A new character and voice actress set to appear in this summer’s Dark Gathering anime series has been announced! Rina Kawaguchi will play Ai Kamiyo, the second student to appear in Keitaro’s home tutoring job. Ai witnessed her brother pass away due to her unfortunate condition, so it will be curious to see how she interacts with the main character. Check out a comment from Rina Kawaguchi below!

Rina Kawaguchi (Ai Kamiyo)

“Hello, everyone! I’m Rina Kawaguchi, and I’ve been chosen to play the role of Ai Kamiyo in the anime series Dark Gathering. I absolutely love the horror genre, and when I auditioned for this part I was obsessed with becoming a part of Dark Gathering. When my manager told me that I had been chosen to play Ai, I got on the train to go home and literally cried happy tears! This is an unparalleled horror masterpiece ready to blow you away, and I’m hoping that tons of people give it a watch this summer!”

Fans attending AnimeJapan 2023 on March 26 will be able to attend a special Dark Gathering panel featuring voice actors Yu Sasahara, Nobunaga Shimazaki, Kana Hanazawa, and Rina Kawaguchi. It’s unclear what the cast will reveal while on stage, so fans won’t want to miss it! Those invited to the panel will be selected by a special free drawing and applications will be accepted until March 8 at 23:59.

Trailer #1

The manga is currently serialized in Shueisha’s Jump SQ and tells the story of Keitaro Gentoga, who can communicate with spirits. After becoming a shut-in after a difficult incident, he meets a genius girl named Yayoi Hozuki who can see Keitaro’s ability. Yayoi is instantly able to tell that Keitaro has skill as a spirit medium, and she invites him to go with her to a haunted location. The two then start their journey capturing evil spirits.

Stay tuned for more Dark Gathering news!

In March 2022, the cover song project CrosSing was launched. Amassing instant popularity, tracks featured as part of the project have pulled in hundreds of millions of views. The project has featured popular voice actors Maaya Uchida, Kana Hanazawa, and Akari Kito. 

Ahead of the release of CrosSing Collection Vol. 1 on September 21, a clip of Kana Hanazawa’s cover of Rain has been uploaded to YouTube. The song will be included as a bonus track on the album. 

The track was used as the ending theme for Makoto Shinkai’s short anime film The Garden of Words, in which Hanazawa played the lead role. 

Rain – Kana Hanazawa (Sample Video)

Preorders for CrosSing Collection Vol. 1 are now open at the Canime shop.

Kenichi Kondo’s Dark Gathering manga series will get an anime adaptation in 2023! The manga is currently serialized in Shueisha’s Jump SQ, and the announcement was made on Ghost Day in Japan which falls on July 26.

The series will be directed by Hiroshi Ikehata, known for his work on FLCL Progressive and Space Battleship Tiramisu. Filled with horror, it will be interesting to see what is in store for us from OLM studios, famous for the Pokemon and Beyblade Burst series.

The teaser visual shows Yayoi Hozuki standing in a dimly lit tunnel, while the teaser trailer shows the many spirits that will appear in the adaptation. The manga tells the story of Keitaro Gentoga, who has the ability to communicate with spirits. After becoming a shut-in after a difficult incident, he meets a genius girl named Yayoi Hozuki who can see Keitaro’s ability. The two start on a journey to capture evil spirits.

Teaser Trailer

Keep an eye out for more details coming soon!

Ⓒ近藤憲一／集英社・ダークギャザリング製作委員会

Kakehiki wa Poker Face, the newest song from Kana Hanazawa, will serve as the opening theme for the romantic comedy anime series When Will Ayumu Make His Move? The song will be released on July 20, 2022, and a new photo of the artist has been released ahead of the single.

Hanazawa transferred to the Pony Canyon label in 2021, releasing the song Moonlight Magic in September. Her second single SHINOBI-NAI was released on November 3, and her first album via Pony Canyon, BLOSSOM, dropped on February 23, 2022.

The opening for the new anime series When Will Ayumu Make His Move?, Kakehiki wa Poker Face is an upbeat electro dance-pop number that might inspire those who are having trouble taking the next step forward. 

Hanazawa herself will provide the voice of Maki in the series, which is set to premiere in July.

FIREBUG studio and animation planning and production company Enishiya have teamed up for a new short anime, Massara. The animation itself was inspired by the song of the same name by Kiyoe Yoshioka, the lead singer of the popular pop duo Ikinonogakari. This was her first original solo song. 

The animation is a cross between a music video and a brief anime. The story follows a singer-songwriter, Nazuna (Voiced by Yoshioka), who is about to stop chasing her dream, along with a shy girl, Yuna. As they meet, they influence each other to keep running towards their respective dreams. Yuna is voiced by Kana Hanazawa, known for voicing Mitsuri Kanroji in Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba. Both the music video and short anime are available to watch on the official Ikimonogakari YouTube channel, so check it out!

Comments from Performers and Staff

Kiyoe Yoshioka (Nazuna) 

“I tried as hard as I could, and when I realized how much I was putting into the role, it was over in an instant. The animation was so beautiful that I was drawn in and was able to enjoy working on it. I was very moved by the scene where Nazuna and Yuna, the two main characters’ thoughts and inner struggle for the songs are depicted, and their feelings really connected with each other. One of the highlights of the film is the faithful reproduction of the scenery of the station where I used to perform on the street when I made my debut. I think this is a kind of work that you can feel ‘real.’ I hope you will all enjoy it.” 

Kana Hanazawa (Yuna)

“The animation was so delicate and captivating that I wanted it to be released in theaters as it was, and I felt that it was a work that was created with great care. I’ve listened to a lot of Yoshioka-san’s singing voice, so I was very happy to be able to participate in such a wonderful project. She was very friendly and talked to me a lot during the recording process. I became more and more a fan of her personality, which is refreshing and gentle, and makes me feel comfortable being in the same space with her. I think the anime has a joy of being able to enjoy Yoshioka-san’s voice to the fullest, and also has the depth of flavor of the songs you listen to while feeling the story!” 

Keita Nagahara (Director)

“Before the actual post-recording session, we had a practice session as a test, where I explained the nuances of the dialogue and the character’s emotions, but Yoshioka already seemed completely capable of capturing Nazuka with very little prep. Her voice is charming, and although she doesn’t have a ton of voice acting experience, I was amazed by her natural talent. The song scene at the beginning was recorded right in front of me, and I was so moved by the power of her voice. This work is beautiful, and I was able to work with an amazing staff to create a short film that really emphasizes the atmosphere in which these characters live. Just as Yuna, who was unable to sing in front of others, was able to take a step forward with Nazuna, I hope that this film inspires someone else to take another step.”

Popular voice actress Hanazawa Kana has released a short music video for her upcoming single Moonlight Magic, releasing on September 29.

 「Moonlight Magic」Music Video short ver. 

The music video conveys a story almost entirely in CG, with a world-view reflecting the music. The chorus features an adorable dance with movements you’ll find yourself wanting to copy. 

It has also been announced that the full music video for Moonlight Magic will be premiering on YouTube on September 15 at 20:00.

We have high expectations for the full MV!

Japanese voice actress veteran Kana Hanazawa (Oreimo, Steins;Gate, Tokyo Ghoul, Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba) has moved labels to Pony Canyon and announced the release of her first single with them. Titled Moonlight Magic, it will be released on CD on September 29, 2021.

Moonlight Magic is Kana’s first single to be released since Daijobu in July 2018. It will feature lyrics written by her and be made in collaboration with Japanese sound producer Katsutoshi Kitagawa who has worked with Kana since her early years in the industry. The single will be coupled with the song Minato no Mieru Oka which also has lyrics written by Kana, as well as two Chinese versions of both tracks.

The title track will be used as the opening theme for the Japanese drama series Omimi ni Aimashitara which will begin airing on TV Tokyo on July 8.

Kana Hanazawa | Comment

I have made the decision to move from ANIPLEX and SACRA MUSIC, where I have been for around nine years, to Pony Canyon. This is a positive reason for me to continue actively delivering music. I’m really happy to be able to take on new challenges without worry together with the staff that I’m usually working with on anime.

While it has been frustrating to not be able to see all the people who have been supporting me, as well as my live shows being stopped, due to COVID-19, I have been working hard with the music producer Katsutoshi Kitagawa to create songs. We’re working on a lot of great songs which I can’t wait for everyone to hear.

My first single, “Moonlight Magic,” was composed by Katsutoshi Kitagawa and the lyrics were written by me. We poured all of our energy in, which has grown over the past nine years, into this sparkling song reminiscent of “Hoshizora Destination.” In the lyrics, I wrote about my hopes that people will cherish the time when they feel happy because the world is so constrained right now.

I’m looking forward to this song reaching everyone, and I’m looking forward to seeing you all again in that happy place at my next live show. Thank you for your continued support!!

©「お耳に合いましたら。」製作委員会 

Human Lost is an upcoming animated film adaptation of Japanese novelist Osamu Dazai’s 1948 novel Ningen Shikkaku (No Longer Human). It is set for worldwide release in 2019, which would mark Dazai’s 110th birthday were he alive today.

It has just been announced that Japanese voice actress Kana Hanazawa is joining the cast to perform the role of the mysterious heroine Yoshiki Hiiragi. Yoshiki is part of Hirame, a secret government organisation set up to fight the “Human Lost” phenomenon.

Hanazawa is a veteran voice actress who has provided her voice to countless famous roles and series including Nadeko Sengoku in the Monogatari series, Kuroneko in Oreimo and Mayuri Shiina in Steins;Gate. She is also a singer and  performed overseas for the first time last month.

Hear her speak in the new Human Lost trailer below.

Kana Hanazawa answered several questions related to the role which you can read below.

Q. Please tell us your impressions of Yoshiki Hiiragi as a character.

Kana Hanazawa: “She has cute looks like that of an idol and a gentle personality with consideration for others. She’s a strong-willed girl who puts much thought in how she should live and what she can do for others.”

Q. Please give a few words to all the fans looking forward to seeing Human Lost.

“I am overjoyed to be involved with this film, together with all of the staff whose names could get me excited simply by reading them, and who have come together to remake No Longer Human. Don’t miss seeing how [the characters] live their frantic ways of life as you become immerse in the profound world that has been delicately spun.”

The film’s story is set in 2036. A breakthrough in medical science has led to the creation of nanomachines, and the S.H.E.L.L. system that controls them, which ensures humans are free from disease and injury and extends their lifespan to 120. But this ultimate social system has warped the Japanese nation in a number of ways, whether it be economical disparities, serious environmental pollution, or the “Human Lost” phenomenon that malforms people disconnected from the S.H.E.L.L. network.

©2019 HUMAN LOST Project

With March almost at an end, the number of Japanese artists announcing performances overseas continues to rise. This is a list of 7 Japanese artists performing outside Japan in the first half of 2019.

・TK from Ling Tosite Sigure

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure has received huge international attention for his collaborations with Tokyo Ghoul which have been enjoyed by countless non-Japanese fans on music streaming services. This includes unravel which was used as Tokyo Ghoul’s first opening theme, and katharsis, the second opening theme for season two of Tokyo Ghoul:re. The singer is set to take his ‘katharsis Tour’ to Asia this April.

More Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/183546

・Kana Hanazawa

Kana Hanazawa is lauded for her immense work in voice acting. She is also hugely successful as an artist and singer.

Hanazawa is set to become the first Japanese female solo artist to perform at the Mercedes-Benz Arena in Shanghai on April 14, 2019. She boasts overwhelming popularity in China for her work in anime as well as her hit songs. Her Chinese fans’ dreams are about to be realised as she performs for them a long-awaited show.

・Radwimps

RADWIMPS dropped their recent album ANTI ANTI GENERATION in December last year and recently announced a live tour which includes their first ever solo stadium show. The band are also set to perform two dates at the 2019 Strawberry Music Festival in China.

・ONE OK ROCK

ONE OK ROCK has become one of the most popular Japanese rock bands overseas. They recently released their first album in nearly two years Eye of the Storm on February 13, 2019 and have announced a 10-date UK & European tour set to take place throughout May.

More Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/171983

・Aimer

Aimer recently announced that she will head to Asia in June on a 5-date tour entitled Aimer “soleil et pluie” Asia Tour. She previously performed in Asia last year alongside amazarashi, but this marks her first ever solo tour thhere. The theme of the tour is “sun and rain” which ties in with the concepts behind her forthcoming albums Sun Dance and Penny Rain.

More Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/185602

・suchmos

Suchmos will release their 3^rd studio album THE ANYMAL on March 27, 2019. The rock group are currently knee deep in their 2019 arena tour and are set to perform alongside HYUKOH in Seoul, South Korea in June. Tickets go on sale on April 2 at 12:00 (South Korea time).

・Wednesday Campanella

It has been announced that Wednesday Campanella will perform at the Second Sky Music Festival at Middle Harbor Shoreline Park in Oakland, California on June 15. This marks Wednesday Campanella’s second time performing at a festival in the US following her appearance at Camp Flog Gnaw in October 2017.

More Details: https://www.moshimoshi-nippon.jp/184064