The dramatic RPG "Heaven Burns Red." The in-game band, She is Legend (hereafter "Siileje"), has broken out of the game world to pursue live performances in earnest. Their first-ever national tour, held from last year to this year, was a massive success. Before the heat of the tour could cool down, they released their 2nd album, "Shunmin Ryodan," on March 27. On May 11, their "She is Legend Zepp Tour 2024 'We are Shunmin Ryodan'" kicked off.

Ahead of their Sapporo performance on Sunday, June 9, we spoke with vocalists XAI and Konomi Suzuki about how Siileje has evolved since the last tour, the appeal of their new album "Shunmin Ryodan," and their enthusiasm for the live shows.

The passion of the fans felt on their first national tour. A relationship of trust built between the two.

A shot from the Sapporo show on the previous tour

――During the MC at your last Sapporo show, you said, "Someday we want to play at Zepp Sapporo." That dream has already come true. How are you feeling right now?

XAI: I was surprised, like, "This soon?!" but I'm definitely feeling the pressure. I feel like we have to show a more evolved version of ourselves than last time.

Konomi Suzuki (hereafter "Suzuki"): I was pretty serious when I said that during the MC. For it to come true a year later is truly amazing. It makes me realize once again that it's all thanks to our fans.

――What were your impressions of the last Sapporo show and the local fans?

XAI: My impression is that they were incredibly passionate. I went outside to buy a coffee to calm my nerves before the show, and I saw someone wearing a concert T-shirt. I asked them, "Aren't you cold?" and I vividly remember them saying, "I'm so excited for the show later, I'm totally fine!" I got the impression that there were many people who not only wanted to enjoy the concert with us but were eagerly leaning into the experience.

Suzuki: The cheers were intense right from the moment the doors opened, and it felt like there were a lot of "seasoned pros" in the audience (laughs). At the beginning of the tour, we were still figuring out our form as Siileje, but as we progressed, we gained more confidence. The Sapporo show felt like a turning point. That's how much closer the two of us had become, and we were able to perform with confidence. I think that really came across.

Commemorative photo after the Sapporo show on the previous tour

――So, in a way, it was a precious moment for those who came to the venue that day. At the tour final, you also announced your 2nd album, "Shunmin Ryodan." What was the reaction from the fans?

XAI: At that time, we were really close to the audience, and the serious expressions on their faces as they watched us left a strong impression. It wasn't like a big "Whoa!" but more like they were completely captivated. Seeing them embrace the next chapter made us feel like we needed to approach our activities with even more determination.

Suzuki: I was so happy that we could announce it with our own voices. I'll never forget the sparkling expressions on everyone's faces at that moment. It made me feel like I would do anything to see those faces!

The vibrant new album "Shunmin Ryodan," as if made for the Zepp tour

The 2nd album "Shunmin Ryodan," released on March 27, 2024

――Two years since your formation and powered up after a national tour, I imagine this has become an even stronger album. What kind of work do you think it turned out to be?

XAI: Our producer, Jun Maeda, also told us that our live shows are incredibly cool. It's because of that tour that the album is packed with songs that everyone can get excited about together, songs that really shine live.

Suzuki: Since we were producing it while on tour, I think he was especially conscious of the "live" aspect when creating it, and our vocals might be just as wild as they are in a concert (laughs). Compared to our previous work, I think it has a rawness in a good way; it's a piece overflowing with a live feel and vitality.

――The title track, "Shunmin Ryodan," must be a very important song. What are your impressions of this track?

XAI: Until now, many of our songs have been introspective, but this song feels like it has broken wide open. The characters in "Hebuban" (Heaven Burns Red) live in a harsh reality, but they don't just lash out; they're incredibly positive. The last line of the lyrics is, "It's dawn, shall we go?" I took that as the message he wanted us to sing.

Suzuki: I thought it would be a gritty song, fitting for a loud rock unit, but when I listened to the demo, it was an incredibly beautiful melody! So I was surprised at first, but I could also feel Maeda-san's determination to make a statement with this song. It includes the same phrase, "At the end of solitude, in the sea of imaginary numbers," from our origin song, "Burn My Soul," and it felt like he was telling Siileje to leap beyond that as well.

XAI: That's why I really want people to listen to "Shunmin Ryodan" first. It's a song that made me feel, "This is our new form, a new beginning!"

Suzuki: Also, "World We Changed" (track 10)! That's a song that personally resonated with me (laughs). I hope everyone listens to it before the show to power up their fighting spirit.

A shot from the Tokyo show at Zepp Haneda on May 11

――While you've moved to a new stage with the release of your new album, you also carry the charm of the game's characters. Do you feel that pressure?

XAI: For the girls in the game, live shows are a moment of relief amidst their daily battles. They channel their everyday frustrations into their songs, and we incorporate that feeling into our own live performances. However, recently, I feel like we've taken a step forward, and a sense of being "She is Legend," the artists that are me and Suzuki-san, has started to emerge.

Suzuki: I've always been a fan of Maeda-san's work. The poignancy embedded in his creations always has the vocals as a crucial key. So, not only do I have the responsibility of fulfilling that role, but I also feel the pressure of the character Karen Asakura overlapping with myself. On the other hand, the fact that Maeda-san chose me means he's looking for some essence of my own. I'm constantly searching for that balance.