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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
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Comedian Shitara gets into Hanks' character in 'Space Buddies' dubbing
Wednesday 14th July, 04:36 AM JST
TOKYO —
Osamu Shitara, a member of the popular comedy duo Bananaman, recently talked about the excitement he felt when he did a voice-over for Disney’s animated film ‘‘Space Buddies,’’ saying he got into the character of Hollywood star Tom Hanks.
‘‘I felt I am a Tom Hanks. I was doing the voice-over always thinking Tom would act like this or that,’’ Shitara said referring to the actor who starred in ‘‘Apollo 13’’ even though his role was a dog called Spudnick in DVDs of the movie to go on sale Aug 4.
Yuki Himura, Shitara’s companion, also appeared delighted that he had a chance to dub a human, or astronaut Yuri, who has the dog at a space station. ‘‘I had only done voices-over for a monster, a manatee or something like that.’‘
‘‘I got more tired than ever,’’ Himura said recalling his performance as the eccentric astronaut in the movie, which features a space voyage of five golden retrievers who end up in a spaceship before being launched from Earth with a remote control.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Former Morning Musume singer Hitomi Yoshizawa to run in Sydney Marathon
Wednesday 14th July, 06:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Morning Musume band member and actress Hitomi Yoshizawa will participate in the Sydney Marathon on Sept 19, she said this week. Yoshizawa made the announcement at an event promoting Audio Technica’s sports headphones, Player’s Line.
It won’t be Yoshizawa’s first appearance in a marathon; she took part in the Vancouver half marathon in April. She finished that race in 2 hours and 36 minutes.
“I’m debating whether I will do the full or half marathon in Sydney,” Yoshizawa said. “I want to shave about 7 minutes off my half marathon time. Whatever I do, I want to finish with a smile.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Reni Mimura multiple performance events in July
July 9, 2010 by J!-ENT
New York, NY –July 9, 2010– Aspire Communications, Inc. is pleased to announce multiple performance events of Reni Mimura, a Japanese Cosplay Singer in NY, in July.
What: Japan Town (Cool Japan Street Festval)
When: 7/17 11AM – 6PM
Where: East Village, NYC
4th Avenue between 8th & 10th Street
http://www.nyjapantown.org/
Charge: Free
Note: Cosplay Café “Moe Moe Honey” will be open!
What: Reni’s Japanese “Maid” Show
When: 7/18 4PM Show Starts at 4:10PM
Where: The Living Room
154 Ludlow Street (Lower East, NYC) between Stanton and Rivington
http://www.livingroomny.com/
Charge: $12 at Door / $10 Advance Reservation (ALL AGE)
Note: Reni’s signature monthly event. Join a Moe movement in NYC.
Reni sings and dances her original tunes in Moe Style with a program,
“Everyone is a star time” which includes a lots of interactive and
Communication games.
What: Japan Block Fair
When: 7/25 11AM – 6PM
Where: Broadway between Steinway & 47th Street, Astoria, NY
http://www.livingroomny.com <http://www.livingroomny.com/> /
Charge: Free
Note: Cosplay Café “Moe Moe Honey” will be open!
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT |
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Koki Tanaka's cousin enters modeling
Fri, July 9, 2010 (8:46am EDT)
[[Airi Tsukamoto], a cousin of KAT-TUN's Koki Tanaka (24), officially made her debut as a fashion model this month. She appeared in the new issue of the magazine Edge Style, which went on sale on Wednesday.
Tsukamoto is described as a "small-faced beauty" who stands at 168cm tall, with legs that she is proud of. She previously had a job at a brand shop but was scouted in Shibuya to become a model. It was later learned that she is Tanaka's cousin.
The magazine's editor-in-chief has high hopes for her. It appears that the publication may spread to Taiwan, China, and other parts of Asia, and the editor is already planning for Tsukamoto to be the magazine's face overseas.
Tsukamoto stated that she is aiming to be a distinctive model like Hinano Yoshikawa or Rinka. She also said that she wants to appear on television variety shows.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Tokyo Metro CM singer goes major
Fri, July 9, 2010 (11:28am EDT)
Yui Aragaki (22) has been the face of Tokyo Metro for the last few months, but her commercial has been attracting ears as much as eyes. Ever since the advertisement began airing in April, Tokyo Metro has been receiving many questions about the song used in it, whose title and singer were not publicly revealed. Now, the singer's identity has been officially announced: 26-year-old Yu Takahashi, who is already set to make his major label debut.
Creative director Michihiko Yanai (46) discovered Takahashi's singing last year. He instantly decided to become Takahashi's producer, though he had never produced a musician before. Although Tokyo Metro has worked with several major artists before, those who heard Takahashi's song "Fukuwarai" unanimously decided that it fit the commercial perfectly.
Recalling his selection, Takahashi said he was extremely happy and honored that his song was used. However, he was also so stunned that he initially felt like it was all an elaborate prank, since the commercial was scheduled to start on April 1 (April Fool's Day).
Takahashi's debut single, "Subarashiki Nichijou," will be released by Warner Music on July 21.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Onyanko Club's Kokusho, Nitta plan new unit
Sat, July 10, 2010 (12:39am EDT)
 
Sayuri Kokusho (43) and Eri Nitta (42) made a surprise appearance at a club in Yurakucho on Friday night. The two took the stage to perform a duet together, and they also announced their intention to form a new group.
Kokusho and Nitta were both original members of the idol group Onyanko Club during the mid-'80s. They were considered two of the top members, though at the time there seemed to be discord between them as fans (and even other group members) were divided into a "Kokusho group" and a "Nitta group." However, when 11 of the Onyanko Club members got together this past January for a coffee commercial, Kokusho and Nitta apparently resolved their differences, roughly 25 years after their time together in Onyanko Club. Reporters asked Nitta why their relationship had been so bad before, but Nitta clarified, "It wasn't bad. It just wasn't good."
Finally on good terms, the two performed a duet of the Onyanko Club classic "Sailor Fuku wo Nugasanaide" at the club on Friday, in front of a surprised but enthusiastic crowd. Kokusho and Nitta then revealed that they are planning to create a new group together. Nitta said that they want to launch it around this fall and are looking for members. However, details such as the group's name or the intended record label are still unknown.
Kokusho acknowledged that they are riding the wave of AKB48's popularity, but reminded everyone that Onyanko Club pioneered the large idol group formula. In fact, AKB48 producer Yasushi Akimoto (54) was one of the producers involved with Onyanko Club. (He also married member Mamiko Takai in 1988.)
Kokusho's boyfriend, consulting company president Eiji Koda (36), was also present on Friday. Kokusho has previously denied talk of the two getting married this year. However, at the event, Koda openly declared that he is ready for marriage anytime, but he has tentatively decided on Valentine's Day 2011 for their wedding date.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Osaka-based NMB48 to launch this fall
Sat, July 10, 2010 (12:18pm EDT)
AKB48 and SKE48 are soon going to get a new sister group. NMB48, named after the Namba area of Osaka, is going to officially launch this fall. The news was announced during an AKB48 concert on Saturday at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium.
NMB48 already has an official website and is currently gathering girls for an audition that will start this summer. The group is expected to start activities in November.
UPDATE: AKB48 also announced that they will perform in Italy this October, followed by performances in Singapore and Macau in November.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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AKB48's Erena Ono to graduate
Sun, July 11, 2010 (9:15am EDT)
At AKB48's concert at the Yoyogi National Gymnasium on Sunday, it was announced that Team K member Erena Ono (16) is graduating this summer, though the exact timing has not yet been announced. She will be taking a break from the entertainment industry while she goes overseas to study acting.
Ono has already appeared in a few movies and television dramas. She recently played a main role in Keisuke Yoshida's movie "Sankaku" (starring Sousuke Takaoka). Through that role, she apparently recognized her own inexperience, and she made the decision to seriously study to improve her ability.
It was also announced at the concert that AKB48's 19th single, scheduled for release this December, will have its roster decided by a "Janken Senbatsu." A tournament-like event will be held at the Nippon Budokan on September 21, and the top 16 will perform on the single. All 48 members of the group, plus 4 kenkyuusei, are eligible for the tournament, regardless of their popularity.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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May'n sings for "The Incite Mill"
Mon, July 12, 2010 (6:38pm EDT)
Singer May'n (20) has been chosen to sing the theme song for the upcoming thriller "The Incite Mill." The tune is a rock number called "Shinjite Miru," a play on the movie's title (which is written in Japanese as "Inshite Miru"). This is her first movie theme song since changing her stage name from Mei Nakabayashi (her real name) to May'n.
"The Incite Mill," first announced in January, is a major movie project organized by talent agency Horipro. The film, which tells the story of a group of 10 people trapped and forced to participate in a "death game," is directed by horror filmmaker Hideo Nakata. It features several of Horipro's top stars, including Tatsuya Fujiwara (28), Haruka Ayase (25), and Satomi Ishihara (23).
  
May'n herself has also been part of Horipro ever since she won the music competition in the 2003 Horipro Talent Scout Caravan at the age of 13. Her big break came a couple years ago when she was selected as the singing voice of the character Sheryl Nome in the popular anime series "Macross Frontier."
"The Incite Mill" opens in theaters on October 16.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Fuyumi Sakamoto album breaks enka sales barrier
Mon, July 12, 2010 (7:48pm EDT)
Enka singer Fuyumi Sakamoto's album "Love Songs ~Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru~" reached a major milestone this week. Since its release in October 2009, the album has sold a total of 202,000 copies. This makes Sakamoto the first female enka singer to have an album reach 200,000 in sales since Teresa Teng accomplished it in 1989.
Although there have been hit singles in the enka and kayokyoku genres in recent years, it is difficult for full albums to sell strongly, even when they include a popular song. In Sakamoto's case, her single "Mata Kimi ni Koishiteru" did significantly boost her album sales. Released in January 2009, the song initially charted outside the top ten. However, after Sakamoto's appearance at last year's Kohaku Uta Gassen and the song's increased usage on television, the single climbed to #3 on the weekly charts in April 2010. Along with it, the album, which initially ranked #75 in its first week last October, entered the top ten in April and peaked at #3 in May.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Spitz, Stereopony cancel concerts
Tue, July 13, 2010 (10:48am EDT)
 
In separate announcements, both Spitz and Stereopony announced that they have canceled concerts for health-related reasons.
Spitz was scheduled to play in Osaka on July 13 and 14 as part of their current tour, but vocalist Masamune Kusano (42) is suffering from throat inflammation. Both shows have been canceled, and the band will make an announcement on July 15 about rescheduling the shows.
Meanwhile, Stereopony has canceled all five shows of its upcoming tour, which was scheduled to start on July 26. Drummer SHIHO reportedly has tenosynovitis, a type of inflammation around a tendon. The band plans to make an announcement on July 23 regarding the tour. It has not yet been formally announced whether Stereopony will also be absent from the GIRL POP FACTORY showcase on August 1.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: "Sunao ni Narenakute" takes top drama
Tue, July 13, 2010 (10:22am EDT)
The 14th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix has begun. The newspaper announced the results of its spring season rankings, which brought in 15,814 votes between June 29 and July 8.
The title of Best Drama went to "Sunao ni Narenakute," receiving close to 5,600 votes. However, the biggest winner was Jejung, who took the Best Supporting Actor category with more than 7,000 votes. The closest race was for Best Supporting Actress, in which 6-year-old Mana Ashida won by only three votes.
Best Drama:
Sunao ni Narenakute - 5578
Kaibutsu-kun - 3297
IRIS - 1320
Mother - 1220
Tsuki no Koibito - 624
Best Actor:
Satoshi Ohno (Kaibutsu-kun) - 3824
Eita (Sunao ni Narenakute) - 3197
Lee Byung Hun (IRIS) - 2112
Masaharu Fukuyama (Ryomaden) - 1696
Hiroshi Abe (Shinzanmono) - 1043
Best Actress:
Yasuko Matsuyuki (Mother) - 4303
Juri Ueno (Sunao ni Narenakute) - 3829
Kim Tae Hee (IRIS) - 2395
Nao Matsushita (Gegege no Nyoubou) - 1461
Aya Ueto (Zettai Reido) - 1171
Best Supporting Actor:
Jejung (Sunao ni Narenakute) - 7018
Masahiro Matsuoka (Kaibutsu-kun) - 1739
Teruyuki Kagawa (Ryomaden) - 783
Osamu Mukai (Gegege no Nyoubou) - 727
Shota Matsuda (Tsuki no Koibito) - 665
Best Supporting Actress:
Mana Ashida (Mother) - 2234
Izumi Inamori (Kaibutsu-kun) - 2231
Megumi Seki (Sunao ni Narenakute) - 2069
Kim So Yeon (IRIS) - 1804
Ryoko Shinohara (Tsuki no Koibito) - 1464
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Yuka Masuda stars in horror film
Tue, July 13, 2010 (12:34pm EDT)
AKB48's Yuka Masuda (18) has taken on her first starring movie role in the horror picture "Hitori Kakurenbo: Shin Gekijoban." On Tuesday, a press conference was held to announce the completion of the film, which begins a limited theater run on July 31.
The "Hitori Kakurenbo" story was first turned into a theatrical film last year, starring Yukie Kawamura (24). In this new version, Masuda plays high school student Shiori, who hears at school that someone has played a game of "hitori kakurenbo," a variant of "hide and seek" that involves invoking a supernatural curse against someone. Shiori discovers a post on an old online message board that mentions killing with a curse, and soon she finds herself in troubling circumstances.
The movie's cast includes Mira Takiguchi (21), Mika Kasahara (19), and Keisuke Soma (23). Masafumi Yamada, who directed the first film, again headed the project.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Akina Nakamori celebrates second pachinko machine
Thursday 15th July, 03:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Singer Akina Nakamori, 45, has lent her name and image to the pachinko world for a second time. The “CR Nakamori Akina - Utahime Densetsu~Koi mo Nidome nara~” machine, manufactured by maker Daiichi, was announced at a press conference in Tokyo on Tuesday, with the singer herself appearing in a chic black dress and a wide smile to celebrate her second machine in four years.
“There’s loads of photos of me included from when I hit the big time,” the singer teased, “and I think players will have a great time with the game.”
A total of 13 live scenes of Nakamori crooning classics along with her new single “Crazy Love,” produced especially for the release, are available in the game, along with a cutesy cartoon version of the singer called “Chibi-Na.”
Around 200 members of the singer’s fan club were invited to the press conference, heartily wishing Nakamori the best on her birthday, which was on Tuesday.
A special “Utahime Densetsu Campaign” promotion was also announced, giving players the chance to win 10 million yen worth of prizes related to “Chibi-Na” (including a small car) between Aug 20 and Oct 31.
The pachinko machines are set to be released nationwide in September.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Watabane Ken is Japan's Hollywood Treasure
July 15, 2010
Leonardo Dicaprio reckons that his "Inception" co-star Watanabe Ken should be made a national treasure in his homeland. The words of praise were among many thrown around as the latest Christopher Nolan-directed blockbuster premiered yesterday in Los Angeles. Dicaprio (35, photo right) and Watanabe (50, photo center) do not play friends in the dreams-meet-reality world of the science fiction movie, but off-screen the camaraderie between them, Nolan and the other cast members was clear to see. Leo said of his Japanese co-star, "He's an unbelievably talented actor. He should be a national treasure in Japan." Also at the Grauman's Chinese Theater in Hollywood was Watanabe's wife, actress Minami Kaho (46), and international cast members including Canadian actress Ellen Page (photo center), French actress Marion Cotillard, and Irishman Cillian Murphy. The movie's soundtrack was written by Hans Zimmer, who gave a dramatic 25-minute performance of music from the film with musicians including guitarist Johnny Marr. The movie is scheduled to open in Japanese theaters on July 23, though Watanabe will be back home to greet audiences at previews this weekend.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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Post Last Edit by whitedove at 16-7-2010 19:17
Apologies for a Public Kiss
  
Actress Kitano Kii (19) has apologized on her blog for the recently published magazine story about her hotel stay with actor Sano Kazuma (21). She wrote, "I apologize sincerely for doing such a frivolous thing." She added that she was sorry for "surprising and hurting" her fans and that she would focus seriously on her work from now on. The two were photographed kissing on the street and going to a hotel in Tokyo.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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Norwegian Wood to Use Beatles Original
July 14, 2010
In a marketing coup, producers of the movie adaptation of Murakami Haruki's "Noruwei no Mori" have obtained permission to use the Beatles song from which it takes its name as its closing theme. It is just the second Japanese production to have been granted the honor (the other was Shinoda Masahiro's "Akuryoto" in 1981), and only the fourth in all. The decision is said to have come after extended negotiations with Apple Records and Sony Music. It is the first time for Murakami's legendary 1987 novel to be filmed. It has sold over 10 million copies in Japan alone and has been translated into 36 languages.
The story follows businessman Watanabe Toru's nostalgic recollections of the late 60s, memories revived when he hears the Beatles' song "Norwegian Wood" while on a flight to Germany. It stars the highly regarded young actors Matsuyama Kenichi (24) and Oscar nominee Kikuchi Rinko (28). Jonny Greenwood of the British rock band Radiohead, who won a Grammy for his soundtrack to the Oscar-winning "There Will Be Blood," has written the music. With Vietnamese-born French director Tran Anh Hung at the helm, filming took place early last year and the movie is due to be released in Japan on December 11.
Murakami is famously protective of his work and has previously only allowed one to be put on celluloid, a 2004 movie version of the short story "Tony Takitani."
Tamaru Misuzu to Step Down at TBS
Newsreader Tamaru Misuzu (58, photo right) is to step down as presenter of the TBS show "Joho Tokushu." The network has decided to overhaul the show and reached an agreement with Tamaru, who has been caring for her sick mother for several years. She has been the face of the show for 16 years, but from the end of September she will be replaced by TBS America general bureau director Kanehira Shigenori (56).
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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Producer Oshima Eiko Dies at 73
Movie producer Oshima Eiko, sister of influential director Oshima Nagisa (78), died of lung cancer at a Tokyo hospital on July 8, it was reported today. She was 73. Eiko was a producer of several of her brother's movies, including "Natsu no Imoto" (Dear Summer Sister, 1972) and "Gohatto" (Taboo, 1999). She also worked with him as an actress, appearing in "Shiiku" (The Catch, 1961).
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
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“X Perience” X JAPAN’s U.S. Debut Concert at Lollapalooza with the Exclusive X Perience Fan Package!
July 14, 2010 by J!-ENT
JrockRevolution.com presents a new webpage dedicated to X JAPAN’s performance at Lollapalooza, and an exclusive fan package.
Los Angeles, CA and Chicago, IL (July 13, 2010) – “The X Perience” is JrockRevolution.com’s official campaign to unite the Japanese rock world to support X JAPAN’s U.S. debut appearance at Lollapalooza. Fans can now gear up towards this historic appearance on August, 8th 2010 with the essential X Perience Fan Package presented by JrockRevolution.com. The special memorabilia is an authorized package including exclusive merchandise such as the X Perience T shirt, thunder sticks (represent by creating an “X” with these at the concert), wrist band, and other items that may yet be announced. This package will only be available through the X Perience microsite on JrockRevolution.com and will be available for purchase soon.
Please visit www.jrockrevolution.com/theXPerience for more information.
X JAPAN fans now have a central hub to connect with other fans from around the world, with the launch of the X Perience microsite on JrockRevolution.com. The site is dedicated to all news and events surrounding X JAPAN’s monumental performance at Lollapalooza and features a fully interactive forum for fans to communicate amongst one another to share stories about the legendary band, and can discuss meeting up with other fans at the festival. Fans may also purchase the X Perience Fan Package on this site and browse through the gallery of past X JAPAN events. Other features of the site include the comment box for fans to instantly express their support for X JAPAN, connections to all X Perience social networking sites, and a link to ITC Travel n’ Tours for travel and hotel accommodations.
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT |
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![[MBC/Netflix 2024] DOUBT - Han Suk Kyu, Chae Won Bin, Han Ye Ri ~ 11 October 2024](https://uf.cari.com.my/forumx/mforum/block/f0/f06011dc76c706b67eb2cb605c116387.jpg)
