WELCOME!
Welcome to my shrine dedicated to Mana-Sama, one of my favorite musicians and artists. This page is a collection of information, photos, music, and things I admire about him and his work!
Who is Mana-sama?
Mana (まな, 魔名) is a Japanese musician, songwriter, record producer, and fashion designer, best known as guitarist of the visual kei rock band Malice Mizer from their formation in 1992 until their indefinite hiatus in 2001. A year later, Mana formed the gothic metal band Moi dix Mois as his solo project. Mana founded the independent record label Midi:Nette in 1994. His clothing label, Moi-même-Moitié, was established in 1999 and is credited with helping popularize the Gothic Lolita fashion movement.
MALICE MIZER
Malice Mizer was a Japanese V-kei rock band active from 1992 to 2001. The band was notable for their music and their live shows, featuring lavish historical costumes and stage sets. Formed by guitarists Mana and Közi, throughout their history, the band has gone through several different lineups and three drastic image changes, with Mana, Kozi, and bassist Yu~ki being the band's sole consistent members. Their earlier music and themes were characterized by their strong French and classical influences, later moving away from deliberate French romanticism and incorporating Gothic aspects after several difficulties befell the band. At their peak in the mid-to-late 1990s, their third and most successful studio album Merveilles (1998) was included in a list of 13 essential Japanese rock and metal albums. However, their success was short-lived, and in late 2001 it was announced that Malice Mizer would go on an indefinite hiatus, after the sudden and tragic death of their drummer, Kami.
Moi dix Mois
On March 19, 2002, approximately three months after Malice Mizer announced their indefinite hiatus, Mana announced the formation of Moi dix Mois. He has stated that he started the band because he wanted to play black metal. The group was initially a trio of Mana on guitar, Juka on vocals and Kazuno on bass, with Tohru as support drummer. Their first single, "Dialogue Symphonie", was released October 19 of the same year. Tohru officially joined the band with the release of "Shadows Temple" in May 2004. Seven months later, K was introduced as guitarist and "death vocalist" at the Dis Inferno III event in December.
Gallery
Why I Love Mana-sama
In a weird way, he reminds me a lot of David Bowie. His mindset when it comes to fashion, is that it has no gender. Much like Bowie. He uses his fashion and his music as a form of artistic expression, and he has a unique look that has become iconic within the V-Kei space. He uses gothic and dark themes, that I deeply admire. Halloween is my favorate holiday of all time, and his music reminds me of Halloween when I was young. Specificlly, The little ceramic Lemax village my mom would put out on display every year. I know thats an odd thing to be reminded of, but its true. Manas music reminds me of the little village, and the smells of certain seasonal cinniman candles that would come out with it. My favorate little house was the Spooky Movie Theater, which would play lightning sound effects and gothic sounding pipe organ tunes (which is an intrument used a lot in Manas music).
