KAWAMORI

Hello, everyone. I’m Shoji Kawamori. Today, we’ve invited another wonderful guest, and I’d like to have some great conversations with her.

May’n

Hello, I’m May’n. Thank you for having me.

KAWAMORI

I often talk about this, but when I first started planning Macross Frontier, I thought about Sheryl and Ranka, and how Ranka would gradually look up to Sheryl and try to catch up to her. But when it came to the galaxy’s top diva, that’s easier said than done. We didn’t know if we could create such music or if we could find a singer capable of that. So the initial plan was to reduce Sheryl’s screen time if we couldn’t find the right person.

May’n

Yay! I survived!

KAWAMORI

Then we were fortunate enough to have Kanno-san on board, and after that, you, even before you became May’n. When I heard your demo, I knew we could make it work. I was convinced, and from that point, your role gradually increased, leading to the story we have now.

May’n

I’m so happy. Really, so happy. Also, I remember you expanded Sheryl’s character in real time. You saw me warming up my voice and said, “Singers warm up their voices? That’s amazing! So cool!” And that’s how the scene where Sheryl warms up came to be.

It’s because of you, and with the help of so many specialists like Yoko Kanno, that such an incredible musical piece was born. I’m truly honored to have been a part of it, and it was a great inspiration for me.

KAWAMORI

Time has passed, and when I was in about 5th grade, I went to the 1970 Expo, 54 years ago, and was deeply moved. Seeing so many different people, not just Americans, but people from all over the world—Africans, Asians—was a massive shock to me. The characters in the original Macross were multinational, and I think that experience influenced that decision. When I recently looked back at the design of the Frontier Center, I realized how much it resembled the American Pavilion at the Expo. Subconsciously, it must have left a big impression on me.

May’n

Now that you mention it, the world of Macross really does portray coexistence without the feeling of “foreigners.” I always thought it was futuristic and very much an anime concept during Frontier, but now it feels like reality is catching up. Walking around Shibuya, I often think, “This looks like the Frontier!” I often wonder if you’re actually from the future.

KAWAMORI

May’n, have you been to any expos yourself?

May’n

I went to the Aichi Expo in my hometown. I remember feeling like the world was condensed into one place, and it was very inspiring. It felt like traveling the world without ever leaving. I was in my first year of high school at the time, so I didn’t think too deeply about it, but I remember being able to learn about different cultures through the food and exhibits. It was like taking a trip to countries I had never visited.

KAWAMORI

Now, you’re actually traveling to different countries on your tours.

May’n

Yes, I’ve had the opportunity to visit many countries.

KAWAMORI

Have you noticed any differences or similarities now that you’ve actually traveled?

May’n

On the contrary, I’ve been struck by how much things are the same. The more I realize how much is the same, the more it moves me. Of course, the languages are different, and the cultures people grow up in are different, but when I perform, people get excited in the same way, and they all have the same desire to make me happy. The love and passion people have are the same everywhere, and that always brings me joy.

Being able to visit all these countries, I’ve come to think, “There are just different people, but we’re all the same.” Every time I perform, I feel that the world really can become one, and that’s just like Macross. As Basara said in Macross 7, “Forget about war, listen to my song!” Sheryl has that same spirit, I believe. So when I first experienced it, I was truly shocked. “This is Macross! Music can unite us!”

KAWAMORI

It’s true, even during World War II, I’ve heard that the enemy’s music became really popular, so I think music can transcend cultures. Even if you don’t understand every word, music can reach across those barriers. What you said earlier about the importance of feeling things with your heart really resonated with me. People talk a lot about AI nowadays, but AI processes information—it doesn’t actually feel anything. It can pretend to feel, but it’s not real. What remains in living beings, in humans, is the ability to feel. Expressing what you feel is going to be a key factor, I think.

Outside of work, what do you enjoy doing?

May’n

I like to go to my favorite cafes or try a new one. I also like to take different routes home every day. I never wear earphones outside because I want to feel things like the sound of the wind or just experience different stimuli. I’ve realized recently that I really crave those small, natural experiences. I listen to music sometimes, but it’s not a big part of my daily life. I’m more into natural sounds, like cars passing by or the feel of people walking around me. Wearing earphones makes me feel too closed off from the world.

KAWAMORI

The sounds from earphones are created by someone else and don’t connect with our reality. Real connections are crucial for our future. It’s not about good or bad, but recognizing real-world flows and connections is essential. It wasn’t always like this.

May’n

Yeah, I’ve realized lately how important it is to cherish those natural feelings. I didn’t always think like this, but recently, when I write lyrics, I find myself asking, “Why does this make me feel so excited?” or “Why does this feel so to me?” I think a lot about my daily life and emotions, and I realized that this is why. So when I read your concept on the homepage, I thought, “This is exactly what I’ve been thinking about recently.”

It really bothers me how humans categorize everything, like pests or beneficial insects, based on our convenience. It’s the same when I write lyrics—my sense of justice is just that: mine. It’s not necessarily the right one. When I feel like someone else’s perspective doesn’t make sense to me, I try to remind myself that they have their own sense of justice too. When I look at the ecosystem, I think more about how we’re all different but connected. I’m not bothered by bugs at all.

KAWAMORI

The theme of the Expo is “Designing Future Societies for Our Lives,” but it feels like the focus is mostly on human lives.

May’n

I see.

KAWAMORI

That’s why I want to create a pavilion that’s about all life, not just human life. When we say, “designing future societies for life,” it could sound like we’re implying that life isn’t already thriving, but life is thriving right now. It’s just that our sensitivity to it has dulled. That’s the idea behind the pavilion I’m creating.

May’n

That’s wonderful. I always want to feel and experience things deeply, so I’m really excited about being able to experience that visually and firsthand.

KAWAMORI

What’s it like when you’re performing, feeling the energy of the crowd?
Is it more like you become the song, rather than singing the song?
Something like that?

May’n

“Becoming the song” is exactly what I strive for in my performances. If I’m worried about singing well or not messing up the lyrics, I feel like I’m straying away from the world of the song or the character I’m portraying. If my thoughts are “I need to look cool,” then that’s not what the song is about. I believe that by fully embodying the song’s emotions, that’s when I can really move someone. When I’m fully focused on the music, that’s when I feel like I’ve done my best.

I realized I can’t perform any other way thanks to Sheryl’s songs in Macross. Sheryl is the galaxy’s ultimate queen, so early on in my career, I thought, “I have to look cool” or “Is this the best angle for me?” But I realized Sheryl never thinks like that. To her, looking cool is a given, and it’s that effortless confidence that defines her. That realization taught me that trying to look cool isn’t cool at all. Being natural is what’s really cool and what touches people the most.

KAWAMORI

The pavilion I’m creating will condense the experience of life’s journey because visitors only have about 30 minutes in each pavilion. One part will feature real-life footage on massive high-resolution screens, where you can see the Earth in vivid detail, like real-time satellite footage of clouds or the sun. Another will show how life forms develop inside eggs—there’s some amazing footage. And then there’s the XR theater, which I call the Super Dimensional Theater. Unlike VR, where you put on goggles and retreat into your own world, this system lets you interact with others while still providing an immersive experience. Equipped with cameras, it ensures you can see everyone around you. We’ve created a system where about 30 people can embark on a shared journey through the cycle of life. You start by experiencing what it feels like to be a creature in the food chain, to eat and be eaten, then you come back to your own perspective, take a step back, and dive back into the experience again. It’s designed so you can feel like you’re transcending space and time, which is why we call it the Super Dimensional Theater. It’s about a 10- to 11-minute experience that focuses on the interconnectedness of life. No mecha appears in it, but in a way, it condenses the feeling you get during the climax of Macross, where music, battles, and character relationships all converge at once. That’s the kind of experience we want to offer.

May’n

I’m really looking forward to it.
How can we make the most of this pavilion experience?

KAWAMORI

Since the theme is “LIVE EARTH JOURNEY,” I think it’s important to approach it with an adventurous mindset. It’s not about finding the right or wrong answers—it’s about how deeply you can immerse yourself in the experience. The more you feel a part of it, the more you’ll get out of it.

May’n

That’s an experience you don’t come across every day.

KAWAMORI

Exactly. Another part of the exhibition is designed for visitors who can’t wear headsets, like younger children. We’ve combined 3D audio, holographic screens, and tactile vibrations to create an interactive environment. It’s like a festival of life where you can jump in, interact, and play.

May’n

I’ve often heard you talk about nature, and I remember seeing you and Yoko Kanno discuss how humans and nature need to coexist. This pavilion feels very much like something only you, Mr.kawamori, could create. Was that the concept from the start?

KAWAMORI

I’ve always been concerned about how human-centric our society is becoming. It’s not about whether it’s good or bad—human society is just built that way—but in this age where we’re questioning human diversity, I think we need to broaden our perspective to include the diversity of all living things. Focusing solely on human diversity can lead to more conflict, so I believe it’s crucial to view diversity from a broader, all-encompassing perspective.

That’s one of the key concepts behind this project—a paradigm shift from a human-centered world to a life-centered one. The “Life Sphere” graphic we mentioned earlier illustrates this idea: all kinds of living creatures are placed on a globe, with no hierarchy, and they’re all interconnected. The idea is that life itself is a continuous cycle, much like the concept of the spacetime continuum.

May’n

It feels like this pavilion encapsulates not only your career as a director but also your life philosophy.

KAWAMORI

Yes, that might be true. Having worked in the entertainment industry for over 40 years, I feel really fortunate to have been a part of it. I’ve always loved science, philosophy, and psychology, and there are plenty of exhibitions dedicated to those topics. But I don’t think that’s what the Expo should focus on. The Expo should be more epoch-making—rather than documenting history, it should present a vision for the future. That’s why I want to combine science, entertainment, and the human experience into something chaotic and dynamic.

May’n

I’m really excited about it. And once again, I feel that Macross truly reflects who you are, Mr.kawamori. Macross is about the vastness of space, the fascinating relationships, and the coexistence of different species. The Zentradi and the Vajra may seem like enemies from a human perspective, but you always show that there’s more to them than just that.

That perspective of looking beyond just one point of view is something I find deeply meaningful in Macross, and it’s part of what made me so invested in the series. Talking with you today, I realize that your works are filled with that kind of expansive, loving worldview because you always approach things from this broad perspective of Earth, the universe, and life.

KAWAMORI

I’m so grateful to hear that. I hope you’ll be able to experience it firsthand, even before the official opening.

May’n

I absolutely want to go.

KAWAMORI

I don’t think we’ve had many chances to talk this deeply about our personal feelings before. We’ve discussed works and music, but today we’ve touched on deeper topics, and I’ve found it incredibly fulfilling. I feel like I’ve gained a lot of inspiration for the direction I want to take in the future.

May’n

That makes me really happy. I’ve been thinking lately about what it means for someone’s life to shine, and two people who come to mind are you and Kanno-san. From the moment I first met you both, I felt that. You’re both incredibly respected and accomplished, but you’ve never lost your childlike curiosity. I can tell that you still live with that sense of wonder, that feeling of “This is fun!” or “What’s this?” I see how that spirit drives your creativity.

Because of that, specialists from all over gather around you, saying, “That sounds fun!” or “I’d love to help with that!” You create this wonderful circle of people. Being able to work in that kind of environment right after I became May’n was such a huge opportunity for me. I didn’t fully realize it back then, but as I’ve gotten older and gained more experience, I’ve come to appreciate it even more. Every time we meet, I feel like you haven’t changed. But now I realize that’s because you’re constantly evolving. It’s that evolution that makes you someone I truly admire.

KAWAMORI

Thank you.

May’n

People who continue to create new things always have their radar set on something extraordinary. I want to keep delivering music and creating live performances. Since I’m fortunate enough to be involved in a creative profession, I don’t just want to focus on music—I want to keep broadening my horizons and make sure my life continues to shine.

KAWAMORI

Thank you so much for today.

May’n

Thank you!