Press Conference with BURNOUT SYNDROMES at Anime Friends 2023

The day before their first concert in Brazil, the rock band BURNOUT SYNDROMES gathered with the press and talked about their history together and their favorite anime songs.

You're a rock band, but you've mentioned that you like to experiment other musical styles, like the rap in the song Ocean. Is there a musical style you haven't tried yet but would like to explore in your compositions?

Kazuumi Kumagai: We've already done rock, EDM, and rap. We want to try something more in the Latin style. (imitates a beat)

Takuya Hirose: I'm interested in several styles, but right now, I really want to explore the Latin style as well.

Taiyu Ishikawa: I know there are many Brazilian instruments here in Brazil, and I would like to try them and learn more about them.

Among the anime theme songs you've created, which one was the most challenging to write?

Kazuumi Kumagai: The most challenging for me was Phoenix from the anime series "Haikyuu!!." Since the anime was already popular, it became more difficult as we had to consider more opinions about it. The changing lyrics and sometimes mismatching chorus made it harder to synchronize with the anime.

Takuya Hirose: For me, the most challenging was FLY HIGH!! because it was our first anime song. Since it was our first time and there were many change requests, I feel it was the most difficult.

Taiyu Ishikawa: Good Morning [New] World! was the most challenging for me. I know many people here listen to that one, so thank you.


Did you ever imagine yourselves reaching where you are now, especially coming to Brazil and being at Anime Friends?

Kazuumi Kumagai: We had never imagined it. When we formed the band, it was just for school festivals. We never even imagined that we would do anime songs. I think we've come this far because we really love music, and then we were invited to this event. It's very gratifying. I want to continue remembering this feeling of liking music and anime and share our music more often.

Takuya Hirose: I never imagined we could release so many songs and come this far. About three years ago, we started receiving more comments from people outside of Japan on our YouTube videos. That's when we started thinking more about other countries too.

What are your Japanese influences?

Kazuumi Kumagai: One of the bands is ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION. They sang openings for "Naruto" and "Fullmetal Alchemist." We all like them, and they influenced us a lot.

Takuya Hirose: Another band I really like is FLOW. I watched "Naruto" when I was in school and I never thought I would participate in an event with a veteran band like them. I still can't believe it.

Taiyu Ishikawa: One of the bands that influenced me the most was BUMP OF CHICKEN. Our band's name was inspired by them.

What's the hardest song you've released, one that pushed you out of your comfort zone when composing?

Kazuumi Kumagai: I think BLIZZARD from the anime series "Mashiro no Oto," which uses the shamisen. It was challenging to blend it with rock, but we really liked it.

Takuya Hirose: Good Morning [New] World! First, we released Good Morning World! and then Good Morning [New] World! which was more challenging. The songs were released according to the first and second seasons of the anime series "Dr. Stone," and as the character evolved, we evolved too.

Taiyu Ishikawa: For me, it was Hikariare, which we released for "Haikyu!!." I think it's cool the way Kumagai says "Hikariare" so much that it hurts his throat.


Your songs have beautiful lyrics. How does it feel to share these emotions with people?

Kazuumi Kumagai: Since the lyrics are in Japanese, I think about how they will be shared to those who don't understand the language well. I think the feeling can be delivered through how it's sung — higher, lower, the accent, and the singing style.

During live performances, Ishikawa seems to be the one who energizes the crowd the most, jumping on stage and inviting everyone to interact. Was this natural for you? Has it always been like this, or was it a challenge you took on with more freedom to move around the stage?

Taiyu Ishikawa: Yes, I've always been this way, quite lively! (laughs) It's a bit different with the microphone. After we changed the type of microphone we use, I think I got more excited.

The band was announced for a "Haikyu!!" event in September. Can you tell us if you'll be on the movie's soundtrack?

Kazuumi Kumagai: We can't talk about that. (laughs)

When you create anime songs, how do you think about the characters and the construction of the songs?

Kazuumi Kumagai: Since the anime usually originates from the manga, I read it multiple times and try to deliver something that won't disappoint the fans. I think those who are already fans of the manga understand the characters better, so I try to dedicate more to that. When manga readers like the songs, those who watch only the anime will also approve of it.

Who are your favorite anime characters?

Takuya Hirose: Nanachi from "Made in Abyss"!

Taiyu Ishikawa: SpongeBob SquarePants. (laughs)

Kazuumi Kumagai: That's a tough question... Hinata from "Haikyu!!"; I am the same height as him. The character inspires me to have confidence in my height since I'm short. Thanks for the tough question. (laughs)

Kumagai, you're the guitarist and the vocalist, so you're singing while playing and also doing intricate guitar riffs. How challenging was it to master this?

Kazuumi Kumagai: Initially, we thought of forming a four-member band, but at the time, we didn't have a friend to be the fourth member. So, I had to do this dual role since from the beginning. Now, I'm used to it, and it's easier to do both.

With the amazing discography you have now, what's your favorite song?

Kazuumi Kumagai: FLY HIGH!! is the most well-known. I'm very proud of that song because it brought us here and represents "Haikyu!!" the most.

Takuya Hirose: It's Good Morning World!. I really like "Dr. Stone," and I can play the drums strongly for it.

Taiyu Ishikawa: I like Phoenix. The first guitar I bought had a bird on it, and I really like birds.


How did the idea of naming the band BURNOUT SYNDROMES come about?

Taiyu Ishikawa: Since I really like the band BUMP OF CHICKEN, I wanted a name that started with the letter 'B,' but also a longer name.

How has the reception from the Brazilian fans been?

Kazuumi Kumagai: Since we haven't done the concert yet, I don't know how the fans will react, but I feel that we're being very well received. I'm really looking forward to seeing everyone's reaction.

Do you know any Brazilian music, especially rock bands?

Kazuumi Kumagai: I don't know any rock bands from Brazil, I only know some artists from South America.

JaME would like to thank BURNOUT SYNDROMES and Maru Division for making this article possible.

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On Saturday, BURNOUT SYNDROMES finished the main stage schedule of Anime Friends. Fans gathered eagerly to see the most anticipated band of the night, with their energy renewed after the exciting performance by Survive Said the Prophet. In the audience, there was a noticeable number of "Haikyu!!" fans, from people wearing the volleyball uniforms to complete cosplays of the characters.

As the trio took the stage, the audience's screams filled the venue. The song selection was based on their greatest anime hits, opening with Good Morning World. The band also surprised everyone with the presence of the singer ASCA in the unreleased song Kunoichi and delivered a thrilling collaboration with FLOW for I Don't Wanna Die in the Paradise. To finish, the eagerly awaited FLY HIGH!! was sung in unison by the fans.


BURNOUT SYNDROMES showed captivating stage presence and infectious enthusiasm, along with incredible guitar solos. The audience left the show feeling revitalized. Those who eagerly awaited seeing them live seemed to be satisfied and yearning for a solo concert, and many people who didn't know them surely became new fans.

Set list

01. good morning world
02. hikari are
03. Mt. Wakakusa Starmine
04. Kunoichi (feat. ASCA)
05. BLIZZARD
06. hanaichimonme
07. the world is mine
08. I don’t wanna die in the paradise (feat. FLOW)
09. PHOENIX
10. FLY HIGH!!

Links to download and stream BURNOUT SYNDROMES' March best-of album The WORLD is Mine on various online music platforms are available here.