JAM Artists Light Up Cosplay Carnival 2026: Exclusive Interview with halca, Who-ya Extended, and Naomi Payton

 

JAM Artists Light Up Cosplay Carnival 2026: Exclusive Interview with halca, Who-ya Extended, and Naomi Payton

Cosplay Carnival 2026 wasn’t just a celebration of creativity and fandom—it also brought together some of Japan’s most exciting AniSong artists under one stage. In an exclusive media interview, halca, Who-ya Extended, and Naomi Payton shared heartfelt stories, dream collaborations, and messages for their global fans, giving a glimpse into the passion behind their music.

halca on Dream Collaborations and Fan Memories
Known for her bright, emotional vocals and strong connection to anime music, halca has made a name for herself through songs featured in popular anime series. Her music blends sincerity and energy, resonating deeply with fans both in Japan and internationally.

● What’s one dream collaboration you’d love to make happen?

    halca: There’s a lot of actors - actually, a lot of artists that I want to collab with. But first, I would like to collab with ASCA, who also belongs to the same label SACRA Music. We’ve actually eaten together and had a live collaboration before, but I want to be able to do something more physical, like have a song together, and actually I’m also a fan of ASCA before, that’s why I want to have this collaboration.

    halca: The second artist is Yui Makino, [which] started when I listened to the song Aria. And it was the first time I actually physically cried when I listened to the song. And there was also a time that I was listening to Yui Makino so much that I couldn't sleep without listening to her voice.

    halca: The third artist that I want to collab with is Meg Rock. She’s known for songs like

specifically from Renai Circulation, which she wrote the lyrics for. And also she’s from the song “Catch You Catch Me” which is used for Cardcaptor Sakura. I love the songs Meg Rock specifically sings, writes lyrics, and her songs. I actually love Meg Rock very much, and I want to sing a song that Meg Rock has created someday.

    halca: For the movie of “Love is War” anime, I was in charge in singing one of the songs within the anime. But the main theme song of the movie, Meg Rock was the one who actually composed the song. And, probably every connection, Meg Rock started following me, probably because I was the artist in charge of the insert song. And sometimes Meg Rock would like some of my tweets, which makes me very happy because I think that Meg Rock is like a god.

● What’s the most memorable fan interaction you’ve had so far?

    halca: As for my memorable interactions with fans, one of the - it's also a bit similar to myanswers earlier, where I had the concert in Saudi Arabia and my first concert in Japan. Butanother one is when I had my first debut anniversary, I had an event where there was a talk, [and] there was a singing corner. I was a bit pressured by the schedule because there was a lot happening. But, suddenly I heard the crackers pop, and [turns out] it was actually a surprise prepared by the staff and the people who came to the event who wanted to celebrate my first anniversary. And seeing those fans being so happy, to be able to celebrate my first anniversarymade me very happy. And also seeing the fans happy, we’re very happy.

● Lastly, do you have a message for your fans who continue to support you around the world?

    halca: Thanks to AniSong, because of this career, where I was an AniSong singer, I was able togo to a lot of countries, which I wanted to visit ever since I was young.

    halca: So even when I came to the Philippines, there are already a lot of dramatic things

happening. I already had a lot of memories so far and feel like I was able to fulfill my life... my dreams in life; slowly meet a lot of people and make a lot of memories as well. And just like in the lyrics of Weekend Roll, she hopes to be able to make these memories one by one and be able to preserve them.

    halca: And I definitely hope to come back to the Philippines, so I hope for your continued support.

Who-ya Extended: Every Performance is Unforgettable

Who-ya Extended is known for its dynamic sound and emotionally driven performances, often tied to intense and story-rich anime series. Their music stands out for its powerful vocals and atmospheric compositions that leave a lasting impression on listeners.

• What has been your most unforgettable live performance so far
  Who-ya: There's actually no number one because I remember all of my performances, and of course, per country, it's a different experience, it's a different live concert. So there are no [two] experiences, so I can't remember each of the concerts and performances that I did.

Naomi Payton’s Simple but Powerful Message

With a unique voice and global background, Naomi Payton continues to connect with fans worldwide through her music. Her artistry reflects both technical skill and genuine emotion, making her performances especially memorable.

● Do you have a message for your fans who continue to support you around the world?

    Naomi Payton: If I have to summarize I think it would probably be: I love you. There’s no exaggeration to this or anything. It warms my heart when I see people from far away places discover me, support me, give me kind messages, and even to learn Japanese from zero.

A Celebration of Music and Connection
Cosplay Carnival 2026 once again proved how music transcends borders. Through their stories and sincerity, halca, Who-ya Extended, and Naomi Payton reminded fans that AniSong is more than just music—it’s a shared experience that connects people across cultures.

Photo Credits: Cosplay.ph
Special thanks to Cosplay.ph for having Team Gensokyo as an official media partner for Cosplay Carnival 2026.