So with that in mind, we’re delighted to announce that the Platina Jazz series still continues with the release of Volume 3 on February 8, 2012. The tracklist features such themes from series as Clannad, Trigun, Spice and Wolf, and Wolf’s Rain. A preview of one of the pieces, “half” from Rurouni Kenshin has been posted to the Platina Jazz Youtube page and is featured below. People looking to preorder the album can do so at CDJapan.

Although Kanako Itou has performed live concerts at events such as Anime Festival Asia and various years in attendance at the Animelo concerts, this will be her first appearance in the United States.

Currently, no schedule has been announced for meet and greets or concerts, but do pay attention as we will update you when we have any news about Kanako Itou’s appearance.

But perhaps more importantly, Kanno has been assigned to compose the opening to NHK’s 62nd Kohaku Uta Gessen, a music show that takes place every year on New Year’s Eve. The piece itself is set to play when hosts Arashi and Mao Inoue are introduced as well as when artists are introduced, artists which include the likes of Ayumi Hamazaki, Nana Mizuki, and L’Arc~en~Ciel.

Source: Oricon via Tokyohive.

Finally, Aniplex has gotten their act together and have made a belated release of Bakemonogatari’s soundtrack compiled alongside the opening and ending themes we love so much. The entire package is spread across two discs and will be released on December 21, 2011. Those of you interested in ordering the soundtrack can do so through CDJapan or Play-Asia.

This concert should provide an exciting opportunity for Vocaloid fans who weren’t able to see Hatsune Miku’s Los Angeles concert, one that was well-received by many attendees. In any event, we hope that you’ll be able to make it out there to see not only the wondrous technology, but also the music, which has enthralled many fans both in and out of Japan.

Maon Kurosaki is probably best known for performing the ending theme for the High School of the Dead anime series produced by Madhouse as well as the ending theme to Toaru Majutsu no Index II. In addition to performing at Anime Expo, Maon Kurosaki will also be participating in Animelo Summer Live 2011 and will release an album containing the ending theme to the Hakuouki OVA.

Source: http://headlines.yahoo.co.jp/hl?a=20110601-00000153-sph-ent

On July 16, 2011, Eminence presents Memories of Fantasia in conjunction with the Sydney Manga and Anime Show (SMASH!), a concert which will feature musical works sourced from Square-Enix video games and Studio Ghibli anime. On top of that, Eminence will also present Last Goodbye, which is a short musical animated work and will debut at SMASH! 2011. Artists expected to be present include Hiroki Kikuta, Kenji Ito, and Mari Yoshida along with the Eminence ensemble.

For those looking to attend the concert, tickets can be purchased here: http://tickets.smash.org.au/

The group probably entered the anime fan’s consciousness through “Shōjo S,” the tenth opening sequence for the Bleach anime. Since then, they’ve gone on to perform such hits as “Shunkan Sentimental” for Full Metal Alchemist: Brotherhood. Their work has also been featured in video games in addition to anime and so, should be very appealing to a wide crowd.

For those who aren’t familiar, Vocaloid is a voice synthesizer program that has given musicians the opportunity to have a virtual idol sing their music. Hatsune Miku, in particular, has become quite the cultural icon, having had a few Japanese concerts, including the “Miku’s Day Thanksgiving” concert held in March of last year. This year’s concert at AX will be based on that same concert, but will feature a few improvements over the original event.