JAM Project Cosplays Madoka Magica?!

It seems that Puella Magi Madoka Magica's popularity has reached new heights! Recently, three members of the ever manly JAM Project posted themselves cosplaying as characters from the said anime! Wait, what?!

Hiroshi Kitadani (left) posted the picture in his blog along with fellow group members, Hironobu Kageyama (center) and Masaaki Endoh (right) which depicts them consplaying as Madoka Kanamer, Mami Tomoe and Homura Akemi, respectively. As for their fans who are worried about them, don't worry, they also cosplayed other characters.

Source: Hachima Kikō via Anime News Network

Kamen Rider Fourze Opening Theme, Confirmed

The name of Kamen Rider Fourze's theme song is now confirmed! Amazon Japan lists the single called, "Switch On!" under Kamen Rider Fourze. The single is to be released this October 26th.

Currently, there is no artist listed to sing the theme song, but it is rumored that Janne Da Arc's vocalist solo project, Acid Black Cherry will sing the theme song. To those who don't have the idea about their music, here's their song, Re: birth which was used as the theme song for the game, Another Century's Episode: R. Enjoy awesome mecha fights as this song is being played.


Acid Black Cherry is currently signed with the music label, Avex the music label that is responsible for recording most of the Kamen Rider songs in the past few years. Now you know why Gackt was able to sing for Kamen Rider!

Source: alternate-zer0 of HJU, LukaMillfy of HJU

Kamen Rider OOO WONDERFUL OST - Rocket Rider

As we all know, Kamen Rider Fourze first made his appearance on Kamen Rider OOO WONDERFUL Shogun and 21 Medals movie last August 6th and along with its release is the release of the official OST. Here is Kamen Rider Fourze's theme during the movie entitled, Rocket Rider which gives us a hint on how the music of the actual show will be.


This. This is glorious. The music fits well with the show's space-theme and it sounds like some song coming from a Daft Punk album... and I love Daft Punk!

Te o Tsunagō ~Matsuken × Kamen Rider Samba PV

Here's the full version of Te o Tsunagō ~Matsuken × Kamen Rider Samba (Let's Hold Hands ~Matsuken × Kamen Rider Samba) by Ken Matsudaira feat. Eiji & Ankh which is the team song of Kamen Rider OOO WONDERFUL Shogun and 21 Medals movie which will be released in Japan this August 6th.


According to its Wikipedia entry, while involving rap elements, the song mainly uses elements from Ken Matsudaira's Matsuken Samba song series that blend traditional-style Japanese vocals with Brazilian samba music and use several Brazilian Portuguese words and phrases in the lyrics. For the full audio version, here.

Thoughts about the full version? I love it, especially the amounts of Ankh rap! Ole! Ole! Ole! OH SEIYA~! You can get your copies of this song at CDJapan! This song has two editions, the Standard and the CD+DVD Edition which contains the music video of the song!

A Vocaloid Musical - Alice in Musicland

Oster Project has posted a music video for her song, Alice in Musicland which featured well-known Vocaloid characters in an Alice in Wonderland musical play! And obviously, Hatsune Miku is our Alice!

The story centers around Alice (Hatsune Miku) as she follows the White Rabbit (Kagamine Ren). In the process, Alice stumbles upon a fantasy world known as Musicland and meets a colorful cast of characters including the Strange Singer/Caterpillar (Kaito), the Mad Hatter (Kagamine Rin) and the Queen (Meiko).


The song is part of Oster Project's album, Cinnamon Philosophy which was released last October. Despite being posted less than two days ago, the video has ranked first in number of times a video has been favored the day it debuted.

As for the video, it was cute and awesome as well. My only disappointment is the ending in which they deviated from the original ending of the classic Lewis Caroll novel.

Animax Philippines is Giving Away K-ON! OST 2

In relation with Animax Asia having K-ON! reruns which now includes the OVAs, they are giving away K-ON! Original Soundtrack Volume 2 for the lucky letter senders! How will I win the OST? Here's how:

Submit a photo of yourself cosplaying as any of the characters from the kawaii (cute) sensation and answer the following: "I am (Yui/Ritsu/Mio/Tsumugi/Azusa) because ______"

Entries must be submitted together with your name, age, full address and contact details to animaxph.promo@gmail.com with the subject K-On! Sweet Melody. All entries must be submitted on or before August 8, Monday, 5pm. Winners will be announced on Friday, August 12.

Source: The Manila Times via Animax Philippines

But for the male fans who can't join the contest, you can just buy K-ON! related CDs on CDJapan!

Time Judged All by Eiji Hino & Ankh MV

With the recent release of Kamen Rider OOO Full Combo Collection, the full music video of Time Judged All is also released and now up on YouTube! The music video stars Shu Watanabe and Ryousuke Miura as Eiji Hino and Ankh respectively while Seiji Takaiwa is suit acting as Kamen Rider OOO Tajadol Combo.


The song is the theme song of Kamen Rider OOO Tajadol Combo which was first heard on Kamen Rider OOO's 20th Episode entitled, The Decoy, the Qualifications, and the Blazing Combo. The song is described as a duet between Eiji and Ankh.

Time Judged All, Reverse/Re:Birth & Kamen Rider Samba Music Video Preview Streamed

The the preview for the two new Kamen Rider OOO music videos, Time Judged All, Reverse/Re:Birth and Let's Hold Hands ~ Matsuken x Kamen Rider Samba ~ has been released! Time Judged All is part of Kamen Rider OOO Full Combo Collection CD and Reverse/Re:Birth will be both released on July 27th while Kamen Rider Samba will be released this August 3rd.

Time Judged All is sung by Shu Watanabe and Ryousuke Miura who plays Eiji Hino and Ankh. The song will be part of the Kamen Rider OOO Full Combo Collection CD which contains full versions of the various Combo themes and OOO Putotyra Combo's theme, POWER to TEARER and OOO Shauta Combo's theme, Shout Out.


Kamen Rider OOO Full Combo Collection will be released on both CD-only Regular Edition and CD+DVD Limited Edition, which includes the Time Judged All music video. Pre-order now at CDJapan and get a free poster while supplies last.

Kamen Rider Birth's character song, Reverse/Re:Birth is sung by Hiroaki Iwanaga and Asaya Kamijima which played Akira Date and Shitaro Gotou who both carried the mantle of Kamen Rider Birth. The music video also features Mayuko Arsue who plays Erika Satonaka.


Reverse/Re:Birth will be available in both CD+DVD Limited Edition and CD only regular version. Pre-order now at CDJapan and get a free Ganbaride Card while supplies last. It will be released on July 27th.


Let's Hold Hands ~ Matsuken x Kamen Rider Samba ~ sung by Ken Matsudaira, with Shu Watanabe and Ryosuke Miura and this is the theme song for Kamen Rider OOO WONDERFUL Shogun and 21 Medals movie which will air in Japan this August 7th.


Let's Hold Hands ~ Matsuken x Kamen Rider Samba ~ will be available in two versions: CD Only Regular Edition and CD+DVD, which includes the song's music video. It will be released on August 3rd. Pre-order now at CDJapan and get a free poster as a bonus while supplies last.

UPDATE: Reverse/Re:Birth Added.

Gackt's Episode. 0 Breaks Records!

Gackt's first CD single in a year, Episode. 0 sold 29,000 copies to rank #3 on the singles chart for the July 11-17 week! Because of this, he set a new record to male solo artist in Japan with the most number of singles!

"I don’t mean that I’ve been aware of the record while I was promoting up until now, but since there are so many fans who will enjoy (hearing about this), in that case I’m happy about it," said Gackt delightedly about holding the new record.

Source: Oricon via Anime News Network, tokyohive

Buy Episode.0 [Regular Edition] / GACKT @CDJapan
Buy Episode.0 [w/ DVD, Limited Edition] / GACKT @CDJapan

Hiro Mizushima Wins A Music Video Related Award!

Actor and novelist Hiro Mizushima won an award for his work on GIRL NEXT DOOR's music video entitled, Twitter～silent scream～, under the music short division at the Short Short Film Festival & Asia 2011.

Mizushima wrote the storyline for the music video and made an appearance in the said video. He rejoiced and commented, "I am so happy receive such an honorable award."


The music video was a comeback for Mizushima, as he took a break from acting for a year and a half. He stated, "I was very honored to write the original script and appear in the video. I want to share this joy with the star, Ms. Chisato, director Koizumi, and everyone who took part in it."

Silent scream is a 15-minute short film featuring GIRL NEXT DOOR vocalist Chisa as a ballerina. Chisa trained hard 2-5 hours everyday for about 2 weeks, without using a stuntman. She said, "I learned ballet when I was young. I practiced as hard as I can, and wore toe shoes until my skin peeled. I can clearly remember when I hugged my ballet teacher in tears after we were done filming. I am filled with happiness and joy."

This music video is included in the DVD compilation of the single.

Source: Oricon via tokyohive

Tiger & Bunny 2nd OP & ED Sequence

Here's the new opening and ending theme for Tiger & Bunny's second half which was first seen on the show's 14th episode entitled, Love is Blind. The second half of the series takes place 10 months after the defeat of Jake Martinez.

Tiger & Bunny OP 2 - Missing Link by NOVELS


Tiger & Bunny ED 2 - Mind Game by Tamaki


Now the duo being tagged as the "Super Tag Team" of the Hero World, they will face new obstacles, growing fame, new heroes, and new powers?!

Kamen Rider GIRLS' Kamen Rider V3 Cover Released

The TV size version of Kamen Rider GIRLS' second single entitled, Kamen Rider V3, the cover of the Kamen Rider V3 theme song has been released! The single is said to be released this August 8th.


Asides from Tatakae! Kamen Rider V3, the Kamen Rider GIRLS will also do covers of other Kamen Rider themes and it will be released on August 8th in Standard CD and CD + DVD release which includes a free poster.

Time Judged All Full Audio Version Released!

Before the release of Kamen Rider OOO Full Combo Collection CD, the leaked full version of OOO Tajadol Combo's theme song, Time Judged All has just been released! The song was sung by Shu Watanabe and Ryosuke Miura who plays Eiji Hino/Kamen Rider OOO and Ankh respectively.


The Kamen Rider OOO Full Combo Collection CD contains full versions of all Kamen Rider OOO themes which includes the full version of Sun Goes Up and Time Judged All in which their respective TV size versions were released in the Kamen Rider BEST Collection 2000-2011 CD. Other songs includes in the new CD are Power to Tearer, Shout Out and Time Judged All Dialogue Version.

The release also includes a poster and a Ganbaride card.

Pre-order Kamen Rider OOO Full Combo Collection on CDJapan!

France's Japan Anime Expo Awards 2011 Revealed

France's Japan Expo Awards was announced on Paris last Thursday. The awards are divided by six categories, namely: Manga, Anime, Asian Film, Videogame, J-Music and Awards of Horror.

Manga Category

Best Shōnen: Bakuman.
Best Shōjo: Maid Sama!
Best Seinen: Drops of God
Best Release: A Distant Neighborhood Special Edition

Anime Category

Best Series Adaptation of Manga: Black Butler
Best Original Series: Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion R2
Best Release: The Vision of Escaflowne

Asian Film Category

Best Live-Action Film: Ikigami
Best Animated Film: Summer Wars
Best Release: Professor Layton and the Eternal Diva

Videogame Category

Best Home Console Videogame: Naruto Shippūden Ultimate Ninja Storm 2
Best Portable Console Videogame: Kingdom Heart - Birth by Sleep

J-Music Category

Best Group/Artist: Aural Vampire
Best Album: Microcosm by FLOW

Awards of Honor

Nobuteru Yuki
Yumiko Igarashi

Source: Manga News via Anime News Network

What is the Best Fullmetal Alchemist Theme?

In commemoration with the upcoming Fullmetal Alchemist movie, Fullmetal Alchemist: The Sacred Star of Milos, the mobile music website Recochoku posted the results of their survey on which Fullmetal Alchemist theme song they like best. These are the top 5 results from 1,485 votes by the self-selected respondents:

1st Place - Melissa by Porno Graffiti; Fullmetal Alchemist OP1
2nd Place - again by YUI; Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood OP1
3rd Place - Uso by SID; Fullmetal Alchemist: Brotherhood ED1
4th Place - Ready Steady Go by L'Arc-en-Ciel; Fullmetal Alchemist OP2
5th Place - Link by L'arc en Ciel; Fullmetal Alchemist: The Movie - Conqueror of Shamballa OP

Source: Narinari.com via Anime News Network

Super Sentai Hero Getter ~ 199 Version

Here is the Super Sentai Hero Getter ~ 199 Version which was the ending theme of Gokaiger - Goseiger - Super Sentai: 199 Great Hero Battle which aired in Japan last June 21st.


The difference from the original Super Sentai Hero Getter is that it eliminated the in-between verses. This song can be found on the official movie soundtrack of the said film.

Hagane no Kokoro, GokaiSilver Sample

If you seriously loved GokaiSilver's theme song back in episode 17, here is the sample of his theme song called, Hagane no Kokoro, GokaiSilver (Trans. Heart of Steel, GokaiSilver) by Takahashi Hideyuki.


This song is part of the second Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger Single which includes the main theme, Super Sentai Hero Getter and GoJyuJin's theme song, Kansei! GoJyuJin by NoB.

AKB48's Aimi Eguchi is a Virtual Idol!

Aimi Eguchi is the newest member of the popular idol group AKB48 but what makes her special from the rest of the members is that she is a vitual idol whose features are based from six AKB48 members with her voice coming from a member of AKB48's Research Student!

Aimi's features is composed of Tomomi Itano's nose, Yūko Ōshima's hair, Mariko Shinoda's mouth, Minami Takahashi's outline, Atsuko Maeda's eyes, and Mayu Watanabe's eyebrows. Each member was shot on camera with marks on their face to enable computers to combine their features. Yukari Sasaki, a 12th Generation AKB48 Research Student member, provided Aimi's voice.


Eguchi's name comes from the "E" in "Ezaki Glico," the "kuchi" in the commercial's theme song "Ice no Kuchizuke," the Japanese word for love (ai), and the "Mi" in the sweet's name Ice no Mi. Eguch's birthday comes from Glico's founding date, February 11. Glico's slogan "Hhtotsubu 300 meter" inspired Eguchi's listed talent in track and field. Finally her body is a composite of images of Ōshima.


She stars in a 15-second commercial for Glico's Ice no Mi which is streaming off Glico's website. She also debuted in a photoshoot for Weekly Playboy as AKB48's "Research Student Generation 12.5" on June 13. According to her biography, she is a 16-year-old girl born in Saitama.

Glico is also hosting a "Oshimen Maker" web program that allows people to create their own virtual AKB48 member by combining the features of different members. 5 million combinations are possible.

Source: Mantan Web via Anime News Network

Kamen Rider GIRLS 2nd Single Revealed!

The next single of Kamen Rider's idol unit, Kamen Rider GIRLS has been announced and to make things special, wrestler and self-proclaimed Kamen Rider fan, Hiroshi Tanahashi will appear in its music video along with Kamen Rider V3!

The new single will be a rock version of the classic Kamen Rider theme, Tatakae! Kamen Rider V3 which was originally performed by Hiroshi Miyauchi who played Kamen Rider V3/Shiro Kazami. In the music video, Takahashi will guest star to help V3 and the Girls fight Destron.

The shoot happened on June 17 and he expressed that it is a dream come true to appear alongside with Kamen Rider and fight with him. Asides from Tatakae! Kamen Rider V3, the Kamen Rider GIRLS will also do covers of other Kamen Rider themes and it will be released on August 8th in Standard CD and CD + DVD release which includes a free poster.

Source: tv-asahi, Daily Sports Online via Google JP News via nerefir of HJU

Episode.0 by Gackt Himself

We have reported a month ago that Gackt will sing two songs from his Vocaloid counterpart, Gakupo for his latest single called, Episode.0. Finally, the music video of the said song is now released!


The song was written by mathru@KanimisoP and won first prize in a Vocaloid contest sponsored by Nico Nico Douga in which the winner will got the chance to hear their song being sung by Gackt himself!

As for the video, it tries to copy the original Vocaloid video in every possible detail and make it crispier and realistic while retaining the "Vocaloid feel" of the original video.

Pre-order Episode.0 [Regular Edition] / GACKT @CDJapan
Pre-order Episode.0 [w/ DVD, Limited Edition] / GACKT @CDJapan