FLOW Unveils Code Geass & Tales Budokan Merchandise Illustration

11.January.2019 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC

Japanese rock band FLOW is set to return to the Nippon Budokan on January 30 after 10 years. In the lead up to this momentous occasion, the band is slowly revealing the merchandise that will be sold at the venue.

 

The latest merchandise to be announced will feature a special Code Geass and Tales of Zestria the X collaborative illustration designed by ufotable. These are two series that FLOW has been involved with in the past. The illustration features 9 characters including LeLouch and C.C. of Code Geass and Sorey and Mikleo from Tales of Zestria the X.

FLOW x Code Geass x Tales of Zestria the X Collaborative Shikishi Paper: ¥1,500

The Shikishi paper will be available in limited quantities inside the venue only. Don’t miss this chance to get your hands on a super rare item that won’t ever be sold again.

 

The Budokan concert will see FLOW perform a historical set list of their classic songs. They will be joined by special guests and their friends GRANRODEO with whom they have released two singles with.

RELATED ENTRIES

  • Animate Cafe Ikebukuro 2 & Osaka Nipponbashi Hold Code Geass Student Council-themed Event

    10.March.2022 | ANIME&GAME / FOOD / SPOT

    Animate Cafe Ikebukuro 2 and Osaka Nipponbashi are now holding a collaboration with popular characters from the Code Geass anime series! Running until March 27, the new Chocolate & Tea Lounge-themed menu items and limited-edition merchandise can’t be missed by fans of Lelouch. 

     

    Animate Cafe Exclusive Illustration

     

     

    Collaboration Menu

    Hamburger Steak with Mushroom Sauce

    [Lelouch’s Favorite Dessert] Chocolate Fondue

    [Suzaku’s Favorite Dessert] Chocolate Afternoon Tea

    Chocolate & Tea Lounge Special Chocolate Drink

     

     

    Merchandise

    Newly Illustrated Big Acrylic Stand

    Newly Illustrated Glitter Acrylic Keychain

    Newly Illustrated Special Acrylic Plate

     

    (C)SUNRISE/PROJECT L-GEASS Character Design (C)2006-2017 CLAMP・ST

  • Code Geass Celebrates 15 Years With Themed Cafe in Shinjuku, Tokyo

    15.November.2021 | ANIME&GAME / FOOD / SPOT

    Anime series Code Geass is celebrating its 15th anniversary in 2021. To celebrate, a winter-themed Code Geass Cafe will open in Shinjuku for a limited time, from December 2, 2021, until January 23, 2022. The cafe will feature a lineup of luxurious and stylish food and drink items to celebrate Lelouch’s birthday. 

     

    Bonuses

     

    Menu

     

    Food

    [Lelouch] Chicken Steak

    [Suzaku] Demi-glace Steak

    Cream Pasta with Shrimp and Mushrooms

     

    Dessert

    Happy Birthday Plate

    Student Council’s Afternoon Tea Set

    [Nunnally] Black Tea Whipped Cream Millefeuille

    Christmas Glass Parfait

    New Year Glass Parfait

     

    Drink

    Lelouch, Suzaku, Nunnally

    Student Council’s Tea Party (Black Tea, Coffee)

    Original Goods

    Pin (9 varieties, random)

    Acrylic Keychain (9 varieties, random) 

    Acrylic Stand (9 varieties, random) 

    Clear Folder Set (2 included) 

    Acrylic Stand (Lelouch, Suzaku, Nunnally) 

    Acrylic Board

    Muddler Spoon Set

    Satin Pouch

     

     

    Code Geass debuted in October 2006, and the series was recently re-aired in Japan with a new opening and ending theme. A new series, Code Geass: Z of the Recapture, is coming in the future. 

     

    Lelouch’s birthday is on December 5, so there will be plenty of treats to celebrate. Be sure to come give your well wishes!

     

    ©SUNRISE/PROJECT L-GEASS Character Design ©2006-2017 CLAMP・ST

     

  • TV Anime Back Arrow Reveals New Key Visual and Promotional Video

    02.April.2021 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC

    The ongoing TV anime series Back Arrow, which has been airing since January, has released a new key visual and promotional video and confirmed that Eir Aoi and FLOW are performing the new opening and ending themes respectively.

    Back Arrow 4th Key Visual

    The series is licensed by Funimation outside Japan. Check out the new promotional video below.

     

    Eir Aoi is perform the second opening theme Kodou

    Eir Aoi | Comment

    “The lyrics of this song are about how the sadness you cannot bare alone can be half-bared if you’re with another. How the choices you have made, the things you are lost on, and your continued worry aren’t meaningless, and how we should be positive about our struggles as we live our lives. Let’s overcome the time we have been unable to see one another and start a new chapter going into the future.”

    *Comment translated from Japanese by MMN

     

     

    FLOW are performing the second ending theme United Sparrows

    FLOW | Comment

    “We have tag-tamed with the directed, Taniguchi, since Code Geass, so we were naturally confident going into recording. Arrow and the gang are at the half point of the story so it’s only going to get more exciting. For the ending song, we were given the themes of ’embraced kindness’ and ‘a song flowing with emotions,’ so we took that and shared ideas amongst our band to transform it into sound. The result was a soundscape that FLOW hasn’t explored before, and I believe it resonates with the show in a big way. We hope people enjoy our song together with the run up to the climax of the story.”

    *Comment translated from Japanese by MMN

     

    The anime series is holding a vote for fans to choose their favourite scene from the first 12 episodes. The vote is open to everyone and can be cast here. Please note that the website is in Japanese, but all you need to do is click on the scene and choose ‘vote’ at the bottom.

  • FLOW Unveils ‘Sign’ 2020 World Version of Music Video Which Features Fans All Around The World

    14.January.2020 | MUSIC

    FLOW’s song Sign has been played over 20 million times across the world on the digital music service Spotify alone. January 13 marks 10 years since the single’s release and to commemorate, the band has just dropped a special music video. 

     

    FLOW ‘Sign’ 2020 World ver.

    Last year, FLOW launched a worldwide project with the chance for FLOW fans around the world to feature in a FLOW music video. FLOW accepted videos of fans singing and dancing to their song Sign, carefully selecting and editing the videos with scenes from the official music video. The 2020 World Version of Sign also includes the lyrics to the song in English, Spanish, Chinese and Japanese. This is proof of FLOW’s efforts to connect to people all over the world through their music – make sure to check it out.

     

    FLOW is also set for their solo performance FLOW Chou Kaigi 2020 ~Anime Shibari Returns on February 24, 2020, which will be held at Makuhari Messe Event Hall. At this performance, the band will fill the entire evening with anime songs that their fans know and love. General tickets will be available to purchase from a number of ticket services including Lawson Ticket from 10:00 am on January 18, 2020.

  • FLOW Fans of the World Send Your Videos To Be Included in FLOW’s Music Video

    02.November.2019 | MUSIC

    On music subscription services alone, FLOW’s tunes have been played more than 100 million times worldwide. Their hit song ‘Sign’ has been played over 20 million times itself. To celebrate their success, FLOW is launching a new global campaign which invites fans all over the world to be part of their music video for ‘Sign’.

     

    Show after show, FLOW has celebrated an uncountable number of successful performances overseas. To show their gratitude to their fans at home as well as in foreign countries, the band are launching this music video project.

     

    FLOW is accepting videos from all over the world of their fans dancing, singing or performing along to their song ‘Sign’. From solo videos of yourself and solo karaoke sessions to band performances, guitar, bass and drum solos, this is a chance for fans of the world to shine alongside their favourite Japanese band. Whether you send a video of just yourself, you and your friends or even a mass dance video, the choreography and performance style is up to the applicant.

     

    Please refer to the links mentioned in the information section below to find out more about the application process.

    If you’re a FLOW fan, you definitely cannot miss out!

  • UNIONE Perform Live Orchestral Version Of Code Geass Ending Theme ‘Revive’

    24.April.2019 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC

    Five-member vocal group UNIONE have posted a live orchestral version of Revive, the ending theme song to the anime film Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection. The film was released in Japan on February 9 this year and will be released in the US on May 5.

    The group performed the song as special guests at the “Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection Orchestra Concert” which took place at Tokyo Opera City on March 22, 2019.

    UNIONE received a huge reaction and round of applause from the crowd when they stepped out to perform.

     

    Yuta, a member of the group, said: “We are truly happy to both be associated with the historical series Code Geass as well as get to perform alongside this 62-person orchestra. I would love to perform together with such a wonderful orchestra someday at one of our own concerts.”

  • FLOW Discuss New Album ‘TRIBALYTHM’ in Live Stream

    16.April.2019 | MUSIC

    To celebrate the release of their new album TRIBALYTHM, Japanese rock band FLOW held a talk on April 13 at an undisclosed location for 150 lucky fans where the members discussed the record in detail. The 2-hour event was live streamed on YouTube where they went through and listened to each track.

    Visuals were provided for each track including scenes from anime where songs were used as theme songs, live footage from their concert at Nippon Budokan and their South America tour, and visuals made specially for the event.

    During the talk, the not only band provided commentary for each song but also their thoughts, feelings as well as backstory behind the tracks.

     

    Take discussed the story behind the album’s CD cover art: “The album jacket this time around was made by Amane Murakami. It’s our first full original album in three years, so we were able to unite once again. He was the very first person to be involved in creating FLOW’s logo and our first [maxi] single FLOW #0. He also kindly came to see our show at Nippon Budokan in January which is what is drawn on the album artwork. ‘FLOW’ is written in the middle of the stage and gathered around us is everyone else, all from different generations, genres, and across national borders. The design he has created forms what we felt on that day at the Nippon Budokan.”

    Kohshi commented on FLOW’s activity for 2019: “We began the year at Nippon Budokan and right after were able to release a full album. The band feel blessed to be in this position. We will be going all out making music and performing this year so we ask for your kind support.

     

    Keigo talked about the performing the new album live: “I believe this album is more diverse than any we have put out to date. The others have already said it, but we’re all about the live shows. The experiences we have gained performing live enabled us to make TRIBALYTHM. We will be able to show that once again live, so we’ll be waiting for you on tour.”

     

    FLOW will head on a 7-date tour entitled FLOW LIVE TOUR 2019 “TRIBALYTHM” to promote their new album beginning at Yokohama Bay Hall on May 26 and ending at Shinkiba Studio Coast on July 12, 2019. Tickets for the tour finale at Studio Coast will go on pre-sale via Lawson Tickets from April 16 to April 23.

     

    Hear a track-by-track preview of the album below.

     

  • FLOW Release Track-By-Track Preview of New Album ‘TRIBALYTHM’ & Announce YouTube Live Stream

    11.April.2019 | MUSIC

    FLOW have released a video featuring a track-by-track preview for their new album TRIBALYTHM which just hit shelves on April 10, 2019. The 14-track album includes 5 songs the band has performed for anime and games as well as a DVD/Blu-ray of their performance at the Nippon Budokan held in January to commemorate their 15th anniversary.

    The band has also announced that they will hold a live stream session on April 13 where they will talk about all the songs on the album.

    FLOW will head on a six-date tour entitled FLOW LIVE TOUR 2019 “TRIBALYTHM” to promote their new album beginning at Yokohama Bay Hall on May 26 and ending at Shinkiba Studio Coast on July 12, 2019.

    Select copies of the album purchased include pre-sale tickets for the tour.

  • Hear FLOWS’s New Album ‘TRIBALYTHM’ Before Its Official Release Date

    27.March.2019 | MUSIC

    FLOW will drop their 11th studio album TRIBALYTHM on April 10, 2019―their first album in three years. A special countdown website launched on March 26 at 21:00 (JST) to promote the upcoming release.

     

    From March 26 until April 8 one new track from the album will be available to listen to on the website every day between 21:00 and midnight (JST). Use this opportunity to hear the record in its entirety before its official release.

  • FLOW Unveil CD Cover & Post Preview For Upcoming New Album ‘TRIBALYTHM’

    14.March.2019 | MUSIC

    FLOW recently announced that they will release their 11th studio album TRIBALYTHM on April 10, their first album in three years. In the run up to the new record, the five-piece Japanese rock band has revealed the album’s CD cover.

     

    “Tribal” and “rhythm” are key themes in the album’s portmanteau title. The CD cover artwork reflects that, taking on a colourful tribal design.

    First Press Limited Edition copies of the album are coupled with a Blu-ray featuring FLOW’s entire concert at their recent Nippon Budokan concert. It also includes a documentary of the day, as well as a separate documentary taken during their 2018 Latin America Tour, a cooking competition of Brazilian cuisine, and another of world beer. The entire run-time is 200 minutes making this a must-have for hardcore fans of FLOW.

     

    “TRIBALYTHM” Trailer

    A trailer was also released on YouTube containing select footage of the Blu-ray.

     

    Pre-sale tickets for FLOW’s 2019 TRIBALYRHM Tour are available with first press copies of both the album’s Limited and Regular editions.

     

    An exclusive track-by-track listen with live commentary by the band members will also be carried out. The first will be for official members of the FLOW “26ers” fan club where it will be available every day from 21:00 to midnight (JST) from March 12 to 25. The second early listen will be posted on the band’s official homepage at the same time from March 26 to April 8―but this time it will be one new track shown per day.

     

    The band are also carrying out a Twitter campaign. Fans can enter by posting the hashtag #トライバリズム along with their thoughts on the album to be entered for a chance to win a signed poster. The number of winners will also increase as the number of posts of people participating increases.

  • Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection Ending Theme Performed by UNIONE

    05.February.2019 | ANIME&GAME / MUSIC

    Five-member vocal group UNIONE have posted a music video for their new song Revive which was written for the upcoming anime film Code Geass: Lelouch of the Re;surrection which will be released on February 9, 2019.

    The song title ties in with the name of the latest film adaptation of the anime franchise. The lyrics were written by group member YUTA and talk about the member’s setbacks and fighting them to stand up again.

     

    The music video takes a different approach on “resurrection” to that of the film and sees the members awaken from an unforeseen accident as zombies.

     

     

    The full song and music video are set to be released on music platforms and YouTube respectively on February 8, 2019.

    Talking about the group’s new release, member YUTA made the following statement: “Before we formed as a group all of us were friends with our own music careers, but each of us along the way experienced setbacks on our musical paths. Despite that none of us could separate ourselves from music and so we came together and formed UNIONE to start walking the music of music once more. We are sometimes let down by the words ‘efforts pay off,’ but even so we are sure to meet that self of ours that we want to meet if we believe in our efforts and moved forward. That’s what this song is about. When making the music video we said that we would think outside the box of stereotypical vocal groups and do something interesting. We conversed with ZUMI, the music video director, and said we wanted to turn the typical ballad or grandiose story on its head. I never thought we would become zombies in the end, but I will be happy if people watch and think of it as a movie.”

  • Concert Review: FLOW’s First Performance at the Nippon Budokan in 10 Years

    02.February.2019 | MUSIC

    Japanese rock band FLOW performed at the legendary Nippon Budokan for the first time in 10 years on January 30, 2019. The concert was titled FLOW LIVE BEST 2019 in Nippon Budokan ~Kami Matsuri~. This is a live report of the show.

    The night began with the aggressive sounds of Break it down at which the curtains dropped. The venue floor was dotted with the red lights of fans’ glow sticks which vocalist Keigo and vocalist/guitarist Kohshi gazed at while letting their voices out.

    The band moved onto the lamenting headbanger rock tune JOY TO THE WORLD and 7th Heaven which they performed early on at their last Budokan show too. Drummer Iwasaki and bassist Got’s fired up the crowd even more with their intertwining beats.

     

    For Steppin’ Out the band took out and waved around a flag made from towels while chants echoed throughout the indoor arena during Oi!!!Oi!!!.

     

    Keigo took to the mic to say a few words: “I believe there are people here today who have come back here to see us after 10 years as well as people who are here for the first time. But this concert today, on January 30, wouldn’t exist without all of you! Without even one of you!”

     

    The band followed up this comment up with the loud, heavy and emotion-releasing Akai Siren. After the passionate Red Hot Riot the venue was dyed in blue lights as Brave Blue ensued followed by COLORS, both monumental works for the band as anime songs.

    The title of this concert is Kami Matsuri, or “Festival of the Gods.” The words “Kami Area,” or god area, were written at various locations around the venue where the crowd stood. In front of the stage was the Fighting Dreamers God Area, the former part being a reference to the band’s famous song GO!!!, and there was also the East God Area, West God Area, and Heaven God Area. Keigo and Kohshi explained that the title of the show wasn’t connected to the band’s songs, but rather that each and every fan gathered there were themselves a god.

     

    “This is a festival of the gods precisely because we all summoned you here today,” said Keigo, which received a round of applause from the crowd.

    “We have a classic old FLOW with us today,” announced lead guitarist Take. He began to play something which the crowd responded to with delightful voices. It was Melos. This song was the last single of FLOW’s days as independent artists.

     

    They continued with Tokonatsu Endless. This is a song that did not exist yet 10 years ago at the last Budokan show, and the crowd came together to sing along. Next was Neiro in all its piano-ringing glory. Kohshi picked up a guitar for this one too and layered in more sounds to the music.

     

    Answer melodic-ly fused electro sounds with loud rock while Shakys was a performance of old school rock ‘n’ roll.

    Keigo opened his mouth and spoke of their memories 10 years ago. He explained their last Nippon Budokan concert was one the fans brought them to, and how they are able to return once again to the same venue this time around. He said that 10 years ago, which then was 5 years since their debut, FLOW weren’t sure what kind of band they were and even thought they were able to connect with fans in their hothead shows, still struggled. But Keigo explained that 15 years on since debuting during which they have both accumulated fans and performed live up and down the country there was something he could say for certain.

    “We are a band who want to continue performing live with you. Whether you’re a student, a worker, male or female, whether it’s in Japan, overseas, anime songs or rock – it doesn’t matter. We want to always carry on playing live with all of you, whatever show it may be.”

     

    Following this proclamation the five members played ONENESS, a ‘theme song’ the band wrote specially for this night. The moment FLOW and the fans came together for this song was when the song was truly complete.

    The band were then joined on stage by GRANRODEO, their good friends and rivals who they always said they wanted to be there when they stood on the Budokan stage again. The special seven-member superband performed Howling together, the opening theme for season two of the anime series Seven Deadly Sins.

    As the band entered the final act of the night, they began playing a light and casual intro during which GinyuforcE and Real Akiba Boyz dashed onto stage. They all performed Ai Ai ni Utarete Bye Bye Bye, HERO ~Kibou no Uta~ and their famous Naruto hit Sign. The crowd’s voices piled on top of one another at Kohshi who emotions poured into his voice while basked in the blue lights of the arena.

     

    The crowd sang in chorus the loudest they had during the concert for Kaze no Uta. But it was GO!!! that sealed the deal with the band and crowd jumping together.

     

    “All of you gathered before us are the reason we’re a band! Budokan! This is the song of our companions! Sing it!” said Keigo as the band performed ANTHEM. This song felt deeply etched with the fact that the band has evolved, because of the fans gathered at the venue and because the band also has fans who weren’t able to make the show.

     

    The stage screen split into five parts, one for each of the five members. The fans sang and watched each of their expressions as the members reflected on their thoughts and feelings.

     

    Kohshi spoke small but poignant words. “Why have we continued to do what we do? There is one reason and one reason only. Because we have all of you.” He continued, “Please allow us to express our feelings of these past 15 years. Truly, thank you.”

     

    Garden began to play. This was also the final song of their previous Nippon Budokan concert. The main part of the show came to a close here.

    For the encore FLOW performed their new song PENDULUM and 2003 debut track Blaster. FLOW will continue to evolve before fans and into the next generation. We look forward to seeing where they go next.

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