One of the cultures Japan is proud to share with the world! Recommended visual kei bands
Said to have originated from X JAPAN’s BLUE BLOOD album tagline, “PSYCHEDELIC VIOLENCE CRIME OF VISUAL SHOCK,” visual kei has now become a hallmark of Japanese culture.
As it’s defined not as a specific sound, but as a way of building a worldview and aesthetic through visual expression—makeup, fashion, and more—the musical styles vary widely from band to band.
This time, we’ll introduce visual kei bands spanning a wide range of eras.
Whether you’re new to the genre or a longtime fan, we’ve got recommendations you’ll want to check out!
- A classic masterpiece of visual kei. A staple and popular song representing V-kei rock.
- [Neo-Visual Kei] A roundup of popular songs by V-kei bands from the 2000s
- [2026] A roundup of popular Japanese hard rock bands, including those famous overseas
- A collection of hit songs and classics that opened the door to 1990s Visual Kei
- Reunion wanted: the legendary band that disbanded to much regret
- Classic and hit songs by nostalgic Japanese bands from the 1990s
- Today's Recommended J-POP: A Collection of Japanese Hit Songs You’ll Want to Listen to Today
- High School Students’ Favorite Band Songs Ranking [2026]
- Debut song of a 90s visual kei band
- Debut song of an 80s visual-kei band
- Masterpieces and Popular Songs of X JAPAN
- X Japan Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- Classic Japanese metal songs. Recommended popular tracks.
One of the cultures Japan proudly shares with the world! Recommended Visual Kei Bands (21–30)
Effeminate; overly sentimental; being clingy/whiny (context-dependent)Gōruden Bonbā
A visual-kei band that pioneered a one-of-a-kind style in which the non-vocal members do not play their instruments at all.
Their concept is “Hyper Giga Hybrid Super Subcultural Visual Rock,” characterized by a blend of music, performance, and comedy.
Because they’re an air band, many of their songs are packed with freedom and gags, yet the overall quality is high—so it’s a band you should definitely give a proper listen to at least once.
shadeDELUHI
It was a song included on the first DELUHI CD I bought, and I thought it was very beautiful and uplifting.
When I first found out about DELUHI, they were still an active band, but by the time I started listening to their music, they had already disbanded.
I can’t help but regret not discovering them sooner.
Even so, they’re still a band I love, and I want to keep listening to them forever.
ORDER MADEvistlip
This is one of my favorite songs by vistlip that I’ve started listening to recently.
It’s a beautiful track with a strong sense of storytelling.
The music video also matches the song perfectly, making it very easy to listen to.
I’m still new to vistlip, but they have many accessible songs and a lot of tracks that make you feel positive.
I want to discover more of their music and grow to love them even more.
DOUBLE DRAGONLM.C
Among LM.C’s many songs that tie in with anime, I consider this one a masterpiece.
It feels like a challenge addressed to oneself.
No matter what wall you hit, you can’t do anything if you run away—that’s what it seems to be saying.
With its exhilarating sense of speed, this track is very uplifting and easy to listen to.
Yanderu GirlfriendR shitei
The band’s concept is “avant-garde,” characterized by a musical style unconstrained by genre.
Many of their songs layer catchy, wistful melodies over a hard rock and heavy metal foundation.
Overall, they are a band with strong musicianship and a tight, cohesive sound.
a blatant lieArurukan
They’re a visual-kei band known for catchy melodies easy to sing at karaoke, often described as part of the next-generation Nagoya-kei scene.
Their music blends melancholy and intensity, and perhaps due to its wistful feel, they’re supported not only by women but also by men.
ROSIERLUNA SEA
A visual kei band that caused a huge sensation by announcing a hiatus at the height of their popularity in 2000.
Each member possesses exceptional musicianship, and the sound and ensemble that only LUNA SEA could create had a profound influence on countless bands.
They have since resumed activities and continue to perform energetically.