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.
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.
Hideto Matsumoto, known professionally as hide, was a Japanese musician, singer, songwriter, and record producer. He achieved international fame as the lead guitarist of the rock band X Japan from 1987 to 1997 and a solo artist from 1993 onward. He also formed the United States-based rock supergroup Zilch in 1996.
High and Mighty Color was a Japanese rock band active from 2003 to 2010. They had two vocalists; a male and a female.
Abingdon Boys School is a Japanese rock band formed in 2005. It consists of vocalist Takanori Nishikawa, guitarists Sunao and Hiroshi Shibasaki, and keyboardist Toshiyuki Kishi. They have released two studio albums, Abingdon Boys School (2007) and Abingdon Road (2010), both of which reached the number two position on Japan's Oricon chart.
Shinya Yamada, better known by his mononymous stage name Shinya (真矢), is a Japanese musician, media personality and entrepreneur. He is best known as the drummer of the rock band Luna Sea since 1989. He released the solo album No Sticks in 1997, and has also supported other recording acts such as Maki Ohguro, Nanase Aikawa, and Miyavi. Luna Sea are considered one of the most influential bands in the visual kei scene. In addition to his former pupil, Jun-ji, musicians such as Pierre Nakano, Shinya, and Satoyasu Shomura (Alexandros) have cited Shinya as an influence.
Ryuichi Kawamura is a Japanese singer, songwriter, record producer, actor and author. He is best known as lead singer of the rock band Luna Sea since 1989. He started a solo career in 1997, three years before Luna Sea disbanded in 2000. In 2005, Kawamura formed Tourbillon with fellow Luna Sea member Inoran and Hiroaki Hayama. He rejoined Luna Sea when they reunited in August 2010.
Lunacy is the seventh studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on July 12, 2000. It reached number three on the Oricon Albums Chart, charted for six weeks, and was the band's last studio album before disbanding in late 2000.
Shine is the sixth studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on July 23, 1998. It was the band's first since switching record labels to Universal and their second consecutive number one studio album, following 1996's Style. With over 1 million copies sold, it is also their best-selling and was certified Million by the RIAJ. Shine was named "Rock Album of the Year" at the 13th Japan Gold Disc Awards.
Style is the fifth studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on April 22, 1996. It was the band's last on the record label MCA Victor, became their first number one on the Oricon Albums Chart, and charted for 21 weeks. In 1996, it was certified Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 400,000. Luna Sea re-recorded the entire album and released it on November 29, 2023, through Avex Trax.
Mother is the fourth studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on October 26, 1994. It reached number two on the Oricon Albums Chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 400,000. Luna Sea re-recorded the entire album and released it on November 29, 2023, through Avex Trax.
Eden is the third studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on April 21, 1993. It reached number five on the Oricon Albums Chart, and charted for 19 weeks. In 2000, it was certified Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 400,000.
Image is the second studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on May 21, 1992. It is their major label debut on MCA Victor, reached number nine on the Oricon Albums Chart, and charted for 14 weeks. In 2000, it was certified Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 400,000.
Luna Sea is the debut studio album by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released on April 21, 1991, by Extasy Records. It sold over 30,000 copies by July 1992. After reuniting in 2010, Luna Sea re-recorded the whole album and released it on March 16, 2011, through HPQ.
"I for You" is the eleventh single by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released by Universal on July 1, 1998. It reached number 2 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was the 49th best-selling single of the year. It was the third and last in a serial release after the band's hibernation from 1997 to early 1998.
"In My Dream (With Shiver)" is the second single by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released by MCA Victor on July 21, 1993. The song reached number 9 on the Oricon Singles Chart, and charted for four weeks.
"Rosier" is the third single by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released by MCA Victor on July 21, 1994. It reached number 3 on the Oricon Singles Chart and was certified Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 400,000. The song's music video won Best Music Video at the 36th Japan Record Awards.
"End of Sorrow" is the seventh single by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released by MCA Victor on March 25, 1996. It became the band's third number 1 single on the Oricon Singles Chart, and was certified Platinum by the RIAJ for sales over 400,000. This single version of the title track is slightly different from the one that appears on the album, Style.
"Storm" is the ninth single by Japanese rock band Luna Sea, released by Universal on April 15, 1998. Their first release after switching record labels from MCA Victor, "Storm" became the band's fourth number 1 single on the Oricon Singles Chart. It was certified Platinum by the RIAJ and was the 29th best-selling single of the year with 720,370 copies sold, which makes it the band's best-selling single. It was used as the April 1998 theme song for NHK's music television show Pop Jam.
The discography of the Japanese rock band Luna Sea consists of 10 studio albums, 3 live albums, 3 self cover albums, 10 compilations, 10 instrumental remix albums, 21 singles, and 34 home videos.
