Mon, February 4, 2008 (5:16pm EST)
Celebrated screenwriter Kankuro Kudo is working on his next film as a director. Titled "Shonen Meriken Sakku," it will star actress Aoi Miyazaki in her first true comedy role in a movie.
"Shonen Meriken Sakku" is Kudo's first directorial project since "Mayonaka no Yaji-san Kita-san" in 2005. Miyazaki plays an incompetent employee at a record company who is responsible for signing new artists. Through an online video site, she discovers a punk band named Shonen Meriken Sakku and makes a proposal to her boss. She gets assigned to acquire the contract, though in reality she hates punk music.
Miyazaki remarked that she has wanted to work with Kudo for a long time. She is currently involved in production for NHK's taiga drama "Atsuhime," but with the network's consent, filming for the movie will last for about a month starting in mid-March.
"Shonen Meriken Sakku" will be released nationwide by Toei as early as this fall.
"Shonen Meriken Sakku" is Kudo's first directorial project since "Mayonaka no Yaji-san Kita-san" in 2005. Miyazaki plays an incompetent employee at a record company who is responsible for signing new artists. Through an online video site, she discovers a punk band named Shonen Meriken Sakku and makes a proposal to her boss. She gets assigned to acquire the contract, though in reality she hates punk music.
Miyazaki remarked that she has wanted to work with Kudo for a long time. She is currently involved in production for NHK's taiga drama "Atsuhime," but with the network's consent, filming for the movie will last for about a month starting in mid-March.
"Shonen Meriken Sakku" will be released nationwide by Toei as early as this fall.
Mon, February 4, 2008 (4:47pm EST)
Public anger over Kumi Koda's careless comment last week continues to run strong, while networks and advertisers scramble to distance themselves from the singer. It was already announced that cosmetics company KOSE removed her from its website, but several more firms have followed suit.
Kirin has halted its commercials for the chuhai brand Hyoketsu. The drink's website has been closed, as has Honda's ZEST Sports page. Gilette Japan (who was about to start a new campaign with Koda) and Morinaga Seika have also taken similar action.
On Sunday, NTV and Fuji TV aired episodes of "Koi no Karasawagi" and "Shin Domoto Kyodai" that included Koda. Fuji TV said that it received more than 100 complaints from viewers. Meanwhile, TV Asahi has decided to postpone its broadcast of a "Tetsuko no Heya" episode that was scheduled to air this Thursday.
Avex says that Koda is suspending activity at least until the end of this month, though it may last longer, depending on public opinion. It is also not clear yet whether her commercial campaigns will be revived in the future.
Despite the negative press, Koda's newly-released album "Kingdom" managed to take #1 on the charts for its initial week.
Kirin has halted its commercials for the chuhai brand Hyoketsu. The drink's website has been closed, as has Honda's ZEST Sports page. Gilette Japan (who was about to start a new campaign with Koda) and Morinaga Seika have also taken similar action.
On Sunday, NTV and Fuji TV aired episodes of "Koi no Karasawagi" and "Shin Domoto Kyodai" that included Koda. Fuji TV said that it received more than 100 complaints from viewers. Meanwhile, TV Asahi has decided to postpone its broadcast of a "Tetsuko no Heya" episode that was scheduled to air this Thursday.
Avex says that Koda is suspending activity at least until the end of this month, though it may last longer, depending on public opinion. It is also not clear yet whether her commercial campaigns will be revived in the future.
Despite the negative press, Koda's newly-released album "Kingdom" managed to take #1 on the charts for its initial week.
Mon, February 4, 2008 (3:38pm EST)
As part of TBS's programming shuffle this spring, the network's Thursday 10:00pm drama time slot is being turned into a variety show slot, occupied by a currently-unnamed show hosted by popular group Arashi.
TBS recently revealed that its Saturday 8:00pm block is switching from variety to drama. The swap of the two time slots is motivated by concerns about falling ratings, and the network hopes that Arashi can provide a much-needed boost.
The Thursday slot has become well-established as a drama block for the station, but ratings have been low in recent years. Dramas in that time slot face direct competition from Fuji TV, which has meanwhile managed to broadcast several hit shows, including "Iryu 2," "Dr. Coto's Clinic 2006," and "Densha Otoko." Other networks also have successful shows airing at the same time: "Downtown DX" (NTV) and "Houdou Station" (TV Asahi). TBS has decided to shift its strategy, focusing more on attracting older teens and twenty-somethings.
Arashi's show is their first time hosting during "golden time" (7pm-10pm). It will apparently deal with social and cultural topics. Producer Saori Hirata is in charge of the program. Broadcast begins in April.
TBS recently revealed that its Saturday 8:00pm block is switching from variety to drama. The swap of the two time slots is motivated by concerns about falling ratings, and the network hopes that Arashi can provide a much-needed boost.
The Thursday slot has become well-established as a drama block for the station, but ratings have been low in recent years. Dramas in that time slot face direct competition from Fuji TV, which has meanwhile managed to broadcast several hit shows, including "Iryu 2," "Dr. Coto's Clinic 2006," and "Densha Otoko." Other networks also have successful shows airing at the same time: "Downtown DX" (NTV) and "Houdou Station" (TV Asahi). TBS has decided to shift its strategy, focusing more on attracting older teens and twenty-somethings.
Arashi's show is their first time hosting during "golden time" (7pm-10pm). It will apparently deal with social and cultural topics. Producer Saori Hirata is in charge of the program. Broadcast begins in April.
Mon, February 4, 2008 (5:47am EST)
The official website of the long-running TBS drama "Wataru Seken wa Oni Bakari" reveals that the 9th series will begin its run this April. The show is set to air in its usual time slot, Thursdays at 9:00pm.
Mon, February 4, 2008 (5:14am EST)
29-year-old musician Raimon Kato was arrested on Sunday afternoon for possession of marijuana, it was learned on Monday. According to police, approximately one gram of the drug was found in a rucksack inside Kato's car, which was parked at his home in Meguro, Tokyo.
Kato was apparently tipped off to the police by a family member. An officer arrived at the scene at took Kato into custody. He has reportedly admitted to owning the drugs, and investigators are currently trying to determine his source.
Kato is a member of the band Smorgas. He is also the second son of the duo Hide & Rossanna, formed by Italian singer Rosanna Zanbon and her late husband Hide Demon in the late 1960s.
Kato was apparently tipped off to the police by a family member. An officer arrived at the scene at took Kato into custody. He has reportedly admitted to owning the drugs, and investigators are currently trying to determine his source.
Kato is a member of the band Smorgas. He is also the second son of the duo Hide & Rossanna, formed by Italian singer Rosanna Zanbon and her late husband Hide Demon in the late 1960s.
Mon, February 4, 2008 (1:51am EST)
The 29th Yokohama Film Festival held its awards ceremony on Sunday. Masayuki Suo won Best Director while his acclaimed "Soredemo Boku wa Yattenai" took Best Film. That movie's star, Ryo Kase, earned Best Actor.
Eriko Sato was named Best Actress for her role in "Funuke Domo, Kanashimi no Ai wo Misero." Two of her supporting cast members, Masatoshi Nagase and Hiromi Nagasaku, won Best Supporting Actor and Actress.
Other awards included a special prize for actress Shiho Fujimura and Best Newcomer honors for Yui Aragaki, Kaho, and Kie Kitano.
Eriko Sato was named Best Actress for her role in "Funuke Domo, Kanashimi no Ai wo Misero." Two of her supporting cast members, Masatoshi Nagase and Hiromi Nagasaku, won Best Supporting Actor and Actress.
Other awards included a special prize for actress Shiho Fujimura and Best Newcomer honors for Yui Aragaki, Kaho, and Kie Kitano.
