We previously reported that singer Nagisa Kuroki would be resuming her musical activities this month with a live on September 24th.  In the months since, Kuroki has revealed that she will also be releasing a brand new single, her first in nearly a year and a half, that same week on September 20th.

Titled “Kaihoku e no Tabi”, the single will include four songs in total and will be issued in three different versions.  The Limited Edition A will come packaged with a DVD containing the music videos from her previous album era, while the Limited Edition B will include a short story written by Kuroki, titled “Yatoware Jizou”.

In support of this release, she has also uploaded the PV for lead song “Kaihoku e no Tabi” to her label’s Youtube channel.  Directed by Masaki Ookita, this music video makes use of a pair of high-flying drones in order to make it appear as though the sandy plain Kuroki is standing on is the moon.  You’ll find this MV, as well as the cover and complete track list for the single if you read on below.

Pop/fusion duo Sukima Switch will be releasing their latest Double A-side single “Mr. Kite / Ricerca” next week on September 13th.  This will be the group’s first single in nearly two years to contain new material, including a pair of B-sides in addition to both of the leading songs.

Now that its release date has drawn close, the pair have made the short PV for “Mr. Kite” available on their label’s Youtube channel.  Described as a song which combines folk with electronics and aggressive rock, the video complements this variety nicely, focusing on the ideas of ‘static’ and ‘dynamic’ as represented by different styles of interpretive dance.

You can find the MV for “Mr. Kite”, as well as the cover and full track list for the single right after the jump.

This week singer/songwriter Tamio Okuda, better known as the frontman of rock band UNICORN, released his first full-length solo album in almost four years.  Titled “Saboten Museum”, this record includes his previously released theme for the movie “CARS 3”, “Engine”, as well as ten new songs for a total of 11.

Ahead of the album’s release, Okuda has been releasing a number of MVs which were specially recorded in mono, in order to show off a different side of these songs.  The latest track to receive this treatment is “Aruku Saboten”, the video focusing on Okuda walking around town with a cactus (“saboten”) helmet on his head.

You’ll find all of these PVs, as well as the cover and track list for “Saboten Museum” right after the cut.

Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Hoshino Gen defeat DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi. DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi are back again this week, facing off against 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!

This week’s episode features Ken Hirai. This is his first appearance on SONGS in six years. This episode has the theme of “All Time Request Best”, in light of Ken releasing a new best album earlier this year. The songs performed on this episode were chosen by SONGS’ viewers via an online vote. His collaborator Kameda Seiji also appears on the show to chat with Ken. Ken also performed six songs.

Ken Hirai – POP STAR / Boku wa Kimi ni Koi wo Suru / Nonfiction / Hitomi wo Tojite / Wakareuta / even if

In a sudden announcement on the Hello!Project website, Kobushi Factory member Rena Ogawa has decided to graduate from the group and Hello!Project due to continued issues with anxiety.  The Idol collective announced during the summer that she would be taking a break from all activities due to Anxiety Neurosis.  Throughout the summer, Ogawa consulted with her doctor and it was determined that her she was not well enough to resume her activities with Kobushi Factory.

It was during this time that Ogawa had time to reflect on what she wanted to do with her life and has ultimately decided to pursue a new dream outside of the idol spotlight.  She is the second member in Hello!Project this year to be diagnosed with a mental health disorder; the first being ANGERME member Maho Aikawa.

Ogawa Rena joined Hello Pro Kenshuusei when she was in her fifth year of elementary school alongside former Juice=Juice member Aina Otsuka in 2011.  She debuted four years later as a member of Kobushi Factory back in 2015.

She plans to continue to support Kobushi Factory as a member of the Kobushi-gumi.

Source: Hello!Project | Blog Project Translation

Singer Dream Ami has released the latest MV for new song “XOXO“, the main promotional song for her debut studio album “Re:dream“.

The mid tempo track describes someone recovering from a broken heart, this is the first song of this nature for Ami. It’s a very personal song seeing as she wrote the lyrics to XOXO herself. To film the MV Ami traveled to Northern Europe. The MV successfully expresses an overall somber mood, while still showing off the cities beautiful architecture and vast harbor.

XOXO will be song number 7 on Re:dream, 17 songs will be included in total. The album will be released in four versions, the standout being a CD+DVD+BOOK version that comes with a 100 page deluxe hardcover photobook. All the shots were taken in Sweden.

Furthermore Ami will be embarking on her very first tour in November. Titled “1st. Live Tour 2017 ▽ Re: Dream” five dates are currently scheduled nationwide across Japan. Fans who purchase any version of the album will have the opportunity to apply for advanced ticket sales.

The XOXO MV can be seen below, along with the covers and tracklist for Re:Dream.

American actor and rapper Jaden Smith has unveiled the first look at his anime series “Neo Yokio“. Smith collaborated Ezra Koenig the front man of Vampire Weekend, who helped develop the series.

Smith voices the main character of the show Kai, who he also helped create. Kai is described as being the most eligible bachelor and demon slayer. British actor Jude Law will also voice a major character on the show, Charles, who serves as Kai’s faithful robot butler, partner-in-crime, and rocket ship.

The show will take place in the fictional city Neo Yokio, which is a play on Tokyo and New York, described as a “diverse labyrinth of cultural and architectural innovation”. The city starts to see a rise in occult activity, and it’s up to Kai to save the day. Reactions to the show have been mixed so far, with many concerns geared towards the script, voice acting, and art style. “Neo Yokio” will be available for streaming on Netflix starting on September 22nd. Watch the trailer below!