We had the fantastic privilege of meeting and speaking with halca, a Japanese anisong singer and musician who visited the Philippines for her performance at the Japanese Anime Music concert at Cosplay Carnival 2026. She is best known for her bright, energetic pop music, which has been featured in anime series such as Kaguya-sama: Love is War, Wotakoi: Love is Hard for Otaku, and Rent-a-Girlfriend.
Ahead of her performance at the JAM concert, halca graced Anime Corner and a few other media outlets with a sneak peek into her passionate anisong music journey, her experiences touring around the world, her newfound love for Filipino food, and her dreams for the future.
Parts of this interview have been lightly edited for clarity.
On Music Inspirations and Performing
Q: Your performances are very bright and energetic. What’s your secret to keeping that level of energy throughout the live performance?
halca: What really gives me energy are the smiles of the audience. A lot of artists might have already used this answer before, but in the end, this is what it is.
Q: Before going on stage, do you have any routines, mindsets, or practices that help you deliver that signature “halca” performance?
halca: As a person, I usually smile a lot. But during my performance, I try to match my feelings with the theme of the song. So if it’s a happy song, I smile. If it’s a sad song, I use a bit of a sad expression. I also try to look at everyone in the audience. But relating to my answer earlier, when I see the audience smile, I also can’t help but smile. So sometimes, even during a sad song, I tend to smile whenever I see the smiles of the audience.
Q: Fans have started to discover you through your performances abroad. Do you have a favorite memory from this?
halca: There are a lot of times in events overseas where security would accompany me, and I would be able to explore around the convention, which is usually not allowed in Japan. Even if I have security with me, I’m not allowed to go out in the convention itself. However, in overseas conventions, I have that opportunity, and I’m very happy to be able to see how the conventions are.
In addition, sometimes when I go out, fans are able to see me, and that makes me feel happy because I see them go, “Oh, it’s halca!” That surprise makes me happy because I know that fans actually know me, and that they are able to see me during the convention.
During the autograph sessions, I get to interact with fans, and I’m able to know how they got to know me or from which type of anime. It always leaves an impression on me whenever I hear how [and where] my fans know me from.
Q: What would you say has been your fondest memory while performing overseas?
halca: So, overseas, the one most memorable is when I performed on an outdoor stage in Saudi Arabia. During the day, it was raining outside with thunder and lightning, and the concert was supposed to be cancelled. But there were a lot of fans waiting for me! And the director gave the okay [signal] to continue with the performance.
As for my fondest memory in the Japan concert, it would be my first solo concert. Before the live, I was a bit nervous and worried that it wouldn’t go well. But 30 seconds before the concert, I started hearing the claps of the audience, and I realized that all the people in the venue came here to see me. This made me excited, and it boosted my energy for the concert.
But another memorable interaction I had was during my first debut anniversary. I had an event where there was a talk and a singing corner. I was a bit pressured by the schedule because a lot was happening, but suddenly I heard a pang! Crackers popped, and everyone congratulated me! It was actually a surprise prepared by the staff and the people who came to the event. They all wanted to celebrate my first anniversary. When I saw my fans being so happy, it made me feel so happy.
Q: Who would you acknowledge as the person who got you into pursuing music and performing?
halca: It’s YUI-san. Spelled as Y-U-I. She sang the ending theme song “Again” for the anime Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood (2009). This is one of the songs that I practiced a lot in karaoke because I love singing it. This is the first song that I thought I wanted to sing very well. That’s why I practiced it a lot.
Q: Who or what is your biggest inspiration?
halca: My strength, or the standout in my personality, is being cheerful. I hope that people who don’t even know me can feel [my cheerfulness] from my singing voice, the way I speak, or even just from me standing. To be able to radiate that aura, I study fashion and hair [styling]; you can see my hair, it’s very bright! That’s why I’m hoping people who see me can feel my cheerful energy.
Q: How do you deal with learning a song you love that isn’t as recognized by many people?
halca: I actually haven’t really thought about it that much. During my student days, whenever we would go to karaoke, I had friends who only sang J-Pop, K-Pop, and heavy metal. I only sang anisongs. I think I grew up in a good environment because when you go to karaoke, there’s this weird pressure that you feel like you have to sing a song that everybody knows, but I didn’t feel this with my friends because they liked sharing what they loved. They sang what they wanted. And with that, we were all able to appreciate the songs we didn’t know. Like, the friend that only likes K-pop would say, “That’s a good anisong!” That kind of feeling.
With a song that I love that isn’t recognized [by many people], I can compare it to a store or restaurant. For example, even though I love it, if no one visits the store, it would end up closing because it has no sales. That’s the kind of feeling I have with songs as well. If the song isn’t recognized, the creators are not compensated properly, which makes them unable to create new songs.
But I also like the feeling when I’m the only one who knows the song. It feels like my treasure because I’m the only one who knows it. And then, I also feel a bit of jealousy when people start discovering the charm of these songs. So, it’s a bit complicated, but that’s how I feel about it.
On Being an Anisong Singer
Q: What was your initial reaction when you were informed that your debut single, “Kimi no Tonari,” will be used as an ending theme for an anime series?
halca: I initially thought it was a prank! One of the reasons why I thought it was a prank was because I took the audition back in 2013, but my debut happened in 2018. So there was a big time gap between my audition and debut. And, the staff that worked during my audition days and my debut were actually the same. So I was wondering, “What’s the difference between when I took the audition and when I debuted? Like, it’s the same people.” I had that doubt in me, but I was very happy.
Q: Which of your songs represents you as an artist today, and why?
halca: So the first two songs [that represent me as an artist] are not specifically anime tie-ups. The first one is a song called “A Hot Potato,” which is my latest release. The second one is “Honto Shouganai.”
The reason why these two songs are specifically memorable is because I wrote the lyrics for both of these songs. In these songs, I wrote about my uncool side and broke them into a very pop manner. But despite all those uncool sides. I think these are what make me, “me.” That’s why I think these two songs are very essential to my career.
Another one is the anisong used as the ending theme for the Mono (2025) anime, and is called “Weekend Roll.” I also wrote the lyrics for it. The reason why “Weekend Roll” is memorable for me is because the anime Mono used a lot of cameras in the sense that they have a lot of pictures and videos to keep memories in a tangible shape.
And even before I met Mono, I already had this thinking that I like to preserve memories in the form of pictures and videos. I think that Mono portrayed this thought of mine very well, that’s why it is very memorable for me. And just to give you an idea of how much I love taking pictures and videos, I have around 300,000 pictures in my phone! (laughs)
Q: What do you think makes an anime opening or ending theme memorable to viewers?
halca: The biggest one, I think, is the animation that comes with the songs. So, of course, the music team also does their best to create very good songs for the anime. But when the animation matches the sound of the music, like for example, when there’s a special effect, and you can see someone jumping in the animation, it leaves a very strong impression like “Wow!” and “So cool!” And you know how, when the beat and visuals match, it gives a good feeling to you, right? It makes you want to watch it more, and it not only leaves a very cool impression on the anime song but also on the anime itself.
Q: As a veteran anisong singer, what do you usually do to prepare for an anisong?
halca: I try to be as normal as possible. I don’t do anything special; I just put my feelings into recording sessions. Sometimes, doing something different from the usual makes me a bit scared, or like “oh no, this is not what I wanted.” Like that kind of thing. That’s why I usually just keep to my normal self whenever I do recordings.
And, near the studio where I do recordings, there’s a place that sells Spinach bread. It’s actually my favorite food, and I usually buy it before I go to the recordings. I also drink an herb tea called Throat Coat.
On Visiting the Philippines for the First Time
Q: Was there anything about the Filipino fans or culture that surprised you the most?
halca: My interaction with the fans will happen later this evening during the autograph distribution. However, one thing I’m really surprised about the Philippines is that they have really good rice and food!
Before my concerts, I usually make it a point to eat the local food so that I’m able to talk about it during my segments. But these past few days, I’ve actually just been having Sinigang (sour stew) and Sotanghon (glass noodles), which I really, really enjoy! On Friday and Saturday, I had Sinigang and Sontanghon from two different restaurants. Today, I think I also want to eat again.
So yes, I’ll probably miss Filipino food when I go back to Japan. I really want to come back [here]. So when, for example, I have the opportunity to do a solo concert in the Philippines, I would also like to promote it to my fans in Japan and ask them to come to the Philippines so that they can also try the Filipino food. That’s how much Filipino food actually surprised me.
Q: What do you think about the Philippines and Philippine fans when you found out you were going to be part of the Jam concert?
halca: I was very happy because I felt like, “Oh, I finally get to come to the Philippines!” When I was a student, I had a lot of friends who were half-Filipinos and had a lot of relations in the Philippines. So, I was always very curious to know more about where they grew up or what kind of food they ate. Even during my Instagram or YouTube live programs, there will be a lot of people commenting, “I love you!” and saying that they were watching from the Philippines. So, I’ve always really wanted to come to see my fans here, and I’m very happy.
On Halca’s Dreams, Wishes, and Messages
Q: What’s a dream collaboration you would love to make happen?
halca: Well, there are a lot! There are actually a lot of artists that I want to collaborate with. The first one would be Asuka, who also belongs to the same label, SACRA MUSIC. We’ve actually eaten together and have had a live collaboration before. But I want to be able to do a physical song together. I’m actually a fan of Asuka, even way before [we met], which is why I really want to have this collaboration.
The second artist I want to collaborate with is Yui Makino. It all started when I listened to her, and it was the first time I actually physically cried listening to a song. And there was also a time that I was listening to Yui Makino so much that I couldn’t sleep without listening to her voice.
The third artist I want to collaborate with is Meg Rock (Megumi Hinata). I love her songs, specifically “Renai Circulation” from Bakemonogatari (2009) and “Catch You Catch Me” from CardCaptor Sakura (1998), which she wrote the lyrics for. I love the songs that Meg Rock sings and writes lyrics for. I really love her very much, and I really want to sing a song created by Meg Rock someday.
In the Kaguya-sama: Love Is War movie, I was in charge of singing one of the insert songs. The main theme song of the movie, “Heart Notes,” was actually composed by Meg Rock. And for probably whatever connection, Meg Rock started following me [on X/Twitter]! Maybe it was because I was the artist in charge of the insert song. Sometimes, Meg Rock would like some of my posts, and it makes me very happy because Meg Rock is like a god to me.
Q: If you could master a new musical instrument, what instrument would it be?
halca: I would choose this instrument called the hand pan! It actually looks like a UFO, and you just hit it with your hands. I discovered this instrument while walking around in Shibuya, Tokyo, when I saw a street performer. I was very drawn in by its sound that I stood there for 30 minutes. I hope that you will search [about] what kind of sound this instrument produces.
Q: Do you have a message to aspiring singers?
halca: This is quite a hard question… I think that it’s important for these aspiring singers to find something unique within themselves. Even if it’s just one unique thing, and to believe in themselves. With that, they can probably go anywhere and be anyone they want to be. I’m cheering them on!
Q: Do you have a message for your fans around the world?
halca: Thanks to my career as an anisong artist, I was able to go to a lot of countries that I wanted to visit ever since I was young. When I came to the Philippines, there were already a lot of dramatic things that had happened, and I already had a lot of memories. I feel like I’m able to fulfill my dreams in life, slowly meet a lot of people, and make a lot of memories as well. And just like in the lyrics of “Weekend Roll,” I hope to be able to make these memories one by one and preserve them. I definitely want to come back to the Philippines, so I hope for your continued support.
We’d like to thank halca for coming to Manila, Philippines, and for taking the time to do this interview with us! Follow her on X (Twitter), YouTube, and her official website.
Thank you as well to Cosplay.ph for having us at Cosplay Carnival 2026. Visit the Cosplay Mania Facebook page and X (Twitter) for more updates on their future anime and cosplay events.
Interview Assistance: Ken Pueyo, William Mescallado
Photos via Cosplay.ph
Disclaimer: Anime Corner is a media partner for Cosplay Carnival 2026
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