Tue, September 11, 2007 (6:40pm EDT)
Actress Sayuri Yoshinaga has been chosen to star in the film "Maboroshi no Yamataikoku," directed by Yukihiko Tsutsumi and written by Shizuka Oishi.
The story is inspired by the best-selling book of the same name, written by Kohei Miyazaki in 1967. According to historical record, Yamataikoku was an ancient country within Japan.
The film tells the story of a couple, loosely based on Miyazaki and his wife, played by Naoto Takenaka and Yoshinaga. The husband is blind, but both continue their pursuit of Yamataikoku. At one point, Kohei has a vision of the country, and he sees the queen Himiko, who is also played by Yoshinaga.
Filming begins near the end of October. The movie is not scheduled to be released until next fall.
The story is inspired by the best-selling book of the same name, written by Kohei Miyazaki in 1967. According to historical record, Yamataikoku was an ancient country within Japan.
The film tells the story of a couple, loosely based on Miyazaki and his wife, played by Naoto Takenaka and Yoshinaga. The husband is blind, but both continue their pursuit of Yamataikoku. At one point, Kohei has a vision of the country, and he sees the queen Himiko, who is also played by Yoshinaga.
Filming begins near the end of October. The movie is not scheduled to be released until next fall.
Tue, September 11, 2007 (5:52am EDT)
American film distributor Magnolia Pictures has launched a new label called Magnet Releasing, which will specialize in "horror, action, comedy, and Asian cinema."
Magnet has already announced six films on its roster, including "Dainipponjin" (Hitoshi Matsumoto) and "Triangle" (Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Johnnie To). Both will see releases in 2008.
Magnolia Pictures is known for releasing other Asian films such as "The Host" and "Ong Bak."
Magnet has already announced six films on its roster, including "Dainipponjin" (Hitoshi Matsumoto) and "Triangle" (Tsui Hark, Ringo Lam, Johnnie To). Both will see releases in 2008.
Magnolia Pictures is known for releasing other Asian films such as "The Host" and "Ong Bak."
Tue, September 11, 2007 (2:02am EDT)
It was mostly a slow week on the singles chart, except for Arashi's newest release, "Happiness." It sold 192,000 copies to easily take the #1 spot ahead of Hikaru Utada's "Beautiful World / Kiss & Cry," which actually climbed one spot since last week. The sixth single from rising star Ayaka, titled "Why / CLAP & LOVE," only sold 16,000 copies but managed to make #5.
Within the top 20 were the first four character songs from the anime "Lucky Star," which were simultaneously released last Wednesday. They ranked at #8 (Konata), #9 (Kagami), #11 (Tsukasa), and #15 (Miyuki).
At #13 was "Oshiri Kajiri Mushi," the children's song by UrumaDelvi that has quickly become one of the latest crazes. Also known as "The Butt-Biting Bug," the song was chosen for NHK's "Minna no Uta," but proved so popular that it was extended for a second two-month stay on the show. It debuted at #93 after its July 27 release, but rose to #42 two weeks later. The following week it ranked at #24, climbing to #13 in last week's charts. In the daily charts, it has been #3 for the last two days.
In the album charts, Ketsumeishi remained on top with "Ketsu no Police 5," followed by the two best albums of rap-rock group Dragon Ash. Rock band Boowy captured the next two spots with their best albums. KREVA's newest ranked 6th, while Kome Kome Club barely made the top ten.
In the DVD rankings, the limited and regular editions of "Bleach: Memories of Nobody" took the top two spots, respectively.
Within the top 20 were the first four character songs from the anime "Lucky Star," which were simultaneously released last Wednesday. They ranked at #8 (Konata), #9 (Kagami), #11 (Tsukasa), and #15 (Miyuki).
At #13 was "Oshiri Kajiri Mushi," the children's song by UrumaDelvi that has quickly become one of the latest crazes. Also known as "The Butt-Biting Bug," the song was chosen for NHK's "Minna no Uta," but proved so popular that it was extended for a second two-month stay on the show. It debuted at #93 after its July 27 release, but rose to #42 two weeks later. The following week it ranked at #24, climbing to #13 in last week's charts. In the daily charts, it has been #3 for the last two days.
In the album charts, Ketsumeishi remained on top with "Ketsu no Police 5," followed by the two best albums of rap-rock group Dragon Ash. Rock band Boowy captured the next two spots with their best albums. KREVA's newest ranked 6th, while Kome Kome Club barely made the top ten.
In the DVD rankings, the limited and regular editions of "Bleach: Memories of Nobody" took the top two spots, respectively.
Tue, September 11, 2007 (1:17am EDT)
Takashi Okamura of comedy duo Ninety-nine is teaming up with music group EXILE to form a temporary unit, roughly pronounced "Ok-xile." The collaboration is a project for Fuji TV's "Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!" which Ninety-nine is a regular on.
Okamura has previously worked with other well-known artists, such as SMAP and Morning Musume.
The temporary unit will be photographed for the cover of The Television magazine, and will appear on a special episode of "Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!" on October 6.
Okamura has previously worked with other well-known artists, such as SMAP and Morning Musume.
The temporary unit will be photographed for the cover of The Television magazine, and will appear on a special episode of "Mecha-Mecha Iketeru!" on October 6.
Tue, September 11, 2007 (1:03am EDT)
Two musicians delivered their second children on Sunday.
At about 8:40am, Kiroro vocalist Chiharu Tamashiro gave birth to her first daughter. She has been married since April 2005, and her first child, a son, was born the following February.
Then at noon on Sunday, singer Nanase Aikawa gave birth to her second son. She married in February 2001 and had her first child that September.
At about 8:40am, Kiroro vocalist Chiharu Tamashiro gave birth to her first daughter. She has been married since April 2005, and her first child, a son, was born the following February.
Then at noon on Sunday, singer Nanase Aikawa gave birth to her second son. She married in February 2001 and had her first child that September.
