Japanese rock band delights anime, manga fans at Jeddah Season concert

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Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing in the aisles when they took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.
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Lead singer Koyomi.
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Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing in the aisles when they took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.
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Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing in the aisles when they took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.
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Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing in the aisles when they took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.
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Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing in the aisles when they took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.
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Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing in the aisles when they took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.
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Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing in the aisles when they took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.
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Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing in the aisles when they took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.
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Guitarist Yoma.
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Drummer Bobuji.
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Bassist Kyoya.
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Updated 14 June 2022
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Japanese rock band delights anime, manga fans at Jeddah Season concert

  • Concertgoers sang along to songs from popular manga series such as Naruto, One Piece, Dragon Ball, Jujutsu Kaisen, and Tokyo Ghoul during the band’s first appearance in Saudi
  • Koyomi: In this event, Jeddah Season, we felt that all of our fans here loved anime more than we thought

JEDDAH: Members of the Japanese rock group Koyomi Band had fans of anime and manga dancing to their tune when they recently took to the stage as part of Jeddah Season.

Anime Village, one of the port city festival’s activity zones, on Sunday played host to a second show by the group that had otaku (passionate followers of the cartoon culture) in raptures.

Concertgoers sang along to songs from popular manga series such as “Naruto,” “One Piece,” “Dragon Ball,” “Jujutsu Kaisen,” and “Tokyo Ghoul” during the band’s first appearance in Saudi Arabia.

Lead singer, Koyomi, told Arab News: “In this event, Jeddah Season, we felt that all of our fans here loved anime more than we thought.”

And Yoma, the group’s guitarist, said: “I never thought that people in Saudi Arabia loved Japanese anime so much. I’m surprised and want to return again soon.”

Drummer Bobuji noted the warmth of the welcome from the Jeddah City Walk audience. “Even though I cannot express my feelings to the fans in words, I can through music,” he said.

Meanwhile, bassist Kyoya said he was impressed with the Anime Village. “It was awesome, and the fans’ reaction was amazing. The fans were most welcoming, and that made us very happy,” he added.

Visitor Rana Bukhari, 20, said: “They played opening songs from my favorite anime shows, and their concert was so much fun. They sang beautifully and got the crowd excited to sing with them.”

Adel Khalid, 34, another fan of Japanese anime, lauded the targeted Jeddah Season event.

He said: “There are a lot of people in Jeddah and the Kingdom that love anime and attending a concert like Koyomi’s was such a special experience for me.”

Hala Yanba’awi, 25, said: “I learned new greeting phrases such as konnichiwa (hello) and arigato (thank you) from the volunteers in the store, maze, and virtual reality room.

“The Anime Village is actually my favorite zone because I find the events there to be the most fun. I love how colorful it is too,” she added.

Before setting up the band, Koyomi was the main vocalist for the group Re:ply performing concert tours around the world.


Elyanna lights up New York Times Square billboard

Updated 01 December 2024
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Elyanna lights up New York Times Square billboard

DUBAI: Palestinian Chilean singer Elyanna recently lit up New York’s Times Square when she was featured on a Spotify Arabia billboard, highlighting the streaming platform’s “Equal” playlist.

Under the name “Equal Arabia,” the local version of Spotify’s Global Music Program aims to amplify the work of women creators by using the platform’s resources and generating more opportunities for these creators through delivering a global, cohesive and branded experience.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Spotify (@spotifyarabia)

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Elyanna (@elyanna)

Each month, Equal Arabia spotlights an ambassador of the month, focusing on their new music release and encouraging fans to discover them, and Elyanna was picked as the latest feature, promoting her new track “Janni.”

Elyanna has enjoyed a record year, sharing the stage with British band Coldplay on NBC’s “Today” show in New York in October, performing their song “We Pray.”

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Elyanna (@elyanna)

The track is part of Coldplay’s new album, “Moon Music,” which was released that month. Joining Elyanna and the British band on stage was Argentine singer and actress Tini, who is also featured on the song. 

Elyanna also released her own Arabic-language version of the track on Sept. 20.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Elyanna (@elyanna)

Elyanna made her “Saturday Night Live” debut the same month, teaming up with frequent collaborators Coldplay on stage to perform the song. The singer took to Instagram to celebrate the milestone after the show by reposting footage of backstage rehearsals recorded minutes before she hit the stage. 

The “SNL” performance came just days after the 22-year-old appeared at iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas to perform the same song.

Elyanna is expected to perform live with Coldplay again when the band heads to Abu Dhabi for four shows in the UAE capital in January 2025. The band will perform as part of the “Music of the Spheres World Tour” on Jan. 9, 11, 12 and 14 at Zayed Sports City Stadium.

In August, she was on stage in Dublin to perform “We Pray” in Arabic. She performed alongside rapper Little Simz, Nigerian singer Burna Boy and Tini.

“I’m still in awe of last night! Sharing this moment with all these amazing artists on @coldplay’s stage felt so wholesome,” she told her 1.7 million followers on Instagram. “I sang ‘We Pray’ in Arabic, I sang for hope and, most importantly, for my hometown Palestine.”

The Los Angeles-based singer’s music is a mix of Arab and Western influences, which she attributes to her multicultural upbringing.


Review: ‘From’ science fiction horror television series

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Updated 30 November 2024
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Review: ‘From’ science fiction horror television series

Created by John Griffin

“From” is a supernatural horror television series with a gripping premise: A mysterious town traps its visitors, forcing them to face deadly nocturnal creatures, while trying to unravel the town’s secrets.

Created by John Griffin, the show masterfully blends horror, survival, and mystery, drawing viewers into a dark, unsettling world where nothing is as it seems.

While compelling, the series has its flaws and leaves much to discuss.

One of its biggest strengths is the chilling, oppressive atmosphere. The town itself feels like a character, with its eerie stillness, cryptic surroundings, and strict rules.

This haunting setting perfectly complements the unfolding horror, immersing viewers in the characters’ isolation and despair.

The nocturnal creatures are a standout element — terrifying in a subtle, psychological way, blending charm with bloodthirsty menace.

A superb cast delivers strong performances, with Harold Perrineau standing out as Boyd, the town’s reluctant leader who brings gravitas and emotional depth, grounding the show during its chaotic moments.

Eion Bailey and Catalina Sandino Moreno also excel as Jim and Tabitha Matthews, a couple struggling with their fractured relationship amid the town’s horrors.

The show’s early episodes are expertly paced, gradually revealing the town’s rules and the nocturnal dangers.

The mystery of why people are trapped and how the town functions keeps you hooked, with just enough clues to maintain engagement without being overwhelming.

However, the series can sometimes feel overly cryptic, risking frustration for viewers seeking clear answers instead of endless hints.

By the end of season one, and even into the second, some may feel the show teases revelations without fully delivering.

Season one is streaming on Netflix, while seasons two and three are available on OSN+.

 


‘Moana 2’ dials up its Pacific Island influences in grown-up sequel, say filmmakers

Updated 30 November 2024
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‘Moana 2’ dials up its Pacific Island influences in grown-up sequel, say filmmakers

DUBAI: Out now in cinemas across the Middle East, Walt Disney Animation Studio’s highly anticipated “Moana 2” reunites audiences with its seafaring heroine (Auli’i Cravalho) and her best buddy Maui (voiced by Dwayne Johnson).

Directed by David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand and Dana Ledoux Miller, the sequel sees Moana journey to the far seas of Oceania for a new adventure after receiving an unexpected call from her wayfinding ancestors.

The filmmakers said that they were especially committed to representing the Pacific Island communities and peoples respectfully and with integrity, and that meant turning to the Oceanic Cultural Trust once again for guidance.

As with the first film, the “Moana 2” filmmakers assembled a team of cultural experts in anthropology, history, dance and movement, canoes and navigation, linguistics and various cultural practices from the Pacific Islands.

“I think we’re just really fortunate to work with our Oceanic Cultural Trust, led by Kalikolehua Hurley. We all care really deeply about the world of ‘Moana,’ and want to get it right. We definitely wanted to be intentional about the cultural nuances and home in on it, whether it was with clothing or designs in any way, but we also just wanted to create a movie that felt true to what it means to be from the Pacific,” said co-director Hand in an interview with Arab News.

“I would say that we really let Moana sort of dictate where the story goes,” added co-director Ledoux Miller. “We were really intentional about building off that foundation of the first film and thinking really carefully about what that first journey was. It was a story of identity and of her really coming into her own. So, it felt like a really natural extension that we would continue that idea of self-growth and evolution. We love the idea that as you grow as a leader, you learn new things about yourself, and you have to realize that you never stop discovering new depths to yourself and new things that you’re capable of.”

Being of Samoan descent, Ledoux Miller said that she felt the weight of representing her community through filming and beyond.

“I would say it’s front of mind even right now, it’s every day. To be a part of making the key creative decisions for creating this film was truly an honor, but absolutely a responsibility as well. I feel very protective of my community, but I feel protective of Moana too. I’m also like a Moana fan, and I want to do right by her, but I couldn’t be prouder of what we put together, and I’m so excited for my family to see this. I think I’ll breathe a little easier once they do,” she said.

One of the main new characters we meet in “Moana 2” is Simea, Moana’s younger sibling (voiced by Khaleesi Lambert-Tsuda).

“The first film was really about Moana connecting to her past, and as this story is really all about the future and where she is going to bring her people, it made so much sense to put in an emotional relationship that she has with her little sister, and that embodiment of the future is right there for her. I think you really fall in love with the relationship from the first moment that you see them together, and that lasts all the way until the very end of the film,” Hand said.


Dubai-based Lindsay Lohan thanks fans for hit Netflix film

Updated 30 November 2024
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Dubai-based Lindsay Lohan thanks fans for hit Netflix film

DUBAI: Dubai-based Hollywood star Lindsay Lohan took to Instagram to thank fans after her latest festive film “Our Little Secret” became Netflix’s No. 1 streamed movie this week.

“Thank you for everyone who tuned in,” she wrote on Instagram Stories.

The actress — who is married to Kuwaiti financier Bader Shammas — also showed her appreciation for the MENA region when she appeared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon” recently in an outfit from Lebanese designer Zuhair Murad’s Resort 2025 ready-to-wear collection, which included a black, long-sleeved top with structured shoulders and silver jeweled detailing down one side. The ensemble was completed with a matching black skirt, paired with black heels.

Lohan also attended the premiere of the romantic comedy in a Murad outfit, choosing a black gown from the label’s spring/summer 2025 ready-to-wear collection. The sleeveless dress featured a plunging neckline with two statement crystal-embellished motifs at the midriff.

The flowing skirt incorporated sheer panels, and she topped off the look with open-toe black heels and subtle jewelry, and her hair in soft waves.

“Our Little Secret” tells the story of Avery (Lohan) who is planning to spend Christmas with her boyfriend’s family. Things take an unexpected turn when she discovers that ex-boyfriend Logan (played by Ian Harding) is also joining the festivities, as it transpires their current partners are siblings. Avery and Logan must navigate the holiday while ensuring their former relationship remains a secret.

Lohan will next be returning to her Disney roots by reuniting with Jamie Lee Curtis for next year’s “Freaky Friday” sequel, titled “Freakier Friday.”

The film was shot over the summer and had Lohan feeling like a child again, she told ABC’s “Nightline.”

“I think really for me was when I went onto the Disney lot,” Lohan said. “And being back on the Disney lot because that’s not just ‘Freaky Friday’ for me. That’s ‘The Parent Trap,’ that’s ‘Confessions of a Teenage Drama Queen,’ that’s ‘Herbie.’ It’s so many moments for me. So when I got there, I kind of felt like this essence of a little kid again.”

“I’m so grateful for every moment of it, every second,” she said of being back on the lot. “I’m going to, like, get emotional. It’s a great experience.”


Japanese orchestra meets video gaming in Riyadh

In the first part of the concert, the orchestra performed works like “Victory Fanfare” and “Moebius.” (Supplied)
Updated 29 November 2024
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Japanese orchestra meets video gaming in Riyadh

  • World-renowned Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra performed two nights of concerts at Princess Nourah University’s Red Hall

RIYADH: What does video gaming and the orchestra have in common? Collaboration, immersive experiences, and the art of storytelling at its finest.

The world-renowned Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra spoiled guests with two nights of concerts powered by Qiddiya Gaming at Princess Nourah University’s Red Hall on Thursday and Friday.

Producer and director of Final Fantasy XIV Naoki Yoshida and renowned sound editor and composer Masayoshi Soken took the opportunity to introduce themselves to a full house of fans, wearing traditional Saudi thobes.

The world-renowned Tokyo Philharmonic Orchestra was held at Princess Nourah University’s Red Hall on Thursday and Friday. (Supplied)

Arab News had the opportunity to interview Yoshida, Soken, senior story designer Natsuko Ishikawa, and localization supervisor Michael-Christopher Koji Fox.

Yoshida expressed his gratitude toward the game’s loyal fans in the Middle East, saying: “I’m really appreciative of the fans in the Middle East and Saudi Arabia that have loved the Final Fantasy franchise.

“We are finally here to give back to the community that’s loved us and supported us for so long. To be able to bring them the excitement, we are bringing them sound and music.

The event also offered fans a dedicated merchandise area featuring exclusive items and other products shipped directly from Tokyo. (Supplied)

“We don’t envision this as the end; we envision this as something that’s going to connect us into the future.”

In the first part of the concert, the orchestra performed works like “Victory Fanfare” and “Moebius.”

In order to give gamers a true gaming experience, Soken had the idea of creating the same in-game pause during the orchestra’s performance to reflect the battle in the game.

In the first part of the concert, the orchestra performed works like “Victory Fanfare” and “Moebius.” (Supplied)

Soken said: “During that battle, there’s an in-game mechanic where time stops and the player stops, so when playing that song in concert we want the players to feel like that in music; the game experience and their memories of the game are connected in that way.

“We wanted to figure out a way to recreate that time stop while being played in the concert by an orchestra. So the idea we came up with is if time stops in the game, how about making the concert stop?”

Soken’s idea was turned into reality and the crowd was in awe as the orchestra paused for a few seconds.

In charge of creating graphics and videos, Ishikawa said her job was about picking scenes that resonated with the players.

She said: “What we created here feels like it was created by the Final Fantasy development team, even though it’s a concert.”

Unlike a typical concert, in which each song evokes different emotions to each individual, Soken said gaming concerts created a joint emotional experience.

Soken said: “With a game concert, everyone is experiencing the same thing because they experienced the same game, so everyone shares that excitement.”

More than 100 musicians traveled from Japan, accompanied by vocalists, to bring the soundtrack from Final Fantasy XIV to life.

Soken said: “We know that Saudi Arabia and Japan have a long history of friendly collaboration but there has not been a lot with music, and there’s probably been nothing with gaming music.

“The people that experience (the concert) will be able to go home and tell their friends how exciting an experience it was and how these people from Japan brought this great thing that we have never seen before.”

The event also offered fans a dedicated merchandise area featuring exclusive items and other products shipped directly from Tokyo.

Diamond ticket holders also had the opportunity to meet Yoshida, Soken, Ishikawa, and Fox, receiving a signed poster and photo.

With over 30 million total registered players, Final Fantasy XIV is one of the most popular MMORPG games today, while Qiddiya, which was launched in 2018 under the leadership of King Salman, is an emerging capital for entertainment, sports and culture that aims to enhance the quality of life of visitors and residents.