Wed, April 15, 2009 (11:37am EDT)
It was announced last week that idol Akina Minami (19) is starring in a new "Ju-on" film, titled "Ju-on: Shiroi Roujo." On Wednesday, a press conference was held, revealing more details about the franchise's future.
Since "Ju-on" is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its start as a direct-to-video film, there will actually be two new "Ju-on" films, being released simultaneously. One is the aforementioned "Ju-on: Shiroi Roujo," while the other is titled "Ju-on: Kuroi Shoujo." The latter will star ex-Morning Musume member Ai Kago (21).
Both films are being released on June 27. A "Ju-on" video game is also scheduled to follow in the summer.
Since "Ju-on" is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its start as a direct-to-video film, there will actually be two new "Ju-on" films, being released simultaneously. One is the aforementioned "Ju-on: Shiroi Roujo," while the other is titled "Ju-on: Kuroi Shoujo." The latter will star ex-Morning Musume member Ai Kago (21).
Both films are being released on June 27. A "Ju-on" video game is also scheduled to follow in the summer.
Wed, April 15, 2009 (11:25am EDT)
The official website of singer Ami Suzuki (27) has announced that she will appear in the musical "Blood Brothers," which starts in August. It has been about a year and a half since her performance in Avex's "Kokoro no Kakera." This will be just her second stint in a theatrical production.
First performed in 1983, the musical is about twin brothers Mickey and Eddie, who are separated at birth but eventually meet again and fall in love with the same woman, Linda. Suzuki will play the role of Linda. The twins have been double-casted, with Shinji Takeda and Masaaki Fujioka playing the role of Mickey, while Kohki Okada and Mario Tashiro are playing Eddie.
The musical will be performed at Tokyo's Theatre Creation in Hibiya from August 7 to September 27. Advance ticket sales start on July 4.
First performed in 1983, the musical is about twin brothers Mickey and Eddie, who are separated at birth but eventually meet again and fall in love with the same woman, Linda. Suzuki will play the role of Linda. The twins have been double-casted, with Shinji Takeda and Masaaki Fujioka playing the role of Mickey, while Kohki Okada and Mario Tashiro are playing Eddie.
The musical will be performed at Tokyo's Theatre Creation in Hibiya from August 7 to September 27. Advance ticket sales start on July 4.
Wed, April 15, 2009 (3:34am EDT)
Actor Shunta Nakamura (31), arrested on April 4 for marijuana possession, was released from custody on Tuesday. The Prosecutor's Office has decided not to take the matter to court, explaining that the amount of marijuana was very small (about 0.3 grams) and that Nakamura showed signs of remorse.
Nakamura was released from the police station in the afternoon, and he once again deeply apologized to the reporters awaiting his appearance. He was quickly taken away by his management in a prepared car, though his lawyer stated that there are plans for another public apology at a press conference in the near future.
Nakamura's father, actor Masatoshi Nakamura (58), stated in an earlier press conference that he intends to make Shunta retire from acting.
Nakamura was released from the police station in the afternoon, and he once again deeply apologized to the reporters awaiting his appearance. He was quickly taken away by his management in a prepared car, though his lawyer stated that there are plans for another public apology at a press conference in the near future.
Nakamura's father, actor Masatoshi Nakamura (58), stated in an earlier press conference that he intends to make Shunta retire from acting.
Wed, April 15, 2009 (2:37am EDT)
KinKi Kids member Tsuyoshi Domoto had a big week on the charts, with his simultaneously released single and album both faring very well against the competition. "Sora ~ Utsukushii Ware no Sora" took #1 on the singles chart with 44,000 in sales, while "Bigaku ~ my beautiful sky" ranked in at #3 on the albums chart with 58,000 in sales. These are his first releases since changing his solo project name to Tsuyoshi (剛紫).
Behind Tsuyoshi on the singles chart were the latest releases from BREAKERZ and alan, respectively. Also in the top ten were Hideaki Tokunaga (#6), Shion (#8), and Ai Kawashima (#10).
The #1 album of the week was Shonannokaze's "Shonannokaze ~JOKER~," which sold 84,000 copies. At #4, after Tsuyoshi, was Yumi Matsutoya's latest effort, which is her 35th original album to break the top ten. This extends her record among female artists.
Also in the top ten were actress Meisa Kuroki with her debut album "hellcat" (#9) and indie band Kariyushi58 (#10).
Outside the top ten, Ayaka once again drew attention, as her albums continued to climb the rankings. After her marriage announcement two weeks ago, her second album jumped from #278 to #84, and this week it rose to #43. Likewise, her debut album re-entered the charts at #148 last week, and it is now at #72.
Meanwhile, Hikaru Utada's "This Is The One" remained at #1 in foreign albums for the 4th consecutive week, totaling 177,000 in sales so far. Arashi also continued their streak, as "ARASHI AROUND ASIA 2008 in Tokyo" was the #1 overall DVD for the 3rd straight week, which has never been achieved by a music DVD ever since Oricon started tracking DVD sales in April 1999.
Behind Tsuyoshi on the singles chart were the latest releases from BREAKERZ and alan, respectively. Also in the top ten were Hideaki Tokunaga (#6), Shion (#8), and Ai Kawashima (#10).
The #1 album of the week was Shonannokaze's "Shonannokaze ~JOKER~," which sold 84,000 copies. At #4, after Tsuyoshi, was Yumi Matsutoya's latest effort, which is her 35th original album to break the top ten. This extends her record among female artists.
Also in the top ten were actress Meisa Kuroki with her debut album "hellcat" (#9) and indie band Kariyushi58 (#10).
Outside the top ten, Ayaka once again drew attention, as her albums continued to climb the rankings. After her marriage announcement two weeks ago, her second album jumped from #278 to #84, and this week it rose to #43. Likewise, her debut album re-entered the charts at #148 last week, and it is now at #72.
Meanwhile, Hikaru Utada's "This Is The One" remained at #1 in foreign albums for the 4th consecutive week, totaling 177,000 in sales so far. Arashi also continued their streak, as "ARASHI AROUND ASIA 2008 in Tokyo" was the #1 overall DVD for the 3rd straight week, which has never been achieved by a music DVD ever since Oricon started tracking DVD sales in April 1999.
Wed, April 15, 2009 (1:36am EDT)
On Tuesday, a press conference for the play "SEMINAR" was held in Tokyo. The production is the first starring stage role for NEWS member Shigeaki Kato (21), who described his character as being addicted to sex.
The play revolves around a special seminar about the powerful Medici family from the Renaissance era. Kato plays an American college student participating in the seminar, who sleeps with multiple women during the course of the story, including another student. The lead female role is being played by actress Natsuki Kato (23). Other cast members include Tomoya Nakamura (22), Aya Tabata (22), and Chikako Kaku (47).
"Seminar" was penned by American writer Lee Kalcheim. The Japanese production will be the play's first in the world. Performances are being held at The Globe Tokyo from May 17 to June 3, followed by a run at Osaka's Theater Drama City from June 9 to June 14.
The play revolves around a special seminar about the powerful Medici family from the Renaissance era. Kato plays an American college student participating in the seminar, who sleeps with multiple women during the course of the story, including another student. The lead female role is being played by actress Natsuki Kato (23). Other cast members include Tomoya Nakamura (22), Aya Tabata (22), and Chikako Kaku (47).
"Seminar" was penned by American writer Lee Kalcheim. The Japanese production will be the play's first in the world. Performances are being held at The Globe Tokyo from May 17 to June 3, followed by a run at Osaka's Theater Drama City from June 9 to June 14.
Wed, April 15, 2009 (1:00am EDT)
The Fuji TV comedy series "Atashinchi no Danshi," which just premiered on Tuesday night, is being turned into a manga. New artist Minami Mizuno is doing the artwork for the two-part comic.
Starring Maki Horikita, the drama tells the story of a young woman burdened by her father's debt. Reduced to homelessness, she meets a wealthy man who offers to take care of her debt if she marries him and raises his six adopted sons.
The manga version is being labeled as an "episode 0," telling a part of the story that does not appear in the television series. The comic is running in Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret magazine, with the first part printed in the May issue (currently on sale), and the second part to follow in the June issue (on sale May 13).
According to Video Research Ltd., the first episode of "Atashinchi no Danshi" achieved ratings of 14.1% in the Kanto region.
Starring Maki Horikita, the drama tells the story of a young woman burdened by her father's debt. Reduced to homelessness, she meets a wealthy man who offers to take care of her debt if she marries him and raises his six adopted sons.
The manga version is being labeled as an "episode 0," telling a part of the story that does not appear in the television series. The comic is running in Shueisha's Bessatsu Margaret magazine, with the first part printed in the May issue (currently on sale), and the second part to follow in the June issue (on sale May 13).
According to Video Research Ltd., the first episode of "Atashinchi no Danshi" achieved ratings of 14.1% in the Kanto region.
Wed, April 15, 2009 (12:44am EDT)
On Tuesday, AKB48's official blog revealed that Team K member Yuko Oshima (20) has just received a successful throat surgery, though the reason for the operation was not fully explained.
The blog post included a picture of Oshima holding up the peace sign while lying in a hospital bed with a respirator. She is said to be back to her normal self with the exception of being unable to speak.
It is unknown when Oshima will return to work. Oshima was also briefly hospitalized last December when she underwent surgery for acute appendicitis.
The blog post included a picture of Oshima holding up the peace sign while lying in a hospital bed with a respirator. She is said to be back to her normal self with the exception of being unable to speak.
It is unknown when Oshima will return to work. Oshima was also briefly hospitalized last December when she underwent surgery for acute appendicitis.
