Tue, May 27, 2008 (2:33am EDT)
Former Takarazuka top star Sumire Haruno is making her return to show business this September with concerts in Tokyo and Osaka. Haruno left the Takarazuka troupe last December.
The concerts will feature music from her Takarazuka days, as well as new songs to mark the new stage of her career. She will perform at Tokyo's Aoyama Gekijo from September 3-9 before moving to Osaka's Umeda Arts Theater on September 13-16.
Haruno has also announced a dinner show at the end of this year and a starring role in a major overseas musical next year. She also plans to start releasing CDs in the future.
The concerts will feature music from her Takarazuka days, as well as new songs to mark the new stage of her career. She will perform at Tokyo's Aoyama Gekijo from September 3-9 before moving to Osaka's Umeda Arts Theater on September 13-16.
Haruno has also announced a dinner show at the end of this year and a starring role in a major overseas musical next year. She also plans to start releasing CDs in the future.
Tue, May 27, 2008 (2:20am EDT)
Oricon conducted a small survey of 300 women in their teens and 20s, asking them, "which manga do you think serves as a model for love?"
The top answer was Ai Yazawa's "NANA," chosen by many for its portrayal of various types of love relationships. Others preferred the #2-ranked "Kimi ni Todoke" by Karuho Shiina, saying that they liked the "pure" love story and that it inspired them to be more courageous.
"Hana Yori Dango" tied for #3 with "Lovely Complex." "Tenshi Nanka Janai," an older comic also by Yazawa, was voted #5.
The top answer was Ai Yazawa's "NANA," chosen by many for its portrayal of various types of love relationships. Others preferred the #2-ranked "Kimi ni Todoke" by Karuho Shiina, saying that they liked the "pure" love story and that it inspired them to be more courageous.
"Hana Yori Dango" tied for #3 with "Lovely Complex." "Tenshi Nanka Janai," an older comic also by Yazawa, was voted #5.
Tue, May 27, 2008 (2:08am EDT)
Actress Miho Kanno is doing her first narration role for "Pandaful Life," Japan's first documentary film about pandas.
The documentary takes place at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama, and in Sichuan, China. It was shot over the span of a year, wrapping up in Sichuan just a month before a major earthquake devastated the area a couple weeks ago.
The main focus is the famous panda Mei Mei and her twin children, Ryuhin and Shuhin, who returned to China late last year.
"Pandaful Life" opens in Japan on August 30 and is preparing for release in China.
The documentary takes place at Adventure World in Shirahama, Wakayama, and in Sichuan, China. It was shot over the span of a year, wrapping up in Sichuan just a month before a major earthquake devastated the area a couple weeks ago.
The main focus is the famous panda Mei Mei and her twin children, Ryuhin and Shuhin, who returned to China late last year.
"Pandaful Life" opens in Japan on August 30 and is preparing for release in China.
Tue, May 27, 2008 (1:31am EDT)
"Kansen Retto," a new film directed and written by Takahisa Zeze about a pandemic virus, is being picked up for a Hollywood remake even before the movie's completion. Zeze's film was announced in February and started shooting in March, but it won't be ready for release until next January. According to the production team at TBS, the remake contract has already reached the final stage of negotiations.
"Kansen Retto" stars Satoshi Tsumabuki as a doctor fighting against the outbreak of an unknown virus and Rei Dan as an officer of the World Health Organization. It was exhibited at the film market of the Cannes Film Festival, and the promotional materials attracted the attention of buyers even though no footage was shown at the event.
Because the contract has not been finalized, further details have not yet been released, including the name of the studio that is trying to do the remake.
Zeze's version is still in the process of shooting until mid-June, though Dan and actor Koichi Sato have already finished their scenes. Filming locations include the Philippines. Producers are aiming to have a final cut by November.
"Kansen Retto" stars Satoshi Tsumabuki as a doctor fighting against the outbreak of an unknown virus and Rei Dan as an officer of the World Health Organization. It was exhibited at the film market of the Cannes Film Festival, and the promotional materials attracted the attention of buyers even though no footage was shown at the event.
Because the contract has not been finalized, further details have not yet been released, including the name of the studio that is trying to do the remake.
Zeze's version is still in the process of shooting until mid-June, though Dan and actor Koichi Sato have already finished their scenes. Filming locations include the Philippines. Producers are aiming to have a final cut by November.
