Channel-Ai Community Blog - JPop reviews, articles

Arashi in Popolo, September 2008

Artist: Arashi Product Code: JACA-5109/5111/5113 Release Date: 2008.08.20 Highest Ranking: #1 Label: J-STORM Limited Edition: DVD, special cover and tracklist

In the summer of 2008, Arashi’s leader Ohno Satoshi was given the starring role in the summer TBS drama Maou. At the same time, member Sakurai Sho was given the honor of covering the 2008 Beijing Olympics for NTV. Arashi contributed “truth” as the theme song to Ohno’s drama and “Kaze no Mukou e” as the theme for NTV. The two songs were released as a special 3-version double-A side single. The B-side on the single was also used in CMs for Tongari Corn snacks, with Arashi as the spokesmen.

Keep reading →

Kurage, Nagareboshi's booklet image

Artist: Ai Otsuka Product Code: AVCD-31497/98/99/500 Release Date: 9.10.2008 Genre: Pop/Ballad Label: avex trax Limited Edition: 5th aniversary edition covers, Comment Card, Jacket Sticker Format: CD+DVD

Rumors of Ai Otsuka’s 18th single began two months prior to its release just as its predecessor, Rocket Sneaker. Many were skeptical, preferring a new album to avoid another LOVE PiECE and its high single content. Fans despaired too soon though as more would be revealed at the end of the month.

Keep reading →

Ayumi on SCawaii, January 2009 Issue

Artist: Ayumi Hamasaki Product Code: AVCD-31580/81/82/83 Release Date: 2008.12.17 Highest Ranking: #1 Genre: Pop/Ballad Label: avex trax Format: CD or CD+DVD First Press: Vertically long cardboard slipcase and poster

Yet another year is almost over and the festive Christmas season is back. Despite of the current world economical situation, the whole J-Pop industry is once again booming with winter releases. The plethora of releases by the end of the year, create a rather exciting atmosphere at the end-of-year variety shows, especially since many artists perform and unveil their winter releases for the very first time. Pop-diva, Ayumi Hamasaki has also returned after eight months of absence to release her 44th single, just in time for the festive season.

Keep reading →

Hamasaki in Popteen 2002

Despite the fact that this year is not yet over, Ayumi Hamasaki has already got huge plans for 2009. The popular diva has landed her biggest gig in her musical career. She been given the honor to create and sing the theme song for the upcoming Dragonball live-action movie, “Dragonball: Evolution“.

The Hollwood movie is based on the popular manga “Dragonball“, which was created by Akira Toriyama. The manga series has sold around 350 million copies worldwide. It was reported that the production costs for the movie were over US$100,000,000. The movie will be screened in Japan on March 13th and shall be released in America in April.

The theme song, which is already completed, is called “Rule“. This song is described to be a powerful rock number and it was sung in Japanese. Until now, no release date has been revealed. The movie shall be screened in over 60 countries and therefore the song shall be distributed worldwide. Therefore this shall be Hamasaki’s first international break.

Keep reading →

This article is translated from an interview done with alan by Infoseek.
Translation by sljinu

Keep reading →