flumpool releases PV for “Akashi” + single info

Pop-rock band flumpool is gearing up to release their second single of 2011 entitled, “Akashi“. Scheduled for September 7th, “Akashi” is the band’s seventh major single under Sony.
“Akashi” is the theme song to NHK’s ‘Minna no Uta‘ for the months of August and September, and is also being used for the 78th NHK Nation-wide Junior High School Musical Competition.
The single will come with two other tracks, including a choir version of “Akashi”, as well as  instrumentals of the title track and the coupling song, “Kakusei Identity“. “Kakusei Identity” is the image song for ‘Nihon TV & J SPORTS Rugby World Cup‘.
The limited edition is a ‘Premium White Package’ will come with a DVD that contains the “Akashi” music video, the choir version music video, documentry music video of “Akashi”, member interviews, and Yamamura Ryuta’s tour stage movie from the band’s “Fantasia of Life Stripe ~Bokutachi wa Koko ni iru~” 2011 tour.
Also, depending on what online store you purchase the CD from, fans will get a different B3 size original poster with the first press.

-
Regular Edition

< CD >
1. Akashi
2. Kakusei Identity
3. for no one
4. Akashi ~flumpool x Choir~ chorus ver.
5. Akashi (Instrumental)
6. Kakusei Identity (Instrumental)
Premium White Package

< DVD >
1. Akashi ~flumpool x Choir~ chorus ver. -Music Video
2. Member Interviews
3. Akashi -Music Video Documentary
4. Akashi -Tour Stage Movie (Yamamura Ryuta solo ver)

AKB48 sells over 1 million copies of “Flying Get” on its first day!

Oricon has reported on its daily single ranking chart for August 23rd that AKB48’s latest single, “Flying Get“, has sold an astonishing 1,025,952 copies – all on its first day!
For reference, their last hit single “Everyday, Kachuusha” took two days to reach the million mark, which was already a feat within itself. The group sold 942,475 copies of “Everyday, Kachuusha” on the first day alone, but went on to break an Oricon record by selling over 1.52 million copies.
How many more will “Flying Get” sell in its first week? Stay tuned for the next Weekly Ranking Chart to find out!

Miura Daichi holds “Turn Off The Light” release event with 4000 fans

Miura Daichi just released his new single “Turn Off The Light“ earlier today on August 24th. One day before the release, Miura held a release special event for the single at Lazona Kawasaki.
The song “Turn Off The Light” is being used as the ending theme song for TV Tokyo’s “Ryuha-R” as well as “SHOWBIZ COWNTDOWN”, and it is a thrilling track that shows Miura’s great singing & dancing skills.  The choreography for the song was designed by Miura himself, and in order to see the live performance, total 4,000 fans (for 2 stages) visited the event.

There was a little surprise prepared for Miura from the fans at the event. Since the day of the event was a day before Miura’s 24th birthday, the fans altogether sang the happy birthday song for him.  Miura said about this heart-warming present from the fans, “I will return the strength you guys gave me through my music.”

Currently, Miura is holding nation-wide tour “DAICHI MIURA LIVE TOUR 2011 ‘Synesthesia’” which he will make 8 locations (8 stages total).  Also, starting on the 24th, Miura is being featured on avex’s official YouTube channel, so make sure to check it out!

Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra releases PV for “All Good Ska is One”

Japanese ska band Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra recently released a mini-album this month titled, “Sunny Side of the Street“.
The mini-album contains five tracks including three songs that have major tie-ins. “Twinkle Star – Tayori no Hoshi” is the theme song for Tokyo City Keiba, while “World Ska Beach (Dennis Bovell Mix)” is the theme song to NHK’s “Studio Park kara Konnichi wa“. Finally, “Break into the Light” became the theme song to anime film, “ONE PIECE 3D“.
One of their new tracks, “All Good Ska is One“, features vocals from Angelo Moore of American rock band Fishbone. The PV for this track has just been revealed

Maid cafe idol group Afilia Saga East releases “My White Ribbon” PV

Maid café idol group Afilia Saga East has released the PV for “My White Ribbon“, which was used as an insert song in episode 9 of the anime series, “STEINS;GATE“.
The PV features the girls dressed in matching maid outfits, dancing in what looks like a small chapel.

Recochoku reveals their top summer drama theme song ranking for 2011!

After 1,710 votes, Recochoku has revealed the top summer drama theme songs for 2011.
It’s no surprise that number one went to a drama that revolves around music, “Ikemen Desu Ne”. But there were some other interesting results as well.
Check out recochoku’s ranking below!
–
1. Kis-My-Ft2 “Everybody Go” – TBS Drama “Ikemen Desu Ne” Theme Song
2. AKB48 “Flying Get” – Fuji TV Drama “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e ~Ikemen Paradise 2011” Theme Song
3. Every Little Thing “Ai ga Aru” – Fuji TV Drama “Zenkai Girl” Theme Song
4. Kanjani8 “Tsubasa ni Koi” – Fuji TV Drama “Zenkai Girl” Ending Theme Song
5. EXILE’s ATSUSHI “Itsuka Kitto…” – TV Asahi Drama “Hi wa Mata Noboru” Theme Song

Who are your favorite ‘lolita voice’ artists?

On a recent poll done by goo, goo users were asked, “Who are your favorite ‘lolita voice’ artists?”
In Japan, ‘lolita voice’ refers to any voice that sounds a lot like a child’s, usually high-pitched and girly.
Check out which artists came in the top 10!
—
1. Perfume
2. Others
3. Harada Tomoyo
4. Kahimi Karie
5. Yakushimaru Etsuko
6. MEG
7. capsule
8. Predawn
9. Hanayo
10. Furukawa Miki

IF YOU Want to voted
check this link
http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/08/who-are-your-favorite-lolita-voice-artists/

JUJU’s cover of GLAY’s “BELOVED” unveiled!

Earlier this month, singer-songwriter JUJU announced that she will be releasing a new album set for release on August 31st.
Now, the second A-single titled, “YOU/BELOVED” has been revealed. “BELOVED” is a cover song based on the same titled song by GLAY and will also be used as a CM song for Sony’s “NEX-C3“.

KAT-TUN PIC ^^

KAT-TUN RUN FOR YOU TRANS

SOMEBODY SAY YOU GOTTA RUN
Who knows the way? Nobody knows.
Believe that you can do it with your own hands
But before you proceed with an uneasy heart
Know that you're connected to a new dawn

RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOU
RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Let the sweat flow
If we run without words,
we'll get there sooner or later

(RUN, RUN, RUN)

It isn't affection, it isn't love
I just want to protect you
Now I feel the same as I did then
I can't blame you for not seeing me everyday
I'll still always want you by my side

RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOU
RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
This precious dream is born
Light is shining on your dark road
Just run forward a bit

Light is waiting just beyond
Even if we don't know what's coming up
I hold this hope tightly with my hands
This bond we share over the same destination

(RUN, RUN, RUN)

Stubborn PRIDE
Joyful VOICE
So you have no heartaches, keep the tension
There are no days without a rising sun, so don't stop dreaming
Now the real CHALLENGE
Begins right here

RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOU
RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
If we run without words,
we'll get there sooner or later

RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOU
RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
This precious dream is born
Light is shining on your dark road
Just run forward a bit

RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOU
RUN , RUN , RUN , RUN FOR YOUR LIFE
Let the sweat flow
If we run without words,
we'll arrive at some point

C-ute reveals jacket covers for “Sekai Ichi HAPPY na Onna no Ko”!

Back in June, idol group C-ute announced they’d be releasing their 17th single, “Sekai ichi HAPPY na Onna no Ko“, on September 7th.
While the tracks have yet to be revealed, the girls have released the covers for all three versions of the single.
Check ‘em out below!
-
Limited Edition A

—Limited Edition B—

—–
Regular Edition

Animated series for “HUNTER X HUNTER” reveals its official air date!

Weekly Shounen Jump made many fans happy when they announced that popular manga “HUNTER X HUNTER” would be returning to TVs across Japan.
Now fans can finally mark their calendars with the official air date! “HUNTER X HUNTER” will be shown every Sunday at 10:55AM starting on October 2nd through Nihon TV.
The animation series will be under the supervision of Koujina Hiroshi, with composition by Maekawa Atsushi and character design by Yoshimatsu Takahiro.
The series will also start from the very beginning.

PUFFY to voice act for anime series, “Usagi Drop”

Pop duo PUFFY will be taking up the challenge of voice acting for the first time in five years for the 9th episode of the Fuji TV anime, “Usagi Drop“. This was decided upon after having their song, “SWEET DROPS“, chosen as the theme song for the anime.
“Usagi Drop” is a story about an ‘ikumen‘ who raises his grandfather’s illegitimate child. PUFFY will voice after school supervisors who were created in their image by the novelist Unita Yumi.
After the recording, PUFFY member Yoshimura Yumi commented, “I was surprised at how everyone’s voice carried through; even the kids do it really well. I was like a borrowed cat (quiet and meek).” Oonuki Ami stated, “Pros are amazing. I was nervous from the pressure.” Ami has three lines and Yumi has six lines, but the duo took about two hours to record their lines.
“The highlight is PUFFY’s parts. It was a great change,” said Yumi, promoting themselves. Ami also added, “If possible, I want them to skip my part… but I did my best, so please watch it.”
PUFFY’s “SWEET DROPS” is also the theme song to the movie “Usagi Drop”, which will hit theatres on August 20th. Yumi showed confidence as she said, “It is a girly pop song. I want people to look at us in a new aspect.”

Horikita Maki travels to Jakarta to volunteer for “24 Hour Televsion”

Actress Horikita Maki recently visited Jakarta, Indonesia to film a report for NTV’s upcoming television special, “24 Hour Television 34 ~Ai wa Chikyu wo Sukuu~“.
Last month, Horikita was announced as one of the charity personalities for the program, and she joined other Japanese volunteers in the area.
One of their projects included a “mobile library”, in which they visited children in various locations and let them enjoy Japanese picture books that have been specially translated into Indonesian.
Being the bookworm that she is, Horikita enjoyed helping the mobile library a lot and even tried to read the books aloud in Indonesian for the children on her final day. She also helped out during a puppet show, played some basketball with the children, and taught them origami as well.
Horikita commented, “I was able to see the reality of those children with my own eyes and, in my own way, found something that I, as an adult, could do for those children. It was very touching to see their smiles. I want everyone to see the people from our country who organized this ‘mobile library’, and the innocence of those children when they are gazing at the picture books.”
This special report for “24 Hour Television 34″ will air on NTV on August 20th a

AKB48’s Takahashi Minami to appear in JAMIL’s PV for “The Rock City Boy”

AKB48 member Takahashi Minami will be making an appearance in a PV for American-born pop singer JAMIL. This will be the first time Takahashi will be appearing in a PV other than her own.
The PV for JAMIL’s song, “The Rock City Boy“, portrays a story of a man (JAMIL) who arrives in Japan and meets Takahashi. She captivates his heart dressed as a cabin attendant, shrine maiden, and college student. The two decided to work together in the video because JAMIL is a huge fan of AKB48.
Takahashi, who is 4′10″, was pleased to play the role of a cabin attendant – since it’s said you must be at least 5′3″ to be a cabin attendant. While this will be her second time cosplaying as a shine maiden, Takahashi commented, “It’s more fitting than the last time I had to wear it in a drama. Is it because I’m an adult now?”

ViViD holds their first Hong Kong live

On August 2nd, ViViD performed their first live in Hong Kong for ‘The 13th ACGHK2011 Heart Beat Seinen Music Festival‘.
‘ACGHK‘ stands for ‘Animation-Comic-Game Hong Kong‘ , and it’s a trade show that introduces the Japanese culture to the people of Hong Kong. This fun event drew in approximately 650,000 people over a span of five days. ViViD served as the closing act for the festival and rocked out to an audience of 10,000 fans.
During the live, vocalist Shin shouted out “We love you Hong Kong!” in Cantonese. They performed songs like “Yume ~Mugen no Kanata~” and “Blue“, and ended their performance by taking commemorative photos with the audience in the background.
ViViD will embark on a Asia tour, stopping in Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. Stay tuned for more updates on their exciting live performances!

Covers, tracklist and short PV revealed for AYABIE’s major debut single, “Nagareboshi”!

In June, visual kei band AYABIE announced their first major single, “Nagareboshi” (“Shooting Star”), which is due out in August 24th.
The band has finally released more information on their exciting new work!
As stated before, “Nagareboshi” will come in three editions. In the ‘first press limited editions’, an application card will be enclosed inside, and 10 lucky fans will win a direct call from the members themselves! Thirty fans will receive an autographed message card, and 300 fans will get a key holder as a present.
For those fans who are eager to hear a sample of “Nagareboshi”, AYABIE has put up a short version of the single’s coupling track, “Lilia” on YouTube. The full version will be available on the limited edition of the CD.
Check it out below!
-
AYABIE have also released the covers and track list to the single:


Limited Edition A
< CD >
1. Nagareboshi
2. Lilia
< DVD >
1. Nagareboshi -Music Clip-
-


Limited Edition B
< CD >
1. Nagareboshi
2. Lilia
< DVD >
1. Lilia -Music Clip-
-


Regular Edition
< CD >
1. Nagareboshi
2. Lilia
3. MARBLE

Sayonara Ponytail reveal a fresh PV for their new song, “Mukiryoku Switch”

Sayonara Ponytail have just uploaded the PV to their latest song, “Mukiryoku Switch”, onto their official YouTube channel!
Sayonara Ponytail’s music videos generally consist of illustrations, but this time they actually used real girls to give off a fresh schoolgirl theme. The videographer was none other than Aoyama Yuki, whom you may know from his famous photobook, “Schoolgirl Complex”.

‘HUNTER x HUNTER’ to get anime adaptation for the second time

‘Weekly Shounen Jump‘ revealed on August 1st that Togashi Yoshihiro’s popular manga series, “HUNTER X HUNTER”, will receive a second animation adaptation!
“HUNTER X HUNTER” started serializing back in 1998 and since then, the books has sold approximately 52 million copies. The story focus on a young boy named ‘Gon’, who decides to become a Hunter like his father; along the way, he encounters various rivals and obstacles that help him grow.
This manga was first adapted into an anime back in 1999, and it also had some OVAs (Original Video Animes) as well.
On July 4th, “HUNTER X HUNTER” published its 28th volume after a year-and-a-half hiatus, selling over 500 thousand copies in just two weeks. The manga will begin serializing once again in mid-August, and the 29th volume is scheduled to  stores on August 4th.

Check out some PV previews of AKB48’s “Flying Get”!

We’ve got some awesome previews of AKB48’s latest single, “Flying Get“!

Previously, tokyohive reported that the PV would have a “Chinese flair” and lots of action shots, and the preview definitely seems to deliver that. The girls can be seen battling with sabers and we can even see a fight scene between General Election winners #2 Oshima Yuko and #1 Maeda Atsuko. The PV is also said to be a super masterpiece totaling 18 minutes!

Itano Tomomi’s performance + talk on “HEY! HEY! HEY! Music Champ”!

On the August 1st episode of “HEY! HEY! HEY! Music Champ“, Itano Tomomi performed her single, “Fui ni“, to start off the month on a good note. She also had a long segment on this show which included comedian and singer AMEMIYA to sing a hilarious song and her father even left a heartwarming message for her.

knotlamp announces mini album and concert tour

Four member band knotlamp announced that they will be releasing a new mini album on September 13th titled, ‘Bridges We’ve Dreamed‘. Along with the release they also announced that they will embark on a national tour that will be called, ‘Bridges We’ve Dreamed TOUR 2011‘.
This new mini album will be knotlamp’s first release in three years since their last mini album ‘Ghost of the Freedom‘. This new mini album will include the headlining song “Blaze drops” and five other songs. The national tour will begin on October 27th at the mito Light House and will end at the Daikanyama Unit on January 9th, 2012 making 25 concerts in 25 major cities.
On top of that, knotlamp will serve as the closing act at ‘ROCK IN JAPAN FESTIVAL 2011‘ on August 7th at the Wing Tent.

AKB48’s Nakaya Sayaka & Tanabe Miku to form a new unit “BABY GAMBA”

On August 1st, it was revealed that AKB48’s Nakaya Sayaka and Tanabe Miku will form a new unit, titled “BABY GAMBA”!
The girls will release a DVD single named “Ee Janaika” on September 14th. In the PV for the song, the two will be featured dancing with “Gamba”, based on a children’s book written by Saito Atsuo titled, “Boukenshatachi: Gamba to 15 hiki no Nakama (Adventurer: Gamba and his 15 friends)”.
“I am happy that BABY GAMBA will be viewed by children and will be performing this dance. Of course, adults are welcome! Please try this dance! ” said Nakaya enthusiastically about her new project. “Along with Gamba, we hope this will give energy to those who watch it!”
“Boukenshatachi: Gamba to 15 hiki no Nakama” is a children’s book that was published in 1972 and in 1975, then adapted as an anime. This work tells the story of mouse named Gamba and his friends, who uses their courage and wit to fight an opposing rival family of weasels.
In the “Ee Janaika” PV, the two members of AKB48 will be wearing mouse ears while performing with a CG Gamba. Fans will get to see Nakaya and Tanabe dress up in kindergarten uniforms, chef costumes, and even swim suits. The DVD included with the release features talento Papaya Suzuki, who will teach the choreography in a video clip called, “Choreography-hen”.
“In this work, you can see us in a new light unlike in AKB. We will make our appearance if as we were characters [from the book]. There are also a lot of cute costumes as well!” said Tanabe about her latest work. When asked about the dance, she responded, “It was easy to learn it and boys and girls of all ages can dance to it cutely. It’s perfect for a sports day at a kindergarten and elementary school.”
“BABY GAMBA” is scheduled to make an appearance in the Tohoku region from September 17th ( it's my b'day >_< ) to the 19th.

Listen to radio rip of Berryz Kobou’s “Otona ni wa Naritakunai, Hayaku Otona ni Naritai”

Berryz Koubou’s new song “Otona ni wa Naritakunai, Hayaku Otona ni Naritai“, the B-side track to their upcoming 27th single, “Aa, Yo ga Akeru“, was recently revealed on the radio.

Radio rip of Kato Miliyah’s “Me” revealed!

tokyohive previously reported that singer Kato Miliyah would be releasing a ‘best-of’ album in August titled “M BEST“. Comprised of many of her top hits, the album also contains a brand-new track called “Me“.
A radio rip of this new song was revealed recently, and it’s sounding like a strong track expressing Miliyah’s strength and confidence as a woman.