This interview with Kanako Ito was done by Koi-nya during Japan Weekend Madrid 2017 in Spain.

In Japan Weekend Madrid 2017, we had the opportunity to interview Kanako Ito, a singer mainly known by her work on several main themes of video games by MAGES. and Nitroplus, as well as their anime adaptations, such as Uncontrollable (Chaos;Child) and Hacking to the Gate (Steins;Gate).

Koi-nya: First of all, thanks for giving us your time, it’s an honor to interview you.

When were you certain that you wanted to become a professional singer?

Kanako Ito: That’s a difficult question. I started [singing] in high school, for an extracurricular activity. I was the vocalist for an all-female band, similar to a chorus. I spent some time with them. After a while, some acquaintances who worked as professional musicians were looking for a female singer, and they offered me the job. That was the first time I worked for Nitroplus, and when I decided I wanted to become a professional singer. I never had any auditions.

How did it feel the first time you got on stage as a professional singer?

My first professional performance involved the soundtrack of a video game, and it felt strange, as I had only sung a few original songs at the time.

Which song do you consider the most important of your discography and why?

A really important song to me is “Blaze up!”, the ending song of Hello, world. and the first one I recorded for Nitroplus.

What do you like the most about being a singer? And what do you like the least?

What I like the most is singing a game’s or an anime’s ending theme in a concert, seeing people be moved and cry.

What I like the least is when I can’t sing and I’m unable to do anything about it, like when I’m aphonic.

This isn’t the first time you have gone to an overseas event as a guest. However, it is your first time in Spain. How is the experience compared to the events and concerts in Japan?

Every concert is different, but what really got my attention from Spain is how laid-back people are. It reminds me of Omatsuri (a Japanese festival).

Actually, when I finished singing yesterday, people were sitting on the ground as if we went on a picnic. It gave me a sense of freedom.

It’s my first time in Spain and I never thought my songs would reach this far. I was surprised when I saw people knew the lyrics.

We would like to ask you about the Science Adventure visual novels by MAGES. You are a recurrent figure in the series, as you have appeared in the main themes from Chaos;Head to Chaos;Child, and the lyrics always reference these stories. Compared to other songs, how difficult is it to sing the main themes composed by Chiyomaru Shikura?

The lyrics of these songs include much more scientific vocabulary, so they are more difficult to sing than others.

Chiyomaru Shikura’s songs have a really fast tempo and a really high pitch. They are tough to sing, especially the Chaos;Head openings.

We are fans of the series, especially Steins;Gate. Do you know or can you mention if you will be part of Steins;Gate 0’s anime adaptation?

I don’t know yet, but I would like to participate. I have done my bit in every Science Adventure visual novel and their anime adaptations, so I would also like to participate in [the anime adaptation of] Steins;Gate 0.

Steins;Gate was the first game in the series to be licensed and translated in the west, and it’s quite popular. If you have watched or played it, could you say who’s your favorite character?

It has to be Daru. (Spoiler alert!) I think he’s great because he built the time machine. He’s kind of fat and a complete otaku, but I really like him.

That’s all for the interview, thank you for your time.

It’s my pleasure, I’m really happy to know you like Steins;Gate.