The START of a Dream
In July 2023, Rin, the visionary behind ANISENCE, embarked on a journey that would blend the worlds of anime and fragrance into a unique sensory experience. Rin started their career as an assistant perfume stylist and someone who works at head office at a bespoke perfume company. Rin's fascination with fragrances was evident from a young age. They would collect 1ml samples of perfumes, unable to afford full bottles but eager to immerse themselves in the world of scents. Their love for anime started in 2020, however, Rin hasn't always been a fan of anime - they were quite stubborn and refused to watch it, but, their friend Xen got Rin interested in their first anime, "Hunter X Hunter", and they have watched many animes since. They also love collecting character merch, with favourite character being "Michael Kaiser" from "Blue Lock".
A Life Changing Trip
In April 2023, Rin received a life changing gift: a trip to Japan. During the three months in Japan, Rin studied business and Japanese, immersing themselves in the culture. This journey was meant to be a break from their routine, but it quickly turned into a quest for inspiration. Rin explored various business ideas, to take a piece of Japan back home to the UK, but it was a visit to a shop in Ginza, Tokyo, called Primaniacs, a fragrance boutique specialising in anime fragrances, that sparked a revelation. Rin loved smelling all the character fragrances, curious and excited by how all the fragrance notes may link to those characters.
A Personal Loss and a New Beginning
Upon returning to the UK, Rin faced a heartbreaking event - the passing of their grandad. This loss was deeply felt, but Rin's grandad had kindly left them an inheritance. Determined to honour his memory, Rin decided to invest this money into one of the business ideas they had developed during their time in Japan. Rin's mother, who also took all the photography for ANISENCE, believed the anime inspired fragrance business was the best idea among the ones Rin had considered. With her encouragement, Rin began working on designs for bottles and labels. However, the initial attempts were absolute failures. It was through perseverance and the support of their family and friends that Rin found the right people to bring their vision to life.
Building the Dream Team
Rin's journey was not done alone. Their family and friends played crucial roles in shaping ANISENCE.
Rin's Mum: Provided valuable advice and photography skills.
Rin's Dad: Assisted with product changes and website hosting.
Tia (Rin's Sister): Stars in all the videos, helped with animations, social media and general ideas.
Alex (Friend): An expert in luxury packaging, Alex meticulously crafts ANISENCE's packaging.
Xen (Friend): Created all the artwork for ANISENCE, including the website art and custom anime cards.
Deeno (Friend): Contributed to animations, content creation and general ideas.
From Concept to Creation
With a strong team in place, Rin dedicated countless nights to researching fragrance notes and anime characters in depth. The goal was to capture the essence of characters from JJK- Nobara, Itadori, Megumi, Gojo, and Sukuna, for their first collection. Rin's meticulous research involved understanding the symbolism of fragrance notes, their emotional impact, and how they aligned with each character's personality traits. The first character fragrance developed was for Gojo, while Megumi's fragrance was the most challenging to finalise. Through perseverance and collaboration, Rin and their team successfully crafted five unique fragrances that brought these beloved characters to life.
Looking Ahead
Since starting in July 2023, ANISENCE has grown into a business with a dedicated team of five. The journey from being an assistant stylist to the CEO of a unique fragrance company is a testament to Rin's passion, resilience and the unwavering support of their family and friends. ANISENCE continues to explore new characters and fragrances, aiming to bring the essence of anime to fans worldwide.Rin's story is one of transformation, from a fragrance enthusiast who once hated anime to someone who found a way to merge their two passions.