This afternoon speedknight.com was at AKB cafe for the 1st Media Briefing for AFA 2011
AFAMY,AFAID and now AFA2012!
After Touring Malaysia in the earlier part of the year and heading to Indonesia in a month time, Anime Festival Asia returns to it home ground for the 5th year. Happening on the 8th,9th and 10th of November at Singapore Expo Halls 7 & 8. Today SOZO gave us a sneak peek of what is installed for us!
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AFA has gone Regional this year!
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I ♥ Anisong-Electric Groove,Anisong World Stage 2012
Lets face it we all know that this is the biggest attraction of all AFA(s). SOZO have announced the very first wave of Artiste Line up: Flow,T.M Revolution,Sphere,SEA*A,May'n ,flipSide.
FLOW - The Anisong Rock Legends Return!
- 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 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.
- 'FLOW ANIME BEST' includes 10 of these anime theme songs have been released in April 2011 in Japan and in May 2011 in the U.S. FLOW is ready to rock on the international arena for their growingfan base. The genesis of the band's true success story is only nowunfolding. So, take a deep breath and behold. FLOW is about to reach the musical shores beyond Japan and the anime world.
- The single CD "Hey!!!" was released in Japan on August 31st, 2011. This song is being used as the third opening theme to the animation "BEELZEBUB" In 2012, both their new single "Rock Climber" and new album "BLACK & WHITE" were released on February 22nd.
- FLOW will celebrate their 10th anniversary this year!
- Notable anime series involved in: Code Geass, Eureka Seven, Naruto, Heroman, Persona Trinity Soul, Beelzebub, Eureka Seven AO
fripSide – For the first ever at AFA
- Leading fripSide is the revolutionary sound creator, Satoshi Yaginuma, or "sat", who seeks perfection in music using synthesizers and catchy melodies.
- fripSide began it's second generation when Yoshino Nanjo joined the group as it's new vocalist. They made their debut with the song, Only My Railgun, the opening theme song of the TV anime"A Certain Scientific Railgun". No one expected that the single would go all the way to third on the Oricon Weekly Charts. This release was followed by LEVEL5-judgelight- and future gazer, all the opening theme songs for the same anime. Needless to say, the two singles fared just as well, thanks to the synthesizer-pop music created by sat and very clear voice of Nanjo.
- The duo released their first original album in 2010, inifinite synthesis, comprising of both original and previously released songs. The album peaked at eighth on the Oricon Weekly Charts.
- In 2011, fripSide released Heaven is a Place on Earth, the theme song for the "Hayate no Gotoku: The Movie" and had a sound that fascinated listeners with an unheard before fresh and lively style. way to answer, a song that marked their return to the "A Certain Scientific Railgun" series.
- Notable anime series involved in:A Certain Scientific Railgun, Hayate no Gotoku
May'n – Asia's Most Loved Singing Diva is back once more!
- The name "May'n" originates from her real name an consists of her passion and dream to sing "the song that will become everyone's' theme song". In 2008, May'n performed as the singing voice of Sheryl in "Macross Frontier".
- In the same year, both her singles made it to the Third place on Oricon Weekly Chart, giving her big breakthrough. In the following year, she released her highly anticipated mini album May'n☆Street, which made it to number two on the Oricon Weekly Chart. Since then, her works have always made it to the top of the charts.
- May'n held her first solo live concert in the Nippon Budoukan in January 2010, with tickets completely sold out, followed by an Asia Tour in March and a summer tour, covering 17 performances in July around Japan. She continued to mesmerize audiences, regardless of overseas or in Japan, with her strong singing skills and powerful high-tone voice.
- May'n was chosen to sing the theme song for the movie "Incite Mill: 7 days of Death Game" in the autumn of 2010, followed by the nationwide airing of her 3D Live Documentary "May'n THE MOVIE -Phonic Nation-" in February 2011. Within the same month, her 2nd album If you... hit seventh place on the Oricon Weekly chart. In March, she successfully performed on the stage of Nippon Budokan again, bringing her career to another peak
- .May'n did her second Asia tour in May 2011, visiting 6 different cities.In July, she attended the largest Japanese cultural and entertainment festival in Europe, Japan Expo in Paris, and was well-received by fans there. On 20th March 2012, she took to the stage of the Yokohama Arena with May'n Special Concert 2012 "May'n☆GO!AROUND!! ", releasing her 3rd album Heat the following day.
- With the release of Chase the world, the opening theme song for TV animation "Accel World", she began her world tour "ROCK YOUR BEATS", breaking her own record and performing thirty-five concerts. Get ready to meet May'n, the female rock vocalist of the new generation, and prepare to be fascinated by her singing skills and powerful voice.
- Notable Anime Series Involved In: Macross Frontier, Shangri La, Ookami-san, Sengoku Basara, Hidan no Aria, Accel World
Sea☆A – Born from AFA!
- From Anime Festival Asia's very own Moe Moe Kyun maid cafe comes the latest Anisong idol unit to debut in Japan, Sea☆A! Made up of Winnie, Beryl, Valerie and Estelle, Sea☆A hopes to capture the hearts and minds of anime fans, both in Japan and overseas, with their own special brand of appeal.
- Their first single, Dream Shooter, has been featured as the third ending theme of the hit TV anime, "Cardfight!! Vanguard". Their next single, DELI-DELI☆DELICIOUS, will be the ending theme of "Toriko". Last November, the girls performed at the prestigious Animax Musix 2011, in Yokohama Arena, alongside names such as May'n, Shoko Nakagawa and angela.
- Their latest single, Friendship Birthday -Arashi no Yoru ni" is the opening theme of the animated TV series "Arashi no Yoru ni -Himitsu no Tomodachi- "("One Stormy Night - Secret Friends "). Not only has the show started its broadcast in Japan, it will be shown in over fifteen countries in the Asia, Europe, North and South America! The song also marks the first time any Anisong artiste recorded the same song in Japanese, English and Chinese.
- The name Sea☆A is made of three parts. SEA is short for South-East Asia, as all four members who come from South-East Asia. The star represents the stars that they hope to be. And finally, A is for their passion for Japanese anime and the wish to spread their songs throughout Asia with their activities. Notable anime series involved in:Card Fight!! Vanguard, Toriko, Arashi no Yoru ni
Sphere – Super Seiyuu Unit! First ever AFA Performance!
- The all-girl idol group, Sphere, consists of 4 members - Minako Kotobuki, Ayahi Takagaki, Haruka Tomatsu and Aki Toyosaki.The group was formed in February 2009, and was soon followed by the release of their debut single, Future Stream.Since then, the group has been growing well as a seiyuu unit. Sphere held their first Japan nationwide concert tour in year 2010.
- They also hold the achievement of being the fastest seiyuu unit to ever perform in the Nippon Budoukan, within a period of a year and nice months of their formation. The following year, the group also performed at the Makuhari Messe International Convention Center, and was soon followed by their radio and television programme going on air.They also held a two days concert at Yoyogi Stadium First Gymnasium and the live concert video had made it to the first place in the Oricon Blu-ray disc sales charts.A very active year for Sphere indeed! However, their momentum isn't stopping in 2012. The group continues to fight strongly.
- All four members of the group starred in the TV Animation "Natsuiro Kiseki", performed around Japan for their live tour, which included a 2-days concert in the Yokohama Arena and released their third Album Third Planet, which eventually topped the Oricon Daily Ranking. Let's look forward to what challenges the group will meet and their great performances in the future.
- Notable Anime Series Involved In: Hatsukoi Limited, Sora no Manimani, Ichiban Ushirou no Daimaou,Asobi ni Iku yo!, Hanasaku Iroha, Shinryaku Ika Musume, Natsuiro Kiseki
T.M.Revolution – The Wait is Over! First ever AFA Performance!
- Born in 1974, Shiga native Takanori Nishikawa made his debut under the name of T.M.Revolution in May 1996, with the single Dokusai ~monopolize~. Since then, he has established a reputation as a singer with catchy tunes, perfect stage settings and explosive live performances.
- Since his debut, T.M.R. has built a global fan base and a reputation amongst fans of Japanese anime. He has performed at major anime conventions in the US, such as OTAKON 2003 in Baltimore, Maryland and Pacific Media Expo in Anaheim, California, to name a few. This has led to the release of his SEVENTH HEAVEN and vertical infinity albums in the United States. He also enjoys popularity in Asia, such as Taiwan, and has released singles and albums in the region.
- T.M.R. launched his ten-year anniversary project in 2005. He released the single vestige in August 2005, and released a greatest hits album UNDER:COVER inJanuary 2006, in which he showcased reimagined versions, yet retaining the charm,of his previously released tracks. In June 2006, he released a CD and a DVD, both entitled 1000000000000, featuring all the singles and music videos he has released.
- In 2008, T.M.R. re-emerged on the music with a new single, resonance, releasing on June 11 and used as the theme song for the anime "Soul Eater". In the same year, T.M.R. made his return to the US by appearing on stage at the New York Comic Convention, the largest Japanese pop culture convention in New York City.
- In 2010, T.M.Revolution released a new single titled Naked arms / SWORD SUMMIT, a tie-in with the "Sengoku Basara" TV anime, adapted from a popular game. He is now expanding his horizons as an actor, voice actor and as a host for television programmes. He has recently been cast in a TV commercial together with Portuguese boyband MIGERU and was ranked number one in a monthly poll of TV commercials in Japan.
- In September, he will release three titles in three consecutive weeks: September 12th • First T.M.Revolution Live CD "T.M.R. LIVE REVOLUTION 11-12 -CLOUD NINE-" September 19th • DVD and Blu-ray disc "T.M.R. LIVE REVOLUTION '12 -15th Anniversary FINAL-" September 26th • Self-cover greatest hit album "UNDER:COVER 2"
- Notable Anime Series Involved In: Ruroni Kenshin, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED, Mobile Suit Gundam SEED Destiny, Soul Eater, Sengoku Basara
Japan Future Entertainment
According to Shawn who is the Festival Director of AFA, Japan Future Entertainment will replaced the well received Cool Japan Forum last year. Several mentioned names include AMUSE Inc,A-Sketch,Horipro Inc.,King Records.
Japan Future Entertainment
We all know the names of our favourite idols. Their performances and music are something we all enjoy. Have you wondered who are the people behind them, those who made it all possible? Record labels and management agencies are the ones who bring the artiste to you, behind the scenes. For the first time at AFA, some of Japan's top management agencies and record labels, name most of us are familiar with, will be bringing to all the additional content that they have to you, the fans.
Featured Anime
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Shawn has also mentioned that being featured means way more then just screening of the anime. We shall look foward to what they have installed for us.
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K
One of Go Nakanishi's latest works, "K" will be aired soon and
features an all-star line-up of voice actors and actresses.
One interesting factoid about this anime has been the unique approach
that has been used to promote the anime. All promotion on the anime
so far has only been done through promotional videos that have yet to
touch on the actual premise of the show. Despite all this, the show has
proven to be quite popular with many anime fans!
At AFA12, there will be a cosplay competition focusing on the title and
the grand prize is a trip to Japan for a future "K" event as an official cosplayer!
Puella Magi Madoka Magica
Without a doubt one of the most groundbreaking animeof our time, Madoka Magi will always leave an impressionamongst those who watched it.After encountering a mysterious girl who has saved her from
eldritch entities, Madoka Kaname is told by a whited furredcreature that she has the power to save the world by becoming a magical girl. All she has to do is to form acontract and everything will be alright...
Madoka Magica will be bringing to a whole level of excitement in November! More details soon!
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