Shoko Nakagawa: There’s a bit of a story behind when I first heard about Sorairo Days. I was really happy because I always wanted to sing an anime song, but when I went into the recording session I thought somebody else was going to sing it too and that I wasn’t the only candidate for […]
Yuki Kajiura: The interesting thing is that, recently, anisong has developed commercial value, so it’s a different situation now. When it comes to the difference between anime music and modern, live-action film, sometimes anisong has a commercial value that live action scores don’t have. I think music and anime have the power to bring out […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 29, 2018 On Saturday, July 28, YOSHIKI made a surprise appearance on stage with internationally famous DJ and producer Skrillex at one of Japan’s biggest outdoor music events, Fuji Rock Festival ’18, held at Naeba Ski Resort in Niigata, Japan. The 40,000 fans at the main stage were shocked by YOSHIKI’s […]
Many of URBANGARDE’s songs talk about the city (“Tokyo Kid”, “Shinjuku Mon Amour”,”Tokai no Alice”). Is city life the source of Japan’s mental sickness? Hamasaki: I’m not from a “tokai” (“big city”) like Tokyo, so I’ve had a longing for this kind of life more or less since childhood. Even with the longing, there were […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 23, 2018 Japanese electronic performance unit BESPA KUMAMERO has released a set of illustrated stickers for the popular LINE messaging app, featuring composer/programmer Monkichi and the energetic, unstoppable vocalist Azumi. Presenting comical chibi versions of the cyberpunk duo, BESPA KUMAMERO takes fans through a wide range of hyper-expressive emotions, with plenty […]
Akihabara-based maid cafe chain maidreamin thanks their international fans for achieving 300,000 likes on Facebook! Thank you 🎉🎉 to our Masters and Princesses from all over the world! ありがとう ございます!! 🙏🌏💋 Please keep supporting us! 💖😍💖 Nyan nyan! 🐈🎆 See you soon! 💖💖💖
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 22, 2018 YOSHIKI gave fans a special preview of his new theme song for the anime series Attack on Titan on his official Instagram page, revealing the clip of “Red Swan” by “YOSHIKI feat. HYDE” along with a montage of imagery from the anime’s third season which begins July 22 on […]
X JAPAN leader performs 7 concerts in 4 days YOSHIKI continues to raise hundreds of thousands of dollars for charity International athletes, artists, and politicians attend YOSHIKI’s intimate concert series FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2018 YOSHIKI completed the first wave of his sold-out dinner shows in Tokyo on July 16, a marathon 7 shows […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 19, 2018 “Japan Kawaii Live”, the final night of Anisong World Matsuri’s three-day concert event at Anime Expo, was held on July 7, 2018 at the Microsoft Theater, featuring AKB48 Team 8, THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS, i☆Ris, and Shoko Nakagawa. THE IDOLM@STER CINDERELLA GIRLS returned for the second year in a […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 17, 2018 On July 6, 2018, anisong fans packed the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles for “Japan Super Live” — the second night of Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2018 — to see rare U.S. performances by anime superstars May’n, Aimer, Sanketsu-girl Sayuri, and Yuki Kajiura. May’n charged onto the […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2018 After YOSHIKI received the report of heavy downpours and flooding in July 2018 which greatly damaged various places around western Japan, he made a donation of 10 million yen to the Japanese Red Cross Society through his own 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization Yoshiki Foundation America. The Japanese Red Cross Society […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 11, 2018 X JAPAN’s “Red Swan” has been chosen as the opening theme for Season 3 of the TV anime Attack on Titan. The new song, featuring YOSHIKI’s first-ever recording collaboration with vocalist HYDE (L’Arc~en~Ciel), was announced at Anime Expo on July 8, 2018 at the season opener’s world-premiere screening in […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 5, 2018 Love Live! Sunshine!! school idol group Aqours kicked off the three-day Anisong World Matsuri concert event at Anime Expo with an electric, non-stop performance at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on July 4, 2018. Performing to a near-capacity audience of enthusiastic fans, Aqours flew in to the United […]
May’n: I try to cherish and think about the emotions and scenery expressed in the piece while I’m singing in front of the audience. In Sheryl’s songs, I perform with the feelings Sheryl would show towards the fans that came to her concert. There are always different emotions that come out when I sing the […]
Aimer: It’s been a while since I’ve done a ballad, so I felt like I went back to my origins. It’s also been a long time since I wrote lyrics about love. It’s special to me because I’ve been challenging myself with different songs and I finally got to return to something so gentle. Link: […]
July 1, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Yoshikitty’s worldwide popularity has taken a great leap forward by placing third in the 2018 Sanrio Character Awards, announced July 1st at Sanrio Puroland in Tokyo. This year’s results mark the highest ranking ever for Yoshikitty, who has now placed in the top 10 for three years in a […]
Yuu Serizawa: Ever since we got involved with PriPara, people from Japan and overseas started watching us! Thanks to that, I think that everyone gained confidence as an idol and voice actor. Link: http://nekopop.com/2018/06/iris-interview-2018/
Tomoyo Kurosawa: Even in games, animation, and concerts, I don’t know any other group as unique as CINDERELLA GIRLS, in spite of the number of idols belonging to one group. Even though it’s a one-group concert, I think that it feels like a festival because of the many unique individuals and that’s what makes the […]
Yuki Kajiura: When I work with anime that has a “dark” atmosphere, I try not to let that dominate the entire flow, because the definition of “dark” depends on the scene, the depth and weight of the air, and how the “dark” elements are seen through different eyes. Therefore, I try to create something that […]
June 29, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE YOSHIKI shocked fans at LUNATIC FEST. 2018 with a moving tribute to X Japan guitarist hide and guest collaborations with members of LUNA SEA, GLAY, and MUCC in his first-ever solo classical performance at a music festival. YOSHIKI opened his set with Beethoven’s “Moonlight Sonata” as a thematic homage […]
I was saved by anisong when I was a child, so now I’m singing with love so that everyone that loves anisong can smile! Link: https://kotaku.com/being-an-otaku-has-gotten-easier-says-shoko-nakagawa-1827041924
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 17, 2018 YOSHIKI has announced a solo performance at this year’s LUNATIC FEST 2018, to be held at Makuhari Messe on June 24. YOSHIKI made the reveal with a video message in English and Japanese on his official Instagram account, where he promised special surprises for his appearance at the visual […]
— Ex. Ladybaby founding member Rei Kuromiya releases new track from her rock band BRATS — “Doudatte yokatta” is heaviest rock song yet from sister-based Japanese girls rock trio — BRATS featured in To Be Hero anime and Slavemen feature film FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE June 14, 2018 BRATS have released their music video for “Doudatte […]
May 25, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Fueled by massive international fan support, Yoshikitty — the popular Sanrio character based on X JAPAN leader, YOSHIKI — is now in a close 3-way race for the top spot in Sanrio’s annual Character Ranking Contest. In this week’s midway results announcement, Yoshikitty achieved #1 in the regional rankings […]
– New music video from idol group Wasuta (works include Idol Time PriPara anime OP/ED) – Produced and co-written by chart-topping artist SHIROSE of WHITE JAM – Costumes by Japanese Kawaii Ambassador Yu Kimura – On-location shoot features Harajuku hot spots FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 25, 2018 Japanese idol group Wasuta (The World Standard) has […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 17, 2018 Yoshikitty — the popular Sanrio character based on X JAPAN’s leader, YOSHIKI — got off to one of her strongest starts ever in Sanrio’s annual Character Ranking Contest. In the initial results released after voting began May 10th, Yoshikitty ranked 4th on the very first day, while the original […]
May 12, 2018 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Girls rock band BRATS — formed by sisters Rei Kuromiya (ex. Ladybaby) and Aya Kuromiya — will release their first full length album on July 25, 2018. The 10-song self-titled CD BRATS, including previously released studio tracks “Ainikoiyo” (To be Hero anime theme song) and “Nounai Shoukyo Game” (Slavemen […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 10, 2018 On April 11, Kamen Joshi member Tomoka Igari was hospitalized following an accident where a sudden gust of wind blew over a signboard which collapsed on top of her, causing injuries to her head, legs, and spine. After several weeks of private discussions with Igari, her family, and her […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 1, 2018 Japanese rock group URBANGARDE celebrated their 10th Anniversary with a spectacle-filled concert titled “KEKKON SHIKI” at Nakano Sun Plaza on April 8, 2018. Vocalist Yoko Hamasaki surprised the sold-out audience by entering the stage to an EDM arrangement of Mendelssohn’s “Wedding March” in a custom bridal outfit adorned with […]
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE April 25, 2018 All-Star Lineup of Nine Japanese Anime Song Performers Will Take Over L.A.’s Microsoft Theater on July 4th, 6th, and 7th Anisong World Matsuri (AWM) and Anime Expo 2018 (AX) have announced the complete lineup of anisong artists for this year’s live concert series at downtown Los Angeles’s Microsoft Theater. […]