JQ Magazine: Yuja Wang, New ‘Gundam Hathaway,’ TsuShiMaMiRe
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.
As spring continues and the weather continues to warm, New Yorkers can enjoy activities all over the city both indoors and out.
This month’s highlights include:
Courtesy of Carnegiehall.org
Friday, May 1, 8:00 p.m.
Mahler Chamber Orchestra: Yuja Wang, Piano and Director
Carnegie Hall, 881 Seventh Avenue
From $350
For the first time at Carnegie Hall, the Mahler Chamber Orchestra is led by Grammy-winning piano phenomenon Yuja Wang, who directs from her instrument. This exemplary touring ensemble has been a highlight in recent Carnegie Hall seasons, and its collaborations with Wang are highly renowned. It’s an ideal pairing, as Wang is not only one of the world’s leading virtuosos, but also an artist with a true gift for “drawing you into the world of each composer” Financial Times. Featuring concertmaster and leader Matthew Truscott, the evening’s selections will include Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 and Symphony No. 1, "Classical," as well as Chopin’s Piano Concerto No. 1. With more than 45 musicians spanning over 20 different countries, this show will prove that music is truly the universal language.
Courtesy of MSG.com
Sunday, May 3, 8:00 p.m.
Beacon Theatre, 2124 Broadway
From $88.50
HoYoFair Fan Concert Once Upon HoYoFair LIVE In 2026 will come together in France, Germany, the UK, and the U.S. for six LIVE fan concerts! In celebration of the upcoming 2026, which marks the 5th anniversary of HoYoFair, HoYoverse is excited to announce the HoYoFair Fan Concert—a fan art-driven music feast organized by 54 Entertainment and CHARISMA TANUKI PRODUCTIONS. This unique event will feature musical performances from Honkai: Star Rail, Genshin Impact, Zenless Zone Zero, and Honkai Impact 3rd, all in one show. Fans will have the opportunity to immerse themselves in the touching melodies of HoYoverse's beloved titles.
Earthly Bones © Illustration by Kei Ando; Kei Ando © Courtesy of the artist; Lauren Zeftel © Thomas Brunot
Monday, May 4, 8:00 p.m.
Japan Society, 333 East 47th Street
$21 nonmembers, $14 members
One late night in an overworked office, Miyabi is offered a bite of home-cooked fish and politely turns down the offer with a white lie. As acts of extreme politeness and Japanese office etiquette begin to stack on top of this innocent lie, office workers are stretched to the breaking point, until a sudden change overtakes Miyabi’s team… In her signature style for finding the farcical in the mundane structures of Japanese society, Kishida Kunio Drama Award winner Kei Ando’s play Earthly Bones dives deep into the inherent absurdities of Japanese office life. NYC-based director Lauren Zeftel and her cast of local actors take audiences on this mad joyride of distinctly Japanese dark humor in an English-language reading.
© Avex Music Creative Inc.
Tuesday, May 5, 8:00 p.m.
Racket NYC, 431 West 16th Street
$56.50 general admission
ONE OR EIGHT is a rising eight-member Japanese boy group quickly gaining international attention for their genre-blending sound and high-energy performances. Their name, ONE OR EIGHT, is derived from the Japanese idiom “Ichika Bachika”—meaning “all or nothing”—reflecting the group’s fearless ambition and commitment to chasing their dreams. With the tagline “BET ON YOURSELF,” the group embodies a spirit of self-belief, camaraderie, and risk-taking as they strive to make their mark on the world. Formed in 2024 and shaped by a global pop influence, the group combines elements of J-pop, hip-hop, and contemporary R&B, positioning themselves as part of a new wave of export-ready Japanese artists. Now, the group is launching their first-ever U.S. tour in support of their new mini album, GATHER—their most ambitious project to date. The release features the focus track “TOKYO DRIFT,” written by Pharrell, and follows a milestone debut run that includes the No. 1 Billboard Japan Heatseekers hit “Don’t Tell Nobody” (produced by Ryan Tedder & David Stewart) and a U.S. Top 5 iTunes Hip-Hop/Rap single, “KAWASAKI,” featuring Big Sean. With a strong emphasis on choreography, fashion-forward visuals, cross-cultural collaborations, and more than one million TikTok followers, ONE OR EIGHT is rapidly establishing itself as a global act to watch.
Ross Halfin
May 7, 9, 13
Various theaters
Various prices
Scream for me, New York!!! Iron Maiden: Burning Ambition is a new feature-length documentary that traces the legendary heavy metal band’s 50-year journey from East London pub gigs to worldwide stadium dominance. Directed by British photographer and documentarian Malcolm Venville, the film combines rare archival footage, new interviews with current and former band members, animated sequences featuring the iconic mascot Eddie, and commentary from famous fans and musicians. Among the celebrity interviewees appearing in the documentary are actor Javier Bardem, Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich, Public Enemy’s Chuck D, Rage Against the Machine guitarist Tom Morello, Anthrax guitarist Scott Ian, and KISS cofounder Gene Simmons. Rather than focusing on scandal or controversy, Burning Ambition celebrates Iron Maiden’s fiercely independent spirit, loyal global fanbase (Japan included), and lasting influence on heavy metal culture across generations.
© SUNRISE
Opens Friday, May 15
Mobile Suit Gundam Hathaway: The Sorcery of Nymph Circe
Various theaters
Various prices
The year is U.C.0105, twelve years after Char's Rebellion. "Mafty" has begun resisting the Federation government's tyrannical rule by assassinating its high-ranking officials. Its leader is actually Hathaway Noa, the son of Bright Noa, who fought in the One Year War alongside Amuro Ray. A girl named Gigi Andalusia, who displays uncanny powers, has reminded Hathaway of a past trauma. Though he is bewildered by her words, he prepares to carry out an air raid on the Adelaide conference, determined to fulfill Mafty's goals and lay his own past to rest. While swayed by her cryptic words, he continues preparing for Mafty’s mission — the attack on the Adelaide Conference. Meanwhile, Kenneth Sleg of the Federation Forces prepares a defense operation for the Adelaide Conference and a plan to eliminate Mafty, when he is approached by Handley Yoxon of the Criminal Police Organization with a secret proposal. As Hathaway and Kenneth pursue their respective goals, Gigi also sets off for Hong Kong to fulfill her own role.
evoxs
Mr. Big Hey Man — 30th Anniversary Editions
2MQA CD ($20.98)
SACD Hybrid Multi-Channel ($25.98, available May 22)
180g One-step Pressing Deep Cyan Vinyl LP ($38.98)
Mr. Big’s fourth studio album, Hey Man, celebrates its 30th anniversary with three distinct editions! A landmark release for the band, the album famously topped Japan’s Oricon chart for 16 weeks and remains a fan favorite thanks to its blend of technical brilliance and soulful songwriting. Featuring enduring tracks such as “Take Cover” and “Goin’ Where The Wind Blows,” the album stands as a definitive showcase of the classic lineup—Eric Martin, Pat Torpey, Billy Sheehan, and Paul Gilbert—making these new editions essential for fans and collectors alike. The two-disc MQA CD boasts an expansive selection of 12 bonus cuts, highlighted by a demo of “I Love You Japan,” the first-time release of the final mixes of “Friend of The Working Girl” and “Livin’ Like A Dog,” and exclusive drum-only and minus-drum mixes of “Take Cover.” The SACD Hybrid edition includes a new 5.1 multi-channel mix by Chris Bell, paired with a hi-res 96-khz/24-bit stereo mix. Finally, in April the album received its first-ever LP release on 180g One-step Pressing Deep Cyan Vinyl for Record Store Day, limited to 3,000 copies worldwide.
Courtesy of Livenation.com
Sunday, May 31, 8:00 p.m.
Mercury Lounge, 217 East Houston Street
$15 general admission
Japanese rock trio TsuShiMaMiRe have announced an expansive 2026 “Oversized American Dreams Greatest World Tour,” celebrating nearly three decades of their chaotic, high-energy blend of punk, art rock, and pop weirdness. The North American leg kicks off May 23 in New Orleans and runs through late June, hitting cities including New York, Toronto, Chicago, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin before wrapping in San Antonio on June 27. The band also confirmed European dates later in the year alongside major Japan shows, including a one-man performance at Tokyo Kinema Club in November. The tour follows the release of their 2026 digital single “Oversized American Dreams,” and continues the group’s long tradition of relentless international touring and cult-status live performances known for frenetic energy, quirky humor, and explosive musicianship.
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