FOCUS IT.] The second branch of BLOODY ANGLE, a social gathering place for adults, opened in Dogenzaka, Shibuya.

Shibuya is a town that is changing from its former self as a result of the Tokyo Olympics and large-scale redevelopment projects. In such a rapidly changing area, the "BLOODY ANGLE" record bar for music lovers is a spot that is crowded day and night with people of all ages and nationalities. We caught wind of the opening of its second location in Dogenzaka, Shibuya, and immediately spoke with the owner and producer, Mr. RYUZO, and Mr. YOSHIROTTEN, who designed the store.

The keywords are "NEO TOKYO, AKIRA, HARUKIYA, and future delinquents.

BLOODY ANGLE DOUGEN TONG", the second store, has inherited the format of a record bar, but added the concept of a neo coffee shop. The café serves coffee brewed by an authentic espresso machine from 11:00 am to 8:00 pm. During bar time, from 8:00 p.m. to 3:00 a.m., you can enjoy fine analog music and drinks selected by the sound-loving staff.

The store design is by graphic artist YOSHIROTTEN, with whom we have worked together for many years. During café hours, a futuristic atmosphere that is a fusion of a Showa-era pure coffee shop and an American diner spreads out, while at night the lighting changes to a moody lighting. It was a space that could be called a social gathering place for adults.

The familiar neon sign on the store's facade. On the left is Record-kun, the new mascot character of "BLOODY ANGLE," designed by graphic designer TEPPEI TAKAHASHI.

-Congratulations on the opening of your second store! First of all, please tell us about your motivation for opening "BLOODY ANGLE DOUGEN TONG".

RYUZO: I have known the previous renter of this property for a long time, and he asked me if I wanted to open a store here since the property was vacant. RYUZO: I have known the previous owner of the property for a long time, and he invited me to open a shop. Originally, many people from the local area wanted to franchise "BLOODY ANGLE," and we had our sights set on opening a second store. When I first came to preview this location, it was a larger space than the first store, and I wanted to create a place where I could come and have dinner with my children, so I also made it function as a coffee shop. I wanted to create a place where future delinquents could hang out, like the Harukiya in Akira, so I couldn't miss the neo-tokyo feel of the space.

-What kind of discussions did you have with Mr. Ryuzo?

YOSHIROTTEN:We don't communicate that closely every time. Since the first time we worked on the "BLOODY ANGLE" space, we have often worked together on business or at night, so it was a big part of our relationship that we were able to naturally communicate with each other.

-What do you think is the reason why "BLOODY ANGLE" is so popular among people of all ages and nationalities?

RUYUZO: We started out thinking of it as a members-only record bar where acquaintances would come to hang out, and then we realized that the place had become crowded without us even knowing it, thanks to introductions from friends, rumors, and word of mouth. But what people often say is that the music-loving staff, including myself, played music selections that excited us in a different direction from the club, and that may have been popular.

-A place where you can enjoy quality sound in an adult atmosphere. It is exactly the best of a club and a bar, isn't it?

RYUZO: Yes, two years ago, Saint Laurent designers and supermodels were shooting the season's visuals for their collection in Tokyo, and they used our house for the shoot. I had never heard anything like it before (laughs). That was the start of many people in the fashion industry and from overseas coming to visit us, and I never knew what would happen.

-RYUZO, in addition to "BLOODY ANGLE," you are also involved in several other night spots in Shibuya.

RYUZO: Some people stop by "BLOODY ANGLE" to grab a drink before going to a club, some come alone to listen to the sounds and have a drink, and some come to hang out with their friends from overseas. Simply put, it's a place to enjoy a drink while listening to the sound. Of course, you can finish your visit here, but if you feel like dancing, you can go to MITSUKI and then to MADAM WOO TOKYO to enjoy some adult fun with sexy ladies. You can use it differently depending on your mood of the day, or I recommend you to enjoy it all the time on the ground.

-I'm sure you will have an intense night. Is this kind of restaurant structure based on your own experience?

RUYUZO: In the past, I used to go to clubs all the time with young girls. Then there was a moment when I felt I was getting old. Then I decided to open "BLOODY ANGLE" because I thought it would be nice to have a place where people my age could have fun. Then I realized that it was more fun to go to my own restaurants than to go to clubs. Maybe I enjoy it the most (laughs).

Souvenir T-shirts supervised by YOSHIROTTEN have an eye-catching oriental design that fits perfectly with the "BLOODY ANGLE" concept. A second series of T-shirts will be released soon.

Coffee goods that can only be purchased at the store, which is also a coffee shop. The lineup includes a variety of glasses and cups, as well as original coffee beans!

Following the first store, the finest records are selected by the record buyer's partner and are said to fetch high prices in the market. Currently, they are sold only at the store. Many of them are reasonably priced and worth a look.

-The stores that RYUZO has set up seem to go against the grain of the times in Shibuya, where new commercial facilities are opening one after another and the landscape is changing.

RUYUZO: I don't intend to be very conscious of this, but as I mentioned earlier, my image of a cool hangout is one that is tucked away in a room in a small building, like AKIRA's Harukiya. Even if you build it in a new and stylish building, it would still be uninteresting, and even overseas, the spots where cool people gather are places like that.

YOSHIROTTEN:This is an area that I strongly sympathize with. Many of the places I have been involved in staging events and spaces have been abandoned buildings or good old stores that have remained from the Showa period. I was excited when I stepped into such seemingly inaccessible places and found a fun-looking party going on there.

-That feeling may be the reason why "BLOODY ANGLE" is getting so much attention.

RUYUZO: It is interesting that there are many young female customers like female college students, perhaps because they are looking for an Instagram image. I couldn't have predicted how crowded the store would be when I first started it.

YOSHIROTTEN: When switching between café time and bar time, the lights suddenly become moody and the atmosphere changes dramatically, and you can meet RYUZO, who serves customers in a low and gentle manner (laughs). (Laughs) I think you can enjoy it in a different way from "BLOODY ANGLE" on Miyamasuzaka.

-By the way, what kind of place is Shibuya for you two?

RUYUZO: When I came to Tokyo from Kansai, it was the place I always wanted to be, and when I thought of hip-hop, Shibuya was the place I thought of. Now that I have lived in Shibuya for almost 15 years, it is the only place I know when I think of Tokyo. It's not Shinjuku or Roppongi, but I still love Shibuya.

YOSHIROTTEN:I have lived in Shibuya since I was in my 20s, so it is my hometown. I have directly observed the changing moments of this town, and have expressed my own creations through this town. That is why I would like to preserve the old Shibuya of miscellaneous buildings in various forms in the future.

-Lastly, if there are any secret plans you two would like to make in the future, could you tell us about them secretly?

RYUZO: Now that we have built a pure coffee shop, a record bar, and a playground, if I were to do something next, I would like to have a hotel built.

YOSHIROTTEN: The "BLOODY ANGLE" concept is interesting, like a love hotel.

RYUZO: Love hotels are so nice. I wonder if it would be complete if I made that (laughs).

We conclude with a report on the opening event, which attracted a large number of visitors.

Photo_Yuki Aizawa (Interview)
Text_Yuho Nomura