|
|
Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part IV]
[Copy link]
|
|
|
A.B.C-Z, Kis-My-Ft2 team up for "Shonentachi" musical
Tue, August 3, 2010 (7:38pm EDT)
 
Johnny's Jr. units A.B.C-Z and Kis-My-Ft2 will jointly star in the musical "Shonentachi:
Koushi Naki Rougoku," it has been announced. This will be the first time that the
"Shonentachi" musical is performed since 1993.
"Shonentachi," written and directed by Johnny's Jimusho president Johnny Kitagawa, is a
story about a group of young men at a reform school. It was first performed by the
four-member group Johnny's (the first boy band represented by Johnny's Jimusho) in
1965, and it was later remade starring SMAP in 1993. This time, the five members of
A.B.C-Z and the seven members of Kis-My-Ft2 will be playing the main characters.
"Shonentachi" will be performed at Tokyo's Nissay Theatre from September 3 to
September 26.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miki Nakatani stars in "Hankyu Densha" movie
Tue, August 3, 2010 (8:01pm EDT)
 
Miki Nakatani (34) will once again be playing an unfortunate woman in her next major
movie role. She has been cast as the star of "Hankyu Densha," a movie adaptation of
the novel of the same name by Hiro Arikawa ("Toshokan Sensou"). Erika Toda (21) has
also been cast.
"Hankyu Densha" tells the story of various people with their own troubles, whose
encounters with other people while riding the train lead them to take life-changing
steps. The central setting of the film is the local Imazu Line of the Hankyu Railway,
which runs in the Hyogo prefecture connecting the cities of Nishinomiya and
Takarazuka.
Although the film follows several characters, Nakatani's character will be at the center
of the story. She plays an OL in her 30s who was engaged to her boyfriend when she
entered her company, but he was stolen away by a younger co-worker. Meanwhile,
Toda plays a college student with a good-for-nothing boyfriend. Other characters
include a housewife who has trouble making friends and a high school student who is
worried about her course in life. It is said that some of the Takarazuka stars may make
cameo appearances.
Nakatani previously played the "unfortunate character" in movies such as "Memories of
Matsuko" and "Jigyaku no Uta."
"Hankyu Densha" is scheduled to start filming this December. Theatrical release is
planned for early summer 2011.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
SMAP to invite 50 fans backstage
Wed, August 4, 2010 (8:09am EDT)
On September 15, SMAP will begin a series of concerts at the Tokyo Dome, part of a
larger nationwide dome tour. With this tour, their total concert attendance over the
years is expected to surpass 10 million, so the group is planning a special bonus for that
first Tokyo Dome concert.
Via a lottery system, SMAP will select 50 lucky fans to be backstage at the concert. In
addition, they will have the opportunity to meet the members before the show. SMAP's
record label, Victor Entertainment, has also agreed to cover transportation, lodging, and
the ticket cost for the chosen fans.
The project was revealed on Wednesday, the same day that SMAP's new single "This is
love" went on sale. The limited edition of the single comes with a serial number that will
be entered into the lottery, and the chosen numbers will be announced on the August
16 broadcast of "SMAP x SMAP." Victor Entertainment has launched a special website
for the promotion.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Arashi's new album sells 275,000 copies on first day
Wed, August 4, 2010 (8:30am EDT)
Boy band Arashi released a new album on Wednesday, titled "Boku no Miteiru Fuukei." In
its first day of sales, fans bought 275,000 copies, setting a new personal record for the
group. Last year, their "All the BEST! 1999-2009" collection set their previous record
with 261,000 copies in its first day. That album went on to sell 753,000 copies within
the first week, so many are hoping to see "Boku no Miteiru Fuukei" break that record as
well.
Arashi's last original album was "Dream A live" in 2008. Since then, they have released
several hit singles, including "Monster" and "Troublemaker," which both sold more than
half a million copies in their first weeks.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
NHK announces 2012 taiga drama: "Taira no Kiyomori"
Wed, August 4, 2010 (8:53am EDT)
NHK has decided on the subject of its 2012 taiga drama. The broadcaster announced on
Wednesday that the series will be titled "Taira no Kiyomori," based on the historical
figure of the same name.
Taira no Kiyomori was a general during the 12th century who led the Taira clan to
power, especially after defeating the Minamoto clan in the Heiji Rebellion. He has often
been portrayed as a sort of villain, but the drama's chief producer stated that he wants
to get rid of that image. The script will be handled by Yuki Fujimoto, whose works
include the 2007-2008 morning drama "Chiritotechin."
The series will start in January 2012. The cast has not yet been decided.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tsunku considering enka girl group ENK48?
Wed, August 4, 2010 (9:21am EDT)
Producer Tsunku (41) attended an event on Wednesday for enka singers Karen (17) and
Akemi Misawa (65). During the event, he revealed that he is thinking of creating a
female enka group called ENK48 (read as "enka 48"), though it is not clear how serious
he is about the idea.
He stated that he would be fine with assembling a group of 48 female enka singers. In
contrast with the strict policies of idol group AKB48 (produced by Yasushi Akimoto),
Tsunku declared that his members would have the personal freedom to be in romantic
relationships. The group would likely be based in Shinbashi or Kinshicho (areas with large
amounts of salarymen), and Tsunku imagined the group performing in a corner of a soba
shop (as opposed to AKB48's theater located in a Don Quijote discount store).
Tsunku has been the mastermind behind Morning Musume and numerous other idol
projects. (Karen herself auditioned for Morning Musume but did not pass, and she is
currently part of Tsunku's NICE GIRL Project.) Tsunku also has experience creating
songs for many enka artists. Because of the current dominance of AKB48, he has
apparently been working on new strategies, and ENK48 is one of the ideas he arrived at.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Charts: Yamapi, Miliyah Kato
Wed, August 4, 2010 (9:45am EDT)
The #1 single this week was the latest solo release from NEWS member Tomohisa
Yamashita. Titled "One in a million," the song sold 161,000 copies. With this, all three of
his solo singles have charted at #1. Including his albums and singles with NEWS, plus his
collaborative singles, he now has 20 consecutive works at the top of the charts.
Almost all of the other top ten singles were new releases, starting with Yusuke at #2,
Namie Amuro at #3, and Gackt at #4. A collaboration of Miki Imai, Kentaro Kobuchi,
Tomoyasu Hotei, and Shunsuke Kuroda was #5. The bottom half of the list included
S/mileage, WaT, Sphere, and access.
On the album charts, Miliyah Kato earned #1 with "HEAVEN," selling 151,000 copies. This
is her second album to top the charts, though the first one was a best album.
A "Full Metal Alchemist" compilation took #2, followed in order by VAMPS and lecca.
Fujifabric charted at #7, while an "Angel Beats!" soundtrack was #9. Rounding out the
list was Maki Goto, who has not appeared in the top ten since releasing a best album
nearly five years ago.
On the DVD charts, B'z took #1 with 93,000 copies of their latest concert DVD. They
now have seven consecutive releases at the top of the overall DVD charts, tying them
for the current record with KinKi Kids.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Modern Conya's Maki Nagayama marries
Wed, August 4, 2010 (7:00pm EDT)
Singer-songwriter Maki Nagayama, who also serves as a vocalist for the band Modern
Conya, announced on her blog that she has married and is already pregnant.
Nagayama did not say when the marriage happened or when her child is due, but it is
known that she is in the stable period of her pregnancy. She stated that she does not
currently have plans for a wedding reception.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Minako Komukai puts on bondage show
Friday 06th August, 05:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Exotic dancer Minako Komukai, 25, performed a bondage show at an event this week to promote the upcoming film “Hana to Hebi 3.”
Wearing a long, white silk robe, Komukai was twisted into the air, the cut of the ropes emphasizing her F-cup figure. At the end of the performance, much to the delight of the 1,000 men in the audience, Komukai was drenched in water causing her kimono to go transparent.
After it was all over, she said: “Having this done to me felt great—in a lot of different ways.” While Komukai works as a stripper, she said bondage has a completely different feeling of “tension” to it.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Actresses Prang Cars in Tokyo
August 06, 2010
A couple of actresses were involved in minor traffic accidents recently, according to stories on the Sankei Shimbun website. Police at the Akasaka station in central Tokyo say that Enami Kyoko (67) failed to check her rear view mirror before pulling onto Route 246 in Minami Aoyama on the evening of August 2. She hit a car driven by a 33-year-old Yokohama man that was coming from behind her. Neither driver suffered any injuries.
Meanwhile, Hasegawa Kyoko (32) was stopped in the parking lot of the Samezu driving test center in Tokyo on August 3 when her car was hit by a vehicle driven by a middle-aged woman. Again, neither driver suffered any injuries.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
New Addition to Musical Family
Musicians Wakadanna (34) and Minmi (35) became the proud parents of a second baby boy in New York yesterday. Minmi gave birth to their first son in November 2007 and she and Wakadanna, a member of the reggae unit Shonan no Kaze, got married on the same day.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Young Stars Bring Their Dads Along
August 06, 2010
Some young stars in Tokyo this week, with their high profile dads in tow. Hollywood big shot Will Smith (41) was in town with the whole family, though it was actually his son Jaden (12) who was working. He and co-star Jackie Chan are promoting their remake of "The Karate Kid" and attended the Japan premiere at the Roppongi Hills complex in central Tokyo last night. At the Roppongi Hills Arena, they appeared on stage for about 2,000 fans. The movie will be released here, like the 1984 original, with the title "Best Kid" on August 14.
Also appearing for fans yesterday was Stevie Wonder (60), and he too brought his son along. He is celebrating his 50th year in the music business, while son Mumtaz (25) is a highly regarded R&B/hip-hop artist/producer/singer. Stevie is scheduled to perform at the Summer Sonic music festival this weekend, and is also promoting his new album "Love, Harmony & Eternity," which went on sale here on Wednesday.
Source: www.japan-zone.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
"K-On!!" songs dominate daily download charts
Thu, August 5, 2010 (9:23am EDT)
The popular anime series "K-On!!" had its new opening and ending theme songs released as singles this week. Respectively titled "Utauyo!! MIRACLE" and "NO, Thank You!," the two songs were also released as chaku-uta downloads, and Recochoku's daily ranking for August 4 (announced on August 5) shows that they have taken the #1 and #2 spots.
This is the first time ever that an anime character band has held the top 2 spots on Recochoku's daily "chaku-uta full" ranking. In addition, "K-On!!"-related downloads took the top 4 spots on the "chakushin voice" (voice ringtone) ranking and the top 3 spots on the "kisekae" (visual theme) ranking.
Currently, the two theme songs are also #1 and #2 on the daily charts of the iTunes Store.
The actual CD releases are also doing well, each selling about 55,000 copies in its first two days. They are currently ranked #2 and #3 behind SMAP's latest single.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miho Kanno seeks revenge in Fuji TV drama
Thu, August 5, 2010 (7:47pm EDT)
Miho Kanno (32) is set to star in a new drama series this fall on Fuji TV. The currently untitled show will have Kanno playing her first "wicked woman" role since "Koi no Kiseki" in 1999. It is being described as a mystery with some element of romance, and Hiroshi Tamaki (30) has been cast as the male lead.
Kanno plays the part of Meiko Nogami, a woman with a beautiful and kind heart. But 13 years ago, when she was 19 years old, her older sister's husband and son were killed, and Meiko was falsely charged with the crime. She is released from prison 12 years later, and she resumes life as a pet groomer, but inside she is burning for revenge. As she searches out the truth behind the original murders, she leads the men around her to their destruction and death.
  
Tamaki is taking on the role of a police detective who becomes attracted to Meiko even as he is investigating her as a suspect. Michiko Kichise (35) plays another detective who is Tamaki's ex-girlfriend, and Toshiaki Karasawa (47) plays a writer who originally reported on the murders. Kensei Mikami (26) and Kotaro Yoshida (51) have also been cast.
The series will premiere on October 12 in Fuji TV's Tuesday 10:00pm time slot.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Top Avex artists sing first a-nation theme song
Thu, August 5, 2010 (8:11pm EDT)
Avex's annual outdoor music festival a-nation will have its first official theme song this year, sung by 11 of the label's top acts. The song, titled "THX A LOT," was written by producer Tetsuya Komuro (51).
         http://api.ning.com/files/lRZ-XW ... 4J6S3KAXqLDubKu5fKN*aOkYvQYxDoEEubghmzKI3/gnd001_s_www_barks_jp1.jpg 
Held every year since 2002, a-nation is a nationwide outdoor concert tour featuring Avex artists. This year, the participants include Ayumi Hamasaki, TRF, hitomi, Every Little Thing, Do As Infinity, Kumi Koda, Ai Otsuka, Ami Suzuki, AAA, GIRL NEXT DOOR, and ICONIQ. (A complete list can be found on the a-nation website.) Those 11 artists will unite under the name "a-nation's party" to sing the "THX A LOT" theme song.
Although "THX A LOT" will be heard at each of the six concerts (starting with Ehime on August 7), the song will be performed live by all of the artists only at the Tokyo concerts on August 28-29. It will be available as a chaku-uta download starting on August 7, and it is planned for inclusion on Komuro's solo album this fall.
In other Avex-related news, it has been learned that Komuro's group globe will be restarting activities. August 9 marks the group's 15th anniversary, and they will commemorate it with a special release on September 29.
Meanwhile, Kumi Koda has been chosen to sing the new theme song for the "Crayon Shin-chan" anime series. Starting with Friday's episode, her song "Hey baby!" will be heard during the show's opening sequence. No release date for the song has been announced yet.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Yu Aoi, Nao Omori dating
Thu, August 5, 2010 (9:48am EDT)
 
Multiple news outlets are reporting today that actress Yu Aoi (24) and actor Nao Omori (38) are in a relationship. Since January, rumors have been circulating after the two were seen on a date at an oden restaurant, and photos of them on a group date were published in Nikkan Sports in late July.
Omori and Aoi have acted together before in several works, including the 2005 drama series "Tiger & Dragon" and the 2007 movie "Mushishi." However, it appears that their relationship developed through working together on the current NHK taiga drama "Ryomaden.
The management agencies for both parties have neither confirmed nor denied the relationship, stating that they will leave it alone as it is a private matter.
Omori was in a long relationship with Yumi Yoshimura (35) of pop duo Puffy up until last fall. Just this past April, it was rumored that he had started dating actress Reina Asami (27). Aoi, on the other hand, was believed to be dating V6 member Junichi Okada (29) for a few years, but they are also said to have broken up last fall.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Jake Shimabukuro speaks to generations through the ukulele
By Dan Grunebaum
TOKYO —
With all the trendy bands that traipse through Tokyo, it’s rare to sit down with a certified instrumental virtuoso. But listening to Jake Shimabukuro whip off a rendition of “Bohemian Rhapsody” on his ukulele, it’s clear the Hawaiian-born Japanese-American is the real thing.
While bands often try to capture the zeitgeist of the moment and speak for the hopes and dreams of their generation, Shimabukuro’s motivation seems to be more about the notes themselves. “I love problem solving,” says the musician during a Tokyo stopover, hinting at the competitive spirit poised beneath his laid-back, aloha demeanor. “So trying to deal with the limitations of the ukulele is something I like. When I tackle a song that is very difficult or has a range that exceeds the ukulele—which is most songs—it allows me to think outside the box. I appreciate that because it makes each piece unique.”
Queen’s monumental rock-opera opus provided the perfect challenge. “There were a lot of problems with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody,’” he explains. “You have almost 100 vocal tracks, and everything from guitar to gong and timpani. It’s that David and Goliath thing: you’ve got this monstrous piece, and then you’ve got this tiny four-string instrument. I liked that idea of trying to scale the song down but keep the listener feeling like they can still hear it. The real challenge was what to leave out, because you have an ocean of notes happening but I can only take four. I listened to it over and over and honed in on different parts. It was great—a lot of sleepless nights, but well worth it.”
The worldwide evangelist for the ukulele—a Hawaiian adaptation of a Portuguese instrument known as a bagina—may now play for Queen Elizabeth and, in an upcoming tour, rapturous thousands at Tokyo’s prestigious Orchard Hall, but when Shimabukuro first parted ways with the simple Hawaiian ukulele traditions, his teachers had a different reaction. “There were a few people—some of my mentors—who said, ‘You should play the guitar’,” he recalls. “But my take was, ‘Well, it’s already been done on the guitar.’ I think in different styles of music like rock and pop, there is a place for the ukulele.”
Whether cause or effect, Shimabukuro is part of an ongoing ukulele boom. “Look at Train’s [2009] hit song ‘Hey, Soul Sister,’—it’s all ukulele,” he notes. “I think there is definitely a change. You now hear ukulele in the background of commercials. When I talk to music stores like Sam Ash, they say ukulele sales are skyrocketing and guitar sales are dropping. So it’s a good time to be a ukulele player.”
Shimabukuro’s upcoming Tokyo engagement will see him performing solo on an unaccompanied, unprocessed ukulele. For the “Jimi Hendrix of the Ukulele,” the return to basics was a process of self-discovery. “I went through the phase on my second and third albums when I did a lot of distortion and wah wah stuff, just rocking out,” he says. “But when those albums came out, people said, ‘So is this your new thing, collaborating with electric guitar players?’ It confused a lot of people, because they assumed it was electric guitar. So then I went back to the acoustic sound, because I felt like I was becoming an electronics person rather than an acoustic, organic instrumental person. One day I closed up the pedal case and put it in my closet, and haven’t taken it out since. It was like rediscovering the instrument again, and now that’s all I carry.”
Shimabukuro may not be the voice of a generation, but through the ukulele he does try to speak to his generation. “I really believe that the ukulele is the instrument of peace,” he states. “It makes people feel good, and I tell people if everyone played it, the world would be a better place. I want to show people that the ukulele is, first, a lot of fun and, second, affordable, and [encourage them] to just give one a try.
“People don’t have time to take piano lessons, and the benefits of learning an instrument and creating music is amazing. It’s such a great stress releaser to come home at the end of a day and strum a few chords. I tell people it’s an entire yoga session in three strums. It does something to the mind, body and spirit, and people need that now at a time when they are overwhelmed with life. The ukulele is the answer to bring us back to center.”
Jake Shimabukuro will perform at Bunkamura Orchard Hall, Shibuya, on Aug 28 at 6 p.m., and on Aug 29 at 3 p.m. Tickets are 6,500 yen.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Miki Nakatani once again plays loser in love
Saturday 07th August, 05:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Actress Miki Nakatani, 34, will once again revisit the role of an “unfortunate woman” in the upcoming movie “Hankyu Densha.” The movie is set on the Hankyu Imazu line that runs through Hyogo Prefecture, and casts Nakatani in the role of a woman who has her fiance stolen from her by a younger coworker.
Nakatani played a similar role of a woman who finds herself in a slump in the 2006 film “Kiraware Matsuko no Issho” and swept awards ceremonies for her performance that year.
Filming for the movie, which is set to open next summer, will begin in December. The movie will heavily feature trains from the line and shooting will be done inside specially commissioned trains with the cooperation of the Hankyu Corporation. Rumor has it that the production may also include cameos by local all-female theater troupe Takarazuka.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Marcia's family history to be revealed on NHK documentary
Sunday 08th August, 05:00 AM JST
TOKYO —
Japanese-Brazilian “talent” Marcia, 41, will appear as a guest on the NHK documentary series “Family Tree” in an episode to be aired on Aug 30.
The program, which delves into the roots of guests’ family lineage, will include footage introducing Marcia’s father, an immigrant to Brazil. When she saw the footage while the program was being taped, Marcia broke out into tears. At the end of the session, Marcia commented, “My father gave me the power to live.”
Comedian duo Garage Sale will host the show.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Author
![[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)
