A look into (J-Rock) Visual Kei Subgenres

ANGURA KEI, EROGURO KEI, IRYOU KEI, KOTE KEI, KOTEOSA KEI, KUROFUKU KEI, NAGOYA KEI, OSHARE KEI, SOFT KEI, SOFTVI, SUBGENRE, VISUAL KEI..

It seems to me there is a mania in Japanese culture or even music culture in general for people to obsessively codify things and label them. And in the process, often creating absurd subgenres like Gothabilly or Grindcore. Personally, I like to keep my genres pretty broad: rock and roll, jazz etc. Visual Kei of course, is no exception and like other types of music, there are a variety of subgenres-some that barely make any sense. But, in all honesty some of the subgenres are actually relevant especially when a band associates them with their identity. Take for example Merry who considers being Eroguro a part of who they are as a band. With that in mind, I think it is useful to know what some of these subgenres refer to. At the same time, I think it is important to note bands don’t necessarily have to stay in one sub-genre. Personally, I think young Alice Nine can at times sport a very Angura Kei look but recently, not at all.

I have compiled definitions of the most outstanding subgenres of Visual Kei for the general English speaking public’s education as well as my own. In researching these, I have learned quite a lot and in some cases, they actually won me over to the importance of sub-genres even though, I firmly stand on a more unifying view of Visual Kei.

If by chance, what I have is incorrect or there is something you want to add let me know.

Visual Kei Subgenres

Kurofuku Kei – literally black clothing, usually black suits. Commonly linked with the early Visual acts such as Buck-Tick and Zi:Kill

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