[Interview] Dangerous Kemuri Rises!　Nano's new song "KEMURIKUSA" in collaboration with director Tatsuki's work

The TV anime "Kemurikusa" started in January 2019. Its opening theme is the song of the same name "KEMURIKUSA" sung by Nano. Mysterious, dark, and aggressive, the song is exactly the worldview of the "Kemurikusa" work. How did Nano communicate with director Tatsuki in order to create the song?

Collaboration with Director Tatsuki was unexpected, even for me!

─ ─ At the time of this interview, only the first episode of "Kemurikusa" had been broadcast, but the story was still full of mysteries.

Nano: "Mystery" is one word, isn't it? I didn't know anything about the storyline either. When creating the music, I talked to Director Tatsuki about various aspects of the story, and I dared to create the music without inputting any information about the work. There was an independent version of "Kemuriksa" created in the past, so I interpreted the lyrics from that and wrote the lyrics.

─ ─ What did you think of the self-produced version?

Nano: "Mystery" is the only word I can think of (laughs). (Laughs.) It has a worldview that I have never seen before, and I was drawn in by the atmosphere of being enveloped in smoke. The mysteriousness of the work allows for free interpretation.


─ Did you have a chance to meet with Director Tatsuki in person?

Nano: Yes, we had a meeting in person. At that time, I heard a little about the work, but I didn't have any detailed information. Director Tatsuki himself was enigmatic and his words were unique. As a creator, I found that fascinating, and it made me want to know, "What is he looking for? As the director tweeted on social media, he seems to have been inspired by the song "KEMURIKUSA" to create the video, so I thought we were able to get along well with each other. I think we were able to reach a mutual understanding.

─ So it was a meaningful collaboration.

Nano I hope so. Of course, I can't say that I understand everything about Director Tatsuki, and as a fan I would like to enjoy "Kemurikusa" and see how much my music could add to the worldview of the work.

─ ─ I think there is one aspect of Nano-san and Director Tatsuki that is perceived as an unexpected collaboration.

Nano: Surprises are my favorite, so I would be happy if there are fans who feel that way. I myself didn't have the image of an intense song as the theme song for director Tatsuki's work, so when I heard the idea, I thought it was going to be interesting. Nano has its own view of the world, so my first thought was that it would be great if we could collaborate without bending that view.

─ ─ Were there any words of the director that left an impression on you?

Nano: Words are important, but I think creators have a lot of feelings in their heads that cannot be easily verbalized. So, I was hoping that I could read Director Tatsuki's aura or the atmosphere he exudes, which I felt when I actually met him, and get a sense of his intentions toward his works. Of course, he told me many things, but I think it was more meaningful for me to meet him in person. I feel that I got inspiration for the music from the director himself.

───Did you communicate with the director about the lyrics you wrote?

Nano: I had the director check the lyrics once, but he never asked me to revise them.

───As you said at the beginning, it is enough if a song has a world view of the song.

Nano I was very grateful for that. Of course, the music is for the work, but it can stand on its own.