Kobayashi Aika is featured in the October 2026 issue of Megami Magazine as part of the interview series “Megami’sVoice.” The singer discusses “BLUE MAGIC,” her first single after transferring to the Lantis label, and the direction she wanted for a new chapter in her career.
The single is on sale now from Lantis. It includes the title track “BLUE MAGIC,” described as a dark and fantastical dance sound, plus two coupling songs. A first limited edition bundles a special booklet and a Blu-ray with the “BLUE MAGIC” music video and Behind The Scene making footage.
A Danceable Song to Show a New Side
Asked what direction she wanted for “BLUE MAGIC,” Kobayashi said she did not want to leave behind the fans who have supported her, while still showing a new version of herself. She requested a song that would push “dancing Kobayashi Aika” to the forefront. Wanting a vivid impact for the opening of her new chapter, she ended up with a strongly danceable number. She also feels the single includes parts that connect with her time in Aqours, moments that feel nostalgic, and glimpses of a new Kobayashi Aika.
When the song first came to her, she was struck by its solid melody and the strength of an opening theme, which felt exactly like the Lantis sound. She could picture the chorus lighting up with penlights. The lyrics also incorporate Atlantis, the origin of the Lantis company name, which made it feel like the right first song to deliver after her move to Lantis.
The track carries both heat and a dark, cool atmosphere. Because the lyrical phrases are strong, Kobayashi sang with enough intensity to match them. She also felt the song brought out the strengths of her singing, including long tones, and that her voice locked into the music especially well before the chorus.
For her personal highlight, she pointed to the gothic musical style and the stylish rap section. She hopes listeners will find their own way to enjoy the many details in the song.
A Dark, Cool Music Video with More Dancing
The music video also leans into a dark and cool look. Kobayashi wears black outfits she had rarely worn before, showing a side different from her previous colorful image. Before filming, her choreographer sent her dance footage, and she declared, “I can dance more!” The choreography was then increased. She joked that she had made things harder for herself, but she was able to dance it through and says it gave her confidence.
Recalling the shoot, Kobayashi noted that some scenes were filmed against a green screen, so she could not see the full picture at the time. The completed video, however, looks as if she is swaying in the deep sea. She found it very cool. Light was aimed at water and reflected with a mirror to illuminate her, and there was even a staff member dedicated to shaking the water, an attention to water expression she found fresh.
Because the song was cool and strongly blue in image, she kept her smiles minimal, adding only a few from the final chorus section to the end. That choice seemed to make the atmosphere even cooler, and fans who saw the video were pleased. She also unified her colored contacts, hair color, and nails in blue, so she hopes viewers will notice those fine details.
Fans responded strongly to the advance streaming release and the music video. Since it was her first new song in about two years, many people had been waiting for the release. Others had also been hoping for a dancing Kobayashi Aika. When they said things like “I have been waiting for this Kobayashi Aika!” she felt glad and relieved.
“What’s NEXT” and “Past the Curtain”
For the coupling tracks, “What’s NEXT” lives up to its title by making listeners wonder what will come next. Its development shifts constantly, keeping it from becoming boring. In fact, an instrumental version was used early as the background music for a new-information reveal video shown at June’s “New Song Unveiling Event.” Only a limited audience could attend, so she wonders whether anyone will recognize it. The song feels like walking with arms linked or running forward together, and it carries an excitement about doing fun things as a group.
“Past the Curtain,” meanwhile, is like the sky if “BLUE MAGIC” is the sea and “What’s NEXT” is the land. Her image for it places her childhood self on the clouds while her adult self listens to the sound of rain and looks up at who she used to be. It expresses the dream she has had since childhood of becoming a singer and feels like a song that steps toward the future. She challenged herself to sing it gently, with the ease of humming. The two coupling songs, she says, are filled with her wish to keep a playful spirit and a childlike heart while enjoying music even as an adult.
During recording, “What’s NEXT” had parts that required her to project her voice, and she was initially nervous about whether she could sing them. But she thought the staff must have chosen the song because they believed in her, and the recording went smoothly. It made her feel anew that the staff understand Kobayashi Aika. “Past the Curtain” includes ad-libs, and she remembers approaching it with the idea of singing relaxed on the clouds rather than straining.
Artist Photo and Future Plans
The artist photo also conveys a cool finish. Kobayashi asked only for a skirt with frills, and the team prepared an outfit exactly as she had imagined. Against a black background and a red sofa, her blue hair stands out, and the background and sofa use Lantis’s colors, red and black, making the photo a perfect match for the single. After trying various ways of sitting, she landed on a pose that feels somewhat challenging and shows strong will.
On what she wants to challenge next after the label move, Kobayashi said that setting goals too firmly can make them hard to surpass, so she has generally avoided overcommitting to them. But after this year’s live tour, she reaffirmed her desire to do more fun things and deepen her bonds with everyone. Going forward, she wants to appear at more festivals and overseas events than before and deliver her music to even more people. She takes pride in the fact that her live shows can be enjoyed even by people who do not know a single song and that first-time attendees can feel united with the crowd. She hopes people will listen to plenty of “BLUE MAGIC” and come to a live performance.
Profile
Kobayashi Aika / Born October 23. From Kanagawa Prefecture. Affiliated with Voice Kit. After debuting as a singer in 2011, she made her major debut from Toy’s Factory in 2020. She has released three singles, two full albums, and one EP. In 2026, she is active with a live house tour, among other work.
Release Information
“BLUE MAGIC”
Kobayashi Aika’s first single after transferring to Lantis. It includes the title track “BLUE MAGIC,” a dark and fantastical dance sound, and two coupling tracks. The first limited edition comes with a special booklet and a Blu-ray containing the “BLUE MAGIC” music video and Behind The Scene making footage.
On sale now
Lantis
| Edition | Price |
|---|---|
| First limited edition | 3300 yen (tax included) |
| Regular edition | 1980 yen (tax included) |
Megami Magazine editorial department
