New Book Spotlights Japan’s Hardcore Techno Underground

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Summary

  • A new book published by Never Sleep chronicles the story of J-core, Japan’s hardcore techno scene.
  • Manga Corps delves deep into the visual culture of the subculture, featuring an extensive archive of rave posters, flyers and artifacts from the early ’90s through today.

Japan’s hardcore techno scene, represented by J-core, has consistently prospered in seclusion. Arising during a period when intense subcultures were relegated to the outskirts, pioneering ravers and dedicated hardcore enthusiasts sought refuge in the underbelly of society, claiming their territory in do-it-yourself venues, hidden backstreets, and offbeat nightclubs of Osaka. In these clandestine locales, a unique sound was conceived: a fusion where the raw intensity of Dutch gabber harmonized with anime symbols, cyberpunk motifs, and gaming traditions.

Titled “Manga Corps”, this fresh 200-page graphic anthology delves into the past with a vast collection of scarcely found flyers, posters, and assorted visual artifacts from Japan’s hardcore era. Compiled by artist and hardcore culture researcher Gabber Eleganza, the book recounts the distinctive features of this subculture, spanning from the 1993 agreement between Avex Trax and Rotterdam Records that ignited it, to the Sega-backed game-raves in the early 2000s.

 

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The one-of-a-kind book provides a raw, unedited view into the captivating yet lesser-known subculture that significantly influenced the development of electronic music’s visual aesthetic. Now accessible through Never Sleep, you can get your hands on Manga Corps – A collection of Japanese rave artifacts for $35 USD.

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2025-07-16 22:25