In a recent installment of Billboard Japan's Women in Music interview series, the duo consisting of Moeka Shiotsuka and Yurika Kasai opened up about their 2026 single 'Dogs' — a raw rock track serving as the theme for a Netflix series. The interview, part of the series that began in 2022 and includes a June 9 live event, also covered their first collaboration with director Gakuryu Ishii on the music video and their evolving stage identity following a 2025 lineup change.

How a 2025 Lineup Change Sparked the Raw Sound of 'Dogs'

The duo underwent a lineup change at the end of 2025, according to the Billboard Japan report, yet the group has not slowed down. In 2025 alone, they performed their first two-night concerts at Tokyo's historic Nippon Budokan and completed a seven-city European tour. the following year, they released 'Dogs' as a theme song for an unnamed Netflix series — a track that abandons their earlier polished sound for a hard-edged rock aesthetic. Both Shiotsuka and Kasai told Billboard Japan that this rawness had always been part of their artistic identity but had not been emphasized for a while. Performing the song live and on television reinforced its authenticity, with both feeling it now aligns with their current selves.

Director Gakuryu Ishii's 'Sorcerer' Vision and the Song's Unconscious 'Prayer'

The music video for 'Dogs' marks the duo's first collaboration with acclaimed filmmaker Gakuryu Ishii. Shiotsuka initially envisioned something rough for the video, but as the report details, Ishii conceptualized them as sorcerers from another universe. He even identified a sense of prayer within the song that the band had not consciously intended. Kasai praised Ishii's flexible thinking, noting that despite his long career he maintains the heart of a beginner — offering a lesson in creative longevity. The trust between the band and Ishii's crew created a special atmosphere on set ,according to the interview.

Denim Stage Wear and a Pilates Instructor: The Duo's Path to 'Naturalness'

Reflecting on changes since their last Billboard Japan interview three years ago, the duo discussed an evolved stage presence. Shiotsuka mentioned that the theme of their live shows has always been naturalness and deep breathing — a desire to remain relaxed. This year, they adopted denim as their stage wear, a suggestion from their creative team HUG, which further liberated their performance. Shiotsuka also credited advice from her pilates instructor about releasing tension, linking physical care to mental state. kasai added that she now focuses on discovery rather than nervousness, and has started waking up early. She concluded that rhythm matters, underscoring consistency in both life and art.

Billboard Japan's Women in Music Series: A Platform That's Grown Since 2022

The interview is part of a broader initiative that Billboard Japan launched in 2022 to spotlight female figures in the Japanese entertainment industry who have significantly impacted music and inspired other women. The series coincides with the one-night-only live event Women in Music - EQUAL STAGE, presented by Billboard Japan and Spotify on June 9. While the duo's candid conversation reveals a group comfortable with reinvention, several details remain veiled: the identtiy of the Netflix series using 'Dogs' as its theme, the specifics of the 2025 lineup change, and the duo's own name (the article refers to them only by the members' names). These omissions leave room for speculation about whether the raw direction is a one-off or a lasting shift.