[Raise Your Fists!!] Introduction to Japanese Emotional Rock Bands

A Vocaloid producer who is also a music writerAraki Jakkan
I’ve worked in a variety of roles—regardless of pro or amateur settings—including live event PA, cameraman for video and photography, restaurant staff, and logistics center staff. I now spend my days as a part-time writer. I’ve contributed to music and manga websites with feature/review articles, and wrote the liner notes included as a bonus for 1st PLACE Inc.’s “IA SUPER BEST.” As for my music background, I started playing guitar in junior high and focused on band activities during my school years. For over 15 years since then, up to the present, I’ve continued releasing original tracks as a Vocaloid producer. My areas of expertise are Japanese rock, Vocaloid, and manga.
Editor-in-Chief, RAG MUSICHane Keisuke
Editor-in-chief of RAG MUSIC. JFC-certified fact-checker. After working in a music studio and handling wedding sound, joined the RAG MUSIC editorial team in 2016. Experienced with a variety of instruments: marching band in elementary school, clarinet in junior high school wind ensemble, and drums in a band from high school onward. Drawing on my own musical activities and the experience gained through my work, I produce daily articles, including various song introductions, features on music festivals around the country, and live reports. In music, I enjoy not only rock from Japan and abroad but, lately, a wide range of J-pop as well.

These days, the word “emoi” has come into wide use, and its supposed origin is the music genre emo.

Derived from punk and hardcore, it’s characterized by emotionally charged performances, introspective lyrics, and a musicality where intensity and beauty coexist.

Although the genre originated overseas, many bands in Japan have been influenced by it, and numerous emo bands have thrived domestically.

In this article, we’ll introduce bands that play this kind of emotional rock.

Rather than the general nuance of “emoi,” we’ve prioritized bands with roots in genre terms like hardcore, emo, and screamo.

Of course, we’ll also feature bands that feel “emoi” in a broader sense, so take your time and enjoy.

Raise Your Fists!! Introducing Japanese Emotional Rock Bands (81–90)

RUNNERchaqq

chaqq「RUNNER」

RUNNERchaqq

Chaqq was formed in 2007 after the three members each played in their own bands.

Centered around the Kansai and Kanto regions, they continue to move audiences with their passionate live performances.

In 2008, they released their first single, “RUNNER/Living.”

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to get dark; to come to an end (of the day/year); to live (a life) depending on contextperopero shite yaritai wa zu

I wanna lick you all over. “Kureru” [Live Recording]

to get dark; to come to an end (of the day/year); to live (a life) depending on contextperopero shite yaritai wa zu

Watch “to get dark; to come to an end (of the day/year); to live (a life) depending on contextperopero shite yaritai wa zu” on YouTube

Let me introduce Peropero Shiteyaritaiwazu, a band active mainly in Hiroshima Prefecture.

Their song “Kureru” may be hard to imagine from the band’s name, but it carries a message that pierces the heart.

They are a full-fledged girls’ emotional rock band.

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MaydayMOTHBALL

MOTHBALL “Mayday” 【OFFICIAL VIDEO】

MaydayMOTHBALL

Space pirates comprised of two aliens, “K-Flare” and “Ice G,” who came from a distant galaxy’s planet.

Their ambition to invade Earth eventually turned into love for the planet, and they formed a band by lightly brainwashing—and heavily exploiting—random passersby.

Although their true identities remain hidden, they’re a striking band known for ear-catching beautiful melodies and piano lines that ring through the orchestration.

Their sound is characterized by a revival of 2000s-style music.

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In conclusion

We introduced Japanese emo bands. Focusing on bands that speak from their musical roots in emo, we also featured bands that are commonly described as having an “emo” vibe. After reading this article, you should now understand what “emo” really means! If you’ve found a favorite band, be sure to check out other songs we couldn’t include here!