Tue, April 7, 2009 (3:59am EDT)
Comedienne Haruka Minowa (29) of the duo Harisenbon has been hospitalized in Tokyo after being infected with pulmonary tuberculosis, it was announced on Monday.
According to her agency, Minowa began coughing several days ago, and on Thursday last week, she visited the hospital to get a diagnosis. The next day, it was determined that she had contracted tuberculosis, resulting in her immediate hospitalization. Minowa is currently being treated in isolation, and it is expected that she will require treatment for about two months.
Due to the contagiousness of airborne tuberculosis, the local government has advised that anyone who had been around her since December should consult health authorities. Because of Minowa's many public appearances and performances, including a visit to the Okinawa International Movie Festival last month, officials are concerned about the possibility of a large number of infections.
According to her agency, Minowa began coughing several days ago, and on Thursday last week, she visited the hospital to get a diagnosis. The next day, it was determined that she had contracted tuberculosis, resulting in her immediate hospitalization. Minowa is currently being treated in isolation, and it is expected that she will require treatment for about two months.
Due to the contagiousness of airborne tuberculosis, the local government has advised that anyone who had been around her since December should consult health authorities. Because of Minowa's many public appearances and performances, including a visit to the Okinawa International Movie Festival last month, officials are concerned about the possibility of a large number of infections.
Tue, April 7, 2009 (2:57am EDT)
Shoji Gatoh's light novel series "Full Metal Panic!" is reportedly being turned into a live-action film. Mandalay Pictures has acquired the theatrical rights to the action comedy series, which revolves around a young sergeant who masquerades as a high schooler in order to protect a girl. The light novels have been adapted into both anime and manga form.
Actor Zac Efron may be involved in the project. Not much else is known yet about Mandalay's plans for the movie.
Actor Zac Efron may be involved in the project. Not much else is known yet about Mandalay's plans for the movie.
Tue, April 7, 2009 (2:27am EDT)
Enka singer Yoko Nagayama (41) unexpectedly announced on her blog on Monday that she has married. Her husband is an American businessman named Mark Smith (40), who first came to Japan working for a New York-based IT company, but went on to establish and operate the successful Skillhouse Staffing Solutions.
The pair reportedly met in September 2006 on a segment of the TBS variety show "Sekai BariBari Value." They got along well, and they soon began dating. At the start of this year, they decided to get married, and on Monday they officially filed their marriage registration.
The pair reportedly met in September 2006 on a segment of the TBS variety show "Sekai BariBari Value." They got along well, and they soon began dating. At the start of this year, they decided to get married, and on Monday they officially filed their marriage registration.
Tue, April 7, 2009 (1:32am EDT)
Anime Vice has the word that this year's Fanime convention will be hosting musical guest Halko Momoi. In recent years, the popular voice actress has had multiple appearances at anime conventions, including Anime Expo in 2007.
Fanime will be held on May 22-25 in San Jose, California. The official website is here.
Fanime will be held on May 22-25 in San Jose, California. The official website is here.
Tue, April 7, 2009 (1:06am EDT)
Hello! Project soloist Erina Mano has been chosen to star in TBS's first internet drama. "Koisuru Seiza" is a series of 12 short episodes, each involving a high school girl's love. Each 5-minute episode has a different main character (all played by Mano) and is themed around a different sign of the zodiac.
Mano also sings the show's theme song, titled "Hajimete no Keiken." The single goes on sale May 20.
The first episode of "Koisuru Seiza" has already started streaming on the show's official website. New episodes will be added every Thursday late at night.
Mano also sings the show's theme song, titled "Hajimete no Keiken." The single goes on sale May 20.
The first episode of "Koisuru Seiza" has already started streaming on the show's official website. New episodes will be added every Thursday late at night.
Tue, April 7, 2009 (12:16am EDT)
On the official Hello! Project website, producer Tsunku has revealed the creation of a new unit. The group was first mentioned during a Hello! Project event in Yokohama over the weekend, but now a few more details are available.
Based on performances and recordings starting last year, Tsunku has selected four Hello! Pro Eggs to be the basis of the group: Ayaka Wada (14), Yuka Maeda (14), Kanon Fukuda (14), and Saki Ogawa (12). The first three, along with Akari Saho (13), were part of the temporary Shugo Chara Eggs! unit last year that sang the opening theme for the anime series "Shugo Chara!! Doki."
Tsunku is aiming to have the group make their major label debut in the fall, before the end of this year. Because he wants the group to be as successful as possible, he noted that there is a possibility that the roster may change or gain new members.
The new group does not yet have a name, nor are there any definite plans for their future activities. In the meantime, they will remain as Eggs, working under an indies label.
Based on performances and recordings starting last year, Tsunku has selected four Hello! Pro Eggs to be the basis of the group: Ayaka Wada (14), Yuka Maeda (14), Kanon Fukuda (14), and Saki Ogawa (12). The first three, along with Akari Saho (13), were part of the temporary Shugo Chara Eggs! unit last year that sang the opening theme for the anime series "Shugo Chara!! Doki."
Tsunku is aiming to have the group make their major label debut in the fall, before the end of this year. Because he wants the group to be as successful as possible, he noted that there is a possibility that the roster may change or gain new members.
The new group does not yet have a name, nor are there any definite plans for their future activities. In the meantime, they will remain as Eggs, working under an indies label.
Tue, April 7, 2009 (12:01am EDT)
The girl group Idoling!!! announced its three newest members on Monday. Originally a 9-person unit, the group doubled in size last April, but a string of departures resulted in the loss of six members. With this third generation, the group's roster grows to 15.
The three additions are #19 Yurika Tachibana (16), #20 Ai Okawa (15), and #21 Kaede Hashimoto (12). They already participated in the recording of the group's next single, "baby blue," set for release on April 29. Just before that, they will make their stage debut on April 26, at the first of Idoling's newly established series of monthly concerts.
The three additions are #19 Yurika Tachibana (16), #20 Ai Okawa (15), and #21 Kaede Hashimoto (12). They already participated in the recording of the group's next single, "baby blue," set for release on April 29. Just before that, they will make their stage debut on April 26, at the first of Idoling's newly established series of monthly concerts.
