The lyrics are perfect for this time of year - interview with Yoyo Ishida, who sings "Wings of Courage," the opening theme song for the fall anime "Strike Witches: ROAD to BERLIN!

A new single by Yoyoko Ishida, who has composed numerous songs for the "World Witches" series, is now on sale!

This single includes two songs, "Yuuki no Tsubasa", the ending theme song for the TV anime "Strike Witches: ROAD to BERLIN", which is currently airing, and "Next Chapter", the theme song for the app game "World Witches: UNITED FRONT". In this interview, she spoke passionately about her thoughts on the songs and her love for Witches.

Wings of Courage" is a song with a new feel without blurring the worldview of the work

--First of all, how did you feel when you heard that you were going to sing the opening theme for "Strike Witches: Road to Berlin"?

Ishida: In the PV of "Strike Witches Road to Berlin," Yoshika Miyafuji (the heroine) says "I have courage, how about wings? The title of the song is exactly the same, and it really got me excited!

--How did you feel when you actually listened to "Wings of Courage"?

Ishida: I felt that the song is not blurred from the past worldview, but it also has a new feel. I would say that Yoshika-chan's enthusiasm was directly expressed in the song. I really like the second verse, "I wish to fly, my wings are there, it's a waste of time to be lost. With the current state of the world, I think people sometimes think about all kinds of things at home, and I thought this lyric was perfect for that. I thought the lyrics would motivate and inspire everyone listening to the song.

--What kind of "home time" did you yourself spend at home?

Ishida: In my own way, I had a fulfilling time, I did something like a radio program on my YouTube channel, and I started exercising, which I was not good at before this event! After this situation, I started doing "remote drinking sessions," but I decided to train about three times a week, because I thought, "I can't just keep drinking and not moving. I don't think it's good to think, "I've exercised this much, so I can keep drinking" (laughs). So it was like that: "drink," "exercise," and "sing" all over again!

--So it was also an opportunity for you to rethink yourself?

Ishida: Yes. I realized how important training is, because if you don't do anything, your singing ability will deteriorate.

--How was the recording of "Wings of Courage"?

Ishida As I mentioned earlier, the world view was not blurred, but I had the impression that a new wind was blowing in, so it took some time. In the story, Yoshika and her friends are growing up, and I went into the recording with a plan to sing like an adult, but I felt uncomfortable. I was a bit troubled there, but in the end I came to the conclusion that I should sing it as myself, and I sang it with a new feeling.

--Ishida: Have you been watching "Strike Witches: ROAD to BERLIN"?

Ishida: I watch it every week without fail!　I am interested in the members of the 501st Joint Combat Wing (a.k.a. 501), especially Major Mio Sakamoto. Witches lose their magic power when they grow up and can no longer fly, but will Major Sakamoto be able to continue to fight? I am a little worried. The flow of episodes 1 and 2, where Hoka is struggling when the enemy appears and everyone in the 501 rushes to her and they fight together again, is really moving and gives me goosebumps just remembering it. There are so many moving points that it's hard to keep track of them all (laughs)! In addition, Shizuka-chan has also joined the team, so there really are a lot of highlights, and I look forward to seeing what will happen in the future.

In the game, "Captain Ishida" is "Apprentice Ishida" (laughs).

--When did you record the other song, "Next Chapter"?

Ishida: Actually, it was recorded at about the same time as "Wings of Courage". In the past, there was a considerable interval between recordings due to the broadcast of the anime and the theater version, and I always tried to record "one song at a time". Both songs naturally follow the world view, but "Next Chapter" has a different atmosphere, like "Over Sky," the ending theme song for the second season of "Strike Witches 2," which I could imagine everyone singing together at the end of the event. I got the impression that it is a song that I can imagine everyone singing together at the end of the event.

--What was impressive to you when you sang it?

Ishida At first glance, many people may think it is difficult to get the rhythm, but it is also a point where you feel comfortable when you sing. It felt good!

--By the way, have you played the app game "World Witches UNITED FRONT"?

Ishida: I started playing right away on the day the game was released!　When you download an app game for the first time, it may take a while to install, but "Next Chapter" is playing during that time. Even after you have downloaded the game once, you can listen to it anytime by pressing the "Opening Movie" item, so I would like you to press it every time you play. I would like you to press this button every time you play the game, and do not skip any songs (laughs).

--(laughs) - How do you feel when you actually play the game?

Ishida: I am not a very dexterous player, but I can beat the Neuroi (enemies of Witches) if I can keep up with the rhythm of the game. I hope I can convey to everyone that even beginners can enjoy the game.

--So, "Captain Ishida" (a character based on the image of Mr. Ishida by Fumikane Shimada, the original author of the game) is still a novice when it comes to the game?

Ishida Yes (laughs). There are many players who are better than me, so I want to follow their example and become a great player!

--Ishida: On September 30, "Strike Witches & Brave Witches Theme Song BEST" was released.

Ishida: I know there have been many "Witches" related albums, but the appeal of this album is that the characters sing in various combinations, and the songs from the first album's opening theme "STRIKE WITCHES ~what I can do~" 12 years ago to "Strike Witches & Brave Witches Theme Song BEST" have been released in a variety of styles. Fly up so high," which commemorates the 10th anniversary of the "World Witches Series," I hope you will look back on the history and look forward to the future development of "Strike Witches: ROAD to BERLIN"!

--World Witches Music Festa 2020 Online Premium Live," a paid live streaming event, is coming up on November 28 (Saturday).

Ishida: It's sad that we can't have a live concert with an audience right now, but we are currently preparing for this event with all our energy. We may have some new announcements regarding the series, so we hope you will watch for them!

(Interview and text by Atsushi Saeki)


CD Information

Wings of Courage / Yoyoko Ishida
Now on sale

Price: [Limited Edition with DVD] 1,800 yen (tax not included), [Normal Edition] 1,200 yen (tax not included)

＜CD Contents
01. TV anime "Strike Witches ROAD to BERLIN" opening theme "Wings of Courage
02. Theme song for the game application "World Witches UNITED FRONT
03.Wings of Courage (Instrumental)
Next Chapter (Instrumental)

＜DVD includes the following
01. Wings of Courage 《PV-style video
Interview with Yoyoko Ishida
03.STRIKE WITCHES ～what I can do～ 《PV style video
04. making of