Virtual Harajuku to Showcase Artiswitch’s First Original Animation by Sunrise Studio & ASOBISYSTEM
25.May.2021 | ANIME&GAME / FEATURES
Artiswitch is a Harajuku-focused fashion, art, and music project launched by Japanese animation studio Sunrise (Mobile Suit Gundam; Love Live!) and ASOBISYSTEM, who are perhaps best known as the agency that Kyary Pamyu is signed to, as well as working with other artists such as Yasutaka Nakata and promoting Japanese pop culture to the world from Harajuku where they are based. As part of the project’s launch, they will feature a pre-showing of an original animation on Virtual Harajuku on May 27, 2021 at 20:00 (JST).
Virtual Harajuku is the second area to open inside Virtual Shibuya, a service that recreates Tokyo’s area of Shibuya and its entertainment facilities virtually. Artiswitch’s original animation will feature as part of ‘Virtual Harajuku au 5G POP DAY OUT 2021’ which is being held as part of the opening ceremony of Virtual Harajuku which opened on Tuesday (May 25).
The original animation will be Artiswitch’s first released to the world. A special talk show will also take place hosted by Barbie of the Japanese comedy duo Fall in Love. Guests will include Utano Aoi and Yutaro who voice Nina and Akihiro in the animation. MIOCHIN, who has been called the leader of Harajuku’s girl scene and has over 1.6 million followers on TikTok, will also make an appearance. The trio will talk about their favourite parts of the animation, stories from Harajuku, and more. All the guests will appear in Virtual Harajuku as avatars on a special stage located in a virtual version of Jingumae Crossing.
The event can be enjoyed with or without a VR headset for free on smartphones, PC, and Mac. Head inside Virtual Harajuku to enjoy the animation and event yourself.
The animation will also be subsequently released on Artiswitch’s official YouTube channel on May 28, 2021 at 20:00 (JST). Six episodes are planned in total.
“Artiswitch” Teaser
Animation Promotional Video
Be sure to check out Artiswitch’s first release coming this week!
©SUNRISE/Artiswitch Project
Information
Artiswitch
Episode 1 Pre-Showing: May 27, 2021 @ 20:00 (JST)
Artiswitch Official Website: http://artiswitch.com
Virtual Harajuku: https://vcity.au5g.jp/harajuku
RELATED ENTRIES
-
Kuroko’s Basketball 10th Anniversary Event Coming to Tokyo and Osaka This Summer
11.July.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT
A special event is coming to Tokyo and Osaka this summer to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Kuroko’s Basketball anime series. Fans will want to visit Tokyo in July and Osaka in September.
Kuroko’s Basketball is a manga series by Tadatoshi Fujimaki which was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump until 2014 and tells the story of a high school basketball team trying to make it to the national tournament. The anime adaptation began airing in April 2012.
Kuroko’s Basketball ~A Miracle One Day in the City~
Kuroko’s Basketball ~ Kyoto Exhibition
Gallery Corner
Voice Guide
Admission Bonus – Invitation Card (9 varieties)
Exclusive Goods – F6 Character Board
Goods
Acrylic Stand (9 varieties)
Mini Acrylic Charms 1 (Random)
Mini Acrylic Charms 2 (Random)
Pin (9 varieties, random)
Purchase Bonus – Shopping Bag
The event will feature exhibits highlighting the history of the series and will feature a special voiceover. Exclusive merchandise will be on sale and guests will be welcomed by Kuroko and his friends at the entrance, all wearing special costumes drawn for the event.
Are you a Kuroko’s Basketball fan?
© 藤巻忠俊/集英社・黒子のバスケ製作委員会
© 「黒子のバスケ」アニメ10周年プロジェクトInformation
Kuroko’s Basketball 10th-Anniversary PARTY!
Tokyo Venue
Venue: Ikebukuro Sunshine City World Import Mart Bldg. 4F, Exhibition Hall A
Running: July 16 – July 31, 2022
Hours: Weekends and Holidays, 10:00-20:00
Weekdays: 12:00-20:00
*Closing at 17:00 on July 31.
*Last entry until 30 minutes prior to closing.
Osaka Venue
Venue: Hirakata Park Event Hall I
Running: September 16 – November 6, 2022
Event Details: https://kurobas-ap.com/
TicketsOn Sale: July 16, 0:00 – July 31, 16:00
Where to Buy: Loppi at Lawson / Ministop locations
Online Reservations: https://l-tike.com/event/kurobas_ap/ -
Aniplex Online Fest 2022 to Stream Worldwide on September 24
07.July.2022 | ANIME&GAME
Aniplex Online Fest 2022 will be available to stream worldwide on September 24, 2022! This is the third such event, with the first streaming in 2020. The large-scale online festival will share the latest information on Aniplex’s anime works and a number of live performances are planned. Participating artists will be announced soon, so keep an eye out for more information.
Last year’s Aniplex Online Fest featured information on 11 anime series and had a lineup of incredible musical artists, DJs, and live drawing events. The festival was streamed on YouTube worldwide in both English and Japanese for over six hours and recorded a total of 850,000 viewers.
To commemorate the upcoming event, the main visual has been revealed. The illustration was done by Kerorira, the character designer for Bocchi the Rock!
Comment from Kerorira“It’s not often I get to create an original image from scratch, so I’ve been given a very rare opportunity! Please enjoy it!”
Stay tuned for more Aniplex Online Fest 2022 information!
Information
Aniplex Online Fest 2022
Date: September 24, 2022 *JST
Streaming on YouTube Worldwide *Excluding some countries and regions.
Japanese Official Site: https://aniplex-online-fest.com/
English Official Site: https://aniplex-online-fest.com/en/
Aniplex Official Event Twitter: https://twitter.com/aniplex_event
-
Hololive Meet to Bring Popular VTubers to Anime Expo 2022 in Los Angeles
28.June.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT
Massively popular VTubers from Hololive Productions will appear at Anime Expo 2022 in Los Angeles from July 1 until July 4, 2022. The contention is one of the largest anime events in North America.
Fans will be able to purchase exclusive merchandise featuring the Hololive Meet ambassadors: Gawr Gura, Tokino Sora, and Ayunda Risu. The three represent Hololive English, Hololive, and Hololive Indonesia, respectively. Everything from shirts to wall scrolls will be on sale, so if you’re in the LA area, be sure to come out and support your favorite streamer!
Information
Anime Expo 2022
Booth Number: Exhibit Hall #4606
Dates: July 1 – July 4, 2022
Hours: 10:00-18:00 (Closing at 15:00 on July 4)
Location: Los Angeles Convention Center
Official Site: https://www.anime-expo.org/ -
Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Event Heads to Nagoya and Osaka after Successful Tokyo Run
18.April.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT
In 2021, the Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Hypnosis Flava event was held at Mixalive Tokyo, attracting tons of attention and making fans of the franchise extremely happy. Now, the event will travel to Nagoya and Osaka!
Hypnosis Flava -The Missing Case-
CAFÉ Hypnosis Flava
Food
Hypnosis Flava 〜 Rap Roll Buster Bros!!! (Curry-flavored Chicken)/ MAD TRIGGER CREW(Meatball)/Fling Posse(Meat Tacos)/Matenrou(Grilled Salmon)/Dotsuitare Hompo(Yakisoba with Mayo)/Bad Ass Temple (Miso Katsu)
Dessert
Hypnosis Flava -Division Rap Battle-
Hypnosis Flava 〜 Mille Crepe Buster Bros!!! / MAD TRIGGER CREW / Fling Posse /Matenrou / Dotsuitare Hompo /Bad Ass Temple〜Drink
Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle-
Hypnosis Flava ~ Jelly Soda Drink Buster Bros!!! / MAD TRIGGER CREW / Fling Posse/ Matenrou / Dotsuitare Hompo /Bad Ass TempleMenu Order Bonus
Coaster (36 varieties)
Cafe Merchandise Corner
Sticker Set /Clear Photo Card/Square Pin Hypnosis Flava Ver.2(6 varieties) / Acrylic Block Keychain Hypnosis Flava Ver. (18 varieties) / Candy and Magnet, Hypnosis Flava Ver. (6 varieties) / Handkerchief Hypnosis Flava Ver. (1 variety)
Store
2nd D.R.B Winner: Commemorative Acrylic Smartphone Stand (Fling Posse) / Acrylic Panel (Division Leaders) /2nd D.R.B Postcard Collection
T-Shirt /Hoodie Hypnosis Flava Ver.
The event contains three events: Hypnosis Flava -The Missing Case-, an interactive riddle-solving attraction that challenges guests to solve a mission to find the missing Division team leader, Cafe Hypnosis Flava, offering food and drinks inspired by the world of Hypnosis Mic, and Store Hypnosis Flava, a shop selling exclusive merchandise featuring newly-drawn illustrations. A merchandise corner will be set up at the cafe, where six new items will be on sale to commemorate the Nagoya and Osaka events.
©︎ヒプノシスマイク-Division Rap Battle- HypnosisFlava@Mixalive TOKYO製作委員会
Information
Hypnosis Mic -Division Rap Battle- Hypnosis Flava @ Mixalive TOKYO in NAGOYA & OSAKA
●Nagoya Event
The Missing CaseRunning: April 28 – May 22, 2022 (11:00-20:00)
Venue: Nagoya PARCO South Building 9F Event Space
CafeRunning: April 28 – June 6, 2022 (11:00-20:00) *Last food order 19:00 / Last drink order 19:30
Address: Nagoya PARCO South Building 8F THE GUEST cafe&diner
StoreRunning: April 28 – May 22 (11:00-20:00)
Address: Nagoya PARCO South Building 9F Event Space
●Osaka Event
The Missing CaseRunning: July 1 – July 31, 2022
Venue: Shinsaibashi Opa Main Building 6F Event Space
Admission: ¥2,100 (Tax Included)
CafeRunning: July 1 – August 7, 2022
Venue: Shinsaibashi PARCO 6F THE GUEST cafe&diner
Reservation Deposit: ¥300 (Tax Included)
Store
Running: July 1 – July 31, 2022Venue: Shinsaibashi Opa Main Building 6F Event Space
Admission: Free
Tickets/Official Site: https://art.parco.jp
-
Fashion and Art Inspired Anime Series ‘Artiswitch’ Inspires More Music Videos
31.March.2022 | ANIME&GAME / FOOD / MUSIC
Artiswitch, a collaborative anime series made by SUNRISE (Mobile Suit Gundam, Love Live!) and ASOBISYSTEM, Kyary Pamyu Pamyu’s agency, premiered on YouTube on May 28, 2021. The show, based in Harajuku, has featured a wide range of content pulling from fashion, art, and music trends. A number of now-popular artists and creators were also responsible for contributing to each episode, in February, a new music video series related to the series premiered on YouTube! Three new videos are scheduled to premiere in April.
Uncolor is a collaboration between ASA Wu, a trilingual singer from Taiwan with an adorable image, and NANCY SNAKE, an illustrator known for her psychedelic pop worldview that combines realism and romanticism.
Paint was created by KIHOW, an artist who is also the vocalist of the music group MYTH & ROID, and Anzu, an up-and-coming female illustrator who also won the Pixiv High School Illustration Contest 2020 CLIP STUDIO PAINT Award.
The song Sticky was composed by trackmaker KOTONOHOUSE and written and performed by Moeno Chiyuki, who is very active on social media. The two teamed up with illustrator Nah, who has a very unique view of women and who uses color in a way that no other artist does.
The next three music videos will pop up during the month of April, with Uncolor releasing on April 1 at 20:00.
Part 2: Participating Artists
#04 – Uncolor / Premiering April 1 at 20:00
Music: ASA Wu / Illustrator: NANCY SNAKE
#05 – Paint / Premiering April 15 at 20:00
Music: KIHOW / Illustrator: Anzu
#06 – Sticky / Premiering April 29 at 20:00
Music: KOTONOHOUSE & Moeno Chiyuki / Illustrator: Nah©️SUNRISE/Artiswitch Project
-
Sanrio Puroland Opens Easter Event with Oldies Flare
Tokyo’s Sanrio Puroland has begun its annual Easter celebration! The oldies-themed Puro Easter event will run until July 5, 2022.
This year marks the third Puro Easter event, and the annual stage show has been revamped for 2022! ‘Egg ‘n’ Roll Easter! -BLAST’ will be performed in the Entertainment Hall on the first floor of the park. Fans of My Melody and Kuromi won’t want to miss out, as the popular characters will appear in brand new costumes.
Egg ’n’ Roll Easter! -BLAST-
Limited-Time Easter Photo Spot
Easter Egg Hunt Mini-Game
Puroland Special Easter Greeting
Food & Dessert Menu
Original Easter Goods
An Easter-themed photo spot is located at the entrance to the 3rd floor with pop and retro style. Fans can participate in an Easter Egg Hunt mini-game, scavenging around Puro Village searching for eggs and collecting keywords to unlock an original video. Don’t miss out on new food and merchandise during the event period, with colorful curries and pasta perfect for filling hungry tummies.
The 1st-floor Event Corner will also allow guests to interact with characters dressed in Easter costumes. Staff will be dressed in Easter outfits!
© 2022 SANRIO CO., LTD. TOKYO, JAPAN 著作 株式会社サンリオ
Information
Puro Easter
Running: March 11 – July 5, 2022 -
Tokyo Flower Carpet 2022 to Decorate Gyoko-Dori Avenue with 50,000 Flowers
The Flower Painting Culture Association of Japan will hold the Tokyo Flower Carpet 2022 event on Gyoko-Dori Avenue in Marunouchi from March 19 until March 21, 2022. Over 50,000 carnations will cover the street like an otherworldly carpet, forming images of popular Kabuki actors from the Edo Period. Yasuhiko Fujikawa, a well-known flower artist who created this flower Kabuki concept, will supervise the event.
With help from 200 local volunteers, five giant flower paintings measuring 6m x 8m will be created for the event. The theme is ‘Tokyo Restart,’ with organizers hoping to inspire residents to experience new things and find new hope as we move past the effects of the pandemic.
The flowers used in the event will be recycled and reborn as ‘flower sketchbooks’ made of recycled paper. These will be donated to special-needs schools in Tokyo to support art education for children with disabilities. Since 2018, 8,000 sketchbooks have been donated to 57 schools in the city.
Her Imperial Highness Princess Tomohito of Mikasa will be in attendance.
Information
TOKYO FLOWER CARPET 2022
Running: March 19 – March 21, 2022
*Setup running from 9:00-15:00 on March 19
Location: Gyoko-Dori Avenue (Marunouchi 1, Chiyoda-ku)
Official Site: https://www.infiorata88.com/tokyoflowercarpet
-
NAKED FLOWERS 2022 Cherry Blossom Event Comes to Nijo Castle, Proceeds Support Kyoto’s Sister City Kiev
NAKED will open a new cherry blossom-inspired outdoor light-up event at Nijo Castle in Kyoto from March 18 until April 17, 2022!
This will be the first time that NAKED FLOWERS will come to Nijo Castle. Along with projection mapping on the Karamon Gate, the largest-ever projection mapping of cherry blossoms will cover the entire 140-meter-long stone wall on the east side of the inner moat.
The event will also invite guests to participate in the ‘Your Cherry Blossom’ test, which will tell you what variety of cherry blossom matches your personality. Holding the NAKED Distanced Lanterns, visitors can wander the grounds with illuminated cherry blossoms at their feet. In the garden area, when the lanterns are held over a certain spot, their colors will change!
The DANDELION PROJECT will also be a part of the event. Inspired by the idea of world peace and hopes to help transcend barriers and connect people in an increasingly divided world. This networked initiative wants to bring this change about by planting (or installing) dandelion-inspired art around the world, while it invites people visiting these dandelion exhibits to send their prayers for peace as a digital flower in real-time.
A tree-planting fund will be raising money on-site, with some of the proceeds being donated to the Executive Community of the 50th Anniversary of the Kyoto-Kiev Sister City Association to help support the city of Kiev.
Information
NAKED FLOWERS 2022 Sakura Event at Nijo Castle World Heritage Site
Location: Nijo Castle Imperial Villa
Running: March 18 – April 17, 2022
Hours: 18:00-21:00 (Grounds close at 22:00)Tickets / Official Site: https://flowers.naked.works/nijojo/
-
Takashimaya Announces ‘Amour du Chocolat’ Valentine’s Day Event
27.January.2022 | FOOD
Takashimaya’s yearly ‘Amour du Chocolat’ Valentine’s Day event is known as the ‘Festival of Chocolates.’
Bringing together chocolates from around the world, this event is a way to highlight brands being introduced to Japan for the first time along with established favorites. This year’s lineup will also feature sustainable chocolates and more luxurious sweets to make 2022 feel more uplifting.
The First Chocolate Brand to Land in Japan
Luna Creation Paris Marble Collection
Yvan Chevalier Chocolate Assortment
Chocolatine Yoann Debray Snowflake & Edelweiss Assortment
Sustainable Chocolate
Toshi Yoroizuka Truffle Banane
Sils Maria Banana & Chocolate
Bvlgari Il Cioccolato Takashimaya Original Chocolate for Sustainability
MAAHA Flower Chocolate
Ma Priere Giandujas Selection
Message de Rose TOKYO Cone Fleury 2022
International Chocolates
Charbonnel et Walker Assortment Box for Takashimaya – England
Recchiuti Peanut Butter Confections / Sepia Box – United States
Vincent Vallee Chocolat Amour / Valentine Selection – France
Bubo Barcelona Chocolate Heart Sculpture – Barcelona
Takashimaya Specials
Takashimaya Limited Edition Jacques Genin Valentine’s Heart / Classic Selection
Takashimaya Limited Edition Julien Dechenaud Praline Etoile / Praline Nouveau
Luxury Chocolates
divan Valentine Box
The Peninsula Boutique & Cafe Bear ChocolateMaison Mont Nord Assortment Box
Valentine’s Day at Home
Cacao Sampaka / Cacao Esplette
Information
Amour du Chocolat
Event Ongoing at Takashimaya locations nationwide
Takashimaya Online Store:
Order by 10:00 on February 9, 2022
*Certain items may be sold during different periods.
https://www.takashimaya.co.jp/shopping/gift/valentinesday/?utm_source=qr&utm_medium=pr&utm_content=2021&utm_campaign=valentinesdayEvent Details: https://www.takashimaya.co.jp/store/special/amour/index.html
-
Crayon Shin-Chan’s Sengoku Period Winter Adventure Now Open at Nijigen no Mori Amusement Park
20.January.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT
Crayon Shin-Chan’s Sengoku Period Adventure, a permanent attraction at the Nijigen no Mori Amusement Park in Hyogo Prefecture, has been transformed for the cold winter months until February 27, 2022!
During the event, guests will have to dodge the snow-like bubbles with a 99.9% hit rate as they race towards the finish line. Do you think you could handle it?
Information
Crayon Shin-Chan’s Sengoku Period Winter Adventure
Running until February 27, 2022
Location: Nijigen no Mori Amusement Park, Awaji, Hyogo PrefectureTickets / Official Site: https://nijigennomori.com
-
The Prince of Tennis 20th Anniversary Event to Open at Hakata Marui and Shinjuku Marui Annex
18.January.2022 | ANIME&GAME / SPOT
The second pop-up store to commemorate the 20th anniversary of The Prince of Tennis anime series will open at both Hakata Marui and Shinjuku Marui Annex!
Acrylic Figure (8 varieties): ¥1,650 (Tax Included)
Pin (Random, Holographic): ¥440 (Tax Included)
SNS-style Acrylic Keychain (8 varieties, random): ¥660 (Tax Included)
Nameplate Keychain (Rudolf & Ginka / Yamabuki): ¥660 (Tax Included)
Star Pin (Rudolf & Ginka / Yamabuki): ¥550 (Tax Included)
Acrylic Stand (Rudolf & Ginka / Yamabuki): ¥660 (Tax Included)
Fans of the series will be able to find merchandise featuring new illustrations of popular characters at both event spaces and online at the Marui Anime Online store.
© 許斐 剛/集英社・NAS・新テニスの王子様プロジェクト
Information
The Prince of Tennis 20th Anniversary OIOI POP UP SHOP
Hakata Marui
Running: January 8 – January 16, 2022
Location: Hakata Marui 5F Event Space
Hours: 10:00-21:00
Shinjuku Marui Annex
Running: January 28 – February 6, 2022
Location: Shinjuku Marui Annex 1F Event Space
Hours: 11:00-20:30 *Closing at 19:00 on February 6Marui Anime Online
https://animeonline.0101.co.jp/
Order Period: January 8 – February 7 at 5:59
Shipping Begins in Early April 2022
Details: https://www.0101.co.jp/405/info/index.html?contents_id=0320
Official Site: http://tenipuri.jp/ -
‘Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2022’ Streaming Event to Tease Franchise’s Future
13.January.2022 | ANIME&GAME
Bandai Namco has announced an upcoming global streaming event to highlight both current and upcoming Dragon Ball titles. ‘Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2022’ will take place between February 18 and February 19 in regions around the world. Plenty of updates and announcements will be made during the stream, so you won’t want to miss it!
The event was first held in February 2021 and brought together Dragon Ball fans from 23 countries around the world. This second annual event will feature even more popular content and will utilize the latest technology to bring even more excitement to fans of the series.
The world’s strongest players will once again be invited to participate in an exciting battle! This year’s Games Battle Hour will feature the Dragon Ball FighterZ, the Dragon Ball Super Card Game, and the smartphone title Dragon Ball Legends. Kids can also enjoy the new Super Dragon Ball Heroes digital card game!
On Dragon Ball FighterZ, the World Championship will be held to determine the world’s best player among the winners of the Regional Finals, a tournament featuring the top-ranked players from Europe, Japan, and North America. In the Dragon Ball Super Card Game, the winner of the 2021 World Championship will face off against the newest top player. Dragon Ball Legends will also announce a new project.
A Super Dragon Ball Heroes event will pit six players from Japan against each other, separated into two teams for 3v3 battles. Those who aren’t interested in participating in fighting games can also enjoy a trivia competition!
The “DBXV2 Super Fashion Show” will see the top 16 fashion leaders in Dragon Ball Xenoverse 2 showcasing their most creative work. The ‘Dragon Ball Art Challenge’ will also invite viewers to create their favorite characters using unique mediums like balloons and Rubik’s cubes.
The recently revealed multiplayer game, Dragon Ball: The Breakers, will also be part of the event with the game’s producer giving an in-depth look and gameplay demonstrations for this upcoming game. ‘Dokkan DATA 2022’ will look back at the seven years since the launch of Dragon Ball Z Dokkan Battle and will share some data about how players have been playing the game and its exciting history.
Viewers can also take place in a workshop to learn how to best photograph their ‘Dragon Stars Series’ and ‘S.H.Figuarts’ action figures. A master of Chinese cooking will also take the stage to recreate dishes from Dragon Ball Z: Kakarot in the special program ‘Kakarot Cooking.’
A master sculptor and his protegee will create figures of Goku and Vegeta live during the event as well! Will you be tuning in?©BIRD STUDIO/SHUEISHA, TOEI ANIMATION
©バードスタジオ/集英社・東映アニメーション ©BANDAI NAMCO Entertainment Inc.
Information
DRAGON BALL Games Battle Hour 2022
Date and Time:JST: February 19, 9:00-14:00 / February 20, 2:00-10:00
PST: February 18, 16:00-21:00 / February 19, 9:00-17:00
EST: February 18, 19:00-0:00 / February 19, 12:00-20:00
CET: February 19, 1:00-6:00 / February 19, 18:00-2:00
※Please note that the end time of the event is subject to change.
Japanese Site: https://dbgbh.bn-ent.netEnglish Site: https://dbgbh.bn-ent.net/en
*The event will be streamed worldwide (excluding some countries and regions)