Gackt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Gackt |
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Gackt in 2017
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| Background information | |
| Birth name | Gakuto Oshiro (大城 ガクト, Ōshiro Gakuto) |
| Also known as | Gackt Camui (神威 楽斗, Kamui Gakuto) |
| Born | July 4, 1973 Okinawa, Japan |
| Origin | Tokyo, Japan |
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| Years active | 1993–2021, 2022–present |
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Gakuto Oshiro (born July 4, 1973), known by his stage name Gackt, is a famous Japanese singer, musician, songwriter, and actor. His stage name is written in all capital letters.
Gackt was born in Okinawa, Japan. He started learning piano when he was very young. He grew up listening to classical music and traditional Japanese enka songs. Later, in high school, he became interested in rock music. He began his career in 1993. First, he was the lead singer for a band called Cains:Feel. Then, from 1995, he joined the visual kei rock band Malice Mizer.
Gackt started his solo career in 1999. His first mini-album was Mizérable, and his first full album was Mars (2000). He has released nine studio albums. With 48 singles, he holds the record for the most top ten singles in Japanese music history for a male solo artist. Many of his songs are part of two big story ideas: "Moon Saga" and "Requiem et Reminiscence." He performs these stories in amazing live concerts. His song "Returner (Yami no Shūen)" (2007) was his first and only song to reach number one on the Japanese music charts. As a solo artist, Gackt has sold over 10 million records.
In 2007, he helped start S.K.I.N., a Japanese visual kei rock supergroup. In 2010, he formed his own band project called Yellow Fried Chickenz. Gackt's music has been used in many video games, movies, and TV shows. He has also done voice acting for characters, some of whom were even designed to look like him. He has acted in films, including one he wrote called Moon Child. He also acted in the international film Bunraku and was nominated for an award for his role in Fly Me to the Saitama. On TV, he famously played Uesugi Kenshin in the drama Fūrin Kazan. He has also performed in stage plays, including Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae and his own plays, Moon Saga: Mysteries of Yoshitsune I & II. Gackt also provided the voice for Gackpoid, a Vocaloid software.
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Gackt's Early Life
Gackt was born on July 4, 1973, in Okinawa, Japan. He is the second of three children in a Ryukyuan family. His father was a music teacher who played the trumpet, and his mother was also a teacher. Gackt has an older sister and a younger brother. Because his father moved for work, Gackt lived in many different cities in Japan.
Gackt started learning classical piano at age three. It was hard to continue lessons because his family moved often. At age seven, he wanted to quit, but his parents made him continue for four more years. After losing a piano competition in middle school, Gackt decided to return to piano lessons on his own. He even started writing music for orchestras. He says that the composer Frédéric Chopin taught him the beauty and meaning of music. Gackt also knows about brass instruments because his father played the trumpet. He only listened to classical music and enka when he was young. He became interested in rock music in high school and learned to play the drums.
Gackt's Music Career
Starting in Music: Malice Mizer
In the early 1990s, Gackt worked at a casino and played drums for a band. He wanted to take music more seriously. He later met guitarist You Kurosaki in Kyoto. They formed a band called Cains:Feel. Gackt became the lead singer because they didn't have one. The band recorded a demo tape before breaking up.
In 1995, Gackt joined the visual kei band Malice Mizer. He became their lead singer, played piano, and wrote most of their songs. He also wrote two of their songs, "Regret" and "Le Ciel." The band became very famous during this time. After four years and two albums, Gackt left the band in January 1999. He said it was because of differences between the members and feeling alone.
Solo Debut and Early Albums
Gackt began his solo career on January 1, 1999. His first solo tour was called 99 Gackt Resurrection. On May 12, he released his first mini-album, Mizérable, which reached number two on the charts. This album showed his skill in mixing classical music with rock. In August, he released his second single, "Vanilla", which was very successful.
In 2000, Gackt released more singles like "Mirror" and "Oasis". His first full album, Mars, came out on April 26. It reached number three on the charts. He then went on a tour called Mars Sora Kara no Homonsha. In 2001, his second album, Rebirth, was released. This was his first "concept album," telling a story set during World War II. His ninth single, "Another World", was a big hit, selling over 250,000 copies. After the events of September 11, 2001, Gackt wrote "Jūnigatsu no Love Song" for world peace. He recorded this song in Japanese, English, Korean, and Chinese.
Moon Saga and Chart Success
In late 2001, Gackt started his second big story project, "Moon Saga." In 2002, his third album, Moon, was released. It became his best-selling album. He then went on tours like Kagen no Tsuki and Jōgen no Tsuki, which continued the "Moon Saga" story.
In 2003, Gackt released singles like "Kimi ga Oikaketa Yume" and "Tsuki no Uta". His fourth album, Crescent, was released in December. It included a song he sang with Hyde called "Orange no Taiyō" from his movie Moon Child.
In 2004, Gackt released two compilation albums, The Sixth Day: Single Collection and The Seventh Night: Unplugged. He also received an award for "Best Asian Rock Artist" in Korea. In 2005, he released his album Love Letter, which was also released in Korean. He then returned to his dark rock style with the single "Black Stone". His song "Metamorphoze" was used in the movie Mobile Suit Zeta Gundam. His sixth album, Diabolos, was released in September. It was a prequel to the "Moon Saga" albums. Gackt ended his Diabolos tour with a huge concert at the Tokyo Dome, for over 42,000 fans.
International Steps and S.K.I.N.
In 2006, Gackt performed his first solo concert in Asia, in Korea. His song "Redemption" was used in the video game Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII. He also started performing at high school graduation ceremonies, singing a special song for the students.
In August, it was announced that Gackt would form a rock supergroup called S.K.I.N. with other famous Japanese musicians like Yoshiki from X Japan. Their goal was to be the first Asian band to become famous worldwide. In June 2007, Gackt released "Returner (Yami no Shūen)", which became his first number one single. S.K.I.N. performed for the first time in California, USA, but didn't have more activities after that. Gackt also made his music available on iTunes Store and released his album Diabolos in Europe.
Vocaloid and Kamen Rider
On July 31, 2008, a Vocaloid software called Gackpoid was released, using Gackt's voice. In December, he released the single "Jesus". He then went on his longest tour, Requiem et Reminiscence II, with over 60 concerts.
In 2009, Gackt celebrated his 10th anniversary as a solo artist by releasing four singles in a row. He also became involved with the Kamen Rider Decade TV series, singing its theme songs. These were his first songs not written by him. He even appeared in the Kamen Rider Decade movie as Jōji Yūki. His seventh album, Re:Born, was released in December, continuing the story from his 2001 album.
Yellow Fried Chickenz and Later Years
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In 2010, Gackt announced he was moving to a new record label, Avex Group. Before this, he started a band project called Yellow Fried Chickenz. The band toured Japan and also performed in Europe for the first time, with sold-out shows in cities like London and Paris. In 2011, Yellow Fried Chickenz toured Europe again. The band broke up in 2012.
In 2013, Gackt went on his first national tour in four years, called Best of the Best Vol. I. He also released two new compilation albums. In 2014, his music started being released by his own independent label, G&Lovers.
In 2015, to celebrate his 15th anniversary, a remix album called Gacktracks -Ultra DJ ReMix- was released. In 2016, Gackt started his solo tour, Last Visualive Saigo no Tsuki –Last Moon–, which had 42 concerts. His eighth album, Last Moon, was released in April 2016.
Recent Activities and Hiatus
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On July 4, 2018, Gackt held a concert called "Last Songs" for his 45th birthday. In December, he sang the Japanese national anthem before a kickboxing match. In July 2019, he celebrated his 46th birthday and 20th solo anniversary with another concert. His 20th-anniversary tour, Khaos, ran from January to February 2020.
In September 2021, Gackt announced he would take a break from music due to a long-term health issue that affected his voice. He promised to recover and make new music and tour in the future. In May 2022, he announced he was getting better and would return to activities. By January 2023, he said he felt "80%" recovered.
In 2023, Gackt sang the national anthem at a sumo ceremony. He also started a new tour called "Last Songs 2023 feat. K" with singer-pianist K. In November, he released his second autobiography, Confession II, and said he wanted to perform worldwide. In February 2024, he worked with the band Tube on a single. In November, his band project, Gackt Yellow Fried Chickenz, reformed for a limited five-year period and announced new concerts.
Gackt's Acting Career
Gackt started acting in TV documentaries in 2001 and 2002. In 2003, he wrote the script for his film, Moon Child, and starred in it. He also voiced a character named Seiji in the anime New Fist of the North Star. Gackt was also the model and voice for the character Lau Wong in the video game Bujingai.
In 2006 and 2007, he was involved with the Final Fantasy video game series. He was the model, voice, and co-creator for the character Genesis Rhapsodos in Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII and Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII. He also wrote theme songs for the first game.
In 2007, Gackt played the historical figure Uesugi Kenshin in the TV drama Fūrin Kazan. His portrayal of Kenshin, with long hair and no beard, was different from usual and caused some discussion. He was nominated for an award for this role. In 2008, Gackt filmed his first international movie, Bunraku, in Romania. He also appeared in the TV series Mr. Brain and the film Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker.
In 2010, Gackt did more voice acting for films and anime series like Shiki. He also voiced characters in video games like Velskud in Dragon Nest. In 2011, he voiced characters in Supernatural: The Anime Series and Sket Dance. He also acted in the TV drama Tempest.
In 2012, Gackt appeared in the TV drama Sengoku Basara: Moonlight Party and played a dual role in the drama Akumu-chan. In 2013, he was a voice actor for the Japanese version of the film Silent Hill: Revelation. He also guest-starred in the Indonesian TV series Bima Satria Garuda. In 2014, he repeated his role in the Akumu-chan movie and starred in the drama Time Spiral.
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In 2015, Gackt made a small appearance in the short film Origami. He also voiced characters and provided a theme song for the mobile game Sengoku Shura Soul. In 2016, Gackt took his first lead role in 14 years in the movie Karanukan. He also voiced characters in the game Othellonia and the anime Trickster. He even dubbed the main role for the Japanese version of Kong: Skull Island.
In 2018, Gackt was announced to have a co-leading role in the movie Fly Me to the Saitama. The film was released in 2019 and received good reviews. Gackt was nominated for a Japan Academy Film Prize for his acting. A sequel to Tonde Saitama was confirmed in 2022 and released in 2023.
Theatre Performances
In May 2010, Gackt starred in the play Nemuri Kyoshiro Buraihikae. The show had 120 performances and was seen by about 150,000 people. In 2012, Gackt created, composed, and directed a stage play called Moon Saga - Mysteries of Yoshitsune, where he played Minamoto no Yoshitsune. This play continued the "Moon Saga" concept. A second "Moon" stage play was performed in 2014, using advanced projection mapping technology.
Gackt's Artistic Style
Voice and Songwriting
Gackt has a deep voice that can also reach high notes. He often uses both low and high notes in the same song. His voice has been described as "melodramatic," "smooth," and "velvet."
His songs vary from soft ballads to strong hard rock. He is skilled at mixing "raw rock elements" with "listener-friendly compositions." He often blends modern Western instruments with traditional Japanese musical instruments. He calls this style "Zipangu rock," showing its Japanese origins.
Gackt often talks about the beauty of Japanese lyrics. He focuses on quality over quantity in his music and lyrics. His lyrics often use double meanings and explore feelings like sadness, kindness, love, and loneliness.
When he creates songs and concerts, he first writes a story. Then, he writes music and songs based on that story, imagining how they will look live. This creates songs that are connected by a concept but can also stand alone. Most of his albums are part of two main stories:
- "Moon Saga" (albums like Moon, Crescent, Diabolos, Last Moon): This story is set in Asia and Europe. It uses vampires to explore human nature, repeating mistakes, war, and the meaning of life.
- "Requiem et Reminiscence" (albums like Rebirth, Re:Born): This story is set during World War II in Nazi Germany. It questions what makes us human and why people can be both destructive and loving.
Live Performances
Gackt is famous for his unique concerts, which he sees as works of art. His "Moon Saga" and "Requiem et Reminiscence" concerts are not just typical music shows. They are a mix of story, music, movies, theater, and live performance. Gackt calls them "Visualive" shows. He acts as the main character of the story during these performances.
These shows are very detailed. They usually have an introduction movie, followed by songs related to the story. Then there's a costume change and more story-related songs. After a break, there's a fun part where Gackt interacts with the audience. Finally, the show ends with a conceptual performance and a closing movie. Reviewers have called them "rock spectacles" with emotional stories. During some shows, water drops would fall like rain onto the stage. His tours in 2008-09 and 2016 sometimes lasted up to four hours.
Gackt first created the Visualive format in 2001. He said it took him almost ten years to perfect it. However, he found these shows very tiring, both physically and mentally. He also said they were expensive to produce. He received many requests to tour worldwide, but such big shows are hard to transport and set up in other countries.
Gackt also has "Camui Gakuen" festival shows (from 2009-2019). In these shows, Gackt performs cover songs and acts as the student council president of a fictional school, wearing a school uniform.
Gackt's Cultural Impact
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Gackt is seen as a Japanese pop and fashion icon. He is a J-pop/J-rock superstar and Japanese idol. Because of his involvement with the visual kei movement, which focuses on unique and changing appearances, he is often compared to fantasy characters from manga. Otaku USA magazine said in 2007 that his "more than human" look made him very popular. He has been compared to characters like Griffith from Berserk and Cloud Strife from Final Fantasy.
Gackt became strongly linked to the Japanese historical figure Uesugi Kenshin after playing him in the TV drama Fūrin Kazan. He was invited to play Kenshin at the traditional Kenshin Festival in Jōetsu city many times, starting in 2007. In 2015, a record 243,000 visitors came to see him at the festival.
In 2009, Gackt was ranked fifth among rock music stars in Japanese history. He has also worked as a fashion model, producer, and designer. He even had his own jewelry and sunglasses brand. He won awards for being well-dressed in 2002, 2003, and 2007.
Gackt has appeared on many TV shows. Since 2009, he has been a regular on the New Year's special Geinoujin-Kakuzuke-Check (Celebrity Rating Check). He holds a record of 71 wins in a row, making him known as a "first-class entertainer." In 2023, Gackt was a judge on Japan's first season of the Got Talent show.
Gackt has also been in many television commercials for companies like Fujifilm and Square Enix. From 2014 to 2016, he had a gaming channel called "Game Center" with Nestlé Japan, where he played video games daily. In 2019, he became an ambassador for PUBG Mobile in Japan, contributing his own character models, outfits, and voice.
On July 31, 2008, Internet Co., Ltd. released Gackpoid, a Vocaloid software that uses Gackt's voice.
Gackt's Other Projects
Gackt has also started other businesses. In 2013, he produced his own brand of sake called "Chateau Gackt." In 2016, he co-founded a real estate company in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. In 2017, he became an advisor for a virtual currency project called Spindle. In 2019, he became the executive organizer of the Japan Grown Diamond Association. In 2023, he started a long-term partnership with a new winery in Hokkaido.
Helping Others: Philanthropy
In 2007, Gackt created the "Save our Dears" charity to help people affected by an earthquake in Niigata Prefecture. He designed keychains and bracelets to raise money. His fan club, Dears, also raised money, which Gackt donated to the city of Jōetsu.
In 2010, he participated in a charity event called "Message! to Asia" to help street children in Cambodia and the Philippines. He even auctioned off his custom car to raise money.
In 2011, after the big Tōhoku earthquake and tsunami, Gackt started the "Show Your Heart" charity. They collected money and supplies for the victims. Gackt helped with a nationwide fundraising campaign. All the money collected, over 208 million Japanese Yen (about 2.6 million US dollars), was given to the Japanese Red Cross. His band Yellow Fried Chickenz also donated part of their tour earnings. He also invited orphans from the earthquake to his theater plays and gave them money for scholarships.
In 2020, Gackt sold merchandise during his tour to raise money for the reconstruction of Shuri Castle in Okinawa, which had burned down. He raised about 4.7 million Japanese Yen (about 44,000 US dollars).
Gackt's Personal Life
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Gackt is proud to be from the Ryukyuan ethnic group in Okinawa. He faced some discrimination for it when he was young, but it didn't affect him negatively. He believes his life and music goal is to give people hope and connect Asian countries.
Gackt was briefly married to a South Korean woman when he was 20. His last long relationship ended in 2014.
Gackt lived in Tokyo, Japan, for most of his life. In 2012, he moved to the Philippines and Hong Kong. His main home is now in Malaysia, where he has a large mansion outside Kuala Lumpur. In 2022, he announced he was building a new mansion in Malaysia.
He can speak Mandarin, Korean, English, and some French. He has a second-degree black belt in ITF taekwondo and has trained in other martial arts like karate and jiu-jitsu. In recent years, he enjoys playing poker and has competed in tournaments since 2017.
Gackt says his way of life is similar to the Japanese Bushido code. His personal religious belief is close to nature god worship. His family believes that their deceased members become gods. This practice is about respecting everything around people and having "a love of nature." Every year, Gackt and his staff clean his family's tomb in Okinawa.
Discography
Solo Albums
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Albums with Malice Mizer
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Filmography
Movies
- Moon Child (2003), as Shō
- Kamen Rider Decade: All Riders vs. Dai-Shocker (2009), as Joji Yuki
- Bunraku (2010), as Yoshi
- The Tempest 3D (2012), as Jo Teigai
- Akumu-chan (2014), as Takashi Shiki/Yume Ōji
- Origami (2015, short film)
- Karanukan (2018), as Hikaru Ooyama
- Fly Me to the Saitama (2019), as Rei Asami
- The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Princess (2020), as Mysterious man
- Fly Me to the Saitama: From Biwa Lake with Love (2023), as Rei Asami
- What If Tokugawa Ieyasu Became Prime Minister? (2024), as Oda Nobunaga
- Blazing Fists (2025)
Television Series and Documentaries
- Ima Hadaka Ni Shitai Otoko-tachi (2001)
- Hero's Hero (2002)
- Fūrin Kazan (2007), as Uesugi Kenshin
- Mr. Brain (2009), as Takegami Teijiro (Episode 2)
- The Tempest (2011), as Jyoteigai
- Akumu-chan (2012), as Takashi Shiki/Yumeoji
- Sengoku Basara: Moonlight Party (2012), as Oda Nobunaga
- Bima Satria Garuda (2013), as Noir
- Renai ha Hitsuzen de Aru (2014), as Storyteller
- Time Spiral (2014), as Shuya Tatsumi
- Shin The Unfettered Shogun (2025) – as Tokugawa Muneharu
Voice Acting Roles
- New Fist of the North Star (2003, OVA), as Seiji
- Bujingai (2003, video game), as Lau Wong
- Dirge of Cerberus: Final Fantasy VII (2006, video game), as Genesis Rhapsodos
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII (2007, video game), as Genesis Rhapsodos
- Arthur and the Minimoys (2007, animated film, Japanese dub), as Maltazard
- Arthur and the Revenge of Maltazard (2010, animated film, Japanese dub), as Maltazard
- Shiki (2010, anime), as Seishiro Kirishiki
- Tono to Issho (2010, anime), as Kenshin Uesugi
- Dragon Nest (2010-2016, video game, Japanese dub), as Velskud
- Mobile Suit Gundam: Extreme Vs. (2010, video game), as Ex-/Extreme Gundam
- Supernatural: The Anime Series (2011, anime), as Andy
- Sket Dance (2011, anime), as Kiyoshi "Dante" Date
- Dragon Age: Dawn of the Seeker (2012, animated film), as Knight Commander
- Silent Hill: Revelation 3D (2012, feature film, Japanese dub), as Travis Grady
- 3594e (2014, mobile game), as Lü Bu
- Sengoku Shura Soul (2015, mobile game), as Uesugi Kenshin and Sengoku Gackt
- Othellonia (2016, mobile game), as Maten Ruedo
- Trickster (2016, anime), as The Fiend with Twenty Faces
- Kong: Skull Island (2017, feature film, Japanese dub), as James Conrad
- Crisis Core: Final Fantasy VII Reunion (2022, video game), as Genesis Rhapsodos
Tours
- Arena Tours:
- 2000: Mars Sora Kara no Homonsha
- 2001: Requiem et Reminiscence
- 2002: Kagen no Tsuki
- 2003: Jogen no Tsuki
- 2004: The Sixth Day & Seventh Night
- 2005-06: Diabolos ~Aien no Shi~
- 2008-09: Requiem et Reminiscence II ~Saisei to Kaikou~
- 2009-19: Kamui Gakuen
- 2013: Best of the Best Vol. I
- 2016: Last Visualive Saigo no Tsuki –Last Moon–
- Club Tours:
- 1999: 99 Gackt Resurrection & Easter Live
- 2006-07: Training Days – Dears Reserved Unique Gackt Party
- Theater and Hall Tours:
- 2020: Khaos
- 2021: Last Songs 2021 feat. K
- 2023: Last Songs 2023 feat. K
- 2024: Last Songs 2024 feat. K
See also
In Spanish: Gackt para niños
