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Gackt (often pronounced "Gackto" by Japanese fans) is a consummate J-pop idol. A one-time member of the visual kei band Malice Mizer, he went on to establish a successful solo career that's been going strong for over a decade. Gackt has released a significant collection of CDs and singles in the past ten years, while also maintaining secondary careers as an actor and writer—and through it all he's garnered the affection of fans worldwide. A two-DVD set of Gackt's music videos and live performances titled Gackt: The Greatest Filmography 1999-2006 Red/Blue, will be released in the US this fall (check viz-pictures.com for more information). SB recently enjoyed the opportunity to chat with Gackt about the DVDs and other indoor sports.
Shojo Beat: Gackt: The Greatest Filmography 1999-2006 Red/
Blue is going to be released in the US this fall. These DVDs
are the compilation music videos of singles from 1999-2006.
Are there any music videos that you had a hard time fi lming?
Which one is your favorite?
Gackt: I think "Cine Reunion ~My Story~" is the most
beautiful one visually. The video that I had a diffi cult time
filming is "Another World." We filmed this in Hong Kong. It
took days and days to shoot, from morning to night. We
filmed as though we were shooting a movie, so it was a real
tough one. "Redemption" was another hard one; we had
to push back 18 hours from the time we were originally
scheduled to film. We stayed up all night filming in a cold
and ruined warehouse.
SB: On the DVDs you look very "cool" visually, but we hear
that you show a funny side when you appear on Japanese
TV shows. Which aspect of your character shows up more
when you're with friends and lovers?
Gackt: Both of them are my personality, but I hardly ever
talk in private situations.
SB: You performed a solo concert, an exclusive, fan-club only
live acoustic set at The Orpheum Theatre in L.A. this past
spring. What was the fan reaction like?
Gackt: That was a fan club event that I hold every year
overseas. It was the only acoustic live event, and my
impression was that the fans were all entranced by the
music; many of them were touched and crying by the end.
SB: We heard that you are going to start a new band (a
"super band") sometime this year with former X-Japan
founder and member Yoshiki, and that you're planning a US
tour with the new band. Is this true? How is that plan going?
Gackt: l cannot reveal everything about it yet, but the
project is underway. I'll be able to announce some surprising
news soon.
Newsflash! Shortly after this interview was conducted, the
"super band" plans were fi nalized. The band, titled SKIN,
includes J-Rock superstars Sugizo and Miyavi (in addition to
Gackt and Yoshiki)—and they'll even have a live performance
at Anime Expo under their belts by the time this issue hits
newsstands!—Ed.
SB: You recently produced and wrote a new song for the
Chinese singer Jin Min Jia (aka Jia Jia), for her debut in Japan.
If you had the chance to produce a US musician, who would
it be, or what kind of person would you want to produce?
Gackt: I am interested in producing the work of a vocalist
whose visual appearance and singing voice match with their
powerful personality and charisma.
SB:You are playing the role of Kenshin Uesugi in the
historical TV drama Furin Kazan, part of the series called
Taiga Drama on Japan's NHK channel. Taiga Drama series
have been broadcasted in the US with subtitles, so many
fans over here are looking forward to seeing the drama.
Gackt: The second half of the full-scale filming for Furin
Kazan is about to start. Please look forward to it.
SB: Are there any music or movies you were influenced by?
Gackt: Musical influence is part of my everyday life, but my
taste isn't rooted in one specific genre. If I had to choose one,
I would say classical music.
SB: We heard that you are a devoted fan of Gundam, but are
there any other manga or anime you like?
Gackt: One of the manga I like now is called Kaiouki [by
Masatoshi Kawahara]. This title is very interesting.
SB: We have heard that your favorite brand of clothing is " h.Naoto." Please tell us if you have any other favorite fashions or brands.
Gackt: For clothes, I don't choose them by brand. I choose to wear clothes I like. For example, 5351 is one of my favorites.
SB:What is your impression of American girls?
Gackt: I have the impression that they are hungry for rock.
SB: What were your love/relationship experiences like when you were a teenager? When was your first love affair, and what type of person was it?
Gackt: It's a secret.
SB: Your skin always looks beautiful and clear as snow. Can
you tell us what you do for your beauty? We've heard that
you have not eaten rice for over 7 years...
Gackt: I have not had rice for about 8 years. I make and drink
a special vegetable juice every morning. I'm also trying to
drink about 3 liters of water every day.
SB: Send a message to American Gackt fans, please.
Gackt: We will see each other soon. Please look forward to
that day.
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