Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra reveals details on new album

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra has revealed the details on their upcoming 17th album!

The album will be titled “Yokubou“, and its slated for a November 14th release. The recording took place in Barcelona and London while on their European tour this summer.

This time, the album will feature Nakano Yoshie (EGO-WRAPPIN’) and Hanaregumi as guest vocalists. Nakano, who has worked …


Wada Ayaka performs with S/mileage while sitting down

On September 29th, idol group S/mileage held the 2nd day of their live tour, ‘2012 Aki ~Choi Kawa Banchou~‘, at Yokohama BLITZ.

Member Wada Ayaka, who suffered a ligament injury to her right ankle on the 1st day of their tour, also appeared at the concert and participated by singing and speaking in MC segments. It’s …


FUNKY MONKEY BABYS hold their first dome concert

On September 29th, popular group FUNKY MONKEY BABYS held their first dome concert at Kyocera Dome in Osaka.

FUNKY MONKEY BABYS recently attracted 60,000 people to their 2-day concert at Yokohama Stadium on September 8th and 9th. On this day, 35,000 fans gathered at the dome, and leader Funky Kato called out, “Let’s not only make this our …


androp to release 2nd album + 1st hall tour

It’s been revealed that androp will be releasing their 2nd full album, “one and zero“, on December 5th!

The album will feature the band’s already released singles “World.Words.Lights. / You” and “Boohoo / AM0:40 / Waltz” as well as their brand new song “Rainbows” for a total of 15 tracks. The limited edition will come with a DVD …


Omnibus movie ‘BUNGO ~Sasayaka na Yokubo~’ holds stage greeting

On September 29th, the omnibus movie ‘BUNGO ~Sasayaka na Yokubo~‘ held a stage greeting on its opening day. The greeting was attended by the four actresses Ishihara Satomi, Hashimoto Ai, Haru, and Misaki Ayame and since the movie features several short love stories set during the Show era, they all impressed the audience with a fabulous retro look.

‘BUNGO ~Sasayaka na …


AKB48 cancels handshake event in Osaka due to typhoon

AKB48 has announced through their official blog that their September 30th handshake event in Osaka has been cancelled.

This handshake event commemorates the release of AKB48’s 26th single, “Manatsu no Sounds good!” (released in May). With Typhoon #17 approaching the Kansai district, it was cancelled “considering the safety of the guests.” However, there will be a rescheduled event at a later …


NMB48’s Jo Eriko graduates from the group

On September 28, NMB48’s Jo Eriko (13) held her graduation concert at NMB48 Theater in Namba, Osaka.

Jo is the center for Team M, and her graduation was held as a part of their recent performance. As previously reported, she decided to graduate from the group in order to focus on her studies.

After performing 17 songs, Jo was moved …


Gouriki Ayame attends opening ceremony of new ‘Tiffany & Co.’ store

On September 28, actress Gouriki Ayame attended the opening ceremony of a new ‘Tiffany & Co.‘ jewelry store inside the SOGO Chiba department store in Chiba.

For the event, Gouriki wore jewelry worth 13,000,000 Yen (167,531 USD). She expressed, “I’m very nervous, but it makes me feel one step closer to becoming an adult woman.”

She was also asked questions related to …


GOING UNDER GROUND announces 2013 spring tour + reveals tracklist for “Roots & Routes”

Rock band GOING UNDER GROUND has announced that they will be holding a live tour called ‘GOING UNDER GROUND TOUR 2013: Roots & Routes‘ starting March of 2013!

This nationwide tour will coincide the release of GOING UNDER GROUND’s upcoming album, “Roots & Routes“, which will be released on November 17th. It will kick off on March 2nd at …


Screamo band DAZZLE VISION to perform at Tekkoshocon in Pittsburgh, PA

Japanese hard-rock screamo band DAZZLE VISION will return to America to perform at Japanese anime and culture event Tekkoshocon in Pittsburgh, PA.

Famous for her “Death Voice,” melodic vocals, and high-fashion lolita style, singer Maiko and her band-mates made their USA debut at Sakura-Con 2010 as the opening act for HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR. Since then, DAZZLE VISION has toured in …


CHEMISTRY to release a live album

On September 28th, popular duo CHEMISTRY announced that they are going to release a live album titled ‘CHEMISTRY TOUR 2012 ~Trinity~‘ on November 21st.

This album was recorded on the final day of their 10th anniversary concert tour on April 7th in Okinawa. The first press limited edition includes four CDs that feature a total of 32 different tracks. Moreover …


“National Beautiful Girls” Yoshimoto Miyu and Ozawa Nanaka attend their first public event

Ozawa Nanaka (l.) and Yoshimoto Miyu at the opening reception

Ozawa Nanaka (l.) and Yoshimoto Miyu at the opening reception

On September 27, the two winners of the ‘13th Japan Bishojo Contest‘, Yoshimoto Miyu (15) and Ozawa Nanaka (13), attended the opening reception of the Japanese flagship store of the American fashion brand ‘Denim & Supply Ralph Lauren‘ in Omotesando, Tokyo.

The ‘Japan Bishojo Contest’ already produced several great actresses, such …


Gouriki Ayame hosts the ‘Sky Perfect! Awards 2012′

On September 27, the award ceremony for SKY PerfecTV!’s ‘Sky Perfect! Award 2012‘ was held at the TOKYO DOME CITY HALL. The event was hosted by the young actress Gouriki Ayame.

It was the first time Gouriki took on the position of host, but she did a great job according to her co-host Ogura Tomoaki. She also looked absolutely …


Upcoming fall drama ‘Going My Home’ holds press conference

On September 27th, Fuji TV’s affiliated TV station KTV held a press conference for their upcoming fall drama ‘Going My Home‘. The press conference was attended by starring actor Abe Hiroshi, his co-stars Yamaguchi Tomoko, Miyazaki Aoi, Nishida Toshiyuki, and YOU as well as the director Koreeda Hirokazu.

‘Going My Home’ is a humorous tale that focuses on the clumsy 45-year-old …


AKB48 & Terry Ito chosen as the “Kohaku supporters” once again

On September 27th, a press conference to announce the “Kohaku supporters” for NHK’s annual music show on New Year’s Eve “NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen” was held, and it was revealed that AKB48 and Terry Ito have been chosen as the supporters for the second straight year.

At the press conference, Terry Ito and AKB48’s Oshima Yuko, Kashiwagi Yuki, Shinoda Mariko, Watanabe …