Wed, February 13, 2008 (6:31pm EST)
15-year-old Rika Adachi, who won the Grand Prix in the Horipro Talent Scout Caravan last November, will already be making her big screen debut this summer. With no acting experience, she will star in a movie titled "Airyutsu Center" (愛流通センター), directed by Tetsuhiko Tsuchiya.
The film is based on a mobile phone novel by Mizu Yuisawa. The adaptation is being carried out as part of a project called "Your Cinema," in which readers voted on stories to be turned into movies. The story itself is being released as a book next month.
Adachi plays high-schooler Chikako, who requests help from the "Airyutsu Center," an institution promising to fulfill wishes of romance. Her love interest is being played by Gouki Maeda. Mari Iriki, who won the special judges' prize at the same Horipro Talent Scout Caravan, will play Chikako's friend-turned-rival Haruka.
Filming started on Sunday and is projected to wrap up next month. The movie will open in theaters starting this summer.
The film is based on a mobile phone novel by Mizu Yuisawa. The adaptation is being carried out as part of a project called "Your Cinema," in which readers voted on stories to be turned into movies. The story itself is being released as a book next month.
Adachi plays high-schooler Chikako, who requests help from the "Airyutsu Center," an institution promising to fulfill wishes of romance. Her love interest is being played by Gouki Maeda. Mari Iriki, who won the special judges' prize at the same Horipro Talent Scout Caravan, will play Chikako's friend-turned-rival Haruka.
Filming started on Sunday and is projected to wrap up next month. The movie will open in theaters starting this summer.
Wed, February 13, 2008 (5:59pm EST)
The finalists for the sixth R-1 Grand Prix 2008 were announced on Tuesday. Last year's winner, Takeshi Nadagi (The Plan 9), is aiming for his second consecutive victory. He will be competing against Ponta Dohi, Kota Nakayama, Yoshi Yamada (COWCOW), Koji Abe, Kazumasa Kora, Atsumu Watanabe, and Miyuki Torii.
The field this year was the largest ever with 2,731 contestants. The final round is being held on the 17th.
The field this year was the largest ever with 2,731 contestants. The final round is being held on the 17th.
Wed, February 13, 2008 (4:28pm EST)
Famed director Kon Ichikawa died of pneumonia on Wednesday at the age of 92. Born in 1915, he gained international recognition in the 1950s and 1960s, and won many awards throughout his long career.
One of his best known works is his 1956 anti-war film "The Burmese Harp." Other famous works include "Enjo," "Fires on the Plain," and the documentary "Tokyo Olympiad." His last project, "Inugamike no Ichizoku" in 2006, was a remake of his 1976 film of the same name.
Most of Ichikawa's best films were written by his wife, screenwriter Natto Wada, though she left the movie industry during the 1960s. She passed away in 1983.
One of his best known works is his 1956 anti-war film "The Burmese Harp." Other famous works include "Enjo," "Fires on the Plain," and the documentary "Tokyo Olympiad." His last project, "Inugamike no Ichizoku" in 2006, was a remake of his 1976 film of the same name.
Most of Ichikawa's best films were written by his wife, screenwriter Natto Wada, though she left the movie industry during the 1960s. She passed away in 1983.
Wed, February 13, 2008 (3:41pm EST)
Miki Fujimoto is back in action with a new solo single, her first in five years. The singer left Morning Musume last June after it was learned that she was dating comedian Tomoharu Shoji.
Her new song, titled "Okitegami," marks a shift away from her pop idol image. It falls under the kayokyoku genre, with composition by Masato Sugimoto (known for his recent hit "Waremokou"), lyrics by Haku Ide (who wrote Masao Sen's "Kitaguni no Haru"), and arrangement by Yu Hejun (who composed the theme song for the Korean drama "Winter Sonata").
The project started with singer Takao Horiuchi, also attached to Up-Front Agency. This past autumn, Ide wrote the song's lyrics and passed it on to Sugimoto. After creating the melody, Sugimoto thought it would be interesting to have Horiuchi sing it in chanson style, and Horiuchi accepted the offer.
At the same time, Up-Front staff were looking for a song that would be suitable for Fujimoto's comeback. They happened to hear the demo tape for "Okitegami," and they recommended the song to Fujimoto. As a result, the two singers are releasing different versions simultaneously on April 23.
Her new song, titled "Okitegami," marks a shift away from her pop idol image. It falls under the kayokyoku genre, with composition by Masato Sugimoto (known for his recent hit "Waremokou"), lyrics by Haku Ide (who wrote Masao Sen's "Kitaguni no Haru"), and arrangement by Yu Hejun (who composed the theme song for the Korean drama "Winter Sonata").
The project started with singer Takao Horiuchi, also attached to Up-Front Agency. This past autumn, Ide wrote the song's lyrics and passed it on to Sugimoto. After creating the melody, Sugimoto thought it would be interesting to have Horiuchi sing it in chanson style, and Horiuchi accepted the offer.
At the same time, Up-Front staff were looking for a song that would be suitable for Fujimoto's comeback. They happened to hear the demo tape for "Okitegami," and they recommended the song to Fujimoto. As a result, the two singers are releasing different versions simultaneously on April 23.
Wed, February 13, 2008 (1:53pm EST)
Oricon conducted a special Valentine's Day survey, asking 500 men which female celebrity they saw as their ideal girlfriend, and would like to receive chocolates from on the special day.
Rising actress Yui Aragaki led the list, followed by Masami Nagasawa, Maki Horikita, and Ai Otsuka. Saki Aibu and Aoi Miyazaki tied for 5th. Aya Ueto ranked 7th, Yuko Takeuchi tied for 8th with Kaho, and Yuri Ebihara was #10. Talento Suzanne was a runner-up, landing just outside the top ten.
Rising actress Yui Aragaki led the list, followed by Masami Nagasawa, Maki Horikita, and Ai Otsuka. Saki Aibu and Aoi Miyazaki tied for 5th. Aya Ueto ranked 7th, Yuko Takeuchi tied for 8th with Kaho, and Yuri Ebihara was #10. Talento Suzanne was a runner-up, landing just outside the top ten.
Wed, February 13, 2008 (1:43pm EST)
A press release from JapanFiles announced today that pop band Swinging Popsicle will be playing a special concert in Mexico. The band has been invited as the first-ever musical guest for the 32nd Convencion de Juegos de Mesa y Comics, which is being held in Monterrey on March 7-9.
Wed, February 13, 2008 (5:31am EST)
While public opinion has soured over her controversial comment, pop star Kumi Koda still has the support of her fans, as her new album "Kingdom" sold over 84,000 copies last week to keep its #1 spot on the charts. "10 YEARS BEST WE R&B," the greatest hits album released by singer DOUBLE, sold less than half as much to rank #2.
BRAHMAN and HOME MADE Kazoku also entered the Top 10, while Ami Suzuki and Ongaku Gatas made it within the Top 30.
On the singles chart, it was no surprise that KAT-TUN came out on top. "LIPS" sold over 350,000 copies, more than the rest of the top ten combined. #2 was Yuzu's "Story" and #3 was "Hajimari no Uta," the first solo single by Sukima Switch member Takuya Ohashi.
Nana Mizuki, Asian Kung-fu Generation, Buono!, the brilliant green, Kaela Kimura, and Shunsuke Kiyokiba all had new releases in the top ten.
BRAHMAN and HOME MADE Kazoku also entered the Top 10, while Ami Suzuki and Ongaku Gatas made it within the Top 30.
On the singles chart, it was no surprise that KAT-TUN came out on top. "LIPS" sold over 350,000 copies, more than the rest of the top ten combined. #2 was Yuzu's "Story" and #3 was "Hajimari no Uta," the first solo single by Sukima Switch member Takuya Ohashi.
Nana Mizuki, Asian Kung-fu Generation, Buono!, the brilliant green, Kaela Kimura, and Shunsuke Kiyokiba all had new releases in the top ten.
