Archives for the ‘News’ Category
“Flavor of Life” tops royalties list for 2007 (TokyoGraph)
JASRAC: “FOL” @ #1; “HEART STATION” Track Download Stats (Hikki Station)
Recommended reading. A report has come out that places Utada Hikaru’s “Flavor of Life” as the top earner of royalties - across all media - in 2007. Hopefully 2008 will be as generous to Hikki, especially if she goes Stateside.
Ray • May 15th, 2008
News, Pop Idols, Recommended • No Comments
Meisa Kuroki starring in drama version of “Danso no Reijin”
Recommended reading. Kuroki Meisa, perhaps best known now for playing Sister Angela in One Pound Gospel opposite KAT-TUN’s Kame, will star in a drama about Kawashima Yoshiko, a princess who was a spy. The older version of the character will be played by Maya Miki, who played the smexy forensics scientist in Galileo. So that’s two reasons to tune in!
Ray • May 15th, 2008
Dramas, News • No Comments
AKB48 hosts “reality-documentary-variety” show
Courtesy of Tokyograph, news that AKB48 will have their own reality-documentary program. And what’s this about the girls going on a group date? If you bring all the teams for this group date, it’ll look like a Moonies wedding!
Ray • May 15th, 2008
News, Pop Idols • No Comments
Teppei leads first drama with “Shibatora” adaptation
Courtesy of Tokyograph, Teppei will star in his first drama, which is based on a comedy detective manga. Apparently, he was considered the perfect fit for the character.
Porno Graffiti ties up with “Flying Rabbits”
The women’s basketball movie Flying Rabbits will feature a theme song from Porno Graffiti, who will be celebrating their tenth anniversary this September with several other projects.
Ray • May 14th, 2008
News, Rock • No Comments
Charts: NEWS gets another #1, Madonna still on top
Courtesy of Tokyograph: “Summer Time” does quite well for NEWS on the singles chart, while Madonna continues to ride high on the album chart.
Ray • May 14th, 2008
Johnny's, News • No Comments
[TeniMyu] The Imperial ~Possibility Of~ Hyotei
Well, this post was most certainly lost on me, and as a result I found it hard to enjoy. Of course it has it’s audience and the writing is of typical Vee standard - pretty damn good - but ‘prince of tennis’ is certainly not something I pretend to know something about. Still, there’s plenty here for PoT fans, and it’s about ‘The Imperial Presence Hyotei Gakuen feat. Higa Chuu’ musical which will kick off in late July. Me thinks Vee isn’t too happy about this :S
Miss Universe Japan runner-up plays Akiko Wada in drama special
Recommended reading. Courtesy of Tokyograph, the celebration of Wada Akiko’s forty years as a singer is now leading to a drama special which will star Chubachi Akiko, the second runner-up in the 2007 Miss Universe Japan. This is very exciting and I’m hoping this gets fansubbed when it’s released!
Ray • May 14th, 2008
News • No Comments
Another million seller for Utada
Heart Station has crossed the million mark in sales, meaning her streak of million-sellers remains intact over her six-album career.
Ray • May 14th, 2008
News • No Comments
KAT-TUN’s Nakamaru begins studies at Waseda
Nakamaru Yuichi has become a correspondent student in the Department of Human Behavior and Environment Sciences at Waseda University. This is pretty cool, I’m sure Bakanishi is also considering higher education as a result.
Ray • May 13th, 2008
Johnny's, News • No Comments
Courtesy of Tokyograph: Gocchin’s brother has his day in court finally, pleading guilty to theft but says it was his accomplices who beat the security guard. No word on whether or not he’ll be doing any jail time.
Ray • May 13th, 2008
News • No Comments
Terawaki, Yoshizawa, Ishikawa chosen as volleyball casters
Recommended reading. Yoshizawa Hitomi and Ishikawa Rika will be guest casters for the World Olympic Qualification Tournament for volleyball. Other much-beloved, top-notch idols will be doing the Japanese team’s support song: Hey! Say! JUMP and their “Dreams come true”.
Ray • May 13th, 2008
Hello! Project, Johnny's, News, Recommended • No Comments
Courtesy of Tokyograph, their new song “NEXUS 4″ will be used for a Subaru CM. No word if they PV version will have Dante driving the car around.
Ray • May 12th, 2008
News, Rock • No Comments
[News] If You Don’t Buy One Concert DVD This Year…
Our own Vee discourages you from buying Ayu’s ‘Countdown Live 2007-2008 10th Anniversary’ DVD, and there’s good reason to listen to her, apparently. I’ll take Vee’s word for it, of course, as she’s certainly well-versed when it comes to Ayu, and the case she makes is a simple but good enough one - the vocals were off. Some credit must go the the ear debacle however, which Vee mentions. It’s a good read that keeps me interested in an artist I’m not too interested in. Maybe I should just read Vee’s ayu posts over and over until I start obsessing. I’ll consider it.
wu-san • May 12th, 2008
Avex Trax, Blogs, News, Recommended • No Comments
Ami Suzuki teams up with Yasutaka Nakata again
The mastermind behind Perfume will work with the popular diva for “ONE” in July and a new original album in fall. It can only be assumed that she’s looking to recreate the success Nakata has had with everyone’s favorite girl pop trio.
Satoshi Ohno’s first starring drama role (Tokyograph)
Toma Ikuta to Star Alongside Satoshi Ohno In A New Drama (Semified)
Recommended reading. Arashi’s year continues to get better and better, as Ohno gets a starring role in the drama Maou. No word on whether or not Nino will be his suitcase pimp. Semified has some reactions as well, focused on Toma Ikuta rather than Leader, and finding this a welcome development in his career.
Ray • May 10th, 2008
Blogs, Dramas, Johnny's, News, Recommended • No Comments
Mika Nakashima ties up with mobile phone novel
This is interesting, as the Japanese trend for mobile phone novels is now encompassing pop music as well, with Nakashima Mika doing an image song for one of these stories.
Ray • May 10th, 2008
News • No Comments
Miyavi adds London to world tour
Another date, this time in England; Canada and the American East Coast continue to starve.
Ray • May 10th, 2008
News, Rock • No Comments
Congratulations to Yamaguchi Tatsuya on being a daddy! Now let’s do the math: he got married in March, and the baby’s born in May, so…
Ray • May 9th, 2008
Johnny's, News • No Comments
“Furuhata Ninzaburo” special given a broadcast date
At last! Yamada Ryo’s fans can now watch the special where he plays a young detective, as it’s slated to air on June 14. With any luck, fansubs of this will be available at lightning speed, though just drooling over Ryo-kun’s pedoliciousness may be enough for some of us.
I mean, some of you.
Ray • May 9th, 2008
Dramas, Johnny's, News • No Comments
The African American enka sensation is now shilling Kirin Fire Cafe Zero. Congratulations!
Ray • May 9th, 2008
News • No Comments
Inohara starring in play by Europe Kikaku troupe
This member of V6’s 20th Century has gotten all chummy with an acting troupe and is now going to star in one of their productions! Who knew it was so easy?
Ray • May 9th, 2008
Johnny's, News • No Comments
Oguri acknowledges relationship on live radio
I get a sneaking suspicion he’s slowly trying to work his way up to Amuro Namie or Koda Kumi - or maybe Wada Akiko?
Ray • May 9th, 2008
News • No Comments
Rythemzone cancel Himitsu’s order of COLOR’s supposed upcoming album. Himitsu then goes onto share that COLOR have actually gone and cancelled this album release themselves. So there’s lots of cancelling going on, then. Oh well. COLOR fans shouldn’t be too upset however, as they have a new single on the way.
wu-san • May 9th, 2008
Blogs, News • No Comments
Gackt version of Vocaloid announced (Tokyograph)
Make Gackt sing for you with new Vocaloid clone Gackpoid (Japanator)
I can’t help but be reminded of 4am’s Cliff line about how Gackt is “always busy doing something his fans aren’t waiting for” . Anyway, a new version of Vocaloid is being released so that you’ve got Gackt singing to and for you. Tokyograph has the straight facts, Zac of Japanator has the appropriately snarky version.
Ray • May 9th, 2008
News • No Comments
Our own Zush has created a new home for the Berryz Koubou girls, and the layout looks a tad awesome. His latest post deals with BK’s 14th single ‘Kokuhaku no Funsui Hiroba’, and I can say with a bent pride, that I’m delighted that I’ve not heard it yet. Ha! Screen captures are provided of both PV versions, and some behind the scenes shots are thrown in for good measure.
wu-san • May 8th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project, News, Recommended • No Comments
Kumi Koda safe for commercials again
Gillette has signed the Avex diva to her first TV commercial since that whole “rotten womb” scandal broke out. So I guess we can place this behind us now, except whenever a tasteless joke is needed at Kuu-chin’s expense.
X Japan announces Taiwan concert
This is the third in the overseas series, following Paris and New York. So now Yoshiki can collapse in Chinese.
Ray • May 6th, 2008
News, Rock • No Comments
9nine gets CM tie-in with Aragaki
Some great developments from the girl group, as they have a couple of marketing tie-ins and a second album scheduled for July 9. Maybe they’ll get some help from the older sister of member Nishiwaki Sayaka - A~chan of Perfume.
Ray • May 5th, 2008
News, Pop Idols • No Comments
Singing cats and idol group collaborate for TV theme song
So a novelty act of singing cats , Musashi, will be singing the theme of the series Daisuki! Itsutsugo with the girl group Power Age. The way things look, it appears the humans get more out of this pairing - visibility and sales-wise - than the cats. Which is both sad and amusing.
Ray • May 5th, 2008
Dramas, News, Pop Idols • No Comments
Love Psychedelico to perform acoustic set in Los Angeles
The group’s American debut has been pushed back a few weeks, but they’ve also set up shows in Los Angeles and San Francisco to promote the release.
Ray • May 5th, 2008
News • No Comments
Guest alert: Carl Hiaasen AND Rain to be on Monday’s ‘Colbert Report’
Spoiler alert: Photos from the Stephen Colbert-Rain showdown
According to Stephen Colbert news/fansite No Fact Zone, Korean pop star Rain has been confirmed to be appearing as a guest on the May 5, 2008 episode of “The Colbert Report.” The rumor that he would be a guest last Monday turns out to be semi-true- he was there that Monday to pretape his segment, and the pictures of that are in the second link. It’s really exciting to see Asian pop music being promoted in a positive way, especially on such a popular show. Maybe Rain will be the first Asian artist to become successful in the States?
hanachan01 • May 4th, 2008
Kpop, News • No Comments
Arashi chosen to host “24 Hour Television”
aiko, Arashi singing for HYD movie
The popular Johnny’s band not only have another number one album, they’ve been chosen to host the yearly annual charity event “24 Hour Television” and are also doing the theme song to the highly-anticipated Hana Yori Dango movie. See, it PAYS to love each other if you’re a boy band. And to love each other quite openly. Even if it involves groping and grunting and sometimes creeping out your female fans.
Ray • May 3rd, 2008
Johnny's, News • No Comments
SID ready for major label debut
Courtesy of Tokyograph, the increasingly popular rock band has announced their first release on a major label in the Fall, and will hold a concert at the Budokan on November 2.
Ray • May 3rd, 2008
News, Rock • No Comments
Akiko Wada to hold first overseas concert at The Apollo
This will be Wada Akiko’s first concert outside of Japan, almost forty years after her debut single. Apparently, she is taking this so seriously that she’s even cutting back on the alcohol.
Ray • May 2nd, 2008
News • No Comments
ELLEGARDEN going on indefinite hiatus
Tokyograph has an announcement from punk/rock band ELLEGARDEN, who have decided to suspend their activities for an indefinite period of time (possibly permanently). This is considerably sad news, especially considering the fact that they had an album planned for July of this year that will now never see a release.
pengie • May 2nd, 2008
Blogs, News, Punk, Rock • No Comments
Kou Shibasaki to launch first tour this summer
The very popular actress and singer will be covering six cities in this tour, which will run from July 26 to August 10.
Ray • May 1st, 2008
News • No Comments
Choco-late has relocated her J-blog to wordpress, and already it looks a lot nicer than the blogger.com counterpart, a server in which I still ply my trade with. Woe is me. Anyway, the writing on some of the dorama posts seem to fill out a little more, which is a good sign really. One problem I always found with Choco-late was her rather short and no-frills writing. It still exists and there’s still a raw, to the point charm out it, but it’s also nice to see it develop a little. She usually left me wanting, anyway. And yes, I am keeping track of a lot of you XD. Well, trying to. If you keep fly-ingup on your roll, it’s time to update it.
wu-san • May 1st, 2008
Blogs, Dramas, News • No Comments
The “Sushi Prince” goes to New York
Courtesy of Tokyograph, another Johnny’s is in America to promote a movie, this time Domoto Koichi for Sushi Ouji.
Ray • Apr 30th, 2008
Johnny's, News • No Comments
Shanghai concert & World Expo 2010 (HNPH)
First! (Some Boys! Blog)
Morning Musume to Perform in Shanghai (Just Another H!P Blog)
Morning Musume to perform in Shanghai in June (Tokyograph)
Recommended reading. This is pretty big news, as it’s been confirmed that Morning Musume will be performing in Shanghai on June 28. They are the first Japanese artists in a series of concerts meant to celebrate the 2010 Expo / World’s Fair. All the above posts have the general details. Anna of HNPH has a rough translation from several members regarding this event and their participation. And Nyago of SB!B takes note of their costumes when the event was announced, which were modified versions of their Mikan outfits.
Ray • Apr 30th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project, News, Noteworthy, Recommended • No Comments
To add to this busy week in Hello! Project news, Tokyograph reports that producer Tsunku and his wife Kanako are now parents of twins–one boy and one girl.
Congratulations!
pengie • Apr 30th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project, News, Noteworthy • 2 Comments
Shonentai to graduate from PLAYZONE
Courtesy of Tokyograph, the end of an era as the longest-lived Johnny’s unit will stop performing this annual musical after 22 years. Twenty-two years! It’ll be interesting to see who will take their place from the Johnny’s stable.
Ray • Apr 29th, 2008
Johnny's, News • No Comments
L’Arc Paris concert to be broadcast live in theaters
From Tokyograph: L’Arc en Ciel’s forthcoming concert debut in Paris is apparently a major milestone for the band, so much so that they’re going to give their home country’s fans a chance to witness the event in select movie theatres as well as buy merchandise from the same concert. The only caveat is that, thanks to the time difference between France and Japan, the theatre simulcast will be occurring at the decidedly un-rock-and-roll hour of 10 AM.
CJ Marsicano • Apr 27th, 2008
Concerts, News, Noteworthy, Rock • No Comments
Perfume announces first Budokan shows in November
From Tokyograph: No sooner does Perfume kick off their first tour since the release of GAME, than they announce that they’ll be performing two shows on their own at Budokan in November, the historic sumo venue that has also been a legendary music venue in Japan since the Beatles performed there in 1964. “On their own”, of course meaning that they’ll be the only act on the bill, not singing acapella.
CJ Marsicano • Apr 27th, 2008
Blogs, News, Noteworthy • No Comments
Our very own Broomhead continues to suppliment IW with his ‘Daily Links’, and the coverage starts from Buono!’s latest PV, through to Perfume’s GAME and ending with the mention of Momusu’s latest appearance on Utaban. Anyone keen on finding the ‘reads’ will already have this on their radar.
wu-san • Apr 27th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project, News, Pop Idols • No Comments
Unsubstantiated rumor of the day: K-Pop star Rain to appear on ‘The Colbert Report’ 4/28?
RAIN will go to STEPHEN COLBERT show in NY
No Fact Zone, the biggest Stephen Colbert fansite, as well as Rain’s members-only American fan blog (as reposted for everyone to see in the second link), is reporting that Korean pop star Rain (or Bi, if you prefer) may be on the April 28 episode The Colbert Report. This has yet to be confirmed by Comedy Central or by Rain, but if this is true…wow!
For those not in the know, Stephen and Rain have a long standing feud, stemming from the Time 100 as voted on by the people. Rain came in first last year, with Stephen in second, prompting Stephen to make this video, a parody of Rain’s video for “How To Avoid The Sun”. The Time 100 voting has come again, and Rain and Stephen’s fans are in fierce competition. Rain appears in the upcoming Speed Racer movie, so stopping off at the Colbert Report for promotion doesn’t sound that unlikely.
hanachan01 • Apr 27th, 2008
Fan Sites, Kpop, News • No Comments
AKB48 Otaku Idol Group Gets AKB48 Sprout Online Manga (Updated) (Anime News Network)
Girl group AKB48 gets manga make-over (Japanator)
AKB48 gets manga project (Tokyograph)
Team B, who I know nothing of despite hearing stories of them every day, will be in a free manga called AKB48 Sprout. Well, seeds will sprout so ha ha punny.
If you only pick one of these articles to get the news from, make it Japanator. The picture and caption to go with it that Zac has is just too hilarious.
broomhead • Apr 27th, 2008
News, Pop Idols • No Comments
GO!GO!7188’s Yuu does guest voice for “Itazura na Kiss”
Tokyograph has the news that Yuu from GO!GO!7188 will contribute her voice to an episode of Itazura na Kiss.
broomhead • Apr 27th, 2008
News, Rock • No Comments
Paul informs us that ‘up to boy’ magazine has had a makeover, and he shares the cover of the first in a new line of UTB.
wu-san • Apr 24th, 2008
Blogs, News • No Comments
Our own Broomhead continues his ‘Daily links’ feature with his round 2, of sorts. It’s a nice asides or accessory for International Wota that should aid the blogpost finding process. I find it handy anyway, and I’m sure once this feature grounds it’s feet, it’ll be a very useful info-tool.
The talk this time around is mostly about Aibon and the news of her appearing in a HK film. Some infomation about Berryz Koubou’s 17th single and where to hunt down his sources, and a handy chart listing H!P groups and how their singles amount in releases.
wu-san • Apr 24th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project, News, Pop Idols, Recommended • No Comments