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Living as a Real Life “Hannah Montana” – An Interview with Virtual Singer KAF
KAF is one of the most popular virtual singers in Japan. Ahead of her upcoming concerts next month, we talked about what it's like to live with a secret identity.
― KAF is one of the most popular virtual singers in Japan. Several of her songs have become Top 40 downloaded hits (along with two of her albums breaking the Oricon Digital Top 10) and she's even sold out the Nippon Budokan (the Japanese eq...
J-Rock Star Yoshiki Talks About His Past and Future in London
The X Japan and The Last Rockstars singer made his directorial debut with the YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY music documentary.
― On September 11, rock star Yoshiki appeared in London to accompany a screening of his directorial debut and feature film Yoshiki: Under The Sky. The movie collects his recent musical collaborations with artists around the world, with the seasoned performer mainly at the seat of hi...
BURNOUT SYNDROMES Talk About Writing and Singing Anime Theme Songs
The hit-making band discusses their tracks from Dr. Stone and what anime they hope to create songs for in the future.
― Fans of Haikyuu!!, Dr. Stone, and Gintama are most likely already familiar with BURNOUT SYNDROMES through their anime theme songs. With the recent release of their new album, The WORLD is Mine, Anime News Network was able to sit down with all three members of the band—guitarist and ...
MAN WITH A MISSION Talks New Demon Slayer Season, Upcoming International Tour
MAN WITH A MISSION's Jean-Ken Johnny gushes to ANN about the theme songs in the newest Demon Slayer season, plus the band's upcoming international tour.
― You can always count on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba theme songs to grab your attention. The opening and theme songs of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc feature a team-up between two top artists in Japan: rock band Man With a...
Meet the Artist of Chainsaw Man Episode 11's ED
Chainsaw Man has brought in a different high-profile artist for each episode's ending theme. Avu-chan from Queen Bee gave us some insight into their experience working on this ambitious anime project as the artist of the ending theme, "Violence."
― Formed in 2009, Queen Bee is a self-described "Fashion Punk" rock band. They are steadily increasing their presence in the anime sphere, performing theme ...
Interview: STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION
Seasoned musician R.O.N discusses his music writing approach and how an international background helped diversify his compositions.
― I first came across the artist Stereo Dive Foundation through their performance of “Daisy,” the ending song for the Kyoto Animation anime Beyond the Boundary. I had no idea at the time that this would become one of the first songs written by a seasoned solo artist perf...
Interview: Music Composer Shiro SAGISU on Returning to BLEACH
Shiro SAGISU shares the anime's most memorable track and it was like to revisit it for Thousand-Year Blood War.
― Bleach is back, and it's better than ever. To mark the release of the final arch of the anime series BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War, Milan Records has released eight soundtracks from the anime series and films on digital platforms. We also had the opportunity to speak with music composer...
Behind the Vocals of Kaguya-sama's Iconic OPs: Interview with Masayuki Suzuki
It's hard to imagine the Kaguya-sama: Love is War anime without Masayuki Suzuki's powerful vocals in the opening theme songs.
― It's hard to imagine the Kaguya-sama: Love Is War anime without Masayuki Suzuki's powerful vocals in the opening theme songs. Suzuki lent us some time out of his busy schedule to comment on his work for the anime's third season, Kaguya-sama: Love is War -Ultra Romantic-. Wha...
Rocking Out with Japanese Punk Band Wienners
The Digimon Ghost Game opening band is relatively new to anisong, but Wienners have been delivering their unique brand of punk rock and electronica fusion since 2009.
― If you've watched Digimon Ghost Game, you've heard the high energy, horror-rock opening theme “Faction” by Wienners. But while they're relatively new to anisong, Wienners have been delivering their unique brand of punk rock and electr...
Crunchyroll Expo 2022 - Burnout Syndromes Interview
Composing songs for popular series such as Haikyuu!!, Dr. Stone, and Gintama, Burnout Syndromes held their first performance in the United States at Crunchyroll Expo.
― Formed in 2005, Burnout Syndromes have a long and successful discography under their belt. Composing songs for popular series such as Haikyuu!!, Dr. Stone, and Gintama, the trio infuse musical genres together with emotional lyrics. Ka...
Interview: Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood Composer Akira Senju
Anime News Network had the opportunity to talk to Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood's composer Akira Senju about the process behind creating the soundtrack to the massively popular anime series.
― Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood has cemented its status as one of the most beloved and well-known anime fantasy epics to date, and the evocative music that accompanies its memorable scenes is undoubtedly an...
Interview: Sword Art Online: Alicization Singer ASCA
Now in her fifth year performing, ASCA spoke with Anime News Network about her career, working with T.M. Revolution, and who she'd like to collaborate with next.
― ASCA, also known as Asuka Okura, has performed songs from anime including Fate/Apocrypha, Sword Art Online: Alicization, and The Irregular at Magic High School. She's been waiting over two years to bring her high-energy live performance in...
How Composer MAYUKO Created Ranking of Kings' Fantasy-Infused Score
We sat down with MAYUKO to discuss how she brought magic to the score of Wit Studio's Ranking of Kings, from crashing cathedral bells to lilting sopranino recorders.
― Writer, composer, arranger and singer, MAYUKO has been performing as a singer-songwriter since she was a student. As a composer, she created music for the drama The Full-Time Wife Escapist, the anime Cells at Work! and her latest sound...
The Executioner and Her Way of Life Theme Song Band Mili
Anime News Network had the opportunity to interview the group's lead vocalist Cassie Wei about the band's unique sound, her anime and manga recommendations, and the upcoming series.
― International indie rockers Mili made their anisong debut in the 2016 series Bloodivores and have since gone on to contribute themes for Goblin Slayer, Gleipnir, amd Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045. The group's newest song...
Attack on Titan The Final Season Opening Band SiM
Straight from Shonan, Japan, the band SiM claimed the spotlight with the release of their Billboard chart-topping single "The Rumbling." Anime News Network spoke with the band about their newest song that's taking the anime world by storm.
― Straight from Shonan, Japan, the band SiM claimed the spotlight with the release of their Billboard chart-topping single "The Rumbling." The song introduced scor...
BELLE Lead Composer Taisei Iwasaki
ANN's Richard Eisenbeis had the opportunity to talk with Lead Composer Taisei Iwasaki about the process of creating the music that is so central to BELLE's narrative and themes.
― It is perhaps an understatement to say that music is an important component to Mamoru Hosoda's latest film BELLE; after all, BELLE revolves around a grief-stricken girl named Suzu who finds shelter and salvation by creating...
Interview: The Heike Story Music Composer Kensuke Ushio
Composer kensuke ushio, who has collaborated before with director Naoko Yamada on critically-acclaimed films such as A Silent Voice and Liz and the Blue Bird, talks about the challenges behind creating the hauntingly beautiful soundtrack.
― Based on a work of classical Japanese literature of the same name, The Heike Story anime tells the story of the fall of the Heike clan through the point of view o...
Interview: Naruto Series Composer Yasuharu Takanashi
Naruto is a legendary anime, but without a doubt, the music helped catapult it to success. Jacki Jing talks with composer Yasuharu Takanashi now that the music is available for streaming and download stateside.
― For the first time ever since the first episode of the Naruto anime aired in Japan in 2002, music from all three installments of the massively popular anime series (Naruto, Naruto Shippuden ...
Anime & Hip-hop with Rapper Kirk "Aztech" Yi
Aztech has created tracks for Jujutsu Kaisen, BEASTARS, Dr. Stone and the upcoming anime Sakugan. Find out how anime soundtracks gave the hip-hop veteran a new avenue for his art.
― Anime has long since had a deep and symbiotic relationship with hip-hop music, and Hybrid Thoughts, a Boston-based hip-hop group whose tracks has been prominently featured in anime like Dr.Stone and more recently BEASTARS...
Uncovering Tephlon Funk With Creator Stéphane Metayer and Samurai Champloo's Fat Jon
Dive into a story of music and hope set against the backdrop of New York's boroughs. Tephlon Funk has a whole world to discover and a dope soundtrack, too.
― Tephlon Funk, a comic written by Stéphane Metayer and illustrated by David Tako, is both a fusion of anime and hip-hop influences and a giant love letter to the five boroughs of New York City. Set in Queensbridge during the mid-90s, the story ce...
Creating the Sci-Fi Sounds of Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: Siege with Composer Alexander Bornstein
The musical mind behind sci-fi works such as Love, Death & Robots, Stephen Hopkins' Lost in Space, and Agent Carter talks about his love for synth and challenging himself.
― The next installment in Hasbro's decades-spanning sci-fi franchise Transformers finds its home on Netflix on Thursday as Transformers: War for Cybertron Trilogy: Siege. The six-episode 3DCG-animated series by Polygon Pictures tak...
Interview: Up-and-coming J-Rock Group BRATS
The all-female up-and-coming J-rock group BRATS, who produced the opening for TO BE HERO, talk about their exploding career.
― To usher in a new year, the next decade and the release of their digital latest digital single “Excuser”, the female Japanese JRock group BRATS performed their first U.S. concert at Anime Los Angeles on January 10, 2020. Though the all-girl band is relatively fresh, their inf...
Interview: Guilty Kiss, A Love Live! Sensation & Fan-Made Obsession
The spectacularly popular idols of Guilty Kiss sit down for a chat about their explosive new careers as a fan-favorite spinoff of Aqours!
― Guilty Kiss is a unit within the school idol group Aqours in the multimedia music phenomenon Love Live! Sunshine!! Their first single – “Strawberry Trapper” – debuted in 2016 followed by their second single – “Kowareyasuki” – in 2017. The unit was formed as a fan...
Interview: TRUE, The Ever-Evolving Anisong Artist
The incredibly talented vocalist and lyricist behind anisongs from Violet Evergarden and the latest Sound! Euphonium movie chats about her long and incredible career.
― Anisong vocalist and lyricist TRUE is stunning -- in terms of her presence, appearance and powerful voice, both as a singer and songwriter. She is disarmingly approachable and sincere, while also possessing great depth and articulatio...
Interview: Superstar Rock Band JAM Project
Legendary anisong band JAM Project sits down for a few questions about their incredible career and legacy.
― JAM (the acronym for Japan Animationsong Makers) Project was founded in 2000 by the acclaimed 1970s theme song artist Ichirou Mizuki, along with well-established and talented singers from across the anisong world. Their mission was and is to create powerful rock songs with beautiful lyrics, co...
Interview: m-flo's Taku Takahashi
Taku Takahashi of the world-famous Japanese electronic hiphop act m-flo discusses his 20-year career creating wildly unique sound and art, right before their upcoming performance in Los Angeles on July 3rd.
― m-flo, the Japanese electronic group composed of DJ Taku Takahashi, rapper Verbal and vocalist Lisa, scarcely needs an introduction – they've been experimenting with a unique blend of electronic...
Interview: MIYAVI, The Responsible Rockstar
The guitarist and actor MIYAVI discusses his career, his newest album, and his upcoming role alongside Angelina Jolie in Maleficent 2.
― The artist presently known as MIYAVI just may be the most responsible rockstar of our age. He's been active on the international music scene since 1999 and solo since 2002, MIYAVI has catapulted to global success and notoriety pretty much on his own terms, always ev...
Interview: AKB48 Team 8
Six members of the spectacularly popular AKB48 "spinoff" group Team 8 performed for the first time this summer at Anime Expo in Los Angeles, and we got the chance to chat with these talented artists on the eve of the big show.
― Making their United States debut, six members from AKB48 Team 8 participated in this year's Japan Kawaii LIVE Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo. The lineup featured Hijiri ...
Interview: Shoko Nakagawa
The unmistakable voice behind the legendary smash hit opening theme for Gurren Lagann and the host of Pokemon Sunday sits down for a few fun questions on the 10th anniversary of her first Anime Expo appearance.
― Well known for her song Sorairo Days and as the host of Pokemon Sunday, Shoko Nakagawa does it all. In addition to singing, acting, and being a TV personality, she has also illustrated and p...
Interview: Yuki Kajiura
The legendary composer and musician behind the internationally beloved scores for stuff like Madoka Magica, Fate/Zero, Princess Principal and Heaven's Feel answers a few fun questions ahead of her big performance in Los Angeles next week.
― A musician and composer of Yuki Kajiura's caliber scarcely needs an introduction; her incredible compositions for an ocean of beloved anime have thrilled fans all...
Interview: FLOW
The band behind some of the most beloved anime theme songs in recent history, from Naruto to Code Geass, spill their career secrets and discuss what's next.
― Chances are, most anime fans today know a few theme songs from the five-member rock band FLOW. Kohshi, Take, Keigo, Got's, and Iwasaki have performed theme songs for more than 20 anime together. The group's songs for Code Geass, Eureka Seven, a...
Interview: Yousei Teikoku
The goth metal band behind the themes for Future Diary and Katanagatari opens up about what it's like to rule over the "fairy empire" ahead of their live show at Otakon next weekend.
― “You're getting quite fired up, aren't you, my subjects?” says the woman in black as she gazes down imperiously at the crowd. Then, with a shrug of her head, she asks, “Are you enjoying yourselves?”
The woman in the go...
Interview: Ali Project
The idol royalty behind a string of hit anisong themes from Code Geass to Kizumonogatari answers a few questions about her incredible career (and her incredible fashion!)
― ALI PROJECT doesn't have a hard time getting recognized – if you're not familiar with their signature aristocratic fashion style, then odds are you've heard at least a few of their unique, chart-topping anime theme songs, seen in ...
Interview: Konomi Suzuki
She's the rising star behind a solid stack of anisong hits, including themes for Re:Zero, Akashic Record of Bastard Magic Instructor and more, and we had a few questions for her.
― Konomi Suzuki's road to stardom has been sudden and swift; the winner of the Animax All-Japan Anisong Grand Prix in 2011, Suzuki's theme songs started showing up in front of new anime almost immediately. 2012 saw the relea...
Interview: Walküre's Minori Suzuki and JUNNA
The passionate idols of Macross Delta's Walküre were in Los Angeles for the first time ever this summer, breathing fire on stage for an ocean of thrilled fans. We had a few questions for them.
― The latest in a long line of idols birthed by the legendary Macross franchise, Minori Suzuki (as Freya in the series) and JUNNA (as Mikumo Guynemer) flew in to perform for their overseas fans as part of the A...
Interview: VAMPS' HYDE and K.A.Z
The lead singer of L'arc~en~Ciel and the lead composer and guitarist from Oblivion Dust joined forces to form VAMPS, an "evil" rock band appearing on the west coast next week, and we dared to interview them.
― VAMPS is the brainchild of maybe the most famous Japanese rock musician of the modern era: HYDE, lead vocalist of L'arc~en~Ciel, and K.A.Z, the guitarist and composer for Oblivion Dust. Togethe...
Interview: SCANDAL
The rock group behind theme songs for Bleach and Fullmetal Alchemist discusses their upcoming world tour. PLUS: an exclusive video greeting!
― All-female Japanese rock group SCANDAL formed in 2006 when high school girls Haruna Ono, Mami Sasazaki, Tomomi Ogawa and Rina Suzuki would play live performances in Osaka Castle Park until they were signed to Kitty Records in 2008. The band burst onto the scen...
Interview: JAM Project
One of the world's most beloved bands showed up at Otakon Vegas, and we were there to ask them a few questions about fame, their legacy, and just which anime made them cry.
― We had the privilege of interviewing the members of JAM Project earlier in the year at the Anisong World Tour Lantis Festival in Las Vegas. JAM Project was founded in 2000 and is currently comprised of Hironobu Kageyama, Masaaki...
Interview: Yoshiki of X JAPAN
2014 was a big year for Yoshiki, and Mike Toole had a chance to interview him about his life, his career, and his music.
― In 1992, X Japan had conquered their homeland, and stood on the cusp of global domination. But the time for their wildly glammed-out image and their music, a whiplash-inducing combination of intricate rock ballads and muscular speed metal, had passed. Getting any traction in the...
Interview: Yousei Teikoku
The enigmatic and eccentric band Yousei Teikoku, who performed themes for Future Diary and Tokyo ESP, sat down with us for a few questions.
― After the Lantis Festival's third day ended, ANN got to sit down with Yousei Teikoku, a group with a complicated story behind their band, filled with military ranks and ancient history. The band has performed theme songs for The Qwaser of Stigmata, Future Diary...
Interview: Choucho
A few moments with pop singer Choucho, who performed the theme songs for Heaven's Memo Pad and Glasslip.
―
On the final day of the Lantis Festival event at Tokyo's Shiokaze Park, singer Choucho, known for her contributions to such anime as Heaven's Memo Pad and more recently Glasslip, performed onstage. Choucho took time late after the concert ended to talk with ANN about her experiences and aspirat...
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