On August 5, Ayumi Hamasaki will release her new mini album “sixxxxxx.” The mini album will come in 3 editions: CD only, CD+DVD, and CD+Blu-ray. There is also a limited edition of the mini album that comes with a white pair of V-MODA XS headphones that feature Ayu’s logo. This mu-mo exclusive of 300 copies sold out immediately.

“sixxxxxx” features the song “Step by step”, which is the theme song for the NHK drama “Bijo to Danshi.” “Step by step” is getting a digital release today. The mini album also sees Ayu’s collaborating with Taiwanese boyband SpeXial on a song called “Sayonara.” Ayu and SpeXial recently shot the video for the DAISHI DANCE-produced song. The picture above is a photo from the shoot. “sixxxxxx” will have 5 songs in total.

The DVD and Blu-ray will have 3 music videos and their makings. In addition to the “Sayonara” video mentioned above, it will also feature the music video / making for “Step by step” and another unnamed song. Today, Ayu released the short pv for “Step by step.” The video’s theme is breaking free. Check it out after the jump along with the “Step by step” cover and photos of the now sold out  headphones!

As we previously reported Koda Kumi will be releasing a brand new summer collection album titled, “SUMMER OF LOVE”. Short clips of the new songs included on the album were available on her official website, but the official avex trax youtube just uploaded an extended two minute preview of one of the new songs “EX TAPE”.

“EX TAPE” is an upbeat urban song and will serve as the main promo song for the upcoming album. Check out the audio below!

Towa Tei is set to release his new album “CUTE” on July 29. This album sees him working with a variety of acts, including Cornelius, UA, NOKKO, and Leo Imai. Today, he released the music video for “LUV PANDEMIC”, the third track on “CUTE.” This song features vocals by Haruomi Hosono, Yukihiro Takahashi, Cornelius, Leo Imai, and Yuka Mizuhara. Leo Imai also played guitar on “LUV PANDEMIC.”

The music video is a mixture of black & white and filtered colored clips (to give it a vintage feel). Leo and Yuka play a couple of some sort in the video. There’s also an appearance by the robot from Towa’s previous videos, “The Burning Plain” (which featured Yuka’s sister Kiko) and “Radio.” Check it out after the jump!

In a press release earlier today it was confirmed that electronic-rock band Sakanaction have been tapped to provide the theme song for the live action adaptation of popular Shounen Jump manga Bakuman.  This powerful and upbeat number will be titled “Shin Takarajima” (“New Treasure Island”; named after the manga of the same title by Tezuka Osamu) and was written over a period of 6 long months during which frontman Yamaguchi Ichiro intensely studied the manga format, ultimately achieving what he deemed a high degree of lyrical perfection as a result.

Bakuman was created by the duo of Ohba Tsugumi and Obata Takeshi, the same pair who worked on the manga Death Note together, and tells the story of two fledgling mangaka who are attempting to work together to create a manga popular enough to have an anime series made of it.  The main characters Moritaka Mashiro (the artist) and Takagi Akito (the writer) will be played by Sato Takeru and Kamiki Ryunosuke respectively.

The movie isn’t set to hit theaters until October 3rd of this year, but a trailer containing a snippet of “Shin Takarajima” can be found right after the jump, so don’t hesitate to read on.

Up and coming jazz-rock band Emerald have just announced that they will be releasing a brand new EP next week on July 8th.  This unexpected release will be titled “2011 ep” and will consist of five songs, including a cover of fellow rock act TAMTAM’s “Quiet Town”.

In addition, the band also chose to reveal the music video for 2011 ep’s lead track “Furetai Hikari”.  While originally the sparse closer to their debut album “Nostalgical Parade”, the new, livelier version of the song is set against scenes of a woman’s journey through and out of a nighttime cityscape.

You’ll find the full PV for the updated version of “Furetai Hikari” as well the track list for “2011 ep” right after the jump, so please do stick around.

This week’s guests were OKAMOTO’S and Daichi Miura. There were also talk segments with Sexy Zone, DJ KOO & Zedd, and w-inds.

Daichi Miura – music

OKAMOTO’S – Dance With You

This week’s guests were Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku, Sexy Zone, Gesu no Kiwami Otome., indigo la End, Def Tech, Charisma.com, Sango, and Yusuke.

Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku – Natsu da ze Johnny

Sexy Zone – Cha-Cha-Cha Champion

Gesu no Kiwami Otome. – Romance ga Ariamaru

indigo la End – Kanashikunaru Mae ni

Def Tech – My Way / One Day with Jake Shimabukuro

Charisma.com – Otsubone Rock

Sango – Inochi no Relay

Yusuke – Sayonara Matana

This week’s guests were Kishidan, Sugimoto Tetta, and Makihara Noriyuki.

Kishidan x Sugimoto Tetta x Kanjani8 – One Night Carnival

Makihara Noriyuki x Kanjani8 – Tooku Tooku

Makihara Noriyuki – Koero.