Wed, September 24, 2008 (2:58am EDT)
Mr.Children has a new movie tie-up in the form of a ballad called "Hana no Nioi," chosen as the theme song of the upcoming remake "Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai" ("I Want to Be a Shellfish"). Directed by Katsuo Fukuzawa, the movie depicts the tragedy of a man sentenced to death as a war criminal.
Mr.Children's popularity will be combined with the star power of SMAP's Masahiro Nakai and actress Yukie Nakama, who co-star in the film. The movie also features Tsuyoshi Kusanagi in a minor role.
"Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai" opens in theaters on November 22. "Hana no Nioi" is apparently being released only as a digital single, with chaku-uta distribution starting on October 1 and extending to chaku-uta full on November 1.
Mr.Children's popularity will be combined with the star power of SMAP's Masahiro Nakai and actress Yukie Nakama, who co-star in the film. The movie also features Tsuyoshi Kusanagi in a minor role.
"Watashi wa Kai ni Naritai" opens in theaters on November 22. "Hana no Nioi" is apparently being released only as a digital single, with chaku-uta distribution starting on October 1 and extending to chaku-uta full on November 1.
Wed, September 24, 2008 (2:37am EDT)
The all-female Takarazuka Revue is doing its first production based on a video game. The subject is Capcom's popular "Gyakuten Saiban" series, also known as "Ace Attorney." Tomu Ranju of the Cosmos Troupe is playing the protagonist, using the character's English name Phoenix Wright instead of the Japanese name Ryuichi Naruhodo.
Set in the United States, the show will be a musical, incorporating songs from the games. Performances will run from February 5 to 15 in Takurazuka, Hyogo, then from February 24 to March 2 in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Set in the United States, the show will be a musical, incorporating songs from the games. Performances will run from February 5 to 15 in Takurazuka, Hyogo, then from February 24 to March 2 in Shinjuku, Tokyo.
Wed, September 24, 2008 (2:01am EDT)
Last week on the album charts, Ayumi Hamasaki ended Namie Amuro's six-week run at #1, but unlike Amuro, she immediately faced strong competition the following week. Despite selling 119,000 copies, she was no match for the new "B'z The Best ULTRA Treasure" compilation from B'z, which sold 413,000 copies. This is their 23rd chart-topping album, extending the record that they set in June with "B'z The Best ULTRA Pleasure."
Only two other new albums made the top ten, both from hip-hop artists. The Sendai-based LGYankees made their first top ten appearance at #8, while ZEEBRA's sales were not far behind at #9.
On the singles side of the charts, V6 picked up first with 82,000 copies of "LIGHT IN YOUR HEART," the theme song to the new Ultraman movie. Angela Aki's latest song arrived at #3, followed by Nightmare's new tune. At #8, female duo Lil'B achieved their first top ten showing, edging out Tamio Okuda and Kazuyoshi Saito.
Only two other new albums made the top ten, both from hip-hop artists. The Sendai-based LGYankees made their first top ten appearance at #8, while ZEEBRA's sales were not far behind at #9.
On the singles side of the charts, V6 picked up first with 82,000 copies of "LIGHT IN YOUR HEART," the theme song to the new Ultraman movie. Angela Aki's latest song arrived at #3, followed by Nightmare's new tune. At #8, female duo Lil'B achieved their first top ten showing, edging out Tamio Okuda and Kazuyoshi Saito.
Wed, September 24, 2008 (1:31am EDT)
Famed movie producer Haruki Kadokawa is directing his first major-studio film in 15 years, it was announced on Tuesday. His last major work was "REX: Kyoryu Monogatari" in 1993, though he did also direct the small-scale 1997 remake of the "Toki wo Kakeru Shoujo" story. His new film is also an adaptation, based on a novel series by author Jo Sasaki.
"Warau Keikan" is one part of Sasaki's "Doukei series," which all involve the prefectural police in Hokkaido. This particular story is described as a suspenseful tale of an internal feud within a corrupt police force. Nao Omori has been cast in the lead role.
Kadokawa originally took on the role of producer, and a young director was leading the film. But that director produced a script for a gunfight-heavy action flick, far from the human drama that the story was intended to be. When Sasaki objected to the script, Kadokawa agreed to become the director, taking it upon himself to ensure that the film stayed true to the original. That decision happened just three weeks before filming started.
"Warau Keikan" is scheduled for release in fall 2009.
"Warau Keikan" is one part of Sasaki's "Doukei series," which all involve the prefectural police in Hokkaido. This particular story is described as a suspenseful tale of an internal feud within a corrupt police force. Nao Omori has been cast in the lead role.
Kadokawa originally took on the role of producer, and a young director was leading the film. But that director produced a script for a gunfight-heavy action flick, far from the human drama that the story was intended to be. When Sasaki objected to the script, Kadokawa agreed to become the director, taking it upon himself to ensure that the film stayed true to the original. That decision happened just three weeks before filming started.
"Warau Keikan" is scheduled for release in fall 2009.
Wed, September 24, 2008 (12:58am EDT)
Details are now out regarding SPEED's first post-reunion single. Titled "Ashita no Sora," the leading track has been chosen as the theme song of the NTV drama series "OL Nippon," which stars Alisa Mizuki and Sadao Abe.
The "Ashita no Sora" single goes on sale November 12. It will come with another new song called "SOMETHING NEW" and a medley of some of their previous hits, including "White Love" and "STEADY."
The "Ashita no Sora" single goes on sale November 12. It will come with another new song called "SOMETHING NEW" and a medley of some of their previous hits, including "White Love" and "STEADY."
Wed, September 24, 2008 (12:49am EDT)
AAA performed at the Nippon Budokan on Tuesday in front of a crowd of approximately 10,000 fans. During the show, leader Naoya Urata formally announced that he will soon be making his debut as a solo artist, while still remaining active with AAA.
His debut song, "Baby Bang! Feat. SPHERE," has just been made available as a chaku-uta. An official website has also been launched at http://uratanaoya.com/.
His debut song, "Baby Bang! Feat. SPHERE," has just been made available as a chaku-uta. An official website has also been launched at http://uratanaoya.com/.
