From their latest album, the hilariously titled “CAT’CH THE WORLD”, Wa-suta play on the wintry slopes for the promotional video “Love Unmelt”. The girls really head out to the snow with their aesthetic show gear and smiles. The World Standard get on snowboards and skis to conquer the slopes. Of course some of the girls fare better than others, and none of them will be heading to the winter olympics anytime soon. But that doesn’t matter! I’m here to see Wa-suta take to the snow and look cute while doing it! The short version of “Love Unmelt” doesn’t really give us a lot of music to sink our claws into, but we can tell that the song is typically poppy, upbeat, and smile inducing with its mostly electronic backing tracks. “Love Unmelt” is endearing, and perhaps will melt your heart with its earnest approach. “CAT’CH THE WORLD” from Wa-suta is available in stores now.

The World Standard, stylized as Wa–suta (わーすた), is a 5-member group formed on March 29, 2015, as iDOL Street’s fourth idol group. The group’s image is described as a digital age idol generation that works towards the world to spread “kawaii japan idol” culture using social media and “real idol” activities. Wa-suta’s current lineup includes members Sakamoto Hazuki (坂元 葉月), Hirokawa Nanase (廣川 奈々聖), Matsuda Miri (松田 美里), Kodama Ririka (小玉 梨々華), and Mishina Ruka (三品 瑠香).
More WA-SUTA coverage from New School Kaidan

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The World Standard Official Links
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Last week, THE BANANA MONKEYS earned my accolades for their one-take promotional video for “Nani-mono“. This week, the BanaMongirls take on the internet with their PV for “‘THE’ IDOL”. Told through faux screen captures of social media (and lots of reading), hte PV gives us a unique look at the group and their online presence. Twitter posts, 2chan threads, manga scans, and even ad space is fare game for THE BANANA MONKEYS. Not ones to shy away a bit of controversy, I particularly enjoyed the buffer pause when Asuka Rei removes her pajama top, trolling viewers into thinking more would be shown. “‘THE’ IDOL” is probably more pop-oriented than you would expect given the fire the group has been drawing with their antics, but that doesn’t bother me one bit. Give it a listen, and tell me what you think!

THE BANANA MONKEYS is a Japanese music group and a female idol group formed in 2017. There are several abbreviations such as Banana Monkeys, Banamon, Monkey, and tbms, but the official is “Banamon”. The group call their lives “gym”, selling goods “bait”, and fans are “keepers”. During the live, you can shoot pictures and videos of the group. THE BANANA MONKEY’S current lineup includes Tenka No Chanyuki (天下のちゃんゆき), Mozuku Sun (モズク・サン), Asuka Rei (アスカ・レイ), and Mizuguchi Yaguchi (水口じゃぐち).
More THE BANANA MONKEYS coverage from New School Kaidan

THE BANANA MONKEYS Official Links
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Celbrating five years as a solo idol, Terashima Yufu brings the promotional video for “Ii Onna wo Yoroshiku (いい女をよろしく; Greet a Nice Lady)” to us for release. Yuffie keeps things nice and idol-ish with elaborate performance costumes (feathers! sparkles!), stuffed animals, and an ever-present cat. Yufu lazes about her faux apartment eating ramen, and (perhaps unattractively?) picking up a new tissue from the box with her toes. When the camera pulls back for a dance shot, Yufu doesn’t disappoint with her best idols moves on display. There’s even a little fan service for you as Yufu starts taking off her sweatshirt for a bath or dances on her futon in her towel fresh from that aforementioned bath. The disco soundtrack for “Ii onna wo yoroshiku” keeps things fun and fresh, and if you’ve never listen this former BiS member in her post WACK career, now might be a good time to check her out! “Ii onna wo Yoroshiku” is available in stores on April 17, 2019.

Terashima Yufu (寺嶋由芙, テラシマ ユフ) is a Japanese idol under DEARSTAGE.inc. She is a former member of BiS and currently works as a soloist. On July 9th 2011, a day after her 20th birthday, Terashima was announced as a member of BiS, replacing Yokoyama Rina who had withdrawn a couple of months prior. As BiS was still promoting “My Ixxx” at the time, Terashima was added to much of the promotional material, despite not actually contributing on the single. Terashima Yufu’s final single in BiS, BiSimulation, was released March 13th, 2013. On May 26th, Terashima graduated from BiS due to frequent arguments with Pour Lui over the direction BiS should take. Yufu currently records under Teichiku Entertainment.
More TERASHIMA YUFU coverage from New School Kaidan

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Terashima Yufu Official Links
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DEVIL Anthem show off their devil sides with the promotional video for “Fake Factor”, the lead track from their forthcoming 2nd album. In black and white, we are introduced to a heavy guitar riff on a beat that might be dancy if it wasn’t for the trappings. Bold red titles and gas masks complete the look of Devil ANTHEM in this intense introduction to the group. Most of “Fake Factor” plays the black and white card with the girls’ choreographies and a few cloning effects. But don’t fret, the girls will make an appearance in full color by the end of “Fake Factor” in a disorienting tunnel effect and (finally) a dance shot that paints Devil ANTHEM as cute devils in navy blue. “Fake Factor” is the lead track from Devil ANTHEM’s 2nd album, available in stores March 27, 2019.

Devil ANTHEM (デビアン, stylized Devil ANTHEM.) is a Japanese idol group that debuted on December 29, 2014. They consider themselves to be a two faced idol group that likes to jump between their Angel and Devil selves. Devil ANTHEM is the first idol created by Asia Promotion, who currently manage the group’s activities. Devil ANTHEM’s current lineup includes members KURUMI, YUME, KAEDE, AIRI, and AKIRA.
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Devil ANTHEM Official Links
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In time for their Spring 2019 Tour “HEAVEN SHALL BURNING BODY”, Broken By The Scream put together an unbelievable combination of screams, growls, and clean idol vocals with “Haru urara”. Essentially a performance video, BBTS get their job done with a trio of musicians covering their backs. The combination of sounds (metal, screams, pop idol) is an alluring siren song for those looking for more alternative versions of the idol formula. Sure, “Haru urara” will melt your ears with some heavy riffs and insane screams, but it will also give you some light idol choreography to go along with that chorus. If you’re not going to catch the “HEAVEN SHALL BURNING BODY” tour, then you can pick up a copy of Broken By The Scream’s “AN ALIEN’S PORTRAIT” album, on sale now.

Broken By The Scream is a metal-based screaming idol unit (often abbreviated as BBTS). Formed in October 2016, BBTS debuted in January 2017. From the BBTS biography- “Critically acclaimed around the world, with low growls from Io, high screams from Kagura, and clean vocals from Yae and Ayame, the screaming metal idol group Broken By The Scream is a unique combination never before witnessed in the idol scene or the metal scene. Their songs’ breathtaking medley of powerful screaming and beautiful singing is unlike anything else.” Broken By The Scream’s current lineup includes members Kumanomida Yae (熊埜御堂ヤエ), Uriin Kagura (雲林院カグラ), Yabusame Ayame (流鏑馬アヤメ), and Nozukitaira Io (野月平イオ).
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Broken by the Scream Official Links
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With their fifth major single release, “Soup”, Maison book girl grants us the cloudy sky visuals for “Kojira koujou (鯨工場)”. Smokestacks and acid rain touch the clear umbrellas of the world of Maison book girl, and the fanciful keyboard strains in shades of polyrhythms color the PV. While the promotional video might seem like an industrial nightmare complete with a hooded plague doctor carrying around a balloon with buoyancy issues, the concluding moments of the “Kojura kouou” gives us a rather straightforward dance shot of the girls on a wasteland with rusting ship containers for background. Baby steps, I guess. Naturally, I’m entranced by all things Maison book girl (and the whale flukes diving into the blue only cements my adoration). “Kujira koujou” is the lead track on “Soup”, available on April 3, 2019.

Maison book girl is a Japanese idol group formed in 2014 by former BiS member Koshouji Megumi and produced by Sakurai Kenta. The group aims to bring a unique, unparalleled worldview and avant-garde musicality to the idol world. Maison book girl had their United Kingdom debut on 2017 with the label Read The Air Records. On May 2018, they had their first United Kingdom tour with 4 performances. Their name is sometimes abbreviated as Bukuga (ブクガ) or MBG. Maison book girl’s current lineup includes members Yagawa Aoi (矢川葵), Inoue Yui (井上唯), Wada Rin (和田輪), and Koshoji Megumi (コショージメグミ).
More MAISON BOOK GIRL coverage from New School Kaidan

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Maison Book Girl Official Links
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iDOL Street and Avex group Wa-suta (The World Standard) are coming to Anime North in Toronto, Canada! The group comprised of Sakamoto Hazuki (坂元 葉月), Hirokawa Nanase (廣川 奈々聖), Matsuda Miri (松田 美里), Kodama Ririka (小玉 梨々華), and Mishina Ruka (三品 瑠香) pencil themselves in for a concert at the Toronto Congress Centre’s Hall C on Saturday, May 25, 2019. This is Wa-suta’s first trip to Canada after previous performances outside Japan at Japan Expo Paris 2017, Japan Weekend Madrid 2018, Japan Expo Thailand 2017, 2018, 2019, and Kizuna 2018 in Vietnam. This concert is in association with J-rock North Promotions Inc. and Avex Management Inc.

The Wa-suta concert on May 25 has a 7:00 pm door time and will be free for all Anime North Saturday and Weekend Pass holders.

This story is still developing, and more details may be added on a future date.

For more official information/updates: Anime North 2019

The World Standard, stylized as Wa–suta (わーすた), is a 5-member group formed on March 29, 2015, as iDOL Street’s fourth idol group. The group’s image is described as a digital age idol generation that works towards the world to spread “kawaii japan idol” culture using social media and “real idol” activities. Wa-suta’s current lineup includes members Sakamoto Hazuki (坂元 葉月), Hirokawa Nanase (廣川 奈々聖), Matsuda Miri (松田 美里), Kodama Ririka (小玉 梨々華), and Mishina Ruka (三品 瑠香).
More WA-SUTA coverage from New School Kaidan

Date: May 25, 2019 (Sunday)
Venue: The Toronto Congress Centre Hall C
650 Dixon Rd, Etobicoke, ON M9W 1J1, Canada
Doors open at 7:00 pm

Admission prices for Anime North 2019 are:
Adult Weekend single admissions are (children between 6-13 are half-price):
Weekend admissions: $60 CDN/USD
Adult prices for Single Day Only single admissions are (children between 6-13 are half price):
Friday Only: $35 CDN/USD
Saturday Only: $45 CDN/USD
Sunday Only: $35 CDN/USD

Are you planning on making the trip? Let us know in the comments below or on Twitter

The World Standard Official Links
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Watanabe Miyuki has a solo album in the works, and she’s here to promote with the promotional video for “Sentimental Twilight (夕暮れセンチメンタル, yuugure sentimental)”. Back on her Janken Tournament win, Miyuki released the solo single “Yasashiku Suru Yoru Kiss o Shite”, which I really enjoyed for its throwback vibes. This time, we get the former NMB48 member gets a song from the end of Hello! Project mastermind Tsunku’s pen. If you listen closely you will hear the trademarks and calling cards of Tsunku in the melody of “Yuugure Sentimental”. Filmed in Macao, “Yuugare Sentimental” makes good of its exotic location with night shots of Watanabe in her luxurious hotel room (courtesy of the Sands Resorts Macao) and “out & about” in the city. For her part, Miyuki looks great in a dazzling array of classy dresses made 17% sexier with Miyuki under the wraps. Miyuki puts her allure on full blast, and I defy anyone to sit through the PV without feeling some of the doki dokis. “Yuugare Sentimental” might be the debut that I didn’t know I wanted but will crave for months to come. “17%”, the solo debut album from Watanabe Miyuki, is available in stores on April 3, 2019.

Miyuki Watanabe (渡辺 美優紀 Watanabe Miyuki, born 19 September 1993 in Nara Prefecture) is a former member of the Japanese idol girl groups NMB48, AKB48 and SKE48. She is a former member of NMB48’s Team BII, and a former member of SKE48’s Team S. She was also on AKB48 Team B. Watanabe passed NMB48’s first-generation auditions on 20 September 2010, and debuted on 9 October the same year. Her theater debut was on 1 January 2011. In AKB48’s 2013 general elections, Watanabe placed 15th. In AKB48’s Janken Tournament in 2014, she won first place, and had a solo debut. Her first solo single, “Yasashiku Suru Yori Kiss o Shite”, was released on 24 December 2014. On April 13, 2016, she announced her graduation. On July 3 to 4, 2016, Watanabe’s graduation concert titled “Until The End Warukī, I’m Sorry” was held at Kobe World Memorial Hall. Watanabe graduated from the group and had her last stage performance on August 9, 2016.
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WATANABE MIYUKI Official Links
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The trio of Manami, Minori, and Risa comprise the group Manaminorisa (see what they did there?) from Actor’s School Hiroshima. They make their debut here first appearance here on the New PV Alerts with the promotional video for “Hanabira (花びら)”. The emotional song plays a dance beat on an affecting melody that stabs with its hook. Manami, Minori, and Risa take to the beach in cream colored, knitted sweaters under skies that look like Spring just starting to take the reigns from winter’s grip. The girls twirl in unison, the fabric of their dresses oozing with texture while defying gravity. “Hanabira” definitely piqued my interest in the group, although I should have probably been on them a lot sooner than this.

Manaminorisa (まなみのりさ) is a Japanese idol group formed in August 2007. The name Manaminorisa is the portmanteau of the first names of its members Manami, Minori, Risa. The girls are from Hiroshima, where they began its music career when they were students at Actor’s School Hiroshima (アクターズスクール広島) (Nakamoto Suzuka (BABYMETAL), Perfume, Sayashi Riho (Morning Musume), etc.). Manaminorisa debuted their activities in August 2007. Manaminorisa’s current line up includes members Tanino Manami (谷野愛美), Okayama Minori (岡山みのり), and Matsumae Risa (松前吏紗).
More MANAMINORISA coverage from New School Kaidan

MANAMINORISA Official Links
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The latest promotional video from Tokimeki♡Sendenbu has their name in the song title! I’ll just call this one “TokiSen no VICTORY STORY” for short … I can’t keep typing that title. “TokiSen no VICTORY STORY (ときめき♡宣伝部のVICTORY STORY)” Puts the girls in school recruiting for their club: you know- pass out a few flyers to the new kids, meet them on the roof for an intense training camp, etc. All of this work culminates in a gym dance shot spectacular flanked by their schoolmates bearing shiny pom poms. The idol pop of “TokiSen no VICTORY STORY” is fun times with keyboard sounds straight from the Main Street Electrical Parade and guitars blaring under a booming beat. Of course, I enjoyed “TokiSen no Victory” immensely. It’s an enjoyment bolstered by the freshness of TokiSen (the group) and the enthusiastic faces the girls pull throughout the PV. Thumbs up on this one, gang. The Avex debut “Tokimeki♡Sendenbu no VICTORY STORY / Seishun heart shaker” will arrive in stores on April 10, 2019.

Tokimeki Sendenbu (ときめき♡宣伝部) is a Japanese idol group formed in 2015 as part of Stardust Promotion’s Section 3. They are also known as TokiSen (とき宣). Tokimeki Sendenbu released their major debut single “Gamba!!” (ガンバ!!) on November 9, 2016 under Universal Sigma. The group re-debuted under Avex on April 10, 2019 with its fourth major single overall, “Tokimeki♡Sendenbu no VICTORY STORY / Seishun heart shaker (ときめき♡宣伝部のVICTORY STORY / 青春ハートシェイカー)”. Tokimeki Sendenbu’s current lineup includes members Tsujino Kanami (辻野かなみ), Fujimoto Bambi (藤本ばんび), Sakai Hitoka (坂井ひとか), Koizumi Haruka (小泉はるか), Yoshikawa Hiyori (吉川ひより), Ann Julia (杏ジュリア).
More TOKIMEKI♡SENDENBU coverage from New School Kaidan

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Second in CY8ER’s set of monthly singles is the bass and bells of “Time trip(タイムトリップ)”. Rinahamu has her girls singing like chimes over the ringing beats of the arrangement. “Trip trip” is less of a gazy trip and more of a pulse pumping dance trip. The enlivened pace should please viewers greatly, as should the sight of the girls dancing in formation in the abandoned halls of a Western style building. Tiled walls and wooden chairs are all that’s left here: even the wall treatment has been scraped away for a post-apocalyptic look. CY8ER themselves appear less ethereal and more corporeal in this PV. And, although CY8ER mostly appear moodily in the lair and daydream (or perhaps apparate?) of Tokyo, I’m enjoying seeing the girls more concretely. CY8ER’s “Time Trip” goes on sale March 26, 2019.

CY8ER (formerly known as BPM15Q) is a “new age vocal & DJ unit.” The name BPM15Q referred to both of the original members, with 15 referencing Ichigo Rinahamu (1 = ichi, 5 = go), and Q referencing Nicamoq. Rinahamu serves as the producer. Nicamoq left in late 2016, and 2 members joined in 2017, 3 members later joined in April 2017. At the same time, the group changed their name to CY8ER. CY8ER’s musical genre is commonly described as a mix of Future Bass and Drum & Bass, both subgenres of EDM. CY8ER’s current lineup includes members Ichigo Rinahamu (苺りなはむ), Koinuma Pochi (小犬丸ぽち), Suzukawa Mashiro (or just Mashiro) (涼川ましろ), Yamaiyume Yammy (病夢やみい), and Fujishiro Anna (藤城アンナ).
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CY8ER Official Links
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The Hokkaido girls, Fruity, have a new promotional video filled with pumping beats and flashy stage performances. “LoveSong For You” puts the girls on the landing of a grand staircase that looks like a stage set even without the light show from the rafters. Most of the promotional video is this performance shot alternated with solo shots of the girls on the steps. I wish I didn’t catch a few places where the choreography isn’t as crisp as the girls would have liked, but I guess that’s just my eye after watching a few of these idol promotional videos. The girls themselves look very classy in their white dresses that stop short of covering the girls’ knees. OK, most of the dresses give the viewer a healthy dose of zettai ryouiki to gaze at. The song itself drives a very heavy beat that gets in the way of the melody in places; which is a shame considering some of the great performances some of these girls turned in at the vocal booth. I don’t have any release information for “LoveSong for You”, so you will just have to enjoy the Fruity drama online.

FRUiTY (フルーティー) is a Sapporo, Hokkaido based idol group formed in March 2011. Members are assigned a fruit and a color. Their catchphrase is “From Hokkaido to nationwide” (北海道から全国へ). The idol unit holds regular live performances titled Fruits Basket (フルーツバスケット). Fruity’s current member lineup includes Ohara Yuka (小原優花), Sudo Misato (須藤美里), Kurosawa Rina (黒澤里那), Sato Yuka (佐藤祐歌), Mori Kanon (森花夢), Ooi Sae (大井彩愛), Naruse Aika (成瀬愛夏), Miyazaki Kyoka (宮﨑杏花), Ikeda Yua (池田 優愛), Minato Honami (湊 帆洋), Himeno Mina (姫野 みな), and Kobori Sena (小堀 聖奈).
More FRUITY coverage from New School Kaidan

Fruity Official Links
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BRATS come back at us with something a bit more melodic than their normal sludgy works. “Unfair ( アンフェア)” finds the three members on stage for a live performance. Lucky for us, we get a huge variety of camera angles on the song: from right in the grill of each girl to from behind Rei’s performance, to the shaky audience perspectives. Japanese lyrics get intercut with the performances in a manner that’s less legible and more word art. The performance we see comes from a pair of BRATS gigs in Korea at the beginning of 2019. A spare number of frames of the girls exploring the city. Judging from the reaction, the girls had a great time and put on a helluva show for their Korean fans. The sound is aggressive, the vocals chime out with presence, and … well, this is just legit. You can find “Unfair” on BRATS’s debut album “BRATS” released on July 25, 2018. Really, you should get that platter; it’s a good listen.

BRATS is a Japanese rock girl band created by former LADYBABY member Kuromiya Rei, her sister Kuromiya Aya, and Aya’s friend Hinako playing guitar. Formed in 2011, their first CD single was released in June 2017. The name BRATS was inspired from Black Stones aka “BLAST” from one of Rei’s favorite manga, NANA. BRATS plays music with the idea that “We (BRATS) want to rock as hard as we can”. BRATS current lineup includes Kuromiya Rei (黒宮れい, vocals), Kuromiya Aya (黒宮あや, bass), and Hinako (ひなこ, guitar).
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Idol-dom’s favorite trio is back with a new GUCCO jam for their 10th single. “In the beautiful day (インダ ビュリフォデイ)” picks up all of the upbeat pop melodicism and horn action that are a bit of a calling card for Task have Fun. You’ll recognize many of GUCCO’s thumbprints on the track, which just means that “In the beautiful day” is a very Task have Fun sounding song. On the visual side, the three girls spend a little bit of time in performance outfits in (what looks like) a sound stage recreation of Main Street. But, the bulk of the footage, and I’m sure I’m talking about the footage you’ll enjoy the most, is Fuka, Kyoka, and Natsuka out and about in Tokyo in pretty much all of the usual places. Yes, you get to revisit the Shibuya bike tunnel and the Hachiko crossing yet again; I’m pretty sure you don’t mind. None of this works if the girls aren’t effervescent and fun … which Task have Fun have in spades. “In the beautiful day” arrives in stores on March 28, 2019.

Task have Fun is an idol trio. They were formed in February 2016 and performed under the name TASK part ONE until changing their name in April of the same year. All the members were in Junior High School when Task have Fun were created from members of Velvet Management Agency. The unit name “Task have Fun” can be interpreted into “If you have a task, a job, the task = have fun or have fun”, etc. The main music production for Task have Fun is done by GUCCHO (Yamaguchi Toshiya). Task have Fun currently includes members Kumazawa Fuka (熊澤風花), Shiraoka Kyoka (白岡今日花), and Satonaka Natsuki (里仲菜月).
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Task have Fun Official Links
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SCANDAL releases their “Masterpiece (マスターピース)” this week, and here for your approval is their new promotional video. The foursome, in action since 2006, get some dirty grooves going down in the intros for “Masterpiece”. Performing on a soundstage flanked by what most likely is their LED set piece for their recent live performances, the girls put on their best street wear for this straight ahead rock song written and composed members MAMI and RINA respectively. MAMI’s blue twin buns bounce playfully as her grooves that call to mind [ALEXANDROS] or perhaps The Arctic Monkeys without all the quaaludes. SCANDAL bob their heads along with RINA’s beats, and I’m left here wondering when the group will return to the USA for more performances. Not to be ignored is the production “Masterpiece / Mabataki” being the first single from the group’s OWN RECORD LABEL, “her Records”. The 24th single from SCANDAL is a big win that has the girls sounding rejuvenated and ready to take on the world yet again. “Masterpiece / Mabataki” the 24th single from SCANDAL goes on sale March 27, 2019.

SCANDAL (（スキャンダル）) is a Japanese pop-rock girl band from Osaka, Japan. Formed in August 2006 by four high school girls, they started playing street lives until they were noticed and signed to the indie label Kitty Records. In 2008, they released three singles and a mini-album while performing shows in the United States, France, and Hong Kong. On December 24, 2018, it was announced the band had created their own private label “her” and would release content under it in spring 2019. SCANDAL’s lineup includes Ono Haruna (小野春菜, vocals and rhythm guitar) , Sasazaki Mami (笹崎まみ, lead guitar and vocals), Ogawa Tomomi (小川ともみ, bass and vocals), and Suzuki Rina (鈴木理菜, drums and vocals).
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The journey that started with “Yumemiru 15” ends with “Yumemita 15 (夢見た 15年)” and perhaps the most significant Hello! Project graduation since C-ute. Given the English title “Dreamed for 15 years”, the new ANGERME song fills itself with memories of the Hello! Project leader’s tenure in the projects. Lyrics by former S/mileage and ANGERME member Fukuda Kanon gets the sentiment just right intimately knowing Dawa’s voyage perhaps better than anyone else. Given an intimate setting that resembles an all-girls on deck slumber party, the promotional video feels like the end of an era. Ayaka reads through a letter alone in a white room, and is joined by the members as the room gains more and more color until it becomes the vibrant place that she help create. Dance shots put the ANGERME girls in white outfits reminiscent of the S/mileage / Ayaka debut and backs the group with the sparkling beaded curtains of that same promotional video. From a fan’s perspective, “Yumemita fifteen” hits all the right notes, and I suspect that more than one person was cutting onions whilst watching. “Koi wa accha accha / Yumemita fifteen”, the 26th single from ANGERME will graduate to record stores on April 10, 2019.

ANGERME (アンジュルム), formerly known as S/mileage (スマイレージ), is a Japanese pop group within Hello! Project. Originally started as an indies Hello Pro Egg unit in 2009, S/mileage was formed by four first generation members with the possibility that the line-up would be shuffled. The group graduated from Hello Pro Egg in 2010 and became full members of Hello! Project. The group changed their name in late 2014 to ANGERME to celebrate the third generation members and signify a turning point in the group’s image. ANGERMER’s current lineup includes members Wada Ayaka (福田花音), Nakanishi Kana (中西香菜), Takeuchi Akari (竹内朱莉), Katsuta Rina (勝田里奈), Murota Mizuki (室田瑞希), Sasaki Rikako (佐々木莉佳子), Kamikokuryou Moe (上國料萌衣), Kasahara Momona (笠原桃奈), Funaki Musubu (船木結, concurrent with Country Girls), Kawamura Ayano (川村文乃), Ota Haruka, (太田遥香), and Ise Reira, 伊勢鈴蘭).
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Remember Yamamoto Marin from Cheeky Parade? The girl has not only returned from Los Angeles with a degree from Santa Monica College, she’s starting of 2019 as a soloist. “Future” brings us our first look at the Cheeky Parade lead and standout vocalist. In a glowing green top and windbreaker worn at her shoulders, Marin puts her captivating and clear voice out there on this pop number. Marin goes from a beach reminiscent of Cheeky Parade’s last 9nin single, SKY GATE to the mountains where she can see all around her and especially in front of her. I’m not a geography whiz with Japan, but I’m guessing we’re looking at Marin’s home Mie prefecture. Well, I’m guessing Mie since “Future” is also the theme from the Mie TV program “Mie Live”. Back to roots and looking to her future, I’m looking forward to a great solo career from Marin.

Yamamoto Marin (山本真凜, born June 11, 1997) is a Japanese singer and dancer. Formerly a member of the iDOL Street group CHEEKY PARADE, Marin began working as a first-year student in the “Dance Style Kids”, a-nation act dancer, and SMAP live kids dancer. As a member of CHEEKY PARADE, Marin performed abroad in New York, Los Angeles, and Paris. In 2016, Marin went on a two year hiatus in Los Angeles along with fellow Cheeky Parade member Suzuki Mariya and GEM member Takeda Maaya. While in Los Angeles for two years, Marin studied vocal and dance and graduated from Santa Monica College. In 2019, Yamamoto Marin began performing in Japan as a soloist who combines expressive power and global experience with a clear singing voice.
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Well, it took until after the release date, but we finally have a promotional video for the latest BiS single! “Are you ready?” is the first promotional video from the WACK flagship group to feature the “reaggregated” after the end of BiS.LEAGUE(i.e. no longer BiS1 and BiS2). Clocking in at a whopping 11:47 mins, “Are you ready?” bears more than a passing resemblance to Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”. The song’s 11:24 runtime is actually an homage to Freddie Mercury (died, November 24, 1991). As you would expect from a song of this length, “Are you ready?” features a sprawl of stylistic changes ranging from the piano ballad opening to My Chemical Romance fueled power ballad a blastbeat punk to metal-esque guitar grooves to industrial noise-pop. You can count it all by the number of outfit changes or the number of makeup changes on Kika Front Frontale’s face. Starting with the cross of of an industrial funeral of their freshly assasinated foreman, “Are you ready?” goes through a few different PV looks and stories. We have the industrial overthrow thrown to classic indie idol PV that answers the question “what’s in the cello case?”. Next we get my favorite scene with BiS twitching in plastic body suits. From here, BiS return to the funerary theme with their faces obscured by the black hand (in the literal sense). As the music gets majestic again, the girls mount a tank for the epics conclusion. The entirety of “Are you ready?” could be interpreted as the hallucinations of the characters seen in that first industrial scene- they popped quite a lot of pills. “Are you ready?” is incredibly ambitious and manages to hit on more than one punch. This wouldn’t be WACK without drama, so the lowest performers of BiS.LEAGUE (not done with that yet!), Aya Eightprince, Muropanako, YUiNA EMPiRE, and Toriaez Hana were singled out as “unfit to perform in BiS”. Their future in the group will depend on the performance of this single. The latest BiS release “Are you ready?” landed in stores March 20, 2019.

BiS, also known as Brand-new idol Society (Shinsei Idol Kenkyuukai, 新生アイドル研究会), is a Japanese idol group that was founded in 2010 by leader Pour Lui. They are considered the flagship group of WACK. The original lineup disbanded at Yokohama Arena on July 8, 2014. Exactly two years after their disbandment on July 8, 2016, it was announced that BiS would reform under a new lineup including Pour Lui, and that auditions were going to be held. On April 2018 it was announced the BiS.LEAGUE system was announced, whereby a fan vote would choose the top five ranking members for be placement in BiS 1st for all future singles. This was later changed so that BiS1st and BiS2nd would remain as units of 4 and 6 members. On December 29, 2018, it was announced that BiS.LEAGUE would be ending and BiS would release a single with all members in March 20, 2019, “Are you ready?”. BiS’s current lineup includes members Go Zeela (ゴ・ジーラ), Aya Eightprince (アヤ・エイトプリンス), Kika Front Frontale (キカ・フロント・フロンタール), Peri Ubu (ペリ・ウブ), Pan Luna Leafy (パン・ルナリーフィ), Mewclub (ミュークラブ), YUiNA EMPiRE, Muropanako (ムロパナコ), and Toriaez Hana (トリアエズ・ハナ).
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[Note: This promotional video is currently blocked in North America]

Yumemiru Adolescence build more reason to buy their latest physical offering with the release of their promotional video for “LOVE ME IN THE USA” (ironically currently blocked in the USA). A guitar pop arrangement drops a few beats in the song’s intro for variety while new member Yamashita Saya gives her best guitar moves. The full liveup then get their best impression of anytown USA with cheerleader outfits, pompoms, and a faded American flag hung next to a surfboard. “LOVE ME IN THE USA” is upbeat and fully earns its pompoms with all the good feels the song engenders in its listeners. The promotional video is ultimately a one-room production that lives or dies whether you find the girls interesting enough to look at for a few minutes. Luckily, Saya looks great at center, where she’s destined to spend the rest of her time in YumeAdo. This is saying a lot considering the group is chock full of great looking girls (in my estimation one of the best looking lineups in the idol world). So, USA is a go, ‘cuz I could watch these girls and their hijinks all day long. “LOVE ME IN THE USA” is the lead track on Yumemiru Adolescence’s second album “SEVEN STAR” in stores now.

Yumemiru Adolescence (夢みるアドレセンス) is a Japanese pop idol group under Sony Music Associated Records, formerly under the indie label Happinet, and Tambourine Artists agency. Their name is sometimes abbreviated as YumeAdo (夢アド). The first lineup of the Yumemiru Adolescence came together in June 2012 and was made from girls were also actresses and models for the Japanese fashion magazine Pichi Lemon (ピチレモン). Yumemiru Adolescence’s current lineup includes Ogino Karin (荻野可鈴; leader), Shida Yuumi (志田友美), Kyouka (京佳), Kobayashi Rei (小林玲), Minase Yuki (水無瀬ゆき), Yamashita Saya (山下彩耶), and Yamaguchi Hanon (山口はのん).
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From their digital release of December 2018, Sakura Ebis now get a promotional video for the song “Kira kira”. Reclining like rag dolls, one-by-one the girls get transported to the middle of the naked forest or empty dining halls or love seats in the middle of nowhere. The choreography of “Kira kira” strikes the eye with its herky-jerky movements and uncanny postures. More than one shot pairs the girls like the creepy twins from “The Shining”, and I’m not sure this was the desired effect. The girls come to life to eventually frolic in the sun, which brings me a sigh of relief. The costumes for “Kira kira” also strike me as unique with their sparkling details and smartly trimmed blouses. With their recent works, Sakura Ebis has become a favorite of mine in this new idol era. I haven’t watched “Kira kira” enough to decode the visual language, but the girls look great, and I already enjoy listening the song due to its release date. “Kira kira” can be yours from the digital retailers listed below.

Sakura Ebis (桜エビ〜ず, stylized in English as Sakura Ebis) is a Japanese girl idol group, formed by Stardust Promotion (Momoiro Clover Z, Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku, TEAM SHACHI, Tacoyaki Rainbow, etc.) in August 2015. The group was born as a training unit of Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku. Sakura Ebis’ current lineup includes members Mizuha (水春), Sakurai Misato (桜井 美里), Akane Sora (茜 空), Kawase Ayame (川瀬 あやめ), Murahoshi Riju (村星 りじゅ), and Serizawa Moa (芹澤 もあ).
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