Interview with TAKERU and HIROTO

SuG and ALICE NINE. are bands with a very strong presence in the international visual kei scene. After a falloff of popularity, we have seen visual kei making a comeback internationally. Brazil, for example, hasn't had a visual kei concert since the GazettE in 2019. How does it feel for you to know that you will be representing this "return of visual kei" and attracting an audience featuring many fans that have been following you for decades?

TAKERU: I feel love for your long support in this remote place with no concerts. I intend to give my best on stage so that I can respond to that love.

HIROTO: ALICE NINE. has been receiving requests from Brazilian fans to come and perform live for over a decade. We have felt frustrated by not being able to visit and perform during this long period. With all these years of anticipation, we are now ready to go and captivate you with a decade's worth of passion!

You just announced this partnership for the shows in Latin America in July. How did the idea for this collaboration come about?

TAKERU: While listening to HIROTO-san's vision for his solo career, I started asking him if he would like to do a show with me overseas.

HIROTO: When ALICE NINE. was put on hold, we discussed how we hadn't been very active internationally and that we wanted to take on more challenges. It was when I started my solo activities that TAKERU reached out to me, saying, "Let's go to Brazil together!"

You mentioned that this is an unprecedented collaboration which hasn't even happened in Japan. What can fans expect from the performances?

TAKERU: I am sure that they are expecting us to do a session of representative songs from each other's careers, so I intend to do that.

HIROTO: In fact, because it’s outside of Japan, I think this is a performance we can first try. Both Tora and me are the types who freely run around the stage, so I believe we can present a very impressive performance. I hope that from this stage, fans can feel the future of ALICE NINE. and SuG.

TAKERU, you currently have your solo project sleepyhead, a clothing brand, Million Dollar Orchestra, and you have released some songs in collaboration with other artists like ADE SARIVAN. Can you tell us a bit about your current artistic moment and these projects?

TAKERU: Music, video, and design. For me, it is something very natural and dramatic, because I believe that there is no boundary between them and that they all combine to create a single art form.


How do you choose your collaborations, considering that your latest releases, Akuto and Taida, are quite different from each other but, at the same time, both feature hip-hop influences?

TAKERU: Recently, I have been composing music after deciding and imagining the person with whom I want to collaborate.

HIROTO, speaking of collaborations, you will be collaborating with TAKERU, but you are also part of the band Karasu, formed by Tatsuro from MUCC. Is there any other collaboration you wish to do?

HIROTO: In fact, when I told AKi from SID about this collaboration, he was very eager to go. I have performed with Shinya of DIR EN GREY, Sakito of NIGHTMARE, and AKi before. I would like to go to Brazil with these members. Other artists we would like to collaborate with include Zig Zag, MIYAVI, and many others!

HIROTO, as ALICE NINE. is on hiatus, what are your current plans in music? Is there anything new you want to try?

HIROTO: I'm currently working on my first EP! While retaining the essence that fans have appreciated with ALICE NINE., I believe I can deliver new sounds too. Last year, I produced music for a fashion show in Milan and performed guitar at the show. I am eager to actively pursue guitar performances in fields I haven't explored before. I am looking forward to your offers!

What are you most looking forward to experiencing in Brazil, besides the fans, of course?

TAKERU: This is the first time I am going to this place, so I am looking forward to everything. I hear it is very enthusiastic, so I want to not only watch the samba but also dance myself. (laughs)

HIROTO: I am very much looking forward to eating in Brazil. I would like to go to places where I can talk with local people and perform outside of concerts!

You mentioned that you keep in touch with Brazilian fans through social media. What is that relationship like?

TAKERU: I feel that many people are watching us mainly through Instagram. I hope to have an Instalive for this live.

HIROTO: I am really happy about the fact that many of my fans in Brazil, where I have never been in real life, are giving me messages through music. It is thanks to these fans that concerts like this are possible!

Can you leave a message for our readers?

TAKERU: I always feel grateful for the support from all over the world. It is thanks to all of you that we could celebrate the 17th anniversary of our activity. Thank you very much!

HIROTO: It is one of my dreams to do a concert in Brazil. I am really, really looking forward to meeting you in person! Let's have a lot of smiles and excitement! Let's connect with our hearts! I will bring all the passion I have!

JaME would like to thank TAKERU and HIROTO for making time for this interview.

TAKERU and HIROTO's show at Anime Friends 2024 will take place on July 19th. Tickets for the event are available here.

Their most recent works can be streamed below: