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We had the opportunity to interview renowned anisong artist Suzuki Konomi during Comic Fiesta 2024, where she shared insights about her musical journey, particularly her deep connection with the Re:ZERO series and her recent endeavors.
Crafting the Perfect Setlist for Malaysian Fans
For her Comic Fiesta 2024 performance, Suzuki Konomi took special care in curating her setlist, drawing from her previous Malaysian experience.
“Because I have had the experience of coming to Malaysia and having a fan meet in Comic Fiesta 2022, I was able to listen to what the fans liked about that set list at the time, and what songs the fans wished they could have listened to,”Suzuki Konomi explained.
This thoughtful approach to song selection demonstrated her commitment to delivering a performance tailored to her Malaysian audience’s preferences. “I could weave it into deciding the set list for this time around,” she added, though noting that this made the selection process more challenging.
A Memorable Malaysian Performance
The impact of her 2022 Malaysian concert left an indelible mark on Suzuki Konomi’s career, particularly given the context of the post-pandemic period. “In Japan, any concerts done within the borders of Japan had to follow very, very strict SOP, including wearing masks, social distancing, and even while you’re wearing masks, you weren’t allowed to project your voice and cheer,” she recalled.
The contrast between these restricted performances and the vibrant Malaysian atmosphere was striking. “So concerts were quite frighteningly quiet at the time… being able to come to Malaysia and perform, and actually have my fans in the crowd be able to cheer loudly for me in a way that hadn’t been done in Japan for the longest time, really left a deep impression on me coming out of the pandemic.”
This experience stands as one of her most impressive performances, as she emphasized, “I’m saying this completely honestly, from the bottom of my heart.”
Behind the Anime Music Creation
Suzuki Konomi’s approach to creating anime theme songs reveals a deep respect for the source material. “When I hear that I need to write music for a pre-existing series, I will read through whatever materials there are like reading the manga from start to finish just to understand the sort of world view the series carries and the sort of themes I can incorporate into my music.”
This thoroughness is particularly evident in her work with Re:ZERO. She shared a specific example: “Especially this new song that I’ve released for the Re:ZERO series, there’s a very specific message that includes ‘Kimi to tomo ni Mirai wo’ which translates to ‘A Future Together with you’ which is important in Re:ZERO.
Her process also involves careful consideration of various stakeholders: “Taking into consideration the thoughts and the feelings of the writers as well as the production during earlier stages of the meetings when they’re just setting up the foundations.”
New Ventures and The Re:ZERO Journey
In discussing her latest music video, Suzuki Konomi revealed her desire to push creative boundaries. “Because I’ve already done two, with the first one being “Redo” and second one “Realize”, this is the third one so what can I do that’s fresh?”
This led to her decision to incorporate acting into the video. Despite her initial nervousness – “until the day of the shooting of the music video, I was so nervous. My heart was basically pounding out of my chest” – she saw it as an opportunity for growth.
“Through being able to incorporate this acting bit into the “Reweave” music video, I am able to give the listeners and the viewers, especially the people who have been with me since the first music video, a Suzuki Konomi that’s never been seen before, something new, something fresh.”
The Re:ZERO series has become deeply intertwined with Suzuki Konomi’s personal and professional growth. “When I was recording the first theme, “Redo”, I was studying while performing. It was around the time when I decided, ‘Okay, I’m going to stop studying. I’m going to just perform full time.'”
She drew parallels between her journey and the anime’s themes: “It’s also an overlap with the main character Subaru’s single-mindedness of ‘I will protect you,’ which is part of the lyrics that come out in the song.”
During the second season, while recording “Realize,” she faced significant challenges: “I was having problems with her vocal cords. As someone who decided to do singing as her life’s work, damage to your vocal cords is basically a threat to your life.” Looking ahead with renewed determination, Suzuki Konomi announced: “Going into 2025 Suzuki Konami, I have decided I will be singing my heart out. I have a concert planned for every weekend of 2025.”
Message to Malaysian Fans
Suzuki Konomi’s appreciation for her Malaysian fans runs deep, reflected in her heartfelt message: “Song is the one thing that has been consistent for me from the start of my career. I have had concerts ever since my debut to the point where there’s probably not a month that I haven’t done a concert.”
She expressed particular gratitude for fan support: “The fact that people come to this concert means that they also listen to my music and know my music and appreciate my music. I can’t really put how I feel about that to words so the best way I can express my thanks to my fans and my listeners is by performing and singing and singing my heart out.”
