Band-Maid's long awaited return to the United States has finally been announced!
Maaya Sakamoto to Release New Single “Sumire / Kotoba ni Dekinai” on May 25
Written by Theodore Mak
Popular seiyuu and singer Maaya Sakamoto announced today on her birthday that she will be releasing a double A-side single containing the theme songs (“Sumire" and "Kotoba ni Dekinai”) of two anime starting in April in Japan on May 25th and will be available physically and digitally across major streaming platforms.
Tickets for Sony's online live anime musical show featuring 14 artists are available now. Artists include Eir Aoi, Aimer, T.M. Revolution, FLOW, and more. It appears each artist has selected a single song to perform.
The show will be streamed on January 8th and 9th 2022 and costs 4,400 yen (roughly $39 USD) for each day.
To purchase tickets, please visit:
https://smanimesongs.veeps.com/
Press release below.
Japanese girl group, NiziU released a video of their newest song "Chopstick" today. Check out this super catchy song in Japanese with awesome K-pop visuals. Chopstick also appears to be the title song of their upcoming first album, U.
Macross F Galaxy Tour 2021 'REVENGE' to stream worldwide on 11/10/21
Written by Brian Lee
Image info and copyright: Illustration by Risa Ebata
©2007 BIGWEST/ MACROSS F PROJECT・MBS
We're only a few weeks away from something I've been waiting for: a live-streamed Macross Frontier concert. As we rapidly approach the Macross franchise's 40th anniversary, this seems like a fitting event to have. I expect even bigger and better things the closer we get to that milestone.
The Tokyo International Music Market will again be held online for 2021. This year's event is scheduled for November 1 through November 3.
BABYMETAL Featured in Tiny Tina's Wonderlands Trailer
Written by Theodore Mak
During the PlayStation Showcase, Gearbox revealed an awesome headbanging trailer for Tiny Tina's Wonderlands that features the song "Gimme Chocolate!!" by BABYMETAL.
Tiny Tina's Wonderlands appears to be a standalone spinoff from the main Borderlands series. Instead of the post-apocalyptic wastelands on other planets, players will be a part of Tiny Tina's chaotic tabletop gaming session in a fantasy setting featuring magic and guns.
Utada Hikaru "One Last Kiss" MV - Eva 3.0+1.0 Theme
Written by Theodore Mak
Utada Hikaru's "One Last Kiss" music video is now available online coinciding with the theatrical release of Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time.
Utada revealed on her Twitter account that she wrote the song which is used as the main theme for the movie, after reading through the film's final script.
According to the music video's description on Youtube, the video itself was directed by the film's director, Hideaki Anno. Due to the worldwide pandemic, Anno gave general instructions by email such as taking selfie-like videos around Utada's present home in London. Anno himself then edited and assembled the final video.
The song has also been released physically as a CD featuring Shinji on the cover and as a limited edition vinyl featuring Rei. The official website revealed that due to the huge demand from overseas, they will also be releasing an international version of the vinyl that will feature Asuka on the cover later this year in the summer.
LiSA Upcoming Acoustic Streaming Concert - "unlasting shadow" on 3/14/21
Written by Brian Lee
Not too long ago, LiSA had her first online concert, ONLINE LEO NiNE. She'll be back on March 14th with an acoustic set.
Lovebites Performs Vlad Love's 'Mai' Version Opening - "Winds of Transylvania"
Written by Brian Lee
Whenever people ask for Japanese music recommendations there's one band I always recommend: Lovebites. They're an all-female band formed in 2016 and they play a blistering brand of power metal that has gained them attention around the world.
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amazarashi to Broadcast the Streaming Concert "Mappoudokushou Utenkekkou" on 12/12 Japan, 12/20 Global
Written by Brian Lee
Looking for more streaming concerts to watch? amazarashi has you covered with a concert titled "Mappoudokushou Utenkekkou" coming up on 12/12 in Japan and 12/20 around the world. The group's unique artistic flare will give you a whole new way to look at concerts.
Concert Report: Lantis and Purple One Star's New Generation LIVE 2020 on 11/26/20
Written by Brian Lee
On 11/26/20, Lantis and Purple One Star teamed up to help expose the world to some of their newest artists via the New Generation LIVE. A few are actually veterans but with a new presentation. Kanako Takatsuki (Love Live! Sunshine!!), Marina Horiuchi (Sakura Gakuin), and Ai Furihata (Love Live! Sunshine!!) were some of those. If you had heard of them you were probably watching specifically to see them. You can count the others as a bonus if you'd like but they are much more than that. They are all part of the new generation of anisong talent and this is one of the best ways they could have performed. Getting people to see a new artist's concert can be difficult at the best of times and right now is downright impossible. A stream? Perfect.
Aimer Live at Anywhere 2020 in Christ Shinagawa Church on 11/27/20
Written by Brian Lee
Image courtesy Resonance Media MMS, from Anime Expo 2018
As mentioned in my spring song writeup, Aimer will be hosting an online concert later this week. Aimer's voice has graced many anime franchises including Type-Moon's Fate/stay night: Unlimited Blade Works and Fate/stay night: Heaven's Feel, Mobile Suit Gundam Unicorn, Bleach, Koi wa Ameagari no You ni, and Fire Force. Congoers of Anime Expo's 2015 and 2018 events will remember her performances as well. Her voice is unforgettable and it would be a shame if you missed this concert. There have not been many opportunities to see her outside of Japan and this is her first online streaming performance.
Tokyo International Music Market 3-Day Music Showcase starts November 4!
Written by Brian Lee
An event you may not have heard of is the Tokyo International Music Market. TIMM is currently in its 17th year and geared more towards those in the industry but that doesn't mean consumers can't appreciate what it has to offer. TIMM will be held this November 4-6.