Sun, March 11, 2007 (10:36pm EDT)
On Sunday, Nippon Broadcasting System held the finals of its "Dreamgirls Audition." The event was planned as part of the station's "All Night Nippon" program, which is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year. It kicked off last month in conjunction with the release of the "Dreamgirls" movie. Nippon Broadcasting System also collaborated with avex and XING (the company behind JOYSOUND karaoke) for the project.
The 575 applicants had to perform three songs to enter the audition: "Blue Bird" (Ayumi Hamasaki), "Jewel Song" (BoA), and "SMILY" (Ai Otsuka). In the last round, the 17 finalists had to sing a song of their choice and answer questions from the judges.
The winner of the audition was 15-year-old Hisayo Inamori, a third-year middle schooler from Kanagawa. In her profile, she listed Ringo Shiina's "Kabukicho no Joou" as her favorite song, but she chose to sing Bonnie Pink's "A Perfect Sky" for the contest.
Winning the contest will help Inamori attain her dream of becoming a singer. One of her rewards is that she will make her debut on avex's rhythm zone label, which is expected to happen next year. She is also scheduled to appear at a Nippon Broadcasting System event on April 9 at Shibuya AX.
The 575 applicants had to perform three songs to enter the audition: "Blue Bird" (Ayumi Hamasaki), "Jewel Song" (BoA), and "SMILY" (Ai Otsuka). In the last round, the 17 finalists had to sing a song of their choice and answer questions from the judges.
The winner of the audition was 15-year-old Hisayo Inamori, a third-year middle schooler from Kanagawa. In her profile, she listed Ringo Shiina's "Kabukicho no Joou" as her favorite song, but she chose to sing Bonnie Pink's "A Perfect Sky" for the contest.
Winning the contest will help Inamori attain her dream of becoming a singer. One of her rewards is that she will make her debut on avex's rhythm zone label, which is expected to happen next year. She is also scheduled to appear at a Nippon Broadcasting System event on April 9 at Shibuya AX.
Sun, March 11, 2007 (8:08pm EDT)
Actor Hirofumi Arai (who recently starred in "The Matsugane Potshot Affair") is currently in a serious relationship with singer Miu Sakamoto. The two first met when they appeared together on a television talk show about a year ago.
Miu is the eldest daughter of noted musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and singer-songwriter Akiko Yano, who divorced last August.
Miu is the eldest daughter of noted musician Ryuichi Sakamoto and singer-songwriter Akiko Yano, who divorced last August.
Sun, March 11, 2007 (7:40pm EDT)
The 37th NHK Kamigata Manzai Contest was held on Friday night at the NHK Osaka Hall. 115 teams took part in the preliminaries, and eight made it to the finals on Friday.
Yoshimoto Kogyo duo Plus Minus won the top prize. Two additional Excellence Awards were presented, also to Yoshimoto Kogyo acts. One went to female duo Asian, who received the same honor last year, while the other went to Chidori, who received the award in 2005.
Yoshimoto Kogyo duo Plus Minus won the top prize. Two additional Excellence Awards were presented, also to Yoshimoto Kogyo acts. One went to female duo Asian, who received the same honor last year, while the other went to Chidori, who received the award in 2005.
Sun, March 11, 2007 (7:02pm EDT)
Comedian/talento Sayaka Aoki will star in a Fuji TV drama special titled "Kuu Neru Tokoro Sumu Tokoro." Based on the book of the same name by author Asuko Taira, the story follows a 30-year-old woman who gives up a career as a publishing editor and becomes a laborer for a building contractor.
Actor Ken Kaneko will co-star in the drama. It airs on April 3 at 10:00pm.
Actor Ken Kaneko will co-star in the drama. It airs on April 3 at 10:00pm.
Sun, March 11, 2007 (3:31am EDT)
A press release from Warner Bros. Pictures announced that the "Speed Racer" movie is scheduled to open in U.S. theaters on May 9, 2008, two weeks earlier than the previously scheduled May 23 release. The film will also be simultaneously released in a "majority of the international markets."
"Speed Racer" is being written and directed by the Wachowski brothers and produced by Joel Silver.
"Speed Racer" is being written and directed by the Wachowski brothers and produced by Joel Silver.
Sun, March 11, 2007 (1:57am EST)
"Otaku idol" Shoko Nakagawa has been chosen to sing the theme song for the new Gainax anime series, "Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann," which starts in April. The song is titled "Sorairo Days" and will be a rock tune, unlike her previous two pop-music singles.
Nakagawa, a self-professed "Evangelion" fan, said that being able to sing a theme song for Gainax is a dream for her. "I was excited just to hear that Gainax was making another robot anime after 11 years. I couldn't believe that I would get to sing the theme song."
The "Sorairo Days" single is scheduled for release in June. Nakagawa will also be releasing an anime song cover album, titled "Shokotan Cover," on May 2.
Nakagawa, a self-professed "Evangelion" fan, said that being able to sing a theme song for Gainax is a dream for her. "I was excited just to hear that Gainax was making another robot anime after 11 years. I couldn't believe that I would get to sing the theme song."
The "Sorairo Days" single is scheduled for release in June. Nakagawa will also be releasing an anime song cover album, titled "Shokotan Cover," on May 2.
