[LEVEL UP PLAY 24] EXCLUSIVE: Anisong Sensation Nami Tamaki Shares How the Gundam SEED Series Opened Her Music Career

Imagine the electric atmosphere as the voice behind some of your favorite Gundam themes takes the stage in Malaysia for the first time. That’s exactly what’s happened at LEVEL UP PLAY 2024. We had the incredible opportunity to sit down with Nami Tamaki, getting the inside scoop on her Malaysian debut.

For those who might not be in the anime loop, Nami Tamaki is the powerhouse voice behind popular theme songs from hit series like Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY, D.Gray-man, and most recently, Mobile Suit Gundam: SEED FREEDOM.

Tamaki expressed her excitement about finally meeting her Malaysian fans, stating, “There are fans who have been asking me to come to Malaysia for a long time, so I’m very happy that I’m finally able to come here 21 years after my debut.” During her visit, she had the opportunity to try local cuisine, particularly enjoying Kuey Teow soup and Satay.

Earlier this year, Tamaki appeared on THE FIRST TAKE, a popular YouTube series where artists perform songs in a single take. She performed her song “Believe,” which is closely associated with the Gundam SEED anime series. Reflecting on the experience, Tamaki admitted, “Since it was just one take, I was really nervous. However, I practiced a lot, so I was able to really showcase my skills.”

The singer’s connection to the Gundam franchise runs deep. She began watching Gundam SEED in her early teens and has been a fan ever since. Tamaki shared, “I also started watching Gundam Seed when I was 13 or 14 years old, because it was broadcasted when it was easy for girls to watch and start watching. My mother was a fan of Char, so I also read the First Gundam manga for a long time.”

Gundam SEED featured Tamaki’s debut song ‘Believe,’ which she considers a foundational experience in her career. “My debut was really with Believe through the Gundam SEED series, marking the start of my music career. I see that project as something like a foundation that helped me grow,” she explained. When asked about her favorite Gundam models, she expressed a tie: “I really love Justice Gundam, but I also have a strong affection for the Strike Gundam. So, it’s a tie between the two for me.”

Beyond her musical career, Tamaki revealed her passion for gaming. She’s an avid player of Apex Legends, saying, “I really like Apex Legends, and my favorite characters to use are Bangalore and Lifeline. After I finish work, around 6 PM, I make it a rule to start playing.” Her gaming interests extend to other titles as well, including Call of Duty, Mario RPG, Everybody’s Golf, and the Resident Evil series.

Tamaki also discussed her long-standing relationship with the Monster Hunter franchise, mentioning, “I have been playing Monster Hunter since the PSP era and am actually good friends with the producer.” She added, “Overall, if I include the entire series of Monster Hunter, it’s like around 1,000 hours.”

Looking ahead, Tamaki shared plans for touring different countries and organizing ONEMAN LIVE performances in Japan. “I plan to tour in many locations, including countries I’ve been to before and ones I haven’t visited yet. I’m also working on organizing ONEMAN LIVE in Japan and Tokyo as well,” she revealed.

In closing, Nami Tamaki expressed her gratitude to her Southeast Asian fans, saying, “I’ve always been very appreciative of all my fans from Southeast Asia, and I’m really happy that I get to come here and meet everyone. I’m looking forward to showing my appreciation through my performance tomorrow. I’ll do my best to express my gratitude through the performance, and I also want to thank you all for your long-term support.”

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