Friday, March 06, 2026
Hiroyuki Sawano Interview

Hiroyuki Sawano Interview

Known for his epic, emotionally charged compositions that define global hit anime series like Attack on Titan, Gundam, Fate, and Solo Leveling, Hiroyuki Sawano has become one of Japan’s most popular composers. Through his solo project SawanoHiroyuki[nZk], he’s collaborated with numerous vocalists to create a sound that bridges cinematic orchestration and modern rock energy.

As Sawano is preparing for his first concert in Los Angeles on November 14 at the Peacock Theater, we had the opportunity to interview him about connecting with international audiences, preparing for live performances, and his goals for the next decade of his career.

The-O Network: For many fans in Los Angeles, this concert will be their first time experiencing your music live. What do you hope audiences take away from the performance?

Hiroyuki Sawano: Many fans attending will probably know my work from anime, so I hope they can enjoy the performance while recalling those stories. The vocalists’ performances are also an important part of the show, so I hope the venue becomes a special space where everyone can enjoy it in their own way.

T-ONO: Many overseas fans discovered your music through anime. How do you view your connection with American anime fans, and will the Los Angeles concert include any unique arrangements or setlist changes for international audiences?

HS: I’m really happy that anime fans abroad have discovered my music through the works themselves. It’s a great motivator for me, and it makes me think about what kind of music overseas listeners might find interesting.

Since I haven’t performed much in front of American audiences, rather than trying to adjust anything beforehand, I’m looking forward to seeing how their reactions might inspire me. My main goal is to deliver the same quality of performance we do in Japan to the international audience.

T-ONO: When preparing for a live performance, what guides your decisions on which songs to include and which vocalists to feature?

HS: I usually start by selecting songs from works that have strong overseas followings, and then I choose the vocalists who originally performed those tracks.

T-ONO: You’ve composed for some of the biggest franchises—One Piece, Attack on Titan, Gundam, Fate, and Solo Leveling. What goes through your mind when taking on such massive projects? Do you typically picture a vocalist while writing, or is that decision made later in the process?

HS: With such large-scale worlds, I always aim to create music that enhances the work and lets listeners enjoy my music through it. As for vocalists, I usually focus first on the overall approach that fits the project, and then think about which singers would be the best match.

T-ONO: This year marks the 10th anniversary of your SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] project and over 20 years since your debut. Looking back, what moments stand out most to you?

HS: When I released the album R∃/MEMBER in 2019 and collaborated with many artists, I realized that even artists I hadn’t met before were interested in working with me. Since then, I’ve made artist collaborations a key part of my albums, which has been a big turning point.

T-ONO: Looking ahead, what goals or aspirations do you have for the next decade of your career?

HS: It hasn’t really changed. I want to keep sharing my music with as many people as possible and create new opportunities and connections through it.

T-ONO: Finally, do you have a message for fans who will be seeing you live in Los Angeles for the very first time?

HS: Since this will be my first-ever live concert in Los Angeles, I want to enjoy it together with the band and make it a special experience for everyone. I hope we can all have a great time together!

 

Hiroyuki Sawano will be performing live in Los Angeles on Friday, November 14, at the Peacock Theater.

Tickets are on sale now via the following link:
https://www.axs.com/jp/events/1016669/hiroyuki-sawano-tickets?skin=peacock

For fans unable to attend in person, a paid livestream of the concert will be available via StageCrowd, with an archived stream accessible until October 27.

More details can be found here:
https://www.sh-nzk.net/artist/sawanohiroyukinzk/info/577390

 

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