Category Archives: Japanese Music

Miku Expo North America Timeline*

Anime, Anime Concerts, Concerts, Cosplay, Events, Japanese Music, Los Angeles, Photography, Technology, , , , , , , , , , , ,

*does not include ‘in-con’ concerts

From enjoying awesome, futuristic technology to making new friends, its needless to say that Miku Expo concerts bring people together in every way possible, Let’s sit back and go through the beautiful and fun memories MIKU EXPO has brought us since its debut in the states.

MIKUNOPOLIS in LOS ANGELES (2011)

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  • This was Hatsune Miku’s debut in the states. Held during Anime Expo 2011, The concert was a huge hit among Miku fans and possibly the cheapest of them all, with only $15 per ticket! Featured singers were as follows: Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len & Megurine Luka. This was the first MikuExpo in the states to also be available on DVD, BluRay DVD & CD. At the time of this concert, Miku was partnered with Toyota and Anime Expo.

  Miku Expo 2014 – Los Angeles & New York

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Miku’s second concert in the states! The official expo theme was, “Sharing The World” a song by producer, BIGHEAD. Featured singers were as follows: Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, KAITO & MEIKO. This MikuExpo also had 4 shows in New York with an exhibition showcased in both locations; Los Angeles and New York. The  exhibition consisted of a Halloween Party, a night theater screening, showcased various Miku figures including the Nendoroid Hatsune Miku: Halloween Ver. and Artwork from different vocaliod artist. A Blu-ray disc of NY’s performance was released.

  Miku Expo 2016

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In her most recent concert Miku comes back with brand new songs! To promote the concert, a song contest was made in which “Ten Thousand Stars” produced by CircusP, was the winner. Featured singers were as follows: Hatsune Miku, Kagamine Rin, Kagamine Len, Megurine Luka, KAITO & MEIKO. This Miku Expo was much like Miku Expo 2014, which an exhibition was showcased. During Miku Expo 2016, multiple Miku themed events were held in different locations around the U.S. prior to the concert date; MIKU EXPO Digital Stars, a club event; MIKU short film festival; MIKU EXPO Tour Stickers (collected throughout the tour dates) & MIKU EXPO Let’s Draw, an art event.

Enjoy our Miku Expo 2016 Video:

KINGDOM HEARTS World Tour!

Anime Concerts, Concerts, Japanese Music, Los Angeles, video games, , , , , , ,

Originally announced on April 28th 2016, the  KINGDOM HEARTS World Tour has been the best thing announced since KINGDOM HEARTS Unchained (North America) & Final Fantasy XV!

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According to the announcement, The concert is split into two parts. Beginning in August 11th 2016, with KINGDOM HEARTS  -First Breath (Brass concert), which is an exclusive concert in Japan ONLY. The second part, KINGDOM HEARTS Orchestra -World Tour (Orchestra concert) will begin in Japan on, March 10, 2017.

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Fans can purchase the presale tickets to KINGDOM HEARTS Orchestra -World Tour via Wildfaery or wait until all tickets go on sale starting May 14, 2016. Please note that only 150 VIP tickets available at each World Tour concert for $189 and will include a meet and greet with Yoko Shimomura.

Check below for a list of the current pricing for each World Tour concert:

Concert Location + Date Pricing
March 10, 2017
Tokyo International Forum Hall A (Japan)		 TBD
March 18-19 2017
Salle Pleyel (France)		 VIP – $189
Gold – $133
Category 1 – $77
Category 2 – $49
March 24-25 2017
Central Hall Westminster (United Kingdom)		 VIP – $184
Gold – $128
Category 1 – $78
Category 2 – $56
May 6-7 2017
Esplanade Concert Hall (Singapore)		 VIP – $190
Gold – $139
Category 1 – $78
May 28 2017
Mercedes Benz Arena (China)		 TBD
June 10/14 2017
Dolby Theatre (Los Angeles, CA, USA)		 TBD
June 24, 2017
United Palace Theatre (New York City, NY, USA)		 VIP – $189
Gold – $134
Category 1 – $109
Category 2 – $79
Category 3 – $59

(Source: KHInsider)

For more information visit the KHInsider.com

FLCL gets 2 more seasons!

Anime, Japanese Music, , ,

Most famous anime FLCL – Otherwise known as Fooly Cooly – will be getting 2 more seasons according to Cartoon Network’s parent company, Turner. They announced it on their official website on March 25, 2016. Both seasons will consist of 6 episodes each and will be produced by Cartoon Network’s Adult Swim alongside, Japanese animation Production, I.G Studio. FLCL creator, Tsurumaki Kazuya, is said to return to the series as well. The seasons are set to air on Cartoon Network’s block, Toonami.

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Back in the early 2000s FLCL was considered a minor success. With its surreal “coming of age” story which follows the life of a young school-boy, Nandaba Naota, for the first six episodes. One day as he’s walking and gets hit with a bass guitar from a girl (Haruhara Haruko) and ends up with a very noticeable bump on his head from the incident.  This event triggers multiple battles between entities known as Medical Mechanica and Fraternity in the city of Mabase, Japan.

The new seasons will take place years after the adventures of Naota and Haruko. According to Turner the new seasons will now follow a teenage girl by the name of “Hidomi” . She believes there is nothing special to expect from her ordinary life. Until, she gets a new teacher by the name of Haruko. Soon after this event, Medichal Mechanica attacks the town. Only Haruko can truly help save everyone from the attacking entity but not without the secret within Hidomi that only Haruko can unlock.

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Ever since the announcement everybody has been questioning who will do the music for the new series? Band, The Pillows, were responsible for the soundtrack for FLCL. Fans of the series felt the music it gave the anime its own unique atmosphere. Their two songs, “Ride on SHOOTING STAR” and “Little BUSTERS” impacted the anime on a whole new level bringing life into the anime which we all love. The mystery remains, Who will compose the music for the new seasons…

The new season will drop in late 2017 or early 2018 according to the Official Turner website.

SNOWMIKU 2016 x LOVE LIVE!

Anime, Japanese Music, Japanese Stuff, video games, , , ,

Its OFFICIAL, Love Live and Miku fan can rejoice in happiness as they are to collaborate together on tour during the 67th Sapporo Snow Festival in Japan!

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A snow sculpture of  μ’s will be displayed at the Sapporo Snow Festival, in honor, μ’s is joining Miku.  There are no further details on the collaboration itself, but as time goes on, we will keep you updated.

In honor of SNOWMIKU 2016, different Miku themed food items will are available to purchase, such as:

Japanese cafe, MIRAI.ST cafe is also collaborating with Miku to make the official Snow Miku Menu, along side another karaoke joint,  Which will serve the following:

Snow Miku X MIRAI.ST cafe Menu

There’s also an Android / iOS-friendly game app called, “Butsukaran’na SNOW MIKU 2016 Edition” which will be released on, January 20th 2016. According to the site’s description of the game “[Miku will] run through a variety of courses [while] snow Miku is riding on snowboard.” You can check out the game here

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Other Snow Miku 2016 items can be found here

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MIKU EXPO IS BACK FOR 2016!

Anime, Japanese Music, Los Angeles, , ,

We all feared we’d wait another 3 years before the next Hatsune MIku concert, like we did in 2011 – 2014, however its was recently announced that HATSUNE MIKU will be back in 2016!

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Miku during MikuExpo 2014 at NOKIA LIVE

Only this time, she’s back for ONE day only: Friday, May 6, 2016 at 8:00pm at Microsoft LIVE (Formally known as, NOKIA LIVE)

TICKETS ON SALE: Nov 20th at 10AM PST
Details: http://www.axs.com/events/299434/hatsune-miku-tickets

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SEE YOU THERE!

LIVE Q and A – THE RHEDORIC

Japanese Music, Visual Kei, VKbands, XenonLiveQandA, , ,

Last time we saw TOMO (Guitarist of THE RHEDORIC) was during the VKFest that happened eariler this year. TOMO preformed along side visual kei band, CELL and ∀NTI FEMINISM

TOMO performing during VKFest 2015
TOMO performing during VKFest 2015

TOMO came back to Los Angeles, along with his band members Yuuji and Yusuke, at least they did virtually. If you are not aware yet, THE RHEDORIC has just released their album, JIGGY in the U.S.

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THE RHEDORIC answering fan questions
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THE RHEDORIC I-Tunes Card

its was also TOMO’s birthday, watch us sing Happy Birthday to TOMO, watch the event here:

And of course, as always, an autograph session at the end

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TOMO signing autographs
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The TOMO autograph I got from him

Buy the Album here:

–Amazon

–Amazon #2

–CD Japan

An extra TOMO autograph, GIVEAWAY TIME! Check out the CURRENT GIVEAWAYS page

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This is from July 4th 2015. Autographed by TOMO guitarist from THE RHEDORIC. Check out the CURRENT GIVEAWAYS page

The next XENON live Q & A is on Nov 6TH with visual kei band:

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Upcoming event

LADYBABY in Los Angeles

Anime, Events, Japanese Music, , , , , ,

LADYBABY a famous band that recently came into light with, currently 9,765,665 views on their music video, Nippon Manju. The video went viral ever since it’s release earlier this year. Since then, the band has played numerous shows in japan and most recently at New York City Comic Con and Los Angeles. LADYBABY is the second KawaiiCore band to have spawn out of Japan, along side BABYMETAL (formed in 2013). Created by ClearStone to promote their costumes, LADYBABY consists of LADYBEARD, Rie Kaneko and Rei Kuromiya. Their music genre? KAWAIICORE! Which is a mixture of Heavy Metal and Japanese pop music.

LADYBEARD

Ladybeard is an Australian Professional wrestler, heavy metal vocalist and party rocker. Labled as Japan’s Andrew W.K, Ladybeard first appeared in the rings of Hong Kong’s pro-wrestling in 2009. After gaining popularity as a wrestler, he expanded into the music industry. In 2010, he made his debut in a heavy metal band & while touring, he finally fulfilled his dream by going to japan for the first time. After returning to his homeland, Australia, he returned to Japan in September 2013 and It wasn’t until March 2015 when he was asked to form, LADYBABY.

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Rei Kuromiya, the youngest of the group and winner of Miss iD2015 Grand Prix, She is the vocalist & guitarist of her own rock band called, BRATS and is currently training to be the lead role in a crowd funded movie along side her sister, Aya Kuromiya who is also in BRATS.

Kaneko Rie

Rie Kaneko former Miss iD2015 Grand Prix winner and actress. Aside from working with LADYBABY, she also worked with HAJIMETAL as the lead vocals in the song GIRI GAL.

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LADYBABY preforming at Anime Jungle

On Oct 12 2015, LADYBABY made an appearance in Little Tokyo’s Anime Jungle, where they performed a mini-concert & played their hit single, Nippon Manju, Along with, upcoming singles which are set to be released December 2015. A new music video has been confirmed to be released, which was filmed in Japan, New York City and Los Angeles.

Cherry Jelly Productions, the host of the event, made it possible for all LADYBABY fans to buy the rare merch including, Shirts, towels and the Nippon Manju CD+DVD along side the ClearStone’s costumes

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Fans stood in line since 11am just to see LADYBABY, with one fan following LADYBABY tour dates traveling from Japan to New York and finally to Los Angeles! Now that’s dedication!

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People going inside Anime Jungle to watch LADYBABY

About 200+ fans filled up ANIME JUNGLE to watch LADYBABY.
And of course, just like most events, we got all got our chance to take a photo with LADYBABY!

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LADYBABY and Krystal
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LADYBABY and Cristina
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Nippon Manju CD + DVD

Remember to buy the CD+DVD album!

Amazon  |  eBay   |   CD Japan