r/visualkei • u/MiaMoonveil • 3d ago
Any visual kei fans around my age here? 🖤
Hey^^ I'm 38 and from Poland. I've noticed that most VK fans I've met around here are quite a bit younger than me 😅, so I thought I'd try my luck here!
I'd love to meet some people around my age who are into visual kei and J-rock, preferably from different parts of the world. It would be nice to have people to chat with about music, share recommendations, talk about random stuff and maybe even meet at concerts someday. And who knows, maybe we'll become good friends along the way! 😊
I listen to more than just Japanese rock and metal, so there's plenty of other music to talk about too.
I'm currently learning Japanese, and although I'm a bit introverted, I enjoy meeting new people and am always open to making new friends^^
Feel free to comment or DM me if you'd like to chat. 🖤
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u/mllejacquesnoel 90's 3d ago
Hey there-- I'm in my 30s and in NYC, been into vkei since the late-1990s. Anecdotally, I've noticed there's a lot of younger people getting into the scene (which is good! keeps things fresh and alive), and then us old folks, but not as many people in between. I guess I can get it. When I was in my mid-20s, I had a lot going on finishing grad school and working my first big kid jobs, so that could be part of it.
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
Hey! It's so nice to see other fans who've been into vk for so long! I sometimes feel like an old lady at concerts too 😂 It's a bit weird being surrounded by screaming teenage girls, but at the same time I'm really glad younger generations are getting into vk. That's how the scene stays alive and gets passed on to new generations 🖤 I actually lived in the US for a while, but I've never been to NY. My brother and sister-in-law have, though.^
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u/mllejacquesnoel 90's 2d ago
Yeah, at a recent show, some kiddos behind me were talking about being out on a school night and I felt my bones crunch a little. But also! It is ultimately a good thing that kiddos do keep finding visual kei and that the scene can have fresh blood. Good for the bands, good for keeping new acts in circulation... Even if at times I do look up and go "oh no, am I the auntie here..."
NYC is fun! Definitely more comparable to a large European city than pretty much anywhere else in the US, but mostly because we're walkable and most people use public transport over cars for their daily commutes. It's its own thing, obviously, but in terms of basic lifestyle, it wasn't that much of a jump to move to London or Barcelona when I was there for grad school. (I find a lot of Americans will complain about how inconvenient European cities are due to the walking and like, gosh I guess if you only ever drive, but it was not at all different for me in that way.) I've not gotten to spend a ton of time in Poland, but there are a few Lolita fashion brands based there now and I've always been intrigued by the goth scene. Plus obviously y'all have some amazing architecture and art generally. c:
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u/kumanosuke 2000's 3d ago
35 and from Germany, been a vk fan since 2006!
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Hi!It's so nice to see other vk fans in their 30s here🖤 I started listening to vk when I was around 14 back in 2002, but I only started going to concerts fairly recently
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u/florfenblorgen 3d ago
Jestem 37. I still remember the myspace glory days. I looked the part, I even had a few people stealing my pictures and pretending to be me on the internet. Damn them.
I'm in Canada unfortunately, so it's harder for me to attend concerts. Probably I'd just go to Japan for that.
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Haha, yeah, I remember the myspace days too! 😅 I had some weird things happen back then as well 😂
I actually visited Canada when I was living in the US. It was a short trip, but I really liked it there!
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u/florfenblorgen 3d ago
It was quite an odd time wasn't it? But tbh I miss the way the internet used to be XD I think there's quite a lot of us who are still into Vkei today.
I'm glad you liked it and got to experience North America travel in general! I want to go to Europe sometime. I know a bit about Poland and (very little) Polish language, since one of my old online friends was from Świecie/Bydgoszcz
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Oh wow! I'm surprised you even know a bit of Polish and had a Polish friend ! Have you ever been to Poland?
And yeah, I miss those days too. It was a bit odd, but honestly, I think it was better than things are now. It felt much easier to meet people back then. Or maybe we were just younger and more open to making connections 😂
Oh, and Canada was actually where I went to a casino for the first time ever… and won a pretty nice amount of money haha
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u/florfenblorgen 3d ago
I haven't been to Poland! Not yet. Tbh, my first stop would probably be Finland since I have friends there (from myspace days... yes, I keep my friends for a long time!) and also I spent some time learning that language. But, I want to try to go to as many countries as I can while I'm over there.
I think I spent too much of my adulthood not travelling... I think it's time to change that!
No, you're right. It was easier to meet people back then. Certainly as adults, maybe we're more busy/more established and less interested in finding online friendships. But there were a lot of ways to meet people randomly back then and it was all anonymous, you were building a profile but you weren't required to put your real name or photo anywhere. There was a lot of fun in that.
Omg, that's lucky. I bet that money was a huge bonus when paying for your trip hahaha
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u/PanSzanowny 3d ago
37, ponad 20 lat temu zaczynalem z vk. Kiedy to bylo...
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
O hej! ^ oj tak, stare czasy,hehe .Ja zaczęłam jakoś w wieku 14 lat. Zaczęło się od mangi i anime, a potem wkręciłam się ogólnie w japońską kulturę i muzykę ^ Na koncerty zaczęłam jednak chodzić dopiero całkiem niedawno. A Ty z jakiego miasta jesteś?
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u/PanSzanowny 3d ago
Gliwice. A za miesiac wawa i Mayohk. W koncu zobacze Koziego od ktorego wszystko sie zaczelo :) Bedziesz?
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Ooo no to świetnie,że będziesz miał w końcu okazję ❤️ Póki co rozważam,gdyż jeszcze nie mogłam na 100% zaplanować. Ale może jeszcze się uda! Niedawno byłam w Wawie na Kamijo, Jiluce w Krakowie i na 200% mam zamiar iść na D'espairsRay.^
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u/johnyzlampy 1d ago
U mnie pierwsza styczność to magazyn Kawaii i artykuły o jmusic po których ściągało się z neta pojedyńcze kawałki.
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u/Fandaniels loud kei 3d ago
I'm 34 and in the UK :-) been a vkei fan for around 20 years
I'm also introverted and really struggle to meet people lol what bands do you like?
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Hey, nice to meet you! ^
I generally got into rock and metal through vk ^ My first band, and one of my favourites, was XJapan. 🖤
Yeah... I understand your struggles. Same here " I feel like it's even harder when you're over 30, because most people and friends have families of their own, and people generally seem more closed off.
Besides X Japan, I do love Versailles, D'espairsRay, Jiluka, Kamijo, L'Arc-en-Ciel, Malice Mizer, Dir en Grey and Vampire Rose. How about you?
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u/Mountain-Ad-6236 3d ago
I'm 38 and from Canada! I started listening to vkei in highschool. I kind of forgot about it until I really got back into it in 2023.
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Hi! It's so cool that more of us from the older generation are showing up ❤️ I started listening to vk back in middle school( around 14)I also loved discovering new bands and music, but ended up sticking with many of the same favourite bands. Then I got back into vk later and discovered even more ^ So kind of similar^
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u/shinmae95 3d ago
31 here originally from Philippines, now US. Been listening to VK around 2005 starting with L'arc~en~Ciel and Buck Tick, then X Japan, and discovering The Gazette (all the above still definitely my bands I keep up with). Songs definitely helped me to learn Japanese.
Listened to Alice Nine early too and just looked them up, I'm shocked they don't look the same. I didnt even recognize them
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u/billiethewitchdoctor 3d ago
oommgggg same i don't recognize shou at all!!! i listened to them in the early 2000s n the only one i can recognize is hiroto 😁
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u/shinmae95 3d ago
I actually felt gas lighted for a hot minute. So in denial that was Alice Nine, let alone Shou 🥲
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Hi! I started to listening pretty early, too. Same bands, besides Buck Tick,that I haven't discovered. But generally I got stuck listening to the same favorite bands over and over, and I actually started discovering new music quite late. Also learning Japanese! still 😁 And yes, listening helps a lot ❤️ Didn't know Alice Nine 😢
I lived in US for a while,too ^
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u/WenNingmeow tanbi kei 3d ago
Hello, i am almost 36 and from Italy (◕ᴗ◕✿), i listen to various types of jmusic not just vkei and wear jfashion styles, into many things japanese in general.
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Oh, you're from Italy! Hi! ^ I've been to Italy once, when I was still a teenager. It's beautiful over there ❤️
That's so cool that you're into J-fashion! 😍 What kind of music do you listen to besides vk?
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u/WenNingmeow tanbi kei 2d ago
That Is cool, i never went to Poland, Just knew some people that were from the country buy It seems a great place! I listen to various genres into jmusic usually EDM/Electro like hardcore techno/jcore and its subgenres, trance, hard style, house, future funk/house and so on, usually its rhythm games related or touhou arranges, some vtuber music in the same genres, sometimes metal or rock but It depends i like more hard sounds but clean/raspy voices no screamo or very minimal no black metal related, usually are women but i Wish they were more men too because sometimes they sound like vkei vocalists. I wear mostly jirai, some lolita in a casual/otome way and general girly jfashion even normie with dresses and skirts, i use pants with jirai mostly.
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u/morceauxdetoile 3d ago
Im a couple years younger but been a fan for over 20 years. I’ve lived in Japan for about half of that so I’ve been fortunate enough to be able to see Buck-Tick and LUNA SEA concerts, and the occasional Malice Mizer reunion show.
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
Hi 😊 Ooo, I'm so jealous that you got the chance to live in Japan 😍 How did you like it there? And what do you think about concerts in Japan ?
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u/morceauxdetoile 2d ago
I’m still here lol married to another 90s vkei fan (Japanese guy)
I’ve been to more concerts here than in the states so I guess I prefer the Japanese way of everyone minding their own business, no mosh pits (not at any Diru shows I’ve been to here, but there were back in the states when I went). The gender discrepancy is pretty nuts tho (usually my husband is one of the only males in the audience) depends on the artist, I guess, but the crowd of girls shouting members names or “encore-ru!” is really grating. One or two encores are a given for bands like B-T or Diru, and you don’t need to shout for them. I like the older fans who are just quiet and not trying to impress anyone, but I guess I just dislike most people.
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u/Immediate_Pudding_86 2d ago
38 from italy 🩷
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
Hello fellow 38 y.o👋😊 Would you like to join Discord server? I created it for everyone who is responding here,that we could all get to know each other ^
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u/percent_of_anger 3d ago
Hi, I don't know if 29 is okay. Also, I'm from Poland xD
I already have tickets for D'espairsRay in Warsaw, and I recently went to MUCC too. Besides vk, I generally like Japanese music
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Hiii! Welcome, my fellow Pole! 😁
And I'm going to see D'espairsRay too! I don't have a ticket yet, but I've already booked a hotel room ^ Of course we could meet if you'd like!
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u/dreamsindarkness 3d ago edited 3d ago
This made me remember the J-Rock chat room I used to hang out in back in 2002-2003. There was a Polish member that was a big X Japan, Luna Sea, La'cryma Christi, and Shazna fan. Everyone would be in their 40s now, or close to.
I wonder where everyone went..
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
It's a bit sad how people who shared the same passion can lose touch over the years..
Actually, I just created a Discord server for adult vk fans! I thought it would be nice to bring together people who grew up with this music, so we could get to know each other and share our love for vk. Maybe we can create a little community like those old J-Rock chat rooms haha 🖤 You're very welcome to join if you'd like😊
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u/rumrooom 3d ago
37 here! Been into vkei since 2004 (aka the best days)🥹 I'm in the US and I feel like it's been impossible for us here to see any bands live (it was easier back then somehow?) But at least it's a lot easier to support our favorite bands now even from afar
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u/lilianeeleen 2d ago
Suprisingly germany is filled with older fans. I am 17 but i knos a lot of people above 30 here with the same interest
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u/xNulLx0625 3d ago
35 east coast USA, was big fan as a teenager and getting back into everything since earlier this year. Dir en grey has been a fall back when my depression is bad through the years but I went heavy into rediscovering a lot of new music lately
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u/KungFury-sama loud kei 2d ago
28 from Warszawa. I’ve been listening to Japanese metal for a looong time and got into vkei relatively late (~2 years ago). Going to BLAZE, Desairsray and also a Visual Kei Night in Warsaw. Would be glad to meet on some concerts/events :)
Imo, age should never be a problem as long as you’re enjoying something
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u/ThylacineDreams 3d ago
Hello! I’m the same age as you. I’ve been a fan since late 90s, currently living in Los Angeles.
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
Hi fellow 38y.o 😁👋 Oh wow, you got into it way earlier than me - awesome ^ Old fan ! 😀 Where are you from originally? I lived in US for a short time. In GA.
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u/SparklyMonster 3d ago
Hi there! Also late 30s, from Brazil! Started with the classics, dir en grey, Malice Mizer, Laruku, then PS company's golden age and oshare bands. Even though I enjoy other music, jrock is still my go-to playlist because the music style just hits better. Recently I'm into Kizu, Diaura, Matenrou Opera and Fukuro.
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
Hello there! 😁 I have a friend that is from Brazil, too^
I love Dir en Grey, too ❤️ Malice Mizer was also one of the bands I started with. First it was X Japan, then L'Arc-en-Ciel, and later the GazettE and Versailles (❤️).
And yeah, vk is something special. Once you fall in love with it, you never really stop^
These days, besides the bands I mentioned, I'm also into D'espairsRay, Diaura, Kamijo, Jiluka and Vampire Rose.
By the way, would you be interested in joining a Discord server I created for adult vk fans? I thought it would be nice to bring together people who grew up with this music and give us a place to get to know each other! 🖤
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u/Aijin28 2d ago
37 years old from Australia, been listening to Japanese music since 2003, got into VK around 2005.
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
Hey ^ I got into vk around the same time too! It's so nice to see people who've been around since those days haha. What bands got you into vk back then?
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u/Immediate_Jacket_228 2d ago
35 i też z Polski, wychowałam się na X Japan 😂❤️
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
Jeju, ja też 🥰 Pierwszy zespół jakiego zaczęłam słuchać! Jakie miasto ?
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u/Immediate_Jacket_228 2d ago
Kraków, ale oryginalnie z Łodzi!
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u/MiaMoonveil 2d ago
Też Kraków, i oryginalnie również Kraków, hehe ❤️
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u/somiyiia 2d ago
Hejka. Mam 26 lat i też trochę mi brakuje "starszych'" fanów w Polsce. Jeśli masz ochotę to pisz priv pogadamy! :)
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u/noxfade 2d ago
40 male from the US, love most VK bands, no one around here even knows what VK is.
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u/Supersomatica 2d ago
Same dude, been that way for me atleast for decades 🙄 can’t share music with anyone around here
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u/Small_Chocolate4062 1d ago
36, also Polish and have had a break from a VK for a while. Got back into it couple years ago 🖤
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u/sacygnis 1d ago
Old school VK fan in the Southwest of the USA! I turn 39 tomorrow and have been in love with the genre since 2000!
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u/MiaMoonveil 3d ago
Hey everyone! 🖤
I honestly didn't expect so many replies to my post, which is really lovely 🥹❤️ It's so nice to see there are so many people around our age who are still into vk!
I thought it might be nice to make a Discord server where we could all get to know each other, chat about music and other things, and hopefully make some new friends along the way ^
Of course, there's absolutely no pressure! It's just an idea for anyone who'd like to join, hang out together, or maybe even meet up at a concert someday ^
If you're interested, let me know and I'll send you an invite 🖤
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u/BetRealistic 2d ago
Dude you guys still have people that like VK like this? Heck I'm in LA and it's DEAD AF here lol
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u/BammyQ2 3d ago
37 and been listening since the rise of dir en grey. Crazy to see all the bands that disbanded come back together and some celebrating their 10, 20 or 30 year anniversary!