Japanese singer May’n is known for her powerful vocals and beautiful voice. For many anime fans, she is most famous for providing the singing voice for ‘Galactic Fairy’ Sheryl Nome in Macross Frontier. She has also provided opening themes for anime such as Taboo Tattoo and Restaurant to Another World, making her a true star of the Anisong world. May’n will be performing in the US at Anisong World Matsuri ‘Japan Super Live’ at Anime Expo 2018 on 6 July 2018. Prior to her performance, MANGA.TOKYO got the chance to ask May’n some questions about her inspiration, her feelings about overseas concerts, and more!

What inspired you to become a singer? What were your professional goals when you started, and what are you looking to achieve now?

May’n: When I was 3 years old, I saw Namie Amuro and wanted to be like her, so I entered a lot of contests since early childhood. When I turned 9, I knew I wanted to become a serious singer so I started to go to many auditions, and at the age of ,13 I was able to debut through my agency’s audition. Now, my biggest dream is to be able to sing in the “’Kouhaku Uta Gassen’ and do a concert at Nagoya Dome where I use to run from my house to go play. I also have a lot of my own songs that I’m writing, but I would like to do more.

When you sing for an anime theme, what do you have to keep in mind? Are you singing as May’n or as someone else?

May’n: I don’t act. I try to cherish and think about the emotions and scenery expressed in the piece while I’m singing in front of the audience. In Sheryl’s songs, I perform with the feelings Sheryl would show towards the fans that came to her concert. There are always different emotions that come out when I sing the anime theme songs and the original songs, too.

Which of your songs has left the biggest impression on you so far? Could you tell us the reason why?

May’n: ‘Diamond Crevasse’ is the song where I began as May’n, so I think that it will continue to be a very important song for me. Even in other countries, people will sing it in Japanese. Macross Frontier has the theme ‘Save the galaxy with songs’ throughout the series, but it really did show me that singing brings the world together.

What excites you the most about your overseas concerts? What songs get those audiences heated up the most?

May’n: I’m happy that buchou (director) calls are steadily increasing. Since Japanese fans call me buchou, it makes me happy to see fans all over the world call me that too! I think the songs that excite people the most are from Macross Frontier – ‘Northern Cross’ or ‘Lion’. Also, ‘Chase the world’ always gets a great reaction overseas!

Anisong has been a big part of your career. What have been your favorite anisongs performed by other artists? Why do you feel anisong has so much power all over the world?

May’n: I especially like to sing ‘Beyond the Bottom’ by Wake Up, Girls! and ‘Shine’ by CINDERELLA PROJECT at karaoke. I love the story of cute little girls trying hard to overcome many things to achieve their dreams. Emotions can’t help but overflow when the music and animation scenes fit together perfectly. Emotions, tears, courage, and joy. If you listen to your favorite song, you will think of your favorite scene. I would like for people to enjoy more of the anime while I’m singing the anisong.

May’n performs at Anisong World Matsuri’s ‘Japan Super Live’ concert on 6 July 2018 at Anime Expo.

May’n greeting to Anisong World Matsuri-goers

Music Video for ‘Belief’ by May’n, opening theme for the TV anime Taboo Tattoo

AWM at AX2018 Official Website: http://www.anime-expo.org/anisong-world-matsuri/

May’n official website: http://mayn.jp
May’n Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mayn.official
May’n Twitter: https://twitter.com/mayn_tw
May’n Instagram: http://instagram.com/mayn1021