What does visual kei mean in Japanese music?
Visual kei (Japanese: ヴィジュアル系, Hepburn: Vijuaru Kei, lit. “Visual Style” or “Visual System”) is a movement among Japanese musicians that is characterized by the use of varying levels of make-up, elaborate hair styles and flamboyant costumes, often, but not always, coupled with androgynous aesthetics, similar to Western glam rock.
Are there any famous people associated with visual kei?
They gained mainstream awareness, although they were not as commercially successful, except for L’Arc-en-Ciel and Glay whose later huge success was accompanied by a drastic change in their appearance and are often not associated with visual kei.
When was the third era of visual kei?
Around 1995, visual kei bands experienced a booming success in the general population, which lasted for four years. According to Pfeifle, the third transition era began by bands such as La’cryma Christi, Penicillin and Rouage [ ja] achieving moderate success.
Are there any visual kei magazines in Japan?
Magazines published regularly in Japan with visual kei coverage are Arena 37 °C, Cure, Fool’s Mate Express, Shoxx, Shock Wave, Rock and Read among others. The popularity and awareness of visual kei groups outside Japan has seen an increase in recent years, mostly through internet and Japanese anime,…
What kind of Fandom does visual kei have?
Currently, visual kei has acquired a large international following among rock and heavy metal fans, with a handful of non-Japanese bands drawing inspiration from the movement. (see ” Popularity “)
When did visual kei come back to prominence?
Visual kei came back to be an underground subculture in the early 2000’s after most popular bands in the movement had disbanded or toned down their trademark visuals and music.
Who are the band members of visual kei?
Visual kei emerged in the 1980s underground scene, pioneered by bands such as X Japan, Dead End, Buck-Tick, D’erlanger, and Color. Japanese pop culture website Real Sound wrote that similarities between the appearances and behaviour of the founders of visual kei and members of the yankī delinquent subculture are often noted.