Aqua Timez

The band formed in 2000 after two of the original members met on the internet and discovered that they attended the same university. At their formation with all their current members in 2003, the band's name as Aqua Times, the correct spelling of their current name. No major releases came from the band during this period. The band renamed themselves to Aqua Timez in 2005. Their first release under this name was a mini-album which charted well on Oricon.

In 2006, the group would go on to release their second mini-album with seven songs. Later in the same year, it was announced that they would provide the theme song to the movie version of the anime BLEACH. The song, Sen no Yoru wo Koete. (Passing Through One Thousand Nights)entered the Oricon singles chart with the 5th position and would go on to sell over 100,000 copies.

Later that year, the full first album for the band was released. Kaze wo Atsumete was their first full length album and reached a peak position of 3rd on the Oricon charts. Since its release, the album has sold over 200,000 copies. Shiori, their third single, was used in commercials for a brand of beverage known as Mitsuya Cider.

The following year in 2007 the band would return to BLEACH. Their fourth single, ALONES, was used as the 6th opening song for the anime.

Once again, in 2009, the band would return to BLEACH. Their song Velonica was used as an opening for the anime.

Their first single, Ketsui no Asa ni, was used as a song in the movie version of Brave Story.

Members
Vocal：太志 （ふとし）, aka Futoshi; born May 10, 1980
Bass：OKP-STAR （おーけーぴーすたー）; born March 25, 1977
Guitar, Programming：大介 （だいすけ）, aka Daisuke; born April 12, 1977
Keyboard：Mayuko （まゆこ）; born September 18, 1977
Drums：TASSHI （たっしー）; born August 21, 1978
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Aki Toyosaki's

Aki Toyosaki (豊崎 愛生, Toyosaki Aki, born October 28, 1986) is a Japanese seiyū and singer born in Tokushima Prefecture, Japan.She had her first major voice acting roles in 2007, voicing Amuro Ninagawa in Kenkō Zenrakei Suieibu Umishō and Su in Shugo Chara!.
Her career as a musician began with her performance of the opening and ending themes of the anime series K-On! in April 2009. In the same month, she and three other voice actresses debuted as the musical group Sphere with their single "Future Stream". Later, K-On!'s ending theme was given Animation Kobe's "Best Song" award.

Toyosaki had her first major role as voice actor in 2007, providing the voice of Amuro Ninagawa, the main character of the anime series Kenkō Zenrakei Suieibu Umishō.She was then featured in Minami-ke and Shugo Chara! as Yoshino and Su, respectively.In 2008, Toyosaki reprised the two roles in Minami-ke:Okawari and Shugo Chara!! Doki.

She went on to voice Najimi Tenkūji in the 2009 series Akikan! and held the leading role in K-On!, providing the voice of protagonist Yui Harasawa.She later took the roles of Koyoi Bessho, in Hatsukoi Limited, and Kana Nakamichi, the protagonist of Kanamemo.In Minami-ke: Okaeri, she reprised her role as Yoshino a second time.

In addition to voice acting, Toyosaki has also appeared on camera. Her first acting job was on Shikoku Broadcasting's informational variety show Saturday Naisho!! (土曜はナイショ!!?) from 2003 to 2004.She, Ayahi Takagaki, Haruka Tomatsu, and Minako Kotobuki appeared twice on the Anime Song Plus (アニソンぷらす, Anison Purasu?) television show as the musical group Sphere on April 20, 2009, and July 27, 2009.During its run in July 2009, Toyosaki also narrated the show.

Toyosaki's first musical performance was with fellow voice actress Eri Kitamura on the Minami-ke Weather (みなみけ　びより, Minami-ke Biyori?) image song CD on April 23, 2008.She then performed the opening and ending themes of the 2009 anime series K-On!, "Cagayake! Girls" and "Don't say 'lazy'" respectively, with voice actresses Yōko Hikasa, Satomi Satō, and Minako Kotobuki.Both themes were released as singles on April 22, 2009.The "Cagayake! Girls" single sold about 62,000 copies during its debut week, ranking fourth on Oricon's latest weekly singles chart, while the "Don't say 'lazy' " single sold about 67,000 copies during its debut week, placing second on the chart.The opening and ending singles remained on the chart during the week of April 27 to May 3, falling to sixth and fifth, while selling an additional 19,963 and 22,094 copies.On June 23, 2009, "Don't say 'lazy'" was awarded Animation Kobe's "Best Song" award.

Toyosaki then performed the opening theme of the 2009 Hatsukoi Limited series, titled "Future Stream" with Ayahi Takagaki, Haruka Tomatsu, and Minako Kotobuki.Shortly after, the four formed the musical group Sphere (スフィア, Sufia?). They are affiliated with Music Ray'n, an artist management and publishing group of Sony Music Entertainment Japan.The theme was released as the group's first single on April 22, 2009.

Toyosaki, Hikasa, Satō, and Kotobuki performed the insert song, a song that occurs within the episodes of the anime, "Light and Fluffy Time" for K-On. It was released as a single on May 20, 2009.On June 17, 2009, Toyosaki released a K-On! image song single titled "Yui Hirasawa". The single ranked third on Oricon's weekly singles chart during the week of June 15 to 21, selling 31,384 copies.

Shortly after, Toyosaki, Kaoru Mizuhara, and Rie Kugimiya performed "Heart Connected to You", the opening theme of Kanamemo, which was released August 5, 2009.On June 25, 2009, she provided the narration of a television advertisement for the performance of "Blue Feather", a single by the musical group Binecks.The Hatsukoi Limited Character File Vol. 3 image album, released July 23, 2009, includes a song featuring Toyosaki.In July, the anime series Sora no Manimani debuted with the Sphere performed opening theme "Super Noisy Nova", which was released as a single on July 29, 2009.

Filmography

2003

* Saturday Naisho!!: Herself

2006

* Red Garden: Female Student

2007

* Kenkō Zenrakei Suieibu Umishō: Amuro Ninagawa
* Minami-ke: Yoshino
* Shugo Chara!: Su

2008

* Bihada Ichizoku: Ai Shiratori
* Dolly☆Variety: Sora Aoki
* Minami-ke: Okawari: Yoshino
* Net Ghost PiPoPa: Siren
* Shugo Chara!! Doki—: Su

2009

* Akikan!: Najimi Tenkūji
* Aoi Hana: Miwa Mogi
* Asura Cryin': An Ōhara
* Hatsukoi Limited: Koyoi Bessho
* Kanamemo: Kana Nakamachi
* K-On!: Yui Hirasawa
* Minami-ke: Okaeri: Yoshino
* The Sacred Blacksmith: Lisa
* Spice and Wolf II: Merta
* To Aru Kagaku no Railgun: Kazari Uiharu
* Umi Monogatari: Anata ga Ite Kureta Koto: Oshima
* Umineko no Naku Koro ni: Asmodeus

Discography

Toyosaki released seven singles:

* "Cagayake! Girls" (2009)
* "Don't say 'lazy'" (2009)
* "Future Stream" (2009)
* "Light and Fluffy Time" (ふわふわ時間, "Fuwafuwa Taimu"?) (2009)
* "Yui Hirasawa" (2009)
* "Super Noisy Nova" (2009)
* "Heart Connected to You"(君へとつなぐココロ,"Kimi he to Tsunagu Kokoro"?) (2009)

Aya Hirano

Hirano Aya is a Japanese seiyuu, actress and singer who has had roles in several anime including the immensely popular Suzumiya Haruhi no Yuuutsu (涼宮ハルヒの憂鬱; The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi) as the title character, Suzumiya Haruhi.

She was previously a member of the U-15 idol group Springs.

Information

In 1998 Aya joined the Tokyo Jidougekidan acting troupe and began to appear in television commercials. She made her voice-acting debut with the anime Tenshi no Shippo three years later, but began to concentrate more on being a part of the U-15 idol group Springs.

After graduating high school in 2006 she began to work full-time as a voice actress and picked up several roles, including Suzumiya Haruhi in The Melancholy of Suzumiya Haruhi. She performed several songs for the show, including the opening song, "Bouken Desho Desho?", whose CD single sold out on the day of release. After this role her popularity skyrocketed and she has since had roles in popular anime such as NANA and Death Note.

During April and May 2007 Aya appeared on the covers of 2 magazines THE 声優マガジン VOICHA in which she did some cosplay and in Seiyuu Grand Prix. She also appeared for the first time on NHK’s Anime Giga TV show.

Trivia

* Aya spent some time in the United States during her childhood. She is also very interested in Egypt.

Awards

* [2007] First Voice Actor Newcomer Actress Award

Profile

* Bust: 73cm
* Waist: 60cm
* Hips: 78cm
* Hobbies: Guitar, reading
* Favorite food:Olive
* Abilities: Foresight, Piano

New Band, Familiar Faces: “Black Gene For the Next Scene”

We’ve got some new band members to introduce that we think all you v-kei fans may recognize...

Black Gene For the Next Scene was formed over the summer of 2011 by ex-Vidoll bassist, Rame. Armed with a heavy sound and catchy melodies, Black Gene is ready to take on a new type of modern trace genre.
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Vocals Ice
Blood Type: AB
Home: Chiba Prefecture
Hates: Cigarettes

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Guitar Toki (ex-BABYLON)
Blood Type: O
Home: Ehime Prefecture
Favorite Manufacturer: SCHECTER♪

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Bass Rame (ex-Vidoll)
Blood Type: A
Home: Osaka
Favorite Tea: Green tea
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Drums Sala (ex-spiv states)
Blood Type: AB
Home: Gunma Perfecture
Favorite Animal: Koala, Bulldog

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The band will give their first live show on November 1st in Shibuya! Are you excited?

Akanishi Jin

Akanishi Jin is a former member of the boyband KAT-TUN and also one of the most popular members of said group. Apart from acting in several dramas, he is known for penning several songs for KAT-TUN, such as Hesitate, Care, Murasaki and Love or Like.

It was announced in October 2006 that Akanishi would take an indefinite hiatus from KAT-TUN in order to study language abroad. The official statement posted a minimum time of six months depending on his success in his studies and during a press conference also cited health issues.

On the 18th of April 2007, Johnny's Entertainment announced the return of Akanishi. At a press conference held on April 20th, he mentioned that he took voice lessons in America during the latter half of his stay so that he would not fall behind once he got back.

He was also present at the Sendai concert soon after where he performed Real Face during the encore. Although he admitted that he had forgotten most of his lyrics while on hiatus, the other members of KAT-TUN were quick to assure him that they would re-teach him everything he needed to know.
Rocking in LANDS

At the fashion event of Tokyo Girls Collection on September 5, 2009. Jin appeared as a special guest to promote his new movie, Bandage. He performed the movie's theme song which marked his as the solo debut under the temporary group [LANDS]. It was released on November 25, 2009 and each copy contained a postcard to enter a drawing for tickets to LANDS special concert, held on January 16, 2010 in the Tokyo Metropolitan Area. On January 13, 2010, LANDS released their album, Olympos.
Going solo

In 2010, he began a series of solo concerts, Star Live You & Jin, comprising a total of 32 shows from February 7, 2010 to February 28, 2010. The song "A Page" featured at his concerts, was released as part of [KAT-TUN]'s 11th single, "Love Yourself (Kimi ga Kirai na Kimi ga Suki)," on the 2nd limited edition on February 10, 2010. He composed and arranged the song "A Page." He also co-wrote its lyrics.

Announced on March 24, 2010, Akanishi's solo tour You & Jin had a 3 show tour in Los Angeles, California on June 19 and June 20. The solo tour tickets were sold out in the first hour when it began to sell on April 15. In the last show of his You&Jin concert Akanishi announced a tour in the United States. In July 2010, it was announced that he would leave the band KAT-TUN, becoming a solo artist of Johnny's & Associates.

On November, his futuristic tour Yellow Gold 3010, took part in Chicago, New York, Houston, Los Angeles and San Francisco. The tour featured was held entirely in English, including 14 English-language songs that are mostly written and produced by the singer himself.

On December 9th it has been announced his global record contract with Warner Music Japan.

Early life
Born in the Chiba Prefecture on July 4, 1984, Akanishi is the eldest child. His family consists of his parents and a younger brother, Reio, who also works in the entertainment industry as an actor under the stage name, Fuuta. His given name, Jin ("benevolence"), comes from one of the five Confucian virtues. He moved to Tokyo in the first grade. He is the best friend of Tomohisa Yamashita and the two remain close today. In 1997, when he was still in grade school, a classmate sent in a photo of him to idol magazine, Myojo, and he was featured in the "Cool Classmates" corner of the issue.[8] Akanishi expressed interest in the entertainment industry and his mother thus sent in an application to Johnny's Entertainment on his behalf in 1998. Though he technically failed his audition on November 8, 1998, he was told to stay when he tried to return his number plate to a man who happened to be Johnny Kitagawa himself. He entered Johnny & Associates at the same time as future bandmates Kazuya Kamenashi and Yuichi Nakamaru.

Acting career

Akanishi made his debut as an actor in 1999 in a cameo appearance in the second episode of NTV's romance comedy, P.P.O.I., and also had small roles in TV Asahi's Best Friend, Omae no yukichi ga naiteiru and in NHK series, Haregi, Koko Ichiban. He also started appearing in musicals from 2000 taking on supporting roles in Millennium Shock (2000), Show Geki Shock (2001-2002), Dream Boy (2004) and Dream Boys (2006). Akanishi returned to the small screen in 2005 in the second season of the award-winning and popular NTV school drama, Gokusen, starring opposite Yukie Nakama and bandmate Kazuya Kamenashi. The show won "Best Drama" at the 44th Television Drama Academy Awards and ended its run with an average viewership rating of 27.8%. He also had a supporting role in NTV's romance series, Anego, the same year.

In 2007, Akanishi starred in his first lead role in Yukan Club, a school comedy series, alongside bandmate Junnosuke Taguchi and was voted "Best Actor" at the 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix. He made his debut as a voice actor in 2008 for the Japanese dub of Speed Racer, providing the voice for protagonist Speed played by Emile Hirsch.[20]

In 2009, Akanishi was cast as the lead actor in the movie, Bandage, directed by Takeshi Kobayashi and which is scheduled for release on January 16, 2010. This will be his big screen debut.

Preview BORN's December Single, "ProudiA"

Anyone ready for some more BORN? The band has announced a new single for December 7th titled “ProudiA”!

The single will be released in a regular and limited edition, both of which will include the title track plus the B-side song “RAGE OF FACT”. The regular edition will incude a bonus track, while the limited edition will come with a DVD featuring the music video for ProudiA and live footage.

Check out a preview of "ProudiA" below!

BORN - ProudiA (PV Preview)

2011.12.07 Single Release 「ProudiA」- PV Preview

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ProudiA 2011.12.07 [Regular Edition]
01. ProudiA
02. RAGE OF FACT
03. Dig Fxxker

ProudiA 2011.12.07 [Limited Edition]
[CD]
01. ProudiA
02. RAGE OF FACT
[DVD]
00. ProudiA Music Clip
00. Live Footage

AU Takes Arashi For A Rock and Roll Stroll in CM

We've all grown to love the KDDI AU CM's featuring those wacky boys from Arashi, and they know it! So they've decided to drop a few more CM's our way and put a cooler spin on them with so comic relief mixed it, smells like a recipe for a hit!

Check out the CM below, you'll laugh, you'll cry and wonder why Arashi's Commercials always feature random rock songs. Also check out as an added bonus some behind the scenes.

au by KDDI CM 6

1080pHD CM BGM

CM au