Mon, December 17, 2007 (4:59pm EST)
TBS has announced that its Saturday 8:00pm programming block will turn into a drama time slot starting in April.
That time slot is best known for variety shows such as "8 Ji da yo! Zenin Shugo," which garnered ratings as high as 50% during its run from 1969 to 1985. In recent years, however, ratings have been highly disappointing. The most recent case was the Minomonta-hosted "Captain Domino," which only lasted three months.
According to the network, there are plans to have viewers involved in the planning and casting process for the new dramas that will air in that time slot. Viewers will apparently be able to provide suggestions via the network's website, though it is not clear how much influence it will have.
That time slot is best known for variety shows such as "8 Ji da yo! Zenin Shugo," which garnered ratings as high as 50% during its run from 1969 to 1985. In recent years, however, ratings have been highly disappointing. The most recent case was the Minomonta-hosted "Captain Domino," which only lasted three months.
According to the network, there are plans to have viewers involved in the planning and casting process for the new dramas that will air in that time slot. Viewers will apparently be able to provide suggestions via the network's website, though it is not clear how much influence it will have.
Mon, December 17, 2007 (3:34pm EST)
Fuji TV has announced the next drama series in its recently-created Saturday night time slot. Titled "Lost Time Life," the show will consist of 9 stories, each starring a different actor or actress.
The title is taken from the Japanese term for stoppage time in soccer. In each episode, the lead character will be in a situation where he or she is about to die. Time suddenly stops and a mysterious group of referees appears, who grants the protagonist extra time based on the time wasted during that person's life. The story will explore the ways that each of the characters decides to spend that extra time.
The stars of the episodes are Eita, Keiichiro Koyama, Tomochika, Juri Ueno, Atsushi Ito, Naoki Tanaka (of Cocorico), Takako Tokiwa, Yoko Maki, and Yo Oizumi. Yoichi Nukumizu will serve as a key character who appears in all 9 episodes.
The series is planned, supervised, and written by director Masaya Kakehi. Fuji TV's Kumiko Nakajima is serving as a producer.
"Lost Time Life" will air on Saturdays at 11:10pm, starting on February 2.
The title is taken from the Japanese term for stoppage time in soccer. In each episode, the lead character will be in a situation where he or she is about to die. Time suddenly stops and a mysterious group of referees appears, who grants the protagonist extra time based on the time wasted during that person's life. The story will explore the ways that each of the characters decides to spend that extra time.
The stars of the episodes are Eita, Keiichiro Koyama, Tomochika, Juri Ueno, Atsushi Ito, Naoki Tanaka (of Cocorico), Takako Tokiwa, Yoko Maki, and Yo Oizumi. Yoichi Nukumizu will serve as a key character who appears in all 9 episodes.
The series is planned, supervised, and written by director Masaya Kakehi. Fuji TV's Kumiko Nakajima is serving as a producer.
"Lost Time Life" will air on Saturdays at 11:10pm, starting on February 2.
Mon, December 17, 2007 (6:03am EST)
Singer Masahiko Kondo and the five-member Johnny's Jr. group Question? are forming a temporary unit called "MATCHY with QUESTION?" Together, they will release a song called "Mezamero! Yasei" on January 23, which will be used in the "Naruto Shippuden" anime series.
The collaboration will be Kondo's first time in his 28-year career teaming up with younger colleagues from Johnny's Jimusho. Kondo is providing the main vocals, with chorus support by Question? The tune is described as up-tempo and rock-like.
The song has been chosen as the new ending theme of the anime series "Naruto Shippuden." It will first appear in the show's January 10 episode. Kondo has never before done music for an anime series.
Question? will perform with Kondo on stage at his Nippon Budokan concert on February 14.
The collaboration will be Kondo's first time in his 28-year career teaming up with younger colleagues from Johnny's Jimusho. Kondo is providing the main vocals, with chorus support by Question? The tune is described as up-tempo and rock-like.
The song has been chosen as the new ending theme of the anime series "Naruto Shippuden." It will first appear in the show's January 10 episode. Kondo has never before done music for an anime series.
Question? will perform with Kondo on stage at his Nippon Budokan concert on February 14.
Mon, December 17, 2007 (4:14am EST)
At the end of last month, it was revealed that Shoko Nakagawa and Mao Inoue recorded a song together for use in the "Anmitsu Hime" drama special in January. It has been revealed that the collaboration will be used as the show's theme song, and is actually a new version of the Princess Princess single, "Diamonds."
Other cast members from the drama special participated in the song as well, including Toshiro Yanagiba, Mari Natsuki, Shigeru Izumiya, Masaki Kyomoto, Yumi Shirakawa, and Morisanchu.
Fuji TV will broadcast "Anmitsu Hime" on January 6 at 7:00pm.
Other cast members from the drama special participated in the song as well, including Toshiro Yanagiba, Mari Natsuki, Shigeru Izumiya, Masaki Kyomoto, Yumi Shirakawa, and Morisanchu.
Fuji TV will broadcast "Anmitsu Hime" on January 6 at 7:00pm.
Mon, December 17, 2007 (4:01am EST)
The popular "Tokumei Kakarichou Tadano Hitoshi" drama franchise will have a movie next December, it was announced on Sunday. In addition, another special episode will air on TV Asahi at the start of 2008.
Originally based on a popular manga by Kimio Yanagisawa, the drama has already gone through three seasons, in 2003, 2005, and 2007. The show has consistently received strong ratings for its late-night Friday time slot.
Shochiku will be distributing the film. Katsunori Takahashi will reprise his starring role as the salaryman Hitoshi Tadano, along with series regulars Masaru Nagai, Atsuko Sakurai, Rieko Miura, and Yuri Ebihara. Filming is set to begin in the spring.
The television series will have its fourth special episode around the end of January, and it is said to feature a dangerous action scene.
Originally based on a popular manga by Kimio Yanagisawa, the drama has already gone through three seasons, in 2003, 2005, and 2007. The show has consistently received strong ratings for its late-night Friday time slot.
Shochiku will be distributing the film. Katsunori Takahashi will reprise his starring role as the salaryman Hitoshi Tadano, along with series regulars Masaru Nagai, Atsuko Sakurai, Rieko Miura, and Yuri Ebihara. Filming is set to begin in the spring.
The television series will have its fourth special episode around the end of January, and it is said to feature a dangerous action scene.
Mon, December 17, 2007 (3:41am EST)
Rock band LiN CLOVER has announced on their official website that they will be separating indefinitely. The band has been together for five years, and they will finish off their run with two live shows in Japan in January.
The group performed in the U.S. three times this year.
According to their website, the three members "will move on to new paths."
The group performed in the U.S. three times this year.
According to their website, the three members "will move on to new paths."
