Sat, February 24, 2007 (6:19pm EST)
Actress Miki Mizuno has been chosen to star in the Hong Kong action film "Sasori."
The movie is based on the popular "Sasori" series of films from the 1970s, adapted from Toru Shinohara's manga of the same name. The series, also known as "Female Prisoner Scorpion," tells the story of Nami Matsushima, a woman seeking revenge against the former lover that betrayed her.
Joe Ma Wai Ho is directing the new film. The cast consists mostly of actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan (such as Dylan Kuo, who plays the betraying lover), but a few other Japanese actors will make appearances, such as Ryo Ishibashi and Nana Natsume.
Filming began last month and is scheduled to continue until next month. The theatrical release is slated for the end of 2008, starting in Hong Kong and expanding to the rest of Asia afterwards.
The movie is based on the popular "Sasori" series of films from the 1970s, adapted from Toru Shinohara's manga of the same name. The series, also known as "Female Prisoner Scorpion," tells the story of Nami Matsushima, a woman seeking revenge against the former lover that betrayed her.
Joe Ma Wai Ho is directing the new film. The cast consists mostly of actors from Hong Kong and Taiwan (such as Dylan Kuo, who plays the betraying lover), but a few other Japanese actors will make appearances, such as Ryo Ishibashi and Nana Natsume.
Filming began last month and is scheduled to continue until next month. The theatrical release is slated for the end of 2008, starting in Hong Kong and expanding to the rest of Asia afterwards.
Sat, February 24, 2007 (5:09pm EST)
Dragon Ash's latest single, "Yume de Aetara," will be the basis for a radio drama on J-WAVE's daytime program M+. There are four parts to this "mini love story," each about five minutes long. The parts will air on consecutive days, beginning on March 5.
The only voices will be Shinji Takeda (who played the sax on Dragon Ash's "El Alma") and Mariko Takahashi (who appeared in the PV for "Yume de Aetara").
The only voices will be Shinji Takeda (who played the sax on Dragon Ash's "El Alma") and Mariko Takahashi (who appeared in the PV for "Yume de Aetara").
Sat, February 24, 2007 (3:48pm EST)
Keiichiro Koyama of NEWS will make his first appearance on an economics program when he serves as a guest panelist on the March 14 episode of "God of Economy" (TV Tokyo, 10:00pm). The show introduces viewers to the economic principles that connect seemingly unrelated events.
Sat, February 24, 2007 (12:32pm EST)
At New York Comic Con, Tokyopop announced a list of new manga titles: King of Thorn, Brave Story, Monochrome Factor, Kingdom Hearts II, Cherry Juice, Kedamono Damono, Heaven!!, Pick of the Litter, Missing, Kuruizaki no Hana, and Baku.
Tokyopop announced a few additions to its fiction line: the Full Metal Panic! novels, the NHK ni Youkoso! novels, Calling You, Alex Unlimited, and Ai-chan Chronicles. Tokyopop also announced that it will be translating the Fruits Basket fanbook.
Tokyopop announced a few additions to its fiction line: the Full Metal Panic! novels, the NHK ni Youkoso! novels, Calling You, Alex Unlimited, and Ai-chan Chronicles. Tokyopop also announced that it will be translating the Fruits Basket fanbook.
Sat, February 24, 2007 (3:06am EST)
Late last month, rumors began circulating on the Internet that Masahiro Nakai (SMAP) and TV announcer Minako Nakano were getting married, with some reports saying they already had married and that Nakano was pregnant. Earlier this month, Johnny's Jimusho denied the rumors, calling them "completely groundless."
According to the current issue of Weekly Gendai, Nakano's father has also denied the rumor of marriage. He mentioned that they do go out, but has heard that they are just friends. In addition, the current issue of Woman Weekly also quotes Nakano's mother denying the marriage. However, there still seem to be questions about the actual relationship between Nakai and Nakano.
The rumors have already caused problems for Nakano, who is facing the possibility of a ruined career.
According to the current issue of Weekly Gendai, Nakano's father has also denied the rumor of marriage. He mentioned that they do go out, but has heard that they are just friends. In addition, the current issue of Woman Weekly also quotes Nakano's mother denying the marriage. However, there still seem to be questions about the actual relationship between Nakai and Nakano.
The rumors have already caused problems for Nakano, who is facing the possibility of a ruined career.
Sat, February 24, 2007 (1:00am EST)
According to data released by the Recording Industry Association of Japan, the online music market in 2006 increased by 56% from 2005, reaching 53.4 billion yen. This is the first time that online sales have surpassed that of CD singles, which amounted to only 50.8 billion yen last year. The data also showed that music video sales (DVDs) accounted for 56.8 billion yen.
Of the online music sales, about 90% of it came from cell phone downloads (48.2 billion yen). Through the Chaku-Uta download service, ringtone-length clips made up 24.6 billion yen (at 100 yen per song), while full-length songs made up 17.9 billion yen (at 300 yen each).
Of the online music sales, about 90% of it came from cell phone downloads (48.2 billion yen). Through the Chaku-Uta download service, ringtone-length clips made up 24.6 billion yen (at 100 yen per song), while full-length songs made up 17.9 billion yen (at 300 yen each).
Sat, February 24, 2007 (12:35am EST)
The 12th TOKIO HOT 100 AWARD ceremony was held on Friday. J-WAVE personality Chris Peppler served as the MC, and he received many cheers and blessings from fans for the recent announcement that he and talento Yukari Kimishima got married last October.
Best Song was awarded to Canadian artist Daniel Powter for his hit, "Bad Day." Although Ayaka didn't win in that category, she did pick up the award for Best New Artist. EXILE earned Best Group, while Angela Aki and Shikao Suga took Best Female Artist and Best Male Artist, respectively. Unfortunately, Shikao Suga was not present to receive the award, as he is still recovering from his recent case of bronchitis.
Best Song was awarded to Canadian artist Daniel Powter for his hit, "Bad Day." Although Ayaka didn't win in that category, she did pick up the award for Best New Artist. EXILE earned Best Group, while Angela Aki and Shikao Suga took Best Female Artist and Best Male Artist, respectively. Unfortunately, Shikao Suga was not present to receive the award, as he is still recovering from his recent case of bronchitis.
