Solo Leveling premiered this season after a long period of anticipation by fans, and the anime has become one of the most popular shows currently airing. We are honored to be interviewed kragethe artist behind the show’s ending theme song “Revenge” (official song links ), and you can read on about her experience working with TK from Ling tosite sigure ( the song’s producer), the pressure of working on such a large project, the creative process, etc
Q: How were you approached about the ending theme of the Solo Leveling anime and what was your initial reaction?
A: The producer of the song is TK from Ling tosite sigure and his global perspective was able to help awaken a new part that was sleeping deep within me, becoming one that was a perfect fit for the image of the piece. Because this is a genre I have never tried before, I was worried whether I could sing this song or not. But thanks to TK’s vocal direction and the wonderful animated video that motivated me, I was happy to hear fans say “I can see krage-chan’s new horizon”.
Q: Is the pressure high, since this is one of the most anticipated titles in modern anime?
Answer: Have. I worry that I’m not the right person [cho bài hát chủ đề anime]. Even though I have a lot of room for improvement, hearing people say “This is great!” After the broadcast, it gave me confidence to move forward.
Q: Can you share with us your journey into music and how other artists have influenced your career?’
D: Lady Gaga first got me interested in music, TK got me interested in Japanese music, and Aimer helped shape my singing style today.
Q: What does working on a project with your idol, TK, mean to you personally and professionally?
A: Having the opportunity to record with TK, whom I admire very much, made my dream come true. Changing my perspective from “this is the goal” to “this is the starting point”, I was challenged to sing in a way I had never done before. It was hard to do but being able to overcome those challenges boosted my confidence; it was a very valuable experience.
Q: What was the creative process like for developing the “ask” for the Solo Leveling anime? Can you tell us something about collaborating with TK?
A: The chorus initially begins with bright high notes, but after arriving at TK’s studio, he says “krage’s voice has a sexy low tone,” changing the chorus to the present.
Q: You mentioned before that you added a new dark chill to “Request” that is unlike any of your previous songs. Did you do anything special to prepare for that?
D: I sang in a different way than I usually do. I listen to my favorite dope songs over and over again, some include Evanescent, Bring Me the Horizon, Paramore, Linkin Park, Post Malone, NF, Yungblud, etc. I also re-read manga works once in a while to try to let the darkness enter my body and embrace the protagonist’s despair.
Q: How did you capture the essence of Solo Leveling in your song? Was there a particular theme or feeling you were trying to convey?
A: The theme is the feeling of despair when people constantly tell themselves that they are weak, or something like that. If you’re weak, it’s okay to die.
Q: What was the biggest challenge you faced while working on this song?
A:
A:anh> Part “A 誉ないな B 貌ないな C 妬ばかり Dislike Disappear E ね貰って錯乱 最低ランク?” has been steadily improving in the recording studio now, but it’s hard to translate what was previously my focus on singing so I keep singing the part(s) over and over again through trial and error. We have suffered a lot.
Q: How has the feedback from Solo Leveling fans and your followers impacted you?
D: Their response was, “It’s refreshing to see a darker side to krage’s more fragile image,” something I still can’t describe, but I’m glad I was able to show fans The grave sees a new aspect [của krage].
Q: What is your favorite part of Solo Leveling and how does it align with your personal taste in anime or storytelling?
A: I like that it’s fantasy but in a realistic sense. Being trapped in a dungeon as a “bait”, being discriminated against because you are too weak, “so weak that you might as well die”, etc. I like that it is realistic and easy to understand.
Q: What is your favorite Anisong?
A: My favorite song is “unravel” by TK from Ling tosite sigure
Q: Are there any other anime projects or collaborations you’d like to do in the future?
D: I wanted to do a serious animation with a broad worldview or something like that. One day, I also want to collaborate with Aimer, who is the inspiration for my singing style.
Q: What advice do you have for other aspiring artists looking for figures like TK and yourself?
A: The more ideas you have, the better, so let your thoughts explode endlessly.
Solo Leveling is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, Netflix, Bilibili (depending on region) on a weekly schedule: new episodes are added every Saturday. If you like this anime, be sure to vote for it in Anime Corner’s weekly polls.
© Solo Leveling Animation Partners
Official summary:
It has been more than a decade since the “gates” suddenly appeared—pathways that connected our world to another dimension. Since then, some people have awakened supernatural powers. We call these individuals “hunters.”
Hunters make a living by using their powers to conquer the dungeons inside the portal. In this world of demanding customers, low-level hunter Sung Jinwoo is known as “the weakest hunter in humanity”.
One day, Jinwoo was mortally injured when he ran into a high-level double dungeon hidden within a low-level dungeon. Just then, a mysterious quest window appeared in front of him. On the brink of death, Jinwoo decided to accept the quest and began to level up… while the others did not.
Officials:
Original creator: DUBU (REDICE Studio), Chugong, h-goon Director: Shunsuke Nakashige Screenplay: Noboru Kimura Character design: Tomoko Sudo Music: Hiroyuki Sawano Animation Studio: A-1 Pictures
Official platform:
Webpage
Twitter/X Japanese
Twitter/X English
About krage, via Milan Records:
krage was born in Hokkaido to a Japanese father and a Chinese mother, both of whom influenced her to study piano from childhood. Growing up in a family environment where she was always exposed to music from around the world, she was naturally drawn to music and began singing fully while in middle school. After starting her solo career in 2020, she digitally released 4 self-composed songs.
With a refreshing feeling in her lyrics that skillfully use Japanese, Chinese and English, along with her clear, weapon-like voice, she is expected to grow strongly in the present and beyond.
In April 2022, krage made his official debut at Sony Music Labels with “HIBANA”, the theme song of the drama series Sabishii Oka de Tabi wo Suru. In October of the same year, she released her second digital single “Natsu no Yuki” (ending theme song of the anime Raven of the Inner Palace).