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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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