YOSHIKI Returns to Japan Last Minute and Appears Live on YOSHIKI CHANNEL' "YOSHIKI BIRTHDAY SPECIAL"
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World debut of "AI YOSHIKI" and a huge gathering of guests including DAIGO, Yuya Tegoshi, and PATA

On Wednesday, November 20th (Japan time), YOSHIKI CHANNEL aired "YOSHIKI BIRTHDAY SPECIAL", where YOSHIKI talked about his return to Japan, saying, "The hardest thing about coming back to Japan was bowing. I'm wearing a neck brace because of my surgery, so I didn't realize that the movements I normally make would be so difficult (laughs)." This special episode included the world premiere of "AI YOSHIKI" and an eSports battle of "Tekken 8" with a stellar cast of guests.

The show was hosted by DAIGO, who is a close friend of YOSHIKI, and featured a number of distinguished guests, including PATA and Mitsuru Matsuoka. A toast was made with champagne produced by YOSHIKI, "Y by YOSHIKI × CHAMPAGNE POMMERY." YOSHIKI said, "This is the first time I've had a drink since my surgery," and celebrated the special moment with his guests.

The virtual "AI YOSHIKI" was unveiled for the first time in the world at the beginning of the show, which was a surprise to the audience. Many people on social media have commented, "I'm happy to be able to interact with YOSHIKI in a new way," and "I was surprised at how high the quality was."

YOSHIKI had undergone his third neck surgery last month and is currently undergoing rehabilitation in the US, but with his doctor's permission he returned to Japan on short notice. His appearance in person came as a surprise, creating excitement and a celebratory mood.

All 14 members of the boy band "XY" produced by YOSHIKI gathered together, including Yuya Tegoshi, who was recently announced as a new member. Tegoshi said, "I entered the entertainment industry because I admired X JAPAN, and it was my dream to work with YOSHIKI. I want to achieve results that exceed expectations."

Furthermore, YOSHIKI's girl group "Bi-ray" performed "Butterfly". Despite not having debuted yet, the girls have been viewed over 10 million times on YouTube, attracting attention from all over the world, and they captivated the audience with their singing ability. In the the conversation after the performance, they showed a different innocent side to their stage appearance.

To celebrate YOSHIKI's birthday, an e-sports battle of the popular fighting game "Tekken 8" was played on the show. The game's theme song is the new song "MASTERY" by supergroup THE LAST ROCKSTARS, led by YOSHIKI, and has become a hot topic among fans.

This special battle was between the "YOSHIKI Produced Team" (members of XY and Bi-ray) led by YOSHIKI and the "Visual Kei Team" led by PATA. The venue was filled with excitement as the match unfolded.

YOSHIKI also announced the launch of a new e-sports tournament, the "YOSHIKI Cup." YOSHIKI has been involved in e-sports events for some time, but after being invited to the recent e-sports World Cup in Saudi Arabia and speaking with Prince Faisal bin Bandar, chairman of the country's e-sports association, his desire to bring even more dreams and development to the e-sports scene in Japan has grown stronger.

YOSHIKI said, "I've planned a tournament in which amateurs, professionals, and celebrities can participate in order to hype up the Japanese esports world. I hope to share this amazing moment with everyone at the finals on my birthday next year or six months before. I want to use the power of esports to create new excitement and contribute to the further development of esports in Japan". YOSHIKI revealed that he is offering a large prize. Details of the tournament will be announced on the official website at a later date.

Gene Simmons (KISS), Travis Payne (Michael Jackson's choreographer) from the US, and HYDE, SUGIZO, Kiyoharu, Kishidan, Akihiro Namba, GACKT, Yasuko, Sandwichman, Yuko Yamaguchi, Hiroyuki, Ai Tominaga, from Korea, Gyuri (KARA), Lee Byung-hun, and many other celebrities from various industries, including the music industry, fashion industry, and film industry, sent birthday comment videos one after another, and MIYAVI appeared on a surprise live phone call. Although his departure from THE LAST ROCKSTARS was just announced the other day, there was an exchange that made it seem that their good relationship continues, with jokes flying around such as "Will you rejoin next month?" and "Will you keep the YOSHIKI genes!?", and there were also moments of laughter.

To close the event, AI YOSHIKI reappeared to celebrate YOSHIKI's birthday and had a live discussion with YOSHIKI himself.

When YOSHIKI asked, "What do you think will happen to THE LAST ROCKSTARS in the future?", AI YOSHIKI replied, "There are new possibilities and encounters ahead. By moving forward positively, I think wonderful moments await."

Finally, YOSHIKI concluded the program with words of gratitude, saying, "I'm truly grateful to be able to celebrate my birthday with all my fans and fellow artists. After my third surgery, I feel like I'm slowly becoming more like an android (laughs), but I still have big dreams that I want to pursue, and dreams that I want to see with all my fans. I want to make those big dreams come true together with you all. I'm truly grateful to have been able to share this wonderful time with you all."

AI YOSHIKI, the main content of the innovative fan community "YOSHIKI+ (PLUS)," will soon be offering a new function that will allow members to talk directly with AI YOSHIKI. Anticipation is building for this new initiative.

After the program, a Zoom fan meeting for YOSHIKI+ (PLUS) members was held, where YOSHIKI answered fans' questions directly. He removed his neck brace to reveal his scars from surgery and reported on his recovery. Many fans were touched by his honest response and sent words of encouragement.