In 1985, after enrolling at different universities—Wajima studied Buddhism at Komazawa University, while Suzuki studied Russian literature at Sophia University—they formed a hard rock band and settled on the name Ningen Isu in 1987 when drummer Noriyoshi Kamidate joined the band, taking the name from the 1924 short story of the same name by Edogawa Rampo.
Wajima, Suzuki, and Nakajima once lived in a neighborhood in the district Koenji, Tokyo, which is famous for its subculture, music and free atmosphere.
The band played at the Ozzfest 2013, hosted by Ozzy Osbourne, which they as Black Sabbath fans felt honored by.
[7] The band's lyrics often reference Japanese classical literature, including authors Edogawa Rampo, Dazai Osamu, Akutagawa Ryunosuke, Jun'ichirō Tanizaki, and Mishima Yukio, in addition to authors in other languages such as Edgar Allan Poe, H. P. Lovecraft, Friedrich Nietzsche, and Georges Bataille.
Wajima and Suzuki have a local accent called the "Tsugaru dialect",[8] which adds a unique and heavy atmosphere and rhythm to their songs.
[10] Other influences include UFO, Led Zeppelin, Kiss, Budgie, King Crimson, and similar artists.
The style of Wajima's guitar playing is influenced by Robert Fripp, Tony Iommi, Jimmy Page, Ace Frehley, Michael Schenker, and Tsugaru-jamisen.