The duo nano.RIPE is celebrating their 15th anniversary with the release of their nostalgic new album Hikari wo Hakobumono (光を運ぶもの), a work that reflects the light and hope music once brought them. Topping off the festivities, the band is currently on their album release tour, delivering their light directly to fans across the country.

Known to many for their anime theme songs such as in “Hanasaku Iroha”, “Non Non Biyori”, and “Food Wars!”, and more recently “Hataraku Maou-sama!”, nano.RIPE has built a unique presence that bridges anime and live music scenes.

To mark their 15th anniversary, we spoke with nano.RIPE’s vocalist Kimiko about their new album, 15-year journey, and anime roots.

: nano.RIPE: vocalist and guitarist Kimiko, guitarist Sasaki Jun.

You recently release your eight album “Hikari wo Hakobumono” (光を運ぶもの) which revolves around the concept of “initial impulses”, sharing the light and hope that music once brought you. Given the deeply personal nature of this theme, what were you particularly mindful of when working on it?

This is the 15th year since our debut, and our eighth album, but we still have plenty we want to do and sing about. I think that’s because the “initial impulse” we had when we started the band is still with us. We created this album wanting to fully express that feeling through the melodies, lyrics, and sound.

That’s really inspiring to hear. From the album, we have the song aptly named “Hikari no Nai Machi” (光のない街), featured as the opening theme for the comedy anime “Hataraku Maou-sama!! 2nd Season”. Even though it’s an anison (anime song), it fits seamlessly into the album’s concept. How did you achieve this balance?

With all the anime theme songs we’ve done so far, our approach has been to ensure that they aren’t just songs for the anime. We stay close to the anime’s world, but also make sure they’re truly our own work by including nano.RIPE’s unique style in both the lyrics and the sound. Since the theme of this album is “light”, I believe it fits very well.

TVアニメ『はたらく魔王さま！！』2nd Season OPテーマ / nano.RIPE「光のない街」Official Music Video / Hikakrinonaimachi

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Another song from the album is “Hoshi ni Todoku yo” (星に届くよ), on the surface, it is a very cheerful song, yet beneath it lies a bittersweet longing, a pursuit of something unreachable. What role do you see this song playing in the album?

I like singing lyrics that contrast with bright melodies, so I had fun with this song. I deliberately chose words that sound pleasant to the ear, while hiding a message that you need to listen carefully to notice. It might be the most “twisted” nano.RIPE song on the album.

nano.RIPE「星に届くよ」 / nano.RIPE 8th Album「光を運ぶもの」

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We’ll make sure to pay even more attention from now on! Just based on emotions however, your music often stirs a fleeting and nostalgic emotion while still feeling uplifting. Is there a particular philosophy or experience that guides this duality in your work?

We aren’t too conscious of it, but I believe the themes of the lyrics and melodies naturally lean that way. The world we live in never stops, and the moment a song is created, it’s already in the past. With that in mind, we want to express how we should live with the time we have left through music. In that sense, everyone we’ve met and everything we’ve experienced are treasures and important parts of the creative process.

In conjunction with the album, you announced a nationwide release tour. What kind of experience do you think or hope fans will have when they finally hear these songs live for the first time?

I want everyone to enjoy it however they like. Whether you’re raising your fist, clapping your hands, dancing, or just closing your eyes and soaking it in, I’d love for each person to enjoy it in their own way.

: nano.RIPE during their “Hikari wo Hakobumono” tour, at Fukuoka Queblick.@nanoripe_info

Definitely! Longtime fans might already know, but live performances have always been a core part of nano.RIPE. So after years of touring and connecting with fans, what are some of the biggest realizations you’ve had about performing?

At nano.RIPE’s live shows, it’s not just the band members who take the spotlight. We approach each show with the idea that both the band and the audience share the stage, putting on an amazing performance for each other. The energy on stage rises with the crowd’s enthusiasm, and I’m sure the venue feels it too. In the past, we used to think of it as “people coming to watch us” but that mindset has changed a lot.

As fans in the audience, we indeed feel the same as you described. And as overseas fans, many of us first discover your music through anime tie-ups, which naturally shapes a certain perception of nano.RIPE. We’ve talked to artists who prefer not to be labeled an “anison band”, but we’ve also talked to those who want to embrace this image. How do you personally view this aspect of your career?

I think everyone’s perception varies depending on when they first discovered us or which songs they know, and that’s perfectly fine. But we’d like to keep our image of being a “live band”. If you see us, you’ll understand. Besides our anime theme songs, we’ve made a lot of great tracks, so if you get the chance, please come and listen to a variety of songs and find your favorites!

We look forward to that! Lastly, please leave a message to your overseas fans!

Thank you so much for always supporting us! I’m looking forward to the day we can perform live together! Please keep supporting us from now on as well!

Big thanks to nano.RIPE for taking the time to sharing their inspiring words. Make sure to catch the new album, and their shows if you have the opportunity! Check the links below to see where you can stream and buy the album.