HIROTO participates in the radio program "VK tte Shiteru," where you talk about visual kei for people who may not yet be familiar with it. In Rio de Janeiro, we have a similar initiative with "Visual Kei Revival," which also tries to bring visual kei closer to new fans. In your opinion, is there a new wave of interest in visual kei? How do you view these efforts to reconnect?
HIROTO: When we started in visual kei, it wasn’t very popular. So, we didn’t start in it because it was trendy; it was more because I liked it and it was how I wanted to express myself. As a result, we were able to do some cool work that brought visibility to visual kei at that time. I think that’s what people are doing now—the "kouhais" (younger artists) are doing their work regardless of the popularity of visual kei, and who knows, we might see the same outcome again. We do this much more for the passion than for the fame, and I think the new generation is very much in tune with that.
TAKERU recently recorded the song SLY DEVIL in collaboration with Mek, the vocalist of the Thai band Saint After Six. How did this partnership come about?
TAKERU: The answer is much simpler than you might expect. (laughs) I get a lot of messages on social media from artists saying they’re fans of mine and want to do something together with me, so from there, I get to know people, and projects come up. This year, I want to collaborate with an artist from India. If you know any cool Brazilian artists to collaborate with, just introduce them to me! DM me! (laughs)
Regarding your music video production, what is your creative process lik?
TAKERU: In the past, I used to direct my own videos. So, I would first think of the storyline of the video, and then the visuals and the rest of the process would follow.
HIROTO: My music composition process is very sensory—I think about landscapes, smells… In the videos, I try to recreate those sensations I had while composing.
What was the biggest influence that got you into visual kei?
HIROTO: I discovered hide as a solo artist, not in X JAPAN, and when I saw him, I felt a connection and identification with him and his work. It was that impact of finding someone who thought like me that brought me into visual kei.
TAKERU: I started the band influenced by the manga series "Nana." (laughs)
SuG was on the cover of the last issue of "SHOXX" magazine in 2016…
TAKERU: We were? (Surprised)
Yes! This magazine was crucial in establishing visual kei. In fact, the term "visual kei" originated from it. How did you feel closing that historic cycle?
TAKERU: Did we end "SHOXX?" (laughs) Actually, I’m surprised to hear that. Magazines were responsible for the visual kei “boom” at that time. I think now that there aren’t as many physical media outlets, social media has the same potential to make visual kei grow again. I really believe in that for sharing the visual kei culture.
HIROTO: It was hide, by the way, who coined the word "SHOXX."
How are you feeling about finally being in Brazil after so many attempts in the past?
HIROTO: There were several offers and plans for ALICE NINE. to come to Brazil. The first one was in 2014, and then we had a confirmed show for 2020, but then the pandemic started… and now the band is on hiatus, so it didn’t happen. So, I was just as eager as the fans to come! (laughs) I’m very happy to finally be here. I hope one day I can come with all the members of ALICE NINE. to perform.
TAKERU: We also had several proposals to come, but with all the band members, it became more difficult to coordinate schedules. So, unlike HIROTO, as a solo artist, it’s much easier for me to do these international activities. You can keep asking for me to come to your countries, but also ask the promoters to bring me! (laughs)
JaME would like to thank TAKERU and HIROTO, Maru Division, and the interpreter Guilherme Ritsu for making this article possible.
Read on for a quick report covering TAKERU and HIROTO's concert at Anime Friends 2024.
When it was announced that TAKERU, the former vocalist of SuG, and HIROTO, the guitarist of ALICE NINE., would be performing together in Brazil, visual kei fans went wild. For a long time, both ALICE NINE. and SuG had attempted to come to Brazil, but due to various circumstances, it never happened. With one band now on hiatus and the other disbanded, fans had almost lost hope. The expectation was, of course, to see them perform songs from their bands as well as their solo work, and that’s exactly what they did.
The show began with TAKERU and his band performing more recent songs from his solo career, such as his latest release SLY DEVIL and Bokunojanai from his sleepyhead project. Then, TAKERU commented, "How old are you? I’m 17, I’m going to start singing some older ones." Even with a sound issue, the show didn't lose its charm, as fans helped TAKERU continue singing until the sound returned.
From that moment on, the atmosphere of the show shifted. SuG’s songs took fans back in time. Vi-Vi-Vi, LOVE SCREAM PARTY, and sweeToxic were sung in unison by TAKERU and the emotional fans. Then, HIROTO finally took the stage, and the crowd went wild.
With the first chords of ALICE NINE.'s Rainbows, the concert reached a new level. Fans sang even louder, and the onstage dynamic between TAKERU and HIROTO made everyone feel like they were once again experiencing the peak of visual kei concerts in Brazil. They also included a cover of L'Arc-en-Ciel’s READY STEADY GO, which was the theme song for the anime series "Fullmetal Alchemist."
Ending with ALICE NINE.'s Velvet and SuG’s Gr8 Story, TAKERU thanked everyone for being there and expressed how happy he was to be in Brazil, promising to return. HIROTO also thanked everyone for attending and promised to do his best to one day return to Brazil with the full ALICE NINE. line-up.
Set list
01. I KYOU U
02. Fudoutoku
03. Akutou
04. SLY DEVIL
05. HELLYEAH
06. Bokunojanai
08. RPG
09. Vi-Vi-Vi (SuG cover)
10. LOVE SCREAM PARTY (SuG cover)
11. sweeToxic (SuG cover)
12. Rainbows (ALICE NINE. cover)
13. READY STEADY GO (L'Arc-en-Ciel cover)
14. Velvet (ALICE NINE. cover)
13. Gr8 Story (SuG cover)
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