Celebrating the release of Aino Nanjo's new single "Sen"! Long interview looking back on 11 years of "Grisaia" and its music!

Aino Nanjo released her new single "Sen -Sen-" on October 25. The coupling song "Kareki ni Saku Hana (Flower Blooming in the Rubble)" is the ending theme for the PC game "Grisaia Chronos Liberion.

This is the seventh time Nanjo and the "Grisaia" series have teamed up. To look back on the relationship they have built over the years, we asked them when their feelings about the music have changed over the past 10 years, as well as "What if the story of 'Grisaia' were to be completed? We also asked him about his new album, which is scheduled to be released in December, and his new album, "Gurizaiya".

We hope that the outline of "Nanjo Aino" at this moment, in the fall of 2023, will be even a little clearer.

I feel that the girls have no other choice but to move forward.

─ It is no exaggeration to say that Ms. Nanjo's musical activities have been accompanied by tie-up songs from the "Grisaia" series. To unravel this relationship, first tell us about your new song "Karegire ni Saku Hana" (Flowers Blooming in the Rubble).

Nanjo: "Kareki ni Saku Hana" was chosen as the ending theme for the PC game "Grisaia Chronos Rebellion. Compared to the "Grisaia" songs I have sung in the past, it is quite difficult to find hope in the lyrics of this song.

─ ─ Which part exactly?

Nanjo: The overall impression is one of desperation. In the beginning of the chorus, the lyrics are aggressive in contrast to the beautiful melody, such as "I turned my fangs to God without even knowing my fear. The song also sings, "Just laughing with you in the future," but rather than a sense of hope for the future, it seems as if the song forces the listener to "believe that there is hope. The girls have no other choice but to move forward.

─ ─ So the atmosphere is more serious than in past works. With "Karegire ni Saku Hana (Flower Blooming in the Rubble)," Nanjo-san and the "Grisaia" series have worked together for the seventh time.

Nanjo: It started with "Anata no Aishita Sekai" (the ending theme for the TV anime "Grisaia no Kajitsu"), and I realize that next year will mark the 11th year of our relationship. I have the strong impression that "Grisaia" songs have nurtured my musical activities and truly broadened my range of expression. At first, I thought it would be a one-off tie-up, but with "Dusk Starlight" (ending theme for the TV anime "Grisaia no Rakuen 'Caprice no Mayu' Hen"), it became a "second chance," and the number of songs gradually increased. Now I feel that we are like indispensable partners.

─ ─ The "Grisaia" songs sung by Ms. Nanjo are recognizable as songs related to the same work, even if you don't know it. It really has a mysterious aura.

Nanjo: Indeed. It has a color unique to that series, or perhaps it is the fact that all the sounds are beautiful, but they are not too sparkling in a good way, which I think is a characteristic of "Grisaia. A good example is "Dusk Starlight," a song that gives a sense of speed, yet is not too hot at the same time.

─ ─ How was that special atmosphere really created?

Nanjo: You'll have to ask the composer, Hitoshi Fujima, for the answer (laughs). Come to think of it, Mr. Fujima has created songs other than "Grisaia" songs in the past, such as "Yabu no Naka no Zintese," but the atmosphere of the sound was completely different from usual. ...... I think you consciously created the unique tones of the "Grisaia" songs. The way you created the melody, the thickness of the band sound, and the piano that accompanies the melody, etc., expresses the fragility that is unique to "Grisaia".

─ ─ I would like to ask you a question just as your name has just been mentioned. All of Nanjo's "Grisaia" songs are written by Yuichi Kuwashima and arranged by Hitoshi Fujima (Elements Garden). What kind of writers are they for you?

Nanjo: Mr. Kuwashima is so much like "Why so much? You are a writer who chooses words so delicately and exquisitely that they would not normally come to mind. I have only met him on site, so I don't know much about his personal life, but he is basically a soft-spoken person, but for some reason he always appears on site dressed like a B-type rapper (laughs).

Laughs]─I didn't expect this information. How about you, Mr. Fujima?

Nanjo: Recently, I often chat with Mr. Fujima after recording. Although we don't have much in common, our work problems are somewhat similar. It is Kuwashima-san who listens to us nodding his head in the background (laughs).

─ If you don't mind, may I delve a little deeper into the "mutual work problems" part?

Nanjo: To put it simply, I think it's the "barriers" that we feel now that we are adults. As one's career progresses, it becomes possible to create works of art simply by thinking logically and using one's skills. In other words, how should we face each and every work with passion when our work seems to fall into routine?

Because of our chatting, when I receive a demo of a new song, I find myself thinking, "Mr. Fujima must have similar problems to mine, but this song is just as genius as any other," and "I'll do my best to sing it. It may be an exaggeration to say that we are warriors working on different fields of creation ......, but I feel like we are friends.

─ ─ The presence of Mr. Kuwashima and Mr. Fujima is also a treasure that you have found through the 10 years of working on "Grisaia" songs.

Nanjo: I can do my best because of all of you!　Of course, I never forget to respect other writers, but I still think your two lyrics and music are amazing every time. Basically, I may feel the same way as all the fans. From the moment it was decided that I could sing a new song from the "Grisaia" series to the moment I open the demo sound file I received, I find myself genuinely looking forward to the new song.

─ ─ After listening to what you have said so far, I strongly hope that the three of you from ...... will hold an all-night round-table discussion at LOFT/PLUS ONE in Shinjuku.

Nanjo: We will probably only talk about music for the first 10 minutes of the discussion. The rest of the time, I am sure, would be a digression until the morning (laughs).

(Laughs.) I'm supposed to be saved, but I'm so happy I might end up crying.

─ ─ In the past 10 years that you have been working with the "Grisaia" songs, have your feelings about singing the songs and how you perceive the lyrics changed?

Nanjo: I can relate to the lyrics more and more, and my impression of the music is always changing, to be honest. Partly because of the change in my voice, but also because the older I get, the more I enjoy finding new ways to express myself. While this is true for any kind of music, I feel that this tendency is particularly strong in the "Grisaia" songs.

─ ─ Is there a specific time when the impression of a song changes?

Nanjo: I think it happens mostly when we are listening to the songs or practicing for a one-man live performance or before a big festival. Sometimes it changes suddenly one day. Recently, when I sang "Your Beloved World" for some reason, I realized that the lyrics were much heavier than I had thought before. It's hard to put into words, but I think it's the way I perceive the existence of "you" or ....... The main character of this song has no other world than "you".

─ Is "you" the last place to live in this world?

Nanjo: Yes, that's right. No, I think it's a little different. The main character feels that way, and although he sings that he is able to look forward because of "you," ...... Well, words may not be enough to explain this.

───Although we should not easily sympathize with her, we are sure that readers will be able to feel Ms. Nanjo's frustration. Now, "Grisaia" songs are based solely on the scenario of the work, but even with that premise, have you ever had the experience of feeling as if they represented your personal feelings?

Nanjo: Not at all. The songs from the past few years have a lot of overlap with my thoughts and feelings, such as "Nada Nagareru Rurumama" (ending theme song for the anime "Grisaia: Phantom Trigger The Animation Stargazer"). When I performed this song at "Aino Nanjo Live Tour 2023 ~Journey's Trunk~" held until May of this year, the setlist of that time may have brought some faces to mind among the fans, but the faces of the important people I have met in my life also came to mind. I can picture the faces of many important people I have met in my life. It is a little different from empathy, but listening to "Grisaia" songs often evokes memories inside of me.

─ ─ Now let me talk about "if". If there was a world in which you were not singing "Grisaia" songs, what kind of artist would you be?

Nanjo It is true that "Grisaia" songs have given me a guideline image in my musical activities, but if they had not, I would have had a different encounter with them. Perhaps it would have had a stronger taste of calm and heartwarming, similar to "Kimi ga smiling no Yugurei" and "Kimi no Tonari, Watashi no Tokoro".

─ ─ I have the impression that your solo works in recent years have been more up-tempo, as if encouraged by the "Grisaia" songs.

Nanjo There is a reason for that. When I was graduating from fripSide, I read an article in which the label producer Jun Nishimura said that he had decided that I would eventually sing less fripSide-style four beats and up-tempo songs as part of my solo activities.

─ I didn't realize that was in the background.

Nanjo: Thinking back, "EVOLUTiON:", which was my first song as the opening theme for an anime, came after my 9th year as an artist. It was an opportunity for me to realize once again that "Grisaia" songs were a big part of my solo works, in that they showed me that my solo works were not just ballads and dusty tunes.

───So, if the story of "Grisaia" were to be completed and you had to sing the last song, what kind of song would you like to sing?

Nanjo: This is just my ideal, or at least my fantasy, but I think it would be a song that is cheerful, but somehow makes me cry. In terms of sound, I would like it to follow the same path as the previous songs, but still have an atmosphere full of hope.

─ ─ What are the lyrics?

Nanjo: I think it depicts a world where you can have dreams and hopes and not feel guilty about it. I have sung about girls who clung to a ray of light or a small ray of hope and survived through difficult situations. ...... They no longer have to fight and can hold on to happiness with both hands while still alive. The time has finally come when they can be normal girls. When that time comes, I might cry because I am so happy even though I am supposed to be saved (laughs). I wonder what kind of music Kuwashima-san and Fujima-san will actually make.

─ ─ Let's ask them about that point, too, at the all-night round-table discussion.

Nanjo: Shall we have an all-night round-table discussion? To tell you the truth, I would like to see the world when the story is completed, and I would like to sing the theme song, but for now, I would like to continue working with the "Grisaia" series. I would like to continue to work with the "Grisaia" series with the same sense of distance as I have in the past.

I would like to continue to nurture this relationship between us as equal human beings.

───Next, please tell us about "Sen". This is the opening theme song for the TV anime "The Girl Who Went to the Capital to Be an Adventurer and Became an S-Rank" for which Nanjo herself wrote the lyrics.

Nanjo: In the lyrics, I wrote about the courage of my daughter Angeline (CV: Saori Hayami) as seen by her father, Vergriff (CV: Junichi Suwabe). In the play, Angeline is the key person who moves the story along, so one might think that this song is sung from her point of view, but the truth is that it is about her daughter Angeline as seen from the perspective of Belgriff (CV: ......). I think the gap between the two is the point. I read the original story when I was working on the song, and there were so many words and scenes I wanted to include in the lyrics, such as "war maidens" and "black hair," that I couldn't stop writing.

───It seems that you have put a lot of thought into the ruby characters that read "itte rasai" (farewell) and "okaeri" (welcome back) for "the continuation of the farewell words.

Nanjo: I wanted to include "itte rasai" and "okaeri" because the scenes in the play where they say "itte rasai" and "okaeri" are casual but memorable. Also, the second lyric is from a parent's point of view and is about the child's feelings. I thought that there are always parents and guardians who send their children off on a new journey to pursue their dreams, and I wanted to speak for them. I am sure that everyone is always thinking about their children, no matter how far away they are.

─ ─ I could clearly feel your wish through the lyrics, and the music video was also beautifully done.

Nanjo: This is the first time in my solo works that I have tried to use black-and-white images. In addition, I made a lot of requests, such as the direction of the editing, the number of cuts, and how I wanted to create a work that would overwhelm the viewer with its momentum and volume of information. The title "Sen" is derived from the "flash" of the sword when it is drawn, and so I was careful to show the light and shadow by adding linear shading in the video as well. I am happy that we were able to express the sharpness of the sword's cutting edge.

──And your collaboration album with Elements Garden, "The Fantasic Garden," will be released on December 13.

Nanjo: That's right!　I think it will be an album with Elements Garden's "Tsuyotsuyo" view of the world. We are in the process of creating the album right now, and I am looking forward to seeing how it will be a little different from the usual because it is a collaboration album.

─ Immediately following the release, on December 23 and 24, Nanjo Aino will hold her 10th anniversary live concert "Nanjo Aino 10th Anniversary Live -FUN! & Memories- supported by animelo" at Fuji City Cultural Hall Rose Theater in Shizuoka Prefecture, where she is from. The new album "The Fantasic Garden" is scheduled to be released in the spring of 2012. I'm sure there will be many new songs from "The Fantastic Garden," but I'm sure they won't all make it into the set list this time, will they?

Nanjo: Thankfully, the number of songs has really increased over the past 10 years, and there is no room for even one song from the new album. By the way, we are having a lot of trouble with the set list, and we are really wondering what to do. ...... Even if we have a medley part, it will be very difficult to perform all the songs. We are trying to have as much variation in the setlist as possible over the two days, but after all this time, I'm starting to think, "Can we just draw lots? I'm starting to think, "Can we just draw lots?

─ By the way, how many more days do you need to decide?

Nanjo: The deadline has been moved up a little, and as a result, ...... was due yesterday (laughs) (at the time of the interview). (laugh) (at the time of the interview) However, with the overlap of album production, we had just asked for "a little more time! I had asked him for a little more time. At any rate, it should be a great live performance, so I hope you will come and enjoy it both days.

─ ─ During "Aino Nanjo Live Tour 2023 - Journey's Trunk," there were times when you reflected on your music career to date, saying that it has not been smooth sailing. However, the way you deal with your fans has and will always be the same, as indicated by the "code" in the song "blue" from your debut mini album "Catarmore.

Nanjo: Of course. However, there may be some aspects that seem to have changed. For example, the use of social networking services has become more difficult in this day and age, and sometimes we have to choose a more restrictive approach in order to protect our fans. The truth is, I always read everyone's replies, and I even make a tsk tsk in my mind, you know? (Laughs)

─ ─ I can imagine that scene.

Nanjo: What I want to say is that I would like to continue to nurture this relationship between us as equal human beings, as close as if we were relatives' sisters or neighbors. After all, being born and living in the same era is based on great probability.

─ ─ Lastly, please give us your enthusiasm for the 10th anniversary concert.

Nanjo: Many people say that my live show is like my hometown, but this time it will be held in my hometown, Shizuoka. It means a lot to me to be able to celebrate the milestone of my activities in a place with which I have a connection, and I am looking forward to being surrounded by the local atmosphere so that I can relax and enjoy the live performance. Please come and physically breathe the air where I was born and raised (laughs).

(Interview and text by Kota Ichijo )

CD Information

Sen / Aino Nanjo

On sale now!

Price: Limited First Edition (CD + bonus Blu-ray) 2,200 yen (including tax), Normal Edition (CD) 1,320 yen (including tax)

Manufacturer: NBCUniversal

＜Songs on the CD

01. sen -Sen- (Opening theme song for the TV anime "The girl who went out to the capital to become an adventurer became an S-rank")

Lyrics: Nanjo Aino Hidaka Yuki (Elements Garden)

02. rubble ni saku hana (PC version of "Grisaia Chronos Liberion" ending theme)

Lyrics: Yuichi Kuwashima, music composed and arranged by Hitoshi Fujima (Elements Garden)

03. sen -Sen- ＜instrumental