Namie Amuro Wants You to Touch Her in Latest Music Video

Move over, Taylor Swift. Namie Amuro is back with a new hit single and a fourth-wall-breaking music video to boot. At 37 and boasting a vast repertoire of 43 singles and 11 albums, the Queen of J-Pop is showing no signs of aging.

Maaya Uchida to Star in Jun Maeda's Charlotte Anime, Lia to Sing Opening

Key VisualArt's/P.A. Works' new anime Charlotte, set to become another tear-jerker for grown men in their 20s, has announced its voice cast. Maaya Uchida (Chuunibyou's Takanashi Rikka) will voice sisters Nishimori Yusa and Misa.

7 Must-Attend Anime Events in June (UPDATE)

There are a total of 7 anime events taking place during the June holidays in Singapore this year.

School holidays are just around the corner! If you are a passionate fan of anime, manga and cosplay, what better way to spend them than to attend the many anime events that will be held in June. With at least 1 ACG event taking place over each weekend, here are six seven to keep you occupied throughout your long and arduous June holidays.

Hatsune Miku Set to Rob The Hearts of Chinese Fanboys Next in Quest for World Domination

Will Hatsune Miku be singing in Chinese?

In 2014, Hatsune Miku opened for Lady Gaga, debuted on David Letterman and expanded her presence globally with a series of Miku Expos in New York, Indonesia and Los Angeles. This year, she will be heading to Shanghai.

Have a Cultural Exchange with Your Favourite Cosplayer at ICEXPO 2015

UPDATE: This is an outdated post with obsolete information. Read our new post 'All you Need to Know about Icexpo 2015" for the latest, most up-to-date information!

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OUTDATED

An exciting new pop culture event is coming to Singapore where you'll get to participate in cultural exchange sessions with your favourite Japanese, Taiwanese and Hong Kong cosplayers . Supported by the National Youth Council Singapore, ICEXPO 2015 is an anime, comics and games (ACG) event taking place from 10-12 July 2015, with a focus on fruitful regional exchange experiences. Offering more than your usual cosplay event, it aims to create a regional pop-culture exchange platform where you can meet up close with your favourite cosplayers and other passionate individuals from the region.

What Japan's Green Tea Oreos Taste Like

Why does Japan always get the exotic snack flavours? With over 200 varieties of Kit Kat and Pocky to choose from, the Japanese must be really spoilt for choice. Now, add another one to the list. Two of the most-loved creations from the East and the West are finally together in a destined marriage to create the ultimate teatime snack - Matcha Oreo Bits Sandwiches! Yes, matcha, the finely milled and antioxidant-rich vibrant green powder from Japan which is different from normal green tea, is finally paired with the world's favourite cookie (and one of the biggest proponents of obesity) from America, Oreo in a dream pairing for matcha and chocolate aficionados all over the world.

What You'll Find In The Best Japanese Bakery in Singapore

With many Japanese bakeries hitting Singapore lately, Pullman Bakery from Hokkaido, baking daily since 2010, continues to stay strong, reigning in many customers daily with their tantalising and exquisite freshly-baked Japanese breads. Recently, I had an opportunity to work in the city and after two short weeks, the bakery at the tranquil Millenia Walk shopping centre has cemented its place as my favourite. Among the 10 or so breads which I have tried during the past two weeks, my favourites are both their Butter and Almond Croissants, both distinctively different yet incredibly good, the fried Sweet Potato Donut which comes with an extremely generous filling and the Nuts & Kaya Bun, which is a perfect complement of almonds and walnuts, Japanese-inspired kaya and soft, heavenly bread with a crispy exterior.

CharaExpo 2015 Stage Highlights: Ayano Mashiro Live, Melodies of VisualArt's, GRISAIA, Captain Tsubasa & Vanguard Panels

There will be a plethora of activities lined up over the 2 days of CharaExpo, with something for everyone, as the featured content for CharaExpo was announced at the second press conference on May 20. From screenings of recent anime movies, a mass of exhibitors and guests, tons of anime merchandise on sale, a 600-seat card game tournament area, photo-taking, autograph and live-drawing sessions at the Mini stage, a colourful daily line-up of events at the main Entertainment stage and even daily live wrestling matches at the event grounds, CharaExpo encompasses a wide spectrum of engaging and appealing content across the anime, manga, games and cosplay culture.

Chara-Ani, Cospa, Pony Canyon, and More Exhibitors at CharaExpo 2015

Many new exhibitors including Chara-Ani, Cospa and Pony Canyon and the official floor plan for the convention were announced at the second CharaExpo press conference on May 20. They join those previously-announced such as Good Smile Company, Aniplex, Kotobukiya, VisualArt's and Nitroplus. The full list of new exhibitors announced includes Exit Tunes, Tokyo Game Show, Nippon Animation, Anicrush, INCS toenter Co. Ltd, Xarts, Frontier Works Inc., AKB48 Official Treasure Cards, Bilibili Co. Ltd and a certain MAGICAL SUITE PRISM NANA. For those in the dark, INCS toenter Co. Ltd is a Japanese music management company managing artists such as supercell, livetune, Hachioji-P and yanaginagi. One of these artists might just make a guest appearance on the day itself so keep an eye out for them. 

Arpeggio of Blue Steel and Other Anime Movies to Air at CharaExpo 2015

If you missed screenings of recent anime movies at the local cinema or just want to rest your tired legs, you can head over to the Movie Area of CharaExpo 2015. 200 seats have been set aside for each airing of Arpeggio of Blue Steel - Ars Nova DC and THE LAST NARUTO Movie. Best of all, admission is free! If you think you know all about anime and manga, why not join the Otaku Wars Quiz at 1pm daily and pit your knowledge against fellow otakus? Attractive prizes (and bragging rights) await the triumphant otaku!

Kurosaki Maon, Ayano Mashiro, Ryo Horikawa & More Coming to CharaExpo 2015

Fans of Maon Kurosaki will also be delighted to hear that she will be making her first appearance in Singapore. A powerful anisong singer whose vast repertoire includes the theme songs to Highschool of the Dead, Toaru Majitsu no Index II and the Grisaia anime series, she last performed in the region at Bangkok Comic Con 2014. A founding member of three-member technopop unit ALTIMA with Move's Motsu and fripside's Sat, be prepared to be enthralled by her dynamic vocals this June.

New Japan Pro-Wrestling Singapore Match-Ups and Wrestlers Announced for CharaExpo 2015

WRESTLING WORLD 2015 IN SINGAPORE

Wrestling fans unite! Kaname Tezuka, President of New Japan Pro-Wrestling (NJPW), also announced that WRESTLING WORLD 2015 in Singapore will be taking place at the dedicated NJPW Ring at CharaExpo. For 2 days, attendees will get the rare opportunity to watch a live wrestling match upfront featuring 12 professional wrestlers, including the likes of Jushin Thunder Liger, Captain New Japan and newly-crowned champions Hirooki Goto and Togi Makabe. The entire event is open for all to view while front-row seats will be ticketed. However, the affable, always-smiling Tezuka-san assured that the tickets will be affordable and more details will be revealed at a later date.

6 New Guests & 13 More Exhibitors Announced at 2nd CharaExpo Press Conference

In attendance at the second CharaExpo 2015 press conference: (from left) Bushiroad CEO Takaaki Kidani, singer-voice actress Aimi, New Japan Pro-Wrestling President Kaname Tezuka and Albirex Nigata goalkeeper Kenjiro Ogino

Anisong extraordinaire Maon Kurosaki, manga artists Yoichi Tsukahashi (Captain Tsubasa), Akira Itou (Cardfight!! Vanguard), Mitsuhisa Tamura (Future Card Buddyfight), voice actors Ryo Horikawa (Vegeta from Dragon Ball), Mikoi Sasaki and Shuuta Morishima are some of the talents who will be landing on the shores of sunny Singapore come this June for the inaugural CharaExpo 2015. They were the latest wave of guests announced at the second CharaExpo press conference on May 20, which saw voice actress-singer Aimi and New Japan Pro Wrestling President Kaname Tezuka gracing the event at the flagship 313@Somerset Sony Store.

Why You Should Attend Penang Anime Matsuri 2015 This Weekend

CharaExpo 2015 Second Press Conference should be up tomorrow. I'm already halfway through composing it. In the meantime, do take a look at some of the highlights for Penang Anime Matsuri, happening in Georgetown, Penang, Malaysia this weekend, May 23 and May 24!

Penang, Malaysia, 20 May 2015 – SOZO and Penang Global Tourism are all geared up to present the best of Japan’s pop culture, right here in George Town on 23^rd and 24^th May 2015.

The PAM2015 features a whole list of exciting activities throughout the day such as Japan’s latest animated movies, anime merchandise and thrilling Xcape games. At nightfall, the festival moves outdoors to the Matsuri Zone, Anime Night Market and Anisong & DJ Party Stage, where singers Mika Kobayashi, yanaginagi, Anisong DJs Hachioji-P and DJ’TEKINA//SOMETHING a.k.a. Yuyoyuppe will be performing.

It's Official. Katou Megumi is the Best Girl of Winter 2015.

Katou Megumi, the Diadem of Winter for ISML 2015

The fans have spoken! Katou Megumi from Saenai Heroine no Sodatekata (Saekano: How to Raise A Boring Girlfriend) has cemented her position as the best female character among all others appearing in the recently-concluded Winter 2015 anime season. In a heated and intense battle with Imperial Japanese Navy battlecruiser Kongou, the demure and often-unnoticed "plain Jane" has edged out the English-educated anthropomorphised warship by a mere 88 votes (2601-2513) to clinch the much-coveted Diadem of Winter in the International Saimoe League (ISML) 2015 Winter Seasonal Finals.

Subete ga F ni Naru Anime by Elfen Lied Director to Land on Noitamina in Fall 2015. Key Visual, Promotional Teaser and Character Designs Unveiled.

Fuji TV's famed noitaminA block will be home to the anime adaptation of Hiroshi Mori's award-winning mystery novel Subete ga F ni Naru, The Perfect Insider in October 2015. Mamoru Kanbe (So Ra No Wo To, Elfen Lied) will be directing the A-1 Pictures production. A key visual featuring main characters Moe Nishinosono and Sohei Saikawa by acclaimed manga author Inio Asano (Solaine, Oyasumi Punpun, Nijigahara Holograph) has been revealed on the official website, along with a promotional teaser and character designs by Asano.

Ore Monogatari!! Live-Action Movie Announced, Cast to be Announced Next Month

Ore Monogatari!! live-action film adaptation greenlit

The June issue of Japanese shoujo manga magazine Bessatsu Margaret, on sale today, brings good news for fans of Kazune Kawahara's original manga Ore Monogatari!! (My Love Story!!). A live action film-adaption of the manga, which spawned a Madhouse-produced anime adaptation has been greenlit! The cast will be announced in the next issue of Bessatsu Margaret, on sale June 13.

Wake Up, Girls! gets a new smartphone game by AltPlus Inc.

A Wake Up, Girls! smartphone game by AltPlus Inc. is currently under development

Social game developer AltPlus Inc. (SUMMER NIGHT MEMORIES, The iDOLM@STER: Side M) announced that it had signed a licensing agreement to develop a native smartphone game for the popular anime "Wake Up, Girls" in a financial results briefing today.

SCANDAL 「HELLO WORLD」 in Singapore, 21st Single To Be Announced Soon

This is a MEGA concert report brought to you by XDantheManX Online in collaboration with Nakitty Channel. Many thanks to SOZO for the media invite and of course, SCANDAL for the unforgettable night!

Japanese pop-rock girl band SCANDAL スキャンダル returned to the shores of sunny Singapore for a one-night concert at The Coliseum as a stop on their jam-packed 「HELLO WORLD」 World Tour 2015 ヘローワールドワールドツアー. The girls are no stranger to the country, having performed thrice in the past- including at AFA X's I Love Anisong アニソン大好き concert and their last solo concert, ENCORE SHOW アンコールショー two years back. Unlike their previous lives, there was little promotion for their latest show and a press conference was not organised this time around.