FELIP, the leading face of the Filipino music scene, visits Japan! After his first live performance in Japan, FELIP’s love for manga and anime explodes with a shopping spree! 【Pocket Money Shopping Spree with Animate】

Manga and anime fuel FELIP's passion

Animate Times: "How was today’s shopping?"

FELIP: "I had so much fun. As a kid, I always dreamed of freely buying anime and manga goods like this. Today felt like a return to that childhood dream. I envy how people in Japan get to experience this every day (laughs). I am truly happy that I got to be a part of such a fun feature!"

Animate Times: "Thank you. Animate actually has other branches in some other countries but this was your first visit to the store, right?"

FELIP: "Yes. I normally ask my manager for help or find someone who can bring these goods to me from Japan, or just order them online. It’s almost mesmerizing that there are so many titles of goods and books available in Animate."

Animate Times: "Animate Ikebukuro flagship store is the world’s biggest anime shop, but was it surprising to see the store?"

FELIP: "All of the anime and manga I’ve watched and read were in this building so it was surprising. Watching anime gets rid of my stress as I normally work from day to night. So, it felt like I got out of a cage when I visited Animate. I almost forgot I came here for work today, so I am really grateful."

Animate Times: "We are happy too that we enjoyed the shopping! How do you normally watch anime?"

FELIP: "I used to watch them on the TV when I was little. I’m so happy to be able to watch them anytime I want now though since we now have more options such as the internet and the subscription services."

Animate Times: "You bought some SLAM DUNK items. You said you were inspired in various ways but have you been a fan of it since your childhood?"

FELIP: "Yes of course! I’ve been a huge fan since I was a kid!"

Animate Times: (laughs)

FELIP: "I like it to a level that I’m certain I’m the biggest fan in the world. It was the first anime that made me feel like I fell in love with it. The story is just so amazing. For example, it’s cool when Mitsui comes back to the team. He dropped out once but started to play basketball again despite some confrontations with his teammates, and I like the depiction of Anzai sensei feeling sorry for his struggle. This episode resonated with my life. Even if you dropped out of the track, you can give another shot in life. Hanamichi’s personality also changes and develops as he starts to play basketball. That’s why I love them. There’s been so many anime and manga that came out before and after I met SLAM DUNK, but SLAM DUNK just hits special. A first love. It’s a first love that will never end."

Animate Times: "Well said."

FELIP: "Hanamichi never played basketball, so he’s not good at it, but he taught me to just keep trying. He was the worst player out of the team but he practiced the most and gained the skills. Such a stance of Hanamichi had greatly inspired my works as an artist."

Animate Times: "Such works from Japan have been inspiring you then. You also mentioned that Daiki Aomine from Kuroko’s Basketball inspired one of your songs."

FELIP: "Certainly. I wrote my song SUPERORITY with an inspiration from Aomine’s line: "The only one who can beat me is me.” This song’s theme is about a fight with yourself. Music is not a competition with other artists for me. I was able to come this far by keeping challenging myself. Every single day, I want to be a better and stronger version of me. I think you can go to the next level when you overcome yourself. I think Aomine’s line is exactly talking about this. The song talks about the past carry on and about beating out yourself in the past."

Animate Times: "Thanks for sharing your thoughts with us. Lastly, could you give a message to your Japanese fans please?"

FELIP: "To the readers and to fellow anime fans, please moderately read and watch manga and anime. Please eat and drink water too! Also, I know there are a lot of manga characters who are overly confident and cool, but don’t be influenced too much by them (with laughter). Be responsible and don’t be arrogant to others!"

Animate Times & FELIP: (laughs so hard)

Animate Times: "It’s a preach to otaku."

FELIP: "You will get dark circles like I do if you don’t control yourself. You cannot think of work and can easily stay up till dawn if you watch those great anime. You guys cannot be like me!"

Animate Times: "Thank you, we will also be careful."

FELIP: "Let’s enjoy responsibility!"

We also love Japanese manga and anime!

FELIP has taught us how lucky we are and how much Japanese anime and manga are loved in the world. Don’t we also have readers who were encouraged by anime and manga to open up their lives just like FELIP? Our daily lives can be motivated by having your favorite titles and characters, their lines, the lyrics you encounter in your daily life. Animate will keep having goods from a variety of titles for those who love the works and love together with the story and the characters!

[writer/Taira　editor/Haruka Ishibashi　photographer/Ryo Ogawa]

Release Information

Album Information

Artist: FELIP
Album: 7sins
Japan CD Release Date: Wednesday, August 21, 2024
Japan CD Info: WPCR-18683: 3,300 JPY (tax included)
Digital Release Date: Friday, July 5, 2024
Digital Streaming and Japan CD Link: https://japan.lnk.to/7sinsFELIP