Wed, August 19, 2009 (11:51am EDT)
Ryo Kurashina's manga series "Jyouou Virgin ~Roppongi Night GP Part II~" (illustrated by Nao Kurebayashi) is getting a TV drama adaptation, it has been learned. Popular idol Mikie Hara (22) will take on the starring role.
Currently serialized in Shueisha's Business Jump, "Jyouou Virgin" revolves around young kyabakura hostesses competing for a big prize. It is the sequel to Kurashina's earlier "Jyouou," which was also turned into a drama series in 2005. The new show will air in the same late night Drama 24 (12:12am) time slot on TV Tokyo, allowing for some nudity. Like the previous series, the supporting cast features idols from the gravure and AV industries, including Natsuko Tatsumi, Reon Kadena, Saori Hara, and Yuma Asami.
The series will premiere on October 2.
Currently serialized in Shueisha's Business Jump, "Jyouou Virgin" revolves around young kyabakura hostesses competing for a big prize. It is the sequel to Kurashina's earlier "Jyouou," which was also turned into a drama series in 2005. The new show will air in the same late night Drama 24 (12:12am) time slot on TV Tokyo, allowing for some nudity. Like the previous series, the supporting cast features idols from the gravure and AV industries, including Natsuko Tatsumi, Reon Kadena, Saori Hara, and Yuma Asami.
The series will premiere on October 2.
Wed, August 19, 2009 (4:41am EDT)
Veteran actor Masachika Ichimura (60) has been cast in Takashi Miike's remake of "Thirteen Assassins." This is said to be his first true jidaigeki role.
In July, it was revealed that Koji Yakusho is starring as Shimada Shinzaemon, the leader of the thirteen killers aiming to eliminate an evil feudal lord. Ichimura has now been announced as playing the part of the lord's loyal retainer Onigashira Hanbei, who faces against the assassins to protect his master.
It has been reported elsewhere that Goro Inagaki has been cast as the targeted lord, but no official announcement has confirmed that yet.
"Thirteen Assassins" is expected to open in 2010.
In July, it was revealed that Koji Yakusho is starring as Shimada Shinzaemon, the leader of the thirteen killers aiming to eliminate an evil feudal lord. Ichimura has now been announced as playing the part of the lord's loyal retainer Onigashira Hanbei, who faces against the assassins to protect his master.
It has been reported elsewhere that Goro Inagaki has been cast as the targeted lord, but no official announcement has confirmed that yet.
"Thirteen Assassins" is expected to open in 2010.
Wed, August 19, 2009 (2:46am EDT)
Oricon has collected the results of its regular "tanned beauties ranking," focusing on the women who have garnered attention for their suntanned skin. Beach volleyball player Miwa Asao grabbed the top spot again for a third consecutive year.
Ranked behind Asao is pop star Namie Amuro, followed by talento Rikako Murakami. Along with Kumi Koda (ranked 7th), they have placed in the top ten during the last four years.
One unexpected name on the list was actress Masako Natsume, who died of leukemia in 1985 at the age of 27. Natsume was best known for playing the role of Tripitaka in the 1970s drama series "Saiyuki."
Ranked behind Asao is pop star Namie Amuro, followed by talento Rikako Murakami. Along with Kumi Koda (ranked 7th), they have placed in the top ten during the last four years.
One unexpected name on the list was actress Masako Natsume, who died of leukemia in 1985 at the age of 27. Natsume was best known for playing the role of Tripitaka in the 1970s drama series "Saiyuki."
- Miwa Asao
- Namie Amuro
- Rikako Murakami
- Anna Tsuchiya
- Meisa Kuroki
- Masako Natsume
- Kumi Koda
- Yukina Kinoshita
- Chinatsu Wakatsuki
- Kimiko Date
Wed, August 19, 2009 (2:24am EDT)
"BEST of CRYSTAL KAY," a two-disc collection celebrating the singer's tenth anniversary, is set for release on September 2. It is now known that the limited edition of the album will include an extra "premium disc," containing four collaborative songs.
The first track is "Over and Over," produced by m-flo's Taku Takahashi. The song is currently being used on the MBS show "DRESS" and in commercials for NTT East's FLET'S Hikari.
The second is "Step by Step" with producer Yasutaka Nakata, which will be the theme song of the newest "Jungle Taitei" ("Jungle Emperor Leo") anime, airing on Fuji TV on September 5.
Rappers Mummy-D (RHYMESTER) and KREVA are featured on the third song, titled "Private Dancers." The last track, "Helpless Night," is a duet with Jin Akanishi.
The first track is "Over and Over," produced by m-flo's Taku Takahashi. The song is currently being used on the MBS show "DRESS" and in commercials for NTT East's FLET'S Hikari.
The second is "Step by Step" with producer Yasutaka Nakata, which will be the theme song of the newest "Jungle Taitei" ("Jungle Emperor Leo") anime, airing on Fuji TV on September 5.
Rappers Mummy-D (RHYMESTER) and KREVA are featured on the third song, titled "Private Dancers." The last track, "Helpless Night," is a duet with Jin Akanishi.
Wed, August 19, 2009 (1:37am EDT)
Ayumi Hamasaki's 46th single, "Sunrise / Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~," was released last week. With over 75,000 copies sold, it ranked #1 on the sales charts, becoming her 21st consecutive (33rd total) number-one single. Overall, it is also her 44th single to enter the Top 10, putting her ahead of Southern All Stars, SMAP, ZARD, and B'z for the current record.
At #2 was Morning Musume with their latest song, "Nanchatte Renai," selling 55,000 copies. The rest of the top ten included GACKT (#4), supercell (#5), Toshihiko Takamizawa (#6), a new "K-On!" character single (#9), and Motohiro Hata (#10).
On the albums chart, Kobukuro remained at #1 for the second week in a row, but Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi ranked highest out of the new releases with 72,000 copies of "FRIENDS" at #2. Crazy Ken Band (#4) and Kaori Mochida (#9) also made the top ten.
At #2 was Morning Musume with their latest song, "Nanchatte Renai," selling 55,000 copies. The rest of the top ten included GACKT (#4), supercell (#5), Toshihiko Takamizawa (#6), a new "K-On!" character single (#9), and Motohiro Hata (#10).
On the albums chart, Kobukuro remained at #1 for the second week in a row, but Tsuyoshi Nagabuchi ranked highest out of the new releases with 72,000 copies of "FRIENDS" at #2. Crazy Ken Band (#4) and Kaori Mochida (#9) also made the top ten.
