She actually looked gothic, but she doesn't show it in her song. Her Te wo Tsunaide is still just standard rock.

YUI and Younha's new single about to be released. CAN'T WAIT!!~ Younha's single has 5 tracks instead of the standard 4 track count this time.

I guess my lack of exposure to other artists made me state my conclusion. :p

Te wo Tsunaide had some piano, but it wasn't as prominent as it was in previous songs.

Which was kind of my point. ;)

Also, what soulsteelgrey said. It wasn't the same as her other stuff, but it still felt like Younha, only rockier. I like that Younha is playing with her sound a little, there's no harm in it, and I liked that single.

Just seen the PV for Tomiko Van's new single 『閃光』 (Senkou), out 27th September. It's pretty damned good, and somewhat reminds me of DAI's style of music than the stuff on 『Farewell』. Go check it out. For those interested in buying there are CD only and CD+DVD versions.

HUH WHAT?!?! dammit, I need to find that ASAP. Thanks OP.

Oh yeah, Tomiko's solo career...forgot about that. Gonna look into this right now, thanks for reminding me ^^;;

-EDIT- I'm also gonna look into some of Ryo's band, Missile Inovation's stuff, only heard one song of theirs, was arright.

I have their mini-album thing. I don't know if they released anything after that.

I was able to get info on the movie Umizaru here, so maybe I'll get lucky. Does anyone know much about the movie Shinobi?

It was based on the novel Kouga Ninpou Chou by Yamada Futaro, but it was adapted into a manga and anime first before heading to the big screen as SHINOBI.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Basilis..._Ninja_Scrolls
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/SHINOBI_Heart_Under_Blade

Did you see the movie?

No. The movie doesn't particularly interest me even though Nakama Yukie is in it.

The movie was boring, and the only good thing about the anime is the opening song. Onmyoza rocks!

I just finished watching Tokyo Friends (the five part drama) which stars OTSUKA AI

and I'm in love with all the songs she sings in the drama and I'm going crazy looking for the movie >______< someone please end my agony and kill me now hahahaha jks jks

I think I'm overloading with obsession again....

ahem... btw has anyone seen this drama? or heard any of the songs she sings in this drama? Absolutely amazing.... sabakaaaaaan!!!

Ha ha. Give it a couple of months before it leaks onto the internet. It just came out, what, last month? Late July?

Anyways, I thought I should plug Younha's latest single, Ima ga Daisuki. I'm not particularly fond of the B-side, Inori, but I really like Ima ga Daisuki a lot.

And then, of course, there's Suga Shikao's newest album. Man, the guy never fails to amaze me.

One last thing: please tell me I'm not the only one slightly appalled by Taiyou no Uta's first week ranking. #2 with 150k units moved? It's not even that good of a single. The ratings for the drama don't seem to correlate all that well with the sales figures either.

August 12 to be exact haha
I think it might have already leaked into the chinese mall around my area...
I'll go check it out tomorrow!!!!

I really want to see the Tokyo Friends stuff but don't know where to start hunting for J-Dramas with English subs, plus I've got soooo much to watch already. As for the music, I think generally it's her songs or b-sides and stuff, and well I'll definitely be able to tell you as I have the Tokyo Friend Movie soundtrack on the way. ^^

Omagnus you might wanna try out http://www.d-addicts.com/forum/ they have jdramas there, well that is if you are interested.

d-addicts is my best friend lol

and OP, I know the songs are good. I heard them in the drama and they are awesome!!!! OTSUKA AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIII

Whee, good to see some love for Aichan. She does indeed rock.

For those who like her, and if you haven't already, I highly recommend picking up her LOVE COOK Concert Tour DVD that was released a couple of months back. It is very, very, very good.

If the torrents aren't working fast enough, I have the 5 eps of Tokyo Friends up for download through my FTP...although I can't ensure that my FTP would be faster, haha ^^;

I had a chance to see the Tokyo Friends movie while I was in Japan...but I decided against it. Wasn't cost-effective, I figure I would wait until DVDs started popping up. While I was there, it was pretty successful in the charts, but they were really aggressively marketing it (I believe the ads mentioned couples get into the movie for cheaper).

Another random recommendation for y'all: Takaoka Ai - "acoustic love". I've been listening to this album pretty much all of today and it's good. Very good. For those who can't quite guess it's acoustic music of a guitar-based variety. Go check it.

And here's something I haven't done for a while, a round up of releases so you know what to expect over the coming months...

----------------------

== SEPTEMBER ==

[ 20/09/2006 ]
As I may have mentioned a couple of times in passing, the lovely YUI is releasing her new single I remember you. As well as the standard release there's a special limited edition version with DVD, though from word on the street is that last week most places were reporting that they were unable to offer the limited edition due to demand, some even cancelling existing pre-orders.

Also out is a new single from PUFFY, Hazumu Rhythm, their first release since an album back in June. The single is a collaboration with the Tokyo Ska Paradise Orchestra.

Those missing (now solo) misono fronted day after tomorrow after they disbanded can look forward to a couple of releases; Selection Best Album will feature 15 fan selected tracks, or for the real diehard fan you might want to get your hands on the 3,000 copy limited edition complete Best, a stunning 4 CD and 2 DVD set.

[ 27/09/2006 ]
Speaking of now solo front ladies, the 27th sees the release of Tomiko Van's second single Senkou. Will be available as CD only and CD+DVD.

The lovely Fayray finally releases a new single, Hitori Yori Futari, the first release since album Hikari to Kage back in January, so about time.

Also out on the 27th, LOVE CONCENT, a new album from hitomi. No, not a typo, that is seemingly a word. A limited edition CD+DVD is available and will include, as well as a DVD, a twenty-eight page photobook shot in LA.

ayaka, who recently impressed with Real Voice, releases 4th single mikazuki. There's some very impressive buzz surrounding this, so keep an eye out for it. Also, watch out for an upcoming album.

Rounding off the big releases for the 27th is a fourth video collection from Hikki. The imaginatively titled UTADA HIKARU SINGLE CLIP COLLECTION VOL. 4 will be available as a single DVD and double DVD limited edition. The second disc, for those lucky to nab a copy with it, will feature recording footage from an Internet live of Be My Last and Passion.

== OCTOBER ==

[ 04/10/2006 ]
The beginning of October starts with GARNET CROW releasing a new album, THE TWILIGHT VALLEY, which will be available as CD or CD+DVD.

Not only that, but ex-MoMusu member Natsumi Abe releases her new single amasugita kajitsu.

[ 11/10/2006 ]
A week later another ex-MoMusu member, this time the lovely Maki Goto, releases the follow up to Glass no Pumps, SOME BOYS! TOUCH. A limited edition version includes a DVD. Also out the same day is a new Maki live DVD, Maki Goto Secret Live.

Tommy heavenly6 returns with the single Lollipop Candy♥BAD♥girl. The song is rumoured to have a running-time of ten-minutes, thirty-one seconds, which is quite something. A limited edition will come with a DVD containing PVs.

Following on from 4 hot wave comes Koda Kumi's new single, the double a-side yume no uta / futari de.... A CD+DVD version is available with the DVD containing the PVs, which are apparently connected. Also, the songs have the same music but different lyrics, or something equally weird.

[ 25/10/2006 ]
Fellow avex star (and if rumour is anything to go by, rival) Otsuka Ai releases her new single renai shashin. Again, available as CD only or CD+DVD with the DVD featuring the PV.

BoA's next single hits shelves. Currently untitled the release will be, surprise surprise, available as a CD only or CD+DVD package. Limited first pressing editions will apparently feature a bonus track.

Also out at the end of October is a second single from Morning Musume's 7th gen wonder Koharu Kusumi (or rather Kirari Tsukishima starring Koharu Kusumi), entitled BALALAIKA. A limited edition first press edition is available, goodies to be confirmed.

== NOVEMBER ==

[ 01/11/2006 ]
Starting off November misono (ex-dat fronter and sister to a certain Kumi) releases her, currently untitled, fourth single. As with her other singles, and a lot of people's, it will be available as CD only or CD+DVD.

[ 08/11/2006 ]
Morning Musume release single number 31. Still untitled the single is available as a regular CD affair, or as one of two limited editions: a CD+Photobook, or CD+DVD.

And proving it's not just the summer that sees some love, m-flo continue their 'm-flo loves' series with m-flo loves BONNIE PINK with the release of single Love Song.

[ 22/11/2006 ]
At the end of November, and not long after her second solo release, Tomiko Van will be releasing her third single. Currently untitled it will be available as CD only or CD+DVD.

Hikki also releases a new single, the first since ULTRA BLUE. boku wa kuma will be available as a CD only and, to mix things up, a CD+Picturebook, with the picturebook illustrated by Utada herself.

On the album front, Yaiko (Yaida Hitomi) releases a currently untitled 6th album. Limited first pressing editions will come with different jacket artwork, a slipcase, as well as a DVD including the PV clips for "Go my way" and "STARTLiNE", and other footage.

So all in all, a lot to look forward to over the coming few months. ^^

Thanks for the heads up OP. Everything has been noted down as reminder. ^^

[edit] I almost forgot to check up on Younha's. Will get to that soon.

"Boku wa Kuma" .. I am Bear? with self-illustrated picturebook? Looks interesting :D

I wonder if her drawing skills improved any..
http://img432.imageshack.us/img432/9...ortraitaz5.jpg

Boku wa Kuma is going to be a children's song for a children's tv show. It's going to be the theme.
Speaking of Utada, does anyone know the english translated lyrics for her song "making love" ?
It's not on wiki.theppn and I can't find it in any forums.
It's really catchy and I want to know what she's singing. I can guess what she's singing but I like reading translated lyrics, I do that for all J-songs.