ZB's A-Z of J-Music

New Plasticzooms tracks not like old Plasticzooms tracks

2011-01-17T10:37:00.003-06:00

Up above is "Pink Snow," one of two new videos from Plasticzooms. To say it's different from their past material would be a bit of an understatement. It's catchy and downright pretty, not words I would have used to describe their sound until now. Below is the video for "Bug," a song a bit more like what we would expect from them, but it too is more well-produced and clean than we've heard before.

Don't get me wrong, a really like their older material and I really like this new stuff. I'm just wondering what to expect next. Something that's always a good thing in my book.

"Bug"

Holy shit, the new Mo'Some Tonebender video for "Hammmmer" is great!

2011-01-10T19:17:00.003-06:00

I like where this is going.

Calendar 2011 - Blood Stain Child - A-Kon

2010-11-15T08:29:00.004-06:00

June 10-12
Blood Stain Child
A-Kon - Dallas - TX

Source: MySpace

Calendar 2010 - Aural Vampire - US Tour

2010-10-08T09:41:00.003-05:00

November 03-28
Aural Vampire
US Tour (Supporting The Birthday Massacre and Black Veil Brides)

Nov 03 - Orlando, FL - The Club at Firestone
Nov 04 - Tampa, FL - The State Theatre
Nov 05 - Atlanta, GA - The Masquerade
Nov 06 - Metarie, LA - The High Ground
Nov 07 - San Antonio, TX - White Rabbit
Nov 08 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live 　　　　　　　
Nov 09 - Corpus Christi, TX - House of Rock
Nov 11 - El Paso, TX - Club 101
Nov 13 - Phoenix, AZ - Nile Theatre
Nov 14 - Anaheim, CA - House of Blues 　　　　　　　
Nov 15 - San Diego, CA - Soma Sidestage
Nov 17 - San Francisco, CA - Slims
Nov 18 - Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre　　　　　　　
Nov 20 - Seattle, WA - Studio Seven 　　　　　　　
Nov 21 - Boise, ID - The Big Easy
Nov 22 - Salt Lake City, UT - Club Sound
Nov 23 - Denver, CO - The Summit Music Hall
Nov 24 - Des Moines, IA - People’s Court
Nov 26 - Detroit, MI - Harpo’s Concert Theatre
Nov 27 - Louisville, KY - Expo Five
Nov 28 - Cleveland, OH - Peabody’s Down Under

Source: Facebook

Calendar 2010 - Boom Boom Satellites - US Tour

2010-09-27T15:00:00.001-05:00

October 10-31
Boom Boom Satellites
US Tour

Oct 10 - Irving Plaza - New York, NY
New York ComicCon and Anime Festival - Far East To East Showcase (FETES)
w/ Puffy Amiyumi, Zazen Boys, Echostream

Oct 13 - 9:30 Club - Washington DC

Oct 16 - The Wonder Bar - Asbury Park, NJ

Oct 17 - North Star Bar - Philadelphia, PA

Oct 20 - Backstage Bar - New York, NY
CMJ Music Marathon & Film Festival 2010 Official Showcase

Oct 23 - Best Buy Theatre - New York, NY
w/ Gary Numan

Oct 24 - GR2 - Los Angeles, CA (In-Store)

Oct 25 - Troubadour - Los Angeles, CA

Oct 26 - GRSF - San Francisco, CA (In-Store)

Oct 27 - The Independent - San Francisco, CA

Oct 31 - Peter's Room (Roseland) - Portland, OR
Halloween Show

Japanator Radio 150

2010-09-22T13:00:00.001-05:00

New Japanator Radio is up! It's the special 3 year anniversary, episode number 150, show. You would think that with all that that I would have done something extra special to celebrate. Nope. Not a thing! Check it out anyway, I guess.

Explore the Unexplored 36

2010-09-22T12:35:00.001-05:00

New Explore the Unexplored post is up at HearJapan.com! Ten great new albums from Japan! Rock and electro and shoegaze and Vocaloid! Check them out! Why am I shouting?!

Otaku USA Magazine October 2010

2010-09-22T12:30:00.001-05:00

Seems like I forgot to mention this. Shock!

The October 2010 issue of Otaku USA Magazine is out an I've got a butt-load of new album reviews in it. Lillies and Remains' Meru, D'espairsRay's IMMORTAL, Dazzle Vision's to the next, Aural Vampire's Zoltank and Boom Boom Satellites' 19972007. Pfew!

And of course there are the usual anime, manga, cosplay and video game goods and much much more. Sorry for the delay in letting you know. Run and and see if you can still find a copy before it's too late!

VIDEO - Base Ball Bear "十字架 YOU and I"

2010-09-18T09:00:00.001-05:00

Base Ball Bear are set to release two new albums simultaneously at the end of September, Detective Boys and Cypress Girls. For the past few months they've been releasing short clips of songs from the albums along with rough video of the band in the studio fooling around. This video for "十字架 YOU and I" is the first that features an entire song as well as a proper video. It's animated in a style that seems to cross bits of Evangelion, FLCL and classic Gainax imagery. There's also some nice water coloring going on. The song isn't spectacular, but along with the video it makes for an enjoyable few minutes.

VIDEO - World's End Girlfriend "Les Enfants du Paradis"

2010-09-17T08:51:00.003-05:00

It's too early to call Album of the Year, but boy, let me tell you, Seven Idiots by World's End Girlfriend is currently at the top of my list. Every song is challenging yet full of melody and infectious ideas. As soon as you think you know what's going on, they shift into some other space. This video for "Les Enfants du Paradis" is the prefect example. While it's the most user-friendly song on the album, it also makes people pay attention and stay alert for sharp turns. I'm no fan of modern dance, but Masako Yasumoto's performance* is perfect for the music. She seems to be some lonely spirit unable to stop herself from dancing, while at the same time longing for a partner to dance with. Of course, this being World's End Girlfriend, she never finds one.

You can buy Seven Idiots directly from them here.

*Masako also performed in Omodaka's "Kyoteizinc" video:

Calendar 2010 - X-Japan - North American Tour

2010-09-13T14:33:00.005-05:00

September 25 - October 10
X-Japan
North American Tour

Sep 25 - Wiltern Theater, Los Angeles, CA
Sep 28 - Fox Theater, Oakland, CA
Oct 01 - Paramount Theater, Seattle, WA
Oct 03 - Queen Elizabeth Theater, Vancouver, BC CANADA
Oct 06 - Riviera, Chicago, IL
Oct 07 - Massey Hall, Toronto, ON CANADA
Oct 10 - Roseland Ballroom, New York, NY

Source: X-Japan Music

Calendar 2010 - Luna Sea - LA gig

2010-09-13T08:00:00.000-05:00

December 4th
Luna Sea
Hollywood Palladium, Los Angeles, CA

Source: Maru Music

Calendar 2010 - Peelander Z and Tsushimamire - US Tour

2010-09-11T08:00:00.002-05:00

August 26 - November 20
Peelander Z
* = with Tsushimamire
US Tour

08/26 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
08/28 Cambridge, MA @ The Middle East
08/29 Providence, RI @ AS220
08/31 Hamilton, ON @ The Casbah
09/01 Toronto, ON @ Velvet Underground
09/02 Toronto, ON @ The Silver Dollar Room
09/03 London, ON @ Call The Office
09/04 Montreal, PQ @ Il Motore
09/05 Kingston, ON @ The Mansion
09/23 New York, NY @ Santo’s Party House w/ Guitar Wolf
09/28 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar
09/29 Richmond, VA @ The Camel
10/01 Nashville, TN @ Grimey’s In-Store
10/02 Nashville, TN @ Next Big Nashville
10/05 New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
10/07 Austin, TX @ End of an Ear In-Store
10/07 San Marcos, TX @ Triple Crown
10/09 El Paso, TX @ Chalk The Block Festival
10/11 Denton, TX @ Rubber Gloves
10/12 Oklahoma City, OK @ Conservatory
10/13 Lawrence, KS @ Replay Lounge
10/14 Indianapolis, IN @ Melody Inn
10/15 Detroit, MI @ Lager House w/ Birthday Suits
10/17 Minneapolis, MN @ Turf Club w/ Birthday Suits
10/18 Fargo, ND @ The Aquarium
10/19 Sioux Falls, SD @ Nutty’s North w/ Birthday Suits
10/20 Lincoln, NE @ Knickerbockers
10/21 Denver, CO @ Hi – Dive
10/22 Salt Lake City, UT @ Burt’s Tiki Lounge
10/23 Boise, ID @ Neurolux
10/24 Seattle, WA @ Fun House
10/25 Portland, OR @ Berbati’s Pan
10/31 Las Vegas, NV @ Double Down Saloon *
11/02 Albuquerque, NM @ Atomic Cantina *
11/03 El Paso, TX @ Low Brow *
11/05 Dallas, TX @ Double Wide *
11/06 Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest
11/07 Austin, TX @ Fun Fun Fun Fest
11/09 Pensacola, FL @ Sluggos *
11/10 Tampa, FL @ The Orpheum *
11/11 Sarasota, FL @ Paddy Wagon *
11/12 Gainesville, FL @ Common Grounds *
11/13 Atlanta, GA @ The Earl *
11/14 Chapel Hill, NC @ Local 506 *
11/16 Charlotte, NC @ Milestone *
11/17 Washington, DC @ Black Cat
11/18 Philadelphia, PA @ North Star Bar *
11/19 Bordentown, NJ @ Record Collector In-Store
11/20 Cambridge, MA @ Middle East

Source: This Is Book's Music

Calendar 2010 - Molice - Anime Weekend Atlanta

2010-09-09T10:45:00.000-05:00

September 18th
Molice
Anime Weekend Atlanta

Source: Good Charamel

Calendar 2010 - Jinny Oops! - J-Pop Summit Festival

2010-09-09T10:30:00.000-05:00

September 18th
Jinny Oops! (and much more)
J-Pop Summit Festival
Japantown, San Francisco, CA

Source: New People

Video - Ogre You Asshole "Balance" (バランス)

2010-08-31T07:28:00.003-05:00

Here's the new one from Ogre You Asshole. I saw their recent Rock in Japan performance of this song live and, to be honest, thought it was pretty terrible. Not sure why. Something about the arrangement and sound just didn't translate well live, I suppose. As I suspected then, this studio version makes much more sense and is actually pretty nice. It's upbeat, even for OYA, but doesn't have any teeth, which makes it a bit of an odd choice for a single. I suppose they're going for an easy one on the radio. Nevertheless, I'm still looking forward to their new album Ukareteiru Hito, which is out September 1st.

Video: Polysics Live at Rock in Japan 2010

2010-08-29T09:11:00.004-05:00

Polysics is back!

This performance from Rock in Japan in early August 2010 is the first time new-wave spazz band Polysics has performed live since keyboard player and founding member Kayo left. Since they've been together for around 12 years, this was a pretty big deal. Fans were not only sad to see her leave, but worried about what it might mean for the future of the band. Luckily for us they decided to stick together and soldier on as a three piece.

While the band did play a full set, including three or four brand new songs, those of us not in attendance have only been privy to three songs that have made it onto the web. The video up above is their new opener "Heavy Polysick," which leads into one of the band's very first songs "Buggie Techinica." After the jump is the more modern "Tei Tei Tei."

To be honest, none of these tracks really lets us in on what kind of new sound and energy Polysics might have as a trio. But maybe that means that the new Polysics might not be different at all without a dedicated keyboard player. The band is already recording new material, so it shouldn't be too long before we get to hear for ourselves.

In the meantime, if anyone knows were a video of the full Polysics set from Rock in Japan 2010 might be, I know some people who might be interested...

Video: Kalafina "Kagayaku Sora no Shijima ni wa"

2010-08-27T08:00:00.001-05:00

Kalafina never fails to deliver the grand, sweeping, lace covered goods. "Kagayaku Sora no Shijima ni wa," their new single, has more than enough of all that to go around. It's way, way down-tempo and almost acapella at times, with the dual and triple vocal harmonies doing all the heavy lifting. That is until the flute comes in and then it's all just too new-age-y world-music much for me to handle. But the video is nice enough. I can't imagine anyone tromping around in the dust and the much in those wispy dresses, but yeah, it's nice.

Calendar 2010 - Ogre You Asshole - US Tour

2010-08-27T07:06:00.002-05:00

November 3-26
Ogre You Asshole
US Tour supporting Wolf Parade

Nov 03 - Wellmont Theatre - Montclair, NJ
Nov 04 - Trocadero - Philadelphia, PA
Nov 05 - Ram’s Head Live - Baltimore, MD
Nov 06 - Lincoln Theatre - Raleigh, NC
Nov 08 - Music Farm - Charleston, SC
Nov 09 - The Social - Orlando, FL
Nov 10 - Fillmore Miami Beach at Jackie Gleason - Miami, FL
Nov 12 - Variety Playhouse - Atlanta, GA
Nov 13 - The Lyric Oxford - Oxford, MS
Nov 15 - Stubb’s Waller Creek Amphitheater - Austin, TX
Nov 16 - Granada Theater - Dallas, TX
Nov 18 - The Englert Theater - Iowa City, IA
Nov 19 - Granada - Lawrence, KS
Nov 20 - The Pageant - St Louis, MO
Nov 22 - Exit/In - Nashville, TN
Nov 23 - House Of Blues - Chicago, IL
Nov 24 - Crofoot Ballroom - Pontiac, MI
Nov 26 - Sound Academy - Toronto, ON, CANADA

Source: MySpace (thanks to Audrey for the tip!)

Calendar 2010 - Guitar Wolf - US Tour

2010-08-26T21:43:00.003-05:00

September 24 - October 4
Guitar Wolf
US Tour

Sep 24 - Santos Party House NYC - New York, NY
Sep 25 - Hi Tone Cafe - Memphis, TN
Sep 27 - The Drunken Unicorn - Atlanta, GA
Sep 29 - Mohawk - Austin, TX
Oct 01 - The Pearl Palms Concert Theater - Las Vegas, NV
Oct 03 - El Rey - Los Angeles, CA
Oct 04 - BOTTOM OF THE HILL - San Francisco, CA

Source: MySpace

Calendar 2010 - Next Music from Tokyo Vol. 2

2010-08-26T08:00:00.002-05:00

October 14-19
Next Music from Tokyo Vol. 2
Canadian Tour

MASS OF THE FERMENTING DREGS
uhnellys
susquatch
sgt.

Oct 14 Vancouver @ Biltmore Cabaret
Oct 16 Toronto @ The Rivoli
Oct 17 Toronto @ The Velvet Underground (all ages)
Oct 19 Montreal @ Club Lambi

Source: Next Music From Tokyo

Calendar 2010 - AuralVampire - US East Coast Tour

2010-08-26T07:12:00.003-05:00

September 9-16
Aural Vampire
US East Coast Tour - Opening for The Birthday Massacre

Sep 9 - The Palladium w/The Birthday Massacre - Worcester, MA
Sep 10 - Highline Ballroom w/The Birthday Massacre - New York, NY
Sep 11 - Club Polaris　w/The Birthday Massacre - Philadelphia, PA
Sep 13 - Rock and RollHotel　w/The Birthday Massacre - Washington, DC
Sep 14 - Mr. Smalls　w/The Birthday Massacre - Millvale, PA
Sep 16 - The Mod Club w/The Birthday Massacre - Toronto, ON, CANADA

Source: MySpace

Calendar 2010 - Far East To East Showcase 2010

2010-08-25T21:04:00.004-05:00

Sunday, October 10th
Far East To East Showcase / The New York Anime Festival
Irving Plaza, New York

Puffy AmiYumi
Boom Boom Satellites
Zazen Boys
Echostream

Source: Superglorious

BOOM BOOM SATELLITES, ZAZEN BOYS,AND ECHOSTREAM TO PERFOM AT FAR EAST TO EAST SHOWCASE AT NYAF

Bands Join Puffy AmiYumi For Concert In NYC’s Irving Plaza

Norwalk, CT, August X, 2010: The New York Anime Festival (NYAF) today announced bands Boom Boom Satellites, Zazen Boys, and Echostream will come together with previously-announced musical guest Puffy AmiYumi for a concert at the Far East To East Showcase (FETES) on Sunday, October 10, 2010. FETES is produced by Superglorious, a live event production firm responsible for orchestrating events with a very eclectic and exciting mix of artists. The New York Anime Festival, an anime, manga, and Japanese pop culture convention, will take place October 8-10, 2010 at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Manhattan. It is created by and co-located with the New York Comic Con. Boom Boom Satellites, Zazen Boys, Echostream, and Puffy AmiYumi will all appearing at NYAF for speaking sessions and autograph signings prior to their show. NYAF has additionally announced seiyuu and singer Minori Chihara and Japanese rock band VAMPS will also appear as guests, and comics legends Stan Lee, John Romita, Sr., and John Romita, Jr. will headline the New York Comic Con.

Presented in Irving Plaza (East 15th Street, New York, NY) for the first time, FETES is proud to take place in this historic venue, and will be presenting a roster of performers fully befitting the concert hall.

“FETES 2010 is a one-night-only, once-in-a-lifetime lineup,” FETES Manager Hayden Brereton said. “With FETES going into its third year, we’re pulling out all the stops to produce an event that offers a very diverse selection of top artists. Fans of pop, electronic, rock, alternative or just great live music will fall in love with the Far East to East Showcase this year!”

“Created as a night of music that brings together musical artists from both America and Japan, focusing on the borderlessness of song, and creating an evening appealing to anime fans, audiophiles, and casual New Yorkers interested in something new, FETES has been a unique attraction at the New York Anime Festival since 2008,” NYAF and NYCC Show Manager Lance Fensterman said. “And we could not be more humbled and thrilled looking out at the artists who’ll be taking the stage this year!”

Boom Boom Satellites, Zazen Boys, Echostream, and Puffy AmiYmi will all be appearing at the New York Anime Festival and New York Comic Con throughout the weekend for panel discussions and autograph signings before taking the stage on Sunday night at Irving Plaza. Tickets to FETES are $22 in advance and are separate from NYAF and NYCC admission. FETES tickets can be purchased now at www.superglorious.com or www.livenation.com.

Tickets for NYAF or NYCC may be purchased at www.nyanimefestival.com or www.nycomiccon.com. Other information about the shows, as well as news about the Reed Pop Culture Group, which also organizes Star Wars Celebration, is available at Lance Fensterman’s blog, www.mediumatlarge.net.

ABOUT BOOM BOOM SATELLITES:

Electronic/Rock unit Boom Boom Satellites — bassist/programmer Masayuki Nakano and guitarist/vocalist Michiyuki Kawashima — first broke in Europe in 1997. Absorbing both electronic and rock elements, they created a completely new and unknown sound, which not only established them as an exciting new band, but also boosted their profile as one of the most distinguished music producers in Japan. Their first single, 4 A Moment of Silence, was released in Europe in 1997 and triggered rave reviews from such definitive European music magazines as Melody Maker, who compared their debut impact to those of the Chemical Brothers’ and Prodigy’s. In 1998 the band embarked on a 3 month US tour with Moby, and shortly after they began receiving — and still keep receiving — requests for remix work from various artists such as Garbage, Josh Wink, and many more, which proved that their sound could be acclaimed and accepted internationally. When Oliver Stone and Luc Besson chose a band’s track to use in the film Yamakashi, it reinforced interest in their music from industries out side of the music business. In 2004 the band continued their film work by producing the soundtrack album to the animated film Appleseed. Boom Boom Satellites contributed four new songs, including the movie’s main theme, Dive For You, to the soundtrack, which also included music from Paul Oakenfold, Basement Jaxx, and Ryuichi Sakamoto. In 2007, their 6th album EXPOSED was released. Japanese lead track Easy Action was featured in 3D live action anime film, Vexille (directed by Fumihiko Sori), and was included in the soundtrack which also features Asian Dub Foundation, Underworld, and The Prodigy. EXPOSED was produced in an attempt to find the answer for the band to the long-standing question from the industry that tends to appreciate genre specific music, namely, Rock vs. Dance. In this album they have reached an answer — Rock AND Dance, both can exist at the same time and same place. Hence the new follow-up greatest hits album, OVER AND OVER. Coming in September 14, 2010 from SonyMusic Independent Network, this album is thoroughly re-mastered and re-mixed by the members themselves, and allows the listeners to appreciate it as a completely new album rather as a simple compilation of pre-existing tracks.

www.bbs-net.com

www.myspace.com/boomboomsatellites

www.facebook.com/boomboomsatellites

ABOUT ZAZEN BOYS:

Zazen Boys are Mukai Shutoku / Vocal,Guitar.Synth , Matsusita Atsushi / Drums , Yoshida Ichiro / Bass , Yoshikane Sou / Guitar

Zazen Boys were formed in 2003 by Mukai Shutoku,former leader of Japanese rock band Number Girl. In a word, Zazen Boys aspire to be `Led Zeppelin in kimono`. Their eclectic style is complex but raw, ranging from funk in irregular time, to Captain Beefheart combined with Minyo (traditional Japanese folk songs),to angular guitar-driven punk-ballads. Mukai`s lyrics are in Japanese, and the unique worldview that they express are based around two key concepts:`shogyou-mujo` and `seiteki-shodo`, meaning roughly `the transience of this world`and `sexual impulse`. To date, Zazen Boys have released 4 albums and 2 singles, all through their own label Matsuri Studio. Their latest album `Zazen Boys 4` was produced by Dave Fridmann (49th Grammy Winner for Best Recording Engineer),It opens with `Asobi`, a dark and brooding number performed entirely on drum machine and synthesizer, reminiscent of early deep house, and then on to `Honnoji`, a raging 16 beat-psyche-funk rock tune, and so on. Zazen Boys` awesome live shows reach almost 100 per year, and their music continues to stir hearts all over Japan and beyond. (www.mukaishutoku.com)

ABOUT ECHOSTREAM:

Echostream’s music draws the audience into a singular world, where haunting melodies swirl over grooving beats and unique instrumentation. Drawing on classical sensibility, the music includes techniques and arrangements normally only found in stuffy concerts populated by grey-haired old ladies. Here, those same instruments are let loose like beasts released to roam the wilds in search of adventures. Pianos, French Horns, Mandolins, Theremins, and of course the standard rock fare — drums, bass, guitars — abound, blending and accentuating one another to create a sound that is just as at home in a movie, on TV, or in a game, as it is on a festival stage. Echostream is not a new band, although you may only now be discovering them. Over a history of five years, two self-released albums, multiple licenses for TV and compilations both domestic and abroad, and many large-venue performances, the band has honed its sound and skills to an exceptional level. (www.myspace.com/echostream)

ABOUT PUFFY AMIYUMI:

Puffy AmiYumi, composed of singers Ami Onuki and Yumi Yoshimura, debuted in 1996 with the million selling single Asia No Junshin. Since then, their music has made them household names in Japan, leading to numerous hit songs, commercial appearances, and even their own television show. In 2000, Puffy AmiYumi began releasing albums and touring in the US. In 2004, Cartoon Network created an original cartoon, Hi Hi Puffy AmiYumi, which became one of the most watched cartoons in the world — havin g been broadcast in 110 different countries. In 2006, Puffy AmiYumi were appointed the Goodwill Ambassadors of the Visit Japan Campaign for the US. In 2009, Puffy AmiYumi performed in Europe for the first time in front of 5,000+ people in Paris’s Japan Expo. In the same year, they sang the theme song to the Naruto film Naruto Shippuden 3: Inheritors of the Will of Fire. Their latest album, Bring it!, includes All Because Of You and I Don’t Wanna written by Avril Lavigne and her producer Butch Walker, Hiyori Hime written by the Japanese female rock icon Sheena Ringo, the theme song to the new Genji anime series, and other songs written by numerous stellar song writers. In September 2010, PuffyAmi Yumi will perform in Hong Kong and Taiwan. In the following month, they’ll be coming to NYC. (www.puffyamiyumi.com)

ABOUT SUPERGLORIOUS:

Superglorious is a music event production company that specializes in creating unique live music presentations. With a special emphasis on distinctive sounds, engaging performance, and high production values, Superglorious unifies a diverse collective of artists to create soundscapes that are meant to entertain and inspire. The firm’s strong understanding of the local music industry and global approach to art has allowed artists from across America, the Far East, and Europe to boost and extend their connections to audiences across New York City. Utilizing a holistic approach to its projects, Superglorious offers a wide range of expertise that includes artist and equipment coordination, online and street marketing, print design and artist booking. Its constant pursuit of excellence offers challenging and exciting opportunities for both artists and music lovers. (www.superglorious.com)

ABOUT THE NEW YORK ANIME FESTIVAL:

The New York Anime Festival takes place at the Jacob K. Javits Center in Midtown Manhattan and is organized by Reed Exhibitions, the creators of New York Comic Con. The New York Anime Festival showcases the best of anime pop culture, including the latest anime, manga, Japanese cinema, music, and games, and anime-influenced comics, animation, and films from around the world. The festival features exclusive and extensive screenings, a gala cosplay masquerade, sessions with the some of the biggest names in anime from Japan, Asia, and America, and explores the Japanese cultural experience with displays of both traditional and cutting-edge Japanese life. (www.newyorkanimefestival.com)

ABOUT NEW YORK COMIC CON:

New York Comic Con is the East Coast’s biggest and most exciting popular culture convention. Our show floor plays host to the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. Our panels and autograph sessions give fans a chance to interact with their favorite creators. Our screening rooms feature sneak peeks at films and television shows months before they hit either big or small screens. And with dedicated professional hours, New York Comic Con is a market place, bringing together the major players in the entertainment industry. New York Comic Con is the second largest pop culture convention in America and the only one that takes place in the comic book, publishing, media, and licensing capital of the world — Gotham City. (www.newyorkcomiccon.com)

ABOUT REED EXHIBITIONS POP CULTURE GROUP:

The Pop Culture Group at Reed Exhibitions owns and operates the New York Comic Con (NYCC), the Chicago Comic and Entertainment Expo (C2E2), and the New York Anime Festival (NYAF). New York Comic Con was launched in 2006 and quickly became a dominant presence in the pop culture world of public events. In 2009, 452 companies exhibited at NYCC for a total of 84,000 square feet of paid exhibit space, and it has been ranked by Crain’s New York Business as the second-largest annual event in NYC. C2E2, which will debut April 16 – 18 at Chicago’s McCormick Place Convention Center, is modeled after NYCC and will provide fans the opportunity to meet and greet their favorite writers, creators, and artists, as well as to see, hear and learn about the latest and greatest in comics, graphic novels, anime, manga, video games, toys, movies, and television. The Pop Culture Group also operates the recently-launched UFC Fan Expo in partnership with the UFC – the world’s leading professional mixed martial arts organization – and it formed a strategic partnership with Penny Arcade Expo (PAX) in 2008 and will work closely with PAX on the launch of PAX East in Boston in 2010.

VIDEO: Ai Otsuka "I Love XXX"

2010-08-13T07:41:00.003-05:00

It feels like it's been years since I listened to anything by Ai Otsuka. I know it hasn't been, but considering how much I used to like her music it still feels a bit strange. I've never really been into her super ballady ballads, and that's exactly what "I Love XXX" is. She loves everything! But the video is pretty cute, at least. Who doesn't like penguins?

VIDEO: Buck-Tick "Kuchizuke"

2010-08-09T19:34:00.006-05:00

Time again for a new single from Buck-Tick and of course that means a new video featuring the guys in the band looking all dark and gothy and smokin' hot!

Both the steadily rockin' song and the video stick pretty close to the usual BT themes which mainly concern being all dark and gothy and smokin' hot (see above) and having all kinds of dark and gothy and smokin' hot sex. ("Kuchizuke" means "kiss," after all.) But at least the video offers the viewer something to look at aside from hot dudes being hot. But I gotta admit, Atsushi is really laying it on thick in this one, so I doubt anyone will really be all that into the interesting loops and layers going on. Sorry, video editor and special effects team, but ZOMG Atsushi is holding an apple!

BUY THE KUCHIZUKE SINGLE HERE