Tue, July 1, 2008 (11:08am EDT)
The third season of the "Gokusen" drama series came to an end on Saturday. According to data from Video Research Ltd., the finale averaged a 23.6% rating, bouncing back from a decline in viewers over the second half of the season. The show had started out at 26.4% but dipped as low as 17.6% for episode 9.
Overall, the series averaged 22.8%, the highest out of all the spring dramas. For broadcaster NTV, this is the fourth-highest rating since the start of the Heisei era (1989).
Overall, the series averaged 22.8%, the highest out of all the spring dramas. For broadcaster NTV, this is the fourth-highest rating since the start of the Heisei era (1989).
Tue, July 1, 2008 (2:08am EDT)
The 2005 bestseller "Sono Hi no Mae ni" has just been adapted to the big screen. Comedian Kiyotaka Nanbara (of Uchan Nanchan) co-stars with actress Hiromi Nagasaku, while the veteran Nobuhiko Obayashi directs and Shinichi Ichikawa handles the script.
The original novel was written by Naoki Prize-winning author Kiyoshi Shigematsu. Nanbara and Nagasaku play a married couple in their forties. One day, Nagasaku is unexpectedly diagnosed with a terminal illness, but together with her husband and son, she is determined to live her life to the fullest until that final day comes. Over the course of filming, which ended on June 13, Nagasaku shedded 4 kilograms and cut 30 centimeters off her hair to stay in character as the gradually dying wife.
Nanbara has worked with the director Obayashi before, previously starring in "Shichinin no Otaku" and "Nattu Odoru! Ninja Densetsu."
"Sono Hi no Mae ni" is expected to open in theaters this November.
The original novel was written by Naoki Prize-winning author Kiyoshi Shigematsu. Nanbara and Nagasaku play a married couple in their forties. One day, Nagasaku is unexpectedly diagnosed with a terminal illness, but together with her husband and son, she is determined to live her life to the fullest until that final day comes. Over the course of filming, which ended on June 13, Nagasaku shedded 4 kilograms and cut 30 centimeters off her hair to stay in character as the gradually dying wife.
Nanbara has worked with the director Obayashi before, previously starring in "Shichinin no Otaku" and "Nattu Odoru! Ninja Densetsu."
"Sono Hi no Mae ni" is expected to open in theaters this November.
Tue, July 1, 2008 (1:11am EDT)
The Sports Nippon newspaper reports that actress Miki Maya, 44, has plans to marry. She is now engaged to 36-year-old Kazuhiro Nishijima, a ballet dancer and actor.
The couple met in 2002 when they co-starred in the stage production "Stardust in Shanghai," based on a work by writer Kenzo Kitakata. They didn't start dating until they met again by chance last summer, but their relationship quickly progressed. Nishijima proposed in March, and they are expected to tie the knot as early as the New Year's holidays.
Nishijima was born into a family of dancers in the Miyazaki prefecture, where he began training in classical ballet at the age of 3 at a school established by his grandmother. He went to France in 1990, and the following year he won in an international competition. Upon returning to Japan, he began an acting career. His roles include a part in the popular 2000 drama series "Ikebukuro West Gate Park."
The couple met in 2002 when they co-starred in the stage production "Stardust in Shanghai," based on a work by writer Kenzo Kitakata. They didn't start dating until they met again by chance last summer, but their relationship quickly progressed. Nishijima proposed in March, and they are expected to tie the knot as early as the New Year's holidays.
Nishijima was born into a family of dancers in the Miyazaki prefecture, where he began training in classical ballet at the age of 3 at a school established by his grandmother. He went to France in 1990, and the following year he won in an international competition. Upon returning to Japan, he began an acting career. His roles include a part in the popular 2000 drama series "Ikebukuro West Gate Park."
Tue, July 1, 2008 (12:52am EDT)
Morning Musume members Ai Takahashi and Risa Niigaki will be taking on the role of the '70s pop duo Pink Lady in a special television drama next month. They will appear in NTV's "Yu Aku Monogatari," based on the life of famed lyricist Yu Aku.
The drama focuses on Aku's involvement in the music audition show "Star Tanjou!," which launched the careers of many early idols, including the highly successful Pink Lady. Takahashi and Niigaki will play Mii and Kei, respectively, and will sing the Pink Lady hit "Pepper Keibu" while dressed in the fashion of that era.
NTV plans to broadcast "Yu Aku Monogatari" on August 1.
The drama focuses on Aku's involvement in the music audition show "Star Tanjou!," which launched the careers of many early idols, including the highly successful Pink Lady. Takahashi and Niigaki will play Mii and Kei, respectively, and will sing the Pink Lady hit "Pepper Keibu" while dressed in the fashion of that era.
NTV plans to broadcast "Yu Aku Monogatari" on August 1.
