Tanbi Kei

Tanbi Kei
Also Known as	European Visual Kei
Years Active	2000s to Present
Substyle of	Visual Kei

Tanbi kei is a substyle of visual kei focusing on elaborate costumes inspired by European cultures. It is a subset of Kote Kei.

The Name

Tanbi kei (耽美系) translates to “Aesthetical Style.” The name refers to any aesthetic, although the style focuses on a single, European aesthetic.

Style Basics

Tanbi kei fashion is highly inspired by classical European fashion styles, including fashion from the Baroque, Victorian, and Rococo eras. The style draws from many of the same influences as lolita fashion. Clothing usually highly resembles period costumes, and has an air of elegance and a look of royalty. The costumes are usually extremely detailed.

For makeup, tanbi kei seeks to create a beautiful appearance, often coupling elaborate costumes with extreme amounts of make-up, bonnets and hair ribbons, bright lipstick, amongst other things.

Tanbi kei is also notable for having a large number of male-to-female crossdressers. Most of these musicians are straight and use the style for a more exaggerated artistic take. Because of its easily recognizable style, it is also one of the most popular visual kei styles among cosplayers.

Bands

Like many visual kei styles, tanbi kei is greatly influenced by the bands that wear the fashion. There are a number of old and new bands who wear the style, but the band Malice Mizer is credited by some for first creating the style.

• Kaya
• Malice Mizer
• Moi dix Mois
• Raphael and LAREINE
• Versailles

Gallery