About “AZITO”
── Let’s talk about “A.Z.I.T.O feat. 775.” Can you tell us again what AZITO means to you, and what kind of place it is?
HISATOMI: AZITO is something I absolutely need in my life. If Komori Takashi weren’t around, I’d be in trouble. It’s more than just “family.” That word doesn’t even cut it. If something happened to Komori, I’d be seriously lost. That’s how important he is.
Komori Takashi: I started AZITO on my own, kind of quietly. There weren’t any artists officially signed to it. I was just working with nearby artists like early VIGORMAN and HEAD BAD. 775 used to hang around the studio too, and HISATOMI naturally started coming by.
We didn’t really interact at first, but HISATOMI heard VIGORMAN’s album, dug into my work, and we got introduced by a mutual friend—that’s how it all began.
HISATOMI: Back then, I was working with a different beatmaker for every track. I asked TAKA TEA (Komori Takashi) to do one of them, and that was the start of it all.
Komori Takashi: I actually bought and listened to HISATOMI’s album on my own.
HISATOMI: Wait, you bought it? (laughs)
Komori Takashi: Yeah! Even back then, I thought his flow was really smooth and felt great to listen to. After we started working together, everything just grew. Things really changed. We’re family now.
HISATOMI: Especially during the pandemic, he really helped me out. Live shows disappeared, and I was at a loss. Komori created work for me and supported me—that’s the level we’re talking about.
── Like a group that supports each other.
HISATOMI: Exactly. After TAKA TEA and I started hanging out there more, 775 showed up. She’s always been really focused—running her own takoyaki bar, saving money, saying she wanted to make an album.
She was still unknown then, and people probably didn’t expect her to go far. But she was with AZITO for five years, and this was our first collaboration.
── Any stories from recording the track?
HISATOMI: When I do collaborations, I usually leave space for the other artist and write the rest myself. So it went really smoothly. The track and MV both really represent the AZITO world.
Personally, when I saw the MV, I got kind of emotional—like, “775’s grown up!” Honestly, she came off more impressive than me. (laughs)
Komori Takashi: Her on-screen presence, man. (laughs)
HISATOMI: She’s got a strong presence, even though she’s only in her mid-twenties. (laughs)
── The quality of AZITO MUSIC’s music videos is impressive.
HISATOMI: That’s all Komori. He's so particular about everything, and he spends so much on it that I sometimes wonder if we’re overdoing it. (laughs)
Komori Takashi: Even if the video doesn’t get views, I don’t want to compromise. I want to make something I can be proud of.
Some past videos didn’t get many views, but I still love them. I watch them and think, “This should’ve done better!” (laughs)
HISATOMI: People should watch more of ‘em. (laughs)
Komori Takashi: I just don’t want to look back and regret that I compromised. It’s important that the artist looks sick on screen.
── Thank you. Lastly, let’s talk about the final track, “Over.” It really stands out as a love song. Why did you place it at the end of the album, and what thoughts did you put into it?
HISATOMI: The track order was actually decided by Komori.
Komori Takashi: The vibe of the song just felt like an ending. It wasn’t so much about the lyrics, but more about the flow of the album—it naturally fit as the closer.
HISATOMI: As for what I put into it, it’s really just what the lyrics say. It’s based on something that actually happened. I turned those emotions directly into a song. Since it’s a love song, I didn’t dramatize it or anything—just sang exactly what I felt.
Heading into the Solo Show
── You’ve got your solo show coming up. It’s been three years since your last solo show—how are you feeling as you prepare for this one?
HISATOMI: The last solo show I did was right in the middle of the pandemic. So this time, it really feels like it’s been a long time. On top of that, the tickets are selling faster than I expected, which I’m super grateful for.
In the past three years, I’ve made this album, and I feel like I’ve really gotten everything together—so I want people to experience that live. I’m planning to show everything that “HISATOMI right now” is about.
── A lot of fans will probably come after listening to the album. What would you say to them?
HISATOMI: Just listen to the album like your life depends on it! (laughs) And if I get too tired to sing during the show, I want you to sing the chorus loud for me!
We’re getting ready to go all in and give you the best time, so I hope to see everyone there!
Looking Ahead — Beyond “Anachrorhythm”
── What’s your vision for the future? What kind of music do you want to create next?
HISATOMI: I haven’t even told Komori this yet, but... I’m kinda thinking “Anachrorhythm 2” might be a good idea (laughs). That’s how much this concept resonates with me. It’s not just the music—there are so many links to my life outside of it.
Like, I go camping, and I’m into vintage gear. My hobbies and lifestyle all kind of line up with this “anachronism” theme.
I’ve done a lot over the years, but as a newly minted 20-year veteran in this game, I finally feel like I’ve arrived. I’ve built a world that I can truly say is me. I think this is how I’ll keep going from now on.
...Unless I randomly switch things up and drop a super stylish Afropop track next—then you’ll be like, “What the hell, man?” (laughs)
── It really feels like you’ve come into your own as an artist.
HISATOMI: Yeah, I think so too. I feel like people who listen to me probably think, “Ah yeah, this is HISATOMI.”
I’ve never been good at trying to act cool, so I always want to keep a bit of humor in what I do. Same goes for YouTube, for my MCing during live shows, and even in my lyrics.
Even when I’m dealing with serious topics, I’ll slip in a weird or unexpected word. Like calling my style “timeless, everyday, old-school Chinese diner vibes,” or making a pun like “Mizuwari, Midoriwari, Diwali.”
I keep the vibe serious, but add that extra me touch—that’s what feels right to me.
To the Fans
── Finally, do you have a message for your listeners and fans who support you?
HISATOMI: First of all, thank you so much to everyone who’s already been bumping “Anachrorhythm” like crazy—I really appreciate it.
Everything we put out from AZITO from now on is going to be straight fire, no doubt about it. So please support AZITO as a whole—go all-in on us like a true “team stan”! (laughs)