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    World’s Most Popular Virtual Pop Singer Celebrates Her Birthday with a Thrilling Live Concert from Yokohama, Japan Source: MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Live Viewing Japan, a distribution company focused on bringing Japanese entertainment media to an international audience, has announced the New York City and Los Angeles theatre locations that will screen the East and West Coast premieres of the HATSUNE MIKU MAGICAL MIRAI 2013 CONCERT on August 31st. This special film celebrates the 6th birthday of the world’s renowned virtual idol, Hatsune Miku, by capturing a special commemorative live concert scheduled to take place on Saturday, August 30th at the Yokohama Area in Yokohama, Japan. The film will presented to U.S. fans and J-Pop lovers the next day in this special delayed broadcast film premiere.

    Music

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo proudly announces CELL as Industry Guests for AX2013! Formed in July 2012 with Kon (ex-La`Mule, NightingeiL), SIN (ex-La`Mule), NAO (ex-La`Mule) and YUKI, they will be making their first US appearance live at Anime Expo! CELL`s themes and imagery of "blood" and "red" come from the cells that compose all living creatures, which in turn means "life" and “infinite possibilities”. Vocalist Kon and the band bring out the strongest human emotions such as life, love, anger, frustration, and strength. CELL will be joining the lineup of our special Visual Kei event also featuring Kaya and Moon Stream on Friday, July 5th at the Los Angeles Convention Center. Tickets available soon on the official website.

    Bandai`s S.H.Figuarts wlii release action figures of Daft Punk`s Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo and Thomas Bangalter this December. Photo courtesy of Bluefin. TM&© 2013 Daft Punk

    Music

    Source: Bluefin Corp. press release Official Site: tamashii.jp/special/daftpunk (Japan), Bluefin (US) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Appropriately timed with the group`s new album (Random Access Memories) announcement and supervised by the artists themselves, high-end action figures of Daft Punk have been confirmed for release under the S.H.Figuarts advanced action figure series from Bandai Japan’s premium collector`s label, Tamashii Nations! The total figure height is approximately 15cm, and as with all S.H.Figuarts figures, these Daft Punk figures feature precise articulation for recreation of a variety of poses. The helmet areas will feature a shiny metallic finish for enhanced realism. Sold separately, both figures include 7 sets of interchangeable left/right hands for recreation of dynamic posing. S.H. Figuarts - Daft Punk Thomas Bangalter/ S.H.Figuarts??????? ?????????? Height: Approximately 15cm Material: ABS, PVC Shipping: December 2013 Distributed by: Tamashii Web Shop (Japan), Bluefin (United

    Action figures of Daft Punk`s Thomas Bangalter and Guy-Manuel de Homem-Christo will be released by Bandai`s S.H.Figuarts. Photo courtesy of Bluefin. TM&© 2013 Daft Punk

    Music

    Source: Bluefin Corp. press release Official Site: tamashii.jp/special/daftpunk (Japan), Bluefin (US) Special Thanks to Xavier Lim Appropriately timed with the group`s new album (Random Access Memories) announcement and supervised by the artists themselves, high-end action figures of Daft Punk have been confirmed for release under the S.H.Figuarts advanced action figure series from Bandai Japan’s premium collector`s label, Tamashii Nations! The total figure height is approximately 15cm, and as with all S.H.Figuarts figures, these Daft Punk figures feature precise articulation for recreation of a variety of poses. The helmet areas will feature a shiny metallic finish for enhanced realism. S.H. Figuarts - Daft Punk (S.H.Figuarts???????) Height: Approximately 15cm Shipping: November 2013 Distributed by: Tamashii Web Shop (Japan), Bluefin (United States) Price: TBA About Daft Punk In similar company with new-school French progressive dance artists such as Motorbass, Air, Cassius, and Dimitri from Paris, Parisian duo Daft Punk

    Music

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Anime Expo announces J-Pop artists STARMARIE as Industry Guests for AX2013! Featuring members Shino Takamori, Nozomi Kishita, and Shiori Aoki, their musical concept is to tell wonderful stories of fantasy through song. STARMARIE recently released their second album "Fantasy World 2", and have also collaborated with designer and stylist Yanagi Nobuto, and gothic lolita brand "Opera the?Dream House". They will be making their US live debut at Anime Expo 2013! STARMARIE`s singles “Mitsuboshi Restaurant Paul kara no Shoutaijyou” (“The Three-Starred Restaurant / Paul`s Invitiation”) and “Mogura Mystery Tour” are now available on iTunes in the US. Anime Expo presents the best in global music entertainment, featuring concerts from major J-Pop, Ani-Song, Japanese rock, and Idol Performers, providing attendees the opportunity to

    The experimental silent movie/music event SANGUIVOROUS is coming to five cities in the Midwest and East Coast in late March and early April. © Tidepoint Pictures, LLC 2013

    Music

    Movie Screens with Live Jazz Accompaniment Source: Tidepoint Pictures, LLC press release Official Movie Site: sanguivorous.com Special Thanks to Tetsuki Ijichi SANGUIVOROUS (Kyuketsu, ??, 2012), the first silent Japanese vampire movie, goes for the jugular in a feeding frenzy through New York, Philadelphia, Indianapolis, Hudson and Washington, DC. With live musical accompaniment by Japanese percussionist Tatsuya Nakatani and saxophonist Edward Wilkerson, Jr., this unprecedented event combines experimental filmmaking, cutting-edge contemporary music, dance theatre -- and fangs. SANGUIVOROUS is written and directed by Japanese filmmaker Naoki Yoshimoto and features the renowned avant-garde butoh dancer Ko Murobushi. A young woman suffering from mysterious physical ailments is horrified to discover that she’s descended from generations of vampires. When with her boyfriend, she struggles to control her peculiar appetite. But it’s in her blood... Presented by Tidepoint Pictures, the Santa Fe-based Asian motion picture distributor, SANGUIVOROUS promises

    Image courtesy of NEW PEOPLE Inc. © 2013 INTERNET Co., Ltd.

    Music

    New VOCALOID3 Megpoid English Launch Event Offers Hot Beats, Live Vocaloid Dancers and Vocaloid Workshops Source: MediaLab press release Official Site: newpeopleworld.com Special Thanks to Erik Jansen NEW PEOPLE, Inc, a San Francisco-based entertainment company bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, celebrates the latest wave of the Vocaloid music phenomenon as it presents a special FREE Megpoid Launch Event featuring Vocalekt Visions on Sunday, March 3rd. The all-day VOCALOID3 Megpoid English launch event commences at 12:00 noon, and will offer a variety of dance and Vocaloid performances, free VOCALOID3 Megpoid English software workshops, demos, and other activities that will run thru 6:00pm. NEW PEOPLE is located at 1746 Post St. in San Francisco’s Japantown. Vocalekt Visions, a unique Bay Area-based Vocaloid performance troupe, will present two special Vocaloid holographic performances inside the NEW PEOPLE Cinema, at 2:00pm and 4:30pm, which

    The American Godzilla puts his foot down in New York City. © 1998 TriStar Pictures/ Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    1998 Movie Soundtrack Reissued as Limited Edition 3 CD Set Source: BUYSOUNDTRAX press release Special Thanks to Matti Keskiivari BUYSOUNDTRAX Records presents GODZILLA: THE ULTIMATE EDITION, featuring music composed by David Arnold (STARGATE, INDEPENDENCE DAY, CASINO ROYALE) for the 1998 action film produced by Sony Pictures, directed by Roland Emmerich and written by Dean Devlin (STARGATE, INDEPENDENCE DAY, THE PATRIOT), starring Matthew Broderick, Maria Pitillo, Hank Azaria, Kevin Dunn and Jean Reno. BUYSOUNDTRAX Records, under license from TriStar Pictures, presents the GODZILLA: THE ULTIMATE EDITION on 3 CDs, including the complete score to the film, along with a selection of bonus tracks and the original planned album arrangement of David Arnold’s score, previously only available as a promotional release. Following the 1993 box office success of JURASSIC PARK, American producers were on the hunt for similar properties to develop. With the failure of

    Music

    Thousands Expected To Visit Japantown For 4th Annual Weekend-Long Event Celebrating Japanese Fashion, Film, Music, Anime, Technology And Pop Culture Source: MediaLab press release, NEWPEOPLEWORLD.com Official Site: j-pop.com Special Thanks to Erik Jansen The colorful sights, styles, sounds and flavors of Japanese pop culture returns to the Bay Area as the 2012 J-POP Summit Festival commences next weekend -- Saturday and Sunday, August 25th and 26th. The annual Festival, now in its fourth year, is organized by NEW PEOPLE, San Francisco’s dynamic Japanese pop culture entertainment venue, and presented in association with the Japantown Merchant Association. Complete details on participants and a comprehensive schedule of events at the 2012 J-POP Summit are available at j-pop.com. The theme for 2012 is “Cyberpop Overload!,” and the all-day, weekend-long celebration will offer many unique attractions that

    Music

    Annual Weekend-Long Pop Culture Celebration to Present Video Game-Inspired Artists and DJs Source: MediaLab press release, NEWPEOPLEWORLD.com Official Site: j-pop.com Special Thanks to Erik Jansen NEW PEOPLE, a dynamic entertainment destination bringing the latest examples of Japanese popular culture to North American shores, invites the Bay Area to get its dance groove on at this year’s 2012 J-POP Summit Festival as the company continues to expand the event’s roster of live programming. Celebrating the Festival’s theme of “Cyberpop Overload,” a just-announced full slate of video game-inspired artists and DJs will feature mesmerizing and danceable sets from Random Encounters, The Glowing Stars, SpaceKraft, DJ Amaya and Vex Mode. More performers and artists will be announced next week! The annual J-POP Summit Festival, now in its fourth year and presented

    Music

    Source: Society for the Promotion of Japanese Animation press release Official Site: anime-expo.org Special Thanks to Jim Yeager and Roberta Silverman Anime Expo (AX), North America’s largest anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture celebration, will present the U.S. concert debut of the anime-inspired heavy metal band, ANIMETAL USA, when it returns to the Los Angeles Convention Center from June 29 – July 2, 2012. ANIMETAL USA promises to take AX by storm with its furious combination of classic and original anime music, metallic riffs, solos, powerful vocals and futuristic make-up and costumes. As Official Guests of Honor, the band will also participate in a meet-and-greet, autograph signing and a focus panel. The phrase "metal super group" was custom-made for ANIMETAL USA whose members include singer Mike Vescera (Obsession/ex-Loudness), bassist Rudy Sarzo (Blue Öyster

    Music

    Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: am2con.org Special Thanks to Chase Wang ­The Right Stuf/Nozomi brings additional screenings to this year¹s highly anticipated summer event, AM², that will be held in sunny Anaheim, California from June 15-17, 2012. Screening titles include REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA, DIRTY PAIR: The Original TV Series, RENTAL MAGICA and SOUND OF THE SKY. In addition, Bay Area active live anime & vocaloid singer, performer, and lyricist Yukie Dong to perform on the Summer Festival stage! More info and convention registration can be found at am2con.org. "There is something for everyone at June 15-17, 2012," states Convention Representative Chase Wang, "Get your Passports today and join the fun!" Screening titles include: REVOLUTIONARY GIRL UTENA (??????? Shojo Kakumei

    Music

    Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: am2con.org Special Thanks to Chase Wang Fans of Japanese music are fully aware of the amazing musical groups that was brought to the U.S. by the most anticipated anime, manga and music Summer convention, AM², and will flock to purchase 3-Day Passports for the upcoming 2012 event held June 15-17, 2012 at the Anaheim Convention Center and Hilton as random attendees will be awarded two (2) tickets for one of the upcoming STEREOPONY U.S. Tour concerts! More info can be found at am2con.org. STEREOPONY is a Japanese all-girl rock band that formed in Okinawa in 2007 and will be attending their first Sakura-Con. Consisting of AIMI (Vocal/Guitar), NOHANA (Bass), and SHIHO (Drums) the band gained their first opportunity on the Japanese rock radio program SCHOOL OF LOCK!

    The Japanese rock band L`Arc~en~Ciel has released their new album, BUTTERFLY. © Maverick D.C.

    Music

    Source: BAM! Marketing, Publicity & Promotions press release Official Site: LArc-en-Ciel.com Special Thanks to Chase Wang BUTTERFLY, the long-awaited new album from one of the most celebrated Japanese rock bands, L`Arc~en~Ciel, has been released in North America (U.S.), Canada, Australia, New Zealand and Mexico via iTunes. Described by Kerrang! as "The biggest band you`ve never heard of", L`Arc~en~Ciel has sold over 40 million records and will also return to the U.S. in 2012, for the 2nd time in 20 years, on March 25th with a historic performance at New York`s legendary Madison Square Garden. BUTTERFLY will include the band`s 20th L`Anniversary single "X X X" (Kiss, Kiss, Kiss) and "CHASE", all six singles since 2008`s including "DRINK IT DOWN" as well as three new songs. The album also includes hit song "GOOD LUCK MY WAY" as featured in the movie version of the iconic and highly

    Music

    World’s First Virtual Pop Idol Will Be Featured in a Special One-Night-Only Event Source: MediaLab press release Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Live Viewing Japan, a distribution company focused on bringing Japanese entertainment media to an international audience, has announced that it will stage a very special one-night-only Hatsune Miku event simultaneously in nine major U.S. cities on Thursday, November 10, 2011 at 7:00pm (local time). Hatsune Miku Live Party 2011 39`s LIVE in SAPPORO (originally organized by 5bp Inc. in August, 2011) will screen a live concert performance of Hatsune Miku in movie theaters in select markets. More information about this exclusive one-night-only event is available at liveviewing.jp/009_mikupa.html. The cities that will host the Hatsune Miku event include:

    A woman discovers that an old love has been reincarnated as a Kappa in UNDERWATER LOVE- A PINK MUSICAL. Photo courtesy of Third Window Films. © 2011 Rapid Eye Movies

    Music

    Sex, Music, and Monsters in Zany New German/Japanese Movie Source: Third Window Films press release Official Movie Site: facebook.com/pinkmusical, thirdwindowfilms.com/underwater-love (UK) Special Thanks to Claire Marty On October 16th, British label Third Window Films will be hosting the UK premiere party for UNDERWATER LOVE- A PINK MUSICAL (??????, Onna no Kappa, 2011). Produced by Germany’s Rapid Eye Movies and Japan’s Kokuei Company, the film is a zany and whimsical tale of the romance between a woman and a sea creature. UNDERWATER LOVE was directed by pink-film veteran Shinji Imaoka (LUNCH BOX, FROG SONG), shot by Christopher Doyle – the famed cinematographer behind HERO and countless films by Wong Kar Wai – and was shot in 5 ½ days, one take only. It features an original score (in Japanese!) by the new wave/synth pop/punk rock/lo-fi, multi-lingual French-German duo Stereo Total. The movie promises to

    The hot new Japanese indie group, Galileo Galilei. © 2011 SME Records Inc.

    Music

    CONTROL TOWER Inspired by and Named After Song by Indie Teenage Sensation Galileo Galilei Source: Twisted PR press release Official Movie Site: galileogalilei.jp/eiga (Japan) Special Thanks to Tom Smith Hokkaido’s hottest new talent, Galileo Galilei, prepares for success in Britain as a film inspired by their music gets its European premier at London’s Raindance Film Festival 2011 on 9 October. The four-piece indie-rock group blasted into the mainstream after dominating Japan’s ‘Senkou Riot’ teenage talent festival. Since then, their debut single has surpassed one million download sales and their first major label album gained top five success in the country’s Weekly Oricon Album chart. Now, a film named after the first song they ever wrote, CONTROL TOWER (???, Kanseitou, 2011), sets to capture the emotion behind the chords and translate the lyrics’ message in a medium that transcends the language barrier. Upon first

    Cover art for SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI. Image courtesy of MediaLab. © 2011 Supercell/ Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Inc.

    Music

    Brand New EP SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI Now Available from Sony Music Direct on iTunes and Amazon Source: MediaLab press release Official Site: facebook.com/supercell.JPN Special Thanks to Erik Jansen Following up the release of its first full-length record in the U.S., Sony Music Direct (Japan), Inc., a division of Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Inc., has announced the U.S. release of a brand new EP by the Japanese pop artist/group, Ryo (Supercell). The new release, SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI, is available now exclusively on iTunes and Amazon and features vocals from Hatsune Miku, the world’s first virtual pop diva. The EP’s title track, “SEKIRANUN GRAFFITI” (SEKIRANUN means Thundercloud), is also the theme music to the latest Hatsune Miku PROJECT DIVA arcade console game and video game for the PSP, which will be released in Japan this fall. The release also contains the new single, “Fallin` Fallin` Fallin’,” which was composed by

    Yuji Koseki`s soundtrack to the original MOTHRA is being re-issued in a new 2 CD collection. © 1961 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    Classic Toho Soundtrack Re-mastered in a Deluxe Edition Author: John “Dutch” DeSentis Source: Toho Music Store Special Thanks to Mike Temple and Ed Godziszewski Over the last two years, Toho Music has begun reissuing some of their non-Godzilla related special effects film scores in deluxe packaging with re-mastered sound. Joining the already re-released soundtracks to THE THREE TREAURES (Nippon Tanjo, 1959) and THE MYSTERIANS/BATTLE IN OUTER SPACE (Chikyu Boeigun, 1957/Uchu Daisenso, 1959) is Yuji Koseki’s score to MOTHRA (Mosura, 1961), released as a dual disc set at the end of July. Fan response to the reissues has been very positive with most noting upgrades in sound quality. The last time MOTHRA was issued on CD was in 1995 (SLCS-5064). This new edition will no doubt benefit from fifteen years of advancement in sound preservation technology, with the first disc containing a reissue of

    A framed set of Godzilla movie pin badges is just one of several new Toho-themed collectibles being promoted by former FX director Koichi Kawakita. © 2010 Toho Co., Ltd.

    Music

    Author: Ed Godziszewski Official Site: KK DeAgostini Japan Although retired from filmmaking, Koichi Kawakita (FX director of the Godzilla series from 1989-1995) has managed to find a new way to stay in the public eye these days, promoting a series of products related to Toho special effects films. In January he appeared at Super Festival, introducing two new books concerning the Godzilla films, the DVD of ZERO FIGHTER (Ozora no Samurai, 1976), and some miscellaneous goods. Then in February he was at Wonder Festival promoting a garage kit replica of the Oxygen Destroyer from GODZILLA (Gojira, 1954). And since late last year, he has been doing interviews in the booklets for each of DeAgostini`s DVD book releases of Toho special effects films. In Volume 18 of this Toho SFX DVD Collection series (DESTROY ALL MONSTERS), issued during May, Kawakita appears promoting even more

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