UVERWORLD to provide theme song for anime film, ‘Ao no Exorcist’

It’s been revealed that UVERWORLD will be providing the theme song for the upcoming anime film, ‘Ao no Exorcist‘ (December 28th release).

‘Ao no Exorcist’ is a popular manga by Kato Kazue that’s been serialized in ‘Jump Square‘ since 2009. UVERWORLD has provided the opening theme song for the TV anime series’ 1st season which started airing in April of 2011.

The title and release date of the theme song haven’t been revealed at this time because it’s still under production. TAKUYA∞ commented, “UVERWORLD is made up of members that we gathered in our hometown, so we’re old friends from before forming the band. There’s a link between ‘Ao no Exorcist’ and how we move forward with irreplaceable friends. We are currently producing a song that will find its way in the movie’s story.”

Source & Image: natalie, tokyohive

SuG to withdraw from PS Company and go on hiatus in December

Visual kei band SuG will be going on hiatus after their one-man live on December 29th. The band will also be removed from their agency PS COMPANY.

Through his official blog, Takeru (Vo) explained, “The reason is very simple. To continue our activities in this situation, we will be betraying everyone who has been involved with us as well as our history. ‘We are here now because we aren’t ashamed of the past’, we feel that’s the only way for us to shine. In order for us to challenge ourselves to things that we feel is cool from the bottom of our hearts, we decided to halt our activities.”

Regarding their withdrawal from PS COMPANY, he revealed, “It’s not that we had a disagreement, neither were we dismissed. I just feel that our directions started to shift little by little. If we hadn’t met PS COMPANY, we wouldn’t be here now. That is why we decided not to avoid this vague relationship, and faced the result of withdrawal.”

SuG will kick off their nationwide tour, ‘SuG TOUR 2012: sweeToxic‘, on October 10th. They will go into hiatus after their one-man live, ‘SuG Oneman Show 2012: This is O‘, on December 29th at Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

Source: natalie, tokyohive

Kuroko's Basketball Character Song CD Sells 24,886 at #3

According to the Oricon Singles charts for October 8, the "Kuroko no Basuke Character Song Duet Series Vol. 3" single released on September 26 sold 24,886 copies in five days to rank at #3 for the week's CD single sales.

The single features songs and a mini drama from characters Shintarō Midorima (voiced by Daisuke Ono) and Kazunari Takao (voiced by Tatsuhisa Suzuki). This is the first character song single for the series that has ranked in the top three on Oricon's chart.

Shueisha released the 19th volume of Tadatoshi Fujimaki's original Kuroko no Basuke sports manga last month. Production I.G's television anime adaptation of the series ended on September 22 and the series will receive an original video anime included with the eighth Blu-ray Disc/DVD volume of the television anime series in February.

Crunchyroll streamed the television anime into several countries as it aired in Japan.

Sources: Listen, Oricon, ANN

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Sings New Crayon Shin-chan Theme

Model/singer Kyary Pamyu Pamyu announced on Saturday that she is singing the new theme song for the Crayon Shin-chan television anime. The announcement came during the TV Asahi Dream Festival 2012 event at Tokyo's Yoyogi National Gymnasium. This is her first anime theme song.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is a self-described huge Crayon Shin-chan fan who has all of the original manga volumes and catches the anime films as they come out. As Kyary Pamyu Pamyu appeared onstage at Saturday's event, Crayon Shin-chan's title character Shinosuke (or rather, a costumed performer) made a surprise entrance to express his excitement over the news.

Music producer and DJ Yasutaka Nakata (One Piece Film Z, Five Numbers!) wrote and scored the new "Kimi ni 100 Percent" song, and Shinosuke is contributing by shouting during the song's interludes. The song will begin airing in the anime on October 19.

The Mainichi Shimbun paper's Mantan Web posted more photographs from the announcement.

Source: Mainichi Shimbun's Mantan Web, ANN

Hello Kitty, My Melody Transformed Into US$2,500 Sofas

Sanrio announced a line of mascot-inspired sofas on Friday. The company is offering three designs including their most popular character, Hello Kitty, as well as My Melody and Purin.

Hello Kitty and My Melody both retail for 198,000 yen (about US$2,520) with an additional charge of 3,150 yen (US$40) for shipping, while Purin is priced at 178,500 yen (US$2,270). Each piece of furniture is individually handmade by artisans in the Shizuoka prefecture.

More pics here.

GACKT reveals the PV for ‘Hakuro’

Gackt has released the music video for Hakuro. “Hakuro” is GACKT’s 42nd single and it was written as the ending theme to the drama, ‘Sengoku BASARA -MOONLIGHT PARTY-‘.
Check out the PV below!

 

Japan Passes Jail-for-Downloaders Anti-Piracy Law

Japan’s legislature has approved a bill revising the nation’s copyright law to add criminal penalties for downloading copyrighted material or backing up content from a DVD. The penalties will come into effect in October.

The Upper House of the Japanese Diet approved the bill by a vote of 221-12, less than a week after the measure cleared the lower house with almost no opposition. Violators risk up to two years in prison or fines up to two million yen (about $25,000).

Opponents of the bill worry it will lead to unnecessary prosecutions because of the way it is written. To face charges, a person must be aware that the material is illegal to download.

“We shouldn’t risk making the general public — including youths — the subject of criminal investigations,” said Upper House member Yuko Mori, as quoted in the Japan Times.

Japanese attorney Toshimitsu Dan told IT Media that even watching a YouTube video could be grounds for arrest “if the viewer is aware that downloading [such material] is illegal.”

Unauthorized uploading and downloading of copyrighted material such as music, movies and video games have been illegal in Japan for years, but until now only uploaders were subject to criminal penalties: up to 10 years in prison or fines as much as 10 million yen ($125,000), according to the Times.

Source.

Offical Japan Government Website.

PSotD - Start it right away

Title: Start it right away

Artist: Hyadain
Year: 2012

Notes: First ending song from the anime Kuroko no Basuke.
>I'll give anyone a choc chip cookie if they can sing they chorus part.

DDL: here

PSotD - Catal Rhythm

Title: Catal Rhythm

Artist: OLDCODEX
Year: 2012

Notes: Second ending song from the anime Kuroko no Basuke.

DDL: here

Daily Lives of High School Boys Manga Abruptly Ends

Manga creator Yasunobu Yamauchi released the final chapter of the Daily Lives of High School Boys (Danshi Kōkōsei no Nichijō ) series on Square Enix's Gangan Online website on Thursday. There was no previous sign that the manga would end this week. Square Enix will publish the manga's seventh volume this December.

The gag comedy manga follows the humorous yet "realistic" everyday life of Tadakuni, Hidenori, Yoshitake, and other students at a boys' high school. In the final chapter, the three main characters have a light and comedic talk about the masked hero that saved Hidenori from bullies when he was a child. The ending of the chapter reveals the truth behind the hero.

Source: ANN

PSotD - Knocking on the mind

Title: Knocking on the mind

Artist: Hijirikawa Masato (Suzumura Kenichi)
Year: 2011

Notes: Character song from the anime Uta no Prince sama.

DDL: here

PSotD - Rimfire

Title: Rimfire

Artist: Granrodeo
Year: 2012

Notes: Second opening song from the anime Kuroko no Basuke.

My dear bishies. (All MINE! Keep your hands off!)

DDL: here

PSotD - Boku no Invitation

Title: Boku no Invitation

Artist: JP
Year: 2012

Notes: The opening song to the ongoing anime Shirokuma Cafe (Polar bear cafe).

A catchy and upbeat tune to begin a hilarious slice-of-life anime centered around a polar bear, a panda and a penguin.

DDL: here

Uta no Prince sama Live Event 2012 @ Yuubouto Hall

As our dedicated readers will know, I'm a die-hard fan of Uta no Prince sama. I was brimming with happiness tonight when I found a download link for the live event held in Japan earlier this year. Sure, the video quality isn't great, but I get to see and hear the amazing voices of my dearest Masato and Natsuki, my cute Syo, sexy Ren, hot Tokiya, and a somewhat annoying Ittoki. Unfortunately, this video is not English subbed. So please enjoy 2.5 hours worth of magic from the link below.

Download: http://www.mediafire.com/?ii1sf96lrzqzp#myfiles

Ps. To the kind-hearted soul who uploaded this, I, and other fangirls, are forever grateful and indebted to you.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu unleashes PV for “Fashion Monster”

The PV for Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s upcoming single, “Fashion Monster“, has been revealed through Warner Music Japan’s official YouTube channel!

“Fashion Monster” is Kyary’s 3rd single, and it’s scheduled for release on October 17th. This electronic rock number is written and composed by Nakata Yasutaka (capsule), and it serves as the CM song for apparel brand, ‘g.u.‘.

Source: TH

Check out the PV below!

Btooom! Survival Action Anime's TV Ads Streamed

The anime music production unit Flying Dog began streaming three commercials for the Btooom! survival action television anime series on Friday. The anime's main character Ryōta Sakamoto (as voiced by Kanata Hongou) narrates the 30-second commercial and the first 15-second commercial.

Junya Inoue's original manga centers around Sakamoto, a NEET (Not in Education, Employment, or Training) young man and a top-ranked player in the online combat game Btooom! One day, he wakes up on a tropical island without remembering how he got there. He sees a figure in the distance and asks for help. However, the figure responds by throwing something at Ryūta — a "BIM" bomb.

The anime from the studio MADHOUSE will begin airing in Japan on October 4, after streaming on the niconico (formerly Nico Nico Douga) video service beginning on October 8.

Source: ANN

Raise Hatsune Miku Into a Star in New Sega iOS/Android Game

Sega announced at Tokyo Game Show 2012 on Thursday that it will release Hatsune Miku Live Stage Producer, an Autumn 2012 iOS/Android game in which the player raises the Vocaloid idol Hatsune Miku and trains her to be a star. In the raising simulation game, the player assumes the role of a concert venue manager.

The player can select the set lists, stage design, and character design modules for Miku's special live concerts, roughly similar to Namco Bandai Games' The IDOLM@STER franchise. The player can also train Miku to build up her singing, dancing, and even her onstage chatting. When Miku wins contests, she can receive new character design modules and accessory items.

The single-player game will be free to download, although there will be items with fees.

Source: AppBank via Hachima Kikō

K-ON! Portable GPS Car Navigator Revealed

The Japanese company RWC unveiled its portable GPS car navigation system with a K-ON! anime theme on Tuesday. The voices of the entire Ho-Kago Tea Time high school band — Yui (Aki Toyosaki), Ritsu (Satomi Satou), Mio (Yōko Hikasa), Mugi (Minako Kotobuki), and Azusa (Ayana Taketatsu) — guide the users to their destinations. The cast recorded 984 words in total for the device.

The system starts up with an image of a cassette tape with the words, “Ho-Kago Tea Time Navi” scribbled on it. A stylus in the shape of the neck of Yui's Guitar Gita is included, along with an original clear holder case (shaped like a cassette tape), detachable stand with cap, cigarette lighter DC plug, AC adapter, USB cable, manual, and quick-start guide. The map service is provided by Zenrin Chizu.

The system will go on sale in Japan on Saturday.
Source: ANN

Hatsune Miku Song 'Senbonzakura' Inspires Novel

Japanese publisher ASCII Media Works has announced that it will be publishing a novel adaptation of the Hatsune Miku song "Senbonzakura" (One Thousand Cherry Blossoms) written and composed by Kurousa-P.

In an interview about the new novel, ASCII Media Works editor-in-chief Takayasu Hatano noted that he cannot yet divulge the details of the novel's story, but he did note that because the original song is loved by so many, the staff is making sure that the original mood of the song is not harmed, and the novel will contain the same characteristics of the original song.

Hatano did reveal that the novel will feature Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin and Kagamine Len attending school, and the trio will wear the uniforms featured in Ittomaru's designs in the original music video. Ittomaru is also in charge of the character design and the original story for the upcoming novel.

When the original "Senbonzakura" music video was uploaded to Nico Nico Douga, it received more than 4.3 million views in less than a year. The song was also the second-most used song in Joysound's karaoke rankings for the first half of 2012. 

The novel is due out this winter.

Source: ANN

Life-Size Gundam Bust Made of Flowers, Shot on Camera

The self-described "Gundam videographer" darwinfish posted a video of "Flower Gundam," the life-size topiary bust of the title robot from the Mobile Suit Gundam anime. The topiary stands about 7 meters (about 23 feet) tall next to the full-length, life-size Gundam statue erected at the Diver City Tokyo plaza on Odaiba island.

The topiary will be on display from September 29 through October 28 to celebrate the "29th National Urban Greenery Fair Tokyo" event.

Source: ANN