• Nao: Oh. The young boy Nao understood the reason why boys and girls had to change in different rooms when he entered high school (laughs).
• Was there no unrequited love then?
• Nao: With another boy? (laughs)

“When I’m around other people, and for the sake of convenience, I have my “nice guy image” ready. I already have a positive image, acting out of character would be a minus. Like for example, using the members as an example, Tora-kun has a cool appearance, he’s also tall, once you see him you can tell he has a masculine feel to him, right? Of course, though people usually only have one side to them, Tora is actually really slim. That’s the opposite of what I am. People usually say “though at first Tora-kun doesn’t really seem like it at first, he’s really a nice guy”, like his minus became a plus. In short, if we have the same qualities, Tora would be complimented and for some reason nothing will happen with me (laughs). But if they’re good qualities, I would keep thinking things like “aren’t I at a disadvantage?” (laughs). When people get a minus, it won’t be good for them. Conversely, because if someone already has a positive image and people are use to that, they don’t try as hard as normal people and they don’t get complimented as much, its somehow irrational (laughs).”

[Shoxx, Vol.184: June 2008; Source: Nao Quotes @ LJ]

• Nao: I know. If there was something he wanted to know, he wouldn't be satisfied until he found out.
• Hiroto: Nao-san is like that too. On our off days when I call him around noon he's like "What is it" and tries to investigate me (laughs). The both of us are people of action.

“…Although I’ve mentioned it in the beginning, “Your greatest ally can be your greatest enemy”. The fans that give us support are really important people to us. If I may say so, ours fans are our biggest ally. And because they are our allies, there are times when the artist misunderstands things. I think that’s really frightening. You would think that when the fans are screaming “Kya” you’re popular. You would think that if you’re not popular it’s not your fault, it’s someone else’s fault. Or it would be society’s fault. Your senses become distorted, ne. You’d lose sight of your own self. In that respect, I think that fans are the source of artists’ idleness. In short, when the fans are your biggest allies, they are also your biggest enemies…”

[Shoxx, Vol.197: Nao’s Personal Interview; Source: Nao Quotes @ LJ]

That was unexpectedly surprising. You were on the elite path at full speed, did your parents approve of your sudden change in goal?

• Nao: They disapprove very greatly. Our family is really strict in that if I don't come back before 12 midnight my mother will fly off the handle.
• Shou: (laughs) Nao's mother is really a beautiful person, but she somehow has a kind of battle aura. Someone strong. I can imagine her like that [getting angry over Nao coming back home late]
• Nao: But now they have acknowledged and been supporting me now. They also came for the Budoukan performance.

 I can only keep playing the bass drum forever… bam bam bam bam (｡-人-｡)

[Twitter: Jan 22, 2012; Source: Nao Quotes @ LJ]

Brain

• At what times do you think "This guy's mentality is amazing!" about the other members?
• (...skipped a few lines...)
• I kind of understand that. I think that he's a gentleman, perhaps because of the way he speaks, or because of his politeness.
• Saga: Really!? Then why can't I win against Hiroto (laughs)
• Nao: If you're wondering why you're unpopular, it's because gentleman always do things alone, which is why conversely, they are unpopular. Rather, there's no chance to interact with girls... What were we talking about again??
• The theme is at what times you think the other members' mentality is amazing.
• Nao: So we're not talking about whether we are popular or not. Then... it would be how he rides lots of taxis!

Nao: I’m the kind of human who wants to take shortcuts with everything. For example, when I need to make a left turn, I walk on the leftmost side, I always want to take the shortest path with the fastest speed. 

Can you not think of doing things the long way?

Nao: No… I’ve recently been thinking that there are times when you have to do things the long way. You only get to live once, but I have lots of things that I’m interested in. That’s why during this one life of mine, I wholeheartedly think that I want to be in contact with all my interests as much as I can. However, when it comes to the drums, I do things the really long way. For example, when I see a seriously good middle-school drummer or something, I simply think that it’ll be faster if I had them teach me. Even though it’s been over 10 years since I became a drummer, I think things like “I wonder when I’ll be able to reach the same level as the top drummers in the world”. Because I want to know something thoroughly, I might think “What exactly are the drums?” when I die. When I think about that, I see like a skilled player, but surprisingly, I might be an unskilled player who takes the long road.

[Neo Genesis, Vol.49: Alice Nine; Source: Nao Quotes @ LJ]

Thoughts on Nao

• NAO
• Tora: Nao-san might be the hardest i think. In the same way he's easy to understand, he's hard to understand.
• Shou: Whether in a good or bad way, he's a weird person. He doesn't have the normal values [as in moral values etc]. He suddenly goes crazy on things that's not really crazy, and he can't measure normal measurements. Definitely, a strange person.
• Hiroto: At first look he seems the most honest and attentive person, but it also feels like there's a paper-thin difference between him being a genius and something else (laughs)
• Shou: He separates chopsticks with one hand [the disposable kinds that you have to split], he battles with societal norms (laughs)
• Saga: He's the most mysterious person among all the people i've met. In various sense, big. To a normal person, his conduct pulls people back, but it also has the power to make people think that it's cool. He'll manage to have his way. In various aspects, he gives hope (laughs)
• Shou: He's a leader for our band. He's the one with the most common sense, and also one with the least (laughs)
• Hiroto: Even though he seems to know things in his head, his actions doesnt seem like he knows (laughs)
• Shou: The 4 besides Nao-san are all 'arts'-people [arts here referring to arts vs science kind of person...not sure how to explain...] so we talk in that feel, but Nao-san is the 'science'-person, so he's a theorist. In his mind, he probably organizes things. That's why he's the leader. He's the best person to convey the band's inclinations. Because he doesn't explain things based on other people's feelings but explains in terms of reasons, he's an important presence as an intermediary. He's the most reliable person.....but also the most unreliable person (laughs). He's quickest in replying mails. He's hardworking ne.
• What do you think they said about you?
• Nao: Hardworking, honest. A man with fighting spirit (laughs). Doesn't know what I'm thinking. Unexpectedly, stubborn, or something like that? Also, always having fun. Doesn't seem to have much troubles. Too open. This kind of feeling~