Fri, March 21, 2008 (10:23am EDT)
GDH has announced that its Gonzo animation studio is launching a new initiative to offer online streaming of its new series. The video streams, available through YouTube, Crunchyroll, and BOST, will be accessible worldwide on the same day that the shows broadcast on Japanese television. The episodes will have Japanese audio and English subtitles.
Anime News Network notes that GDH's press release also mentions "fee-based download of high-resolution movie files."
The first shows to be streamed are "The Tower of Druaga: the Aegis of Uruk" (premieres April 4) and "Blassreiter" (premieres April 5).
Anime News Network notes that GDH's press release also mentions "fee-based download of high-resolution movie files."
The first shows to be streamed are "The Tower of Druaga: the Aegis of Uruk" (premieres April 4) and "Blassreiter" (premieres April 5).
Fri, March 21, 2008 (1:47am EDT)
FRIDAY reports that talento Hinano Yoshikawa and former DA PUMP member SHINOBU are currently in a relationship. The magazine spotted the pair returning to Yoshikawa's apartment after having a meal together.
Management for both celebrities denied any romance, however. SHINOBU's agency acknowledged that they did go out to eat, but said that they are not in a relationship. Yoshikawa's agency said they became good friends after meeting two years ago in Okinawa when Yoshikawa obtained her scuba-diving license.
Management for both celebrities denied any romance, however. SHINOBU's agency acknowledged that they did go out to eat, but said that they are not in a relationship. Yoshikawa's agency said they became good friends after meeting two years ago in Okinawa when Yoshikawa obtained her scuba-diving license.
Fri, March 21, 2008 (1:45am EDT)
This spring, NTV is adding to its lineup a program called "The M," which will be the network's first prime time music performance show in 18 years. It originally aired as a late night special on January 2, and its 7.2% ratings suggested that it might succeed as a regular show.
Targeting viewers in their 30s, "The M" will be hosted by two artists who gained popularity in the '90s: Tatsuya Ishii, who made his debut as the vocalist of Kome Kome Club, and actress Noriko Sakai, whose biggest hit was "Aoi Usagi." Comedian Hitori Gekidan will be their co-host.
While other music performance shows generally include a short talk segment with the guest artists before they perform, "The M" promises to present a more human side of the artists, illustrating the course of their careers from their debut to the present.
"The M" will air on Tuesdays at 9:00pm, starting on April 22.
Targeting viewers in their 30s, "The M" will be hosted by two artists who gained popularity in the '90s: Tatsuya Ishii, who made his debut as the vocalist of Kome Kome Club, and actress Noriko Sakai, whose biggest hit was "Aoi Usagi." Comedian Hitori Gekidan will be their co-host.
While other music performance shows generally include a short talk segment with the guest artists before they perform, "The M" promises to present a more human side of the artists, illustrating the course of their careers from their debut to the present.
"The M" will air on Tuesdays at 9:00pm, starting on April 22.
Fri, March 21, 2008 (1:44am EDT)
In a recent survey, Oricon asked a thousand people, "Who's your favorite female announcer or newscaster?" The research firm has conducted the same survey three times in the past two years, and the #1 choice has always been the same. Now, for the 4th time in a row, Fuji TV's Aya Takashima (best known from "Mezamashi TV") is at the top of the list.
#2 was Minako Nakano, who also appears on "Mezamashi TV." TBS's Maya Kobayashi ("King's Brunch") ranked #3, and #4 was a tie between NTV's Yukari Nishio ("Zoom In!! SUPER") and Fuji TV-only announcer Christel Takigawa.
TV Asahi's Mariko Dou was #6. She was followed in order by Mao Kobayashi, Natsuko Kojima, Kyoko Uchida, and Emi Takeuchi.
#2 was Minako Nakano, who also appears on "Mezamashi TV." TBS's Maya Kobayashi ("King's Brunch") ranked #3, and #4 was a tie between NTV's Yukari Nishio ("Zoom In!! SUPER") and Fuji TV-only announcer Christel Takigawa.
TV Asahi's Mariko Dou was #6. She was followed in order by Mao Kobayashi, Natsuko Kojima, Kyoko Uchida, and Emi Takeuchi.
Fri, March 21, 2008 (1:43am EDT)
Singer-songwriter YUI and pop group GReeeeN have been separately tapped to provide theme songs for Fuji TV's "Mezamashi" programs, starting in April.
YUI's currently untitled song will be used on "Mezamashi News," which airs in the early morning Monday to Saturday. Meanwhile, GReeeeN's "Chikyugo" will appear on "Mezamashi Saturday," which airs on Saturday mornings.
YUI's currently untitled song will be used on "Mezamashi News," which airs in the early morning Monday to Saturday. Meanwhile, GReeeeN's "Chikyugo" will appear on "Mezamashi Saturday," which airs on Saturday mornings.
