Music Japan for March 1

This week’s guests were Sakura Gakuin, Chatmonchy, AKB48, Tohoshinki, AAA, and Sam Smith.

Sakura Gakuin – Aogeba Toutoshi ~from Sakura Gakuin 2014~

Chatmonchy – Tokimeki

AKB48 – Green Flash

Tohoshinki – Sakuramichi

AAA – Lil’ Infinity

Sam Smith – Stay With Me

Tohoshinki – Spinning

Live Monster for March 1

This week’s guest was Hideaki Tokunaga. He performed 6 songs. He was also interviewed.

Hideaki Tokunaga – Jidai / Ii Hi Tabidachi / Yasashii Kiss wo Shite / Gekkou / Blue Light Yokohama / Sayonara no Mukogawa

Details and previews for Yun*chi’s anime cover album

It was previously reported that singer Yun*chi will be making her first release of 2015 an anime song cover EP titled Ani*Yun~anime song cover~. Check out previews for the songs, as well as the tracklist and jacket picture illustrated by character designer Yoshihiko Umakoshi (who did both Ojamajo Doremi and HeartCatch PreCure), below!

Koda Kumi Releases PV for “Like It”

On March 18, Koda Kumi will release her new album “WALK OF MY LIFE.” She recently released the music video for the album’s title track and is back with another new one. This new music video is for the album’s 5th track, “Like It.” “Like It” is an urban song and the video finds Kumi giving her signature sex appeal. Check it out after the jump!

Kanjani8 to collaborate and jam with other artists in new music variety show “KanJAM”

It was announced that “Kanjani8 no Shiwake Eight” variety show will be airing its final episode on March 21 (Saturday, 8:54pm). In turn, Kanjani8 will be hosting a a new music variety program “KanJAM Kanzen Moeru SHOW”, which will start airing in Spring (Sunday, 11:15pm) on TV Asahi.

In the new program, with the stage setting of a live and talk house in Roppongi, Kanjani8 will have a one night jam session and talk with guest artists, to also fully demonstrate their ability as a band. The show will feature two different sets of artists from different generations, one from the 80-90s period and one from the “younger” generation. They’ll create a unique arrangement for one of the guest’s popular songs.

In addition, there will be a corner where professional musicians will be choosing their JPOP TOP5, such as lyricists choosing their top 5 lyrics, guitarists choosing the best guitar solos, and mixers choosing the singers with the most vocal power.

The members will take turns in interviewing their guest artists about their music, life, work, and feelings behind lyrics and present it to others in front of the guest. By drawing the unknown charm of the artists, Kanjani8 is also expected to meet new possibilities.

Ekin Cheng, Summer Meng and Choi Jin-Hyuk Join Kiritani Mirei in “Koisuru ♡ Vampire” movie

The movie “Koisuru ♡ Vampire” (Vampire in Love) casts Kiritani Mirei and A.B.C.-Z’s Totsuka Shota in the lead roles. Kiritani plays a vampire named Kiira who wants to be the best patissier in the world while Totsuka plays the role of Tetsu, Kiira’s childhood friend and first love, who aims to be a musician. The two were re-united after many years and soon starts dating while Kiira hides her true identity.

The movie casting is drawing from multiple nations, with Korean actor Choi Jin-Hyuk, Hong Kong actor Ekin Cheng and Taiwanese actress Summer Meng joining in the movie. The movie opens April 17 and will also be screened in Hong Kong and Taiwan.

Choi Jin-Hyuk will play a vampire named Mike in the film. Hong Kong actor Ekin Cheng will play big boss vampire Derek and Taiwanese actress Summer Meng will play Miki who is good friends with Kiira.

As also previously reported, model Natsume Mito will make her big screen debut in the movie and will provide the theme song “Colony”, produced by Yasutaka Nakata. The song is also featured on the trailer below.

Warner Music Japan launches management label “Warner Music Agency”

Major record company Warner Music Japan celebrates its 45th anniversary this year, and to coincide with the event, it has established its management label Warner Music Agency Ltd.

The new company with the slogan “make a hit !!”, has opened auditions starting March 1. Recruitment will cover a wide range of entertainment talent and not be limited to music artists, but also include models, actors, talent, comedians.

Artists such as Yamashita Tatsuro, Takeuchi Mariya, RIP SLYME , Kobukuro , Superfly , Kyary Pamyu Pamyu are currently under Warner Music Japan.

The company has opened up a website for auditions and has detailed its requirements, guidelines, Q&A and put up entry forms for those interested in making an entertainment career with the company.

(via Oricon)

Staff Selections: December 2014 / January 2015

Hello AramaJapan readers! After a brief hiatus, we are back with our monthly wrap up feature. A few of the staff members have come together to share their faves for the months of December and January. Find out what the staff was loving these past 2 months! Also feel free to post what you loved this past December and January in the comments!