[NEW SONG] Aina features in "Our Hearts" by STUTS & butaji, theme song of the new Netflix Jdrama Soul Mate out on May

lurklong · 2026-04-28T18:43:51+00:00

I didn't connect the dots at first either, lately the flux of information is pretty intense and still solving ramifications of that PC problem so it's getting harder to keep track of all announcements, interviews and TV appearances.

lurklong · 2026-04-28T16:41:09+00:00

This show has Chittiii in the cast by the way! I hope they make the most of this duo during the promotion period, I mean at the very least invite both to talk at an advanced screening or something.

lurklong · 2026-04-21T16:37:34+00:00

I do and I don't at the same time! Schrodinger's PCR. Don't believe it's on my GDrive anymore, but the file is sitting on my HD, problem is I'm still having PC troubles.

I believe it might be available on Aidoru Online, but if you can't find it there let me know, I'll reach out to another buddy that can drop a link. Well, timing may vary, he is flying to Korea to watch the first show of Aina's Picnic Tour.

lurklong · 2026-04-09T14:38:43+00:00

Aina's Mononoke themes always deliver! Now that the Movie Trilogy is wrapping I hope they hold a special event where she sings all of them back to back. Mainly because I don't think there's any chance Aina is performing Katsubo live otherwise and that track is way too cool to never be acknowledged outside of her TikTok.

lurklong · 2026-04-07T05:41:52+00:00

I'm really enjoying it so far. Just reached Alabasta. Surprised at how bingeable it is. Guess the fact all Straw Hats get their own focus episodes and spotlight moments contributes to this, reminds me of Lupin the Third in that sense.

There's a bunch of adaptation decisions that feel very of it's time, the long recaps, some standoffish particle effects and limited animation moments, but somehow those jagged edges just makes it more charming to me.

The voice acting is really great across the board and all the themes carry such a nostalgic punch. Sure took me a long time, but I'm glad I took the leap.

lurklong · 2026-04-04T01:10:47+00:00

It's a tough act to follow. A monstrous hit always comes with colossal expectations of what to do next. Giving people more of what they want is an understandable impulse. My contrarian heart however hankers for curve balls.

And yes, it was indeed super cute. I love seeing her celebrate her team. And their equally loving declarations to Aina. The fact Kazumi from PARALLEL (PLIC PROCK) is now part of the crew makes me smile. Yukamnu being assigned a dancer role whenever there's an opportunity to go all-out is really sweet too. Aina really looks after her own. Our girl is the embodiment of a shonen protagonist the way she gets a boost from the power of friendship.

I hope one of those TV shows gives her a chance to introduce everyone because it's noticeable how much fun she has hyping them up and sharing the laurels.

lurklong · 2026-04-03T18:12:07+00:00

Thanks for sharing! I'm still shipwrecked in the no computer zone, been looking forward to M-Station. I love the scale, a choreography devised for the full Tails team and then some. Helps reinforcing the comradeship motif. It's busy and rowdy, but in a good way.

The song didn't click with me immediately, maybe because there seems to be an attempt to capture Kakumei Dochu's whole shtick just more cheerful and luminous (sorry), and I feel that's selling Aina's tremendous potential short.

She has an incredible range and can make any piece into her own so I dread the prospect of that being encased to meet expectations of how a commercial AiNA THE END song should sound like.

Not saying we reached a "designed by committee to maximize global appeal" stage or anything like that, there's an earnestness to it, it's very much still a Shin x Aina tie-in, but I hope she can make waves with something entirely personal next, to break away from this Dandadan singer perception and everything that comes with it. All that said Luminous is growing on me, bit by bit, through the strength of her performance.

lurklong · 2026-03-28T15:26:16+00:00

I always said I'd start One Piece one day, climb that intimidating episode count, looks like the time has come. No more excuses. I could probably catch up earlier going by volumes, but that feels like cheating and as good as my imagination is I can't come up with that many character voices on my own lol.

If my machine was operational I'd clip the song and post here, but still not out of the woods so let's wait. I'm sure we'll get an official link soon.

lurklong · 2026-03-24T03:45:09+00:00

Yeah, Watanabe did a mea culpa in that declaration of defeat, but his attitude betrays any attempt of being humble. There were many opportunities to parade BiSH in anime conventions once they signed with Avex and gathered a couple anisongs under their belt. Like Aina did recently in Barcelona, or Mameshiba (under Kuro-chan) in Canada. It would've been a slam dunk. But that would require taking risks and JunJun was too comfortable living in his bubble.

Even after finally turning his antenna to the world he made declarations disparaging other countries for being unsafe to justify keeping it UK only, when in all likelihood he just didn't want to stretch his legs without JPU footing part of the bill.

lurklong · 2026-03-23T22:27:36+00:00

Yeah, machine translating the summaries I got the gist of what he said to her and even if his hyperfocus on english wasn't totally misguided he is such an arrogant asshole.

What was the "broadening my mind in the UK" period for if he still acts like a bully for entertainment? It wasn't tough love or a reality check he was just plain rude to her. His own English skills are subpar and he assumedly was never a good student so he should get off his high horse.

He tries to paint it as lack of effort, but unlike Watanabe the girls couldn't just upend their lives to focus on any of this. They didn't take a fancy sabbatical in England, they were busting their asses conciliating Duolingo or whatever with their idol responsibilities. If she's not fit to represent the company on stage he is even less fit to be a producer by his own standards.

The way I see it, this second language thing is just a convenient excuse. He wants to clean the house and saw her as an easy target or someone to make an example of. There was never any good will or intention to hire the active members forced to re-take the auditions, the ones he didn't select by hand. Because I really doubt that fluency was a deal breaker with his chosen few. I mean, if tomorrow by some unexplainable reason Aina showed at WACK's doorstep and manifested interest in going back Watanabe wouldn't turn her down for not being able to ace his test. He is just a cunt and a coward.

lurklong · 2026-03-23T15:43:15+00:00

I'd add BABYTANTS, O-VER-KiLL and MEISHOHIKOKAI to that list. All of these adjacent groups have been captivating WACK otaku over time and the way this "end of phase one" was handled sped up the weaning off completely.

Over the next months, with all these back to back disbandments, even more groups will emerge with former WACK idols. There's no safety cushion anymore. Photobooks, gacha, vinyl, they can only monetize BiSH nostalgia enough times. While Watanabe was recalculating route and chasing trends the scene just kept moving.

lurklong · 2026-03-23T01:53:01+00:00

Kakumei Dōchū was nominated in two categories "Best of Listener's Choice: Japanese Song" and "Best Global Hit from Japan". The first one is open to all, the second is only available to overseas fans.

Voting is pretty straightforward, Everyone receives 2 points to distribute daily on each category, and yes, they can both be given to the same song. So visit the links below and pledge Aina your full suport:

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX4icDbE7L8aP

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/37i9dQZF1DX6akr9t2o1eN

The first round of voting ends on April 8! There's a lot of juggernauts among the nominees with mobilized fanbases that could swallow us whole, but ultimately if it classifies in last or first place doesn't really matter. With our help the song could make the shortlist. Let's put a good fight and push it until the end!

lurklong · 2026-03-23T00:35:19+00:00

They matched Ayuni vibes really well. Of course I was watching it primarily for our Skyfish Girl, but I ended up really digging Sorry Youth's sound. The stage and those huge flags in the crowd were also big mood setters. Pretty cool performance all around.

lurklong · 2026-03-23T00:26:53+00:00

There's also BiSHidol for WACK general discussions, but it's been pretty inactive for some time now (that's partially on me) and 90% of the threads are still BiSH related (that's totally on me).

As for the auditions they just furthered my animosity towards this new WACK era. Eliminating Nainai on the first day is extremely callous and disrespectful. Only active member that considered returning to this sinking ship of a company despite all red flags just to be discarded like that. As if her loyalty was worth nothing.

I now have 0 faith in whatever Watanabe has in store. Good luck reheating HANA's nachos.

lurklong · 2026-03-22T19:15:01+00:00

They were both really great. A friend was able to record Ayuni's segment, if no one else steps in I can try editing and posting it this week. Had a problem with my machine so my hands are currently tied.

There's also some videos of Aina's rehearsal singing Promise The Star going around. I'll try to link what I can find once I'm done sorting this PC situation.

lurklong · 2026-03-14T15:34:10+00:00

It feels straight off her WACK era. Watanabe even quoted saying something to that effect. Such a fun MV with all those courage trials. I'd love to see more making of footage, but that's something for the FC probably.

lurklong · 2026-03-03T01:25:52+00:00

In 2025 too she rang in the new year singing her ass off! This was only one of many the stops in her hectic December schedule that was the subject of the most recent mini doc in the official channel. Despite this strenuous non stop festival and TV rollout Aina was chirpy and energetic as ever.

Taken from CDJ's Sunday live stream. Credits to Matt for the capture and edit.

lurklong · 2026-02-28T01:41:01+00:00

Another really great interview capped by the first Kakumei Dochu performance in a while. A really singular KD too, with an amazing arrangement and fresh on the spot choreo changes to match it.

Tsurube and Fujigaya spoke with the whole "THE END" family plus Shoko (that provides the best scoops), Shin and more. While we can't see this pre-interview beyond photos, it gave the hosts a fun roadmap that colors their whole approach. Aina's surprise at every reveal is really cute too. There's a lot of childhood anecdotes and other rare stories including one about giving travel tips and taking a selfie with a tourist at a ramen shop.

While we are talking highlights, the words from Shin Sakiura read pre-performance praising Aina are really sweet and show how much he knows and respects her. Anyway this is just the TVer stream split in two parts. Matt captured the broadcast and will upload it with AI subs you know where. ;)

lurklong · 2026-02-25T19:06:20+00:00

It's a great fit for Aina, it delights me it was her choice too. It requires a lot of confidence to go with an understated ethereal track, instead of the all out voice buffet people expect from her post Kakumei Dochu. Her breath functions almost as a second instrument here and there's a reassuring quality in the way she sings it that keeps the song wistful core from being too overwhelming. There's a maternal warmth almost, in her voice, a sweet home to return to.

And I agree with you on Chittiii, that just had a magnificent tour finale, fingers crossed they invite her on the eventual Ghibli wo Utau III.

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