B=Pass November 2005 translation
A much overdue translation~ I finished it some time ago for someone, and I've been debating whether to post this now or later after I've finished all the other articles. But I figured some things might make more sense if you are shown the whole picture from the start. :D
He wasn't on the cover for this issue, again it's something I bought during a Kino discount. XD But it's sooooo good, possibly the best amongst all DIABOLOS-related articles. *-* They discussed the picture of EVERY SINGLE SONG in the CD booklet. Almost fainted when I saw it. XD
I think that sentence pretty much summarizes the whole article, so we'll leave it at that. XD I hope you'll enjoy the article. ^^
*will still be posted on the same day, J!!* XD;;
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 Please DO NOT publish my translations elsewhere without my permission.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.
3. Please kindly spare a few minutes and COMMENT if you read it. What are your thoughts of it?
4. Do feel free to email me at ayashi15@hotmail.com~
[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 and his band members) entered the stadium! Read it like you will a normal sentence.
=xxx= = real brackets used in the interview
There are 2 interviewers (Kouichi Tanaka and Mami Akagi) for this magazine. The questions by Tanaka will be bolded while those by Akagi will be bolded and underlined
I: The meaning of the title of this album, “DIABOLOS”. Is it okay for me to take it to be "absolute evil"?
G: No, the meaning isn’t such a literal translation of the word. I am showing the inner part of the characters which appeared in the album. In short, humans possess a dark side no matter who they are...... that’s what I think. I want to express that "darkness in human’s heart" and that is why the album is titled “DIABOLOS”.
I: Darkness in one’s heart......
G: Yes. Humans are not living things that live on good alone, we will, more or less, have a dark and evil side to us. And it’s the same with the characters in this album who are in conflict (with their own self). They seek to discover the meaning of their own existence even as they become aware of the presence of that darkness inside them and the evil in their heart. That’s the theme and the part I want to express most this time. That is why the picture of the jacket (cover) is of the person taking off the mask. I’m showing you how the person took off that mask and began to realize that there exists another himself inside.
I: The same goes for the picture inside (the booklet), you feel that there is a symbolic meaning to it.
G: That’s right. Of course, it doesn’t really matter even if you don’t know how the story goes, the lyrics (lit. content) are such that those who buy the CD can listen to the song one by one and connect it with themselves. But to those fans who seek for more, I really want to show something to them. I want to let them imagine how the story proceeds from this point or why the story becomes that way. And that was how the booklet was made, with such feelings included.
I: Well then, in order to let us expand our imagination more, I hope you can tell us the setting of the pictures in the booklet one by one, along with the time period and the story behind it (lit. situation).
Misty
I: This setting is... Europe?
G: That’s right. This opening song, “Misty”, is a piano piece though. The turning of the wheel of fate...... of meeting with companions even as they realize theirs is a cursed fate. I want to express something like that here. But the one that is shown in this picture is not (his) companion, but his most loved one.
I: And what about the time period?
G: That would be Early Modern Europe. [1]
[1] Actually he gave a vague “middle Europe” answer. But since DIABOLOS was supposed to be from around year 1500 - 1600, I took the liberty of choosing “Early Modern Europe” .___.
Farewell
I: And the mood (雰囲気 funiki: atmosphere; mood; ambience; ambiance) suddenly turns from Early Modern Europe into one which is very Japanese.
G: Yes, if you look at it by chapters, this story would be what you call the first chapter. If you ask why I included the first chapter here, it is because amidst the various stories revealed in this album, "memory" is one of the keyword, as if "all of one’s memories are passed down". And the strong feelings (念 nen: sense; idea; thought; feeling; desire) of the characters from the first chapter are also linked to their next life. (lit. time period) I wanted to try showing that as an opening.
I: The meaning of the word “farewell” is......
G: The meaning is probably closer to “sayonara” [1] for this.
It means good-bye
I: Is the background of this design really Japan? No chance at all that it might be a forest in Europe or something?
G: No, it is Japan. Some time during the Heian period.
I: For the opening of the tour last year, Gackt-san and the members (GacktJob) played the shamisen while wearing kimonos. Was that actually a presentation of this time period?
G: Yes, that’s right.
Gekka_no_neko did the translation of GIFT tour document book, which covered Sixth Day Seventh Night tour, and you can find it on her LJ if you would like to read more about this.
Farewell
I: And somehow the worlds of Europe and Japan are thrown together in “Noesis”!
G: Yes. It shows (how they) predicted (the future). Something like the fate of this character in the future? The memory passed down (to the next life) and the feelings left behind...... Something like genes, this connects it to the future even more strongly. So these two people transcend time and met each other, or more like, both of them saw each other. It’s not like they really met, or that they were really there, but each felt the existence of the other.
I: And this place is?
G: It’s also in Japan and during the Heian period.
I: Foreseeing the future from the Heian period......
G: That’s right, foreseeing the future.
Ash
I: And next... this is Europe?
G: Yes, Early Modern Europe. In this story, there is a group of people called the "shito" (使徒 shito: apostle; disciple) and this group of people was born for a particular reason. Or I should say they were made rather than born; created in a plan for fighting purposes. But that ended in failure and they were born as beings with no powers whatsoever and their body is weaker than a normal human. However, they woke up one day, one by one. They became extremely powerful after the awakening, but were defects because their bodies were incomplete. In short, even though they possess strong powers, they had to live with the balance of being imperfect...... I believe all humans live with the balance of imperfection and I wanted to express such weakness in human. That is why I created it in such a way.
I: And the man you played here (in the booklet) is one of the "shito"?
G: Yes, after the awakening.
I: What is that burning on your hand?
G: Rather than something that is burning, it’s more "feeling your own soul"; it’s closer to that feeling.
Metamorphoze
G: The original meaning of “Metamorphoze” is "reformation" (変革 henkaku: change; reform; revolution; upheaval; reformation) or "awakening". "For what purpose do we exist? For what purpose must we fight? Let’s search...... we are searching for the meaning of our existence." This picture is a presentation of that.
I: This, this person holding the sword is a powerful man even among the “shito”?
I: You are really detailed~ (laughs)
G: (laughs) Well actually, this group of shito is absolutely stronger compared to a normal human, but they have a weakness of not being able to stay under the sun. It’s an illness, complete illness. And the survivors of the group came to be known as vampires (eventually). That’s the way it goes for this story.
Dispar
I: This is also during Early Modern Europe in terms of time period?
G: The pictures from this point on are picked up from the story during the Early Modern Europe, scene by scene. The lot of them called "shito", their incomplete self...... They were thought to have no usage value because of their incomplete bodies, so in order to change the way others view them, they went to the battle scene. In order to prove that they can fight; that their existence is not worthless; that there is a meaning to their existence. These pictures show, scene by scene, how they went to the battle grounds.
I: These three artworks from “Dispar” to “Future” and “Black Stone” are all part of the same storyline?
G: That’s right.
I: Un, the one on the left is "shito" and his opponent on the right-hand side…… could it possibly be human?
G: That is a group of people known as “Darkside Inhabitants”.
Future
I: This “Future” is a continuation of “Dispar”?
G: Yes, after the battle.
I: The many swords buried in the ground shows that many of his companions died in battle.
G: Yes, exactly.
I: Gackt-kun’s chest is stabbed too...... but you didn’t die, surely (laughs)
Black Stone
I: And these are the "survivors of shito" that were mentioned previously...... vampires?
G: Yes. When they have truly awakened, how they look like when they release their powers.
I: Vampires are, of course, linked to “MOON”, right?
G: Of course. But the story of “MOON” is one which takes place much later. So they haven’t called themselves vampires yet at this time. And they passed away gradually after this.
Storm
I: These people with masks on are?
G: They appeared in “Dispar” as well, the group of people you call “Darkside Inhabitants”.
I: And Gackt-kun is also in here?
G: Yes, I played the role of “Darkside Inhabitants” too...... which reminds me, we discussed this previously because we thought it might be confusing if I were to play that role too. But including the designer, who was there when we were discussing the cover, we decided that it’s better for me to play different roles. Because if I play only one role, for example, I would only take shots for one part and that would also be rather weird somehow. (laughs) It’s better if I do all the shots myself for this booklet and that is why I played the role of “Darkside Inhabitants” here as well.
Road
I: The woman here is the one which appeared in “Misty”, the fated meeting of the one loved most?
G: That’s right. Well, this is the character from 届カナイ愛ト知ッテイタノニ抑エキレズニ愛シ続ケタ... (Todokanai Ai to Shitteita noni, Osaekirezuni Aishitsuduketa...) I play this role as well, but this isn’t actually me.
I: And the time period for this?
G: This is also from Early Modern Europe.
届カナイ愛ト知ッテイタノニ抑エキレズニ愛シ続ケタ... (Todokanai Ai to Shitteita noni, Osaekirezuni Aishitsuduketa...)
I: There is a sudden jump in the time period to this point, isn’t it? From Early Modern Europe.
G: Yes, this is the so-called current time.
I: Around what year in our current time is this?
G: Probably right in the year 2000
I: That’s really the present time.
G: Yes, present. It shows how this story continues...... It is a link to the story of “MOON” which I did previously.
I: This picture is amazingly tied to the booklet of “Crescent”, isn’t it?
G: Yes, it is linked.
I: Speaking of pictures in the booklet, there is a great similarity between the booklet of “MOON” and this one......
G: Yes, “MOON” is really expressing the darkness inside us which is locked away. And with regards to that, “DIABOLOS” opens up that part and acknowledge that darkness in our own selves...... Even as we come to realize that our existence is evil, we continue to pursue the meaning of our existence and find out the reason for our existence.
I: In other words, “DIABOLOS” steps into a deeper depth than “MOON”.
G: That’s right, yes.
I: Well then, the tour which focuses on “DIABOLOS” would have started when this magazine is published. Can we hope to see the world of the previous work, “Crescent”, covered in the tour in addition to (“DIABOLOS”)?
G: That’s right, “Crescent” is also included. But I’m not combining all the songs under one concept with a specific time period. I think the concert is made in such a way that is very easy to understand. Because there is the entertainment part to it and we did consider previously to not make it difficult [to understand] or to make it self-satisfying. And then…… yeah, we will probably be including song(s) from the next album in this tour as well.
I: The next album after “DIABOLOS”!?
G: Yes. Actually, the recording of the next album is also progressing at the same time and there were a couple of songs which have been completed already. That’s why I’m thinking of performing the songs which were not in this album and which you’ve never heard before.
Both: ...... Looking forward to it!
I: And it will be Tokyo Dome on the 24th December.
G: There are many problems, with the sounds, with the distance (between the stage) and the audience’s seats, etc. But since we are doing it, shall we teach you the way to present (the concert) in Tokyo Dome? Something like that. (laughs)
I: Ooh, looks like it’s going to be interesting.
G: Yes. What we are thinking about now is the visions =screen image= I’ve never used that in concerts to project the live, right? The feeling of not wanting to use them under any circumstances is very strong. Because you are not watching television here. There are fans who say, "You can’t see anything from the seats at the back," but a stage is not something which "is good if we can see it", but something for you "to feel". That is what I think and, of course, even now such thoughts have not changed. But the fact remains that to the people sitting at the back in Tokyo Dome, I look even smaller than a grain of rice on the stage. (laughs) I think we have to look into that again.
I: There is a possibility then, that you might use visions for the first time here.
G: That’s right. But I don’t want to say words like, "We have no choice." "We have no choice but to use visions because it is Tokyo Dome." I definitely do not want to say something like that. Since we are doing it, isn’t there any interesting approach that we might take? That is what we are considering now. Anyway, in order to show everyone the best (we have), we’ll fight hard for it. After struggling hard, and even though it might be impossible, something else that’s new will surely come up at that point. I don’t want to give up from the start; I want to fight till the end. That’s my stance.
Translated by: Sweiled
A reminder, please, that not all of us here have watched the concert, and we do not know anything about the songs performed or whatever else that he did. I do read all the comments left, and I've accidentally read some spoilers which I would rather not know. ;o; So I would really appreciate it if nothing related to the content of the concert be mentioned in the comments left here. And I intend to wait for the concert DVD instead of watching the WOWOW version (Yes, I'm anal like that XD), so... If you want to talk about it, please do so in your own LJ~~ :) Thanks~ *hugs*
Own comments:
Allow me to be a parrot and repeat myself. Almost fainted when I read this. XD Everything I could ever wish to read in an interview~ Everything suddenly makes sense and you can feel the story more strongly. It really shows you how much thought he has put into it too. ^^ And some parts really got to me. ;-;
When he was talking about Misty and the part about cursed meeting... I could actually "see" the images of what's happening to the two of them. (Aha, I sound psycho .___.;;) And it was sad because we know too that they will not be together (for the couple) and that only few survived (for the rest). It's like watching a sad story unfold in front of your eyes. There is nothing you can do to stop it, but at the same time you can't help but be drawn to the story.
Jumps fandom: It reminds me a lot of Genbu Kaiden actually. You know that Takiko will return eventually, that she will die, and that Takiko and Uruki will not be together. Knowing the end, knowing that Tomite and... (oh, shoot. What's his name? *0*!!) the other guy is going to die. Especially when his sister said that she hopes that they will return safely, and you just know that they won't. ;;___;; But I can't stop myself from reading it because Iu want to know how the story eventually ended that way. Yuu Watase is a genius~
And though I know that the possiblity is pretty slim, I still hope that something else will happen and that somehow the story will not end the way we expected them to. Maybe they'll pull another Tamahome and Miaka, and Takiko will go back to the book? >____>;; Hey, one can aways hope! XD Whatever it is, I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens. *-*
Back (XD): I kind of wondered... In the battle, whose side was it they were on? Who did they help? Because he mentioned that they were created (the words he chosed ;o;) for fighting, so the Darkside Inhabitants must have been fighting some other clan as well.
If you recall, the Darkside Inhabitants were not actually evil themselves. They were chased out from... some world because of the powers they possess. They became the way they were because they had no choice, all done in the name of surviving. Hmmm, could that be how everything links?
"Crossing over the ocean countless times, they pursued a new land where they could live peacefully; but they could not escape from the fate that they themselves carried, and the decision was passed down within the clan to drop their bodies into the darkness, without leaving anyone behind, and to continue existing." - H-Darts story, translated by gekka_no_neko
They crossed the ocean and that's how they came to Europe eventually... (Thus the change in setting between the chapters!!) All in all, there are/were three different groups... So again, who were they fighting and which side created them? What happened to all the different clans eventually?? Can one really say that the Darkside Inhabitants are truly evil then...? .______. What a wicked turn of event. The line of good and evil is truly faint... Brilliant.
*Note: these are just my own comments. Gackt being Gackt, I'm probably waaaaay off. XDDDD
I think there is a much stronger link between them, stronger than blood itself, I would say. They are drawn together by the same destiny, the same curse. I thought the picture in "Future" was the most symbolic. It's like showing how many people died for holding on to their beliefs. Especially the way the swords are all upright. I don't know if it's only me, but that felt... so pure. It showed what they had lost, but also what they had gained at the same time. "Yes, we did die, but it was not without meaning. We managed to accomplish what we set out to do." I felt that.
"In order to prove that they can fight; that their existence is not worthless; that there is a meaning to their existence."
Isn't that exactly what we are doing? .____. We fight our own battles everyday too, a different kind of battling. No one is without worth; we are here at this point, at this time, at this day for a particular reason. Believe it in your heart; it may be dim or even totally dark right now, but someday, you will see it. So don't ever stop finding what that is, keep searching~
He wasn't on the cover for this issue, again it's something I bought during a Kino discount. XD But it's sooooo good, possibly the best amongst all DIABOLOS-related articles. *-* They discussed the picture of EVERY SINGLE SONG in the CD booklet. Almost fainted when I saw it. XD
I think that sentence pretty much summarizes the whole article, so we'll leave it at that. XD I hope you'll enjoy the article. ^^
*will still be posted on the same day, J!!* XD;;
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.
3. Please kindly spare a few minutes and COMMENT if you read it. What are your thoughts of it?
4. Do feel free to email me at ayashi15@hotmail.com~
[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 and his band members) entered the stadium! Read it like you will a normal sentence.
=xxx= = real brackets used in the interview
There are 2 interviewers (Kouichi Tanaka and Mami Akagi) for this magazine. The questions by Tanaka will be bolded while those by Akagi will be bolded and underlined
I: The meaning of the title of this album, “DIABOLOS”. Is it okay for me to take it to be "absolute evil"?
G: No, the meaning isn’t such a literal translation of the word. I am showing the inner part of the characters which appeared in the album. In short, humans possess a dark side no matter who they are...... that’s what I think. I want to express that "darkness in human’s heart" and that is why the album is titled “DIABOLOS”.
I: Darkness in one’s heart......
G: Yes. Humans are not living things that live on good alone, we will, more or less, have a dark and evil side to us. And it’s the same with the characters in this album who are in conflict (with their own self). They seek to discover the meaning of their own existence even as they become aware of the presence of that darkness inside them and the evil in their heart. That’s the theme and the part I want to express most this time. That is why the picture of the jacket (cover) is of the person taking off the mask. I’m showing you how the person took off that mask and began to realize that there exists another himself inside.
I: The same goes for the picture inside (the booklet), you feel that there is a symbolic meaning to it.
G: That’s right. Of course, it doesn’t really matter even if you don’t know how the story goes, the lyrics (lit. content) are such that those who buy the CD can listen to the song one by one and connect it with themselves. But to those fans who seek for more, I really want to show something to them. I want to let them imagine how the story proceeds from this point or why the story becomes that way. And that was how the booklet was made, with such feelings included.
I: Well then, in order to let us expand our imagination more, I hope you can tell us the setting of the pictures in the booklet one by one, along with the time period and the story behind it (lit. situation).
Misty
I: This setting is... Europe?
G: That’s right. This opening song, “Misty”, is a piano piece though. The turning of the wheel of fate...... of meeting with companions even as they realize theirs is a cursed fate. I want to express something like that here. But the one that is shown in this picture is not (his) companion, but his most loved one.
I: And what about the time period?
G: That would be Early Modern Europe. [1]
[1] Actually he gave a vague “middle Europe” answer. But since DIABOLOS was supposed to be from around year 1500 - 1600, I took the liberty of choosing “Early Modern Europe” .___.
Farewell
I: And the mood (雰囲気 funiki: atmosphere; mood; ambience; ambiance) suddenly turns from Early Modern Europe into one which is very Japanese.
G: Yes, if you look at it by chapters, this story would be what you call the first chapter. If you ask why I included the first chapter here, it is because amidst the various stories revealed in this album, "memory" is one of the keyword, as if "all of one’s memories are passed down". And the strong feelings (念 nen: sense; idea; thought; feeling; desire) of the characters from the first chapter are also linked to their next life. (lit. time period) I wanted to try showing that as an opening.
I: The meaning of the word “farewell” is......
G: The meaning is probably closer to “sayonara” [1] for this.
It means good-bye
I: Is the background of this design really Japan? No chance at all that it might be a forest in Europe or something?
G: No, it is Japan. Some time during the Heian period.
I: For the opening of the tour last year, Gackt-san and the members (GacktJob) played the shamisen while wearing kimonos. Was that actually a presentation of this time period?
G: Yes, that’s right.
Gekka_no_neko did the translation of GIFT tour document book, which covered Sixth Day Seventh Night tour, and you can find it on her LJ if you would like to read more about this.
Farewell
I: And somehow the worlds of Europe and Japan are thrown together in “Noesis”!
G: Yes. It shows (how they) predicted (the future). Something like the fate of this character in the future? The memory passed down (to the next life) and the feelings left behind...... Something like genes, this connects it to the future even more strongly. So these two people transcend time and met each other, or more like, both of them saw each other. It’s not like they really met, or that they were really there, but each felt the existence of the other.
I: And this place is?
G: It’s also in Japan and during the Heian period.
I: Foreseeing the future from the Heian period......
G: That’s right, foreseeing the future.
Ash
I: And next... this is Europe?
G: Yes, Early Modern Europe. In this story, there is a group of people called the "shito" (使徒 shito: apostle; disciple) and this group of people was born for a particular reason. Or I should say they were made rather than born; created in a plan for fighting purposes. But that ended in failure and they were born as beings with no powers whatsoever and their body is weaker than a normal human. However, they woke up one day, one by one. They became extremely powerful after the awakening, but were defects because their bodies were incomplete. In short, even though they possess strong powers, they had to live with the balance of being imperfect...... I believe all humans live with the balance of imperfection and I wanted to express such weakness in human. That is why I created it in such a way.
I: And the man you played here (in the booklet) is one of the "shito"?
G: Yes, after the awakening.
I: What is that burning on your hand?
G: Rather than something that is burning, it’s more "feeling your own soul"; it’s closer to that feeling.
Metamorphoze
G: The original meaning of “Metamorphoze” is "reformation" (変革 henkaku: change; reform; revolution; upheaval; reformation) or "awakening". "For what purpose do we exist? For what purpose must we fight? Let’s search...... we are searching for the meaning of our existence." This picture is a presentation of that.
I: This, this person holding the sword is a powerful man even among the “shito”?
I: You are really detailed~ (laughs)
G: (laughs) Well actually, this group of shito is absolutely stronger compared to a normal human, but they have a weakness of not being able to stay under the sun. It’s an illness, complete illness. And the survivors of the group came to be known as vampires (eventually). That’s the way it goes for this story.
Dispar
I: This is also during Early Modern Europe in terms of time period?
G: The pictures from this point on are picked up from the story during the Early Modern Europe, scene by scene. The lot of them called "shito", their incomplete self...... They were thought to have no usage value because of their incomplete bodies, so in order to change the way others view them, they went to the battle scene. In order to prove that they can fight; that their existence is not worthless; that there is a meaning to their existence. These pictures show, scene by scene, how they went to the battle grounds.
I: These three artworks from “Dispar” to “Future” and “Black Stone” are all part of the same storyline?
G: That’s right.
I: Un, the one on the left is "shito" and his opponent on the right-hand side…… could it possibly be human?
G: That is a group of people known as “Darkside Inhabitants”.
Future
I: This “Future” is a continuation of “Dispar”?
G: Yes, after the battle.
I: The many swords buried in the ground shows that many of his companions died in battle.
G: Yes, exactly.
I: Gackt-kun’s chest is stabbed too...... but you didn’t die, surely (laughs)
Black Stone
I: And these are the "survivors of shito" that were mentioned previously...... vampires?
G: Yes. When they have truly awakened, how they look like when they release their powers.
I: Vampires are, of course, linked to “MOON”, right?
G: Of course. But the story of “MOON” is one which takes place much later. So they haven’t called themselves vampires yet at this time. And they passed away gradually after this.
Storm
I: These people with masks on are?
G: They appeared in “Dispar” as well, the group of people you call “Darkside Inhabitants”.
I: And Gackt-kun is also in here?
G: Yes, I played the role of “Darkside Inhabitants” too...... which reminds me, we discussed this previously because we thought it might be confusing if I were to play that role too. But including the designer, who was there when we were discussing the cover, we decided that it’s better for me to play different roles. Because if I play only one role, for example, I would only take shots for one part and that would also be rather weird somehow. (laughs) It’s better if I do all the shots myself for this booklet and that is why I played the role of “Darkside Inhabitants” here as well.
Road
I: The woman here is the one which appeared in “Misty”, the fated meeting of the one loved most?
G: That’s right. Well, this is the character from 届カナイ愛ト知ッテイタノニ抑エキレズニ愛シ続ケタ... (Todokanai Ai to Shitteita noni, Osaekirezuni Aishitsuduketa...) I play this role as well, but this isn’t actually me.
I: And the time period for this?
G: This is also from Early Modern Europe.
届カナイ愛ト知ッテイタノニ抑エキレズニ愛シ続ケタ... (Todokanai Ai to Shitteita noni, Osaekirezuni Aishitsuduketa...)
I: There is a sudden jump in the time period to this point, isn’t it? From Early Modern Europe.
G: Yes, this is the so-called current time.
I: Around what year in our current time is this?
G: Probably right in the year 2000
I: That’s really the present time.
G: Yes, present. It shows how this story continues...... It is a link to the story of “MOON” which I did previously.
I: This picture is amazingly tied to the booklet of “Crescent”, isn’t it?
G: Yes, it is linked.
I: Speaking of pictures in the booklet, there is a great similarity between the booklet of “MOON” and this one......
G: Yes, “MOON” is really expressing the darkness inside us which is locked away. And with regards to that, “DIABOLOS” opens up that part and acknowledge that darkness in our own selves...... Even as we come to realize that our existence is evil, we continue to pursue the meaning of our existence and find out the reason for our existence.
I: In other words, “DIABOLOS” steps into a deeper depth than “MOON”.
G: That’s right, yes.
I: Well then, the tour which focuses on “DIABOLOS” would have started when this magazine is published. Can we hope to see the world of the previous work, “Crescent”, covered in the tour in addition to (“DIABOLOS”)?
G: That’s right, “Crescent” is also included. But I’m not combining all the songs under one concept with a specific time period. I think the concert is made in such a way that is very easy to understand. Because there is the entertainment part to it and we did consider previously to not make it difficult [to understand] or to make it self-satisfying. And then…… yeah, we will probably be including song(s) from the next album in this tour as well.
I: The next album after “DIABOLOS”!?
G: Yes. Actually, the recording of the next album is also progressing at the same time and there were a couple of songs which have been completed already. That’s why I’m thinking of performing the songs which were not in this album and which you’ve never heard before.
Both: ...... Looking forward to it!
I: And it will be Tokyo Dome on the 24th December.
G: There are many problems, with the sounds, with the distance (between the stage) and the audience’s seats, etc. But since we are doing it, shall we teach you the way to present (the concert) in Tokyo Dome? Something like that. (laughs)
I: Ooh, looks like it’s going to be interesting.
G: Yes. What we are thinking about now is the visions =screen image= I’ve never used that in concerts to project the live, right? The feeling of not wanting to use them under any circumstances is very strong. Because you are not watching television here. There are fans who say, "You can’t see anything from the seats at the back," but a stage is not something which "is good if we can see it", but something for you "to feel". That is what I think and, of course, even now such thoughts have not changed. But the fact remains that to the people sitting at the back in Tokyo Dome, I look even smaller than a grain of rice on the stage. (laughs) I think we have to look into that again.
I: There is a possibility then, that you might use visions for the first time here.
G: That’s right. But I don’t want to say words like, "We have no choice." "We have no choice but to use visions because it is Tokyo Dome." I definitely do not want to say something like that. Since we are doing it, isn’t there any interesting approach that we might take? That is what we are considering now. Anyway, in order to show everyone the best (we have), we’ll fight hard for it. After struggling hard, and even though it might be impossible, something else that’s new will surely come up at that point. I don’t want to give up from the start; I want to fight till the end. That’s my stance.
Translated by: Sweiled
A reminder, please, that not all of us here have watched the concert, and we do not know anything about the songs performed or whatever else that he did. I do read all the comments left, and I've accidentally read some spoilers which I would rather not know. ;o; So I would really appreciate it if nothing related to the content of the concert be mentioned in the comments left here. And I intend to wait for the concert DVD instead of watching the WOWOW version (Yes, I'm anal like that XD), so... If you want to talk about it, please do so in your own LJ~~ :) Thanks~ *hugs*
Own comments:
Allow me to be a parrot and repeat myself. Almost fainted when I read this. XD Everything I could ever wish to read in an interview~ Everything suddenly makes sense and you can feel the story more strongly. It really shows you how much thought he has put into it too. ^^ And some parts really got to me. ;-;
When he was talking about Misty and the part about cursed meeting... I could actually "see" the images of what's happening to the two of them. (Aha, I sound psycho .___.;;) And it was sad because we know too that they will not be together (for the couple) and that only few survived (for the rest). It's like watching a sad story unfold in front of your eyes. There is nothing you can do to stop it, but at the same time you can't help but be drawn to the story.
Jumps fandom: It reminds me a lot of Genbu Kaiden actually. You know that Takiko will return eventually, that she will die, and that Takiko and Uruki will not be together. Knowing the end, knowing that Tomite and... (oh, shoot. What's his name? *0*!!) the other guy is going to die. Especially when his sister said that she hopes that they will return safely, and you just know that they won't. ;;___;; But I can't stop myself from reading it because Iu want to know how the story eventually ended that way. Yuu Watase is a genius~
And though I know that the possiblity is pretty slim, I still hope that something else will happen and that somehow the story will not end the way we expected them to. Maybe they'll pull another Tamahome and Miaka, and Takiko will go back to the book? >____>;; Hey, one can aways hope! XD Whatever it is, I can't wait to read the next book and see what happens. *-*
Back (XD): I kind of wondered... In the battle, whose side was it they were on? Who did they help? Because he mentioned that they were created (the words he chosed ;o;) for fighting, so the Darkside Inhabitants must have been fighting some other clan as well.
If you recall, the Darkside Inhabitants were not actually evil themselves. They were chased out from... some world because of the powers they possess. They became the way they were because they had no choice, all done in the name of surviving. Hmmm, could that be how everything links?
"Crossing over the ocean countless times, they pursued a new land where they could live peacefully; but they could not escape from the fate that they themselves carried, and the decision was passed down within the clan to drop their bodies into the darkness, without leaving anyone behind, and to continue existing." - H-Darts story, translated by gekka_no_neko
They crossed the ocean and that's how they came to Europe eventually... (Thus the change in setting between the chapters!!) All in all, there are/were three different groups... So again, who were they fighting and which side created them? What happened to all the different clans eventually?? Can one really say that the Darkside Inhabitants are truly evil then...? .______. What a wicked turn of event. The line of good and evil is truly faint... Brilliant.
*Note: these are just my own comments. Gackt being Gackt, I'm probably waaaaay off. XDDDD
I think there is a much stronger link between them, stronger than blood itself, I would say. They are drawn together by the same destiny, the same curse. I thought the picture in "Future" was the most symbolic. It's like showing how many people died for holding on to their beliefs. Especially the way the swords are all upright. I don't know if it's only me, but that felt... so pure. It showed what they had lost, but also what they had gained at the same time. "Yes, we did die, but it was not without meaning. We managed to accomplish what we set out to do." I felt that.
"In order to prove that they can fight; that their existence is not worthless; that there is a meaning to their existence."
Isn't that exactly what we are doing? .____. We fight our own battles everyday too, a different kind of battling. No one is without worth; we are here at this point, at this time, at this day for a particular reason. Believe it in your heart; it may be dim or even totally dark right now, but someday, you will see it. So don't ever stop finding what that is, keep searching~