Words that Changed My Life: Singer and Cosplayer Liyuu on 'K-On!'

In this series, grape Japan interviews leading figures in the fields of manga, anime, music, acting, voice acting, cosplay, wrestling, entertainment, and more, focusing on words or scenes from manga, anime, or video games that had a profound impact on their lives.

The series kicked off last month with legendary anime singer Hironobu Kageyama, who chose a powerful line from Hayao Miyazaki's post-apocalyptic science-fiction manga Nausicaä of the Valley of the Wind.

For our second installment, we're pleased to bring you an interview with the Shanghai-born singer and cosplayer Liyuu!

Excerpts of grape Japan's interview with Liyuu follow:

Getting into Anime

What kind of anime and manga did you enjoy as a child?

When I was a kid, I used to watch almost all the anime that were aired on Chinese TV! Cardcaptor Sakura, Saint Tail, Pokémon, Digimon Adventure, Chibi Maruko-chan, Chūka Ichiban!, there are so many I can't even mention all of them!

I was particular fond of Cardcaptor Sakura. I fell in love with it when I was only three years old, and I still love it to this day! And then there's Shugo Chara! After that, I started watching more and more Japanese anime.

Words that Changed Liyuu's Life

So, let's talk about K-On! When did you first encounter this work and what was that time of your life like?

My first encounter with K-On! was in my first year of junior high school. I was so wrapped up in my studies, it was all I had on my mind back then. I didn't think about my future or my life, and all that mattered was my studies.

What attracted you to it?

Before, my life was full of routines, without any changes. All I did was study all the time. But after watching K-On!, I was inspired! I began earnestly looking for something I really enjoyed doing, not just what I had to do for school.