Sat, April 12, 2008 (3:59pm EDT)
Teen actress Nao Minamisawa has been given the lead female role in the movie "Shakariki!," which is based on a Masahito Soda manga about bicycle racing. It was announced last month that the film will star D-BOYS actors Yuya Endo, Yuichi Nakamura, and Hiroki Suzuki.
Minamisawa plays Sakura Nagata, a classmate of the protagonist Teru (Endo). She becomes the manager of their school's bicycle club, which Teru is trying to revive.
The movie, directed by Shinsuke Ono, is scheduled to open in theaters this fall.
Minamisawa plays Sakura Nagata, a classmate of the protagonist Teru (Endo). She becomes the manager of their school's bicycle club, which Teru is trying to revive.
The movie, directed by Shinsuke Ono, is scheduled to open in theaters this fall.
Sat, April 12, 2008 (3:52pm EDT)
Korean company Eight Peaks, which produced the drama series "Princess Hours" ("Goong"), has signed an agreement with Genome Entertainment to work on a live-action "Captain Harlock" film, based on the popular anime character created by Leiji Matsumoto.
Eight Peaks is initially investing $10 million and will cover up to 20% of the total production cost. The film is projected to cost around $100 million. Hidemi Satani will be producing for Genome.
Eight Peaks is initially investing $10 million and will cover up to 20% of the total production cost. The film is projected to cost around $100 million. Hidemi Satani will be producing for Genome.
Sat, April 12, 2008 (2:33am EDT)
41-year-old actor Masanobu Takashima is marrying 28-year-old model/actress Mion, it was learned on Friday. An official announcement is expected to be made next week.
The two met last October when they both appeared in a Fuji TV drama special, and their relationship became serious at the start of this year. They reportedly are planning to get married this summer.
Mion was a runner-up in the 2000 Miss Universe Japan competition.
The two met last October when they both appeared in a Fuji TV drama special, and their relationship became serious at the start of this year. They reportedly are planning to get married this summer.
Mion was a runner-up in the 2000 Miss Universe Japan competition.
Sat, April 12, 2008 (1:19am EDT)
A compilation album titled "First Kiss" is being released on May 21, containing 15 songs about love by female artists. As the title indicates, the album's theme is to evoke memories of one's first kiss.
The collection features songs from the late '90s, selected through a survey of women in their twenties. The chosen tunes include Hikaru Utada's "First Love," Dreams Come True's "Nante Koi Shitan daro," and Ringo Shiina's "Koko de Kiss Shite."
Popular actress Maki Horikita appears on the album's cover. She was chosen through the same survey as the "actress who reminds you of yourself around the time of your first kiss."
The collection features songs from the late '90s, selected through a survey of women in their twenties. The chosen tunes include Hikaru Utada's "First Love," Dreams Come True's "Nante Koi Shitan daro," and Ringo Shiina's "Koko de Kiss Shite."
Popular actress Maki Horikita appears on the album's cover. She was chosen through the same survey as the "actress who reminds you of yourself around the time of your first kiss."
Sat, April 12, 2008 (1:18am EDT)
Breakbeat duo HIFANA will soon make their major label debut in France. A new edition of their 2007 DVD+CD release "CONNECT" is scheduled to be available through EMI France on June 9. This edition will add two bonus tracks, "FatBros" and "WAMONO."
HIFANA will also be making their music available in 22 countries on iTunes starting in late May.
HIFANA will also be making their music available in 22 countries on iTunes starting in late May.
Sat, April 12, 2008 (1:17am EDT)
Pop/dance group LUV AND RESPONSE is doing the theme song for TV Tokyo's drama series "Hisho no Kagami," which premiered on Friday. This is their first theme song for a television drama.
The song, titled "Heaven Knows," will be released as a single on May 14.
The song, titled "Heaven Knows," will be released as a single on May 14.
Sat, April 12, 2008 (1:16am EDT)
Visual kei band ayabie has announced their first U.S. tour, with four concerts scheduled this June. The dates are:
- 6/15 - Knitting Factory, New York
- 6/16 - 8x10 Club, Baltimore
- 6/18 - Logan Square Auditorium, Chicago
- 6/19 - Safari Sam's, Los Angeles
