By SZE KEN and LYE MING HAN
brats@thestar.com.my
IN Japan, anime songs are such a big deal that they have their own term for it: anisongs.
Anisongs are basically the opening or ending theme songs of anime series, largely sung by popular singers and rock bands.
These anime singers are feted in their homeland and beyond, often touring extensively and capitalising on the success of both the anime series as well as the anisongs themselves.
This year’s Animax Carnival Malaysia 2015, held on March 28 and 29 at the Sunway Convention Centre, featured – for the first time ever – a live concert with three powerhouse Japanese anime singers – May’n, Mami Kawada and Elisa.
Each of the three performers has achieved huge success with anisongs.
Mami Kawada has been singing anisongs since 2002 for animes like Please Teacher and Tokyo Ravens and regularly performs at concerts around the world. May’n is a 25-year-old J-pop singer who has been performing since her teens, and has recorded sogns for animes like Macross Frontier and Love Get Chu; and Elisa is a model and singer whose anisong success has included singing the ending theme song for popular anime Valvrave the Liberator.
Back for more: Anime singer May’n said that one of her most memorable experiences was having her first solo tour in Malaysia back in 2010. At the Animax Carnival Malaysia 2015, she once again wowed her Malaysian fans with a stand-out performance. Photo: KEITH LIM
If you’re new to this musical genre, you’d probably be asking yourself: what exactly is the draw of anisongs?
During our interviews with the three performers before they took to the stage, we learnt a couple of interesting things about the genre.
“Anime songs are created to fit the anime, to bring up the excitement of the animation, and push the anime to the next level,” said Kawada.
Kawada also believes that to truly get an anisong right, anime singers have to first immerse themselves in the animes or original mangas.
“I watch the anime or read the manga first to understand the scenario, and then incorporate my own feelings and thoughts in the songs, especially for the characters that truly touch and inspire me,” she said.
Mami Kawada captivated the audience at the Animax Carnival 2015 with her unique blend of rock and trance. The experienced anisong singer often injects her own feelings and thoughts into her songs, giving them a personal slant. Photo: KEITH LIM
May’n also talks about the genre with evident fondness and says that anisongs express emotions like love and courage, which tie in to the heart of the anime itself, and give the genre an edge. Given the success of anime around the world, it’s hardly surprising that anisong perfomers have been able to convert their homegrown popularity into international success.
According to Elisa, singing anisongs has given her the opportunity to reach out to more people. “They (the fans) recognise my songs, so I am able to perform in many different countries,” she said.
Despite what anyone tells you, the proof is always in the pudding and in this instance, the concert really showcased what anime singers bring to the table. The two-hour show saw the girls delivering captivating performances that literally brought the crowd to their feet.
Popular songs from anime series like Tokyo Ravens, Accel World and Hayate The Combat Butler all made an appearance, and it was clear that the fans were lapping it up.
Back for more: Anime singer May’n said that one of her most memorable experiences was having her first solo tour in Malaysia back in 2010. At the Animax Carnival Malaysia 2015, she once again wowed her Malaysian fans with a stand-out performance. Photo: KEITH LIM
What was also interesting was that the Malaysian fans seemed to know all the Japanese words to the songs.
“The fans here always sing together in Japanese, even for new songs that I’ve just released,” said May’n about the Malaysian anisong fans.
Perhaps it’s true that some things bridge all sorts of cultural gaps. Elisa described it perfectly when she said: “Anime is the medium that connects us all wherever we are.”
Animax Asia is available on Astro Channel 715.
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