Interview with MelonBatake a go go

Believe it or not, idols don’t just come from Japan. Some of them come from outer space! Since their arrival on planet Earth in 2016, superhero sidekick idol group MelonBatake a go go have been entertaining Earthlings with their unique psychobilly, surf rock, schlock-horror mash-up songs and wacky live antics.

A recent line-up change saw MelonBatake a go go boosted by the addition of Tomoyo Chiyo and Amino Coromi from sister group The Grateful a MogAAAz, who double up as members of both groups at the same time. Around the middle of 2020, just before the release of their latest mini-album to IDOLS to US to YOU, we had the chance to ask MelonBatake a go go some questions about the release and to get to know the new members.


For our readers who might not be familiar with MelonBatake a go go, could you please explain your mission as rockabilly superhero side-kick idols from outer space?

MelonBatake a go go: It’s difficult to disclose our mission to the public, but the answer can be found through our music. We foresee a future in which we are a part of everyone’s lives. In addition to Nakamura, Run, and Yuffie, who have come from outer space, the relationship with the two new Earthlings, Chiyo and Amicoro, has become closer. We hope you’ll look forward to our new developments.

You perform as masked superheroes onstage, but if you could have a super power in real life, which one would you choose?

Nakamura Soze: The super power to be able to live underwater (because I love water).

Rutakame Run: Invisibility (maybe I would become an informant).

Sakimura Yuffie: The ability to teleport to my favorite places or to see my favorite people. The ability to not irresponsibly forget what I, and others have said, or the ability to instantly be reminded of such remarks.

Tomoyo Chiyo: Super strength! And immortality! I’ll be able to be an idol forever! (laughs)

Amino Coromi: The ability to stop time, and to create a super assistant person so that I will have more free time to see people, get massages, and handle the cleaning.

In the music video for Kaizoku Queen Amazones from your mini-album to IDOLS to US to YOU, you swap your hero masks for pirate eyepatches. What was the inspiration behind this song and MV?

MelonBatake a go go: We are able to take the form of protagonists of various stories. We enjoy seeing the expressions of Earthlings who are perplexed by the costumes that are made to show both the friendships and distinct characteristics of each member. Sometimes we are heroes, sometimes pirates, sometimes vampires…


Your last single, FINAL GAME ~Idol of Phantasm~, had some interesting changes to your sound and look. Did you try anything new on to IDOLS to US to YOU?

MelonBatake a go go: We used our time in the voluntary self-quarantine period as a chance to brush up on our knowledge of Earthlings. We think that this time, the songs are designed to more closely resemble both the looks and sound of Earthlings. However, if you listen through the album in its entirety, we think you’ll be able to feel the MelonBatake-ness. It’s a funny story, but Chiyo and Amicoro are very talkative and the aliens are overwhelmed everyday.

Going by the music he creates, your producer Kinoshita Moritaka seems like a colourful character. What is he like to work with?

Amino Coromi: I love Produce Kinoshita’s songs and lyrics. He puts into words emotions that I have lived through and felt but haven’t been able to put into words myself, like “how do I express this emotion in Japanese?”. There are many times that make me go, “Oh, yes, this is what I wanted to say!”. Also, there are lyrics about saying farewells, but that do not leave me with any lonely feelings, and there are also lyrics about happiness that make me feel sad (this is just my interpretation though). Every time I come across these kinds of lyrics, I think “Woah, amazing!”. I’ve also always really respected his character, energy, and the toughness that he shows in everything he is involved with.

Tomoyo Chiyo: He is very kind, and friendly. He takes good care of people once he becomes involved with them. He is knowledgeable and gives us helpful advice when we consult with him.

The music industry has been heavily disrupted by the coronavirus over the past few months. How did you occupy yourselves when you were all shut in at home?

MelonBatake a go go: We learned a lot about Earthlings. Not being able to do live shows was a hard blow for us, but our internet streams have made us widely known to the Earthlings. The future of the entertainment industry is still bleak but we are sharing information every day at our home base so that we can become a leading model to others.

Your live shows have a lot of crazy antics and audience interaction. What was it like performing at Gyuzo Farm Festival on the big stage with all the lights and cameras but without a crowd there?

MelonBatake a go go: The performance at Gyuzo Farm Festival was like a ray of light for us.

Tomoyo Chiyo and Amino Coromi from your sister group The Grateful a MogAAAz joined you as support members in March 2020. What have Chiyo and Coromi brought to the group? Chiyo and Coromi, how do you manage being in two groups at the same time?

Amino Coromi: In regards to being in two groups at once, there are different start dates and times, more songs and choreography to master, and more lessons to take, so I think it’s both physically and mentally impossible for a normal person to do (laughs). I myself wondered if I would be able to do such things, but I worked through it anyway until this day without having much time to think about it. But I want to become famous, and I want more people to know me and our groups, those aspirations keep me moving forward. I can only do these things because I have support from the staff, group members and fans both when I am in MogAAAz and Melon. You only have one life, so I figure it’s okay to have a period of being swayed by the things you love. Right now, I’m devoting this precious period in my life entirely to MelonBatake a go go and The Grateful a MogAAAz. There is great value in that. There is no guarantee that what I can do now can also be done next year, so all I can do is live today to the fullest.

Tomoyo Chiyo: It’s hard, but the experience has helped me grow, and I think that our fans, the members, and our staff all feel the same way. I decided that this is the very last time for me to be an idol. I will do everything that I want to do.


You performed at the Monster of Dolls festival in Italy in 2019 and were due to return again this year. How was performing for an overseas audience, and did you notice any difference in the way the fans reacted compared to your shows in Japan?

MelonBatake a go go: Our overseas GO-GO’s are all super fun. We enjoy seeing the richness of the facial expressions of Earthlings. It was the kind of show where we received more than we gave to the audience. And the foods were very delicious. We got to try flavours and foods that we had never tasted before. And everyone was warm. There is nothing we want more than to somehow give that warmth back to everyone through our live performances. Thank you so much.

Were you surprised to see the amount of international interest in Japanese idols?

MelonBatake a go go: We had heard rumours in outer space but we didn’t expect it was this strong. It’s a huge honour for us to be accepted among the many fascinating international cultures and productions.

Do you have a final word for your fans around the world?

Nakamura Soze: Thank you for always supporting MelonBatake a go go! We will continue moving forward.

Rutakame Run: Thank you always. I look forward to your continued support.

Sakimura Yuffie: Thank you for all your love and interest. I know it’s hard to meet right now, but I’ll always be watching you through SNS. I want to return all the love and energy you have all given me through a live show again. Stay healthy and have a good time. Thank you.

Amino Coromi: I LOVE YOU.

Tomoyo Chiyo: I will keep evolving as an idol. I want to meet you on a grand stage.

Until we meet again!

JaME would like to thank MelonBatake a go go and Chaotic Harmony for making this interview possible.


to IDOLS to US to YOU was released in August, and it is available on digital stores and streaming services now. If you'd like to learn more about the release, you can also check out our review of the mini-album here.