MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary 25 Questions for Mana

 

And finally, from five years ago, here are the 25 questions for Mana. 

1. What do you think of that many fans still crave MALICE MIZER? 

I am happy to be honest. I often go to overseas events in recent years,  people were excited by the topic of DSVI even locally. This time I have heard many voices "I will go to Japan for the live".

2. Of the songs of MALICE MIZER, what song is the one that has a feeling of honor? 

Is it the first demo tape (Temptation of Widow)． Although it is instrumental, the prototype of MALICE MIZER was made. A beautifully sad twin guitar melody. But now when I look back, what a title (smile).

3. Please tell us what you felt was good as MALICE MIZER

Being able to challenge all possibilities that were impossible with other bands. Anyway I was filled with stimulation and had a good experience.

4. What if you dare to give one regret during the activities of MALICE MIZER?

During a live - the silver fastener on the back of the costume burst and flew apart quite dangerously. . . . . It was not regret but an accident, but if you are a girl, and as a girl you are saying "no it is (regretful)".

5. What work remains in your impressions of the MALICE MIZER era other than music activities? 

I am a game hard collector & retrogame specialist, so be serialized in a game magazine seemed like a dream from childhood. I think that it was a good experience to talk with people who were great game creators.

6. Among the many photo shoots you went to during the MALICE MIZER era, which one did you like the most, which site shot is it?

In the early years, I did not have any money so I went to a foreign cemetery (Aoyama) many times, desperately staging death in Europe.

7. Can you tell me now, please tell me a secret of the Malice Mizer activity period.

Actually, I spoke out loud too carelessly several times. Pays de merveilles, on the last day of the tour, I was instigated by a member of staff "Tour-it's the end so don't talk", so I talked with momentum, but now I regret it (smile).

8. Have you ever had any significant changes since your days in MALICE MIZER?

Especially I feel like I have not changed much. . . If I can say, now with Moi dix Mois I play guitar on all the songs! 

9. Conversely please tell me what you haven't changed here at all

Make-up is not different at all. I never have stood on the stage with natural makeup. It seems like the world changes as the age changes, but I do not feel like changing this style!

10. What if you were to talk to yourself during the Malice Mizer era? (looking back)

If I could speak during the early days, what I dreamed of, that I can make a more advanced performance by building a medieval European stage set!

11. Now what are you doing when you are blissful?

When touching nature. Because the majority of work is staggering (a lot) with computers. . . It goes without saying that it is also the time of being able to meet fans as well.

12. What is the most annoying event?

I missed recording the Southern Indian curry (show) that was broadcast on BS.

13. Recently you are addicted, what would you like to recommend to fans, please tell me the items?

I'm from Hiroshima, so how about Lemosco? Make sure to use it as an accent for cooking!

14. Please let me know what work that remained (thought of) in your mind recently? 

Not recently, but the movie "Inception". I got into the deeper layer consciousness in my dream, the dream had a hierarchy. . . . I thought about writing such a scenario.　　

15. Recently, please tell us what music you thought was nice

In this Deep Sanctuary VI, I copied and revised MALICE songs and thought again that MALICE songs are good  (self praising !!!)

16. What do you see Közi as? 

Very flexible. Even if I make a strange request "I will do anything!" I think that the point is that he is a rocker in a sense.

17. What do you see Yu~ki as?

His artistry is exceptionally high. He is a man of few words, but he holds his opinions in his mind and thinks carefully before giving accurate remarks. It can be said that he is MALICE MIZER's secret leader.

18. What do you see Kami as?

He was a wonderful hard worker. Anyway, the amount of practice of the drum was amazing! Because he went to a dry river bed and practiced. When he joined, I was a little worried about MALICE's strange time signature, but he was improving himself. It improved so much and Malice's songs became more advanced songs. He always wanted to play for a long time.

19. What do you see Tetsu as?

He's a rocker. I think that he was a very good match because it was MALICE's early band sound. Crazy singing and intricate classical melody were fused into independence.

20. What do you see Gackt as?

Because he was not a rocker, he was beyond the framework of the general art band that MALICE was trying to challenge. I think that there are not many vocalists that say that they want to fly when you first meet them.

21. What do you see Klaha as?

A gentle gentleman. He was truly a jet black noblesse (nobility). Bara no Seidou certainly could not have been completed without him. Once the night of Bara no Seidou that painted the world of perfect darkness had come to an end, we wanted to express more in the sunny new world.

22 What do you see Gaz as?

Anyway he was innocent. Because he joined after saying "The drummer of MALICE is me!" (Smile). He cared about MALICE very much. Since the initial activities including the first live were Gaz's stuff, he is there, so I am very grateful that it is connected to the subsequent MALICE.

23. Please tell us what is the theme of what you want to challenge such things from now on?

I want to let the world know about MALICE MIZER, Moi dix Mois, and Mana, the arts that Japan is proud of.

24. Please tell us the current answer to the proposition that MALICE MIZER had raised? 

It seems like there is time, but it is short. Fate doesn't happen whether you have it or not. MALICE MIZER 25th anniversary. . . . . There are many things in life that I'm sure of, but I feel like it's too early to talk about them now. I want to keep it hidden in my heart until I have time to talk about it again.

25. Finally, what is MALICE MIZER to Mana?

The one that awakened the essence that was sleeping under consciousness.

MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary 25 Questions for Közi

 

30 years ago, musicians in Japan got together and decided to start a band. Not just any band, but a band that would bring to fans a world of fantasy and imagination. And five years ago they gave those fans a concert of a lifetime. So here are Közi's 25 answers from the pamphlet for that concert.

1. What do you think of that many fans still crave MALICE MIZER? 

I am very pleased.

2. Of the songs of MALICE MIZER, what song is the one that has a feeling of honor? 

Blood and roses of reunion Saikai No Chi To Bara (memories or flashbacks are instantaneously too big too hear so much)

3. Please tell us what you felt was good as MALICE MIZER.

It was something that I could rest in malice and tragedy, still in the middle.

4. What if you dared to give one regret during the activities of MALICE MIZER?

I will not regret it.

5. What work remains in your impressions of the MALICE MIZER era other than music activities? 

Except music activities? Do you talk about water trade?

6. Among the many photo shoots you went to during the MALICE MIZER era, which one did you like the most, which site shot is it?

I thought that the best shot, "Oh, heartless". Shooting was fun every time and I think that a good picture was taken.

7. Can you tell me now, please tell me a secret of the Malice Mizer activity period

Such a thing. Can I say that!　Cyuu no.

8. Have you ever had any significant changes since your days in Malice Mizer?

Would you like weight gain and a deeply carved line. . .

(wrinkles)

9. Conversely, please tell me what you haven't changed here at all.

I feel relaxed and quietly drifting, is that okay?

10. What if you were to talk to yoursef during the MALICE MIZER era? (looking back)

All right! It will be liked! Go anywhere!

11. Now what are you doing when you are blissful?

It's a gig! Gig!

12. What is the most annoying event?

I wonder what it was, but I forgot.

13. Recently you are addicted, you would like to recommend to fans, please tell me the items?

Manuka Honey.

14. Please let me know what work that remained (thought of) in your mind recently? 

Scary picture books.

15. Recently, please tell me what music you thought was nice?

New ZIZ-san. The songs of. Super E!

16. What is Mana-sama seen as?

Mana-sama is Mana-chan.

17. What is Yuki seen as? 

Yuki san is Yuki-chan.

18. What is Kami seen as?

Kami-san is Kami.

19. What is Mr. Tetsu seen as ?

Tetsu-san is Tetsu.

20. What is Gackt seen as?

Gackt-san is Gakuto　

21. What is Klaha seen as? 

Klaha san is Kuraha-kun.

22 What is Mr. Gaz seen as?

Tatsuaki (タツアキ)

23. Please tell us what is the theme of what you want to challenge such things from now on?

No way! Just go anywhere, until it disappears.

24. Please tell us the current answer to the proposition that MALICE MIZER had raised? 

Don't say that. (perhaps he didn't want to answer?)

25 Finally, what is MALICE MIZER for?

Things that become blood and become meat and continue staying without thinking within Közi.

MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary 25 Questions for Yu~ki

 

 

Five years ago I was able to experience something that I never thought would be possible. A concert of a lifetime. Given to us by three musicians who have put their all into the band that they created, MALICE MIZER. Being able to experience their world was a dream come true. That experience was Deep Sanctuary VI. And now that it is 30 years from when they started that world, I present something from the pamphlet from that concert. 

25 Questions for Yu~ki 

1. What do you think of that many fans still crave MALICE MIZER? 

Honor of honors. 

2. Of the songs of MALICE MIZER, what song is the one that has a feeling of honor? 

A story of malice and tragedy that intersects as many as the number of melodies. (Bara ni Irodora Reta Akui to Higeki no Makuake)

3. Please tell us what you felt was good as MALICE MIZER.

One view of the world.

4. What if you dared to give one regret during the activities of MALICE MIZER?

All the chaos and confusion into the fog of time.

5. What work remains in your impressions of the MALICE MIZER era other than music activities? 

Illness of family members.

6. Among the many photo shoots you went to during the MALICE MIZER era, which one did you like the most, which site shot is it?

Eroticism dyed in fresh blood.

7. Can you tell me now, please tell me a secret of the MALICE MIZER activity period?

Yu~ki in emptyness.

8. Have you ever had any significant changes since your days in MALICE MIZER?

My adaptation to this world.

9. Conversely, please tell me what you haven't changed here at all.

My self-quest.

10. What if you were to talk to yoursef during the MALICE MIZER era? (looking back)

It is an eternal moment.

11. Now what are you doing when you are blissful? 

I'm between delusion and reality.

12. What is the most annoying event?

An act as a justifiable act.

13. Recently you are addicted, you would like to recommend to fans, please tell me the items?

Moonlight baths.

14. Please let me know what work that remained (thought of) in your mind recently? 

Plastic surgery.

15. Recently, please tell us what music you thought was nice.

Heart sound.

16. What do you see Mana as?

Genius.

17. What is Közi seen as?

Que sera sera.

18. What is Kami seen as?

Emotion.

19. What is Tetsu seen as?

Intelligence.

20. What is Gackt seen as?

Belief.

21. What is Klaha seen as? 

Lyrics.

22. What is Gaz seen as?

(He was) active.

23. Please tell us what is the theme of what you want to challenge such things from now on?

Ground of sadness.

24. Please tell us the current answer to the proposition that MALICE MIZER had raised? 

Love ~Labyrinth to regression~ 

25. Finally, what is MALICE MIZER for?

Fate ~The sight I saw someday~

Deep Sanctuary VI MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary Book Translation

For several years, former band members Mana and Közi have held joint concerts. Every two years their respective bands, Moi dix Mois and ZIZ, would get together and perform. For the third part of the show they would reunite with the third founding band member Yu~ki and perform some of their MALICE MIZER songs.

In 2018, for two days, the three put on very special shows. With the addition of singers, who were former roadies of the band, the MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary Special was created. To commemorate this, a video and book were published. Since the book is no longer available, I decided to attempt to translate the words of the three singers and drummer Sakura written on the pages of the book. So here they are.

MALICE MIZER Memorable Day

Sharing the same time with the members on the same stage

I felt very honored

Next time    From the floor    From the same perspective as all the blood relatives

I will watch the live of MALICE MIZER    Listen to it

I look forward to it

Shuji

Thank you for (allowing me to) participate on the special stage called the 25th anniversary performance.

The excitement of singing an important song is a treasure of a lifetime.

MALICE MIZER was my dream, it was a place for learning.

Of course music, (and) because they showed me the attitude to stick with all things in front of me, now I can say that. I am sincerely grateful.

I will continue to chase the backs of all members.

I will always come to carry the equipment so please call me (lol)

And I'm looking forward to the future of MALICE MIZER as a fan!

KAMIJO

When I was on the side watching MALICE MIZER,
their world view that changed the atmosphere of the venue in an instant,

I loved the sharpness of individuality that no one could match.

I want to be unique with my own band, This thing that I've been particular about is, 

undoubtedly, I think that it is because I have inherited the blood of MALICE MIZER.

Being involved in MALICE MIZER again at Toyosu Pit, carrying the crown together

Setting up on stage was something special in my music career.

And I felt strongly. Even after a long time, they are still the most important band to this scene.

Can we meet again? At that time, I was a roadie but it is okay, so please get involved.

I also want to be part of the sharpness.

Hitomi

In the summer of 2016, Kami contacted me.　

Apparently he went to see Deep Sanctuary V.

(Sakura-san, are you busy in the summer of 2018?)

(I don't know yet in two years. The schedule is open so far)

(3 man, Mana-chan, Kozi, Yu~ki-chan, are doing a lot of fun.)

(Ho)

(Uh... the words I exchanged with the fans 19 years ago was "Let's meet at the next live".)

(Oh, yes it was)

(Deep Sanctuary in 2018 probably marks the 25th anniversary of the formation of MALICE MIZER...)

Kami is superior and very concerned about me, so the language is not always clear.

(I understand what you want to say. Two years later stop working in the sugar cane fields, make sure to get a good rest.)

(Oh, yes)

(Because it is a request of none other than Kami... My body, you can use it as you like.) 

On September 8th and 9th, 2018,
I worked the MALICE MIZER drums with Sakura and Kami.

Sakura

(just a note about Sakura's comments. It is a conversational exchange between him and Kami)

It's a Food Trip in Tokyo

I mentioned a couple of things I ate in Tokyo, including that fun meal at the Vampire Cafe. Here's a few other things. Seasonal label of Oi Ocha Green Tea. I buy Oi Ocha in the US too. Making sure I was hydrated in that hot weather was important. Glad I did well with that. 

Only bag of Calbee chips I bought, near the start of my trip. Forerunner of the "everything is lemon flavor" of that time of the year. These actually were good. 

I did get some things from Boulangere Asanoya, including those cute little pies. This was their lemon bread, which was also good. 

I found Halloween KitKats at the local konbini! Since I had not tried pudding KitKats before, I went for it.

Cute little packaging. The flavor wasn't bad, but the chestnut KitKats were better.

My one super overly sweet treat. Konbini chocolate crepe. Fresh crepes at stands are better but this was okay. 

Mostly I ate this. Salads, along with nigiri sushi. I think my sushi craving was because I needed salt and protein, but didn't want heavy food. It's great that many konbini have decent sushi for not a lot of money. 

 A few things that made it home with me. Barely. Curry from both Hiroshima TAU and Marui One Annex Shinjuku. More of that Hiroshima lemon and orange flavored black tea, along with a lemon jam and lemon juice. They didn't have the setouchi lemon juice that I usually get.

 As for the curry, the one on the left was from Hiroshima TAU. Hiroshima oysters and seasoned with Hiroshima brand Lemosco, a lemon hot sauce, this was one hot curry. I was a little disappointed that there weren't more oysters. I ended up saving part of this and reheating it with shrimp the next day. 

The other was Tochigi Prefecture Lemon Milk Curry from Marui One Annex regional antenna shop. It's on the first floor and they always have interesting food from all over Japan. It's a good place to get stuff to take home for gifts. I was a little hesitant about this since it said it was a milk curry, but it was actually good! Chicken with a nice balance of lemon. I'd eat this again if I can find it. But it's difficult because the US prevents imports of curry with meat in it, unless there is major testing first. 

And sake from Hiroshima TAU. It's a nice sake shop on the second floor. I bought that sake I like along with a bottle of something a little special. 

From Sempuku Brewery in Hiroshima, this is another of their sake for the anime movie "In this Corner of the World". It's their Chisaku Momiji ginjo sake made with maple yeast. It was a lovely sake, very nice smooth flavor.

Besides food, I did get a couple of concert related items. This Közi photobook was available at the Deep Sanctuary VI MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary Event. I picked it up for someone but of course I flipped through it. Really nice art photography of the musician and artist Közi. I recommend it for his fans. 

It came with a post card of Közi so now I have a set of him with Mana. Sadly no Yu~ki post card was available. So I don't have a complete set of MALICE MIZER members. 

Since the MALICE MIZER shirts were not available at the show, and the ones I ordered are suppose to ship very soon (yeah having to pay shipping for something which should have been at the concert, not the best thing), I ended up getting one of the new Moi dix Mois dolman shirts. Pardon the not so lovely hotel room bathroom door.

It's bigger and lighter weight than the other dolman shirts that I have. It's good for hot weather wearing. 

I wasn't planning on buying a tote bag, but the blue of the new Moi dix Mois tote was really appealing to me. It ended up being a good thing, made it easier to carry stuff after I fell at the concert. It's bigger than my other snap Moi dix Mois tote, so that is also nice. And there are the picks I bought at ESP Museum. The new Közi and Mana MALICE MIZER picks created for the 25th Anniversary. I bought extra so I could add them to my Moi dix Mois key chain, which now has four different Mana picks.

So that is probably it for my recent trip posts. However there are a few related things I want to write about. Including the new MALICE MIZER costumes and maybe a translation or two. So that may happen very soon.

MALICE MIZER 25th Anniversary Exhibition at ESP Museum

I have mentioned the ESP Museum before. It is part of ESP Craft House, located in Shibuya near Tower Records. The museum holds exhibits for musicians along with their displays of various guitars. Following the Deep Sanctuary VI concerts, they put on a very special exhibition of MALICE MIZER guitars and memorabilia. Now, they have shown both Mana's and Közi's guitars, but this time they also had items belonging to Yu~ki and Kami.

A little background first. MALICE MIZER was formed in August, 1992. Going through a few different formations due to vocalist changes, they were one of the more influential visual kei bands of their time. Even though they ceased activities in December 2001, they still have very loyal fans. Starting in 2010, three of the founding members, Mana, Közi and Yu~ki would get together every couple of years at their Deep Sanctuary concerts and play a few MALICE MIZER songs. This year, they performed two full concerts for the first time since 2001. That was Deep Sanctuary VI.

Starting the day after the concerts, ESP Museum opened up with their MALICE MIZER exhibition. Items that were shown or used at the Deep Sanctuary VI concerts were displayed. Here are some of the vintage posters. 

Pardon the quality of these photos. There was a lot of glass and bright lights. Still, I had to try to capture what was on display. Images from various time periods of the band's history. The posters above are from the end of 1999 to 2001. 

Earlier posters. The set along the top include images taken at LA TABLE de Joel Robuchon restaurant in Ebisu. I wrote about it here http://blukats.blogspot.com/2018/04/a-malice-mizer-mystery.html.

Inside video and music were playing from one of their concerts. 

In the middle of the room was part of Kami's drum kit from the concerts. Since I went the first day, there wasn't much there, but items were added in the days after.

Kami's triple cymbals. Rose petals were strewn below the exhibits. Red roses were used a lot in the later band visuals. 

The custom front of Kami's kick drum. Sakura had put this together for the show, using images that Kami had created. Kami was fond of butterflies, and there were butterflies through out the exhibit. 

They also had Mana's and Közi's synth drums that they had played just the night before. The riding crops were also there, at that time they were on the floor below the guitars. 

The guitars made up the bulk of the displays. Far left is Yu~ki's bass, and then various guitars belonging to Közi. Some of these I had seen before because they are usually on display at the museum. The difference was that normally they do not allow photographs in the museum, but for this exhibit they were allowing fans to take photos.

Yu~ki's yellow bass and Közi's various guitars.

And the three. Mana's jeune fille, Yu~ki's Amaze custom, and Közi's Akutsui. 

Since they were allowing photos, I finally got one of Mana's jeune fille blanche. That's a custom paint job by Mana, who dripped red paint on. 

And the jeune fille II that was played the night before. 

There were also current ESP artist series guitars on display. These are one that customers can buy. 

There were a couple used guitars in another room. The jeune fille x lazuli -Cross Ray- was very tempting with it's flashing light. 

Besides the instruments, items that were used in MALICE MIZER music videos were on display. 

The book that was used in the Bel Air ~Kuuhaku no Shunkan no Naka De~ de L'Image film was displayed. Someone did a nice job creating this book and distressing it. The "Pays de Merveilles" book, along with printed pages inside, was also shown in the Gekka no Yasoukyoku video.

Also used in the Gekka no Yasoukyoku video were the Mana doll and Közi marionette. Next to these in the display was Közi's doll that he used when performing the song Brise. My photo did not turn out well. It was all that glass and bright lights. 

The items that received the most attention were ones belonging to Kami, MALICE MIZER's drummer who passed away in 1999. Various drum sticks were displayed including these obviously used ones. 

One of his bags for drum sticks. 

Which someone drew on in blue marker. I wonder who. Difficult to see but it is still visible.  

Some of the flowers they used at their concerts. Red roses thrown at the beginning of the show and the others Mana placed in their musical instruments during Madrigal. My last two posts were about the concert, so there is more information there. 

Along with Mana's teddy bear bag. 

Shown with Mana's tambourine. Both were used during Madrigal in the two Deep Sanctuary VI concerts. That bear has seen a lot of use. It is one that Mana would put candy in and then throw it during concerts. No candy this time. 

The tambourine has LED lights. I didn't notice if it was lit up during the concert.

While visitors were looking at everything, the items that got the most attention were these gloves, 

And this hat. Both items belonged to Kami. I had hoped they would have something of his that he wore, so it was amazing to see this.

Kami wearing the hat with the matching outfit.

Sadly I was not able to return later in the week when they put the costumes, that were worn during Deep Sanctuary VI, on display. I only had two days in which to visit the museum. And that was difficult because of what happened to my right leg at the concert. Still, I was not going to miss this. It was worth seeing.