Sean Robbins, host of the Japanese popular music radio show The J-Pop Exchange, has informed us that he will be airing an exclusive interview with Naomi Tamura (田村直美) on Saturday March 17th, 2012 at 8PM EST on his show. Below is his news submission.

Quote from Sean Robbins - Host of The J-Pop Exchange

I will air an exclusive interview with Naomi Tamura this Saturday March 17th at 8PM on my radio show, The J-Pop Exchange, which airs on WVCR 88.3 FM. In addition to talking about her background and influences, Ms. Tamura will also go into extensive detail about her experience with writing and performing songs for anime. This includes Ms. Tamura reflecting on her experience working on Pokémon and how this opportunity came to be. As you probably know, she performed 'Ready Go', 'Aratanaru Chikai' and 'Ippai Summer' for Pokémon.

The audio and transcript are now online at: http://www.jpopexchange.net/Naomi_Tamura.htm

Source: http://www.jpopexchange.net/3_10_2012_Playlist.htm

The latest Pocket Monsters Best Wishes ending theme is now available to download in Japan on the Apple iTunes store for 200yen. A forum post on Aki Okui's (奥井亜紀) official website asked if the song was going to be released on CD but the release is pending. No official reason was given but it is probably due to the fact that there isn't that much new Pocket Monsters music to release on a CD.

Starting with the first episode of 2012 and the 63rd episode overall, January 5th's A Subterranean Gym Match! VS Yacon!!, Pocket Monsters Best Wishes featured the this ending, the third unique ending song used in the series but the 5th overall ending when accounting for different verse variants of the first two endings.

Titled "A Seven-colored Arch" (Nana-iro arch 七色アーチ), the ending features a chorus of multiple generations of Pokémon singers; Toshiko Ezaki, the singer of Advanced Generation's Soko ni sora ga aru kara and Smile, Fumie Akiyoshi, the singer of Diamond and Pearl's Together, Kono yubi tomare and Saikō everyday, and Aki Okui, the singer of Best Wishes' Kokoro no fanfare. The ending replaced Can You Say the Pokémon? BW (Version 2) ポケモン言えるかな？ＢＷ (バージョン2) which had been the ending song since BW54.

The song features Dent as its conductor, and is perfectly suited for school graduations and entrance ceremonies, cheering on good friends and compatriots as they head towards their future. Satoshi and Iris are also featured heavily with their Pokémon, so sing along, everyone!

Ending information about Seven-Colored Arch (七色アーチ) can be found in our Opening/Ending database while full song lyrics can be found in our Song database.

TV Tokyo also posted a full lyrics sheet and sheet music for the song last month and can be viewed below.


Sources: http://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/qi-seachi-single/id504249778 and http://pokemon.ani.tv/index2.html

Takeshi Tsuruno (つるの剛士) posted a link on his official blog to a video on his YouTube account of him singing his song Can You Say the Pokémon? BW (ポケモン言えるかな? BW) very very fast. Can you say or sing the Pokémon BW this fast?


Source: http://yaplog.jp/tsurutake/archive/1768

Pokémon Smash Episode 41, Pokémon Ranger! The Wave-Guiding Riolu!! (Part 1) / Movie Premiere Commemmoration - A Pokémon Movie Quiz Tournament with Takeshi Tsuruno and Koichi Yamadera! / Movie Theme Song Artists ELT Present their Songs!(ポケモンレンジャー！波導のリオル!!（前編） / 映画公開記念・つるの剛士さんと山寺宏一さんを迎えてポケモン映画クイズ大会！／映画主題歌を歌うELTが歌を披露！), aired on Sunday in Japan.

The announcer introduced what was on the show. He started the show by saying: "Hi! Time again and we'll bring you the special edition of Pokémon Smash featuring Pokémon movies!" The episode started with the entire crew on set as Golgo walked in with a Victini mask on. Shoko-tan introduced that the episode would be a dedicated special to the 14th Pocket Monsters movies Victini and the Light Hero - Reshiram / Victini and the Dark Hero - Zekrom (ビクティニと白き英雄レシラム / ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム)

Shoko-tan introduced this weeks rerun episode as part of the Pokémon Library and he also announces this weeks theme, Understanding each others feelings even when separated! (はなれていても気持ちは必ず通じる！). This weeks Pokémon Library rerun episode was Pokémon Ranger! The Wave-Guiding Riolu!! (Part 1)(ポケモンレンジャー！波導のリオル!!（前編）) from the Diamond and Pearl series. A full summary of that episode is available in the episode guide. Professor Red said his go-to line 'OK! Pokémon Library!' to start the repeat episode.


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After the Pokémon Library episode, they showed quick interviews of people who had just finished watching the new movies at the theater. The announcer also reminded the audience that Zekrom and Reshiram were both being distributed at Japanese theaters for players that brought their Pokémon Black or White games. Zekrom and Reshiram both have the OT of Satoshi (サトシ). Players that brought Pokémon Black to the theater got Zekrom while players that brought Pokémon White received Reshiram. Detailed information about Satoshi's Zekrom and Satoshi's Reshiram are available in the Event database.

Maria was then caught trying to touch her nose with her tongue. Kōichi Yamadera (山寺宏一) the voice of Momont and Takeshi Tsuruno (つるの剛士) the voice of Dread in the 14th movies joined the PokéSmash crew on set. They were both there to participate in the Pokémon Movie Quiz Tournament as a Movie Premiere Commemmoration event. While talking to Takeshi Tsuruno, Robert brought up Can You Say the Pokémon? BW (ポケモン言えるかな? BW) which he sings at the time of this episodes airing was the ending theme for both Pocket Monsters Best Wishes and Pokémon Smash. Takeshi Tsuruno decided to sing the song but after a few verses the crew finally got him to stop singing the song. A chart of Kōichi Yamadera (山寺宏一) voice acting roles in the Pocket Monsters movies over the past 14 years was shown. He then quickly showed his voice acting talent by switching voices.


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The Pokémon Movie Quiz Tournament then began. Each of the cast members were able to answer and showed their results. Tsuruno just sat there and answer "curry" (ルウ) to every question. Below are the questions that the voice actors asked the cast.

Picture	Seiyū	Question	Answer
	Mizuki Nana (水樹奈々) The voice of Victini	Which scene did Mizuki just reenact? (水樹さんが演じたシーンはどんあシーンでしょう？)	Victini eating a Macaroon Spoiler: Click to show!
	Satomi Ishihara (石原 さとみ) The voice of Carlita	What nice surprise happened during Ishihara's dubbing session? (石原さんがアフレコ中うれしかった出来事とは？)	The staff prepared macaroons to eat during the dubbing of the macaroon scene (アフレコ中にマカロンが食べたくなりスタッフがマカロンを用意してくれた) Spoiler: Click to show!
	Mao Daichi (大地真央) The voice of Janta	Take back the _____ Earth! (理想のOOを取りもどしましょう！)	Take back the ideal Earth! (理想の大地を取りもどしましょう！) Spoiler: Click to show!
	Shōsuke Tanihara (谷原章介) The voice of Reshiram	What made Tanihara so happy that he did the V-sign? (谷原さんがVサインをするくらいうれしかった出来事とは？)	He found the copy of Pocket Monsters White he thought he had lost (なくしたと思っていたポゲットモンスターホワイトが見つかった) Spoiler: Click to show!
	Hideki Takahashi (高橋英樹) The voice of Zekrom	What made Takahashi so happy that he did the V-sign? (高橋さんがVサインをするくらいうれしかった出来事とは？)	Dreaming that he could fly ( 夢の中で空を飛べた) Spoiler: Click to show!

Every Little Thing - Sora

The group Every Little Thing which includes Kaori Mochida (持田香織) and Ichiro Ito (伊藤一朗) returned in this episode to sing the theme song: Sora (宙 -そら-) which is the ending theme for Victini and the Dark Hero - Zekrom (ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム). Koe (響 -こえ-) which is the ending theme for Victini and the Light Hero - Reshiram (ビクティニと白き英雄レシラム) is similar to Sora. Below are the covers for the CD which were released on July 13th, 2011 in Japan. Click on the images for more information.

CD+DVD/Jacket A	Limited Edition / Jacket B	Pokémon Limited Edition / Jacket C

Can You Say the Pokémon? BW (ポケモン言えるかな? BW)

As a reminder for the CD of Can You Say the Pokémon? BW (ポケモン言えるかな? BW) which was released on June 22nd, 2011, they filmed various kids singing the song for the ending.

Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

The official Every Little Thing website has updated and has posted details for the upcoming Sora / Koe (宙 -そら- / 響 -こえ-) CD's which will now be released on July 13th, 2011 in Japan. Sora (宙 -そら-) will be the ending theme for Victini and the Dark Hero - Zekrom (ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム) while Koe (響 -こえ-) will be the ending theme for Victini and the Light Hero - Reshiram (ビクティニと白き英雄レシラム). Below are the covers for the CD. Click on the images for more information.

CD+DVD/Jacket A	Limited Edition / Jacket B	Pokémon Limited Edition / Jacket C

Source: http://www.avexnet.or.jp/elt/news/110516_01.html

CD's for the upcoming 14th Pocket Monsters movies Victini and the Light Hero - Reshiram / Victini and the Dark Hero - Zekrom (ビクティニと白き英雄レシラム / ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム) have been announced. Below are the details for the CD's. Full track listings for the CD's have yet to be revealed.

Theatrical Edition Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Music Collection

Theatrical Edition Pocket Monsters Best Wishes Victini and the Light Hero - Reshiram / Victini and the Dark Hero - Zekrom Music Collection (劇場版ポケットモンスター ベストウイッシュ「ビクティニと黒き英雄 ゼクロム」「ビクティニと白き英雄 レシラム」ミュージックコレクション) will be released on July 27th, 2011 for 3300yen. The CD will include instrumental background music by Shinji Miyazaki and it also includes the new track "Best Wishes (NEW MIX&EDIT)" sung by Rica Matsumoto as well the ending theme "Sora" performed by Every Little Thing. The catalog number is ZMCP-7318.

Rica Matsumoto Pokémon Main Theme Best

Rica Matsumoto Pokémon Main Theme Best - RICA THE POKEMON SONG BEST (松本梨香が歌うポケモン主題歌ベスト 〜RICA THE POKEMON SONG BEST〜) will be released on July 16th, 2011 for 2500yen. The CD will include some of Pokémon's greatest hits sung by Rica Matsumoto including "Mezase Pokémon Master", "Best Wishes", and more for 12 tracks plus bonus tracks. The catalog number is ZMCP-7317.

Sora / Koe

Three different CD single releases of the ending theme for Victini and the Light Hero - Reshiram / Victini and the Dark Hero - Zekrom (ビクティニと白き英雄レシラム / ビクティニと黒き英雄ゼクロム) will be released on July 6th, 2011. Sora / Koe (CD+DVD/Jacket A) [宙 -そら- / 響 -こえ- (CD+DVD/ジャケットA)] will feature the ending song sung by Every Little Thing but will also include the DVD with the music video. The CD+DVD version will sell for 1890yen and its catalog number is AVCD-48093.

The Sora / Koe (Limited Edition / Jacket B) [宙 -そら-／響 -こえ- （通常盤／ジャケットB）] will only include the CD single. It will sell for 1,050 yen and its catalog number is AVCD-48094.

Finally, the Sora / Koe (Pokémon Limited Edition / Jacket C) [宙 -そら- / 響 -こえ- (初回生産限定ポケモン盤／ジャケットC)] will also only include the CD single but it will have an alternative Pokémon CD Jacket. It will sell for 1,300yen and its catalog number is AVCD-48095.

The CD's have all been added to the database and will be updated when further information becomes available.

Media Factory and Pikachu Records have announced some new Pocket Monsters Anime products that will be going on sale in Japan later this year. Can You Say the Pokémon? BW (ポケモン言えるかな? BW), the current Best Wishes ending sung by Takeshi Tsuruno (つるの剛士) will be released on CD on June 22, 2011. It's retail price is 1,155yen and its catalog number is ZMCP-7132. The CD will also come with 3 special Pokémon cards: Yanakkie (ヤナッキー), Baokkie (バオッキー) Hiyakkie (ヒヤッキー). The CD has been added to the database.


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Also announced was a DVD for last years ANA short Pocket Monsters Diamond&Pearl Pikachu's Really Mysterious Adventure (ポケットモンスター ダイヤモンド・パール ピカチュウのふしぎなふしぎな大冒険). The DVD will also come with the Diamond&Pearl Hikari special Hikari Sets Off Anew! (ヒカリ・新たなる旅立ち!) that aired in February. The DVD will be released in Japan on July 16th, 2011 for 2,250yen. It's catalog number is ZMBS-6088. The DVD has been added to the database.

Source: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/

Rica Matsumoto (松本梨香), the voice actor who play Satoshi in the Japanese animated series of Pocket Monsters, made two appearances on KINGRUN Anisong Kouhaku 2010 (アニソン紅白 2010). Anisong Kouhaku is a yearly broadcast in Japan that features live singing of songs from many of the popular animated series in Japan. On December 31st, 2010, New Years Eve, the show was broadcast in Japan at New Pier Hall (ニューピアホール) located in central Tokyo.


This years Anisong Kouhaku 2010 featured two songs sung by Rica Matsumoto. The first song she sang was "Alive a Life" from Kamen Rider Ryuki (仮面ライダー龍騎). The second song was Best Wishes! (ベストウイッシュ！), the current opening theme for the Japanese Pocket Monsters anime, also called Best Wishes! (ベストウイッシュ！). Last year, Rica was also on the show and sang two Pocket Monsters songs.


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Related link: http://anisonkouhaku.jp/

Pokémon Smash Episode 13, The Jungle Trio! Hot Spring Battle!! / Delivering Presents to Those who Sent in 'Cosplay Pictures' / AAA Perform the PokéSma ED Tune / Presents: Trade Pokémon with the PokéSma Members (ジャングルのさんびき！　おんせんバトル！！ / 「なりきり写真」を送ってくれた方にプレゼントを届ける / AAAがポケスマ！ED曲を披露 / プレゼント・ポケスマメンバーのポケモンと交換), aired today in Japan.

Todays's episode started with two walls of pictures featuring kids dressed up as Tsutarja, Pokabu and Mijumaru. Shoko-tan announces that the results for the Pokémon Library vote were in and that 91,823 votes were cast. The Pokémon Library vote allowed viewers to choose between two episodes. Golgo suggested viewers vote for Bivouac by Iwark (イワークでビバーク) which received 43,556 votes while Professor Red suggested The Jungle Trio! Hot Spring Battle!! (ジャングルのさんびき！おんせんバトル！！) and it received 48,267 votes.


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Since Professor Red one the vote for this weeks Pokémon Library episode, The Jungle Trio! Hot Spring Battle!! (ジャングルのさんびき！おんせんバトル！！) aired. The episode is from the original Japanese series. A full summary is available in the episode guide. Red said the go-to line 'OK! Pokémon Library!' to start the repeat episode.

After the repeat episode, the International division girls show up with another board of pictures. Everyone reviews the pictures that had been sent in and comments on them. 548 pictures in total were sent in. Golgo then introduces the Christmas Present Surprise Video Tape Recording.

At 5:45am, Golgo, Misaki, and Professor Red all dressed up in Santa outfits make their first stop at 6 year old Yuusaku Mukaida (向井田勇作) home, as he submitted a picture dressed up as a Tsutarja. He was sleeping when they arrived but then he got dressed up in his Tsutarja outfit to show them. They gave him a signed Pokémon Smash poster, a calendar and a Tsutarja plushie.


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At 6:00am, Robert also dressed up in Santa outfits make their first stop at 8 year old Saki Mukaiyama's (向山咲希) home, as she submitted a picture dressed up as a Mijumaru. She was also sleeping when they arrived. Her parents are also fans of Pokémon as their house has many goods related to the series throughout their home. Her mom has logged 101 hours on BW and her father has logged 193 hours on a separate　cart. True fans of the series! Saki got dressed up in her Mijumaru costume and sang Fanfare of the Heart, the first ending theme for Best Wishes. Robert gave her a Mijumaru plushie, as well as a signed Pokémon Smash poster and calendar.

Golgo, Misaki, and Professor Red head off to Kyūshū where they make their next stop at 8 year old Takuya Tsushima's (對間拓哉) home, as he submitted a picture dressed up as a Mijumaru. He comes home from school to see Golgo dressed up in a Santa outfit with his Futachimaru paper mache head on so he couldn't tell who it was. He takes off the head to see who it was and recognizes Golgo. Takuya gets full dressed up in his costume to show them and his brother also got dressed up as Mijumaru.

Robert head off to their next location in Chiba where they make their next stop at 9 year old Yuuji Nakamura's (中村悠士) home, as he submitted a picture dressed up as Pokabu. Yuuji was out when Robert arrive but when he returned he was quite stunned to see Robert and the camera crew around his kitchen table. Akiyama and Yuuji come out dressed as Pokabu which gets a lot of laughs. They give him a Pokabu plushie.


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Golgo, Misaki, and Professor Red make a stop in Fukuoka to the Okamoto Family (岡本さん親子). The family dressed up as all three starter Pokémon. The did a quick show before they had to leave quickly. Each of them received a plushie.


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Osaka Pokémon Center

During Mijumaru's Tweet Corner, the Osaka Pokémon Center new location on the 13th floor of the Daimaru Umeda department store (大丸梅田店) was shown. It opened on November 26th, 2010 and features a Black and White theme throughout the store.

The new Osaka Pokémon Center carries over 2500 different Pokémon items as well as a few exclusive ones to commemorate the new location. There is also a Union Room where fans can meet and will also serve as an excellent location for Pokémon Card Game and Pokémon Video Game tournament events.


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AAA - Endless Fighters

Endless Fighters is the first ending theme for Pokémon Smash that plays during the ending credits. AAA was on set during the episode to perform the song and to promote the special PARADISE / Endless Fighters (Cover D) "Pokémon Smash!" (PARADISE / Endless Fighters (ジャケットD) 「ポケモンスマッシュ！」) CD which has a different cover compared to the other versions of the CD. It features Zoroark and Mijumaru on the Pokémon Smash set instead of AAA. Endless Fighters is also the first track on this CD instead of PARADISE which was the first track on every other variant of this CD release. AAA also signed a few CD's to give out as presents to viewers.

The Pokémon Smash crew is also giving out Pokémon as presents to a few lucky viewers. Below are the Pokémon that they will be giving out.


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Characters and Pictures from this episode have been added to the episode guide. You can also comment and discuss this episode on the forum. Also be sure to rate this and other episodes in the episode guide.

Media Factory has announced a new CD, the TV Anime Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best 1997-2010 Volume 2. The CD is the follow up to the extremely popular TV Anime Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best 1997-2010 (TVアニメ ポケットモンスター オリジナルサウンドトラック ベスト 1997-2010) CD Set released in September of 2010. Full CD details are currently unknown but will be announced in the future. The CD will feature the background music by Shinji Miyazaki from the original, Advanced Generation and Diamond and Pearl anime series like the previous set did.

The CD goes on sale in Japan on February 23, 2011 for 2730 yen (including tax), the same price as the first set. First run pressing will feature a Deluxe Limited Edition Box. The catalog number is ZMCP-7060. The CD has been added to the database and will be updated when new information becomes available.

Be sure to check out the Interview from the previous CD set by clicking here.

Amazon.co.jp Update

Amazon.co.jp has added the CD set to their database and it has revealed a bit more information about the CD set.

- The original TV Anime Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best 1997-2010 set broke sales records, probably why a second set is being released.
- TV Anime Pocket Monsters Original Soundtrack Best 1997-2010 Volume 2 will focus on the tracks Miyazaki Shinji composed for the TV series and the movies!
- The set be two discs but it will have over 100 Digitally Mastered tracks from the original source like the first set.
- If you collect Volume 1 and Volume 2, you'll have gathered ALL the music from the TV anime and the Pokémon movies from the very first episode up to the Diamond&Pearl series.
- The booklet will include an interview with composer Miyazaki Shinji and director Yuyama Kunihiko.

Source: http://forest.kinokuniya.co.jp/ItemIntro/656367/