Karen Anzai: I don't have any "dreams". I just do my best in every moment!

2021.02.11

■ Profile

Avex Inc.
Born in 1999 / 21 years old, from Fujisawa City, Kanagawa Prefecture.
She was selected to co-star in the popular drama "M: Love to Kill," which depicts the music industry in the 1990s and was ranked in the top three of Twitter's global trends.
In fact, she is a singer who has been quick to embrace the revival sound that is creating a huge global trend and sings of the new generation of J-POP. She was originally one of the next generation known as "POSGALs."

Karen Anzai made her debut as a singer at the age of 19, and has since enjoyed a major breakthrough since her first starring role in the drama "M: Love to Kill." In addition to singing, she is also a highly talented model and actress. However, Karen says that her core is "music." What are her passions for music? She spoke to us in honest words.

■I went to school to play the alto saxophone

I never thought I wanted to be a singer. But I loved music. In junior high school, I was obsessed with the alto saxophone. I even thought, "School exists for the brass band club" (laughs). So, I put club activities before classes! And the alto saxophone before entrance exams! That's how I felt. I even won a gold medal in an ensemble contest!
The reason I started singing was because I realized that singing is just a part of an instrument. I started attending Avex's Harajuku Academy for singing lessons when I was in high school. Even back then, I didn't think I could make a living from singing or music, but I simply enjoyed it. However, these lessons led to my debut as a singer. My high school friends were worrying about what to do after graduation, such as continuing on to higher education or finding a job, but of course I was also worried about whether singing or music was the right career for me. But I believed in what I loved and continued doing what I loved, and the opportunity to debut came along and the path opened up. It was a strange coincidence.

■Music is the only thing that has kept me going in life

I think music is something that, in a person's life, becomes a memory that they look back on, like "I listened to this song with that person," or marks a turning point in their life. I think music is the only thing that can do that. So when I hear feedback like, "I was able to confess my feelings to the person I like after listening to your song!", it makes me feel rewarded and really happy. Music is the only thing I've continued doing up until now, and I will never quit. I work as a solo singer, but in fact, many people are involved in the creation of a single piece. I love creating a piece together. It's like a brass band, where each individual's sound is layered together to perform.
I started writing lyrics at the same time I started singing. The lyrics to my debut song, "I Felt the Entire World Was My Enemy, Even I Loved Loneliness," were written when I was 16. I'm really glad that I was able to start off with lyrics from when I first started writing. When I write lyrics, I don't get excited and think, "I'm going to write lyrics!" but rather, I try to write my true feelings as if I were keeping a diary. I think that way, my lyrics will reach people's hearts more.

■Challenges outside of music all lead to personal growth

In 2019, I also tried my hand at being a visual model for the cosmetics manufacturer M.A.C. It was my first time working as a model, so I researched how to make the products look attractive. The way you look in the mirror is different from the way you look in photos... It was difficult. During the shoot, I was able to try different makeup and hairstyles than usual, which was fun. My own makeup has always tended to lean towards a fixed style, so it was a new discovery for me.
To be honest, I was surprised when I was offered the lead role of Ayu in the drama "M - There is Someone I Love." Unlike singing, where how you present yourself is important, acting is all about how you present yourself, so it was difficult to figure out how to express myself. That's why I was so embarrassed when I first tried to act. But once I got on set, the actors were truly amazing! Miura Shohei, who co-starred as Masa, was completely immersed in the character of Masa from the very beginning, and it inspired me to become Ayu too. Everyone was so passionate about their roles, it was so cool. My embarrassment was wiped away in an instant.
After we finished filming, I was so moved, thinking, "Dramas give you such a sense of accomplishment!" We had some loving arguments about the production, and the joy of creating something together despite those experiences is something you can't understand until you try it. "Creating something together" is something that can also be applied to music, and it's something I love. I hope I can bring this challenge back into my own music.

■I'll do anything if it means I can continue making music!

If I have the opportunity in the future, I would like to try many things, but I want to be a musician and an artist at heart. I would like to try expanding the genre of music, trying new instruments, and doing many different things without being colored by the idea that "When you think of Anzai Karen, you think of this kind of song."

I'm taking on the challenge of writing my first ballad, "You and Me Song," to be released on February 10th. When I first heard this song, I thought, "This is such a great song!" and filled it with words I particularly love from the lyrics I've been writing. The song depicts the hopes and anxieties that we all have in our hearts through each character, myself (me) and my loved ones (you). I hope everyone will listen to it while thinking of their loved ones. It's a song about everyday things, so I hope you can relate to it.

■Message

There are many new things I want to try, but I've decided not to create dreams. If I create dreams, I'll have to work hard toward them. Adults often ask me to "have goals" or "isn't there anything you want to do?", but I think it's best to just immerse yourself in the things you love. Just like how I immersed myself in music. If it's something you love, even if there are difficulties along the way, you'll be able to overcome them and they won't feel like a struggle. So instead of creating dreams, I'm conscious of doing my best with what's in front of me now. In life, the one who enjoys it wins, and I think it's easier if you enjoy even the tough parts. That's what I try to believe. COVID-19 has kept me from going to college for days, hasn't it? But everyone is in the same situation, so there's no need to rush. If you do what you can now, I think the future will be bright!

Student Newspaper WEB January 20, 2021 Interview by Tsuda University 1st year student Kokoro Sato

NEW SINGLE "You and Me's Song"

A powerful piano ballad with lyrics written by the artist himself.
He also performed the piano piece himself.　

The beautiful string arrangement was done by
David Campbell, a world-renowned composer and arranger

Anzai had already shown a glimpse of her talent in her previous album "GAL-TRAP," in which she was involved in both the lyrics and the composition.
The true value of "A Voice from Zero Meters Away," which gives the feeling of realism as if speaking from right next to you, is put to the test.
This ballad sings of life-sized hopes and anxieties, and we hope you will also pay attention to the new side of Anzai Karen (her voice) that she shows.

＜Karen Anzai Information＞
Released on February 10th "You and Me Song"
Available exclusively on subscription music streaming services!
https://KalenAnzai.lnk.to/kimitobokunouta

Released on January 27th "You and Me Song (Piano Short Ver.)"
Available exclusively on subscription music streaming services!
https://KalenAnzai.lnk.to/kimitobokunouta_piano

On Instagram/REEL and TikTok
Short movies are being released one after another!
https://www.instagram.com/kalenanzai/reels/
https://vt.tiktok.com/ZSfbY7s4/

The "Song for You and Me" Music Video trilogy will be released sequentially on YouTube!
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCOFXUN-4bc36S1hEhdl3MIg