New Bunraku poster

Click the image to enlarge

Big Bunraku news and 0

New OFFICIAL Bunraku trailer hits youtube... and BUNRAKU HITS THE THEATERS!! September 30th!



So get out and see the movie! I'm excited, it's like a birthday present just for me. hee hee (My birthday is Sept 23rd. hee hee)

More good news for GACKT:

his new hit single "0" is his 39th top 10 hit! It reached #3 in last week's single charts!

Congrats to GACKT on Bunraku and 0.

Happy Birthday to Gackt

H A P P Y
B I R T H D A Y
T O
G A C K T




July 4th, 1973

The day you were born, the heavens knew how special you were going to be to the world.

For your music, for your talents, and for sharing those talents with all of us, from the bottom of our hearts... we, your fans.. your dears... thank you.

On a side note: Happy 5th birthday to Yoshi (Princess) Yuu, my beloved Bichon puppy who was named after GACKT's Bunraku character, and shares the same birthday as GACKT.










Why I'm a GACKT fan

A tribute video (Its funny, but made with love. LOL)

Fans, please feel free to leave birthday wishes here in the comments section, or on the facebook page

Love Always

Andrea




*I'm Celebrating GACKT'S birthday by getting a tan. lol*




(quick shameless self promotion to fellow GACKT fans, click my name which is linked to my personal blog and friend me on facebook! Also, check me out HERE) lol

Another New Bunraku Vid

Thanks Kitana Ash

Why Gackt to me

Hey all... Andrea here. I'm Your ever adorable, sweet, kindhearted, and yet somehow still single, webmistress of this GACKT News Fan blog. I was also running the Myspace Gackt forum until myspace became too frustrating, and I moved it here and to Facebook.

Some of you GACKT fans may actually know me by my station persona DJ Mayu of J-Rock us! Radio







<-- me as DJ Mayu I was working on my radio station - J-Rock us! Radio and I was thinking of ways to make the show better.










That got me to thinking about how I got to be a J-Rock fan in the first place. It's been a while since I've talked about that time, so I thought I'd share that story with other GACKT fans. Feel free to share your stories as well.

I was actually introduced to GACKT in 2005 by a friend who was into J-Rock. I didn't really listen to J-Rock other than what I heard on Japanese anime. I listened to classical music mostly, and country. (yes country). Sometimes other artists that had any real talent and wasn't just manufactured. I also listened to a lot of musical theater, as I was a professional musical theater actress myself. Music is a big part of my life. Just not J-Rock at the time.

In 2004, my dad (who was suffering from cancer) had taken a turn for the worse and was in and out of the hospital. My grandma (on my mom's side) and my uncle (my mom's brother who lived with my grandma)... came to stay with us because my grandma wasn't feeling well. She ended up in the hospital around the same day my dad had to go to the hospital for one of his many episodes related to Chemo. When we had gotten home, had dinner and settled in for the night, my uncle had a massive heart attack and was rushed to the hospital by ambulance.

It was a stressful time in our life. My grandma was diagnosed with cancer, my dad was sick, and my uncle was in the process of having quadruple bypass surgery. In January of 2005 a former co-worker, a girl only one year older than myself at that time, died suddenly from a blood clot in her leg. I was attending her funeral, and it just made me want to hug everyone I loved. Her age also put things into perspective for me. It made me think about my own life and how I need to live more and love more.

So after the funeral I went to visit my grandmother in the hospital because I wanted to tell her how much I loved her. My mother wasn't there, I assumed she was with my dad or my uncle. So the nurses took me into the ICU room where she had been sent a few days earlier after developing complications from a stomach surgery they had to do. the nurses were very friendly, asking me how the weather outside was, was it still sunny, they said how sorry they were about my co-worker as my mom told them I was at a funeral, they told me my mom and my brothers had gone home and if I stopped by to have me call them.

once we got into the waiting area of the ICU, all the nurses cornered me like cops corner a robber. Their friendly expressions changed instantly. I knew I was going to hear something I didn't like, but I honestly didn't expect them to tell me my grandma died while I was at the funeral for my co-worker. unfortunately, that is exactly what they told me. They said my mom had tried to get ahold of me, but my phone was shut off out of respect during the service. I was very close to my grandma so I kind of lost it when I heard.

They hadn't taken her out of the room yet, so when I calmed down enough, they allowed me to go and see her one more time. It was odd because I thought I was in the wrong room. It didn't look like my grandma anymore. My grandma was full of life, she always seemed younger than she really was, she was so healthy, always smiling, her eyes always bright and cheerful. The person in that bed was none of those things. I just remember crying and saying how sorry I was that I wasn't there.

Everyone took it hard. She was a big influence on my family. It took a while, but we were starting to recover. My uncle survived his heart surgery, but he was taking a long time to heal. My dad was in and out of the hospital, but that was not unusual for him. One evening in May, my mom got a call that my dad stopped breathing and was put on life support. This wasn't new to us either. My dad had been on life support before. This was like the 3rd time. The next day I got a call from my brother at work. I needed to get to the hospital. They were removing my dad from life support, and this time, he wasn't going to be okay.

It was strange. My dad opened his eyes for a few minutes after the tubes were removed. He couldn't see, but he turned his head in the direction of people talking. He squeezed our hands to let us know he heard us. My brothers, my mom and I told him we loved him. his sisters were there with my uncles and they also told him they loved him. We knew from his eyes this was the last time we could say that. within minutes he slipped into a coma. We slept in the room all night. He was snoring. We knew deep down that he was already gone. His body was just taking time to shut down.

The next day, my aunts and uncles had gone back to the house to catch a nap. I went to the hospital cafeteria to get a snack. My brothers ran to get me and told me it was time. We all surrounded his bed as his blood pressure started to drop rapidly. Within 5 minutes of the warning signs, my dad took his last breath with my brothers, my mom and myself all hugging and kissing him goodbye. It's been 6 years, but even as I type this, I get a pain of emotion remembering that moment. My aunts and uncles arrived after he passed and they spent some time with him before we left.

when all was done, we went home to prepare the funeral arrangements. Everyone went into my dad's room where he had spent the last few years. It was like a hospital room. He had a hospital type bed with a side rail so that it would be too hard for him to fall out because the cancer made his bones brittle and even a small fall could do serious damage. He had his oxygen tanks where he left them by his bed, his bible by the bed side, he read it every night. Everyone wandered the room touching everything. I couldn't bring myself to go passed the door.

I also found it hard to cry. I don't know if it was the shock of losing someone so close my my grandma, or the shock that he died at all... we use to joke that despite all his health issues, he'd probably outlive us all. But it felt like I had emotionally shut down. I was completely devoid of any emotion. I think that was probably worse than if I had felt the sadness I was meant to feel.

My dad was being buried in the state where he and my mom originally came from, and before we packed up and left, my friend told me to sit by myself somewhere and listen to this song. It was by an artist named "GACKT", and the song was Tsuki no Uta. I told her I didn't know Japanese and never heard of that artist before, but she said it didn't matter. just listen to it.

That night before we left, I did. I listened to every word, to the sound of his voice, to the sound of the orchestration. I didn't understand a thing he was saying, yet somehow I felt I knew exactly what he meant.

By the time GACKT got to "Kimi no daisuki na Tsuki no uta o", I started crying. All the feelings I should have felt but couldn't, all the sadness that was trapped inside of me waiting to come out, finally surfaced.

After listening to that song a hundred times and crying and crying, I started to feel better, I started to feel like I was healing. From then on, I searched for more of GACKT. I listened to every song I could find. GACKT ended up being to me, one of those musicians that transcended the language barrier. Even if you couldn't speak a word of Japanese, you still knew what he was trying to say. It was his voice, it was the composition of the music, it was the raw passion and emotion.

There is no voice equal to GACKT. He has a talent that reaches across the world to touch those who listen to him. I have met few true artists that are able to do that.

GACKT pulled me through many hard times. The untimely passing of my uncle who died a year after his heart attack, the passing of my pet rabbit and pet iguana, a serious car accident I was in that still causes me issues even today. Gackt's music helped me through it all. Tsuki no Uta, Todokanai, 12Gatsu no love song, Hoshi no Suna

His music celebrated the good times with me. Winning a singing contest, Getting first place for a painting I did, Getting a role in a musical show... GACKT was the main influence for the names of my dogs Dojo Kansuke and Yoshi (Princess) Yuu. His songs inspired me and made me smile. Black Stone, U+K, Vanilla...

GACKT also opened my eyes to all of the other great artists I love today. Hyde (Vamps/L`arc~en~ciel), Orange Range, Do as Infinity, GLAY, The GazettE, so on.

And if it wasn't for GACKT's influence... I'd have never started my radio station: J-Rock us! Radio celebrating the best music Japan has to offer (Which includes a GACKT special every Saturday). (which I actually have to update. lol)

I'll probably never meet GACKT, (Although, I admit he'd be my dream interview for my radio station.) I probably will never be lucky enough to see him perform live, I don't think I'd even get a response from him if I sent him a fan letter. So this little blog that I run is my way of saying "Thanks" since I'll never be able to do say it to him personally.

Through this blog I hope to keep English speaking fans in the know of all the latest GACKT news, and maybe even introduce new GACKT fans to all that is GACKT.

anyhoo. Thanks for listening to my story. It really needed to be told so others can understand why I devote my time as a GACKT fan.

Oh, speaking of... there is still time to Pre-Order Gackt's newest single "Episode 0" through CDJapan

The limited edition is $21.99 USD, or you can get a first press regular edition for $14.99 USD.

as always... please, if you love an artist, support them by buying their merchandise.

This goes under "lol"

according to the one who posted this... this was all scripted.

Episode 0 Vids

The original version of Episode 0 (Gackpoid)





Gackt's version of Episode 0

New Tour, New Look

GACKT's new look for the upcoming second Yellow Fried Chicken tour

Gackt to release new single

(Thanks to Music Japan+ for this information)

It has been announced that GACKT will be releasing his 39th single and the record is a collaboration with Nico Nico Douga. In 2009 the "GACKPOID Contest" has been started, which was meant to make use of "vocal creation software" programmed with GACKT's voice. Out of the contest the two songs "Episode.0" and "Paranoid Doll" will also be included on the CD.

Moreover, the first press limited edition will come with the PC for "Episode.0", which was an original video on Nico Nico Douga and has been reproduced by GACKT with himself appearing. The original video is already available, whereas the PV is said to be released shortly.

Moreover, GACKT will also be going on tour in Europe for the second year in a row, traveling through nine countries to perform 14 shows.

(This blog update is dedicated to Big Boid, my conure parrot who passed away today.)

Gackt Bunraku live panels

Gackt at the Toronto Movie festival a few days ago. There is a panel where all of the actors speak. Gackt... not sure what the hell he's saying, but there ya go. lol (the second video he's more understandable... sort of. LOL)

Bunraku Panel

Bunraku Panel 2

here are a few pics.










































in a previous blog I posted a TIFF interview with Gackt where he mentions that he would like to do another tour next year to help promote the film, including tour dates in America.

FINGERS CROSSED!

Bunraku Review

The Film Stage has reviewed Bunraku and has given the movie an over all 9 stars out of 10. Not too shabby.

even better news...

it looks like we should be looking for the movie by the end of 2010 according to the site. So my predictions that it could be an early 2011 movie (Jan-Feb) seemed almost spot on.

pretty exciting ^_^

More Bunraku

Thanks to the Bunraku Blog for this info.

Interview with Gackt for Bunraku

Bunraku is also mentioned on Entertainment Weekly's site... and if you read the comments, you'll see there's a lot of ticked off Gackt fans that he wasn't mentioned in the article. I found that amusing. ^_^

Gackt plays a Samurai type character named Yoshi. (That's how I came to name my pup, Yoshi, when I adopted her. It was in homage to Gackt.) ^_^

also... Gackt-tastic Saturday is playing right now till midnight. You still have 4 hours left to hear it.

Gackt-Tastic Saturday - last chance to listen

Gackt-tastic Saturday is an all Gackt show. Gackt music, Gackt Trivia, Gackt talk. Don't hear the song you like? I'll get it up for you by next saturday!

There's only a few more hours of Gackt-tastic Saturday left. (it ends midnight, Sunday)

So listen soon! The Gacktness won't return until next week.

http://www.live365.com/stations/aravyndra

if you have any other j-rock requests... email me at jrockusradio@gmail.com

All Gackt Saturdays!

If you're a Gackt fan and want to hear all Gackt music all day Saturday... then click the link below

http://www.live365.com/stations/aravyndra

Starting at midnight... Gackt takes over the airwaves for the next 24 hours! Gackt remains the station's #1 most requested artist, so I have dedicated an entire day to him!

Gackt-tastic Saturdays are on J-Rock us! Radio all Saturday, every saturday. It's all Gackt. Gackt talk, Gackt news, Gackt trivia, and above all... Gackt music.

If there's a Gackt song you don't hear that you want to... feel free to let me know at jrockusradio@gmail.com

Also... if you have any J-music request... you can email me and I'll get it on the air for you. Every Tuesday (once enough requests come in) will be dedicated to the music you want to hear on J-Rock us! Radio

---------------

**legal disclaimer: all music played on live365.com is purchased legally, and live365 pays the proper royalties as is part of the station rent agreement.**

End of Silence

December 9th Gackt will release his newest single "The end of Silence", which I believe is said to be the end song for the Wii game "Samurai Warriors 3"

I believe there will be 5 songs if I am translating this correctly (probably 2 or 3 songs plus their instrumentals.)

The Limited Edition DEARS release will have DVD video clips.

visit http://cdjapan.co.jp/ to pre-order this single.

Gackt celebrates Halloween

Gackt appeared (in costume) for a Halloween concert headlined by HYDE's side band VAMPS.

Daigo (Breakerz) hosted the event (dressed in a dress).

Gackt Joined Hyde on stage for a performance of Motley Crew's 'Shout at the Devil'

Hyde was vocals, KAZ - Guitar, and Gackt was on drums.

Ken Ogata will be missed

Famous Japanese actor Ogata Ken passed away last week at the age of 71. In 2000, Ogata was a recipient of the Japanese government’s Medal with Purple Ribbon, which is awarded for contributions in fields such as arts.

Ogata's famous films included the "Ballad of Narayama," "Vengeance is Mine," "The Demon," and "House on Fire". He leaves behind 2 sons, and a very sad friend in Gackt.

Here's Gackt's tearful final message to his friend.

Gackt's New Commercial and FFVII

Gackt stars in a new commercial for skin care gel. It first aired this past week from what I’ve been told.






Also just arrived, Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII for the English PSPs. Last year Crisis core (A prequel to the final fantasy VII storyline) was released with Gackt reprising his voice role as "G" (Genesis), a character that was also designed to look like him. He first portrayed "G" in the secret ending of Dirge of Cerberus.

Crisis Core is a prequel to Dirge so For those who don't pay Final Fantasy VII, Crisis Core is the past... Dirge of Cerberus happens a long time after the events of Crisis Core.

Unfortunately the voice actor who did the English Dub of Genesis in the secret end movie of DIRGE is credited on IMDB.com as reprising the role for this prequel as well. So instead of Gackt, you’ll be hearing a mix of a transalvanian vampire and Ricardo Montalban. I don’t know what the Voice actor was thinking.

However, at least you can still LOOK at Gackt’s likeness. LOL.

Here is the trailer to Crisis Core, The Secret ending with Gackt for Dirge, and the secret ending of Dirge English dubbed.

Gackt is a Lover not a Fighter

Recently, Gackt sang the Japanese National Anthem at the WBC title match 3/8/08.

From reports I’ve read online, I believe one of the fighters is a close friend of Gackt’s.

Thanks to Littleflapper for giving me permission to post these pictures. For more pics, visit littleflapper's blog.

Thanks to Littleflapper for the use of her screencaps.

Gackt throwing in the towel??!!

I was recently sent to Batsu jrock forum to find this news:
(Credit to Bastu Jrock forum and Trey)

------------------------

In a recent interview with Gackt in Tokyo Headline, Gackt mentioned that he might end his career in 2010.

For all of you who can read japanese, here you go: http://www.tokyoheadline.com/vol337/inter02.html

Most of the interview is Gackt talking about Gundam but he goes on to say: "For me, the year 2010 has become a sort of stopping point.

Before I reach that, I will move forwards. I like to sing and I really want to continue making things that will give a push to everyone’s backs, but I do not have the confidence to continue doing what I have always done until I die.

Even now I’m barely able to do it (laugh). I can continue with this style for another 3, 4 years; that’s why it’s 2010. After that, if I feel that I can do it, I will. If I feel that I can’t, I will get down from the stage. For now, I will continue moving forwards."

Credit to Chikotori for the translation.

--------------------------------------------------

Now, lets not count Gackt out yet. As he said... if he can continue doing it, he will.

And lets not forget his Sixth Day / Seventh Night stunt.... the year 2007 on a headstone with his name.

After all, Gackt will only be about 37, 38 in 2010, so... that’s still young.
Look at YOSHIKI-sama still busting those drums in his 40’s, and looking fine doing it!

Speaking of retirement, YOSHIKI and 2010 -

what does this say about S.K.I.N.?

Well thus far I’ve been looking into it...

They were suppose to play at a concert in Japan. (Suppose to play meaning they were a tentative guest.) However, it never came to fruition.

I haven’t found any word on an album release

And I have not yet heard of anymore American concert / anime tour dates at this time.

On the up side, no word that the project has been scrapped either... so hopefully we’ll hear something good soon.

Also concerning fans about his 2010 possible retirement, is what this will mean to an international fan club.

For many years DEARS has been promising to look into going international.

If Gackt retires, there’d obviously be no international Dear’s member concerts like he currently holds for his Japanese Dears.

If he retires, will there even BE an international Dears possibility?

I guess we’ll all have to wait and see with baited breath.

one more peice of unrelated Gackt news... I will be going in for surgery again - I was suppose to be going in on the 15th, but it was moved back to the 21st.

I’ll try to keep this site updated when news hits... but I may be a tad slow while I recoup, so send me those news tips in case I miss them.

And thanks again to Trey for this heads up!!

Ja Mata!