平均年齢9歳「VIAN'よさこいチーム」初出場へ！大人顔負けのキレキレダンスで「わたしはスター」体現 (25/08/05 16:40)

Only five days left until the Yosakoi Festival! Introducing a team founded by the president of a dance studio with an average age of 9, making their first appearance. Watch their sharp dance moves rival those of adults! Children's voices echo through Kochi City's gymnasium. The dancers of the "VIAN' Yosakoi Team," who will be competing for the first time in 2025, were warming up. Their expressions may be innocent, but when they dance, they transform completely, displaying expressiveness that rivals that of adults. Most of the members are students of "Dance Studio VIAN'" in Kochi City. A full rehearsal was held on July 30th. The 120 dancers range in age from 5 to high school students, with an average age of just 9. Dancer (1st grade): "It's fun (Q. What about it?) I enjoy dancing and Yosakoi." Dancer (2nd grade): "There are some difficult parts, but it's fun to dance hard." Flag-waving dancer (1st year high school): "It's a festival, so I want to wave the flag in a way that everyone can enjoy." The team was founded by Kyona, the dance studio's representative. She has been in charge of choreography for Asahi Foods for the past two years and led the team to a gold medal. Why did you create a new team? Choreographer Kyona: "Asahi Foods is an adult team for high school students and above. Many of the studio's students are children, and we've received many requests from them to dance as well. We decided to create a main team where kids can shine." The theme is "I Am a Star." The theme is based on the desire for each dancer to shine as a star. Choreographer Kyona: "This is the first time we've had a team with a lot of children, so I was quite nervous, but everyone is dancing with such full energy that it's overcome those fears, so I'm looking forward to the performance." Announcer Tamura Yusuke: "Since we're originally from a dance school, take a look; each and every one of them is very sharp. It's also incredibly impressive when you see them up close." Dancing at the front of the formation is one of the instructors, first-year high school student Yamazaki Kanaru. Dancer and instructor Yamazaki Kanaru: "As both a dancer and an instructor, I rarely call out to others, so I thought it was really difficult to dance while paying attention to those things." She also closely monitors the members' movements. Yamazaki Kanaru: "I'm not just aiming to win an award, I also hope we can all have fun while dancing." Among the "stars" is this one. Murakami Juri, a first-year junior high school student, won the U10 solo division at a national dance contest held in Shiga when she was in the fourth grade of elementary school. Her dancing skills rival those of professionals, including other wins at national competitions. Dancer Murakami Juri: "It's such an honor and I'm so happy to be able to dance with such a wonderful Yosakoi team at the studio I've been going to for four years. As long as we can all dance together and have fun, that's all that matters." (Dance Lyrics): ♪I'm a star, a shining star. I'll spread love to the world and become a star that continues to shine. I'm a star, an invincible star. The future starts here. I'll become a light that illuminates the world. Until the day my dreams come true, I won't look back. I won't give in to anyone. I'm me. ♪" Choreographer Kyona: "Everyone is working hard, aiming for the prize, and I want them to win, but first I hope they can enjoy themselves and dance until the end." Their first summer is about to begin. All the dancers shout: "VIAN' Yosakoi Team 2025, I'm a star!!"