Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

whitedove

Comedy "Volleyboys" manga gets a movie
Wed, August 6, 2008 (1:48am EDT)

Hiroyuki Murata's comedy manga "Kogyoaika Volleyboys" is being turned into a live-action film. The manga originally ran in Young Magazine between 1989 and 2007, and spawned a sequel called "Koshokuaika Moto Volleyboys."

The story follows the friendship of the "3 Baka Trio," a group of three horny high school boys at a technical school. Looking to create a highlight in their adolescence, they end up forming a volleyball team in hopes of becoming popular. Details about the cast, staff, and production schedule are still unknown.

The series has previously had two live-action versions that were released directly to video. The first was in 1992, starring Nozomu Sato of comedy duo Dangerous. The second adaptation was a three-part series (one for each of the three boys) that was sold exclusively at Lawson convenience stores in late 2006.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Charts: Amuro's "BEST FICTION" sets 2008 record
Wed, August 6, 2008 (2:21am EDT)



Namie Amuro's "BEST FICTION" attained the No. 1 ranking on this week's Oricon album charts. The album's first week of sales totaled 681,000 copies, the best start by any album this year. It narrowly surpassed EXILE's "EXILE CATCHY BEST," which sold 680,000 copies during its first week this past March.

"BEST FICTION" marks Amuro's 7th #1 album since she went solo in 1995. This is a new record among female artists who were originally in a group; Amuro was previously tied with Takako Okamura of Amin.

Two other new releases made it into the top 10. R&B group COLOR reached #6 with their latest, while a tribute album for Yu Aku squeezed out the #10 spot.



On the singles chart, Mr.Children's "GIFT" ranked #1 with 194,000 copies sold. It was up against "Hi wa, Mata Noboru," the debut single from Aladdin the second, which sold 152,000 copies. That group consists of the members of Pabo and Shuchishin, the two popular "baka trios" from Fuji TV's "Quiz! Hexagon II"

THE ALFEE's Toshihiko Takamizawa made #4 with his new song, and C-ute was not far behind at #5. The bottom half of the top 10 saw new releases by Remioromen (#6), RIP SLYME (#7), ALI PROJECT (#9), and Kalafina (#10).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Oricon: best-looking in yukata
Wed, August 6, 2008 (10:57am EDT)

Oricon recently took the summer weather as an opportunity to survey a group of a thousand men and women, asking them which female beauties look best in a yukata.



The top choice was actress Nanako Matsushima, followed by Yukie Nakama. Up-and-coming stars Masami Nagasawa, Yu Aoi, Yui Aragaki, and Haruka Ayase ranked #3 through #6, respectively.

Model Yuri Ebihara was ranked #7, ahead of Aoi Miyazaki. Hitomi Kuroki and Norika Fujiwara rounded out the top ten.

Best-looking in yukata (female):

1) Nanako Matsushima
2) Yukie Nakama
3) Masami Nagasawa
4) Yu Aoi
5) Yui Aragaki
6) Haruka Ayase
7) Yuri Ebihara
8) Aoi Miyazaki
9) Hitomi Kuroki
10) Norika Fujiwara

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Divorced Emiri Henmi eager for new relationship
Thursday 07th August, 05:18 AM JST



TOKYO

whitedove

London Boots' Tamura dating actress Nakagoshi?
Thu, August 7, 2008 (1:42am EDT)



This week's issue of FRIDAY reports a new possible romance for Atsushi Tamura of the duo London Boots. The 34-year-old comedian was recently spotted on a dinner date with 28-year-old actress Noriko Nakagoshi.

According to the article, the pair spent roughly 3 hours at an Italian restaurant in Daikanyama. Nakagoshi was also seen attending a live performance by Tamura's band jealkb.

Tamura's management says that the two are just friends. Nakagoshi agency also denied that they are dating.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Nana Eikura, Eita pair up for film about young cancer victim
Thu, August 7, 2008 (2:51am EDT)



Director Ryuichi Hiroki has a new project in the works titled "Yomei Ikkagetsu no Hanayome," which will star Nana Eikura and Eita.

The movie is based on the true story of the love between Chie Nagashima, a woman who died at the age of 24 while fighting breast cancer, and her boyfriend/husband Taro Akasu. Nagashima's life was the subject of a documentary aired by TBS last July. Filming starts this October in preparation for theatrical release next May, timed to coincide with Nagashima's death anniversary.

The documentary achieved ratings of 16.6%, and the story was later published as a book that sold more than 400,000 copies. Movie offers rolled in, and producer Takashi Hirano eventually earned the consent of Nagashima's family. Last year, Hirano produced "LIFE: Tengoku de Kimi ni Aetara," a similar biopic about windsurfer Natsuki Iijima, who died of liver cancer.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Fujiko F. Fujio manga turns to drama, Nagasawa stars in first episode
Thu, August 7, 2008 (2:33am EDT)

The sci-fi/fantasy manga collection "Ishoku Tanpenshu" by Fujiko F. Fujio is being turned into a short drama series on WOWOW, titled "Fujiko F. Fujio no Parallel Space." 6 episodes are planned, with each one featuring a separate story with different casts and directors.



The first episode is based on the tale of "Nebumi Camera." Masami Nagasawa stars as a woman working at her family's antique shop. One day, a man shows up at the store with a mysterious camera that has the power to reveal a person's future worth. Michihiko Yanai is directing.

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Later episodes will reportedly star Kumiko Aso, Jun Kaname, Mimura, and Mitsuki Tanimura. WOWOW will broadcast the series on Fridays at midnight, beginning on October 31.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

[ Last edited by  whitedove at 8-8-2008 05:52 PM ]

whitedove

Ging Nang Boyz to cover Saori Minami hit
Thu, August 7, 2008 (10:40am EDT)



Punk band Ging Nang Boyz is recording a cover of the 1971 hit "17 Sai," sung by Okinawan-born idol Saori Minami. The tune has previously been covered by singers such as Chisato Moritaka and Shinko Katsuno, but this will be the first version done by male artists.

"17 Sai" was Minami's debut single. It reached #2 on the Oricon charts and earned her one of the New Artist Awards in the 13th annual Japan Record Awards.

The Ging Nang Boyz cover has also been picked as the theme song to Yuki Tanada's new movie "Oretachi ni Asu wa Nai-ssu," based on the manga of the same name by Akira Saso. The film, which stars Tokio Emoto and D-BOYS' Yuya Endo, is scheduled to open this fall.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Composer Tadashi Hattori dies at 100
Thu, August 7, 2008 (10:42am EDT)

Classical composer and conductor Tadashi Hattori died of old age this past Saturday at his home in Tokyo. He was 100.

Hattori was a graduate of Keio University, where he was part of the mandolin club. After graduation, he became involved in composing music. He created music for everything from opera to orchestra to television to radio. Some of his more famous works were scores to Akira Kurosawa films, such as "No Regrets for Our Youth" in 1946.

Hattori later became a professor emeritus at the Kunitachi College of Music. He was also awarded the Shiju Hosho and the Order of the Rising Sun.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

John Woo's spectacular Chinese epic "Red Cliff" is to open this year's 21st Tokyo International Film Festival on October 18. The production is the biggest movie ever made in Asia, with a budget estimated at

whitedove

The serious PR has started for the movie adaptation of "20-Seiki Shonen" (20th Century Boys). A post-production event was held last night at the Roppongi Hills complex in central Tokyo for the first of the three movie installments, which opens in theaters on August 30. As we reported back in February, the movie has a star-studded cast, and they were all called out for yesterday's event. But stealing the show was a 9m high reproduction of the movie's robot. The Toei studio is said to have shelled out about

whitedove

Actress Katsumura Mika (28) revealed on her blog yesterday that she has divorced from actor and former Johnny's Jimusho idol Tomoi Yusuke (28). The couple married in January 2006 and had a baby girl the following August. Katsumura filed the divorce papers in June and has custody of their daughter. Tomoi made his debut with kansai Johnny's Jr back in 1994. He had a major supporting role in the "Kamen Rider Agito" tokusatsu series in 2000 and a Godzilla movie in 2002, but has since dropped in and out of showbiz.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove

Takarazuka, Morning Musume open Cinderella musical
Friday 08th August, 06:17 AM JST



TOKYO —
Pop group Morning Musume and the Takarazuka Revue Company opened their joint stage performance of “Cinderella the Musical” in Tokyo this week. Former Takarazuka star Mire Aika, 43, is making a comeback in the musical after being treated for malignant lymphoma for the past seven months.

“I’m very happy to be here tonight. The treatment is finishing soon. Being on stage is the best medicine for me,” said Aika, who plays the role of Cinderella’s stepmother.

Morning Musume member Ai Takahashi, 21, who plays Cinderella, said she was a big fan of Takarazuka. “I’ve seen Ms Aika since I was small, so I’m very happy to work with her now.”

The musical will run through Aug 25 at Shinjuku Koma Theater in Tokyo.

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove

Blue Man group visits newspaper office
Friday 08th August, 10:35 AM JST



TOKYO —
The Sankei Sports newspaper office got a surprise visit Thursday from the American Blue Man group. The trio arrived in a Rolls-Royce and entertained receptionists in the office.

A spokesperson for the group said: “We hope as many people as possible will enjoy our work. It has no language but audiences can ‘feel’ their way beyond such boundaries.”

The Blue Man group started performing in Tokyo last December and their schedule has been extended to Nov 30.

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove

Iseya stars in MacArthur era drama
Fri, August 8, 2008 (1:06am EDT)

NHK is producing a television drama based on the life of Jiro Shirasu, sometimes called "the man who reproached MacArthur." Shirasu was involved in the negotiations with General Douglas MacArthur, who served as the GHQ during the occupation of Japan, and he is said to be the only Japanese person who defied him.



Shirasu will be played by Yusuke Iseya, who is making his first appearance in a television drama. His co-star is Miki Nakatani, who will play Shirasu's wife, essayist Masako Shirasu. While the central theme of the drama is Jiro's interactions with the GHQ, the story will cover his life from adolescence to old age.

NHK will air the drama in multiple parts during the start of the New Year period of 2009.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Oricon: men in yukata
Fri, August 8, 2008 (1:22am EDT)

In conjunction with a survey about the best-looking women in yukata, market research firm Oricon also asked respondents for their opinions on male celebrities in the same summerwear.



Hot actor Hiroshi Tamaki topped the list, beating out the perpetually popular Masaharu Fukuyama and rising star Mocomichi Hayami. Satoshi Tsumabuki ranked 4th, while comedic veteran Hiroshi Abe unexpectedly turned up at #5.

Takuya Kimura had to settle for #6. Yusuke Kamiji ranked right behind him, followed by Koichi Sato and a tie at #9 between Yuji Oda and Naohito Fujiki.

Men in yukata:

1) Hiroshi Tamaki
2) Masaharu Fukuyama
3) Mocomichi Hayami
4) Satoshi Tsumabuki
5) Hiroshi Abe
6) Takuya Kimura (SMAP)
7) Yusuke Kamiji
8) Koichi Sato
9) Yuji Oda
9) Naohito Fujiki

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Man trespasses into Mirai Shida's apartment
Fri, August 8, 2008 (11:09am EDT)



On Thursday night, police in Ayase, Kanagawa, arrested a young man for trespassing into the apartment building of 15-year-old actress Mirai Shida. Identified as Yuichi Ouchi, 23, the suspect claimed that he was a big fan of the actress and had come to meet her.

At around 10:10pm on Thursday, Ouchi (who is unemployed and has no fixed address) climbed over a 2-meter-tall fence to enter the premises, investigators said. It also appears that he came close to Shida's room.

About two hours earlier, police had been notified of an internet posting in which the author claimed that he would kill Shida that day. They informed Shida's family and others in the area, and at around 10:30pm, Shida's mother reported the presence of a suspicious man. Police arrived on scene to find Ouchi in a first-floor hallway. Authorities are now investigating whether he is related to the internet posting.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

UVERworld to do Gundam theme
Sat, August 9, 2008 (7:51pm EDT)



The band UVERworld is providing the new theme song for the anime series "Mobile Suit Gundam 00." Titled "Hakanakumo Towa no Kanashi," it will make its on-air premiere in October, with the CD single following in November.

This is the band's 5th theme song for an anime series. Three previous "Gundam" themes have achieved #1 on the weekly sales charts, giving the group hope that they will finally top the charts after several Top 10 appearances.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Actress Kimika Yoshino does AV
Sun, August 10, 2008 (12:53pm EDT)



On Friday, it was announced that actress and gravure idol Kimika Yoshino (32) will be making her debut as an AV actress. The announcement came from new adult label MUTEKI, which specializes in celebrities and advertises "natural sex," with no instruction or interference by a director.

At the start of this month, MUTEKI revealed its first star, 30-year-old talento and gravure idol Mio Saegusa. Her DVD will be released on September 1. Yoshino, who is the second to sign with the company, will have her video released on October 1. According to a related source, Yoshino's contract is estimated to be between 20 and 25 million yen.

Yoshino debuted as a gravure idol in 1994, when she was used as the Toyobo Swimwear Campaign Girl. She had her first topless scene in the 1996 movie "ACRI," and she later went on to appear in numerous films and television dramas. Her most recent role was in last year's "Chacha: Tengai no Onna."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Chieko Kawabe marries producer twice her age
Sat, August 9, 2008 (7:15pm EDT)



Talento and model Chieko Kawabe, 21, is now married to TBS producer Masato Ochi, who is twice her age at 42. They turned in their marriage registration on Friday (the lucky date of 08/08/08) and announced the news on their blogs the same day.

Ochi produces several variety programs, including "Gakkou e Ikou!" and "Gachinko!"

Kawabe, who is also active as an actress and singer, says she plans to continue her career in entertainment.

Source: www.tokyograph.com