Sun, December 2, 2007 (9:57pm EST)
Shigeyuki Sato, a member of the acting group TEAM NACS, announced on his website on Sunday that he is changing his stage name.
His last name will change from Sato (which he says is his real surname) to Totsugi (戸次). He made the decision in honor of his mother, who died of cancer at the end of last year. His mother's maiden name is written the same way, but is read as Bekki.
His last name will change from Sato (which he says is his real surname) to Totsugi (戸次). He made the decision in honor of his mother, who died of cancer at the end of last year. His mother's maiden name is written the same way, but is read as Bekki.
Sun, December 2, 2007 (6:11pm EST)
Actress Misaki Ito will take on a starring role in a TBS drama series titled "Edison no Haha."
Described as partly comedy, the series focuses on Noriko Ayukawa (Ito), the teacher of a class of first-graders. One day, a boy named Kento transfers into her class from another school, where he was treated as a problem child. In reality, the inquisitive Kento actually displays potential as a prodigy, and it's up to Noriko to figure out how to handle him.
The story draws inspiration from the childhood of famous inventor Thomas Edison, who was also considered a problem child by most adults around him.
Ito commented that she loves children, and is actually qualified as a kindergarten and nursery teacher.
The role of Kento will be played by 6-year-old Yuya Shimizu. This is his first major role in a drama. Maki Sakai has been cast as Kento's mother, and Shosuke Tanihara plays a university professor who is Noriko's ex-boyfriend. Other cast members include Kaoru Sugita and Yuki Matsushita.
TBS will broadcast the drama on Fridays at 10:00pm, starting on January 11.
Described as partly comedy, the series focuses on Noriko Ayukawa (Ito), the teacher of a class of first-graders. One day, a boy named Kento transfers into her class from another school, where he was treated as a problem child. In reality, the inquisitive Kento actually displays potential as a prodigy, and it's up to Noriko to figure out how to handle him.
The story draws inspiration from the childhood of famous inventor Thomas Edison, who was also considered a problem child by most adults around him.
Ito commented that she loves children, and is actually qualified as a kindergarten and nursery teacher.
The role of Kento will be played by 6-year-old Yuya Shimizu. This is his first major role in a drama. Maki Sakai has been cast as Kento's mother, and Shosuke Tanihara plays a university professor who is Noriko's ex-boyfriend. Other cast members include Kaoru Sugita and Yuki Matsushita.
TBS will broadcast the drama on Fridays at 10:00pm, starting on January 11.
Sun, December 2, 2007 (5:37pm EST)
The finals of the Miss Campus Kansai 2007 contest were held in Osaka on Sunday. 15 women, each winners of their respective schools' Miss Campus contests, competed for the crown.
The Grand Prix winner was 23-year-old Erina Kakumu, a senior at Kyoto Women's University. She plans to enter graduate studies at Nara Women's University next year.
The Grand Prix winner was 23-year-old Erina Kakumu, a senior at Kyoto Women's University. She plans to enter graduate studies at Nara Women's University next year.
Sun, December 2, 2007 (4:55pm EST)
Actor Yosuke Eguchi has been given the starring role in Kazuaki Kiriya's "Goemon," it was learned on Sunday. Eguchi plays the legendary 16th-century bandit Ishikawa Goemon, though Kiriya's film is said to be a new interpretation on the character.
Kiriya's Goemon, who works for a military commander, has an unusual appearance. His hairstyle resembles modern fashion, rather than the traditional chonmage style, and his outfit is a combination of kimono, Western armor, and long boots. The setting is said to feature Western-style architecture, unlike the original time period. It appears that the whole story has been somewhat modernized.
Kiriya stated that from the outset, he has been creating the film with global audiences in mind.
Filming took place from late August to late November, and much of it seems to have been shot in front of a greenscreen so that the backgrounds can be done with CG. It is said that the CG processing will take a whole year, twice as long as it took for Kiriya's last film, "Casshern."
Takao Osawa plays the role of the ninja Kirigakure Saizo, while Ryoko Hirosue plays the heroine Chacha. In the film, both characters are childhood friends of Goemon. Another famous ninja, Sarutobi Sasuke, serves as Goemon's follower, played by comedian Gori (of Garage Sale).
"Goemon" is scheduled for theatrical release in 2009.
Kiriya's Goemon, who works for a military commander, has an unusual appearance. His hairstyle resembles modern fashion, rather than the traditional chonmage style, and his outfit is a combination of kimono, Western armor, and long boots. The setting is said to feature Western-style architecture, unlike the original time period. It appears that the whole story has been somewhat modernized.
Kiriya stated that from the outset, he has been creating the film with global audiences in mind.
Filming took place from late August to late November, and much of it seems to have been shot in front of a greenscreen so that the backgrounds can be done with CG. It is said that the CG processing will take a whole year, twice as long as it took for Kiriya's last film, "Casshern."
Takao Osawa plays the role of the ninja Kirigakure Saizo, while Ryoko Hirosue plays the heroine Chacha. In the film, both characters are childhood friends of Goemon. Another famous ninja, Sarutobi Sasuke, serves as Goemon's follower, played by comedian Gori (of Garage Sale).
"Goemon" is scheduled for theatrical release in 2009.
