Interview with AiNA THE END

After beginning her career in 2015 as a member of the alternative idol group BiSH, singer AiNA THE END launched her solo career in 2021 with an album titled THE END. Following BiSH's breakup in 2023, AiNA THE END has continued performing and releasing music solo, and some of her works have caught the attention of a wider international audience, such as the opening themes she performed for the anime series "DanDaDan" and "The Apothecary Diaries." With this in mind, her vinyl album My Collection of Anime Songs was recently released internationally by Black Screen Records.

The JaME team was able to ask AiNA THE END some questions about the album and her career thus far shortly after her visit to Spain, where she performed at the convention Manga Barcelona in December 2025.

For readers who are discovering you for the first time, how would you describe yourself as an artist?

AiNA THE END: I’ve been doing contemporary and jazz dance since I was four years old, so dance has always been an important form of expression for me. I started singing when I was eighteen, and I believe that makes me an artist who really values both singing and dance.

When did you first realize that music would be the center of your life?

AiNA THE END: Around middle school. I used to put songs by my favorite bands on my iPod and listen to them on my way to school, which made waking up early not feel like a burden anymore. Even when bad things happened, music changed my world and it really helped me, so that’s when I realized.

Your voice is very distinctive and emotional. How did you come to embrace this unique way of singing?

AiNA THE END: I was part of a girl group called BiSH for eight years, and during that time I learned the fundamentals of rock ’n’ roll singing. I didn’t develop my current voice on my own. I believe it exists because of everything various people taught me.


What artists or musical experiences shaped you the most when you were younger?

AiNA THE END: There’s a contemporary dance group called N-Trance Fish. When I saw their performance, I was so shocked that I couldn’t even leave the venue after it ended. It left me with a powerful, almost like, a positive “trauma.” That experience made me want to give people that same kind of beautiful shock at my own live shows.

What emotions do you most want to express through your music?

AiNA THE END: In the chaos and haziness of everyday life, especially when things aren’t going well, I want my music to be like a reset button, something you can press to start over. Or at least, I think I do…

You have worked both as part of a group and as a solo artist. How has going solo changed your relationship with music?

AiNA THE END: I feel a much greater sense of responsibility. Before, I didn’t put that much thought into things like song titles, but since becoming a solo artist, I started carefully crafting each title for every single song. Along with that, I’ve also come to feel a much heavier sense of responsibility for each and every live performance.

Many of your songs feel deeply personal. Is songwriting a form of healing for you?

AiNA THE END: No, not really. Creating something requires a lot of energy. Lyrics don’t just come to me like a casual conversation. I have to fit the words to the rhythm like pieces of a puzzle; otherwise, it doesn’t sound right. Conveying what I want to say while also turning it into music is a very difficult process.

You’ve recently sung several anime opening and ending themes. What attracts you to anime projects?

AiNA THE END: Anime theme songs are often 89 seconds long, and I sense the length to be very romantic. Within such a short time, you have to create something close to a roller coaster, full of dynamics and movement, and I think that really tests your sense as a creator. I love figuring out how to express everything within those 89 seconds.


When writing a song for an anime, how do you connect your own emotions to the story and characters?

AiNA THE END: I look at the protagonist’s or characters’ lines and search for parts that resemble me. Then I weave in my true feelings as I write the lyrics. That way, the song doesn’t lean too heavily toward the anime, and I make sure to consciously include my own heart in it.

Is there an anime or manga universe you would dream of creating a song for?

AiNA THE END: Series where characters transform. Shows like "Sailor Moon" and "Ojamajo Doremi" were popular in my generation, so I’d love to create something like that. I also love the anime "Violet Evergarden", so I’d like to write for that as well.

Your music is now being released internationally through Black Screen Records with a vinyl including anime and movie songs. How do you feel about reaching a wider audience outside Japan? Can you talk more about it?

AiNA THE END: Thanks to a song called On the Way, I’ve had the opportunity to reach listeners in many countries beyond Japan. Because of that song, I was also able to release a vinyl record. I’d love to take my records overseas and continue sharing more of my music internationally.


Do you feel that music can transcend language barriers? Have you experienced this directly with overseas fans?

AiNA THE END: I performed at Manga Barcelona 2025 in Spain, and during the live show, overseas fans got excited just from the intro of the songs. That’s when I realized there are people who are fans of the songs themselves. The lyrics are in Japanese, so they might not fully understand them, but I felt that some people are fans of the sound itself and that made me very happy.

After your recent visit to Spain, would you like to perform more shows outside Japan, or even go on a world tour?

AiNA THE END: Yes, I would. But I have an Asia tour coming up, so first I’d like to visit Asian countries I’ve never been to before.

What do you hope international listeners feel when they hear your music for the first time?

AiNA THE END: I want them to tell me exactly what they honestly think. Even if it’s “It hurts my ears” (laughs). It doesn’t have to be only positive comments, that’s totally fine.

If you could give one piece of advice to yourself from 10 years ago, what would it be?

AiNA THE END: I’d tell myself, ‘You should cherish the members (former members of BiSH) more’ (laughs). Back then, I was so focused on my own activities that I was too busy to even celebrate things like birthdays, so I think I should have valued the people around me more in order to enjoy those moments together.

When you’re not creating music, what helps you recharge or find inspiration?

AiNA THE END: Lately I’m into reading poetry collections, and I’m especially fascinated by Shuji Terayama’s poetry in particular. I enjoy films and poetry collections from older times, especially those with a classical, old-fashioned style.

What values or messages do you hope to carry through your career as an artist?

AiNA THE END: I think many things happen in life, but there’s no such thing as a special person. Everyone in this world is given the same amount of talent and time. It’s just about how you choose to live within that. I only recently realized that. Instead of thinking someone else is special, I want people to know that they themselves are special, and to live proudly. That’s something I’ve been reflecting in my lyrics lately.

Looking ahead, what kind of future would you like to build with your music?

AiNA THE END: Lately I’ve been into listening to music on a boombox, especially Joni Mitchell. I’d be happy if I could become a singer like her, someone whose music quietly slips into people’s everyday lives.

JaME would like to thank AiNA THE END for her time, her team, and Black Screen Records for the English translation.