X JAPAN Documentary Release

X JAPAN's documentary video "We Are X" will now be available in a variety of formats to overseas fans. The band's OHP announces that fans who subscribe to the video streaming site Hulu can now access the documentary via that service. The video will also be available on DVD and Blu-ray on October 11 and can be purchased from sites like CD Japan for overseas shipping.

We Are X on Hulu here
X Japan products at CD Japan here

Yoshiki Surgery Successful

Yoshiki, solo composer and drummer for X JAPAN, recently underwent surgery to repair injuries to his spine that were caused by his intense drumming. Today his official website issued a statement that the musician's surgery went well, and he is in stable condition. The statement also warns that Yoshiki will have difficulty using his voice for awhile, but that should recover within a few months. Recovery itself will take up to six months. Against medical advice, Yoshiki persuaded doctors to release him from the hospital only a few hours after surgery, and he returned to his studio briefly before staff and a nurse encouraged him to return home for rest. Fans can find the full statement in Japanese and English on his OHP.

Yoshiki news here

Yoshiki Scheduled to Undergo Surgery

Yoshiki, leader of X JAPAN and solo classical composer, has announced via his website that he will undergo emergency surgery on May 16 in Los Angeles, CA, to place an artificial disc in his spine. The musician's rigorous drumming through the years has contributed his development of a condition called cervical foraminal stenosis, a narrowing of the cervical disc space that causes pain. Yoshiki's condition has worsened over the past six months, leading to increased numbness and pain in his left arm that has begun to affect his musical performances. After medical consultation, he has decided to undergo surgery immediately to treat the condition. The musician has stated on his Twitter that he is scared, but he's still planning on performing in more upcoming X JAPAN shows. Yoshiki's May shows have been canceled and other X JAPAN activities and solo appearances may be rescheduled.

Yoshiki OHP news here
Yoshiki Twitter here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (April 17, 2017)
#6   #CD ga Urenai Konna Yononaka ja/ Golden Bomber
#13 Watashi wa Kairai, Sarugutsuwa no Ningyo/ Kiryu
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 17, 2017)
#13 Shikisai/ Wagakki Band
#14 ALL TIME BEST "DAY 2"/ MIYAVI
#20 Nihon Abnormal Kyokai/ R-Shitei
#38 Zessho-Best of BugLug/ BugLug
#41 WE ARE X Original Soundtrack/ X JAPAN

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (April 10, 2017)
#3   VISION/ Initial'L
#5   Ikizu LIFE!!/ Kameleo
#7   WHITE DUST/ The THIRTEEN
#8   GAMUSHARA/ The THIRTEEN
#9   RAVEN/ Royz
#11 Tsumi no Keishou~ORIGINAL SIN~/ Gackt
#15 Kono Sekai wa Owari da./ Codomo Dragon

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 10, 2017)
#1   GORILLA/ PENTAGON
#12 Mozu/ Gossip

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (April 10, 2017)
#36 VISION/ Initial'L
#46 Ikizu LIFE!!/ Kameleo
#50 CALLING/ VAMPS
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 10, 2017)
#5   GORILLA/ PENTAGON
#8   Shikisai/ Wagakki Band
#15 BitterSweet/ vistlip
#22 BEST OF MUCC II/ MUCC
#23 Coupling Best II/ MUCC
#36 WE ARE X Original Soundtrack/ X JAPAN

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (April 3, 2017)
#1   RAVEN/ Royz
#2   Ikizu LIFE!!/ Kameleo
#3   Tsumi no Keishou~ORIGINAL SIN~/ Gackt
#12 JOKER/ SHIVA
#13 Joker Game/ Lolita23q
#14 Kono Sekai wa Owari da./ Codomo Dragon

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 3, 2017)
NO LISTINGS

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (April 3, 2017)
#8   CALLING/ VAMPS
#13 RAVEN/ Royz
#14 Ikizu LIFE!!/ Kameleo
#18 Tsumi no Keishou~ORIGINAL SIN~/ Gackt
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (April 3, 2017)
#2   Shikisai/ Wagakki Band
#25 WE ARE X Original Soundtrack/ X JAPAN
#41 J 20th Anniversary BEST ALBUM <1997-2017>W.U.M.F./ J

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (March 27, 2017)
#1   Kono Sekai wa Owari da./ Codomo Dragon
#9   Nenchaku Gata Crazy Salt Iri Cookie/ Lack-co.
#14 Kyoshin identity/ Blu-BiLLioN

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 27, 2017)
#6   Fuko na Meiro/ Xaa Xaa
#14 THE BEST '09-'17/ NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (March 27, 2017)
#14 Kono Sekai wa Owari da./ Codomo Dragon
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 27, 2017)
#6   WE ARE X Original Soundtrack/ X JAPAN
#45 Zen Nihon Omoshiro Senshu Ken/ Jin-Machine
#49 CONTINUE/ Metronome

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (March 20, 2017)
#8   Kageboshi/ Arlequin
#9   Kiba wo Tate Kimi ni Sachiare/ GREMLINS
#10 RAGE/ THE BLACK SWAN
#12 Makka na Uso/ Arlequin
#15 Kyoshin identity/ Blu-BiLLioN
#18 MEMENTO/ A9

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 20, 2017)
#5   THE BEST '09-'17/ NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST
#12 Tada, Koko ni Aru Koto ga Itoshikute/ DASEIN

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (March 20, 2017)
NO LISTINGS
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 20, 2017)
#7   WE ARE X Original Soundtrack/ X JAPAN
#8   TRACES VOL. 2/ the GazettE
#28 THE BEST '09-'17/ NOCTURNAL BLOODLUST

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (March 13, 2017)
#2   MEMENTO/ A9
#3   Kiba wo Tate Kimi ni Sachiare/ GREMLINS
#4   Makka na Uso/ Arlequin
#5   Kageboshi/ Arlequin
#8   Kyoshin identity/ Blu-BiLLioN
#12 Frabjous Nacht/ Grimoire
#19 Ariaku Gishin/ Yusai

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 13, 2017)
#9   BLESSYOU-Complete Best-/ BLESSCODE
#12 ONE/ Ruiza

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (March 13, 2017)
#17 MEMENTO/ A9
#32 Kiba wo Tate Kimi ni Sachiare/ GREMLINS
#34 Makka na Uso/ Arlequin
#39 Kageboshi/ Arlequin
         
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 13, 2017)
#3  WE ARE X Original Soundtrack/ X JAPAN

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (March 6, 2017)
#1   Kyoshin identity/ Blu-BiLLioN
#2   DNA/ RAZOR
#7   Sonzai Shomei/ Grieva
#9   AFTERGLOW/ defspiral
#13 CRAZY TRIBE/ Pentagon
#19 Romantic Discotic Nagoya/ ASTARIA

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (March 6, 2017)
NO LISTINGS

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (August 8, 2016)
#4  WE ARE GO/ALL ALONE/ UVERworld
#12 Utabumi/ DIR EN GREY
#23 Deal with/ OLDCODEX
#29 Re:born/ the Raid.
#46 LAUGHPLAY/ D=Out
      
CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (August 8, 2016)
#18 RIOT/ VALSHE
#27 Virgin Vibration/ HAKUEI
#31 Jealousy/ X
 
CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (August 1, 2016)
#11 7th WONDER/ DOG inThe PWO
#13 HEMLOCK/ Codomo Dragon
#16 Popcorn Monster/ Pentagon

 CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (August 1, 2016)
NO LISTINGS

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

X JAPAN Single Release 11/6

X JAPAN have announced that they will be releasing a single on November 6. The new single will be titled "Born To Be Free," a song the band has performed live many times, but never released as a studio recording. The song will also appear on the band's upcoming new album release on March 12, 2016.

X JAPAN OHP here

X JAPAN New Album Release 3/11/2016

X JAPAN have announced that they will be releasing a new movie and a new full album on March 11, 2016. The new album would be the band's first album released in 20 years. The movie is expected to include documentary footage of the band, plus footage from their recent appearance at Madison Square Garden in 2014. An announcement video featuring Yoshiki is currently available on the group's OHP.

X JAPAN OHP here

ToshI Live Airs 8/25

X JAPAN vocalist and solo artist ToshI will hold a special live broadcast on the Nico Nico Live website on August 25. The artist will air a"Toshl 'CRYSTAL ROCK NIGHT SUMMER LIVE IN DAIBA'" show starting at 17:00 JST (convert time here). Special guest performers from bands like DIR EN GREY, baroque, MERRY, lynch., and My Fairytale will also appear. Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico users who can't watch the program as it airs.

ToshI live airs here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (July 21, 2014)
#4   BLEEZE/ GLAY
#19 Horizon/ DIAURA
#20 Silent Majority/ DIARUA
#25 daze/days/ Jin

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (July 21, 2014)
#9   O CHOIR/ UVERworld
#40 THE WORLD -X JAPAN- Hatsu no Zensekai Best-/ X JAPAN

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (July 14, 2014)
#1   Hitori Ja Nai/ v[NEU]
#2   Idol Sengen/ My Dragon
#6   Alarm/ GOTCHAROCKA
#9   Heartless/ LUCHe.
#10 Mabayui Hikari/ Chanty
#16 Yanderu Kanojo/ R-Shitei
#20 CLUBSICK/ Sick2
   CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (July 14, 2014)
#1   CORE/ Royz
#9   Dazed and Delight/ Aldious
#11 M4U/ Megamasso

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (July 14, 2014)
#5   Hitori Ja Nai/ v[NEU]
#12 daze/days/ Jin
#14 Idol Sengen/ My Dragon
#25 Nanokame no Ketsui/ UVERworld
#30 Alarm/ GOTCHAROCKA

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (July 14, 2014)
#2   O CHOIR/ UVERworld
#17 CORE/ Royz
#31 THE WORLD -X JAPAN- Hatsu no Zensekai Best-/ X JAPAN

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (July 7, 2014)
#8   brilliant/ defspiral
#18 Yanderu Kanojo/ R-Shitei
#19 MESSAGE/ LOST ASH
#20 Gekiai/ GOTCHAROCKA
  
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (July 7, 2014)
#6   Dazed and Delight/ Aldious
#8   TRAGUS/ DaizyStripper
#10 Yogenkyo-WEST- The Conquest of NANIWA-/ Various Artists

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (July 7, 2014)
#6   TABOO/ NIGHTMARE
#7   daze/days/ Jin
#12 Nanokame no Ketsui/ UVERworld

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (July 7, 2014)
#13  THE END OF THE WORLD/ MUCC
#15  THE WORLD -X JAPAN- Hatsu no Zensekai Best-/ X JAPAN

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (June 30, 2014)
#6   Yanderu Kanojo/ R-Shitei
#9   MESSAGE/ LOST ASH
#10 BUG_NOISE.zip/ ALIVE
#19 Other World/ Aldious
  
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (June 30, 2014)
#1 Dazed and Delight/ Aldious
#2 TRAGUS/ DaizyStripper
#4 Crazy Monsters Parade/ Crack6

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

[ORICON RANKINGS] Visual Kei Bands

Here's how some visual kei bands are holding out on the charts this week.

CD SINGLE -Weekly Ranking- (June 30, 2014)
#2   Nanokame no Ketsui/ UVERworld
#46 Moulin Rouge/ KAMIJO

CD Album -Weekly Ranking- (June 30, 2014)
#2  THE WORLD -X JAPAN- Hatsu no Zensekai Best-/ X JAPAN
#20 Dazed and Delight/ Aldious
#21 TRAGUS/ DaizyStripper

CD Indies Single -Weekly Ranking- (June 23, 2014)
#4   Yanderu Kanojo/ R-Shitei
#8   Beroberoba~/ LEZARD
#9   Tresor/ Blu-BiLLioN
#11  Gekiai/ GOTCHAROCKA
#14  Akujo no Hohoemi / Lycaon
#15 ♪La La La♪/Jikyu￥850/ Kameleo
  
CD Indies Album -Weekly Ranking- (June 23, 2014)
NO LISTINGS

ORICON STYLE Rankings here

X Japan NY Performance & Best CD Release

X Japan has announced that they will be reuniting for a performance in New York City this fall. On October 11, 2014, the band will be playing at Madison Square Garden. Details of the show have not yet been released. In addition, there will be a new greatest hits compilation from the band released on June 17 to commemorate their 25th major anniversary. The "THE WORLD - X JAPAN Hatsu no Zensekai Best" will be released in two types. The compilation will contain remastered versions of their classic songs, as well as a live song commemorating hide.

X Japan OHP here
X Japan greatest hits details at CD Japan here

YOSHIKI Performance Airs 8/26

YOSHIKI's sold-out live performance at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles, CA, will be broadcast live on the Nico Nico Live website on August 26. The event titled "An Evening with YOSHIKI" will begin airing at 8:00 PST (convert time here) and will include works from the artist's upcoming "YOSHIKI CLASSICAL" album. Time shifting is available for registered Nico Nico users who cannot watch the program as it airs. For more details, you can read a full article on the event at ROKKYUU MAGAZINE online.

Watch YOSHIKI on Nico Nico here
Read about the event on ROKKYUU here

ToshI New Releases & Pre-orders 3/27

ToshI, vocalist for X JAPAN and solo artist, has announced plans for a global release of two new items. On March 27, the musician will release his first solo album, "CHERRY BLOSSOM," and a new single, "Love Is MARIA," to a global audience. The full album will include a total of eight tracks, and the single will include the title track and a karaoke version.

Both items will be released through iTunes, Amazon, and other digital services in 111 countries on March 27. Pre-orders for the CD versions will also begin on March 27, with the actual hard copies being released through the official website on April 16. Check out ToshI's OHP for full details on track listings, videos, concepts, song liner notes, and lyrics.

ToshI OHP here