KOZI (MALICE MIZER) ASTAN - 2005 Vol.21

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

KAMI: When you go on tour i think the tour finale is the culmination of how much you’ve grown during the process. For now, i want to make this tour something great and take it on as a challenge. Touring is such a valuable learning experience and i'm always thinking about how best to express myself as i go through it.

- Previously, Mana mentioned that recent stage performances are completely different from those a year ago. Does the way you present yourselves change as the venues grow larger?

MANA: It’s completely different. For example, when performing at a large hall like Shibuya Public Hall versus a live house there’s a significant difference in the distance between us and the audience. Back in the day we used to incorporate theatrical elements but in larger halls, those details can’t really be seen. That’s why we adjust our presentation and stage direction to suit the venue.

- At your recent performance at Akasaka BLITZ, I felt that while your image evokes dreams and illusions, there seems to be a stark reality behind that. Is that intentional?"

MANA: Yeah, you’ve touched on something pretty important. I think we give off a very fantastical image but at the core we’re actually expressing raw, visceral human emotions. If people can pick up on that contrast, I think that’s ideal.

- Alright, Gackt we’ll wrap up with you. Could you tell us about the significance of the upcoming 'Deuxième Anniversaire ~ The Magnificent Revival' performance on the 10th?"

Gackt: The 10th is a very meaningful day for Malice Mizer. As the name suggests, it’s a resurrection, a rebirth of sorts. It’s also an opportunity for those who have never seen Malice Mizer before to witness us. It might sound misleading, but Malice Mizer is Malice Mizer no matter the occasion. I often say that we are ever-changing but even if the way we express ourselves changes, the core remains the same. We are changing, yet unchanged. I want people to feel that duality. Additionally, the meaning of the 'Blank Moments' in the 'Pays de Merveilies ~ Blank Moments'... I personally felt those blank moments during the 'Voyage ~ Vérité' tour. I want to express that."

- Could you elaborate on that?"

Gackt: On July 20th, during the BLITZ performance, my dog, who had been my only family for over 20 years, collapsed just before the live. While I was performing, they were undergoing surgery. By the time I rushed over after the show, they had already passed away. I don’t know if that was the reason, but everything that day was utterly chaotic. I revisited the metaphorical 'door of blank moments,' and i came to realize that everything starts from that point. That’s why i want to present something meaningful every single day. During the first half of the tour, i was in a slump, but in the second half i want to get even a step closer to the ideal version of myself. I want to remain positive in all aspects, convey that to people and hope they can feel it.

"This action which is almost unthinkable in the norms of rock bands, stirred up mixed reactions. However, this also became a hot topic and further boosted their popularity. You can witness this in performances like "S-CONSCIOUS," where they all wear bondage costumes and deliver digital hard tunes, and in the pop like "Je te veux," where all members except Gackt play percussion instruments while performing. In "Brise," there's even a scene where Mana rides a roller scooter around the stage, showing a playful expression.

Additionally, what deserves special mention is that many of their songs are very "pop" and easy to remember. The songs, crafted under the concept of medieval Europe possessed delicate and melancholic melodies. The meticulous and heavy arrangements, combined with Gackt's sweet and silky voice, polished these melodies into superb pop pieces that left an indelible impression, one that lingered long after you heard them. In fact, every single they released after their debut charted high in the hit rankings. This DVD includes live performances of singles with beautiful melodies such as "ma chériebeloved to you," "Gekka no Yasoukyoku (Moonlight Nocturne)," "Bel Air In the Blank Moment," and "Le ciel." Tracks like "N.P.s N.G.s," "Je te veux," and "Brise" also feature catchy melodies and are fan-favorites at their live shows. Moreover, there are many rare video clips included, such as the solo performance "Hamon/Concerto" where Gackt's piano intertwines with Kami's drums.

The DVD culminates in the final scene at Yokohama Arena, where all the members appear with feathers larger than their height. Among them, Gackt, with black wings reminiscent of a fallen angel, floats in the air and passionately sings "Le Ciel" while bleeding. It is truly a dreamlike scene that embodies the "ultimate visual kei." After watching this, it's easy to understand why, even after MALICE MIZER disbanded, there have been very few follower bands. With such a perfectly realized world, there was no room left for anyone to follow. They are indeed a one of a kind band. This DVD fully captures their appeal, and it's a must-see for anyone who hasn’t yet experienced the sound and visuals of MALICE MIZER.

From SHOXX 179

Mana:

At the final stage of merveilles i felt like I saw a light within myself. Or rather i sensed it. I thought that might be an easier way to express it. But in reality... You’d think it came across clearly.

Gackt:

When it comes to live performances, ones that are carefully constructed, i sometimes wonder is that really okay? Of course it's not like it’s 100% perfect. Also you're always aware of the camera. I'd like to try using it more intentionally. Definitely.

Back during the live video Voyage, there were parts I just couldn’t be satisfied with. It wasn’t like we were consciously shaping the footage ourselves. You can really tell the difference between when you're aware of the camera and when you're not. Compared to that, this time we had more cameras and various new elements.

Actually, when it comes to balance, that one buffer, how we manage that, really matters. Promotion video technology has come a long way too. But honestly, I think it might be better to break the whole concept a little more. That’s just my personal view.

There's this assumption that everything is going to be captured on camera. But if I were allowed, I'd like to try breaking away from that. I wonder if that would really be okay. Still it’s not that easy.

The current situation with MALICE MIZER makes it even harder. To capture their live performances, we really have to think about where to put the cameras and how many to use. There are people who can’t see MALICE MIZER live. For them, video becomes the only window in.

So as a way to give them that experience, I’d love to just place cameras and film a live. Without overthinking it, maybe even using 200 cameras. But in the end, what we always struggle with is how to shoot the stage without interfering with it. Maybe we didn’t fully utilize some of the camera angles either. Fundamentally, there are things that cameras simply aren’t meant to capture.

"I feel like we're searching for something beyond that."

In the end, it's about the greatest pleasure in this world— the joy, anger, sorrow, and all emotions.

Music itself comes from the flow of religion, right? Religion itself started from human sin, and I think it was built to overcome it and bring it to zero. Regardless of whether one believes in religion or not the desire to overcome sin is something that every human being has, right? What we do isn’t religious activity, but if there are expressions that seem religious, we won’t deliberately deny them. It’s a matter of how different people interpret it.

In live shows and albums, the emotions of joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure of humans are included. If someone perceives something religious within that, it's a matter of their sensitivity. We don’t deny or affirm it.

Let's change the approach of the question regarding the term "religious." What if Malice Mizer’s fans, in the future, became the type of people who believe only in Malice Mizer, who have no other support but Malice Mizer?

"There are so many people and so much music, so it's hard to imagine a situation where it's only Malice Mizer. I don’t feel that way on stage," said Gackt.

Mana continued: "I rely on the audience more than they rely on me. I live every day in fear, and when I get letters from the fans, I feel saved."

Hmm? "Fearful..."?

"Yes, that's right. I can't say it directly, but there are hints. Please watch my segment in the TV special about Malice Mizer (those who recorded the video) and also look at the various drawings I make; it’s hidden there."

Mana has once again given a mystery, but Közi also agrees: "Like Mana-chan, I find healing in fan letters every day. Since our major debut, the pace of life has become incredibly fast." It seems that all the members get some form of power from fan letters.

Can the passionate feelings of the fans also be felt from the stage?

"On stage, I enter an unrealistic world, so sometimes when I look at the audience, my mood drops, so I don't consciously focus on it," said Kami.

Yu~ki added: "In the end, I feel like we’re searching for something beyond the greatest pleasure or feeling, something that encompasses all emotions— joy, anger, sorrow, and pleasure. It's like we're trying to find it together."

Gackt continued: "I think the meaning of standing on stage is different for each person, but for us, and for those who come to see us, we are mirrors. When we send out waves, they don’t just go one way, they come back. In that way, both sides discover and grow. Looking in the mirror means that I’m looking at myself. Sometimes, I see a better version of myself, someone who can do even more."

They send out waves from the stage, and the audience receives them.

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

Vol. 2: Canned Coffee Edition

This is the "MAX Coffee" sold in Ibaraki, my birthplace and Chiba among other places. I've been drinking it since I was a child. The color and design have changed about four times evolving into its current form.

The taste can be summed up as 'sweet'!! Think of it more like a sweet coffee milk rather than a traditional canned coffee. When I moved to Tokyo, I naturally tried to buy MAX Coffee only to find... it wasn't available!

I wondered why and investigated, discovering that it seems to be sold only in Ibaraki and Chiba. When I mentioned this, I heard various rumors that it was sold in other places as well. This is why I instructed fans in the "Vicious" music magazine's Malice corner to investigate. According to fan reports (or investigators, as I like to call them), it’s primarily sold in Ibaraki, Chiba, and Tochigi. One excellent investigator even called the consumer consultation center to find out, which was great. Other information from investigators confirmed its presence outside these three prefectures, including Shizuoka, Kuki City in Saitama, and around Odaiba in Tokyo (closer to Chiba).

Come to think of it I remember seeing and drinking it about four years ago in a remote area of Saitama. I think it might be a regional exclusive so it could be stocked and sold in various places.

I also saw it being sold at Koiwa (Tokyo) and the neighboring Ichikawa (Chiba) stations. This coffee is quite something--don’t underestimate it... The "MAX" might refer to the amount of sugar being maxed out.

If anyone knows more details, please send me another report. I recall that when I was in middle and high school, there was just the regular MAX Coffee and also a MAX half-can with a slightly lighter taste. Then Georgia acquired it and it became Georgia MAX Coffee. At that time the design was quite amusing 1/4 Georgia and 3/4 MAX Coffee... so simple!

I don't know if it’s still sold, but there was a juice called "Hi-C" and I have a can of its tomato flavor stored at my family home. Also, though I’ve never seen it elsewhere, Georgia’s "Cafe au Lait" was sold in Osaka.

See you again...

MALICE MIZER - M-Gazette - November 1998 Vol.21

“Merveilles” Tour Final 98.7.22 Yokohama Arena

There was a castle, on stage, as if time was flowing backward only there… A scene encountered in the distant memories of a faraway past, evoking such an illusion… Is that place truly a part of the real world?

Does MALICE MIZER truly exist in reality?

In the world of collective imagination, where the unreliable five senses of humans mistakenly perceive, is it all a dream? Standing by the seaside where a gentle breeze flows or walking cautiously through a dark forest with no lights, always aware of what’s behind… In that instant a stage existed that could transform the scenery dramatically like the lighting that thundered fiercely in the dark night. And from above, no, as if sent from a different dimension their figures appeared in that space. And through sound, vibration, and light… everything about MALICE MIZER began to flow into our brains through every sensory organ.

“An integrated arts group,” MALICE MIZER.

Artists have their limits, musicians have their limits, directors have their limits. However, what need is there for “chic” in conveying things, events, emotions, and the world to people? “Is this a false space created by them? Are they false on stage?” Such trivial thoughts almost arise, but there is a world there. Yet, it is perhaps just showing what they can express. They have the authority over the “time” of this world.

And the lights in the castle began to fade, revealing a night sky adorned with countless stars… And the door to that space closed, while outside, the rain poured down heavily. Too many things unfolded in that brief moment and remained.

On the way back. “There’s no rain like this in a storm… maybe it’s still continuing from that place earlier.” I thought about such things as if I were running over a river in the car.

Text: Nobue Ishibashi

M GAZETTE Original MALICE MIZER Card-Type Calendar

50 readers will receive a gift.

50 readers will receive a 6-piece set of the M GAZETTE Original “MALICE MIZER Card-Type Calendar.” For details, please refer to the “Treasure Release” section on page 112.

“merveilles” — The End and Return ~TOUR-98 7.22 Yokohama Arena SET LIST

S.E. Bois de merveilles (instrumental)

M1. S-concious

M2. ILLUMINATI

M3. Np.s Ngs

M4. mana közi/Solo

M5. Gackt kami/Solo

M6. Syunikiss ~ The Second Mourning ~

M7. Nocturne Under the Moon

M8. Vel Air ~ In the Moment of Emptiness ~

M9. Dance of Death

M10. Aegean ~ With the Wind that Passed ~

M11. yu-ki/Solo

M12. Je te veux

M13. Madorigal

M14. Brise

M15. au revoir

M16. ma cherie

en. Le ciel

Atra Winter 2007 // Klaha

As you can tell from his profile Atra kun is still very much a child. Everything he sees is new to him and he’s full of curiosity thinking everything is his toy. If you're careless and leave things on a table or somewhere within his reach, by the time you realize it, they’ll be hidden somewhere. For example, under the sofa or the bed... You might think you've completely lost something, only to find it one day by chance under the sofa or bed. Such troublesome events happen often. But it’s this mischievous and lively personality that makes him so charming.

However, the thing that's troubling me the most with Atra right now is his eating habits. The problem is he won’t eat unless I’m right beside him constantly stirring his food with my fingers. And in the end unless i place the remaining small amount of food in my palm and feed him by hand he won’t finish his meal.

The root cause is of course that I’ve spoiled him too much. But on days when I have to leave early for a photoshoot or something it’s difficult to always be there to feed him. Not to mention, he eats slowly and tends to eat his meal in several sittings.

So about his eating habits... By the way when Atra kun is in such a troublesome state if I try to leave without indulging him, he will inevitably start making strange, incomprehensible noises like 'Oh, no!!' while jumping at me in desperation.

Of course he also acts spoiled at times. For example, when I'm getting ready to leave, Atra will start pouncing on me as if to say, 'Don’t leave me!' He makes such cute sounds that I can’t help but think, 'How adorable!' It's always a cycle of him calling for me when he wants to eat and us playing chase.

When I can’t help but follow him, he’ll suddenly look back as if to say, 'Are you coming?' Sometimes we swap roles and I have to chase him while he pretends to run away and hide behind doors or other places. We play like this, almost as if we were prince and servant, with him always making me follow him around the house.

Then, when he finally gets sleepy and starts to doze off, he lets out a small, happy squeal, and somehow, all my tiredness disappears. As if by magic, I feel refreshed, as though his presence alone is enough to heal me.

Talking about Atra kun makes me feel like a total doting parent. There's so much more I want to share about him, but I’ll stop here for now. I’ll tell more stories about Atra kun in this section later. It might be boring for people who don’t like animals, but... well. Next time I plan to go somewhere nice. Where that will be, you’ll have to wait and see!

...when I start talking about Atra kun i feel like a total doting parent. There’s still so much more I want to say, but I think I’ll wrap it up here for now. I’d like to share more stories about Atra kun in this section later. It might be boring for people who don’t like animals, though...

Now then, I plan to go somewhere nice next time. Where that will be, you’ll have to wait and see!

Mana and Kami, capturing precious memories with their adorable photos from years ago such as posing in front of the Statue of Hachiko or in Shibuya in the Hachiko Family Mural.

Enjoy 💜💙