Hailing from Spain, this angel strives to share her love for anisong to the world.

Ruki previously showed us through Harajuku’s one and only tourist information center, the MOSHI MOSHI BOX on our MOSHI MOSHI Ambassadors on the Go! Vol. 1 – but who is she exactly? To find out more behind the adorable pastel-colored outfits she dons, we’ve dedicated this edition for an interview with the Spanish babe who has obsessed over J-pop culture ever since she can remember!

——I heard you made your way out to Japan to become an anisong singer, but has that been your dream all along ever since you were little?

Ruki: When I was little, I wanted to be the lady who’d sing on TV. But at the same time, I was also living an age where they were getting rid of a lot of kids’ shows in Spain.

Then conveniently, I fell in love with the treasure trove of Japanese culture, and I started singing in Japanese. Japanese is such a beautiful language, so I was charmed by it, and loved singing in it.

It was when I listened to a song by Megumi Hayashibara-sama that it sparked me that I wanted to sing the opening theme to an anime, just like her.

——What sort of kid were you growing up?

Ruki: I don’t remember much, but my mom tells me I was very quiet and well-behaved. I would draw, listen to music, or play with video games.

——What is something related to Japanese culture that you’ve recently been obsessing over?

Ruki: It’s hard to narrow down. Not only do I love pop culture, but I love the traditional stuff too. I’m definitely interested in the arts, the music, the architecture and the fashion, but I love anime, manga, and idols (80s idols and the ones that have come out in recent years).

——Anything you really can’t quit?

Ruki: Music! Music is my life!!! (laughs)  I also don’t think I’ll ever stop watching anime. I love it way too much. (laughs)

——MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON delivers all sorts of information from Harajuku. What do you like about Harajuku?

Ruki: I hang out with my friends a lot in Harajuku. I love how you can shop, how everybody’s very fashionable, how you can eat delicious foods, and how you can visit all these fancy cafes.

——So you go there often?

Ruki：I go there whenever I meet my friends or go shop! There are a lot of shops I love, but I definitely make a lot of stops at WEGO. My favorite place to eat is San Francisco Peaks. The stuff there is amazing!!

——Tell me something you love about Japan.

Ruki: There’s way too many! But I do like how it’s very safe. I also love Japanese curry!! There’s nothing quite like it in Spain!

——Do you feel like you’ve grown in a sense since you’ve come to Japan?

Ruki: There were quite a lot of things I couldn’t eat before I came here, but that’s changed. I also work here, make my own living, pay my bills, do my savings…I definitely feel a lot more independent.

——Tell us your top 3 favorite Japanese words

1.「Shoganaina~」

I abuse this word. There’s no translation of this in Spain. Japanese is so convenient when I can’t find a direct translation of what I want to say.

2.「Ganbarimasu!」

I can say “gambatte” in Spanish, but there’s no word that translates to “gambarimasu” (translates to I’ll try my best). This is why I like this. I will always gambarimasu!

3.「Tadaima!」

Japanese people say “tadaima” even when no one’s home! It’s impressive (laughs).

——If you were to describe yourself in one word, what would it be?

Ruki: I’m clumsy, bright, and patient. Oops, that’s three words for you (laughs). I’d choose green as my color because it’s the color of nature.

——What’s an anime you’re into now? Also tell us about your favorite cosplay.

Ruki：My favorite anime right now is “THE iDOLM@STER Cinderella Girls”. I’d love to do the cosplay for this character called Rin Shibuya in the anime. I’d also love to do the cosplay for Yu Morisawa from “Creamy Mami the Magic Angel.”

——Tell us about your work as an artist. Your album “Japani Beats！Ruki Special Vol.1” started streaming on November 20 – what sparked the release of this album?

Ruki: The producer of one of the artists that was on the lineup for a Spanish Anime Fest I performed at held interest in me and spoke with me personally. I received the offer before performing at HAF（HANEDA INTERNATIONAL ANIME MUSIC FESTIVA). I’d become involved in a project that Warne Music Japan and GOMA STUDIO were working on in collaboration with foreign artists.

——What’s the album like?

Ruki: They’re a strand of tunes that are popular abroad. I made sure I sung each and every word with all my heart. The Japanese lyrics mean so much to me.

——What should we do to sing like you? Can future anisong singers get a little advice from you?

Ruki: It’s a long, tough path towards becoming an artist, but keep powering through and you’ll get there! All it matters if you’ve continued to make an effort or not.

——What does anisong mean to you?

Ruki: If I didn’t know anisong, I might’ve never come here. I wouldn’t have studied Japanese, I would’ve never tasted the magnificent Japanese curry…I would’ve been walking a completely different path. Anisong turned my life around.

——What will you be doing 10 years from now?

Ruki: I can’t quite say about the future, but I’d like to hope I’m singing on a huge stage, entertaining the crowd with an enthused performance. I hope a lot of people listens to my songs, I also hope to be able to deliver to the world how amazing anisong is.

—

Ruki

Ruki was born in Spain and flew to Japan in hopes of becoming the world’s famous anisong singer. Hobbies include collecting figures, Japanese idols from the 80s, Japanese culture (kimono, arts, architecture, traditional culture, etc.) She also enjoys watching anime, reading manga, cosplaying and eating cutlet curry.

Stream Ruki’s Debut Album “Japani Beats! Ruki Special Vol.1” here.

http://www.ruki-chan.com/

Interview/words: MoMo（SHUTTER）