Luna Sea is a Japanese rock band formed in Kanagawa Prefecture in 1986. Due to the use of makeup and costumes early in their career and their widespread popularity, they are considered one of the most successful and influential bands in the visual kei movement. Throughout the mid-1990s they used significantly less makeup, and after a one-year break in 1997, came back with a more mainstream alternative rock style and toned down their on-stage attire. They disbanded in 2000. In 2003, HMV Japan ranked Luna Sea at number 90 on their list of the 100 most important Japanese pop acts.
Luna Sea in 2013. From left to right: J, Inoran, Ryuichi, Shinya, Sugizo
Luna Sea performing at the Hollywood Palladium in 2010. The concert was recorded and released as the theatrical film and live album, Luna Sea 3D in Los Angeles.
Luna Sea performing in Singapore in February 2013.
Several Luna Sea songs feature the violin played by Sugizo.
Visual kei , abbreviated v-kei , is a category of Japanese musicians that have a strong focus on extravagant stage costumes that originated in Japan during the early 1980s. Koji Dejima of Bounce wrote that visual kei is not a specific sound, but rather it "revolves around the creation of a band's unique worldview and/or stylistic beauty through visual expressions in the form of makeup and fashion". While visual kei bands can be of any music genre, it is generally associated with glam rock, punk rock, and heavy metal.
Originally a visual kei band, Glay went on to become one of the best-selling musical acts in Japan.
Versailles performing in 2010, wearing costumes inspired by the French Rococo style
Luna Sea in Singapore, 2013
Japanese fans doing X Japan cosplay