The rookie vocal VTuber group ester eight released their fifth pre-release single BUZZ on all major streaming services on February 22.

 

Written, composed, and arranged by Hi-ra, the track is a highly danceable song blending J-pop and EDM, revealing a new side of the up-and-coming group.

 

ester eight will soon make its major label debut. The song is a means to increase their buzz before moving on to the next stage of their careers.

 

Original goods will be released to commemorate the new track, and a YouTube Live will be held on February 25.

Check out new comments from the members below!

 

 

Member Comments

 

Hiro Shirai

“I’m just so incredibly happy. At the same time, I know that our responsibilities and expectations will only continue to increase day by day. BUZZ has a bit of a hip-hop feel, which is super refreshing. Each member really shows off their personality and role, so we hope you can feel ester eight’s potential. Listen to it a ton, please!”

 

Teru Mikado

“ester eight’s fifth single is called BUZZ!! It’s a low-pitched, groovy song that really shows off how sexy the members can be. Listen to it as much as you can and make sure you generate some BUZZ for us!”

 

Shun Turigane

“Our fifth original song is finally here! Another complete change from the previous songs– just how much potential does ester eight have?! Please listen and have a ton of fun with it! Buzz it buzz it…buzz it buzz it…!!!”

 

Souma Musumi

“BUZZ is ester eight’s fifth original song. It’s a sexy song with a little bit of a dark vibe, so please be sure to check it out!”

 

Kanade Hiumi

“Our fifth original song is BUZZ. It has a totally different atmosphere from the previous four songs we’ve released and it really highlights the cool and dark side of our group. Be sure to listen!”

 

De Miera

“BUZZ, our fifth original song, has been released! This is your chance to see an entirely different side of us, so be sure to listen to this super cool track!”

 

Mao Roen

Our fifth pre-debut song, BUZZ, is here!! It’s a drastic change from our past songs, and I think you’ll finally see how cool we can really be! This track really pushes the limit, so I hope everyone will give it a listen!”

 

moca

“Our fifth single BUZZ is a fast and furious gung-ho, boom-boom, flashy track that you won’t want to stop listening to! By the way, I performed the sexy, cute, and cool role again this time. Huh? You don’t know what I mean? Listen and you’ll find out!”

VERSEⁿ is a VTuber project that travels through various stories. Through cross-media content such as live streaming, anime, music, illustrations, novels, and manga, the project aims to weave a story of the past, present, and future of the VERSEⁿ world together for fans.

 

Late last year, VTuber Kashi Otoha announced during a live broadcast that a new song was in production to commemorate her 100,000th subscriber.

 

Otoha’s new single Signal will be released digitally on February 15. The track was composed and written by Uztama, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter and composer.

 

An iTunes download campaign is also underway to commemorate the song’s release. Those who preorder Signal on iTunes between February 8 and February 14 will receive an original standby screen image with a comment from Kashi Otoha herself.

Hoshimachi Suisei, a popular member of the Hololive VTuber group, released her long-awaited second album Specter on January 25, 2023. The album is available for purchase on CD and digitally.

 

On January 20, Suisei performed her song Stellar Stellar on the YouTube channel THE FIRST TAKE, making her the first VTuber to do so. The video trended worldwide, pulling in over 160,000 views during its premiere and over 5 million views within three days.

 

Suisei’s first album, Still Still Stellar, was released in September 2021. It reached the top spot on numerous charts including the Oricon Weekly Digital Album Ranking and the Billboard JAPAN Downloaded Albums Ranking.

 

This second album contains 11 songs written by several incredible creators including Ayase, Jin, Tomoya Tabuchi, Nanahoshi Orchestra, and more!

 

Hoshimachi Suisei

A forever 18 VTuber who deeply loves singing and idols. Her dream is to one day hold a live concert at Nippon Budokan.

With 1.7 million subscribers on YouTube and over 1.1 million followers on Twitter, she’s a true star on the rise.

 

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5CwaMl1eIgY8h02uZw7u8A
Twitter: https://twitter.com/suisei_hosimati

In May 2021, the NIJISANJI EN project appeared as a part of the overall umbrella of NIJISANJI VTubers. This April, these English-speaking talents will hold their first live event titled COLORS. A total of 19 performers will appear on April 8 and 9, with the Pastel Stage being held on the 8th and the Vivid Stage being held on the 9th. Don’t miss these fully 3D AR performances!

 

Online tickets are on sale now, and fans can buy tickets for either a single day or the full two days. The performances can be watched as many times as you like during the viewing period, and the first part of the event will be broadcast for free on YouTube and Nico Nico Live.

For four days only starting in February 2023, fans of Hatsune Miku will want to take an incredible night cruise around Tokyo Bay. The virtual singer will collaborate with the popular Tokyo Bay Night Cruise which travels between Yokohama and Tokyo. The event will include special tickets, exclusive bonuses for guests, collaborative goods, and onboard decorations. Collaborative goods will be available to purchase on the ship or from the Shimapochi online store.

 

Outline

Dates: February 19, February 26, March 5, March 12

Night Cruise Itinerary:

Osanbashi, Yokohama / Check-in 16:00-18:00

Osanbashi, Yokohama / Departure 18:10, Enjoy the night view from the ship

Takeshiba Wharf, Tokyo / Arrival 19:45

*Guests will be led by a special MC narrating the night scenery. Snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

Special Ticket Fare:

Adults ¥2,000 / Children ¥1,500 (Includes consumption tax and fuel price adjusted for inflation)

[Includes Hatsune Miku Collaboration Sticker and Postcard (6 varieties, random)]

Special tickets featuring Hatsune Miku will only be available to those reserving their spot online. Reservations can be made two months prior to the boarding date. Space is extremely limited, so grab a spot while you can!

 

Those not interested in bonuses can also enjoy a night cruise during this period, with adult tickets costing ¥1,000 and children’s tickets costing ¥500. More details will be released at a later date.

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!

The virtual idol group UNI MELLO released its first original song, Find out SHANGRI-LA, in September. On October 26, the members released a second digital single titled YOUTUPIA on all major streaming services.

 

 

UNI Mello consists of seven members: Kaede, Sekai, You, Amane, Tomoka, Shirafuji, and Shun. Each has a unique hobby and skillset, and the members have continued to grow over the past six months. On the UNI Mello YouTube channel, the members have continuously posted singing videos, as well as daily streams. 

 

YOUTOPIA tells the story of a normal day that becomes special when you’re with the one you love. It’s a love song filled with gratitude and joy, perfect for when your day needs a pick-me-up. The First Fan Meeting event will be held on November 27, so fans of UNI Mello will want to keep an eye out for more details.

 

Be sure to keep an eye on what UNI Mello does next by following the group on social media and on YouTube!

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!

 

Shirakami Fubuki, a popular member of the VTuber group Hololive, has been appointed as a Lifesaving Supporter in the Japan AED Foundation’s team ASUKA.  

 

The collaboration aims to stress the importance of AEDs, which can be used to stop sudden cardiac arrest. A newly-drawn illustration of Fubuki is being used to promote this important crossover, which will be found in leaflets, gacha machines, and online training course certificates, as well as on the official website and social media. More details about the collab will be announced in a video scheduled to be released on October 14. 

From November 3 until November 27, fans of Hololive will want to visit Tokyo Tower! The iconic location will host a collaboration with several popular VTubers at RED° TOKYO TOWER, the largest esports park in Japan. Usada Pekora, Shirogane Noel, Shishiro Botan, and Sakamata Chloe will take part in the collab, and during the event, a special video will be shown on a giant 15-meter LED monitor inside the complex. A special food and drink menu will also offer up goodies based on the girls themselves, and fans will find original merchandise showing the talents in casino costumes and bathrobes. 

 

 

Visitors can play poker with special collaboration chips, and visitors to the RED° E-SAUNA UENO, which will be running concurrently, can snag original sauna hats and towels before relaxing in a private sauna room with life-size panels of the Hololive members. Tickets must be purchased in advance, so don’t miss out!