As the emotional architect behind some of anime's most heart-wrenching soundtracks, Centimillimental — the solo project of Atsushi — is no stranger to capturing love in all its messy, beautiful forms. But with the release of his second full-length album Cafuné, he takes that emotional exploration further than ever, crafting an intimate collection that lingers like a quiet memory.
Taking its name from a Portuguese word for the tender act of running fingers through a loved one's hair, Cafuné is a gentle, poetic dive into love's dualities: past and present, pain and hope, solitude and connection. As he prepares for his first-ever global trek — the Centimillimental WORLD TOUR 2025–2026 — Atsushi shares the stories behind the songs, his thoughts on live performance, and the strange, beautiful energy he draws from fans around the world.
‘Cafuné’ is such an evocative title—meaning a gentle caress in Portuguese. What inspired this word to become the emotional core of your latest album?
As I was putting together the album, I realized it was becoming a collection of songs about love in all its different forms. Love is something so common, yet so miraculous at the same time. I chose Cafuné as the title because I felt it was the perfect word to capture and convey those emotions and scenes.
You've described Cafuné as exploring "emotional dialogues between opposing forces—past and present, pain and hope, solitude and love." How did you translate that duality into the songwriting and arrangement process?
I believe love always has two sides—its beauty and its ugliness, both existing together. That very fluctuation is what makes love what it is. So rather than writing songs that capture only one perspective, I try to depict both sides honestly, in hopes of expressing a more genuine picture of human emotions.
The album brings together both new and previously released songs. At what point in the creative process did everything start to come together under the theme of Cafuné?
I had already decided that the main theme would be “love,” but the album title itself took a while to come together. When I wrote the new song ‘you', I felt everything converge toward the word ‘Cafuné’ as if the whole album found its focus through that track.
As you said, ‘you’ sets the emotional tone for the album. Why did you choose it as the lead single?
In the past, I’ve expressed the passionate and emotional sides of love, whether positive or painful. But since this album as a whole revolves around “love,” I felt it also needed songs that conveyed a softer, more universal kind of love. That’s why I wrote ‘you,’ and it naturally became the piece I wanted to place at the center of the album—so choosing it as the lead single felt right.
If Cafuné was the soundtrack to a movie, what kind of movie would it be?
It may sound abstract, but I imagine a film about encounters and farewells, and the reunions that follow. Ordinary, yet extraordinary. A story of love feeling both universal and deeply personal—something everyone has experienced in some way, but yet remains one unique, irreplaceable journey.
From a songwriting perspective, are there any lyrical themes or musical ideas you wanted to explore on Cafuné that didn’t make it in—but might surface in future projects?
Not particularly. I feel that with this album, built around this theme, I was able to fully express everything I wanted to convey. Of course, I’ll continue creating music centered on love in the future, but in the context of this record, I believe I’ve said everything I needed to say.
To celebrate the album release, you hosted a TikTok LIVE and a listening party on Stationhead. What was that experience like?
The listening party on Stationhead was my first time trying something like that, and I really enjoyed it. Sharing the same music together in real time gave me this exciting feeling—and also a real sense that the songs were truly reaching people. For TikTok LIVE, I performed mainly acoustic versions of the album tracks. Because it wasn’t the polished studio sound but something more stripped down, it gave me the chance to reconnect with the songs in a fresh way.
You’re gearing up for your first-ever world tour! What excites you the most about the upcoming Centimillimental WORLD TOUR 2025–2026?
What excites me most is that there are still so many places I’ve never been. I’m really looking forward to experiencing new landscapes, people, cultures, and food along the way. Taking all of that in, I want to deliver my music with care and intention to each place we visit.
Which city or venue on your world tour feels most like a dream stop for you, and why?
Every place I get to take Centimillimental’s music feels like a dream. At the same time, I also feel that I’m still in the middle of that dream. Whether in Japan or abroad, there are still many people I haven’t met yet, and I want to keep sharing this music with them.
Finally, touring can be emotionally and physically intense. What’s something you do to stay grounded or inspired while on the road?
Of course, there are times when I feel emotionally unsettled before and after a show. But seeing all the fans enjoying Centimillimental’s music with their whole hearts always gives me a strange kind of energy. I truly feel supported by them—thank you, as always.
Like what you read? Show our writer some love!
-