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Tue, May 13, 2008 (11:08am EDT)
This fall, Porno Graffiti is releasing a new single titled "Gift," which will be used as the theme song to director Takahisa Zeze's movie "Flying Rabbits," in theaters on September 13.

The movie was first announced last July. It is based on a novel by writer Yusuke Fukada about the women's basketball team JAL Rabbits (affiliated with the airline JAL). Satomi Ishihara is playing the lead role.

Porno Graffiti will be heading into their 10th year since their debut on September 8. The duo has several other projects lined up this year to commemorate the occasion, including another single, "Itai Tachi Ichi," that goes on sale June 25. They also have concerts lined up at Yokohama Stadium on September 6-7 and at the Akashi Kaikyo National Government Park in Awaji on September 14-15.
Tue, May 13, 2008 (11:07am EDT)
On Saturday, Asahi Shimbun announced the winners of its 12th Tezuka Osamu Cultural Prize. After being nominated twice previously, Masayuki Ishikawa's "Moyashimon" finally won the Manga Grand Prize.

Toranosuke Shimada won the New Artist Award for his "Traumerei," and Yumiko Oshima won in the Short Works category for "Gou-Gou Datte Neko Dearu." A special prize was given to the International Institute for Children's Literature in Osaka.
Tue, May 13, 2008 (2:28am EDT)
Actor Tetsuji Tamayama is starring in a movie called "Kafuu wo Machiwabite," directed by Yasutomo Nakai. Tamayama has previously been cast in a range of films, from the comical "Gyakkyo Nine" to the action flick "Freesia." He also co-starred with Ryoko Hirosue in the short love story "Presents ~Aikagi~," but "Kafuu" marks his first time starring in a feature-length romance movie.

The story, set in a small town on Okinawa, is based on a novel by Maha Harada, who is also known for being the sister of writer Munenori Harada. The book won the 1st Japan Love Story Award in 2005. Tamayama's love interest is played by model Maiko, who co-stars with Tsuyoshi Kusanagi in Katsuhito Ishii's "Yama no Anata ~Tokuichi no Koi~" (in theaters on May 24).

"Kafuu" was filmed from late March to late April in Okinawa. The movie aims to evoke the image of the Showa era, so it was reportedly recorded in analog rather than digital. The completed film will be released in spring 2009.
Tue, May 13, 2008 (2:01am EDT)
The winners of the 32nd Kodansha Manga Award have been announced. Peach-Pit's "Shugo Chara!" won in the children's category. In the shonen category, Motoyuki Tanaka's "Saikyo! Toritsu Aoizaka Koko Yakyubu" claimed the prize, while Karuho Shiina won the shojo category with "Kimi ni Todoke." Masayuki Ishikawa's "Moyashimon" took the general category.

Each award comes with 1 million yen in prize money. The presentation ceremony will take place on June 20.
Tue, May 13, 2008 (1:50am EDT)
Last year's hit manga-to-film adaptation "Crows ZERO" has been confirmed to be getting a sequel, it was learned on Monday. Director Takashi Miike is again taking the helm, and popular actor Shun Oguri is reprising his role as the protagonist Genji Takaya.

Oguri has already begun training for the movie, which starts filming in July. The story is set about 8 months after the first movie. Genji is close to graduation at Suzuran High School, but one last matter must be settled with a rival school.

According to producer Mataichiro Yamamoto, there was never any intention to end the story after only one film. However, this sequel is reportedly the story's conclusion. Kyosuke Yabe is also returning, though other cast members from the first movie (such as Takayuki Yamada) have not yet been mentioned.

"Crows ZERO 2" will open in 2009.
 
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