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

As part of the “Gundam vs. Hello Kitty Project,” both franchises are set to get their very own puzzle games at Tokyo Mystery Circus on July 18.

The Mobile Suit Gundam game, titled Gundam Kidou Sakusen (“Gundam Tactics Activate”), will see you seeking to finish building a Gundam while avoiding being attacked by the Principality of Zeon. Using AR technology, complete your mission together with Amuro Ray.

The Hello Kitty game, titled “Hello Kitty’s Night Museum,” follows a string of themes following the history of the character from when she was born to today and in the future. Using Tokyo Mystery Circus’s puzzle-solving book, you will traverse through the Night Museum and complete numerous stories. You will hear voice messages from Hello Kitty herself, there will be a popcorn machine, illustrations of Hello Kitty by popular manga author Arina Tanemura, and more.

A campaign will also run which will determine who the winner will be between Hello Kitty and Gundam. This will be decided depending on the amount of clears of each respective event. The number of votes will be displayed at Tokyo Mystery Circus. A themed menu will also be served.

 

©️創通・サンライズ 
©️’76, ’19 SANRIO　著作（株）サンリオ

A crowdfund was set up on the Japanese website BOOSTER to raise money for an art book entitled Drawing of Gundam Yuji Kaida. The goal was set at 3 million yen but fans have been to accumulate almost 8 million yen.

This one-of-a-kind art book compiles the works of Japanese artist Yuji Kaida up to today. Kaida is a veteran illustrated renowned for his art work of Gundam, Godzilla and Ultraman.

Kaida released the following statement: “This one and only volume encompasses Gundam I have drawn over the years. It also includes extensive illustrations of the plastic models all compiled dynamically! Mobile Suit Gundam began airing in 1979 not long after I debuted as an illustrator. I was nuts about it and watched it religiously. Drawing as an artist for Gunpla packaging was my encounter with illustrating Gundam. I have drawn around 180 Gundam starting with the 1/100 Acguy from the first series. I have drawn pieces over many years to capture the characteristics of Gundam builds and their weapon together with a dramatic element. I really want fans to be able to enjoy those works all compiled into this book. I hope this can serve as returning the favour for the gratitude I have continued to feel up to now. I feel it is together with the fans that I have been able to make this book, so I would be overjoyed if we can join hands in this.”

The owner of the project Jin Matsuyama also made the following statement: “The work Yuji Kaida produces has an overwhelming power. We are clearing away restrictions to produce this book so we can create something as wonderful as possible. I ask humbly for you to participate in this project. This is illustrator Yuji Kaida’s second 40th anniversary project. He is someone I have been indebted to since university. Even now he continues to support me in many different ways. Originally, this… magnificent? project was to release the Ultraman book in 2017, the Gundam book in 2018, and plan something else for 2019. But there was various tuning that needed to be done, and Yuji Kaida conveyed his strong desire to make this book of illustrations something satisfying, to the release date ended up changing to 2019. We’re currently in the final stages of editing, and I’m simply overwhelmed by the power that this collection of works has. On the production side of things, we are doing everything from resizing images and printing to binding as well as clearing away restrictions on book shop distribution so we can make it as wonderful as possible. I hope to deliver it to all the Gundam fans and fans of Yuji Kaida. I ask for your continued support. We also plan to hold exhibitions [around Japan] for Yuji Kaida’s work. Please look forward to it.”

A new promotional video has been released featuring the new opening theme of the upcoming TV anime series Run with the Wind. The song, titled Kaze Tsuyoku, Kimi Atsuku, was written by Q-MHz and Mitsuhiro Hidaka―also known as SKY-HI―and will be released as a digital single on January 23.

The song features a running-like melody coupled with SKY-HI’s vocals and rapping. Check out the video below which showcases the 10 members of the athletic club in Kansei University in their uniforms.

 

 

Run with the Wind will continue with episode 12 on January 8, 2019.

Japanese music group Q-MHz which is composed of Aki Hata, Tomokazu Tashiro, Katsuhiko Kurosu and Tomoya Tabuchi (UNISON SQUARE GARDEN) are teaming up with AAA member Mitsuhiro Hidaka―who is also active as a solo rapper under the bane SKY-HI―to release a new digital single called Kaze Tsuyoku, Kimi Atsuku on January 23.

The song will be used as the second opening song for the ongoing anime series Run with the Wind. It features a running-like melody coupled with SKY-HI’s vocals and rapping.

 

The sports anime is an adaptation of Shion Miura’s award-winning novel of the same name.  It is being directed by Kazuya Nomura (Robotics;Notes, Ghost In The Shell: The New Movie) at Production I.G.

Comment: Q-MHz
“We are Q-MHz and we have been handed the baton from the first opening theme to perform the second one! It has a colourful rock sound that looks towards the climax of the story. Hidaka’s numbing rapping too makes it mega exciting. [People’s] emotions are sure to rise when the song doesn’t play for a second time at the end.”

 

Comment: Mitsuhiro Hidaka a.k.a. SKY-HI
“Tabuchi was my upperclassman in high school. This is the first time we have worked together, so getting to sing for Q-MHz felt like going back to being a high school student. I also got to sing in a style different to what they usually do! In receiving a request as singer I feel that though the weight is fairly heavy that pressure is thrilling and ties in with the anime and the song. It’s an eternity of youth packed in an instant into 3 minutes!”

SKY-HI dropped his fourth studio album JAPRISON on December 12. He held the finale of his 2018 “Round A Ground” tour across two days at Toyosu PIT. This is a report of the first day, December 11, 2018.

The prior unveiling of the list of special guests to perform at this show drew huge attention. Once the overhead radio show ‘Radio Marble’ ended (something which has become a staple to play at SKY-HI’s shows), the man himself, SKY-HI, stepped onto stage with his band THE SUPER FLYERS to an eruption of cheers from the crowd.

 

The night began with a performance of Free Tokyo, the title track of SKY-HI’s hit album that was released back in summer as a free download. He went on to perform nine continuous tracks including this year’s newly released tracks So What??, Name Tag, The Story Of “J” and Nanisama in addition to some of his classic live tracks.

 

sleepyhead was the first guest artist to be called out to perform 1 2 3 for hype sex heaven which received a music video this year to much attention. This was his first performance of the song and it went down a riot with the crowd.

 

Takuya “TAK” Tanaka (guitar) then took over for a talk and then a relaxing acoustic session to perform StrayCat and Bitter Dream before performing together with THE SUPER FLYERS for Limo.

Then, all of a sudden, the gauze curtain dropped and the music video for illusions feat. SKY-HI made in collaboration with Nobuaki Kaneko began playing.

During that, Nobuaki Kaneko himself appeared to perform the song alongside SKY-HI. This was followed by a freestyle session of Gemstone together with Miyavi and then Double Down. It was an overwhelming performance as SKY-HI, Miyavi and Kaneko showed off their incredible musical skills together, giving the crowd a riveting performance.

mabanua and Kan Sano were next on stage who had a jam session of Reincarnation and Chrono Club, both produced by mabanua. It was a more relaxing session than the previous, spreading a chilled vibe through the room, but still as skilfully performed.

 

THE SUPER FLYERS returned to the stage for the final act. Together with SKY-HI they performed 0570-064-556 which is a remix of Logic’s 1-800-273-8255, as well as I Think, I Sing, I Say and Marble.

 

At the end of the show SKY-HI gave some comments on his new album before performing What a Wonderful World!!, Snarchaway and his hit song Kamitsure Velvet.

It was an emotional and energetic performance from SKY-HI throughout the two-hour show. He will promote the album with his new tour titled SKY-HI TOUR 2019 -The JAPRISON- next year from February 3, 2019 where he will hit 12 locations across Japan.

Having teased it earlier this month, SKY-HI has released the full music video for What a Wonderful World!! taken from his upcoming new album JAPRISON.

The song was produced by SKY-HI himself and sees the rapper and singer take to the piano throughout. The track also features legendary Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes performing his own piano solo. Laced together with SKY-HI’s personal and emotional lyrics and a chorus by Yuuho and Kayo of SUPER FLYERS, What a Wonderful World!! will no doubt be a standout of the artist’s first album in nearly two years.

The cage in which the music video is set can be said to be symbolic of SKY-HI’s new record. Throughout our eyes are treated to a kaleidoscope of creative and avant garde visuals. The dance between SKY-HI and the skull face painted lady serves to deepen the perspective of the song that much more.

 

It has also been announced that internationally renowned guitarist Miyavi as well as RAU DEF and sleepyhead will join the special guest list the finale of SKY-HI’s ongoing tour SKY-HI Round A Ground 2018 which will take place at Toyosu PIT in Tokyo on December 11 and 12. There are limited tickets left for the two-nighter at Toyosu PIT

SKY-HI’s upcoming 4th album JAPRISON will be released on December 12―his first album in almost two years. The song What a Wonderful World!! from the new record aired on Tokyo FM/JFN38’s “SCHOOL OF LOCK!” slot in Japan on November 14.

The song, self-produced by SKY-HI himself, features a piano track by SKY-HI and a guest appearance from legendary Brazilian musician Sérgio Mendes. The song is said to be representative of the overall album.

 

What a Wonderful World!! -Teaser Movie-

 

A teaser trailer for the avant garde music video was also released. Check it out above.

What a Wonderful World!! will be released digitally on November 16. JAPRISON will also be available to pre-order on the iTunes Store for the special price of ¥1,500 for a limited time only.