Tokyo Rock Catwalk - Visual Kei Bands Big in Japan (a J!-ENT Book Review)

“If you are a visual kei fan who loves the fashion, loves the guys or simply looking for a reference for ideas for an upcoming J-rock cosplay or to look like a visual kei rocker, ‘Tokyo Rock Catwalk’ is definitely the book for you!”

BOOK: Tokyo Rock Catwalk - Visual Kei Bands Big in Japan

COMPANY: Cocoro Books (DH Publishing, Inc.)

PAGE COUNT: 96 pages

OFFICIAL WEBSITE

This is Tokyo Rock Scene

Boys as girls, girls as boys, hideous monsters crooning ballads, nothing as it seems in Tokyo’s rock scene.  Colorful, creative and innovative, this scene is one of the most exciting things in Japan right now.  Are you ready for noise?  Are you ready for TOKYO ROCK CATWALK?

What started out as a small movement of like-minded bands in the late 1980’s is now a force to be reckoned with.  “Visual Kei” bands are sporting some of the hottest looks and creating some of the wickedest sounds in the world and they are finally to make noise overseas as well.  Now is the time for you to find out what Japanese fans have known for years.  Visual Kei is HOT!  We’ve got some of the best new bands on display in here sporting some of the most outrageous outfits this side of GWAR.  Do you think you can handle TOKYO ROCK CATWALK?

TOKYO ROCK CATWALK is the latest volume in cocoro books’ photobook series.  cocoro books is dedicated to bringing you the best and latest pop culture news from Japan and this time we’ve got a whopper for you.  Sexy, scary and out of this world, this photographic guide to visual kei rockers will be appreciated by hardcore fans and total nOObs alike.  Dive headfirst into the world of TOYO ROCK CATWALK!!

I have to really have to credit cocoro books and DHP Publishing for their Japanese book releases.  There are so many niches of Japanese pop culture from cosplay, anime figurine collectors, art books, j-rock, cute bar girls, Japanese tatoos, ninjas…you name it, they have released a book on it.

And one of the reasons why their books have become so successful is the great price and that these photobooks sport full color, full page photos.

With J-rock and visual kei becoming so popular in America, Europe and literally all over the world, we have seen many Japanese visual kei bands brought from Japan to perform at a wide variety of events and many fans who emulate the look or clothing of these band members.

Some who have the look as part of their fashion in their lifestyle and those who just like to cosplay as one or perhaps a hardcore fan who just love these guys!

Cocoro Books “Tokyo Rock Catwalk” is a perfect reference for those who want to large photos as a reference to learn about the styles from 31 visual kei bands in Japan.  Some bands that many are familiar with such as Suicide Ali, Kurogane, Julia, Tokami, Seed and many more.

The book features a foreword by Le Bris Mihara Tadayuki who talks about his life as a visual kei bass player for his band and how in real life, he is a very shy person.  But once he transforms himself with the makeup and clothing, he’s a whole different person.

Another foreword includes Ando Misaki who is a cosplayer who loves to dress up in visual kei clothing with friends in Harajuku.

And that is pretty much the copy content.  The majority of the book are all full color photos dedicated to the bands.

On the table of contents, you are given the page number of the band, a thumbnail photo, the names of the band members, their official website URL and some with MySpace URL’s.

You get full color photos of the group and some with individual pictures of each band member.  Some bands that feature their live photography.  And as mentioned, their are 31 visual kei bands featured.

Again, I think that cocoro books has another hit in their hands.  Many fans really love the magazines or anything that deals with the fashion coverage or photography of visual kei bands.

“Tokyo Rock Catwalk” is pretty cool that it really does showcase the variety of bands and each band have their unique style, not too many similarities.

So, definitely another good photo book reference for fans who are cosplaying, people who are inspired to incorporate the look into their own fashion or fans of these bands or fans of visual kei in general.

Also, the fact that fans can get to learn more about other visual kei bands in Japan through this book is another plus.

This is primarily a photo book, so for those wanting bios or written content for each band, you’re not going to find it in this book.  This is primarily a photo book on visual kei bands in Japan.

So, for it’s great price and as a photo reference, this is another solid release that targets another niche of fans of Japanese pop culture!   Check it out!