The freedom of rebirth

By: Vxl.ink

With more than two decades of history behind them, RADWIMPS have built a career defined by constant evolution, forging a deep connection with fans across generations and transcending borders through their ability to convey universal emotions with a distinctive artistic identity.

In conversation with It Sounds Alternative, Yusuke Takeda and Yojiro Noda reflect on the evolution of their career, the ways their music has changed over the years, and how it has, in turn, transformed the people who have grown alongside it.

Read on to discover everything they had to share!

ITSA: It has been more than 20 years since you began this journey together as RADWIMPS. Before diving into some of the most meaningful moments of that journey, we would like to ask you: how do you feel the relationship between yourselves, your songs, and the people who have walked alongside you has evolved?

Yusuke: The fact that we’ve been able to keep the band going for 20 years since debut is something we’re truly grateful for. What hasn’t changed for me is that I trust Yojiro’s music—that’s been the same since we started the band.

Yojiro: As for music, the 20th anniversary made me think back to when we started the band—the rowdiness, the not-overthinking lyrics. The chorus where I’m not really “saying” anything felt good. It’s like, it doesn’t have to “mean” anything—we made it because it’s cool. We do that less now because everyone asks later what it “means” and they treasure those meaning of the songs. Because of it, ironically, I wanted to make a song that meant nothing—just “because it’s cool”—and carry that through to the title on «Anew».

ITSA: With your newly released Netflix special, when you revisit those recordings and reflect on everything you have experienced along the way, what are you most proud of when looking back on this journey with RADWIMPS?

Yojiro: I can say for sure: our 2020 world tour was canceled, and in 2023 we went back on the road for the world tour starting North America. Without those tours, RADWIMPS might have fallen apart. The 2023 world tour and the 2024 Latin America/Asia tours gave us a reason to live—that’s not an exaggeration. The international audience reminded us RADWIMPS has value. Before those tours, from 2020 to 2023, we had no place. We were totally lost—almost lost our identity. Seeing how many people around the world listen to us was incredibly encouraging.

ITSA: Over these years, you have brought your music to many different corners of the world. Latin America has been part of that journey. What do you feel when, on the other side of the world, you encounter such a passionate response? How do you experience that connection with people who grew up in such different environments, yet find comfort and a place to belong within your songs?

Yusuke: The audience from the LATAM tour was insane so I can’t wait to experience that atmosphere again. It is such an honor that so many people love our music around the world. I’m sure a lot of them found us through Makoto Shinkai anime films but as a Japanese, I am happy to see Japanese contents such as animation and music being well received abroad.

ITSA: And, of course, it is impossible to talk about RADWIMPS’ history without mentioning your collaboration with Makoto Shinkai. Together, you have created some of the most iconic songs in contemporary animation. When you perform these songs today, what memories or reflections come to mind? Looking back, what has it meant to be part of a cinematic universe that has connected with millions of people around the world?

Yojiro: It’s incredible. Seeing international audience sing in Japanese, not only the chorus, was like a reward for the years of working hard as a band.

ITSA: On the other hand, your latest album, «Anew» (2025), feels like a work that looks simultaneously towards the past and the future: a tribute to everything you have experienced, and at the same time, an invitation to keep moving forward. During the creative process, was there a particular moment, discovery, or emotion that felt like the heart of the project? What element ultimately defined the identity and themes of the album?

Yojiro: On this album «Anew», we wanted to take back the innocence of when we first started. If I’ve calcified the image of RADWIMPS anywhere, I wanted to truly start again from zero—like a newly hatched egg on the cover. The album is driven by that intention.

Yusuke: Sound-wise, it’s very much a band sound. The previous album grew during COVID—made by trading files—so we didn’t have that “all together now” environment. This time we built the band sound together. It’s a song that really embodies what we, as this band, can do right now.

ITSA: Looking back, what do you hope you have left behind in those who have found companionship or inspiration in your music?

Yusuke: I hope our music and concerts become nourishment for your soul towards tomorrow. So I promise to do our best to show you that.

ITSA: And finally, after looking back on so many moments throughout your history, we would like to return to the present: how would you describe the stage RADWIMPS is in today

Yojiro: We’re living on the bonus stage now. We’ve exceeded our initial dreams by far. Everything from here feels like a bonus stage. That means we’re truly free, not having assigned roles and clear the tasks. We don’t need to do this for the money. We just keep making the music we want, and be honest to the audience and to music.