Best Japanese Guitarists Ever

I think sugizo is the best (for me). Because sugizo is the master of sustained sound. Every luna sea song has an sustained sound guitar from sugizo. Especially for his solo song, there was screaming sound from his guitar. I like his ESP brilliant mixedmedia!

I seriously beg to differ... Sugizo is my Guitar God. He is able to evolve guitar playing styles among different bands. How he uses his whammy bar is a signature of its own. Hands down most original signature playing style for a guitar player.

I love his style of playing the guitar: very vibrant and roller coaster like. Once you hear the sound, you can identify that it's him. His identity is very clear in the songs he composes. Very entertaining sound wise and visual wise.

kurenai_tenshi

freakflop

Oh please... How come he got so far down on the list, below so many less skilled and experienced guitarists? His technique, his unique style of playing, his creativity and all these years of hard work deserve at least some recognition.

saaarsdej

One of the most skilled, talented and imaginative guitarists and composers I've ever heard. I can't understand why he didn't make it to the top 10!

Hisashi.. Should be in the 1st place... :/
... Please Listen To "Zekkai" guitar solo.. In The "Tenshi no revolver album ¡¡

He may be LUNA SEA's rhythm guitarist, but nobody can beat him for subtle impact. Listen to his live solo with Tourbillon at Budokan - like having good sex with someone who is both your lover and best friend.

Niikura_Akonya

NiikuraSakura

He is very good, and I like his. That's very wonderful.
I think to that he is hard practice everyday, and he love the guitar.
I respect to his technique. I love he.

I listened to all the bands on this list, and although none of the guitarists could hold a candle to guitarists like Herman Li of Dragonforce, this band (You included) impressed me the most.

He is very technical, and put all his soul on the music. he's a wonderful composer, very attend to the others and has a lot of presence!

No one can keep up with the speed of his magic fingers. His artistry cannot be surpassed by many and with the assistance of Hizaki he can be a musical entity that none can defy.

I am very like Teru-san when he play a Super Mario song with his guitar
He is very genius guitar player, I also like Teru-san when he singing with Kaworu in Aikaryu

Teru has so much skills I think he's totally the best. He deserves for the first place EVER because he's such a great guitarist, composer and artist in general.

Awesome guitarist alongside Kaoru. Listen to Yokan, Cage and Mushi.

TD17

Just amazing! IF you don't believe me why don't you listen to some of his riffs from their newest album DUM SPIRO SPERO. I suggest Juuyoku, Different Sense, Diabolos, and Rasetsukoku (new version). Please take a listen for yourself.

it's really hard to decide because all of these guitarist are awesome. but from all these I only saw dir en grey live and die was the one who really made it good actually, he is an awesome guitarist with an awesome personality. I love him and his/their music.

Sakito is awesome. I'm always speechless while watching him play his guitar. This guy is truly amazing.

Sakito is a super guitarist. Most o the people just admire the heavy guitarist, such as aoi, uruha. However, there is nothing compare to sakito. I am pretty sure sakito can play as good as him, if he wants to play heavy stuff. Sakito got the super fast strumming, even in acoustic. That's super hard, you can see the skill in The song Shian. Fantastic two hand tapping in the song trickstar. Super fast solo in the song in the trash music. He knows how to use delay perfectly in the song cloudy dayz.
And he got the awesome funk riff. To be honest, I don't think gazette guitarists can beat him, at least he is more handsome than those. Sorry this is very subjective. I think there is only few guitarist can compare to him who are hide, sugizo and syu.

Indeed, Sakito is an awesome guitarist. He don't just play very good, but the way he play is beautiful.

What a shame! Ranked 49?! Just watch a solo of Akira at Youtube! You would find out who is the best! Get him in the top ten! This man is amazing!

Loudness Akira is a legend

One of the most influential guitarists to come out of Japan, Frontman of the legendary Loudness Akira helped lead his band to 4 appearances of the billboard 200 since 1982 partly through his highly complex and blazing fast solos.

He is one of the founders of the vk style and a massive influence.
Check out some of his bands like Body, Craze and D'erlanger

Too bad that D'erlanger is not that popular outside of Japan.. I really enjoy his playing!

all of them are talented, but cipher needs to be popular as hide and ken of l'arc

ronluna

He writes the most beautiful Songs in the World and is more sympathetic than some others. He's very funny, the others here are not.
Sorry for Bad English...

Hitsu~! :3 Definitely underrated, or at least it seems that way. I don't know why though. He's a great guitarist (and funny on top of that, but that's not why I vote for him xD)

AHH I finally came back to vote for you Hitsugi
NIGHTMARE IS THE BEST BAND THIS WORLD HAS EVER SEEN AND ALWAYS WILL BE!

Jrock-LOVE

I think that a lot of people underestimate Tak Matsumoto nowdays.
As you can see usually in the top of those "best list" there are famouse groups but I don't think that only for that reason the components are good too.

His skill is extremely well, and he show different kinds of emotion in different songs, we will get influence by this and we can understand more about the songs. He is a serious man and he always done his work well, from the nico nico live, we can see that he felt annoyed when some band members took over his work. And he is the mommy of the band and he always care for the fans. He is the best guitarist I have ever seen.

His sense of composing is so unique.
I feel biotic power from his melody.
And, his crying solo guitar... Nanmoienee...

ask l'arc en ciel, buck-tick, janne the arc, kuroyume, luna sea who's their idol?

ronluna

To me he's one of the greatest guitar players, composers and designer. You can really feel the songs when he plays the guitar. Yeah, he might look totally hot and he's really nice but he's also extremely passionate when he plays the guitar. It makes me happy and proud to be an Alice Nine [GREATEST BAND EVER] fan because I was able to find 5 of the most greatest, talented and creative musicians ever.

Hiroto is one of my most favorites guitarist ever! His songs were the ones that brought me to know Alice Nine. He is a really talented guitarist, playing fast and catchy notes. Also composing catchy songs that really sends you dancing! Handsome and adorable in many ways. Please vote for our Hiroto!

He's a really great guitarist and he inspired me to want to play the guitar. He's cute and is passionate when playing the guitar...

Yuji is really one of the most special guitarist as I have seen so far. His skills is really superp and he would always stand up among all the other members.

He's great. He may look like a fool sometimes but that's how he express himself while playing. That shows how much he enjoy the music and it really gives off a positive impression for the listeners.

Haruna is also a very skilled guitarist she should be one of the top 20s

Takaki covers almost all kinds of guitar from playing simple acoustic riffs to shredding guitar solos! He is an all round great guitarist! The name of the band is- DEATHGAZE, check them out! ^__^

Jrock-LOVE

He plays very fast guitar Solos. But why is he here? I mean, he haves a japanese mother, but he is american, or not?

one of the best and fastest guitarist from japan.

ronluna

look at e-sidewalk. net/bug kyo (isono hiroshi) stated that asaki is his idol

ronluna

His life is so hard: being second guitarist in a band where the first guitarist is so brilliant and original that it's easy to overlook anyone else isn't the prefect way to get some recognition. It's so easy to forget about all the hard work he puts in playing and recording perfect songs. And when you listen closely, you'll discover how good musician he really is; way better then half of the people above him in my opinion.

saaarsdej

One of Japan's best young guitarists ever! SATOSHI KATADA!

Kotaro, or formerly known as Satoshi Katada (one of the greatest young guitar heroes in Japan), deserves to be on top of this list. I think this list shouldn't be based on popularity but on their skills instead. Kotaro is such an amazing guitarist. You should watch his videos on YouTube, the Satoshi Katada days.

Great guitarist even though he ain't well known he plays some nice riffs and solos. Listen to Blue Bird or Sakura.

TD17

another underrated guitarist all people here are voting for xjapan and dir en grey. try to appreciate more guitarists like this one. one of the best

ronluna

Another underrated member of Maximum the Hormone... Something about none of MTH's members getting in the top ten is just not right... Because this guy has amazing riffs, great solo's and can sing while doing so... Not much guitarists can do that.

Subtle guitar solo's that never overrule the overall song, but there's so much depth in his playing. The amount of layers he adds to his guitar work is exciting. Plus he makes a great duo with Yusuke's melodious clean guitar work. Reo makes me listen to lynch. So much better than I have to any other band. That, and his death glares are just priceless! Very underestimated guitarist.

I think he has awesome skill and great tone

The new "Ten Commandments" album really rocks! This girl can jam with the best!

Thought he still young, Leda succeed menage him self as promising young guitarist. You have to see, how magic his fingers while playing DELUHI song in VANDALICKS. He will be a legend! As soon as possible!

This list is obviously led by other criteria than actual guitar skills. Understandable that Leda is this down, he isn't as well known as the others,... Yet ;) Undivide!

yeap, Leda is the best I've seen so far and I love it. he is technically the best guitarist ever. follow by syu.

Not so much on the solos as he doesn't do many but does some awesome riffs. Listen to Bel Air, Au revoir, Le ciel, Monophobia and Beast of Blood.

TD17

He may not do the greatest solos ever, but playing guitar involves more than that, it takes good riffs, creativity and more.

Why is he not higher on the list? At least to me he's the best guitarist in the entire world! Mana-sama sound perfect in both Malice Mizer and Moi Dix Mois! Just listen to Beast Of Blood, Bel Air or Nocturnal Romance! He sound amazing! (Of course the other guitarists are good too)