Anime Festival Asia is back this year, bigger and better! Here's some updates regarding AFA ~
Event: Anime Festival Asia Singapore 2012
Organised By: Sozo, Dentsu
Date: 9th - 11th Nov 2012
Location: Singapore Expo Hall 7 and 8
Link: http://www.animefestival.asia/
Experience Zone:
Akiba Town
Atelier Royale Butler Cafe
Electric Groove : I Love Anisong
Anime KARAOKE MA'☆
AFA Regional Cosplay Championship
Japan Future Entertainment
Moe Moe Kyun Maid Café
For more details, check out: AFA 2012 Experience Zones
Line up for the Electric Groove - Anisong World Stage 2012:
T.M.Revolution
May'n
LiSA
m.o.v.e
Minami Kuribayashi
Sphere
fripSide
FLOW
Sea☆A
BABY METAL
For more details, check out: AFA 2012 'I Love Anisong"
fripSide – For the first time 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
Official Website: http://fripside.net/
m.o.v.e – Here to Rock it Down at AFA!
m.o.v.e., made up of Motsu and Yuri, was formed by producer t.kimura's concept of "continually repeating the process of shifting and evolving without being held down by predefined notions of nationality or sound."
The band debuted with the song ROCK IT DOWN on October 1, 1997. Since then, the band has released 56 titles, comprising of 31 singles, 11 original albums, 7 remix albums, 3 best albums, 3 cover albums, and 1 concert album.
The band is best known for using a wide genre of music, ranging from hip-hop to heavy rock, from Eurobeat to industrial heavy metal. Their sound is ever evolving, with no let up in the band's penchant
in experimenting in different genres.
m.o.v.e.'s activities has also found themselves heavily into theanime subculture. Their special project anim.o.v.e., features them covering popular anime songs. The duo has also been rendered into character form to accompany the release of the Vocaloid synthesizer software, sampling their voices.
With their contribution to all of the hit anime series "Initial D" opening themes, m.o.v.e has found themselves getting support from various automobile related activities, such as the Super GT racing series and the Tokyo Auto Salon. Their logo has been featured on a Mitsubishi GT3000 during these events.
The band released its twelfth original album album in March of 2012 and will be will celebrating its fifteenth anniversary in 2012 as well!
Notable anime series involved in:
Initial D series, Final Fantasy: Unlimited, Ikki Tousen
Official Website: http://electropica.com/
BABYMETAL - 'Kawaii Metal' idols!
BABYMETAL is made up of three members, SU-METAL, MOAMETAL and YUIMETAL.
BABYMETAL was formed in 2010 with a theme of 'Kawaii METAL', combining J-POP idols and heavy metal. The PV to their first single, Doki Doki ☆Morning, was uploaded to Youtube and was soon viewed by many overseas viewers expressing shock. The group has started to gain notice not only in Japan but also overseas in the North and South America, Europe and Asia. The direction the group is going is to be the only one, rather than number one.
Official Site: http://www.babymetal.jp/
Official Twitter: http://twitter.com/BABYMETAL_JAPAN
Official Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/BABYMETAL.jp
Minami Kuribayashi
– Singer, Seiyuu & Songwriter to perform at AFA!
Minami Kuribayashi is one of Anisong's most well-known personalities, one of the first few
artistes who have done both voice acting and singing. She is also for known writing songs,
both for herself and other artistes.
She made her debut in 2001, both performing the theme song, Rumbling Hearts and voicing the main heroine, Haruka Suzumiya, of the PC visual novel "Kimi ga Nozumu Eien". Since then she has performed numerous anime and game theme songs, many of them becoming cult hits amongst fans. Her most recent releases are Happy Crazy Box (Medeka Box) and Signs ~Sakutsuki Ichiya~ (Muv Luv Altenative: Total Eclipse).
Kuribayashi has previously performed in Taiwan, Hong Kong, the United States and Brazil to large crowds. She has also collaborated with Sound Horizon on their Moira album and supported them on their live tour. She was also part of the vocal unit SoutherN, performing the insert song Bounce Back, for "Kamen Rider Fourze".
She also celebrated her tenth anniversary in 2011, with a live concert in Nakano Sunplaza
and an album featuring her greatest hits.
Notable anime series involved in:
Kimi ga Nozumu Eien, Chrono Crusade, Mai HiME, Mai Otome,
Super Robot Wars: Original Generations, Gigantic Formula, Kurenai,
Kampfer, Sora wo kakeru Shoujo, Inifnite Stratos, Gundam AGE,
Medeka Box, Muv Luv Altenative: Total Eclipse
Official Website: http://kuribayashi-minami.jp/
Official Blog: http://blog.excite.co.jp/kuribayashiminami/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/minami_kuri
LiSA – Rising Star of Anisong Returns!
LiSA is one of the hottest, rising stars in anisong. She has captivated many audiences with her
ability to get everyone into the mood of her performance.
Born in Gifu prefecture, LiSA started her own band while in high school, having caught a growing
wave of punk rock. In 2008, she moved to Tokyo in order to further her musical career.
In 2010, she was chosen as the singing voice of Yui, the second singer of the fictional band 'Girls Dead Monster', for the hit anime "Angel Beats!". Many of the singles and albums released under Girls Dead Monster garnered a lot of success on the Oricon charts.
In the spring of 2011, LiSA released her own solo mini-album, Letters to U. In support of the album's release, she toured Japan to perform to sell-out crowds nationwide. Her next single, Oath Sign, has been announced to be the opening of "Fate/Zero".
Her first full-length studio album, LOVER"S"MiLE, was release in 2012 and 'crossing field', her second single, will be the opening theme song of the TV anime series, "Sword Art Online".
Notable anime series involved in:
Angel Beats!, Fate/Zero, Sword Art Online
Official Website: http://www.lxixsxa.com/
Official Blog: http://ameblo.jp/lxixsxa/
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/LiSA_OLiVE
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
Official Webpage: http://pc.mayn.jp
Official Blog: http://ameblo.jp/mayn-blog
Official Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/maynasia
Sphere – Super Seiyuu Unit! First ever AFA Performance!
The all-girl seiyuu 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 nine 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 Ushiro no Daimaou,
Asobi ni Iku yo!, Otome Youkai Zakuro, Hanasaku Iroha,
Shinryaku Ika Musume, Natsuiro Kiseki
Official Website: http://www.planet-sphere.jp
T.M.Revolution – The Wait is Over! First ever AFA Performance!
Born in 1970, 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
Official Website: http://www.tm-revolution.com
Official Twitter: https://twitter.com/tmr15
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 theshow 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
Official Site: http://www.seaa.asia
Official Blog: http://ameblo.jp/seaa-blog
Official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/pages/SeaA-Offical-Fan-Page
Picture credits to AFA Facebook Fanpage
Info Credits to AFA Official Web
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