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Interview with Guitarist YOUSAY(ex. THE KIDDIE) on His World Tour with ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D

in Entertainment/Features/Music

If you have kept an eye on the Visual Kei scene ever since the genre’s first major florescence overseas a decade ago, THE KIDDIE should be no stranger to you. Although much to the disappointment of their adoring followings, this sweet, exuberant young group were left with no choice but to disband in 2015, we are still lucky enough to see most of the members continue with a music career in their own way, making public appearances on a regular basis. For those of you who were hardcore fans of them, however, the inability to see the band (or any of the members) perform live in your own country or even access their information real-time in your language could be a terrible torment, which I completely understand. But things have changed dramatically in recent years—you are now blessed with the big-eyed, captivating guitarist YOUSAY who works proactively with various music projects (AKi, SHIN, ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D, etc.) and tours extensively both home and abroad. And of course, we won’t let you miss him while he is here in the States for the co-headlined world tour of ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D and SPYAIR. Amid the chilly weather in New York on a Friday night of the approaching fall, we sat down with him over several drinks to talk openly about his life as a freelance musician, and his dreams about the future. Keep Reading

I love Japan. That’s why I’d like to introduce Japanese art and culture to the world – Ibuki Kuramochi

in Entertainment/Features
Ibuki

“I love Japan. That’s why I’d like to introduce Japanese art and culture to the world.”

Ibuki answered the question, in a tone close to murmuring, with a very special look in her eyes.
When asked “what do you recall the most about Japan while visiting in the US”, Ibuki’s gestures, facial expressions and look left a particularly strong impression on us during the 1-hour-or-so interview. Keep Reading

LIVE REPORT: J-rock Juggernaut SID Wraps up 15th Anniversary Domestic Tour with Showa and Indie Themed Shows

in Entertainment/Features/JANIME/Music

For most J-Anime fans, SID might come off as a pop music group renowned for their successful tie-ups with such titles as Fullmetal Alchemist and BLEACH; “Uso”, “Rain” and “Ranbu no Melody” are taken as their most important works more often than not. However, die-hard fans, conversant with the other side of SID, had never stopped dreaming of an opportunity to revisit the band’s hit songs back in their earlier days, to relive their raw energy and haunting beauty again years later. Keep Reading

Movie Review: Fullmetal Alchemist Live-Action Movie Premiered at Anime NYC

in Entertainment/Features/JANIME

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

Chill Your Summer with Top-rated Japanese Haunted Houses

in Entertainment/Features/J-Tsuu/Travel

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

Downrange, Latest Work from Famous Director Ryuhei Kitamura to Hit Toronto International Film Festival 2017!

in Entertainment/Features

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

Interview with Fullmetal Alchemist Live-Action Film Lead Actor Ryosuke Yamada and Director Fumihiko Sori

in Entertainment/Features/JANIME

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.

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Live Report: Anisong World Matsuri at Anime Expo 2017 ~Japan Super Live~

in Entertainment/Features/Music

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

Exclusive Interview with Lemon & Sugar Creator Lemona Design

in Features/J-Tsuu

“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.

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