A.B.C-Z Brings the Summer Song to Fans with Upcoming Single!

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Popular five-member Johnny’s boys group A.B.C-Z announced that they will be releasing a brand new single, “夏と君のうた” (“Natsu to Kimi no Uta”), September 1. This will be their latest release since “Nothin’ but funky” back in April and will be their 11th single overall. This track is set to be the theme song of the drama 痴情の接吻 (Chijo no Seppun) starring member Ryosuke Hashimoto. The track is composed by Tamio Okuda, written by Kazuhiro Ozawa, of the comedian duo Speed Wagon, and arranged by Motoki Funayama. Regarding the provision of this song, Okuda said, "Thanks to the lyrics, I think the song is amazing so thank you, Mr. Ozawa!" Ozawa said, "My favorite people make songs, and my favorite people sing. It was a very happy time for me to write the lyrics for this work”. The single will release with three editions: a CD-only standard edition and two limited editions lovingly called Type A and B that will come with a bonus DVD. Type A’s DVD will come with the music video for “Natsu to Kimi no Uta” along with a behind the scenes making of, while Type B will have a mysterious featurette titled Natsu to ○mi no Uta. 

As we look forward to the upcoming release, be sure to check out their latest music video “花言葉” (“Hana Kotoba”) along with all three editions of “Natsu to Kimi no Uta” with a bonus bundle edition below!

Standard edition 

Limited edition Type A

Limited edition Type B

Bundle edition

A.B.C-Z「Natsu to Kimi no Uta」

Standard Edition 

CD

01. 夏と君のうた

02. Coupling Song C

03. Coupling Song D

04.「夏と君のうた」-Inst.-

05. Coupling Song C-Inst.-

06. Coupling Song D-Inst.-

Limited Edition Type A

CD

01. 夏と君のうた

02. Coupling Song A

03. Coupling Song A-Inst.-

DVD

01. 「夏と君のうた」Music Clip

02. Making of「夏と君のうた」Music Clip & Jacket Shooting

Limited Edition Type B

CD

01. 夏と君のうた

02. Coupling Song B

03. Coupling Song BInst.-

DVD

・夏と○みのうた

JUNNA Teams Up with Minori Suzuki to Sail the Seas in Upcoming Single!

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The upcoming anime Fena: Pirate Princess will begin broadcasting in North America on Adult Swim’s Toonami block and streaming on Crunchyroll in August 2021. Its broadcast in Japan is slated to start in October 2021. 

B: The Beginning’s Kazuto Nakazawa creates a new tale of adventure in a unique world. Set in the 18th century, it is a romantic journey on the high seas with princesses, samurai, and pirates! 

The opening theme song “Umi to Shinju” will be produced by Yuki Kajiura, who is also handling the music within the anime, and sung by JUNNA. The ending theme song “Saihate” will be sung by Minori Suzuki. Excerpts from both songs can be heard in the second promotional video that was released today. 

Check out what the two artists have to say! 

JUNNA

JUNNA

JUNNA: 

I’m incredibly honored to be singing the opening theme song “Umi to Shinju” for the wonderful anime that Fena: Pirate Princess is. I’m thrilled to have the chance to work with Kajiura on this song. The first time I heard it, I was overcome with excitement and wondered what kind of story would start to unfold. While receiving directions from Kajiura in the recording studio and imagining the magnificent world of the anime, I put all of my determination into the song and sang my heart out. I would be so happy if you could feel the emotions of the characters setting off on their new adventure as you listen to the song. I hope that it becomes a song of courage that gives everyone who listens to it that extra little push of encouragement that they need. 

Minori Suzuki

Minori Suzuki

Minori Suzuki: 

“Saihate” was chosen as the ending theme because Director Nakazawa said it perfectly matched the world of Fena: Pirate Princess. I fell in love with this song the moment I heard it, so I’m incredibly grateful for this opportunity! I’m so happy! I’m sure that Fena’s beautiful innocence will give courage to many people. I can say with confidence that this is a great song! Through this anime, I hope it will spread across the seven seas and throughout the whole world! 

Minori Suzuki’s artist photo has been revamped. In a desolate landscape, she stares at you with a sombre expression on her face. What do the reflection of herself and the key she’s holding in her hand represent?

As we look forward to the upcoming release, be sure to check out the promotional video in question along with the pre-order links for for “Umi to Shinju” below!

Standard edition

Limited edition

JUNNA「Umi to Shinju」

 CD
 Umi to Shinju
Lyrics, composition, and arrangement by Yuki Kajiura
“Umi to Shinju” English version “the sea and a pearl”
Lyrics, composition, and arrangement by Yuki Kajiura and English translation by Joelle 

Includes two bonus tracks, plus three instrumental tracks 

Limited Edition Blu-ray

Music Video of Umi to Shinju
JUNNA ROCK YOU STREAMING LIVE 2021〜20×20〜Selection Concert 

1. Believe In Myself
2. Sky
3. FREEDOM~Never End~ 

4. La Vie en rose
5. Abayo Yesterday
6. Here 

7. Sora no Sumika
8. Namiuchigiwa
9. Sleepless
10. Kono Yubi Tomare -20×20 ver.
11. Ware wa Shousetsu Yori mo Kinari 

12. Ima 

Walküre Teases their Rebirth For Upcoming Album!

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During a special program called “#Let's watch the Air Walkure together!!!!! ~2nd LIVE 2017 Walküre wa Tomaranai~” which streamed on the official Macross YouTube channel, Walküre revealed new details about their upcoming 3rd album Walküre Reborn! 

Their first new album in five years, Walküre Reborn! is scheduled for release on October 13. It will feature new theme songs and insert songs from the upcoming Macross Delta The Movie: Absolute LIVE!!!!!!, which will be in theaters this fall, including “Walküre we Akiramenai” and new movie editions of “Mirai wa Onna no Tame ni Aru” and “Rune ni Hanasaku Koi mo aru,” which were originally released last year. In addition, five new solo songs written by each member will also be included, for a total of 12 songs. 

The cover illustrations for both the limited and standard editions were drawn by character designer Chisato Mita (Capcom), and the back covers feature photos of Walküre. The limited edition will come in a sleeve case with a Blu-ray that contains footage from Walküre LIVE TOUR 2020-2021 ~Walküre wa Akiramenai!!!!!~ taken at Zepp Haneda (Tokyo) on January 22. 

During the special program, a 1-chorus music video of “Walküre wa Akiramenai” was also revealed, and a teaser has been released on FlyingDog’s official YouTube channel. 

As we look forward to the upcoming release be sure to check out the teaser in question, along with the pre-order link for Walküre Reborn! below!

Standard edition 

Limited edition

Walküre「Walküre Reborn!」

CD

01. Kuchibiru no Toushou (Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute LIVE!!!!!! insert song) Lyrics/composition/arrangement: Hinako Tsubakiyama
02. Mirai wa Onna no Tame ni Aru -movie edition- (Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute LIVE!!!!!! insert song)
Lyrics: Yuho Iwasato, composition: Dai Saito, arrangement: Yusuke Shirato
03. Mugendai DRIVE
Lyrics/composition/arrangement: Kohei Dojima
04. Kikiwakenai!
Lyrics: Occhoko Bunny, composition: Takeshi Toriumi, arrangement: Kentaro Fujii
05. Madamania
Lyrics, composition/arrangement: Minoru Komorita
06. Kizuna → Spiral
Lyrics: Kenzo Saeki, composition/arrangement: Yoshimasa Terui
07. Aishiteru
Lyrics: Maaya Sakamoto, composition/arrangement: Katsutoshi Kitagawa, strings arrangement: Tansa
08. Tsurami Genzai Shinkoukei (Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute LIVE!!!!!! insert song)
Lyrics: Kohei Dojima, composition: Hikaru Sakurazawa, arrangement: Yusuke Shirato
09. Walküre wa Akiramenai (Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute LIVE!!!!!! insert song)
Lyrics: Miho Karasawa, composition/arrangement: Yusuke Kato
10. ALIVE ~Inori no Uta~ (Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute LIVE!!!!!! insert song)
Lyrics: Miho Karasawa, composition/arrangement: Yusuke Kato
11. Sora no Kakera (Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute LIVE!!!!!! insert song)
Lyrics: Naho, composition/arrangement: h-wonder, strings arrangement: Yusuke Kato
12. Rune ni Hanasaku Koi mo aru -movie edition- (Macross Delta the Movie: Absolute LIVE!!!!!! ED theme song)
Lyrics: Naoki Nishi, composition/arrangement: Minoru Komorita 

Limited Edition Blu-ray
Walküre LIVE TOUR 2020-2021 ~ Walküre wa Akiramenai ~ at Zepp Haneda (Tokyo) 01. Dancing in the Moonlight
02. Yokoso! Walküre World e
03. Zettai Reido θ Novatic
04. Hametsu no Junjou
05. MC1
06. Change!!!!!
07. Absolute 5
08. MC2 

09. Solo Medley 2021 (Namidame Bakuhatsuon→LOVE! THUNDER GLOW→Silent Hacker→Onya no Ko☆girll→Kaze wa Yokoku Naku Fuku→AXIA~Daisuki de Daikirai~)
10. GIRAFFE BLUES
11. Koi! Halation THE WAR 

12. MC3
13. Ikenai Borderline
14. Bokura No Senjou
15. Walküre Attack!
16. Ichido Dake no Koi Nara
17. Rune ga Pikatto Hikattara
18. MC4
19. Mirai wa Onna no Tame ni Aru
20. Walküre wa Akiramenai (encore)
21. Walküre wa Uragiranai
22. MC5
23. Rune ni Hanasaku Koi mo aru
Recorded on January 22, 2021 at Zepp Haneda (Tokyo) 

Hikari Teams Up with YouTuber Amelia Khor to Show Off a Different Type of Color!

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Amelia Khor

Amelia Khor

Singing Cosplayer Hikari", who has been active in introducing Japanese culture to the world by cosplaying anime and Vocaloid characters and singing covers of anime songs and Vocaloid songs, has collaborated for the first time with "Amelia Khor", a YouTuber who is also active in singing J-POP and cosplayin in Malaysia, and released a cover song video of ClariS' "Colorful" from the anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica on YouTube.

Singing Cosplayer Hikari sings a cover of ClariS' "Colorful" from her favorite anime Puella Magi Madoka Magica, and since ClariS is a duo, she decided to sing it as a duet. And she found a Malaysian YouTuber, Amelia Khor, who covers anime songs and J-Pop, and sent her a message in English, which she was still studying, and the collaboration was realized. The recording and video shooting were done separately in Japan and Malaysia, and the final product was completed by the Japanese staff.

Singing Cosplayer Hikari's comment: "I'm honored to have collaborated with Amelia-chan in my first collaboration video. I was genuinely moved by the fact that we were able to make a video together even though we were so far away, in Japan and Malaysia, and couldn't meet. We sang our favorite anime song together, and I hope you'll enjoy it."

Comment from Amelia Khor: "I’m so happy to get a chance to have a collaboration with Hikari-chan, really love her energetic and sweet voice. And she even send me a cute dress all over from Japan to Malaysia for this cover, I’m so impressed and appreciative with all the efforts! We will also have another song cover in my YouTube channel soon! Stay tune!"

Be sure to check out the video in questions below!

Official HIGEDANdism Brings a New Editorial with Upcoming Album!

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Four-member rock band Official HIGEDANdism announced that they will be releasing a brand-new album, Editorial, August 18. This will be the latest album release done by them since Traveler back in October 2019 and will be their second major-label album overall. Releasing with fourteen tracks total, the upcoming work will feature previously released songs, "I LOVE …,” and “Cry Baby,” along with new tune "Bedroom Talk," which was produced by the guitarist Daisuke Kosasa. Mabanua of the band Ovall and Kyohei Ariga participated in "Bedroom Talk" as arrangers. The album will come with three editions: a CD-only standard edition and two limited editions that will come with a bonus DVD/ Blu-ray. The limited edition will feature footage from their fan club concert, The Blooming Universe ONLINE, that took place back in April and will be available in Dolby Atmos as well for the Blu-ray edition. 

As we look forward to the upcoming release be sure to check out the music video for “Cry Baby”, along with the pre-order links for Editorial below!

Standard edition 

Limited edition DVD/ Blu-ray

Official HIGEDANdism「Editorial」

CD

01. Editorial

02. アポトーシス

03. I LOVE...

04. フィラメント

05. HELLO

06. Cry Baby

07. Shower

08. みどりの雨避け

09. パラボラ

10. ペンディング・マシーン

11. Bedroom Talk

12. Laughter

13. Universe

14. Lost In My Room

DVD / Blu-ray

Official髭男dism「Official髭男dism FC Tour Vol.2 - The Blooming Universe ONLINE -」

01. Second LINE

02. 異端なスター

03. ESCAPADE

04. What's Going On?

05. コーヒーとシロップ

06. Laughter

07. ゼロのままでいられたら

08. ダーリン。

09. 犬かキャットかで死ぬまで喧嘩しよう！

10. ブラザーズ

11. ノーダウト

12. 発明家

13. Universe

14. I LOVE...

15. Stand By You