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Congrats to JKT48 for 1st successful Stage!

tueac — Sat, 19 May 2012 14:16:31 +0000

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCCZoJXWxh4

JKT48 the first overseas sister group of AKB48 completed their ever first stage in their homebase Jakarta on the 17th of May 2012.

They performed Team B’s 3rd stage, and will be doing so 4 days in the row from the 17th to the 20th of May with 2 shows a day, 3pm and 7pm.

From the Ani-Culture.net team, Congratulations!

Website: http://www.jkt48.com/

Tails of CaT² Episode 2: Uniform Change!

tueac — Wed, 16 May 2012 14:23:16 +0000

Welcome to the week 2 of Tails of CaT², this week Chiya and Tama explore the act of changing their uniforms~

It’s to cheer Chiya up from the last episode… but…

Tails of CaT², Episode 2, Uniform Change~

Developed by Daiyaku in collaboration with Ani-Culture.net

Sasshi accidentally releases an album!

tueac — Fri, 04 May 2012 05:52:55 +0000

Sashihara Rino, AKB48 member, might have accidentally be the first AKB48 member to release an album due to a mis-understanding of rules leading to a cock-up by Avex Japan.

It’s revealed late yesterday that the theater(Type-D) version of Sashihara Rino’s Soredemo Sukidayo Single failed to meet Oricon’s standard as a single. Since it contains more than 4 songs and can be considered an album.

Avex management thought it would be ok to include the 5th song, Yeah! Mecha Holiday, a cover of Aya Matsuura’s 6th single, as a theater exclusive, since it can be considered a extra.

Sales of the theater version amount to about 12,000 copies on the debut day, easily getting 1st if considered in the Albums chart on the 1st of May.

The news thou shocked Sashihara, leading to her posting on G+ the following response,

Translated by her english page,

When I first heard the story from the manager , I thought it was a lie . ” Is that possible？” was the only thing I thought . I couldn’t move 、I don’t know what to do 、I didn’t not know how to explain it to the fans . But when the person in charge from Avex told the story , I noticed that nobody is bad and we couldn’t do anything about it . We did not do this purposely and we also trust the company. If filled with single 12,000 difference , I will make an excuse . It is better not to open more ! !For those who bought and tried to contribute , I am very sorry . I will write again .

However to worried fans, there is not need to worry as she later posted,

Translated by Sasshi’s English G+page,

When I really think a lot , I didn’t notice that my first album was released .

And now she will once again be challenging herself, with a task of posting 300 G+ post in 24 hours starting from 1800 JST.

So to her, congratulations for the “album-release” and ganbatte! on the task ahead!

Source: Melos no Michi | AKB48 Fanpage | Google+

Mayuyu’s Shinkuro Tokimeki

tueac — Wed, 02 May 2012 05:11:14 +0000

*A short one here*

I went to HMV at 313 shopping center, in Singapore, on Labour Day to do some shopping. In the process, i got this~

Watanabe Mayu’s Shinkuro Tokimeki, her debuting solo single. It’s the regular edition but I managed to also got it first press. First press statues usually means that there is something special within, like the photocard you see above.

♡∠Ї¥∃☆ Watanabe Mayu (渡辺麻友… by wonderful-life1989

The songs within, isn’t that bad either, the standard happy cheery music you would use at a birthday party. I was looking forward to SABA NO KANZUME, the Enka song for a change… but it’s not in this version… too bad…

Eitherway, it cost SG$24.90 at HMV or you can get it(as well as the other versions) at CDJAPAN starting from 1143YEN.

*DAMMIT I hate SONY for it’s spastic enforcement of their music… … Can’t event find a PV of the song on youtube…*

Learning Japanese with Moekana can’t be this cute~

avalonexa — Fri, 20 Apr 2012 04:17:04 +0000

As our love of Japanese Culture grows stronger day by day, the urge to learn Japanese (Nihongo) is inevitable. It’s every comrade’s dream to go to Land of Sunrise and become one with the culture itself.

But Learning another language is sometimes boring and takes a lot of time, if you do it wrong. But with this new invention of a learning system, you can’t be wrong. I introduce you, Moekana~

Moekana is a set of 50 illustrated cards to help you learn the basic Japanese syllabary called hiragana.

The cards feature the cute characters of Dannychoo.com and TV show mascots in many themes, which will make you never bored of learning with their cuteness. Below are photos of my copies which arrived yesterday.

Cute illustrations spotted at the side of the box. Love Angel & Demon Mirai XD.

If you open the box from the top, you will find a “> <” symbols which will make an excited emoticon with a smile. Even the box know my feelings right now. Very cute box.

A “fresh from the oven” set of cards.

I bought 3 sets just in case of damages then thought to make it giveaways but my friends knew and placed dips at the 2 other copies.

After the cards arrived, many people asked me why I didn’t tell them that I bought some. I never thought that the cards are so popular in my neck of wood. I should have bought more that day!

Kanata is my favorite Dannychoo.com character, I wonder why. Megane and Tsundere? Yeah, sure…

I know that creating someone’s name is not allowed when playing Moekana but this one is a special case XD. My first created words are Hikari Chiya, one of our site’s mascot, with her illustration drawn by me (not a good one though orz).

There are also character’s profile at the back of the extra cards. These extra cards represent the first word of character’s name which are Mi, Ha, and Ka. I’m so happy that Kanata’s Birthday is on the same month with me lol.

More photos at the Gallery below!

For the product details,

Product Name: Moekana (もえかな)
Series: Culture Japan
Category: Goods
Price: 1,500 yen
Release: Date 2012/04
Specifications: 50 Japanese study cards each 88mm x 63mm. Made in Japan.
Released by: Culture Japan
Distributed by: Good Smile Company
Ages: 6 and up.

Well, I think that’s all for the short review. The first run of Moekana is sold out. From the post in Dannychoo.com, they’re currently in the process of printing a second run. So, if you haven’t got one, mind to check these site before it’s too late XD.

Where to buy

Thanks for reading this post, have fun learning Japanese!

For more information of Moekana series, do mind check the source site below here.

Source: Dannychoo

P.S: Just for info, I also run my own Facebook page at Avalonexa which will cover my photos and portfolio. Do mind check it out if you like. Thanks~

exist†trace Previews “VIRGIN” at USA Tour

tueac — Wed, 11 Apr 2012 18:22:01 +0000

All female, Visual Kei Rock band, exist†trace, previews their unreleased song, “Honey”, from their upcoming album, “VIRGIN”, at their USA tour.

One of the concert was so loud, the sensitive neighbors complained…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IDjfdp1jeM

It’s not that bad right?

I give it to you, they are good and I don’t usually like metal… … Yup a big No No to those head banging, hysteria screaming type…

“VIRGIN”, will be on sale in Japan from the 23rd of May.

And Honey is not the one above, that’s “Daybreak”.

Press release below from RESONANCE Media,

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Visual kei band exist†trace previews “VIRGIN” on USA tour

April 10, 2012 – All-female visual kei band exist†trace surprised fans during their first USA tour by performing an unreleased track “Honey” from their upcoming album “VIRGIN,” due to release May 23 in Japan.

Performing in four cities across the Northeast, exist†trace completed their first live-house tour of America in March with stops in Boston, New York, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh, where they played for over 1000 fans at the Japanese anime and culture event Tekkoshocon.

In addition to the new track from “VIRGIN,” the hour-long set list included recent singles “Daybreak” and “True,” along with early-career crowd pleasers like “Judea” and “Sacrifice Baby.”

The exist†trace concert at Tekkoshocon was so loud that noise complaints were received from neighboring buildings in the area.

Tekkoshocon partnered with national restaurant chain Hard Rock Café for a special 150-person invitation-only performance by exist†trace on the final day of the tour. This marked the first occasion where a Japanese band has performed at Pittsburgh’s popular rock-themed venue.

“VIRGIN” will be the first full-album release from exist†trace through major Japanese label Tokuma, following two 5-song EPs from 2011, “TRUE” and “THE LAST DAYBREAK.”

exist†trace guitarist and songwriter miko expressed her appreciation for American fans:

“Everyone who joined the East Coast Tour, otsukaresama deshita!

“This was our second performance in America following last year, so we thought we understood the American energy. But, the ‘IGU family’ in America really surprised us, in a good sense! We were really happy that you guys welcomed us with heat that’s hotter than we imagined!

“Thank you so much!

“We created our stage show with some special elements this time. Songs with a unique production style, like ‘Little Mary…’ and ‘Kiss in the Dark,’ our new song ‘Honey’ that joined us all together, and ‘Judea’ which has always been supported by all of you overseas. All of these songs became important and a special time we shared with you.

“We have been going overseas once a year so far, and if possible, we’d like to visit America more often. We’d like to truly become a ‘Vanguard’ to tell many people how cool Japanese Rock is in many different locations.

“We’re really eager to visit you again, so don’t hold back! Show us your excitement and invite us again. We may visit your town because of your voice.

“See you again somewhere. Take care until then!

“- miko”

LINKS

exist†trace official website
http://www.exist-trace.com

exist†trace official Twitter
http://twitter.com/existxtrace_19

VIDEO
“Little Mary to utsukushiki nikushimi no Danube” (live)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IDjfdp1jeM

” target=”_blank”>

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5IDjfdp1jeM

PROFILE
Formed in 2003, exist†trace is one of Japan’s first all-female Visual Kei rock bands.

Along with multiple tours of Japan, exist†trace has performed twice in Europe, making appearances in Berlin, Helsinki, Moscow, Paris, London, and Barcelona. In 2009, the band performed at the 2-day V-ROCK FESTIVAL in Chiba, Japan.

In November 2010, exist†trace released their album “TWIN GATE” in Japan and America, followed by their first American live show for 3000 fans at Sakura-Con in Seattle in April 2011. In June of the same year, they made their major-label debut with the “TRUE” EP on Tokuma Japan, and released a second 5-song EP “THE LAST DAYBREAK” in October 2011.

In March 2012, exist†trace performed their first live-house tour of America, playing New York City, Boston, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh (Hard Rock Cafe), and a special 1000-person show at Japanese culture event Tekkoshocon. Their first full-length album entitled “VIRGIN” will be released May 23, 2012.

Photo Credit: Kathy Chee/www.purplepenguinllc.com
*all except (1) Hard Rock Café photo — credit: JapanFiles/Kyle Lindh
*please check photo watermarks

JP: Miss Macross 30 Contest

nbcwarrior — Mon, 09 Apr 2012 09:32:59 +0000

As part of the celebration of the Macross 30th Anniversary a real Miss Macross pageant will be taking place in search for the next Sheryl Nome the “Galactic Fairy” and Ranka Lee the “Super-Dimension Cinderella”.

Applicant however have to fulfill the following criterias,

- Age between, 12 to 25 and is single.
- Can converse in Japanese
- Regardless of you being a Professional or an Amateur, you can take part.
- Is not in any exclusive contract with any company.

Applications are open from April 1, 2012 – May 6 2012.

Applicants can choose either the “Actress Wing” or the “Singer Wing”. Applicants can also apply for both wings, if they so wished to.

Contestants will have to use the new CROSSO machine at Joysound Karaoke, and, with the uta suki douga feature, take a video of themselves performing one Macross songs and then filling up the application form.

Applicants can choose any of the macross related song stated in the list on the page below, from a choice of 14 Categories ranging from the original Macross to the Frontier movies.

http://joysound.com/ex/utasuki/movie/audition/_auditionno_98_detail.htm

Selected contestants have to go through a series of interviews before they are selected for the finals.

The Winner of the “Singer Wing” will get the opportunity to sing a Macross song on an upcoming CD from the Flying Dog label.

The Winner of the “Actress Wing” will be honored with a role on the upcoming Macross stage musical, planned for October.

For more information and updates on the contest please refer to the Macross 30 site.

http://www.macross30.com/mmc/

Hikounin Sentai Akibaranger

tueac — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 11:58:08 +0000

Got this online… Found it at JE Fusion… Seems very interesting… This must be the one what our long lost Koemushi is talking about to me yesterday evening…

Let’s enjoy the first episode in raw for now as long as it’s available I guess….

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m18UT4LN7Qw

Hmm… … Let’s watch and find out~

The story is about this 3 person chosen to defend Akihabara from evil… They are given power but is not inducted into the Sentai Ranger series… … Due to a reason i cannot understand.

So they are 非公認 or unrecognized sentai rangers! But they are aiming high(see the ending song)!

So good luck to them!

Source:JEfusion

Leo Ieiri, She’s a new voice

tueac — Sat, 07 Apr 2012 05:26:36 +0000

I was introduced to Leo Ieiri when I was in Japan just 2 weeks ago by a friend.

Then saw her 1st single, Saburina, at Towers on the last shopping opportunity. I bought it since it’s there, just to try it out.To my surprise…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6o4QmEH8iis

The sound I got is really powerful, especially in the song Saburina. Mind you, RIPE, the side B is also a good song, a slow yet kind of soulful one, compared to Sabarina.

Here’s a little trivial, Saburina is used as the 3rd opening for the anime Toriko.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HcOdj3T0TtE

In short, Leo Ieiri have a good voice, technique and even a Lyricist and Composer.

Hmm, this seems very similar to a certain Singer-Song writer, YUI.

And apparently they are somehow related, Leo Ieiri and YUI comes from the same state, city and cram school. But that is the end of the similarities.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iyIAVJyMrM

Leo Ieiri will be releasing her 2nd Single SHINE, with the song being used as the opening for Drama, Princess of the Frog, Kaeru no Oujo-sama, which will be staring AKB48′s Oshima Yuko.

It sounded really good, so do give it a try~

Website: http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/leo-ieiri/
Youtube Channel: http://www.youtube.com/user/ieirileo

Leave a Message for L’arc en ciel and win ticket!

tueac — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 03:51:14 +0000

Not us giving the tickets, but Helloasia.jp is gathering messages for the L’Arc En Ciel’s concert in Singapore.

The people who leave a message, stand a chance to win a ticket to the concert~

For more information, head over now!

Site: http://helloasia.jp/blog/post_26_7216.html