exist†trace – Royal Straight Magic (Review)
exist†trace ROYAL STRAIGHT MAGIC Review by David Cirone exist†trace’s Royal Straight Magic is a dose of pure energy — from start to finiContinue reading…
Category: Reviews
Critical analysis of the sounds and stories shaping modern Japan. From the visceral energy of live rock, pop, and idol performances to the subtle mastery of award-winning manga and deeply personal films, our reviews offer an expert lens on the craftsmanship, production, and cultural legacy of Japanese media.
VAMPS shine bright like a diamond in L.A. (El Rey 2016 Live Report)
VAMPS El Rey Theatre, November 7, 2016 Concert review by Nhu Nguyen Photos by Emi Nguyen VAMPS is a band full of surprises. When photos of HContinue reading…
Naoki Hanzawa – Episode 4 (Review)
Naoki Hanzawa Episode 4 Review by David Cirone After his temporary victory at the surprise on-site inspection, Hanzawa (Masato Sakai) finds hContinue reading…
We Are X (Film Review)
We Are X Film Review by Nhu Nguyen We Are X brings one of the biggest untold rock stories to the masses. Capturing the level of fanaticism usuContinue reading…
Naoki Hanzawa – Episode 3 (Review)
Naoki Hanzawa Episode 3 Review by David Cirone Even though Hanzawa failed to grab Higashida’s property, the determined banker is causing too Continue reading…
Versailles – The Greatest Hits 2007-2016 (Review)
Versailles Philharmonic Quartet The Greatest Hits 2007-2016 Review by Nhu Nguyen Versailles’s The Greatest Hits compilation undeniably captContinue reading…
Kasha (Film Review)
Kasha Review by David Cirone Kasha, based on the mystery novel by Miyuki Miyabe, is a disappointingly flat adaptation, packed with thematic miContinue reading…
A9 – Ginga no Woto (Review)
A9 Ginga no Woto Review by Jen Wang Last year, visual kei rockers Alice Nine rebranded themselves as A9, releasing a new artist’s statement. Continue reading…
PERFUME live at Wiltern Theatre – hits, dreams, and Pokemon (Live Report)
PERFUME The Wiltern, August 26, 2016 Live report by Nhu Nguyen The three members of Perfume, a-chan, Nocchi, and Kashiyuka, looked like the mContinue reading…
Naoki Hanzawa – Episode 2 (Review)
Naoki Hanzawa Episode 2 Review by David Cirone In the aftermath of Hanzawa’s face-off with the bank’s disciplinary committee, his superiors sContinue reading…