Stylish fashion, catchy music and an unstoppable surge of positive energy – that’s Japanese An Cafe. This band opened the door for J-rock in the West eighteen years ago and became the anthem for countless lost teenagers. They performed in Europe in July for the first time in twelve years. Ahead of their Paris concert, the band members took time out of their busy schedule to give us a short interview. How have their style, their fans and the world changed over the years, and what lies behind their unwavering motivation?
The J-Rock Fest, a unique festival that brought almost all the legends of Japanese rock and visual kei from the last two decades to Europe, took place in Paris on 11–12 July. In addition to the band An Cafe, we had the chance to see major names from the scene such as Versailles, Moi dix Mois, Mucc, LM.C, and the reunited D’espairsRay. The production companies Envol and B7Klan celebrated 20 years of collaboration on Japanese activities abroad in spectacular fashion with this event.
An Cafe reunited after more than five years, so the interview focused mainly on their return to the stage. What brought the individual members back together, and what changes has the band had to deal with? Members Miku (vocals), Yuuki (keyboards), Kanon (bass) and Teruki (drums) answered all these questions and many more, thanks to the helpful multilingual interpreters.
Your band is known for the ‘oshare kei’ style of music and fashion. How do you think this genre has evolved over the years? Do you feel there has been any significant change?
Yuuki: New elements are being incorporated into oshare kei, and the genre is evolving naturally. I’m very pleased that this style has spread all over the world.
Teruki: Visual kei itself has changed a great deal; I’ve always enjoyed bands such as Luna Sea. I really adore artists who have their own style. Bands inspired by oshare kei have developed it over the years, taken it further and, thanks to it, found their own identity.
An Cafe and the Nyappy concept convey joy and positive energy. However, they also deal with emotions such as loneliness, insecurity or the desire to change one’s own life situation. Has the way in which you express these emotions evolved in any way today?
Miku: I don’t think what we want to convey has changed fundamentally. Times change and so do the people around us, but my message remains the same; I’ve always tried to give strength and offer a helping hand to people who lack self-belief and are going through a difficult period, through my writing and our music.
How does preparing for a gig in Japan differ from preparing for one here in Europe?
Miku: There’s no particular difference in preparing for a concert in Japan or in Europe; we play the songs in the same way. What definitely differs is the schedule and daily routine. We have to adjust to the time difference and pay closer attention to adapting physically to these changes.
You last performed in Europe twelve years ago. Do you expect the same audience today? Do you feel that your fans have changed?
Miku: When we first played in Europe, our fans were dealing with different issues to those they face today. They were mainly struggling with growing up, problems at school – in short, everything that teenagers have to cope with daily. And we grew up alongside them. Today, we’re all dealing with adult life – work, marriage and other life issues. So in that sense, our fans have certainly changed, but the bond between us and the ability to share these feelings has remained.
You had a long break between 2019 and 2023. Can you compare how you functioned as a band before the break and how you feel together now?
Yuuki: We didn’t share as much with each other back then as we do now. We didn’t realise it until we got back together and remembered what a brilliant time we’d had together. We’re revisiting our shared memories and experiencing lots of new things too. And just as we enjoyed creating music in An Cafe before, we’re enjoying it even more today. We want to keep playing and really make the most of it!
After more than 20 years, what is your main motivation for continuing as a band?
Teruki: After we split up, I was involved in many other bands and projects. But I never felt the same connection as I did in An Cafe. When we got back together, I realised how much I’d missed it and that this is exactly what I want to be doing. Every gig is the happiest moment for us. I’m very grateful for An Cafe, for every member, for our fans, and indeed for everyone who’s made it possible for us to be back on stage.
Has the concept behind “Nyappy” changed in any way?
Miku: No, no, its meaning hasn’t changed at all; Nyappy still means the same to us as it always has.
Is there an older song that has a different meaning for you today than it did when it was originally recorded?
Kanon: Definitely. Take ‘Cherry Saku Yuuki’, for example – the song was originally written for graduation, to celebrate finishing the studies. Today, it has a different and greater meaning for me. The song is a source of strength and supports me in everyday life.
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Source: Original text, An Cafe, Envol Production and B7klan
