Part 2 of our BABYMETAL costume discussion with AJ, Maggie, and Prof. Aly Amidei.

If you like this channel, please consider supporting me through Patreon: / ajhartley

[@brandonmagee7262]

This was a fascinating series of videos. Of course, I knew that there was a lot of effort that went along with the costuming (as with everything in the Babymetal universe). But, some of the elements that were brought up within these videos simply took me aback. I think one thing not mentioned directly is that even during the tutu era, the tutus kept getting elongated. It makes perfect sense that the costumer(s) were thinking ahead to when it would become more of a dress/long skirt. But, I'm not mad that the tutus are gone. I think the current looks are much more fitting for the band then continuing down the same path. As always, everything the Babymetal team does is with a lot of effort and forethought. It's what makes the whole band so interesting.

[@Wombatmetal]

When I sat down to watch the first video in this series, I was like "how can you talk costumes for an hour?" But I watched the whole thing and it was fascinating, and couldn't wait for this one. It didn't dissappoint. Never saw AJ so quiet.

[@AndrewHartley]

One of the things about being an academic is that you learn to defer to people who know more than you do :)

[@rickwagner-]

⚡ 💀 💕 Very, very cool. Thanks so much Maggie, Prof. AJ and Prof. Aly Amidei. Still think it's kind of funny that Tokyo Dome Red Night had gold costumes, and Black Night had red costumes. This also carried over the color themes of the first two albums, which were performed (with mixed setlists) at those two shows. Gamou Ujisato was the daimyō known for his helmet with the swallowtail motif. That's the closest I've seen to the BABYMETAL version. There are also some dragonfly motifs that are kind of similar.

[@autohmae]

And they got it wrong in the video at 5:40 as well 🙂

[@dingjk5630]

Can't imagine how long you've been preparing for these two hours of discussion. Thanks you all so much!

[@HEAD123456]

Those videos needs to have milions of views. All babymetal fans should watch them! Super interesting.

[@PlasticAfro]

One observation about the feathers in the hair they sported in the Dark chapter, the silhouette the head creates mimics the eclipsed sun icon. Or at least I thought it did hehe

[@AndrewHartley]

Good read.

[@glenkelley6799]

Thank you, Andrew, Aggie and Aly, this series has been fascinating. The amount of time and effort that the Babymetal team puts into just the costumes along is amazing, this is more like a Shakespeare play changes all the costumes every day.

[@road-runner]

I really enjoyed this one, thank you professor. And thanks to Maggie, and Prof. Aly Amidei for sharing their knowledge and expertise. My fashion knowledge is very limited (if not null), so the pointy helmets remind me of Cell from Dragon Ball :) And, by the way, the inner annulus (where the band was) of the Tokyo Dome stage actually rotates. While the inner circle (were the lift was) is fixed. Pastels??? 🤣

[@lencooke944]

I'm late to the party, I know, but I had to work today so had to wait until I got home to watch the second installment. I have to say, I am not disappointed. In fact, I feel this installment was better than the first, and I liked that a lot. Babymetal have often been praised for their onstage performances but there are other elements to every performance that have, until now, been largely neglected. Costuming has always been part of live performance, in all cultures and throughout recorded time. It has taken these last two videos to help me understand the brilliance of the Babymetal team in costume design. Maggie and Aly were engaging and informative in their analysis of Babymetal costuming and provided in-depth discussion on the complexities involved. I particularly liked Maggie's personal experience input on how hard the costumes are to sew/craft. I admire her skills at that. This discussion also opened my eyes to a sub-genre of Cosplay dedicated to Babymetal. I am going to have to search this to see how fans have interpreted various Babymetal styles into Cosplay. I concur with Aly when she said that some of Babymetal's costumes are Thai inspired. My wife and I travelled to Thailand on several occasions and I agree with Aly's description that some of the Babymetal head-pieces reviewed have Thai influences. However, I would add Khmer, Myanmar and Laotian influences to this. These head-pieces are often known in Thai as 'Chada', or in older terms known as 'Mongut' (after King Mongut, from the early 1800s 'til around 1870). Both words can be loosely interpreted to mean 'Crown'. Much of Babymetal's costume styling of late has Thai, Roman, and broader Asian influences; and of course, Japanese styling. Mosh Ok A.J., I am always looking for a good segue, so here goes. I was particularly interested in how often the word ritual or ritualistic was mentioned in the second costumes video. Babymetal has become synonymous with the #notacult tag. Whether this is justified or not I really don't know. Much of the 'jumping on the bandwagon' for this can attributed to Reactors parroting other Reactors whilst watching the Legend 1997 performance of Babymetal Death. I can understand this, as I too was blown away when I first saw this performance. Fast forward 18 months or so from the first time I heard BM Death and I was today reading your novel 'Cold Bath Street' where you wrote about Gez Simpson telling (the then living) Preston Oldcorn about the ritual and the possession you need to summon the Bannister Doll. The ritual you described made me think of another Japanese ritualistic game involving Oni, hiding, teens and horror. It was like the final Tetris falling into place I need to do some research before I say more. I have to re-watch a couple of your walkthroughs and do some outside searches (this thought process was new to me today). However, your Bannister Doll has smashed me in the face, so I wonder if you already know the ritualistic game I am thinking of? I will look into it a bit more and let you know if I find anything interesting. If I find anything worthwhile I will comment on your 'Catch Me If You Can' walk through video so as not to clutter the comments here. Anyway, back to the costumes video ... I loved both installments. It is refreshing to see people having coherent, informative, interesting and entertaining discussions about subjects that others either don't notice or don't have the skills to dissect. Congratulations and thanks to yourself, Aly and Maggie for a fantastic addition to the online Babymetal experience. Oh, and by the way, I would buy you a coffee if you had the App.

[@AndrewHartley]

Interesting. Thanks. Are you thinking Bloody Mary or similar urban legend rituals? I haven't set up the Buy Me A Coffee app, but I have set up a Patreon page.

[@MarkSpohn77]

The 2018 costumes were a throwback to a series of promotional pictures they did in 2015 I think it was

[@metalhead1899]

Kudos to all 3 panelist for the in-depth look into BMs costumes. Enjoyed both episodes.

[@AndrewHartley]

Thanks!

[@MrFloppyHare]

I thoroughly enjoy these discussions! Thanks for having them and involving other interesting people who also have insightful things to tell about a specific subject from their area of expertise!

[@cm724]

Just a quick comment to say Thank you Prof Hartely and guests. This was very interesting and informative. I did specifically like that Prof Hartley let his guest speak and didn't interrupt every few seconds. Well done again! Next: 3 videos of 1 hr each about the instruments the Kami Band plays.... sign up early, Prof Hartley's classes fill up quick!

[@10Shun]

I'll comment first here to make up for being late in Part 1.. what stands out right away is how much more mature the Babymetal costumes became starting with Legend S. Funny it never struck me that post Legend S the tutus were gone and that overall, their costume became just waaay more elegant in a menacing or "we might look cute but we carry a heavy punch" look, which peaked with their BxMxC video and live performance. Just true mastery of production in all aspects.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes. Totally agree.

[@socrateos]

I've always suspected that Koba had an idea for "Darkside" from early on. The costume in US 2015 Tour Promo picture (34:39) just convinced me.

[@dingjk5630]

I think the girls must be happy in that costume because they look taller and can stab each other with the horns on their heads, it must be fun.

[@Killem911]

Interesting stuff, thanks for all the insights!

[@Marty-Metal]

excellent content Professor Andrew-Metal and Maggie-Metal and Professor Aly-Metal. BABYMETAL is amazing whatever they do or ware.

[@TreadheadA1]

I really enjoyed these costume discussions more than I thought I would. Thank you to all three of you! Pastel Metal? That would be interesting to see! Just not on Babymetal, lol! I can't wait to see what they come up with for the next era. Kitsune Up! #nopastelmetal

[@MarkSpohn77]

Thank you very much for taking the time to do this video learned a lot but though I have researched some of the outfits on my own in the past and you still left out the white outfits from I think it's legend Z still don't know the story behind them

[@DeePal072]

Very interesting and precious videos, your channel is gold for any BM fan! I'd just add that the three hooded figures were featured also at the beginnings of their Wembley show and of the Black Night at Tokyo Dome, in both cases to distract the crowd. The latter is even cooler as the Red Night ends with the three of them "entering the light", so the whole opening in the Black one is more meaningful. 🤘🦊⚡

[@AndrewHartley]

Thank you!

[@ericchild8845]

Thank you, Professor Hartley. Very thorough and informational. I hadn’t really considered the details of all the different costumes the girls (and Kami’s) have worn over the years. Thanks again for sharing. Hopefully we all get news of a new album soon. I told my sons that if they tour again I will take them to Japan to see a show on their home soil, and both kids were very receptive to the idea. Wouldn’t that be rad? Cheers - e

[@AndrewHartley]

Rad indeed. See you there :)

[@Grington300]

Thank you so much to all three of you for such an interesting couple of videos - this second half was well worth waiting for after the first was so fascinating.

[@kaieasthammer8243]

Japanese ghosts don't have feet, that's why many temples have a large wooden step in their entrance that you have to step over as you go through.

[@Kemrer]

Thank you

[@autohmae]

Thanks great to see the second part ! 5:40 it's not black night, it's red night. They had it wrong on display at Tower Records (they fixed it after it was pointed out) and now it's wrong in this video as well. oops... 25:25 I'm surprised nobody mentioned what some other fans have mentioned in the past, the hoop-skirt-like thing also reminds people of burned skirt, as in: the hoop is the only thing that remained. Possibly symbolizing some kind of new beginning. 32:04 I don't remember the interview, but their was an interview where in they said: when the 3 girls are asked what song needs rehearsing Yuimetal and Moametal would say: Akatsuki. Not because the song needed to be rehearsed more, but because 2 votes are more than 1 (Su-metal) and "she looks so cool with her cape !" LOL 🙂 37:45 ohh, that explains a lot why Babymetal would then look at them as well. -- It also reminds me of this interview from 2013: Q: What was the inspiration for creating something so different? “[I was hoping] to incite that strange feeling that makes you go ‘what is this?’” KOBAMETAL explains, going on to give a concrete example; “Like the movie Kill Bill. I think Tarantino probably really likes Japan, and he worked hard on reproducing that in the movie, but it’s just slightly off, right? Still, it has a lot of originality.” For KOBAMETAL, that’s where the entertainment is. “[If] we were to do just straight metal-having the girls screaming-it probably wouldn’t be as interesting!” -- 38:03 yeah, I can kind of see that, it would be very fitting if it's true, no idea if it is.

[@michelm.6033]

LOL! I never heard that Akatsuki interview. Thank you.

[@autohmae]

@@michelm.6033 yeah, I want to find it again because it seems like a fever dream

[@TreadheadA1]

@@autohmae Unless we were having the same dream, I have seen that interview. I can't remember if it was video or a magazine or when it was from though.

[@autohmae]

@@TreadheadA1 Thanks for confirming. Someday I'll figure it out, but not today :-) (not in a hurry)

[@TreadheadA1]

@@autohmae You're welcome! I know the feeling.

[@HEAD123456]

Thank you great videos

[@MsDinazavr]

very interesting review. I really liked this topic.

[@HeadbangerBalingen]

When I saw the Outfits of the "The Chosen Seven Tour" for the first time, I think at "Dragonball Z, Cell-Saga" xD

[@funnytoss]

One wonders how many sets of these costumes there are? I would assume that they might need maybe two sets during the earlier years, with one serving as a backup in case of a last-minute rip or something along those lines. But for the densely packed tours like they did in the US and EU for 2019, I would expect they had multiple sets of costumes (and Maggie has mentioned elsewhere that you can see *really* subtle differences night to night) that they'd bring so they could swap them out while a set is being washed.

[@AndrewHartley]

Yes, I would imagine that for for any touring show there would be back up costumes and parts, plus a full wardrobe department ready to make changes and fixes, as in any theatre production.

[@funnytoss]

@@AndrewHartley It probably says something (I'm not sure exactly what) that they haven't auctioned off their older costumes, which could probably go for a pretty penny.

[@marcelopinheiro5557]

Hi. Brilliant as always. 🦊👯🦊🇯🇵🌺🌺🌺🌺

[@stefanbranden4898]

Thankyou111

[@maxtusker4380]

This was very interesting. I agree with Prof Aly Amidei, in that I prefer their later more mature look. Their early costumes were great also but I prefer the later ones. As Andrew said, they are older now, young women not kids or teenagers anymore. When Babymetal comes back... I have a great fear that the wont come back and I really hope that I am wrong. But for some reason I have a feeling we wont see them again. Please convince me otherwise.

[@GenTzu]

@Max Tusker What is the basis for your premonition? They have gone on hiatus before, usually after long tours. Koba said in Guitar (?) magazine interview that they wanted to let people know this was planned even before the pandemonic. It takes a long time to prepare a new album, choreo, stage production, and myriad of other plans for their performances. The real question is WHEN will the seal be broken, NOT IF. Your thoughts?

[@maxtusker4380]

@@GenTzu Honestly GenTzu, I have no idea. It is just a feeling I have. There is no logical reason for it. But that sometimes happens with people, you just get a gut feeling and you have no idea why. As I said, I hope that I am wrong, I hope I am proved completely wrong. Because I love Babymetal. I only discovered them in 2021 and I regret not discovering them much earlier. I want them to come back, I want to go to one of their concerts. Even if I have to go to Japan to see them. Can't answer your question I am sorry but thank you for your response.

[@Rymdsaft]

My unfounded fan theory on the latest costume to date: firefox. The myth, not the browser. With maybe a remote reference to the much-knowing fox god, or to fox lights. Glimmers by night, the costume does in stage lights.

[@AndrewHartley]

Interesting. I've been talking to Aly about doing another costume video soon.

[@stevechevy3382]

The kamiband mask reminded me of the Predator Helmut. But I also felt they got to be boiling under those masks at times. Take the masks off. I would Love for that to happen during a concert. For them to have Su and Moa bring them out and take the masks off during one of those intro jams. As they do their solos, they take the masks off would be so cool. But as we have learned Only The Fox god Knows what they'll do next.

[@AndrewHartley]

I love that idea

[@yoshimi6200]

お二人の女性の衣装に関する豊富な知識と鋭い観察力にとても敬服いたします 教授がpart1で"black"は"death"のイメージと仰ってましたが、日本人にとって白のほうが死を連想すると感じます　白装束ですね　その意味で初期の神バンドはピッタリかと… 歌舞伎のお話しをされたことも驚きました　何でも知ってるんですね　となるとbornesは黒子ですか？ BABYMETALは曲はもちろん、ステージ、構成、演出などで妥協しないところが、その道のプロが見ても納得するんだと再確認できました 興味深い動画ありがとうございました!　　　　　🤘😎🤘

[@AndrewHartley]

日本では白は死を連想させるというのは、私も同感です。あのビクトリア朝の喪服姿は、世界市場を意識して作られたということなのでしょうか。そうかもしれませんね。黒は、暗黒、未知などを連想させることもあり、メタル音楽文化全般で死の色であることは確かです。Bornes "について、もう少し詳しく教えてください。よくわかりませんでした。すみません。

[@yoshimi6200]

@@AndrewHartley すみません、スペルを間違えました…　baby bonesですね　ご存知だと思いますが、歌舞伎において黒子は主役の演技を助ける働きをします　全身黒の衣装を着て目立たず、主役を引き立てる役目です　混乱させてしまい申し訳ありません

[@AndrewHartley]

@@yoshimi6200 はい、そうですか。分かりやすく説明してくれてありがとうございます。文楽の人形遣いが人形の横で見えなくなるのと同じように、黒い服は舞台上で着用者を目立たなくし、下位の存在としてマークする手段であるというのは、その通りだと思います。

[@MacTaipan]

Back in 2018 I wasn‘t a fan of the Xena look. In hindsight, I find Su‘s version not so bad, the layered scales of the skirt give it an insect-like appearance, in my opinion, that‘s pretty cool. Moa‘s skirt with the long vertical pieces I‘m not too fond of. I think it doesn‘t look very good in motion. But the problem I still have with these (and in parts with today‘s costumes as well) is that they have almost completely gotten rid of the -cute- (I‘m not going to use that word, or I‘ll get bashed for not wanting them to grow up) playful elements. These are costumes that might just as well be worn by any other Metal frontwoman. They don‘t reflect what sets BABYMETAL apart from those. I‘m not quite sure how to do it, frilly skirts might indeed be a bit much nowadays, but I‘m sure there‘d be a way. And of course, hiding the Kami's faces behind those masks is a disgrace. The fact that the protruding upper jaw reminds me of the early Simpsons doesn't help, either...