SKY-HI will drop his first ever greatest hits album SKY-HI’s THE BEST on June 17, 2020. Today, the CD covers for the album have been released, with SKY-HI flaunting his power of seduction.

The photos taken during this photo session will be compiled in a photo book exclusive to Limited Pressing Edition copies of the album. This edition of the album is jam-packed: it will include 3 discs compiling the best of SKY-HI’s pop songs, rap songs, and collaborative songs respectively, as well as new songs, fully-remastered tracks, and songs with re-recorded vocals.

Live Edition copies of the album can be bought with either a DVD or Blu-ray which features footage of SKY-HI’s entire “Round A Ground 2019 ~Count Down SKY-HI~” live concert held at Toyosu PIT on December 11, 2019. For this show, fans submitted their favourite songs of SKY-HI, of which 20 of the most popular were chosen and performed in a “countdown” style. SKY-HI was joined by his band, SUPER FLYERS, on stage for the show.

Limited Pressing Edition copies are available to buy exclusively on mu-mo Shop, AAA Party, and AAA mobile. If you order before April 26, 2020 at 23:00 (JST) your name will be written on the CD box. This edition will also be sold with a DVD or Blu-ray featuring all of SKY-HI’s music videos to date including commentary by the artist himself, a 100-page A4 size photo book, and exclusive merchandise.

 

SKY-HI also posted a teaser video of a piano arrangement of his song Iris Light which can be watched below.

Japanese rapper and singer posted his very first vlog on his official YouTube channel, SKYHICHANNEL, on February 29, 2020.

Fans have expressed their excitement at getting to see a closer and more personal look at SKY-HI, as well as their interest in wanting to see more behind the scenes when it comes to music production and the music world.

SKY-HI’s new vlog series is set to cover not only the Japanese artist knee-deep in the recording process, but will also feature in-depth talks with other artists and production staff from the music world, as well as other related technical music content. SKY-HI has also expressed his desire to post based on what viewers want to see too.

 

SKY-HI stated that if he reaches 100,000 subscribers, he will post the video of his recording of the song Uren which he did during a previous livestream on his channel. The video will have the song played over it and the lyrics will be shown on screen. If he reaches 150,000 subscribers, he’ll post the song’s music video. And if he makes it to 1 million subscribers, he’s going to collaborate together with someone famous in the YouTube community.

 

Subscriber to SKY-HI’s YouTube channel at the link below and stay tuned for the next vlog upload.

SKY-HI released the first of a series of upcoming songs together with Thai pop star STAMP. The song is now streaming on major music platforms including Spotify.

The song combines SKY-HI’s technical rap ability with STAMP’s gentle yet powerful singing voice. Its lyrics say that if people experience good things in life, they’ll experience bad things too, so we should pick them up all up and take them with us as we move forward.

 

Don’t Worry Baby Be Happy feat. STAMP (Prod. its) -Lyric Video-

The lyric video is taken from the duo’s debut performance of the song at the concert “SKY-HI Round A Ground 2019 ~YO! SKY RAPS~” held on December 12 last year. It features English, Japanese, and Thai captions, so be sure to read along with the lyrics as you listen to the song.

Speaking about the song, SKY-HI said: “When I went to Thailand last year, I got a really good vibe from the country. On one of my free days, I found myself quickly heading to the studio. I asked if anyone knew STAMP, and he came to the studio. I thought, well, he’s here and everything now, so… And that’s how the song came to be. We recorded it there in the studio.”

 

He continues: “The songs we make these days end up having such heavy bass no matter what, and even I don’t like it, but thanks to STAMP’s rich voice, and his nature, this is the song I have been most encouraged for. He said to me, ‘Having a mountain of things you don’t like is part and parcel with life, but more than anything, time keeps on ticking. No matter how big things may seem, or how many of those things you have, while ever you’re alive, you put those things to work.’ Thanks to him, now the moment the intro starts, I feel lifted up <laughs>.”

 

SKY-HI finishes by saying: “It was so much fun doing this song live too. As an artist, and as an individual, getting to meet STAMP for me was really fortunate. I pray this song becomes the same for everyone that hears it too. Don’t Worry Baby Be Happy!!”

STAMP was also interviewed about the new song. When asked to give his impressions on it, he said: “The beat is groovy, cool-sounding, and melodic. I really like how it speaks to the heart. It’s become my favourite song. Even if you don’t understand the Japanese rap lyrics, SKY-HI’s rap parts are just the best. It moves me how it transcends the barriers of language. The melodies for the hook were written by me when we first met in the studio. It was my first time writing a half-Japanese, half-Thai song.”

 

He also commented on how the recording process was. “When we were recording, SKY-HI was always dancing to the rhythm while singing. I had such a fun time working in there. I haven’t met many artists that are overflowing with energy like him. It was really exciting. Now I want to try dancing next time I’m in the studio.”

 

Finally, STAMP was asked to give a message to Japanese listeners. “Like other people, I’m really pleased with this collaboration too. I am honoured to have been able to do this with such a genius artist like SKY-HI. I hope everyone likes hearing the Thai lyrics as well as the Thai music influences too.”

Two new figurines have been revealed by BANDAI SPIRITS, which sees the worlds of Hello Kitty and Gundam come together as part of the longtime selling brand Chogokin (“Super Alloy”) which has been selling since 1974. The figures will go on sale in Japan and 22 countries around the world in July 2020.

 

In April 2019, a projected began entitled Gundam vs Hello Kitty, which we covered throughout its run in detail. In the end, Gundam came out victorious, but both competitors made peace and began a new project named “Gundam x Hello Kitty Love & Peace.” The two figurines are the first realisation of that new project.

In 2014, Chogokin celebrated its 40th anniversary, the year in which Hello Kitty celebrated her own 40th anniversary too, from which the incredibly popular “Chogokin Hello Kitty” was released. Last year, Mobile Suit Gundam commemorated its own 40 years since its release. The two figures are based on Amuro Ray’s RX-78-2 Gundam and Char Aznable’s MS-06S Zaku II which appear in the original series.

Over on the product website, you can watch a short animation showcasing the two figures, so be sure to check it out.

 

©Sotsu Co., Ltd. ・Sunrise ©1976, 2020 SANRIO CO., LTD.

The Gundam vs. Hello Kitty project began in April 2019, with Gundam recently being announced as the winner between the two. The two franchises have now come together to announce a new project for 2020 entitled “Gundam x Hello Kitty Love & Peace.”

The project sees Hello Kitty and Gundam looking past their differences to instead pray for a world with peace and no war. It will go on to collaborate with various shops and creators.

 

The third and final promotional video for the project entitled “Love & Peace” was released on YouTube, following on from the first two episodes which collectively have over 2 million views. Check it out below.

Fans can expect a whole new batch of merchandise to come with the following new cute designs which combine the worlds of Gundam and Hello Kitty.

More information on the project will be released in the coming months on the project’s official website and Twitter account.

Speaking about the latest in the project, Amuro from Gundam commented: “We had our showdown in 2019. We have the support of all of you and have been able to come to an understanding with Hello Kitty. We have numerous things planned for 2020 which we are putting our all into with Hello Kitty, so please be sure to keep watching over us.”

Hello Kitty said: “I competed in 2019, and thanks to everyone who supported me, I have been able to win over Amuro and we now understand each other. We’re working well together. We have lots in store for you to enjoy, so look forward to it.”

 

©Sotsu・Sunrise ©’76,’20 SANRIO

SKY-HI has announced an Asia tour consisting of four additional performances to follow up straight after the “SKY-HI Round A Ground 2020” Japan tour.

The Asia tour will see four performances take place in Indonesia, Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea. Following numerous collaborations with other Asian artists in recent years, you can only imagine the excitement of fans as they guess what kind of performance SKY-HI has in store for them in Asia.

 

SKY-HI will now be performing in a total of 28 cities, 24 of which are in Japan. This is a big chance to see him live! If you’re worried about tickets selling out, there are preorder tickets available for each live performance. More information on the Asia Tour will be announced in the future so stay tuned. 

 

SKY-HI / Snatchaway (SKY-HI TOUR 2019 -The JAPRISON-)

SKY-HI has also unveiled the video of “Snatchaway” from the live tour video “SKY-HI TOUR 2019 -The JAPRISON-”. This is a chance to witness SKY-HI’s rapping, singing and dancing skills that you don’t want to miss. 

Japanese eyewear chain company OWNDAYS has announced a collaboration with Mobile Suit Gundam to celebrate the anime series’ 40^th anniversary.

Together, they have crafted four glasses frames inspired by four different Mobile Suits from the series. You can also snap onto each pair sunglasses lenses too, making them convenient in all weathers. The collection will be released at OWNDAYS stores in Japan as well as their online shop on December 13.

 

In the run up to their release, early pre-orders for a very special 1/7 scale Mobile Suit head glasses case will open at the DiverCity Tokyo Plaza branch of OWNDAYS on October 18. The case can hold up to 6 pairs of glasses.

 

Mobile Suit Gundam is a centerpiece of anime culture, adored and acclaimed the world over as a classic. These products will begin rolling out in 12 countries and regions in the coming months.

 

GUNDAM×OWNDAYS Wear the GUNDAM

Release Date: December 13, 2019 / Price: ¥11,980 (Before Tax) *Comes with lenses

The frames are made with a light and durable stainless sheet and each have a matte colour for a high-quality feel. They are inspired by Mobile Suits from the anime series. The front parts have a hardened layered structure, while the temple parts are lightweight to ensure they can be worn for long periods of time without causing discomfort.

 

GUNDAM HEAD CASE

Pre-Orders: October 24, 2019 / Shipping: From Early March 2020 / Price: ¥39,980 (Before Tax)

The RX-78-2 Gundam head glasses case can hold up to 6 pairs of glasses. Pulling on the antennas will release the doors to store the glasses. After storing your glasses and returning the antennas, the head will make a sound and it will flash lights.

As part of the ongoing Gundam vs. Hello Kitty project, Sanrio is releasing a new collection of chess design merchandise and other merchandise themed on both franchises at Sanrio stores across Japan, as well as its online store and in selection shops stocking Sanrio merchandise on August 17 (and August 21 for the online store).

 

Let’s take a look at just some of the items up for grabs.

Gundam vs. Hello Kitty T-Shirts (M/L) – ¥3,456 Each (Tax Included)

Gundam vs. Hello Kitty Face Towels – ¥1,944 Each (Tax Included)

Gundam Mug – ¥1,620 (Tax Included)

Hello Kitty Mug – ¥1,620 (Tax Included)

For the 7th round of the project, fans of Hello Kitty and Gundam are encouraged to take a photo of any of the chess design items they have purchased and post it on Twitter.

If you are team Hello Kitty then you must post with the hashtag #キティチェックメイト (“Kitty Checkmate”) and if you are team Gundam then post with #ガンダムチェックメイト (“Gundam Checkmate”). This hashtag campaign will begin on August 17 and end on September 16. The character with the most number of posts will be crowned as the winner of Round 7. Additionally, one random participant from both teams will be selected to win a complete set of the chess design merchandise which includes the t-shirts and both mugs.

 

Pick your team, get the goods and get voting!

 

©Sotsu・Sunrise　©’76, ’19 SANRIO

To celebrate 40 years of Yuji Kaida’s illustration artwork for the Gundam series, an exhibition entitled Yuji Kaida Gundam Gallery will take place on the fifth floor LOFT Forum of Umeda LOFT in Osaka from August 23 to September 8.

 

Yuji Kaida is known for his longtime work on box art for Gunpla model kits. The exhibition will feature a gorgeous collection of his iconic Gundam artwork, covering traditional art from Mobile Suit Gundam to Mobile Suit Gundam Wing to digital art in Mobile Suit Gundam: Iron-Blooded Orphans.

Over 70 pieces illustrated by Kaida will be displayed, each categorised into one of four themes. Many of these will include artworks being shown to the public for the first time such as the Gwazine-class battleship.

 

There will also be enormous towers of piled-up Gunpla boxes, a showcasing titled “Maiking of Hi-νGUNDAM” the process of digital art, and more.

 

The exhibition is an absolute must-visit for all fans of the Gundam franchise.

 

©Sotsu Co., Ltd.・Sunrise Inc.

More and more announcements have been rolling out about Japanese artists set to perform overseas in the latter half of 2019. Let’s take a look and see if one of them is coming to a city near you in Part 4.

 

・Aimyon

Singer-songwriter is set to take her enthralling set to Shanghai with a headline show. The music video for her hit song Marigold, taken from her album Shunkanteki Sixth Sense which released in February, was shot on the streets of Shanghai. Currently knee-deep in her Japan tour to promote her new album, this will mark Aimyon’s second time performing overseas following up from a successful show in Taiwan. Her popularity is steadily surging across the globe, be sure to check out her music available on Spotify as well as her many music videos.

 

Related Article: Aimyon Releases Music Video Teaser & CD Cover For New Song ‘Manatsu no Yoru no Nioi ga Suru’

 

▶︎AIMYON 2019 LIVE in SHANGHAI

Date: July 13, 2019

Venue: 世博中心—紅庁, Shanghai 2019

Japan Enquiries: http://www.accessbright.com/aimyon/

AIMYON Official Website: http://www.aimyong.net/

 

・OKAMOTO’S 

Celebrating 10 years since their debut, OKAMOTO’S are currently touring Japan nationwide in promotion of their new album BOY. The four-piece rock band performed what they called their “first and last” Nippon Budokan show on June 27 but are following that straight up with two concerts in Beijing and Shanghai. OKAMOTO’S are veterans when it comes to having performed overseas. They are the younger Japanese male act to play SXSW in Texas, US when they performed back in 2010. They also embarked on a 7-city US tour and have toured Australia, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam and other countries. Don’t miss out!

 

Related Article: OKAMOTO’S New ‘Dancing Boy’ Music Video Features Lots Of Guest Artists

 

▶︎OKAMOTO’S “BOY” CHINA TOUR 2019
2019/7/19 @ Beijing MAO Live House, Beijing
2019/7/21 @ Shanghai MAO Live House, Shangai

Tickets: https://www.showstart.com/event/list?type=1&tag=22685

OKAMOTO’S Official Website: https://www.okamotos.net

 

 

【お知らせ】

MY FIRST STORY初の中国・上海でのワンマンライブが決定🇨🇳！

MY FIRST STORY TOUR 2019 IN SHANGHAI

7/27(土) 19:30開演予定
中国・上海市静安体育センター

公演詳細は後日発表！#myfirststory#マイファス pic.twitter.com/BqEzLdAgj9

— MY FIRST STORY (@MyFirstStory_of) 2019年6月6日

・MY FIRST STORY

Since debuting in 2012, Japanese rock band MY FIRST STORY have performed at some of Japan’s biggest music festivals and have also collaborated with foreign musicians. Their lyrics are fluent English which have racked them up some real attention outside Japan. This will mark their first headline show in mainland China.

 

▶︎MY FIRST STORY TOUR 2019 IN SHANGHAI

2019/7/27 @ Jing’an Sports Center, Shanghai

MY FIRST STORY Official Website: http://www.myfirststory.net

 

・Yuzu

Yuzu’s popularity trickles down all generations having performed the song Muscat for the anime series Crayon Shin-chan. The duo have their eyes set on two days at Legacy MAX in Taipei on September 28 and 29. The musicians performed at the 30th Golden Melody Awards, which is nicknamed the “Taiwanese Grammy Awards,” on June 29 and hail as the only Japanese artists to do so.

 

Related Article: Yuzu Joined By Crayon Shin-chan On Stage to Sing New Song ‘Muscat’

 

▶︎YUZU ASIA LIVE 2019 YUZUNOMI

2019/9/28 @ Legacy MAX, Taipei

2019/9/29 @ Legacy MAX, Taipei

Tickets: https://ticket.ibon.com.tw/Web/ActivityInfo/Details/36025

YUZU Official Website: http://yuzu-official.com

 

・MAN WITH A MISSION

MAN WITH A MISSION recently announced their US headline tour. They joined Jimmy Eat World and Stone Sour on tour back in fall 2017, but which is their first North American solo tour in five years. Full details can be found over on their official website.

 

Related Article: MAN WITH A MISSION To Embark on First North American Solo Tour in 5 Years

 

▶︎MAN WITH A MISSION presents Chasing the Horizon World Tour 2018/2019 -North American Tour-

2019/9/6 @ Great American Music Hall, San Francisco

2019/9/8 @ The Regent Theater, Los Angeles

2019/9/10 @ Canton Hall, Dallas

2019/9/16 @ Gramercy Theatre, New York

MAN WITH A MISSION Official Website: https://www.mwamjapan.info/

 

・BABYMETAL

BABYMETAL will released their new album METAL GALAXY this year on October 11 and follow it up with their GALAXY WORLD TOUR where they will hit up Europe, US and Russia. BABYMETAL’s unmatched force continues to be felt across the globe.

 

Related Article: BABYMETAL Announce New Album ‘METAL GALAXY’ & World Tour

 

▶︎BABYMETAL GALAXY WORLD TOUR

*For full dates, please check the band’s official website below.

BABYMETAL Official Website: http://www.babymetal.com

 

《TOUR》

＼💫SKY-HI × SALU TOUR決定！／

🎙Say Goodbye to the System

9/4：東京 Zepp DiverCity

9/24：大阪 なんばHatch

9/25：名古屋 名古屋ダイアモンドホール

9/29：韓国/ソウル

10/1：香港

10/4：台湾/台北

✅詳細はSKY-HI公式HPへ
【https://t.co/AOcUrXeEGL】#SKY_HI #SALU #TOUR pic.twitter.com/E5h8Svngff

— SKY-HI情報 (@skyhi_hidaka12) 2019年7月1日

・SKY-HI

SKY-HI will release his second collaborative album with SALU entitled Say Hello to My Minions 2 on September 4 which will be promoted with the “Say Goodbye to the System” Asia tour. SKY-HI has performed in Los Angeles, New York, Paris, London, Shanghai, Taiwan and Hong Kong in the past. Be sure to keep up to date with his tour schedule via his official website.

 

▶︎Say Goodbye to the System -ASIA TOUR-

2019/9/29 @ Seoul (Venue TBA)

2019/10/1 @ Hong Kong (Venue TBA)

2019/10/4 @ Taipei (Venue TBA)

SKY-HI Official Website: https://avex.jp/skyhi/

 

If you love Japanese music and an artist you like is heading to a city near you, be sure to show them love and support by getting your hands on a ticket!

In the lead up to the Gundam and Hello Kitty games arriving at Tokyo Mystery Circus on July 18, which is being held as part of the ongoing Gundam vs. Hello Kitty Project, a special event titled “Gundam vs. Hello Kitty DJ Night” will take place at the site on July 17.

DJ Caeser

Joining the event as a special guest will be DJ Caeser, who was put in charge of the song choice for the Mobile Suit Gundam 40th Anniversary BEST ANIME MIX which made it to No.1 on Oricon’s Anime Weekly charts. Alongsidehim will be DJ Hello Kitty who is set to bring the house down with her cute and fiery energy. It will be held as an invitation-only event which people can be invited to by signing up. Winners will be chosen randomly.

DJ Hello Kitty

Both DJs will play a selection of music released to Gundam and Hello Kitty.

 

To sign up for a chance to attend, you must follow the official Tokyo Mystery Circus Twitter account and retweet this tweet. The deadline lasts until July 7 at 23:59 (JST).

 

The fight between two of Japan’s biggest franchises, Gundam and Hello Kitty, is set to continue at this special one-night-only DJ show.

 

©️SCRAP ©️Sotsu・Sunrise ©️’76, ’19 SANRIO

A trailer for the second episode of the the ongoing Gundam vs. Hello Kitty Project just dropped on YouTube. Check it out below.

The project is currently being held on the Japanese messenger app LINE which fans of the franchises can participate in. After friending the official Gundam and Hello Kitty LINE account you can choose whether you are on team Gundam or team Hello Kitty. You can also win a special prize by saving up your LINE points. The person with the highest number of points will be selected to win. Other prizes are also up for grabs for each individual franchise.

The first video, which can be seen above, was released back in March and has already amassed nearly 1.4 million views.

The second episode sees Hello Kitty appear before Amuro who is battling in space. She says ,”Let’s all get along,” but it seems like something unexpected is about to unfold.

The series is being animated by Japanese animation studio Sunrise (Gundam, Cowboy Bebop, Code Geass). Be sure to check out the new episode when it’s released on July 9.

 

©Sotsu・Sunrise Inc.

©’76, ’19 SANRIO