Popular voice actor Hiro Shimono makes his solo debut as an artist! A birthday live concert will also be held!

Popular voice actor Hiro Shimono will launch his artist career this spring to celebrate his 15th anniversary as a voice actor. His debut single "Real -REAL-" will be released on March 16, 2016 (Wednesday), and now the official liner for the single has arrived. In addition, a birthday live will be held in April.

Hiro Shimono is a popular voice actor belonging to IM Enterprises, who won the singing award at the 6th Seiyu Awards in 2012 (under the name UtaPuri). His major works include "The Phantom World" (Haruhiko Ichijo), "Shinkage no Kyojin" (Connie), "Diamond A" (Kenshi Kawakami), "Baby Step" (Yukichi Fukazawa), "Tamako Market" (Oji), "Uta no Prince-sama series" (Sho Kurusu), "The World God Only Knows" (Keima Katsuragi), etc. and many more.

The following is the content of the official liner.

Voice actor Hiro Shimono will make his major label debut as artist Hiro Shimono. The title of the memorable first single is "Realoo REALoo.
　The first thing that struck me upon listening to the soundtrack was the gap between the gentle and friendly impression I had of Shimono Hiro. The guitar riffs run freely over a muddy bass line that roars. Shimono's cool voice echoed against the hard rock sound.
　It is not that there have been no rock tunes in the many character songs he has sung in the past, such as "The World God Only Knows" and "Diamond A". However, this is the first time that he has sung a song with such a "rock tune" in it. Of course, the songs in the "Uta no Prince Sama!" series have a completely different vector.

I think the 15th anniversary of my voice acting career played a big part in my debut as an artist. My past experience has given me confidence as a voice actor, but I also feel that I am still a young 35-year-old, and I am still growing. That is why I am more motivated to find a new aspect of myself. In the past, there was a part of me that took a step back in my artistic activities. But by taking that step at this milestone, I felt like I could climb the stairs myself. I have a strong feeling that I want to peel off one more layer of skin.

　Shimono repeated the phrase "I want to peel off my skin" in the interview. He has decided to make his debut as an artist, to make his music more rock-oriented, and to try his hand at writing lyrics for the first time. All of these actions reflect the artist's desire to break out of his current situation. In fact, the lyrics of "Realoo REALoo" are full of stimulating expressions.

Tiny birdcage.
Go beyond your delicate feelings.
Break it down, break it down, break it down, break it down, break it down.
Grab it, grab it, grab it, grab it, grab it, grab it, grab it!

　As Shimono celebrated his 15th anniversary as a voice actor and built a solid career, what swirled within him was a positive passion to "grow even more. He says that no matter what kind of person you are, "When you cross a new wall, another wall appears, and even if you solve one problem, a new problem is born. I don't think there is an end to it," he says. Shimono is not the type of person who makes a flashy impression on others, but his debut as an artist gave him the opportunity to express his innermost feelings through song.

I don't think it is convincing enough to just sing, "Hang in there,"" he says. No matter how cheerful a person is, there is no one who always lives 100% positively. I, too, have experienced various irrational things, large and small. However, I believe that it is precisely because of such negative experiences that we are able to feel "happy" and "joyful. I hope to convey the message that I don't want everyone who listens to this song to be defeated by negative things.

　The coupling "Yakusoku" is a middle tune, and Shimono says, "If the title song is a pep song, the coupling is a cheering song. While we can sense his innate gentleness in this rock-oriented song that does not go so far as to be offensive, we can also confirm that the theme of this first single was to encourage people to shake off their fears of change and to take hold of an unknown reality, or "REAL".
　Although he has already had a 15-year career in expressive activities, Hiro Shimono has added depth to his statement as an artist by first changing himself. Through this solo project, he will gradually reveal his view of life. As the first step in his resolve and determination, "Realoo REAL-" will resonate with us.

TEXT BY Fumiaki Nishihara (Anime music writer / former editor-in-chief of Listani! Editor-in-Chief)

CD Information
Hiro Shimono "REAL -REAL-"
Release date: March 16, 2016 (Wed) / PONY CANYON

Included songs
01. "REAL -REAL-" Lyrics: Hiro Shimono
Lyrics: Hiro Shimono, RUCCA Composition/Arrangement: Ryo Takahashi
02. promise
lyrics by RUCCA, music by Hajime Mitsumasu, arrangement by Shinichi Mitsui
03. real -REAL- (Instrumental)
04. promise (Instrumental)

Product Details
Limited First Edition] PCCG.-01514 ¥1,800 + tax
　CD + DVD (music video included)
　Birthday live event priority sales application ticket for Hiro Shimono
Normal disc] PCCG-70311 ¥1,500 + tax
　CD only
　Birthday live event priority sales application ticket for Hiro Shimono *Included in the first pressing only.
Kyanime Limited Edition] SCCG-00009 ¥1,800 + tax
　CD + DVD (music video included)
　Priority sales application ticket for premium seats at Hiro Shimono's birthday live event
　DVD containing music video off-shot footage (external bonus)
Application Deadline for application for priority sales application tickets for Hiro Shimono Birthday Live Event: 2016/03/27 (Sun.) 23:59

Birthday live event for Hiro Shimono
　Customers who wish to participate in the event can apply for the Birthday Live Event by using the Birthday Live Event priority sales application ticket enclosed in all copies of the Hiro Shimono CD "REAL-REAL-" to be released on 3/16.　If there are too many applications, we will hold a lottery.
(1) [Date] April 23 (Sat.), 2016 (Time TBD) [Venue] Osaka Business Park Round Tube
　Venue] Osaka Business Park Round Hall (2-1-61 Shiromi, Chuo-ku, Osaka)
(2) [Performance Date] Sunday, April 24, 2016 (Time to be determined)
　Venue] Yamano Hall (1-53-1 Yoyogi, Shibuya-ku, Tokyo)
Fees] 〔Price〕.
For those who have purchased the Limited First Edition or Normal Edition
　Fee] ・General seats: 3,000 + tax
　Those who wish to have premium seats are required to purchase "Kyanime Limited Edition".
For those who purchase "Kyanime Limited Edition
Premium seats (with original privilege) 5,000 + tax
　　 　　General seats 3,000 + tax
You can choose either premium seats or general seats.
Application period] 2016/03/16 (Wed) - 2016/03/27 (Sun) 23:59
Announcement of lottery results: Wednesday, 2016/03/30 19:00 or later
Payment Period] 2016/03/30(Wed) 19:00 - 2016/04/05(Tue) 23:59
Limitation on the number of tickets] One ticket per one serial number on the application ticket for priority sales for the birthday live event of Hiro Shimono enclosed in the CD.
　　　　　　One ticket can be applied for per one serial number on the ticket enclosed in the CD.
If there are too many applications, a lottery will be held.
Preschool children are not allowed to enter.