STYLE MALICE MIZER

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 💜💙

It comes back around. That way we discover and grow together. We are also a mirror, and so are the people who come to watch. When you send out a signal, it doesn’t become one way.

The live tour "Ville de merveilles - Transparent Spiral" by MALICE MIZER at the end of last year had many surprising aspects. Among them fans who had previously associated them with a medieval image were amazed by the futuristic stage set and costumes, as well as the band's new side and the wide range of their concepts.

In this page we focus on the first half of the live show featuring a photo session with the debut of the futuristic costumes and move on to discussions about their vision of the near future from the live performance.

From the opening the two songs featuring synchronized dance by all the members were eye catching. Gackt, Mana and Közi stepped in a regular pattern while Kami and Yu~ki played the percussion wildly behind them.

Kami and Yu~ki joked, “We can do anything so it’s okay.”

It was a moment that reaffirmed that they are a group that can use any means of expression. First let’s discuss the concept behind each of their costumes.

Mana: “It was designed with the awareness of a near future era with something easy to move in.”

Közi: “Surreal and inorganic. I added a slit on the side to make it easier to move.”

Yu~ki: “I tried to incorporate my previous image with the top hat and tailcoat while adding a more inorganic feel.”

Kami: “...I forgot.”

Gackt: “I wanted to make sure it didn’t reflect too much light and liked the color scheme so i chose that material. I aimed for something androgynous that isn’t distinctly male or female and that’s how it turned out.”

Next, we’ll introduce their individual visions of the near future, not just as a band.

Gackt: “When asked what I would be like in 10 years i always give the same answer. It’s too bright to see. Some people might see it as positive others negative but in any case it’s too bright to see.”

Mana: “It’s a fine line between rosy and worst case scenarios.”

Közi: “I’ll swim. While scattering salt in the sulfur.”

Kami: “I’ll spread my wings. The end.”

Yu~ki: “I haven’t thought about it. I want to feel my current self and the thoughts of people so i want to live without worrying about it.”

Now, let’s talk about the concept of the stage. Mana explains:

“The stage set was a little different from the initial design. 'Ville de merveilles' means a mysterious city. To put it concretely, it’s a futuristic and mysterious city. The transparent spiral is a keyword. You remember the mark that was projected onto the stage at the opening, right? There’s a mystery hidden in that, but I can’t tell you its meaning. Actually there is an 'aha' moment.”

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...

Klaha [MALICE MIZER]

●Klaha

“I'm not as delicate as everyone thinks. I've got pretty thick nerves.”

PROFILE

(From left): yu~ki (B), Mana (G), Klaha (Vo), Közi (G)

The band name, MALICE MIZER, holds the meaning of “malice and tragedy.” Their concept driven songs soaked in a medieval gothic atmosphere, and their live performances transcending mere “shows” are truly worth experiencing

“I've been influenced by the other members in a lot of ways.”

- Klaha who joined MALICE MIZER as their vocalist last summer had already known the members for some time before officially joining the band. But what led him to make the decision?

“I’ve never really been interested in the band scene. What I’ve always cared more about is simply wanting to sing. But I felt like, if it’s MALICE MIZER, they could help elevate my singing and that my singing might also deepen their musical expression. To me MALICE MIZER is a solitary presence radiating a unique, lonely aura that you can’t find anywhere else.”

- For Klaha joining the band didn’t just affect him musically it also had a major impact on his fashion sense.

“We actually go shopping together sometimes (laughs). Before that, I always wore all black like, even in summer I’d be wearing long sleeves, sometimes even a coat. But after joining that started to change thanks to the other members. These days I’m into more natural styles. Since MALICE MIZER delves into such a fantastical world, I think it's more interesting to keep things natural in daily life. The contrast feels really refreshing.”

- Klaha is currently exploring a fashion style he’d never embraced before. Naturally, that comes with some missteps…

“When I only wore black i could tell what suited me without even trying it on. But now, even when I’m sure something looks good I’ll try it on at home and the collar will look weird or something. I mess up a lot now (laughs).”

- What about his hair styling habits?

“Well i put some styling lotion in and wrap the ends of my hair around my fingers to give it a wavy look, like natural curls. But if I zone out, I end up curling it the wrong way inward instead of outward. When that happens, I just spray more lotion, run my fingers through it and mess it up like, ‘Whatever, good enough!’ Honestly, I can’t even draw a decent circle, I’m that clumsy. So if it’s not working out, I just give up and move on (laughs).”

- A great cook and athletic too. But a bit of an airhead!? Tall, slender and quiet, he might come across as delicate and highly sensitive. But Klaha’s real personality is surprisingly relaxed and easygoing.

“People assume I’m terrible at sports, but actually I’ve got pretty good reflexes. If there were a sports festival for visual kei bands, I’d totally want to join (laughs).”

- One of his talents is cooking—he says he can make almost anything without even looking at a recipe.

“I haven’t cooked for the other members or staff yet, so they’re all kind of skeptical about it. But what really gets to me is when people say I’m an airhead. They say the way I talk is kind of offbeat, but I’m like. What exactly about it is off? As far as I’m concerned, I’m explaining things logically. It all makes perfect sense to me totally perfect, actually (laughs).”

By Mana-sama

Nostalgic Game Inferno

The Xbox, which I will be discussing this time, made a striking impression with its beautiful, green-glowing icon that was visible beyond the earth sliced by an "X."

When the announcement of a new hardware invasion from America came i was excited back in 2002. At the time of the Xbox's arrival, the gaming market had seen Sega's Dreamcast defeated, while Nintendo's N64 and GameCube were struggling. The market had become a stronghold for Sony, led by the PS2.

Speaking of the PS2, it had a significant advantage with its DVD playback function. Even though the DVD market wasn’t established yet, the ability to play games and watch DVDs was quite impressive… Sony’s strategy was ahead of its time. Then, Microsoft which had dominated the global PC market launched an attack on the firmly established PS2 empire from across the sea! "Microsoft's game entry with immense wealth. They must be a terrifying enemy for Sony," I shivered at the thought.

The reason I felt this way was due to my encounter with the "ATARI 2600" from the American company Atari. I recall when I was still a young child. At a time when even the Famicom hadn’t been born yet I was familiar with games through a system at toy stores where I could play for a few minutes by inserting 50 yen. Despite being in such an era, the price of the ATARI 2600 was around 60,000 yen. It was an astonishingly expensive item for a child, and of course, I couldn’t get one. In the midst of this, the infamous "Atari Shock" occurred leading to Atari's downfall! This created a dark history in the gaming market with its collapse.

Now, back to the Xbox's invasion of Japan. The advertising campaign was tremendous. Leading up to its release, Shibuya was dyed in Xbox colors, creating a huge buzz! My first encounter with the actual Xbox was during an interview with Famitsu about the Xbox. I visited the Famitsu editorial department to be interviewed and got to see the console before its release!

As a result, the first American attempt at entering Japan ended in failure. Strictly speaking, it wasn’t the first attempt, but let’s leave it at that for now.Then, in 2002, a time leap occurred, marking the start of America’s third attempt at entering Japan with the black ship Xbox.

Why is it the third attempt? Because the 3DO, which I love dearly and discussed in the first installment of this series, attempted its second entry in 1994. Some might think it’s a Japanese-made game console since it was released by Matsushita Electric Industrial in Japan, but in reality, the 3DO is American-made. Japanese companies had licensing agreements with the "3DO standard."

Now, getting a bit sidetracked—my first impression of that black, square object was striking. It felt substantial, and a line forming an X ran across the middle. Inside it was a semi-transparent green dome of the Xbox, which gave it a presence that made me think, "This is really cool!" and I couldn’t help but shout that in my heart.

The only disappointment was that the green dome didn’t light up. If it had lit up, it would have been perfect. That said, the original Xbox is one of my favorite consoles.

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...

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.

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

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

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

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

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.

Malice Mizer Kami

"The number of outfits I have is quite impressive you know. I love shopping so I tend to make impulsive buys (laughs). Yeah I don’t dislike trends either. If I think something is good I’ll often incorporate it right away. But I don’t incorporate trends into my outfits behind the scenes. Fashion is something beyond trends so it’s not really in that dimension for me.

As for the obsession with costumes it can vary depending on the song but to express the essence of the song I focus on the character of each person and the concept of their image color. For me my image color is purple but that doesn't mean I’ll wear any shade of purple. I consider the story of the song and the color choices I make are in line with that.

The reason purple became my image color was during our debut. Before that most of my costumes were based on black or silver. But for the debut I thought, "Why not try a different color?" At first I resisted it with a smile but once I wore it it didn’t feel out of place at all so I decided to go with it and that's when purple became my color.

When it comes to costumes, there’s always some creative thinking involved. For example the costume for "Ver. Aile" had pants with a wide bottom part from the knee down. They were hard to pedal in so I made a foot strap in the same color as the costume (laughs). Before playing the drums I’d quickly turn around and put it on instant performance art (laughs). There are plenty of behind the scenes stories like that.

As for my favorite costume it’s hard to choose since I like all of them and each one has sentimental value... But the costume for "Gekka no YasoKyoku" stands out as one I particularly love. The lines are beautiful and the inner fabric is a lovely purple iridescent material there was a lot of attention to detail even in parts you don’t see. I think that costume has a very high level of completion. Also the white costume I wore this time is another one I really love. It's the one that came closest to my image. We always design our costumes ourselves but sometimes the final product isn’t exactly what we envisioned. But this time it turned out perfectly to the design and I’m really happy with it. It might even be a personal hit (laughs).

The part I focused on the most this time was the wig. It has a blue to purple gradient and up until just before the photoshoot I couldn’t find a wig that matched my vision. I was so worried. Then while I was walking around the city I found a purple wig displayed in a shop window. And the part of it lit up with lights was changing colors to a blue creating a natural gradient. When I saw it I just knew, "This is it!" Even though the store told me it wasn’t for sale I begged them to sell it to me. The shopkeeper asked, “Are you sure you want it with the color change?” and I said, “That’s exactly what I’m looking for!" (laughs). So I really focus on the details like that and I hope everyone will enjoy looking at all the little details too."

Credits to my friend for the photo