Taking over the world with their unique brand of Harajuku-core, Hanabie. are a genuine sensation. But who inspires vocalist Yukina?
As Hanabie.’s Yukina reveals, she has been “shaped by several bands” in order to become the superstar she is today. Whether it be formative early gigs, witnessing the “aura” of certain rock stars or simply meeting “kind and down-to-earth” people, the singer shares her biggest heroes…
“They’re the band that, together with Matsuri [guitar], taught me the joy and excitement of being in the crowd. When we were around 15 or 16, we’d hang out at Matsuri’s house watching coldrain’s live footage and studying their performances. Masato’s voice, along with the raw energy of his shouts, hit me hard back in those pure high school days when I had just started my band. My style as a vocalist is shaped by several bands, but he is without a doubt one of my biggest foundations.”
“Back in our student days, Matsuri and I went to countless SiM shows and even covered their songs together. MAH’s vocal character is absolutely one of
a kind, and even when he’s just standing onstage, he looks nothing short of a demon. I’ve been deeply influenced by his unwavering commitment to that
style and by the unique melodic lines that only he can create. No matter how hard anyone tries to chase after him, I don’t think anyone could ever reach that level.”
“In 2023, I had the chance to see a lot of Limp Bizkit’s festival and headline shows. He always has this aura and presence that completely commands the stage and the crowd. The way he carries himself is something I’ll admire forever. Around that time, we had just started touring overseas and couldn’t speak English very well, but once we were given the chance to open for Limp Bizkit, I was so excited that I listened to their songs obsessively every single day. Amidst all the nerves, they invited me onstage during their headlining show to sing a song with them. On the very last day, he even gave me an outfit marked with ‘Limp Bizkit’. It felt like he had recognised us, even just a little. That moment, and everything that happened around it, became one of the turning points in my life as a musician. I want to keep my band going for as long as he has, to fire up huge crowds, and to become the kind of artist who can give younger bands the same chances and dreams that he gave me.”
“He was a member of one of the bands we toured with on our second U.S. run. The sheer impact of his performance was so powerful it felt like my brain was about to explode. After watching him, I threw myself into my own shows with even more intensity. He’s the kind of vocalist who radiates energy and passes it on to everyone in the room. On top of that, he’s such a kind and down-to-earth person, which made the whole tour an absolute joy.”
“When I first started my band, I used to feel insecure about my height. No matter how much I performed onstage, I thought I could never project real presence. But when Sabrina Carpenter takes the stage, you don’t feel that at all. She’s also on the shorter side, like me, yet she carries herself with such confidence and star power. I absolutely love how, beneath that flawless presence, she also shows a playful and charming side. Even though our genres and styles are different, I truly admire her as an artist.”
This interview originally appeared in the autumn 2025 issue of the magazine.
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