NEWS will be coming out with a new album on March 22nd. It is titled Neverland and will come in two versions, a limited edition and a regular edition.
The limited edition comes with a DVD with a video titled NEVERLAND Episode.0 on it as well as a making of video.
The regular edition comes with the solo songs for the members of the group in addition to the songs included on both editions.
CDJapan has a bundle of both versions that you can pre-order to make sure you get the first press bonus that comes with each version.
Honestly since their latest single was just released I was not expecting anything from NEWS for a while. So right now I cannot afford to pre-order it but I hope I can soon, as I will never say "no" to new NEWS releases. And I am excited to have another album from the group to add to my collection.
I can only assume the video for the limited edition will be like for the past album, White, and be a short movie. So it should be just as fun and cheesy, especially if the guys are helping make it like the with Mr. White.
And I love that we are getting the solo songs for the members with each album. Especially with them being on the regular edition, so there is no worry about the version selling out and not being able to get them.
Tuesday, February 14, 2017
Saturday, February 4, 2017
Thennary Speaks 2017 Return
After being mostly gone last year I am ready to get back to making videos once more. This video just goes over what to expect in the near future and my usual meandering ramblings.
Friday, January 27, 2017
2017's Brand New Morning
I have been meaning to make a post about this for a while as I am finally starting to catch up with the Hello! Project groups again. And the flagship group, Morning Musume '17, definitely has had things worth talking about.
First off the latest auditions for the group bore fruit this time. H!P decided on selecting girls from the kenshuusei and Kaga Kaede and Yokoyama Reina have joined the Momusu ranks. They have already had their colors announced, Italian Red for Kaede and Gold Yellow for Reina.
On a bit of a downer Sato Masaki is currently on hiatus from the group. She has been suffering lower back pain and was diagnosed with a lumbar disc hernia so she has had to put all activities on hold to get treatment for that. Which sadly means she will not be participating in the recently announced single.
The mentioned single will be released on March 8th and is a double A-side. The title tracks are BRAND NEW MORNING and Jealousy Jealousy and it will have two regular editions and three limited editions.
While I am excited that we do not have to wait long to see the 13th gen's debut single it is sad that Masaki will not be a part of it. It is also a bit worrying as other girls have ended up graduating Momusu after experiencing medical issues so it is a real possibility. I hope she can recover to continue with the group, yet I would understand if she did not want to risk her health to do so.
In any case there is plenty to look forward to, and dread, for the new year with Momusu and this year I want to do better with keeping up with it all.
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| Kaga Kaede and Yokoyama Reina |
On a bit of a downer Sato Masaki is currently on hiatus from the group. She has been suffering lower back pain and was diagnosed with a lumbar disc hernia so she has had to put all activities on hold to get treatment for that. Which sadly means she will not be participating in the recently announced single.
The mentioned single will be released on March 8th and is a double A-side. The title tracks are BRAND NEW MORNING and Jealousy Jealousy and it will have two regular editions and three limited editions.
While I am excited that we do not have to wait long to see the 13th gen's debut single it is sad that Masaki will not be a part of it. It is also a bit worrying as other girls have ended up graduating Momusu after experiencing medical issues so it is a real possibility. I hope she can recover to continue with the group, yet I would understand if she did not want to risk her health to do so.
In any case there is plenty to look forward to, and dread, for the new year with Momusu and this year I want to do better with keeping up with it all.
Friday, January 13, 2017
Inter Kis-My-Ft2
Finally Kis-My-Ft2 will be releasing a new single. It will be a triple A-side with the single name being Inter. The three songs that will be on the single are Tonight, Kimi no Iru Sekai, and SEVEN WISHES. It will be released on March 1st, 2017 and come in three versions, each one will have a CD that will have the three title tracks on it.
The limited type A comes with a DVD with the PV and making of for the song Tonight.
The limited type B comes with a DVD with the PV and making of for the song Kimi no Iru Sekai.
The regular edition is just a CD but it will have a B-side not included in the other versions.
I am so happy that Kisumai will have a new single in the near future. I doubted they would remain inactive too long as they are one of Johnny's more popular groups but I have been burned on following groups that go on unexpected release hiatuses before. This release puts those fears to rest and hopefully the group will go back to a regular release schedule.
Also I am glad it is the usual release style with the limited editions having bonus DVDs only and any bonus tracks are on the regular edition. That means all I feel I need to pick up is the RE unlike with their previous single where I ended up getting all three editions so get all the bonus songs that were spread across them.
The limited type A comes with a DVD with the PV and making of for the song Tonight.
The limited type B comes with a DVD with the PV and making of for the song Kimi no Iru Sekai.
I am so happy that Kisumai will have a new single in the near future. I doubted they would remain inactive too long as they are one of Johnny's more popular groups but I have been burned on following groups that go on unexpected release hiatuses before. This release puts those fears to rest and hopefully the group will go back to a regular release schedule.
Also I am glad it is the usual release style with the limited editions having bonus DVDs only and any bonus tracks are on the regular edition. That means all I feel I need to pick up is the RE unlike with their previous single where I ended up getting all three editions so get all the bonus songs that were spread across them.
Thursday, January 12, 2017
Let's Speculate ... Utapri mobile games
I love to speculate and with the recent announcements from Broccoli I can do so about a couple of my current interests, Uta no Prince-sama and mobile games.
First off it was announced a few days ago that Broccoli have entered a partnership with KLab. (Anime News Network article) KLab is probably best known for developing the Love Live School Idol Festival mobile game.
Then in potentially related news Broccoli announced that they are ending service for their mobile game for Uta no Prince-sama, UtaPri Island, in March. (ANN article)
If you have been looking at the Oricon sales charts the singles from the groups for the Ai Chu mobile game have been ranking rather well and of course they are far from the only mobile game based male idol units. IDOLiSH7 is starting to gear up with its own CD releases and already has other cross media promotion with a manga and a light novel. And then looking at how massive Love Live is it would not seem unsurprising for Broccoli to want to throw their hat into the ring. Especially since they have a property already in full swing that could be adapted to such a game.
And with the announcement that they are ending the mobile game that they do have for UtaPri it looks like they could be wanting to do just that. As it is not like UtaPri is no longer popular and they do have a fourth season of the anime series already announced so they have plans to continue it for the near future at least. And mobile games are not only popular but can also be quite profitable, especially for multi-media series as can be seen with the rise of the idol inspired mobile rhythm games. As they work as commercials as well as being a product in its own right with the use of songs that can be purchased when released as singles, and having promotional codes for the game as a bonus for the purchase of the physical releases.
Honestly I would love for UtaPri to have their own rhythm game like Love Live SIF. It would give them more reasons to want to release more singles, instead of waiting for when they have a new PSP game (which looks like it will all be PSP Vita from now on) or a new season of the anime series. And with the main group of STARISH as well as Quartet Night and from the looks of things HEAVENS will be added to the mix in the near future there is plenty of characters to create "cards" for, not to mention an already sizable song library.
One thing I could see being an issue is that most of the games I have mentioned use group songs with sub-units and solos as special songs and UtaPri has far more solo songs than group songs for the various groups. But that can be fixed, and having a mobile game like this would be a part of that fix.
Another is that the UtaPri franchise is hitting its 5th anniversary so one has to wonder how much longer it is going to keep going. Though with HEAVENS adding members and looking to get focus it looks like Broccoli is already thinking about how to continue on without depending too much on STARISH. And it is a series that it could be adjusted to start new groups eventually, seeing as the original setting is a school for aspiring idols.
I know I am really getting my hopes up for this but I love the UtaPri series and have come to really enjoy the idol inspired mobile games so I really want to see them mix. Even though it could make me broke between it and IDOLiSH7.
First off it was announced a few days ago that Broccoli have entered a partnership with KLab. (Anime News Network article) KLab is probably best known for developing the Love Live School Idol Festival mobile game.
Then in potentially related news Broccoli announced that they are ending service for their mobile game for Uta no Prince-sama, UtaPri Island, in March. (ANN article)
If you have been looking at the Oricon sales charts the singles from the groups for the Ai Chu mobile game have been ranking rather well and of course they are far from the only mobile game based male idol units. IDOLiSH7 is starting to gear up with its own CD releases and already has other cross media promotion with a manga and a light novel. And then looking at how massive Love Live is it would not seem unsurprising for Broccoli to want to throw their hat into the ring. Especially since they have a property already in full swing that could be adapted to such a game.
And with the announcement that they are ending the mobile game that they do have for UtaPri it looks like they could be wanting to do just that. As it is not like UtaPri is no longer popular and they do have a fourth season of the anime series already announced so they have plans to continue it for the near future at least. And mobile games are not only popular but can also be quite profitable, especially for multi-media series as can be seen with the rise of the idol inspired mobile rhythm games. As they work as commercials as well as being a product in its own right with the use of songs that can be purchased when released as singles, and having promotional codes for the game as a bonus for the purchase of the physical releases.
Honestly I would love for UtaPri to have their own rhythm game like Love Live SIF. It would give them more reasons to want to release more singles, instead of waiting for when they have a new PSP game (which looks like it will all be PSP Vita from now on) or a new season of the anime series. And with the main group of STARISH as well as Quartet Night and from the looks of things HEAVENS will be added to the mix in the near future there is plenty of characters to create "cards" for, not to mention an already sizable song library.
One thing I could see being an issue is that most of the games I have mentioned use group songs with sub-units and solos as special songs and UtaPri has far more solo songs than group songs for the various groups. But that can be fixed, and having a mobile game like this would be a part of that fix.
Another is that the UtaPri franchise is hitting its 5th anniversary so one has to wonder how much longer it is going to keep going. Though with HEAVENS adding members and looking to get focus it looks like Broccoli is already thinking about how to continue on without depending too much on STARISH. And it is a series that it could be adjusted to start new groups eventually, seeing as the original setting is a school for aspiring idols.
I know I am really getting my hopes up for this but I love the UtaPri series and have come to really enjoy the idol inspired mobile games so I really want to see them mix. Even though it could make me broke between it and IDOLiSH7.
Saturday, December 31, 2016
Good-bye SMAP
At this time SMAP is officially no more. I really do not know how to feel about this. I was never more than a casual fan of the group but there is still a pain in my heart from knowing their time as a group has come to an end. Perhaps if things ended on a better note it would be easier to take. Or at least I would have less uneasy feelings about it. But at least I got to see the love the fans have for the group as they tried to find a way to say good-bye to them.
There is a certain amount of pride I cannot help but feel knowing that their best selling single, Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana, has reached a new milestone as it crossed the 3 million units sold mark in this year. And it was thanks to the fans of the group that have doing everything they can to keep the single in the Oricon rankings as well as trying to reach that goal. It was truly amazing to see that happen in this past year.
It just seems like quite the shame the group could not at least perform in concert one final time as a farewell to those dedicated fans. Or at least a final performance on one of the usual year end shows they had been on. But their final performance on the final episode of SMAP X SMAP was a nice enough finish though it still feels like they went out on a whimper instead of the bang I am sure many fans were hoping for.
As for me, I still feel like I am in shock at the very idea and SMAP is no more. They always seemed to be there and trying to think of a future without them feels off. Even watching the end of year programs this year felt a bit emptier without them. In time I may get used to it but I doubt I will stop missing them anytime soon. And I just consider myself a casual fan, so I cannot imagine what the more hardcore SMAP fans must be feeling.
No matter how it ended SMAP left their mark on the Japanese entertainment industry. They have left plenty of memories as a group from their programs and their music that are not going to be forgotten anytime soon. For me, Kono Toki, Kitto Yume Jyanai to this day remains my favorite SMAP song and I still listen to it frequently. It is one of those songs that I get strength from and I will always be grateful to SMAP for it.
I wish success for the members as they continue on with their solo careers and hope that they continue to bring the smiles and joy to people as they did as a group.
So thank you SMAP, for everything.
There is a certain amount of pride I cannot help but feel knowing that their best selling single, Sekai ni Hitotsu dake no Hana, has reached a new milestone as it crossed the 3 million units sold mark in this year. And it was thanks to the fans of the group that have doing everything they can to keep the single in the Oricon rankings as well as trying to reach that goal. It was truly amazing to see that happen in this past year.
It just seems like quite the shame the group could not at least perform in concert one final time as a farewell to those dedicated fans. Or at least a final performance on one of the usual year end shows they had been on. But their final performance on the final episode of SMAP X SMAP was a nice enough finish though it still feels like they went out on a whimper instead of the bang I am sure many fans were hoping for.
As for me, I still feel like I am in shock at the very idea and SMAP is no more. They always seemed to be there and trying to think of a future without them feels off. Even watching the end of year programs this year felt a bit emptier without them. In time I may get used to it but I doubt I will stop missing them anytime soon. And I just consider myself a casual fan, so I cannot imagine what the more hardcore SMAP fans must be feeling.
No matter how it ended SMAP left their mark on the Japanese entertainment industry. They have left plenty of memories as a group from their programs and their music that are not going to be forgotten anytime soon. For me, Kono Toki, Kitto Yume Jyanai to this day remains my favorite SMAP song and I still listen to it frequently. It is one of those songs that I get strength from and I will always be grateful to SMAP for it.
I wish success for the members as they continue on with their solo careers and hope that they continue to bring the smiles and joy to people as they did as a group.
So thank you SMAP, for everything.
Monday, December 26, 2016
NEWS' EMMA
Since I have some free time with the holiday weekend I am going to try to catch up on things. On the top of the list is of course NEWS. They still remain my favorite Johnny's group and thankfully they are already set to release a new single in the coming year.
The single will be titled EMMA and will be released on February 8th, 2017. It will be the theme song for the Fuji TV drama series Kirawareru Yuki, which Kato Shigeaki will be appearing in. There will be three editions, two limited and the usual regular edition.
The limited edition A will come with the title track, the B-side Snow Dance and a DVD with the music video and making of feature.
The limited edition B will have the same two tracks as the LE A as well as Sakura Girl and I ZA NA I ZU KI.
The regular edition will have the title track, Snow Dance and a still untitled song included as well as the karaoke versions of all three songs.
CDJapan is selling all three versions as a bundle set. If you pre-order the single that way you will be insured that you will get the first press bonus that will come with each copy of the single, a clear folder. There are three different types that each come with a version of the single.
I pre-ordered my copies the moment I learned about the single, and even ordered my first piece of Yuri!!! on Ice merchandise while in the process. I am basically broke until I get paid next but I never want to risk not being able to get the limited editions of a NEWS single if I can help it.
Honestly I am really excited about the re-release of songs if they are indeed re-recorded. Though honestly it would be so awkward if they were not, but Johnny's is cheap so I will keep some reservations until I find reliable information to confirm if they are re-recordings.
But honestly re-recordings feel long overdue for NEWS. They have such a big back catalog of songs from the pre-4nin days and it is not like the current group has avoided performing those songs. And of course there is going to be differences with only four members to have lines. Especially a song like I NA KA I ZU KI which came out in NEWS' 8nin days. And Sakura Girl has special meaning for the group as it was revealed by Tegoshi Yuya that his father, who passed away in 2015, had told him that was his favorite song. So I see it being one that continues to be performed at concerts for some time to come.
Without the potential of re-recorded songs though I would be looking forward to this release as I am always happy for a new NEWS release. And I am glad to have something to look forward to already in 2017, outside of it no longer being 2016.
The single will be titled EMMA and will be released on February 8th, 2017. It will be the theme song for the Fuji TV drama series Kirawareru Yuki, which Kato Shigeaki will be appearing in. There will be three editions, two limited and the usual regular edition.
The limited edition A will come with the title track, the B-side Snow Dance and a DVD with the music video and making of feature.
The limited edition B will have the same two tracks as the LE A as well as Sakura Girl and I ZA NA I ZU KI.
The regular edition will have the title track, Snow Dance and a still untitled song included as well as the karaoke versions of all three songs.
CDJapan is selling all three versions as a bundle set. If you pre-order the single that way you will be insured that you will get the first press bonus that will come with each copy of the single, a clear folder. There are three different types that each come with a version of the single.
I pre-ordered my copies the moment I learned about the single, and even ordered my first piece of Yuri!!! on Ice merchandise while in the process. I am basically broke until I get paid next but I never want to risk not being able to get the limited editions of a NEWS single if I can help it.
Honestly I am really excited about the re-release of songs if they are indeed re-recorded. Though honestly it would be so awkward if they were not, but Johnny's is cheap so I will keep some reservations until I find reliable information to confirm if they are re-recordings.
But honestly re-recordings feel long overdue for NEWS. They have such a big back catalog of songs from the pre-4nin days and it is not like the current group has avoided performing those songs. And of course there is going to be differences with only four members to have lines. Especially a song like I NA KA I ZU KI which came out in NEWS' 8nin days. And Sakura Girl has special meaning for the group as it was revealed by Tegoshi Yuya that his father, who passed away in 2015, had told him that was his favorite song. So I see it being one that continues to be performed at concerts for some time to come.
Without the potential of re-recorded songs though I would be looking forward to this release as I am always happy for a new NEWS release. And I am glad to have something to look forward to already in 2017, outside of it no longer being 2016.
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