This week’s episode featured X JAPAN. The band is about to have two important events happen in their career: their London concert and the release of their documentary “We Are X” in Japan. SONGS took the time to reflect on the band in light of these events. X JAPAN also performed three songs.

X JAPAN – BORN TO BE FREE / La Venus / X

The awards ceremony for the 40th Japan Academy Prize was held last night, March 3. It confers the Grand Prize from among the “Awards of Excellence” of each category, winners of which were announced last January. Ando Sakura (Best Actress winner last year) and Nishida Toshiyuki (Vice Chairman of the committee and host for the last 4 years) served as moderators for the event

“Shin Godzilla” hit it big, winning 7 awards, the most for a movie this year including Best Picture and Best Director. Miyazawa Rie won her third Best actress award for the movie “Yu o Wakasu Hodo no Atsui Ai”. Newcomer Sugisaki Hana won Best Supporting actress for the same film. Sato Koichi won Best actor for the movie “64 Rokuyon Zenpen” while Tsumabuki Satoshi won Best Supporting actor for “Ikari”. He and Ayano Go played lovers in the film.

Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni beats Kimi no Na Wa. for Animation Picture of the Year. Shinkai Makoto (Kimi no Na wa.) won Best Screenplay.

Did your bet make it? Check out the rest of the winners and pictures from the event below.

Extreme metal up-and-comers ENDON recently dropped the dark music video for their track “YOUR GHOST IS DEAD” from their upcoming album “THROUGH THE MIRROR” available on March 8th. Always skirting on the edge of metal and noise, ENDON find that perfect midway point, this time further elevated by Kurt Ballou‘s (of Converge) impeccable mix. It’s loud, it’s terrifying and it’s amazing. Check out the video and album details below!

As Daichi Miura‘s sixth album, “HIT”, is releasing in a matter of weeks, promotional material is starting to be published! In the MV, the singer sings and dances in a dark forest and in a seaside rocky scenery, showcasing his dance skills while keeping balance on the rocks. And that’s not all! As previously reported, his Live DVD/Blu-ray “DAICHI MIURA LIVE TOUR 2016 (RE)PLAY” will also be released at the same date, so a teaser digest of its footage has been also published. Check both the MV and the teaser digest just after the jump!

As previously reported, Avex Pictures put a restriction in place that bans the sale of all the products they publish outside of Japan. Many anime fans in particular were not happy with this decision, seeing as Avex pictures is responsible for publishing tons of popular and well known titles which include YURI!!! on ICE, ONE PIECE, and Mr. Osomatsu.

A user on twitter reached out to Avex Pictures hoping to get a formal response on why they implemented this ban, shortly after the inquiring fan received a reply from their content sales and marketing department. According to the representative, due to unspecified problems with license rights these items were never supposed to be sold to people outside of Japan in the first place. The representative did note however, that they will try to acquire more rights to enable oversea sales again.

Fans who are still interested in obtaining products effected by this restriction can still purchase them through various proxy and middlemen services. The full statement from the Avex Pictures representative can be seen below.

DAOKO continues her collaboration streak! First it was Seiko Oomori, now it is the eccentric Ziyoou-vachi who gave her an opportunity to rap on a track from their 5th album, “Q”, titled “Kinsei” (Venus). It is a spiritual successor to DAOKO’s own song “Suisei” (Mercury) from her self-titled album. Described as a “funk-pop” number, the song is available for purchasing now while the album will be out on April 5.

Find out more about it under the cut.

Independent singer/musician ZOMBIE-CHANG (stage name of Meirin Yung) just dropped a new Music Video for “I CAN’T GET TO SLEEP“, promoting track of her second album “GANG!“, released just today in all Japanese stores.

The video features several references to the tale of Snow White, with Meirin playing both the good and evil characters in her very own way, showcasing both her weird and funny side, as well as her cute personality, resulting in a very pleasant and fun video to watch.

This week’s guests were Ken Hirai and Suiyoubi no Campanella.

Ken Hirai – Boku no Kokoro wo Tsukutte yo

Suiyoubi no Campanella – Ikkyu-san