Virtual songstress Hatsune Miku will tour Japan in 2023! Hatsune Miku JAPAN TOUR 2023 ~THUNDERBOLT~ will begin in Nagoya in February 2023 and will travel to Osaka, Fukuoka, Tokyo, Sapporo, and other cities in Japan. Miku won’t be the only one performing–Rin and Len Kagamine, Luka Megurine, MEIKO, and KAITO will also appear! The online lottery for tickets will open on November 18 at noon and will end on December 5 at 23:59.

 

Featuring a Main Visual by Aki Akane and Theme Song by jon-YAKITORY

The main visual for the tour was drawn by popular illustrator Aki Akane and features a futuristic and extremely dynamic portrait of Hatsune Miku herself.

 

The event theme song, titled THUNDERBOLT, will be performed by music creator jon-YAKITORY. This will be released at a later date, so stay tuned!

 

Original merchandise will also be available during the tour, so keep an eye on the official website and Twitter page for more details as the tour’s start date gets closer!

Japanese rock band RADWIMPS dropped the official soundtrack for Makoto Shinkai’s film Suzume no Tojimari on November 11, 2022, the same day of the movie’s release. The film is Shinkai’s first in three years and is a coming-of-age story that follows a girl named Suzume as she travels to disaster-stricken locations around Japan, closing doors to keep those nearby safe. Suzume Iwato, the heroine, will be played by Nanoka Hara, while Hokuto Matsumura will portray Souta Munakata. 

 

The film is now in theaters. RADWIMPS and world-renowned film music composer Kazuma Jinnouchi collaborated on the soundtrack.

 

Some recording for the film was done overseas at the historic Abbey Road Studios in London, a first for a Shinkai film. In addition to the film’s theme songs Kanata Haruka and Suzume feat. Toaka, the soundtrack contains 25 songs from the film including Tamaki and Suzume no Namida, sung by Yojiro Noda. These songs were created during the film’s production but weren’t included in the movie itself.

 

The soundtrack is now available on iTunes and other major music streaming sites. Those purchasing the album will receive four different CD-size cards with unique designs. Special offers are limited and are only available for a short time, so don’t miss out!

 

©2022「すずめの戸締まり」製作委員会

On October 19, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu celebrated her 10th anniversary as an artist in the best way possible–by holding her first Nippon Budokan concert in six years. The conclusion of her national tour, the show was mysteriously titled ‘UMA 105.’ 

 

Kyary’s special performance was also streamed to a worldwide audience via Zaiko Connect, with the video available to stream through January 2023. The stage itself reflected Kyary’s unique style, with a UFO sporting disco ball legs on the ceiling, a brightly-lit pyramid with eyes in the center, and mushrooms and octopus legs dotting the sides of the stage.

 

While many fans in the audience were expecting the same set list used during the rest of the tour, they were shocked to find it completely redesigned. The singer performed a whopping 82 tracks, blending full versions, short versions, and medleys, giving fans a chance to relive the past decade of her career. All five of Kyary’s full albums were represented: Pamyu Pamyu Revolution (2012), Nanda Collection (2013), Pika Pika Fantajin (2014), Japamyu (2018), and Candy Racer (2021), along with her first mini-album Moshi Moshi Harajuku (2011). The groundbreaking performance also included a cover of a CAPSULE track–the duo is also managed by ASOBISYSTEM, and due to her love of their music and her working relationship with Yasutaka Nakata, Kyary decided to sign to the same agency.

 

During the opening video, Kyary appeared in a stunning pink dress and mask to address everyone’s question–what does ‘UMA 105’ mean? This refers to 105 unidentified organisms, or 105 songs, that have been released by the singer so far. Suddenly, it was also announced that filming was permitted, and the concert began with two of Kyary’s most popular songs, Invader Invader and PONPONPON. Utilizing the incredible power of 12 additional speakers on the Budokan floor, the sound quality was stunning.

 

While the performance conjured memories of Kyary’s earlier days as a performer, it also showed the evolution of the pop star over the past decade. Beloved by audiences abroad, it’s no wonder that the singer was invited to perform at this year’s Coachella, one of the world’s largest music festivals. The dancers at Budokan had been active as KPP dancers since they were children, growing up with Kyary and her music. Understandably, this made the show even more emotional. 

 

“Good evening and welcome to Nippon Budokan,” Kyary yelled during the first MC portion. “Welcome to the finale of my tour! The title of the show, UMA, means ‘unidentified organism,’ and 105 refers to the number of songs I’ve released so far. How would you like me to perform most of those songs tonight?” A number of fans at the venue were dressed in Kyary costumes from past releases and concerts, and with glowsticks in hand, the audience became a sight to behold.

 

The music scene has undergone major changes over the past decade. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s debut signaled a huge shakeup in the industry, with the artist becoming a leader in both Harajuku and Kawaii culture upon the release of her PONPONPON music video a decade ago. The video spread like wildfire around the world, trending on YouTube and catching the attention of major stars like Katy Perry, Lady Gaga, and Charli XCX, all of whom have been greatly influenced by Kyary’s works.

 

The nineteenth track to be performed was the popular Tsukematsukeru. Created with producer Yasutaka Nakata, the song is known by many as the heart of Kyary’s identity, with her colorful outfit and over-the-top dance moves. Goosebumps appeared on my skin when the intro rang out, and the show continued with a medley from the Nanda Collection album. Kirakira Killer, Mondai Girl, and Crazy Party Night ~Pumpkin no Gyakushu~ rang out in perfect succession, and the audience was enthralled.

 

The dancers were dressed as four different types of monsters, each with unique characteristics. Kyary decided to use four dancers all from different dance backgrounds: Okapi, playing Flat Woods Monster, performed an amazingly technical ballet; SHO→TA, playing the Yeti, utilized his height to put on a powerful hip-hop show; Randy, playing the Mothman, dazzled the audience with his stylish voguing; and brown, playing the Chupacabra, showed off his House moves. 

 

During the intermission, the dancers were given the stage to show off their unique styles and personalities while performing to Kyary’s songs. Kanzen Keitai was paired with ballet, Kimi no Mikata was paired with hip-hop, Slow-mo was paired with voguing, and Jumping Up was paired with House in rapid succession. 

 

To start the second half, the show moved into EDM mode with DE.BA.YA.SHI. 2021 and Candy Racer. The GASH Crew, comprised of three dancers chosen as winners in the Adobe DANCE VIDEO FES dance video contest in August, performed during Dodonpa, and fans couldn’t help but move along.

Fashion Monster, a song loved by audiences around the world, continued to lead the charge, and fans were impressed by the variety of tunes being played in such quick succession. The track was followed by the Pamyu Pamyu Revolution section, paying homage to the legendary album that made Kyary famous. This blended into a unique medley of CAPSULE cover songs. 

If one were to look back on Kyary’s success over the past decade, it was largely due to her gaining popularity in the West. Over the past year, PONPONPON and Cherry Bonbon have seen a resurgence in popularity due to TikTok users in Thailand, Korea, and other countries. 

 

The venue exploded with excitement as the EDM track Harajuku Iyahoi began before flowing in the mellow pop track Kamaitachi. In colorful style, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu gave a full–and very danceable–performance of Gum Gum Girl, and another medley began, this time from Japamyu. Things felt like a 24-hour TV marathon, with the energy starting to reach a fever pitch and the audience in a complete frenzy. Even as Ninja Re Bang Bang and Sai & Co rang out, fans were already begging for an encore.

 

As the seemingly endless applause continued on and on, Kyary changed into a new outfit. Of course, her signature ribbon was in place on top of her head. 

Her emotional MC segment began, with fans giving their undivided attention. 

 

“My voice is worn out…I think I really might have sung too much,” Kyary began with a strained laugh. “Thank you for coming out to the finale of my 10th-anniversary tour. I fell in love with fashion when I was in high school, and at the time, people would giggle at me when I walked down the street. They’d look at me like I was just some weirdo. I was just some odd girl with a big ribbon on her head. But for me, it felt normal. Soon after, I started my career as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu. That was a spur-of-the-moment name, and I really didn’t think I’d still be using it a decade later. It’s all thanks to the staff members and fans who have supported me. You’re why I’m standing on stage at Nippon Budokan today.”

 

Through tears, Kyary continued. “Thank you, from the bottom of my heart. I never thought I’d be able to perform at Budokan, let alone three times. I want to keep going, and I want to do my best for another 10 years. I want to become someone who can change nothing into something in this world. Thank you, I’m so happy,” the artist said with a flourish. 

 

“I wanted to push the envelope for my Budokan show. There are things that might seem impossible, but you might be surprised by what you can achieve if you just try. That’s what I wanted to embody with my dancing today. I’m happy that I sang so much that I’m losing my voice! I don’t think I’ll be able to wake up tomorrow, and I’m pretty sure I won’t be able to talk either, so I’m just going to take a break,” Kyary said with another laugh. Striking a pose, it seemed like the unidentified creature was Kyary Pamyu Pamyu herself. 

 

The show was a culmination of the artist’s growth over the past decade. The last ten years have seen the world of entertainment change dramatically due to the internet, allowing fans from all over to experience music and culture from artists around the world. 

 

Before performing her new electro-pop song Isshin Doutai, Kyary spoke about her accident this summer, in which she cut her leg while swimming in the ocean resulting in ten stitches. “I bought a swimsuit during the tour, and was happy to finally go to the beach, but I really got hurt. It’s healing really well, but I want to love this scar because it’s a part of me. Be sure to watch the music video–I made the scar sing!” 

 

The final song was Chan Chaka Chan Chan, which also served as the final song for other stops on the tour. Rather than saying ‘goodbye,’ the lyrics were changed to ‘see you soon,’ bringing certain members of the audience to tears. After this performance, it’s easy to see that Kyary is continuing to level up. This legendary performance showed off the best of the Queen of Harajuku and was a delight from start to finish.

 

In November, Kyary will appear at True Color Festival THE CONCERT 2022, the world’s largest music festival focusing on diversity and inclusion. This will mark Kyary’s first collaboration with Katy Perry, who helped make the artist popular worldwide. We wish Kyary success over the next decade.

 

Text: Fukuryuu (Music Concierge)

Photo: Aki Ishii

 

[Archived Stream]

10th ANNIVERSARY JAPAN TOUR 2022 -TOUR FINAL- UMA 105

Available to stream worldwide on Zaiko Connect

Stream Available: October 19, 2022 – January 9, 2023

URL: https://connect.zaiko.io/e/kpp10

 

[Concert Information]

[True Colors Festival THE CONCERT 2022]

November 19, 2022 – Doors open 16:00 / Show starts 18:00

November 20, 2022 – Doors open 15:00 / Show starts 17:00

Venue: Tokyo Garden Theater

 

Contact: 

True Colors Festival THE CONCERT 2022 Office

Phone: 050-5541-8600 (9:00～20:00 daily)

 

[Kyary Pamyu Pamyu Special Live 2022 ~Back to Coachella~]

Date: December 20, 2022

Venue: Nanba Hatch (Osaka)

 

Date: December 21 and 22, 2022

Venue: EX THEATER ROPPONGI (Tokyo)

Each year, an incredible event is held at Kumano-Nachi Taisha, a Shinto shrine and World Heritage Site located in the Kii Mountain Range of Wakayama Prefecture.

 

To kick off the ‘diamond celebration,’ a special concert will mark the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi, the Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. Yoshimi Tsujimoto, a shakuhachi player from Hashimoto, will perform in the concert scheduled to begin on October 22 at 13:30. 

 

Moshi Moshi Nippon sat down with Yoshimi Tsujimoto to discuss her music and, most importantly, her interest in sharing the sound of the shakuhachi with the world.

 

 

−How did you become interested in the shakuhachi? 

My father loved the shakuhachi, and because of that, I grew up surrounded by the sound of it. That’s how it all began!

 

−What attracts you to playing the shakuhachi?

I love the timbre of the shakuhachi. 

Those who play the shakuhachi often say that a single note has the power to bring someone to enlightenment. 

Curiously, individual differences in tone are more easily discernible with the shakuhachi than with other instruments. That means that a person can express themselves in more unique ways.

 

 −You’ve performed in many different countries. Do you get different reactions to the shakuhachi in other countries when compared to Japanese audiences?

I have a vivid memory of a time I performed a classical shakuhachi piece solo. This particular type of classical music is called ‘wabi-sabi,’ and it isn’t very loud or lively. 

In Japan, when I finish a performance, people usually clap. But when I performed in South America, as soon as the piece concluded, there was a standing ovation with people shouting “Bravo!” That would never happen in Japan, and it left such a lasting impression on me.

 

−Are there any countries that have left a lasting impression on you, or that you would like to visit in the future?

I have good memories of every country I’ve visited, but I think that Cuba left the biggest impression. I just made me think about how incredible music can be.

I’d love to visit Bulgaria, Morocco, Armenia, Uganda…it’s tough, because I want to visit every country I haven’t been to yet. (laughs)

 

−You’re from Hashimoto City, near Mount Koya. How did you feel when you heard that this concert would be held so close to your hometown?

What I felt was pure joy.

Personally, I’ve always loved Mount Koya, and I went there many times as a child. It’s such a pleasure to be able to perform there.

 

−Tell us some of your favorite memories involving Mount Koya.

I go to Mount Koya at least three or four times a year. It’s not a particular memory per se, but every time I go, I love to eat vegetarian food, explore, and buy wheat buns and sesame tofu as gifts to take home.

 

−Are there any local foods or places that you’d recommend?

The fruit is delicious in Wakayama, and my hometown is famous for persimmons.They are so yummy, and I just want everyone to try them!

Mount Koya and Kumano Kodo are both World Heritage sites, and they are both absolutely breathtaking. Other than those, I’d recommend Adventure World! It has adorable pandas roaming around freely and the most wonderful dolphin shows. Everyone from around the country should visit!

 

−Finally, do you have a message for Moshi Moshi Nippon readers?

Japan is filled with incredible places and culture. The shakuhachi, a beloved traditional Japanese instrument, is one piece of that culture.

I want audiences around the world to hear the sound of the shakuhachi and to make it more familiar. If you have a chance to hear it, I hope you will.

Be sure to follow Yoshimi Tsujimoto’s activities going forward as she shares the beauty and culture of shakuhachi with the world.

BAND-MAID, one of the most popular Japanese bands abroad, recently performed at AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL 2022 in Sacramento, California. On October 9, the last day of the massive 4-day rock festival, the band performed their first U.S. show in three years. We’re taking a look at the group’s successful performance, which has audiences anxious for BAND-MAID to arrive in their city.

Appearing on the Coors Light Stage, the group began with the instrumental track from now on. Miku Kobato (Gt.&Vo), KANAMI (Gt.), MISA (Ba.), and AKANE (Dr.) immediately attracted the audience’s attention, still riding the high of their newest EP release, Unleash, on September 21. BAND-MAID, whose intense music is something you’d never expect from a group of girls in maid outfits, showed off their performance ability from the beginning. As the impressive guitar riff of DOMINATION continued along with the cheers of 10,000 fans in the audience, SAIKI (Vo.) made her appearance. Raising both hands to spur the audience on, fans began yelling out the member’s name as Choose me, a very popular song overseas, began. As the momentum continued, BAND-MAID began playing songs from the new Unleash EP, including influencer and, of course, Unleash!!!! The final song, NO GOD, began with an incredible intro arrangement, and the crowd continued to grow–so much so that security guards had to step in to keep the peace. A total of seven songs were performed during the 30-minute show, and audiences were more than thrilled.

After the performance, the group attracted a large number of requests for interviews from international media outlets. Other performers, such as the Mexican trio The Warning and The Pretty Reckless, immediately came to mingle with the BAND-MAID members.

 

The U.S. tour will begin on October 12, and the first solo concert is expected to bring in over 20,000 fans. 12 of the 13 stops on the U.S. tour have sold out, proving the group’s international popularity.

 

In addition to their appearance at MERRY ROCK PARADE 2022 on December 18, the band will hold its largest-ever solo concert at the Tokyo Garden Theater on January 9, 2023. Tickets are now on sale by official lottery, so don’t miss your chance to watch these girls continue down their path of world domination!

 

Anime director Makoto Shinkai and popular rock band RADWIMPS are teaming up for the third time, and fans are thrilled. The group will perform the theme for Shinkai’s upcoming film Suzuka no Tojimari, set to be released on November 11. The theme, Suzume feat. Toaka, is now available to stream on all major music streaming sites. 

 

The theme can be heard in the film’s trailer, and features Toaka, a famous female singer known for her appearances on TikTok. “I felt a connection between Toaka and this song. No one else could come close,” RADWIMPS vocalist Yojiro Noda commented. 

 

Suzume no Tojimari, Shinkai’s first new film in three years, is a coming-of-age story, following a girl named Suzume as she travels to disaster-stricken locations around Japan, closing doors to keep those nearby safe. Suzume Iwato, the heroine, will be played by Nanoka Hara. Hokuto Matsumura will portray Souta Munakata. Six more cast members have also been revealed, and the latest trailer shows off a bit more of the film’s incredible cast and world. 

 

Suzume no Tojimari Trailer

https://youtu.be/FVU0zESXS5c–

 

The theme song and a bit of the film’s musical score can be heard in the new trailer, and many are calling this the most robust musical structure ever heard in a Shinkai film. What do you think? 

©2022「すずめの戸締まり」製作委員会

Famed director Makoto Shinkai and rock band RADWIMPS are teaming up for the third time. The group will provide music for Shinkai’s upcoming film Suzuka no Tojimari, scheduled to open in theaters nationwide on November 11, 2022. Kazuma Jinnouchi, a world-renowned film composer, will work with the group to form the strongest musical team in the history of Shinkai’s films. Previously, RADWIMPS worked with Shinkai on 2016’s Your Name and 2019’s Weathering With You.

 

At the film’s announcement press conference, Shinkai gave his thoughts. “I want to create a film that gives people a reason to come to the theater,” he said. “I want to create imagery and sounds that will immerse every single person in the audience.” With this determination to create a new and unique theater experience, Shinkai decided to have not only RADWIMPS work on the film’s music, but Kazuma Jinnouchi as well. This would mean a bolder score, but also a larger challenge.

 

Yojiro Noda, the lead vocalist, songwriter, and guitarist of RADWIMPS, gave a comment. “Working with Kazuma Jinnouchi, who has such a long history of creating music for movies and video games, gave me a new perspective. His amount of experience is hard to put into words.” 

 

“The music we created for the film’s action scenes was largely influenced by my experience in Hollywood,” Jinnouchi said. 

 

Some recording for the film was done overseas at the historic Abbey Road Studios in London, a first for a Shinkai film. 

 

The new theme song, aptly titled Suzume, can be heard in the trailer for the film. At Noda’s request, the production team searched for the most suitable voice for the song–one that would truly express the film’s vibe. After listening to audition tapes and a number of voices from around the web, TikTok sensation Toaka was chosen as the song’s vocalist. “I felt a connection between Toaka and this song. No one else could come close,” Noda commented. 

 

Suzume no Tojimari, Shinkai’s first new film in three years, is a coming-of-age story, following a girl named Suzume as she travels to disaster-stricken locations around Japan, closing doors to keep those nearby safe. 

 

Suzume Iwato, the heroine, will be played by Nanoka Hara. Souta Munakata will be portrayed by Hokuto Matsumura. Be sure to check out the latest trailer!

 

Suzume no Tojimari Trailer

©2022「すずめの戸締まり」製作委員会

Each year, an incredible event is held at Kumano-Nachi Taisha, a Shinto shrine and World Heritage Site located in the Kii Mountain Range of Wakayama Prefecture.

 

To kick off the ‘diamond celebration,’ a special concert will mark the 1,250th anniversary of the birth of Kobo Daishi, the Japanese Buddhist monk who founded the Shingon school of Buddhism. Yoshimi Tsujimoto, a shakuhachi player from Hashimoto, will perform, while the event also hopes to bring tourism to the area by sharing more information about Wakayama with the masses. 

 

Date: October 22, 2022, 13:30
Venue: Danjo-garan Buddhist Temple

Program:

[Part 1]　Chorus of local elementary school students, etc.

[Part 2]　Talk Session

Participants:

Hougen Yabu (Director of Head Temple Kongobu-ji on Mount Koya)

Yoshimi Tsujimoto (Shakuhachi player)

[Part 3]　Concert

Performer: Yoshimi Tsujimoto (Shakuhachi player)

*Will include a percussion, guitar, and keyboard session

 

<About the Call for Visitors>

350 Guests are Invited!

*If there are too many applicants, a drawing will be held.

*Livestreaming of the event will also be available online.

 

Application Period: August 23 – September 26, 2022

 *Postcards must be postmarked by September 26. Those applying n the website must do so by 23:59 on September 26.

 

How to Apply:

1. By postcard

Address: Yamabutai Concert Section
Wakayama Broadcasting Co.
3-3 Minatohonmachi
Wakayama, 〒640-8577

What to Include: Zip Code, Address, Name, Age, Phone Number, Admission
*Can include up to 2 guests.

 

     2. On the special website

Please apply using the application form on the special website.

URL: https://yume.wbs.co.jp/

 

Keep in Mind:

1. Incomplete entries will be considered invalid.

2. Only one application per person is allowed.

3. If there are too many applicants, a drawing will be held. Winners will be announced when numbered tickets are sent out.

4. Personal information provided in each application will not be used for any purpose.

 

(For Reference) Past Performers

2015 – Hitomi Shimatani (Danjo-garan Buddhist Temple)

2016 – Chitose Hajime (Kumano-Nachi Taisha)

2017 – *Canceled due to typhoon.

2018 – Kumiko (Oyunohara)

2019 – May J. (Kumano-Nachi Taisha)

2020 – *Canceled due to the ongoing pandemic.

2021 – Yuki Koyanagi (Kumano-Nachi Taisha)

 

■Cast Profiles

◆ Hougen Yabu / Director of Head Temple Kongobu-ji on Mount Koya

・1993 – Graduates from Koyasan University

・In 2011, he became the chief priest of Kirihata Temple, where he remains to this day.

        *Kirihata Temple [Fukuoka Prefecture] / Sasaguri 88 Sacred Sites, #10

・In 2021, he became the Director of Head Temple Kongobu-ji on Mount Koya and was also appointed as the director of the 1,250th birthday celebration for Kobo Daishi, the founder of the Buddhist sect.

◆ Yoshimi Tsujimoto / Shakuhachi Player

・Born in Hashimoto, Wakayama Prefecture in 1987.

・Graduating from Tokyo University of the Arts, she has attracted media attention since she was a student, and has been active in a number of fields from traditional Japanese music to pop.

・She has been invited to perform around the world, from the U.S. to Italy.

　　(Overseas tours: 33 cites in 24 countries, 53 total performances)

・In 2015, her cover of a song using traditional Japanese instruments went viral.

　She began her solo project Bamboo Flute Orchestra to share the beauty of Japanese traditional instruments with people around the world.

・In 2016, she made her major debut as the first-ever female solo shakuhachi player.

15 Voices is a new virtual idol group aimed at youth around the world. A group of 15 girls living in the fictional industrial city of Kagutsuchi sacrifice the future in order to live in the present, or sacrifice the present in exchange for the future, as they travel on a mysterious bus towards a city of youth. 

 

This spring, a free series of web prequel novels exploring the backstory of each member began. A manga adaptation and audio drama featuring popular voice actresses are also currently in the works.

 

On August 3, the group released a new song, Ash. This track comes ahead of 15 Voice’s new EP ASTRONOTES, which will release next week. A short version of the anime music video has also been uploaded to YouTube. 

 

Ash – 15 Voice (Short Music Video)

 

The track features music and lyrics by Vocaloid-P ichica, who expertly weaves in the sentimentality one feels at the end of summer. The band’s post-punk sound is a throwback to 90s pop-punk and the emo revival of the early 2000s. This one is sure to bring the nostalgia!

 

The new prequel novel, The Case of Emi Akiko and Nami Akiko, has also been fully released. The story was written by Takumi Mochizuki, a Mephisto Prize winner who has written a number of popular works in the past. The story can be read for free on the tree website.

 

The story follows the twin sisters as they navigate through their difficult upbringing, which included a neglectful mother, an absent father, and a fortune-telling foster grandmother. The two were born and raised in a strange place, and the life they choose to live in the end will shock you. We’re looking forward to seeing how this prequel tale impacts the main story.

 

Each chapter of the prequel novel is accompanied by a theme song sung by the group, and the story of these two sisters is joined by the track Eureka. This song will also be featured on the ASTRONOTES EP.  Don’t miss the promo video narrated by Anna Suzuki (Nami) and Minori Fujidera (Emi). 

 

Emi Akiko & Nami Akiko Prequel Novel Video

 

Live activities held in the virtual world will begin this fall, so check out the group’s official Twitter page for more information going forward!

Il Volo, an Italian operatic pop trio known for its incredible tenors, will be the first foreign artist to be filmed at Kiyomizu-dera in Kyoto. The concert will be held without an audience and will be filmed, with proceeds going to charity.

The musical trio is known around the world for its mesmerizing harmonies. Their music manages to sound modern while still channeling tradition, making them an excellent choice to perform at the center of Japanese cultural traditions in Kyoto. The group will also perform in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.

 

The music video for the group’s song Grande Amore, released in 2015, has racked up over 200 million views on YouTube. Loved by fans around the world, Il Volo’s music transcends language barriers, and the group is sure to impress on their Japan tour.

Starting July 25, fans of the upcoming anime mini-series BanG Dream! Morfonication will be able to visit the Morfonication Virtual Exhibition!

 

BanG Dream! is a next-generation girl band project that links anime characters and live performances. The franchise has become a media giant inspiring anime series, games, and live shows. The voice actors from the virtual bands Poppin’Party, Roselia, Morfonica, and RAISE A SUILEN have formed bands in real life and are actively performing!

 

The Morfonication Virtual Exhibition is being held on NTT’s social VR platform DOOR. Fans can access the exhibition from their smartphone, PC, or other devices, and there’s no need to install an app. You can even visit from a web browser, or for those wanting a more immersive experience, the exhibition supports VR headsets.

 

The two rooms currently open to the public are the Exhibition Room and Atelier of the Hiromachi Family. More rooms will open as they become available.

 

The exhibition room recreates the world of BanG Dream! Morfonication, a new original anime focusing on Morfonica, the fourth band appearing in the series. The Atelier of the Hiromachi Family is a faithful reproduction of the Hiromachi family’s atelier, as you may have guessed.

 

Come enjoy the world of BanG Dream! Morfonication from the comfort of your computer chair!

 

 

©BanG Dream! Project ©Craft Egg Inc. ©bushiroad All Rights Reserved.

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, and includes covers by popular voice actors Maaya Uchida, Kana Hanazawa, Akari Kito, and towana, the vocalist of popular ani-song unit fhána. 

 

On June 15, Ryotaro Akazawa appeared to perform his rendition of the popular RADWIMPS song Futarigoto. The actor called the song one of his most memorable, noting that it was one of the themes of his youth. Below, you can see the actor singing his heart out!

 

Futarigoto – Ryotaro Akazawa (Recording)

 

An interview with Ryotaro Akazawa in which the actor discusses his thoughts on the song will be released on June 17 at 20:00.

 

CrosSing has also announced two special campaigns! The first is a follow and Retweet campaign: two people following the official CrosSing Twitter and TikTok who retweet the appropriate Tweet will win autographs. A LINE MUSIC Playback campaign is also underway, and those playing the song over 300 times in the first two weeks will receive a special autographed image. See the CrosSing Twitter page for more details.

 

With the start of the second season, CrosSing is leveling up! Tune in to see who will be performing next.