For a very long time, I have wanted to translate this interview. I have not seen a translation online. Maybe because some of the subject matter might have been though of as controversial? (Personally I don't think so, but others may have) Unfortunately the images were not clear enough. But finally, thanks to a very kind person who provided me photos, I have been able to to translate Mana's 1998 interview with Pop Beat.
So let's return to the world of 1998, Japan. Mana's answers are in quotation marks. All other is Pop Beat. I've put a few explanations in parentheses, for clarification. Please pardon any errors, I'm not a trained translator.
Male or female?
Mana's sexuality
Mana finds out why she exists, and even her current style. Why he is her.
His reason for being her.
The first MALICE MIZER personal project that started this month is Mana-san, who is in a good mood. The theme was "man and woman", but Mana was shooting in Mana's own clothes. .. .. Are both like women? (lol) Gentle flared pants, punky and hard clothes, both look good (the legs are also beautiful!), And the interview goes from "Mana-san's theory of men and women" to a deep story. .. .. Are you thrilled by the radical content of the explosive remarks?
Today's outfit is your own?
"Yes. "I'm a transvestite enthusiast (lol)". I mean, it's the clothes I usually wear. When I go to a party or a secret playground, I dress like this and wear make up there. When I go, there are a lot of flashy people, so this is normal. "
Do you not mind how it appears to other people?
"I don't care. I don't really care about how other people see it, I don't care. Fashion is my way of life. Generally, Japanese people are too suitable (uniform) for others. No matter how germane (being appropriate) is popular, I don't think so. When I thought about it because it was popular, I wasn't myself. Wear the clothes you want to wear, if you don't do what you want to do, there's no point in living."
But why are you wearing women's clothes?
"I like women's clothing better. The waist is narrowed and the shoulders are flashy. Whether it's clothes or buildings, I was interested in designing anything, there aren't many types of men's clothing designs, right? I started to buy women's products that are fun in design by nature. .. .. ”
When did it start?
"At the end of my teen years. The trigger was, I needed it when in a plastic band (may be a reference to the Bubble Era/New Wave type music in Japan. Plastics were a very popular band at that time). Plus, by seeing the reason for my existence, my way of life and clothes gradually changed. I've said that I had come to understand what suits me and how to maximize my personality. When I was a teenager, I was influenced by various things that I saw and imitated them, but when I was in my late teens, I started to see my ego (self). At that time, I realized that I was not a hard man. I left being the hard side of the man to stubborn people (lol), after thinking of pursuing something that only I can give. I'm going to be a woman with a core, a woman who is confident in her way of life (lol). I mean, in my life, I have to do that (lol)."
"For example, when you decided to "do a woman" did you lose interest in women? .. .. ..
"No, I like women (lol), even now."
Is the woman you like also a woman with a core like what Mana-san does?
"It's close to the woman I want to be ... that I feel like (lol). Basically mysterious, I like mysterious women."
The ideal female image for Mana-san. .. ..
"Women like those in shojo manga"
What would you say more specifically?
"The point is to be more feminine. I don't think it's feminine if you're Burikko (contrived femininity, pretend cuteness) or if you feign a woman's sex appeal. I wonder if someone can produce an invisible femininity. There are some gestures, but it's a messy place ... For example, the expression of casual words makes me feel surprised, or I can be a little attentive. No matter how beautiful a person is, if I can't do that, I think it's useless. And women must be mysterious and bold (everyone laughs). Boldness is necessary. Being only modest is not a woman. I want you to show boldly where you show it boldly. Don't always be passive. The balance is important, that is, there is also an offensive (lol)."
What should I apply to that statement? .. .. (lol). On the contrary, what is the imaginary male image that you wanted to be like?
"Hmm ... I wanted to be a man who appears in shojo manga. He had long limbs, and as a fantasy, he was tall. Rare for the gender, about 185 cm. I admire the world of shojo manga "
Is it the world of shojo manga again? (lol)
"I'm not an adult yet. I'm pursuing the world of shojo manga, and I can't see reality (lol)."
Was there a man you longed to be when you were little?
"Well, when I think about it, I am not longing for it now. Some rock musicians I liked, but now that I'm expressing it, the influence hasn't come to an end. What I liked was Shibugakitai (1980's boy band) (lol). It was cool at that time. The song they sang is written as "virgin shock"” shojo-teki shōgeki” and read as "virgin shock"” vu~ājin shokku", so the sense was cool (lol). I'm a fan, but it's interesting that each of the three dances differently isn't it (lol)? For a while, I was aiming to be the 4th Shibugakitai. For example dance practice (lol). "
Has Mana-san been dressed as a woman since you went to Osaka and started a band?
"I was a woman, that was the way I lived. Apart from that, I'm not going to be a transvestite in the future, and I'm not pursuing transvestites, but I have my own music, a world view, and costumes on top of that. It s not just that I want to make a difference as a woman, I'm expressing my view of this world in fashion. So, in my case, rather than playing a woman, at that time, because I am suppose to be (a woman)."
Do you mean you're a woman?
"As well as a woman, also as a Yōsei (alluring spirits, fae). When I am a woman, even if I look like a woman, I have a man in my kokoro (heart, soul, inner self). This is dangerous (lol). I see a man looking at me, or a woman in the mirror, but the spirit is a man. Then I'm trying to do something I shouldn't do ... "
Should not do???
"Yes (lol). Is this story difficult?"
Yeah.
"To put it simply ... I wonder if I want to experiment in different ways (lol)."
After experimenting, if you take off your clothes, the body there is a man, isn't it? .. .. Maybe (lol).
"Yes (lol). That "maybe"(lol), maybe (lol)."
Hey, uh?
"Yeah yeah, I'm kidding (much laughing). I don't want to be a woman. Somehow, I am a man, no matter how hard I try, so I can't be a woman, right? That side feels good. With an erotic and violent feeling (lol)."
Do you feel like you are enjoying your life twice?
"I enjoy it. It's about going between men and women."
After all, if you wear a skirt, can you enjoy yourself differently?
"It feels good to wear a miniskirt, doesn't it? It's absolutely appealing for women to wear short skirts, so wearing a skirt will increase it (lol)."
What? (lol)
"No (lol). With trousers, the "invisible fashion (undergarments)" are blocked. By wearing a skirt, you can't usually see it, but sometimes you can see it. That tension (lol). Then as a woman, I think I'll try various fashions that can't be seen. I'm still fashionable according to the concept of clothes (lol)."
Amazing!!! (lol)
"Of course, Because it would be strange if Lupine III's trunks were under the frilly clothes that I wore in that shooting for a separate volume of Pop Beat (Editor's note, sold on July 4th). The underwear was also Aozukin-chan's specification (Little Blue Riding Hood) (lol). When wearing black clothes, I like black underwear. After all, don't do it half-hearted. Depending on the concept, various underwear is used properly, so the drawers are colorful (lol)."
Underwear thief looks happy (lol). I would like to ask Mana-san, who lives such a wonderful way, the definition of masculinity and femininity.
"Hmm, that's right ... "likeness" is difficult. Basically, it's a difference in body. With mentality, I don't think there's a difference between being a man and a woman. Rather than that, myself, born on earth, what if I could find my existence? It's not that I have to be masculine because I'm a man, but that person himself explains the reason for his existence. I think it would be nice if I could find it, so in that sense, I think it's better to be independent of gender, such as men and women."
Do you mean that human beings shouldn't worry about their gender in their lives?
"Really. Mostly, I don't know who decided the common sense and preconceived ideas that are overflowing in the world now, but it is doubtful whether it is correct in itself. If that is the case, I think it's better to create your own common sense within yourself. I believe that what is right is right, and I am walking my way now, but when I realize the reason for my existence and see the way to go, it is strange to the world. Even if you think about it, you can be proud of yourself and you will not be scared. "
It's a courageous remark (lol). But isn't the public wind strong?
"It's strong and natural. On the contrary, it's better to be strong. Without that kind of thing, nothing is born. I'm boring, so in this way, I've been developing new things myself. I'm a human being who must always seek stimulus. So it's a little bad for my parents, but I'm going to dress up as I like (lol). Parents, and teachers, I'm a really hard person (lol). "
In other words, for Mana-san, there is no definition of masculinity and femininity.
"Yes. Before that, what is important to humans is the mind and soul. There is a place to return to that soul, and there is only one place for men and women. Well, that is MALICE MIZER. You might know if you look at the stage, ha ha ha... "
