How did you get introduced to J-Rock/Pop?

[Mellusia]

I'm sure that at the moment, the majority of people here aren't Japanese and didn't just happen to be exposed to Japanese music by watching a cultural channel or listening to a station or something.

So my question is how did you get into listening to Japanese music?

For me, it's pretty much anime intros and endings. Even dubbed anime doesn't go as far dub the anime intro and endings (maybe in the past, but not anymore). I'd say my very first J-song was the intro to Gundam Wing, "Just Communication".

How about you guys?

[Fuyumine]

Like most "posers" (as I was called by a raving, foaming-at-the-mouth Japan enthusiast), I got introduced to J-Rock through an anime. More specifically, FLCL (フリクリ). Not sure if this is the musician in me talking, but one of the reasons I love that series as much as I do (aside from its cohesive and comprehensible storyline! </sarcasm>) is its soundtrack.

After the series was done, I found out that The Pillows had done all of the music for it, and scoured the net for their music. I listened to all of their music, man. And even though I couldn't understand a fuckin' word they were saying, I "felt" it. The Pillows worked like a gateway drug, and I started searching for more J-Rock bands. I got into more bands, more of the mainstream stuff, but 'ey... *Shrug*

Yeah, that's how it happened. =)

[BirriaDS]

I slightly got into it by looking for soundtracks for anime and games :P

[Shiduri]

Internet. Internet. Internet.

My friend stumbled upon a website about Malice Mizer and had clips of their music. We easily became fans of them because we were into anime and Japanese culture at the time. From there, we branched out to other jrock bands.

[Ryvius]

I honestly don't remember. I think it was just through friends or my brother, I've been listening to it to some extent as long as I can remember.

[Emiko]

5 years ago I saw the video for Dir en Grey's 'The Final' on Fuse. I was blown away by the music and loved the video just as much. Soon enough I started looking up the band, amazed by the fact that a Japanese band had made it onto an American music television station, which is rare. I began to listen to more of their older stuff and then moved to their influences. That's where I found out about X Japan and Malice Mizer. After that was all because of the internet

[Contra Fates]

It was a while ago, I want to say about 7 years ago or so, I was spending a lot of time on little internet forums. I saw a picture of Gackt somewhere, and further investigated because I thought he was pretty and looked a lot like Squall. [Lol.]

Eventually this led me to Malice Mizer, and to Gackt's solo career, so that's where it began. I was attracted to the highly visualized style of the bands, and the unique music. There really isn't much like it in America. From Malice Mizer, I eventually moved onto Dir en grey, by accidentally downloading their 'Yurameki' music video, because it was labeled as Malice Mizer.

From there, I kept looking around for more music and other people who liked J-Rock, which led me to a friend named James. I called him the 'J-Rock Encylopedia,' because he knew all about J-Rock bands and had all of their music. For the holidays one year, he sent me a gift that was composed of dozens of J-Rock mp3 discs, likely over 1,000 songs of just J-Rock. That pretty much sealed the deal. xD

[BlackJack]

Anime. Specifically Ready, Steady, GO! by L'Arc-en-Ciel. The opening theme to Fullmetal Alchemist.

[VxM Edgeworth]

Well, I was introduced to it through old anime from "back in the day". I was like....7 when I heard my first J-Pop song. I was always musically inclined, so, it just came to me. What really got me into it was YuYu Hakusho. From there, I was always listening to different genres; but of course, I was always universal with my musical tastes anyways.

[xLorrainex]

My mom's boyfriend popped up a few years ago, and introduced me and my family to J-Rock. I have always had an interest in things of a sadistic nature, so when he showed me some of Dir en grey's music videos I was blown away, and then took to scouring the internet for their music. I now listen to a few others, such as Malice Mizer, X Japan, Gackt, Miyavi, and LM.C, but I still primarily listen to Diru. :P

[Contra Fates]

My mom's boyfriend popped up a few years ago, and introduced me and my family to J-Rock. I have always had an interest in things of a sadistic nature, so when he showed me some of Dir en grey's music videos I was blown away, and then took to scouring the internet for their music. I now listen to a few others, such as Malice Mizer, X Japan, Gackt, Miyavi, and LM.C, but I still primarily listen to Diru. :P

Wow, your mom's boyfriend must be freaking awesome! My parents scowl at the thought of J-Rock, let alone when they hear it. xD

You should definitely check out The Gazette, Deathgaze, and D. I think you'd like them a lot. =o Alice Nine is worth checking out, also!

[BlackJack]

My parents scowl at the thought of J-Rock, let alone when they hear it. xD

My mom hates everything Japanese, and my Dad doesn't really like J-Rock, but he doesn't like songs in any language other than English. He doesn't like songs he can't understand/sing along with.

[xLorrainex]

Wow, your mom's boyfriend must be freaking awesome! My parents scowl at the thought of J-Rock, let alone when they hear it. xD

You should definitely check out The Gazette, Deathgaze, and D. I think you'd like them a lot. =o Alice Nine is worth checking out, also!

Thanks! I'll check them out. Yeah, he's a neat guy he took me and my mom to Otakon 2009...best 3 days of my life!