Sun, July 27, 2008 (5:00pm EDT)
Singer CHARA has been picked to do the theme song for "Hebi ni Piasu" ("Snakes and Earrings"), opening on September 20. Directed by Yukio Ninagawa, the film is based on an Akutagawa Prize-winning novel by Hitomi Kanehara (more details here).
The theme song is a slow-tempo tune called "Kieru." CHARA composed the music, while Kanehara wrote the lyrics.
CHARA previously sang the theme for the 1996 film "Swallowtail," which she appeared in as part of the fictional group YEN TOWN BAND. "Kieru," however, will be her first movie theme song as a soloist.
The release date for the single has not yet been decided.
The theme song is a slow-tempo tune called "Kieru." CHARA composed the music, while Kanehara wrote the lyrics.
CHARA previously sang the theme for the 1996 film "Swallowtail," which she appeared in as part of the fictional group YEN TOWN BAND. "Kieru," however, will be her first movie theme song as a soloist.
The release date for the single has not yet been decided.
Sun, July 27, 2008 (4:48pm EDT)
The comedy manga "Heibon Punch" is being turned into a movie, with Sakichi Sato taking on the role of director, screenwriter, and lead actor. Rina Akiyama will co-star.
Written by George Asakura (the pen name of a female mangaka), the original comic tells the story of a fat director named Aki Mashima (Sato) who has a fear of large breasts. He meets an actress named Mika (Akiyama) who fits his type, but after Mika murders another idol (Yuri Morishita), the two are forced to run from the law. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Mika is obsessed with one day getting big breast implants. And while Mika is attracted to the chubby Aki, the strength of Aki's love sometimes magically transforms him into a good-looking man, which Mika hates.
The other cast members include Ryosei Konishi, Tasuku Emoto, and Sho Aikawa. The film is scheduled to see release later this year.
Written by George Asakura (the pen name of a female mangaka), the original comic tells the story of a fat director named Aki Mashima (Sato) who has a fear of large breasts. He meets an actress named Mika (Akiyama) who fits his type, but after Mika murders another idol (Yuri Morishita), the two are forced to run from the law. Their relationship is complicated by the fact that Mika is obsessed with one day getting big breast implants. And while Mika is attracted to the chubby Aki, the strength of Aki's love sometimes magically transforms him into a good-looking man, which Mika hates.
The other cast members include Ryosei Konishi, Tasuku Emoto, and Sho Aikawa. The film is scheduled to see release later this year.
Sun, July 27, 2008 (4:10pm EDT)
The three-piece band Sunny Day Service has announced that they are reuniting after eight years. The group, consisting of Keiichi Sokabe, Takashi Tanaka, and Harushige Maruyama, formed in 1992 and made their major label debut three years later. They broke up in December 2000.
Sunny Day Service will make their return at the Rising Sun Rock Festival on August 15-16.
Sunny Day Service will make their return at the Rising Sun Rock Festival on August 15-16.
Sun, July 27, 2008 (3:18am EDT)
Talento Dante Carver, perhaps most recognized for playing Aya Ueto's brother in a series of Softbank commercials, is taking on his first significant acting role. This Monday's episode of the TV Asahi drama program "Renai Hyakkei" will have Carver playing a study-abroad student who dates the character played by Ai Takabe.
Carver has previously done a couple of minor roles, including an appearance in the "Densha Otoko" drama series.
Carver has previously done a couple of minor roles, including an appearance in the "Densha Otoko" drama series.
Sun, July 27, 2008 (12:38am EDT)
36-year-old talento Kenji Hirai, known for doing impersonations of singer Ken Hirai, is getting married soon. He revealed the news on Saturday's episode of the NTV variety show "The God of Entertainment."
A source close to Hirai says his fiancee is an office lady who is the same age as him. They have been dating for 15 years after meeting at a university festival. Hirai plans to formally update his family register next month.
A source close to Hirai says his fiancee is an office lady who is the same age as him. They have been dating for 15 years after meeting at a university festival. Hirai plans to formally update his family register next month.
Sun, July 27, 2008 (12:27am EDT)
The final episode of the TBS drama series "ROOKIES" aired on Saturday. It was announced at the end that the show is getting a movie next year. The current working title is "ROOKIES ~FINAL~," and the show's director Yuichiro Hirakawa will again be in charge.
The drama is originally based on a manga by Masanori Morita about a high school teacher trying to change delinquent students by coaching them as a baseball team. Ryuta Sato will reprise his role as the teacher, with the movie picking up where the drama series left off. His team is also returning for the film.
"ROOKIES ~FINAL~" is scheduled to come out next spring, but TBS has also decided to produce a special episode to be broadcast this fall.
The drama is originally based on a manga by Masanori Morita about a high school teacher trying to change delinquent students by coaching them as a baseball team. Ryuta Sato will reprise his role as the teacher, with the movie picking up where the drama series left off. His team is also returning for the film.
"ROOKIES ~FINAL~" is scheduled to come out next spring, but TBS has also decided to produce a special episode to be broadcast this fall.
