Hatsune Miku to celebrate her 5th ‘birthday’ with two best-of albums

To celebrate the fifth anniversary of her creation, Vocaloid Hatsune Miku will be releasing two best-of albums simultaneously.

Since making her debut in Japan on August 31st, 2007, Miku has garnered a huge amount of attention and fans. To mark this huge occasion for the pop culture icon, two best-of albums titled “Hatsune Miku 5th Birthday Best ~memories~” and “Hatsune Miku 5th Birthday Best ~impacts~” have been confirmed for a release on August 1st. The albums are a collaboration project between Sony Music Direct and Dwango Music entertainment, following in the vein of her previous albums “Hatsune Miku Best ~impacts~” (2009), “Hatsune Miku Best ~memories~” (2009), “VOCALOID BEST from Nico Nico Douga [Aka]” (2011), and “VOCALOID BEST from Nico Nico Douga [Ao]” (2011).

The best-of albums will include a wide range of songs, from her popular videos on Nico Nico Douga totaling over 1 million views to her latest and greatest songs from 2012, as well as two new songs written especially for the albums by Vocaloid producers titled “Anniversary Song” and “Birthday Song“. A DVD has been planned for the limited edition versions of the albums so that fans can have physical copies of the videos for some of the most popular Hatsune Miku songs.

Although the track lists for both albums have yet to be revealed, the “memories” version of the album will contain hit songs such as “melt“, “Hello, Planet.“, “FREELY TOMORROW“, “Kagerou Days“, “Electric Love“, and more for a grand total of 19 songs. The “impacts” version will contain the same number of songs, but will feature tracks “Matroshka“, “Senbonzakura“, “Koi Suru VOC@LOID“, “Nijigen Dream Fever“, and “Akatsuki Arrival“.

Stay tuned for more on Hatsune Miku’s two new best-of albums, and check out the covers for them below!

Source: Tokyohive.

GACKT to Star in Live-Action Show of Sengoku Basara Game

CAPCOM's historical action game franchise Sengoku Basara is inspiring its first live-action television show next month, and actor/singer GACKT(Fûrin Kazan, New Fist of the North Star, Tono to Issho, Shiki) will star in it as Oda Nobunaga (pictured far right). Sengoku Basara -Moonlight Party- will also star Kento Hayashi (Arakawa Under the Bridge) as Date Masamune (center) and Kōhei Takeda (Hana Zakari no Kimi-tachi e: Ikemen Paradise, Kamen Rider Kiva) as Sanada Yukimura (left). (Historical Japanese names are listed family name first, while modern names are listed family name last.)

Gackt will contribute the ending theme song "Hakuro."

The show will premiere on July 12 on MBS, and it will run every Thursday night at 1:25 a.m. (effectively early Friday morning).

Teehee, Gackt with a fake mustache! XD

Source: Animenewsnetwork.

PSotD - Shiny Tale + Daily Lives of High School Boys Mini Review

Title: Shiny Tale

Artist: Mix Speaker's Inc.
Year: 2012

Notes: The opening song for the anime Daily Lives of High School Boys. 
I recently finished watching this anime and I found this anime hilarious. There are two things which I agree with this anime, 1) if you want to shut a girl up you need to give them chocolate, lots of chocolate, and 2) at some point in a girl's life, we would've pulled our skirts up to our chests and worn the skirt in an idiotic way.
Because of this anime I have found a new VK band to fall in love with, Mix Speaker's Inc.. Their music style reminds me of ViViD.

Mini Review:

Daily Lives of High School Boys: A laid back slice of life anime. For someone who loves action and horror this is definitely out of my comfort zone. Nevertheless, I enjoyed this anime very much. It's a big contrast to the usual full of suspense shounen adventure animes. Each story consists of short (approx. 5 minute) scenes. I found most of them quite funny and there were many times when I was literally rolling on my bed laughing (I was watching this on my bed). I had my dose of bishies and shouta, so I'm not complaining. There were also several of my favourite seiyuus participating in this anime, so no disagreements here. I loved the opening song, and I liked the background music for 'the literary girl'.

I would recommend this anime for those seeking comedy relief. It serves as a good breather between watching action packed animes.

One of my favourite scenes - from episode 7.

DDL: From AnimeMp3.

PSotD - Butterfly

Title: Butterfly

Artist: On/Off
Year: 2010

Notes: The second ending theme for Durarara!!. 
On/Off is a JPop duo consisting of twins Naoya Sakamoto and Kazuya Sakamoto. They have provided OP and ED songs for animes such as Beelzebub and Vampire Knight. They have released two albums so far.
One of my favourite characters from DRRR!! is Shinra Kishitani.

ZOMG! Dem BISHIES!! *Screeches* This pic is killing me. -grabs tissues-

DDL: From Gendou.

PSotD - Hide and Seek

Title: Hide and Seek

Artist: Kaitou Tatsuya
Year: 2012

Notes: Track 10 from the 5th Mirai Nikki OST.
I'm still hooked onto Mirai Nikki. My favourite male character is Akise Aru. Why? It's pretty obvious considering I have a fettish for male characters with white hair. Even more exciting for me is that this bishie has red eyes, and Akise's a smart/cunning character.

DDL/Torrent: Here.

PSotD - Blood Teller + Mirai Nikki Mini Review

Title: Blood Teller
Artist: Faylan
Year: 2011
Notes: First ending song for the anime Mirai Nikki.

I finished watching the anime last night, so here is my little spiel about it.
I really liked the anime ending, it wasn't one of those sappy happy endings and the whole story made sense. Then again, Yuno from the 1st world (and kami of the 1st world) died in the 3rd world, so does that mean the 1st world crumbles and disappears? If so, then couldn't Yuuki from the 2nd world use his kami powers and commit suicide, that way he no longer needs to suffer?

Anyway, I had a quick glance at the manga ending, and wasn't too impressed by it. I tried the first episode of the MN Live action drama. This story is based on different characters and an alternative storyline to the original manga and anime. The characters were not what I imagined to be. I was hoping that the main female lead would look more lunatic, but she just looked like some really annoying and dumb chick, and the main male lead wasn't handsome enough. Frankly, I was bored to tears by the live action and was pretty disappointed in it.

Mmm...Akise Aru.

DDL: Gendou.

Winter Camp 2012

During the long weekend just passed, the My Bubbletea Time team along with a few other friends went camping for three days and two nights (some people were there for four days and three nights). We had a lot of fun despite the wet and cold weather. We had hot pot and BBQ meat for dinner, and toasted marshmallows for dessert. We played around with glow sticks and Monopoly Deal. Here are a few snaps from the three day adventure.

Campfire all ready for toasting marshmallows.

More fire >:D

PSotD - Kuusou Mesorogii

Title: 空想メソロギヰ (Kuusou Mesorogii)

Artist: 妖精帝国 (Yousei Teikoku)
Year: 2011

Notes: The first opening song to Mirai Nikki.
So I started watching Mirai Nikki today, and let me say that this anime is epic! I love it! It's an action packed anime with mild horror/gore. I love the yandere character Gasai Yuno. This anime is highly recommended!

DDL: Here.

SPYAIR to provide theme song to “The Amazing Spider-Man 3D”

On June 27th, rock band SPYAIR will release a new single “0 GAME“. It will be the theme song to movie “The Amazing Spider-Man 3D“, which will release in Japan on June 30th.

The song is an original by SPYAIR, who offered the film production company to feature it in the movie. The movie’s staff had high praises for the song and stated that it’s the perfect theme song for the film.

All the members of SPYAIR were die-hard fans of NICKELBACK, and a member of the band, Chad Koreger sang to the original series of the movie back in 2002. Member MOMIKEN(B) said that he’s seen every Spider Man film many times, and that they are also fans of Aerosmith. He also mentioned that SPYAIR is happy to be able to provide the theme song this time around.

-

“0 GAME”

Regular Edition

< CD >

1. 0 GAME

2. Rock’n Roll

3. MOVIN’ ON

4. YOU 2

Source: tokyohive

Nakagawa Shoko to participate in upcoming DECO*27 album as a guest vocalist

It has just been revealed that talento Nakagawa Shoko will be participating in DECO*27’s upcoming album “Love Calendar“, which will be released on July 25th.

As tokyohive previously reported, “Love Calendar” follows the story of two high school students as they fall in love for the very first time. Nakagawa will be participating on the album as a guest vocalist in the song “Amayadori“, which goes along with the first kiss scene of the protagonists of “Love Calendar”.

“You get the image that Ms. Nakagawa sang the song with all her heart,” said DECO*27 of working with the singer. “I thought she opened up the potential of the song I wrote.” Nakagawa commented, “Out of the few love songs I’ve sang myself up until now, this one is my first song about a sweet love. Mr. DECO*27’s melody lines, and the world in the lyrics, which are full of wordplay, were revolutionary to me.”

Check out the jacket cover for the album below!

Source: tokyohive

Final Fantasy Dimensions Mobile Game's Gameplay Video Streamed

The video game news website IGN posted a hands-on gameplay video on Wednesday for Square Enix's upcoming release of the Final Fantasy Dimensions mobile game. The video highlights a battle inside a cave area in the game. 

Square Enix will release the game for both iOS and Android devices this summer. Square Enix describes the game as follows:

Drawing upon the roots of the series with such features as beautiful 2D pixel art, job-driven character growth, additional scenarios in which to inherit the jobs of your adventuring companions, and a classic story of light, darkness, and crystals, FINAL FANTASY DIMENSIONS delivers the best of FINAL FANTASY, retro and fresh alike, directly to your smartphone.

[Source: ann]

Piko to release new single in August

Piko recently announced on his twitter and blog that he will be releasing a new single「Make My Day!」on 15th August. This song will be the opening theme to the anime Binbougami ga! 「貧乏神が！」, which will begin airing in Japan in July. Information about the manga can be found here.

Robots Dance To K-pop Music

The DSME Marine Robot Pavilion is the largest pavilion at the Yeosu Expo. The pavilion is dedicated to showcasing the latest in robotic technology.

While the pavilion features many different kinds of robots, including a life-like robot capable of expressing realistic human facial movements, netizens were intrigued by a group of dancing robots.

The robots were programed to dance to different songs, including a medley of Korean songs. The robots can be seen mimicking some of Korea's most iconic dance crazes including Super Junior's "Sorry Sorry" dance, and Brown Eyed Girls' sexy hip dance in "Abracadabra".

Check out a video of the dancing robots below:

Source: jpopasia

PSotD - Ai Kotoba

Title: Ai Kotoba

Artist: Shounen-T/ Original: Hatsune Miku/ Composer: DECO*27
Year: 2011

Notes: I have previously posted about this song Ai Kotoba. However, today I want to share a Nico cover/rearrange version which I think is really beautiful. Shounen-T's voice is very strong and powerful and his piano skills are really good too.

More Code Geass pics :)

DDL: From nicosound - scroll down until you see three links in a row. Click on the far right link with the words "MP3 を抽出".

PIKO announces new single

It’s been revealed that singer PIKO will be releasing a new single this summer.

“Make My Day!” is PIKO’s sixth single and will be the opening theme song to anime “Binbogamiga!” (God of Poverty). The anime is scheduled to air in July, while the single is slated for an August 15th release. The manga is currently being serialized in JUMP Square.

The single will come in three editions and the limited edition will include a DVD with performance footage from the “Ki/oon 20 Years & Days” concert that was held on May 19th, 2012. It will also come with a wide cap sticker and card. Limited edition B will include a Sakura Ichigo from ‘Binbogamiga!’ grafig (paper figurine) and the first press of the regular edition will include a PIKO card.

PSotD - Wherever You Are

Title: Wherever You Are

Artist: ONE OK ROCK
Album: Niche Syndrome
Year: 2010

Notes: A very gentle (soft rock) love song by the JRock band ONE OK ROCK. Taka's voice is so powerful in this song.

Random Code Geass picture. Lelouch and Suzaku are so cute :3

DDL: 

Vote for L’Arc~en~Ciel to visit your hometown during their next world tour!

L’Arc~en~Ciel has opened up voter registration for their next world tour. What this means is that you can submit a vote to get L’Arc to perform in your city!

You have to type your country, city, name, age, sex, and e-mail address into the voting box and then you can continue on and vote for your favorite songs to be played as well. There are currently over 51,000 votes, so if you want L’Arc to play in your area, get your friends and family to vote along with you.

You can vote here.

Source: Tokyohive

Piko releases new album "2PIKO"

Famous Japanese singer Piko recently released his second album "2PIKO". The tracklist includes:

1. ジョージャク:ヤッパダメカ

2. 咲色リフレイン 

3. 君に逢いたくて 

4. 乱獲パラレル 

5. 天樂 

6. シンドローム

7. ピコピコ★ナイトオブギャラクシー

8. ユメハナ 

9. Unlimited Dream Walkers

10. Maker÷Breaker

11. ONLINE 

12. Acid soul-完全に厨二病じゃん-

13. ☆ピコピコ★レジェンドオブザナイトオブギャラクシー (BONUS TRACK.) 

A sample of the album can be downloaded here.

SID to release new album, “M&W”

Rock band SID has revealed that their new album, “M&W“, will be released on August 1!

This will be the band’s first full-length album in about a year and 5 months, with their last being “dead stock“. It will feature a total of 11 tracks, including their hit singles “Itsuka“, “Fuyu no Bench“, “Nokoriga“, and “S“.

The album will be available for purchase in 3 different versions: Limited Edition A, Limited Edition B, and Regular Edition. Both Limited Editions will come with a DVD containing footage of different live performances.

SID recently kicked off their nationwide tour, “TOUR 2012 ‘M&W’ preview“, on June 1. In September, after the album’s release, the band is scheduled to start “TOUR 2012 ‘M&W’“.

Source: Tokyohive

SNSD reveals details + track list for “Paparazzi”

In the span of just 2-days Shoujo Jidai has been releasing information on their upcoming Japanese single “PAPARAZZI” in pieces.

The news of their upcoming single “PAPARAZZI” was first released on the girls’ Japanese mobile site. After revealing the PV teaser and preview, they also revealed two promotional photos. Now the group has released the single jackets and track lists for the single.

As previously mentioned the single has been described as a strong dance tune, and to match the song, Shoujo Jidai’s choreography will include a ‘camera shutter’ move while also being chased around by paparazzi.

“PAPARAZZI” will be released on June 27th.

Check out the track list and details of the various versions below!

-

Limited Edition

< CD >

1. PAPARAZZI

2. PAPARAZZI (Instrumental)
< DVD >

1. PAPARAZZI -Music Video-

2. PAPARAZZI -Music Video-(Close-up Version)

Extra: Photo Booklet

A: GIRLS’ GENERATION PAPARAZZI “SPECIAL ISSUE”

B: GIRLS’ GENERATION PAPARAZZI “BEHIND THE SCENES”


Regular Edition Type A

< CD >

1. PAPARAZZI

2. PAPARAZZI (Instrumental)
< DVD >

1. PAPARAZZI -Music Video-


Regular Edition Type B

< CD >

1. PAPARAZZI

2. PAPARAZZI (Instrumental)

Source: Tokyohive

PSotD - Never Meant to Belong

Title: Never Meant to Belong

Artist: Shiro Sagisu
Album: BLEACH Original Soundtrack I
Year: 2005

Notes: A background song from the anime Bleach. Bleach was the anime that got me into the whole anime/manga craze, so I have rather emotional ties with this anime, despite the negative feedback that other people give. I think this manga has a brilliant storyline (at least the first season does), I love the characters and Kubo's artwork is unique. Kubo's a natural at drawing manga, he can capture deep and realistic human emotions with very few strokes of his brush, his pacing of the story is good, and his panels tend to be drawn at uncommon but effective angles and perspectives. Furthermore, Bleach is full of action, swords and bishies, the three things that makes my otaku life complete.
This song always makes me sad when I listen to it. I remember it being played during the scene where Rukia is imprisoned and she reflects back to the happy moments she spent with Ichigo and co..

DDL: From Gendou music (Requires account - it's easy to make one!)

DECO*27 announces 3rd full album, ‘Love Calendar’

DECO*27 has announced that he will be releasing his third full album ‘Love Calendar‘ on July 25.

The album is reported to tell the story of two high school students who have fallen in love for the first time. ‘Love Calendar’ will detail the ups and downs of their relationship with vibrancy and life within the “maelstrom of love” through its 12 tracks.

The songwriter charmed fans with the expressiveness in his songs. marina (ex-Girls Dead Monster) features in the album as well. The guitar portions are, naturally, played by DECO*27 himself, while drums will be provided by Fukuda Yoko (BOOM BOOM SATELLITES) and bass by Nikamoto Ryosuke (Yuukei Rampage).

It has also been revealed that voice actress Yuuki Aoi, who gained popularity as the voice behind the main character of the hit anime ‘Puella Magi Madoka Magica‘, will be participating in the album as a guest vocalist. Yuuki has previously worked with DECO*27 on the songs “Tokei Kanransha” and “Sugar Loop“, both of which were composed, written, and arranged by DECO*27 and were included in her mini-album ‘Petit Pas‘ earlier this year. Yuuki will provide fresh vocals for DECO*27’s song “Kisou Honnou“.

Source: Tokyohive

SNSD reveals two different promotional pictures for “Paparazzi”

Korean idol group Shoujo Jidai (SNSD) has unveiled two different promotional pictures for their upcoming fourth Japanese single “Paparazzi“, which will be released on June 27th.

As tokyohive previously reported, the single will be the group’s first Japanese single in approximately a year and two months. To promote their new single, Shoujo Jidai has unveiled two different pictures, which represent the limited and regular editions of “Paparazzi”.

The limited edition promo picture shows the idol group standing in the street seen in the music video for the song as the girls avoid the paparazzi on their way to the stage. The set for the music video is said to have taken a full week to construct, and required 120 staff members to shoot plus an additional 300 people to serve as extras. The other picture, their artist photo for the regular edition version of the single, shows a stylishly-dressed Shoujo Jidai posing for the camera.

“Paparazzi” is said to be a strong dance tune packed with the girls’ distinctive flavor. To connect with the title of the song, the girls have added a special ‘camera shutter’ move into the choreography and will be chased by the media all over the world to represent the theme in multiple ways.

Source: Tokyohive

PSotD - Code Geass R1 OST 1

So the story goes, when and if pumpkin gets addicted to something, pumpkin gets addicted to it; stalks it to death; collects everything related to it; hallucinates about it; drools over it; breathes it; goes crazy (a.k.a. fangirls) over it; it becomes the only thing pumpkin talks about; and repeat.
What's pumpkin's latest craze? Code Geass (+bishies).

Title: Stream of Consciousness; Cold Nobility; The First Signature; In Justice; All Hail Britannia!!!

Artist: Nakagawa Koutarou
Year: 2006

Notes: A selection of songs from the first OST of the first season of the anime Code Geass (with some picture spammage in between). 
DDL: From keiichianimeforever.com