This summer, Himari Tsukishiro (NECRONOMIDOL) will embark on her first world tour under her solo dance and vocal project ISILIEL.

After announcing her solo project just 1 year ago, fans of Himari have been enjoying the journey of ISILIEL. With the release of her solo debut album, ‘Moonbow Genesis‘, this spring. And with spring comes the renewal of old and all that is fresh and new.

The MOONBOW RISING World Tour will see Himari perform across the globe, with shows in Asia, Europe and North America. Her dedicated fanbase have been waiting patiently for the details on the upcoming performances.

European performances have since been announced, including ISILIEL’S first performance at Hyper Japan Featival this summer. And, a special international edition of ‘Moonbow Genesis‘ was released through Setsuzoku Records on June 2nd.

Fans in the UK got a taste of the new solo project back in February 2023, where Himari performed at a familiar haunt in London, The Water Rats. It was clear from the success of these first solo shows on international soil that more was on the horizon for ISILIEL.

Himari has kindly joined Beyond Senpai amidst her very busy schedule to chat about the upcoming world tour.

Welcome to Beyond Senpai!

Congratulations on the release of your debut album, Moonbow Genesis, and the world tour! How do you feel about the upcoming performances?

Thank you so much!
This is my first ever world tour, and without everyone waiting to meet me and all the people helping set things up, it would never be able to happen.
So many things happened while we were apart, but everyone who kept believing in me and sent me their thoughts helped me stand up every time I faltered.
I want to send my thanks, love, and hope that this will be a tour without a single regret.

You have been working on your solo project, Isiliel, for a while now. How do you feel about the experience as a whole, and what has it taught you as a performer?

I was filled with uncertainty when I started my solo project. But I knew it was a new chance, and I want to accept every challenge that comes my way.

Since I am currently only performing solo, I can take on many new challenges, and I believe that has helped me really grow and make many new connections. It has really helped me polish my singing, dancing, and many other areas. My current environment is so different from the previous one, and there have been many really difficult times, but I am so thankful for being able to take on this many new challenges.

Can you tell us about your feelings toward your fans’ reactions to your solo project?

I still remember how varied the reactions were among my Japanese fans.

I saw so many comments from international fans saying they were happy to see Himari taking on new challenges, but there was a lot of uncertainty from Japanese fans regarding our first artist photo.  I wouldn’t necessarily say they were critical of it, but there were many days where I found myself mired in thought about their reactions.  Challenging new areas, finding new ways of expressing beauty, of course I don’t expect fans to embrace everything I do completely but I do hope they continue to believe in me and know I will continue to express myself.  I never want to fear stepping into new territory and the belief that through me, people will find new ways to find a light of hope gives me the strength to carry on.

What can your dedicated fans expect from the tour?

The most important thing is that my first world tour will come after the release of Isiliel’s first full album.  I know on this tour I will be able to express more of Isiliel’s pathos than ever before.  Even if we speak different languages, I will express everything through my life itself.  I will definitely show you, “Through it all, there is still strength to face tomorrow.”

Is there anything you are looking forward to during this particular tour?

As for me, every time I play a live show or go on tour, I always think I need to make sure everyone enjoys themselves.  But this tour, I want to enjoy it for myself.  It’s like they say – a smile is contagious.  If I’m enjoying, really enjoying myself, who knows what will happen.  But I want to enjoy it without feeling like I “have” to enjoy myself, haha.  I’m looking forward to eating delicious food in every country I visit!

Can you please tell us a little about the music on your new album, Moonbow Genesis? Is there a particular song from the release that you are excited to perform?

Isiliel’s first album is a concept album.  I think that when you listen to all the songs in order you will really feel their fullness.  Actually, we haven’t done the choreography for one song yet – the last song on the album, Genesis.  For me, that song is a “super cosmic” song – please look forward to it!

As you love music and fashion, who or what is your source of inspiration both musically and creatively?

As for music, Rammstein is actually the first band that really showed me how amazing heavy metal can be.  Up until then, I really only listened to anime songs.  I was brought up on Yoko Kanno and  Maaya Sakamoto.

I can’t really think of any particular influences when it comes to fashion, but I actually still wear a lot of the same clothes I wore when I was very young.  Lately I have been thinking I would like to wear traditional outfits from lots of different countries.

Do you have any future goals for your solo project? And what can the fans expect from future songs or visuals going forward?

As for a goal, I would love to do an anime tieup.  Anime has taught me so many things and really saved me so many times – I would love to make something together with a media that has given me so much.

As for the upcoming songs – really, really look forward to them!  I think there’s a song coming up that will really bring everyone’s voices out, and there’s also a new M… (closes my mouth before I say too much)

We know you love anime, so please tell us what you are enjoying recently. Also, please recommend something to watch for your fans.

As for recent shows, I would have to say I’ve been watching “Oshi no Ko.”  Along with that “The Dangers in My Heart”, “My Home Hero”, “The Ancient Magus’ Bride”… there are too many to list!

But whenever someone asks me for a recommendation, I always say “Cardcaptor Sakura.”  

Along with that, “Macross,” “March Comes In like a Lion, ” “Penguindrum, “… there are too many to list!

Finally, please leave a message for your fans and new listeners.

I often find myself lost and down and out.  But I am always able to get back on my feet and singing.  That’s because you have always been there for me.  Your words, you holding my hand, that is the light of my life.

And so in my songs and all I make I will show you my love.  Please be there for me as we go into the future together.  I will keep preserving all the pinky promises we have made!

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Beyond Senpai thanks Himari for joining us, and special thanks to Ricky for arranging it for us.

Tickets and VIP packages for the Moonbow Rising World Tour are available now.

All photos are kindly used with permission for Ricky and Himari.

To support ISILIEL.

https://www.isiliel.com/
https://twitter.com/Isiliel_jp
https://instagram.com/isiliel_jp
https://www.tiktok.com/@himari_tsuki https://youtube.com/channel/UCqHHt4ELdIgylyKBJH0JP6A