Sat, June 21, 2008 (9:09pm EDT)
Young actress and idol Miyuki Kanbe suddenly passed away on Wednesday morning at a hospital in Kawasaki. Barely 24 years old, Kanbe died of heart failure after repeated hospitalization since early last year.
Kanbe had been cast as Eponine in a production of "Les Miserables" scheduled for June 2007. However, she had to back out of the role in February due to poor health, and after an initial medical examination, she was frequently in and out of the hospital.
According to her agency, Kanbe seemed healthy when she visited the Shibuya office earlier this month. Unfortunately, her condition worsened at the start of this week and she was re-hospitalized, but her heart ultimately gave out.
One of Kanbe's best known roles was as Usagi Tsukino in the "Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon" musicals from 2000 to 2001. She was the third actress to play that part. Her other works include "Battle Royale II" and the "Kamen Rider Hibiki" series. Aside from acting, Kanbe was also active in variety shows, commercials, and photobooks.
A funeral service was held for Kanbe on Saturday.
Kanbe had been cast as Eponine in a production of "Les Miserables" scheduled for June 2007. However, she had to back out of the role in February due to poor health, and after an initial medical examination, she was frequently in and out of the hospital.
According to her agency, Kanbe seemed healthy when she visited the Shibuya office earlier this month. Unfortunately, her condition worsened at the start of this week and she was re-hospitalized, but her heart ultimately gave out.
One of Kanbe's best known roles was as Usagi Tsukino in the "Bishojo Senshi Sailor Moon" musicals from 2000 to 2001. She was the third actress to play that part. Her other works include "Battle Royale II" and the "Kamen Rider Hibiki" series. Aside from acting, Kanbe was also active in variety shows, commercials, and photobooks.
A funeral service was held for Kanbe on Saturday.
Sat, June 21, 2008 (5:15pm EDT)
Young singer-songwriter Hatsune Okumura barely made her major label debut last September, but she has already been offered the chance to do a theme song for a television drama. Her voice will be heard in NTV's "Seigi no Mikata," which premieres on July 9.
Okumura, 17, became recognized at a young age for her musical talents, including the gift of perfect pitch. She began writing and composing during the 5th grade, and she soon began performing on the streets of Osaka. Upon entering high school, she was signed to Avex. She is said to have written more than 100 original songs since then, and in September 2007 she released her first single, "Koi, Hanabi."
Her new song, "Honto wa ne," will be released as her 3rd single on July 23.
Okumura, 17, became recognized at a young age for her musical talents, including the gift of perfect pitch. She began writing and composing during the 5th grade, and she soon began performing on the streets of Osaka. Upon entering high school, she was signed to Avex. She is said to have written more than 100 original songs since then, and in September 2007 she released her first single, "Koi, Hanabi."
Her new song, "Honto wa ne," will be released as her 3rd single on July 23.
Sat, June 21, 2008 (4:24pm EDT)
Teen actress Manami Kurose will be making her singing debut this summer, releasing two singles only a month apart. Kurose was the winner of the Toho Cinderella Audition in 2006, and she made her film debut in "Rough" later that year.
Kurose's first song, "Omoide Hoshi," goes on sale August 13. It will be tied up with the Japanese version of the movie "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," which also opens that month. Her second release will follow on September 10. Titled "Rensokyoku," it has been chosen as the new ending theme of the "Yatterman" anime series.
Universal Music reportedly became interested in the actress after hearing a demo tape, saying that they were impressed by her "pure voice." Kurose also writes her own lyrics and can play the piano. Universal decided to pair her up with musician Chikuzen Sato as the producer of her debut single.
As for Kurose's acting career, she will be appearing in the Fuji TV drama series "Taiyou to Umi no Kyoushitsu" starting next month.
Kurose's first song, "Omoide Hoshi," goes on sale August 13. It will be tied up with the Japanese version of the movie "The Mummy: Tomb of the Dragon Emperor," which also opens that month. Her second release will follow on September 10. Titled "Rensokyoku," it has been chosen as the new ending theme of the "Yatterman" anime series.
Universal Music reportedly became interested in the actress after hearing a demo tape, saying that they were impressed by her "pure voice." Kurose also writes her own lyrics and can play the piano. Universal decided to pair her up with musician Chikuzen Sato as the producer of her debut single.
As for Kurose's acting career, she will be appearing in the Fuji TV drama series "Taiyou to Umi no Kyoushitsu" starting next month.
