Ryokuoushoku Shakai is a popular Japanese band known for their energetic sound and vocals, and they've been steadily gaining traction within the anime community. Their music has been featured as the opening and ending music for The Apothecary Diaries, Delicious in Dungeon, My Hero Academia, and other anime.
We had the opportunity to interview them about their career, dive into their latest album "atamago", and ask them about the process of having their songs featured in anime.
Introduction & Career
Tokyo Otaku Mode: For our readers and viewers who might be discovering you for the first time, could you please introduce yourselves and describe the unique musical style and energy of Ryokuoushoku Shakai?
Ryokuoushoku Shakai: Nice to meet you. We have been making music for about 15 years, ever since we were high school classmates and childhood friends. The way we create songs has evolved over the years, and now all four members are involved in songwriting. We believe that the colorful and diverse range of songs that can only come from all of us contributing, together with Nagaya’s distinctive vocals, are at the very heart of what makes us Ryokuoushoku Shakai.
TOM: Your music has been featured in several highly popular Japanese anime and dramas. How does it feel to see your songs become such an integral part of these beloved stories and reach such a massive global audience?
RS: Having our music reach people through different avenues means that we can connect with audiences we may not have been able to reach otherwise. For example, anime allows us to connect with anime fans and fans of the original works, and now it is also becoming an opportunity for people overseas to discover our music. As a band, we feel very grateful for these valuable opportunities.
TOM: We'd love to know more about the creative process behind these tie-up tracks. Are you typically approached to write a brand-new original song tailored to the story, or do producers choose from songs you’ve already written? Do you usually get to know about the specific scenes where your music will be used beforehand?
RS: We have experienced both, but I think we more often write songs specifically for the project. When we do, we read the original work or script beforehand and look for things that resonate with us. At the same time, we make sure to create the song in a way allowing us to express it as a Ryokuoushoku Shakai song.
TOM: Speaking of anime tie-ups, you recently provided music for the anime movie Paris ni saku étoile. What was your experience like working on this specific film, and how did the story influence the music you created for it?
RS: This was our first time creating a theme song for an anime movie, so we were very happy about that. At the director’s request, we took the historical and social context of Paris at the time into consideration when creating the song, including things like our choice of instruments. This was a very fresh experience for us as a band and gave us the opportunity to create something we had never made before, so we were very grateful for it!
About the New Album "atamago"
TOM: Congratulations on the release of your new album, Atamago! Could you tell us about the overarching theme of this record and the main inspirations that fueled your songwriting this time around?
RS: In terms of a specific theme, there isn't really one, as the word “Atamago” itself represents the songs of Ryokuoushoku Shakai. However, once we came up with the title “Atamago,” we gained a sense of reassurance that no matter what kind of new song we created, it would fit within the world of “Atamago.” This gave us more freedom in our songwriting and allowed us to take a fresh look at what we want to do and what we love doing right now. That became the foundation of this album.
TOM: The title of the album is Atamago (あたまご), and there is also a track titled “utamago” (うたまご). What is the meaning behind these words? Is it a play on words combining concepts like head (atama), song (uta), and egg (tamago)?
RS: Yes! From the very beginning, we wanted the title to be four hiragana characters because of the familiarity and catchiness of the word. The word “tamago,” meaning “egg,” came from the feeling that we cherish our songs as if they were our own children. Since these “eggs” are born from our “atama,” or heads, we came up with “Atamago.” “Utamago” was another candidate we had considered when deciding on the album title, and it was the one that came just after “Atamago.”
TOM: With so many diverse tracks on the album, does each member have a personal favorite or a song that was particularly challenging to record? Which track from Atamago would you recommend to someone listening to your band for the very first time?
RS: “Utamago!” We created this song with the idea of making a “school anthem” for Ryokuoushoku Shakai. The lyrics include memories from our school days, and all four of us sing on the track. We feel that it is a form of expression that we could create precisely because it is an album.
TOM: You have a massive Arena Tour coming up right after the release of Atamago. When you were writing and recording these new songs, were you already imagining how they would sound live in front of thousands of fans? Which new track are you most excited to perform on stage?
RS: We were very excited to perform all of the new songs. By performing them live, the way we express ourselves and the way the songs reach the audience can change, so we were looking forward to seeing how people would respond to them.
International Fans & Conclusion
TOM: Thanks to streaming platforms and your anime tie-ups, your international fanbase is growing rapidly. Have you noticed this increase in overseas listeners, and do you have any goals or dreams to perform outside of Japan soon?
RS: We often feel it through the comments we receive on social media. We’ll come and perform overseas again!
TOM: Finally, could you leave a special message for all your international fans who are listening to your music and cheering you on from around the world?
RS: Thank you for always listening to our music and your support means so much to us! We hope to perform in your city someday. Love you guys!
- from Ryokuoushoku Shakai
This is an original interview by Julie B.
Photos by 西槇太一
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