Since 2019, musical duo YOASOBI has taken Japan and the rest of the world by storm. Producer and songwriter Ayase, along with singer-songwriter Ikura, base their tracks on short stories, bringing books to life. Their debut single, Yoru ni Kakeru, was released on December 19, 2019, and spent three weeks at the top of the Oricon charts. Their first EP, ‘THE BOOK,’ was released in January 2021, and now, ‘THE BOOK 2’ is less than two weeks away. The duo will also be performing in this year’s Kouhaku Uta Gassen New Years’ special. In February 2021, YOASOBI held their first solo concert at the KEEP OUT THEATER in Shinjuku. 

‘THE BOOK 2’ will release on December 1, and the pair’s first face-to-face one-off concert, titled Nice to Meet You, will take place at Nippon Budokan from December 4 to 5. 

‘THE BOOK 2’ will be a limited edition-only release, and the CD will come in a ring binder package. The album will also be available to stream. To commemorate this new release, the group’s first album will be getting a second run starting November 30. 

Anarchy, the new song from pop group Official Hige Dandism, will be the theme song for the third Confidence Man film, ‘The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Hero.’ The movie will be released in theaters in Japan on January 14, 2022. 

The Confidence Man JP was written by Ryota Kosawa, a screenwriter known for contributing to numerous hit films such as ‘Always: Sunset on Third Street’ and ‘Legal High.’ This film will follow ‘The Confidence Man JP: The Movie’ and ‘The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Princess.’ The main cast will feature Masami Nagasawa as Dako, Masahiro Higashide as Boku-chan, Fumiyo Kohinata ad Richard, and Shinya Kote as Igarashi. 

The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Hero Trailer

Official Hige Dandism originally performed the theme song for the ‘Confidence Man JP’ drama series and has contributed the theme song for each previous movie. 

The pop group gave a comment about the new project. “We’re so honored to be performing the theme song for the newest film, having worked on all of the others in the past. It’s so thrilling to imagine this being played in a movie theater! Honestly, it’s just crazy. I’m so proud that we could create a song like this. We’re so grateful to the movie’s staff for giving us these wonderful opportunities.” 

The Confidence Man JP: Episode of the Hero Special Report #2

The latest trailer for the film featuring the theme song Anarchy is available on the official website. 

©2022「コンフィデンスマンJP」製作委員会

Fans of the massively popular K-pop group BTS will recognize TinyTAN. Formerly known as ‘BTS Characters,’ these animated characters are based on the group’s members and were created by Big Hit Entertainment. Now, a TinyTAN pop-up store is coming to Shibuya from October 30, 2021, until January 23, 2022!

TinyTAN characters were based on the idea that the members of BTS have a ‘second self’ inside of them. These personalities have been brought to life as adorable chibi characters, used by the group to spread positivity and happiness to fans all around the world. 

The TinyTAN LAND Pop-up store will feature a number of new TinyTAN items, store decorations, and photo spots, so fans able to make it to Shibuya won’t want to miss it!

To celebrate the location’s first anniversary, the Kadokawa Musashino Museum will hold a 360-degree experimental exhibition titled Ukiyo-e Theater from Paris starting October 30. The theater continuously holds showings to help share Japanese culture with both domestic and international visitors. 

Bowie as Kidomaru. Masumi Ishikawa for the Ukiyo-e Project

Momoiro Clover Z and KISS. Megumi Oishi (BALCOLONY) for the Ukiyo-e Project

In the Edo period, the price of one ukiyo-e print was 28 mon, the same as a bowl of soba noodles. The word ukiyo means ‘this world,’ and these paintings captured the familiar and the mundane. In that period of time, these creations were what television, the internet, and Instagram are to us today. In the 19th century, ukiyo-e pieces first appeared in Europe and made a large impact on impressionist artists, which continues to this day. 

Danny Rose Studio has helped create a giant video space for the new exhibition, combining the old and the new. The Dreamed Japan – Images of the Floating World exhibition has been experienced by over 2 million people in France and is now coming to Japan for the first time with some new enhancements. Twelve unique works of art will be dynamically projected on a massive space, transporting visitors into an entirely new world. Clocks will tick, lanterns will dance in the air, cherry blossoms will flutter in the wind, and waves will rush overhead. 

In the back of the Grand Gallery, a large number of ukiyo-e prints used by the Danny Rose Studio will be on display along with works by contemporary Japanese ukiyo-e artists. 

YOASOBI, a unit who turns short novels into music, made their debut in November 2019 with ‘Running into the Night,’ a song which exploded in popularity upon release and swept the number one spot in the music charts and went viral internationally. The monumentum was unstoppable, taking number one on the 202 Billboard JAPAN song and streaming charts, and even featuring in the 71st NHK Kōhaku Uta Gassen. 

On January 6 of this year, the group released their first EP ‘THE BOOK,’ which was made with the concept of “a short story turned into music.” The EP was well received, garnering attention for its release as a “reading CD.” It won first place in the Oricon Digital Album Ranking for five consecutive weeks, while the seven songs each ranked in the Apple Music TOP15 Chart and the Billboard Japan 2021 Ranking for the first half of 2021 in June. Their latest song ‘Sangenshoku’ was featured in the Billboard JAPAN TOP Artist ranking, jumping straight to 34th upon release. Their monumentum never seems to stop.

The teaser video for new song ‘Taishō Roman’ was uploaded to YouTube by YOASOBI on September 15 2021. The new song is based on the novel ‘Taishō Roman’ by NATSUMI. The short novel won the ‘YOASOBI Contest Vol.2,’ a competition held by monogatary.com and Futabasha in July 2020, with 2,086 entries overall.

The full novel was released in YOASOBI’s first EP ‘THE BOOK,’ allowing fans to enjoy the upcoming song. The CD jacket visual was also released just before the MV teaser. The teaser previews a retro atmosphere, reflecting the song title. You can also hear an excerpt of the novel as read by vocalist ikura. At the end of the video, a preview of the song is played, raising expectations for the full song even higher! Be sure to check it out.

Japanese music streaming site RecoChoku has announced the top song and album rankings for August 2021!

RecoChoku Monthly Music Award – August 2021

Single Ranking

1st Place: Love Letter – YOASOBI (Released digitally August 9, 2021)

2nd Place: Suiheisen – back number

3rd Place: Dry Flower – Yuri

4th Place: SMILE ~Harewataru Sora no Youni~ – Keisuke Kuwata

5th Place: Apoptosis – Official Hige Dandism

Album Ranking

1st Place: Editorial – Official Hige Dandism (Released digitally August 18, 2021)

2nd Place: THE BOOK – YOASOBI

3rd Place: Belle Original Soundtrack – Various Artists

4th Place: Magia Record 2nd Season Theme Song Collection – ClariS, TrySail

5th Place: Senko Hanabi – Sandaime J SOUL BROTHERS from EXILE TRIBE

YOASOBI’s Love Letter took the top prize in the single ranking. Written as a collaborative project with the SUNDAY’S POST radio show on TOKYO FM, the song was inspired by a letter sent in by a sixth grader, Hatsune-san, expressing gratitude for music. The Osaka Toin High School Brass Band, after impressing the nation at the SING YOUR WORLD event last month, also performed on the track. As the title would imply, it truly is a love letter written to music itself. Resonating with audiences, it reached the top of the weekly chart upon release on August 11.

The music video for Love Letter was released on August 31, and channels the love and appreciation for music found in Hatsune-san’s letter. Since release, it has continuously trended on social media, and has over 4 million views on YouTube. YOASOBI will release their next track, Taisho Rouman, on September 15.

Official Hige Dandism took the top spot in the Album category, with their long-awaited second album Editorial containing popular tracks like I LOVE…, Laughter, and Cry Baby. This 14-song release comes almost two years after their last album release. On RecoChoku, it was #1 for two consecutive weeks. Official Hige Dandism began a nationwide tour on September 4.

Japanese pop band Official HIGE DANdism released their newest album ‘Editorial’ on August 18. Now, the music video for Apoptosis is available on Apple Music and the Official HIGE DANdism YouTube channel!

The music video was directed by Takuto Shinbo, who has previously worked on a number of the band’s works. It tells the story of three generations, following the members through a barrage of happy memories.

Official HIGE DANdism Apoptosis Music Video

A special release concert will be held on August 28, and will be streamed on the Official HIGE DANdism YouTube channel starting at 20:30. During the event, use the hashtag #HigedanMatsuri (#ヒゲダン祭り) on Twitter and share your excitement with other fans!

*Apple Music is registered in the United States and other countries as a trademark of Apple Inc. 

The BT21 Cafe is set to see its 9th run in Japan when six of them begin opening in Tokyo, Yokohama, Nagoya, Osaka, and Okinawa from July 22. The theme this time around is “MY LITTLE BUDDY.”

Main Visual

Uchiwa Fans (7 Designs) / Coasters (8 Designs)

Customers who book a table in advance will receive a free fan, and if they buy a drink, a free coaster.

The Menu

KOYA Gapao Rice | ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

RJ Omelette Stew | ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

SHOOKY Loco Moco Don | ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

MANG Coconut Green Curry | ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

CHIMMY Chicken Over Rice | ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

TATA Bibimbap | ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

COOKY Sushi Bowl | ¥1,870 (Tax Included)

Parfaits (Mango/Melon/Grapefruit) | ¥1,540 (Tax Included)

Mini Parfaits | ¥550 (Tax Included)

Milk Drinks (Strawberry/Mango/Blueberry) | ¥990 (Tax Included)

Shuwa Shuwa Fruit Tea | ¥990 (Tax Included)

Fuwamoko Latte | ¥990 (Tax Included)

Original Merchandise

Pins | ¥660 (Tax Included)

Acrylic Keyrings | ¥770 (Tax Included)

Folders ¥440 (Tax Included) / Clear Pouches ¥1,320 (Tax Included)

Pin Case | ¥1,320 (Tax Included)

Stickers ¥770 (Tax Included) / Acrylic Coasters ¥1,320 (Tax Included)

Milk Caramels | ¥1,080 (Tax Included)

The menu line-up is based on Asian cuisine and features cute dishes, drinks, and dessert combined with the BT21 characters. There’s also a collection of exclusive merchandise for fans to get their hands on.

©BT21

In promotion of Studio Chizu’s upcoming animated film Belle, Animate is holding a free online tour which will begin on July 15.

Studio Chizu’s past works have enjoyed great success both in Japan overseas and include Wolf Children (2012), The Boy and the Beast (2015), Mirai (2018), and the highly-anticipated forthcoming entry Belle, which will be released in Japan on July 16, 2021. All the films are directed by the Academy Award-nominated Mamoru Hosoda.

The online tour will be offer early-access digital entry to Animate’s upcoming Studio Chizu Exhibition which is set to open at Animate Yokohama Vivre on July 16. Shotaro Otan, the store manager of Animate Yokohama Vivre who is also active as a YouTuber, will guide viewers through the exhibition as well as show products that will be sold online as part of the event.

Ten random people who purchase Studio Chizu-related goods from Animate once the tour ends will be randomly chosen to win some free Belle merchandise too.

©スタジオ地図　©2021 スタジオ地図

Tokyo-based amusement park Yomiuri Land and flower park HANA・BIYORI are celebrating 10 years of Studio Chizu, the animation studio spearheaded by director Mamoru Hosoda, as well as the upcoming release of their new film Belle with a special event that is running from July 17 to September 5.

Studio Chizu 10th Cross Park in Yomiuri Land

Flowers collide with digital art at HANA・BIYORI

Solve puzzles in an AR rally

Themed food

Exclusive merchandise

The events will celebrate Mamoru Hosoda and Studio Chizu’s entire filmography including The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children, The Boy and the Beast, Mirai, and their upcoming film Belle which will be released in Japan on July 16. This includes themed attraction, food, merchandise, and more. There will also be a special AR rally where guests will need to locate hidden characters around the park. A digital art show will also take place at HANA・BIYORI which is connected to Yomiuri Land.

More details about the attractions and food will roll out in early July.

UNIQLO’s UT collection is a line of tees created in collaboration with other brands, anime, shows, and more. On July 2, UNIQLO is teaming up with the Japanese music duo YOASOBI to release an exclusive new collection.

YOASOBI, which is comprised of Ayase and ikura, made their debut in 2020 with their hit song Yoru ni Kakeru. Since then, their music has continued to top charts in JApan.

The collection is a fusion of fashion and music in women’s and kids designs featuring stills taken from seven of the duo’s iconic music videos including Yoru ni Kakeru, Halzion, Tabun, Gunjo, Haruka, Encore, and their new track Sangenshoku.

The Line-Up

Women’s Tees | 7 Designs | ¥1,500

Kids Tees | 5 Designs | ¥990

To promote the collaboration, YOASOBI will also hold a free YouTube livestream on July 4 2021 at 6pm (JST). The online event is called “SING YOUR WORLD” and will see them perform live.

©藍にいな ©ラビットマシーン ©すばこ舎・山中琴美・村山辰徳・細矢祐輔 ©南條沙歩 ©しなの ©牧野惇
©古塔つみ ©むつき潤
©伊豆見香苗・すばこ舎・山中琴美・村山辰徳・細矢祐輔 ©文・すばこ舎・山中琴美・村山辰徳・細矢祐輔

Since January, Studio Chizu has been teamed up with the Japanese apparel brand Graniph to release a new t-shirt design every month in celebration of their 10th anniversary. The fifth and final design was released on May 26.

Studio Chizu’s past works have enjoyed great success both in Japan overseas and include Wolf Children (2012), The Boy and the Beast (2015), Mirai (2018), and the highly-anticipated forthcoming entry Belle (2021). All the films are directed by the Academy Award-nominated Mamoru Hosoda.

Mirai x tupera tupera

The past four t-shirt designs have included The Girl Who Leapt Through Time, Summer Wars, Wolf Children, andThe Boy and the Beast, each illustrated by a different popular artist. The fifth and final design is for Mirai which was drawn by tupera tupera and features Mirai, Kun, the mother, the father, and the pet dog Yukko.

Graniph posted an interview with tupera tupera on their YouTube channel which you can watch below in Japanese.

tupera tupera Interview

(C)2018 スタジオ地図
(C)STUDIO CHIZU