Fri, May 30, 2008 (3:08am EDT)
Former sumo champion Konishiki arrived back in Japan on Friday after spending roughly a year in Hawaii, watching his health while building a career as a music producer. In February, he underwent gastric bypass surgery to treat his obesity, and it has now been revealed that he has reduced his weight by about 70 kilograms.
During his sumo days, Konishiki's weight reached a peak of 284kg in 1995. After he retired and went into entertainment, his weight rose to about 300kg. He took a break from show business and left for Hawaii in late 2006, reportedly to take better care of his health. Three months after his operation, he now weighs 230kg.
Konishiki will mark his return to Japan with a live appearance on the FM Yokohama radio show "KONY ISLAND" on June 1.
During his sumo days, Konishiki's weight reached a peak of 284kg in 1995. After he retired and went into entertainment, his weight rose to about 300kg. He took a break from show business and left for Hawaii in late 2006, reportedly to take better care of his health. Three months after his operation, he now weighs 230kg.
Konishiki will mark his return to Japan with a live appearance on the FM Yokohama radio show "KONY ISLAND" on June 1.
Fri, May 30, 2008 (2:44am EDT)
The all-girl sextet ORESKABAND has lined up another U.S. appearance, this time at the Wizard World Chicago comic convention, taking place June 26-29. The band is scheduled to play on Friday night (June 27) at 6:00pm. They will also participate in signings and fan events throughout the day. More information is available in the press release.
ORESKABAND will already be touring the U.S. this summer, as they have signed on for the entire length of the 46-stop Warped Tour. The tour starts in Pomona, California, on June 20 and runs until August 17.
ORESKABAND will already be touring the U.S. this summer, as they have signed on for the entire length of the 46-stop Warped Tour. The tour starts in Pomona, California, on June 20 and runs until August 17.
Fri, May 30, 2008 (2:26am EDT)
TOKIO's Masahiro Matsuoka will star in a new NTV drama series called "Yasuko to Kenji." It is based on a comical manga by artist Aruko that was serialized in Bessatsu Margaret between April 2005 and November 2006.
The show focuses on a man named Kenji (Matsuoka) and his younger sister Yasuko, whose parents died in an accident 10 years earlier. Kenji was once the leader of a gang, but in order to support him and his sister, he began making a living as a shojo mangaka. His character normally wears glasses and appears to be a gentle guy, but he throws off his glasses and reverts to his violent side whenever he tries to protect Yasuko from danger.
Part of the story follows Yasuko's romance with an intelligent and good-looking man named Jun Tsubaki. Jun's older sister Erika now runs a flower shop, but Erika was once a leader of a female gang, and she used to be in love with Kenji during those days.
The cast for the roles of Yasuko, Jun, and Erika have not yet been announced. The show will premiere in July, airing every Saturday at 9:00pm.
The show focuses on a man named Kenji (Matsuoka) and his younger sister Yasuko, whose parents died in an accident 10 years earlier. Kenji was once the leader of a gang, but in order to support him and his sister, he began making a living as a shojo mangaka. His character normally wears glasses and appears to be a gentle guy, but he throws off his glasses and reverts to his violent side whenever he tries to protect Yasuko from danger.
Part of the story follows Yasuko's romance with an intelligent and good-looking man named Jun Tsubaki. Jun's older sister Erika now runs a flower shop, but Erika was once a leader of a female gang, and she used to be in love with Kenji during those days.
The cast for the roles of Yasuko, Jun, and Erika have not yet been announced. The show will premiere in July, airing every Saturday at 9:00pm.
Fri, May 30, 2008 (1:54am EDT)
Fuji TV's idol group Idoling!!! is already seeing its first departure. 19-year-old Maia Kobayashi barely joined the group as member #10 on April 7 (eight other members were added at the same time), but on Thursday, the official websites for her agency and the group's television show both announced that she is retiring from show business.
Kobayashi's management said that she found it difficult to balance school with an entertainment career.
According to the Idoling!!! website, she is not being replaced, and the group will continue for now with 17 members.
Kobayashi's management said that she found it difficult to balance school with an entertainment career.
According to the Idoling!!! website, she is not being replaced, and the group will continue for now with 17 members.
Fri, May 30, 2008 (1:43am EDT)
NEWS member Shigeaki Kato will hold his own "entertainment show" this summer, titled "Konnan Yatte Mimashita." Kato has gained a reputation as a literary person through his writings on Johnny's Web and in the magazine Myojo, and now he has drafted his own ideas for this production, which will apparently include short film, skits, and recitations.
The show will run at The Globe Tokyo from July 14 to 30, followed by a run at Osaka's Umeda Arts Theater from August 2 to 8.
The show will run at The Globe Tokyo from July 14 to 30, followed by a run at Osaka's Umeda Arts Theater from August 2 to 8.
