CATDOLL: Interview with Aino Nanjo -- The world you love

Interview with Aino Nanjo: A new world full of love

Aino Minamijo has just released her second single, "The World You Loved (Original Title: あなたの愛した世界)". The title song of the same name is the END song of the TV anime "Gray Fruit". Unlike her previous works, this is a fast song full of a sense of galloping. The fast-paced style is perfectly combined with her powerful voice. The first limited edition not only contains the MV and behind-the-scenes video of the title song, but also includes a video clip of her birthday event held in July this year. In addition, Aino Minamijo's online radio program "Aino Minamijo's ジョルメディア" is updated on "Cho!Animedia" on time every Wednesday. Do you want to know what she thinks about the two songs in her new album and hosting the radio program? Please watch the following interview.

【Introduction to Nanjo Aino】

Born on July 12. Hometown: Shizuoka Prefecture. Main roles played include Eri Ayase in LOVE LIVE, Zou Ni in Devil's Secret, Marimba Asama in Magical Girl Wars, and Miyuki in Minami-sama: I'm Back. She is affiliated with Amuleto.

■Single disc information:

The World You Love

Released on November 5, 2014

First edition limited edition price: 1,800 yen (excluding tax)

Regular price: 1,200 yen (excluding tax)

■This is an unprecedented song that combines power and grandeur

——This is your new album after a year!

Nanjo: “It’s been such a long time.” I was surprised myself! But I released a lot of songs under the names of fripSide and LOVE LIVE in this year, so it doesn’t feel like it’s been a long time.

——Because this is a personal work, is it because it took you a long time to complete it?

Nanjo: That’s not the case at all! I’d rather just keep releasing new songs one after another! (laughs)

——So, this new album is what you have been looking forward to for a long time.

Nanjo: Yes. When I held the birthday concert in July, I felt strongly that I had too few songs. I really want to have more songs of my own.

——So this time, "The World You Loved" was born. Different from previous songs, this one is a fast song.

Nanjo: Although my previous solo singles were mostly medium-tempo or narrative, this does not mean that I can only sing these types of songs. I have sung fast-tempo songs when I sang character songs, so I really want to use this experience to challenge other styles. So this new album came out, and I am very happy.

——The melody that purifies the soul makes people feel very comfortable after listening to it.

Nanjo: When I first heard the demo, I thought, "This song is amazing," and I was really excited (laughs). I could feel the power, energy, and strong vitality from it, and I felt like, "I really want to sing it quickly!" And the fast tempo also contains many elements such as a sense of grandeur. The style of the song has also changed several times, and once you start listening, you will listen to the end in one breath. The content of this song is really rich.

——The whole performance is string music, and the piano sound is impressive, which is very much your style.

Nanjo: Yes. My solo singles always exude a sense of transparency and naturalness. I think I can carry forward this worldview as my personal style.

——Because this song is the ED song of the TV animation "Gray Fruit", the lyrics are closer to the animation.

Nanjo: Mr. Fujima Jin, who was in charge of composing the music, and Mr. Kuwashima Yuichi, who was in charge of composing the music, were both involved in the original work of this animation, which was the game stage, so the world view created by the two of them must be very consistent with the original work. I just need to immerse myself in it. In addition, this song itself is difficult, but as long as I imagine the plot of the animation in my mind, the melody and lyrics are like integrating into my body and I am deeply immersed in it. Thanks to this, I was not too nervous during the recording and sang it easily... However, because this song is very powerful, I suddenly felt very tired after singing it (laughs).

——(Laughs). By the way, regarding the song title, what do you think "The World You Love" is like?

Nanjo: Well, I can only think about FF14 (Final Fantasy 14) (laughs). When I announced the title of this song on Twitter, some people said, "Isn't the world you love Eorzea?!" I couldn't help but shout, "Yes, that's right!" (laughs) However, I was too busy this summer and had no time to play games. Now that I have a little more free time, I want to immerse myself in the world I love when I have the chance (laughs).

For more relevant information, please visit: Love Live! Season 2 Special

■Writing the lyrics this time was so hard that I thought about giving up halfway through

——The style of the additional songs has changed a lot.

Nanjo: This time the staff told me, "You can make the song you like." So I thought, since the title song is a grand song, the bonus song should return to daily life and make people feel relaxed and comfortable. So this song came into being.

——Yes, "The World You Loved" is very powerful, as if it can pull people into another world, but this song gives people the feeling of walking side by side.

Nanjo: However, although they are two songs with very different styles, there is no sense of disharmony when listening to them together. This structure makes people feel comfortable. In fact, at the beginning, this song added a little electronic sound, which is more anime-style, but I wanted it to be simpler and more natural, so I asked the staff to modify the arrangement. Because of these little episodes, the whole production process was not as easy as the style of the song. This is a work that I racked my brains until the last minute to complete (laughs).

——“Simple and natural” is also one of your characteristics.

Nanjo: Yes. "Daily Life" is a theme I have always wanted to express. Not only me, but also the people who listen to my songs have their own daily lives. Even if everyone lives in different places, they must have the same feelings and values ​​in their different daily lives. I want to express this through music. This is what I thought of when I released my debut mini album "Kataruma".

——This time, you incorporated this idea into the lyrics you wrote yourself.

Nanjo: Yes! I worked very hard to write it. At the beginning, I couldn’t write a single word, and I was so anxious that I didn’t know what to do (bitter smile).

——Is it so hard?

Nanjo: I almost gave up halfway through thinking “Ah, this is not going to work” (laughs). But then fripSide happened to be out of town for an event, and many fans told me “I like the lyrics you wrote”, so… (laughs)

——It’s the perfect time! (laughs)

Nanjo: It was like an oracle (laughs). So I made up my mind: If I can’t write it, I’m not a hero! (laughs)

——In the final analysis, why couldn't you write the lyrics this time?

Nanjo: I wanted to write cute love lyrics at first. After listening to the fripSide album released in September, some people said, "There are so many sad love songs." Of course, this is because I want to write lyrics in conjunction with the music, and I really want to show my ability to write happy love songs. However, the most terrible thing is that I have no inspiration at all (laughs). Fortunately, I met a friend I hadn't seen for a long time, and suddenly I felt that such a friendship is also very good, so it became a lyric about friendship. I wrote it all in one breath (laughs).

——I see. But, I really want to listen to the love song you gave up.

Nanjo: Well, we'll talk about it when we have the chance (laughs). However, it's winter now, and graduation and parting time are coming soon. In this sense, this song is very suitable for this period.

——That’s true. By the way, have you done anything special for autumn this year?

Nanjo: ...Not at all (bitter smile). I really want to see the autumn leaves, but I can't make an appointment with my friends. Looking back on this autumn, it seems that the only thing I can think of is "FF14". My life seems to revolve around Eorzea. However, everyone's definition of happiness is different. I don't regret it at all (laughs).

——What is the highlight of this special video?

Nanjo: The feeling of the title song in my heart is "light", and I specifically asked the director to "please make the feeling of light". In addition, please enjoy the video clip of my birthday event, which is a combination of the most extreme nervousness, joy and happiness in my life (laughs).

Nanjo: I took a lot of advice on the hairstyle and outfit this time. The stylist suggested a white dress-style outfit with a hint of light color, but I decided on the color myself.

■I really want to create this kind of atmosphere when I release the recording

——We just finished recording the radio program "Nanjo Aino's Journal Media". The atmosphere was very harmonious.

Nanjo: It felt like I was at home, the atmosphere was very comfortable (laughs). This is how it usually feels when recording. I get nervous easily and am a bit shy, but thanks to the staff for creating this atmosphere from the beginning. I naturally blended in, and now I feel very relaxed when recording programs.

——You do look relaxed in your seat.

Nanjo: Maybe it's a bit too relaxed (laughs). I really hope to create this kind of atmosphere when I release the recording in the future.

——The show has been aired for more than 20 episodes.

Nanjo: It’s been half a year since June. To be honest, I think it’s still too little. I’ve gotten used to it, and I really want to record as much as possible. Maybe I’ll change my mind when I record 50 or 100 episodes? But no matter what, I’m happy as long as I can continue.

For more relevant information, please visit: Love Live! Season 2 Special

——In episode 21, you got the "Rice Ball" cushion.

Nanjo: It's finally commercialized! Someone told me that they've received the cushions and they feel really good. Every time I think that commercialization is the right decision, I'm really happy. I've also received the actual product... I can't help but sigh again that the quality of the illustrations and the cushions is so different!

——Both are very good!

Nanjo: I think I should have drawn more seriously. No, maybe this casual feeling is just right (laughs).

——In episode 21, there is a special program called "Konan's Wednesday Breakthrough School".

Nanjo: Because the program is updated on Wednesday, which is a few days after Monday but still a few days before the weekend, it is the most tiring day of the week, so in the program I collected and practiced some methods to eliminate fatigue and get through Wednesday and share them with you.

——Is it useful?

Nanjo: I seem to be even more tired...

--(laugh)

Nanjo: I had a lot of fun, but many of the methods were too hard for me (laughs). Everyone's answers were very interesting, and I really wanted to try some of them myself (laughs). They were basically all answers for this column, so I often screamed with joy when I was screening.

For more relevant information, please visit: Love Live! Season 2 Special