Sixh. Fashion Opera Talk Show

The final stage of the evening gave the guests a chance to reflect on the show as they came out in groups for a chat with the designers. The gags just kept on rolling until time enforced a reluctant end to the evening.

IBI: I appear in this magazine Men’s Spider sometimes, and that’s where I met this model, Ruka-kun who’s also the designer of his own accessories brand, MATERIAL CROWN. Come on out, Ruka-kun. Thank you for today. I met him while shooting for the magazine. I don’t think he’s participated in this kind of event before, but… How was it?

Ruka: Well yeah. I used to be a drummer in a visual kei band for about ten years but this is my first time appearing on the flower road, the catwalk. I practiced at home. No matter how you look at me, I’m a total country boy.

IBI: We work with a mixture of fashion and music, but you’re also doing something similar, right, Ruka?

Ruka: Right. I was in a visual kei band for a long time but now I design a brand of silver accessories called MATERIAL CROWN. In fact, the store is very close by on Meiji street. I think there’s a lot of interesting things that can be done with silver. I’m also in the Men’s Spider band, the same as the magazine. There’s a live in Kobe coming up in June and one July at Zepp Nagoya.

IBI: Thank you, Ruka!

MINT: He’s hot.

IBI: That’s why I invited him.

MINT: Next up… Well, our next live has been decided. On June 22, Sixh. will be holding a live at Ikebukuro Black Hole! It will be a three-man with… Serial Number’s Sasaki Jin as Session Number and… Inugami Circus Dan!

MINT: How was the fashion show?

Akira: It was great. It really feels good to wear something a bit different to my usual costume.

MINT: Yeah, your costume must be very hot.

Kyouko: Yukatta can be worn by anyone.

IBI: Jin’s collaborated and appeared in our fashion shows before but how was it today?

Jin: That’s right, this is my second time modelling for you. There was just one thing I regret. I came out in this blue parker, right? I was going to throw my balls and take off the parker but it just wouldn’t come off so instead I made a point of showing this bag.

NARI: It’s all furry.

Jin: Huh?

NARI: I said it’s furry.

MINT: Speak properly!

NARI: “I’m sorry!”

IBI: “Please feel free to make any announcement’s you may have…”

Akira: It’s already been out for two months, but there’s a DVD, Sainara Omotesando, of our last live from last year. Oh, and there’s lots of lives coming up, too.

Kyouko: For the moment, the next one is June third in Nagoya. Come. Oh, and June fifth in Osaka. Come. And then… well, we just have live after live after live so you can come any time. You could even come to all of them.

Jin: I have nothing to announce. Well, normally I’m in a band called Serial Number but we’re taking a break and I’ve been doing a solo project called Session Number and the last will be the one with Sixh. Session Number’s break-up. I plan to work hard on Serial Number from Summer this year.

[Akira pitched in with a pun involving cornflakes and numbers that produced a belated shriek of maniacal laughter from Kyouko. That, more than the joke itself set the crowd laughing as the enigmatic vocalist cried. “Big bro Akira’s so funny!”]

NARI: Great, now IBI can finish up with a gag!

IBI: I don’t have one! We’ll be performing on June 22 at Ikebukuro Black Hole so it would be great if you could all come watch again.

NARI: Actually, that was really funny.

MINT: Moving on… It’s time to introduce ‘that band’ who we’ve worked with many, many times.

NARI: Yes, ‘that band.

MINT: It’s heidi.

Yoshihiko: We’re heidi.

MINT: They know… Well first of all, can you each comment on today’s experience?

Yoshihiko: Well today was my first time in a fashion show and well basically it was a different kind of nerves to a concert but I came with the intention to have fun and I’m really grateful. Thank you.

Kosuke: Thank you very much for today. I was super nervous! Usually we’re playing music, so without songs to play I had no idea what to do, but… it was really fun.

Kiri: Yeah, I felt the same. It’s truly a different feeling of nervousness from concerts. After all, it was our first time, but I think we were treated to a great experience. Thank you!

Nao: Thanks for today. I was the same as the others, really nervous for my first time but it was a really great day. Thank you very much.

MINT: Well, there’s heidi. for you, and as it turns out… their first overseas live has been decided! In fact, it will be at the same expo we’re attending in L.A. We’ll be doing a fashion show and heidi. will be performing live. We’ll probably be going on the same plane.

IBI: … It might just be the same. So we should enjoy ourselves.

MINT: It also seems like they might appearing in our fashion show there…

Yoshihiko: Yes! We’d love to.

IBI: I’d love to repeat this overseas, too.

MINT: So let’s set our sights on America.

Yoshihiko: Actually… It’s my first time ever going overseas. I just got a passport. Not only am I going overseas for the first time, but we even have a live so I’m thoroughly looking forward to it.

MINT: Can you say your emcees in English?

Yoshihiko: Hmm, yes, I can…  “I love you.” “I need you.” “I want you.” As long as I remember these I should be fine.

IBI: Uh, so if you have any announcement, please…

Yoshihiko: I’m really sorry!

Nao: Announcements.

Yoshihiko: Right. So… Thanks to all of you, on June third heidi. will celebrate our fifth anniversary so there’ll be a concert of course… and I really plan to work hard and make more good songs so we’re counting on your continued support.

IBI: Well then, at the end of June and beginning of July we’ll work together again in L.A.

Yoshihiko: We’re looking forward to it.

IBI: See you then.

MINT: That was heidi.

NARI: All of us together on a plane is a scary thought.

IBI: I think that every time we re-enter the country.

NARI: That’s just you.

IBI: Sorry, I’m always really late. I get randomly searched and lose my passport when we go through customs…

MINT: This time, I was able to sell my second wave of collaboration items with this guest… Come on out, Utahiroba Jun!

Utahiroba: I was all over the place and I’m really sorry for everything, but thank you so much, everybody!

MINT: What did you think of appearing in a fashion show?

Utahiroba: For me, personally, it was very interesting in many ways. First of all, I was carrying a bass from halfway through. I had no idea what to do with it since I’m actually an air bassist, so actually, I was watching the video of the dress rehearsal, I applauded! No, really! Then there was the picks! I’m an air bassist so I’ve never actually thrown a pick. When I tried and missed it was pretty embarrassing. Next time, I’ll practice throwing.

NARI: Next time try it at Golden Bomber’s live.

MINT: Do you have any announcements?

Utahiroba: Golden Bomber’s? No, nothing.

IBI: No… upcoming releases?

Utahiroba: Oh, yes! On June first… B’z are releasing a new single… I’m sorry. Actually, there’s an anime on TV Tokyo called YuGiOh ZEXAL using Golden Bomber’s  song called “Boku Quest.”

IBI: In fact, the costume for the CD jacket was designed by us, Sixh., and h.Naoto.

Utahiroba: Thank you so much for making these cool outfits!

MINT: I’d really love to work with you again, so…

Utahiroba: Oh! I want to, too!

MINT: Looks like it will be possible, then. Now, I wonder if you’d be up for a ‘free talk corner.’ Or would that be too much to ask?

Utahiroba: No way! I can totally to that! furi na to-ku (pointless chatter) is my speciality! For example, a little while ago, IBI did something dirty.

IBI: Don’t you mean something dirty was done to me?

[Utahiroba was so excited by the nipple talk that the discussion grew steadily less cohesive and dissolved into random yelling and apologies.]

Utahiroba: Sorry, that was a little too free, wasn’t it?

MINT: That’s fine. [To NARI] Speaking of dirty, what do you find erotic?

Utahiroba: I have a query, but… are you always this dirty?

MINT: Since he’s hardly been talking, I thought we should give him a topic.

Utahiroba: Oh, so his character is the non-talkative type, I see. Then… Out of sailor suits, school uniforms and school swimsuits, which do you prefer?

NARI: How can I answer that?

MINT: Just say you like bloomers…

Utahiroba: Oh, so it’s bloomers! I see, so NARI’s fans should take note and show up in bloomers next time, okay? Oh, so this is what free talk is like. By the way, last time we worked together we talked about going out to eat and… well… we haven’t yet, so… I hope that we can at the next opportunity. Oh, but this is talk for the dressing room, right? Excuse me. Right, well, let’s definitely go out for food.

IBI: That was certainly a free discussion.

MINT: Well, since we’re all here… NARI hasn’t spoken much, so he should say something.

Utahiroba: That’s right. NARI who likes bloomers!

NARI: I’m really, really sorry… Uh, I-

Utahiroba: That was NARI! Put your hands together!

MINT: Well, that’s how it usually is. I’d really like to thank everyone who gathered here today.

Utahiroba: Wow, everyone who came today is so much more talented than Golden Bomber. No, really! I mean… You can play instruments! Anyway, if you’re okay with an air bassist like me, I hope you’ll call on me again. Actually, I often wear MINT’s clothes. I really like them and when he asked about it, that’s how the collaboration came about. I’m really glad, so as a big fan, I hope to work with you again.

MINT: Oh! Recently, I went to se you live and at the end there was this visual kei-like thing…

Utahiroba: Oh, that!

MINT: For the sake of it, why don’t we finish up with that?

Utahiroba: Everyone, in order to commemorate this special day, will you all please join hands and jump with us? You might find it unpleasant, but it’s just for today so be kind to the person beside you. When I say “Sixh. is the best”… jump with a Yay!” Okay… “Sixh. is the best!”

There are 26 photos in this visual kei exclusive.

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