In the end, he said 'I wish for the GazettE to be eternal'.
What does eternity mean to him?
I believe Reita wished that the best scenes he saw from the stage in 2023 would continue forever.
The scenes shared with the fans,
the faces of his fans filled with joy,
the moments when everyone could raise their voices together—
Those are irreplaceable treasures.
I believe he wished those moments would last forever.
I remember him saying how he wanted to do a live show again soon.
Even as an adult, he was a kind and passionate man who could honestly say, "No matter how hard things get, the times when I can laugh with my band members are the best."
I loved that honesty.
This year too, just like every year, we jokingly told each other to take care of our health on our birthdays.
The band will never be just four members. No matter what anyone says.
There’s no bassist for us but you.
I believe your spirit is always at my right side.
Everyone should feel it, even if they can’t see it.
The proof of Reita's life, built up through the GazettE, will never fade and will continue to live on.
I believe that, and I will keep singing by your side, so that your soul can always be right next to me.
The GazettE will never become a band that Reita would dislike.
I wouldn't want to upset you.
People live finite lives, but I believe the soul is eternal.
Reita’s spirit remains with the band, with me, and with the fans.
I want to keep doing live shows that will make the souls of those who love us want to keep coming back to our stage, even in eternity.
It’s because each and every one of you fans that we can create the scenes he wished would last forever.
That’s why I want you to stay by our side and be there, just as you always have.
He would want you to remember him with a smile, thinking, "He was an amazing guy!" rather than feeling sad when you think of him.
We’re more determined than ever to protect this band.
We will fulfill the eternity that Reita wished for.
So, Reita, feel free to come to every live show from heaven.
Your spot will always be here.
We’re going to be really busy from now on.
I’ll let you know when the schedule is set.
〈 Uruha 〉
To all the fans who have supported REITA until now,
I believe he was an incredibly important support not just for everyone, but also for me. I still can't accept or fully realize the fact that he’s no longer here and that we can’t stand on stage together anymore. As time goes on, there may be many things I’ll come to understand little by little. But I strongly feel that I need the strength to move forward now, because if I remain consumed by sorrow, I won’t be able to fulfill the eternity that he wished for.
I believe that the path we’ve walked together with everyone was something irreplaceable for him, and it will continue to live on in all of our hearts, including mine. He gave us so much and walked with us for so long, and that will never change—he will always be my best friend, now and forever. Please keep all the words, memories, and love that he left behind for everyone close to your heart.
REITA will continue to exist and live on in everyone’s hearts.
I want to express my deepest gratitude to everyone who has supported and cheered for REITA of the GazettE until now.
〈 Aoi 〉
For a long time now, the members and a small group of staff have been working together on all sorts of things, always going back and forth with “this and that.” But writing this message is the one thing I never wanted to do.
There were times when I almost gave up on my dreams. Every time, we would talk things through over and over, sometimes giving each other a push, pulling each other back from giving in. That’s the kind of band we are, and that’s how we’ve been able to keep moving forward without ever stopping.
REITA, you’re not the kind of person who just wishes for eternity—you’re someone who was making it happen. I can’t come up with some clever line like, “I’ll carry your burden too.” I just wanted to make more music with you, to see more of the world together.
Every scene we see is amazing because it’s the five of us together, surrounded by our fans. I don’t know why, but the fact that I can’t even tell you everything I want to say is just too painful.
For now, when I eventually join you, I’m planning to start with a massive lecture. I know it’ll be lonely without us all of a sudden, but until then, take your time and rest.
I’ve still got some things to take care of over here.
Thank you for walking this long journey with us. Please rest in peace.
〈 Kai 〉
For me, REITA was an immeasurably important presence. His words and sounds saved me countless times. He was the mood-maker of the band, and all the memories I have of him are filled with joy. And more than anything, the only image that comes to mind is of him shining on stage.
He was the perfect partner as part of the rhythm section and a truly irreplaceable presence. That will never change, not now and not in the future.
I want to continue carrying his spirit with me, with even greater determination, as we carry on with the GazettE.
Lastly, to all the fans and everyone involved who have supported us for 22 years, thank you.
And moving forward, our feelings remain unchanged—we want to keep running as a band of five, so we ask for your continued support.
REITA, thank you for all your hard work. We’ll continue to protect the GazettE with the same unwavering resolve, along with all our comrades... I promise.
There are so many of us who don’t want to waste the 22 years you gave us. We’re all waiting for you. You’d better show up at the shows!
Let’s have some good drinks again.
2024.04.25 【Regarding the HERESY LIMITED 'SIX GUN’S' Concert】
Thank you very much for your continued support of the GazettE. We respectfully inform you that the funeral for REITA, who passed away on April 15, 2024, has been held.
After much discussion among the members and staff of the GazettE on how best to honor REITA with our fans, we have decided to hold this performance as a memorial concert, given REITA’s deep love for music and live performances.
Details are still under discussion, and we will provide further information at a later date. We appreciate your understanding.
Please note that there will be no merchandise sales at this performance.
Messages from the members to the fans regarding this performance have been posted on the official site’s news page. Please check the official site for further details.
2024.04.25 on Twitter:
Ruki:
To everyone,
We share a sadness so overwhelming that we could never bear it alone, but with the resolve to forever uphold the words he wished for in the end, every member is now pouring everything into the GazettE.
Ruki:
This photo is one we took a long time ago, with the five of us joining hands together as one.
I remember that Reita really liked this photo.
Someone had posted this picture, so I'm borrowing it from them.
When I saw it, I hurried to find the original data. It's such an old photo that it feels like a miracle that it was still around.
Ruki:
Dear fans,
Thank you so much for all your words. No amount of gratitude will ever be enough.
No one has a guarantee for tomorrow. It shows just how precious today is.
So, to my beloved fans, I simply ask you to cherish each passing second and keep living with us.
Ruki:
Lastly, I hope you’ll take a moment to read the members' comments about the upcoming live show.
I believe this is the time when we need to come together the most.
I’m really sorry for making you worry. I’ll start writing here little by little from now on.
Uruha:
The memorial live that was announced today. This reflects how we’re feeling right now—we want to face everyone honestly, without turning away. That’s all we wish for.
However, I want everyone to also take care of their own feelings. It’s fine if you need to take your time to get in the right mindset before moving forward.
Uruha:
REITA has saved me countless times.
That’s why I want to cherish my own feelings and face him directly.
When we started the band together, we made a promise: 'Let’s keep playing in the band together even when we’re old men.'
Because of that promise,
Uruha:
I can’t let time stop in my heart as we grow older together.
That thought is speaking to me now.
My feelings for REITA, and above all, the support I’m receiving from all the fans through their words, fill me with gratitude.
Uruha:
To convey these feelings, I couldn’t think of anything other than doing a live performance.
This got a bit long, but as we move forward, I want to keep writing here and facing everyone, so thank you for your support.
Aoi:
Hello, sorry for leaving you like that. The fact that we managed to book a venue in Tokyo about a month from now is truly miraculous.
For us, it wasn’t just a matter of finding an available place. It was essential that we send REITA off while feeling his presence to the fullest. So when I heard that Toyosu PIT was available on May 27, I was honestly thrilled.
Aoi:
"We can send him off in our own way. REITA will definitely be happy," I thought.
In reality, even though we’ve secured the venue and made the announcement, we still need to carefully consider what we can and cannot do on the day. My current feeling is that we must definitely say "thank you" to REITA and send him off.
I just wanted to share this with everyone.
Kai:
I’ve seen so many words of support from the fans, and it means a lot to me, I’m sorry I haven’t been able to update more often.
And truly, thank you!
With all of you here, I really feel that the GazettE exists because of you all.
Kai:
SIX GUN'S
When we decided on this title, I thought it was the only possible choice.
Our thoughts behind choosing May 27 for the live show are detailed in the comments on the official site, so I’d like everyone to take a look.
Kai:
Ideally, we would have liked to prepare a venue where everyone could attend, but even so, it feels like a true miracle that Toyosu PIT was available.
We’re still in the process of discussing what else we can do regarding this, so once the details are decided, we’ll let you know!
Messages:
〈 RUKI 〉
After gathering all the members together, discussing our true feelings, and sharing what's in our hearts, we have decided to hold a memorial concert on May 27th.
Each of us, including myself, is feeling a mix of various emotions, and there's only one reason why we've chosen to perform a live show at this time.
When we thought about what made REITA the happiest, what brought him the most joy, it was always hearing the fans’ voices and seeing everyone enjoying themselves at live shows. We all agreed on this.
REITA's wish was for "the GazettE to be eternal," and hearing words of encouragement from his family, telling us to "keep going," helped us make this careful decision.
Rather than giving up and waiting for our hearts to find peace, we believe that REITA will be with us and our fans forever. Holding this live show every year is the true way to remember REITA and is a form of love that we, as his bandmates, can give.
We believe that this is our mission as the ones still living, and we want to carry on this wish.
More than anything, we've always heard from our fans that our band is what keeps them going. Together, we've laughed and cried, and even through it all, you've continued to support us. We believe that if we continue with the GazettE, alongside our fans, our band will become stronger than ever.
We have learned that many people, not only in Japan but also from abroad, have paid their respects to REITA. We believe we need to express our gratitude to everyone in person someday.
So, no matter what challenges lie ahead, we believe that the path we're on is the right one, and we will continue to move forward with strength. We will stand on stage with this band, and always protect this place where everyone can return. When you feel ready to come back to a live show, please allow us to express our gratitude with smiles.
Once again, thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your continued warm support. We’ll be waiting for all of you on May 27th.
〈 Uruha 〉
The one thing REITA left behind for us, the members, and all the fans was his wish: "I want the GazettE to be eternal."
We've thought long and hard about how we can honor REITA's feelings, which were always with the fans and the band until the very end. As a result, we have decided to hold a memorial concert titled HERESY LIMITED ‘SIX GUN'S’ on May 27th at Toyosu PIT.
It wasn’t easy to reach this decision. After discussing our resolve and determination, the four of us who remain have committed to standing on stage that day.
Only a short time has passed since he left us, but rather than relying on time to heal our wounds, we want to dedicate the rest of our lives to creating a place where we can keep REITA’s memory vivid and colorful, together with all the fans.
When I think about the feelings of everyone who cares about REITA, I realize that it's impossible to fully understand each person's thoughts about a 'LIVE.'
But whenever we talked together as a band, we would always get excited over silliest things. On stage, he would play his bass like a madman, captivating the fans. Most importantly, REITA himself always said, "I feel alive" on that stage, where we’ve stood for the past 22 years as the GazettE.
We cannot ask everyone to simply accept everything and join the live. Everyone processes things differently.
No matter how much time it takes, when you’re ready to accept it and move forward, we believe it’s our mission to keep protecting this place where anyone can return. That’s the one thing the four of us can do now.
It feels almost like a miracle that Toyosu PIT was available on this specific day within our tight timeframe. I can’t help but think that maybe God allowed us this final chance to say goodbye to REITA.
I believe that REITA's spirit will surely come down to Toyosu PIT on May 27th to say thank you to everyone.
If we can directly express our feelings and gratitude to REITA at that time, I believe he will be able to safely come down to the stage again in the future.
〈 Aoi 〉
It's been a long time since I last wrote something like this for everyone. Since then, we've talked about so many things every day. We really spent a lot of time talking, being honest with each other about what the band means to us and our feelings as members, speaking openly as genuine friends.
We’ve reminisced about many memories with REITA and talked about what REITA was like. Most of our memories with REITA involve laughter. He was always a presence that brightened up our lives. I’ve often said, 'He was the heart of the GazettE,' because he was such a kind person.
So, we talked about how it’s our way to send him off with a GazettE live show, something he loved. Right now, it might still be a time for mourning REITA. There are surely many different opinions and emotions, and some may think it's too soon. But if May 27th ends up being filled with sad tears, it would only make him sad. We want May 27th to be a day where we can say "thank you" to REITA. We believe that’s what would make him happiest.
I’ve thought a lot about the words REITA left us: "I want the GazettE to be eternal." Of course, it could simply mean he wanted the band to continue, but knowing his gentle nature, I think he also wanted us to protect the band, the staff, and most of all, the fans.
Fans around the world have been grieving since then, and I imagine REITA is shedding tears with them too. Many fans have cherished his words and even gone to Shinjuku for him. I keep thinking that REITA must be saying, "I'm sorry for making you cry, but thank you for coming."
We talked about how we can’t just leave those fans alone in their sorrow forever. REITA wouldn’t be at peace with that, so we decided to prepare a place where those fans can come back and be supported. Even if you can't bring yourself to come right away, the moment you find a little bit of courage, the GazettE should be there for you. If we were to stop, we wouldn’t be able to be in reach when you need us. So, take your time, go at your own pace. We’ll be standing here when that moment comes.
〈 Kai 〉
We, the members, discussed our feelings with one another and decided to do this live show on May 27th. Having spent so much time with REITA, we’re certain that the most brilliant version of him was the REITA standing on that stage, and we believe the fans feel the same way.
Since then, we’ve seen so many fans express their feelings in various ways. We believe that by bringing those feelings to life and continuing to show everyone the unchanging the GazettE, alongside REITA, we are expressing our gratitude to all those who have supported us until now. We want to continue conveying this from the stage, now and always.
For this live show, we understand that fans will have a variety of opinions. But there's no need to force yourself to stand up, and no need to rush to come to terms with your feelings. It doesn’t matter how much time it takes.
We’ll be waiting with unchanging hearts in the same place.
We believe this is what REITA meant by saying that the GazettE is eternal, and that this is the only place where we can address those feelings that are beyond words.
Please be with us on May 27th.
2024.05.27 HERESY LIMITED 「SIX GUN’S」
To everyone who attended the HERESY LIMITED 「SIX GUN’S」performance at TOYOSU PIT and to those who watched
the partial broadcast available through the official fan clubs, HERESY and the GazettE MOBILE, thank you very much.
2024.05.27 Twitter:
Uruha:
Thank you all for today.
I believe the miracle of being able to do this live today, along with everyone’s feelings, definitely reached him.
And without a doubt, I could feel his spirit.
Thank you, REITA, for being born. 🎂
Aoi:
Everyone, you were absolutely amazing.
Thank you so much for coming today and sending your thoughts—it really gave us strength.
I know I keep saying the same thing over and over again, but truly, thank you.
Take your time. Let’s keep walking together from here on out.
Aoi:
HBD REITA 🎂
I’m envious of how loved you are.
Kai:
Thank you for today.
Thanks to all of you, I was able to feel our strong bond once again, and with even stronger determination, I can move forward.
Please continue to support the unchanging the GazettE.
REITA,
Happy Birthday.
Looking forward to continuing this journey with you.
2024.05.28 Aoi:
Until now, I’ve only been conveying my words to everyone one-sidedly, so I took the time to read the letters you brought to the venue.
Every time I see the correction pen marks, I think that even if it was written smoothly, it must have been revised many times.
I said to REITA that he was the one connecting 'eternity,' but perhaps it’s really all of you who are doing that.
Aoi:
It’s difficult to put into words, but I take great pride in having met all of you and being connected through this band the GazettE.
I wonder what kind of good deeds we must have done in our past lives to be loved so much.
I feel really saved. Right now, those are the only words I can find.
From January to July, so many things have happened.
Amidst the whirlwind of days, I questioned what is right and what is normal? While swaying between emotions and reason, I was constantly making various choices, and desperately running through each day.
In such times, I was supported solely by everyone's concerned voices and the words "I love you."
Thank you always.
And although it's been a while, I wrote on Instagram. I hope this reaches everyone who loves me.
It's been about two months since my last post.
Seeing the closet still filled with winter clothes, I realized that this year, for me, there was no spring. Time stopped in winter, and then summer came.
I noticed that I had been putting off such a basic thing as living, and I finally did a long-overdue wardrobe change the other day.
Life is built on daily choices, an accumulation of decisions.
Only you can decide if those choices and your life are right or wrong.
The responsibility for your life is yours and yours alone.
I feel that trying to conform to the standards of "normal" for others will only make you feel more miserable when you are going through a tough time.
It's the same for everything;
it's okay not to be "normal" as measured by someone else's standards.
No matter the relationship, I believe it's impossible to fully understand all of someone's inner struggles and pain.
Fans' pain and our pain, human wounds vary from person to person.
Therefore, the way and speed at which wounds heal also vary for each person.
The way you accept things too. It's okay if it's not the same.
Because the heart is a place that cannot be seen from the outside, others can't understand those wounds, and in fact, even we ourselves cannot measure how deep our wounds are.
Everyone, might be forcing a smile on the outside, and when they come home, no one sees the emptiness they are feeling, and they probably don't want to show it to anyone.
The way I've spent my days, I was told, wasn't very human-like, but I think that's okay.
Now, rather than sadness, I feel loneliness.
Because I am human, I know that I will meet them again someday.
So, thinking that way, I am accepting it now.
Although I feel lonely without Koron and Reita, for now, goodbye.
This reminded me of when I wrote the lyrics for QUIET.
And when the day comes that we can meet again, I want to live in a way that I'll be told, "You lived a good life."
In reality, there are four of us now, but not as a mere illusion;
another face is vividly present in my mind.
So, the feeling of being five members is not a lie. That will surely be forever.
After thinking about it all, I've come to the conclusion that I need to start living each day in a way that will leave a lot of proof that I lived.
I want to create music and things with more love than ever before.
Although my core approach to making music hasn't changed,
what I feel I want to draw and leave behind now has changed significantly.
I want to cherish every moment, even the most ordinary ones, like taking pictures of everyday life, going to different places and feeling the scenery, the smells, all the things that I can only feel at that moment.
And if you're feeling overwhelmed right now,
I think it’s okay to put everything on hold and take a break without overthinking it.
It’s okay to stop pushing yourself for a while.
If I hadn’t taken a step back, I wouldn't have reached this mindset.
Then, bit by bit, listen to music you love, visit places that bring you joy, and heal your heart.
I'm gradually doing that myself too.
I hope everyone can find their own way of healing.
And if this band, the GazettE, can become something that saves or heals even just one person, I will overcome anything.
To me, everyone who waits for us is my reason for living.
The only place where you can let out everything you can't express in daily life, I believe, is at live concerts.
So, I hope we can share that extraordinary space where we can shout and make noise together as much as possible.
I've said it before, but there will be more opportunities to meet from now on. Or rather, I will make them.
I want to increase the time I can enjoy with everyone who loves me, so please wait for it.
Next is Toyosu PIT announcement, so please check it out.
Thank you for reading such a long post.
I'll write again