Wed, April 29, 2009 (3:48am EDT)
Young actresses Riko Narumi (16) and Kie Kitano (18) are set to co-star in a new film from director Tomoyuki Furumaya ("Robocon," "Homeless Chugakusei"). "Bushido Sixteen" is based on a novel by writer Tetsuya Honda, revolving around two female kendo fighters.
Narumi plays Kaori, who has been a top kendo fighter since she was young. On the other hand, Kitano plays Sanae, an ordinary girl who has casually continued with kendo. During a tournament at the end of junior high, Kaori improbably loses to Sanae, and she begins to hold a grudge while Sanae completely forgets the whole thing. When the two wind up at the same high school, their confrontations lead them both to grow up.
Both Narumi and Kitano had no experience in kendo before this, so they spent about two months training for the roles. Filming has already started, and Furumaya is expecting to complete the film for a spring 2010 release. The original novel has so far had two sequels - aptly titled "Bushido Seventeen" and "Bushido Eighteen" - so there appears to be some hope for additional movies as well.
Narumi plays Kaori, who has been a top kendo fighter since she was young. On the other hand, Kitano plays Sanae, an ordinary girl who has casually continued with kendo. During a tournament at the end of junior high, Kaori improbably loses to Sanae, and she begins to hold a grudge while Sanae completely forgets the whole thing. When the two wind up at the same high school, their confrontations lead them both to grow up.
Both Narumi and Kitano had no experience in kendo before this, so they spent about two months training for the roles. Filming has already started, and Furumaya is expecting to complete the film for a spring 2010 release. The original novel has so far had two sequels - aptly titled "Bushido Seventeen" and "Bushido Eighteen" - so there appears to be some hope for additional movies as well.
Wed, April 29, 2009 (3:11am EDT)
Talento Takeshi Tsuruno has become the third male solo artist to reach #1 with a cover album, after Takuro Yoshida in 1997 and Hideaki Tokunaga in 2007. Tsuruno's solo debut, "Tsuruno Uta," sold 104,000 copies this past week, blowing away the competition.
The closest new domestic release was Lindberg's best album "Lindberg XX" at #5. Ryu Si-won also put out a singles collection at #6, while Ken ranked #8.
On the singles chart, TVXQ achieved the top spot with "Share The World," selling 98,000 copies. With a total of six number-ones, they have extended their record of most #1 singles by a foreign artist.
The ending and opening themes of the "K-On!" anime series took #2 and #4, respectively, sandwiching the latest release from Yuzu. The newlywed Ayaka entered the charts at #6, with Megumi Hayashibara right behind her. Idol group Wararirouka Hashiritai landed at #9 with their second single.
The closest new domestic release was Lindberg's best album "Lindberg XX" at #5. Ryu Si-won also put out a singles collection at #6, while Ken ranked #8.
On the singles chart, TVXQ achieved the top spot with "Share The World," selling 98,000 copies. With a total of six number-ones, they have extended their record of most #1 singles by a foreign artist.
The ending and opening themes of the "K-On!" anime series took #2 and #4, respectively, sandwiching the latest release from Yuzu. The newlywed Ayaka entered the charts at #6, with Megumi Hayashibara right behind her. Idol group Wararirouka Hashiritai landed at #9 with their second single.
Wed, April 29, 2009 (2:42am EDT)
It has been announced that actress Rie Tomosaka is releasing a best album, titled "rie tomosaka best +3," on June 24. The album will include the same 12 tracks as her 1999 best album, plus three additional songs that have never been included on a best album. Those three songs are "Shojo Robot," "Ikenai Ko," and "Nihon ni Umarete,", all produced by rocker Ringo Shiina.
On the same day as "rie tomosaka best +3," Tomosaka is simultaneously releasing a new album called "Toridori." This marks her return to music after roughly 9 years. The album opens with the track "Curtain Fall," produced by Clammbon's Mito. Another song on the album is written by Ikuko Harada, also from Clammbon. Yuichi Ohata and Kaela Kimura are also involved on the album.
On the same day as "rie tomosaka best +3," Tomosaka is simultaneously releasing a new album called "Toridori." This marks her return to music after roughly 9 years. The album opens with the track "Curtain Fall," produced by Clammbon's Mito. Another song on the album is written by Ikuko Harada, also from Clammbon. Yuichi Ohata and Kaela Kimura are also involved on the album.
Wed, April 29, 2009 (2:10am EDT)
Veteran actor Tadao Nakamaru passed away on the afternoon of April 23 due to a ruptured aortic aneurysm. He was 76.
Sources say that Nakamaru seemed healthy as late as April 20, when his wife, political critic Kaoru Nakamaru, took a trip with him to Hiroshima. But just three days later in the morning, Kaoru found him collapsed in their bathroom at home, and he was taken to the hospital. He temporarily regained consciousness, but unfortunately the internal bleeding could not be stopped.
As an actor, Nakamaru appeared in countless films and dramas, including "Key Hunter" and "Mitokomon." However, he had been absent from the screen since 2006.
Sources say that Nakamaru seemed healthy as late as April 20, when his wife, political critic Kaoru Nakamaru, took a trip with him to Hiroshima. But just three days later in the morning, Kaoru found him collapsed in their bathroom at home, and he was taken to the hospital. He temporarily regained consciousness, but unfortunately the internal bleeding could not be stopped.
As an actor, Nakamaru appeared in countless films and dramas, including "Key Hunter" and "Mitokomon." However, he had been absent from the screen since 2006.
Wed, April 29, 2009 (1:14am EDT)
Singer-songwriter JYONGRI (20) is making her true acting debut next month. She has been cast in the two-part TBS drama "Kimi no Sei," based on a mobile phone romance novel published last year.
The drama stars Kei Tanaka and Natsumi Ishibashi. The supporting cast includes Risa Kudo, JYONGRI, and Ulful Keisuke, who is also making his first appearance in a television drama.
In addition to her acting role, JYONGRI is providing an insert song for the drama, titled "Maybe Someday." The single goes on sale April 29.
"Kimi no Sei" will air late at night (12:29am) on May 4-5.
The drama stars Kei Tanaka and Natsumi Ishibashi. The supporting cast includes Risa Kudo, JYONGRI, and Ulful Keisuke, who is also making his first appearance in a television drama.
In addition to her acting role, JYONGRI is providing an insert song for the drama, titled "Maybe Someday." The single goes on sale April 29.
"Kimi no Sei" will air late at night (12:29am) on May 4-5.
Wed, April 29, 2009 (12:51am EDT)
The Japan Council for Better Radio and Television announced the winners of the 46th Galaxy Awards on Tuesday. The big winner was Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya, taking the Individual Award in the television category.
Ninomiya was chosen for his roles in the TBS drama series "Ryusei no Kizuna" and the drama special "DOOR TO DOOR." This is the first time that a Johnny's Jimusho talent won the prize. Last year's winner was actress Aoi Miyazaki.
TV producer Toshio Nakamura earned a special prize for his work on dramas such as "Kaze no Garden" and "Arifureta Kiseki." Meanwhile, the DJ Personality Award went to RHYMESTER's Utamaru.
The award ceremony will be held on June 2. The complete list of winners can be found on the organization's official website.
Ninomiya was chosen for his roles in the TBS drama series "Ryusei no Kizuna" and the drama special "DOOR TO DOOR." This is the first time that a Johnny's Jimusho talent won the prize. Last year's winner was actress Aoi Miyazaki.
TV producer Toshio Nakamura earned a special prize for his work on dramas such as "Kaze no Garden" and "Arifureta Kiseki." Meanwhile, the DJ Personality Award went to RHYMESTER's Utamaru.
The award ceremony will be held on June 2. The complete list of winners can be found on the organization's official website.
