Hi Minna-san,
Happy 4th July for any American readers or fans of the big U.S of A! Lots of more unsual news with info from award ceremony and artist-themed food …
Artist News
- Line Up Changes – Tomoka Wakabayashi will be graduating from SKE48, drummer Korey will be leaving Signal, Shoken is leaving Romancrew and Paradeis will be disbanding. On the plus side Velbet have new guitarists.
- Bassist of baroque, Bansaku, has been listed as an offical missing person, has he hasn’t been seen since 24/06/2012. I hope he’s found safe and sound soon.
- D are expanding their fanclub to international members.
- Kiryuuin Shou, vocalist of Golden Bomber, will release solo material in the autumn. He’ll also have a solo live, Hitori Yogari 2, on 08/07/2012, and will be shared via YouTube on 14/07/2012 (broadcasted in London at 12:00).
- Japanese convenience store FamilyMart has created a meat bun in the style of Hatsune Miku. Can you see the ressemblance?
- Mika Nakashima will be releasing the theme song for the Japanese release of the next Resident Evil film.
- Johnny’s Entertainment group NYC are now the campaign characters for SEGA’s indoor amusement park Joypolis.
- Utada Hikaru has twetted about writing a new song…about coriander.
Release News
- abingdon boys school will be making their first release in 2 and half years with the single WE aRE on 05/09/2012.
- The next single from Aqua Timez will be Tsubomi, out on 22/08/2012.
- GILLE major debut album I AM GILLE, out on 18/07/2012, will feature covers from a variety of artists, including AKB48, GReeeeN, Bruno Mars, Kimura Kaela, Adele and LMFAO.
- The theme song for anime Total Eclipse will be Koda Kumi‘s track Go to the top.
- Justice from MATENROU OPERA will be getting it’s European album release through Gan-Shin Records on 06/07/2012.
- SMAP‘s 48th single, Moment, will be TBS’s London Olympics theme song.
- ZAZEN BOYS will make their first release in 4 years with the album Stories.
- ZUCK will release their first album Iden Algorithm, produced by Janne Da Arc’s kiyo, on 18/07/2012.
Live News
- Alice Nine will be hosting 2 sets of lives this winter. Under the concert series Court of “9” #3, BLACK PERIOD will be exclusively for fan club members, whilst WHITE PERIOD will be open for non fan club members.
- Even though they split in August 2010, all 5 members of Ayabie reunited for one live on 29/06/2012, to celebrate the 15th anniversary of the live house Takadanobaba AREA in Tokyo.
- GReeeeN held their first fan event at NHK Shibuya Hall, whilst maintaining their private identities using virtual live technology.
- The MTV Japan Video Music Awards were held in Chiba on 23/06/2012. My favourite winners include Namie Amuro (Best Female Video for Love Story & Best Collaboration for make it happen), EXILE (Video of the Year for Rising Sun), KREVA (Best Hip Hop Video for Kijun), and hosts Perfume (Best Dance Video & Best Choreography for Laser Beam).
- NEWS will host their first nationwide tour in 3 and half years, starting in 14/08/2012.
Be Genki (^o^)y
Neo Kei 