Tue, December 25, 2007 (5:32am EST)
SMAP's 41st single, "Dangan Fighter," sold 110,000 copies this past week to rank #1 on the sales charts. This is their 8th consecutive chart-topping single.
Far behind SMAP, the "Kamen Rider Den-O" theme song "Climax Jump DEN-LINER form" made #2 with 66,000 copies, coming close to doubling TVXQ's "Together" (#3) and more than tripling Kazuya Yoshii's "Bakka" (#4). Rina Aiuchi also entered the top ten, ranking at #8.
On the albums chart, Kobukuro's "5296" (391,000 copies) won a close race against BUMP OF CHICKEN's "orbital period" (381,000 copies). The former is Kobukuro's 3rd consecutive #1 album, while the latter is BUMP's 3rd consecutive Top 10 album.
Gackt was the only other new entry in the top ten this week. His "0079-0088," consisting only of songs related to "Mobile Suit Gundam," came in at #6 with 41,000 in sales.
Far behind SMAP, the "Kamen Rider Den-O" theme song "Climax Jump DEN-LINER form" made #2 with 66,000 copies, coming close to doubling TVXQ's "Together" (#3) and more than tripling Kazuya Yoshii's "Bakka" (#4). Rina Aiuchi also entered the top ten, ranking at #8.
On the albums chart, Kobukuro's "5296" (391,000 copies) won a close race against BUMP OF CHICKEN's "orbital period" (381,000 copies). The former is Kobukuro's 3rd consecutive #1 album, while the latter is BUMP's 3rd consecutive Top 10 album.
Gackt was the only other new entry in the top ten this week. His "0079-0088," consisting only of songs related to "Mobile Suit Gundam," came in at #6 with 41,000 in sales.
Tue, December 25, 2007 (5:13am EST)
Singer-songwriter Ayano Tsuji and rock band BEAT CRUSADERS are collaborating for the theme song to the third movie of the anime series "Keroro Gunso" (also known as "Sgt. Frog"), which opens in Japan on March 1.
Their song will be titled "Arienai Kurai Kiseki" and will be released on February 20. Tsuji handled the composition and lyrics, while Beat Crusaders was in charge of the production.
Their song will be titled "Arienai Kurai Kiseki" and will be released on February 20. Tsuji handled the composition and lyrics, while Beat Crusaders was in charge of the production.
Tue, December 25, 2007 (5:03am EST)
The official website of the "Death Note" spinoff (titled "L change the WorLd") recently posted several updates, including the second full trailer for the movie.
One announcement mentions that the first two movies, "Death Note" and "Death Note: The Last Name," will be aired on television on February 1 and February 8, respectively. "L change the WorLd" opens in theaters on February 9.
Several characters from the previous movies appear in the upcoming film. One character, the detective Matsuda (played by Sota Aoyama), was initially included, but the final version of the film cut all of his scenes. However, the removed footage is being combined with some additional scenes to make a TV special, tentatively titled "Spinoff Matsuda." It is planned for broadcast just before the release of "L change the WorLd."
One announcement mentions that the first two movies, "Death Note" and "Death Note: The Last Name," will be aired on television on February 1 and February 8, respectively. "L change the WorLd" opens in theaters on February 9.
Several characters from the previous movies appear in the upcoming film. One character, the detective Matsuda (played by Sota Aoyama), was initially included, but the final version of the film cut all of his scenes. However, the removed footage is being combined with some additional scenes to make a TV special, tentatively titled "Spinoff Matsuda." It is planned for broadcast just before the release of "L change the WorLd."
Tue, December 25, 2007 (4:43am EST)
Female duo Nanamusica announced through their blog on Friday that they are suspending their activities as a group. Both women will be pursuing their own personal goals as musicians.
Member Yuri Matsufuji mentioned that she is considering studying music abroad.
Member Yuri Matsufuji mentioned that she is considering studying music abroad.
Tue, December 25, 2007 (4:28am EST)
Ken Hirai is providing the theme song for the "Honey and Clover" ("Hachimitsu to Kuroba") drama series that starts on Fuji TV next month. Titled "Canvas," the song will be released as a single on February 20.
Hirai already performed the song for the first time at a concert on Sunday.
Hirai already performed the song for the first time at a concert on Sunday.
Tue, December 25, 2007 (4:14am EST)
On Monday, Toei announced two additions to the movie "Tsurugidake: Ten no Ki." Koji Yakusho and Aoi Miyazaki are both joining a cast that stars Tadanobu Asano, Teruyuki Kagawa, Ryuhei Matsuda and Toru Nakamura.
Based on a novel by Jiro Nitta, the film is the directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Daisaku Kimura. The story, set in the Meiji era, focuses on an exploration team in the Hida Mountains.
Filming has been under way since April and is scheduled to continue until July 2008. Yakusho and Miyazaki will join around the end of March.
The movie is expected to open in 2009.
Based on a novel by Jiro Nitta, the film is the directorial debut of veteran cinematographer Daisaku Kimura. The story, set in the Meiji era, focuses on an exploration team in the Hida Mountains.
Filming has been under way since April and is scheduled to continue until July 2008. Yakusho and Miyazaki will join around the end of March.
The movie is expected to open in 2009.
