Kajiwara Gakuto & Murase Ayumu & 96neko sing in a rap-off! HIPHOP Project’s “Paradox Live” unit “BAE”’s full music video released

"Anime Expo Lite" was announced as a free online broadcast event. It has been decided that "Anime Expo Lite x Lis Ani! LIVE L.A." will be featuring Uchida Maaya, Takahashi Youko, Nanjou Yoshino and others. For this event, premium members of au smart passes will receive limited edition special presents in addition to the broadcast. "Anime Expo Lite x Lis Ani! LIVE L.A." is an event held in place of "Anime Expo 2020" that is held annually in America's Los Angeles and is known to be the biggest anime convention in North America. "Anime Expo Lite" is a free online broadcast event and the live will be held as one of the sessions of the event. The broadcast of "Anime Expo Lite" will begin from 4 Jul. 18:00 (Japan Time 5 Jul. 10:00). The "au Smart Premium Pass" is the only service where viewers can watch the archived videos. The live video broadcast will be available after the live performance on 5 Jul. 14:00 onward to 12 Jul. 23:59 (Japan Time). In addition to commentary videos from the 6 performing artists, there will be a present of 3 signed goods from the artists as well. "Anime Expo Lite x Little Ani! LIVE L.A." will begin broadcasting from Japan Time 5 Jul. 10:00 onward.

The animation movie "On-Gaku: Our Sound" has won the Best Original Music Award from the "2020 Annecy International Animated Film Festival", which is one of the 4 largest animation movie festivals on Earth. The movie continuously won the Grand Prix at the "Ottawa International Animation Movie Festival". "On-Gaku: Our Sound" is a movie directed by Iwaisawa Kenji based on the manga self-published by Oohashi Hiroki titled "On-Gaku: Our Sound". The movie had won the Grand Prix at the "Ottawa International Animation Festival" held in Canada in 2019, and it was released in Cinema Skhole near Shinjuku Musashino Line on Jan. 2020. This movie set the record the number of guests and box-office revenue for the first day after the renewal open of the theater, and all screenings on the 3-days weekend filled all the seats of the assigned theaters. The movie currently marks a great hit with more than 30,000 guests, and is currently being released around Japan. "On-Gaku: Our Sound" was nominated to the Long Contrechamps Category and won the Best Original Music Award at the "2020 Annecy International Animated Film Festival", which is one of the 4 largest international animation festivals around the world. This is the only award winner among the Japanese movies nominated for the festival. <Full comments are listed below> Director: Iwaisawa Kenji We could win the award because Banse-san, Sawabe-san, Kenmochi-san from Grand Funk, and all others who had provided us great music. I wish that "music" will be delivered over the sea through the movie. Music: Banse Tomohiko I had never won an award through my career as a musician, therefore I do not know the right response. I am at least happy that we are recognized by the Music Publishers Association in France. The music in the movie is produced by many musicians, and I was in charge of a few music during the show. What I had set as a goal during the production was "Respect toward the director Iwaisawa's obsession toward never-ending works". I am moved by the fact it was completed. I wish more people could watch the movie after this award. Music: Kenmochi Gakuto I am from a group called Grand Funk, and I was in charge of piano music in the movie, "On-Gaku: Our Sound". I am honored to receive such an honorable award at the festival. Receiving the award in music was one of my dreams, therefore I am very glad to win it. At the same time, this work is filled with 7-years of passion given by the director Iwaisawa, and I do not believe that the movie never won an award without the director's challenges and passion. I would like to thank all people who participated in this movie, including the festival staff, musicians who provided music, others supported the production and the fans. Music: Sawabe Wataru (Skirt) I have not received any kind of award after I won the conductor's award in the chorus competition when I was in high school. I had not move by winning an award back then, but I am very happy this time. The only music that I provided to "On-Gaku: Our Sound" was the one in the last concert scene, but I imagined many things during the production, including where would I hold on the base other than an open string? What if a complete drum set was standing in front of a drummer who only has an experience of hitting tom-tom drum and a snare drum? How would a base player play by having the music by that drummer behind him and what miracle would occur? It was brushed-up by Ookubo Hinata-san from Gellers, Kawafuku Kenichi-san, Tashiro Hisayuki-san, Tokumaru Shugo-san, and was completed by Andou Akihiko-kun by adding the sound of a recorder. I thank everyone who played for this! Thank you once again. I would also deliver this feeling to the director Iwaisawa and the staff participated in production!

The songs related to the TV anime "Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei" series began to be distributed all at once on Jun. 17, 2020 via each subscription service. The distribution started this time contains all the single songs from the "Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei" series including "Hito toshite Jiku ga Bureteiru" sung by Ohtsuki Kenji and Despair Girls, and all the album songs including insert music and project albums. Distribution has started in Apple Music, Spotify, LINE MUSIC, Amazon Music Unlimited, and others. (C) Kumeda Koji / Kodansha / Sayonara, Zetsubou-Sensei Production Committee (C) Copyright King Record.Co.,Ltd. All Rights Reserved.

Information on the theme song for the TV anime "Koi to Producer -EVOL x LOVE-" has been announced. The OP theme will be sung by Miura Yutaro while Suzuki Konomi will be singing “Love and Producer featuring Konomi Suzuki” as the ED theme. Broadcasting will start on TOKYO MX and other channels from July 15, 2020."Koi to Producer -EVOL x LOVE-" is based on the popular simulation game currently being distributed. 4 "Evolves" (super-evolved humans) in different positions and personalities appear in front of "me". Through the encounter with them, "I" le3arn the truth about my father's death, my lost memory, and the huge conspiracy that lurks behind all that. The OP theme is "Nibiiro no yoake" sung by singer-songwriter Miura Yutaro, and the ED theme is "Maiorite kita yuki" sung by Suzuki Konomi under the name of "Koi to producer featuring Konomi Suzuki". We have received comments form both of them. Also, from 21:30 on June 28, a live distribution program will be held on "OPENREC.tv", a live distribution platform, featuring Director Sakai Munehisa, Sugita Tomokazu who plays Zen, and Hirakawa Daisuke who plays Simon. Details will be released soon. The TV anime "Koi to Producer -EVOL x LOVE-" will start broadcasting on TOKYO MX on July 15, 2020. <The following are full comment received> Miura Yutaro I wrote the lyrics from the perspective of the "4 unique individuals" who are the main characters. They promote a simple, passionate image of protecting a single woman no matter what. The bond between them is stronger and warmer than anything else. So I included the preciousness of human connection when writing the song. I too can't wait for the airing. I hope to be able to enjoy the world of Koi Pro with all of you, the fans. Thank you. Suzuki Konomi After playing the original game, I was attracted to the main characters whose individual personalities are rich with character. I'm looking forward to the anime broadcast because I am interested about the next development in the mysterious story. The ED theme "Maiorite kita yuki" is a ballad that helps you to feel the delicacy of winter, and expresses the feelings of the main characters who want to take a step towards change. I sang filled with the world of Koi Pro, so I hope you will enjoy it as well as the anime itself. Suzuki Konomi

"Paradox Live TV #2", a regular program of "Paradox Live", is scheduled to be exclusively broadcast on ABEMA from Jun. 27. Shima, Yano Shougo, Terashima Junta, and others will be appearing on the show, along with the announcement of the results of "Paradox Live Stage Battle 'JUSTICE'". "Paradox Live" is a HIP-HOP media mix project set in Japan in the near future. It features four popular teams that fight each other through rap battles to gain the title of the best music team. The second installment of "Paradox Live TV #2" will feature Takeuchi Ryouta (voice of Saimon Naoakira) and Terashima Junta (voice of Andou Shiki) from the noble, solitary, and talented four-people unit "The Cat's Whiskers", along with Kondou Takayuki (voice of Suiseki Iori) and Shima (voice of Gahou Zen) from the tight-knit five-people unit "Akan Yatsura". In addition to the talk session, where the splendid cast members will introduce the charming points of this work, the results of the 2nd battle "JUSTICE" between "The Cat's Whiskers" and "Akan Yatsura" will be announced as well. "Paradox Live TV #2" is set to be live-streamed exclusively on ABEMA from 8:00 p.m. on Jun. 27. (C) Paradox Live2020

Nakazawa Masatomo and Shirai Yuusuke have been confirmed to join the cast of the TV anime "Kyojinzoku no Hanayome", which is set to be aired from Jul. 5, 2020. "Kyojinzoku no Hanayome" is originally a manga with the same title by ITKZ. The story revolves around a high school student named Kouichi (voiced by Itou Kento) who one day is summoned to a different world. Here, he receives a proposal by Caius, the first prince of the land of the giants, which is inhabited by a large tribe, "to become his bride and give birth to his child". A Yaoi story that takes place in a parallel world depicting a 250cm tall giant prince x 180cm tall boy in the basketball club, with a 70cm height difference between them. The new cast members Nakazawa Masatomo and Shirai Yuusuke will be voicing Baro and Beri, who are from the land of the therianthropes. Nakazawa plays the wolf beastman Baro Barows and Shirai plays the tiger beastman Beri Berinal. Check out their wild and beast-like performances! Furthermore, the fifth edition of "ComicFesta Radio" titled "ComicFesta Radio Yustale Shuzoku Shuukai" (ComicFesta Radio Yustale Tribe Gathering) will be broadcast on the internet radio station "Onsen". The guest personalities will be Ono Yuuki (voice of Caius), Nakazawa Masatomo (voice of Baro), and Shirai Yuusuke (voice fo Beri). The radio show will start on Jul. 10. The TV anime "Kyojinzoku no Hanayome" is scheduled to be broadcast on TOKYO MX from Jul. 5, 2020. TV anime "Kyojinzoku no Hanayome" to be broadcast on TOKYO MX from Jul. 5, 2020, every Sunday at 1:00 a.m. Broadcast on ComicFesta Anime scheduled for Jul. 5, 2020, every Sunday at midnight ※The On-Air version is broadcast for free ※The premium version for adults will be distributed exclusively on "ComicFesta Anime" (C) ITKZ/Suiseisha Inc.

Jun. 29 is "The Little Prince's Day". The day originates from the birthday of "Antoine de Saint-Exupéry", the French writer well known for "The Little Prince". The book is about a pilot who crash-landed in the desert, meeting a prince from another planet. There are various princes and princesses in anime, and many voice actors have taken on those roles. They are sometimes novel or narcissistic, and other times are surprisingly friendly. We believe each of you are reminded of a certain voice actor when thinking about princes and princesses. Anime!Anime! has conducted a survey asking, "Who Has the Voice of a Prince/Princess?". We received 141 votes during the voting period from Jun. 17 to Jun. 24. Most of the voters were female with a gender ratio of 15% male to 85% female, and the age range was on the younger side with 45% under 19 and 30% in their 20s. These are the results of the voice actors with the voice of a prince. ■Voice actors with a prince-like voice were popular. Some voice actresses also made it on the list. 1st Place 1st place was taken by Kaji Yuuki-san with roughly 10% of the votes. He has played many prince related characters such as Alibaba Saluja from "Magi: The Labyrinth of Magic" and the Prince of Darkness from "White Cat Project: Zero Chronicle". He received comments such as, "He has an honest, kind, hero-like voice," "I would probably cry if he held me tight with his voice," and "I want to see him take on the role of a handsome prince with his deep, sexy voice." 2nd Place Coming in 2nd was Ishida Akira-san with only a few votes shy from the top. Fans pointed out his prince-like voice and said, "I have an impression that he plays the villain that betrays the protagonist, but he also takes on roles that come to the rescue when needed just like a prince. Ishida-san's handsome voice is perfect for a prince," and "His voice is so transparent that it makes me happy." There were also comments about him taking on the role of a prince not only in anime but in a dubbing of a Korean TV series. 3rd Place 3rd place went to Miyano Mamoru-san with roughly 8% of the vote. He took on the role of Mr. Prince in the dubbing of the animated film "The Little Prince (2015 film)", which is based on "The Little Prince". "Because he plays prince-like characters like Suou Tamaki from "Ouran High School Host Club," is a comment that shows fans were fascinated by his performance of characters who aren't actually a prince but has an elegant presence. We received many comments focusing on a certain character for this survey. For example, Zen from "Snow White with the Red Hair" for Ousaka Ryouta-san and Lelouch Vi Britannia from "Lelouch of the Rebellion" for Fukuyama Jun-san, who tied at 4th place. Also, Minagawa Junko-san, who was the only voice actress to make it in the top 20, has left a strong impression of her role as Echizen Ryouma from "The Prince of Tennis". The results for the voice actors with the voice of a princess have also been announced! ■Top 20 1. Kaji Yuuki 2. Ishida Akira 3. Miyano Mamoru 4. Ousaka Ryouta 4. Fukuyama Jun 6. Kamiya HIroshi 7. Sakurai Takahiro 8. Saitou Souma 8. Suwabe Junichi 10. Namikawa Daisuke 11. Ishikawa Kaito 11. Umehara Yuuichirou 11. Shimazaki Nobunaga 11. Nakamura Yuuichi 11. Furukawa Makoto 16. Aoi Shouta 16. Eguchi Takuya 16. Ono Daisuke 16. Kobayashi Yuusuke 16. Sasaki Nozomu 16. Shimono Hiroshi 16. Suzumura Kenichi 16. Hanae Natsuki 16. Matsuoka Yoshitsugu 16. Minagawa Junko (Voting Period: Jun. 17 to Jun. 24, 2020)

A part of a special segment, "Scene Select Visual Commentary" featuring Deku and Bakugo Katsuki's voice actors, Yamashita Daiki and Okamoto Nobuhiko from the Plus Ultra version of "My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising" Blu-ray & DVD set to go on sale on 15 Jul. 2020 onward has just been revealed. Horikoshi Kouhei, the original manga artist of the work, was a supervising director and character artist for "My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising". The climax of the movie came from one of the ideas he had for the last battle in the original work and commented that, "In a way, this can be taken as BNHA's ending". In "Scene Select Visual Commentary", voice actors that play Deku and Bakugo (Yamashita Daiki and Okamoto Nobuhiko) watch "highlight" scenes from the movie and comment on their thoughts on their characters as well as some secret post recording gossip. This is a special talk that can only be found in this segment. The released footage features a few snippets from the special edition of the movie and shows them talking passionately and more in depth about "My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising". "My Hero Academia: Heroes Rising"'s Blu-ray & DVD goes on sale on 15 Jul. 2020. The Plus Ultra version that contains the "Scene Select Visual Commentary" is priced at 7,800JPY (tax excl.) for Blu-ray and 6,800JPY (tax excl.) for DVD. (C) Horikoshi Kouhei/Shueisha・My Hero Academia Production Committee

Jun. 26 is Hanae Natsuki-san's birthday. He debuted in 2011 and won Best Rookie Actors at the 9th Seiyu Awards in 2014, Personality Award at the 11th in 2016, and Best Actor in a Leading Role at the 14th in 2019. In 2020, he is taking on the main characters in many titles, such as "Smile Down the Runway" and "Appare-Ranman!". To celebrate his birthday, Anime!Anime! has conducted the same survey as last year asking, "Who's Your Favorite Character Voiced by Hanae Natsuki-san?" We received 333 votes during the voting period from Jun. 13 to Jun. 20. Most of the voters were female with a gender ratio of 20% male to 80 % female, and the age range leaned toward the younger side with 60% under 19 and 20% in their 20s. ■The protagonists of "Kimetsu", "Tokyo Ghoul", and "Your Lie in April" 1st Place 1st place was taken by Kamado Tanjirou from "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" with roughly 25% of the vote, keeping him at the top. "He's an honest caring big brother, but when it comes to slaying demons, he always devotes his full power! I love how he never gives up!!" "I fell in love with his kindness and courage fighting to turn his demon sister back to a human," and "He takes good care of his family and friends, and has a kind heart to even show mercy to the demons," are comments that show how he is popular for his gentle personality. He also fascinates fans in the radio program, "His strength, kindness, and dignity are each expressed well. Every time I watch the anime, I'm like 'Tanjirou's alive...!' It's so impressive. I also enjoy listening to him on 'Kimetsu Radio'." 2nd Place Coming in 2nd was Kaneki Ken from "Tokyo Ghoul" with 15% of the vote. He kept his position from last year. The emotional and troubled protagonist received comments such as "The protagonist who's both a human and a ghoul. His conflicted feelings swaying between human and ghoul and crying out his pain left a strong impression on me," and "His performance transitions along with Kaneki's personality, and his kindness and terror are expressed well. I was drawn in by this anime." Fans say "I can't forget the fear I felt through the performance," pointing out how the screams in the torture scene stuck in their heads. 3rd Place 3rd place went to Tomoe Hiyori from "Ensemble Stars!" with roughly 7% of the vote. He rose from 8th place in last year's survey. Tomoe Hiyori, the leader of Eve, was popular for his cheerful and social personality, and received comments such as, "Hanae-san's cheerfulness is similar to that of Hiyori-kun and he gives me energy. I also love how he sometimes shows his matureness," and "The sparkly charm of Ohii-san can only be portrayed by Hanae-san." His symbolic line "Ii Hiyori" (A good day) is also memorable. ■Here are some comments for other characters!! For Sakishima Hikari from "Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea", "He's boyish and cool. His words can be harsh but his voice is so gentle. I think Hanae-san taking on the role of the protagonist Hikari made 'Nagi-Asu' a painful yet heart-warming story," and "I can feel the love for the title from Hanae-kun's profile location being related to 'Nagi-Asu'." For Higekiri from the "Token Ranbu" series, "He's usually so laid-back that he even forgets his younger brother's name, but his dignified voice in battles well matches "the treasure of the Minamoto clan". I can't resist the gap!" For Kaizuka Inazuka from "Aldnoah.Zero", "He's cool, but also has a passionate side. It's refreshing to watch him turning over the desperate battles." For Tomaruin Satsuki, a character from the latest spring 2020 anime series, "Kakushigoto: My Dad's Secret Ambition", "He's annoying how he gets in the way of everyone, but his performance stops me from hating him," and "His voice becoming a bit deeper when he sometimes talks ill of others gives me butterflies in my stomach." The top 2 positions didn't change from last year's survey, but 3rd place and below were completely different. Not only anime characters but also game characters made the list. ■Top 20 [Who's Your Favorite Character Voiced by Hanae Natsuki-san? 2020 Edition] 1. Kamado Tanjirou "Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba" 2. Kaneki Ken (Sasaki Haise) "Tokyo Ghoul" 3. Tomoe Hiyori "Ensemble Stars!" 4. Toritsuka Reita "The Disastrous Life of Saiki K." 5. Arima Kousei "Your Lie in April" 6. Tomaruin Satsuki "Kakushigoto: My Dad's Secret Ambition" 7. Kominato Haruichi "Ace of Diamond" 8. Riddle Rosehearts "Disney Twisted Wonderland" 9. Hoshitani Yuuta "Star-Myu" 10. Enomoto Kotarou "Kokuhaku Jikkou Iinkai: Ren'ai Series" 10. Elam "The Heroic Legend of Arslan" 12. Ashuu Yuta "B-Project" 12. Sakishima Hikari "Nagi-Asu: A Lull in the Sea" 14. Sera Ritsuka "Tsukipro The Animation" 15. Higekiri "Token Ranbu: Online" 15. Takumi Aldini "Food Wars!: Shokugeki no Soma" 17. Kaizuka Inazuka "Aldnoah.Zero" 17. Hshiumi Kourai "Haikyuu!! To The Top" 19. Ix Nieves "Tales of the Rays" 19. Fuuma Kotarou "Fate/Grand Order" 19. Yuna D. Kaito "Cardcaptor Sakura: Clear Card" 19. Yoruha No.9 Type-S "NieR: Automata" (Voting Period: Jun. 13 to Jun. 20, 2020)