Sun, January 6, 2008 (6:47pm EST)
Last year's hit movie "Gegege no Kitaro" is getting a sequel, it was learned on Sunday. Eiji Wentz will reprise the starring role of Kitaro, joined by several other returning cast members, such as Yo Oizumi, Rena Tanaka, Kanpei Hazama, and Shigeru Muroi. However, actress Mao Inoue will not be back.
The film is based on a popular manga by Shigeru Mizuki that deals with mythological creatures known as yokai.
More so than the first film, the sequel is said to focus on forbidden love between humans and yokai. Masato Hagiwara plays a man who falls in love with a nure-onna (Shinobu Terajima). Other characters include Kitaro's enemy Nurarihyon (Ken Ogata), Jakotsu Baba (Shiro Sano), and Ido Sennin (Takashi Sasano).
Katsuhide Motoki will once again direct. Filming started last month, with a theatrical release scheduled for this summer.
The film is based on a popular manga by Shigeru Mizuki that deals with mythological creatures known as yokai.
More so than the first film, the sequel is said to focus on forbidden love between humans and yokai. Masato Hagiwara plays a man who falls in love with a nure-onna (Shinobu Terajima). Other characters include Kitaro's enemy Nurarihyon (Ken Ogata), Jakotsu Baba (Shiro Sano), and Ido Sennin (Takashi Sasano).
Katsuhide Motoki will once again direct. Filming started last month, with a theatrical release scheduled for this summer.
Sun, January 6, 2008 (5:58pm EST)
ORANGE RANGE is providing the theme song for the Fuji TV drama series "Lost Time Life," which premieres on February 2.
The song is a love ballad titled "Kimi station," composed by the band's guitarist NAOTO and written by the three vocalists. The single is being released on March 5.
The song is a love ballad titled "Kimi station," composed by the band's guitarist NAOTO and written by the three vocalists. The single is being released on March 5.
Sun, January 6, 2008 (7:20am EST)
Several major rock festivals have announced their dates for 2008.
The Arabaki Rock Fest in Miyagi is taking place on April 26-27. Then on July 25-27, the Fuji Rock Festival will be held in Niigata. During the same weekend is SETSTOCK in Hiroshima, set for July 26-27. Lastly, Sapporo's Rising Sun Rock Festival is scheduled for August 15-16.
The Arabaki Rock Fest in Miyagi is taking place on April 26-27. Then on July 25-27, the Fuji Rock Festival will be held in Niigata. During the same weekend is SETSTOCK in Hiroshima, set for July 26-27. Lastly, Sapporo's Rising Sun Rock Festival is scheduled for August 15-16.
Sun, January 6, 2008 (6:34am EST)
Along with its recent survey about funny films, Oricon asked a thousand people which films made them cry the most.
The #1 answer was the international hit "Titanic." Two other American films made the top ten: "Armageddon" (#3) and "The Green Mile" (tied for #8).
"Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World" ranked 2nd, while "Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu" ranked 4th. "Koizora" and "Always: Sanchome no Yuhi" tied for 5th, ahead of "Grave of the Fireflies" (#7). Also on the list were "Taiyou no Uta" (#8) and "Nada Sousou" (#10).
The #1 answer was the international hit "Titanic." Two other American films made the top ten: "Armageddon" (#3) and "The Green Mile" (tied for #8).
"Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World" ranked 2nd, while "Ima, Ai ni Yukimasu" ranked 4th. "Koizora" and "Always: Sanchome no Yuhi" tied for 5th, ahead of "Grave of the Fireflies" (#7). Also on the list were "Taiyou no Uta" (#8) and "Nada Sousou" (#10).
Sun, January 6, 2008 (6:19am EST)
Fans of pop star Ayumi Hamasaki were surprised on Friday by a post on her fan club website revealing that the singer has gone completely deaf in her left ear.
Hamasaki mentioned that she had her ear checked last year. Her deafness was confirmed, and doctors said her condition was not treatable. The loss of hearing had started as early as 2000, when it forced her to cancel several shows.
Hamasaki said that she will continue her singing career as long as she can still hear with her right ear.
Hamasaki mentioned that she had her ear checked last year. Her deafness was confirmed, and doctors said her condition was not treatable. The loss of hearing had started as early as 2000, when it forced her to cancel several shows.
Hamasaki said that she will continue her singing career as long as she can still hear with her right ear.
