Vector to the Heavens

They can take your world. They can take your heart, cut you loose from all you know. But if it's your fate, then every step forward will always be a step closer to home

[cirueladevil]

What is the GazettE, really? The price of "protecting the band"

Kai stated in his message that his absolute priority was "protecting the band," but after seeing how events have unfolded, it is inevitable to ask: Who is the band? What is the GazettE today?

Is it a business? Is it a corporate brand? Is it just a logo? Or is it supposed to be the members and the fans?

It is hard to believe they seek to "defend" the GazettE when they were unable to defend their own most vulnerable member. The fact that Aoi has a sickness allowance (傷病手当金)* legally proves that he was already ill and out of active working life before the date of the expulsion. In the face of this vulnerability, his bandmates—specifically Ruki and Kai—not only failed to show empathy or care for him, but were not even capable of offering a single word of thanks for those more than 23 years of shared path.

A stained date and a wounded legacy

The lack of care for the human factor is evident in every decision:

Disrespect to the fan: They allowed the expulsion to be made public on March 10, a date that used to be sacred to us. Choosing that day for such bitter news shows that they not only fail to care for their members, but they also don't care about the emotional impact on the fans.

Involving Reita: It is painful to see how they involve Reita’s memory to validate a current conflict. He should be resting in peace, far from public finger-pointing toward the one who was his brother for decades.

Burning the house down with everyone inside: In their eagerness to not let Aoi retire with dignity to care for his health, they preferred to launch a smear campaign that ends up staining everyone's image. It’s as if they decided to burn the house down with the deeds, the furniture, and the whole family inside, just to avoid giving up control.

So, we return to the initial question: What is Kai really defending?

If to save "the band" you have to destroy one of its pillars and trample the memory and health of those who built it, what you are protecting is no longer music or brotherhood... it is an empty shell.

*The Myth of the "Fake Illness" vs. The Rigor of the Japanese Health System

In the infamous March interview, the anonymous レコード会社関係者 (Record Company Insider) stated:

"...Aoi began to refuse contact with the other members and requested to leave the band unilaterally. He claimed that this was due to a mental illness and that he was receiving the Sickness Allowance (傷病手当 ). However, it seems that in reality, he was planning a 'career change' to pursue solo activities or form a new band."

To understand why this statement is so malicious, we must look at how the Japanese system actually works. The Injury and Sickness Allowance (傷病手当) is not a "gift"; it is a social security benefit designed with strict medical verifications to prevent fraud:

Medical Certification: The attending physician must certify in writing that the patient is in a state of 労務不能 (Incapacity to work). This certificate is a formal legal document.

Professional Responsibility: Doctors are subject to audits and face severe legal consequences for issuing false certificates.

Independent Oversight: Health insurers can request additional medical documentation or even conduct independent reviews if they suspect any irregularities.

Therefore, while fraud is never impossible, it is highly uncommon due to these rigorous safeguards. If the company truly had doubts about Aoi’s condition, the proper procedure would have been to present their concerns formally to the health insurance entity—not to decide his status unilaterally or smear his name in the press.

This raises deep suspicions that what was done to Aoi was, indeed, a smear campaign. If a company has enough evidence to legally dismiss or "sink" an employee, they do not need to resort to shouting from the rooftops through various media outlets about how "bad" their worker is. Furthermore, they wouldn't need other employees (bandmates) to create drama on social media to justify the mistreatment of a coworker.

[cirueladevil]

the GazettE: Innocent, Guilty, or Simply Human?

For any Sixth Gun, the word "family" wasn't just a slogan; it was the foundation of our connection with the GazettE. We were sold the idea of an unbreakable brotherhood that would last "forever." However, nothing in human mortal life is "forever"—or at least, not physically. For me, March 10, 2026, that illusion didn't just end because of a member's departure, but because of the way the humanity behind the music was handled.

1. The Omen: The Mirror Test on Radio Jack

Sometimes, the truth leaks out in the most unexpected moments. In late 2024, during episode 181 of Radio Jack, Uruha and Aoi performed a personality test based on choosing mirrors. Aoi’s result was staggeringly accurate:

"The round mirror represents a full circle of fulfilled lives, both physically and mentally. No matter what do you, you always put the very best. You always put the best in relationships, truly loved your loved ones, and enjoy the life to the fullest. But sometimes you're under pressure of being in a centre of situations, but please don't be afraid to reach the end goal and fulfil your lives."

The most revealing part wasn't the test itself, but the reaction. Aoi admitted that it described him perfectly. And that was where we saw the last spark of genuine support, Uruha responded with a:

"well, don't be afraid to stand up for yourself, okay?"

Looking back, that moment wasn't just a simple test; it was the silent cry of someone who could no longer handle the mental burden, and a bandmate who, perhaps, already saw the collapse coming.

2. Prioritizing Health: An Act of Treason?

Since 2024, following the devastating loss of Reita, Aoi’s behavior on social media and on Rajigaze changed. He spoke of exhaustion, of pressure, and of a darkness that wouldn't let go. When he finally decided to prioritize his mental health, the response he received (and that we received) was not one of compassion.

While Aoi tried to heal, the narrative from the band and the company began to shift toward the corporate. His silence began to be judged as a "lack of commitment." This is where the illusion of brotherhood shattered for many: Since when did human exhaustion become an "unforgivable act"?

3. The Contrast of the Farewells

If we want to know who maintained emotional maturity until the end, we only need to read the farewell messages:

Aoi: The one who accepts and gives thanks (Peace). He said goodbye with gratitude, naming each of his bandmates and remembering that his connection with us wasn't about business, but about being five humans chasing a dream. He closed his cycle with elegance and peace.

The Band (Ruki/Kai): Those who punish and point fingers (Attack/Ego). They opted for punitive language. They used words like "dishonesty" and "we are innocent," throwing darts at someone who stood by their side for 23 years.

Uruha: The one who resigns and remains silent (Duty/Sorrow). Unlike the others, Uruha does not hurl accusations of "immorality." His discourse takes refuge in duty and mission. It feels like the message of someone who is marching by inertia because "he promised," but who has lost his soul in the process. His tone is not one of attack, but of a double mourning: for Reita and for the unity he could not save.

Each of us as Sixth Guns established a connection with the band where we forged ideals. When the expectation of that "brotherhood" clashes with cold corporate reality, the illusion breaks.

For me, the image of friends and brothers is broken. What remains is the feeling that Aoi and Uruha were the only ones to respect the loyalty to the humanity of the band.

Aoi did not need to attack anyone to say goodbye with dignity.

Uruha did not need to attack Aoi to explain the situation.

To this day, like Uruha, I maintain my follow to Aoi because I know that in every story there are three truths: your truth, my truth, and the truth.

Those who believe Aoi spoke ill of any member should re-read his tweets, his statements, and carefully read the March interview. Furthermore, it would be worth re-watching all the concerts, backstages, and re-reading Aoi's interviews spanning more than 23 years; he was always sincere with his opinions and, even in the face of conflict, he did not speak ill of anyone.

If your peace of mind requires having a villain and you need Aoi to occupy that place in the story, that’s fine. But fair is fair: the treatment Aoi received from the company and his bandmates, after more than 23 years of dedication, leaves much to be desired and speaks more about them than about Aoi.

Whoever controls the narrative decides who is the hero and who is the monster.

There will be Sixth Guns who will never care about the truth; they only need to feel righteous and pure (潔白 - Keppaku) like Ruki. They need a story where they are the "good guys," even if it isn't true.

If there isn't a clear villain, they manufacture one: they distort, they exaggerate, and they end up omitting or changing parts of the story until that narrative grants them peace. Because accepting reality implies questioning oneself, and that is something not everyone is willing to do.

If you are in a similar situation with your family, friends, or coworkers, remember that even if you do everything right, they are going to point fingers at you anyway.

In real life:

The one who sets boundaries is labeled selfish.

The one who leaves is called a traitor.

The one who grows is seen as an inconvenience.

[cirueladevil]

the GazettE: The Dismantling of an Idol

I am going through a compound grief: the physical loss of Reita, the traumatic rupture of the band with Aoi’s departure, and, most painfully, the fall from the pedestal of those who were my emotional refuge for so many years. I have decided that my sense of justice is non-negotiable; I prefer to stand among the rubble of a tower that was honest, rather than live within a structure built on manipulation.

1. The Rupture of the "Family" Narrative and Artistic Betrayal

Disillusionment and False Brotherhood: I feel that the values of brotherhood they projected for decades behind the scenes and in programs (RajiGaze) turned out to be a performance or were corrupted by ego.

Betrayal of Their Own Message: I feel they have betrayed the essence of their songs. While their lyrics speak of resilience and humanity—reminding us that human errors are part of our nature and that authenticity is what truly matters—their actual deeds reflect corporate resentment. The band that taught me to rebel against hypocritical systems has become the very manipulative system they warned me about.

Ethical Inconsistency and Immaturity: I find it unacceptable that they are using Reita’s name to divide and to justify the punishment of Aoi.

2. Doubts Regarding Reita’s Tragedy and the Weight of the Band

Shift in Perception: The band’s current hostile attitude makes me doubt the motives behind Reita’s death; I suspect that mental exhaustion or drastic decisions may have been the reality behind his passing.

Work Over Life: I wonder if the pressure to maintain "the GazettE" at all costs was what ultimately destroyed them from within, putting business ahead of their own lives.

3. Analysis of "Martyr-Aggression" and Dehumanization

Victim Narrative: I see how Ruki and Kai position themselves as long-suffering heroes who "tried everything," using words like "unforgivable" (許せない) to label another as guilty while proclaiming themselves "innocent" (潔白).

The Digital Lynch Mob: Their choice of such heavy-handed and dramatic language knowingly incited an onslaught of online hatred. It triggered a digital lynch mob within the fandom, leading to a wave of insults and harassment against Aoi. It is clear that their words were weaponized to destroy a former brother's reputation through the fans' emotions.

Privacy Exposure: They are hermetic when it suits them, but when they require dramatic resources to gain sympathy, they overshare.

Absence of Gratitude and the Creation of a Pariah: The lack of gratitude indignates me. Failing to dedicate even a single line of "thank you" after 23 years seeks to invalidate Aoi’s history and turn him into a mistake or an abstract entity for the fandom to forget—a dehumanization made even more evident by the fact that they refuse to even mention his name.

4. Marketing Strategy and Damage Control

Use of the Memorial and Corporate Language: I interpret the posting of photo at the memorial as a PR strategy to "soften" the public. It jars me that they use the language of a "compliance report" instead of a sincere expression of friendship.

Deliberate Exclusion: The photo of the three of them reinforces a narrative that erases Aoi from the 22 years he shared with Reita. Once again, I feel they are using Reita’s memory as a moral shield to invalidate any criticism.

5. Brand "Surgery" and the Smear Campaign

Preemptive Strike and Invalidation: Even if Aoi’s behavior had been questionable, I recognize that the aggressiveness of the statement sought to get ahead of his version of the story, attempting to ensure his mental health crisis was perceived as a mere "excuse" for misconduct.

Discrediting and Financial Manipulation: The company used tabloids and leaks to paint Aoi as greedy or inappropriate. However, I must wonder: who is truly "greedy"? Is it the person asking for unpaid guarantees for work already done, or the ones who expel a 23-year partner to avoid paying him what is fair? They prioritized the brand’s commercial survival by destroying a brother's reputation.

Monopoly on Grief: I detect a "suffering competition" where they claim to be the only ones authorized to honor Reita, nullifying Aoi’s personal pain.

6. Disparity in Reactions (Uruha vs. Ruki/Kai)

Human Loyalty: I identify a more empathetic behavior in Uruha; his post of resignation and the gesture of following Aoi on social media confirm to me that this could have been handled without hatred.

The Cost of the Dream: It pains me to see Uruha carrying the creative weight of a project that seems to have become a nightmare or a form of brand-enslavement.

7. My Healing Process and Final Stance

Responsibility and Autonomy: I feel the weight of having built my emotional stability upon them, but I have understood that the values I loved actually belong to me. They were merely the mirror.

From Admiration to Criticism: I have moved from being a passive spectator to a critical observer. My rejection is my integrity reacting to an injustice. I am not being dramatic; I am being consistent: for them, the ideals were a script; for me, they are my life's compass.

Ethical Victory: My feeling of suffocation was an intuitive reaction to massive gaslighting. I have chosen to see human quality, and I stand with the integrity of the one who dared to be vulnerable (Aoi) against those who chose corporate cruelty to save their business.

My Stance: What I experienced was the dismantling of an ideal. I leave this testimony as a record that there was no unanimity in the fandom. I have reclaimed my values, decoupled them from the brand, and I now walk with them on my own. For me, they lost their integrity; I, recovered mine.