All posts by beyondsenpai

Beyond Senpai. The music and culture fanzine. Made by fans for fans. For features and content contributions contact: beyondsenpaiofficial@gmail.com
Feature Article

Remember: Restart

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A personal reflection on the idol group KissBee by guest writer Toby Hagen.

For the last few years I have been a huge supporter of an idol group that seems to have gone largely unnoticed by the international Japanese idol fandom.  Whenever I would bring them up in conversation, the response was always the same; “Who?”

When Beyond Senpai approached me to write an article for them ahead of their online live show on September 8th 2020, a concert with huge significance for the group and their fans, I thought it would be a perfect opportunity to introduce them.  So read on and allow me to introduce you to one of the hardest working, musically diverse, and socially outgoing idol groups ever… KissBee!

Continue reading Remember: Restart →
Feature Article

A ‘little’ story about Little Kitsune Crafts.

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A guest article gladly recieved from Lilly.

I have always had an admiration for Pixel Art ever since I was little. I used to make pictures with sprites from my favourite video games; Pokemon, Mario and Sonic The Hedgehog to name a few. Later, around 2015 I became interested in Hama Beads (known as Perler Beads in the US) and it became my hobby to make images with them. I mostly made Pokemon, and would stick them to my wall like a collage.

Continue reading A ‘little’ story about Little Kitsune Crafts. →
Music Review

The INVINCIBLE めろん畑a go go can’t be stopped

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A music review by Just Panda

めろん畑a go go (Melon Batake A Go Go), the idol from outer space, are back with new single Invincible IDOL (無敵のIDOL) bringing their jpop fifties style fusion with them.

From far across the galaxy, this idol unit have made a name for themselves in the underground scene for the past few years. With a big line- up change in the early part of 2020, they have been working tirelessly. Now with a new single and MV as well as the imminent release of their fourth album, they are ready to take over the idol galaxy!

Continue reading The INVINCIBLE めろん畑a go go can’t be stopped →
Feature Article

On Dawn’s Day, the bubbles of the sea turn red.

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The graduation of Risaki Kakizaki, Rei Imaizumi and Michelle

A guest article gladly received from Rosy Baltussen.


After a long wait on the 28th of June, the graduation of Risaki, Rei and Michelle was finally there. Thankfully for international fans who couldn’t be there in person M-SMILE decided to livestream the 3 shows. Two of them were available for people who bought a ticket, the 3rd show was free to watch for everybody.

Continue reading On Dawn’s Day, the bubbles of the sea turn red. →
Feature Article

Senpai Feature: GET YOUR GENKI

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A personal insight into creating an independent music label by Christian Preiss.

I started this project in October 2018 .

Originally I wanted to start it about 10 years earlier but somehow the idea got lost during the years.

I was always interested in music from Japan in all its varieties, Pop, Rock, Funk, Punk, Psych, Folk…whatever. Mostly some not so well known bands, more or less independent ones.

Somehow the music was always a bit better, the band a bit more authentic, the love for what they do a bit deeper.

Continue reading Senpai Feature: GET YOUR GENKI →
Music Review

Ankimo are far from UNFINISHED.

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An album review by Just Panda ~ Beyond Senpai

Technical melodic speed metal titans Unlucky Morpheus returned to the world music platform this month with the highly anticipated album ‘Unfinished’. 

It has been two years since the last full album release, the mammoth Change of Generation. A follow up to this beast was surely to be expected, and our wait has not been in vain. 

Continue reading Ankimo are far from UNFINISHED. →