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.

Motto High Grade - Vol. 002 - January 2020 - Yu~ki Personal Interview

 In this volume, Yu~ki had a duo interview with Mako (deadman), but also a long personal interview discussing his artistic expression, past works and love for chocolate, as well as his following small fan event to be held in Shinjuku the following month. So, let's meet the Count. 

Motto High Grade - Vol. 002

Yu~ki, who has been appearing on stage about once every year or two since MALICE MIZER went on hiatus, is a bassist and a true artist with a passion for the arts. He is currently working on accessories under his own brand "Mother of Life"(*1) and is currently creating art objects. Like a source spring of pure water, his ideas never run dry, and his desire to express himself grows stronger and stronger everyday. Here, we will talk about the behind-the-scenes of this magazine’s photo shoot, art, and more from the perspective of an artist.

(*1: he used to sell his accessories through Midi-Nette’s online shop but no items are sold anymore. Yu~ki has now started a new brand, Abstract~A - The World of Silence, which he runs an online shop for. His instagram for it is @ the_world_of_silence , and his online shop is here (please see his overseas sale page for instructions on how you can purchase his items from abroad.)

Men of Showa 50 - Vol. 011 - June 2021 - Mana Interview and History

This magazine is part of a collection of magazines titled after the men and women of different eras (Showa 40 (1965), Showa 50 (1975)...) that usually showcases artists, creators or famous people of these generations and/or for these generations. 

In this volume, the theme was the "Japanese music revolution of 1997". The theme of that volume was presented as such : 

"The 1990s, when men of the Showa 50 era spent their youth in Japan, was an era of prosperity for Japanese music. (...) The theme of this issue is "1997 Japanese Music Revolution." Looking back at the hit charts in 1997, the "TK boom" was still alive and well, but R&B, idols, anime songs, TV programs, and indie bands also entered the scene. (...) Also symbolic was the Fuji Rock Festival, which began that year, a space where people could go wild about live music, transcending the boundaries of Japanese and Western music and genres. In short, the extremely natural mindset of "Just listen to what you like!" became the revolution. And we, the editorial staff, declare 1997 to be the year in which this revolution took place. In this issue, we delve into the Japanese music scene of the time with words from artists and people who were excited by this era."

Note: 

Although the title of the magazine is Showa 50, this is not Mana's birth year as we do not know his real age. He is from that generation of people who would have been late teenagers in the early 90s, though, and that also had a phenomenal career in 97, which made him a perfect guest for this magazine as he fit the theme. 

The Men of Showa 50 
The Japanese music revolution of 1997 - The music that resonated with us

The unprecedented Visual Kei boom has struck!

Mana talks about the truth behind the band that surpassed the limits of mainstream.

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 ?

SHOXX vol. 67 - September 1998 - MALICE MIZER "The Girl's Collection" Interview

In this interview, all 5 of the members appeared in a several page spread in which they were all dressed as historical women figures. I am posting the members' interview in the order they appeared in the magazine.

Content Warning : Sex.

The subject of sex is addressed. Nothing graphic at all but there are discussions about it. (Question 5, and sometimes mentioned in Question 4 as well)

Note :

This interview has a question about the member's opinion on same-sex couples/love. Some of the members talked about their own feelings and or alluded to gender concepts. Please DO NOT assume anyone's gender identity or sexual orientation from this. It might be out of context, lost in translation, and also is not your business. Do NOT go around assuming any of the member's pronouns/gender identity/sexual orientation. This is also over 20 years old and might have changed since then (or not, but again, not anyone's business). You are free to think what you want about their answers but be respectful if you ever address this topic about them/this interview in public/on social media.

The Girl's Collection Interview   

Well, ladies and gentlemen. What you will see today are five beauties from around the world, from the legendary beauties of ancient Arabia to the stars of the silver screen in good old Hollywood, in a collection that transcends time and space. Here at SHOXX we all strongly suggest you see more about these beauties. For those ladies and gentlemen still raising eyebrows in curiosity, please keep reading.