Interview with Mori Calliope

The first talent to debut from Japanese VTuber agency hololive Production's first English-speaking unit, hololive English -myth-, the Grim Reaper's first apprentice Mori Calliope made a strong impression right from the start, unveiling an aggressive hip-hop song and announcing the release of an original EP right at the end of her debut stream. Three years later, this prolific and multi-talented artist is now signed to a major label and was recently tasked with performing an official tie-up song celebrating the release of volume 106 of the "ONE PIECE" manga.

She just released her latest EP, JIGOKU 6, in August, which features collaborations with popular Japanese musicians like TK from Ling tosite sigure, Wednesday Campanella's Hidefumi Kenmochi, and singer-songwriter/rapper Reol. Just before the EP hit stores, JaME had the opportunity to ask her some questions about music, manga, live streaming and her goals for the future.

For any readers unfamiliar with your work, how would you describe the music you make?

Mori Calliope: It’s unique, that’s for sure. But if you’re a fan of alternative music you might like it. There’s a lot of madness and a lot of spinning thoughts that compose every track.

How did you become interested in the Japanese music scene? Were there any particular artists or songs that drew you in?

Mori Calliope: I was listening to music on YouTube that was re-uploaded from Nico Nico Douga (a Japanese video site like YouTube), mostly Japanese rap at the time. FAKE TYPE., Rainy Blue Bell, Rapbit and nqrse were some big ones I listened to often.

Could you explain a bit about the concept for your new EP JIGOKU 6?

Mori Calliope: Since the SINDERELLA album was about 10 deadly sins, I figured the natural progression would be to “go to hell,” with each level represented by a song. It’s my own personal hell though, not based on any fictional place or pre-existing lore.


It’s been mentioned that the EP is going to have more of a rock sound than your previous works. What brought on this change? Has the music you’ve been listening to yourself changed recently?

Mori Calliope: I was a fan of alternative rock before I was a fan of rap. During my time creating music I realized it was really just Japanese rap that I liked, and I wasn’t finding a sound or identity I liked while floating in between the vastly different scenes of Japanese rap and…non-Japanese rap. It’s not only the sound that’s different, it’s the values, the trends, the style - I think I’m cool, but there’s a certain TYPE of “cool” required to stand out and be respected as a rapper and I don’t have it, I never have. You don’t need that “cool” for the Japanese rap scene, but overseas, you die without it. That scene is not a place I was willing to die. So I decided to step back a bit into where I’m more comfortable and combine what I’ve learned from Japanese rap with the alternative rock sound I’ve always loved, and everything clicked in to place. I also thought to myself “what do I like about the songs I make that I’m proud of?” and tried combining those points. I thought really critically about my music and analyzed my own feelings a lot the past months.

Aside from this shift in sound, do you feel you’ve changed in any other ways as a musician and/or streamer since your debut back in 2020?

Mori Calliope: Yeah, I make better music. I sometimes wish I started off a better musician when I joined hololive, because I’m so proud of the work I produce now. I could have used that confidence to give off a better first impression. But there’s no turning back time, so my goal now is to focus on making myself and the current fans happy.

The cover art for JIGOKU 6 was drawn by Kei Urana, the author of the manga “Gachiakuta” – how did that come about? Did you have any input on the design?

Mori Calliope: I asked because I’m such a huge fan of the manga. I didn’t really give Urana-sensei any direction because I am already a big fan of their art. So when I got the first rough draft, I was just like “It’s great! Keep going!” I don’t like to direct a fellow artist’s vision (unless they’re producing a track for a song I have a specific idea about) because the result is always a thousand times better.

You’re also an artist and animator, and you created the MV for the song NEZUMI Scheme from SINDERELLA yourself. Will you be doing anything similar for this EP?

Mori Calliope: I made a semi-animated MV for my favorite song on the EP, Black Sheep. I didn’t have as much time to fully animate it, but I think the vibe fits the song well so I want y’all to check it out.


Speaking of NEZUMI Scheme, what was it like working with FAKE TYPE. on that song?

Mori Calliope: That was a dream come true! They’ve been my favorite band of ages now, so the fact we got to make something together was definitely something I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

JIGOKU 6 has some very high profile collaborations, including a tie-up with “ONE PIECE”. How did you feel about performing a song connected to such a popular franchise?

Mori Calliope: I’ve loved "ONE PIECE" since childhood. I didn’t think the offer was real at first, so I kind of brushed it off like it wasn’t going to happen. But when it did, I was actually really nervous. I didn’t know if I was up to the challenge to produce something actually good enough befitting the series. Then I did, and people who didn’t even know who I was were flocking to the song and praising my vocals — I definitely didn’t expect that response! I’m so happy I got that opportunity.


Are you a fan of “ONE PIECE” yourself? If so, is there any particular character you like or relate to?

Mori Calliope: Oh yeah I used to read Shonen Jump all the time as a kid and kept up with "ONE PIECE" through my life. Saying I like Luffy a lot is probably pretty basic, but since life gets so complicated I feel like Luffy’s simplicity is really sobering for me and a breath of fresh air. I also like Doflamingo a lot. It started from a college friend of mine drawing him all the time. That guy is terrible but I can’t help but like him somehow. Also love Uta, though she’s a fairly newer character. I’ve seen "FILM RED" three times in theaters, twice in Japan and once in America.

As Brook from “ONE PIECE” is also a musician who controls souls, in your opinion, who would win in a fight between the two of you?

Mori Calliope: Technically speaking, as a skeleton, he’s automatically a Dead Beat (my fan) whether he likes it or not. So I think in the end he’d HAVE to bow down to me as the winner. I feel like we’d make good friends after it all, though!


If you could create a song for any other anime or manga series, which one would you choose and why?

Mori Calliope: "Gachiakuta" because it’s my favorite and I think my music style fits it! Especially the direction I’m taking now with my music, as the manga itself has had a hand in inspiring the new raw energy I put in to my work. But I’d love to maybe sing an anime opening or ending for any dark or action-packed series.

You recently had the opportunity to perform “Future Island” live on a billboard in Japan. What was that experience like?

Mori Calliope: I didn’t really know how it would go to be honest, but seeing Dead Beats in Japan gather for it was surreal! I didn’t think I had many fans in Japan, but so many of them waited there for me. And to be some kind of background noise to the busy people of japan for even 5 minutes was oddly really cool.

You collaborated with TK from Ling tosite sigure on six feet under. Could you please explain a bit about the inspiration behind this song?

Mori Calliope: I wanted to write about my story, from start to finish, being bright-eyed and not knowing really anything about what you’re doing but being so full of dreams. As the story goes on, good things happen of course but a lot of the rose-colored tint fades away and dreams get crushed and people you once thought had your back begin to fall away and leave. Continuing to do what you love is hard when there are so many other outside factors making focusing on why you love what you do impossible, and the fear of failure and abandonment in the music industry is potent and unyielding. TK thought it was a bit too introspective and I should open it up a bit to be more inclusive of my audience, as in, how do I feel about THEM in all of this, where does the listener fit? I think it helped transform the song from a whiny piece rooted in self pity and loathing into a somber reflection of the journey thus far that also answers the question “Why do I still do this? It’s all for you.”


With so many big achievements coming your way recently, what are some of your goals for the future? Is there anything you dream of achieving as a musician?

Mori Calliope: I really just want to make music now that I’m happy with. Bigger reach is nice and all, but it’s not what helps me sleep at night. I always just wanted to like my own music, and I feel like I’m actually there now. If we’re talking opportunities though, I’d love to see my music over an anime opening or ending, or in a video game. I feel like that’s a dream for a lot of us in holo. I’d also love to do a legitimate tour someday.

You also regularly do gaming and art streams and variety show-style content on your YouTube channel. If you had to choose three streams to recommend to anyone who has not seen your non-music content yet, which ones would you pick?

Mori Calliope: Watch me play some of the harder game series I’ve done like "Elden Ring", "Everhood" and "Jump King". Those game really tried my patience but they made for great times. There are also more story based games like "LIVE-A-LIVE" and "Earthbound" that really became bonding moments for me and my community, so I’d recommend checking them out just because there’s a lot of gold in there and interaction with my community. I also did an English conversation series with our Japanese members which was really fun! That was definitely more than three, but I’d recommend them all.


Is there any stream idea you’ve always wanted to try as a VTuber but been unable to make a reality?

Mori Calliope: I kind of want to play around sometimes and do some fake-serious “mind break” stream, but I think there are just too many fans that would worry too much and take it too far. I gotta be aware of my entire fan base when I make certain decisions on what to stream, and I gotta make tough decisions sometimes that maybe compromise my creativity but it is what it is and just part of being professional.

hololive English recently held its first concert Connect the World in Los Angeles. Do any particular moments from the event or the preparations for it stand out in your mind when you look back on it?

Mori Calliope: My bass guitar jump at the climax of the song. That was so sick. I hope they keep it in the Blu-ray if we ever get one.

Please leave a message for your fans around the world.

Mori Calliope: I really really appreciate all my fans across the globe! They have supported me to this point and I'm really grateful to all of them!

For all my new listeners and fans, please check out JIGOKU 6 and be sure to come watch my streams on YouTube!

JaME would like to thank Mori Calliope and Cara Wodnicki for making this interview possible.

Links to download and stream JIGOKU 6 on various online music platforms are available here, and fans can also purchase physical editions of the release from Mori Calliope's official international online shop.

Footage of Mori Calliope performing Future Island live on the YUNIKA VISION billboard in Shinjuku this July, with a surprise call-in from a special guest, can be viewed below.