Soaring Japanese boy band BE:FIRST hit No.1 US Billboard Hot Trending Songs triumph with release of ‘Scream’, the lead single from upcoming debut album ‘BE:1’! Music video also released!

BE:1 Jacket Cover

Having taken the No.1 spot on the US Billboard Hot Trending Songs chart, the soaring Japanese boy band BE:FIRST are preparing to release their long-awaited debut album BE:1 on August 31, 2022. But fans won’t have to wait to hear new music from BE:FIRST – they have now released ‘Scream’, the lead single from the album, along with a music video.

‘Scream’ is an intense exhilarating dance track that shows a challenging new side of BE:FIRST. The song is produced by the power duo of SUNNY BOY, known for songs for artists including BTS, BLACKPINK, BIGBANG, 2NE1, Namie Amuro, Daichi Miura, and SKY-HI; and Maxx Song, the leading K-pop producer behind BoA, Red Velvet, TWICE and more. The track features lyrics by SKY-HI that proclaim the dawn of a new era – perfectly fitting for the lead single from the debut album BE:1.

The track is accompanied by an energetic music video based on the idea of “returning to the new normal” in a world where self-restraint and other limitations still continue; it interprets the title ‘Scream’ as a thirst for liberation, with visuals that show the catharsis of loudly screaming one’s desires. The video tells the story of the members of BE:FIRST overcoming the oppressive world of “walls”, “rules” and “fear”, to face the future and advance to the highest stage. 

The dance elements were choreographed by Kazuki (s**t kingz), who took first place in the leading United States dance contest BODY ROCK in 2010 and 2011 as a member of s**t kingz. Look out for dance performances that showcase the energy of the group and the cool series of individual shots that highlight the skills of each member.

BE:FIRST’s official YouTube account has already surpassed an astonishing 200 million views despite its opening seven short months ago. In addition to music videos, dance practice videos, and livestreams, the channel also features the ‘You’re My “BESTY”’ series, which shows a glimpse of each member’s unique character and natural vibes. Videos in the series are subtitled in multiple languages so that fans around the world can appreciate the charms of BE:FIRST first-hand, as well as listen to their music.

Be sure to check out the music video for ‘Scream’ below along with the streaming link for the track here!

TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE release music video for ‘Viva La Koigokoro’, the lead song from 6th album ‘Nocturnal’!

Since their debut on May 5, 2010, Japanese idol group TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE have made leaps and bounds, building up an impressive career that has included two performances at the legendary Nippon Budokan, energetic performances in Japan and overseas, and repeated headline shows in Taipei and Hong Kong – building a loyal global fan base thanks to their strong music sense. From disco funk to EDM, Future House, city pop and more, TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE have released high-quality songs in a wide range of genres, which, combined with their pursuit of new possibilities for dance and vocals, has made them an acclaimed girl group.

Back on July 13, this four-piece girl group released a music video for ‘Viva La Koigokoro’, the lead song from their upcoming album ‘Nocturnal’. The song tells a tale of unrequited love and heartbreak as deep as the seabed, but ends with a positive sense of moving on. This reflects the track’s hope-filled title, which translates as ‘Long Live Love’. The song’s mature pop-rock sound conjures images of the city of Tokyo, and it marks a bold new direction for TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE.

The breathtaking music video echoes this atmosphere, showing the members of TOKYO GIRLS’ STYLE against a nighttime backdrop of Tokyo, and it contrasts the girls’ grown-up melancholy expressions with their darkly romantic outfits adorned with plenty of frills that showcase their cute side. The choreography was handled by KENZO from DA PUMP.

A dance-based lyric video for ‘Viva La Koigokoro’ was also released below so don’t miss it along with the streaming link here!

Following Anime Expo 2022 success, Japanese multidimensional music project Arcanamusica makes manga debut this summer!

Arcanamusica, the multidimensional media-mix collaboration project from Shueisha and avex, will be made into a manga this summer.

When the mysterious music app named Arcanamusica suddenly appears on smartphones out of nowhere, the five protagonists Shizuka Kawawa, Gakunoshin Maimiya, Riku Shibuyoshi, Itsuku Igashima and Kazuki Jujo are given their new “Arcana names” (AN), making them RiZ, DarkPalace, Shibukichi, Ikkun and Rejje, and we follow each of them as they pursue their ambitions as singers and streamers. The manga version will depict the truth behind the app and the secrets held by the five lead characters, as the mysteries behind Arcanamusica are gradually revealed...

With the cooperation of ‘Ikémen Series’ game developer CYBIRD Co., Ltd., Arcanamusica featured in a series of commercial spots during Anime Expo 2022, which ended on July 4; the spots sparked a huge reaction, especially from outside of Japan.

In addition, Arcanamusica will participate in Animate Girls Festival 2022, Japan’s largest culture festival, which will be held in Tokyo’s Ikebukuro district in November. Arcanamusica will have both an exhibition booth and a stage appearance at the event. For further information, check out the festival’s official website and Twitter account.

Be sure to check out ‘My Song’ below!

Viral Smash ‘CIKI CIKI BAM BAM’, the Opening Theme to Hit Anime Series ‘Ya Boy Kongming!’, Gets Mind-Blowing New Music Video from Girl Group QUEENDOM

“CIKI CIKI BAM BAM” Jacket Cover

©︎Yuto Yotsuba.Ryo Ogawa.Kodansha／"Ya Boy Kongming!" Production Committee.

‘CIKI CIKI BAM BAM’, the opening theme to hit anime series ‘Ya Boy Kongming!’ by Japanese girl group QUEENDOM, finally has a music video – and it will blow your mind.

QUEENDOM are a five-girl group made up of lol members hibiki and moca, FAKY members Akina and Taki, and GENIC member Maria Kaneya, who formed specially to perform the opening theme to ‘Ya Boy Kongming!’. The result is ‘CIKI CIKI BAM BAM’. The anime series recently aired its finale and has received huge acclaim from all corners of the globe, and its theme song has similarly taken the world by storm.

The shorter ‘TV Version’ of ‘CIKI CIKI BAM BAM’ has already entered the charts in several countries, and the video featuring the short version over the anime series opening visuals has exceeded 10.4 million views on YouTube. The song has blasted out of Japan and hooked fans all over the world with its addictive melody and choreography, inspiring a flood of videos on TikTok and YouTube – with fans dancing, singing and performing to create their own takes. 

In comments on YouTube and on social media, fans have cried out for a full-length music video from QUEENDOM, and now at last it is here. The incredible new music video is a mind-blowing explosion of color, with a camp party vibe that will make you want to dance just by looking at it.

In addition, a separate full-length animated video featuring scenes from ‘Ya Boy Kongming!’ has also been released. The video includes a reference to the season finale that fans of the anime will enjoy, so please check out this video too along the streaming link for the track here!

Void_Chords Releases Beyond Selves, the Opening theme of RWBY Ice Queendom

“Beyond Selves” Jacket Cover

Void_Chords, AKA Ryo Takahashi, an artist who has worked on the soundtracks of numerous popular anime, including Sing a Bit of Harmony, Arifureta: From Commonplace to World’s Strongest, and  ACCA: 13-Territory Inspection Dept., has released “Beyond Selves,” the theme song for the TV anime RWBY Ice Queendom, which began airing on July 3.

RWBY Ice Queendom was created as a Japanese answer to the animated web series RWBY. RWBY, which was in turn inspired by Japanese anime, was produced by Rooster Teeth Productions in the U.S. and has been running since 2012. It is extremely popular in North America, so expectations for this anime are high.

“Beyond Selves,” the opening theme song of RWBY Ice Queendom, was produced by Void_Chords and features the singer L as a guest artist. It is a highly accomplished song with a grand and sophisticated Void_Chords sound that will delight not only fans of the anime but also music fans in general. A teaser music video is available on Void_Chord’s official YouTube channel for your viewing pleasure.

Be sure to check out the teaser trailer along with the streaming link for the track here!