news
Below you can find the latest news on Hyde and L'Arc~en~Ciel's activities. All news research comes from reliable sources, mostly official websites or news articles.If you're having trouble reading Japanese news articles, I recommend using Rikai. It provides a wonderful service by displaying the meanings and pronounciation (in kana) for all kanji in the article as you scroll your mouse over the words. The hiragana and most katakana, however, are not translated into English. Thus, you still need to know hiragana, katakana, and some rules of Japanese grammar. But it's still helpful! Just copy and paste the URL of the article you want translated, and choose "Japanese to English." Rikai is an awesome site and a great resource, so use it when you're trying to get some news translated :D
New Hyde Single
Source: [ BLOOD+ Official Site ] [ Yomiuri ]
Season's Call, Hyde's new upcoming single, will be used as the second season opening theme for BLOOD+, a TBS new hit anime series following up on the story of Blood: The Last Vampire. Mika Nakashima (popular singer who had worked previously worked with Hyde) will sing the series' ending theme, a gospel blues song called Cry No More. Both singles are set to be released on February 22, 2006. BLOOD+ can be seen on TBS on Saturdays (in Japan). These two new singles will be televised as part of the anime starting January 2006. In regards to Mika Nakashima, Hyde says he has noticed her before and since then, they have heightened their relationship and developed a deep intimate friendship.
Hyde's child is a boy
Source: [ Yomiuri ] [ Yahoo! Japan ]
On November 24, 2005 Hyde's wife Megumi Oishi participated in a reading of The Chronicles of Narnia, promoting the movie which will be released in Japan in 2006. Together with the 7 months pregnant Natsuko Kojima, Megumi read the book to a group of little children, saying that she felt a very personal and direct response from them. Later in the event, she revealed that her 2-year-old child with Hyde is a boy. She also mentioned that Hyde and their son enjoy watching their favorite DVDs together.
Countdown Released
Countdown
Tracklisting
1. Countdown
2. Countdown (US)
3. Evergreen (DIST.)
Countdown, Hyde's new single, was released on October 5, 2005. It topped the Oricon charts at number one on its first day of release, and has remained at the top spot since then. The songs featured on the single are: Countdown, the title song for the Japanese version of the Hollywood film Stealth, Countdown (US), the entirely English version of the song, and Evergreen (DIST.), a rerecorded ROCK version of Hyde's first solo single Evergreen. Support Hyde and buy this new single!
Third Sexiest Male Artist
Source: [ Yahoo! Japan ]In Oricion Style's "Sexiest Artists of 2005," Hyde was voted third sexiest male artist. YAY! GO HYDE! OH YEAH! He's still got the hott looks and awesome moves and voice and everything 8D In case you're curious, I'll post the other sexiest artists of the year :D
Sexiest Male Artists of 2005:
1. Gackt
2. Fukuyama Masaharu
3. Hyde
Sexiest Female Artists of 2005:
1. Koda Kumi
2. Mika Nakashima
3. Ayumi Hamasaki
Hyde in China
Source: [ Sina ]
Promoting the Asia Live 2005 and just getting himself acquainted with the Chinese media, Hyde attended a press conference in Shanghai on September 5, 2005. Hyde spoke briefly to the audience, saying a few things in Mandarin such as "How are you," "Thank you," "I am Hyde," and finally, "I LOVE YOU!" (yes, the crowd went wild after that line). Hyde will be returning with L'Arc~en~Ciel to Shanghai to perform a live on September 10, 2005.
L'Arc~en~Ciel in Korea
Source: [ Yahoo! Korea 1 2 3 ] [ Yonhap News ]
On September 2, 2005, L'Arc~en~Ciel had a press conference in Seoul, Korea, regarding their Asia Live 2005 tour. The band has performed in Seoul (Korea) this week, and will move onto Shanghai (China) next week. For more information, you can read the Korean article from Yahoo! Korea. I don't know Korean, but... it's fun looking at the pictures and watching the videos.
The links below are videos. Just left click on them and let them buffer. I'm guessing all are around 15MB, so they shouldn't take long. These were uploaded by the actual news companies, not by me. They contain coverage of the L'Arc~en~Ciel Press Conference in Korea, as well as some clips of L'Arc performing in Korea.
Video: [ YTN STAR TV ] [ Chosun TV ] [ Korea TV News ]
Awake - N.A. Release
Source: [ Tofu Records ]
L'Arc~en~Ciel's North American record company, Tofu Records, has announced the American release of Awake to be September 20, 2005. It will contain all the same tracks of the original Japanese release, but also features a bonus track (*gasp!*) of Heaven's Drive performed live at Yoyogi National Stadium. Tofu Records has also taken the liberty to romanize and translate the track titles, much to my own personal disappointment. Regardless, please support Tofu Records and L'Arc~en~Ciel in America by purchasing this album! The full tracklisting can be found directly below.
01 - New World
02 - LOST HEAVEN
03 - Poem ~ JOJOUSHI
04 - TRUST
05 - Killing Me
06 - AS ONE
07 - My Dear
08 - EXISTENCE
09 - Invitation to Freedom ~ Jiyuu eno shoutai
10 - Ophelia
11 - Stars ~ Hoshizora
12 - twinkle, twinkle
13 - Bonus Track - HEAVEN'S DRIVE (live at Yoyogi National Stadium June 26, 2004)
Concerning "Jiyuu e no Shoutai," I prefer to put a space between the two particles, "e" and "no," so seeing Tofu spell the title an alternate way irks me. Also, a more accurate translation of "Hoshizora" would be "Starry Sky," not just stars. "Hoshi" alone translates to "Stars." Last, the live performance of Heaven's Drive, judging from the date, is actually from the Smile tour, NOT from the Awake tour. Unless of course Tofu Records made a typo and that 2004 is actually a 2005. Then again, I'm one of those "purist fanatics" so every little mistake can bother me; don't mind my bickering too much. I'm sure this album will be a great release for Tofu!
New Hyde Single
Source: [ Hydeist ] [ L'Arc~en~Ciel ]Hyde's new single, entitled Countdown, will be released on October 5, 2005. The song will be used as the theme song for the Japanese version of the Hollywood film starring Jamie Foxx and Jessica Biel, Stealth. Don't get your hopes up; this song will not be used in the original North American of the film; it is exclusive to Japan. Anyway, to hear a clip of the song, you can watch the trailer on the official site. For a 10 second preview of the song, you can download a sound clip via RapidShare here. The c/w of the single has been announced to be Evergreen ROCK VERSION. The producer is Kaz, formerly of Spin Aqua, the same man who worked with Hyde in producing his 666 album.