Bi-ray is a four-member girl vocal group. The members are Cocomi (15), Emi (17), Michelle (14), and Hinata (16), with an average age of 15, but they have attracted attention for their four-octave vocal range and solid expressiveness. The music video for their debut single, "Butterfly" (2025), produced by X JAPAN's YOSHIKI, has been viewed over 10 million times and was also selected as the theme song for the American Hollywood movie "BRIDE HARD."
This rising star group has released their second digital single, "LET YOU GO." It's a heartbreaking love song about the wavering emotions of facing a break with a happy past, and the music video features Yumia Fujisaki (18), an actress who has attracted attention for her role as the heroine in the Netflix series "Ikusagami." We spoke to them about this collaboration, which brings together young talents close in age, about the highlights of the music video, and their future prospects.
-How did you feel when you found out that Fujisaki would be appearing in the music video?
Emi: I had seen "Ikusagami," so I was really looking forward to seeing how they would express the world of "LET YOU GO."
Cocomi: I've seen your success so I was happy to have you appear on the show!
- Fujisaki-san, how was your first collaboration with Bi-ray?
Fujisaki: I met them for the first time on set, and I thought they were all sparkling and cute, just like the Pretty Cure I watched when I was little.
Bi-ray: I'm happy (laughs)!
--You're all close in age, aren't you? Did you have any common topics to talk about?
Fujisaki: First of all, I was surprised to find out that I was the oldest, a third-year high school student (laughs).
Emi: We're different ages, so it was really easy to talk to each other. In the music video, there's a scene where Fujisaki draws a picture on the frost on the window of a bus, and we talked about that illustration. We said things like, "This is an octopus, right?" and "The tic-tac-toe game brings back memories."
-What did you think watching Fujisaki's performance up close?
Michelle: The screen is dark and sad until the final chorus, but then it suddenly brightens up and Fujisaki's eyes light up. It really left an impression on me.
Fujisaki: Thank you (laughs). When I saw the finished music video, with Bi-ray's singing voice added, the winter atmosphere was conveyed even more than I imagined. I was touched by the change in emotions from meeting to parting, and the way the main character grows through the separation. I think it's the perfect song for graduations and school entrance ceremonies.
--It's a bittersweet love song, but were there any parts of it that you could relate to?
Michelle: I experienced my first love last year, so singing this song brings back memories of that time. I feel happy when I'm singing it (laughs).
Hinata: Actually, I had a crush on someone last year, but he graduated before I could even talk to him... I remembered how I felt then.
Fujisaki: I really related to the way she pretended to be okay even though it was painful, and the words she wanted to say but couldn't. She had to move forward, but it was hard to let go. It reminded me of that frustrating conflict.
--This is the first song not produced by YOSHIKI.
Emi: I think it's a new challenge. Because it's a ballad, everyone was fired up to express it in a way that's different from what we've done before.
Michelle: Our debut song "Butterfly" was a refreshing and positive song, but "LET YOU GO" is a song that expresses past memories and deep emotions. We want to show a new side of us!
-Please tell us your future goals.
Hinata: As a group, I really want to perform at a lot of festivals and live shows. I want to sing more at live shows and reach out to people, and I want to be someone who can give someone a push.
Cocomi: My goal is to perform a solo concert at Nippon Budokan. To achieve that, I want to soar even higher!
--What are your future plans, Fujisaki-san?
Fujisaki: Until now, I have often been pulled along by those around me, so from now on, I would like to become an actor who can support a production with my own efforts. I would like to appear in a Asadora or win a film award someday, so that I can give back to the people who support me.
--There's a possibility that one day you'll both become popular and collaborate again.
Fujisaki: I'd love to work with you again!
Bi-ray: Thank you very much!
*The "saki" in Fujisaki Yumia's name is pronounced "tatsusaki" (standing cape).
