This week, TWICE topped the Oricon single chart with their debut Japanese single “One More Time”, selling 200,751 copies in its first week.

Arashi topped the Oricon album chart with their new album “’untitled’”, selling 668,408 copies in its first week.

DREAMS COME TRUE topped the Oricon digital album chart for the second week in a row with “THE DREAM QUEST”, selling 2,602 copies in its second week.

Rumors are swirling that Kanjani8 member Shingo Murakami is in a relationship with gravure idol and sportscaster Ruriko Kojima, and things seem to be getting very serious between the two.

According to tabloids reports, Kojima “arrogantly” made her entrance into a luxury Tokyo condominium complex where Murakami resides. She stayed overnight, and then the following day Murakami was seen existing the complex at around 2:00pm. Wearing a mask and cap he was trying to divert attention from himself.

Kojima was alleged to be seen again at the complex again not too long ago, where she arrived at around midnight via taxi. Murakami apparently just arrived 30 minutes prior, and was waiting inside to “welcome” her.

An anonymous TV reporter claimed that Murakami’s breakup with popular actress Erika Toda didn’t exactly go very well, so for now he’s swayed off of women who could be described as the same type as Toda. While they didn’t go further into details, Kojima is assumed to be a bit more rowdy and fun.

Koijima got her start in 2009 where she beat out over 30,000 applicants to win the 34th “Horipro Tarento Scout Caravan”. She’s continued to work regularly as a popular gravure model, talent, and even got into professional sportscasting. She previously worked with Murakami’s group mate Ryuhei Maruyama on the MBS television show Saturday Plus.

As expected it’s extremely unlikely that a statement will be made, even if it’s denying the relationship due to Murakami’s agency Johnny & Associates. Photos of the two (separately) outside the complex, and one together on the street can be found below the jump.

It’s been nearly a year since rock band Galileo Galilei decided to call it quits, and we now have the first signs of a follow-up.  Yuuki Ozaki, formerly the group’s vocalist and guitarist, has announced that his solo project, known as warbear, will be releasing its self-titled debut album on December 6th.

The majority of this release was recorded at Sapporo’s Wanwan Studio, where it was mixed by the Grammy-nominated producer Phil Ek.  The record has been described as sonically diverse, including a wide range of different instruments such as guitar, synthesizer, mellotron, banjo, mandolin, and flute.

Stay tuned for further information about warbear’s first release as it is revealed, but for those of you who just can’t wait, a preview of an as-yet unnamed track can be found on Ozaki’s Instagram.

(via natalie)

Veteran rockers THE YELLOW MONKEY are back with the second of their three consecutive monthly releases.  Last month the group released a vinyl record which contained a cover of the classic David Bowie song “Ziggy Stardust”, and now have announced that a new digital single titled “Stars” will be available for purchase starting today.

In support of this surprise release, the band have uploaded the full version of the track’s music video to their Youtube channel.  The classic rock-inspired tune is accompanied by shots of the group performing the song, their location the center of a slowly developing choreography routine.

You’ll find the PV for “Stars” right after the jump.

Electronic-rock band Negoto recently announced that they will be releasing their second full-length album of the year on December 13th.  Titled “SOAK”, this record will include their previously released tracks “DANCER IN THE HANABIRA” and “ALL RIGHT”, as well as eight brand new songs.  The group’s cover of Spitz’s “Sora mo Toberu Hazu” will also be included as a bonus track.

In addition, they will also be releasing their latest concert DVD/Blu-ray, containing footage from their “‘ETERNALBEAT’ TOUR 2017,” on the same date.  The tour focuses on the material included on “ETERNALBEAT”, while mixing in a number of other tracks which mesh well with Negoto’s new, electronically influenced sound.

You’ll find the complete track lists for both of these releases just beneath the cut.

If you are planning to watch the upcoming live action film “Fullmetal Alchemist”, you’re in luck! After making its premiere at The 30th Tokyo International Film Festival last October 25, it was announced that the highly anticipated film will open in over 190 countries including the United States and Europe. It will be the widest international opening for any Japanese film.

As previously announced, the film will premiere in the US at Anime NYC on November 19, as the event’s closing film. In Japan, “Fullmetal Alchemist” will open in over 400 screens on December 1, the largest screen count in the history of Japanese films.

Gearing up for its nationwide release, the film drops three 45-sec character-featured trailers, with MISIA’s theme song “Kimi no Soba ni Iru yo” (I’m By Your Side): Ed, Al and Winry – “those who believe in the bond of brothers”; the Homunculi — “those who would destroy the bond of brothers”; the State Military — “those who protect the bond of brothers.”

Despite the persistent drizzle, the 30th Tokyo International Film Festival kicked off with a star-studded opening ceremony last October 25 in Tokyo.

Kanna Hashimoto graces the red carpet and opening ceremony as the Festival Ambassador, along with Festival Director Takeo Hisamatsu. The red carpet ceremony was also attended by Tommy Lee Jones, who is heading the competition jury, along with fellow jurors Chinese actress Zhao Wei, French director Martin Provost, Iranian filmmaker Reza Mirkarimi, and Japanese actor Masatoshi Nagase.

The red carpet ceremony wrapped up in grand fashion with appearances by stars of Special Opening Presentation film “Legend of the Demon Cat” Shota Sometani, Huang Xuan, Xin Baiqing, Keiko Matsuzaka and Hiroshi Abe, followed by members of the cast and crew of Opening Film “Fullmetal Alchemist”, including director Fumihiko Sori and actors Ryosuke Yamada and Tsubasa Honda.

The “Muses of Japanese Cinema”, Sakura Ando, Yu Aoi, Hikari Mitsushima and Aoi Miyazaki were also introduced during the opening ceremony. Ando remarked about how rare it is for the four actresses, who all hail from the same generation, to share the same stage.

Shoegaze outfit For Tracy Hyde just released the Music Video for the track “Floor“, leading single of the group’s upcoming second album “he(r)art” set to be released on November 2nd.

“Floor” mainly revolves around a catchy guitar riff occasionally coupled by layers of synths, that carry on through an engaging chorus greatly executed by singer Eureka’s heartfelt interpretation; the track works wonders in terms of structure, seamlessly progressing through its sections and enriching each part with layers and details that boost the uplifting vibe, with a surprising saxophone sneaking in towards the end that particularly enriches the sound of the track. The video mainly takes place in Shinjuku’s Kabuki-cho area during a rainy night, featuring atmospheric shots alternated to moments focused on the members enjoying the night life, a direction that greatly backs up the mood of the track and makes the video a pleasure for both eyes and ears.