To commemorate the finale of Naruto , November 26 will see the release of a new Naruto soundtrack album, Naruto Super Sounds, and a live event in Tokyo’s Shibuya district, with several of the musicians present, says anime news site Anime Anime. Naruto Super Sounds …Read more »
Y’all know there’s a Death Note musical on the way, right? Set to premiere in Tokyo next April, the musicial’s cast and crew were announced this past September. Now we’re getting a first look (and more importantly, listen). In a video released this week by …Read more »
On the final eve of her first arena tour, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu spent a few moments telling the audience what’s been on her mind lately. “Lately a lot of bad things have been happening to me. The entertainment industry is really difficult. Just going outside …Read more »
Looks like Aska isn’t the only J-pop artist in trouble for drug use. Kosuke Oba, a composer who has worked with idol groups like AKB48 and on anime like Prince of Tennis and Steins;Gate , was recently arrested for using stimulant drugs. Police were clued …Read more »
Tokyo police have filed charges against an idol group for performing a concert outside Shinjuku station, one of the city’s major traffic hubs, according to Tokyo Reporter. The offenders, Flare-La-Mode Ace, are an idol group made up of seven women 18 to 26 whose theme …Read more »
“This is Japanese culture!” wails a drunken May’n fan next to me, crushing a Chu-hi tallboy can in his fist. This was the scene at yesterday’s Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival , an “initiative to help improve tourism and promote Japanese Pop Culture throughout the world” …Read more »
Peach John and Bandai are set to launch pre-orders for a second collection of Sailor Moon lingerie, including a "Sailor Moon Narikiri/Costume Bra Set," Princess Serenity and Black Lady dress negligee, and Inner Senshi school uniform pajamas. Building up to the release, AKB48 idol/actress/model Haruna …Read more »
Idol supergroup AKB48 is no stranger to appearing in ads, and the latest collaboration has the girls teaming up with Nintendo to promote Super Smash Bros. As the post over at Kotaku points out, some Japanese commenters had mixed feelings about the resulting commercial, which …Read more »
The world was introduced to some new information about Sanrio mascot Hello Kitty recently, though some of what emerged from an L.A. Times article ended up causing widespread confusion. You wouldn't think the world would go so topsy turvy just by reading that Hello Kitty …Read more »
Japan's most popular non-human idol is heading Stateside. Hatsune Miku, the virtual idol, will "play" two back-to-back concerts October 17th and 18th at the Hammerstein Ballroom in Manhattan. She'll also be the subject of an exhibition entitled "Universal Positivity" running from October 9th to 19th …Read more »
For Japanese pop idol group phenomenon AKB48, 139 members apparently isn’t enough. They’re currently recruiting an additional part-time member. Girls from middle school up can apply until September 10th, and must pass an interview and audition. One successful applicant will join AKB48 until February 2015, …Read more »
Sunday, July 27th, 2014, Tokyo: I get off the train at Akihabara station, exiting not at Electronic Town, the usual otaku departure point, but Showa Street, a downright normal-looking road lined with offices and convenience stores. I double-check Google maps and head down a nondescript …Read more »
Bad news for any fans of the Japanese music scene: according to a statement released by record company Avex yesterday, Yellow Magic Orchestra co-founder and prominent composer Ryuichi Sakamoto has been diagnosed with throat cancer. YMO is one of the most influential bands of the …Read more »
Gackt’s, uh, got some time on his hands. That’s the impression I got when I read Gackt, the best-selling solo musician, actor and former vocalist for visual kei band Malice Mizer, would be launching a Youtube channel on which he plays old video games, every …Read more »
We reported the other day super sentai-inspired, energy-filled idol group Momoiro Clover Z would be opening shows for Lady Gaga while she’s on tour in Japan. But that’s not all they’re up to. Momoiro Clover Z, or Momoclo for short, are also the group behind …Read more »
Matt Schley
Joseph Luster
Jason Moses
