From the shadows, Ado hopes to spark a light in Manila
While she lives in anonymity, Ado isn’t a figment of the imagination.
It has been almost five years since the Japanese music artist debuted and released “Usseewa”—the breakthrough hit that earned her chart-topping success in her home country, and helped her attract a growing fan base around the world.
But still, her real identity or what she looks like remains largely a mystery.
Online, like most Vocaloid singers, Ado uses an anime-style avatar as a visual stand-in: a long-haired girl whose shifting visage conforms to her music’s shifting moods. Onstage, she’s typically shrouded in dim lighting; a dark, moving outline against a riot of graphics, lasers, and theatrical effects. Sometimes, she performs inside a cage, heightening the sense of intrigue and mystique.
And yet, there is a visceral, almost palpable quality to her sound.
The music—a mad mix of pop, punk, and electronic beats—is raw, frenetic, and almost always taps into her most personal sentiments. She sings of defiance of societal norms in “Usseewa,” of insecurities, self-image, and ostracism in “Gira Gira,” of the overwhelming desire to live and let live in “Odo.”
Powerful singing
These themes she renders with her powerful, malleable singing, which allows her to evoke vulnerability and introspection with gentle whispers; rage and frustration with manic screams and wails; chaos and confusion with jarring shifts in tempo and vocal registers.
Some might argue that artists must sing not only with their voice, but also with their eyes, to fully and effectively convey a song’s intentions. But by turning the spotlight away from her image and personal life, Ado’s music naturally takes center stage, letting “the power of vocals” do most of the talking.
“I may appear as a silhouette, but I’m not just an image on screen. I’m standing right there, in real life, so I can catch the warmth and feelings of the fans. And then I can directly return their emotions with my vocals, which creates a special live moment. And there’s definitely something precious there,” she told Lifestyle in an email interview.
And from the shadows, the 22-year-old J-pop star hopes to spark a bright light—and with it, introduce and illuminate “the beauty of Japanese culture—through her second world tour, “Hibana,” which will have Ado performing in more than 30 cities around the world, including Manila, for the very first time.
Mounted by Ovation Productions in partnership with Crunchyroll, the one-night concert will be held on May 8 at the SM Mall of Asia Arena. Tickets are available via SM Tickets.
“I have grown as an artist since my last world tour … And I want to light up a bigger fire of possibilities and create an opportunity for people around the world to know more about the beauty of Japan, its culture, and its music. I want to spark a fire in that future,” she said.
The “Hibana” tour is more extensive than your last one? How did you prepare for it?
This tour is bigger with more stops at cities I have never been to … I want to communicate more with the audience. I want to get people more excited through my stage performances, and most of all, show my growth as an artist.
It’s difficult to actually talk to all the fans directly, one on one. But I hope to create and share a special time with them [in a way] that will overcome language barriers. I want to put on a special show for you … shows that people around the world will remember as their best memory.
You said “Hibana” is “meant to light a fire in the world.” Can you elaborate on this?
Out of many options, I originally thought of naming the tour “Spark,” or “hibana” in Japanese. And I used the word in this context: “to spark a revolution” or “start a fire.”
Starting a revolution might be too ambitious because I’m not a revolutionist. But if my hibana grows bigger and bigger [and paves the way] for a better future and possibilities, that would be amazing.
What is it about Japanese heritage that you want to highlight?
I want people to experience Japanese culture, as well as new and fun experiences that you couldn’t with past J-pop music—especially the part where I sing lots of songs by Vocaloid producers. And I think I can convey that through my live performance.
What do you enjoy most about being on tour?
The “Wish” tour was my first time traveling abroad, so everywhere I went was exciting. Going around Asia is an unforgettable memory for me. I tried a lot of local food, like xiao long bao in Taipei. I strolled around Bangkok, and felt relaxed watching the scenery and local people. I also did a lot of shopping.
It was a concert tour, so it was work. But the experience was much more than that. I had so much fun.
Have you visited the Philippines before? Is there anything you’re looking forward to in your upcoming visit here?
I’m genuinely happy and excited to be able to visit a city that I have seen only on television and online. I want to try Philippine bananas, mangoes, and halo-halo!
You have also written songs for anime, like “New Genesis” for the movie “One Piece Film: Red.” What are some of your favorite titles? Is there an anime you would like to write a song for?
I read more manga than I watch anime these days. There are so many manga titles I want to see adapted into anime, like “Girl Meets Rock!” and “Girl Crush.” It’s not really an anime I want to write a song for, but “Bocchi the Rock!” is one of my favorites. And season 2 has been announced, so I’m genuinely happy as a fan.
In what ways do you think you have matured as an artist since your first tour, since your debut?
In my life, I think every year was a year of growth, But 2024 has been the richest and most fulfilling so far. I’m fortunate that I got to experience and learn so much at such a young age. By encountering so many different cultures, music, and entertainment, I was able to show my growth to everyone around the world which I will treasure for the rest of my life.
Where do you see your musical and artistic direction going, and what are your hopes for the future?
My hopes and dreams for now are to make everyone happy with my songs—or any other form—and someday, be able to love myself. That’s why I sing.
