Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:12 PM

Utada's next English album confirmed
Sun, September 7, 2008 (6:06pm EDT)

Reports of Hikaru Utada releasing a second English album have now been officially confirmed. U.Blog has spotted a press release from Vivendi and Universal Music which lists the new Utada release in their schedule for the second half of fiscal 2008, which is the next six months. No specific date has been given yet.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:17 PM

Morning Musume to cover "Pepper Keibu" and other Yu Aku songs
Sun, September 7, 2008 (5:39pm EDT)

It has been officially announced that Morning Musume's next single will be a cover of the Pink Lady hit "Pepper Keibu." The decision stemmed from Ai Takahashi and Risa Niigaki's appearance in NTV's biographical drama special "Hit Maker: Yu Aku Monogatari," in which they played the popular '70s duo.

The "Pepper Keibu" cover goes on sale September 24. The new version is said to be more danceable than the original, and the music video will feature all nine Morning Musume members dancing in Pink Lady outfits. The coupling song for "Pepper Keibu" will be a cover of another song written by Yu Aku - Hiromi Iwasaki's 1975 hit "Romance."

Then on November 26, the group will release a Yu Aku tribute album called "COVER YOU," supervised by Hiroshi Itsuki, who joined Up-Front Agency earlier this year. The album includes a cover of "Izakaya," originally a duet between Itsuki and Nana Kinomi, but this time Itsuki will be paired up with Ai Takahashi instead.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:19 PM

There was little consolation for Japan's three entries at the Venice International Film Festival, which ended Saturday. None managed to capture the Golden Lion award for best film, which went to Darren Aronofsky's "The Wrestler," starring Mickey Rourke. Miyazaki Hayao's "Gake no Ue no Ponyo" (Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea) picked up a "collateral" award from the Mimmo Rotella Foundation, which annually honors a film that "shows a firm connection with the arts." A hit with audiences and critics alike, it also received the audience award from the magazine CIAK. The rival anime entry, Oshii Mamoru's "The Sky Crawlers," received the Future Film Festival Digital Award. Oshii said, "I guess it will take time before Japanese anime gets its due respect." But the festival jury considered giving Ponyo a Special Lion award this year, deciding against it as Miyazaki received a lifetime achievement award in 2005. And director Marco Mueller said, "Anything other than a Lion award would have been rude." Meanwhile, 1997 Golden Lion winner Kitano Takeshi had to settle for the Bastone Bianco Award for his entry, "Akiresu to Kame" (Achilles and the Tortoise).

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:21 PM

Speaking of films and festivals, this summer's surprise hit at the Japanese box office, the movie "Detroit Metal City" may be already headed for a Hollywood re-make. Based on a six-volume manga by Wakasugi Kiminori that sold over 2 million copies, the wacky comedy stars popular young actor Matsuyama Kenichi (23), who made his name in the "Death Note" series. He plays a mild-mannered street musician with a taste for Swedish pop, but whose alter ego is the intense death metal vocalist Johannes Klauser II. In the three weeks since it opened, it's been seen by over a million cinema-goers and has grossed over

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:22 PM

Actress Okina Megumi (29) was in Tokyo for the opening day of her first Hollywood movie. Directed by Ochiai Masayuki, "Shutter" is a horror story about a newlywed American photographer (Joshua Jackson) who visits Japan with his new bride (Rachael Taylor) on a combined honeymoon and business trip. Okina, who plays the spirit that haunts them, looked a bit less creepy as she shook hands with fans at the Cinema Mediage in Odaiba on Saturday. A re-make of a Thai hit, the movie has not been critically well received, and was described as "second tier" compared to earlier J-horror re-makes such as "The Ring" and "The Grudge."

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:27 PM

Juliana抯 revival draws thousands

September 7, 2008 by KNDY

Japan Times Yoshida Reiji wrote, 揂 legendary disco from the early

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:28 PM

Enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa says fans are more important than marriage
Sunday 07th September, 06:12 AM JST

TOKYO

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:31 PM

Korean actor Lee Byung Hun to release song in Japanese
Monday 08th September, 11:55 AM JST

TOKYO

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:34 PM

WWE wrestles for greater share of Japanese market
Monday 08th September, 05:28 AM JST

TOKYO

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:36 PM

Oricon: Amuro again named "kogao queen"
Mon, September 8, 2008 (1:17am EDT)

Small faces (kogao) still seem to be in fashion, so Oricon conducted its third annual survey on the subject, asking a thousand people to identify which female celebrities they associated with the trend. In a repeat of last year, singer Namie Amuro ranked number one. Actress Manami Konishi was again #2.

The rest of the list, in order, were: Kyoko Koizumi, Koyuki, Alisa Mizuki, Yuka, Nana Eikura, Ayumi Hamasaki, and a three-way tie among Maki Horikita, Aya Ueto, and Misaki Ito.

Kogao queen:

1) Namie Amuro
2) Manami Konishi
3) Kyoko Koizumi
4) Koyuki
5) Alisa Mizuki
6) Yuka
7) Nana Eikura
8) Ayumi Hamasaki
9) Maki Horikita
9) Aya Ueto
9) Misaki Ito

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:57 PM

LM.C expands overseas tour, announces two albums
Mon, September 8, 2008 (1:34am EDT)

Visual-kei band LM.C has announced more information about their overseas tour next year. The group was already scheduled to tour Europe from late January to early February, but now they have added shows in South America and Asia.

Before heading to Europe, LM.C will play in Chile, on January 23 and Brazil, on January 25. Their Europe tour begins on January 28 in Italy and ends in Finland on February 8. They will then travel to Taiwan for two shows on February 13-14, followed by a concert in Korea the next day. Details are available on the band's official website.

LM.C has also announced that they will be releasing two albums simultaneously on November 5. One is their first true full-length album, titled "GIMMICAL IMPACT!!" The other is "SUPER GLITTER LOUD BOX," an expanded version of last year's mini-album "GLITTER LOUD BOX."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 03:59 PM

HALCALI singing next "Naruto" theme
Mon, September 8, 2008 (11:08am EDT)

HALCALI has been chosen to do the next ending theme song for the "Naruto Shippuden" anime series, to be used starting in October. The single, called "Long Kiss Good Bye," is set for release on November 12.

The B-side for the single is a collaboration with RAM RIDER, who composed, arranged, and co-wrote the song. Titled "FLASH," the tune is being used in a commercial for Otemon Gakuin University.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 04:01 PM

More "Tenchijin" cast members announced
Mon, September 8, 2008 (11:25am EDT)

NHK has revealed a few more cast members for its 2009 taiga drama, "Tenchijin." Among the roles named were Shun Oguri (as Ishida Mitsunari), Kyoko Fukada (as Yodo-Dono), Yu Shirota (as Sanada Yukimura), and Yusuke Kamiji (as Kobayakawa Hideaki).

The show, which stars Satoshi Tsumabuki, starts in January.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 04:04 PM

The latest of this year's awards go to Japan's most beautiful legs. In the 6th annual Parcassio Bikyaku Taisho event sponsored by luxury shoe maker Kuraray, celebrities were chosen by age category: actresses Hirosue Ryoko (28), Seto Asaka (31) and Maya Miki (44). And former Japan volleyball player Sugayama Kaoru (29) was the sports representative.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 9-9-2008 04:17 PM

Review of the new album from YUKARI FRESH

September 7, 2008 by KNDY

In the latest 揅D REVIEW擺/b] for the Japan Times, Ian Martin wrote, 揈merging from the dark days of the 1990s

whitedove · Post time 10-9-2008 04:09 PM

BON-BON BLANCO's Anna covers Lindberg
Tue, September 9, 2008 (2:18am EDT)

Anna, the 21-year-old lead vocalist of BON-BON BLANCO who made her solo debut earlier this year, is collaborating with the defunct rock band Lindberg to do a cover of one of their songs. Anna's version of "Ima Sugu Kiss Me" will be included on her first album, "Koi no Katachi."

"Ima Sugu Kiss Me" was Lindberg's second single, released in 1990. Although the band broke up in 2002, most of the members are involved on the cover. Guitarist Tatsuya Hirakawa is serving as producer, while bassist Tomohisa Kawazoe and drummer Masanori "Cherry" Koyanagi are providing accompaniment.

"Koi no Katachi" goes on sale on September 24.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 10-9-2008 04:12 PM

Johnny's Jr. Nakayama undergoes surgery
Tue, September 9, 2008 (1:36am EDT)

14-year-old Yuma Nakayama of the Kansai Johnny's Jr. group had to undergo surgery this past weekend, it was learned on Monday. According to his agency, Nakayama complained of stomach pains on Friday night and was taken to the hospital, but he was later sent home. However, the pain continued until Saturday, and this time a doctor diagnosed him with appendicitis and panperitonitis.

Nakayama had an operation the same day to treat the condition. On Monday, he was discharged from the hospital. That same night, he was able to make a brief appearance at a concert, sitting in a wheelchair. It is not yet known if he will be able to participate in Tuesday's and Wednesday's concerts.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 10-9-2008 04:12 PM

Miwa Asao's sister dies from car accident
Tue, September 9, 2008 (1:51am EDT)

Beach volleyball player Miwa Asao, 22, lost her younger sister last week, it was learned on Monday. Miki, who was only 17, passed away in a hospital in the Mie prefecture on Friday.

Miki was involved in a car accident on August 12. She was hit by a vehicle while riding her bicycle, sustaining injuries to her head that rendered her unconscious. She never woke up before her death.

Asao's agency said that the volleyball player is still in shock, but she is expected to make a public statement within the next few days.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 10-9-2008 04:16 PM

YU-KI withdraws from Avex musical
Tue, September 9, 2008 (10:25am EDT)

TRF vocalist YU-KI was cast in the lead role of Avex's jukebox musical "Kokoro no Kakera," but due to health problems she has stepped down from the part. At the end of August, the 41-year-old singer was experiencing dizziness and numbness in her limbs, leading her to skip a scheduled appearance at an event this past Saturday.

The musical, which also features Ami Suzuki, Takahiro Nishijima, and Hiroki Aiba, was planned to run from the 15th to the 29th of this month. But with no sign of recovery yet for YU-KI, she has officially withdrawn from the musical.

Avex is apparently making some changes to the show, as it will still be performed as scheduled. However, ticket holders are also being offered the opportunity to get a partial refund.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 10-9-2008 04:17 PM

Perfume gets a new show
Tue, September 9, 2008 (11:10am EDT)

Electropop phenomenon Perfume is getting a new weekly show on NTV. "Perfume no Kininaru Ko-chan" features the idol trio and talento Daisuke Miyagawa meeting with new guests every week to discuss interesting topics.

The show will air on Saturdays at 5:30pm, starting on October 11. The first episode's guests will be Hiroaki Ogi (Ogiyahagi), Kendo Kobayashi, Naoki Nokubo, and Ryota Yamasato (Nankai Candies).

Source: www.tokyograph.com