In the midst of a truly busy week of about three conventions in real life, (not Anime conventions, but of Book/Publishing/Blogging conventions) I received an exclusive press invitation to Yoshiki being in New York to promote his monthly aired hour long Yoshiki Radio, that would be debuting May 27, 2011 on SiriusXM. Then on June 5, the show will be airing the first Sunday of each month at 9PM EST. The show will have Yoshiki choosing his samples of music, from various sources, inspirations, and there would also be anime music as well. (This is from the Press release, so I am possibly reiterating it for facts and clarity.
When I arrived at Sirius XM’s Main Office, Yoshiki was recording for his radio show. Near the entrance was an open bar, and behind it were tables. Toward the window there were two-three LCD screens showing clips of Yoshiki’s appearances over the years. Since the screens were muted, there were the background music of piano/instrumental Forever Love.
Waiting patiently, the area quickly filled up with invited media and fans. Finally the man everyone’s waiting for arrives!
There was a press conference, where media was allowed to ask questions.. and silly me.. forgetting to bring along a voice recorder. However I was able to take notes, so here is what I got.
- The reason why Yoshiki is doing this radio show, is because of a desire to be closer to fans. Fans have been a very big support to Yoshiki himself, and for X Japan.
- Yoshiki will be coming back to New York Ciy after his Europe tour.
- There was a request for X Japan to perform at larger venues like Madison Square Garden, and a question about X Japan touring with a U.S. star such as Lady Gaga. The possibilities are endless at this point, so Yoshiki will be seeing what can happen.
- Last year’s North American tour gave a confidence to X Japan on touring to places outside Asia.
- Yoshiki who has been taking more English lessons, has difficulty in pronouncing songs, and artists names.
- Other than working on X Japan’s Europe Tour, he has been working on a Hello Kitty theme.
I was actually able to ask two questions to Yoshiki, one: the status of his Stan Lee collaboration, and two: how successful has his foundation has been for Japan Earthquake Relief, so these were his answers.
- Issue 0 has been in the midst of being produced from the Stan Lee collaboration, where Yoshiki is portrayed as a hero.
- Yoshiki Foundation has recently raised around $150 million in donations from fans and supporters.
The press conference ended, and fans were treated to listening to X Japan’s latest song, Scarlet Love Song, which is the theme song to Osama Tezuka’s Buddha movie, that is going to be released in Japanese movie theaters on May 28, 2011. (Waiting for the release of this theme song, has been a bit of a challenge for me, since listening to the sample has made me want to listen to the full version, so I was quite happy. Of course I also hope that Osamu Tezuka’s Buddha gets to be released here with subtitles, and their English album.)
There was then a time of meeting a greeting. Chosen fans from Sirius Radio contest drawings were led in, and introduced to Yoshiki. Fans came from parts of the United States, and even from Japan. Yoshiki has a long reputation of being sweet and considerate toward his fans, so I believe I melted a bit. His right hand had recently been injured, and wrapped up. He has had such a time writing and using his left hand. Of course I wish for his speedy recovery, and continued health.
So here at Anime Diet’s Flickr are images I took from the event.
Yoshiki will be heading back to the West coast, heading to FanimeCon 2011.
So, is this your second time meeting Yoshiki? He is pretty active marketing in America and Europe. I was very surprised by X-Japan’s popularity in America. Does that radio show air only in NYC?
I didn’t know they made a movie of Dr. Tezuka’s Buddha. How cool. I read that manga in high school. Actually, that was the first time I knew Buddhism was from India, not Japan. I really want to see that movie.
Third being in the same space, and second I asked him questions as press. The radio show is definitely going to be heard anywhere there is Sirius reception, but I believe the time is going to be EST. America and the world is definitely going to be X-ed! I really really hope to get the opportunity to see X Japan in concert again
Buddha is going to be three movies! I really like Tezuka’s version as well… I am very hopeful that the movie will be released here subbed! When I was growing up, I always thought that Buddha was a strange Chinese alongside watching Journey to the West (Saiyuki). It didn’t help my confusion when I was younger.
Wow, 3 times already! Yeah, the world is going to be Xited!
So it’s a trilogy like LOTR. Oh, yeah, I thought Gautama Buddha was from China originally, because all the sutras were in Chinese! Oh, I remember Saiyuki. Yeah, so confusing. I thought Christianity was from Europe, I didn’t know Jesus was a Jew.
I hope so! That’s the plan I hear about the movie, it is going to be detailing the life of Buddha, and knowing that you read the manga.. lot of it is not even going to be on Siddharta in the beginning. I grew up watching Saiyuki.. so when the five fingers of Buddha to trap Goku and the need to journey afterwards, that was confusing. Hmm.. religion is a pretty complex subject.
Interestingly enough Yoshiki primarily lives in Los Angeles and has a studio here as well. There was interview with him in the LA Weekly last week that talks about his life here and some current projects he is working on. http://www.laweekly.com/2011-05-19/la-life/yoshiki-the-kei-master/
Yes! You west coast ppl are lucky! Mari Iijima is also on that same list. ^_^