When you get to the point of watching their interviews or documentaries, you’ll see what a magnetic personality Miku has. Musicians are notoriously emotional and to keep the original lineup for 11 years is no mean feat. Remember, this isn’t a manufactured band that started off with “successful”, they were playing TINY live venues and loading in their own gear for YEARS before gaining popularity.

There aren't many rock bands with a five-piece band where the bassist is the first to notice. It's a miracle that they can produce such a harmonious sound with all the members at the forefront. A band without egos, that's BAND-MAID. MIKU-chan's dedication to the band (and of course the other members) is appreciated by all maids fans.

You're doing great. I love it when reactors praising Miku, she don't get as much as she deserves.

Misa is basically a lead bassist. They started out with one guitar, and one vocalist, and decided to add another vocalist and another guitar, so Miku learned to play rhythm guitar on the job. While she was learning, Misa had to kind of pick up the slack, so they’ve developed a really cool sound as part of their superhero origin story. I think this also forced Kanami to compose with some interesting constraints, and that helped her grow as well.

As many of us Maidiacs have said for years, separately they are all amazing, together they are magic

If you've played in a band even once, you can understand whether it's difficult to play tight like them.

Miku is the public face of Band-Maid. If you watch the MV for "Manners" (spoiler: great song) you will see that in full display with the way they frame it. She's a natural born entertainer. Both her and lead singer Saiki ooze charisma, but they're completely different in vibe. Saiki commands the stage while the music is playing. Once it stops, Miku is in charge. It's totally seamless and it took me a long while to really notice that. They seem to all be happy to play to their strengths for what's best for the band.

Long ago, I read a comment that claimed that there is a subculture of "shut-ins" in Japan. Young people who have withdrawn from society completely. They play with dolls to help soothe their intense discomfort with the real world. Band Maid says "Take a chance on living...Roll the dice...Take off your blindfolds." The gingko leaves you see in the video have deep cultural significance in Japan. The gingko tree can live up to a thousand years and was known to survive the b*mbing of Hiroshima. This makes it a symbol of longevity and endurance...of hope and strength. As you stated, nothing in the video is placed purely by chance. Band Maid is always building self confidence ! 😁🇯🇵🕊️

Miku is a force of nature.....our little "pigeon" is the reason we get to enjoy Band Maid....her genius, although slightly different than the others is no less important.....founder. lyricist, and 24 hr ball of energy...the drive and dedication to LEARN to play guitar, not at her leisure, but on stage....where all can see should she fail....I can't imagine that kind of pressure frankly....yet....Miku feeds on it...her steady driving rythm is also the reason Kanami, Misa and Akane have the freedom to be featured throughout their music, without the music suffering.....her vision, is our delight

I love the fact that every band member is equally important, no egos, just a mutual desire to make the best song possible, every time!

Even though this song was not my first BAND-MAID song, it made me fall in love with this band. After that, 95% of what I hear has been BAND-MAID songs for more than 6 six years.

Miku is the epitome of life and energy. Her commitment to the tasks before her, the drive to succeed, I wish I had half of that. She, to me, is the most intriguing member of this band. There is a set of documentaries on YT, by the talented Onrenji; Saiki, Kanami, MISA, and Akane have an episode each, but Miku's is 3 episodes. There recently has been updated versions for Saiki and Kanami. With these videos and the plethora of interviews over that last 10+ years, you really do get to know the ladies.

Another thoughtful reaction. There was a brief moment shortly before the MV of Thrill gained traction online when it looked like B-M would end before it properly began as the record company was ready to switch plans. They actually wanted Miku and Saiki to stay on and become a kind of singing pop duo. Saiki remarked that the prospect of her dream ending is the only time she ever saw Miku cry. She wasn't interested in just having a music career or even being centre stage musically. She just wanted to be in a kick arse rock band and was prepared to do whatever was needed to make it happen. Dynamite comes in small packages, as they say. Nice to see one of the good guys winning in the end. It's not something that only happens in the movies.

Thanks for the reaction and comments. All members are prominent and equally important. It's synergistic perfection. Cheers!

This pigeon is not ordinary, she has strong executive power, business acumen and interpersonal skills.

Miku, the rhythm guitarist is the main lyricist.

Your point about the synthetic (not artificial, but artfully crafted together) sound is a great one. Much of it is due to Kanami being an amazing composer, but it's also due to the entire band understanding that the point is to work as a unit to make the best music they can (as others have said below, they set their egos aside for the benefit of the music). Sure, they get to show off individually in solos, but it's in service to the song... and here's a challenge... when any of them has a solo, listen to what the others are doing... in most bands, during a solo it's time to "get out of the way." Band-Maid is very different, as the other musicians might seem to fade back a bit, but in reality, they're playing parts that augment the solo. A perfect example is in the Yokohama version of Hate, the part you perceive as the "base vs. guitar battle" ... throughout that, Akane is playing this elaborate pattern on the drums that enhances the duel... and then at the climax, Miku comes in and adds volume and power to the crescendo. Then during Kanami's guitar solo, Misa hasn't stopped at all, her bass pattern is really intricate supporting the solo... and when Kanami reaches the climax of that solo, Saiki comes in before she's done, so that there's a powerful overlap. This sort of composition is what great bands do. Well said.

"so in tune with one another", they have a unique composition method. Kanami writes the song with all the parts then hands the demo off to the members to flesh out and arrange. Reportedly Kanami is stunningly unselfish and okays whatever changes the members want. Saiki is the arbiter of taste and determines what is good or bad. Kobato writes the lyrics (after the song is finished) and collaborates with Saiki on arrangement. (these comments are based on reading far too many band interviews) Thanks for the reaction!

Another absolute masterpiece by Kanami !!!!! Performed perfectly !!!!!!

Was just a fan when they announced their US tour in 2023. Then, I came across the set of documentaries created by Ohrenje on KZfaq and instantly had so much respect for these ladies....especially Miku and her determimation

You are so right. I previously played guitar and now play drums and I can tell you these ladies make those transitions look so easy, when in fact they are real buggers to achieve so smoothly, especially as a group. Yes, Misa (Bass). she is a force to be reckoned with and you will gradually get to know her character and her playing style. Kanami (Lead guitar), composes all the band parts before getting suggestions from the band members, except for the bass, where generally, Misa is left to do what ever she likes.

Candy or the whip . I think you might like their song Blooming.

Mike has a will so strong it can bend reality! It can take the intangible idea of a band from her mind and forge it with her iron will into a tangible one with 5 outstanding members performing on many stages!

You are really nailing the messages of the song, is for the young generation in Japan that is living in the comfort zone of the parents and don't struggle to live their own life, but you can apply as a universal message.

MISA MISA MISA!!!!! I must have watched this MV about 50-60 times and have never noticed the mask underneath the blindfold THANK YOU!

This miraculous band could not have been formed without Miku. I will always bow down to her greatness.

Thanks for the video. Your senses are spot on. Their characteristics are that they do not repeat the first and second verses in the same composition, they have a smooth bridge, they have two different melody lines, and the harmony of each performance is very good. It's fun to feel it on the instrumental "on set" and "FROM NOW ON", and it's amazing how hard instrumentals are fused with catchy vocals on "sense", "Shambles", "Manners" and "Different". Their list is huge, over 100 songs, but you're sure to find the best inspiration. Good luck on your journey.

Of course Kanami (lead guitar ) can play , she is the best female ( or may be not only female ) guitar player in the world!!! And Band Maid is the best hard rock band in the world for the last 10 years!!! Thanks for your reaction.

Dice is just quintessential, hard rock Band-Maid at its finest. Thx, Johnny!🤘😉

日本では「賽は投げられた」という慣用句があります。「すでに事は始まっている」という意味です。

Another couple of fun facts about Miku that may help you understand her lyrics, Miku is a very good Poker player , she was runner up in a Tokyo Open Poker tournament a couple of years ago. She is also a huge horse racing fan and used to go to events every week, Saiki would also go with her but only bet on big races. I also gather that Miku was an early crypto investor so all in all Miku is one for taking chances but seems to be very astute as well.

I've just watched your 3 BAND-MAID videos and I am very much enjoying your interesting, thoughtful and introspective comments. Your honesty is refreshing and you're very perceptive. Welcome to the world of the Maidiacs. 🤘✌

song gives me 70s/80s hard rock & early noughties pop metal vibes and I'm here for it! dbl ♥ BTW - most videos offer english subtitles (click the CC button on lower right hand side)

Johnny, it’S great to see how your addiction is growing!!Please react to the instrumental From Now On official video. I guarantee that it will leave you speechless.

The rhythm section of Band-Maid (MISA on bass and Akane on drums) do provide the usual scaffolding for the two guitars and vocals to build on but they always have moments to shine individually. This is down to Kanami's complex song composition skill as her method is to write the music and then give the score to all the other band members so that they can arrange their own contributions to the song as they see fit. Then Kanami takes their contributions and reworks the song accordingly. She likes to constantly challenge all the musicians and she took it to the extreme with Akane in the song BLACK HOLE, which has a beat throughout that is Punk/Speed Metal fast but also has a 220BPM outro that Akane labelled "Hell". It's on their channel as a double bill with the majestic MANNERS, from a live but audienceless gig they streamed during the plague years when they couldn't tour. There's a nice version of DICE from their 1 hour Lollopalooza Festival set last year where Akane keeps the beat going at the end to segue straight into HATE?. It's not on their channel but is available to react to on YT with no problems, as is the whole 1 hour set too! Just search "Band-Maid Lollopalooza" or "Band-Maid Dice/Hate" if you want to see it....or, he hinted heavily, as a treat for you and us to, say, celebrate your first 1k subscribers! 😉😂🤘

No ego. Song comes first. Every time.

3:26 ‘’I don’t know what you call”. Of course It’s Called BAND-MAID😊😂😂😂🍷🔥🤟👍 and thanks for reading

For me, Blooming is their ultimate composition. Manners is a terrific traditional rock song. Shambles, Different, and Glory are fantastic anime tunes. From Now On and Onset are inspirational instrumentals. Gion Cho is incredibly underrated beauty of a song. Acoustic versions of Sayonakidori and Catharsis are elegant and sophisticated.

Brilliant! Dice was the song that got me hooked. I’ve been listening to them every day since 2020 after foolishly ignoring them for a good couple of years because of how they dress. And Speaking of Miku, wait till you see one of her Omajinai Time. I really hope they come to the UK soon so I can wallow in their Greatness.

Where other bands have two guitars and a bass, Band-Maid has three guitars, one of which is a bass. Different division of labor.

They are at the pinnacle of J-POP female bands. It’s almost incomprehensible how this became possible. The way they came together is full of coincidences, but everything started when Miku chose Kanami, setting off a chain reaction. However, Saiki was chosen as the vocalist simply because she happened to be at the agency, adding yet another layer of luck. These truly seem like miracles to me.

My first song and still a favorite! The bass in the beginning is what got me. It was just so cool and hooked me hard! Then I had to hear more. The bass is more popular in Japanese music I've found, but they makes sure bass is prominent.

Your impression is amazingly spot on. Great reaction. Your spot on about Miku also. This has a live version to it if you want to compare studio vs live performances

Great reaction Johnny! Miku is the main lyricist, she is often poetic which makes the translation and interpretation of the original Japanese more difficult. Lyricists usually write from their personal experience, thus I interpret the blindfolded girl to be Miku.

I don’t know if I’d say Miku isn’t as strong of a singer. They brought Saiki on because Miku’s voice wasn’t that well suited to hard rock. But they have different strengths. Miku has a larger range, and will do high and low harmonies, and will also just do weirder stuff with her voice. She’s really versatile. There are times when Saiki will throw on a weird affect, and it falls flat for me. e.g. At the beginning of Rinne. But she can sing a lot of styles and has inhuman breath control, and is really great at percussive vocals. I think versatility is kind of the secret sauce of the band. They’re not just a tight band that can play well together, in their designated roles, but they’re a fluid band, where the roles can shift around at any moment. Sometimes Kanami will play rhythm and Misa plays lead. There’s a spot in Warning where Akane plays the melody on her toms. You never know what you’re going to get, and it makes them so fun to listen to.

I like how they take a little from each genera of music. A little punk,little hard rock,little, a little bit of everything.

My interpretation of the lyrics: the girl wants to stay young and avoid being an adult, having to make choices, etc. Eventually you have to roll the dice and get on with it. Mask comes off and she steps into a light where she can’t see what’s ahead. One of Miku’s best songs, IMO, is Puzzle.

You are spot on about Miku. She's the most adorable force of nature on the planet! If you would like to see her take center stage and really show her stuff, check out the acoustic version of Sayonakidori. She NAILS IT! Thanks again for another great reaction. Life is better with BAND-MAID!! 🤘🤩🤘

Great observation regarding the individual players weaving together to create a great song. Their songwriting and arranging is unmatched in my opinion. Their compositions are just that. Compositions - their parts interweave and create a living breathing song. Some of these parts don't sound like anything if played alone - but put them all together and you have Maid Magic!🪄

My 1st Band Maid song.

Roll the 🎲 *DICE* 🎲 on BAND-MAID and be a winner all the time _winner winner chicken dinner!!!_ *Seize the moment! BAND-MAID* In the beginning there was a small pigeon 🐦 who met a guitarist 🎸 who played with a drummer 🥁 who went to school with the bassist 🎸 and then tricked the singer 🎤 to join the band then the small pigeon 🐦 asks the guitarist 🎸 please teach me how to play the guitar 🎸. The Story Continues.

When you spoke about rolling the dice, or taking a chance, it really resonated with me. I had the opportunity to go to Japan as I was invited by some Japanese volleyball coaches. They liked my style of coaching and asked me if I’d like to come to the National Institute of Sport and Fitness as a guest coach. I was quite young, early on in my teaching and coaching career and like you said, scared and uneasy about stepping out of my comfort zone. I can honestly say it is one of the very few regrets I have in my life!

I think the lyrics go "candy or stick" which is equivalent to "carrots and sticks" in English.

Tip: if you want to stop/go back/forward to an exact spot, just pause and then use the "" keys between the "M" and "?" mark keys to go frame by frame. (You don't need to hit shift, btw.) Regarding the Blindfold- I don't think it's a covering up of sight, so much as a means to hold the face mask on, completing the disguise, yet allowing vision. The camera zooms in to clearly show her eyes opening to look the camera through the see-though lace. (pause at 3:01-3:02) It strikes me as a bit too complicated to have a supposed blindfold comprised of a mask with eye cut outs and a see through lace Domino on top, being used as method to prevent seeing.

MISA!!! MISA!!! MISA!!! 🥃🥃🥃🤙🏽

Top tier Band Maid here. I suggest these BM songs: Thrill, Bubble, Blooming, Influencer, No God (live) & Puzzle (live) I'd also suggest another all female rock band from Mexico: The Warning! Both bands are big fans of each other I suggest these TW songs: Money, Sick, Automatic Sun, Enter Sandman (official video with Alessia Cara), Evolve (live VMAs) & Dust To Dust (live Teatro)

Kanami composes music for the band as an ensemble, she hands off the drum and bass part writing to Akane and Misa once she identifies the parts that are needed and how those need to fit into the song composition. Kanami composes incorporating all the member's strengths and since she is also Miku's guitar teacher, she also constantly stretches Miku's guitar and vocal capabilities. Kanami always has that Goldilocks quality of including exactly the right amount of everything. The combination of composition and technical skills really sets this band apart from almost any other rock band.

Johnny, your interpretation of the song is pretty much right. The song is about break out from your sheltered space and breaking out of your shell and going out into the world. Taking chance. Roll the dice. The light was dark before and now she is bathed in light. Step out into the world. By the way, Miku (Rhy g) writes all the lyrics. She is a lyrical genius. And she literally formed the band.

To fully appreciate Miku, you should watch a Omajinai (Magic Spell Time) video. There are several fan videos from their US tour. A natural born entertainer, po!! There are also several songs that Miku is the lead singer on that the band plays to give Saiki a rest during a live show. Some of these songs are Time, Rock in Me and Sayonakidori.

You did a very good job of figuring out the gist of the song. Keep at it.

Watch this again with closed captions on. Miku (rhythm guitar and founder) writes the lyrics. There's also an alter ego called Band Maiko you should see. Try INFLUENCER

11:52 Such is the way of the Pigeon. 810 years and still thriving. 🕊️

Nice choice! This MV does have English subtitles (CC). And yes, Miku is a persistent little genius. Great reaction!

Hi Johnny, I just wanted to send you a quick message of support, don't worry if you don't post every other day, I for one and I'm sure everyone else are more concerned with your health, we will all still be here when you've recovered mate. all the best and go well. 😁

You sound ready for the Band Maid documentary

I don’t know if Miku has an ego, but if so, she set it aside, to realize her dream, she knew the band needed a 5th element. Enter Saiki, the perfect fit for the perfect band. Miku is the under rated genius.

Loved it mate, 😁

Band-maid defies explanation from mere mortals....po🕊

Great reaction Johnny Boy!

As far as Miku goes, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

MISA always plays Lead Bass! But always playing tastfully to searve the song. She's no Noodle Meister, like Fami of LOVEBITES. And theirs a reason why BAND-MAID's songs are so complete. Kanami writes and demo's the song before Akane & Akane ever get it. But both of them were classically trained at the Tokyo School Of Music. Miku didn't even play guitar until Kanami showed her how. In the first videos she's just holding the guitar as a prop. So for the recordings Kanami plays both parts. It's just quicker and cheaper. Then she teaches it to Miku for the videos and LIVE performances.

Try Band Maiko’s Gion Cho and/or Secret Maiko Lips for a different side of these marvellous ladies. Then the acoustic Sayonakidori to experience Miku’s singing skills.

This song and video - perfection! 😎🤩🤘🏻

John please can you tell me what your intro music is ,,great reaction again,quite simply no bad songs from BM ,they always hit the sweet spot.

IMO, they could have titled this song "Awakening."

What you are referring to is the "Hikikomori."

You relate to a middle aged man :) aka pigeon PO!

🤘🤘

👍😁😁🥰🤘🤗🕊👀

I don’t think anyone got the meaning of this song on the first take ! Great job

Band Maid song lyrics, like those of most Japanese female bands, have themes of being positive, doing your best, don’t sit around complaining or being negative, etc. Even Hate? Is positive! Saiki really positively hates the song’s target!!

You should watch there live they’re more amazing I think better live

The imagery in this one is a bit hard for me, kinda makes me a bit sad. Young girl, blind folded and masked from the world, playing with her doll, so innocent, then the blind fold is removed and she walks away in shoes way too big for her, away from her innocent childhood into... well we all know what this world is like. At least that is what I see in it.

こんにちは

They didn't put a foot wrong until they met Visconti. In my humble opinion. Talented beyond belief but I preferred the pop-punk. Musos drool over Kanami san for good reason.