{"id":52153,"date":"2026-07-23T18:08:09","date_gmt":"2026-07-23T22:08:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/jetwit.com\/wordpress\/?p=52153"},"modified":"2026-08-10T13:02:06","modified_gmt":"2026-08-10T17:02:06","slug":"jq-magazine-yoasobi-anime-nyc-jake-shimabukuro","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/jetwit.com\/wordpress\/2026\/07\/23\/jq-magazine-yoasobi-anime-nyc-jake-shimabukuro\/","title":{"rendered":"JQ Magazine: YOASOBI, Anime NYC, Jake Shimabukuro"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

By<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>JQ magazine<\/em><\/u><\/strong><\/a> editor<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Justin<\/em> Tedaldi<\/em><\/u><\/strong><\/a> (CIR<\/em><\/strong> <\/em>Kobe-shi<\/em><\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 2001-02). Justin<\/em><\/strong> has<\/em><\/strong> written<\/em><\/strong> about<\/em><\/strong> Japanese<\/em><\/strong> arts<\/em><\/strong> and<\/em><\/strong> entertainment<\/em><\/strong> for<\/em><\/strong> JETAA<\/em><\/strong> since 2005. For<\/em><\/strong> more<\/em><\/strong> of<\/em><\/strong> his<\/em><\/strong> articles, <\/em><\/strong>click<\/em> here<\/em><\/u><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In the dog days of summer, it\u2019s best to escape the heat in a place that\u2019s cozy and cool. For those into both cutting-edge and classic anime, this month offers a diverse trio of theatrical revivals\u2014all in the comfort of indoor air conditioning.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This month\u2019s highlights include: <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Bluenotejazz.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

July 31-August 2, August 6, 8:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Bob James Quartet featuring special guest Christian McBride<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Note New York<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 131 West Third Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$45 bar, $55 table<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

The career of multi-Grammy winner Bob James is long, varied and continues to evolve at every turn as he continues to captivate audiences throughout the world for more than 50 years, 58 albums, and innumerable awards. While James is recognized as one of the progenitors of smooth jazz, his music has also had a profound effect on the history of hip-hop, having been sampled frequently since the early days of the genre. A longtime star in Japan, he has recorded a piano duet album with Keiko Matsui, and worked with Seiko Matsuda as a guest vocalist on \u201cPut Our Hearts Together,\u201d written by James and his daughter Hilary in response to the Great East Japan Earthquake of 2011. Christian McBride is an eleven-time Grammy-winning bassist, composer, and bandleader. From jazz to R&B, and pop\/rock and hip-hop\/neo-soul to classical, he is a luminary with one hand ever reaching for new heights\u2014inviting us to join him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of YOASOBI<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, August 6, 8:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

YOASOBI \u2013 Never Ending Stories Tour<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Barclays Center<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 620 Atlantic Avenue (Brooklyn)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From $63.25<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japanese pop phenomenon YOASOBI has redefined the global reach of J-pop by transforming acclaimed short stories into emotionally resonant, genre-blending anthems that have captivated audiences around the world. Formed in 2019 by composer and producer Ayase and vocalist ikura (Lilas Ikuta), the duo exploded onto the international stage with the record-breaking hit “Yoru ni Kakeru” before following with worldwide successes including “Gunj\u014d,” “Kaibutsu,” “Shukufuku,” and the chart-topping “Idol,” which became the first Japanese-language song to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Global Excl. U.S. chart. Their cinematic live performances, dazzling visuals, and seamless blend of pop, rock, electronic music, and storytelling have earned them a devoted international following, culminating with their first-ever U.S. arena tour launched in tandem with their latest album, THE BOOK for,<\/em>. Their previous New York appearance (two years ago to the day) was a sold-out debut at the legendary Radio City Music Hall, demonstrating the group’s remarkable global appeal and setting the stage for their continued rise as one of Japan’s most celebrated contemporary musical exports.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GKIDS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

August 8 & 10<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Tales from Earthsea<\/em> 20th Anniversary<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various theaters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various prices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of Fathom Entertainment\u2019s Studio Ghibli Fest<\/u><\/a>! From the legendary creators of Spirited Away <\/em>and Howl\u2019s Moving Castle<\/em>, and the director of From Up on Poppy Hill<\/em>, comes an animated fantasy epic based on the classic book series by Ursula K. Le Guin! As crops dwindle and dragons reappear, mankind stands on the verge of total chaos. Lord Archmage Sparrowhawk, a powerful wizard, and Arren, a troubled young prince, search for the force behind this mysterious imbalance that threatens to destroy the land of Earthsea, in a tale of redemption and self-discovery that will take your breath away. Featuring the voices of Timothy Dalton, Willem Dafoe, Cheech Marin, and Mariska Hargitay. <\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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GKIDS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

August 9 & 11<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only Yesterday<\/em> 35th Anniversary<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various theaters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various prices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of Fathom Entertainment\u2019s Studio Ghibli Fest<\/u><\/a>! It\u2019s 1982, and Taeko (Daisy Ridley) is 27 years old, unmarried, and has lived her whole life in Tokyo. She decides to visit her relatives in the countryside, and as the train travels through the night, memories flood back of her younger years: the first immature stirrings of romance, the onset of puberty, and the frustrations of math and boys. At the station she is met by young farmer Toshio (Dev Patel), and the encounters with him begin to reconnect her to forgotten longings. In lyrical switches between the present and the past, Taeko contemplates the arc of her life, and wonders if she has been true to the dreams of her childhood self. From Academy Award-nominated director Isao Takahata (The Tale of The Princess Kaguya<\/em>) and general producer Hayao Miyazaki, Only Yesterday<\/em> is a masterpiece of time and tone, rich with humor and stirring emotion, and beautifully animated by one of the world\u2019s most revered animation studios.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of MSG.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

August 11-17, 8:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joe Hisaishi – Cinema Music Concert<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Radio City Music Hall<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 1260 Sixth Avenue<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From $116.35<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresh from a pair of sold-out classical performances<\/u><\/a> at Carnegie Hall in July, acclaimed composer, conductor, and pianist Joe Hisaishi returns to Radio City Music Hall for a remarkable seven-night residency, August 11\u201317, leading the Orchestra of St. Luke’s and MasterVoices in an unforgettable celebration of one of the most beloved bodies of film music ever composed. Widely regarded as one of the world’s greatest living composers for the screen, Hisaishi has written more than 100 film scores during a career spanning over four decades, earning international acclaim for his breathtaking collaborations with legendary filmmaker Hayao Miyazaki and Japan’s celebrated Studio Ghibli. His unforgettable melodies for a dozen of their films have become synonymous with animated masterpieces including My Neighbor Totoro<\/em>, Princess Mononoke<\/em>, Spirited Away<\/em>, Howl’s Moving Castle<\/em>, Ponyo<\/em>, The Wind Rises<\/em>, and the Academy Award-winning The Boy and the Heron<\/em>, captivating generations of audiences around the globe. This special residency will showcase selections from his iconic Studio Ghibli catalog alongside music from Takeshi Kitano’s celebrated films, Isao Takahata classics, and other career-spanning compositions, with Hisaishi himself conducting and performing on piano.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Eventbrite.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Thursday, August 20, 6:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

JICUF Summer Gathering with Alumni and Students<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Haymaker Bar and Kitchen<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 252 West 29th Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$30 before August 4, then $40<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Join the Japan ICU Foundation<\/u><\/a> for a memorable cross-cultural evening at Haymaker Bar and Kitchen. This is the perfect opportunity to reconnect with old friends, make new connections, and catch up with current ICU, Aoyama Gakuin University, Kindai University, and Kwansei Gakuin University students. Twelve students will be visiting New York for two and a half weeks as part of JICUF’s Global Citizen Fellowship<\/u><\/a>. Please come by for delicious food and drinks and wonderful company, featuring familiar faces and new ones!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Animenyc.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

August 20-23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Anime NYC<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Jacob K. Javits Convention Center<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 655 West 34th Street <\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

From $65<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For this year\u2019s four-day celebration of Japanese animation and pop culture, attendees will be able to view exclusive anime screenings and meet major guests courtesy of international animation and manga publishers, play the latest in Japanese gaming technology, enjoy Japanese delicacies and fusion cuisine, rock out to musical guests direct from Tokyo, and more! Centerpiece events this year include the Kagurabachi <\/em>anime world tour premiere screening; selfie meet-and-greets with with One Piece<\/em> live action\u2019s Mackenyu (Zoro) and Taz Skylar (Sanji); author of Kiki\u2019s Delivery Service<\/em> Eiko Kadono; concerts by Club Ironmouse and Hololive; rare import gaming and screenings; the Anime NYC Masquerade; and much more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Bluenotejazz.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

August 20-23<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Hiromi: The Piano Quintet feat. PUBLIQuartet<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blue Note New York<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 131 West Third Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$55 bar, $75 table<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since Hiromi\u2019s debut album Another Mind<\/em> (2003), the world-renowned pianist\u2019s sound has evolved with every release, erasing the lines between jazz and classical, composition and improvisation. Born in Hamamatsu, Japan, Hiromi began studying piano when she was six years old. When she was 17, Chick Corea invited her to play with him at a Tokyo concert. She attended Berklee College of Music in Boston, Massachusetts, where she was mentored by jazz legend Ahmad Jamal. A prolific artist, she has also recorded the soundtrack to Blue Giant<\/em>, an animated feature film based on the popular manga. Hiromi is a perennial favorite on DownBeat<\/em>\u2019s Annual Critics and Readers Poll, and has performed at the world\u2019s finest jazz festivals, including Montreux, Umbria, North Sea, Newport, and Monterey. Her work has been celebrated by media including the New York Times, NPR and NPR Music, and the Washington Post<\/em>, and she was a featured performer at the Tokyo Olympics opening ceremony in 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of Sonyhall.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Friday, August 21, 7:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

An Evening with Jake Shimabukuro<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Sony Hall<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 235 West 46th Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$37, $47<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Since gaining prominence in the early 2000\u2019s, ukulele marvel Jake Shimabukuro has mesmerized audiences with his innovative and dynamic style, taking the instrument to dizzying new heights. Over a dozen solo albums, Shimabukuro has shown a knack for moving effortlessly between genres, sometimes in the same song. After being taught the instrument by his mother at age four, Jake became a local phenom, performing on his own and in a local group Pure Heart. Early in his solo career he became a YouTube sensation when his cover of George Harrison\u2019s \u201cWhile My Guitar Gently Weeps\u201d went viral. Shimabukuro’s latest album is Pop Experience<\/em>, which celebrates modern pop hitmakers with instrumental ukulele arrangements of recent songs by artists like Taylor Swift, Ariana Grande, Olivia Rodrigo, and Billie Eilish, led by the preview single \u201cGolden.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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\u00a9 Akiko Higashimura\/SHUEISHA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Saturday, August 22, 7:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Blank Canvas<\/em><\/strong> with Akiko Higashimura Q&A<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan Society<\/strong><\/a>, 333 East 47th Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$22 public, $17 members<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan Society presents a special U.S. premiere in collaboration with Anime NYC! Blank Canvas: My So-Called Artist\u2019s Journey<\/em> is an autobiographical manga by Eisner-winner Akiko Higashimura (Princess Jellyfish<\/em>, Tokyo Tarareba Girls<\/em>) about her high school dream to become a comic book creator. Published in Japan from 2011 to 2015, it inspired a live-action adaptation in 2025. Japan Society is honored to present this film with original manga creator Higashimura, also known as ACCO Sensei to her fans worldwide, joining in-person for a Q&A and signing. High schooler Akiko (Mei Nagano) has big plans to become a popular manga creator before she even graduates, but she needs to get much better at drawing if she ever wants to reach her goal. Looking for an easy fix, she signs up for an art class, thinking all her problems will soon be solved. She\u2019s in for a surprise: her new instructor is a sword-wielding taskmaster who doesn\u2019t care about manga one bit. But maybe this unconventional art teacher is just what she needs to realize her dreams! Following the screening, the author will sign autographs and pose for pictures. Please bring copies of her manga from home or shikishi for signature. Books will not be sold at this event.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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GKIDS<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

August 22-25<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Castle in the Sky<\/em> 40th Anniversary<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various theaters<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Various prices<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Part of Fathom Entertainment\u2019s Studio Ghibli Fest<\/u><\/a>! One night, Pazu spies a young girl floating down from the sky, held aloft by a glowing pendant. Her name is Sheeta and she is in search of the legendary floating castle, Laputa. Pazu and Sheeta embark on a journey together to discover the castle\u2019s location and to unravel the mystery of Sheeta\u2019s luminous crystal. But their quest won\u2019t be easy, as soon they are being pursued by greedy air pirates, the military, and secret government agents, who all seek the power that Sheeta alone can control. Castle in the Sky<\/em> is a timeless story of courage and friendship, with stunning animation from acclaimed Academy Award-winning director Hayao Miyazaki. Featuring the voices of Anna Paquin, James Van Der Beek, Cloris Leachman, Mark Hamill, Mandy Patinkin, and more. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Courtesy of AnimeNYC.com<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Sunday, August 23, 4:00 p.m.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mackenyu Q&A & Signing<\/u><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Japan Soc<\/u><\/strong><\/a>iety<\/u><\/strong><\/a>, 333 East 47th Street<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

$35 Panel Only (Members), $45 Panel Only (Public), $150 Panel Ticket and Signing (Members), $180 Panel Ticket and Signing (Public)<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mackenyu takes NYC! Join Japan Society in collaboration with Anime NYC for this special hour-long conversation about his career followed by a signing! Best known as Roronoa Zoro in the Netflix live action adaptation of One Piece,<\/em> Mackenyu will be making his first North American convention appearance at Anime NYC this August, and as part of his time in New York, he\u2019ll be visiting Japan Society for an onstage Q&A and autograph signing. Mackenyu was born in Los Angeles in 1996 and is the son of actor, producer, director and martial artist Sonny Chiba. His fame grew dramatically following his supporting role as Cadet Ryoichi in the feature Pacific Rim: Uprising<\/em> and lead role in the racing action movie Over Drive<\/em>. Mackenyu was then cast as the villain, Yukishiro Enishi, in the blockbuster Rurouni Kenshin: Final Chapter<\/em> and as Scar in Fullmetal Alchemist: The Revenge of Scar<\/em> and Fullmetal Alchemist: Final Transmutation<\/em>. In 2021, Mackenyu was cast as Roronoa Zoro in the Netflix live action series adaptation of One Piece<\/em>. NOTE: A signing ticket is required to take part in Mackenyu\u2019s autograph session. You may bring one item to be signed. Attendees are requested to bring official items to be signed connected to Mackenyu\u2019s acting roles.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

For more <\/em>JQ articles, click <\/em><\/strong>here<\/em><\/u><\/strong><\/a>.<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

By JQ magazine editor Justin Tedaldi (CIR Kobe-shi, 2001-02). Justin has written about Japanese arts and entertainment for JETAA since 2005. For more of his articles, click here. In the dog days of summer, it\u2019s best to escape the heat in a place that\u2019s cozy and cool. For those into both cutting-edge and classic anime, this month offers a diverse trio […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_feature_clip_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":"","jetpack_publicize_message":"","jetpack_publicize_feature_enabled":true,"jetpack_social_post_already_shared":true,"jetpack_social_options":{"image_generator_settings":{"template":"highway","default_image_id":0,"font":"","enabled":false},"version":2},"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false},"categories":[75,4,26,305,53,263,70,369,291,21],"tags":[1615,1614,1554],"class_list":["post-52153","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-art","category-articlejournalism","category-celebrity","category-cultural-outreach","category-events","category-film","category-food-drink","category-japan-local","category-jq-magazine","category-music","tag-jq-magazine","tag-justin-tedaldi","tag-studio-ghibli"],"aioseo_notices":[],"aioseo_head":"\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t\n\t\t