Gackt

Template:Nihongo,Template:Refn<ref name="dob"/> better known as Gackt (stylized in all caps),Template:Refn is a Japanese singer-songwriter, musician, record producer and actor.

Born in Okinawa to a Ryukyuan family, Gackt learned the piano at a young age and was raised on classical music and enka before becoming interested in rock music while attending high school. He has been active since 1993, first as the frontman of the short-lived independent band Cains:Feel, and then from 1995 the now-defunct visual kei rock band Malice Mizer. Gackt started his solo career in 1999 with debut mini-album Mizérable and first full-length album Mars (2000). He has released nine studio albums and, with forty-eight singles released, holds the male soloist record for most top ten consecutive singles in Japanese music history.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They are mostly conceived around two conceptual stories "Moon Saga" (Moon, Crescent, Diabolos, Last Moon) and "Requiem et Reminiscence" (Rebirth, Re:Born) which are performed live in uniquely elaborate concerts. His single "Returner (Yami no Shūen)" (2007), is his first and only single to reach the number one spot on the Oricon charts.<ref name="oricon compliments">Template:Cite web</ref> As a solo artist, Gackt has sold over 10 million records.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2007 became a founding member of S.K.I.N., a Japanese visual kei rock supergroup, and in 2010 formed his own band project Yellow Fried Chickenz.

Besides being established in the modern entertainment industry and considered a pop icon, Gackt's music has been used as theme songs for video games (Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII), video game films (Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker), anime series/films (New Fist of the North Star, Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam, Texhnolyze and Trickster) and television series (Kamen Rider Decade). In addition to his music career, Gackt has voice acted (including characters inspired by him in video games like in Bujingai and Genesis Rhapsodos in Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII), and live acted in a few films, including a film he wrote, Moon Child, his international debut Bunraku, Japan Academy award nomination performance for Best Actor in Fly Me to the Saitama, and TV series most notably as Uesugi Kenshin in the NHK drama Fūrin Kazan. He also performed live in theatre stage plays, Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae and a duology he has written, composed, and directed Moon Saga: Mysteries of Yoshitsune I & II. He also provided the voice samples for Internet Co., Ltd.'s first Vocaloid, Gackpoid.

Early life

Gackt was born on July 4, 1973, as the second of three children in a Ryukyuan family, in Okinawa of the Ryukyu Islands, Japan.<ref name='jihaku'>Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="ShuriCastle"/> His father was a music teacher, who primarily played the trumpet, and his mother was also a teacher. Gackt has an older sister and a younger brother.<ref name="jihaku"/> He lived in Okinawa until he was 7 years old (with short periods when was 16 and 26),<ref name="ShuriCastle"/> because of his father's job, living in many different cities on Honshu and Kyushu islands in addition to Okinawa: Yamaguchi, Fukuoka, Shiga, Osaka, and Kyoto.<ref name="jihaku"/><ref name="ShuriCastle"/> He studied in the Moriyama High School in Shiga, and was enrolled in the Kyoto Gakuen University.<ref name="Nikkan">Template:Cite web</ref>

Gackt's musical education began at age three when his parents initiated his classical piano education. At age seven, continuing his classical piano education became more difficult because of time spent at elementary school and the repeated change of instructors due to relocating from city to city. It would take another four years until his parents allowed him to quit lessons. However, after losing a piano competition to a boy he met in the middle school, Gackt voluntarily returned to his piano studies, even writing orchestral scores.<ref name="Benesse">Template:Cite news</ref> He has credited the classical pianist and composer Frédéric Chopin with being "the one who taught me the beauty, depth, fun, sadness, the 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".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since his father played the trumpet, Gackt is also familiar with brass instruments.<ref name="jihaku"/> Having only listened to classical music and enka while growing up, he did not become interested in rock music until high school, and went on to master modern percussion.<ref name="jihaku"/>

Music career

1993–1998: First musical efforts and Malice Mizer

In the early 1990s, Gackt was working as a host and dealer in a casino, while also being an assistant drummer for an amateur band. At the time he wanted to become more serious about his music activity but had a negative perspective on life. While at the casino, he met a businessman who inspired him to find a purpose in life, that being music.<ref name="jihaku"/><ref name="Benesse"/> About a year later he left the band and he found himself working multiple jobs, among them as a sound technician at a studio where he could practice drums.<ref name="jihaku"/><ref name="Nikkan"/> When Gackt was twenty-years old, he met guitarist You Kurosaki, his future solo career support guitarist, at a music live house in Kyoto. They formed the band, Cains:Feel, whose name had biblical reference to the story of Cain and Abel.<ref name="jihaku"/> The group lacked a vocalist, so Gackt became the frontman, and the band went to record a demo tape before disbanding.<ref name="jihaku"/>

In 1995, he was introduced to the visual kei band Malice Mizer which was on hiatus due to the departure of their frontman Tetsu. Gackt moved to Tokyo and joined them in October 1995.<ref name="jihaku"/><ref name="Nikkan"/> As their vocalist, pianist and primary lyricist on studio albums Voyage Sans Retour (1996) and Merveilles (1998), he also contributed three songs in their catalog, "Regret", "Hamon" and "Le Ciel", the latter being their most successful single as a band.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

During this time, the band's fame soared; and, after four years and two studio albums, in January 1999, it was officially announced that he left the band.<ref name="Nikkan"/> According to his interviews and autobiography, the issues with the management office, members' differences, and his isolation from the band led to his departure.<ref name="jihaku"/><ref name="JaME2011">Template:Cite web</ref>

1999–2001: Solo debut, Mizérable, Mars, and Rebirth

Gackt launched his solo career on January 1, 1999. After completing his recordings, his first gig as a solo artist was the 99 Gackt Resurrection tour held in 11 locations across Japan.<ref name="officialcommunity">Template:Cite web</ref> It was followed on May 12 with his debut release, the extended play Mizérable, released by Nippon Crown. The album peaked at number two, spending 12 weeks on the Oricon charts.<ref name="Oricon albums">Template:Cite web</ref> It spanned the same-titled single "Mizérable", which peaked at number three, spending nine weeks on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles">Template:Cite web</ref> In July, he performed at Shock Wave Illusion in Osaka and Tokyo.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> On August 11, Gackt released his second single, "Vanilla". It peaked at number four, spent 10 weeks on the charts, and enjoyed considerable success.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2000, on February 9 and 16, the third and fourth singles were released, "Mirror" and "Oasis". They peaked at number nine and number seven, respectively, and both spent six weeks on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> His fifth single was released on March 8, "Seki-Ray", which peaked at number seven, charting for six weeks.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> At the beginning of the year, Gackt was joined by support guitarist and associate producer Chachamaru. For Caparison Guitars, Gackt designed two guitars, named "Marcury" and "Venus", which he occasionally uses in his live performances.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 26, his first full-length studio album, Mars, was released. It peaked at number three, spent five weeks on the charts,<ref name="Oricon albums"/> and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The following day Gackt went on a nationwide tour Mars Sora Kara no Homonsha -Kaisō-, which included 16 concerts, and on July 1, he performed the final concert at Yokohama Arena.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> On August 30, the sixth single, "Saikai (Story)", was released. It peaked at number seven, spending six weeks on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> The seventh single, "Secret Garden", was released on November 16; it reached number ten, and charted for five weeks.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> On December 16, 2000, Gackt released the first in the series of Platinum Boxes.<ref name="officialcommunity" />

In 2001, on March 14, Gackt released his eighth single, "Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto", which peaked at number six, and charted for 18 weeks, Gackt's longest-charted single until 2009.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> On April 25, the second studio album, Rebirth was released. It was Gackt's first concept album, conceived around a fictional narrative during the time of World War II, named "Requiem et Reminiscence". The album includes previously released singles "Seki-Ray" and "Secret Garden". It peaked at number three, spent 21 weeks on the charts.<ref name="Oricon albums"/> On May 3, Gackt went on the Requiem et Reminiscence tour, which included 18 concerts at fourteen venues.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> The final concert was held on June 23 at the Yokohama Arena.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> His ninth single, "Another World" was released on September 5. It was Gackt's first single to reach number two spot on the charts, spent 17 weeks on them,<ref name="Oricon singles"/> and managed to sell over two hundred and fifty thousand copies.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

After the events of September 11th, 2001, in New York, Gackt wrote a song for a world peace.<ref name="Band Bio: Gackt">Template:Cite web</ref> It was released December 2001 as a single, "Jūnigatsu no Love Song". It peaked at number five and charted for nine weeks.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> From 2001 to 2004, the single was recorded in Japanese, English, Chinese and Korean, which were all released before Christmas. In the same month on TV performed in duet with Ayumi Hamasaki the B'z's popular song "Itsuka no Merry Christmas",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and again with Namie Amuro the next year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On New Year's Eve, Gackt's performance of "Another World" was his first participation at the annual music show, the 52nd Kōhaku Uta Gassen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2002–2003: Moon and Crescent

In the second half of 2001, during the release of "Another World", Gackt started his second concept, project "Moon Saga". In 2002, on April 24, he released his eleventh single "Wasurenai Kara". It peaked at number four, spending five weeks on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> On June 6, Gackt went on the nationwide live house tour which represented his new concept and included nine concerts at eight venues. The final concert was held on July 10, at Zepp Sendai.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> On June 16, the third studio concept album Moon was released. It is Gackt's best-selling album, reached number two on the charts, and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 22, 2002, at the Beijing Worker's Gymnasium, in China, a large musical event "China-Japan: Holding Hands, Moving Together" was held as part of "Japan-China Diplomatic Relations Normalization 30th Anniversary Commemoration", and Gackt was among the handful who represented his homeland.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> On October 14, he continued the concept with the nationwide tour Template:Nihongo3, which included 22 concerts among fifteen venues.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> The final concert was held on December 24, at the Yokohama Arena. On New Year's Eve, Gackt performed "Jūnigatsu no Love Song" at the 53rd Kōhaku Uta Gassen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On March 19, his thirteenth single, "Kimi ga Oikaketa Yume", was released, which is the second of five to reach number two on the charts, spending 10 weeks on them.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> It was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref name="RIAJ January–July 2003">Template:Cite web</ref> On May 4 the nationwide tour Template:Nihongo3 was launched, continuing the concept of the previous one, and included 13 concerts at eight venues.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> On June 11, the fourteenth single, "Tsuki no Uta", was released and was ending theme for anime Texhnolyze.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It peaked at number three, and it was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref name="RIAJ January–July 2003"/> On July 6, the final concert of the tour was held at the Yokohama Arena.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> On August 16 headlined the All Night Nippon summer festival organized by Nippon Broadcasting System.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 26, Gackt released his autobiography Template:Nihongo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On September 27, he performed as a special guest at the TV Asahi 45th anniversary commemorative "Kingdom Rock Show".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On October 2, Gackt performed the John Lennon song "Love", at the "Dream Power: John Lennon Super Live" concert organized by Yoko Ono in Saitama Super Arena.<ref name="Dream Power 2003">Template:Cite web</ref> Besides the film and musical recordings for the project, in October he published a novel Template:Nihongo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 12, the sixteenth single, "Last Song", was released and peaked at number five. It spent 13 weeks on the charts and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref name="RIAJ December 2003">Template:Cite web</ref> On December 3, the fourth studio concept album, Crescent, was released. It also peaked at number five, through 11 weeks on the charts, and was certified platinum by RIAJ.<ref name="RIAJ December 2003"/> It included his movie Moon Child theme song Template:Nihongo which sang with co-star Hyde (singer of L'Arc-en-Ciel). On New Year's Eve, Gackt performed "Last Song" at the 54th Kōhaku Uta Gassen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2004–2005: The Sixth Day and The Seventh Night, Love Letter, Diabolos and Tokyo Dome

In February 2004, his first compilation album, The Sixth Day: Single Collection was released. It peaked at number three, spent 23 weeks on the charts,<ref name="Oricon albums" /> and was certified platinum by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 29, Gackt went on the nationwide tour The Sixth Day & Seventh Night, which included 15 concerts in eight venues.<ref name="officialcommunity" /> In May, Gackt released another compilation album, The Seventh Night: Unplugged, containing the acoustic arrangements of previously released songs. It peaked at number five, spent eight weeks on the charts,<ref name="Oricon albums" /> and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 4 was held the final concert of the tour at the Yokohama Arena. In October, the eighteenth single, "Kimi ni Aitakute", was released.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It peaked at number two, spent 17 weeks on the charts,<ref name="Oricon singles"/> and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In December, he appeared and performed at the M.net/Km Music Video Festival, where he received the award for "Best Asian Rock Artist".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On New Year's Eve, Gackt performed "Kimi ni Aitakute" at the 55th Kōhaku Uta Gassen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In January 2005, Gackt released the single "Arittake no Ai de", which peaked at number seven,<ref name="Oricon singles"/> and his fifth studio album, Love Letter, on Valentine's Day. It peaked at number five, spent 13 weeks on the charts,<ref name="Oricon albums" /> was certified gold by RIAJ,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and was re-recorded in Korean and released in June for the Korean market.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In April he returned to dark rock style and "Moon Saga" with the single "Black Stone".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The single peaked at number three<ref name="Oricon singles"/> and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In May, his twenty-second single, "Metamorphoze", was used in the movie Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It was his fourth single to reach number two, spent 13 weeks on the charts,<ref name="Oricon singles"/> and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August, Gackt released his twenty-third single, "Todokanai Ai to Shitteita no ni Osaekirezu ni Aishitsuzuketa...".<ref name="TodokanaiOriconInterview">Template:Cite web</ref> It peaked at number three<ref name="Oricon singles"/> and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September, his sixth studio album, Diabolos, was released.<ref name="Oricon Diabolos">Template:Cite web</ref> Conceptually, it was a prequel to the previous "Moon Saga" albums. It reached number four on the charts<ref name="Oricon albums" /> and was certified gold by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gackt launched his nationwide tour, Diabolos ~Aien no Shi~, including 36 concerts across Japan, which ended with a final Christmas Eve spectacle at the Tokyo Dome,<ref name="Oricon Diabolos"/> in front of more than forty-two thousand people and costing 500 million Yen (roughly $4.3 million).<ref name="Band Bio: Gackt"/><ref name="JZ122605">Template:Cite news</ref>

2006–2007: First solo tours in Asia, international releases and S.K.I.N.

In 2006, he continued his tour with a concert on January 14, in Korea, at Fencing Stadium in Korean Olympic Park, which was his first Asian solo concert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="NoCut06">Template:Cite news</ref> In the same month his twenty-fourth single, "Redemption" was released, which included theme songs "Redemption" and "Longing" of the Square Enix game, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII.<ref name="060125Inter">Template:Cite web</ref> On February 28, he appeared at the graduation of the Maiko High School in Hyōgo Prefecture. Besides the words of encouragement, he performed an unreleased song especially written for the graduation. It was released the following year on February 7, as "No ni Saku Hana no Yō ni".<ref name="nikkansports">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Since then he continued to appear in graduation ceremonies,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with 16 performances by 2025.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In August, at an Otakon conference, it was publicly announced that he would form a rock supergroup, S.K.I.N., with X Japan drummer Yoshiki, Luna Sea guitarist Sugizo, and guitarist Miyavi.<ref name="Oricon Style">Template:Cite web</ref> The group had an ambitious vision to be the first Asian band to conquer the world charts.<ref name="FoolMate032007">Template:Cite magazine</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 24, Gackt went on a small nationwide fan club tour Training Days – Dears Reserved Unique Gackt (D.r.u.g./Drug) Party, which also continued with four concerts in Korea and Taiwan in January 2007.<ref name="OriconDrug07">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="AyakoBarks07">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The tour, being his first livehouse tour since going solo, had a specific theme as while performing rock songs embraced an all-out androgynous style approach.<ref name="FoolMate032007"/>

On June 20, Gackt released his twenty-seventh single, "Returner (Yami no Shūen)", which was the first in his career (both solo and as a member of a band) to reach the number one spot on the Oricon charts.<ref name="oricon compliments"/> Its music and video were inspired by the NHK Taiga drama Fūrin Kazan in which Gackt played Uesugi Kenshin.<ref name="CDJReturner">Template:Cite web</ref> The supergroup S.K.I.N. made debut performance on June 29, 2007 at Long Beach Arena, California, but no further activities were announced.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On 10 October,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> he held a press conference at the Apple Store in Ginza, Tokyo, where besides advertising the first iPhone, Gackt announced he would have his entire back catalog, with new, previously toured, live song recordings, put up on the iTunes Store, as well as that "The Greatest Filmography" would be released on October 9 in the United States and Canada. His album Diabolos was released on October 26 in eighteen European countries.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Oricon48102">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Apple07">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On November 17 and 27, he performed at M.net/Km Music Video Festival in Korea as a special guest star,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and he appeared and performed at the 2007 Japan-China Cultural Exchange Grand Concert Final in Beijing where sang "Jūnigatsu no Love Song" in Japanese, Korean, and Mandarin.<ref name="officialcommunity" /><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 19, Gackt released a compilation album, 0079–0088, including songs used in the Gundam franchise.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gackt also performed at the 58th Kōhaku Uta Gassen.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2008–2009: Requiem et Reminiscence II tour and Re:Born

In December 2008, Gackt returned to the story of "Requiem et Reminiscence",<ref name="Biglobe08">Template:Cite web</ref> releasing his twenty-eighth single "Jesus".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It peaked at number seven, spending 10 weeks on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> On December 14, Gackt went on his longest nationwide tour, Requiem et Reminiscence II -Saisei to Kaikō- (Requiem et Reminiscence II -再生と邂逅-, -Rebirth and Reunion-),<ref name="Barks1216">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="LiveRepo99">Template:Cite web</ref> which included over 60 concerts in more than 45 cities, reaching an audience of over 210,000 spectators.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

On January 28, 2009, his twenty-ninth single "Ghost" was released,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and peaked at number six on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> On May 18, Gackt was scheduled to perform a concert in South Korea at Seoul's Olympic Hall, but due to the effects of the global recession, the sponsors of the concert withdrew their support.<ref name="Korea09Rec">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In commemoration of his 10th anniversary as a solo artist, Gackt released four singles: "Koakuma Heaven", "Faraway", "Lost Angels", and "Flower", one week after another, starting from June 17 and ending on July 1.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They all managed to enter the top ten on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> On June 13, Gackt began the arena part of the tour, and on July 4 held a fanclub concert to celebrate his birthday at the Yoyogi National Stadium.<ref name="LiveRepo468">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="Barks090625">Template:Cite web</ref> On July 11 and 12, he held the final concerts at the Saitama Super Arena.<ref name="AskewReport09">Template:Cite web</ref>

As both Gackt and the Kamen Rider Series' Heisei period run had its 10th anniversary, he became involved in the 2009 edition of the franchise, Kamen Rider Decade, to perform its theme songs. These are the first singles that were not written by him, and were released by Avex Trax and Avex Entertainment. In March, his thirtieth single and the series' opening theme, "Journey Through the Decade", was released, peaking at number two and spending 25 weeks on the charts,<ref name="Oricon singles"/> and certified platinum by RIAJ.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August, he released the second theme single for the Kamen Rider Decade film All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker, "The Next Decade". It peaked at number four and spent nine weeks on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> He also appeared in the film as DecadeTemplate:'s iteration of the character Jōji Yūki.<ref name="Barks2009-10-22">Template:Cite web</ref> The collaboration finished in January 2010 with the release of the final single, "Stay the Ride Alive",<ref name="Oricon singles"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which charted the same as his previous one.<ref name="Oricon singles"/>

In September, he performed as a representative of Japan at the Asia Song Festival at Seoul World Cup Stadium in Korea.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In September he also participated in the 2009 Animelo Summer Live concert.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October, Gackt performed as the main artist in the Wow Live! Thanks For Music show held in Yoyogi National Gymnasium, in Japan.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On December 2, he released his seventh studio album, Re:Born, which also featured RR II story related audio drama. It reached number nine on the charts.<ref name="Oricon albums"/> On December 9 was released his thirty-six single "Setsugekka (The End of Silence)/Zan", it reached Top 5 on the charts.<ref name="Oricon singles"/> On December 12, he held a fanclub cover concert conceptualized around fictional school, "Camui Gakuen", at the Saitama Super Arena.<ref name="Akagi09">Template:Cite web</ref>

2010–2011: The Eleventh Day, move to Avex Group and Yellow Fried Chickenz

In 2010, on February 14, Gackt participated as a representative of Japan at the Asia Pops Festival held in Niigata, in homage for the victims of 2007 Chūetsu earthquake.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 6 and 7, he performed the theme songs "Setsugekka (The End of Silence)/Zan" at the festival organized by Koei to promote their new Wii game, Samurai Warriors 3, at the Saitama Super Arena.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On April 17, he officially announced that he transferred from Nippon Crown to Avex Group's recording conglomerate.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Gackt live in Barcelona 20-07-2010.webm

Gackt performing with Yellow Fried Chickenz in Barcelona, 2010

Prior to the transferring to Avex, he organized a band project Yellow Fried Chickenz, whose name refers to human cowardice, that included Chachamaru and Shinya Yamada.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Besides the nationwide tour in June and August,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> from July 16, he made his first appearance touring Europe, performing sold-out dates in London, Paris, Barcelona, Munich, and Bochum.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 21, Nippon Crown released The Eleventh Day: Single Collection, a compilation of Gackt's singles from the second half of his tenure with Nippon Crown.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In July and August 2011, Gackt toured Europe for the second time with Yellow Fried Chickenz, and later toured across Japan. In Europe, he visited 9 countries and performed 14 shows, starting on July 20–21 at Bataclan in Paris, including also first time performance in Cologne, Amsterdam, Toulouse, Berlin, Budapest, Warsaw, Leipzig, Stockholm, and ending on 11 August at Ray Just Arena, Moscow.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> They gathered an audience of 20,000 people.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 4, 2012, at a concert at the Nippon Budokan, Yellow Fried Chickenz disbanded.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2012–2014: Best of the Best tour, and move to independent G&Lovers

On March 18 and 19, 2012, Gackt appeared at the Gala party for FilmAid Asia,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the 6th Asian Film Awards,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> where he also performed, as part of Hong Kong International Film Festival in Hong Kong.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On March 29, Gackt performed the national anthem Kimigayo at the Major League Baseball season opening game in Tokyo Dome. It was his fourth time performing the national anthem.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 15, he performed at the 45th anniversary concert of All Night Nippon, at the Yoyogi National Stadium.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the same month, on December 19, his 43rd single, "White Lovers (Shiawase na Toki)", was released.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2013 his first national tour in four years was announced, titled Best of the Best Vol. I, which started on May 11, and ended with three consecutive shows on July 7 at the Yokohama Arena.<ref name="Best">Template:Cite web</ref> It had an attendance of 80,000 people.<ref name="Best"/> In July, it was accompanied with the release of two compilation albums, Mild and Wild, including two new songs "Claymore" and "Sakura Chiru...".<ref name="Best"/> On December 22, the final concert of the fourth festival of cover concerts was held, which conceptualized around a fictional school, "Camui Gakuen".<ref name="Tojo13">Template:Cite web</ref> On December 26, a special live concert was held where Gackt performed along with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2014, since February 12, with the release of his forty-fourth single "P.S. I Love U",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> his records were released by his independent record label G&Lovers (G-PRO), distributed by Crown Tokuma.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August 2014 was released second novel related to the story of "Moon Saga" (also Gackt's theatre play).<ref name="Barks729">Template:Cite web</ref> On October 1, Gackt released his forty-fifth single, "Akatsukizukuyo (Day Breakers)".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 26, the second live concert with the Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra was held.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

2015–2017: Last Moon and Last Visualive tour

In celebration of Gackt's 15th anniversary on July 1, 2015, the remix album titled, Gacktracks -Ultra DJ ReMix-, was released.<ref name="OrReTracks">Template:Cite web</ref> It contained club remix versions of his songs done by Japanese DJs, including DJ Koo, Taku Takahashi, Tomoyuki Tanaka (FPM), Jazztronik, Marc Panther and many others.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gackt stated he personally would not decide to do the project from a musical perspective because he was not fond of EDM.<ref name="IflyerMix">Template:Cite web</ref> He chose the DJs on a first-come, first-served basis, and, because of the great interest for participation, he believed in a second collaboration in the near future.<ref name="ExiteDJLVL">Template:Cite web</ref> He also expressed his concern on the decline of originality and growing irrelevance of music in modern daily life.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On July 3 a release party was also held.<ref name="IflyerMix"/> On October 7, 2015 his forty-sixth single, "Arrow" was released.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the same month, he embarked on another small tour of cover concerts conceptualized around a fictional school, "Camui Gakuen",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and with it performed on Hyde's band Vamps "Halloween Party" at Makuhari Messe,<ref name="VampsHalo15">Template:Cite web</ref> and on Niconico Super Party at the Saitama Super Arena.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref>

His solo live tour in almost seven years, Last Visualive Saigo no Tsuki –Last Moon–, started with a fanclub only concert on March 19, 2016 at Misato City Cultural Hall in Saitama,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with the first public show being held on March 21 at the Colany Hall in Yamanashi.<ref name="OKLVL">Template:Cite web</ref> The tour ended on July 3 with two consecutive shows at the Saitama Super Arena. Overall, a total of 42 concerts in thirty cities were held, with an audience of about 120,000 people.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Barks1674">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="JapanPlusReview">Template:Cite web</ref> There were planning talks about holding a world tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The eighth studio album Last Moon was released on April 27, 2016.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 48th single Template:Nihongo, conceptually related to the latest album, was released on March 22, 2017.<ref name="TsumiTrickster">Template:Cite web</ref>

2018–2022: 20th anniversary and temporary hiatus

On July 4, 2018, the "Last Songs" concert was held in celebration of his 45th birthday at Shinkiba Studio Coast, Tokyo, which was broadcast live via NicoNico Live.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Between October 11 and 25, eight live performances of the "Camui Gakuen" event were held.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On December 31, Gackt sang the national anthem of Japan for the Japanese kickboxer Tenshin Nasukawa before his bout with American boxer Floyd Mayweather Jr. at the Saitama Super Arena.<ref name="rizin4">Template:Cite news</ref> He also joined the live broadcast of Fuji TV as a special guest commentator for the main and semi-final matches.<ref name="rizin4"/> On March 22, 2019, Gackt participated as a representative of Japan at the Hong Kong Asian-Pop Music Festival.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On July 4, 2019, a concert was held in celebration of his 46th birthday and 20th anniversary of solo career at Pacifico Yokohama.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The 20th anniversary national tour Khaos started at Grand Cube Osaka on January 11 and ended at Fukuoka Sunpalace on February 29, 2020, a total of 20 performances in eight cities in total,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with an audience of about 60,000 people.<ref name="ShuriCastle"/> In the late 2020 provided theme song "Exterminate" for the theatre play Road59.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In June and July 2021 held a live tour "Last Songs 2021" with South Korean singer-pianist K.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> On September 8, 2021 it was announced that Gackt would go on an indefinite hiatus for a medical treatment of prolonged neurological disorder from childhood which caused severe dysphonia, a neurological vocal condition that prevents him from singing and other activities.<ref name="The Mainichi 2021">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In his promise of recovery vowed to make a new album and tour in the future.<ref name="NME 2021">Template:Cite web</ref> On May 17, 2022, it was announced that he was not fully recovered but will resume activities by the end of the year,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and in January 2023 stated to feel at "80%".<ref name="Jisin">Template:Cite news</ref>

2023–present: Resume of activities, Demonic Philharmony and world tour

File:Gackt at Thai-Japan Iconic Music Fest 2023 cropped (1).png

Gackt at the "Thai-Japan Iconic Music Fest", Bangkok, Thailand, 2023.

On January 28, 2023, Gackt sang the national anthem at the sumo retirement ceremony in honor of Hakuhō Shō.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March started a live tour "Last Songs 2023" with South Korean singer-pianist K with whom collaborated two years ago, performing ballads and other songs in arrangements with strings and piano.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In September 2023 made a surprise appearance and talk show at the "Thai-Japan Iconic Music Fest" held at Iconsiam in Bangkok, Thailand.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In November published his second autobiography Template:Nihongo,<ref name="Confess2323">Template:Cite news</ref> and expressed desire to perform worldwide.<ref name="Jisin23">Template:Cite news</ref>

In February 2024, Gackt collaborated with Japanese band Tube on the single "Sayonara no Kawaii ni",<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which performed together at Gackt's "Last Songs 2024 feat. K" tour.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It peaked at number nine on the charts.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> On November 10, was reformed band project, now named as Gackt Yellow Fried Chickenz, with new members and performed on Kishidan Expo at Makuhari Messe, announcing band's limited five year revival, with concerts at Zepp Haneda on December 24 and 25,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="Jisin25YFC">Template:Cite news</ref> and plans to tour in Asia, Europe and South America.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2025, in celebration of the 25th anniversary of Gackt's solo career, in March were distributed digitally live music recordings from nine*nine (2008) collection of his live tours 2000–2006 as live albums, with official live videos of "Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto" (2001), "Last Song" (2004) and "Another World" (2006).<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In March until early April was held "Last Songs 2025 feat. K" tour, and on April 13 two performances of rock orchestral concert "Gackt Philharmonic 2025" supported by his band Yellow Fried Chickenz and Grand Philharmonic Tokyo orchestra conducted by Yoneda Satoshi at Sumida Triphony Hall, Tokyo.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> The Gackt Philharmonic 2025 - Demonic Philharmony live album was released on July 4 by Universal Classics and Jazz, reaching Top 20 on the Oricon charts,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with video recording release scheduled on November 11, and revival concert on December 23 at the same venue.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In October 2025, a Gackt Yellow Fried Chickenz world tour was announced. For now, the confirmed dates include a starting point on January 18, 2026, at Zepp Yokohama in Japan, moving to Shanghai in China, and in February to Mexico City in Mexico, São Paulo in Brazil, and on February 9 Teatro Caupolicán in Santiago, Chile.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Acting career

Gackt's introduction to filmmaking, in addition to music videos, came in 2001 and 2002 with two TV documentaries. First, he traveled to Madagascar for the TV show Template:Nihongo,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> then participated in the children's documentary, Hero's Hero, both aired on NHK.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2003, he worked on the script and starred as Shō in his film, Moon Child, which was filmed in Taiwan.<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> It was released on April 19 in Japan, and screened on May 13 at the Cannes Film Festival and on April 12, 2004, at Philadelphia Film Festival.<ref name="Release dates for Moon Child">Template:Cite web</ref> He voiced Seiji in the original video animation, New Fist of the North Star, for which two of his older songs were used as themes and released as a single "Lu:na/Oasis".<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gackt also assisted as a model and provided the voice and the motion capture for a main character Lau Wong in the video game Bujingai by Taito and Red Entertainment.<ref name="Kotaku">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="dengeki">Template:Cite web</ref> His next involvement was in 2006, with the Final Fantasy franchise, for a video game Dirge of Cerberus, and again in 2007 for a video game Crisis Core, where the character Genesis Rhapsodos was modeled on, voiced and co-created by Gackt.<ref name="CCinterview">Template:Cite web</ref> Besides that, Gackt composed and performed two theme songs for the first game, which were released in the single "Redemption".<ref name="CCinterview"/>

In 2007, Gackt played the Sengoku-period daimyō Uesugi Kenshin in the NHK Taiga drama, Fūrin Kazan,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> for which he was nominated for the TV Navi award as best-supporting actor in a drama category.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gackt recalls that Kenshin was always portrayed as a very tough man. Thus his vision with female myth in mind, which presented him clean-shaven and with long hair, received harsh criticism, but Ken Ogata expressed his approval and supported Gackt's work in the drama.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His single "Returner (Yami no Shūen)" music video was inspired by the drama, and the song was used as the theme song in the Japanese version of movie The Prestige.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the same year Gackt was a voice actor in the Japanese dub of the French animated-live action film, Arthur and the Minimoys.<ref name="Cinematoday">Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2008, Gackt was filming in Romania for his first international film debut, Bunraku, which was released in 2010.<ref name="BunrakuMTV">Template:Cite web</ref> The next year he appeared as a prisoner Takegami Teijiro on death row in the second episode of the TV series, Mr. Brain,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Joji Yuki in the film Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker.<ref name="Barks2009-10-22" /> In 2008 and 2009 collaborated as an actor, with main character based on him and were used his songs in two slo-pachinko's, Yamasa Digi World SP Bounty Killer and Gladiator Evolution.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2010, he was a voice actor several times, first for the film Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> then the anime series Shiki, his first regular voice cast role;<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Tono to Issho, where he provided the voice for the daimyo he previously played on television.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> He also voiced characters for two video games, Velskud in Dragon Nest,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> for which he composed and performed the theme song, "Ever",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and pilot "Ex-" of Extreme Gundam the final boss in Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs..<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2011, he was a voice actor for the sequel of the Tono to Issho anime series, Andy in Supernatural: The Animation (episode 21 first season),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and Dante in Sket Dance for which he also performed its theme "Graffiti" as well.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He appeared in the TV drama, Template:Nihongo in which he played Jotei Gai, a Chinese eunuch who tries to take over the Ryukyu Kingdom.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He was also a voice actor of Knight Commander and theme song "Until The Last Day" performer for the video game animated film, Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Gackt 2013 RCTI.jpg

Gackt in 2013 on Indonesian RCTI greeting BIMA Satria Garuda.

In 2012, Gackt appeared in the Sengoku Basara television drama, Sengoku Basara: Moonlight Party, as the games' depiction of warlord Oda Nobunaga.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> He also performed the series' theme song "Hakuro" (his 42nd single). He was also seen in a dual role as a Professor of Neurology Shiki Takashi and Yumeoji (literally translated "Dream Prince") in the drama Akumu-chan, which is based on the novel Template:Nihongo by Riku Onda.<ref name="Akumu">Template:Cite web</ref> In mid-2013 was the voice actor of Travis Grady and provided image song "Claymore" in Japanese dubbing of Silent Hill: Revelation.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In November 2013, Gackt appeared as a guest-star in two episodes (21 & 22) of the Indonesian Tokusatsu series, Bima Satria Garuda, as "Noir", the mysterious "Bima Legend" Knight from Parallel World.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2014, he repeated his role in the movie Akumu-chan,<ref name="Akumu"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and starred in the drama Time Spiral as a time-traveler university professor Shuya Tatsumi, based on the web novel Template:Nihongo by Template:Nihongo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Gackt collaborated with Square Enix on the role-playing game 3594e -Sangokushi Eiga- for iOS, based on the story of Romance of the Three Kingdoms, a Chinese historical novel. The in-game playable character, military general Lü Bu, was voiced by him and he also provided a theme song.<ref name="Natalie">Template:Cite web</ref>

File:Kong- Skull Island Japan Premiere Red Carpet- GACKT, Sasaki Nozomi, Tom Hiddleston & Samuel L. Jackson (37422714925).jpg

Gackt with Sasaki Nozomi, Tom Hiddleston and Samuel L. Jackson at the Japanese premiere of Kong: Skull Island in 2017.

In 2015, Gackt made a cameo appearance in Origami, a short film by director Cato Ochi.<ref name="Origami">Template:Cite webTemplate:Subscription required</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> It premiered at the Cannes Film Festival.<ref name="Origami"/> In the same year he voiced the characters Uesugi Kenshin and Sengoku Gackt which was modelled after him as well as provided the opening theme song of the mobile game Sengoku Shura Soul.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In early 2016, it was announced that Gackt was to have his first lead role after 14 years in the movie Karanukan (2018) directed by Template:Nihongo.<ref name="KaraNatalie">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The movie is set at the Yaeyama Islands of Okinawa, and Gackt portrays photographer Hikaru Ooyama who falls in love with a girl, Mami who mysteriously disappears.<ref name="KaraNatalie"/><ref name="TokyoWeekender">Template:Cite news</ref> In the same year he voiced Maten Ruedo in the mobile game Othellonia,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> was a voice actor for The Fiend with Twenty Faces providing also opening and ending theme songs for the anime Trickster,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="TsumiTrickster"/> and also dubbed the main role played by Tom Hiddleston in the Japanese dub of Kong: Skull Island.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In August 2018, it was announced that Gackt will have a co-leading role as 18-year-old student Rei Asami in a live adaptation movie of the 1980s comedy manga Template:Nihongo, written by Template:Nihongo. The film was released in early 2019 to critical acclaim,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and Gackt was nominated at the 43rd Japan Academy Film Prize for Outstanding Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In October 2022 was confirmed to have started working on Tonde Saitama sequel,<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> which was released in November 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Theatre

In May 2010, a play named Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae was staged at Nissay Theatre in Tokyo, in which Gackt starred as the main protagonist.<ref name="dob"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The show ran for 120 performances in seven cities until February 27, 2011, with an estimated 150,000 spectators.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2012, Gackt announced a plan to continue the concept of Moon Saga with a stage theatre play written, composed and directed by him, 'Moon Saga - Mysteries of Yoshitsune, in which he starred as Minamoto no Yoshitsune, starting from July 15 at Akasaka ACT Theatre in Tokyo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The final two of 60 shows were held on September 26 and October 2, in Tokyo.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="07Orphan">Template:Cite web</ref> The estimated audience was about 50,000 spectators.<ref name="Barks729"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The second "Moon" stage theatre adaptation ran from August until October 2014, with 40 performances in seven cities,<ref name="Excite">Template:Cite web</ref> notable for the first major use of projection mapping in theatre stage plays.<ref name="Barks729"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Music artistry

Voice

Template:Listen Template:Listen Gackt has a low-pitched voice<ref name="TodokanaiOriconInterview"/> with a vibrato pitch at D₃-D₄,<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> and is capable of using falsetto, like for example in the songs "Ares" and "4th", among others.<ref name="Yun"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In his songs, he shows a wide range and often sings both low and high notes in the same song, sometimes also adding the falsetto.<ref name="CDJ6th">Template:Cite web</ref> According to Gackt, he overextended his voice between 2003 and 2004 so searched for the right range until 2005, since which he has used a more restrained vocal style.<ref name="OK2008">Template:Cite web</ref> His voice has been described as "very melodramatic",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> as well as "smooth, sleek, unnaturally heartfelt",<ref name="Alexey79">Template:Cite web</ref> "velvet" and "molasses".<ref name="Yun">Template:Cite book</ref>

Songwriting

His songs range from melodic ballads to intense hard rock songs,<ref name="OK2008"/><ref name="Oricon Todokanai">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> in which he masterfully combines "raw rock elements" with "listener-friendly compositions" and string instruments.<ref name="Alexey79"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Josephine Yun in A Concise Report on 40 of the Biggest Rock Acts in Japan (2005) noted his "talent for orchestration and for blending classical elements into the rock genre ... and his style ranges from romantically classical to experimental and unfolding progressive rock".<ref name="Yun"/> Some songs, like for example "Mind Forest",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Metamorphoze",<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "Returner (Yami no Shūen)",<ref name="CDJReturner"/> and those related to the album Last Moon,<ref name="CDJZan"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> are distinctive for their blend of modern Western musical instruments and traditional Japanese musical instruments,<ref name="ExciteSides16">Template:Cite web</ref> a kind of music called by Gackt as "Zipangu rock" from which can be sensed it originates from Japan.<ref name="CDJZan">Template:Cite web</ref>

Gackt often "stressed the beauty and importance of Japanese lyrics", writing "all of his music and lyrics to quality, not quantity".<ref name="Yun"/> He uses double meaning words,<ref name="HaRoFrance09">Template:Cite magazineTemplate:Small)</ref> and lyrics are "meaningful and heartfelt".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> They also deal with emotions of sadness, kindness, coexistence, beauty, fragility, depth of love for others and loneliness among many others.<ref name="CDJ6th"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

His process of writing songs and making concerts is by first writing the story, then writing and composing the songs based on it with a specific image in the live performance.<ref name="HaRoFrance09"/><ref name="OK">Template:Cite web</ref> It results in songs that are conceptually related, but still independent from each other.<ref name="Arena 37C"/> Most of his studio albums are conceived around two conceptual stories: story of "Moon Saga" (Moon, Crescent, Diabolos, Last Moon), set in Asia (mostly Japan) and Europe is a vampire story although by itself it is not, as the vampires were presented as a way of expressing a certain evil side and existence of humans.<ref name="Barks729"/><ref name="OK"/><ref name="Arena 37C">Template:Cite journal</ref><ref name="Pamphlet">Template:Citation</ref> The theme is based around the existential questions of humanity, a symbolical and psychological story about the repetition of human sins, war and the question of what is the ultimate meaning of human life;<ref name="Arena 37C"/><ref name="B=Pass">Template:Cite journal</ref> and story of "Requiem et Reminiscence" or short "ЯR" (Rebirth, Re:Born), which is set in Nazi Germany during the World War II and questions where humans start and end and why at the same time destructive and loving, humanity decides to start wars.<ref name="LiveRepo99"/><ref name="LiveRepo468"/><ref name="AskewReport09"/><ref name="OK2008"/>

Performances

Visualive

Gackt is known for his unique concerts,<ref name="Biglobe08"/><ref name="LiveRepo99"/><ref name="LiveRepo468"/><ref name="Barks090625"/> which he wants to preserve as works of art.<ref name="TodokanaiOriconInterview"/> His conceptual kind of concerts related to "Moon Saga" and "Requiem et Reminiscence" are different from typical music concerts neither they fit in the usual categories of a musical or a theatre play. Thus Gackt calls them "Visualive", because they are formed by a story, music, movies, theatre and musical elements, as well as live performance (with Gackt "acting" as the story protagonist).<ref name="LiveRepo99"/><ref name="LiveRepo468"/><ref name="Pamphlet"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> The shows are elaborately divided into two basic parts, conceptual and entertainment, which can be further divided into four parts, first has introduction concept movie followed by first set of concept songs, second has stage clothes change and second set of concept songs, third after a video of relief has a separate set of songs and MC with audience engaging in playful entertainment, and fourth has ending conceptual performance and closing movie.<ref name="LiveRepo99"/><ref name="LiveRepo468"/><ref name="JapanPlusReview"/><ref name="ExciteSides16"/><ref name="CD Data">Template:Cite web</ref>

Reviewers described them as rock spectacles with a teartful story that will make the audience wish for a peaceful world.<ref name="LiveRepo99"/><ref name="LiveRepo468"/> During the performance of "Rain" on 2002 and 2003 tours had the water drops falling like a rain from the ceiling onto the stage.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His final performance of Diabolos tour in 2005 at Tokyo Dome (costing roughly $4.3 million<ref name="Band Bio: Gackt"/>) received praise and shocked the audience,<ref name="060125Inter"/> as included entering the arena on a horseback in full gallop with four other horse riders,<ref name="Biglobe08"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> in a suspended coffin during "Lust for Blood", singing "Love Letter" hanging 20m in the air, and disappearing in a sudden smoke explosion.<ref name="JZ122605"/><ref name="NoCut06"/> The 2008-09 Requiem et Reminiscence II and 2016 Last Visualive - Last Moon tour concerts lasted up to four hours.<ref name="AskewReport09"/><ref name="Barks1674"/>

The Visualive concert format was originally created during the Requiem et Reminiscence tour in 2001, and according to Gackt, it took him almost ten years to arrive to a satisfying point of form during the Requiem et Reminiscence II tour in 2008-2009. However, he found such way of expression as difficult and physically and mentally exhausting, with a profitability that is not in accordance with the demands of entertainment industry.<ref name="Pamphlet"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> By 2007 he had a lot of requests to tour worldwide, but such large-scale shows are difficult to have in foreign countries and need significant logistical support for transportation.<ref name="Oricon48102"/><ref name="Apple07"/><ref name="Korea09Rec"/>

Other

Gackt's example of a more typical concert is D.r.u.g. Party tour (2006-2007) featuring his rock songs,<ref name="AyakoBarks07"/> with Oricon review noting his eroticism and charisma while performing,<ref name="OriconDrug07"/> and Gackt considering it his and worldwide's pinnacle of an all-out androgynous style by a man.<ref name="FoolMate032007"/>

Another typical, yet physically intense concept, is that of his rock band Yellow Fried Chickenz (2010-2012, 2024-present).<ref name="Jisin25YFC"/>

The Camui Gakuen festival shows (2009-2019) have Gackt performing cover versions conceptualized around a same-titled fictional school where Gackt acts as the student council president wearing a school uniform.<ref name="Akagi09"/><ref name="Tojo13"/> He can be seen cross-dressing as a female, being a drummer of SEX Japan (pun on Yoshiki and his band X Japan), or a guitarist of The Balue Hearts (pun on The Blue Hearts) among others.<ref name="VampsHalo15"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

In 2025, Gackt began a new live concept Maou Symphony (Demonic Symphony), fusing a rock band and more than 70-piece standing orchestra as one sonical ensemble, all wearing black robes and masks alike a "black mass". It is also introducing to the classical music concerts an all-standing first floor.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Cultural status

File:Gackt in 2008(2)(cropped).jpg

Gackt as Uesugi Kenshin at Jōetsu city's 83rd Kenshin Festival in 2008.

File:View from the crosswalk bridge (49376073788).jpg

Gackt featured on a commercial sign (left downward) in Shinjuku, Tokyo, 2019.

Gackt is considered a Japanese pop and fashion icon, J-pop/J-rock superstar and Japanese idol, and due to his involvement with the visual kei movement, which emphasizes androgynous and changing appearance, he is referred to as a "living manifestation of readers' fantasy men" found in bishōnen manga.<ref name="MathewsWhite2012"/><ref name="ChapmanJohnson2016"/><ref name="Miller2006">Template:Cite book</ref><ref name="GalbraithKarlin2012">Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite book</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> Otaku USA magazine in 2007 stated "His 'more than human' appearance and persona were a hit with the mass media in Japan. It was as if a fictitious character suddenly popped out in the real world".<ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> He has been compared to fictional characters like Griffith from Berserk,<ref name="MathewsWhite2012"/> Cloud Strife and Squall Leonhart from Final Fantasy,<ref name="Kotaku"/><ref>Template:Citation</ref> as well as having been an inspiration for manga characters.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In his late career his appearance changed to more "macho".<ref name="Johnson">Template:Cite book</ref>

Gackt became associated with Japanese daimyo Uesugi Kenshin who he played in NHK Taiga drama Fūrin Kazan. Gackt was subsequently invited to act as Kenshin at Jōetsu city's traditional 82nd Kenshin Festival in August 2007.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In August 2010 he participated in the 85th Kenshin Festival for the third time, with a record attendance of more than 240,000 visitors.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Four more times he reprised the role in the festival,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> with a new record high number of 243,000 visitors in August 2015.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Gackt's sex appeal has been noted by national polls, such as by Oricon, similar to those done by People. He often ranked highly in beauty listings, as the most or one of the most beautiful/sexiest Japanese men, celebrities or artists.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2009, he was also ranked fifth among rock music personalities in Japanese history.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Gackt on several occasions served as a fashion model (including for Yoshiyuki Konishi<ref name="Band Bio: Gackt"/>), producer and designer.<ref name="Band Bio: Gackt"/><ref name="Kotaku"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In the first half of his career he had own jewelry & sunglasses brand Darts.<ref name="Band Bio: Gackt"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2002 received Japan Glasses Best Dressed Award, and in 2003 Best Dressed Award by Japan Men's Fashion Association.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In 2007 at the China Fashion Week in Shanghai received award for the Japanese Fashion Artist of the Year.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Over the years, Gackt appeared as a performer, guest and regular member on several television variety shows, including Hey! Hey! Hey! Music Champ, and since 2009, TV Asahi's New Year's special Geinoujin-Kakuzuke-Check (Celebrity Rating Check), where he holds the record of 71 individual winning streaks,<ref name="Jisin"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> building an image of a top connoisseur and "first-class entertainer".<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> Gackt was one of the judges of Japan's first season of Got Talent show which premiered on February 11, 2023.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Gackt appeared in many television commercials, including for Fujifilm, Shiseido, Daihatsu, Niconico, Tsutaya, Square Enix, and Konami, among others.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> From July 2014 to August 2016 in collaboration with Nestlé Japan was started a gaming channel "Game Center" with daily video release of Gackt playing video games, gathering more than 15 million views in first season alone.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite magazine</ref> In 2019 became ambassador for PUBG Mobile in Japan, a collaboration that until 2023 saw him contributing original models of himself, skin outfits which wore in his career, weapon skins and voice pack.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

On July 31, 2008, Internet Co., Ltd. released Gackpoid, a Vocaloid using a recorded selection of Gackt's voice.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Entrepreneurship

Gackt's other entrepreneurship projects include, among others, producing a line of sake "Chateau Gackt" in 2013.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2016, he co-founded a real estate company with Satoshi Ikeda, named Gackt & Ikeda Asia Bridge Partnerz, in Kuala Lumpur.<ref name="Lumpur">Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2017, he got involved as a core member and strategic advisor for Asia of a virtual currency project, Spindle.<ref name="NatalieName"/> In 2019 was chosen as the executive organizer of the Japan Grown Diamond Association.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In 2023 went on a long-term collaboration with a newly constructed winery and vineyard at Kaminokuni, Hokkaido.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Philanthropy

The year 2007 saw the creation of the Save our Dears charity to help the victims of the Chūetsu offshore earthquake that struck the Niigata Prefecture.<ref name="Save">Template:Cite web</ref> To raise funds for this charity, Gackt designed a keychain and bracelets, in addition, the charity also featured two Orico UPty MasterCard credit cards.<ref name="Save"/> Gackt's fan club Dears,Template:Refn raised Template:JPY2,000,000 (Template:USD26,041) which Gackt donated to the city of Jōetsu at the 83rd Kenshin Festival in 2008.<ref name="Save"/>

On December 14, 2010 he participated in and performed in a Hohoemi project charity event called "Message! to Asia", by DATV at Tokyo Dome, whose profits were planned to help street children in Cambodia and the Philippines.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> For an auction at the event, he auctioned his custom 1999 Pontiac Firebird Trans Am MS6, which was sold for Template:JPY (Template:USD).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In 2011, because of the Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Gackt founded the "Show Your Heart" charity for collecting money to buy supplies for the victims.<ref name="Show Your Heart US">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In March, a truck convoy with Template:Convert of food and clothes was delivered and a nationwide street-corner fund-raising campaign was held, with Gackt's participation,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> which collected Template:JPY (or Template:USD).<ref name="Show Your Heart US"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> All money collected through bank transfers and street fundraising activities was transferred from Rakuten to the Japanese Red Cross, totalling Template:JPY (Template:USD).<ref name="Show Your Heart US"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Part of the 2011 world tour and other activities of Gackt's band project Yellow Fried Chickenz revenue was also donated to the Japanese Red Cross.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> At several theatre plays of his Moon Saga: Mysteries of Yoshitsune I (2012), with the help of the Ashinaga (organization), orphans from the earthquake were invited and also received a monetary donation for scholarship.<ref name="07Orphan"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

In addition to making a private donation, Gackt sold merchandise during the 2020 tour which raised ¥4.7 million (roughly US$44,000) to support the reconstruction of the recently burned-down Shuri Castle in Shuri, Okinawa.<ref name="ShuriCastle">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Personal life

File:Gackt book interview in 2023 (3).png

Gackt interviewed in Malaysia, 2023.

Gackt is an ethnic Uchinanchu i.e. Ryukyuan.<ref name="ShuriCastle"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> When he was young he experienced discrimination for it in Japan but it did not have a negative effect on him.<ref name="ShuriCastle"/> He reportedly also experienced discrimination in a Paris hotel in 2015 for being Asian.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> His stated life and music goal is giving people hope, connecting them and uniting Asian countries.<ref name="Oricon48102"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="JRRBunrakuInt">Template:Cite news</ref>

When he was 20 years old, Gackt was briefly married to a South Korean woman,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> and his "last big love affair" which ended in 2014 was reportedly with Japanese-born South Korean singer Lee Ahyumi.<ref name="Jisin23"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Gackt has lived for most of his life in Tokyo, Japan. In 2012 he moved to the Philippines and Hong Kong,<ref name="SpindleGO">Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite news</ref> with his primary residence located in Malaysia, where he has a mansion of 1,700 square meters situated in a residential area on the outskirts of Kuala Lumpur.<ref name="Lumpur"/><ref>Template:Cite news</ref><ref name="NewHouse">Template:Cite news</ref> In 2022 he was announced to be building and designing a new mansion in Malaysia.<ref name="NewHouse"/>

He also speaks Mandarin, Korean, English, and some French.<ref name="Band Bio: Gackt"/> He has a second-degree black belt rank in ITF taekwondo, as well as experience in other martial arts like karate, boxing, jiu-jitsu among others.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref> In the past years he enjoys playing poker and since 2017 plays competitively on live tournaments, with largest cash of $75,600 from fourth-place finish in Aria High Roller, Las Vegas.<ref name="ValerieCross"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

He stated that his philosophical way of life is similar to Japanese Bushido.<ref name="BunrakuMTV"/><ref name="JRRBunrakuInt"/><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> His personal religious belief is close to a nature god.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref> His family believed that their deceased members became gods and they should venerate them, hence exist two conceptions of Ryukyuan religion in Okinawa whether to venerate the ancestors or nature. It does not have a well-defined theorization and rituals, but the practice is an acknowledgment of everything that surrounds people,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> "a love of nature".<ref name="TokyoWeekender"/> Gackt every year with his 20-30 staff members is cleaning his family Monchū tomb deep in the mountains of Southern Okinawa from where his ancestors originate, while the family altar in Northern Okinawa because his great-grandfather founded a town there.<ref>Template:Cite news</ref>

Discography

Solo

• Mizérable (EP/Mini-LP) (1999)
• Mars (2000)
• Rebirth (2001)
• Moon (2002)
• Crescent (2003)
• Love Letter (2005)
• Diabolos (2005)
• Re:Born (2009)
• Last Moon (2016)

Malice Mizer

• Voyage Sans Retour (1996)
• Merveilles (1998)

Filmography

Movies

• Moon Child (2003), Shō
• Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker (2009), Joji Yuki
• Bunraku (2010), Yoshi
• The Tempest 3D (2012), Jo Teigai
• Akumu-chan (2014), Takashi Shiki/Yume Ōji
• Origami (2015, short film)
• Karanukan (2018), Hikaru Ooyama
• Fly Me to the Saitama (2019), Rei Asami<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Princess (2020), Mysterious man
• Fly Me to the Saitama: From Biwa Lake with Love (2023), Rei Asami
• What If Tokugawa Ieyasu Became Prime Minister? (2024), Oda Nobunaga<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Blazing Fists (2025)<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Television series and documentaries

• Template:Nihongo (2001)
• Hero's Hero (2002)
• Fūrin Kazan (2007), Uesugi Kenshin<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
• Mr. Brain (2009), Takegami Teijiro (Ep. 2)
• The Tempest (2011), Jyoteigai
• Akumu-chan (2012), Takashi Shiki/Yumeoji
• Sengoku Basara: Moonlight Party (2012), Oda Nobunaga
• Bima Satria Garuda (2013), Noir
• Renai ha Hitsuzen de Aru (2014), Storyteller
• Time Spiral (2014), Shuya Tatsumi
• Shin The Unfettered Shogun (2025) – Tokugawa Muneharu<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Voice acting

• New Fist of the North Star (2003, OVA), Seiji<ref name="btva">Template:Cite web</ref>
• Bujingai (2003, video game), Lau Wong
• Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (2006, video game), Genesis Rhapsodos
• Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007, video game), Genesis Rhapsodos<ref name="btva"/>
• Arthur and the Minimoys (2007, animated film, Japanese dubbing version), Maltazard
• Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard (2010, animated film, Japanese dubbing), Maltazard
• Shiki (2010, anime), Seishiro Kirishiki
• Tono to Issho (2010, anime), Kenshin Uesugi
• Dragon Nest (2010-2016, video game, Japanese dubbing), Velskud
• Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. (2010, video game), Ex-/Extreme Gundam
• Supernatural: The Anime Series (2011, anime), Andy
• Sket Dance (2011, anime), Kiyoshi "Dante" Date
• Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker (2012, animated film), Knight Commander
• Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (2012, feature film, Japanese dubbing), Travis Grady
• 3594e (2014, mobile game), Lü Bu
• Sengoku Shura Soul (2015, mobile game), Uesugi Kenshin and Sengoku Gackt
• Othellonia (2016, mobile game), Maten Ruedo
• Trickster (2016, anime), The Fiend with Twenty Faces
• Kong: Skull Island (2017, feature film, Japanese dubbing), James Conrad
• Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (2022, video game), Genesis Rhapsodos<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Bibliography

• Template:Cite book (autobiography; sold over 100,000 copies<ref name="Confess2323"/>)
• Template:Cite book (novel)
• Template:Cite book (quotes collection)
• Template:Cite book (novel)
• Template:Cite book (quotes collection)
• Template:Cite book (blog post collection)
• Template:Cite book (self-help book)
• Template:Cite book (self-help book)
• Template:Cite book (self-help book)
• Template:Cite book (semi-autobiography)
• Template:Cite book (autobiography)

Tours

Arena tours:

• 2000: Mars Sora Kara no Homonsha (Template:Nihongo2)
• 2001: Requiem et Reminiscence
• 2002: Kagen no Tsuki (Template:Nihongo2)
• 2003: Jogen no Tsuki (Template:Nihongo2)
• 2004: The Sixth Day & Seventh Night
• 2005-06: Diabolos ~Aien no Shi~ (Template:Nihongo2)
• 2008-09: Requiem et Reminiscence II ~Saisei to Kaikou~ (Template:Nihongo2)
• 2009-19: Kamui Gakuen
• 2013: Best of the Best Vol. I
• 2016: Last Visualive Saigo no Tsuki –Last Moon– (Template:Nihongo2)

Club tours:

• 1999: 99 Gackt Resurrection & Easter Live
• 2006-07: Training Days – Dears Reserved Unique Gackt (D.r.u.g./Drug) Party

Theater, Hall tours:

• 2020: Khaos
• 2021-25: Last Songs 2021 feat. K

Club, theater tours:

• 2026: Gackt Yellow Fried Chickenz ～World Tour Attack of YFCz～

External links

• Official website
• Official community site (discontinued 2020; Japanese)
• Template:IMDb name
• Template:Discogs artist
• Template:MusicBrainz artist