This Week in Visual Kei: Comebacks & Anniversaries — August 17, 2026
What a week for Visual Kei, friends. We’ve got reunions, revivals, fresh releases, and celebrations hitting all at once—the kind of news cycle that reminds you why you fell in love with this scene in the first place.
Let’s start with the big comebacks. KUSU KUSU just dropped a new single after 30+ years away, and yes, we’re talking about an actual 1980s Visual Kei act rising from the ashes. This isn’t just nostalgia bait; it’s a genuine Japanese rock revival moment. Meanwhile, Jubaku Hyourei officially returned as a full band after their hiatus, proving that DazzlingBAD’s roster still has plenty of life left in it.
On the release front, things are moving fast. WurtS came through with their debut mini album ‘SPARK’ complete with an exclusive zine—exactly the kind of package release that makes collectors lose their minds. Phantom Siita dropped “Ningyohime no Uta,” which marks their Zepp tour debut, while sugar locked in their 6th single Amagami for November 2026. That’s already on our radars.
Live announcements dominated the second half of the week. Quattro Cantare is bringing serious star power to their debut live in Tokyo next year, and if you caught wind of the guest lineup, you know this is essential viewing. Meanwhile, 鬼ヶ島 and 浅葱 are rounding back for a “Peach Demon” II two-man live—always a reliable move for that chapter-closing energy.
We also got some lovely moments that don’t fit neatly into “new music” categories: LM.C threw a birthday special live for Maya because they’re the kind of band that actually celebrates their members like family, and [Alexandros] opened a 15th anniversary pop-up shop in Harajuku. IQ99 are gearing up for their 7th anniversary one-man show ‘TWINKLE KILLER,’ too.
If that wasn’t enough, T.M.Revolution went full introspective with THE FIRST TAKE versions of their classic hits—stripped back, honest, and absolutely worth your time whether you’ve been riding with them since day one or just discovering them now.
This is the kind of week that feels like Visual Kei’s ecosystem is genuinely thriving: legacy acts coming back, new bands finding their footing, festivals and anniversaries cementing the community. Keep your eyes on November when sugar’s Amagami lands—early indications suggest it’ll be worth the wait.
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