Issei Takahasi has been selected as the spokesperson for Kirin Beer’s alcoholic beverage “ICEBOX”. In the CM he’s joined by fellow actor Kenta Hamano.

Clocking in at one minute and 48 seconds long, it can arguably be described as a short MV instead. The CM takes place in a swanky looking club where Issei and Kenta are jamming out. Issei is on the harmonica while Kenta is playing the trombone. The supporting band in the CM is actually Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra, a very influential ska and jazz band who was without a doubt helped shape the modern Japanese music scene. Their many collaborations include Shiina Ringo, PUFFY, Kyoko Koizumi, and Tamio Okuda. At the end of the performance Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchesstra and Kenta all watch in awe as Issei enjoys a refreshing sip of “ICEBOX”. A short 30 second version which will most likely be used for national television features Issei and Kenta, after taking a sip it transitions to them performing with Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.

This week’s performer was Cocco. There was also talk segments with Sambomaster, Osawa Atsushi x KenKen, Takashima Masahiro, and yonige.

Cocco – Jukai no Ito

Music statistic company Oricon has released their list of the top 25 bestselling albums, singles, and DVDs for the first half of 2017 (from the period December 26, 2016 until June 19, 2016). Johnny’s dominated both the album and DVD category, with SMAP and Arashi respectfully. As expected AKB48 easily took the crown for the highest selling single of the year with their election ticket single “Negaigoto No Mochigusare”.

The entire top 25 lists can be seen below.

Film distributor Shochiku has begun streaming new trailers for the live-action “Tokyo Ghoul” film, which includes the theme song “Banka” by illion, songwriter and guitarist RADWIMPS  Yojiro Noda.

Based on the manga series “Tokyo Ghoul” by Sui Ishida, first published September 2011 in weekly Japanese magazine “Weekly Young Jump“, the film follows university student Ken Kaneki (Masataka Kubota) when he becomes injured by Rize, a human eating ghoul. Ken is saved from the ghoul when a steel frame falls on Rize, and becomes a half ghoul after receiving an organ transplant from Rize when both are sent to the hospital.

The film’s cast also includes Fumika Shimizu as Toka Kirishima (despite her retirement to focus on her religion Happy Science), Yu Aoi as Rize Kamishiro and Nobuyuki Suzuki as Investigator Kotaro Amon.

With the charming gap in their cute looks and hardcore sound, Rock band BAND-MAID have released the music video for their song “Choose me“.

The release of this new music video follows their previous video “Daydreaming,” a rather slow and relaxing song, while “Choose me” is a return to form. Out July 19th, both tracks are part of their 3rd single, a double A-side entitled “Daydreaming/Choose me“.

Last year the girl band toured the world with overseas event performances and full-blown World Tour, which included 9 cities in 8 countries. Leaving the crowds wanting more, BAND-MAID has additionally announced dates for their upcoming European tour, which includes 6 cities in 4 different countries.

Live-action “Ajin” co-stars Takeru Satou and Gou Ayano, who play immortal demi-humans, show off action scenes in the upcoming film’s latest trailer.

Based on Gamon Sakurai’s original work, the “Ajin: Demi-Human” manga was first serialized in the magazine “good! Afternoon” in 2012, and has since released 10 volumes and accumulated more than 5.4 million copies sold.

The film is set in present-day Tokyo and follows a medical intern named Kei Nagai (Takeru Satoh), who discovers he is an immortal “Ajin” when he is hit by a truck. As “Ajin” are considered dangerous inhuman beings, they pose a threat to the government. While they claim to help said immortal beings live in a safe environment, the government is actually using them as subjects for cruel and inhumane experimentation. As a result, escaped “Ajins” are bent on revenge, with the exception of Kei, who wants no part in the Ajin conflict. Satou (Gou Ayano), known by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare as the most dangerous “Ajin”, plays the antagonist and member of an “Ajin” terrorist group that wants to befriend Kei.

Additional cast members include Tetsuji Tamayama as Yuu Tosaki, Rina Kawaei as Izumi Shimomura, Minami Hamabe as Eriko Nagai, Yuu Shirota as Koji Tanaka, Yudai Chiba as Okuyama and Yuki Yamada as Takahashi.

Following yesterday’s announcement of a “reorganization” within Hello! Project, the idol management agency has announced a new group, member transfers within current groups and new members added from the agency’s trainee system.

Two weeks ago it was revealed that, with the upcoming graduation of Country Girls and former Berryz Koubou member Momoko Tsugunaga on June 30th, idol group Country Girls will be implementing a new system.

In order for members Risa Yamaki and Mai Ozeki to focus on their studies, the remaining three members would be added to other groups within Hello! Project and reform during school and holiday breaks. The following changes have been made: Chisaki Morito will enter Morning Musume。’17, Nanami Yanagawa to Juice=Juice and Musubu Funaki to ANGERME.

Additionally, members of Hello! Project Kenshusei, the agency’s collective of girls receiving dance and vocal lessons, will graduate to full-time members of Hello! Project: Ruru Danbara will enter Juice=Juice, while Ayano Kawamura will go to ANGERME.

Hello! Project Kenshusei Reina Ichioka will be the leader of a new group, with other members and group name to be announced at a later date.

In a new advertising campaign from Sokenbicha, the Japanese blended tea brand from The Coca-Cola Company plan to bring new life to old Disney favorites.

This new CM in particular features actress Tao Tsuchiya set to miwa singing Disney’s The Little Mermaid “Under The Sea” with a new, original arrangement.

“I tried to polish off this new version with a summer tropical dance vibe,” miwa commented. “Please listen!“