MAN WITH A MISSION’s Jean-Ken Johnny talks world tour, “WOLVES ON PARADE”

MAN WITH A MISSION is a rock band that defies convention in many ways. For starters, their five-member lineup consists of superior lifeforms who are half-human and half-wolf. Like the hybrids they are, their music is also a distinctive fusion of rock genres, incorporating elements from ’90s alternative, hip-hop, and techno.

The band boasts a loyal international following, particularly known for their hit anime theme songs, such as Kizuna no Kiseki composed for the immensely popular anime series Demon Slayer.

Kizuna no Kiseki was penned by Jean-Ken Johnny, the guitarist, rapper, and vocalist of MAN WITH A MISSION. In May, we interviewed Johnny during the band’s “WOLVES ON PARADE” world tour, just after wrapping up shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles. Have a seat with us as we talk about inspirations, live music, and what lies ahead!

You can listen to the full interview or read it down below.

Listen on Spotify (also available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, and more):

Hello! Thank you so much for joining us today. I’m sure you’re really busy, especially since you just kicked off your world tour, “WOLVES ON PARADE”.

Oh, no worries, my pleasure.

To start, would you please introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi, everyone. This is Jean-Ken Johnny from MAN WITH A MISSION, and it’s great to see you guys. Thank you very much.

Wolf-human hybrid Jean-Ken Johnny shreds his guitar on stage during a live concert.MAN WITH A MISSION on Twitter

Thank you! To start with, MAN WITH A MISSION’s music encompasses everything from punk to hip hop, to EDM or “club music” as [vocalist] Tokyo Tanaka likes to call it. But if you could describe MAN WITH A MISSION to new first-time listeners, what would you say?

I mean, like in one word, “alternative” is like a really convenient word. Besides that, like maybe “hybrid rock” would be good. If I wanted to explain it, it might be like hybrid rock that has the heritage of the music in the ’90s, adding an element of modern vibes and rock and roll. Yeah, that would be a good explanation for what we do right now.

Definitely. And “hybrid” is fitting as well considering you guys are half wolf, half human. 

When I first saw MAN WITH A MISSION, I thought you guys would be really scary or serious. But the more I got into you as a band, I thought, wow, you guys are actually a lot of fun—even the band’s fan club, FUN WITH A MISSION. You guys do all kinds of different things. What is your favorite part about being in this unique fun group?

It’s always a pleasure to perform in front of a bunch of you guys. I’ve always been dreaming about traveling all through the world just to, you know, hit my music to do it, right. I mean, every and each member, we’ve been together for a long time, and you know, it’s a pleasure of being in a band you have trust in with each other. So yeah, I’m just enjoying it.

Speaking of fun, this morning, I was on Twitter and saw #TongueOutTuesday is trending. Do you think the wolves will be posting anything? It seems pretty appropriate [laughs].

“Tongue Out Tuesday”? Okay. We have two members that have tongue out, you know, different sides [laughs]. So yeah, yeah, we’ll be posting something out of that.

MAN WITH A MISSION from left to right: Bassist and backing vocalist Kamikaze Boy, DJ Santa Monica, drummer Spear Rib, guitarist and vocalist Jean-Ken Johnny, and vocalist Tokyo Tanaka.MAN WITH A MISSION on Twitter

MAN WITH A MISSION has previously covered songs by famous western artists like Nirvana and AC/DC. So which western artists or media, if any, would you say influence your sound today?

As I said, I am a huge fan of the music that was going on in the ’90s, such as Nirvana, and The Smashing Pumpkins. Who else? The Pixies, Rage Against the Machine. You know, all the grunge and alternative guitar rock was my first inspiration for music. After that was Rage Against the Machine. The Cams, from England. Who else? Prodigy.

Right now, MAN WITH A MISSION just started off your world tour, “WOLVES ON PARADE”. You guys kicked off your shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles. The pictures on Twitter looked amazing, by the way. 

Thank you.

How has the tour been so far?

It’s been great. Only two shows we’ve done. But yeah, the audience is so awesome. Every time we come to America it’s growing and growing and it’s been a long time since we last visited these two places. We really felt the energy from them, you know, been waiting for so long and it, it just blasted out. Thank you very much for coming to our show.

MAN WITH A MISSION serves the Regent Theatre in Los Angeles on May 15, 2023.MAN WITH A MISSION on Twitter

I love that you guys have been posting your setlists on Spotify after the show, so fans around the world can tune in and it’s updated after each performance. Whose idea was that and why?

That idea came out from the team. We don’t visit other countries so often, so we wanted to do something special for you guys.

I’ve been enjoying tuning in. Being wolves on tour, do you have any special routines to get ready before a performance?

Nothing special than you human beings [laughs]. I mean, I’ll warm up a little bit, and stretch my body. Nothing special as being a wolfman, but now all we have to worry about is, you know, not getting too hot and sticky.

[Laughs] Right! You guys have toured in America before the pandemic. How has touring changed since then?

Frankly speaking, nothing has changed. In Japan, they’re still having a hard time enjoying it. Normally they’re still wearing masks during the shows. They are able to shout right now, but, you know, still wearing masks. But the shows in San Francisco and Los Angeles, it was totally normal. To us, it’s been a long time, so we’re having a lot of fun. I’m hoping the audience is, too. But besides that, nothing’s really changed.

It’s been changing in Japan right now. I’m sure it’s gonna be normal again sooner or later. But yeah, it’s really great to see the audience really normal over here.

After you guys take on the world with this world tour mission, what’s next for a MAN WITH A MISSION?

Right now, this tour is probably gonna lead us to the end of this year—America, then after that Europe. We’re gonna do an arena tour in Japan and after that, hopefully, we’ll tour other countries. For now, I’m not thinking about anything, just trying to get on the road and run through it, till the end of this year. We’re not working on items right now, like recording stuff like that, but hopefully, we have something new for you guys next year.

MAN WITH A MISSION was also included in the Knotfest Japan lineup this year. How was that experience?

That was great. We’ve known Slipknot for a long time, and we always admire how they show Japanese artists to all the fans. We’re not really heavy metal as a genre, but we admire the attitude that they have in those kinds of festivals. They introduce all the bands that they hang out with that they like a lot. And I believe, you know, that attitude really spreads through the festival itself and it was a pleasure taking part in that.

Really glad to hear that. Changing gears a little bit, I’d like to talk about the singles Kizuna no Kiseki and Koi Kogare. You recently collaborated with the singer milet, what was it like creating music for the anime Demon Slayer and working with her?

It was great! I’m a huge fan of her voice, and her artist side as well. It was a pleasure working with her again.

First of all, like collaborating with another artist, that idea came from the animation producer because this season was about the main characters of this season were a guy and a girl. It was an honor being chosen for that role. At first, the whole team was kind of anxious because it’s such a big product, Demon Slayer. But yeah, we’re really proud of what we made up.

MAN WITH A MISSION has definitely done some big-name anime themes before. So I think it was a slot well-earned. Do fans in the crowd react differently when they hear, say an anime theme song they recognize from you guys?

Yeah, the culture itself, it’s so huge, you know, even overseas. Whenever the crowd starts hearing the song of an intro of an anime theme song, they go rad, and that’s really pleasant to watch.

Yeah, I’m sure they go crazy! I went back and looked at your setlists on Spotify so far. You guys have been updating after each show, and I see you’re including Kizuna no Kiseki on your setlist. So, what is it like performing without milet?

You know, I wrote that song, imagining her singing the song, so it’s pretty hard [laughs]. But I’m enjoying it right now.

So, as an ultimate like form you are, of course, part-human, part-wolf. Which do you think with first the heart of a man or the brain of a wolf?

The brain of the wolf doesn’t—it’s not that useful [laughs]. So I’ll, I’ll say the heart of a human.

[Laughs] Okay, would you rather be all-human or all-wolf if you had to choose one?

If I have to choose, I’d say the latter one, I’ll stick to the human side [laughs].

Of course, I mean, it’d be hard to play guitar if you were a full wolf [laughs].

Yeah! No paws, man.

[Laughs] Going on that thought, there are plenty of people in this world who feel half in some way—or stick out from the crowd like they never quite belong. Like maybe they have a wolf head or something like that. What message would you like to share with those people who feel like they don’t quite belong?

I’d say don’t worry about that because, everybody has their own belongings, and they have their own character. You’re beautiful as you are. You don’t have to worry about if you don’t fit into something—just find another place or maybe just find a friend. That’s what the song is about, Kizuna no Kiseki.

Throughout life, you have to decide and you have to make your own decisions. But besides that, you can’t do anything by yourself. Yeah, just find another friend. They’re definitely out there. Don’t even worry if you don’t fit in where you are right now.

Yes, I love what you said about finding a friend. Like you find your own wolf pack. 

Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with JROCK NEWS today and sharing more about MAN WITH A MISSION. 

No, my pleasure.

I hope you guys have the best of luck on your world tour. 

Thank you very much.

Last but not least, do you have any parting words for our readers around the world?

Thank you so much for your support. It’s been a long time since we’ve toured the world, but we’re enjoying it and can’t wait to see you guys. Thank you so much. Representing all the members of our band, this was Johnny from MAN WITH A MISSION. Hope to see you guys soon.

JROCK NEWS gives a special thank you to MAN WITH A MISSION and Jean-Ken Johnny for making this interview possible. For more information on the single Kizuna no Kiseki, you can also view our special comment video from the artists below.