[Neo-Visual Kei] A roundup of popular songs by V-kei bands from the 2000s
Visual kei, which reached its golden age in the 1990s and produced hits that ranked high on the Oricon charts, is now embraced overseas as a culture that transcends a Japanese music genre—so much so that the term “Visual kei” appears on Wikipedia.
Within the 30-plus-year history of V-kei, this article spotlights popular songs by the so-called “Neo-Visual Kei” bands of the 2000s.
We’ve compiled a selection of classics—hugely influential on today’s Visual kei bands—focusing on releases from the 2000s, spanning both major-label and indie acts.
Whether those years were your youth or you’ve only recently gotten into V-kei, enjoy!
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[Neo Visual Kei] A roundup of popular songs by 2000s V-Kei bands (51–60)
Love Reverie GameDoremi-dan
A classic song that likens romance to a “game,” portraying the fleeting course of a fragile love.
Within its up-tempo sound lie heartrending lyrics and an emotionally rich melody line that resonate deeply with listeners.
In 2005, Doremi-dan released the track as a venue-limited single for their Tokyo–Nagoya–Osaka one-man live series “Rokusho Gekijo.” Buoyed by overwhelming fan support, a rearranged version was later included on the 2010 album Kowaso Circus.
It’s the perfect song for soothing the pain of heartbreak or finding the courage to step into a new love.
The lyrics deftly capture complex emotions, offering an immersive experience akin to reading a story.
The Moon of MockerySel’m
It sings about feeling anxiety and fear that keep you from taking the first step, acknowledging personal weakness yet still wanting to move forward.
It’s a song by Sel’m, a visual kei band formed in 2004.
The powerful drums create a strong sense of unity in the performance.
It is a track included on the single “Anthology,” released in 2006.
FLASHBACK FLAGuchuu sentai NOIZ
This track weaves a sense of exhilarating momentum with a bittersweet melody in a dramatic interplay.
UchuSentai NOIZ’s distinctive sound design—deftly fusing alternative elements with electronica—can be said to have pioneered a new frontier in 2000s visual kei.
The lyrics, which portray a strong resolve to move toward the future without being bound by past glory or ego, along with the doubts and inner conflicts along the way, resonate deeply with many listeners.
Released in March 2009 as part of the album “GREAT ROCK’N’ ROLL HEROES,” the song later received a newly recorded version on the limited “space” edition of the single “Parallel Mind” in August 2013.
It’s a track that can surely become a source of strength when you’re losing sight of yourself or struggling with an important relationship.
Creepy CrawlyThe Studs
Powerfully expressing the anxieties and inner conflicts that lurk deep within, this track by The Studs is a driving, up-tempo number where melancholic guitars intertwine with a pulsating rhythm.
Portraying a protagonist who confronts unknown fears and the difficulty of living, the lyrics convey a strong will to overcome, capturing the hearts of Visual Kei fans in the 2000s.
Released in October 2008 as the first of three consecutive weekly singles and later included on the album “alansmithee,” the song also features a music video on the limited first-press DVD.
It remains beloved as a lyrical, dramatic piece that resonates with all who strive to face forward and live on, even when reality threatens to crush them.
Children’s SongAwoi
This song, which expresses children’s anxiety and a sense of helplessness, is by the five-member visual kei rock band Awoi.
It’s included on the single “Kokoro,” released in 2005.
You can feel a powerful burst of early energy in this track.