KANA-BOON's dropped their new song Star Marker on streaming services on February 1, 2020. Star Marker will be the title song for their new single which is set to be released on March 4, 2020. The song was appointed as the opening theme song for the season four culture festival arc of the worldwide trending anime My Hero Academia. The anime opening-length version of the single and video was dropped on YouTube and has already got 2 million views, immediately reaching the top of the rankings and stirring up a sensation. Now there is the unmissable opportunity to hear the entire full version of the song before it physically hits the shelves. Along with the advanced single release, the artwork to be used on the jacket has also been unveiled. The Limited Edition Version comes in a My Hero Academia anime-themed jacket where the characters can be seen riding a star, soaring through space on an exciting adventure together - something that fans won't want to miss.A Statement By Maguro Taniguchi (Gt./Vo.) Our past selves were painted in our own unique colours – some dark, some bright. The day when we can change the meaning of our colours is approaching us. We can repaint our past selves by painting a colourful future. You are the only person who can shape your future and that makes you a hero. This song was written with the intention of being the theme song for everybody out there listening.  ©Kōhei Horikoshi/Shueisha Inc./ My Hero Academia Production Committee

After unveiling their greatest hits album KANA-BOON THE BEST just a few days ago, KANA-BOON recently announced their new single Star Marker which is set to release on March 4. Star Marker will be released as a single on the same day as their greatest hits album. The single has also been unveiled to be the new opening theme song for the season four culture festival arc of the worldwide trending anime My Hero Academia.    Star Marker was written by guest musician Daisuke Kanazawa from the band Fujifabric. The song connects to the world of the anime and is arranged with positive and happy vibes. The keyboard adds a bold and daring touch of flair to KANA-BOON’s strong and energetic style. The song is catchy and explores a new side of KANA-BOON.The new My Hero Academia episodes will start airing from January 25 and fans just can’t wait.   The Limited Pressing Edition Version of the single comes in a My Hero Academia anime illustration jacket and will include the creditless video of the opening theme song, making it the perfect gift for any My Hero Academia fan.A Statement by Maguro Taniguchi (Gt./Vo.)Our past selves were painted in our own unique colours - some dark, some bright. The day when we can change the meaning of our colours is approaching us. We can repaint our past selves by painting a colourful future. You are the only person who can shape your future and that makes you a hero. This song was written with the intention of being the theme song for everybody out there listening.    ©Kōhei Horikoshi/Shueisha Inc./ My Hero Academia Production Committee

Since their debut in 2013, KANA-BOON stands at the forefront of Japan's rock music scene. The band is set to release their first ever greatest hits album called KANA-BOON THE BEST on March 4, 2020.   The band has also announced that the album release will be followed by their first ever Hall Tour in April 2020 which will be entitled: KANA-BOON THE BEST TOUR 2020. The tour will take place in seven renowned performance halls across Japan with the grand finale to be held in Tokyo. The Tokyo performance will take place on June 12 at LINE CUBE SHIBUYA (Shibuya Public Hall), which just opened in October 2019.     Advanced tickets will be released for sale today on the Fan Club website "KANA-BOON Mobile Bunbun Park" （KANA-BOONのモバイルブンブンパー）.   Having had a graceful 5-year anniversary celebration last year and a mountain of song releases, KANA-BOON have their eyes set on 2020 and beyond are in full-drive. The contents of the new greatest hits album and more information about its release is yet to be announced so stay tuned. 

Character cafés are an exciting experience in Japan which sees a café collaborate with well-known anime series, game series or other franchise by decorating the café interior with designs and illustrations based on them and meals and drinks inspired by them.   Before continuing this article be sure to check out our September 2019 list of character cafés as some of them are still running.  

Ariel Heads to Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya & Hokkaido for The Little Mermaid Cafe

Ariel is swimming to Japan this September as four branches of OH MY CAFE turn into cafes inspired by The Little Mermaid. The Tokyo and Osaka branches will open on September 21, the Hokkaido branch on September 22, and the Nagoya branch on September 27. The collaboration is being carried out by LEGS COMPANY, LTD.

<Flounder> Stripey Yogurt Drink – ¥1,090 / With Coaster – ¥1,890

Flounder is Ariel’s closest friend, so he had to be included on the menu. This cute yogurt-flavoured smoothie takes on the same colours as our stripey fish companion.

<Sebastian> Strawberry Smoothie – ¥890 / With Coaster – ¥1,790

There are lots of other character-themed food and drinks to be enjoyed at the cafes besides these ones too. For more information, check our full article here.      

Sarazanmai Cafe Designed & Produced by Sanrio Opens in Ikebukuro and Osaka

Two cafés based on the popular anime series Sarazanmai have arrived in Tokyo and Osaka. The café designs were produced by Sanrio.

Football Curry of Youth: ¥1,380 (Before Tax)

Football is what connects the three main characters Kazuki, Kuji and Enta. Come taste the delicious flavour of budding friendship in the form of a delicious curry at the café.

Pudding a la Mode of Friendship: ¥1,280 (Before Tax)

The three middle schoolers are represented in the form of colourful fruit. This is a delicious dish easily enjoyed by anybody.

Sparkling Jelly Juice (Kazuki/Kuji/Enta): ¥650 Each (Before Tax)

These jelly drinks are also themed around Kazuki, Kuji and Enta. The jelly lurking at the bottom of the cup adds a wonderful accent to the flavour.   This café is the perfect place to relax at your own pace this autumn. For more information, check out our full article here.      

My Hero Academia Themed Cafe Opening at SEGA Ikebukuro GiGO in Tokyo

  A cafe based on the hit TV anime series My Hero Academia will open at SEGA Ikebukuro GiGO on October 12.  

Drinks Menu

Drinks – ¥600 Each (Before Tax)

Original Latte Art (11 Designs) – ¥700 Each (Before Tax)

 

Food Menu

Menu ①: October 12, 2019 – November 1, 2019

Katsu-Lover Midoriya’s Pork Rib Noodles / Eijiro Kirishima’s Crunchy Kakiage Don – ¥1,200 Each (Before Tax)

 

Menu ②: November 2, 2019 – November 24, 2019

Katsuki Bakugo’s Spicy Mapo Doufu / Shoto Todoroki’s Fire & Ice Tomato Cheese Pasta – ¥1,200 Each (Before Tax)

 

Dessert Menu

Menu ①: October 12, 2019 – November 1, 2019

Ochaco Uraraka’s Japanese-Style Dessert Set with Matcha Milk – ¥1,200 (Before Tax) / Tenya Iida’s Source of Strength Orange Parfait – ¥900 (Before Tax)

 

Menu ②: November 2, 2019 – November 24, 2019

U.A. Dessert Plate – ¥1,200 (Before Tax) / Tsuyu Asui’s Kero Kero Parfait – ¥900 (Before Tax)

Enjoy a fun selection of food, drinks and desserts inspired by the My Hero Academia character cast. There's a whole bunch of merchandise to get your hands on too. For more information, check our full article here.      

Weathering with You Anime Film Themed Cafes Opening in Tokyo & Osaka

Two cafes filmed based on the hit blockbuster anime film Weathering with You will open in Tokyo and Osaka on October 8 and 10 respectively for a limited time. The cafes are being opened by LEGS COMPANY.   The cafes have a beautiful menu lined up inspired by the world of Weathering with You. In addition to the themed decorations set to line the cafes, fans can also get their hands on a range of exclusive cafe merchandise and bonus items.

The Most Delicious Dinner in Your Life – ¥1,590

This dish is a complete recreation of the dinner Hodaka eats in the film which he describes as the most delicious he has ever eaten in his 16 years of living. Enjoy a hearty burger together with clam chowder soup and fries.

Hodaka’s Welcome Party Set – ¥1,590

This one-person set was made lovingly by Natsume when Hodaka comes to work at the same company as her, K&A. Complete the set together with one of the “Dreamy” beverages from the drinks menu.

   

'LISA LARSON Fika TOKYO' Cafe Opens in Collaboration With Swedish Ceramicist Lisa Larson

Sunday Branch Marronnier Gate Ginza is a cafe in Ginza that has collaborated with a number of different characters and artists, including Shawn the Sheep since 2017, The Very Hungry Catterpillar in 2018, and Leo Lionni since 2019.

Mikey Plate

​Inspired by Larson’s popular cat character Mikey, this healthy dish includes almond milk rice with a side of greens.

Lion Plate

The adorable round Lion looks like he has been taken right out of Larson’s works and put onto a plate.

Baby Mikey Gateau Chocolate

These baby Mikey chocolates take on a ceramic appearance like Larson’s work and are filled with sesame and cocoa powder.

  Enjoy food and art come together at LISA LARSON Fika TOKYO. Keep in mind that reservations get priority, so be sure to book a table in advance. For more information, check our full article here.  

6 Sailor Moon Cafes Opening Across Japan Including Tokyo and Osaka

LEGS COMPANY, LTD. held the Sailor Moon Cafe 2017 event back in September 2017 to celebrate the 25th anniversary of Sailor Moon. The event’s theme focused around adulthood imbued with a hint of cuteness. The cafes were so popular that they had a second “encore” run in December of the same year.   This year, LEGS has created an entirely new concept. The theme this year is “Girls Night Out,” and the menu line-up stays true to it, featuring food and drinks all ladies are sure to enjoy on a night out.

5 Sailor Tortilla Wrap Sandwiches – ¥1,590 (Not available at the Saitama cafe)

Pretty Girl’s Brunch Pancakes – ¥1,590 (Available at lunchtime only)

Cosmic Heart Berry Sandwich – ¥1,690

Moon Night Parfait – ¥1,490 (Available at dinnertime only)

Enter the kawaii world of the Sailor Moon Cafe again in 2019. For more information, check our full article here.       How did you like this list? Be sure to enjoy all of the café collaboration cafes this October and November!

A café based on the popular anime Sarazanmai is coming to Tokyo on September 19 and Osaka on September 26 and will run for a limited time only. The café designs were produced by Sanrio. Sarazanmai is a TV anime which was produced by animation studios MAPPA and  Lapin Track. The anime became incredibly popular when it aired between April and June 2019 on the Fuji TV programming block Noitamina. The last episode was met by an undying stream of grateful messages from fans and even those involved in the creation of the series.    Sanrio produced Sarazanmai designs which are perfect for the traditional coffee shop theme and the retro Asakusa atmosphere of the series. The collaboration cafés will open in Ikebukuro in Tokyo and Nipponnbashi in Osaka.   Menu

Football Curry of Youth: ￥1,380 (before tax)

Football is what connects the three main characters Kazuki, Kuji and Enta. Come taste the delicious flavour of budding friendship in the form of a delicious curry at the café.   

Pudding a la Mode of Friendship: ￥1,280 (before tax)

The three middle schoolers are represented in the form of colourful fruit. This is a delicious dish easily enjoyed by anybody. 

Sparkling Jelly Juice (Kazuki/Kuji/Enta): ￥650 each (before tax)

These jelly drinks are also themed around Kazuki, Kuji and Enta. The jelly lurking at the bottom of the cup adds a wonderful accent to the flavour.     Original Goods    

Badge (10 random designs): ￥450 (before tax)

Special Bonus Goods Those who book seats in advance (￥500 + tax) and order from the menu will receive an original design sticker. You will be presented with one of four designs at random. For each item ordered from the menu, you will receive an original design drink coaster. One of six designs will be given to you at random.    This café is the perfect place to relax at your own pace this autumn.      © イクニラッパー／シリコマンダーズ

TV anime series Sarazanmai wrapped up its story on June 20 with its final episode. If you're in Tokyo from July 19, you'll want to head on over to Anime ZONE in Ikebukuro, a cinema that screens anime series all day, as it has announced that it will screen all of Sarazanmai's eleven episodes in one sitting. Ticket prices and other information will be announced on the official website in the weeks leading up to it.   Anime ZONE is a new way to enjoy anime series, giving fans a chance who watched a series on their television, computer or smartphone to see it on the big screen with surround sound. The cinema hosts seasonal events, invites staff who have worked on particular anime series to talk, and more. Their catalogue offers a multitude of shows, from the latest series to older masterpieces.   ©イクニラッパー／シリコマンダーズ