Toko Miura is set to release her debut mini album ASTERISK on May 27, 2020. Two songs from the 7-track record, uzu and Ochitsuke, are now available to listen to on all major music download and streaming services, including iTunes and Spotify.   uzu will feature as the main theme song for the upcoming Japanese documentary film Mujica Sekai de Ichiban Muzushii Daitoryo Kara Nihonjin e which covers former Uruguayan president José Mujica's relationship with Japan. The film's director, Tabei, was captivated by Toko Miura's voice, and so invited singer-songwriter Naotarō Moriyama on board to write and produce uzu to bring and deliver the purity of her voice to people.   A music video for uzu directed by music video director Pennacky was also released, and captures the warmth and nostalgia that embraces the track.   Toko Miura - "uzu" Music Video

Miura's other song that's available to listen to, Ochitsuke, was written, composed, and arranged by TENDRE, and has a light, relaxing sound. Both songs capture Toko Miura's delicate voice beautifully, so be sure to check them out before ASTERISK drops next month.

The opening theme Arogatou wa Kocchi no Kotoba by Naotaro Moriyama for the ongoing TV anime series Somali and the Forest Spirit is garnering much attention right now. The "TV version" of the songーthat's the version edited for the anime seriesーwas released digitally in Japan yesterday.   To promote the song, a campaign is being held for fans of the anime series to sign up and receive some original Somali and the Forest Spirit prints. To apply, you need to purchase and download the TV version of the song from iTunes Japan or Recochoku. 5 prints will be given to everyone that downloads the song, and they're different depending on which of the two music platforms you download from. Episode 3 of the anime series aired on January 24. Both the series and the opening theme have received much love and praise, with the latter having won over the hearts of Japanese fans on social media, who have described it as making them tear up and being a perfect fit for the anime   Arogatou wa Kocchi no Kotoba (TV version) is now available on all major download and streaming platforms, including Spotify, iTunes, Apple Music, Recochoku, LINE MUSIC, and elsewhere.

It has been announced that Japanese singer-songwriter Naotarō Moriyama's new song Arigatou wa Kocchi no Kotoba ("It Should Be Me Thanking You") will be used as the opening theme for the upcoming TV anime series Somali and the Forest Spirit which is set to air in January 2020. This marks Moriyama's first time writing a song for an anime series. The ending theme Kokoro Somali is performed by Inori Minase. Both are original songs that touch on the world of the series.   The opening theme can be heard in the newest promotional video for the anime series below.

The anime's official website has also been updated with new character illustrations and more.

Ryo Yoshimata

The anime's music is composed by Ryo Yoshimata, who has worked on many famous drama series and movies in Japan, and is produced by Akira Yamaoka, a huge name in the games industry for his work including that in the Silent Hill franchise. The anime's art director is French creator Vincent Nghiem.

Naotarō Moriyama

Naotarō Moriyama commented the following in regards to writing the opening theme: "I read the manga, and tried to write Arigatou wa Kocchi no Kotoba while singing as if I was part of the story's scenery while going back and forth between the valley of fantasy and nostalgia. It touches on Somali and Golem's journey. The recording process was very lively too. Coming into contact with this series has let me peek into a world I never knew before, and so I give my thanks to it."   ©Yako Gureishi/NSP 2015