the GazettE guitarist Aoi departs amid unclear circumstances

The visual kei band the GazettE has long been a favorite among fans in Japan and overseas, maintaining a strong lineup for two decades. Aside from a change of drummer Yune a year after the band’s formation (who sadly passed away in 2022) and the sad passing of bassist Reita two years ago, the group had remained consistent.

On March 10, the GazettE issued a statement regarding the dismissal of guitarist Aoi in Japanese and English. It stated it was due to repeated actions that disrupted band activities, interfered with scheduled releases and tours, and caused rifts between members and staff. Aoi, however, has disputed these claims, stating that he left voluntarily and remained devoted to the band’s activities.

The remaining band members have all shared individual statements, but remains vauge due to the limited authority they have and what they can share at this moment. However, the band ensures fans they’re comitted to continue and aim to carve out a new path to showcase a new form of “the GazettE”. Notably, the potential new album teased for a winter release has yet to be unveiled.

In short, vocalist Ruki, guitarist Uruha, drummer Kai, and the band’s staff remain united, with Aoi contesting the band’s account of his departure.

We have translated the statements of each member so you can form your own view. The band’s official English statement is included at the end of this article.

Guitarist Aoi

To all our fans and related parties.

Today, a press release and article about me (Aoi) were posted on the GazettE’s website and on Shuukan Josei, but a lot of what was written is not based on fact. I sincerely apologize for worrying everyone who has supported me and I would like to take this opportunity to set the record straight.

In April of last year, I expressed my intention to leave the band on the last day of September of that year to the other members of the GazettE, and had already left the band on that date.

Therefore, I was not kicked out of the band.

I believed that I had a responsibility towards the fans who have supported us and everyone involved with the band to explain the true reason for my departure. I refrained from making a statement myself because I wanted to make an official announcement with contents that the other members agreed to.

However, I am deeply saddened that the unilateral announcement posted on the GazettE’s website is entirely different from my understanding. Since my departure from the GazettE, I have remained devoted to the band’s activities and have not engaged in any wrongful neglect or obstruction of band activities, nor engaged in any acts that could be considered misconduct. It is also not true that I retained any right to represent the affiliated company. The demands for money mentioned in the GazettE’s release and the weekly magazine are simply a request for payment of unpaid guarantees and has already been agreed upon with the company, and was not an unreasonable request.

First, given the current confusion, I felt it necessary to convey the facts to everyone who has been supporting us, which is why I chose to explain the situation in this manner. I sincerely apologize to all the fans and related parties who have supported us thus far for causing you concern.

The Shuukan Josei coverage that Aoi was referring to can be found here.

As a follow-up, Aoi also shared the statement he had originally prepared for his departure—before the situation escalated—which was heartfelt and expressed how much he cherished his 23 years with each band member.

Vocalist Ruki

As of today, the GazettE will continue as four members, including Reita.

Over the past year, all of us struggled and agonized together as a band to finally arrive at this answer.

Even when there were feelings we couldn’t bring ourselves to forgive, behind them were also sadness and loneliness, and he was someone we never wanted to give up on until the very end.

I truly wanted to tell him that honestly during the call I made to him around New Year’s.

To be honest, I am simply frustrated.

But we have finally come to accept the reality that our words will no longer reach him, and all of the members have managed, with great effort, to face that reality and make our resolve.

From here on, we will once again carve out our own path from the beginning.

If we were the kind of people who would give up over something like this, then two years ago we would have already broken long ago.

Back then as well, we were told countless of times that it was over, yet we persevered, believing in the strength to rise back up. That is the essence of the GazettE.

Even if there is a painful road ahead, two years ago, we were taught that if we keep running like this, the scenery we see will surely change.

A few days before making this decision, we conveyed our feelings to Reita as well. We believe he is surely watching the members who chose to keep protecting the band called the GazettE, even while desperately struggling.

At the moment, there is very little we can share within our own authority, but if there is one thing we can say, it is this: no matter where one stands, what is innocent remains innocent. We have the confidence to say that about ourselves.

Because the GazettE, and I myself, never stopped once, no matter the hardship, stopping all creative activities for any reason has never been an option for me.

During the hardest times, I wanted to see everyone more than anything. These days have reminded me anew just how happy it makes me to devote myself to creating, and how joyful it is when we get to see everyone.

No matter how many times we say thank you, it will never be enough. We cannot express enough gratitude to everyone who is here with us now.

We’ve said it before, but all of you are an irreplaceable treasure and our reason for living.

From here on, we intend to face music production head-on and present a clear new answer through our next release. We will definitely show our new form through the work we create. I believe that is our mission.

Finally, to everyone who celebrated our 24th anniversary:

We would be truly grateful if you would watch over this band as it takes on a new form.

We sincerely thank you from the bottom of my heart for celebrating with us.

Thank you so much.

Drummer Kai

I spent every day screaming into the darkness for the past year.

I kept calling out, even when there was no reply, and no matter how hard it got, I kept on screaming.

Despite that, we got to see everyone on the days we had concerts, and kept on as the GazettE, like normal.

Each time, I prayed that we could be honest with the fans that had stayed with us for all this time, but I couldn’t reach them when I put my feelings into words.

Time after time, I was almost broken by frustration and loneliness, feelings that can’t be expressed with words. Nevertheless, we just couldn’t envision a future in which the GazettE would cease to be.

Two years ago, we vowed that we wouldn’t stop, and thanks to the fans who have supported us until today, we were saved so many times.

What we shared with all of you today, was not a decision that came easily, by any means.

But our feelings have not changed and we will keep moving forward without stopping the GazettE.

We would be grateful if you could continue to watch over us as always.

Guitarist Uruha

It pains me more than anything beyond words that we have come to a point where I must share such news. Confronting this inescapable reality, I have spent these days simply facing my own helplessness in shock, unable to do anything but come to terms with it.

Even so, no matter the circumstances, remembering the resolve we have pledged countless times in front of everyone—to keep moving forward—is what allows us to still stand here today. And it is precisely when own strength alone isn’t enough that I feel the most supported.

Once again, I have come to recognize the mission I carry within my heart—the path we must follow no matter what, the promises we must keep, and the future ahead. To see these through, we will keep moving forward without stopping, no matter what may happen. That is the only way we can truly respond to everyone’s feelings.

With these resolutions in our hearts, as the GazettE marks its 24th anniversary, we will continue our activities. In order for us to bring you even better works and performances, and above all, we will devote ourselves more than ever and approach everything with the utmost sincerity. We hope you will continue to support us.

We sincerely ask for your continued support of the GazettE.

the GazettE band statement

To everyone who has continued to support us,

We would like to share an important announcement with everyone who has supported the GazettE.

We have made the decision to remove guitarist Aoi from the band and go our separate ways moving forward.

We sincerely apologize for delivering such sudden news to those who have been waiting for our upcoming activities.

The situation began when Aoi unilaterally stepped away from band activities and took actions that interfered with already scheduled releases and tours, along with repeated actions that undermined the trust within the band.

In order to preserve the future of the GazettE, we repeatedly attempted to communicate with him directly. However, all such requests were declined, and communication eventually became limited to exchanges through his representative.

During this time, not only were responsibilities that should normally have been carried out left unfulfilled, but there were also statements refusing participation in live performances—something that directly affects the trust we share with our fans—as well as repeated demands regarding financial matters that we could not reasonably accept.

Furthermore, information that differed from the facts was communicated externally without our agreement, and even important matters related to a deceased member were handled in ways we found deeply inappropriate.

This developed into a situation that we could not overlook, including concerns related to confidentiality.

Facing a situation that threatened the continuation of the GazettE, both the members and staff were placed under immense emotional strain. After careful consideration, we ultimately concluded that it would be impossible for us to continue sharing the same vision and standing on the same stage together.

Regarding our future activities, we intend to continue moving forward without stopping. As for the releases that had previously been scheduled, we will review them once again and provide further details once plans have been finalized.

We remain committed to protecting our activities and continuing to deliver music to everyone who loves and supports the GazettE.

March 10, 2026
the GazettE Members

Update 2026-03-14: We’ve adjusted the mistranslation for Aoi’s statement where it was initially read as a laughter, but was in fact a reinforcement of Aoi’s name itself.