Kazuki Kato, a musical actor and voice actor, sends a message as an artist. Interview in commemoration of the release of his new single "Answer

Kazuki Kato has been active in a variety of fields, including stage, voice acting, and as an artist. In the TV anime "B-PROJECT ~Zeiko*Emotion~" currently airing on TV, he plays the popular idol Kenju Aizome and has received high acclaim for his performance. Kato has released a new single "Answer. We interviewed him about all his activities, from his thoughts on the title track and coupling tracks to his first solo live "THRIVE LIVE 2019" of "B-PROJECT" that was recently held. What is the common pride he takes in his activities as an artist and an actor?

For those who live in this era

─ You have already sung your new single "Answer" at your live performances. How have your fans reacted to it?

Kato: Recently, it has been difficult to perform new songs at live shows, but we finally performed the new song "Answer" during the fall tour while we were on tour last summer and fall. The audience was very pleased. Since it is a one-off single, it is a question for the current era. I discussed with the director and wrote the lyrics based on my own thoughts.

What did you think of the rock number "Answer"?

Kato: I wanted to make a song that would look good at a live performance and have a part where everyone can be united, so I was conscious of the live performance from the opening. The melody and tempo of the song are good, and it has a fast-paced feel, so I wanted to write lyrics that would reach the audience more directly. Times are changing, and today's world is overflowing with all kinds of information. I think we are in an age where we are influenced by many things, as I myself am. It is because we cannot see, that we cannot understand. But we must believe in what we see with our own eyes, not only in words, but in our own senses and intuition, and live our lives without being misled by falsehoods, precisely because we live in such an era. That's what I wanted to write about.

Kato: I think that we all have to live our lives without being distracted by the world around us, because it is so convenient.

Kato: It is because we have become so convenient that it is easy to be swayed by information. But unless you have something you believe in, you will end up being swayed. The final decision is yours. I wanted to convey that it is very important to believe in yourself. Of course, trusting others is wonderful. But before that, if you don't believe in yourself, you will never be able to become who you are. I began to think this way after I started watching online news and other media in the past few years. Being in an industry like this, there are some things I don't need to watch. But because there are people who listen to me, and because I am in a position to speak my words, I feel that we must not make mistakes.

TM: You often meet your fans in person, especially on stage and at live performances.

Kato Of course, it is easy to write about it on Twitter. But if I can't see the face of the person I'm talking to, I feel very uneasy. It is important to actually see the other person's face and have a chance to interact with them. I am very happy to have such opportunities.


TYPE A coupling "ordinary days" is a pop song.

Kato When I heard the song, I got the impression that it was very bright and pop, so I wrote it with the theme of happiness in everyday life. I always feel that the most important things are close at hand. Since a while ago, I have come to think that things that are taken for granted are not taken for granted. You never know when something will happen, but we all still have to live. It may be an exaggeration, but just being alive like this is a miracle. I like to eat, so I try to find small moments of happiness, such as when I eat a delicious meal and think, "Oh, I'm so happy.

TM: You always put a message in your lyrics, don't you? Do you have a message you want to convey?

Kato: I think about my fans a lot. I wonder what the people who listen to my songs will think of them. Of course, I have my own thoughts and feelings, but I also think about what kind of words I want to deliver to the fans. I try not to use too difficult words, so that the message can be conveyed as much as possible.

I try not to use too difficult words. So you give it a lot of thought?

Kato: Yes, it takes time. There are times when I can write it quickly, but this time I took a lot of time. What I always think is that it should be based on how the listener feels. I think it's fine to have various opinions, such as "No, I don't think so," or "I think so. It is absolutely impossible to have everyone sympathize with me. Still, I hope it will be a trigger for them. People can change if there is a small trigger, and I was the same way. I also wanted to do music after listening to music, and I was influenced by bands. It was a small trigger, but it changed my life. I would like to continue to be like that.