20-year-old Konomi Suzuki’s explosive career in the Japanese music industry began after winning the fifth annual Animax All-Japan Anisong Grand Prix in 2011. Her 13th single, ‘Blow Out’, was released in May 2017 and was used as the opening theme song for the Spring 2017 anime series, Akashic Records of Bastard Magic Instructor (Roku de Nashi Majutsu Koushi to Akashic Record). Her song ‘There is a reason’ was the theme song for the anime film, No Game No Life Zero, which was released in Japanese cinemas in July. The song was also included in her latest album, No Song No Life, which was also released in July. Konomi also made her first appearance at the huge international anime convention Anime Expo in Los Angeles as one of the anisong artists who performed during the Anisong World Matsuri on 1 July 2017. Join us as we ask Konomi (affectionately known as Konomin) questions about her perception of Los Angeles, her voice acting debut, and her personal taste in both manga and anime.
Konomi Suzuki: I just arrived yesterday so I haven’t had the chance to explore or experience as much as I’d like. But I did get to see the beach in Santa Monica. I was moved by how far and wide the sky, the beach, and the ocean all were. I’m definitely planning on seeing more of Los Angeles after Anisong World Matsuri.
Suzuki: Megumi Nakajima and May’n from Macross Frontier really inspired me. Watching the series and hearing them sing was what made me go, ‘Ah, I want to sing anime songs, too.’
Suzuki: I try to watch all the series I participate in so it’s hard to specifically choose one series. But Sakurasou no Pet na Kanojo really had an impact on me. I really liked that world and singing the theme song, ‘DAYS of DASH’, was a memorable experience.
Suzuki: I can’t honestly tell what sets the two events apart. But I am looking forward to strolling around and looking at various booths. This is also my very first performance in Los Angeles which has me a little nervous but more excited.
Suzuki: Yes, I do! I ask for someone to slap me hard on the back.
Suzuki: The broadcast date for Lost Song hasn’t been announced yet, so I haven’t been called in to start recording. But what I have been doing is watching anime with a different approach. Paying attention to the voice actors and trying to figure out how they said this particular line or how they were able to convey the character’s emotions. I want to apply what I’ve learned to make Rin come across as Rin and not just a character voiced by me. I’ll be putting Konomi Suzuki aside for this role!
The first season of the new year is just one month away from its finale. It was a great start with many amazing titles that made these past months worth the extra hours we put in front of our sets. Now, it is time for the cold wind to give way to the pink hues of the sakura tree and for the Winter 2018 season to give the anime baton to Spring 2018.
