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Showing posts from August, 2025

Popular Anime 'LoveLive!' Series Announces Major Theme Park Collaboration 'LoveLive! Fan Fun Festival'

The popular anime "LoveLive!" series has announced a large-scale collaboration project with theme parks nationwide, titled "LoveLive! Fan Fun Festival," generating significant excitement among fans. In particular, Nagashima Spa Land in Kuwana City, Mie Prefecture, will collaborate with "Aqours," an idol group from the series. Social media is flooded with expressions of joy. The "LoveLive! Fan Fun Festival" will be held at five locations: Nagashima Spa Land, Yagiyama Benyland (Miyagi), Greenland (Kumamoto), Tokyo Dome City Attractions (Tokyo), and Hirakata Park (Osaka). Nagashima Spa Land will feature "Aqours," leading fans to express their excitement with comments like "Nagashima Spa Land with Aqours!? A divine collaboration!" and "I have to go!" The collaboration is scheduled for October, and some fans are already planning visits for the three-day weekend in October. Nagashima Spa Land boasts some of Japan's mos...

TBS's "Love it!" Announces "Fresh Week" Special, Igniting Social Media Buzz with Guest Nominations

TBS's popular morning infotainment variety show "Love it!" has announced a special event called "Love it! Fresh Week," running for one week only from October 6 (Monday) to October 10 (Friday). This announcement has generated significant buzz on social media. The special event will feature first-time guests daily. The official X (formerly Twitter) account solicited "names of guests you'd like to see appear" using the hashtag "#ラヴィットフレッシュウィーク" (LoveItFreshWeek). This call-out resulted in a wide variety of celebrity names being submitted, with enthusiastic recommendations pouring in from fans. Particularly prominent are the expectations for idol group members. From Sakurazaka46, names like Rina Inoue, Yui Takemoto, Sumire Mukai, and Rina Matsuda were mentioned, with fans commenting, "Please invite members who haven't appeared yet! We'll definitely watch!!" For the new timelesz members, Masaki Hashimoto, Shuto Inomata, and D...

Comedy Duo Pumpkin Potato Fry Announces Surprise Reunion Just Six Months After Disbanding

The comedy duo Pumpkin Potato Fry, who announced their disbandment in March this year, made a surprise reunion announcement on September 1, 2025, bringing great shock and joy to their fans. Their agency, Horipro Com, announced on its official X account, "We are pleased to report that Pumpkin Potato Fry, who disbanded in March 2025, has reunited." This unusual comeback, just half a year after their disbandment, led to a flurry of reactions on social media, including "Happy," "Funny," and "Too fast." Regarding the news, member Takuya Tani commented, "We're doing it again," and "It's a bit embarrassing." When asked about the reason for the reunion, he stated, "It's like something I realized after being apart," suggesting he re-recognized the importance of the duo after some time away. The news of this reunion sparked new developments in the comedy world. On social media, unusual circumstances arose with the ...

SUPER EIGHT's Yu Yokoyama Completes "24-Hour Television" Charity Marathon; "Onigishi" Performance Deeply Moves Viewers

Yu Yokoyama of SUPER EIGHT, who served as the marathon charity runner for NTV's "24-Hour Television," successfully completed the challenging race. While viewers and fans nationwide expressed their admiration for Yokoyama's perseverance through the arduous journey, particular attention was drawn to the song "Onigishi" performed by his fellow members. The song trended on X (formerly Twitter), with numerous related posts. Towards the end of the program, as Yokoyama aimed for the marathon finish line, SUPER EIGHT members sang "Onigishi" as a cheer-up initiative. Initially, some fans voiced concerns like "Isn't it inappropriate for junior idols to sing such an important song?" However, it was SUPER EIGHT members themselves who appeared. This surprise left many fans in tears, with comments like "Bawling when Eito appeared" and "Unexpectedly Eito, I burst into tears." "Onigishi" holds special meaning for Yokoyam...

SUPER EIGHT's Yu Yokoyama Completes 24-Hour Marathon, Igniting National Emotion and Showcasing Unbreakable Member Bonds at Finish Line

Yu Yokoyama of SUPER EIGHT successfully completed this year's '24-Hour Television' charity marathon, engulfing the Japanese archipelago in a wave of emotion. As Yokoyama bravely ran 105km through the intense heat, the hashtag '#YokoKansoKigan' (Prayers for Yoko's Completion) trended on social media, with many fans and industry figures offering praise and words of encouragement. As the finish line approached, the presence of SUPER EIGHT members supporting Yokoyama drew particular attention. The members rushed to Yokoyama's side, with Shingo Murakami being the first to embrace him. Murakami then kept a supportive hand on Yokoyama's shoulder, and just before the goal, powerfully pushed his back, shouting, 'Go for it!' This scene vividly symbolized the deep bond between the two, often referred to as 'YokoHina,' and the strong unity of the group, making for a deeply moving moment. Fans expressed their emotions with comments like 'I burst i...

Media Bias Scrutinized as 'Ishiba Don't Quit' and 'Ishiba Quit' Protests Held Simultaneously in Japan

On August 31, 2025, two simultaneous demonstrations, the 'Ishiba Don't Quit' rally calling for Mr. Ishiba's continued service and the 'Ishiba Quit' rally demanding his resignation, garnered significant attention on social media. The latter, the 'Ishiba Quit' rally, reportedly reached a massive scale, filling the area from the Prime Minister's Official Residence to the vicinity of the National Diet Building, with thousands of participants. However, according to posts by X (formerly Twitter) users, a clear bias was observed in the response of news organizations. While the 'Ishiba Don't Quit' rally, reported to have hundreds of participants, was covered by many major media outlets, the 'Ishiba Quit' rally, which was reportedly much larger, received almost no coverage. In response to this reporting stance, a flood of criticism erupted on X, with comments such as 'The media broadcasted the 'Ishiba Don't Quit' rally, so ...

Annual 'High School Quiz 2025' to Air in September, SixTONES to Serve as Personalities with New Theme Song 'Stargaze'

The annual 'High School Quiz' is set to kick off for 2025. This year's broadcast will be on Tuesday, September 9th, at 8:00 PM. SixTONES, who deeply moved high school students with their passionate support during last year's 'High School Quiz 2024,' will once again serve as the personalities. The theme song for the program, aimed at energizing the contestants, has been decided as SixTONES' 16th single, 'Stargaze,' written by Yojiro Noda of RADWIMPS. This song is scheduled for release on September 10th and is already generating significant anticipation among fans. Promotional activities for the program are also in full swing. For one week, from September 1st to 7th, personalities including SixTONES will be daily introducing highlights of this year's 'High School Quiz' on Nippon TV's information programs 'ZIP!' and 'Shuichi.' On the first day, September 1st, SixTONES' Juri Tanaka is expected to talk about the fierce ...

Kaito Takahashi's "Borderless LIVE" on "24-Hour Television 48" Garners Widespread Acclaim

On August 31, 2025, during the broadcast of "24-Hour Television 48," King & Prince's Kaito Takahashi produced "Borderless LIVE," which deeply moved audiences. Under the theme "No Borders," transcending national borders, gender, disabilities, and even language barriers, this project brought together a total of 96 performers (some sources say 97, including Kaito Takahashi) who delivered an awe-inspiring stage performance. Although Kaito Takahashi himself was unable to perform on stage due to poor health, his strong vision was entrusted to Travis Japan's Genta Matsuda. Despite being a last-minute substitute, Matsuda flawlessly executed Takahashi's concept, and his performance was highly praised by viewers, who called it "superb quality" and "unbelievable to have learned in such a short time." Ren Nagase of King & Prince also made Takahashi's presence strongly felt, wearing a yellow T-shirt throughout and repeatedly ...

“Janken Niki,” the Pacific League Event Sensation, Returns to Huge Fan Reaction on X

“Janken Niki,” who took social media by storm after suddenly appearing at Pacific League events, has made an appearance again this year, generating a huge reaction on X (formerly Twitter). The official Pacific League account also posted, “Janken Niki (※he's a complete amateur!) makes a surprise reappearance!!”, underscoring the high level of attention he receives. Last year, he captivated fans, and this year he sought revenge for his previous loss in a “Power Pro Janken” (rock-paper-scissors) challenge. However, to his regret, the result was a surprising second consecutive defeat. In response to this outcome, numerous comments flooded X, such as “Janken Niki lost again lol” and “Janken Niki 2 straight losses lol,” indicating that his character, which turns even defeat into laughter, is widely beloved. Despite his defeat, his popularity knows no bounds, with “Janken Niki” rising to the 4th spot on Japan's trends. Positive comments poured in, including “Janken Niki is still hilar...

Anison Divas LiSA and Nana Mizuki Electrify Animelo Summer Live 2025 with "Rising Hope" Duet

On August 31, 2025, at "Animelo Summer Live 2025 -Axel- DAY3" held at Saitama Super Arena, two leading divas of the anison (anime song) world, LiSA and Nana Mizuki, achieved a dream collaboration, performing LiSA's signature song "Rising Hope." This historic collaboration sent the venue into a frenzy of excitement and emotion and became a major topic of discussion on social media. This highly anticipated collaboration reportedly featured "Rising Hope" by LiSA and "Pray" by Nana Mizuki performed as a duet. The overwhelming performance brought such excitement that it drove the audience "wild." Particularly during "Rising Hope," the entire venue was bathed in LiSA's signature orange color, prompting many emotional comments such as, "It's deeply moving to see Saitama Super Arena completely dyed in orange." On X (formerly Twitter), numerous comments were posted, including "I wanted to hear LiSA and Nana...

Shirankedo Claims Niigata Kinen (GIII) Victory, Deep Monster's Surprise Third Place Sparks Fan Excitement

The Niigata Kinen (GIII), held on August 31st, saw Shirankedo, the second favorite, brilliantly win with a superb performance alongside its new partner, jockey Ryusei Sakai, securing its second graded stakes victory following the Nakayama Himba S. However, the horse that garnered the most attention in this race was Deep Monster, who, despite being the seventh favorite, managed to clinch third place. Shirankedo claimed victory with a powerful run, while the first favorite, Energico, finished in second. The battle for third place, which went down to a photo finish, ultimately saw Deep Monster prevail, narrowly holding off Shinryokuka in fourth. Deep Monster's strong performance, ridden by jockey Akira Sugawara, surprised many horse racing fans and generated a flurry of reactions on social media. On X (formerly Twitter), numerous comments expressed surprise and joy over the longshot's strong finish, such as, "Deep Monster, the horse that shows up when you don't bet on i...

The Pokémon Company Announces 'Pokémon feat. Hatsune Miku VOLTAGE Live!' for March 2026

The Pokémon Company has announced that "Pokémon feat. Hatsune Miku VOLTAGE Live!" will be held in March 2026. This will mark the first-ever live music concert featuring a collaboration between the globally popular game series "Pokémon" and the virtual singer "Hatsune Miku." According to an announcement from the official Pokémon account (@Pokemon_cojp), numerous Pokémon, including the mythical Pokémon Meloetta and the familiar Pikachu, are scheduled to appear at the live event. Detailed information will be released sequentially on the official collaboration account (@PokeMikuVOLTAGE) and in promotional videos on YouTube. The announcement of this dream collaboration concert instantly sparked a huge reaction on social media, with "#PokeMikuLive" dominating trends. Numerous enthusiastic comments poured in from fans, such as "OMG, I can't stop my excitement," "I definitely want to go," and "Thank you, I'm too happy....

'Kamen Rider Gav: Guilty Parfait' V-Cinext Announced Immediately After TV Series Finale, Stirring Excitement

Immediately following the broadcast of the final episode of the popular Tokusatsu TV series 'Kamen Rider Gav,' the release of the latest V-Cinext installment, 'Kamen Rider Gav: Guilty Parfait,' was announced, generating significant buzz, particularly on social media. This film is set for a limited nationwide theatrical release starting November 28, 2025 (Friday), much to the delight of fans. 'Guilty Parfait' is positioned as a 'sequel' depicting events after the TV series, with the grand theme of 'never giving up on a parfait (perfect) world where humans and Granutes coexist.' The released teaser visual and 30-second special report video showcase Ban, as Kamen Rider Vallen, transforming into the new form 'Guilty Parfait,' already drawing considerable attention for its intricate design. On social media, numerous expressions of joy have been posted, such as 'Sad the Gav finale ended, but the V-Cinext announcement makes me happy!' ...

“Kamen Rider Gav” Finale: “Kamen Rider Vrum” Dominates Social Media Trends

The finale of “Kamen Rider Gav,” which aired on TV Asahi, saw one of its main characters, “Kamen Rider Vrum,” take over X (formerly Twitter) as a trending topic. The immense reaction was also evident as it ranked high on Yahoo! Japan’s trending words. Many viewers expressed heartfelt gratitude to the character and unreserved praise for Kohei Shoji, who played him. In the story, his final fate, as he transformed from the avenger Rager 9 into Rakia Amarga / Kamen Rider Vrum, garnered particularly strong emotional responses. Many fans expressed relief, saying, “I’m so glad he’s alive,” and Rakia’s decision to choose “his own optimal path” and live in the Granute world rather than the human world deeply resonated with viewers. Comments like, “It might not be a perfect happy ending, but this is what’s best for Rakia,” expressed empathy for this complex yet satisfying conclusion. To Kohei Shoji, who portrayed Rakia Amarga for a year, countless “Otsukaresama deshita” (Good job/Thank you for y...

Popular YouTuber Hajime社長 Announces Marriage, Sparking Widespread Reaction

Popular YouTuber Hajime社長 announced his marriage on August 30 via his official X account, eliciting a massive reaction, particularly from his fans. This sudden announcement has been met with a flurry of surprise and congratulatory messages on social media. Hajime社長 posted a concise message, “Hajime社長 got married,” along with a link to his announcement video on his YouTube channel. This announcement quickly spread, generating numerous surprised comments such as “Hajime社長 really got married?” and “OMG~~~ Hajime社長 got married💦💦💦.” Some fans expressed surprise at the perceived gap with his previous image, saying things like, “I felt like I just saw a video of three single YouTubers talking recently, and I thought he wouldn’t get married yet, but finally!?” On the other hand, a flood of warm congratulatory messages also poured in, including “Congratulations on your marriage 🎉,” “Wishing you happiness ~💕,” “How wonderful...!” and “Wishing you eternal happiness!!” Many long-time fans exp...

SUPER EIGHT's Yū Yokoyama Kicks Off 24-Hour Marathon Challenge, Fans Go Wild with '#HashireYoko' Cheers

Yū Yokoyama of SUPER EIGHT, serving as the charity marathon runner for Nippon TV's '24-Hour Television,' has begun his 24-hour challenge. On social media, '#HashireYoko' (Run, Yoko!) became a trending topic, with an outpouring of enthusiastic cheers from fans. Concerns for Yokoyama's Health Amidst Intense Heat Yokoyama is known for embodying the phrase 'ganbaru o ganbaru' (to put effort into putting effort) for many years, and he is tackling this marathon with the same strong will. Fans have been continuously sending him encouraging messages such as, 'Yokoyama-kun is amazing! He's trying so hard!!!' and 'It's because Yoko has always worked hard! Everyone is with you!' However, given that the challenge is taking place amid a continuing heatwave, concerns for Yokoyama's health are particularly prominent among fans. Numerous comments have been posted, including 'Yokoyama-kun, it's really hot, so please try your best while...

Popular YouTuber Hajime Syacho Announces Marriage to Non-Celebrity Woman

Popular YouTuber Hajime Syacho announced his marriage to a non-celebrity woman via his YouTube channel. This sudden happy news was met with an outpouring of congratulations on social media, with messages like “Congratulations, Hajimen!” flooding the platforms. In the video, Hajime Syacho explicitly stated, “I am already legally married. I’ve already submitted the marriage registration, and I’m married.” While he described his partner as a “non-celebrity woman,” shortly after the announcement, phrases like “Hajime Syacho married” and “married to a non-celebrity woman” began trending on X (formerly Twitter), garnering significant attention. Many fans shared heartfelt comments such as “This is too happy!” and “While a celebrity’s marriage can be a bit complicated, I’m just happy to see them looking happy.” As was also observed during HIKAKIN’s marriage, some humorous questions and discussions arose regarding the term “non-celebrity woman,” with comments like “Aren’t YouTubers also regular...

Masaki Aiba Dominates Trends for Heartfelt Support and Long-Running Animal Welfare Project on '24-Hour Television'

Masaki Aiba of the popular idol group Arashi became a trending topic as 'Aiba-chan' on social media during the broadcast of Nippon TV's annual '24-Hour Television' telethon. His warm encouragement as a starter for the charity marathon and his long-running 'Aiba Grooming' project deeply moved viewers across Japan. This year, Yu Yokoyama of the idol group Kanjani Eight undertook the challenging charity marathon, covering a distance of 105km. The signal for his start was given by his close friend, Masaki Aiba. As Yokoyama prepared to begin, Aiba was visibly emotional, shedding tears while expressing his thoughts for Yokoyama and his family. He offered heartfelt encouragement, saying, 'Don't push yourself too hard,' and 'Do your best, but don't overdo it.' The deep bond between the two, known since their early days as Johnny's Jr. trainees, resonated strongly with viewers. Social media was flooded with emotional comments such as '...

New Song "Sayonara Tengoku Mata Kite Jigoku" for Project Sekai's Wonderlands x Showtime Causes Social Media Frenzy

The new original song "Sayonara Tengoku Mata Kite Jigoku" has been added to the popular smartphone rhythm game "Project Sekai Colorful Stage! feat. Hatsune Miku" (Proseka), performed by the popular unit "Wonderlands x Showtime" (Wandasho). The song has sparked a huge reaction on social media, with related terms briefly trending on X (formerly Twitter), highlighting its immense popularity. The song was created by Vocaloid producer john (@casablancalanca), and fans are praising it for having "that signature john touch." While the title might suggest a somewhat unsettling tone, many comments note that "despite the title, it's surprisingly crisp, clear, and full of passion," with its unique worldview quickly becoming a talking point. Many players have enthusiastically declared it "my favorite song ever from a Tsukasa banner" and "I seriously love it, it's my all-time favorite." The retro-themed music video (MV) h...

Animelo Summer Live 2025: Historic Opening with FLOW and Hironobu Kageyama's 'CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA'!

DAY2 of Animelo Summer Live 2025 "ThanXX!" (Anisama 2025) kicked off on August 30, 2025, with a legendary surprise collaboration. Popular rock band FLOW and the "legend" of the anison (anime song) world, Hironobu Kageyama, performed together, delivering "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA," the iconic theme song from the national anime "Dragon Ball Z." The venue erupted into a frenzy, and the performance instantly dominated social media trends. At the opening of the event, just as attendees anticipated FLOW's "DAYS" (the opening theme for Eureka Seven), the intro to "CHA-LA HEAD-CHA-LA" blared through the speakers. Hironobu Kageyama then appeared as a secret guest, drawing thunderous cheers from the crowd. This dream collaboration was met with enthusiastic comments such as "Explosive start!", "Tears flowing!", and "Blew up the venue and social media, transcending generations and eras!" The performance generat...

Don Quijote's 'Hen-ai Meshi' Gains Widespread Attention After TV Feature

The term 'Hen-ai Meshi' is garnering significant attention, particularly on social media. Its popularity surged even further after discount store Don Quijote's 'Hen-ai Meshi' was featured on the Fuji TV program 'Aiba x Bu'. It has since ranked high on Yahoo!'s trending topics, sparking interest as a new food trend. On 'Aiba x Bu', MC Masaki Aiba, along with Kei Inoo (Hey! Say! JUMP), Soya Igari (KEY TO LIT), Kazuki Enari, Akane Osawa, and Shunsuke Ito (Oswarld), delved into the unique and 'quirky' Don Quijote 'Hen-ai Meshi' menu items as the 'Menu Detective Squad'. Viewers responded with comments like, 'I didn't know Don Quijote had bento boxes and deli items!' and 'I'm going to check out the Hen-ai Meshi section!' The concept behind 'Hen-ai Meshi' is '120 points for someone, rather than 75 points for everyone.' The aim is not to appeal to the masses, but to develop distinctive and ...

Massive Fan Event "STGR Fes" for Game "STGR" Thrills Crowds on August 30, 2025

On August 30, 2025, "STGR Fes," a massive fan event for the game "STGR," was held, filling the venue with an enthusiastic crowd. The excitement spread across Japan, with the hashtag "#STGRFesTouring" ranking 5th on Yahoo! Japan's trending words on X (formerly Twitter). Many popular characters, known as "residents of Los Santos," made appearances at the venue. Participants enjoyed dream-like interactions with their favorite characters, including Van Nene, Onino Nene, Mr. Komine, the Chairman, JD, Admiges Han, BOSS, Mr. Damien, Mr. Kameyama Hiro, Maimi-chan, Dayo-kun, Mr. Lagrange, Meki-chan, Reria-chan, Helan-san, Kaeru-kun, Poko-chan, and Taeko. Fans shared their excitement and gratitude, with comments such as "Van Nene~! 🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹🥹," "To everyone who signed, thank you so much! I'll treasure it forever!," "Oh my god, I shook hands with the Chairman and JD... I can't stop trembling," "Onino Nene-s...

Outrage Erupts on Social Media After 'He Didn't Kill Anyone' Remark Made During Kurdish Sex Offender's Appeal Hearing

Reports of a remark made from the public gallery during the appeal of a Kurdish man, a repeat sex offender, who is appealing his sentence, stating "He didn't kill anyone" in his defense, have sparked intense debate and outrage on social media. According to reports, the defendant, Hasgül Abbas, who was sentenced to 8 years in prison for sexually assaulting a junior high school girl, has appealed the verdict. In response, a female relative attending the hearing reportedly shouted in Turkish, "He didn't kill anyone. Why are you giving such a punishment?" This remark quickly spread across the Japanese internet, leading to a flood of angry comments such as "They have no intention of repenting" and "Could you say the same if it happened to you?" Many users pointed out that the harm caused by sexual offenses is "a wound that can derail a life" and "tantamount to murder of the soul." They expressed strong indignation at the at...

Popular Idol Group Snow Man's First Pop-Up Event Grandly Opens in Seoul

Popular idol group Snow Man's first pop-up event, "Snow Man 1st POP-UP," grandly opened on August 30th at XYZ SEOUL (Seongsu-dong) in Seoul, South Korea. Running until September 14th, the event was bustling with numerous fans from day one, attracting significant attention with its fervent reception, even ranking high on social media trend lists. The venue is designed with a "pure white space" concept, expressing Snow Man's unique worldview. A highlight of the event is the giant snowman object installed at the venue. Visitors can enjoy viewing unreleased photos and music videos, which can only be seen here, and taking commemorative photos at a photo booth. Particularly popular is the Purikura (photo booth) where fans can get a compatibility diagnosis with a member. The results are printed as charming "Suno-Chiru prints," guaranteed to become a special memory for fans. A wide variety of limited-edition official merchandise is also available at the ve...

New 'Cosmos Princess' Card Series for Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel Sparks Online Frenzy

A new powerful card series, 'Cosmos Princess,' has been announced for the popular card game 'Yu-Gi-Oh! Rush Duel,' generating significant buzz on social media. As soon as a group of related cards, including 'Cosmos Princess of Heaven and Earth's Humor,' 'Cosmos Princess of Humor,' 'Cosmos Princess's Celestial Observation,' and 'Cosmos Princess's Slumber,' were revealed – all to be included in the upcoming pack 'Over Rush Pack 3' set for release on October 18, 2025 – their magnificent worldview and unique designs ignited passionate discussions among players. Particularly noteworthy are the overwhelming illustrations and design sense. The colossal scale of the 'Cosmos Princess' artwork has garnered numerous praises, with comments like 'Isn't she too lewd?', 'Totally my type,' 'Absolutely amazing!!!!', and 'The artwork is superb.' Furthermore, the depth of its design is also hig...

King & Prince's Kaito Takahashi Withdraws from "24-Hour TV" Due to Ill Health, Shares Feelings on Blog

Kaito Takahashi of King & Prince has announced his withdrawal from "24-Hour TV" due to ill health, a revelation that has deeply shocked fans. Amidst this, Takahashi updated his official blog, "Kaito's Idol Diary," to share his current feelings. His blog post revealed a deep "regret" over being unable to participate in a project he had been preparing for over a long period, and his candid emotions resonated painfully with many fans. However, Takahashi also expressed gratitude to his fans and conveyed "trust" in the members and friends who will take over his performance as substitutes, showing a positive attitude. On social media, "#KaitosIdolDiary" became a trending topic, with an outpouring of warm messages from fans expressing concern for Takahashi's health and wishing him a swift recovery. Comments included: "Thank you, Kaito-kun, please rest well now," "Kaito-chan must be the most frustrated," and ...

VTuber Concerts Concentrate at Pia Arena MM, K-Pop Artists Also Make Frequent Appearances

Pia Arena MM, located in Minatomirai, Nishi Ward, Yokohama City, has garnered attention in recent years as a premier venue for large-scale live events across various genres. Notably, it has become a focal point for solo concerts by talents from the VTuber group “Hololive Production,” in addition to hosting a wide array of events such as K-Pop artists' Asia tours and domestic music festivals. This concentration of events has led to comments on social media like “Isn't Pia Arena MM hosting a lot?” and “Pia Arena MM is seriously hosting so many solo concerts lol.” One of the biggest topics is the announcement that Hololive’s AZKi will hold her solo concert, “AZKi SOLO LiVE 2025 'Departure',” at Pia Arena MM on Wednesday, November 19, 2025. This grand stage in a roughly 10,000-capacity arena, coupled with the simultaneous release of her new EPs “Re:Start” and “Re:Birth” and the unveiling of her new song “from A to Z (Re:arrange ver.),” has fueled high expectations among fan...

Seven Osaka Municipalities to Withdraw from 'Tokku Minpaku' Special Zone Homestay Program Amid Rising Complaints

It was revealed on the 29th that seven municipalities in Osaka Prefecture have expressed their intention to withdraw from the "Tokku Minpaku" (Special Zone Homestay) program, established under the National Strategic Special Zones system. Amid a barrage of complaints from residents regarding noise, waste problems, and deteriorating public safety, the ryokan and hotel industry is also calling for the abolition of the system, raising renewed questions about the future of Tokku Minpaku. The seven municipalities that have expressed their intent to withdraw are Ibaraki City, Daito City, Minoh City, Fujiidera City, Shijonawate City, Shimamoto Town, and Toyono Town. In response to a survey conducted by Osaka Prefecture targeting 34 municipalities without their own health centers, these seven municipalities stated they would terminate all special zone measures related to Tokku Minpaku throughout their areas. The Context: Understanding Tokku Minpaku The "Tokku Minpaku" (Sp...

Touken Ranbu ONLINE's New Sword Boy 'Kurikara Gou' Nears Release, Sparks Player Frenzy

Anticipation is soaring among Saniwa (players) of the popular sword-personification simulation game "Touken Ranbu ONLINE," as the implementation of a new Touken Danshi, "Kurikara Gou," appears to be just around the corner, generating significant buzz on social media. Many users expect "Kurikara Gou" to be introduced during the "Secret Village of Treasures" event, which is widely predicted to take place in September. This is because the "Secret Village of Treasures" event has frequently featured "Gou" series Touken Danshi as rewards in the past, earning it the affectionate nickname "Gou's Village" among Saniwa. On Twitter (X), numerous posts such as "Kurikara Gou finally coming!?", "Is it Kurikara Gou this time?", and "Since it's Secret Village of Treasures, is it Kurikara Gou?" are fueling the excitement. Various speculations are also circulating regarding the character's des...

Two 'Mashiro-kun' Figures Trend on SNS, Sparking Dual Excitement

On August 29, 2025, the name "Mashiro-kun" suddenly shot up as a trending topic on social media, revealing that two distinct figures bearing the same name were behind its surge. Popular VTuber Mashiro Meme Announces One-on-One Collaboration with Kenzoku Touya! The news drawing particular attention is about Mashiro Meme (ましろ爻), a popular VTuber affiliated with Nijisanji. Known for his fragmented memories and his nocturnal wanderings in search of urban legends, he announced a one-on-one collaboration (colloquially known as "sashicollab") with fellow popular VTuber Kenzoku Touya. Fans have flooded social media with excited and surprised comments, such as "I can't wait!" and "I'm so thrilled about this unexpected sashicollab!" Given that the two have previously collaborated on projects like "Oemori Cup" and "GaQuest," fans are expressing high expectations for their chemistry, commenting, "They're surprisingly unre...