AKB48 wins Grand Prize at the 53rd Nihon Record Taishou

AKB48 has won the Grand Prize at the 53rd Nihon Record Taishou (Japan Record Awards – equivalent to America’s Grammy Awards) on December 30th.

AKB48 is the brainchild of Yasushi Akimoto, the producer of the large female pop group Onyanko Club and the AKB48 franchise. Despite struggling CD sales in Japan, AKB48 has received significant sales over a million in 2011.

Fairies won “Newcomer of the Year”.

Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Sandaime J Soul Brothers takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (December 7, 2011)

It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?

Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:

AKB48′s Christmas 7-Eleven Commercials begin airing in Japan

Popular idol group AKB48 has done a several commercials for 7-Eleven and now their Christmas 7-Eleven commercials have begun airing in Japan to promote their Christmas cakes:

Ice (a J!-ENT Anime DVD Review)

From the producer known for creating the pop idol group AKB48, comes a 2007 post-apocalyptic anime OVA series about humanity’s near extinction.  Featuring the debut of a few of AKB48′s members as voice talents for an anime series, “ICE” is more of a popcorn action, Yuri anime series with a message.  If you’re not looking for anything to deep and more action-oriented, “ICE” may be for you!

Image courtesy of © Coicent, Five Numbers!. All Rights Reserved.

DVD TITLE: Ice

DURATION: 100 Minutes

DVD INFORMATION: 4:3 Full Screen, English and Japanese 2.0

COMPANY: Showgate/Sentai Filmworks

RATED: TV 14V

Release Date: November 15, 2011

Directed by Makoto Kobayashi

Screenplay by Makoto Kobayashi, Yasushi Hirano

Music by IL WON

Original Creator Yasushi Akimoto

Character Design: Masaya Onishi

Produced by Hiroaki Inoue

Theme song by AKB48

Anime Production by PPM

Featuring the following voice talent:

Erena Ono/Serena Varghese as Yuki

Junko Minagawa/Emily Neves as Hitomi Landsknecht

Akira Ishida as Giulia

Eri Kitamura/Elizabeth Bunch as Mint

Haruna Ikezawa/Stephanie Wittels as Hitomi

Kurumi Mamiya/Brittney Karbowski as Satsuki

Natsuki Sato/Shelley Calene-Black as Murasaki

Tomomi Kasai/Maggie Flecknoe as Aoi

Yoshino Ohtori/Melissa Davis as Kisaragi

Yu Imai/Carlee Gabrisch as Usuha

Yuko Oshima/Luci Christian as Rinne

Some strange virus, whether planned or accidental, has wiped out most of the population. The survivors? Beautiful women. Faced with the possible extinction of their entire race, some of these new Amazons have decided to live out their final days in the pursuit only of fleshly pleasures. Others choose to use their beauty, their might, and their minds to fight back and reclaim the planet once more.

In 2007, Japanese writer, TV and record producer and lyricist Yasushi Akimoto (creator of “Nurse Angel Ririka SOS”, “Azuki-chan”, “6 Angels” but best known for creating the Japanese idol groups Onyanko Club and AKB48) created the anime three-episode OVA series “ICE”.

Directed by Makoto Kobayashi (known for his work on “Last Exile”, “Mobile Suit Gundam XX”, “Samurai 7″), the anime OAV series was highly anticipated by AKB48 fans because it would feature the voice acting debut of members Tomomi Kasai, Natsuki Sato, Yuko Oshima, Yu Imai and Erena Ono as voice talent for the series.

“ICE” begins with a a woman named Hitomi in  Tokyo 2983.  Her brother wonders if she is fooling around with other men but for Hitomi, one day while going to work, she is hit by a truck and looks as if she is dying.

The story then fast forwards to a Japan 2010 in which something catastrophic happens on Earth in which all males and even some women have died.  Only small groups of women have survived and know that humanity can go extinct.

So these remaining women who blame the extinction of humanity towards human tampering of human nature via genetic engineering and biological warfare have a disdain towards men for their arrogance towards nature for creating the catastrophe.

But since all men are now extinct, the surviving women fight against other threats that have attacked the world and it is debatable by various women if they are the last surviving humans on the planet or they should look towards biological engineering as a final hope for humanity.

The head of the Kisaragi family believe that it is the fate of humanity to die.  She is also a product of genetic experimentation as she is hybrid human and jellyfish.  Meanwhile, opposing Kisaragi is Julia, the Commander of the Guardswomen who uses the ICE Project (a weapon that may be hope for the future) for her benefits.

But life changes when Kisaragi’s daughter, Yuki attempts to get closer with Hitomi Landsknecht, the Captain of the Guardswomen for some unknown reason.

And while Hitomi and Yuki spend time together, we see how the women opposing monsters that are on the planet are not faring to well and the extinction of all humanity seems to be coming true.

VIDEO, AUDIO AND SUBTITLES:

“ICE” is presented in 4:3, English and Japanese 2.0 with English subtitles.

I enjoyed the 3D renderings of “ICE”, especially the mechanical design.    It was actually not too much of a surprise seeing Makoto Kobayashi, who worked primarily as a mecha art designer taking the helm as director of the OVA series.

For the most part, the scenery is well-rendered, while character designs were good, it was the CG-art backgrounds that probably stood out more, as they are the most detailed of the series.  Especially the vehicles.  The TV series was something I expected more from a TV series rather than an OVA.   But considering this is PPM’s first major animation production (after their 2005 OVA “Prayers”), everything looked fine.  But you tend to expect a bit more from an OVA series.

SPECIAL FEATURES:

The following special features for “ICE” are included:

• Character Setting Pictures - (3:11) Featuring the  sketches for the characters of “ICE”.
  
• Monster Setting Pictures - (1:02) Featuring the sketches for birds and monsters of “ICE”.
  
• Accessory & Mecha Setting Pictures  – (1:51) Featuring the concept sketches for weapons, computers and accessories for “ICE”.
  
• Art & Background Setting Pictures  – (2:01) Featuring the concept sketches for the scenery and locations for “ICE”.

“ICE” is an interesting anime OVA series.

I use the word interesting because it is an apocalyptic tale of how all men are now extinct and surviving women are either fighting each other, fighting monsters that they look to have no chance against and also a message by creator Yasushi Akimoto towards genetic engineering.

Obviously, Yasushi Akimoto had a message to viewers of how he feels about today’s genetic engineering and how it may lead to the demise of humanity as it goes against nature.  Also, to add his feelings about war and humanity creating biological weapons would also add to the demise of humanity.   So, for me “ICE” felt it was a storyline built around those two topics.

In essence, we get a series featuring the surviving humans of the planet, all men are extinct and women also died during the mysterious catastrophe.  The series is violent, bleak and for the most part, a series that felt it was devoid of any hope as humanity looks like it was going the way of the dinosaurs…to extinction.

So, fans of apocalyptic storylines, especially action-based anime series may find “ICE” to be appealing.  Because its more or less a popcorn action film that tries to tie-in a message but also an OVA series which felt that it was also a series to promote Akimoto’s idol group AKB48.

Bare in mind, this series came out in 2007, a few years before AKB48 would become the media pop culture phenomenon as they are today.

Back in 2007, they were promoted as a theatrical/musical group in Akihabara and the anime OVA series provided a unique vehicle to promote Akimoto’s message but also promote the group and a few members of the group by giving a few of the members an opportunity to have their debut as voice talents.

While I do believe that “ICE” may have done a bit better in Japan if this OAV series was released a few years later (when AKB48 would be a dominating group and media powerhouse as they are today), the OAV series was not exactly well-received in Japan back in 2007. Primarily because the anime series used non-professional voice talent for key roles, ala the AKB48 members, which many viewers of the series criticized as bad acting.

But fast forward to 2011, AKB48 is not only a media and J-Pop powerhouse in Japan but are well-known around the world.  Would the release of Yasushi Akimoto’s “ICE” make a difference to anime fans today?

Well, Sentai Filmworks didn’t promote the AKB48 connection, so only diehard fans would know.  But what hurt the Japanese version of the anime series, it was something that Sentai Filmworks could capitalize on and that was to hire talented voice actors for the English dub.

The good news is that the English dub does a much better version than its Japanese counterpart in some aspects, while the Japanese version was able to capitalize on the more emotional moments of the series.  If anything, the only questionable part was the casting of Chris Patton for Julia.  It made you feel that there was a man still alive, while Julia is supposed to be a woman.  So, I admit to being confused about that casting decision.

The anime series is Yuri-themed ( Japanese term for love between women) as one would expect from a tale about only women surviving, thus women being together.  Although the series is rated TV 14V, some scenes may seem a bit mature for some viewers, especially during the more implied sexual moments throughout the OVA series.

While “ICE” was rather interesting in storyline, the series became more of a futile storyline if humans can survive extinction through biological engineering.  As the character Kisaragi was created by mixing humans and a jellyfish, it’s better to have something rather than nothing in order for humanity to continue living.

It’s a rather ambitious tale but its primarily dominated through its action and I would call this anime series more popcorn action than a deep sci-fi, post-apocalyptic tale, which I was hoping the series would turn out to be.

Overall, “ICE” is a rather ambitious anime OVA series by Yasushi Akimoto and as intriguing as his message was, it made me wonder if the anime series was more geared to promote the members of AKB48 internationally through an anime OVA series.  Because among the past anime related works by Akimoto, this one was OK, not great.

If you are looking for an all-action anime series with the cast primarily all women and a storyline that deals with an post-apocalyptic storyline, then “ICE” is for you!

Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, Persona 4 takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (10.26.11)

It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?

Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:

AKB48 welcomes Indonesia’s JKT48

Japanese pop group AKB48 has become a story of success, but why not spread the love of building that success in other countries.

Yasushi Akimoto, the person who created AKB48 has seen the success from his side groups SKE48 (Nagoya), NMB48 (Osaka), HKT48 (Fukuoka) and SDN48, but now Akimoto has eyes on building his success in other countries.  Welcome to JKT48, the first overseas unit that Akimoto has created, this time in Jakarta, Indonesia.

The first 16 members known as “TEAM J” will be announced in November and next summer, expect to see a new unit in Taiwan.

AKB48′s Minami Menegishi promotes Kaspersky Multi-Platform Security 2012

Sankei Sports recently covered a Kaspersky Lab Information System PR event in which AKB48 idol Minami Minegishi promoted the company’s Japanese release of “Kaspersky Multi-Platform Security 2012), a security and anti-virus software for Windows and MAC OS as well as smart phones.

Minegishi said in a statement “I want to use the Internet with confidence by using this software”.

Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, YUKI takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (08.11.11)

It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?

Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:

NEW PEOPLE ENTERTAINMENT LICENSES THE JAPANESE POP MUSIC BIO FILM DOCUMENTARY OF AKB48 – TO BE CONTINUED

New Film Follows The Rise To International Fame Of Japan’s Most Popular  Pop Idol Group And Will Have Exclusive U.S. Premiere August 28th At The 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival
In San Francisco

San Francisco, CA – August 15, 2011 – NEW PEOPLE Entertainment, a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. that focuses on the licensing and distribution of Japanese films and media, has announced that it has licensed the film, DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued, in the U.S. and Canada. The film follows the unstoppable all-female Japanese idol group, AKB48, and offering an insightful glimpse into the challenges that the group’s members have faced during their rise to international stardom. A trailer is available to view at: www.newpeopleent.com/AKB48

The U.S. premiere of DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued will take place on Sunday, August 28th at 1:00pm at NEW PEOPLE’s cinema as part of the 2011 J-Pop Summit Festival. Tickets to the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 are $12 and on sale now at www.newpeopleworld.com/films.

The annual J-Pop Summit, held in San Francisco’s Japantown, celebrates Japanese pop culture and is highlighted by a variety of film screenings, panel discussions, DJ dance parties, fashion shows, and live performances from several notable Guest of Honor artists. More information on J-Pop Summit Festival is available at www.J-Pop.com.

AKB48 was conceived in 2005 by Yasushi Akimoto, one of Japan’s most respected music producers. Starting as a small all-girl singing group based in the Akihabara district of Tokyo – the city’s bustling electronics and anime/pop culture shopping Mecca – AKB48 has grown to 60 members and topped Japan’s Oricon music charts with the two best-selling pop singles in 2010 as well as another two singles ranking in the Top 10.

“Pop culture and J-Pop music fans will delight in the news of our licensing of the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 and we invite them to attend the special North American premiere at NEW PEOPLE during the upcoming J-Pop Summit,” says Seiji Horibuchi, President and CEO of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. “AKB48 has become massively popular in Japan and also enjoys a fast-growing U.S. fan base. This is a group unlike any other in pop music and we hope more people will discover AKB48 through this film. Stay tuned for more news coming soon on the release of the DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 on DVD!”

With a complicated balance of competition and friendship among its members, the group’s bond is extremely strong. DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 – To Be Continued traces AKB48’s history with scenes from concerts and rehearsals, member general elections, and fan activities both in Japan and abroad. The film also includes personal interviews with select members that reveal each of the girls’ personal struggles, joys, path to growth, and dreams.

One unique aspect of AKB48 is that the group is divided into “Teams.” When AKB48 debuted in 2005, originally there were only 24 girls. Now there are 16 girls each on Team A, Team K, and Team B, who are the core members of the group. In addition, there are trainees who are aspiring members. Members total to around 60 girls as some graduate and some new members come in. In the recent years AKB48 has begun holding elections to determine the members who will participate in the recording of upcoming singles. Fans vote for their favorites and the girl ranked Number 1 performs at the center of the group.

About NEW PEOPLE, Inc.
Based in San Francisco, California, NEW PEOPLE, Inc. (www.newpeopleworld.com) offers the latest films, art, fashion and retail brands from Japan through its unique entertainment destination as well as through licensing and distribution of selective Japanese films. NEW PEOPLE Entertainment (www.newpeopleent.com), a film division of NEW PEOPLE, Inc. strives to offer the most entertaining motion pictures straight from the “Kingdom of Pop” for audiences of all ages, especially the manga and anime generation, in North America. Some titles include DEATH NOTE, GANTZ, KAMIKAZE GIRLS, and THE TASTE OF TEA.

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Oricon Music Charts (Top 10 CD Single and Album Daily Charts in Japan): Kanjani8 takes the #1 spot on the Singles Charts, AKB48 takes the #1 spot on the Album Charts (06.08.11)

It’s new release Wednesday! Which artist or band took the #1 spot for Japan’s Oricon CD Single Daily Charts and Oricon Album Daily Charts?

Buy the #1 CD Single & Album from CDJAPAN or YesAsia.com:

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