Luna Haruna was born on October 11th, 1991. Luna’s original voice and special talent soon attracted great deal of attention after releasing her original song “Binetsu no Tsuki” on the magazine “Lis Ani!”. On May 2012, she made her major debut with the song “Soraha Takaku Kazeha Utau” (Ending theme song for the second season of animation “Fate/Zero”), written and composed by Yuki Kajiura. On the same year in November, she released her second single “Overfly” (Ending theme song for animation “Sword Art Online”). Her latest single, “snowdrop” was featured as the ending theme song for “Koimonogatari”, second season of series). ~AnimeNEXT info
- Luna: *in English* Hello, everyone! I’m Luna Haruna! Yoroshiku onegaishimasu!
Mod: We have an adorable guest here. *points at a plush alpaca* Can you tell us about him?
Luna: This is my family. His name is Minami, the alpaca. He goes on tour and many places with me. *audience applauds*
Mod: This is the second time you’re in America. What do you think about New Jersey and being here?
Luna: I’m so happy every time I come to the US. Everybody warmly greets me and welcomes me here.
Mod: I heard you went to New York yesterday! What do you think about New York and what did you do?
Luna: I went to New York yesterday and I saw the sky which was very beautiful. My songs pertain to the sky. I visited Central Park and rode on a carriage with Minami. I went around Central Park and saw the amusement park. We went on a couple of rides and I kind of got motion sickness afterwards but it’s great fun to be in New York.
- Mod: When you go to a different place, what is really big is the food culture. Is there anything here in New Jersey that you would like to eat?
Luna: I heard there is something in New Jersey called the ‘Fat Sandwich’? *audience laughs* Do you recommend that? *fans resound in agreement and opinion* Is it a big sandwich? I will try it!
Mod: Let’s talk about how you got started. What was your debut like? How did you get started?
Luna: When I was in high school, I was really into Gothic Lolita fashion. When I was walking in Omotesando, someone from KERA! saw me and she decided that I will model for them. I am currently still a model for KERA! As for my singing, I auditioned for an Anime Song Grand Prix which I was able to win which was how I was able to debut.
Mod: Does everyone know about the Anisong Grand Prix? It is very, very awesome and you should check it out.
- Mod: Kajiura Yuki produced the song ‘Sora wa Takaku Kaze wa Utau’ which is the ending theme for the anime Fate/Zero. Is there a particularly memorable moment within that?
Luna: In terms of ‘Sora wa Takaku Kaze wa Utau’, when I found that Kajiura Yuki was producing the song, I was so excited because one of my favorite anime is Gundam Seed. When it was announced that it was to be a Fate/Zero theme song, I was really trying to make sure it was within the theme of the anime and not try to ruin the ending with the song.
They show part of the PV for ‘Sora wa Takaku Kaze wa Utau’.
- Mod: In this video, your outfit is just so beautiful in Lolita fashion. What you’re wearing today is just so gorgeous. *Luna stands* Did you personally have any input on that?
Luna: The reason why I chose this outfit is because I really like the color red. And also, since it’s my second time here in the US, that is the reason why I chose this outfit today. *audience applauds*
- Mod: You’re releasing your second single, ‘Overfly’ which is the ending theme for Sword Art Online. What kind of song did it turn out for you?
Luna: In terms of the song ‘Overfly’, it’s the theme for Sword Art Online which has an image of the sky. It’s very different from ‘Sora wa Takaku’, my image is a bright sky to match the theme of the Sword Art Online anime. I really hope people can enjoy the song. Just so you kmow, my favorite character in Sword Art Online is Klein.
Mod: You watch Sword Art Online. Do you watch other anime like the ones for the Anime Song Grand Prix?
Luna: I really love watching anime. Some of my favorite is of course, Sword Art Online, Attack on Titans, Danganronpa and Pokemon. *a singular fan cheers*
Mod: I personally really like Attack on Titans too. Who is your favorite character in that?
Luna: Everything thinks my favorite character is Captain Levi, but my favorite character is Erwin.
Hilariously, the fans of Shingeki cheered loudly when they heard her say Levi’s name before the interpreter could translate. XD Then they show the PV for ‘Overfly’.
- Mod: How can you not smile when you hear that song? You mentioned earlier that the sky is a common theme in your songs. Between ‘Sora’ and ‘Overfly’, is there any other similarities beside the sky theme?
Luna: Besides the the two songs, there are other songs that also have the sky theme. They’re two very different songs for me. For me, I sang ‘Sora wo Takaku’ very coolly. For ‘Overfly’, I try to make them feel like they’re in the sky and really enjoying themselves.
Mod: You released your first rock number, ‘Ai Wo Utae’ and you have a winter ballad claled ‘Snowdrop’ which is for the anime Koimonogatari. As for your concert tomorrow, what will we be anticipating?
Luna: Of course I’ll sing these songs and many more. I might even surprise everyone with an amazing outfit.
Mod: Not only Japan and America, you also went to Hong Kong and Taiwan. Are there any different between the coutries?
Luna: This is my first time overseas, in terms of going to different places in Asia and Japan, they [the fans] are just watching me on the stage. In the US, the audience is more into it and cheering me on and I feel the love from the audience. I see alot of cosplayers and I feel that people over here really loves anime.
Mod: Can you tell us a little more about what you’re doing in the future?
Luna: For future plans, I have two concerts coming up in Germany and Hong Kong. I’m really surprised that so many people around the world are listening to my songs. I really want to meet my fans overseas. I will be releasing a new single in August called ‘Star Tear’ which is the theme song for Sword Art Online. *fans applaud*
Mod: Can you tell us a little bit about tomorrow’s concert? How you want it to be and how you feel about it?
Luna: It’s been some time since my concert last year. I want everyone to have fun and be happy. I’m looking forward to entertaining everyone. I want everyone to have a great time. *fans applaud and cheer*
The floor opened for questions from the fans.
- Q: I really like your version of ‘Kisaragi Attention’ in Mekaku City Actors. Were you familiar with Kagerou Project before doing that and are you a fan of Vocaloid?
Luna: I am a fan of Kagerou Project and Vocaloid. Is that the red jersey?
Fan cosplay as Shintaro: Yes, it is.
Q: I was at your concert in Seattle last year. I really enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to your concert tomorrow. Do you particularly know about the anime you make a theme song for or do you not know anything about the anime and write the song and hope it fits/
Luna: Firstly, once the song is decided, I read about the characters and their story and try to feel how the characters feel. After understanding, I put my feeling into the song.
Q: *in Japanese* Haruna, how many alpacas do you have in your home?
Luna: I have 40 alpacas. I got them all from the crane game in the game centers.
Q: Have you heard about the Japanese duo, Puffy Ami Yumi?
Luna: Yeah, I heard of them.
Q: For Sword Art Online 2, do you plan on doing opening as well as the ending theme?
Luna: I’m only doing the ending theme.
- Q: *in Japanese* Out of the songs you made, which is your favorite song?
Luna: I have many favorites, but one is Overfly. Even when I listen to Overfly, I get very excited.
Q: Do you have rituals that you do before a concert?
Luna: Before a concert, I usually drink think. I also do image training, like if I can become the characters of the theme song that I’m singing.
Q: *in Japanese* I saw a photo of you with a steak. Did you eat all of it? *audience laughs*
Luna: I cut up the steak but I was only able to eat one piece of it. *audience laughs*
Q: *in Japanese* Why did you get into Gothic Lolita fashion?
Luna: In D.Gray Man, there is a character, Road Kamelot. I was interested in the fashion and I looked it up on the internet and Harajuku popped up. I went to Harajuku to look into the fashion which was how I got into it.
Q: *in Japanese* From Kajiura Yuki’s songs, which one is your favorite?
Luna: Two favorites are ‘Shinkai no Kodoku’ and ‘Mizu no Akashi’ from Gundam Seed.
Q: Genki desu ka?
Luna: Genki desu! *audience laughs as this was the only question he had*
Q: Since you’re a model and a singer. If you had a chance would you become a voice actor?
Luna: For voice acting, I tried to become one. I looked into in magazines. When I tried, I realized that it was not for me. But if I was given a chance, I would love to since I love anime and I want to be closer to the characters.
Q: Are there any voice actors that you like?
Luna: My favorites are Tachibana Shinnosuke and Mamoru Miyano.
There was only time for one last question and 2 people were on line. Thankfully, the person’s question was super easy.
- Q: Which is your favorite Pokemon?
Luna: Meowstic and Eevee.
Fan: *in disbelief* Eevee? I thought at least Umbreon.
Q: If you can collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Luna: I would like to collaborate with AniProject. And there is a magazine that is like KERA!! called Gothic Lolita Bible. I did a picture collaboration with them before so it would be great if I could do a song collaboration.
The Q&A session was a bit short since the panel started late. Also, they wanted to leave room for the trivia questions. Interestingly, the trivia questions they did were all based on the information they provided during the panel. Perfect for us who are careful listeners. ^_^
- Q: What is the title song for Fate/Zero ending theme?
A: Sora wa Takaku Kaze wa Utau
Q: What is the name of the fashion magazine that Luna started in and still models for?
A: KERA
Q: What is the name of the alpaca that is always with Luna?
A: Minami
Mod: I should’ve asked her to name all 40! *audience laughs*
Q: What food does Luna want to try in New Jersey?
A: Fat sandwich!
Q: What is the name of the anime that Luna’s ending theme will be featured?
A: Sword Art Online….
Fan: 2
A: 2. *audience laughs*
To close the panel, Luna gave her last words to the fans.
- Luna: I really had a great time. I thank everyone for coming today. Seeing everyone’s faces, I really feel that my songs have reached you.
At the end of the panel, they sold some merchandise in the front as everyone rushed to the autograph signing that was taking place in the Bridgewater hotel. I stayed behind a bit in order to take a pic of the gakuran Kirito and Asuna. So cute! ^.^
