Tag: J-Pop

Tokyo Ghoul’s Katsuyuki Konishi Announced as Anime Revolution Guest of Honor!

katsuyuki-konishiBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

You might call Katsuyuki Konishi (小西 克幸) Koutarou Amon of Tokyo Ghoul, Ozma Lee of Macross Frontier, Tom Tanaka of Durarara!!, or Bulat of Akame ga Kill!. But no matter what character you know him for, he is widely regarded as one of the most in-demand voice actors in the business today and he is coming to Anime Revolution in Vancouver this summer.

An award-winning actor, Konishi got his first break as Volfogg on Sunrise’s 1997 animated series The King of Braves GaoGaiGar. He would go on to reprise Volfogg in the 2000 OVA The King of Braves GaoGaiGar Final. That was the start of what would be a successful career for Konishi voicing many now favourite characters of anime. His list of credits includes Laxus Dreyar of Fairy Tail, Johann Trinity of Mobile Suit Gundam 00, Pinion of Suisei no Gargantia, and Raikou in two Pokémon feature films.

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Macross Delta Voice Artist Releases MV to Promote Solo Single Debut

naotouyamaBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Actress Nao Tōyama who is behind the voice of Reina Prowler from the hit Japanese anime series Macross Delta will make her debut as a solo artist. Tōyama who’s voiced characters from such anime series as Hataraku Maou-sama! (はたらく魔王さま!, The Devil is a Part-Timer) and Ai Tenchi Muyou! (愛・天地無用!) will release her first single “True Destiny/Chain the world” on February 1, 2017 under the Flying Dog Label.

Yesterday Flying Dog released through their official YouTube channel the 2chorus music video promoting the single “True Destiny.”

Tōyama announced the release through her official Twitter account:

こんばんは！ 「True Destiny」MV公開です！！ 今までしたことのない表情や、バンドさんとの撮影、回るマネキンチャレンジ（？）そして大切な本にあんなことを…((；ﾟДﾟ) ぜひご覧下さい！（東山奈央）
#naobou

According to Richard Clark, member of the Macross Delta Facebook group, this video may not be available for viewers in the United States.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9MyBUDuc0Y&w=560&h=315%5D
 Tōyama is a former student of Waseda University. She is currently managed by the talent agency Intention.

Source(s): Nao Tōyama‘s official Twitter, Macross Delta Facebook group, and Richard Clark.

Video Source(s): Flying Dog official YouTube channel.

2nd Wave of Artists Announced for Japan’s Cultural “Moshi Moshi Nippon Fest 2016!”

chururi-chururira-dempagumi-incBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Cultural festival Moshi Moshi Nippon will be making its return to the Tokyo Taiikukan in Sendagayan this November 24-27. This festival will be 4 days filled with live performances, traditional culture, arts demonstrations, fashion shows, and food. Now in it’s third year, Moshi Moshi Nippon Fest 2014 saw 15,000 in attendance followed by a record of 25,000 in 2015. In 2016 the Moshi Moshi Nippon Festival has been promised to be bigger than ever. And as a special treat this year for non-Japanese citizens, those who pre-register will be given free entry.

Non-Japanese citizens can register at the following link: http://msmsnippon16-1.peatix.com/
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Wind Up Geek’s J-Music Quick Fix – October 3, 2016

shonenBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Bradio

Bradio will be performing live with France‘s 80’s group Les Innocents in a concert titled “Music Exchange Concert France-Japan ～BRADIO meets Les Innocents～”. The event will be live streamed through VIDEO Clipper. The VIDEO Clipper app is only available for the iPhone. Streaming will begin October 4th at 5pm (17:00) JST. Bradio’s live will begin at around 8:20pm (20:20) JST.

About VIDEO Clipper
https://clipper.events/

App Store　VIDEO Clipper Download
https://itunes.apple.com/jp/app/video-clipper-maruchianguruderaibu/id1053782735?mt=8

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cuC8ftw20bA&w=560&h=315%5D
 

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Macross 7 Voice Actress and Singer Sakurai Tomo Retires

SAK_TOMO_SakuraiBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

It was announced Thursday Japan time on Sakurai Tomo’s official website, “Tomofull”, that the speaking voice of Macross 7‘s Mylene Jenius will retire from voice acting. As quoted from her website:

最近は自分自身について色々考える時間が沢山ありました。

昔は、喉がとても強く何時間歌っていてもこわれることはなく、更に元気になる声帯をもっていましたが、最近では、役者としての大事な声が、かなり出づらくなってきているのを実感しています。
時が流れているので、当然のことなのでしょうが、声優として演じていて私自身がそのような変化に耐えられず、そろそろ引退かなと。ずっと考えていました。
神経質すぎると思われるかもしれませんが、私自身が許せないため、引退を決めました。これは、自分自身で決めました。

皆様には、このような形でのご報告になってしまったことをお許し下さい。

Tomo has been voice acting for Japanese animation and radio plays for over 3 decades. Her official website will no longer be updated as of September 1st.

Tomo has voiced such characters as Hinowa in the Gintama series, Misao Makimachi in Rurouni Kenshin, Doll Licca in Super Doll Licca-Chan, and Mylene Flare Jenius in the Macross 7 animated projects.

Tomo has also enjoyed a successful solo career as a pop idol singer. Her works can be found on several major labels including Pony Canyon, Warner Music Japan, Pioneer, and Victor. Originally part of the Lemon Angel pop idol unit, Tomo released her first solo album T-mode in 1995 followed by two live concerts Tomo ’96 Live and Tomo Natsu ’99 Summer Special Stage (recorded August 21 during her Akasaka Blitz Tokyo concert). Tomo has released 4 singles and 16 albums over the course of her career.

Source(s): Gwyn Campbell, Vintage Anime Fans Facebook group, “Tomofull” Sakurai Tomo’s official website, Buzzap, and morningberryz48 WordPress site.

Mass of Fans Break Barrier, Crush YouTuber at Japanese Idol Festival

TokyoIdolFest2016LogoBy James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

As Westerners we consider the Japanese as a polite people, but when it comes to a j-pop idol concert, that politeness quickly disappears. On one hand they may bow to you out of respect, on the other hand they have no second thoughts of taking you down if you get between them and their performing idol. YouTuber Storehouse Channel (保管庫ちゃんねる) was witness to such an incident on the 2nd day of the Tokyo Idol Festival, the world’s largest idol festival, held annually In the Odaiba and Aomi area.

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