Cipher is a powerhouse of kawaii metal, blending the sweetness of J-pop with the intense energy of metal to create an electrifying sound. Formed in 2013, this all-female Japanese band—currently comprised of Nao Minami, Kaede Takashima, Hinako Ogami, and Emily Arima—has taken the music world by storm with their unique combination of powerful guitar riffs strong, electronic rhythms and vibrant vocals. With their high-octane live performances and anthemic hits, they have built a devoted fan base both in Japan and internationally, and here they can chat with us. !
Interview with PassCode
Thank you so much for accepting this interview, it was so exciting to have all four of you respond to us! So, PassCode is a well-established band, with almost a decade of existence and several famous songs, such as “Ichikabachika” by Kakegurui. Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the group's name and concept, and how PassCode evolved over time?
I believe that PassCode as a group was shaped by our live performances. Our desire to continuously improve has fueled our growth. Starting from the beginning, we cherish every live performance. I heard that our group name was decided by the company president according to his preference (laughs). We have faced many challenges along the way but we continue to move forward because it would be a shame to lose a team like PassCode. I've only been with the group for three out of ten years but I think it's a great group! I want us to continue to grow in the future.
As your fans know, PassCode's lineup has changed many times since the group's first songs. While each lineup brings something unique and positive in its own way, what do you appreciate most about the current lineup, both on and off stage? Emily has great rhythm and phrasing, and she is an artist who can deliver a consistent performance in any environment. I think this really contributes to the overall consistency of PassCode's live shows. We have grown together over time and I feel our attraction growing stronger. Each member has their own personality but has a strong sense of solidarity, which makes things interesting. I think the lines between our work mode and downtime have blurred in a positive way, and that's what's pushing PassCode forward in a positive way. I think we balance each other's strengths and weaknesses very well and complement each other perfectly. The great thing is that everyone is proud of the group and performs with sincere love for the group. While we are all active and energetic on stage, off stage we tend to be a bit shy and quiet, which creates an interesting contrast (laughs). When we're in work mode, we're a group that really values live performances. But when we go out, we're like close friends—almost like classmates.
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What was your experience creating your latest anisong, “WILLSHINE” and how did you or that song connect to the anime SHY?
I feel that SHY's desire to bring happiness to others, despite all her hardships, is very similar to PassCode. The message we convey is no different, which is why this song reflects both SHY's perspective and the nature of PassCode. SHY is a shy heroine so I see similarities between her and the PassCode members. The lyrics are like a cheering song, carrying the hope that SHY will move forward with PassCode in the future. Our sound production and lyric writing team composed this song after reading the original SHY manga, so I think it fits the anime very well. There is a line in the anime that goes like this, “You can't save everyone, but maybe you can save some lives.” Likewise, I hope PassCode's music has can give people that little boost they need. Even though this song was made for the anime, it still keeps PassCode's unique style. I think both anime fans and PassCode fans will enjoy it.
Was the writing process of “WILLSHINE” different from other songs? We thought some people might skip the opening of the anime so we decided to structure the song to start right away with the vocals. I think composing a song inspired by manga is different from our usual process. Even during the recording process, I kept the female lead's feelings about SHY in mind while singing. There are no screams in the part used in the anime! They attacked vigorously from the bridge onwards.
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We love how they combine cute vocals with strong yet clear vocals, some artificial effects, and even a death growl! What are your musical influences and how different do you feel the current 'kawaii metal' scene is compared to when PassCode came out?
When we started PassCode, kawaii metal bands like BABYMETAL were just starting to emerge. Now, I feel it has become its own culture and I would be happy if PassCode could contribute, even in a small way, to its development. I really love Joe Hisaishi's music. Although PassCode's songs are intense, they often include beautiful piano melodies. Our sound producer, Hirachi, always said that he was influenced by Joe Hisaishi's work. I have always loved the music, dance, and cuteness of Japanese female idols. That's why I wanted to pursue this type of career. Since PassCode was founded, I think the idea of cute girls performing loud rock or metal music has become more widely accepted. Korn. The popularity of kawaii metal is growing rapidly and I hope more artists around the world will start to embrace kawaii metal!
Now you have the opportunity to travel to Asia again, from October to December. How do you feel about that and how do you usually prepare for live shows?
Last year, we had the opportunity to tour in the US and that gave us the confidence to perform live abroad. I realized that music and live performances can move people, no matter the country. We're currently touring Japan, so I think we'll be able to deliver an even more top-notch performance for our upcoming Asia tour. There are countries that we haven't been able to visit in a while, so I want to make sure that the fans who have been waiting will be able to fully enjoy them. We haven't been able to tour Asia since 2021, so I'm really happy that we can travel again. I have a stiff body and a weak throat, so I pay attention to stretching and keeping my throat hydrated every day. We added new songs, so I'm practicing hard and giving it my all!
You certainly have fans all over the planet. Is there any place in the world you would like to visit with the band?
I really want to perform at a festival abroad next time. We get a lot of comments on YouTube from places like Europe, so I'd love to go if I had the chance. I want to visit any country I haven't been to, especially the UK, Thailand and Spain. In America, I really like going to Las Vegas. I want to visit places where metal is popular, like Scandinavia.
And related to that, you guys have accomplished a lot in your career as a group. What do you think PassCode's next goal is? What can fans expect from you in the near future?
I want us to become a group that everyone loves for many years to come. Our biggest goal is to maintain a long-lasting, beloved music group. I want more people, both in Japan and abroad, to discover PassCode's music. I also hope we can return to America soon. I can't wait to see everyone again! I want everyone around the world to know about PassCode. It would be great if more people became interested in Japan and Japanese music thanks to us! Thank you so much to PassCode for taking the time to chat with us! Your music continues to attract fans around the world and we can't wait to see what's next for you. Keep it up and we're excited to follow your upcoming projects!
And we would also like to say a big thank you to our readers! If you want to stay up to date with PassCode's latest performances and music, be sure to follow them on social media for all the latest updates!
Connect with PassCode
Official website: passcode-official.com/
X (formerly Twitter): x.com/passcodeo
Instagram: instagram.com/passcodeo
YouTube: youtube.com/@PASSCODE0000
TikTok: tiktok.com/@passcode_o
Facebook: facebook.com/PassCodeOfficial
