Hisashi Imai, the guitarist for BUCK-TICK, has been a driving force in the Japanese rock scene. His influence extends beyond his sound to his visual presentation and creative endeavors. This BE@RBRICK was created by him to celebrate BUCK-TICK's 35th major debut anniversary. He discusses its background.

To commemorate BUCK-TICK's 35th major debut anniversary, a BE@RBRICK and new photo T-shirts featuring Hisashi Imai's beloved guitar, "BT-MM," also known as "Maimai," will be released by MEDICOM TOY and Amplifier, a rock apparel brand by Rentaro Hirakawa.
Both items feature Imai's cherished "BT-MM" guitar, affectionately nicknamed "Maimai." The BE@RBRICK prominently displays an illustration of the guitar, personally drawn by Imai himself.
Imai appears on OPENERS for the first time since 2019.https://openers.jp/design/design_features/Hl8mXThis time, we focus on the "BT-MM," a guitar so iconic among fans that it's often called "the guitar that defines Hisashi Imai," and hear his story.

I made my first original guitar during my amateur days. I saw Tomoyasu Hotei of BOØWY, a senior from my hometown, painting his guitar, so I painted my white Telecaster-type (FERNANDES TEJ) in black and red. That was the first one.

I started creating guitars with custom shapes after my major debut. I worked with someone in charge at Fernandes (a guitar manufacturer). My first custom guitar was a modified shape with a diamond-cut body (FERNANDES TSUCHINOKO), but the finished product was a bit smaller than I imagined and slightly unbalanced.

The "BT-MM" was my second guitar. I wanted to be able to use it for performances where I play the strings with a bow, so the idea was to create a guitar modeled after a violin's form. I paid attention to the details of the scrollwork at the tip and the shape of the f-holes, and I think the resulting design is quite good. I first unveiled it at the Tokyo Dome concert in 1989. The model number BT-MM and the nickname Maimai were names given by the Fernandes representative, but I just went with it (laughs).

Imai, known as "the eccentric lefty," composes most of BUCK-TICK's music. His unique riffs and phrases, born from his left-handed strumming, have captivated countless fans.

I write with my right hand, and I played baseball right-handed, but in some small ways, I'm the opposite. For example, I deal cards with my left hand.

When I was in elementary school, my uncle offered to teach me guitar and gave me an acoustic guitar. From the start, it felt more natural to hold the neck with my right hand. Even when he told me, 'You're holding it the wrong way,' I didn't understand. What's the wrong way? Oh, I see, but I just couldn't hold it any other way. I thought, 'This is impossible' (laughs).

At the time, I wasn't interested in guitars, so I left it untouched for a while. But when I was in high school and decided to start a band, I remembered that experience. Right and left, what should I do? If I make the wrong choice here, it could be a big problem (laughs). But it was just easier to play with my left hand. My body just felt more comfortable that way. My father and grandfather are left-handed, so I think I inherited something from them.

Since playing guitar involves both hands, I decided not to overthink it and bought a lefty guitar. However, lefty guitars are usually more expensive than right-handed ones. When my parents first looked into it, they said, 'They cost around 100,000 yen.' But that was for high-end brands. I happened to see an advertisement for a cheaper one for 19,800 yen in a black and white magazine page, so I thought, 'This one's fine,' and bought it with my part-time job earnings. I still have that guitar. I thought it would be interesting to be able to play both right and left-handed since I'm naturally right-handed, but it was completely impossible (laughs).

Imai has captivated audiences not only with his music but also with his hairstyles, makeup, and fashion. We also asked him about the roots of his unique aesthetic.

I was influenced by artists like Akiyo Uno and Tadanori Yokoo. Internationally, I was inspired by Salvador Dalí and Giorgio de Chirico. Among manga artists, I admire Hirohiko Araki. I like the slightly light touch in the drawings in 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure.' 'JoJo's Bizarre Adventure' is also celebrating its 35th anniversary this year (serialized since Weekly Shonen Jump issue 1987/1). A few years ago, a fan sent me an old issue of Weekly Shonen Jump, and JoJo was on the cover. When I looked at the back, there was an advertisement for Victor's 'CDian' (Note 1), which we were featured in. I thought, 'Wow, someone still has this,' and felt a connection, which was interesting.

(Note 1) In 1988, BUCK-TICK and JVC (formerly Victor) launched a campaign for "CDian," a high-quality CD radio cassette player equipped with a subwoofer, with the slogan "Heavy bass that rocks." In 2015, the two collaborated again to promote high-resolution audio equipment under the theme "High-resolution audio that rocks."

I've always been interested in the fusion of mechanical elements and the human form. When we created the music video for our single "Speed" (released in 1991), everyone in the band played instruments adorned with gears and hoses. It was like steampunk before the term became popular.

I'm also a big fan of Tsutomu Nihei, the manga artist behind "BLAME!" and "Knights of Sidonia." Nihei also designed the logo for our label (Lingua Sounda, BUCK-TICK's private label), which I really like.

My lifestyle hasn't changed much, as I've always been more of a homebody. Even since the pandemic began, my routine hasn't really shifted. As for movies, I really enjoyed Disney's "Cruella" (2021) last year.

Previously, Amplifier has released photo T-shirts and figures, but this marks the first release of a BE@RBRICK.

I've visited MEDICOM TOY exhibitions several times, so I've always wanted to create a BE@RBRICK. Therefore, I was delighted when I received the offer.

The idea for this design came from Hirakawa-kun at Amplifier. The design itself is a doodle I drew at home about ten years ago, trying to make "BT-MM" look like a character. And it was the very first one I drew. I thought I should draw it more deliberately since it was intended for merchandise, but no matter how many times I tried, it just didn't work out. I wasn't satisfied with it. The expression, the shape. In the end, the first attempt was the best, so I've been using it ever since.

I didn't have much input during the production of this BE@RBRICK, but I'm very pleased with the final result; the guitar's size and balance are just right. Once it's completed, I plan to display it in my studio in the basement of my home. If this is well-received, I hope they'll consider a second and third release.

However, BE@RBRICKs have also evolved over time. At the recent exhibition(held from December 4-9, 2021, in Omotesando, Tokyo)"BE@RBRICK WORLD WIDE TOUR 3"I saw one that wasn't a bear but shaped like the "Winged Victory of Samothrace" (an ancient Greek marble sculpture discovered on the island of Samothrace in 1863). I thought it was really cool.

BUCK-TICK, who have released 22 original albums and 40 singles, will celebrate their 35th major debut anniversary in September 2022 with their original lineup intact. On September 21st (Wed.), they will release two albums simultaneously: "CATALOGUE THE BEST 35th anniv.," a five-disc concept best album that deconstructs and re-compiles works released over 35 years, and the live Blu-ray & DVD "Mise-mono Goya ga Kurete Kara ~SHOW AFTER DARK~ in Budokan." On September 23rd (Fri., holiday) and 24th (Sat.), they will hold the special live performance "BUCK-TICK 2022 "THE PARADE" ~35th anniversary~" at Yokohama Arena to mark the start of their 35th anniversary.

We've received many messages from fans saying they can't attend the live shows. We also felt frustrated that we couldn't perform for everyone who wanted to see us. But now that the global situation is gradually improving, I hope you'll look forward to the 35th-anniversary live performance at Yokohama Arena.

Debut 35th Anniversary LIVE
[BUCK-TICK 2022 "THE PARADE" ~35th anniversary~]
@ Yokohama Arena
BUCK-TICK 2022 "THE PARADE" ~35th anniversary~ FLY SIDE
September 23, 2022 (Fri., holiday)
OPEN 17:00 START 18:00
BUCK-TICK 2022 "THE PARADE" ~35th anniversary~ HIGH SIDE
September 24, 2022 (Sat.)
OPEN 16:00 START 17:00
https://buck-tick.com/feature/specialsite_2022parade

BE@RBRICK BUCK-TICK Hisashi Imai 100% & 400% / 1000%
Produced by Rentaro Hirakawa
Supervised by Hisashi Imai
Size: Approx. 70mm / 280mm / 700mm each
Release Date: Scheduled for release and shipping in October 2022
Price: [100% & 400%] ¥15,180 (incl. tax) / [1000%] ¥63,800 (incl. tax)
How to Purchase: Pre-orders will be accepted exclusively at MCT TOKYO from Friday, June 24, 2022, 00:00 to Monday, July 18, 2022, 23:59.https://mct.tokyo/
*For details, please visit the official MEDICOM TOY website.
*The product shown is a sample under supervision. The actual product may differ slightly.
©️BANKER L.T.D
BE@RBRICK TM & ©️ 2001-2022 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.

Hisashi Imai Photo T-shirt
Amplifier "Hisashi Imai" TEE design G
The photo T-shirt "Amplifier "Hisashi Imai" TEE design G" is scheduled for release on October 21st, Hisashi Imai's birthday. The "BE@RBRICK BUCK-TICK Hisashi Imai 100% & 400% / 1000%" is also scheduled for release and shipping in October. As both are made-to-order items, those who wish to secure them should place their orders within the specified period.
Produced by Rentaro Hirakawa
Photo by SHIBATA ERI
Supervised by Hisashi Imai
Colors: White, Black
Sizes: S, M, L, XL
Release Date: Scheduled for release on October 21, 2022
Price: ¥6,930 (incl. tax) each
How to Purchase: Pre-orders will be accepted at each of MEDICOM TOY's online stores from Friday, June 24, 2022, 17:00 to Sunday, July 31, 2022, 23:59.
©️BANKER L.T.D
©️SHIBATA ERI