Wanting to Deliver Asaka with All Her Might in Both Single and Album
The magazine “Megami Magazine” runs an interview feature called “Megami’s Voice,” where artists who sing anime and game theme songs discuss their music. For the February 2026 issue, Asaka appears, having released the digital single “Satellite CITY” and the cover album “Sing That SONG!!”.
――On December 17th, the third digital single in your three-month consecutive release series, “Satellite CITY,” was released, right?
Actually, until now, I’ve been particular about releasing CDs as an anison (anime song) singer and haven’t focused much on digital distribution. However, as I’ve continued my activities, more and more supporters have been saying, “We want to hear songs that showcase Asaka herself.” So, to respond to everyone’s feelings, I decided on digital releases. With just a button click, anyone can purchase them, making it easy for even those who haven’t encountered Asaka’s music before to buy in. I’ve come to feel that it can be an important encounter, like a once-in-a-lifetime meeting.
――What themes did you have in mind when creating the three digital singles?
The first one, “Hakanai Rensa” (which can be translated as “Fleeting Chain”), is the ending theme for the game “Corpse Party II Darkness Distortion.” The game’s release has been delayed, but rather than letting the song sit, we released it first. The second, “Christmas☆Parade,” is a song I originally sang at live shows. During the “Satellite CITY Tour” that ran until December, the idea came up to release a Christmas song, so we recorded it. And “Satellite CITY” is, as the title suggests, a song themed around the tour itself. For “Satellite CITY,” I also challenged myself to compose for the first time.
――What kind of song did you aim for with “Satellite CITY”?
As a goal of the tour, I wanted to visit places that aren’t major cities like Tokyo, Osaka, or Nagoya, where I haven’t performed before, and create opportunities to spread the word about what kind of person Asaka is and what songs I sing. So, for the music, I thought it would be great to convey the excitement of meeting new people and the anticipation for live shows, so I created an upbeat, lively pop song with a sense of speed. Since the “Satellite CITY Tour” went to various places, I wanted the audience to feel like they were traveling with me, so I poured those feelings into the lyrics and made it a song that conveys that everyone becomes friends when they come to the live show.
――Does your approach to singing change depending on whether there’s a tie-in or not?
It changes quite a bit. When there’s a tie-in, I delve into the original work from the songwriting stage, and even when I handle the lyrics, I incorporate the emotions the characters hold, so I don’t let Asaka’s personal individuality intervene beyond my singing voice. The ideal is that even after the broadcast ends, fans can listen to the song and have flashbacks of the work. On the other hand, when there’s no tie-in, I can put 100% of Asaka into it. Also, with tie-ins, Asaka’s singing isn’t supplemented by visuals, so that might be a big difference.
――What are your thoughts on singing these digital singles at live shows?
A heavy ballad like “Hakanai Rensa” serves as an essence to wrap up the live after a series of upbeat songs. “Christmas☆Parade” has parts where the audience sings along, so I make sure to communicate that clearly during MCs. As for “Satellite CITY,” at the time of this interview, it hasn’t been performed yet, but I think the more people who have been coming to live shows, the more deeply moved they might feel. It’s a song that feels like the culmination of the tour, so I want everyone to experience the scenery we’ve built together becoming music.
――And on January 28th, your first cover album is being released. How did you select the songs?
I chose songs I like, but recently, I’ve been getting more work outside of being an anison singer, and there are people who support me without knowing Asaka as a singer. To appeal to them too, I included famous anisons like “Kouga Ninpou Chou” (from “Basilisk”) and “Lion” (from “Macross F”), and also songs I sang before becoming an anison singer, during auditions and such. Among those, “My Luxury Night” was a song suggested by my agency’s president, who said, “This kind of song might suit you.” I felt like I could discover a side of myself I didn’t know, so I decided to include it.
――What did you prioritize when singing these covers?
Respecting the original songs was a given. For “Lion” (from the TV anime series “Macross F”), I adore May’n so much that I couldn’t shake off her singing style quirks. However, without those quirks, it might feel lacking to those familiar with “Lion,” so I intentionally kept them. Similarly, for “Kouga Ninpou Chou” and “Blue Water,” I kept the points I absolutely couldn’t compromise on as a fan, but for the other kayoukyoku (Japanese pop songs), I sang with Asaka’s individuality.
――Please tell us about each song.
“Kamome ga Tonda Hi” (The Day the Seagull Flew), “Aa Mujou” (Ah, Cruelty), and “PIECE OF MY WISH” are songs I often sang on the TV show “THE Karaoke Battle” because they were easy to score points with. “Kamome ga Tonda Hi” has lyrics that convey feelings through analog methods like letters and bulletin boards, which was fun to sing. I used a low, husky voice quality that I don’t usually use in anisons, and it felt like I was showing my true ability.
“Aa Mujou” is sung by Anri, a very powerful and unique artist, and it’s about a strong woman. There’s a powerfulness in thinking about becoming a better woman after a breakup, and the protagonist of this song is full of confidence, which I love. I want to sing about living freely, wearing clothes I like, and doing makeup I like, even in the Reiwa era, so I sang with a feeling of “I’m cool.”
“PIECE OF MY WISH” resonated with me because of its lyrics about the difficulty and importance of believing in the path you’ve chosen and the people around you. After 10 years in this job, I’ve had turning points in my private life and times when I had to choose whether to continue solely as an anison singer, and through that, I’ve come to think that I have to find the answers to my own life. This song made me feel like it was pushing me to say, “It’s my own life, so live with pride,” and I almost cried during recording.
“Kouga Ninpou Chou (Cover)” is the theme song for “Basilisk,” and the song is elegant and powerful. To deepen that worldview, I incorporated Japanese singing techniques like kobushi and folk-like styles. I’ve always wanted to showcase Japanese-style singing someday, so this felt like a good opportunity. However, to avoid overdoing it, I carefully considered where to add those elements.
“Blue Water” is a song I sang with angela’s atsuko and YURiKA at a festival hosted by voice actor Noriko Hidaka. After deciding to sing it, I watched the work and was impressed by the lyric “love is stronger than jewels,” so I recorded it with an image of singing in the middle of the sea. I felt that Morikawa Miho’s singing voice has strength while also having a warmth that embraces people, which is close to my own voice quality, so I’ve been singing it at live shows since. It has warmth, so I feel a closeness to it and continue to sing it.
“My Luxury Night” was really tough. Because it’s been sung for a long time, there are parts where the rhythm is broken, but since I learned it in a short time, I couldn’t break the rhythm myself. The recording was handled by my agency’s president and manager, and we had to do a retake on a different day. In my singing career so far, having a retake on a different day only happened once with my debut song, so I was surprised. But the more I sang it, the more flavor came out, so the second recording was much better. Ideas for how to sing it, like where to emphasize in the lyrics, came to me. I was able to make adjustments, like deliberately singing with a laid-back feel to create a sense of grandeur. The key is low, and I sang with more breaths, so it’s a song I look forward to continuing to sing and seeing how it changes.
――After making the cover album, did you discover anything?
Since I chose songs from different eras and genres, I think it became an opportunity to learn about the breadth of music and that “there’s no right answer in music.”
――In February, you have a live show featuring the cover album, right?
I plan to try something new: not singing any original songs at all. Of course, I’ll sing songs from the cover album, and I also plan to specially perform one-off cover songs I’ve sung at solo live shows in the past. I want both those who say, “I want to hear that cover song from the live show again,” and those who think, “If she sang that song, I’d want to hear it,” to come and spread the goodness of cover songs. And I’d be happy if you could encourage my manager, who’s eager to release a second and third volume of the cover album (laughs).
――It’s your 10th year since debut, so please share memories from this decade.
My life changed greatly with “SHINY DAYS,” released in 2018. I had released singles before, but “SHINY DAYS” was the first time I could showcase a soulful Asaka singing R&B with a smile, and I feel this song formed the core of Asaka. Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, I learned the frustration of not being able to deliver music directly to the audience and the preciousness of delivering music. The sense of urgency that I must sing while I can is something I still recall at times. Furthermore, in 2022, I was hospitalized after contracting COVID-19, which made me strongly feel the gratitude of being able to sing.
――In 2023, you didn’t have any releases, right?
That’s right. Even though I could use my voice again, I felt anxious about having no releases, so to avoid halting as an anison singer, I thought about what to do and started posting on SNS about my hobbies like horse racing and mahjong. That reached related parties, leading to where I am now, so if I had releases in 2023, I might not have done the cover album or voice acting work. Because I contracted COVID-19 and realized I might not be able to sing someday, I’ve come to want to give 150% effort. I’d be happy if that full effort reaches everyone.
――Please tell us your goals for the next 10 years.
Actually, I originally wanted to be a voice actor. But it was too difficult, yet I still wanted to be involved in the anime industry, so after various explorations, I became able to work as an anison singer. Now I’m also doing voice acting work, but all of that is because of the path I’ve walked as an anison singer, and I feel that if I give my all, it will connect to something someday. That’s why I want to keep pushing forward without complaining.
――Please share last year’s memories and this year’s aspirations.
In 2025, I did twice as many live shows as in 2024 and was able to stand on stage both as a singer and voice actor. Through “Utagoe wa Mille-feuille,” I learned the wonder of a cappella, and the “Satellite CITY Tour” had more sold-out performances, making it a year with many encounters. 2026 marks the start of my 10th anniversary since debut, so I want to hold live shows at venues with over 1000 capacity and break my career record for attendance. For the “Satellite CITY Tour,” I went to meet everyone, so for the next one, I’d like to be selfish and say, “This time, won’t you come to meet me?” (laughs). In 2026, I want to not forget my初心 (shoshin, original intention) and hope that even one more person gets to know Asaka.
――Finally, please give a message to the readers.
With permissions from various parties, this cover album was realized. Without forgetting my gratitude, and with a desire to preserve the songs everyone has built up into the Reiwa era, I respected the originals and had arrangements done. I’ll work hard to deliver the infinite fun of music to everyone and to make my 10th anniversary year exciting, so please lend me your strength. And I’d be happy if you come to like Asaka’s songs even a little.
Profile
Asaka / Born October 7th. From Aichi Prefecture. Debuted in October 2016 with the ED theme “Open your eyes” for the TV anime “Occultic;Nine.” While actively working as an anison singer, in recent years, she has also been active as a voice actor, playing roles like Espoir Society in “Uma Musume Pretty Derby.”
Information
The cover album tour “Asaka Sing That SONG!!” is scheduled for February 8, 2026, at ReNY limited in Aichi Prefecture, and February 11, 2026, at Kanda Myojin Hall in Tokyo. For details on ticket purchases, check the official website https://asaka1007.jp/.
“Satellite CITY”
The third release in the three-month digital single series starting October. It’s the theme song for the national tour “Asaka Satellite CITY Tour” that ran until December 14, 2025, and is a pop number with lyrics and composition by herself.
‘Sing That SONG!!’
Asaka’s first cover album. Includes 7 tracks, from Showa-era kayoukyoku like “Kamome ga Tonda Hi” to anison familiar to anime fans, such as “Kouga Ninpou Chou (Cover),” “Blue Water,” and “Lion” (from the TV anime series “Macross F”).
“Satellite CITY” is available for streaming.
‘Sing That SONG!!’ was released on January 28, 2026.
AniTone Music
‘Sing That SONG!!’ 2750 yen (tax included).
《Megami Magazine Editorial Department》
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