Sat, July 4, 2009 (2:36am EDT)
This weekend, members of idol group AKB48 made their European debut at the Japan Expo in Paris, France. On Sunday, multiple news outlets in Japan reported on the performance, saying that this is just the start of AKB48 making a push overseas.
According to the news, AKB48 is planning to perform in New York in September, followed by a concert in Cannes, France, in October. If the information is true, AKB48 will likely be a guest at the New York Anime Festival, which takes place September 25-27. However, no official statement has been made yet by NYAF or AKB48's management.
According to the news, AKB48 is planning to perform in New York in September, followed by a concert in Cannes, France, in October. If the information is true, AKB48 will likely be a guest at the New York Anime Festival, which takes place September 25-27. However, no official statement has been made yet by NYAF or AKB48's management.
Sat, July 4, 2009 (2:22am EDT)
Actress/talento Chiharu Komatsu (35) recently made a painful revelation on her blog: she has been diagnosed with the autoimmune disorder known as Graves' disease.
Komatsu said that she had been experiencing symptoms such as pains throughout her body and dizziness. When she saw a doctor, a blood test revealed that she has Graves' disease. At the end of her blog post, Komatsu indicated that she has already accepted her condition and is moving forward with a positive attitude.
Just three months ago, singer Ayaka (21) publicly acknowledged that she has the same illness, at the same time that she and actor Hiro Mizushima (25) announced that they had married.
Komatsu said that she had been experiencing symptoms such as pains throughout her body and dizziness. When she saw a doctor, a blood test revealed that she has Graves' disease. At the end of her blog post, Komatsu indicated that she has already accepted her condition and is moving forward with a positive attitude.
Just three months ago, singer Ayaka (21) publicly acknowledged that she has the same illness, at the same time that she and actor Hiro Mizushima (25) announced that they had married.
Sat, July 4, 2009 (1:36am EDT)
On Friday, NHK publicly revealed its heroine for next year's Asadora "Gegege no Nyoubou." Actress Nao Matsushita (24) said she got the offer back in April, but had kept quiet about it until now, even from her own parents.
NHK officially announced the drama series earlier this year. It is based on an autobiography by Nunoe Mura, the wife of mangaka Shigeru Mizuki. As a couple, the two had to face many obstacles before Mizuki eventually attained fame with "Gegege no Kitaro."
Filming starts in November for the drama, which begins its run on NHK on March 29, 2010.
NHK officially announced the drama series earlier this year. It is based on an autobiography by Nunoe Mura, the wife of mangaka Shigeru Mizuki. As a couple, the two had to face many obstacles before Mizuki eventually attained fame with "Gegege no Kitaro."
Filming starts in November for the drama, which begins its run on NHK on March 29, 2010.
Sat, July 4, 2009 (1:19am EDT)
Actor Kenichi Matsuyama (24) has been revealed as a supporting cast member in the upcoming movie "Kaiji," which stars Tatsuya Fujiwara (27). This reunites the pair, who last worked together in the hit live-action "Death Note" films in 2006.
"Kaiji" is based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's popular manga about a gambler named Kaiji (Fujiwara) stuck in a dangerous game trying to clear an enormous debt. Matsuyama plays Kaiji's colleague Sahara, who shares a similar fate.
The "Kaiji" movie was first announced last year and has been scheduled for an October 10 release. The supporting cast includes Yuki Amami and Teruyuki Kagawa.
"Kaiji" is based on Nobuyuki Fukumoto's popular manga about a gambler named Kaiji (Fujiwara) stuck in a dangerous game trying to clear an enormous debt. Matsuyama plays Kaiji's colleague Sahara, who shares a similar fate.
The "Kaiji" movie was first announced last year and has been scheduled for an October 10 release. The supporting cast includes Yuki Amami and Teruyuki Kagawa.
