Wed, December 12, 2007 (5:50pm EST)
16-year-old actors Aoi Nakamura and Yoshiki Saito will co-star in a movie called "Hyakuhachi," directed by Yoshitaka Mori. Nakamura was the Grand Prix winner of the 2005 JUNON Superboy Contest.
The title, which translates to the number 108, refers to the number of stitches on a baseball and to the number of kleshas (worldly passions) in Buddhism.
Nakamura and Saito play two reserve members of a strong high school team in Kanagawa led by a demanding coach (Riki Takeuchi). To secure a place on the bench, they are willing to do anything to prove their value to the team.
The two actors, who are managed by different agencies, were chosen by audition, but by coincidence they are actually classmates at a private Tokyo high school. Neither had any experience in baseball, so they spent three months in special training for their parts.
Also part of the cast is Ichiro Hashimoto, the son of actor Koji Yakusho. Hashimoto appeared in "Ore wa, Kimi no Tame ni Koso Shini ni Iku" earlier this year, but this will be his first time in a speaking role.
"Hyakuhachi" is scheduled for release in 2008.
The title, which translates to the number 108, refers to the number of stitches on a baseball and to the number of kleshas (worldly passions) in Buddhism.
Nakamura and Saito play two reserve members of a strong high school team in Kanagawa led by a demanding coach (Riki Takeuchi). To secure a place on the bench, they are willing to do anything to prove their value to the team.
The two actors, who are managed by different agencies, were chosen by audition, but by coincidence they are actually classmates at a private Tokyo high school. Neither had any experience in baseball, so they spent three months in special training for their parts.
Also part of the cast is Ichiro Hashimoto, the son of actor Koji Yakusho. Hashimoto appeared in "Ore wa, Kimi no Tame ni Koso Shini ni Iku" earlier this year, but this will be his first time in a speaking role.
"Hyakuhachi" is scheduled for release in 2008.
Wed, December 12, 2007 (4:02pm EST)
Enka singer Kiyoshi Hikawa was the big winner of the 40th Nihon Yusen Taisho, which was held on Wednesday. He won his fourth Grand Prize, the most achieved by any artist. Hikawa also picked up the awards for Most Requested Artist and Most Requested Song ("Kiyoshi no Soran Bushi").
The only other award, Best New Artist, went to the group RSP.
The only other award, Best New Artist, went to the group RSP.
Wed, December 12, 2007 (3:36pm EST)
13-year-old Yuma Nakayama, a member of Kansai Johnny's Jr., will make his debut as an actor this coming spring. He will star in an NHK drama series titled "Battery."
The drama is based on Atsuko Asano's popular novel series of the same name, which was turned into a movie this past March. The story revolves around a talented young pitcher-catcher duo, also known as the "battery" in baseball terms.
Nakayama has experience with baseball, as he has been part of his school's rubber baseball team since first grade.
"Battery" will premiere in April, but the time slot has not been announced.
The drama is based on Atsuko Asano's popular novel series of the same name, which was turned into a movie this past March. The story revolves around a talented young pitcher-catcher duo, also known as the "battery" in baseball terms.
Nakayama has experience with baseball, as he has been part of his school's rubber baseball team since first grade.
"Battery" will premiere in April, but the time slot has not been announced.
Wed, December 12, 2007 (3:16pm EST)
Rumors of a third season of the "Gokusen" drama series were confirmed on Wednesday. Yukie Nakama will reprise her role as the teacher Kumiko Yamaguchi (affectionately known as "Yankumi").
Based on a manga by Kozueko Morimoto, "Gokusen" has already had two previous seasons. The first, in 2002, averaged ratings of 17.4%, while the 2005 sequel averaged ratings of 28.0%.
The third series will premiere in April on NTV, though the specific time slot has not yet been announced. Casting for the students will be decided around the end of this year.
Based on a manga by Kozueko Morimoto, "Gokusen" has already had two previous seasons. The first, in 2002, averaged ratings of 17.4%, while the 2005 sequel averaged ratings of 28.0%.
The third series will premiere in April on NTV, though the specific time slot has not yet been announced. Casting for the students will be decided around the end of this year.
Wed, December 12, 2007 (4:07am EST)
Publishing company Digima has announced the end of Comic Gumbo, the country's first attempt at a free weekly manga magazine. Publication will officially end on December 11 with the 48th issue.
While the currently serialized titles are still available for free online, Digima has not yet announced whether those titles will continue in print form.
While the currently serialized titles are still available for free online, Digima has not yet announced whether those titles will continue in print form.
Wed, December 12, 2007 (3:55am EST)
Electronic trio tokyo pinsalocks will perform at Anime Boston 2008, it was announced on Tuesday. The group is appearing by arrangement with JapanFiles, the same company that is bringing ketchup mania to Sakura-Con and Budo Grape to A-Kon.
Anime Boston is being held on March 21-23. According to the group's MySpace page, tokyo pinsalocks will have a U.S. tour during that month, though it is unclear if it refers only to the Anime Boston performance.
Anime Boston is being held on March 21-23. According to the group's MySpace page, tokyo pinsalocks will have a U.S. tour during that month, though it is unclear if it refers only to the Anime Boston performance.
