Kelly, Amanda
Translators: Justin, Baz
Hosted by The Chocolate Brothers and the Dutch Idol Community and held between September 20th in Arnhem, The Netherlands, and September 21st in Koln, Germany, Ikigai Vol. 2 saw the return of GARUDA and Satanic Punish on European soil, as well as marking the debut of DIABLEVOIX’s Haluka in her first overseas tour.
For these two evenings, fans of these three acts had the chance to experience a show filled with incredible vocals, relentless energy, and the possibility of a strained neck the following morning, thanks to all the headbanging that went on.
For some fans, however, the weekend did not end at the Blue Shell with a final song, as those who had purchased off-kai tickets had the absolute pleasure of joining GARUDA, Satanic Punish and DIABLEVOIX’s HALUKA for an off-kai event the following Sunday.
It is also that, on this day, Beyond Senpai’s Kelly and Amanda were fortunate enough to attend as well and, for the first time since this site’s inception, both Amanda and Kelly were given the opportunity to deliver their first in-person interview to these three legendary performers.
So, it was with a great amount of nerves and some shoddy Japanese pronunciation that our interview began. With the help of Justin and Baz, who aided in translating the performers answers for us, Beyond Senpai joined Yuffie, Haluka, Manamu and LinLin at the front of the event hall to deliver the Ikigai Vol. 2 Interview, right in front of the fans…
Decked out in beautiful Yukata, GARUDA, Satanic Punish and DIABLEVOIX enter the venue with an image that feels unique against their usual stage personas. Though it is undeniable that each performer looks graceful and poised, there is still a distinct energy surrounding each one. Dressed in a stylish black outfit that befits her stage persona beautifully, HALUKA’s energy and cuteness is undeniable, while Yuffie surprises fans with a traditional yukata, one that delivers an innocent and cute vision, despite her cool demeanor. For Satanic Punish, both Manomu and LinLin are an adorable duo in frilly twin yukata, with Manomu wearing a pink and white variant, while LinLin is adorned in black and white, with both outfits capturing the groups sweet edge.
Graceful and poised, each performer takes a seat at the front of the hall as they prepare for the interview and, trying to quell our own nerves, Beyond Senpai, Justin and Baz prepare for the interview. It’s difficult to keep our nerves in check, of course; we have never sat so close to idols before this, outside of taking cheki with these very same performers the night before, that is.
Hello, everyone! I am Amanda, and this is Kelly, and most of you will already knows us from our website, Beyond Senpai. We are both really happy and excited to have been invited along today to ask our Idols some questions on behalf of you guys.
Thank you all for joining us today, both the fans and the idols. Before we begin, would you like to introduce themselves to our captive audience.
Bright and energetic, HALUKA smiles and waves towards the audience as she introduces herself,
HALUKA: Hello, I am DIABLEVOIX! Thank you for coming.
As the audience applauds, HALUKA continues to wave before Yuffie, now a seasoned overseas performer, turns to the audience with a cool, collected air.
GARUDA: I am GARUDA, and also a member of Melon Batakae A GoGo. It’s nice to meet everyone.
At her introduction, the audience applauds; GARUDA is already well-known within the overseas idol fan community, and is a popular performer who has amassed a following of dedicated fans thanks to her powerful performances, captivating stage presence and warm personality when speaking to her off-stage.
Once the applause has died down, we turn to the final performers, Satanic Punish. In unison, the two greet the crowd with bright smiles while holding folding fans that had been specifically designed for the 2024 European tour.
Manomu: Hello~
LinLin: Hello!
Manomu: I am Mana Manomu.
LinLin: I am Shiikin Catherine.
As they take a bow towards the audience, everyone applauds them before Manomu smiles brightly and thanks everyone.
Manomu: Thank you!
Welcome back, GARUDA and Manomu. You have been with us before [in Germany]. How does it feel to be back in the EU and performing to an overseas audience again?
Manomu: Last year I came to Germany alone as a member of Satanic Punish, so I am happy to come again with a new member of the group. I am happy to introduce the new Satanic Punish to everyone abroad.
Though this is Satanic Punishes second time touring the EU, Manomu previously performed alone in 2023. It was a journey that Manomu herself has admitted to being a difficult one filled with various trials, however, seeing her return in 2024 with LinLin is a rewarding moment for both the fans and the members. Her growth and endurance is noted, and it is clear that Manomu has become a formidable leader for the group.
GARUDA: I have a lot of fans in Japan, but when I come here [to the EU] I really feel a lot of meaning and feel like giving back to the fans.
The audience applauds as Yuffie looks towards the fans, smiling. It’s clear that she is well-loved by the community, and the warmth in Yuffie’s words and her smile shows how much she cares for this community, too.
GARUDA: The reaction from the fans is also much more direct and I’m happy I can come to various places [like America and the EU.]
This is also the first time for both HALUKA and Catherine (LinLin) to perform overseas! Have you both been abroad before this?
HALUKA: Ah… I have been abroad before this, but I haven’t performed overseas until now (laughs.) I was very nervous at the start, but thanks to everyone’s kindness, warmth and acceptance, I felt incredibly happy. There are lots of people who have flown to Japan to meet me before this, and now I am meeting a lot of new people here, so it makes me really happy that I can experience this. I would love to come back to Europe one day!
LinLin: I’m very nervous. This is my first time in Europe but despite my nerves, I am very happy and grateful to be given this opportunity to perform overseas. I’m very glad to be here.
While speaking, LinLin begins to fan herself. The audience clap and cheer her on, however, encouraging her. Though impressive on stage thanks to her operatic vocals, LinLin is shy and sweet throughout, showcasing a softer, more vulnerable side that we might not see otherwise when she is singing on stage.
What were your first impressions when you landed in Europe?
HALUKA: It’s very beautiful! I like architecture and even studied it in High School, so I love seeing Europe’s architecture.
Eh???
GARUDA: I don’t remember that.
Everybody laughs at Yuffie’s answer. Of course, this isn’t Yuffie’s first time in the EU; she has already performed here countless times, and has also performed extensively in the UK.
Second impression? (laughs)
GARUDA: Of Europe? Hm… I’m very interested in Goth culture and a little architecture, so when I came to Europe it was like ‘Wow, this is… this is really the place.’
The audience laughs again, but it brings back a memory from when Yuffie performed in Germany in 2023. During the off-kai event that year, Yuffie had revealed that Germany was the country she had always wanted to visit after learning about it in school. For a fan, it must be a wonderful thing to see your idol love your country so much.
Manomu: When I’m walking down the streets [of Europe], people will come up to me and confidently comment on my clothes and makeup to tell me that I am very ‘kawaii’ and ‘cute’. I really like that [about Europe].
LinLin: I really like the smell here. The taste and smell of Europe is also different to Japan. The food is lovely, too, and the scenery is amazing! There’s a lot of nature here, and I really feel like I could live here.
There is a collective ‘Ooooh’ from the audience at LinLin’s answer. It’s quite insightful into her character, the way she talks about the ‘taste’ and ‘smell’ of Europe first. It’s a perspective we did not expect.
What have you been looking forward to doing the most during your time in The Netherlands and Germany?
HALUKA: Ah… Looking at all of the buildings and architecture in both The Netherlands and Germany. I was also excited about trying the food here and it was really lovely.
GARUDA: I want to go to everyone’s houses.
Ah!
GARUDA: I’ve already done all of the tourist things, so I want to go and visit the fans houses now.
You want to see how everybody lives and see everybody’s merchandise in their homes?
GARUDA: Ah… I want to look through their cheki books, yes! I want to check who your oshimem is.
Yuffie’s answer is direct and true, and everybody laughs at her honesty. Grinning, she points to the audience, perhaps hoping to strike some playful fear into their hearts. She’s quite cheeky, so it’s no wonder she has gained so many fans overseas – Yuffie is playful and bright, and does not shy away from saying what she thinks when it comes to her fans.
Manomu: I was really looking forward to trying the food [in Europe,] but after spending a week in Europe last year, I began missing Japanese food.
LinLin: I’m looking forward to a lot of things, actually. Most of all, I want to do the touristy things and have a feel of Europe.
So, what do you want to take back with you to Japan from Europe?
HALUKA: Hm… I really like stuffed dolls and plushies, so I really want to know what kind of character or soft animal I can take home with me.
Collectively, the audience thinks of one specific character:
Audience: Miffy?
HALUKA: Miffy?
Audience: That’s a character from The Netherlands.
(To the Audience) What’s the German equivalent of Miffy?
Audience: In Cologne, there’s a station with a very famous animal character. It’s literally named ‘Maus’.
HALUKA: Mouse? I like mice!
Audience: So, it is an orange mouse, and you can get it in Cologne in the store of the TV station. The TV programme is called ‘Die Sendung mit der Maus’. In the show, there is a mouse and an elephant, and the mouse is very famous.
At this, Haluka is visibly excited while the audience member explains the concept of the show the character is from. Another audience member pulls up an image of ‘Die Maus’ to show Haluka, and she smiles brightly upon seeing the character.
HALUKA: Oh, I love mice! I have a guinea pig! He’s so big. I will buy that character. Thank you!
After Haluka settles into her seat again, we continue.
Manomu: I really, really enjoyed Stroopwafel’s from The Netherlands, and would love to take more of them home with me. I’ve already received a lot from the fans, but I want to take more of them home and feel the love from the fans.
LinLin: Hm… Well… I want to take home the air.
The audience laughs. It’s a surprising answer, but it’s clear LinLin has thought about this. She seems to truly enjoy the feel of Europe, as well as the aura and vibe that both The Netherlands and Germany have had to offer. Fanning herself, LinLin thinks about her answer before expanding upon it.
LinLin: I would also like to take everyone’s energy home with me, and the vibes from the fans. Maybe what I’m saying is a little strange, but I’d like to take [a piece of] everyone’s love and energy home with me.
What are the interactions from the overseas fans like [compared to Japanese fans]?
HALUKA: Everybody here shows their emotions in a very big way. It feels like I have truly felt everyone’s love and passion. I’m very happy that everyone can show their emotions so openly here.
Manomu: When I’m performing in Japan, quite often the fans of a group will be here and there and participate in the calls and mixes for that group while other fans stand back. Here, everybody becomes ‘one’ as a whole and is loud together. It’s a combined effort.
LinLin: Everybody here is very direct with their emotions; people will praise me directly in Europe, while in Japan that does not happen very often. They are not as up-front with their emotions, so I have a lot of appreciation for how direct everyone is here.
GARUDA: Everybody’s expression is a lot more romantic here. Also, Japanese otaku often change their favourite members. I have often been the victim of people changing who their favourite member is (laughs.)
Everybody laughs nervously, some expressing shock at Yuffie’s accusation while she laughs. Sadly, Yuffie speaks the truth; many fans will ‘oshihen’ from an idol abandoning one oshi in favour of another.
So oshihenning?
GARUDA: Oshihenning, yes. I am very grateful that there are a lot of fans here who have been supporting me for a long time.
She smiles pointedly at the audience, perhaps as a silent threat. Luckily, overseas fans seem to stick to one Oshi until they graduate, and Yuffie has been fortunate enough to find many dedicated fans overseas, especially in Europe.
We are all loyal fans.
Everybody agrees and claps for Yuffie who smiles brightly, before delivering a final, light-hearted threat to the crowd in English.
GARUDA: Don’t oshihen, okay?
Sticking her middle finger up she glares at everyone in the audience as they begin laughing. Given the fact Yuffie enjoys performing with a nail-encrusted bat, it may be best if no one oshihen’s her, okay?
If you could exchange a song from each other to perform one day, which one would it be and why?
HALUKA: Hm… I would like to do Kobushi, which is GARUDA’s song.
Both members of Satanic Punish agree with Haluka; it seems everybody really wants to sing ‘Kobushi’ by GARUDA, and there is a collective ‘Ahhhh’ from the audience.
GARUDA: It’s because everyone wants to hold up my spiked bat (laughs.) For me, I would like to sing WHITE WOLF by Satanic Punish. I had a good connection with the previous member, Usagi, so I want to sing it.
LinLin: That’s a bit of an odd choice.
The idols start to laugh, which sets off the audience.
Kelly: I love WHITE WOLF, so I would like to hear you sing it.
GARUDA: I would like to try some of DIABLEVOIX’S songs as well, because they have a different feeling [to my songs.] The melodies are slightly different.
If you could become any type of animal, what kind of animal would you be?
Everybody laughs at the question, but the idols fall into deep thought. There is a moment of quiet before Yuffie speaks up first, offering a surprising choice.
GARUDA: Animal? Hm… I would like to be either a unicorn or a Pegasus. I like quite cute and girly things.
Everybody laughs; it’s a surprising answer, especially because Yuffie looks so cool and dangerous when she is performing. It’s a strikingly different image to the one everybody knows!
HALUKA: I would like to become a wolf. They’re cool and strong!
Manomu: I would like to be a lion. I’m usually very shy, so I would like to be able to express myself in the same way as a lion does, at least metaphorically.
LinLin: I’m stuck between being an owl or a mermaid.
Everybody laughs. Owls and mermaids are very different!
Before we finish, is there a dream destination you would like to perform in one day? Please tell us where you would like to stand on stage.
HALUKA: In general, I would like to do a band set in Europe.
Though Haluka came to Europe alone, DIABLEVOIX is, in fact, her band. Though she will perform as a solo act at various events and live shows, DIABLEVOIX is an impressive act that many fans hope to witness, so to see the band come to Europe one day would be a dream come true not only for Haluka, but all of her fans, too.
GARUDA: The first place would have to be Berlin. One of the first things I learned about in school was Berlin, so Geographically this is the place I want to perform. I would also like to do band performances alongside Melon Batatake A GoGo as well as as GARUDA, but it’s very expensive (laughs.)
Manomu: I’m originally a fan of metal bands, so I want to perform in Sweden because it’s the home of metal. In general, I would like to go anywhere in the world where Satanic Punish fans are. I would love to go and do a tour in our fans’ home countries.
LinLin: Similar to Manomu in the sense that I like metal bands, Sweden is a place I would like to perform, but I would like to go to Berlin as well because it’s a bit of a pun. Because Berlin is ‘Ber-lin’ and my nickname is LinLin. It’s also the onomatopoeia for the sound of a bell [lin lin or rin rin,] so I want to go for that reason. It’s a joke, like ‘Ber-LinLin.’
The fans collectively express their surprise at LinLin’s answer, before laughing at her clever use of the pun.
The final part of the interview! Could you leave a message for everyone?
HALUKA: It’s my first time in Europe, and I’m very happy to be here! I would like to come back one day and hang out with everyone again.
GARUDA: I’ve been here so many times already, I’m a little worried you might get bored of me (laughs.)
Everybody laughs.
No, we could never!
GARUDA: Thank goodness. I want to carry on hanging out with everyone and keep doing this for a long time, so I hope we all live a long life together.
Manomu: Last year, I had to come to Europe alone for the tour. It was sudden and I wasn’t ready for it, but I pushed through. and now I’m back here with the new formation of Satanic Punish. It feels like everyone has warmly accepted me, and I’m glad I didn’t stop and continued despite everything.
LinLin: It’s quite personal, but the reason I wanted to come to Germany specifically is because it was one of my Grandfather’s favourite places
At the memory of her grandfather, LinLin begins to cry. Hiding her face behind her fan, she collects herself and continues.
LinLin: He recently passed away, so to come here and perform with him in my thoughts is an amazing thing. I’m really glad I can do this together with him in my heart… I’m so sorry for being so emotional.
No, no, it’s okay.
LinLin: I’m so emotional. I was crying yesterday. I cry everyday (laughs.) I also found little bits of frustration that I couldn’t give 100% of my performance to you all. I’ve recently come off of a cold, but I’m so happy everyone has accepted me, and that I have been given the opportunity to do this.
At this, the audience applauds all of the girls as they bow.
We just want to thank you lovely ladies for answering our questions, and thank you to both Justin and Baz for your help. We are so sorry for putting you on the spot like that! We would also like to thank Sven and Eric, who is not here today. We would like to thank all of the helpers who have put this tour together and thank you to you guys – the audience – and the fans. This kind of thing wouldn’t happen if we weren’t such a great community. This is such a fantastic community in Europe and we are all so proud to be part of it, we are all proud of everyone so please give yourselves a round of applause.
The audience and performers all applaud as we slowly begin to wind down the interview.
We love you all! And no oshihenning, okay?
You can find GARUDA, HALUKA and Satanic Punish on the following platforms:
GARUDA
X | GARUDA Info X
Instagram
YouTube
HALUKA
X | DIALBLEVOIX X
Instagram
YouTube
TikTok
Satanic Punish
X | Manomu X | LinLin X
Instagram | LinLin Instagram
YouTube
Official Website
You can also find The Chocolate Brothers, German Idol Society and the Dutch Idol Community on X!
Beyond Senpai 