C3AFA Singapore 2019 is here! Southeast Asia’s biggest pop culture event is slated from the 29th of November to the 1st of December at the Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre!

This year’s I LOVE ANISONG concert is one of the biggest yet — featuring twelve amazing artistes direct from Japan. We had a lovely time chatting with Sunday artiste Minori Chihara before her performance at I LOVE ANISONG!

Welcome back! What is the one thing you have missed about Singapore?

I’m home~! I am very happy to be back again!

I miss the iguana I encountered in Singapore. I’ve always wanted to see it again. But I love the Singaporean anime and anisong fans more than the iguana!!

Congratulations on the release of your latest single “Amy”. Can you share something interesting about making the album?

With the support of Director Haruka Fujita of “Violet Evergarden: Eternity and the Auto Memories Doll,” it was a very precious and invaluable experience for me — to be able to convey my emotions and write the lyrics for the song.

In the course of our work, Director Fujita let me do a retake via a letter, which touched me very much. It’s as if I was in the same world as Violet, and I felt Director Fujita’s deep love for the work, so I did my best to write the lyrics. It is a special piece that I want to cherish throughout my life.

©Kana Akatsuki, Kyoto Animation/Violet Evergarden Production Committee

The single is the ending theme of the anime “Violet Evergarden Side Story”.  Aside from your own character in the show, do you have another favourite character, and why?

Every character is lovable, and I appreciate them all. But if I had to pick my number one, it would, of course, be “Violet Evergarden”. Violet was born and raised in a very harsh environment since childhood, but when she met a kind person in Gilbert, she began to change and grow as a woman.

Without knowing human emotions, Violet — who has hurt many people in the war, lost both her real arms. But using her prosthetic hands, she began to convey the thoughts of other people through her work.

I was deeply moved by what Violent both lost and gained. During the recording sessions, her character which started out as a baby began to grow, along with the rest of the show’s cast and staff. This is why I like Violet — I too would like to find sympathy.

Recently, your schedule has been very busy. What do you do to relax?

I go to a place with lots of nature by myself, to do some sunbathing or forest bathing. By being away from work and losing myself in nature, I feel reset. But if I don’t have the time, I just go to a nearby pet shop and feel healed and relaxed by the dogs and cats (haha)!

C3AFA Singapore 2019 I LOVE ANISONG is here very soon. What can your fans look forward to?

This year marks the 15th year since my debut, and I am very grateful and feel full of energy! I just had my birthday last 18th November, and Minori Chihara has levelled up; I want to convey plenty of power through music, and give lots of songs to the fans as presents (haha)! Please look forward to it ♡

Please give a message to your fans in Singapore and South East Asia.

Thank you for your support! I am honoured to have more opportunities to come to Singapore through events and festivals. I am so happy to be a voice actor and singer in many Japanese anime titles, and I will do my best so that everyone who loves Japanese anime can enjoy themselves! Let’s make unforgettable memories together! See you soon!!

Let’s cheer on Minori Chihara on her 15th anniversary and her exciting return to the I LOVE ANISONG stage! Grab your tickets now via APACTix.com!

C3AFA Singapore 2019
29 November to 1 December
Suntec Singapore Convention & Exhibition Centre
http://www.c3afa.com/