JaME Brazil brings us an exclusive interview with Nami Tamaki.
The translation is now available, enjoy!
During Anime Friends, Nami Tamaki spoke about her career, challenges, and memories from over 20 years in the industry. The singer reminisced about hits from “Gundam” and “D.Gray-man” and shared her thoughts on artistic evolution and inspiration.
© Original by Carolina Genúncio “Nana”
© Translation by Salomé Bernal (Nami Tamaki International)
During Anime Friends 2025, singer Nami Tamaki—known for her iconic songs in anime such as “Gundam SEED”, “D. Gray-man” and ”Ultraman Z”—participated in a press conference where she recalled decisive moments in her career, spoke about the challenges of migrating to musical theater, revealed interesting facts about her experiences with major franchises, and shared thoughts on how she sees her own evolution over the years.
You started your career at age 14, which certainly couldn’t have been easy. What was the most memorable learning moment in your career?
Nami Tamaki: It has been 22 years since my debut, and, as in any career, there have been ups and downs. The biggest challenge for me was participating in musicals—the way of singing is completely different from what I am used to on a daily basis. I realized that this process demanded a lot from me, but it was also a great learning opportunity.
You became very well known for the opening songs of “Gundam SEED” and “Gundam SEED DESTINY.” Were you familiar with the series before singing for it?
Nami Tamaki: I’ve always loved “Gundam”! When I received the invitation to sing, I was already watching the anime. It was a huge surprise! I thought, “I’m going to sing the song for this anime? How amazing!” I was really moved, it was a wonderful surprise.
You’ve been in the J-Pop industry for a long time. What has changed for you from the beginning to today?
Nami Tamaki: A lot has changed over the years. Lately, I’ve been feeling the urge to revisit the songs and spirit of my early career. To sing something that brings me back to that initial phase.
What was it like to be invited to perform the theme song for “D.Gray-man”? Were you already familiar with the anime and manga?
Nami Tamaki: The song from “D.Gray-man” is in my top 5 favorites! I was already familiar with the manga and had also watched the anime. Producing this song was a very interesting experience because it has a completely different style from what I had been doing up until then. The anime itself has a different atmosphere from “Gundam,” so I wanted to create a cooler vibe inspired by Allen Walker. The music video reflects this, with a desert setting and a unique aesthetic.
You covered LUNA SEA’s “Storm.” Did visual kei bands and artists influence your career?
Nami Tamaki: My mother always listened to LUNA SEA a lot, so I grew up listening to Storm. When the opportunity arrived, I said to myself, “I want to sing Storm!” It was a very natural choice for me.
Among all the opening songs you’ve performed, which is your favorite?
Nami Tamaki: It’s hard to choose just one! I like them all, and honestly, my favorite changes every year (laughs). It really depends on where I am in my life and how I’m feeling.
You also covered TM Network’s BEYOND THE TIME. How was it giving this classic song a new identity?
Nami Tamaki: I tried my best to preserve the essence of the original version without losing its power. At the same time, I sought to incorporate my own style—the “Nami Tamaki” way—adding a danceable touch that would fit the song.
And the invitation to sing the theme song for “Ultraman Z,” how did you feel when you received that offer?
Nami Tamaki: I’ve loved “Ultraman” since I was a child! I was very happy to receive the invitation. Since the main audience is children, I wanted to create something more direct, easy to connect with, and sing along to.
Which artists inspired you to get where you are today?
Nami Tamaki: It’s difficult to name specific people, after all, it’s been many years of career and countless encounters and experiences. I think everything I’ve experienced has made me who I am—not just other artists, but also fans, staff, managers… everyone is part of what I call “Team Tamaki.” Even though I perform as Nami Tamaki, I feel like it’s always a collective effort. That foundation is what sustains me and makes me who I am today.
JaME would like to thank Nami Tamaki and Anime Friends for the interview.