Fri, January 23, 2009 (4:16am EST)
Research firm Oricon conducted a survey of 1,000 young men and women, asking them which actors they have high expectations for in 2009.
The #1 answer was Haruma Miura, who ranked third in last year's survey. Miura landed his first starring drama role this past fall when he played a genius hacker in "Bloody Monday."
The #1 answer was Haruma Miura, who ranked third in last year's survey. Miura landed his first starring drama role this past fall when he played a genius hacker in "Bloody Monday."
- Haruma Miura
- Takeru Sato
- Junpei Mizobata
- Hiro Mizushima
- Hayato Ichihara
- Kenichi Matsuyama
- Shohei Miura
- Yu Shirota
- Yusuke Yamamoto
- Osamu Mukai
Fri, January 23, 2009 (4:06am EST)
Island Def Jam has released some information about Hikaru Utada's upcoming English album. Although the title is still unknown, the release date has been set for March 24 in the U.S. and March 4 in Japan. A total of 10 songs have been lined up for the album, which was recorded in New York, Atlanta, and Tokyo.
The lead single "Come Back to Me," which was unveiled earlier this month on MySpace and on Utada's Island Records site, will begin radio airplay in the U.S. on February 9. The song will also be made available on iTunes the same day.
It has also been revealed that "Come Back to Me" was produced by Stargate, the Norwegian team that has created hits for major artists such as Ne-Yo and Beyonce. Another producer involved on the album is Tricky Stewart, who has previously worked with artists like Rihanna and Mariah Carey.
The lead single "Come Back to Me," which was unveiled earlier this month on MySpace and on Utada's Island Records site, will begin radio airplay in the U.S. on February 9. The song will also be made available on iTunes the same day.
It has also been revealed that "Come Back to Me" was produced by Stargate, the Norwegian team that has created hits for major artists such as Ne-Yo and Beyonce. Another producer involved on the album is Tricky Stewart, who has previously worked with artists like Rihanna and Mariah Carey.
Fri, January 23, 2009 (3:39am EST)
Young actress Nao Minamisawa ("Akai Ito") will be tackling her first stage role in April. She will appear in "Akai Shiro, Kuroi Suna," which is based on the comedic play "The Two Noble Kinsmen," partly written by William Shakespeare.
The basic plot follows two noblemen who are close cousins (played by Ainosuke Kataoka and Shido Nakamura). They become prisoners of war, but while in jail they both fall in love with a princess (Meisa Kuroki), turning them into rivals. Minamisawa plays the jailkeeper's daughter, who falls in love with Nakamura's character and helps him escape.
The play will be performed in Kyoto on April 3-5, then in Tokyo on April 11-26.
The basic plot follows two noblemen who are close cousins (played by Ainosuke Kataoka and Shido Nakamura). They become prisoners of war, but while in jail they both fall in love with a princess (Meisa Kuroki), turning them into rivals. Minamisawa plays the jailkeeper's daughter, who falls in love with Nakamura's character and helps him escape.
The play will be performed in Kyoto on April 3-5, then in Tokyo on April 11-26.
Fri, January 23, 2009 (3:21am EST)
Anime Matsuri has announced that its 2009 convention is presenting Miyavi as a musical guest of honor. He will perform a live concert (his first in Texas), and his management agency will have a special booth selling merchandise.
Miyavi has performed in Los Angeles as part of the supergroup SKIN. He also conducted his first world tour in 2008, traveling to 14 different countries.
Anime Matsuri 2009 takes place on April 10-12 in Houston, Texas.
Miyavi has performed in Los Angeles as part of the supergroup SKIN. He also conducted his first world tour in 2008, traveling to 14 different countries.
Anime Matsuri 2009 takes place on April 10-12 in Houston, Texas.
Fri, January 23, 2009 (3:09am EST)
Gravure idol Minako Komukai (23) has been arrested on suspicion of violating the Stimulant Drug Control Law. Komukai has reportedly denied the charges.
According to investigators, Komukai is suspected of possession of stimulants in June 2008. Her boyfriend, who is also being charged, had been arrested for a separate crime. During questioning, he stated that he had used the drugs with Komukai, resulting in a warrant being issued for her arrest. On Thursday night, she was located in Roppongi, and she voluntarily went along with the police.
Komukai was dismissed by her agency in September after repeated physical and emotional problems became an obstacle to her work.
According to investigators, Komukai is suspected of possession of stimulants in June 2008. Her boyfriend, who is also being charged, had been arrested for a separate crime. During questioning, he stated that he had used the drugs with Komukai, resulting in a warrant being issued for her arrest. On Thursday night, she was located in Roppongi, and she voluntarily went along with the police.
Komukai was dismissed by her agency in September after repeated physical and emotional problems became an obstacle to her work.
Fri, January 23, 2009 (2:37am EST)
This May, KAT-TUN will become the first artists to perform on seven consecutive nights at the Tokyo Dome. The current longest streak is four nights, achieved by KAT-TUN last year and by British rocker Sting in 1988.
The concerts will be held on May 15-21. Preparations and rehearsals are scheduled to start four days before the shows, which means that KAT-TUN will be taking over Tokyo Dome for 11 days while the Yomiuri Giants are on the road. 385,000 fans are expected to attend the concerts.
Johnny's Jimusho began discussing the possibility of an extended Tokyo Dome run more than two years ago. Tokyo Dome staff contacted Johnny's Jimusho about the opening around early December, after the Giants' schedule was finalized.
The concerts will be held on May 15-21. Preparations and rehearsals are scheduled to start four days before the shows, which means that KAT-TUN will be taking over Tokyo Dome for 11 days while the Yomiuri Giants are on the road. 385,000 fans are expected to attend the concerts.
Johnny's Jimusho began discussing the possibility of an extended Tokyo Dome run more than two years ago. Tokyo Dome staff contacted Johnny's Jimusho about the opening around early December, after the Giants' schedule was finalized.
