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Uso
2h ago
Hajime Ueda's solo exhibition "USO" opens June 13 at Déesse space caiman shibuya in Tokyo, running in two halves with new works added between them. The show features newly drawn pieces themed around "Oni no Ko" and "Hell Nurse," plus unreleased illustrations, rough sketches, three-dimensional objects, and the artist's first silkscreen goods. Admission is 500 yen with a Cheki card or 1,500 yen with an acrylic stand. The gallery is closed Mondays through Wednesdays.
2d ago
KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO announced on June 10 that its music unit Kuusou will hold its first solo virtual mini live, titled "KUUSOU VIRTUAL MINI LIVE 'Kuusou Palette'," on Saturday, June 27, 2026. The main performance will be streamed for free on Kuusou's official YouTube channel starting at 19:00 JST. Paid multi-angle tickets, priced at 2,000 yen, will be available on the platform Z-aN, allowing viewers to watch from multiple perspectives. Kuusou is a unit formed by virtual singer CIEL, who is affiliated with KAMITSUBAKI STUDIO and sang the theme song for the theatrical anime "Pompo: The Cinéphile," and singer-songwriter Sooda, who gained attention through the unit Amayadori and has 160,000 TikTok followers. The unit debuted at CIEL's solo live "RETURN TO SUNNY - Saisei -" in late 2025 and released their first song "Transparent Meteor Rhapsody" in January 2026. The mini live will feature the first performances of songs from their debut EP "CYAN," which releases on June 17, as well as a new song not included on the EP.
Jun 2
Three members of the idol group AVAM-Nanami Saeki, Hana Kikyo, and Yuka Himemiya-have been cast in the anime film "Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku to." They will voice classmates of the protagonist Makoto Natsume, played by Shori Sato of timelesz. The film is based on the novel by Matoka, published under Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko. Directed by Kei Suzuki, the animation is produced by SynergySP and Answer Studio, with planning and production by Shin-Ei Animation. The story is a love drama set against the Nagaoka Festival Grand Fireworks Display in Niigata. It follows Makoto, who is approached by classmate Aki Hayama, who says her great-grandmother told her he would draw a picture for her. The film is scheduled for nationwide release on July 17, 2026. Saeki commented that voicing a theatrical anime was a goal of hers. Kikyo noted she lived in Niigata as a child and would watch the Nagaoka fireworks annually. Himemiya expressed hope the film becomes everyone's "unforgettable summer."
Jun 1
ShoPro announced on June 1 that the 1996-1998 anime Bakusou Kyoudai Let's & Go!! will be streamed for free on its rebranded YouTube channel, two episodes per week. Episodes 1 and 2 go up June 6 and remain available until June 20. The release marks the anime's 30th anniversary, with an exhibition and event planned for July and August.
Jun 1
Sega Fave is releasing four new prize items from the TV anime 'Frieren: Beyond Journey's End' in June 2026. The lineup includes Yumemirize loungewear figures of Frieren and Ubel, a returning Fuwapuchi M plush of Frieren, and a re-release of the Luminasta figure of Frieren in a battle pose.
May 31
A collaboration between the TV anime "Sousou no Frieren" and the glamping resort "THE FARM" in Katori, Chiba Prefecture, will run from July 17 to October 16, 2026. The event, titled "Weaving Memories, A Journey of Stars and Campfires," includes an immersive dessert experience where guests assemble a replica of the Merkuur pudding seen in the anime. The pudding consists of a mild milk pudding topped with a separate berry sauce, which guests pour themselves. The collaboration also offers exclusive newly drawn illustration flags depicting Frieren, Himmel, Fern, and Stark in farming outfits. These flags are included with dinner and can be used as decorations. The event is open only to glamping guests, with reservations starting March 30, 2026. The anime's second season aired from January to March 2026, and a third season covering the "Golden Land" arc is scheduled for October 2027.
May 29
Universal Studios Japan held an opening ceremony on May 29 for its new limited-time attraction, "Frieren: Beyond Journey's End Story Walk ~Journey of Memories~," which opens to the public on May 30. Voice actors Atsumi Tanezaki (Frieren) and Nobuhiko Okamoto (Himmel) attended the ceremony and spoke about their experience previewing the walkthrough attraction. Tanezaki said the attraction made her feel like she was in the same space as the characters and that she almost cried during scenes revisiting Frieren's journey. Okamoto praised the realism of the townscapes and the statue of Himmel, saying the experience left him speechless. The attraction is the first collaboration between USJ and the Frieren anime and uses a new format called Universal Story Walk, combining giant screens, projection mapping, lighting, sound, and sets. The event runs through January 11, 2027. USJ is also offering a themed restaurant, "Frieren ~Restaurant of Memories~," and a story ride, "Frieren × Story Ride ~Journey with the Bird Monster and Carriage."
May 25
The staff for the Uso Tantei Tomanto short anime announced that Natsuki Hanae will voice the ace detective Lemonade in the updated version of the series. Mariya Ise, who voices Mamango, will also voice a new character named Ichigo Berryry. The updated version began airing weekly on NTV's ZIP! program on March 30.
May 19
The official website for the anime film adaptation of Kaori Mado and Akamoku's light novel *Kimi to Hanabi to Yakusoku to* revealed additional cast, staff, the theme song, a key visual, and the first trailer on Tuesday. The film is scheduled to premiere in Japanese theaters on July 17. Rie Takahashi joins the cast as Haru, and Natsuko Yokosawa voices Yukari Natsume, the mother of protagonist Makoto Natsume. The idol group timelesz performs the theme song "Kienai Hanabi," which is previewed in the new trailer. Akira Suzuki directs the film at SynergySP and The Answer Studio, with a script by Kohei Mori and character designs by Yuuji Watanabe. The light novel was published in December 2025 under Shogakukan's Gagaga Bunko imprint. The story follows Makoto, who becomes involved with classmate Aki Hayama, who possesses a mysterious fireworks artwork and was told by her great-grandmother that she would meet someone named Makoto Natsume.