The popular female rock band BAND-MAID will perform for the first time at KNOTFEST JAPAN 2023, scheduled for April 1 and April 2 at Makuhari Messe in Chiba.

 

KNOTFEST was begun by the American heavy metal band Slipknot, and the festival has been held yearly since 2012. BAND-MAID will perform on Day 1 along with headliners Slipknot, Trivium, and MAN WITH A MISSION.

 

Tickets for the May shows to be held in the United States as part of the BAND-MAID 10TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR are none on sale. The group managed to bring in over 20,000 fans during their solo U.S. tour in 2022. In addition to performing at Pointfest 2023, Welcome to Rockville 2023, and the Sonic Temple Art & Music Festival, BAND-MAID will also perform six solo shows. With some venues selling out instantly last year, you’ll want to snag tickets while you can!

 

Netflix has announced that it will release the live-action adaptation of One Piece worldwide in 2023.

 

One Piece is one of Japan's most popular and long-running manga series. Created by Eiichiro Oda, the manga has sold over 500 million copies worldwide.

 

The series was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump in 1997, starting with the protagonist Monkey D. Luffy going on a journey with the Straw Hat Pirates to find the One Piece, a treasure that was left behind by the legendary “Pirate King” Gol D. Roger.

 

The live-action project has gained a ton of attention on social media, with the cast being revealed in 2022. As the world awaits more production news, the first live-action visuals have been released along with the news that the series is coming in 2023.

 

Following the hugely positive feedback for ONE PIECE FILM RED, fans are ready to see the Monkey D. Luffy once again in the first episode of the Netflix series titled ROMANCE DAWN – Dawn of Adventure-.

 

In the original series, Luffy, who admires the great pirate Shanks after meeting him in his hometown of Foosha as a child, decides to become the Pirate King, taking to the open seas to make his dream come true.

 

During his unpredictable adventures, Luffy meets a group of friends who he can always trust.

 

The newly-released visual shows Luffy (played by Iñaki Godoy) in his trademark straw hat, raising his right fist to the sky.

 

On his Instagram page, Godoy often posts pictures of his friends and fellow cast members including Mackenyu (Roronoa Zoro) and Jacob Gibson (Usopp). Fans have been largely pleased with the casting choices.

 

The extraordinary success of ONE PIECE FILM RED made headlines in 2022, as the film topped the yearly box office in Japan. It finally ended its theatrical run on January 29.

 

Will you be tuning in to the live-action Netflix series?

(C)尾田栄一郎/集英社

holo*27, a new music project collaboration between Hololive and DECO*27, has announced two upcoming albums! VIA/TOY'S FACTORY will release holo*27 Originals Vol. 1 and holo*27 Covers Vol. 1 on March 15, 2023.   Lip-Sync / Murasaki Shion x La+ Darkness Music Videohttps://youtu.be/NjtIAuZQN_E   The music video for Lip-Sync featuring VTubers Murasaki Shion and La+ Darkness was also released on December 20, 2022. The hard-hitting drum ‘n bass track features incredible lyrics by DECO*27 and rap portions from both La+ and Shion.   holo*27 Originals Vol.1 features ten new tracks by DECO*27, while holo*27 Covers Vol.1 features ten covers of classic DECO*27 tracks by Hololive VTubers. The limited edition release will come with an exclusive shoulder bag only available with this product.   In addition, holo*27 Vol.1 Special Edition will also be released including both albums, a special art booklet, and exclusive goods.    The jacket artwork for the original album was provided by Miyoshi Yoshimi, while the art for the cover album was created by Omutatsu.    The Hololive talents participating in this album include Tokino Sora, Sakura Miko, Hoshimachi Suisei, Yozora Mel, Murasaki Shion, Nakiri Ayame, Yuzuki Choco, Ookami Mio, Nekomata Okayu, Usada Pekora, Shiranui Flare, Kanata Amane, Himemori Luna, Yukihana Lamy, La+ Darkness, Takane Lui, Hakui Koyori, Sakamata Chloe, Kazama Iroha, Moona Hoshinova, Airani Iofifteen, Kureiji Ollie, Takanashi Kiara, Mori Calliope, Gawr Gura, Nanashi Mumei, and Hakos Baelz.

A special version of the Daiginjo Yuki Yatsuki, a tasty sake, is coming soon. The beverage is being developed as part of Lamy’s Sake Making Project by Yukihana Lamy, a VTuber belonging to the Hololive, along with Meiri Shurui, a sake brewery in Ibaraki Prefecture. The sake will go on sale at Meiri Shurui's website starting December 16 at 17:00.   This special version of the sake was made to celebrate the company’s Bronze Medal at the IWC 2022. The rice used is Yamada Nishiki and Miyasaka with a polish ratio of 48%, and the M310 yeast helps express a light and easy-drinking flavor while maintaining a fruity aroma.    The IWC (International Wine Challenge) is the world’s largest and most prestigious wine and sake competition, taking place each year in London.

Yuki Yatsuki Season 3 Celebration Model

  The label features a new design by Abaraheiki, who Lamy loves. The illustration shows the VTuber wearing a crimson dress ready to attend the award ceremony. The box is also decorated with a bronze medal, which only IWC award winners are allowed to wear. Enjoy this special beverage with your friends and family this holiday season!  

Yukihana Lamy

Hololive's 5th Generation's blue rep, Yukihana Lamy! The daughter of a noble family from a distant, snowy land. She decided to leave her home, along with her companion Daifuku, after Hololive's streams full of fun and color touched her heart. Her serious personality belies her naive, sheltered nature. YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCFKOVgVbGmX65RxO3EtH3iw Twitter: https://twitter.com/yukihanalamy

The female VTuber group holoX, part of Hololive, is celebrating its first anniversary with a special stream relay!   A new key visual celebrating the group’s huge milestone has also been released, created by Rei Hiroe, the artist of Black Lagoon. The members will also take part in a stream relay over the course of five days, and fans can look forward to information about new merchandise!   Each stream will highlight the individual member’s personality and talents and the girls will be showing off their idol costumes for the first time.   

1st Anniversary Streaming Relay

La+ Darknesss Date: November 26, 2022 Streaming Channel: Laplus ch. -holoX- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCENwRMx5Yh42zWpzURebzTw Takane Lui Date: November 27, 2022 Streaming Channel: Lui ch. -holoX- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCs9_O1tRPMQTHQ-N_L6FU2g Hakui Koyori Date: November 28, 2022 Streaming Channel: Koyori ch. -holoX- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC6eWCld0KwmyHFbAqK3V-Rw Sakamata Chloe Date: November 29, 2022 Streaming Channel: Chloe ch. -holoX- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIBY1ollUsauvVi4hW4cumw Kazama Iroha Date: November 30, 2022 Streaming Channel: Iroha ch. -holoX- https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_vMYWcDjmfdpH6r4TTn1MQ   On December 4, a stream featuring all five members will be streamed on the official Hololive YouTube channel. The holoX girls will perform a mini-concert dressed in their new idol costumes and more merch info will be announced, so be sure not to miss it!

Cake.jp, a website specializing in cakes and sweets, is installing special vending machines in AEON MALL locations! These machines are part of a collaboration with ONE PIECE FILM RED.   The collaboration vending machines will offer canned cakes inspired by Luffy, Uta, and Shanks from the popular film. Each cake tin features original designs by Cake.jp and each character’s cake has a unique flavor. FlavorsLuffy: A refreshing cake with orange cream, jelly, blueberry cream, and more.Uta: A colorful cake with a variety of flavors including melon, lemon, orange, and blueberry cream.Shanks: A chocolate-based cake with berry cream and a perfect balance of richness and acidity.   Collaboration Vending MachineWhile the Cake.jp official website sells these cakes exclusively in a set of three, the collaborative vending machine allows customers to purchase them separately. Fans of all ages will love these tasty treats, so after seeing the film why not pick up some of these sweets for yourself or a friend? (C)尾田栄一郎／2022「ワンピース」製作委員会