Mon, May 5, 2008 (2:35am EDT)
Director Yoichi Sai's adaptation of the Sanpei Shirato manga "The Legend of Kamui" has found a new heroine. Late last year, Rinko Kikuchi was dropped from the cast after she suffered a serious injury during filming. Her character, a female ninja who clashes with the protagonist (played by Kenichi Matsuyama), is now being handled by Koyuki.
The action-packed film is said to be aiming for international release, especially in North America. In addition to Matsuyama, who has become popular around the world thanks to "Death Note," Koyuki was originally offered the part as a respected actress with some international exposure. She appeared in the 2003 film "The Last Samurai" with Tom Cruise, and she has also been cast in the upcoming "Blood: The Last Vampire" movie with Korean star Jun Ji-hyun. However, due to her schedule, Koyuki was unable to take on the role.
Filming started in November with Kikuchi, but after her injury, the project was delayed. At one point, there was even talk of the film being completely stopped. But Koyuki was offered the part again, and she agreed to come on board with some adjustments to the schedule. Koyuki begins filming her scenes this month, which include a sword fight and a horse riding scene.
The completed film is still scheduled for release in 2009.
The action-packed film is said to be aiming for international release, especially in North America. In addition to Matsuyama, who has become popular around the world thanks to "Death Note," Koyuki was originally offered the part as a respected actress with some international exposure. She appeared in the 2003 film "The Last Samurai" with Tom Cruise, and she has also been cast in the upcoming "Blood: The Last Vampire" movie with Korean star Jun Ji-hyun. However, due to her schedule, Koyuki was unable to take on the role.
Filming started in November with Kikuchi, but after her injury, the project was delayed. At one point, there was even talk of the film being completely stopped. But Koyuki was offered the part again, and she agreed to come on board with some adjustments to the schedule. Koyuki begins filming her scenes this month, which include a sword fight and a horse riding scene.
The completed film is still scheduled for release in 2009.
Mon, May 5, 2008 (12:39am EDT)
The "singing" cat group MUSASHI'S made their debut in March with a digital single released through Stardust Promotion. Apparently, their novelty has not yet worn off, as the cats have now been tapped to help with the theme song to the long-running TBS drama series "Daisuki! Itsutsugo."
MUSASHI's became an internet phenomenon last year with their rendition of "Jingle Bells." Their owner signed them to a contract with Stardust, and they have successfully released two digital singles so far. This time, they are collaborating with Stardust's idol project Power Age for a song called "Daisuki!!" that will be used in the next season of "Daisuki! Itsutsugo." The weekday afternoon drama, starring Yumi Morio and Yasuhiro Arai as the parents of five children, has aired every summer since 1999. The new season starts on July 14.
Power Age, who will provide the main vocals backed by the cats' harmony, consists of 9 high school girls that have been training as a dance and vocal unit. Four of the members were chosen to release the group's first single last month. "Daisuki!!" will be their first song as a complete group.
The CD single goes on sale July 30, though digital distribution will start on July 14.
MUSASHI's became an internet phenomenon last year with their rendition of "Jingle Bells." Their owner signed them to a contract with Stardust, and they have successfully released two digital singles so far. This time, they are collaborating with Stardust's idol project Power Age for a song called "Daisuki!!" that will be used in the next season of "Daisuki! Itsutsugo." The weekday afternoon drama, starring Yumi Morio and Yasuhiro Arai as the parents of five children, has aired every summer since 1999. The new season starts on July 14.
Power Age, who will provide the main vocals backed by the cats' harmony, consists of 9 high school girls that have been training as a dance and vocal unit. Four of the members were chosen to release the group's first single last month. "Daisuki!!" will be their first song as a complete group.
The CD single goes on sale July 30, though digital distribution will start on July 14.
Mon, May 5, 2008 (12:36am EDT)
Oricon conducted a survey of 900 people, asking them which anime films they considered the most interesting. Hayao Miyazaki proved to be the most popular director, as his works took 6 of the top 10 spots.
Four of them were in the top 5: "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" (#1), "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" (#2), "My Neighbor Totoro" (#4), and "Spirited Away" (#5). Only the "Detective Conan" film series was as popular, filling in the gap at #3.
The bottom half of the Top 10 were the "Doraemon" movies, "Kiki's Delivery Service," "Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo," "The Castle of Cagliostro," and "Evangelion: 1.0 You Are."
Four of them were in the top 5: "Laputa: Castle in the Sky" (#1), "Nausicaa of the Valley of the Wind" (#2), "My Neighbor Totoro" (#4), and "Spirited Away" (#5). Only the "Detective Conan" film series was as popular, filling in the gap at #3.
The bottom half of the Top 10 were the "Doraemon" movies, "Kiki's Delivery Service," "Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo," "The Castle of Cagliostro," and "Evangelion: 1.0 You Are."
Mon, May 5, 2008 (12:35am EDT)
36-year-old singer UA is expecting her second child, it was learned on Sunday. She announced the news herself during an event at Makuhari Messe, though she did not give any details.
UA was previously married to actor Jun Murakami from 1996 to 2006, and she gave birth to a son in 1997. According to a source close to the singer, her current partner is not in show business.
UA was previously married to actor Jun Murakami from 1996 to 2006, and she gave birth to a son in 1997. According to a source close to the singer, her current partner is not in show business.
