Music Interviews
nano.RIPE Interview: “Gekka” | Ending theme song in ‘The Devil Is a Part-Timer!’ Season 1
Interview: nano.RIPE spoke to The Natural Aristocrat® about their memorable ending theme song to ‘The Devil Is a Part-Timer!’ Season 1, “Gekka”.
Band members Kimiko & Jun Sasaki also discussed their humble beginnings, most challenging songs to perform live, their Food Wars! anisongs, and favorite musician.
nano.RIPE Singer / Guitarist Kimiko – 2023.01.14 – Shibuya QUATTRO – Photo Credit: Hiroshi Sato (佐藤広理)
nano.RIPE Singer / Guitarist Kimiko – 2023.01.14 – Shibuya QUATTRO – Photo Credit: Hiroshi Sato (佐藤広理)
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT (NIR REGEV): To Kimiko, what do the lyrics to song “Gekka” (“月花”) mean to you? To Jun Sasaki, what was the creative process like behind Gekka’s music composition?
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: The lyrics tell a story of growing up just a little bit while facing the weak self within.
Chiho Sasaki in ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!’ Season 1 Ending theme song “Gekka” by nano.RIPE. Art Credit: © 2021 Satoshi Wagahara/KADOKAWA/MAOUSAMA Project / White Fox (2013)
nano.RIPE – JUN SASAKI: The music was arranged through discussion with the band, keeping in mind the melody that was first created.
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What were your first impressions of the ending theme animation for ’The Devil Is a Part-Timer!’ (Hataraku Maō-sama!) with Chiho Sasaki set to your song “Gekka” (“月花”)?
nano.RIPE Singer / Guitarist Kimiko – 2023.01.14 – Shibuya QUATTRO – Photo Credit: Hiroshi Sato (佐藤広理)
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: I was very impressed with the very nice video they put on. I was happy because I also love Chi-chan!
Suzuno Kamazuki, Emi Yusa, Sadao Maou, Chiho Sasaki and Rika Suzuki in ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!’ Season 1. Art Credit: © 2021 Satoshi Wagahara / KADOKAWA / MAOUSAMA Project / White Fox (2013)
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: I’ve seen an acoustic rendition of “Gekka” on YouTube but not in a live concert video. Do you currently perform “Gekka” in front of live audiences?
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: We often play it in concert. We ask everyone to clap at our concerts!
Chiho Sasaki in ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!’ Season 1. Art Credit: © 2021 Satoshi Wagahara/KADOKAWA/MAOUSAMA Project / White Fox (2013)
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What songs can nano.RIPE fans expect to hear in the setlist of your Spring 2023 tour?
nano.RIPE Singer / Guitarist Kimiko – 2023.01.31 – Zepp Haneda – Photo Credit: nano.RIPE Instagram
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: We often get requests for anime tie-in songs, but I guess they are expecting the OP “Hikari no Nai Machi” of “The Devil Is a Part-Timer!!” * Season 2 (Hataraku Maō-sama!!).
nano.RIPE Guitarist Jun Sasaki – 2023.01.31 – Zepp Haneda – Photo Credit: nano.RIPE Instagram
* Technically, season 3 of the anime series. Note the double exclamation points as the original anime adaption had a single exclamation point.
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: To Kimiko, what song from your extensive catalogue is most challenging to perform live vocally?
nano.RIPE singer / guitarist Kimiko. 2023.04.09 – Shimokitazawa (下北沢) MOSAiC w / Kanako speena (カナ) – Photo Credit: by Mirai Nakajima (中島未来)
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: It is difficult to sing and perform “Kyokyo Jitsujitsu“.
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Do you feel your Food Wars! (Shokugeki no Soma) themes like “Kyokyo Jitsujitsu” (“虚虚実実”) and “Snowdrop” (“スノードロップ”) are your most recognized tracks by anime fans worldwide?
nano.RIPE Live Concert – 2023.01.14 2023.01.14 Shibuya – QUATTRO. Photo Credit: Hiroshi Sato (佐藤広理)
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: We don’t really feel it ourselves, but we would be very happy if they are listening to them.
nano.RIPE singer/guitarist Kimiko and guitarist Jun Sasaki – Photo Credit: nano.RIPE Instagram
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Can you describe the first day you became friends in high school?
nano.RIPE – JUN SASAKI: It all started when Kimiko wanted to start a band and asked me, “Why don’t we play in a band at the school festival?”
Guitarist Jun Sasaki – 2023.01.31 – Zepp Haneda – Photo Credit: nano.RIPE Instagram
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Do you recall the moment when you realized you wanted to start a band together?
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: We don’t usually think about it much, but we remember it on the anniversary of the band’s formation and the anniversary of its debut.
Live concert – “Koori no Dokutsu” tour final at Shibuya QUATTRO. Photo Credit: nano.RIPE Instagram
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Who are some of your favorite bands that inspire you as artists?
Singer / Guitarist Kimiko -2023.01.14 Shibuya QUATTRO. Photo Credit: Yoshihara Mizuho (ヨシハラミズホ)
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: “Spitz” was, is and always will be number one in my mind!
Sadao Maou and Chiho Sasaki in ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!’ Season 1. Art Credit: © 2021 Satoshi Wagahara/KADOKAWA/MAOUSAMA Project / White Fox (2013)
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: What are your thoughts on ’The Devil Is a Part-Timer!’ (Hataraku Maō-sama!) and ‘Food Wars!’ (Shokugeki no Soma) anime shows?
Soma Yukihira and Erina Nakiri in ‘Food Wars!’ Season 1. Art Credit: ©Yuto Tsukuda, Shun Saeki/ Shueisha,Food Wars! Shokugeki no Soma Committee
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: I really love both of these anime! They are funny, but also have scenes that make me want to watch them over and over again.
Sadao Maou and Chiho Sasaki in ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!’ Season 1. Art Credit: © 2021 Satoshi Wagahara/KADOKAWA/MAOUSAMA Project / White Fox (2013)
THE NATURAL ARISTOCRAT: Will you be coming stateside to New York City or Los Angeles to perform this year? Would you consider a performance at Anime NYC 2023?
Singer / guitarist Kimiko – 2023.01.31 Zepp Haneda. Photo Credit: nano.RIPE Instagram
nano.RIPE – KIMIKO: (on Anime NYC 2023) Of course, we want to be there! Please let us perform!
Guitarist Jun Sasaki – 2023.01.14 – Shibuya QUATTRO. Photo Credit: Hiroshi Sato (佐藤広理)
Live Concert Summer Tour – nano.RIPE TOUR 2023 “Amagumonotsue”
nano.RIPE Official Band Photo for 2023. Photo provided by Lantis / Bandai Namco Music Live Inc.
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■ Tokyo Concert
July 29, 2023 (Sat.) Shibuya – CLUB QUATTRO
OPEN 16:45 / START 17:30
■ Osaka Concert
August 26, 2023 (Sat.) Umeda Banana Hall
OPEN 17:00 / START 17:30
■ Aichi Concert
August 27, 2023(Sun.) Nagoya ell.FITS ALL
OPEN 17:00 / START 17:30
■ Ishikawa Concerts
Saturday, September 16, 2023 Kanazawa AZ
OPEN 17:00 / START 17:30
■ September 17 (Sun), 2023 Kanazawa AZ
OPEN 16:30 / START 17:00
nano.RIPE singer / guitarist Kimiko – 2023.01.31 – Zepp Haneda. Photo Credit: nano.RIPE Instagram
Ticket Prices: 5,500 yen in advance / 6,000 yen at the door (tax included, 1 drink not included, numbered, unreserved).
General On-Sale date: Saturday, May 27, 2023
* Please note the following regarding the purchase of tickets:
“3-years old and up is charged for a ticket.
Resale for profit is prohibited.
Resale tickets are not allowed.
No tickets may sold at auction.”
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nano.RIPE Singer / Guitarist Kimiko – 2023.01.14 – Shibuya QUATTRO. Photo Credit: Mizuho (ヨシハラミズホ)
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– Relive ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!’ anime series on Crunchyroll! All 25 episodes are available dubbed. Next season, officially known as ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!!’ Season 2* will begin airing in Japan on July 23, 2023.
More Anime Music Interviews
Chiho Sasaki in ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!!’ Art Credit: © 2021 Satoshi Wagahara/KADOKAWA/MAOUSAMA Project
– Be sure to read our exclusive Nowlu Interview on “Stuck on you”, the Ending Theme Song in anime series ‘More than a Married Couple, but Not Lovers.’ (“Fuufu Ijou, Koibito Miman.”)
– Visit the Anime Interviews and Music Interviews sections for more exclusive chats with the top talent in the industry today! We hope you’ve enjoyed this interview on the ending song to ‘The Devil is a Part-Timer!’ Season 1!