WAX&WANE is the name of a new project that has launched in an effort to support ARCADE TOKYO, an ‘online shopping arcade’ stocking countless must-grab products from Tokyo, due to the impact COVID-19 has had on participating businesses having to close down, resulting in a drastic decrease in shipping and consumption.

12 breweries pour 12 unique sake beverages

Pair your drinks with foods outside Japanese cuisine to change things up

Bottle clothes with designs showcasing each sakes’ personality

The project was launched on June 10 via the crowdfunding website CAMPFIRE as a way to pay back thanks to 12 sake breweries in Japan who produce sake you can’t get anywhere else. It aims to spread the word of Japan’s sake culture the world to preserve its future and create even more brands, thereby adding new value to sake.

As part of the project, tie dye creator YUKIDYE, who has worked with many different street brands, has produced a collection of tie dye cloths which take inspiration from each of the 12 sake flavours and the characteristics of each brand.

In promotion of the 2021 Autumn collection by unisex apparel brand 42, Virtual YouTuber Hanabasami Kyo has been chosen to model for the line-up.

The Line-Up

Drop Shoulder Chester Coat

Triple Layered Foodie

RIB HALF ZIP SWEATSHIRT

SLIT LS

Inline Wide Pants

The virtual and real worlds combine in Hanabasami Kyo’s lookbook for the collection which she looks super stylish in. All the items she is wearing are available to purchase, but some of the most popular ones have already sold out, so be sure to check the collection out ASAP.

As part of her collaboration with 42, a music video for the song paradøx (Kameria’s “fallaciøus” remix) was also released featuring Hanabasami Kyo on vocal. The track is remixed by Camellia and captures the aesthetic of the clothing collection.

paradøx (Camellia’s “fallaciøus” remix) – Hanabasami Kyo

In promotion of their new Ver.2.0.0 energy drink, which hit shelves in Japan last Tuesday, ZONe released a TV commercial featuring Japanese artists LiSA and yama. The new beverage, which is advertised as putting people in the zone of invincibility, contains the highest amount of caffeine put in a ZONe drink yet: 150mg of the stuff, which is sure to keep people buzzing throughout the day. The packaging has also been updated to feature the new ‘ZONe EYE’ which symbolises that you’re in the zone and nothing will stand in your way.

LiSA in the ZONe
　　　　　

Dive into the zone with LiSA who knocks back her drink and immediately takes on the ZONe EYE. She grabs her mic and belts out a hardcore performance, showing off her incredible voice, before winking at the camera.

yama in the ZONe

When yama chugs her can she says the words ‘Into the ZONe’ along with the futuristic-sounding voice. She is surrounded by a whirlpool of the energy drink which flows along to the sound of her gorgeous high-tone vocals. The track itself is titled Ketsuryu (‘Blood Flow’) and was written for this commercial.

Interview

LiSA

・What did you think of the commercial and your appearance?

“For me, it was a live performance. Even I was surprised at the show of power that ZONe has [in the commercial] when it turns on your switch. I enjoyed it like a real live performance, since the part when I switch into that invincible zone was filmed just as I look in the video.”

・Tell us about the song RUNAWAY which features in your commercial.
“The song is about quitting while you’re ahead in life. It’s the start of a new era, heading into that invincible zone to laugh lots, sing, dance, and enjoy everything.”

yama

・Tell us about the song Ketsuryu which features in your commercial

“ESME MORI kindly wrote this song for me. It’s a song that brings up the topic of being bored in life, and feeling lonely, but that you can still find someone special or something you can immerse yourself in to light up your life. It’s about keeping your heart moving even if those things disappear. I hope it encourages people, even if just a little.”

In ART is a Japanese virtual art museum displaying works by a line-up of specially-selected artists. The museum is accessible through VR where users can not only look at art pieces but watch commentaries by the artists as well as shop at the museum store.

In ART has revealed that abstract painter CBA will be the third in a line-up of solo exhibitions. CBA is a graphic designer with over 20 years of experience and is also active as a musician both in Japan and overseas. They changed jobs to become an artist in 2010, and since then, their unique style which breaks language and cultural barriers has garnered them many fans from outside Japan. Most recently, CBA opened a solo exhibition at Franck Muller Boutique in Madrid, Spain. Their work is inherently universal, getting through to people regardless of age, language, or culture, something which is best appreciated when seen for yourself, and is now observable at In ART.

Some of CBA’s works on virtual display

CBA | Comment

-shine on the life-　Pray for better life
“The foundation of my work is built on putting together different elements to create something, just like how you would techno music. Colours and shapes elicit emotions and smells. Abstract painting isn’t just playing around experimenting or taking chances—it’s something that’s formed and composed, and I’d love for people to enjoy that aspect when looking at my work. I urge you to enjoy the colours, shapes, and compositions as you would music.”

In ART opened as a service offering people the opportunity to spend time enjoying art, even alone in their own house, as well as serving as a platform to support artists. Its aim is to make art a normal part of of everybody’s lives, and it does this in the form of a virtual museum which uses 3DCG technology. While it is an art museum, you don’t have to pay to enter. You can enjoy artwork at your leisure on your favourite device, and if there’s a piece you want to buy, then you can.

Don’t miss the abstract work of CBA in their virtual solo exhibition.

Capcom’s online crane game Capcom Net Catcher released its second merch collection in collaboration with Hololive on Saturday. This time, they have a line-up of items featuring the VTuber Tokoyami Towa including acrylic smartphone stands, mouse pads, and tapestries.

The Line-Up

Acrylic Smartphone Stand (2 Designs)

Mouse Pad (2 Designs)

Tapestry (2 Designs)

The artwork for the merch was designed by Mitsuki Yano and LAM who are known as the character designers for the Hololive VTubers Airani Iofifteen and Kureiji Ollie.

Featured Hololive Character

Tokoyami Towa

In order to become an archdemon, she joined the human society for further studies. She should be studying but is now addicted to gaming. She realized that the method commonly known as “streaming” is also a way to communicate with humans. She is now in the “trial and error” process.

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC1uv2Oq6kNxgATlCiez59hw
Twitter: https://twitter.com/tokoyamitowa (@tokoyamitowa)

Mitsuki Yano

A Hokkaido-based illustrator who designed the Indonesian VTuber Airani Iofifteen. Illustratrates for games, light novels, TCG, and other media.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/mituk1 (@mituk1)
Website: http://nanairo-box.blogspot.com/p/blog-page.ht

LAM

An up-and-coming illustrator working in character design, visual work, book illustrations, and more. Designed the Indonesian VTuber Kureiji Ollie. Held their first exhibition, ‘Eyes and Thunder,’ in 2020.

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ramdayo1122（＠ramdayo1122）

American singer Alaina Castillo released her debut album parallel universe pt. 1 on May 29. The Japanese release of the album includes the song down 4 u performed in collaboration with the world famous virtual YouTuber Kizuna AI.

After amassing hundreds of thousands of subscribers on YouTube, Alaina Castillo was noticed by RØMANS, the Grammy-nominated producer known for working with such artists as Alicia Keys, John Legend, Demi Levato, Lewis Capaldi, and others. Since 2019, Alaina has released a string of singles and as well as an EP. She also made it onto Spotify RADAR, an emerging artist program which helps up-and-coming artists with exposure. Her hit single just a boy was also picked up by V of BTS.

Alaina is a fan of Japanese anime and anime characters. In the music video for her single wishlist which dropped last year, Kizuna AI made an appearance. Alaina herself repaid the favour by performing as a guest at the final show of Kizuna AI’s ‘Virtual US Tour’ in New York on May 30. The two artists came together once more by performing down 4 u feat. Kizuna AI, a track sung in English and Japanese. Comments from excited fans around the world flooded into the live stream.

At the end of the show, the two danced to Kizuna AI’s AIAIAI feat. Yasutaka Nakata.

This marks Alaina’s first collaboration with another artist as well as Kizuna’s first collaboration with an artist from the US.

Alaina’s new album parallel universe pt. 1 features seven tracks including pocket locket, parallel universe, make it rain, and down 4 u.

Yukihana Lamy, a Virtual YouTuber associated with hololive, launched her own Japanese sake project in February to bring her dream to life of making her very own sake by hand. That sake has now been released by the name of Yuki-Yo-Zuki, a premium brand daiginjo sake.

The sake was created in collaboration with Meiri Shurui, a Japanese sake brewery which has been around since the Edo Period. Every single ingredient in the drink was considered from scratch including the type of rice, the ratios, yeast, alcohol content, and so on. The sake is made by hand in a brewery located in Mito, Ibaraki.

Yuki-Yo-Zuki uses Fukushogun Daiginjo as its base, a sake that won Gold in the Sake category at IWC2020. It’s made with a combination of Yamada Nishiki and Biyama Nishiki rice as well as ginjoka, the highest quality daiginjo, known for its light spicy kick and fruity notes. The bottle features an illustration of Yukihana Lamy drawn by Abara Heiki, an artist Lamy likes, with a fusion of black and silver inspired by the meaning of drink’s name: ‘Snowy Evening Moon.’

Kirin Beverage launched the Gogo Tea Happiness Project on June 1, 2021. The project will donate the proceeds made from select products to locations in Japan that require support in restoration efforts. The first product to launch is the ‘Gogo no Kocha for HAPPINESS Kumamoto Strawberry Tea’ which released in limited quantities in Japan on Tuesday.

Kirin Group launched a similar project in 2011 called the ‘Kirin Bond Project.’ in 2016, they began efforts to support the people of Kumamoto after the earthquake that struck there that year – to ‘bind’ them to the future. From then until 2018, they also shot commercials for their Gogo no Kocha milk tea brand at Miharashidai Station, Shirakawa River, and other places around Kumamoto, as well as promoted the village of Minamiaso to showcase its beautiful natural environment.

The Gogo Tea Happiness Project takes Kirin back to Kumamoto to continue helping to support restoration efforts, something the company has been doing since July 2011 after the Great East Japan Earthquake struck. For every bottle of Gogo no Kocha for HAPPINESS Kumamoto Strawberry Tea sold, not only does 3.9 yen of the proceeds go towards supporting Kumamoto, it also gives people around Japan the chance to try a type of strawberry grown in Kumamoto called yuubeni. The project also ties in with the 35th anniversary of Kirin’s Gogo no Kocha tea.

Crypton Future Media has announced that the ‘HATSUNE MIKU Digital Stars 2021’ online music event will take place on August 29, 2021 as part of their Digital Stars project. The club event sees fans come together to party online.

Merchandise for the event is available to buy on HOBBY STOCK between May 20 and June 10.

The HATSUNE MIKU Digital Stars 2021 Compilation, a CD which is part of the annual Digital Stars series, was also released at music stores in Japan on May 18.

For more information on the event, check the official website below.

Virtual YouTuber project NIJISANJI English announced the debut of the new three-member group LazuLight on May 12. The group released a music video and did a two-hour debut stream on YouTube on Sunday.

LazuLight Debut Teaser

NIJISANJI EN’s new group LazuLight begin their VTuber career

LazuLight is made up of three members: Elira Pendora, Pomu Rainpuff, and Finana Ryugu. Each has their own social media and YouTube pages.

A special livestream was held for their debut

The full two-hour livestream held on May 16, titled NIJISANJI EN 「LazuLight」 DEBUT! ~LIVE from the Moon~, can be watched on the official NIJISANJI English YouTube channel.

The stream was hosted by Hana Macchia from NIJISANJI ID who spoke with all three members. After the stream finished, they showed the music video.

The song is produced by Mafumafu

LazuLight’s debut song Diamond City Lights was released on all major music streaming and download services and can also be listened to on  YouTube.

Introducing the LazuLight Members

Elira Pendora

Category: Solar Sky Dragon

Profile

A sky dragon who came from the heavens closest to the sun. She has the kindness and receptiveness that makes the light of a sunny day fall equally on all.

Twitter：https://twitter.com/EliraPendora
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCIeSUTOTkF9Hs7q3SGcO-Ow

Pomu Rainpuff 

Category: Forest Fairy

Profile

A fairy who lived in a lush forest. Supple like a flower in the breeze, cheerful and optimistic.

Twitter：https://twitter.com/PomuRainpuff
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCP4nMSTdwU1KqYWu3UH5DHQ

Finana Ryugu 

Category: Tropical Mermaid

Profile

A mermaid spending time with tropical fish in the sea of coral reefs. Has a heart as clear and pure as the calm and beautiful sea.

Twitter：https://twitter.com/FinanaRyugu
YouTube：https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCu-J8uIXuLZh16gG-cT1naw

Be sure to check out and follow the newest members of the NIJISANJI family!

AMAZAKE STAND opened its first branch in Kamakura a year and a half ago as the first store in Japan serving homemade rice-malt amazake sweet sake. The cafe has announced that its second branch will open in Sendai on June 10, 2021. It hopes to promote the delicious taste of amazake to more people and pass it down to the next generation.

Homemade Amazake – Plain (Small Size) | ¥390 (Tax Included)

Strawberry Chocolate Amazake – Blueberry Cheesecake Amazake – Apple Pie Amazake | From ¥600 Each (Tax Included)

Amazake is a great alternative for those who can’t handle the taste of ordinary strong sake. The cafe makes it with koji and rice from Tohoku and offers it in a range of different flavours. All beverages are made without granulated sugar and include a range of ingredients that have beautifying effects on the skin and help with recovering from fatigue such as grape powder, amino acids, and Vitamin B.

Virtual Shibuya has announced that its new Harajuku area will open on May 25, 2021. The virtual experience is hosted on Cluster, a virtual social media platform.

Shibuya 5G Entertainment Project launched the “Virtual Shibuya” back in May of last year in collaboration with KDDI, Shibuya Future Design, and the Shibuya Tourism Association. Officially recognised by Shibuya City, Virtual Shibuya comes in response to the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic which has brought tight restrictions to the economy and people’s way of life. It enables people to continue enjoying entertainment from the comfort of their homes by participating in a whole host of virtual events and activities. The project aims to deliver content from Shibuya with live performances from artists, art exhibitions, talks, and more. The use of 5G and the latest cutting edge technology connects the real Shibuya to a virtual space, combining the realms of the digital and real world.

Virtual Harajuku is the second area to open in the service and brings together the iconic locations surrounding Jingumae Crossing such as Laforet Harajuku and Tokyu Plaza. As part of the new area’s launch, Japanese pop icon Kyary Pamyu Pamyu has been announced as a Special Supporter of the service. The singer and model made her debut on the streets of Harajuku with her unique fashion. Ten years since her debut, she will continue promoting Harajuku from the service.