them~ Several years ago, one got in the house, and I spend about 30 minutes in hand to hand combat with it… Ah, it’s terrible just thinking about it.

When someone is walking against the flow of traffic in a city crowd
Although this doesn’t really work when there are too many people, there’s an unspoken rule as to which side of the path you should walk on depending on what direction you’re going, and when I see someone going against it I’m like ‘come on! follow the rules!’ (laughs).

When I’m shopping and a staff person starts talking to me when I come in the store
Even though I know it’s their job (laughs). It’s great if, instead of greeting me by rote, they note when I seem to be in trouble and speak to me using more sensitive timing! But in general, I’d rather be left alone…

Horror movies that make me go ‘Ahhh!!!’
It puts a ton of stress on my heart and body, so I never, ever watch them!!!

Rides with vertical drops
I hate the feeling of my stomach floating, so I feel like ‘I don’t need to experience that!’ and I don’t ever ride them! Even if someone asks me, I’ll just say ‘I’m fine, you go and I’ll wait for you!’ (laughs)

Celery
I hate the smell and the taste. The moment I feel it in my mouth I’m like, ‘Ah! It’s you! My nemesis…!’ and I can recognize it instantly (laughs).

Straightening up my room
When I get all my stuff back from Tokyo, or when I buy new things, I’m really bad at getting it all put away. Even if I get started I’ll lose interest in the middle of it, so I can only accomplish a little at a time. During national tours, I have to get my dressing room cleaned up really quickly, so the first time I went I felt like crying (laughs).