INTERVISTE/ARTICOLI

ORICON.CO.JP: Hideaki Anno, GACKT, Hiroyuki, and Others Take Stage at New Service Executive Meeting: "As You Can See, It's Not Cohesive"

The "POPOPO Service Announcement," where details of the camera-less video phone "POPOPO" were unveiled for the first time, was held in Tokyo on the 18th. Artist GACKT, Hiroyuki Nishimura, film director Hideaki Anno, Nobuo Kawakami of Dwango, and Junnosuke Yagura of POPOPO appeared on stage as executives of the service.

Anno, GACKT, and Hiroyuki, who don't usually seem to interact, participated at Kawakami's invitation, and reporters asked the three about their impressions of each other and the potential synergy between them. Hiroyuki grinned and said, "We just had our first board meeting, in the waiting room. I thought we'd talk about the service, but instead we ended up having a lively discussion about GACKT's accident."

Anno frankly stated, "I've only seen Hiroyuki online, and GACKT on TV, so I'm nervous."

GACKT then revealed, "As you can see, we can't come to an agreement. The meetings aren't focused on finding a common ground. We're just saying whatever we want. I think that's why we'll create something interesting," which drew laughter.

The teaser video for "POPOPO" began with the narration, "The last SNS created by humans before the age of AI," and introduced the involvement of service designer Takayuki Fukatsu, spatial director Kei Kato, designer Tomoyuki Arima, visualist and film director Makoto Tezuka, artist GACKT, and film director Hideaki Anno. It also revealed that Hiroyuki Nishimura and Nobuo Kawakami of Dwango are teaming up again for the first time in 20 years since Nico Nico Douga.

The service will launch today, the 18th, at 3 PM.

Also appearing were film director Makoto Tezuka and guest actor Takeru Satoh.

Source: oricon.co.jp
Photo source: natalie.mu, nikkei.com, daily.co.jp, k-tai.watch.impress.co.jp, denfaminicogamer.jp, famitsu.com

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by Erika

PRTIMES.JP: Sharing "Reality"—GACKT's Experience with a New Form of Communication on BeReal: A User's Perspective on BeReal's Real Value and Potential

Sharing "Reality"—GACKT's Experience with a New Form of Communication on BeReal: A User's Perspective on BeReal's Real Value and Potential

While social media has become an integral part of daily life, the focus tends to be on "how to present oneself" and "how to be evaluated."

Amidst this, the social media platform "BeReal," which has garnered support primarily from Generation Z, is attracting attention with its unique approach of sharing "this very moment" as it is.

This time, artist GACKT, who has an official BeReal account, spoke with Akito Sasagawa, Head of BeReal's Japan operations.

Through GACKT's perspective as a user, we explore the value and future potential of BeReal, unraveling its present and future.

1: What I Felt Using BeReal: "The expression 'like being naked' might be the closest description."

When asked about his impressions of using BeReal, GACKT began by saying this.

"My first impression was that the approach was completely different from other social media platforms I'd used before. It's like revealing a slightly different side of myself, a kind of nakedness."

Many social media platforms encourage users to create a self-image based on the premise of "looking good." But that's not quite reality.

"I've always felt it was fake. At the same time, I thought that a social media platform with a different approach wouldn't be accepted."

When asked what kind of social media platform BeReal was, GACKT continued:

"Social media hasn't fundamentally changed much in the last 10 years, has it? That's why I felt BeReal, with its different approach, had potential. I think this core functionality will clearly resonate with a specific group of people."

This feeling became apparent in the interactions between users as he continued to use the platform.

_______________________________________________________________________________

2: Understanding "Sharing the Present Moment"
When the conversation turned to the content and quality of comments on posts, GACKT shared his perspective as follows:

"Looking at the comments on BeReal, I get the impression that many people are writing what they feel at the moment, rather than carefully considering their words."

As soon as someone posts, comments like "I was the first to comment!", "Second!", "Third!", and so on, indicating how quickly they were able to comment, start pouring in. This "instant response culture" was also striking.

"That continues for a long time, doesn't it? The fact that people find joy in that is a little puzzling."

Regarding the background of these reactions, Mr. Sasagawa of BeReal cited typical usage scenarios of ordinary users.

By posting while out and about, the situation of "being there right now" is naturally conveyed, and friends who see it respond without feeling pressured. Such exchanges are common. Instead of sending a direct message to a specific person, people first post, and those who see it respond casually with "You're there?", "I'll come," or "That's great!" BeReal can be said to be a social networking service that creates this kind of new sensibility.

Sharing “Real” – GACKT’s Experience of a New Form of Communication on BeReal: A User’s Perspective on the Real Value and Potential of BeReal
#BeReal #GACKT #OfficialAccount
March 16, 2026, 1:00 PM
BeReal

While social media has become an integral part of daily life, the focus tends to be on “how to present oneself” and “how to be evaluated.”

In this context, the social media platform “BeReal,” which is gaining support primarily from Generation Z, is attracting attention with its unique approach of sharing “this very moment” as it is.

This time, artist GACKT, who has an official BeReal account, spoke with Akito Sasagawa, the head of BeReal’s Japan operations.

Through GACKT’s perspective as a user, discussing the value of BeReal and its future potential, we unravel the present and future of BeReal.

_______________________________________________________________________________

1: What I felt using BeReal: "The expression 'like being naked' might be the closest description."
When asked about his impressions of using BeReal, GACKT began by saying:

"I thought the approach was completely different from other social media platforms I'd used before. That was my first impression. It's like revealing a slightly different version of myself than the 'self I've shown' before, like being naked."

Many social media platforms create a self-image based on the premise of "looking good." But that's a little different from reality.

"I've always felt it was fake. At the same time, I thought that a social media platform with a different approach wouldn't be accepted."

When asked what kind of social media platform BeReal was, GACKT continued:

"In the last 10 years, social media hasn't fundamentally changed much, right? That's why I felt BeReal, with its different approach, had potential. I think this core specification will clearly resonate with a specific group of people."

This feeling also became apparent in the interactions between users as he continued to use the platform.

_______________________________________________________________________________

2: Understanding "Sharing the Present Moment"
When the conversation turned to the content and quality of comments on posts, GACKT shared his perspective as follows:

"Looking at the comments on BeReal, I get the impression that many people are writing what they feel at the time, rather than thinking about it beforehand."

Immediately after posting, comments like "I was the first to post!", "Second!", "Third!", and so on, indicating how quickly they were able to comment, followed. He said this "instant response culture" was also striking.

"That continues for a long time, doesn't it? It's a little strange to me that people find joy in that."

Regarding the background of these reactions, BeReal's Sasagawa cited typical usage scenarios of general users.

By posting while out and about, the situation of "being there right now" is naturally conveyed, and friends who see it respond without feeling pressured. Such exchanges are common. Instead of sending direct messages to specific individuals, BeReal allows users to post first, and then those who see it can respond casually with comments like, "Oh, you're there?", "I'll come," or "That's great." BeReal can be described as a social media platform that creates this kind of new sensibility.

_______________________________________________________________________________

3: How to Deliver "Words" to Young Followers
Upon hearing that approximately 70% of his followers were between 13 and 24 years old, GACKT expressed surprise.

"That's quite a surprise. I didn't expect them to be so young. It was unexpected. That makes me think that maybe comments directed towards this generation would be better."

He also touched upon the fact that he's been posting a lot in English recently.

"I think I should include Japanese translations as well. For example, just leaving a Japanese translation of something like, 'Today I used this English expression,' could be a starting point for those young people."

_______________________________________________________________________________

4: A Social Media Platform with Potential for Business Connections
When the conversation turned to his impressions of using BeReal as an official account, GACKT spoke frankly.

"Many of the people around me are business owners, but honestly, almost none of them use BeReal. It gives me the impression that it's a different demographic."

However, he doesn't view this situation negatively.

"I think many business owners simply haven't yet envisioned how to use this to connect with their business."

He believes the same applies to younger generations.

"Young people are currently using it simply as a tool, and not many yet have the idea to develop it into a business. There are many businesses that reach a core audience, even if it's not a huge market. It allows the creator's thoughts and background to be directly conveyed. If it develops into such a tool, I believe it will naturally connect with business depending on how it's used."

_______________________________________________________________________________

5: Building Two-Way Relationships with BeReal: Close Communication is Key
GACKT answered the question, "What kind of relationship do you want to build with your fans through BeReal?"

"If we can create meaningful content for the people we're connected with now, I think it will become a tool that can be used regardless of follower count."

From an artist's perspective, the potential is significant.

"It's a very attractive SNS as a communication tool with fans. For example, even with merchandise sales, just having the artist directly say, 'I made this,' makes a huge difference in the response."

Behind-the-scenes stories of production, the thoughts at the time—if there's information only BeReal followers can know, the relationship will naturally deepen.

"It's always nice to hear stories in a closed space, isn't it? I think that alone can significantly change the emotional distance."

If you were to recommend BeReal to a celebrity or artist, how would you do it? When asked this, GACKT answered without hesitation:

"This app has potential. So, I'd tell them they should try it now."

Regarding the future of BeReal, GACKT concluded with these words.

"How far it expands depends on BeReal. It would be even more interesting if it allowed posts combined with audio. If my opinion can be helpful, I'm always happy to give advice."

In an era where "unexaggeration" is valued, BeReal might just become a new standard for delivering artists' true selves and personalities as they are.

Source: prtimes.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by Erika

BILLBOARD-JAPAN.COM: [Interview] GACKT Discusses His Thoughts on the Full Orchestra Performance "Maou Symphony," Starting This Summer as a Tour

GACKT celebrated the culmination of his 25th anniversary as a solo artist, and one night marked a new beginning for him as an artist. That night, on April 13, 2025, he performed "GACKT PHILHARMONIC 2025 - Maou Symphony" at Sumida Triphony Hall. The unique world of "Maou Symphony," created by the harmonious blend of a powerful band sound and a full orchestra, marked a new chapter in the music scene. In response to the many requests for a repeat performance, he held "GACKT PHILHARMONIC 2025 Maou Symphony THE REVIVAL" at the same venue on December 23rd of last year. He captivated audiences with even more refined sound and direction. Aiming to achieve the impact of that night and go beyond, this summer, GACKT will hold a full-scale tour of 10 shows in 8 cities across Japan, titled "GACKT Maou Symphony 2026 -INFINITY- organized by billboard classics." GACKT spoke at length about his desire for this one-of-a-kind stage performance, saying, "I want to create something that no one else can do."

Interview & Text: Tanaka Hisakatsu / Photo: Lestat C&M Project

GACKT's True Fusion of Rock and Classical Music in "Maou Symphony"

-- I saw "Maou Symphony" on December 23rd of last year. I was blown away by the unprecedented soundscape and immersive feeling, where the band and orchestral sounds didn't cancel each other out, yet surged forth as an overwhelming mass.

GACKT: When you say that, it's worth all the hard work. But, compared to my ideal, I'm only about 50% there. I'm not 100% there yet. Once one problem is solved, other areas for improvement become apparent. While the goal is still far away, I believe it's not an unreachable dream; it's a place I can reach. Once I've cleared all of these, I'll have created truly one-of-a-kind entertainment.

── What exactly do you mean by "50%"?

GACKT: We've done it twice now, and I think we've gotten pretty close, but it's the production, the sound, and sharing awareness with the orchestra. In the rock world, performing standing up is commonplace, but I think playing with a standing orchestra was a tough challenge for classical musicians. First of all, we had to start by breaking down the fixed idea that "you can't perform while standing." I'm trying to do something that can't be imagined no matter how much I explain it in words. That's why I ask, "Are you interested in creating a show that no one has ever made before?" and work with orchestra members who resonate with me.

── You said that when you actually experienced the fusion of rock and orchestra, "it's not that easy." How has it evolved since the premiere in April 2025?

GACKT: After the premiere on April 13th, issues arose, and as we worked out how much we could resolve in preparation for December 23rd, other problems arose (laughs). Ideas for how I wanted to put together the production also came to mind. However, it was difficult to fully realize this at Sumida Triphony Hall. The wonder of the band's sound and the orchestra's sound not clashing, that beauty, is the result of considerable attention to detail.

-- I heard that you create a pretty esoteric sound. What is your approach specifically?

GACKT: For example, let's start by talking about the base frequency. For concerts in halls, bands usually tune their reference pitch to either 440Hz or 442Hz. The same goes for orchestras. However, when I listened to it in the rehearsal studio, there was something that just didn't feel right. In the end, I arrived at the conclusion that I intentionally shifted the tuning of the bass and double bass to a certain extent. By doing that, when they actually play the sound live, each instrument comes through better. No one can do that for you, right? After the April performance, as you were making various adjustments in preparation for December, you felt something was off, so you gradually changed the tuning of the sound yourself, and then the idea of ​​where the base should be suddenly occurred to you, and you tried it out, experimented. I think that repetition is what led to the sense of immersion you mentioned.

── You must have been doing mind-boggling work all this time, so what was the main reason you decided to go on tour?

GACKT: [Maou Symphony] was originally done with the aim of going on tour, and if you could create this worldview, you had a strong desire to make it a tour. After all, as a musician, you have a desire to create something that no one else can do.

── It seems that the acoustic knowledge and experience you gained from [Maou Symphony] is also being put to use in YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz's live performances.

GACKT: First of all, the fundamental thing is that the core of [Maou Symphony] is, above all, a band. I imagine a symphony as the future of YFCz. So, even if the final live show doesn't reach the same level of excitement as a regular YFCz show, I want to create something that will make people wonder if it's even possible to have a full orchestra. The knowledge and experience gained from [Maou Symphony] is alive and well in YFCz's current live shows, and the sound is incredibly clear. This is unthinkable for a rock band live show, but we don't even have amplifiers onstage. We've perfected the "sense of separation" so that even with three guitars, each one sounds like a completely separate instrument. The technology for organizing the multi-layered sounds of an orchestra has also evolved rock band sound systems. I feel like this interplay is pushing me to the next level as an artist.

As [Maou Symphony], we're taking the dark fantasy world even further.
-- I heard that the production for this upcoming nationwide tour, [GACKT Maou Symphony 2026 -INFINITY- organized by billboard classics], will be significantly different from the previous tour.

GACKT: For example, in venues that have pipe organs, we can't use smoke, which is one of the effects. It's unbearable for me to be unable to create the ideal effect.

-- In the December performance, there were several songs in the arrangement that made impressive use of the pipe organ.

GACKT: For this tour, we avoided venues that have pipe organs and chose venues where we could freely use smoke and other effects. That's why songs that require the pipe organ will be rearranged with a different instrument. Although some things will be lost by prioritizing the effect, we want to create a dark fantasy world in the truest sense of the word on the tour, where the people who come to see us will have the illusion that they've been transported into a scene from a movie. After two performances so far, our challenge for the next tour is to remove all restrictions, such as "maybe we shouldn't exaggerate." That's why we titled the tour INFINITY.

-- Are you planning on making major changes to the set list from the last two?

GACKT: I want to change it completely. It's not that all traces of the story so far will disappear, but it will change. When I think about what I want to express and the direction within the theme of [Demon King Symphony], a picture emerges of me that I want to use this song. As that picture is coming together, if I feel it's not quite right, I'll change the song again. Right now it's only in my head, so I'm constantly refining it.

-- It was also impressive that the first floor of the audience was all standing and headbanging, which is an unusual sight for an orchestral concert.

GACKT: With an ideal worldview for the audience, I want to paint an even different picture next time. The reason we're introducing an all-standing first floor, which is unusual for an orchestral performance, is because I want to create a moment when the stage and the audience become one and are liberated.

── This tour will feature two maestros, Yoneda Satoshi (Saitama, Miyagi, Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido) and Murakami Fumiaki (Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Osaka), two orchestras, Grand Philharmonic Tokyo (Saitama, Miyagi, Tokyo, Aichi, Hokkaido) and Grand Philharmonic Kyoto (Hiroshima, Fukuoka, Osaka), and YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz. What is the intention behind this?

GACKT: We haven't even reached the number of performances that we originally envisioned. My original ideal was to aim for something that would be created by everyone in the area. If we're doing it in eight locations, I want to do it with orchestras that are rooted in each region. It's often difficult to explain it to classical musicians in words, so I want people to actually see and experience [Maou Symphony], and gather people from each region who will raise their hands and think, "I want to create something like that." I think that will lead to the next step, and it's close to my ideal.

── This year, you have a string of tours with completely different styles: [GACKT YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz ~WORLD TOUR ATTACK OF YFCz~], [GACKT LAST SONGS 2026 feat. K], and [GACKT Maou Symphony 2026 -INFINITY- organized by billboard classics]. I even get the feeling that you're "rushing through life" a little.

GACKT: You're rushing through life, aren't you? (laughs) But I don't mean that in a negative way at all. You don't know how long you'll live, right? Everyone feels that way, right? We don't have time. Right now, I feel like I have to do everything I can. So, it's not like I'm just doing a lot of things randomly, but rather, I'm doing it with the feeling that I want to do everything I can. Also, by performing live shows with various styles, our experiences interact with each other. I've never felt that the experiences from the previous tour had such a big impact on the next tour after one tour. [Maou Symphony], YFCz, and LAST SONGS, each one truly influences each other. For example, LAST SONGS is the polar opposite of [Maou Symphony]. Not only the worldview on stage, but the worldview in the audience, the picture painted in that entire space is completely different, and the way we think is different. That's why every live performance is so stimulating.

-- I'm looking forward to [GACKT Maou Symphony 2026 -INFINITY- organized by billboard classics], which will take me to a world I've yet to see.

GACKT: On this tour, I want you to feel with your skin that sound isn't just heard with your ears. It's scientifically proven that when a live performance is performed in person, it has more meaning than a CD or digital recording, even if the sound is a little rough. This is because energy is transmitted through sound. That energy isn't just felt by the ears, but also by your skin. [Maou Symphony] features the live sounds of a band and orchestra of about 70 people, and the energy emanating from their bodies directly vibrates the air. It's incredible. We'll deliver the passionate energy of live music to all the fans waiting all over the country. I believe that this is the way I, who have been saved by music, should repay it at this age. I have reached an age where I need to leave something behind, and I believe that this will be one of the reasons for my life as a musician. I am waiting for you with an exciting show ready.

Source: billboard-japan.com

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by Erika

[PHOTO] BARIHAYA X - MAR 05 2026

Hiroto YFCz X update. New photo with GACKT, translation below

Tomorrow (3/6) on Bali Haya...
GACKT, who will be performing in Fukuoka next month, will be making an appearance! ✨

This will be a rare location appearance for GACKT, and we'll treat him to his favorite foods! 💖

Guest announcer Suda was thrilled by his explosive GACKT style, saying, "It was so much fun!" 🔥

Look forward to the Akiraka segment starting just after 6:30 AM! 🕶️

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

[PHOTO] ASADESU X - MAR 02 2026

Asadesu X update. New photo with GACKT, translation below

＼✨Special Guest✨／

#GACKT was in the studio today!
Thank you for appearing! 🎤

He joined us in celebrating the graduation of our graduates. 🌸

[Article] Surprise Appearance at a Graduation Ceremony in Fukuoka Prefecture
https://news.yahoo.co.jp/articles/b7b5167db8143825ac520415888f6a2e2c408b1c

Please come visit us again in the studio! 🕶️

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by Erika

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