A Second Panty and Stocking With Garterbelt Soundtrack In the Works

By Chris Nguyen | Published: May 12, 2011

Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt’s soundtrack has really been a hit with a lot of fans who really enjoyed the electronica, R&B, and house music that was on display through TCY Force, ☆Taku Takahashi, and Teddyloid’s music. And for those who were disappointed with a few tracks being left out on the original soundtrack should rejoice! On July 20, 2011, you can expect a release of the Panty and Stocking with Garterbelt Original Soundtrack 2!

Though we didn’t really enjoy the music so much, evidenced in our review, the fact that the first soundtrack sold so well is evidence that many people did. So if you’re looking for more of the same, be sure to pre-order your copy at CDJapan.

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AM2 Adds Visual-kei Artists SADIE to Concert List

By Chris Nguyen | Published: May 11, 2011

The Southern California anime convention known as AM2 continues to roll out its guest list and the next addition to their concert highlights is none other than the visual-kei band, SADIE.

SADIE, composed of Mao on Vocals, Mizuki on Guitar, Tsurugi also on Guitar, Aki on Bass Guitar, and Kei on drums. As with most visual-kei bands, the emphasis is all in the artistry of the performance and the rock sound. For the purpose of currying interest with anime fans, they have not yet done any music for anime, so this concert should strictly be for those curious about visual-kei or fans who enjoy SADIE’s rock sound and elaborate showmanship.

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AM2 Anime Convention Adds Kanon Wakeshima and An Cafe’s Kanon to Concert Lineup

By Chris Nguyen | Published: May 10, 2011

AM2, the Southern California anime convention set to take place from July 1-3 has already started putting together their musical guest lineups. Of the major guests to be announced, the first major announcement has been for the duo of Kanon Wakeshima and An Cafe’s Kanon to perform together.

Needless to say, for anime fans, this should bring a lot of delight. Kanon Wakeshima is known for her cello skills often performed with a gothic lolita sound in mind. She has been notable for being the artist for such works as Vampire Knight’s ending theme, “Still Doll.”

The other Kanon, a bassist for the band An Cafe, will be performing with her. This Kanon brings a legendary Akiba-kei Otaku male sound to the concert. This combination isn’t a huge mind-blower as both did work on the Shiki anime opening theme, “Calendula Requiem.”

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Kalafina Named as Guest of Honor for Anime Expo

By Chris Nguyen | Published: May 5, 2011

Anime Expo’s first major concert announcement has surfaced. On July 2, 2011, the trio Kalafina will be performing at Anime Expo in Los Angeles.

For fans who don’t know, Kalafina is a trio of singers. This group was initially created to sing the theme songs for the Kara no Kyoukai movies, but their popularity remained so strong that they’ve continued on to this day. All of their music is composed by Yuki Kajiura and includes such hits as Magia, the ending theme to Puella Magi Madoka Magica as well as Sora no Woto’s opening theme, Hikari no Senritsu.

Needless to say, this announcement brings up a lot of excitement and here’s hoping that Yuki Kajiura will also make an appearance!

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Yoko Kanno’s Composition for Earthquake Victims

By Chris Nguyen | Published: March 14, 2011

As a remembrance to the victims of the March 11 earthquake that struck Japan, anime composer Yoko Kanno as written a short piece that displays a great deal of sadness over the event. The piece is especially appropriate given that Kanno was born in Miyagi prefecture, which is one of the most hardest hit areas.

Kanno’s composition can be heard below:


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Kara no Kyokai Original Soundtrack Secures Release Date

By Chris Nguyen | Published: January 5, 2011

When the Kara no Kyokai DVDs and Blu-Rays were released, most of them came equipped with soundtrack discs from each of the movies. But because of that release, a standalone soundtrack release seemed to be out of the picture… until now!

On March 2, 2011, Yuki Kajiura’s score for the Kara no Kyoukai movies will be bundled in a 2-disc soundtrack package featuring the music from all of the movies. Though no tracklist has been laid out, what is probable is that none of the Kalafina ending songs are likely to be making an appearance. Those who want to pre-order the soundtrack can do so through CDJapan.

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K-ON! Concert Date Set for February 2011

By Chris Nguyen | Published: November 10, 2010

With all the popularity and success that the K-ON! anime series seems to have garnered through its two seasons of airing, it only makes sense to fire off a concert, this time, to extend coverage to the second season of K-ON!. So with that in mind, the official website has announced a second K-ON! live concert to be held in February of 2011.

Once again, it’s expected that the voice actresses who portray the characters in the anime will be practicing on their instruments so that they can deliver with what they did for their first concert. More details are bound to come towards the end of November, so stay tuned for all that!

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Tenmon and Makoto Shinkai Collaboration Continues in Hoshi o Ou Kodomo

By Chris Nguyen | Published: November 8, 2010

It’s been awhile since we’ve heard of anything out of Makoto Shinkai, but with his announcement of the new Hoshi o Ou Kodomo movie, we can finally look forwards to a visual feast that has been Shinkai’s hallmark among anime directors.

The story looks to follow a girl’s coming of age as she ventures forth to meet a boy. Whether the movie’s themes will reprise the obstacles of love and distance that characterize Shinkai’s previous works is up in the air, but it should make for some poignant storytelling.

The soundtrack will, once again, be composed by Tenmon. We’ve recently reviewed Eminence Symphony Orchestra’s Makoto Shinkai album titled Promise which features a selection of Tenmon’s music from Shinkai’s movies, so give that album a shot if you’re looking to see how heartfelt his music is.

All told, this project does sound promising and here’s hoping for another success!

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IOSYS Composes Theme Song for Winter Anime Yumekui Merry

By Chris Nguyen | Published: October 30, 2010

In another sign of just how far the doujin music scene has come, it looks like that the doujin music circle IOSYS will be doing the theme songs to this winter’s Yumekui Merry anime series. The plot of the show revolves around the protagonist’s ability to see other people’s dreams and nightmares and one day, he meets a girl who comes from the land of dreams.

I’m slightly skeptical of how this will go because, to be frank, IOSYS hasn’t exactly been at the top of their game in their latest Touhou releases. A lot of their tracks are somewhat gimmicky and the last album that Anime Instrumentality reviewed, their Anime House Vol. 2 album, was utterly atrocious. Still, that they’ve gotten this gig is pretty interesting and I do hope to see some good melodies/tunes come out of it.

If anything’s for certain, the quality of the OP/ED will most definitely depend on the singers they can find. Some of their usuals just haven’t been able to cut it.

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Club2theMAX Schedules Anaheim Convention during July 4th holidays.

By Chris Nguyen | Published: October 21, 2010


Apparently, Club2theMAX, a new convention is seeking to make something out of its admittedly odd choice for a convention date. Club2theMAX, self-described as a place where fans and industry can meet (presumably related to all things Japan) will be held on July 1-3, 2011 in Anaheim, CA at the Anaheim Convention Center.

For veteran convention goers, you’ll know that this Southern California convention will clash with another well-known SoCal convention: Anime Expo. Where this convention looks to differ is the fact that it’s charging no admission, so for the budget conscious, that might be an appealing proposal.

Nothing’s been set yet though. Their website is trying to raise interest in activities such as concerts, cosplay, dances, and whatnot, but as of yet, there’s no schedule out. I’m admittedly a skeptic where this is concerned, but will be keeping an eye out on them nonetheless.

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