In This Issue: A round up of the best Japanese entertainment news from around the world for the week ending 17th October, 2014. Yuma Nakayama makes his first album, Idol signature forgeries, Nana Yamada leaves NMB48, more artists announced for VAMPS Halloween event, Hello Kitty turns 40 years old, Kana Kobayashi from AKB48 almost gets kicked out of own concert and more...
Yuma Nakayama makes his first album
Johnny’s Entertainment singer Yuma Nakayama will be launching his new look and first album onto his fans on November 26. The album will include a 50minute making-of footage title ‘Kousaten’, so you’ll get to gorge your eyes on the handsome singer for almost an hour! Along with those two goodies, Nakayama will be releasing his live DVD ‘Playzone 1986…. 2014 Arigatou! ~Aoyama Gekijou’ which features the musical he recently appeared in. Nakayama Yuma marathon time!
Trio get caught forging idol signatures
A family of three has been busted in Japan forging the signatures of some pretty big idols and selling the signed merchandise online. The father, his ex-wife and 20-year-old daughter were the ringleaders behind the scam claiming $67,000 from die hard fans. Some of the idols the trio has become expert copiers of include Arashi, AKB48 and Hey! Say! Jump! Police raided the residence and found the daughter’s bank account had 3,300 transactions from unsuspecting fans.
NMB48’s Team M leader, Nana Yamada leaves group
Nana Yamada is a big name in the girl idol world, holding leadership positions in two idol groups. The NMB48 Team M and SKE48 TeamKII leader will be graduating from the idol world after spending 4 years as a top-ranking idol. The singer will graduate on her 23rd birthday, April 3, 2015. Yamada stated at her latest concert opportunities outside of the group have come up that she would like to pursue. We hope to keep see her around!
Ayumi Hamasaki to hold annual solo concert with midnight circus theme
The popular singer has been holding solo live concerts sine 2000, each year a unique theme has been incorporated. This year she has decided to go with what I can only gather is one of the last left, a circus theme. Surely she must be running out of themes. The event ‘ayumi hamasaki COUNTDOWN LIVE 2014-2015 A Cirque de Minuit ~Mayonaka no Circus’ will be held on December 29 to 31 at Yoyogi National Gymnasium. The event name translates to ‘midnight circus’, seems very fitting and very intriguing.
More artists revealed for VAMPS’ Halloween event
The best Halloween party ever has just added new names to its lineup! A special band has been put together by collecting famous artists from other groups to create one big Frankenstein band. The band ‘Halloween Junky Orchestra’ will feature a variety of artists including Takuro (Glay), Hisashi (Glay) and Kyo (D’erlanger). Along with these newly announced stars if you’re lucky enough to get tickets you’ll also see the likes of Shinya (Dir en Grey), DAIGO, VAMPS, Golden Bomber and Tommy heavenly6 among many more.
Hello Kitty’s 40th Birthday!
Sanrio has announced the birthday plan for the ever so young Hello Kitty. The off and on again human-cat-girl will be turning 40 years old this year. In celebration, Sanrio will be hosting a Hello Kitty fan convention in conjunction with Target as well as starting the ‘Share a Hug with Hello Kitty’ campaign, spreading friendship and happiness. Probably the weirdest thing on offer at the fan convention will be the Hello Kitty Super Supermarket where you can experience products and vendors offering Hello Kitty themed items. Hello Kitty pasta anyone?
AKB48 member almost gets kicked out of own concert by security
Kana Kobayashi was recently mistaken for an intruder at her own concert by venue security that then attempted to escort her off the premises. The singer has been with the idol group almost 9 years and took to her blog to express her shock. Although she said the security were good sports after fellow members went to her rescue she mentioned that it reminded her of the good old days when she was a rookie.
SAGA hit up Europe
The super poppy group SAGA are making their European debut later this month. Although a new group, many have their eyes on them after the trio launched due to their multi country domination. Japan, China and Korea are all represented in the group and without even launching their first CD the pop unit will be touring Europe.
Tackey & Tsubasa bringing you an album in December
Best friends Tackey and Tsubasa will be launching the album ‘TakiTsuba’, an obvious choice for a name, on December 3. The album will contain various genres and languages to cater to their wide selection of fans. The idols will also be holding a concert from December 10-14, so if you’re a keen Johnny’s Entertainment fan make sure you support the two best friends Japan has ever seen!
The Oral Cigarettes reveal anticipated album cover
The rock band’s first ever album will be available in November and to keep fans keen they have released a rather odd album cover. The album cover isn’t rock theme at all but we can expect the album to be a top hit if past performances and fan-base are anything to go by! Seriously keep an eye out on this band!
E-girls & Flower member Muto Chiharu withdraws from group
Another idol group has announced they will be loosing a valued member this week. Muto Chiharu has decided to pursue her studies overseas and so her relationship with the famous girl group has to draw to a close. Although Muto did mention to wishes to continue in the music industry! We hope to see her back one day.
Get on board the GACKT love train!
If your love pillow wasn’t enough, Gackt has now launched an app ‘P.S I LOVE U GACKT’ where you can enjoy love stories in different situations and settings. The app is very interactive and lets you make choices throughout the game that may alter the ending, so there’s no guarantee GACKT will love you back but at least you get to listen to exclusive voice recordings and photos.
