Nice to meet you! Thank you for allowing us to hold this interview today. Congratulations on the success of your first tour in Europe. Could you define in one word how it was?
YOMI: There were some anxieties about our first European tour, but I was really happy to be warmly welcomed by so many fans!
Hitsugi: It was exciting.
Sakito: Although we faced technical issues and other challenges, it was a tour that made me feel it was really worth doing.
Ni〜ya: It was a challenge.
Ruka: I truly enjoyed it.

Could you share any memorable moments or anecdotes from this tour? We’ve already seen some iconic moments on Twitter, like the famous photo where you’re posing like the Beatles.
YOMI: The biggest highlight was definitely how loud the audience’s voices were at each venue.
Hitsugi: I enjoyed everything—not just the concerts, but also the scenery, the atmosphere, and the food.
Sakito: There are countless memorable moments, but what stood out the most was the incredible enthusiasm of the fans at every venue. It really felt like they were enjoying themselves.
Ni〜ya: I was amazed by the loud voices of the fans during the shows! Especially in London.
Ruka: I love bread, so I was thrilled to be able to eat delicious bread throughout the tour.

After this first European tour, which song do you think best represents Nightmare today?
YOMI: “the WORLD” and “Alumina.” I was reminded that these songs are truly our signature.
Hitsugi: the WORLD
Sakito: I think “the WORLD” and “Alumina” are still the ones, but I also strongly feel the need for a song that surpasses those in recognition.
Ni〜ya: the WORLD
Ruka: This time, we played a lot of our classic and older songs, so next time, I’d like to include some of our latest tracks. At this point, it’s hard to say definitively.

Are you planning to release a best-of collection or a retrospective album for the band’s 25th anniversary?
YOMI: We’re working on it. Please wait for it!
Sakito: We don’t have plans to release something retrospective, but we’re trying to create something that will be a new venture.
Ni〜ya: That’s a secret.
Ruka: I haven’t really thought about it.

Have you thought about resuming or creating another series of unique songs, like *GIANIZM*? .
YOMI: There might be new additions to the “Supreme Brainquake Purgatory” series.
Hitsugi: We’ll continue to entertain everyone, so please look forward to it.
Sakito: It will probably happen someday.
Ni〜ya: That’s also a secret.
Ruka: It might happen if the opportunity arises.

How does it feel to be, quite possibly, responsible for introducing an entire generation to visual kei, both in and outside of Japan, thanks to your Death Note themes?
YOMI: I want to work hard so that more people can learn about Japanese visual kei and so that we might get the chance to perform songs for popular anime.
Hitsugi: To be honest, I don’t really feel it myself.
Sakito: I don’t think it’s due to our efforts alone, but I’m very happy to be recognized alongside other Japanese acts.
Ni〜ya: I’m very happy about it.
Ruka: I’m grateful for such a great opportunity.

Do you guys watch anime? Is there any anime in particular you’d like to create an opening or ending theme for?
YOMI: I would love to work on music for:

Gundam
Saint Seiya
Jujutsu Kaisen
Chainsaw Man
Solo Leveling

Hitsugi: I don’t usually watch much, but Tokyo Ghoul and Made in Abyss.
Sakito: I love JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure and Gundam, so I’d be happy if I could be involved with them in some way.
Ni〜ya: Slam Dunk, maybe.
Ruka: I don’t watch as much as I used to, but I still watch anime. I’d love to try working on any kind of anime.

【Live Report】NIGHTMARE「Kyokuto Ranshin Tengoku」(Alhambra Theatre)

After 25 years, the quality of your music remains exceptional. Has it become more difficult to create new songs that meet your high standards?
Hitsugi: I’ve always found it consistently challenging.
Sakito: I don’t think it’s difficult, as there are countless genres and styles of music out there that we haven’t tried yet. However, maintaining freshness while pursuing our own unique style might be the more challenging part.
Ni〜ya: Yes.
Ruka: It’s always been difficult.

How did it feel to revisit Ultimate Circus tour?
YOMI: I want to do another European tour. Next time, I'd like to visit the places we couldn't go
to this time!
Hitsugi: It was a strange feeling, a mix of nostalgia and freshness.
Sakito: It was a great way to conclude our pre-25th-anniversary celebrations, and I was really
happy to bring back songs we hadn’t played in a long time.
Ni〜ya: It felt fresh.
Ruka: It was a very nostalgic tour. I think it’s nice to look back like this every once in a while.

Nightmare is known for its creative stage visuals. Who decides the designs of your stage outfits? Do visual kei labels in Japan typically work with in-house designers?
YOMI: Each time, I work with the designer to come up with the stage costume designs.
Hitsugi: Basically, each member wears what they want.
Sakito: We generally decide on a loose common theme, and then each member has the freedom to do what they like.
Ni〜ya: I usually come up with ideas myself and then leave it up to the stylist.
Ruka: Every time, someone sets the direction, and then each of us comes up with our own ideas.

Have you attended any live concerts overseas? If so, you’ve probably noticed that ‘furis’ (fans’ coordinated dances during shows) are unique to Japan, while overseas fans are freer to move and express themselves. Which style do you prefer?
YOMI: In Nightmare, we don’t have a specific choreography, so I’m happy if people can freely enjoy our music both in Japan and abroad.
Hitsugi: I think both have their merits, but lately, I’ve been leaning toward the freedom that brings a sense of excitement.
Sakito: Not overseas. Each place has its own culture, which is great, but personally, I prefer when people enjoy our music freely.
Ni〜ya: No, there isn’t. It’s best if people enjoy the music freely while respecting manners.
Ruka: I don’t think there’s any need to unify things. I think it’s best if everyone can do as they like.

Another unique aspect of overseas shows is the presence of more male fans in the audience, compared to the primarily female audience at visual kei shows in Japan. Do you think this trend might change over time in Japan and become more similar to Western audiences?
YOMI: It was great to see so many male fans on the European tour. We’ll keep working hard to become a band that is supported by a wider audience, not just women, in Japan as well.
Hitsugi: I think this is something unique to overseas, given Japan’s cultural context.
Sakito: I don’t know how things will develop, but I think it’s great that each country has its own way of enjoying music. Depending on the genre, there might be similarities.
Ni〜ya: You probably won’t know until you’ve been active for about ten years.
Ruka: I definitely felt that way. In the future, it might all depend on us.

(-Joke time-) This is the second time you’ve come to France during your career. In an old interview from the mid-2000s, it was said that Ruka didn’t want to take the plane because it was forbidden to smoke onboard. Has that changed for him now?
Ruka: It’s true that not being able to smoke was part of it, but the main reason was that I was afraid of flying. Now, I absolutely love it. I want to give my old self a good smack.

Thank you for taking the time for this interview today. Do you have a message for your fans? Moving forward, what can fans expect from Nightmare?
YOMI: Nightmare has many cool songs. Next time, we’ll put together a different setlist, so please come see us again! I’m looking forward to meeting everyone again.
Hitsugi: I definitely want to perform overseas again, so let’s have fun together at that place when the time comes.
Sakito: We definitely want to do another overseas tour, so please look forward to it.
Ni〜ya: If the opportunity arises, I’d like to do another European tour. Or, I’d be happy if you could come to see us live in Japan next time!
Ruka: Thank you for this time. I plan to keep this band going for as long as possible.