Anna Yano is a full-blown anime freak, and this feature lets her feed that passion as she visit real life locations of her favourite anime series.

 

The location for this second entry was Ikebukuro. When people think of Ikebukuro, there’s no other series that springs to mind quite like Durarara!! The opening video of the anime is immensely popular amongst fans for how cool it is, so Anna challenged herself to recreating it with help from people on the street who love Ikebukuro!

 

We begin in front of Tokyu Hands. What kind of pose is this all of a sudden, lifting your phone up in the air like that?!

 

“I’m gathering people to recreate an Anna Yano version of various scenes in the opening!”

 

This is actually the place where the Dollars first met in the show. It’s when Mikado Ryugamine called his pals on his mobile and found out most of the people he knew were members.

 

“This one scene I thought was pretty relevant to today – using your mobile phone as a tool to move people.”

 

First up, this place! The music note monument along Sunshine Street. Anna called over two cute ladies who were in the middle of shopping in Ikebukuro. This is the best photo ever with everyone lined up in the same order – from the right Mikado Ryugamine, then Anri Sonohara, and finally Anna as Masaomi Kida!

 

Anna gave a gleaming smile as she said, “I wanted to try coming here!” Everything’s going great from the get go. Thank you, ladies!

 

Moving on to the next scene, we have Russia Sushi which appears in the anime. Anna caught a nice guy who had come from Russia to visit Japan. “What a miracle to meet someone Russian in front of Russia Sushi!” The anime gods must be smiling at Anna right now.

 

Anna was thankful for such a nice encounter! Have a nice trip～♪

 

Next, the scene where the The Headless Rider rides her bike in front of Cinema Sunshine. Anna too ran with all her might!

 

KFC too.

 

Getting drenched in front of Aoyama. Anna is stretching her body.

 

The sky faded into twilight at Mutsumata Bridge with the the orange coloured setting sun.

 

Be sure to check Anna’s version of the Durarara!! opening video on Kawaii JAPAN-da!! on MBS.

 

Next on the list is the food portion of the scenes. Anna was able to ask the staff to recreate the sushi they eat in the anime at Russia Sushi, a type of Edomae Sushi.

 

“Tada! I actually like sushi toppings that don’t usually go with rice on normal sushi. I actually just ate hamburger sushi yesterday!”

 

From the left: sour cream, borscht, and mapo!

 

Cheese, then karaage!

 

After filling her stomach, Anna left Ikebukuro to go to another certain place.

 

Smile Cafe Roots was used as a model for a place that appears in the anime. It’s a bar in Higashi-Nakano.

 

She was also able to get a cocktail like the one from the show. Anna was in a world of her own as she drank the cocktail of her beloved Shizuo. After her getting a little intoxicated, we asked Anna about the appeal of Durarara!! once more.

 

I love Durarara!! It’s had an influence on me, so much so that I used to live in Ikebukuro. It’s been fun to go around all the places and recreate the opening. When I imagine replacing the place I live with Ikebukuro and living life keeping that a secret even from people close to me, I think they’ll gradually come to be able to like it!”

 

 

 

Anna loves anime, and so she is bringing a new series to our “Tokyo Stroll” feature where she takes us on a pilgrimage to visit real life anime locations! The theme chosen by Anna for this first entry is a solo trip to Okigubo which appears in the anime series Penguindrum (which she is a huge fan of!) Just what kind of encounters will be waiting for her there?   Anna puts on the same hat as the anime’s protagonist Himari Takakura (from her own collection) and meets at the station. You can tell she is in high-spirits from behind. The train station too is exactly the same as in the anime!       The first location on the list was Ogikubo Second Children's Park. Anna did get a little lost on the way there, but she managed to find the giraffe and pig park installations. In the anime, the Takakura brothers live in the house right next to this park.   Anna said solemnly “I think the colourful house is a symbol of happiness for the brothers” while confirming that this was the location the house should be if it was the anime. Upon basking in the afterglow, one of the staff members that was with Anna cried out as if to cling onto something!   “Survival strategy! I’ll tell it to you lowlifes who will never amount to anything.* Time to go to the shopping district and get my hands on the Penguin Drum!”   [*Translator’s Note: This is a quote from the anime series Penguindrum.]   Anna was taken aback by this remark. “I wanted to go there because that appears in the anime too!”   And with that, off they went. But just what is the Penguin Drum...?   Here’s the shopping street archway that you see in the anime! It’s pretty exciting. Ogikubo is a kidn and friendly place. While strolling the streets, Anna was asking people “Where’s the Penguin Drum?!” to passers-by. Along the way, there was a shop that caught her eye! It was a kebab shop that had a deliciously inviting smell.     “I’m glad because I was reaaally hungry.”     The man’s Japanese was very good. Anna went in for the kill, asking, “Please show me your artefact that’s associated with your fate!” He kindly showed her his charm from Turkey that’s preciously decorated in the shop. Does fate relate to the Penguin Drum?! Maybe the Penguin Drum something that each person possesses... Our trip isn’t over yet!   The next location can be found on the roof of Town Seven, a shopping center at the north entrance of Ogikubo Station. It’s a wide and open space where a lot of children were playing.   This is the scene when the older of the Takakura siblings, Kanba, is talking to his ex-girlfriend, when a memory-erasing red ball comes flying and hits her on the forehead.   The playground equipment that appears in the background was very impressive to look at.     The children became interested in Anna’s hat. She was completely surrounded!   The next place Anna headed to was the shrine where the heated fight between the brothers unfolds. The younger brother, Shoma, becomes aware of the events surrounding his older brother, so presses him with questions. Kanba declares that he was playing parent. Anna prayed by herself in the grounds. And don’t forget to take a commemorative photo.     Next is the scene with the pedestrian bridge where Kanba blows up a car. We took the photo at the same angle as in the anime.   Anna told a story with a serious expression. “He [Kanba] wasn’t always a bad guy. The fact that he did something like that. That scene shocked me.”     Anna also passed under the arch to Hakusan Towns shopping district. It seems like it has changed a little since the anime aired, but you can tell it’s the place immediately! Anna tottered over and shouted, “Survival strategy!” again to a lady passing through. She then made her way to a ramen shop as the lady had also mentioned which is famous among fans.   “Sanchan Ramen” is a restaurant with a 60-year history that has continued to be loved by locals in Ogikubo.   This is the place used as a location for handing over money between Kanba and the evil organisation. There’s a lot of fans that imitate the anime and slide envelopes with money inside on the tabe.   Of course, Anna had a bowl of ramen too. And gyoza!   And beer!!   By the way, why do you like this anime, Anna?   “Penguindrum is a very deep series, it makes you think about things like love and fate. The art is cute and the music and presentation are gorgeous. I really want everyone else to watch it.”   Today’s article will be broadcast on “Kawaii JAPAN-da!!” on MBS (Kansai Local). It will go on air on March 13^th! Don’t miss out on Anna’s solo travel!      

News update: 22/08 (Mon) 18:00

“kz” was the creator of the record-breaking widespread obsession with Hatsune Miku. As well as being the creator of Hatsune Miku’s song “Tell Your World”, which was used as the commercial song to promote the Hatsune Miku Google Chrome Theme, kz makes a major contribution to the well known and loved Vocaloid music industry with many more songs. Having teamed up with the increasingly popular Anna Yano, the new dream team has been formed to create “livetune+”. Livetune+ flew to Taiwan to take part in the recent Manga Exhibition 2016 from 15^th — 16^th August, immediately followed by a trip to Thailand for their first Asia tour, performing on stage at “Anime Festival Asia Thailand 2016”.

livetune+ performed at the “Manga Exhibition 2016” event in Taiwan and "AFA(Anime Festival Asia)", which is known as the largest anime festival in Asia. Over 600,000 fans gathered together at these venues over the 6 day period. Witnessing just one of the performances by livetune+ unfold grandly from start to finish makes it hard to believe that this was the unit’s first ever public performance in a foreign country.

This time, kz(livetune) started both gigs with DJ play, performing the openings of "SEVENTH HAVEN", "Hand in Hand", "Tell Your World" and many more hits songs whilst keeping a carefree attitude which holds no regrets. Suddenly, he dropped the beat and the whole venue raved as one. Next,  "Restart", which is the introduction to livetune+’s EP "Sweet Clapper" was played and Anna Yano made her appearance on stage. The audience screamed wildly as if to say “We were waiting for you!!”. With that, the duo continued their set list which consisted of "Milky Rally", "Sweet Clapper" and "Slow Pace". The fans were absorbed in the performance and became especially excited with the first ever live performance of “Cheers”. However, livetune+ had more surprises for their audience — they sung the main hook of the song “Jump Up” in Thai, which energised the fans on a whole new level.

 

Having finished up in Taiwan and Thailand, the next stop for livetune+ is Indonesia on 16^th September for Anime Festival Asia Indonesia 2016. This will be followed by the largest live showcase festival in Japan called FM802 MINAMI WHEEL 2016, which will be held in Osaka courtesy of FM802. The uplifting feeling carried in the beat of the sweet tunes by kz(livetune) combined with the cute and very sexy Anna Yano is the charm point of livetune+. They got power, good looks,  fine vocal skills and great music to offer to you! Don’t take your eyes off the activity of livetune+ as they continue their activity in Japan and overseas!

 

▼Live performance information

Friday 26^th August 30 VILLAGE VANGURD presents V.V Rosks～MIX JUICE～

Friday 16^th September Anime Festival Indonesia 2016

Sunday 9^th October　FM802 MINAMI WHEEL 2016

 

▼Release information

livetune+「Sweet Clapper」

Now On Sale

Price：¥1,800 (base price)＋tax

Limited edition：WPCL-12334

Regular eddition：WPCL-12335

 

▼「Cheers!」(Popular sale)

>>iTunes

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/cheers!-single/id1136780784?app=itunes&at=10l6Y8

 

>>Apple Music

https://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/cheers!-single/id1136780784?app=music&at=10l6Y8

 

livetune+, the two-member music unit, released their first album “Sweet Clapper” in May this year. They have been garnering a lot of attention, even having written the song “Cheers!” specially for a limited time web-only animated commercial for “Kirin Hyoketsu®” which was seen worldwide. Now, some of you might be confused thinking “Huh? Isn’t livetune a one-member solo unit?” In this article, we’ll be talking about the members of “livetune+”, the two-member unit which consists of kz and Yano Anna, and what they have done up to now and plan to do in the future!

“kz”, a name in the world of VOCALOID
kz is a DJ, remixer and music producer who has been in charge of a lot of music production for artists, including anime and game music for artists such as ClariS and May’n, as well as offering his services to those artists he is close to. livetune is originally the name of his music unit and refers to the time of his musical activities.

And he wouldn’t have been able to make it without his history of music with Hatsune Miku.

His song “Packaged” which used the Hatsune Miku voice bank was released in the early period of Hatsune Miku herself being released. The lyrics, which ride on top of a sparkly and electronic sound, stole the hearts of many viewers on Nico Nico Douga and the video steadily raked in the views.

His album “Re:package” was subsequently released in August 2008 under the name “livetune feat. Hatsune Miku”. This was the first time an album had been released from a major label under Miku’s name.

Another indispensable track is “Tell your world”. Yes, that song which was released in 2011 – the one which featured as the theme song for Google Chrome’s commercial in which Miku circles the globe. The song, which connects and brings together people in the world through the internet, is something only the songstress and diva Hatsune Miku can do. Her voice echoed throughout 217 countries in the world, making history on a huge scale. That record has still not been beaten to this day.

Yano Anna, a model who goes beyond the border of the Aomoji-kei style

On the other hand, Yano Anna who provides vocals for the unit, is popular as a model for natural style magazines such as mer, SEDA and Soup., as well as a more individual style in KERA. She is active in a lot of fields and has even done work in men’s fashion magazines. She released her photobook last year titled “Yano Anna MADE in HARAJUKU VOL.1” where she was snapped by photographer Yasumasa Yonehara. She did not want to have the usual “kawaii” style and instead sought a more “cute and sexy” one. That’s a rare thing to see from an Aomoji-kei model, but you could say that it’s one part of her diverse charm.

 

³It might not be rare for a magazine model to engage in music along the side, but what makes Yano Anna unique is that from the day one in the entertainment industry she expressed her desire to go into music. When she was scouted during her short-term university enrollment and started her career as a model she continuously expressed how she wanted to have a job relating to music. Then in August 2013, she successfully made her debut as a singer with her song “Shape My Story” which was the theme song for the anime “Stella Women’s Academy, High School Division Class C³”. Perhaps this was a chance she was able to seize due to her extensive knowledge of anime.

 

Those who were once drinking buddies all of a sudden became music partners!

The person who helped produced “Shape My Story” was kz, who seemed like he was hiding something. The two of them gradually opened up to each other, and in 2014 they appeared together for the album “To”, which was written and produced by livetune.

kz had already said previously that he wanted to perform a live show where he can directly come in contact with the audience, and that in order to do that he wanted to invite on a vocalist. He invited Yano after he had finished work on the album to which she accepted. In October 2015, they began their activity together as livetune+. They are more of a team who are close to each other than simply a producer and singer. From the get-go, Yano was part of the recording of the first album. They were already drinking buddies when they formed the unit, and because of that kz said of the first lyrics he wrote “There’s no girl who tends to dream like this”. The songs on the album are written with kz’s distinct style, with melody lines that make your heart pound and of course a robotic vocal arrangement. But it’s also sweet thanks to Yano’s voice and the girl’s vision who appears in the lyrics becomes that much more powerful. It is somewhat of a different world to that of kz’s previous work as livetune.

 

livetune+’s activities don’t stop at Japan
It’s been announced that livetune+ will appear at Asia’s biggest anime event “Anime Festival Asia (AFA)” where they will continue on from their previous performance in Thailand. This time, they will perform at “Anime Festival Asia Indonesia” which is being held from Friday September 16th～Sunday September 18th. Many famous voice actresses, anime song artists and cosplayers attend AFA. This is the perfect place for both kz and Yano Anna, who have lived and breathed in Japanese culture and its anime, fashion and music.

 

Of course, that doesn’t mean you can miss their shows in Japan. They are to perform at “FM802 MINAMI WHEEL 2016” which is to be held across 20 locations around Osaka from Saturday October 8th～Sunday October 10th. kz, who has a lot of experience in the field of club music as a DJ, knows that this will push them forward.

 

With livetune+ going ahead with new forms they haven’t experienced before, will they be able to make the music scene even more fun? As they continue to move forward with their strong mindset, there is no doubt they are going to let us have even more fun! Be sure to check both of them out as they charge ahead full speed.

Original Text: Kakoi (SHUTTER)

 

livetune＋Official Website: http://livetuneplus.com/

Anime Festival Asia 2016: http://animefestival.asia/

Starting with the song used in the “Google Chrome — Hatsune Miku theme” commercial video  called “Tell Your World”, the one and only “kz” created many Hatsune Miku songs, causing an unprecedented craze over the Vocaloid singer. Music-maker kz has teamed up with model and music artist Anna Yano, forming the new live unit “livetune+”. Together, they have recorded a new song “Cheers!” which has been used in the web limited animation commercial video for the alcoholic drink “Kirin Hyoketsu” 「キリン 氷結®」

“Kirin Hyoketsu®” used the theme “atarashiku ikou” to create the commercial, which refers to walking a brand new path. The commercial allows the audience to feel the excitement of experiencing a variety of “new” figures and unexpected sides to people. The animation of the commercial was made by collaborating with “TRIGGER Inc”, who are always setting new challenges for themselves, presenting the concept of “Showing a new side to myself which is different to the me up until now!”. This is shown through the animation.

 

In this original animated commercial, the moment of excitement and the lively atmosphere during the live performance of animation and social game idol voice actors has been depicted. Voice actor Shintarō Asanuma and voice actress Ai Kayano were appointed these roles. The commercial was aired on YouTube and shared through Kirin Beer’s official SNS websites from 2^nd August 2016.

 

The song “Cheers!” coloured the commercial in a very livetune+ style, turning it into a completely new shining masterpiece of the duo. “Cheers!” will be released for sale on iTunes and through other companies on Wednesday 10^th August, and through music subscription, this new catchy song will be available all over the world!

 

Now all we have to do is wait in anticipation!

 

■ Commercial animation video　https://youtu.be/Ltvnad3tmn8

■Kirin Hyoketsu × TRIGGER special site: http://www.animatetimes.com/hyoketsu/

 

Join the community through the “Listen with regular programme" (Listen with レギュラープログラム), where a DJ will make their appearance once a month! For a limited period from April to June, don’t miss out on the special appearance of livetune+ as the regular DJ duo for this 3-month period!

 

livetune+ will set a new theme for each monthly show and create a playlist of specially selected songs to fit this theme to play on air. Additionally, check out the chat feature on “Listen with”, where livetune+ and participating users can listen to the monthly special playlist created by livetune+ and enjoy a live chat!

 

Catch the first “Listen with regular programme” featuring livetune+ on 15^th April, where the chosen theme will be the start of the school season! To make song requests and send messages, please apply by using the twitter hash tags “#livetuneplusLw” or “#Listenwith”

 

 

■Comments from Anna Yano and kz from livetune+

 

【Anna Yano】
I’m Anna Yano, the vocalist of livetune+！
“Listen with” is a great tool, through which I can become close to my fans and share my music taste! Being able to listen to my favourite music whilst having a live chat is a really unique and rare opportunity, so I am really looking forward to it! I can’t wait to meet everyone and enjoy the feeling of being part of a fun community like this! Please join in to meet your DJ Anna Yano!!

 

【kz】
This is kz of livetune+！
I’m incredibly pleased to be given the opportunity to be the regular DJ for “Listen with”. Listening to music whilst having a chat is something that I used to do during my old school days and it was super fun! This is the best way of opening up a new and exciting world for everyone to take part in and enjoy. I know that the chat will be really hot and bursting with liveliness, so let’s set our chat on fire!!