Michiko Nakayama

Designer, MUVEIL




──Your goal for 2012?



To break myself down.
To be true to myself, strong, yet gentle, without worrying about societal norms.

Miyuki Nakajima



I love Japanese music, but... I'm deeply moved by her lyrics. They are challenging, human, and kind. I want to listen intently while reading the words. I like all her songs, but "Fight," "Wakarauta," and "Ito" are particularly good. Listening to them makes me feel ready to face tomorrow, as if I'm being gently pushed forward.

Mirai-chan

Photographer: Kotori Kawashima

Nanarokusha


Mirai-chan is a child of today, but this work reminds me of my own childhood. Kawashima's photography captures the subject's life so directly. It's nostalgic and brings a smile to my face. I find myself looking at it again and again, feeling unconditionally soothed.

Yuka on Monday

Director: Kō Nakanishi

Nikkatsu



I love Japan from this era. And Mariko Kaga's expressions, fashion, and way of speaking in this film are so ennui-filled and coquettish, I'm captivated. It's a story that makes you ponder the unanswerable answers about the nature of love.

Takashi Kato

Design Journalist




──Your goal for 2012?



Creating something new is, in a way, easy. Everything that exists today is built upon what came before. I want to spend the year contemplating remakes from the perspective of "learning from the past to understand the future."

Mark's Keyboard Repair

Money Mark

Full Frequency / Pgd


Money Mark, a former carpenter who was called the "fourth Beastie Boy" for his keyboard skills, released this early work. The sound, which was called lo-fi at the time, still sounds fresh today. The artwork is also superb.

M

Photographer: Takashi Homma

Gallery 360°


This work by Takashi Homma, known for his photographs of Tokyo, explores the theme of "M" from around the world. The technique involves printing photographic works as silkscreens. While evoking a uniform world where standardized images are mass-produced, it simultaneously highlights the subtle differences within. It could be considered a remake of contemporary art.

H Story

Director: Nobuhiro Suwa

Tokyo Theatre


A film by Nobuhiro Suwa, themed around a remake of the 1959 French film "Hiroshima Mon Amour," which deals with the atomic bombing of Hiroshima. It challenges the very possibility of remaking a film, which is itself a reproduction of history, and confronts the fact that "history repeats itself" alongside its impossibility.

Manabu Matsunaga

Photographer




──Your goal for 2012?



I want to continue taking photos, cherishing the feeling of excitement and anticipation every day.

Winter Family

Red Sugar

Sub Rosa



The slightly mysterious world is captivating. The music videos with their strong messages are also wonderful. This attitude is perfect for this winter. Previously, they participated with the song "Garden" as background music for Chanel's perfume commercial "Coco Mademoiselle - Keira Knightley."

Snapshot Chronicles: Inventing the American Photo Album

Authors: Stephanie Snyder, Barbara Levine, Matthew Stadler

Princeton Architectural Press



A photo collection that delves into the origins of photography. The binding is also beautiful. It's a book that should be appreciated precisely because we live in the digital age.

Living in the Material World

Director: Martin Scorsese

Distribution: Kadokawa Pictures


Perhaps he was the key person in The Beatles? George Harrison, the most sensitive member. Martin Scorsese brings the masterpiece back to life as a music documentary.

Daisuke Obana

Designer, N.HOOLYWOOD




──Your goal for 2012?



Whatever I think of or plan in 2012, I will definitely execute and realize within 2012!

Party Rock Anthem

LMFAO

Universal Music


When it's this silly, anyone, no matter how down, can't help but get pumped up. It's the best pop music, ignoring genres and the world entirely! The music videos are also hilariously stupid, with the same punchline for every song (lol).

Money Is Always Right

Author: Takafumi Horie

Futabasha


Before I board a plane, I always buy two books I wouldn't normally read. Horie is the same age as me, and I genuinely like his approach—deeply engaged with the raw aspects of this era, yet relaxed and bold. In this book, he frankly writes about values that are hard not to empathize with.

The Hangover Part II

Director: Todd Phillips

Warner Entertainment


It's a comedy, and even though you know the outcome, the thrill, speed, and new level of absurdity combine for an indescribably hilarious experience. I'd love to participate in a bachelor party like this! Though it looks dangerous...

Keichiro Shibuya

Musician




──Your goal for 2012?



Abstract notions like "being true to myself" don't come to mind at all. All I can think about is the 10th anniversary of ATAK and releasing my own album after a long time.

The Doors

The Doors

Warner Music



Sorry, it's not a new release, but for some reason, I listened to The Doors' "The Doors" a lot. I don't know if it was the mood of the times or my own mood, but it felt like it matched the "vibe." The sense of floating or nirvana is incredible.

Freedom Evolves

Author: Daniel C. Dennett

NTT Publishing



I've just started reading it, and it's fascinating. It explores free will, extending to computing, perception, and consciousness, but it can be reinterpreted in terms of the relationship between music and listening. The concept of modules is also interesting.

The Children Who Don't Die

Director: Shusaku Arakawa

Uplink



I worked on the music for this film. I don't usually recommend my own work, but I was deeply impressed by it, especially after watching the interview with Madeline Gins in the bonus features. I had never seen someone speak with such delicate yet fierce intelligence. Recently, I received a letter from them, and I'd like to meet them someday.