Mon, March 16, 2009 (1:42am EDT)
Management agency Platinum Production held an event in Akihabara on Sunday to reveal the candidates for its new idol group, which currently goes by the temporary name Pasupo. The group is the first to be "produced by fans," whose votes and comments on the group's blog will influence the selection of the members and their future activities.
The 19 potential members range in age from 14 to 17. One candidate, Ai Negishi (16), commented that they view popular group AKB48 as their rival.
The 19 potential members range in age from 14 to 17. One candidate, Ai Negishi (16), commented that they view popular group AKB48 as their rival.
Mon, March 16, 2009 (12:53am EDT)
Ringo Shiina is back with her first solo single in roughly five years. Titled "Ariamaru Tomi," the song will go on sale May 27, which is the anniversary of her debut single "Koufukuron" back in 1998.
"Ariamaru Tomi" is being used as the theme song for the TBS drama "Smile," starring Jun Matsumoto and Yui Aragaki. The series begins on April 17.
"Ariamaru Tomi" is being used as the theme song for the TBS drama "Smile," starring Jun Matsumoto and Yui Aragaki. The series begins on April 17.
Mon, March 16, 2009 (12:09am EDT)
Actress Yumiko Shaku has been given the lead in the upcoming NTV drama series "LOVE GAME." The show is based on the debut novel of TV writer Motoichi Adachi, who is better known for working on the scripts of variety shows like "Odoru! Sanma Goten" and "Kiseki Taiken! Unbelievable." The novel goes on sale at the end of this month.
"LOVE GAME" revolves around a secret game in which the participants can win 100 million yen if they succeed at a love-related task. However, no one has ever succeeded in the game before.
Shaku plays the beautiful but mysterious "dealer" of the game. The challenges she presents to the contestants, who are constantly monitored, include tasks such as "get your wife to sign divorce papers within 8 hours" and "steal your friend's boyfriend within 3 days."
The guests on the show include Shun Shioya and Hiromi Kitagawa in the first episode, and Waka Inoue in the second episode. NTV will broadcast the series on Thursday nights at 11:58pm, starting on April 23.
"LOVE GAME" revolves around a secret game in which the participants can win 100 million yen if they succeed at a love-related task. However, no one has ever succeeded in the game before.
Shaku plays the beautiful but mysterious "dealer" of the game. The challenges she presents to the contestants, who are constantly monitored, include tasks such as "get your wife to sign divorce papers within 8 hours" and "steal your friend's boyfriend within 3 days."
The guests on the show include Shun Shioya and Hiromi Kitagawa in the first episode, and Waka Inoue in the second episode. NTV will broadcast the series on Thursday nights at 11:58pm, starting on April 23.
Mon, March 16, 2009 (12:08am EDT)
Talento Michiyo Nakajima (36) wrote in her blog on Sunday that she gave birth to her third child. The baby boy was born that afternoon, but she mentioned that she was exhausted after close to 12 hours of labor pains.
Nakajima is the wife of Chiba Lotte Marines outfielder Saburo Omura (32). The couple already had one son and one daughter before this child.
Nakajima is the wife of Chiba Lotte Marines outfielder Saburo Omura (32). The couple already had one son and one daughter before this child.
