Takayoshi Tanimoto Talk in Chile 2019

During february, 2019 Takayoshi Tanimoto visited Chile to perform at Anime Expo Summer 2019. On february 2nd he gave a show and on february 3rd he offered a conference. Here we translate the full talk for international fans. You can find the original version in spanish on our twitter. We have excluded a couple of questions about our country that we consider are not of general interest nor relevant to foreign readers.

Tell us about the reception of the audience during your concert? How did you feel it? 
They are very similar to japanese audiences, because they followed the dancing steps that I instructed. I've performed in other places like China, where the security at the venues is very strict, so they prefer to avoid turmoil and doing anything rash. Also, I was in Brazil recently, but everyone do their own thing over there.

Your debut in the anime world was in Digimon Tamers with the song "One Vision". How did you become involved? 
Before getting into the anime industry I was an independent musician. I worked as a music director. Once, a friend of mine was looking for a singer and asked me a recomendation for the job. Then, I gave him a tape, but didn't say who the performer was. When he listened to it, he came to me asking who that person was, because he was very good. So I told him it was me and that's how I got the job. And well, the rest of the story you know it already.

You've also composed for tokusatsu series. Is there any difference between composing for anime and for live action series? 
Is pretty similar, actually. First I watch the footage of the series and then I try to connect my feelings with the ones of the characters. If there's an action or fighting scene I choose rock or metal music and for sad scenes I prefer ballads or melancholic melodies.

What's been your experience singing for Dragon Ball? How do you feel being part of such big and popular franchise?
At first, when I was offered the job of performing the opening and ending for Dragon Ball Kai I had my doubts. I myself am a fan of the series and believed that it would be better if the original singer returned for this, since he's such an iconic voice. I also pondered about the fanbase, who probably had the same thoughts. So, I felt excited for the opportunity, but on the other side I could feel the pressure.
I think that this remake of Dragon Ball is closer to the vision that Akira Toriyama imprinted in the story of the manga, since it leaves out a lot of the things that were added to the old anime.
I believe it was a good thing that they decided to do this version, because it presented the series to the new generations and the old fans that grew up can watch it with their children now. In a sense it's a cultural heritage.

Was it too hard to record "Yuuki wo Uketsugu Kodomotachi e", since it has so many people involved?
That is a good question. I was very excited, because it was the first time that all the singers of Digimon got together. It was pretty easy and the recording session went very quickly and smoothly, because they all are very talented and professional people who give the best of themselves.

Now we have a surprise. We didn't know this, but Tanimoto-san told us earlier that he composed music for the Tokyo subway. The one that plays when the doors close. Can you tell us more about that? 
I got recomended for this job, too. I wrote 100 tunes in one week and sent them to the client. Then, months passed by and I didn't receive an answer, so I thought they didn't like them and I continued doing other things. I believe it was after like 6 months that they called me back, saying that they wanted to use 20 of those tunes and I told them that I would work on them, since the ones I sent were unfinished pieces, but they said that they were fine just like that. So...those are the melodies that people in Tokyo can hear in the trains.

Ayumi Miyazaki Talk in Chile 2018

During february, 2018 Digimon singer Ayumi Miyazaki visited Chile to perform at Anime Expo Summer 2018. On february 3rd he gave a show and on february 4th he offered a conference. Here we translate the full talk for international fans. You can find the original version in spanish on our twitter. We have excluded a couple of questions about our country that we consider are not of general interest nor relevant to foreign readers.

You come from a family of composers. What's the difference between composing in general and composing for anime?

Each anime series has its own universe that I have to translate into the music. I try to not imprint my own style, but rather the one from the series' world itself.

How did you arrive into Digimon? A recommendation, a casting…?

A friend of mine sent my demos to the music agency. Then, they listened to them and discussed if I'd sing "Brave Heart" or another song.

What's your personal and professional relationship with other people from Digimon like Kenji Watanabe and Koji Wada?

I met Koji Wada through Digimon. We worked together, singing the songs and going to events. At first, our relationship was merely professional, but once the series was over we became good friends, because we had more time to spend together.

He had various cycles when he had good health, but then he became ill again. In the occasions when we could see each other, I tried to joke around to make him feel better. I was so sure he would recover, so we made plans to sing together again. Sadly, he lost the battle against cancer. Since he was the main personality in the live events [that we do in Japan], now I feel that emptiness during the shows. But I keep his memory in my heart, especially when I go to events outside of Japan, I feel he's with me when I sing. When I asked you if I could sing his songs I was happy when you cheered and said yes, so I gave my best.*

In regard to Kenji Watanabe, I asked him to design a mascot to promote my shows. The mascot is called Stradion.

*During the concert the day prior, he asked the audience for permission to sing Koji Wada's songs.

Aside from Digimon, what other series have you collaborated in, writing music for them?

"Riyū", Prince of Tennis (sung by Jun'ichi Suwabe). "Yume Biyori", Doraemon (sung by Hitomi Shimatani). "Saikin Hayari no Meiku Uta", Hamtaro (sung by Chiaki and KABA-chan). I've written so many themes and I don’t remember all of them, but these are a few that I can recall right now.

How do you feel knowing that your songs had such an impact in a whole generation?

It’s incredible. When I started working in Digimon I never imagined in my dreams that 18 years later I would still be singing these songs and travelling around the world visiting places like this.

What's been your experience working for Digimon again after so many years, singing the new version of "Brave Heart" and "Aikotoba" in Tri?

I was surprised, because I didn't think Digimon would resurface. I believe that one of the most important reasons for this to occur was because of the support of the fans around the world, who wanted a continuation.

What was your inspiration for writing "Brave Heart", which is a song full of positive messages?

Truth to be told, I didn't compose that song. But as you mention, I try to channel and convey all the positive energy of the song.

In the beginning it was only Koji Wada, Ai Maeda and you, but with the passing of the years more artists joined in different seasons. What's your opinion about the musical evolution of the series?

The series started in 1999 when Japan and the world were faced to the problem of the new millennium (Y2K). We are inspired by the culture and trends of the moment in which each season is created.

What's your composing process?

There's different ways. It's common that the producers don't have a clear picture of what they want, for example the style (rock, pop, etc), or if the song will be sung by a man or by a woman. In those cases, I have to go by my instincts. In other cases, when the series is based on already existing material (manga, etc), I read the complete work and I immerse myself into that world and I wait for the inspiration come down to me. When I had to compose "Rose" for Nana, the only detail I knew was that it would be sung by Anna Tsuchiya. I was asked a rock-style and aggressive song, so I took my guitar and I played it for a good while until I was falling asleep and suddenly the inspiration struck me down.

What's your favorite digimon?

Tailmon. This is known amongst japanese fans, so they always bring me Tailmon themed presents during my concerts and other events. They call me "uncle Tailmon".