MISIA to perform at Washington DC’s National Cherry Blossom Festival as Cool Japan Messenger

MISIA to perform at the opening ceremony of National Cherry Blossom Festival as Cool Japan Messenger

Nominated by the Government of Japan, Japanese recording artist MISIA has been invited to the ceremony to perform a live concert on March 25th (for Washington D.C.’s National Cherry Blossom Festival) to send Japan’s appreciation for the support the nation has received for the recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake.

This year is a remarkable celebration year, marking the 100th anniversary of Japan’s gift of cherry blossom trees to the United States. In commemoration of this anniversary, Government of Japan will showcase Japanese-style design and culture events under ‘Cool Japan’, and this initiative will also serve as the creative engine for the nation’s recovery from the Great East Japan Earthquake, to rebuild and revitalize the whole nation.  The Japanese government is also promoting this campaign in various countries around the world under the “JAPAN NEXT (to the Next New Japan)” message, which embodies the nation’s determination to overcome its current challenges and rise above adversity. MISIA, named as Cool Japan Messenger by the Government of Japan, will express Japan’s appreciation for the support received from abroad following the devastation from the Great East Japan Earthquake through her live performance and speech.

Message from MISIA
Cherry Blossom, we Japanese love and get power from it. In Japan, there is a long tradition of nature worship, and a belief that cherry blossom can have our souls and spirits. I’m deeply touched by that these cherry blossom trees in Washington DC became the symbol of friendly Japan-U.S. relations. And I’m highly honored that I have the chance to sing at this memorial ceremony.
This year is the 100th anniversary year of Japan’s gift of cherry blossom, and it also has a special meaning for us. Commemorating one year since Great East Japan Earthquake, we strongly hope for Japan’s reconstruction and revitalization.
I’d like to sing with our love of cherry blossom, hope for reconstruction, love of Japan, and our heartfelt appreciation for your support from all over the world.

MISIA Profile
ž   MISIA, Japan’s most popular female R&B recording artist, inspired by American R&B music, thrills audiences worldwide with her powerful five-octave range. A native of Nagasaki, Japan, she has earned world-wide acclaim, entertaining millions and selling over 30 million CDs. She debuted in 1998 and all ten of her studio albums to date have cracked the top 10, and she is one of the most successful touring artists in the new millennium, and the first female artist to play all five of Japan’s largest stadiums.
ž   MISIA has not only used her talents in the music scene. Since 2005, she has been participating in the Japanese campaign of G-CAP (Global Call to Action Against Poverty). During TICAD IV (The Fourth Tokyo International Conference on African Development) in 2008, MISIA held a live show titled “Africa Benefit Live Yokohama” aiming to develop awareness of African and global issues. She joined Bono of U2 and Youssou N’Dour in an event to advocate the eradication of poverty.
ž   In 2008, working hand-in-hand with UN organizations and local non-governmental organizations, MISIA successfully launched her “Child Africa” project to improve the educational environment of children in developing countries. She has been focusing on social action from a global point of view.
ž   Having devoted much of her music career to philanthropic work, MISIA started the charity project Child AFRICA in 2008 and was named an Honorary Ambassador for the tenth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (COP10) which was held in Aichi, Japan in 2010. For the FIFA World Cup 2010 in South Africa, MISIA recorded the song “MAWARE MAWARE” and performed it before the Japan vs. Cameroon game. She also wrote the song “LIFE IN HARMONY,” which eventually got recognized as the theme song for COP10. This song was produced by world-renowned music producer David Foster.
ž   After the Great East Japan Earthquake in 2011, MISIA tirelessly promoted the campaign “HOPE FOR JAPAN,” raising money to support the emergency relief and recovery activities. MISIA released a message song titled “Ashitae (TOMMORROW)” and part of the sales was used to support the people in disaster-stricken areas through the campaign.
ž   At the request of the Government of Japan she performs at the Opening Ceremony to express the gratitude of the Japanese people for the support provided from the United States.

MISIA U.S. album releases
MISIA’s latest albums are now also available in the U.S. to coincide with the government’s Cool Japan campaign.  A cover album embodying Michael Jackson, Stevie Wonder hits (album ‘Forest Covers”) and her latest studio recording album embodying her worldwide debut track “Maware Maware” (featured on ‘2010 FIFA Worldcup official album) as well as COP10 official song “LIFE IN HARMONY” (produced by David Foster) (album ‘Soul Quest’) will surely blow away American people’s musical minds with her one-and-only Japanese soulful music.

Available in U.S. on iTunes and Amazon.com:
+ “MISIA no Mori -Forest Covers-“ (album)
+ “SOUL QUEST” (10th album)
+ “JUST BALLADE” (9th album)

FLOW to release new album “BLACK & WHITE”, appearing at Anime Matsuri 2012

Following the smash-hit anime tie-in compilation album “FLOW ANIME BEST”,

FLOW will be digitally releasing their new album “BLACK&WHITE” through iTunes and Amazon, celebrating their 10th anniversary!

Actively performing internationally from the US, Singapore, to Korea, FLOW will appear at the largest anime convention in France this summer.

Next month in April, FLOW will also return to the US once again for a performance at Anime Matsuri 2012 held near Huston.

<New Album “BLACK&WHITE”>
Available on March 13, 2012 via iTunes & Amazon

[Tracklist]
1. Hey!!!  ( Opening theme song to Anime BEELZEBUB)
2. Rock Climber
3. Kakumei
4. Konosaihakkirisasetokouka!
5. Kanjyou kousinkyoku
6. Chelsea girl
7. Ohayou Japonica
8. BLACK & WHITE
9. Tabidachi Graffiti
10. Hikari
11. ON THE LINE

Album “FLOW ANIME BEST” is also available on iTunes and Amazon!
Including theme songs from NARUTO, Eureka Seven, Code Geass, etc.

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

FLOW’s US Live Information

<Anime Matsuri 2012>
April 6-8, 2012
THE WOODLANDS, TX
The Woodlands Waterway Marriot Hotel & Convention Canter

http://animematsuri.com/

・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・・

[PROFILE]
Originally formed in 1993 by TAKE and his older brother/vocalist KOHSHI, the band was named FLOW in ’98 and evolved into its current line-up in 2000, after bassist GOT’S, another vocalist KEIGO and drummer IWASAKI joined the siblings.

They released an indie debut album a decade ago in 2001, and since then the 5-piece band’s fast ascent to the top of the mainstream J-Pop scene has been virtually unstoppable.

In 2003, they dropped their last indie single “Okuru Kotoba”, a New Found Glory-style, punk rock cover of a well-known Japanese tune from the 70s, and sold 270,000 units.

That same year, they signed with Ki/oon Records and followed up the single’s success with their first major release SPLASH!!!, which dashingly reached number two on the Oricon chart.

By the spring of the next year, FLOW has become a household name with at least 7 of their records picked up to be theme songs for commercials and TV shows.

Then, in April 2004, “GO!!!” became the opening song for Naruto – an anime series that was already massively popular in Japan.

Needless to say the song became an instant hit and the first of many anime theme songs that FLOW would come to create.

The May 10, 2011, U.S. released FLOW ANIME BEST includes 10 of these anime theme songs that have been released between 2004 and 2009.

With the now legendary “GO!!!” and continues to showcase FLOW’s exciting contributions to the anime world throughout.

The band’s West Coast punk-inspired signature sound fills the tracks like “Re:member”, another opener from Naruto, and “CALLING”, the ending song from a new series HEROMAN (U.S. air schedule pending); while some songs, such as “DAYS”, a mid-tempo number with the dramatic strings, introduce a fresher side of their sonic offerings.

Their lyrics are often uplifting and empowering, and complement the anime stories, as exemplified by “COLORS”, the opening for Code Geass: Lelouch of the Rebellion. 2011, made appearances at anime conventions FanimeCon (San Jose) and Anime Central (Chicago) in the U.S., both in May. Again in 2012,  they are ready to rock on the international arena for their growing fan base throughout the world!
With the genesis of the band’s true success story is only now unfolding!

FLOW are:
KOHSHI (Vocals)
KEIGO (Vocals)
TAKE (Guitar)
GOT’S (Bass)
IWASAKI (Drums)

www.FLOW.mu

STEREOPONY announces West Coast mini tour after Sakura-Con

STEREOPONY confirms additional US tour dates!
Performances in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Santa Ana

4/10 (Tue): San Francisco – Slim’s
www.slims-sf.com
4/11 (Wed): Hollywood-Los Angeles – Key Club
www.keyclub.com
4/12 (Thu): Santa Ana – YOST Theater
www.yosttheater.com

*Ticket sale starts on Saturday, March 3rd

In addition to the above three shows, STEREOPONY will do an in-store show at Amoeba San Francisco on 4/9 (from 6pm)
www.amoeba.com

■Stereopony official HP:
www.stereopony.com
www.myspace.com/stereopony

■Sakura-Con Information
STEREOPONY were chosen as the Guest of Honor for Sakura-Con, held in Seattle, Washington

Date: April 6th – April 8th
Place: Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Downtown Seattle, Washington
Website: http://www.sakuracon.org

■Biography
STEREOPONY is a Japanese all-girl rock band that formed in Okinawa in 2007 and will be attending their first Sakura-Con. Consisting of AIMI (Vocal/Guitar), NOHANA (Bass), and SHIHO (Drums) the band gained their first opportunity on the Japanese rock radio program “SCHOOL OF LOCK!”

STEROPONY should be well known to many anime fans as the artists behind several notable anime themes. Their debut single “Hitohira No Hanabira” was the 17th ending theme for the famous anime series “BLEACH”; released on November 5, 2008 and ranked #25 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Their 2nd single “Namida No Muko” was the second opening theme for the second season of the Sunrise series “Mobile Suit Gundam 00”; and achieved #2 in the Oricon charts.

STEREOPONY has toured internationally and experienced great success in the Oricon charts. In March 2009, the girls performed in SXSW 2009, and received a thunderous ovation.
Their 3rd single “I do it” is a collaboration with fellow Sony Music Entertainment Japan singer YUI, was released on April 22, 2009. Their debut studio album “A hydrangea blooms” was released on June 17, 2009 and ranked #7 on the Oricon weekly charts. STEROPONY’s 5th single “TSUKIAKARI NO MICHISHIRUBE”, also released with a tie-in with the second season of hit anime series “Darker than Black” which ranked #8 on Oricon. After releasing 2 singles, in June 2010, the girls released their much anticipated 2nd studio album “OVER THE BORDER”.

“Chiisana Mahou”, the opening theme of anime series “Letter Bee REVERSE” was released on December 8th. STEREOPONY collaborated with the band Kariyushi58 to produce the single “Tatoeba Utaenakunattara” released on August 10, 2011. The band’s 10th single, “Arigatō”, was released on September 28, 2011. The music video for “Arigatō”, released on September 1, 2011, features film actor Abe Hiroshi; he is also on the cover of the version B release of the single.

Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five) to release her 30th anniversary album on Feb 17, 2012

Maki Nomiya (ex-Pizzicato Five) to release self-cover album to celebrate her 30th anniversary,
produced by Japan’s top producers!

Celebrating her 30th anniversary, Maki Nomiya will be releasing her self-cover album including songs from Pizzicato Five, Portable Rock, and her solo career, added with a brand new song “The Me Whom I Don’t Know” produced by Towa Tei. Other producers in the album features various prominent artists including Cornelius, Yukihiro Takahashi (YMO), MIYAVI, and many more.

This album “30 ~Greatest Self Covers & More!!!~” will be available worldwide through iTunes and Amazon on February 17, 2012.

<Maki Nomiya Profile>
Debuted in 1981 with album “Pink Heart.”
She became the key figure in the 80s New Wave scene.
Joined Pizzicato Five in the 90s and became wildly popular both domestically and internationally as an icon of the “Shibuya-kei” culture.
She continues to contribute her entirely unique presence and voice in various fields such as music, art, culture and fashion.

Official Website: http://www.missmakinomiya.com/
30th Official Website: http://www.nomiyamaki.com/
Official Blog: http://fatale.honeyee.com/blog/mnomiya/

Maki Nomiya
30 ~Greatest Self Cover & More!!!~
February 17 (Fri) release via iTunes and Amazon

<Tracklist>
1. History of Miss.Maki/ Produced by REKISHI
2. The Night Is Still Young / Produced by DJ FUMIYA (RIP SLYME)
3. The Me Whom I Don’t Know / Produced by TOWA TEI
4. Baby Portable Rock / Produced by HYADAIN
5. Superstar / Produced by MIYAVI
6. Sweet Soul Revue / Produced by DAISHI DANCE
7. Magic Carpet Ride / Produced by CORNELIUS
8. Twiggy Twiggy / Produced by □□□ (Kuchiroro)
9. They All Laughed / Produced by Yukihiro Takahashi
10. Me And A Rabbit / Produced by Keiichi Suzuki & Keiichi Sokabe
11. Triste / Produced by ohashiTrio
12. A Message Song / Produced by Hideki Kaji
13. On The Sunny Side Of The Street / Produced by YOUR SONG IS GOOD
14. Ambition Of Miss.Maki / Produced by Rekishi
-Bonus Track-
15. Sweet Renaissance / Performed by Portable Rock
*Countries available in: USA, Canada, UK, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria, Italy, Spain, Finland, Sweden, Russia, Netherlands, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Columbia, Peru

<Comments from Maki Nomiya>

“Beautiful Songs”

I’m really happy that this year, 2012, marks the 30th anniversary of my debut.
Persistence pays off, and I received a very special gift commemorating the occasion–the upcoming 30th anniversary album “30”.

On this album, I sang songs from my debut album “Pink Heart” as well as Pizzicato Five tunes, and also a brand-new track. They are new, creative arrangements of songs I have sung over the years. Many of the artists who contributed I worked with for the first time, and the recording was a truly refreshing experience. My sincerest appreciation goes to all the artists who created the new brilliant arrangements.

And I re-realized that the songs I have been singing were very beautiful. Beautiful songs never fade no matter how many years pass, and never lose their shine regardless of the craftsman.
I am so fortunate to be able to sing these special songs again. It’s like the “Me then” came to visit the “Me now,” and it was a remarkable and emotional experience.

I hope this album reaches each and every one of your hearts.

Maki Nomiya

DANNY CHOO’S CULTURE JAPAN SESAON 2 JUMPS ON CRUNCHYROLL

Japanese culture aficionado Danny Choo brings the second season of his hit show Culture Japan to Crunchyroll today

San Francisco, Calif. (February 13, 2012) – In CULTURE JAPAN’s first season, Danny Choo brought fans around the world closer than they have ever been to the intricacies of Japanese anime and culture.  Now he’s back for a second season which will be available on Crunchyroll today at noon PST to all premium users outside of Japan. Free users will be able to watch the first four (4) episodes today and every week henceforth until the series’ completion.  More information can be found on www.crunchyroll.com. Additionally, more information about CULTURE JAPAN can be found on http://culturejapan.tv and http://culturejapan.jp.

Creator and host, Danny Choo said, “This is truly an exciting moment for me, as I hope that season two (2) will not only eclipse what we did in the previous season, but also showcase the diversity, complexity, and heart of the Japanese people and their amazing culture.”

CULTURE JAPAN is the TV show that brings Japanese Pop Culture to the world. The show is broadcast on Tokyo MX TV in Japan, North America and Asia. Due to popular demand from around the world, Culture Japan is now filming season 3 due to be broadcast later this year.

Culture Japan is directed and presented by Danny Choo as he visits anime studios such as JC STAFF, tours the Otaku district of Osaka and also covers the more traditional Japan too. Danny also visits the Tohoku region which was the most heavily affected by the 2011.03 earthquake.

More about Danny Choo can be found on http://dannychoo.com/profile

Episodes can be accessed from Crunchyroll.com, the free iPad and iPhone application, the Android application, Roku, Boxee, Vizio VIA, WD TV Live and additional set-top channels, and affiliate partners.

Crunchyroll premium members will have access to the largest anime and drama selection, same-day access for simulcasted titles, no advertisements and can be viewed in 480p-to-720p quality on selected titles. More information about the Crunchyroll membership plan can be found at: http://www.crunchyroll.com/freetrial/

About Crunchyroll, Inc.

Crunchyroll is a leading global video network and developer of social media applications for Japanese anime and Asian media. Through applications like Crunchyroll for iPhone, iPad, Android, TV set-top boxes, affiliate websites and its own streaming website, Crunchyroll delivers officially-licensed content from leading Asian media producers directly to consumers.

Crunchyroll has offices in San Francisco, Calif. and Tokyo, Japan, and is a member of the Association of Japanese Animations (AJA) and Licensing International Merchandisers’ Association (LIMA). Founded in 2006, Crunchyroll is funded by leading venture capital firm, Venrock, Japanese entertainment giant TV TOKYO, digital publishing leader Bitway and a group of angel investors representing some of the brightest and most successful entrepreneurs in Silicon Valley. More information can be found at http://www.crunchyroll.com.

STEREOPONY returning to the US for a performance at Sakura-con in Seattle

For the fourth consecutive year, all-girl rock band STEREOPONY is once again coming back to the U.S. after their remarkable performances at SXSW (2009), AnimeNEXT (2010), and Anime Boston (2011).

This year, the girls were chosen as the Guest of Honor for Sakura-Con, the largest Anime convention in the Northwest, held at the Washington State Convention and Trade Center in Downtown Seattle, Washington on April 6-8.

STEREOPONY is a Japanese all-girl rock band that formed in Okinawa in 2007 and will be attending their first Sakura-Con. Consisting of AIMI (Vocal/Guitar), NOHANA (Bass), and SHIHO (Drums) the band gained their first opportunity on the Japanese rock radio program “SCHOOL OF LOCK!”

STEROPONY should be well known to many anime fans as the artists behind several notable anime themes. Their debut single “Hitohira No Hanabira” was the 17th ending theme for the famous anime series “BLEACH”; released on November 5, 2008 and ranked #25 on the Oricon Weekly Charts. Their 2nd single “Namida No Muko” was the second opening theme for the second season of the Sunrise series “Mobile Suit Gundam 00”; and achieved #2 in the Oricon charts.

STEREOPONY has toured internationally and experienced great success in the Oricon charts. In March 2009, the girls performed in SXSW 2009, and received a thunderous ovation.
Their 3rd single “I do it” is a collaboration with fellow Sony Music Entertainment Japan singer YUI, was released on April 22, 2009. Their debut studio album “A hydrangea blooms” was released on June 17, 2009 and ranked #7 on the Oricon weekly charts. STEROPONY’s 5th single “TSUKIAKARI NO MICHISHIRUBE”, also released with a tie-in with the second season of hit anime series “Darker than Black” which ranked #8 on Oricon. After releasing 2 singles, in June 2010, the girls released their much anticipated 2nd studio album “OVER THE BORDER”.

“Chiisana Mahou”, the opening theme of anime series “Letter Bee REVERSE” was released on December 8th.  STEREOPONY collaborated with the band Kariyushi58 to produce the single “Tatoeba Utaenakunattara” released on August 10, 2011. The band’s 10th single, “Arigatō”, was released on September 28, 2011. The music video for “Arigatō”, released on September 1, 2011, features film actor Abe Hiroshi; he is also on the cover of the version B release of the single.

www.stereopony.com
www.myspace.com/stereopony

TOTALFAT to release new opening theme song to NARUTO Shonen-hen on 2/14

TOTALFAT’s new song “Good Bye, Good Luck” has been featured as the new opening theme to the smash-hit animation series NARUTO Shonen-hen.
This single will be digitally released in the US on February 14 through iTunes and Amazon.

TOTALFAT has just released “Place to Try”(ending theme song to NARUTO Shippuden) on November 9, 2011 in the US, and on February 14, 2012, they will be releasing their new song “Good Bye, Good Luck”(opening theme song to NARUTO Shonen-hen), a graduation song about starting a new journey.

This single also includes song “Place to Try -Featuring Atsushi Suemitsu Version-“, a ballad arrangement version from their previous release.

Both songs ““Good Bye, Good Luck”, and the newly arranged “Place to Try -Featuring Atsushi Suemitsu Version-“ will best describe and match for Japan’s graduation season in spring.

TOTALFAT performed 7 times as the opening act for THE OFFSPRING’s “Rise And Fall, Rage And Grace” JAPAN TOUR, and the band has also played with many overseas artists including Good Charlotte. With their amazing career, they have been appearing in various music festivals attracting enormous numbers of crowds.

[RELEASE INFO]

Title: Good Bye, Good Luck (NARUTO Shonen-hen opening theme)
Feb.14, 2012 Release via iTunes and Amazon

1.Good Bye, Good Luck
2.Attack Or Die
3.Place to Try -Featuring Atsushi Suemitsu Version-
4.Good Bye, Good Luck -NARUTO Opening Version-
5.Good Bye, Good Luck -Instrumental-

Title: Place to Try (NARUTO Shippuden ending theme)
NOW AVAILABLE at iTunes and Amazon
US iTunes link:

http://itunes.apple.com/us/album/place-to-try/id482395955?i=482395958&ign-mpt=uo%3D4

US Amazon link:

http://www.amazon.com/Place-to-Try-EP/dp/B006H3FX74/ref=sr_shvl_album_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1326710579&sr=301-1

* Watch Naruto Shippuden, now on VIZAnime.com, VIZ Media’s own website for free anime, as well as on the streaming content provider HULU
www.vizanime.com
www.hulu.com

[PROFILE]
4 piece band with a spectacular live performance power, collecting much attention for being noted as the “Next Hero” in the Japanese Rock Scene!
High school friends, Shun (Vo / Ba) and Bunta (Dr) went to see The Offspring’s “Americana Japan Tour 99” together, and they were completely knocked out by their great stage performance and presented entertainment.

On the way home, they were determined to form a band together and thus created TOTALFAT.
Since then, they’ve performed over 1,000 shows, and in 2008, they opened 7 shows for the Offspring’s “Rise and Fall, Rage and Grace” JAPAN TOUR.
The band has performed with many other overseas artists including Good Charlotte.
With their strong performing talent that was built through their experiences, they’ve been attracting tremendous amount of audiences in various festivals.

They have a west coast melodic punk sound as their roots, but the music that they produce is beyond its genre.
Their music is filled with exhilaration of rock, speed, power, emotional impulse, and melodies.
TOTALFAT’s lyric is another big great appeal. Their strong and straightforward messages have been raising sympathy especially among teenagers, and many say that “they’re the most powerful band that can give strength and courage to the kids in Japan”.

www.totalfat.jp
www.totalfat.net

Ayumi Hamasaki files for divorce

While quick weddings are no surprise in the US, in Japan, one of their high profile celeb, singer Ayumi Hamasaki (34) has filed for divorce from husband, actor Manuel Schwartz (31) as announced on her fan club website, Team Ayu.

Thet wo who married in August 2010 got married on New Years Day in 2011 and moved to the US.

According to the reason of the divorce, after the Earthquake disaster, her strong ties to the Japan had made her want to stay in Japan and thus preventing her from being with her husband in the United States.

Source: Sankei Sports

NEW PEOPLE CELEBRATES GANTZ II RELEASE WITH SPECIAL S.F. FILM SCREENINGS

NEW PEOPLE ENTERTAINMENT CELEBRATES GANTZ II: PERFECT ANSWER RELEASE WITH SPECIAL THEATRICAL FILM SCREENINGS AT S.F. JAPANESE POP CULTURE THEATRE

Exciting Concluding Chapter Of Kinetic Japanese Sci-Fi Film Epic Based On Popular Manga Series Released On DVD/Blu-ray; NEW PEOPLE In San Francisco To Screen GANTZ I and GANTZ II On January 14th

San Francisco, CA, January 4, 2012– NEW PEOPLE Entertainment celebrates the recently announced release of GANTZ II: Perfect Answer on DVD/Blu-ray with a special series of screenings of the entire GANTZ film saga on Saturday, January 14th at the S.F. Film Society | NEW PEOPLE Cinema located in San Francisco’s Japantown. Tickets are $10. Additional ticket and film info is available at: www.newpeopleworld.com/films.

GANTZ (Dubbed) 1:00pm
GANTZ II: Perfect Answer (Dubbed) 4:00pm
GANTZ II: Perfect Answer (Subtitled) 7:00pm

All those attending the screenings of GANTZ II: Perfect Answer will receive a free full-color GANTZ poster. A special ticket bundle is also available for $25 (DVD) or $30 (Blu-ray) that includes a movie pass, poster, and either the DVD or Blu-ray release.

How will we face the end? The GANTZ saga meets its ultimate conclusion in GANTZ II: Perfect Answer, which offers an intensely gripping story-line yet to be known to even readers of the original manga series. Determined to resurrect his friends who have died on previous missions, Kei and other members trapped in the world of GANTZ aim to score the 100 points needed to break through and regain their freedom. But with the emergence of a mysterious man investigating the Gantz members, Gantz begins to act up and the next target shocks the members. Some fight for love, some for justice but what will each member sacrifice?

GANTZ and GANTZ II: Perfect Answer are based on a popular manga series created by Hiroya Oku. The ongoing 31-volume sci-fi action epic has sold more than 16 million copies in Japan and is published in North America by Dark Horse Comics. The live-action films star leading Japanese actors Kazunari Ninomiya (Letters from Iwo Jima) and Kenichi Matsuyama (Death Note, Detroit Metal City).

Kazunari Ninomiya, best known in America for his role in Clint Eastwood’s 2006 blockbuster, Letters from Iwo Jima, is both an actor and a singer. He is also world-renowned as a member of the Japanese boy band “Arashi,” which topped Japan’s music charts in 2009 with the three best-selling singles.

Kenichi Matsuyama is currently one of the most sought-after actors in Japanese film and he has won several awards including Japanese Academy Awards Best New Actor (2007) and Most Popular Actor (2009). Matsuyama is widely recognized for his part as L in Death Note (2006), Death Note II: the Last Name (2006) and Death Note: L, change the WorLd (2008) and also for his portrayal of Johannes Krauser II in the outlandish rock and roll comedy, Detroit Metal City (2009).

For more information on GANTZ and other NEW PEOPLE Entertainment films, please visit: www.newpeopleent.com.

JAPANESE MUSIC SUPERSTAR YOSHIKI TO COMPOSE THEME FOR 2012 GOLDEN GLOBE AWARDS®

HOLLYWOOD, CA, January 5, 2012‹Yoshiki, the classically trained
multi-instrumentalist and leader of one of Japan¹s most successful rock
groups, X-Japan, will compose the theme for this year¹s Golden Globe® Awards
show. The announcement was made today by Hollywood Foreign Press Association
(HFPA) president Dr. Aida Takla-O’Reilly and dick clark productions (dcp)
executive vice president, television, Barry Adelman. The 69th Annual Golden
Globe Awards airs internationally in more than190 countries (please check
local listings). In the U.S., it will be broadcast LIVE coast-to-coast on
NBC on Sunday, January 15, 2012, with the pre-show from 4:00-5:00p.m.
(PST)/7:00-8:00p.m. (EST), and main telecast from 5:00-8:00
(PST)/8:00pm-11:00p.m., (EST), hosted by Ricky Gervais from the Beverly
Hilton Hotel.

³Yoshiki is a world-renowned musician and composer of enormous talent and
versatility, who in addition to being a rock superstar has composed for film
and television,² said Takla-O’Reilly. ³As an international organization
dedicated to creative achievements, the HFPA is delighted to have a global
musical artist of Yoshiki¹s stature create the theme for the show.²
Added Adelman, ³We look forward to incorporating Yoshiki¹s music into the
production of the 69th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

³The Golden Globe Awards are extremely prestigious, but the show is also
edgy,² said Yoshiki, who attended the awards presentation for the first time
last year. ³I¹m a classical pianist and a rock drummer, so it was natural to
create something beautiful that also has an edge.

Produced by dick clark productions in association with the HFPA, the Golden
Globe Awards are viewed in more than 190 countries worldwide. The 2011
³Golden Globe Awards² earned the event’s biggest overall audience (17
million) since 2007.

About Yoshiki
Yoshiki, considered Asia’s most influential music artist and biggest rock
icon, is also a songwriter, drummer, and a classically-trained pianist. His
rock group X Japan has sold 30 million singles and albums combined and
filled the 55,000-seat Toyko Dome a record 18 times. Now the band¹s
popularity is spreading throughout the world, having recently completed a
sold-out World Tour, performing in North America, Europe, Latin America, and
Southeast Asia. In 1999, Yoshiki composed a piano concerto and performed it
with a 77-piece orchestra to celebrate the 10th year of the Emperor of
Japan’s reign. In 2005, Yoshiki composed the theme song and conducted the
Super World Orchestra at the opening ceremony of the World Expo. Previously,
Yoshiki recorded a classical album co-produced and arranged by acclaimed
Beatles producer Sir George Martin and performed by the London Philharmonic
Orchestra. Beyond music, Yoshiki has his own Visa Card and MasterCard issued
by one of the largest Japanese banks. Recently, the legendary Stan Lee
created a Super Hero based on him, and for the first time, a Hello Kitty
product line is named after a person ­ “Yoshikitty.” In 2010, he launched
his non-profit organization Yoshiki Foundation America , which continues to
donate to various charitable organizations, including supporting Japanese
Earthquake victims. Follow Yoshiki on www.twitter.com/yoshikiofficial
, www.yoshiki.net
and www.xjapanmusic.com
.

About the Hollywood Foreign Press Association
Founded in the 1940s during World War II, the HFPA was originally comprised
of a handful of Los Angeles-based overseas journalists who sought to bridge
the international community with Hollywood, and to provide distraction from
the hardships of war through film. Sixty-eight years later, members of the
HFPA represent 55 countries with a combined readership of 250 million in
some of the world¹s most respected publications. Each year, the organization
holds the third most watched awards show on television, the Golden Globe
Awards, which has enabled the organization to donate more than $12 million
to entertainment related charities and scholarship programs. For more
information, please visit www.goldenglobes.org
, and follow us on Twitter (@goldenglobes) and Facebook
(www.facebook.com/goldenglobes ) for
exclusive celebrity videos and up to the minute Golden Globes news!

About dick clark productions
Founded in 1957, dick clark productions, inc. (dcp) is a leading independent
producer of television programming. dcp produces perennial hits such as the
³American Music Awards,² ³Golden Globe Awards,² ³Academy of Country Music
Awards,² and ³Dick Clark¹s New Year¹s Rockin¹ Eve with Ryan Seacrest.² dcp
also produces popular weekly television programming, including ³So You Think
You Can Dance,² and owns and maintains one of the world¹s most unique and
extensive entertainment libraries, which includes more than 30 years of
³American Bandstand² footage.

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