2003.12.06 -
Track list for the first and last r.o.r/s album, "Dazzle", is now available :

Dazzle (CD Album)
r.o.r/s (reflection of renaissance/sounds)
---------------------
01. Kanshou Fukanjo
02. CRY MAX
03. Candy Lie
04. Himitsu
05. Fly
06. Deep Deep
07. Place
08. Escape
09. Platinum egoism
10. Tattoo Kiss
11. Cross Pain
12. Devil
---------------------
Release date: 12/26/03
Code: KICS-1037
Price: 3,000 yen

2003.11.27 -
Makkun's first CD-single and DVD releases in over a year, "SECOND IMPACT" and "V-mode ~10th Anniversary~", are out on sale today! Also, pre-ordering is now available for Makkun's all-new album to be released next year, which will include the single "SECOND IMPACT" and an English version of "MESSAGE" :

okui, masami [Title Not Yet Available] [CD-Album] :
    CDJapan or Yesasia   (Release date : 02/04/2004)
JAM Project / JAM Project LIVE Shinkan ~Return to the Chaos~ [DVD] :
    CDJapan or Yesasia   (Release date : 01/01/2004)
r.o.r/s / dazzle [CD Album] :
    CDJapan or Yesasia   (Release date : 12/26/2003)

2003.11.07 -
The list of available pre-orders has been updated!

JAM Project / JAM Project LIVE Shinkan ~Return to the Chaos~ [DVD] :
    CDJapan or Yesasia   (Release date : 01/01/2004)
r.o.r/s / dazzle [CD Album] :
    CDJapan or Yesasia   (Release date : 12/26/2003)
okui, masami SECOND IMPACT [Maxi CDS] :
    CDJapan or Yesasia   (Release date : 11/27/2003)
okui, masami / V-mode 10th [DVD] :
    CDJapan or Yesasia   (Release date : 11/27/2003)

2003.10.22 -
The second maxi single for r.o.r/s, Tattoo Kiss, opened today at a commendable 29th place on the Oricon charts!

Also, a special page opened on makusonia featuring Makkun's upcoming single and Animelomix's CM song, "SECOND IMPACT"! Visit it here and download a short clip of the SECOND IMPACT PV.

2003.10.10 -
Makkun's upcoming three releases are currently available for pre-order at Yesasia.com and CdJapan!

okui, masami / SECOND IMPACT (Maxi CDS) :   CDJapan | Yesasia
okui, masami / V-mode 10th (DVD) :   CDJapan | Yesasia
r.o.r/s / Tattoo Kiss (Maxi CDS) :   CDJapan | Yesasia

Also, more information is out about the special 10th anniversary DVD release "V-mode 10th" : This release is a two-disc DVD set. Contents of the first disc will include footage from the Birth Live concert held in March of this year; the second disc will include a "best" collection of clips from past concerts. The track list (for the first disc, I think) is as follows :

V-mode 10th DVD
---------------------
01. Birth
02. high high high
03. ANGEL VOICE
04. Shounen
05. Key
06. Jama wa Sasenai
07. Souda, Zettai.
08. Cutey Honey
09. Give a reason
10. MASK
11. Rondo -revolution-
12. TRANSMIGRATION
13. Shuffle
14. DEPORTATION
---------------------
Release date: 11/27/03
Code: KIBM-61
Price: 5,500 yen

2003.09.30 -
A full track list is out for Makkun's newest solo single, "SECOND IMPACT," due out Nov. 27! Produced by Yabuki Toshirou(!) and featuring Oohira Tsutomu, Monta, and radio show Animelomix's host, Takahashi Naozumi.

SECOND IMPACT CD-Single
---------------------
1. SECOND IMPACT
(Animelomix CM Song)
lyr & mus: OKUI Masami, arr: YABUKI Toshirou
2. message
lyr: OKUI Masami, mus & arr: Monta
3. PURE (Chorus: TAKAHASHI Naozumi)
(Animelox ED Theme)
lyr: OKUI Masami, mus: TAKAHASHI Naozumi, arr: OOHIRA Tsutomu
---------------------
Release date: 11/27/03
Code: KICM-1092
Price: 1,143 yen

2003.09.22 -
Lots of interesting news :
1) THINK PINK is sponsoring a huge spring 2004 concert tour featuring okui, masami titled "ReBirth." The tour will begin on Feb. 21st and end March 13, 2004, with two concerts on the opening weekend and one concert each weekend thereafter. Featured locations are Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka, Sapporo, and Shibuya.
2) Some preliminary information at makusonia.com about two new releases : a maxi single titled "SECOND IMPACT" (KICM-1092 | 1,143 yen) and a 10th anniversary DVD titled "V-mode ~10th anniversary~" (KIBM-61/62 | 5,500 yen). Both will be released on November 27th.
3) Following 8 months after Makkun's "Birth Live '03 ~and more~" concert, the last okui,masami concert of 2003 will be held on Sunday, November 11 at Musashi Institue of Technology's school festival. Advanced ticket prices are 1,000 yen (~ US $8.90) for MI-TECH students and 2,200 yen (~ US $19.60) for non-students.

2003.09.09 -
A special event will be held October 26th sponsored by AM-Kobe, called "STARCHILD DREAM IN KOBE 2003." Many singers from Starchild will be there, including Hayashibara Megumi, Horie Yui, r.o.r/s, can/goo, angela, and Nagasawa Nao.

Also, Starchild's official r.o.r/s website has been updated with news about a second singles release! The single is titled "Tattoo Kiss," coupled with the song "escape." Release date is 10/26. The first single, "Candy Lie," is still in the spotlight, however, having opened at a respectable 35th place on the Japanese Oricon charts. To celebrate its release, the website has made 3 videos available for download. Please visit the "Movie&Photo" section of the r.o.r/s webiste to view :

INTRODUCTION (196 sec.) - The two women introduce themselves and attempt to say the full name of their new unit, "Reflection of renaissance/sound." Makkun confuses Yonekura at first; she says "Renaissance" first, and Yonekura continues, "of...... eh?"
They go on to say they just finished recording their debut song, "Candy Lie" and explain that it means amai uso, a sweet lie.

RECORDING (42 sec.) - They record the song...

PV SPOT (30 sec.) - ...and here's the final product. Take a look!

2003.09.03 -
JAM Project's 2nd best album, "JAM Project BEST II," is out for sale!

JAM Project Best II
---------------------
01. SKILL ~Album ver.~
02. Nageki no Rosary
03. Little Wing feat. OKUI Masami
04. FREEDOM
05. Goujin! God Gravion feat. ENDOU Masaaki
06. GO! GO! Rescue
07. In the Chaos feat. OKUI Masami
08. GET UP CRUSH FIGHTER!
09. DEPARTURE
10. Alright now! ~Movie Re-mix ver.~ feat. MATSUMOTO Rica
11. March of Rescue Hero
12. Kaze no Eagle feat. KAGEYAMA Hironobu
13. GO!
14. FOREVER&EVER
15. DAYS ~Boku-ra no Mirai~
---------------------
Release date: 09/03/03
Code: LACA-5200

2003.08.27 -
r.o.r/s's debut maxi single "Candy Lie" is now out for sale!

2003.08.11 -
The official webpage of "r.o.r/s" is now up! Click the following link the reach it :
http://www.starchild.co.jp/artist/rors/

2003.07.30 -
Makkun is appearing with the rest of JAM Project on several TV programs to promote their upcoming concert, including 'Ki ni Naru!' on Asahi-TV and 'Saikou Boogie Woogie Night.' Also, in news related to r.o.r/s, the track listing for the upcoming 'Candy Lie' single has been released :

Candy Lie CD-Single
Special first-pressing edition includes DVD feat. 'Candy Lie' PV
---------------------
1. Candy Lie
lyr: MIZUE, mus: HARA Kazuhiro, arr: TANABE Keishi(?)
2. deep deep
lyr: MIZUE, mus: HARA Kazuhiro, arr: IEHARA Masaki
3. Candy Lie (Remix Version)
---------------------
Release date: 08/27/03
Code: KICM-91082 (special ver.), KICM-1082 (normal ver.)

The two arrangers seem to be relative newcomers to the music scene, but Hara Kazuhiro is an established songwriter who has worked with the likes of Koyanagi Yuki, BoA, Anzai Hiroko, and Every Little Thing.

2003.07.09 -
"okui, masami" THINK PINK sneakers are being presented at makusonia (click on this link to view). Click on the various sneakers to view a close-up photo.

In other news, tickets for the 3rd JAM Project concert, "Shinkan ~Return to Chaos~" (Rumble: Return to Chaos), are now on sale. Tickets are priced at 5500 yen (about US $47 / EUR 41,- / CAN $64) apiece. Concert will be held on Sept. 28 at Shibuya Public Hall.

2003.06.25 -
The latest news concerning the Okui-Yonekura music unit : Its official name is "r.o.r/s" (pronounced "roars", short for "reflection of renaissance/sound") and the first maxi single, Candy Lie, is out for pre-order! Price is 1000 yen (about US $8.47 / EUR 7,34 / CDN $11.41), but there is a special initial-pressing limited version that costs 1800 yen, which includes a DVD featuring the promotional video to 'Candy Lie'.

To pre-order at Neowing, follow the links below :
Candy Lie CDS [Normal Version]
Candy Lie CDS [Special Version]

In other news, JAM Project is holding its 3rd live concert, titled "Shinkan ~Return to Chaos~" (Rumble: Return to Chaos). It will be held on Sept. 28 in Tokyo. No details on which members of JAM will attend (though I assume everyone will, including Makkun).

Also, JAM Project will release their second BEST album, titled " JAM Project BEST II". Track list includes recent hits including SKILL and Little Wing. Product code is LACA-5200; release date is Sept. 3.

2003.05.16 -
Three short clips from the 'Masami Kobushi' in-store events are now up at makusonia, located here. The following is a small description of each clip :

in AKIHABARA on 2003.05.04 (61 sec.) - Makkun enters and relates how, as a child, she wanted to marry Akira Fudo (main character in the 1970s manga/anime series 'Devilman', of which the last track on 'Masami Kobushi' is the ending theme). ^^; Then she sings 'Kyou mo Dokoka de Devilman'.
The ending screen says,

'To those who came, and also to those who weren't able to make it, thank you for your support!
Please continue your support into the future. (^ ^)
Okui

in IKEBUKURO part1 on 2003.05.03 (34 sec.) - A short but cute clip where everyone in the audience stands up and claps along as Makkun sings 'Give a reason'.

in IKEBUKURO part2 on 2003.05.03 (68 sec.) - Makkun talks about the process of giving her new album a title, then sings 'Cutey Honey'.

2003.05.01 -
'Masami Kobushi' released today! Dance and rejoice, everyone. ^^

2003.04.25 -
Sample clips from all tracks on 'Masami Kobushi' are now available on Starchild's Homepage! They all sound so good! ^__^

2003.04.11 -
Makkun will be holding several in-store events to publicize the release of her new album 'Masami Kobushi', to be released on May 1st.

Meanwhile, the two latest JAM Project CD-singles featuring Masami Okui have officially been released. Visit makusonia's news section for single covers and more information.

2003.03.14 -
Lots of new updates to makusonia.
#1: The anime song cover album to be released on May 1 has a title now: "Masami Kobushi". The title means "Masami Boost" or "Masami Cheer-Up".
#2: According to the news section of makusonia, okui,masami is going to partner up with an Italian brand of outdoorwear/shoewear called "THINK PINK". okui,masami will become a "wisdom planner" (an advisor to strengthen a brand name's image) for THINK PINK for their promotion line in Japan and she might even start wearing their brand to public performances.
#3: This news was first announced at Birth Live '03; okui,masami will be forming a singing unit with fellow talented anime & independent singer Chihiro Yonekura for a certain amount of time. The unit's name is still a secret, but Makkun and "Chihii" (Makkun's nickname for Yonekura-san) are planning to release a single and an album, and if that takes off, they might also do a live concert. Of course, neither Okui fans nor Yonekura fans need to worry if they don't like one artist or the other; both singers will also have solo tracks.

2003.03.07 -
For those of you who are interested, Masami Okui's 10th Anniversary cover album is now available for pre-order at CDJapan.

Here is a direct link to the page.

The little blurb at Neowing.co.jp (CDJapan's Japanese site) :

"Masami Okui, 10 years after her debut, presents her first round of anniversary celebrations with an anime song cover album! Cruel Angel's These (Neon Genesis Evangelion), Love's Theme (Lupin 3rd), Cutey Honey, etc., for a total of 12 tracks. First-time limited release pressing with special packaging."

If you know of another online store accepting pre-orders for this CD, please let me know.

2003.02.20 -
Lots of CD release info in the news section at makusonia. First :

Anime Song Cover Album (Title TBA)
first-time limited pressing
comes with special packaging
------------------------------
Track Listing
Tamashii no Refrain (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Zankoku na Tenshi no These (Neon Genesis Evangelion)
Give a reason (Slayers NEXT)
Sucessful Mission (Saber Marionette)
YOU GET TO BURNING (Martian Successor Nadesico)
Love Squall, Ai no Theme (Lupin 3rd)
Cutey Honey (Cutey Honey)
Kyou mo Dokoka de Devilman (Devilman)
truth (Revolutionary Girl Utena)
Northern Lights (Shaman King)
GHOST SWEEPER (Ghost Sweeper Mikami)

Release date: 05/01/03
Code: KICS-1017

It seems like all the songs will be performed by Makkun (she noted the recording of "Kyou mo Dokoka de Devilman" in her diary). Secondly, two singles releases connected with something called the "JAM (Japan AnimationSong Makers) Project" :

New WOWOW TV Animation Series
"Scrubbed Princess"
OP Theme "Little Wing"
C/W "Galaxy Angel" (Epilogue ED)
JAM Project
Release date: 04/23/03
Code: LACM-4089

PlayStation 2 Game
"Second Super Robot Wars alpha"
OP Theme "SKILL"
C/W "FOREVER AND EVER" (Ending Theme)
JAM Project
Release date: 04/23/03
Code: LACM-4090

Lastly, Makkun has helped write three songs for Youko Ishida's new album "sweets", to be released 2/26/03 :

"believing"
Lyr: ISHIDA Youko
Mus: OKUI Masami
Arr: D.R.Y
"proof of life" (Anime-TV) ED Theme
Lyr: ISHIDA Youko
Mus: OKUI Masami
Arr: YASUDATakayuki
"Ienai Kara" Anime-TV (Puchipuri Yuushi) ED Theme
Lyr: ISHIDA Youko
Mus: OKUI Masami
Arr: NAKAOKA Seikou

2003.02.18 -
The ANGELS' VOICE video clips are now gone from makusonia. 'Birth Live '03 and more' is just around the corner...

2003.01.31 -
Just a correction of my previous entry :
According to Atto-san from the Avenue to Mac-kun BBS, the mystery man in the Kobe/Nagoya event clip is actually Takase-san (the same one from King Records?). Anyway, that's all. ^^;;

2003.01.28 -
makusonia is currently in the process of switching servers, so there might be some downtime until the 31st. Meanwhile, a new clip is on the webpage :

-ANGEL'S VOICE- Kobe/Nagoya In-Store Event (72 sec.) - The red words that appear at the beginning say "A long line of people, true to rumor!" It seems many people were waiting for signings at the Kobe/Nagoya In-Store Event. Again, Makkun performed songs from her ANGEL'S VOICE mini-album, and someone else appeared at this event (I couldn't catch his name, but is it Takashiro something??).

2003.01.14 -
New top news at makusonia. The date and place for Birth Live 2003 has been decided : March 9 (a Sunday) at the LIQUID ROOM in Tokyo. Tickets are on sale January 25, at a price of 5,250 yen (about US $44) apiece.
There is also an "o-toshidama" (New Year's gift) on the website: 3 original wallpapers, all drawn by Makkun, I presume. Go check it out.