Hiroshi Kitadani: ‘I Enjoy Watching The Dances In Indian Films’ (EXCLUSIVE)

Anime lovers know Hiroshi Kitadani as the voice behind the iconic song, “We Are!” from the episodic anime series, “One Piece.” Dressed in a graphic tee with a silk shirt thrown over it, he sits down for a conversation with Variety India while in Mumbai for a recent event.

As an integral part of the supergroup JAM Project, he has a repertoire of songs that blend heavy metal, classic rock, and pop-punk.

About his association with “One Piece,” he says, “At first, I debuted as a J-Pop (Japanese pop) singer. Then, a record company told me that I did not suit the genre. I was thinking about how to move ahead in my career. Then, I decided to sing “We Are!” and my life changed forever.” He has been associated with the anime for 25 years.
 

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“One Piece,” which streams on Crunchyroll, is an adventure set around a treasure hunt. Monkey D. Luffy and his crew, the Straw Hats, have millions of fans the world over. He also reveals that Luffy is his favorite character. “I like him as he gets emotional and angry when his friends get hurt. He loves his friends deeply. I am a lot like him,’ he shares.

Kitadani admits that the success of “We Are!” took him by surprise. He says, “I did not expect it to be such a big hit when I sang it in 1999. But when I travel around the world and meet people who love the series, it amazes me every time.”

Drawing comparisons between anime shows and Bollywood films, he discusses how music builds recall value among viewers and adds emotional layers. He explains, “I feel a great song evokes the same emotion as a wonderful painting. When a certain piece of music plays, you immediately remember the scene. The best part is that this association is instant. Viewers remember episodes with the songs. In Bollywood, people remember movies with music. I enjoy watching the dances in Indian films. It has so much passion.”