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On July 19 and 20, 2014, San Francisco’s Japantown hosted the annual J-Pop Summit featuring artists such as May’n and former AKB48 member Tomomi Itano, as well as several other Japanese and local acts. The festival for Japanese popular culture attracted throngs of visitors to celebrate everything Japanese––from pop music, to funky and kawaii merchandise, to delicious ramen. TOM’s Bay Area team dropped by to enjoy the festivities. We were also lucky enough to catch up with ani-song diva May’n, whom we interviewed last year (http://t-otaku-m.com/1pJuFN6). This time we got to hear some of her updates and thoughts on her ongoing world tour “Dots and Lines”.
TOM: How was the response so far in the previous stops on your world tour?
May’n: In the places I’ve been, people have welcomed me warmly. This tour is the largest world tour I’ve been on so I’m looking forward to the places I’ll visit in my upcoming concerts as well.
TOM: Have you been able to try out the local foods at the various stops on your world tour?
M: Indeed, I have been able to taste all kinds of delicious foods at the countries I’ve been so far. In San Francisco, I got to visit Fisherman’s Wharf and had a lot of seafood, too.
TOM: Have there been any memorable fans or particularly special ways in which fans have shown their support during your concerts?
M: This is not so much during concerts, but my fans, not only in Japan but from various countries, have collected handwritten messages and gave them to me. Those made me really happy.
TOM: Is there any country you’d like to perform in that you were not able to on this tour?
M: There are still a lot of places that I haven’t been to. This time, I am doing a tour in which I get to perform in every prefecture in Japan. Similarly, I think I’d like to work towards performing in many places within one country, such as having concerts in several states here in the U.S.
TOM: As you mentioned earlier, your Japan tour covers every prefecture. Do you have any special message for the people in the Tohoku region to cheer them up?
M: I have always really liked the Tohoku region. There are a lot of different prefectures within that region, and I think each of them is special and wonderful in their own way. I am always very happy to be able to perform there, and the fans’ enthusiasm always leaves a deep impression on me.
TOM: Do you like anime and manga? Do you have a favorite title?
M: Yes, I do like anime and manga. As for the title… Hmm...I really like Inari, Konkon, Koi Iroha for which I sang the theme song. I am very into the manga right now.
TOM: How about when you were a child?
M: Definitely Sailor Moon. Now that the new Sailor Moon is out, I am collecting lots of merchandise again.
TOM: Of all the anime for which you sang the theme song, which is the most important or memorable for you?
M: Of course, all the theme songs I’ve sung are very precious to me. However, as “May’n” came about because of Macross Frontier, it is a very important work for me.
TOM: There are a lot of great songs in Macross Frontier! Which is your favorite to sing? Which do you like most?
M: In terms of my favorite to sing...I’ll have to say “Kindan no Elixir” for its slightly maniacal quality. Especially during concerts, because it is a little difficult to sing, it is really fun. Also, the first single I released as May’n was “Diamond Crevasse” and it was well-loved by fans, so it is very important. You can say it is the most important song for me.
TOM: Is there anything new such as a new genre that you would like to challenge?
M: I don’t restrict myself to a particular genre. Instead, I sing music that I love and want to sing. I hope to continue in search of my own genre consisting of the kind of music that I would love to perform.
TOM: A message for your fans around the world, please.
M: It is because of all your support that I am able to travel around so many different places to perform, so thank you very much. I will do my best as I continue on the remainder of my tour, so please continue to support me!
Watch out for Part 2 of our report on J-Pop Summit 2014 in San Francisco featuring an interview with ex-AKB48 member Tomomi Itano!
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
