ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D is a four-piece Japanese rock band from Shibuya whose sound blends rock, punk, and emo into high-energy, guitar-driven songs. Since debuting in June 2010, the group has developed a reputation for sharp hooks, aggressive momentum, and a style that sits naturally within Japan's anison landscape.
The band's breakout came with "Complication," its first single, which was released in June 2010 and reached the Oricon Weekly chart while also topping downloadable track rankings. The song was used as the opening theme for Durarara!!, introducing ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D to a wide anime audience and establishing the band as a familiar name among anime music fans.
That connection continued with "song for..." for Bleach and "IN MY WORLD" as the second opening theme for Ao no Exorcist. In 2011, ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D released "DRRROOKiEZ!! – ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D respect for DRRR!!," a collaboration with the creators of Durarara!! that included "DROP," the opening theme for the PSP game Durarara!! 3-way Standoff.
Signed to defSTAR records, a sub-label of Sony Music Japan, the band also extended its image beyond music through fashion collaborations such as SRH Clothing and Shibuya-based Subciety. With its mix of punk energy, emo-tinged rock, and anime theme song success, ROOKiEZ is PUNK'D remains closely associated with Japanese rock and anime music.
