Hello, everyone. Today, we’re here with Mika Kobayashi. Thank you for joining us. First of all, could you introduce yourself?
Hello, everyone, whether this is your first time meeting me or not. How are you all doing? I’m Mika Kobayashi. I think many of you know my voice from anime and video game songs. However, I usually work as a singer-songwriter. I create original songs, collaborate with people from all over the world, sing in various languages, and travel around the world. It’s a pleasure to meet you all.
This time, you’re performing together with Kamui. Is this your first time working together, or have you collaborated before?
I’ve been collaborating with Kamui for a long time, ever since I first started performing overseas. We’ve also been to Japan Expo in France together many times.
Thank you very much. Is this your first time in France, or have you been here before?
I often come to France for Japan Expo. I come here every year, actually. But every year, I basically only see the hotel and the venue, so I haven’t really had the chance to explore Paris. Next year, I really hope I can finally go into the city and see Paris properly.
Do you have any favourite foods?
In France?
Yes, in France.
What was it called? French food… I love ratatouille, and I also like macarons.
They’re famous here, the macarons.
You’re also performing with the Fantastique Mika Band this time. How is this different from what you usually do with Kamui? What kind of image or sound do you want to present to the fans?
As a singer, I usually perform on my own. I’ve done a lot of collaborations with Kamui, and I’ve also toured in Japan and China with a band. I’ve always wanted to bring a band to Europe someday, so this time I wanted to bring together anime songs, video game songs, original songs, and songs I’ve created in collaboration with various artists, and perform all of them for everyone in France.
Thank you. Everyone knows the anime Attack on Titan. I’ve watched it too. What’s your favourite Titan? Sorry for the question, but fans might be interested. Is there one you like?
No one has asked me that before. That’s funny. There are certainly many different types of Titans, which I think everyone finds fascinating. But, although this may be a little biased, since one of my songs is also featured in the series, I have to say that the Female Titan is probably my favourite.
That’s great. Everyone knows the songs you did for the show. They’re wonderful. Your voice is so powerful; it’s incredible. The show wouldn’t feel the same without those songs. I think the music makes the whole thing feel even more powerful.
Thank you very much.
When you return to Japan, do you have any plans for what’s next? Maybe a new single or album?
I’ve actually just released two new albums, so I’d like to bring the music from those albums to people all over the world. I’ve also worked on some new video game songs, and I’d like them to be used in various places as well. After France, I’m going to Italy. I’m going to film a music video there. Someday, I hope I can film a music video in Paris too. For now, though, I’m going to enjoy this tour.
Do you have any other projects with the Fantastique Mika Band?
I hope we can perform all over Europe and visit many different places. The “Fantastique” in Fantastique Mika Band is supposed to be French. That was an idea suggested by the Japan Expo organisers, so in a way, it feels a little like something that originated in France. I’d like to keep developing that idea and see what else we can do with it.
Kamui isn’t here right now.
No, he isn’t.
How did you first meet? Who brought you together? Whose idea was it to collaborate?
I’ve actually known Kamui for over 20 years. Twenty years ago, we appeared on the same internet programme. We talked about our respective activities, shared updates, and asked each other for advice. As we kept talking, we thought it might be interesting to collaborate. We started doing little things together in Japan, and now we’re doing the same kind of work overseas in Europe. I think our collaboration grew naturally from having worked together in the first place.
If you switched roles with Kamui, would you be able to perform with the sword?
Me with the sword? I see. Many years ago, when we collaborated in Japan, I once used a naginata. It takes a lot of training, so I’d be a little nervous about performing with one in Paris. But maybe next year I might be the one wielding one. Maybe.
Yes, please look forward to it.
What if I just gave it away? Is that okay?
If it’s not okay, we can always cut it from the video. With a regular sword, you can cut things, right? Could you cut something like cheese with the sword from the show?
Is it a real sword?
A real one? A katana?
Yes, of course a real sword can cut things, but using one on stage would obviously be dangerous, so we use a proper stage sword. The stage sword is called a takemitsu. It’s made of wood with silver foil applied to it. There’s also another type called an iaitō, made from a material called duralumin. It’s much closer to a real sword, including in terms of its weight. That kind of sword is used for photo shoots or when performing iaido on your own. So, with an iaitō or a real sword, you would be able to cut cheese.
Of course. It would be hard to bring a real sword on a plane.
It wouldn’t be allowed. Definitely not.
How did you find the members of the Fantastique Mika Band? Were they people you already knew, or did you put out an announcement and look for people? How did you choose them?
The person here is the bassist in the Fantastique Mika Band. When I was going on tour in China, I was looking for band members. I asked various people I knew if they knew anyone who might be able to come along, and he was the one who was selected. Then he invited the other members to join as well. We’ve done various recording sessions and live performances together. I think this is the first time this particular lineup has come here. I’ve worked with each member on different projects, but this is the first time I’ve brought together people I’ve recorded with and people I’ve performed live with to come to France as one group. Everyone gets along really well, and I think we can create some great music together. I hope you’ll all enjoy the live show.
We’re Spanish media. Have you ever been to Spain?
I’ve actually been to Spain several times. I also have original songs that I sing in Spanish, so I’d love to go back to Spain and perform those songs there again.
Thank you very much. Everyone is looking forward to it. Have you been to events like Japan Weekend in Madrid?
Absolutely. I’ve performed at Japan Weekend, so there’s a possibility I might appear again in the future.
You’re from Tokyo, right?
Yes, I live in Tokyo.
It’s quite a long journey to Paris, isn’t it? What do you like to do on a long flight? This might be a bit personal. For example, do you sleep, watch videos, read books, or do something else?
When I come to Paris, I usually fly with Air France, and their wine and cheese are delicious, so I always enjoy some good wine during the flight. If I have work left to do, I sometimes work on the plane as well. This time, I had a lot of songs to perform for Japan Expo, so there was a lot to check. I listened to my own songs and reviewed everything while enjoying some wine and champagne.
The champagne is delicious.
It really is.
When you’re away from Japan, is there anything you start to miss? Not necessarily something nostalgic, but something you find yourself craving? Maybe you think, “I want to eat that, but I can’t.”
When I first started travelling overseas, the food felt different, so I would really start craving things like miso soup. But I’ve gradually gotten used to it, and now I actually want to eat lots of local food. However, whenever I travel, I always bring umeboshi with me.
Do you know umeboshi?
Yes, umeboshi. I bring some with me and eat it so I don’t get too homesick. It’s like having a little bit of Japan with me wherever I go, so I can enjoy both France and Japan.
Thank you. Between wine and beer, which one do you like best?
Oh, that’s a good question! I like beer and red wine, and sake too. Do you drink sake?
I’ve only had it once. It was delicious.
Of course. It was the warm kind.
Ah, yes, atsukan.
It’s called atsukan?
Thank you very much. That’s good to hear.
There’s another famous Japanese snack with two rival teams. You know the one.
Kinoko no Yama and Takenoko no Sato, right?
Yes, you know it. Is this about which one I prefer?
Yes, please.
That’s a tough one.
Honestly, I really like both of them. But I’m definitely on Team Takenoko no Sato.
What team is our bassist on?
Probably Team Takenoko too.
So the Fantastique Mika Band is Team Takenoko.
The Takenoko Band.
That’s great. Can I ask why?
The Takenoko one has more chocolate, right? It’s also sweeter. I do prefer sweeter things. Although I really like both, their textures are different. You’ve eaten Kinoko no Yama, right? Kinoko no Yama is a little crispier and harder, whereas Takenoko no Sato is a little softer. So when I think of them, I lean more towards Takenoko. It’s softer and sweeter. That’s my reason.
Thank you very much. Then everyone, choose your team. Which side are you on?
Who knows which one?
If you don’t know them, please try them when you go to Japan.
Thank you very much.
There’s one more thing we have to ask. Ramen or tsukemen? Which one do you prefer?
That’s important. That’s a very important question. I’m on Team Ramen, and my favourite is shio ramen.
Is that okay?
Yes, that’s great to hear.
What about the bassist?
I like abura soba.
Abura soba?
It’s kind of like ramen without soup, and I really like it.
I forgot about that.
So we have three different groups now. That’s amazing. The last time I went, I tried abura soba, and it was delicious. The spicy one. Do you like the spicy version?
Yes, I like spicy food.
What about you?
I don’t really eat abura soba. I’m ramen only.
Ramen is delicious too. Thank you very much for today.
Thank you very much. Let’s meet again. Bye-bye.