Hetalia: In the New World , a new musical based on Hetalia: Axis Powers , is opening this July in Japan, and now a series of photographs of the cast in costume has been revealed. Hetalia: In the New World plays from July 15 to …Read more »
Ayumi Hamasaki is losing hearing in her right ear, which will eventually leave her completely deaf, according to a May 20 blog post from the singer. "I was told after various hearing tests that my right ear (which has been working overtime to compensate for …Read more »
It’s the day for plays, apparently. Shortly after we reported Attack on Titan would be getting the stage treatment came news the popular manga and anime from the mind of Rumiko Takahashi, Inuyasha , would also be making its way to the stage. Playing the …Read more »
It’s been a manga, an anime, and even a couple live-action films. Now Attack on Titan is shingeki -ing its way to the stage. The stage play based on the hit franchise is called Live Impact Attack on Titan , and yesterday photos of the …Read more »
The two members of Trustrick, the musical duo that’s contributed songs to anime like Danganronpa , My Love Story!! , and Shonen Maid , are going their separate ways, at least for now. The duo, vocalist Sayaka Kanda and guitarist Billy, will pursue separate solo …Read more »
Keyakizaka46, one of several AKB48-related all-girl musical groups, is in hot water after its members appeared on stage October 22 in outfits that resembled those of Nazi SS officers. Now both Keyakizaka46’s producer and record label have apologized, citing a “lack of oversight.” Yasushi Akimoto, …Read more »
Yasushi Akimoto, the creator of Japan’s best-selling idol phenomenon AKB48 and its various sub-groups, is at it again. This time, he’s producing a “2D + 3D” anime project and recruiting some serious industry talent to help out. The idol unit, which is described as a …Read more »
Kimura played Howl in 2004's Howl's Moving Castle . Come 2017, the members of Japanese boy band SMAP are going to find themselves with some spare time on their hands. The group, which has been together for 25 years, is set to split up December …Read more »
Eir Aoi, known for performing multiple anime opening and ending themes since her debut in 2011, is going on hiatus, according to a press release from her label Sony Music Entertainment. The press release cited the singer’s poor physical health as the reason for the …Read more »
SMAP, one of Japan’s best-known and best-selling boy bands, are calling it quits. The group, which debuted in 1991 and have become a staple of Japanese pop charts, not to mention TV, radio and advertising, have announced they will officially disband December 31, coinciding with …Read more »
This may be the film Hideaki Anno was born to make. Make no mistake: though Godzilla Resurgence , the first Japanese Godzilla film in 12 years, was technically directed by both Neon Genesis Evangelion creator Hideaki Anno and Attack on Titan helmer and special effects …Read more »
Election winner Rino Sashihara. Vote early and vote often. That oft-repeated phrase may be tongue-in-cheek when it comes to normal politicking, but it’s totally valid when it comes to the AKB48 General Election, in which fans of the popular J-pop group and its affiliates lay …Read more »
If you’ve ever been to the Ghibli Museum in Mitaka, Tokyo, you’ve no doubt seen kids playing around in a life-size version of the Catbus from the studio’s classic My Neighbor Totoro . You may also have felt a pang of jealously, knowing that if …Read more »
Did you know? The age when you become a legal adult in Japan is 20. It’s a pretty magical year for Japanese youth, who get to go to a fancy coming-of-age ceremony, buy alcohol and cigarettes, and become an official member of society. Wow! It …Read more »
Mayu Tomita, an idol singer, was stabbed repeatedly at a fan event Saturday by a man who had reportedly been stalking her for months. She is in critical condition and has yet to regain consciousness. The suspect, Tomohiro Iwazaki, was arrested and admitted to stabbing …Read more »
Matt Schley
