"Kyumei Byoto" special fills in broadcast delay

Fuji TV has announced a new broadcast date for the fourth season of "Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji." Originally scheduled to start on July 7, filming was delayed due to an injury suffered by lead actor Yosuke Eguchi. Now, the series is set to premiere on August 11 instead.

To fill in the weeks before the delayed start, Fuji TV will air a series of special episodes titled "Kinkyu Special: Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji ~Kyumeii Kojima Kaede~," which will focus on Nanako Matsushima's character on the show.

The four episodes, airing from July 14 to August 4, will each feature a guest appearance by a cast member from the show's previous three seasons: Norito Yashima, Risa Sudo, Hiroyuki Miyasako, and Mao Inoue.

Source: Tokyograph

Nodame Cantabile's 3rd TV Anime to Be Its Finale

The third television anime series adaptation of Tomoko Ninomiya's Nodame Cantabile romantic comedy manga will be the final one in the anime franchise. Appropriately enough, the third series, which will premiere in January, will be titled Nodame Cantabile: Finale. Like the second series (pictured at right), Finale will be set in Paris. The third series was originally slated to premiere in the fall. It will air in the same late-night Noitamina timeslot on Fuji TV as its two highly rated predecessors have. Kazuki Nakashima (Gurren Lagann) will be the third anime project's series script supervisor.

The manga, the anime, and a separate live-action version all center around two music students who find themselves on parallel paths in Japan and later Europe. The 2006 live-action television version already spawned a two-part Cantabile Shinshun Special in Europe television special and two movies slated for next year. The original manga is on hold due to Ninomiya's recent appendicitis. Del Rey is publishing the 16th volume of the original manga in North America this month.

Kodansha serializes the manga in Kiss magazine and has published 29.5 million copies of the 21 current volumes. The previous anime series both had average ratings above 4% — about twice what even successful late-night television series normally get.

Source: Anime News Network

Shun Oguri's Tajomaru Film to Spawn Anime, Manga

Illustrator Ippei Gyoubu is developing the groundwork for anime and manga spinoffs based on Tajomaru, the newest live-action film adaptation of Ryūnosuke Akutagawa's "In a Grove" samurai short story with actor Shun Oguri (Gokusen, Hana Yori Dango [2005], Densha Otoko, Crows Zero, Fullmetal Alchemist The Movie). The announcement of the proposed anime and manga was made at the July 5 press conference which marked the completion of the live-action film in Tokyo. Oguri, Yuki Shibamoto, Kei Tanaka, Kyosuke Yabe, Hiroki Matsukata, director Hiroyuki Nakano, and producer Mataichiro Yamamoto appeared at the event.

"In a Grove" inspired several Japanese and American films, including Akira Kurosawa's Rashōmon film which received an Honorary Oscar. The "Tajomaru" of the new film's title is the same Tajomaru bandit character that Rashōmon's acclaimed actor Toshirō Mifune made famous, but Oguri's role will add a twist to the identity of the Tajomaru character.

Gyoubu is adapting the cast of the Tajomaru film into characters for anime and manga. Yabe, who plays the bandit leader Michikane, remarked on how Gyoubu's drawings made his character look stylish and tall, so Oguri immediately replied with a laugh that the drawings were a little too good-looking for Yabe. The rock duo B'z are performing the film's theme song "Pray."

The film will get advance screenings in Japan on September 12 and 13. The official website began streaming a trailer along with an earlier teaser trailer.

Source: Anime News Network

Mao Inoue guests in two major summer dramas!

Mao Inoue will be guesting on two major summer dramas this season: Nagase Tomoya's Karei-naru Spy and the fourth season of Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji, which stars Eguchi Yosuke and Matsuhima Nanako.

She previously guested on the third season of Kyumei, and will be returning as a guest for the fourth season.

While for Karei-naru Spy, she will be appearing in the first episode. You can see glimpses of her in the TV teaser here at Baidu. She will be playing the grand-daughter of the Japanese Prime Minister.

Source: Arama They Didn't!,Inoue Mao @ LiveJournal,Mao Inoue Forums

Arashi monopolizes top three spots in first week sales for singles in 2009

Arashi's 27th single, "Everything", makes its debut at #1 on the weekly singles ranking. Released in May, "Ashita no Kioku/Crazy Moon ~kimi wa muteki~" had an initial sales of 502,487 copies, and released in March, "Believe/Kumorinochi, Kaisei" had an initial sales of 501,988 copies; the Arashi who has marked both first and second places in the singles initial sales for the year of 2009 so far has also ranked in at third place with another work which sold 342,000 copies in its first week. Arashi has now monopolized the top three spots in this year's first week sales for singles.

Source: Oricon
Translations: Amy

Ayumi Hamasaki, The Supernova of Asian Entertainment

Asian Media refers to Ayumi Hamasaki as "The Supernova Of Asian Entertainment". Reason for this is her absolute knockout against competitors in revenue so far in 2009. The information is taken from the news agent Sina.com and ent-163.com

Continuing this trend, it is likely that Ayumi again scoop the place of most serving female artist in 2009, and the person with the highest income. If so, will she top this position for the third year in a row. Both in 2007 and 2008, she was voted the female artist in Japan with the highest income from the album and DVD sales. She also topped the list in 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, and 2004. Only off Koda Kumi under the peak of her career in 2005 and 2006.

After the subsequent invasion of Asia in 2007, she was again crowned the "Highest grossing female artist of the year", a position it looks like she will make in 2009. Note that there are only Ayumi Hamasaki and Koda Kumi as solo artists on the list, the rest are either the band or duo's.

source: ayu.no.news

Matsumoto Talks about New Single!

On July 1st (Today!) Arashi will release their new single ‘Everything.’

Arashi has lately been releasing singles at a breakneck pace. Arashi member Matsumoto Jun made some comments about the new song.

“I feel it’s a song that’s just perfect for the summer. The song is about the important things you recognize in normal, everyday life. I think it will make people feel more positive. It also shows a new, different side of Arashi. Please! Be sure to check it out!! That’s all for now, and this was Matsumoto Jun.”

Enjoy the upcoming summer with a new exhilarating song from Arashi!



[PV] Arashi - Everything

Source: musicjapanplus

SMAP To Do Theme For New Kusanagi Drama

SMAP member Kusanagi Tsuyoshi is starring in a new drama called "Ninkyo Helper", and he and his SMAP brothers will be providing the show's theme song!

The song, "Sotto Gyutto" (Gently tightly) will be SMAP's 44th single, and is set for release on August 26th. It will have been approximately one year since the release of SMAP's last single, "Kono Toki, Kitto Yume Ja Nai" in August of 2008. The song's music was written by hit-maker Kubota Toshinobu with lyrics by Aso Tetsurou, who also wrote the lyrics for SMAP's "Dear WOMAN". Kubota previously wrote the music for Kimura Takuya's solo song "Style", but it was his first time to write for a SMAP single.

"Ninkyo Helper" begins running on July 9th on Fuji TV, Thursday nights at 10 PM. Speaking of SMAP's participation in the drama, Kusanagi said, "I'm very happy that our group has performed the theme. I sometimes hear it while we're filming, and I find it gives me strength. I hope my co-stars feel the same way."

Source: musicjapanplus

Tamaki acknowledges romance with Yoshitaka

Popular actor Hiroshi Tamaki (29) has admitted that he is dating young actress Yuriko Yoshitaka (20). Their relationship was first reported by the press earlier this month.

Tamaki confirmed in an interview that the two have been getting along well since appearing together in the TBS drama series "Love Shuffle" this past winter. He also said that they do not call each other very frequently. When he was directly asked about whether Yoshitaka is his girlfriend, he simply smiled without giving a clear answer.

Tamaki is currently overseas for filming, and as a result, he will not be attending the premiere of his movie "MW" on July 4.

Source: tokyograph

Ayumi Hamasaki's first drama theme in 6 years

The next single from pop star Ayumi Hamasaki, titled "Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~," will be the theme song for the TV Asahi drama series "Dandy Daddy?" Hamasaki has not done a drama theme song since "forgiveness" was used in TBS's "Kougen e Irasshai" in 2003.

Starring Hiroshi Tachi and Nao Minamisawa in a father-daughter comedy, "Dandy Daddy?" is scheduled to premiere on July 9.Hamasaki's "Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~" will be released as a double A-side single called "Sunrise / Sunset ~LOVE is ALL~" on August 12. Included on the single is a "Special Mega-Mash-Up-Mix" that combines the singer's past summer hits "July 1st,"
"Greatful days," "fairyland," "BLUE BIRD," and "glitter."

In addition to the regular CD single, a CD+DVD edition will be available that includes music videos for the two title tracks and a making-of video for "Sunrise ~LOVE is ALL~."

Source: tokyograph

Anti-drug poster featuring Yukie Nakama to go up at schools nationwide

TOKYO — Ryu Shionoya, 59, a senior official at the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology, recently showed off the new anti-drug poster featuring actress Yukie Nakama, 29, that will be put up at junior high schools, high schools and universities around Japan this month. The poster says "NO! DRUG" in English in a large white font, and underneath
it says "dame, zettai" – which means something to the effect of not taking them under any circumstances.

The poster targeting drug use among young people coincides with this month's release of "Gokusen THE MOVIE," starring Nakama as Kumiko Yamaguchi – mathematics teacher and granddaughter of a yakuza boss - and she is wearing her trademark sports gear in the poster. She is folding her arms and in smaller white font next to her resolute pose is a sentence that says: "Let's get the courage to stand up and protect those important to us."

Source: Japantoday

SMAP to Promote Softbank Mobile

The fathers of the Johnny's revolution are going to be advertising for telephone service company Softbank come August. Commercials that will begin running then will feature all 5 members of the smash boyband, including renaissance man Kimura Takuya, whose beautiful smile can be hard to miss here in Japan.

The group will be advertising some new part of Softbank's service, the details of which have not yet been announced.

Source: music japan

"BOSS" breaks 20%

Fuji TV's "BOSS" has proven to be one of the most popular drama series this season. The final episode, which aired on Thursday, gave the show an additional boost with 20.7% average ratings, breaking the 20% mark for the first time. Previous episode ratings ranged from 15% to 18%.

The show stars Yuki Amami as the head of a police detective division, with a strong supporting cast that included Yutaka Takenouchi, Erika Toda, and Tetsuji Tamayama. The finale also had guest star Takashi Sorimachi playing a terrorist.

Source: Tokyograph

Arashi's 10th Anniversary Concert Tour + "Best Of" Album

Pop group Arashi are to be the first ever artists to play three consecutive shows at the National Stadium. Yesterday's announcement came together with news of the August 19 release of the hits album "All the Best! 1999-2009." The Johnny's Jimusho group are celebrating their 10th anniversary and the album will contain all 26 of their singles (plus 5 double-A sides). Shortly after the album goes on sale, they will play three nights at the National Stadium on August 28-30. Last year Arashi became only the third musical act to perform a solo show there (the others were SMAP in 2005-06 and Dreams Come True in 2007). From the autumn they will embark on a concert tour of Japan's five major domes.

Concert schedule
August 28,29,30 - Kokuritsu National Stadium
September 18, 19 - Fukuoka Dome
September 25,26,27 - Kyosera Osaka Dome
November 14,15 - Sapporo Dome
December 4,5,6 - Tokyo Dome
January 16,17 - Nagoya Dome

Album details
-consists of 32 songs (31 of which from their 26 singles, plus the last one is a song written by Arashi themselves, more like a gratitude for their fans..)
-First Limited Edition consists of a bonus of 10 songs chosen by the members

Source: japanzone

New Drama has Nagase Tomoya in Disguises

'Karei naru Spy', starring Nagase Tomoya, Fukada Kyoko and veteran actor Watari Tetsuya will begin airing on Japan NTV starting July 18th. Nagase will play the role of a con-artist, who's been convicted on 13 counts and is serving a 30 year prison term. In an effort to protect the population, the Japanese government offer his release in exchange for his services. As a secret agent, Nagase will work to protect the country's security and to prevent terrorism in Japan.

Watari Tetsuya will be playing the Prime Minister in the series. Watari and Nagase have worked together five years ago on the series 'Otouto'. Collaborating again, Watari believes that Nagase's acting will definitely bring flair and charisma into the character.

Nagase must take on various disguises in the new series. He will pose as a teacher, doctor and even as a Korean superstar. It will be a challenging role for him. Nagase also praises his co-star, saying that Tetsuya is suave and well-suited for his role as Prime Minister. Let's see if the Japanese version of 'Catch Me If You Can' can achieve a breakthrough.

Source: Mingpao
Translated by: sparkles_n15 @ http://asianfanatics.net

Juri Ueno stars in WOWOW miniseries

Actress Juri Ueno (23) has been cast in a drama miniseries that will air on WOWOW later this year. Titled "Ueno Juri to Itsutsu no Kaban," the show features Ueno taking on five roles in five episodes.

As the title suggests, each 30-minute episode involves a bag of some kind, such as a guitar case or a mysterious delivery package. Each story has its own staff behind it, including screenwriter Arisa Kaneko ("Densha Otoko") and director Nobuhiro Yamashita ("Linda Linda Linda").

Ueno will also sing the show's ending theme, tentatively titled "Kaban no Banka." This is her first song since she made her CD debut in 2007 with "Onara Taisou" from the "Nodame Cantabile" drama series.

WOWOW will broadcast the series on Thursdays at 11:30pm, starting on September 3.

Source: tokyograph
Date: Tuesday June 23, 2009 Japan

NHK and Johnny's reportedly feuding

Clothing-averse pop star Tsuyoshi Kusanagi might be back on the celebrity circuit again, but his lightning-fast rehabilitation hasn’t come without the odd hitch. Weekly magazine Shunkan Bunshun reported in its June 11 edition on a feud between NHK and Johnny’s, the imperious talent agency behind Kusanagi’s supergroup, SMAP.

In an article rich in sensationalism and low on specifics, the magazine claimed that NHK had incurred the wrath of Johnny’s after it defied a request from the agency not to transmit a live broadcast of the press conference held with Kusanagi after his arrest.

As a result, it seems that the broadcaster wasn’t even invited to the soft-focus conference held with Kusanagi on May 28, prior to his TV comeback.

Does this mean that SMAP won’t be appearing on NHK’s end-of-year extravaganza, “Kohaku Uta Gassen?” Your guess is as good as ours. (Metropolis)

Source: japan today

Top 5 Supporting Characters in Manga

For a good manga it is critical that there are strong supporting characters to reinforce the storyline. A survey was taken where people in their teens, 20s, and 30s that liked manga were asked who they thought was the ‘Best Supporting Character’ of all time. The No.1 character was 【Krillin】from the popular manga ‘Dragon Ball’, written by Toriyama Akira. “Without Krillin the manga would never have become popular. (Male /20s / Tokyo)” said one respondent, and many others gave similar answers.

Krillin is a fellow disciple and friend of the main character Son Goku. They underwent the same grueling training and fought enemies alongside each other. “Time and time again Krillin was given important roles in key scenes. He is the archetype of all supporting characters. (Male / Teens / Chiba)” There were also a lot of people who said “He made Goku look better! (Female / 20s / Kanagawa)” Many people cited his great personality. “He was always looking out for his friends, and the manga won’t be the same without his cheerful character. (Male / 20s / Ehime)”

【Roronoa Zoro】from ‘ONE PIECE’ came in at No.2. The man of strong integrity and valor left a lasting impact on many fans. “He’s so cool. I like his way of living, his way of thinking, and also how he is constantly trying to better himself. (Male / 30s / Osaka)” There was lots of praise for his unrelenting support of main character Monkey D. Luffy. “Even though he is as strong as Luffy, he’s always ready to help the captain [Luffy]. He’s also willing to sacrifice himself for the other crew members…he is truly a man among men. (Male / 30s / Miyagi)”

The No.3 spot went to【Goda Takeshi (Gian)】from ‘ドラえもん / Doraemon’. Although he is the undisputed and sometimes ruthless boss of the group, he is also fair and considerate in his own way. “He’s rather self-centered but a good guy at heart. (Female / 20s / Tokyo)” “He can be rough and harsh at times yet he is a person you can always depend on. (Male / Teens / Miyagi)” A number of other people pointed out that he helped flesh out the story. “[Main character] Nobi Nobita and Doraemon could not have bonded as strongly without Gian [occasionally bullying Nobita]! (Female / 20s / Aichi)”

【Kogure Kiminobu】from ‘SLAM DUNK’ took the No.4 spot. His ‘fatherly’ concern for his teammates was a memorable part of the manga. “It’s great how he always seemed to genuinely care about the team. (Male / 20s / Saitama)” Another ‘ONE PIECE’ character【Tony Tony Chopper】was No.5. A lot of fans liked his cute looks and personality. “I think Chopper’s unique presence makes the story more interesting. (Female / 20s / Fukushima)”.

Source: music japan

Aqua Timez continues with "Gokusen"

Last year, the band Aqua Timez provided the theme song "Niji" for the third season of the "Gokusen" drama series. The group will once again have a "Gokusen" tie-in, this time with the upcoming feature film "Gokusen: The Movie."

Aqua Timez will sing the movie's theme song, titled "Plumeria ~Hanauta~." It will be released as a CD single on July 29, with chaku-uta distribution starting on July 1.

"Gokusen: The Movie" opens in theaters on July 11.

Source: tokyograph

Are wedding bells ringing for Michibata and Button

Popular model Jessica Michibata, 24, who is dating British F1 driver Jenson Button, 29, was the special guest Thursday at Cafe d'Ora2, a limited-time cafe in Tokyo's Jingumae area.

Michibata arrived in a sexy red dress that revealed her leggy 173-cm frame. "I think girls are always in love," she said. "When you feel like that, you become more and more beautiful." When asked about the possibility of wedding bells some time in the near future, she cackled bashfully, looking smug with herself.

Cafe d'Ora2 is a collaboration project between Sunstar's Ora2 and five magazines from publisher Kodansha. The cafe is open until July 12.

Source: Japan Today