Sunday, February 28, 2010
Tackey&Tsubasa(タッキー&翼) member Takizawa Hideaki (滝沢秀明) announced the production of "Takizawa Kabuki / 滝沢歌舞伎" in Tokyo the other day.

In the work, he will challenge the role of Taira no Masakado (平将門) a samurai in the Heian period of Japan, instead of the well-known character Minamoto no Yoshitune (源義経). It's an occult and legendary character which will sure to bring dynamism to the stage. In addition to casting, Takizawa will be also in charge of the stage direction and photography direction, leading to a stage of Takizawa's world.

Takizawa has performed in "Takizawa Enbujo / 滝沢演舞城" at Shimbashi Enbujo of Tokyo for four years since 2006. In order to build Kabukiza on the stage this year, he moved to Nissei Theatre, changed the title of the production, and made his debut as director, with more than half of the contents renewed.

And the highlight is definitely Taira no Masakado played by Tackey!
"I plucked up my courage and left Minamoto no Yoshitune finally. It's a character totally different and dark. I want to depict the reason why he is called evil. I will try to interpret Taira no Masakado who is trying to change the country, not only with the evil side, but also a man with humanity." said Takizawa.
Taira no Masakado was also known as a treasonable hero, who revolted against tyrannical aristocrat-centered imperial court in Heian period.

It will his first role of a villain since the drama "Orthros no Inu / オルトロスの犬 (lit. Orthros Dog)" and Takizawa is going to bloom the flowers of evil by saying: "It's OK to have the scene of killing."

Meanwhile, the acrobat, another attractive part, will also be upgraded. "The wire part will be changed. And we will introduce new 4D system so that the audience can see us with different angles." 4D flying scene is coming out! Moreover, there will be a Japanese drum performance of 50 people and the collaboration of Japanese dance and Ballet.

"It's made by our generation, but I want to try different kinds of modern elements, too." he seems to broaden the frame of Kabuki.

"Takizawa Kabuki" will be performed from April 4th to May 8th in Nissei Theatre. Don't miss out his legendary stage!
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 11:51 PM | 0 comments
Sophia comes to Los Angeles to celebrate the 15th anniversary of their impressive career. Formed in 1994, the Japanese rock band consists of vocalist Mitsuru Matsuoka, guitarist Kazutaka Toyota, bassist Yoshio Kuroyanagi, drummer Yoshitomo Akamatsu and keyboardist Keiichi Miyako. Sophia has enjoyed much success through the years with the release of more than 15 albums and 35 hit singles. The band has embarked on over 40 tours, rocking out with fans all over the globe. Sophia has also shown great interest in promoting anime through their music. The band’s single, Boku wa Kokoni iru, was used as an ending theme for the anime Kaleido Star.

“We feel that under the new and experienced leadership of SPJA President and CEO Michael Lattanzio the Expo serves as a great ambassador and platform for bringing Japanese culture to America. We are excited to support the efforts of Anime Expo by performing at this year’s event,” said Sophia lead vocalist Mitsuru Matsuoka.

The band will feature several songs off of their latest album, 15, along with other hit singles during their July 3rd performance in the Nokia Theater.

Lead vocalist, Mitsuru Matsuoka, lends great star power to the fame of Sophia. He has been featured in several Japanese J-dramas like Koi wa Tatakai (Love & Fight!) and Yamada Taro Monogatari (The Story of Yamada). He also had starring roles in the critically-acclaimed musicals Nine and Titanic. Matsuoka-san writes much of his own music as it is important to embed meaningful messages within his lyrics.

Sophia - Shinkaron ~GOOD MORNING! -Hello! 21st-Century~
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 11:49 PM | 0 comments
According to the newest issue of Josei Seven, singer Ai Otsuka (27) may be in a relationship with rapper SU (36) of RIP SLYME. Both of their agencies declined to comment, neither confirming nor denying the news.

On a night earlier this month, SU was seen entering Otsuka's apartment with a spare key. The next morning, he was spotted leaving the apartment alone after Otsuka had already left for work. At least one source close to the couple said that the two have been visiting each other's apartments since around the start of this year, and that Otsuka had given SU the spare key to her place.

Last year, they collaborated on Otsuka's song "aisu x time," which was recorded for her "LOVE is Best" album in November. It appears that their work together quickly led to romance.

SU was previously dating singer Kaela Kimura (25) for a few years, but they broke up last year.

Ai Otsuka - SMILY (sub)
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 11:46 PM | 0 comments
Grand Prize 『Artist of the Year』
Domestic: Arashi
International: The Beatles

New Artist of the Year
Domestic: Hilcrhyme
International: LADY GAGA

5 Best New Artist Domestic
JASMINE
supercell
BIGBANG
Hilcrhyme
Erina Mano


Best New Artist International
Keri Hilson
Susan Boyle
LADY GAGA

Enka Best / pop songs artist
Hikawa Kiyoshi

Song of the Year
Domestic: GReeeeN 「Haruka」
International: BACKSTREET BOYS 「Straight Through My Heart」

Best 5 Songs
EXILE「THE GENERATION ~FUTATSUNOKUCHIBIRU~」
GReeeeN「Haruka」
JUJU with JAY'ED「Ashitaga Kurunara」
B'z「Ichibuto Zenbu」
Yuusuke Kamiji「Himawari」

Album of the Year
Domestic: Arashi 「All the BEST! 1999-2009」
International: Michael Jackson 「Michael Jackson, THIS IS IT」

5 Best Albums
Ayaka「ayaka's History 2006-2009」
Arashi「All the BEST! 1999-2009」
EXILE「AISUBEKIMIRAIE」
GReeeeN「IMAMADENO A MEN B MEN DESUTO!?」
GReeeeN「Salt & Pepper」

Single of the Year
Domestic:Arashi「Believe/kumori nochi kaisei」
International:SLASH「SAHARA feat. Koshi Inaba」

5 Best Singles
Arashi「Ashita no Kioku/Crazy Moon~Kimi wa Muteki~」
Arashi「Everything」
Arashi「Believe / kumori nochi kaisei」
Arashi「My Girl」
KAT-TUN「RESCUE」

Best DVD domestic
Arashi「ARASHI AROUND ASIA 2008 in TOKYO」
Arashi「5×10 All the BEST! CLIPS 1999-2009」
EXILE「EXILE LIVE TOUR "EXILE PERFECT LIVE 2008"」

Best DVD international
Tohoshinki「All About Tohoshinki season 3」

Special Award
AKB48
K-ON!

Classic Album of the Year
Sarah Brightman 「Amalfi」

Jazz Album of the Year
Norah Jones The 「Falls」

Instrumental Album of the Year
Taro Hakase 「My Favorite Songs」

Soundtrack Album of the Year
Nodame Cantabile 「Nodame Cantabile Final Movement」
Animation Album of the Year
gintama 「GINTAMA BEST」

Traditional Japanese Music Album of the Year
HIDEKI TOGI 「dear earth」

Special Product Album of the Year
TAKESHI 「TSURUNO TSURUNOUTA」

Recording Industry Association of Japan
Japan Gold Disc Awards 2010
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 11:32 PM | 0 comments
Tuesday, February 23, 2010
AKB 48
Aitakatta live
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 9:45 PM | 0 comments
Walt Disney Studios Japan on Thursday began auditions for the Japanese audio track for the Disney/Pixar movie “Toy Story 3,” which will be released July 10.

In “Toy Story 2,” protagonist Woody was played by actor Toshiaki Arasawa, 46, while Tokoro Joji, 55, took over the voice of Buzz Lightyear. For the public auditions, Disney said it will be searching for voice talents for the Green Army Men, and for three new characters, Peas-in-a-Pod. Disney said it wants “someone who can do a slightly stern and threatening voice.”

Disney also held Japan auditions for the 2006 film “The Chronicles of Narnia,” and the 2008 movie “Tinker Bell.” For “Toy Story 3,” Disney will be accepting applications for auditions on their mobile website, toy3.jp, until March 11. Anyone is able to apply, regardless of experience, age or gender.
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 9:39 PM | 0 comments
Singer MIYAVI has announced some new releases for March, as well as a name change from 雅-miyavi- to 雅-MIYAVI-.

Having recently signed to EMI MUSIC JAPAN, MIYAVI announced a new DVD to be his first release with the label. This DVD, titled NEO TOKYO SAMURAI BLACK WORLD TOUR Vol.1 will be released on March 24th and will feature footage from his 2009 world tour.

The DVD will also be released in a limited edition, which will come in a special box including a 48-page booklet with live and off-shot pictures and unreleased songs written during his world tour, as well as a special USB wristband featuring a new song titled SURVIVE. This song features BOBO (54-71) on drums and is co-produced and engineered by Toshikazu Yoshioka, who has worked with The Strokes, 8otto and more.

Also on March 24th, MIYAVI will release a new best-of album including songs from his period under Universal Music. The album will be titled FAN'S BEST and will feature the top ten songs, as voted for by the fans in a worldwide poll, plus live recordings of songs from his period under the label. Voting is open until midnight on February 24th (Japan time) and the results will be released on March 3rd. You can vote for your favourite here.

Miyavi (Video)

Miyavi - Selfish Love
Asian guitar player Miyavi (male) kicks it hard. Bizarre style, but funky nonetheless.

Miyavi (Photo)






Miyavi (Bio)

Miyavi (birthname Takamasa Ishihara (石原貴雅, Ishihara Takamasa?)born on September 14, 1981) is a Japanese recording artist and entertainer. He was the guitarist for Dué le Quartz which was active from 1999 to 2002, and the guitarist for the supergroup S.K.I.N., which was active in 2007. Miyavi is active in the current visual kei and mainstream rock scene in Japan.

Miyavi
Born September 14, 1981 (1981-09-14) (age 28)
Origin Konohana-ku, Osaka, Japan
Genres Pop
Rock
Occupations Musician: Singer, Songwriter, Arranger, Record Producer, Dancer, Actor
Instruments Guitar, electric sitar, shamisen, gigpig, piano
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 9:23 PM | 0 comments
The members of visual-kei band Gakido were involved in a serious car accident on Friday, resulting in the death of vocalist Piyo (real name Yoshiaki Yamada) and injuries to the other members. Piyo was 28.

According to Shiga prefectural police, the six band members and one staff member were driving on Friday morning in a minivan from Osaka to Nagoya, where they had a concert scheduled. It appears that a tire burst, causing the car to tip over. Piyo, who was in a rear seat, was thrown from the car and hit his head hard, dying instantly. At least one other member was also thrown from the car. Besides Piyo, all of the other passengers suffered injuries, though only the drummer TOSSY and the staff member are currently hospitalized.

More details are expected to be announced soon on the band's official website.
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 9:07 PM | 0 comments
The FanimeCon 2010 convention announced on Sunday that the band LM.C will attend as guests of honor. They will perform during the convention's MusicFest on Sunday, May 30, followed by a Q&A panel and autograph session on Monday, May 31.

FanimeCon 2010 will take place at the San Jose Convention Center on May 28-31, 2010.

LM.C is releasing their third album, "WONDERFUL WONDERHOLIC," on March 3 in Japan, with worldwide release dates scheduled after that. On April 3, they will travel to Moscow to begin their second world tour, which is taking them to nearly a dozen countries in Europe and Asia, before their national tour across Japan in May.

LM.C - Chemical King Twoon [PV]
3 March 2010 - WONDERFUL WONDERHOLIC album out!
Can't wait x)
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 9:04 PM | 0 comments
V6 (Bio)

V6 is a six-member Japanese boy band formed by Johnny & Associates. The group debuted on November 1, 1995 with the single "Music for the People", which was used as the image song for the World Cup of Volleyball in 1995.

Similar to their agency seniors Hikaru Genji, the group is separated into two subgroups based on age. For V6, the group is split into 20th Century and Coming Century, which consists of the three oldest members and three youngest members respectively.

Members
20th Century
Sakamoto Masayuki
Nagano Hiroshi
Inohara Yoshihiko
Coming Century
Morita Go
Miyake Ken
Okada Junichi

V6 (Video)

V6 - Change the world (High Quality)
This song always makes me happy.. :D


A few days ago, some news sources reported a rumor that boy band V6 will be breaking up at the end of this year, but their management agency Johnny's Jimusho has now responded, declaring that there is no truth to the rumor. In addition to the denial, the agency announced news of V6's next studio album and nationwide tour.

On March 31, V6 will release the album "READY?," their first since "Voyager" in 2007. It will include all of their singles since then, plus several new songs. Six of them will be solo tunes, each by a different band member.

As a follow-up to their Asia tour last fall, V6 will start a nationwide tour of Japan on April 3 in Hokkaido. They will play a total of 12 concerts at 6 venues, including a string of four consecutive days at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium.

This year is the 15th anniversary of V6's debut, which may have reinforced the rumor of their breakup. However, their management formally stated that the group's members are unified in their desire to continue their activities.

V6 (Photo)

posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 8:52 PM | 0 comments
A press release from Râmen Events has regrettably announced that the band AciD FlavoR disbanded on February 1st. The band members didn't wish to explain this choice and thank the fans for their support.

AciD FlavoR began activities in 2000 and signed to the label EMI Japan last year. They regularly participated in European events like Animaison in Brussels and of course Japan Expo 2008 in Paris, as well as releasing two albums in Europe.

A translated message from Ryo (in both English and French) can be found on Râmen Events' official MySpace here.

Ryo will continue with his own solo activities in Japan, as well as composing and writing songs for numerous other musical projects. Râmen Events will continue to support Ryo's project and wishes success to the all of the members of AciD FlavoR.

AciD FlavoR (viDeo)

AciD FLavoR - Enishi
Acid Flavor - Enishi :)

AciD FlavoR (Picture)






AciD FLavoR (Bio)

AciD FLavoR has achieved their major debut through "Higher & higher",
the theme song of the famous play station 2 game "Love Revolution!!
(Otome-teki Koi Kakumei: Love Revo!!)".
After that, the band collaborated with another game software
"Young Onmyouji Tsubasa, Return to the Heavens
(Shonen Onmyouji Tsubasa-yo, Ima, Ten-e-Kaere)",
when their musical piece "ENISHI" has been novelized
AciD FLavoR is the astounding Japanese melodious rock band
with excellent reputation of melancholy
yet inspiriting lyrics with beautiful tunes,
composed via skilled arrangements,
that move the heart of every listener.

Vocal: Shigeru
Seven-string guitar, piano and programming, back vocal: Ryo
Bass: Tei
Drums: Taiju
posted by ♥ Mikeru Wei ♥ at 8:08 PM | 0 comments