Cathédrale de la Rose - Livre Rose - First Chapter - Mana talks about the making of Bara no Seidou

[Cathédrale de la Rose]~Livre Rose was a publication by Malice Mizer that included photoshoots showing their recent looks of their 3 single series and album, as well as interviews about the process, making, creation and completion of the show "Bara ni Irodorareta Akui to Higeki no Makuake" (薔薇に彩られた悪意と悲劇の幕開け) at the Budokan. I will try to translate all interviews in the book in order, as they not only interview the members, but also the production team members that helped the group realize their vision from the stage design, construction and lighting to the costume designer that worked with them to make the concept come to life, for a full backstage view of what it was to make the biggest stage ever made at the Budokan a reality. 

For those interested in the physical material, Livre Rose and Livre Rose~Blanche are the same photo book with the same written contents and interviews, but Livre Rose was the first edition and usually comes in a velvet box with a serial numbered cross necklace, and Livre Rose~Blanche is a re-printing that has an additional photo shoot with the wedding like costumes.

This first chapter is an interview with Mana, who was the main concept creator for Bara no Seidou and also the editor of the Livre Rose. 

(Note* : I believe most would be familiar but when they are discussing the 3 parts of the show/costumes/concept, the 1st part was the Saikai no Chi to Bara costumes (EGL/Gothic), the 2nd part was the PVC and braids costumes, and 3rd part Shiroi Hada ni Kuruu Ai to Kanashimi no Rondo more historical inspired costumes with white lace)

Cathedrale de la Rose 

First Interview - Mana Sama

Construction Trajectory of the “Cathedral of Roses”

August 31 and September 1st, 2000.

On August 31 and September 1st, 2000, the "Cathedral of Roses" appeared at the Nippon Budokan. The following two episodes will trace the path of the largest and most fantastic set building ever made in the Budokan's history until its inauguration. The first story is about Mana, the total concept director of the "Cathedral of Roses”. The second story will be a three-way conversation between Mana, stage producer Mr. Asano, and concert producer Mr. Ito.

Ultra Veat vol. 58 - September 2000 - Malice Mizer "Bara no Seidou" and the "New Malice Mizer" (Mana, Közi, Yu~ki + Kami)

An interview done just before the new album and the new fourth member of Malice Mizer would be revealed to the world, after almost 1.5 years without seeing the fans live. The interviewer also wrote a feature about Kami at the end of the interview. Let's discover the thorny way the members took to achieve their last glorious album, "Bara no Seidou". 

Note : 

I kept most names of the songs as is (romaji) as this is how most people know them, but I decided to translate them in some sentences because the interviewer or the member was alluding to the specific word/concept mentioned in the title of it, so for clarity purpose I translated it/added a note in parenthesis. (*)

Some questions or answers seem to jump a lot as well, and I think it might be because the interview is edited down ? I did my best to keep track of everything, but the ideas and questions of the interviewer did seem scattered a little bit, so I apologize if some places aren't as clear. 

Cathedral of Roses 

A new curtain will finally be opened on malice and tragedy with the release of the new album “Bara no Seidou”, on August 23rd.”Bara no Seidou" is not only the conclusion of Malice Mizer’s activities as a three member group, but also the beginning of a new dawn of malice and tragedy. This album, which shows the most thorough attention to detail ever shown since their beginning, is the prelude to the next new development of Malice Mizer, and is also a starting point, with the Budokan concert to be performed with the fourth blood relative, titled "The Rose of Reunion" (Saikai no Chi to Bara) and "The Rose of Promise" (Yakusoku no Bara) on August 31 and September 1st. We will get to the core of Malice Mizer’s "Cathedral of Roses" and the new story that begins here…!

“Bara no Seidou” opens the door to destiny !

Where is Malice Mizer headed ?