Japanese pop singer and songwriter Vickeblanka has clocked in at the number one spot on Chinese freemium music streaming service NetEase Cloud Music in the ACG (Animation Comic Game) weekly rankings the song WALK (movie ver.) on his second single Natsu no Yume / WALK.
The digital release of the single also ranked 3rd place in the Japanese iTunes album charts.
WALK (movie ver.) is used as the main theme song for the CGI anime anthology drama film Flavors of Youth which will be available on Netflix from August 4, 2018. The film is animated by CoMix Wave Films who are known for working on many of Makoto Shinkai’s works including the international hit movie Your Name.
Flavors of Youth is split into three parts each made with a different director. Each episode is themed around the Chinese idiom 衣食住行 that highlights the four necessities of life: clothing, food housing and transportation.
The first episode, The Rice Noodles, is directed by Jiaoshou Yi Xiaoxing and tells the tale of a man unable to recreate the taste of rice vermicelli he ate as a child. The second episode, A Little Fashion show, is directed by Japanese 3D director and CG chief on Shinkai’s works Yoshitaka Takeuchi. It tells the story of a fashion model who loses her passion for her job as a younger woman steals the spotlight. The final episode, Love in Shanghai, is directed by Li Haoling, the face of Chinese animation company Haoliners. It follows a graduate who rediscovers his childhood sweetheart by listening to old cassette tapes.
When this Chinese-Japanese co-produced film was released the theme song was met with a huge response in both countries. An official music video was also released which showcases the beautiful scenery and the human spirit while fully capturing the feeling of the movie’s world.
Vickeblanka will appear as a special guest to perform the song when the film drops worldwide on August 4.
■Information
“Natsu no Yume / Walk” (Double A-Side)
On Sale: August 8, 2018
Limited Box Edition (CD+Merchandise)
Price: ¥2,000 (Pre-Tax)
Catalog No.: AVCD-94135
Includes: Early ticket application for Vickeblanka Album Tour 2019 (*Application Window: August 7 at 10:00am to August 19 at 11:59pm)
CDJapan (Worldwide): http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/AVCD-94135
Amazon (Japan):https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07DWYMPYK
Tower Records (Japan): http://tower.jp/item/4749551
Regular Edition (CD-Only)
Price: ¥1,200 (Pre-Tax)
Catalog No.: AVCD-94136
First Press Bonuses:
①Early ticket application for Vickeblanka Album Tour 2019 (*Application Window: August 7 at 10:00am to August 19 at 11:59pm)
➁”Flavors of Youth” main visual sticker
CDJapan (Worldwide): http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/product/AVCD-94136
Amazon (Japan): https://www.amazon.co.jp/dp/B07DX56151
Tower Records (Japan): http://tower.jp/item/4749552
Vickeblanka Official Website: http://vickeblanka.com/
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Singer Vickeblanka has released a live performance video of Black Catcher, the opening theme song for the anime series Black Clover. On January 25, 2023, the singer will release Vickeblanka presents RAINBOW ROAD -Ki- on Blu-ray and DVD.
Black Catcher - Vickeblanka (from「RAINBOW ROAD -Ki-」LIVE DVD&Blu-ray on sale January 25, 2023)
Black Catcher serves as the 10th opening theme for Black Clover. The song has been ranked in Spotify’s Top 10 Most Played Japanese Songs Overseas for three consecutive years and has been streamed over 160 million times. The accompanying music video has been viewed over 50 million times.
Vickeblanka appeared in the recent Shochiku Tokyu New Year’s drama series Kaden Samurai Special Stop! Chuushingura. At the start of the series, the main character Shijuro Kanenashi plays a yakuza in prison after being falsely accused of a crime. The series co-stars Kenichi Takito who was surprised by Vicke’s powerful performance.
Treasure, the theme song for the regular drama series, is also being used as the theme of this special.
Vickeblanka presents RAINBOW ROAD -Ki- will be released on Blu-ray and DVD on January 25, 2023. This was the singer’s first arena concert, featuring a rare 19-track setlist including encores.
The live show includes signature tracks like Masshiro, Ca Va?, and ULALA, as well as an encore performance of the song Changes. The concert release also includes a 2-CD set of live recordings from the performance. The asymmetrical stage featured a unique acoustic setup that is fully captured in this incredible set.
In addition to the standard edition, a Limited First Edition will include a 52-page photobook with rare images from the rehearsal.
Those who preorder through the French Link fan club will receive a special rubber band, and an A3-size calendar poster on a first-come, first-served basis. 55 people who preorder by midnight on January 6 will win an A3-size calendar poster autographed by Vickeblanka himself.
Information
Vickeblanka presents RAINBOW ROAD -Ki-
Release Date: January 25, 2023
Preorder: https://vickeblanka.lnk.to/RAINBOWROAD_DVDBD●DVD+2 CDs
Limited First Edition
Sleeve with 52-page photobook
Product Number: AVBD-27616/B~C
Price: ¥8,000 (Excluding tax)●Blu-ray Disc+2 CDs
Limited First Edition
Sleeve with 52-page photobook
Product Number: AVXD-27617/B~C
Price: ¥8,000 (Excluding tax)●DVD+2 CDs
Product Number: AVBD-27618/B~C
Price: ¥6,000 (Excluding tax)Official Site: https://vickeblanka.com/
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Vickeblanka has announced that his 5th single Ponytail will be released on March 17, 2021. It features two songs: the title track which is a ballad themed on spring that sings of melancholic love, and Ten, an uplifting pop song aimed at helping you to take the first step towards something. The single's Blu-ray edition features Vickeblanka's Billboard Special Live performance from 2020 as well as a documentary entitled SPECIAL LIVE edit. The fan club "French Link" edition come sin a special box together with the Blu-ray as well as an original bath towel and hairband. This edition also includes Vickeblanka's "French Link Live' fan club performance held at Billboard Live YOKOHAMA. Early orders of the fan club edition will also come with a signed photo. Vickeblanka's postponed 5-date tour, "Tour de Devil 2020," will finally kick off at Nagoya Congress Center in Aichi on February 12, 2021. Details can be found on his official website.
Information
Ponytail
Release Date: March 17, 2021
Pre-Orders: https://VickeBlanka.lnk.to/Ponytail_CD
Offical Website: https://vickeblanka.com/ -
Vickeblanka dropped his third studio album Devil digitally today on Spotify and iTunes. The album has already shot up to No. 1 on the J-Pop Album charts on iTunes Japan.
Vickeblanka is also set to premiere the music video for the album's title track Shekebon! on YouTube today (March 3) at 20:00 (JST). Vickeblanka - "Shekebon!" (Official Music Video) *Premiering: March 3, 2020 at 20:00 (JST) The music video was directed by Tai Nakazawa and features Vickeblanka carrying out a solo band session. Vickeblanka showcases his love for music by playing all the instruments before performing to a crowd at the end. Shekebon! is a song to lift up those who are going through some kind of struggle. When the music video premieres, Vickeblanka is scheduled to talk in the chat box in real time on YouTube. Speaking about the music video, Vickeblanka said: "The video fully recreates the idea that was in my head. It was fun to shoot from beginning to end. Be sure to check it out." The new album includes Black Catcher, which was the 10th opening theme for the TV anime series Black Clover, as well as the Ca Va?, which was written for a Spotify TV commercial. Tickets for Vickeblanka's new tour, "Tour de Devil 2020," are now on sale. The tour is set to begin on April 29, and tickets are already sold out in certain regions, so you'd best order yours ASAP if you're thinking of going. Information
Devil
Released: March 4, 2020 (CD release – already available digitally)
Stream/Download: https://vickeblanka.lnk.to/Devil
Buy: https://VickeBlanka.lnk.to/Devil-CD
Vickeblanka Official Website: http://vickeblanka.com/
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Having released the new song Black Catcher digitally on January 8, 2020, Vickeblanka just dropped the song’s official music video. Vickeblanka ‘Black Catcher’ Official Music Videohttps://youtu.be/hP6VM6YAMIE Committed to releasing a new song digitally every month for three months, Black Catcher marks Vickeblanka’s second song release in the project. Black Catcher was written as the season 10 anime opening theme song for Black Clover. The ominous video reflects darkness and urgency, weaving the turbulent story with a sense of awakening. The colours of the video create a world of distorted paradise.
Although the new Black Clover episodes started airing just yesterday, the video for the opening theme song has already become a big sensation and is already showing signs of becoming the top fighting spirit song of 2020. A Statement by VickeblankaI cannot express just how privileged I feel to have been entrusted with creating the opening theme song for Black Clover for the second time now. The music video is a story of being purified by a small version of oneself. Although part of the video is just me messing around, I hope that viewers can connect with the song through the visuals created by the unique colours and atmosphere. Vickeblanka will release a new album called Devil on March 4, 2020 and is also set for Tour de Devil 2020. Tickets will be available to purchase from event hosts in the respective performance regions. ©Y/STB Information
Black Catcher
Release Date: January 8, 2020
Streaming/ Downloading Links: https://avex.lnk.to/vickeblanka-blackcatcher
Vickeblanka Official Website: http://vickeblanka.com/
Black Clover 10th Opening Theme
Official Website: https://bclover.jp/
Episode Broadcast: January 7 from 18:25
Broadcast Information
TV Tokyo Network: Every Tuesday from 18:25
BS TV TOKYO: Every Friday from 00:30
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Artist Vickeblanka will release a new song called Black Catcher on January 8, marking the second release of the singer's three-month digital song release plan. Black Catcher will be used as the tenth opening theme song for the anime Black Clover.
A strong melody pours out over the dark soundscape of this song. The groaning bassline is punctured by the sharp beat of the drums, over which the guitar melody glides gracefully, entwined with the turbulent yet beautiful piano accompaniment. The fighting spirit of the song rises with the endless strength of the vocals. This isn’t the first Black Clover opening theme song for Vickeblanka - the artist previously released the song Black Rover as a Black Clover anime opening. The song ranked at number 15 on Spotify’s 2019 list of most played Japanese songs overseas. At the moment, the sensational song has been played over 20 million times on streaming services and over 15 million times on just Spotify alone, leaving expectations for Vickeblanka’s upcoming track at an all-time high. A Statement by VickeblankaAs a Jump fan, I am extremely honoured to be in charge of a Black Clover opening for the second time now. As the story has progressed significantly since, I put a lot more empathy into this song. It is filled with darkness and a sense of urgency. Vickeblanka is set to release the new album Devil on March 4, marking the artist's third ever original album release in a year and four months. As fans reminisce of how we were drawn in by the euphoric world of Vickeblanka's previous album wizard, the complete change of tone with the new album Devil is sure to shock listeners. Vickeblanka will also embark on a tour titled Tour de Devil 2020 which consists of eight performances including some in Higashi-Meihan halls. The tour will kick off at Orix Theater, Osaka on April 29 and will arrive at NTK Hall Forest Hall, Nagoya on May 1. The final performance will take place on May 9 at Nakano Sunplaza in Tokyo. Tickets will be available to purchase from event hosts in the respective performance regions. ©Y/STB Information
Black Catcher
Release Date: January 8, 2020
Streaming/ Downloading Links: https://avex.lnk.to/vickeblanka-blackcatcher
Vickeblanka Official Website: http://vickeblanka.com/
Black Clover 10th Opening Theme
Official Website: https://bclover.jp/
Episode Broadcast: January 7 from 18:25
Broadcast Information
TV Tokyo Network: Every Tuesday from 18:25
BS TV TOKYO: Every Friday from 00:30
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Vickeblanka is set to spread the word of his music this year at numerous festival in Japan including SUMMER SONIC 2019 in Tokyo and Osaka in mid-August.
The singer is set to drop his third single Ca Va? on June 12. The DVD that is coupled with the CD includes footage taken from his 2019 "Wizard Tour." The singer has given us a taste of what to expect by releasing his performance of Urara from Zepp Tokyo on avex's official YouTube channel. Vickeblanka - "Urara" from WIZARD TOUR 2019 at Zepp Tokyo This show was held on February 10 this year. It was the final concert of the tour and enjoyed a sold-out venue. The CD cover for the single was also revealed today, as well as the news that the single's lead track Ca Va? will receive an early digital release on May 17. Tickets for Vickeblanka's solo show Voom Voom Room at Shinkiba Studio Coast are now on sale. The concert is being held in promotion of the new single. Tickets are expected to sell out fast, so if you're looking to catch him live for the new release, then you'll want to be quick. Ca Va? is the first release from Vickeblanka in 7 months since his second album. The record included the song Masshiro which was used as an insert song for a Japanese drama series. Ca Va? also includes the song Lucky Ending which is being used as the ending theme for the new adaptation of Natsuki Takaya's manga series Fruits Basket. It also includes an acoustic version of Urara. The original song reached No. 1 in Japan's radio charts. Information
Ca Va?
Release Date: June 12, 2019
Early Digital Release: https://lnk.to/vickeblanka_cava
*Early digital release available from May 17, 2019上記
Voom Voom Room
Date: June 14, 2019
Time: Open 17:30 / Start 18:30
Venue: Shinkiba Studio Coast
Price: Standing ¥4,500 (Tax Included) *Separate mandatory drink fee charged upon entry
Vickeblanka Official Website: https://vickeblanka.com/