Twenty-five years have actually passed because anime tune vocalist Hiroshi Kitadani launched “We Are!,” the very first opening tune of the ONE PIECE Television anime series and the very first of lots of opening tunes he would go on to sing for the program. “UUUUUS!” the opening style for the Egghead Arc, with its quick shifts and modifications, is the development of Kitadani, author Kohei Tanaka, and lyricist Shoko Fujibayashi– the golden trio referred to as the “‘We Are!’ Pirates.” “UUUUUS!” implies not just “us” however sounds comparable to the Japanese pronunciation of “earth” and the Japanese word for “tomorrow” (Asu), indicating the future of the series. Hiroshi Kitadani talked with Signboard Japan about what entered into the production of this strikingly densely-packed tune and what lies beyond.
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You debuted “UUUUUS!” on-stage at the BANDAI CARD GAMES Fest 23-24 World Tour in Los Angeleskept in late January. What was the environment like?
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Hiroshi Kitadani: I sang “We Are!” “OVER THE TOP,” and” UUUUUS!” With “UUUUUS!” I was a bit concerned about debuting it in L.A. I seemed like it may be much safer to begin the tune off with a bang in Japan … But now, due to the fact that of video streaming websites, overseas audiences can enjoy the most current episodes at the exact same time as in Japan, so the crowd went wild. On phase, we were playing the opening animation to ONE PIECEand the lyrics were likewise revealed on-screen, written phonetically in the English alphabet, so the audience sang along.
When we were kids, we ‘d discover old anime tunes from reruns on television, now, with subscription-based streaming services and streaming websites, it’s simple to hear “We Are!” which was launched 25 years back. Not just do individuals who were kids back then understand it, however even contemporary kids understand it. I believe that’s why individuals all over the world love “We Are!” even 25 years later on.
Why do you believe ONE PIECE is so popular worldwide?
Hiroshi Kitadani: Talking with individuals overseas, I typically hear that “In Japanese anime and manga, the primary characters and their buddies constantly get entirely whipped by their opponents, however they normally return more powerful, which actually gets you in the feels.” That’s real of Luffy, and likewise of Goku from Dragon Ball. Abroad heroes like Batman or Superman are exceptionally strong right from the start, so I believe Japanese anime and comics resonate with audiences since of how the characters turn their disappointment into power.
You’ve carried out 5 of ONE PIECE‘s signature tune. Could you review what each of those tunes implied to you? Let’s begin with “We Are!” the very first opening signature tune for ONE PIECEwhich came out in 1999.
Hiroshi Kitadani: “We Are!” was my launching tune as Hiroshi Kitadani. The director I dealt with when I initially debuted under a previous phase name, later on signed up with a firm called Imagine, who Kohei Tanaka was with. Due to the fact that of that connection, one day I was approached and informed, “They’re going to make an anime variation of the most popular manga in Weekly Shonen Jump. Kohei Tanaka is going to send a tune for the opening tune competitors, and we ‘d like you to do a momentary singing track for it.” They made the choice to go with “We Are!” for the signature tune, however they still had not yet chosen who would sing it. Due in part to Kohei’s triggering, the personnel started stating “Why not simply have it sung by the vocalist who did the short-term singing track?” My record business had actually simply informed me that they didn’t actually see a future for me with them, so I was questioning what to do, career-wise. This “We Are!” deal came out of heaven. That was the start of my rags-to-riches story.
In 2011, 12 years after launching “We Are!” you sang “We Go!” which was utilized in the Fish-Man Island arc, when the team reaches the New World.
Hiroshi Kitadani: Kohei composed “We Go!” as an action tune to “We Are!” At the time, I was truly interested in what individuals considered me, so I read a great deal of 2channel (laughs). I was fretted I ‘d go on there and see individuals stating “Hiroshi Kitadani is back, however this tune is awful.” Rather, when “We Go!” was transmitted, there were a great deal of remarks like “Dani’s back!” and “Cool!” and “That’s the One Piece noise!” I was so delighted I sobbed.
In 2016 you sang “We Can!” with Kishidan.
Hiroshi Kitadani: The deal from Kishidan was absolutely unanticipated. It was the very first time I ‘d sung with another person as solo artist Hiroshi Kitadani, however we had excellent chemistry. Kishidan composed the tune, rather of the very same trio that had actually begun with “We Are!” Even now there are fans who state they like “We Can!” that makes me actually delighted.
At the start of the Wano Country arc, in 2019, you sang “OVER THE TOP.”
Hiroshi Kitadani: “We Are!” started without anybody understanding who would even sing the tune. “We Go!” was a reaction tune to “We Are!” “OVER THE TOP” was the very first tune that Kohei composed to-order, simply for me. We’ve collaborated a very long time, so he had the ability to compose a tune with the singing variety where I do my finest singing, where I might offer the tune a distinct appeal and draw out its taste. The pandemic begun after I launched the tune, so I have not had lots of chances to perform it on phase, however it’s a tune that I want a lot more individuals would have possibilities to hear.
How did you feel when you initially heard “UUUUUS!” the present opening tune?
Hiroshi Kitadani: To be truthful, my very first action was “Huh?” Like “It’s okay … however I choose music more like ‘OVER THE TOP.'” Kohei stated “It grows on you,” and, sure enough, the more I heard it the much better and much better it sounded. The program opening is on YouTube now, and it has more than 10 million views. Among the talk about the video stated “It’s the very best tune up until now.” I understand Kohei needs to constantly be under a great deal of pressure, so I’m impressed that he recommended this tune, which is so enthusiastic however dangerous.
I seem like “UUUUUS!” should have been more difficult to sing than any of the previous tunes. Do you have any standard suggestions for anybody attempting to sing it?
Hiroshi Kitadani: It’s tough to come up with any type of concise guidance (laughs). For all 5 of the ONE PIECE tunes, not simply “UUUUUS!” I ‘d state it’s crucial to sing it with a smile on your face. When you sing while smiling, that smile comes out in your voice, making the tune brighter and more amazing. When I was taping “We Are!” there were a great deal of essential individuals in fits at the recording. It was my very first time tape-recording because type of environment, and I got truly tense. Every time I ‘d complete taping a take, they ‘d be whispering to each other. I remained in the recording cubicle, so I had no concept what they were stating. I was beginning to enter into an unfavorable frame of mind, believing “Was that a bad take?” when Kohei stated “This is a tune that’s going to promise and motivation to individuals around the nation, so smile when you sing it. When you sing with a smile, your voice will have a smile.” That snapped me out of it. I sang while smiling, and they stated it was a great take. I’m actually delighted for the guidance Kohei offered me, and it’s something I value in my heart even now.
—This interview by Harunoto initially appeared on Billboard Japan