Amazon Music’s first music entertainment show for kids and families to be released in Japan is here! Hee! Hee Hoo! premiered on Prime Video on January 26. The four-member vocal and dance group Atarashii Gakko! is also participating in the project.

Hee! Hee Hoo! is a body-themed four-episode series featuring surreal and psychedelic visuals along with Amazon Music Original music for young kids and their parents. This project was made to entertain and educate babies and children by using original images and music to address the physical changes they’ll experience from birth to death and to explain the sensations they feel.

The members of Atarashii Gakko! appear in the first episode, performing the song BABY which was written exclusively for the show.

<Comment from Atarashii Gakko!>
“The theme for this show is so great–the four of us had so much fun coming up with ideas, writing lyrics, and making choreography! I hope even fetuses can enjoy it!!”

Takeshi’s Castle, a popular Japanese game show originally aired in the late 1980s, will return in 2023 when a new series will start on Amazon Prime Video. 

The original show, aired between 1986 and 1989, proved a massive hit as the prizewinning film director and comedian, also known by his stage name Beat Takeshi, played the lord of a castle where he and his henchmen engaged in a water-gun battle with contestants eliminated after a series of physical challenges. The series became a huge success in the United States, Australia, and England. Over the years, it has ended up airing in more than 150 countries, spawning dozens of local versions.  

Participants were challenged to over 100 unique tests of strength, from crossing stepping stones and unstable scaffolding to jumping over massive pits filled with mud. The series has inspired many game shows to follow in markets around the world and transcended language and cultural barriers with its physical comedy.

The new series is tentatively titled Revival! Turbulence! Takeshi’s Castle, and is scheduled to air globally sometime in 2023. Participants will take on all kinds of new challenges, and we’re excited to see what the new age of Takeshi’s Castle will look like.

Comment from Takayuki Hayakawa, Head of Original Content for Amazon Prime Japan

“I’m happy to announce that Takashi’s Castle is being reimagined for a new age. This iconic Japanese series has continued to fascinate people all around the world, transcending languages and cultural barriers, and we hope customers of all ages will enjoy this program, with many new tricks on a grander scale. Look forward to it in 2023!”

A selection of perfumes inspired by characters from the iconic manga series Ranma ½ are now available! Fans can get them at the official online store, Amazon, and the Fairytale shop on the third floor of Nakano Broadway.

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Ranma Saotome

This light scent was inspired by Ranma Saotome.
A light fragrance fused with the feminine scents of jasmine and white rose, this product will remind you of Ranma’s strength and tenderness.

Top Notes: Citron, Blueberry
Middle Notes: Jasmine, Bamboo, White Rose
Base Notes: Cedar, Amber, Musk

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Ranma

As you’d expect, the Ranma scent was made with a water-covered woman in mind!
The strong aroma of blackcurrant and blueberry slowly give way to a deeper scent of musk and moss. 

Top Notes: Black Currant, Grapefruit Zest, White Flowers
Middle Notes: Blackberry, Whitewood, Jasmine
Base Notes: Musk, Moss, Grass

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Akane Tendo

This cute fragrance was inspired by the girly Akane Tendo, who is both strong and adorable.
The exotic and sweet fragrance transforms into a graceful and feminine scent blending rose and tuberose. 

Top Notes: Ylang-Ylang, Violet, Peach Nectar
Middle Notes: Rose, Tuberose, Cashmere Wood
Base Notes: Amber, Cedar, Powdery Musk

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Shampoo

This sexy fragrance was inspired by the gorgeous Shampoo.
The gorgeous, feminine scent combining fruity and floral notes represents the character’s naivete. 

Top Notes: Bergamot, Grapefruit, Peach
Middle Notes: Peony, Rose, Magnolia, Violet
Base Notes: Vanilla, Cedar

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Ryoga Hibiki

This commanding fragrance was inspired by the powerful Ryoga Hibiki. 
The perfume includes robust notes of jasmine and lily of the valley for a one-of-a-kind scent.

Top Notes: Lily of the Valley, Gardenia
Middle Notes: Bergamot, Jasmine
Base Notes: White Musk

Ranma 1/2 Eau de Parfum – Mousse

Mousse inspired this more traditional floral perfume.
As the day goes on, this fragrance will evolve from flowery and sweet to more warm and deep notes of patchouli and amber.

Top Notes: Citrus, Exotic Jasmine, Hyacinth
Middle Notes: Iris, white musk
Base Notes: Patchouli, Amber, Vetiver

©高橋留美子／小学館

Perfume’s Flow, the theme song for the TBS Tuesday drama series ‘Fight Song,’ was released on streaming services on March 9, 2022.

The four-track single also includes Mawaru Kagami, which was performed at ‘Perfume LIVE 2021 [Polygon Wave]’ last August.

Perfume also announced that they would release a new album in the summer of 2022, four years after their last album, Future Pop. Be sure to listen to the song on your favorite music service!

The sixth piece of apparel in the Perfume Closet fashion project officially went on sale on March 1, and the popular Fashion Truck pop-up store has made a comeback after being introduced last spring. The truck will travel to seven cities across Japan carrying new items.

With fans already excited, the three members of Perfume decided to surprise everyone by appearing at the Laforet Harajuku pop-up shop! Appearing on stage, each wore a new item and took selfies with their cell phones before strolling around the store and chatting with customers. Perfume also autographed the truck’s interior and wrote personal messages.

The members on the second floor of the CONTAINER store. On display are costumes worn by Perfume while performing Polygon Wave.

Perfume in front of the fashion truck set up in front of the store.

The girls pose with items from the collaboration menu at Laforet Harajuku.

Participating restaurants at Laforet Harajuku are offering Perfume-themed menu items for a limited time. Guests buying select items will receive a special Perfume lunch mat!

Which Perfume track is your favorite?

In January, Perfume held ‘Perfume LIVE 2022 Polygon Wave,’ an encore of the concert they held in August 2021. Massively popular with fans around the world, the three-member girls techno-pop unit continues to impress year after year. On March 9, 2022, they will release their new track Flow, the theme of the TBS Tuesday drama series ‘Fight Song.’ On February 21, the 6th Perfume Closet apparel collection was announced on the official Perfume website and the A! SMART Online Store.

Merchandise at a Glance

Laforet Harajuku x Perfume Closet Collaboration Menu

 Chipoon Soy Milk Noodles with Hiroshima Lemon

MILKMILKMILK! Perfume Closet Gradient Soda/Perfume Closet Milk Ice Cream

ovgo B.A.K.E.R Meiji St. Salty Chocolate

Cafe Crepe – Banana, Chocolate, and Fresh Cream / Fermented Butter & Vanilla Sugar / Avocado Shrimp Salad

The 6th apparel line features items inspired by Perfume’s on-stage costumes. The new pieces focus on three songs in particular–Polygon Wave, Rebirth, and If you wanna. Made popular during the reveal of the Perfume Closet project, the pop-up fashion truck will return for this new release! At the pop-up store, fans can see the actual costumes worn in the Polygon Wave video on display for the first time.

At Laforet Harajuku, Perfume Closet will collaborate with participating restaurants to create a limited-time menu inspired by the pop group. Which dish looks the tastiest?

The first Japanese Amazon Original movie HOMESTAY, a live-action adaptation of Eto Mori’s classic novel ‘Colorful,’ will be released worldwide to Prime members on February 11, 2022. 

The film is a moving mystery following a dejected soul reaching the train station to death. He is told that he is ‘lucky’ and will have another chance at life, and is then placed in the body of a 14-year-old boy named Makoto Kobayashi who has just committed suicide. Watched over by a neutral spirit, the soul must figure out what his greatest sin and mistake was in his former life before his 100-day time limit in Makoto’s body runs out. He also wants to find out why Makoto decided to end his life in the first place.

Japanese rock band ZUTOMAYO has been chosen to perform the film’s theme. Debuting in 2018, the group is known for being secretive, never releasing a full member list, and crediting different people for music, arrangements, and music video production after each release. The only recurring member, an unidentified woman named ACA-Ne, wrote the song Sode no Kiruto exclusively for the film. With a clear voice and powerful lyrics delicately describing the subtleties found in a young man’s heart, the music adds to an already emotional story.

ACA-Ne commented on the film. “The original novel was a big influence on me when I was in school, so I’m so thankful to have been chosen to provide music for the film. I wanted to really write something for those struggling–to bring out all of those difficult feelings. Please enjoy the song!” 

Be sure to watch the film on February 11!

©2022 Amazon Content Services LLC

Currently-running anime series takt.op Destiny now has a dedicated playlist on Amazon Music! The series, available to stream in the west on Crunchyroll, tells the story of a world shaken by a black meteorite. Monsters appear from the crater, and those who hold the power of the “Musicart” can use the power of music and sound to defeat the beasts. 

The soundtrack features a selection of tracks used in the series and was made possible by Universal Music, which owns the world’s oldest classical label Deutsche Grammophon. The playlist also features commentary on each piece of classical music by Kouki Uchiyama, who plays the role of Takt Asahina in the series. Featuring pieces by Herbert von Karajan and Leonard Bernstein, this is a great way to learn more about classical music through anime!

Perfume’s first EP, ‘Polygon Wave EP,’ was released on September 22 2021.

Perfume ‘Polygon Wave’

The EP is titled ‘Polygon Wave’ after the song, which has been used as the theme song for the Amazon Original show The Masked Singer. The EP is composed of seven songs; ‘Polygon Wave,’ a ‘Polygon Wave’ remix, the instrumental, and a selection of other songs, including ‘System Reboot,’ which was shown in the opening of the ‘Perfume LIVE 2022 [Polygon Wave]’ concert, held in August 2021. 

The First Limited Edition contains footage of all 10 songs from ‘Perfume Imaginary Museum “Time Warp,”‘ as shown at the ‘POP (Perfume Online Present) Festival,’ which was held online in September 2020 to mark the 15th anniversary of the groups major debut and the 20th anniversary of their formation. 

In addition, you can also listen to two commentary tracks – One with the members, and one with Rhizomatiks’ Manabe Daito, who was in charge of the technical direction on stage.

You’ll have technopop on loop with the new ‘Polygon Wave EP!’

Miss Dior, the fragrance and maison first started in 1947, is being reborn thanks to Dior perfume creator Francois Demachy.

A new MISS DIOR art event will be held to commemorate the new fragrance, inheriting the art and passion for women that inspired Monsieur Dior himself. Reservations are now open for the AS SEEN BY exhibition, held alongside the MISS DOOR MILLEFIORI GARDEN pop up store between September 1 and 12, 2021, at THE MASS/BA-TSU ART GALLERY/STANDBY in Omotesando, Tokyo.

Kojin Haruka: Reflectwo for Miss Dior 2021

Pop Up Store MISS DIOR MILLEFIORI GARDEN

The AS SEEN BY exhibition, held in Tokyo and several cities around the world, will feature MISS DIOR inspired artwork and creations from 10 female artists, including visual artist Kojin Haruka, sculptor Donna Ingrid, and designer Sabine Marcelis.

Experience the renewed MISS DIOR at the MISS DIOR MILLEFIORI GARDEN pop up store, where you can try the new Au De Perfume and it’s personalization service, alongside limited cosmetics that were inspired by the new fragrance.

Those who attend the MISS DIOR event will also be able to enjoy the guest-only cafe, which features Laudrée collaboration macaroons, with the original flavors each lined up in a package reminiscent of the colorful flowers at the MISS DIOR art event. Plus, a limited takeaway drink will be available at the exhibition cafe, allowing you to bask in the afterglow of the event even after exiting the venue. In addition, customers who connect their reservation to the official MISS DIOR Beauty LINE account will receive a free original tote bag.

A special film that delves into the history and charm of MSS DIOR will be screened at the exhibition, narrated by DIOR beauty ambassador Yoshizawa Ryo, who will guide you through the glamorous world of MISS DIOR.

You mustn’t miss the livestream with DIOR ambassador Araki Yuko, who will be attending the event via livestream to introduce the wonders of the new MISS DIOR. The stream will start on August 31 at 20:30.

Why not check out this flower-filled event where you can immerse yourself in the world of MISS DIOR for yourself?

Following the Imaginary Museum “Time Warp” – Reconstruction NFT artwork from June, Rhizomatiks will be working together with Perfume once again to release seven new NFT artworks between August 16 and 28, 2021.

Seven new Perfume NFT art pieces by live music video producer Rhizomatiks

Similar to last time, the NFTs will be unveiled at the P.O.P Festival (Perfume Online Present Festival), held to commemorate the 20th anniversary of the groups debut and the 15th anniversary of their major debut. The works are based on data from the Imaginary Museum “Time Warp” performance.

The three Perfume members’ iconic poses, as choreographed by MIKIKO, were transformed into 3D data, becoming a huge topic even during the initial NFT release.

Rhizomatiks, who participated in the video production of the Perfume LIVE 2021 [polygon wave] (Pia Arena MM), have produced seven variations of 3D NFT art.

*A PoS consensus algorithm and Polygon are being used to reduce any environmental impact. The NFT art will be released on Rhizomatiks NFT marketplace NFT Experiment.

What is NFT art?

NFT (Non-Fungible Token) refers to a piece of digital artwork whose value is guaranteed by its permeance, originality, and interoperability.

It is also referred to as CryptoArt.

It started growing in popularity during Summer 2019, but due to Covid-19 the movement has taken off globally, with hefty amounts of money being exchanged through the medium.

On August 13, 2021, the fourth and final installment of the Rebuild of Evangelion film series, Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time, was made available on Amazon Prime Video exclusively for Prime members. The service has also released Evangelion: 1.0 You are (Not) Alone, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, and Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo.  

To commemorate the newest film’s worldwide streaming release, a new YouTube video is highlighting some of the most popular scenes from the Rebuild of Evangelion film series. Check out how the characters sound in 11 different languages! Be warned, it contains spoilers for the final film!

(The languages featured are: English, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Latin-American Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, and the original Japanese.) 

From hearing Shinji’s famed line ‘I mustn’t run away, I mustn’t run away’ in Japanese to hearing Kaworu utter “I’m looking forward to seeing you, Shinji Ikari,” in German, the trailer is full of memorable moments in its brief two minute and 35 second runtime, with classic lines delivered in ways audiences may have not heard them before. Fans of the series may be able to quickly discern which line is which, even hearing them spoken in a foreign language!

The final line is spoken by Shinji’s original English voice actor, Spike Spencer, bidding farewell to ‘all Evangelions.” 

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time has made over ¥10.22 billion ($92.7 million) at the Japanese box office since it was released on March 8, 2021, making it the highest-grossing film in the series. 

©khara

*Translations and video availability may vary by country.