On July 7, the film Sensei! Kuchisake-onna desu!, starring Gai Ueno, will open in theaters.

The coming-of-age battle and horror film focuses on the unlikely relationship between an urban legend and a group of high school punks. After three punks steal a motorcycle, they realize that the owner of the bike is none other than a Kuchisake-onna–in Japanese folklore, this is an evil woman with her mouth slit from ear to ear. Gai Ueno plays the role of F1, a member of the high school gang and a hotwiring genius.

<Comment from Gai Ueno (F1)>

“I’m Gai Ueno, and I play the role of F1. Sensei! Kuchisake-onna desu! is truly a film that I want everyone to see. The characters are somehow cute and you’ll immediately love them–I’m confident that this is the cutest-ever Japanese film focused on high school delinquents. Even now, I wonder if I can personally get fired up and serious about the smallest things. Working on this movie reminded me to have the power to believe in myself. Please enjoy the movie and take the time to think back to your high school days! I’ll be waiting for you at the theater.”

<Comment from Director Yuu Nakamoto>

“I guess it’s been about 10 years since I lived in Hiroshima, where I grew up. I’m really interested in motorcycles, and one day, I was just mindlessly driving along the country roads at night. Then, from the other side of the road, I heard a noise…and suddenly, there was a woman wearing a mask walking nearby. I had this intuition…I thought “she’s not from this world,” and in that moment, I lost consciousness. Before I knew it, I was here, directing this film. Hmm…strange, isn’t it?”

【STORY】

High school students Takeshi (Taisei Kido) and F1 (Gai Ueno) work part-time stealing motorcycles and selling them to a gang of delinquents for cash. One day, Ayaka (Reina Kurosaki) decides to join after transferring to the boy’s school, and business booms. While trying to steal a bike parked at a deserted apartment, the group is discovered by a masked woman who seems to be the motorcycle’s owner. In a panic, Takeshi and his friends rush to escape but are quickly overtaken by the woman, who seems to have unbelievable physical abilities far beyond any other human. This woman running 100 meters in 6 seconds is actually the Kuchisake-onna, her mouth slit from ear to ear! What will happen to the group of high schoolers?! And just who is this Kuchisaka-onna?!

Atarashii Gakko! took to the stage on THE FIRST TAKE for the first time. The members performed their hit song Otonablue, which has become a major hit on social media for its unique choreography during the chorus.

Since its release, Otonablue has continued to be a hot topic, with the live performance video racking up over 8 million views on YouTube and related TikTok videos pulling in over 400 million views.

Takuma Usa will appear in the new stage play Kemuri no Hada ni by Kijyooo no Kuron this April. The theater group is led by Yosuke Nakajima.

Written and directed by Yosuke Nakajima, the play tells the story of an “unlikely everyday life.”

<Story>

“Sumino is dead…”

I hadn’t heard from Masato in a while, but he called and told me. It looks like a suicide.
So, we decided to get together.

Masato Hirota and Sarasa Hasebe. When we were students, the four of us were always together. What did we do back then?
I wanted to remember.

I spent time with Sumino…the scenery is hazy…our conversations were normal…

We didn’t see each other for a while. And then, we never saw each other again.

“I should have at least called her…”

I was never the best with Sumino, and I never met up with her as an adult, but now, after so long, I’ve started to remember more about her.

This is the story of those left behind after her death.

Eve has announced a special YouTube LIVE scheduled to take place on December 24 at 19:00. The stream will take place on the artist’s official YouTube channel and those with YouTube Premium memberships will be able to take place in an Afterparty starting at 19:30. 

Starting at 19:00 on Christmas Eve, fans can enjoy a rare live studio performance complete with a full band. The Afterparty will include a special chat with Eve in which the artist reflects on the past year and gives hints on what’s to come. Fans won’t want to miss this exclusive opportunity!

In a new interview posted to YouTube, Yuichiro Hayashi, the director of Attack on Titan The Final Season, and Yusuke Tannawa, the CG Producer and Screen Designer for the show, are discussing the series’ incredible success. Both creators also chat about the struggles they’ve faced during production, their relationship with the original manga creator Hajime Isayama, and much more. 

Attack on Titan The Final Season Part 2 – Yuichiro Hayashi (Director) × Yusuke Tannawa (CG Producer, Screen Design) Special Interview

Attack on Titan Final Season Part 2 is currently airing on NHK General each Sunday at 24:05. It is also available to stream on dTV, d Anime Store, GYAO!, Netflix, TELASA, Hikari TV, and Amazon Prime Video.

©諫山創・講談社／「進撃の巨人」The Final Season製作委員会

The new cover song project ‘CrosSing- Music & Voice’ is live!

CrosSing brings together voice actors, anime song artists, VTubers, 2.5D actors, and other artists through music. The cast of the first season is featured in the channel teaser.

 In addition to popular voice actors Maaya Uchida, Kana Hanazawa, and Akari Kito, the project also includes towana, vocalist of popular ani-song unit fhána. Toshiki Tateishi, active mainly in 2.5D stage plays and musicals, and VTuber Hal Shibuya will also be participating!

Channel Teaser

All of the songs featured in the project are tracks that personally mean something to the cast. The music will be available on YouTube and on streaming services, and those interested are asked to follow the project on Twitter and TikTok!

On February 22, Hello Kitty released her first collaboration video with the popular YouTube channel Mochimaru Diary, which currently has over 1.6 million subscribers!

Mochimaru Diary follows the uneventful life of Mochimaru, a Scottish Fold, whose life is documented by his owner. The collaboration was planned as a celebration of Cat Day, which takes place in Japan on February 22. 

In the video, Hello Kitty talks passionately about the 10 most adorable things about Mochimaru. Be sure to give it a watch!

Hello Kitty is a Mega-fan?! Video Highlights and Screencaps

Comment from Hello Kitty

I’ve been such a big fan of Mochimaru for so long, I can’t believe we finally get to collab~

We had a super happy day talking about all the things Mochi likes!

I’m a little embarrassed to be THIS excited, but I’m just so happy to bring everyone this video for Cat Day!

Give it a watch for me! ♡

©’22 SANRIO　S/F・G　著作（株）サンリオ

Eve will hold a special live streaming event on YouTube on–you guessed it–Christmas Eve! The stream will run from 19:00 until 20:00 on December 24, 2021. 

The stream is being held to celebrate over 3 million subscribers to Eve’s YouTube channel. During the event, he’ll go behind the scenes of the Yadorigi music video, as well as show the Live Film version of Inochi no Tabekata. There may also be a big announcement during the stream, so don’t miss it!

There will be no VOD for this event, so remember the date and time.

Virtual duo Tacitly from NTT Docomo’s ‘Live Animation Heart X Algorhythm’ will be one of twelve participating VTubers appearing at YouTube Music Weekend Vol.4! This online event will take place from December 3 until December 5, and will feature a number of live performances to enjoy. The duo will also perform their new song Yume wo Mitte Ikiteiru for the first time on YouTube. Tacitly will appear on December 4 from 26:30 to 27:00 JST, so don’t miss it!

Atsu Mizuno

“My name is Atsu Mizuno, and I wrote the lyrics and composed the arrangement for Tacitly’s new song! I wanted to match the powerful yet delicate voices of the two members of the group and the incredible video by POPREQ. This time, I wrote about my own struggles with a weak heart and the wonderful friends that helped me become stronger. People can’t achieve anything when they are alone, and this song made me want to treasure my friends who believe in me so much. The last part is my favorite, so be sure to check it out. Thank you so much!”

POPREQ

“I’m POPREQ from Hurray! I directed the new music video. 

When I heard Atsu Mizuno’s song, I envisioned the story she was telling and placed the members of Tacitly within it.  It’s the story of two people living on the edge of a crowded city thinking that no one will ever understand them, until one day, they meet. 

If we could only understand each other’s loneliness, beliefs, and way of life…

That’s what I was thinking about when I worked on this video. 

I hope you enjoy it!”

Tacitly (Lilia & Ciel)

Lilia

Ciel

(C)2021 project‐algorithm

Apparel brand SPINNS has teamed up with popular YouTuber trio Uchira 3 Shimai for some new key visuals. The creators–Koma, Yura, and Toua– currently have over 490,000 followers, and have been taking Japan by storm with their genre-less and extremely original videos.

The inspiration for the visuals is self-love and acceptance. “It’s okay to like the real you. It’s also okay to want to be a little taller. What’s important is that you keep challenging yourself.” SPINNS 2021 brand slogan is ‘If you can change, you’re invincible.’

How do you like these new visuals? Do they inspire your individuality?

Aogiri High School started in October 2018 when Minazuki Natauki and Otodama Tamako began their VTuber activities on Youtube, gaining over 150,000 subscribers. The members challenge a variety of genres, including singing, ASMR, drawing, and more.

New members have joined since the formation of Aogiri Gigh School, with Ishikari Akari joining in April 2019, Oshiro Mashiro in May 2020 and Yamaguro Nekuro in April 2021. 

Now, Chiyoura Chiyomi and Kurikoma Komaru are the latest to make their debut at Aogiri High School.

New Characters

Chiyoura Chiyomi (千代浦蝶美)

A first year student at Aogiri High School

She claims to have plenty of life experience, having been an announcer in her previous life.

She absolutely loves entertaining people and is known for her high energy. 

Chiyoura dreams of performing on a big stage in front of a packed audience.

She joined Aogiri High School to achieve her dreams of becoming the greatest idol and sharing her funniness with the world. 

Her first livestream will be held on her YouTube channel at 20:30 on August 12th at 21:00, with regular uploads due to start in mid-August.

・

YouTube: ちよみch. 千代浦蝶美 /あおぎり高校https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCyY6YeINiwQoA-FnmdQCkug
・Twitter
https://twitter.com/tiyoura_tiyomi

Kurikoma Komaru (栗駒こまる)

A first year student at Aogiri High School.

She is devoted to bringing smiles and healing to her viewers through her creative daily activities.

She puts all of her energy into even the most last-minute of plans, with the motto “nothing beats hard work!” 

Kurikoma joined Aogiri High School to follow her dream of animating her own original work.

Her first livestream will be held on her YouTube channel at 20:30 on August 14th at 20:30, with regular uploads due to start in mid-August. 

・YouTube: こまるCh. – Komaru Kurikoma -/あおぎり高校
https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCXXnWssOLdB2jg-4CznteAA
・Twitter
https://twitter.com/kurikoma_komaru

The group has also announced a new VTuber audition. As Aogiri High School’s motto says, “if it’s interesting then anything goes,” meaning all kinds of people can apply.

Make sure to keep an eye on Aogiri High School as the member list and momentum continues to grow!

On August 13, 2021, the fourth and final installment of the Rebuild of Evangelion film series, Evangelion: 3.0+1.01 Thrice Upon a Time, was made available on Amazon Prime Video exclusively for Prime members. The service has also released Evangelion: 1.0 You are (Not) Alone, Evangelion: 2.0 You Can (Not) Advance, and Evangelion: 3.0 You Can (Not) Redo.  

To commemorate the newest film’s worldwide streaming release, a new YouTube video is highlighting some of the most popular scenes from the Rebuild of Evangelion film series. Check out how the characters sound in 11 different languages! Be warned, it contains spoilers for the final film!

(The languages featured are: English, French, German, Italian, Brazilian Portuguese, Castilian Spanish, Latin-American Spanish, Chinese, Hindi, Korean, and the original Japanese.) 

From hearing Shinji’s famed line ‘I mustn’t run away, I mustn’t run away’ in Japanese to hearing Kaworu utter “I’m looking forward to seeing you, Shinji Ikari,” in German, the trailer is full of memorable moments in its brief two minute and 35 second runtime, with classic lines delivered in ways audiences may have not heard them before. Fans of the series may be able to quickly discern which line is which, even hearing them spoken in a foreign language!

The final line is spoken by Shinji’s original English voice actor, Spike Spencer, bidding farewell to ‘all Evangelions.” 

Evangelion: 3.0+1.0 Thrice Upon a Time has made over ¥10.22 billion ($92.7 million) at the Japanese box office since it was released on March 8, 2021, making it the highest-grossing film in the series. 

©khara

*Translations and video availability may vary by country.