Tue, March 10, 2009 (4:13am EDT)
The band ONE OK ROCK has been tapped for their first theme song for a television drama. "Around the World Shonen," their 4th single, will be used in the manga-to-drama adaptation "God Hand Teru" that starts on TBS next month.
ONE OK ROCK made their major label debut in 2007. Vocalist Taka helped gain the group some attention for being the son of singers Shinichi Mori and Masako Mori, as well as being a former member of the idol group NEWS. The band's last album, "Kanjou Effect," charted at #13 in November.
"Around the World Shonen" goes on sale May 6.
ONE OK ROCK made their major label debut in 2007. Vocalist Taka helped gain the group some attention for being the son of singers Shinichi Mori and Masako Mori, as well as being a former member of the idol group NEWS. The band's last album, "Kanjou Effect," charted at #13 in November.
"Around the World Shonen" goes on sale May 6.
Tue, March 10, 2009 (4:01am EDT)
Momoko Ando, the 26-year-old daughter of actor Eiji Okuda and talento/essayist Kazu Ando, is making her debut as a film director. Her first work is titled "Kakera," based on the manga series "LOVE VIBES" by Erica Sakurazawa.
Like "LOVE VIBES," the movie is about a love relationship between two women. Hikari Mitsushima plays Haru, a college student with an unfaithful boyfriend, while Eriko Nakamura plays Riko, a "medical artist" who deals with making artificial limbs.
The project has been in development for a while, but it was halted due to various circumstances. The film was eventually resumed after Okuda's production company Zero Pictures took over.
Rino Katase and Masahiko Tsugawa have reportedly been attached as cast members. Nakamura Brace, a Shimane-based prosthetics company, was involved in the research and script development. James Iha, the former guitarist of rock band Smashing Pumpkins, has been chosen to handle the music.
Ando, who studied in London and New York, has previous experience as film production staff, starting with Okuda's directorial debut "Shojo: An Adolescent" in 2001. However, this is her first time taking the helm. The movie was shot this past autumn, and Ando is aiming to finish editing next month, in time for a possible showing at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Like "LOVE VIBES," the movie is about a love relationship between two women. Hikari Mitsushima plays Haru, a college student with an unfaithful boyfriend, while Eriko Nakamura plays Riko, a "medical artist" who deals with making artificial limbs.
The project has been in development for a while, but it was halted due to various circumstances. The film was eventually resumed after Okuda's production company Zero Pictures took over.
Rino Katase and Masahiko Tsugawa have reportedly been attached as cast members. Nakamura Brace, a Shimane-based prosthetics company, was involved in the research and script development. James Iha, the former guitarist of rock band Smashing Pumpkins, has been chosen to handle the music.
Ando, who studied in London and New York, has previous experience as film production staff, starting with Okuda's directorial debut "Shojo: An Adolescent" in 2001. However, this is her first time taking the helm. The movie was shot this past autumn, and Ando is aiming to finish editing next month, in time for a possible showing at the Cannes Film Festival in May.
Tue, March 10, 2009 (3:16am EDT)
Talento Junji Takada (62) recently caused a traffic accident in Tokyo's Meguro ward while returning home from work. At around 1:35am on March 10, he was making a right turn at an intersection when he collided with a minibike coming from the opposite direction. The bike's 19-year-old male driver was knocked down and suffered a minor injury to his shoulder.
According to the police report, Takada was not properly watching the traffic ahead of him. The case is being sent to the prosecutor's office for negligent driving.
According to the police report, Takada was not properly watching the traffic ahead of him. The case is being sent to the prosecutor's office for negligent driving.
Tue, March 10, 2009 (2:42am EDT)
Rising rock band Ikimono Gakari is doing the newest opening theme song for popular anime series "Naruto Shippuden." They already provided the opening theme "Blue Bird" for the series last year, which became their highest-ranked single on the charts at #3.
This time, their song is titled "Hotaru no Hikari." No CD release date has been set yet, but the song will be available as a ringtone starting April 9, the same day the song debuts on the show.
This time, their song is titled "Hotaru no Hikari." No CD release date has been set yet, but the song will be available as a ringtone starting April 9, the same day the song debuts on the show.
Tue, March 10, 2009 (2:07am EDT)
Actress Maiko Ito (44) got married earlier this year, it was learned on Monday. On January 20, she tied the knot with a salaryman five years younger than her.
The couple apparently met nearly 10 years ago, when they were part of a neighborhood group of dog owners. After Ito's golden retriever died 6 years ago, she left the group, but three years later she reunited with the man and their romance began.
The pair mutually decided to get married on January 17, and they formally registered the marriage three days later. After that, they bought a new apartment in Tokyo and have been living together.
The couple apparently met nearly 10 years ago, when they were part of a neighborhood group of dog owners. After Ito's golden retriever died 6 years ago, she left the group, but three years later she reunited with the man and their romance began.
The pair mutually decided to get married on January 17, and they formally registered the marriage three days later. After that, they bought a new apartment in Tokyo and have been living together.
