Shopping Guide
Have you watched the Music Video Recorder x AFA videos we posted recently?
Tokyo Otaku Mode and MTV 81 are actually releasing this article simultaneously! Please keep reading for two interviews we had the opportunity to conduct with Eir Aoi and LiSA, who both gave powerful special performances at AFA.
→ Interview with LiSA can be found here.
TOM: How many times have you performed at AFA?
Aoi: I’ve done AFA twice, in Indonesia and Singapore.
TOM: What was the most memorable moment for you during your performance in Singapore?
Aoi: That would be the tremendous love the people of Singapore had for anime. It made me happy that people with different languages could come together through anime.
TOM: Were there any differences between the audience in Singapore and the audience in Indonesia?
Aoi: People really loved anime in both countries and would talk to me using the Japanese they had learned from anime. I got the sense that everyone had a love for anime and music.
TOM: The music video of your AFA performance was shot using the Sony MVR. What did you think of it after it was finished?
Aoi: I thought, “How does it capture these kind of shots?!” I wondered what kind of components it has to be able to capture such wide shots.
TOM: How did you feel being shot by 40 cameras?
Aoi: Truthfully, when I saw the video that was created, I was told that shots were taken from many different places. The amount of fans in the audience and the atmosphere looked even more real through the screen. I was very nervous about there being 40 cameras. But, I realized that there is no substitute for always putting on the best performance I can, so I gave it my all. There were even “they shot from here too!” angles.
TOM: Did you always want to become an anime music artist?
Aoi: I’ve loved anime and games since I was little, so when I became a singer, I hoped that I could sing anime songs. It was a shock when that became a reality.
TOM: What were you favorite anime and games as a child?
Aoi: Those would be Sailor Moon, Final Fantasy VI, and Far East of Eden Zero.
TOM: What did you like about Sailor Moon?
Aoi: Sailor Moon was so cute! My friends and I used to act out and play Sailor Moon, and they would always make me be Tuxedo Mask (laughs).
TOM: You’ve sang quite a number of main themes for popular anime. What do you think has made you so successful?
Aoi: I always try to put my all into every performance. I think a great deal about how best to sing the song so that the listeners understand what I’m trying to communicate.
TOM: In those instances, do you ever get inspiration from the characters?
Aoi: I will read the original work and try to incorporate the feelings I’ve shared or the moments I’ve sympathized with the characters. I also try to sing in a way that reflects my own experiences, feelings, and reality. I think that creates a stronger connection with the characters from the anime.
TOM: Which characters have you sympathized with in your recent work?
Aoi: Characters like the protagonist from Kill la Kill, Ryūko Matoi, who keeps strongly marching on. I feel that no matter how much of a detour she takes, none of that time will be wasted. Even if she takes a difficult path, she’s still getting closer to her goal. I felt I had that in common with Ryūko’s approach to life.
TOM: Is there anything you would like to say to fans in other countries?
Aoi: I had performances in other countries last year, and it was a wonderful experience meeting people I had never met before. I would like to travel to more countries this year and have more places come to know Eir Aoi.
...
Eir Aoi’s popularity is growing quickly among anime fans. She will surely gain even more wide success. It seems you’ll also have some opportunities to hear her sing in upcoming anime.
Videos of other artists are set to be added to the Sony Music Video Recorder YouTube channel. If you’re a fan of anime or anime music, be sure to check out the latest videos!
Eir Aoi’s new album Aube is out now!
Eir Aoi Official Facebook Page
This is a Tokyo Otaku Mode original article.
