It's been a year since the voice actor Kenaki Ono debuted as a singer. The second single disc "ZERO" is the latest OP song of the Tetsuko chapter of the TV animation "Kuroko's Basketball" in which he starred in the protagonist Tetsuya Kuroko. The song is both in line with the theme of the anime and incorporates his own strong thoughts, which is perfect for enjoying in the spring when everything is recovering. Let's take a look at Kensho Ono's thoughts on this new song.

――How did you feel when you heard that the second single disc "ZERO" was the OP song of the Teiko chapter of "Kuroko's Basketball"?

Ono: It's just joy. In this work, I played the protagonist, but I didn't expect that I could actually sing the theme song. When I first started voicing "Kuroko's Basketball", I didn't expect to have the opportunity to sing the theme song, so I was really happy and honored.

――Your debut work "FANTASTICTUNE" is also an ED song from "Kuroko's Basketball", is it because of the support of your fans?

Ono: That's right. Thanks to the support of the fans. Especially this time, it is the theme song of "Diguang Chapter", and it has a deep connection with Kuroko Tetsuya, and I heard the voices of many fans.

――Judging from the reactions on the Internet, fans of the original work have already reminisced about many images from the released music video clips.

Ono: It's a tearjerker (laughs).

――How did you feel when you received the song "ZERO"?

Ono: What kind of song to write and what kind of lyrics to fill in are all things that I ask for at first, and then I leave them directly to R.O.N. I listened to it once and thought, "It's definitely fine."

-- What are your requests?

Ono: R.O.N. helped me write my first single "FANTASTICTUNE" and "TOUCH" from the mini album, and this is our third time working together. "FANTASTICTUNE" is a song that goes on a rampage and goes forward, and "TOUCH" is a song with a wider perspective, so I hope this new song can be somewhere in between. It's been a year of training, and I've improved a little bit, so I'm able to sing this song.

――Did "ZERO" already decide to be the OP song of "Kuroko's Basketball" at the production stage?

Ono: Yes. Kuroko went through a lot of stories when he was in junior high school, but before that, when he first started playing basketball, he focused on this part, and then I didn't think I should be overly inclined to the work, so I added something to this song that I had always wanted to do so far.

――Is it not just music, but also acting?

Ono: Yes. What I've done so far, both in music and in performance, is connected, and what I'm doing now is also connected to the future. What I am doing now is work, and I decided that I would do my best to do what was in front of me and convey this thought.

-- The lyrics reflect this strong thought of yours. For example, the "This is my progression" part at the end of the interlude.

Ono: My favorite is "Let's shine in my future" in the second chorus. It's very nice to hear here.

-- In the first refrain, there is a line that reads, "To face the future with pride." Based on your personal experience, do you feel that you are close to the ideal you envisioned at the beginning?

Ono: I don't think it's about trying hard after you've decided on your ideals, but you have to enjoy each period seriously, and I think that's the most important thing. Although I am very busy right now, as long as I do it happily, my life will be fulfilling.

――What about recording?

Ono: It took a long time. It's been a while since I made the mini album "TouchtheStyle", and I haven't been singing all the time, so it took a while to get my feel back. Singing and listening, singing and listening, repeating the process again and again until I found a singing voice that was close to the feeling I wanted. I don't know how to put it into words.

――What should I pay attention to when singing not as a character song, but as "Kensho Ono"?

Ono: It's not a deliberate attempt to change anything, it's a feeling. When singing character songs, you have to take into account the feelings and positions of the characters, and you can find the feeling even after a while, but when you sing as Kensho Ono, you don't know what the right answer is. Because there is no clear answer, it is necessary to keep trying and recording, so it takes a long time.

――Is it all based on feelings?

Ono: Music, like acting, is the most important thing to have fun.

――You're very active in composing music this time, and I'm looking forward to writing your own songs.

Ono: I've always wanted to find an opportunity to write my own lyrics in the future, but I can't write lyrics with my current ability. However, one day I will definitely take on the challenge.