When I logged in to my music streaming service the morning of the drop of “Frontiers,” I was immediately captivated by Awich’s prowess yet again. This was another hit that forced the listener to sit down and pay attention, but with so many additional layers, this was clearly a song inspired by her previous albums, leveled up.
Performing since the age of 14 and debuting with Universal Music in 2020, Awich (short for the literal meaning of her name, “Asian wish child”) has released five studio albums and has taken over the international stage with her performance at Coachella in 2024.
Like many of her dedicated fans, I didn’t realize the song was the latest anime opening for Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 until the release of the music video short on YouTube. “Frontiers,” Awich’s first anime credit, is a rap that beautifully mixes the plot of the anime and Awich’s own story of rising up and breaking barriers. Rap in anime isn’t a new concept, but with the resurgence of rap and hip-hop as featured music in various popular shows, it was only a matter of time that the Okinawan Queen of Japanese Rap was going to be featured next.
Awich opens with the powerful line, “What you wanna be?” I had the privilege of interviewing Awich to find out that answer. Read the full interview to learn how her first anime opening came to life, how she tapped into her own story and blended it into the world of Shangri-La Frontier and how she envisions anime and rap can collaborate in the future.
First off, congratulations on your first anime song credit “Frontiers” for the second Shangri-La Frontier Season 2 opening! That’s an amazing accolade. Was releasing an anime theme song on your list of goals for 2025?
Awich: Thank you! Honestly, I’ve always wanted to do an anime song, but I didn’t have a set timeline for it. It had to be the right project, the right story — something that resonated with me. So when this opportunity came, it felt like everything aligned perfectly.
I would love to know how this collaboration came to life? What did you think when approached about creating a song for Shangri-La Frontier?
Awich: When I was approached, I knew I wanted to do it. Shangri-La Frontier has that spirit of pushing boundaries, going beyond limits, which is something I relate to deeply. The team wanted a track that could capture that energy and I was all in.
How did you get inspired to write “Frontiers,” what went into your creative process?
Awich: The word “Frontier” sparked a lot of ideas for me. It made me think of exploration, taking risks, stepping into the unknown. As an artist, I’ve always been about breaking barriers, especially as a Japanese female rapper going global. So I tapped into that mindset, blending my own journey with the world of Shangri-La Frontier.
From inception to releasing the single, what was your favorite part making “Frontiers”? How has your fanbase reacted?
Awich: My favorite part was definitely the moment when everything clicked. When we heard the final mix, I knew we had something special. My fans have been hyped! Even the people who haven’t watched it yet are vibing with it and have started to watch it now.
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Every time I hear the use of Okinawan chants or references in your music, like in “RASEN in OKINAWA” and “THE UNION,” it gives me chills. “Frontiers” also does this, but has this dramatic, chills-producing orchestral beginning with operatic aria coupled with heavy-hitting trap beats. What was the deciding factor to compose this way?
Awich: I wanted “Frontiers” to feel grand — like stepping into a whole new world. That’s why it starts with this almost sacred, cinematic buildup, then drops hard with trap beats. The contrast reflects the feeling of diving into a game, into the unknown. And it’s not necessarily an Okinawan sound in this particular track, but that grand vocal samples and the stacked vocals on the chorus are a core part of this song, maybe that’s why it’s giving you the same feeling.
Shangri-La Frontier sees Rakuro Hizutome (or Sunraku) entering a game world. What kind of video game world would you like to be pulled into, if any?
Awich: Something where you can build empires. Maybe a world where I could be a modern-day shogun, ruling with both strategy and raw power. And there has to be dope music playing in the background — something like “Frontiers.”
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I loved hearing references to “Queendom” in “Frontiers”! I can clearly see the references to the anime’s game world, but based on the lyrics of this single and being familiar with your other albums, is there a part of your story intertwined in this song, too?
Awich: Definitely. The song is about facing challenges head-on, stepping beyond limits, and owning your power. That’s something I live by. In a way, “Frontiers” is both about Sunraku’s journey and mine — constantly leveling up, never backing down.
As heard in your other songs, you geniusly use a mix of Japanese and English to emphasize words or the intentions behind the lyrics, were there any specific lyric(s) you knew immediately had to be included in “Frontiers”?
Awich: The “What you wanna be?” line. I have read some of the novel Shangri-La Frontier online by Katarina. The basis of what became the anime eventually. I realized the underlying message is, “What do you play this game for? What are you challenging? What are you trying to prove?” It’s a challenge — to the listener, to myself — about choosing your path, deciding how far you’ll go. That question is central to both the anime and my own journey as an artist.
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In the past, you’ve spoken about lyrical American rappers such as 2Pac and Wu-Tang Clan being big influences on your music. Who or what inspires you now?
Awich: I’m always drawing from different influences. Right now, I’m inspired by meeting people asking questions and learning their points of view.
You’ve proven time and time again that rap in Japan, but more specifically from Okinawa, is not to be underestimated. In this song, during the chorus you ask, “What you wanna be?” Can you answer that for me? As a frontier in the rap world, what do you want to achieve?
Awich: I want to inspire people from Okinawa, Japan, and beyond to embrace where they are from and their own journey. Good and bad are all part of our stories. And I want to keep breaking boundaries — whether in music, fashion, or even how people see Okinawa.
What strives you to continue growing as a rap artist, especially now that you’ve grown a dedicated international audience?
Awich: Knowing that my music connects with people, whether they understand Japanese or not, keeps me going. I see fans from all over the world vibing with what I do and that pushes me to keep evolving, to keep raising the bar.Rap and hip
-hop influences are not new in anime, but have been seeing a resurgence in popularity recently? Now, with your first credited anime opener, where would you love to see the two genres go in future collaborations?
Awich: I’d love to see more authentic rap storytelling in anime, not just as background music but as a core part of the narrative.
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After this experience, do you think you want to make more anime-opening songs in the future? If so, what would be a dream project?
Awich: Absolutely. This was such a great experience. My dream project would be doing the OP for an anime that blends Japanese history with lessons that can be cherished in this day and time. I really like Golden Kamuy. Hokkaido’s Ainu culture has something very similar to Okinawa, and honestly, Asirpa is me! At the same time, I’d love to work on something futuristic, cyberpunk-style like Akira. The contrast between history and the future is something I always explore in my music, so an anime that reflects that would be perfect.
Determined to be the “queen of Japan,” explain what your “Neo Utopia” is like? Where is your Shangri-La?
Awich: My Neo Utopia is a place where creativity thrives without judgment and limitations. It’s where we honor our past while building something new. My Shangri-La isn’t a physical place, it’s wherever people are breaking boundaries and creating their own paths just like I am.
As a fan, it’s exciting when a deserving artist like Awich is broadening her reach so even more people in the anime world can enjoy her music and heroic come up. One thing is for certain, Awich is on a roll and not slowing down for anyone.
