Best Japanese Rock Bands

No limitations. Put your favorite Japanese rock band here and vote for them. Rock/punk, Rock/Pop, Rock/Visual Kei and similar genres are accepted. Don't agree with the list? Vote for an existing item you think should be ranked higher or if you are a logged in, add a new item for others to vote on or create your own version of this list.

1Gazette

+257The most professional modern rock band what I've ever heard. They're fantastic. Very very good musicians, and they're the BEST band for me. I had a lots of impression of them to make my own music /I'm rock-musician too/

+214The GazettE is by far my favorite band simply because their music touches me and moves me. they have the ability of making me happy, accompanying me when I'm sad, cooling down my anger and just being fun to rock out to. It's the combination of vocals and instrumental that make the songs so touching. Every member is so talented. Uruha's and Aoi's guitar, Reita's bass, Ruki's voice and Kai's drums are just awesome. Their lives are always amazing and prove their talent and dedication to what they create and do.

+182The GazettE will be the band that every kid in japan will look up to, like how they did when X-japan or luna sea was together. They simply have every variation of music, from rock to metal to alternative metal and rock and of course BALLADS too. They are so awesome I will still listen to them until I get married...

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2X Japan

+76X Japan does somethings other bands can't.
They actually HELP people, their lyrics touch our hearts.
They disbanded 1997 and came back. Why?
Because not only are they the gods of J-rock and Visual Kei, They love what they do. And we can hear it. :)
We are X.
Forever.

+34X Japan has changed my life completely last 20 years. They showed me 'The dream WILL come true, if you try very hard' YOSHIKI never betray me. How long take it, once he said so, he will do. 20 years ago, YOSHIKI said he wanted to go to the world. 20 years on, he is now conquering the world. As I'm Japanese, I'm really proud of X Japan. They are loved all over the world now.

+29I can't imagine my life without their songs. I'm a fan of X-Japan since 8-9 years and their songs are the best medicine for my sadnes. This year is unique, because I was at X-Japan's gig in Berlin. I must say that it was the best day in my life! And... how couldn't love Yoshiki?
We are X! Now, tomorrow, forever.

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3L'Arc~en~Ciel

+89you are the best l'arc en ciel...

you are my inspiration..

never die l'arc en ciel...

+63I just love them! I love every single of their songs. Each of the member have their own specialty and getting it all together resulting a very great and beautiful tone. Their music gives the same feeling when we see a rainbow on the sky, so beautiful, warm heart, comforting, and... Majestic! They are just the best! Simply the best!

+59L'Arc en Ciel is the first band I've ever admire since I'm a child and I will never stop listening to them. their music have its own style and I love all of their songs. I always get crazy when I saw them on TV.

Laruku! Never stop composing new songs! I wish to hear more great songs from L'Arc en Ciel! HYDE! TETSU! KEN! YUKI! YAMENAIDE KUDASAI YO!

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4Dir en grey

+70I love Kyo's voice, it's great! And I find their music special. No other j-rock band doesn't have similar style.

+49I've followed them for over 12 years and have not gotten bored of their music. They really know how to reinvent themselves and keep their fans interested.

+28"I think that we have the courage to do what the others are scared to. I mean, musically we go beyond the format established elsewhere. Our visuals and videos are meticulous, outrageous and grotesque. The whole identity of the band is unique. This is our strength. We motivate each other, the idea is to grow together, develop together, and continue to inspire each other with what we each bring to the band. It's definitely a plus. Also, most of the bands try to be friendly to the people, to the media ; this is not our case. We are not here to please anybody and we have the courage to do what we want to do in every level. " - Die

Need to say anything else?

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5SCANDAL

+131SCANDAL Must be the first, SCANDAL have the fastest guitarist girl ever, the beat is impressive, all of them is Beautiful, Kawaii, Moe I'll always supporting SCANDAL, keep up the good work girls, I'll always waiting for you Mami chan

+106SCANDAL may not be the #1 Rock Band, but they're definitely the #1 All-girl Rock Band! They had it all---Talent, Looks, Attitude---and they're still improving! And the combination of Haru's and Tomo's voices is just so amazing! I'm so looking forward to what these girls can do in the future.

+101Scandal is the most powerful girlband! They must be the first. Other than that, their songs was really great and awesome just like them! So COOL! And take note! All of them were GIRLS!

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6Versailles

+68Beautiful. Visual. Elegant. Skillful. Everything that contributes to an amazing band is seen with Versailles, even now that they have a new member they are still going and reaching new limits. Soon they will rule above most and when that day comes and it will, it will because of their musical skill and artistry. They will be on top one day!

+55Definitely deserves #1; these guys will go down in J-Rock history, if you can even classify their music in that genre. Kamijo's vocals are outstanding, Hizaki and Teru's solo leave me speechless. Seriously these guys are so underrated.

+40Versailles must be the First! They're simply perfect. The Visual Kei are based on lyrics, ero guru, the costumes and overreality videos, and Versailles is more completly and their sound is like the GODS. The Versailles music expresses all you wanted to hear all your life. I love the Visual Kei and Power Metal, my favorites of all genres I listen and Versailles is a combination o both and more, and their customes reflect the greatness and superiority, when the members are like kids and have good heart. X JAPAN must be the second, but Versailles is the new generation and a young band with excesive tallent an charism above these other bands 'cause in Japan are very commercial. WE ARE VERSAILLES!

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7Alice Nine

+33Alice Nine should be no.1! Some bands don't deserve to be higher than alice nine! Try playing "the last empire", "shunkatshuutou", "blue planet" and "kousai"... And also "akatsuki" then reconsider...

+24"They are definitely a band that is unique from the rest. They have a classical visual kei look and more rhythmic songs. Good catchy music and all are very HANDSOME!

+24I love this band very much! Shou's voice is so beautiful! The lyrics are meaningful and touched my heart. Hiroto & Tora & Saga are talented on compose and I love Nao's drumbeat! All of them are talented! I love them very much

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8UVERworld

+65I just LOVE them, I can't explain it. They don't give me a headache like L'Arc~en~Ciel and Dir en Grey give me. They're just AWESOME! I can listen to them all the time and not get tired of them. They have such a great variety of songs that I just enjoy listening to them all the time.

UVERworld FOR THE WIIN!

+44yes I can listen to UVERworld songs at least a hundred times in a row!

+37I don't know much about UVERworld but they have the most number of songs here in my playlist above all of these j-rock bands. All I can say is I love their music and I support them!

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9Nightmare

+40I FREAKING LOVE THIS BAND! I GOT HOOKED TO THEM AFTER I HEARD THEM IN DEATH NOTE OMG I LOVE THEM

+24This is a band that I feel is slightly underrated in the VK world. Their style has evolved much since their indies day and is more polished in terms of musical skills and performance.

+21They're the best band in the world in my opinion. I really love them and their music, they experiment with a lot of different styles and every one of them are amazing.

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10SID

+79I like there music, it sounds great... Just follow what you see about SID, you'll love theme and there music, my heart... can't hide the emotion when I hear any song of SID! I love Mao's voice, so sweet like candy~ ^_^ Anyway, SID is the best Jrock Band in my life...

+62Mao's voice is the best! I believe he really puts soul into his music. Also he's so hot :3 I LOVE THEM! I can tell Mao really cares for his band members, and when I was watching the concert on youtube, they all seemed to be having fun making the music they were singing and playing. Which is important to me when doing stuff like that. You gotta love what you are doing to make it good. And they do that. They aren't just good they are epically awesome!

+45the best music ever! SID is my favorite band ever!
and Shinji is so handsomee

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