Maebashi Witches release 'Shunka' ahead of their film's premiere

The group Maebashi Witches released their mini album Shunka just before the premiere of Gekijōban Maebashi Witches: Majo Minarai no Emoemories, the film that reconstructs the TV series aired between April and June 2025 and that hit Japanese theaters on October 23. The record includes "Amehare Make up," the film's main theme, as well as "Kimi-iro Brand new day!!," the song for the group's second anniversary, and "Issai☆Kassai."

The five members spoke with USEN's music outlet about the new songs, the re-recordings of their early tracks, and what reaching two years as a group has meant for them. The full interview, conducted by Ōkubo Kazunori with photographs by Nakamura Kō, was published on the company's website.

The five members of Maebashi Witches pose together in their lolita-style outfits.e.usen.com

Lyrics written by someone who knows the work

"Amehare Make up" has a particularity: the lyrics are credited to Iwai Yūki, of the comedy duo Haraiichi, who has followed Maebashi Witches since their beginnings. Momose Honami explained that receiving lyrics from him was special because Iwai has supported the group from the start and knows the content thoroughly. According to her, the comedian attached a final document to the material explaining what he wanted to convey with each part of the lyrics.

Miwa Haruka placed the song within the line of rain-related themes they had already worked on in "Meteor Shower" and "Tenkiame Wonderland." Here, the worries of each of the five are compared to rain, and the song progresses until those problems are resolved and good weather arrives. For her, the affection Iwai feels for the work is noticeable in every line, and that allows them to return that affection by singing.

Hinomoto Reina, for her part, recalled that being the main song of a film that summarizes the series, the lyrics capture what the five experienced in the story: the arguments, the conversations, and everything they overcame together. "Being able to sing a song like this is something we can only do because we have grown," she said.

The detail only fans will catch

Sakikawa Hinano confessed that the first line of the chorus, "kyutto shite kō yatte saita kara," reminded her of the scenes where her character, Azu, squeezes Keroppe, the 35-centimeter frog-like creature that recruited the five as witch apprentices. Hinomoto nodded, laughing: "Azu was always squeezing him." And Sakikawa added that without Keroppe none of them would have met, so the character is essential to Maebashi Witches.

Kasuga Sakura highlighted the bouncy melody of the song and explained that during recording she tried to sing as if she were hopping. "It's one of those melodies that sticks with you after a single listen," she commented.

Two years in a single song

"Kimi-iro Brand new day!!" was born as a thank-you for the second anniversary, but Momose clarified that the intention is for it to be a song people keep loving for many years. Sakikawa defined it as a track where the weight is carried more by the actresses than the characters: a way of saying "thank you" directly to those who have followed them.

Hinomoto pointed out a detail that makes the song special: the lyrics include the names of the five members and their characters. Miwa added that seeing her name written in a song makes her feel loved, and that being able to sing something so direct feels like a privilege. The line "kono basho wa zutto takaramono nanda" (this place will always be a treasure) is, for her, the one that sums up that feeling.

Kasuga kept another line: "warawaretatte rashiku ikō!" (even if they laugh at us, let's keep being ourselves). She thinks it fits characters full of flaws and a group that has grown by performing and singing live. Miwa took the chance to highlight Kasuga's rap in this song and said that, when they record, each of them sings the whole song before the parts are divided. Listening to Kasuga's rap, they all understood why it was given to her. Kasuga, laughing, said the music producer told her the good thing about her rap was that it "spins in the void in a pleasant way."

Re-recording their beginnings, two years later

Shunka also includes 2026 versions of "Sugosugi Maebashi Witches!" and "Sorezore no Door," the group's first songs. Momose noticed when listening to them that their voices sound stronger than in the originals and attributed it to the confidence they have gained. Miwa was more specific: before, she tried hard to sing well, and now she prefers to have fun and put more emotion into it, taking care of her character's personality.

Kasuga explained that in the original version of "Sorezore no Door" her voice sounded fragile, as if she were talking to something small in the palm of her hand. In the re-recording she sings to reach further, a change she attributes to the experience of concerts. Sakikawa added that at first she struggled to hit the high notes with her natural voice and that now she reaches them effortlessly, with more expressive resources.

Momose also noted that, while keeping each member's personality, their voices in unison now sound much more cohesive. Two years ago each one went her own way; today they sing in their own style but together. Hinomoto closed the idea with a comparison: in the first recording she felt she had to prove what Maebashi Witches was through the music; now she says it with confidence, because she already knows.

What to expect from the film and the upcoming live show

About the film, Miwa assured that it works both for those who haven't seen the series and for those who followed it, and that you can cry on every viewing, without the humor being absent. Momose recalled that there are new scenes that weren't on TV, new outfits, and many songs. "It's not a simple recap," Miwa insisted.

The group, gathered in front of a shiny decorative background.e.usen.com

The group's next step is a solo concert at Shibuya LOVEZ in Tokyo on January 15 and 16, 2027, with three performances: one on Friday night and two on Saturday, in the afternoon and at night. Kasuga promised a live show that serves as a compilation of what they've experienced and that hints at where Maebashi Witches can go from here.