The second single, “Re:pray“, from new singer/artist Aimer is set for a December 7th release. Aimer's debut single, “Rokutousei no Yoru/TWINKLE TWINKLE LITTLE STAR“, was released just a week ago on September 7th. Aimer has gained strong anime tie-ins with her releases - Rokutousei ...

“Graffiti”, the new single by GACKT, will be released on November 30th – will be used as the opening theme song for the anime starting around that time. The song will be typical of GACKT's style, solid and fast-paced rock. “SKET DANCE” is based on the popular manga of the same name, which is currently...

Hi-Fi CAMP, who recently changed labels to Pony Canyon, will release their first single “Kono Te Nobashite/Kazoe Kirenai Kiss” under their new label on November 30th. The song “Kono Te Nobashite” has been selected as the next ending theme song for popular anime “FAIRY TAIL”. The first airing with the new ED is scheduled for...

Former Morning Musume member Kago Ai (23) apparently attempted suicide this morning. Azabu police received an emergency call at around 11:55am on September 11 and upon entering Kago’s Roppongi apartment authorities found her dazed and with a slit wrist. Kago was taken to a nearby hospital and is listed in stable, non-life-threatening condition. It is...

Twenty years of SMAP! SMAP celebrated their 20th anniversary on September 9th at Seibuen Amusement Park in Saitama along with 10,000 fans. 20 years ago on that day they debuted the single, “Can’t Stop!! -LOVING-“, at their first event at this same amusement park. Member Kimura Takuya (38) expressed, “We’ve returned to the beginning. I...

Rock band L’Arc~en~Ciel announced a new single, titled “XXX (Kiss Kiss Kiss)”, set for release on October 12th. This will be the band’s second single of their 20th anniversary year celebration and their 38th over all. The b-side track will be a new arrangement of their previous hit song, “...

The musical group supercell headed by ryo (composer) and redjuice (graphics), announced on Friday that Koeda, a 15-year-old vocalist from Fukuoka City, will be the new guest vocalist on the group's still untitled third album. Auditions were held from May 25 to June 19 for a...

The weekly music show Music Station* has released guests and set list for the September 16th airing. Wow! This episode is packed with the top jpop performers who in the recent Oricon charts released #1 singles, #1 albums, and set all time sales records. A who’s who of the current and all-time jpop...

Japanese-American singer Kylee’s 5th single “CRAZY FOR YOU” has had its full music video released ahead of the single’s October 5th drop! “CRAZY FOR YOU” is a sweet love song that conveys the restless feeling of being in love as a teenager. The song will also be used as the theme song for the “Nissen...

Four member J-pop group 7!! (7oops) has announced that their third single, titled “Bye-Bye”, will be used for the opening theme song to anime “Kimi to Boku”.  The new single is set for release on November 2nd in two editions: a normal edition and a “7!! Anime Edition”. The normal edition (first press) will come...

Fukuyama Masaharu’s 27th single “Kazoku ni Narou yo / fighting pose” ousted AKB48’s “Flying Get” from its record-breaking #1 spot on the charts during the previous week. On the album charts Hamasaki Ayumi reached #1 for the 18th time with her mini-album “FIVE.” Fukuyama’s single sold more than 155,000 copies which not only gave Fukuyama...

KAT-TUN will host a new variety show on NTV tentatively titled “KAT-TUN no Zettai Manetaku Naru TV”. It will be their first the ending of  “Cartoon KAT-TUN” in March 2010. The new show’s theme will have the members of KAT-TUN presenting interesting people that “you will want to be like”. It will also present various...

Arashi announced they will hold charity events at Tokyo Dome on June 24-26 which were originally planned as kick off dates for their nationwide tour. After the Tohoku earthquake in March, they initially considered canceling the concerts but have instead decided to turn the concerts into charity events. The events will have a school theme,...

Former Morning Musume member Ichii Sayaka will be starring in the upcoming film, “Ashita ni Kakeru Ai” (“Love Hung for Tomorrow”)! The film is being made to celebrate the 40th anniversary of friendly relations between Japan and China, and will be a collaborative effort between the two countries. Ichii will play a female designer whose...

Arashi has announced that they will hold charity events at Tokyo Dome on June 24-26. The members were originally planning to kick off their nationwide tour with those dates, but after the Tohoku earthquake in March, they initially considered canceling the concerts. Instead, they decided in April to turn the concerts into these charity events....

AKB48 and Watarirouka Hashiritai’s Watanabe Mayu (17) took some time before her first photobook (“Mayuyu”) release commemoration event to answer questions from the press. Watanabe’s rear, already said to be her pride, will be featured in the photobook in a two-page spread along with an earnest expression. Looking at her own behind objectively, she noted,...