Rokku gyaruo is a coordinate style that emerged around the same time as v-host kei and shares some similarities, but is more aligned with j-punk fashion. It has a more spunky, rocker vibe that is more playful and colourful while retaining the alternative aesthetic. Rokku gyaruo coincides with the merging of Harajuku and Shinjuku fashions that occured around the late 2000s to early 2010s and is largely influenced by j-rock icons like Hyde and Yasu.

2005

2006

Men's Egg March issue (Not my scan)

2007

Yasu's solo project Acid Black Cherry debuts.

Hyde in January and June 2007, wearing the quintessential rokku look: distressed layers, rider jacket and leopard print.

2008

Hyde collaborates with Hide's ex-guitarist Kaz to form VAMPS. Yasu and Hyde both become faces of the jrock x host x gyaruo crossover. Many bandmen are either hosts (Sena) or customers of hostess clubs (Hyde), creating a natural ecosystem.

2009 (Not my scan)

By now, jrock is regularly mentioned in kyabajo magazine Koakuma Ageha.

VAMPS in the July issue of Koakuma Ageha.

September 2009. While it's seldom discussed overseas, Hyde is known by Japanese fans to be a regular customer of hostess bars.

2010

Ad at the back of Men's Egg January 2010. As we proceed into 2010, I get the impression that rokku evolves into acid rock...