UPDATE: After this article was published, user taiyou-kan kindly pointed out that the news originated from less-than trustworthy source and is yet to be confirmed by people responsible for the Fullmetal franchise. Read the update at the bottom of the article for further details.
It is rumored that Hiromu Arakawa’s Fullmetal Alchemist is joining the ranks of live-adapted manga series. Daily Cyzo, a Japanese entertainment publication, reported that a live-action film adaptation of the action-fantasy manga is currently in development for a 2017 release; The filming is scheduled to run from June to August of 2016 in Italy. Fumihiko Sori (Ping Pong, Ashita no Joe) will direct the movie. Information about the movie’s cast are also out, read on below!
Two weeks ago, I went to 3 Japanese concerts in New York, 2 on Sunday night and 1 on Tuesday night. The first show was mitsume, the second show was Japan Nite (featuring REATMO, Tempalay, and Eimie), and the third show was Seiho. All of these acts were in the US because of SXSW, but they decided to stay longer and play some shows outside of the festival.
For this article, I interviewed mitsume, Japan Nite organizer Audrey Kimura, and Seiho. They gave insights into their American shows, as well as their thoughts on a relevant topic: Cool Japan.
April 4 is Utada Hikaru’s comeback day. She revealed 2 new songs today. The first new song is “Hanataba wo Kimi ni”, the theme song for NHK’s new asadaora “Toto Nee-chan.” The second song has now been revealed. It is titled “Manatsu no Tooriame” and serves as the ending theme for NTV’s news show, “NEWS ZERO.” Check out the song after the jump!
Hello!Project group C-ute continues to show their musical diversity with the release of their latest music videos “Why Do People Fight?” and “Life is STEP”.
In “Why Do People Fight” C-ute takes wardrobe inspiration from legendary American girl group “The Supremes”, the song starts off as a ballad but quickly transitions into a feel good upbeat number perfect for spring. “Life is STEP” is a catchy jazz inspired song with an impressive tap dance break.
Both songs will be released as a Triple-A side single on April 20th. The music video for the third a-side, “Summer Wind, has yet to be released. Check out the videos below!
Tonight, Music Japan ended after a 9 year run. The performers on the final episode were BABYMETAL, Perfume, and Nana Mizuki.
BABYMETAL – Road Of Resistance / Gimme Choco!! / Megitsune / KARATE / Ijime, Dame, Zettai / THE ONE -Unfinished Ver.-
Perfume – FLASH
Nana Mizuki – Exterminate /Shin’ai
Perfume – Electro World
This week’s guest was GACKT.
GACKT x Kanjani8 – ANOTHER WORLD
Ryuichi Sakamoto recently sat down with The Japan Times and discussed an array of topics, including his outlook post-cancer, techonological changes in the music industry, Cool Japan, the Tokyo Olympics, and Japan’s current state of mind.
Sakamoto recently returned to Japan perform at the Tokyo Opera City with the Tohoku Youth Orchestra. The orchestra is a 105-piece ensemble of young musicians from Iwate, Miyagi and Fukushima prefectures, which he musically directs. This concert was his first since surviving throat cancer in 2014.
“It’s the closest I’ve come to death during my lifetime,” he tells the newspaper, speaking the day after the Tohoku Youth Orchestra concert. “I feel differently since I came back from that place, compared to before. I want to capture the mood I have now, post-cancer, in my music.”
It has just been announced that Utada Hikaru will officially make her comeback with the two singles “Hanataba wo Kimi ni” and “Manatsu no Tooriame” on April 15th. Both songs will be broadcasted on April 4th as they will serve as the themes for the NHK drama “Toto Neec-han” and Nippon Television’s “NEWS ZERO.”
Catch more info and the drama version of “Hanataba wo Kimi ni” below!
