xikers appears on the front and back covers of the October special edition of "JUNON"! "xikers are dice. You never know what you'll get when you roll it."

■The special edition includes a double-sided mini photo calendar for 2024-2025 featuring ikers on the cover!

The October issue of “JUNON” (Shufunotomosha) will be released on August 22. This issue will be published in two formats with different cover art and supplements.

The regular version, which features all the people appearing in the October issue on the cover, comes with a cardboard pin-up with photos of Bullet Train’s Kai and Yuki and ONE N’ ONLY printed on both sides as an extra.

In addition, a special edition will be released at the same time, with the worldwide popular Xikers taking over the front and back covers. This edition comes with a 2024-2025 double-sided mini photo calendar that can only be obtained here. There are two types of October issues, both of which are packed with content, so be sure to check them out.

Other names appearing in the October issue include Masahiro Sunada (BALLISTIK BOYZ), Junki Tozuka, Goro Inagaki, YouTuber Konori, Yumi Kawai, Koki Yamashita, and Jun Saito.

*The main photo is the cover of the special edition.

■Xikers, the juniors of ATEEZ, a boy group that is exploding in popularity all over the world and is attracting a lot of attention, will be appearing on JUNON!
With their strong charisma on stage and their outstanding rap making skills, the number of roady fans is rapidly increasing. Now that they have finally made their Japanese debut, JUNON interviewed them about their enthusiasm and selling points.

SEEUN:The appeal of xikers is their intense energy. We always give it our all, which is why we can create a performance that only we can do.
YECHAN:In terms of sound, we have three rappers, including myself, so we are able to show a more diverse range of charms.
MINJAE:It’s important to give it your all while still having fun. So, as xikers, we try to find a balance in our performance, where we can all express ourselves, while also matching up where we need to.
JUNMIN:They usually seem like school friends having fun together, but when they get on stage they become professionals.
A complete transformation into an artist. That contrast is also what makes us who we are.
YUJUN:Another big feature of them is that they truly enjoy being on stage. It’s genuine emotion that comes naturally, so I think it’s transmitted to the audience!
HUNTER:That’s right, the free, fun-loving atmosphere on stage is one of the appealing points.
SUMIN:Another strength is that each member has their own unique charm.
JINSIK:Although each member has a strong personality, by working hard towards the same goal, they got to know each other better and created harmony within the group.
HYUNWOO:Xikers are like dice. You never know what you’ll get, but their inherent adaptability allows them to try new things with new eyes and show new sides to you.

*Excerpt from the interview

■Kai and Yuki (Bullet Train) appear in elegant yukatas! Talking about summer memories
Yuki:When I think back on it, I have a lot of memories of summers with Bullet Train.
Kai:One of the most memorable experiences I have had is the Atami fireworks festival that I went to in the early days.
Yuki:Let’s all ride in the Hiace.
Kai:For two or three years in a row, Bullet Train and DISH// performed at a fireworks festival. At that time, the Ogasawara, Murata, Funatsu, and Kitamura families all stayed at the same inn, and the next day we played at the beach. Kai, Yuki, Ryouga, and (Kitamura) Takumi all slept next to each other (laughs). The next day, Yuki was in the shallows of the ocean with a plastic bottle, trying to catch fish. Ryouga and I said, “We want to play at the beach, is that okay?” and Yuki said, “I’ll catch fish!” (laughs).
Yuki:I definitely wanted to catch him (laughs).
Kai:Then, the scorching sunlight got so strong that Yuki’s back got burned (lol).
Yuki:I didn’t notice that.
Kai:Ryouga and I got quite sunburned and put on aloe cream, but Yuki got blisters and it hurt even to put on a T-shirt (laughs).
Yuki:I was disappointed that I didn’t catch it.
Kai:I’ll have my revenge next time. I’m smarter now so I can push harder (laughs).

*Excerpt from the interview

■ Goro Inagaki, who has been living with three cats since last year, appears. He talks about stories related to his beloved cats!
We currently have three cats. First we had a female British shorthair, then a male Persian, and finally a male Minuet, and they all have different personalities.
The eldest daughter is surprisingly strong-willed, the second is gentle, and is like a stuffed animal that was born to be loved (laughs). The third is the youngest child, and has a bit of a boyish mischievous side. I think she is also a bit spoiled, but it’s different from what humans think of as a spoiled child. She does come up to you and snuggles up to you, but she’s mentally spoiled, so she doesn’t want to be held or anything, and you have to understand that.

I also take photos to record my life. Not with my smartphone, but with a camera. Smartphone cameras are very beautiful and wonderful, but with a proper digital camera, the ability to depict each individual strand of fur is completely different. Sometimes I try with a film camera, but I can’t get the focus right (laughs). Maybe that’s what people call emotional these days. But with long-haired breeds, the fur that shines through in the backlight is completely different, so I think film is a great way to do it.

Light is important in photography, so if there is good light, such as semi-backlight or side light, and there is a cat in the right spot, I’ll take out my camera and take a picture. The cat will quickly disappear, but I still enjoy that.

*Excerpt from the interview