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Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part V]
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Kago Ai addresses rumors of relationship, management troubles
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Former Morning Musume member Kago Ai (23) updated her blog with a lengthy entry on Tuesday, addressing an article in this week’s issue of Josei Jishin about her personal life and career. While Kago clarified that some of the reported statements are true, she also said that there are several parts that are untrue.
Josei Jishin’s article said that Kago was placed under suspension by her former management agency, Mainstream, stemming from her newest relationship. The man is said to be a restaurant manager in his 40s, whom she met last August. The two are currently said to be living together.
The man’s identity was further revealed to be an ex-boyfriend of singer Kahala Tomomi. There were reports last year that he committed domestic violence against Kahala, though those accusations have been denied.
Kago apparently had a conflict with Mainstream ever since she began dating the man, as she would cancel work at the last minute. As a result, the agency is said to have suspended her. In January, she reportedly asked for independence but was denied because her contract still had 2 more years remaining. She launched her new blog without approval from her agency, and she has even held performances without going through her management.
In her blog response to the various media reports on the matter, Kago acknowledged that she began having issues with Mainstream around last October, and an agreement could not be reached. In November, her lawyer legally dissolved her contract with the agency. Mainstream still had objections after that, but she says that negotiations are already over.
Kago did not give a clear statement about the man she is rumored to be dating, but she did say that he is one of many people who has been helping her with her ongoing transition to a new management office.
Near the end of her message, she also assured everyone that she would not betray her fans again, referring to the past scandals that have affected her career.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Takeuchi Yuko’s drama special “Strawberry Night” to become series next year
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Last November, actress Takeuchi Yuko (31) starred in the Fuji TV drama special “Strawberry Night.” That special is now being turned into a full drama series, scheduled for broadcast early next year. Takeuchi will return with other main cast members like Takeda Tetsuya (62) and Nishijima Hidetoshi (40), and Koide Keisuke (27) has been revealed as one of the new cast additions.
  
The “Strawberry Night” drama special was based on a bestselling mystery novel by Honda Tetsuya, part of the “Himekawa Reiko” series. The new drama series will continue the story with several of the other “Himekawa Reiko” books.
Takeuchi once again plays the protagonist Himekawa Reiko, an elite police detective who has quickly risen in the ranks. Because of her keen instincts, she is said to understand a criminal’s thoughts even better than the criminal himself.
Besides Takeda, Nishijima, and Koide, the cast also features Ukaji Takashi, Namase Katsuhisa, Takashima Masahiro, Endo Kenichi, Watanabe Ikkei, and Tsugawa Masahiko.
Filming for the show has already begun, though Fuji TV plans to broadcast it next year, starting in January.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Berryz Koubou, C-ute star in female version of “Sengoku Jieitai”
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
 
Hanmura Ryo’s well-known sci-fi novel “Sengoku Jieitai” is getting another adaptation, this time for the stage. The 12 members of the Hello! Project groups Berryz Koubou and °C-ute will star.
Originally published in the 1970s, “Sengoku Jieitai” is about a unit of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force that travels back in time to the Sengoku period. The story has had two movie adaptations, one in 1979 starring Sonny Chiba and another in 2005 starring Eguchi Yosuke. There was also a television drama in 2006 starring Sorimachi Takashi.
The Hello! Project stage version will be about two inexperienced female platoons of the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force, separately sent back in time to different places in the Sengoku period. The 7 members of Berryz Koubou will play one platoon, while the 5 members of °C-ute will play the other. Two different directors will be in charge of the story.
Performances will begin on September 16 at the Sunshine Theatre in Ikebukuro, Tokyo.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Rinka’s first child on the way
Posted on June 7, 2011 by tokyograph
Model and talento Rinka (38) is currently five months pregnant, her agency has announced. She is expected to give birth to her first child around November of this year.
Rinka got married in January 2010 to a man in his 30s who works for a construction-related company. Before their marriage, it is said that they began dating about 8 years earlier, though they broke up at one point.
The timing of Rinka’s maternity leave and return to work have not yet been decided.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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TV comedian Tanoshingo promotes '3D bra'
Thursday 09th June, 03:28 AM JST
TOKYO —
TV comedian Tanoshingo, 32, attended a PR event for the wireless “3D bra” by lingerie maker Cecile this week. The popular funnyman is using his “love injection” motto to promote the bra, which is aimed at women aspiring to have a more curvaceous bustline.
Tanoshingo, who wears the bra himself, explained how it offers support without giving a sensation of uncomfortable restrictiveness. “I like
to hear confessions of love and I have my eye on a particular dancer right now, so I’ll be wearing this bra and sending ‘love me’ vibes his way,” joked the comic.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Football meets cinema at Short Shorts Film Festival
By David Labi
TOKYO —
When football meets cinema what you usually get is a broken projector window and an angry proprietor. In the case of the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2011, being held from June 16-26 in Tokyo and Yokohama, what you get instead is the Football Program.
One of the numerous screenings making up the festival—which range from a 3D selection to be shown in Cinemart Shinjuku and a category of shorts shot purely with DSLR cameras—Short Shorts’ Football Program is presented by the J League in commemoration of its 20th anniversary. When Japanese football’s professional league replaced the amateur Japan Soccer League in 1992, Japan quickly established itself as a leading football power in Asia. Stemming from a decline in both attendance and revenue, 1999 saw the encouragement of many more community-minded activities by teams, and the introduction of a one-hundred-year vision. The aim is to have 100 professional teams by the centenary of the J League. Just eighty years shy of that, we can view the spectacle of eight films from six countries on the subject of the beautiful game.
The most notable, perhaps, is a 1998 offering from “Billy Elliot” director Stephen Daldry. “Eight” tells the moving story of an eight-year-old football fan trying to get used to living in a new town after the death of his father. You’ll be hard pushed not to mimic the little tyke in the opening shot, when he stands on a beach with a homemade Liverpool shirt on and screams in his infectious Scouse accent, “My name is Jonathan and I am eight!” The 13-minute film—as well-shot and poignant as one would expect from the guy who brought you everyone’s favorite working-class boy ballerina—was viewed by Daldry and producer Jonathan Finn as a test run for “Billy Elliot,” which they went on to shoot the following year.
Another one to watch out for among the half-time oranges is an Australian-Thai co-production from New York- and Sydney-based collective The Glue Society. Based on a true story, “Panyee FC” presents a southern Thailand football team spawned in the most unlikely of places—a floating village in the Andaman Sea without a single inch of space to play. Football has always been known as the “great leveler”—even slumland ragamuffins (like Maradona) could play it, as all you need is a ball (between many) and a patch of ground. In this case, these poor kids didn’t even have one of those basic elements. Yet, they defied the norms to triumph in this inspirational story, wonderfully shot and with a cheery bouncing rhythm that packs as much drama and emotion in five minutes as you might find in many a Hollywood feature.
One more worthy entry from the eight films of the program has an old Brazilian man reminiscing about his time in the ’50s playing street soccer with a local kid who would grow to become a legend. Paulo Machline’s “Soccer Story” was nominated for an Academy Award for Best Short in 2000.
Taking place from June 16-26 in Tokyo and Yokohama, the Short Shorts Film Festival & Asia 2011 is set to screen 68 shorts from 23 countries. The Football Program is just one of the various that will be shown.
The festival has come a long way from its inception in 1999, when just 30 shorts were screened. It is now one of the most acclaimed shorts festivals in Asia. This year, 68 shorts from 23 countries were selected from more than 4,200 submissions. The program ranges from shorts starring Oscar-winning actors to low-budget efforts shot on digital SLR cameras.
Besides the Football Program, here are a few other things to look out.
The Celebrity Shorts & Maestro Shorts program features eight works from high-profile filmmakers, starring Oscar winner Colin Firth and nominees Jesse Eisenberg and Keira Knightly among others. Speaking of the Oscars, the Academy Program will feature the five works nominated the 83rd Academy Awards in the category Short Film (Live Action), including the winner “God of Love.”
The EOS MOVIE Program program gives a glimpse of digital cinema with three shorts by young Japanese directors shot on the Canon 5D Mark II and the Canon 7D, digital still cameras that upcoming filmmakers are repurposing into low-budget but high-quality movie cameras.
This year’s fest is the first to include a CG Animation Program, including Oscar-winning short “The Lost Thing.” While short-form 3D technology can be sampled at Cinemart Shinjuku with the 3D Competition, featuring international works and a seminar by director Takashi Yamazaki.
Focus on Italy, included to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the unification of Italy, features shorts by late director Michelangelo Antonioni and Gabrielle Mucchino.
Look beyond Tokyo with the Short Story “Nagoya” (no English subtitles), highlighting shorts set in the Japan’s third largest city. Or look beyond Japan altogether with the Let’s Travel Project—showing that Japanese filmmakers love their neighbors—with Japanese-Korean coproductions and Korean-made shorts as well as Japanese shorts about travel.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Ken Hirai dedicates Hong Kong performance to quake survivors
Friday 10th June, 04:33 AM JST
HONG KONG —
Ken Hirai somberly expressed solidarity with fellow Japanese suffering from the March earthquake and tsunami as he promoted his new album in Hong Kong on Thursday.
Dressed in a tweed-patterned three-piece suit and sporting a spiky blonde hairdo, the 39-year-old pop star performed two songs from his new record and his hit “Gently Close Your Eyes” at a suburban Hong Kong mall late Thursday. Fans besieged the ground floor area where Hirai performed and others peeked down from higher floors.
After the brief set, Hirai quickly turned to Japan’s recent natural disaster. He had been wrapping up his new release, “Japanese Singer,” when the twin disasters struck.
“We shouldn’t give up. This is a very tough time for Japan. I hope we can get through this situation soon and see a better day,” said Hirai, whose hometown of Higashiosaka was not affected.
He added that he intended the 13th and last track on the album, whose title translates as “Together,” as a message of encouragement to his fellow countrymen and countrywomen.
Hirai said the title of the album, his first in three years, derived from his national pride and reminded him to represent his country honorably.
“I love Japan a lot. I hope I can do my best as a Japanese singer and not disgrace Japan,” he said.
With eight albums to his credit, Hirai has sold more than 8 million records over a 16-year career.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Maeda makes comeback as AKB48's No. 1 girl in televised popularity vote
Friday 10th June, 06:44 AM JST
TOKYO —
Atsuko Maeda made a comeback Thursday to the coveted No. 1 spot of the all-girl pop group AKB48 in this year’s popularity vote, dethroning the 2010 winner, Yuko Oshima.
‘‘I’m really happy. I’ll do my utmost,’’ a tearful Maeda, the 2009 champion, said during an internationally televised award ceremony at the packed Nippon Budokan in Tokyo. Oshima, 22, came in second.
Maeda, 19, won the largest number of votes from the group’s fan club members and those who bought the last single. Yuki Kashiwagi, 19, came third, advancing on her eighth-place finish last year.
The annual event, which was shown in 86 movie theaters across Japan and televised in Hong Kong, Taiwan and South Korea, selected 21 members for AKB48’s 22nd single due for release in August from about 150 candidates including those in similar pop groups, SKE48 and NMB48.
AKB48, a roughly 48-member group consisting of subgroups Team A, Team K and Team B, is one of the most popular idol groups in Japan.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Superfly’s special free live concert at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse on June 15 will be live broadcasted on Ustream
June 9, 2011 by J!-ENT
Superfly
Special Free Live on June 15th @Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
Live broadcasting on Ustream!!
http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sfly
Official Hashtag : #superfly615
Mind Travel
1st and best!2nd and revolution!!3rd and deepening!!!
1st “Superfly”, 2nd “Box Emotions” and now long-awaited 3rd album will be released
on June 15th!!
Her debut single “Hello Hello” was released in 2007. And her first album “Superfly” in 2008 and 2nd album “Box Emotions” in 2009 and both became No 1 on Oricon chart. In 2009, Superfly had performed with Big Brothers & The Holding Company as a guest vocalist at Woodstock’s 40th anniversary festival “Heros of Woodstock” for the very first time for Japanese musician ever.
In 2010, she had an amazing performance at FUJI ROCK FESTIVAL on the main stage; GREEN STAGE.
Superfly’s long-waited 3rd album “Mind Travel” is going to be released on June 15th, 2011!!
And very special free live show will be held on that day (June 15th ) from PM8:00 JPN time at Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse and her exciting performance will be broadcasted on live on internet worldwide through USTREAM !
You can access to this special live show though either Ustream or special internet site “Superfly TV” to cerebrate launching of Superfly’s 3rd album “Mind Travel”. You can watch previous free lives on launching 1st and 2nd albums and music videos on the program “Mind Travel COUNTDOWN! Of “Superfly TV” form June 8th to 14th, 2011.
* 1st program will be on at PM8:00 JPN time on June 8th.
For more details about this online live broadcasting, please check the special site “Superfly TV” on launching Superfly’s 3rd album “Mind Travel”.
http://tv.superfly-mindtravel.jp/
In addition, Superfly is going to have nationwide tour “Mind Traveler” (35shows at 32 cities) in Japan starting from June 25th.
For more details, please check Superfly’s official web site http://www.superfly-web.com/ !!
Superfly Free Live Info
”Mind Travel” launching special show
DATE :June 15th , 2011 (Wed)
Door opens 19:00 (JPN time)
Show starts 20:00 (JPN time)
Shoe ends 21:00 (remain go on rain, but no go on heavy rain)
Venue : in front of Yokohama Red Brick Warehouse
USTREAM Live Streaming Info
Ustream broadcasting on live
online / high quality distribution http://www.ustream.tv/channel/sfly
Hashtag : #superfly615
Show starting time:
US NY 7:00AM on June 15th
LA 4:00AM on June 15th
UK London 12:00Noon on June 15h
DE Berlin 1:00PM on June 15th
FR Paris 1:00PM on June 15th
Hong Kong 7:00PM on June 15th
KR Seoul 8:00PM on June 15th
Special site on launching 3rd album “Mind Travel”
“Superfly TV” http://tv.superfly-mindtravel.jp/
Source: www.nt2099.com/J-ENT |
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Maeda Atsuko reclaims #1 in AKB48's 3rd Senbatsu Election
Posted on June 9, 2011 by tokyograph
AKB48 held its 3rd Senbatsu election on Thursday, determining the participating members for AKB48's 22nd single. This year, the #1 spot was recaptured by Maeda Atsuko, after being narrowly defeated by Oshima Yuko last year.
As expected, this year’s election dwarfed last year’s, with a total vote count of more than 1 million votes. The top 40 members received a combined 1.08 million votes, compared to 354,000 for last year’s top 40. Maeda beat Oshima by a margin of approximately 17,000 votes – 139,892 to 122,843. In 2010, Oshima surpassed Maeda by less than 600 votes – 31,448 to 30,851.
Kashiwagi Yuki took #3, up five spots from last year. Sashihara Rino climbed 10 spots to #9. Umeda Ayaka and Takayanagi Akane also took big leaps in the rankings, though they fell just short of the cut between the Senbatsu members and the under girls.
150 members were eligible for this year’s election, making it highly competitive. Like the last time, the top 12 are appointed as the “Media Senbatsu” (for promoting the new single) and the top 21 will participate on the single’s title track. #22 through #40 are the “under girls,” who will be included on the single’s various B-sides.
The single does not yet have a title, but it is scheduled for release on August 24, 2011.
The complete election rankings are listed below with vote counts. Ranking changes from last year are in parentheses.
Maeda Atsuko (Team A) – 139892 (?1)
Oshima Yuko (Team K) – 122843 (?1)
Kashiwagi Yuki (Team B) – 74252 (?5)
Shinoda Mariko (Team A) – 60539 (?1)
Watanabe Mayu (Team B) – 59118 (?)
Kojima Haruna (Team A) – 52920 (?1)
Takahashi Minami (Team A) – 52790 (?1)
Itano Tomomi (Team K) – 50403 (?4)
Sashihara Rino (Team A) – 45227 (?10)
Matsui Rena (Team S) – 36929 (?1)
Miyazawa Sae (Team K) – 33500 (?2)
Takajo Aki (Team A) – 31009 (?1)
Kitahara Rie (Team B) – 27957 (?3)
Matsui Jurina (Team S) – 27804 (?4)
Minegishi Minami (Team K) – 26070 (?1)
Kasai Tomomi (Team B) – 22857 (?4)
Akimoto Sayaka (Team K) – 17154 (?)
Sato Amina (Team B) – 16574 (?)
Yokoyama Yui (Team K) – 16455 (NEW)
Masuda Yuka (Team B) – 14137 (?5)
Kuramochi Asuka (Team A) – 12387 (?2)
Umeda Ayaka (Team K) – 11860 (?10)
Takayanagi Akane (Team KII) – 11674 (?12)
Nakagawa Haruka (Team A) – 10854 (?4)
Ohta Aika (Team A) – 9910 (?2)
Hirajima Natsumi (Team B) – 9742 (?)
Miyazaki Miho (Team B) – 9271 (?6)
Yamamoto Sayaka (Team N) – 8697 (NEW)
Oya Shizuka (Team A) – 7264 (NEW)
Oya Masana (Team S) – 6660 (?6)
Nito Moeno (Team K) – 6288 (?2)
Komori Mika (Team B) – 6120 (?2)
Hata Sawako (Team KII) – 6117 (NEW)
Sato Sumire (Team B) – 5438 (?3)
Oba Mina (Team 4) – 5411 (NEW)
Suda Akari (Team S) – 5343 (NEW)
Maeda Ami (Team A) – 5220 (NEW)
Matsui Sakiko (Team K) – 5020 (NEW)
Ichikawa Miori (Team 4) – 4928 (NEW)
Fujie Reina (Team K) – 4698 (?7)
This year’s election was streamed live to 97 screens in 86 theaters across Japan, as well as 10 screens in Hong Kong, Taiwan, and Korea.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Charts: Shoujo Jidai, B’z
Posted on June 9, 2011 by tokyograph
This week’s music sales charts saw the rise of Korean girl group Shoujo Jidai, earning their first #1 on the album charts with their Japanese release, “GIRLS' GENERATION.” The album sold 231,553 copies in its first week, surpassing BoA’s 2002 album “Listen to My Heart” (230,590) for the record of “highest first-week sales for a first album in Japan by a foreign artist.”
Among foreign female groups, Shoujo Jidai is only the second in history (after t.A.T.u. in 2003) to have a #1 first album.
Shoujo Jidai – GIRLS' GENERATION – 231,553
UVERworld – LIFE 6 SENSE – 95,235
Sandaime J Soul Brothers – J Soul Brothers – 93,548
Lady Gaga – Born This Way – 64,802
Hikawa Kiyoshi – Enka Meikyoku Collection 14 ~Ano Ko to Nogiku to Watashibune~ – 32,551
Abe Mao – Su. – 24,395
Toyosaki Aki – love your life, love my life – 22,447
Tokunaga Hideaki – VOCALIST & BALLADE BEST – 13,557
Amuro Namie – Checkmate! – 12,377
Matsuda Seiko – Cherish – 11,688
In singles, B'z took the top spot with their 49th single “Don't Wanna Lie.” This extends the records they hold for “most #1 singles” and “most consecutive #1 singles,” now both at 45.
Mizumori Kaori entered the rankings at 7th with her “Shounai Heiya Kaze no Naka.” As a female enka artist, this makes her the new record-holder for “most top 10 singles” (8), and it extends two related records that she already held: “most consecutive top 10 singles” (8) and “most consecutive years with a top 10 single” (8).
B'z – Don't Wanna Lie – 168,917
AKB48 – Everyday, Kachusha – 119,154
YUI – HELLO ~Paradise Kiss~ – 69,838
Team Amuse! – Let's try again – 48,461
Golden Bomber – Boku Quest – 40,704
Kaoru to Yuki, Tama ni Mook – Maru Maru Mori Mori! – 33,623
Mizumori Kaori – Shounai Heiya Kaze no Naka – 28,532
the HIATUS – Hatching Mayflies – 22,668
JUJU – Mata Ashita... – 18,945
vistlip – SINDRA – 9,858
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Sometani Shota, Nikaido Fumi star in Sono Sion’s “Himizu”
Posted on June 9, 2011 by tokyograph
The stars of Sono Sion’s upcoming movie “Himizu” have just been revealed. Sometani Shota (18) will play the main character, while Nikaido Fumi (16) will play the heroine of the story.
Announced in April, “Himizu” is an adaptation of the Furuya Minoru manga of the same name. Unlike Furuya’s more famous comedy works such as “Ping-Pong Club,” the manga is a serious tale of a boy (Sometani) who descends into darkness after a certain incident in his youth. Nikaido will play one of his classmates.
Sometani’s recent works include “Usotsuki Mi-kun to Kowareta Ma-chan” and the upcoming “Always: Sanchome no Yuhi '64.” Nikaido’s works include “Gama no Abura” and “Gekijoban Shinsei Kamattechan Rock 'n' Roll wa Naritomanai.”
Filming for “Himizu” already finished in Ibaraki last month. Theatrical release is scheduled for spring 2012.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Emiri Henmi and Kenji Matsuda marry at Meiji Shrine
Saturday 11th June, 06:45 AM JST
TOKYO —
TV personality Emiri Henmi, 34, and actor husband Kenji Matsuda, 39, held their wedding ceremony at Meiji Jingu on Wednesday, their agencies announced on Friday. Photos of Henmi in a white kimono walking to the shrine with the assistance of her mother Mari Henmi, as well as photos of her with Matsuda, were sent to tabloids on Thursday.
The couple celebrated afterward with a group of 20 friends and family at a restaurant in Tokyo. Henmi also sent a tweet to fans saying, “Today, I got married at Meiji Jingu!”
After receiving messages of congratulation from fans and celebrity reporters alike, Henmi—who was married once before from 2006 to 2008—tweeted, “I’m sorry I couldn’t invite you all to the wedding. It’s my second time, so this one was smaller.”
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Koyuki makes first wedding dress appearance after marriage to Matsuyama
Sunday 12th June, 05:33 AM JST
TOKYO —
Actress Koyuki, 34, appeared in a wedding dress for the first time after her recent marriage to actor Kenichi Matsuyama, 26, but it was a PR shot for her new movie “Tantei wa Bar ni Iru,” directed by Hajime Hashimoto.
In the movie, Koyuki plays Saori Kirishima, a widow and a bar owner, who falls in love again and remarries. The wedding scene was filmed in March, right before Koyuki and Matsuyama’s marriage. “The dress was designed to fit my character perfectly,” Koyuki said. “It has a very special meaning for me and I like it very much.”
“Tantei wa Bar ni Iru” opens in theaters on Sept 10.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Oda, Kuroki, Ito team up for 'Amalfi' sequel
Entertainment Jun. 13, 2011 - 05:00AM JST ( 3 )
TOKYO —
Stars Yuji Oda, 43, Meisa Kuroki, 23, and Hideaki Ito, 35, attended a PR event at Tokyo International Forum recently for the upcoming film “Andalusia: Revenge of the Goddess.” The movie, directed by Hiroshi Nishitani, follows on from 2009’s “Amalfi: Rewards of the Goddess.”
“Andalusia” continues the story of the main character from Fuji TV’s popular drama “Diplomat Kosaku Kuroda.” An excited Oda told the press, “I think we have made a fantastic movie.”
This time, the action takes place in Spain and sees Kuroda, played by Oda, tackling international crime. Kuroki plays an elite bank employee who becomes a key witness in a murder case. Ito is an Interpol employee with whom Kuroda clashes.
Kuroki’s powerful character wraps Kuroda around her little finger in the movie, confidently bending him to her will. Kuroki said she worked hard for the role and even learned some Spanish to lend her character more credibility. When asked, “In real life, who is the easiest person to wrap around your little finger?” Kuroki replied with a smile, “That would still be Yuji.”
“Andalusia: Revenge of the Goddess” opens in Japan on June 25.
Source: www.japantoday.com |
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Actor Shishido Kai now a husband and father
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Actor and photographer Shishido Kai (44) got married this past December, it has been learned. His wife has been divorced once and has a son from her previous marriage, making Shishido a father now.
According to multiple sources, Shishido and the woman were dating for about a year and a half before they married. She is said to be in her 40s, older than Shishido. Her son goes to the same elementary school as the 11-year-old son of actress Sakai Noriko (40), and Shishido was there during the school’s sports day at the start of this month. Some newspaper reporters happened to see Shishido there, leading to the discovery of his marriage.
Shishido apparently notified his agency around the time of the marriage, but so far there has been no official announcement.
Shishido is the son of the well-known actor Shishido Jo (77). According to Sankei Sports, Jo was unaware of Kai’s marriage, and he stated that the two have not met since last year.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Leader Inui Yoko to leave Nakano Fujo Sisters
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
 
On Saturday, idol group Nakano Fujo Sisters announced during their concert that leader Inui Yoko is going to graduate from the group on July 16. Since this is her 5th year in the group and she recently turned 30 years old, she decided to move on.
Inui indicated that she is not leaving show business entirely. She declared that she has a dream that she wants to challenge on her own, though she did not specify what her plans are. She asked for her fans to continue supporting her in her new endeavor.
Nakano Fujo Sisters (also known as Nakano Fujoshi Sisters) are a 7-member group that launched in 2006. In 2008, they also began performing as the alter-ego Fudanjuku, whose concept involves the members dressing up as male students at a fictional cram school.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Tsuchiya Anna to make first TV drama appearance in “Mitokomon”
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Model and singer Tsuchiya Anna (27) recently finished filming for her first appearance in a television drama. She has been given a guest role in an episode of the long-running historical drama “Mitokomon,” which begins its 43rd season on TBS this summer.
Tsuchiya has acted in several movies before, but up until now she has never had an acting role on television.
“Mitokomon” starts on July 4, airing on Monday nights at 8:00pm. Tsuchiya plays the daughter of a shop owner in the 6th episode, scheduled for broadcast on August 8.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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Kitagawa Keiko stars in wartime manga adaptation “Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni”
Posted on June 12, 2011 by tokyograph
Actress Kitagawa Keiko (24) will star in a drama special based on Kono Fumiyo’s manga “Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni.” The manga, which tells the story of a woman who survives the atomic bombing at Hiroshima during World War II, was originally serialized in 2007-2009 and earned an Excellence Prize in the 13th Japan Media Arts Festival.
Kitagawa plays the protagonist Suzu, while Koide Keisuke (27) plays her husband, a naval officer named Hojo Shusaku who fell in love with her after meeting her only once as a child. The two move to a new life in Kure, Hiroshima during the war, a couple years before the devastating bombing in which she loses loved ones and even her own right arm. The story will cover a span of 4 years between 1943 and 1946.
Yuka plays Rin, a new friend Suzu meets in Kure who has a secret past with Shusaku. Hayami Mocomichi plays Tetsu, Suzu’s first love. Other cast members include Ryo, Shinoda Saburo, Ichige Yoshie, and Ashida Mana.
“Kono Sekai no Katasumi ni” will be aired on NTV on August 5.
Source: www.tokyograph.com |
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