This year, Rock for People festival also welcomed MAN WITH A MISSION. In addition to the unforgettable concert that we had the chance to experience, we were also able to sit down with the band for an interview, during which we discussed a wide range of topics. Read on to find out more.
MAN WITH A MISSION is a Japanese band formed in 2010 in Tokyo’s Shibuya district. And they are impossible to miss at first glance! All members perform wearing wolf masks. Their music blends alternative and hard rock, metal, punk, and electronic elements, which has helped them gain fans all around the world. You may also know their songs from anime, as they have performed a number of popular theme songs, including Raise Your Flag, Database, My Hero, and Kizuna no Kiseki for the anime Demon Slayer.
They are one of the most distinctive rock bands of today, and we not only had the chance to experience their live performance at the Rock for People festival, but also the unique opportunity to conduct an exclusive interview with the band. They spoke about what it feels like to be in the Czech Republic for the third time, how they enjoyed their performance, what new projects fans can look forward to, and even which Czech food and drink they like the most.
We saw your performance today and it was incredible! Which song were you most excited to perform today?
Today, the most exciting one… honestly, everything was great. Everything went really well. I loved not only the crowd, but also how the security staff were reacting to “Fly Again,” you know? They were all dancing to it, and that was really appreciated. “Kizuna no Kiseki” was incredible too — I’m pretty sure a lot of anime fans were out there in the crowd. And “Into the Deep”— it’s been a while since we last performed that song, so it was really great to play that one again as well.
You’ve worked on many anime soundtracks. Is there an anime you would like to write an opening or ending for, whether it’s ongoing or finished?
There’s one manga that’s very popular in Japan. Sadly, the original creator passed away a couple of years ago. You know Berserk? To me, that was a revolutionary manga. The story, the characters, the dialogue—everything about it is amazing. Now his friend is continuing the story, so I’m pretty sure not only the manga series, but maybe the anime could start again as well. If I had the chance to work on it, I would die for it.
While working on the Marking New Grounds Tour, fans are filled with anticipation for the future. Are there any new musical ideas or styles you would like to explore in your upcoming work?
Yes, it’s always inspiring to listen to the music that’s coming out every day. Music, ideas—everything is moving so fast these days, and it’s really inspiring. We get a lot of stimulation from all kinds of genres. But recently, I’ve been thinking more about digging deeper into the genres that I love the most. That’s probably the music from the ’90s—the alternative movement, grunge, guitar music, UK rock, hybrid rock. Everything that was happening back then was amazing and the attitude was amazing too. I can sense that a lot of people today are inheriting that era while also innovating at the same time. That was the period when I listened to music the most, so I’m really excited about it. I’m eager to follow that movement and dig deeper into the things I love most at the same time.
Do you approach songwriting differently when you create music for an anime or a video game compared to a regular album track?
The writing process actually doesn’t differ that much. It’s always about taking an idea and digging into it as deeply as I can. But whenever it comes to writing for a game, a movie, or an anime, there’s already a story there. There’s already a message that the original work has. So it’s about finding something in common between the band and the story. It’s about understanding the philosophy behind it and finding something that feels natural for us to connect with and sing about. Finding that balance and making it feel authentic to us—that’s probably the main difference when we write songs for anime or other projects like that.
Is there an artist or a band, a friend band from Japa, you would like to tour with someday?
Oh, we’ve been thinking about that a lot. It used to be more about touring with bands from the local area and things like that. But bringing a Japanese band to Europe and other places would be really amazing. At the same time, there are so many talented artists out there that I honestly can’t just pick one.
Do you see any difference between European and Japanese crowds when you perform?
Everybody who loves music shares the same enthusiasm and energy. That doesn’t differ very much. But I usually say that the way audiences react to music is a little different. In Japan, it probably takes two or three songs before the audience really falls in love with a band at a live show. It’s not because they’re shy or anything like that—they just kind of wait until they’re sure they really love the band. That’s the feeling I get.
But when it comes to performing in Europe or America, I think the history of rock music has really shaped the audience. The response is much more immediate. Sometimes it only takes one guitar riff, one melody, or one verse for someone to think, “Oh, I love this band.” Their reactions are very fast.
For my last question, since this is your third time performing in Czechia, have you had the chance to explore the country or try Czech food and beer?
Yes—beer! You guys have amazing beer, and the food is really delicious. Personally, I’ve spent quite a bit of time in Prague. It’s a beautiful city. What’s amazing is the contrast between the newer areas and the old town. I really enjoyed it a lot, especially the old town. I can’t get enough of it—I’d love to explore even more of the country.
Do you have anything you want to tell your fans?
Yes! To everyone in Czechia, we always admire your support and appreciate it so much. Thank you for having us in your country. We’ve seen so many comments across all kinds of social media, and we’re truly grateful for everything you’ve done for us. It’s a shame that we can only come here about once a year or so—we should do it much more often. Thank you so much for bringing us back to Rock for People and to Czechia. I can assure you that we’ll be back as soon as possible. Until then, thank you so much, and we’ll be seeing you again very soon!
Source: Author’s text, Interview with the bank MAN WITH THE MISSION, Rock for People
