GACKT

GACKT promoting "Tsumi no Keishou ~ORIGINAL SIN~" (2017)

GACKT (ガクト) is a Japanese rock singer-songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, and actor.

He is referred to by his mononymous stage name (since June 2009, his name has been stylized as GACKT), and his real name is publicly unknown. He is the former vocalist of his founding band Cains:Fell and now defunct Visual-Kei band MALICE MIZER. It was during the time in MALICE MIZER that he began to gain some national recognition.

Besides his music has been used as theme songs for various anime, television dramas, and video games, such as New Fist of the North Star, Bujingai, Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII, and Kamen Rider Decade, among others, he also done things other singer from Japan are not willing to do. For example; co-starred and wrote the 2003 film Moon Child, and acted in the 2007 NHK drama Fūrin Kazan as Uesugi Kenshin, as well in 2008 American film Bunraku that was released in the fall of 2011 on DVD.

Profile

• Birth Name: 神威 楽斗, Kamui Gakuto
• Stage Name: GACKT, Gackt (1992-June 2009)
• Birthdate: July 4, 1973 (1973-07-04)
• Birthplace: Okinawa Prefecture, Japan
• Blood Type: A
• Height: 180cm (5'11")
• Weight: 60kg (132lbs)
• Languages: English, Mandarin, Korean, and French
• Instruments: Piano, Trumpet, Tuba, Horn, Trombone, Guitar, Bass, Drums, most Classical instruments, and most traditional Japanese instruments.

Biography

Early Life

Since Gackt became a member of MALICE MIZER, he has claimed (jokingly) to be a vampire and to have been born on July 4th, 1540. He himself announced on November 5th, 2009 that his actual birth year is 1973, and said he never particularly concealed his age. Born in Okinawa Prefecture, Japan, Gackt's parents were strict while he was growing up. His television viewing was restricted to national or educational programming. At the age of seven, Gackt nearly drowned in the Sea of Okinawa. In his autobiography, he claims that after being rescued he became aware of supernatural abilities - he goes on to say that he does not wish to have children, for fear of passing these abilities on.

Gackt is a very competitive person and has been quoted as saying, "It's not that I want to win, it's just that I don't want to lose.". His parents, both music teachers, forced him to take music lessons at the age of 3. At that young of an age, he would have been physically incapable of taking on such a feat. The lessons continued with Gackt having little or no interest, until he saw that his friend had far surpassed him at the instrument. Out of competitiveness, he dedicated himself to his lessons. Later he would have a similar reaction when he saw his father play the trumpet and his musical preference would shift to brass.

When Gackt turned 17, his interests shifted to rock. He eventually would focus on modern rock and could play non-classical instruments proficiently. Gackt started as a drum technician for a recording studio and drummer for an unknown band. Later on, he met You Kurosaki and formed the band Cains:Fell, with Gackt as the vocalist.

MALICE MIZER

Gackt's career in the public eye began upon joining the visual-kei rock band MALICE MIZER in October of 1995 as their new vocalist. With his influence, the band's music became romanticized and wistful. They shed their modern "goth" image for colorful historical costumes.

After four years, Gackt left in 1999, apparently due to either creative differences or financial problems, although it was never officially explained in detail. Gackt claimed that he was asked by MALICE MIZER to leave, although he wished to stay. This has never been confirmed otherwise.

Solo Career

Gackt

After leaving Malice Mizer, Gackt started a solo career (also known as GACKTJob). The band curently consists of: Fujimura "Chachamaru" Yukihito, You Kurosaki, Chirolyn, Jun-ji, and Igao. His solo career is a great success as he continues to maintain a level of popularity even greater than when he was in a band.

In addition to music, Gackt has done work as an actor in TV, movies, and commercials. Gackt starred in the Japanese drama Hero's Hero as well as co-starred in and authored the script for the movie Moon Child with HYDE, the vocalist of L'Arc~en~Ciel. He also played warlord Uesugi Kenshin in the NHK drama Fuurinkazan, and done voice acting in Arthur and Minimoys films (Japanese version), as well in few other Animes.

Gackt was also involved in the PlayStation 2 games; Bujingai, where he performed voice work as well as motion capture for the game's protagonist Lau Wong. Gackt also has another character modeled after him, named Genesis Rhapsodos. That character appears during a hidden movie in Final Fantasy VII: Dirge of Cerberus, where Gackt has done voice work (for the Japanese version) and motion capture, as well as contributed the song "Redemption" for its theme song. He also done voice work for Genesis, in Square Enix's game Final Fantasy VII: Crisis Core. In 2010 he wrote the theme songs for Sengoku Musou 3, and in 2011 voiced the character Belscard in upcoming multiplayer-roleplaying game Dragon Nest, as well contributed the song "EVER".

On May 25, 2007, the formation of the group S.K.I.N. was announced. Its members (besides Gackt) consists of fellow pop rock artist Miyavi, former LUNA SEA guitarist SUGIZO, and former X JAPAN member and co-founder YOSHIKI. The group gave its debut performance at the Anime Expo convention in Long Beach, California on June 29th, 2007 and had plans to release an album. No more news or plans about this group has been announced.

As of June 2009, Gackt has changed his stage name to GACKT for the 10 Anniversary of solo career. In 2010, Gackt moved labels and will now be releasing music through avex trax.

Trivia

• Fanclub: DEARS

Discography

Gackt promoting single "Jesus" (2008)

Gackt (2009)

GACKT promoting "HAKURO" (2012)

GACKT promoting "P.S. I Love U" (2014)

Note: All releases that are released between 1999 to June 2009 are under "Gackt", everything after is released as "GACKT".

Albums

• [2000.04.26] MARS
• [2001.04.25] Rebirth
• [2002.06.19] MOON
• [2003.12.03] Crescent
• [2005.02.14] Love Letter
• [2005.06.16] Love Letter - for Korean Dears
• [2005.09.21] DIABOLOS
• [2009.12.02] RE:BORN
• [2016.04.27] LAST MOON

Best Albums

• [2004.02.25] THE SIXTH DAY ~SINGLE COLLECTION~
• [2004.05.26] THE SEVENTH NIGHT ~UNPLUGGED~
• [2007.12.19] 0079-0088
• [2010.06.23] ARE YOU "FRIED CHICKENz"??
• [2010.07.21] THE ELEVENTH DAY ~SINGLE COLLECTION~
• [2013.07.03] THE BEST OF THE BEST vol.1 -WILD-
• [2013.07.03] THE BEST OF THE BEST vol.1 -MILD-

Mini Albums

• [1999.05.12] Mizérable

Live Albums

• [2000.12.16] PLATINUM BOX ~I~ (Yokohama Arena Live)
• [2011.04.20] ATTACK OF THE "YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz" IN EUROPE 2010
• [2014.10.15] GACKT × Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra「Kareinaru Classic no Yube」 (Digital)
• [2018.12.24] GACKT's -45th Birthday Concert- LAST SONGS (Digital)

Remix Albums

• [2015.07.01] GACKTRACKS -ULTRA DJ ReMIX-

Soundtracks

• [2009.03.09] SLO-PACHINKO GLADIATOR EVOLUTION ORIGINAL SOUND TRACK
• [2014.10.01] MOON SAGA Yoshitsune Hiden I & II -PREMIUM SOUNDTRACKS-

Boxes

• [1999.06.30] Mizérable Single Box
• [2006.12.13] 12-gatsu no Love songs ~COMPLETE BOX~ (12月のLove songs～COMPLETE BOX～)
• [2008.10.29] nine*nine
• [2014.03.26] BEST OF THE BEST Ⅰ GACKT STORE Gentei COMPLETE BOX

Singles

• [1999.07.09] Mizérable
• [1999.08.11] Vanilla
• [1999.11.03] Remix Of Gackt
• [2000.02.09] Mirror
• [2000.02.16] OASIS
• [2000.03.08] seki-ray (鶺鴒～seki-ray～; Wagtail)
• [2000.08.30] Story (再会～Story～)
• [2000.11.16] Secret Garden
• [2001.03.14] Kimi no Tame ni Dekiru Koto (君のためにできること; Anything for You)
• [2001.09.05] ANOTHER WORLD
• [2001.12.16] 12-gatsu no Love song (12月のLove song; December's Love Song)
• [2002.04.24] Wasurenai Kara (忘れないから; I Won't Forget)
• [2002.11.27] 12-gatsu no Love song / December Love (12月のLove song / December Love)
• [2003.03.19] Kimi ga Oikaketa Yume (君が追いかけた夢; You Chased a Dream)
• [2003.06.11] Tsuki no Uta (月の詩; Moon Song)
• [2003.06.25] Lu:na / OASIS
• [2003.11.12] Last Song
• [2003.12.03] 12-gatsu no Love song / Shíèryuè De Qínggê (12月のLove song / 十二月的情歌)
• [2004.10.27] Kimi ni Aitakute (君に逢いたくて; I Want to Meet You)
• [2004.12.08] 12-gatsu no Love song (12月のLove song)
• [2005.01.26] Arittake no Ai de (ありったけの愛で; In Love As Much As One Has)
• [2005.04.27] BLACK STONE
• [2005.05.25] Metamorphoze (Metamorphoze～メタモルフォーゼ～)
• [2005.08.10] Todokanai Ai to Shitteita no ni Osaekirezu ni Aishitsuzuketa... (届カナイ 愛ト知ッテイタノニ 抑エキレズニ愛シ続ケタ...; I Knew This Love Wouldn't Reach You, But I Still Continue to Love You Uncontrollably...)
• [2006.01.25] REDEMPTION
• [2006.03.01] Love Letter
• [2007.02.07] No ni Saku Hana no You ni (野に咲く花のように; Like a Flower Blooming on the Plains)
• [2007.06.20] RETURNER ~Yami ni Shuuen~ (RETURNER ～闇の終焉～; The End of Darkness)
• [2008.12.03] Jesus
• [2009.01.28] GHOST
• [2009.03.25] Journey through the Decade
• [2009.06.10] Koakuma Heaven (小悪魔ヘヴン; Little Devil Heaven)
• [2009.06.17] Faraway ~Hoshi ni Negai wo~ (Faraway ～星に願いを～; Wish Upon a Star)
• [2009.06.24] LOST ANGELS
• [2009.07.01] Flower
• [2009.08.05] The Next Decade
• [2009.12.09] Setsugekka -The end of silence- / ZAN (雪月花 -The end of silence- / 斬～ZAN～; Snow, Moon, or Flowers / Decapitation)
• [2010.01.01] Stay the Ride Alive
• [2010.07.28] EVER
• [2011.07.13] Episode.0
• [2011.11.30] Graffiti
• [2012.02.22] UNTIL THE LAST DAY
• [2012.10.10] HAKURO (白露-HAKURO-; White Dew)
• [2012.12.19] WHITE LOVERS -Shiawase na Toki- (幸せなトキ; Time of Happiness)
• [2014.02.12] P.S. I LOVE U
• [2014.10.01] Akatsuki Zukiyo -DAY BREAKERS- (暁月夜 -DAY BREAKERS-; Moonlit Dawn)
• [2015.10.07] ARROW
• [2016.11.23] Kimi Dake no Boku de Iru Kara (キミだけのボクでいるから)
• [2017.03.22] Tsumi no Keishou ~ORIGINAL SIN~ (罪の継承～ORIGINAL SIN～)

Digital Singles

• [2013.07.03] CLAYMORE
• [2013.07.03] Sakura, Chiru... (サクラ、散ル・・・)
• [2015.12.16] Hana mo Chiyu (花も散ゆ)
• [2017.02.22] Tsumi no Keishou ~ORIGINAL SIN~ (罪の継承～ORIGINAL SIN～)

Video Releases

• [1999.12.08] Video Vanilla
• [2000.06.28] Video Mirror / OASIS
• [2000.10.04] MARS Sora kara no Houman Mono ~Kaisou~ (VHS) (空からの訪問者～回想～; Visitors From the Sky ~Recollections~)
• [2000.11.22] MARS Sora kara no Houman Mono ~Kaisou~ (DVD) (空からの訪問者～回想～)
• [2000.12.16] PLATINUM BOX ~I~
• [2001.06.21] Saisei to Shuuen (再生と終焉; Resuscitation and the End)
• [2001.09.28] Requiem et Reminiscence ~Shuuen to Seijaku~ (VHS) (～終焉と静寂～; The End and Silence)
• [2001.11.30] Requiem et Reminiscence ~Shuuen to Seijaku~ (DVD) (～終焉と静寂～)
• [2001.12.21] PLATINUM BOX ~II~
• [2002.03.01] Soyokaze (微風; Gentle Breeze)
• [2002.12.21] PLATINUM BOX ~III~
• [2003.03.19] Gackt Live Tour 2002 Kagen no Tsuki ~Seiya no Shirabe~ (下弦の月～聖夜の調べ～; Waning Moon ~Christmas Eve's Tone~)
• [2003.08.06] Gekkou (月光; Moonlight)
• [2003.09.18] Gackt Live Tour Jougen no Tsuki Saishuushou (上弦の月 最終章; Crescent Moon, Final Chapter)
• [2003.12.07] PLATINUM BOX ~IV~
• [2004.09.15] Gackt Live Tour 2004 THE SIXTH DAY & SEVENTH NIGHT ~FINAL~
• [2004.12.15] PLATINUM BOX ~V~
• [2005.12.07] PLATINUM BOX ~VI~
• [2006.03.29] Gackt Live Tour 2005 12.24 DIABOLOS ~Aien no Shi to Seiya no Namida~ (～哀婉の詩と聖夜の涙～; A Sorrowful Poem and Tears on Christmas Eve)
• [2006.08.23] Gackt THE GREATEST FILMOGRAPHY 1999-2006 ~RED~
• [2006.08.23] Gackt THE GREATEST FILMOGRAPHY 1999-2006 ~BLUE~
• [2006.12.13] PLATINUM BOX ~VII~
• [2007.07.04] GACKT TRAINING DAYS 2006 D.R.U.G. PARTY
• [2008.03.07] PLATINUM BOX ~VIII~
• [2009.01.14] PLATINUM BOX ~IX~
• [2009.12.24] PLATINUM BOX ~X~
• [2010.03.31] GACKT VISUALIVE ARENA TOUR 2009 REQUIEM ET REMINISCENCE II FINAL ~Shinkon to Saisei~ (～鎮魂と再生～; Spirit Pacification and Regeneration)
• [2010.05.08] YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz Kirameki☆Otokojuku ~Dansonjohi Hadaka Matsuri~ Shijuukunichi (YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz 煌☆雄兎狐塾 〜男尊女秘肌嘩祭〜 四十九日)
• [2010.06.28] YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz Kirameki☆Otokojuku ~Dansonjohi Hadaka Matsuri~ Hyakunichi Houyou (YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz 煌☆雄兎狐塾 ～男尊女秘肌嘩祭～ 百日抱擁)
• [2010.12.24] Platinum Box XI
• [2011.02.02] YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz Kirameki☆Otokojuku ~Danjo Konyoku Mizugi Matsuri~ THE DVD (煌☆雄兎狐塾～男女混欲美濡戯祭～THE DVD)
• [2011.04.20] THE GRAFFITI ~ATTACK OF THE "YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz" IN EUROPE~ "I LOVE YOU ALL"
• [2012.01.25] PLATINUM BOX ~XII~
• [2013.01.25] PLATINUM BOX ~XIII~
• [2014.03.26] BEST OF THE BEST Ⅰ ~40TH BIRTHDAY~ 2013
• [2014.03.26] BEST OF THE BEST Ⅰ ~XTASY~ 2013
• [2014.04.23] 2013 Kamui♂Gakuen de Semena Sai!! ~Gakuensai tte Hentai, Iya Taihen!!!~ (2013 神威♂楽園 de セメナ祭!! ～楽園祭って変態､いや大変!!!～)
• [2014.05.21] Gackt x Tokyo Philharmonic Koukyou Gakudan "Kareinaru Classic no Yuube" (GACKT×東京フィルハーモニー交響楽団 華麗なるクラシックの夕べ)
• [2014.05.21] PLATINUM BOX ~XIV~
• [2015.03.11] PLATINUM BOX ~XV~
• [2015.04.29] GACKT x Tokyo Philharmonic Koukyou Gakudan Dai 2 Kai "Kareinaru Classic no Yuube" (GACKT × 東京フィルハーモニー交響楽団 第二回「華麗なるクラシックの夕べ」)
• [2015.05.27] Dai 91 Kamui♂Gakuen de Matomena Sai -Seinaru Yoru ni Matomete Yari na Sai Special- (第91期 神威♂楽園 de マトメナ祭 -性なる夜にマトメテやりな祭スペシャル-)
• [2016.03.16] PLATINUM BOX ~XVI~
• [2016.08.31] 2015 Camui G School de Dashitekudasai ~Minna no Omoi wo Da, Da, Dashitekudasai~ (2015 神威♂楽園 de ダシテクダ祭 ～みんなの想いをダ、ダ、ダシテクダ祭～)
• [2017.03.15] PLATINUM BOX XVII
• [2018.01.24] Dai 93ki Shini Rakuen de Hirakina-sai ~Mix de Half de Original Songs~ (第93期 神威♂楽園 de ヒラキナ祭～ミックス de ハーフ de オリジナルソング～ (第93期 神威♂楽園 de ヒラキナ祭～ミックス de ハーフ de オリジナルソング～)

Compilations / Others

• [2011.04.27] KAMEN RIDER BEST 2000-2011
• [2017.07.07] The best covers of DREAMS COME TRUE Dori Uta Vol.1 (#10 "Suki")

Songwriting Credits

BoA

• Suki da yo -MY LOVE- (Lyrics)

Furuya Toru

• Rara no Yasoukyoku (Music)

Ji Minjia

• Lover ~Itoshii Hito~ (Lyrics, Music)

Kawasaki Mayo

• WHY (Lyrics, Music)

Publications

Books

• [2011.12.xx] GACKT in EUROPE

Magazines

• [2009.08.xx] Fool's Mate I.S. No.005 (Feature)
• [2009.11.xx] ARENA37 Degree December 2009 (Cover, Feature & Poster)
• [2009.12.xx] Arena 37 Degree 2010 January Issue (Feature & Poster)
• [2010.09.xx] FOOL'S MATE 2010 November Issue (Feature)
• [2011.01.xx] LOOK at STAR! OVATION 2011 (Feature)
• [2011.03.xx] ARENA37 Degree April 2011 Issue (Feature)
• [2011.08.xx] MUSIQ? SPECIAL OUT of MUSIC Vol.15 October 2011 Issue (Feature)
• [2011.09.xx] ROCK STAR Vol.16 (Cover & Feature)
• [2011.10.xx] ARENA37 Degree November 2011 Issue (Feature)

Calendars

• [2011.10.29] Calendar 2012

External Links

• Official Website
• avex Official Profile
• CROWN RECORDS Official Profile
• Official Instagram
• Official MySpace
• Official Twitter
• Official Community
• Official Blog
• Official Facebook
• Official Youtube