100 Top Oricon - 2011

1. Flying Get - AKB48
2. Everyday Kachuusa - AKB48
3. Kaze wa Fuiteiru - AKB48
4. Ue Kara Mariko - AKB48
5. Sakura no Ki ni Narou - AKB48
6. Lotus - Arashi
7. Meikyuu Love song - Arashi
8. Maru Maru Mori Mori
9. Parao wa Emerald - AKB48
10. Everybody Go - Kis My Ft2
11. Okey Dokey – SKE48
12. Let’s Try Again – Team Amuse
13. Oh My God – NMB48
14. Itsuka Kitto – EXILE Atsushi
15. Over – Hey Say Jump
16. Keep Your Head Down – Tohoshinki
17. Banzai Venus – SKE48
18. Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo – NMB48
19. Yellow Pansy Street – Kanjani 8
20. Fighting Pose – Fukuyama Masaharu
21. Magic Power – Hey Say Jump
22. Shuumatsu Not Yet – Not Yet
23. Eternal – Jin Akanishi
24. Zero – Bump of Chicken
25. Go GO Summer – KARA
26. Jet Coaster Love – KARA
27. Dear J – Itano Tomomi
28. Don’t Wanna Lie – B’z
29. Let Me Cry – Jang Geun Seuk
30. Sexy Zone - Sexy Zone
31. Ultimate Wheels – Kat-Tun
32. Birth – Kat-Tun
33. Flower – Maeda Atsuko
34. Nanimori Kakigoori – Not Yet
35. Pera Pera Perao – Not Yet
36. My Home – Kanjani 8
37. My Girl – Maximum The Hormone
38. (Arigatou) Sekai no Doko ni Itemo – Hey Say Jump
39. Tsubusa ni Koi – Kanjani 8
40. 365 Nichi no Kazoku – Kanjani 8
41. Superstar – Tohoshinki
42. Anoko to Nogiku to Watashibune – Hikawa Kiyoshi
43. Run For You – Kat-Tun
44. Sayonara Kizudarake no Hibi Yo – B’z
45. White – Kat-Tun
46. Run Devil Run – Shoujo Jidai
47. Time – Kinki Kids
48. Yume Tamago – NYC
49. Saisho no Mail – French Kiss
50. Ooo Baby – Exile Atsushi
51. Kakkowarui I Love You! – French Kiss
52. Heavy Rotation – AKB48
53. Hadaka DE Ondo ~Matsuri da!!Naked~ - Kuwata Keisuke
54. Duet –Winter ver. – Tohoshinki
55. Smile – Bump of Chicken
56. Good Luck My Way – Larc en Ciel
57. Valentine Kiss – Watarirouka Hashiritai 7
58. Kasuka na Kaori – Perfume
59. Fui ni – Itano Tomomi
60. Tomodachi no Uta – Bump of Chicken
61. DADA – RADWIMPS
62. Kuchibi furezu – No3b
63. Each Other’s Way ~Tabi no Tochuu~ - EXILE
64. Winter Magic – KARA
65. Jounetsu Mariachi – Hikawa Kiyoshi
66. Replay –Kimi wa Boku no Everything- Shinee
67. XXX – Larc en Ciel
68. Eni wo Yuite – Domoto Tsuyoshi
69. Answer – No3b
70. Aoi Bench – Tegomass
71. Toilet no Kami sama – Uemura Kana
72. Shounai Heiya Kaze no Naka – Mizumori Kaori
73. Kibou Sanmyaku - Watarirouka Hashiritai 7
74. Tempest – Amuro Namie
75. Hello – YUI
76. Chance no Junban – AKB48
77. HOME – Aiko
78. IF – French Kiss
79. Hettapi Wink - Watarirouka Hashiritai 7
80. Core Pride – UVERworld
81. FIGTHERS- Sandaime J Soul Brothers
82. Spice – Perfume
83. Hadakanbo – Yamashita Tomohisa
84. Ultra Lover – 2PM
85. Mr.Simple – Super Junior
86. Niji no Uta – Domoto Tsuyoshi
87. Your Heaven – YUI
88. Tsuki no Uragawa – Diva
89. Scarlet Knight – Mizuki Nana
90. Kyoushinshou – RADWIMPS
91. I’m Your man – 2PM
92. Beginner – AKB48
93. Connect – ClariS
94. Takara no Ishi – V6
95. MIN.MIN.MIN – SDN48
96. In My Head – CNBLUE
97. Bo Peep Bo Peep – T Ara
98. Blue Bird – Kubokuro
99. Love Story – Namie Amuro
100. Ponytail to Chouchou – AKB48

Jack&Queen

2010 年10 月ZONE、MARIA で活動しているMAIKO が新たなBAND サウンドを求めBassのGinji 、Guitar のTeppei とJack&Queen を結成。10年12月31日には札幌ペニーレーン24 主催の年越しLIVE に早くも参戦。華々しいLIVE デビューを飾った。11年4月2日は元ZONEの3 人で企画したLIVE にも参加。6月25日札幌ペニーレーン24主催、東日本大震災チャリティPRAY for JAPAN by MUSIC ～その歌を「希望」と呼ぼう～第3回　バンド編に参加。イベントLIVE トリを務める。8 月14、15 日TOKYO 赤坂BLITZ にて行われた ZONE「10 年後の8 月・・・」ZONE 復活しまっSHOW!!～同窓会だよ全員集合! ～のMAIKOソロコーナーにてJack&Queenサウンドを初TOKYOお披露目。初日の14日に1stシングル「Love&Game」を発売。14、15日の2日日間でシングル1000枚を売り切る!

YUI Profile

2004年2月のソニーミュージックSDグループオーディション
本選にて各レーベルにて争奪戦となった。
その後、Sony Music Records と契約。

24歳シンガーソングライター。
映画「タイヨウのうた」では主演に抜擢されるなど、
アーティスティックな才能に溢れ、
同世代を中心に、幅広い世代に絶大な支持を得ている。

1st AL『FROM ME TO YOU』、
そして2nd AL『CAN'T BUY MY LOVE』ともに
現在異例のロングヒット中。

2007年秋には、初のLIVE DVD『Thank you My teens』の発売に加え
伝統の「日本武道館」での初ライブも大成功させた。

2008年春、3rd AL『I LOVED YESTERDAY』を発売。
全国25公演の大規模全国ツアーも
各地大成功の中、幕を閉じた。

秋のアーティスト活動一時休止後に
全曲アルバム未収録楽曲の初のカップリング・ベストアルバム
『MY SHORT STORIES』をリリース。

女性のカップリング・ベストアルバムの
オリコン初登場 1位 記録 を塗り替え
約25年ぶりの大記録を樹立。

2010年夏の『to Mother』では、印象的なピアノ姿が話題に。


2年半ぶりのアルバム『HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN』と
全国ツアー＆武道館2days公演を、ともに大成功させ

2011年初春、約3年半ぶりとなるLIVE DVD
『HOTEL HOLIDAYS IN THE SUN』もリリース。

さらに、シングル『It's My Life / Your Heaven』
『HELLO ～Paradise Kiss～』をリリース。

6月末には、初の海外公演（香港 / ワンマン / 7200キャパ）も成功させ、
シングル『Green a.live』をリリースした。

11月からは、通算5回目になる待望の全国ツアーがスタートする。


メジャーデビューから7年目に突入した2011年
唯一無二の存在であるYUIの活動に
さらなる注目が注がれている。


Birthday 1987.3.26
Horoscope ARIES
Birth Place 福岡
Height 155cm
Blood Type AB
Favorite Place 新宮の海
Taste 映画鑑賞、読書、
アコースティックギター、Badminton

which celebrity would you want as your lover?

For many, winter is a special time of year where loved ones come together for holidays like Christmas and the first shrine visit of the new year. Lovers especially grow closer than ever during the holiday season.
Keeping this in mind, Oricon Style asked its readers for the 5th consecutive year on which famous celebrities of the opposite sex they would like to have as their lover. Though the survey was conducted back in October, Oricon published the results in December, just in time for the holidays.

For the males, actor Mukai Osamu came out on top with his “manly” image and debonair demeanor (as seen on variety shows). Mukai jumped from 5th place in 2010 to 1st place in 2011, proving his rising popularity in the entertainment world.
When asked why they chose Mukai Osamu, female voters said they were charmed by the deadly combination of his height (182 centimeters) and his good looks. “His face and smile and voice are all nice! I would be so proud if we could walk together,” said one voter in her 20s, echoing the sentiments of her fellow voters.
Others were reminded of his “reliable boy” image in the NHK taiga drama “Kou ~Himetachi no Sengoku” and the movie “Paradise Kiss“, or were charmed by his cooking skills. “He looks as if he could protect me,” said one woman in her 30s. Another voter in her 20s added, “I want him to make me delicious meals!”
-
Meanwhile, Ayasa Haruka claimed 1st place in the female ranking for the 2nd year in a row with her natural character and gentle air, which proved to be quite popular with male readers.
“She’s so cute! Her smiles are extremely nice,” commented one voter from Tokyo. Ayase was in the top three for the teen, 20s, 30s, and 40s categories, thereby proving her popularity. Many voters also cited her bubbly personality and calming aura. “She has a funny side too, and I feel like if we were together she would calm me down.”
-
Check out the full rankings for each category below!
-
< Which Male Celebrity Would You Like as Your Lover? >

01. Mukai Osamu
02. Fukuyama Masaharu
03. Sakurai Shou
04. Aiba Masaki
05. Ohno Satoshi
06. Kimura Takuya
07. Matsumoto Jun
08. Okada Masaki
09. Matsuzaka Toori
10. Mizushima Hiro
-
< Which Female Celebrity Would You Like as Your Lover? >

01. Ayase Haruka
02. Aragaki Yui
03. Kitagawa Keiko
04. Miyazaki Aoi
05. Ueto Aya
06. Horikita Maki
07. Sasaki Nozomi
08. Nagasawa Masami
09. Kashiwagi Yuki
10. YUI
-

ZONE Announces They'll Continue Band Activities Next Year!!

Girl band ZONE performed at the charity live, “Ganbare!! Tohoku Charity LIVE ~SUPER GIRLS BAND ‘MESSAGE’~” on December 20th, where they announced that they’ll continue as a group next year.

Member MIYU explained, “We visited the disaster-stricken areas a number of times, and realized that it would take more time for recovery. Thus, we decided to continue our activities next year.”

ZONE disbanded on April 1st, 2005 after their final performance at the Nippon Budokan. The members have been pursuing solo activities for a while, but got together again after the Tohoku earthquake. In August, they held their comeback live at Akasaka BLITZ, and announced that they would extend their activities to the year’s end.

MAIKO expressed, ”We want to encourage people through the power of our music. We want to also hold a tour.”

At this charity event, ZONE performed a total of nine songs including their hit number, “secret base ~Kimi ga Kureta Mono~“. Stereopony and SCANDAL also performed at the event.

a story which I just created. .

when the cherry was blossom, I feel my soul in the gloria. feel so life, with my precious vehicle driving happy life go to the tomorrow's way. and then I met you, in a festive parade. you shake my heart, fallen in the love and truth. I was so happy when you kiss me. too happy like the rolling star. but then, that day came. the goodbye day. I never presume about that. when you left me under the rain. just please stay with me. the one thing that I want. but you never look back. day by day passed. always and always, I remember you. but I never hear you say hello to me anymore. but it's all too much. no more sadness. so, I renascent. leave the past, look the future. and so oh yeah! I know I can. yeah, I do it! then, enjoy the summer song and the cinnamon. however it is like, I thanks to my generation. :)

* can you guess what is this (above) ?

Kepribadian Berdasarkan Golongan Darah

tau nggak? orang Jepang melihat kepribadian lewat golongan darah lho…di Jepang, ramalan tentang seseorang lebih ditentukan oleh golongan darah daripada zodiak atau shio. karena golongan darah itu ditentukan oleh protein-protein tertentu yang membangun semua sel di tubuh kita dan oleh karenanya juga menentukan psikologi kita. pernah baca ramalan orang jepang mengenai kepribadian berdasarkan golongan darah? Check it here!

- SIFAT SECARA UMUM -

A => terorganisir, konsisten, jiwa kerja-sama tinggi, tapi selalu cemas (karena perfeksionis) yang kadang membuat orang mudah sebal, kecenderungan politik: "destra".

B => nyantai, easy going, bebas, dan paling menikmati hidup, kecenderungan politik: "sinistra".

O => berjiwa besar, supel, tidak mau mengalah, alergi pada yg detil,kecenderungan politik: "centro".

AB => unik, nyeleneh, banyak akal, berkepribadian ganda.

- MENURUT URUTAN -

yang paling gampang ngaret soal waktu

1. B (karen santai terus)

2. O (karena flamboyan)

3.AB (karena gampang ganti program)

4. A (karena gagal dalam disiplin)

yang paling susah mentolerir kesalahan orang

1. A (karena perfeksionis dan narsismenya terlalu besar)

2. B (karena easy going tapi juga easy judging)

3. AB (karena asal beda)

4. O (easy judging tapi juga easy pardoning)

yang paling bisa dipercaya

1. A (karena konsisten dan taat hukum)

2. O (demi menjaga balance)

3. B (demi menjaga kenikmatan hidup)

4. AB (mudah ganti frame of reference)

yang paling disukai utk jadi teman

1. O (orangnya sportif)

2. A (selalu on time dan persis)

3. AB (kreatif)

4. B (tergantung mood)

kebalikannya, teman yg paling disebelin/tidak disukai

1. B (egois, easy come easy go, maunya sendiri)

2. AB (double standard)

3. A (terlalu taat dan scrupulous)

4. O (sulit mengalah)

- MENYANGKUT OTAK DAN KEMAMPUAN -

yang paling mudah kesasar atau tersesat

1. B

2. A

3. O

4. AB

yang paling banyak meraih medali di olimpiade olah raga

1. O (jago olah raga)

2. A (persis dan matematis)

3. B (tidak terpengaruh pressure dari sekitar. hampir seluruh atlet judo,renang dan gulat Jepang memiliki golongan darah B)

4. AB (alergi pada setiap jenis olah raga)

yang paling banyak jadi direktur dan pemimpin

1. O (karena berjiwa leadership dan problem-solver)

2. A (karena berpribadi "minute" dan teliti)

3. B (karean sensitif dan mudah ambil keputusan)

4. AB (karena kreatif dan suka ambil resiko)

yang jadi PM jepang rata-rata bergolongan darah

1. O (berjiwa pemimpin)

p.s. : mahasiswa Universitas Tokyo  pada umumnya bergolong darah B

yang paling gampang menabung

1. A (suka menghitung bunga bank)

2. O (suka melihat prospek)

3. AB (menabung karena punya proyek)

4. B (baru menabung kalau punya uang banyak)

yang paling kuat ingatannya

1. O

2. AB

3. A

4. B

yang paling cocok jadi MC

A (seperti planner berjalan)

- MENYANGKUT KESEHATAN -

yang paling panjang umur

1. O (tidak gampang stress, anti bodynya paling oke)

2. A (hidup teratur)

3. B (mudah cari kompensasi stress)

4. AB (amburadul)

yang paling gampang gendut

1. O (nafsu makan besar, makannya cepet lagi)

2. B (makannya lama, nambah terus, dan lagi suka makanan enak)

3. A (hanya makan apa yg ada di piring,terpengaruh program diet)

4. AB (Makan tergantung mood, mudah kena anoressia)

paling gampang digigit nyamuk

O (darahnya manis)

yang paling gampang flu/demam/batuk/pilek

1. A (lemah terhadap virus dan pernyakit menular)

2. AB (lemah terhadap hygiene)

3. O (makan apa saja enak atau nggak enak)

4. B (makan, tidur nggak teratur)

apa yang dibuat pada acara makan-makan di sebuah pesta

- O (banyak ngambil protein hewani, pokoknya daging2an)

- A (ngambil yg berimbang. 4 sehat 5 sempurna)

- B (suka ambil makanan yg banyak kandungan airnya spt soup, soto, bakso dsb)

- AB (hobby mencicipi semua masakan, "aji mumpung")

yang paling cepat botak

1. O

2. B

3. A

4. AB

yang tidurnya paling nyenyak dan susah dibangunin

1. B (tetap mendengkur meski ada Tsunami)

2. AB (jika lagi mood, sleeping is everything)

3. A (tidur harus 8 jam sehari, sesuai hukum)

4.O (baru tidur kalau benar2 capek dan membutuhkan)

yang paling cepet tertidur

1. B (paling mudah ngantuk, bahkan sambil berdiripun bisa tertidur)

2. O (Kalau lagi capek dan gak ada kerjaan mudah mengantuk)

3. AB (tergantung kehendak)

4. A (tergantung aturan dan orario)

penyakit yg mudah menyerang

- A (stress, majenun/linglung)

- B (lemah terhadap virus influenza, paru-paru)

- O (gangguan pencernaan dan mudah kena sakit perut)

- AB (kanker dan serangan jantung, mudah kaget)

apa yg perlu dianjurkan agar tetap sehat

- A (karena terlalu perfeksionis maka nyantailah sekali-kali, gak usah terlalu tegang dan serius)

- B (karena terlalu susah berkonsentrasi, sekali-kali perlu serius sedikit,meditasi, main catur)

- O (daya konsentrasi tinggi, maka perlu juga mengobrol santai, jalan-jalan)

- AB (karena gampang capek, maka perlu cari kegiatan yg menyenangkan dan bikin lega)

yang paling sering kecelakaan lalu lintas (berdasarkan data kepolisian)

1. A

2. B

3. O

4. AB

source: SHINJU's blog (here official source)

Sweet Seventeen おめでとう！ \(^o^)/

"So I took of my uniform at the age of 17
I didn't want to be defeated

I didn't look back
From that point on

Because it was me, I could do it

There is no more excuses
If you loose the rising hope of your crowd
You can only loose the way

I don't want to become a hindrance
I want to know if there is a solution

To always be free

My Dreams could not longer be broken
Waiting all these seasons, I began to walk
The time looking down will be restored
To realize my dreams
To strongly believe that my Generation can change
Seventeen My Dream"



#YUI special version ;D

** 今年はすごく楽しくてなると思う。皆、ありがとうね！^^

Japan Artist named by 20.000 people!!

Weekly entertainment magazine “Only★Star” has revealed its 8th “20,000 Music Fans Select Their Favorite Artist Ranking”.

As expected, Arashi kept their position from last year, coming in at #1 for two consecutive years. Additionally, this year also saw some big leaps. Popular for their hit songs and infamous “Senbatsu General Election”, the girls of AKB48 jumped from #30 to #11. Meanwhile, Perfume jumped from #28 to #20 with their movie and CM appearances, marking  their first time in the Top 20.

Check out the Top 20 below!

***

[20,000 Music Fans Select Their Favorite Artist Ranking]

01. Arashi
02. Ikimonogakari
03. Mr. Children
04. Utada Hikaru
05. aiko
06. Fukuyama Masaharu
07. B’z
08. Kobukuro
09. Southern All-Stars
10. Yuzu
11. AKB48
12. YUI
13. DREAMS COME TRUE
14. Spitz
15. Porno Graffitti
16. Kuwata Keisuke
17. BUMP OF CHICKEN
18. Amuro Namie
19. GReeeeN
20. Perfume

–

[Favorite Among Teens]

01. Arashi
02. Ikimonogakari
03. YUI
04. AKB48
05. BUMP OF CHICKEN

–

[Favorite Among 20 Year Olds]

01. Arashi
02. Mr. Children
03. Ikimonogakari
04. Utada Hikaru
05. AKB48

–

[Favorite Among 30 Year Olds]

01. Mr. Children
02. Arashi
03. B’z
04. Ikimonogakari
05. Utada Hikaru

–

[Favorite Among 40 Year Olds]

01. Southern All-Stars
02. Ikimonogakari
03. Fukuyama Masaharu
04. Kuwata Keisuke
05. Arashi

–

[History Of The Top Artists]

2011: Arashi
2010: Arashi
2009: Mr. Children
2008: Utada Hikaru
2007: Utada Hikaru
2006: aiko
2005: aiko
2004: Utada Hikaru

Horikita Maki's biography

CHILDHOOD Born Marina Hara (real name) on the sixth of October 1988 in Kiyose, Tokyo, Japan, Horikita is the eldest of three girls. Known to be boyish as a child, Horikita enjoyed playing basketball and baseball as well as mock games of Dragon Ball Z with boys. Despite her boyishness, Horikita looked up to her mother. This was revealed when she appeared in an episode of KAT-TUN's now-defunct variety show, Cartoon KAT-TUN where she mentioned that she liked imitating her mother when she was younger.

EDUCATION In junior high school, Horikita served as the vice-president of her school's student council and the vice-captain of the basketball club. In class, she was dubbed "The Boss of 3-C” in recognition of her status as the class representative. As she became more active in the entertainment industry, she had to put her club and council activities on hold. Being unable to meet her many commitments, she finally withdrew from her school activities, concentrating solely on completing her high school education and developing her career in show business.

YUI talks about her latest album, “HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE”, with Oricon

Oricon recently conducted an interview with singer-songwriter YUI for her latest album, “HOW CRAZY YOUR LOVE“, which was released on November 2nd.

Check out the full interview below!

Interviewer: First of all, give us your thoughts on the album title.

YUI: It holds the meaning of ‘how much is your affection’. I used the word ‘LOVE’ in the title, but I wanted it to mean a big ‘emotion’. Like support or a guideline for life… In a broad sense, I think it turned out to be an album that asks, ‘What are your emotions?‘ By using ‘LOVE’, I felt that it was the best way to deliver these feelings in simplest form.

Interviewer: What kinds of emotions were stirred when you wrote these songs?

YUI: When I made my debut, there was a time when I only sang for myself. Now, I have the opportunity to meet many people, and by remembering those peoples’ faces, all kinds of feelings surface. I write songs while thinking, ‘I want them to smile’ or ‘I want them to do their best tomorrow’.

Interviewer: Various emotions are expressed in your songs; it’s hard to believe that one woman wrote them.

YUI: Thank you. As one being, I have these feelings and emotions… What I hate, I hate; and what I like, I like. I want to be able to express them properly. I wanted to bring out that breadth and waves of emotion. I usually write what I feel directly. I’m happy when people tell me they can relate to those things. That is why I want to have a communication where I can ask the listeners, “How do you feel?” So I chose to put “Green a.live” at the end of the album, since it’s a song that contains many questions. Although I sing calmly in the song, the wave of emotion is so big.

Interviewer: It’s a song that was written after you visited the disaster-stricken areas right?

YUI: Yes. There are a lot of question marks, but it’s a song with many factors. It was hard to put them into words because I wanted to make it carefully. Also, when I finished the song, I was able to think, “This is me right now”. There are a lot of emotions within me that I haven’t unraveled yet. So I realized that I have to face it, instead of putting an end to it.

Interviewer: Other than “Green a.live”, how did you figure out the order of songs?

YUI: With every work, I make the order of songs with variation… rock songs then acoustic songs; like that, I make efforts to create ups and downs so people won’t get tired of it. When I make a rock song, it’s strange, but I want to make an acoustic song afterwards. This album has many new attempts, but I worked hard to make it balanced. Tthe song I wrote while wanting to change the scene is “Good Night”. At first, it was a song you could hum to but as I was making it, I became greedy. In the end, I recorded it properly and added a chorus to it.

Interviewer: To be specific, what are ‘new attempts’?

YUI: For example, “Separation” has a funky rhythm, something I’ve never tried before. I made it while imagining bits and pieces of rhythm quickly being added into the song… Although I was told, “That’s not a funk rhythm“, I feel I was able to bring out a groovy effect. Then, I thought it would be fun to add painful lyrics, and started writing. I wrote “Lock On” as the theme song for “Kaito Royale”, so I made the song with the theme of ‘thrill’. Since the drama is set in a world of treasure stealing, I wanted it to have a kind yet fun outlook on the world. To make it even more thrilling, I changed the key during the middle, but it was difficult. When I first received the offer to write the theme song, there was no script, so I read the draft. I knew a little about it through games and CMs, which helped me to create an image of the drama.

Interviewer: The music video is also thrilling.

YUI: It was a fun experience to run around here and there. I was exposed to many new things, such as dressing up as a casino dealer. It’s fun to take a look into a world you don’t know. I had a real dealer teach me the behavior, and was told that I couldn’t even smile. I thought it would be impossible for me.

Interviewer: You challenged yourself to simple triple (three beats in each measure) in “Cooking”.

YUI: Ever since my debut, I always wanted to make a song with simple triple. But back then, I couldn’t operate a computer that well, and I wasn’t able to step record… Now, I’ve become accustomed to a computer so I typed in the drums myself, then created the melody. It was by feel, but I had fun. The song had a warm feel to it, so I think the kind lyrics accompanies the song’s outlook. I felt that every girl has the feeling of wanting to make food for the person they love, so I sang the song while imagining I was near that person.

Interviewer: YUI-san’s tone of voice is gentle, so I felt that atmosphere.

YUI: Thank you.  I’m usually gentle… I’m lying. “Get Back Home” sounds like I mixed more sighs than usual. It could be a song to myself saying, “You had a bad day, but let’s be thankful to the people around you“.

Interviewer: What kind of message do you want to deliver through this album?

YUI: I challenged myself to all kinds of new things in the album, so it would be nice if people who listen to it are able to think, “Let’s try something new”. I want it to become a strength for people to move forward. I continue to make music exactly like the days when I first moved to Tokyo. The excitement when I listen to music has never changed. As the sender, that is what I want to deliver. Tell them, “I’m doing it so freely!” Freedom could be something you can do at ease at a limited extent. It’s different from being able to do as I please, but I want to become a person who can tell people that I’m doing it freely. Although to be honest, I actually like doing as I please.

Interviewer: Your nationwide tour will start soon.

YUI: The album jacket was shot on Hikawa Maru (ocean liner) in Yokohama, but it was also taken in the image of the tour. I want to create a place where people can relax and enjoy.

Interviewer: In June, you held your first overseas live in Hong Kong, and in September, you held a street live in Shanghai. Have your thoughts on the live concerts upgraded?

YUI: The minute I stepped on stage in Hong Kong, my heart was about to break by seeing the amount of people. However, during the street live, I felt alive. Lives aren’t about ‘you against the audience’, but , ‘you and I’. So I was able to sing while thinking, “I am singing to you alone.“ I hope to sing again somewhere else. For this upcoming tour, I’m going to places I haven’t gone before, so I’m looking forward to the beautiful scenery and the delicious food. Also, meeting new people.

SM☆SH transforms into pastry chefs, hands sweets to 2,200 fans!

At the “SM☆SH Café”, the five members transformed into pâtissiers and hand-delivered sweets to 2,200 of their fans. World commented, “We were able to welcome our first year, thanks to all of you.” Han Bang also expressed his thanks, “Please give us 2 years, 3 years, 5, years, and 10 years!”. Fans also received a special first anniversary commemoration stamp at the end of the event, which was applauded to be a huge success.

That evening, the group held a special mini live for the purchasers of their new single. They sang their new song as well as their old songs like “Bounce up” and “Do it Do it!”.