Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

whitedove

Kawabata Kaname (29) of the J-pop duo Chemistry announced yesterday that he is a father. His wife, model Takahashi Miki, gave birth to a baby girl on wednesday. The couple have been married since March.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove

TELEVIEWS / Can Mana-Kana twins pull-off second NHK morning drama hit?

Wm. Penn / Daily Yomiuri Columnist

The Mikura twins are back, and they are headed for Shimane Prefecture, the place that enchanted 19th-century author Lafcadio Hearn.



Mana and Kana Mikura will star in the new NHK morning serial Dandan, set to begin Sept. 29.

Hitomi has just one week to pack her bags and vacate the NHK 8:15 a.m. morning drama slot Sept. 27. Will Hitomi (Nana Eikura) somehow hip-hop off into the horizon on the arm of her dance mentor Ken? We'll just have to wait and see. Although they have been tying up a lot of the loose ends in the plot, never do Japanese TV dramas guarantee viewers a pat, fairy-tale happy ending. It is one of their most irritating, and occasionally most endearing, qualities.

With Hitomi finally bowing out, the Mikura twins are waiting in the wings, eager to infuse some new life into the sagging morning serial world. And if anyone can do it, it just might be them. They were the child stars of NHK's highly successful morning drama No. 55, Futarikko, the tale of the twin daughters of an Osaka tofu shop owner. It aired back in 1996-97 and averaged Video Research Co. ratings of 29.3 percent. No morning serial since then has had overall ratings that high, although the Hokkaido tale Suzuran in 1999 and the 2001 Chura-san, set in Okinawa Prefecture, came close. It's hard to even remember the titles of most of the rest of the post-1997 morning serial roster.

The question now is whether the twins, recently graduated from college and ready to dive back into the entertainment world life, will be able to work their magic again in Dandan. It's the story of twin sisters separated shortly after birth but reunited by a fateful chance meeting at the Izumo Taisha shrine at age 18.

The action takes place on two fronts--Kyoto and the Izumo region of Shimane Prefecture. Dandan means "thank you" in the Izumo dialect.



Megumi (Mana) has been raised in Matsue by their fisherman father (Eisaku Yoshida), stepmother and paternal grandparents. She's had a typical small town childhood, plays guitar and formed a band with friends in high school.



Nozomi (Kana), who plays a traditional Japanese hand drum, has been raised by their mother (Hikari Ishida) and maternal grandfather in Kyoto. She is studying the traditional geisha arts in the city's Gion district.

After realizing she has a twin sister, Megumi heads off to college in Kyoto. The girls will eventually team up and pursue a singing career reaching stardom with the help of their Osaka manager. This will allow them to provide lots of musical interludes with songs from the 1960s to 1980s. Look also for lots of gourmet moments featuring the local cuisine of both locales.

The short 15-minute morning dramas are a great language learning tool for avid students of Japanese. Dandan has a large supporting cast of veteran character actors in each hometown, but a pictorial diagram that details all the characters and explains their interrelationships can be viewed at www3.nhk.or.jp/asadora/dandan/cast/cast.html. This should help ease the initial confusion for language learners.

The script is by Kyoko Moriwaki.



Veteran singer-songwriter Mariya Takeuchi, a native of Izumo herself, sings the theme song "Enishi no Ito" and provides the narration.

As part of the promotion for the show, the twins will appear on a special discussing the making of the drama Tuesday, Sept. 23, 1:05-1:48 p.m. on NHK General and on NHK's Saturday variety show Sept. 27, 12:15-12:38 p.m. I know the one question I would ask them: How did the twins decide between themselves who got the Kyoto geisha role and who got the country-bred folk singer role?

Are the networks all engaging in a thinly veiled national reeducation campaign? The most recent trend in early prime-time entertainment has been to give us a neverending stream of basic informational quizzes. They tutor and test us on our knowledge of all things Japanese from kanji and idioms to local cuisine and kitchen utensils. They explain the origins of common customs and traditions and even drill us on the locations and attributes of the nation's prefectures. It almost feels like a continuing, total-immersion national refresher course on all things Japanese, the kind of stuff people once learned naturally from their parents, grandparents and schools. It's TV as grandma--just another of the small screen's many functions. Mind you, I'm not complaining. It is far superior to letting the comedians run amok in early prime time.

The TBS network's 13-year international experiment Sekai Ururun Taizaiki ended on Sept. 14 with a two-hour finale that spotlighted some of the 688 talents the show has dispatched to all corners of the world for unusual homestay experiences since 1995. No word yet on what TBS has chosen to replace the program. This show will be a hard act to follow.

(Sep. 19, 2008)

Source: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20080919TDY16004.htm

whitedove

Shikao Suga melds heavy funk with Japanese introspection
Manabu Sakurai / Yomiuri Shimbun Staff Writer



The title of singer-songwriter Shikao Suga's new album Funkaholic really describes his roots, he says. The album's vibrant sound with woofing bass is striking.

Since his debut 11 years ago, every album he has released has made the Top 10 on the Oricon hit chart.

"The number of people who listen to my music has increased. So I thought that it would be good timing, and also fun, to clearly show off my roots," he says.

Suga encountered funk music when he saw senior students at his high school playing the music genre in their band.

"The uplifting sound made me want to dance. It just goes straight to my hips," he says. "But the sound has a hedonistic aspect, which makes it difficult to connect the worldview of [Japanese] lyrics."

Suga, who is well known for writing the words of SMAP's hit song "Yozora no Muko," is said to have drawn much inspiration from novels, including Haruki Murakami's. It seems difficult to make such introspective lyrics go with funk.

"Of course, it's difficult even for experienced songwriters. It really is. But on the other hand, pursuing this is an interesting thing about my music," Suga says. "[What I mean is] putting as many expressions and scenes as possible into funk using a sensitive words from Japanese soil."

The sound of "Keppeki" in Funkaholic, for example, has a mix of strong bass and luscious guitar. Suga then added an electric sound--Suga's recent favorite sound and is heard often at clubs--to funk's heavy sound.

The lyrics are about a woman's complicated mind. It starts with, "Frankly, I don't like you at all because you really look like my father." It continues, "Don't pretend that you understand how I feel."

In Funkaholic, the two worlds of introspective lyrics and funk music--which at first seem irreconcilable--sound natural thanks to Suga's miraculous word choice and vocals.

"Konoyubi Tomare," released as a single, is a song to cheer up "those who are lonely although being with someone" or "those who feel there's nowhere to go." Such a theme might ordinarily be suitable for something in the line of a folk song, but Suga chose funk.

In order to get the typical "disco feeling," Suga asked a string ensemble in London, with a reputation for that kind of sound, to play under his direction via video monitor from Japan. He downloaded the recording of the British band and incorporated it into his own sound. Suga uses any possible way to achieve a sound that he can feel satisfied with.

(Sep. 19, 2008)

Source: http://www.yomiuri.co.jp/dy/features/arts/20080919TDY14001.htm

whitedove

Over 300 films to be screened at Tokyo Int'l Film Festival
Friday 19th September, 05:47 AM JST

TOKYO

whitedove

Actress Megumi Yokoyama joins Oscar Promotion camp
Friday 19th September, 06:01 AM JST



TOKYO

whitedove

New band flumpool does "Bloody Monday" music
Fri, September 19, 2008 (1:33am EDT)



TBS has chosen a fairly unknown band to provide the theme song for its upcoming Saturday night drama series, "Bloody Monday." The four-man Osaka-based group flumpool will be lending their 2nd digital single, titled "Over the rain ~Hikari no Hashi~."

flumpool made their major label debut with "Hana ni Nare," being used in a commercial for LISMO. That song is being released as a digital single on October 1. "Over the rain" will follow on November 5.



"Bloody Monday," which stars Haruma Miura as a hacker fighting terrorists, premieres on October 11.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Kanjiya joins Tsumabuki in Korean film "Boat"
Fri, September 19, 2008 (2:12am EDT)



Actress Shihori Kanjiya has been cast as the heroine in the Japanese-Korean collaboration "Boat," directed by Kim Young-nam. Being released in Japan under the title "No Boys, No Cry," the movie stars Satoshi Tsumabuki and Korean actor Ha Jung Woo as two young men struggling to find hope in their lives as they become involved in drug trafficking. Kanjiya plays the ex-girlfriend of Tsumabuki's character.

"Boat" is scheduled for release next year.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Do As Infinity plans tour in November
Fri, September 19, 2008 (12:45am EDT)



The recently reunited band Do As Infinity has scheduled a short tour for November that will take them to three major cities. The tour starts on November 1 in Nagoya, followed by a show in Osaka on the 4th, and then a three-day stretch in Tokyo on November 10-12.

Before that, Do As Infinity will hold their first post-reunion concert for free on September 30 at Yoyogi Park.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

"Tony Takitani" director dies at 59
Fri, September 19, 2008 (3:14am EDT)



Film and commercial director Jun Ichikawa has passed away in a Shibuya hospital, it was learned on Friday. He was 59. According to reports, Ichikawa was taken to a hospital after he collapsed while away from home.

Ichikawa made his directorial debut in 1987 with "BU-SU." His filmography includes "Tokyo Lullaby" and "Osaka Story," though his highest-profile work was perhaps his adaptation of Haruki Murakami's story "Tony Takitani," which starred Issei Ogata and Rie Miyazawa. That film picked up the special jury prize at the 2004 Locarno International Film Festival.

Last year, Ichikawa directed the Riko Narumi-starring "A#a no Watashi no Tsukurikata." His newest work, titled "buy a suit," has already been scheduled to make its world premiere in the Japanese Eyes section of this year's Tokyo International Film Festival (October 18-26).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Yamapi gets his degree
Fri, September 19, 2008 (11:00am EDT)



NEWS member Tomohisa Yama$hita has finally graduated from Meiji University's School of Commerce. He entered the school in 2004 and was initially expected to graduate this past spring, but he was a few units short of completing his degree. However, he was able to finish in time for Meiji University's September graduation ceremony, which was held on Friday. Yama#a was joined by about 30 other classmates.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Masashi Sada gets a tribute album
Sat, September 20, 2008 (4:25pm EDT)



Singer-songwriter Masashi Sada will be the subject of a tribute album being released on October 22, titled "Sada no Uta." Sada is recognized as one of Japan's top artists, with over 3,600 solo concerts in his career and more than 500 songs released on CD. Last week, it was announced that he will be releasing a Hibari Misora cover album, also due out on October 22.

"Sada no Uta" brings together 10 artists, none of whom are affiliated with Sada's record label. The participants include BEGIN, SEAMO, Aya Matsuura, Ayaka Hirahara (with her father, sax player Makoto Hirahara), THE ALFEE, Ken Nishikiori, taiko drummer Eitetsu Hayashi, and rakugoka Danshun Tatekawa (covering an on-stage monologue by Sada).

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Korean model MINJI makes double debut in "252"
Sat, September 20, 2008 (7:12pm EDT)

Korean model MINJI will be making her debut as both an actress and a singer this December. She has been cast as the heroine in Nobuo Mizuta's disaster flick "252: Seizonsha Ari," which stars Hideaki Ito and Masaaki Uchino.



The trilingual MINJI is singing the movie's theme song, "LOVE ALIVE," entirely in Japanese. MINJI actually majored in Japanese language and literature while at university. "LOVE ALIVE" will be released as a single on December 3, three days before the movie premieres in Japan.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Shugo Chara Eggs! revealed
Sat, September 20, 2008 (5:12pm EDT)

On Saturday, an event was held in Odaiba to debut a new Hello! Pro Eggs unit that has been chosen to do the opening theme of "Shugo Chara!! Doki," the continuation of the "Shugo Chara!" anime series.



The four-member unit is appropriately named Shugo Chara Eggs! and consists of Yuka Maeda, Akari Saho, Ayaka Wada, and Kanon Fukuda. Their debut song, titled "Minna no Tamago," will be released on December 10.

"Shugo Chara!! Doki" premieres on October 4.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Ging Nang Boyz guitarist has a baby
Sun, September 21, 2008 (12:39am EDT)



Chin Nakamura, the 29-year-old guitarist of punk band Ging Nang Boyz, is now a proud father. The happy news was announced on the band's official website on Saturday.

Nakamura married his girlfriend in May after learning that she was pregnant. She finally gave birth to a baby girl on Thursday afternoon.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Kohey Tsuchiya starts solo project with collaborations
Sun, September 21, 2008 (2:02am EDT)



Guitarist Kohey Tsuchiya, formerly of the band THE STREET SLIDERS, is celebrating the 25th anniversary of his musical career with a solo project. His first release is a single called "MUSIC FLOWER," on sale October 15.

The single is a collaboration with several popular artists. The title track features the vocals of five female singers - Tomiko Van, Maki Ohguro, Mika Nakashima, Rinko Urashima, and Nadia Shimazu - along with the horn section of jazz band Katteni-Shiyagare and the trackmaking skills of DJ HASEBE.



In addition, one of the coupling songs is a tune named "Soul Ryder" featuring Chara, said to be reminiscent of her collaboration with The 99 1/2, "Chara no Boogie Shoes."

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Second member revealed for duo led by Eikichi Yazawa's daughter
Sun, September 21, 2008 (2:55am EDT)

Last month, it was announced that Yoko, the daughter of singer Eikichi Yazawa, will be making her debut with Avex as the vocalist of a new rock group called The Generous. New information about the band has been released, revealing that it is a duo with guitarist Katsumi Ohnishi, who was once part of the Tomoyasu Hotei-produced duo JET SETS. Ohnishi is also serving as the composer and arranger for The Generous.

The pair are releasing their first mini-album on October 29. Two of the songs, "Melody" and "Dream Star," have already been given tie-ins. In particular, "Dream Star" is being used as the opening of the "Skip Beat!" anime series, which starts next month.

The band's first live performance is a free concert scheduled for September 28 at Tokyo Midtown.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove

Japan's biggest rock band "came of age" yesterday, celebrating their 20th birthday. Twenty years to the day after they released "Dakara Sono Te wo Hana#e," B'z played a 26-song set for 70,000 fans at the Nissan Stadium in Yokohama, kicking off with "Bad Communication," the song that became their breakthrough single. Just like their 15th anniversary concert five years ago, the day was somewhat spoiled by heavy rain. The concert brought an end to their six-show anniversary tour.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove

Kurosawa Akira's classic movie "Rashomon" is to be remade in Hollywood. The project is planned as part of the "AK100 Project" in 2010, the 100th anniversary of Kurosawa's birth. No director or stars have yet been named for the movie, but it is to be a joint Japanese-U.S.-Singapore project. The 1950 Oscar-winning original is still regarded as one of the best and most influential movies ever made.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove

Yo$hitaka Yuriko promotes new film 揌ebi ni Pierce擺/b]

September 21, 2008 by KNDY



Yo$hitaka Yuriko (20) promoted her upcoming film 揌ebi ni Pierce ~snakes and earrings~揫/b].  The new film features a young trendy woman who becomes attracted to a young man with piercings on his face, tattoos all over his body and has a split tongue with a piercing in the middle.

Although the two live in different worlds, they fall in love and she finds herself feeling attracted towards the lifestyle when she starts getting a pierced tongue and tattoos on her body.

Yo$hitaka revealed that she will have a nude scene in the film.

The film comes out in Japan on Sept. 20th and theme song by Chara.

Source: www.japantoday.com


Japanese contestants have figured prominently in recent international beauty pagents, in particular the Miss Universe contest, which endeavors to find the most gorgeous woman in the world. The runnerup in 2006 was Kurara Chibana, and last year the winner was Riyo Mori.



Much of the credit for Japan's ascendancy has gone to Ines Ligron, who is profiled in the NHK Special, "Watashi wa Kou$hite Sekai-ichi no Bijo wo Tsukuru (This is How I Make the World's Most Beautiful Woman)" (NHK-G, Monday, 10 p.m.). Ligron, who is French, "cultivated" both Chibana and Mori, and advises contestants in the competition that selects the Japan representative at the Miss Universe pageant. Ligron is known to be a strict and uncompromising taskmistress, with a talent for locating the particular aesthetic appeal of a country's concept of feminine beauty.

Avid indication of how looks counts for more than talent in the world of J-pop is the fact that most cute boy groups can't sing in harmony. Thus, the contestants on the annual choral group contest, "Seishun Akapera Koshien Zenkoku Hamonepu (Hamonepu National Young People's A Capella Tournament)" (Fuji, Tuesday, 7 p.m.) have already accomplished more than SMAP. Hosted by the comedy trio Neptune, this special brings together some of the best amateur harmony a capella groups (harmony + Neptune = Hamonepu) from high schools and universities throughout Japan for an annual tournament.

This year, 729 groups signed up, 18 of which have survived the elimination rounds and will appear on the program. Among them is a group of "intelligent rockers" from the University of Tokyo and a quintet of high-school girls who are making their third appearance at the tournament. The last time they appeared, they made it to the semifinal round. How far will they go this time?

The house remodeling program, "Daikaizo! Gekiteki Before After (Big Reform! Amazing Before After)" (Asahi, Sept. 28, 6:56 p.m.), makes its quarterly appearance with an unusual problem.

The house that needs remodeling sits on 60 sq. meters of land in Kodaira city in Tokyo. An elderly couple lives there, but the second floor is occupied by a cram school operated by their daughter. Over the years, the school has collected more and more students, and the house can no longer accommodate them all. There is no place to leave all the bicycles that the students ride to class. Moreover, the students are always bumping into family members as they undress for the bath or use the toilet. The residents of the house want the architect to find a way to make both functions

whitedove

Here's looking at Yu, kid
Saturday 20th September, 06:36 AM JST



TOKYO