Mai Kuraki Announces 10th Album "OVER THE RAINBOW"

Mai Kuraki will be starting off 2012 with a brand new album.

The singer will be releasing her 10th studio album, "OVER THE RAINBOW", on January 11th, 2012. The album will come in a CD only and CD+DVD version.

The DVD will contain 5 music videos, including 2 brand new videos for the new songs "Brave your heart" and "Stay the same".

Check out the track listing and covers below:

CD Only

1. Strong Heart
2. another day＊another world
3. Sayonara wa Mada Iwanaide ~album ver.~
4. Stay the same
5. Your Best Friend
6. Mou Ichido
7. Brave your heart
8. Sun will shine on u
9. Love one another
10. step by step
11. 1000 Mankai no Kiss
12. Lalala＊La

CD+DVD

1. 1000 Mankai no Kiss -Music Clip-
2. Mou Ichido -Music Clip-
3. Your Best Friend -Music Clip-
4. Brave your heart -Music Clip-
5. Stay the same -Music Clip-

Tomohisa Yamashita Discusses Leaving NEWS For The First Time

In October, Tomohisa Yamashita and Ryo Nishikido surprised everyone when they announced they would be leaving popular Japanese boy band NEWS. Since then, Yamashita hasn't discussed his sudden departure. Until now.

A press conference was held yesterday in celebration of the first day of filming for the upcoming drama "Saikou no Jinsei no Owarikata~Ending Planner~". During the press conference, Yamashita, who stars in the drama, discussed leaving the group for the first time.

According to the singer, he first began thinking about leaving NEWS during his solo Asia tour. As it became more difficult to balance his group and solo activities, he began discussing leaving NEWS with the group in June.

Because he wanted to become his own artist, he decided to leave the group. This allowed him to take a bigger role in his own career. While in the group, he had to worry about the group's needs over his own; as a solo act, he had the freedom to do what he wanted and try new things.

Yamashita also talked about his future activities, revealing that he wanted to do more acting. He also promised to continue singing as a solo artist.

Porno Graffitti Announces New Single "2012Spark"

Porno Graffitti has announced their first single of 2012.

The new single is titled "2012Spark" and will be released on February 8th. The song is described to be an uptempo and thrilling track. The song was written by Shindo Haruichi, the group's guitarist.

The single will be used as the theme song for the upcoming movie "Ace Attorney (Gyakuten Saiban)", a live action adaptation of the hit game of the same name. The movie will be directed by Miike Takashi and is expect to be released in the early spring of 2012.

CLAMP Designs Wedding Dress Based on 'CardCaptor Sakura'

The official site for CLAMP has announced that a wedding dress, designed by the group in the motif of CardCaptor Sakura, will be on display at the Tokyo Bridal Festa.

The event will be held at the Tokyo Big Sight event center beginning December 23rd to December 24th.

The dress will be shown on stage during a fashion on both days. Art panels from CardCaptor Sakura and Chobits designs by the ladies will be displayed at the event.

KAT-TUN Announces 6th Studio Album "CHAIN"

KAT-TUN has announced their 6th studio album. The new album is titled "CHAIN" and will be release on February 22nd.

The album will feature 17 songs. While the full track list has not been revealed, the songs "CHANGE UR WORLD", "ULTIMATE WHEELS", "WHITE", "RUN FOR YOU" and "BIRTH" will all be included. The rest of the tracks will be announced at a later date.

The new album will come in two different editions. The regular edition will contain the 17 track CD only, while the limited edition will also include a DVD. The DVD will have the music video for the album's lead track.

Stay tuned to JpopAsia for more updates on KAT-TUN's new album!

AKB48’s Watanabe Mayu To Star In New Drama

AKB48's Watanabe Mayu will be starring in an upcoming drama on TV Tokyo. This is the first time she will be taking the lead in a drama.

The drama is said to take place in a school setting, but further details such as the title, plot and Mayu's costars have not been revealed.

The new show is set to debut during a late-night time slot on January 13th.

AKB0048's Voice Audition Winners Announced

The site for the upcoming AKB0048 anime has announced the nine members who will be voice actresses in the series.

9. Watanabe Mayu (AKB48, Team B)
8. Mita Mao (NMB48, Research student)
7. Ishida Haruka (AKB48, Team B)
6. Sato Sumire (AKB48, Team B)
5. Hata Sawako (SKE48, Team KII)
4. Nakaya Sayaka (AKB48, Team A)
3. Yagami Kumi (SKE48, Team S)
2. Iwata Karen (AKB48, Research student)
1. Sato Amina (AKB48, Team B)

Honorble mentions include Takeuchi Miyu (AKB48, Team 4), Murashige Anna (HKT48, First class), Kinoshita Momoka (NMB48, Research student), and Furukawa Airi (SKE48, Team KII).

The judging panel consisted of Akimoto Yasushi, Kawamori Shoji (from the Macross franchise), Otsuki Toshimichi (executive director for AKB0048) and sound director Aketagawa Jin.

AKB0048 will be airing with the Spring 2012 anime season.