[Honey’s Anime Interview] Shoko Nakagawa, Singer Anisong World Matsuri at Anime NYC

7:56 PM October 29, 2018

Honey-chan has been doing her best to bring us as many special guest as she can to Honey’s Anime. She was recently given the opportunity to asks a few questions of Shoko Nakagawa or “Shokotan”, a woman whose blog has reportedly had one billion hits. She is also one of those multi-talented artists that has made her way in the entertainment industry with more than just her voice acting talents. She has worked in various fields as a singer, TV personality, voice/movie actress, and illustrator. She was the songstress that brought the anime community “Sorairo Days”, the theme song from Gurren Lagann. She has also done quite a bit of voice acting. She was the voice of Rapunzel in the Japanese Dub of Tangled, Athena in Saint Seiya Omega, Diana in Sailor Moon Crystal and Riku in Pokemon The Movie: Everyone’s Story.

Shoko Nakagawa

Honey-Chan

Interview with Shoko Nakagawa, Singer Anisong World Matsuri at Anime NYC

Nakagawa-san, you are extremely talented and devote yourself to a lot of projects. How to you maintain your ability to be creative given all the demands and pressures you face?

Ever since I was a child, I have loved singing and drawing. I truly am fortunate that I get to do the thing I love for work. After becoming an adult, I also gained experience working in the theater as well as doing voice work. I fell in love with it and am working hard to grow from it. I want to work hard at each and every thing I do and acquire more experience so that people will say “if it’s her, then we are set.” I also want to continue to do work that will not only make those who see me smile, but also will leave an impact on them.

You have worked in front of the camera as well as behind the camera. Do you prefer one over the other? Do you think you do one better than the other?

I think I prefer it when there isn’t a camera like during live concerts, post-recording, and radio. I enjoy how I can just be myself when on the radio.

You will be performing as part of Anisong World Matsuri at Anime NYC. Are you excited to be performing in front of your fans in New York?

This is my first time going to New York and I have always dreamed of going. Thanks to anisongs, I actually get to go to New York and meet many people while I am there. I couldn’t be happier. I’m also very happy that I am going to stand on the same stage as my best friend and Morning Musume。’18 member, Haruna Iikubo.

You’ve lent your voice to Sailor Moon, Pokemon and Dragon Ball Z. What is it like to have a connection with such iconic shows?

By being able to say my favorite things, it feels like I am planting seeds for the future. I am deeply moved that I get to work with stories that I have loved for a long time, and being able to add myself to their history makes me very happy.

You are also credited as an excellent illustrator. What is your favorite subject to draw? Neko’s?

If I have a piece of paper, I will draw a cat without fail. Cats are one of my favorite things to draw, but I do enjoy drawing girls too. I also enjoy imitating the drawing styles of various magna artists and trying to draw like they do.

The basis of Neko no Ashiato is your life. Why did you feel the need to put personal stories like that in public view?

For me, what I did when I was a child and the existence of my family were two important components that helped me become who I am today. I wanted to leave behind proof that my beloved family, including my father and grandparents who are in heaven, and the wonderful people in my life, all lived.

Nakagawa-san, You’ve said that the anime you watched as a child taught you many things, like bravery. What do you hope your anime based on Neko no Ashiato (Omakase! Miracle Cat-dan) can teach today?

I think that cats are able to see and understand things about people a lot better than we give them credit for. When there were nights where I was sad and down, my cat would help by snuggling up to me. It felt like it was speaking to my heart. I thought it would be great if I could show how wonderful cats are to children via anime in an easy-to-understand manner.

Do you have any upcoming projects you’d like to talk about? Do you have message for your fans in New York awaiting your performance?

I got a chance to sing a new anisong for the first time in three and a half years, "blue moon" is the new ending song of "Zoid Wild".
This is my first time to go to New York. I will sing many anisong you would get excited, so I hope you will jump with your light sticks. Let's enjoy all together!

Final Thoughts

After almost three and a half years, my song “blue moon” has become the new ending song for the anime “Zoids Wild” and I can sing an anisong again. For my first trip to New York, I am bringing all of my best songs, so I want everyone to bring their glow sticks and jump together. Let’s go all out together!

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Writer

Author: Zeke Changuris

I’m a journalist, writer, photographer, video producer, social media manager and above all a storyteller. I’m located on the east coast of the United States but travel the world with the love of my life. I’ve been a nerd since birth with a love of history and science. I fell in love with anime, watching ROBOTECH and Venus Wars in the 80s when our only source was secondhand VHS dubs. A crazy new thing called the internet changed that, giving me access to new and amazing anime every day. I love to write for work and pleasure. I’m living the dream of every kid, getting paid to watch anime and loving every subtitled line.

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