The auditions for Anison Stars, the competition that seeks to find the next big voice actor-artists, have been launched as a collaboration between four of the biggest Japanese entertainment companies: Lantis, Amuse, Bandai Visual, and Bandai Namco Live Creative! Applications for the audition are being accepted from 16 March 2017.

In recent years, many professionals are working as both voice actor and singers: they voice characters in anime and release CDs as singers. This double role has gained a lot of popularity in the entertainment industry- especially among anime otaku. They are loved by fans not only in Japan, but all over the world, and that’s why these voice actor-artists are being strongly promoted overseas. The four companies have launched this project in search of a new voice actor-artist who can perform worldwide and play a major role in the expansion of the Japanese anime industry and help increase the number of anime fans throughout the world.

You can apply for the audition if you live in Japan and are interested in becoming a voice actor and an anime song-singer. Both men and women aged from 14 to 25 can apply. First, an online screening will be held from 16 March to 18 June. Those chosen will then go through the secondary screening that includes an interview, reading aloud, and singing a cappella. The secondary screenings are to be held on 23 July in Osaka, 5 August in Tokyo, and 6 August in Fukuoka.
The successful candidates will take the final test in mid-August, and the winner will then be decided. The winner will be fully supported by the four companies hosting the project and should debut somewhere in 2018.

The judges for the audition are Noriyasu Agematsu, a well-known composer and a sound producer; Hironobu Kageyama, a singer who is also famous as a songwriter, composer, and member of JAM Project; Kenichi Suzumura, a voice actor who is best known for playing Sougo Okita from Gintama and Iyami from Osomatsu-san; TAKE, member of rock band FLOW who has performed many anime themes; and Aki Hata, a singer who has produced and sung many themes of games and anime.

Nowadays, voice actor-artists have gained public fame, and there are many people who dream of becoming one. However, it is also true that only a handful of those people can fulfil their dreams. This audition would definitely become a big chance for those potential voice-actor singers to show their talents!

ANISONG STARS Official Website
http://anisong-stars.jp/

source: http://animeanime.jp/article/2017/03/16/32986.html