Interview with OTOKAGE

Recently, OTOKAGE sat down with JaME to talk about their musical concept, how their new members are getting along, their future plans and more.


Could you please introduce yourself?

OTOKAGE: We are OTOKAGE, ninjas from another dimension!

You mix traditional concepts like ‘wabi-sabi’ with a very modern musical style, why did you choose to do this?

OTOKAGE: We've always wanted to introduce Japanese culture to the whole world. To make opportunities, to get as many people as possible to know our way of life, we thought it might be good to show it in a simple and interesting way like this. We are hoping it will get everyone interested in Japanese culture.

Is it difficult to mix these two opposite styles?

OTOKAGE: We do not think old and new are opposites against each other. New things are just an evolution of old things, and new can become old.

Do you think this is an important value of Japanese culture, to mix both the traditional and modern sides of the culture?

OTOKAGE: Yes, it is important. Remembering the traditions, yet not relying too much on them and being flexible to new things to keep evolving: we believe this is an important factor. That's why we mix the traditional Japanese concept of "ninja" with a new Japanese cultural concept, "visual kei."

Your style has become more toned-down since the last time we spoke with you. Why did you choose to do this?

OTOKAGE: This is the result for the training to be the perfect ninjas.

Your bassist HITT has left since the last time we spoke with you, and you now have a new bassist, Seiya Moroboshi. How did he join you ?

OTOKAGE: We held an audition and we found him. He was the most talented of all.

Has your music evolved since the arrival of the second guitar ?

OTOKAGE: We believe it got better. It added more depth and aggressiveness to the sound.

Why did you choose to add a second guitarist?

OTOKAGE: We've always liked music with twin guitars, like heavy metal, so to create the sound close to our ideals, we decided to add a second guitarist to the band.

Seiya, Ryotaro, was it difficult for you to adapt yourself to OTOKAGE’s style and music?

Seiya: I had no problem with it. I'm still in training, learning from the other members to fit in more.
Ryotaro: There wasn't too much trouble getting used to the music, but I had troubles adapting myself to the styles. Everything was new to me, and I had a hard time seeking a good way to perform, but I think I'm getting it now.

Sosuke, why did you choose to reveal your face?

Sosuke: I gave the mask to HITT because he needed it to go back to the another dimension is what I tell to people. To tell you the truth, it's because my performance is better without it, especially during more active movements.

Your CDs always have amazing artwork; who does the designs? Do you ever help in the making of the designs?

OTOKAGE: Sosuke and Onimaru are mainly in charge of designing the jackets. For AKATSUKI, we can't tell you the name of the artist, but the artist that worked on the picture is a character designer for a very popular video game.

Even though you have a very traditional image, you are also becoming popular overseas. How do you feel about representing your country in this way?

OTOKAGE: We are not popular or widely recognized enough to call ourselves "a representative of Japan" yet, but we'll keep on working hard to be known and try not to discredit our country as its representative.

How did you manage to make this new PV? Did you produce it by yourself?

OTOKAGE: We made the new PV for Idaten Burai by mixing our ideas and with the help of Mr. Arafune, the director of the PV.

Your new PV is much more visually interesting compared to the last one. Could you explain to us about the concept?

OTOKAGE: The lyrics of Idaten Burai are about fighting, so we used that to set the theme of the PV. We believe we succeeded in presenting a new way of ninja fighting.

Your new single Tsukuyomi is going to have an English version of Idaten Burai. Why did you make an English version, as it’s only going to be released in Japan?

OTOKAGE: We received lots of requests wanting to hear the English version of the song, so that's why we decided to release it. To start out, we will sell the CD at our live shows in Japan, but we are planning to make it available for the fans overseas somehow!

You will release your first full album at the end of the year, could you talk to us about it? How is the production of this album going on?

OTOKAGE: We've already finished recording the songs and they are ready to be mixed and mastered. The album includes a wide range of music to show the many sides of OTOKAGE's music. You might be surprised listening to some songs, but it's all OTOKAGE!

Do you have any plans to tour around America and Europe?

OTOKAGE: We do not have definite plan right now, but if we get enough requests, we'll be there right away!

Finally, do you have a message for your overseas fans?

OTOKAGE: Thank you always for your support! We really appreciate you. We are preparing to be able to perform all over the world. The louder your voices are, the more opportunities we get to visit you! We promise to stage the most fun and exciting shows for you, so please keep on supporting us! You can find Lee, Onimaru and Seiya on Twitter, so please follow us. Lee is trying to reply as much as he can using his not too skilful English ninja arts!


JaME would like to thank the band and their management for making this interview possible.