Japanese singer-songwriter Ai Otsuka is set to head on her Asia tour later this month with four dates in China and one in Taiwan. In the run up to the tour, it has been revealed that she will release a new song.
Titled Chime, her 26th single will release on September 4 and be used as the new opening theme for the TV anime series Fruits Basket from July 5.
Fruits Basket was serialised in Hana to Yume, published by Hakusensha, from 1998 to 2006. The entire 23-volume series has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. The original 26-episode anime adaptation by Studio Deen ran in 2001 from July to December. A new series with new cast and staff began airing in April this year.
Chime is the first upbeat song from Otsuka in a while. Its positive message serves to ring the first chime into starting something new; just like the characters in Fruits Basket who want to change but find it difficult to take that first step. The song will be available early on major digital download and streaming platforms on July 5.
Otsuka will perform the song for the first time at JAPAN EXPO 2019 in Paris, France on July 6.
©Natsuki Takaya・Hakusensha/Fruits Basket Production Committee
Information
Chime
Digital Release Date: July 5, 2019
Download/Stream Links: https://avex.lnk.to/dl_chime
CD Release Date: September 4, 2019
CD Only Edition: ¥1,200 (Before Tax) [AVCD-94581]
CD+DVD Edition: ¥6,800 (Before Tax) [AVCD-94579/B〜C]
CD+Blu-ray Edition: ¥7,800 (Before Tax) [AVCD-94580/B]
CD+Live CD+Tour Photo Card Edition: ¥6,500 (Before Tax) [AVC1-94582〜6] *Available via FC, mu-mo and at shows only
Ai Otsuka Official Website: http://avex.jp/ai/
Fruits Basket
Official Website: https://fruba.jp/
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A new trailer for the upcoming Fruits Basket -prelude- compilation film is highlighting the movie’s theme song, set to be performed by Trio Ohashi. The film will release in select theaters on February 18, 2022. The film will center around Tohru’s parents Kyoko and Katsuya. The theme song, Niji to Kaito (Rainbow and Kite) will be sure to pull at the audience’s heartstrings. The track will also be included on Trio Ohashi’s 15th-anniversary album scheduled to release on February 16, 2022. Trailer: https://youtu.be/G3W_3EEzzSgFruits Basket initially ran in Hana to Yume magazine from 1998 until 2006 and was written and illustrated by Natsuki Takaya. The manga series has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. In April 2019, a new anime adaptation was broadcast on TV Tokyo, running for three years. A Fruits Basket stage show is scheduled to start on March 4, 2022.
Ⓒ高屋奈月・白泉社/フルーツバスケット製作委員会 Information
Fruits Basket -prelude-
Release Date: February 18, 2022
*Check the link below for participating theaters.
https://eigakan.org/theaterpage/schedule.php?t=frubamovieOfficial Site: https://fruba-movie.jp/
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Japanese-Chinese boys collective WARPs UP's Chinese members LANGYI and MINGJUN have started covering songs in Chinese. The project has started with a self-cover of Pleasure, the opening song for the Fruits Basket The Final anime that was announced in April. "You, yourself, can change the future, regardless of your destiny or environment" is the theme of the original song, which has been transformed into an acoustic version, centring around on the piano. The arrangement has been adjusted to add a summery vibe, allowing the listener to imagine a warm and bright future. The music video has been shot in a similar style to LANGYI's WARPs UP Vocal Club cover in May, focusing on the two members singing into their microphones.The video reflects the original meaning of the song, filmed carefully to capture a midsummer feeling. The music video premieres on the WARPs UP YouTube channel on August 12, at 22:15. 「Pleasure (LANGYI & MINGJUN ver.)」Music Video
Pleasure (LANGYI & MINGJUN ver.) will be available on streaming sites from August 12th. The trilogy of acoustic covers being released this summer is made up of songs specially selected by the two Chinese members, covered in Chinese. The second and third songs are confirmed to be covers of hit songs that everybody will recognise. Information
Pleasure (LANGYI & MINGJUN ver.)
Streaming Release: August 12, 2021
Streaming Link: https://warpsup.lnk.to/PLeasureLMv
Official site: https://avex.jp/warps/
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The anime-themed cafe brand OTA★LAB CAFE will open its first permanent cafe, "Cheer fancle cafe," in Awajicho, Tokyo on April 1, 2021. The cafe's first collaboration will be with the hit series Fruits Basket whose manga has sold over 30 million copies worldwide. It will run from April 1 to May 9 and will feature a range of dishes and drinks inspired the series as well as merchandise, new and exclusive artwork drawn by the author Natsuki Takaya, and more.
Original Merchandise
Cheer fancle cafe Original Fruits Basket Pins (30 Designs) | ¥495 (Tax Included)
Cheer fancle cafe Original Fruits Basket Acrylic Stands (15 Designs) | ¥1,430 (Tax Included)
Cheer fancle cafe Original Fruits Basket Mini Acrylic Stands (15 Designs) | ¥1,000 (Tax Included)
Cheer fancle cafe Original Fruits Basket Acrylic Key Rings (15 Designs) | ¥715 (Tax Included)
Cheer fancle cafe Original Fruits Basket Postcard Sets (30 Designs/2 Included) | ¥385 (Tax Included)
Food Menu
Veggie Pasta ¥1,320 (Tax Included) / Omurice ¥1,320 / Egg Sandwich ¥880 (Tax Included)
Niratama Donburi ¥1,100 (Tax Included) / Hamburger ¥1,320 (Tax Included)
Dessert Menu
Strawberry Shortcake ¥990 (Tax Included) / Pancake ¥1,100 (Tax Included)
Coffee Milk Jelly ¥990 (Tax Included) / 3 Dango Set ¥880 (Tax Included)
Limited-Time Drinks Menu ①
Serving: April 1, 2021 - April 20, 2021Onigiri White Smoothie ¥715 (Tax Included) / Starry Sky Latte ¥715 (Tax Included)
Cassis Berry Soda ¥715 (Tax Included) / Berry Drink ¥715 (Tax Included)
Limited-Time Drinks Menu ②
Serving: April 21, 2021 - May 9, 2021Orange Soda ¥715 (Tax Included) / Milk Tea ¥715 (Tax Included)
Matcha Milk ¥715 (Tax Included) / Blue Soda ¥715 (Tax Included)
Present Campaign
Win one of two possible signed coasters
Three lucky customers who collect all five stamps at Cheer fancle cafe can win one of two possible coasters signed by the author of Fruits Basket.Arrival Campaign
All customers who go to the cafe will receive one of 15 possible original book covers.Dining Campaign
For every menu item order, customers will receive one of 32 possible coasters. There are 15 chibi designs, 15 completely original designs drawn by the manga author, and two rare designs.Spending Campaign
For every ¥2,500 spent at the cafe, customers will receive one of 15 possible postcards.Additionally, those who follow OTA★LAB CAFE on Twitter and retweet the campaign Tweet that will be posted on March 29 will have the chance to receive a set of all the above campaign items. This is available for five people from March 29 to April 5. ©高屋奈月/白泉社 Information
Fruits Basket Cafe
Running: April 1, 2021 – May 9, 2021
Bookings/Details: https://collabocafe.otalabo.jp/events/41
Follow & Retweet Campaign
OTA★LAB CAFE Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/otalabnews (@otalabnews)
Running: March 29, 2021 – April 5, 2021
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Masked music duo AmPm released a remix of Ai Otsuka's song Chime on music download and streaming services, along with a music video, on Wednesday (October 7). Since August, Ai Otsuka has teamed up with music producers and track makers of various genres to release a remix of one of her songs per month. Chime comes as the third of hers to receive a remix. The first was PEACH which was remixed by Tomggg and the second Kingyo Hanabi by ANIMAL HACK. AmPm have produced music for a whole range of Japanese artists such as V6 and Ken Hirai, and have remixed for the likes of Afrojack and Nicky Romero outside of Japan. Chime is used as the second opening theme for the first season of the 2019 TV anime adaptation of Fruits Basket. The song is hugely popular within anime community both inside and outside Japan.
Check out the colourful music video for the remix below which is inspired by the fairy tale The Ugly Duckling. Ai Otsuka - "Chime (AmPm Remix)" Music Video AmPm | Comment
"We've had the chance to remix a lot of different songs, but this one was the hardest to remix. The original track is fast-paced, and Otsuka's voice is persistent. We went through a lot of trial and error which is unusual for us. We wondered things like, 'Can we tamper with this part' and 'Have we finished?' The original song was written as the second opening theme for season one of the Fruits Basket anime, but this remix feels more like and ending theme. If the original is the chime to start the day, then the remix is the one to signal the end of it. But we want people to think of it more as an ending that connects to tomorrow, rather than a cut off. We also think that although it's the same song, you can take the lyrics differently between both versions, so we hope that makes the existence of a remix more fun for people so they can listen and compare!" Information
Chime (AmPm Remix)
Released: October 7, 2020
Download Here: https://asab.lnk.to/aio_chime
AmPm Official Website: http://ampm.tokyo/ -
Asako Toki posted her music video for HOME over on her official YouTube channel. The song is the second opening theme for the ongoing TV anime series Fruits Basket.
The warm ballad was written for the anime series itself and sings of things that are close to home for people, like family, friends, and lovers. The music video showcases Asako Toki at home using items that belong to her like her Korean book, cosmetics, records, character merchandise, and more. There are also scenes of Asako recording for the radio show she appears on in Hokkaido. It has a real sense of 'home' to it, giving fans a peek into Asako's life. Check out the music video below where we can once again enjoy Asako's warm and gentle vocals. ©Natsuki Takaya・Hakusensha / Fruits Basket Production Committee Information
Fruits Basket Official Website: https://fruba.jp/
Asako Toki Official Website: http://www.tokiasako.com
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Fruits Basket Season Two started on July 6, 2020 in Japan and is broadcasted at midnight. The new season two ending theme song HOME by Asako Toki was released on digital music services on July 7, 2020.
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HOME
Release Date: July 7, 2020
Streaming Link: https://asab.lnk.to/200707_tokiasakohAsako Toki’s Official Website: http://www.tokiasako.com
Fruits Basket Season Two
TV Tokyo: Every Monday from 01:30
TV Aichi: Every Monday from 01:30
TV Osaka: Every Monday from 02:05
*The broadcasting schedule is subject to change at any timeOfficial Website: https://fruba.jp/