Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

whitedove · Post time 9-5-2008 05:26 PM

HSJ brings back SUMMARY
Tue, May 6, 2008 (12:32am EDT)

On Monday, Hey! Say! JUMP performed a concert at the Yokohama Arena. During the concert, they announced that they are bringing back the entertainment show "SUMMARY," which was started in 2004 and was last held in 2005 by Ya-Ya-yah and NEWS.

The production cost for the show is said to be 1.5 billion yen. A special structure is being built in Odaiba for it, measuring roughly 60 meters in diameter and 30 meters tall, with a capacity of 3,000 people. Hey! Say! JUMP won't be the only ones appearing in the show, as a total of 200 members of Johnny's Jr. are expected to participate.

30 performances are scheduled between August 2 and August 31.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 9-5-2008 05:27 PM

[Charts: Madonna at #1 again after almost 18 years
Wed, May 7, 2008 (2:01am EDT)

Madonna's latest album, "Hard Candy," topped the Oricon charts this past week with 55,000 in sales. Her last #1 in Japan was the 1990 release "I'm Breathless." The 17-year-11-month gap between the two chart-toppers is a record for a solo artist. One of the songs on the new album, "Miles Away," is being used as the theme song for the Takuya Kimura-starring drama series "CHANGE," which premieres on Fuji TV next Monday.

The soundtrack to the "Sushi Ouji!" was the only other new release in the Top 10, and it barely made the cut. Last week's #1, "Dream "A" live" by Arashi, fell to #5 while BENNIE K and Perfume kept their spots at #2 and #3, respectively.

Speaking of "Sushi Ouji!," the singles chart was led by that movie's theme song, "No more" by Koichi Domoto (released under the name of his character, Tsukasa Maizu). It sold near 111,000 copies.

Shuchishin was able to hang on at #2 for the 4th consecutive week, outselling new releases by the new Hello! Project unit Milky Way (#3), mihimaru GT (#4), TUBE (#5), and The Possible (#10).

In the music DVD ranking, Hey! Say! JUMP sold 70,000 copies of their first DVD, making them the youngest group in history at the top of the chart.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

[ Last edited by whitedove at 9-5-2008 06:26 PM ]

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:09 PM

Thelma Aoyama single leads 2008 sales
Wed, May 7, 2008 (12:02am EDT)

According to the latest Oricon weekly sales charts, Thelma Aoyama's "Soba ni Iru ne" has reached an estimated total of more than 424,000 copies sold. This makes it the best selling single of 2008 so far, surpassing KAT-TUN's "LIPS."

"Soba ni Iru ne" charted in the Top 10 for its first 12 weeks. It also claimed the #1 spot on Recochoku's chaku-uta and chaku-uta full rankings for 3 months in a row, which had never before been done.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:10 PM

Shuchishin dominates April sales, announces new single
Wed, May 7, 2008 (12:04am EDT)

Male "baka" trio Shuchishin is hoping to be more than a one-hit wonder in their music career. They have just announced that they will release a second single, though no details have been revealed yet.

Their first single, the self-titled "Shuchishin," charted at #2 in sales for three weeks in a row, almost beating out Ayumi Hamasaki in its initial week. According to Oricon's numbers, "Shuchishin" in fact had the highest total sales for the month of April, with 217,000 copies compared to Hamasaki's 166,000 of "Mirrorcle World" and B'z's 142,000 of "Burn -Fumetsu no Face-" (which was released one week later).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:16 PM

"Aibou" takes in 1.2 billion during opening weekend
Wed, May 7, 2008 (12:06am EDT)

Last week, Toei announced that the Thursday opening of the "Aibou" movie surpassed that of the studio's biggest hit, "YAMATO." Now, with box office numbers to show for the whole weekend, the movie looks like it may be able to eventually claim that top spot.

Thanks to the Golden Week holidays, "Aibou" had a five-day weekend (May 1-5), over which it grossed more than 1.2 billion yen. This is already close to 25% of the 5.11 billion yen that "YAMATO" earned over its entire run. On release day, it drew roughly 202,500 in attendance (about 150% of "YAMATO"'s opening) and grossed 248 million yen. Both numbers are records for Toei in the period since the year 2000.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:17 PM

Ryuichi Oura divorced since last year
Wed, May 7, 2008 (1:42am EDT)

39-year-old actor Ryuichi Oura (often written as Ohura) has been divorced since last July, it was learned on Tuesday. He and his wife, a 30-year-old former office worker, had been married since November 2000.

According to Oura's agency, the divorce was the result of an accumulation of minor differences in the couple's values. It was an amicable split, as no consolation money will be paid by either side. While Oura officially has parental custody of their 4-year-old son, they have agreed to have the young child live with the mother for now.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:24 PM

BoA to release "concept single"
Wed, May 7, 2008 (2:24am EDT)

BoA is releasing her first "concept single" on June 4. The project is titled "Vivid -Kissing you, Sparkling, Joyful Smile-," and as the name indicates, the theme for the music, artwork, and music videos is "vivid."

Three songs are included on the single: "Kissing you," the theme song to the drama series "Shichinin no Onna Bengoshi"; "Sparkling," a commercial song for Zespri Kiwifruit; and "Joyful Smile."

The first press of the CD will include some offshot pictures from the photo shoot for the jacket and a digest version of the "Kissing you" and "Sparkling" music videos, which appear in full on the DVD edition. The first press of the DVD will contain bonus footage of the making of the videos and a segment called "BoA TV 2nd Season."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:25 PM

Gackt version of Vocaloid announced
Wed, May 7, 2008 (10:40am EDT)

Vocaloid, the vocal synthesizer software that features virtual idol Hatsune Miku, is getting a new edition next month with a more familiar face. Called Gackpoid, this version is based on the voice of musician Gackt.

Among other new features, the software is expanding its capabilities to allow up to 16 voices.

The software is scheduled to go on sale in mid-June. A press release (in Japanese) can be read at this site, which also has an audio sample.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:31 PM

"Ikigami" cast revealed
Wed, May 7, 2008 (1:30am EDT)

The supporting cast for the movie adaptation of "Ikigami" has been announced. The film, based on a manga by Motoro Mase, was announced in February starring Shota Matsuda. Tomoyuki Takimoto is directing.

The dystopian story is set in a Japan where the government attempts to encourage productivity by randomly selecting citizens for death. Matsuda plays a young man employed to deliver "ikigami," messages informing their recipients that they only have 24 hours to live.

Takashi Tsukamoto appears as a former musician whose friend receives an ikigami. Takayuki Yamada plays another young man chosen for death, while Riko Narumi plays his blind sister. Other cast members include Jun Fubuki, Akira Emoto, Hitori Gekidan, and Takashi Sasano.

The movie finished shooting last month and is set for release in September.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:32 PM

Yu Yamada, Shun Oguri dating?
Wed, May 7, 2008 (12:00am EDT)

Model and actress Yu Yamada is the latest celebrity rumored to be in a relationship with popular actor Shun Oguri. According to the scoop by the Sports Nippon newspaper, the pair started dating just a couple months ago after co-starring in the NTV drama series "Binbou Danshi."

Oguri was previously dating model Miho Tanaka, while Yamada was linked to actor Hideaki Ito. Both couples reportedly broke up around last summer. Oguri was later rumored to be in a relationship with Yu Kashii, but it was proven false after Kashii announced her engagement to Joe Odagiri in December.

Oguri and Yamada worked together in late 2007 for the Japanese dub of the computer-animated film "Surf's Up." But it wasn't until they played romantic interests in last season's "Binbou Danshi" that a real romance started. They apparently began dating in mid-March after filming ended. People close to the two say that it is a serious relationship.

The rumor has not yet been confirmed or denied by either side.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:42 PM

Up-and-coming American enka singer Jero (26) has his first TV commercial contract. From May 21 he will appear in commercials for Kirin's Fire Cafe Zero canned coffee. The singer made his debut in February and will release a cover album of enka classics in June.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:43 PM

In his trial for robbery and assault, former idol singer Goto Yuuki (21) pleaded guilty yesterday to most charges. The younger brother of former Morning Musume member Goto Maki (22), he and members of his teenage gang were arrested last year for stealing materials from a construction site and assaulting a security guard. At the second hearing at the Tokyo District Court, he admitted to several cases of theft but said that another member of the group was responsible for the assault.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:49 PM

Yamaguchi Tatsuya (36) is a father. Less than two months after getting married, the member of Johnny's Jimusho idol group Tokio had the day off on Tuesday and was at the hospital when his wife gave birth to a baby boy a few weeks earlier than expected. Yamaguchi announced his marriage to the former model at a concert in early March.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 12-5-2008 05:50 PM

[J-ENT] Becky fends of questions in regards to marriage

Japantoday.com reported, 揚opular celebrity Becky, 24, on Wednesday fended off questions about when she might get married by saying she is in no hurry. 揑抎 like to get married in my 30s. But you know, last week, I dreamed that several men proposed to me. It was very difficult to refuse them. However, I抦 trying not to fall in love, because I抦 really enjoying my life now.

whitedove · Post time 13-5-2008 05:38 PM

Nagasaku to star in play by "Funuke Domo" author
Thu, May 8, 2008 (12:56am EDT)

Actress Hiromi Nagasaku will star in a new play by the young dramatist Yukiko Motoya. Motoya is perhaps best known for writing the original work behind last year's award-winning movie "Funuke Domo, Kanashimi no Ai wo Misero," which also earned Nagasaku multiple prizes for Best Supporting Actress.

In Motoya's currently untitled opus, Nagasaku portrays a woman teaching piano lessons on the second floor of a newspaper distribution office. No concrete plot details are known yet, but like Motoya's previous works, it promises a cast of unusual characters. Participating in it are Koen Kondo, Aki Maeda, Nahoko Yoshimoto, Yuriko Hirooka, and Zen Kajihara.

Performances will be held at Shibuya's PARCO Theater from October 21 to November 9, followed by shows in Osaka on November 21-22.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 13-5-2008 05:47 PM

Inohara starring in play by Europe Kikaku troupe
Thu, May 8, 2008 (12:58am EDT)

Yoshihiko Inohara (of V6) is teaming up with young acting troupe Europe Kikaku as he stars in a play titled "Showajima Walker." As a fan of the troupe, Inohara has been visiting some of the Kyoto-based group's practices and performances since a year ago. As a result, he was invited by the troupe's chairman, Makoto Ueda, to star in one of their productions.

Ueda is hailed by some as "the next Kankuro Kudo." One of his better known works is "Summer Time Machine Blues," which was turned into a movie in 2005.

"Showajima Walker" is a comedy set in the near future. Inohara plays the president of a struggling robot factory, who inherited the company after his father mysteriously committed suicide. Unlike his father, his efforts always end in failure, but he aims to revive the company with a newly designed robot.

The play also features Kotomi Kyono and Marika Matsumoto. It will run at The Globe Tokyo between November 2 and 23, and at the Theater Drama City in Osaka from November 27 to 30.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 13-5-2008 05:48 PM

"Furuhata Ninzaburo" special given a broadcast date
Thu, May 8, 2008 (2:29am EDT)

The "Furuhata Chugakusei" drama special announced last month has been given a broadcast date by Fuji TV. It will air at 7:00pm on June 14.

Based on the popular detective drama "Furuhata Ninzaburo," this special depicts the life of Furuhata (originally played by Masakazu Tamura) as a junior high schooler. The episode stars Ryosuke Yamada as the young sleuth, joined by a supporting cast of Yuriko Ishida (as his mother), Taizo Harada (as a teacher), and Kazuyuki Asano. The female lead will be played by Mayuko Fukuda.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 13-5-2008 05:52 PM

Monpachi to release best album
Thu, May 8, 2008 (2:37am EDT)

Popular rock band MONGOL800 (also known as "Monpachi") is celebrating its 10th anniversary with a best hits album, titled "etc works." The collection features not only their own songs, but also collaborations with other artists (such as RYUKYUDISKO and RIP SLYME) and covers they performed for the tribute albums of Unicorn and Husking Bee.

"etc works" hits stores on July 8.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 13-5-2008 05:53 PM

Kurumi Enomoto does theme for "Yesterdays"
Thu, May 8, 2008 (10:24am EDT)

Singer Kurumi Enomoto has been appointed to do the theme song of Takashi Kubota's movie "Yesterdays," which stars Takashi Tsukamoto. The tune, titled "Yesterdays ~Taisetsu na Okurimono~," is Enomoto's first movie tie-in. The song's music video will also feature scenes from the film.

Enomoto has announced that she will do her first solo show at the Ebisu Liquid Room on July 14. The music video for "Yesterdays" will get its first public presentation there, while the single is scheduled for release in October. The film is expected to open in theaters in November.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 13-5-2008 05:57 PM

Oguri acknowledges relationship on live radio
Thu, May 8, 2008 (2:09am EDT)

On Wednesday night, Shun Oguri openly admitted during his live radio show on "All Night Nippon" that he is currently dating Yu Yamada. News of their relationship had surfaced just one day earlier.

While most popular young celebrities generally refrain from acknowledging their romances, Oguri proudly declared Yamada to be his "very precious girlfriend." He even mentioned that he was so excited to appear on the front page of a newspaper that he picked up ten copies.

Yamada's agency has also acknowledged that the two are seeing each other, and Yamada herself reportedly confirmed it as well. Oguri's management, on the other hand, opted not to comment.

Source: www.tokyograph.com