Oricon Style, June 2005

Translated by: Sweiled

1. Please DO NOT take my translations and use them for whatever reason, without my permission.
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[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 literal translations or missing word/words not specifically mentioned. For e.g. The fans screamed when (Gackt) entered the stadium! Read it like you will a normal sentence.
=xxx= = real brackets used in the interview


I: You were in charge of the opening and ending (theme song) of the movie　"機動戦士 Zガンダム～星を続く者～”. Such enviable news.
G: Eh? Do all of you like Gundam?


I: Of course! There are a lot (of Gundam fans) amongst artists. Well, (let's talk about) the opening, "Metamorphoze", that you wrote first. Did you write it with (Gundam's) story in mind?
G: No, I think it would really become an anime song [1] if the content is completely based on the story. It was never my intention to make such a song from the start. What's important is how you can express the theme through the song. Not just focus on the world of the anime, but also on what the movie wants to convey most and what I want to convey. I think it will be really good if these two (can) complement each other. When people listen to that, they will feel something, won't they? You don't need words to explain it. And so, when I was talking to Tomino-san [2] =Director Yoshiyuki Tomino=, I told him, "If you cannot accept [3] it after you have listened to the song, I hope you won't use it."
[1] Literally it means full of anime. Very anime-ish song. So I think what he is trying to say is that it would really become a "Gundam song" and not "Gackt's song" if the song is totally written based on Gundam.
[2] If you guys recall, Tomino-san asked Gackt-san out for a meal and talked about Gundam. That was when Tomino-san asked him to take part in the Gundam movie. That was from May 2005 issue of Arena 37 magazine.
[3] (納得 nattoku: consent; assent; understanding; agreement; comprehension; grasp)


I: Ooh! That is very decent of you! (潔い isagiyoi: manly; sportsmanlike; pure; upright)
G: Tomino-san confided to me, "At that time, what we created =The first "機動戦士 Zガンダム" that was produced= was not conveyed in the form it was supposed to be. Moreover, I was not in a good state of mind." He said that that's the reason he wants to remake (the movie), and with (the help) of high technology, express (lit. make) what he truly wants to convey (this time). And he told me, "Lend me your strength. [1]" That is why I said I want him to be honest with me because if he didn't like the song after listening to it, it means that my strength did not reach him.
[1] (力 chikara: force; strength; energy; might; power; vigor; vigour; stress; help; support; good offices; ability; faculty; capability)


I: And in the end, it suits the image the director wanted to convey marvelously.
G: What made me happy was not that my songs were used as the opening theme song for "Zガンダム", rather it was because someone who was passionate (about something) confided [1] in me--this person called Gackt. And he specifically asked for me. "I hope you can help me in my work" I wanted to acknowledge [2] that feeling and only because of that, I felt happy when I could manage to do it.
[1] (打ち明ける uchiakeru: to be frank; to speak one's mind; to open one's heart) So basically, he felt touched/happy/honoured that someone who was passionate about something looked for him and confided in him, even asked for his help in realizing their dream.
[2] (答える kotaeru: to answer; to reply; to acknowledge; to remark)


I: This is my own personal thought, but... one can find a lot of "fight (tatakau)" theme in your lyrics. In that sense, I think "Metamorphoze" fits (the theme) well. Gackt, what is "fight" to you?
G: Fighting your own self. For example, if there is someone... (if) your rival is standing in front of you, that model (見本 mihon: sample; model) is very easy to understand, isn't it? Because a potential enemy [1] is easier to understand. (But) in the end, I think who you are fighting against is your own self. Do you have a strong enough will to be the person you envision yourself to be? [2] Were you able to accomplish that [be the person you see yourself to be] every time you faced yourself? I think that is what (fighting) is all about.
[1] (仮想 kasou: imagination; supposition; potential (enemy)) Not sure myself, but I think what he means is that an enemy is easier to understand than yourself because with 'enemies' you can see what kind of person they are, etc. But with yourself it's different.
[2] Sometimes you would fantasize and think about being able to do this and that, right? So is your willpower/emotional strength (lit.) strong enough to be able to become that person you imagine yourself to be?


I: The ideal self, you mean... But there is also what you call fighting illness.
G: That is also a fight with your own self, isn't it? (Of) when you will give up... I think the decision is yours to not give up. It has nothing to do with the people around you. (lit. your surrounding)


I: The enemy lies within your own self, right? By the way, was there ever a time when you thought "I won!" to yourself?
G: Hnnnn...... Because I do (something) with winning in mind. Well, there are things which might take some time though. [1] Even playing, I'll do it seriously. It's so foolish that it's laughable. Anyway, I hate losing. When I have an idea (lit.image), "It's like this!" which is not feasible in reality, I'll think to myself that it can definitely work...... Before you think "It can work", you'll be able to see a lot of hurdles as well. But even if I think that it's hopeless, I still don't want to lose. That's why I'm so obsessed with snowboard and other things to such an extent. (bitter laugh)
[1] Hmmz, I think he meant that there are some things which might take some time before he can 'win'.


I: What? (so you were) talking about snowboard. (bitter laugh)
G: Ah! But there are times when I get obsessed or become serious over cute stuff. Like, puzzles.


I: Pu... puzzles......?
G: Because even if it's just one puzzle, I'll do it very seriously. I'll really wonder 'Are you a fool?' but I'll also think (to myself) 'Definitely have to finish up to this part by today'. I'll leave for work in the morning and only reach home at 3 AM after my work is over. Even though I have to wake up by 7 AM in the morning, I'll still (tell myself) I have to finish this within 1 hour.


I: You do such a thing? (amazed/shocked laughter)
G: There is something I noticed when doing puzzles. If you look carefully, there is something which looks like scan lines [1] on many of the (puzzle) pieces. And when you found those, you go, "Got it~" (laughs) So you can (use that to) identify the puzzle, right? And next, I'll start separating the ones with unique shapes from the normal ones. When you are really into it, you can tell which piece goes where.
[1] It's like those lines you see on TV.


I: Haa......
G: As you slowly piece the puzzle, it starts to take shape. It's really mysterious. And you cannot stop after that. [as in you become obsessed]


I: Isn't that silly? [1]
[1] (baka: fool; idiot; trivial matter; folly)
G: Yes it is, really. (bitter laugh) But when it becomes an ocean [1], I felt very touched! That's why I like to take (what I do) seriously. You will also be able to see something different at such times. And you can have a fun work. Me, I believe that my work is a representation of me [2]. But if you sharpen your senses, you'll be able to get more inspirations as well. [3]
[1] Erm, not sure about this one... I think he meant that the puzzle design is that of an ocean's?
[2] Literally, my work exists for the purpose of describing myself. So, you can say that his music is an expression of himself.
[3] My interpretation of it is you can sharpen your senses when doing puzzles and let your mind work better, so you can come up with more ideas (inspirations) and more ways to link stories up, etc...


I: And then you will wake up as a Newtype. (laughs)[1]
[1]In the previous sentence, Gackt was talking about sharpening senses and getting more 'flashes' of inspirations, so the interviewer joked about him waking up as a new type. Originally introduced in Gundam, a Newtype is a human with psi powers.
G: You'll be able to cross boundaries if you concentrate hard. And there is a pattern in that. If you can catch that pattern, you would be able to see a lot of wonderful things. But there are many people who can't do it. That is why I want to be able to say that I play hard, I work hard and in everything I do, I do it seriously.


I: And so, you want to challenge (lit. fight) yourself more.
G: Yes! This was a good talk~ (laughs) [He switched to Kansai ben all of a sudden here. ^^;]


I: Eh, you just end it with Kansai ben like that? (laughs)