Wed, September 16, 2009 (4:49am EDT)
On Tuesday, actor Masahiro Motoki (43) participated in filming for the upcoming NHK drama "Saka no Ue no Kumo." During the session, he surprised everyone with the good news that he and his wife are expecting a third child.
Motoki has been married to essayist Yayako Uchida (33) since 1995. They already have an 11-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. Their next one is due in April 2010.
Motoki has been married to essayist Yayako Uchida (33) since 1995. They already have an 11-year-old son and a 10-year-old daughter. Their next one is due in April 2010.
Wed, September 16, 2009 (3:55am EDT)
Talento Ai Akagi (29) revealed on her blog that she gave birth to her second child on Tuesday afternoon. However, she did not mention whether she had a boy or a girl.
Akagi, once the vocalist of an indies band called LOVE & PEACH, has been active in television as an actress and variety show host. She married Masashi Kitani (30), the vocalist of the band Sacra, and she gave birth to their first son in 2005.
Akagi, once the vocalist of an indies band called LOVE & PEACH, has been active in television as an actress and variety show host. She married Masashi Kitani (30), the vocalist of the band Sacra, and she gave birth to their first son in 2005.
Wed, September 16, 2009 (3:18am EDT)
Yoshito Usui (51), the mangaka behind the popular "Crayon Shin-chan" comic, has been missing for several days. He was reported missing by his family on September 12 after he failed to return from a hiking trip the day before.
No one, including his family and his publisher, has seen or been in contact with Usui since he left on Friday. Police in his hometown of Kasukabe, Saitama, have launched a search effort, and it has already expanded to other prefectures.
"Crayon Shin-chan" has become an iconic character around the world. The manga began serialization in 1990 in Futabasha's Weekly Manga Action, but it later moved to the magazine Manga Town. "Crayon Shin-chan" has also been on television as an anime series since 1992, with a feature-length film released every year since 1993.
No one, including his family and his publisher, has seen or been in contact with Usui since he left on Friday. Police in his hometown of Kasukabe, Saitama, have launched a search effort, and it has already expanded to other prefectures.
"Crayon Shin-chan" has become an iconic character around the world. The manga began serialization in 1990 in Futabasha's Weekly Manga Action, but it later moved to the magazine Manga Town. "Crayon Shin-chan" has also been on television as an anime series since 1992, with a feature-length film released every year since 1993.
Source: Anime News Network | Comments (18)
Bookmark this: JapanSoc | del.icio.us | Digg | StumbleUpon
Bookmark this: JapanSoc | del.icio.us | Digg | StumbleUpon
Wed, September 16, 2009 (2:57am EDT)
Singer Mai Kuraki topped the charts this week with her "ALL MY BEST" collection, selling 137,000 copies. This is her second #1 album in a row, though it is her ninth overall.
Out of the other new releases on the album chart, KREVA came closest at #4, while 10-FEET ranked in at #8.
In singles, Tsuyoshi Domoto took the #1 spot with "RAIN," which sold close to 63,000. He was followed by Porno Graffitti (#2) and Dreams Come True (#3).
Korean group Choshinsei made their debut at #7, one spot ahead of The Possible. Miho Fukuhara barely made the bottom of the top ten.
Meanwhile, Namie Amuro set a new record with her live DVD, "namie amuro BEST FICTION TOUR 2008-2009." At 155,000 copies sold, she has now surpassed Mai Kuraki to claim the highest first-week DVD sales by a female artist. Kuraki's "FIRST CUT" previously set the record in 2000 with 99,000 in sales.
Out of the other new releases on the album chart, KREVA came closest at #4, while 10-FEET ranked in at #8.
In singles, Tsuyoshi Domoto took the #1 spot with "RAIN," which sold close to 63,000. He was followed by Porno Graffitti (#2) and Dreams Come True (#3).
Korean group Choshinsei made their debut at #7, one spot ahead of The Possible. Miho Fukuhara barely made the bottom of the top ten.
Meanwhile, Namie Amuro set a new record with her live DVD, "namie amuro BEST FICTION TOUR 2008-2009." At 155,000 copies sold, she has now surpassed Mai Kuraki to claim the highest first-week DVD sales by a female artist. Kuraki's "FIRST CUT" previously set the record in 2000 with 99,000 in sales.
Wed, September 16, 2009 (2:39am EDT)
Renowned composer Joe Hisaishi will put together an original song for NHK's annual Kohaku Uta Gassen, which is celebrating its 60th year.
The theme of this year's show is "Uta no Chikara: Mugendai" ("the power of song is infinite"). To tie in with the theme, NHK is asking viewers to complete the phrase "Uta no chikara ___" up until November 8, and Hisaishi will compose a song based on the submissions. The completed tune will be performed during the Kohaku Uta Gassen.
The theme of this year's show is "Uta no Chikara: Mugendai" ("the power of song is infinite"). To tie in with the theme, NHK is asking viewers to complete the phrase "Uta no chikara ___" up until November 8, and Hisaishi will compose a song based on the submissions. The completed tune will be performed during the Kohaku Uta Gassen.
Wed, September 16, 2009 (2:06am EDT)
NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita (24) is rumored to be in a relationship with fashion model Seira Kagami (22). They are said to have been dating for about three months.
Born to a Canadian father and Japanese mother, Kagami made her modeling debut at the age of 12. In 2001, she gained attention on television for her appearance in a Zexy commercial. Kagami also debuted as a singer in 2007 and has had five consecutive songs on top of the iTunes dance charts.
The couple reportedly were introduced to each other by a friend earlier this year, and it developed into romance before the summer. In July, Yamashita was seen attending a live performance by Kagami. Witnesses apparently saw the two of them together, looking happy.
Neither side has commented yet on the rumor.
Born to a Canadian father and Japanese mother, Kagami made her modeling debut at the age of 12. In 2001, she gained attention on television for her appearance in a Zexy commercial. Kagami also debuted as a singer in 2007 and has had five consecutive songs on top of the iTunes dance charts.
The couple reportedly were introduced to each other by a friend earlier this year, and it developed into romance before the summer. In July, Yamashita was seen attending a live performance by Kagami. Witnesses apparently saw the two of them together, looking happy.
Neither side has commented yet on the rumor.
