Covers for Team Syachihoko‘s forthcoming album ‘Himatsubushi‘ for release on on August 20th have been published online.

The album comes in three version that replace typical CD categorizing conventions: look, listen, dance. Basically the listening version is the regular version, while the looking version comes with a limited edition DVD and the dance version comes with a limited edition choreography instruction booklet.

Each cover has a specific theme behind it that was translated through the design. The designer revealed they wanted to evoke “prosperity, good health, better luck, and wishing for academic achievement.”

Tons of private companies all over the world are pushing into space as publicity stunts with the help of US-based Astrobotic, a delivery service that CEO John Thornton described as “UPS for the moon.” For Japan, it’s popular soft drink POCARI SWEAT and they’re putting GReeeeN in charge of the theme song.

The ‘LUNAR DREAM CAPSULE PROJECT‘ plans to put a small Pocari Sweat can that will deliver laser-engraved handwritten messages from children to the moon’s surface as well as Pocari Sweat powdered drink mix. No Thanks. By October 2015, Pocari Sweat hopes to be the first beverage in history to land on the moon. If things go according to plan, it’ll be the first commercial product advertised on the Moon.

Rumors about this have been swirling around for years, but Cyzo recently reported that TOKIO’s Taichi Kokubun and former TBS employee Ai Koshihara are finally ready to tie the knot.

An entertainment insider spoke to Cyzo: “The couple were preparing to marry when Jin Akanishi and Meisa Kuroki unexpectedly got married at a private ceremony February 2012. There was no way they could marry so soon so they had to postpone their marriage. It was only recently they were given the signal to continue with the process.”

On July 9, pop singer Hitomitoi will release  her new digital single “Glass no Summer Holiday.”

Since we’ve officially hit the midyear mark for 2014, what are your faves so far for this year? I feel as if this would also be a good way to see what the community has been jamming to over the past few months.

Just yesterday, UVERworld played at the Kyocera Dome in Osaka for the first time in the band’s history. Since the group’s conception in 2000, they have sold over two million records worldwide and have become one of Japan’s most popular rock bands.

For this concert, they introduced the new pen system technology “Freflow”. Imagine being at a concert where everyone’s pen flashed and changed color in synchronization with the music or performance. Now imagine the energy in a crowd of tens of thousands. For reference, this stadium has a capacity of over 36,000!

Lead vocalist Takuya∞ was extremely grateful for the opportunity. While wearing a ‘My [redacted]ing Dream’ shirt, the singer commented, “Thank you for loving our music and allowing our dreams of performing at the Kyocera Dome come true.” At the same time they announced that they will go on a 30 date tour entitled ‘CHOIR TOUR 2014-2015’ starting August 20th and continuing into early 2015.

On July 2nd, UVERworld released their 8th studio album “Ø CHOIR” which reached second place in the Oricon Charts.

Just in case you missed the first one, open posts are where you can chat about anything! Click here to see the first one if you still aren’t sure what to do.

Summer Jdramas are gearing up for airing! The line up has several season sequels included such as GTO 2, MOZU 2 and Nobunaga no Chef 2. This also includes HERO 2, the sequel to the uber popular HERO aired in 2001, starring Kimura Takuya. The decision for a sequel gained mixed reactions- it’s success or it’s failure- is definitely much anticipated.

On the other hand, drama ‘Wakamonotachi 2014’ boasts of an all star cast, and Dan Mitsu plays her first lead role in ‘Around 30 Chan’. Also, after 2 SPs, Yamada Ryosuke’s Kindaichi version gets a drama series with ‘Kindaichi Neo’.

What summer Jdorama are you looking forward to? Check out the list below.