Oricon Style, August 2005

Translated by: Sweiled

1. Please DO NOT take my translations and use them for whatever reason, without my permission.
2. Please DO NOT publish my translations elsewhere without my permission. Please kindly link back if you want, but DO NOT copy and paste them.


[number] = more explanation of the sentence below
xxx = more detailed explanations
[xxx] = what I felt a certain part of the sentence meant
(xxx) = other meanings of the word or missing word/words not specifically mentioned. For e.g. The fans screamed when (Gackt and his band members) entered the stadium! Read it like you will a normal sentence.
=xxx= = real brackets used in the interview

I: They say that to have a wonderful life, you need to be a wonderful person. Well then, what do you consider a “good man” [1]?
G: Well, to me it’s simply (someone who can say), “Look at me!”
[1] Because this phrase is going to be used repeatedly, I thought it best if I give you the possible meanings to it now. いい ii: good; nice; pleasant; fine; excellent; agreeable; ok. 男 otoko: man


I: Just one line? (bitter laugh) But because what you call a good man depends on the values of each individual, right?
G: Yes. That is good enough.


I: Oh……
G: Hmm? Is there something you want to ask?


I: Well, do you consider yourself to be under the category of “good man”?
G: No, because I’ve never thought of myself as a “good man”.


I: You’re kidding!
G: Even if it’s just by a little, I want to become a good man. (I don’t want) to just live, I want to live an amazing life as well. That is all. And, honestly, how the people around judges me doesn’t matter.


I: Aah, you mean nothing to do with the way other people look at you.
G: Yes. Say, for example, the woman whom you are totally in love with returns your love. Maybe (that makes you) a good man. But maybe that is different from being liked by everyone, and maybe also different from what men [1] thinks makes a “good man”. The [maybes] are endless once you start talking about it. (Because) it is impossible that there is anyone who can be well-liked by everybody.
[1] He is referring to the male population in general


I: Well then, what do you plan to do so that you can live a great life as a “good man”?
G: There is something I’ve been doing. For example, business should be done this way… Or, the music part should be done this way. For example, if the staffs that have followed me can think “I’m glad I followed you.” At the very least, I want them to reach such a level of life where they can think that way. That’s how I myself look at it. But that is not really up to me to decide, is it?


I: Yeees, you are right, it isn’t.
G: Isn’t it? That is just something I decided myself [1]. I don’t know whether that’s considered a good man or not, in terms of how the people around judges me (lit. values). Just that, this is the only way I can live.
[1] 勝手 katte: one’s own convenience; one’s way; selfishness. Something like, you just do it because you want to. Something you decide at your own will.


I: It’s wonderful if the staff can think that way. (smiles)
G: In short, I think being able to recognize whether one has “improved” is the most important point. There are people who do not think that they have improved despite the amount of money they make; yet there are also those who feel a sense of improvement just because their salary has increased a little. This is a problem that cannot be solved with money alone. I believe the feeling of slowly moving up the stairs, even if it’s only one step at a time, is very important.


I: Aah, perhaps it’s precisely those people who can think “I’m moving up the stairs” that are “good men”.
G: Yes, that is why my staff only has such “good men” left in it, because everybody else who isn’t like that has disappeared. They have all quit, you see.


I: Right now, how close do you think you are to your idea of a good man?
G: I haven’t even reached one-third of it. Not yet, not yet, because I’m still struggling. I do want the girl I fall in love with to think that I’m a good man, but I think that is very difficult (to achieve). Because the more like a man you live, the higher the chance will be that the girl you love may not value it, right? But I won’t change my own way of living just because of that. Such has always been my character.


I: There aren’t many women who can understand that, are there?
G: It’s exactly because of that [to become a good man] that there are places you have to go; but it will (seem) like you are putting the girl aside and leaving her. Just in that instant alone, you will seem like a terrible person to the girl, right? But that’s because you have faith in it. [in the things you feel you have to do]


I: Perhaps a good man is someone who is not hated by women? Even if you did such a (terrible) thing to her [by leaving her].
G: That depends on their understanding. Well, it’s difficult. But I’m a man through and through, and I won’t live just for the sake of being liked by women.


I: And that makes you a good man…… I think?


I: The new single currently on-air has received rave reviews as the theme song of the drama =“契約結婚” (keiyaku kekkon) Fuji TV=
G: I don’t… watch television. I haven’t for many years now. (bitter laugh) I don’t have a television at home…… I’m poor. (bitter laugh)


I: You must be joking!
G: Well… Of course they showed me the script for the drama, but I didn’t make (the song) based on that content.


I: By the way, what are your thoughts after reading the script?
G: I think it’s a story that can only exist in this time period. Partly because the way the people think nowadays has been influenced by the West, and also because both men and women can now work even after they are married, right? [1] Whether that is equality or not is another question altogether though. The theme (of the drama) is born precisely because such an environment exists.
[1] In the past, women will quit their job to become full-time housewives as soon as they are married. There were exceptions of course, but very rare. Nowadays, according to Gackt, more and more women are still working even though they are married.


I: Despite that, it’s still a dramatic song, isn’t it? [1]
[1] I don’t think he is referring to the melody only, but the lyrics as well.
G: The melody itself is heavy. But of all the songs I’ve made so far, this is the one I like most. The content of the lyrics doesn’t fit the drama one hundred percent, but having the person you really love –––– the pain of loving someone with all your heart and soul even though the person doesn’t see you. Your feelings cannot reach him/her, but you can’t stop it; it pains you and burns your heart. (This kind of love) transcends all era, doesn’t it? That’s why I like this song very much. And it is also a simple song.


I: And the title, it is the longest you’ve ever had, right?
G: That’s right. “届カナイ愛ト知ッテイタノニ抑エキレズニ愛シ続ケタ...” ...... 24 characters?


I: Why didn’t you simply make it “届カナイ愛”? (todokanai ai)
G: Unn, there is something different, though it’s just a feeling. And I kept thinking what title would be suitable...... Actually, all the other song titles in the album I’m making now are in English. And (I decided the title) after much consideration. Because I love the Japanese language very much, you see. At that time, I just thought instinctively, “This song should be called “届カナイ愛ト知ッテイタノニ抑エキレズニ愛シ続ケタ...” Because of that, it’s very troublesome to talk about this song to the staff. (laughs)


I: We have a hard time when writing the manuscript too. (laughs) And when was the song completed?
G: I’ve had it since a long time ago, I just haven't compiled the lyrics yet. But I’ve entered pre-production and recording [1] recently, and there are times when I can see the world (presented) in the album. I saw many things there.
[1] It’s actually a period of time when they go into recording studios and stay there to finish recording. Usually for more than a few days. You can call it intensive recording perhaps…


I: In that case, you can also say that this single is also a preview of what the next album will be?
G: Yes, that’s right, because the album will be released next. Well…… the album will be very intense. Come to think of it, the coupling of the single, “noesis”, is also intense.


I: Maybe it is a “hard sound”?
G: You can say it’s heavy too, and a mixture. It sounds (lit. feels) really good. The tune is great and it’s dorodoro [1] (laughs)
[1] Dorodoro: muddy; slushy; rumblings sounds (of drum, thunder, etc.)


I: We, the listeners, are the one who finds it interesting. Because you released many warm and gentle songs through “Love Letter” album in February, and you suddenly throw that aside and released heavy songs next.
G: That is called the Gackt World. (laughs) They’ll leave, and I’ll pull them back. After pulling it back, I’ll throw it aside. [1] (laughs)
[1] In plain English, it means he likes to keep changing. It could also mean his various styles and music. When people leave because of something, he attracts them back by changing and they come back. When they come back, he will put that aside and change again. And so the cycle keeps continuing.


I: Well, even if it were thrown aside, as fans they would still want to follow you, right?
[1] This is the way I read it. Even if you keep changing and adapting to new stuff, your fans will still follow you.
G: See, in old Japanese martial-arts movie, the ladies in the Kimono would often do = fall over pose= this while calling out, “Antaa” [1], right? When the men are about to go out and snow is falling outside. The ladies would look at their men and go, “Antaa~……”
[1] Anta means “you”, short form of anata. But if used by a woman who is addressing her lover or husband, it can also mean "darling". :D
[2] The similarity between the situation of Gackt fans and those old Japanese movies. When the men insist on leaving despite bad weathers, etc., the ladies will entice them back.


I: And the men will be someone like 高倉健 (Takakura Ken) (laughs)
G: That’s right, that’s right. (laughs) That’s Gackt World for you. (laughs)


I: That so? (laughs) Well, that’s how interesting Gackt World is.
G: Of course!