V's Break Out

MALICE MIZER

“Merveilles” The End and the Return TOUR '98 / 7.22 Yokohama Arena

A dangerous drug that captivates those who see it

Text: Roku Ono

Photo: Miwa Oya

"Starting around 4 PM i t began to drizzle which soon turned into a downpour. Even with umbrellas it was only a slight comfort against the incredible intensity of the rain. In the midst of it, girls, filled with thoughts of Malice Mizer and a desire to get as close to them as possible, gathered while desperately lifting the hems of their dresses and cloaks.

On July 2nd at Yokohama Arena. Fans gathered for the final of Malice Mizer’s concert tour “merveilles" The End and the Return~TOUR '98," forming a long line from Shin Yokohama Station. Commuters completely unaware of what was happening, passed by with looks of sympathy and curiosity at the girls dressed in the most inappropriate outfits for the rain. But they didn’t care about that. Ignoring the rain, the fans gathered..."

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...

Friend & Friend

kami Tama (MALICE MIZER) (CASCADE)

— You went to the beach, right? On the MALICE MIZER boat, right? — Tama

Tama: And then we stayed at some weird kind of pension.

kami: Yeah, it was like a strange pension-type place.

— Has it been a long time since you last saw Tama?

kami: It's been a while. We used to meet up often.

Tama: Yeah, it’s not like we planned it, but we used to run into each other a lot.

kami: We used to do nothing but bad things (laughs).

Tama: Right? (laughs)

— What kind of bad things?

kami: I can't say (laughs).

Tama: Can't say (laughs).

— It’s fine, the statute of limitations is up by now (laughs)!

Tama: We smoked incense (laughs).

kami: Yeah, we smoked incense (laughs).

— Incense!?

Tama: There was some kind of incense from India or somewhere...

— Real incense?

Tama: Yeah. We were like, "If we smoke this, we can trip, right?!" and we all smoked it (laughs).

kami: Yeah, yeah (laughs).

Tama: But all it did was make our throats hurt, we couldn’t trip at all (laughs).

— That’s obvious (laughs)!

Tama: And then we went to the beach, right?

kami: We did!

— Who did you go with?

kami: With Tama-chan, közi, me, and Kou...

Tama: Back then, we had a friend named Kou.

— Did you suddenly decide to go after drinking?

kami: No, Tama-chan arranged everything for us.

Tama: Yeah, we went on the MALICE MIZER boat.

kami: And we stayed at some weird pension-type place.

Tama: It was more like a lodge than a pension, though (laughs). But the dinner was delicious, right?

kami: It was great!

Tama: We ate until we were stuffed. And back then, I still had long hair, so I coolly jumped into the ocean and played beach volleyball with some gals.

kami: Yeah, you did! And then Kou, that friend of ours, was doing this thing called the “Kou-bar Head Kick!” It was hilarious (laughs).

Tama: I don’t think the people around us thought it was funny at all (laughs). But it was a good memory. At one point, when everyone was partying and making noise at night, I went outside and disappeared for about two hours.

— What were you doing?

Tama: What was I doing? I was probably staring at the sea. It was around the time I had just left my previous band, so I was probably caught up in self-loathing, thinking, “What am I doing with my life?” But since my hair was long, I kept getting hit on by all kinds of people (laughs).

kami: We should go again!

Tama: We were saying, "Let’s go again next year!" and making plans.

— Let’s make it happen this summer! Vicious can cover the cost (laughs).

(Vicious: Sure! By Vicious)

kami: Oh yeah, remember we drank at Shinjuku West Gate Park? It was me, the members of CASCADE, and közi.

Tama: Oh yeah, we did!

— Why were you drinking in the park?

Tama: Back when CASCADE still didn’t have much of an audience, kami and közi came to one of our shows, and we had the afterparty in Shinjuku West Gate Park. That’s when I handed over our demo tape.

kami: And that's when I learned the song "KILL ME STOP."

Tama: That song's pretty good, right?

kami: Yeah. I thought it was really interesting.

— Did you have a feeling back then that "this band is going to make it"?

kami: There were two songs on the demo tape, and while it was different from Tama-chan's previous band, I definitely had a feeling about it.

Tama: Come on (laughs)!

kami: It’s true! I was happy when I saw you doing well on "Ebisu Onsen" (a music show that served as a stepping stone for new bands; CASCADE made their debut thanks to it).

— Hold on! The conversation is starting to get serious (laughs)!

kami: What’s wrong with that?

— This isn't that kind of corner (laughs). So, how are things with the ladies lately?

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs).

Tama: Kami is pretty proactive, isn’t he?

kami: You think so?

Tama: More like animalistic than proactive (laughs). But that’s what I like about you (laughs).

— That’s not what you said during your previous interview with SHUSE (laughs)!

kami: Well, going major made me a bit more negative.

Tama: So you’ve been thinking negatively about a lot of things?

kami: Yeah, recently.

Tama: When you debut as a major artist, you tend to become mentally unstable. I went through that too.

kami: It’s not so much instability. When you're indie, the band feels like home, but when it turns into a job, it becomes something different.

— I see.

kami: I started thinking, "Where is my home now?"

— Well, it’s obviously in a girl's chest (laughs)!

Tama: Speaking of that, how's your relationship with your high school girlfriend?

— We broke up! And two days before Valentine’s Day, no less!

Tama: That’s because you were cheating all the time (laughs)!

— Shut up (laughs)! Tama-chan, are you the type who gets dumped?

Tama: I haven’t been dumped much.

— So are you the one who does the dumping?

Tama: Not really that either. It’s more like things just naturally fizzle out.

kami: Same here!

Tama: It sounds terrible to say you’re just waiting for the right time, but you can kind of tell, right?

— You both start feeling like, "It’s probably about time"?

Tama: Yeah, you wait for that moment.

— That’s awful (laughs)!

Tama: Yeah, I guess I’m awful (laughs)! But in my school days, I used to get dumped all the time.

— Were you always going after girls who were out of your league?

Tama: Not at all, I’ve always had a really wide strike zone.

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs)!

Tama: My first experience was with someone quite a bit older.

kami: Really?

Tama: Really.

— How old were you?

Tama: I was 17.

— And the other person?

Tama: She was quite a bit older.

— In a way, that’s kind of enviable!

Tama: When was your first time, kami?

kami: I was 17 too. But mine was with a girl a year younger than me.

— I was also 17, and she was a year younger than me.

kami: We’re the same then!

— Want to hear about it?

kami: What is it?

— I used to commute by train, and one day, this girl suddenly gave me a love letter.

kami: That’s great!

Tama: Was she cute?

— She was super cute!

kami: That’s really great!

— So we started dating, and I gave her my virginity. But after a while, she suddenly said, “I’m getting married,” and when I told her, “I’m not ready for that yet,” she said, “It’s not you. I’ve been seeing someone else too.” I was like, "Gah!"

kami: Oh no!

— Turns out she had been dating a 23-year-old guy, and about a week later, she quit school and really got married.

kami: Oh no!

— I want my virginity back!

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs)!

Tama: That must’ve been a shock, right?

— It was a huge shock!

Tama: The first girl I dated also cheated on me. Her name was Miki. You can write that down!

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs)!

Tama: Miki cheated on me. We started dating when I was in the second year of middle school, and she was my first kiss, but she’d also been dating this guy since the fourth grade. His name was Tanabe!

kami: Ahahahaha (laughs)!

Tama: You know how, in middle school, when you start dating someone, rumors spread fast? So my friends started saying, “Hey, I heard she has a boyfriend. They’ve been dating since the fourth grade!” So I asked her directly.

— You asked Miki (laughs)?

Tama: Yeah, I asked her, “Miki, do you like me?” “I do.” “Do you like Tanabe?” “I do.” “So, who do you like more, me or Tanabe?” “Tanabe.” (laughs).

kami: Gya-hahaha (laughs)!

Tama: Right after that, we went on a school trip, but for me, it was a heartbroken trip.

kami: Gya-hahaha (laughs)!

— When was your first kiss, kami?

kami: I was really focused on my band until my first year of high school. I didn’t even look at girls; I was just drumming all the time. But in my second year, I started paying attention to the opposite sex and ended up dating someone.

— What was her name?

kami: Maki (laughs).

Tama: Was she cute?

kami: Yeah, she was cute. But, to be honest, she was kind of a delinquent. She had a lot of guy friends, and I couldn’t trust her, so we broke up.

Tama: You seem to like delinquent girls, right? The ones with brown hair and a bit rebellious?

kami: I like Nanase Aikawa (laughs). I once dated a full-on delinquent girl. A friend of mine brought her to one of our live shows, and I guess she liked me because she called me up and asked, “Would you go out with me?” I couldn’t say no, so I said, “Sure!” (laughs). Then I went to her house, and there were all these gang flags and tons of pictures of motorcycles. I thought, “Nope, this isn’t for me!” and broke up with her right away (laughs).

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!

Check Out the Fashion of the Stars!

Vol. 5

Mana (MALICE MIZER)

Paying Attention to Invisible Style

Finally, the long awaited MALICE MIZER is here! This time we talked mainly about the costumes for their new song “The Blood and Roses of Reunion,” which will be released on November 3rd. Use it as a reference for cosplay. Also look forward to Közi in the issue coming out on November 1st and Yu~ki in the issue coming out on November 29th!

What About This Time’s Costume?

Mana: It’s inspired by “The Bloodline,” and we’ve unified the costumes for the three members. My role hasn’t changed. It’s supposed to be unclear whether I’m alive or dead...

Any Particular Details You Focused On?

Mana: The flouncy part of the mini skirt is a focus. This time, I wanted to create a sense of heaviness overall, so the fabric is relatively heavy, but the skirt is fluffy. Also, since the song is “The Blood and Roses of Reunion,” we’ve placed the emblem on each member's chest as a focal point. The color is blue, and I’ve also used a slightly darker lipstick than usual. And the knee-high socks—they’re worn over stockings. The color matches the blue theme. Even if they aren’t visible? It’s important to be stylish!

The Hair Roll Looks Great Too.

Mana: This time, setting the roll higher is key. Start by creating rolls at the roots, then curl them up and pin them. The number of rolls depends on the mood of the moment. The trick is to avoid making them too thick or too thin; use the curling iron carefully for each one. Straight hair is fine, but using the curling iron is tricky, so it takes practice. If you’re not used to it, it won’t curl easily. It’s better not to use too strong a hairspray; if it’s too hard it loses its natural softness.

It Won’t Show, You Know (laughs). This time all the lace parts of the costume are made from the same fabric and the headpiece is also made from the same lace.

You’ve Slimmed Down a Lot, Haven’t You?

Mana: I’m opening an original fashion brand shop (“Moi-même Moitie”), so the owner can’t be overweight (laughs). Plus gothic fashion doesn’t suit someone who isn’t slim. I’ve lost a few kilograms for that reason.

Are the Accessories for the Costume Store Products?

Mana: They aren’t store products; they were made specifically for this occasion. The earrings, rings, and necklace are all crosses, and they have a specific meaning. In “The Blood and Roses of Reunion,” the cross represents “spiritual communion.”

Regarding Mana’s Look...

Mana: It hasn’t changed; it’s the same (costume) (laughs). There are a lot of skirts. The points of style are mysterious, alluring, elegant, and extreme. The hairstyle is also carefully adjusted to match the occasion. It feels like “mysterious gothic horror,” right?

Any Future Challenges You Want to Try?

Mana: Maybe a pompadour. I really like pompadours. A big pompadour. It looks cool. I might incorporate that into a costume.

Malice Mizer Vicious 11 // November 1998

Scans done by manieravitium on twitter and @additionalsorrow on tumblr

I did a little translation of Yu~ki's interview. Feel free to correct me in my mistakes.

Interviewer: This outfit is your personal clothing, right? Is it for a party?

Yu~ki: It’s casual clothing for going out. My pants are showing a bit (laughs), it’s a little too much (laughs).

Interviewer: Are you planning to attend a Christmas party like this?

Yu~ki: Yes, I am.

Interviewer: So, what comes to mind when you think of Christmas?

Yu~ki: Nothing much really. I’m happy because I get to eat cake, that’s about it. ...Though, it’s like, "you can eat cake anytime!" (laughs).

Interviewer: The lights are beautiful, right?

Yu~ki: Yes, they’re definitely beautiful.

Interviewer: Or maybe it’s about getting a lot of presents?

Yu~ki: I guess presents do arrive.

Interviewer: Do you have any positive impressions of Christmas?

Yu~ki: Well, not really. I don’t have any plans for this year either. It’ll probably be over before I even notice (laughs). The cold wind blows, the leaves fall, it’s a lonely season that makes you miss people. And since I look like Dracula in this outfit, maybe I should just go around sucking blood (laughs). But, yeah, it does kind of make you feel excited in a way.

Interviewer: It feels like we’re making you say that... (laughs). What’s a memorable Christmas for you?

Yu~ki: There was someone whose birthday was close to Christmas, so we had a party with a bunch of close friends. We exchanged gifts but it was all guys.

Interviewer: What about sweet memories with a girl?

Yu~ki: Memories with a girl... I can’t say there aren’t any.

Interviewer: Come on!

Yu~ki: I mean, I do have some, but they’re not sweet at all (laughs). Actually, now that I think about it, there really aren’t any interesting stories (laughs).

Interviewer: Until when did you believe in Santa Claus?

Yu~ki: Probably until I entered elementary school. My parents would always leave presents by my pillow, and maybe I pretended to believe for their sake. I’ve always been the type to look at things realistically from a young age (laughs).

Interviewer: That’s not very cute! So, what’s your ideal way to spend Christmas?

Yu~ki: Cake. ...Well, I don’t really care, to be honest (laughs). As long as it’s fun, that’s good enough, right? But is it normal for people to have plans for Christmas?

Interviewer: Even though your fans usually call out, "Yu~ki ♥," on Christmas...

Yu~ki: I hope everyone listens to a CD and eats cake alone. ...That’s what I’ll be doing! While thinking of my fans!!

Malice Mizer Magazines

(Part 2/6)

All the photo credits to voulerie on tumblr

MALICE MIZER LIVE merveilles The End and Fate in NIPPON BUDOKAN 1998.4.1

Photograph: Hiroyuki Yoshihama

Report: Aya Yokomori

I had heard that Malice Mizer’s live performances were amazing. I had also seen the video recording of their live show at Ikenoya Public Hall on April 1, 1997.

But still, nothing could have prepared me for what I witnessed at their Budokan live show. It far exceeded anything I had imagined based on prior knowledge.

The moment I stepped into Budokan, my eyes widened in shock. The stage set was like a vast, two-story palace chamber, painted in pristine white. And to top it off, classical music was playing throughout the venue.

Where am I?!

That’s how I felt.

Everywhere I looked, fans were dressed in Malice Mizer cosplay, their faces painted with elaborate makeup. At exactly 7:18 PM, the lights dimmed, and the palace set was illuminated, making it look even more like a real mansion.

That alone was enough to make my heart race—but then, the way they made their entrance took it to another level. They rose dramatically onto the stage.

So cool!!

The extravagant, theatrical entrance sent a rush of adrenaline through me. As if that weren’t enough, the performance opened with real violinists playing live on stage. The pure sound of the strings filled the air, and the audience gasped in admiration.

Throughout the show, the visuals were breathtaking—images of Malice Mizer’s aesthetic world were projected onto the white walls of the stage, red and blue lights flashed, confetti flew through the air…

In "Kioku to Kage", the lighting shifted to a serene turquoise blue, transforming the atmosphere from one moment to the next. The power of the stage, the elaborate set, and the overall production were overwhelming.

Gackt’s performance was mesmerizing. At times, he contorted his face in anguish, clutching his head. Other times, he seemed to pray, as if offering his soul to the divine. He poured his entire being into his vocals, drawing the audience into his world. I was completely captivated.

And then, Gackt treated the audience to his signature piano solo, filling the vast Budokan with his hauntingly beautiful sound… At one point, the sound of Gackt’s piano filled the air with a heartbreaking melody.

That sound… it felt as if I were gazing out of a window into a deep, endless ocean. I don’t know why, but a scene from the movie Titanic suddenly came to mind— the image of a beautiful noblewoman’s lifeless body drifting underwater.

Then, as Kami’s drumming kicked in, the intensity of the performance escalated. But what makes Malice Mizer truly incredible is that their appeal goes beyond just gothic aesthetics and dramatic beauty. As the band switched into silver-themed outfits, the mood shifted completely.

They performed upbeat songs like Je te veux and Shûto Uwuburu, bringing a playful, almost pop-like energy to the stage. Mana, of all things, was running around the stage clutching a white teddy bear.

And then, Gackt, who had been so serious just moments before, suddenly transformed into a comedic character! In the first half of the show, he had said something profound:

"This stage may become a place that connects with your hearts." Yet later, dressed in his silver outfit, he was joking around: "Man, this outfit is seriously hot! I'm sweating like crazy!"

Then he went off on a completely bizarre tangent, he started talking about a lonely cat that wouldn’t cuddle with him.

"I thought, 'Fine, be that way! I won’t pet you anymore!'"

But then, the cat suddenly climbed onto his stomach, and he couldn’t resist exclaiming, "Ahh, it’s so cute! I love it!!"

The audience was in hysterics. Then, the atmosphere shifted again. The next performance had a distinctly gypsy-inspired rhythm, and Mana and Kozi focused on an intense theatrical performance.

They captured women dressed in white and brown, forced them into chairs, and enacted a scene that was almost chilling. The sparks from the stage effects were flying everywhere—it was surreal to witness.

After that, the band members reappeared in black, creating a completely different mood. The dramatic, intense performance that followed was mind-blowing. The sound, the movements—it felt like the entire stage was engulfed in a frenzy.

By the final moments, the entire band had gone wild. Kami threw his cymbals into the air. The bassist swung his instrument around so wildly that you could hear it colliding with the stage. The guitarist sent his guitar flying. The stage was pure chaos.

Then, a wave of "Encore!" chants erupted from the audience. Some fans even began clapping in rhythm, trying to start an encore call, but their voices were drowned out by the sheer excitement and emotion filling the venue.

That’s the power of Malice Mizer.

They don’t just put on a show—they pull raw emotion from the audience. One moment, you’re mesmerized by breathtaking beauty. The next, you’re laughing. Then, you’re in tears.

Every single emotion is drawn out and experienced through their performance. By the end, my heart was shaken to its core. I can’t even begin to describe the final scene.

All I can say is… when it ended, it truly felt like my soul had been carried away.

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

MALICE MIZER "Bel Air In the Blank Moment de l'image"

Premiere Screening

1997.9.18, Osaka Kosei Nenkin Kaikan, Middle Hall

A video screening event presented by the “art collective” Malice Mizer.

"It was just supposed to be a simple video screening yet they brought in an entire 1 ton truck full of sets. At first i thought i could go in with a casual mindset but after hearing that from the event organizer i knew i couldn't take this lightly. Malice Mizer known as an 'art collective,' has always used rock as a medium to express themselves in a conceptual manner. This 'premiere screening' was held as a pre release event for the video work Bel Air ~In the Blank Moment de l’image (de l'Image) which they filmed entirely on location in France. Of course even though it was 'just' a video screening it was full of the unique expression typical of them.

Right from the start we were surprised when the MC greeted the audience with a casual, 'Good evening, everyone!' instantly grabbing everyone’s attention... or rather drawing laughter. The host was none other than Koeda an unexpectedly unconventional choice. As expected of Malice Mizer they never do anything ordinary. Even Koeda himself seemed rather nervous, asking, 'Are we really okay here?' as the screening began.

Then as the lights dimmed a grand noble looking set appeared adorned with the light of numerous candles flickering in the background resembling the atmosphere of a royal chamber. On the chairs set on stage sat the members, dressed as the characters they played in the video. Ah, this must be why they needed a whole truck for the set.

The conversation between the MC and the members soon turned to behind the scenes stories from their time in France which were introduced one by one along with off shot footage. Throughout the night Mana remained completely silent. Apparently, he claimed to only understand French so Kozi took the liberty of speaking on his behalf.

After the video screening of Bel Air, the members gave their final greetings.

'We were able to create a great work, so I hope you’ll watch it not just once, but many times' (Gackt).

'I hope it sparks all kinds of imagination' (Kami).

In the middle of their comments Kozi mentioned the upcoming tour in December saying, 'We hope you’ll experience the new world of Malice Mizer.'

Their words combined with the fact that they brought in a 1 ton truck full of sets just for a screening, dressed in character from the video, and even chose such an unconventional MC, made it clear that their large-scale live show would be something truly special. It left many in the audience with high expectations for the upcoming live performances. There's no doubt they will deliver something beyond anything we've ever seen before.

What kind of new world will Malice Mizer reveal next?