Aya Hirano has spent nearly three decades in entertainment, beginning as a child actor before rising to international recognition through her work in anime, music and stage performance. Now focused on theatre and her solo career, she enters a new chapter as she approaches the 20th anniversary of her debut as a singer in 2026 and the 30th anniversary of her career the year after.
Fresh from playing Elizabeth Moffat in the musical Chocolate Underground and releasing ‘evolutions’, her first new song in 11 years, Hirano is preparing a series of anniversary projects alongside plans for future album work and tours. This weekend she appears at HYPER JAPAN Manchester, her first time performing in the city, where she will meet fans who have followed her across different parts of her career.
Electric Bloom Webzine spoke with Aya Hirano about the experiences that shaped her as a performer, the feeling of finally making the music she truly wants to create, the themes behind Chocolate Underground, and what fans in the UK can expect when she takes the stage in Manchester.
You began acting as a child and will soon celebrate 20 years since your solo debut. When you look back, what moments have shaped you most as a performer?
My solo debut as a singer will reach its 20th anniversary next year, but it will actually be 30 years since I began working in the entertainment industry the year after that. I’ve been fortunate to experience a wide range of work across many genres, and not a single one of those experiences has been wasted. I feel that all of them connect to who I am today.
Every encounter, whether with different works, roles, or the people involved, has influenced me, and I’m grateful for all of it.
Many listeners describe your latest single ‘evolutions’ as a reflection of who you are today after more than two decades in entertainment. When you look back at your earlier songs, what feels most different about how you approach music now?
Back when I debuted, I wasn’t able to be involved in the creative process, so it’s only now that I’m finally making the kind of music I want to make. With next year marking the 20th anniversary of my debut as a singer, I’m currently working on new songs and building up a stock of material.
I’ve always pursued forms of expression that can only be created “in the present”, so the personal expression I was desperately searching for at the time of my debut has, through many different experiences, grown into something that reflects a much deeper dialogue with myself.
Aya Hirano’s May 2025 single ‘evolutions’.
Many fans first met you through anime songs like ‘Bouken Desho Desho?’ and ‘Hare Hare Yukai’. How has your approach to performing those songs changed now, nearly twenty years later?
There hasn’t been any change. I always try to sing them with a fresh mindset. Especially when performing in front of overseas fans, since many people may be hearing them live for the first time, I make sure to sing with care so that they can recall their memories of the anime along with the songs. I think there’s value in things that change and in things that stay the same, so I want to cherish both.
You recently played Elizabeth Moffat in Chocolate Underground, a new musical based on the British novel Bootleg. The story began in the UK and later took on new life in Japan through anime and now theatre. As a performer, what felt unique about how this version interprets the story?
In the original work, the character Moffat that I played was a man called the “Chocolate Man”, but in the stage version the role was changed to a female campaign girl, the “Chocolate Girl”. I think that made my role the one that changed the most.
During the performance run, there happened to be an election in Japan, and it was a time when each citizen’s will was being called upon, in fact, voter turnout among young people even increased. Through works like this, I hope we can help convey to society the importance of the things that are essential to our everyday lives.
Many viewers see Moffat as someone who keeps fighting to be herself. How would you describe her, and did singing ‘This Foolish Yet Beautiful World’ shape your view of the character?
The director told me that this role was essentially me. The composer and the scriptwriter also said they were glad that I was the one playing her.
As for myself, I felt truly fortunate to encounter a role that seemed to reflect all actors, including me, and I performed with that feeling in mind. When I sang ‘This Foolish Yet Beautiful World’, I always felt as if I were on the verge of tears. I don’t think it’s easy for everyone to keep fighting the way Moffat does, but it made me feel that we mustn’t give up on continuing to fight.
Aya Hirano performing ‘This Foolish Yet Beautiful World’ from Chocolate Underground live at Hibiya Festival 2025.
You’ll soon perform at HYPER JAPAN in Manchester. What can fans in the UK look forward to from your show?
I’ve visited London before for both personal trips and study, but this will be my first time in Manchester! I want to give my very best so that everyone in the UK can have a great time and get excited with me. I’d be so happy if you could come and enjoy it together.
As you approach 20 years since your solo debut in 2026, what goals are you most excited to pursue next?
Next year marks the 20th anniversary of my debut as a singer, as well as the 25th anniversary of my voice acting debut. We’re currently working on various anniversary projects leading up to the 30th anniversary of my career in 2027, so I’d be grateful if you could look forward to them.
I’m planning an album, a live tour, and even an overseas tour, so please stay tuned!
Aya Hirano will perform at HYPER JAPAN Manchester 2025 on Saturday November 15th from 17:00 to 18:00.
Aya Hirano
evolutions
Release Date: 10/05/2025
Label: Lantis
Stream: Spotify | Apple Music
