Source: FlyingDog, Inc. Qdopp Media Relations press release
Maaya Sakamoto’s 4th concept album “Duets” (坂本 真綾 4thコンセプトアルバム Duets) will be released on March 17. This will be her second album to commemorate her 25th anniversary year and her first-ever duet album.
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Source: FlyingDog, Inc. Qdopp Media Relations press release
Official Anime Site: ariacompany.net (Japan)
Kiyono Yasuno’s long-awaited third single will consist of “Felicità” and “Echoes”, the opening and ending theme songs of the anime feature film ARIA THE CREPUSCOLO, which will open in Japanese cinemas in spring 2021. Kiyono will also be voicing Aletta, one of the new characters in the movie. This single will be released in two formats: The ARIA version, which will feature cover art drawn by ARIA character designer Yoko Ito, and the KIYONO version, which will feature a photo of Kiyono Yasuno. The third track for each version will be a newly recorded acoustic version of a previously released song.
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Source: Warner Bros. Japan, Pony Canyon
Official Site: the-promised-neverland-movie.jp (Japan)
Will Agetaro be able to reach his ideal as the Tonkatsu DJ?
The juicy sound of frying pork and the funky beat firing up the dance floor make for a mouthwatering mix!
Get ready for a hilariously yummy comedy that you’ve never heard or experienced before!
Warner Bros. Japan and Pony Canyon have provided SciFi Japan with press notes and high-res photos from TONKATSU DJ AGETARO (とんかつDJアゲ太郎, Tonkatsu DJ Agetarō), the live action adaptation of the hit manga.
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Source: Toei Co., Ltd.
Official Site: honeyworks-anime.jp (Japan)
Toei has provided a gallery of images from their upcoming theatrical feature, HoneyWorks 10th Anniversary “LIP × LIP FILM × LIVE”. The film, which celebrates the anniversary of the multimedia group HoneyWorks with a hybrid of an anime movie and a “virtual live performance,” will open in Japanese cinemas on December 25, 2020.
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Source: 3Y Film
Official Site: nezura1964.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to Avery Guerra
The makers of NEZURA 1964 (ネズラ1964) have released a new trailer for the kaiju film reboot and a promotional video for the “Giant Horde Beast Nezura” theme song collaboration between tokusatsu music legends Akira Kushida and Michiaki (Chumei) Watanabe.
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Source: 3Y Film
Official Site: nezura1964.com (Japan)
Special Thanks to Avery Guerra
Two music icons have teamed up for the theme song for NEZURA 1964 (ネズラ1964)!
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Source: Qdopp Media Relations, FlyingDog, Inc. press release
Official Site: jvcmusic.lnk.to/GEAR_FIGHTER_DENDOH
To commemorate the 20th anniversary of the original run of GEAR FIGHTER DENDOH (Gear 戦士電童, Gia Faitā Dendō, 2000-01), the anime production company has been releasing one episode daily since October 15.
Coinciding with these releases, the GEAR FIGHTER DENDOH music collection, which was previously only available on CD, will be re-released for streaming on December 2.
The hit opening theme “W-Infinity” by Hitomi Mieno and Hironobu Kageyama, the character and insert songs by leading voice actress Naomi Shindo and others, and the profound background music by Toshihiko Sahashi—these albums have it all!
The albums will be available on streaming services and major download sites such as the iTunes Store, RecoChoku, and mora.
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Kamihama City, the city where Magical Girls and Uwasa are gathering.
Source: Aniplex of America press release
Official Site: anime.magireco.com (Japan), magiarecord-animeusa.com (US)
Special Thanks to Aiko Makino
Aniplex of America has announced the latest addition to their Blu-ray catalogue: MAGIA RECORD: PUELLA MAGI MADOKA MAGICA SIDE STORY (マギアレコード 魔法少女まどか☆マギカ外伝, Magia Rekōdo: Mahō Shōjo Madoka Magika Gaiden, 2020) Blu-ray Vol. 1. The Blu-ray set will be released on March 16, 2021 with all thirteen episodes from season one in both English and Japanese audio on three Blu-ray discs along with all four versions of the textless openings and ending, trailers, commercials, and the adorable animated “Magia Report” commercials. Featuring package illustrations by character designer Junichiro Taniguchi, the set also comes with an exclusive booklet featuring end card illustrations from every episode, as well as a soundtrack CD.
The series stars Momo Asakura (KAGUYA-SAMA: LOVE IS WAR, CHARLOTTE) and Kira Buckland (BLUE EXORCIST, LORD EL-MELLOI II’S CASE FILES {RAIL ZEPPELIN} GRACE NOTE) as the main character, Iroha Tamaki, who is unable to recall the wish she made in exchange for becoming a Magical Girl.
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Source: Toei Co., Ltd.
Official Site: honeyworks-anime.jp (Japan)
Toei has provided information and promotional images for their upcoming theatrical feature, HoneyWorks 10th Anniversary “LIP × LIP FILM × LIVE”. As the title reveals, the film celebrates the anniversary of the multimedia group HoneyWorks with a hybrid of an anime movie and a “virtual live performance.”
Known by their fans as “Haniwa,” HoneyWorks is known for their Vocaloid music, which is characterized by a variety of pop-flavored animated avatars. They began posting “virtual pop star” songs on video sites like NicoNico in 2010. Their major debut album “I Have Always Liked You.” was released in 2014, and their recent “Confess Your Love Committee Character Song Collection” album features songs used in movies, TV anime and stage productions. HoneyWorks have more than 1.7 million YouTube followers, and their views of their online videos number in the hundreds of millions.
HoneyWorks introduced the idol unit LIP x LIP — consisting of Yujiro (CV: Koki Uchiyama) and Aizo (CV: Nobunaga Shimazaki) — with the song “Romeo.” Since their debut, the group has racked up video views in excess of 70 million. Their 2019 album “Choose which kiss.” hit No. 2 on the Orion Weekly Chart, and “live” concerts were held in Tokyo and Osaka.
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Author: Keith Aiken
Source: Toho Co., Ltd., EXEO Japan
Official Site: exeo-japan.co.jp
The speed dating service EXEO Japan Co., Ltd., in collaboration with Criax Co., Ltd., will hold a karaoke exchange party at the Karaoke Room Kabukicho Shinjuku on November 27. The Godzilla-themed Kabukicho Shinjuku is part of Criax’s popular Uta Hiroba chain of karakoe bars, and is located on the Godzilla Road leading up to the famous Hotel Gracery Shinjuku “Godzilla Tower.”
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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release
Special Thanks to James Flower and Clint Weiler
Arrow Video US and MVD Entertainment are offering SciFi Japan readers a chance to win the new Blu-ray of Sogo Ishii’s BURST CITY (爆裂都市 BURST CITY, Bakuretsu Toshi Bāsuto Shiti, 1982). The movie is an explosive Molotov cocktail of dystopian sci-fi, Mad Max-style biker wars against yakuza gangsters and the police, and riotous performances from members of the real-life Japanese punk bands The Stalin, The Roosters, The Rockers and INU. In a derelict industrial wasteland somewhere on the outskirts of Tokyo, two rival punk bands and their unruly mobs of fans gather for a Battle of the Bands-style protest against the construction of a nuclear power plant, bringing them head to head with the yakuza industrialists behind the development of their turf.
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Source: Toei Co., Ltd.
Official Site: spring.precure-movie.com (Japan)
Toei has provided information and high-res images from their new anime film PRETTY CURE MIRACLE LEAP THE MOVIE (映画プリキュアミラクルリープ みんなとの不思議な1日, Eiga Purikyua Mirakuru Rīpu: Min’na to no Fushigi na Ichinichi). The 28th theatrical feature in the PRETTY CURE series, PRETTY CURE MIRACLE LEAP THE MOVIE is also the franchise’s 13th crossover film, offering a team-up of the Precures from the series HUG! PRETTY CURE, STAR TWINKLE PRETTY CURE and HEALIN’ GOOD PRETTY CURE).
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Source: Arrow Video US, MVD Entertainment Group press release
Special Thanks to James Flower and Clint Weiler
BURST CITY (爆裂都市 BURST CITY, Bakuretsu Toshi Bāsuto Shiti, 1982) is an explosive Molotov cocktail of dystopian sci-fi, Mad Max-style biker wars against yakuza gangsters and the police, and riotous performances from members of the real-life Japanese punk bands The Stalin, The Roosters, The Rockers and INU. In a derelict industrial wasteland somewhere on the outskirts of Tokyo, two rival punk bands and their unruly mobs of fans gather for a Battle of the Bands-style protest against the construction of a nuclear power plant, bringing them head to head with the yakuza industrialists behind the development of their turf.
This extraordinary celebration of Japan’s punk music scene of the early 1980s thrust Sōgo Ishii (now known by the name of Gakuryū Ishii) to the next level and is regularly cited as an early landmark in Japanese cyberpunk cinema.
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Source: KAIJU MASTERCLASS press release
Special Thanks to Steve Ryfle
Announcing KAIJU MASTERCLASS, a three-day online convention with guest lineup featuring composer Bear McCreary (THE WALKING DEAD, GODZILLA: KING OF THE MONSTERS), director Shinji Higuchi (SHIN GODZILLA, ATTACK ON TITAN), composer David Arnold (the JAMES BOND franchise, GODZILLA 1998), director Shusuke Kaneko (GODZILLA, MOTHRA, AND KING GHIDORAH, DEATH NOTE), composer Michiru Oshima (GODZILLA: TOKYO SOS), and long list of genre creators and scholars.
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Source: Japan Society press release
Official Site: japancuts.japansociety.org
Special Thanks to Allison Rodman
North America’s largest festival of contemporary Japanese cinema presents a robust slate of 42 films streaming online throughout the U.S., introduces inaugural Next Generation competitive festival section with Obayashi Prize, and offers dual CUT ABOVE Awards to actors Koichi Sato and Ken Watanabe.
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Source: Oscilloscope Laboratories press release
Official Site: littlezombies.jp (Japan), littlezombies.oscilloscope.net (US)
Special Thanks to Ted Geoghegan
The incredible Sundance darling WE ARE LITTLE ZOMBIES (ウィーアーリトルゾンビーズ, Uīā Ritoru Zonbīzu, 2019) hits VOD and live cinemas — yeah, real movie theaters! — this Friday, July 10th from Oscilloscope Laboratories!
Director Makoto Nagahisa won the Grand Jury Prize (for short film) at the 33rd Sundance Film Festival, the first Japanese recipient of the award. The film, AND SO WE PUT GOLDFISH IN THE POOL (そうして私たちはプールに金魚を, Sōshite Watashitachiha Pūru ni Kingyo o), garnered attention both in Japan and around the world for its compelling cinematography, clever storytelling, and entrancing music, promising the birth of a new talent in the wake of Quentin Tarantino (KILL BILL), Damien Chazelle (LA LA LAND), Shunji Iwai (A BRIDE FOR RIP VAN WINKLE), and Tetsuya Nakajima (THE WORLD OF KANAKO). Now in 2020, director Nagahisa has made his long-awaited full-length debut. For his first feature film, Makoto Nagahisa chose a story about the adventures of 13-year-old children whose parents have passed away. They suddenly lose their parents and “should be sad but tears won’t fall.”
Will they be able to retrieve their ability to feel through music?
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Source: Tsuburaya Productions
Official Site: anime.heros-ultraman.com (Japan), netflix.com/ultraman (US)
Official Twitter Account: @ heros_ultraman
Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with multiple updates containing more information and images for their ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman) anime series. A new promotional video has been released for Season 2, introducing the series’ newest cast member, Tatsuhisa Suzuki. In the video, after a scene where Ultraman, Seven and Ace continue their fierce battles from Season 1, a mysterious horned silhouette wreathed in flames appears with the lines, “I am Taro — Ultraman Taro!” delivered by Suzuki.
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The second heroine, White Cat, will be played by popular voice actress Ayana Taketatsu!
Source: Qdopp Media Relations press release
Official Site: dlsite.com
Following on the heels of Episode 1: THE CALICO CAT GIRL & THE SOUND OF A BELL (CV. Sumire Uesaka), Episode 2: THE WHITE CAT GIRL’S INNOCENT TAIL is now available on dlsite.com from 0:00 on June 22 (Monday). The heroine of the second episode, White Cat, will be voiced by Ayana Taketatsu.
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The heroine of the first episode, Calico Cat, will be played by popular voice actress Sumire Uesaka
Source: Qdopp Media Relations press release
Official Site: dlsite.com
NECOGURASHI – THE CALICO CAT GIRL & THE SOUND OF A BELL will be available on dlsite.com from 0:00 on June 15 (Monday). The heroine of the first episode, Calico Cat, will be voiced by Sumire Uesaka.
ASMR (autonomous sensory meridian response) is a relaxing, often sedative sensation that begins on the scalp and moves down the body. It is most commonly triggered by auditory or visual stimuli. Recently, this phenomenon has been gaining popularity, and many ASMR-related sounds and videos have been posted to social media platforms such as YouTube and Instagram.
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Exclusive and Previously Unpublished Contents Announced!
Source: Bandai Namco Arts Inc., Qdopp Media Relations press release
Official Site: mixbox.live
Official Twitter: twitter.com/Amane_LAN
MixBox is a new streaming program by Bandai Namco Arts that will connect you 24/7! It will allow you to enjoy a variety of video contents while listening to Bandai Namco Arts music free of charge. A teaser website was opened today ahead of the launch.
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New Comments from Directors Kenji Kamiyama and Shinji Aramaki
Source: FlyingDog, Inc. press release
Official Site: ghostintheshell-sac2045.jp (Japan), Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 | Netflix (US)
GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 (攻殻機動隊 SAC_2045, Kōkaku Kidōtai SAC_2045), the latest installment in the highly-acclaimed GHOST IN THE SHELL series, is currently available worldwide on Netflix. The GHOST IN THE SHELL SAC_2045 original soundtrack was released today.
Based in Tokyo and Los Angeles, composers Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi have created scores for numerous films, video games, and anime — such as the METAL GEAR SOLID series, UZUMASA LIMELIGHT, HALO 5: GUARDIANS, and ULTRAMAN — using a combination of elements from orchestral, acoustic and electronic genres. Over the last two decades, the duo have received numerous awards and honors including the BAFTA Games Award, NAVGTR Awards, Global Music Award, and MPSE Golden Reel Award.
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Source: Aniplex of America press release
Official Site: aniplex-online-fest.com
Special Thanks to Aiko Makino
Aniplex of America is thrilled to announce the first ever Aniplex Online Fest streaming July 4 – July 5, 2020 on YouTube with Sally Amaki of 22/7 (nanabun no nijyuuni) serving as the emcee for the English version of the special two-day event.
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Band Delivers A Catchy Blend Of Rock/Punk/Pop Influenced Music On A 13-Date Tour Next Spring; ２ Extra Shows Added
Source: MediaLab press release
Official Site: flow-official.jp
Special Thanks to Erik Jansen
The Japanese rock band, FLOW, has rescheduled its 2020 North American tour due to the Covid-19 pandemic. New dates for the originally scheduled shows, along with 2 new shows in 2 North American cities, have been announced.
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Source: Tsuburaya Productions
Official Site: ani.tv/ultraman_z, m-78.jp/z (Japan)
Official Twitter: twitter.com/ultraman_series
Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with an update for ULTRAMAN Z (ZETT) 『ウルトラマンＺ(ゼット), Urutoraman Z (Zetto)』. The latest Ultraman series focuses on two young heroes: Haruki Natsukawa (played by Kohshu Hirano), a new pilot for the anti-monster robot force “STORAGE,” and Ultraman Z, a new hero and disciple of Ultraman Zero with a passionate heart. ULTRAMAN Z will begin broadcasting on Japanese television at 9am on Saturday, June 20, 2020.
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Source: FlyingDog, Inc. press release
Official Site: ghostintheshell-sac2045.jp (Japan), Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 | Netflix (US)
GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 (攻殻機動隊 SAC_2045, Kōkaku Kidōtai SAC_2045), the latest entry in the classic sci-fi series GHOST IN THE SHELL, is currently available worldwide on Netflix. The GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 original soundtrack will be released on June 3. Today, the jacket art and track list were revealed.
Based in Tokyo and Los Angeles, composers Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi have created scores for numerous films, video games, and anime — such as the METAL GEAR SOLID series, UZUMASA LIMELIGHT, HALO 5: GUARDIANS, and ULTRAMAN, — using a combination of elements from orchestral, acoustic and electronic genres. Over the last two decades, the duo have received numerous awards and honors including the BAFTA Games Award, NAVGTR Awards, Global Music Award, and MPSE Golden Reel Award.
The jacket art, which was designed to commemorate the series’ release on Netflix, features a GHOST IN THE SHELL graphic reminiscent of a mandala.
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Source: FlyingDog, Inc. press release
On April 24, FlyingDog announced that it has created English social media accounts. FlyingDog is a music label known worldwide for its anime soundtracks, including COWBOY BEBOP and GHOST IN THE SHELL S.A.C. (Yoko Kanno), .hack//SIGN (Yuki Kajiura), CODE GEASS, and the ANCIENT MAGUS’ BRIDE. It has also produced visuals for popular series such as SAMURAI CHAMPLOO, TRIGUN, and CAROLE & TUESDAY. Its artists include Maaya Sakamoto, AKINO from bless4, who performed the opening theme song of GENESIS OF AQUARION, and Walküre, a tactical sound unit featured in the MACROSS DELTA anime series.
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Details on New Theme Song, Game Characters, the Live-action Promotional Video and More!
Source: Tsuburaya Productions
Official Site: anime.heros-ultraman.com (Japan), netflix.com/ultraman (US)
Official Twitter Account: @ heros_ultraman
Tsuburaya Productions has provided SciFi Japan with multiple updates containing more information and images for their ULTRAMAN (ウルトラマン, Urutoraman) anime series. Based on the manga of the same name by Eiichi Shimizu and Tomohiro Shimoguchi, the 3DCG animated show focuses on Shinjiro Hayata, the teenage son of Shin Hayata, the former human host of the original Ultraman. Having inherited some of Ultraman’s power, Shinjiro dons a metallic suit to become the next generation Ultraman.
In April 2019, ULTRAMAN started streaming in over 200 countries (including the United States and Japan) exclusively on Netflix. The series was critical and viewing hit, ranking first in anime and sixth overall for “the most-watched shows in Japan” on Netflix for last year. It also received an award for “Best CG Anime Broadcast on TV or Streamed Online” at the 2020 VFX-JAPAN Awards. A second season is currently in production for release in 2021.
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Source: Bandai Namco Arts Inc., Qdopp Media Relations press release
Official Anime Site: appareranman.com (Japan), funimation.com/shows/appare-ranman (US)
Bandai Namco Arts has released photos, cover art and a teaser video for Mia REGINA’s new single “I got it!” The song is also the opening theme for the newTV anime series APPARE-RANMAN! (天晴爛漫!, Appareranman!)
This single is a speedy rock tune!
The lyrics are by group member RisukoSasakama and the composition is by John Kanda. It’s an American-style rock song featuring RisukoSasakama’s powerful vocals.
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Source: FlyingDog, Inc. press release
Official Site: ghostintheshell-sac2045.jp (Japan), Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 | Netflix (US)
GHOST IN THE SHELL: SAC_2045 (攻殻機動隊 SAC_2045, Kōkaku Kidōtai SAC_2045), the latest entry in the classic sci-fi series GHOST IN THE SHELL, is scheduled to release worldwide on Netflix on April 23, 2020.
The anime’s opening theme “Fly with me” will be released as a single on April 22. Two-time Grammy-nominated DJ/Producer Steve Aoki has created a remix of this song, which will be included as a bonus track. Steve Aoki’s track is titled “Fly with me – Steve Aoki Neon Future Remix.”
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Source: Bandai Namco Arts Inc
Official Site: dasfeenreich.com
Since entering the human world, Yousei Teikoku have continued to evolve their unique style of gothic rock/heavy metal, even gaining the ability to fuse metal and anime songs.
Details on Yousei Teikoku’s new album “the age of villains,” which is scheduled to release on March 25, have been revealed.
Five years have passed since Yousei Teikoku released their previous album “SHADOW CORPS[e].” Since then, XiVa and ryöga have joined the band, and this has resulted in an album of even greater intensity and beauty.
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