Wed, May 6, 2009 (4:29am EDT)
In March, Oricon polled a group of 900 men and women ages 20-49, asking them which television dramas they would like to see return for another series. Mystery and police shows dominated the list, with #1 being taken by Fuji TV's "Furuhata Ninzaburo," which starred Masakazu Tamura. The show ran for three seasons during the 1990s, but due to its popularity, it was revived for three specials in 2006 and one last year.
At #2 was "Odoru Daisousasen," also known by the English title "Bayside Shakedown." Starring Yuji Oda, the franchise spawned multiple specials and movies. In fact, the second film, released in 2003, currently holds the record for the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film at over 17.3 billion yen.
Ryoko Shinohara's "Haken no Hinkaku" stood out at #3, being one of the few comedies in the top ten and the only one in an office setting. It was also the only representative for NTV. Aside from two TV Asahi dramas, the rest of the top ten were all broadcast by Fuji TV.
At #2 was "Odoru Daisousasen," also known by the English title "Bayside Shakedown." Starring Yuji Oda, the franchise spawned multiple specials and movies. In fact, the second film, released in 2003, currently holds the record for the highest-grossing Japanese live-action film at over 17.3 billion yen.
Ryoko Shinohara's "Haken no Hinkaku" stood out at #3, being one of the few comedies in the top ten and the only one in an office setting. It was also the only representative for NTV. Aside from two TV Asahi dramas, the rest of the top ten were all broadcast by Fuji TV.
- Furuhata Ninzaburo
- Odoru Daisousasen
- Haken no Hinkaku
- Galileo
- SP
- TRICK
- Nodame Cantabile
- Dr. Koto Shinryojo
- Jikou Keisatsu
- Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji
Wed, May 6, 2009 (3:37am EDT)
Hello! Project unit Taiyo to Ciscomoon, also known by the name T&C Bomber, has officially announced two memorial concerts, scheduled for later this year. The four-girl group made their debut ten years ago in 1999, though they broke up in 2000 after releasing eight singles and two albums.
Since last year, even before the release of their "Mega Best" collection in December, the group's members had been talking with their former management agency about the possibility of a reunion concert as a 10th anniversary memorial. However, the company's response was negative, so the girls began a petition through their official blog that started last year. With the support of their fans, they collected roughly 2,200 signatures as of April 30, ultimately earning their agency's approval for the shows.
It has now been revealed that there will be two concerts. The first is on September 26 in Osaka, and the second is on October 4 in Tokyo. General ticket sales are scheduled to start on August 1, though information about advance orders is available on their blog.
It is being said that their "reunion" is limited to these two dates, so there are currently no plans for later concerts.
Since last year, even before the release of their "Mega Best" collection in December, the group's members had been talking with their former management agency about the possibility of a reunion concert as a 10th anniversary memorial. However, the company's response was negative, so the girls began a petition through their official blog that started last year. With the support of their fans, they collected roughly 2,200 signatures as of April 30, ultimately earning their agency's approval for the shows.
It has now been revealed that there will be two concerts. The first is on September 26 in Osaka, and the second is on October 4 in Tokyo. General ticket sales are scheduled to start on August 1, though information about advance orders is available on their blog.
It is being said that their "reunion" is limited to these two dates, so there are currently no plans for later concerts.
Wed, May 6, 2009 (3:00am EDT)
Artist Takashi Murakami has been tapped to provide the jacket art for AKB48's next single, "Namida Surprise!" The single is set to go on sale June 24.
AKB48 recently attended a PR event for the completion of Murakami's new animated work, "SUPERFLAT FIRST LOVE." The piece is a follow-up to his "SUPERFLAT MONOGRAM" from 2003, which was also made in conjunction with Louis Vuitton. Erena Ono of AKB48's Team K sings the image song for "SUPERFLAT FIRST LOVE."
Murakami has previously done artwork for other musicians such as Kanye West and Yuzu.
AKB48 recently attended a PR event for the completion of Murakami's new animated work, "SUPERFLAT FIRST LOVE." The piece is a follow-up to his "SUPERFLAT MONOGRAM" from 2003, which was also made in conjunction with Louis Vuitton. Erena Ono of AKB48's Team K sings the image song for "SUPERFLAT FIRST LOVE."
Murakami has previously done artwork for other musicians such as Kanye West and Yuzu.
Wed, May 6, 2009 (2:47am EDT)
Ken Watanabe has joined the cast of "Inception," an upcoming film by Christopher Nolan that stars Leonardo DiCaprio. The movie is described as a "contemporary sci-fi actioner set within the architecture of the mind."
DiCaprio plays a CEO-like role, supported by a team that includes Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, and Marion Cotillard. Watanabe has been cast as the villain, a man blackmailing DiCaprio.
This is Watanabe's second time in a film by Nolan, as he previously appeared in "Batman Begins" in 2005. "Inception" is dated for 2010.
DiCaprio plays a CEO-like role, supported by a team that includes Ellen Page, Joseph Gordon-Levitt, Tom Hardy, and Marion Cotillard. Watanabe has been cast as the villain, a man blackmailing DiCaprio.
This is Watanabe's second time in a film by Nolan, as he previously appeared in "Batman Begins" in 2005. "Inception" is dated for 2010.
Source: The Hollywood Reporter (via Nippon Cinema) | Comments (0)
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Wed, May 6, 2009 (2:38am EDT)
The acclaimed 1951 film "Early Summer" ("Bakushu") by director Yasujiro Ozu is being adapted to theater next year. Taking the reins as director and scriptwriter is Yoji Yamada, who is best known for the "Otoko wa tsurai yo" movie series and recent hits like "Love and Honor" ("Bushi no Ichibun").
"Early Summer" is set in Tokyo during the 1950s and revolves around a three-generation family. In particular, the center of the story is a single woman named Noriko, living with her parents and her brother's family. She is pressured by her relatives into accepting a marriage set up for her, but she ultimately goes against their wishes, taking on a partner that they disapprove of.
Yamada was inspired to adapt the Ozu film after watching a play in early 2008 done in the style of Shinpa, a school of theater that emerged in response to kabuki. He decided to use "Early Summer" as a base, modifying it into the Shinpa style. Although the full cast has not been decided, it will at least include Yaeko Mizutani and Kuriko Namino, both members of the Gekidan Shinpa troupe that performed the play Yamada watched.
Yamada's adaptation will be performed at the Mitsukoshi Theater in Tokyo in January 2010. Around the same time, Yamada's next movie, "Otouto" (details previously announced here), will open in movie houses.
"Early Summer" is set in Tokyo during the 1950s and revolves around a three-generation family. In particular, the center of the story is a single woman named Noriko, living with her parents and her brother's family. She is pressured by her relatives into accepting a marriage set up for her, but she ultimately goes against their wishes, taking on a partner that they disapprove of.
Yamada was inspired to adapt the Ozu film after watching a play in early 2008 done in the style of Shinpa, a school of theater that emerged in response to kabuki. He decided to use "Early Summer" as a base, modifying it into the Shinpa style. Although the full cast has not been decided, it will at least include Yaeko Mizutani and Kuriko Namino, both members of the Gekidan Shinpa troupe that performed the play Yamada watched.
Yamada's adaptation will be performed at the Mitsukoshi Theater in Tokyo in January 2010. Around the same time, Yamada's next movie, "Otouto" (details previously announced here), will open in movie houses.
Wed, May 6, 2009 (12:28am EDT)
Johnny's Jimusho proved dominant on the music charts this week, earning 1st on the album, single, and DVD rankings.
KAT-TUN's 4th album, "Break the Records -by you & for you-," sold 200,000 copies to lead the albums chart, continuing the streak from their first three. Elephant Kashimashi charted at #3 with their newest release. Also making the top ten were a request album for guitarist hide (#7) and the latest effort from Tommy heavenly6 (#9).
Similarly, NEWS extended their own streak, sending their 11th consecutive single to the top of the charts. "Koi no ABO" sold 234,000 copies, far ahead of SID's new single, which ranked 2nd at 59,000 in sales. They were followed by new songs from JUJU (#3) and Shoko Nakagawa (#4). Idol groups Buono! (#7) and Idoling!!! (#10) also broke the top ten.
Meanwhile, Hey! Say! JUMP's tour DVD claimed #1 in the overall DVD rankings, moving 77,000 copies. With an average age of 16.8 years old, they qualify as the youngest male artists to top the overall DVD chart.
KAT-TUN's 4th album, "Break the Records -by you & for you-," sold 200,000 copies to lead the albums chart, continuing the streak from their first three. Elephant Kashimashi charted at #3 with their newest release. Also making the top ten were a request album for guitarist hide (#7) and the latest effort from Tommy heavenly6 (#9).
Similarly, NEWS extended their own streak, sending their 11th consecutive single to the top of the charts. "Koi no ABO" sold 234,000 copies, far ahead of SID's new single, which ranked 2nd at 59,000 in sales. They were followed by new songs from JUJU (#3) and Shoko Nakagawa (#4). Idol groups Buono! (#7) and Idoling!!! (#10) also broke the top ten.
Meanwhile, Hey! Say! JUMP's tour DVD claimed #1 in the overall DVD rankings, moving 77,000 copies. With an average age of 16.8 years old, they qualify as the youngest male artists to top the overall DVD chart.
