Music

Voice actor and singer Maaya Sakamoto launched her debut's 30th anniversary project "MAAYA’s BEST SONG~Tell us your most favorite Maaya Sakamoto song~" today on March 31, her 45th birthday.Sakamoto made her professional singer debut with "Yakusoku wa Iranai" (TV anime The Vision of Escaflowne opening theme) from Victor Entertainment on April 24, 1996, releasing 35 singles and 11 original full albums to date.In this project, fans will be able to vote for their favorite songs among all the songs Sakamoto has released under her own name (i.e., songs she has sung as a character will not be included). Votes will be accepted from both Japan and abroad.

Aya Hirano, best known as the voice of Haruhi in the Haruhi Suzumiya anime series, will release her first solo digital single in 11 years on May 10, 2025, titled “evolutions." The news was revealed during a livestream announcing the launch of the countdown for her debut's 20th anniversary project.Her official YouTube channel is now streaming a one-chorus preview video of the song.Aya Hirano "evolutions" One-Chorus Preview VideoHirano started solo singer activities with her debut single "Breakthrough" from Bandai Namco Music Live's Lantis label in March 2006, releasing 12 singles and three original albums to date. After the release of her last 12th single "Promise" in Japan in October 2013, she shifted her activities to musicals and other stage plays and was less active as a voice actor and solo singer."Evolutions” will release from the Lantis label, where Hirano began her music career as a solo artist in 2006.

The official YouTube channel for voice actor and singer Maaya Sakamoto began streaming a music video for her 36th CD single song "Drops," set to release in Japan on May 21. The electro tune is now featured as the opening theme for the spring 2025 TV anime Once Upon a Witch’s Death.Yasuyuki Yamaguchi, who previously worked on the music videos for Sakamoto's fourth single "Hasiru" in 1998 and 34th single "Dakishimete" in 2024, again served as director.

Japanese singer Hiroji Miyamoto (rock band Elephant Kashimashi vocalist) has released a music video for "over the top," the opening theme for the second cour of the TV anime TRILLION GAME. The song released digitally on January 10 as his first solo theme song work for a TV anime series.Hiroji Miyamoto "over the top" Music VideoTRILLION GAME Cour 2 Creditless Opening VideoMessage from Hiroji Miyamoto:The original manga TRILLION GAME had a tremendous impact on me. It is a man who believes in victory, who fights for victory.

The official X (formerly Twitter) for GeGeGe no Kitaro: My Favorite GeGeGe Generation, an upcoming TV program to air selected episodes from past GeGeGe no Kitaro TV anime series, announced that enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa will sing the ending theme song "Party of Monsters" for the program. The song will be released under the unit name "Hikawa Kiyoshi with t.komuro." J-pop artist and producer Tetsuya Komuro (TM Network, glove) serves as director by request from Hikawa. CD jacketThis is the third time Hikawa has performed a theme song for the GeGeGe no Kitaro anime series: First was the opening theme "GeGeGe no Kitaro" for the TV anime's sixth season in 2018-2020, followed by the third ending theme "Mienkeredomo Orundayo" for the same season."I am very happy to get the offer for the ending theme again this time," said Hikawa.

The official YouTube channel for Japanese idol and anisong singer Serena Kozuki is now streaming a music video for "Ie de Yeah! tte Agetai ga," the opening theme for the spring 2025 TV anime Kakushite! Makina-san!!

The official You Tube channel for voice actor Hinaki Yano is now streaming a music video for her fifth CD single song "Airigato-dayo" released in Japan on February 14. This video was produced as a tribute to the TV anime Medaka Kuroiwa Is Impervious to My Charms, where she was also cast as one of the main characters, Tomo Namba. She is the main heroine Mona Kawai's childhood best friend, and the video consists of scenes from the anime story that expresses her gratitude to Mona.

Chihaya Kisaragi (voiced by Asami Imai), one of the popular idols in THE iDOLM@STER franchise, streamed a live press conference on the franchise's official YouTube on March 25. She announced during the event that she will hold her solo live concert, titled "Oath ONE," at Nippon Budokan on January 24, 2026. Tickets will be available for pre-sale on the Asobi Tickets service from March 25 to April 20.This will be the first time in the 20-year history of THE iDOLM@STER that a live concert featuring only one idol will be held at the famous arena in Tokyo.Chihaya Kisaragi Press Conference"Oath ONE" key visual Title logoThe Budokan has been used by many well-known Japanese and international artists, including The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Cheap Trick, Deep Purple, Queen, Bon Jovi and The Rolling Stones.

The official YouTube channel for Arika, a unit consisting of voice actor and singer Yuko Natsuyoshi and guitarist and composer Yamato, has started streaming a special music video for "inclusion," the ending theme song for the TV anime Unnamed Memory season 2. The unit previously provided the anime's first season ending theme song "blan_." Natsuyoshi, who has voiced Sylvia, one of the main characters in the anime since its first season, also wrote the lyric of "inclusion."The clip is composed of footage from the anime story. Natsuyoshi wrote on her official X (formerly Twitter), "And..., Oh my goodness...

The official YouTube channel for the five-member Japanese a cappella vocal group The Gospellers is now streaming an anime music video for their latest single song "will be fine feat. Anly," which is now featured as the ending theme for the winter 2025 TV anime Ameku M.D.: Doctor Detective. The ballad features singer-songwriter Anly as a guest vocalist, delivering in six-person harmony with The Gospellers.The Gospellers "will be fine feat.

The official YouTube channel for voice actor and singer Nana Mizuki has started streaming a music video for "Hakudou" ("Pulse"), the lead track of her latest 15th album "CONTEMPORARY EMOTION" released in Japan on March 19. As previously reported, the song will be featured as the opening theme for the spring 2025 TV anime #COMPASS 2.0. This song was co-created by two well-known vocaloid song producers — Shota Horie and Giga.

The official YouTube channel for voice actor Yuma Uchida (Megumi Fushuguro in JUJUTSU KAISEN) has started streaming a music video for his 13th CD single song "Heartache." His first animation music video depicts a young boy dealing with his own struggles impressively, while linking to the lyrics occasionally. The song will be featured as the ending theme for the spring 2025 TV anime #COMPASS 2.0, in which he is also cast as one of the main characters, Jin. His next 12th CD single "Singularist" (TV anime Classic Stars opening theme) and 13th CD single will release simultaneously in Japan on April 2, 2025.

The official YouTube channel for singer-songwriter Masayoshi Oishi began streaming a special collaboration music video for his 14th CD single song "Shujinkou ni Narou! feat. Airi Suzuki." The song is featured as the opening theme for the winter 2025 TV anime Sorairo Utility.

Following Cure Idol's "Egao no Unison" and Cure Wink's "Mabataki no Gosenfu," the Precure franchise's official YouTube channel has started streaming a lyric video for "Kokoro Revolution," the debut song of Cure Kyun-Kyun (CV: Natsumi Takamori) in the ongoing 22nd Precure TV series, You and Idol Precure♪Cure Kyun-Kyun "Kokoro Revolution" Lyric VideoThe CD single including the three Precure girls' debut songs released in Japan on February 26, ranking #24 in Oricon's weekly single charts in its first week.First press limited edition CD jacketRegular edition CD jacketAccording to the preview below, Cure Kyun-Kyun will finally make her first appearance in the story in the upcoming next seventh episode to air in Japan on March 23.You and Idol Precure♪, the 22nd instalment of Toei Animation's long-running Precure anime franchise, premiered in Japan on February 2, 2025.

Right after the broadcast of the final 25th episode of the TV anime Orb: On the Movements of the Earth in Japan on March 16, Japanese rock band Sakanaction released a music video for the anime's opening theme song, “Kaiju” on their official YouTube channel.Yusuka Tanaka, who has worked on six previous music videos for the band, served as director again.

Voice actor Mamoru Miyano (Setsuna F. Seiei in MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM 00, Light Yagami in Death Note) successfully held his latest concert tou in Japan, "MAMORU MIYANO LIVE TOUR 2024-2025 ~DRESSING!~," in five locations from December 14, 2024 to January 26, 2025. His official website has announced that a new DVD and Blu-ray that includes his concert at LaLa arena TOKYO-BAY in Chiba Prefecture on the last day of the tour is set to release on June 4, 2025.

The official YouTube channel for Japanese singer AiNA THE END has started streaming a music video for her latest digital single song "Hana Muso" ("flower's full glory"). The magnificent ballad tune featuring a gentle and flowing piano melody and string sounds was newly written as the theme song for Mononoke the Movie: The Ashes of Rage, the second film in the animated trilogy that continues the stories of the Medicine Seller from the 2006 TV anime Mononoke, which opened in Japan yesterday. Her 20th digital single song "Love Sick" was also featured as the theme song for the first film, Mononoke the Movie: Phantom in the Rain, released on July 26, 2024.The music video was directed by Yoshiharu Seri, known for his MV works for male idol group King & Prince, Ae!

Recording Industry Association of Japan (RIAJ) announced the winners of the 39th Golden Disc Award today. The award was established in 1987 and is based on the sales of CDs, video products, and paid music distribution during the year.The winner of The Animation Album of the Year category was "Re: Kessoku Band," the first mini-album by Kessoku Band from the BOCCHI THE ROCK! anime franchise.

"TV Series Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World-Remake Album," a three-song mini-album featuring character songs covered by Konomi Suzuki, KIHOW (from MYTH & ROID) and Mayu Maeshima, who have sung theme songs for the Re:ZERO -Starting Life in Another World- anime series, released digitally on March 13. At the same time, lyric videos were posted on each singer's official YouTube channels.Konomi Suzuki covers "Anata no Shiranai Koto," the insert song for the anime's 48th episode, originally sung by Ram (CV: Rie Murakawa).

The official YouTube channel for Toei Animation's original anime project Girls Band Cry has started streaming a music video for "No one" ("Daremo" in Japan), a new song by real band Togenashi Togeari. The band is linked with the in-show band by the protagonists in the anime.The illustrator for the video is Nari Teshima, the character designer for the project. In a world where it is difficult to follow one's own will because of the stares of others, the main character, Nina, is depicted as she ventures out of her stagnant life, meets her band mates and adventures in the beautiful but harsh wilderness.Togenashi Togeari "No one" Music VideoDigital jacketThe TV anime Girls Band Cry aired for 13 episodes from April to June 2024.

Japanese singer-songwriter Dai Hirai has posted a music video for "Shiawase no Recipe" ("The Recipe of Happiness"), the ending theme song for for the ongoing The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 TV anime, on TOHO animation's official YouTube channel. The video depicts the relationship between the protagonist, Maomao, and the enigmatic and beautiful eunuch, Jinshi, from the latter's point of view, and is composed of scenes from the anime story that the two have spent time together.Dai Hirai "Shiawase no Recipe" Anime Music VideoThe Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Creditless Ending VideoAs Hirai's first theme song work for a TV anime series, "Shiawase no Recipe" released digitally on January 10, 2025, ranking #17 on Oricon's weekly digital single charts on its first week.Digital single jaketDai Hirai artist photoThe first season of the TV anime adaptation of The Apothecary Diaries aired for 24 episodes from October 2023 to March 2024.

Voice actor unit harmoe, consisting of Haruki Iwata (Towa Hanamai in D4DJ First Mix) and Moeka Koizumi (Shioriko Mifune in Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club), posted a memorial video to celebrate their debut's fourth anniversary day today on March 10.The song featured in the video is "HyperLoveSong," which was included in their second full album "radii" released in Japan on June 19, 2024. The video combines footage from their previous music videos and live concerts to look back on their history.harmoe was formed by Haruki Iwata and Moeka Koizumi and made their debut with their first single "Kimagure Tic-tac" on March 10, 2021.

The official YouTube channel for Lilas Ikuta began streaming a music video for her latest 13th digital single song "Hyakka Ryoran" ("Profusion of Hundred Flowers"), which is featured as the opening theme for the ongoing The Apothecary Diaries Season 2 TV anime.The music video was directed by internationally acclaimed photographer Mika Ninagawa, who has also collaborated on the song's digital jacket and CD packaging. She is known for her use of a large number of vivid flowers in her works. The video was shot during her current solo exhibition "NINAGAWA Mika with EiM：Lights of the beyond, Shadows of this world" and features images of flower gardens decorating all four sides of the venue.Lilas Ikuta "Hyakka Ryoran" Music VideoThe Apothecary Diaries Season 2 Creditless Opening Video"Hyakka Ryoran" released digitally on January 10, 2025, ranking second on Oricon's weekly digital single charts in its first week.

The official website for voice actor unit NACHERRY, a unit consisting of two voice actors from the Love Live! Nijigasaki High School Idol Club series — Natsumi Murakami (Ai Miyashita) and Chiemi Tanaka (Rina Tennoji) — has announced that their fourth CD single "Honey Lemon" is set to release on May 28, 2025. Prior to the CD release, the title tune will be available on digitally services on April 9.