Remembering Hide: How X Japan’s Icon Continues to Inspire Generations 28 Years After His Passing

[Sports Seoul | Reporter Yoon Dong-eon] It has been 28 years since Hideto “hide” Matsumoto, the guitarist for the legendary rock band X JAPAN and a lasting icon of Japanese pop culture, died suddenly at 33. He passed away on May 2, 1998, at the height of his fame, and fans around the world still hold memorials in his honor.

hide forged a singular career both as an X JAPAN member and as a solo artist. His bold hairstyles, theatrical makeup, and forward-looking fashion—then described as a “visual shock”—sent seismic ripples through Japan. His influence has since been compared to South Korea’s G-DRAGON; Korean fans even dubbed him the “’90s GD,” a testament to his role as a powerful trendsetter.

His musical legacy is very much alive. Songs like “Rocket Dive” and “Pink Spider,” which blend heavy metal’s intensity with pop-forward melodies, still sound fresh decades later. He was more than a musician—he showed rare vision in stage production, music-video direction, and merchandise design, and he left a lasting influence on subsequent generations of artists.

Each May 2, visitors cover his grave in Miura, Kanagawa Prefecture, with pink flowers and mementos that have come to symbolize him. Though he left us far too young, the public’s longing remains deep; fans continue to connect with him through his music and his fearless willingness to change. hellboy321@sportsseoul.com