Tue, January 30, 2007 (7:10pm EST)
On Tuesday, the Motion Picture Producers Association of Japan (also known as Eiren) released their official data for the film industry in 2006. Total revenue was approximately 202.55 billion yen, with revenue from domestic films topping that of foreign films for the first time since 1985.
Revenue from domestic films added up to a record 107.75 billion yen, comprising 53.2% of the total revenue. Foreign films, on the other hand, only brought in about 94.8 billion yen.
2006 has been frequently called a year of a "hoga boom" ("hoga" meaning "domestic film"). Even though the top three grossing films were "Harry Potter," "Pirates of the Caribbean," and "The Da Vinci Code," there were still relatively fewer blockbusters overall among the foreign films brought in. Analysts have also credited the rise in domestic films to the increased role of television (and television celebrities) in building publicity for movies.
Revenue from domestic films added up to a record 107.75 billion yen, comprising 53.2% of the total revenue. Foreign films, on the other hand, only brought in about 94.8 billion yen.
2006 has been frequently called a year of a "hoga boom" ("hoga" meaning "domestic film"). Even though the top three grossing films were "Harry Potter," "Pirates of the Caribbean," and "The Da Vinci Code," there were still relatively fewer blockbusters overall among the foreign films brought in. Analysts have also credited the rise in domestic films to the increased role of television (and television celebrities) in building publicity for movies.
Tue, January 30, 2007 (6:40pm EST)
B'z has been chosen to do the theme song for the upcoming film, "Ore wa, Kimi no Tame ni Koso Shini ni Iku," directed by Taku Shinjo. The song, titled "Eien no Tsubasa," is the group's first theme song for a live-action film in nine years. The group has also created an instrumental piece, "THE WINGS," which will be the film's title image song. The CD is scheduled to be released at the end of April.
The film revolves around a special attack squad formed during the Pacific War. It opens in Japan on May 12.
The film revolves around a special attack squad formed during the Pacific War. It opens in Japan on May 12.
Tue, January 30, 2007 (6:12pm EST)
Koki Tanaka of popular group KAT-TUN has been chosen for his first lead role in a drama series. "Tokkyu Tanaka 3 Go" will air in the spring on TBS, though a specific time slot has not yet been announced.
Tanaka will play a college student named Ichiro Tanaka, nicknamed "Tetsu" because he is a railfan (one who is interested in railroads). Tanaka admits that he was worried when he first heard about the story, but changed his mind after reading the script.
The series will be produced by Aki Isoyama and written by Hiroshi Hashimoto. The drama is described as an original love comedy.
Tanaka will play a college student named Ichiro Tanaka, nicknamed "Tetsu" because he is a railfan (one who is interested in railroads). Tanaka admits that he was worried when he first heard about the story, but changed his mind after reading the script.
The series will be produced by Aki Isoyama and written by Hiroshi Hashimoto. The drama is described as an original love comedy.
Tue, January 30, 2007 (5:25pm EST)
Three anime conventions have been cancelled, according to three separate announcements.
Gen Con So Cal will be discontinued due to falling attendance numbers and a lack of dealer room reservations. Gen Con Indy, meanwhile, will still go on as scheduled.
The Garden City Anime Festival in St. Catharines, Ontario is cancelled, apparently due to conflicts among the staff.
The long-running Anime Express in Daytona Beach, FL is cancelled this year, partly due to reconstruction from a recent tornado, but more importantly because of issues between the AGAnime Club and the administration of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where the convention is held. According to the announcement, the administration's view of the AGAnime Club has become unfavorable, as "[s]everal SERIOUS breeches of trust, ERAU policy, and even of the law itself were witnessed and documented by ERAU Safety over the past two years of the convention."
Gen Con So Cal will be discontinued due to falling attendance numbers and a lack of dealer room reservations. Gen Con Indy, meanwhile, will still go on as scheduled.
The Garden City Anime Festival in St. Catharines, Ontario is cancelled, apparently due to conflicts among the staff.
The long-running Anime Express in Daytona Beach, FL is cancelled this year, partly due to reconstruction from a recent tornado, but more importantly because of issues between the AGAnime Club and the administration of Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, where the convention is held. According to the announcement, the administration's view of the AGAnime Club has become unfavorable, as "[s]everal SERIOUS breeches of trust, ERAU policy, and even of the law itself were witnessed and documented by ERAU Safety over the past two years of the convention."
