Urusei Yatsura is one of the most beloved anime series of all time. The show’s theme song Lum’s Love Song is still a fan-favorite 40 years after its release in 1981. To celebrate the anniversary of the track, the original composer Izumi Kobayashi has released a self-cover only available on streaming services. A worldwide remix project based on the song is also underway and will continue into the new year. 

On November 17, Izumi Kobayashi released Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) along with Limited Toss, a trackmaker she met in London. The B-side of the single is another self-cover of Bambutsuruten, the theme to Tokyo Gambo. 

Izumi Kobayashi wrote a number of anime songs in addition to Lum’s Love Song, such as tracks for Sasuga no Sarutobi and Stop!! Hibari-kun! After working as an artist, session musician, and playwright in the 1980s, she moved to the UK and worked alongside Depeche Mode and SWING OUT SISTER, while also supporting the overseas activities of Ken Ishii, Denki Groove, and DJ KRUSH.

In addition to this self-cover project, Lum’s Love Song is now being remixed by a number of talented artists from around the world. The first EP of the remix project, ‘Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) Mimix EP.1’ was released digitally on December 8. It features remixes by Kenmochi Hidefumi of Wednesday Campanella, Chinese trackmaker 3asic, and Osaka-based Limited Toss. 

Upcoming Lum’s Love Song remixes will be provided by Korean music producer T.WON and SKYTOPIA, along with tofubeats. ‘Lum’s Love Song (Reboot) Mimix EP.2’ will be released on January 12, 2022.

Rumiko Takahashi, the original creator of Urusei Yatsura, was inducted into the Harvey Awards Hall of Fame in October 2021, one of the most prestigious U.S. comic awards. 

Comment from Izumi Kobayashi

“It’s been a long time since I’ve released a new album!

Everyone involved in this project is so excited, and we know that something amazing is going to come from it. As it’s the 40th anniversary of Lum’s Love Song, I created a new cel cover for it. I’m just thrilled!

Thank you to everyone who listens!”

小林泉美

Momo Mashiro made her solo major debut today (February 12) with the release of her digital single Onegai Sequencer.

Momo Mashiro is a Japanese singer who won the Lawson Dream Artist Audition, an audition run by the convenience store chain Lawson to give women working at Lawson a cool image.

The song was written by famed Japanese music producer and DJ Yasutaka Nakata. Mashiro actually feated on his song Jump in Tonight, a track included on his solo album Digital Native.

Onegai Sequencer has a ‘kawaii’ dance music and sound laced with fantastical lyrics. It is the embodiment of fantasy and has a computer sound to it.

Momo Mashiro – “Onegai Sequencer” Music Video

The song was released together with a music video today. The video was produced as an official collaboration with Lawson. Mashiro works as an employee at the convenience store in the video, which turns into a dreamy pastel-coloured game world. The entire store becomes a huge arcade to the tune of the foot-stomping beat. It was shot over the course of an entire day, which includes stop motion scenes of each item on the shelves. It’s a wondrous mix of reality and fantasy and a must-see.

The song is available to listen to on music streaming and download services, including Spotify by entering Mashiro’s name or the song title in Japanese

tofubeats appeared on the first episode of Red Bull Check Your DMs, a reality show by Red Bull which connects artists around the world together online for the first time and has them make a song together remotely. He collaborated with UK music producer DJ Q and Netherlands singer Gaidaa to create an original track named All In.

Red Bull Check Your DMs – Episode 1

This was the first time the three artists had met each other, all of whom have different nationalities as well as work on different styles of music, from hip-hop and electronic to singer, rapper, and track maker. Just how did these three individuals create a new song from scratch? All they need is talent, inspiration, and an internet environment for this unique project which coincides with today’s digital age.

The show welcomes a whole host of artists, from this episode’s tofubeats, music producer DJ Q, and singer Gaidaa to bassline DJ Flava D, rappers Ms Banks and Burna, Canadian electronic music producer Ryan Hemsworth, South Korean singer CIFIKA, Diamond Vargas from Australia, Girl Ultra from Mexico, Phil Speiser and Palazzo Beats from Austria, Wow Jones from the USA, Yartze from Puerto Rico, and more.

Red Bull Check Your DMs is available to watch for free on YouTube and the Red Bull TV app. A new episode will air every Friday.

Producer and DJ banvox, who reigns at the forefront of Japan’s modern dance music scene, dropped his brand new EP today (March 31).

banvox’s new EP ‘SUGAR’ is a clear reflection of his hip hop roots. Guest vocalists BBY NABE and ASA Wu also feature on the tracks. There are a total of five tracks on the EP, three of which are sensational instrumentals which showcase banvox’s incredible music taste. 

If you’re keen to discover the latest Japanese music trends, don’t take your eyes of banvox. 

ageHa is set to host one of Japan’s biggest countdown parties again this year, falling on December 31, 2019 once more.

Headlining the ARENA is English DJ and producer Sigala. He released his debut single Easy Love in 2015 which shot to number one on the UK charts. Since then, he has continued to pump out club and festival bangers such as Sweet Lovin and Say You Do. Seven of his nine singles have gone platinum, proving that he is one of the main players in the scene right now.

Another headlining act for the show, this time from Japan, is CAPSULE, the music duo spearheaded by internationally-acclaimed Japanese DJ and record producer Yasutaka Nakata who is the official producer for two of the biggest names in Japanese music: Perfume and Kyari Pamyu Pamyu. CAPSULE plan to put on a special performance for the countdown party.

banvox is also making a return from last year’s ageHa countdown concert, and CYBERJAPAN DANCERS are entering the fray for a special showcase.

In the WATER area of the venue, which is produced by WORLD CLASS and TCPT, France-based bass house duo Loge21, who have piled up t he releases since Confession, will perform in Japan for the very first time. DJ Remo-con will join the line-up as a guest too.

Over at the ISLAND area, the latest in cutting edge hip hop will take to the stage. Several DJs representing Tokyo will join rapper Jin Dogg, who is garnering attention right now, including HOKUTO, KEKKE, CHARI, and FUJI TRILL.

Finally, the BOX area will give rise to trance tunes, with performances from DJ KAYA, NORIO SP, FULLMOON RAVE, agefarre, and more.

But that’s not all, because the famous Robot Restaurantーa major tourist attraction in Shinjukuーis making an unexpected collaboration with ageHa to put on their first ever show outside the restaurant.

A variety of other celebratory things are planned for the countdown party to chime in the new year, including servings of toshikoshi soba, omikuji fortunes, goshuin seals, and more. If you happen to be in Tokyo for the New Year, then don’t miss out on this very special event.

Japanese DJ and music producer banvox―whose discography has received rave reviews from the likes of international artists like David Guetta and the late Avicii―released his long-awaited new album Sellout last week. The album was released worldwide across digital music platforms including Spotify.

The 14-track record features a diverse line-up of songs, and features his first ever song to include lyrics written in Japanese by the artist himself―the title track Sellout.

So far in 2019, banvox has performed at some of the biggest music festivals in Japan, including EDC JAPAN and Wired Music Festival. He has also written music for the anime series Carol & Tuesday and for the popular YouTubers AVNTIS.

Be sure to check out banvox’s new album, now available digitally worldwide.

Studio Ponoc, formed by former Studio Ghibli lead film producer Yoshiaki Nishimura, is releasing its next animated movie after their debut release Mary and the Witch’s Flower (2017).

Modest Heroes is a three-part anime anthology film set for release in Japan on August 24. Several composers including DJ, record producer, songwriter Yasutaka Nakata (Capsule, Perfume, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu) have been unveiled to have worked on the movie’s soundtrack.

The film is split into three parts with different directors. Kanini & Kanino is a fantasy short directed by Hiromasa Yonebayashi―who also directed Mary and the Witch’s Flower―and follows two crab brothers on a big adventure. Life Ain’t Gonna Lose is a drama short directed by animator Yoshiyuki Momose, a great talent who worked under the late Isao Takahata of Studio Ghibli. It’s based on a true story and tells a tale of love between a mother and a young boy. The final part, Invisible, is directed by veteran animator Akihiko Yamashita who is known for having worked on Hayao Miyazaki’s Howl’s Moving Castle. It focuses on the struggles of a lonely invisible man.

Modest Heroes features a voiceover cast of well-known actors and actress such as Joe Odagiri and Fumino Kimura. The soundtrack is composed by three huge names in music: film composer, pianist and singer-songwriter Takatsugu Muramatsu, music producer and keyboardist Masanori Shimada, and Yasutaka Nakata.

Which film short are you most looking forward to from the anthology?

Japanese music producer and top dog in Japan’s dance music scene banvox will digitally release his first new song in 9 months Why You Gotta Do Me Like That worldwide on August 3.

banvox has represented Japan at music festivals across the world including ULTRA Europe and he’s been praised highly by some of the biggest names in the scene including David Guetta and Avicii. Despite earning such widespread recognition, the artist suddenly ceased performing live at the end of 2017.

After a long silence having halted his activities 8 months ago and releasing his last song Let Me Take You 9 months ago, he is now back in the game. The new song is described as being completely different from his dance trap material up to now and a return to his black music roots.

banvox will perform at Rock in Japan Festival 2018 at Hitachi Seaside Park. It looks like he’s returning full throttle into a new chapter of his career.

An army of Japanese pop culture leaders signed to ASOBISYSTEM attended ASOBIEXPO at Shinkiba STUDIO COAST on July 21, 2018 to celebrate the company’s 10th anniversary, including Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Yasutaka Nakata, Sebastian Masuda and more.

Close to 100 music artists, models, DJs and others attended the festival, which was split into two slots: ASOBIFES!!! was a free invitation-only concert and show event, and ASOBINITE!!! was a club event which was attended by some of Japan’s representative artists.

Beginning the show was none other than MANON, ASOBISYSTEM’s 16-year-old leader of the new generation of youth. She captivated the crowd with her soft and relaxed rapping and edgy lyrics with tracks like xxFANCYPOOLxx and COCO BOI ROMANCE.

Next to hit the stage was 4-member pop dance and vocal group TEMPURA KIDZ. They rolled out a string of infectious pop tunes that made you want to dance and gave a performance so foot-stomping you’d think it was the climax of the event already. A number of guests and dancers joined them on stage from Tamura in Fukushima Prefecture where TEMPURA KIDZ held workshops as part of a project to revitalise the region.

Sashaying onto the stage next was a list of models signed to ASOBISYSTEM for a special fashion show. The first theme was ‘urban mood’ which saw names like Shiho Takechi and Rinko Murata take over the runway. The second theme was ‘Tokyo Street Vintage Mix’ where Saki Shibata, Yuri Suganuma and others walked the walk.

After the fashion show, it was to change things up. Natsume Mito stepped onto stage followed by 6 others. They read aloud the children’s picture book Mumu written by Natsume Mito herself which was accompanied with acting, music and lighting to bring the story to life. After the performance she announced a sequel to the book, Mumu ~Shima-chan no Otanjoubi~.

Things changed up again when Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders came on to fire everybody up again. They gave an electrifying vocal and dance performance during the Showa-style number Koi Shadanki feat. H ZETTRIO. The members also spoke about their recollections with ASOBISYSTEM and said, “Congratulations on 10 years! Let’s keep working hard together!” They then performed Saishuu Jinrui. Their set was full of love for ASOBISYSTEM.

Now it was time to pull the big guns out. CAPSULE graced the stage, opening with Another World to get people pumped before hitting them with MORE MORE MORE, JUMPER and Hero. The crowd were pulled into the CAPSULE galaxy with the on-screen space visuals and giant mirror ball overhead for Starry Sky.

CAPSULE vocalist Koshijima shouted out softly, “Thank you for today! Congratulations on 10 years, ASOBISYSTEM. Have fun until the very end!” Their set concluded with a fantastic groove that shot the crowd into the stratosphere.

The final act of the night, and ASOBISYSTEM’s representative artist, was of course Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. As the audience waited with smiles on their faces, four dancers dressed in black appeared to the tune of KPP On Stage. Kyary subsequently stepped out wearing a rough outfit―something much different to what she usually wears―to perform her hit tune Invader Invader.

“Thank you! Is everyone at ASOBIEXPO having fun? Congratulations on 10 years, ASOBISYSTEM. I have been with ASOBISYSTEM for 7 years. 7 years have passed since I met the company president, Army. Yasutaka Nakata has continued to make my songs, so I am always indebted to ASOBISYSTEM. Thank you so much!”

Kyary performed her mature-sounding hit Kimino Mikata before wrapping up the first slot of the festival, ASOBIFES!!!, with Harajuku Iyahoi. The room was left with a festive, feel-good atmosphere and bright lighting.

It was then time for the party – ASOBISYSTEM’s flagship event ASOBINITE!!! A whole host of ASOBISYSTEM artists graced the stage including RAM RIDER, 80KIDZ, TeddyLoid, DJ KYOKO, Licaxxx, not to mention Yasutaka Nakata, amongst others. A line-up of guests also joined the event including SHINICHI OSAWA (MONDO GROSSO), TOMOYUKI TANAKA (FPM), ☆Taku Takahashi (m-flo, block.fm), DAISHI DANCE, and banvox. Everybody worked to cement ASOBISYSTEM’s 10th anniversary into history.

ASOBIEXPO was an entire day of Japanese pop culture. ASOBISYSTEM continue to seek working as the architects of next-generation culture and will advance onto the world stage. This is the feeling that was left in the venue on this memorable day.

Text: Fukuryuu (Music Concierge)

DJ Nobunaga is a new action and puzzle game for smartphones with music produced entirely by Yasutaka Nakata. The game is teaming up with Final Fantasy XV which will see Yasutaka Nakata remix music that will be put in the game.

The remixed track can be enjoyed during a limited time event in-game from July 19. A website explaining the collaboration as well as a promotional video have also been posted.

Collaboration Video

The game is set during the Sengoku period of Japanese history where all the warring state military commanders (‘busho’) have become DJs. Together with your ally busho, your mission is to go into DJ battles to unify the whole country. In this action battle game, you must trace “Inspiration” that appears onscreen with your busho DJ while inside a club DJ and fight with enemy busho as you collect more power. With just one finger the game is super easy to play and highly addictive.

All of the music in the game was created by music producer, artist and DJ Yasutaka Nakata who is known for producing the music for some of Japan’s biggest artists including Perfume and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. The characters were created by Tanaka Hideyuki who is responsible for having created many different character designs for anime series such as OH! Super Milk Chan and Generations Koukou TV. The game design was made by Reisuke Ishida who has worked on games such as Groove Coaster and Space Invaders Infinity Gene.

DJ Nobunaga will be released on July 12, so be sure to play it for yourself!

The OTONOKO music festival was first held in October 2016 to an enormous crowd. A second wave of artists set for this year’s line-up has just been revealed.

OTONOKO is produced by none other than Yasutaka Nakata. As well as being the man solely responsible for the entire music production behind some of Japan’s biggest artists like Perfume and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, he has just about done it all, whether that’s providing music for international ceremonies, or creating the departure sound for the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Kanazawa Station. He has also produced music for a plethora of movies both inside and outside Japan, including Hollywood. He’s Japan’s representative musician, producer and DJ who has received praise and support from top international artists.

OTONOKO will return for its third run this year at the Ishikawa-ken Sangyo Tenjikan (Hall 4) on Saturday October 13, 2018.

The new artists announced for the line-up include m-flo who are back with all the original members including LISA, who has returned to the group after leaving 15 years ago in 2002, VERBAL and ☆Taku Takahashi. Also returning after playing OTONOKO two years in a row are banvox, DAISHI DANCE and TeddyLoid.

OTONOKO is described as an unprecedented kind of music festival that delivers Japanese culture to the world through OTO (‘sound’) from the hub of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, Yasutaka Nakata‘s own hometown.

It’s time to get excited about the line-up reveal, one that will give way to plenty of OTO thanks to Yasutaka Nakata producing the festival, an internationally active top artist and DJ and leader of today’s pop scene in Japan.

OTONOKO will take place again this year, a music festival with a consistent line-up of exceptional artists.

OTONOKO is produced by none other than Yasutaka Nakata. As well as being the man solely responsible for the entire music production behind some of Japan’s biggest artists like Perfume and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, he has just about done it all, whether that’s providing music for international ceremonies, or creating the departure sound for the Hokuriku Shinkansen at Kanazawa Station. He has also produced music for a plethora of movies both inside and outside Japan, including Hollywood. He’s Japan’s representative musician, producer and DJ who has received praise and support from top international artists.

OTONOKO will return for its third run this year at the Ishikawa-ken Sangyo Tenjikan (Hall 4) on Saturday October 13, 2018.

Super early discounted pre-sale tickets that include priority entry and OTONOKO original stickers will go on sale April 21 at 10:00am (JST). They are limited in quantity, so be sure to get yours and enjoy the additional bonuses them come with!

OTONOKO is described as an unprecedented kind of music festival that delivers Japanese culture to the world through OTO (‘sound’) from the hub of Kanazawa in Ishikawa Prefecture, Yasutaka Nakata’s own hometown.

It’s time to get excited about the line-up reveal, one that will give way to plenty of OTO thanks to Yasutaka Nakata producing the festival, an internationally active top artist and DJ and leader of today’s pop scene in Japan.