Mika Nakashima Reveals Details on Her New Album

On March 4, Mika Nakashima is set to release a new album titled “RELAXIN’.” The album is described as a “healing collection.” It will feature previously released remixes as well as relaxing songs. It will also feature poems that Mika wrote.

Mika is currently on tour in support of her recently released best albums “DEARS” & “TEARS.” A highlight of the show is Mika’s aerial acrobatics. This is the first time she has incorporated this skill into one of her concerts. She also thanked fans for congratulating her on her recent marriage, further saying that she is happy being a new wife.

Check out the covers and tracklist for the album as well as footage from the tour after the jump!

Manic Teaser Trailer for Sion Sono’s “Love & Peace”

The trailer has been released for “Love & Peace”, an upcoming Japanese fantasy romance directed by Sion Sono. The film centres around a timid salaryman at a musical instrument parts company who sees his life turned upside down after he meets a turtle on the rooftop of a department store.

The movie will be Sono’s first monster movie with special effects. “Love & Peace” also departs from his previous work such as Tokyo Tribe, Why Don’t You Play In Hell?, Suicide Club, and Love Exposure, as the director strives to make a film that “the whole family can enjoy.” Along with the teaser trailer, the main visual movie was also released. It was illustrated by Akihiro Yamada.

‘Love & Peace’ stars Hiroki Hasegawa as Ryoichi, Kumiko Aso as the heroiine, Toshiyuki Nishida, Kiyohiko Shibukawa, Eita Okuno, Makita Sports, and Motoki Fukami. Voicing the monsters in the film will be Gen Hoshino, Shoko Nakagawa, Inuko Inuyama, and Ikue Ohtani. The film opens across Japan in the Summer of 2015.

Digital Singles Charts for the Week of 1/21 – 1/27

Recochoku:
1. Kumamushi – Attakaindakara
2. back number – Heroine
3. B’z – Uchouten
4. SEKAI NO OWARI – Dragon Night
5. Sonar Pocket – Modara nai Love Story.
6. SEKAI NO OWARI – Mermaid Rhapsody
7. Sandaime J Soul Brothers – R.Y.U.S.E.I.
8. Superfly – White Light
9. Nishino Kana – Darling
10. SEKAI NO OWARI – RPG

iTunes:
1. back number – Heroine
2. SEKAI NO OWARI – Dragon Night
3. Sandaime J Soul Brothers – R.Y.U.S.E.I.
4. Superfly – White Light
5. SEKAI NO OWARI – Mermaid Rhapsody
6. B’z – Uchouten
7. Nishino Kana – Darling
8. SEKAI NO OWARI – RPG
9. Ling Tosite Sigure – Who What Who What
10. AAA – I’ll Be There

#1 Song Review: Week of 1/14 – 1/20

Hello AramaJapan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw NEWS come out on top against SEKAI NO OWARI in what may very well be the biggest point margin yet. This week, we have a returnee plus a newcomer. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

Yamada Yu’s First Photoshoot after childbirth with VOGUE JAPAN

Yamada Yu will be featured in VOGUE JAPAN March 2015 Issue, showing off a slender body after pregnancy. Last September, Yamada and husband Oguri Shun welcomed a baby girl. Shooting for the fashion magazine took place in early December, just a few months after giving birth. This will be her first photoshoot since.

You can view a video of her photoshoot below.

Flower Releases “Sayonara, Alice” music video directed by Ninagawa Mika

Flower’s music video for their new song “Sayonara, Alice” has been released. The song is sung from a man’s point of view and is part of the group’s A-side single “Sayonara, Alice / Tomorrow ~Shiawase no Housoku~” scheduled for release on February 18. This time, the music video is directed by Ninagawa Mika. Themed on the abandoned amusement park, the music video is filled with a little decadent feeling despite the full and vividly gorgeous colors. It’s a video which fully depicts Mika Ninagawa’s world.

Shuuka Fujii also takes on her first challenge on a man’s suit, as her character wanders around a mirror maze, looking for Alice.

“Sayonara, Alice” has been chosen as the February theme song of NTV series “Sukkiri!!”, while the other song “TOMORROW ~Shiawase no Housoku~” in the double A-side single is the theme song of the movie “ANNIE” in Japanese dubbed version. Check out the video and single details below.

ONE OK ROCK Releases album lead track “Cry Out” PV

As previously reported, ONE OK ROCK will be releasing their new album “35xxxv” on February 11. The music video for the album’s lead song “Cry Out” has been released.

The music video is directed by Shingu Ryohei, the same director for their “Mighty Long Fall PV”. Check out their latest video below.

AKB48 and KAT-TUN top the weekly Oricon charts! 1/19-1/25

The Oricon physical music charts for the week of 1/19-1/25 have been released!

For the singles chart, KAT-TUN achieved their 23rd consecutive number one position with Dead Or Alive selling 191,505 units in its first week. AKB48 have released their fourth original studio album Koko ga Rhodes da, Koko de Tobe! and went #1 (as expected) selling 746,717 copies, their lowest first week sales since their 2011 album Koko ni Ita Koto.

Check out the top 10 of each list below!