Tag: Japan

Sakura-Con Brings Japan’s Band-Maid To the American Masses

Band Maid - Maid in Japan Album CoverSomeone at Sakura-Con has good taste in music or they know the next best thing when they see it. It wasn’t just a coincidence that Sakura had pre-fame J-pop band Scandal as guests in 2008. Now Sakura may have history repeating itself when Japanese rock group Band-Maid perform their first concert Stateside this March.

Band-Maid was formed in July, 2013 and consists of members Saiki Atsumi (vocals), Miku Kobato (guitar, vocals), Kanami Touno (guitar), Akane Hirose (drums), and Misa (bass). Known for their maid outfits commonly worn by hostesses of Japan’s Maid Cafés, their look was a concept born from the experiences of founding member Miku who worked at Noodol Cafe in Tokyo‘s Akihabara district.

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Isetan To Host Lupin III Inspired Men’s Fashion

Lupin III, created by Monkey Punch, is based off the novels and short stories of Arsène Lupin that was written by Maurice Leblanc.

Lupin III Title CardIn the world of corporate business, looking good is not only a sign of success but an indication that one has very good taste. This is no different in the world of thieving. And if you are the grandson of the famous Arsène Lupin one mustn’t disappoint the family name.

This February, Isetan will be giving people the opportunity to not only see fashion designs based off the latest Lupin III animated series but have a chance to purchase the clothing. Isetan Shinjuku Store‘s seventh floor promotional hall will be hosting “Lupin III LUPINISSIMO IN ISETAN 2016” from February 3-8, 2016. Chief Director for Lupin III, Tomonaga Kazuhide, will be doing a talk for the event.
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Animage’s Latest Issue has Macross Delta Surprise

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

AnimageFeb2016The Macross Delta (MD) hype train left the station and it’s full speed ahead as Animage, Japan’s monthly anime and entertainment magazine, will include a MD spread for their February, 2016 issue.

The cover will prominently display Macross idols from the series. From left to right are Kaname Buccaneer, Mikumo Guynemer, Freyja Wion, Makina Nakajima, and Reina Prowler.

On New Year’s Eve in Japan, a preview of Delta was broadcast for people at home to see. Macross played against more traditional programs like No-Laughing Detective Batsu, Kohaku Uta Gassen, and Yukutoshi Kurutoshi. But the rest of Macross Delta will not be broadcast until April of this year.

L to R: Kaname Buccaneer, Mikumo Guynemer, Freyja Wion, Makina Nakajima, and Reina Prowler
L to R: Kaname Buccaneer, Mikumo Guynemer, Freyja Wion, Makina Nakajima, and Reina Prowler

Written by Shōji Kawamori and Toshizo Nemoto, Macross Delta is set in 2067, eight years after Macross Frontier’s 2nd movie. The story focuses on Walküre, a team of talented idols and their protectors the Delta Squadron, as they battle against the Var Syndrome, a mysterious entity that is consuming the galaxy. But in their struggle both must also battle the Aerial Knights, a group of Valkyrie pilots from the Kingdom of Wind.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GMKiLsbWiHY&w=560&h=315%5D
Source(s): Yande.re, Macross Fans- US, and pinoi78 (YouTube video).

Japanese Comic Kaori’s ‘Hotline Bling’ Parody

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

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

Ever wonder how the Japanese keep everything so tidy, their streets so clean, and their essential services running so smoothly? Well, half of that answer is the pride in their work. The other half may be that cleaning is just so sexy. But sometimes even the Japanese will go too far. As Japan’s only bilingual single female standup comedian Kaori will show, there is enough booty (‘oshiri’ in Japanese) shaking by her to power a jack hammer.

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2016 the Year of Babymetal: New Album and World Tour

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

Babymetal2J-pop-metal music trio Babymetal has confirmed their second album will be released through earMUSIC on April 1 of next year. The day of release has been branded ‘Fox Day’ and is normally seen in Japan as a day for renewal. The Japanese Government begins their fiscal year on April 1st and that is a date many corporations form or merge. It is also the time children start their school year.

Babymetal will be backing their latest release with a world tour that will include a concert in London‘s SSE Arena, Wembley on April 2nd and a headline show at Tokyo Dome in Japan — with dates to be confirmed in the new year.

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Japanese Seiyuu Matsuki Miyu Dies Age 38

By James Robert Shaw (The Wind up Geek)

MatsukiMiyuJapanese seiyuu (voice actress) and singer Matsuki Miyu passed away at the age of 38 on Tuesday, October 27th. Her talent agency 81 Produce confirmed her death on Monday, November 2nd Japan time. A closed funeral for relatives only was held for Matsuki. The agency did not specify her illness.

Matsuki announced on her blog on July 14th that she was taking a break from work after being diagnosed at a hospital with acute pneumonia. She said she had been suffering from a fever earlier in the year and that it wouldn’t go away on it’s own. Matsuki assured her fans she would return to work and apologized to everyone for the inconvience. Wrote Matsuki “きっと、戻ってきます！” (I’m sure I’ll be back!).

Matsuki’s recent role was as Anna Nishikinomiya on SHIMONETA: A Boring World Where the Concept of Dirty Jokes Doesn’t Exist (2015). Her previous roles include Isumi Saginomiya in Hayate the Combat Butler (2007), Shinosaka Yuko in the OAV series True Love Story (2003), Hitomi Onodera in Seven of Seven (2002), and Lailah in the console game PS3’s Tales of Zestria.

Sources: GoBoiano, Anime News Network, (Ltd.) 81 Produce, Matsuki Miyu, and (オタク) OTAKU Academy.