×
  • remind me tomorrow
  • remind me next week
  • never remind me
Subscribe to the ANN Newsletter • Wake up every Sunday to a curated list of ANN's most interesting posts of the week. read more

Music

Filters
All News Interest Reviews Columns
Text-only Compact View
Text-only List View
Text-only Grid View
List View with Images
Grid View with Images
news

Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf Anime Reveals Theme Song Artists

Hana Hope performs "Tabi no Yukue" opening, ClariS performs "Andante" ending ― The official X (formerly Twitter) account for the new Ōkami to Kōshinryō: merchant meets the wise wolf (Spice & Wolf: merchant meets the wise wolf) television anime based on author Isuna Hasekura's Spice & Wolf light novel series revealed the artists behind the opening and ending theme songs on Sunday. Hana Hope performs t...
news

YOASOBI Musical Duo Holds Concerts in L.A. on April 18, San Francisco on April 21

Duo to also perform at Crunchyroll Anime Awards on March 2, Coachella on April 12 & 19 ― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday that it will host music duo YOASOBI as musical guests for its Crunchyroll Anime Awards on March 2. The duo will also have concerts at the Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall in Los Angeles on April 18, and The Warfield in San Francisco on April 21. The duo will also perform at the Coa...
news

Mina Okabe Contributes 'Every Second' Song as A Condition Called Love Anime's Ending Theme

April anime to use song's Japanese version ― The official website for the television anime of Megumi Morino's A Condition Called Love (Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai) manga announced on Wednesday that Mina Okabe's single "Every Second" (Japanese version) will be the anime's ending theme song. The Danish-Japanese artist released the original "Every Second" song on her debut album in 2021, and the song's...
interest

Yoasobi, Hatsune Miku, Atarashii Gakkō! to Perform at Coachella

Hatsune Miku finally gets to perform at Coachella after the 2020 festival was canceled ― The Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival announced its full lineup of performers on January 17, and three Japanese artists will perform this year in one of the world's most anticipated music festivals. Pop duo YOASOBI is slated to perform on April 12 and 19, renowned vocaloid icon Hatsune Miku will perform on...
interest

Oshi no Ko's Ai Voice Actress Rie Takahashi Covers Yoasobi's 'Idol' Song

Music video of Takahashi's "Idol" cover premiered on February 2, now has 6.5 million views ― Just when you think the opening theme song of the first season of the Oshi no Ko anime "Idol" by YOASOBI could not get any better than it already has, Ai's voice actress Rie Takahashi did a cover of the hit song, and its music video premiered on YouTube on February 2. The video now has 6.5 million views as of...
news

Survive Said the Prophet Announces U.S. Tour Dates in April

Band performs in Seattle, Portland, Berkeley, Los Angeles, San Diego from April 2-9 ― Rock ensemble Survive Said the Prophet announced the tour dates for its “MAKE / BREAK YOURSELF The West Coast Tour” on Friday. Tickets for the tour are currently on sale. The tour marks the first American tour for the band. The band will perform on the following dates: April 2, 2024 – NEUMO's, Seattle WA April 3, 2...
news

AAA Members Nissy, SKY-HI Perform BLUELOCK -Episode Nagi- Film's Theme Song

Takahiro Nishijima, MItsuhiro Hidaka contribute song for April 19 film ― The official website for the anime film of Kōta Sannomiya's BLUELOCK -Episode Nagi- spinoff of Muneyuki Kaneshiro and Yūsuke Nomura's Blue Lock soccer manga announced on Sunday that artists Nissy and SKY-HI are performing the film's theme song "Stormy." The song's single will debuton April 17. Takahiro Nishijima is a member of t...
news

Takayuki Kondō, Daisuke Ono to Stop Performing as TRD Duo on June 26

Duo formed in 2021 as a musical unit ― TRD — Takayuki Kondō and Daisuke Ono's "technologic vocal unit" — announced in a new YouTube video on Friday that the duo will end their activities after the release of their album What's Going On?. The album will ship on June 26. The duo expressed their gratitude to their fans for their support through the years. The album will contain 10 tracks and a special e...
interest

Nintendo to Stream Legend of Zelda Orchestra Concert on February 9

Nintendo's Japanese YouTube channel to also stream Splatoon 3 concert ― It's dangerous to go alone, so listen to some orchestral music as you go! Nintendo announced on Wednesday that it will stream the full pre-recorded performance for "The Legend of Zelda Orchestra Concert" on YouTube on February 9 at 8:00 a.m. EST. Although it is not a pre-recorded performance, it isn't clear how long the video wil...
interest

Nami Tamaki Performs Gundam Seed Opening in The First Take Video Before New Film's Release

Bring in Mobile Suit Gundam Seed Freedom celebrations with a single take of its opening theme ― Over 20 years ago, the Mobile Suit Gundam franchise entered a new phase with Mobile Suit Gundam Seed. It was a new take on an old series and resonated with the youth of the time. Then, fans were hit with the 25th episode and its J-pop opening theme song, “Believe” by Nami Tamaki, complete with a whole new ...
news

Waccha PriMagi Studio Arcade Game to End Service

Renewal of Waccha PriMagi game launched in November 2022 ― The official Twitter account for Waccha PriMagi Studio, the renewal of the Waccha PriMagi arcade game, announced on Friday that the game will be gradually ending service after the update of the second Pretty All-Star part on February 1. Previously released item collections will be re-released starting on February 8. Friday's announcement did...
news

Rock Band CHAI Break Up

Band performed theme songs for Oshiete Hokusai!, Kedama no Gonjiro anime ― Rock band CHAI announced on Thursday that they are breaking up following their upcoming tour in Japan. The band stated that this is so that the members can continue their "journey of self-love" and fulfill their "own personal visions." Members Mana, Kana, Yuuki and Yuna formed the band in 2012. CHAI are known for their term "n...
interest

Hiroshi Kitadani Performs 1st One Piece Opening in The First Take Video

Celebrate the 25th anniversary of a legendary anime song with a single take YouTube video ― Twenty-five years ago the Japanese airwaves were graced with arguably one of the best anime series ever made: One Piece. However, it wasn't just the story that captivated audiences on a fateful Wednesday night at 7:00 p.m. The opening theme song "We Are!" by Hiroshi Kitadani played an integral role in solidify...
feature

Yoshiki Gives Heartfelt Performance at Hollywood Unveiling Ceremony

Rock star and X Japan member is the first Japanese artist in almost 100 years to add handprints to Chinese Theatre. ― Famed rock star, Yoshiki, revealed the permanent location of his imprints in front of Hollywood's TCL Chinese Theatre. As the first Japanese artist to be honored by the theater since the start of the tradition in 1927, he shared how grateful he is to be a part of this prestigious mom...
interest

GLAY Reveals Key Visual by One Piece's Eiichiro Oda for 30th Anniversary Expo

For their 30th anniversary, Japanese band Glay got surprise artwork from legendary manga author ― Formed in 1988, the Japanese band Glay saw moderate success on the independent circuit. However, it wasn't until 1994 when they signed with Extasy Records and began to see massive success. Now celebrating their 30th anniversary of their, what the Japanese music industry calls, major debut, Glay is using ...
interest

Yoasobi's 'Idol' Song Dominates Billboard Japan 2023 Charts

Take a guess how many year-ender charts the song topped ― It looks like the number "1" is synonymous to YOASOBI and their song "Idol" — the opening theme song of Oshi no Ko anime — in 2023. After topping the Music category of Yahoo! Japan Search Awards 2023, the song "Idol" also topped five song charts of Billboard Japan in 2023. We repeat, that's five song charts, topped by one song, in one year. Th...
news

Wagakki Band to Go on Indefinite Hiatus at End of 2024

8 members decide to focus on individual careers before reuniting later ― The official website for the musical group Wagakki Band announced on Sunday that the band will go into an indefinite hiatus on December 31, 2024, with all eight of its members focusing on their individual careers and activities. The members of the band had been holding discussions regarding the band's future since around fall 20...
interest

New Japan Philharmonic to Perform Music from Golden Kamuy Anime

Relive anime through orchestral rendition of soundtrack on March 30-31 in Tokyo ― As the Golden Kamuy manga has ended in April 2022 and the anime's fifth season is in production, fans will need to find other methods to get their fix for the series. Luckily, fans of the anime's music will get an early fix with the Golden Kamuy Orchestra Concert 2024. Announced last Sunday, the Golden Kamuy Orchestra C...
interest

It's Double Victory for Oshi no Ko Anime in Yahoo! Japan Search Awards 2023

Oshi no Ko tops Anime category, its opening song "Idol" by YOASOBI tops Music category ― The Oshi no Ko anime closes 2023 with a double victory, as it tops the Anime category, and its opening song "Idol" by YOASOBI tops the Music category of the Yahoo! Japan Search Awards 2023. Hayao Miyazaki's latest film The Boy and the Heron tops this year's Film category, and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kin...
news

Anime Boston 2024 Hosts Band Queen Bee

Band have performed theme songs for Oshi no Ko, Undead Unluck, more ― The staff of Anime Boston announced on Friday that the 2024 event will host Japanese band Queen Bee. The band formed in 2009, and have performed theme songs for Dororo (TV 2019), Oshi no Ko, Raven of the Inner Palace, Tokyo Ghoul:re, Undead Unluck, and Chainsaw Man. The group have also performed theme songs for the Sadako live-acti...
interest

Spotify Reveals Top Streamed Anime Songs for 2023

Spotify reveals how many anime songs people listened to online this year ― With 2023 coming to an end, many companies are releasing their top lists. Spotify is among them with its lists for top played artists, albums, and songs. Did any anime songs break into the top 10? Well, it depends on the region. Spotify Japan @SpotifyJp revealed the top streamed artists and songs over 2023 as part of their #Sp...
interest

Kyoto Animation Works on Hagureboshi no Uta Picture Book, Music Project With Evan Call

Taichi Ishidate directs project with illustrations by Shiori Yamazaki, story by Ayano Sato ― The folks who do beautiful work at Kyoto Animation are planning a humble new project: a picture book titled Hagureboshi no Uta (The Song of the Wandering Star), with accompanying soundtrack CD by Evan Call, who last collaborated with the studio in the Romantic classical music-inspired soundtrack of Violet Eve...
interview

Living as a Real Life “Hannah Montana” – An Interview with Virtual Singer KAF

KAF is one of the most popular virtual singers in Japan. Ahead of her upcoming concerts next month, we talked about what it's like to live with a secret identity. ― KAF is one of the most popular virtual singers in Japan. Several of her songs have become Top 40 downloaded hits (along with two of her albums breaking the Oricon Digital Top 10) and she's even sold out the Nippon Budokan (the Japanese eq...
news

Innai Keisatsu Live-Action TV Series Reveals SennaRin to Perform Opening Theme Song

Eve performs ending theme song 'pray' ― The staff of the live-action television series adaptation of Tsutomu Sakai and Ichi Hayashi's Innai Keisatsu: Asclepius no Hebi manga announced on Monday SennaRin will perform the opening theme song "NOD." Hiroyuki Sawano will compose and arrange the song. Sawano will also compose the ending theme song "pray" by eve. The single for "NOD" will release on Januar...
news

Rock Band KANA-BOON Halts Activities for Rest of Year; Takahiro Koizumi, Hayato Koga Leave Group

Announcement follows tabloid report last week about drummer Takahiro Koizumi ― Rock band KANA-BOON announced on Monday that the band will halt their activities for the rest of the year. The announcement also stated that drummer Takahiro Koizumi and guitarist Hayato Koga will leave the group, after the agency terminated their contracts. The band are canceling all their appearances and performances for...
news

Singer Ado Announces 'Wish' World Tour Dates for U.S., Europe

Tour includes 8 different cities including Paris, New York, Los Angeles ― Crunchyroll announced on Thursday it is bringing Ado's "Wish" tour to eight different cities in the United States and Europe in March and April. Tour stops include:Mar 9 - Brussels, Belgium - ING Arena Mar 11 - Paris, France - Zénith Paris - La Villette Mar 13 - London, England - Troxy Mar 16 - Dusseldorf, Germany - Mitsubishi ...

Pop Duo See-Saw Return to Gundam SEED for Freedom Film's Ending Song

Chiaki Ishikawa, Yuki Kajiura's 1st new song in about 2 decades ― The members of the pop duo See-Saw are contributing "Sarigiwa no Romantics" (Romantics Upon Parting), their first new song in about two decades, as the ending theme song for the Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Freedom film. See-Saw, composed of vocalist Chiaki Ishikawa and keyboardist/composer Yuki Kajiura, had previously performed ending them...
news

Singer Vicke Blanka Goes on 1st N. American Tour

Tour goes to 10 locations from January 31-February 20 ― Avex Entertainment announced on Friday that singer and songwriter Vicke Blanka (Vickeblanka, real name Junya Yamaike) is going on his first North American Tour titled "Vicke Blanka North American Tour 2024." Tickets are now on sale. Vicke Blanka will perform on the following 10 dates: January 31: Vancouver - Vogue Theater February 2: Denver - Go...
news

The Boy and the Heron Film Gets Animated Music Video

English-subtitled video features Kenshi Yonezu's theme song "Chikyūgi," set to footage of film ― The official YouTube channel for singer-songwriter Kenshi Yonezu began streaming a music video for Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature film The Boy and the Heron (Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka, or literally How Do You Live?), featuring Yonezu's "Chikyūgi" (Spinning Globe) theme song for the. The video includes an...
interest

NHK Posts Human Rights Guidelines for Kōhaku Song Contest

Another "first" for this year's program ― The streak of odd firsts for NHK's 74th Kōhaku Uta Gassen ("Red and White Song Contest") — Japan's most-watched music television program — continues, as the program posted "guidelines for respecting human rights for performers" on its website for the first time. On November 13, NHK revealed the lineup of artists for this year's program, and the list did not i...
interest

Sanrio's Ikemen Knights Sing Their Hearts Out

Sanrio's project includes original songs, music videos, voice dramas ― The pretty boys of Sanrio's Fragaria Memories project want to capture your heart with their singing voices in a new music video. The mascot-inspired boys of the Red Bouquet faction are kicking off the multimedia project with their new song and music video titled "Ever Red," which debuted at the Anime Girls Festival 2023 earlier th...
news

Attack on Titan Theme Song Artist SiM Announces N. American Tour

Ticket presales for Playdead World Tour Season 1 begin on Wednesday ― Crunchyroll announced on Tuesday the Japanese Alternative rock band SiM (Silence iz Mine) will embark on a North American Tour in in 2024 from April 19-May 24. The band will play 24 shows across the United States and Canada in their Playdead World Tour Season 1, with groups Fame on Fire and Within Destruction. The band will perfor...
interest

Kōhaku Song Contest Reveals 2023 Lineup With No Former Johnny's Artists for the 1st Time in 44 Years

Ado, singing voice of Uta from One Piece Film Red, debuts on the program as herself ― NHK revealed the lineup for the 74th Kōhaku Uta Gassen ("Red and White Song Contest"), Japan's most-watched music television program, on Monday. This year's show goes for a different first, as no former Johnny's (now Smile Up) artists will perform on the show. A first in 44 years since 1979. NHK previously stated in...
news

2PM's Chansung, AK-69, 2AM's Changmin Perform Re:Monster Anime's Opening Song

"Into the Fire" theme for anime based on Kogitsune Kanekiru's light novels ― The staff for the television anime of Kogitsune Kanekiru's Re:Monster light novel series announced on Saturday that Korean group 2PM member Chansung and Japanese hiphop artist AK-69 (featuring 2AM group member Changmin) are performing the opening theme song for the anime titled "Into the Fire." The staff describe the theme a...
interest

Kenshi Yonezu's Hit Song 'Kick Back' Achieves Historic RIAA Gold Certification

Another feat added to Yonezu and J-pop's list of historic firsts ― Artist Kenshi Yonezu just made a first in Japanese music history after the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) awarded him a Gold certification for his song "KICK BACK," the opening theme song of last October's Chainsaw Man anime. This is the first time that a song written and performed in Japanese has received a Gold cer...
news

Cö shu Nie, Hiroyuki Sawano, SennaRin, Survive Said The Prophet Perform at Anime NYC on November 17

"Crunchyroll Night of Live Music" concert takes place on November 18 at New York City's Javits Center. ― Crunchyroll announced last week that it will host the "Center Stage With Crunchyroll Live Music Artists" panel on November 17 and the "Crunchyroll Night of Live Music" concert on November 18 at Anime NYC. The following artists will perform at the one-night concert on the River Pavilion – Crunchyro...
interest

Lain Title Song Gets New Video, New Fans, and a Reformed Band

The British band Bôa has reformed thanks to the huge popularity of its single "Duvet" ― For many older anime fans, the song "Duvet" — with lyrics including I am falling, I am fading, I have lost it all — will always be the title song for the 1998 series Serial Experiments Lain, and incomplete without a jeering voice at the start saying "Present day! Present time! HAHAHAHAHAHA!" However, the mournful,...
interest

Sailor Moon's Naoko Takeuchi Illustrates Single Cover Art for Blackpink's Jennie

Jennie launched "You & Me" single on October 6 Sailor Moon and Blackpink: Name a more iconic duo. No, really. Sailor Moon creator Naoko Takeuchi has collaborated with K-pop group Blackpink member Jennie, providing the cover art for her latest single "You & Me," which debuted earlier this month on October 6. The artwork portrays Jennie, in Takeuchi's iconic style, in front of a moon. The moon's pres...
news

Johnny's West Idol Group Changes Name to 'WEST.'

Johnny's Jr. stable also changes name to "Jr." ― Idol group Johnny's WEST announced on Wednesday that they have changed their name to "WEST." (with a period), removing the "Johnny's" from their name in the aftermath of the sexual abuse scandal surrounding the group's Smile Up (formerly Johnny & Associates) talent agency. The agency's stable of young trainee idol groups known as Johnny's Jr. is now si...
news

New Starmyu Musical Series Announced for 2024

Documentary commemorating previous stage shows now streaming on YouTube ― The Starmyu musical staff announced on Twitter on Tuesday that the stage shows will be relaunched in a new series in 2024. There will be a live event on October 16 that will feature new cast announcements. To commemorate the previous series of shows, the staff released a documentary video with the cast members looking back on t...
news

Dropkick on My Devil! TV Anime Spinoff Reveals Theme Song Artists

Aina Suzuki, Leola feat. EXILE NESMITH perform theme songs ― The official website for the Dropkick on My Devil! franchise revealed the theme song artists for Jashin-chan Dropkick: Seikimatsu-hen (Dropkick on My Devil! Apocalypse Arc), the new spinoff anime for the franchise, on Tuesday. Aina Suzuki, the voice of the titular Jashin-chan, performs the opening theme song "Apocalypse Day," while Leola pe...
interest

EXCLUSIVE: Listen to Castlevania: Nocturne Song 'My Sister'

Composers Trevor Morris and composer Trey Toy worked on the soundtrack, available digitally on October 6 ― ANN has an exclusive premiere of the song "My Sister" from the Netflix original series Castlevania: Nocturne by composers Trevor Morris and Trey Toy. The dark, brooding song is part of the larger soundtrack from the series, available from Lakeshore Records on Friday. Lakeshore Records will relea...
news

16bit Sensation: Another Layer Anime's Lead Aoi Koga Sings Ending Theme

Anime premieres on Wednesday ― The staff for the 16bit Sensation: Another Layer anime announced on Sunday that the anime's lead voice actress Aoi Koga is also singing the ending theme song "Link~past and future~" as her Konoha Akisato character. The song features lyrics written by Kotoko and music composed by Shinji Orito and arranged by Tomoyuki Nakazawa. (All three musicians are veterans of the bi...
interest

Dance Troupe Amazes America's Got Talent Judges with 'Oshi no Ko' Performance

20-dancer strong avantgardey performed a perfectly in-sync live routine during Tuesday night's Qualifiers 5 ― Japanese dance team avantgardey wowed the America's Got Talent judges with a choreographed performance to YOASOBI's chart-topping single "Idol." The Oshi no Ko opening theme has been streamed over 400 million times. The 19-dancer strong avantgardey performed a perfectly in-sync live routine d...
interview

J-Rock Star Yoshiki Talks About His Past and Future in London

The X Japan and The Last Rockstars singer made his directorial debut with the YOSHIKI: UNDER THE SKY music documentary. ― On September 11, rock star Yoshiki appeared in London to accompany a screening of his directorial debut and feature film Yoshiki: Under The Sky. The movie collects his recent musical collaborations with artists around the world, with the seasoned performer mainly at the seat of hi...

Hatsune Miku Concert Tour Comes to North America in April-May 2024

Early tickets go on sale for Crunchyroll Premium members on Thursday ― Crunchyroll and Crypton Future Media announced on Tuesday that the Hatsune Miku Expo world concert tour series is coming to North America as "HATSUNE MIKU EXPO 2024 North America tour powered by Crunchyroll." The tour will take place at the following dates and locations in April-May 2024: April 4: Vancouver, Canada - Thunderbird A...
news

Queen Bee Drummer, Co-Founder Ruri-chan Leaves Band

Ruri-chan recovered after being on health-related hiatus since August 2022 ― Sony Music Artists announced on Monday that drummer Ruri-chan (second from left in photo) is "graduating" from her Queen Bee rock band. Ruri-chan had been on hiatus from the band since August 2022 due to poor health. Although she has since recovered, she asked to leave the band after talking with the other members and their ...
interest

Little Glee Monster, Kalafina Singer Wakana Ootaki, More Sing for Ghibli's 1st Tribute Album

The first official Studio Ghibli tribute album will be released in Japan on November 1. ― The first official Studio Ghibli tribute album will be released in Japan on November 1, featuring songs by former Kalafina singer Wakana Ootaki (Puella Magi Madoka Magica), Little Glee Monster (The Case Study of Vanitas), Lilas Ikuta (BELLE) and more. From Up On Poppy Hill and Earwig and the Witch composer Sato...
news

'The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You' Anime Reveals Song Artists

Main cast's Kaede Hondo, Miyu Tomita, Maria Naganawa, Asami Seto, Ayaka Asai sing opening; Nako Misaki sings "Sweet Sign" ending ― The official website for the television anime of Rikito Nakamura and Yukiko Nozawa's The 100 Girlfriends Who Really, Really, Really, Really, Really Love You (Kimi no koto ga Dai Dai Dai Dai Daisuki na 100-nin no Kanojo) manga announced the artists for the anime's opening ...
news

EGOIST Music Unit to Stop Performing in October

Singer chelly to keep performing as reche, after working on Guilty Crown, Psycho-Pass with Supercell's ryo ― Vocalist chelly announced on Saturday that the music unit EGOIST will stop performing. The unit will hold its last live concerts in Osaka on September 23 and in Kanagawa on October 9. The unit EGOIST was initially formed as an in-story musical artist group for the anime Guilty Crown in 2011. T...
interest

ONE OK ROCK Stars in Music Video for Monster Hunter Now AR Game

Popular rock band ONE OK ROCK collaborated with Niantic and Capcom on a new music video – “Make It Out Alive” – to celebrate the upcoming global release of Monster Hunter Now on September 14. ― Gamers, listen up! Niantic Inc. and CAPCOM, CO., LTD will release a new AR game on September 14, Monster Hunter Now. As part of the celebration, both companies collaborated with ONE OK ROCK to produce a specia...
news

YOASOBI's Oshi no Ko Anime Opening Song 'Idol' Streamed Over 400 Million Times

Fastest song to reach milestone also has chart's 3rd-longest #1 reign at 19 weeks ― According to Oricon's weekly streaming ranking chart, "Idol," YOASOBI's opening theme song for the television anime of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga, has been streamed 403,127,806 times. The song was streamed 16,618,575 times in the past week alone. The song has also ranked #1 on the chart for 19 c...
news

Bullbuster Anime Reveals Theme Song Artists NORISTRY, Konomi Suzuki

NORISTRY performs opening song "Try, ry, ry"; Konomi Suzuki performs ending song "Gambare to Sakebu tabi" ― Kadokawa revealed on Wednesday that NORISTRY and Konomi Suzuki will perform the theme songs for the upcoming television anime of the Bullbuster franchise. NORISTRY will perform the opening theme song "Try-ry-ry," while Konomi Suzuki will perform the ending theme song, "Gambare to Sakebu tabi" (...
news

Philippines' Best of Anime Convention Returns on September 16

UchuSentai:NOIZ, Starmarie return as musical guests ― The Philippines' Best of Anime convention announced on August 9 that it will return with an event at the SMX Convention Center on September 16. The new event is titled The Best of Anime 2023: The Reunion, and will mark the first time the event will be held since 2019 (the event was not held in the past three years due to the COVID-19 pandemic). Th...
interest

Singer-Songwriter Kenshi Yonezu Talks About Working With Boy and The Heron Director Hayao Miyazaki

Yonezu said Miyazaki cried after listening to the song demo: "It was probably the most memorable experience of my five years working with Miyazaki on this song for the film.” ― Kenshi Yonezu became popular as a Vocaloid music creator over a decade ago. In the years since, he has written and/or sung numerous popular songs—culminating in "Chikyugi," the theme song for the newest Studio Ghibli film, Th...

Aniplex Reveals Aniplex Online Fest 2023 Event for September 10

Event will stream with English & Japanese narration, features musical performances, voice actor guests ― Aniplex announced on Tuesday that it will hold its Aniplex Online Fest event both online and in person in English and Japanese on September 10. The in person event will take place at Zepp DiverCity Tokyo featuring narration by voice actor Sōma Saitō. Haruko Iizuka (Horimiya) drew the below visual ...
interest

Pop Singer Tove Lo, Shinsei Galverse NFT Project Create Anime Music Video

Tokyo Mew Mew New's Satoshi Ishino designed characters for the 'I like u.' music video ― Grammy-Award nominated artist Tove Lo teamed up with Tokyo-based Shinsei Galverse NFT project to create an animated music video for her track "I like u." The sci-fi music video features characters designed by Satoshi Ishino (Puni Puni Poemy, Tokyo Mew Mew New) and is directed by Shinsei Galverse founder Ayaka Ohi...
interest

Mori Calliope's One Piece Track 'Future Island' Cracks 8 Million Views

Calliope worked on the track to promote One Piece manga volume #106, released on July 4. Volume #106 takes place amidst the Egghead Arc, the storyline succeeding the Wano arc. ― Following the release of her debut album last year, hololive VTuber Mori Calliope has a new single, “Future Island,” a collaboration with the popular manga series ONE PIECE. Listeners have streamed the music video over 8 mill...
interview

BURNOUT SYNDROMES Talk About Writing and Singing Anime Theme Songs

The hit-making band discusses their tracks from Dr. Stone and what anime they hope to create songs for in the future. ― Fans of Haikyuu!!, Dr. Stone, and Gintama are most likely already familiar with BURNOUT SYNDROMES through their anime theme songs. With the recent release of their new album, The WORLD is Mine, Anime News Network was able to sit down with all three members of the band—guitarist and ...
news

Girls Band Cry Anime Streams 4th English-Subtitled Music Video

Video features "Ideal Paradox" song by in-story band Togenashi Togeari ― The official YouTube channel of Toei Animation's original anime Girls Band Cry began streaming on Monday a new English-subtitled music video for the song "Ideal Paradox" by the project's in-story band Togenashi Togeari: The channel previously streamed music videos for the songs "white drizzle in gloom," "Nameless Name," and "no ...
news

Kenshi Yonezu Performs Theme Song for Hayao Miyazaki's How Do You Live? Film

New Yonezu song titled "Chikyūgi" (Globe) ― Industry news website Natalie reported on Friday that Kenshi Yonezu (Chainsaw Man, My Hero Academia, March comes in like a lion) performed the theme song "Chikyūgi" (Globe) for Hayao Miyazaki's latest feature film Kimi-tachi wa Dō Ikiru ka (tentative English title: How Do You Live?) film. Natalie's editorial staff confirmed the information after viewing the...
news

YOASOBI's Oshi no Ko Anime Opening Song Tops YouTube's Global Song Chart

Also: "Idol" song sets record for fastest to exceed 300 million streams in Japan in 13 weeks ― "Idol," YOASOBI's opening theme song for the television anime of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga, has ranked #1 on YouTube's Global Top Song music chart for the June 30–July 6 week. The song jumped 22.3% to 41.9 million views that week. The song has also ranked at #1 in Oricon's weekly str...
news

Unison Square Garden Performs Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective Anime's Opening Song

Band contributes 'Ikenai fool logic' theme for October anime ― The official website for the anime of Akira Amano's Ron Kamonohashi: Deranged Detective (Kamonohashi Ron no Kindan Suiri) manga announced on Sunday that Unison Square Garden is performing the anime's opening theme song "Ikenai fool logic." The single will debut in Japan on September 27. The "1st season" of the anime will premiere in Octob...
news

YOASOBI's Oshi no Ko Anime Opening Song Ranks #7 on U.S. Billboard's Global 200 Chart

'Idol' is highest ranking song by Japanese artist in chart's history ― "Idol," YOASOBI's opening theme song for the television anime of Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga, has ranked #7 on the US Billboard's Global 200 chart (dated July 1). This marks the highest ranking a Japanese artist has ever achieved in the chart's history. The song had ranked #1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S...
news

Miyuki Nakajima Performs Theme Song for Mari Okada, MAPPA's Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kōjō Anime Film

'Shin-on' is Nakajima's 1st ever anime theme song ― The staff for Mari Okada and MAPPA's original anime film Alice to Therese no Maboroshi Kōjō (Alice and Therese's Illusory Factory) announced on Thursday that singer-songwriter Miyuki Nakajima is performing the film's theme song titled "Shin-on" (Heartbeat). This is the first time that the veteran singer has performed a theme song for any anime or ga...
news

Dead Mount Death Play Anime Reveals Theme Song Artists for 2nd Half

Inori Minase, Yūma Uchida perform opening, ending songs for 2nd half premiering in October ― The official website for the television anime adaptation of Ryohgo Narita and Shinta Fujimoto's Dead Mount Death Play manga revealed the theme song artists for the anime's second half on Tuesday. Inori Minase performs the anime's new opening theme song "Scrap Art," while Yūma Uchida performs the anime's new e...
news

Yoh Kamiyama Performs Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War Anime's New Ending Song

'Endroll' theme's artist also contributed to Drifting Dragons, Horimiya ― Musical artist Yoh Kamiyama (Drifting Dragons, Horimiya) is contributing the song "Endroll" as the ending theme for the second part of the Bleach: Thousand-Year Blood War anime. Kamiyama noted that he has been a fan of Bleach since he was little, so this opportunity is like a dream come true. He added that he wishes he could te...
news

Akari Kitō Performs A Girl & Her Guard Dog Anime's Ending Song

Kitō performs "Magie×Magie" ending theme ― The official website for the television anime of Hatsuharu's A Girl & Her Guard Dog (Ojō to Banken-kun) manga revealed on Saturday that Akari Kitō, who voices the protagonist Isaku Senagaki, is performing the anime's ending theme song "Magie×Magie." The song will debut in Japan as Kitō's fifth single on October 11. The anime will premiere in October. Yuichir...
interest

BEASTARS Manga, Italian Band Måneskin Get Collaboration Music Video

Footage of manga set to Måneskin's song "Timezone" ― Italian rock band Måneskin unveiled a new animated music video for their song "Timezone" last Monday, with the song set to footage of panels from Paru Itagaki's BEASTARS manga animated in motion comic style. The music video is the second collaboration between the manga and the band, after Itagaki drew an illustration (seen below the video) of the b...
news

YOASOBI's Oshi no Ko Anime Opening Song 'Idol' Tops Apple Music Top 100: Global Chart

Song released digitally on April 12, with CD single just released on Wednesday ― YOASOBI's "Idol," the opening theme song for the television anime adaptation for Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga, has reached #1 on Apple's Music Top 100: Global chart as of Wednesday, June 21. The song debuted at #1 in Billboard Japan's streaming song chart on April 19, its first week on the chart afte...
news

Movic's Hana-Doll* 2.5D Idol Franchise Gets Anime

Anime to adapt project's "1st season" of drama CDs ― Movic announced on Monday that its Hana-Doll* 2.5D idol project is getting an anime adaptation titled Hana-Doll*: Reinterpretation of Flowering. A manga for the franchise titled Hana-Doll*~Flowering~ Boys were still in a dream launched in Kodansha's Shonen Magazine Edge in November 2020. In the story of the idol project, the "Hana Ningyō Project" (...
interest

angela Certified by Guinness World Records For Most Songs in Animated Franchise by Same Artist

angela has performed 31 theme songs for the Fafner franchise since 2004 ― The staff of the Sōkyū no Fafner Behind the Line spinoff anime announced at a screening event on Sunday that the duo angela has been certified by the Guinness World Records for "Most songs sung by the same artist for an animation franchise." angela has performed 31 theme songs for the franchise (including opening, ending, and i...
interest

Oshi no Ko Anime's Opening Theme Song 'Idol' by YOASOBI Tops Billboard Global Excl. U.S. Chart

"Idol" is the first song originally performed in Japanese to top the chart Oshi no Ko and YOASOBI achieved a tremendous milestone for Japan this week. The English version of YOASOBI's "Idol," the opening theme song for the Oshi no Ko anime, ranked number one on Billboard Global Excl. U.S. survey (dated June 10). "Idol" is the first song originally performed in Japanese to reach the top of the Globa...
news

Crunchyroll Adds Man With A Mission, L'Arc-en-Ciel, Kana-Boon, More to Music Service

Music service now has 3,200+ music videos, 100+ full-length live concert videos ― Crunchyroll announced on Wednesday the expansion of its music service, by adding new music videos and exclusive concert performances by MAN WITH A MISSION, L'Arc-en-Ciel, KANA-BOON, Shoko Nakagawa, SPYAIR Goose House, amazarashi, Survive Said The Prophet, SUPER BEAVER, sumika, NICO Touches the Walls, and more. Crunchyro...
interest

Japan's Self-Defense Force Band Performs Uma Musume Songs at Tokyo Racecourse

JMSDF Band performs "Glorious Moment!", "GIRLS' LEGEND U" for Japanese Oaks race last Sunday ― What do horseracing, anime, and the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force have in common? Last Sunday, the JMSDF Band performed two Uma Musume Pretty Derby theme songs at the Tokyo Racecourse. This was for the Yushun Himba race, also known as the Japanese Oaks. The Nerima Horseracing YouTube channel captured th...
interest

LiSA Enters the Spider-Verse for Japan-Exclusive Theme Song, Jacket Art

Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse film opens in the United States on June 2; Japan on June 16 ― The beloved anisong artist LiSA will be contributing her powerful vocals to the upcoming Spider-Man: Across the Spider-Verse film—at least for its Japanese version. LiSA will perform the theme song "REALiZE" for the Japanese dub, and to mark the occasion, the singer is receiving unique jacket art depicti...
news

2nd Mr. Osomatsu 6th Anniversary Anime Film Reveals Ending Song Artists

DeNeel band (with sextuplets' cast) performs 'No Plan' ending ― The official website for the Mr. Osomatsu anime franchise revealed the performers for the ending theme song of the second new film, Osomatsu-san: Tamashii no Takoyaki Party to Densetsu no Otomari-kai (Mr. Osomatsu: The Soul's Takoyaki Party and the Legendary Sleepover Party), on Monday. The up-and-coming four-member band DeNeel performs ...
news

Voice Actress Minori Chihara Resumes Singing Career

Chihara had put her singing career on indefinite hiatus in 2021 ― The official website for voice actress and singer Minori Chihara announced on Friday that she will resume her signing career starting with a concert on August 4. Chihara added that this resumption will not mean that she will release new songs and hold concerts continuously just like before. Chihara explained several of the reasons she ...
news

Oshi no Ko Anime's Opening Theme Song 'Idol' by YOASOBI Streamed Over 100 Million Times

Song currently tops Oricon, Spotify, YouTube charts in Japan ― According to Oricon's weekly streaming ranking, YOASOBI's "Idol," the opening theme song for the television anime adaptation for Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga, has exceeded 100 million streams in Japan (cumulative number of streams from different audio and video streaming services in Japan). Since its release on April ...
interest

Crunchyroll Streams Bastions Korean Animated Superhero Show With BTS Songs

BTS, other K-pop groups provide music ― Here's a show for all the K-pop stans out there! Crunchyroll began streaming the Bastions Korean 3D animated superhero series on Saturday. The series is streaming worldwide, excluding China, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, North Korea, and South Korea. Notably, the series features music by the popular Korean boy group BTS, as well as the girl group Le Sserafim and si...
news

Jujutsu Kaisen Season 2's 'Kaigyoku/Gyokusetsu' Arc Reveals Theme Song Artists

Tatsuya Kitani performs opening theme song "Ao no Sumika," Soushi Sakiyama performs ending theme song "Akari" ― The official website for the Jujutsu Kaisen anime revealed the artists for the opening and ending theme songs in the second season's "Kaigyoku/Gyokusetsu" arc on Wednesday. Tatsuya Kitani performs the opening theme song "Ao no Sumika" (Blue House), and Soushi Sakiyama performs the ending th...

The official ONE PIECE orchestra concert coming to the US for the first time in July 2023!

With Special Appearances by Composer Kohei Tanaka and Singer Hiroshi Kitadani (We Are!) in Los Angeles! ― After receiving critical acclaim in Europe and Asia, ONE PIECE Music Symphony will premiere in the US on July 5, 2023, at Morton H. Meyerson Symphony in Dallas, then on July 14, 2023, at the prestigious Dolby Theatre in Hollywood. The show will feature a full orchestra on stage with the latest a...
news

IDOLiSH 7 Gets 3DCG Live Concert Tour in Japan in August-December

Tour goes to Tokyo, Hiroshima, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Kobe, Sapporo, Sendai ― The IDOLiSH 7 multimedia project announced on Friday that it will hold a 3DCG live concert tour titled "IDOLiSH 7 Visiblive Tour 'Good 4 You'" in eight locations in Japan from August to December. The tour schedule is as follows: Musashino Forest Sports Plaza, Tokyo - August 18-20 Hiroshima City Cultural Exchange Hall, Hiro...
interest

AKB48 Idol Group Ends Its Team, Captain Systems

Team 8 held last concert on Saturday; teams A, K, B, 4 to hold farewell concerts on August 4-6 ― The AKB48 idol group has long been iconic for its team system. This has allowed an extremely large group to split off into various sub-units, each with their own specialties. By shuffling members around and announcing new teams at concerts, the group could give their fans surprise experiences. Each team i...
interview

MAN WITH A MISSION Talks New Demon Slayer Season, Upcoming International Tour

MAN WITH A MISSION's Jean-Ken Johnny gushes to ANN about the theme songs in the newest Demon Slayer season, plus the band's upcoming international tour. ― You can always count on Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba theme songs to grab your attention. The opening and theme songs of Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba Swordsmith Village Arc feature a team-up between two top artists in Japan: rock band Man With a...
news

Macross Delta Anime's Walküre to Screen 'Final Live Tour' Performance in N. America, Europe

Final performance takes place on June 4 ― The Macross Delta anime's Walküre idol group's "Final Live Tour" concerts, titled "Walküre Final Live Tour 2023 ~Last Mission~", will hold its final performance on June 4 at Makuhari Messe International Exhibition Hall 1-3 in Chiba. The final concert will be livestreamed in theaters across Japan and Asia. The concert will also screen as a delayed stream in th...
news

Oshi no Ko Anime's Opening Theme Song 'Idol' by YOASOBI Tops Spotify, YouTube's Charts

Song hit record for most plays per day in Japan with over 600,000 plays ― YOASOBI's "Idol," the opening theme song for the television anime adaptation for Aka Akasaka and Mengo Yokoyari's Oshi no Ko manga, has reached over 600,000 plays on Spotify on Sunday, hitting and breaking its own record for most plays per day in Japan. It is currently the #1 song on the service in Japan. "Idol" has also become...

For all articles, see the archives