[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!
Playlist
| [Neo-Visual Kei] A roundup of popular songs by V-kei bands from the 2000s | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| show_chart | Title | Playlist | Review |
| 1 | Tokyo Wounded Yearsnaitomea |  play_arrow | Established a unique worldview in the Japanese music scene… |
| 2 | This life is for you.the GazettE |  play_arrow | The classic released in 2004, Madara—MADA… |
| 3 | LieShido |  play_arrow | Since their formation in 2003, they have been blending power pop and di… |
| 4 | CandyholicAntikku-Kohiten- |  play_arrow | Commonly known as “An Cafe (アン・カフェ)”… |
| 5 | anachro filmbarokku |  play_arrow | A laid-back look said to be the originator of the stylish trend, and… |
| 6 | The place where I ought to beMUCC |  play_arrow | A sound that incorporates the heft and intensity of metal… |
| 7 | RAINBOWSArisu Kyū Gō. |  play_arrow | Unconstrained musicality and, in live performances... |
| 8 | You, who saved me as I was about to drown in a rotten sea.kagerou |  play_arrow | All the members compose songs, and as an indie… |
| 9 | AdoreLynch. |  play_arrow | Artists spanning metal, hardcore, and screamo… |
| 10 | Take-offViViD |  play_arrow | A five-member visual kei ro... that disbanded in 2015 |
| 11 | dandelionDaizyStripper |  play_arrow | Formed in 2007 and known by the nickname Daisy… |
| 12 | Moon PrincessKiryu |  play_arrow | “J-horror” and “agonizingly nostalgic,” and… |
| 13 | National YouthR shitei |  play_arrow | Beginning with a scene suffused with the melancholy of autumn, then descending into madness and love... |
| 14 | ShikosahokoAyabie |  play_arrow | A five-member group that announced their resumption of activities in 2019 bi… |
| 15 | DearViViD |  play_arrow | Combining a hard-hitting band ensemble with rap... |
| 16 | SinAI ~The Right Hand’s Cutter, the Left Hand’s Drag, and the Ring Finger’s Deep Love~Vidoru |  play_arrow | From their formation in 2002 to their disbandment in 2011… |
| 17 | alkaroid showcaseMatenrou Opera |  play_arrow | Among the many visual kei bands, their musicianship is outstanding… |
| 18 | Aquarium of Doting LoveMerry |  play_arrow | While based on a sentimental kayō-kyoku vibe, it still pan… |
| 19 | Break Downgirugamesh |  play_arrow | Formed in 2004, a visual-kei si… |
| 20 | Moonlight FlowerJanne Da Arc |  play_arrow | Announced a hiatus starting in 2007, and in 2019… |
| 21 | Cassisthe GazettE |  play_arrow | The five who made their major debut in 2004… |
| 22 | DIRTYnaitomea |  play_arrow | The opening theme song for the TV anime Majin Detective Neuro Nougami… |
| 23 | Heaven’s PlaceJanne Da Arc |  play_arrow | If the person I like were sleeping next to me… |
| 24 | Mr./Ms. Despairmetoronōmu |  play_arrow | A catchy phrasing like “21st-century religious music”… |
| 25 | Goodbye, rainMerry |  play_arrow | A band with a glamorous vibe was gaining popularity… |
| 26 | Occult ProposalVidoru |  play_arrow | With “occult romance” as the band concept… |
| 27 | Kill my ex-boyfriendGōruden Bonbā |  play_arrow | Known by the nickname Kinbaku, they are a visual-kei air-band... |
| 28 | 23-ward geometric can.Shoujo-RoriiTa-23-ku |  play_arrow | Shoujo Lolita 23-ku was formed in 2004 and... |
| 29 | FREEDOMJanne Da Arc |  play_arrow | The band is self-producing for the first time since their indie days… |
| 30 | BIRTHD |  play_arrow | A visual-kei rock band formed in 2003... |
| 31 | Eloakagerou |  play_arrow | During the active period from 1999 to 2007... |
| 32 | Sunset and Childheidi. |  play_arrow | A suspicious-sounding guitar riff and a racing rhythm... |
| 33 | Time machineArisu Kyū Gō. |  play_arrow | A visual kei rock [band] formed in 2004... |
| 34 | the whirlLynch. |  play_arrow | A five-member band formed in Nagoya in 2004, Bi... |
| 35 | Cyclone12012 |  play_arrow | With strummed guitars and an upbeat tune, it’s ab... |
| 36 | Darkness in the rain, a decayed world.DEATHGAZE |  play_arrow | Visual kei metal band from Aichi Prefecture, D… |
| 37 | Heisei BubbleDauto |  play_arrow | Doubt is a band that started its activities in 2006 and... |
| 38 | Life♥2DieSuG |  play_arrow | Dark, melodic rock with pop elements... |
| 39 | Litokannivalism |  play_arrow | While being visual kei, it skillfully keeps a pop sensibility… |
| 40 | The Magic FluteKagrra |  play_arrow | A neo-Japanesque concept centered on Wa (Japanese harmony)… |
| 41 | Divine SongPhantasmagoria |  play_arrow | Alternative rock and metalcore, and so on… |
| 42 | -9-UnsraW |  play_arrow | It’s not exactly a track that metal fans would find irresistible… |
| 43 | songbaroque |  play_arrow | Please give a push to those who are striving toward their dreams... |
| 44 | bangyaru syndromeJinkaku Rajio |  play_arrow | The year 2000, which shed light on fervent fan culture… |
| 45 | RecallDELUHI |  play_arrow | A visual kei heavy metal band, DELU… |
| 46 | FLASHBACK FLAGuchuu sentai NOIZ |  | A rush-filled beat brimming with momentum and a wistful, aching melody… |
| 47 | Yokohama Love Storysharurotto |  play_arrow | The wistful melody and the atmosphere of the city of Yokohama… |
| 48 | Pixy falsePhantasmagoria |  play_arrow | A fantastical melody matched with beautiful vocals, P… |
| 49 | Mirrorsdeadman |  play_arrow | The dark worldview grips fans’ hearts… |
| 50 | Drowning sorrowgirugamesh |  play_arrow | A visual style characterized by a loud guitar sound… |
| 51 | kind wordsHERO |  play_arrow | HERO was formed in 2004, and in 2017… |
| 52 | Love Reverie GameDoremi-dan |  play_arrow | While likening romance to a “game,” the fleeting nature of love... |
| 53 | An Invitation from a Mysterious WorldKra |  play_arrow | Since their formation, they have consistently embodied fancy and fairytale-like concepts... |
| 54 | circuitJinkaku Rajio |  play_arrow | Lyrics that evoke a sense of melancholy and a heart-wrenching acoustic… |
| 55 | red butterflySadie |  play_arrow | Sad is a visual kei rock band from Osaka… |
| 56 | The revenant ChoirVersailles |  play_arrow | With its symphonic sound, it's just like something from overseas... |
| 57 | Twilight Starmegamaso |  play_arrow | Endless dreams against the backdrop of a pale pink sky before dawn... |
| 58 | Creepy CrawlyThe Studs |  play_arrow | Powerfully expressed the anxieties and conflicts lurking deep within the heart… |
| 59 | The Moon of MockerySel’m |  play_arrow | I feel anxious and scared and can’t take the first step, and… |
| 60 | Children’s SongAwoi |  play_arrow | The anxieties children feel and their unbearable, pent-up emotions... |
| 61 | AtriaNoGoD |  play_arrow | A grand message inspired by terminology from astronomy… |
| 62 | GO!YA!NUMBER ~Nuchigusui~Shiriaru⇔NUMBER |  play_arrow | A cheerful sound that fuses Okinawan culture with rock... |
| 63 | poplarTHE KIDDIE |  play_arrow | A poignant scene description that begins with the moment it starts to rain... |
| 64 | Spring Radiant FlowerBORN |  play_arrow | Overlaying the beautiful scene of cherry blossoms with the inner world of human beings, … |
| 65 | FINAL CALLD’espairsRay |  play_arrow | With a heavy industrial sound and English... |
| 66 | somedayWaive |  play_arrow | Delicately portraying expectations and anxieties about the future, as well as the transience of life... |
| 67 | Fantastic Dreamer ~Sleeping Beauty~Iroku i. |  play_arrow | A fantastical blend that skillfully fuses fairy-tale charm with horror… |