The JAM Concert stage has returned for its 2nd consecutive year for Cosplay Carnival, which was a very welcomed one as we also celebrate the event’s 10th year anniversary as part of Cosplay.PH‘s major events to look forward to every year. This time, the concert guest artists went from 2 to 3 this year, from Who-ya Extended, halca, and Naomi Payton. For this article, we will be focusing on the Japanese music group, Who-ya Extended.
As a refresher, Who-ya Extended, whose main member is the vocalist Who-ya, debuted in November 2019 with the single “Q-vism” from SME Records. The song was the opening theme of the TV anime “Psycho-Pass 3“ which started broadcasting in the same month. The group is also known for the song “VIVID VICE” which was used as the opening song for the 2nd cour of the anime “Jujutsu Kaisen“ back in January 2021.
Now, without further ado, let us share what transpired in the exclusive interview by Cosplay.PH, along with other media partners, for Cosplay Carnival 2026 last March 29, 2026.
Humble beginnings of the band
Question: Who have been your musical influences as you were growing up?
Who-ya: From growing up, my mom specifically loved Linkin Park, so I also grew up to love music.
Question: What have been your favorite inspirations for your musical creativity?
Who-ya: I actually like rock, but at the same time, I don’t decide if I like or hate a particular genre of music. I try to listen to all and to all of them. if it’s an inspiration, perhaps that would be it.
Question: How was Who-ya Extended formed, and what was the vision behind the project?
Who-ya: “I started the band in high school and we started with cover songs. During that time, I thought making music was really fun. At the same time, I got the opportunity to meet, or to be introduced to, my grandparents. I also started to be introduced with Psycho Pass 3, and that was also my debut. Who-ya and Extended, where [Extended] is like an extension or becoming bigger. It’s like filter and extension into something bigger.
Question: If you had to describe your music in one word, what would it be and why?
Who-ya: “I think the music for Who-ya Extended extends to a lot of genres, and I think letting me explaining it in one word, I would have to say “Freedom”.”
Question: If you were to describe your music taste in one word, what word would that be and why?
Who-ya: “It would be rock, loud rock. Ever since I was a kid, I was saved by rock.”
On their creative process and more
On this part, we had a chance to ask her a question that fans are curious about. Our correspondent Franz was the one assigned for this interview.
F: Is there a particular series that has yet received an anime adaptation for which you would love to compose a song?
Who-ya: “There are a lot, (he answers while laughing as he emphasizes that its A LOT) but if you are asking me to give one, it would be Drama Queen, which is quite famous in Japan now and its by JUMP. It’s a manga that hasn’t been made into an anime, so I think I would want to do one for that.”
F: What genre of music would you like to explore further or challenge yourself to compose for?
Who-ya: “For the past 5 years, Loud Rock, has been famous, plus EDM is something I am interested in.”
F: If given a chance to perform on stage with another artist or band, who would you like to perform with or collaborate with in the future?
Who-ya: “I think I mentioned earlier that I used to do band work when I was in high school. At that time, we were doing covers of One O’Clock, so I would like to collaborate with One O’Clock in the future.” (by the end of his answer he had a huge smile on his face as it is something he really looks forward to)
After this question, its now the turn of the different members of the media to ask Who-ya Extended.
Question: How did you feel when your songs were used for popular anime like PSYCHO-PASS and Jujutsu Kaisen?
Who-ya: I actually grew up reading the weekly Shonen Jump manga. I also grew up watching a lot of anime. So when these anime came out, like first episode, first broadcast, I was very happy of course. But at the same time, I cannot believe it was reality. So it’s kind of still a shock.
Question: Which songs in your discography do you consider the most powerful and what makes it stands out?
Who-ya: “It would be the song for Jujutsu Kaisen 3, which is, of course, VIVID ICE. That was a chance where a lot of people from different countries got to be introduced to me as well. I think its thanks to that song as well, that I was able to come here in the Philippines.”
Question: Can you share with us your routine when you compose or produce a song which will be used for a TV anime series?
Who-ya: “For anime songs, I receive the story and the setting of the anime in advance. I think everyone knows this, but Japanese anime is very deep. There are a lot of emotions and stories in the story. Anime is made with a deep context. For example, the characters’ emotions and stuff like that. For anime songs, I try to incorporate as well the and I think its a difficult thing to do as well, but for me its also an enjoyable experience.
Question: What is your thought process when coming up with names for albums and songs?
Who-ya: “It actually depends on the songs, but I actually don’t write the lyrics. I don’t write the title first and write the lyrics. On the other hand, I write the title first and then the lyrics. So, the title would be the face of the song, and it would tell what kind of song it would be. So, I decide on the title first.”
Question: what do you tend to do to unwind after you finish a recording session?
Who-ya: “I drink alcohol. (follows a heartful laugh) I eat a delicious meal, and then after that, I drink alcohol.”
On live performances, concerts, and their first time in the Philippines
Question: This is your first time performing in the Philippines, what kind of energy or connection are you hoping to deliver to your fans?
Who-ya: “We actually choose a lot of representative songs in our setlist tonight, so we hope that the fans would be able to enjoy the performance tonight.”
Question: Many of your songs are tied to anime, how does performing live ?
Who-ya: “It actually does not change whether the song is an anime song or not. But, I try to do it on stage, and ofcourse for anime songs, you can see that the audience are more excited.”
Question: What has been your most unforgettable live experience or performance so far?
Who-ya: “There is actually no number one, because I remember all of my performances, and of course, per country. It is a different experience, it is a different live concert, so there are no two experiences as the standing members of the concert and performance.”
Question: What is the most challenging part of performing and how do you overcome it?
Who-ya: “During live concerts, I think about a lot of stuff, at the same time. It is difficult for my head, brain, and body to link together. I think about the song, I think about the lyrics, I think about how my body will move. Though, sometimes I think that my mind and body are not linking or syncing properly. If you are asking me how I overcome it, honestly, it is still not resolved, but I do try to not overthink things.”
Question: What was your reaction when you found out that you were going to perform in the Philippines?
Who-ya: “In just a simple word, I felt very, very happy. I have been to a lot of different countries. I have been a couple of countries as well and on those countries I’ve been able to come back several times. But for the Philippines its my first time here, so when I visit a country for the first time, its also a very good or memorable experience for me.
Question: What is your message to your Filipino fans?
Who-ya: “I am very happy to be able to come to the Philippines, but I actually knew a while back that a lot of Filipino fans were already listening to my music.”
Who-ya has expressed his thanks for the warm welcome the Philippine audience gave him and looks forward to be back in the future.
“This is my first time in the Philippines, and of course, I’m very happy to be here. Thank you for coming as well. But in the future, of course, my goal is also to have a solo concert in the Philippines. So, I hope you also continue to support us.”
We at SetsuAni would like to thank Cosplay.PH once again for letting this exclusive interview take place during Cosplay Carnival 2026 last March 29, 2026, and letting us be one of their trusted media partners for this year’s series of events.
See: Cosplay Carnival 2026: A Decade of Celebration at the Emerald Revelry!
See: A Weekend Rolls worth of stories with Halca, an exclusive interview
See: Into the Galaxy! Questions Relayed in getting to know Naomi Payton
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