There are diffrent types of visual kei:
1.Oshare Kei
Is
the more happy version to the Visual Kei, much of it is pretty much
cute subjects. It also contains alot of the most cutting edge fashion
today as is main perspectiv and also by so is seen to be the most
fashionable of the three.
Example bands to this: An Cafe, Panic Channel, SuG, LM.C & Ayabie.
2.Angura Kei
3. Kote kei
this type of Visual Kei is considered the oldest and most established form. In my opinion, it’s the type of VK that most people think about when they think about the genre as a whole. I like to call it the “classic” look. Usually the hair style is dramatic as well as the clothing. It is also important to note that this sub-genre is found in two types “Black” and “White” in which a band can portray a darker side as with the first type or a lighter more melodic side as with the latter. Types of Kote Kei are La’Mule, early Dir en Grey, Lariene, and Madeth Gray’ll.
4.Lolita kei
To be honest I’m not sure if this should even constitute as even a subgenre since the Lolita fashion styles have been influenced and have influenced Visual Kei since the really old days with Mana in Malice Mizer. But this style is considered more over the top, more elegant, and has a stronger goth rock influence. Also, the gender bending seems to be more distinct. If I am correct, examples of this type of Kei would be Versailles and Kaya.
The name is the combination of the English words “Erotic” and “Grotesque” often utilizing such extreme themes in an unnatural and twisted manner. As stated in the description of Angura Kei, the two genres are often related and have overlapping bands. The culture influencing the Eroguro style though has an older history, stemming from the 1920s – 1930’s and anyone who has seen tentacle porn will note that this disturbing and sexual theme is very much entrenched in the Japanese culture. With that in mind, Eroguro is something very old in comparison to Visual Kei. Eroguro Kei though is the representation of this old theme in the genre. Cali=Gari whose name comes from the notorious silent horror film The Cabinet of Dr. Caligari is considered the pioneer of the genre. Others bands considered Eroguro would be Merry or MUCC. DIR EN GREY, especially during their Vulgar period is arguably Eroguro Kei.
6.Nagoya kei
This subgenre is the only region based one that I know of and it’s also one of the more commonly known types of Kei. It is based out of Nagoya, Japan-obviously. It tends to be darker and gloomier and have stronger Western-usually British punk rock influences. There is also less emphasis on the looks. And fans of the genre who tend to be bias toward it like to say that because they pay less attention to their looks, they pay more to their music. Personally as someone who likes most forms of Visual Kei, I think that’s bullshit. Nagoya Kei tends to be made of a tight knit community. One can see members of various bands forming bands together etc. Silver~Rose is considered the forefather of the genre. Other bands include Laputa, Kuroyume, Gullet, Lynch, Deathgaze and lynch. There also tends to be controversy as to which bands are considered Nagoya Kei and which are not since being from that area doesn’t denote you as being such. Some bands like 9 Goats Black Out don’t consider themselves Nagoya Kei however they have the member connections, the look and even the sound to suggest they are.
7.Iyrou kei
This style is hardly one and rarely used – at least outside of Japan. Iryou means “medical” and it features this use of grotesque medical themes such as bloody lab coats and eye patches. This is obviously related to the uniquely Japanese fetish with wounds, hospitals and injuries. Personally, I feel that bands sometimes go through phases in which this theme is used. Bands that are associated with Iyrou Kei are Sex Android and +isolation.
8.Koteosa kei.
This subgenre is a spin on Oshare Kei, being its “black version.” Bands that fit into this subgenre would be LM.C and Lolita23Q.
9.Soft kei.
This is considered by some as a subgenre. It usually describes bands that have a “lighter” as in more casual look and have more poppy elements. Bands that fit in this genre would be SID and Glay.
