So i've read about visual kei and listened to some music like Malice Mizer but I don't really get it. Overall I'm creeped out by the androgynous style of certain people who are part of visual kei, especially Mana, but can someone tell me what it's about?

Well, I heard that it was adapted from the "British glamrock scene" of the 1970s.

'Can't say how accurate that info is, though. I just know that it's debatable on whether or not it's an actual music genre or just the costume style of a band. I guess I more agree with the latter, given the fact that not all bands grouped in the "Visual Kei" category sound the same.

But, in general, bands described as "Visual Kei" are normally involved with the wearing of elaborate costumes and make-up. They also sometimes play up on androgyny a LOT. And, while there isn't a set sound, it can pretty safely be attributed to the J-Rock scene.

Honestly, though, I don't know too much about it other than that.

I've heard it started as an anti-conformist thing. The Japanese pride themselves on uniformity so it was their way of looking different. kind of their version of punk mohawks. Going against the mainstream. I think thats what the gothic lolita movement grew out of but I could be way off.

"Tu es responsable pour toujours de ce que tu as approvoise." Le Renard en "The Little Prince" Antoine de St. Exupery.

It's like any music movement - there are good ones and bad ones (both genre and bands). From what I know of Visual Kei, it's more about the image than the music but the music was still important. There is lots of play acting and visual shock. There was in the beginning a lot of Victoriana (dress style and musical instruments) but now it seems to just be shock rock. Personally, I like it but not many for the new bands are to my original interest in the movement.

The rain falls on my face
The smell of earth fills the air
You are not beside me
And what a cloudless sky above me

Visual Kei is when bands dress elaborately with excessive makeup and colours. It was usually just heavy metal and rock bands that did this, but there are some new pop and lighter kinds of visual kei bands that are emerging =). Antic Cafe describes their visual kei as 'cute'. Most bands are visual kei in the beginning to try and attract attention, but then they stop when their popularity goes up. Mostly to become more accepted by new fans.

¨Visual Kei¨is the style, not the music.

Usually Jrock/pop/indie/alternative.... bands have that kind of estethics

The style is really androginous, extravagant clothing, specific makeup, big colorfull animeish hair...

Quote from funkmu1

So i've read about visual kei and listened to some music like Malice Mizer but I don't really get it. Overall I'm creeped out by the androgynous style of certain people who are part of visual kei, especially Mana, but can someone tell me what it's about?

I don't see what "creeps you out" so much..
Visual Kei estethics are originally based on Manga "looks"...
specially the hair, in most cases it is just like in Mangas...