Question about Gear on removed characters in NG+

So now I've started NG+ after beating the Ilias route, deciding to start over from the Beginning.

I've got the Pocket Castle back, but the route exclusive angels got removed.

Now I want to know what happens to their gear? It's definitely gone, considering the two Gravity Hands Zion had equipped are no longer in my inventory, and the gems equipped to them are also gone.

Do I just have to reload and unequip them if I want to keep the gear/gems?