Words: Garrin Faturrahman
Photo: Spectrum Management Japan

Whether you’re more of a「生き急いで搾り取って」person, a「ローリング/ローリング」enjoyer, or even a「さよなら そうするよ」one — there’s always a little bit of something for everyone from the every-ubiquitous ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION. Could that explain their long lasting influence on how the band’s sounds far reached its home audience? Who knows, but maybe the conversation between the four and our local musicians can help us draw an image of their legacy.

For this episode in our Artist on Artist interview, we’ve gathered Ale of The Adams/WSATCC, Yudhis of Vague/Jirapah, Makitsuna of eleventwelfth, and Rastafarian to prepare questions dedicated to the Japanese band, discussing their dreams as a band, their favorite anime, to how they use their platform in the midst of dire global situations.

Image via @christian.thp/WSATCC

Saleh Husein
Gt. of The Adams, WSATCC

In your songwriting process, do you usually start with lyrics or melody? How do you decide whether the lyrics fit the music?

Gotoh: Recently, we tend to start with the melody. However, when creating the melody, we already have a rough chord progression in mind, so we develop the overall image of the song at the same time. As for the lyrics, we begin writing them once the melody is more or less finalized. Whether the lyrics truly fit the melody, is something I keep questioning all the way until the recording is finished.

When it comes to changing trends, do you adapt to your listeners, or do you believe listeners should follow your direction?

Gotoh: We don’t write music to match our listeners. Instead, we create songs believing that somewhere in the world, there are people who will connect with the new feelings and music we create. It makes us very happy to know that there are listeners in Indonesia who resonate with our music.

As global situations and social issues continue to evolve, how has your band’s ideology or stance grown? And what actions do you take in response?

Gotoh: We’ve been heavily influenced by The Beatles and John Lennon, and we’ve always been conscious of how rock music has functioned as a form of expression in society. Even before we started making music, we were against war and had relatively liberal views on human rights.

As we create music, we constantly think about what we can do and what kind of words we should express. This awareness has also been refined through songwriting. There are so many things we need to think about daily, and we continue to question what role we can play.

In Japanese society as well, the role expected of artists varies, and in the age of social media, it’s easy for misunderstandings or backlash to occur, which can be challenging. Still, since we only live once, we want to use our energy in a way that contributes to making the world even a little better, and hopefully do something meaningful for future generations. That said, how much music alone can achieve is a difficult question. We believe there is a difference between our role as citizens and as musicians, and we try to stay aware of both.

Image via L’alphalpha/Facebook

Herald Reynaldo
Vo./Gt. of L’Alphalpha

Over 30 years, your sound has evolved, yet still feels distinctly like ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION. As each member grows and perspectives may differ, how do you embrace change while maintaining your core identity?

Yamada: We all genuinely enjoy making music together as a band, and each member feels the joy of continuing as ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION. That’s why, even when our emotions or perspectives change, we’ve been able to overcome those differences and keep going.

A fun one—your music has been featured in many anime (I personally discovered you through Naruto). Are there any anime that influenced your own songwriting?

Gotoh: With the film Solanin (2010), we had the experience of turning lyrics that appeared in the story into an actual song, which was a very significant experience for us.

Image via xduatujuhx/eleventwelfth

Almas Makitsuna
Dr. of eleventwelfth

What are you currently obsessed with outside of music?

Ijichi: I’m really into cooking and even hold the title of a culinary researcher. For the Indonesia show, we’ll be opening an omurice booth in collaboration with Omonyo, so please come try it!

If you could speak to your younger band for one minute, what would you say?

Kita: I started listening to rock music in my late teens, and the excitement I felt back then is something I still carry with me today. The joy of new releases and talking about music with friends hasn’t changed, so I would want them to keep holding on to that feeling.

Image via amdihwani

Rastafarian
Music producer (.Feast, L’Alphalpha, cellosux, etc.)

Over the past 30 years, you’ve created many songs that feel natural and effortless. Is there a philosophy behind your songwriting, or an idea of what ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION should be?

Gotoh: There isn’t a fixed idea of what we “should be.” The ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION we are today is simply the result of continuing to do what we want to do.

Image via Yudhistira Agato/Instagram

Yudhistira Agato
Vo./Gt. of Vague, Jirapah

Our songs have been featured in many popular anime such as Naruto, My Hero Academia, Fullmetal Alchemist, and Erased, and even referenced in Bocchi the Rock. What are your favorite anime?

Kita: Erased was very thrilling, and I watched every episode. I also love Dragon Ball and Slam Dunk, and of course, I love their theme songs too.

Yamada: I’ve watched early Mobile Suit Gundam, both the TV series and the movies. I also love Ghost in the Shell, and I was recently invited to speak at a related talk event. I tend to like more serious works.

Ijichi: I often watch Jujutsu Kaisen. A new season is currently being released in Japan, and I recommend the “Culling Game” arc.

Gotoh: I’m currently really into the latest series BORUTO: TWO BLUE VORTEX. The artwork is great and it’s very interesting. I hope the anime resumes soon.

After 30 years as a band, is there anything ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION still wants to achieve—musically or otherwise?

Kita: Last year, we performed at Tokyo Dome as the opening act for Oasis. Someday, I’d love to perform in a soccer stadium.

Yamada: Our album Sol-fa (2004) often appears in streaming recommendations, but I’d like to create an album that can surpass it.

Gotoh: I’d love to perform at a large rock festival in Jakarta someday.

Ijichi: I’d love to perform at Joyland Bali Festival, so please invite us!

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ASIAN KUNG-FU GENERATION, lewat Hype Live, bakal menggelar 30TH ANNIVERSARY SPECIAL CONCERT LIVE in Jakarta pada Sabtu, 18 April 2026 di Basket Hall GBK Senayan, Jakarta. Konser ini akan turut diramaikan oleh [Alexandros] dan The Adams. Tiket bisa dibeli di Loket.com, atau via link in bio profil Instagram Hype Live.