Thu, January 24, 2008 (7:03pm EST)
Shosuke Tanihara's first starring role in a movie will be in Tsutomu Hanabusa's "Handsome Suit," scheduled to open this fall. The story is adapted from a book by popular TV writer Osamu Suzuki, known for his work on variety shows such as "SMAP x SMAP." Suzuki also wrote "Busu no Hitomi ni Koishiteru," based on his marriage to Miyuki Oshima of comedy trio Morisanchu.
"Handsome Suit" revolves around a magical suit that makes its wearer more attractive. Muga Tsukaji plays the main character without the suit on, while Tanihara plays the post-transformation "handsome" man.
Filming is expected to start in March.
"Handsome Suit" revolves around a magical suit that makes its wearer more attractive. Muga Tsukaji plays the main character without the suit on, while Tanihara plays the post-transformation "handsome" man.
Filming is expected to start in March.
Thu, January 24, 2008 (6:39pm EST)
Actress Mai Kitajima gave birth to a baby girl on Wednesday evening, about one week later than her estimated due date. This is the first child of her second marriage.
Kitajima married a publishing editor in July of last year. She was previously married to Mikio Osawa (of Hikaru Genji), who has custody of their 11-year-old son.
Kitajima married a publishing editor in July of last year. She was previously married to Mikio Osawa (of Hikaru Genji), who has custody of their 11-year-old son.
Thu, January 24, 2008 (6:31pm EST)
Actor Kazuhiko Nishimura revealed via his blog that he and his wife, calligrapher Tomomi Kunishige, are now parents. Kunishige gave birth to their first child, a boy, on Thursday.
The couple has been married since May 2006.
The couple has been married since May 2006.
Thu, January 24, 2008 (5:16pm EST)
Pop trio Ikimono Gakari will sing the theme song for the movie version of "Sunadokei," directed by Shinsuke Sato. Based on a popular manga by Hinako Ashihara, the love story stars both Nao Matsushita and Kaho as the protagonist An.
The theme song is a ballad titled "Kaeritaku Natta yo." The release date has not been announced yet.
"Sunadokei" opens in theaters on April 26.
The theme song is a ballad titled "Kaeritaku Natta yo." The release date has not been announced yet.
"Sunadokei" opens in theaters on April 26.
Thu, January 24, 2008 (4:54pm EST)
AAA member Chiaki Ito has officially been announced as the female lead of Hagumi Hanamoto in Taiwan's version of "Honey and Clover." A press event for the drama (titled 蜂蜜幸運草) was held in Taipei on Thursday.
According to the announcement, filming started on December 1, around the same time as the Japanese version currently airing on Fuji TV.
Robin Lee is directing the series. Eddie Peng is playing the part of Shinobu Morita, while Guoyi Li plays Yuta Takemoto. The show is scheduled to begin its broadcast this spring, and is expected to air in Japan in the future.
According to the announcement, filming started on December 1, around the same time as the Japanese version currently airing on Fuji TV.
Robin Lee is directing the series. Eddie Peng is playing the part of Shinobu Morita, while Guoyi Li plays Yuta Takemoto. The show is scheduled to begin its broadcast this spring, and is expected to air in Japan in the future.
Thu, January 24, 2008 (3:49pm EST)
Actress Satomi Ishihara will star in a TV Asahi drama this spring. The mystery series is tentatively titled "Puzzle," though it is unrelated to the network's four-episode "Puzzle" series from last winter.
This will be the first mystery drama for Ishihara. It is also her first role as a teacher, though the character is nothing like the "admirable" teacher roles in most dramas. The 21-year-old actress will be playing Misako Ayukawa, a woman in her 30s. Even though she is an English teacher, her English skills are poor. She values herself over her students, and money over love. She displays arrogance in front of her students, but acts pleasantly around her peers and family.
However, Ayukawa possesses a brilliant mind for solving puzzles. She ends up tackling various cases around the school along with 3 of her top students, played by Yusuke Yamamoto, Ryo Kimura, and Kento Nagayama (the younger brother of actor Eita).
The script is being written by Mitsuharu Makita, who worked on the "Trick" series. Filming already started earlier this month. The show starts in April, airing Fridays at 9:00pm.
This will be the first mystery drama for Ishihara. It is also her first role as a teacher, though the character is nothing like the "admirable" teacher roles in most dramas. The 21-year-old actress will be playing Misako Ayukawa, a woman in her 30s. Even though she is an English teacher, her English skills are poor. She values herself over her students, and money over love. She displays arrogance in front of her students, but acts pleasantly around her peers and family.
However, Ayukawa possesses a brilliant mind for solving puzzles. She ends up tackling various cases around the school along with 3 of her top students, played by Yusuke Yamamoto, Ryo Kimura, and Kento Nagayama (the younger brother of actor Eita).
The script is being written by Mitsuharu Makita, who worked on the "Trick" series. Filming already started earlier this month. The show starts in April, airing Fridays at 9:00pm.
