Wed, August 13, 2008 (2:02am EDT)
Actor Kyohei Shibata is starring in a TV Asahi drama special titled "Ekkyou Sousa," based on a novel by Ryohei Sasamoto. The suspense story deals with a detective trying to uncover the truth about an incident that happened 14 years ago.
Though he is known for many detective roles in the past, this will be Shibata's first since he underwent surgery for lung cancer in 2006.
The script for "Ekkyou Sousa" is written by Takeharu Sakurai, one of the writers for the popular series "Aibou." The supporting cast includes Susumu Terajima and Nene Otsuka. TV Asahi will broadcast the drama on September 11.
Though he is known for many detective roles in the past, this will be Shibata's first since he underwent surgery for lung cancer in 2006.
The script for "Ekkyou Sousa" is written by Takeharu Sakurai, one of the writers for the popular series "Aibou." The supporting cast includes Susumu Terajima and Nene Otsuka. TV Asahi will broadcast the drama on September 11.
Wed, August 13, 2008 (1:42am EDT)
Actress Keiko Kitagawa has been tapped to play the female lead in Tetsuo Shinohara's new film, "Manatsu no Orion." Last month, it was revealed that Hiroshi Tamaki would star in the picture; Kitagawa will play a double role as Tamaki's love interest and the couple's present-day granddaughter.
The story is set during World War II and focuses on a naval battle between an American destroyer and a Japanese submarine, captained by a man named Kuramoto (Tamaki). Before heading off to battle, Shizuko (Kitagawa) gives him a present: the score of a song called "Manatsu no Orion." 64 years later, the pair's granddaughter happens to come across that precious score.
Kitagawa is currently involved in filming for the movie, while also shooting for the "Taiyou to Umi no Kyoushitsu" drama series on Fuji TV. "Manatsu no Orion" will open in theaters sometime in 2009.
The story is set during World War II and focuses on a naval battle between an American destroyer and a Japanese submarine, captained by a man named Kuramoto (Tamaki). Before heading off to battle, Shizuko (Kitagawa) gives him a present: the score of a song called "Manatsu no Orion." 64 years later, the pair's granddaughter happens to come across that precious score.
Kitagawa is currently involved in filming for the movie, while also shooting for the "Taiyou to Umi no Kyoushitsu" drama series on Fuji TV. "Manatsu no Orion" will open in theaters sometime in 2009.
Wed, August 13, 2008 (1:24am EDT)
Johnny's Jr. member Sho Takada is taking on his first lead role in a television drama, though it will only be one segment of a four-part special. The special is the summer 2008 edition of Fuji TV's "Honto ni Atta Kowai Hanashi" ("Scary True Stories"), scheduled to air on August 26.
The 14-year-old Takada previously played a baseball catcher in his supporting role in NHK's drama series "Battery" earlier this year. Here, he will play a young boy who encounters a strange shadow while on his first date.
The other three segments of the special will have Rosa Kato, Becky, and Yukina Kinoshita playing the lead characters.
The 14-year-old Takada previously played a baseball catcher in his supporting role in NHK's drama series "Battery" earlier this year. Here, he will play a young boy who encounters a strange shadow while on his first date.
The other three segments of the special will have Rosa Kato, Becky, and Yukina Kinoshita playing the lead characters.
Wed, August 13, 2008 (1:09am EDT)
Southern All Stars was the unquestionable winner in this week's singles sales, with "I AM YOUR SINGER" moving 357,000 copies while Mr.Children's "GIFT" dropped to #2 at only 44,000 copies. This makes Southern All Stars the first group with a 30-year history to reach #1. It also separates them from SMAP, B'z, and ZARD to set the record of "most top 10 singles" at 43.
Although no other new singles made the top 5, the bottom half of the top 10 were all fresh releases. alice nine. led the group, followed by the first "Detroit Metal City" single and new songs by Shoko Nakagawa, BONNIE PINK, and The Possible.
On the albums chart, Namie Amuro kept her #1 seat from last week, adding another 257,000 copies to her total. Rookie reggae artist Kusuo managed to make #2 with 42,000 copies of his first album, "HB."
Kazuyoshi Saito's singles collection made #4, while a "Detective Conan" collection ranked in at #5. The only other new releases in the top 10 were Crystal Kay's latest (#8) and a drama CD for "Code Geass" (#10).
Although no other new singles made the top 5, the bottom half of the top 10 were all fresh releases. alice nine. led the group, followed by the first "Detroit Metal City" single and new songs by Shoko Nakagawa, BONNIE PINK, and The Possible.
On the albums chart, Namie Amuro kept her #1 seat from last week, adding another 257,000 copies to her total. Rookie reggae artist Kusuo managed to make #2 with 42,000 copies of his first album, "HB."
Kazuyoshi Saito's singles collection made #4, while a "Detective Conan" collection ranked in at #5. The only other new releases in the top 10 were Crystal Kay's latest (#8) and a drama CD for "Code Geass" (#10).
