Sat, May 9, 2009 (5:26pm EDT)
Several weeks ago, Oricon polled a group of 300 high school girls about up-and-coming young actors. The women were asked to identify which "fresh" actors they have been paying close attention to.
#1 was Takeru Sato, who first got his break as the star of "Kamen Rider Den-O." He has recently picked up a few major television roles in dramas such as "Bloody Monday" and "Mei-chan no Shitsuji."
Ranked 2nd was the highly popular Hiro Mizushima, who also appeared in "Mei-chan no Shitsuji." Haruma Miura, the star of "Bloody Monday," was #3.
#1 was Takeru Sato, who first got his break as the star of "Kamen Rider Den-O." He has recently picked up a few major television roles in dramas such as "Bloody Monday" and "Mei-chan no Shitsuji."
Ranked 2nd was the highly popular Hiro Mizushima, who also appeared in "Mei-chan no Shitsuji." Haruma Miura, the star of "Bloody Monday," was #3.
- Takeru Sato
- Hiro Mizushima
- Haruma Miura
- Junpei Mizobata
- Masaki Okada
- Shohei Miura
- Eita
- Hiroshi Tamaki
- Toma Ikuta
Ryosuke Yamada
Sat, May 9, 2009 (3:59am EDT)
Rapper ILMARI (33) and actress Maho Nonami (28) have broken up, it was recently learned. Their relationship lasted roughly five years and they seemed to be headed for marriage, but it appears that they grew apart due to their busy careers.
ILMARI and Nonami first met in 2004 at a party. Later that year, Nonami publicly acknowledged that the two were dating, and in 2007 they began living together. However, they decided to break up this past March, and Nonami has already moved to another home.
ILMARI is known as a member of the hip-hop groups RIP SLYME and TERIYAKI BOYZ. Last year he made his film directing debut with a segment in the short film anthology "R246 Story." Nonami, on the other hand, was the winner of the Toho Cinderella Audition in 1996 and has since then built a successful career as an actress both in film and in television.
ILMARI and Nonami first met in 2004 at a party. Later that year, Nonami publicly acknowledged that the two were dating, and in 2007 they began living together. However, they decided to break up this past March, and Nonami has already moved to another home.
ILMARI is known as a member of the hip-hop groups RIP SLYME and TERIYAKI BOYZ. Last year he made his film directing debut with a segment in the short film anthology "R246 Story." Nonami, on the other hand, was the winner of the Toho Cinderella Audition in 1996 and has since then built a successful career as an actress both in film and in television.
Sat, May 9, 2009 (3:13am EDT)
The 1976 television drama "Tonari no Shibafu" is getting a remake on TBS this summer. The new series will star Asaka Seto and Pinko Izumi.
The original show was written by screenwriter Sugako Hashida and featured Yoko Yamamoto as a wife battling with her husband's mother, portrayed by the late actress Sadako Sawamura. At the time, the drama became a popular symbol of the common problems between a mother and daughter-in-law.
As expected, the show will be adapted to the present day. Seto will take on the role of the daughter-in-law, with Koji Ookura playing the husband and Izumi playing the mother.
The new "Tonari no Shibafu" has been scheduled for TBS's Wednesday 9:00pm time slot. The show starts on July 1.
The original show was written by screenwriter Sugako Hashida and featured Yoko Yamamoto as a wife battling with her husband's mother, portrayed by the late actress Sadako Sawamura. At the time, the drama became a popular symbol of the common problems between a mother and daughter-in-law.
As expected, the show will be adapted to the present day. Seto will take on the role of the daughter-in-law, with Koji Ookura playing the husband and Izumi playing the mother.
The new "Tonari no Shibafu" has been scheduled for TBS's Wednesday 9:00pm time slot. The show starts on July 1.
Sat, May 9, 2009 (2:30am EDT)
V6 member Masayuki Sakamoto has been cast in the Fuji TV drama special "Shonen Jidai," scheduled to air on the afternoon of June 21. This will be his first time playing the part of a teacher.
Sakamoto is a regular in stage plays and on variety shows, but his last appearance in a television drama was a guest role in the 2006 series "Bengoshi no Kuzu."
"Shonen Jidai" is adapted from a novel of the same name by author Yo Ikenaga. The story, set in the Gifu prefecture during the late 1960s, focuses on the growth of a first-year junior high student, played by child actor Ren Kobayashi. Sakamoto has been cast as an art teacher who has a strong influence on the young boy. Also appearing is Eriko Sato, playing an English teacher that the boy is attracted to.
Sakamoto is a regular in stage plays and on variety shows, but his last appearance in a television drama was a guest role in the 2006 series "Bengoshi no Kuzu."
"Shonen Jidai" is adapted from a novel of the same name by author Yo Ikenaga. The story, set in the Gifu prefecture during the late 1960s, focuses on the growth of a first-year junior high student, played by child actor Ren Kobayashi. Sakamoto has been cast as an art teacher who has a strong influence on the young boy. Also appearing is Eriko Sato, playing an English teacher that the boy is attracted to.
Sat, May 9, 2009 (1:53am EDT)
Actress Maiko Yamada will be taking on her first starring role in a drama series next month. The show, described as a "pure love story," is called "Natsu no Himitsu."
In the drama, Yamada plays the role of a woman named Kio, whose wedding ceremony is suddenly interrupted when her husband-to-be gets arrested as a murder suspect. Hoping to prove his innocence, Kio begins investigating around the victim's neighborhood, and there she runs into the man who first discovered the victim's body.
Ryo Segawa and Saburo Shinoda are part of the supporting cast. Metis will sing the drama's theme song, titled "Anata ga Ai wo Kureta Kara]]."
Fuji TV will broadcast the series on weekdays at 1:30pm. The first episode is scheduled for June 1.
In the drama, Yamada plays the role of a woman named Kio, whose wedding ceremony is suddenly interrupted when her husband-to-be gets arrested as a murder suspect. Hoping to prove his innocence, Kio begins investigating around the victim's neighborhood, and there she runs into the man who first discovered the victim's body.
Ryo Segawa and Saburo Shinoda are part of the supporting cast. Metis will sing the drama's theme song, titled "Anata ga Ai wo Kureta Kara]]."
Fuji TV will broadcast the series on weekdays at 1:30pm. The first episode is scheduled for June 1.
Sat, May 9, 2009 (1:24am EDT)
NHK has announced one of its Saturday night dramas for the summer season. Titled "Saisei no Machi," the show stars actor Michitaka Tsutsui. Rakugo artist Kichiya Katsura has also been recruited for the series, after gaining some public attention through his role in NHK's "Chiritotechin" in 2007-2008.
"Saisei no Machi" is set in a fictional city called Namihaya, which is on the brink of economic collapse. Tsutsui plays a local government official, while Katsura plays his childhood friend and the shopkeeper of a cafe.
The series will air in NHK's Saturday 9:00pm time slot, starting on August 29.
"Saisei no Machi" is set in a fictional city called Namihaya, which is on the brink of economic collapse. Tsutsui plays a local government official, while Katsura plays his childhood friend and the shopkeeper of a cafe.
The series will air in NHK's Saturday 9:00pm time slot, starting on August 29.
Sat, May 9, 2009 (12:32am EDT)
Now officially graduates of Hello! Project, Melon Kinenbi has announced plans for five upcoming singles, each a rock collaboration. The singles will be available only through their fanclub, at concerts, and at Tower Records stores.
The first single in the lineup is a collaboration with BEAT CRUSADERS. The title has not yet been revealed, but it is scheduled to go on sale June 24. Fans will have a chance to pick it up early on June 19, when Melon Kinenbi holds an event at Shibuya O-EAST.
The first single in the lineup is a collaboration with BEAT CRUSADERS. The title has not yet been revealed, but it is scheduled to go on sale June 24. Fans will have a chance to pick it up early on June 19, when Melon Kinenbi holds an event at Shibuya O-EAST.
Sat, May 9, 2009 (12:17am EDT)
Police have arrested a man suspected of posting death threats against pop star Kumi Koda (26). Yosuke Nozaki, a 31-year-old salaryman from Kawagoe, Saitama, is said to have written multiple threats on the blog of Avex president Max Matsuura.
A total of three messages were posted to the blog by mobile phone on March 25. According to police, Nozaki has confessed, saying that he planned to kill Koda and himself. Investigators are still trying to identify his motive.
The threats were deleted after discovery, and Avex consulted Shibuya police to investigate the matter. Their investigation eventually led to Nozaki. Meanwhile, Matsuura updated his blog, saying that the comments on the blog would be limited to only approved users.
A total of three messages were posted to the blog by mobile phone on March 25. According to police, Nozaki has confessed, saying that he planned to kill Koda and himself. Investigators are still trying to identify his motive.
The threats were deleted after discovery, and Avex consulted Shibuya police to investigate the matter. Their investigation eventually led to Nozaki. Meanwhile, Matsuura updated his blog, saying that the comments on the blog would be limited to only approved users.
