SEIYUU LOUNGE

If you're looking for 2D groups that have a unique sound both within the 2D franchise but also when you compare with all other groups out there, I've got some recs for you!Jazz-rock and lyrical music still don't have a big expression in 2D music but these groups have been doing awesome things, let's talk about Undead, Growth and Loulou*di.

If you're trying to get into 2D music and don't know where to start I've got you! In this episode, let's talk about two 2D groups that are considered royalty for the records they set and the doors they opened for other 2D groups as well for bringing more visibility and recognition to seiyuu and 2D music in general.If you're a pop music fan, this is the episode for you, the best way to ease into 2D music in my opinion.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

The "sophomore album curse" is a well known worry for musicians around the world. After a strong debut album, expectations rise, labels start being attached to an artist and there's a lot of pressure to perform on the same level to avoid disappointing fans. And while most 2nd albums face that curse or a difficult release, these seiyuu artists actually turned things around and ensured their 2nd album was not only better than their first, but easily one of their best albums ever.Join me for this episode of SEIYUU LOUNGE covering:- Yuma Uchida "Equal"- Soma Saito "in bloom"- Toshiki Masuda "Origin"- UMake "Tripper"This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

He dazzled with a beautiful acappella for the anime NO.6, he was dazzling everyone performing live songs from the Prince of Tennis character song series, he was impressing everyone for Rejet's Wolves Saga character song CDs. He was on par with Mamoru Miyano and KISHOW in his prime, before a health scare pushed him away from singing for years to focus on recovery after a particulary sensitive procedure to his vocal chords.In this episode, join me as I revisit what made Hosoya Yoshimasa, my favorite singer among male seiyuu in the early 2010's and how I believe he was bound to get a solo debut and that, today, he'd be the face of aoppella?!.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

Time to talk about Sir Vanity's first compilation EP, "Timeless". This collection of rock tunes featured as the theme songs for the stage play for "Tokyo Revengers" is filled with bangers and some of the coolest rock songs the band has released so far.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

Let's dive into Shoya Chiba's 1st album and explore why it's one of my favorite releases of 2025! Get ready for an laidback album review that highlights the standout tracks and must listen moments (but really, go check the album out, it's amazing!)

We're already well in the last three months of the year and there are so many artists I hope will grace us with new music before we welcome 2026.This episode was recorded a week before Soma Saito announced the release of "Nuance", his 4th EP - so you'll hear a ton of excitement there but little did Vanessa from the past know that, in the week after, Saito would announce the EP hahahaThis is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

What if you could listen to your favorite seiyuu artists for the first time? A pity that is not possible so the closest thing I can bring you is my friend Kotaro Nishio  @konbini.nihongo.podcast  to discover seiyuu artists and 2D groups and share what he feels about them, details about the writing, the music composition and even cultural details that may have gone under the radar for most of us.This is part 5 of 5.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

What if you could listen to your favorite seiyuu artists for the first time? A pity that is not possible so the closest thing I can bring you is my friend Kotaro Nishio  @konbini.nihongo.podcast  to discover seiyuu artists and 2D groups and share what he feels about them, details about the writing, the music composition and even cultural details that may have gone under the radar for most of us.This is part 4 of 5.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

What if you could listen to your favorite seiyuu artists for the first time? A pity that is not possible so the closest thing I can bring you is my friend Kotaro Nishio  @konbini.nihongo.podcast  to discover seiyuu artists and 2D groups and share what he feels about them, details about the writing, the music composition and even cultural details that may have gone under the radar for most of us.This is part 3 of 5.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

What if you could listen to your favorite seiyuu artists for the first time? A pity that is not possible so the closest thing I can bring you is my friend Kotaro Nishio  @konbini.nihongo.podcast  to discover seiyuu artists and 2D groups and share what he feels about them, details about the writing, the music composition and even cultural details that may have gone under the radar for most of us.This is part 2 of 5.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

What if you could listen to your favorite seiyuu artists for the first time? A pity that is not possible so the closest thing I can bring you is my friend Kotaro Nishio  ⁨@konbini.nihongo.podcast⁩  to discover seiyuu artists and 2D groups and share what he feels about them, details about the writing, the music composition and even cultural details that may have gone under the radar for most of us.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

Time flies by! The Hand That Feeds HQ (THTFHQ) celebrates its 15th anniversary in August and to celebrate this big milestone, let's hold a 1h30 livestream to answer your questions, talk about what's going on at THTFHQ and talk about male seiyuu and 2D music.We've talked about best singers among male seiyuu, best 2D groups vocals quality-wise, a random story of I saw Yuya Hirose while I was in Japan in 2019 and many other things.

Makoto Furukawa's newest mini-album has arrived to sweep me off my feet with the perfect blend of jazz, R&B and rock music! In this episode of Seiyuu Lounge, let's talk about "Catch me if you can" and how this is - currently - my album of 2025.

Fans of 2D groups and 2D music project dread this conversation: a project or group ending.But one thing is the project or group ending when they are in a negative trajectory - be it popularity, quality of the music or interest about the project or group - and another is ending on a high and being remembered for all the awesome things they did and how amazing they sounded.In this episode, let me share when I think is the right time to end a 2D music project or group and give you some arguments from the business, marketing, storytelling and fan perspectives.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

If you're new to male seiyuu music and wondering where to start, this episode is your go-to guide. In the final part, I'm going to introduce you to the intricate singer-songwriters and conceptual artists you should check (and will make you stop to think, study and theorize) - Toshiyuki Toyonaga, Makoto Furukawa and Soma Saito - covering their styles, career highlights, and unique qualities. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:05 Diving into Technical and Complex Music01:56 The Art of Singer-Songwriters03:38 Introducing Toshiyuki Toyonaga11:34 Makoto Furukawa: The Jazz Virtuoso24:17 Soma Saito: The "Final Boss" of Male Seiyuu Artists40:09 Conclusion

If you're new to male seiyuu music and wondering where to start, this episode is your go-to guide. In part 2, I'm going to introduce you to citypop, pop-rock and acoustic rock artists you should check - Kent Ito, Shugo Nakamura and Shoya Chiba - covering their styles, career highlights, and unique qualities. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction and Overview01:50 Exploring Kent Ito's Musical Journey08:16 The Warmth of Shugo Nakamura's Acoustic Pop Rock15:41 The Bold Debut of Shoya Chiba24:27 Conclusion

If you're new to male seiyuu music and wondering where to start, this episode is your go-to guide. In part 1, I'm going to introduce you to easy-listening pop artists you should check - Mamoru Miyano, Yuma Uchida and Shouta Aoi - covering their styles, career highlights, and unique qualities. Timestamps:00:00 Introduction00:11 Overview of Must-Listen Artists01:32 Diverse Music Styles and Recommendations02:40 Starting with Easy Listening: Mamoru Miyano08:02 Yuma Uchida: Emotional and Versatile12:50 Shouta Aoi: The EDM Pop Sensation20:16 OutroThis is an unscripted episode of the podcast.

In this episode, let's talk about my passion for collecting physical CDs, especially from my favorite male seiyuu artists and 2D groups. This is an unscripted episode in which I will be geeking a lot about the joys of collecting and the significant details that make physical media special to me.Timestamps00:00 Introduction00:19 Why I Collect CDs01:04 The Value of Physical Media03:31 Challenges and Arguments Against Physical Media08:10 The Joy of Collecting14:04 Digital vs. Physical Media24:37 Supporting Artists Through Purchases28:30 Conclusion

Yuki Kaji, Junichi Suwabe and Jun Fukuyama have been advocating against AI as it starts proliferating in Japan without any regulations whatsoever.Picking up from last week, we're joined by Emmanuelle, an AI and Digital Law expert currently writing her thesis on AI and its impact in the Voice Acting industry.In this episode, we explore the legal ramifications surrounding AI and copyright, the dangers of scams utilizing voice cloning technology, and the need for regulation in the face of deepfakes.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast. This is part 2 of 2.

Yuki Kaji, Junichi Suwabe and Jun Fukuyama have been advocating against AI as it starts proliferating in Japan without any regulations whatsoever.With that in mind, in this and the next episode, I'm joined by Emmanuelle, an AI and Digital Law expert currently writing her thesis on AI and its impact in the Voice Acting industry.In this episode, we delve into the implications of AI voice cloning, discussing its eerie nature, cultural impacts, and the challenges it poses to the creative process. This is an unscripted episode of the podcast. This is part 1 of 2.Thanks to Emmanuelle for guesting on this episode of the podcast!

Kotaro Nishio, a friend of mine who's also a Japanese language tutor - has been teaching with me for a year - and content creator with the podcast  @konbini.nihongo.podcast  joins us to talk about the visibility of seiyuu music, the typical workday for Japanese people, and cultural practices such as bathing and etiquette. We highlight the differences in fan engagement between seiyuu and J-Pop, as well as the unique experiences of living in Japan compared to other countries + answer your questions. Thank you so much for sending your questions!

In this episode of Seiyuu Lounge, we have the first guest on the show. Kotaro Nishio, a friend of mine who's also a Japanese language tutor and content creator with the podcast  ⁨@konbini.nihongo.podcast⁩  joins us to talk about various aspects of Japanese culture and language and answer your questions.In this episode, we discuss the effectiveness of learning Japanese through music and anime, address common misconceptions about Japanese culture, and share insights on working in Japan. Kotaro also shares his journey to becoming a Japanese tutor and the influence of global music trends in Japan. This is an unscripted episode of the podcast. This is part 1 of 2.

Sir Vanity kicked off 2025 with a stellar entry in the repertoire with the EP "Latitude".Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Anthos* kicked off its 4th CD series, Human or Doll, with a refreshing entry bringing late 90s R&B pop and hip-hop, keeping us guessing with unique compositions and vocal direction.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

One of the most unique 2D music groups at the moment, with a mature take on pop music while subverting expectations in idol music, in this episode, let's talk about XlamV's 3rd EP "Landscape".Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

A unique mixed-media project with K-pop at its core, an exciting sound, and genuinely interesting characters and story. In this episode, we are going to talk about Perfection Noise, a project that went on a hiatus in 2021.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

The most complex singer-songwriters among male seiyuu, all about intricate concepts, literary influences, rock music, and technical performances. In this unhinged episode, let's talk about a crazy theory of mine: that Soma Saito and Makoto Furukawa are two sides of the same coin as solo artists.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

When it comes to storytelling interwoven with music, it's hard to find 2D music projects that top these ones. In this episode, let's talk about the 5 Best Storytelling-driven 2D music projects, according to me. Feel free to share your favorites in the comments.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

On this episode of Seiyuu Lounge, it's time to cover Ensemble Stars!!, one of the most consistently successful 2D music projects in the past decade. In this episode, let's talk about some of the groups, the anime, games, and the continuous success this franchise has experienced.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

On this episode of Seiyuu Lounge, we'll talk a bit about The IDOLM@STER SideM and celebrate its 10th anniversary! Let's talk about the groups, anime, games and the odd decline since 2016 that has yet to be explained. Also, a bonus story about how I became indebted to this franchise. Don't miss this episode!Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Join me on this episode of Seiyuu Lounge to talk a bit about B-PROJECT and celebrate its 10th anniversary! We'll be talking about the 2D music groups MooNs, THRIVE, KiLLER KiNG and Kitakore and their journey over the past decade. Don't miss this special episode!

Join me on Seiyuu Lounge as we celebrate TSUKIPRO's 10th anniversary! We'll be talking about the 2D music groups SolidS, SOARA, Growth, and QUELL and their journey over the past decade. Don't miss this special episode!This is an unscripted episode of the podcast. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Join me to celebrate the 10th anniversary of Dear Vocalist in this episode of Seiyuu Lounge! Dive into the world of this 2D music project by Rejet and discover the magic behind its long run.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

2015 was one of the biggest years for fans of 2D music. Some of the most influential, record-breaking 2D music projects launched that year, seiyuu careers were taken to stardom due to some of those and now, 10 years later, they're still around, ready to celebrate their 10th anniversaries.This is an unscripted episode of the podcast. The first of several covering the 2D music projects that turn 10 years old in 2025.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

And excitement is thorough the roof, even if with some reservations, seeing as King Amusement Creative hasn't let Shoya Chiba impress like he did with "Blessing", his 1st EP. Let's talk about this album and what we can expect from it in this episode.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

And you can bet I'm super excited about this one as there's a nod to Moriarty The Patriot, a duality of photos - that could mean a duality of concepts (or sides of himself shown) and more new music coming from Makoto Furukawa.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

A sophomore release that left a lot to be desired, yet one in which there were plenty of cool ideas and impressive moments. It's time to talk about Shoya Chiba's "Contrail", his 1st single released in August 2024.Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Awesome nominees, amazing music that kept pushing the boundaries of quality and technicality for seiyuu artists and 2D groups. Memorable performances and outstanding CD releases.It's time to check the winners - as voted by you - at THTFHQ AWARDS 2024.Thanks to everyone who participated in this year's edition!Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

An underrated rock album coming from a seiyuu artist that deserves more attention. In 2021, Toshiki Masuda impressed me with his most consistent album to date, "Origin". This rock album with indie influences goes back into Masuda's origins as a rock fan and showers listeners with quite the nostalgic and motivational set of tunes. While this album sold a lot at the time of release, it is barely mentioned as one of the best rock albums by a male seiyuu so, I come here to talk to you about it. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

It's time for a listener request on this podcast. If you ever wondered how music licensing works for albums featuring cover songs, if it is worth it, who earns money off of whom and why some seiyuu artists are doing this just like how Shunichi Toki did with the mini-album “Log.”, this is the episode for you. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

One of the biggest surprises in 2024, Shouta Aoi's mini-album "Collage" arrived late in the year but made a massive impact in what is Aoi's most consistent release to date. This is an unscripted episode. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Time to talk about my expectations and predictions for the current year, always suggest the same seiyuu to make a solo debut and, overall, have really high expectations for the 2D music scene and for male seiyuu solo artists. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

We're wrapping up all the features about the best of 2024! After covering the best albums and song, it's time to talk about the 7 male seiyuu that were on a mission in 2024, impressing everyone with their quality in the multiple projects they're a part of. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

2024 is already behind us but it is still far from being talked about. After talking about the best songs and albums by male seiyuu and 2D music projects released last year, it's time to cover the albums that I feel were completely overlooked yet, they are awesome and deserve all your love and attention. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Have you checked the music releases dropping in the 1st quarter of 2025? Male seiyuu artists, bands, and 2D groups are on fire in this year's first months, and there's a lot to be excited about. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Groovy music, timeless jazz, addictive dance music, unique experiences and storytelling. It's time to unveil the 4 best albums of the year in this episode of SEIYUU LOUNGE. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Heartwrenching songs, groovy ones, addictive ones that make you stop everything you're doing, outstanding performances and plenty of hours of fun. In this episode, I bring all of that and more into a small list feature just for you featuring the best songs released by 2D groups and male seiyuu artists in 2024. Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/7aNhhhoeoZq28cRKTHlVyl?si=0d278905ab044215 Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

In this episode, let's revisit some of the live shows, surprises, big news and more that marked 2024 for fans of male seiyuu artists and 2D groups. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

In this episode, let's cover both the highs and lows in 2D music projects in 2024, with a big focus on the newly launched 2D music projects.  And there's plenty to talk about from Loulou*di's last album to the from ARGONAVIS franchise announcing a hiatus and much more. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!

Time to cover the Big Solo Artist and 2D Group Debuts in 2024!! In this episode, you and I cover the solo artist and 2D group debuts of 2024 and explore a bit why there was barely any activity this year when it came to, especially, 2D group and seiyuu units debuts. Did you enjoy this episode? Consider ranking this podcast or leaving a review on your preferred podcast streaming platform!