For over a decade, STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION, the music project led by Japanese musician and composer R.O.N, has been creating memorable electronic and atmospheric music for anime and beyond. He is best known for songs such as “Daisy” from Beyond the Boundary and “Genesis” from Dimension W.
We were honoured to have the opportunity to sit down with R.O.N during his visit to Malaysia, where we talked about his musical journey, the story behind the name STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION, his creative process, and his experiences connecting with fans through music.
本文來自紀由屋 
Question: We know you both as R.O.N and STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION. How would you describe the difference between the two? Do you think your audience can tell the difference?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: I don't think there is that much of a difference because both are me. It's just me.
But R.O.N is basically my identity as a composer, while STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION is more of a project focused on creating and performing songs, particularly anime songs.
Question: Could you share the story behind the name “STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION”? Why did you decide to call it that?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: When I was younger, around my teenage years, I used “STEREO DIVE” for my own website page. I really liked the sound of the words “STEREO DIVE.”
I wanted more people to join me in that feeling, so I added “FOUNDATION” to the name, with the idea that more people could come together.
"STORYSEEKER" by STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION—with over 10.77 million views—serves as the ending theme for the second season of the TV anime *That Time I Got Reincarnated as a Slime*.
Question: When inspiration hits, what usually comes first—the feeling or the story?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: Normally, it's the melody. I usually sing along with a melody first.
But it really depends on the project. Sometimes I write the lyrics first and then create the melody afterwards. It really depends on what I'm working on.
Question: You work across different genres and styles. Is there a genre or sound that you haven't explored yet but would really like to try in the future?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: I would like to try Japanese traditional music, such as Kabuki music, and mix it with futuristic sounds.
RAYTRACER one of a futuristic music created by STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION
Question: Is there a particular emotion that you find difficult to express through music?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: Actually, I think I'm pretty good at expressing different kinds of feelings.
I've been making a lot of anime soundtracks lately, and that requires me to express various emotions through the music, so I've become quite comfortable with that.
But there are times when it is still difficult. Certain feelings can be very difficult to express through music because the emotion can change depending on how the sound changes. Sometimes, words alone aren't enough to express what you want to convey through music.
Question: You've been working in the music industry for over 10 years. Looking back, what is the biggest change you've noticed in yourself as a musician?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: First, it's actually been over 20 years. STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION has been around for over 10 years, but I've been working as R.O.N for more than 20 years.
That's such a long time! (laughs)
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: What was the question again? (laughs)
Over those 10 or 20 years, I think I've become much more aware of other people's emotions.
Of course, I think about the audience and how they will feel when they listen to the song. But I also started thinking more about the people involved in the production.
There are so many people working together to create a piece of music before it eventually reaches the audience. Being more aware of all those people and their emotions is probably the biggest change I've noticed in myself over the past 10 to 20 years.
TV anime『Beyond the Boundary』ED Theme "Daisy"
Question: Looking back at your work over the past 20 years, is there a particular song or project whose creation has a story that you would like to share with us?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: When I was a university student, I worked part-time as a tutor. I came to meet one of my student's fathers as a musician lately, which was really nice.
Question: What is the strangest or most unexpected source of inspiration you've ever used to create a song?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: There was one time when I had to make a song for a content creator to dance to.
That person had a very neutral kind of feeling somewhere between masculine and feminine and their movements were very sexy and mysterious.
After watching them dance, it was the first time I created music with a mysterious atmosphere.
What I learned from that experience is that sometimes being exposed to things outside of music, such as drawings or movies, can actually help you create new sounds.
Question: Is this your first time visiting Malaysia? Is there anywhere in Malaysia you're hoping to visit or experience during your stay?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: Actually, this is my second time in Malaysia. One of my friends lives here in Kuala Lumpur, near KLCC, so I would like to visit him and have a drink together. (laughs)
And I also want to try durian. It might be a little challenging for me, though. (laughs)
久々にマレーシアきた
— R･O･N（STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION） (@RON_SDF) August 27, 2026
KLCCから少し離れたとこ https://t.co/GDCr7Nw5E5
R.O.N's X post:
Came to Malaysia after a long time
Stay at a spot a little ways from KLCC
Question: When you create an anime theme song, what is usually on your mind?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: What's interesting is that it really depends on the anime.
Sometimes, I make the song after reading the entire manga series so that I can really follow and understand the story.
Other times, I'm simply asked to create a song that I think is cool.
Basically, what I need to do is create a song that can help the anime grow and reach its audience. That's what I always have in mind when creating an anime song.
KATAWARA／TV anime Sengoku Youko: The Thousandfold Chaos Arc OP Theme Song
Question: From the outside, creating a song can look quite effortless once people hear the finished product. What is something that happens behind the scenes that people might not realize is actually quite challenging?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: Recording a song can be a little troublesome sometimes.
We might have to sing the same phrase over and over again, trying different patterns and approaches, and that takes a lot of effort.
Sometimes, after finishing the entire recording, we even have to redo it from scratch. It takes a lot of effort, but it's also quite fun.
For example, sometimes I go to the studio with a singer and we discuss what kind of song we want to create together. That process itself can be really enjoyable.
Question: What would make you decide to record a song again from scratch?
STEREO DIVE FOUNDATION: For example, if it's supposed to be a bright or happy song, but the vocal energy isn't there, then we might need to redo it.
Recently, I made a song called “Dream Big” with a singer named nano. We recorded our parts on different days. After listening to nano's part, I decided that I needed to record my part again.
I couldn't match the same energy that nano brought to the song, so I redid my recording.
“Dream Big” mentioned in the interview.
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