Press Conference with Sacra Music Fest at Anime Friends 2023

Following their performance at São Paulo convention "Anime Friends 2023", anisong artists ASCA, Who-ya Extended, and SennaRin, who together formed Sacra Music Fest, met with the press to talk about their careers and their first show in Brazil.

ASCA, you provided themes for the "Fate/Apocrypha" and "Lord El-Melloi" franchises. What's your relationship with these franchises and your overall impressions?

ASCA: I was already familiar with the "Fate" series even before singing the theme, and I was very happy. I really enjoyed being part of that project. I was also familiar with the artists who sang the anime themes, so I was very happy.

Since this is your first time in Brazil, what would you like to do here?

ASCA: I heard that there's a very famous cathedral here in São Paulo, and I really want to go there. It doesn't seem too far from here, so if I get the chance, I definitely want to visit it.

Who-ya Extended: I've seen some soccer stadiums, and I know that Brazil is a country where soccer is a very popular sport. I would like to play soccer a little here too.

SennaRin: I really love nature and visiting various places, so one day, when I have the opportunity, I would like to visit the Amazon rainforest.


Do you have any Brazilian or Latin music influences?

ASCA: Yes, I do. The image I have of Brazil is a joyful and happy people. I try to bring some of that joy into my own style to give more energy to the music I create.

What are your influences from J-pop and J-rock? Do you have any favorite anime?

Who-ya Extended: I've been influenced a lot by J-pop and J-rock, and one of the people who influenced me the most is Sheena Ringo. I've heard a lot about her, and her style had a significant impact on mine. I really love "Jujutsu Kaisen," without a doubt.

SennaRin: I've been influenced by various music styles within J-rock and J-pop. One style that also had a big impact on me is the music from some tokusatsu series. Some artists have also been a big help and inspiration for me, so it's an important aspect. I really like "Bleach," but there's an anime that features music from my producer, Sawano Hiroyuki, which is "Attack on Titan." When I first watched the anime, it had a significant impact on me, and I became a huge fan.

ASCA: I really love Ayaka, and when I first saw her, I was captivated. I dreamed of becoming like her one day. So, my biggest influence is definitely Ayaka. My favorite anime is "Sword Art Online."

How did you all meet? Were you already friends?

ASCA: Actually, this is the first time that the three of us are together. So, as the name “Anime Friends” suggests, we are also becoming friends here.


Where did you get your clothing style from? You all have a very stylish look, and the first impression is mainly visual.

Who-ya Extended: I don't have a specific style that I really like and use. In fact, I have a stylist, and depending on the country, we change to better adapt and fit into that environment.

SennaRin: I like a clothing style that I feel the music can penetrate. So, I like slightly more vibrant colors that catch a bit more attention to dive into the music.

ASCA: I decided that whenever I perform internationally, I will wear red. So, even though I’m not wearing anything red right now, whenever I step on stage, I'm dressed in red.

Brazil is known as the land of joy and fun. Could you feel the joy of the Brazilian people and the energy of the audience?

SennaRin: I really felt a lot of that Brazilian energy. Even through the monitor, the energy and voices of everyone just came through everything. It impacted me a lot, and even though I've visited various countries, this is truly on another level.

ASCA: It was beyond my imagination. I was truly amazed by how Brazilians sing even the parts the singer doesn't sing. They sing those parts on their own. That had a big impact on me.

Who-ya Extended: Looking at the audience, I really felt that you can clearly see each person living to feel and enjoy the show in their own way, to the fullest. Singing and hearing people sing along... that energy was beyond words.

Which song demands the most from you when performing live?

Who-ya Extended: I have a song called Dogma-Agnostic, and it's incredibly difficult to sing.

ASCA: Mine is KOE, my debut single. It's incredibly challenging.

SennaRin: Many of the songs created by my producer require a lot of imagination and interpretation from me. Choosing the most difficult is hard, so I'll say they are all difficult.


What's funniest part when you're on stage?

ASCA: When I was singing here in Brazil, I started dancing back and forth, and everyone started dancing along with me. That made me feel like it was truly a show.

Who-ya Extended: When I sing in Japan, there are many singers who make some moves on their own, and when I came to Brazil, any movement we make, any action we take, you can see the audience following along. You see everyone enjoying the event together, and it's very moving.

SennaRin: The part that really moves me when I'm on stage is when I look at the people who came to watch, and everyone gets into sync; when everyone is singing together. When everyone is united by a feeling, that's the best moment for me on stage.

JaME would like to thank Sacra Music Fest, Sony Music, and Maru Division for the opportunity to attend this press conference.