1. What are your plans for 2010? Anything exciting your fans or us should be looking forward to (gigs, upcoming shows, new album, etc)?
One of the most thrilling invitations to-date is to the upcoming Formula 1 Grand Prize Kick Off Concert on the 4th, April, 2010 – an opening act for Wyclef Jean and Fatboyslim. The performance will be for 30 minutes with my band. Last weekend, I made it to the semi-finals for the “Road to Hollywood “competition in the vocal category!! It’s a long way to go and I am prepared to work into the semi-finals and finals. I hope to get to represent Malaysia. Yes, I am overjoyed that I received a phone call and I have been shortlisted for AIM 2010 — in the Top 5!! I am attending the Press Conference on April 17, 2010. I hope my album comes through for me. I am also in negotiations with parties for a new single. I have a few gigs lined up in April and May and will keep it updated through my Facebook and website.

2. How has your music & lifestyle as a musician evolved since you got involved with VIMA 2010?
Amanda Imani – Best Pop Song (Selamilah Cinta)…. it’s given me a lot of boost and I am even more confident of the songs and arrangement in my album. I think all good things happen in a series, and I hope this will evolve into better things to come… I will continue to work hard on my vocals and delivery of performance for my fans, continue to give my best and enjoy what love most. The VIMA Award is a catalyst to the near future and profound encouragement to me. It couldn’t have been timelier! Just what I needed!!!

3. What has been your biggest challenge in 2009? Have you been able to overcome that challenge? If so, how?
My performance delivery….. Singing and recording as a recording artist is one. But delivering the best performance takes more to give one’s best. It’s not the technical aspects of the song, its emotion and interphase with the live audience that in the end makes it a good performance or an outstanding one. It’s a balance of skills and arts… how every unique performer bring on every audience onboard the journey of her song. I am learning all the time, both through a personal coach and practice…

4. What’s your ultimate direction for you after the VIMA 2010? Are you seeking fame and fortune?
To be an international artist and composer. I am aspired by turning my passion into a business, hence I can sustain myself economically and enjoy what I like best; making music and performing. Yes, in order to be a successful performer, I think one must marry artistic talent and entrepreneurial expertise so it’s leveraged to realize a potential.

5. What are your plans for the AVIMA 2010? Will you be participating?
I am keen on participating. I hope I have a chance to perform at the Awards Night.

6. What were your immediate music career goals after being involved in the VIMA 2010?
Promote and exploit my BM and English albums even more, performing more gigs, experimenting with more sounds, trying new things, discovering things as an artist, performance at corporate events, charities, and exploring international opportunities…

7. List down 5 of your favourite brand of perfumes and why you like the scent:

• With Love – Hilary Duff (because it makes me feel sophisticated and mature)
• Harajuku Lovers (Music) – because it’s playful and young
• Annick Goutal (Mon Petite Cherie) – because it’s sweet, fresh and classic
• Goddess – Kimora Lee Simmons (because it’s very glamorous, I like wearing it when I perform)
• Juicy Couture – Viva La Couture (it’s funky, girlish and fabulous)

8. If you were a cookie, what would you be?
A peanut butter and chocolate chip cookie.

9. Is there anyone you’d like to acknowledge for offering emotional support?
Especially my Mum!

10. Any last words?
“My songs are like a slow burner… the more it cooks the better it sounds, and tastes”… My fans say that to me so many times…and I am becoming to believe that it is true. I love my fans for believing in my music and me! Thank you for your undying support and keep rocking on!

Amanda’s Official Website

Yes, that’s the sort of thing that you get when you pay a visit to the Disney on Ice show, which ends its run yesterday night at the Putra Indoor Stadium, Bukit Jalil. A yearly event that kids labelled as “Priority” has so much to offer, though the price that comes before that is quite expensive. Surely, parents especially with two or more kids tagging along won’t look like a good idea, but for a one-in-a-lifetime show, it was all worth every cents paid. Here’s why:

1. Oh, that costumes’ so nice that I’m wearing it next Halloween

When it comes to a Disney production, expect nothing less than what you might get from your local “pasar malam” stall. For every detail are well-taken care off, its not only catches the attention of anyone viewing but easy for the kids to just scream out “that’s Sleeping Beauty!” Stage Manager, Sean Tilly who is responsible for all the stage designs and costumes say “every year, we came up with something different and new for the audiences.”

2. It’s another boring Disney characters skating on thin ice

Well, if you’re thinking this, then you’re absolutely wrong. Zach Ellar, the Director of Marketing, who is responsible forbringing the show to our shore, says “for every show we bring in, we bring in the latest with new storyline and introduces more character. Here, you can meet over 50 characters, made up of 38 skaters. It’s a chance for Disneyland to come to Malaysia.”

3. Convince me

I had the opportunity to go for the first time to a Disney on Ice show, which usually takes place somewhere near where I live. I wasn’t feeling all excited as my little sister did, but nonetheless, the opening show took my breath away – well, literally speaking. There was so much happening on the ground that I did not realise a young boy seated behind was putting his head on my shoulder all the time. Every character that came out, greeted the audiences well with their arm-breaking waves and handshakes. Never once did the character came out looking all grumpy (except Malificent) and just want to do their job.

4. Disney merchandises selling like hot cakes

Eager to get your hands on those Mickey Mouse ears? Now, to walk away without having the urge to buy that cute Jack Jack mug would be an understatement. Every now and then, you need strength like Mr Incredible to resist the urge to take a look at those merchandises and pulling that RM50 crisp note out of your wallet. Lo and behold, before purchasing anything, do walk around for a bit and try to bargain. It’s your day if the man behind the counter says “it’s your for free”

5. Energetic performance throughout the show

If all the above statements don’t convince you to go next year, here’s another pointer. All of the performances you see are so much lively that you normally see them on TV. No pun intended, seriously. Dora Viker, a skater from Hungary who plays Mrs Incredible says that it was all fun and games when it comes to entertaining kids and putting smiles on everyone’s faces. There’s a lot of going on behind and on the stage. Of course, there are hard moments on and off the ice, but being part of the big Disney family is like an adventurous ride. This year’s Disney on Ice stresses more on crowd-participations. “Throughout the show, we ask audiences to participate in our exploration so when they (audiences) leave the hall, they will bring something memorable with them. It’s equivalent to “hey, I help save Donald Duck from that evil Maleficent!”

The highlight of this show was when Buzz Lightyear from Toy Story made his appearance on stage. His introduction took centre stage when firecrackers were involved but of course, no one was harm during the event. The show has created a whole a high-tech skating version of Buzz, and it’s hard to see who’s behind it, slipping and turning on powerful carbon-fiber jet wings. Ah well, that one’s on ice.

KYOTO PROTOCOL

We love this band so much that we decided to adopt them.And the sheer fact that they reel in philanthropy by sponsoring education for underprivileged kids makes us wanna carry them above our shoulders and chant an anthem!

Coming in 2^nd at the 2009 Global Battle of The Bands competition didnt dent anything nor take the shine away over the fact that they were the crowd favourites of the event. Ice-cool, level-headed with an edge we present you the background and overview of who we believe is the band to watch out for in 2010 :

Bio:

A band that everyone has a hard time describing (and a much easier time enjoying), gusto rock group Kyoto Protocol have come leaps and bounds from their humble beginnings piecing together splinters from two separate bands in 2008.

Drawing their influences from bands such as Pearl Jam, Sonic Youth and The Clash, Kyoto Protocol wowed the judges at Yamaha Asian Beat Competition in KL, proceeding to the National Finals where they finished as the runner-up. The blessing/curse (delete as appropriate) of being second continued as the band just missed out on first place at the GBOB (Global Battle of the Bands) Malaysia.

Kyoto Protocol has also played on stages of varying sizes, from intimate sets at No Black Tie to the festival-sized Rock the World 9. Thematic, unconventional but deceivingly catchy, Kyoto Protocol, like their namesake, is divisive yet utterly undeniable.

Members:

Label:

None

Media Coverage:

“…Genuinely the most exciting thing we’ve heard in a long time.”
- Trujillo, JUNK Magazine (Jan 2010)

“Malay Mail had high hopes that this band would return with the title. Even though they didn’t, we are still confident they will make their mark in the local music industry.”
- Ng Shuzen, Malay Mail (Nov 16, 2009)

“Coming in second was crowd favourite Kyoto Protocol, which got the crowd on their toes singing along and screaming the band’s name…”

- Christina Low, The Star Metro (Nov 19, 2009)

“Great on stage presence, especially their lead, who kept the crowd focused on stage (for once that night) with some decent vocals and catchy numbers.”
- Aaron Lee, Who let those dogs out…really (Jul 16, 2009)

PIX BY CHIINHAAU

Here’s an excerpt from an interview the band did with Timeout KL

Kyoto Protocol http://www.timeoutkl.com/music/articles/Kyoto-Protocol

Your band’s name is Kyoto Protocol? Any relations to the climate change issue?
The only relation to the climate issue so far as I know is that the band members would buy a hybrid if we could afford it. I am pushing for more activity on this frontier once we get to a position where people would bother listening.

So how did you come up with that name?
We were actually fragments of two bands who thought it would be swell to take advice from a Spice Girls song and two became one. In doing so we had to conjure up a new name for ourselves so as to not to upset the huge egos we have in the band (mine is the biggest).
I was thinking of Redux Initiative, a literal description of our music ie taking initiative in the form of innovating with the old tenets of music (the redux part). I sent to another member who retorted that it wouldn’t fly because the name reminded him of the Geneva Convention and Kyoto Protocol. The rest, as they say in a cliché, is history.

Is anyone in the band an environmental activist?
None of us have Greenpeace memberships, but if it helps I used to walk everywhere for a good year or so. All of us are definitely conscious of the current situation and I think that is improving in Malaysia in general.
I think personally I have a more philanthropic view of things, particularly for children and education. Educating the masses about the problems at hand is a place to start. A good proportion of kids can’t afford to attend school, let alone be aware of environmental issues.
A few of our gigs have been for charity, and we are currently in the works to sponsor the yearly education expenses for one child under an ‘adopt a kid’ programme organised by the Womens’ Aid Organisation. Five guys adopt a kid. Modern times we live in.

What do you think of the local indie music scene?
I am impressed whenever I manage to squeeze in a listen. It has come pretty far but it still has a ways to go. Perhaps there is a slight lack in diversity. Like when acoustic covers are in fashion, that’s all you’ll find.

Who would be on the top of your list for collaboration?
World: TV on the radio.
Local: Zainal Abidin for sure. ‘Hijau’ was so far ahead of its time it shocks me till today when I read the words.

Videos:

“Pussycat” – Live at No Black Tie, TimeOut KL’s “On the Up”

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jzWtyx8S9zE

Kyoto Protocol on Al-Jazeera

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sXQ9mst8wHA

“Now you’re gone” – Acoustic, Open Mic

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjAW087o5UU

View more videos at http://www.youtube.com/user/KyotoBand

Contact:

Ahmad Fuad Alhabshi / a.f.alhabshi@gmail.com / +6019 – 662 6970

Links:

With “Sparks of Melody” as this year’s theme, students from the New Tune Music Workshop showcased their talents in music composing and arrangement through solid non-stop performances. Not only that, the opening show saw fellow New Tuners showed off some of their dance routines, that got the crowd roaring with an encore performance.

NLTP XIII President, Johnson Than said: “This live performance acted as a platform for our students to express themselves through music. Not only that it is also a place for our students to show off their musical talent and giving them the opportunity to communicate with each other.”

Nonetheless, the success of NLTP XIII went to the crowd of students who made it big. Preparations were still underway even when there was only 30 minutes to go before show time. Precision and self perseverance was all that matter for these students. The highlight of the show was of course a steady singing performance by Grace, who belted out the soulful “Be With Me.”

If you’ve heard enough of radio advertisement playing on air about some really lip-smacking gelato and are curious enough to plant a lick, you can now do so at Lecka Lecka. Offering a melange of not only gelatos, customers can indulge themselves in a wider selection of courses, starting from appetisers right down to their desserts.

It’s a lovely and yet another night full of events, with bright lights shinning everywhere and people walking leisurely around us along Jalan Bukit Bintang, in the heart of Kuala Lumpur. Lucky for me, I have a rather important appointment with Lecka Lecka, which is situated right in front of Starhill Gallery and what more could I ask for the al fresco seating plan? Every corner you turn to, you will see Egyptian shisha-smoking customers, puffing and tweet-ing at the same time. As for me, I have an even more important task to complete – to try as many of their gelatos and great food.

Lecka Lecka, a home-grown brand started serving gelato (Italian ice cream) and made its reputation for having the most variety of flavours to choose from – with some really unusual ones like durian. It’s general manager, Rajesh Daswani says that Lecka Lecka only uses fresh ingredients like Sicilian pistachios, hazelnut and Belgian chocolates and fresh fruits like berries, mango, orange and apple for the gelato.

Italian-style nachos

Unknown to most people, the Lecka Lecka outlet located along Jalan Bukit Bintang does not only serve delicious gelato, but also a wide variety of food including pizza, pastas and even risotto. Not only that, Lecka Lecka has a never-ending selection of cocktails, mocktails, wines, spirits and juices for people to choose and enjoy be it under a hot weather or on a cool evening. The Lecka Cooler (Cranberry, Orange, Lime and Mint) and Tropical Oasis (combination of vanilla, orange ice cream with pineapples, peaches and coconut) is a must try. For those who fancy fancier name can try Pink Shirley Temple – a mocktail of lemonade, sprite and grenadine syrup.

“After serving the gelato for some time, we had customers asking for food. Slowly, we started to offer pizza, followed by pasta and before we knew it, we had a full menu,” said Rajesh with a smile.

Mushroom Cartoccio

And then, the starters start to arrive one at a time. The promising starters took centre stage, making them some really lovely snacks to go with your preferred drinks. I was taken by surprise when a plate of Nachos arrived in front of me, but where’s the crispy corn chips?Rajesh explains that these are Italian-style nachos. To eat, simply top the triangle tortilla bread with a dash of sour cream, tomato salsa and dip them in cream cheese sauce with parmesan flakes. Another favourite is the Mushroom Cartoccio. The mushrooms are cooked perfectly in a small packet made of tin foil. Like a mini pocket, the foil traps the heat and flavours inside until it is unwrap in front of you. A simple yet delicious sauté mushroom with fresh herbs is simply unforgettable.

Coming up next is the Chicken and Fish Tikka. The skewered meat or fish comes on a hot plate. The star of this dish is the special Lecka Lecka hot sauce. When the sauce meets the juicy and tender meats, it brings out and further enhances the flavours of the dish. Both dishes are well-marinated, with spices penetrated deep into every fibre of the meat.

(L-R) Moroccan Lamb pizza and Margherita Pizza

For pizza lovers, you are in luck as the outlet serves a melange of pizzas including vegetarian. I had the opportunity to sample some Margherita Pizza (tomatoes, fresh herbs and mozzarella cheese) and the Vegetarian Pizza, but so far my favourite is the Moroccan Lamb pizza. The minced bits of lamb is wonderfully marinated and sautéed, releasing an aromatic taste of the lamb. All of the pizzas here are served on a crispy thin crust base, which tends to crumble in your hands. Oh yes, did I even mentioned the string of cheeses that held all the ingredients together?

Seafood Spaghetti Aglio Olio

Another must try is the Penne Cheese Formaggi (trio of blue, mozzarella and parmesan cheese sauce). For cheese lovers out there, simply indulge yourself in this cheesy and aromatic pastas and you will be blown away by how well it tastes. With bits and pieces of walnut thrown in, the Formaggi is simply irresistible and unforgettable. If you’re not keen on having three different cheeses blend together to make your sauce, try the Seafood Spaghetti Aglio Olio. It comes with a variety of seafood including mussels, tiger prawns, clams, fish and white squid. This seafood Olio has a lighter taste as compared to the former Formaggi, and I must admit that the spaghetti was just simply ‘al dente’.

However, just when I thought of raising the white flag, signaling my surrender over too much of good food happening on the same night, Rajesh took us into his outlet for a surprise gelato tasting. Immediately, I was feeling over the moon. At Lecka Lecka, you need superhuman strength to resist its freshly made, mouth-watering gelato. A minimum of 22 different choices of gelato to sample upon made me one very happy person that night. With new flavours constantly being added to its selection, it is strongly recommended that you should come to Lecka Lecka everyday. No pun intended.

New flavours are constantly on the menu like Mandarin Orange, Belgian Chocolate and Durian. Of course, there are others like After 8 (chocolate and mint), Tiramisu, Coffee, Cookie, Baby Blue and the list goes on and on. From one end to another, Rajesh never seems to tire out in scooping spoon full after spoonful of gelato, and I must admit that I’ve never tasted so many flavours at one go before in my life.

My personal favourites of the day have to be the green apple and mango gelato, though again, I am spoiled between choices.

It will return for the third consecutive year to celebrate the upcoming 12th Malaysian F1 Grand Prix season. Running for a total of 8 days and carrying a strong environmental message “RECYCLYING IS THE NEW BLACK”, STYLO Fashion Grand Prix KL 2010 themed “Fashion to Art, Art to Fashion: The 7 Deadly Sins” will be presented by Mercedes-Benz. Visa is the official card.

The fashion GP, one of the official events under the KLGP City Formula 1 calendar will be staged in several locations within the capital city and will feature the work of over 70 fashion designers and 100 artists. To bring the environmentally-conscious Fashion and Art theme to life, it collaborated with over 100 artists led by Philip Wong and the National Art Gallery to construct 28 giant sculptures which will be placed in much-visited tourist spots in the KL.
“With the issues of global warming and other natural catastrophe brought on by neglect to our Mother earth, we felt that it was important that this issue be raised at every avenue possible. Therefore it seem like a good opportunity for us to spread the message via this festival, hence the theme Fashion to Art, Art to Fashion,” said STYLO President and CEO Dato’ Nancy Yeoh.

“The items used to construct these sculptures are everyday items that we typically throw away as garbage. We decided to express our concerns for the environment in the form of art sculptures made by recyclable wastes material in the guise of fashion items,” Yeoh added.

“With the support of the National Art Gallery and the determination of Philip Wong we have been able to recycle much wastes material and turn them into works or art, measuring 2.5m to 6.5m and weighing 30 kg to 100 kg each. That’s a lot of wastes recycled into giant fashion sculptures to beautify our city in the run up to the Formula 1 in Sepang”, she said.
Unveiled today at the Pavilion KL and to stay for the duration of the festival are seven characters in the guise of a stiletto, a button, a bag , a necktie, a pair of sunglasses, a necklace and a dress constructed purely from carton boxes, magazines, tin cans, plastic, newspapers, and fabrics.

According to Yeoh, the sculptures represent a myriad array of human emotions – Greed, Pride, Lust, Sloth, Envy, Gluttony, and Wrath ie. the 7 Deadly Sins of Mankind which have contributed to the deterioration of the earth. As such, the theme has also been adopted by STYLO for its designers to bring the creations to life on the fashion runway.
Fashion bodies such as MODA (Malaysian Official Designers Association), BDA (Bumiputra Designers Association) and the Islamic Fashion Festival as well as independent Malaysian designers will be featured in the 8 day fashion GP kicking off on 25 March and concluding on 3 April 2010.

The official venues are the Pavilion Kuala Lumpur, the National Art Gallery and the Asian Heritage Row. Its finale will be held at the Mercedes GP Petronas F1 bash at the Petronas Tent in KLCC. A school hall in an undisclosed secret location within a highly characteristic and older part of KL will be transformed into “The Scarlet Fortress’ to host STYLO’s most glamorous galas such as The Mercedes-Benz STYLO Fashion Awards, Visa’s avant-garde Hair Couture Gala and STYLO’s grand opening bash.

Besides veteran fashion designers from the Malaysian fashion scene, this year’s STYLO will also introduce a host of new and upcoming avant-garde designers in its line-up. In a bid discover further new talents, the inaugural ‘Mercedes-Benz STYLO Emerging Designer of the Year 2010’, an avant-garde design competition (open to all final year students from major fashion schools in the country) will hold its finals during the fashion GP.

As a festival highlight, STYLO will be featuring one of the newest avant-garde discoveries from London Fashion Week’s “ONES to WATCH”. Avant-garde designer, Marko Mitanovski, whose high profile clients include amongst others, Lady Gaga will be flown in to KL with his team of stylists to present “The Lady Macbeth” at the Mercedes-Benz Fashion Awards and at the Mercedes GP Petronas F1 bash. Part of his collection will also comprise items he created for Gaga for her current Monster Ball world tour.

Featured with great prominence this year is STYLO’s tribute to the hair styling industry. The Hair Couture gala presented by VISA will feature for the first on one stage, 3 of the country’s most influential master hair designers. Andy Ho, Lois Lee and Winnie Loo will bring their version of “The 7 deadly sins’ onto the runway and attempt to wow the audience with the same drama and tone their fashion designer counterparts have done for years; this time the fashion designers play a support role to the hair designers. Supporting their efforts throughout the festival is New York-based make-up giant, M.A.C and its army of highly-trained artists.

Making their debut at this festival is also Michael Ong’s ready to wear line; ‘Casanova’ and Kavita’s resort wear collection.

Other partners and sponsors of STYLO Fashion GP KL 2010 include Pavilion Kuala Lumpur; Asian Heritage Row, National Art Gallery, Philip Wong, KPMG, M.A.C, Caran d’Ache, PJ CAD, Denise Wines, Heineken, Fraser Place Kuala Lumpur, OEKO Furniture, Lois Lee, Andy Ho Haute Coiffure, A Cut Above, Lois Lee, Toni & Guy Hairdressing, Centro Hair Salon, Hair Connection Salon & Academy and Imagine IF Events. RAPR Mileage Communications is official publicist.

Media partners include The Edge; New Straits Times; NTV7; ASTRO; the Star’s latest product, Mingguan MStar; The Daily Chilli; Bernama TV, The Malay Mail, Malaysian Reserve and Focus Media Network (Focus TV); Prestige Malaysia and Expatriate Lifestyle.

Join us on March 19 for a tasty, tantalizing treat for your taste buds. Chef Michel will put on his best dishes to satisfy even the most demanding and discerning of appetites!

From 7PM to 9PM, enjoy a free flow of tiger beer of soft drinks and then party on late into the night with our live band.

Here’s a sample of some of Chef Michel’s treats awaiting you when you join us for our Teachers’ Promo Launch Party!

The Benchmarx Official Website

Sample Menu:

• Chilled salmon and pineapple salad with roasted cashew nuts
• Assorted Spanish Tapas
• The “Famous” Blackboard chicken liver parfait
• Sautéed mixed mushrooms with salsa verde
• A copious salad bar with condiments and sauces
• BBQ’d chicken skewers American style
• Beef goulash with button mushrooms and roasted garlic mashed potatoes
• Crispy sweet and sour fish fillets with pineapple, spring onions and bell peppers
• Mickey’s a** kickin’ lasagna Bolognese (beware of imitations!!)
• A few kick-ass desserts to finish you off!

Taking to the stage from 16 March airing Tuesdays 8pm (SEA/PH) / 7pm (JKT) first and exclusively on Animax, K-ON! is the most popular anime TV series out of Japan in the past year. The amusing slice-of-life show follows four cute high school girls Yui, Ritsu, Mio and Tsumugi who join their high school pop music club to save the club from being closed down due to a lack of members. As club mates, the girls embark on a hilarious and heart-warming learning journey to become a band in time to play for the school’s festival.

At Sakura High School, drummer Ritsu and bassist Mio are the only members of the school’s pop music club which is to be abolished due to a shortage of members. Recruiting Tsumugi to play the keyboard, they need just one more member to keep the club going… Unable to even read sheet music, new high school student Yui joins the club thinking she will play castanets – the only instrument she can play – while the trio mistakes her to be a guitar prodigy! Comedy ensues as they discover the truth, and the fun begins when they help Yui learn to play the guitar for real.

Following the lives of these four adorable friends at school, K-ON! comes complete with numerous funny, silly and cute antics during practice sessions and performances. Yui, dreamy and clumsy, makes a complete fool of herself on many an occasion; Mio, pretty and talented, is too shy to deal with the unwanted adulation from the boys at school; Ritsu, the self-proclaimed president of the pop music club cannot seem to perform her duties well; while Tsumugi never fails to bring delicious cake and tea for everyone. All four of them love to indulge in tea time, their favourite recreational activity from which their band name ‘Hokago Tea Time’ (‘After School Tea Time’) is inspired.

Originating as a manga comic strip written and illustrated by Japanese manga artist Kakifly, K-ON! is a 13-episode anime series hailing from famed anime studio Kyoto Animation, which also produced hit anime franchises The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya and Lucky Star. K-ON! received recognition of the highest order when it won the ‘Best TV Animation’ prize at the 9th annual Tokyo Anime Awards to be presented 27 March during the 2010 Tokyo International Anime Festival.

In addition to critical acclaim, K-ON!’s popularity is nothing short of phenomenal with the anime series actually driving sales of real products featured in the show. Guitar maker Fender reported that its US$2,000-left-handed ‘3-Color Sunburst Fender Jazz Bass’ guitar – used by K-ON! character Mio – sold the quantity usually sold in six months, in just two to three weeks, which is 800% faster than usual. Fender has since gone on to produce an extra two years’ worth of stock.

Further, a Japanese audio equipment store saw a high-end professional headphone from Austrian manufacturer AKG model K701, priced at US$760 each, sell out right after it was featured in K-ON! also used by character Mio. It was the first time the store experienced any product being sold out and the store’s employees nicknamed the headphone “Mio-phone” in recognition of the phenomenon.

While the most popular anime titles are aired on seven to eight TV stations at most in Japan, the second season of K-ON! that is currently in production has already been picked up by a whopping 28 TV stations across the nation for premiere! Beyond television, the ‘Hokago Tea Time’ music album comprising the show’s theme songs and tracks inspired by the show “performed” by each character in K-ON!, sold over 67,000 copies to become the first ever music album credited to anime characters to top the Japanese national weekly music chart.

There is simply no other way to appreciate the amazing sensation of K-ON! than to see for yourself how Yui, Mio, Tsumugi and Ritsu are winning hearts to become the cutest and hottest all-girl band around in K-ON!, premiering this March across Asia only on Animax!