Mon, October 8, 2007 (11:26pm EDT)
The classic anime series "Yatterman" is returning to television next year in the form of a modern remake.
The original show aired from 1977 to 1979 on Fuji TV. It was the second work in Tatsunoko Production's "Time Bokan Series." During its broadcast, it averaged a 20.1% viewership rating, with a peak of 28.4% for its 11th episode. The story revolves around a heroic duo named Yatterman and their battles against a team of villains known as the Dorombo Gang.
Tatsunoko is producing the remake with Yomiuri TV. The characters will remain the same (with a few minor changes), but all of the episodes will be newly written. The voice cast has not yet been decided.
NTV will air the new series in a prime-time slot: Mondays at 7:00pm. The show begins in January.
It was also recently announced that "Yatterman" is being turned into a live-action film, directed by Takashi Miike. The movie is due out in the spring of 2009.
The original show aired from 1977 to 1979 on Fuji TV. It was the second work in Tatsunoko Production's "Time Bokan Series." During its broadcast, it averaged a 20.1% viewership rating, with a peak of 28.4% for its 11th episode. The story revolves around a heroic duo named Yatterman and their battles against a team of villains known as the Dorombo Gang.
Tatsunoko is producing the remake with Yomiuri TV. The characters will remain the same (with a few minor changes), but all of the episodes will be newly written. The voice cast has not yet been decided.
NTV will air the new series in a prime-time slot: Mondays at 7:00pm. The show begins in January.
It was also recently announced that "Yatterman" is being turned into a live-action film, directed by Takashi Miike. The movie is due out in the spring of 2009.
Mon, October 8, 2007 (10:55pm EDT)
Former Morning Musume member Natsumi Abe caused a traffic accident while driving her car on Sunday evening. While attempting to make a right turn out of a parking lot onto Meiji-doori in Shibuya, she collided with an oncoming motorcycle. The 33-year-old male driver was taken by ambulance to a hospital, but was found to have suffered only minor injuries. Abe was not hurt, though the front-right bumper of her car was damaged.
Abe said she did not notice the motorcycle when she decided to make the turn. After investigating, police determined that she did not take sufficient safety precautions while driving. They plan to soon prosecute her for negligent injury while operating a motor vehicle.
Abe has only had her driver's license since July of this year.
Abe said she did not notice the motorcycle when she decided to make the turn. After investigating, police determined that she did not take sufficient safety precautions while driving. They plan to soon prosecute her for negligent injury while operating a motor vehicle.
Abe has only had her driver's license since July of this year.
Mon, October 8, 2007 (10:16pm EDT)
Details of Yui Aragaki's new music career were announced on Monday. On December 5, she will release her first album, titled "Sora." Then on December 21, she will give her first live performance in front of 10,000 fans at the Nippon Budokan.
Aragaki is only the third artist (and first female idol) to debut at the Nippon Budokan. She is preceded by TOKIO in 1994 and rock singer Michiyo in 1997.
It is also very uncommon for a female idol to release an album before releasing a single. The release will contain ten songs, including "heavenly days" (the insert song for "Koizora") and "Memories" (the theme song for "Koisuru Madori"). It is also reported that the first press jacket will feature a drawing by Aragaki of her pet leopard gecko.
Tickets to the Budokan event are being given away in a lottery. Those who buy her album or who purchased the "Memories" ringtone (previously made available from Tokyo FM's "School of Lock!" website) are eligible for the drawing.
Aragaki is only the third artist (and first female idol) to debut at the Nippon Budokan. She is preceded by TOKIO in 1994 and rock singer Michiyo in 1997.
It is also very uncommon for a female idol to release an album before releasing a single. The release will contain ten songs, including "heavenly days" (the insert song for "Koizora") and "Memories" (the theme song for "Koisuru Madori"). It is also reported that the first press jacket will feature a drawing by Aragaki of her pet leopard gecko.
Tickets to the Budokan event are being given away in a lottery. Those who buy her album or who purchased the "Memories" ringtone (previously made available from Tokyo FM's "School of Lock!" website) are eligible for the drawing.
Mon, October 8, 2007 (9:45pm EDT)
Model/talento Rinka has broken up with her boyfriend after a six-year relationship, she painfully revealed on her blog on Monday. She gave no details about her partner's identity, but it has previously been rumored that she was dating Kazuki Otake of comedy group Summers.
Other rumors had claimed she was seeing comedian Tomoharu Shoji, but she denied those reports. Shoji was later romantically linked to Miki Fujimoto, who left Morning Musume after the relationship was discovered.
Other rumors had claimed she was seeing comedian Tomoharu Shoji, but she denied those reports. Shoji was later romantically linked to Miki Fujimoto, who left Morning Musume after the relationship was discovered.
