Klaha In SHOXX #121 (March 2003)

Living

Loving

MALICE MIZER

The Glamorous Curtain Rises on Their Comeback October 10, Shibuya On Air West

This performance became a must see event of the year. Malice Mizer brought pride to the scene weaving stories into their theatrical artistry. Transitioning from tango to chanson and bossa nova they seamlessly integrated diverse genres and theatrical elements captivating the audience. The show began with an avant garde use of programmed music and strobe lights as the five members took the stage in a grand entrance.

In the third act which marked a few beautiful minutes of art, the memory of December 2 from the previous year lingered as Malice Mizer expressed love on stage. Ten months had passed since then, and though Gackt commented, "We play for the history of Malice Mizer," I still found myself unable to let go of this memory.

The new Malice Mizer live experience was exhilarating though it felt bittersweet to some fans who were deeply attached to their past work. As I walked toward the venue, the place already filled with a captivated crowd i felt the emotions building within me.

The second act, too, brought a different energy, with strobe lights flashing and familiar yet transformed melodies emerging. Malice Mizer appeared with a renewed artistic focus. The members, including Gackt, who stood brightly at the center of the stage brought a fresh and refined elegance. The serene sound of the fretless bass played by Yu~ki and Kami’s natural drumming provided a contrast to the usual highly staged performance of Mana and Közi.

When "Seraph" played during the encore Gackt sang with an emotional intensity that made his voice resonate deeply. Through this show a new era for Malice Mizer had undoubtedly begun. Their artistry had evolved, inviting fans into a world rich with passion and poised for continued growth.

(Text by Ichikawa Kazumi)

Zapping CD Track 24: Interview!

Gackt

"This time, the PV is based on the story of the song’s world."

15:58 - Gackt makes a magnificent entrance through the grasslands.

17:44 - Gackt gives direction to Jasmine, saying, "Relax and entrust your heart and body to me."

18:16 - A playful scene during filming for the engine shot.

"This song was originally created last year when I went to France to shoot a video. I was zoning out on top of a hill when the world of 'Le ciel' suddenly came to me. The version in the album and this version aren’t about which is correct; I think people will feel our emotions and the expanded worldview in this single. And for this promotional video, we wanted to portray the song’s world as a story. We spent a huge amount of time on the storyboard, and I think it changed about 14 or 15 times. By the way, Nagano is really a wonderful place, right? I’m having fun, and it’s been relaxing to film here."

17:03 - During a shoot for this magazine, Gackt asks, "Is this photo an extension of the PV or something separate?" showing his attention to detail.

16:04 - After checking the eyeline, they started the test. Five test takes, two main takes, and it was a wrap.

We enjoyed nature, including the various bird calls, but almost all of the staff were bitten by insects…

MALICE MIZER

Day 2

6:30 - 18:30 Filming in a pasture in Nagano was purely magical!

At 6:30 AM, the staff gathered at a certain location in Tokyo and headed to a ranch in Nagano. The scene was shot in a pasture where ordinary people are not allowed. That day, it was just Gackt and Jasmine appearing again. The two blended so beautifully into the landscape that it seemed almost surreal. On this day, they shot 20 scenes and 48 takes. After each take, they checked the monitor and discussed the subtle expressions and movements with director Muto. The attention to detail and the commitment to refining every shot was a testament to their passion as creators.

At 16:25, Gackt continued holding Jasmine, smiling wryly as he said, "I'm starting to sweat."

Director Hiroyuki Muto

"There's no one more interesting than them."

We held three full meetings with everyone involved. While respecting the vision of Gackt, who wrote the lyrics, we discussed everything as a team and created the storyboard. The challenge was to maintain the unity of the group while highlighting each individual member. Their concept is always clear, so it’s fun to shoot each time.

This is the third time that director Muto, who usually works in television drama, has filmed a PV for MALICE MIZER.

A completely new arrangement of "Le ciel Beyond the Blank Space"

Since their major debut in July of last year, MALICE MIZER has built a world of "merveilles" (which means "wonders"). To conclude the concept of this album, they’ve released this song. While the song was already included in the album "merveilles," this single features a completely new arrangement, making it even more dramatic. The track begins with a bass drum beat (with each beat at a different pitch) and has been meticulously crafted. From the beginning to its shocking ending, it’s a song meant to be played at high volume. (Released by Nippon Columbia CODA-16178, priced at 1,400 yen, released on 9/30.)

A studio where the entire set was completely rearranged in one night.

Yu-ki’s prop was a staff adorned with a crystal ball.

Day 4

9:00 - 22:00 Finally, the entire cast appeared, and it was simply breathtaking!

On the final day, the filming proceeded with Jasmine, followed by Kami. Initially, Kami was unsure of how to move, but gradually, his poses came together, and he finished within two hours. Then, at 16:26, the entire cast appeared. This was the only scene in the video where all the members appeared together, and the tension of the final scene made everyone assume it would take a long time to get an OK take (meaning the end time was undetermined). Surprisingly, though, it was completed in about 40 minutes with just six takes. Afterward, Gackt was filmed alone, marking the end of all shooting.

→ After filming, Kami took Jasmine out for a stroll in this very outfit to a convenience store.

13th Day, 20:56 - Yu-ki checking the oboe fingerings.

Interview!

Yu-ki

Even the other members were surprised.

"At 20:44 on the 13th, I was instructed by Director Muto to take on the image of a 'bad fairy.'"

"I’m trying to surprise everyone."

"It’s not just an ordinary promotional video. I want to capture the world of the song in a concrete way through the visuals, so I’m putting in a lot of effort. Regarding the costumes, this time, for the first time, we used 'white' as a theme, and each of us brought in our own ideas, trying to surprise even the other members. I think everyone had that feeling. I made my own headpiece, but I didn’t have any initial image for the makeup. As I was drawing, it just ended up like this (laughs)."

→ At 20:39 on the 13th, he checks his position during a makeup touch-up.

14th Day, 19:07 - Only two scenes left!

At 1:27 on the 14th, the director instructed, "Don’t forget your affection for her."

Yu-ki’s look was highly praised among the staff. On the 3rd day, he shot three scenes with five takes.

14th Day, 13:54 - Kami shows off a daring move, playing the sitar with a bow.

This song has the most emotion packed into the interlude.

Gackt appeared at 16:26 on the 14th day. The scene of breaking the flower was symbolic.

→ Even just standing still, Kami looks like a picture.

"This was the hardest shoot for me. There was so little movement (laughs). During 'Gekka no Yasoukyoku,' there was quite a bit of movement. Somehow, the movements feel forced. As for 'Le ciel Beyond the Blank Space,' I focused on the pacing, especially in the interlude. We mixed four types of drums, and for me, that part is packed with the most emotion. Some sounds don’t even seem like they’re from drums. In this interlude, I wanted it to feel like the emotions of all five members were clashing. Time off? None (decisively). We’re destined to keep running (laughs)."

Kami teaching Jasmine how to play the sitar.

Filming completed! Time for a commemorative photo!!

After the unexpectedly quick conclusion of the full-cast scene, at 18:38, the staff joined in, and they took a commemorative photo. Some covered their faces, and some turned their backs, but in any case, great job, everyone!

MALICE MIZER

"Rest of the aristocrats! Fans capture exclusive photos!! A new charm brimming in their post-concert appearance.

Please take a look at their rare unseen moments of rest.

The photo was given to me by a friend who used to follow Malice around back then. It’s from when i was just getting to know Malice so i couldn’t tell who was who without makeup. I even wrote their names on the back of the photo (lol). Looking back i realize how incredibly rude that was."

Mana

"When I receive letters from fans, it makes me feel saved. I live each day in fear, trembling as I go about my life."

The symbolic mark that represents the keyword "transparent spiral" could indeed be seen on stage. Now that I think about it, hasn't Malice already incorporated similarly enigmatic and symbolic elements in the past? I feel like that might be the case.

"It’s true that we’ve lightly dabbled in that before," said Mana.

The mystery, left as a mystery being able to enjoy asking, "What could it possibly mean?" feels like a test of the audience's sensibilities. The abundant mysteries in their expressions are a significant part of their charm and exploring them is an enjoyable experience.

It isn’t necessarily anything overly occult or niche. The ability to enjoy a sense of mystery is something many people naturally possess. That’s precisely why they’ve managed to gather so many fans and captivate them. After all even someone with no prior knowledge simply seeing their photos would undoubtedly find them quite mysterious. One could even say they are overwhelmingly enigmatic.

At that point whether someone leaves it at “Oh, so there are people like this” or becomes curious enough to dive into their expressions saying “I want to hear and see more,” depends on the individual’s disposition. The fact that so many people are willing to explore further is what’s driving their growing popularity. In other words, it’s proof that the number of people capable of enjoying a sense of mystery is immeasurable.

However, I’d like to delve a bit deeper into the keyword “transparent spiral.” A spiral… a spiral staircase, perhaps?

"I think many people might say 'spiral staircase,' but that’s not it," said Közi.

Then perhaps it relates to genetics, DNA…?

"Oh, that’s sharp of you. It’s somewhat along those lines, like something intertwined. But I think it’s better to leave it up to individual interpretation from here on out," said Mana. He then added the following:

"The concept for incorporating dance into the opening stage revolves around the theme of a spiral that aligns with the first song, Je te veux."

This song, Je te veux, is a new track included on the album merveilles, set to release on March 18. The music was composed by Közi. According to him:

"It has a kind of ’80s new romantic vibe (lol)."

It’s a danceable song, but by listening to it and reading the lyrics, one might catch a glimpse of the concept of the spiral.

Ah, I mustn’t forget, Mana’s mention of the opening dance. Közi had previously said:

"We decided to make it like something MAX-level (a reference to a Japanese dance group), so we practiced a ton."

But what exactly is Mana’s concept?

"An image of a B-grade idol from space in the 1980s. Probably not something most people know about (lol)."

Speaking of which, around 1981, there was talk about idols said to have come from space...

Malice Mizer

"Let’s Play with Wax Figures!!!"

February 24, 2000 – Tokyo Tower Wax Museum

Mana sama dressed in a new black outfit from Moi-même-Moitié (the brand by none other than Mana-sama himself) and i ventured to the Tokyo Tower Wax Museum. The last time i visited here was in elementary school. I vaguely recall being terrified of the "Western Torture Room." Well guess what, it’s still here! This room set up to prevent people from forgetting the horrors humans once inflicted on each other is full of grotesque displays. The background music is ominous enhancing the sense of dread. Ten minutes in here and you’d go mad! As i felt my spirits sinking i glanced over at Mana-sama, who was completely unfazed. I asked, "Doesn’t this make you feel sick?" Mana sama replied calmly, "Not at all." "I've been interested in things like this since i was young and i used to read books like The Encyclopedia of Torture." (Mana)… The Encyclopedia of Torture! There really are all kinds of books in this world.

Aside from the torture chamber the museum is packed with wax figures of rock musicians and movie stars. When i suggested, "Maybe it would be fun to take some rock inspired photos," Mana sama even tried to climb over the railing to pose with the figure of Deep Purple (a British hard rock band active mainly in the 1970s). Suddenly… BEEP! An alarm went off! Mana sama also took photos with Julia Roberts from Pretty Woman and Arnold Schwarzenegger as the Terminator. For “unreleased” photos he posed with Venus and Bacchus. Mana sama you naughty thing! …Or so i thought but Mana sama was quick to say, "Make sure to mention that I wasn’t actually touching her chest!" to avoid any misunderstanding.

KOZI (MALICE MIZER) ASTAN - 2005 Vol.21

Translated by my cousin (corrections are always welcome)

Malice Mizer: MALICE (MALEVOLENCE) AND MIZERE (TRAGEDY)

A comprehensive biography of this band, which is second only to X-Japan in importance within J-Rock or Visual Kei, would be too extensive. Here, we will focus on the period starting with Gackt's entry into the band.

Malice Mizer was founded in August 1992 by Mana and Közi (Kouji). After several line-up changes, the band consisted of: Gackt (vocals, piano), Mana (guitar, keyboards), Közi (guitar, violin), Kami (drums), and Yu-ki (bass) starting in August 1995.

Shortly thereafter, the group released their second album, "Voyage (sans retour)," marking a first step toward superstardom. The musicians' popularity steadily increased, attracting the attention of major record labels. Thus in 1997, MM signed with Columbia in Japan. Their first single, "Bel Air kuhaku no toki no naka de," was released followed by TV appearances and radio shows as well as the famous concert at Nihon Budokan.

In 1998, "Merveilles" was released. Malice Mizer was at the peak of their career, embodying everything associated with superstardom. Fan displays overshadowed anything conceivable, and Gackt could undoubtedly be referred to as the most popular Japanese show star at the time. The concerts were elaborate events, with costumes and staging that surpassed everything seen before. However, the fractures within the band were unmistakable. While Gackt seemed to thrive in the J-Pop Olympus the remaining members were striving for artistic quality. Disputes ensued, resulting in Gackt leaving the band in January 1999. As if that weren’t enough, drummer Kami passed away later that year due to an arterial brain hemorrhage. Following Kami's death, on September 21 1999 the band decided to take a hiatus.

Their fourth album, "bara no seidō," was released in August 2000 under an indie label, Midi:NetteM+M which was the newly established label owned by the band. The album "bara no seidō" is an epic work, heavily influenced by German classical music. Choral passages and long instrumental sections elevate this work to classic status. The trio of Mana, Közi, and Yu-ki experimented on this album without a fixed singer or drummer. This is undoubtedly the most impressive and monumental work by MM, although its reception from the audience could have been better. Perhaps under this impression, the band decided to recruit a new singer, Klaha, in August 2000. The sound shifted towards an epic and darker rock sound. With Klaha, MM returned to catchy melodies, though they were far removed from the J-Pop of the Gackt years. In my opinion, this is the best, albeit temporarily concluding, chapter of the group.

A few singles were released afterward. The last tour took place in July 2001, after which the band disbanded. Klaha began his solo career, Közi is currently active as a solo artist and as a member of Eve Of Destiny, while Mana has become a well-known figure in Japan with his own fashion line and Gothic Lolita shops. He continues to be active as a musician in his band MDM. Yu-ki is no longer prominently involved in music.

It’s also essential to look into the successor bands of Malice Mizer. I can't find anything appealing in Gackt and Klaha's solo works. I really enjoy Eve Of Destiny, as well as everything Mana releases to the public. EOD is an industrial goth band; Mana is much heavier but also more classical in orientation. Közi's solo work sounds very relaxed and somewhat French, although he writes in English.

I have met Közi several times and found him to be a somewhat shy and introverted man. However, he is a very nice guy. But that’s just a side note. What fascinates me is the band's fluctuating musical trajectory. By the time Gackt joined, the typical "growing pains" of any group had settled, and a first creative peak was reached with Gackt. The time with Gackt was the commercially most successful period, and the concerts were a dream visual event. The costumes changed multiple times during the show, and the staging would be compared to German theatrical productions.

Part 2

Groups like Rammstein would turn green with envy. Musically i find Gackt quite uninteresting. He knew how to present himself well in the spotlight but that’s about it. Gackt after Malice Mizer is nothing more than slimy, sweet-and-sour J-Pop. A nod to Herr Rohlen. Artistically an MM album like "bara no seido" is much more impressive. Some elements remind me that both Mana and Közi are great admirers of the German composer Bach. This influence is unmistakable. These influences, combined with Közi's and Mana's magnificent guitar playing, elevate "bara no seido" to a masterpiece for this group. The musicality of Malice Mizer is one of the outstanding characteristics of the Japanese band. The range of instruments spans from the standard instruments of a rock band to very European instruments such as clavichord, spinet, violin, or accordion. One might think that nothing catchy could emerge from this, but that is precisely one of the band's strengths.

Each song is assigned a style and a color. Mana represents the color blue, in which his clothing is designed. Mana is an imposing figure who can only be described as beautiful. When I first saw a video by MM, I thought the guitarist looked quite good. Not to mention, the guitarist is a male. In Japanese tradition, it is not so unusual for a man to appear feminine. Mana gives few interviews and hardly speaks in public, yet he is the creative mind behind Malice Mizer. He has perfected the Gothic Lolita style and can be understood as the counterpart to Gackt. Gackt does not wear white makeup and is considered by a large part of the female MM fans to be the quintessential fairy tale prince.

Közi represents the color red. He appears quite androgynous as an MM member. At the same time, he is aloof, reserved, and doll like fragile. Kami represents the color purple and Yu-ki represents yellow and/or orange. Noteworthy about him is his occasionally drawn-on occasionally real beard. Klaha’s color is either black or white. He later takes on Gackt's role but is much more masculine and less boyish than Gackt.

The look of this group. Malice Mizer seems to change costumes like others change underwear. It’s incredible how tastefully and stylishly Malice Mizer dressed and presented themselves. The staging on stage and in the videos is trendsetting and has not been achieved by any group known to me before or since. The transition from a metal band to a VK group and ultimately to a heavily Gothic-influenced act is marked by significant breaks. Yet, one can always recognize Malice Mizer's typical sound. For anyone who is now curious, I strongly recommend checking out the live DVDs or the group’s videos. Personally, I really enjoy the videos and music from the time with Klaha. The videos with Gackt are more colorful, vibrant and playful. I can recommend all DVDs from Malice Mizer.

The End

“There are many things to do when returning to love. While we dive underground and study you all feel various things at home! So when we meet again, please look forward to what MALICE MIZER will be like. I am truly happy to have met you all in this arena!”

“Brise” and then, “au revoir.” The stage was illuminated with blue lighting, creating a beautiful scene. The last number was “ma cherie.” The audience joined in singing the call and response of “Ma Cherie.” KAMI, who had been relentlessly playing the drums, surprisingly engaged with the audience from the stage and at his signal the grand chorus of “Ma Cherie” erupted once again. Silver streamers burst from both sides of the stage and the main performance concluded with a united front of the audience and the five members.

And then the encore. The encore was a grand performance that decorated the finale of this tour. KAMI, YU~KI, KOZI and MANA appeared one after the other, each adorned with large wings. Their gorgeous costumes were worth seeing on their own. And then, at the end, Gackt spread his black wings and descended from above the set. It was breathtaking! The song was “Le ciel,” a single scheduled for release on September 30. Finally, in the center of the stage, Gackt spread his arms and looked up to the heavens, causing the star sphere set high above the stage to shine all at once across the entire width of the hall. Oh! It was truly a star filled sky! The dynamic ending evoked a wave of emotion. I felt like giving a tremendous round of applause to the members as they quietly disappeared from the stage.

The blend of musicality, theatricality, and various elements at different moments is what makes their stage interesting. If not done well, it could easily turn into a jumbled and unmanageable situation, but MALICE MIZER skillfully connected the delicate pieces, showing a unique space. And what they will show us next is completely unpredictable. That’s why you absolutely want to see what comes next. Yes, MALICE MIZER is quite dangerous.

A Journey Through Music and Illusion

On June 9, MALICE MIZER will release their first full album "Voyage sans retour".

Following the glamorous performances they showcase on stage, this album captures the same grandeur and intricacy within its compositions.

Here we unveil the full scope of this dazzling masterpiece!

Interview & Text by Yuki Sugie

Photographs by Yousuke Komatsu

The nationwide tour that took place at the end of last year was titled "Voyage sans retour." With the album title being "Voyage sans retour!", it’s almost the same title, isn't it?

Most of the tracks on this album are ones we performed live after our revival.

What was the intention behind selecting these tracks for this album?

mana: I think the previous album was a little one-sided in some ways, but this time i wanted to create an album with a variety of songs. So we focused on the tracks we performed live and tried not to stick to a single image. The idea was to create something with a range of different vibes.

Camui Gackt: In the end this album…

mana: This is our first album after the lineup change, so it’s significant in that sense. The title comes from the idea of "a journey", reflecting the flow from our revival live in October until now. But a journey can mean many things. For instance, you could interpret life itself as a journey. For us, we wanted the album title to have various interpretations depending on the listener's perspective. We didn’t create the album with the theme of “Voyage” in mind from the beginning. It was only when all the songs came together that we decided on the title. Out of the tracks on the album, some of them were never performed live before...

KÖZI (g)

Q. Favorite food

A. Curry, my mother's home cooking

Q. Least favorite food

A. Sea urchin

Q. Favorite drink

A. Tea, Red Eye (a beer and tomato juice cocktail)

Q. Least favorite drink

A. Liquid Cabbage (a stomach relief drink)

Q. Favorite scent

A. It's difficult to put into words

Q. Least favorite scent

A. Various bad smells

Q. Favorite scenery

A. The sea just before dawn

Q. You can cry three times in your life. The first time is when you are born. What about the other two?

A. Ore wa nanno namida mo nagasanai. Da-da-da! ("I won't shed any tears. Da-da-da!")

Q. If you could ride a time machine, when and where would you go, and what would you do? (Past or future is okay)

A. Into chaos. I'd want to see the Big Bang (the beginning of everything).

Q. If you were an assassin, what weapon would you use and why?

A. My hand blade. If you touch it carelessly, you'll get cut!

Q. Unlimited funding is provided. If you were to direct a movie, what kind of movie would it be?

A. Title: Manyan. Tagline: "A city possessed by an evil 'something' where strange phenomena occur one after another. A mysterious fake nose. A terrifying blend of comedy and psycho-suspense horror."

Q. What is the best "moment" for you?

A. Drinking an ice-cold beer after doing good work.

YU~KI (b)

Q. Favorite food

A. Sweet things

Q. Least favorite food

A. Bitter things

Q. Favorite drink

A. Sweet things

Q. Least favorite drink

A. Bitter things

Q. Favorite scent

A. Sweet things

Q. Least favorite scent

A. Bitter things

Q. Favorite scenery

A. A school on a red clay hill

Q. You can cry three times in your life. The first time is when you are born. What about the other two?

A. Tears of emotion and sadness

Q. If you could ride a time machine, when and where would you go, and what would you do? (Past or future is okay)

A. I'd want to see what I look like at the very end of my life.

Q. If you were an assassin, what weapon would you use and why?

A. Fangs to the neck (so I could watch their face as they die experiencing ultimate pleasure).

Q. Unlimited funding is provided. If you were to direct a movie, what kind of movie would it be?

A. A romance film, without worrying about fame.

Q. What is the best "moment" for you?

A. When I'm enveloped in white light.

MANA (g)

Q. Favorite food

A. Of course, Orukubekki's curry

Q. Least favorite food

A. None

Q. Favorite drink

A. Tomato juice

Q. Least favorite drink

A. None in particular

Q. Favorite scent

A. Sweet fruits

Q. Least favorite scent

A. Strong perfume worn by women at night

Q. Favorite scenery

A. White sky and blue sea

Q. You can cry three times in your life. The first time is when you are born. What about the other two?

A. I can't decide something like that.

Q. If you could ride a time machine, when and where would you go, and what would you do? (Past or future is okay)

A. I don't want to think about it since time machines don't exist.

Q. If you were an assassin, what weapon would you use and why?

A. A whip. I'm used to using it.

Q. Unlimited funding is provided. If you were to direct a movie, what kind of movie would it be?

A. The life of a phantom chef.

Q. What is the best "moment" for you?

A. The time when I can sleep when I'm sleepy.

ARENA 37°C (アリーナサーティーセブン) Vol.181 1997年10月

Drifting into the Mysterious Space of the Future

In June, Malice Mizer will release their first-ever video work, "sans retour Voyage 'dernière' encore une fois." This piece, labeled as a digest version of their final indie live performance at Shibuya Public Hall on April 1st, serves as the subject of this interview. Additionally, we will explore the truth behind their upcoming summer standing tour, "Pays de merveilles."

Interview & Text by Yuki Sugie

— Some time has passed, but how was the final performance of "sans retour Voyage dernière encore une fois" at Shibuya Public Hall for you as members?

Mana: Shibuko (Shibuya Public Hall) has about twice the capacity of Seinenkan (Japan Youth Hall), but surprisingly, it didn’t feel that much bigger. One thing I do remember clearly, though, is that during my solo dance corner, I wore platform heels for the first time in a while, and it was a real struggle.

— Walking in them is hard enough, but dancing in them must have been nearly impossible, right?

Közi: In Osaka, I kept falling over by myself multiple times.

Mana: Here I was, striking a perfect pose, looking all cool, and then right next to me, Közi kept rolling around on the floor.

Camui Gackt: (From the stage, visually, it did look a bit small.)

Mana: I heard that because the building is old, the seating arrangement is much tighter than in modern venues, which makes it feel smaller.

Gackt: Even the stage itself felt pretty cramped when standing on it. But still, I had the real sense that we had moved forward compared to our Seinenkan live. That said, it’s already in the past. Right now, I can only think about what’s ahead. We have to keep improving and pushing forward. After all, if we finish a live and think, “Ah, that was great,” and feel completely satisfied, isn’t that the end?

Közi: Wait, does that mean we’re already done? (laughs)

Kami: Apparently so. (laughs)

Well, each member probably has their own way of interpreting things.

Kami: For me, performing at Shibuko was something I had wanted to do for a long time. But once the live started, I became so immersed in the performance itself that I didn’t even think about it. Also, personally, I wasn’t satisfied with the Osaka show at all because of various mental struggles at the time. But at Shibuko, I was able to overcome that, so in that sense, I felt good about it. Of course, performance-wise, I still have a long way to go, but mentally, it was a big improvement for me.

Gackt: That day, Kami had an amazing expression on his face. His intensity was on another level.

Kami: Yeah, by the end, I was really moved. Since my drum set was on the second level of the stage, I was at eye level with the second-floor audience. Towards the end, when the lights illuminated the audience and I could see their faces clearly, I got a little emotional.

— I see. Also, during your drum solo, the glowing drumsticks made their first appearance, right?

Kami: Yeah, that was great! …Wait, they actually glowed well?

— Yes, they shined very brightly.

Kami: Oh, really? (laughs)

— And Közi, how was it for you?

Közi: It was such a long time ago that I’ve already started forgetting things. (laughs)

(Everyone laughs.)

Mana: In that scene where we were expressing the “eros of a confined space,” if you had fallen over, it would have been a disaster. (laughs)

— But you managed to stay on your feet at Shibuko, right?

Közi: It was really difficult, though.

— Speaking of difficult things, Yuki, you had a flying scene that day (as mentioned in last month’s live report). Wasn’t that scary?

Yu~ki: I’m not really a fan of heights. We did it in both Osaka and Tokyo, but since I wasn’t used to it, my stomach was in knots the whole time.

— I can imagine! That sounds intense. (laughs)

Yu~ki: I was in a “Hurry up and lower me down!” state. You know, it felt kind of like those pirate ship rides at amusement parks.

— Like Flying Pirates or Viking rides?

Yu~ki: Exactly! Those things make me super nervous.

Gackt: Ah, so it felt like the excitement of a first love?

— Uh… I think that’s a different kind of nervousness. (laughs)

Gackt: Oh, it’s different? Hmm. But for me, riding roller coasters brings back memories of my first love.

— What kind of first love did you have, Gackt?! (laughs)

Gackt: Well, when you’re on those rides, doesn’t it feel amazing? Is that weird?

Yu~ki: I can’t handle them at all. I’m the type who turns pale and breaks into a cold sweat after getting off. (laughs)

— And yet, you still decided to fly on stage at Shibuko?

Yu~ki: Yeah… Somehow, before I knew it, it was just happening. (laughs) But really, everyone worked hard that day.