Known for his unforgettable scores and signature works for some of the most iconic anime like Attack on Titan and Solo Leveling — Hiroyuki Sawano will be performing his music at his very first solo concert in Los Angeles at the Peacock Theater on Friday, November 14. In anticipation of this milestone concert, Anime Trending had the privilege of connecting with Sawano for an email interview, during which he shared how his music has reached people and what fans can look forward to at the show.
Questions by Anime Trending submitted by Nico Monterosso, Melvyn Tan, and Isabelle Lee
This upcoming concert will be your first solo concert returning to the United States. Does having a growing international audience for your work allow you to look introspectively toward your work? What inspirations do you pull from for this upcoming concert knowing that it’s going to be played for an international audience?
Hiroyuki Sawano: It’s made me realize once again how much my music has reached people through various works. I don’t compose with the specific goal of reaching overseas audiences — I focus on creating something interesting for each anime first. But it’s wonderful that, thanks to those works, people abroad have come to appreciate my music too.
You’ve cited Hollywood as an inspiration behind your vision for Solo Leveling’s soundtrack. With anime such as Solo Leveling having tremendous international audiences, what is the relationship between your music and a broadening international audience?
Hiroyuki Sawano: I don’t really feel like my audience has grown that much yet. But I’m truly grateful that my music can reach listeners beyond Japan through anime. Many opportunities, like performing overseas, wouldn’t exist otherwise. I hope to keep creating music that people all over the world can enjoy through these works.
Image source: Sony Music Entertainment
What are your thoughts on how the anime and entertainment musical landscape has changed over the past twenty years? Have any trends or shifts stood out to you?
Hiroyuki Sawano: I never imagined anime would become so influential worldwide, or that it would have such an impact even in Japan. The fact that people around the world have grown so interested in anime feels like a major shift. Thanks to that, my music now reaches overseas audiences through streaming platforms, which is another big change.
What is the difference between a soundtrack that you want to produce versus a soundtrack that a fan would want to hear?
Hiroyuki Sawano: There’s definitely overlap, though I make small stylistic adjustments over time. For example, I’ve been influenced by overseas music lately, and sometimes I focus less on melody. Fans who prefer my earlier, more melodic work might wish I’d return to that style. Still, I always try to pursue what sounds cool in the current era while keeping melodies that can satisfy longtime fans as well.
You had the SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] 10th Anniversary LIVE “A=Z” concert earlier this year, and September 23 is the date of the Sawano Hiroyuki 20th Anniversary Concert × Aniplex. Can you recall a particularly meaningful or memorable moment from the last decade that led to these milestones?
Hiroyuki Sawano: One that stands out was performing at a large venue in Shanghai. That experience really made me realize that people overseas were listening to my music; it was a very meaningful moment for me.
How has your current brand recognition influenced your work?
Hiroyuki Sawano: I don’t really think of myself as globally recognized, but since I’ve always been inspired by overseas music, I’m even more focused on how to incorporate those influences into my own sound. I want to keep creating music that people around the world can genuinely find cool.
Image source: Sony Music Entertainment
You’re currently working on the score for Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe. What’s it like to return to the world of Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway, and what can we expect from the sequel’s music?
Hiroyuki Sawano: I’m really motivated to work on Hathaway again. I created the main themes and melodies during the first film, so now I’m exploring how to expand and develop them for the sequel. There will also be important insert songs, so I hope fans look forward to those as well.
What has been the greatest joy of the SawanoHiroyuki[nZk] project for you?
Hiroyuki Sawano: Thanks to this project, I’ve been able to take on live performances both in Japan and abroad. Seeing the audience’s reactions and happiness during shows, or even online through the songs I release, is what brings me the most joy.
Special thanks to Sony Music Entertainment for facilitating this interview. Tickets for the Hiroyuki SAWANO Live in Los Angeles 2025 concert on November 14 are available here. For more information, visit the Hiroyuki Sawano official website or explore Sawano’s music on his official YouTube channel.
