Published
2025-01-07 00:06:00
This is the official guide to visual kei and its subgenres, by vkgy. It attempts to present clear, concise, and complete information about visual kei and its subgenres, in contextual order, based on high-quality Japanese sources.
If you have questions or disagreements, please see the FAQ . Please also see the appendixes for a list of non-subgenres , special thanks , and more.
History of visual kei
1990~
visual kei ( ヴィジュアル系)
Before visual kei
1985~
okeshou kei ( お化粧系)
Visual kei subgenres, by year
1990~
kurofuku kei ( 黒服系)
1993~
Nagoya kei ( 名古屋系)
1993~
shiro kei ( 白系)
1994~
soft visual ( ソフビ)
1996~
kote kei ( コテ系)
1998~
tanbi kei ( 耽美系)
1998~
Misshitsu kei ( 密室系)
1999~
cosplay kei ( コスプレ系)
2000~
wafuu kei ( 和風系)
2000~
shironuri kei ( 白塗り系)
2000~
pikopiko kei ( ピコピコ系)
2001~
iryou kei ( 医療系)
2002~
osare kei ( オサレ系)
2003~
Showa kayou kei ( 昭和歌謡系)
2004~
loud kei ( ラウド系)
2004~
koteosa ( コテオサ)
2008~
art kei ( アート系)
2010~
kirakira kei ( キラキラ系)
2012~
menhera kei ( メンヘラ系)
Appendixes
If you liked this article, consider supporting vkgy on Patreon!
Patreon
The guide to visual kei
2026-04-10
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2026-03-13
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2026-01-12
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2025-11-12
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2026-01-12
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2025-12-20
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Thank you for giving all this beautiful information !
As a new fan, I'm glad to find a place where knowledge and relations are converging !
I will gladly enjoy my time in this amazing community !
2025-09-18
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goated
2025-09-17
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thank you so much for compiling all this!! i've been trying to make a style guide for visual kei and these articles/images have been so so helpful
2025-08-16
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Will more be added to this guide for years after 2012 menhera kei or is the guide completed for now? Thank you so much! ^_^
2025-04-23
Approve Edit Restrict Delete Unlock threadNot unless I see Japanese fans speaking about some new subgenre!
2025-07-28
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Awesome wiki
2025-06-26
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thank you so much for this!!
2025-06-19
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omg needed this :3
2025-05-27
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🖤 !!
2025-05-24
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As a person who just started getting into visual kei this helps a lot!:3
2025-04-22
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I needed this thank you!!
2025-04-18
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Words cannot describe how grateful I am for this
2025-04-16
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incredibly well researched i am using this as my introduction for when people ask me aboit vkei
2025-02-28
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CAN'T WAIT FOR KIRAKIRA KEI!!<3
2025-02-07
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waiting for showa..
2025-02-05
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I love iryou kei.♡ I can't wait for the menhera kei article though, it's my favorite!! o(≧▽≦)o
2025-02-04
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been waiting for this. i feel this is very important. gj
2025-01-25
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waiting for iryou kei ♡
2025-01-24
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cant wait for PIKOPIKO!!
AAAH, TY FOR ALL OF THIS
2025-01-21
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Thank you! I'm excited for koteosa
2025-01-20
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I can't wait for Menhera Kei blog, I love that subgenre ^_^
2025-01-15
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Thank you for this!!!!!
2025-01-15
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I think its great what you're doing! 絶対に最高のリストになるね!
2025-01-13
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awesome
2025-01-12
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