JaME was invited to hear the artists' impressions of their label's biggest American triumph.
Lantis, Japan's biggest "anisong" (anime song) record label, recently brought some of its most popular artists to Otakon Vegas for a one-of-a-kind, two-day anisong extravaganza Lantis Festival Las Vegas. JaME was allowed inside the press conference on day two to document the artists' impressions of this very special milestone in anisong history.
Now that you've finished the very first concert of the Lantis Festival world tour, please give a brief statement.
Choucho: This was my first time performing in Las Vegas, and I had so much fun. I was really able to feel the power of anime songs.
Faylan: I was really able to feel the energy from the fans here in Las Vegas! I specifically chose an English song, Dead End, and I was very happy to be able to sing it here.
Sayaka Sasaki: Last year, I was invited to the very first Otakon Vegas, and I thought it would be the only time. I'm really happy that I was able to come back to perform here again so soon.
Yoko Ishida: First of all, I'm very happy I was able to participate in the Lantis Festival. Thanks to some special, Vegas-only collaborations, this ended up being a very memorable two days.
Masami Okui: This was the first Lantis Festival overseas, and since this is Las Vegas, I thought that the venue would be very big. Though there were some empty seats, I feel that if we do our best even in Japan, we'll be able to hold this event overseas again and again.
Her Highness Yui: This was our first time performing in Las Vegas, and my image of the city was that it was quite crazy. Truly, I was touched that through our shared energy, we were able to become closer to anime fans despite national borders. I would very much like to stand on stage here once more.
bamboo: My family comes to America a lot, but I never thought I'd have the chance to perform here in Las Vegas, so I'm really thankful to be here as part of the Lantis Festival. Though anime songs enjoy great popularity, being able to confirm their popularity abroad with my own eyes really assured me that this is the kind of music I want to make. I'm very thankful to Lantis for this chance.
Yoshiki Fukuyama: I was actually invited to Otakon three years ago, but I got sick and couldn't come. As you can see, I got better and came back. Being here at my best this year was very satisfying! Fire Bomber.*
*Yoshiki Fukuyama plays Basara Nekki of Fire Bomber.
Hiroshi Kitadani: This has been a wonderful challenge for Lantis. It's great that the world tour has kicked off without incident or injury. (everyone laughs)
Hironobu Kageyama: This was Otakon Vegas' second year, and the first time it has hosted the Lantis Festival. I think it was really great how everyone wants to work hard to make the event even bigger. I was also particularly impressed that the fans knew so many of the songs.
Masaaki Endoh: I was really happy that the Lantis Festival's first step was held here in America's entertainment capital. To be able to do it with these particular artists was really exciting, too. It was a great first stop. I'll make sure to keep doing my best as an anisong singer. Thank you.
Since the Lantis Festival has been held in Japan for so long, does anyone have any interesting or memorable incidents from the event that they'd like to share?
Masami Okui: One experience I remember was the first day of the first very Lantis Festival, which was a two-day event held in Mie prefecture. A typhoon had just hit Mie that day, and we'd actually hired a professional weatherperson to travel around with us on the tour. The crew was always changing the status of the concert based on the weather, and they often had to wait until the last minute to make the final decision. On the first day, they almost had to cancel the event, but just after they decided to cancel, the clouds miraculously parted and we were able to hold the festival just a few hours late. It was memorable because even though we had to change the setlist and the ending time, everyone including the crew, the artists, and even the audience got together to make the event happen. It was a real team effort.
As an anisong singer, what would you like to accomplish in the near future?
Choucho: Recently I've been challenging myself by writing my own lyrics and songs, so I want to do my best and be featured in even more anime.
Faylan: I want to perform my very best and make my fans smile. That's all.
Sayaka Sasaki: I've loved anime since childhood, and now that I've become an anisong singer, I want to keep trying my hardest to sing anime songs from an anime fan's point of view.
Yoko Ishida: It's been 22 years since I debuted with my song Otome no Policy, so I want to keep on singing with a fresh mindset.
Masami Okui: I have always written anime songs meant to give fans energy and courage, and help them through difficulties in their lives, so I would like to continue writing songs that help people through their problems. I'll also continue working with JAM Project to make powerful rock music.
Her Highness Yui: I'm very proud of myself for saying this, but as someone fortunate enough to have joined such a wonderful record company, I'd very much like to make Lantis and anisong synonymous in people's minds overseas.
bamboo: I want to keep on making songs that are fast, silly, and cool.
Yoshiki Fukuyama: I want to keep singing without regrets.
Hiroshi Kitadani: I will do my best to put my spirit into each song that I perform.
Hironobu Kageyama: I'm the oldest here and tend to be the oldest among people I perform with, so I'd like to keep performing anime songs for as long as I'm able.
Masaaki Endoh: I would like to bring peace to the world through anime songs.
JaME would like to thank Lantis, Otakon Vegas, RESONANCE Media, Amuse USA, Lynks International, and all artists for this opportunity.
