ALI PROJECT was formed by lyricist and vocalist Arika Takarano , and composer and arranger Mikiya Katakura in 1992. Throughout the span of their 25-year career, ALI PROJECT has contributed theme songs for popular anime such as "Rozen Maiden" and "CODE GEASS Lelouch of the Rebellion". On July 1st, the duo will perform at Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 in Los Angeles.
Hi Arika, you'll be performing at Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017. What do you hope to achieve with this performance?
Arika: I am very happy to have American fans see ALI PROJECT's live! We will be mainly performing songs that you all know well.
ALI PROJECT has released many theme songs for anime over the years. Which song's creation process has been the most memorable for you? What do you remember most about it?
Arika: I mostly remember the opening for "Rozen Maiden", Seishoujo ryouiki, and the opening for "CODE GEASS", Yuukyou seishunka. The atmosphere of both anime is very different, but both of these creations expressed the world of ALI PROJECT very well, so we especially treasure these songs.
The gothic aristocrat style has been a big part of your outfits over the years. What is it about the style that attracts you so much to it? How does it compliment your music? Do you design your outfits yourself?
Arika: It is not that we have been influenced by the gothic aristocrat style, but it was just a visual that naturally compliments our music. The image of ALI PROJECT's costumes change depending on our songs, but I do think that it's mostly rooted in the gothic aristocrat style. I usually decide on the costumes, and then we make them after discussions with a costume designer.
Your music has been described in the past as “progressive rock”. Do you agree with this description? Why or why not?
Arika: We are always moving forward and continuing to be innovative, so I think it's a description that fits us.
2017 marks ALI PROJECT's 25th anniversary. Please share with us the highest and lowest points of your career thus far.
Arika: As we were able to be involved with excellent anime, we had many people listening to us, and because of this we were not only known in Japan, but also overseas, and that's what we are most happy about. There was a long period where we were unknown, but as we were able to continue doing the music that we wanted to do, we never found it hard.
Your recent single was about the ancient figure Himiko. What inspired this? Did the subject have special significance for your 25th anniversary?
Arika: She was the first queen in Japan, and there is also a theory that she was the ruler of a country which existed where my hometown is (Yamataikoku). Some time back, we were thinking of having her as a theme some day.
You'll be releasing your 25th anniversary best album on June 21st. What are the highlights of the album?
Arika: This is a best album consisting of two CDs, the songs for which were chosen centering around the "Gothic Horror" and "Gothic Lolita" themes. The title is Chi to mitsu~Anthology of Gothic Lolita & Horror, which means blood and honey. You will be able to listen to the darkness and light, which expresses ALI PROJECT, together with the two visuals. We shot the jacket pictures and the music video in the Palace of Fontainebleau, so it's a very splendid release, and you should listen to it! The beautiful dreams and nightmares will fascinate you!
To conclude our interview, please leave a message to convince JaME readers to buy tickets to watch your performance at Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017.
Arika: We would love to have even one more fan of Japanese anime come and see a Japanese anisong musician live, starting with ALI PROJECT. We are looking forward to being able to meet you.
JaME would like to thank ALI PROJECT, RESONANCE Media and the Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation for this interview opportunity.
