Following our interview with the main cast and director of Fullmetal Alchemist live-action movie last summer at Anime Expo 2017, luckily enough, we also got the opportunity to attend a special US premiere of the film at Anime NYC on November 19th, 2017, which was even prior to its official public release in Japan on December 1st. Keep Reading
Is there anything more mentally refreshing for summer than haunted houses?
If there is ever such a thing, it should be the JAPANESE haunted houses!
The Japanese name for a haunted house is Obakeyashiki, which literally means a house full of ghosts (or monsters). Japanese Obakeyashiki as a form of entertainment was not developed recently but actually dates back to the 1830s, as early as when the first western simulated haunted house “Chamber of Horrors” was created in London by Marie Tussaud. The earliest Japanese haunted house was installed inside a private residence, but soon got more popularity as part of Japan’s traditional Kabuki performance. Japan has always been obsessed with horror stories and all forms of entertainment adaptations based on them. Judging from countless titles of world famous thrillers made in Japan, it is not hard to imagine that Japan never runs out of new ideas (and most of them are exclusive to the Japanese culture) for haunted houses, combining the most scary ghost stories, settings, latest technology (including VR and 3D) and a diversity of horror elements to stimulate and frighten your senses. Keep Reading
With Toronto International Film Festival (TIFF) 2017 just around the corner, its highly-acclaimed annual program Midnigh Madness showing the “the wild side” of films, namely the midnight screenings of the best in action, horror, shock and fantasy cinema, has recently announced the world premiere of Downrange among its all-star line-up, directed and produced by world-renowned Japanese director Ryuhei Kitamura, who is also the creator of blockbusters such as Azumi, Lupin the 3rd, and Godzilla: Final Wars. As POPJNEO is excited to confirm our attendance at the festival and Midnight Madness this year to cover Downrange for our readers and Kitamura’s fans, first we’d like to share with you guys some details about the film and its production to get you psyched up for our report later! Keep Reading
On Monday July 3, Hey! Say! JUMP member and actor Ryosuke Yamada, joined by award-winning director Fumihiko Sori, received warm welcome by American fans and audience at the packed Main Events hall of Anime Expo 2017. As the special guests for the Fullmetal Alchemist Live-Action Movie panel, both Yamada and Sori shared with enthusiastic AX attendees their thoughts and stories during the filming, followed by a premiere showcase of the movie footage and a Q&A session with fans.
The first day of this July marks not only the beginning of the biggest North American anime convention, Anime Expo 2017, but also the second night for the much-anticipated carnival of Anisong — “Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Super Live~”. Most sought-after anisong musicians from Japan drew a packed house at Microsoft Theater that night and showcased the influential culture of Anisong and Anime with their respective stage in front of more than 6000 excited audience. Both new stars and veteran artists joined the lineup to complete a well-rounded set list, where the latest hot anisong releases intermixed with the refreshing ways they interpreted old songs that every fan would find familiar with. Keep Reading
“Lemon & Sugar” are two adorable original characters, namely Lemon-chan and Sugar-kun, created by Lemona Design. They hit Japan by storm with their 4-koma manga, cute merchandise, signature Lemon Candies and huge Deco-Bento fan base. Lemon is a cute little girl who loves to be in love. As the world’s first Lemon Ambassador, she spends her days spreading LOVE and LEMON with her best friend Sugar, a fluffy plush toy. Snuggly and full of fun surprises, Sugar is very much in love with Lemon, so everything he does, he does it all for her from the goodness of his heart.
Kaoru’s conversation with a different guest each time has been a regular program on his official blog magazine. With Hazuki being the guest this time, the two good friends had a relaxed and casual conversation over several drinks.
Vocalist of BugLug, Issei, announced his much-anticipated full comeback to the stage, having suffered severe head injury after an accident on May 7th 2016. To celebrate their comeback in the band’s complete line-up, BugLug held their Budokan debut concert “5+You=Infinity” on May 7th, 2017, with a new single to be released in August and a 47-Prefecture Live Tour to follow to showcase their triumphant restart. Keep Reading
When WagakkiBand addressed the audience from the stage at the legendary Nippon Budokan in January last year, singer Yuko Suzuhana made a request: She asked the audience to help carry the band to even bigger and better things.
This video shows the processes of check-in until check-out and also introduces room maids, how to enjoy a Japanese room, how to wear a yukata, how to use a hot spring bath, and so on.