Interview
Interview
MAN WITH A MISSION: “This is not a mask, we are wolves”
The half-man, half-wolf Japanese rock titans on 15 years together, the story behind latest single, and the unique spark of their live shows
Since forming in Shibuya, Tokyo back in 2010, MAN WITH A MISSION have forged a reputation that has spread far beyond the bustling Japanese streets they grew up on. Instantly recognisable without playing a single note, the five-piece have become one of their home country’s most thrilling and unconventional rock exports, but what sets them apart from their peers? Well, for starters, they’re not human.
Half-man and half-wolf, with each member only ever seen in their uniquely designed masks, there’s even a bizarre back story behind their identities. Created as the ‘ultimate life form’ by legendary guitarist Jimi Hendrix (who takes on the role of the ‘master wolf biologist’ in the lore), the five musicians were frozen in Antarctica for years following their conception. Listening to a vast array of music from across the globe whilst incapacitated, they thawed out and burst onto the Japanese music scene 15 years ago, introducing the world to their eclectic blend of alternative rock, rap, metal and pop.
Amassing a global following – partly due to appearances on countless anime, video game and movie soundtracks – their peculiar mythos is backed by songs that dart across genres and dial up the energy to its maximum setting. Cinematic, unpredictable and often deeply powerful, they’ve become cult heroes across continents, their unknown identities only deepening the connection fans feel to their music.
Currently celebrating 15 years of their band – impressively having retained their same original line-up throughout – in 2025, MAN WITH A MISSION are showing no signs of slowing down. The anniversary marked by the release of their XV EP earlier this year, bold new single ‘Against The Kings And Gods’ brings a stark sonic shift for the project, a dark, heavy epic inspired by mythology and the struggle against overwhelming forces.
Yet to give the track its live debut, it’s just one of the tricks they have up their sleeves as they return to the UK for their Howling Across The World tour this autumn. Before it kicks off, guitarist, vocalist and rapper Jean-Ken Johnny sat down to reflect on the band’s journey, the message behind their music, and what fans can expect from their upcoming shows.
Fifteen years as a band is a huge milestone. What does reaching that point mean to you?
Jean-Ken Johnny: It’s 15 years since we formed this band, and it’s been a long road, but every moment has been a great experience for us. We really appreciate that we are still in this industry and still going as a band. We want to say thank you to everyone who has met us on this road. We’re glad to be doing what we are right now.
Your XV EP feels like it showcases every side of the band, with alternative rock, rap, metal, pop, and more influences across the four songs. Was it important that the EP showed a little of everything?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Yes. We are a band that has a lot of elements and ingredients in our music, and we decided to record a different character in each and every song. Usually, me and the bass player [Kamikaze Boy] are the main songwriters, but this time we gathered ideas from the other members too. We wanted all the basic ideas to come from different members, as it was an anniversary EP. It turned out very well. It inspired us on a new level and reminded us of what each and every member can do. We’re really proud of what we made.
The EP also includes some live recordings from your 2024 tour. How did you choose which performances to include?
Jean-Ken Johnny: It was a recording from the show we did in Mexico. The crowd was crazy. Every time we go there, the crowd is so insane that we can’t even hear ourselves sing. The crowd sings louder than us! We appreciate that, and so we decided to include that energy on the EP to show people how crazy our live shows can be. Thanks to the Mexican crowd, I believe a lot of people can feel it right through their ears now.
Your new single ‘Against The Kings And Gods’ goes darker and heavier than much of your past work. What pushed you that way?
Jean-Ken Johnny: It’s been a long time since I created songs like this for the band. I wanted to make something totally different from what we’ve done before, sound-wise and lyric-wise – a song that was dark, heavy and maybe a little bit majestic. As a plot, I chose mythology: people confronting overwhelming supernatural powers like gods, compared to normal people who encounter uncontrollable powers in ordinary life. I hoped to sculpt a story like a mythology, and make people see how it’s important not to yield to the uncontrollable things you confront in life. I hope the message nurtures a spirit or strength, the power not to yield to anything or anyone.
Myth and lore are a big part of MAN WITH A MISSION, but there’s always a real-world message too. Is that important to you in music?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Always. Creating songs is fun, like writing a story – a novel or a comic – putting in ingredients from all over your imagination. At the same time, we have a concrete message that people can cling to. Maybe it’s also a message to ourselves. We encourage ourselves when writing songs. It doesn’t have to be just one message either, it depends on how people interpret it, but it’s important to include something I believe in.
Fifteen years in, is it exciting to still be finding new sides of the band to explore?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Yes. These days rock and pop trends are changing rapidly. Our motto is to assemble elements from many genres, but to always stick to the place we came from, which was ‘90s alternative music. I try to find new inspiration but also to recall where I came from. Finding new things is fun, but it’s also about digging deep inside what you already have.
You’re returning to the UK for the Howling Across The World tour this autumn. How do UK and European fans compare to Japan?
Jean-Ken Johnny: People who love music are crazy all over the world! Whenever I tour in the UK though, I’m aware that many of the most important bands I was influenced by came from your country. I always have fun, but I’m a little nervous. You guys invented and nurtured the most amazing music in history. It’s always a pleasure, but I’m kind of nervous performing in front of you!
Is it inspiring to stand on stages where your heroes played?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Yes. Just inhaling the air where David Bowie was, or where The Stone Roses were in Manchester… That inspires and encourages us a lot. It’s always great to be there.
Your shows are known for their wild energy. What do you want people to feel when they experience MAN WITH A MISSION live?
Jean-Ken Johnny: It’s difficult to put into words, but as a music fan I know that ethereal moment. When something you’ve found inspires you, something you can’t describe. Our live shows have that magic. What I have felt at shows as a fan, I hope people feel the same when they listen to our music.
Do you write songs with the live show in mind?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Definitely. I always think about how it will sound live and how much more I can put in when I play it live. In the studio, we can concentrate on how the song grows, but it’s always about how it’s going to sound when we drop it live.
The community around your music has become so strong too, with fans making friends and finding connections through the band. What does that mean to you?
Jean-Ken Johnny: It means a lot, and that is a big part of what we wanted to do. Knowing that someone has the same feelings as you is one of the most beautiful things you can experience. It’s great to see the audience clinging together through their shared appreciation of our music.
A large part of the connection people have found with this project is through the lore and mystery surrounding it. Why is storytelling such an important part of MAN WITH A MISSION?
Jean-Ken Johnny: We look different from human beings. This is not a mask, we are wolves. It helps people focus on the music more. You can’t easily see our expressions, so they focus on the sounds, the lyrics, the music itself. We tell a lot of stories, but everyone knows us as wolves, and that makes them stick to the music.
Beyond music, what other forms of art inspire your writing?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Everything. I’m a huge fan of movies, novels, manga, animation – actually maybe more than music. Culture all over the world helps us a lot, too. I’m a huge fan of dramas made in the UK, and when I’m creating music, I say things like, ‘If I were writing a song for this drama or this movie, I’d do this’. It’s always an action and a reaction.
After 15 years, what’s it like seeing familiar faces in the crowds around the world?
Jean-Ken Johnny: It’s great. Especially overseas, even though it takes a year or two to see them again. There’s a guy who always comes to our shows and never smiles, he just stares at me the whole show… One day he brought his son. They were both wearing glasses, and his son wasn’t smiling either. He was just staring at me. That’s one way to enjoy a show! I appreciate that father and kid.
Are you still learning how to connect with fans?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Always. It’s about studying how to reach fans, not only through performing, but talking to them too. When I do the MCs at shows, it’s about connecting to people. I’m always learning, but it’s always about the people who are there on that day. We’re always facing some of the greatest fans in the whole wide world.
What is it that keeps you excited about this band?
Jean-Ken Johnny: Being a big fan of music. I was inspired by many bands across the world, and that emotion, energy and excitement never seem to fade. When people gain experiences often the latest one covers the last, but that never happened to me in music. That flame, that fire… That’s the most important thing we have.
If you could go back in time and speak to yourselves during the first year of the band, what advice would you give?
Jean-Ken Johnny: When you hit the stage, everybody gasps because you’re a weird band that’s doing something totally different. But as soon as you hit that tune, they’ll notice. You believed you could do something in the world, but you thought you were nobody. You were afraid you weren’t becoming what you wanted. As soon as you hit that song though, they’re going to notice you. Just go for it.
For anyone discovering MAN WITH A MISSION for the first time on this tour, what do you hope they take away from the show?
Jean-Ken Johnny: At first, you’re going to get excited. You might even get scared because what you’re going to see is totally weird. But I assure you it’s going to be one of the best experiences of your lifetime, and you’re going to enjoy it for the rest of your life.
MAN WITH A MISSION play London, Manchester and Birmingham from 2 October. Find tickets here
