Wed, December 19, 2007 (8:42pm EST)
Label Mobile, the joint company in charge of chaku-uta (ringtone) distribution for Japan's major record labels, revealed its download rankings for 2007.
Hikaru Utada topped the Chaku-Uta list with "Flavor of Life -Ballad Version-," beating out "Aiuta" (GReeeeN), "Tsubomi" (Kobukuro), "Lovers Again" (EXILE), and "WINDING ROAD" (Ayaka x Kobukuro).
The Chaku-Uta Full rankings were very similar, but "Aiuta" was #1, followed in order by "Lovers Again," "Flavor of Life," "Tsubomi," and "Sen no Yoru wo Koete" (Aqua Timez).
The top downloads in other services were: "Oshiri Kajiri Mushi" (video clip), Ai Otsuka's "CHU-LIP" (chakushin movie), "Flavor of Life -Ballad Version-" (RBT, chakushin melody), and Yoshio Kojima's "Sonna no kankei nee" (chakushin voice).
Hikaru Utada topped the Chaku-Uta list with "Flavor of Life -Ballad Version-," beating out "Aiuta" (GReeeeN), "Tsubomi" (Kobukuro), "Lovers Again" (EXILE), and "WINDING ROAD" (Ayaka x Kobukuro).
The Chaku-Uta Full rankings were very similar, but "Aiuta" was #1, followed in order by "Lovers Again," "Flavor of Life," "Tsubomi," and "Sen no Yoru wo Koete" (Aqua Timez).
The top downloads in other services were: "Oshiri Kajiri Mushi" (video clip), Ai Otsuka's "CHU-LIP" (chakushin movie), "Flavor of Life -Ballad Version-" (RBT, chakushin melody), and Yoshio Kojima's "Sonna no kankei nee" (chakushin voice).
Wed, December 19, 2007 (8:13pm EST)
Actor Satoshi Tsumabuki has been revealed as the star of NHK's 2009 taiga drama, "Tenchijin." The story revolves around Naoe Kanetsugu, a retainer for the Uesugi clan during the Sengoku period.
Tsumabuki has never appeared in an NHK drama series before.
Tsumabuki has never appeared in an NHK drama series before.
Wed, December 19, 2007 (7:49pm EST)
Okinawan duo Kiroro announced that they are planning to fully resume activity next month, in time for the 10th anniversary of their major label debut.
The two women both got married in 2005, and Kiroro was put on hold as they each prepared for motherhood. Ayano Kinjo gave birth in November of that year, and Chiharu Tamashiro followed with her own baby three months later. Tamashiro had a second child this past September. The duo performed together once in June for a local event in Okinawa, but their last full concert was in September 2005.
They announced their return on Wednesday, when Kinjo held her first solo show in Tokyo. Tamashiro appeared on stage for the encore, and they performed their debut single "Nagai Aida" together. They revealed that they will continue their careers as Kiroro, starting with a concert at their former high school on January 21, the 10th anniversary of "Nagai Aida."
Tamashiro said she had felt a return was impossible, and had considered disbanding the group. But after consulting with Kinjo, she made up her mind. Tamashiro's children will remain with her husband in Okinawa when she returns to Tokyo to continue work.
The two women both got married in 2005, and Kiroro was put on hold as they each prepared for motherhood. Ayano Kinjo gave birth in November of that year, and Chiharu Tamashiro followed with her own baby three months later. Tamashiro had a second child this past September. The duo performed together once in June for a local event in Okinawa, but their last full concert was in September 2005.
They announced their return on Wednesday, when Kinjo held her first solo show in Tokyo. Tamashiro appeared on stage for the encore, and they performed their debut single "Nagai Aida" together. They revealed that they will continue their careers as Kiroro, starting with a concert at their former high school on January 21, the 10th anniversary of "Nagai Aida."
Tamashiro said she had felt a return was impossible, and had considered disbanding the group. But after consulting with Kinjo, she made up her mind. Tamashiro's children will remain with her husband in Okinawa when she returns to Tokyo to continue work.
Wed, December 19, 2007 (5:19am EST)
The nominees for the 31st Japan Academy Awards were announced on Tuesday. "Tokyo Tower" led the pack with nominations in 14 categories, followed closely by "Always: Zoku Sanchome no Yuhi" (13 nominations) and "Soredemo Boku wa Yattenai" (11 nominations). Those three films are competing with "Kisaragi" and "Bizan" for Best Picture.
The winners will be decided at the awards ceremony on February 15.
The winners will be decided at the awards ceremony on February 15.
Source: Japan Academy Awards | Comments (1)
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Wed, December 19, 2007 (4:58am EST)
Ayako Suwa's manga "RH Plus" is being turned into a television drama series. Serialized in Enterbrain's B's-LOG Comics, "RH Plus" is a boys-love comic about four male vampires who secretly resolve cases at night.
The show stars Hassei Takano, Naoya Ojima, Rakuto Tochihara, and Yu Miura. It will air on independent UHF stations such as Tokyo MX and tvk, starting in January.
The show stars Hassei Takano, Naoya Ojima, Rakuto Tochihara, and Yu Miura. It will air on independent UHF stations such as Tokyo MX and tvk, starting in January.
Wed, December 19, 2007 (4:27am EST)
Popular group Shonannokaze is releasing a single titled "Ougon Soul" on February 13. The song will be the theme of the TV Asahi drama series "Koshonin ~The Negotiator~," which stars Ryoko Yonekura. This is the first time they have provided music for a television drama.
Wed, December 19, 2007 (4:21am EST)
Chow Yun-Fat is the latest addition to the cast of the live-action "Dragonball" movie. He will play the role of Master Roshi, a martial arts master who trains the protagonist Goku (played by Justin Chatwin).
