MAZZEL Documentary Film “Maze to Parade”

MAZZEL Documentary Film “Maze to Parade”

This documentary film is about MAZZEL’s daily record of how they created “PARADE” with BMSG’s worldwide network Great work Great work, everyone Great work today (KAIRYU) Don’t do that! Alright, is it time to talk? (RAN) Apparently there’s going to be a big announcement – From SKY-HI? – Yeah (KAIRYU) Hey, NAOYA

You know SKY-HI has an announcement, right? Yeah, that’s right I’m excited I think I know what it’s about -You do? I might have an idea I think it could be about…the album? (SEITO) Oh, ALYSA’s here What’s happening? (KAIRYU) What’s this about? (EIKI) Should we gather around? (RYUKI) Oh, yeah

(RAN) I’m kind of scared… (SEITO) It’s so quiet (KAIRYU) This is nerve-wracking (RYUKI) I’m getting nervous (SKY-HI) I’m trying to decide where to start I’m thinking of calling the new song, as well as the album, (SKY-HI)”Parade” – Ooh, “Parade”! – Like at carnivals and stuff! (SKY-HI) Exactly

(SKY-HI) Let’s have MAZZEL make something colorful out of this chaotic world Okay! Let’s do this! Yes, sir! (SKY-HI) Play the song, please! Huh? Right now? Wait, seriously? (NA) This documentary follows MAZZEL as they work with creators from all over the world to record and film “Parade” This unprecedented journey first began

When SKY-HI brought up with MAZZEL the idea of appointing a leader (SKY-HI) Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah! Great work, guys! (SKY-HI) So you’re recording an album, right? You’re creating something new And along the way, I think you’ll find both things that you want to do and things that you have to do

And when you want to do something… sometimes it’s hard to say you want to do it, right? And sometimes you don’t want to do the things that you have to do Stuff like that happens, so when you work as a team

And you try to come up with ideas while holding back at the same time, it stops being fun I think we should be more selfish when it comes to creating Look at NAOYA, he’s nodding so hard I figured they would need a leader I think groups can fall into one of two categories:

Those who can’t agree on anything because they don’t feel the need to hold back… and those who are so considerate of each other that even if they come up with an idea that everyone can agree on it’s hard for them to make a real breakthrough I think MAZZEL falls into the latter category

So if they had a designated leader… that person could make the final decision If someone thinks they should go left, they wouldn’t say, “I think we should go left. What about you guys?” They’d say, “We should go left!” Then someone else could say, “No, we should go right”

If they could exchange opinions more smoothly like that, I think they could really make a breakthrough I thought they should have a leader who could make the final decision to pave the way for everyone else to take their shots (SKY-HI) So, I’d like TAKUTO to take up the position (TAKUTO) Okay

(SKY-HI) After watching MAZZEL for as long as I have… (SKY-HI) TAKUTO was the obvious choice – Really? I say “obvious” because when I mentioned it to him… I could see the look in his eyes change That’s how it should be if you’re going to appoint someone

Whether you appoint someone or they volunteer, there are going to be drawbacks, right? TAKUTO has a good balance between kindness and backbone The members all respect him for his talent and his abilities… Plus he’s a hard worker Everything about him is great

But what I thought made him the obvious choice was the look in his eyes When I mentioned appointing a leader, he didn’t just believe he was up for the task He knew he was Thank you! (RYUKI) Let’s be more selfish (TAKUTO) Well, it looks like I’ve been made the leader…

But that doesn’t change our relationship It won’t change our relationship (KAIRYU) You’ll be the leader when you need to (TAKUTO) Exactly If we’re in trouble or we need to make a decision, I’ll step up to the plate I’ll work hard not to let you guys down We appreciate it

(KAIRYU) Let’s keep things cool between us (NA) And so, with TAKUTO appointed as leader, their work on “Parade” began TAKUTO’s skills as a leader are connected closely to his past TAKUTO used to teach dance to students at a dance school in Naka-meguro (TAKUTO) I used to be a dance instructor in Naka-meguro

I’d wake up, and come up with my own choreography… go to rehearsals for other stuff… then at night, I’d teach my own lessons I’d do one, two… sometimes three lessons a day before going home at night I used to walk around here with my students after lessons on our way to Shibuya

And we’d talk about lots of different stuff These are the exact same streets we used to walk back then Back then, I felt lost I knew I couldn’t keep going the way I was going I had so much higher to climb, but I wasn’t trying to do anything in particular

I was struggling to figure out what my next move should be My name is Takuto Kawaberi. Thanks for having me An acquaintance of mine told me about this audition that was being held Singing was something I’d never done before… but I knew I wanted to change, that I had to change

I knew that wouldn’t happen if I kept doing nothing Plus, the audition was for BMSG… so I wanted to give it a try For me to hear about this audition when I was feeling lost… I thought it must have been fate

Looking back on it now, I’m so glad that I decided to give it a try I had my time as a dance instructor… plus I had a lot of experience as a backup dancer I’m making good use of that experience now (SKY-HI) TAKUTO, as far as mentality goes,

It’s all about how much you want to put yourself out in the world as a member of a boy band After all, it does mean throwing away much of your career as a dancer… and you really have to focus on performing the songs on stage I still can’t forget that moment

I was trying to aim for what SKY-HI was telling me… but I guess it wasn’t coming across that way at all Like I said earlier… I knew that something had to change, but I just kept going through life not really challenging myself or doing anything about it

I realized in that moment that if I kept that up, nothing would ever change… and that I should throw away this pride I had and give it my all I’m not sure I’ve worked everything out yet I’m still struggling I don’t really know what the right answer is

All I can do is keep believing in myself, in us…and keep going down what we think is the right path But I do feel like I’m still struggling my way through -Hello! -Hello! Nice to meet you! (NA) TAKUTO has been dancing since he was young

And he idolizes dancers like “Quick Style,” a world-famous dance crew Since they happened to be in Japan at the time… TAKUTO decided to ask them to choreograph “Parade” (TAKUTO) I don’t think there’s a dancer out there who hasn’t heard of them They’ve done choreography for lots of top artists all over the world…

And they dance with so much passion I’m sure there’s something to take away for anyone watching them perform (Quick Style) Are we gonna see some dance? (NA) The members show Quick Style their dance skills (TAKUTO) I’ve been dancing since I was a kid and I’ve always watched your choreography through videos and stuff

I wanted this song to be an even bigger production than usual and you were the ones I wanted to ask to choreograph it So I asked the staff, and they set up this meeting for us (NA) And so, they asked Quick Style to choreograph “Parade” (SEITO) Can you create choreography (for) our song?

(Quick Style) Yes, of course! We’ll do our best. This is a nice song Very exciting (SEITO) Man, this is really… (TAKUTO) This is such a rare experience I’m so surprised and so happy I couldn’t stop grinning (TAKUTO) We got to meet them in person… and they’re coming to the music video filming, too

I never thought this would happen I really have to do my best (NA) While struggling, TAKUTO’s identity as an artist grows stronger He’s aiming even higher with his directing of the “Parade” choreography Meanwhile, SEITO is helping to plan the music video, something that holds a connection to his own past

(SEITO) I’ve been in the entertainment industry for a long time, and I spent time with people who were much older than me But I still failed a lot of auditions, and while everyone around me was getting more and more work, I was stuck unable to do anything And that was…

When I was around 19 or 20 at the time, so it was a really important time for me The fact that I couldn’t do the things I wanted to do made me feel really hopeless inside (SKY-HI) SEITO (SEITO) Thank you (SEITO) A lot of people… I don’t want to say they ridiculed me,

But that was the kind of world I was in, so that was really upsetting Meeting SKY-HI was really my only salvation during those two years The more I talked with him, the more I genuinely wanted to become a music artist I felt like I finally found someone who approved of me

Things finally felt like they were looking up I’ve had so many moments where I could look back on those two years and feel glad that I went through them Now I can believe that those two years were a necessary step for me

(NA) SEITO, who was raised on street culture, starts to put his own touch on the music video A casual conversation between SEITO and RYUKI led to an idea for a scene involving dance combined with car stunts (SEITO) Something more “fresh” than “wild” It’s a concept I’ve always wanted to do,

And now I finally have the chance There’s going to be breakdancing in the choreography Like, in the middle of the chorus What other boy band does that? I don’t think any boy band does breakdancing during chorus We’re the only ones who are capable of that

I’m confident of that It’s going to be one of the highlights (NA) SKY-HI decided to have SEITO sing the hook, the main phrase for “Parade” (SKY-HI) People always say things like, “He’s got a nice voice” Of course it’s nice Those are the vocal cords they were born with but that’s not all

Like, even if you have a really fresh fish… it won’t taste good if you’re not good at cooking If you have a nice voice… I think you have to figure out how to project it to its full potential And I think that was something you figured out pretty quickly…

Like right after your debut So around the time of the fan meeting, I was watching you guys and I thought, “I’ve gotta have SEITO do the hook” (SEITO) I think that was around the time I was struggling to figure things out (SKY-HI) Figure out what?

(SEITO) About how to use my voice I think I might have asked you for advice before (SKY-HI) Oh, right I really didn’t know what I should do But then, while recording “Parade,” I figured it out (SEITO) It came to me (SKY-HI) Right, right (SKY-HI) I know what you’re talking about

But you know…the way you sang your lines… that’s not something you would have understood before even if someone told you And I think that’s proof that you’re making good progress (NA) SEITO has discovered his own unique way of singing and has found a bright future for himself as an artist

He’s also distinguishing himself using his past experience as a breakdancer Similarly, RYUKI also spent a long time trying to break through as an artist Today, RYUKI is in his hometown of Fukuoka for a MAZZEL concert (RYUKI) Everything feels so nostalgic I’d been attending a school for prospective music artists,

Learning to dance since I was a little kid I lived in Fukuoka the whole time… so this is both a happy and emotional moment for me While I was auditioning, I had friends who were debuting before me and I was the only one not passing any auditions

I didn’t expect to pass in one shot… but I remember finishing auditions and coming home to Fukuoka upset that I had failed But now I’m glad that I can come back as a full-fledged artist I always hated losing during my six years as a trainee in the studio

I was constantly taking lessons at that school for artists I’d start at 10 in the morning, then I’d have a free period after about 2 hours, then I’d have another dance lesson All I did was take dance lessons But no matter how hard I worked, I always wondered…

“When will I become an artist?” “When will that come true?” I spent every day wondering if it would ever work out I think I was probably going through what I think was the lowest point of my life

If I could plot where I am right now on a graph, it’d probably be around the middle I still have a long way to go The eight of us in MAZZEL are made up of such different backbones Some of us have been through hard times,

Some of us are coming up from the lowest points of our lives And all of us coming together makes us so much stronger We’ve all experienced things that the other members haven’t, which I think is our strength That’s why we can’t lose

That’s why I’m always saying, “I want to usher in a new era” My favorite words are “will” and “passion” They’re simple words, but without passion, your enthusiasm for music and performing disappears But with passion, I think even if things for MAZZEL aren’t going well,

Our passion can put us back on the right path And that’s where “will” comes in That’s why those are my two favorite words (NA) For the music video, RYUKI worked with SEITO to come up with ideas involving motorbikes and cars

This is how they came up with the concept for the “Parade” music video (RYUKI) I came up with the idea while talking with SEITO Lots of music videos have scenes with bikes or cars I like bikes and cars myself, which is why I came up with the idea

SEITO said it felt like a really street-style concept I’m sure there were other ideas we could have suggested, but the more I listened to the song, the more “street” it sounded to me, and the music videos for those songs that I used to watch had cars and bikes in them

That’s why I thought we should put them in the video In the midst of planning, RYUKI received some advice from SKY-HI (RYUKI) Lately, now that I’m performing on stage, I’m starting to feel like I need to improve my rap skills

My rap feels very one-note I’m not sure what to do about my delivery (SKY-HI) Well, there’s something else I think you need to work on before that I want you to think of rap in terms of music notes Know what I mean? Like, “This is a triplet note,”

Or, “This would be a quarter note” Once you understand the logic of that, you’ll improve a lot What you’re doing now is slowing down or speeding up what you’re hearing but if you can understand the notes, I think you’ll improve a lot (RYUKI) That’s true. I’ll try that

(SKY-HI) Even the cameraman was like,”RYUKI is perfect, isn’t he?” Your dancing is perfect, and you’re so cool when you rap You also like skulls and pants with words written on them (RYUKI) I like cool things You don’t really hear the word “cool” once you pass 30 -He makes you think he’s cool

-He tries to make you say how cool he is (RYUKI) I love cool things (SKY-HI) I do still say those things myself, even though I’m past 30 “Cool” Let’s keep being cool I’ll keep saying “cool” (RYUKI) I love cool things – I get you – Thanks

(NA) As if mirroring RYUKI’s own positive growth, production of the music video for “Parade” seemed to be going well But one day, a snowstorm broke out in Quick Style’s home base of Norway Production became difficult with them unable to visit the studio And with MAZZEL unable to match up their busy schedules,

They were only able to start dance practice for “Parade” 10 days before the music video filming (SEITO) I was trying to match up with KAIRYU (KAIRYU) I think I’m going too far forward, though How much space should I leave open? (TAKUTO) Not too much, since we’ll have to switch positions

(KAIRYU) About this much? (HAYATO) So it’s your fault, SEITO (KAIRYU)That means it’s your mistake (KAIRYU) Your big mistake (SEITO)No… (SKY-HI) How’s being the leader going? (TAKUTO) Being the leader? Well… Even before I became the leader, when it came to dancing, I’d take charge and tell the others what to fix,

But now it’s like (TAKUTO)I feel more need to do it right (SKY-HI) It’s easier to say those things, right? (TAKUTO)- Right (SKY-HI) Now that you have a title (SKY-HI) That’s definitely true (TAKUTO) Yeah (SKY-HI) That’s great Well, once you’re on tour, you’ve got a long setlist, right?

(SKY-HI) And you have to move around a lot (TAKUTO) Right (SKY-HI) And it’s times like those when rehearsals run long so everyone gets tired I think your presence will be even more necessary once you enter that phase You’ll realize just how important having a leader is

I hope you’ll do your best during tour rehearsals (TAKUTO) Yes, sir (TAKUTO) “Parade” is going to be the lead song on our first album, so we’re putting in even more effort than ever before Not that we weren’t putting effort into our previous songs,

But we really want to polish this one up, so our schedule is pretty tight I can’t say I don’t feel a little rushed, but… Well, We’ll make it work We have to We’ll work out something This documentary film is

About MAZZEL’s daily record of how they created “PARADE” with BMSG’s worldwide network This documentary follows MAZZEL through their own mazes as they work on creating “Parade” “Parade” was created as a collaboration between SKY-HI and top creators from around the world (SKY-HI) Creating a unique style is so important for us

Not just with MAZZEL, but anything involving a group When you have a group of several boys singing and dancing together, no matter what country you’re in, the first thing that comes to mind is K-pop, because K-pop has had worldwide success K-pop has its own style,

And naturally, you need to know about it and learn from it and show respect for it But it would be a huge mistake to copy them and call it your own style You can’t aim to be the opposite of K-pop, nor should you follow in its footsteps

You just have to search for your own style, and to do that, you have to bring together people who have written songs for artists all over the world, including K-pop artists, and then break down what they create You need to break it down and build it up again

(SKY-HI) You have to take something like what we’re building towards now and scrap it and then build up on that again If you take K-pop and American music and BE:FIRST and all these other elements and overlap them, I believe there’s something in that overlap that belongs only to MAZZEL

Since the latter half of last year, they’ve slowly been expanding that overlap I believe using this album to take it even further is something that they really needed, as did I (NA) “Parade” was written by SKY-HI in collaboration with creators from around the globe

In this second chapter, we’ll focus on MAZZEL’s singing and follow RAN, KAIRYU, and EIKI (RAN) I had zero experience For better or for worse, before I joined the audition, the only singing I ever did was at karaoke with my friends and stuff I didn’t make music, I just listened to it

I never imagined actually being a singer That was one of the things that worried me when I auditioned for THE FIRST and MISSIONx2 I really couldn’t picture myself as a singer Obviously I had no technical knowledge I could listen to a song and think, “Wow, this is beautiful,” or, “This is nice,”

But I wouldn’t know how to do it myself because I’d never even thought about it that way before But everyone around me was so good at singing (RAN) One, two, three, four The timing for this part is… One, two, three… at “four,” you start going back

(RAN) One of the reasons I enjoyed dancing was because I wanted to move my body to the music and match my movements to the sound And when I thought about it, I realized that singing is the same thing It’s just a different way of interpreting it

You add your voice to the melody, and you have a pitch and you match the sounds to it I slowly realized that singing could be fun in its own way I’ve already had plenty of experience dancing, and I feel confident enough in my abilities Singing is hard, but how cool would it be

If I could do both? That was how I felt when I first started But, well, things weren’t that easy I had a lot of struggles, like not being able to get my voice out In the beginning, even getting through one song was hard For me,

REIKO was a key part of what got me through all that REIKO loved to sing and had been doing it for a long time, but he had a lot of interest in dancing He was the opposite of me, and because we were opposites, I got to teach REIKO how fun dancing could be,

And he taught me how fun singing could be He stayed by me and taught me different ways to sing and different ways to approach singing He played a really big part in giving me a foundation to build upon (NA) RAN found his determination as a vocalist and has begun to develop his talents

(NA) Meanwhile, as a member with origins in dance, he came up with his own ideas for this music video (RAN) I’m kind of a nerd when it comes to dance When it comes down to it, street dance culture isn’t just about the dance looking nice

I think that not always being able to practice in a nice studio with nice acoustics is one of the fun parts about dance And if that’s the case, then you can dance wherever you want You could dance on a truck, or on a speaker, like I first suggested

If you can stand on it, you can dance on it It’s not just about looking nice, and I wanted to show how that could make dance so interesting I suggested it because I thought including it in the music video would add some nice spice to it

(RAN) Before recording began,RAN, KAIRYU, and EIKI held a meeting with the songwriters (EIKI) Thank you for sharing Your beautiful singing voice every time (EIKI)Thank you (WILLIAM)Thank you so much, thank you so much (KAIRYU) What are you saying? (RAN) For the transition into the four-on-the-floor beat of the chorus…

Does the feel of the song start out very happy and fun and escalate into the chorus, or will it change in an instant? What kind of concept are you thinking of? (ALYSA) So this is getting into a lot of details, but in the pre-chorus…

It’s like, there’s a world someone created inside their head, a paradise, like a dream world Then in the pre-chorus, you start getting sucked into that world Then, just before the hook, all the reverb cuts out and you get pulled back straight into MAZZEL’s world I wrote it to be like

Pulling the listener back into the real world 518 So during recording, I want you to use your facial expressions and your tones of voice to bring the listener back to the real world I want the chorus to pull them from a world of chaos and color straight into MAZZEL’s new world

(RAN) I see (KAIRYU) Thank you (RAN) I see (KAIRYU) That’s so cool Everything she’s saying is so cool (RAN) She’s really a pro to be able to get us so excited about the song like this (KAIRYU) Right? Let’s put that excitement to good use

(RAN) ♪ Fireworks shot into a black sky (Ah) ♪ (ALYSA) You’re losing a bit of energy at the “Ah” part, so make sure you maintain it until the end (RAN) I see ♪ Fireworks shot into a black sky (Ah) ♪ So that’s what she meant ♪ Ah ♪

(ALYSA) Thanks, hang on a moment – Did you practice? (RAN) I did – At home? (RAN) At home, in the bath (RAN) I always practice in the bath – I bet the echo is great in there. (RAN) It is It makes me feel good at singing when I practice ♪ Fireworks shot ♪

（NA) Some time after recording, RAN had a talk with SKY-HI (SKY-HI) Your expression seemed to disappear at one point during recording During your concerts, there were parts where you went all out, right? I like when you do that But you know at the end of your line in the verse in “Fire,”

When it drops to a low note at the end? When your mind is on something else, you really lose that part (RAN) Yeah (SKY-HI) I really wished all of your focus had been there But you sounded great When I watched you guys, I thought the best performance was somewhere between you and KAIRYU

Like, if only we could put your best points together (SKY-HI) KAIRYU really improved in dancing, hasn’t he? (RAN) Yeah (SKY-HI) Everything is great Everything about KAIRYU’s performance is great Because of that, he’s become very polished He could really use some rough edges While watching your concert,

I had the sound staff turn up KAIRYU’s mic volume bit by bit It gave him more of an edge? An ego? KAIRYU needs to work on having an ego and you need to improve on your consistency Those are the negative comments I have As for positive comments,

From the vibes you give off on stage, I can really feel a good kind of ego from you That’s a good thing to have as a vocalist, as a performer A really good thing (RAN) Thank you (SKY-HI) The look in your eyes is so different (RAN) Oh (SKY-HI) You’re doing great

(SKY-HI) You can feel confident that you’re doing great (RAN) Yes, sir (RAN) Though he started as a dancer, RAN continues to improve his skills as a singer (NA) For KAIRYU, on the other hand, singing has always been a part of his life (KAIRYU) I always wanted to be a singer

I even spent some time as a trainee in Korea, though I wasn’t there for that long When I came back to Japan, I joined auditions that I was interested in but otherwise I just spent my days training Yeah… Those were hard times I just practiced and kept on believing my day would come

For about a year, I couldn’t see a future for myself I felt so discouraged for a while because I didn’t know what to do For a few months, I didn’t even practice I didn’t do anything Even if I wanted to, I couldn’t I was too weak It was a dark time for me

I want to say that I’m here now because of it, but I still can’t really think of it that way It was just such a dark time Singing was the reason I never fully gave up no matter what happened Even if it seemed to others like I gave up, I never did

Because I had confidence in my singing I was confident that I could captivate people with it I think that, both back then and now, my greatest weapon, my greatest confidence, is my singing That’s the first thing that comes to mind when I think about it So, yeah

(KAIRYU) There’s one part that I have a bit of an issue with (RAN) An issue? (KAIRYU) Around the mid 8… there’s a part that I’m not sure I can do I’d like to ask about your thoughts when you wrote that part (WILLIAM) When I listened to your parts in songs

And your vocal ability, and I feel like ALYSA also, you are like… You guys are great singers So I was like, “Let’s give them a bit of a challenge” and try to make something that can emphasize how good you guys actually sing (KAIRYU) The writers of “Parade” told me that

My singing abilities and my style of singing aren’t something that you see in other groups so they wrote a part for me that could make better use of that It’s definitely the hardest phrase I’ve had to sing since joining MAZZEL “Parade” has a lot of phrases that I’ve never heard

In any other boy band song before I think I can say that my singing was able to elevate MAZZEL to the next level with this song (EIKI) Thank you (KARIYU,EIKI) We’ll do our best (KAIRYU) Like I said earlier… there’s one particularly difficult phrase in “Parade”

That I hope will come to represent the song as a whole So I thought that for that scene, I could sit somewhere high up or do something really out there It’s the kind of phrase that anyone would immediately think of when they think of “Parade”

No matter how long they’ve been a fan, so I wanted the scene for that phrase in the music video to be the same way (SKY-HI) You’ve gotten really good at dancing (KAIRYU) Thank you (SKY-HI) and you never lose focus while singing You’re always effortlessly on pitch

Even lines that are supposed to be difficult aren’t difficult for you, are they? (KAIRYU) Hm… (KAIRYU) If you were to ask if I’m singing like I do when I’m singing alone, (SKY-HI) Right? (KAIRYU) then I wouldn’t know how to answer you (SKY-HI) I mean… You scare me sometimes

(SKY-HI) when I watch you live (KAIRYU)Really? (SKY-HI) Like, how is he singing this line? You’re starting to sound just like the recording Where you pause for breath, your rhythm I feel like we could put the live audio over the studio recording and it would sound like an exact double

I’m not worried about you at all (KAIRYU) I tried that recently with “CAME TO DANCE” (SKY-HI) For fun, right? (KAIRYU)Yeah (SKY-HI) Right, right (SKY-HI)That’s an easy song to play with, right? (KAIRYU)-Yeah (KAIRYU) But that’s the only song that really makes me feel like (KAIRYU) I’m doing really well (SKY-HI) Right

(SKY-HI) Well, the fact that you got to that point at all is pretty amazing That’s why I’m so surprised All of those lines would be really hard to sing (SKY-HI) for anyone else (KAIRYU)- Right (SKY-HI)- So if you’ve already gotten that far,

Then at this point in time, I really don’t have anything else for you (KAIRYU) Huh? Wait, give me something, please (SKY-HI) Nothing for this documentary… (KAIRYU) ♪ Let’s keep… ♪ Huh? ♪ Let’s keep… ♪ Wait, that’s not right Oh! ♪ Let’s keep… ♪ ♪ Let’s keep… ♪ ♪ the never-ending story vivid… ♪

Phew… Man, this part is tough – I’ve never seen this side of you before (KAIRYU) Huh? (KAIRYU) How embarrassing Don’t look at me ♪ in the parade ♪ I can do it ♪ join… ♪ Okay, playback, please ♪ join me in the parade ♪ Phew! – Thank you (KAIRYU) Thank you!

– Great work! (KAIRYU)Thanks! (KAIRYU) Alright, then, I’m done (Cameraman) How did recording go? (KAIRYU) It was really hard The hardest recording I’ve done so far – Let’s go with this! (SKY-HI) Let’s go with this (SKY-HI) I’m not fooling around, okay? SEITO! (ALYSA) Okay! One more time

– Are you going to watch EIKI? (KAIRYU) I’m going to watch the members who asked me to come watch (Cameraman) So you’re kind of the leader when it comes to vocals? (KAIRYU) Well, it’d be nice if you could think of it that way

(Cameraman) Not everyone’s finished recording, but as leader, what do you think so far? (KAIRYU)- Well, there are 8 of us,so naturally not everyone will be on the same level Some of them have gotten a lot better and some have more room for improvement But everyone’s definitely much better

Than when we first recorded “MISSION” together Especially the rappers They were all basically beginners when we debuted with “MISSION,” but now… The vocalists are doing their best too, of course But the rappers’ growth has been incredible We vocalists have to work even harder I need them to be on their toes

(EIKI) ♪ Sound the tone ♪ – Not bad (EIKI) Okay (NA) A few days before the recording of “Parade,” EIKI stood crying in a corner of the studio At the time, he was trapped inside a maze (EIKI) I really lost my confidence I wasn’t really the confident type to begin with,

But there was one point where I just lost all of it I started wondering if I really belonged in MAZZEL or in BMSG, around all these music stars, and I just started crying BMSG and the members of MAZZEL really want to go global They’re always talking about going worldwide

And that really made me feel a lot of pressure. Like… I was afraid of holding everyone back from that goal I think that fear is why I lost my confidence (KAIRYU) Can I be critical for a bit? (EIKI)Okay (KAIRYU) This line, “Escaping from the maze”

I think there was a better way of singing it What do you think? (EIKI) I’m not sure (KAIRYU) Like… (KAIRYU)I think you were doing great for a while there (EIKI)- At the beginning? (KAIRYU) Yeah, around there (EIKI)- The members all really helped me to regain my confidence, of course But also…

In “Parade,” HAYATO has a line that goes “Someone is waiting for that color” It’s just one short line in the song but that one line really saved me Even if I can’t see them, there are people who are waiting for me

Who want to see a color that belongs to me and only me And when I thought about that, it really took a load off my shoulders Even now, if we have a concert and I’m not satisfied with how I did, just remembering those words helps move my thoughts in a positive direction

That’s why I love that part of the song, and I want to keep treasuring those words in the future, too – Great – That was great – It was great – Now let’s have Kou put it into the song – Alright! – Man… – Hngh… – That was great!

(EIKI)- My color is being able to be straight with people about what I like without feeling embarrassed The title of the song is “Parade,” as in moving forward, marching straight ahead so for the music video, we have people moving forward in cars and on bikes But when I considered what I’ve been through

And my own personality, I didn’t think vehicles were the right comparison I’ve run like crazy on my own two feet to get to where I am now, and I can picture myself still doing that from now on, so that’s the idea I suggested for the music video I wanted to show myself

Charging ahead the way I pictured it in my mind (SKY-HI) I really think that your personality is going to be a huge help to the group in the future You’re not the leader type, but I think that in itself is important

You can do what comes to mind, what you think you should do and have a place to retreat to when you need it That’s a good thing So I think you should feel free to do what you want (SKY-HI) And I’m sure you will (EIKI)Yeah, you’re right

(EIKI)- TAKUTO’s the leader (SKY-HI)- Yah, TAKUTO is (EIKI)-And that’s how it should be (SKY-HI)- I think so too (SKY-HI)- I really think it’ll be a huge help having someone with your personality around Don’t think so much about how much of yourself to show Leave the bird’s-eye overview to TAKUTO

If you have a thought, say it out loud Let TAKUTO be TAKUTO That in and of itself will be very effective I think having TAKUTO around will help everyone else feel more free to do what they want Especially you, EIKI And when everyone else sees you doing your thing,

They’ll feel like they can show even more of themselves Like, “Oh, I’m free to do this much?” I think it’ll be a domino effect, like a chain reaction (ALYSA) Hm, I see (EIKI) After meeting the other seven members… I love them all as my fellow members,

But the more we perform live and stuff together, the more I feel like I love them more than that It’s not romantic love, but it’s also different from familial love It’s hard to explain it in words, but… (SKY-HI) It’s not an easy feeling to explain (EIKI) Right

(SKY-HI) It’s a very unique feeling (EIKI)That’s right (SKY-HI) It’s a good feeling to have (EIKI)- I don’t think it’d be weird (EIKI) to call a letter that describes those feelings a “love letter” (SKY-HI) I think if you did write a letter, it would turn into a love letter naturally

ALYSA’s not saying it, but I think it’ll turn out that way Let’s show that part from the fan meet The “Who would you want to be reborn as?” thing Let’s show footage of EIKI’s answer (NA) SKY-HI asked EIKI to help him write a song

(HAYATO) If you could be reborn as one of the members, who would it be? (EIKI)- Well… honestly… I’d pick myself (SKY-HI) Just for fun, they asked each other who they’d pick if they could be reborn as another member, and EIKI answered, “Myself” – I get it, though (EIKI)-My reason is

(EIKI) that I want to meet you guys all over again – Wow! – Hang on, hang on! (SKY-HI) He said, “I want to be reborn as myself and meet you guys all over again” That was such a great answer, and they would make great lyrics for where MAZZEL is as a group now

And I want EIKI to be the one to sing them It didn’t make the final cut in the show, but during his free time at the audition, EIKI wrote a song based on how he felt at the time and sent it to me

And putting aside whether or not it was a good song, it was very emotional And I think it’s very important for MAZZEL to have a song with words that they can confidently say itcame from themselves It’s something they need as a BMSG group,

And I want to show EIKI’s emotional side to the world (Cameraman) -Your letter is going to be turned into lyrics? (EIKI) That’s right (Cameraman) But the letter will be separate from the actual lyrics? (EIKI) Right – Good morning – Good morning! – Oh, it’s EIKI! – EIKI’s here!

(EIKI) Good morning – What’s up? (KAIRYU) What’s this about? (EIKI) May I? – Sounds important (EIKI) I have an important announcement – From you, EIKI? – Huh? (EIKI) I have something I want to give you guys Can I go get it? (SKY-HI) EIKI used up all he had on this

– Huh? What is it? – What’s going on? (EIKI) Turn around (TAKUTO) Around? (KAIRYU) But we get paid the same (EIKI) I wrote letters to you guys – Huh?! – What?! – No way! – Seriously? – What’s this for? (EIKI) May I hand them out?

(KAIRYU) You used up all you had writing us letters? (EIKI) I wrote one for each of you -(NAOYA)Thank you – Thanks (NA) EIKI handed out his love letters to the members, which the song lyrics would be based on – Oh, wow – It’s pretty big (KAIRYU) Why’s RYUKI’s letter so big?

– So cool (RYUKI)- It looks so cool (EIKI) So… You guys really helped me out when I was going through a tough time, so I wrote you these letters as thanks – Thanks – Wow And I have one more for each of you, so wait a second – Huh? – You do?

(EIKI) I have one more thing to give you guys -(KAIRYU)He used up all he had on that – What? (RYUKI) I’m gonna look – Just a quick peek – Whoa, he wrote a lot (SEITO) His Japanese spirit… (EIKI) Don’t look, keep this one turned over

(KAIRYU) What’s this? (SKY-HI) Don’t try to read it from the other side – I can kind of see through, though (EIKI) So these are also letters from me (KAIRYU) The paper seems ordinary… (EIKI) Turn them over to the front, please (EIKI) These are… – “Love Letter!”

(EIKI) These are love letters I wrote to all of you – Oh, wow! – Thanks! (EIKI) Want to hear the song now? – Huh?! – Hear it? (RYUKI) I bet it’s a cool song! (EIKI) I recorded it yesterday (RYUKI) I bet – Seriously?

– It’s gotta be a cool song – Please play the song (NAOYA) This is so awesome – Wow! (RYUKI) It’s gonna be so cool (NAOYA) Wait, you wrote the song, EIKI? (EIKI) We co-wrote it (NAOYA)That’s awesome! (SKY-HI) Until 5 am this morning – What?!

(EIKI)- SKY-HI and I thought about you guys while writing the song We finished it yesterday (NAOYA) That’s so nice… (NA) EIKI’s song will be included in the album “Parade” Having found the key in his love for the other members, EIKI escapes from his maze and lets his own unique tone begin to resonate

This documentary film is about MAZZEL’s daily record of how they created “PARADE” with BMSG’s worldwide network (NA) This documentary follows MAZZEL’s passionate journey towards the production of “Parade” Chapter 3 features NAOYA and HAYATO and their unique styling (NAOYA) I’ve been a trainee since I was in fifth grade,

And I always thought that I was the best out of everyone But then people who joined the agency after me started debuting before me while we got left behind Once that happened, I inevitably realized just how lacking I was in skills and in luck For about two years after that,

I practiced and took dance lessons on my own The whole time I just had no confidence And that was when I auditioned for MISSIONx2 When I was dancing in Osaka, I often used this studio, so I’m very familiar with it but it feels so different today I’d wake up at 6 am

And go to school on my scooter I’d goof around with my friends, eat lunch and go to class, then I’d head to Osaka for dance lessons before going home late at night Then I’d do it again the next day The minute I stepped into the studio,

I’d lose all my confidence in my dancing and my singing I started in the beginners’ class, so I’d be the only college kid It was so awkward surrounded by elementary and middle schoolers But I wasn’t good at dancing, so I wanted to learn from the basics It was so awkward…

Hm… I decided that I needed to treasure the moment now The people around you, your environment, the way things are going for you Nothing lasts forever, right? I realized that no matter how close you are to someone, you might still have to part with them one day

That’s why I really want to treasure the people I’m close to now Even if things are tough and not going the way I expected, I get through it by telling myself to just enjoy it I persuade myself to get through it Like how? Like, I’m going to die one day

We’re all going to die one day, so let’s enjoy ourselves while we can (SKY-HI) You can consider the order in which we call you a ranking of sorts So, first is… NAOYA Please come up here (NAOYA) Thank you (SKY-HI) Great work (NAOYA) Thank you

(NAOYA) One of the biggest things was the first round of judging at training camp Out of all the participants, I ranked the highest That made me realize that I really do have the skills, just like I used to think I did I got my confidence back thanks to that

(NA) NAOYA took charge of the styling for the music video’s nighttime scenes (NAOYA) The silver down jackets we wore during the nighttime scenes were my idea I spent a long time with the stylists working out all the little details and came up with the design from scratch

(NAOYA) We’re going to wear these silver down… – Down vest jackets? (NAOYA) Yeah, we’re all going to wear matching ones When we’re surrounded by the cars all lit up in the dark, the silver would reflect all the colors, right? I pictured MAZZEL all lit up and shining in the darkness

And I thought, “We’ve gotta go with those jackets” “That’s it” (NA) NAOYA worked with a design team from Japan to create the music video outfits (NAOYA) I was constantly in contact with the stylists, asking them stuff like, “Which type of down jacket do you think would be best?”

We came up with lots of ideas for the shape and design and cut before deciding on the final outfits (AMPWORKS) This is hard! (NAOYA) As a member of the group, I can watch the other members from closer than anyone else, and I know better than anyone else what their charms are

So I wanted to come up with a cool design that each of them would be happy with I’m having a lot of fun Back when I used to be a model, I would often be the only one who was asked to do all my styling myself I’d come up with my own backstory

And pick my own styling, and I think that experience really came in handy in styling for this music video (NA) He also received suggestions for gadgets like helmets, light-up nails, and hats from a Japanese mechanical designer NAOYA had a request for his helmet design, a request that was linked to his past

(NAOYA) I really want to treasure the past When I first auditioned for MISSION×2, I styled my bangs in the shape of a heart (SKY-HI) Your bangs are curled inwards so tightly (NAOYA) I made them into a heart… (SKY-HI) Oh, I see (NAOYA) It’s an embarrassing part of my past,

But it’s still a part of me So when we decided to make helmets for the music video, I thought, “What if I put my heart bangs on the helmet?” So I asked them to put an upside-down heart on this part of the helmet Well, it gets pretty tough sometimes

But it’s nothing I can’t overcome Right now I’m working hard with hope in my heart (KAIRYU) What did I do? What’s going on? (SEITO) You were late by one beat (SKY-HI) It’s incredible that your performance changes with your makeup (NAOYA) Oh, yeah My personality also changes depending on my outfit

(SKY-HI) It’s kind of surprising I’m surprised at how much range you have Like, up until your PayPay Dome concert (SKY-HI) I always saw you as a cheeky little devil (NAOYA) Right (SKY-HI) I never knew you had those other sides to you (NAOYA) When I first heard “Waterfall” and “Parade”

(NAOYA)- You told me… (SKY-HI) Oh, right (SKY-HI) At the faucet (NAOYA)- to try and sing the cool parts in a more cute way (SKY-HI) How were you able to hear that and do it right away? (NAOYA) Oh, no, no… (SKY-HI) How? (NAOYA) It totally clicked Like, it doesn’t have to be just cool

(NAOYA) When I watched you perform “Tiger Style” (SKY-HI) How embarrassing! (NAOYA) and you did the “Meow ♪” part all cute, I got so excited Like, “He went for cute in a song like this?” (NAOYA) “And the crowd goes wild?” (SKY-HI) Oh man, I’m sweating (NAOYA) But that’s why

(NAOYA) what you said really clicked with me (SKY-HI) But that was so recent, right? (NAOYA) When we had that talk And then you went and did it at PayPay Dome You showed so many different colors of yourself (NAOYA) Thank you

(NAOYA) And you’ve still got more up your sleeve, right? (NAOYA) I’ll do my best (NA) After losing all hope, NAOYA adopted a new outlook on life and has grown into a colorful and multi-faceted artist Meanwhile, MAZZEL’s youngest member HAYATO had his own maze of a past

(HAYATO) I’ve always wanted to be in the entertainment industry In elementary school, I appeared mainly in stage plays and musicals as a child actor Then in middle school, I decided that I wanted to become a music artist After that, I focused more on aiming to be an artist than on acting

The time from my second year in high school up until I passed the BMSG auditions was a really tough period in my life I wasn’t improving in dancing as well as I’d hoped, and I was starting to feel panicked I wasn’t sure what to do

– Thanks for coming today, everyone – We’re MAZZEL! (HAYATO) I know debuting isn’t the finish line, but I still felt like things weren’t enough Like, what do we have to do to become cool and famous artists? How do we get to that point? I really struggled with that

Whenever something happens, the eight of us gather together and talk things out We always try to make sure that we’re all on the same page, headed in the same direction – That’s cool – What a cool-looking skull (RYUKI) Look, it’s a skull

– Where are you going to put that? (RYUKI) It’s a skull (SEITO) It says for ages 3 and up (KAIRYU) Uh oh (RAN) Don’t you want to transform? – Are you sure you’re 3 and up? (NA) HAYATO showed his originality in styling by adding toys to the costumes alongside NAOYA’s jackets

(HAYATO) NAOYA came up with the silver down jackets, but I came up with the little details like the embroidered emblems on everyone’s pants or the little stuffed dinosaurs on mine MAZZEL has this kind of happy energy Like, there are these positive vibes among the members, and… How should I say it?

Those positive happy vibes kind of reminded me of toys People tell us that there’s a huge difference between when we’re performing and when we’re not, but people don’t get to see that difference when we’re performing So I thought, “Why not do both?” We can show the cool side of MAZZEL

And I can also add in the cute and fun side of MAZZEL, too I saw a lot of costumes when I was a child actor When I was in kindergarten, I had a dance recital and they gave me a bird costume I really didn’t want to wear it I talked with my mom,

And I thought if the costume was sparkly, that would make me want to wear it So my mom helped me put some sparkly stuff on, and I wore that in the recital (EIKI) There’s only one person wearing the dinosaur backpack? (NAOYA) Yeah (TAKUTO) Oh, really? (HAYATO) It was awesome!

It was like, “This is MAZZEL” I got to show both sides of MAZZEL That really gave me a lot of confidence It turned out exactly the way I wanted I’m excited to hear what others think (SKY-HI) I think you’re definitely on the right track Most people don’t improve this quickly You’re doing great

(SKY-HI) Really great (HAYATO) Thank you (SKY-HI)- Once you can maintain yourself at the level you are now, then your personality, your individuality, your originality will come out even when you’re not trying to show it And for MAZZEL, I think that… your originality will become MAZZEL’s personality, and I want to emphasize that

So I think you can be confident in yourself (HAYATO) I’m always in my natural state, in a good way (SKY-HI) You mean now? (HAYATO) While performing, too (SKY-HI) Oh, that’s great You’re right It never feels like you’re trying too hard (HAYATO) I’m always just myself (SKY-HI) That’s really great

Let’s say you have something you feel really strongly about Something you really want to do or see, somewhere you really want to go There are plenty of people in the world who feel the same way, so you don’t have to hide it You can just go for it

Things resonate more strongly within you that way I think it’s more fun to live your life like that To love something and to be able to show that love for what it is I think that’s great I see nothing but dreams and promise and hope in you

(SKY-HI) I’m not worried about you at all (HAYATO) Thank you (NA) At last, MAZZEL heads to Korea to film the music video (NA) NAOYA and HAYATO held a meeting with the directors (NAOYA) I designed the silver down jackets of our costumes to add more flair to the music video

(HAYATO) I hope you can help show off the accessories and decorations on our costumes, as well -I thought the jackets and accessories were so cool! -Don’t worry You worked hard on those costumes, so I’m sure it’ll turn out great

-I think this is going to be your best music video yet I hope you’re excited! (NAOYA, HAYATO) Thank you! (NA) The day before filming, they had their last rehearsal with Quick Style, who flew to Korea from Norway For this music video, Parade,

SEITO and RYUKI came up with the concept, TAKUTO took the lead with the choreography, NAOYA and HAYATO took charge of the styling, with RAN’s dancing, KAIRYU’s singing, and EIKI’s heart completing the group called MAZZEL From them, with the help of creators from around the world, “Parade” was born

And now, an unprecedented journey begins (SKY-HI) What I think is so wonderful about them is that they all have determination And not just determination, but also a sense of purpose When they have determination and a sense of purpose, it gives the specialists so much more to work with, so… I think it’s fantastic

I really think they can make something happen This is truly the beginning for them They’ll keep making bigger waves that will pull in people from all over the world I really think they will (TAKUTO) I guess you could call this MAZZEL’s second chapter 3, 2, 1, action!

MAZZELの長編ドキュメンタリーフィルム “Maze to Parade”

MAZZELがBMSGの世界的なネットワークとともに
大作ミュージックビデオを創り上げるまでの日々を描く
長編ドキュメンタリーフィルム「Maze to Parade」が公開。

■SKY-HIステートメント

まだ世界はMAZZELを知らない。
だが、MAZZELはもう世界を見ている…
そしてそれが身の丈にあった想いであることを我々は知っている。

2024年、BMSGがこの3年間余りで培った
世界中のクリエイターとのネットワークと
彼等の「時代を動かしたい」という願いが結びつき、
この混沌とした世界を横断するParadeを実行する準備が整った。

彼等は普通の少年で、青年で、
きっとこれを見ているあなたと同じ様に、
もがき、あがき、苦しみ、そして楽しみ、夢を見ている。

彼等のアーティストとしての威力を、
人間としての魅力を伝えるためにBMSGは存在している。

そして、このParadeが横断を終えた後の世界が、
今までより少し鮮やかになる事を我々は知っている。

楽しみにしていてください。

▼MAZZEL / Parade – Music Video –

▼Chapter
00:00:00 第1章
00:00:24 発表
00:02:19 リーダー任命
00:06:02 MAZE OF TAKUTO
00:10:04 Choreographer from Norway
00:13:23 MAZE OF SEITO
00:16:10 SKY-HI × SEITO
00:17:57 MAZE OF RYUKI
00:21:29 SKY-HI × RYUKI
00:24:02 SKY-HI × TAKUTO
00:25:56 第2章
00:26:22 SKY-HIが語るMAZZELの楽曲制作
00:29:10 MAZE OF RAN
00:33:37 Songwriter from Sweden
00:36:46 SKY-HI × RAN
00:38:39 MAZE OF KAIRYU
00:42:29 SKY-HI × KAIRYU
00:47:08 MAZE OF EIKI
00:51:06 SKY-HI × EIKI
00:58:34 第3章
00:59:12 MAZE OF NAOYA
01:03:59 Designer from Japan
01:06:46 SKY-HI × NAOYA
01:08:20 MAZE OF HAYATO
01:12:23 SKY-HI × HAYATO
01:14:00 Video Artist from Korea
01:15:41 Ending

▼Video Credit
EXECUTIVE PRODUCER | SKY-HI (BMSG)

NARRATION | KANON (BMSG TRAINEE)
INTERVIEW | DAISUKE KOYANAGI

DOP | JUN KAWAGUCHI, HIROKI TSUDA, REI OTABE

EDIT | JUN KAWAGUCHI, YUKO UENO

MOTION GRAPHICS | MIZUKI JIN

MA | YUYA MITOME

PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT | CREATIVE PRODUCER | HAYATO ARAKAWA

CREATIVE DIRECTOR | YUKO UENO, TASUKU OKAZAKI, BMSG CREATIVE TEAM

▼Find more about MAZZEL
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LINE | https://page.line.me/mazzel_official
Website | https://mazzel.tokyo/

#MAZZEL #MAZZEL_Parade #MAZZEL_メズパレ