In July 2021, sprout unveiled details about a new 2D mixed-media franchise called Tokyo Color Sonic!! Featuring eight characters split into groups of two, each is played by a talented voice actor, and the story sees the boys promoting Japanese music to a global audience. On November 6 and November 7 at the Ikebukuro Sunshine City Animate location, the Animate Girls Festival will feature decorations from the series, and starting November 13 the ‘Tokyo Color Sonic!! Animate Fair ~Begin on buddy~’ event will begin, featuring tons of new goods! The winning team from Tokyo Color Sonic will be announced during a special vocal drama airing on the official series YouTube channel on November 7, 2021. 

AGF 2021 Buddy Set

Ironoha Music Academy Notebook

Ironoha Music Academy Ball-point Pen

Mask Case (Bromide included) 

AGF 2021 Special Purchase Gift at Venue: Non-Woven Bag

Tokyo Color Sonic!! Animate Fair ~Begin on buddy~

Bonus: Foil-stamped card featuring a message in each character’s handwriting

Acrylic Stand (Mini-Characters Vol. 1): ¥700 (Tax Included) 

Tabletop School Calender 2022: ¥1,320 (Tax Included) 

Motel Key Acrylic Keychain (8 varieties): ¥880 each (Tax Included) 

Tokyo Color Sonic is set in the near future, where a government mandate aims to promote and develop the Japanese music industry as means to spread it worldwide. The movement is called “Coloration,” but after developing the program for years, things need to change. The Ironoha Music Academy trains singer and composer duos, and the country decides to start an annual music festival called Tokyo Color Sonic to shake things up! Popular illustrator Ryo Fujiwara, who has also worked on A3! and GAKUGEIDAI JUNES, is responsible for the character designs. 

A number of goods featuring illustrations drawn by Ryo Fujiwara will be available at the Ikebukuro Sunshine City Animate location ahead of the AGF event starting November 6. 

During the ‘Tokyo Color Sonic!! Animate Fair ~Begin on buddy~’ event, for every ¥1,100 spent on Tokyo Color Sonic goods and CDs (including tax), guests will receive a random code (8 varieties) to listen to a piece of newly-recorded audio from one of the characters! These clips are messages from each character to their respective buddies. In addition, for every ¥2,200 spent (including tax), guests will receive a random foil-stamped message card featuring messages from the characters written in their own handwriting. 

Are you rooting for a particular team to win? Be sure to tune in on November 7 to see if your favorites walk away victorious!

（C）COLORATION

Video streaming service dTV will broadcast the final performance of Sakurazaka46’s first tour on October 31, 2021, at 5:30 PM. dTV members will get ¥1,000 off the general admission price of ¥3,500. For those who aren’t able to watch the live broadcast, a repeat broadcast will begin at 10:30 PM on October 31. 

Sakurazaka46 made their major debut on December 9, 2020, with the single Nobody’s fault. The group performed on Debut Countdown Live!! the day prior, and their incredible performance was aired in movie theaters across the country. 

In April 2021, Sakurazaka46 released their second single, BAN. At July’s W-KEYAKI FES. 2021, they performed in front of a live audience for the first time. Their third single will be released on October 13, and the group will perform the new tracks during this concert. Their new music video was unveiled to audiences during this tour. 

Using dTV, fans can watch the concert on their smartphone, tablet, computer, or television. 

Trend-leading fashion brand AAPE has announced a new collaboration collection with classic sports brand NEW BALANCE. The collaboration will be both sporty and trendy.

The collaboration pays homage to classic street culture, with camouflage prints and the stylish NEW BALANCE logo colored using earth tones. Based on the 703 sneaker, the mountain trail running shoes have a military vibe while offering maximum comfort and durability.

The collection also includes a selection of durable and flexible outdoor clothing, with jackets and utility trousers. AAPE’s new spliced camouflage print brings out the practical look even further. You can also pick up some practical gear such as fishing hats and thick mountain socks. 

The collaboration items will be available from September 25 at AAPE STORES in Harajuku, Shibuya, Hankyu Men’s Tokyo, Osaka, and Lake Town.

Be sure to check out this aesthetic and functional collaboration!

A new color has been added to the New Balance 237 collection, a modern sneaker which debuted in 2021, inspired by the 1980s New Balance models 420, 1300, and Gator. The 237 was released following the release of the popular 327 in 2020. The fresh and modern design is combined with a retro twist – The upper combines a variation of materials, while the tongue is cut and the outsole is rolled. The design also features the same 70s motifs as the 327, with a large N logo and notched eyelets making a huge impact on the sneaker. The retro design is versatile and easy to style.

Plus, dance-rock band ‘DISH//,’ a band that continues to grow and refine their activities, have featured in a must-see new visual wearing the brand-new 237 shoes! Be sure to check it out.

Since their creation in 1988, the 996-model sneaker has been one of New Balance’s most popular models. This month, the 996 will be reborn as the New Balance Standard, with the same comfortable feel and some minor changes to the logo.

In the new campaign, Natsume Mito, Saki Shibata, Fumiko Aoyagi, and Shiho Takechi will be modeling the new shoes, each in a sleek new color. The photos are meant to depict women living their daily lives with positivity, as they did in 1988 and as they do today.

The 996 model sneakers are the third model in the 99X series. Released in 1988 as a running shoe meant to be used on paved surfaces, its comfort and design has made it a best-seller among both men and women.

Will you be grabbing a pair of these updated kicks?

Japanese shoe brand ASICS is teaming up with street fashion brand A BATHING APE® to release a new pair of sneakers. The shoes are modern and sporty, while still rocking an original BAPE® design, and will be available at A BATHING APE® retailers and online starting August 22.

BAPE® x ASICS GEL-1090: ¥19,800 (Tax Included）

Originally released in 2003, the GEL-1090 is a classic pair of sneakers, now updated with modern flair and functionality. The design is reminiscent of the street scene of the early 2000s, as seen through the eyes of the BAPE® brand.

The tiger claw mark on the toe and heel are original to the GEL-1090 design, while the BAPE® style has been fashionably incorporated throughout, including classic camo and shark motifs. Tokyo-based photographer RK was in charge of the look book for the release, and captured the effortless mix of sporty and street-style the GEL-1090s offer.

Do these shoes match your personal style?

Sneaker shop atmos will be releasing a colorful new collection of shoes inspired by Japan’s famed summer festivals! Called the RETRO SUMMER PACK, sales will begin in most atmos stores on August 9, 2021, as well as on the atmos online shop. To celebrate the launch, a pop up shop will open in Harajuku for a limited-time on the same day. The lottery is now open on atmos-tokyo.com. 

NIKE AIR MORE UPTEMPO ‘96: ¥20,900 (Tax Included)

NIKE WMNS AIR FORCE 1 ʻ07 LV8 ¥13,200 (Tax Included)

NIKE WAFFLE TRAINER 2 ¥12,100 (Tax Included)

NIKE AS M NSW TEE MAX90 TD RESU ¥4,950 (Tax Included)

The AIR MORE UPTEMPO sneakers feature traditional Japanese patterns inspired by Kuniyoshi Utagawa, one of Japan’s most famous ukiyo-e artists. Traditional Japanese patterns like chrysanthemums and pine needles decorate the AIR FORCE 1 shoes, while the lemon, strawberry and melon colors covering the WAFFLE TRAINER 2 and t-shirts were inspired by the most sought-after summer treat, shaved ice!

At the atmos pop up shop, it’s all about the retro theme. Inside the store, visitors can stroll down memory lane, with every square-inch of space filled with Showa era nostalgia. Certain items will only be available here, so don’t miss out! 

Known for breaking a move while playing their instruments, dancing rock band DISH// are the new campaign ambassadors for popular shoe brand New Balance! A special website is now open, showing new visuals of the group wearing the autumn/winter apparel collections ‘NB ATHLETICS’ and ‘NB ESSENTIAL.’

DISH// is composed of four extremely talented members: Takuma Kitamura (Vocals/Guitar), Masaki Yabe (Choreography/Guitar), To-i Tachibana (DJ/Keyboard), and Daichi Izumi (Drums). They released their first major single, ‘I Can Hear,’ in 2013. 

‘NB ATHLETICS’ brings authentic styles together with trendy designs, while ‘NB ESSENTIAL’ features a collection of designs inspired by classic sports motifs with a more preppy feel, making it easy to combine items to create a unique personal style. While their main focus is music, DISH// has been slowly expanding their activities across different mediums, from movies and dramas to stage performances and modeling. 

DISH// Member Comment: 

“New Balance’s classic style isn’t only about fashion, but about representing the thoughts and feelings of younger generations, so we want you to definitely check out the new releases. Even though we wore a ton of different shoes this time around, New Balance has even more products. They really do offer something for everyone!” 

Inspiration can be found anywhere: the ‘adidas Originals ZX 8000/FORUM LOW “YOYOGI PARK” PACK’ sneakers will release on August 7, 2021 at select atmos and Adidas shops, as well as A.T.A.D in Harajuku. Those wanting to enter the lottery to snag a pair of these funky kicks can register now. 

adidas Originals FORUM LOW atmos “YOYOGI PARK”: ¥13,200 (Tax Included)

adidas Originals ZX 8000 atmos “YOYOGI PARK”: ¥15,400 (Tax Included)

Yoyogi Park is one of the great symbols of Tokyo, having opened to the public in 1967. The natural space is the perfect place to escape from the hustle and bustle of the crowded city, and these sneaker designs are rooted in the rich colors found with the trees and greenery each season. Adidas and atmos have collaborated plenty of times in the past, and never fail to impress with their creative releases. 

These are the perfect pair of shoes to wear as you stroll through the park, standing on the edge of the always changing urban landscape of the Japanese capital. Don’t miss out!

Japanese shoe brand ASICS is running new digital shoe auction featuring two new designs. The auction, which makes use of non-fungible tokens (NFT), is taking place from July 16-20 on OpenSea.

This marks the first time that ASICS is debuting a new design using NFTs before physical models are released. The Sunrise Red NFT Collection is a 189-piece auction featuring nine different digital items from the brand’s sportswear line-up such as running shoes, sports-style shoes, sandals, and more.

The line-up, which is comprised of nine different models, consists of limited-edition releases of 20 units for each shoe. Each also features a Gold Edition release, a metallic gold version.

ASICS has also announced that all the proceeds made from the auction will go towards supporting digital artists as part of the ASICS Digital Goods Artist-In-Residence Program.

atmos teamed up with Nike as part of their ‘Move to Zero’ sustainability project to release a collection of Japan-exclusive colours of the Space Hippie model on Monday.

The Line-Up

NIKE SPACE HIPPIE 01 | ¥15,400 (Tax Included)

NIKE SPACE HIPPIE 02 | ¥18,150 (Tax Included)

NIKE SPACE HIPPIE 03 | ¥21,450 (Tax Included)

OVER PRINT T-SHIRT (GUCCIMAZE) | ¥6,600 Each (Tax Included)

OVER PRINT T-SHIRT (COIN PARKING DELIVERY) | ¥6,600 (Tax Included)

OVER PRINT T-SHIRT (BOTANIZE) | ¥6,600 (Tax Included)

Free EMAKE CUSHION to the first 50 people

Space Hippie is Nike’s exploratory footwear collection inspired by life on Mars—where materials are scarce and there is no resupply mission. Created from scraps, or “space junk”, Space Hippie is the result of sustainable practices meeting radical design. The uppers are made from recycled polyester, and soles are a combination of Nike’s impact absorbing material used when making their ZoomX foam and material scraps. The plain shoebox, too, is made from recycled materials.

This new sustainable collection are upcycled designs made in collaboration with atmos, atmos pink, UNDEFEATED, BAI, and X-girl. There’s also a collection of t-shirts which are available on first-come, first-served basis to those who pick up a pair of Space Hippie sneakers. Designs were made by popular graphic artists GUCCIMAZE and COIN PARKING DELIVERY as well as the up-and-coming shop BOTANIZE.

In promotion of the upcoming new anime series adaptation of Tokyo Mew Mew New, which is releasing in 2022, the cast hosted an event titled ‘2nd MEW♡ting’ on Saturday May 22 where they read their lines aloud to fans.

The event was held on the same date as Masaya Aoyama’s birthday – the male love interest of the series protagonist Ichigo Momomiya. There was a section of the event where Ichigo spoke about the cake she made for Aoyama the day before.

This was Smewthie’s first event with a live audience. They performed full versions of bitter sweet darling and Resolution of colors for the first time, amongst other fun things such as a segment similar to a Japanese variety show.

‘bitter sweet darling’ was the group’s first single

Smewthie「bitter sweet darling」Music Video

Smewthie「bitter sweet darling」Dance Performance Video

bitter sweet darling: Track Download ¥250 / Full Single Download ¥1,350 / His-Res Track Download ¥400 / Hi-Res Full Single Download ¥1,800

bitter sweet darling is available on music streaming and download services.

Will you be watching Tokyo Mew Mew New when it airs next year?

©征海美亜・吉田玲子・講談社／「東京ミュウミュウにゅ～」製作委員会
©征海美亜・吉田玲子／講談社