Wed, January 30, 2008 (6:01pm EST)
Singer Kosuke Atari will soon be making his "world debut" as a model. He has been chosen to participate in GAP's 2008 spring campaign. The fashion brand has previously used Japanese celebrities in its campaigns; last year, Ken Watanabe, Puffy, and Ai Tominaga appeared in ads.
Atari has recently been gaining popularity in Taiwan and other parts of Asia. The GAP campaign will give him exposure across the globe, with promotional materials set to appear in more than 3,000 stores worldwide.
This series of ads also features R&B artist Maxwell, actor Chris Pine, and music producer Swizz Beatz. Photos were taken in New York this past autumn.
Atari has recently been gaining popularity in Taiwan and other parts of Asia. The GAP campaign will give him exposure across the globe, with promotional materials set to appear in more than 3,000 stores worldwide.
This series of ads also features R&B artist Maxwell, actor Chris Pine, and music producer Swizz Beatz. Photos were taken in New York this past autumn.
Wed, January 30, 2008 (4:28pm EST)
Takuya Ohashi (of the pop duo Sukima Switch) will release his second solo single on April 2. Titled "Arigatou," it will serve as the theme song for the NHK Saturday drama "Keiji no Genba." This is the first drama theme sung by Sukima Switch, either as a group or as solo artists.
"Keiji no Genba" stars Akira Terao as a veteran detective and Mirai Moriyama as a rookie. The series will run for 4 episodes, starting on March 1.
"Keiji no Genba" stars Akira Terao as a veteran detective and Mirai Moriyama as a rookie. The series will run for 4 episodes, starting on March 1.
Wed, January 30, 2008 (3:53pm EST)
The current issue of Josei Seven is reporting that Mari Yaguchi may be in a relationship with actor Takuji Kawakubo, who is best known for starring in "Ultraman Nexus" a few years ago.
According to the magazine, Kawakubo was seen this month leaving from Yaguchi's home early in the morning. The magazine also snapped pictures of the two together on a separate occasion. They reportedly met at a party last summer. However, both of their agencies have stated that the pair are just friends.
The same issue of Josei Seven also reports that actress Maki Tamaru has broken up with Samantha Thavasa president Kazumasa Terada.
According to the magazine, Kawakubo was seen this month leaving from Yaguchi's home early in the morning. The magazine also snapped pictures of the two together on a separate occasion. They reportedly met at a party last summer. However, both of their agencies have stated that the pair are just friends.
The same issue of Josei Seven also reports that actress Maki Tamaru has broken up with Samantha Thavasa president Kazumasa Terada.
Wed, January 30, 2008 (3:35pm EST)
Last month, TBS announced that its Saturday 8:00pm time slot, which has long been reserved for variety shows, will be changing into a drama slot this spring. The network has now revealed that the first series in that block will be an adaptation of Masanori Morita's shonen manga "ROOKIES."
The story revolves around a high school teacher and coach that tries to reform delinquents by having them join the baseball team. The show will star Ryuta Sato as the coach, Koichi Kawato. He was reportedly chosen for the role by Morita himself.
The baseball team members include Hayato Ichihara, Keisuke Koide, and Yu Shirota. Filming begins in early March, and the series begins airing in April.
Unlike most dramas, however, TBS says that "ROOKIES" will not be confined by the seasonal programming rotation. The number of episodes has not yet been decided, but planner Akihiko Ishimaru stated that they are aiming to cover all 24 volumes of the original manga.
TBS is also collaborating with Yahoo! Japan to decide who will play the female lead, the team manager. Starting on February 18, the websites for both companies will allow public voting to determine which of the audition entrants gets the role.
The story revolves around a high school teacher and coach that tries to reform delinquents by having them join the baseball team. The show will star Ryuta Sato as the coach, Koichi Kawato. He was reportedly chosen for the role by Morita himself.
The baseball team members include Hayato Ichihara, Keisuke Koide, and Yu Shirota. Filming begins in early March, and the series begins airing in April.
Unlike most dramas, however, TBS says that "ROOKIES" will not be confined by the seasonal programming rotation. The number of episodes has not yet been decided, but planner Akihiko Ishimaru stated that they are aiming to cover all 24 volumes of the original manga.
TBS is also collaborating with Yahoo! Japan to decide who will play the female lead, the team manager. Starting on February 18, the websites for both companies will allow public voting to determine which of the audition entrants gets the role.
Wed, January 30, 2008 (5:49am EST)
Anime music publisher Lantis is tapping into the popularity of the Nico Nico Douga video site to release a medley single titled "Lantis Kumikyoku feat Nico Nico Artists" on March 5. It will be a collaboration with several Nico Nico users who are well-known for their vocal renditions of popular tunes.
The musical arrangement for the medley is being handled by Noriyasu Agematsu and Daisuke Kikuta of production group Elements Garden. The project's official site is gradually revealing the artists involved, and so far four have been announced: J, gomu, nayuta, and Re:.
Lantis has another release lined up for March, tentatively titled "Lantis Meikyoku Cover Shu." The album will also feature Nico Nico users performing Lantis songs, but the songs will be individual covers rather than a medley.
The musical arrangement for the medley is being handled by Noriyasu Agematsu and Daisuke Kikuta of production group Elements Garden. The project's official site is gradually revealing the artists involved, and so far four have been announced: J, gomu, nayuta, and Re:.
Lantis has another release lined up for March, tentatively titled "Lantis Meikyoku Cover Shu." The album will also feature Nico Nico users performing Lantis songs, but the songs will be individual covers rather than a medley.
Wed, January 30, 2008 (5:20am EST)
Oricon surveyed 1,200 working men and women, asking them, "Which celebrity would you want to work with at your job?" The popular Masaharu Fukuyama ranked #1, followed by talento George Tokoro. At #3, Koichi Domoto tied with Ryoko Shinohara, who left a strong impression with her role in "Haken no Hinkaku."
Comedian Sanma Akashiya ranked 5th to beat out actress Miho Kanno, who recently starred as a workaholic in the "Hataraki Man" drama series. The Top 10 list ended with a four-way tie for #7 between Koichi Sato, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Yo Oizumi, and Yui Aragaki.
Comedian Sanma Akashiya ranked 5th to beat out actress Miho Kanno, who recently starred as a workaholic in the "Hataraki Man" drama series. The Top 10 list ended with a four-way tie for #7 between Koichi Sato, Shinichi Tsutsumi, Yo Oizumi, and Yui Aragaki.
Wed, January 30, 2008 (4:56am EST)
The newest ZARD compilation, "ZARD Request Best ~beautiful memory~," ranked 1st on the charts this past week, selling more than 126,000 copies. The two-disc release features 30 songs from ZARD's discography, chosen by fans' votes. This is the group's 11th time at the top, tying with DREAMS COME TRUE for the most number-one albums by a female vocal group.
Following up on their #1 single the previous week, TVXQ entered the album charts at #4 with "T," which saw over 52,000 in sales. Meanwhile, R&B group COLOR came in at #6, followed closely by SOUL'd OUT. THE BACK HORN's best album also made the charts at #10.
On the singles side, rock band RADWIMPS finally achieved their first #1 release with "Order Made," which sold more than 73,000 copies. They were joined in the Top 10 by a flood of new releases, including Ketsumeishi at #2 with their theme to the movie "Kagehinata ni Saku" and R&B artist Thelma Aoyama at #3. Other entries were Kumi Koda, MATCHY with QUESTION? (Masahiko Kondo's first Top 5 single in almost 12 years), AKB48, Kalafina, and Idoling!!!
Following up on their #1 single the previous week, TVXQ entered the album charts at #4 with "T," which saw over 52,000 in sales. Meanwhile, R&B group COLOR came in at #6, followed closely by SOUL'd OUT. THE BACK HORN's best album also made the charts at #10.
On the singles side, rock band RADWIMPS finally achieved their first #1 release with "Order Made," which sold more than 73,000 copies. They were joined in the Top 10 by a flood of new releases, including Ketsumeishi at #2 with their theme to the movie "Kagehinata ni Saku" and R&B artist Thelma Aoyama at #3. Other entries were Kumi Koda, MATCHY with QUESTION? (Masahiko Kondo's first Top 5 single in almost 12 years), AKB48, Kalafina, and Idoling!!!
