Hiroki Takahashi
While rocking out as the frontman of "COME ON BABY" from 1984 to 1991, Hiroki also sang "Makafushigi Adventure!" in 1986, which was the first opening theme song for the Dragon Ball anime.
He went on a hiatus from the music scene from 1994 until 2004, when he made his return to the limelight with releases "Makafushigi Adventure! ～2005～" and the theme song of the Wii game "Dragon Ball Tenkaichi Daibouken", "POWER OF DREAMER".

I'll tell you, that was my first time singing the full version of "Makafushigi Adventure!" in quite a while, and it's as difficult as ever!

I remember when we were recording it in the studio, there were so many little cues for timing that I had to follow.
The "ze!" in the starting bit when I sing "Tsukamou ze!" is something between a 16th and an 8th note, and it always bothered no matter what they said. (laughs)

There wasn't really much in the way of creating music through programming and computers back then either, and so I was really surprised when I heard a techno-style version of Makafushigi Adventure! It was something completely different to rock. It was really great—revolutionary, even! I still feel the same way about it.

Makafushigi Adventure is the only anime song I've ever done, but because it was for a series as incredible and universally loved as Dragon Ball—its first theme song, no less—I've been able to connect with people all around the world through music.
I can't even begin to express how thankful I am to Akira Toriyama and Dragon Ball.

I first sang Makafushigi Adventure when I was in my 20s, and it still feels the same as it did back then, but I think maybe there's a little more maturity to it now... But some things about it will never change. A lot of people still sing it at karaoke and that kind of thing too, so I hope that when they heard me sing it, they thought, "Ohh, so that's how he sings it now!"

U-ya Asaoka
Debuted in 1995 as the lead singer of "FIELD OF VIEW" with their single "Kimi ga Itara" and followed up with their smash-hit second single "Totsuzen", which sold over a million copies.
From 1996, Yuya released a string of hit songs, starting with Dragon Ball GT's opening theme song, "DAN DAN Kokoro Hikareteku".
After FIELD OF VIEW disbanded in 2002, he went on to pursue a career as a solo performer.
2022 marked the 18th anniversary of his solo debut.

It's crazy to think that I'm here in a high-tech studio with all the latest gear, singing a song from 25 years ago.
It really reaffirms just how loved Dragon Ball is all over the world.

When I was first put on as the singer for Dragon Ball GT's theme song, I really liked it because of how catchy the titular "DAN DAN Kokoro Hikareteku" lyric was, but as time went on, I realized that the lyrics actually fit very well with Dragon Ball.
There's the part that goes "Ai to yuuki to hokori wo motte tatakau yo" (I'll fight with love, courage, and pride), and that's just Dragon Ball in a nutshell. The more time passes, the deeper the lyrics seem to get.

On the other hand, I don't think I ever want to change the way I sing it.
I didn't want to disappoint any of the fans who used to watch the TV anime, so I sang it for the halftime show as close as I could to the way it is on the CD.
Even though it's a live performance, I'm worried that if I change it up too much, then it won't live up to how people remember it.

Personally, I'm happier when I can listen to it and think, "Ahh, you never change."
I've become a better singer over the years, so maybe some parts sound a little more polished than they used to. (laughs)
I think I'm the only person who'll notice, though.

Hironobu Kageyama
Debuted as the vocalist of the band "LAZY" in 1977. After changing labels to Nippon Columbia, he began singing songs for anime and tokusatsu series, including the opening theme song "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" for Dragon Ball Z in 1989.
After providing vocals for a plethora of anime songs, Hironobu became known as the face of anime music in Japan.
In 2000, he formed "JAM Project", a unit of anime-song singers, and is still active as its current leader.

"CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" is a special song. In terms of renown, it's like, ULTRA-famous. (laughs)
People know it wherever you go.

I've sang more anime songs than I can count over the years, but every time I sing "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" at a concert, the temperature of the venue jumps up by 2 or 3 degrees C at least.
When I performed it for this special show, it was like all those stages I've played at all over the world appeared in front of me.

Even now, I still remember being blown away the first time I heard Dragon Ball's first opener.
The speed, the power—it was incredible. The visuals on the screen, the music, and the lyrics all work together perfectly to create a tremendously memorable result.
That song is where I still get my energy to sing Dragon Ball songs to this day.

Even though "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" is ultra famous, there are of course a lot of people who really love "WE GOTTA POWER" too.
I think it's because the story of the anime at the time is tied to that song in their memories.
The big twists they remember, what was going on in their lives at the time they first watched it; those things can have a big impact on what a song means to people, and for some people it's the songs that came later, rather than the ones at the start, that they feel the strongest connection to.
And so, for both kinds of people and all their memories, I hope they enjoyed these two songs I performed.