Fri, August 24, 2007 (6:24pm EDT)
On Friday, it was announced that D-BOYS member Masato Wada (best known for his role as Sengoku Kiyosumi in the Prince of Tennis musicals) is starring in TV Tokyo's late-night drama series "Shigeshoshi."
The drama is adapted from Mitsukazu Mihara's manga of the same name, also known by the English title "The Embalmer." Wada plays Shinjuro Mamiya, a young man working as an embalmer. This is his first starring role in a television series.
The series starts on October 5, airing in the network's "Drama 24" time slot (12:12am on Friday nights), though the first two episodes are scheduled to start half an hour later. Also announced as cast members are Asami Abe and Shunji Igarashi.
The drama is adapted from Mitsukazu Mihara's manga of the same name, also known by the English title "The Embalmer." Wada plays Shinjuro Mamiya, a young man working as an embalmer. This is his first starring role in a television series.
The series starts on October 5, airing in the network's "Drama 24" time slot (12:12am on Friday nights), though the first two episodes are scheduled to start half an hour later. Also announced as cast members are Asami Abe and Shunji Igarashi.
Fri, August 24, 2007 (4:33pm EDT)
Fuji TV's popular talk show "Gout Temps Nouveau" will have a drama special this fall.
The show, hosted by Makiko Esumi, Yuka, and announcer Kyoko Uchida, centers on women discussing their lives. For the drama special, the three will play characters similar to their own personalities, and the story will incorporate discussions previously seen on the show. Unlike Esumi and Yuka, this will be Uchida's first time in an acting role.
The special airs on October 3 at 9:00pm, two hours earlier than the show's regular broadcast slot.
The show, hosted by Makiko Esumi, Yuka, and announcer Kyoko Uchida, centers on women discussing their lives. For the drama special, the three will play characters similar to their own personalities, and the story will incorporate discussions previously seen on the show. Unlike Esumi and Yuka, this will be Uchida's first time in an acting role.
The special airs on October 3 at 9:00pm, two hours earlier than the show's regular broadcast slot.
Fri, August 24, 2007 (3:20pm EDT)
WOWOW is producing a drama special titled "Kekkon Sagishi," based on Asa Nonami's novel of the same name. Teruyoshi Uchimura stars as a detective trying to save a woman (Mayu Tsuruta) from a marriage swindler (Masaya Kato). The drama will be aired sometime in November.
Fri, August 24, 2007 (3:10pm EDT)
Rock band BUMP OF CHICKEN has been chosen to provide the theme song for Takashi Yamazaki's "Always: Zoku Sanchome no Yuhi," the sequel to the 2005 "Always: Sanchome no Yuhi." This is their first time singing the theme for a live-action film.
The song is titled "Hana no Na" and will be released on October 24, simultaneously with the band's other new single, "Mayday." The film opens on November 3.
The song is titled "Hana no Na" and will be released on October 24, simultaneously with the band's other new single, "Mayday." The film opens on November 3.
Fri, August 24, 2007 (4:55am EDT)
Naoki Prize-winning author Eto Mori's novel series "DIVE!!" is being adapted as a movie, directed by Naoto Kumazawa ("Niraikanai Kara no Tegami," "Rainbow Song").
The novels tell the story of a young diving team whose sights are set on competing in the Olympics. The three protagonists will be played by Kento Hayashi, Sosuke Ikematsu, and Junpei Mizobata. Actress Asaka Seto is also in the cast.
Although the three young men have had experience playing sports, they had never dived before. During the one month prior to filming, the three attended training camp and worked their way up to jumping from the 10-meter platform (the highest). They are being coached by Keita Kaneto, who competed three times in the Olympics.
Filming is already underway, scheduled to finish at the end of September. The movie will open next year.
The novels tell the story of a young diving team whose sights are set on competing in the Olympics. The three protagonists will be played by Kento Hayashi, Sosuke Ikematsu, and Junpei Mizobata. Actress Asaka Seto is also in the cast.
Although the three young men have had experience playing sports, they had never dived before. During the one month prior to filming, the three attended training camp and worked their way up to jumping from the 10-meter platform (the highest). They are being coached by Keita Kaneto, who competed three times in the Olympics.
Filming is already underway, scheduled to finish at the end of September. The movie will open next year.
Fri, August 24, 2007 (4:22am EDT)
The second series of the TBS drama "Asakusa Fukumaru Ryokan" has reportedly been confirmed for this fall, and lead actor Toshiyuki Nishida will be singing its theme song.
The new series is set half a year after the first series, which aired this past winter. Broadcast is scheduled for the same Monday 8:00pm time slot, starting on October 8.
Nishida's song has not yet been officially titled, but the single is expected to be released around late October.
The new series is set half a year after the first series, which aired this past winter. Broadcast is scheduled for the same Monday 8:00pm time slot, starting on October 8.
Nishida's song has not yet been officially titled, but the single is expected to be released around late October.
Fri, August 24, 2007 (4:09am EDT)
It was announced on Friday that Maki Goto is currently suffering from illness. On the 8th, she missed an event due to acute pharyngitis. Since then, she has been feeling unwell. On Thursday, she was diagnosed with superficial gastritis, and has been advised to rest for a week.
Goto is a member of Morning Musume Tanjou 10 Nen Kinentai, which is currently on tour. She will not appear in the last four shows of this month, and it is not yet clear if she will recover in time for the tour's final concert on September 1. There are also concerns about whether she can perform her solo tour that is scheduled to begin on September 15.
Goto is a member of Morning Musume Tanjou 10 Nen Kinentai, which is currently on tour. She will not appear in the last four shows of this month, and it is not yet clear if she will recover in time for the tour's final concert on September 1. There are also concerns about whether she can perform her solo tour that is scheduled to begin on September 15.
