Japanese anisong artist ASCA recently collaborated with Riot Games to perform “Fighter!!,” the theme song for Teamfight Tactics: K.O. Coliseum, which launches on July 30 for PC and mobile. Known for her work on anime like Sword Art Online: Alicization and The Irregular at Magic High School, ASCA brought her incredible vocals to the anime-inspired Set 15’s cinematic, which celebrates the game’s first full anime fighting tournament theme.
We had the chance to ask ASCA about her creative process, working with the TFT team, and what it means to bridge the worlds of anime music and gaming.
Q: To start off, are you a gamer yourself? Have you played League of Legends, Teamfight Tactics, or any other games you enjoy in your free time? We’d love to know what titles have left a lasting impression on you, whether in the past or currently.
A: I’ve loved games since I was a kid, and I’ve played everything from action RPGs and action racing games to sports games. There was a time when I was really into VR games, and these days I’ve been playing app-based games that help with language learning—I actually play them every day. I also play Teamfight Tactics and I’m hoping to get even better at it!
Q: “Fighter!!” embodies the high-energy spirit of an anime tournament arc. What was your inspiration for the track, and how did you capture the intensity of K.O. Coliseum in the music and lyrics? Did you draw from any personal experiences or favorite anime themes?
A: Before starting work on the song, I had the chance to watch a soccer game at a stadium—and I was deeply moved by the clash of spirits on the field. The new TFT set, K.O. Coliseum, which centers around the theme of battles between the strongest teams, really resonated with the mindset of the athletes who constantly hone their skills and push themselves through relentless effort. I was able to draw from that energy and overlap it with my own experiences and journey in life while creating the song.
Q: Can you talk about the process of working with composer Daichi Yoshioka and arranger ArmySlick on this track? What was the collaboration like?
A: We began the process with a demo track from Daichi Yoshioka, to which I added the lyrics. At the same time, ArmySlick worked on the arrangement. All communication went through my music director for this song, Takanori Tsunoda, who helped coordinate everything. From reflecting the TFT team’s requests to working closely with the songwriters, we developed the lyrics through ongoing discussions. We also released an English version of the song, and I’m incredibly grateful to the label staff with native pronunciation skills who were present during the recording. Thanks to their support, I was able to record while checking each part carefully.
Q: You’ve created music for anime hits like Sword Art Online: Alicization and also contributed to game projects in the past. How did writing for TFT: K.O. Coliseum compare to your previous anime and game work? Did the nature of this cinematic shift your creative approach in any way?
A: This project began with a request to sing the theme song for an animation featuring TFT characters, so the production process wasn’t all that different from when I create songs for anime. The first step was getting to know the world of the project. From there, I drew inspiration from TFT and looked for points where it intersected with my own experiences and way of thinking—that’s how I approached writing the lyrics.
Q: Can you share how your collaboration with the TFT team began? Did Riot Games approach you with the K.O. Coliseum concept, and what kind of input or materials (like storyboards or early visuals) did they share to help shape your direction?
A: After sending the demo for “Fighter!!,” I was contacted by the TFT team. They really liked the song, and as we moved forward with the production, they provided me with detailed materials outlining the content of K.O. Coliseum, along with specific keywords they wanted included in the lyrics. Thanks to that, I was able to approach the songwriting with a very clear vision.
Q: When you first saw the K.O. Coliseum cinematic paired with “Fighter!!,” what was your reaction? Did the vibrant visuals and anime-style action match the scenes you imagined while composing the song, or had you seen the animation before writing it?
A: It was clear right away that the production team had really immersed themselves in “Fighter!!”—the visuals and the music were perfectly in sync. The animation’s vividness went beyond what I had imagined, which feels so fitting for TFT. I love the energetic use of colors—it really lifts your spirits. The battle scenes with the characters have the dynamic energy I expected, and I especially love how they’ve sprinkled in some comedic moments here and there. And Pengu is absolutely adorable!
Q: Were there any parts of the song, whether in the vocals, arrangement, or instrumentals, that you feel best reflect the competitive spirit of TFT?
A: We developed the intro and overall arrangement while incorporating requests from the TFT team.
The sound, which blends electronic elements with ’90s rock vibes, perfectly matches the animation.
I think the sing-along style vocals in the intro and the shouted “wow” in the chorus really capture the spirit of TFT.
Q: Your anisong style is known for its emotional power and high-impact sound. How did you make sure “Fighter!!” would resonate with both anime fans and gamers? Was it important to you to bridge those two audiences?
A: From the very first time I heard the demo, I was confident that this catchy yet driving song would resonate with many people. As always, I made sure to approach the project with deep respect for the work, carefully honoring the world of TFT while weaving in my own life experiences. That balance was my main focus throughout the creation process.
Q: You’re preparing for your first Asia tour this fall, and now your music is also reaching a global gaming audience. What is the most exciting or valuable thing about connecting with fans globally?
A: Above all, it’s the live performances that matter most to me. As I’ve sung many anime songs, my activities overseas have been increasing year by year. Each time, I encounter wonderful people, and meeting those who love and eagerly await my music in person is the greatest joy in my life. I truly believe that music transcends language and cultural differences. For moments like these, I want to keep singing in many different countries going forward.
Q: Having contributed music to both anime and games, how do you see the role of a theme song differing between those formats? What do you think music adds to a player’s experience in a game like TFT?
A: First, I start by really getting to know the work, taking in the inspiration it gives me, and finding the places where it resonates with my own life. I believe this process is the same whether it’s for anime or games. With that in mind, I focused on creating a song that fans who love TFT can enjoy even more—something that makes playing the new set K.O. Coliseum even more exciting. I’d be thrilled if you listen to “Fighter!!” while diving into the new set. It’s my dream to meet fans from around the world who have connected through this song, and when that day comes, I hope you’ll come out to one of my live shows!
Huge thanks to Riot Games for helping accommodate this interview, and of course to ASCA for sharing the information about her work on “Fighter!!” and TFT: K.O. Coliseum. Set 15 arrived to PBE servers on July 15, while the full release is set for July 30. More information is available on the official website.
Photo credit: Kadokawa Culture Museum.
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