It is an official club of Meiji University and includes freestyle football and freestyle basketball players.Fluff(Perusa)”. The largest freestyle football club in Japan. This time, he will be active as a freestyle footballer.DAICHI / DILand currently serves as Pelusa representative.Dan(a third-year university student) talked about the club’s activities, events, and his thoughts on freestyle culture.
Career as a freestyler and the reason for Pelusa’s existence
-First of all, please introduce yourself.
Tanabe: This is Daichi Tanabe (DAICHI/DIL), a freestyle footballer. I am 22 years old and started playing freestyle football when I was in the 8th grade of junior high school, and I became obsessed with the sport after seeing a performance by Ball Beat Crew. Recently, I have been actively participating in domestic and international competitions. In the past, I also served as a circle representative, and I have been working with an eye toward cultivating culture.
Dan:My name is Tan, who is also a freestyle footballer. I am currently a third year university student and am representing Pelusa. I’ve been freestyle for about 3 years. I studied architecture and interior design at university, and I work while balancing freestyle and architecture.
-What kind of circle is Pelusa?
Tanabe:A freestyle football club officially recognized by Meiji University. We also have freestyle basketball players. I think it’s probably the biggest freestyle circle in Japan, including history.
-What do you think is the best thing about joining Pelusa?
Tanabe: I’ve made more friends (lol). I’ve been involved since I was in high school, so I was simply happy that Pelusa led to the addition of more than 50 people.
Dan:The role is like a “contact” for freestylers. I think if it wasn’t for Pelusa, I would have known fewer freestylers. It was also helpful because if I said “I’m Pelusa,” it would get across to the freestylers.
Also, the Meiji University gymnasium is a good place to practice, which is attractive. It’s protected from the rain and wind, it’s bright, the floor is clean, and if you go there, you’ll probably see a freestyler practicing.
– Mr. Tanabe, I heard that you were aware of Pelusa before the coronavirus, but what changes have you seen in the circle across generations?
Tanabe: Due to the coronavirus period, right after I became the representative, the circle itself was not very energetic and there were not many people. However, I feel that my inner power has become stronger, and I have the impression that there are more stoic people practicing silently. Overall, I feel like the culture has become more skill-oriented, with an increase in the number of people participating in battles rather than entertainment.
– Mr. Tanabe was the runner-up at the Shibuya World Open the other day, and Mr. Tan also made it to the top 16 at JFFC, so you have achieved results in the battle scene as well. Has Pelusa influenced your freestyle?
Tanabe:As I used to represent Pelusa, I started to feel a sense of responsibility towards Pelusa, thinking, “I have to show my back.” Also, whenever I went to a practice location, there was always someone there, and I was able to practice with Cypher and battles, which was a great experience for me.
Dan: By watching various seniors, including Daichi-san, I am able to learn not only how to approach battles, but also how to approach freestyle itself. There’s also a lot to learn about humanity.
After the Meidai Festival performance
-First of all, thank you for your hard work. Please give us your honest impressions after the performance.
Tanabe: I was worried that it wouldn’t be a hit, but when we actually did it, a lot of people gathered and I could hear their voices, so I was happy. This time I was also the MC, but it was very difficult and stressful to be the MC and perform at the same time. But I think it was a good new challenge.
Dan：I think it was good for me personally and for the group that more people saw it than I expected.
-What were your thoughts on the Meiji Festival?
Tanabe:We wanted everyone who came to see it to have fun.
Dan:Since it’s a festival, I created the structure by thinking about how the audience would perceive it and whether everyone would enjoy it, rather than just putting out 100% of what I wanted to do.
-Did you have any difficulties during the preparation period?
Dan: This time, three of the seven members were first-year students and had little performance experience, so it was difficult to strike a balance between making the choreography too difficult and conveying the appeal of freestyle in an easy-to-understand manner. I tried to make sure the members had fun while playing.
Personally, I’m the type of person who learns choreography quickly, so I had a hard time figuring out how to teach choreography and techniques to beginners in a polite and easy-to-understand manner.
Tanabe: I gave advice to the members from the perspective that detailed skills are important in battle, but in showcases to show off to others, it might be better to keep things simple. Even if you increase the difficulty of the technique to show something more amazing, there are some movements that become noise when trying to convey it to the audience, so we created a showcase by modifying such small details from a third person’s perspective.
Dan:Throughout the showcase practice period, I wanted to emphasize the process of working together and having fun, rather than the results. I would like to continue working with this in mind.
Tanabe: In that sense, I think all the members were up to the challenge in this performance. If it were us, we would also be MCs, and the first-year students would do their tricks in front of people. I think one of the appeals of Pelusa’s showcase is that you can tackle each issue individually.
About the event “HYPE MOMENT” sponsored by Pelusa
―I would like to ask you about HYPE MOMENT, which was held in July this year. What made you start this event in the first place?
Tanabe:It all started when I was in high school when I participated in an event called “GREEN PEACE” held by my seniors who were five years older than me, and it was really fun. When the number of events decreased due to the coronavirus pandemic, I thought it was time to do something, so I consulted eito (a freestyler from Pelusa and the same age as Tanabe), and the two of us started HYPE MOMENT.
The original purpose was to take action, and to use it as a place for the output of daily practice. I also want to create a positive movement that can raise the level of culture from younger generations. We were able to experience the joy of planning and creating an event from scratch with our own hands.
I’m honestly happy that this has continued into the third installment. I was hoping that would happen, but even if it wasn’t in the form of HYPE MOMENT, I felt like it would be nice if each generation could do something that they thought was fun.
-What do you think is the appeal of HYPE MOMENT?
Tanabe: It’s a place where you can kick the ball freely and it’s like a place where everyone can present the results of their practice. The battle content doesn’t really have a winner or loser either, and I think what makes it an attractive event is that we create content where you can kick the ball freely.
Dan: Having Pelusa as the main character creates a different mindset for the members compared to guest appearances. Another thing is that by holding the event in a smaller venue, you can feel closer to each other. I think it’s also attractive that I can connect with freestylers and people from other cultures that I don’t normally interact with.
-What did you learn or feel through the experience of hosting HYPE MOMENT?
Dan:Honestly, it was tough when I hosted the third event. It took a lot of effort as I had to do everything from choosing the venue to casting the performers and managing the budget. However, through this experience, I gained more respect for the organizers who usually hold events. That’s why I try to contribute by enjoying the tournaments and events I participate in as much as possible.
Tanabe：It was very tough to run the event for the first time due to the schedule of tournaments at the time, but it was a fresh experience. Even in a difficult situation, I feel a sense of accomplishment when other people are happy, and I think it was because we did it on our own that it became a memorable event.
I think it’s important not only for events like this, but especially for the student generation to try out anything that they think they want to try or that looks fun. I would also like to thank all the people who pay money to come see me, my friends who willingly take on showcases for other cultures, and all the media that covers it. Thank you very much for your continued support.
About everyday life
-How often do you practice per week?
Tanabe:I consider freestyle football to be part of my lifestyle, and basically try to touch the ball every day. During that time, I practice seriously for 2 to 3 hours 4 to 6 times a week, and I try to have fun while not getting too tired.
Dan：I don’t have fixed practice times. Kicking a ball is a fun lifestyle in itself, so I don’t think about it too much. Sometimes I go kicking about 10 times a week, and sometimes I don’t kick at all.
-Are there any things that the circle members are currently passionate about or are putting effort into?
Dan: The members are addicted to table tennis.
Tanabe:Also, like college students, we all go out for drinks. What I personally want to focus on in the future is to use TikTok to share pictures of my circle members having fun.
Pelusa’s significance in the freestyle scene
-What do you think about the current university student scene?
Tanabe：I think there are a lot of college football players, but I get the impression that their individual strengths are scattered. I thought a community like Pelusa was absolutely necessary. I believe that if we come together and work together, it will lead to a sense of accomplishment and allow us to take a big step forward.
Also, I don’t think they are using the “university brand” effectively. I think the scene would be even more exciting if I could use that power in other directions, not just being passionate about improving my freestyle skills.
Dan: I think if a club with names other than Pelusa appears, a scene for college students will start to emerge. It can be difficult to win in tournaments when you’re just starting out, so I think it’s better to not only accumulate skills but also create a place where you can be active.
-As the only freestyle football/basketball club, do you think Pelusa is giving back to the scene?
Tanabe:I think it is of great significance that Pelusa exists as an easy-to-understand community. Meiji University’s gymnasium has become one of the “sacred places” visited by alumni and players from overseas, and I think it serves as a hub (platform) for people who are just starting freestyle or who don’t feel comfortable doing it alone.
Dan:I think that the strong sense of camaraderie between footy and basketball players, and the fact that we support each other’s culture, is part of what we are able to give back to the scene.
-Is there anything you think is necessary to make Pelusa a better circle in the future?
Tanabe: Pelusa currently has a solid foundation, but it’s in a black and white state, and I think we’re at a stage where we can add as much color as we want. In the future, it will be important to add more ways to play. Rather than thinking about the rigidity of the organization, I think the basic idea should be to show people doing something that looks fun.
Dan: I would like to get rid of the image that the practice place is a “sacred place” and make it more open. I think the circle itself needs to use TikTok and other tools to communicate its positive power, instead of trying to convey the sport itself in an attractive way, and by updating new ways to play.
-Please tell us about your future prospects.
Tanabe:Our future vision is to show and spread the fun of freestyle football to people who don’t play it. I want to show off this culture to the outside world in a cool way.
Dan: Lately, I’ve started to enjoy freestyle a lot more because I don’t just compete to win, but just because I love freestyle and have fun. So from now on, I want to enjoy the battles and the show even more.
-Finally, please give a message to people who are thinking of starting freestyle or who are interested in Pelusa.
Tanabe:If you have never played freestyle football but want to try it, I think you should try it already. Once you join Pelusa, everyone is kind and there are no strict rules, so you can have fun in your own way. If you are interested, please come and check it out.
Dan:There is no “ideal way” for freestyle football, and I think it is a form of content that helps you enjoy life. If you enjoy kicking a ball without thinking too much about it, I want you to enjoy it in your own way. A ball is a great tool for communication, and once you start freestyle, your life will be enriched.
After the interview
It was clear that the two men, who carry “Pelusa” which plays an important role in the freestyle scene, approach freestyle not only as a competition, but as a lifestyle. The concept of freestyle as “content that enriches life” is a perspective that will become even more important as this culture continues to spread.
Also, what they emphasized throughout the interviews was the importance of community. It was shown that this is a club filled with the appeal of freestyle football, which is not just about winning competitive battles.
Pelusa is active at various events including “HYPE MOMENT”. I hope that it will continue to play a central role in the student generation and expand the circle of culture even further.
