Mon, April 28, 2008 (3:40am EDT)
This week, Nikkan Sports is revealing the winners of its 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix, one award each day. The awards cover television dramas that aired between April 2007 and March 2008, with the nominees gathered from the quarterly awards. All winners were chosen by public vote in late March.
The first award, announced Monday, is the Best Actor prize. It was given to Jin Akanishi for his role in the popular "Yukan Club" series that NTV broadcast this past fall. The show was his first drama role after he returned from his temporary absence from the group KAT-TUN.
The first award, announced Monday, is the Best Actor prize. It was given to Jin Akanishi for his role in the popular "Yukan Club" series that NTV broadcast this past fall. The show was his first drama role after he returned from his temporary absence from the group KAT-TUN.
Mon, April 28, 2008 (3:23am EDT)
Oricon surveyed 900 men and women between the ages of 10 and 40, asking them which was the most emotionally moving manga they had read.
"One Piece" and "Slam Dunk" were ranked #1 and #2, respectively. Among women, those two series were ranked in that same order, while men rated them in the reverse order.
Female voters pushed "Honey and Clover" into #3 and "Fruits Basket" into #4. Behind them at #5 was a three-way tie between "Touch" (#3 on the men's list), "Sunadokei" (#5 on the women's list), and "Aka-chan to Boku."
"One Piece" and "Slam Dunk" were ranked #1 and #2, respectively. Among women, those two series were ranked in that same order, while men rated them in the reverse order.
Female voters pushed "Honey and Clover" into #3 and "Fruits Basket" into #4. Behind them at #5 was a three-way tie between "Touch" (#3 on the men's list), "Sunadokei" (#5 on the women's list), and "Aka-chan to Boku."
Mon, April 28, 2008 (2:28am EDT)
On Saturday, singer Yoshihiro Kai performed a concert in Tokyo as part of his current tour. During the show, he revealed that his former group, Kai Band, is planning to reunite later this year, though the details are still unclear.
"I have a big project this fall," he said. "Without a doubt, Kai Band is making a move."
Kai Band made its debut in 1974, but they broke up in 1986. Since then, they have occasionally reunited temporarily. Their last appearance together was a one-night concert this past December.
"I have a big project this fall," he said. "Without a doubt, Kai Band is making a move."
Kai Band made its debut in 1974, but they broke up in 1986. Since then, they have occasionally reunited temporarily. Their last appearance together was a one-night concert this past December.
Mon, April 28, 2008 (2:01am EDT)
This year, Shonentai will appear in the annual musical "PLAYZONE" for the last time. Composed of Kazukiyo Nishikiori, Katsuhide Uekusa, and Noriyuki Higashiyama, the group has been leading the musical since 1986, the year after their record debut. So far, it has seen 957 performances over the past 22 years, and the total attendance has surpassed 1.38 million people.
The musical's 23rd edition is titled "Change ~ SHOW TIME Hit Series." Performances will run from July 6 to August 8 in Tokyo, then from August 26 to 31 in Osaka.
After this year, the show will be led by younger Johnny's artists, though the exact leads have not yet been announced.
The musical's 23rd edition is titled "Change ~ SHOW TIME Hit Series." Performances will run from July 6 to August 8 in Tokyo, then from August 26 to 31 in Osaka.
After this year, the show will be led by younger Johnny's artists, though the exact leads have not yet been announced.
Mon, April 28, 2008 (12:03am EDT)
53-year-old musician Hiromichi Tsugaki was recently arrested for the illegal use of stimulants. He is suspected of using the drugs between the middle of this month and the 25th, when he was arrested.
Tsugaki was parked on a road in Shinjuku when a police officer approached him. The officer noticed two glass instruments that suggested Tsugaki was using the drugs inside his car, and he was taken to the police station where he failed a urine test.
Tsugaki said that he was experiencing personal troubles. He claimed that he bought the drugs from a foreigner in Roppongi.
Tsugaki was parked on a road in Shinjuku when a police officer approached him. The officer noticed two glass instruments that suggested Tsugaki was using the drugs inside his car, and he was taken to the police station where he failed a urine test.
Tsugaki said that he was experiencing personal troubles. He claimed that he bought the drugs from a foreigner in Roppongi.
