I don’t think it’s possible to simplify it to three, mainly because musically the scene is way too all over the place…
you can roughly sum the base of it all to X JAPAN, D’ERLANGER, DEAD END, BUCK-TICK, KUROYUME and LUNA SEA.
but just for the sake of the question, I’d say X, B-T and LS, as they probably covers the most ground possible, influence-wise
it is simply fucked up to leave morrie out, as he is the inspiration of EVERYONE, but oh well…
For me, overall, it’s L’Arc-en-Ciel, GLAY and Kuroyume. I think those three had the best balance of success, longevity and influence on the J-rock/VK scene. But I’m partial to the more pop side of VK, so there’s some of my own bias in there.
I think DIR EN GREY, MUCC and the GazettE would be good picks if we’re talking specifically about the overseas VK fandom, but I’d probably swap L’Arc in for MUCC since I think they’ve got a bit broader of a following because of their anime themes.
This user on note created a list of the bands from that vk genealogy television program I watched several years ago, and it seemed to check out for me (goes up to the 2010s.) You would just have to pick your three from each era:
Subgenres, expanded '85-'99 history, and a top albums list?
ヴィジュアル系のサブジャンルを本気でまとめてみた｜元カノの子供をテリヤキにして食べたい
https://90s-visual-kei-vk.themedia.jp/posts/13152652?categoryIds=1128061
ファン500人が選んだ「後世に伝えたい90年代ヴィジュアル系伝説の名盤」ベスト50 | GALLERY OF VISUAL SHOCK
NUMBER GIRL, Eastern Youth, and Bloodthirsty Butchers
…oh wait, wrong forum!
DIMLIM, 8P-SB, Initial’L,
Maria, Kiwamu, Kisaki
This is dentist’s dreamy top-3
the real vk tree: https://x.com/vr_noru/status/1934884405077836284