Japanese anime song singer Asaka (Famously Known For Higurashi, Yuru Camp, & Summertime Rendering) has opened up about the growing challenges faced by dedicated anime song singers, questioning whether there is still a place for them in today’s anime industry. As she celebrates her 10th anniversary, the singer revealed that the increasing competition for anime theme song opportunities has sometimes made her question her own professional identity.
Speaking on ABEMA’s SHIBUYA ANIME BASE, Asaka discussed how the anime music industry has changed, particularly as voice actors and mainstream J-pop artists increasingly receive opportunities to perform anime opening and ending themes.
“Hasn’t the place for anime song singers started disappearing? Is there really no demand for us anymore?” she questioned.
However, this wasn’t the first time Asaka had spoken about the difficulties of maintaining a career specifically as an anime song singer. In July 2026, she addressed the same issue through her official X account, explaining that competition for anime tie-ups had become extremely intense.
Despite these challenges, Asaka remains determined to preserve the profession she loves, even declaring that she would continue fighting for it if she became the last anime song singer.
Asaka Says Competition for Anime Theme Songs Has Become Extremely Fierce
Asaka’s concerns are connected to the changing landscape of anime music, where performers from different parts of the music industry are increasingly getting opportunities to sing anime theme songs.
In recent years, anime opening and ending themes have featured a wider range of artists, including established J-pop musicians, bands, and voice actors. While this has brought different musical styles and audiences into anime, it has also made competition for anime-related opportunities increasingly difficult for dedicated anisong singers.
Asaka had already addressed this concern on July 11, 2026, when she posted about the difficulties of maintaining her identity as an anime song singer.
She wrote:
“At present, it’s extremely difficult to keep pursuing a career under the title of ‘anime song singer.’ The competition for tie-ups is simply too fierce!”
Here, Asaka was referring to the intense competition for anime tie-ups, where artists are selected to perform songs connected to anime productions.
Her comments suggest that the challenge isn’t simply about whether anime songs are popular. Rather, she is concerned about the opportunities available to artists whose professional identities are specifically built around performing anime music.
She also explained that this situation had pushed her to reconsider how she approaches her career.
“That’s exactly why I’ve decided to break away from the conventional idea of what a singer should be and make my own path to survive in the anime industry.”
Asaka added that she would do whatever it takes, even if it meant taking an unconventional approach, to ensure that anime songs performed by dedicated anime song singers do not disappear.
“Even If I’m the Only One Left, I Want to Preserve This Profession”
During her appearance on SHIBUYA ANIME BASE, Asaka went further into the personal struggles behind her comments.
She explained that despite the difficulties, she genuinely loves being an anime song singer. Her decision to pursue this career was also influenced by her admiration for fellow singer May’n, whom she had always wanted to become like.
Asaka then made her feelings about the profession very clear:
“Even if I’m the only one left in the end, that’s fine. I feel a sense of mission that I have to preserve the profession and the very name of ‘anime song singer.’ That’s why I’m giving everything I’ve got and working desperately right now.”
She also made it clear that she would never voluntarily abandon that professional identity.
“I will never give up the profession of being an anime song singer myself.”
Her statements reflect a strong attachment to a profession that she has spent the last decade building her career around.
Rather than accepting the possibility that dedicated anime song singers could become less prominent, Asaka wants to continue representing them and keeping the identity of the profession alive.
She also described her fans as her family, expressing her desire to remain honest about herself and continue connecting with them through music.
Asaka Celebrates 10 Years as an Anime Song Singer
Asaka made her professional debut in 2016 at the age of 17 with the ending theme “Open your eyes” for the television anime Occultic;Nine.
Since then, she has performed songs for several popular anime, including:
- Yuru Camp – “SHINY DAYS”
- Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou – “I believe what you said”
- Summer Time Rendering – “Natsuyume Noisy”
Over the years, she has also expanded her activities beyond singing, including voice acting. She portrays Espoir City in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, connecting her professional work with another one of her major interests, horse racing.
The SHIBUYA ANIME BASE feature also followed Asaka during a visit to Funabashi Racecourse, where she met a guide horse, enjoyed racecourse food, and watched races. She even managed to correctly predict a race result.
Asaka jokingly described her lifestyle as “Clothing, food, housing, and horses,” highlighting just how much horse racing has become a part of her life.
However, the main focus of her appearance was her 10-year journey as an anime song singer and her determination to continue working in the profession.
Asaka Wants Anime Song Singers to Have a Future
Asaka’s comments bring attention to an interesting discussion about the changing identity of anime music.
Anime theme songs are reaching increasingly broad audiences, and performers from outside the traditional anisong scene are now regularly contributing to anime productions. This has expanded the musical diversity of anime, but it has also created a more competitive environment for artists who specifically pursue anime song singing as their profession.
Asaka has experienced those challenges herself, openly questioning whether dedicated anime song singers still have the same opportunities and recognition.
Her July statement about the intense competition for anime tie-ups, followed by her more recent comments on SHIBUYA ANIME BASE, shows that this is something she has been thinking about for some time.
Nevertheless, she isn’t ready to give up. Instead, she wants to find her own way forward while ensuring that the profession she loves continues to exist.
Even if she ends up being the last one left, Asaka wants to keep the name “anime song singer” alive. Bookmark Otaku Mantra for more anime music news and updates!
About Asaka
Asaka (亜咲花) is a Japanese singer who made her debut in 2016 at the age of 17 with the ending theme “Open your eyes” for Occultic;Nine. She is best known for performing anime songs, including “SHINY DAYS” from the Yuru Camp series, “I believe what you said” from Higurashi: When They Cry – Gou, and “Natsuyume Noisy” from Summer Time Rendering.
She is also active as a voice actress and portrays Espoir City in Uma Musume: Pretty Derby. In 2026, she celebrates her 10th anniversary as an anime song singer.
