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!!”

In 2018, the film Penguin Highway won the Satoshi Kon Award for Excellence in Animation and Best Animated Feature at the 42nd Japan Academy Awards. In 2020, A Whisker Away was released globally on Netflix and ranked in the Top 10 most viewed films in over 30 countries. Understandably, Studio Colorido has been receiving acclaim from international audiences, and the company released its new film Drifting Home on September 16. It is now available to stream worldwide and is also being shown in a number of theaters around Japan.

ZUTOMAYO performed both the theme song and the insert song for the film. 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 is an unidentified woman named ACA-Ne, who serves as the lyricist, composer, and vocalist. With over 600 million views on YouTube and more than 2 million channel subscribers, the group has found popularity with audiences around the world. The recently released music video for the film’s theme song, Kiete Shimaisou desu (I’m Going to Disappear), was made up entirely of footage from the film and managed to reach over 1 million views in six days.

A new clip features the insert song Natsugare (Summer Slump). The video itself captures a moment in the lives of Kosuke, Natsume, and other youngsters as they attempt to survive on a drifting apartment complex. 

The clip was produced by Hyperball, the same company that produced the Natsugare music video released in April. The animation was created by famous artists niL, Hamafuku, Tsuda, and Shimarisu Yukichi. If you haven’t watched the movie yet, what are you waiting for?

Studio Colorido is best known for the award-winning animated films Penguin Highway and A Whisker Away.

The company will release its next film, Drifting Home, on September 16. The anime movie will be available on Netflix and will be screened in select theaters around Japan on the same day.

The film follows sixth-graders Kosuke and his childhood friend Natsume. One day during summer vacation, they visit an apartment building that is about to be demolished, where the two of them used to live. Suddenly, Kosuke, Natsume, and their friends find themselves overtaken by a strange phenomenon, and the whole building is suddenly surrounded by an ocean. The group must find their way home from the drifting building.

Ahead of the film’s release, the music video for the theme song has been released! Zutomayo performs the track, titled Kiete Shimaisou desu (I’m Going to Disappear). The video was produced by the film’s director Hiroyasu Ishida, and the lyrics were based on the animated production’s story. 

Along with the music video, a new pre-release visual drawn by Akihiro Nagae, the character designer for the film, has also been unveiled. The image shows the subtle bond between Kosuke and Natsume, along with a breathtakingly beautiful sky and sea.

Kiete Shimaisou desu (I’m Going to Disappear) Music Video

https://youtu.be/OxcnK1s2Fww

Comment from Director Hiroyasu Ishida

“This film was made by taking on the pain of a young boy and a young girl.
I think this song was made in much the same way.

Traveling, venturing out with a companion, having someone to lighten the load…those are happy things. 

I made this music video with the hope that it would be a worthy companion to such a powerful song. 

Please, watch and enjoy.”

©コロリド・ツインエンジンパートナーズ

Studio Colorido, the animation studio behind the award-winning 2018 anime film Penguin Highway and the 2020 film A Whisker Away, is getting ready to release a new movie on Netflix worldwide. 

The studio’s long-awaited film Drifting Home will be available to stream on Netflix on September 16, 2022. It will also open in select theaters in Japan on the same day.

The film follows sixth-graders Kosuke and his childhood friend Natsume. One day during summer vacation, they visit an apartment building that is about to be demolished, where the two of them used to live. Suddenly, Kosuke, Natsume, and their friends find themselves overtaken by a strange phenomenon, and the whole building is suddenly surrounded by an ocean. The group must find their way home from the drifting building.

A new trailer for the film has been unveiled, along with some gorgeous new stills. 

The popular group ZUTOMAYO has been chosen to perform the film’s theme song Kieteshimai Sou Desu (It Seems I’m Fading Away). 

The group also performs the insert song Natsugare (Summer Slump), which has already been released. The nostalgic and refreshing track is sure to bring back memories of summer. 

Trailer　　

Be sure to watch the film when it appears on Netflix in September!

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!

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.

Amazon is set to release the anime film Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time worldwide on August 13, offering it dubbed in 10 languages and subtitled in 28.

Originally released in Japan on March 8, 2021, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time is the fourth and final instalment of the Rebuild of Evangelion film series. The film’s theatrical run ended on July 21 where it was revealed that it had received 10.22 billion yen in total, making it the highest-grossing film in the franchise and the first film distributed by Toei to reach this mark.

An online panel titled Comic-Con@Home was streamed on July 23 which was attended by the film’s director and writer Hideki Anno. The full video can be seen below.

“It’s been 16 years since this movie was remade,” explains Anno. “I was planning to finish it in about 8 years, but it took twice as long. So I’m relieved that it is finished.”

Asked about what he thinks attracts fans to the franchise, he says: “The story of the work, the drama, and the technical quality are kept as high as possible. We work hard to maintain high quality. And this is not possible without the efforts of our staff and cast. Aside from that, maybe there was something in Evangelion that people around the world emphasized with. It might be the emotions, or the structure that could be taken as their own stories. This is something that people all over the world feel for themselves, so it is hard to say what attracts them.”

Anno also discusses his enthusiasm towards seeking new goals. “Now that I’ve turned 61 this year, from now on, I plan on making some new live-action movies instead of Eva. For animation, it’d be great if I have a chance to do it again after I take some live-action shots.” He continues: “Making a live-action video is totally different from animation. Because I can do a lot of things that I can’t do with animation, that’s why I’m really looking forward to it.”

At the end of his talk, he comments: “Not only Evangelion, but my work basically deal with themes unique to Japan, aimed at people who grew up in Japan. I am really grateful and honoured that such works are seen and loved by people all over the world. Thank you so much for supporting Evangelion, and I hope you enjoy the film.”

Amazon Prime Video is currently streaming the first three films in the film series: Evangelion: 1.0 You Are (Not) Alone, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, and Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo. The final film, Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time, will be released on the service worldwide on August 13, 2021.

©khara

Perfume have been announced as the panelists for the Amazon Original show The Masked Singer which is set to be released on Amazon Prime Video in Japan on September 3, 2021. The J-pop trio come as the latest names to be announced as regulars for the show alongside MIYAVI, Kiko Mizuhara, and Bakarhythm. Their new song Polygon Wave, which is their first in a year, will feature as the show’s main theme song.

The Masked Singer is a popular series that has been adapted for 50 countries around the world. This Japan-original adaptation will feature 12 performers wearing masks with Oizumi Yo as the host along with and guest panellists.

Perfume comments about appearing on the show

a-chan
“As a fan of the show, I’m happy The Masked Singer is being made in Japan! The show is making it possible for a lot of amazing people to come together too, so please look forward to it.”

KASHIYUKA
“I never thought they’d make a Japan-original version, so I was shocked when we received the offer. It’s a chance to discover new sides and charms of the performers.”

NOCCHi
“I was happy when we got the call. All of the performers ooze talent, even with the masks on, so it got me excited without even thinking. I think this is gonna be a show unlike we’ve ever seen before, so please look forward to it.”

About the theme song Polygon Wave

a-chan
“We were given a drama song that captures a world that even people 100 years from now would yearn for. It’s refreshing, elegant, nostalgic, and light. Doesn’t it make you want to dance? It does me.”

KASHIYUKA
“I am so honoured that we were picked to do the theme song for The Masked Singer! The song has an infectious and nostalgic melody that makes you relax your shoulders. It really pulls you in. That tantalising aspect of hearing the voice of someone whose face you can’t see for the mask links well with the feeling of this song. I want people to listen to it on the go while they’re gazing out of a window.”

NOCCHi
“I feel like the song captures that image of the ‘near future’ you hear when people say the phrase, or perhaps even beyond that. [Yasutaka] Nakata never fails to create an interesting world. Look forward to seeing where Perfume goes from here.”

©2021 Amazon Content Services LLC

Amazon is now listing a new collection of merchandise based on Osamu Tezuka’s manga series Astro Boy, Princess Knight, and Black Jack in Japan, the US, UK, France, Germany, Spain, and Italy.

The items released at the end of April as part of the “Merch by Amazon” service. This Amazon-exclusive collection was first released in Japan, and with its surging popularity from fans, it’s now available to order in the US and Europe.

(C)Tezuka Productions