What’s Happening? #21

I got myself immersed so much with the site transfer of my fiction and books blog that I found myself delayed in the latest What’s Happening? post. I’ve had some minor problems that really annoyed me at that time that I had to go back and forth with my host’s tech support. It turned out to be an image optimization setting issue that made all my images appearing broken on the site itself after uploading and launching, so I went ahead and fixed it. I checked with the settings of that same image optimization plugin on all my other sites including AXCEL STYLE. Now I can finally breathe and write this post.
MADKID FACTION UPDATES
You all still remember the MADKID FACTION campaign that I wrote about a few months ago?
The campaign began at the beginning of January 2019 with their weekend (sometimes weekdays) release event. And ever since then, out of the four, they are currently fulfilling at least three of them.
Here is the quick status of their four mentioned vows as of today (2/4/19 PST):
- 01 – MADKID “RISE” PROMO POSTERS IN 100 LOCATIONS
Just 38 more spots to go until they reach 100 locations. Follow the MADKID Twitter to check out the spots they’re posting promo posters at! - 02 – 4th ONE MAN LIVE FOOTAGE RELEASE
This Wednesday, 2/6/19, when you purchase the Type A version of the single CD. - 03 – ALL SMILES DURING FAN MEETS
… the members are doing all they can to smile more like Shin! - 04 – ELEMENT OF SURPRISE
Who will be the lucky Axcel… or a loved one of an Axcel… to receive a special surprise from MADKID?
1st Major Debut Anniversary – “We never going back!”
Last Wednesday, MADKID and the (Japanese) Axcels gathered together in the very first AXCEL Meeting of the year. To commemorate this very historical day, the boys appeared wearing their attire during their Never Going Back days exactly a year before during this event.
A reflection from me…
What happened during that date remains confidential. AXCEL Meetings are strictly for FC 1 members that even the location and entrance fee was only disclosed to FC members. Even FC members who aren’t able to attend these meetings will remain out in the dark. The activities that the boys have done with the FC members will only be kept between the group and the FC themselves. And that’s fine, really.
One day, I’ll attend one of these Axcel Meetings, once I get myself secured with a better job, better pay, and more time to travel, especially to Japan. I even made a promise to the guys (during their livestreams) months ago about meeting them one day, whether through going to one of their lives, events, or even in Axcel Meetings. 2 One of them 3 also gave a promise that they will come here too in exchange.
With RISE and Shield Hero being heard and aired around the world and not just in Japan, I really couldn’t help but think and hope and pray. I live in the Bay Area, in which famed American anime subscription service Crunchyroll Headquarters is located. Every summer, Crunchyroll holds its Crunchyroll Expo somewhere here in the Bay Area. This year’s expo will take place in San Jose, which is only about 22 miles down south from my hometown. The expo runs for 3 days.
Because the expo invites special guests to appear in order to make appearances, presentations, or perform. I can’t help it but think that Crunchyroll would invite MADKID to come here to perform. After all, the boys wrote the opening theme to the Shield Hero anime, in which the latter has become a hit among the anime/manga otaku community around the world. And because Crunchyroll was the one hosting the anime, to me, it would just make perfect sense.
It’s been my long-term goal to go to Japan, not just to visit the country itself, but to meet MADKID. But I also want to pray that MADKID would also come here to perform and meet their fans too.
I’m praying. I’m really praying. 🙇♀️
I don’t normally write my personal reflections, feelings, and opinions on this blog, but I just wanted to let this out of my chest for a bit. Maybe one day, I’ll probably start blogging my own thoughts about anything related to MADKID or probably just J-Pop in general, but MADKID is priority for this site.
Wednesday is Coming!
This Wednesday, 2/6/19, as we know it, is the official release of the 3rd major single RISE. As I’ve written about this a few months ago, the single will contain two B-sides: Puzzle and Detteitteyo 4 The CD release will have two types, and all three singles will be released digitally on iTunes/Apple Music, Spotify, and Google Play Music.
Type A will contain a DVD freebie which consists of the RISE MV, BTS (behind the screen) documentary of the RISE MV and the complete footage of the 4th One-Man Live that took place late April of last year.
In addition to the release, there will be a special MAD MUSIC episode this Friday, 2/8/19, at 8:00 p.m. JST on LINE LIVE. Be sure to follow MADKID’s LINE account by scanning the QR code (located at the home page of this site) using your LINE Messenger account. If you don’t have the LINE Messenger account yet, you can download it from the App Store, Google Play, or the Microsoft Store if you would like to install it on your desktop or laptop. If you prefer using LINE LIVE app instead, you will have to follow instructions here.
It’s a short entry, but this will do for now. For sure there will be more happenings to come right after this week.
Till next time, Axcels!