Interview with Yui Makino in Rome

Recently, well-known voice actress, singer and pianist Yui Makino had the opportunity to perform in Rome, Italy. The day before her first gig there, JaME had the chance to chat with her about her career, her stay in Italy and more.


Hi, we’re from JaME! Thanks for this interview!

Yui Makino: Thank you!

This is your first time in Italy. Are you excited? What are your expectations for tomorrow’s gig?

Yui Makino: This is the first time I’m in Italy, and I don’t know what will be the general reaction since I’ve never done a gig here before. I do not know if people know me, so I’m really excited.

What have you done in Rome? And what are you going to do here?

Yui Makino: Actually… I’d like to visit La Bocca della Verità (The Mouth of Truth) and put my hand in it. (laughs)

Haven’t you done it yet?

Yui Makino: Not yet… I heard there’s a thirty minutes queue to visit it, and I haven’t had much time.

You should try in midweek days, there shouldn’t be so many people in days like Tuesday or Thursday…

Yui Makino: Ah… though, today is Friday… and I’m leaving on Sunday! (laughs)

Why have you decided to do a performance in Rome?

Yui Makino: I went to France last year for the Japan Expo convention and I performed there for the first time in Europe. Since I always refer to foreign cities in my songs, for example, Venice, I felt like visiting Italy. I’m really happy I can realize this dream earlier than expected. (smiles)

Let’s talk about your latest single Fuwa Fuwa♪. Its title is really delicate. How did you convey this in the music?

Yui Makino: This song talks about a girl that has fallen in love, but the track per se is really cheerful and involving. This is because the track conveys the feelings this girl has, though her love is not reciprocated.

A lot of your song titles have foreign names, for example, the title of your first single Amrita is from the Sanskrit word for ‘nectar.’ Do you have a special interest in foreign languages?

Yui Makinoi: (laughs) Yes. I traveled out of Japan for the first time when I was twenty and besides Japanese, I only knew English which I studied in middle school. I started learning French when I was in high school and university. I also know some words in Italian, like 'dolce,' 'allegro,' and 'maestoso' because they are often used in classical music.

You are also well known for your strong connection with the anime industry, why did you choose to be involved in anime?

Yui Makino: (thinks for a while) I started playing the piano when I was a child and I entered the movie industry after I met director Shunji Iwai, but it took a while before I first worked with anime. I started by composing a song for “Sousei no Akuerion,” then came my dubbing for Sakura in “Tsubasa Chronicle” and in the meantime my first single, Amrita, was released. So I ended up being a voice-actress, singer and pianist. (laughs)

Are you particularly interested in manga and anime?

Yui Makino: Honestly… I knew they were popular overseas, though I am not really well read in anime and manga. (laughs) As a child, the only thing I did was playing the piano, so I didn’t play, I didn’t watch television and I didn’t read manga… I only dedicated myself to piano. The first manga I ever collected was “Tsubasa Chronicle”! (laughs)

In the West, anime and manga are the mediums through which many people experience Japanese culture, what are your views on this? Do you think it’s a good way to learn more about Japan?

Yui Makino: When I have my performances abroad, I can feel how much the Japanese pop culture is well-appreciated overseas. Things that are now popular in Japan will be popular only in two years or three in America and Europe… even though, thanks to the Internet and YouTube, things have slightly changed. However, as an artist and singer, I would like to say that this situation shouldn't continue in this manner! (laughs)

Neverthless, you succeeded in doing this job thanks to downloads and YouTube.

Yui Makino: Yes, that’s true! So, since it’s a serious problem, please always think about it! (laughs)

Unlike a lot of musicians, you studied music to a very high level in university. How do you think this has helped you in your career?

Yui Makino: Ah… this is a difficult question. (thinks) (in English) One moment, please!

(listens to the question again)
Yui Makino: Well… it was pretty normal.

Was it difficult attending university and having such a successful career at the same time?

Yui Makino: Since I was a child, I was used to seeing my father on television as he’s a musician too. So I had a view on life that was different from my coevals. Furthermore, my dad did not have a classical background, but a more jazz and pop one, so it was really different for my classical studies.

Could you ever pick to be just one: a voice actor, singer or pianist? Which one would you pick?

Yui Makino: All these jobs, music, dubbing, composing and performing, are linked to each other, so I really can’t pick one. And even if just one of this things would disappear, I wouldn’t know what to do!

You said in a previous interview that you would like to be a pharmacist if you were in a profession other than one that was music or acting based. Do you have a particular interest in pharmacy?

Yui Makino: I've been learning the piano since I was born, so wasting all those years didn’t sound like a good idea. I’ve always studied music and I was only in middle school when I had to choose what to study. After choosing, since high school and university where in the same place, chances to switch to another course were small, so I would have had to stop my studies to devote myself to pharmacy. Moreover, I’m really bad at math, so I wouldn’t have passed the entrance examination either. (laughs)

You always wear very pretty clothes on stage. Are you also interested in fashion?

Yui Makinoi: Yes, but it’s only in recent times that I found out I'm interested in fashion. I learned how to make-up and dress in a 'cool' way.

Do you have a favourite brand?

Yui Makino: The clothes I’m wearing now (stands up to show them) are by snidel, a pretty well-known brand amongst Japanese girls. It’s a brand that designs ecological dresses, made with organic and recycled material. I chose them because, other than being really cute, they are made with a respect for nature.

Finally, would you like to send a message to your fans, especially Italian ones?

Yui Makino: Up until now I haven’t had the chance to get in touch with Italy, so I really hope your country will be more interested in me after tomorrow’s gig and you will invite me here more often.

Thank you very much and good luck for your show tomorrow!

Yui Makino: (in English) Thank you!


JaME would like to thank Yui Makino, her management and all the people of Romics on Tour. Special thanks to Davide for the translation.