Defining the Simulcrum: Gackt

Thanks to a friend for putting me on to this.

A bit of background before you click the link below. Gackt is a J-Pop /J-Rock star in the veign of Marilyn Manson or MIchael Jackson without sounding anything like either of the two. In other words hes the quintessential weird pop star. The difference being that while in America, MJ appears on Oprah or Marilyn Manson creates a stir amongst the right wing, Gackt is simply laughed at for being well...Gackt.

From visiting some Gackt fan sites I was able to glean the following; he claims to be over 400 years old, his house is patrolled by ex American Special agents and he likes to cook currys over 4 days in the nude while reading a book (thought he admits to doing this less recently). Its difficult to tell whether Gact is being serious or not. I suspect hes not and its just the Japanese having a dig at the modern western pop star, on the other hand he sells CDs by the bucketload and plenty of people swear hes the real deal.

With lyrics like these you be the judge

Dazzlingly bright...
the earth has come to ruin
Proof of those that ask for freedom
Darkness...
Memory...
None of it will exist
Here it exists
Footprints
An awakened landscape
Whose is it?
Not mine
A cold visage

What the hell is he talking about? Perhaps this next quote will help us find out...

Q: If you could be another creature, what would you be?
Gackt: A roach because it is the thing I hate most in the world.
I want to overcome my fear. Once I become a roach
and understand his feelings, I guess I might be able to
like it slightly more. To overcome roaches is my big hope.