Kanjani8’s Shibutani Subaru to get solo debut, with a double A-side single and a Live tour
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Kanjani8’s Shibutani Subaru to get solo debut, with a double A-side single and a Live tour

It was announced that Kanjani8’s Shibutani Subaru will debut solo next year and release a double A-side single titled “Kioku” (memory)/ “Kokoro odoreba”. Both songs are theme songs of the movie “Misono Universe” starring Subaru to be released on February 14, 2015. In the movie, he plays a man who has lost his memory but not his ability to sing. “Kokoro odoreba” is an up tempo number sung in a band style while “Kioku” is a ballad used as the ending theme song.

In addition, a solo live tour starting from January 18 next year has been decided. The tour will start at the live stage “Misono Universe” in Osaka, the same stage of the movie. 13 performances across 10 venues are scheduled until February 25 in Tokyo. In addition to his solo songs, solo arrangements and covers of Kanjani8’s music are also to be performed.

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BUMP OF CHICKEN release Music Videos for “Fighter” & “Parade”
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BUMP OF CHICKEN release Music Videos for “Fighter” & “Parade”

Popular rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN have recently released a pair of digital singles:  “Fighter” on November 28th and “Parade” on November 29th.  Now, the band have revealed the PVs for both of these songs, each involving a different type of animation.

“Fighter” is billed as the theme song for critically acclaimed manga “Sangatsu no Lion” (“March Comes in Like a Lion”) and its music video reflects that, consisting of an animated scenario set in the world of the manga.  “Parade” is the theme for the live action adaptation of another critically acclaimed manga, “Kiseijuu” (“Parasyte”); its PV involves the band playing the song set to a CG background meant to evoke “how the world is seen through the eyes of the parasytes”.

You’ll find the short version of the “Fighter” PV and the full version of “Parade”‘s PV right after the jump, so please enjoy!

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[Alexandros] to partner with Universal Music + release new single and album in 2015
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[Alexandros] to partner with Universal Music + release new single and album in 2015

Popular up-and-coming rock band [Alexandros] (formerly known as [Champagne]) has made several significant announcements over the past couple of days.  Firstly, as of March of next year the band will be signing with record label Universal Music Japan; this will be the first time that they’ve been under a major label and can be considered a big step in the group’s career.  Secondly, they’ll be holding their second one-man live at Nippon Budokan, titled “Premium V.I.P. Party” in the same month.

In addition, [Alexandros] has also announced a pair of releases for their fans to look forward to over the next few months.  The band will start their partnership with Universal in March with a new single and then they’ll be releasing their first full album in 2 years in June.  More information about both the single and album will likely materialize as we draw closer to their release dates.

In the meantime, take a listen to the A-sides from [Alexandros] previous single “Adventure / Droshky!” below!

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Full MV from Rika Mayama’s debut single for “Akame ga Kill” Opening unveiled
AnimeMusic video

Full MV from Rika Mayama’s debut single for “Akame ga Kill” Opening unveiled

Liar Mask is the second opening song for anime Akame ga Kill and also solo debut from idol Rika Mayama, member of Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku which also known as Ebichu.

17 years old Rika Mayama is the first Ebichu’s member to release solo single, in addition to sing the opening song, Rika also had the opportunity to become seiyu for one of the characters in the anime.

As an Otaku, being anisong singer is Rika’s dream, and it seems like this is a good start for her career in the future. Full mv and opening video of Akame ga Kill is available right after the jump.

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Initial Lineup for this year’s Music Station Super Live Announced
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Initial Lineup for this year’s Music Station Super Live Announced

Today television station TV Asahi has announced the initial coterie of artists who will be participating in Music Station Super Live 2014, the channel’s annual end-of-the-year music show.  This year the program will be broadcast from the Chiba Makuhari Messe Event Hall from 7:00pm to 11:10pm JST on the evening of December 26th.

The first set of acts includes such notable names as Arashi, Kuraki Mai, Kobukuro, BABYMETAL, Porno Graffitti, and many many more.  There were a total of 33 artists included in this grouping, with the other half of those acts who will be participating set to be announced next week.

Check out the full list of announced artists below the cut, and look forward to our continued coverage of this event in the future.

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