[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
	Title	Playlist	Review
1	This life is for you.the GazettE		the GazettE’s signature song with a pure-love theme
2	Tokyo Wounded Yearsnaitomea		A song by Nightmare that portrays urban loneliness
3	LieShido		SID's Fullmetal Alchemist ending theme song
4	CandyholicAntikku-Kohiten-		An Cafe’s first single
5	The place where I ought to beMUCC		Fusion of metal and kayōkyoku
6	anachro filmbarokku		Introduction to Representative Baroque Pieces by Anacro Film
7	You, who saved me as I was about to drown in a rotten sea.kagerou		Kagerou’s signature song was used as the theme for a late-night TV show.
8	RAINBOWSArisu Kyū Gō.		Introducing the appeal of Alice Nine’s new song, RAINBOWS
9	AdoreLynch.		lynch, aggressive and catchy rock
10	ShikosahokoAyabie		Ayabie’s debut song
11	Moon PrincessKiryu		Introducing Kiryu's first single after transferring labels, “Tsuki no Hime.”
12	Take-offViViD		Introduction to ViViD's debut single song
13	SinAI ~The Right Hand’s Cutter, the Left Hand’s Drag, and the Ring Finger’s Deep Love~Vidoru		Vidoll gained popularity with Occult Romance.
14	dandelionDaizyStripper		DaizyStripper's 1st single
15	Aquarium of Doting LoveMerry		A music critique analyzing MERRY’s songs.
16	DearViViD		ViViD’s exhilarating rock number “Dear”
17	National YouthR shitei		A definitive work of R-Shitei’s madness and affection
18	alkaroid showcaseMatenrou Opera		Matenrou Opera’s fusion metal
19	Break Downgirugamesh		Introducing the song “BreakDown” by Girugamesh
20	Cassisthe GazettE		the GazettE's eighth single
21	Mr./Ms. Despairmetoronōmu		Introduction to the features of Metronome’s song “Zetsubou-san”
22	Moonlight FlowerJanne Da Arc		Janne Da Arc Black Jack theme song
23	DIRTYnaitomea		Nightmare 12th single
24	Occult ProposalVidoru		Vidoll’s first, a song with diverse tricks
25	Eloakagerou		Kagerou’s songs: a unique world woven from anxiety, sound effects, and koto
26	23-ward geometric can.Shoujo-RoriiTa-23-ku		A visual kei band formed in 2004
27	Kill my ex-boyfriendGōruden Bonbā		A visual kei rock song by Golden Bomber
28	Heaven’s PlaceJanne Da Arc		A classic song that sings of a pure wish for the one you love
29	Goodbye, rainMerry		MERRY’s “Goodbye, Rain” is a retro rock with an air of melancholy, in the style of enka/kayo.
30	Heisei BubbleDauto		Patriotic entertainer band
31	the whirlLynch.		A loud rock song by lynch.
32	BIRTHD		D's major debut single
33	Cyclone12012		12012's major debut song
34	FREEDOMJanne Da Arc		Self-produced songs from the indie scene
35	Time machineArisu Kyū Gō.		A fast-paced visual kei song by Alice Nine
36	Divine SongPhantasmagoria		Rock band leaves a striking impact with wide-ranging musicality
37	Sunset and Childheidi.		A song that sings of heidi.'s anxiety and impatience
38	Darkness in the rain, a decayed world.DEATHGAZE		DEATHGAZE's intense metal sound
39	The Magic FluteKagrra		Kagrra “Magic Flute” — Mysterious and Addictive
40	bangyaru syndromeJinkaku Rajio		An iconic visual kei song that depicts fan culture
41	-9-UnsraW		A heavy metal number by a visual-kei band
42	Litokannivalism		A pop rock song by kannivalism
43	Pixy falsePhantasmagoria		The fantastical music of Phantasmagoria
44	songbaroque		A song that supports your efforts toward your dreams
45	An Invitation from a Mysterious WorldKra		Fancy Fairy-Tale Rock Band
46	Life♥2DieSuG		A message of hope in a heavy-pop rock song
47	RecallDELUHI		Introduction to DELUHI's heavy metal songs
48	Twilight Starmegamaso		Rock that depicts Megamasso's dreams and hopes
49	Mirrorsdeadman		Deadman's dark songs
50	Drowning sorrowgirugamesh		A rock number with a guitar sound
51	kind wordsHERO		HERO is a band formed in 2004 that went on hiatus in 2017.
52	The revenant ChoirVersailles		Symphonic compositions by Versailles
53	circuitJinkaku Rajio		The poignant songs of Jinseki Radio
54	red butterflySadie		Sadie’s Desire and Anguish Beneath the Black Garments
55	Yokohama Love Storysharurotto		A masterpiece where the Yokohama atmosphere and a wistful melody resonate
56	Love Reverie GameDoremi-dan		A masterpiece that portrays the fleeting course of a love likened to a game
57	The Moon of MockerySel’m		A song that sings of weakness and the will to move forward
58	FLASHBACK FLAGuchuu sentai NOIZ		The unique sound and powerful message of Uchuusentai NOIZ
59	Creepy CrawlyThe Studs		The Studs’ exhilarating, fast-paced song
60	Children’s SongAwoi		A rock song about a child’s anxiety
61	Spring Radiant FlowerBORN		BORN’s signature work depicting hope and anxiety in a cherry-blossom scene
62	FINAL CALLD’espairsRay		A song that expresses obsession with lost love and loneliness
63	Fantastic Dreamer ~Sleeping Beauty~Iroku i.		Iroquois’s fantastical masterpiece “Sleeping Princess”
64	AtriaNoGoD		A song inspired by astronomy. It depicts the importance of everyday life.
65	GO!YA!NUMBER ~Nuchigusui~Shiriaru⇔NUMBER		An Okinawan culture and rock fusion song by Serial⇔NUMBER
66	somedayWaive		A masterpiece from Waive that delicately portrays the feelings of young people
67	poplarTHE KIDDIE		A heartwarming classic that sings gratitude in the rain