Wed, June 20, 2007 (4:39pm EDT)
Shochiku is producing a stage version of the highly successful Korean historical drama, "Dae Jang Geum," which first aired in 2003. Earlier this year, the series was adapted as a musical in Korea, and it was soon decided that a Japanese version would be made.
Actress Rei Kikukawa will star as the main character, Jang Geum. Performances begins in December at Tokyo's Nissay Theatre.
Actress Rei Kikukawa will star as the main character, Jang Geum. Performances begins in December at Tokyo's Nissay Theatre.
Wed, June 20, 2007 (3:05pm EDT)
Pop diva Kumi Koda is in a new commercial for Honda ZEST Sports. The ad began airing on Wednesday.
Wed, June 20, 2007 (5:46am EDT)
Masafumi Akikawa's unexpected hit single "Sen no Kaze ni Natte" continues to makes headlines. Oricon revealed its rankings for the first half of 2007, and the popular song is in first place by a vast margin. At 916,000 copies sold between last Christmas and June 18, it is close to becoming a million-seller.
When the single was released last May, it debuted in 168th place, and soon fell off the charts. But after Akikawa's appearance at the Kohaku Uta Gassen, the CD skyrocketed to the top and has been constantly reaching new milestones.
Reaching the #1 spot in Oricon's first-half rankings is no easy feat. Akikawa is the first male solo artist to do so since Shogo Hamada in 1992, and is the first enka/kayokyoku artist since Eisaku Okawa in 1983. In addition, the last time it was achieved with a single older than a year was by Jiro Atsumi in 1979.
The #2 single for the first half of 2007 is Hikaru Utada's "Flavor of Life," which only sold a measly 630,000 by comparison. Meanwhile, the top two albums are Mr.Children's "HOME" (almost 1.13 million copies) and Kumi Koda's "Black Cherry" (998,000 copies).
When the single was released last May, it debuted in 168th place, and soon fell off the charts. But after Akikawa's appearance at the Kohaku Uta Gassen, the CD skyrocketed to the top and has been constantly reaching new milestones.
Reaching the #1 spot in Oricon's first-half rankings is no easy feat. Akikawa is the first male solo artist to do so since Shogo Hamada in 1992, and is the first enka/kayokyoku artist since Eisaku Okawa in 1983. In addition, the last time it was achieved with a single older than a year was by Jiro Atsumi in 1979.
The #2 single for the first half of 2007 is Hikaru Utada's "Flavor of Life," which only sold a measly 630,000 by comparison. Meanwhile, the top two albums are Mr.Children's "HOME" (almost 1.13 million copies) and Kumi Koda's "Black Cherry" (998,000 copies).
Wed, June 20, 2007 (5:23am EDT)
On Wednesday, director Mamoru Oshii announced his newest project to be the animated "The Sky Crawlers," based on the novel of the same name by Hiroshi Mori.
Mori is best known for his mystery novels, but "The Sky Crawlers" is a more philosophical story about young pilots who battle in the skies.
The film is scheduled for release in 2008. The official website is now open.
Mori is best known for his mystery novels, but "The Sky Crawlers" is a more philosophical story about young pilots who battle in the skies.
The film is scheduled for release in 2008. The official website is now open.
Wed, June 20, 2007 (2:46am EDT)
Beat Takeshi (a.k.a. Takeshi Kitano) will appear in his first television drama in five years. He has been chosen to star in a TV Asahi special based on Seicho Matsumoto's classic mystery novel, "Ten to Sen" (published in English as "Points and Lines"). The story centers on a senior detective who is determined to find the truth behind an apparent double suicide.
The drama will air on two consecutive nights this fall.
The drama will air on two consecutive nights this fall.
