[Manga] Episode 3: Is "What Can Only Be Done Now" Crucial for Young People!?

The university students who answered our interview this time:
A-kun: Male, third-year university student, lives with parents
B-san: Female , third-year university student, lives with parents
C-kun: Male, second-year university student, lives alone
D-san: Female, third-year university student, lives with parents

──What comes to mind when you hear "trendy events"?

D: Limousine parties are really popular with girls, right?

B: I actually did a limo party for a friend's birthday recently!
We decided to wear dresses, set a color dress code, and everyone brought balloons and stuff to celebrate.

D: Limousine parties kinda have that "birthday thing" image, don't they?
　

──What exactly is a limo party anyway?

A: I see photos of limo parties everywhere lately (laughs).

C: It's a group of girls dressing up and partying in a limo!

B & D: (laugh)

D: You rent out a limo, and depending on the plan, they either have set routes or you can choose your own. It's a service where they drive you around famous spots for 2-3 hours.

B: You can eat and drink inside the car, of course, and most people wear dresses or something fancy.

D: Some packages even include dress rentals!
　

──Isn't that crazy expensive?

B: It's not that expensive to begin with, and since you usually go with a large group, splitting the cost makes it totally reasonable!
　

──Guys do that too...?

C: No way (laughs).

A-kun: I feel like limo parties are for girls.
　

──Oh, I see (laugh). Why do you think limo parties are so popular?

D: Limousine parties feel like they're all about "making memories." People often do them for birthdays and stuff.

Ms. B: I think it's also big because so many people around you are doing it. It's less about really wanting to do it and more like, "I wanna try it once!" Plus, maybe it's that "can only do it now" feeling.
　

──What do you mean, "only possible now"?

B: Well, when you have a limo party, you definitely take pictures, right? If you keep doing it, I feel like eventually people who see those photos might think it's "too much."

D: Especially from people our age, I imagine.

B: I don't want people to think I'm "trying too hard" (laughs).

──I see. So it's not just about enjoying yourself. Would guys like A or C do it if invited?

A: I think I'd do it if invited. I don't really have a reason to refuse.

C: I'd hesitate a bit, but I'd probably do it.

──"No reason to refuse" sounds kind of impressive, actually. Has anyone here turned down an invitation recently? (laugh)

A: I don't really turn down event-type things. For drinking parties or something, maybe a little.

D: Me neither. Especially with events—if you don't go then, there might not be a next time.

B: For drinking parties, I do care a bit about who's going, but if we weren't close to begin with, the event wouldn't even be planned, so I rarely turn them down.

C: I went on a trip with someone I met for the first time that day, without even knowing who else was going!
　

──Not knowing who the members were is crazy! Doesn't that bother you?

C: Not really. It was someone my friend brought along, so it felt like meeting a friend of a friend.

──You might care a bit about who's at a drinking party, but for events or trips like this, you don't really mind...

A-kun: Well, I do care about who's there, but since it's "someone my friend brought," I figure it's okay... I mean, it's not like they're complete strangers.
　

──I see. By the way, besides the limo party, what other events have you guys gone to recently? Or events you planned yourselves?

A-kun: We went to USJ's Halloween event.

D: I went to the Electric Run!

Ms. B: I went to the Electric Run too.

C: I went to Katsuura to eat seafood rice bowls! (laugh)
　

──You went all the way to Katsuura just for seafood rice bowls? (lol)

C: Yep (lol). My guy friends and I just decided on a whim, rented a car, and went. Since we're the "usual crew"※1, we didn't plan it—we just got the urge and went.

※1 "Itsumen" - The crew we're always hanging out with

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Wakamon: Seriously! You must've been shocked!

Hirai: A limo, huh~. Back in my day, sure, there were plenty around, but college kids didn't have them~. Now even college kids have limos...

Wakamon: It's not that the limo itself is important. It's about partying somewhere different, somewhere they wouldn't normally have access to. That's what makes it feel extra special! I think that's what really appeals to them.

Hirai: Even if what they're doing is similar to our days, the sense of appeal is totally different.

Wakamon: Yeah. I guess what's important is that it's an event you can only do right now.

Hirai: It's still tough to grasp! And just when I thought we were talking about limousines, we're suddenly discussing seafood bowls in Katsuura... (laughs).

Wakamon: Anyway, valuing things you can only do right now is obviously key, but the size of the event isn't everything. We need to understand the realities of young people even more!

(Column: Rei Nagi)

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【Wakamon Profile】
Dentsu Inc. Youth Research Department (nickname: Wakamon) is a planning team that engages with the real lives and mindsets of young people, primarily high school and university students. We seek insights from their "now" to find hints for brightening and revitalizing the near future. By anticipating the future through their perspectives, we realize new businesses that foster better relationships between young people and society. Currently, 14 project members are based across our Tokyo headquarters, Kansai branch, and Chubu branch. Stay updated via the Wakamon Facebook page.