Fri, December 21, 2007 (8:55pm EST)
Polysics has announced a big European tour for early 2008. Most of the 17 dates are in the UK, Italy, and France, but single stops in Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and Switzerland are included. The tour kicks off on February 9 in London.
Fri, December 21, 2007 (8:11pm EST)
Talento Fumie Hosokawa gave birth to her first child at a hospital in Oita on Thursday afternoon. The baby boy was not expected to arrive until early January, but he is said to be healthy. Hosokawa has been married to businessman Hisato Endo since November 1.
Photographer Mika Ninagawa also became a mother recently. Her father, director Yukio Ninagawa, revealed on "Mezamashi TV" that she gave birth to a boy on December 11. Mika has a common-law husband and is not formally married.
Photographer Mika Ninagawa also became a mother recently. Her father, director Yukio Ninagawa, revealed on "Mezamashi TV" that she gave birth to a boy on December 11. Mika has a common-law husband and is not formally married.
Fri, December 21, 2007 (2:37pm EST)
On Friday, the Tokyo District Court sentenced singer Kye Eun Sook for violation of the Stimulants Control Law. She was given a prison term of 18 months, suspended for 3 years.
Kye was arrested on November 26 after police found 0.47 grams of stimulants, along with drug paraphernalia, in her home. The prosecution pointed out that she had purchased drugs from a dealer at least as far back as 2004. Kye stated that she had started out using the drugs for health purposes, but it became a habit.
Kye was arrested on November 26 after police found 0.47 grams of stimulants, along with drug paraphernalia, in her home. The prosecution pointed out that she had purchased drugs from a dealer at least as far back as 2004. Kye stated that she had started out using the drugs for health purposes, but it became a habit.
Fri, December 21, 2007 (2:05pm EST)
Voice actor Kazumi Tanaka died of heart failure (caused by acute cor pulmonale) in a Tokyo hospital on Thursday. He was 56. A funeral service is being held on the 24th.
Tanaka lent his voice to many anime series including "Dragonball Z," in which he played the character known as Jeice/Jeese. He also served as the narrator for the NTV show "THE WIDE."
Tanaka lent his voice to many anime series including "Dragonball Z," in which he played the character known as Jeice/Jeese. He also served as the narrator for the NTV show "THE WIDE."
Fri, December 21, 2007 (5:18am EST)
Anime News Network reports that mangaka Noboru Miyama passed away on December 2, at the age of 51. His death was publicly revealed by fellow artist Atsuji Yamamoto.
Miyama's works include "Mephisto," "Pikaichi," and "Reira."
Miyama's works include "Mephisto," "Pikaichi," and "Reira."
Fri, December 21, 2007 (5:08am EST)
Video Research Ltd. has published a top 10 list of the highest-rated television dramas this year. The list includes both tanpatsu and renzoku dramas, though only the top episode counted for the latter.
#1 was the final episode of "Karei Naru Ichizoku" (30.4%), which starred Takuya Kimura and other popular celebrities. TBS ran the show during the winter, the same season it aired "Hana Yori Dango 2," which ranked #2 with its finale (27.6%). NTV also had a hit that season with "Haken no Hinkaku," whose closer was third on the list at 26.0%.
"Dondo Bare" was #4 (24.8%), slightly ahead of the "Galileo" opener (24.7%). #6 was the first part of the Seicho Matsumoto adaptation "Ten to Sen" that marked Beat Takeshi's return to TV drama.
In August, NTV aired "Kimi ga Kureta Natsu" as part of its "24 Hour Television" charity program, and the starring pair of Hideaki Takizawa and Kyoko Fukada brought in ratings of 23.3%.
The February 4 episode of "Fuurinkazan" scored 22.9% to rank 8th on the list. This was followed by Fuji TV's repeat of the "HERO Special" in September (22.1%). The "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" finale and the "Iryu 2" premiere tied for 10th with 21.0% ratings.
#1 was the final episode of "Karei Naru Ichizoku" (30.4%), which starred Takuya Kimura and other popular celebrities. TBS ran the show during the winter, the same season it aired "Hana Yori Dango 2," which ranked #2 with its finale (27.6%). NTV also had a hit that season with "Haken no Hinkaku," whose closer was third on the list at 26.0%.
"Dondo Bare" was #4 (24.8%), slightly ahead of the "Galileo" opener (24.7%). #6 was the first part of the Seicho Matsumoto adaptation "Ten to Sen" that marked Beat Takeshi's return to TV drama.
In August, NTV aired "Kimi ga Kureta Natsu" as part of its "24 Hour Television" charity program, and the starring pair of Hideaki Takizawa and Kyoko Fukada brought in ratings of 23.3%.
The February 4 episode of "Fuurinkazan" scored 22.9% to rank 8th on the list. This was followed by Fuji TV's repeat of the "HERO Special" in September (22.1%). The "Hanazakari no Kimitachi e" finale and the "Iryu 2" premiere tied for 10th with 21.0% ratings.
Fri, December 21, 2007 (4:40am EST)
Internationally known jazz pianist Makoto Ozone has been put in charge of writing and performing the background music for the Fuji TV drama series "Ashita no Kita Yoshio," which stars Fumiyo Kohinata. It will be Ozone's first time providing music for a television drama.
In 1983, Ozone became the first Japanese musician to sign a contract with CBS Records (known as Columbia Records in North America). He has also twice been nominated for a Grammy.
Ozone will be making an appearance in "Ashita no Kita Yoshio," playing the role of a pianist.
It has also been announced that singer Masayoshi Yamazaki will provide the drama's theme song, titled "Mayonaka no Boon Boon." It will be released as a single on March 12.
In 1983, Ozone became the first Japanese musician to sign a contract with CBS Records (known as Columbia Records in North America). He has also twice been nominated for a Grammy.
Ozone will be making an appearance in "Ashita no Kita Yoshio," playing the role of a pianist.
It has also been announced that singer Masayoshi Yamazaki will provide the drama's theme song, titled "Mayonaka no Boon Boon." It will be released as a single on March 12.
Fri, December 21, 2007 (3:39am EST)
Anime director Shinichi Watanabe, best known for "Excel Saga," has been announced as a guest of honor at A-Kon 19. The convention takes place in Dallas on May 30-June 1, 2008.
Fri, December 21, 2007 (3:33am EST)
Director Tokuzo Tanaka died of a cerebral hemorrhage at a Nara hospital on Thursday night. He was 87. A funeral service will be held for family members only.
Tanaka was famous for his work as part of the golden era of the Daiei Motion Picture Company, directing film series such as "Zatoichi," "Nemuri Kyoshiro," "Heitai Yakuza," and "Akumyo," all during the 1960s. After Daiei's bankruptcy in 1971, he worked on television dramas such as the "Hissatsu" series.
Tanaka was famous for his work as part of the golden era of the Daiei Motion Picture Company, directing film series such as "Zatoichi," "Nemuri Kyoshiro," "Heitai Yakuza," and "Akumyo," all during the 1960s. After Daiei's bankruptcy in 1971, he worked on television dramas such as the "Hissatsu" series.
