Hikaru Utada is the talk of the town right now, with a concert tour in the works for the first time in almost 12 years, as well as the release of her seventh studio album Hatsukoi. Her first digital song release of 2018, Play A Love Song, which was used in a commercial for Suntory’s Minami Alps Sparkling beverage, dominated the charts in Japan and overseas.
Riding high on strong sales, the singer has announced a new tie-up song.
Hikaru Utada‘s new song Good Night will feature as the main theme song for the upcoming anime move Penguin Highway set for release on August 17. The song will be included in the singer’s forthcoming album Hatsukoi which will hit shelves on June 27.
This is Utada‘s first anime movie tie-up track in six years, following from her performance of Sakura Nagashi for Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo in 2012. An edited version of the new song can be heard in the trailer on the official Penguin Highway website. The trailer will also sequentially hit theatres across Japan.
The CD cover for Hatsukoi (pictured above) and its contents have also been made public, so be sure to check those out too!
■Information
“Penguin Highway”
Release Date: August 17, 2018
7th Album – “Hatsukoi”
On sale June 27, 2018
Price: ¥3,240 (Tax Included)
*Comes with application card to enter a lottery draw to win tickets for the 2018 concert tour.
Application Window: June 26, 2018 at 12:00―July 11, 2018 at 23:59
Pre-Order: https://utadahikaru.lnk.to/hatsukoi
“Play A Love Song” Digital Single Download
Released: April 25, 2018
“Penguin Highway” Official Website
Utada Hikaru Official Website
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On February 22, known as Ninja Day in Japan, a teaser visual and website for the anime adaptation of the manga series Under Ninjawere unveiled. The series will premiere on TBS and other networks in October 2023.
Under Ninja is written and illustrated by Kengo Hanazawa, known for his series I Am a Hero and Boys on the Run. The manga series is currently serialized in Kodansha’s Weekly Young Magazine and tells the story of a secret society of ninjas. While the underground warriors were thought to have disappeared after WWII, Kuro Kumogakure is one of them, though he’s also a NEET.
A TV anime adaptation has been announced for 2023, a teaser trailer has been released, and a new teaser visual and teaser website have also been unveiled.
Teaser Trailer
The new visual released on February 22 depicts the main character Kuro lurking in the shadows. The staff lineup has also been revealed, with the series being directed by Satoshi Kuwabara with character designs by Nobuteru Yuki.
Check out the teaser site and get ready for battle in October!
©花沢健吾・講談社／アンダーニンジャ製作委員会
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London-based Japanese Artist Rina Sawayama Covers Hikaru Utada’s Legendary ‘First Love’ at Tokyo Concert
Born in Niigata and living in London, international singer-songwriter Rina Sawayama released her second album Hold The Girl on September 16, 2022. Her Japan-based Hold The Girl Tour saw successful shows in Nagoya, Osaka, and Tokyo, with Sawayama generating plenty of buzz. During the final show on the tour, the singer surprised the audience with a cover of Hikaru Utada’s hit songFirst Love. The video of this incredible performance is now available to watch on YouTube!
First Love - Rina Sawayama (Hikaru Utada Cover, Tokyo Garden Theatre)
Prior to the Tokyo show, Sawayama took to Instagram, posting a comment for fans. “Since this is the biggest show I’ve ever done, I think I should cover a special Japanese track to commemorate the event,” she said. The singer had previously asked fans to share the songs they’d most like to see performed.
“Without this artist and without this song, I probably wouldn’t have become a musician or an artist. I heard this track when I was around six years old, and I remember dancing for my parents who were sitting on the sofa. This artist also celebrated her 40th birthday yesterday. This is my first cover, but I think it’s the perfect way to commemorate this special event. Please enjoy,” Sawayama concluded.
The audience responded to this surprise with a chorus of excitement, and this was surely an unforgettable night for many fans.
Rina is currently on the Hold The Girl Tour in Europe. At the end of March, she will make her Hollywood debut in the fourth John Wickmovie.
Information
Hold The Girl (2nd Album)
On Sale Now
Listen/Purchase: https://umj.lnk.to/RinaSawayama_HoldTheGirl
Purchase Bonus Details: https://www.universal-music.co.jp/rina-sawayama/news/2022-07-28/
Official Site: https://www.rina.online/ -
The 31st Character Song CD from Cygames’ popular smartphone anime RPG Princess Connect! Re:Dive was released on January 25, 2023.
This new release includes the song Knight’s Soul sung by Matsuri (Asami Shimoda) and Christina (Chiaki Takahashi), as well as Hatsuyuki Twin Approach by Yori (Sayuri Hara) and Akari (Azumi Asakura). Original karaoke and solo remixes of each song are also included.
These tracks were used as the ending themes for the limited-time Tribal Spirits: Raising Sword and Pride Bridge event, which began last October, and the Happy Happening Happy Twin Angels and Christmas Eve Gift event, which began last November.
The songs are also available to stream on all major music streaming services!
In addition, a music campaign will begin on February 14 to celebrate the fifth anniversary of Princess Connect! Exclusive A3-size posters (2 varieties) will be given to those who purchase the new CD at participating stores while supplies last.
© Cygames, Inc.Information
Princess Connect! Re:Dive – PRICONNE CHARACTER SONG 31
Release Date: January 25, 2023
Buy CD: https://priconne.lnk.to/CD-ReDive31
Streaming Links:
https://priconne.lnk.to/ReDive-31 -
An album featuring both the opening and ending themes of the anime series TRIGUN STAMPEDE will be released on a single album on February 22, 2023 from TOY’S STORE. The opening, TOMBI, is performed by Kvi Baba, while the ending, Hoshi no Kuzu α, is performed by both Salyu and Haruka Nakamura. Preorders are now available and those snagging a copy will also be gifted an original sticker featuring the album’s artwork. The record is only available in limited quantities and sales will conclude once the item is sold out. TRIGUN STAMPEDE Non-Credit Ending
TOMBI, performed by Kvi Baba, was released on January 6 and has seen a surge in popularity, appearing on a number of popular playlists and reaching the top spot on the iTunes Rap and Hip-Hop chart. The ending theme song, Hoshi no Kuzu α by Salyu and Haruka Nakamura, was released on January 13, 2023. The jacket features an original design featuring the main character, Vash the Stampede, from the Trigun anime series. The jacket was designed by Takahiro Yasuda, an art director and graphic designer belonging to the creative association CEKAI. The non-credit ending video featuring the ending theme song is now available on the YouTube TOHO animation channel. Be sure to tune into the long-awaited series TRIGUN STAMPEDE! © 2023 内藤泰弘・少年画報社／「TRIGUN STAMPEDE」製作委員会 Information
Record / V.A. Tombi / Hoshi no Kuzu α
Release Date: February 22, 2023*TOY’S STORE limited item (Quantities are limited and sales will end when stock runs out.)
*Purchase bonus: Original sticker (Same design as the record jacket)TOY’S STORE:
Kvi Baba
https://store.toysfactory.co.jp/shop.asp?cd=67
Salyu
https://store.toysfactory.co.jp/pc/shop.asp?cd=19TOMBI – Kvi Baba (1st Major Single)
Streaming Sites: https://tf.lnk.to/kvibaba_tombiHoshi no Kuzu α – Salyu × Haruka Nakamura
Streaming Sites: https://TF.lnk.to/hoshinokuzu_alpha -
Hoshi no Kuzu α, the new song by Salyu × Haruka Nakamura, was released on streaming services on January 13, 2023.
The track will be used as the ending theme for the TRIGUN STAMPEDE anime series. It will be featured starting in the second episode which airs on January 14 at 23:00.
A six-song EP titled March of the Saints has also been announced, scheduled to release on March 8, 2023. Hoshi no Kuzu α will be included and the cover art has been released. Preorders are open now!
TRIGUN STAMPEDE
Information
Hoshi no Kuzu α – Salyu × Haruka Nakamura
Release Date: January 13, 2023
*Streaming Links: https://TF.lnk.to/hoshinokuzu_alphaMarch of the Saints EP
Release Date: March 8, 2023
*Purchase: https://tf.lnk.to/Seijanokoushin_EP -
TrySail is a popular girl group consisting of three popular voice actresses: Momo Asakura, Sora Amamiya, and Shiina Natsukawa. Since their debut in 2015, the girls have performed incredible live concerts, managing to hold successful events at Yokohama Arena and the Yoyogi National Gymnasium. TrySail’s latest album, Re Bon Voyage, was released in September 2021, reaching the #5 spot on the Oricon Weekly Ranking. The group’s newest song, Karei One Turn, will be used as the theme song for the 2023 anime series My One-Hit Kill Sister. The happy-go-lucky track can be heard in the second teaser trailer for the show.
Along with this exciting anime tie-up, TrySail has announced the song flower. The song will be used to commemorate the group’s upcoming event ‘LAWSON presents TrySail Arena Live 2023 ~Ai ni Yuku yacht! Minna de Aso-boat!~’ Be sure to watch out for what else TrySail has in store for fans in 2023! Information
My One-Hit Kill Sister
TrySail Official Site: https://trysail.jp/