Animedia February 2026 - Buraikan feature
What's Up? Pararai [62nd edition]
The release of the Buraikan CD is imminent! In order to learn more about the still-enigmatic Buraikan, we asked Shura and Yasha for an interview.
Getting Closer to the Enigmatic Buraikan
Commemorating the release of "ZERO"!
The legendary MC team, Buraikan, are considered the founders of the Phantom Live movement, and their new CD is just around the corner...!
Buraikan have had a massive influence on currently-active rappers, such as Sugasano Allen from BAE and Saimon Naoakira from The Cat's Whiskers. 10 years ago, they suddenly vanished from the public eye, but they made their comeback return just before the final battle of the first Paradox Live. Ever since, they have once more become a driving force for the rappers, including serving as the organizers of the Road to Legend.
Both Yasha and Shura are the type that are hard to get close to... but we still want to know more about them! So, this month, we're featuring Buraikan. We were honored to have the chance to interview them, so read on and get a glimpse of the real Buraikan.
Shingu Haruomi
MC Name: Shura
A legendary track maker. Emotionless, unfriendly, and condescending as a general rule. Currently the owner of a Chinese restaurant called Raimentei.
Kuzuryu Chisei
MC Name: Yasha
With exceptional musical sensibility, he has a very strong affinity with phantometal and can easily create stunning phantom illusions. He has a very bright and free-spirited personality, and he often drags Haruomi along for the ride.
Unravelling the truth of Buraikan from the threads of their words
First, let's see what we can speculate about Chisei (Yasha) and Haruomi (Shura) based on their previous comments and conversations.
Haruomi:
No matter how many decades go by, you're the only person who's going to stand beside me, Yasha.
Source: LIVE part 4
For the ten years before he reunited with Chisei, Haruomi worked as the owner of the Chinese restaurant Raimentei without ever looking for another partner. The only person who can stand beside him is Chisei. Surely, Chisei feels the same way in return.
Chisei:
All because I up and went and died and left you, my partner, behind!
Source: LIVE part 4
Is he joking, or...? Everything about Kuzuryu Chisei is shrouded in mystery. His remark, "The whole reason I'm able to be here right now is all thanks to them, isn't it?" about cozmez, and "If I tried to help out, it'd just be harder on you, right?" about preparations for their trip are cause for suspicion, too.
Haruomi:
I'm sure we can go faster than before. The you and I of right now...
Source: Battle of Unity Opening Show part BURAIKAN
Buraikan head out on a trip of the places that hold dear memories for them. It seems that they went on driving tours often when they were just starting out, but now, it's been a long time since they last went for a ride together. There's no doubt that some things have changed, but Haruomi believes that Buraikan can run faster than they ever did back then.
Chisei:
Okay, partner. As long as it's with you, anywhere's good.
Source: Battle of Unity Opening Show part BURAIKAN
As he revs up the bike's engine just like he used to, Haruomi says "we can go faster than before" and "we can go right up to the very limits of speed". As long as Haruomi keeps moving forward, Chisei will keep running right by his side, forever.
Haruomi:
It's the only thing my father left behind. I can't let it fall into disrepair.
Source: Battle of Unity Opening Show part BURAIKAN
The death of Haruomi's father was a traumatic incident that still haunts Haruomi to this day. But, he still treasures the Chinese restaurant that his father left behind. Even when he was staying out of the spotlight, he still supported the other rappers with his food.
Chisei:
But he left behind his greatest treasure in the world just for me.
Source: Battle of Unity Opening Show part BURAIKAN
Haruomi is irreplacable to Chisei. Even though Chisei always gives Haruomi grief and tends to be selfish, when it comes to the things that really and truly matter, he says what he feels directly and honestly.
10 Questions to Learn More About Buraikan
If there's things you don't know that you want to know... you've got no choice but to ask directly! With the release of "ZERO" just around the corner, we asked the two from Buraikan 10 questions.
Q1: Please tell us the story behind the decision to produce "ZERO".
Shura: The decision to produce the album itself was decided some time ago.
Yasha: In fact, it's one of the big reasons we decided to set off on this trip, right?
Shura: Yes. We wanted to retrace our steps to find ideas and inspiration for new songs.
Yasha: Yup, yup. We visited a lot of familiar places. Thanks to that, I think we got some pretty good inspiration.
Q2: What's the meaning behind the title, "ZERO"?
Yasha: If you ask me, I think Buraikan's roots are entangled with the history of phantom lives. We wanted to express the origin of that history; like, what our starting point was.
Shura: Someone's roots are an essential part of hiphop, so we wanted to create music that would convey our roots to the heads.
Q3: Please share any interesting stories that have happened during the production of ZERO.
Yasha: It feels like it's been ages since I've seen Haruomi act the way he did back then. He wouldn't even eat; he just got completely absorbed in songwriting.
Shura: It's not like I'm trying not to eat. It was just that time passed by before I realized it.
Yasha: I figured as much. Well, point is, we both ran out of energy halfway through and ended up sleeping until evening and then talking late into the night. It made me feel pretty nostalgic.
Q4: If you were to do something to celebrate the completion of "ZERO", what would it be?
Shura: If I had to do anything, there's a club I'd like to perform at.
Yasha: I was gonna say the same thing. I'd love to pay a return visit to the first club we ever took the stage at.
Shura: I think it would be meaningful to express who we are now at the place that we first started out.
Yasha: I'm down; I think it'd be a killer show.
Q5: Please share if there are any rules that you follow when writing Buraikan's songs.
Shura: There are no hard and fast rules.
Yasha: Yeah, there's not really anything like that.
Shura: Nobody can rap like Yasha can. From writing lyrics to working on a flow to recording, Yasha brings every one of my ideas to reality. So I've never once thought that there were any rules that were necessary for Buraikan.
Yasha: And I've never been let down by Shura's tracks or his rap skills, either. Well, I guess if there were one rule, it's that I'll never do anything that I don't want to do.
Shura: Agreed.
Q6: Do you have any motorcycle-related stories to share?
Yasha: Well, in the past, when there were times I got stuck on a song, I'd hop on my bike and go for a drive.
Shura: Mm. It wasn't uncommon for me to get up in the middle of the night, come back in the morning, and then go back into the recording booth.
Yasha: When my bike wasn't in the best condition, sometimes we went out riding tandem.
Shura: You're way too precious about how your machine handles.
Yasha: Is there a problem with that? It'd be lame if I settled for less.
Q7: What's your favorite menu item at Raimentei?
Yasha: Whoa, now that's a hard question. The ramen's great, and the fried rice is really good, too. Haruomi, is there a menu item you'd single out?
Shura: All of the items on the menu are made so that I wouldn't get tired of eating them every day. Whether it's the ramen, the fried rice, gyoza, or the chuukadon, I make everything specifically designed for my own taste.
Yasha: No joke, whatever Haruomi cooks up, it's gonna be the best you've ever eaten. If there's any of you out there reading this who haven't stopped in yet, you definitely oughta try it. It comes with my seal of approval.
Shura: I don't need your endorsement.
Q8: What kind of fashion do you like?
Yasha: I guess I prioritize stuff that's easy to move in. I'm not really interested in following fashion trends. Haruomi, what about you?
Shura: So that the rustling of my clothes is less likely to get picked up by the microphone in the recording booth, and so it doesn't get in the way when I'm on my motorcycle, I tend to prefer tight clothing.
Yasha: Yeah, one time Haruomi was staying over at my place and I lent him some of my comfy clothes; it looked super weird.
Q9: What's something the other person does that bothers you?
Shura: How slow he is to respond to anything or get started in the mornings. I cannot tell you how many times I've had plans derailed because of it.
Yasha: Yeah, I can't argue about that. When I oversleep, there are times he has to come and wake me up by force.
Shura: It would be nice if you'd put yourself in my shoes a single time.
Yasha: Sorry, sorry! (laughs)
Q10: What are your plans for the future?
Shura: After our long trip, we were able to reconnect with the roots of Buraikan. From here on out, we'll show you a new and improved version of ourselves.
Yasha: And we've gotta set a good example for our kouhai, too. Well, just keep your eye on us. You won't be disappointed.