A collection of hit songs and classics that opened the door to 1990s Visual Kei
The visual kei rock scene is buzzing with many up-and-coming bands, but there’s no doubt its peak boom was in the 1990s.
It’s true that X (X JAPAN) laid the groundwork, LUNA SEA presented one vision of completion, and many subsequent bands followed.
At the same time, distinctive acts also thrived—such as BUCK-TICK, rooted in gothic rock, and the uniquely evolved “Nagoya-kei.”
Let’s take a look at some classic songs from 1990s visual kei rock!
We’ve also included early masterpieces from bands that are still popular today.
- A classic masterpiece of visual kei. A staple and popular song representing V-kei rock.
- Debut song of a 90s visual kei band
- [J-Rock] Timeless masterpieces that colored the 1990s. Nostalgic hit songs.
- [Neo-Visual Kei] A roundup of popular songs by V-kei bands from the 2000s
- Debut song of an 80s visual-kei band
- [BUCK-TICK Masterpieces] Popular Songs by the Legendary Band with an Overwhelming Presence
- 1990s Male Singer-Songwriters: Popular Song Rankings [2026]
- The Aesthetics of Darkness: An Introduction to Gothic Rock — Notable Bands
- [1998 Japanese Hit Songs] A roundup of timeless classics that still live on in people’s memories!
- Representative bands of the Nagoya-kei scene in 90s Visual Kei
- Iconic ballads of 90s J-pop: nostalgic mega-hits and fan favorites
- Masterpieces and popular songs by DIR EN GREY
- Anime songs that were hits in the 1990s. Recommended masterpieces and popular tracks.
A Collection of Hit Songs and Classics That Opened the Door to 1990s Visual Kei (1–10)
RomancePENICILLIN
This is a song by PENICILLIN that shot to fame through a tie-in with an anime.
I remember the gap between the anime and the song being a hot topic at the time…
But if you listen to it as a standalone band track, don’t you think it’s a truly dazzling and cool piece? The band members also look incredibly cool.
You can hear a style that’s influenced many current bands, which makes it all the more approachable.
Don’t you think it’s a song that captures all the best parts of visual kei—everything about it is beautiful?
gloriousGLAY
Many people have probably thought, “I’ve heard that!” when the impressive guitar intro plays.
It continues to be a timeless hit even now.
GLAY has lots of catchy songs among visual kei bands, and they’re a group I’d love people who aren’t into super heavy, hard-hitting tracks to try.
This song is fresh and bright, overflowing with hope.
It makes you feel positive.
It’s very comfortable to listen to and, in a good way, not overly quirky.
It’s nice because it feels like something anyone can enjoy!
RED ZONEJanne Da Arc
In 1999, the year that truly capped off the ’90s, Janne Da Arc made their major-label debut with the single “RED ZONE.” While presenting themselves as a visual-kei band, they earned strong support not only from women but also from men and young band musicians, thanks to songs that reflected hard rock and heavy metal influences and the band’s high-level instrumental prowess.
Among V-kei tracks, there aren’t many where every instrument asserts itself this fiercely right from the intro, are there? Together with the distinctive melody delivered by soaring vocals, this classic track showcased their direction to the world as a young rock band.
Hit Songs and Masterpieces That Opened the Door to 1990s Visual Kei (11–20)
BelieveD-SHADE
Within the history of visual kei rock, there have been bands that played straightforward beat rock clearly influenced by BOØWY.
Among such songs, one of the most representative is D-SHADE’s 1998 major-label debut track, “BELIEVE.” Although the band never enjoyed a major hit, their stable ensemble—premised on the assumption that the musicians were highly skilled—undoubtedly fed into the lineage of later visual kei bands that captivate listeners with technical performances.
town/citySOPHIA
Have you heard this song with its distinctive vocals? It’s visual kei, too.
It has a romantic vibe, and I’m sure many bands respect this singing style and have been influenced by it.
It’s a refreshing yet powerful kind of rock.
It’s a must-listen if you want to get to know visual kei.
Compared to the full-on, old-school visual kei sound, this one feels a bit lighter and more easygoing.
Don’t get swept up only by the catchy feel—SOPHIA has a lot of great songs, so I really hope you’ll give them a listen at least once…!
EndorphinsPIERROT
From the late 1990s to the early 2000s, PIERROT was the band that split popularity with DIR EN GREY.
They had already fully established their identity in their indie days, and by the time of this track from the 1997 mini-album “CELLULOID,” their ominous worldview—crafted through the combination of eerie guitar riffs and synthesizers—was complete.
Owing to its strong popularity, it was re-recorded in 2003 and released as their 14th major-label single.
White DarknessROUAGE
Among the “Nagoya-kei” visual-kei bands that emerged from Nagoya, ROUAGE burst into the mainstream with a twin-guitar sound reminiscent of LUNA SEA and a dark atmosphere.
Their third single, Shiroi Yami, was chosen as the ending theme for COUNT DOWN TV and became their biggest hit.
Although they never achieved a massive breakthrough and ceased activities in 2011, it remains an important track for understanding the history of the Nagoya-kei scene.