After ADV announced that they had acquired the rights to do an English language dub of Macross, anime fans across the internet were abuzz with the possibilities that this meant. On top of that, ADV announced that they locked in Mari Iijima, the Japanese voice of Minmay in the original Macross to play Minmay again... this time in English!

To commemorate this, Mari Iijima agreed to an interview with Robotech.com, except that instead of a regular interviewer, the fans would be allowed to ask the interview questions. 40 of the best questions were sent to Mari, and she replied to most of them after her first recording session with ADV in November. The first half of her answers covering questions Macross and Minmay are available here. Here now is the second half of the interview, in which we cover all the questions related to Mari's music career and personal life.


- ON HER MUSIC CAREER:


Apollo Leader asks: When you were growing up, when did you know that music was going to be a major part of your life?

Mari says: When I was a 5th grader. :) The message was always in my heart since I was a child, "Mari, you are going to be a musician" by God. :-)


Ginrai asks: What does singing mean to you personally?

Mari says: Almost everything. :)


Apollo Leader asks: At what point did you decide to start recording your music for the intent of releasing it to a US audience?

Mari says: I've always intended to do so. When my record label in Japan let me go at the end of 1998, I decided to make it a positive move. So I released my first English album “No Limit” in 1999 as an indie artist.


Hikura asks: Are you surprised by the popularity of your music by the American fans considering most of your music is in Japanese and released only in japan?

Mari says: Well... I write & sing many of my original songs in English. Of course, all the Macross songs are in Japanese though. I'm truly thankful that people in the U.S. support my music. Thank you!! I'll keep on trying to expand my career.


SkullWingLeader asks: what is the most surprising thing you have encountered while working in the business?

Mari says: If I wish really strong, and work hard, I can meet and work with people that I admire and respect! Jeff Porcaro... I was still married and my ex-husband was my partner then, so I asked him to contact some studio, so I could contact Jeff. David LaBruyere... my very favorite bass player in the whole world, who played with me on my latest - Wonderful People. I contacted John Mayer's manager, Michael McDonald first, and he was kind enough to give my message to David. Everything started from there. When I really really want to play with someone, first, I get very passionate about it and I focus, almost like sending my wish to heaven. Then I start the process... to actually get that person on my record.


Zinjo asks: What album are you most satisfied with?

Mari says: Um... That's a difficult question. I can safely say that I try my BEST each time when I make my albums.


Zinjo asks: Which song you sing moves you every time you sing it?

Mari says: I Can't Hide


Steve Yun asks: Is there a story behind this song?

Mari says: Oh, yeah... of course. ;-)


Apollo Leader asks: Besides your own website, where else can your albums be bought from? Do you hope to have your albums be available through some of the major retail and home entertainment stores?

Mari says: If you come to my website, there are links to CD stores. I prefer you guys to go to cdbaby.com, 'cause they kindly understand indie artists' lives :) The iTunes Music Store is cool too. And, Robotech.com! Haha. Yes, I want my cds to be available through major retail stores in the States. :)


Apollo Leader asks: How did your interest in live acting come about?

Mari says: Well... since I auditioned for “Memoirs of a Geisha” back in 1998. My neighbor was a manager and she was kind of helping me out at the beginning, then I met my acting coach right after I booked “Pacific Blue.” I learned a lot in her technique and scene study classes, so I got really into acting.


Apollo Leader asks: Since you have made a name for yourself both in Japan and in the United States because of both your music and acting, where do you plan on concentrating your future music and acting efforts - the US or Japan? Or do you plan on equally reaching both markets?

Mari says: I want to take care of both countries. I have no plans to move back to Japan for now. That much I can say. :)


Apollo Leader asks: What will you be up to next? Do you have a new album in the works? Any future plans for live acting or voice acting?

Mari says: I'm flying back to Houston a few more times to finish the Macross series, I'll keep on auditioning for roles for commercials, TVs, and films, and I'm planing to release another album sometime in 2006.


Zinjo asks: What do your kids think about being kids of musicians, are they musically inclined or haven't shown any interest in it yet?

Mari says: They are both musical geniuses. I'm NOT kidding! They kind of scare me with their talent.


- ON HER PRIVATE LIFE:


Apollo Leader asks: Where were you born and raised in Japan?

Mari says: I was born in Tsuchiura-city, Ibaraki. I was raised there until I started high school. I went to this prestigious music school called "Kunitachi Music High School & College" in Tokyo, so I left home when I was 15 and lived in the dormitory and other places where I could play piano freely at any time. When I got a record deal, I was still living in this huge female-students-only building called "Harajuku Gakusei Kaikan" with 500 other female students in Harajuku, Tokyo. :)


Apollo Leader asks: How did you end up coming to the United States? Did you eventually become a citizen of the US or are you still a citizen of Japan?

Mari says: I got married (and divorced) with an American musician (my boys' dad), so I moved here. I'm a green card legal alien. :)


Treiz asks: Ms Iijima, please tell me your favorite type of music to listen to, and your favorite type to sing.

Mari says: I like Maroon 5, John Mayer, Keane, Coldplay, Phantom Planet and etc! I like rock bands with talented, cute boys. :) I would like to cover a Queen song, someday soon.


Macross2004 asks: Are you nervous when you're speaking English?

Mari says: No. I even dream in English. :)


BlueTrim asks: Where would you go if you had the choice of any place to spend a vacation and who would you take with you and what books would you take along (or albums)?

Mari says: I will go to London, maybe with a girlfriend... or a boyfriend. :) I will bring Maroon 5's “Songs About Jane,” John Mayer's “Heavier Things,” Phantom Planet's “The Guest” & “Phantom Planet.”


BlueTrim asks: What is your favorite food?

Mari says: Bananas. :)


Apollo Leader asks: Besides your passion for music, what do you like to do in your free time?

Mari says: I like to go to my favorite bands' gigs, movies... . reading books, and playing with my Snoopys. :) I cherish the time that I could spend with my boys the most.


Steve Yun asks: When you say Snoopys do you mean your sons or do you mean Snoopy from Charlie Brown?

Mari says: Snoopy is Snoopy, Steve!! Hahaha. My sons are definitely NOT Snoopys. I was one of the very first Japanese people to purchase (I'm 99% sure of it) a Snoopy in Japan. I was like... 7? Since then I've always wanted to marry Snoopy. I was THIS close to marrying one of them, but it didn't work, 'cause he had too many professions. :) Anyway, I have a few favorite Snoopys in my house, but I especially love this one Snoopy, and we are like a married couple, you know. We are ALWAYS together in the house. :-)


Zinjo asks: Are you involved with someone or just concentrating on your kids and career?

Mari says: I have like a couple of people I can go see movies with and stuff, but I don't have a boyfriend. :) Is anybody out there----??

Thank you for asking me questions, and I appreciate your support very much, guys !!
- Mari



I'd like to thank all the fans who participated in this interview and thanks to Mari Iijima for taking the time out to answer all these questions. You can look forward to hearing her starring role as Lynn Minmay in the upcoming English language Macross DVD's from ADV, which will also include new interviews and commentary tracks with Mari!

To preorder the new Macross DVDs with the English language track, head over to the Robotech.com Store

To view Part 1 of the Mari Iijima Fan interview, click here