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Anime

[Honey’s Anime Interview] Discussing a Decade-Long Career and Their Asia Tour with PassCode!

PassCode is a powerhouse of kawaii metal, blending J-pop sweetness with fierce metal energy to create a sound that's as catchy as it is electrifying. Formed in 2013, this all-female Japanese band—currently made up of Nao Minami, Kaede takashima, Hinako Ogami, and Emily Arima—has taken the music world by storm with their unique mix of heavy guitar riffs, electronic beats, and dynamic vocals. With their high-octane live shows and anthemic anisongs, they’ve built a dedicated fanbase both in Japan and internationally, and here they are to chat with us!

Nao
Kaede
Hinako
Emily
Interview with PassCode
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Thank you very much for accepting this interview, it's so exciting to have you all four answering us! So, PassCode is a well-established band, with almost a decade on your backs and several hit songs, such as Kakegurui’s “Ichikabachika.” Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the group’s name and concept, and how PassCode evolved over time?
I believe PassCode is a group that has been shaped by our live performances. Our desire to continually improve has driven our growth.
Starting from scratch, we’ve cherished each and every live performance.
I heard that our group’s name was decided on a whim by our agency’s president (laughs). We’ve faced many challenges along the way, but we kept pushing forward because it would be a shame to lose a group like PassCode.
I’ve only been with the group for three of its ten years, but I think it’s an amazing group! I want us to keep growing in the future.
As your fans know, PassCode’s formation has changed several times since the group’s first songs. While each lineup has brought something unique and positive in its own way, what do you appreciate the most about the current lineup, both on and off the stage?
Emily has great rhythm and pronunciation, and she’s an artist who can deliver a stable performance in any environment. I think this really contributes to the overall consistency of PassCode’s live shows. We’ve grown together over time, and I feel like our appeal has only gotten stronger. Each member has a unique personality, but there’s a strong sense of unity, which makes things interesting.
I think the line between our work mode and our downtime has blurred in a good way, and that’s what’s pushing PassCode forward in a positive direction.
I think we balance each other’s strengths and weaknesses really well and complement each other perfectly. What’s great is that everyone takes pride in the group and performs with genuine love for it. While we’re all active and energetic on stage, offstage 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’re off, we’re like close friends—almost like classmates.
https://youtu.be/pV-WthRjU0s
What was your experience creating your latest anisong, “WILLSHINE,” and how do you or the song connect with the anime SHY?
I felt that SHY’s desire to bring happiness to others, despite all her struggles, is very similar to PassCode. The message we convey isn’t all that different, which is why this song reflects both SHY’s perspective and PassCode’s essence.
SHY is a shy female hero, so I saw similarities between her and the members of PassCode. The lyrics feel like a support song, carrying the hope that SHY will move forward together with PassCode into the future.
Our sound producer and lyric team created this track after reading the original SHY manga, so I think it fits really well with the anime. There’s a line in the anime that says something like, “You can’t save everyone, but maybe you can save some lives.” In the same way, I hope PassCode’s music can give people that little push 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 process of coming up with “WILLSHINE” any different from other songs?
We thought some people might skip the anime’s opening, so we decided to structure the song to start with the vocals right away.
I think composing a song inspired by a manga is different from our usual process. Even during recording, I kept the heroine’s feelings from SHY in the back of my mind while singing.
There aren’t any shout vocals in the part used for the anime! They kick in heavily from the bridge onward.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nuqUxyVm9E
We love how you girls combine cute voices with powerful yet clean singing, some artificial effects, and even death growls! What are your musical influences, and how different do you feel the ‘kawaii metal’ scene is now compared to when PassCode debuted?
When we started PassCode, kawaii metal bands like BABYMETAL were just beginning to emerge. Now, I feel like it’s become its own culture, and I’d be happy if PassCode could contribute, even in a small way, to its growth.
I really love Joe Hisaishi’s music. Even though PassCode’s songs are intense, they often include beautiful piano melodies. Our sound producer, Hirachi, always says he’s been influenced by Joe Hisaishi’s work.
I’ve always loved the music, dance, and cuteness of Japanese female idols. That’s what made me want to pursue this kind of career. Since PassCode was formed, 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 start embracing kawaii metal!
Now you have the opportunity to tour Asia again, from October to December. How do you feel about it, and how do you usually prepare for live performances?
Last year, we had the opportunity to tour the US, and it gave us the confidence to perform live overseas. 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 bring an even higher level of performance to our upcoming Asia tour.
There are countries we haven’t been able to visit in a while, so I want to make sure the fans who’ve been waiting get to fully enjoy themselves.
We haven’t been able to do an Asia tour since 2021, so I’m really happy we can go again. I have a stiff body and a weak throat, so I make sure to stretch and keep my throat hydrated every day.
We’ve 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 that you would love to visit with the band?
I’d really like to perform at an overseas festival next time.
We get a lot of comments on YouTube from places like Europe, so I’d love to go if the opportunity comes up.
I’d like to visit any country I haven’t been to yet, but especially the UK, Thailand, and Spain. In the U.S., I’d love to go to Las Vegas.
I’d like to visit places where metal is popular, like Scandinavia.
And related to that, you have achieved many things in your career as a group. What do you think are the next goals for PassCode? What can fans expect from you in the near future?
I want us to become a group that people will love for many years to come.
Our biggest goal is to remain a group that is loved for a long time.
I want more people, both in Japan and abroad, to discover PassCode’s music. I’m also hoping we can go back to the U.S. soon. I can’t wait to meet everyone again!
I want people all over the world to get to know PassCode. It would be amazing if more people became interested in Japan and Japanese music because of us!
A huge thank you to PassCode for taking the time to chat with us! Your music continues to captivate fans around the world, and we can’t wait to see what’s next for you. Keep rocking, and we’re excited to follow your upcoming projects! And huge thanks to our readers, too! If you want to stay up-to-date with PassCode’s latest music and performances, 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
063 Rod Locksley