Tue, April 8, 2008 (3:13am EDT)
Pop group Kome Kome Club is doing the theme song for the TBS drama "Ryokiteki na Kanojo," which is based on the Korean comedy movie "My Sassy Girl." The song, a ballad titled "Tsuyogari," is the group's first theme for a drama series since their 1995 release "Subete wa Honto de Uso kamo ne."
The show, which stars Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Lena Tanaka, begins on April 20. The single's release date has not yet been announced.
The show, which stars Tsuyoshi Kusanagi and Lena Tanaka, begins on April 20. The single's release date has not yet been announced.
Tue, April 8, 2008 (3:07am EDT)
Morning Musume has announced their first Korea concert, titled "Morning Musume 10th Anniversary Tour in Korea 2008." The show is scheduled to take place at the Jamsil Olympic Park in Seoul on June 1, only a week after the group's performance in Taiwan on May 24.
Tue, April 8, 2008 (2:39am EDT)
Writer Kohan Kawauchi (real name Kiyoshi Kawauchi) passed away on Sunday at a hospital in Hachinohe, Aomori. He was 88.
Kawauchi was reportedly healthy in mid-January when he attended a recording session by singer Mimi Hiyoshi, but he was hospitalized soon after that for pneumonia. He continued to undergo treatment, but at the end of last week his condition worsened. However, the official cause of death has not yet been publicized.
Kawauchi first made his mark as the writer behind the 1958 drama series "Gekko Kamen," also known as "Moonlight Mask." He was a noted lyricist as well, having penned many hit songs, such as "Ofukurosan" and "Dare Yori mo Kimi wo Aisu." Kawauchi was also active as an author and political critic.
"Ofukurosan" became a big topic last year due to a disagreement between Kawauchi and singer Shinichi Mori. Mori had performed the song at Kohaku Uta Gassen, and that was when Kawauchi discovered that Mori had added new lyrics to the song long ago without permission. The singer eventually tried to apologize, but the dispute even reached a point where Kawauchi threatened to legally ban Mori from performing any of the songs he wrote.
Kawauchi was reportedly healthy in mid-January when he attended a recording session by singer Mimi Hiyoshi, but he was hospitalized soon after that for pneumonia. He continued to undergo treatment, but at the end of last week his condition worsened. However, the official cause of death has not yet been publicized.
Kawauchi first made his mark as the writer behind the 1958 drama series "Gekko Kamen," also known as "Moonlight Mask." He was a noted lyricist as well, having penned many hit songs, such as "Ofukurosan" and "Dare Yori mo Kimi wo Aisu." Kawauchi was also active as an author and political critic.
"Ofukurosan" became a big topic last year due to a disagreement between Kawauchi and singer Shinichi Mori. Mori had performed the song at Kohaku Uta Gassen, and that was when Kawauchi discovered that Mori had added new lyrics to the song long ago without permission. The singer eventually tried to apologize, but the dispute even reached a point where Kawauchi threatened to legally ban Mori from performing any of the songs he wrote.
Tue, April 8, 2008 (1:56am EDT)
Following up on a recent survey about male celebrities who look good in sneakers, Oricon has published the female half of the survey.
Singer aiko ranked #1, receiving the most votes by both men and women. Becky came in at #2, fighting against close competition from Aya Ueto and Kaela Kimura.
Ai Otsuka ranked 5th, followed by Yui Aragaki and Maki Horikita. Three women tied for #8: Aya Hirayama, Kumi Koda, and YUI.
Singer aiko ranked #1, receiving the most votes by both men and women. Becky came in at #2, fighting against close competition from Aya Ueto and Kaela Kimura.
Ai Otsuka ranked 5th, followed by Yui Aragaki and Maki Horikita. Three women tied for #8: Aya Hirayama, Kumi Koda, and YUI.
Tue, April 8, 2008 (1:50am EDT)
The winners of the Miss FLASH 2008 idol competition were announced on Monday. 23-year-old model Tomomi Sawada earned the Grand Prix, while the Semi-Grand Prix was won by 20-year-old Ayaka Noda. 19-year-old Kaho Kano was given a special judges' prize.
Tue, April 8, 2008 (1:44am EDT)
Producer Toshio Suzuki has revealed the first voice cast member for Studio Ghibli's "Gake no Ue no Ponyo" (directed by Hayao Miyazaki). Musician Akiko Yano has been cast as a sister of the titular character Ponyo.
Aside from her lengthy and impressive discography, Yano is also known as the former wife of musician Ryuichi Sakamoto.
"Gake no Ue no Ponyo," which has been given the English title of "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea," is scheduled to open this summer in Japan.
Aside from her lengthy and impressive discography, Yano is also known as the former wife of musician Ryuichi Sakamoto.
"Gake no Ue no Ponyo," which has been given the English title of "Ponyo on the Cliff by the Sea," is scheduled to open this summer in Japan.
Tue, April 8, 2008 (1:31am EDT)
Popular new singer Thelma Aoyama talks with Oricon about her first album, "DIARY." The interview is translated by gloomybear here.
Tue, April 8, 2008 (1:26am EDT)
Pop duo Love Psychedelico are putting out their first U.S. album next month. Titled "This Is Love Psychedelico," the album is being released from HackTone Records on May 6, though it will be available digitally on April 29. The packaging for the physical release includes complete lyrics, handwritten transliterations by guitarist Naoki, and a window sticker.
"This Is Love Psychedelico" consists of 13 songs from the group's catalog, including their early hits "Lady Madonna" and "Your Song." The songs have been remastered by legendary engineer Joe Gastwirt.
More information can be found in the press release.
"This Is Love Psychedelico" consists of 13 songs from the group's catalog, including their early hits "Lady Madonna" and "Your Song." The songs have been remastered by legendary engineer Joe Gastwirt.
More information can be found in the press release.
