Sat, October 4, 2008 (2:47am EDT)
Fuji TV is taking a big step into the world of computer animation, teaming up with Production I.G. to produce a full-CG feature-length film. Tentatively titled "Hottarake no Shima: Haruka to Mahou no Kagami" ("Hottarake Island: Haruka and the Magical Mirror"), the movie is meant to be a family-friendly adventure, which Fuji TV hopes can join the ranks of American works such as "Toy Story" and "Monsters, Inc."
The movie is set on Hottarake Island, a world formed from the objects that humans have abandoned ("hottarake" comes from a word meaning "to neglect"). The protagonist is a high school girl named Haruka, who ends up on the island in search of an important item, and she is accompanied by a fox named Teo that she meets along the way.
The project was set in motion by producer Daisuke Sekiguchi three years ago. Sekiguchi, one of the people involved in the 2006 animated film "Brave Story," said that he wanted to use modern technology to create a "warm, Japanese anime."
Shinsuke Sato ("Sunadokei," "LOVE SONG") is directing. The voice cast will be decided before the end of the year, and theatrical release is slated for next summer.
The movie is set on Hottarake Island, a world formed from the objects that humans have abandoned ("hottarake" comes from a word meaning "to neglect"). The protagonist is a high school girl named Haruka, who ends up on the island in search of an important item, and she is accompanied by a fox named Teo that she meets along the way.
The project was set in motion by producer Daisuke Sekiguchi three years ago. Sekiguchi, one of the people involved in the 2006 animated film "Brave Story," said that he wanted to use modern technology to create a "warm, Japanese anime."
Shinsuke Sato ("Sunadokei," "LOVE SONG") is directing. The voice cast will be decided before the end of the year, and theatrical release is slated for next summer.
Sat, October 4, 2008 (2:04am EDT)
"Warau Keikan," which was revealed last month to be Haruki Kadokawa's return as a director, now has its heroine. It was publicly announced on Friday that actress Yasuko Matsuyuki will be co-starring alongside lead actor Nao Omori.
Based on a novel by Jo Sasaki, the film is a suspenseful story about a police force scrambling to find the killer of a female officer within a span of fifteen hours. Matsuyuki plays a keen-minded chief in the military police, a character said to be similar to Chloe from the popular American series "24."
"Warau Keikan" is scheduled for a fall 2009 release.
Based on a novel by Jo Sasaki, the film is a suspenseful story about a police force scrambling to find the killer of a female officer within a span of fifteen hours. Matsuyuki plays a keen-minded chief in the military police, a character said to be similar to Chloe from the popular American series "24."
"Warau Keikan" is scheduled for a fall 2009 release.
Sat, October 4, 2008 (1:42am EDT)
Actor Yasufumi Terawaki, perhaps best known for his role as half of the "Aibou" combo with Yutaka Mizutani, is finally playing the sole lead in a movie for the first time in his career. He was chosen to star in "Kanashii Boyfriend," the next effort from director Yoka Kusano ("Bra Bra Ban Ban").
In this fantasy story, Terawaki plays a single salaryman in his 30s who meets a junior high school girl (Saki Terashima). Through this encounter, he is transported back to his hometown in Kobe as he relives the memories of his own junior high romance.
"Kanashii Boyfriend" will start screening at a new Toho Cinemas theater this November, with nationwide release planned for February.
In this fantasy story, Terawaki plays a single salaryman in his 30s who meets a junior high school girl (Saki Terashima). Through this encounter, he is transported back to his hometown in Kobe as he relives the memories of his own junior high romance.
"Kanashii Boyfriend" will start screening at a new Toho Cinemas theater this November, with nationwide release planned for February.
Sat, October 4, 2008 (12:56am EDT)
The '80s idol unit Ushirogami Hikaretai is being "re-formed," twenty years after its breakup. Music producer Yasushi Akimoto has assembled four girls from AKB48 to recreate the group, which he is renaming Watarirouka Hashiritai.
Ushirogami Hikaretai was formed in 1987 by Shizuka Kudo, Akiko Ikuina, and Makiko Saito, who were all members of the popular group Onyanko Club. They broke up in 1988 after releasing a string of hit singles. Akimoto, who was their producer and lyricist, is following the same formula this time, recruiting members of AKB48 for the project. The four are Mayu Watanabe, Aika Ohta, Haruka Nakagawa, and Natsumi Hirajima, all part of Team B. They also happen to be managed by Production Ogi, the same agency that represented Ushirogami Hikaretai.
Watarirouka Hashiritai already has an anime tie-in with the series "BLUE DRAGON," with their song "Aoi Mirai" being used as the new opening theme. However, their first CD single has not yet been decided, though it is scheduled for release in January through Pony Canyon.
Ushirogami Hikaretai was formed in 1987 by Shizuka Kudo, Akiko Ikuina, and Makiko Saito, who were all members of the popular group Onyanko Club. They broke up in 1988 after releasing a string of hit singles. Akimoto, who was their producer and lyricist, is following the same formula this time, recruiting members of AKB48 for the project. The four are Mayu Watanabe, Aika Ohta, Haruka Nakagawa, and Natsumi Hirajima, all part of Team B. They also happen to be managed by Production Ogi, the same agency that represented Ushirogami Hikaretai.
Watarirouka Hashiritai already has an anime tie-in with the series "BLUE DRAGON," with their song "Aoi Mirai" being used as the new opening theme. However, their first CD single has not yet been decided, though it is scheduled for release in January through Pony Canyon.
