Pony Canyon once launched an international audition to discover a new female singer for the theme song of DEEMO THE MOVIE, the animated film based on the popular music rhythm game DEEMO. The project combined music, anime and a worldwide search for a new vocal talent.
The audition became notable not only because of the profile of the project and its connection with composer Yuki Kajiura, but also because aspiring singers outside Japan were allowed to take part. The eventual winner was 14-year-old Hinano Takashima, who went on to become the voice behind the film’s theme song.
What Was the Pony Canyon Female Singer Audition?
The audition was organised to find a singer capable of performing the theme song for DEEMO THE MOVIE. Pony Canyon announced the project in late 2019, with the audition beginning in January 2020.
The winning singer was promised the opportunity to perform the film’s theme song and make a major debut through Pony Canyon. The search was therefore more than a conventional singing competition: it was designed to identify a new artist who could become closely associated with a major anime and music project.
Why Was the Audition Connected to DEEMO?
DEEMO originated as a music rhythm game built around piano performance and atmospheric storytelling. Its combination of music and fantasy helped it develop an international following before the animated film project was announced.
For the film adaptation, music was an important part of the production. Yuki Kajiura was involved in creating the theme music, making vocal performance a central part of the search for the film’s new singer.
Who Could Enter the Audition?
The original audition was open internationally, giving applicants outside Japan an opportunity to participate through online platforms. The published eligibility requirements included being a female singer aged 13 or older and not being under contract with a specific music company or talent agency.
Applicants also needed to be able to participate in later-stage auditions held in Japan. For underage participants, parental consent was required.
What Song Did Applicants Perform?
One of the key audition songs was inside a dream, a song from DEEMO THE MOVIE written and composed by Yuki Kajiura and performed in the original version by Joelle.
The unusual vocal character of the song gave contestants room to demonstrate their individual interpretation. Applicants were also allowed flexibility with the lyrics, including using humming rather than simply reproducing the original vocal arrangement.
How Did the Selection Process Work?
The competition progressed through several stages rather than relying on a single performance.
- Initial applications: Singers submitted performances through the available online platforms.
- Second-stage selection: Candidates faced singing assessments and a short self-presentation.
- Further selection: Successful singers progressed through additional rounds involving professional judging and public participation.
- Final selection: The remaining finalists competed for the opportunity to become the film’s new singing talent.
The format was also adapted during 2020 as the COVID-19 pandemic affected international events. Parts of the later audition process were conducted online, allowing candidates from different countries to participate remotely.
More Than 1,400 People Entered
The scale of the competition helped make the project particularly interesting. Pony Canyon reported that more than 1,400 people from around the world entered the audition.
The international nature of the search was important because it opened an anime theme-song opportunity to singers beyond Japan. It also demonstrated how online auditions could connect music companies with performers from different countries.
Who Won the Pony Canyon DEEMO Audition?
The final winner was Hinano Takashima, who was only 14 years old when she won the competition in July 2020.
Her selection came after multiple rounds involving professional judges and online participation. Yuki Kajiura and other members of the production and music teams evaluated the finalists, with vocal ability and future potential among the important considerations.
Takashima’s victory gave her the opportunity to move from an audition contestant to a professional recording artist connected with the DEEMO film project.
What Happened to the Winning Singer?
The story did not end with the audition. Takashima later adopted the artist name Hinano and continued her development as a singer.
For the theatrical release of DEEMO: Memorial Keys, she performed the theme song “nocturne”, produced by Yuki Kajiura. The song and her association with the film helped turn the original audition into the beginning of a professional music career.
Why the Audition Was Significant
The Pony Canyon audition stands out because it combined several elements that are rarely brought together in a single talent search. It involved a globally recognised game property, an upcoming animated film, an established composer and an open international search for a new singer.
The competition also showed how digital audition formats can expand access to entertainment opportunities. With online submissions and remote stages becoming increasingly important during 2020, singers outside Japan could participate without travelling for every part of the early selection process.
The Legacy of the DEEMO Singer Search
The audition ultimately achieved its main purpose: it introduced a new young vocalist to a major anime and music project. Hinano’s progression from a teenage audition contestant to the singer associated with the film’s theme song became one of the most memorable outcomes of the project.
For fans of DEEMO, the audition also added another layer to the film’s story. Rather than simply selecting an established performer, the production used the project to discover new talent and connect that singer’s career with the world of the franchise.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the Pony Canyon female singer audition for?
The audition was held to find a singer for the theme song of DEEMO THE MOVIE, the animated film based on the DEEMO music game.
Who won the DEEMO singer audition?
Hinano Takashima, whose name was written as 高島一菜, won the audition in 2020 at the age of 14.
How many people entered the audition?
Pony Canyon reported that more than 1,400 people from around the world entered the competition.
Was the audition open to people outside Japan?
Yes. The original announcement allowed applications from both Japan and overseas, with online submission options available for international participants.
What song did the winner eventually perform?
Hinano later performed “nocturne” as the theme song associated with the theatrical DEEMO film, with music produced by Yuki Kajiura.
Conclusion
The Pony Canyon female singer audition for DEEMO THE MOVIE was an ambitious international search for new vocal talent. Beginning in 2020, it brought together more than 1,400 applicants, online audition stages and a professional judging panel connected with the film.
Its most important result was the discovery of Hinano Takashima, who won the competition at just 14 and went on to perform the film’s theme song. The project remains an interesting example of how an anime production can use an open audition to discover and develop a new musical voice.
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