Idols on the Rise: Sakurazaka46’s Anniversary Celebration
Gracing the cover of “Gekkan Lawson Ticket” is the beloved idol group Sakurazaka46, who are celebrating their fifth anniversary. The issue delves into their upcoming “5th YEAR ANNIVERSARY LIVE” scheduled for April 11th and 12th at the monumental MUFG Stadium (National Stadium). Second-generation members Rina Matsuda and Ten Yamasaki share their thoughts in an exclusive interview, offering a glimpse into the group’s journey and aspirations as they embark on their largest-scale performance to date.
Music Legends: Mr.Children Unveils New Album
Meanwhile, “Gekkan HMV&BOOKS” features the iconic band Mr.Children on its cover. The issue introduces their 22nd original album, “Ubugoe,” set to release on March 25th, marking their first album in two years and five months. Fans can look forward to details on tracks like “Again,” the theme song for the TBS Sunday drama “Reboot,” and “Saturday,” which evokes the nostalgic sounds of 1970s American pop.
A Spectrum of Exclusive Interviews
Beyond the headliners, the March 15th issue is packed with exclusive interviews, offering intimate conversations with a diverse range of artists across music and stage performances. Readers can delve into the creative minds behind various projects, gaining unique perspectives on their work and upcoming endeavors. This comprehensive lineup includes:
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Music Artists: PES, Kuroyume, 10-FEET, Yakuba T-Shirts Shop, FLOW, NEMOPHILA, the engy, Taiyu Fujiwara, MyM, JO1, MONSTA X, Phantom Theta, CHiCO with HoneyWorks, and Miyu Irino.
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Stage & Theater Performers/Creators:
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KOKAMI@network vol.22 “Trans”: Director Kohkami Shoshi discusses the 21-year revival of his play.
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Parco Produce 2026 “Richard III”: Yoko Yoshida shares her enthusiasm for portraying Richard in this Shakespearean series.
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Broadway Musical “Peter Pan”: Rena Yamazaki reflects on her final year as the 11th Peter Pan.
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Stage Play “Peace of Safe”: Shunsuke Moto (IMP.), Mirei Sasaki, and Motoki Ochiai talk about their characters and the play, which is linked to a TV drama.
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Genshiki “Toruwayo!”: Mizuki Umezu and Shohei Hashimoto discuss their comedy unit’s fourth performance.
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Musical “Touken Ranbu” Kashu Kiyomitsu Solo Performance Kiwami: Ryuji Sato delves into his role as Kashu Kiyomitsu.
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Musical Play “OLD WATERCOLOR FISH”: Asahi Ito shares his excitement for his first starring stage role.
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Stage Play “Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba” Part 6 Hashira Training Arc / Infinite Castle Assault: Kenji Urai discusses his role as Doma.
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Stage Play “Gachiakuta”: Hikaru Imamaki expresses his enthusiasm for playing the protagonist, Rudo.
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Additionally, the issue includes a live report on Ryo Nishikido and ongoing serials covering popular attractions such as the Ghibli Museum, Ghibli Park, and Universal Studios Japan. Fans often remark on the sheer volume of content, a true feast for anyone passionate about Japanese pop culture.
Stay Connected and Explore
This free paper acts as a tangible connection between fans and the dynamic world of Japanese entertainment. For the latest updates and campaign information, readers are encouraged to follow the official SNS accounts of the “Gekkan Lawson Ticket / Gekkan HMV&BOOKS” editorial department:
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Instagram: @le_gekkan
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X: @le_gekkan
Further details about the March 15th issue are available online at https://l-tike.com/loppi/. To find a distribution location near you, use the store search links provided:
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Lawson / Natural Lawson / Ministop: https://l-tike.com/guide/store.html
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HMV&BOOKS / HMV / HMV record shop: https://www.hmv.co.jp/store/list/
As these free papers continue to highlight emerging talents and established icons, they play a crucial role in fostering Japan’s unique fan culture, potentially inspiring a new wave of global interest in Kawaii and contemporary Japanese entertainment.
