Over the past year, Mayto has transformed stages across Japan into electrifying landscapes of metal and melody. “I’ve already performed nearly 40 shows this year,” she recalls, a figure that captures both her dedication and the intensity of her schedule. Highlights include playing as a guitarist for her band Mana Diagram’s graduation concert, the “Eidolon” tour with her mentor HIZAKI, and even appearing in the play SANZ:0 presented by SEPT, where she played a few of her favorite Vola guitars across all ten performances. “The Vola OZ ROA can handle a wide range of sounds, from pop to rock and metal, and even improvised, playing the exact nuances I wanted to create, making it the perfect partner!” she notes. The graduation concert itself was a landmark moment, attracting the largest audience of any solo concert that year and marking the poignant finale of Mana Diagram’s journey together.

For Mayto, her Vola instruments have become a direct extension of her playing. “I basically use a Vola OZ everywhere! The SSH pickups are suitable for any situation, and the playability is excellent thanks to the arm adjustment and lightweight body” she explains. The neck profile has become increasingly useful over three years of playing and has become a staple of her musical intuition. She also incorporates the Ares model and some 7-string models in the studio, experimenting with layers and tonal textures that define her unique sound. “I imagine Vola as a guitar that ‘transforms intuition directly into sound,’” she says.

 

Her live work has been a masterclass in both technical skill and musicality. Touring from August to October alongside HIZAKI, Mayto performed in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka, Sendai, and Yokohama, tackling fast-paced instrumental pieces rich with melodic complexity. “The fans were so enthusiastic, headbanging and pumping their fists created a truly electric atmosphere that filled the venue,” she remembers. Beyond conventional concerts, she’s taken part in guitar-focused showcases such as Yokohama Music Style and the Guitar Lovers Show 2025 Tokyo, events that celebrated the craft and camaraderie of stringed instruments. These months, she says, were “a six-month period in which my expression was built!”

Looking forward, Mayto is exploring her solo trajectory with curiosity and reverence. Inspired by legends like Paul Gilbert, John Petrucci, HIZAKI, and contemporary innovators including Guthrie Govan and Plini, she is crafting instrumental music that blends technical precision with personal narrative. “The person who has had the greatest influence on me is HIZAKI. Not only has he influenced my songwriting and playing, but he’s also taught me the way to be a professional guitarist, his attitude, and his passion,” she explains. As she prepares for new projects, including attending the NAMM Show for the first time, Mayto’s path reflects both gratitude for her musical mentors and excitement for the uncharted sounds she’s about to reveal. “Going forward, my solo work will undoubtedly be a new me, inspired by this background, playing with my guitar!”