ana

"I'd love to run hand-in-hand along the beach at sunset, like in slow motion (laughs)." — Közi

"In a nutshell, in Elegant Gothic Lolita" — Mana

It's been a while since I've posted any translations here, my bad 😔 life been busy lately!! Special thanks to my friend Echo [@devilishecho on twt] for showing me the interview and providing new scans of manaközi's little photoshoot together. I hope you enjoy the translation and my apologies for any typos that may have gone unnoticed.

❥ Do you have a lot of romantic experience?

Közi: Very few.

❥ So you have only been in love about two or three times since you were born. Is that right?

Közi: Nah, not even once.

❥ Not even once? Seriously!? (laughs)

Közi: No, actually... Huh, I forgot (laughs). My bad (laughs).

❥ Nooo! Alright, so Közi will slowly remember later (laughs). What about you, Mana?

Mana: I'm not in love either, basically.

❥ But are you certain it hasn't happened even once?

Mana: Well, I think it happened about when I was a student, And also, when I was in elementary school, kind of.

❥ So you had your first love in elementary school?

Mana: Not quite like that. My first love was when I was in the lower grades of elementary school, but I liked the child living next door.

Közi: Did you play doctor with that kid?~

Mana: I didn't (laughs). But I did like making them cry (laughs).

❥ Making the girl you like cry is a common approach for boys, isn't it?

Mana: Yes, it's rudimentary. So it wasn’t until I grew up that I realized I had actually liked that girl. At that time, I didn't understand that, so I was just bullying her.

Közi: Oh yeah, I used to do that too, things like lifting up the skirt of the girl you like (laughs). But back then, I was doing it without really knowing if they liked it or not.

❥ How did you come to be aware of girls as the opposite sex?

Közi: Hmm, probably in elementary school... about senior year?"

❥ How does Közi behave when he likes someone?

Közi: To be honest, I've never confessed myself to someone. It's like, I would have an attitude towards you, but I wouldn't say it outright, and in the end I'll let you say it. Fairly sly pattern (laughs).

Mana: I've done it before.

❥ What kind of situation was that?

Mana: Back in high school, I used to take a certain mode of transport to school, and there was this girl I was interested in who I’d always pass by at the station. But we’d just pass each other; our trains went in completely opposite directions, so we only saw each other for a split moment. So I mustered up the courage to confess my feelings, and well...

Közi: Well (laughs).

❥ So did you confess?

Mana: I did say something, but I don't remember it at all (laughs). And then she said, "I'll think about it." Later, I got a letter from her. When I opened it, the beginning wasn't very good (laughs). "I don't know you very well"... So I was like, ah... That's no good… Then! At the end, she said "But If you're okay with someone like me..."

Közi: What a great reveal! (laughs).

Mana: Yeah, I was really impressed (laughs). It was just a bad start.

❥ So, did you started seeing each other after that?

Mana: Hmm, I guess you can say that we were dating. But at that time, I didn't really understand what love or romance was all about, and on top of that, we lived too far apart, so we only met a few times. And before we realized, it just fizzled out.

❥ But it's a faint, beautiful memory, right? What about Közi? This kind of situation...

Közi: Sweet memories? Well, I used to keep an exchange diary in my 5th or 6th year of elementary school. But it wasn't exactly romantic or anything like that.

❥ Don't you find that exchanging diaries starts to get a bit of a hassle after a while?

Közi: That's right. Then, when I entered middle school, I realized it was way more fun hanging out with guys than with girls! It's kinda like how it feels! Even though I secretly wanted to hang out with girls (laughs).

❥ Acting like a tough guy on the surface, huh?

Közi: You're right (laughs). There was a time I acted like that. I think I was in my second year of middle school or so? I did have a period where I dated girls, but the story isn't pretty like Mana just described his experiences, nor were they particularly interesting.

❥ So it isn't particularly dramatic.

Közi: Not at all (laughs). We were from the same school, so we did hang out together occasionally.

❥ For example, where?

Közi: The sea was right behind my house, so we went to the beach quite often. And there was a period when I had a really strong urge to kiss her. I was overcome by some silly impulse (laughs).

❥ But everyone goes through phases like that, right?

Közi: Yeah. But I couldn't do it (laughs). So, it was summer, and she was wearing light clothes... Um, what is it called? Sleeveless?

❥ Tank top?

Közi: Ah, yes. One of those. It really piqued my interest at the time, She had quite the bombshell body, you know (laughs).

❥ But you couldn't find an opportunity.

Közi: Yes, and when I had been silent for a while. I thought, "This isn't going to work — I need to get the conversation going..." so I said, "So, you know..." but then she said at the same time , "So, you know..." At some point we were just saying "So... So... So..." (bursts of laughter).

❥ Hahaha! So did you kiss her after all?

Közi: I didn't do anything with her after all (laughs). Then another girl came along, and before I could notice, I had missed my chance.

❥ By the way, what is your ideal type?

Közi: I tend to like whoever I fall for at the time, so I don't really have a preference...

❥ But, for example, do you have any general preferences, like preferring a slender girl?

Közi: Well, I don't like it when they're too skinny. But they can't be too thick either. So, I guess I prefer girls who are just the right size.

Mana: Well, I have a lot of preferences. But in a nutshell, an elegant Gothic Lolita~ (laughs).

❥ Elegance is fine, but I don't think there are many Gothic Lolitas out there, right?

Mana: Yeah, that's why I'm struggling (laughs). I like mysterious people, Someone who looks like a doll. I would like to leave such a person sitting in my room and admire them (laughs). Maybe just keep them chained up forever or something (laughs).

❥ That's a little odd (laughs).

Mana: I know (laughs). But, you know... I'm the kind of guy who just can't seem to fit into human society no matter how hard I try, like I'm living in a dream. So I'm not really interested in the typical Shibuya-style or gyaru girls... people like that.

❥ Oh, I see.

Mana: But, you know, camisoles do make my heart skip a beat (laughs).

❥ Wahahaha!! By the way, what would your ideal romance be like?

Mana: I'd like to experience a platonic affair. Like packing a lunch in a basket and going on picnic dates in a meadow.

❥ Dressing in elegant Gothic Lolita?

Mana: Of course (laughs).

Közi: You could shout" Yooooo-hoo!!" there!(laughs) And then the echo would come back, like "Yoooo-hoo, yoooo-hoo, yoooo-hoo" (the voice would get quieter and quieter).

❥ Yes yes (laughs). How about you, Közi?

Közi: I'd love to run hand-in-hand along the beach at sunset, like in slow motion (laughs). Then we'd splash each other and say stuff like, "Hey, cut it out, you jerk!" (laughs). Or we'd write something in the sand with a stick or something, and then the waves would wash it away, she would say, "Hey, hey, what did you write?" and I'd be like, "No, don't look!" (laughs).

❥ Let's change the subject (laughs). What about marriage? What do you think about it?

Közi: I've never really thought about marriage. I guess I just don't want to be bound by such social conventions. After all, there are all kinds of ways to love.

❥ So you don’t plan on ever getting married?

Közi: No, I'm not entirely sure about that. But I'm not thinking about it at all right now.

❥ A lot of men don't want to get married, but still want to have children.

Közi: Yeah, I want kids. Aren't they so cute?

❥ Which do you want, a boy or a girl?

Közi: I would like both...

❥ Could Közi be an unexpected good dad?

Közi: Oh, I don't think so (laughs).

❥ What about Mana-chan?

Mana: Marriage? I haven't thought about it either. I don't want anyone getting in the way of my personal time...or rather, I just like daydreaming on my own.

Közi: Are you gay?

❥ No! (laughs) It's not that!

Közi: Oh, I was surprised. I did think you were gay (laughs).

❥ No one said that! (laughs)

Mana: I just really value my time alone, so I don't want to get married.

Közi: Ah, I can relate to that as well. Even if you don't actually talk to them, just having someone else in the same room really gets under your skin, doesn't it?

❥ Yeah, that makes sense.

Közi: But I can't help but think that Mana-chan would make a good wife! Don't you agree? (laughs).

❥ Hahaha.

Mana: Oh, right! You know, there was this feature in a women's magazine called ‘Top Candidates for a Bride,’ and I was actually on the list! (laughs) I came in around 4th place (laughs).

Közi: That's amazing!! (laughs).

Mana: Yeah, I was so happy (laughs). Because the others were all female entertainers, so I was the only man featured (laughs).

Közi: But he might actually make a great wife, you know? I mean, Mana-chan is really good at cooking.

❥ Oh, is that so?

Közi: Yeah. Well, We’ve been so busy lately that we don’t do that anymore, but back in the day, we used to get together at Mana’s place for meetings. He would cook for us on those occasions. And it was always so delicious!

❥ Really? What was particularly delicious?

Közi: Anything, really. Oh, but I guess curry is still my favorite. Mana-chan was doing some research on it.

Mana: But really, I'd like to become a good wife (laughs).

❥ Hahaha. Well then, work hard on your bridal training and aim to be a great wife (laughs.)

In this interview Közi refers to KENZI as KEN-CHAN which really shows you how close they are as they’ve been friends for a long time. KENZI mentions he often attended MM shows, having followed the band since their indie days. The best thing about KENZI interviews is how straightforward and opinionated he is haha. I’ve taken a few excerpts that stood out from this interview and included the translations below: 

Kenzi: "There are people today who wear wigs or different performances, but I think MALICE MIZER were the pioneers who first started doing those kinds of things." / "For me, Visual Kei begins and ends with DIR EN GREY and MALICE MIZER." 

Közi of course questions why just those two bands. 

KENZI: "Bands these days are either copying Kyochan’s style, or a style like MALICE MIZER's—where it's not just about being over the top, but incorporating theater and performance into the show. In my mind, these two bands are the absolute peak. They perfected it. I don't think a band that surpasses these two will ever appear... at least, not in my lifetime." 

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KENZI: "...back during a gig in Kyushu, MALICE MIZER played the day before d.p.s (The Dead Pop Stars) did. You guys went out of your way to stay behind extra days just to hang out at our show and come to the after-party. I’ve watched you guys play everywhere from Meguro Rokumeikan, to Nippon Seinenkan, all the way up to Nippon Budokan. I know your history way better than any of the random crowds around today." 

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KENZI: "...When I listen to your CDs—people always assume I only listen to extreme, aggressive music—but I genuinely love your artistry (TL note: He uses the word 世界観 which translates literally to “worldview” but I think that doesn’t sound natural in English. To me it more broadly fits into words like concept or artistry). Even though it has this stylish feel to it, underneath it actually has some really extreme elements."

Közi: "Every time you see me, KEN-CHAN, you always say 'stylish, stylish,' but I wonder to myself, 'Am I really all that stylish?'"

KENZI: "I’ve absolutely thought that since your MALICE MIZER days. I mean, being able to do things that are that eccentric and totally different from everyone else—that’s exactly what makes it stylish."

Közi: "Well, we really did do a lot of studying beneath the surface back then. Musically, of course, we cast a wide net and listened to every genre under the sun, and we researched by looking through all kinds of fashion magazines. We really did. Even if I came across something and thought, 'This isn't my genre or style,' by exposing yourself to it, you always absorb something. And by running it through your own personal filter, it transforms into something entirely new."

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Közi: "When we were playing in the indie scene, the phrase 'Visual Kei' didn't even exist yet. We didn’t wear makeup with the aim to make sales; we just did it because we loved it, right? I still wear makeup today, and if people want to say 'that band is Visual Kei,' that's completely fine by me. I don't care what they say about me. More than anything like that, what matters to me is sticking to my conviction of 'This is what I believe.' That’s something you have too, KEN-CHAN. If people want to call this stance 'Visual Kei' because of the way we hold our ground, then I don't mind it at all. That's really how I feel about it now." 

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This is completely indecent, I know, but I was howling with laughter when I took a closer look at this photo.

For the record, the cup has 'HIDE' written on it in hiragana.

It's just that the 'HI' character has been modified into... well, you understand, lol 😁

I wonder who did it — Hide himself or Tusk?

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my most fav gif btw!!!