Welcome!
Welcome to MaayaSakamoto.net! If you've been here before, then you've probably seen my old Dive page (which you can still find here). Thanks to my buddy Chris, this site has been given a complete facelift. :)

If you feel dropping a line, you can e-mail me at jason@maayasakamotoNOSPAMnet (replace "NOSPAM" with a period / dot).

Code Geass: Akito the Exiled Single
Earlier this week, Victor Ent. / flying dog announced details on Maaya's upcoming single for the Code Geass: Akito the Exiled OAV. There will be 3 tracks, however they only listed the names of the first two. The third track is apparently a secret (for now). The two listed songs are both composed by Yoko Kanno. The single will be released in both regular and limited editions. The limited edition will include a dvd of the music video for the single. Here are the usual details and preorder links.

More than Words Regular Edition

• Catalog #: VTCL-35133
• Release Date: 7/25/12
• Price: ¥1,100
• Preorder from CD Japan

More than Words Limited Edition w/ DVD

• Catalog #: VTZL-44
• Release Date: 7/25/12
• Price: ¥1,600
• Preorder from CD Japan

Track List:

1. More than Words
• Lyrics: Yuho Iwasato
• Composition & Arrangement: Yoko Kanno
2. Dekoboko March (Tairetsu wa Kimi ni Tsuzuku)
• Lyrics: Maaya Sakamoto
• Composition & Arrangement: Yoko Kanno
3. (secret track)

In the Silence Concert Video Preview
Victor Ent. / flying dog uploaded of preview of Maaya's upcoming concert dvd and blu-ray release on Youtube, which I've embedded below. The clip is over 5 minutes long, so hope you enjoy it as much as I did. Victor Ent. also posted some pictures of the packaging for the concert release.

Here are preorder links again for both the dvd and blu-ray.

• Preorder DVD from CD Japan
• Preorder Blu-ray from CD Japan

Daddy-Long-Legs Commentary Video
Maaya will be starring in a Japanese musical adaptation of the Daddy-Long-Legs novel by Jean Webster. Victor Ent. / flying dog posted a video on Youtube of Maaya talking about her upcoming musical role, which I have embedded below. Apparently she's grown her hair long. I've always liked her hair longer rather than shorter.

"In the Silence" Concert Video out in May
Maaya has a new concert video scheduled for release on May 30th. Victor Ent. / flying dog actually made an announcement about this at the end of January, but didn't post many details until a couple days ago (click here). The video was recorded from Maaya's concert in Tennozu Isle, Tokyo on December 16, 2011. Maaya performed songs from all 3 of her concept albums (Easy Listening, 30minutes night flight, Driving in the Silence). The concert video will be released on both dvd and blu-ray and will include a booklet and behind the scenes footage. Here are catalog #s and pricing info.

Live 2011 "In the Silence" DVD

• Catalog #: VTBL-13~14
• Release Date: 5/30/12
• Price: ¥6,000
• Preorder from CD Japan

Live 2011 "In the Silence" Blu-ray

• Catalog #: VTXL-4
• Release Date: 5/30/12
• Price: ¥7,000
• Preorder from CD Japan

New Code Geass: Akito the Exiled Project
It has been 2 months since my last update and fairly quiet on the Maaya news front after the huge batch of releases last Fall season. Thankfully I have something interesting to post today. In Japan, Bandai announced some details on the upcoming Code Geass: Akito the Exiled OAV. Maaya will be voicing the lead female character, Layla Markal. She will also be performing the opening theme song, "More Than Words". Music composition will be handled by Yoko Kanno and lyrics by Yuho Iwasato. Most fans should be very familiar with Kanno, but the lyrist name may not be as recognizable. All three people have actually collaborated many times in the past, on anime series including Escaflowne, Arjuna and Rahxephon. The last time they all worked together was on Wolf's Rain.

The only disappointing part of this news is that Code Geass: Akito the Exiled isn't schedule for release in Japan until summer, and that is for the theatrical release of episode 1.

Driving in the Silence Released
Maaya's new concept album is out today! I actually received my copy a day early thanks to CD Japan's great service and FedEx's fast shipping. Naturally I've been listening to the album a lot over the past 24 hours, and I like it a lot. I think Driving in the Silence is my favorite of all Maaya's concept albums, and I'm definitely enjoying it more than her last full album You Can't Catch Me.

I've posted a Driving in the Silence page with sample clips. Victor Ent. / flying dog also posted an interview with Maaya on the album's promotional site.