On May 20, the indescribably unique four-member dance and vocal group Atarashii Gakko! performed Zepp DiverCity in Tokyo! Given their performance at such a well-known venue, the name of their solo concert was fittingly ‘Wha–?! Graduating from Obscurity ~AG! FRIDAY AFTER SCHOOL~.’

The group signed with American multi-media company 88rising in January 2021. The label is attempting to introduce more unique Asian music to the US, and it doesn’t get much more unique than Atarashii Gakko! The girls have over 3.8 million TikTok followers, and their April single WOO! GO! was released as a tie-in with NIKE Juku, amassing praise from audiences worldwide.

As fans of the band have come to expect, the concert began with the sound of chimes, leading into the first song, Toumei Boy. Followed by an intense dance performance, fans were captivated by the show, which was performed overseas last month to an audience of 25,000 fans. Following the song Final Humanity, a bizarre video began playing, leading into the fan-favorite CANDY from the group’s EP SNACKTIME. For the first time in the group’s solo performance history, backup dancers joined them during the track Night Before the Exam.

Starting with Otona Blue, the members appeared clad in colorful decorations, making it seem as if they were singing on TV. The girls have an unprecedented stage presence that has helped them catapult their career forward, from obscurity to performing one of the most well-known venues in Tokyo. Happy Hormones shoed a cuter side to the girls, offering fans a glimpse beyond their usual hardcore dance moves. The audience joined in, waving their hands from side to side and flashing peace signs.

The Italian disco tune Fantastico began with slow-motion movements and added limbo dancing into the choreography, giving the members a chance to show off their comedic skills. Anyone who follows them on social media is well aware of how hilarious they can be!

Suddenly, a man dressed as a construction site security guard emerged on stage, performing an impressive rendition of the robot. This man turned out to be DJ Morley Robertson, who joined the girls in Intergalactic, starting with the members calling out “We are Bestie Girls!” As Atarashii Gakko! danced to this classic Beastie Boys tune, Robertson addressed the audience, shouting “The night is just getting started!” 

Pineapple Kryptonite shows off the girl’s dancing skills, but the Pineapple Kryptonite REMIX treated fans to an acrobatic performance that brought the energy in the venue to the max.

Member MIZYU spoke to the audience about the choreography in WOO! GO!, the girl’s newest track, calling on them to join in. The members also performed the Spanish version of Free Your Mind, cementing their place as one of Japan’s most global acts. Towards the end of the live show, the members hugged and showed the audience how close they are as friends, bringing everyone to tears.

The Zepp DiverCity concert was a whirlwind of excitement and energy. Those in the audience could see how Atarashii Gakko! has improved since their debut, and everyone is excited to see how much higher they can soar going forward. 

The archived video of the performance is officially available until May 29 at 23:59. Check out a comment from the group immediately after the concert below!

Comment from Atarashii Gakko!

“This was the best live performance we’ve ever done! With our past shows, the four of us have designed everything ourselves. This time we had a lot of other people involved, and we could really feel the love from both the staff and the audience. During the show, I felt like I was having a conversation with the audience without words. I could see everyone’s faces from the beginning to the end, and it made me so happy. Each day, we interact with so many fans through social media, but being on stage in front of them is so different. We can feel how much they love us and we can really be ourselves. Just before the show started, we reminded ourselves to just have FUN! That’s why this became our best concert ever. I hope we can share all of this love and happiness on an even bigger stage next time!”

Pringles, a popular brand of potato chips sold in over 140 countries around the world, has opened a new TikTok dance campaign! Those participating could win a once-in-a-lifetime prize, all by dancing alongside some special Pringles filters!

Finger Heart Post / L-sign Pose / Praying Pose

Pringles Original Long Sleeve T-shirt

For the campaign, a selection of TikTok effects will make it look like dancers are popping out of a Pringles can! These effects also include hearts, stars, and music notes that pop up in time with the poses, making this challenge easy for both new and seasoned dancers.The song featured is Pringles Pringles by Frasco. 

The ambassadors for the campaign are Atarashii Gakko, a popular dance and vocal unit with over 3.5 million TikTok followers. The winner of the contest will have the opportunity to co-star in a Pringles web commercial with the group, and finalists will receive a limited edition Pringles T-shirt. Don’t miss your chance to shine!

From December 23 until December 26, the area around Ikaho Onsen in Gunma Prefecture can enjoy ‘IKAHO ART A LIVE 2021 Keeping Tradition Alive ~ Connecting Geiko Culture.’ The event is being produced and planned by Channel 47, and is being held with help from the Art Live Yell GUNMA Executive Committee, the Shibukawa Ikaho Onsen Tourism Association, and the Yumeji Takehisa Ikaho Memorial Museum.

This special event aims to pass on the beauty and charm of Ikaho’s hot spring culture, which boasts more than 400 years of history, along with the area’s history of geisha. Channel 47, the producer of the event, aims to convey Japanese history and culture throughout the world by using popular entertainment and new technology.

Collaborative Live Performance by Ikaho’s Trainee Geisha and Atarashii Gakko! 

At 17:30 on December 23, the Ikaho Odori Performance will be held in front of the Minister of the Kingdom of Hawaii’s Residence, a designated historic site in Shibukawa City. Many dances that will be performed were passed down from geisha of old. Imagine these ancient dances with the crazy moves of Atarashii Gakko! and backup dancers from the Department of Traditional Japanese Music at Tokyo University. What kind of performance will it be?

Projection-Mapping by NAKED will Bring the Hot Springs to Life at Night

After sunset, the ‘NAKED Night Walk -Ikaho Onsen-’ illuminations will decorate the streets around the hot spring. Projection mapping based on the works of Yumeji Takehisa and Taisho Romanticism will appear on the stones beneath guest’s feet. The popular NAKED Distanced Lanterns and NAKED Flower Cleansing will also make appearances.

Promotional Videos Shot in Magnificent Locales

Using this fantastic art-filled location, a special promotional video highlighting the ‘new values of Ikaho’ will soon be revealed. Follow Channel 47 on YouTube for a notification!

Four-member dance and vocal group ATARASHII GAKKO! have taken the world by storm, with their hilarious TikTok account amassing over 3.2 million subscribers and their music racking up plenty of attention on streaming platforms. On November 6, 2021, the girls performed at the Head in the Clouds music festival in Los Angeles, put on by record label 88rising. This was the first overseas performance for the group, and they enjoyed putting on a crazy show for 25,000 people. 

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As the four members took to the stage, they began their performance with Final Humanity, showing their Japanese pride to the LA audience. With their insanely energetic dance moves, they seemed more like gymnasts, obviously beyond excited for this huge opportunity.

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After the first song concluded, the girls introduced themselves in English. When SUZUKA called out “Say ‘It feels so good,’ the audience enthusiastically responded “MECHA MECHA KIMOCHI~!” Shouting “Let’s Go Head in the Clouds,” they began their second song Night Before the Exam. Dancing with their red headbands made their singing and dancing stand out even more–if that was even possible. Fan-favorite Koi Geba was next, and the crowd was completely overwhelmed by the intensity of the girl’s movements. 

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Intergalactic Remix snagged the audience’s attention, as the family song has roots in US culture. ATARASHII GAKKO! wore the same construction vests and helmets that the Beastie Boys wore in their 1999 music video. The classic track won big at the 1999 MTV Video Music Awards, and this heartfelt tribute to one of the girl’s biggest inspirations won big with the audience. Shouting out “We are Beastie Girls” got a massive reaction, and it proved to be one of the most inspiring parts of their performance. As NAINAINAI began, SUZUKA asked the audience to put their hands up, and they did so without question. There’s no doubt that this Japanese group has completely captured the hearts of US fans. 

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For their new song Free Your Mind, the girls performed in a completely new way, backed by dancers clad in sailor uniforms. As may be expected, their newest epic Pineapple Kryptonite made a perfect climax to the show, with aliens suddenly appearing on stage to attack. Fans in the audience could even be seen holding up pineapples to show their support. As SUZUKA, RIN, MIZYU, and KANON left the stage, they told the audience they’d be back again–and given how well they performed in their first-ever overseas show, we’d agree. Next time, maybe they’ll be able to visit fans around the United States!

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The newest ATARASHII GAKKO! single SNACKTIME will be available to stream on November 12, 2021. Five songs produced by Money Mark, who worked with the Beastie Boys and previously on Pineapple Kryptonite, will be on the new single, so be sure to listen! 

On January 30, 2022, the girls will hold a live performance at Ebisu LIQUIDROOM in Tokyo. The sky’s the limit for these talented singers and dancers, and we can’t wait to see what they accomplish next!

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Last month’s MUSER FEST.2021 -MUSIC AID- event isn’t quite over! A spin-off event, ZIP-FM presents LIVE LIVE! Super Collaboration with MUSER FEST.2021, will be broadcast online on October 22 at 21:00. Since August, collaborative live performances have been planned with different guest artists each month on ZIP-FM’s LIVE LIVE! With MUSER FEST.2021 program hosted by CHAI. This event is the culmination of these plans and the lineup is sure to get fans pumped. 

Performing artists include YUNA from CHAI, Suzuka and Mizyu from Atarashii Gakko!, Tabu Zombie from SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS, and Shingo Suzuki from Ovall. Ryo Kishimoto from fox capture plan will also join the live performance as a supporting artist. An archived stream will be available for two weeks after the live show, and tickets are on sale now on the official MUSER website. 

Tokyo’s Shibuya Ward and au 5G are coming together to promote this year’s Halloween events online through Virtual Shibuya, a digital space accessible from smartphones, PCs, and VR devices. A number of events will be held from October 16 until October 30, incorporating popular artists, companies, and popular anime series. The concept for the event is ‘FUN FOR GOOD,’ aiming to inspire people to contribute to their community while also enjoying the holidays. 

Sadly, this year’s Halloween celebration in Shibuya will be canceled again due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To ease any congestion on the streets, the ward is promoting the Virtual Shibuya au 5G Halloween Festival 2021, which will be available to anyone, anywhere. That’s right: you won’t need to be in Tokyo to participate!

Event Lineup

Special Anime Talks

A simultaneous global virtual fan meetup for Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night will be held on October 16! Yoshitsugu Matsuoka, who plays Kirito, and Haruka Tomatsu, who plays Asuna, will appear in Virtual Shibuya in avatar form to discuss some highlights of the upcoming film. 

Also, to commemorate the release of the 100th volume of Detective Conan, the Conan Edogawa x Furuya Rei Special Talk in Virtual Shibuya event will take place on October 30th, featuring voice actors Minami Takayama and Tohru Furuya. 

Virtual Concerts

Three artists are scheduled to perform live in Virtual Shibuya during the Halloween event!

・October 24 – povo Presents Creepy Nuts
・October 26 – au 5G Presents MY FIRST STORY
・October 31 – au 5G Presents Atarashii Gakko!

Attraction Lineup

A number of attractions will be available during the two-week event period. Check the website for complete details! 

https://vcity.au5g.jp/shibuya/halloween2021

Official Shop

Starting October 16, an official store selling original event merchandise will be accessible in Virtual Shibuya and on the special event website. These goods will feature characters from select anime series and artists who have supported the project, with all proceeds being reinvested into Shibuya ward. The above items aren’t the only things that will on sale, so be sure to check the website for more details!

Limited-Time Only! Make a Collaboration Anime Avatar During Halloween!

In collaboration with avatar platform AVATARIUM, visitors will be able to generate custom avatars wearing costumes from Sword Art Online Progressive: Aria of a Starless Night and Detective Conan! Choose from characters Asuna (SAO), Kirito (SAO), Conan Edogawa (Detective Conan), Ran Mori (Detective Conan), Furuya Rei (Detective Conan), and The Criminal (Detective Conan). 

Even if you’re not in Japan, be sure to check out the event while you can!

On October 16, the four-member dance and vocal group Atarashii Gakko held a solo live “We’re Still Obscure but Rocking LIVE SHOWS in Tokyo, Nagoya, Osaka and Fukuoka ~Their Weakness is PINEAPPLE!~” at TSUTAYA O-WEST in Tokyo. This marked the last day of the group’s current tour, stopping in Tokyo, Nagoya, and Osaka, and on display was handmade calligraphy from the members with one important message: ‘Enjoy NOW with all your heart.’ The stage was simple: a screen, a DJ booth, and four backlights. The group doesn’t need much more, their personalities overshadowing any excess clutter or added minutiae. For the background music, the girls chose Sabotage by the Beastie Boys, an American mainstay the four greatly respect.

The concert began with the leader Suzuka shouting the words “Tokyo! Atarashii Gakko starts now!” The first track was Sekigae Gattuso, followed by Saishujinrui, with choreography seeming more like a gymnastics meet than a live show. The girls were in incredibly high spirits, with Suzuka quickly tearing off her jacket and the four showing no signs of holding back, dancing and singing while using their entire bodies as their instruments. The concert’s first half included Koibumi and Miyao, progressing into Koi no Shadanki, Ameyo no Seppun, and Okami no Uta, blending Showa-era sensibilities and sounds with Reiwa-era style and substance. The girls were, as always, funny, mixing comedy into their foolproof performances. Everything is one hundred percent: the singing, the dancing, and the acting. It’s hard to understand how they have the stamina for an entire concert.

The second half of the concert began with their long-awaited new song Pineapple Kryptonite, produced by Money Mark, known for his work with The Beastie Boys in the 1990s. His experimental, lo-fi style has attracted attention over the years, still inspiring music fans in the 2010s. Perhaps his style is being passed down to the next generation through Atarashii Gakko!

The group signed with American multi-media company 88rising in December 2020, and the label is attempting to introduce more unique Asian music to the US. In November, Atarashii Gakko is scheduled to perform at the Head in the CLOUDS festival in LA, which will bring together many artists from the 88rising family together for one massive event. In the current cultural climate with Korean pop-group BTS and Marvel film Shang-Chi seeing record amounts of popularity, it seems like the perfect time to introduce more eastern music to the US scene.

During the show’s climax, the girls performed NAINAINAI and Freaks, two songs that show off their hip-hop side. The greatest thing about the group’s style is their complete coverage, able to swap between singing, dancing, acting, and rapping at the drop of a hat. Their talent is undeniable, and it’s able to reach a wide variety of different music fans from around the world. Mayoeba Toutoushi brought the show to an end, and Que Sera Sera wowed fans during the encore. Performing 15 songs, members Suzuka, Kanon, Rin, and Mizyu proved why they belong on an international stage–they blend the old and the new, and the standard with the bizarre. There’s no telling where Atarashii Gakko is heading next, but their successful career is certainly just getting started.

In 2021, the four-member girl group Atarashii Gakko! joined 88rising, a U.S.-based label helping to promote Asian music globally. Since then, they have continued to attract worldwide attention with their unique sound and eccentric choreography. Now, to promote P.O.N.D., a 10-day culture festival at Shibuya PARCO, the two have come together for a special collaborative video!

ATARASHII GAKKO! × P.O.N.D. – Pineapple Kryptonite (SHIBUYA SHORT VER.)

Produced by Money Mark, known as the best sound producer and melody maker in the alternative music world and working with the Beastie Boys for nearly 20 years, Pineapple Kryptonite has been a smash hit. Though the original music video was filmed in California, this version shows the girls fighting off a monster attacking Shibuya PARCO. The video was directed by up-and-coming filmmaker Oudai Kojima. 

The video is currently available on YouTube, and will also be popping up on screens across Shibuya during the cultural festival!

Comment from the Members

“We walked around PARCO so many times our feet ached, and we shouted so loudly at the giant monster our throats were sore! The best part was messing with the avocados, gummies, and dry ice in the lab scene. 

Be sure to check out the video we made with Shibuya PARCO!”

The four members of Atarashii Gakko constantly generate buzz on the web for their wacky dance moves, crazy personalities, and hilarious TikTok uploads. The group has over 3 million followers on the app, and with their new track Pineapple Kryptonite streaming now, more fans are sure to flock to the ASOBISYSTEM gang. Also affiliated with 88rising, a U.S.-based label helping to promote Asian music globally, the official 88rising YouTube channel has now uploaded the music video for this catchy track. 

Pineapple Kryptonite was produced by Money Mark, known as the best sound producer and melody maker in the alternative music world, having worked with the Beastie Boys for nearly 20 years. The song was created in Los Angeles, and with its addictive pop sound, it’s perfect for a new TikTok dance challenge. 

The blockbuster music video depicts the girls fighting against invading aliens in the vast deserts of California. As to be expected, their choreography is on point, and the members attempted their own stunts for the first time. 

Pineapple Kryptonite Music Video 

The group will continue to promote their activities to an international audience, so be sure to keep an eye out for where they’ll appear next!

MUSER FEST. 2021 -MUSIC AID- is an upcoming virtual music festival, held on September 11 and 12. 

The newly announced artists are ATARASHII GAKKO!, the 4-member performance dance unit, Jazzrronik, who will be performing as a trio,  CHAI, who have received high praise overseas, and fox capture plan, who have performed the theme songs for a variety of tv shows and films. 

A live band performance from Yasuyuki Horigome has also been announced.

19 performing artists have been unveiled so far, with artists from overseas being announced in the near future. You can watch a special comment from each artist on the MUSER Official YouTube channel.

There will be exclusive digital content for those who purchase tickets to the event, including some that are already available to view by logging into the MUSER Fest official website and clicking My Page.

Newly Announced Artists

ATARASHII GAKKO!!

Jazztronik

CHAI

fox capture plan

Here you can see all previously announced acts:

DAY1　August 11
Original Love
Cypress Ueno To Roberto Yoshino
SIRUP
SOIL & “PIMP” SESSIONS
Doul
D. A. N.
CHAI
NABOWA
bonobos
Yasuyuki Horigome (Band Set)
YONA YONA WEEKENDERS

DAY2　August 12
ATARASHII GAKKO!!
H ZETTRIO
Sunny Day Service
The fin.
jizue
Jazztronik
Scha Dara Parr
fox capture plan

Get heated up this summer from the comfort of your own home with this online festival!

A certain tweet made by US rapper Cardi B took the world by storm when she posted it on April 11.

ATARASHII GAKKO! – NAINAINAI 

ATARASHII GAKKO! & Warren Hue – Freaks

Atarashii Gakkou no LIVE 2020.6.21 No-Audience LIVE on Thumva

School uniform-clad Japanese girl group posted a video to Cardi B on Sunday where the four of them said “Hi, Cardi B!” in various unique position. ATARASHII GAKKO! may not have been ready for what was to come however, as the world-famous music artist replied, “Ommmmmgggg hi girls !!!!! Yaaa are tooo buteeee.” If you haven’t heard of ATARASHII GAKKO! before, you’ve been missing out big time, so strap in for a little history lesson.

Initially known as Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders, the dance and vocal performance unit formed in Japan in 2015. The band came together as an expression of individuality and freedom in response to a “Good for nothing, intolerant society in an age where only the exemplary receive praise.” The band toured across Japan many times before announcing their international debut in January 2021 from the US music label 88rising where they would receive a name-change for their overseas activities: ATARASHII GAKKO. With this, the group set off in an effort to spreading Asian culture outside Japan.

When I saw the name 88rising, I realised that this wasn’t the first time I was hearing of them. Three months prior to that, 88rising held a surprise live concert stream on their YouTube channel. My eyes clocked the thumbnail where I saw what looked like Japanese girls wearing school uniforms. Seeing that, I knew I just had to click on the video, and that’s exactly what I did, out of a sense of duty, not knowing anything about them. What I saw was a performance that took me aback. It was a mix of rock and infectious dance music, and at a glance, they in fact looked like a group of women. They were expressive beyond imagination—their nimble dance moves and humorous lyrics complemented each other, and really left an impression on me. It felt fresh. So seeing Cardi B’s tweet, it all came together, and I thought, “It’s them!!”

ATARASHII GAKKO’s international debut track NAINAINAI is a relatable one about feelings towards school life and pondering to yourself. Their incredible performance in the music video makes it look like a scene out of a drama series. Their latest song FREAKS was made in collaboration with Indonesian rapper Warren Hue and shows how amazing they really are even more so, coupled with some must-see artistic visuals.

On their official YouTube channel, you can watch a performance from them held back in June of last year where they played in an audience-less venue. In that show, you are of course hit by their powerful performance and singing abilities, but something else shines through too—their sense of humour. When the concert finished, I caught myself smiling on the blackened screen, and thought to myself, “So this is why people obsess over them.” The members create their own dance choreography, and recently released a video of themselves showcasing the choreography for Negative Fighter from their new single Hey!Say!JUMP. They don’t know when to stop!

So with it now being confirmed that Cardi B is captivated by them, it wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say that ATARASHII GAKKO!—whose charm attracts people from all angles—is garnering huge attention around the world right now.

Original Text (Japanese): Natalie (MOSHI MOSHI NIPPON)

Japanese dance and vocal unit Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders a.k.a ATARASHII GAKKO! released their new song FREAKS featuring Jakartan rapper Warren Hue on Tuesday (March 2). The track is available on all major music streaming and download platforms.

Atarashii Gakkou no Leaders joined 88rising in January to make their international debut under their official new overseas name ATARASHII GAKKO! in January. This saw the release of their first international track NAINAINAI.

FREAKS was produced by American house producer Claude VonStroke. It fuses house, pop, jazz, hip-hop, and rock with the MIZYU, SUZUKA, KANON, and RIN’s punk energy which is an expression of Japanese youth and youth culture.