Wed, November 5, 2008 (2:12am EST)
Last week, Porno Graffiti simultaneously released two best albums, "PORNO GRAFFITI BEST ACE" and "PORNO GRAFFITI BEST JOKER." They managed to achieve the remarkable feat of capturing the #1 and #2 spots on the album charts, with "ACE" slightly outselling "JOKER" (105,000 copies versus 103,000 copies).
This is the second time that Porno Graffiti has taken the top two spots - they previously did it in 2004 with another simultaneous best album release. They are one of 19 artists with that accomplishment, but they are only the second to have achieved it twice. TM NETWORK managed it over 15 years ago with chart toppers in 1992 and 1993.
Remioromen's new album also did well, debuting at #3. Others in the top ten included Motohiro Hata (#7), BENNIE K (#9), and Anna Tsuchiya (#10).
On the singles chart, Kanjani8 scored their 5th consecutive #1 single with "Musekinin Hero" selling 348,000 copies, their best first-week sales numbers ever. Kobukuro's "Toki no Ashioto" came in second at 136,000 copies, followed by the debut single by comedy unit Yajima Biyoshitsu, formed by DJ OZMA and Tunnels.
New releases by SID and WaT were 4th and 5th in line, while Milky Way, Maaya Sakamoto, and Haruka Tomatsu made the bottom three spots of the top ten.
This is the second time that Porno Graffiti has taken the top two spots - they previously did it in 2004 with another simultaneous best album release. They are one of 19 artists with that accomplishment, but they are only the second to have achieved it twice. TM NETWORK managed it over 15 years ago with chart toppers in 1992 and 1993.
Remioromen's new album also did well, debuting at #3. Others in the top ten included Motohiro Hata (#7), BENNIE K (#9), and Anna Tsuchiya (#10).
On the singles chart, Kanjani8 scored their 5th consecutive #1 single with "Musekinin Hero" selling 348,000 copies, their best first-week sales numbers ever. Kobukuro's "Toki no Ashioto" came in second at 136,000 copies, followed by the debut single by comedy unit Yajima Biyoshitsu, formed by DJ OZMA and Tunnels.
New releases by SID and WaT were 4th and 5th in line, while Milky Way, Maaya Sakamoto, and Haruka Tomatsu made the bottom three spots of the top ten.
Wed, November 5, 2008 (1:40am EST)
Young actor Shunsuke Daito has been given his second starring movie role. He will play the lead in "Nakitai Toki no Kusuri," based on a JFN radio drama that ran during October and November of last year.
The drama's theme was "medicine for times of tears," and it revolved around five central characters, including a young man, an OL, a train station attendant, and a high school girl. For the movie, Naho Toda and Yoshihiko Hakamada have been confirmed as cast members. Directed by Saburo Fukushima, the movie is ready for a January 10 premiere.
Daito's first starring role is in "Tabidachi: Ashoro Yori," directed by Kazuhisa Imai and based on an autobiographical novel by folk singer Chiharu Matsuyama. That movie opens in theaters on November 22.
The drama's theme was "medicine for times of tears," and it revolved around five central characters, including a young man, an OL, a train station attendant, and a high school girl. For the movie, Naho Toda and Yoshihiko Hakamada have been confirmed as cast members. Directed by Saburo Fukushima, the movie is ready for a January 10 premiere.
Daito's first starring role is in "Tabidachi: Ashoro Yori," directed by Kazuhisa Imai and based on an autobiographical novel by folk singer Chiharu Matsuyama. That movie opens in theaters on November 22.
Wed, November 5, 2008 (1:19am EST)
TV announcer Ayuko Tsushima (32) has publicly revealed that she is now married. Her husband is a 34-year-old salaryman whom she met last December through a friend. She mentioned that they had met the day after her birthday, and the man proposed three months later on his birthday.
Tsushima is currently a regular caster on the TBS show "Sunday Morning," though she also appears on a variety of other programs on several networks.
The couple submitted their marriage registration on Monday, and they held their wedding the same day. Tsushima plans to continue working.
Tsushima is currently a regular caster on the TBS show "Sunday Morning," though she also appears on a variety of other programs on several networks.
The couple submitted their marriage registration on Monday, and they held their wedding the same day. Tsushima plans to continue working.
Wed, November 5, 2008 (1:02am EST)
Last month, Takarazuka top star Kei Aran announced that she will be leaving the troupe in April. Now, her fellow Star Troupe star Asuka Tono has revealed that she too will be leaving at the same time.
Tono made her Takarazuka debut in 1998, originally part of the Cosmos Troupe. She later transferred to the Flower Troupe, then to the Star Troupe in 2006, eventually taking on the musumeyaku role alongside the otokoyaku Aran.
Like Aran, Tono will be leaving after her performances in "My dear New Orleans" and "A Bientot," which will end on April 26. Tono is holding a press conference on Wednesday to provide more details about her departure.
Tono made her Takarazuka debut in 1998, originally part of the Cosmos Troupe. She later transferred to the Flower Troupe, then to the Star Troupe in 2006, eventually taking on the musumeyaku role alongside the otokoyaku Aran.
Like Aran, Tono will be leaving after her performances in "My dear New Orleans" and "A Bientot," which will end on April 26. Tono is holding a press conference on Wednesday to provide more details about her departure.
