This video was recorded at FanimeCon 2015, our Ramen and a Half host Eddie Ballar interviews the Jrock band Back-On! The band talks about how they got together and their favorite anime to watch.
Interview with Jrock band Back-On!
May 23, 2016 by Leave a Comment
Jpop: Song for Eating Steak
January 28, 2016 by Leave a Comment
When I heard first this track I thought I was listening to funky Jpop rap group HaliCali from years back, but I was wrong. This cute catchy Jpop track is by veteran Jpop singer Ando Yuko who teams up with DJ Miso Soup and MC Rice.
Funko Pop! Babymetal Band
October 22, 2015 by Leave a Comment
Making waves for the last couple of years from Japan and touring around the globe is Jpop trio glam-metal band Babymetal. Now the band gets Funko Pop! bobble-heads coming this December 2015. The Pop! Rocks series features: Su-metal, Yuimetal, and Moametal.
FanimeCon 2015 Recap
May 31, 2015 by Leave a Comment
This is not just a FanimeCon 2015 Recap episode, but the Ramen crew also introduces a new member to the team, Sayori Chu. Stay tuned to our channel for more videos on FanimeCon 2015.
Jpopilicious: Utada Hikaru x Evangelion = Music Video
December 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment
It’s been awhile since I watched an AMV (anime music video) and it’s been a really long time since I’d listened to Jpop. Before the Kpop domination, I grew up listening to Jpop of every genre and bought crazy expensive import CDs by Jpop acts like Ayumi Hamasaki, Namie Amuro, Crystal Kay, SPEED, D&D, DaPump, Smap, Exile, Mai Kuraki, M-Flo, Do As Infinity, ZARD, MAX, Heartsdales, Orange Range, Every Little Thing, Bonnie Pink, MOVE … okay you readers get my drift, but I digress. I remember like it was yesterday vacationing in Hong Kong 1999 and I was at a HMV record store, and I picked-up the very first album “First Love” by then 16-year old Utada Hikaru. I was blown away by that album and played that CD the whole summer on my AIWA CD player.
Recently released is this new music video by Studio Khara and directed by Kazuya Tsurumaki featuring Utada Hikaru’s song “Beautiful World.” Neon Genesis Evangelion fans will jump for joy at this new video featuring new clips and footage from the “Rebuild of Evangelion” films. And Trivia Pursuit tidbit, Utada’s song “Beautiful World” was used in the 2007 Evangelion: 1.0 You Are [Not] Alone.
The Big Hero 6 Japan Promo
November 19, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I’ve seen Big Hero 6 twice already at the multiplexes, so yeah, you can say I’m a huge fan of this animation. In Japan, Big Hero 6 will get a December 20, 2014 release date, but Disney Japan’s marketing department instead of a usual trailer cut promoting the flick, it has outdone itself with this simple black & white hand drawn animation to promote the film.
Interview with Indie Jrock band Akai Sky
October 31, 2014 by Leave a Comment
This is a Ramen episode flashback to this summer’s Japan Expo (JX) 2014 in San Mateo, CA. The Ramen crew caught with indie Jrock band Akai Sky.
Japan Expo: 2nd Impact 2014 @ San Mateo Event Center
August 27, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Ramen crew attended the anime convention imported from France, Japan Expo at this past weekend’s San Mateo Event Center. The Ramen team of Eddie, Ramon and Jonelle roam the floors and stages to soak-in the event.
Jpop Summit & Ramen Festival 2014
July 29, 2014 by Leave a Comment
The Ramen crew attends the annual Jpop Summit Festival in SF Japantown and Union Square. The festival celebrates not just the genre of Jpop music, but also anime, manga, cosplay, and Japanese culture. Also this year, they introduced the Ramen Festival this year which packed-in the crowds.
More from FanimeCon 2014!!!
June 20, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Here’s more videos from FanimeCon 2014! Interview with Hayashi from Akai Sky an indie-American Jrock band.
FanimeCon 2014 Recap
June 3, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Our Ramen & a Half crew of Eddie Ballar, Ramon Angel and Jonelle recap the NorCal anime extravaganza that is FanimeCon! No long lines this year, now that’s a big plus! The team reviews their adventure and we throw in some cosplay highlights as well.
FanimeCon 2014
May 28, 2014 by Leave a Comment
I’m kinda of still recovering from the 4-day anime extravaganza in NorCal – FanimeCon 2014. In the coming weeks ahead, our Ramen & a Half team of Eddie, Ramon and Jonelle will bring us video highlights, recaps, interviews and everything in between from FanimeCon. Look for it on our website here on Retrenders and our Retrenders YouTube Channel.
FanimeCon is May 23-26, 2014
May 21, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Weren’t we just at Big Wow! Comicfest this past weekend? Our Retrenders team and Ramen & a Half show will be at this weekend’s anime fun-fest FanimeCon 2014 taking place at the San Jose Convention Center in San Jose, CA. All things anime and Jpop-culture will be on hand at NorCal’s biggest anime convention FanimeCon.
Avril Lavigne “Hello Kitty”
April 22, 2014 by Leave a Comment
Pop singer Avril Lavigne gets in on the Hello Kitty celebration.
AX 2013 – Alodia! Porno Graffitti! CARAT!
July 10, 2013 by Leave a Comment
This past weekend one of the biggest anime conventions here in the States – Anime Expo took place in SoCal, the LA Convention Center. Our team was ushered in and out of press conferences asking questions and taking pictures with Anime Expo’s special guests – world famous cosplayer Alodia Gosiengfiao, Jrock band Porno Graffitti and Jpop girl group CARAT.
Introducing the Cosplay pop outfit: the Super Dolls
April 8, 2013 by Leave a Comment
What happens when you put together a World Famous Cosplayer, a World Cosplay Summit Grand Champion, and Cosplayer/Singer/Voice Actress together? You get the – Super Dolls featuring Alodia, RiE, and Fujaara with their first single: “アジアの変身（Asia no henshin)” The album drops May 2013 in the Philippines and June 5th, 2013 in Japan.
FanimeCon 2012 – Memorial Day Weekend
May 23, 2012 by Leave a Comment
This Memorial Day weekend, NorCal will hold one its longest running anime conventions in the Bay Area – FanimeCon 2012:
What: FanimeCon 2012
Where: San Jose Convention Center, San Jose, CA
When: May 25-28, 2012
For more information, check out: FanimeCon.com.
See ya’ there!
Johnny Moreno
Edward Ballar
GuestContributor
kellyannbrooke
Ramon Angel
Al Woo
SW biko
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