Lina Hope
By Brianna Fox-Priest
August 28, 2025
In the rapidly evolving landscape of digital entertainment, few figures have bridged the gap between virtual artistry and mainstream cultural resonance as effectively as KAF. A cornerstone of the KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO collective, the virtual singer has spent years refining her craft through emotive vocal performances and pioneering digital concerts. However, 2025 marks a definitive turning point for the artist: her formal entry into the world of professional anime voice acting via the much-anticipated series KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION.
Following our initial conversation in October 2024, Otaku USA sat down with KAF once again to discuss the transition from the recording booth to the animation screen, the challenges of bilingual performance, and her burgeoning vision for the future of the virtual entertainment industry.
The Genesis of a Virtual Milestone: Main Facts
KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION represents the culmination of years of internal development at SINKA ANIMATION PROJECT. For KAF, this project is more than just a soundtrack credit; it is a debut in voice acting. The anime, which is currently streaming on Crunchyroll, serves as a narrative expansion of the lore that has defined the KAMITSUBAKI ecosystem.
"The story of KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION becoming an anime was, both to KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO and myself as a fledgling voice actor, a massive undertaking," KAF explains. "The anime itself has been in the works for years, and it really feels like it’s finally here! My fellow V.W.P members and I have been deeply moved since its release."
The transition from a solo musical act to a collaborative voice cast was a significant hurdle. Unlike music production, where the artist often has granular control over the final mix, voice acting for anime requires a synchronous, team-oriented effort.
Chronology of Creative Evolution
The path to this anime release has been marked by a series of deliberate creative milestones. KAF’s journey began with her identity as a virtual singer, characterized by her distinct, piercingly emotional vocal style. Throughout 2024, she shifted focus toward international accessibility, a goal that culminated in the English-language track "Chase the Day," the ending theme for Episode 0 of the new series.
The Learning Curve: From Singer to Actor
When asked about the most challenging aspects of the production, KAF highlights the nuance of human emotion. "It was honestly difficult for me to convey the emotion of ‘joy’ in a natural way," she admits. "At first, I was finding myself lost in the unfamiliarity of everything. But as I slowly began imagining how my character, Kafu, would think, I started to develop a sense of ownership over the performance."
This growth was mirrored by her work on the fourth remix album, Fable γ. The project features collaborations with 13 different artists, including prominent Vocaloid producers. This reflects a broader trend in KAF’s career: a move away from the "siloed" virtual artist model toward a more interconnected, collaborative creative network.
Supporting Data: Artistic Synergy and Collaboration
The creative footprint of KAF in 2025 is defined by two major collaborative efforts: the Fable γ remix album and the high-profile duet "Break Out" with CHiCO.
Remixing the Past: Fable γ
The remix album is more than a collection of new beats; it is a recontextualization of KAF’s discography. By allowing producers like KAIRUI to reinterpret her work, KAF has allowed her fans to hear her music through different emotional lenses.
"I’ve been listening a lot to ‘Replaceable Goodbye,’ remixed by KAIRUI," she notes. "At the beginning, you can hear the sound of rain, which completely changes the image of the original—a song that felt like a dazzling, painful sunrise. While the loneliness of the song remains, it feels like a completely different scene."
The CHiCO Connection
Perhaps the most sentimental moment for the artist was her collaboration with CHiCO on "Break Out." For KAF, who grew up listening to CHiCO and HoneyWorks during her elementary school years, this was a "dream come true." The track, written by Ryuto Seiri, serves as a testament to the power of vocal blending. KAF notes that the contrast in their vocal qualities—the sharp, delicate nature of their combined performance—creates a "feeling of unity that is very satisfying."
Official Responses: Navigating the English Language
One of the most notable aspects of the KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION rollout is the emphasis on global outreach, particularly through the track "Chase the Day." For a Japanese artist, moving into English-language performance presents significant phonetic and cultural challenges.
"I checked my pronunciation so many times at home," KAF explains. "When I speak normally, I tend to give priority to conveying the message, and pronunciation usually becomes a secondary concern. But it’s not like that when I’m singing. ‘Chase the Day’ is such a lovely ballad with this flowing melody, so I tried my best to make my vocalization with smoothness in mind."
This dedication to linguistic precision signals a maturing global strategy for KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO, aiming to bridge the gap between domestic Japanese audiences and the burgeoning international fan base on platforms like Crunchyroll.
Implications: The Future of Virtual Performance
As we look toward the remainder of 2025, the industry finds itself at a crossroads. The line between "real" and "virtual" artists is blurring, not through technological trickery, but through the shared experience of the audience.
The Vision for Synergy
KAF’s philosophy on the future of her industry is refreshingly egalitarian. She does not advocate for the replacement of traditional human artists with virtual ones; rather, she envisions a symbiotic relationship.
"It doesn’t matter if it’s real or virtual!" she asserts. "Rather than a perfect fusion, I hope we can create a relationship where we can create an even more amazing and fresh experience through synergy, while retaining the limitations, advantages, and charms of each world."
Ambitions Beyond the Digital Realm
Despite her success as a virtual icon, KAF harbors a grounded desire to interact with the physical world in new ways. "As someone who works virtually, I long to perform at an outdoor live event," she says, describing a scene under the open sky or even in the rain—an experience that would push the boundaries of current holographic and AR projection technologies.
Conclusion: What Lies Ahead
As the year draws to a close, KAF remains focused on the upcoming KAMITSUBAKI FES 2025 in November, an event that promises to bring together the entire label roster. Her foray into anime has clearly ignited a new passion; she explicitly stated that she intends to pursue further acting opportunities should they arise.
When asked about her long-term trajectory, KAF remains characteristically humble and diligent. "I intend to continue working diligently on each and every task in front of me," she concludes. "I want to ensure that my team and I at KAMITSUBAKI can continue our activities for a long time."
For fans of the virtual singer, the message is clear: the KAMITSUBAKI CITY UNDER CONSTRUCTION anime is not an end, but a beginning. It is a bold, deliberate step into a future where the virtual is no longer a substitute for reality, but a vital, vibrant extension of it. As she continues to bridge the gap between her digital origins and the demands of professional animation, KAF is proving that the most important element of any performance—virtual or otherwise—remains the human connection at its core.
Pevita Pearce
