On December 16, ACO will release her new album, “Valentine.” This is her first release since the dual release of the studio album “TRAD” and the live album “LIVE LUCK” in November 2013. ACO is currently celebrating the 20th anniversary of her debut. Today, she released the music video for the album’s closing track, “Miseinen.” The song is a collaboration with Shigeru Kishida of Quruli. Check it out after the jump!
On January 13, Kato Miliyah will release her new single, “FUTURE LOVER -Mirai Koibito-.” The song is an upbeat dance tune which samples Daft Punk’s 2000 hit “One More Time.” The song also borrows a bit from Miliyah’s 2010 song “HEART BEAT.” “FUTURE LOVER -Mirai Koibito-” will be a fusion of Miliyah and Daft Punk. Check out the covers and tracklist for this single after the jump!
At 7 PM JST on December 16, the second part of Fuji TV’s year end music show FNS Kayousai will air, titled FNS Kayousai THE LIVE. The show will be about 3 hours long. It’s hosted by Chisato Moritaka and Watabe Ken. Performers on the show include E-girls, Ikimonogakari, AKB48, EXILE, KAT-TUN, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Crystal Kay, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, JUJU, NEWS, Nogizaka46, Perfume, V6, Hoshino Gen, Morning Musume’ 15, Momoiro Clover Z, Gesu no Kiwami Otome., tofubeats, and many more.
Arama! Japan will be live streaming the show and hosting a chat as well so that readers can chat with each other during the show! Links to the show and the chat are after the jump!
On March 9, AKB48 will release their yet to be titled 43rd single. Today, the group held this year’s edition of their annual event, AKB48 Kohaku Uta Gassen, at Tokyo Dome City Hall. A special announcement was made at this event in regards to their upcoming single. It was announced that former members Atsuko Maeda, Yuko Oshima, Mariko Shinoda, and Tomomi Itano will be returning to the group for the new single. Soon to graduate member Minami Takahashi will also be participating in this single, even though the group’s single which was released last week, “Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby”, was dubbed her graduation single.
From December 10 – 13, this year’s Grand Prix Final took place in Barcelona, Spain. Japan sent 5 skaters to this competition. Japanese skaters won 1 gold medal, 1 silver medal, and 1 bronze medal at the event.
Yuzuru Hanyu won the men’s portion of the Grand Prix Final with a total score of 330.43, beating the combined score world record of 322.40 he set 2 weeks ago at NHK Trophy. Yuzuru’s short program was given a score of 110.95, the best of the night. This short program score beat the world record of 106.33, which he also set at this year’s NHK Trophy. “I’m satisfied with the program. I’m surprised too,” he said after the program. “I don’t care about the score alone, but this huge score makes me happy at the same time,” Yuzuru added. “I was so nervous but I was using that nervousness in a positive way. I am a little bit upset about my step sequence, though.”
The following day, Yuzuru had the best score of the free skate and set another world record. His free skate received a score of 219.48, besting the world record score of 216.07 he set at NHK Trophy 2 weeks ago. “I always want to perform my best and be No. 1,” he said afterwards. “I was putting pressure on myself from the world record at NHK, but during the free program I was released from the pressure. I thought I could do what I could, and I ended up performing quite well.” He continued, “I am feeling really good today, because everyone was supporting me. I owe my performance to the audience.”
Earlier today, this year’s edition of the Japan Yusen Taisho was held. The winner of the Grand Prize was Sandaime J Soul Brothers for their hit song “Summer Madness.” They beat out of the likes of AKB48, Nishino Kana, Nishiuchi Mariya, and Hikawa Kiyoshi for the win.
The full show is now available, featuring performances from AKB48, LoVendoЯ, Hikawa Kiyoshi, Sandaime J Soul Brothers, Nishiuchi Mariya, Nogizaka46, HKT48, NMB48, JUJU, Kumamushi, Nishino Kana and more. Check it out after the jump!
On December 16, Crystal Kay will release her new album, “Shine.” The third track on the album is a duet with Imaichi Ryuji of Sandaime J Soul Brothers, titled “Very Special.” It is a cover of Debra Laws’ 1981 hit of the same name. Crystal remembers the song from her parents playing it when she was a child. She wanted to cover the song in Japanese in an effort to teach the younger generations about the classics of R&B. Today, the music video for the song was released. It features Crystal and Ryuji recording the song in the studio, dressed in white. Check it out after the jump!
This week’s guests were Sexy Zone, Morning Musume ’15, E-girls, May’n, MACO, tricot, and THE ALFEE.
Sexy Zone – Colorful Eyes
Morning Musume ’15 – One and Only
E-girls – Merry x Merry XMas
May’n – Yoake no Logos
MACO – Kiss
Morning Musume ’15 – One Two Three (updated)
tricot – Pork Ginger
THE ALFEE – G.S. I Love You ~Ano Hi no Kimi e~