Still regarding the hide versus Pata subject:
Of course everyone has a different oppinion and a different taste. It is not worth arguing which of the two you prefer/think was better especially since one is dead and the other is still a 'developing' musician.
Anyway, this is what I think;
Yes, Pata is really underrated. But he does nothing to fix that, as someone said. Plus, he's a very quiet (or even shy) person, not the look-at-my-great-performance style. Also, all of his appearance is rather simple, not overdone, not eccentric, not wannabe-sexy, not properly what fan-girls search for.
And what do all guitar heroes have in common? An attractive image and personality, as well as an implosive performance.
Look at YouTube amateur guitar covers made by random teenagers, for example; some of them are great, they make me wonder if good old Jimi Hendrix wouldn't be jealous of their skils. Still, they hardly ever get known.
As for hide;
hide could play guitar. Maybe he could play guitar better than average. Maybe he was even pretty good. But what is the first thing you focus on when you look at hide? His appearence, his style, his performance. You can't deny that. hide had a pretty face and most people are aware of that. And to add to it, he had that colourful style and a nice smile. He was not as introverted as Pata and mostly acted like X JAPAN's second leader. What else does a fan want? It's 50% visual, 50% talent.
I am a big fan of hide myself. But yes, I do assume there are better guitarrists. And to be totally honest, there are musicians whose music I listen much more often than hide's.
So what makes hide so special?
I don't know. Some things just can't be explained. It's like the Father & Son thing; there are better/cleverer/stronger/nicer kids out there but yours is just special.
This is all. Anyway, I don't see the problem in comparing them, too. Or are we just afraid to assume that shy-Pata was better than explosive-hide or vice-versa? Some people are just better than others and that doesn't mean you have to change your tastes or oppinions.