The case is officially closed on Hidenobu Ōnishi, who was previously arrested for stalking and harassing former AKB48 member Karen Iwata. Ōnishi received a guilty sentence to the tune of four months in prison from the Tokyo District Court, but the sentence is suspended for …Read more »
Starting June 30, Japanese travelers will be able to move at the speed of kawaii. That’s when the country’s Hello Kitty Shinkansen, or bullet train, is set to debut. Details about the train, including its look and a sneak peek movie, were revealed this week. …Read more »
SMAP was one of Japan’s biggest boy bands until they broke up last summer after 25 years. They created the themes for the anime series Hime-chan’s Ribbon and Akazukin Cha Cha, and member Takuya Kimura voiced acted in Howl’s Moving Castle and Space Battleship Yamato. …Read more »
Anna Iriyama (left) and Rina Kawaei (right) In a piece of news so grisly and odd it sounds almost made up, it was reported Sunday two members of phenomenally successful idol group AKB48, plus one member of their staff, were seriously injured by a man …Read more »
Like most idol acts, AKB48 is all about youth, with the average age of its members hovering around 17. But AKB’s looking to raise that average by hunting for an adult member. Yes, if you’re a woman over 30, AKB48 wants you – at least …Read more »
Kyary don’t stop. Currently in the midst of a world tour, Ms. Pamyu Pamyu, ambassador of Harajuku kawaii and pon pon poning, has dropped a video for her new single, “Yume no Hajima Ring Ring,” and it can best be described as “very Pamyu.” A …Read more »
Alright, it's not quite as simple as it sounds in the headline, but that doesn't change the news itself. Pop group Do As Infinity will be streaming part of their concert at Tokyo's Shinagawa Stellar Ball for free on the website Nico Nico Douga on …Read more »
Fans of pop twosome Hangry & Angry will be at least partially pleased to know that one half of the duo will be making an appearance at this year's New York Anime Festival on October 9. Rika Ishikawa—the Angry to Hitomi Yoshizawa's Hangry—is scheduled to …Read more »
It's entirely excusable if some of you out there are scratching your heads and asking "who?" when it comes to mention of Japanese pop rock outfit The Brilliant Green. After all, it's been a whopping eight years since their last album, which, factoring in Internet …Read more »
AKB48, the pop group that calls Japan's famed Akihabara their permanent home, is set to appear at this year's Anime Expo in Los Angeles. The July 1-4 convention will not only be host to an AKB48 concert, but also attendee panels, autograph sessions, and meet-and-greets …Read more »
After my last post you may suspect shenanigans, but I don't mess around when it comes to The Pillows (besides, I really don't like actual April Fools' joke news). The band, most famous over here for their work on the FLCL soundtrack, will be doing …Read more »
When I stumbled upon these savory images this morning via Japanator, I immediately wanted to reach into my very computer screen, nab a can, pop the top and get the kind of Rider Kick only a can of Kamen Cider can provide. This may almost …Read more »
Download it here! Mike here! Yay for the end of Snowmageddon 2010 and the The Stomach Virus That Ruined My Weekend. Also, BANZAI for another episode of Friday ACE which practically came out of thin air. Usually, I'll try to get everything set up by …Read more »
Many of you know of Mike Dent, the mythical, Japanese-superhero-powered beast behind quite a few articles on this site, as well as his regular contributions to the magazine itself. I'd wager a guess that a good portion of those familiar with Mike are in such …Read more »
Shinshoku Dolce , the debut album from singer, cellist and illustrator Kanon Wakeshima, has the stamp of producer Mana all over it. Sure, Kanon is able to project her own voice, both literally and figuratively, throughout the album, most notably in her cello playing. Yet …Read more »
Joseph Luster
Matt Schley
Julian Gnam
Mike Dent
Zac Bentz