The Pony Canyon YouTube channel has revealed a new trailer for the DVD and Blu-ray release of the drama series Do Not Say Mystery, scheduled for August 3, 2022.

Viewership for the series, which aired in January 2022, broke the all-time record for a commercially broadcast TV drama series and became a hot topic for months after. The DVD and Blu-ray releases will include plenty of extras, including Masaki Suda’s birthday event, round table discussions, and more.

The drama was based on Yumi Tamura’s manga series of the same name, serialized in Monthly Flowers magazine since 2017. In the story, Kunou Totonou, a perceptive college student who is often forced to think his way out of dangerous situations, is questioned by police after he is suspected of killing his classmate.

@田村由美／小学館　©フジテレビジョン

Mister Donut is teaming up with Gion Tsujiri, a traditional green tea maker in Uji, Kyoto, for some tasty new treats starting March 25 for a limited time. Four new items will be available until the end of April. To celebrate the new collaboration, a new TV commercial starring actor Masaki Suda has started airing nationwide.

Fresh Pon de Uji Green Tea

Fresh Pon de Uji Green Tea with Brown Sugar Syrup

Uji Hojicha Warabimochi

Uji Hojicha Mochi with Whipped Cream

In the new ad, Suga is seen in a manly kimono with one of the new products in hand. Remaking on the soft and chewy texture of the new items–which are kneaded with Gion Tsujiri’s Uji Green Tea–Suda slowly falls in love with Mister Donut and commands viewers to do the same. How could you not?

Which of these new items look the best? 

Interview

――How do you feel about the Fresh Pon de Uji Green Tea and the Fresh Pon de Uji Green Tea with Brown Sugar Syrup?

“They’re so crazy delicious. Each of them are so moist and smell so yummy, and the topping…I mean, that’s everyone’s favorite, right?”

――Speaking of toppings, what are some of your favorites?

“I love garlic and green onion on just about everything. Cheese is also my go-to. Condiments are everything.”

――How about the Warabimochi and the Whipped Cream Mochi? 

“I can’t get enough of them. I’d definitely buy them myself. They aren’t too bitter, and I could really enjoy the rich aroma of the hojicha. It’s honestly amazing that Mister Donut can come out with these creative new items so often. This isn’t like memorizing lines in a play or following a formula. It must take so much work.”

――Do you prefer matcha or hojicha?

“That’s really tough. (laugh) I like both. I love the flavor of matcha but I think hojicha has flavors that aren’t as common. I find myself eating a lot of chocolate, drinking lattes, or grabbing hojicha more often.”

――How did it feel to shoot the Mister Donut commercial in a kimono?

“It was so lightweight, it felt great. The stylist told me that it was entirely made of silk. I typically only wear kimono during rehearsals or things like that, but I’d love to wear something like this during a festival. Someday.”

――The new commercial will begin airing during graduation season. Is there anything you’d like to ‘graduate’ this year since it’s the last year in your 20s? 

“That’s true, I am almost 30. I hadn’t thought about it! In my job, everyone is so polite to me, and I have the habit of leaving things up to other people. I need to be more personally responsible. For example, if I have to be somewhere for a meeting in the morning, I always get up at the last minute. Why don’t I get up 10 minutes earlier, you know? I need to be better.”

――What would you like to tell those who are coming of age this year? Do you have anything to say to students and working adults who will start new grades and jobs in the spring? 

“As you grow older, you have less and less to do outside of work. I’m really impressed by people who do something consistently during their free time. I thought I should have done something like that back when I was a teenager, so I tried saving ¥500 coins last year. It was hard to do, even though it was something so small. After a year, I had saved up about ¥40,000 and I felt satisfied, so I stopped. But doing something each day outside of work is important.”

Lifestyle editorial brand niko and…is currently holding the Neo JAPAN event, blending aspects of traditional and modern Japanese culture. The fair is being held on the brand’s official web store and at select stores nationwide. The key visuals were created by ukiyo-e artist Naga, and the store will sell a number of goods perfect for the New Year’s holiday.

Feng Shui Daruma Plate

Pepper Daruma

Coasters (2 Pack)

Year of the Tiger Chopstick Rest

またniko and … TOKYO店限定で、2メートルを超える特大ガチャが設置され、新年らしい商品を詰め込んだ楽しいガチャとなっている。

This year’s lineup of merchandise includes traditional Daruma along with tiger-themed art to honor the Chinese Zodiac for 2022. Guests can also participate in a silk-screening workshop at participating locations, while the niko and…TOKYO location will have a two-meter long gacha filled with fun New Year’s items!

MIKIMOTO has released new imagery and a new short film of actor Masaki Suda wearing the brand’s new jewelry collection ‘PASSIONOIR.’ A making-of video has also been uploaded to YouTube, and it’s hard not to want all of these incredible pieces. 

The Making of ‘PASSIONOIR’

The new styling visuals and short movie capture the passion put into the project by Masaki Suda, who is constantly accepting new challenges as an actor. Bringing his unique energy to the collection, new items were released sequentially on December 9, 10, 13, and 14. Over the past six consecutive weeks, a new video has been uploaded by MIKIMOTO highlighting the luxury brand’s new items. 

‘PASSIONOIR’ is a combination of the words ‘passion’ and ‘black,’ and black pearls are the centerpiece of the new release. Mixing the innocent beauty of pearls with jet-black power, these pieces are sure to add style to any ensemble. 

Beginning November 2, KEM, a unisex brand directed by members of the band Sonar Pocket, will begin selling their sixth set of collaboration items with lifestyle editorial brand niko and…. The Autumn-Winter collection will be available at the online KEM MARKET store, the niko and…online store, and a number of locations around Japan. 

The new collection features a functional checkered cotton jacket, something the members love wearing during their time off. Hand-drawn designs were made by member eyeron, and each piece was made with care and careful consideration for the wearer. 

Eyeron’s designs weren’t limited only to clothing, but to the special stickers gifted to those purchasing from KEM MARKET. The website will also be offering free shipping, so be sure to check it out!

In August, designer KEITA MARUYAMA and editorial fashion brand niko and… announced the release of their first collaborative collection, GARDEN CAMP. Now, the two have teamed up for the second time for MOUNTAIN LODGE, with pieces going on sale on October 29, 2021. 

Everything in the collection, from item design and visual direction to in-store displays, was supervised by Maruyama. His playful worldview has been blended with the unique stylings of niko and…, with graphics and motifs picked from the collection archives of the 1990s and 2000s and redesigned with a modern perspective. Original textiles were also created exclusively for this new collaboration featuring staples of the outdoors like deer and checkered patterns. The colors used aren’t usually seen in niko and…releases and will be rare additions to any wardrobe. 

On the special collaboration website, actress Mai Fukagawa stars in the collection’s main visual. The first 500 to pre-order from the collection and spend over ¥5,000 (including tax) will receive an original magnet assortment set (3 pieces) as a gift. *While supplies last. Designs are random. The gift will be sent separately in early November. For those picking up at a store, the gift will be shipped to your registered address.

Popular Japanese fashion brand niko and…will release a number of items in collaboration with globally-beloved Cup Noodle starting October 6, 2021. Preorders are now open on the official online store, so be sure to check it out before everything’s gone!

Collection at a Glance

Cushion & Blanket: ¥4,180 (Tax Included) / Apron: ¥3,080 (Tax Included) /  Coat: ¥5,390 (Tax Included) 

Storage Box: ¥2,200 (Tax Included) / Tote Bag: ¥2,750 (Tax Included) / Shoulder Bag: ¥2,420 (Tax Included)

Cup Noodles originally hit the market in 1971, and in the past 50 years, the product has become incredibly popular as an affordable meal around the world. Blending the worlds of food and fashion, this collaboration with niko and…will offer people a chance to show off their noodle love with some fashionable items. The illustrations featured on the limited-time collection were provided by German artist Stefan Marx. The lineup has plenty of variety, with fashion items and household items galore, offering something for everyone!

Cafe BIVOUAC, located in Kumagaya, Saitama Prefecture, will reopen Bath Cafe Hareniwa no Yu on September 18, 21, after a full rebranding.

The space aims to be ‘a garden that clears a guest’s body and mind.’ Visitors can enjoy a full bath and sauna, freshly-picked vegetables at the Haruniwa Dining Room, and a lush green lounge in which to relax and unwind.

The Haruniwa Dining Room, run by The Farm, a resort in Chiba Prefecture, offers healthy dishes filled with fresh local vegetables from Kumagaya with carefully-selected main ingredients.

In addition, a collaboration with fashion brand ‘niko and…’ will also begin upon reopening, offering the perfect comfy clothes to wear while enjoying the property.  The lineup  includes an original bath bag and sauna hat, each sold exclusively at Hareniwa no Yu.

Japanese fashion brand “niko and…” will release a collection of Curious George-inspired items to celebrate the character’s 80th anniversary. These items are now on sale at the brand’s stores nationwide, and on the official web shop, as well as on ZOZOTOWN and Rakuten Fashion.

Collaboration Items at a Glance

Remote Control Box: ¥1,540 (Tax Included) / Slippers: ¥2,090 (Tax Included) / Tissue Case: ¥4,180 (Tax Included)

Large Plushie: ¥4,840 (Tax Included) / Medium Plushie: ¥3,520 (Tax Included) / Vinyl Umbrella: ¥1,320 (Tax Included) / AC Adapter: ¥2,860 (Tax Included) / Charging Cable: ¥1,760 (Tax Included)

Masking Tape: ¥440 each (Tax Included) / Bath Chair: ¥2,970 (Tax Included) / Bath Bucket: ¥1,430 (Tax Included) / Alarm Clock: ¥1,540 (Tax Included)

Curious George is celebrating his 80th anniversary in 2021. In Japan, the monkey character was first introduced in 1954, and has been loved by countless people ever since. This collection combines the humorous and retro feel of Curious George with the sensibilities of “niko and…,” creating a unique mash-up of products.

Are you a fan of Curious George? Which of these products are you most likely to grab?

※Curious George and related characters, created by Margret and H.A. Rey, are copyrighted and registered by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company and used under license.All Rights Reserved.

※Universal Studios Licensing LLC（ユニバーサル・スタジオ・ライセンシング LLC）との商品化契約に基づき、株式会社アダストリアが企画・制作した商品です。

The music video for Utakata-Uta (RADWIMPS feat. Suda Masaki),theme song for the blockbuster movie It’s a Flickering Life, will be released on YouTube at 22:00 on August 13, 2021.

The video was directed by Suda Masaki and produced by Yamada Kento, who has worked with RADWIMPS multiple times in the past.

You can set a reminder to watch the video as it premiers on the RADWIMPS official YouTube channel.

Utakata-Uta / Official Music Video on YouTube Premier

The Utakata-Uta is the first RADWIMPS feat. Suda Masaki tag-team production, garnering widespread attention from fans and media. The video features Suda Masaki and Noda Yojiro, who play Gou and Terashin in It’s A Flickering Life. Their characters work in the same movie studio and discuss their dreams for the future. 

The project started upon the completion of filming, when Noda Yojiro gave the demo to film producer Yamada Yōji as a heartfelt gift.

While it wasn’t written as a theme song, the producer was so impressed by the demo that he designated the song as the movie’s official theme song, saying “The song connects the past and present, reality and fiction, even reaching heaven. I was convinced that having Suda and Noda, who played Gou and Terashin, singing it would complete the film.”

Noda was full of love and respect for the movie, commenting that “When Mr. Shimura died, I wanted to leave something like a lingering scent and weave things such as the emotions that we had felt throughout the lyrics. Even if the world we build is purely a sound, that sound is something that will last forever.” 

The song is full of nostalgic melodies and impressive singing from both Noda Yojiro and Suda Masaki, while the lyrics overlap with the feelings and situations of their characters, Gou and Terashin.

In an Instagram Live on August 4, 2021, editorial fashion brand “niko and…” announced the release of the first collaborative collection with designer KEITA MARUYAMA, also present on stream. Viewers could also catch a glimpse of model Harumi Sato, who modeled for the much-anticipated merchandise. 

Keita Maruyama has designed stage costumes for countless musicians and celebrities, including Japanese pop band DREAMS COME TRUE. In an interview held before the stream, he had plenty to say about what to expect. 

Maruyama Interview

──What brought this collaboration about? 

Actually, “niko and…” reached out to me, and we decided to make this dream collab a reality. After tossing some ideas back and forth, we decided to go with a theme of ‘GARDEN CAMP.’ Even though my brand, KEITA MARUYAMA, and the “niko and…” brand have very different marketing styles, we’re both creators at heart. We both want to use fashion to uplift and energize people. 

──In this new collection, what would you consider the main focus to be? 

Luckily, we were both able to make use of our respective strengths. By combining my designs with the incredible marketing behind “niko and…,” we were able to create pieces at a more affordable price point, and could design things together I couldn’t have done alone. 

──We’re very curious about the textile redesign…

“niko and…” picked some textiles from the KEITA MARUYAMA archives to match the theme. Even though the ones they picked were from different eras, they all came together to fit the current times. Some of them are from the 1990s, but something about them seems so modern. 

──How do you feel when you look at your older work? 

Until a couple years ago, seeing my older pieces was so embarrassing. It felt like I was looking at something that a kid made, it all just felt so unpolished. But now, I feel a kind of pride that I was the one to create those things. Even if they aren’t perfect, that youthfulness and freshness was something that I made by myself. 

──Throughout the Coronavirus pandemic, people have been spending more time at home and less of an opportunity to buy clothes. What has your experience been like? 

I feel like we’ve all had to put up with a lot during the pandemic, but on the other hand, it’s made me think more about what’s really necessary in my life. I’m starting to see what clothes I need, what things I need, even what people I need in my life. 

Be sure to check out this cheerful collection! Which pattern do you prefer? 

‘Utakata Uta,’ the theme song for the new movie God of Cinema, will be available on various streaming services at midnight on August 6, 2021, including iTunes and RecoChoku! Performed by rock band RADWIMPS and featuring Suda Masaki of Kamen Rider fame, it’s a mellow track which is sure to stir up plenty of emotion. 

The evocative CD jacket was shot by Miko Okada, an award-winning photographer from Iwate Prefecture. Art Director Ryosuke Miyashita was inspired to collaborate with her after seeing a series of her photographs titled ‘CELL,’ inspired by the lights she saw coming from apartments and homes from a train window. In the same vein, the cover art was based on the abstract concept of how people spend their evenings in different ways, giving a nostalgic and warm feel. The song does the same, making the listener ponder how many different lives intersect and come together. 

As announced by RADWIMPS front man Yojiro Noda on August 2, Suda Masaki will also be performing with RADWIMPS at the upcoming FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL ‘21 on August 20, 2021. This will mark the first time ‘Utakata Uta’ will be performed in front of a live audience, so look forward to it!