Tag: Japanese City Pop

Posted on

R.I.P. Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yukihiro Takahashi – Techno Pop Giant Y.M.O.

R.I.P. Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yukihiro Takahashi – Techno Pop Giant Y.M.O.

I was really fascinated by their fashion and music, furthermore, bedazzled by their neo-futuristic image performance when the first time I found Y.M.O.

No one could resist 80’s technopop movement in Japan, To say nothing of, they were the top of the top – the trio band Y.M.O. (abbreviation of Yellow Magic Orchestra) Everyone realized they are “special” at that time. Even nothing but a small girl (me!) who was not familiar with music scene back then.

They had immense influence on later music scene, inclusively fashion, art, range from pop culture to sub culture in Japan.

They wore make-up in the stage and played the coolest instrumental techno tunes, sometimes played standup comedies, especially Mr.Sakamoto is widely known as a famous actor, also as the great composer of the films “ Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence” “The Last Emperor” “The Sheltering Sky”.

I can’t describe my feelings… a part of me just died…my youth is forever gone…I can’t find the exact word to express how deeply I mourned the news.

Ryuichi Sakamoto passed away the end of March, 2023.

I got just shocked Yukihiro Takahashi’s news three month ago. He was also Y.M.O. member who was known as a “precise” “super technique” drum player.

Surprisingly, suddenly I found the fact that we lost 2 members of Y.M.O. out of the three.

R.I.P. Ryuichi Sakamoto, Yukihiro Takahashi – Their music forever!

Rydeen at comedy show (that’s why they were wearing typical middle age guys’ costumes, but their play was terrific!!)

The film – Merry Christmas, Mr. Lawrence

Posted on

G.O.A.T! One of the best city pop song of Japanese 80’s. TV animes of Showa-era.

G.O.A.T! One of the best city pop song of Japanese 80’s and TV animes!

If you are really proud of yourself as a huge fun of Kadomatsu Toshiki, Otaki Eiichi, Yamashita Tatsuro, Takeuchi Maria, Anri…Yellow Magic Orchestra (Y.M.O). Everyone over here please! 80’s city pop, techno pop lover, you must love these tunes below!

Including a song, which is 80’s city pop-esque!! 🙂

If you’re planning to dig in vinyl records of 80’s city pop, stop by Darumaya or Disk Union in Tokyo and its suburbs. They have treasure troves of Japanese Showa-era music.

https://darumaya.to

https://diskunion.net

People might say, the most famous anime song of 80’s is “Theme of Lupin The Third”(instrumental). Or “Get wild – Theme of City Hunter” by TM Network.

But don’t forget this one, the ending song ”Miraikeisatsu Urashiman”, which is 80’s TV anime, not only coolest techno pop (technology pop) song but also 80’s TV anime song of Japan! It is still brilliant even in 2022! No joke!

Although, I could hardly remember how the story goes, OK, ask wiki! Ta-dah….the story background set at Tokyo in 1983.

While the boy(Urashiman) has been chased by cop cars from episode 1 opening sequence, finally he got lost in parallel world with sudden thunder strike and forced himself to travel through time… time warp…eventually he arrived the neo-futuristic world in 2050.

This song titled “Dream City Neo-Tokio” as it means he exactly showed up Tokyo city in 2050.

He was called “Urashiman” who is lost himself and his name, memories of the past. After being captured by future cops, he became a detective to investigate the mystery of his situation, he started finding himself. Who is the enemy?

If you have interest into it, please check Showa anime “Miraikeisatsu Urashiman”!