As previously announced, Kanjani8 will be releasing their new album with the theme of “energy!”, Kanjani8 no Genki ga Deru CD!! on November 11.

The full song of Nantoka Naru Sa provided by KANA-BOON has been previewed, as well as the new song Katte ni Shiagare provided by OKAMOTO’S. Kanjani8 member Maruyama Ryuhei played the main bass for the recording of the new song while OKAMOTO’s Hama played support.

In addition, the group will be releasing their new single “Samurai Uta” on December 2. The song is currently used as theme song for Nishikido Ryo’s drama “Samurai Sensei”. Rekishi (Ikeda Takafumi) produced the song, a straightforward love song that focuses on earnest and faithful feelings which are on the brink of being forgotten in modern times, the feeling of single- mindedly waiting to go out to battle and the power of the words “welcome home”.

Check out the latest previews of Nantoka Naru Sa, Katte ni Shiagare and Samurai Uta below.

It was announced that actress Ayase Haruka has been appointed as group moderator for the Red Team for this year’s NHK Kouhaku Uta Gassen. This is her second time hosting after 2 years. The camp of the actress received the notification a week ago and readily agreed to it.

Ayase is starring in NHK’s fantasy taiga “Moribito: Guardian of the Spirit” that will start airing March next year, for a period of 3 years. She was also the lead in the 2013 taiga drama “Yae no Sakura” and served as the red team moderator for the first time.

In previous years, the moderators for the Red and White team has been announced in mid-October. However there are several uncertainties this year. Earlier this month, there are talks that Tamori will serve as main MC, with the tandem of NHK’s morning show “Asaichi”, Yumiko Udo and V6’s Inohara Yoshihiko for the red and white team respectively. However, in the middle of this month, Tamori’s side declined. With this, the organizers are back to re-drawing their plans.

(via Nikkan Sports)

DE DE MOUSE (real name Daisuke Endo) has announced his fifth studio album farewell holiday! to be released on December 2nd. Coming three years after his last album sky was dark, the new work will contain elements of musicals, marches, jazz, and cartoon music, and will hearken to images of Christmas, amusement parks at night, suburbs, dreams and circuses. The cover art illustration for farewell holiday! was created by Akihiko Yoshida, best known as the character designer of Final Fantasy XII and Tactics Ouga, and who previously worked with DE DE for his third album A journey to freedom.

On November 25, Akai Koen will release their new single, “KOIKI.” This is their first single since their September 2014 album “Moretsu Rythmique.” Today, the band released the music video for “KOIKI.” It’s an all-female affair. The clip centers on Akai Koen filming a live tv performance as a captivated all-female production staff looks on. The charismatic power of the band also grabs a young female viewer watching the performance on tv at home. Check out the music video after the jump!

The new issue of fashion magazine Numero TOKYO features a photoshoot with Maki Goto. Maki, who married last year, is currently expecting her first child. The photos in the magazine were taken while she was in her 8th month of pregnancy. These photos mark the first time Maki has shown her pregnancy to the public. She is an image of beauty, strength, and style as she models clothing by designer brands such as Burberry Prorsum and Dries Van Noten in the shoot. In the accompanying interview, Maki discusses her marriage, her pregnancy, and her future as a mother.

Maki is also releasing her first cookbook next month. It is titled “Goto Maki no Manzoku Ouchi Gohan.” Check out the cover of the cookbook, along with the Numero TOKYO photoshoot, after the jump!

On October 8, Fuji TV premiered its new anime series, “Subete ga F ni Naru THE PERFECT INSIDER.” It is based on Mori Hiroshi’s 1996 book of the same name. The anime’s opening theme, “talking”, is by KANA-BOON and its closing theme, “Nana Hitsuji”, is by Scenarioart. These 2 bands will release their themes together on a split single titled “talking / Nana Hitsuji” on November 11.

“talking / Nana Hitsuji” will come in 3 editions: a CD+DVD Limited Edition A, a CD+DVD Limited Edition B, and a CD only Regular Edition. The DVD that comes with Limited Edition A will feature concert footage from KANA-BOON and Scenarioart. Limited Edition B’s DVD will feature the anime’s opening and closing videos without credits.

Today, both KANA-BOON and Scenarioart released the music videos for their respective theme songs. The videos for both songs are linked to each other. They are mysterious clips that deal with cloning and imprisonment. Each band makes an appearance in the other band’s video. Check them out after the jump, along with the single’s covers and tracklists!

Electronic fusion act METAFIVE have announced that their first studio album “META” will be available in stores starting on January 13th of next year.  METAFIVE are a supergroup of sorts, their line-up consisting of Yellow Magic Orchestra’s Takahashi Yukihiro, famous producer Oyamada Keigo (Cornelius), former Denki Groove member Sunahara Yoshinori, renowned DJ TOWA TEI, multi-instrumentalist Gondo Tomohiko, and singer/songwriter Leo Imai.

While initially formed as a live-focused act in early 2014, METAFIVE have subsequently carried out irregular activities which have culminated in the creation of their long-awaited first album.  This release will be composed of 12 songs in total, including a new version of their previously released song “Split Spirit” and a cover of TOWA TEI’s “Radio”.

You’ll find the full track list for “META” right after the cut, so please do read on below.

Today television network YTV unveiled the first wave of information about their annual year-end music show Best Hits Kayousai.  The program’s 2015 iteration will be broadcast live from Osaka Festival Hall and hosted by newscaster Miyane Seiji, actor and singer Wentz Eiji, and model and actress Nishiyama Maki.

There will be 18 acts performing on the special’s stage, those participating ranging from popular vocal-and-dance group Sandaime J Soul Brothers, to well known folk-pop duo Kobukuro, to up-and-coming singer/songwriter Hoshino Gen.  In addition, both Go Hiromi and Ikimonogakari will be taking part in a special medley which will be voted on in real-time by the show’s audience.

Please read on below for the full list of artists participating in this year’s “Best Hits Kayousai” and look forward to further information about the program as its air date draws closer.