On June 16, the girls’ vocal and dance group ATARASHII GAKKO! released OTONABLUE – From THE FIRST TAKE on streaming services.

Originally released in 2020, OTONABLUE has become incredibly popular over the past year, with its ‘neck-dance’ choreography trending on TikTok. With views on the social media site surpassing 2.5 billion, a music video was thrown together and released, pulling in over 20 million views in two months.

On April 7, ATARASHII GAKKO! performed a special version of OTONABLUE on THE FIRST TAKE, commemorating their first time on the program with new choreography. Filmed in a single take, their appearance pulled in 20 million views in record time, becoming the channel’s most popular video of 2023. This special live version is now available to stream.

Atarashii Gakko! took to the stage on THE FIRST TAKE for the first time. The members performed their hit song Otonablue, which has become a major hit on social media for its unique choreography during the chorus.

Since its release, Otonablue has continued to be a hot topic, with the live performance video racking up over 8 million views on YouTube and related TikTok videos pulling in over 400 million views.

Takuma Usa appears in the new YouTube short drama series Sarashiai, Konna Yoru wa Dare no Sei? (Exposed Love: Who’s to Blame for a Night Like This?)

The romance-focused ensemble drama touches on a wide array of difficult subjects found in today’s society, like adultery, sugar daddies, plastic surgery, friends with benefits, doxxing, betrayal, and redemption.

Takuma Usa, who portrays the host Tsukasa, appears in the third episode.

Eve has announced a special YouTube LIVE scheduled to take place on December 24 at 19:00. The stream will take place on the artist’s official YouTube channel and those with YouTube Premium memberships will be able to take place in an Afterparty starting at 19:30. 

Starting at 19:00 on Christmas Eve, fans can enjoy a rare live studio performance complete with a full band. The Afterparty will include a special chat with Eve in which the artist reflects on the past year and gives hints on what’s to come. Fans won’t want to miss this exclusive opportunity!

In Saiki City, located in the southernmost part of Oita Prefecture, visitors will find a unique project. For a limited time, guests can enjoy a sushi-netarium, where sushi–not stars–will be featured in the sky. Saiki City, where the event takes place, is a treasure trove of seafood thanks to the Bungo Channel and boasts the largest catch in Oita Prefecture. It’s also known as Oita’s premier sushi destination, with more than 350 varieties of ocean delicacies to enjoy each year. Saiki Sushi, made from fresh local fish, is known for its firm texture and for having just the right amount of fat. To promote this tasty dish throughout Japan, the interactive sushi-netarium promotion was created!

A Planetarium Experience Featuring Soothing Music and a Sky Filled with Sushi

The sushi-netarium is said to have a relaxing effect comparable to that of Beppu Onsen, the most famous tourist attraction in Oita. Those taking part will be able to see not only a sky filled with sushi, but a sushi meteor shower and the Gari Borealis. As you watch, it might become impossible not to crave sushi! Visitors will be able to take part in this special viewing at certain locations in Beppu City and at Oita Airport from September 22 until November 30. In a public announcement, the city invited guests to eat plenty of tasty local food and soak in the Beppu Onsen before enjoying the sushi-netarium to wrap up a wonderful day. 

The Beautiful ‘Sushi Projector’

Check out these impressive projectors made exclusively for the sushi-netarium! These original sushi projectors in the shape of Saiki sushi are the only five such projectors in the world and come in the shapes of tuna, yellowtail, octopus, egg, and shrimp. 

Come enjoy this strange sushi-centric activity in the south of Japan! Participating facilities are listed on the website below.

In a new interview posted to YouTube, Yuichiro Hayashi, the director of Attack on Titan The Final Season, and Yusuke Tannawa, the CG Producer and Screen Designer for the show, are discussing the series’ incredible success. Both creators also chat about the struggles they’ve faced during production, their relationship with the original manga creator Hajime Isayama, and much more. 

Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2 – Yuichiro Hayashi (Director) × Yusuke Tannawa (CG Producer, Screen Design) Special Interview

Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2 is currently airing on NHK General each Sunday at 24:05. It is also available to stream on dTV, d Anime Store, GYAO!, Netflix, TELASA, Hikari TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

©諫山創・講談社／「進撃の巨人」The Final Season製作委員会

The new cover song project ‘CrosSing- Music & Voice’ is live!

CrosSing brings together voice actors, anime song artists, VTubers, 2.5D actors, and other artists through music. The cast of the first season is featured in the channel teaser.

 In addition to popular voice actors Maaya Uchida, Kana Hanazawa, and Akari Kito, the project also includes towana, vocalist of popular ani-song unit fhána. Toshiki Tateishi, active mainly in 2.5D stage plays and musicals, and VTuber Hal Shibuya will also be participating!

Channel Teaser

All of the songs featured in the project are tracks that personally mean something to the cast. The music will be available on YouTube and on streaming services, and those interested are asked to follow the project on Twitter and TikTok!

On February 22, Hello Kitty released her first collaboration video with the popular YouTube channel Mochimaru Diary, which currently has over 1.6 million subscribers!

Mochimaru Diary follows the uneventful life of Mochimaru, a Scottish Fold, whose life is documented by his owner. The collaboration was planned as a celebration of Cat Day, which takes place in Japan on February 22. 

In the video, Hello Kitty talks passionately about the 10 most adorable things about Mochimaru. Be sure to give it a watch!

Hello Kitty is a Mega-fan?! Video Highlights and Screencaps

Comment from Hello Kitty

I’ve been such a big fan of Mochimaru for so long, I can’t believe we finally get to collab~

We had a super happy day talking about all the things Mochi likes!

I’m a little embarrassed to be THIS excited, but I’m just so happy to bring everyone this video for Cat Day!

Give it a watch for me! ♡

©’22 SANRIO　S/F・G　著作（株）サンリオ

Eve will hold a special live streaming event on YouTube on–you guessed it–Christmas Eve! The stream will run from 19:00 until 20:00 on December 24, 2021. 

The stream is being held to celebrate over 3 million subscribers to Eve’s YouTube channel. During the event, he’ll go behind the scenes of the Yadorigi music video, as well as show the Live Film version of Inochi no Tabekata. There may also be a big announcement during the stream, so don’t miss it!

There will be no VOD for this event, so remember the date and time.

Virtual duo Tacitly from NTT Docomo’s ‘Live Animation Heart X Algorhythm’ will be one of twelve participating VTubers appearing at YouTube Music Weekend Vol.4! This online event will take place from December 3 until December 5, and will feature a number of live performances to enjoy. The duo will also perform their new song Yume wo Mitte Ikiteiru for the first time on YouTube. Tacitly will appear on December 4 from 26:30 to 27:00 JST, so don’t miss it!

Atsu Mizuno

“My name is Atsu Mizuno, and I wrote the lyrics and composed the arrangement for Tacitly’s new song! I wanted to match the powerful yet delicate voices of the two members of the group and the incredible video by POPREQ. This time, I wrote about my own struggles with a weak heart and the wonderful friends that helped me become stronger. People can’t achieve anything when they are alone, and this song made me want to treasure my friends who believe in me so much. The last part is my favorite, so be sure to check it out. Thank you so much!”

POPREQ

“I’m POPREQ from Hurray! I directed the new music video. 

When I heard Atsu Mizuno’s song, I envisioned the story she was telling and placed the members of Tacitly within it.  It’s the story of two people living on the edge of a crowded city thinking that no one will ever understand them, until one day, they meet. 

If we could only understand each other’s loneliness, beliefs, and way of life…

That’s what I was thinking about when I worked on this video. 

I hope you enjoy it!”

Tacitly (Lilia & Ciel)

Lilia

Ciel

(C)2021 project‐algorithm

Konica Minolta Planetarium TENKU will hold a special two-day live event featuring one of the most beloved singers of this generation, yama. LIVE in the DARK w/yama will take place on December 8 and 9, in which the artist will be surrounded by glittering stars as he sings some of his more popular tracks.

yama

By holding a concert inside a planetarium, guests will be able to focus more intently on the sounds being made while surrounded by darkness. The video production during the performance will be handled by HERE., a visual design studio known for working with other popular artists. Would you want to experience a live show in such a unique venue? 

The grand opening of Konica Minolta Planetarium Manten NAGOYA is scheduled for October 27, 2021. The original film Dog Star: Kimi to Miageru Fuyu no Seiza-tachi (Winter Constellations to Look Up With You) is set to be screened as the location’s first event, and singer-songwriter Keina Suda has been chosen to perform the movie’s theme Yomosugara (All Night). Ahead of the film’s premiere, advanced tickets will be on sale starting October 20, and those who purchase one will receive a special character acrylic stand!

Dog Star: Kimi to Miageru Fuyu no Seiza-tachi Trailer #2

Advance Ticket Bonus: Acrylic Stand

Keina Suda, chosen to perform the theme song for Dog Star: Kimi to Miageru Fuyu no Seiza-tachi

Konica Minolta Planetarium Manten NAGOYA will be Japan’s first planetarium to use the LED dome system DYNAVISION-LED, which utilizes self-luminous LED elements instead of a projector. 

Before making his major debut, Keina Suda was a popular Vocaloid producer going by the name Balloon. During this period, his song Charles became a smash hit, getting over 100 million views on YouTube. The musician wrote the song Yomosugara for the film. The writer of the film, Mari Okada, is also known for her work on Anohana: The Flower We Saw That Day and The Anthem of the Heart. 

A completely original story written by Mari Okada

A friendship between two boys begins to twinkle in the light of the winter constellations. 

Nobunaga Shimazaki plays Kousuke, a boy who is crazy about the stars, while Yama Uchida portrays Natsuki, active on the track and field team. This is a coming-of-age story woven together with the starry sky made of LED lights only available at Manten NAGOYA. 

Kousuke, a boy who loves stars, failed his high school entrance exam. He reluctantly enrolls at his second-choice school, where he meets Natsuki, a member of the track and field team. He compares the brilliance of Natsuki to that of Sirius, the first magnitude star that shines with a fierce intensity. Kousuke thinks Natsuki is not the same as him, who is only the second magnitude star with little presence. However, the fate of the two twinkling stars is about to change drastically…