Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 05:38 PM

Actor Masi Oka (33) was back in Japan yesterday to promote the movie "Get Smart." His breakthrough in the U.S. drama series "Heroes" has made him a big name there. But at home he still gets starstruck and was visibly excited about the prospect of appearing with comedy duo Ninety Nine on the "All Night Nippon" show late last night.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 05:40 PM

Upcoming British singer Duffy (24) played her first show in Japan yesterday. She performed for 900 fans at the Ebisu Liquid Room in Tokyo in support of her debut album "Rockferry."

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 05:44 PM

Actor Hamada Manabu (32) is getting married this weekend, it was revealed yesterday. He and his fiancee, described as "A-san" and a nurse in her 20s, met five years ago at a restaurant run by a mutual friend. They plan to tie the knot on October 5 and are already living together in Tokyo. Hamada, the son of actor Hamada Akira (66), had his first TV drama starring role in 1997. This year he starred in the movie "Kagehinata ni Saku," based on a novel by comedian Gekidan Hitori, and took to the stage for the first time.

Source: www.japan-zone.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 05:49 PM

Kaya to perform at PMX
Fri, October 3, 2008 (2:49pm EDT)

Electro vocalist Kaya has been announced as a musical guest of honor at this year's Pacific Media Expo in Los Angeles, taking place November 7-9. Once a member of the group Schwarz Stein, Kaya has been active as a soloist since 2006.

It was also announced in June that Suicide Ali will be a guest at Pacific Media Expo.

More information about the event is available at the official website.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 05:50 PM

b]GAKU-MC goes through surgery
Fri, October 3, 2008 (11:53pm EDT)

GAKU-MC recently underwent throat surgery, it was learned on Friday. The rapper wrote on his blog that he was hospitalized for two nights due to the operation, which removed a benign pustule around his vocal chords. The operation was completed with no problems, though he is unable to speak for a week while he recovers.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 05:54 PM

Terawaki gets first solo starring role
Sat, October 4, 2008 (1:42am EDT)

Actor Yasufumi Terawaki, perhaps best known for his role as half of the "Aibou" combo with Yutaka Mizutani, is finally playing the sole lead in a movie for the first time in his career. He was chosen to star in "Kanashii Boyfriend," the next effort from director Yoka Kusano ("Bra Bra Ban Ban").

In this fantasy story, Terawaki plays a single salaryman in his 30s who meets a junior high school girl (Saki Terashima). Through this encounter, he is transported back to his hometown in Kobe as he relives the memories of his own junior high romance.

"Kanashii Boyfriend" will start screening at a new Toho Cinemas theater this November, with nationwide release planned for February.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 05:57 PM

Yasuko Matsuyuki to co-star in Kadokawa's "Warau Keikan"
Sat, October 4, 2008 (2:04am EDT)

"Warau Keikan," which was revealed last month to be Haruki Kadokawa's return as a director, now has its heroine. It was publicly announced on Friday that actress Yasuko Matsuyuki will be co-starring alongside lead actor Nao Omori.

Based on a novel by Jo Sasaki, the film is a suspenseful story about a police force scrambling to find the killer of a female officer within a span of fifteen hours. Matsuyuki plays a keen-minded chief in the military police, a character said to be similar to Chloe from the popular American series "24."

"Warau Keikan" is scheduled for a fall 2009 release.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 05:59 PM

Ushirogami Hikaretai revived with AKB48 members
Sat, October 4, 2008 (12:56am EDT)

The '80s idol unit Ushirogami Hikaretai is being "re-formed," twenty years after its breakup. Music producer Yasushi Akimoto has assembled four girls from AKB48 to recreate the group, which he is renaming Watarirouka Hashiritai.

Ushirogami Hikaretai was formed in 1987 by Shizuka Kudo, Akiko Ikuina, and Makiko Saito, who were all members of the popular group Onyanko Club. They broke up in 1988 after releasing a string of hit singles. Akimoto, who was their producer and lyricist, is following the same formula this time, recruiting members of AKB48 for the project. The four are Mayu Watanabe, Aika Ohta, Haruka Nakagawa, and Natsumi Hirajima, all part of Team B. They also happen to be managed by Production Ogi, the same agency that represented Ushirogami Hikaretai.

Watarirouka Hashiritai already has an anime tie-in with the series "BLUE DRAGON," with their song "Aoi Mirai" being used as the new opening theme. However, their first CD single has not yet been decided, though it is scheduled for release in January through Pony Canyon.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 06:00 PM

Fuji TV, Production IG creating full-CG anime film
Sat, October 4, 2008 (2:47am EDT)

Fuji TV is taking a big step into the world of computer animation, teaming up with Production I.G. to produce a full-CG feature-length film. Tentatively titled "Hottarake no Shima: Haruka to Mahou no Kagami" ("Hottarake Island: Haruka and the Magical Mirror"), the movie is meant to be a family-friendly adventure, which Fuji TV hopes can join the ranks of American works such as "Toy Story" and "Monsters, Inc."

The movie is set on Hottarake Island, a world formed from the objects that humans have abandoned ("hottarake" comes from a word meaning "to neglect"). The protagonist is a high school girl named Haruka, who ends up on the island in search of an important item, and she is accompanied by a fox named Teo that she meets along the way.

The project was set in motion by producer Daisuke Sekiguchi three years ago. Sekiguchi, one of the people involved in the 2006 animated film "Brave Story," said that he wanted to use modern technology to create a "warm, Japanese anime."

Shinsuke Sato ("Sunadokei," "LOVE SONG") is directing. The voice cast will be decided before the end of the year, and theatrical release is slated for next summer.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 7-10-2008 06:02 PM

Kagawa reunites with Kurosawa for 揟okyo Sonata擺/b]
October 3, 2008 by KNDY

In a recent article for the Daily Yomiuri, Yasuko Onda wrote, 揈very member of the Sasaki family in the movie Tokyo Sonata has a secret of their own. Ryuhei, played by Teruyuki Kagawa, can抰 tell the family that he got laid off. His college-age son intends to enlist in the U.S. military, while his primary school-age son is secretly taking piano lessons. And his wife never shows her true feelings. The dissonance gradually grows to affect their relationships.

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 05:28 PM

'Oyaji band' from popular soap opera to release album
Friday 03rd October, 07:30 AM JST

TOKYO —
A singing group of five middle-aged men, which was formed in for the popular TBS soap opera “Wataruseken wa onibakari,” announced this week that they will release an album.

The group, called “Oyaji band,” will release their album “Dreams at that time” on Nov 5. The band is formed by actors Takuzo Kadono, 60, Kotaro Yamamoto, 60, B-saku Sato, 59, Takehiro Murata, 48, and Takashi Inoue, 47.

Vocalist-guitarist Kadono said, “We’re really having fun. It’s just like acting. If possible, I would like us to participate in NHK’s annual Red & White Singing Contest.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 05:34 PM

Ebi-chan introduces new stocking line
Friday 03rd October, 04:52 PM JST

TOKYO —
Model Yuri Ebihara, 29, popularly known as “Ebi-chan,” on Friday unveiled her new line of stockings, “f*ing BIZWALK,” which she jointly designed with All Nippon Airways, TBS and Fukusuke.

Ebihara, who appeared in an ANA cabin attendant uniform because she is the image character for the company, said, “I’m very excited to wear this uniform because I don’t have a chance to do so.”

Since it was her 29th birthday on Friday, Ebihara said, “This is my last birthday in my 20s. I hope my next boyfriend will be my future husband.”

The stockings are available at TBS official shops, ANA shops and Fukusuke outlets.

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 05:37 PM

Aya Sugimoto introduces 'Godfather' DVD collection
Saturday 04th October, 03:41 AM JST

TOKYO —
Actress Aya Sugimoto, 40, was the “talent” of choice this week at a promotional event for the release of the DVD box of “The Godfather” films. Director Kazuyuki Izutsu, 55, was also on hand for the event.

Sugimoto, who appeared in a sexy pink dress, said, “I like guys fighting over something. Losers are not attractive at all.” Izutsu added, “I think ‘The Godfather’ is a revolutionary film. It really created an impression on me when I was young.”

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 05:40 PM

Jiro Sato stars in drama-movie project
Sun, October 5, 2008 (4:01am EDT)

Actor Jiro Sato, known for numerous supporting roles in television and film, finally has his first lead role in a movie. The picture is titled "Yoju: Mame Shiba" and is connected with a television drama that will air on UHF stations this winter.

The story follows a middle-aged bachelor who still relies on his parents, chronicling his growth as he goes on a journey with a newborn Shiba Inu. Filming for the drama is already under way, and scenes for the movie will start shooting next week. While the drama is set to begin in January, the film is scheduled for release in early summer.

Sato's most prominent movie role so far was second billing in "Memo," his directorial debut that was released this past March.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 05:48 PM

Japanese wins int'l flute contest
Sunday 05th October, 03:06 AM JST

TOKYO —
A Japanese flutist won the 8th Jean-Pierre Rampal International Flute Competition held recently in Paris, contest sources said Saturday.

Seiya Ueno, a 19-year-old student at Tokyo University of the Arts, was awarded the grand prize of the contest named after the late renowned French flutist, the sources said.

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 05:51 PM

Enka singers go green in Yamanashi
Sunday 05th October, 05:37 AM JST

YAMANASHI —
Fourteen enka singers, including Ayako Fuji, Hiroshi Itsuki, Kiyoshi Hikawa and Jero, will take part in a charity concert for forestation in Yamanashi Prefecture. The annual concert is organized by the Japan Association of Music Enterprises (JAMES) and is aimed at raising funds for forestation.

Fuji, who participated in a tree-planting event last week, said, “As a mother, I really feel that I must preserve the global environment for my family and future generations.”

The concert will be held Oct 29 at NHK Hall in Tokyo.

Source: www.japantoday.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 05:54 PM

Mayumi Sada marries
Sun, October 5, 2008 (12:50pm EDT)

31-year-old model and actress Mayumi Sada got married on Wednesday. Her agency made an announcement by fax to the media on Saturday.

Her husband is said to be a 35-year-old multimedia creator. This past July, the relationship was reported by FRIDAY magazine, but Sada's agency has now asked that the man's identity not be publicized because he is considered a private citizen rather than a celebrity.

Sada was previously in a lengthy relationship with HIRO of the group EXILE. Many expected them to get married, but they broke up last year.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 05:57 PM

AKB48 losing five Team A members
Mon, October 6, 2008 (2:19am EDT)

Five members of AKB48's Team A have announced that they are graduating from the group. At a concert on Sunday, Tomomi Ohe, Hitomi Komatani, Hana Tojima, Rina Nakanishi, and Risa Narita shocked their fans with the news of their departure, saying that their final performances with AKB48 will be on November 23 at NHK Hall.

The five have been part of AKB48 since its formation. Their future plans have not yet been revealed, though Komatani, Tojima, and Nakanishi are signed with agencies other than AKS.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 06:02 PM

Evangelion 2.0 dated for summer
Mon, October 6, 2008 (2:25am EDT)

The official website for the second of the four new "Neon Genesis Evangelion" movies has been updated, revealing the film's official English title and scheduled release date. The movie, called "Evangelion: 2.0 You Can," is set for early summer 2009.

"Evangelion: 1.0 You Are," which opened in September 2007, grossed roughly 2 billion yen during its theatrical run.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 8-10-2008 06:09 PM

Hanako Oshima expecting first child
Mon, October 6, 2008 (2:31am EDT)

34-year-old singer Hanako Oshima is on her way to parenthood. She announced on a radio show on Sunday that she is expecting her first child in March, and is aiming to take maternity leave starting in mid-December.

Oshima, the daughter of famed singer Kyu Sakamoto, has been married to the head of a Brazilian jujitsu dojo since December 2006.

Source: www.tokyograph.com