Wed, August 22, 2007 (6:25pm EDT)
Makoto Ayukawa, leader of rock band Sheena & The Rokkets, is taking on his first lead movie role. The film is "Jersey no Futari," an adaptation of a novel by Akutagawa Prize-winning author Yu Nagashima. Ayukawa co-stars with Masato Sakai in this depiction of the slow-paced life of a father and son at a villa in Kita-Karuizawa.
Filming begins at the end of this month, with a target release date during next summer. Yoshihiro Nakamura has signed on to direct the picture.
Filming begins at the end of this month, with a target release date during next summer. Yoshihiro Nakamura has signed on to direct the picture.
Wed, August 22, 2007 (5:43pm EDT)
Moyoco Anno's popular manga "Hataraki Man" is being adapted as a drama series on NTV, starring Miho Kanno.
The story revolves around Hiroko Matsukata (Kanno), an editor of a weekly magazine. Hiroko is so focused on her work that she has no time for romance, and others refer to her by the nickname "hataraki man" ("working man").
NTV will broadcast the series on Wednesdays at 10:00pm this fall.
The story revolves around Hiroko Matsukata (Kanno), an editor of a weekly magazine. Hiroko is so focused on her work that she has no time for romance, and others refer to her by the nickname "hataraki man" ("working man").
NTV will broadcast the series on Wednesdays at 10:00pm this fall.
Wed, August 22, 2007 (5:25pm EDT)
Comedian Hidekazu Nagai has his sights set on becoming an international act. He will move to New York next month to study English at a language school in Brooklyn. He also intends to study standup by visiting various New York comedy clubs.
Nagai has been taking English classes for two years, and is said to be comfortable with daily conversation. He intends to spend an entire year in New York to master the language. Currently a regular guest on only one TV show, he will be putting his work on hold. He will also be leaving his wife and son in Japan.
Nagai has been taking English classes for two years, and is said to be comfortable with daily conversation. He intends to spend an entire year in New York to master the language. Currently a regular guest on only one TV show, he will be putting his work on hold. He will also be leaving his wife and son in Japan.
Wed, August 22, 2007 (4:30pm EDT)
Yuya Tegoshi (NEWS) will star in his first television drama this fall. He has been given the lead in the Fuji TV jidaigeki special, "Shabake," based on Megumi Hatakenaka's novel of the same name. In 2001, it won the Excellence Award in the Japan Fantasy Novel Awards, and it was adapted twice as a radio drama.
Tegoshi plays a young man with weak health who has the power to see ghosts. Since the age of five, he has become friends with them, and works with them to solve mysterious incidents.
Filming has begun in Kyoto. Tegoshi appears in traditional costume, including a kimono and a chonmage hairstyle.
Shosuke Tanihara, Ko Takasugi, Hiroyuki Miyasako, Taichi Saotome, Hanako Yamada, and Yukiyo Toake will play the various ghosts. Other cast members include Taro Shigaki, Miki Maya, Ittoku Kishibe, and Yoshinori Okada. A broadcast date has not yet been announced.
Tegoshi plays a young man with weak health who has the power to see ghosts. Since the age of five, he has become friends with them, and works with them to solve mysterious incidents.
Filming has begun in Kyoto. Tegoshi appears in traditional costume, including a kimono and a chonmage hairstyle.
Shosuke Tanihara, Ko Takasugi, Hiroyuki Miyasako, Taichi Saotome, Hanako Yamada, and Yukiyo Toake will play the various ghosts. Other cast members include Taro Shigaki, Miki Maya, Ittoku Kishibe, and Yoshinori Okada. A broadcast date has not yet been announced.
Wed, August 22, 2007 (4:41am EDT)
The Fuji TV drama "Obasan Deka Sakura Otome no Jikencho" is scheduled to air its last episode on September 28, in the "Kinyo Prestige" time slot (Friday 9:00pm).
The drama, which stars Etsuko Ichihara as a detective, began in September 1994. It has averaged slightly more than one episode per year, with next month's broadcast being the 15th and final installment.
The drama, which stars Etsuko Ichihara as a detective, began in September 1994. It has averaged slightly more than one episode per year, with next month's broadcast being the 15th and final installment.
