Independent J-Pop artist SoraNami has emerged as one of the great surprises of the Contest, qualifying for the Finals with a Japanese-language song that few saw coming and even fewer will forget.
Best known in her native Japan for her work on OVAs and anime soundtracks, she entered Real Figures Don’t F.O.L.D as a true wildcard. Her path to the Finals became one of the most talked-about stories of the Contest, as a newcomer to the Western world.
Congratulated by fellow entrant and established idol performer Airi Kisaragi, SoraNami also received warm support from fellow Finalists after appearing visibly frightened before the private performance event.
Assisted by a translator, she speaks about gratitude and the unexpected power of being heard.
What does the Contest mean to you?
It means more than I can really put into words. I never expected to be here, so every step feels precious. For someone like me, who has spent so much of her career working behind the scenes for specific audiences, this is a chance to be seen in a completely new way.
I was honestly terrified before the special performance event, but the kindness the other Finalists showed me reminded me that this Contest is about more than competition. It is about finding your voice even when you are afraid.
Tell us something about your song.
I wanted the song to feel emotionally direct, but still melodic. Because I come from soundtrack work, I think a lot about atmosphere and how a song can create a world in just a few seconds.
I’m sure the lyrics have a very different meaning in Japanese, so I let the translation shape the rhythm naturally.
Where would you like to travel to first?
With her newfound exposure to the West, SoraNami’s ultimate ambition is to travel the world as an independent artist.
I would like to travel somewhere peaceful first — maybe a place by the sea, where I can rest and breathe properly. I would love to visit countries in Europe one day, because so much of my music has reached listeners there in ways I never imagined.
Right now, though, I think I would be happiest somewhere quiet, with time to recover from all the emotions of the Contest.
If not you, which Finalist would you like to see win?
Honestly, so many Finalists deserve it. Everyone who reached this stage has a story, and I think the best winner would be someone whose song feels meaningful to people.
Which of the other Finalists stood out to you?
There are so many different styles of music in the Finals, so everybody stands out in their own way.
I can’t forget how supportive everyone was when I was nervous, which made the whole group feel very special.
What’s next after this Contest?
I want to keep making music, especially songs that can live in moments people remember. The Contest has given me confidence to believe that my work can connect beyond Japan.
After this, I hope I can meet more listeners and perhaps take my music to places I have never been before.
About the Contest
Real Figures Don’t F.O.L.D is a collaboration between CATAWOL Records and the MODE Family, in the form of a song contest. 32 of the label’s most talented Acts compete to create the campaign’s official anthem, raising awareness of bullying in hobby spaces.
CATAWOL Records is proud to support the Finalists as they share their voices on a larger stage, while celebrating creativity, resilience, and community.