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japanSaki Aibu and Junpei Mizobata starring in horror/romance movie Neck
Saturday November 21, 2009 Japan
Actress Saki Aibu (24) will get her first starring role in an unorthodox horror movie directed by Shi Shirakawa called Neck. Junpei Mizobata (20) will co-star. The film is based on a story by Otaro Maijo originally printed in “esora” vol. 6 and was adapted by by the author himself.
Aibu will play a peculiar university student named Sugina Mayama who’s researching ways to create a ghost. Mizobata will play a fellow university student named Tomokazu Shudo who’s fallen hard for Sugina but has trouble confessing because she’s his first love. One day Sugina invites Tomokazu to her lab. When he arrives, the room is dark and there’s a large, ominous looking wooden box inside. The box is a mysterious device called a “neck machine” and Sugina aims to make the love-struck Tomokazu the first “victim” of her new creation. Yuta Hiraoka and Chiaki Kuriyama also star.
Maijo will also be adapting Neck as a stage play with a completely different story, but the same general motif. Aibu won’t appear in the play, but Mizobata will in a different capacity than in the ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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Final "Hagure Keiji Junjoha" episode to air in December
Saturday November 21, 2009 Japan
TV Asahi's long-running detective drama series "Hagure Keiji Junjoha" will come to an end next month with its final special episode. The show ran for 18 seasons between 1988 and 2005, including several special episodes since 1999 aired at the start or end of the year.
The show's protagonist is played by veteran actor Makoto Fujita (76), who was recently removed from the cast of TBS's "JIN" due to his treatment for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Fujita's health does not affect the "Hagure Keiji Junjoha" special, which was already filmed in June.
This special, which will be the drama's 444th episode, deals with the murder of a female lawyer. TV Asahi will air the episode at 9:00pm on December 26.
Tokyograph
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Ayaka Last Solo Concert to Become DVD
Saturday November 21, 2009 Japan
On November 18th at Osaka-Jo Hall Ayaka held what will become her last solo concert before suspending her music career. The DVD of the live performance 'MTV Unplugged ayaka' will go on sale on January 13th 2010.
200,000 fans had applied for a chance to become the 10,000 winners that would be invited for free to the concert. That was also the most number of people to view an MTV Unplugged event. As the title 'Unplugged' suggests, the performances were done with acoustic instruments (no electric instruments).
As her husband Mizushima Hiro looked on, Ayaka sang her first single 'I believe' and an assortment of other hit songs such as '三日月 / Mikazuki', and 'おかえり / Okaeri'. During the mid-part of the show she performed a cover of Michael Jackson's 'Human Nature'. For the encore she sang 'みんな空の下 / Minna Sora no Shita', which will become her last single before she suspends activities at the end of the year. She earnestly performed the song as if she were treasuring each single note. All 13 songs she sang during the live performance will be included in the DVD.
music japan plus
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'The Cove' shortlisted for Oscars
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
Films about subjects as varied as dolphin-hunting and high fashion are among documentaries hoping to be nominated for an Oscar, according to a shortlist released Wednesday.
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences said the final five films nominated for the coveted best documentary statuette at next years Oscars would be chosen from a shortlist of 15 films.
The list includes critically acclaimed and controversial environmental thriller The Cove, which chronicles the annual slaughter of dolphins in the Japanese coastal town of Taiji.
Other nominees include Valentino: The Last Emperor, director Matt Tyrnauers portrait of haute couture icon Valentino Garavani and The Most Dangerous Man in America: Daniel Ellsberg and the Pentagon Papers, about Vietnam War-era whistleblower Ellsberg.
Nominations for the 82nd Academy Awards will be announced on Feb 2 in Beverly Hills, roughly one month before the Oscars are held at Hollywoods Kodak Theater on March 7.
Japan Today
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3rd 20th Century Boys Film DVD to Add Unseen Epilogue
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
The final Japanese DVD for Yukihiko Tsutsumi's three-part live-action adaptation of Naoki Urasawa's 20th Century Boys manga will feature 11 minutes of previously unreleased scenes when it ships on February 24. These scenes will include for the first time the epilogue that reveals the fate of the surviving characters after the theatrical edition's final scenes. In the manga's award-winning suspense story, a man realizes that calamities cropping up around the world have eerie similarities to idle plans that he and his childhood friends made decades ago.
The third film, 20-Seiki Shōnen Saishū-Shō: Bokura no Hata (20th Century Boys 3: Redemption or literally, "Twentieth Century Boys the Final Chapter: Our Flag"), opened simultaneously in both Japan and San Francisco in August. The final film has earned 4.3 billion yen (about US$48 million) in Japan so far. With the additional 11 minutes, the DVD's "complete edition" of the film will clock in at 166 minutes long.
Viz Pictures, the live-action film affiliate of the North American manga publisher Viz Media, will release the first film on DVD on December 15, followed by the last two films next year. Viz Media will also publish the ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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Bloody Monday 2 confirmed, others still rumored
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
The sequel to the dorama series "Bloody Monday" finally got confirmed via the newest edition of the Shonen Magazine. They are currently publishing the 2nd season of the manga and put up a 1-page ad confirming that the sequel is underway and will start airing in January.
The main cast will basically stay the same except for a few. Confirmed so far are Miura Haruma, Sato Takeru, Kichise Michiko, Matsushige Yutaka, Ashina Sei, Kawashima Umika, Narimiya Hiroki, Kurokawa Tomoka, Takashima Masahiro and Yoshizawa Yuu.
With this there are only a few free slots left for the upcoming season. Netizens are speculating that Shinohara Ryoko might get a shot at the Wednesday 10pm slot on NTV, but those are mere speculations without any evidence. Ueto Aya has been in the talks for that time frame as well. Another interesting dorama spot is going to be Tuesday 9pm on Fuji TV. Eikura Nana is leading the speculations, whether thats going to be as the starring actress or the heroine. A recent single post on 2ch made some blogs believe that she might take a part in a Japanese adaption of popular ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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Yahoo! Japan Search Word Ranking 2009 : Chiebukuro
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
A ranking of topics that users ask and answer on Yahoo! Chiebukuro (Yahoo! Answers) between 1st January 2009 and 31st October 2009.
"Yahoo! Chiebukuro" is the largest knowledge retrieval service in Japan, and the Yahoo Japan Corporation has been providing this service since April 2004. Their aim is to connect people who want to question and those who want to answer, and the sharing of wisdom and knowledge among the participants.
Included random entries and some answers from the top 3 chiebukuro.
1. ARASHI
・Is Aiba-kun the least popular member in Arashi?
When searching for Arashi members using Yahoo!, I get these results.
Matsumoto Jun - About 5,970,000 hits
Ohno Satoshi - About 5,660,000
Sakurai Sho - About 5,650,000
Ninomiya Kazunari - About 5,610,000
Aiba Masaki - About 3,670,000
Reply :
Please don't judge Aiba-chan just from numbers! All the Arashi members are special in their own way. Aiba-chan works hard in varieties. And he has an October drama. You shouldn't ask such a question. Arashi and Aiba-chan have many fans, it's such an insensitive question. Just because he isn't in movies does not mean he is not popular. ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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"Nobu" Fever: Japan falls for a Blind Piano Prodigy
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
As Nobuyuki Tsujii finished the last note of Andante spianato et Grande Polonaise brillante by Chopin, the packed audience in Tokyo's Kioi Hall broke into an emotional applause. Executing each piece with energy and concentration, the 21-year-old classical pianist, who has been blind since birth, mesmerized the typically reserved Tokyo crowd in a two-hour solo performance on his latest tour. Kumi Araki, a 25-year-old from downtown Toyko, gushed. "I am so moved. Before I knew it, I was standing to applaud!" she says, wiping at tears.
Backstage, Tsujii's fans surrounded him to congratulate another great performance. Dramatically different from his stage persona, the soft-spoken and laid-back musician says, "Everywhere I go on this tour, people's reaction is amazing." After Tsujii won the Gold Medal at the prestigious Van Cliburn International Competition in Fort Worth, Texas, in June, the young performer has been launched into the unfamiliar world of Japanese mega-stardom. The sales of his first album debut, together with his second album and a live DVD, have sold hundreds of thousands of copies, and the interview requests flooded in. Tsujii, the first Japanese winner of the competition, says he rarely has ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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Lindsay Ann Hawker suspect attracts support from Japanese women
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
Tatsuya Ichihashi, the man suspected of killing the British teacher Lindsay Ann Hawker, has become a bizarre object of admiration among a number of online communities of Japanese women.
Posting on social networking sites such as Mixi and 2Channel, some have even taken to referring to Ichihashi as The Fugitive Prince or Lord Ichi. Others have claimed that he could not possibly have committed the crime because he looks so kind.
"When he was arrested, I thought his dishevelled black hair and the line from his neck to his jaw made him look so attractive," one anonymous poster wrote. Others have commented on his lean physique and "bravery" in the face of police questioning into the brutal killing of Miss Hawker in 2007.
After Ichihashi's parents revealed that their son had been upset when the family dog died shortly before Miss Hawker's killing, some bloggers have commented on how sweet and caring they imagine he is.
One woman has even visited Gyotoku Police Station, where 30-year-old Ichihashi is being questioned, with a scrap book of photos of dogs.
Aya Matsumoto, a clinical psychologist, said: "It ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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Arashi's My Girl debuted #1 on Global Track Charts
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
1. Arashi - My Girl = 358.000
2. Black Eyed Peas - Meet Me Halfway = 273.000
3. Black Eyed Peas - I Gotta Feeling = 244.000
4. David Guetta feat. Akon - Sexy B***h = 240.000
5. Britney Spears - 3 = 237.000
6. Jay-Z feat. Alicia Keys - Empire State Of Mind = 232.000
7. Ke$ha - Tik Tok = 224.000
8. Lady GaGa - Bad Romance = 211.000
9. Jay Sean feat. Lil Wayn - Down = 199.000
10. Lady GaGa - Paparazzi = 190.000
united world chart
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First Johnny's Sports Fest in 5 years
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
Johnny's Jimusho announced on the 19th that its 'Johnny's Selects Sports Festival', where many of its talents gather to participate in events like baseball, will be held in Tokyo Dome on 13th December.
Johnny's Sports Festival was held annually in autumn from 1990 to 2004. This one will be a Kantou vs Kansai showdown. Domoto Koichi (30) will lead the Kansai faction as its captain leading talents like Uchi Hiroki (23) and Nakayama Yuma (15) on his side. Kamenashi Kazuya (23) from KAT-TUN captains the Kantou side with Taguchi Junnosuke (23), Morimoto Ryutaro (14), Fujigaya Taisuke (22) and others on his side.
Other events include a relay and a mini-concert. The event is restricted to fan club members. Admission fee is 3500 yen and attendance is capped at 45,000.
unleashthegeek
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Miyazaki turned down Kimutaku, twice!
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
Dont worry, this is not about another new love rumor. As you know, actress Miyazaki Aoi (23) became quite a popular actress, even more thanks to her taiga hit dorama "Atsuhime", so its no surprise that she receives a lot of job offers for doramas and movies alike. Apparently Kimura Takuya (37) simply known as Kimutaku also tried to get her to appear alongside him, but surprisingly she really turned down his offers. Offers! Miyazaki didnt just ditch him once but twice.
Everything Kimutaku touches becomes gold it seems, so its usually a given to accept the offers to work with him on a movie or dorama. His first offer towards Miyazaki was for the upcoming big-budget movie "Space Battleship Yamato" that will now star Kuroki Meisa. The first choice was Sawajiri Erika, but we all know the story why she didnt get to take part in this project. After that they immediately started negotiations with Miyazaki to become her replacement, but she refused to take the role in this huge project.
Normally you wouldnt think too much into such a refusal, but things became more interesting when she even ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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Ebizo, Mao on the Verge of Marriage
Friday November 20, 2009 Japan
Playboy kabuki star Ichikawa Ebizo (31) is on the verge of finally settling down. He and freelance newscaster Kobayashi Mao (27) spoke yesterday for the first time about their relationship and said they plan to get engaged in the near future. Ichikawa spoke to reporters in front of his home in Tokyo shortly before 11pm last night. "When I first met her last December I had a feeling this would be the person I would be with." He said he proposed at the end of June, adding "I will love her forever." Renowned as a playboy after relationships with such actresses as Yonekura Ryoko (34), Sato Eriko (27) and Takaoka Saki (36), he refused to be taunted when a reporter asked, "Is it time to pay the piper?" He replied by saying simply, "She's a wonderful person, so I guess it is."
Meanwhile Kobayashi was the one who started the media buzzing with a brief mention at a PR event yesterday afternoon, before making a formal announcement on the TBS "News Zero" show last night. She first met Ichikawa while interviewing him for the show on the subject of "an encounter ..... (article cut to save bandwidth)
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Ayumi Hamasakis 'You were' chosen as Tinkerbell theme song
Thursday November 19, 2009 Japan
TOKYO Singer Ayumi Hamasaki, 31, had her wish come true when her new song You were was chosen as the theme song for the Japanese language version of Walt Disneys animated film Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure (Tinkaberu to tsuki no ishi.)
Hamasaki was chosen for the role as she is as popular as Tinkerbell with Japanese women, and has the power to make those around her feel good, says one industry insider. Hamasaki said: Im just honored to be part of something that is loved by people all over the world.
Another of Hamasakis new songs BALLAD will be used as the theme song for Sokyu no subaru to be shown on NHK BS hi from Jan 2. Both You were and BALLAD will go on sale Dec 29.
Tinker Bell and the Lost Treasure opens on Dec 23.
Japan Today
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Arashi Places First in Yahoo Search Rankings
Thursday November 19, 2009 Japan
Arashi Places First in Yahoo Search Rankings
Source: Mingpao
Translated by: sparkles_n15 @ asianfanatics.net
Yahoo! JAPAN announced its Search Rankings for 2009. In the Name Search category, the first place went to popular Johnny's Entertainment group Arashi, who beat out Korean group Tohoshinki and Japanese group Exile. Within the past year, Arashi's popularity has skyrocketed. Two years ago they placed only seventh in the rankings, while last year they broke into the top three spots. It's no surprise that they were rumoured earlier to be taking over the MC position from their sempai SMAP for NHK's Red and White Singing Contest.
In the category for Television Programs, Fuji Television's reality show 'Ainori' placed first, while Mizushima Hiro and Yamashita Tomohisa's dramas, 'Mei-chan no Shitsuji' and 'Buzzer Beat' placed second and third respectively.
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