February 23, 1997, Clear Skies

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).

Hibiya Outdoor Music Hall 2 DAYS Concert Sold Out on the Same Day!!

10.10 (Fri) Deuxième Anniversaire - Splendid Resurrection / 10.11 (Sat) Pays de merveilles - The Door to the Empty Moment

(Contact) Hot Staff Promotion 03-5720-9999

"A beautiful and sorrowful story that was once sealed and forgotten long ago is now being revived here. It's hard to distinguish what's reality and what's a dream as this vast and endless journey transcending time and space weaves a grand tapestry of life and death love in its many forms and contrasts all interwoven together. It could perhaps be seen as a grand tapestry of sorts.

The beginning of it all lies with their Malice Mizer's release of their July major debut single "Ver. Aile In the Empty Moment". From this point, they announced that they would express this grand tale in a three dimensional expansion of soundtracks, stage and film. Without a doubt the nationwide standing tour held during this summer, "Pays de merveilles - In the Empty Moment ~", was part of this initiative, and the video of "Ver. Aile In the Empty Moment de l'image" announced here is also the most pivotal point in this journey. Additionally they have decided to set the stage for this story in a medieval French castle shooting it in the style of a silent film. Therefore from mid to late June, they quietly embarked on bringing this story into form as a film in a deep forest in the outskirts of Paris.

The castle in question is truly like something from a fairy tale or a shoujo manga with noble heirs still living in this stone castle that dates back to the 12th century. The distance from the outer gates to the castle is over a kilometer and within the vast grounds are chapels and clock towers with ivy-clad castle walls adorned with red and white climbing roses. This magnificent setting became the perfect stage for the band who have always incorporated medieval European themes into their songs and live shows since their formation.

However for them, this was also the first time they had done full on acting for a film. Each member had to deeply understand their character’s inner world immerse themselves in it and express it directly through film, sometimes even playing dual roles (like Mana and Közi). While they are known as the "ultimate art collective," this was no easy task. Despite some struggles initially, with their efforts, the final result was a stunning set of visuals. The collaboration between the members' sensitivity and dedication, combined with the ideal setting and excellent staff work, resulted in profound, majestic, and beautiful images.

This video, "Ver. Aile In the Empty Moment de l'image", created on an unprecedented scale in the Japanese music industry is not merely a promotional video nor a film. It is a groundbreaking and innovative visual work. At the same time, it serves as a metaphor for the riddles and hints contained within the story that has unfolded through the three dimensional expansion. The relationships between the characters, the hidden intentions in the details, and the multi layered interpretations of the silent format are all things that you should savor while unraveling this work."

Yuki Sugie

Photo credit: Cantavanda

"No one can dispute the beautifully androgynous Mana's strong influence on Lolita fashion from the very beginning, partially evidenced by the fact that a photo shoot with the musician and designer has been in every issue of Gothic & Lolita Bible since the first.

Many became familiar with Mana, who created both the terms Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGA) and Elegant Gothic Lolita (EGL), when he was creating memorably flam Boyant costumes for his Gothic band MM, dressing himselt in Gothic Lolita and the other members in Aristocratic styles for their extravagant music videos and artistically inspired performance.

Since the music group's disbandment in 2001, Mana has remained focused on both music and fashion. He runs his own record label, Midi Nette, performs with his current band, Moi dix Mois, and acts as both designer and model for his clothing line, Moi-même-Moitié

We were pleased when this multitalented Lolita icon agreed to take time from his busy creative schedule to answer questions about his past, present, and future projects for our Western readers."

A Single Album as a Grand Picture Story

Malice Mizer is finally releasing their 1st album “memoire.” This work is a complete concept album. What is the aim they have set?

In the visual rock scene numerous works are continuously released each month. However, the reality is that most bands releasing works in the form of CDs or videos are either affiliated with various labels or rely on the support of those labels to release their works operating under what is known as a sponsored system.

For example take Malice Mizer. They believe that the best way to express themselves is to cultivate their own field so they have been regularly hosting an event called “The Tragic Dinner” at Shinjuku Loft since last November involving themselves and young bands around them in the creation of a new scene. The guitarist MANA who responded to this interview saying: “We want to make Malice Mizer a brand. To do that it’s ideal to create everything by our own power.” This statement left a deep impression on me.

To further expand their field Malice Mizer will finally release their 1st album “memoire” on July 24 through the label they established, Midi:Nette. Moreover they have completed this album as a grand concept work where various landscapes are interwoven based on a single theme.

“Our aim is to evoke the sadness that lurks deep within humanity through our music. To achieve this, we established the concept of ‘nostalgic memories of the past’ as the basic theme of the album.”

Recently more indie bands have started to create concept albums. However in their case the total story across the six tracks is obvious and each track contains various situations, settings, and devices. For example, just considering the introduction of the album:

“In the first track, a piano piece, the same phrase is repeated over and over. The aim here is to have a repetitive phrase that resembles going round in a spiral staircase, serving as an introduction to the album's story, indicating that the journey into past memories is beginning.”

As mentioned earlier all six tracks included this time are crafted into a story as a single narrative. Moreover, “Each track establishes various scenes of memories from different countries, and to clearly express each member's image, each member plays the protagonist of the story for each song, reflecting it visually in the jacket.” This demonstrates their thorough commitment to concept work.

This is a truly remarkable product, where sound, visuals, and story are all beautifully intertwined into a single narrative.

PROFILE

Malice Mizer consists of five members: TETSU (Vocals), MANA (Guitar), KOZI (Synth), YU-KI (B), and KAMI (Drums). For inquiries regarding “memoire,” contact Midi Nette at 03-3781-6674.

Living

Loving

MALICE MIZER

The Glamorous Curtain Rises on Their Comeback October 10, Shibuya On Air West

This performance became a must see event of the year. Malice Mizer brought pride to the scene weaving stories into their theatrical artistry. Transitioning from tango to chanson and bossa nova they seamlessly integrated diverse genres and theatrical elements captivating the audience. The show began with an avant garde use of programmed music and strobe lights as the five members took the stage in a grand entrance.

In the third act which marked a few beautiful minutes of art, the memory of December 2 from the previous year lingered as Malice Mizer expressed love on stage. Ten months had passed since then, and though Gackt commented, "We play for the history of Malice Mizer," I still found myself unable to let go of this memory.

The new Malice Mizer live experience was exhilarating though it felt bittersweet to some fans who were deeply attached to their past work. As I walked toward the venue, the place already filled with a captivated crowd i felt the emotions building within me.

The second act, too, brought a different energy, with strobe lights flashing and familiar yet transformed melodies emerging. Malice Mizer appeared with a renewed artistic focus. The members, including Gackt, who stood brightly at the center of the stage brought a fresh and refined elegance. The serene sound of the fretless bass played by Yu~ki and Kami’s natural drumming provided a contrast to the usual highly staged performance of Mana and Közi.

When "Seraph" played during the encore Gackt sang with an emotional intensity that made his voice resonate deeply. Through this show a new era for Malice Mizer had undoubtedly begun. Their artistry had evolved, inviting fans into a world rich with passion and poised for continued growth.

(Text by Ichikawa Kazumi)

-As usual when i interview MALICE MIZER my mind starts to dry up a bit (laughs).

Gackt: If you don’t get caught up in rigid notions or long held beliefs i think a lot can be understood. People attach years to the concept of time for clarity but that’s just a human made record for our convenience, not a true representation of time itself.

- Is it that before crossing or not crossing the sky, it was never something that was defined in the first place?

Gackt: I wonder? Also, within this album, various characters and shapes come to light but i believe it’s important to note that everything is linked in some form.

-However, this album really delves deeply into everything from the concepts to the sounds.

Gackt: The sound is so rich that we didn’t have enough channels. Even in parts of the songs we didn’t touch on in this interview there're various mechanisms woven into the fabric.

Gackt: Rather than mechanisms everything is inevitably included.

-It’s quite a niche no, a freaky endeavor, isn’t it?

Kozi: That’s MALICE MIZER’s characteristic after all.

Gackt: It can’t be helped. The people creating this are all quite freaky. After working on this album i realized something: discussions about MALICE MIZER often tend to concentrate on visual performances.

Mana: That might be true. But it’s more than that. It’s not limited to visual aspects; we aim to enhance our world in every way possible through all the elements we can use to create. This album made that very clear.

Gackt: Absolutely. Well, since our appearance is what it is i can understand why people would focus on visuals whether they say it’s impressive or over the top. However for MALICE MIZER we want to express our thoughts through sound and stage in all aspects, so if they can understand that it’s great. Of course i believe that in this album the individual growth and evolution as a collective are clearly represented. Given that it’s natural for the quality to rise.

-By the way, will there be any continued performances of "Bois de merveilles" in the future?

Mana: Who knows? (laughs)

Kozi: It’s too precious to just give away (laughs). I think there might be a performance around the next show though.

Gackt: I can’t say anything just yet.

Kozi: Plus performing the songs from this album live requires extensive preparation. They’re so intricate!

Gackt: Regardless MALICE MIZER inherently has the characteristic of deliberately taking a perplexing path.

- I think this has been discussed many times before but can you share your thoughts heading toward the final performance?

Gackt: Just remember that beginnings and endings are always back to back.

Mana: That’s right, everyone, please give it your all and feel it.

Yu~ki: Look forward to it.

Kozi: Absolutely!

Mana: What’s that in reference to?

Kozi: Well...

Gackt: What should I do? If it’s to myself (laughs).

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.

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!

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.