Latest news with #TatsuyaKitani
Time of India
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity release date: When and where to watch the anime
The manga The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity by Saka Mikami is loved by many. It is now being adapted into an anime, and fans are so excited that when the trailer was released, they couldn't help but ask for more. The anime is set to release soon, but before it does, here's a look at the release date, plot, and more. The Fragrant Flower Blooms trailer The trailer gives fans their first look at scenes from the anime, brought to life with the opening theme "Manazashi wa Hikari" by Tatsuya Kitani and the ending theme "Hare no Hi ni" by Reira Ushio. The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity release date The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity will be released on 6th July on Netflix. What is The Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity about? As per Netflix, set in a town divided by rivalry, the story centers on two well-known schools constantly at odds: Chidori High, a boys' school with a reputation for enrolling academically struggling students, and Kikyo Girls' High, known for its elite student body from affluent families. Rintaro Tsumugi, a second-year student at Chidori with an intimidating look but a kind nature, helps out at his family's patisserie. There, he meets Kaoruko Waguri, a customer who treats him without prejudice. Rintaro values their encounters deeply—until he learns that Kaoruko is a student at Kikyo. This unexpected twist complicates their bond, setting off a heartfelt journey as the two try to rise above the social and institutional divisions between their schools to create a future of their own. Cast and crew of Fragrant Flower Blooms With Dignity Leading the creative team is director Miyuki Kuroki, with associate director Satoshi Yamaguchi supporting the project. The series composition is handled by Rino Yamazaki, while Haruka Tsuzuki serves as the series director, ensuring a cohesive and engaging narrative.
Hype Malaysia
01-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Concert Review: Energy Went Through The Roof At CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025
On 26th April, music lovers were on their feet the entire night as Zepp Kuala Lumpur was set ablaze with energy and culture as the CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 made its highly anticipated stop in Malaysia. Fans from all walks of life came together to celebrate a shared love of performance, creativity, and connection, with performances by ATARASHII GAKKO!, Creepy Nuts, and Tatsuya Kitani, alongside local opening act K.O.I. The KL show marked the grand finale of CENTRAL's overseas tour, following a sold-out night at Zepp New Taipei. True to its mission of 'Bringing the Sounds of Japan to the World', the festival delivered not just a show but a fusion of genres, cultures, and artistic expression that resonated deeply with Malaysian fans. Here's what went down: K.O.I (Opening Act) Words could not begin to describe how blown away we were when K.O.I. walked onto the stage to open the concert. The local group, known for wearing masks to conceal their identities, proved that they belonged there, delivering a thunderous performance that was every bit as powerful as the three main acts of the night. Goosebumps rippled through the crowd as vocalist Mya Nana began singing the chorus to their famous track 'Meta Dermaga', demonstrating amazing vocal projection and breathing technique before her bandmates showcased their incredible rap skills. Although they are a Malaysian group, their opening song proved they were the perfect choice to open the show, incorporating traditional Japanese elements into their performance. If the crowd had not been familiar with the band before, their performance would certainly have convinced everyone to check them out. The live versions of their songs, including 'Tiwikarma', were a perfect fusion of rock and hip-hop, leaving us wanting more. K.O.I. earned cheers and nods of approval from a crowd eager to embrace a cross-cultural musical experience. They closed their set with 'Niskala Suaka'. Tatsuya Kitani After an exhilarating performance by the opening act, the energy did not stop there. Tatsuya Kitani took to the Zepp Kuala Lumpur stage, greeted by a crowd poised to absorb every note, every lyric, every emotion he was about to unleash. He opened his set with the electrifying track 'Scar', the opening theme of 'BLEACH: Thousand-Year Blood War', which instantly sent a shockwave of excitement through the crowd, particularly among anime fans. The second song, 'Rapport', saw Kitani's heartfelt delivery pulling the crowd deeper into his world, followed by 'When The Weak Go Marching In', which had everyone headbanging along to the beat. After a brief interaction to thank fans for their support, the singer launched into more of his fan favourites, including 'Promise Me', 'Chained', and 'Bakeneko'. Throughout the entire set, Tatsuya Kitani showcased exceptional vocal technique, effortlessly transitioning between chest and head voice—even during high-energy, uptempo numbers. Fans erupted in cheers the moment he began singing 'Zutto Issho!', followed by 'Preview of Me'. If those reactions weren't loud enough, his final song, 'Where Our Blue Is', from the anime 'Jujutsu Kaisen' Season 2, sent the crowd into a frenzy (figuratively speaking, of course). Though it was hard to say goodbye, Tatsuya Kitani thanked the audience once more before leaving the stage. Judging by the electric energy in the room, we're confident it won't be long before he returns to perform in Malaysia again. ATARASHII GAKKO! As the lights dimmed and the sound of a school bell rang out, the crowd erupted with excitement as it was time for ATARASHII GAKKO! to take the stage. Returning to Malaysia for the second time, the group kicked off their set with their trademark eccentric charm and boundless energy. The self-proclaimed 'Youth Representatives of Japan' stormed the stage in their iconic school uniforms, layered with yukatas, making an unforgettable entrance. They opened with 'Omakase', followed by the viral hit 'OTONABLUE'. One of the standout moments of their set was the performance of their fourth song, 'Arigato', where the members cleverly used broomsticks as mic stands for the disco-inspired track—a playful touch that perfectly captured their quirky stage presence. Also known for their energetic, fun and distinctive choreography, the band had everyone smiling and cheering as they lit up the stage with their performance. Much like the act before them, ATARASHII GAKKO! showed no signs of slowing down, with each song more upbeat and dynamic than the last. Between songs, the members spoke to fans in Japanese and English, expressing their excitement to be back in Malaysia. We were definitely impressed by the girls' stamina and breath support as they danced, ran and jumped on stage throughout the entirety of their set. They segued into 'FreeYourself', and the audiences were quite hyped up by the time. Another highlight of the night was ATARASHII GAKKO!'s performance of 'WOO! GO!', during which each member showcased their dance skills, prompting screams of excitement from the crowd. The audience's energy peaked when 'Tokyo Calling' began, and the group closed their set with their new pop anthem, 'One Heart', a warm, unifying moment that saw fans dancing, singing and smiling together. As the show came to an end, the group shouted, 'Terima kasih!' ('Thank you!'), and the audience responded with a sea of hearts raised high, ending the night with an outpouring of love and joy. Creepy Nuts Finally, last but by no means least, the act everyone had been waiting for all night: Creepy Nuts! From the moment DJ Matsunaga dropped the first beat and R-Shitei took the mic, the crowd was completely theirs. The audience moved in sync, captivated by every word as the iconic duo launched into 'Yofukashino Uta', one of their signature tracks, evoking the energy of a sleepless city night and the rush of speed. One of the standout moments of their performance came during the third song, '2way Nice Guy', a funky, disco-inspired track that had fans jumping and waving their hands side to side with infectious energy. The vocalist took a moment to pause the show and engage with the audience, praising them for their incredible energy and giving a shoutout to the other performers of the night. He shared a light-hearted joke, saying they were 'just Japanese', which served as a clever segue into their next song, fittingly titled 'japanese'. Throughout Creepy Nuts' entire set, DJ Matsunaga showcased his exceptional turntable skills, reminding everyone why he's hailed as 'Japan's No.1 DJ'. Meanwhile, R-Shitei delivered not only slick rap flows but also impressive breath control, particularly during high-speed tracks like 'Doppelgänger' and 'Nidone'. As the performance neared its end, a powerful sense of unity swept through the venue during 'Dandadan', the opening theme from the hit anime series 'Dandadan'. The crowd raised their hands, sang along, and roared in appreciation of the duo's electrifying presence. Naturally, no Creepy Nuts set would be complete without their most successful hit to date, 'Bling-Bang-Bang-Born', a global sensation with over 700 million streams. The moment R-Shitei delivered the opening lines, the crowd erupted, singing along word for word, creating a truly unforgettable finale to end the night on a high. The KL performance marked not just the end of a tour, but the beginning of deeper cultural exchange through music and artistry. As CENTRAL wraps its inaugural international tour, the success of both the Taipei and KL shows signals a new era of cultural exchange and artistic diplomacy through music. From Yokohama to the world, CENTRAL has proven itself as more than a festival—it's a movement for global resonance.
Hype Malaysia
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Interview: Japanese Singer Tatsuya Kitani On His First Visit To Malaysia & Upcoming Releases
Tatsuya Kitani (キタニタツヤ) is a name familiar to many anime fans, having sang the theme songs to several popular series including 'Jujutsu Kaisen', 'Oshi No Ko' and 'Rurouni Kenshin'. As such, fans were ecstatic to learn that the singer-songwriter is making his first visit to Kuala Lumpur later this month, for the upcoming 'CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur'. The joint concert marks Tatsuya Kitani's first performance in Malaysia, so the anticipation is high. Lucky for us, Hype Malaysia has the chance to speak with the 29-year-old to hear what he has to share about the concert. At the same time, we also talked about what he's looking forward to in Malaysia, what it was like working with Kento Nakajima, and his future projects. Keep scrolling to learn more: 1. Is this the first time you've met the other acts from the 'CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur' lineup? What is your first impression? I've only briefly greeted ATARASHII GAKKO! members on a TV show. As for Creepy Nuts, I performed on a music program in 2019 where DJ Matsunaga was the MC, and I've been in touch with him since then. Both are artists I admire for their cutting-edge musical expression, so I initially thought meeting them in person might be intimidating…but in reality, they turned out to be the kind of humble and refreshing people you would love to meet. 2. What are your thoughts about performing at this joint concert with ATARASHII GAKKO! and Creepy Nuts? Both artists create new and innovative music like no one else did, so I'm looking forward to seeing them perform as a music fan (rather than just as a fellow performer). 3. What are you looking forward to the most in Malaysia? I'm not sure if we'll have the time, but I'd love to visit the Islamic Arts Museum. The Masjid Negara is also unique, so I definitely want to see it in person. And of course, the Petronas Twin Towers! There are so many fascinating architectural sites that catch my eye. 4. Can you share a teaser for your performance? What do you have prepared for fans? I'm preparing my body to be in good shape and will do my best to perform as usual, so that everyone can enjoy the music! 5. Do you have any upcoming projects that you are excited to release? Can you share more about it? I've been working on a few songs that focus on the essence of Japanese pop music that I love. So, I'm both excited and a bit nervous to see if the people who've been following CENTRAL will enjoy this kind of music. 6. At festivals, each artist is given a specific duration for their set. How do you choose the songs you want to perform within the given timeframe? Since this is my first live performance here, I'll do my best to play as many songs that most of you know as possible. 7. Is this your first time in Malaysia? What is your first impression of the country? It's my first time. Historically, Malaysia has been a crossroads of multiple cultures, so I think that unique harmony can be seen in its architecture and food culture. I'm looking forward to it! 8. Are you familiar with the local cuisine? Is there anything you are looking forward to trying? I plan to try out laksa! 9. You're also active as a duo (GEMN) with Kento Nakajima. What's it like working with him? As an idol, Kento's musical expression is rooted in a completely different foundation from mine, and he pursues the most pure and traditional form of the Japanese 'idol' concept. Working together with him has led to countless discoveries. It's a great learning experience for me about what it means to be involved in the entertainment industry. 10. Apart from sajou no hana, in your early days, you were a part of bands like Hitsuji no Mure wa Warawanai and 'humanic'. What can you recall from those times? I believe we were making good music, but unfortunately, we didn't gain much recognition from the public, so there aren't many fond memories from that time. However, everything I learned back then has become the foundation of what I am doing now, so it was definitely an experience I couldn't do without. 11. Before becoming a singer, you were a Vocaloid producer. What made you want to become an artist yourself? I was influenced by seeing artists like Kenshi Yonezu and wowaka from Hitorie transition from the underground scene to the mainstream with their own voices. Also, I felt that if I wanted my music to be heard by people like my family and friends who aren't particularly into music — the best approach was through my own voice. 12. Your music video for 'Chained' is the first one where you incorporate both live action and animation for your solo project. What was the inspiration behind it? There was a restriction where NATORI couldn't express himself through live action, so I thought about how to make the most of that. A large part of the inspiration came from the past works of the director, Bivi. 13. You worked on the OP for several animes like 'Jujutsu Kaisen' and 'Oshi no Ko'. Is there an anime that you'd love to do the theme music for? I'd love to try working on a pure love story. It's quite different from my usual style, so I feel like it might bring me fresh inspiration. Tatsuya Kitani will perform at the 'CENTRAL MUSIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur' at Zepp Kuala Lumpur, on 26th April 2025 (Saturday) alongside Creepy Nuts and ATARASHII GAKKO! Tickets are still available on the BookMyShow website. In the meantime, here's a listen at the singer's latest track, 'You More':
Hype Malaysia
24-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Hype Malaysia
Interview: J-pop Sensation ATARASHII GAKKO! On Their Malaysian Fans & Collaborating With AURORA
ATARASHII GAKKO! (新しい学校のリーダーズ) is taking the world by storm with their spunky performances and energetic stages! After a successful stop for their first world tour, the quarter is back in Malaysia – this time performing alongside Creepy Nuts and Tatsuya Kitani at the highly-anticipated 'CENTRAL MU SIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur'. Before the girls take the stage at Zepp Kuala Lumpur on 26th April 2025 (Saturday), Hype Malaysia had the opportunity to speak to them to hear what they have to share about their upcoming show. Besides that, ATARASHII GAKKO! also talked about their Malaysian fans, what they want to do when they're back in KL, and what they have planned for the future. Keep on reading to find out: 1. Is this the first time you've met the other acts from the 'CENTRAL MU SIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur' lineup? What is your first impression? We've met Kitani-san before, but this will be our first time sharing the same stage! We once saw him dancing, and it was so cool—we'd love to dance together next time! As for Creepy Nuts, we've met each other a few times and performed at the same festivals, but this will be our first proper collaboration. When we think of Creepy Nuts, we immediately think of their incredible freestyle rap and DJ skills! We've been watching their live performances since six or seven years ago, so we're really looking forward to this! 2. What are your thoughts about performing at this joint concert with Tatsuya Kitani and Creepy Nuts? It's like a crazy musical buffet! Everyone is in completely different genres, and it's interesting to see how each brings their own 'flavor' to the stage. We love how unpredictable the lineup is. Hip-hop, rock, and whatever-we-are (laughs)—it's going to be an explosive night! 3. What are you looking forward to the most in Malaysia? Last time, we didn't have much time to stay, so we couldn't try a lot of Malaysian food. This time, we definitely want to enjoy it as much as we can! We're also excited to see the fans who have been waiting for us in Malaysia, as well as meeting the Japanese people living here. And of course, we're looking forward to connecting with new audiences too! 4. Can you share a teaser for your performance? What do you have prepared for fans? Do expect a full-body workout! We'll be bringing the wildest, most high-energy performance that will make you laugh, sweat, and maybe even wonder if this is really happening!? 5. Do you have any upcoming projects that you are excited to release? Can you share more about it? We'll be celebrating our 10th anniversary as a group this July! We're preparing a lot of exciting things for it. There are plenty of plans now in progress, so be sure to keep an eye out for each announcement! 6. At festivals, each artist is given a specific duration for their set. How do you choose the songs you want to perform within the given timeframe? It's like putting together a rollercoaster ride! The crazy highs, unexpected twists, and moments where you can just take a deep breath before diving back in, these are the balance we took into consideration when putting everything together. Above all, what matters most to us is keeping the crowd hyped up and moving throughout the show! 7. This is your second show in Malaysia. What do you remember the most about the last visit? What stood out the most was seeing so many fans dressed like us, wearing outfits inspired by our costumes, or styling our merch in their own unique way! Also, the energy from the crowd was incredible—they were so enthusiastic and made everything feel even hotter! 8. Did you manage to try any Malaysian food during your last visit? What was your favorite? We didn't get to try much last time, so this time, we definitely will! We're really looking forward to having nasi goreng! 9. You recently collaborated with AURORA. Can you share your experience working with her? She's the artist from the farthest country we've ever collaborated with, so being able to stand on the same stage and connect through music despite the distance was such a beautiful experience. The song itself was also a new genre for us, and it felt like it expanded our world. Aurora is like a fairy, like an angel—and she's incredibly smart in the way she thinks and carries herself! 10. You've worked with many artists, both from Japan and internationally, but do you have a dream collaboration? There are so many! But we'll leave it to the flow of the universe to see what kind of encounters await us. We'd love to collaborate with artists from different countries, expand our world, and enjoy the magic of creative chemistry! 11. The lyrics for your single 'Change' are quite straightforward, and the music video appears to have a theme of reflection, as it involves mirrors. Could you walk us through the creative process behind the song and video? The song is about growth, how we evolve, but at the core, we're still us. The mirrors in the music video represent that inner dialogue, where you're facing different versions of yourself. It's a little introspective but still fun and quirky, just like us! One of the themes of 'Change' is our journey of constantly moving forward and evolving. The chorus choreography, which looks like riding a horse, was created with the idea of facing ourselves while transforming negative emotions into positive energy. So be sure to pay attention to the choreography as well! 12. Is there a genre of music or concept that you'd like to explore in the future? Of course! We want to challenge ourselves with different genres and concepts, blending them into ATARASHII GAKKO!'s unique style and enjoying the creative chemistry that comes from it! ATARASHII GAKKO! will perform at the 'CENTRAL MU SIC & ENTERTAINMENT FESTIVAL 2025 in Kuala Lumpur' at Zepp Kuala Lumpur, on 26th April 2025 (Saturday) alongside Creepy Nuts and Tatsuya Kitani. Tickets are still available on the BookMyShow website. In the meantime, here's a listen to the group's latest track, 'One Heart':
