Gackt
Encyclopedia
is a Japanese singer-songwriter, actor, voice actor and author. Usually referred to by his mononymous stage name
, he is known for his career as a solo artist and as the former vocalist for the defunct visual kei
rock band Malice Mizer
.
He has released fourteen albums and thirty-nine singles as a solo musician, and as of July 18, 2011 holds the male soloist record of most top 10 singles in Japan music history. His single "Returner ~Yami no Shūen~", released on June 20, 2007, was his first and only single to reach the number one spot on the Oricon
charts. He became the first Japanese artist to release his music catalog on iTunes
in October 2007. His music has been used as theme songs for anime films, video games, and television series such as New Fist of the North Star
and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
and Samurai Warriors 3
, The Sarah Connor Chronicles
amongst others.
As an actor and writer, he co-starred and co-wrote the 2003 film Moon Child and acted in the NHK
drama Fūrin Kazan
as Uesugi Kenshin
. He made his international film debut in the film Bunraku
in 2010
at the Toronto International Film Festival
.
, Japan, on July 4. His father was a music teacher primarily playing the trumpet
and his mother was also a teacher
. According to Gackt's autobiography
, he was a mischievous child and enjoyed taking risks; at age seven he nearly drowned while swimming off the coast of Okinawa. After this near-death experience, he claims to have the ability to see and speak with deceased family members, and people. At the age of ten, he was hospitalized with a gastrointestinal
condition and had to remain at the hospital for a prolonged time. He made the acquaintance of several terminally ill children, some of whom died during his stay. Gackt's musical education began at age three, when his parents initiated his classical piano
education. He has credited the classical pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin
with being "the one who taught me the beauty, depth, fun, sadness, kindness of music; that music could grant people courage, and the meaning of the layers of sound. It isn't an exaggeration to say Chopin is the foundation of my music." Having only listened to classical music
and enka
while growing up, he did not become interested in rock music until he was a young adult. He cites Led Zeppelin
's "Stairway to Heaven
" as being particularly inspiring.
as the group's vocalist, lyricist and pianist. The band released several singles along with two albums with him as the vocalist, entitled Voyage ~Sans Retour~
and Merveilles
. At the immediate start of 1999, he left Malice Mizer
. Five months after his departure, Kami
(then drummer of Malice Mizer and close friend of Gackt's) died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage
.
died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage
. Gackt was on the tour at the time, it was in the middle of recording he heard about the death of his friend. The funeral was already over. Until the end of the year appeared at Shock Wave Illusion, in Osaka
and Tokyo
on July 11 and July 25.
Since then several singles have followed, and on April 2000, he released his first studio album Mars, to subsequently embarked on a nationwide tour titled Mars Sora Kara no Homonsha -Kaisō- (Mars Visitor From the Sky -Flashbacks-). For Caparison Guitars
, has designed two guitars named "Marcury" and "Venus", what occasionally use on his live performances. On December 16 was released his first "Platinum Box
".
In 2001 he released his second studio album Rebirth
on April 25. It was followed by Requiem et Reminiscence concept tour. After discovering the events of September 11th, 2001 in New York
, Gackt wrote a song for a world peace. It was released that December as a single "12gatsu no Love Song
". From 2001 to 2004, the single was recorded in four different languages: Japanese, English, Korean
and Chinese
, released before Christmas.
", Gackt began another concept, Moon. There were two nationwide tours represeting his new concept, a live house tour, prior the releasing of his third album Moon on June 16, and second started on October 14, known as Kagen no Tsuki (The Waning Moon) On September 22, appeared in a large musical event "China-Japan: Holding Hands, Moving Together" at the Beijing Worker's Gymnasium, in China. The event was part of a "Japan-China Diplomatic Relations Normalization 30th Anniversary Commemoration".
In 2003 Gackt announced his film Moon Child. He worked on the script, and did own action scences on location in Taiwan. In collaboration with co-star Hyde, he also sang the theme song "Orenji no Taiyou (The Orange Sun)". Film was released on April 19 in Japan, and screened on May 13 at Cannes Film Festival
and on April 12, 2004 at Philadelphia Film Festival
. On May 5 launched his nationwide tour Jogen no Tsuki (The Waxing Moon), continuing the concept of the previous one. On August 6, Gackt released "Gekkou
(Moonlight)" featuring video clips from previous singles "Kimi ga Oikaketa Yume
(A Dream You Chased)" and "Tsuki no Uta
(Moonsong)".
On September 27, Gackt performed as a special guest at the TV Asahi
45 anniversary commemorative "Kingdom Rock Show". On October 2, performed the John Lennon
's song "Love
" acoustical and cover rock version, at the "Dream Power: John Lennon Super Live" concert held in Saitama Super Arena
. The "Dream Power" concerts were initiated by Yoko Ono
in 2001 as a benefit concerts for deprived children, and Japan’s top musical acts gather each year to perform along with Yoko Ono herself, tribute to the music and spirit of John Lennon. Through November and December 12, was released his sixteenth single "Last Song
", and his fourth concept album Crescent. Also in 2003, Gackt published a novel Moon Child Requiem, and his autobiography, Jihaku, and performed on the 55th Kōhaku Uta Gassen
, the 2004 annual New Year's Eve special by NHK
.
, which was a collection of the singer's previous A-sides, and some being re-recorded. The album was followed three months later by the release of The Seventh Night: Unplugged
, another compilation album, containing the acoustic arrangements of previously released songs. He held The Sixth Day & Seventh Night nationwide tour between the releases of the albums. On October 27, has released his eighteenth single "Kimi ni Aitakute
" (Needing You), so the unplugged
theme would be continued in the release of his fifth studio album, Love Letter on next years Valentine's Day
. Album was re-recorded in Korean and released on June 16, 2005 for the Korean market. On December 4, was invited and awarded the "Best Asian Rock Artist" at the musical event in Korea, the M.net/Km Music Video Festival
.
In 2005, with the releasing of his twenty-first single "Black Stone
" on April 27, Gackt switched to a more alternative rock style, and on September 21 released his sixth studio album Diabolos
and had a nationwide tour called Diabolos ~Aien no Shi~ (A Sorrowful Poem) with 36 performances across Japan, which ended with a final performance on December 24, 2005 at the Tokyo Dome
.
. On February 28, appeared on the graduation of the Maiko High School in Hyōgo Prefecture
, maintaining his promise. Besides he spoke to them with words of encouragement, and performed his own songs live, among them unreleased song especially written for the graduation. It was released next year on February 7, as "No ni Saku Hana no Yō ni " (Like a Wild Flower). On August 23, were simultaneously released two video compilations, The Greatest Filmography 1999-2006 Blue containing video clips of ballads singles, and The Greatest Filmography 1999-2006 Red of rock songs.
Also in 2006, Gackt was one of last few artist to take part in last exhibition of "Super Stars" project by photographer Leslie Kee, which is dedicated to the victims of the 2004 tsunami disaster. Although at the beginning, due to lack of information rejected the offer, in the end decided to participate in the project, and after talking with Leslie, saw that have the same idea of uniting Asia. For the shooting, to show his admiration for the artists who took part in the concept, decided to have all their names printed onto his face and shoulder, among the names were the words "We are all Asian."
On December 24, Gackt went on nationwide fanclub only, "Training Days 2006 D.r.u.g. Party" tour, started with Zepp Osaka.
Beginning January 7, 2007, Gackt played the warlord Uesugi Kenshin in the NHK
Taiga drama Fūrin Kazan. Gackt's single "Returner ~Yami no Shūen~
", was released on June 20, and was the first in his career (both solo and in a band) to reach the number one spot on the Japanese Oricon
charts. On June 29, performed on S.K.I.N
debut and only concert at the 2007 Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California
. In October was held press conference at Apple Store in Ginza
, Tokyo
where besides he advertised the first iPhone
, announced to have a back catalog in the iTunes Store
, as well that his "The Greatest Filmography" will be released on October 9, in the U.S.A. and Canada
, while his album Diabolos on October 26 in eighteen European countries. On November 17 performed at M.net/Km Music Video Festival
in Korea
as the special guest star. While on November 27 appeared and performed at the "2007 Japan-China Cultural Exchange Grand Concert Final" in Beijing. He sang the "December Love Song" in Japanese, Korean and Mandarin. Then on December 10, appeared at the China Fashion Awards in Beijing
, where was awarded for the "Japanese Artist of the Year". Gackt performed on the 58th Kōhaku Uta Gassen
, the 2008 annual New Year's Eve special by NHK.
Either, that year Gackt created the "Save our Dears" charity to help the victims of the powerful earthquake
that struck the Niigata Prefecture
in Japan that year. To raise funds for this charity, Gackt designed a pink crystal keychain as well as bracelets similar to ones his character wore in his role on "Furinkazan". In addition, the charity also features two Orico UPty MasterCard credit cards with a photo of Gackt. Together Gackt's fanclub Dears raised 2,000,000 Yen (or US$26,041) which Gackt donated to the City of Joetsu at the Great Kenshin Festival in 2008.
city's Great Kenshin Festival for the second year in a row, enchanching the atmosphere of the festival with almost 210,000 visitors. On December 3, was released Gackt's twenty-eighth single "Jesus
", his first single release in over a year. It was followed by nationwide tour Requiem et Reminiscence ~Saisei to Kaikou~ (Rebirth and Reunion) tour after three year interval, held in a record number of 60 performances in more than 45 cities, started on December 14 from Misato Cultural Center.
On January 28, 2009, was released his twenty-ninth single, "Ghost
", which was used as the opening song for the Japanese version of The Sarah Connor Chronicles
. On May 18, Gackt was scheduled to perform a concert in Korea at Seoul’s Olympic Hall, but due to the effects of the global recession the sponsors of the concert withdrawn their support. To celebrate his 10 Year Anniversary Countdown, a countdown to his 10th anniversary as solo artist, Gackt released four singles, "Koakuma Heaven
", "Faraway", "Lost Angels
", and "Flower
", a week after one another starting from June 17, and ending on July 1, 2009. On June 13, began the arena part of the tour, and on July 11 and 12 were held final performances in Saitama Super Arena
. In September, performed as a representative of Japan at the Asia Song Festival
in Korea, and in the biggest annual anime concert Animelo Summer Live 2009
. In October performed as the main artist at the "Wow Live! Thanks For Music" show held in Yoyogi National Gymnasium
, in Japan.
On December 2, released his seventh studio album Re:Born
which continued the story he had originally created in Rebirth
. By the end of the year, held a fanclub concert on December 12 in Saitama Super Arena, titled Camui Gakuen School concepted on a fictional school in which the director is Gackt, and on December 24, and 25 celebrated Christmas with fans in Zepp Osaka.
. On March 6, and 7, Gackt performed the theme songs
, on the festival organized by Koei to promote their new Nintendo Wii game
, in Saitama Super Arena.
On March 31 was finally released his DVD with filmed final tour concert, although was initially planned to be released in November, because of the sound, and special effects, was postponed couple of times. It is dedicated to the all fans around the globe and Michael Jackson
. It was screened in cinemas across Japan as well.
On April 17, was officially announced of transferring from his private record label Dears to Avex Group "in pursuit of creating one-of-a-kind entertainment", also the date of his first "single
" with new label. Prior the announcement Gackt held a male-only concert, which consisted mostly of rock oriented songs, at Club Citta in Kawasaki
, under the band name Yellow Fried Chickenz, which refers to human cowardice. The tour was continued with a total of 30-shows from June, and ending in August. On June 23, was released a compilation album Are You "Fried Chickenz"??
from his former record label Nippon Crown
. On July 16, Gackt as Yellow Fried Chickenz went touring Europe for the first time at a very selective choice of clubs in London, Paris, Barcelona, München and ending in Bochum on July 24. On July 21, from Nippon Crown was released a compilation album The Eleventh Day: Single Collection
, which was a collection of the singer's singles from the second half, and reissued The Sixth Day: Single Collection
.
On August 23, has participated on the 85th Great Kenshin Festival, his third time, with record attendance of more than 240,000 visitors. On December 14, Gackt alongside other Asian celebrities, participated and performed in a Hohoemi (smile) project charity event called "Message! to Asia", by DATV at Tokyo Dome, whose profit is planned to help street children in Cambodia
and the Philippines
. For the auction he auctioned his custom Pontiac Firebird Trans Am MS6
from 1999, which got sold for ¥6,015,000 (or $72,033).
, Gackt founded "Show Your Heart" charity for collecting money to buy supplies for the victims. Many Japanese and Asian musicians and singers, actors, designers, sportspeople etc. joined Gackt's initiative. In March 2011, Gackt sent a track convoy with 72000 lb (32,658.7 kg) of food and clothes. As well in March 31 was held a street corner fund-raising in over 130 locations all across Japan at the same time, collecting 25,234,490 Yen (or US$320,193). All money collected through bank transfers and street fundraising activities was on April 6 transferred to the Japanese Red Cross, sum of 208,181,735 Yen (or US$2,641,564).
In May 2011, was announced that Gackt will start a new tour called "World Tour *Show Your Soul.I*" as Yellow Fried Chickenz, with new band members and songs, on July 20 in Paris, France. He also visited Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Sweden and Russia. In September 14 will start a Japan nationwide tour. Part of the world tour revenue will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.
On August 22 participated on 86th "Great Kenshin Festival", playing the role of Uesugi Kenshin for the fourth time.
On November 30, 2011 Gackt will release his 40th single titled "GRAFFITI". It is used as the current opening for the anime SKET DANCE.
in Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae on May 14, 2010 at Nissei Theatre, penned by Koyama Kundo.
The stage run until the final 120 performance on February 27, 2011, held in seven cities nationwide with estimated 150,000 spectators.
The project is planned to span a variety of media, including film
, television
, anime
, manga
, and video games.
' Heisei period run and Gackt's solo career having their 10th anniversaries, Gackt was brought onto the 2009 edition of the Kamen Rider Series Kamen Rider Decade
to perform many of its theme songs, released via Avex Trax
and Avex Entertainment. This began with the series' opening theme "Journey Through the Decade
", and also included the series' two films' theme songs: "The Next Decade
" and "Stay the Ride Alive
". While recording the third song, Gackt stated that each song had a theme: , , .
In addition to performing on the series' soundtrack, Gackt also appeared in the film Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker
as Decades iteration of Jōji Yūki
; he also portrays this character in his music video for "The Next Decade".
. Yamaha wanted to utilize the voice of a musician but felt it would be difficult to acquire cooperation. They consulted Dwango (new owner of Vocaloid publisher Internet Co., Ltd.
), who suggested Gackt, as Gackt had previously provided his voice for Dwango's cell phone services. Referred to alternately as Gakupoid or Gackupo, the most recent release includes a new program, OPUS Express, for mixing vocal parts with accompaniment and phoneme data. The new software will be available for download for users with registered copies of previous Vocaloids. Besides the new program, Gackpoid will include two of Gackt's songs and three example songs.
The product was originally intended to be released in June 2008, but although Gackt existed as a model for the Vocaloid, it lacked an illustrated avatar to match the previous Vocaloids. Popular manga author
Kentarō Miura
, famous for his dark fantasy epic Berserk
, was approached. Due to Miura's affection for Nico Nico Douga
, he agreed to offer his services as character designer for free. As a fan of Berserk, Gackt was more than satisfied with this arrangement, and requested Miura's sketches be faxed to him as well as the developers, even though he was on location for the filming of Guy Moshe's Bunraku
. Gackpoid was released on July 31, 2008. Miura's design for Gakupo has a samurai aesthetic—the Vocaloid is clad in a hakama
and haori, and carries a katana
that somehow acts as a musical instrument.
In 2009, Gackt challenged Gackpoid users to create a song, with the prize being 10 million yen, stating if the song was to his liking he would sing and include it in his next album. The winning song "Episode 0" and runner up song "Paranoid Doll" are set to be released as a single by Gackt on July 13, 2011.
Studio albums:
Compilation albums
Club Concerts:
Support members/When needed
Former members
Stage name
A stage name, also called a showbiz name or screen name, is a pseudonym used by performers and entertainers such as actors, wrestlers, comedians, and musicians.-Motivation to use a stage name:...
, he is known for his career as a solo artist and as the former vocalist for the defunct visual kei
Visual Kei
is a movement among Japanese musicians, that is characterized by the use of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics. Some sources state that visual kei refers to a music genre, or to a sub-genre of Japanese rock, with its...
rock band Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
.
He has released fourteen albums and thirty-nine singles as a solo musician, and as of July 18, 2011 holds the male soloist record of most top 10 singles in Japan music history. His single "Returner ~Yami no Shūen~", released on June 20, 2007, was his first and only single to reach the number one spot on the Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
charts. He became the first Japanese artist to release his music catalog on iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
in October 2007. His music has been used as theme songs for anime films, video games, and television series such as New Fist of the North Star
Fist of the North Star
is a Japanese manga series written by Buronson and drawn by Tetsuo Hara that was serialized in Weekly Shōnen Jump from 1983 to 1988, spanning 245 chapters, which were initially collected in a 27-volume tankōbon edition by Shueisha...
and Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam
is a television anime, part of the Gundam series and a sequel to the original Mobile Suit Gundam. The show was created and directed by Yoshiyuki Tomino, with character designs by Yoshikazu Yasuhiko, while the series' mechanical designs is split amongst Kunio Okawara, Mamoru Nagano, and Kazumi Fujita...
, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII
is an action role-playing third-person shooter video game developed and published by Square Enix in 2006 for the PlayStation 2. It is part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII metaseries, a multimedia collection set within the universe of the popular 1997 video game Final Fantasy VII...
and Samurai Warriors 3
Samurai Warriors 3
is the third installment in the Samurai Warriors series, created by Tecmo Koei and Omega Force. The game was released in Japan on December 3, 2009, Europe on May 28, 2010, Australia on June 10, 2010, and in North America on September 27, 2010 for the Wii....
, The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is an American science fiction television series that aired on Fox. The show was produced by 20th Century Fox Television, Warner Bros. Television and C2 Pictures...
amongst others.
As an actor and writer, he co-starred and co-wrote the 2003 film Moon Child and acted in the NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
drama Fūrin Kazan
Furin Kazan (Taiga drama)
was the 46th NHK Taiga drama beginning on January 7, 2007. It was aired throughout 2007.The four characters from left to right are wind, woods, fire, and mountain. The title is a reference to the war banner used by Takeda Shingen, which in turn was taken from Sun Tzu's The Art of War...
as Uesugi Kenshin
Uesugi Kenshin
was a daimyo who ruled Echigo province in the Sengoku period of Japan.He was one of the most powerful lords of the Sengoku period. While chiefly remembered for his prowess on the battlefield, Kenshin is also regarded as an extremely skillful administrator who fostered the growth of local industries...
. He made his international film debut in the film Bunraku
Bunraku (film)
Bunraku is a 2011 martial-arts action film written and directed by Guy Moshe based on a story by Boaz Davidson. The film stars Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ron Perlman, Kevin McKidd, and Gackt and follows a young drifter in his quest for revenge.The title Bunraku is derived from a...
in 2010
2010 Toronto International Film Festival
The 35th annual Toronto International Film Festival, was held in Toronto, Ontario, Canada between September 9 and September 19, 2010. The opening night gala presented Score: A Hockey Musical, a Canadian comedy-drama musical film. Last Night closed the festival on September 19.2010 TIFF included...
at the Toronto International Film Festival
Toronto International Film Festival
The Toronto International Film Festival is a publicly-attended film festival held each September in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. In 2010, 339 films from 59 countries were screened at 32 screens in downtown Toronto venues...
.
Early life
Gackt was born in OkinawaOkinawa, Okinawa
is the second-largest city in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, following Naha, the capital city. It is located in the central part of the island of Okinawa, about 20 km north of Naha....
, Japan, on July 4. His father was a music teacher primarily playing the trumpet
Trumpet
The trumpet is the musical instrument with the highest register in the brass family. Trumpets are among the oldest musical instruments, dating back to at least 1500 BCE. They are played by blowing air through closed lips, producing a "buzzing" sound which starts a standing wave vibration in the air...
and his mother was also a teacher
Teacher
A teacher or schoolteacher is a person who provides education for pupils and students . The role of teacher is often formal and ongoing, carried out at a school or other place of formal education. In many countries, a person who wishes to become a teacher must first obtain specified professional...
. According to Gackt's autobiography
Autobiography
An autobiography is a book about the life of a person, written by that person.-Origin of the term:...
, he was a mischievous child and enjoyed taking risks; at age seven he nearly drowned while swimming off the coast of Okinawa. After this near-death experience, he claims to have the ability to see and speak with deceased family members, and people. At the age of ten, he was hospitalized with a gastrointestinal
Gastrointestinal tract
The human gastrointestinal tract refers to the stomach and intestine, and sometimes to all the structures from the mouth to the anus. ....
condition and had to remain at the hospital for a prolonged time. He made the acquaintance of several terminally ill children, some of whom died during his stay. Gackt's musical education began at age three, when his parents initiated his classical piano
Piano
The piano is a musical instrument played by means of a keyboard. It is one of the most popular instruments in the world. Widely used in classical and jazz music for solo performances, ensemble use, chamber music and accompaniment, the piano is also very popular as an aid to composing and rehearsal...
education. He has credited the classical pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric Chopin
Frédéric François Chopin was a Polish composer and virtuoso pianist. He is considered one of the great masters of Romantic music and has been called "the poet of the piano"....
with being "the one who taught me the beauty, depth, fun, sadness, kindness of music; that music could grant people courage, and the meaning of the layers of sound. It isn't an exaggeration to say Chopin is the foundation of my music." Having only listened to classical music
Classical music
Classical music is the art music produced in, or rooted in, the traditions of Western liturgical and secular music, encompassing a broad period from roughly the 11th century to present times...
and enka
Enka
is a popular Japanese music genre considered to resemble traditional Japanese music stylistically. Modern enka, however, is a relatively recent musical form which arose in the context of such postwar expressions of modern Japanese nonmaterial nationalism as nihonjinron, while adopting a more...
while growing up, he did not become interested in rock music until he was a young adult. He cites Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin
Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...
's "Stairway to Heaven
Stairway to Heaven
"Stairway to Heaven" is a song by the English rock band Led Zeppelin, released in late 1971. It was composed by guitarist Jimmy Page and vocalist Robert Plant for the band's untitled fourth studio album . The song, running eight minutes and two seconds, is composed of several sections, which...
" as being particularly inspiring.
Malice Mizer
In 1995, Gackt joined Malice MizerMalice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
as the group's vocalist, lyricist and pianist. The band released several singles along with two albums with him as the vocalist, entitled Voyage ~Sans Retour~
Voyage ~sans retour~
Voyage ~Sans Retour~ is the second album by Malice Mizer released on June 9, 1996. The title is French for "Travel ~No Return~". It is their first material released with second vocalist Gackt...
and Merveilles
Merveilles
Merveilles is the third album by Malice Mizer, released on March 18, 1998, and their only on a major label, being released through Columbia Music Entertainment. The title is French for "Wonders"...
. At the immediate start of 1999, he left Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer
Malice Mizer was a visual kei rock band from Japan. They were active from August 1992 to December 2001. Formed by Mana and Közi, the band's name stands for "malice and misery", extracted from "nothing but a being of malice and misery" — their reply to the question "what is human?"...
. Five months after his departure, Kami
Kami (musician)
, better known by his stage name Kami, was a Japanese musician best known as drummer for the rock band Malice Mizer. He died on June 21, 1999 in his sleep of a subarachnoid hemorrhage at the age of 26.- Early life :...
(then drummer of Malice Mizer and close friend of Gackt's) died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage , or subarachnoid haemorrhage in British English, is bleeding into the subarachnoid space—the area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater surrounding the brain...
.
1999-2001: Beginning of solo career, Requiem et Reminiscence tour
Gackt launched his solo career on January 1, 1999. After complited recording, first gig as a solo artist was 99 Gackt Resurrection tour held in 12 locations across Japan, followed on May 12 with the release of the mini album Mizerable. Five months after Gackt's departure, KamiKami (musician)
, better known by his stage name Kami, was a Japanese musician best known as drummer for the rock band Malice Mizer. He died on June 21, 1999 in his sleep of a subarachnoid hemorrhage at the age of 26.- Early life :...
died of a subarachnoid hemorrhage
Subarachnoid hemorrhage
A subarachnoid hemorrhage , or subarachnoid haemorrhage in British English, is bleeding into the subarachnoid space—the area between the arachnoid membrane and the pia mater surrounding the brain...
. Gackt was on the tour at the time, it was in the middle of recording he heard about the death of his friend. The funeral was already over. Until the end of the year appeared at Shock Wave Illusion, in Osaka
Osaka
is a city in the Kansai region of Japan's main island of Honshu, a designated city under the Local Autonomy Law, the capital city of Osaka Prefecture and also the biggest part of Keihanshin area, which is represented by three major cities of Japan, Kyoto, Osaka and Kobe...
and Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
on July 11 and July 25.
Since then several singles have followed, and on April 2000, he released his first studio album Mars, to subsequently embarked on a nationwide tour titled Mars Sora Kara no Homonsha -Kaisō- (Mars Visitor From the Sky -Flashbacks-). For Caparison Guitars
Caparison Guitars
Caparison Guitars is a Japan-based manufacturer of custom shop electric guitars.-History:The Caparison Guitar company was established in 1995 by former Jackson/Charvel Japan designer Itaru Kanno and was owned by Kyowa Shokai, a company that made contracts with factories to produce guitars for them...
, has designed two guitars named "Marcury" and "Venus", what occasionally use on his live performances. On December 16 was released his first "Platinum Box
Platinum Box
PLATINUM BOX I is a VHS tape released by Japanese singer Gackt on December 16, 2000.Included with the VHS tape is an audio recording of the MARS 空からの訪問者〜回想〜 Concert performed by Gackt in 2000.- VHS Content :# 鶺鴒～seki-ray～ [SEKI RAY ~seki-ray~]...
".
In 2001 he released his second studio album Rebirth
Rebirth (Gackt album)
- Track listing :- Notes :* Like "Ares", the intro of Mars, "4th..." is not sung in any actual language. Again, the booklet provides the lyrics.* "Pappa lapped a pap lopped" was used in the 'Mitsubishi DVD & Navi V7000' cm.- Personnel :...
on April 25. It was followed by Requiem et Reminiscence concept tour. After discovering the events of September 11th, 2001 in New York
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
, Gackt wrote a song for a world peace. It was released that December as a single "12gatsu no Love Song
Jūnigatsu no Love Song
was first released on December 16, 2001 as a Christmas single and reached a rank of 5 in the Oricon charts. From 2001 to 2004, the single was recorded in four different languages: Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean and released before Christmas. In 2005, a re-recorded version of the Korean song...
". From 2001 to 2004, the single was recorded in four different languages: Japanese, English, Korean
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
and Chinese
Chinese language
The Chinese language is a language or language family consisting of varieties which are mutually intelligible to varying degrees. Originally the indigenous languages spoken by the Han Chinese in China, it forms one of the branches of Sino-Tibetan family of languages...
, released before Christmas.
2002-03: Moon, Moon Child, Crescent
Between 2001 and 2002, with the releasing of the single "Another WorldAnother World (Gackt song)
"Another World" is the ninth single by Japanese musical artist Gackt. It was released on September 5, 2001 and peaked at second place on the Oricon weekly chart and charted for seventeen weeks...
", Gackt began another concept, Moon. There were two nationwide tours represeting his new concept, a live house tour, prior the releasing of his third album Moon on June 16, and second started on October 14, known as Kagen no Tsuki (The Waning Moon) On September 22, appeared in a large musical event "China-Japan: Holding Hands, Moving Together" at the Beijing Worker's Gymnasium, in China. The event was part of a "Japan-China Diplomatic Relations Normalization 30th Anniversary Commemoration".
In 2003 Gackt announced his film Moon Child. He worked on the script, and did own action scences on location in Taiwan. In collaboration with co-star Hyde, he also sang the theme song "Orenji no Taiyou (The Orange Sun)". Film was released on April 19 in Japan, and screened on May 13 at Cannes Film Festival
Cannes Film Festival
The Cannes International Film Festival , is an annual film festival held in Cannes, France, which previews new films of all genres including documentaries from around the world. Founded in 1946, it is among the world's most prestigious and publicized film festivals...
and on April 12, 2004 at Philadelphia Film Festival
Philadelphia Film Festival
The Philadelphia Film Festival is held annually in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Until 2009 it was generally held during the first weeks of April....
. On May 5 launched his nationwide tour Jogen no Tsuki (The Waxing Moon), continuing the concept of the previous one. On August 6, Gackt released "Gekkou
Gekkou
Gekkou is a DVD released by Japanese singer Gackt on August 6, 2003 .- DVD Content :# Kimi Ga Oikaketa Yume # Kimi Ga Oikaketa Yume [Making of]# Tsuki no Uta # Tsuki no Uta [Making of]# Special Track- Gackt in Hawaii - Birthday prank on Ren...
(Moonlight)" featuring video clips from previous singles "Kimi ga Oikaketa Yume
Kimi Ga Oikaketa Yume
is a single released by Gackt on March 19, 2003. It peaked at second place on the Oricon weekly chart and charted for ten weeks.-Track listing:# - 4:30# "Birdcage" - 5:27# - 4:29# "Birdcage" - 5:17...
(A Dream You Chased)" and "Tsuki no Uta
Tsuki no Uta
is a single released by Gackt on June 11, 2003. It peaked at third place on the Oricon weekly chart and charted for seven weeks. The song "Tsuki no Uta" was used as the first ending theme for anime Texhnolyze.-Track listing:# - 4:58# - 4:32# - 4:57# - 4:24...
(Moonsong)".
On September 27, Gackt performed as a special guest at the TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
45 anniversary commemorative "Kingdom Rock Show". On October 2, performed the John Lennon
John Lennon
John Winston Lennon, MBE was an English musician and singer-songwriter who rose to worldwide fame as one of the founding members of The Beatles, one of the most commercially successful and critically acclaimed acts in the history of popular music...
's song "Love
Love (John Lennon song)
"Love" is a song written and performed by John Lennon, originally released in 1970 on the John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band album.-Song:The song first came out on Lennon's 1970 album John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band. "Love" later appeared on the 1982 compilation The John Lennon Collection, and was released...
" acoustical and cover rock version, at the "Dream Power: John Lennon Super Live" concert held in Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena
is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama City, Saitama, Japan. Its spectator capacity is 37,000 at maximum settings.This main arena capacity is between 19,000-22,500 when events such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, ice hockey, gymnastics, boxing, mixed martial arts and...
. The "Dream Power" concerts were initiated by Yoko Ono
Yoko Ono
is a Japanese artist, musician, author and peace activist, known for her work in avant-garde art, music and filmmaking as well as her marriage to John Lennon...
in 2001 as a benefit concerts for deprived children, and Japan’s top musical acts gather each year to perform along with Yoko Ono herself, tribute to the music and spirit of John Lennon. Through November and December 12, was released his sixteenth single "Last Song
Last Song (Gackt song)
"Last Song" is a single released by Gackt on November 12, 2003. It peaked at third place on the Oricon weekly chart and charted for nine weeks.-Track listing:# "Last Song" – 5:26# "Solitary" – 3:31# "Last Song" – 5:25...
", and his fourth concept album Crescent. Also in 2003, Gackt published a novel Moon Child Requiem, and his autobiography, Jihaku, and performed on the 55th Kōhaku Uta Gassen
Kohaku Uta Gassen
, more commonly known as simply Kōhaku, is an annual music show on New Year's Eve produced by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and broadcast on both television and radio, nationally and internationally by NHK's networks and some overseas broadcasters which bought the program...
, the 2004 annual New Year's Eve special by NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
.
2004-05: Sixth Day & Seventh Night, Love Letter, Diabolos
In February 2004, Gackt has his released first compilation album, The Sixth Day: Single CollectionThe Sixth Day: Single Collection
The Sixth Day: Single Collection is a compilation album released by Gackt on February 25, 2004. It collects the artist's previous A-sides, some of them having been re-recorded for this release...
, which was a collection of the singer's previous A-sides, and some being re-recorded. The album was followed three months later by the release of The Seventh Night: Unplugged
The Seventh Night: Unplugged
The Seventh Night: Unplugged is a compilation album released by Gackt on May 26, 2004. It contains acoustic arrangements of previously released songs and complements The Sixth Day, a single collection released three months earlier...
, another compilation album, containing the acoustic arrangements of previously released songs. He held The Sixth Day & Seventh Night nationwide tour between the releases of the albums. On October 27, has released his eighteenth single "Kimi ni Aitakute
Kimi ni Aitakute
is a single released by Gackt on October 27, 2004.-Track listing:# "Kimi ni Aitakute" - 5:37# "Peace" - 4:17# "Kimi ni Aitakute" - 5:37# "Peace" - 4:08-Chart performance:...
" (Needing You), so the unplugged
Acoustic music
Acoustic music comprises music that solely or primarily uses instruments which produce sound through entirely acoustic means, as opposed to electric or electronic means...
theme would be continued in the release of his fifth studio album, Love Letter on next years Valentine's Day
Valentine's Day
Saint Valentine's Day, commonly shortened to Valentine's Day, is an annual commemoration held on February 14 celebrating love and affection between intimate companions. The day is named after one or more early Christian martyrs named Saint Valentine, and was established by Pope Gelasius I in 496...
. Album was re-recorded in Korean and released on June 16, 2005 for the Korean market. On December 4, was invited and awarded the "Best Asian Rock Artist" at the musical event in Korea, the M.net/Km Music Video Festival
M.net KM Music Festival
The Mnet Asian Music Awards , is a major music award show that is held by Mnet Media annually in South Korea, involving the participation of some of the most well-known actors and singers...
.
In 2005, with the releasing of his twenty-first single "Black Stone
Black Stone
The Black Stone is the eastern cornerstone of the Kaaba, the ancient stone building towards which Muslims pray, in the center of the Grand Mosque in Mecca, Saudi Arabia. It is revered by Muslims as an Islamic relic, which according to Muslim tradition dates back to the time of Adam and Eve.The...
" on April 27, Gackt switched to a more alternative rock style, and on September 21 released his sixth studio album Diabolos
DIABOLOS
Diabolos is an album released by Gackt on September 21, 2005 in Japan and on October 26, 2007 in Europe. Conceptually, it is a prequel entrant to the 'Moon Project' found in his second and third LPs, Moon and Crescent and the film Moon Child....
and had a nationwide tour called Diabolos ~Aien no Shi~ (A Sorrowful Poem) with 36 performances across Japan, which ended with a final performance on December 24, 2005 at the Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome
Tokyo Dome is a 55,000-seat baseball stadium located in Bunkyo Ward of Tokyo, Japan.The stadium opened for business on March 17, 1988. It was built on the site of the Velodrome which was next door to the site of the predecessor ballpark, Kōrakuen Stadium...
.
2006-07: Asian concerts, Fūrin Kazan, S.K.I.N.
On January 14, 2006, Gackt held his first Asian concert at Fencing Stadium in Korean Olympic ParkOlympic Park, Seoul
The Seoul Olympic Park, shortened to Olpark, is an Olympic Park built to host the 1988 Summer Olympics. Olympic Park is located in Songpa-gu, Bangi-dong.- Competition facilities :*Olympic Velodrome, Seoul*Olympic Fencing Gymnasium...
. On February 28, appeared on the graduation of the Maiko High School in Hyōgo Prefecture
Hyogo Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located in the Kansai region on Honshū island. The capital is Kobe.The prefecture's name was previously alternately spelled as Hiogo.- History :...
, maintaining his promise. Besides he spoke to them with words of encouragement, and performed his own songs live, among them unreleased song especially written for the graduation. It was released next year on February 7, as "No ni Saku Hana no Yō ni " (Like a Wild Flower). On August 23, were simultaneously released two video compilations, The Greatest Filmography 1999-2006 Blue containing video clips of ballads singles, and The Greatest Filmography 1999-2006 Red of rock songs.
Also in 2006, Gackt was one of last few artist to take part in last exhibition of "Super Stars" project by photographer Leslie Kee, which is dedicated to the victims of the 2004 tsunami disaster. Although at the beginning, due to lack of information rejected the offer, in the end decided to participate in the project, and after talking with Leslie, saw that have the same idea of uniting Asia. For the shooting, to show his admiration for the artists who took part in the concept, decided to have all their names printed onto his face and shoulder, among the names were the words "We are all Asian."
On December 24, Gackt went on nationwide fanclub only, "Training Days 2006 D.r.u.g. Party" tour, started with Zepp Osaka.
Beginning January 7, 2007, Gackt played the warlord Uesugi Kenshin in the NHK
NHK
NHK is Japan's national public broadcasting organization. NHK, which has always identified itself to its audiences by the English pronunciation of its initials, is a publicly owned corporation funded by viewers' payments of a television license fee....
Taiga drama Fūrin Kazan. Gackt's single "Returner ~Yami no Shūen~
Returner ~Yami no Shuen~
is a single released by Gackt, on June 20, 2007, the theme song for NHK drama Fūrin Kazan.-Summary:The inspiration for the image used in this single ties into the NHK drama Fūrin Kazan, in which Gackt plays the warlord Uesugi Kenshin....
", was released on June 20, and was the first in his career (both solo and in a band) to reach the number one spot on the Japanese Oricon
Oricon
, established in 1999, is the holding company at the head of a Japanese corporate group that supplies statistics and information on music and the music industry in Japan. It started as , which was founded by Sōkō Koike in November 1967 and became known for its music charts. Oricon Inc...
charts. On June 29, performed on S.K.I.N
Skin (Japanese band)
Skin is a music project founded by several Japanese rock musicians in 2007. They are Yoshiki, Gackt, Sugizo and Miyavi, all being important to the visual kei movement or closely related to it, but everyone being from a different generation.Its debut performance was on June 29, 2007, in Long Beach,...
debut and only concert at the 2007 Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California
Long Beach, California
Long Beach is a city situated in Los Angeles County in Southern California, on the Pacific coast of the United States. The city is the 36th-largest city in the nation and the seventh-largest in California. As of 2010, its population was 462,257...
. In October was held press conference at Apple Store in Ginza
Ginza
is a district of Chūō, Tokyo, located south of Yaesu and Kyōbashi, west of Tsukiji, east of Yūrakuchō and Uchisaiwaichō, and north of Shinbashi.It is known as an upscale area of Tokyo with numerous department stores, boutiques, restaurants and coffeehouses. Ginza is recognized as one of the most...
, Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
where besides he advertised the first iPhone
IPhone
The iPhone is a line of Internet and multimedia-enabled smartphones marketed by Apple Inc. The first iPhone was unveiled by Steve Jobs, then CEO of Apple, on January 9, 2007, and released on June 29, 2007...
, announced to have a back catalog in the iTunes Store
ITunes Store
The iTunes Store is a software-based online digital media store operated by Apple. Opening as the iTunes Music Store on April 28, 2003, with over 200,000 items to purchase, it is, as of April 2008, the number-one music vendor in the United States...
, as well that his "The Greatest Filmography" will be released on October 9, in the U.S.A. and Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, while his album Diabolos on October 26 in eighteen European countries. On November 17 performed at M.net/Km Music Video Festival
M.net KM Music Festival
The Mnet Asian Music Awards , is a major music award show that is held by Mnet Media annually in South Korea, involving the participation of some of the most well-known actors and singers...
in Korea
Korea
Korea ) is an East Asian geographic region that is currently divided into two separate sovereign states — North Korea and South Korea. Located on the Korean Peninsula, Korea is bordered by the People's Republic of China to the northwest, Russia to the northeast, and is separated from Japan to the...
as the special guest star. While on November 27 appeared and performed at the "2007 Japan-China Cultural Exchange Grand Concert Final" in Beijing. He sang the "December Love Song" in Japanese, Korean and Mandarin. Then on December 10, appeared at the China Fashion Awards in Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
, where was awarded for the "Japanese Artist of the Year". Gackt performed on the 58th Kōhaku Uta Gassen
Kohaku Uta Gassen
, more commonly known as simply Kōhaku, is an annual music show on New Year's Eve produced by Japanese public broadcaster NHK and broadcast on both television and radio, nationally and internationally by NHK's networks and some overseas broadcasters which bought the program...
, the 2008 annual New Year's Eve special by NHK.
Either, that year Gackt created the "Save our Dears" charity to help the victims of the powerful earthquake
2007 Chuetsu offshore earthquake
The Chūetsu Offshore Earthquake was a powerful magnitude 6.6 earthquake that occurred 10:13 a.m. local time on July 16, 2007, in the northwest Niigata region of Japan. The earthquake shook Niigata and neighbouring prefectures...
that struck the Niigata Prefecture
Niigata Prefecture
is a prefecture of Japan located on the island of Honshū on the coast of the Sea of Japan. The capital is the city of Niigata. The name "Niigata" literally means "new lagoon".- History :...
in Japan that year. To raise funds for this charity, Gackt designed a pink crystal keychain as well as bracelets similar to ones his character wore in his role on "Furinkazan". In addition, the charity also features two Orico UPty MasterCard credit cards with a photo of Gackt. Together Gackt's fanclub Dears raised 2,000,000 Yen (or US$26,041) which Gackt donated to the City of Joetsu at the Great Kenshin Festival in 2008.
2008-09: Bunraku, Requiem et Reminiscence II tour and Re:Born
On August 23, 2008 Gackt reprised his Fūrin Kazan television role of Japanese warlord Uesugi Kenshin at JoetsuJoetsu
Jōetsu may refer to:*A city in Niigata Prefecture, Japan;*A geographical region within Niigata Prefecture, Japan that consists of the cities of Jōetsu, Itoigawa and Myōkō; or...
city's Great Kenshin Festival for the second year in a row, enchanching the atmosphere of the festival with almost 210,000 visitors. On December 3, was released Gackt's twenty-eighth single "Jesus
Jesus (Gackt song)
"Jesus" is the twenty-eighth single by Japanese musical artist Gackt. It was released in 2008.-Summary:"Jesus" marked the beginning of Gackt's move back into music scene after a year and the story of ЯR Project, began in 2001 with release of the album Rebirth and Requiem et Reminiscence tour...
", his first single release in over a year. It was followed by nationwide tour Requiem et Reminiscence ~Saisei to Kaikou~ (Rebirth and Reunion) tour after three year interval, held in a record number of 60 performances in more than 45 cities, started on December 14 from Misato Cultural Center.
On January 28, 2009, was released his twenty-ninth single, "Ghost
Ghost (Gackt song)
"Ghost" is the twenty-ninth single by Japanese musical artist Gackt.-Summary:"Ghost" continues the concept from the Requiem et Reminiscence II 2008-2009 tour and the Asakura Report, began by the release of single "Jesus"...
", which was used as the opening song for the Japanese version of The Sarah Connor Chronicles
The Sarah Connor Chronicles
Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles is an American science fiction television series that aired on Fox. The show was produced by 20th Century Fox Television, Warner Bros. Television and C2 Pictures...
. On May 18, Gackt was scheduled to perform a concert in Korea at Seoul’s Olympic Hall, but due to the effects of the global recession the sponsors of the concert withdrawn their support. To celebrate his 10 Year Anniversary Countdown, a countdown to his 10th anniversary as solo artist, Gackt released four singles, "Koakuma Heaven
Koakuma Heaven
is the thirty-first single by Japanese musical artist Gackt. This single is the first of four singles of the 10 Year Anniversary Countdown which is a countdown to Gackt's 10th anniversary as solo artist. This single has been titled The 1st Heaven...
", "Faraway", "Lost Angels
Lost Angels (song)
"Lost Angels" is the thirty-third single by Japanese musical artist Gackt. This single is the third of four singles of the 10 Year Anniversary Countdown which is a countdown to Gackt's 10th anniversary as solo artist. This single has been titled "The 3rd Heaven"...
", and "Flower
Flower (Gackt song)
"Flower" is the thirty-fourth single by Japanese musical artist Gackt. This single is the final of the four singles of the 10 Year Anniversary Countdown, which is a countdown to Gackt's 10th anniversary as solo artist. This single has been titled the Anniversary Disc and was released on July 1, 2009...
", a week after one another starting from June 17, and ending on July 1, 2009. On June 13, began the arena part of the tour, and on July 11 and 12 were held final performances in Saitama Super Arena
Saitama Super Arena
is a multi-purpose indoor arena located in Chūō-ku, Saitama City, Saitama, Japan. Its spectator capacity is 37,000 at maximum settings.This main arena capacity is between 19,000-22,500 when events such as basketball, volleyball, tennis, ice hockey, gymnastics, boxing, mixed martial arts and...
. In September, performed as a representative of Japan at the Asia Song Festival
Asia song festival
Asia Song Festival, aka A-Song-Fe or ASF, is an annual Asian pop music festival held in South Korea, since 2004. It is hosted by Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange and features artists from Asian countries...
in Korea, and in the biggest annual anime concert Animelo Summer Live 2009
Animelo Summer Live
Animelo Summer Live is the biggest annual anime songs concert in Japan managed by Animelo Mix. Animelo Summer Live has been held every summer since 2005.-Description:...
. In October performed as the main artist at the "Wow Live! Thanks For Music" show held in Yoyogi National Gymnasium
Yoyogi National Gymnasium
is an arena in Yoyogi Park, Tokyo, Japan which is famous for its suspension roof design.It was designed by Kenzo Tange and built between 1961 and 1964 to house swimming and diving events in the 1964 Summer Olympics. A separate annex was used for the basketball competition at those same games...
, in Japan.
On December 2, released his seventh studio album Re:Born
Re:Born
Re:Born is the seventh full-length studio album released by Japanese recording artist Gackt on December 2, 2009 in Japan.-Summary and Release:It was released in one version only, containing two CDs...
which continued the story he had originally created in Rebirth
Rebirth (Gackt album)
- Track listing :- Notes :* Like "Ares", the intro of Mars, "4th..." is not sung in any actual language. Again, the booklet provides the lyrics.* "Pappa lapped a pap lopped" was used in the 'Mitsubishi DVD & Navi V7000' cm.- Personnel :...
. By the end of the year, held a fanclub concert on December 12 in Saitama Super Arena, titled Camui Gakuen School concepted on a fictional school in which the director is Gackt, and on December 24, and 25 celebrated Christmas with fans in Zepp Osaka.
2010: Transfer to Avex, first European appearances with YFC
On February 14, 2010, Gackt participated and performed as a representative of Japan, at the Asia Pops Festival held in Niigata City, in homage for the victims of 2007 Chūetsu offshore earthquake2007 Chuetsu offshore earthquake
The Chūetsu Offshore Earthquake was a powerful magnitude 6.6 earthquake that occurred 10:13 a.m. local time on July 16, 2007, in the northwest Niigata region of Japan. The earthquake shook Niigata and neighbouring prefectures...
. On March 6, and 7, Gackt performed the theme songs
Setsugekka (The End of Silence)/Zan
is Japanese recording artist Gackt's thirty-sixth single. It was released on December 9, 2009 by his record label DEARS. Both A-sides are theme songs for the video game Samurai Warriors 3.-Music video:...
, on the festival organized by Koei to promote their new Nintendo Wii game
Samurai Warriors 3
is the third installment in the Samurai Warriors series, created by Tecmo Koei and Omega Force. The game was released in Japan on December 3, 2009, Europe on May 28, 2010, Australia on June 10, 2010, and in North America on September 27, 2010 for the Wii....
, in Saitama Super Arena.
On March 31 was finally released his DVD with filmed final tour concert, although was initially planned to be released in November, because of the sound, and special effects, was postponed couple of times. It is dedicated to the all fans around the globe and Michael Jackson
Michael Jackson
Michael Joseph Jackson was an American recording artist, entertainer, and businessman. Referred to as the King of Pop, or by his initials MJ, Jackson is recognized as the most successful entertainer of all time by Guinness World Records...
. It was screened in cinemas across Japan as well.
On April 17, was officially announced of transferring from his private record label Dears to Avex Group "in pursuit of creating one-of-a-kind entertainment", also the date of his first "single
Ever (Gackt song)
"EVER" is the thirty-eighth single released by Japanese solo artist Gackt. It was released on July 28, 2010 by Avex Group.- Summary :On April 17, it was officially announced that Gackt would leave the record company Nippon Crown with whom he was signed for more than a decade, and would transfer to...
" with new label. Prior the announcement Gackt held a male-only concert, which consisted mostly of rock oriented songs, at Club Citta in Kawasaki
Kawasaki, Kanagawa
is a city located in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan, between Tokyo and Yokohama. It is the 9th most populated city in Japan and one of the main cities forming the Greater Tokyo Area and Keihin Industrial Area....
, under the band name Yellow Fried Chickenz, which refers to human cowardice. The tour was continued with a total of 30-shows from June, and ending in August. On June 23, was released a compilation album Are You "Fried Chickenz"??
Are You "Fried Chickenz"??
- Oricon sales charts :- Billboard Japan :- External links :*...
from his former record label Nippon Crown
Nippon Crown
is a Japanese record label originally established as Crown Records on 6 September 1963. It is a spin-off of Nippon Columbia and is currently owned by karaoke maker Daiichikosho.-Artists:Artists signed to Nippon Crown Music include:* Hanaboy* Kimeru* Metis...
. On July 16, Gackt as Yellow Fried Chickenz went touring Europe for the first time at a very selective choice of clubs in London, Paris, Barcelona, München and ending in Bochum on July 24. On July 21, from Nippon Crown was released a compilation album The Eleventh Day: Single Collection
The Eleventh Day: Single Collection
- Oricon sales charts :- Billboard Japan :- External links :*...
, which was a collection of the singer's singles from the second half, and reissued The Sixth Day: Single Collection
The Sixth Day: Single Collection
The Sixth Day: Single Collection is a compilation album released by Gackt on February 25, 2004. It collects the artist's previous A-sides, some of them having been re-recorded for this release...
.
On August 23, has participated on the 85th Great Kenshin Festival, his third time, with record attendance of more than 240,000 visitors. On December 14, Gackt alongside other Asian celebrities, participated and performed in a Hohoemi (smile) project charity event called "Message! to Asia", by DATV at Tokyo Dome, whose profit is planned to help street children in Cambodia
Cambodia
Cambodia , officially known as the Kingdom of Cambodia, is a country located in the southern portion of the Indochina Peninsula in Southeast Asia...
and the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
. For the auction he auctioned his custom Pontiac Firebird Trans Am MS6
Pontiac Firebird
The Pontiac Firebird was built by the Pontiac division of General Motors between 1967 and 2002. The Firebird was introduced the same year as the automaker's platform-sharing model, the Chevrolet Camaro...
from 1999, which got sold for ¥6,015,000 (or $72,033).
2011-present: Show Your Heart, world tour *Show Your Soul.I* with YFC
Because of the 2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami2011 Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami
The 2011 earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoku, also known as the 2011 Tohoku earthquake, or the Great East Japan Earthquake, was a magnitude 9.0 undersea megathrust earthquake off the coast of Japan that occurred at 14:46 JST on Friday, 11 March 2011, with the epicenter approximately east...
, Gackt founded "Show Your Heart" charity for collecting money to buy supplies for the victims. Many Japanese and Asian musicians and singers, actors, designers, sportspeople etc. joined Gackt's initiative. In March 2011, Gackt sent a track convoy with 72000 lb (32,658.7 kg) of food and clothes. As well in March 31 was held a street corner fund-raising in over 130 locations all across Japan at the same time, collecting 25,234,490 Yen (or US$320,193). All money collected through bank transfers and street fundraising activities was on April 6 transferred to the Japanese Red Cross, sum of 208,181,735 Yen (or US$2,641,564).
In May 2011, was announced that Gackt will start a new tour called "World Tour *Show Your Soul.I*" as Yellow Fried Chickenz, with new band members and songs, on July 20 in Paris, France. He also visited Germany, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Spain, Hungary, Poland, Sweden and Russia. In September 14 will start a Japan nationwide tour. Part of the world tour revenue will be donated to the Japanese Red Cross.
On August 22 participated on 86th "Great Kenshin Festival", playing the role of Uesugi Kenshin for the fourth time.
On November 30, 2011 Gackt will release his 40th single titled "GRAFFITI". It is used as the current opening for the anime SKET DANCE.
Nemuri X Gackt Project
Chosen personally by the family of former actor, at a press conferences on November 5, 2009 and on February 2, 2010 it was announced Gackt would lend his image to a new Nemuri Kyoshiro project, beginning with a live stage productionTheatre
Theatre is a collaborative form of fine art that uses live performers to present the experience of a real or imagined event before a live audience in a specific place. The performers may communicate this experience to the audience through combinations of gesture, speech, song, music or dance...
in Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae on May 14, 2010 at Nissei Theatre, penned by Koyama Kundo.
The stage run until the final 120 performance on February 27, 2011, held in seven cities nationwide with estimated 150,000 spectators.
The project is planned to span a variety of media, including film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
, television
Japanese television drama
, also called , are a staple of Japanese television and are broadcast daily. All major TV networks in Japan produce a variety of drama series including murder romance, comedy, detective stories, horror, and many others...
, anime
Anime
is the Japanese abbreviated pronunciation of "animation". The definition sometimes changes depending on the context. In English-speaking countries, the term most commonly refers to Japanese animated cartoons....
, manga
Manga
Manga is the Japanese word for "comics" and consists of comics and print cartoons . In the West, the term "manga" has been appropriated to refer specifically to comics created in Japan, or by Japanese authors, in the Japanese language and conforming to the style developed in Japan in the late 19th...
, and video games.
Kamen Rider Decade
As part of both the Kamen Rider SeriesKamen Rider Series
The is a metaseries of manga and tokusatsu television programs and films created by manga artist Shotaro Ishinomori. The various Kamen Rider media generally feature a motorcycle-riding superhero with an insect motif who fights supervillains often referred to as...
' Heisei period run and Gackt's solo career having their 10th anniversaries, Gackt was brought onto the 2009 edition of the Kamen Rider Series Kamen Rider Decade
Kamen Rider Decade
is the title of the first of the 2009 editions of the long-running Kamen Rider Series of tokusatsu dramas. Decade, as its title suggests, is the tenth of the Heisei Rider Series, having begun with Kamen Rider Kuuga in 2000...
to perform many of its theme songs, released via Avex Trax
Avex Trax
, listed in the Tokyo Stock Exchange as 7860 and abbreviated as AGHD, is the holding company for a group of entertainment-related subsidiaries based in Japan...
and Avex Entertainment. This began with the series' opening theme "Journey Through the Decade
Journey through the Decade
"Journey Through the Decade" is the thirtieth single by Japanese musical artist Gackt, released on March 25, 2009. It is his first song performed for Kamen Rider Decade, used as the television series' theme song.-Summary:...
", and also included the series' two films' theme songs: "The Next Decade
The Next Decade
"The Next Decade" is the thirty-fifth single by Japanese musical artist Gackt, released on August 11, 2009.-Summary:It will be used as the theme song for the Kamen Rider Series film Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker in which Gackt portrays Riderman...
" and "Stay the Ride Alive
Stay the Ride Alive
"Stay the Ride Alive" is the thirty-seventh single released by Japanese musical artist Gackt on January 1, 2010. The song was originally titled "Stay the Decade Alive", before being renamed "Stay the Ride Alive" in late November.- Summary :...
". While recording the third song, Gackt stated that each song had a theme: , , .
In addition to performing on the series' soundtrack, Gackt also appeared in the film Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker
Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker
is the film adaptation of the 2009 Kamen Rider Series Kamen Rider Decade. The film was released in Japanese theaters on August 8, 2009, alongside the Samurai Sentai Shinkenger film, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger The Movie: The Fateful War. The catchphrases for the movie are and...
as Decades iteration of Jōji Yūki
Riderman
is a fictional character, an anti-heroic protagonist from the tokusatsu television series, Kamen Rider V3. He was the first Kamen Rider to wield personal weapons, and the first Kamen Rider whose face is partially exposed...
; he also portrays this character in his music video for "The Next Decade".
Gackpoid
Gackt lent his voice and stage name for the creation of the VocaloidVocaloid
is a singing synthesizer application, with its signal processing part developed through a joint research project between the Pompeu Fabra University in Spain and Japan's Yamaha Corporation, who backed the development financially—and later developed the software into the commercial product...
. Yamaha wanted to utilize the voice of a musician but felt it would be difficult to acquire cooperation. They consulted Dwango (new owner of Vocaloid publisher Internet Co., Ltd.
Internet Co., Ltd.
, or Internet, is a software company based in Osaka, Japan. It is best known for the music sequencer Singer Song Writer and Niconico Movie Maker for Nico Nico Douga, a video sharing website. It also develops singing synthesizers using the Vocaloid 2 engine developed by Yamaha Corporation...
), who suggested Gackt, as Gackt had previously provided his voice for Dwango's cell phone services. Referred to alternately as Gakupoid or Gackupo, the most recent release includes a new program, OPUS Express, for mixing vocal parts with accompaniment and phoneme data. The new software will be available for download for users with registered copies of previous Vocaloids. Besides the new program, Gackpoid will include two of Gackt's songs and three example songs.
The product was originally intended to be released in June 2008, but although Gackt existed as a model for the Vocaloid, it lacked an illustrated avatar to match the previous Vocaloids. Popular manga author
Mangaka
is the Japanese word for a comic artist or cartoonist. Outside of Japan, manga usually refers to a Japanese comic book and mangaka refers to the author of the manga, who is usually Japanese...
Kentarō Miura
Kentaro Miura
is a Japanese manga artist best known for his popular dark fantasy manga, Berserk.-Life and notable works:Kentarou Miura was born in Chiba City, Chiba Prefecture, Japan, in 1966. He is left-handed. In 1976, at the early age of 10, Miura made his first manga, entitled Miuranger, that was published...
, famous for his dark fantasy epic Berserk
Berserk (manga)
is a manga series written and illustrated by Kentaro Miura. Set in a medieval Europe-inspired world, the story centers around the characters of Guts, an orphaned mercenary, and Griffith, the leader of a mercenary band called the...
, was approached. Due to Miura's affection for Nico Nico Douga
Nico Nico Douga
is a popular video sharing website in Japan managed by Niwango, a subsidiary of Dwango. Its nickname is "Niconico" or "Nico-dō", where "nikoniko" is the Japanese ideophone for smiling. Nico Nico Douga is the thirteenth most visited website in Japan...
, he agreed to offer his services as character designer for free. As a fan of Berserk, Gackt was more than satisfied with this arrangement, and requested Miura's sketches be faxed to him as well as the developers, even though he was on location for the filming of Guy Moshe's Bunraku
Bunraku (film)
Bunraku is a 2011 martial-arts action film written and directed by Guy Moshe based on a story by Boaz Davidson. The film stars Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ron Perlman, Kevin McKidd, and Gackt and follows a young drifter in his quest for revenge.The title Bunraku is derived from a...
. Gackpoid was released on July 31, 2008. Miura's design for Gakupo has a samurai aesthetic—the Vocaloid is clad in a hakama
Hakama
are a type of traditional Japanese clothing. They were originally worn only by men, but today they are worn by both sexes. Hakama are tied at the waist and fall approximately to the ankles. Hakama are worn over a kimono ....
and haori, and carries a katana
Katana
A Japanese sword, or , is one of the traditional bladed weapons of Japan. There are several types of Japanese swords, according to size, field of application and method of manufacture.-Description:...
that somehow acts as a musical instrument.
In 2009, Gackt challenged Gackpoid users to create a song, with the prize being 10 million yen, stating if the song was to his liking he would sing and include it in his next album. The winning song "Episode 0" and runner up song "Paranoid Doll" are set to be released as a single by Gackt on July 13, 2011.
Filmography
| Film | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Year | Film | Role | Notes | |
| 2003 | Moon Child | Sho | Film he (co)wrote, (co)directed and starred | |
| 2007 | Arthur and the Minimoys Arthur and the Invisibles Arthur and the Invisibles is a French/American part-animated, part-live action feature film adaptation of the 2002 children's book Arthur et les minimoys / Arthur and the Minimoys, and the 2003 sequel Arthur et la cité interdite /... |
Maltazard | Voice-over in Japanese version | |
| 2009 | Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker is the film adaptation of the 2009 Kamen Rider Series Kamen Rider Decade. The film was released in Japanese theaters on August 8, 2009, alongside the Samurai Sentai Shinkenger film, Samurai Sentai Shinkenger The Movie: The Fateful War. The catchphrases for the movie are and... |
Jōji Yūki | Film | |
| 2010 | Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard | Maltazard | Voice-over in Japanese version | |
| Bunraku Bunraku (film) Bunraku is a 2011 martial-arts action film written and directed by Guy Moshe based on a story by Boaz Davidson. The film stars Josh Hartnett, Demi Moore, Woody Harrelson, Ron Perlman, Kevin McKidd, and Gackt and follows a young drifter in his quest for revenge.The title Bunraku is derived from a... |
Yoshi | Film First role in an international film |
||
| Television | ||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | - |
| 2001 | Fly to Madagascar | Self | TV Documentary | |
| 2002 | Hero's Hero | Self | Short TV documentary-drama | |
| 2003 | Namahousou wa Tomaranai! | Self | Short TV drama | |
| 2007 | Fūrin Kazan Furin Kazan (Taiga drama) was the 46th NHK Taiga drama beginning on January 7, 2007. It was aired throughout 2007.The four characters from left to right are wind, woods, fire, and mountain. The title is a reference to the war banner used by Takeda Shingen, which in turn was taken from Sun Tzu's The Art of War... |
Uesugi Kenshin | TV drama TV Navi Award Best Supporting Actor (Drama category) |
|
| 2009 | Mr. Brain Mr. Brain is a Japanese television drama starting on TBS on 23 May 2009.-Synopsis:Tsukumo Ryusuke is a quirky, yet brilliant neuroscientist working for the National Research Institute of Police Science. Wielding a unique perspective and psychology, Tsukumo tackles the nation's most baffling crimes and... |
Takegami Teijirou | TV series (episode 2) | |
| 2010 | Shiki Shiki (manga) is a horror novel by Japanese novelist Fuyumi Ono, originally published in two parts by Shinchosha in 1998, which is later reprinted in five parts in 2002. A manga series adapting the story is drawn by Ryu Fujisaki and currently serialized in Japanese monthly magazine Jump SQ. from December 2007... |
Seishirō Kirishiki | TV anime series His first regular voice cast member role. |
|
| 2011 | Supernatural: The Animation Supernatural (TV series) Supernatural is an American supernatural and horror television series created by Eric Kripke, which debuted on September 13, 2005 on The WB, and is now part of The CW's lineup. Starring Jared Padalecki as Sam Winchester and Jensen Ackles as Dean Winchester, the series follows the brothers as they... |
Andrew (Andy) Gallagher | TV anime series | |
| The Tempest | Jotei Gai | TV Drama | ||
| Sket Dance Sket Dance is a manga series written and illustrated by Kenta Shinohara and serialized, beginning in July 2007, in Shueisha's manga magazine Weekly Shōnen Jump. Sket Dance won the 55th annual Shogakukan Manga Award in 2009 for best shōnen manga... |
Dante | TV anime series | ||
| Video games & Animation | ||||
| Year | Title | Role | Notes | |
| 2003 | New Fist of the North Star New Fist of the North Star is a three-episode anime OVA series based on the Fist of the North Star franchise, directed by Takeshi Watanabe and produced by OB Planning. The story was adapted from , a 1996 Hokuto no Ken novel written by Buronson and Tetsuo Hara set sometime after the conclusion of the original manga... |
Seiji | Original video animation Original video animation , abbreviated as media , are animated films and series made specially for release in home-video formats. The term originated in relation to Japanese animation... Two of his older songs were used as theme songs and released as a single Lu:na/Oasis Lu:na/Oasis "Lu:na/Oasis" is a single released by Gackt on June 30, 2003. Both songs are themes for the anime OVA New Fist of the North Star. The single peaked at fifth place on the Oricon weekly chart and charted for five weeks.-Track listing:# "Lu:na" - 3:28... |
|
| Bujingai Bujingai Bujingai , also known as Bujingai: The Forsaken City and Bujingai: Swordmaster, is a video game by Taito Corporation and Red Entertainment for the PlayStation 2 console.The game is stylistically inspired by Wuxia films... |
Lau Wong | Video Game | ||
| 2006 | Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII is an action role-playing third-person shooter video game developed and published by Square Enix in 2006 for the PlayStation 2. It is part of the Compilation of Final Fantasy VII metaseries, a multimedia collection set within the universe of the popular 1997 video game Final Fantasy VII... |
Genesis Rhapsodos | Video game Genesis's physical appearance is based on Gackt, and voice either. He composed and performed the two main theme songs which were released on single Redemption Redemption (song) -See also:*Music of the Final Fantasy VII series... and Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII Original Soundtrack. |
|
| 2007 | Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII is an action role-playing game developed by Square Enix for the PlayStation Portable. First released in 2007, the game is a prequel to the video game Final Fantasy VII and is also the sixth installment in metaseries Compilation of Final Fantasy VII which includes products related to the game... |
Genesis Rhapsodos | Video game | |
| 2010 | Dragon Nest Dragon Nest Dragon Nest is a free-to-play fantasy MMORPG developed by Eyedentity Games. It uses a non-targeting combat system ensuring that players have complete control over every single one of their character's movements... |
Belscard | Video Game He composed and performed the theme song, which was set to be released as a single on June 16, but was postponed and released on July 28, titled "Ever Ever (Gackt song) "EVER" is the thirty-eighth single released by Japanese solo artist Gackt. It was released on July 28, 2010 by Avex Group.- Summary :On April 17, it was officially announced that Gackt would leave the record company Nippon Crown with whom he was signed for more than a decade, and would transfer to... ". |
|
| Tono to Issho | Uesugi Kenshin | Animation | ||
| Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. is a 3D Arcade Fighting game and the newest in the series of Gundam VS video game series developed by Capcom and published by Namco Bandai Games. It's the sequel to Mobile Suit Gundam: Gundam vs. Gundam NEXT. The game was first unveiled at the AOU 2010 and confirmed to be released on September 28,... |
Ex | Video game | ||
| 2011 | Tono to Issho | Uesugi Kenshin | Animation | |
Discography
Extended play:- 1999: Mizérable
Studio albums:
- 2000: Mars
- 2001: RebirthRebirth (Gackt album)- Track listing :- Notes :* Like "Ares", the intro of Mars, "4th..." is not sung in any actual language. Again, the booklet provides the lyrics.* "Pappa lapped a pap lopped" was used in the 'Mitsubishi DVD & Navi V7000' cm.- Personnel :...
- 2002: Moon
- 2003: Crescent
- 2005: Love Letter
- 2005: DiabolosDIABOLOSDiabolos is an album released by Gackt on September 21, 2005 in Japan and on October 26, 2007 in Europe. Conceptually, it is a prequel entrant to the 'Moon Project' found in his second and third LPs, Moon and Crescent and the film Moon Child....
- 2009: Re:BornRe:BornRe:Born is the seventh full-length studio album released by Japanese recording artist Gackt on December 2, 2009 in Japan.-Summary and Release:It was released in one version only, containing two CDs...
Compilation albums
- 2004: The Sixth Day: Single CollectionThe Sixth Day: Single CollectionThe Sixth Day: Single Collection is a compilation album released by Gackt on February 25, 2004. It collects the artist's previous A-sides, some of them having been re-recorded for this release...
- 2004: The Seventh Night: UnpluggedThe Seventh Night: UnpluggedThe Seventh Night: Unplugged is a compilation album released by Gackt on May 26, 2004. It contains acoustic arrangements of previously released songs and complements The Sixth Day, a single collection released three months earlier...
- 2007: 0079–0088
- 2010: Are You "Fried Chickenz"??Are You "Fried Chickenz"??- Oricon sales charts :- Billboard Japan :- External links :*...
- 2010: The Eleventh Day: Single CollectionThe Eleventh Day: Single Collection- Oricon sales charts :- Billboard Japan :- External links :*...
Concerts
Arena concerts:- 2000: Mars Sora Kara no Homonsha
- 2001: Requiem et Reminiscence
- 2002: Kagen no Tsuki
- 2003: Jogen no Tsuki
- 2004: The Sixth Day & Seventh Night
- 2005-2006: Diabolos ~Aien no Shi~ (DIABOLOS 〜哀婉の詩と聖夜の涙〜)
- 2008-2009: Requiem et Reminiscence ~Saisei to Kaikou~
Club Concerts:
- 1999: Easter Live
- 1999: Shockwave Illusion Live
- 2000: Starlight Gig
- 2006-2007: Training Days D.r.u.g. Party
- 2010: Yellow Fried Chickenz
Supporting band
Gackt's live support band. As of 2010 its lineup is as follows:- Yukihiro "Chachamaru" FujimuraChachamaru (musician), is a Japanese guitarist, singer-songwriter, arranger and producer. Usually referred to by his stage name "Chachamaru", little is known about his early years and personal life...
– lead guitarLead guitarLead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
, backing vocals - You Kurosaki – guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
, violinViolinThe violin is a string instrument, usually with four strings tuned in perfect fifths. It is the smallest, highest-pitched member of the violin family of string instruments, which includes the viola and cello.... - Hiroshi "Chirolyn" Watanabe – bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Jun-ji – drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Support members/When needed
- Ju-kenJu-kenJu-ken is a Japanese session bassist. He is a member of GacktJob, The Wanderers and Anna Tsuchiya. He is one of the most in-demand bassists in Japan.- Career :...
– bass - Nell – bass
- Minami – drums
- Jinsei Rikori – Tour instruments specialist and drums
Former members
- MasaMasa (musician)Masa is the stage name of a Japanese musician. While he is not very prominent in the Japanese music scene, he was member of GacktJOB, Gackt's band. He has also been in the disbanded Spiky, Dizzy Drive and マァマァサ☆ムゥ.-Biography:...
– rhythm guitarRhythm guitarRhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together... - Ren – bass
- Toshi – drums
- Ryu – drums
- Igao – keyboardKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
External links
- Official website (Japanese, English, Korean, Chinese)
- Gackt at Nippon Crown