VKNews

After six years away, the vocalist of one of Japan's most theatrical Visual Kei acts is making a long-awaited return to the spotlight. Mikoto (-真天地開闢集団-ジグザグ) will guest on the 74th episode of *いじくりROCKS!* ("ijikuri ROCKS!"), the streaming show co-hosted by MUCC's Tatsurou and NoGoD's Danchō, airing **April 21, 2026 at 7:00 PM JST**. This marks Mikoto's first in-studio appearance since the program's early days—a six-year gap that makes this a genuinely significant moment for fans. -真天地開闢集団-ジグザグ (literally "True Heaven-Earth Genesis Collective Zigzag") have been quietly building momentum. Last year they released the single **"P0WER -悪霊退散-"** ("P0WER -Evil Spirit Exorcism-"), which became the opening theme for the anime adaptation of *Hell Teacher Nube*. The band is currently in the middle of their nationwide tour **"2026 ＜47 Prefectures Leisurely Pilgrimage Purification ~Phase Two＞,"** bringing their unmistakabl...

A forgotten gem from 2012 has finally made its way to streaming platforms. Litchi☆Hikari CLUB and machine's collaborative split mini-album *Rendez-vous* is now available on all major streaming services, bringing this rare release to Western fans who may have missed its original limited run. For those unfamiliar, Litchi☆Hikari CLUB is a theatrical Visual Kei unit known for their avant-garde aesthetics and experimental sound design, while machine has recently made waves with their 2024 revival featuring new members. This split represents an interesting snapshot of the Japanese underground scene from over a decade ago—a time when physical releases with exclusive DVD bonuses were the standard for limited-edition drops. The original 2012 release came in three editions: limited type A and type B, each packaged with exclusive music video DVDs ("innocent fever" and "Phantom of the end" respectively), while a standard edition contained identical audio across all ...

If you're the type to let great music slip through the cracks during a busy year, JaME has your back. The legendary Japanese music publication just dropped their annual Staff Picks 2025 Playlist on Spotify—a curated collection assembled by team members across JaME's international editions, and it's packed with everything from infectious idol pop to crushing metal and laid-back hip-hop. For Western VK fans, this playlist is essential listening. JaME's mission has always centered on bridging the gap between Japan's thriving underground music scene and overseas listeners hungry for something beyond the mainstream. That ethos shines through here: you'll find both established names and rising acts that deserve your attention, all handpicked by critics who genuinely know their stuff. The range is genuinely impressive. Whether you're after the energetic rock sound that defined the VK scene's golden era, the melodic metal that bands like **NEMOPHILA** and...