Masayoshi Oishi has announced the release date for his new EP Gift. Fans can expect to get their hands on it on March 8, 2023, and the song uni-verse will serve as the theme song for the Gridman Universe film coming to theaters on March 24.

Based on the Tsuburaya Productions Gridman live-action tokusatsu series from 1993, the SSSS.GRIDMAN anime series aired in October 2018. A sequel, SSSS.DYNAZENON, followed in April 2021. Characters from both series will appear in the new original film. 

The new EP Gift features seven tracks including Gift, the opening theme song for the anime series The Angel Next Door Spoils Me Rotten and the Azur Lane 5th anniversary song Aoi Hogeki. Be on the lookout for the newly-drawn anime cover!

Comment from Masayoshi Oishi

“I’m pleased to announce that I’ll be performing the theme song for the upcoming Gridman Universe film!

I’m so incredibly honored, and I think that this song really fits with the story of the movie. 

The song was written, arranged, and sung by me. Please listen!”

In March 2022, the cover song project CrosSing was launched. Amassing instant popularity, tracks featured as part of the project have pulled in millions of views. In addition to popular voice actors Maaya Uchida, Kana Hanazawa, and Akari Kito, the project also included towana, vocalist of popular ani-song unit fhána. 

The cast of the second season of the project has been unveiled. Along with popular voice actors Ayana Taketatsu, Aguri Onishi, and Yu Hayashi, stage actor Ryotaro Akazawa and VTuber Leona Shishigami will also try singing their hearts out!

2nd Season Introduction

All of the songs featured in the project are tracks that personally mean something to the cast. Fans are invited to Tweet their predictions about which songs each cast member will sing with the hashtag #CrosSing! Subscribe to the YouTube channel and follow CrosSing on Twitter and TikTok to find out more information.

The popular smartphone RPG Monster Strike is teaming up with the anime and manga series Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba for a second collaboration starting March 15, 2022!

New Characters Available via Gacha

Characters Available through Fusion or Evolution

Collaboration Starter Pack

Exchange Exclusive Collaboration Characters 

Collaboration Quest Characters (Selection)

During this second collaboration, players can snag big-name Hashira like Kyujuro Rengoku and Tengen Uzui, as well as other popular characters like Nezuko Kamado, Kanao Tsuyuri, and the siblings Sabito and Makomo.

The characters will be available via gacha, as will Tanjiro, Giyu Tomioka, and Shinobu Kocho from the first collaboration. Some characters will be obtainable through a series of collaboration quests, including Akaza and Enmu from the Mugen Train Arc. 

©吾峠呼世晴／集英社・アニプレックス・ufotable　©XFLAG

Masayoshi Oishi has been chosen to perform the theme song for the upcoming anime series Love After World Domination, scheduled to premiere in April 2022. The new track is a duet with popular voice actress Yukari Tamura, and a preview of the track can be heard in the newest trailer. 

Based on the manga series written by Hiroshi Noda and illustrated by Takahiro Wakamatsu, the show tells the story of a hero and villain pursuing a forbidden love.

Love After World Domination Trailer

Masayoshi Oishi has also announced a three-stop concert tour! The artist will perform at Zepp Namba on May 6, at Zepp Nagoya on June 9, and at KT Zepp Yokohama on June 17. Ticket details will be announced on the official website at a later date. This will be the first solo concert for the artist in about eight months. 

Comment from Masayoshi Oishi

“From the beginning, I wanted to make the opening song a male/female duet track, and I was so thrilled to work with Yukari Tamura! Thanks to her, it became an incredibly emotional song. I hope everyone enjoys the series as much as I enjoyed creating the theme.”

Comment from Yukari Tamura

“Masayoshi Oishi invited me to perform a duet with him! I was so nervous about recording as a guest vocalist in this major track rather than performing a character song, but I ended up really enjoying it! I hope this becomes a famous duet song, please enjoy it!”

©野田宏・若松卓宏・講談社／恋せか製作委員会

XFLAG launched and in-game collaboration for the popular hunting RPG mobile game Monster Strike on Tuesday (February 2) in which players have the chance to obtain several characters from the anime series World Trigger.

World Trigger Characters to Appear in Gacha

Osamu Mikumo

Yūma Kuga

Chika Amatori

Yūichi Jin

Kirie Konami

World Trigger Characters to Appear in Quests

Hairein

Viza

Lamvanein

Hyuse

Enedra

World Trigger is an ongoing sci-fi action manga series written and illustrated by Daisuke Ashihara. It is serialised in Jump Square. The series received its first anime series in 2014 with a second season that began airing last month. The collaboration features a line-up of heroes and villains from the series entering the world of Monster Strike.

“ミクシィ”, “mixi”, the mixi logo, “XFLAG”, the XFLAG logo, “モンスターストライク”, “モンスト”, and “MONSTER STRIKE” are registered trademarks of mixi, Inc.

Masayoshi Ōishi announced via his live stream concert “Sekai ga Kimi o Hitsuyou to Suru Toki ga Kitan da” on Tuesday (January 5) that he will perform the opening themes for the two anime series SSSS.DYNAZENON and Dragon Goes House-Hunting.

The SSSS.DYNAZENON opening theme is entitled Imperfect and will be released as Masayoshi Ōishi’s 6th single while the Dragon Goes House-Hunting opening theme Roleplaying will be released as his 7th. Both singles will release simultaneously in Japan on April 21, 2021.

Dragon Goes House-Hunting is a fantasy manga series written by Kawo Tanuki and illustrated by Choco Aya. SSSS.DYNAZENON is as a continuation of SSSS.GRIDMAN. and is being co-made by Studio Trigger and Tsuburaya Productions.

©多貫カヲ・絢 薔子／マッグガーデン・「ドラゴン、家を買う。」製作委員会

©円谷プロ ©2021 TRIGGER・雨宮哲／「DYNAZENON」製作委員会

Anisong singer Masayoshi Oishi released his new CD single called Paradise City (Rakuen Toshi) on August 21.

The single consists of two songs: Paradise City, which is the opening theme song for Cop Craft, and Hero, which is the opening theme song for anime Monster Strike: Noah Hakobune no Kyūseishu, which is currently being broadcast every Saturday from 7pm on YouTube.

In addition, the single will also include the song “Departure”, which is featured in Monster Strike. Masayoshi will be commemorating the release of his single with two live performances which are free to attend: One at Abeno Q’s Mall, Osaka on August 24 and another at DiverCity Tokyo Plaza, Tokyo on August 25. The CD single will be available to purchase at both events. Those who purchase one will be in for a treat as they will receive a signed poster directly from the hands of the singer himself. 

A statement from Oishi Masayoshi

My new song Paradise City is the opening theme song for the anime Cop Craft. It is a latin jazz-style song with a touch of nostalgia from the Showa Era. This song truly is a winner. Please have a listen!

To commemorate the collaboration between mobile game Monster Strike and manga My Hero Academia, XFLAG STORE SHIBUYA, SHINSAIBASHI and +(PLUS) HANEDA are releasing a new limited period café menu, which includes brand new drinks that come with original sleeves for the cups.

Character Sodas: Izuku Midoriya, Katsuki Bakugou, Shoto Todoroki, Ochaco Uraraka, Tenya Iida

Price: ￥750 each (before tax)

If you order any drink from this café menu, you will be presented with an original badge that is chosen at random. During the commemoration period, the café space will be decorated with special illustrations and there will be special videos running for visitors to enjoy. 

The title track will be used for the opening theme of the opening TV anime series Cop Craft which is set to premiere on TOKYO MX this July. The CD also includes the song Hero which will be used for the new season of Monster Strike the Animation.

Cop Craft is an adaptation of Japanese light novel series Cop Craft: Dragnet Mirage Reloaded written by Shoji Gatoh and illustrated by Range Murata. Six volumes have been published by Gagaga Bunko with over 200,000 copies sold. The anime is being directed by Shin Itagaki and adapted by Millepensee.

Monster Strike the Animation was first released on YouTube on October 10, 2015. This omnibus-style series follows the stories of multiple characters that feature in the mobile game Monster Strike.

Fans who purchase Rakuen Toshi on CD at select stores will receive various bonus items. Full list below.

Masayoshi Ōishi will release his new album Kariuta II on June 26. His will embark on a tour on July 6 to promote its release.

©Shoji Gatoh・Shogakukan / STPD ©︎XFLAG

OxT is a Japanese music group consisting of vocalist Masayoshi Ōishi and guitarist and composer Tomohiro Ōshima (Tom-H@ck). Their music has featured in several anime series including SSSS.GRIDMAN for which their song UNION was used as the opening theme. The song peaked on Oricon’s Weekly Digital Charts at No. 2.

Their song Golden After School is currently used as the ending theme for the ongoing TV anime series Ace of Diamond Act II. The song just hit shelves on April 17 and both members released statements surrounding the record.

Masayoshi Ōishi said: “We wrote a song for the new chapter of Seidou High! It would be great if this song continues that golden age the 3rd year students left behind, the age that ties together their story which took place after school. We wrote it with care and consideration, so I hope people enjoy it!”

Tom-H@ck commented: “Our latest single… Golden After School…! This is a famous song which has a nostalgic vibe to it. The melody and lyrics both elicit a sense of nostalgia from somewhere. Please be sure to check out the music video too, me and my pal Ōishi went on a driving date!”

First press copies of the CD include application cards to receive priority tickets to an official event for the anime series taking place at Science Hall on May 18. Appearing at the event will be Ryōta Ōsaka (who voices Eijun Sawamura), Shintarō Asanuma (Yōichi Kuramochi), Wataru Hatano (Tōru Masuko), and OxT.

Masayoshi Ōishi has also announced a new solo album entitled Kariuta II which will be released on June 26, 2019. He will head on a solo tour to promote the album later this year. Pre-sale tickets will go live via his fan club on April 22 at 23:59 (JST).

The cover jacket for Masayoshi Ōishi’s live DVD Masayoshi Ōishi no Hikikatari Lab ~10th Anniversary “One Man” Show~ has also been unveiled. It will be released on May 8.

It has been announced that kabuki actor Ennosuke Ichikawa IV will take place in planning as creative director of the upcoming Monster Strike Exhibition, a new interactive art event set to begin on September 28.

The theme of the event is “The day from when you downloaded Monster Strike.” Users will have the chance to relive the experiences of each and every monster.

Over 50 popular artists are collaborating with the event. NAKED have also produced an interactive event using projection mapping that will allow people to experience extreme quests in real life.

Ennosuke Ichikawa IV is also involved creating a kabuki outfit based on the character Ishikawa Goemon which will be displayed at the exhibition.

Comment: Ennosuke Ichikawa IV

“Originally, it was men who would perform in kabuki theatre, so at first I felt it would be extremely difficult to pull off the monster Ishikawa Goemon. But I also thought that it is value in making sure to not ruin the image of the character while incorporating into it a kabuki atmosphere. You probably think that my point is she’s female. I racked my brain to find a way to get away from the Ishikawa Goemon we know and instead bring out her femininity, vividness and colour. I hope that people will think this unconventional combination of kabuki and Monster Strike goes together well.”

There will also by sculptures of the monster characters exhibited at the event created by art director and artist Sebastian Masuda, the visionary mind behind the fashion design of XFLAG Entertainment Partner Kyary Pamyu Pamyu.

*Illustration is a work in progress

Additionally, attendees of the exhibition will receive illustrations of Avalon SP drawn my Japanese manga artist Masakazu Katsura.

More details regarding the event will be released on the official exhibition website, Monster Strike website and Monster Strike YouTube channel.

2018 is the year of Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, who released her new song Kimino Mikata earlier this year and recently concluded her 4th world tour. Excitement and anticipation surrounding the singer has been high, and this has become even more so with the recent announcement of her first new album in four years. Titled Japamyu, the brand new record will drop on September 26.

In more recent news, it’s just been announced that one of the new songs on the album, Kizunami, will be used as the main theme song for the upcoming anime film Monster Strike The Movie: Sora no Kanata set for release on October 5. The film is an original anime adaptation of the hit mobile game Monster Strike which has over 45 million players worldwide.

The new song Kizunami will be released as a standalone single on September 7 ahead of the album’s release.

The feature film was created by XFLAGTM, who produce entertainment under their slogan Ketahazure na Bouken o (“Embarking on an Exceptional Adventure”). It is produced by Orange who are one of the foremost leading studios in the production of gorgeous CG animation. The film is graced by an exceptional voice cast including Masataka Kubota who plays protagonist Kanata, Alice Hirose who plays the heroine Sora, and voice actor veteran Kōichi Yamadera who plays Senju.

■Monster Strike The Movie: Sora no Kanata Music Video

The story takes place in a world where 13 years ago, part of Tokyo suddenly breaks away and floats up into the sky. Our protagonist Kanata (Masataka Kubota) is your every day high school student who began living with his grandmother after his parents passed away. He encounters Sora (Alice Hirose), a mysterious girl who came from the sky. The two of them work together to help save the citizens whose worlds are fated to war. Kanata, who still doesn’t know exactly who he is, must learn to mature alongside Sora and his allies as they navigate through the war.

The film’s main theme song Kizunami was written by music producer Yasutaka Nakata who ensured to maintain the story’s theme of strong friendship. It’s an oriental and jaunty track in which you can very much feel Kyary’s essence and outlook. A collaborative music video was also released that features the song together with scenes of the movie.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s Comments
In the movie, the protagonist Kanata meets characters like Sora and the vampire siblings Tōya and Yūna who he fights and grows alongside while discovering the importance of the bond between friends. I think the lyrics [of the song] convey things like how it’s good to have friends and how wonderful it is to be connected to the heart of those important to you you want to protect. I particularly love the title ‘Kizunami.’ I believe it’s a heartwarming pop song that makes you think about the people precious to you.

The full tracklist has also unveiled, including new songs like Oto no Kuni and Enka Natrium, as well as a cover of CAPSULE’s famous song Koi no Hana (2001). They are all songs that Yasutaka Nakata himself has much confidence in. Digital pre-orders for the album will open on the iTunes Store on September 7 so be sure to check it out.

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu will hold a special live event at LakeTown’s 10th Anniversary Special Live on September 30 at 4:00pm to promote the release of the album.

It’s time to get excited about the next big release from one of Japan’s most internationally celebrated artists.