Tue, August 19, 2008 (2:12am EDT)
Actress Yu Kashii has been added to the cast of the upcoming "Tsurikichi Sanpei" film, directed by Yojiro Takita. The project was first revealed in July, with Kenta Suga named as the young protagonist.
The movie is based on a fishing manga by Takao Yaguchi, revolving around a boy named Sanpei with a gift for fishing (Suga). Kashii will play his older sister Aiko, who did not exist in the original comic. Her character is nicknamed the "Akita beauty," said to have the rare quality of facial symmetry. While studying in Tokyo, she has a dream about her younger brother being pulled under by a gigantic fish, and she returns to their hometown concerned for his safety.
It has already been announced that Takashi Tsukamoto is playing the older brother and Tsunehiko Watase is playing their grandfather. The movie opens in spring 2009.
The movie is based on a fishing manga by Takao Yaguchi, revolving around a boy named Sanpei with a gift for fishing (Suga). Kashii will play his older sister Aiko, who did not exist in the original comic. Her character is nicknamed the "Akita beauty," said to have the rare quality of facial symmetry. While studying in Tokyo, she has a dream about her younger brother being pulled under by a gigantic fish, and she returns to their hometown concerned for his safety.
It has already been announced that Takashi Tsukamoto is playing the older brother and Tsunehiko Watase is playing their grandfather. The movie opens in spring 2009.
Tue, August 19, 2008 (1:22am EDT)
25-year-old actor Eita has finally had his first taste of the tabloids. According to this week's issue of FLASH, the actor reportedly attended a goukon (group date) at a karaoke bar. Later that night, he was seen at a ramen shop with a woman resembling singer Ayaka, and the magazine was able to snap pictures of the pair walking while holding hands.
Eita's management denied the story, saying that the actor was just hanging out with a usual group of friends and that he isn't in a relationship with the woman in the article.
In other news, it was announced a few days ago that Eita has been cast as a trainee doctor in Miwa Nishikawa's next movie, "Dear Doctor." (More information about the film here.)
Eita's management denied the story, saying that the actor was just hanging out with a usual group of friends and that he isn't in a relationship with the woman in the article.
In other news, it was announced a few days ago that Eita has been cast as a trainee doctor in Miwa Nishikawa's next movie, "Dear Doctor." (More information about the film here.)
Tue, August 19, 2008 (12:28am EDT)
Singer and actor Manabu Oshio has announced that he is reviving his band LIV, which has been inactive since last year, partly due to his new life as a father with his wife, actress Akiko Yada.
On Monday, he revealed his plans for LIV through his official blog, introducing two new members of the band. In his words, the group is "starting from zero," and they are already working on new material.
In May, Oshio signed as an actor with Avex's management agency. However, he has not yet signed a record contract with them for LIV.
On Monday, he revealed his plans for LIV through his official blog, introducing two new members of the band. In his words, the group is "starting from zero," and they are already working on new material.
In May, Oshio signed as an actor with Avex's management agency. However, he has not yet signed a record contract with them for LIV.
Tue, August 19, 2008 (12:13am EDT)
The variety show "Narutomo!" (aired on NTV in the Kanto area) will be losing one of its hosts at the end of September. Comedian Tomonori Jinnai, whose name is responsible for the "tomo" half of the show's title, said that he will be moving on to bigger things. So far, no replacement has been announced.
Jinnai said he consulted the move with his agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo. There were initially some concerns, but he explained that he views this as an opportunity for a "step up," and the agency came to an agreement with him.
"Narutomo!" has been on the air since May 2004 with Tomonori Jinnai and talento Narumi as the hosts, resulting in the show's name. Jinnai has been considering leaving the show for a while, and at the start of this year he began making definite plans. He finalized the decision during the spring and informed his co-host in April.
Jinnai has been married to actress Norika Fujiwara since early 2007. He commented that Fujiwara was not the reason for his decision to leave the show.
Jinnai said he consulted the move with his agency, Yoshimoto Kogyo. There were initially some concerns, but he explained that he views this as an opportunity for a "step up," and the agency came to an agreement with him.
"Narutomo!" has been on the air since May 2004 with Tomonori Jinnai and talento Narumi as the hosts, resulting in the show's name. Jinnai has been considering leaving the show for a while, and at the start of this year he began making definite plans. He finalized the decision during the spring and informed his co-host in April.
Jinnai has been married to actress Norika Fujiwara since early 2007. He commented that Fujiwara was not the reason for his decision to leave the show.
Tue, August 19, 2008 (12:10am EDT)
The popular "Kamen Rider Den-O" series, which ended in January of this year, is getting its third and final theatrical film in October. No other "Kamen Rider" series has had more than two movies released in theaters.
Most "Kamen Rider" incarnations in recent history have had only a single movie during the summer while the show was on the air, but "Den-O" broke that trend with a second film this past April. Now it will have a third, titled "Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown." Osamu Kaneda is again directing.
Takeru Sato will of course reprise his lead role as Ryotaro Nogami. Dori Sakurada has been cast as a grandchild of Nogami who transforms into a different Kamen Rider. Other confirmed cast members include Sayaka Kanda and Yuki Matsumura. The film opens on October 4.
Most "Kamen Rider" incarnations in recent history have had only a single movie during the summer while the show was on the air, but "Den-O" broke that trend with a second film this past April. Now it will have a third, titled "Kamen Rider Den-O: Final Countdown." Osamu Kaneda is again directing.
Takeru Sato will of course reprise his lead role as Ryotaro Nogami. Dori Sakurada has been cast as a grandchild of Nogami who transforms into a different Kamen Rider. Other confirmed cast members include Sayaka Kanda and Yuki Matsumura. The film opens on October 4.
