Ren Takada Brings A Sweet New Soundtrack with Upcoming Release from the Hit Show Deaimon!

Deaimon

©RIN ASANO/緑松

The TV anime Deaimon, a story of bonding through wagashi (Japanese sweets) set in an old confectionary store in Kyoto, is currently airing in Japan. It has been announced that an original soundtrack, which will contain 44 background and insert songs from the anime, will be released on June 22, 2022.

The music was produced by Ren Takada, a talented string instrumentalist who has composed music for numerous films, dramas, stage shows, and commercials. At the 59th Japan Record Awards, he received an excellence award for his 2017 album Night Riders Blues. 

In addition to BGM tracks, the album will also include insert songs such as “Joyo Manju no Uta,” which is sung by protagonist Nagomu Irino (played by Nobunaga Shimazaki), and “Yae ni Saku,” which was written and composed by Ayano Tsuji and sung by Mitsuru Horikawa (played by Minori Suzuki). The CD cover will feature an illustration by the original manga author Rin Asano.

Be sure to pre order the soundtrack below!

Standard edition

Singing Cosplayer Hikari covered the vocaloid song ‘Yorunaderu Menou’, with lyrics and music by Ayase from YOASOBI.

Singing cosplayer Hikari, who has been active worldwide as a cover singer of anime songs and vocaloid songs, mainly covering J-POP, covered the vocaloid song ‘Yorunaderu Menou’. The song has lyrics and music originally created by Ayase from YOASOBI. The song has been streaming to the world through various music and video streaming sites since April. In this music video, she tried to play the role in dramatic storytelling scenes for the first time. Taiyo Kobayashi is the other actor in the music video. He is also an actor on Japanese reality TV love drama as well as being very popular as a TikToker.

In the later part of the drama, Singing Cosplayer Hikari began to cry spontaneously in a very natural way because she was so invested and committed to the storyline of the drama. The fans can see her passionate side in this music video. The cover photo of the music streaming is a shot of her crying.

Singing cosplayer Hikari has been very actively performing since the new year of 2021. She has been covering J-POP including anime songs and vocaloid songs. She has been promoting Japanese culture to the world with her performance and cosplaying.

She covered a vocaloid  song called  ‘Yume To Hazakura’, lyrics and music by Gekkoh Aoki, on 20th of April 2021. The song has ranked No.1 in 14 countries and it still is high ranking on J-POP charts in the world. Her YouTube videos have been viewed more than 2.49 million times, and the remix versions of this cover song have been released in Japan, Indonesia and Vietnam. She released the cover song ‘Muscle Please!’ from Yoshimoto Music on the 26th of January, 2022. It was a collaboration with Nakayama Kinni-kun, the bodybuilder and comedian. This song was the ending theme song of a popular TV program in Japan by the end of March. The music video and related video about the behind the scenes making of the video, as well as dance choreography video have been viewed over 2.55 million times in 3 months since its release.

The song ranked 6th (highest) on the LINE MUSIC music video weekly chart, the 3rd on USEN requested J-POP ranking charts in February 2022 and is also ranked 3rd on Indonesian radio DJFM, J-POP weekly charts (on the 2nd of April 2022). The streaming views of Apple Musix are 5 times more than her own cover song of ‘Yume To Hazakura’. This is her best hit so far as shown by the music streaming numbers.

Furthermore, she has been picked to be a regular hostess for the new radio show called “ANIME SONGS PARTY!” on Nippon Cultural Broadcasting on the 3rd of April 2022. This radio program is on air from 20:30 to 20:45(JST) every Sunday. The official channel of this program is on YouTube and it will be releasing on various YouTube channels including Manga News (France), ANIME NEWS NETWORK (North America), HYPER JAPAN (U.K.) and GwiGwi (Indonesia).

There was an announcement that she is going to join the JAPAN EXPO 2022, which is the biggest Japanese culture festival in the world. The event will take place in Parc des Expositions de Paris-Nord-Villepinte, Paris France from Thursday the 14th of July to Sunday the 17th of July. They are expecting more than 250,000 audiences in 4 days.  She is performing there as a singer and also as a cosplayer. This is her second appearance in the worldwide event since HYPER JAPAN ONLINE 2021, which is the biggest Japanese culture event in the U.K. However, this will be the first ever event she will join in front of audiences.

Also on Saturday the 14th of May from 16:00 to 17:00 (JAPAN TIME), she is going to join the radio show called, MUTEKI, which is on the French radio Radio Canut (Lyon, 102.2FM) live. She is going to talk about how she feels joining the JAPAN EXPO in France and about her cover song ‘Yorunaderu Menou’. Please check this out!

Be sure to check out the music video below along with the streaming link here!

New dance music brand FUTUREmode launched by avex, with three tracks including ‘Shiny Starting Line’ by YUC’e as first releases!

Japan’s pioneering record label avex, which has created numerous dance music movements including SUPER EUROBEAT and Cyber TRANCE, launched new dance music brand FUTUREmode on Wednesday, April 20. The project’s first three tracks were released over three consecutive days.

FUTUREmode is a new kind of dance music brand that presents talented artists and producers from genres that have evolved uniquely both within the music scene and within Japan – genres with a rich pool of talented artists such as future bass, kawaii future bass and melodic dubstep.

The project launched this week with the following three releases, each of which was accompanied by a music video on FUTUREmode’s YouTube channel:

Wednesday, April 20: YUC’e – ‘Shiny Starting Line’

Thursday, April 21: you – ‘Kimochi Switch’

Friday, April 22: chamrass – ‘Urban Nostalgia’

FUTUREmode’s first track – was “Shiny Starting Line” by YUC’e, a multi-creative artist who handles everything from songwriting to vocals. YUC’e is a globally active artist: Half of her audience on Spotify are based outside of Japan, mainly in the United States. “Shiny Starting Line” is a portal to YUC’e’s world, with lyrics that express the new start we associate with spring – and, of course, the start of this exciting new brand. It is a song that combines the signature sound YUC’e has cultivated with the feeling of expectation that comes with a new beginning.

The second release is by you, an artist based in Tokyo whose motto is to create “sounds that make listeners happy”, and who has provided songs for PC and mobile games, rhythm games, idols, VTubers, pro gaming teams and more, while also hosting his own DJ events.

The track begins with a mellow lo-fi hip-hop intro that suddenly changes to light future bass at the sound of a flicking switch. This unusual fusion of contrasting genres results in a unique song that sounds like nothing else. The future bass part will make you dance without even realizing it, shaking out the stiffness in your mind and body.

The third track is the first ever release by new producer chamrass. Within urban electronic sounds, we hear the occasional click of a shutter, the twittering of birdsong. It’s an emotional and nostalgic dance track that you can listen to on an endless loop, mixing urban and sentimental vibes with a feeling of melancholy.

Be sure to check out lyric video for “Shiny Starting Line” below!

Vicke Blanka Goes Through Changes in Latest Release!

“Changes” Jacket Cover

Vicke Blanka’s new single “Changes” was released globally this past week across all digital music streaming platforms.“Changes” is the ending song to ‘La Revanche des Crevettes Pailletées’ (‘Revenge of The Shiny Shrimps’), the sequel to hit French movie ‘The Shiny Shrimps’. The new film was released in France today, and the ending song will also be included when the film is released globally. “Changes” was written especially for the movie; Vicke Blanka delivers lyrics with a message about embracing change, singing a characteristic melody line in his beautiful falsetto voice. In the cover photo, Vicke Blanka has cut his trademark shoulder-length hair short as he touchingly sheds a tear.

Vicke Blanka said of the new single, “It’s a song about change. I wrote the lyrics while reflecting on how all of us want to change, how I want to change, how some things need to change, and how some things need to be changed. I’m honored to be involved in such an important movie.”

During the production process, Vicke Blanka exchanged emails in English with the film’s French directors, Cédric Le Gallo and Maxime Govare, to discuss the details. Of the directors, Vicke Blanka said, “I feel grateful for their clear opinions. The communication went very smoothly – which is probably to be expected, because all of us wanted to make the film as good as it could possibly be.” The directors also praised Vicke Blanka. “Vicke Blanka always put the needs of the film first, and he truly understood the emotions the film required,” said Le Gallo. Govare added, “Following our communication with Vicke Blanka, he provided the perfect song to close the film’s two hours of intense emotion. The song will find many dedicated fans in France!” On the same day, the music video for “Changes” was also released.

As indicated by the word “changes”, the video features magnificent and beautiful imagery that expresses how a change can provide the catalyst to resolve a situation that had previously held us back. Not only does this release act as a bridge between France and Japan, but it also marks a moment of “change” in the career of Vicke Blanka, whose work through music and now film will continue to send a message of encouragement to listeners all over the world.

La Revanche des Crevettes Pailletées is the sequel to The Shiny Shrimps, which was released in March 2019 and was a No.1 hit in France, as recorded by IMDb’s Box Office Mojo. The series depicts the real-world gay water polo team from France, the Shiny Shrimps. The sequel will be released in Japan on Friday, October 28, 2022. The new film follows the uniquely quirky members of the Shiny Shrimps as they travel to Japan to participate in the latest edition of the Gay Games, the world’s largest LGBTQ+ sports and culture festival. It is an exciting road movie filled with hilarity and drama.

In addition, Vicke Blanka will hold a national tour in Japan, titled THE TOUR ‘Vicke Blanka’. It will be the artist’s largest tour to date, taking in seven cities around Japan from August 27 through October 30. It will be exciting to witness the stage performance of Vicke Blanka as he celebrates the fifth anniversary of his major-label debut.

Be sure to check out the music video “Changes” below along with the streaming link for the track here!

“YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X” Join us! You’re the next super star! Go global together! “Nothing is Impossible!”

With the strongest members from Japan to the world, a boy band audition to discover the next superstar - produced by YOSHIKI.

YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X

We’ve got massive response, with some days receiving about 1,000 applications! With number of demands for extension of the application period, we’ve decided to accept additional applicants! Group (multiple-member) application is also accepted!

The detail of the audition is being revealed gradually!Two groups may debut - a dance & vocal group, and a band. Worldclass specialists from different genre will be gathered as a training team! YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X YOSHIKI as a producer, the audition to find and develop the world’s next iconic a boy band will be accepting additional applicants starting noon on Monday, April 11. This time in response to many inquiries, applicant as a band or a group is also accepted. During the online meeting on March 31 between YOSHIKI in LA and NTV audition staff broadcasted live on YOSHIKI CHANNEL, they discussed about the day they received about 1,000 applications in a single day, and also about the messages they were receiving such as “application period is too short,” “I’m not sure what kind of video to take,” and so on. In response, YOSHIKI brought up an idea of additional call for application, and the details were released today.

Also during the program, YOSHIKI expressed his vision about the group saying, “I have a feeling two different groups may debut; a dance & vocal group and a band.” He also said, “After meeting applicants in person, my ideas may change - and in that sense, this audition is a collaboration of applicants and us.” He also quoted about his detailed plans about their debut, “At this point, we’re looking at the timing sometime between the end of this year and spring, and I also want to prepare the right stage for that day.”

About the training team for the group, YOSHIKI says “I’m reaching out to worldwide specialists in various genre: for instance, people like fashion experts and voice trainers.” YOSHIKI has lived in Hollywood for some time and has a wide network of contacts worldwide, and therefore a strongest team possible is planned to be put together. YOSHIKI seems to be gradually watching the performances of the applicants. He comments,“Maybe I can set aside some time to watch all the performances with a hachimaki wrapped around my head (laugh)!” He also shared his surprising episode of him meeting an applicant who was a staff of the restaurant he went in LA.

For upcoming auditions, he’s now trying to set his schedule so that he can meet the applicants in person. As of the selection criteria, according to YOSHIKI, “ I will be cooperating with specialists of each genre, but I am an artist myself and also a producer, and I do wide range of music from rock to classic. So, for instance, I may notice something other great producers may not notice. From the perspective as a rock musician, I may find things in a dance & vocal group which professional dancers may not find. I have confidence in my keen eye for finding new talent.”

To this day, YOSHIKI has challenged “the existing concept of what is normal” and created a new era. With his keen eye to find true talent, this time as a producer, we can’t wait to see how he will deal with the applicants, with what kind of criteria he uses for selection, and finally, what kind of a boy band he will produce – this reality show sets itself apart from the many other audition programs looking for new talents.

With strongest members from Japan to the world – YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X – YOSHIKI as a producer, this competition series will be aired on “Sukkiri” and “Gyoretsu no dekiru sodanjo” (NTV) and also streamed on Hulu.

Please check our official website for details on additional applications, beginning noon on Monday, April 11.

≪YOSHIKI’s comment≫

Thank you for all of you who already applied. We are finding lots of wonderful performances. As I have experienced, going through audition is a tough procedure, forcing you to compete. You need to be strong mentally, and there will be number of challenges you’ll face. It’s so easy to give up, but including myself, I chose the tough way and moving forward on this path. I look forward to meeting such people through this audition.

As in the title “Superstar,” our staff and I are all working together so we can bring out a superstar to the world, so even if you aren’t sure about yourself, please don’t hesitate! I am so excited to meet all of you.

≪Audition Outline≫

Audition name: “YOSHIKI SUPERSTAR PROJECT X”

First recruitment for a boy band: March 1 ~ March 31, 2022 (application now closed)

Additional recruitment for a boy band: Monday, April 11 noon ~ Friday, May 20 23:59

Official website: https://yoshikisuperstar.com/en/

Official Twitter: @ yoshiki_s_star

Official Instagram: @yoshikisuperstar

Official TikTok: @yoshikisuperstar