rubyreal

[rubyreal]

Amai Bouryoku Member to member interviews #1: Saki to Kei 

This is from the Amai Bouryoku Monthly magazine they released on their shop sometime last month! Theres a member to member interview for everyone, so I'll be posting them as I finish them :)

---------------------------------------------------------

“I really want to enjoy the live from start to finish and to be able to look forward to the live without feeling anxious, and also have fun after the show!”

Saki: Kei-chan, around what time do you wake up everyday?

Kei: My schedule is honestly all over the place, but… usually some time from 8 to 10 in the morning. I sleep a lot. Sometimes I sleep 10 or so hours, but I always try to sleep for more than 8 hours. 8 or 9 hours. I always sleep between 12 am and 2 am, but sometimes I go to bed as early as 10 pm. (Laughs)

Saki: I also go to bed as early as 10 sometimes. 

Kei: When you go to bed, there’s times you feel sleepy and times you don’t, so it’s better sleep when you’re tired! After all, you can’t do anything if you’re not feeling good! You should always want to wake up feeling energized and healthy!

Saki: Do you have a favorite shampoo or any other products that you absolutely must use? 

Kei: I have some restrictions when it comes to shampoo because…

Saki: Pink hair, right?

Kei: Yep! I’ve been pink for 9 years now (laughs). In the beginning, I normally used a shampoo called “Ichikami.” I think “Ichikami” is silicone-free and (the pink) doesn’t wash out that easily. But it would come out eventually, so I’d have to re-dye my hair every time we did a live show, which started to become a little bit of a pain. Then I discovered pink shampoo. There are a lot of different pink shampoos. Out of those, “SOMARCA” suited me the best, so I used it for about 3 years. But then, I heard from our hair and makeup artist that that pink shampoo isn’t a cleansing shampoo… So for 3 years I…

Saki: (Laughing)

Kei: For three years, I couldn’t wash my hair!! (Laughs.) I don’t know if it’s true, but anyway, there’s a theory that it doesn’t really clean the hair. So I started using a shampoo that doesn’t contain certain ingredients. The color fades better, so I’ve been using that recently.

Saki: (Laughs.) I guess it’s a bit unusual because of the pink dye. Do you have any preferences for toothbrushes or toothpaste?

Kei: I always use an electric toothbrush! I even keep one in my travel pouch. 

Saki: They say electric ones are good. How long have you been using them?

Kei: Maybe 4 or 5 years…? I don’t really need a manual one, haha. I buy toothpaste from the conbini. Just the regular kind. I also buy things like lotion from the conbini. 

Saki: Like a drugstore?

Kei: Yeah, the usual common ones. But it’s just better to use a lot of lotion, even if it’s cheap.

Saki: Yes yes yes! Moisturizing!! 

Kei: I use it until I’m basically soaked (laughs).

Saki: Kei-chan, your skin is so beautiful.

Kei: I’ve started to be more careful recently (laughs). 

Saki: What do you do before you sleep?

Kei: Right before bed, I try to do some proper stretching. 

Saki: Like stretches for the muscles used in drumming? 

Kei: It’s because I’ll end up getting stiff. After all, I think it’s good to be healthy. I do also get a lot of sleep, but I really wanted to loosen up my body after I hurt myself. 

Saki: Yeah.

Kei: The first time it happened was during the Muushuusei tour. I hurt my neck so badly that I was like “It hurts this much!” After that, I started seeing a chiropractor for pain. I realized I couldn’t play the drums properly if I was injured, so I started stretching properly.

Saki: My impression of Kei-chan is that you’re very rough and casual about everything, but when it comes to playing the drums, you seem very strict. About how many times a week do you play the drums? 

Kei: I don’t know! (Laughs). Holding a stick, hitting the part, things like that are, how should I put it… a habit! Saki: (Laughs) A part of life?

Kei: Yeah. That’s why I don’t really feel like practicing or playing the drums. On the contrary. I have fun playing the drums, and I have fun doing live shows. Even if it’s fun, if I’m sleepy I’ll think, “I’m sleepy, but I have to wake up.” Even if I hurt myself, I’ll think, “My body hurts, but I have to play the drums.” I wouldn’t want to play the drums thinking like that, and I definitely wouldn’t want to do live shows like that. I want to be able to do things while thinking that they’re fun and exciting. I’m always doing everything in a fun, energetic state. Because if not, I’m not in the mood to do live shows. 

Saki: You just can’t do it.

Kei: That’s why, especially when we’re on tour, when the dates for live shows have already been decided, I try my best to be in the best possible state to enjoy the live at those times. 

Saki: Even though you may seem careless, you really always are properly thinking things through, Kei-chan. By the way… you like Disney, right? 

Kei: Yes!

Saki: What made you fall in love with Disney?

Kei: I’ve been watching Disney movies and DVDs since I was little. There were also a lot of Disney things in my house. 

Saki: Does your family like Disney too?

Kei: Yeah. …I might never all in love with anything ever again from now on.

Saki: ……Huh!?!? (Laughs)

Kei: (Laughs). I mainly like the things I came into contact with when I was younger, like music. It’s not that I haven’t grown since then, but I guess my taste hasn’t changed. 

Saki: I’m also like that, with things like Dragon Ball, Ultraman, and Kamen Rider. (Laughs). By the way, what do you like about Disney?

Kei: Simply put… it’s “good.” Haha. It’s Disney, but I don’t like Disneyland or DisneySea. I like Disney characters and Disney movies, and also PIXAR. On Disney+ I rewatch things I’ve seen over and over again.

Saki: What are your favorite works and characters?

Kei: For characters, I like Stitch. For movies, I’d say “Toy Story.” The nice part about Disney is… I might not be able to explain it well, but for example, “Toy Story” shows us the world of toys. A world that we can’t see no matter how hard we try, an invisible world, and lets us see it in an easily understandable way. The same goes for the ant society in “A Bug’s Life.” The characters and the main character aren’t human, nor are they band members (laughs). But I can still sympathize with them… I guess that’s what I like about Disney. I also like princesses. They make my heart flutter.

Saki: They bring you back to your heart. Even though it’s a cliche, they help you remember things that you forget in your daily life. Disney movies, that is. 

Kei: Yeah! But I also really love depressing movies too! (Laughs).

Saki: I watch those a lot (laughs). How does it make you feel when you watch those kinds of movies? 

Kei: Sometimes I feel a bit down.. at times like that, I watch them. (Laughs). I love “humans” after all, so I want to know what they’re thinking. I want to know what different kinds of people there are in the world, and what different people are feeling… I’m so curious! Stuff like that.

Saki: I get the impression that you don’t have an issue with trying out a variety of different works, Kei-chan. Do you have friends outside of the band members that you hang out with? 

Kei: I have quite a lot of friends. I go through cycles with the friends I hang out with. Friends from middle school, friends from high school, friends from when I had a part-time job, friends from the band I was in before Amai Bouryoku… Even when I was in high school, there was this group and that group, friends from my middle school group, friends from other groups, etc. I also had about 3 groups of friends from bands I was in before, and I get in touch with them at different times throughout the year. So I don’t really hang out with the same friends throughout the years. It’s kinda like, “oh, this group has been reaching out to me recently.” 

Saki: Do you usually go out drinking?

Kei: What would you do if you weren’t drinking!? (Laughs). I also like to go out to lunch and cafes… sometimes I go for a drive in Nara or Osaka. I don’t drive though (laughs). 

Saki: What topics do you like to talk about?

Kei: Updates and… things I want to talk about, but I also want to hear about them. I really enjoy hearing about my friends’ working environments that are unrelated to music. So I have a a lot of connections with various groups, so to speak, and meet up with them maybe once a year. …I’m a little worried that people might misunderstand this, but… if I meet with somebody for the first time after a while and they say, “let’s hang out again!” and then they reach out to me a month later, I’ll turn them down. (Laughs). 

Saki: (Laughs). I guess I also have those cycles. 

Kei: Of course I like my friends, and it would be fun to meet up again in a month, but I’d have to say-the time span is a little too short! (Laughs).

Saki: (Laughs). No matter how close you are with the other person, I think it’s okay to do it every month. How many times a week do you drink?

Kei: I haven’t been drinking much recently. Only when I’m with friends. 

Saki: Do you ever invite friends yourself? 

Kei: Not really. I do go to Izakayas by myself. 

Saki: Is that more so because you want to talk to people rather than drink? 

Kei: Yeah. I’ve been thinking about going to more places like that. I go to Izakayas run by my friends, and if my friends are busy, I talk to customers who are drinking there. That’s fun. 

Saki: The other day, when we were all drinking, I thought about you and thought, “seriously?”�� Recently, at the Izakaya you have to order through QR code. By using it, there’s no need to call for the waiter. Kei-chan said, “I hate this!” and it really left an impression on me. 

Kei: Huh!? Why!?

Saki: I may be in the minority, but I worry if it’s okay to talk to the waiter while they’re super busy. So I’m a big supporter of the type of QR code ordering…

Kei: Eh-!!!

Saki: At that time Kei-chan was like “But we can’t communicate.” I was like, are you serious!?

Kei: It maybe convenient for the staff to use QR code ordering, but the “money” stops when you spend time using the QR code, right? When I go out drinking, I normally don’t look at my phone much, but then I have to look at my phone to order. I really hate the idea of having to face the “screen” for awhile… Also saying, “Excuse me! One draft beer please!” to the bar staff is what makes drinking special!! (Laughs).

Saki: (Laughs). I didn’t have that in mind. But I think your way of thinking is really great. Finally, talking about the band… Right now, we’re on the Daten tour, touring the country for the first time in about a year. Please tell everyone what’s changed since a year ago, and what’s stayed the same. 

Kei: I breathe through my nose. I’ve been breathing through my nose since the last Sendai concert. 

Saki: Is that while you’re playing? Is amazing you can breathe through your nose while moving that much.

Kei: Also, “taking notes.” After each show, I mark my performance with a circle, X, or a triangle. It’s not about whether the performance was exciting or not, but whether if it was easy or not depending on things like my physical condition or how nervous I was. Whether I was able to breathe through my nose. Also, recently I’ve changed the way I hold my sticks, so whether I was able to do that. Even though each performance is the same length, the number of songs is about the same, and the intensity doesn’t change that much, there are days when I’m tired, hurt, or overwhelmed, and I hate that. So for I thought, there must be some reason for it, not because the venue is too big or too small or because of the audience. I really want to enjoy the live from start to finish and to be able to look forward to the live without feeling anxious, and also have fun after the show! With everything. But I think it’s possible. If I’m not having fun, the other members also won’t be having fun either, and I don’t have the time to think about wanting the audience to have fun.. Because I work thinking like that, I’ve been taking notes recently using circles, Xs, and triangles so I can always be in good condition. 

Saki: That’s amazing. It seems like a rough explanation, but there’s an extraordinary stoicism to it…

Kei: When I’m having fun, I can really tell that the other members and the audience are also enjoying themselves. 

Saki: That’s really amazing… I’ve learned a lot. Well then, final question. Do you like touring nationwide?

Kei: Eh-! I love it!!!

Saki: I thought so. (Laughs). 

Kei: I love it! I’ve traveled to so many places! I’ve made so many memories. 

Saki: Well, we don’t really have any local gourmet food! Or anything like that.

Kei: No, but during the live shows you can really get a feel for the local area through Sakkun’s hype and the MC incorporating local elements. It feels like we’re going around the whole country and it’s fun.

Saki: Yeah, just eating a meal here or going to a tourist spot doesn’t necessarily make it local. There’s a lot of different ways to feel about it. Wow… I learned a lot… We had a bit of a deep discussion. This was an interview from Saki to Kei-chan!

[rubyreal]

Shiritakunai 知りたくない - Amai Bouryoku 甘い暴力 (English translation)

Burning bright, ever aflame, passion wavers and sways

My lips are still tingling from the lingering heat of our kiss

This messy room is a labyrinth, where I see an illusion of you

Mysteries are beautiful when left unsolved

It’s better not to search for too much

There are flowers that must not bloom

Fate, standing back-to-back

Continuously dancing through an endless labyrinth

Like a lost kitten with no place to return to

That’s enough, that’s enough, I don’t want to know any more about you, I don’t want to know

Spinning into dizziness, ah…

The burning passion between the two of us, ever aflame

Swaying and wavering, the forbidden taboo of our love

Kindness cuts deeper into my heart than deceptive lies

This labyrinth is so complicated it makes me cry

And even though I hate it, I’m the one who fell in love with you

Even if you think it’s just a game

If you hold me, I’ll fall in love again

Our tied pinky fingers that say “I love you”

Have been tangled and cut

If I lose my way, I’ll fall deeper into your labyrinth

And cling to this paper-thin love again

Laugh at me for wanting more and call me brainless

Spinning into dizziness, ah…

My passion is quietly going mad

Burning bright, ever aflame, passion wavers and sways

Continuously dancing through an endless labyrinth

Like a lost kitten with no place to return to

That’s enough, that’s enough, I don’t want to know any more about you, I don’t want to know

If I lose my way, I’ll fall deeper into your labyrinth

I came seeking your embrace, knowing it was only a sweet trap

If I can make this long-hidden bud bloom,

Then I wouldn’t mind dying, ah…

The burning passion between the two of us, ever aflame

I got lost in your endless labyrinth

Swaying and wavering, the forbidden taboo of our love

[rubyreal]

Daten 堕天 - Amai Bouryoku 甘い暴力 (English Translation)

Sacred scriptures strum a chord of gospel verses

Like the flying apsaras, tearing through the clear skies

Into the darkness so dazzling it blinds

On a two-seater ark

The serpent leads us

To true love

To the food of that tree that says:

“Rip open taboos”

The fruit is a secret medicine

That wets even the gods

At last, Adam finally realizes that

There is no Eden here

To the sublime fall from heaven

I just want you here

No matter what may arise

A hymn of love for our crumbling fate

Now, bless the two of us as we fall from the heavens

A crazed melody foretold by heretical scriptures

Fall from heaven and feast on despair

Turn the heavens and the earth upside down

Surrender to your melting mind

It was not the serpent that led you astray

But the heavens that control this world, glaring down

With love, the fatal leads you away

Taming innocent evil

Cain kills Abel

Thus begin the fall from the heavens

Eve saw it all—

There is no Eden here

Look only at me

No matter what may arise

Ultimate love needs no mercy

Sublime yet vile, the ninth deadly sin

I’d pick a fight with the gods

Exiled yet knowing joy

As long as you are with me,

I’d be happy to sell my body and soul

A love that desperately screams

Towards the ninth deadly sin

I just want you here

No matter what may arise

A hymn of love for our crumbling fate

Now, bless the two of us as we fall from the heavens

Look only at me

No matter what may arise

Ultimate love needs no mercy

Sublime and vile, the ninth deadly sin

[rubyreal]

Uso Kiss 嘘キス - Amai Bouryoku 甘い暴力 (English Translation)

love is full of lies

love is kill me, kiss me kiss me

love is full of lies

love is kill me, drowing in love

Acting like a herbivore, let’s get along

Saying things like “It’s not a coincidence”

I was attracted to your overflowing cuteness

On a weekend night

Gently peel away

The thorns

In my heart…

Hey, please

Kisses of lies, are they okay?

Your lips are an aphrodisiac, from here on out

Is a love like this allowed? All alone, cry out cry out

A kiss of lies, if anything

The more I long for your lips,

The more I depend on a love like this!

More than being carnivorous, I’m a sadist

And also an unknowing masochist

But even then, you’d still hold them even if it wasn’t me, wouldn’t you?

Anymore than this

And I’ll fall for you for real

Before I drown

Just one more time!

Even if it’s a kiss of lies

My lips are throbbing again

Dreaming and longing, all alone cry out cry out

These kisses of lies, softly

Leave their remains on my lips

Before long, I’ll be addicted… fake it… KISS!

love is full of lies

love is kill me, kiss me kiss me

love is full of lies

love is kill me, kill me, kill me

Kisses of lies, are they okay?

Your lips are an aphrodisiac, from here on out

Is a love like this allowed? All alone, cry out cry out

A kiss of lies, if anything

The more I long for your lips,

The more I depend on a love like this!

Even if it’s a kiss of lies

My lips are throbbing again

Dreaming and longing, all alone cry out cry out

These kisses of lies, softly

Leave their remains on my lips

Before long, I’ll be addicted… fake it… KISS!

[rubyreal]

ROCK AND READ 115 / Interview with Saki from Amai Bouryoku (English Translation)

——————————————————————

I forgot Tumblr existed... but recently I imported this book literally just so I could read the interview with Saki, so here’s the translation I've been working on!!! This took so long omfggf

——————————————————————

“Amai Bouryoku is a band that formed in 2016 with a raw and powerful theme: “Sweet violence rock dedicated to troubled girls.” Sticking to their basic stance without falter, they’ve been charging forward in the scene with their all-out music and lives. But why did they decide to adopt that theme in the first place? And why did Saki, who describes himself as ‘an ordinary person who hasn’t lived a turbulent life,’ decide to start a band? Furthermore, we explore the reasons behind the band not using social media, why he dedicates himself to visual kei, as well as the secrets of his own ‘troubled’ personality.”

—The purpose of this is to learn about your background, Saki-san. But Sweet Violence has a quite a few mysterious aspects. That’s because the members don’t have personal accounts on social media, right?

From my point of view, visual kei exists in another world. It’s about people from a different realm appearing on stage and providing an escape from reality, isn’t it? If people can casually send messages or replies through social media, for better or for worse, it shrinks that sense of distance. As a visual kei artist, I don’t have the confidence to fully commit to that while maintaining the vibe I want. In those three minutes, one minute before the show, the tension builds up… I value that. The audience’s excitement when the artist themselves appear on stage is the most important. I want to preserve that above all else.

—Because you’re such a unique person, Saki-san, I’m interested in your life journey. You seem to be looked up to by younger bandmen. Are you like an older brother in real life as well?

No, not at all (laughs). I have a family of four: my father, mother, and my older sister. My father has already passed away. 

—I see. I often hear younger bandmen say that when they’re troubled and contact you, you always rush over to help them, and they describe you as a reliable older brother. What kind of personality do you think you have?

“If you’re a man, just do it.” That’s my personality. I think I have an old-fashioned mindset. Maybe that’s why younger bandmen look up to me. I don’t know for sure, though.But of course I would never tolerate male-supremacy or sexism or any of the like. I’m really all about putting ladies first (laughs).

—When it comes to romance, too, are you the manly, dominant type?

Well, about that… when it comes to romance, I’m really really terrible at it (laughs). Just like in my lyrics. I’m not good at confessing my feelings myself either.

—You started blushing (laughs). Recently, you performed as a support band for the two Tohoku shows on MUCC’s “Love Together” tour, didn’t you? Afterwards, Tatsuro-san (MUCC vocalist) said, “Amai Bouryoku gives misshitsu kei (密室系*) vibes, right?” But how do you perceive your band yourself? 

*Misshitsu kei (密室系) is referring to a type of subgenre in visual kei with a more intimate and closed vibe. Literally ‘secret or locked room’

The theme we present is “Sweet Violence Rock dedicated to troubled girls,**” so I think it may have been interpreted that way. To be honest, I’ve really thought about us being influenced by misshitsu kei or us trying to revive it. Even for us, we think we’re a band that’s hard to classify. 

**Troubled girls (拗らせ女子) refers to girls with complicated emotions and relationships

—There’s masculinity, but also a lot of songs with themes of pain. The live shows are intense, but there’s also a pop-esk side to the music. You have an image rooted with a very heavy Kansai dialect. Where are you originally from?

I was born in Osaka, but I grew up in Wakayama. I spent my early elementary school years in Nishinomiya, Hyogo prefecture. From 4th grade, I moved to Wakayama. I lived there until I became an adult. After that, I lived in Tokyo for a few years. Then I came back to Kansai. My parents moved often for work, so we were always moving around. So I don’t have contact with almost any of my friends from my elementary school years.

—I see. So you’re not from a musical family?

My mother was in some kind of folk song club when she was young. The acoustic guitar she used to play was always at home. So, the first guitar I practiced on was my mom’s. My mom liked artists like Mariya Takeuchi, Mariko Takahashi, and Yumi Arai (later Yumi Matsutoya), etc., so when I was a child, I used to listen to them in the car.

—When you were in elementary school, did you prefer sports or studying?

I always liked sports a lot more, but I was physically very weak. I had asthma and my tonsils were very weak, so I’d get sick pretty often. My asthma was severe, so in order to overcome it, I started playing soccer. But… I was unbelievably bad at soccer (laughs). I played forward and wing, but I was seriously awful, so I was completely useless.

—Even playing an aggressive, star position (laughs). Rather than being good at it, you liked it. Were you bad at studying?

I also tried my best with studying. When I was in middle school, I ranked 5th in my grade on the midterm exams…

—That’s amazing!

I was better at it than soccer (laughs). But, there were kids who were truly amazing with their studies, so eventually, I stopped studying as much.

—When you were a kid, did you have dreams about the future?

At first, I imagined things like being an astronaut, but, I really always admired the entertainment industry. I didn’t really tell people, but since elementary school, I kind of wanted to work in entertainment. The trigger for me was seeing Hyde from L'Arc〜en〜Ciel and TERU from GLAY on TV. I thought they were so cool.

—So it wasn’t necessarily bands, but the entertainment industry you admired. 

I didn’t even have concepts of being a bandman. I’m actually a pretty normal person, I think. But I didn’t tell anyone I was aiming for the entertainment industry.

—Were you an attention-seeker in class?

I think I was very much an attention-seeker. I was a class representative and also in student council.

—You played soccer, studied, were in student council, and an attention-seeker. You must have been popular, is that right?

Yes, I was popular.

—Has it been that way since you were born? 

I’ve always been popular since I was born, yeah (laughs). But being popular based off your looks can only last until your early 20s. As you get older, you have to rely on things other than looks to really prove yourself. You need to seriously build character and refine yourself as a man. If you’re an adult man, it’s important to fully commit to what you do so you can leave solid results behind. You have to refine your inner self too. When I was a kid, I studied and did sports, but inside, I wasn’t confident in myself, and that had a huge impact. As a person, I didn’t think I was anything special, so I lived while struggling. I kept wondering what’s really important when it comes to living.

—So, you had a lot of insecurities, didn’t you?

I wanted to become a cool guy. True coolness isn’t about how you look, but living a cool life, right? To be honest, I’m not really a delinquent or a rebel, and I haven’t lived a turbulent life. When I thought about what I could become, I realized that all I could do what fully commit whatever was right in front of me. For that matter, if anything, I wanted to be the most rebellious. I am just an ordinary person. Because I’m an ordinary person, I had no choice but to develop talent or sense later in life. In Amai Bouryoku, I thought about a lot of things like that. Or rather, I’m still thinking about it.

—What is it that keeps your life’s theme from blurring?

The one, singular person I’ve looked up to in my life. I met that person as an adult, but everything is thanks to them. 

—Was that after you moved to Tokyo?

Yes. You know the apparel brand #FR2, right? I worked a part-time for a long time at that company. The president of that company, Ryo Ishikawa, is the the only person I’ve admired in my entire life. I still admire him, even now, and when I was younger, I tried to talk like Ryo-san and imitate the remarks he’d make. I was always imitating him like that.

—What was it that drew you in so much?

At that time, Ryo-san was behind VANQUISH, a central brand in gyaru-o culture. He was also expanding into magazines in the style, while also collaborating with people like Kiyoharu-san and SID, which was revolutionary. Around that time, Ryo-san declared, “We are going to present VANQUISH at Tokyo Collection. At Tokyo Collection, a proper and high-level fashion show.

—To expand on that, it’s a show rooted in fashion culture, such as the four major collections, right?

Yes. For a gyaru-o culture brand to join there is completely impossible from a conventional standpoint. When Ryo-san announced it, all the staff were like “Are you for real? A department brand like us will be presenting?” But the backlash and criticisms from the fashion industry were incomparable. That kind of fashion to make an appearance at a venue with all the industry’s leaders, it was met with a storm of booing. But, he didn’t let that head-on wind of criticism stop him, and he made it happen. I think there were even voices saying it was the end of Japan’s fashion industry, lots of people. I was really young at the time and just a mob staff member, but seeing his strong will and determination not to succumb to the pressure first hand really blew my mind. A singular gyaru-o brand could turn common sense on its head like that— I think that’s incredible. Ryo-san said, “If things stay like this, the industry will rot entirely. I absolutely refuse to lose.” And he always said it with a positive attitude too. Because I saw that, I’m doing band stuff with the feelings of not losing to Ryo-san back then. But this is somewhat similar to the current visual kei scene, isn’t it?

—Little by little, it seems like each generation is starting to feeling a sense of urgency and motivation to bring change.

Yes. Right now there’s a sense something big is coming to the visual kei scene, and I’m feeling that same excitement I felt back then. For example, zigzag-senpai (Shintenchi Kaishudan zigzag) is breaking through in an incredible way, and I think they’re so cool. DEZERT and Kizu are also holding solo shows at Budokan. I’m getting the same feeling that the era is on the brink of change, just like how I felt back then. Ryo-san told me, “If you’re going to to do visual kei, do it seriously, for real.” And that’s when I quit my part time. But now, I finally understand what he meant by “do it seriously.” Whether it’s in apparel, as a business owner, or anything else you can think of, after being in a band, I think it all comes down to how you live your life. Audiences can easily see if someone is only pretending to put in hard work. But if you’re seriously dedicating your entire self every day so you can pass their expectations, that becomes your way of life. I don’t have any innate talents or a turbulent life story, but I wanted to live in a way that I could truly love.

—By the way, when did you first become awakened to music, Saki-san?

Even in high school, I was still listening to L’Arc-en-Ciel and GLAY. It started as something entirely casual, but I ended up performing a live at my high school’s cultural festival. It was just because I wanted to stand out. I wasn’t longing to be in a band yet. Even then, though, I was the vocalist.

—So, there was still a bit of that attention-seeking youth left in you. Do you remember what songs you performed in that first live? 

We did Monpachi (MONGOL800). Some famous songs like “Chiisana Koi no Uta.” 

—That’s amazing! But, doing a live in front of a big crowd like that, that must have slowly intensified your desire to pursue a career in entertainment, is that right?

That’s true, but my mom was opposed to it. “The entertainment industry is such a scary world!” She would say, even though she didn’t know anything about it (laughs). So, and this the first time I’m saying this, but I actually secretly applied for a magazine audition with my friends. I got some results there, and started getting noticed.

—Eh? Did you actually debut in the entertainment industry?

 I did some work as a model and got featured in magazines a bit. And around that time, a lot of people in the entertainment industry gave me advice. “Your voice is very rock, so you should do a band.” So, I went to Tokyo and started a band. But I didn’t have a strong sense of determination, and I was just doing it as another way of standing out, not knowing anything, performing at live houses. There’s no way I could succeed like that. Of course, it ended with nothing to show for it. When the people around me were pampering me, telling me to do this and that, I had a mindset like “I can get through life without thinking about anything for myself.” But reality wasn’t that simple. When I was in my early 20s, I was struck by how naive I had been, and that’s when I learned DTM (desktop music production). I didn’t do anything, I didn’t put in any effort, but I had this attitude of wanting to do absolutely anything else than having a normal job. So I learned DTM, and since my mom had a guitar I could play a little bit, so I started making songs.

—Was the band you were in while working your part time at VANQUISH a visual kei band?

No, it was just regular rock. In the end, I didn’t even know what I wanted to do myself.

—Did you have any regrets?

Not at all. I really didn’t know anything at all. Even then, I just went along with the non-visual kei band, and something good came out of it. It was around that time when I met the current members Aya and Yoshi, through a taiban where our bands played together. They weren’t in visual kei bands either. After going through that wandering period, we seriously reflected on what we wanted to do and started moving forwards with our previous band.

—Shounenki. 

During that era of Shounenki, we got signed to our current agency and returned to Osaka. But in the end, our activities didn’t go well and the band came to an end. When the band I properly and seriously had dedicated myself to ended, I found myself in a really dire situation for the umpteenth time in my life. I seriously gave my all to Shounenki, but when it ended, I started questioning what I want to do again, and what I want to sing about. By then, those obscured desires I had to stand out or become famous were no longer there. I started thinking more particularly and clearly about what kind of person I wanted to become. I was recalled Ryo-san’s words. That’s why I was quite slow to realize these things— it wasn’t until I had nothing left in front me that I was forced to confront my mindset.

—Was joining a visual kei band what you originally wanted?

Yes. To put it simply, Ive always liked visual kei. But that’s exactly why it took so much courage to actually do it. Even putting on makeup at first was nerve-wracking. But, I really liked visual kei and wanted to try it, so I started. 

—What was your first performance with Shounenki like?

It was at Ikebukuro CYBER, but it was probably a session event, I think. We made our own music and handed it out everywhere, at places like Takadanobaba AREA, Ikebukuro Blackhole, and CYBER, saying things like “Please let us do a live!” We didn’t have any audience at all. At first, we only had seven people, and they were mostly our friends. It was a rough period.

—That said, it was because of Shounenki catching the attention of a management agency that brought Amai Bouryoku to be born. Amai Bouryoku has been active for 8 years. Do you feel that what you originally wanted to do and what you’re doing now are still connected, Saki-san?

People say that Amai Bouryoku’s style has changed a little over the years, but to me, it doesn’t feel as if it’s changed at all. Fans are the ones who notice subtle changes, so maybe there’s some unconscious shifts, but at the core, nothing has changed at all. When asked if I’m doing what I want to right now, I’d say I am. And more importantly, I’m not doing anything I don’t want to do. The same goes for social media. To me, the freedom to do what I want to comes with responsibility and resolve. I can’t explain it well, but in that sense, I think I’m achieving it. To deliver  the message I want to convey with both responsibility and resolve. For example, even with love songs, I feel as if they won’t be conveyed properly if the depiction is half-hearted, so I write them thoroughly.

—The theme you currently house is “Sweet violence rock dedicated to troubled girls.” Did this become Amai Bouryoku’s theme because, based on your own life, “troubled girls” were the ones you wanted to reach, Saki-san?

Looking back on myself, I was never an extroverted or cheerful person. When I discovered visual kei, what I thought was most amazing was how it was a place that would accept me entirely. Whether it was about appearances or lyrics, I realized there was a place that would accept even the bare, vulnerable version of myself. That feeling of amazement is still very strong for me, which is why I decided to make music that could be a safe space for troubled girls. I’m not strong at all either.

—For you, Saki-san, there’s an image of how visual kei should be?

At its core, it’s an act of rebellion against society, isn’t it? To wear makeup and make music? That’s why I feel it’s important to have a clear reason for doing visual kei. I think people dismissively say things like, “visual kei is just for mentally unstable people, right?” And “Yeah, it’s music for people who emotionally aren’t strong.” And I’m not pretending— I’m seriously not emotionally strong. I’m truly mentally unstable (“menhera”). But I neither affirm or deny that in my music. So when I see bands getting close to fans through photoshoots and baiting them with empty words like sweet lies, I feel conflicted— how should I feel? If there’s a demand for it, I don’t think it’s inherently wrong, but I don’t see that as visual kei. Visual kei is another world entirely. It’s important to maintain some mystery that leaves room for the fans’ imaginations. It’s either that, or you have to completely lay everything bare, there’s no in between.

—When you think about it, Amai Bouryoku is truly the best at using social media. The ultimate way of “not using it.”

That could be true. If we’re going to use, I think we need to thoroughly research marketing and make sure we use it in a cool way. But, rather than focusing on that, we’ve chosen to dedicate our energy to lives.

—While it’s undergoing diversification, what do you think of the visual kei lovers called “bangya” and “gyao?”

I think they are people who just really really love music. When Amai Bouryoku started, we decided to do it without social media, without doing in-store events, without making flyers, and with nothing. Instead, we decided to entirely captivate an audience through our lives and music. At the beginning, when we had no fans, I repeatedly told myself, “The audience is definitely listening to the songs and lyrics.” Of course, it’s only natural for people to want to events where the person on stage is in front of you, and you can take photos and things with them. I think that’s a very natural phenomenon, but for me, I wanted to reach people’s hearts directly. When I think about what people want to fall in love with, as I continue with to sing for a long time, as I continue with the band for a long time, I realize that appearance is important. But more than that, I think the way I live my life is important as well. As a result of betting everything on our songs and lyrics that pierce fan’s hearts, people gradually started gathering and I confirmed that what I was doing was not wrong. Bangya really listen to music and lyrics with their hearts. That’s why visual kei is great. If we felt our music wasn’t being listened to, it would be because our songs and lives aren’t good. Everyone is watching closely and really listening. That’s why we can only be honest, open ourselves up, and make our music hit hard.

—When you were young, you admired looks and attractiveness, but after going through some corruption and frustration, your heart matured. It’s.a way of living without being shameful or embarrassed— you’ve really got guts. 

I don’t think I’ve made an extraordinary amount of effort.

—Saki-san, you often compare lives to group dates, don’t you? 

Ahaha. There’s no man who can expect to take a girl home when meeting her for the first time at a party by saying, “I wanna have sex” right from the toast. I’m not just thinking of my own ego, I also consider how to make things easy for the audience to understand. But I think I was able to make those group date examples after I stopped trying to look cool or avoid being disliked. Love songs come out with nothing but outrageous lyrics, but I think that’s just how men are. Only tricking girls isn’t cool right? Neither are the guys who do that. I believe someone who is super serious about something is really, truly cool. So that’s why I keep exposing everything about myself.

—For example, didn’t your mother get mad when you put out lyrics with things like “sex?”

My mom got really angry. “What are you writing!” She got mad (laughs.) My older sister has kids, and she constantly tells me, “I want to go to your lives, but I seriously can’t. I can’t take my kids with me.” My mom was pretty shocked. 

—Exposing everything would come with that. If Amai Bouryoku doesn’t last another 15 years,  then your family can’t come to the live (laughs).

I’ll try my best to keep going until my niece grows up.

[rubyreal]

Shitsuke - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

Innocent or inexperienced, turning around in a kaleidoscope

A pervert who knows shame as happiness

A masochist soaking in the water in a bathtub of dependency

Shall I grant you some pity?

Demon, come here, towards the sound of clapping hands

Have your way with me, please discipline me

When I slap your cheek, you ask for me to do it once more

Your eyebrows furrow as you plead in agony

Once I leave, you cry and beg

Such a troublesome child— what should I do with you?

Demon, come here, towards the sound of clapping hands

Have your way with me, please discipline me

Unloved by your mother and father

Craving love like a vase with a hole in it

A pathetic failure like you

Needs a little break

From 1 to 10, until all your kinks are left exposed and scattered

Kneel down, gasp, swallow it all no matter how much it hurts— look

Good girl, good girl, very well done

Leaking all kinds of fluids, under submission

A shameful, indecent beauty

Licking with your tongue like a puppy

Those longing eyes are the start of taming

Wait… okay

Demon, come here, towards the sound of clapping hands

Have your way with me, please discipline me

Being passed around from one person to another

You can’t love yourself, and you’re unloved by the people around you

A shameless defective product like you

Need more discipline

From 1 to 10, until all your kinks are left exposed and scattered

Kneel down, gasp, swallow it all no matter how much it hurts

From 0 to 100, give everything you’ve got until you’re completely worn out

Who’s the one who really understands you?

Let’s die together, broken as we are

[rubyreal]

Itai onna plss🙏🙏

Itai Onna - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

His correct answer isn’t my correct answer

I’m not interested in this battle for dominance

I’m happier “than anyone else”

I’m more glamorous “than anyone else”

I don’t need anything like that—

I just want to be “mistaken as natural” forever

Lace, pink, frills, ribbon

Tight? Innocent? Pure and feminine, moreover

With emphasis on my black eyes, I’m carrying landmines

Never daring to read the atmosphere

Painful, painful, a painful woman

The world just can’t keep up

I send my love, even to all my antis!

Say anything you want, okay?

The pain feels just about right

So do as you please, I am a painful woman

A big, pandering sale that the masses flock to

I can’t watch it any more, it’s just like a zoo

Just hitting each other

Just jumping on the bandwagon

Who’s the one who’s really in pain?

It’s about time we make it clear

Hime cut with twin tails

Leave the floral patterns to me

Style is justice

Long live the minority!

Painful, painful, a painful woman

The world is just jealous

Even the antis are dancing

Say anything you want, okay?

I want to chase after you until it hurts me

That’s right, I am a painful woman

If you hold your smart phone

And put your other hand on your face

Slanted at a 45-degree angle

That’s the type of pose for those who seek approval

If you ball up your right hand, then your left

Bring them up to your face

Bend your waist and lift your leg

It’s the type of pose for those with a fairy tale in their head

If you stand with your legs turned slightly inward,

And hide your face a little

Then put your hand on your hip

It’s a chunnibyo type pose

Painful, painful, a painful woman

The world just can’t keep up

I send my love, even to all my antis!

Do what you’d like, as much as you’d like to

The pain feels just about right

So do as you please, I am a painful woman

[rubyreal]

Chou - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

—————————————

Artist: Amai Bouryoku

Lyrics: Saki

Composer: Yoshi

—————————————

Running on instinct, causing disorder, simply at the mercy of the situation

In the shadows cast by the neon symbol of envy, the rats are taking a drunken stroll

The top position from yesterday has been toppled, fallen into the red-light district

I was far too young and naive when I had stepped straight in

I gave up on being a troublesome lady

And became a sophisticated and top-earning avatar

Making it all the way through the death game

I’ll become a butterfly that even men now down to,

One even the gods admire

A butterfly that everyone turns their heads to look at

I know of the night, I know of men, I’ve forgotten love

I’ve decided to change, from a chrysalis to a butterfly

Even though I’m dazzling and shining brightly, my loneliness just won’t disappear

Drink down this flickering, troublesome me all in one go

With a dainty shawl like a bird’s feathers

Behaving just like a queen

Sharp eyes that pierce like needles

She floats like a butterfly and stings just like a bee

Before long, the named butterfly ruled the night as a queen bee

Repainting the records of history and the past

I was called an unwanted girl and thrown away

I cried because I wanted to be found

Ever since that 16th night

Captivating the city,

Even the devils are mesmerized

Wings of aurora running into the night

I know of lies, I know of money, I’ve forgotten my dreams

Without saying a word, the skyscrapers tower up above

The more I shine, the more I laugh, the more this loneliness clings to me

I'll hide my spilling, troublesome tears with another shot

With a dainty shawl like a bird’s feathers

Behaving just like a queen

Sharp eyes that pierce like needles

She floats like a butterfly and stings just like a bee

The troublesome lady eventually

Turned into a butterfly that perplexed all the men

It seemed like she had everything

The glittering of the neon

Made the shadows grow even deeper

But I have no regrets

I know of the night, I know of men, I’ve forgotten love

Someone please catch me before I change

I may have been dazzling, I’ve may have sparkled brightly

But nothing satisfied me

Drink down this flickering, troublesome end all in one go

With a dainty shawl like a bird’s feathers

Behaving just like a queen

Sharp eyes that pierce like needles

She floats like a butterfly and stings just like a bee

[rubyreal]

Amai Dogma - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

—————————————

Artist: Amai Bouryoku

Lyrics: Saki

Composer: Yoshi

—————————————

Here we sing songs of sacrifice

In regards of ultimate foreign ideology

Our treasure: abnormal thinking in all directions, spread teachings

Stand up against all heresy

A strangely named but beautiful story

Mathema that shall gouge your eyeballs out

That is AMAI DOGMA

You got lost and came here after fumbling many times

Dirty fantastic magic that shines

Acala

Is there any hope?!

Peeling of the mask of my persona

The king drives us to the magma

That is AMAI DOGMA

Om

Taller than Machu Picchu

Mercifully benevolent

Beyond domestic violence is total control

A saint? Or evil?

Hallucinated Buddha

Relentless hitting and unrequited love, that too is sweet, sweet

Peeling off the mask of my persona

Our beloved necromancer

Coming from the beyond, AMAI DOGMA

Wash your brain with our words

Clothe yourself in love and become part of our mob

Peeling off the mask of my persona

Our beloved necromancer

Coming from the beyond, AMAI DOGMA

[rubyreal]

Genki ni mori mori 100% - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

AT 100% ENERGY GODDDD video soon

————————————————

Artist: Amai Bouryoku

Lyrics: Saki

Composer: Yoshi

————————————————

You will slowly begin to enjoy yourself

You will slowly become happier and happier

You will slowly begin to enjoy yourself

You will slowly become happier and happier

Full of energy, full of energy

Full of energy, full of power!!

Full of energy, full of energy

Full of energy, full of power!!

If you want to feel good, raise your hands, put your hands up, put your hands up!

Let’s do an impression of a cute cat, ready? 3,2,1 meow!

If you laugh a whole lot, you’ll feel a little better

You’ll start to have some fun!

Full of energy, driven with courage

It’s going to be fun, so I’ll say the magic words

A cat’s karikari, a dog’s honehone

100% full of energy!!

If something bad happens to you, just listen to this song

And then, lo and behold, it’s a miracle!

Full of energy, let’s go!

Let’s play around and get excited,

Make merry, get in the groove!

Munch munch munch munch

Love injection! Love injection!

Full of power!

Money can’t buy these true good feelings

Come and have fun too, put your hands up!

Everyone, give me your energy

Burst open and mix!

Be lively, yay yay, surely happy happy

It’s going to be fun, so I’ll say the magic words

A snake wriggling around on its belly, an elephant’s trunk trunk

100% full of energy!!

If anything good happens, I’ll tell you too

Let’s share together

Full of energy, let’s go!

You will slowly begin to enjoy yourself

You will slowly become happier and happier

(Farce)

Full of energy, driven with courage

It’s going to be fun, so I’ll say the magic words

A cat’s karikari, a dog’s honehone

If something bad happens to you, let’s play together!

And then, lo and behold, it’s a miracle!

Full of energy, let’s go!

(Farce)

[rubyreal]

Kubi shiime maachi - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

New EP announcement RAHHHHH! kyoison video will be public on release and will tl new songs as soon as lyrics drop. Praying for a new music video </3

---------------------------------------------------------------

Artist: Amai Bouryoku

Composer: Aya

Lyrics: Saki

---------------------------------------------------------------

Yes, taking a look back on my youth

Seems I had no luck with love and the like

Plagued with social anxiety, I self-harmed, faced the backlash of being a virgin 

The one I dedicated myself to, a complete sadist

That was the biggest mistake of my life

But even then, I can’t go back now

I think that kind people are wonderful,

But I just can’t handle them

(Love, love, love, obedience

Love, love, love, health

Love, love, love, purity

Love, love, love, losing control)

Someway, somehow, please strangle my neck

Your right hand is vertical, my airway blocked

My face turns red and my breath stops

My vision gets dark and my tears well up

You bite my ear closely and I whisper,

I love you, I love you, please strangle this neck

My classmate, that girl is a heroine 

She says that her work life and love life are all going well

As for me, I’ve known a selfish lust, but don’t know true love 

I’m just a masochist who knows how to make things dirty 

I realized that surely, from now on

There’s no way I can ever have a normal romance again

I longed for something sparkly,

But it just won’t work

Ah, please, strangle my neck

Express your love through the warmth of your hands

My sighs turn into sobs, I manage a laugh

You get excited at my twitching smile

And whisper condescendingly, 

I love you, I love you, it feels good, isn’t that right?

Love is heavy 

Your right hand is vertical, my airway blocked

My face turns red and my breath stops

My vision gets dark and my tears well up

You bite my ear closely and I whisper,

I love you, I love you, please strangle this neck

[rubyreal]

Hanabie ATL

I saw HANABIE the other night!! It was absolutely the best live show I’ve ever been to. They’re fantastic live. My neck still hurts from headbanging ´д` ;

I got VIP too so I got to talk with them and take a pic, a signed poster, and of course get to barrier ♪( ´▽｀)

Not what I’d normally post but hanabie is one of my fav bands of all time. I recommend you check them out and def go to one of their shows while they’re on tour!! BOO & Jinjer were great too, even though we left at the beginning of Jinjer’s set 😭

[rubyreal]

Kekkyoku nani ga iitai no? - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

Artist: Amai Bouryoku

Composer: Yoshi

Lyrics: Saki

————————————————

A black-haired girl wearing a dress at the intersection in the evening

No experienced required, beginners welcome

A black-haired girl wearing a dress, unfit for the downtown area

She disappeared into the dirty back alley

This town can be a blessing or a curse

It’s been building up inside me… Fuck you!

Rolling around with the living corpses

Isn’t this how it’s meant to be?

So, what do you want to say in the end?

The sun is shining down on her, so much so that it’s infuriating

So, what do you want to say in the end?

Only being able to laugh in her dreams, the girl muttered “I want to die just like this”

What do you want to say in the end? It would be easier to lock myself up in a shell

What do you want to say in the end? Even if the pain has become your savior

What do you want to say in the end? What is it you want to say after all?

What do you want to say in the end? Spit it out!

A black-haired girl wearing a dress with one eye swollen

She said that she’d received lots of love from the man she liked

“It seems pathetic,” she said, as she cried quietly

What a pity, what a pity

I’ll indulge more, get more and more addicted

I’ve lost my only place to go

So if it makes it easier, I’ll just cut it all off

Being human is exhausting

So, what do you want to say in the end?

This glittering city still wants your warmth

So, what do you want to say in the end?

If I’m going to become invisible at some point, might as well keep my eyes open— I want to disappear just like this!

What do you want to say in the end? There’s absolutely no way you could understand

What do you want to say in the end? All the things she was carrying

What do you want to say in the end? Ah… um… erm… that’s…

What do you want to say in the end? I can’t put it into words!

This town can be a blessing or a curse

It’s been building up inside me… Fuck you!

Rolling around with the living corpses

That’s how it is, but…

A girl at the 18+ connivence store, stark naked

What’s right and what’s wrong,

I can’t really put it into words. I’m so pissed with myself,

But I’ll do my best and only my damn best

So, what do you want to say in the end?

Correct answers and wrong answers are both meaningless if they kill your heart

So, what do you want to say in the end?

Just the way you laughed, that alone, completely changed my world

What do you want to say in the end? It’s easy to belittle yourself

What do you want to say in the end? When walking through darkness

I want you to smile

As long as you’re smiling, that’s all I need

Keep smiling, keep on smiling!

[rubyreal]

Zettai Junnai Kousen - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

Artist: Amai Bouryoku

Composer: Aya

Lyrics: Saki

—————————————————

I love you, I love you, I love you very much!

Love you, love you, look this way! Love Love Love Love

I’m living in a fantasy here! A convenience store clerk seems just right for me

My teeth are all crooked and I have one eye left, but I’m happy in your camera roll

I’m guessing it was probably tight

Your shampoo smells absolutely divine

Those who don’t need you should go and die

I’m coming to see you again today!

Don’t grow up, la la la la

Don’t get older, la la la la

Stay underground, la la la la

I’m shockingly absolutely overflowing with love!

I love you, I love you, It’s getting dangerous! I love you so much!

Love you, love you, look this way! Love Love Love Love

Assembling department store cosmetics,

It’s better to fight underhanded

I’m super serious about you, for real

But seriously, I think I’m gonna lose after all

No hugging when you meet others, okay?

Is my head in the clouds?

Is your beauty still intact?

Hey, don’t go to the bathroom—!

Don’t fall in love, la la la la

Don’t leave the house, la la la la

Don’t talk to the opposite gender, la la la la

Everything you do is just otherworldly

You’re seriously perfect YAY

I love you, I love you, I’m drooling! I love you so much!

Love you, love you, look at me! Love Love Love Love

I think about you in every corner of the world

It won’t ever come true, but I’m happy just looking at you~

If I see you, I’m in love!

Even if I can’t reach you, I’m in love!

It’s honestly really hard… I’m in love!

Even if i’m jealous, I’m in love!

I can’t help that you’re so cute! I’m in love!

Even if I’m in a bad mood— I’m in love!

Even if you’re acting cold— I’m in love!

LOVE LOVE HAPPY YAY!

I love you, I love you, I love you forever!

Love you, love you, it’s overflowing! Love Love

I love you, I love you, I want you! I love you so much!

I love you, I love you, I want us to be together! Love Love Love Love

[rubyreal]

Abare Shoujo - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

Artist: Amai Bouryoku

Composer: Yoshi

Lyrics: Saki

——————————————————

Life is short, I’m a violent girl

(I’m going on a rampage, I’m a violent girl,

Violent, malicious…

I’m going on a rampage, I’m a violent girl,

Violent, malicious…)

It’s too troublesome to think about all this stuff

It’s all so annoying, don’t worry about me

I’m going wild today, I don’t know anything anymore—!

If I just quit thinking, I’ll be invincible

How nice to meet you,

I’m going on a rampage for today…

5 4 3 2 1

Going absolutely insane as the flower blooms wildly

Tonight, I’m going crazy— how far can I go?

I fell in love and lost it, I can’t take it anymore

So just for today, everyone who fights with girl power, say bye-bye!

A dark character begins to blossom as the flower blooms wildly

Let’s go crazy— how far can we go?

Since you’re gonna die anyway, just live however the hell you want

Life is short, I’m a violent girl!

As of recent, time seems to be going by way too fast

And I’m only a leftover

My mental age, I’m an eternal girl

I’m a girl who’s always and forever rushing in, so just don’t get in my way

I live in my very own untouchable world

I’d like another refill, please

Still on an unstoppable rampage…

5 4 3 2 1

Lewdly disturbing all peace as the flower blooms wildly

It fleetingly scatters, it’s just so beautiful!

If only those rattling, annoying bastards would just go ahead and disappear

You’re too troublesome, so say bye-bye!

The dark character remains unrivaled as the flower blooms wildly

Don’t underestimate us normal people!

I’ll live so that I’ll surely get to smile in the end—

Shining brightly, I’m a violent girl!

Come on, come on!

Come on

Come on now, look, face forwards!

Life is short (HA HA HA HA!)

I’m a violent girl! (URAURAURAURA)

As it remains unbroken (NYAN NYAN IIYA HOI!!!)

Start headbanging, GO CRAZY!!!

5 4 come on come on COME ON

Going absolutely insane as the flower blooms wildly

Tonight, I’m going crazy— how far can I go?

I fell in love and lost it, I can’t take it anymore

So just for today, everyone who fights with girl power, say bye-bye!

A dark character begins to blossom as the flower blooms wildly

Let’s go crazy— how far can we go?

Since you’re gonna die anyway, just live however the hell you want

Life is short, I’m a violent girl!!!

[rubyreal]

Sukina hitodeshika ikemasen - Amai Bouryoku (English translation)

I need to uh. Post all my tl on here fr. Sorry for spam in advance. You can find all of them under #rubytl

————————————————————

Artist: Amai Bouryoku

Composer: Aya, Saki

Lyrics: Saki

————————————————————

Men always go ahead first

I don’t know anything, just the tip

It’s a new me, nice to meet you

You’re all good. Come on!

CLIMAX—!!!!

Until the back of the, back of the, back back back of the heart

To the point where finger tips can’t reach

How does it feel when I look into you?

I can’t seem to cure it in any way, no matter what, this incomplete combustion, this insensitivity

Bargaining between males and females, it’s all about profit and loss

I don’t understand, I don’t get it, I dunno I dunno I dunno—

Even with no technique, we’re gonna pass away anyway

CLIMAX!

I don’t really understand this life or my death

So there’s always a gaping hole left in my heart

And to fill this hole,

Like reading a picture book out loud

Teach me about love, one step at a time

If you wanna do it, don’t act so desperate

If you make a face like that, I won’t be sane anymore

I’ll be honest right now, I want to live with you!

You’re all good. Come on!

To the center of, center of, center center center of your eyes

Until the point we burn a hole in each others gaze

Can we make sure of it together?

I can’t stop it, complete compatibility, addiction

This, that, and whatever are all my emotions

I wanna mix, wanna touch, wanna know wanna know wanna know

It’s okay if it’s ugly

As long as we’re alive

CLIMAX!

Whenever, wherever

I think I could die

But every time

You kept me alive

If it’s okay to be this ugly,

If it’s okay to be alive,

Let’s go find the reason for it again and again

Don’t fall in love with the surface level

Let’s make love at a cellular level

Some kind of superficial love— I don’t need it!

You’re all good. Come on!

I don’t believe in miracles

But now, you’re right in front of my eyes

Laughing as if you’re crying

So please come find me right away

It’s too good for me to lie about it

Crying in the corner of the world

I finally found you

It was my first time

In warm arms

CLIMAX!!!

Before I realized, I was within your arms

It was my first time shedding tears of joy

I was truly so happy

I want to live with you, so tell me about love!

If you wanna do it, don’t act so desperate

If you make a face like that, I won’t be sane anymore

I’ll be honest right now, I want to live with you!

You’re all good. Come on!

[rubyreal]

Ranchiki Manji Musume (English translation)

Come on over, take a look

Whatever you may do, all is forgiven

This beautifully flowering generation is unparalleled

So come on, let’s lose our minds tonight!

Ha ha ha ha ha RANCHIKI*

Lose peace of mind

Stumble off the rails

Fall into disorder

Make a fuss

Raise it higher, burst it open, do your best, fly away

It’s scary, so get pumped up, talk lively, feel the high

Is it no good? Impossible? It’s bad? You’re gonna cry?

It’s okay? Let’s go? Let’s do it?

Okay, let’s go—!!

Alright then, let’s charge ahead!

Let’s do it, go for it, go off the walls!

Lose your mind, be an idiot, make a mess and go crazy, YAY!

We’re invincible, so right now

Is the strongest youth celebration in history!

Ranraranra rarararara

Ranraranra, be a lively girl!**

Ranraranra, let it bloom profusely!

This beautifully flowering generation is simply unparalleled!

Ha ha ha ha ha RANCHIKI

Go screw it up

Go on and provoke

Get stirred up

Burn it all down

Raise it higher, burst it open, do your best, fly away

It’s scary, so get pumped up, talk lively, feel the high!

Is it no good? Impossible? It’s bad? You’re gonna cry?

It’s okay? Let’s go? Let’s do it?

Okay, let’s go—!!

All right, let’s go get ourselves another helping!

Get drunk, throw up, go off the walls!

Lose your mind, be an idiot, make a mess and go crazy, YAY!

Come on, traps are made to be broken out of

So let’s get it going, summon a grand storm!

Ranraranra rarararara

Ranraranra, be a lively girl!

Ranraranra, let us pass by

All the ups and downs, everything, bring it on!

Inspire youthful foolishness, play with fire

And set ablaze this dangerous scandal

It’s okay if we’re scolded

Alright, everyone come out and sing together as one

Do whatever the hell you want in your life

Relax a little, let’s play around until we die!

Yes, let’s do it one last time!

Let’s do it, go for it, go off the walls!

Lose your mind, be an idiot, make a mess and go crazy, YAY!

We’re invincible, so right now

Is the strongest youth celebration in history!

Ranraranra rarararara

Ranraranra, be a lively girl!

Ranraranra keep on dancing!

Keep going in an infinite loop, resist the impermanence of all that is!

Ranraranra rarararara

Ranraranra, be a lively girl!

Ranraranra, let it bloom profusely!

This beautifully flowering generation is simply unparalleled!

Ha ha ha ha ha RANCHIKI!!!

—————————————————————————

Notes (sorry they’re long)

*Ranchiki (乱痴気) means to be lively, wild, chaotic to the point of losing reason. “Go crazy” I figure makes the most sense in this part, but I didn’t want to omit any of the meaning on accident by using an English phrase. Same point applies to any other offhand “ranchiki” in the song

**The phrase, and title of the song, 乱痴気卍娘 “Ranchiki manji musume” I translated as “lively girl.” Again, I don’t want to accidentally omit any of the meaning! In Japanese, this would best imply a crazy, wild young girl causing a commotion.

Here he also uses“Manji” (卍) which is a sign of luck in Buddhism. It can also be used in text as a symbol of excitement. He uses it a lot in the lyrics but never actually says it out loud, similar to how in some songs he writes 笑 in the official lyrics for emphasis on jokes etc