[Interview] Congratulations! High school graduation! What does "LINKL PLANET"'s Sakina Sato always have in her fridge?

LINKL PLANET (commonly known as Rinpura), the official ambassador for BANDAI SPIRITS plastic models, is a group currently being built with the aim of becoming idols who connect plastic models with the world (=planet). On March 45th, they released a single to commemorate the 3th anniversary of Gunpla, "Always Keep a Gunpla in Your Heart."

This time, we interviewed Osaka native Sakina Sato (18 years old), who represents the group! In addition to talking about the single, we also got to know her private life through a talk theme related to the title. (Interviewed in Osaka on March 3st)

●Three consecutive celebrations for Sakina Sato!

--Please introduce yourself!

Sato: I'm Sakina Sato, an idol group that connects plastic models with the world, "LINKL PLANET." Nice to meet you!

-- Nice to meet you! This is my third interview with Sakina-chan, and the first in about four months.

Sato: Until now I've been with other members, but this is the first time I've been alone, so I'll do my best to convey as much of myself and the charms of Linpura as possible!

--You've spoken about your enthusiasm, but you've had a lot of happy events recently, Sakina-chan. First of all, you graduated from high school this spring. Congratulations!

Sato: Thank you!

--How do you feel now that you've graduated from high school?

Sato: I didn't know if I would be able to graduate until the very last minute (laughs). I was really running out of time to attend school, so I did my make-up assignments on the Shinkansen, and I got a lot of help from my teachers and friends, and somehow I managed to graduate. I'm glad I didn't end up a repeat idol (laughs).

--I'm glad you were able to graduate safely. By the way, did you go on a graduation trip?

Sato: I wasn't able to go on a graduation trip with my friends. But my family took me to Shirahama in Wakayama, where I was able to spend some time relaxing and looking at the ocean.

--Starting in April, high school students will no longer be able to use the movie ticket discounts.

Sato: I had planned to watch Mobile Suit Gundam GQuuuuuuX -Beginning- by March, but I didn't make it in time...

--The second happy news is that a new regular corner called "Sato Sakina's Catch!" will start on FM Shiga's "Catch!" program on April 2th (broadcast every third Thursday of the month)! What kind of corner would you like it to be?

Sato: Since this is a radio show in Shiga, I would like to get recommendations from listeners about recommended spots in Shiga, go there, and report on my impressions, and experience the charms of Shiga. I would like to peel off a layer, two, three layers, and show a new side of myself. I love talking, but this is my first solo regular radio show, and I'm very nervous, so I would appreciate it if you could send me lots of emails. Please help me!

--If you think of it as a way to help others, send us an email with any recommendations for spots in Shiga that you would like to recommend to Sakina, or any questions you would like to ask her!

Sato: We look forward to seeing you!

--And the third happy thing is that last night (March 3th), on the program "Pokkaru" that was broadcast on BS Nippon Television, the members of Rinpura were divided into three teams of three people and competed against each other, and the team that Sakina was on won! They got a ticket for high-class yakiniku!

Sato: That's right! I won! I'm looking forward to eating high-quality yakiniku!

-Which part of yakiniku do you like?

Sato: I love salted tongue and kalbi!

●An explosive encounter with member Remi Amakawa!?

--We have prepared a lot of talk themes similar to the title of LINKL PLANET's new single, "Always Keep a Gunpla in Your Heart," so please draw a piece of paper with a theme written on it from inside the box!

Sato: <I always have ○○ in my fridge>! I always have three things on hand: "Natto," "yogurt," and "mozuku seaweed." I especially love natto, and I eat it for breakfast, lunch, and dinner! However, one of our members doesn't like natto, and when we were in a hotel room, he quietly disappeared somewhere while I was eating a natto roll, so I try not to eat it when we're together (laughs).

-- Many people don't like natto, so you have to be careful (laughs). Let's move on to the next topic.

Sato: <When assembling Gunpla, I always do this>!

--Not something that is necessary for the assembly process itself, but something like the background music you always listen to...

Sato: I sometimes listen to Western music, but when I listen to "I Always Have a Gundam Model in My Heart," it really motivates me! But sometimes I find myself dancing, so when that happens, I turn it off (laughs).

--If you listen to "Always Keep a Gunpla in Your Heart" while assembling, you'll definitely get more done! As long as you don't dance (laughs). Let's move on to the next topic.

Sato: <I always do this before going to bed>! I always do some muscle training to tire my body out a bit before going to bed.

--When you go to bed, do you wear pajamas or tracksuits?

Sato: In winter I wear fluffy pajamas, but in spring I change to tracksuits.

--Do you turn off the lights when you go to sleep? Do you play music?

Sato: I sleep in complete darkness with no noise whatsoever.

--Now that we know about Sakina's nighttime routine, let's move on to the next topic.

Sato: <What do you always eat while traveling?>! I often have long travel times, so I eat food. I always have gummy candy. Of course, I can't eat natto on the Shinkansen (laughs).

--The smell of natto fills the car (laughs). Do you ever watch videos?

Sato: I watch lesson videos, and when videos are uploaded to the official YouTube channel of Rinpura, I watch them. I love social media, so I also search for myself on "Rinpura" and check out the posts of my fans.

--Fans, everyone is checking it out. Let's finish with the next topic.

Sato: <Always have ○○ in your bag>! I always have lipstick. There's something called a "plumper lipstick" that makes your lips look plumper, but it contains ingredients found in chili peppers, which make your lips tingle. There are many different kinds of plumpers, and the other day before a live performance, Amakawa Remi lent me a different kind of plumper lipstick. Remi told me, "It'll just tingle a little," but after about five minutes it started to tingle, and it felt like my lips had eaten spicy ramen, and the ingredients got into my mouth during the live performance, which was really spicy, but I couldn't show it on my face. I drank water during the MC and somehow got through it, but after that I complained to Remi (laughs).

-- "It's more than just a little tense!" (laughs)

Sato: When I looked at the lip products that Remi had, it was the strongest one, like, "If you need more stimulation, try this!" (laughs)

● Highlights of the MV filmed at a world premiere location

--The single "I Always Carry a Gundam Model in My Heart," released on March 3th, is a commemorative single for the 19th anniversary of Gundam model! What do you think is the best part about the title song?

Sato: I was shocked to see "Gunpla" in the title, and I was really happy because I thought it was a song that only Rinpla could release! There are many phrases in the lyrics of this song that are full of plastic model elements, and I like the part that goes, "The beauty of this inner frame disappears. People are fighting hidden in a place that no one can see." I think that the "inner frame" is an exciting point for people who like plastic models, and I think that even people who are not interested in plastic models will be able to sympathize with it, so I think that the intersection there is good.

-- "Gunpla" refers to Gundam plastic models, but there is another "Gunpla" in the lyrics of this song.

Sato: "Pride in my heart" - "Gunpla"!

--The music video for "Always Keep a Gunpla in My Heart" was filmed in an amazing location!

Sato: This is the new Bandai Hobby Center factory in Shizuoka! It's the world's first public showing! It's not in operation yet, so it was strange not to smell like plastic models, and the molding machines that make the runners weren't running either, and they were covered with bags, so it was really fresh.

--What are the highlights of the music video?

Sato: I created this with the image of a Gundam 45th Anniversary Ceremony in mind, so I wore a vibrant dress. The dress's colors are Gundam's white, red, yellow, and blue, so when we lined up, it really felt like Gundam! I don't think you often see a combination of a factory and a dress, so I hope you'll check it out. I'm in charge of yellow! Also, I want you to pay attention to the robot-like choreography that is reminiscent of plastic models.

--Yesterday, a release event was held in your hometown of Osaka. How was it?

Sato: As expected, the atmosphere in Osaka was really hot! It was the last day of the release event, so I think it was even more exciting.

--I watched both the first and second parts of the mini live, but what did the members throw to the audience at the beginning of the show?

Sato: We have a tradition at Rinpura called "Plamotos," where we throw plastic models wrapped in bubble wrap to our fans as presents. Usually, we throw signed balls or something, but I think throwing plastic models is something unique to Rinpura.

--What are the highlights of the coupling song "Time Capsule"?

Sato: This song also has elements of plastic models, but it's a ballad-like song with a strong message. I think the lyrics are charming and gentle, and they talk about the bond between parent and child that is passed down through plastic models.

--If there was a time capsule to open in 10 years, what would you put in it? Something other than Gunpla, please (laughs).

Sato: Other than Gunpla... a letter to myself and an outfit from Rinpla. I want my 28-year-old self to wear it!

What would you write in a letter to yourself?

Sato: I guess it's "What are you doing now?" Also, I want to write down my honest feelings right now. I'm sure I'll forget about it in 10 years.

-Finally, please give a message to our readers!

Sato: I think that "Gunpla Always in My Heart" is a single filled with songs that everyone will love, whether they like plastic models or not, so I hope you'll take a listen! Thank you!

[Interview, text and photos by Potter Hirai]