[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!
- Iconic songs by Japanese rock bands from the 2000s [J-Rock]
- A classic masterpiece of visual kei. A staple and popular song representing V-kei rock.
- A collection of hit songs and classics that opened the door to 1990s Visual Kei
- Debut song of a 90s visual kei band
- Anisongs that were hits in the 2000s: a nostalgic collection of legendary tracks
- A melancholic “yami” song that was a hit in the 2000s. A bittersweet track.
- Nothing but iconic hits that defined an era! 2000s classics popular on TikTok
- Nostalgic even though it’s recent? Iconic 2010s songs that went viral on TikTok
- All big hits! A roundup of classic J‑Pop songs that were popular in 2000
- [Heisei Songs] Classic hits from the Heisei era that are popular on Instagram Reels
- Popular Heisei-era songs you can use on Instagram Stories
- Love songs that were hits in the 2000s. Classic and popular Japanese songs.
- Japanese Music of the 2000s: Revival Included! A J-POP Hit Song Special
[Neo-Visual Kei] A Collection of Popular Songs by 2000s Visual Kei Bands (11–20)
DearViViD
ViViD is a five-piece rock band that gained popularity with their mixture sound combining hard band ensemble and rap.
Their second indie single, “Dear,” is a refreshing track that moves from an airy opening into a fast-paced rock arrangement.
Its positive lyrics, which evoke the bond with someone important, may leave a different impression from the typical image associated with visual kei.
With poppy, breezy melodies that lift your spirits, it’s a rock tune brimming with a sense of freshness.
SinAI ~The Right Hand’s Cutter, the Left Hand’s Drag, and the Ring Finger’s Deep Love~Vidoru
From their formation in 2002 to their breakup in 2011, Vidoll was a visual kei band that truly sped through the 2000s.
They gained popularity with their unique aesthetic and the concept of “Occult Romance.” The song featured here, “SinAI ~The Cutter in the Right Hand, the Drugs in the Left Hand, and the Deep Love of the Ring Finger~,” is a quintessential visual kei track that lets you savor the genre’s core appeal, and Jui’s vocals—marked by a resonant, expansive vibrato—are especially captivating.
That said, their musical range is broad, so if you enjoy this track, I recommend exploring their other songs as well.
alkaroid showcaseMatenrou Opera
Among the many visual kei bands, Matenrou Opera is a visual kei metal band renowned for its high level of musicianship and its concept of blending the contemporary with traditional beauty.
Their music features a massive band sound clearly influenced by symphonic metal, with keyboards that create depth—something rarely achieved not only in visual kei but in the Japanese rock scene at large.
In this track as well, the sound has been refined to be accessible even to listeners who don’t often listen to Western metal, resulting in a number that, while rooted in symphonic metal, lets you enjoy melodies imbued with a distinctly Japanese sense of wistful emotion.
Aquarium of Doting LoveMerry
MERRY is a four-piece rock band that continues to evolve, basing their sound on an enka-tinged sense of melancholy while incorporating elements of punk and hard rock.
“Dekiai no Suisō,” a track included on their album nu Chemical Rhetoric released on September 7, 2005, is striking for its contrast between a sprightly beat and a shadowy ensemble.
The dark, atmospheric lyrics create a downcast mood that epitomizes visual kei.
It’s a lyrical number whose somewhat nostalgic melodies linger in the ear.
Break Downgirugamesh
Formed in 2004, girugämesh drew attention even from fans of heavy overseas rock with their mixture sound—heavy yet blending diverse musical styles—within the visual kei scene.
Although they unfortunately disbanded in 2016, many younger musicians likely started bands influenced by their musicality.
“Break Down,” effectively the opening track of their 2008 album MUSIC, is a killer tune featuring loud yet catchy melodies with turntable scratching.
It’s an upbeat song that you can easily imagine igniting a live crowd, and it showcases the breadth of visual kei in the 2000s.
Moonlight FlowerJanne Da Arc
This is the 23rd single by Janne Da Arc, a five-member visual kei rock band that announced a hiatus in 2007 and disbanded in 2019.
The song was used as the opening theme for the TV anime Black Jack.
For the recording, they invited a 16-piece string ensemble, resulting in a track with a rich, majestic atmosphere.
While preserving the depth of strings and piano, it fuses a bold, hard-hitting band sound—making it an essential number when discussing Janne Da Arc.
[Neo-Visual Kei] A Compilation of Popular Songs by 2000s Visual Kei Bands (21–30)
Cassisthe GazettE
The eighth single by the five-member visual-kei rock band the GazettE, who made their major debut in 2004.
This rock ballad begins with a beautiful acoustic guitar arpeggio, followed by a band sound and a catchy piano phrase in the intro that heighten the sense of anticipation.
It’s full of highlights, including a chorus where the catchy vocal melody intertwines with spacious, textured guitar lines, and a melodic guitar solo in the outro.