Sat, July 19, 2008 (12:59pm EDT)
23-year-old singer-songwriter Mai Fukui has been given a big opportunity. She will be making her major label debut with the theme song to TBS's highly anticipated "Koizora" drama series, which begins next month. The song is a ballad titled "Ai no Uta," set to go on sale on August 20.
Fukui sent out her first demo tape just last October, catching the attention of Avex and her current management agency. She moved to Tokyo in February, and three months later TBS offered her the chance to sing for "Koizora."
The drama version of "Koizora" has a different cast from last year's hit movie, with Erena Mizusawa and Koji Seto replacing Yui Aragaki and Haruma Miura. The show premieres on August 2.
Fukui sent out her first demo tape just last October, catching the attention of Avex and her current management agency. She moved to Tokyo in February, and three months later TBS offered her the chance to sing for "Koizora."
The drama version of "Koizora" has a different cast from last year's hit movie, with Erena Mizusawa and Koji Seto replacing Yui Aragaki and Haruma Miura. The show premieres on August 2.
Sat, July 19, 2008 (12:37pm EDT)
The comedy story "Cafe Kichijoji de" is being adapted to television this fall. The show will be TV Tokyo's first daytime drama series, and it will put talento Emiri Nakayama in her first starring role.
"Cafe Kichijoji de," written by Yuki Miyamoto, originated in 1999 as a drama CD and a radio drama. After that, it was turned into a manga series, illustrated by Kyoko Negishi.
The story revolves around a colorful group of five good-looking men who work at a cafe. Their daily misadventures continually cause problems for their unfortunate manager. That character was a male in the original story, but has now been made into a female for the drama, played by Nakayama.
TV Tokyo will broadcast the series on weekdays at 11:50am, starting on September 29.
"Cafe Kichijoji de," written by Yuki Miyamoto, originated in 1999 as a drama CD and a radio drama. After that, it was turned into a manga series, illustrated by Kyoko Negishi.
The story revolves around a colorful group of five good-looking men who work at a cafe. Their daily misadventures continually cause problems for their unfortunate manager. That character was a male in the original story, but has now been made into a female for the drama, played by Nakayama.
TV Tokyo will broadcast the series on weekdays at 11:50am, starting on September 29.
Sat, July 19, 2008 (12:13pm EDT)
It was announced on Friday that 25-year-old actress Mai Sekiguchi is getting married to 38-year-old rakugo artist Sanjaku Katsura. According to their agencies, they plan to register their marriage on August 8, followed by a wedding ceremony the next day.
Sanjaku is a student of the well-known rakugo storyteller Sanshi Katsura, who is part of the larger Bunshi Katsura family. Sekiguchi, on the other hand, is the second daughter of Zakoba Katsura, a member of the related Beicho Katsura family. Naturally, the pair met at a rakugo event in September 2006, where Sekiguchi was assisting her father.
Sekiguchi has appeared in movies such as "Battle Royale" and "Osaka Monogatari," though she is primarily active in theater and television shows. She still plans to continue her entertainment career after marriage.
Sanjaku is a student of the well-known rakugo storyteller Sanshi Katsura, who is part of the larger Bunshi Katsura family. Sekiguchi, on the other hand, is the second daughter of Zakoba Katsura, a member of the related Beicho Katsura family. Naturally, the pair met at a rakugo event in September 2006, where Sekiguchi was assisting her father.
Sekiguchi has appeared in movies such as "Battle Royale" and "Osaka Monogatari," though she is primarily active in theater and television shows. She still plans to continue her entertainment career after marriage.
Sat, July 19, 2008 (11:28am EDT)
Former Megadeth guitarist Marty Friedman has announced the formation of a rock duo called LOVEFIXER. His partner is musician Shinichiro Suzuki, once part of the band CRAZE. They will release their first single, "Yakou / CRYSTAL RAIN," on August 27. "Yakou" is being used as the theme song of the movie "Twilight Syndrome: Dead Cruise" that opens next month.
Friedman has previously released CDs in Japan, but this will be his first J-rock release, even though he is already well established in Japan as a performer and music critic.
Friedman explained that he formed a duo instead of a complete band because he wanted to represent an equal blending of Western and Japanese music. However, LUNA SEA's Shinya will reportedly be serving as LOVEFIXER's support drummer.
Friedman has previously released CDs in Japan, but this will be his first J-rock release, even though he is already well established in Japan as a performer and music critic.
Friedman explained that he formed a duo instead of a complete band because he wanted to represent an equal blending of Western and Japanese music. However, LUNA SEA's Shinya will reportedly be serving as LOVEFIXER's support drummer.
