astra☆

There's no originality in it. It's just American pop music made 2 years after the fact, and sung by 8 guys with pink bowl cuts. It's an imitation of soulless music.

If this was a Fortnite dance, I'd probably actually play the game just to make everyone look at it.
 

All I will say is that there is a reason most of us will say what we listen to most are acts like X, MM, Versailles, GazettE etc...where are the newer acts that inspire us like those ones have?
But, this is largely because I feel there isn't a lot of genuine intent in it right now. Compared to having musicians that used vk as a way of self expression and adding a new dimension to the music,  you mostly have standard rock bands that want to dress up because of the history of its success. I also believe the imagery has grown really homogeneous. You get people dressing exactly like more successful acts before them with no improvisation. How often do we have to see a rhythm guitarist that looks exactly like Teru? The lack of creativity is born from a place of dis-ingenuity.
Visual kei has become synonymous with marketing gimmick. Of course, there was always a marketing aspect to it, but there was also a rebellious nature to it, a way of expressing one's inner self and rejecting conformity. Adults on the large seem really afraid to be this way these days. So it's quite sad!
But, I believe like all things, a resurgence will come. There are people who experience the artists I enjoy for the first time now and think "This is really interesting!" For example, that youtuber who makes all those reaction videos where he experiences Japanese artists and usually really enjoys them! This has been my experience showing Japanese music to others as well.
Anything that is or was a pop culture phenomenon will fade out for a bit and come back eventually in full force. Remember how vaporwave was 'ironic' at first, "haha it's so corny and 80s isn't that silly" and now so many people are creating new genres to tap into sounds and moods of the 80s and obsessing over cyberpunk themes and imagery. I don't think visual kei will be too different in the end.
Let's do our best to help it grow further!

It's easy looking at vk bands to assume that French culture is really popular in Japan, but they're actually really into Germany over there. They admire many aspects of German culture and more or less view German people as their western counterparts. They were also military allies of Germany, so their admiration + history with them may lead to some WW2 fetishism. Of course, yes, there is probably an element of provocativeness there as well as that's a core part of early vk.

It's easy looking at vk bands to assume that French culture is really popular in Japan, but they're actually really into Germany over there. They admire many aspects of German culture and more or less view German people as their western counterparts. They were also military allies of Germany, so their admiration + history with them may lead to some WW2 fetishism. Of course, yes, there is probably an element of provocativeness there as well as that's a core part of early vk.

I don't care so much about the language. If the music is truly heartfelt, the feeling will be conveyed regardless.
If a video exists which I've seen, I'll usually default to that. Otherwise, I put images to music in my head, usually of other times and places. Combining visuals and music is something I think is really special and important. It allows the listener to immerse themselves fully. So I like to take the feeling I'm hearing along with the tone of the instrumentation, and create a story or image from that. For example, Malice Mizer's Apres Midi, I imagine Gackt in the park in the middle of Paris during autumn, surrounded by orange trees, sitting on a bench and watching people go by. One of the people is a woman he instantly attaches to, but she doesn't even notice him. All he can do is hold onto the moment as she fades from view. I feel very bonded with the artist when I think of things this way; perhaps this was the intent of many visual bands!

All I will say is that there is a reason most of us will say what we listen to most are acts like X, MM, Versailles, GazettE etc...where are the newer acts that inspire us like those ones have?
But, this is largely because I feel there isn't a lot of genuine intent in it right now. Compared to having musicians that used vk as a way of self expression and adding a new dimension to the music,  you mostly have standard rock bands that want to dress up because of the history of its success. I also believe the imagery has grown really homogeneous. You get people dressing exactly like more successful acts before them with no improvisation. How often do we have to see a rhythm guitarist that looks exactly like Teru? The lack of creativity is born from a place of dis-ingenuity.
Visual kei has become synonymous with marketing gimmick. Of course, there was always a marketing aspect to it, but there was also a rebellious nature to it, a way of expressing one's inner self and rejecting conformity. Adults on the large seem really afraid to be this way these days. So it's quite sad!
But, I believe like all things, a resurgence will come. There are people who experience the artists I enjoy for the first time now and think "This is really interesting!" For example, that youtuber who makes all those reaction videos where he experiences Japanese artists and usually really enjoys them! This has been my experience showing Japanese music to others as well.
Anything that is or was a pop culture phenomenon will fade out for a bit and come back eventually in full force. Remember how vaporwave was 'ironic' at first, "haha it's so corny and 80s isn't that silly" and now so many people are creating new genres to tap into sounds and moods of the 80s and obsessing over cyberpunk themes and imagery. I don't think visual kei will be too different in the end.
Let's do our best to help it grow further!

All I will say is that there is a reason most of us will say what we listen to most are acts like X, MM, Versailles, GazettE etc...where are the newer acts that inspire us like those ones have?
But, this is largely because I feel there isn't a lot of genuine intent in it right now. Compared to having musicians that used vk as a way of self expression and adding a new dimension to the music,  you mostly have standard rock bands that want to dress up because of the history of its success. I also believe the imagery has grown really homogeneous. You get people dressing exactly like more successful acts before them with no improvisation. How often do we have to see a rhythm guitarist that looks exactly like Teru? The lack of creativity is born from a place of dis-ingenuity.
Visual kei has become synonymous with marketing gimmick. Of course, there was always a marketing aspect to it, but there was also a rebellious nature to it, a way of expressing one's inner self and rejecting conformity. Adults on the large seem really afraid to be this way these days. So it's quite sad!
But, I believe like all things, a resurgence will come. There are people who experience the artists I enjoy for the first time now and think "This is really interesting!" For example, that youtuber who makes all those reaction videos where he experiences Japanese artists and usually really enjoys them! This has been my experience showing Japanese music to others as well.
Anything that is or was a pop culture phenomenon will fade out for a bit and come back eventually in full force. Remember how vaporwave was 'ironic' at first, "haha it's so corny and 80s isn't that silly" and now so many people are creating new genres to tap into sounds and moods of the 80s and obsessing over cyberpunk themes and imagery. I don't think visual kei will be too different in the end.
Let's do our best to help it grow further!

All I will say is that there is a reason most of us will say what we listen to most are acts like X, MM, Versailles, GazettE etc...where are the newer acts that inspire us like those ones have?
But, this is largely because I feel there isn't a lot of genuine intent in it right now. Compared to having musicians that used vk as a way of self expression and adding a new dimension to the music,  you mostly have standard rock bands that want to dress up because of the history of its success. I also believe the imagery has grown really homogeneous. You get people dressing exactly like more successful acts before them with no improvisation. How often do we have to see a rhythm guitarist that looks exactly like Teru? The lack of creativity is born from a place of dis-ingenuity.
Visual kei has become synonymous with marketing gimmick. Of course, there was always a marketing aspect to it, but there was also a rebellious nature to it, a way of expressing one's inner self and rejecting conformity. Adults on the large seem really afraid to be this way these days. So it's quite sad!
But, I believe like all things, a resurgence will come. There are people who experience the artists I enjoy for the first time now and think "This is really interesting!" For example, that youtuber who makes all those reaction videos where he experiences Japanese artists and usually really enjoys them! This has been my experience showing Japanese music to others as well.
Anything that is or was a pop culture phenomenon will fade out for a bit and come back eventually in full force. Remember how vaporwave was 'ironic' at first, "haha it's so corny and 80s isn't that silly" and now so many people are creating new genres to tap into sounds and moods of the 80s and obsessing over cyberpunk themes and imagery. I don't think visual kei will be too different in the end.
Let's do our best to help it grow further!

All I will say is that there is a reason most of us will say what we listen to most are acts like X, MM, Versailles, GazettE etc...where are the newer acts that inspire us like those ones have?
But, this is largely because I feel there isn't a lot of genuine intent in it right now. Compared to having musicians that used vk as a way of self expression and adding a new dimension to the music,  you mostly have standard rock bands that want to dress up because of the history of its success. I also believe the imagery has grown really homogeneous. You get people dressing exactly like more successful acts before them with no improvisation. How often do we have to see a rhythm guitarist that looks exactly like Teru? The lack of creativity is born from a place of dis-ingenuity.
Visual kei has become synonymous with marketing gimmick. Of course, there was always a marketing aspect to it, but there was also a rebellious nature to it, a way of expressing one's inner self and rejecting conformity. Adults on the large seem really afraid to be this way these days. So it's quite sad!
But, I believe like all things, a resurgence will come. There are people who experience the artists I enjoy for the first time now and think "This is really interesting!" For example, that youtuber who makes all those reaction videos where he experiences Japanese artists and usually really enjoys them! This has been my experience showing Japanese music to others as well.
Anything that is or was a pop culture phenomenon will fade out for a bit and come back eventually in full force. Remember how vaporwave was 'ironic' at first, "haha it's so corny and 80s isn't that silly" and now so many people are creating new genres to tap into sounds and moods of the 80s and obsessing over cyberpunk themes and imagery. I don't think visual kei will be too different in the end.
Let's do our best to help it grow further!

There's no originality in it. It's just American pop music made 2 years after the fact, and sung by 8 guys with pink bowl cuts. It's an imitation of soulless music.

I share your view, and perhaps am a little more militant with it. Allow me to explain...
 
I almost always dislike the way people act when they're under the influence. They aren't being their natural selves because substances alter their most natural state of mind and body. You cannot truly connect with someone's heart when they are under the influence.
 
There's also the fact that often times, alcohol and various drugs will destroy people from the inside. The severity varies of course, but I've known people with rotted teeth, destroyed skin, damaged hair, rotting fingernails, bad breath and a general stink caused by their substance abuse. This is just the external effects as well, nevermind the rotting of the brain and various organs. Heroin, meth, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco...it doesn't matter. It all has the same general effect in the end and I've spent my life watching my own parents rot away due to their addictions.
 
Human strength is cultivated by our eternal struggles. We can only grow through self discipline, knowledge and willpower. I believe any problem can be worked through this way. I say this from the perspective of someone with severe depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. Sometimes things can be very difficult for me. But I've always managed to push through because I try to be disciplined. It is not as easy as sitting down with a needle or a bottle and forgetting about whatever my hardship is at that time. But in the end, I feel better off, and I learn how to deal with things for the future. So I don't believe that people need it to get through the ups and downs of life, as they won't truly resolve anything through substance abuse. To me, this is what makes a person weak.
 
I have also known many people who say they cannot truly live without their vices. "I only like music when I'm high", "I'm only creative when I'm high", "I'm only social when I drink" etc. I think when someone reaches this stage, they've lost the ability to truly connect with things and accept/appreciate them as they are, most importantly themselves. If instead of working to heal their mental condition and to enjoy things simply, and instead lives a life where they are controlled by vices, they are living dishonestly and dishonorably. So I cannot respect them.

I share your view, and perhaps am a little more militant with it. Allow me to explain...
 
I almost always dislike the way people act when they're under the influence. They aren't being their natural selves because substances alter their most natural state of mind and body. You cannot truly connect with someone's heart when they are under the influence.
 
There's also the fact that often times, alcohol and various drugs will destroy people from the inside. The severity varies of course, but I've known people with rotted teeth, destroyed skin, damaged hair, rotting fingernails, bad breath and a general stink caused by their substance abuse. This is just the external effects as well, nevermind the rotting of the brain and various organs. Heroin, meth, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco...it doesn't matter. It all has the same general effect in the end and I've spent my life watching my own parents rot away due to their addictions.
 
Human strength is cultivated by our eternal struggles. We can only grow through self discipline, knowledge and willpower. I believe any problem can be worked through this way. I say this from the perspective of someone with severe depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. Sometimes things can be very difficult for me. But I've always managed to push through because I try to be disciplined. It is not as easy as sitting down with a needle or a bottle and forgetting about whatever my hardship is at that time. But in the end, I feel better off, and I learn how to deal with things for the future. So I don't believe that people need it to get through the ups and downs of life, as they won't truly resolve anything through substance abuse. To me, this is what makes a person weak.
 
I have also known many people who say they cannot truly live without their vices. "I only like music when I'm high", "I'm only creative when I'm high", "I'm only social when I drink" etc. I think when someone reaches this stage, they've lost the ability to truly connect with things and accept/appreciate them as they are, most importantly themselves. If instead of working to heal their mental condition and to enjoy things simply, and instead lives a life where they are controlled by vices, they are living dishonestly and dishonorably. So I cannot respect them.

I share your view, and perhaps am a little more militant with it. Allow me to explain...
 
I almost always dislike the way people act when they're under the influence. They aren't being their natural selves because substances alter their most natural state of mind and body. You cannot truly connect with someone's heart when they are under the influence.
 
There's also the fact that often times, alcohol and various drugs will destroy people from the inside. The severity varies of course, but I've known people with rotted teeth, destroyed skin, damaged hair, rotting fingernails, bad breath and a general stink caused by their substance abuse. This is just the external effects as well, nevermind the rotting of the brain and various organs. Heroin, meth, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco...it doesn't matter. It all has the same general effect in the end and I've spent my life watching my own parents rot away due to their addictions.
 
Human strength is cultivated by our eternal struggles. We can only grow through self discipline, knowledge and willpower. I believe any problem can be worked through this way. I say this from the perspective of someone with severe depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. Sometimes things can be very difficult for me. But I've always managed to push through because I try to be disciplined. It is not as easy as sitting down with a needle or a bottle and forgetting about whatever my hardship is at that time. But in the end, I feel better off, and I learn how to deal with things for the future. So I don't believe that people need it to get through the ups and downs of life, as they won't truly resolve anything through substance abuse. To me, this is what makes a person weak.
 
I have also known many people who say they cannot truly live without their vices. "I only like music when I'm high", "I'm only creative when I'm high", "I'm only social when I drink" etc. I think when someone reaches this stage, they've lost the ability to truly connect with things and accept/appreciate them as they are, most importantly themselves. If instead of working to heal their mental condition and to enjoy things simply, and instead lives a life where they are controlled by vices, they are living dishonestly and dishonorably. So I cannot respect them.

I share your view, and perhaps am a little more militant with it. Allow me to explain...
 
I almost always dislike the way people act when they're under the influence. They aren't being their natural selves because substances alter their most natural state of mind and body. You cannot truly connect with someone's heart when they are under the influence.
 
There's also the fact that often times, alcohol and various drugs will destroy people from the inside. The severity varies of course, but I've known people with rotted teeth, destroyed skin, damaged hair, rotting fingernails, bad breath and a general stink caused by their substance abuse. This is just the external effects as well, nevermind the rotting of the brain and various organs. Heroin, meth, cocaine, alcohol, tobacco...it doesn't matter. It all has the same general effect in the end and I've spent my life watching my own parents rot away due to their addictions.
 
Human strength is cultivated by our eternal struggles. We can only grow through self discipline, knowledge and willpower. I believe any problem can be worked through this way. I say this from the perspective of someone with severe depression, anxiety and agoraphobia. Sometimes things can be very difficult for me. But I've always managed to push through because I try to be disciplined. It is not as easy as sitting down with a needle or a bottle and forgetting about whatever my hardship is at that time. But in the end, I feel better off, and I learn how to deal with things for the future. So I don't believe that people need it to get through the ups and downs of life, as they won't truly resolve anything through substance abuse. To me, this is what makes a person weak.
 
I have also known many people who say they cannot truly live without their vices. "I only like music when I'm high", "I'm only creative when I'm high", "I'm only social when I drink" etc. I think when someone reaches this stage, they've lost the ability to truly connect with things and accept/appreciate them as they are, most importantly themselves. If instead of working to heal their mental condition and to enjoy things simply, and instead lives a life where they are controlled by vices, they are living dishonestly and dishonorably. So I cannot respect them.

There's no originality in it. It's just American pop music made 2 years after the fact, and sung by 8 guys with pink bowl cuts. It's an imitation of soulless music.

Anime I've really enjoyed lately are NEW GAME!, Hibike Euphonium, Working!!, Denkigai, Gabriel Dropout, Sweetness & Lightning, I Can't Understand What My Husband Is Saying, Miss Kobayashi's Dragon Maid, Watamote and Interviews With Monster Girls. I don't watch a lot of anime films, but I liked A Silent Voice and Ponyo was incredibly sweet.
I started Chio's School Road today. I like it so far after 3 eps!
 

If this was a Fortnite dance, I'd probably actually play the game just to make everyone look at it.
 

Alcohol and drugs, recreational or not are for the emotionally and mentally weak and are just a crutch and outside of the real medicinal benefits of marijuana, it's all just a way to desensitize yourself from the world and dull the experience that is living because people aren't happy with their lives for one reason or another. This is why I'm straight edge after having experienced both of them and opting out of the social trends of getting drunk and high as the means of having fun has helped me live a more fulfilling and genuine life.

I can't imagine how much fun it must be to do stupid shit while causing liver damage. Alcohol is shit anyway, regardless of if it gives you a buzz or what have you.

Would you believe me if I told you there's a well known competitive Smash player called Gackt? He's apparently one of the best players in the world.
Gackt himself has taken a liking to PUBG and plays competitively, so perhaps he'll gravitate to Smash someday and take on his copycat.

Had to do a double take when I saw this one at the mall. I never found a 1:1 reference picture for it but it obviously takes very liberal inspiration from "No Pains No Gains" Mana
 

There are some VK cosplay websites from 2000-2005 that are still up out there and it always made me laugh how the girls that are showcased always seem to take their screen names from real VK musicians so you get cosplay credits that go "Sugizo by Toshiya" "Hide by Sugizo" "Emiru by Emiru" and so on

I felt based on Deep Sanctuary, Kamijo was a really great fit for them. I think it's because I hear elements of the three original vocalists in his voice; Klaha's 'smoothness', Gackt's general tone and slight nasality, Tetsu's power and vibrato. If they ever get back together in an official sense, I'd really like to have him on the records. Though, I thought all three did well, so I wouldn't be disappointed about any of them.
In a general sense, I find it a little strange that despite their immense popularity, there haven't been a lot of other acts that have tried to recreate a similar sound of any of their eras (at least, that I know of). They've got a sound that is uniquely Malice Mizer. On one hand, I think it's great they're still so prolific, on the other, I'm sad we haven't had more music like it.