[Interview] Lag:N/A Discovers the Significance of Sword Dancing at Overseas Events and the Potential of Metaverse Sword Performance

Yes, I was honestly happy to be able to perform on the big stage of the Immersive section of the RAIN DANCE Film Festival, which has a history of more than 30 years.

I went to see LANCIA MISUMI perform Metaverse Ondo at an event called “THE BLACK SUN” as a gallery

After LANCIA MISUMI finished playing, I was dancing a sword dance in the back of the crowd to the music of the next performer, so as not to disturb the others.

Then Maria, the Curator of Raindance Immersive, asked me if I would like to perform on stage. I gladly accepted the proposal and jumped in to perform a sword dance.

It was very well received and I was able to enliven the event as a participant and performer.

I was then invited to officially participate as a performer at the “RAIN DANCE IMMARCIVE” awards ceremony after-party, which I did.

Yes, I do. I am not good at complex conversations involving technical jargon, but I can handle everyday conversations without problems.

So I had no trouble communicating with people from overseas.

I also worked as an interpreter for friends who had difficulty speaking English and made connections between Japanese and people from overseas.

I think one of the main reasons I was invited to overseas events was because of my English conversation and my interaction with overseas people as a Friend’s interpreter.

I would like to work mainly as a performer, but also as an interpreter.

こThis sword was not for VRChat at first.

It was even before I started working with VRChat.

I played the lead role in a certain TRPG’s multi-episode story format. My favorite sword originated as the unique weapon of the protagonist of that story. At the time it was only a single line of text, the only setting text I had created.

From there it became an illustration, and I asked them to make a one-off 3D model. Then I came across VRChat, and I ended up wielding the sword.

Isn’t it romantic? From text to illustration, to 3D model, to being wielded in VR, to being performed at events around the world.

It was when I performed with Mr.yoikami the leader of BREATH ACTORS.

I met yoikami at “Japanese Izakaya Kagasaki”. There, I was showing a simple performance with a sword as usual. Then I was able to get some advice on my performance!

What is really great is what comes after.

After opening a new instance on the spot and giving a theatrical performance in the instance he was moving to, he said: ‘There is another leading actor in this play’, ‘Lag:N/A, please come on stage’.

He then announced to the audience: ‘We are now going to perform a sword dance with Lag:N/A. The choreography is improvised’.

That was my first experience of sword performance for many people.

It was really amazing. My motivation to become a performer stems from this incident.

I was so gutted, I was like, ‘I did it!’ It was a really big experience.

If I had to say that it is unique to sword performance, I would say that it is well received overseas.

A girl in a kimono with an oriental feel, wielding a sword as tall as she is, performs to music.

This is something that people from overseas rarely see in the Metaverse, and I think it is something that is seen in a vivid way.

I had heard that samurai and geisha were popular abroad, but experiencing them first-hand confirmed their reputation.

Yes I do. I think it is the fact that anyone can take on any form and wield any weapon.

To give an example, in reality it is very difficult and dangerous for small children to wield large swords due to their height and muscle strength.

But in the Metaverse, they can wield it with a light controller. You can change your physique freely, use any weapon you like, and swing it in or out with particles. Various expressions are possible.

With this overwhelming degree of freedom and technical skills, it is possible to transcend various barriers. I believe this is the potential of Metaverse Sword Performance.