Millennium Parade to Perform OP and ED Themes of Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Season 2, PERIMETRON to Produce Opening Video!

Season 2 of Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045, the latest entry in the classic sci-fi series, is scheduled to release worldwide on Netflix in May 2022. The opening theme, “Secret Ceremony,” and the ending theme, “No Time to Cast Anchor,” will be performed by millennium parade, the artist responsible for “Fly with me,” the opening theme of season 1 and theme song of the film Ghost in the Shell: SAC_2045 Sustainable War. Millennium parade’s debut single, which included “Fly with me,” topped the Oricon Weekly Single Ranking upon its release, a first in the history of the series.

It was also announced that the opening video will be produced by PERIMETRON, a creative label that includes Daiki Tsuneta and other members of millennium parade, with direction by Shu Sasaki and Yuhei Kanbe, also members of millennium parade. It is extremely rare for the same artist to produce both the theme song and the opening video, demonstrating just how unique millennium parade is.

Continuing from season 1, the soundtrack will be composed by Nobuko Toda and Kazuma Jinnouchi, who also worked with directors Kenji Kamiyama and Shinji Aramaki on ULTRAMAN, with music by FlyingDog. In the season 2 trailer released this past week, you can listen to the opening theme “Secret Ceremony,” so please check it out.

Daiki Tsuneta of millennium parade commented as follows:

“Ghost in the Shell is very special to me. In one sense, it’s like a home ground for me, but at the same time, it’s a series that I’ll always admire. I’m delighted and honored to have been asked to work on season 2 of this latest entry in the classic sci-fi series. It feels like coming home!”

Ken's Ongaku Go For February 2022!

With the love-filled month of February passing us by, that means a brand-new Ongaku Go is here! We at OTY would like our readers to know what was filling our ears for the past month. Each track is available across all digital music streaming platforms, with Apple Music featured on this site.

---

“Midnight Pretenders feat Hikari” by Tokimeki Records

Originally done by the amazing vocalist Tomoko Aran, Tokimeki Records has been killing it once again with her updated renditions of classic J-pop tracks, and this was no different. While the original’s composition was ahead of its time, Tokimeki brings it to another modern level. Upon first listen I just fell in love with it and put it into my daily rotation immediately. Since I was first introduced to her last year, Tokimeki Records has been an artist I’ve loved, but she never got a chance to shine. I feel that 2022 will be her year, especially with the nostalgic feeling towards the City Pop genre on the rise as well.

Be sure to check out the lyric video for “Midnight Pretenders feat Hikari” below along with the song here!

---

“Watashi, Kekkon Surukamo” By This is LAST and Junwaidan

While this is my first introduction to Junwaidan, This is LAST has been killing it lately with their 2021 string of releases. Now, “Watashi, Kekkon Surukamo” is an amazing release really shows off how talented they are. While it might not be shaking up the box of standard rock in Japan, I absolutely needed it during my trips to LA. The high-energy composition is something I needed during the high-paced things I was doing during my ventures. With this strong release by This is LAST in the books, I can see that 2022 will be their breakout year.

Check out the lyric video below along with track here!

---

“Yuki Kagerou” by Midori Oka

My Enka Queen Midori Oka has finally released a lot of stuff digitally internationally, and I absolutely love it. With “Yuki Kagerou” being the first single available, this would be a must in my rotation. While Enka isn’t my forte genre, I absolutely loved my time listening to this release and can’t wait to see what other Enka songs and artists will be making their digital debuts. I absolutely can’t wait to hear more from Oka in the future, especially now that I’m able to easily listen to it.

Be sure to check out the track here!

---

“Dude” by Polkadot Stingray

While 2021 was a kind of slow year for Polkadot Stingray, if Dude has anything to tell about their upcoming year, I personally can’t wait to see how it unfolds. While not the most outlandish composition they’ve done, I have absolute respect for it, and it’s a solid base to build on. Polkadot Stingray is a group that I would love to see on the rebound in 2022, and with “Dude” I think they can do that.

Check out the music video for “Dude” below along with the song here!

---

“Sparkle” by Ikuta Lilas

While a solo female vocalist was the last thing that I would think I’d be adding into my Ongaku Go, “Sparkle” is an amazing track more people need to listen to. Everything from Ikuta’s vocals to the composition was absolutely amazing and drew me in upon every listen. While I was somewhat introduced to her via Fujifabric’s single “Tarinai Sukunai”, “Sparkle” changed my mind about this vocalist. I will definitely be anticipating her upcoming releases.

Be sure to check out the lyric video for “Sparkle” below along with the track here!

moeki Combines R&B and Lo-fi Beats on Fictional Movie Soundtrack Single ‘A Rainy Night in NY’

“A Rainy Night in NY” Jacket Cover

Hailing from Hokkaido, Japan, singer-songwriter moeki has released her fourth single, “A Rainy Night in NY”, on February 18. Although moeki has released tracks for four consecutive months since her debut in November 2021, this is her first to be sung in English. The song is the soundtrack to a fictional movie, and its combination of R&B and lo-fi beats shows a new side to this diverse young musician.

The music video is drawn and animated with a delicate touch by Japanese motion and graphic designer Tomoki, implementing line-drawn stick figures with a sparse use of color, leaving the impression of a movie scene.

Comment from moeki

“This song is the soundtrack to the fictional movie ‘A Rainy Night in NY’, which exists in my imagination as a film set in New York in the winter. On a cold winter night when the rain is about to turn to snow. Two people who cannot be separated, even though they should not be together. That’s the scene and the story. My songwriting and imagination were fueled by the recently released film ‘A Rainy Day in New York’, directed by Woody Allen – a film that I admire because it showcases his exquisite storytelling and his love for music. As well as the song itself, I think the music video is wonderful, so I hope you will enjoy them both.” – moeki

Be sure to check out the music video in question below, along streaming link for “A Rainy Night in NY” here!

FAKY LIVE 2022 #nofilter", A one-man Live Concert with A Live Audience will be Streamed Online for Overseas Fans Tonight!

Popular girl group FAKY is holding a one-man live concert called "FAKY LIVE 2022 #nofilter" with live audiences on Wednesday, 23 February 2022. In response to requests from overseas fans who can't make it to the venue, they have decided to broadcast the live one-man live performance to overseas audiences as well! Both of the daytime and nighttime performances will be streamed live!

For those who cannot view it in real-time, there will also be an archive of the event so don't miss out on this opportunity! In addition, the archived broadcast for overseas is a special version that includes the members' talk sessions. So after watching the live broadcast, don’t forget to watch the archived broadcast as well! Let's have a great time together online! 

You can purchase tickets at the following site!

https://ib.eplus.jp/index.php?dispatch=tour_group.view&id=523&time_key=1645154722&key=9eba9b5dea4dd671ac338c27a7ac9f41

Maaya Sakamoto Brings Double Trouble with Upcoming Releases!

Popular vocalist Maaya Sakamoto will be singing theme songs for two TV anime starting in April in Japan. The first is the opening theme for Deaimon, a story set in an old confectionery store in Kyoto. The title is “Sumire.” The lyrics were written by Sakamoto herself, and the composition and arrangement was done by Shigeru Kishida of Kururi, a Japanese rock band from Kyoto, matching the setting of the anime. Sakamoto has stated that she has always loved the band Kururi and was deeply moved by the collaboration. She will also be voicing Mari Yukihira, the mother of the anime’s heroine, Itsuka Yukihira.

The second song is “Kotoba ni Dekinai,” the ED theme for the third season of the popular anime Ascendance of a Bookworm, which has sold over 6 million copies (including e-books). Sakamoto commented, “This song is full of feelings of gratitude for irreplaceable people and places, and feelings that inspire you when you’re discouraged. In that sense, it’s a sad song but also one that allows you to positively move forward.” It is a fitting ending for the third season.

Comment from Maaya Sakamoto:

“Sumire” is the theme song of Deaimon. I wrote the lyrics and asked Shigeru Kishida of Kururi, a band that I’ve always loved, to handle the composition. I think that I was able to write very peaceful lyrics, guided by the warm melody. Sumire (Violets) are a common flower in everyday life, and you can even find them growing in gaps in concrete. They’re so small that you might overlook them, but they are actually very powerful and huddle together to bloom. I chose this title due to the characteristics that these flowers share with people. I’m delighted to have another precious song that I can continue singing into the future.

“Kotoba ni Dekinai” is the ending theme for the third season of Ascendance of a Bookworm, and I handled the lyrics and composition. This song is full of feelings of gratitude for irreplaceable people and places, and feelings that inspire you when you’re discouraged. In that sense, it’s a sad song but also one that allows you to positively move forward. People who are going through many new encounters and farewells as their environment changes this spring may be particularly able to identify with it. Please give it a listen.

As we look forward to both releases be sure to check out the lyric video of her fourth concept album Duets, below!