BE@RBRICKs of Aina The End and Chihiro Senzoku from BiSH, the "punk band without instruments," are now available. To commemorate their release, we conducted an email interview with Junnosuke Watanabe, Representative Director of WACK, the agency they belong to. He spoke broadly about his thoughts on figures and BE@RBRICKs, his love for fashion, and his own brand.

Formed in March 2015, BiSH gained attention for their emotional live performances as a "punk band without instruments," successfully holding solo concerts at Yokohama Arena and Makuhari Messe.

On December 24th last year, they held their first live performance with an audience in 332 days, "REBOOT BiSH," at Yoyogi National Gymnasium. This May, they kicked off their first co-headlining tour, "BiSH’S 5G are MAKiNG LOVE TOUR," featuring an impressive lineup of 12 artists including 9mm Parabellum Bullet, Sambomaster, NOT WONK, Domico, Yabai T-Shirts Yasan, Dragon Ash, Gesu no Kiwami Otome., Kishidan, Maximum the Hormone, Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, Creepy Nuts, and 04 Limited Sazabys, continuing their remarkable ascent.

Now, Aina The End and Chihiro Senzoku from BiSH are immortalized as BE@RBRICK 100% & 400% figures.

Due to the pandemic, their originally planned single release was changed to their major 3.5th album "LETTERS," released on July 22, 2020, featuring 7 tracks. The design, inspired by the costumes from this album, is sure to be a coveted item for "Seisoin" (the fan nickname for BiSH fans).

To commemorate this release, we conducted an email interview with Junnosuke Watanabe, Representative Director of WACK, the agency they belong to.
Watanabe, who also produces and writes lyrics, and runs his own fashion brand, discusses why he wanted to turn BiSH into BE@RBRICKs and his cultural background since childhood.

— First, could you tell us about your history with figures? Are there any that hold special memories or that you still cherish?

WatanabeI was completely obsessed with the STAR WARS EPISODE I bottle caps when I was in middle school. Back then, you could tell which ones were rare, so I went from one convenience store to another, walking for miles. I was heartbroken because I could never get the collection stage.
Also, I played with Kamen Rider and Ultraman figures since I was little, and I think I still have Evangelion figures sleeping at my parents' house.

— In a documentary I saw previously, a BE@RBRICK of the Sex Pistols' (Note 1) "Never Mind the Bollocks" was displayed in your office. Is that your personal item? Could you tell us about your encounter with and impressions of BE@RBRICK?

WatanabeThe Pistols BE@RBRICK is mine. I loved OriginalFake's (Note 2) work back then, and now I'm buying things I couldn't afford because they were too expensive or rare... (laughs)

(Note 1)
An iconic group representing the punk movement that emerged in London in the late 1970s. Following their singles "Anarchy In the U.K." and "God Save the Queen," they released their only original album "Never Mind the Bollocks, Here's the Sex Pistols" in October 1977. Vocalist Johnny Rotten left the band during their first US tour on January 14, 1978, effectively leading to their breakup.
(Note 2)
A streetwear fashion brand born from a collaboration between New York-based graphic artist KAWS and Japanese toy maker MEDICOM TOY. Their first flagship store opened in Minami-Aoyama in May 2006. The brand concluded in 2013.

— In March 2017, the BE@RBRICK edition of BiSH's major second single "Promise the Star" was released. It was a high-priced item at 15,000 yen, but what was the concept behind it? Please also tell us about the reception after its release.

WatanabeI owned the CD with figures from THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS and BRAHMAN, which they did with Medicom Toy (Note 3), and I always thought that if I ever joined a record company, I would definitely do something like that. So, it was very emotional to be able to release a product with a BE@RBRICK at that time. It still trades at a premium today, which brings back memories.

(Note 3)
In 1999, "deep \ arrival time" (7-inch single with figure) by BRAHMAN was released, and in 2004, "SCARY -Delete streamin' freq. from fear side-" (CD single with POCHI-CAR assembly kit) by THE MAD CAPSULE MARKETS was released. In both cases, MEDICOM TOY produced the figures, and they were released as limited editions in special blister packaging.

— This time, BE@RBRICKs of Aina The End and Chihiro Senzoku wearing the costumes from BiSH's major 3.5th album "LETTERS" are being released. What details did you focus on during production, and what are your impressions of the finished products?

WatanabeI'm happy to have another opportunity to create BE@RBRICKs. It's not just that my products are becoming BE@RBRICKs, but I also paid close attention to the packaging, using photos of the costume materials.

— Besides BE@RBRICKs, are there any other memorable or desired products from Medicom Toy?

WatanabeI have the "Clockwork Orange" rocking machine displayed in my apparel shop "MULTiPLE MANiACS," and it's one of my favorites.
I couldn't afford them back then, but when I visited Medicom Toy, I saw the KAWS 1000% BE@RBRICKs for the first time and thought, "I want one!"

— Moving on, could you tell us about the appeal of punk culture, which is inseparable from WACK's various activities? Who has had the most influence on you? And what is the appeal of the fashion worn by WACK artists and that you often wear yourself?

WatanabeWithout a doubt, the person who influenced me the most is Malcolm McLaren (Note 4). Reading various texts, his strategies of turning scandals into promotions were truly inspiring.
I strongly wanted to wear things that were associated with my idols, the Sex Pistols... Their creativity, which remains timeless, is truly admirable.

(Note 4)
In 1971, he opened the boutique "Let It Rock" in London with Vivienne Westwood. After managing the band New York Dolls, who greatly influenced him during his time in the US, he brought Sex Pistols to the world, achieving great success with their radical and anti-establishment image strategy.

— Given your generation, were Japanese streetwear fashion brands from the 90s also a significant influence?

WatanabeNIGO®'s influence is indeed immense. I used to follow everything NIGO® created, seeing it in magazines and thinking, "That's so cool."
The UNKLE artwork was also incredibly stylish.

— You produced the five-member group BILLIE IDLE®, with the concept of "NOT IDOL," in collaboration with NIGO® (formed in 2015, activities suspended in 2019). How was that experience?

WatanabeI was thrilled when NIGO® approached me. Essentially, I had only been outputting what I had absorbed, so being recognized by NIGO® for my work made me happy, confirming that I wasn't mistaken.
The fashion brands of the 90s truly form the foundation of my culture.

— You yourself launched your fashion brand "NEGLECT ADULT PATiENTS" in 2018, where you serve as Creative Director. What prompted you to start a fashion brand, what have you realized since starting it, and what are the joys of directing?

WatanabeOf course, Malcolm McLaren's work was a primary reason, but I believe music and fashion are inseparable. Within that context, I had always wanted to pursue fashion myself someday.
Currently, we release collections each season, but I was surprised by the incredibly tight schedule.
Being able to direct the clothes I want to wear myself is the greatest joy.

— Please tell us about the theme and main items of the "NEGLECT ADULT PATiENTS" 21AW CAMP RAVE PARTiES COLLECTiON, which was recently announced.

WatanabeThis time, I was inspired by illegal rave parties. I focused on the secret parties of the past, and also incorporated the regrets of events deemed non-essential during the pandemic.
The main items are a glossy jacket with digital camouflage and hand-drawn checks by "face."

— You've realized numerous collaborations with companies (e.g., "WACK" with Tower Records, WEGO, GU; "NEGLECT ADULT PATiENTS" with GR8, DIESEL). What do you find interesting about these collaborations?

WatanabeThinking about the collaboration partner allows me to imagine different creative possibilities, which I find very appealing. It's also great that collaborations allow us to reach audiences we couldn't reach individually.
I'd like to do more collaborations with overseas brands in the future.

— Returning to Medicom Toy, are there any collaboration projects you'd like to pursue with them in the future?

WatanabeLike the "Clockwork Orange" rocking machine I mentioned earlier, I'd like to do a collaboration that blends reality and fiction, perhaps incorporating elements from our music videos or lyrics.

— Finally, could you share a message for BE@RBRICK, which was born in 2001 and celebrates its 20th anniversary this year?

WatanabeEven though my company is only in its seventh year, it feels like we've been around for a long time. It's truly remarkable that Medicom Toy, and especially BE@RBRICK, has been a beloved content for 20 years, transcending generations.
I hope you continue to create wonderful BE@RBRICKs.

BE@RBRICK 100% & 400% Aina The End
BE@RBRICK 100% & 400% Chihiro Senzoku
Size: Approx. 70mm (100%) | Approx. 280mm (400%) each.
Price: ¥19,800 (tax included) each
Release Date: Scheduled for May 2021
Retailers: Medicom Toy direct stores and online shops, Seibu Shibuya Store

*This is a limited edition product. Sales will end once stock is depleted.
© WACK, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
BE@RBRICK TM & © 2001-2021 MEDICOM TOY CORPORATION. All rights reserved.