VK Chronicle

ヴィジュアル系ニュース & レビュー

Visual Kei Record Labels

The indie labels, major imprints, and sub-labels behind the scene — who they are, where they're based, and the bands they've built. Data sourced from vk.gy.

VK Indie

PS COMPANY (PSC)

Tokyo 2000

One of the most influential indie labels of the 2000s VK boom. Responsible for breaking the GazettE, ALICE NINE., and a generation of acts that defined the scene internationally.

the GazettE ALICE NINE. Kagrra, D=OUT Kra MIYAVI SCREW SuG ViViD BORN Dué le quartz
Indie PSC.
VK Indie

FREE-WILL

Tokyo c. 1992

One of the longest-running indie labels in VK. Home to Dir en grey during their formative indie years, and still active today through KIZU and MERRY.

DIR EN GREY MERRY KIZU 12012 Kagerou RENTRER EN SOI sugar
FIREWALL DIV. Anarchist Records BIG FOREST RECORDS DAMAGE Einustar Records
VK Indie

DANGER CRUE

Tokyo 1981 Under MAVERICK DC GROUP

Founded in 1981 and one of the oldest labels in Japanese rock. Part of the MAVERICK DC GROUP umbrella and home to an enormous roster of VK heavyweights across four decades.

L'Arc~en~Ciel SID MUCC Petit Brabancon DEZERT D'ERLANGER vistlip girugamesh DIV UNiTE. ACME
CLOUD Wint DANGER CRUE 9th Records 13 Bishop
VK Indie

MAVERICK DC GROUP

Tokyo

Parent company of DANGER CRUE and one of the most powerful independent groups in Japanese rock. Their infrastructure underpins some of the genre's biggest careers.

L'Arc~en~Ciel SID MUCC DEZERT Petit Brabancon
DANGER CRUE 13 Bishop
Major

KING RECORDS

Tokyo

Major label with deep VK roots. Particularly strong in the mid-tier scene — lynch., Angelo, and Matenrou Opera are flagship acts, alongside classic names like ZI:KILL and METRONOME.

lynch. Matenrou Opera Angelo Onmyo-za NoGoD THE KIDDIE ZI:KILL METRONOME
Major

AVEX TRAX

Tokyo

Major label with surprising VK heritage — home to Kuroyume and LUNA SEA during their commercial peaks, alongside PENICILLIN and KIYOHARU's solo work.

Kuroyume LUNA SEA PENICILLIN KIYOHARU SADS SEIKIMA-II SOPHIA
Sub-label

FIREWALL DIV.

Tokyo Under FREE-WILL

FREE-WILL's primary imprint for their biggest acts. Dir en grey, MERRY, and 12012 all released through this division during their most prominent years.

DIR EN GREY MERRY 12012
Sub-label

Indie PSC.

Tokyo Under PS COMPANY

The indie arm of PS COMPANY, handling acts in development and early releases before major label activity. Launched several acts that later became scene staples.

D=OUT ViViD SCREW SuG BORN bis

Label data sourced from vk.gy. Band associations reflect historical and current rosters.