Japanese Entertainment News & Info HERE! [part II]

whitedove · Post time 17-10-2008 05:21 PM

Court rules on Bubka appeal case
Thu, October 16, 2008 (2:40am EDT)

On Wednesday, a Tokyo court rejected an appeal by publisher Core Magazine, which should put an end to a case stretching back six years ago.

In July 2002, the publisher released a special issue of its magazine Bubka, featuring unauthorized photos of several female idols from their childhood, including pictures taken of them near their schools and homes. A class action suit was filed against Core Magazine, claiming invasion of privacy and violation of rights of publicity. The suit had 14 plaintiffs, including Norika Fujiwara, Kyoko Fukada, and a few Hello! Project idols such as Natsumi Abe.

The first trial in the case found Core Magazine guilty of invasion of privacy, and the publisher was fined more than 5 million yen. A second trial over the celebrities' rights of publicity finished in 2006 and brought the total fines to roughly 8.5 million yen.

Core Magazine had appealed the case, but their appeal was denied with Wednesday's decision.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 17-10-2008 05:24 PM

Angela Aki covers Bob Dylan for "Heaven's Door"
Thu, October 16, 2008 (1:42am EDT)

Angela Aki has been put in charge of her first movie theme song. She will provide a tune for Michael Arias' "Heaven's Door," which opens this coming February with Tomoya Nagase and Mayuko Fukuda as its stars. The film was previously announced in January of this year.

Since the movie is a remake of a 1997 German film titled "Knockin' on Heaven's Door," it was appropriately decided that Aki would cover the 1973 Bob Dylan song of the same name, which inspired the title of that film. However, Aki's version of the song will have original Japanese lyrics and is said to emphasize "life" more than "death."

It is currently unclear whether or not Aki plans to release the song as a single.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 17-10-2008 05:27 PM

More details about Leah Dizon's marriage
Thu, October 16, 2008 (2:07am EDT)

On Wednesday, Leah Dizon held a press conference regarding her sudden marriage last week, and a few more details have been revealed. In agreement with previous reports, her husband has been identified as the 29-year-old stylist "Bun," who is said to resemble Johnny Depp and is actually well-known in the industry. His looks include a trademark black hat and a moustache, and he has done styling for the Kobe Collection and for other popular artists, including BoA.

The two apparently met just this past January when Bun provided styling for Dizon in her "Love Paradox" music video. They quickly began dating, and it has been revealed that Dizon is already in her fourth month of pregnancy.

Although Bun is known for his skills, he also seems to have a reputation as a playboy. In the past, there have been rumors linking him to various singers, actresses, and talentos. At the press conference, Dizon said that she was attracted more to his mind and his simple nature than his looks, but Bun answered the same question by referring to Dizon's butt, calling it a "big peach."

Dizon was also asked for her thoughts on children, and she said she would like to eventually have two or three kids, with at least one boy and one girl.

The couple have already started their newlywed life together, but because Dizon is an American citizen, it appears that they have extra paperwork to take care of. Meanwhile, Dizon is taking a break from work to prepare for her delivery, though her comeback has not yet been scheduled.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 17-10-2008 05:29 PM

Miley Cyrus album 揃reakout

ct_subang · Post time 21-10-2008 02:45 PM

"Ryusei no Kizuna" shoots over 21%

Mon, October 20, 2008 (1:15am EDT)
Thefall drama season is almost in full swing, and the ratings so far seempromising. TBS's highly anticipated "Ryusei no Kizuna" premiered onFriday, and ratings data indicates that the first episode averaged21.2%, marking the best start so far this season. It is the secondseries to surpass the 20% barrier, as "Kaze no Garden" debuted at 20.1%and stayed strong at 18.0% in its second week.

A few other dramas have started well. "Celeb to Binbou Taro"hit 17.6%, while "SCANDAL" achieved 16.9%. This week also marks thepremiere of the Fuji TV production "Innocent Love" and the 7th seasonof the popular detective drama "Aibou."

(Sources : Tokyograph)

ct_subang · Post time 21-10-2008 02:48 PM

"Innocent Love" falls short of expectations
Tue, October 21, 2008 (12:38am EDT)
Viewershipdata for the premiere episode of Fuji TV's "Innocent Love" has beenreleased, and the network is surely disappointed with the results. Theshow managed only a 16.9% rating, despite starring the popular Maki Horikita.

This is the first time since last year that Fuji TV's Monday 9:00pmtime slot has not had an opener above 20%. This breaks the streak thatstarted with "Galileo" and continued with "Bara no Nai Hanaya," "CHANGE," and "Taiyou to Umi no Kyou#su." Before those four shows, "Proposal Daisakusen" and "First Kiss" both debuted at over 19%.

(Sources Tokyograph)

whitedove · Post time 21-10-2008 05:23 PM

AKB48 trio introduce new song
Friday 17th October, 06:05 AM JST

TOKYO

whitedove · Post time 21-10-2008 05:25 PM

Actor Ken Ogata's swan song a rare TV gem
Wm. Penn

If one measure of happiness is doing what one loves right up until the moment of death, then actor Ken Ogata was a very happy man indeed. He ended his career with a starring role in what will likely be this season's most compelling series, the new So Kuramoto drama Kaze no Garden (Thursdays, 10 p.m., Fuji).

Ogata was 71 when he died of liver cancer on Oct. 5, just five days after the cast's final Sept. 30 press conference and four days before the series debuted. Ironically, he had chosen to keep his illness a secret during the filming of this delicate exploration of how people choose to live the last days of their lives.

Ogata plays Teizo Shiratori, an elderly Furano country doctor whose son, Sadami (Kiichi Nakai), is dying of liver cancer. When Sadami's wife committed suicide seven years earlier, Teizo blamed it on his son's philandering and banished him from Furano in Hokkaido. Teizo has raised his 13-year-old autistic grandson (Ryunosuke Kamiki) and his 21-year-old granddaughter Rui (Meisa Kuroki), who has taken over her mother's flower garden. When Sadami discovers he is dying, he decides to reestablish contact.

The drama is set predominantly in scenic Hokkaido, and each episode bears a flower name. But most of Episode 1, "Snowdrop," was filmed in Tokyo at the major medical center where Sadami is a top anesthesiologist. Nakai gives a very convincing portrayal of a modern doctor at the peak of his career. He is confident, proud and competent with a bravado that masks his inner feelings. His cool but cheery demeanor allows him to keep patients at a comfortable distance. The one exception is Akane (Ayaka Hirahara), a former patient who is now his girlfriend. When Sadami is called in to assist with the surgery of a high-powered stock manipulator (Eiji Okuda), who is also dying and estranged from his family, it provides a telling contrast with his own situation.

After months and months of dramanga and second-rate sitcoms, Kaze no Garden is a drama of refreshing depth. Ogata's country doctor is both kind and stubbornly unforgiving of his son. Sadami's daughter Rui is now involved with a married man herself. Not the usual caricatures, these are complex characters who make you care about them, even though you may not always like them.

Definitely worth tuning in for the farewell performance of one of Japan's great veteran actors. The first episode earned Video Research Co. rating of 20.1 percent. And, oh yes, it was Ogata who did the calligraphy for the title used in the intro.

Source: Yomiuri Daily

whitedove · Post time 21-10-2008 05:33 PM

1st Tokyo Drama Awards: Pandora, Points and Lines
Fri, October 17, 2008 (1:09am EDT)

As part of the currently running Japan International Contents Festival (CoFesta), organizers are holding the 2nd International Drama Festival on October 22-24. This year, the event is introducing the first Tokyo Drama Awards, and the winners were announced during a press conference held on Thursday.

The grand prize was awarded to two dramas, "Pandora" and "Ten to Sen" ("Points and Lines"). "Pandora" aired on WOWOW this spring, starring Hiroshi Mikami as a doctor embroiled in a political war after he discovers a cure for cancer. The two-episode drama "Ten to Sen," which aired on TV Asahi last November, was based on a Seicho Matsumoto mystery novel and starred Beat Takeshi.

In the kids and youth category, the award went to TV Tokyo's "Keitai Sousakan 7" and Fuji TV's "Last Friends." NTV's "Saito-san" won in the family category.

The other winners were "Atsuhime" (jidaigeki category) and "SP" ("non-genre" category). Special awards were given to the art staff of "Ten to Sen" and to actor Tetsuya Takeda and the staff of "3 Nen B Gumi Kinpachi Sensei."

The award presentation ceremony will be held on the 22nd.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 21-10-2008 05:35 PM

"Honey and Clover" artist draws for Dreams Come True
Fri, October 17, 2008 (2:06am EDT)

Dreams Come True's next single, "Tsuretette Tsuretette," will feature art by mangaka Chika Umino of "Honey and Clover" fame. Umino drew the CD jacket for the limited edition of the single, and she also created a 16-page manga-like booklet that depicts a winter love story based on the song's title.

"Tsuretette Tsuretette" goes on sale November 12.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 21-10-2008 05:43 PM

Jin Akanishi and Maki Nishiyama caught on a date?
Fri, October 17, 2008 (1:35am EDT)

This week's issue of FRIDAY magazine reports that KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi recently went on a driving date with model Maki Nishiyama. Earlier this month, Akanishi picked up Nishiyama at her apartment in a minivan, and a reporter was able to capture the pair on camera as they drove off.

About a month ago, FRIDAY reported that Akanishi had dinner at a steakhouse with a "model-like beauty," not realizing at the time that it was Nishiyama. The two may have developed a relationship after Nishiyama appeared on "Cartoon KAT-TUN" last year.

Akanishi's management at Johnny's Jimusho stated that the two are just friends, while Nishiyama's agency declined to comment.

Nishiyama later wrote about it on her blog, amused that she had been described as only "model-like" even though she is an actual model. She acknowledged that she had been spotted with Akanishi, but she emphasized that the two are good friends and are not dating.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 21-10-2008 05:45 PM

Idol Higashihara expecting a baby
Sat, October 18, 2008 (11:47am EDT)

25-year-old talento Aki Higashihara is pregnant with her first child. Higashihara has been officially married to judo fighter Kosei Inoue since January, but because of Inoue's training for the Olympics, they barely held their wedding ceremony and reception on Saturday. During the celebration, they revealed that Higashihara is in her third month of pregnancy.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 21-10-2008 05:53 PM

Kiroro, Keroro join forces
Sat, October 18, 2008 (12:08pm EDT)

The duo Kiroro will be singing their first movie theme song for the animated feature "Keroro Gunso 4," which is scheduled for release in March. Their song, titled "Minna Anata wo Ai$hiteru," will be released in February, ahead of the film's opening.

The film's theme is "birth," which is appropriate for Kiroro as keyboardist Ayano Kinjo is currently pregnant with her second child. Kinjo also mentioned that her three-year-old daughter is a big fan of the "Keroro Gunso" anime series.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 21-10-2008 05:54 PM

Saeko joins husband's agency, becomes designer
Sun, October 19, 2008 (4:45am EDT)

21-year-old actress Saeko is leaving her management agency Topcoat and is transferring to the private management of her husband, the Nippon Ham Fighters pitcher Yu Darvish. The discussions between Saeko and her agency are wrapping up, and the move is expected to happen next month.

Saeko has been signed with Topcoat since 2001, though she didn't gain recognition until 2003 when she became part of the Nittelegenic unit and began appearing on "Gakkou e Ikou!" Sources say that Saeko's departure is the result of the actress wanting to take a break from her entertainment career for the time being. She and Darvish just married last November, and they had their first child in March.

While Saeko focuses on raising the child, she plans to also launch a fashion accessory brand.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 22-10-2008 05:23 PM

YA-KYIM remakes Kome Kome Club hit
Mon, October 20, 2008 (1:00am EDT)

Female hip-hop trio YA-KYIM has done a remake of the Kome Kome Club song "Kimi ga Iru Dake de." Originally released in 1992, the song eventually sold about 2.9 million copies, becoming the biggest hit of the '90s and the 5th best selling single in Japanese history. Although Kome Kome Club has previously received requests by artists to sample the tune, this is the first time they have given their consent. All three YA-KYIM members wrote a letter asking them for approval.

The remake has already been on the airwaves since the start of this month, but the fact that it was by YA-KYIM was not revealed until now. The new version will be available as a chaku-uta starting on the 29th, and a CD release will follow on December 3.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 22-10-2008 05:28 PM

Blues guitarist Shiotsugu dies at 57
Mon, October 20, 2008 (1:29am EDT)

Guitarist Shinji Shiotsugu passed away in a Tochigi hospital early on Sunday, suffering from heart failure. He was 57. He was scheduled to play a show in Tochigi on Saturday night, but he was taken to the hospital just before the concert after he suddenly collapsed.

Shiotsugu was a founder of the Kyoto-based West Road Blues Band in 1971, and he became one of the key figures in Japan's blues boom. He continued on with a solo career and is still recognized to this day as one of the country's top blues guitarists.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 22-10-2008 05:33 PM

Drama Grand Prix: "Maou" takes 4 out of 5
Sun, October 19, 2008 (12:26pm EDT)

Last week, Nikkan Sports announced the results of its summer survey for the Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix. A total of 24,757 votes were collected between September 25 and October 4. The big winner this time was the TBS series "Maou," winning in all four categories that it was nominated for.

The show received about 12,600 votes for Best Drama, handily beating "Code Blue" by close to 5,000 votes. At #3 was "33-pun Tantei," far behind at only 1,300 votes, followed by "Atsuhime" and "Shibatora" with less than 800 votes apiece.

Satoshi Ohno beat Tomohisa Yama$hita in the Best Actor category by roughly 2,500 votes. "Maou" co-star Toma Ikuta also made the list at #3.

For Best Supporting Actor, Kei Tanaka edged out the competition, and the top 5 were all either from "Maou" or "Code Blue." Ryoko Kobayashi gave "Maou" its fourth award as Best Supporting Actress, while the rest of the votes were split among the three female leads from "Code Blue" and Mikako Tabe.

The only category that "Maou" didn't win was the Best Actress award, due to its lack of a starring female role. Aoi Miyazaki received about 8,200 votes for her role in "Atsuhime," with young star Mirai Shida ("Seigi no Mikata") trailing by 3,500 votes to land in second.

The complete results are available in the forums.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 22-10-2008 05:35 PM

Hello! Project's Elder Club members to graduate
Sun, October 19, 2008 (5:04am EDT)

Hello! Project has announced that all of the members of its Elder Club will be graduating on March 31, 2009. The graduates include Morning Musume OG, Melon Kinenbi, Ongaku Gatas, and several soloists such as Mai Satoda and Aya Matsuura.

According to Tsunku's comments, the decision was made in order to have the members move on to new stages in their career, though specific plans have not yet been revealed. The graduates will make their final stage appearances as Elder Club at the Yokohama Arena on January 31 and February 1.

Source: www.tokyograph.com

whitedove · Post time 22-10-2008 05:36 PM

Queen guitarist Brian May (61) has contributed to a new memorial album of material by the late Honda Minako. Honda died after a very public battle with leukemia on November 6 2005, at the age of 38, and "Eternal Harmony" is due for release on the third anniversary. She and May were friends since 1986, when he wrote the music and lyrics for her song "Golden Days," and after her death he referred to her as "a little angel." Producers of the upcoming album approached the guitarist to see if he would be interested in producing a track and, despite the fact that he is working on an album of his own, he agreed. The track is a remix of her most famous recording, the song "Amazing Grace." It features music and chorus by May, who played the toy koto for the first time since the classic 1975 Queen album "A Night at the Opera." He said of the mix, "I made it as close as possible to acappella, so you can hear every breath, every enunciation."

Source: www.japan-zone.com