miwa & Koganei Niko (hololive) Talk Collaborative Song ‘Seien,’ Power of Fans’ ‘Cheers’: Interview

Koganei Niko, a virtual YouTuber (VTuber) affiliated with hololive production, released her first original song called “Seien” on July 26.

Written for her by singer-songwriter miwa, the track captures the inner conflict and resolve Niko has kept hidden, along with her determination to keep moving forward, fueled by the “cheers” — seien in Japanese, a homophone of the song title — of her fans.

Billboard Japan spoke with them in a roundtable-style interview about the emotions behind the track, the appeal they find in each other’s voice, and what they share as performers who convey their feelings through voice.

I heard the connection between you two began when Niko posted a cover of miwa’s signature song “Hikari e.” miwa: Yes.

Niko covered “Hikari e” around the time of my 15th debut anniversary.

That video’s already passed a million views, hasn’t it? Congratulations! Koganei: Thank you, right back at you! When I was little, I watched the drama Rich Man, Poor Woman and fell in love with that song.

Whenever I sang it at karaoke, people always complimented me.

My voice was cuter back then, so people often told me — not to toot my own horn — that my singing resembled yours.

Since it holds such special memories for me, I deliberately never sang it in my utawaku streams (livestreams of singing cover songs), saving it for the perfect moment.

So I uploaded the video to coincide with your 15th debut anniversary, never imagining it would actually reach you — and you even shared your thoughts about it on Instagram! miwa: You covered it so beautifully.

I could really feel how deeply you’d absorbed “Hikari e.” The visuals in the cover video were gorgeous too, and I was so moved by how they linked with your beautiful singing voice to create that whole atmosphere.

Koganei: I felt like that visual really elevated it too.

At the line “We can’t become Adam and Eve” in the first verse, blue light spreads across the screen, and I could feel the dedication of the creators who made that video.

That line is personally my favorite part of “Hikari e.” “Hikari e” must be an important song for you too, miwa, and it’s clearly still loved by so many people, including Niko. miwa: Yes.