RADWIMPS released their new song Nekojarashi on major download and streaming music services on April 5, 2020 including iTunes and Spotify.

Nekojarashi began featuring as part of a new commercial for Kirin’s “Gogo no Kocha” (Afternoon Tea) brand of drinks last month. The song, like the commercial, is themed on those moments of happiness that are right in front of us. Two versions of the song were released digitally: the normal version, and an orchestral versionーthe latter of which is being used in the commercial and is featured under the name of the RADWIMPS frontman Yojiro Noda.

The commercial started airing on Japanese TV last month. Japanese actress Kyoko Fukada is the face of the commercial, which promotes how there is happiness to be found in those casual moments in our everyday lives even if we do not notice them.

Kiririn Gogo no Kocha (Straight Tea/Milk Tea/Lemon Tea)

A project has also been launched where people can take the frame of the Nekojarashi CD cover and create their own original cover by inserting a photo of themselves. Once uploaded, you can post on social media with the hashtag. Photos will then be selected to feature in a video. Full details can be found here.また、そばにある「何気ない幸せ」をテーマにした写真募集企画もスタート。企画ページでは、RADWIMPS「猫じゃらし」ジャケットフレーム内に、自身の写真を埋め込んだオリジナルジャケット写真の作成が可能。作成したジャケット写真に#RADnekojarashiをつけてSNSで投稿すると、後日「猫じゃらし」オリジナルムービーに使われる可能性も。詳細は企画ページにて確認してみて。

Yojiro Noda | Comment

“The strengths that humans get used to is something amazing. Both the good and bad. For our own reasons, we seem to love and treasure having the breakfast we are so used to, the voice of someone saying ‘I’m home,’ the route we take back going home. The trick to living a fun life in this world might not be being overambitious, but the ability to notice those little joyful moments. Another thing is the existence of our selves with whom we spend every day with. Before we know it, we realise we didn’t actually know what that meant, so we take notice and live our lives knowing it. The me that I don’t even know might still be hidden away. That’s what I wrote this song about.”

The ‘Final Chapter’ film adaptations of Nobuhiro Watsuki’s popular manga series Rurouni Kenshin, titled Rurouni Kenshin: The Final and Rurouni Kenshin: The Beginning, will premiere in Japan on July 3, 2020 and August 7, 2020 respectively.

The original Rurouni Kenshin manga, along with its anime adaptation, is an internationally beloved series the world over that has made it to over 100 countries worldwide, including North America, UK, Europe Hong Kong, South Korea, and elsewhere. It is one of the best-selling manga series, with over 72 million copies in circulation. To date, live-action film adaptations as a whole have earned over ¥12.5 billion, and have been seen by 9.8 million people in cinemas.

The Rurouni Kenshin live-action film series will conclude with The Final and The Beginning. Kenshin will once again gather together with his fellow members of the Kamiya Dōjō to face Kenshin’s greatest enemy.

The new visual released for the films reveal that Yūsuke Iseya will reprise his role as Shinomori Aoshi, as will Tao Tsuchiya as Makimachi Misao. When asked about returning to the film series after 6 years, Yūsuke Iseya (Shinomori Aoshi) said: “I was over the moon about it as the previous two films were really popular. It was my first time appearing in a film series so being involved has given me a wholly new experience.” He also commented on the film shoot itself: “The characters in the manga don’t age, but I do, and my 30’s mentality and 40’s mentality have been completely different <laughs>.” When asked about what he feels he accomplished during the shoot, Iseya said: “I’m always 120% grateful for the things I’ve been given the chance to do. The action team, including the directors [Keishi] Ohtomo and [Kenji] Tanigaki, really encourage the actors. They’ve given me a place where I can be at my most confident when I act. Thanks to them, I’ve had no worries, and was able to take the character’s meaning and principles to heart. I feel blessed to be an actor. I feel at ease that we’ve been able to safely finish the shoot.”

Tao Tsuchiya (Makimachi Misao) was asked about filming the action scenes: “It was difficult, and a lot of hard work, but even in the action scenes I made sure to portray her as having taken responsibilities on since the last film too. I think we’ve bumped up the action even more to the previous films.” She also commented on this continuation of the film series: “My dream has come true getting the opportunity to be involved in something like this, where everyone in the staff and cast are putting all their strength in […] I’m over the moon that I was born in a time where this series can be made into a live-action.”

ONE OK ROCK will return to perform the main theme songs for the final films. They have provided powerful tracks for each film in the live-action series so far. This has included the first film main theme The Beginning, which tells the story of the beginning of Kenshin Himura’s journey, not an assassin but a lone wolf; Mighty Long Fall , a song about despair, hope, and comeback which was used in the Rurouni Kenshin: Kyoto Inferno film; and Heartache, a ballad that was used in Rurouni Kenshin: The Legend Ends.

Yojiro Noda, the lead singer and songwriter of Japanese rock band RADWIMPS, has written a new song entitled Nekojarashi for a television commercial in Japan.

The commercial in question is for Kirin’s “Gogo no Kocha” (Afternoon Tea) brand of drinks, which is promoting a new theme beginning this month: “Happy Tea, Afternoon Tea.” Japanese actress Kyoko Fukada is the face of the brand’s new commercial, which promotes how there is happiness to be found in those casual moments in our everyday lives even if we do not notice them.

The first in the series of new commercials for Kirin Gogo no Kocha shows how there are many moments of happiness felt when spending time with loved ones, like friends and family, during an ordinary day. Yojiro Noda’s new song, which he wrote for the commercial, too is themed on happiness, with its lyrics and gentle melody which is a perfect fit for the commercial. Check it out below.

Yojiro Noda said: “The strengths that humans get used to is something amazing. Both the good and bad. For our own reasons, we seem to love and treasure having the breakfast we are so used to, the voice of someone saying ‘I’m home,’ the route we take back going home. The trick to living a fun life in this world might not be being overambitious, but the ability to notice those little joyful moments. Another thing is the existence of our selves with whom we spend every day with. Before we know it, we realise we didn’t actually know what that meant, so we take notice and live our lives knowing it. The me that I don’t even know might still be hidden away. That’s what I wrote this song about.”

He concludes: “I’m also currently doing band sessions and writing stuff together with the other RADWIMPS members. I hope you look forward to that too.”

A trailer was released on the official RADWIMPS YouTube channel for a documentary that is featured on the band’s upcoming live DVD and Blu-ray release ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019, which is set to hit shelves on March 18, 2020.

“Documentary of ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR” Trailer

The documentary follows RADWIMPS on their long tour from last year, which saw them play 20 shows in 11 cities across Japan. It includes rehearsal and backstage footage, as well as the band interacting with the artists that joined them across the 2019 tour.

The DVD and Blu-ray will feature 23 songs which includes the guest performance from Aimyon for Nakidashisodayo, a song by RADWIMPS which she features on. It also includes a documentary of the tour, as well as guest appearances from artists who joined the band on stage including Miyachi, Titan Zombies, Taka from ONE OK ROCK, and Toko Miura.

RADWIMPS are set to embark on an all-new tour starting this March. Titled “KONNICHIWA NIPPON TOUR 2020,” it will take them to seven cities in Japan for 10 showsーincluding four dome venues.

For the latest information on the upcoming tour and the band’s releases, check their official website below.

Japanese singer Aimer is known for her deep, husky voice which once you hear it, you’ll never forget it.

Last year, Aimer released her song STAND-ALONE which was used as the main theme for the Japanese television drama series Anata no Ban Desu. She followed that up with Torches, which served as the ending theme for the anime series Vinland Saga. Her new and 18th single Haru wa Yuku/marie will be released on March 25, 2020.

Haru wa Yuku will be used as the main theme for the upcoming anime film Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel III. spring song which will release on March 28, 2020 as the final film in the planned trilogy. The other track, marie, was used as the theme song for the Japan and Austria Habsburg Exhibition.

Aimer wrapped up her Aimer Hall Tour 19/20 “rouge de bleu” at Tokyo International Forum (Hall A) on February 22 and 23. The tour, which was themed around the colours red and blue, began in October last year, and saw Aimer perform 24 shows in 17 cities around Japan. The shows were split into two parts: the first being “Blue” which was centred around ballads, and the second being “Red” which was comprised of up-tempo tracks.

During her performance of Torches, Aimer actually stepped onto stage holding a torch.

Aimer announced during the encore of the last show of the tour that marie would be released for digital download and streaming that night, ahead of the March 25 CD release. She also announced her next tour entitled “Aimer Acoustic Tour 2020.”

The acoustic tour will begin on September 4, 2020 and will see Aimer perform 18 shows in 17 cities around Japan. Pre-sale tickets are now available via her official fan club “Blanc et Noir.”

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure announced last year the release of a new album. More information has now been released with regards to the albumーhis fourth album in total and the first in three years.

TK’s new album is entitled Sainou, and it’s releasing on April 15, 2020. It will include such hit tracks as katharsis, which was the opening theme to the popular anime series Tokyo:re; P.S. RED I which was used as the main theme for the Japanese release of Spiderman: Into the Spider-Verse; the opening theme Chou no Tobu Suisou forthe ongoing anime series pet; and his digital single melt which featured suis of rock duo Yorushika on guest vocals. First Press Edition copies of the album include a bonus CD featuring the audio taken from TK’s acoustic live show Bi-Phase Brain “R side” which was held at Bunkamura Orchard Hall in Tokyo in December 2019.

Fans who purchase the new album together with TK’s single Chou no Tobu Suisou, which was released on January 22, 2020, have the chance to be invited to rehearsals for the singer’s upcoming tour which will promote the new record. Full details can be found on his website.

The 11-date tour is entitled “TK from Ling Tosite Sigure Sainou TOUR 2020” and will kick off at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM in Tokyo on April 22, 2020.

Supporting TK on tour is BOBO on drums, who has supported TK since his early days, Honoka Sato on violin, and Ichiro Yoshida on bass. MARI (Gesu no Kiwami Otome) and Kie Katagi (jizue) will also join as support members.

RADWIMPS have revealed the DVD and Blu-ray cover for the release of their upcoming live DVD and Blu-ray ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019, as well as a trailer on their YouTube channel which features footage from the feel-good tour which was held last year.

The DVD and Blu-ray will feature 23 songs which includes the guest performance from Aimyon for Nakidashisodayo, a song by RADWIMPS which she features on. It also includes a documentary of the tour, as well as guest appearances from artists who joined the band on stage including Miyachi, Titan Zombies, Taka from ONE OK ROCK, and Toko Miura.

RADWIMPS are set to embark on an all-new tour starting this March. Titled “KONNICHIWA NIPPON TOUR 2020,” it will take them to seven cities in Japan for 10 showsーincluding four dome venues.

For the latest information on the upcoming tour and the band’s releases, check their official website below.

The music video for Aimer’s new song Haru wa Yuku has been posted on the singer’s official YouTube channel. The song will be used as the main theme for the upcoming anime film Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel III. spring song which will release on March 28, 2020 as the final film in the planned trilogy. Aimer also performed the main themes for the previous two films, Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel I. presage flower (2017) and Fate/stay night: Heaven’s Feel II. lost butterfly (2019).

Takahiro Miki was the director for Aimer’s previous two main themes for the first two films, Hana no Uta and I beg you, which both have over 10 million views on YouTube. They star Japanese actress Minami Hamabe.

Both Takahiro Miki and Minami Hamabe have returned for the final music video too, completing the trilogy.

In the video, we see Minami Hamabe in two different outfits, black and white, standing underneath a cherry blossom tree in full bloom. Its beauty is a faint allusion to the Fate/stay Night: Heaven’s Feel movie story line, mixed together with chaos. We also see Hamabe appear as she did in the Hana no Uta and I beg you music videos too.

Seeing an actress star in a long-term music video project like this, which has been ongoing since October 2017, is a rare thing indeed. The current version of the new music video is just a teaser, but the full version is scheduled to be released on Aimer’s YouTube channel in the near future.

The artwork for Aimer’s 18th single Haru wa Yuku/marie was also posted on her official website and features Aimer herself sat under a fully-bloomed cherry tree.

Aimer said: “I’m so incredibly happy to have been able to weave this story together into one from three songs with [Yuki] Kajiura and three music videos together with director Miki and Minami, finishing with ‘Haru wa Yuku.’ I’m filled with gratitude for the both of them [Miki and Minami]. I want everyone to watch this final piece while thinking about ‘Hana no Uta’ and ‘I beg you.’ I hope this music video and the song ‘Haru wa Yuku’ resonates with people deeply.”

©TYPE-MOON・ufotable・FSNPC

The anime adaptation of Ranjou Miyake’s sci-fi human drama series pet began airing on January 6. TK from Ling Tosite Sigure’s newest single Chō no Tobu Suisō is the opening theme for the series, and his music video for it just dropped on YouTube.

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure – “Chō no Tobu Suisō” Music Video / TV Anime “pet” Opening Theme

The video was created by maxilla who also worked on TK’s music video for katharsis. He took an artistic approach for this video, which was shot in the snow. We see a man and woman performing contemporary dance across the snowy landscape and on the icy shallow waters.

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure will promote his new album with a tour starting in April. The second wave of pre-sale tickets went on sale today, you can find the link below.

TK’s longest tour to date, it will kick off at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM in Tokyo. He will be supported by a live band made up of BOBO on drums, who has supported TK and his beautiful, aggressive sound since his early days; Honoka Sato on violin; Ichiro Yoshida on bass, who first joined TK on tour last year; and on piano, MARI from Gesu no Kiwami Otome and Kie Katagi from jizue.

©Ranjou Miyake・KADOKAWA/Twin Engine Inc.

RADWIMPS have released a live video of their performance of Banzai Sensho taken from their upcoming live DVD and Blu-ray ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019 which is set to hit shelves on March 18, 2020.

“Banzai Sensho” from Live DVD & Blu-ray “ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019”

In the video, we see the band and crowd of excited fans come together to sing this anthem.

The DVD and Blu-ray will feature 23 songs which includes the guest performance from Aimyon for Nakidashisodayo, a song by RADWIMPS which she features on. It also includes a documentary of the tour, as well as guest appearances from artists who joined the band on stage including Miyachi, Titan Zombies, Taka from ONE OK ROCK, and Toko Miura.

In the run up to the DVD/Blu-ray release, the concert will be screened for a limited time at cinemas in all 47 prefectures of Japan from January 23-26 this week. Details can be found on the band’s official website, and is the perfect opportunity for fans who can’t wait until the March release. Tickets went on sale for a limited time and the ticket window closed on January 5. However, if there are any remaining tickets for cinemas, they will go on sale at each cinema’s website and at the cinema ticket desks from January 21 at 00:00 (JST).

RADWIMPS will embark on their “KONNICHIWA NIPPON” tour in March. They will perform 10 concerts in 7 cities including at Japan’s four big domes. Information tickets and dates is available on the band’s official website.

With their March 2020 tour on the horizon, RADWIMPS has revealed the tour’s title as “KONNICHIWA NIPPON TOUR 2020”. The ticket lottery, which is currently open to the general public, launched a few days ago and will close on January 12 at 23:59. This is an exciting time for fans as the tour will see ten performances in seven cities as well as the band’s first ever major dome tour which includes four of the country’s most famous domes.

RADWIMPS announced that they will release the DVD and Blu-ray of their ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019 on March 18, 2020 which includes their August 29 2019 performance at Yokohama Arena. The DVD and Blu-ray will feature 23 songs which includes the guest performance from Aimyon for Nakidashisodayo, a song by RADWIMPS which she features on. It also includes a documentary of the tour, as well as guest appearances from artists who joined the band on stage including Miyachi, Titan Zombies, Taka from ONE OK ROCK, and Toko Miura.

In the run up to the release of the ANTI ANTI GENERATION TOUR 2019 LIVE Blu-ray & DVD, the concert will be screened for a limited time at cinemas in all 47 prefectures of Japan from January 23-26. Details can be found on the band’s official website.

Fans just can’t wait to get stuck into 2020. 

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure is set to release his new single Chō no Tobu Suisō (The Water Tank the Butterfly Flies in). The single serves as the opening for the upcoming anime adaptation of the Remaster Edition of Ranjō Miyake’s Pet manga seriesー a Sci-Fi drama which is set to premiere in January 2020.

TK from Ling Tosite Sigure also announced that he will release a new album next spring. The album will be the fourth full album to be released in the last 3.5 years of his project. The new album’s visuals were simultaneously unveiled, revealing a design that is completely different from his usual style, adding to the excitement and anticipation. 

To celebrate the album release, TK will be embarking on a Japan tour of 11 performances which will kick off at Ebisu Liquid Room on April 22, 2020. TK will be accompanied by drummer BOBO, who has been performing with TK since the early days of his solo project, violinist Honoka Sato, bassist Ichiro Yoshida who has been working with TK for a year, Gesu no Kiwami Otome’s keyboardist Chan Mari on piano, and Kie Katagi (jizue). Each new support member will contribute with an exciting new sound that fans can’t wait to hear.

Advanced orders are currently being accepted so don’t miss out if you’re interested.