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.
ClariS Reveals Faces During 10th Anniversary Celebrations
Written by Theodore Mak
Celebrating their 10th anniversary, J-Pop duo Clara and Karen from ClariS revealed their faces for the first time during their online concert titled "ClariS 10th Anniversary Precious LIVE~ Gift ~" on October 20th.
Love Live ! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club 2nd Live! Streaming Event 9/12-9/13
Written by Brian Lee
Y'all like Love Live? Course you do. How about those Nijigasaki girls? Yeah? Well, you're in luck. Big streaming event this weekend, namely Nijigasaki's second live. Coolest part is that it's going to be live.
“BanG Dream! 8th☆LIVE” Summer Outdoors 3DAYS Streaming Event on 9/20/20-9/23/20
Written by Brian Lee
During the interview conducted as part of the BanG Dream! Cafe Zoom event (click here to check it out), Aimi hinted at the (then upcoming) BanG Dream! 8th☆LIVE which was set for August 21-23. At that time it was still up in the air whether or not it would be held. Smaller lives have gotten through with restricted numbers but the larger events (and BanG Dream! definitely counts as "larger") were being delayed or postponed months out or to the following year. Spoiler: 8th☆LIVE happened.
FlyingDog Releases a Multitude of Anime songs for Streaming
Written by Brian Lee
FlyingDog recently made over 3500 songs from various eras available for public streaming. You might know FlyingDog better as the anime music and video arm of Victor Entertainment. Some of the names under their label include Yuki Kajiura, Maaya Sakamoto, JUNNA, Minori Suzuki, May'n, Megumi Nakajima, and more.
HIKARU UTADA Live TOP FAN PICKS to Premiere 8/31/20
Written by Brian Lee
Hikaru Utada will premiere fan-selected concert footage in a special program titled "HIKARU UTADA Live TOP FAN PICKS."
MAN WITH A 'REBOOT LIVE & STREAMING' MISSION Online Performance set for 8/29
Written by Brian Lee
Everyone's favorite band of wolves will hold a 10th anniversary live stream straight from ZEPP TOKYO on 8/29/20. It's titled "MAN WITH A 'REBOOT LIVE & STREAMING' MISSION."
avex presents the a-nation Summer Music Festival!
Written by Brian Lee
One of Japan's premiere summer music festivals, a-nation, is set to kick off in less than a day. a-nation has traded their in-person version for a set of five online streams. Fans can choose from either a paid ticket which includes three different streams or two free ones. The free ones are being held on avex's YouTube and LINE channels.
ORESKABAND Upcoming Special Livestream Event - SAYONARA Homerun! - Cheers to Tomi
Written by Brian Lee
ORESKABAND is another long-lasting band. Their ecclectic style adds a couple of unusual instruments in the form of a trombone and saxophone (and in the past, a trumpet). They've been performing since 2003 and one of their original members, bassist Tomi, has announced that she'll be going inactive as of this year. This upcoming event will be in her honor.
More...
Hot off the heels of TWICE's latest music video release of "MORE & MORE", TWICE's Japanese Youtube channel has released a new music video titled "Fanfare". This upbeat song's release date was speculated to originally coincide with the 2020 Tokyo Olympic which has been postponed due to the global pandemic.
Regardless, the new single will be released on July 8th, 2020. In the meantime, check out the new video!
Utada Hikaru Instagram Live to feature ONE OK ROCK's TAKA on May 17!
Written by Brian Lee
Superstar Hikaru Utada has been streaming her "Ask Hikaru Paisen--Home-quarantine Edition" on Instagram Live for the past two Sundays and on this upcoming Sunday, the 17th, will feature ONE OK ROCK's very own TAKA.
Love Live! Sunshine!! Aina Suzuki Solo Artist Debut
Written by Theodore Mak
Aina Suzuki, best known for her voice as Mari Ohara in Love Live! Sunshine!!, made her solo debut with the release of "Hikariiro no Uta". Written by singer and songwriter ZAQ, the song is also featured as the ending theme song for the anime, HATENA☆ILLUSION. Aina also voices the heroine of series as Kana Hoshisato. Additionally, Aina released her first solo album titled ring A ring on January 22, 2020.
Check out Aina's message regarding her new solo release.
A Report on the Tour Premiere of Nier: Orchestra Concert re:12018
Written by Brian Lee
First five photos courtesy AWR Music Productions
Last three photos, all photo editing: Brian Lee
As I write this article, I'm actually on a flight back home. It's been a wild two nights and I'm a far way from home. I had traded the pleasantly sunny skies of California for the snowy streets of Chicago for the weekend. "Why?" you might ask. A very good reason: the premiere of the Nier: Orchestra Concert re:12018 tour.