The much anticipated ‘Steins;Gate 0’ — sequel to the rapidly successful ‘Steins;Gate’ Visual Novel has had another sneak preview of the game revealed, this time, in the form of a TV commercial.
Uploaded today onto the 5pb.Games YouTube Channel, we’re given yet another peak into the world of Steins;Gate 0. With a confirmed release date of November, 11th 2015 on PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4 and PlayStation Vita, there is definitely a lot of excitement surrounding this commercial.
Also alongside the PlayStation 4 release of the game is a free full HD-Remaster of the original Steins;Gate game being dubbed ‘Steins;Gate HD’.
It’s interesting, I never thought the future of Japanese pop would actually be a step 20 years back into the past, but I think that is ultimately the direction Kobe based trackmaker ‘tofubeats’ is taking us; and I’ve been enjoying it every step of the way.
Born and raised in Kobe, Japan, tofubeats (the online moniker of artist Yusuke Kawai) started his career in his early teens spreading his home made, heavily sample influenced hip-hop tracks onto various Japanese message boards. It was through these message boards that Yusuke would eventually go on to meet Tomad, a fellow user who himself was only a year older than Yusuke at the time. Tomad was the owner of a net-label known as Maltine Records which recently celebrated its 10th year anniversary, and it was through this chance encounter that Yusuke would go on to release on Maltine under the moniker ‘DJ Newtown’. His releases included tracks such as ‘it’s too late’, from his 2009 album ‘cutegirl.jpg’ .
Fast-forward to 2012, Yusuke under the tofubeats name has just released his first independent album ‘Lost Decade’; accompanying it, a track known as ‘Suisei’ featuring Onomatopoeia Daijin, which to date has been tofubeats’ most popular track. It was from the popularity of this song that Yusuke was contacted by ‘Warner Music Japan’. With tofubeats about to release his second album through Warner Music, he’s certainly come a long way from his humble net-label beginnings.
‘POSITIVE’, the latest album by tofubeats features a total of 13 tracks in which he is joined by a total of eight guests, including long time friend Okadada. At the time of writing, tofubeats has released three music videos for the tracks on this album ‘POSITIVE’, ‘Suteki na Mason’ and ‘STAKEHOLDER’.
1. DANCE&DANCE
Opening with tofubeats’ pre-set speech at the aforementioned Maltine 10th Anniversary Party, we’re presented with an upbeat positive introduction to the album. Featuring vocals from tofubeats himself, I found myself already moving along to the mesmerising lyrics and entrancing beat, barely even one song into the album.
It was easy to see that this song calls homage to tofubeats’ signature vibes, bringing on this sense of wistful nostalgia whilst entrancing the listener in this feeling of satisfaction. It’s got this fitting sense that the party is just getting turned up, and you’re given the opportunity to sit down and watch it all unfold.
2. POSITIVE
‘POSITIVE’, the title track for this album is a personal favourite of mine; Featuring one of the most notable guests on this album, Dream Ami of girls group E-girls.
In this track, we’re presented with a very in your face, get up and move kind of positivity which radiates perfectly through the charming lyrics. Giving off all the right vibes, it’s easy to see why Yusuke went out of his way to get Dream Ami on this track with him.
3. T.D.M. feat. okadada
Now, it wouldn’t be a tofubeats album without long time friend and companion Okadada making an appearance.
‘T.D.M.’ taken straight from his recently released ‘STAKEHOLDER’ EP, utilises Okadada’s vocals to create a very down to earth, mellow track. A slight slowdown from the prior two tracks; I honestly found its placement as the third track a little confusing. To me, it felt like one of the weaker tracks on the album, but that’s without saying that it is still on its own, a very unique and refreshing piece.
4. Too Many Girls feat. KREVA
Taking the general vibe of tofubeats’ original breakthrough album Lost Decade, ‘Too Many Girls’ finds its place by delivering a powerhouse of verses layered over gloriously rhythmic chorus’.
Regardless as to whether or not the listener understands the lyrics, it’s still easy to find appreciation within the intricacy of the tracks flow. It runs the same for all the songs, however you’ll obviously have that extra level of enjoyment if you do understand.
5. STAKEHOLDER
The title track of tofubeats’ last EP ‘STAKEHOLDER’ is something that I actually found to be very hit and miss with a lot of listeners. It’s simple lyrics and easy to follow beat make it an ideal kick-back track however, which to me is a merit in itself.
6. Throw your laptop on the fire feat. 小室哲哉
“I didn’t realise that early DJ Newtown was making an appearance”
‘Throw your laptop on the fire’ was definitely one of the more abstract tracks on the album — One that I can see many people who aren’t familiar with some of tofubeats’ origins being a little confused about. When listening to this track, I was instantly taken back to the classic sounds of DJ Newtown’s early Maltine releases (one of Yusuke’s other monikers). It’s this hard-hitting, aggressive track that honestly has no place on the album, but boy am I glad it is there.
7. I know you
Taking a complete 180° turn around from the last track, ‘I know you’ is a slowly paced, almost luxurious piece composed of various highs and lows. With no vocals until the concluding end of the song, it could almost be seen as an interlude between the fast paced ‘Throw your laptop on the fire’ and the following piece ‘Without U’.
8. Without U feat. Skylar Spence
Calling on American producer and friend Skylar Spence, tofubeats brings us our first completely English song of the album.
Felt the sting
When you told me that you wouldn’t change a thing
Hurt like hell
I bit my tongue and smiled and I swore I only wished you well
What we’re presented here is an upbeat, fun track with completely polarising lyrics. It’s something unique about this combination, however, that left me humming the lyrics throughout my day, finding joy in a song about the pain of loss.
9. すてきなメゾン feat. 玉城ティナ (Suteki na Mazon feat. Tina Tamashiro)
All the way up there with ‘POSITIVE’, ‘Suteki na Mazon’ (lit. Dreamy House) finds a comfortable spot up top as one of my uncontested favourites of the album. It’s slow dreamy pacing and delicate lyrics leave a sense of homeliness to them, renewing a feeling of ease with the world. Tina Tamashiro really does outdo herself on this one, bringing tofubeats’ work to a whole new level.
10. くりかえしのMUSIC feat. 岸田繁(くるり) (Kurikaeshi no MUSIC feat. Shigeru Kishida)
Perhaps the beginning of the end of the album, ‘Kurikaeshi no MUSIC’ is where things really start to slow down, but not in a bad way. What we’re looking at is almost like the last songs of the night; The aforementioned party that ‘DANCE&DANCE’ kicked off back at the start of the album slowly beginning to come to an end. Everything’s beginning to get a little slower, but it’s in that slowness that you find appreciation for the great night you’ve just had.
11. 閑話休題 (Kanwakyudai)
‘Kanwakyudai’, or in English ‘Let’s get back to the main point’, does exactly what its name implies — It brings us back to reality in a simple 1:37 piece composed of simple note progressions. There really isn’t that much more to it, being used as an interlude to the next track ‘別の人間’.
12. 別の人間 feat. 中納良恵(EGO-WRAPPIN’) (Betsu no Ningen feat. Yoshie Nakano)
By far the most serious track on the entire album; Yusuke has called on EGO-WRAPPIN’ member Yoshie Nakano, a late 90’s Japanese Jazz Band in whom reached commercial acclaim for tracks such as ‘Kuchibashi ni Cherry’, which managed to reach No. 9 on the Oricon charts back in 2002.
What we’re presented sets the stage for a tragic love story, powerful lyrics bolstering over a dramatic composition in which Yoshie Nakano takes center stage.
13. I Believe In You
‘I Believe In You’ is a fast-paced, energetic track placed as the final song to get you moving, back into the positive vibes after the more-so serious track that was ‘Betsu no Ningen’.
Spanning out over 8:12, we’re presented the longest track on the entire album. The lack of vocals places copious amounts of emphasis on the sheer fact that this tracks one purpose is to get you in the groove, ensuring that you leave the party with those gloriously positive vibes that this party entailed.
Conclusion
What we are presented with in ‘POSITIVE’ is so much more than just a 13 track album slapped together for the sake of it. It represents growth in tofubeats’ releases, showing off a mature side of Yusuke not often touch upon in his other compositions. It shows that with growth and development, there is always going to be a slice of positivity to reflect upon. The way I analyse this album, tofubeats is in his most pure and open form — and that’s something in which I can quite quickly come to appreciate. What this album manages to create — it’s all shaping the future of Japanese pop music, taking the scenic stroll through memories lane.
tofubeats – POSITIVE will be available in stores and digitally on the 16th of September, 2015.
Ultraman now has a new animated short courtesy of the ongoing Japan Animator Expo. Initially airing in 1966, Ultraman takes place in a world where society is under constant attack by giant monsters and aliens. The series has gone on to become a cult favorite, inspiring various manga and spin-off’s.
The new short in question tends towards the lore of the original ‘The Ultraman’ penned by the late Mamoru Uchiyama. Spanning over 9 minutes in length, ‘The Ultraman: Jackal vs. Ultraman’ as it is titled, features appearances of beloved Ultra Brothers designs and classic villain cameos. Packed with the classic action choreography and campiness fans have loved for decades, the new short serves as a truly heartfelt love letter to fans of Ultraman, both old and young.
Japan Animator Expo is the brain child of legendary animators Hideaki Anno and Nobuo Kawakami, who created the program as a means of showcasing the anime industry and the various artistic possibilities within the medium. The website updates almost every Friday.
The new short can be found, with English subtitles, here.
Today Sega has revealed the latest entry into the Hatsune Miku: Project Diva series ‘Project Diva X’ via the official website.
Project Diva, a long running PlayStation exclusive series (With the exception of the arcade releases) is finding it’s first next-gen release on the PlayStation 4, as well as a release on the PlayStation Vita. Announced today on Hatsune Miku’s 8th Anniversary, Sega coupled the announcement with a new track — presumably to be featured in the game.
Are you excited about this new addition to the series? I’ve been looking forward to a next-gen Miku title for a while, so this is a welcome addition for me. We’ll be sure to keep you up to date with any new details as they emerge.
Oyasumi Punpun, a 13 volume, 147 chapter story follows the life of Onodera Punpun, a character metaphorically depicted as a small bird in a human world. Oyasumi Punpun has been renowned by fans for its striking detail to scenery which is clearly shown on every page; the gritty progression throughout the story and emotional attachment it leaves with the reader is something that doesn’t come along too often in such a short manga series.
Oyasumi Punpun covers a wide range of topics pertaining to the real world in a very cryptic manner, making each re-read all the more interesting than the last. An official date has not been announced for 2016, but this is a series I strongly recommend to anyone looking for a bit more of an abstract read.
We’ll be sure to keep you up to date as any more news is announced.
The recent PlayStation Vita rhythm game Persona 4: Dancing All Night welcomes a new member to the dance crew as Hatsune Miku bursts onto the stage as downloadable content, as announced by Atlus here.
Hatsune Miku will be added to the game via DLC around August in Japan, introducing a new track to the game with her “Heaven feat. Hatsune Miku (ATOLS Remix).” It’d be an easy guess to say that this will be a remix of the song “Heaven” from the Persona 4 soundtrack. There is no news yet as to whether Atlus will be bringing the Hatsune Miku DLC to the west with its upcoming release.
You can expect to be seeing Persona 4: Dancing All Night coming to North America exclusive to PlayStation Vita on the 29th of September, with the game launching in Japan back in June.
An in-game screenshot of Miku busting a move
We’ll be sure to keep you up to date if anything new is revealed for Persona 4: Dancing All Night
We are finally in July now and the Summer season is about to kick off in Japan. While there are many things to do in Japan during summer, how about stopping by some of the biggest summer music festivals? You might happen to stumble upon your favorite artist that you haven’t even discovered yet!
1. Fuji Rock Festival
Fuji Rock Festival takes place in Niigata and it might be a little far away from Tokyo but it will be totally worth it. Since 1997, the attendance has been constantly over 100,000 people at this giant music event. This year, we will be seeing big name artists such as Foo Fighters, Muse, deadmau5, and such. Japanese artists such as One OK Rock, Shiina Ringo, Gesu no Kiwami Otome and many more. Find yourself a cozy Japanese style inn nearby and you can enjoy the quiet traditional time when you need to rest and then throw yourself back into the chaotic event during the day. However, if you want to experience the true summer music festival vibes, be sure to camp it up with your pals around the venue as well!
Summer Sonic started in year 2000 has yet to disappoint with their killer lineups and performances, and we can already tell that it will be yet another great year. Summer Sonic takes place in both Tokyo and Osaka so if one artist performs in Tokyo on the first day, they will be in Osaka the next day. Some people will be traveling between the two cities in order to catch their favorite artist perform twice! This years’ lineup includes The Chemical Brothers, Ariana Grande, Marilyn Manson, Pharrell Williams and more. The Japanese artists such as Kyary Pamyu Pamyu, Babymetal, Man With a Mission, and Monkey Majik will be making their appearance too! It has been very difficult to purchase some of these big name artists concert tickets lately, so this will come as a refresher as buying these music festival ticket is beyond easy. This is definitely your best opportunity to catch your favorite artist perform live!
So if you are someone who have already been to various music festivals around the world and want to explore something new, how about this one. Tokyo Idol Festival is a music festival held in Tokyo that focuses on female Japanese pop idol groups. This music festival may not have super popular groups such as AKB48 or Morning Musume but there will be over 100 groups that will be making an appearance this year. You might have heard of idol groups such as Dempa Gumi inc, Sakura Gakuin, Idoling and so on. You will also see many local idols that you have never heard of such as Sendai Syrup (from Miyagi prefecture), Tochiotome 25 (from Tochigi prefecture), Negicco (from Niigata prefecture) and so on, who would be performing with everything they’ve got in order to promote their hometown. Some of these idols have interesting themes too, for example, Tsuri Bit sings about fishing, Fudanjuku would cross-dress themselves as if they were male.
I only listed three music festivals today but there are a lot more in Japan such as Rock in Japan Fes, Inazuma Rock Festival and so on. If you happen to find your favorite artist or just feel like looking for something new, try to hit up some of these music festivals!
Kadokawa Games has released long awaited news regarding Kancolle Kai, an upcoming PlayStation Vita game based on the massively popular Web Game through today’s issue of Famitsu.
Announced today, we can be looking at a August 27, 2015 release for the game within Japan, with still no mention of it coming to the west.
With the PC Browser Game ‘Kantai Collection’ amassing an incredible three million players, Famitsu reports that it was brought to the Vita to ‘Strengthen the game’ bringing your fleet to a whole new platform.
The game will feature a new strategic positioning system, where instead of being thrown into different maps, you will be given different hexes that you can control, protect and also move. It’s taken a slight change from the web variant of the game as we’re now looking at a full pledged turn-based system, meaning that the Abyssal Fleets will have the ability to move around as well.
Implementations like the Abyssal Fleets being able to attack your home base as well is sure to keep the player on their guard in a way completely unlike the original which was able to be played on a ‘as you want to basis’. The game ends if the main island is invaded; so be at the ready teitoku’s.
As in the web browser variant, there will also be seasonal events too to change things up every now and then, and the ability to select the difficulty of the game when you start.
For more information, be sure to stay tuned on the 9th of July when more is announced through Famitsu.
Akiba Weekly 