[Honey’s Anime Interview] Nowlu: The Voice Behind “Shirogarasu” and Her New EP "Dose"

Hello, Nowlu. Welcome back to Honey's Anime! So, for those who don't know you, your artist name “Nowlu” is described as combining the words “Night," "Owl." and "Luna”. Could you tell us how you came up with this name, and which aspects of those words resonate with your music?

Thank you! Nowlu comes from the image of a lone owl spreading its wings toward the moon (or the world) at night. My team and I explored words inspired by my voice and discussed them until we arrived at this name. It’s difficult to compare the words individually, but I feel the “Night” aspect shines through most strongly in the worlds my voice creates.

That’s so cool and poetic! Your music often blends R&B, neo‐city‐pop, 80s/90s inspired beats, and a smoky voice. How do you balance these stylistic elements with your own personal sound?

When I sing, I try to preserve a sense of nostalgia while also challenging myself with new things.

Can you tell us about your most recent release, the ending theme of the TV anime "Mugen Gacha" (Backstabbed in a Backwater Dungeon)? What kind of feeling or message did you want listeners to carry with them after hearing ‘Shirogarasu’?

“Shirogarasu” means “white crow.” In this song, the crow symbolizes revenge and white symbolizes justice.

A white crow is a metaphor for something impossible, which ties into the story, and it also reflects the protagonist Light, who carries both light and shadow within him. That overlap made the title feel like a perfect fit.

Flight usually carries a positive image of moving forward with determination, but I approached it from a different angle. The lyrics contain traces of irony toward those driven by revenge, as if saying “I’m above you.”

The words evoke a “quietly burning inner blue flame,” and the sharp, spicy piano lines give it a tingling edge, creating a sophisticated, cool house track. I hope listeners enjoy that interplay.

Even if the story’s exhilarating moments leave you drained, I think this song will help you remember your purpose again and serve as the fuel that carries you to the next episode.

Your new EP 'Dose' was released on September 1, 2025 and features six previously released songs and the brand-new title track of the same name. In choosing to build the EP around your earlier works together with this new song, what was your intention behind the title Dose? How do you see the title track reflecting your growth or change as an artist, especially compared with the previous songs included?

The new song “Dose” opens the EP, and from there, the previously released tracks trace my journey. It’s like a profile of the path I’ve walked so far.

“Dose” is about a truly painful night in my life. I felt the fear and loneliness of being unnecessary, and the vague anxiety of wondering how long it would last, until it built up to the point where I could barely breathe. It was terrifying and agonizing.

Humans tend to beautify memories, so eventually even this will fade and be forgotten. At the time, I wanted to forget it because it was so painful, but I also remembered the desperate notes I had scribbled during those days.

“Dose” was actually the working title. It’s a word of resignation in Japanese, but it was this word that somehow pulled me out of that unbearable suffering. I decided to turn it into a song because I felt that the memory of that night, and the emotional outburst it carried, might offer comfort to someone else.
Even though it’s a song born from despair, I also wanted people to feel the melody and move to it. So I focused on singing in a more danceable, groovy way than usual. I hope that comes through.

Your song “Stuck on you,” one of our favorites, achieved major streaming success overseas, especially in North America. How does it feel to have an international audience, and how do you keep in mind the global listeners when creating music?

This year, I performed live overseas for the first time, in Brazil and Malaysia, and had the chance to meet listeners face-to-face. That’s when I truly felt, “Ah, I really am Nowlu.” (laughs)

At the same time, I was genuinely amazed that, even in countries with different languages, there are listeners singing along with Japanese lyrics. It’s such a wonderful and heartwarming experience, and it reminded me once again of just how incredible Japanese anime is.

Because I have so many global listeners, I’m particularly careful with my lyrics and ways of expressing myself, aiming to let people feel the beauty and depth of the Japanese language.

Are there any songs in your repertoire that you feel more personally connected to, or that tell a story you’re especially proud of?

Of course, all of my songs and works are meaningful, but if I had to choose, I’d say “Yoin” and “Dose.”

“Yoin” is a song about a fresh start and was also the ending theme for my first TV drama (Wingman), so it’s deeply memorable and holds a special place in my heart, fulfilling a dream I’ve had since childhood.

“Dose” isn’t just cool musically, it’s very much a reflection of my heart. I hope to make it a song that many people can love deeply and for a long time.

And where do you imagine yourself artistically in five years? Any dream projects, genres to explore, or performance venues to conquer?

I want to be surrounded by the voices of tens of thousands of people singing my songs. Absolutely.

I also want to keep expressing, through my words and poetry, what I believe is right, along with a touch of irony, without compromise.

A major goal of mine is to stand on the stage of Madison Square Garden, where the person I admired and who inspired me to start singing once stood, and take in the same view they saw.

When her latest EP was released, we had it on repeat for days. And now, after talking with Nowlu, it’s easy to understand why people connect with her music: there’s honesty, a little grit, and a lot of heart behind everything she creates.

If you haven’t already, check out her new EP 'Dose' or dive into her earlier tracks. You can also follow her on social media to keep up with her news and future releases.