Rock group BAND-MAID has been chosen as the opening act for THE LAST ROCKSTARS’ first live concert in the U.S., THE LAST ROCKSTARS Live Debut 2023 Tokyo – New York – Los Angeles, starting February 3, 2023.

THE LAST ROCKSTARS’ U.S. shows in New York on February 4 and Los Angeles on February 10 are sold out. Reaction to the group has been incredible, leading to an additional New York show on February 3. To make things even more exciting, BAND-MAID will perform at all three U.S. shows.

THE LAST ROCKSTARS (Paris Mix) Music Video

BAND-MAID has become overwhelmingly popular around the world. In the United States, the band recently performed at AFTERSHOCK FESTIVAL 2022, one of the largest music festivals in the country. They also served as a supporting act for GUNS N’ ROSES during the legendary band’s Japan tour in November. This year, the group will once again perform at a selection of music festivals in the states, including Sonic Temple 2023 in Ohio and Welcome to Rockville 2023 in Florida.

This time around, BAND-MAID will perform as the opening act for one of the most impressive rock bands in recent memory. THE LAST ROCKSTARS is composed of YOSHIKI, HYDE, SUGIZO, and MIYAVI, making it a superband like no other. This will be the first time the newly-formed group will perform in the U.S.

The Ariake Arena concert on January 27 was broadcast live on WOWOW and was also streamed in movie theaters throughout Japan. The February 10 show in Los Angeles will also be streamed, so be sure to tune in!

Yoshikitty, a character formed in collaboration between Hello Kitty and rock legend YOSHIKI, is being featured in an adorable new collection! Items in the Moon Pastel collection are now available to preorder at the Asunaro Online Store and the yoshikitty Online Shop.

Yoshikitty first debuted in 2009 as a collaboration between YOSHIKI of X JAPAN and Sanrio’s popular character Hello Kitty. These new plushies were inspired by YOSHIKI’s hairstyle when he first debuted and his classic purple eyeshadow.

Since the character’s creation, over 10 different designs have been released. The Pastel Moon Series is a first, showing a different side to the usual grungy rock ‘n roll vibe. No one expected a fluffy unicorn yoshikitty with such soft colors!

Medium Plush : ¥5,800 (Tax Included) / Large Plushie: ¥8,800 (Tax Included)

Colorful Charm (Chain not included) : ¥1,100 (Tax Included)

The collection includes two plush toys, a mascot keychain, a colorful charm, and two reusable bags. Will you be snagging anything?

ⓒ 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO. L630897   

ⓒ 2022 Japan Music Agency Co., Ltd.

Yoshikitty, a character formed in collaboration between Hello Kitty and rock legend YOSHIKI, now has an online shop!

Yoshikitty first debuted in 2009 as a collaboration between YOSHIKI of X JAPAN and Sanrio’s popular character Hello Kitty. The character’s first goods collection sold out immediately, with additional items also selling out online the same day. Yoshikitty’s popularity isn’t limited only to Japan, with global fans also anxious to snag some of this sought-after merchandise.

Since 2015, Yoshikitty has been nominated for the Sanrio Character Awards, rising in popularity year after year and keeping up with other beloved Sanrio personalities.

To commemorate the eighth consecutive year of her appearance in the Sanrio Character Awards, the Yoshikitty Online Shop has opened its doors. Fans can now purchase a number of exclusive items whenever they please!

Opening Announcement Video

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YFDArLVYAuw

Pouch (3 colors: Purple, Red, Blue): ¥2,600 each (Tax Included)

Cushion (3 colors: Purple, Red, Gray):  ¥4,400 each (Tax Included)

To celebrate the shop’s opening, a new collection of lace goods is on sale now, featuring the character alongside roses and musical notes in elegant black lace. Items available include pouches, tote bags, and plenty of other goods perfect for both everyday use and formal occasions.

©️ 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. APPROVAL NO.L630057    

©️ 2022 Japan Music Agency Co., Ltd.

The luxury hotel Grand Hyatt Tokyo will offer Easter sweets and baked goods at the on-site Fiorentina Pastry Boutique from April 1 until Easter, April 17, to celebrate the arrival of spring.

Easter Egg Macaroon

Easter Cookies with Icing

Easter Lollipop

Easter Bunny Brioche

This year, in addition to the new Easter Bunny and Easter egg macaroons, cookies with icing, lollipop chocolates, brioche in the shape of the Easter Bunny, and other sweets and bakery items will be available. Don’t miss it!

BAND-MAID’s guitarist and vocalist Miku Kobato and vocalist SAIKI will appear on YOSHIKI CHANNEL on February 25, 2022 at 19:30!

This will be BAND-MAID’s second appearance on YOSHIKI CHANNEL, with their first in 2019. During their last broadcast, SAIKI and YOSHIKI had a very fun impromptu chat, so fans can look forward to that (likely) happening again! Don’t miss this global chat between BAND-MAID and YOSHIKI, who both have made waves in Japan and the U.S. 

BAND-MAID released the official band scorebook for ‘Unseen World’ last month, which includes exclusive photos and interviews fully translated into English.

Be sure to keep an eye on the band during 2022!

X JAPAN leader YOSHIKI was one of eleven designers chosen to submit an original design for Baccarat, commemorating the 180th anniversary of the crystal manufacturer’s Harcourt glass. The work was unveiled at Paris Fashion Week in Fall 2021. 

Baccarat is a manufacturer of fine crystal founded in 1764 in the Lorraine region of France. The company’s iconic Harcourt glass features a hexagonal base with three-button feet and is known as a timeless and iconic symbol of the brand.

This year marks the 180th anniversary of the glass, which was first created during the time of Louis Philippe I. It’s hard to believe that these pieces have been on the tables of royalty for almost two centuries!

YOSHIKIMONO, the kimono brand created by YOSHIKI, has been featured at Tokyo Fashion Week multiple times. In 2020, his works were shown at the Victoria and Albert Museum in the UK, along with the Tokyo National Museum.

Known for his blend of rock and classical music, YOSHIKI continues to express his individuality in both his sound and fashion taste. From the front, the glass looks to be on fire, while from the top, there is a sense that a poisonous flower is taking bloom. The work is a one-of-a-kind blend of east and west and was a new challenge for the performer.

Comment from YOSHIKI

“I am honored to have been chosen as a designer for the 180th anniversary of Baccarat’s Harcourt glass. I’d like everyone to also keep an eye out for some new music coming soon. Thank you to all of the fans who continue supporting me in everything I do.”

Sanrio announced the winners of the 2021 Sanrio Character Ranking last week. While Cinnamoroll came in 1st place overall, Yoshikitty has captured the hearts of fans outside Japan by placing No. 1 in Italy, Germany, France, and Thailand. He ranked 11th overall. The character is inspired by Japanese musician and X Japan member Yoshiki.

Every year, Sanrio also partners with TANITA, an electronics company centred on health, on Sanrio-themed pedometers as part of the Sanrio Character Ranking. For the second year in a row, the Yoshikitty pedometer received the highest number of advance sales. To celebrate this achievement, Yoshikitty was also presented with the TANITA Award.

YOSHIKI met with Yoshikitty in LA during an online event for the announcement to express his gratitude to fans.

Congratulations, Yoshikitty!

LA-based musician, songwriter, and composer YOSHIKI released his first photobook in 28 years XY on November 20, 2020. There was much hype in the run up to its release with behind-the-scenes video footage being posted on YOSHIKI’s official website.

Published by Kodansha, XY topped the Oricon charts with around 6,000 units sold in the first week. A follow-up interview with YOSHIKI where he will discuss the book will be released on Kodansha’s website Gendai Business on December 1.

The photos for the book were taken by American photographer and visual artist Melanie Pullen at the iconic Paramour Estate in Los Angeles. The shoot is an artistic fusion of classical and rock aesthetics. The book is coupled with a DVD featuring a 30-minute behind-the-scenes compilation of the photo shoot which was carried out in 2019.

YOSHIKI | Comment

“I have had these conversations almost ever year, but this time my producers have allowed me to deliver a dream project of mine in good faith with this publication. The photographer and creative talent in LA all came together to lend their tremendous support.”

“I’m the type of person to give 200% when I decide I’m going to do something, so of course for this shoot I put my all into it. It might sound strange for me to say this myself, but I think I have an inner wildness hidden away inside me. I was surprised how wonderfully Melanie, the photographer, captured that roughness in me.”
“I believe that something can change drastically depending on the angle you look at it, whether it’s music or a painting, whether you feel something gently or roughly even if it’s the same piece of work.”

“Right now we’re living through a time of pain and sadness throughout the world, but I think that if we shift our perspective then a whole new world will reveal itself to us. I hope that XY will help seize those feelings for people.”

Yoshiki has teamed up with Asahi Soft Drinks once again in their latest commercial for WONDA coffee which sees the musician animated into the world of Attack on Titan. The commercial hit Japanese television on Thursday.

Yoshiki becomes a Survey Corps member in the new commercial

The 3D CG animated commercial sees Yoshiki as a Survey Corps member who bites his hand to turn into a Titan like Eren, but the only thing he is attacking in the video is his drum kit. He treats himself to WONDA’s “Morning Shot” coffee beverage after falling over his drums.

Check out the commercial below.

WONDA x Attack on Yoshiki Coffee Cans

Limited edition cans of the Morning Shot coffee will also be sold, featuring Attack on Titan designs. Each can also has a QR code which when scanned will take you to a website to enter the serial code written on the can to win one of the Yoshiki designs as pictured below.

The final results for the 2020 Sanrio Character Ranking were announced on Tuesday, with Cinnamoroll placing number one overall. Yoshiki’s collaboration character yoshiki ranked 1st place in France, Germany, and Brasil, as well as 2nd place in China and 6th place overall. This marks the 5th year that yoshikitty has ranked in the Top 10.

yoshikitty is a character based on the X Japan band member Yoshiki. The character has proven popular around the world, with merchandise so popular it never fails to sell out.

A special “Tanita Award” was also given to yoshikitty, and to celebrate, a limited-edition yoshikitty “Digital Health Meter” will be sold on the Tanita website. Costing ¥4,400 (tax included), it is now available to order until July 31, 2020, with a limited number of 100 models available.

Yoshiki thanked yoshikitty fans around the world on his official Twitter and Instagram pages for voting and making the character place so high again this year. He also said: “I wonder if I should composed a yoshikitty theme song too to express my gratitude to everyone (haha). I want to continue delivering wonderful music to you all to repay you, even just a little. Thank you.” (translated from Japanese by MMN)

YOSHIKI has donated 10 million yen (approx. $100 million) to Japan’s National Center for Global Health and Medicine via YOSHIKI FOUNDATION AMERICA.

The National Center for Global Health and Medicine is a governmental medical institution researching infectious diseasesーincluding COVID-19ーas well as immunologic diseases, amongst other things. It is the only national polyclinic centre in Japan and has the biggest number of sickbeds in the country.

With the COVID-19 pandemic throwing the world into disorder, there are currently over 10,000 confirmed cases in Japan. It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to see that Japan’s medical care is on the verge of collapse. YOSHIKI donated the money in response to this situation to help support medical workers fighting on the front lines.

YOSHIKI | Comment

In the US, where I live, there are over 40,000 cases of deaths over the novel coronavirus. And I’m saddened to hear that the infection is spreading in Japan too. I still can’t see any signs that it’s being brought under control. The entertainment industry which I live for and all the industries out there, myself included, are feeling the effects financially and mentally. It’s painful to see.

However, those we must all support the most right now in this situation are the people providing medical care to the patients affected by the coronavirus. I donated in the hopes that it can lend them strength, even if just a little.

And I hope that the thoughts of everyone worried while self-isolating now, and their actions, serves to lend strength to the people in the medical institutions a hundred timesーa thousand times more than what I donated […].

I also want to endeavour to support people as a musician too.

YOSHIKI donated $24,000 dollars to Meals on Wheels in Los Angeles last month to help support food shortages in the US. He also donated $100,000 to the COVID-19 Relief Fund which was created by The Recording Academy® and MusiCares© to help support struggling music artists who are having to postpone and cancel tours in response to the pandemic outbreak.

YOSHIKI has made another graceful return to Asahi Soft Drinks’ commercial series to promote its coffee beverage ‘WONDA.’ The commercial began airing in Japan on April 14, 2020.

In the previous commercial, we saw YOSHIKI’s beautiful handiwork on the piano. In the latest commercial, he takes to a golden drum set and displays his effortless skills as a drummer.

YOSHIKI throws his jacket to the side before taking his sticks in hand and getting in the zone. The messages that pop up on the commercial read, “I don’t want to make any compromises. No matter what anyone says. We will become men that never throw away commitment.”

This theme echoes with YOSHIKI too as will be seen in the behind-the-scenes video set to hit the air this Friday. YOSHIKI makes certain that the performance is perfect by having the staff retake the footage over and over as he earns rounds of applause for his performance.