Gave first performances abroad

In the following year, along with the release of a third full-length album, Kisō , Dir En Grey gave their first performances abroad, touring China, Taiwan, and South Korea. Back in Japan, the last dates of the lengthy Rettou Gekishin Angya tour were already in support for the band’s second EP, Six Ugly . In the same year, they released the single “Child Prey”, which was featured as the second opening theme of the Baki the Grappler anime series, and also the beginning of their fourth album called Vulgar . In summer 2003, Dir En Grey performed at Akasaka Blitz for five evenings in a single week, with each show (except the first) themed after a certain album, the last featuring songs from the then yet to be released Vulgar . A DVD set, titled Blitz 5 Days , was later released exclusively for members of the band’s official fan club, titled “A Knot”. Vulgar was released in September 2003 and tours in support for the record would last well into 2004.