Recent Articles
Nakata Hideo to direct English-language thriller
Nov 6, 2008 Movie Leave a comment
J-horror director Nakata Hideo is now working on his first original English-language movie, titled “Chatroom.”
Described as a “psychological thriller about teenagers who encourage each other’s destructive behavior,” the film is written by playwright Enda Walsh (”Disco Pigs,” “Hunger”). A new company called WestEnd Films is selling the picture at the currently running American Film Market.
Filming is scheduled to start in the spring.
Tokyograph via asianfanatics
Fuji TV, Fox turn “Sideways”
Nov 6, 2008 Movie Leave a comment
Fuji TV and 20th Century Fox are collaborating to produce a Japanese remake of the award-winning 2004 film “Sideways,” which starred Paul Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church. The film is being shot in the U.S., though the four main characters will be played by Japanese stars.
Kohinata Fumiyo is getting top billing as he takes over Giamatti’s role, and he will be accompanied by Namase Katsuhisa, Kikuchi Rinko, and Suzuki Kyoka. They are reportedly the only Japanese cast members.
New director Cellin Gluck will be in charge. Theatrical release has been tentatively set for fall 2009.
Tokyograph via asianfanatics
Hangry & Angry to get simultaneous U.S. release
Nov 6, 2008 Artist, Ishikawa Rika, Music, Yoshizawa Hitomi Leave a comment
Last month, news broke that Morning Musume graduates Yoshizawa Hitomi and Ishikawa Rika are forming a new pop-punk unit called Hangry & Angry. It has now been officially revealed that the group’s first mini-album will be seeing a simultaneous release in the U.S.
Hangry & Angry is being represented by Up-Front Works, in collaboration with the Hangry & Angry clothing brand, which falls under the h.NAOTO umbrella. The brand’s characters, drawn by popular illustrator GASHICON, are two cats who have traveled through time and space to save the world.
The duo’s first mini-album, “Kill Me Kiss Me,” is being released under an indie label on November 19. In Japan, the CD will be available only through Tsutaya, WonderGOO, Sumiya, and Virgin Megastore. A limited edition special package will also be sold, with only 10,000 units available.
On the same day, a CD-only version will be released in the U.S. through the efforts of JapanFiles. The album will also be available for digital download.
Hangry & Angry will perform their first live show in Shibuya on November 28, with SHAZNA’s Izam taking on the role of their performance producer. In 2009, they are planning an international campaign in Japan, Europe, and the U.S.
Tokyograph
[CM]KAT-TUN Lotte Plus-X Cube (15s)
Nov 6, 2008 CM, Group, KAT-TUN Leave a comment
credit : carmenergy @youtube
Nakamaru and Masuda in new drama “RESCUE～特別高度救助隊”
Nov 6, 2008 Artist, Drama, Masuda Takahisa, Nakamaru Yuichi Leave a comment
Masuda Takahisa (NewS) and Nakamaru Yuichi (KAT-TUN) will be in next season of TBS new drama called “RESCUE～特別高度救助隊”
Starting in January of 2009 on Saturday 8 PM.
ＫＡＴ－ＴＵＮの中丸、ドラマ初主演
sanspo
ＫＡＴ－ＴＵＮの中丸雄一（２５）が来年１月スタートのＴＢＳ系「ＲＥＳＣＵＥ～特別高度救助隊」（土曜後７・５６）でドラマ初主演を飾ることになった。
横浜を舞台に、厳しい訓練を受ける若者たちの青春と挫折、命の尊さを描くオリジナル作品。中丸は特別高度救助隊候補生、北島大地役。ＮＥＷＳの増田貴久（２２）が親友で同じ候補生の手塚豊役で共演する。
横浜市安全管理局の全面協力を得ており、このほど２人は横浜市安全管理局横浜市民防災センターを訪問。７メートルの高さからロープで地上に降りる降下訓練など実際の同救助隊の訓練も体験した。
中丸は「まずは筋力をつけないといけない。隊員の方たちは腹筋を毎日５００回はやっているというので、目標腹筋５００回数を目指して頑張ります」と気合い満点。中丸と初共演となる増田は「（中丸と）助け合って、お互いプラスにしたい」と張り切っている。
More from Tokyograph :
Nakamaru lands first lead drama role
KAT-TUN member Nakamaru Yuichi will play the starring role in a drama series for the first time. He has been cast in TBS’s “RESCUE: Tokubetsu Koudo Kyuujotai,” which will air on Saturdays at 7:56pm, starting in January.
Read More..
Softbank’s ‘White Family’ wins Grand Prix for best commercial
Nov 6, 2008 CM, Event Leave a comment
The “White Family” series of commercials from Softbank Mobile won the Grand Prix for best commercial at the ACC (All Japan Radio and Television Commercial Confederation) Commercial Festival, the biggest event in the advertising industry in Japan, held at a Tokyo hotel this week.
Ueto Aya, 23, Higuchi Kanako, 49, Dante Carver, 31, and the dog who played the role of father, lined-up to accept the award. They also won the Best Performance award along with Toyokawa Etsushi, 46, and Tanaka Rena, 28, who appeared in the Soyjoy commercials produced by Otsuka Pharmaceuticals.
JapanToday
Charts: Porno Graffiti takes top two spots
Nov 5, 2008 Artist, Charts, Group, Kanjani8, Kobukuro, Music, Porno Graffiti, Remioromen, Tsuchiya Anna, WaT Leave a comment
Last week, Porno Graffiti simultaneously released two best albums, “PORNO GRAFFITI BEST ACE” and “PORNO GRAFFITI BEST JOKER.” They managed to achieve the remarkable feat of capturing the #1 and #2 spots on the album charts, with “ACE” slightly outselling “JOKER” (105,000 copies versus 103,000 copies).
This is the second time that Porno Graffiti has taken the top two spots - they previously did it in 2004 with another simultaneous best album release. They are one of 19 artists with that accomplishment, but they are only the second to have achieved it twice. TM NETWORK managed it over 15 years ago with chart toppers in 1992 and 1993.
Remioromen’s new album also did well, debuting at #3. Others in the top ten included Hata Motohiro (#7), BENNIE K (#9), and Tsuchiya Anna (#10).
On the singles chart, Kanjani8 scored their 5th consecutive #1 single with “Musekinin Hero” selling 348,000 copies, their best first-week sales numbers ever. Kobukuro’s “Toki no Ashioto” came in second at 136,000 copies, followed by the debut single by comedy unit Yajima Biyoshitsu, formed by DJ OZMA and Tunnels.
New releases by SID and WaT were 4th and 5th in line, while Milky Way, Sakamoto Maaya, and Tomatsu Haruka made the bottom three spots of the top ten.
Tokyograph
Arashi Whips Fans Into Frenzy
Nov 5, 2008 Arashi, Group, Music 2 Comments
By Cathy Rose A. Garcia
Popular Japanese pop group Arashi whipped thousands of Korean fans into a state of frenzy, as they staged four sold-out concerts in Seoul over the weekend.
It has been two years since Arashi performed in Seoul, but judging from the deafening screams at the Olympic Fencing Stadium, their fans are as crazy about them as ever. The group is in the middle of a three-city Asian tour, “Arashi Around Asia 2008.”
AKB48, Mako Ishino attend Tokyo Tower’s 50th anniversary illumination event
Nov 5, 2008 AKB48, Event, Group Leave a comment
Idol group AKB48 and actress Ishino Mako, 47, on Monday were the guests of honor at Tokyo Tower’s Christmas illumination event to mark its 50th anniversary. During the event, 100,000 lights were turned on.
AKB48 also performed a special mini-concert for visitors.
Takami Yoshimoto tells of her cycling adventures
Nov 5, 2008 Artist, Event Leave a comment
Actress Takami Yoshimoto, 37, this week appeared at a talk event for Cycle Model International 2008 held in Osaka. Yoshimoto has been traveling around the world by bicyle for the past 15 years.
“The fastest speed I got up to was 160 km per hour,” she said. “The worst experience I had was when I was in Colorado. I had a fall and fractured my cheekbone. My face swelled up for so long that I thought I would be finished as an actress.”
