MyAnimeList to Hold 2nd English Web Novel Contest “MAL x Honeyfeed Writing Contest (2022)”

MyAnimeList has announced that it will hold its 2nd English web novel writing contest titled “I Was Browsing MAL as Usual Then I Realized My Web Novel Could Become Manga” or simply “MAL x Honeyfeed Writing Contest (2022).” The three prompt boards for this round will be School, Rom-Com, and Cyberpunk. There will be a US$3,000 prize for each prompt board, for a total prize pool of US$9,000. The contest will start on June 1, 2022, and the winning entries will be announced in December 2022.

The contest will be held in collaboration with Honeyfeed, an English web novel community operated by qdopp, Inc., and winning entries will be chosen by a panel of judges and a user vote. Winning entries will also be reviewed by Kodansha Ltd. for possible publication and/or comicalization.

This contest was inspired by the voices of international anime fans on MyAnimeList. Many anime fans feel that only Japanese-authored works have a realistic chance of becoming anime, while foreign-authored works stand little to no chance. This contest was created as a stepping stone to fulfilling that dream of someday having one’s ideas made into an anime in Japan.

This contest will also contribute to spreading Japan’s anime culture even further and deeper than ever before. We believe there is a need to create an ecosystem where overseas anime fans can not only watch finished products but also contribute to the anime creation process.

Contest Schedule (may be subject to change)

Entry Period: June 1 to September 1, 2022

Judges Voting Period: September 2 to November 2, 2022

Public Voting Period (Finals): November 3 to November 30, 2022

Winner Announced: December 12, 2022

Ayumi Hamasaki Tells A Story with Latest Release!

“Nonfiction” Digital Jacket Cover

Pop Diva Ayumi Hamasaki has released her latest single “Nonfiction” back in April. The single was announced on April 8 to celebrate the 24th anniversary of Hamasaki’s debut; it is a pioneering dance track with an R&B groove, composed by Hisashi Koyama and arranged by tasuku. This powerful song leaves a deep impression, containing an intense message for all of us living in the modern age.

The eye-catching music video, which was released on the same day, features a dance space drenched in pink, as well as the swanky presidential suite of a hotel. The video switches between these two contrasting worlds, sometimes appearing inorganic, sometimes aggressively expressive. Hamasaki radiates beauty and splendor in each scene, while her dancers move around her with expertly calculated choreography. Hamasaki herself is so confident in this video that she described it in an Instagram post as “a super-luxurious masterpiece rarely seen in recent years”.

Hamasaki also held a 24th anniversary concert at Pia Arena MM in Yokohama on April 6, titled ‘ayumi hamasaki ASIA TOUR ~24th Anniversary special @PIA ARENA MM~’. At the show, Hamasaki performed her debut single ‘poker face’, as well as the song ‘from your letter’ that was included on her first album ‘A Song for ××’ but has never before been performed live, the fan favorite classic ‘SCAR’ and even the new single ‘Nonfiction’. The concert was an unforgettable document of Ayumi Hamasaki’s soul-stirring songs throughout her 24-year career so far. A DVD and Blu-ray of this performance will be released on July 1, so be sure to check it out.

It has been 24 years since the release of Ayumi Hamasaki’s debut single ‘poker face’ on April 8, 1998. This unique artist continues to push the boundaries of music, so keep your eyes on Ayumi Hamasaki.

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

MAN WITH A MISSION Brings Out More to Say With Latest Release!

“More Than Words” Digital Jacket Cover

Superstars MAN WITH A MISSION have released their brand new single “More Than Words“, the latest song to be taken from their forthcoming album Break and Cross the Walls II out 27 May via our friends at JPU Records.“More Than Words”, available to download / stream now, is a danceable and dynamic rock song featuring vocals in both English and their native tongue which focus on the need for unity and togetherness to succeed. The single is the main theme song for Radiation House: the Movie, which will be released in Japan this weekend. The English trailer for the film is available to watch below. MAN WITH A MISSION bassist and songwriter Kamikaze Boy has a special connection with the song and says, "It’s about people sharing thoughts and feelings, even though they have a hard time exchanging words."

“More Than Words” is the latest MAN WITH A MISSION single to join the Radiation House franchise, following their 2019 hit single “Remember Me“ featuring in the soundtrack for the Japanese TV show. The song's official music video has also been watched over 24 million times on YouTube.

As modern-day Japanese cultural icons, further MAN WITH A MISSION songs from the forthcoming 14-track album have been selected for syncs across film, TV, gaming and sport including; “Blaze”, the opening theme from the TV anime Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans Special Edition, “Perfect Clarity” from last year’s movie Hinomaru Soul-Behind the Scenes Heroes, “All You Need” featured song in the game app A.I.M. $ -All you need Is Money and “Tonight Tonight” which was the theme song for the X Games Chiba 2022 Presented by Yogibo. The album is the companion work to Break and Cross the Walls I, released last November, whose cover showed the five wolves playing chess; the dominant shades – black and white – representing the conflicts occurring all over the world at this time.

On Break and Cross the Walls II, the album reflects a world bursting into colour – from conflict to harmony, with a striking visual image – five wolves in paint-splattered, multi-coloured jumpsuits creating a new world of hope and peace!

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

Gray's Ongaku Go For April 2022

Picking up after Ken and Luna, we’re down our another month in 2022, and we at Ongaku to You would like our readers to know what has been filling our ears for the past month. Each track is available across all digital music streaming platforms with Apple Music being featured on this site.

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“Mixed Nuts” by Offical HIGE DANdism

This is a very interesting track by Offical HIGE DANdism. Their latest release is pretty different from their usual stuff but I’m really enjoying this track overall. Also I’m really wanting to watch the anime that is using this song as its opening, SPY x FAMILY. 

Check out “Mixed Nuts” here and the music video below.

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“Gomen Ne” by BiSH

The latest release by probably my favorite alternative idol group is really nice and reminds me of their early work. Definitely been enjoying this one.

Check out “Gomen Ne” here and the music video below.

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“Sami Dare Yo” by Sakurazaka46

It’s about time this group released a decent song. That being said this song feels very much in the vein of Nogizaka46 which really makes me wonder why this group excites if their best song would just slide into a Nogizaka46 playlist and not be noticed at all. Still, this track is great and I really enjoyed it.

Check out “Sami Dare Yo” here and the music video below.

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“Sachiare” by Naniwa Danshi

I have been staying on top of this group since they debuted and they just keep on impressing me. This track is so much fun, and just a delight to listen to. I’m excited to see what these guys do next.

Check out “Sachiare” in the the music video below.

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“Beautiful Sunset” by GENERATIONS from Exile TRIBE

My new job has made it hard for me to find new stuff to listen to and I’m still rocking Up & Down. I’ve been in love with this song for a while and it is one of my favorite tracks on the album. Definitely one track I recommend for anyone looking for something a bit more laid back. 

Check out “Beautiful Sunset” here and the music video below.