Becky has just revealed the PV for her upcoming single, “Kaze no Shirabe“!
In the music video, Becky sits at a table and walks through a sunny field as her music comes to life, resulting in a PV that’s as sweet and charming as the song itself.
Actress Inoue Mao (24) is currently starring as the heroine in NHK’s morning drama, “Ohisama”.
On May 29th it was reported that, through the drama, Inoue wore a white kimono for the first time in her life. Inoue commented on the wedding scene where she wears a white kimono, “I’ve wanted to wear one someday, so I’m glad I was able to wear one through this drama”.
The drama’s producer, Komatsu Masayo, witnessed filming all day, “She’s an actress, but she looked a bit embarrassed to wear an outfit like that. Though Mao always presents herself nobly, this time she looked a little bashful”.
Check out “Ohisama” on NHK from Monday through Saturday at 8 AM!
It has been confirmed that Horie Yui will make a guest appearance at this year’s “Animelo Summer Live“. Animelo is Japan’s largest anime song event, and will be held August 27 and 28 at the Saitama Super Arena.
Horie will make her stage appearance on August 28, the second day of the event. It has been two years since her last appearance at “Animelo Summer Live 2009 -RE:BRIDGE-“.
This year’s theme is “rainbow”. In addition to Horie, a total of 18 acts will take the stage during the two-day event. Other scheduled performers include Tamura Yukari, Mizuki Nana, May’n, JAM Project, Chihara Minori, Aso Natsuko, and Hyadain.
Animelo Summer Live 2011 -rainbow-
2011/8/27 Aso Natsuko / ELISA / Sasaki Sayaka / JAM Project / Tamura Yukari / Chihara Minori / Hyadain / Faylan / May’n / and more
2011/8/28 Ito Kanako+Shikura Chiyomaru / GRANRODEO / Kuribayashi Minami / Kurosaki Mion / JAM Project / Fantasm / Horie Yui / Mizuki Nana / Miyano Mamoru / Milky Holmes / and more
On May 28th, 15 talents from Up-Front Agency went to the disaster stricken area from the Great Tohoku Earthquake as part of their “Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Project”.
The talents paid a vist to Kleenex Stadium Miyagi, home of pro-baseball team Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles.
Before the game between Tohoku Rakuten and Hanshin, the group held a charity handshake event, fundraising activities, and sang “Ai wa Katsu” (Love Wins) together with the 20,000 people in the stands.
The members participating were: the author behind the charity song “Ai wa Katsu” that is on sale digitally and will be released on CD on June 22nd; KAN (48), Kato Noriko (38), Dream Morning Musume’s Nakazawa Yuko (37) , Yasuda Kei (30), Iida Kaori (29), Ishikawa Rika (26), Yoshizawa Hitomi (26) and Kusumi Koharu (18), Morning Musume’s Niigaki Risa (22), soloist Matsuura Aya (24), Berryz Koubou’s Shimizu Saki (19), Tokunaga Chinami (19), Kumai Yurina (17) and Sugaya Risako (17), and rookie Kikkawa Yuu (19) who just debuted this year.
Before singing, Kato and Nakazawa greeted everyone, “We hope that today brings everyone just a bit more power. The 15 of us came here to sing with all of you. We’ve been thinking about what we can do through songs. Currently we’re seeing everyone’s smiles today and we’ve also learned the importance of a smile. Let’s all do our best together so that there can be more smiles”.
Matsuura also sent a message to everyone, “I think there are still many more people who are troubled than we can imagine. All of Japan is doing their best, so let’s try to endure for a little longer”.
KAT-TUN announced to fans that they will be postponing their upcoming nationwide dome tour, in addition to cancelling their open-air live event in July.
The five concert dome tour will be rescheduled to next year because the times KAT-TUN planned to use the domes coincided with several professional baseball games this fall, making the domes unavailable during those times.
According to sources close to KAT-TUN, their live event in July was cancelled due to the fact that the location is still specified as a refugee shelter for those who lost their homes during the aftermath of the Tohoku earthquake.
“We want to do lives constantly, but we’re still figuring out how we can do that through trial and error,” said Kamenashi Kazuya in his apology to fans.
Idol group AKB48’s sister unit, SDN48, announced the members of their third generation at their performance at Tokyo Dome City Hall on May 27th.
The new line-up brings both familiar faces and new, sure to give SDN48 that little something extra.
The third generation is made up of seven girls, including beloved former AKB48 Team A members Tojima Hana and Komatani Hitomi. Models Hayakawa Sayo and Shinahama Saemi, as well as Avex singers Kojo Seara and miray, are also sure to be an explosive addition. Although little is known about new Korean member Siyeon, she’ll definitely be the dark horse to watch.
The girls of AKB48 left some impressions of Music Station on their blogs recently.
This week’s Music Station was filled with a lot of fun things, including an imitation of Kuraki Mai by Minegishi Minami. Minegishi blogged, “Even though it was an amazingly wretched imitation, Kuraki-san was so kind… she saved meeee XD XD”. Kashiwagi Yuki even blogged that Minegishi was the MVP for that day. She posted a picture of Minegishi apologizing to Kuraki for her poor imitation, “Miichan says with her pose and facial expression, ‘Kuraki Mai and Kuraki Mai’s fans, I’m sorry! (>_<)’”.
Maeda Atsuko also blogged that she had a blast on the show. She had fun singing “Everyday, Kachuusha” and was so happy that the group was able to sell one million copies of their single and that they were #1 on the Music Station ranking.
Last is Oshima Yuko’s blog post where she jokes around about Oota Aika AKA Love-tan’s hair being similar to TV Asahi’s new panda mascot Go-chan. “I thought TV Asahi’s new image character was Go-chan, but it’s Love-tan <3 She’s cute and looks just like (Go-chan)”.
Oshima finished up her own entry by saying Music Station host Tamori said he also wants to wear a headband (kachuusha), and because of that everyone else should try wearing them as well. “Summer is for headbands <3 <3”.
On May 27th, FRIDAY reported that actress and singer Kanda Sayaka (24) and opera singer and actor Tashiro Mario (27) are in a relationship, which caused both of them to apologize on their official blogs.
Kanda wrote, “There is no excuse. I know that I really made a mistake”. Tashiro also commented, “I’ve troubled a lot of people through my careless actions and I am truly sorry for that”.
Kanda is currently performing in “Les Miserables” at the Teikoku Theatre in Tokyo. On June 30th she will also be having her 10th Anniversary concert, “Sweet Liberty”, which is being produced by her mom, singer Matsuda Seiko. “This is an important time, I’m really sorry for causing problems and worries with my personal life”.
According to the magazine, the two were spotted eating together on the 18th, and afterwards Tashiro went to Kanda’s place to stay the night. Kanda hasn’t denied or confirmed their relationship in her blog, but Tashiro wrote, “Kanda Sayaka-san is one of my close friends”.
J-pop diva Koda Kumi will be featured in hip-hop duo Clench & Blistah’s upcoming 10th anniversary best album, “LOVE & MESSAGE“. She’ll be participating in the track, “Stands Up feat. Koda Kumi“; the album will go on sale July 20th.
Clench & Blistah is a hip-hop duo that consists of members Clench and Mr.Blistah. They formed in 2002 and made their major debut in 2008. The duo has been featured in the works of Lead, Amuro Namie, and Crystal Kay, among many others. The two worked with Koda Kumi before through her track “Teaser” from her second album, “grow into one“. Mr.Blistah also participated in Koda’s single, “Candy feat. Mr. Blistah“.
Actress Aragaki Yui will be playing the lead role of an international lawyer in the upcoming July drama, “Zenkai Girl” (translation: “All Out Girl”). NEWS/Kanjani8’s Nishikido Ryo will play her love interest in the Fuji TV’s “Getsu9” slot (Monday 9 PM) drama.
Despite playing the lead in hit movies like “Koizora” and “Hanamizuki“, Aragaki has surprisingly never played the lead role in a drama series. However, she’s acted in the coveted “Getsu9″ slot in the past, when she played a young doctor in “Code Blue” .
This time, Aragaki will play Ayukawa Wakana, a young international lawyer and a “career woman”. When the story starts, she is told to take care of the daughter of her boss (played by Yakushimaru Hiroko). Nishikido plays a divorced dad with a son who meets Wakana on the way to the kids’ kindergarten. Although the two fight each other at first, eventually they begin to like each other.
The drama’s producer commented, “Aragaki-san’s unquestionable cuteness and oozing clean image was absolutely needed for Wakana’s intense character.”
Filming will be starting in early June, and Aragaki remarked, “(Wakana is) an ambitious career woman who is fixated on success, and a type that I haven’t played much in the past. (She’s) a very strong-willed character, but I want to act while having fun.”
Actress Takei Emi appeared at Tiffany & Co.’s “Tiffany & Co. Leather Collection” event on May 26th, stunning the audience with the worth of the items she was wearing.
At the event, Takei was clad in approximately sixty million yen worth in jewelry and accessories, all of which were by Tiffany & Co. “It’s amazing,” she said with a laugh. “Since these are such amazing things, I’m nervous. It’s a brand that I’ve always longed for, so I feel really happy.”
When asked if the items were given to her by a man, she laughed again. “I don’t have (a boyfriend)… And I didn’t receive it from Santa-san,” Takei said cheekily, making the press laugh with her cute answer.
Beginning in April, Tiffany & Co. launched their “Tiffany Leather Collection“, which range from gentle suede to platinum color leather tote bags, handbags, purses, and card cases. Popular models Tominaga Ai, Hasegawa Rie, and Koizumi Satoko were also present at the event.
Hello! Project’s three-membered unit Buono! will be releasing a new mini-album on August 10th.
Although the title for the mini-album is still undecided, various music sites have already listed the CD in their products list. The upcoming mini-album will be Buono!’s first since switching labels from Pony Canyon to zetima, and the limited first edition will include a bonus photo card.
We’ll keep you updated when more info is revealed!
Earlier this month, Visual Kei band SuG revealed details on their upcoming single, “☆Gimme Gimme☆“.
The single is the theme song to upcoming film, “Pole Dancing Boys“, and will drop on June 15th. The band also just recently finished their “SuG TOUR 2011 ‘TRiP ~welcome to Thrill Ride Pirates~” on May 1st.
Now, you can check out the PV to their new single, “☆Gimme Gimme☆”!
Earlier this month, Visual Kei band SuG revealed details on their upcoming single, “☆Gimme Gimme☆“.
The single is the theme song to upcoming film, “Pole Dancing Boys“, and will drop on June 15th. The band also just recently finished their “SuG TOUR 2011 ‘TRiP ~welcome to Thrill Ride Pirates~” on May 1st.
Now, you can check out the PV to their new single, “☆Gimme Gimme☆”!
J-Urban singer Hinouchi Emi will release a new mini-album this summer, titled “VOICE“!
“VOICE” is Hinouchi’s first physical release in over two and a half years, and is preceded by its promotional track “Diary…“. The song will be released as her first digital single on June 1st, and will feature former AKB48 member Orii Ayumi in the music video.
Check out the cover for “VOICE” and her PV for “Diary…” below!
Four girls from Singapore who love the Japanese anime scene have come together to form an idol group called ‘Sea☆A‘. According to their official site, “Sea” stands for “Southeast Asia”, the ☆ represents the stars that they want to become, and the ‘A’ stands for “anime”.
The girls will release their Japanese debut single “DREAM SHOOTER” on August 10th, which was already picked up to become the ending theme for TV Tokyo’s popular anime series, “Card Fight!! Vanguard”. It’ll come in a CD+DVD and CD-only editions; the DVD will include the “DREAM SHOOTER” PV as well as a documentary video on their first arrival to Japan.
Sea☆A’s official website states: “Anime Festival Asia (AFA), an anime convention held annually in Singapore since 2008. The Moe Moe Kyun Café which first debuted at AFA, features talents who love Japanese Anime, Idols, Cosplay and Figurines. It is from these pool of talented individuals, that 4 girls with strong personalities were chosen to form “Sea☆A”.”
Let’s get to know these four members a bit more. First of all, these girls are international idols and can all speak a total of 5 languages: Mandarin Chinese, Cantonese, English, Malay and Japanese.
[Beryl]
DOB: January 29, 1991
Birth Place: Singapore
Favorite Anime: Mobile Suit Gundam SEED DESTINY, Kimi ni Todoke, LOVELY*COMPLEX, Hakuoki
Places she wants to go in Japan: Akihabara, Shibuya, Harajuku
[Valerie]
DOB: February 14, 1991
Birth Place: Singapore
Favorite Anime: TORADORA!, Kaicho wa Maid Sama, Kurage Hime
Places she wants to go in Japan: Akihabara
[Wynnie]
DOB: July 10, 1989
Birth Place: Malaysia
Favorite Anime: ONE PIECE, NARUTO, K-ON!, My little sister cannot be this cute, Kaicho wa Maid Sama, Please!! Teacher, Please!! Sister, Chobits
Places she wants to go in Japan: Akihabara
[Estelle]
DOB: December 1, 1992
Birth Place: Singapore
Favorite Anime: Cardcaptor Sakura, Chobits, Angelic Layer, Magical Knight Rayearth, Mobile Suite Gundam SEED DESTINY, NARUTO – Shippuden Kizunam Kaichi wa Maid sama (loves CLAMP works!)
On May 24th, Hallyu boy group Super Junior released the official music video for “BIJIN“, which is the Japanese version of “BONAMANA“.
Super Junior made this version extra special by using the live performance from their ‘3rd Asia Tour – Super Show 3′ at the Yokohoma Arena, which was held this past February from the 18th through the 20th.
It’s been announced that popular manga “Detective Conan“, written/illustrated by Aoyama Gosho, will be aired as a drama series starring Mizobata Junpei and Kutsuna Shiori, who previously starred in “Detective Conan” special drama.
Although “Detective Conan” has been adapted to live-action special dramas three times in the past (two special dramas starring Oguri Shun and one starring Mizobata Junpei), this will be the first time it is set be aired as a drama series.
The drama series, titled “Meitantei Conan Kudo Shinichi e no Chousenjou“, will take place three months before Kudo Shinichi was transformed into Edogawa Conan, and it will be a drama where murder cases are solved every episode. Though all three special dramas had original stories, this drama series will include some stories directly from the manga.
Other cast members will also be from the special drama which was aired this April; Jinnai Takanori as “Mouri Kogoro (Ran’s father)”, Otsuka Nene as “Kisaki Eri (Ran’s mother)”, AKB48’s Akimoto Sayaka as “Suzuki Sonoko (Ran’s best friend)”. Moreover, “Hattori Heiji”, who is the good rival of Kudo, will make an appearance in the drama series for the first time.
“Meitantei Conan Kudo Shinichi e no Chousenjou” will start airing in July (every Thursday at 11:58 PM).
We originally reported that Buono! would be releasing their new single on June 15th, but it has since been pushed back to July 20th.
Buono!’s single ,“Natsu DAKARA!” (Because it’s summer!), will come in three different versions: First Press Limited Edition A, First Press Limited Edition B, and Regular Edition.
Limited Edition A will include a CD, DVD, and a serial number card to take part in an event lottery, and Limited Edition B will include the same things.
If you get the Limited Edition Regular version, it will come with the serial number card for the event lottery, but will not include a DVD.
Previously, tokyohive reported that Berryz Koubou would be releasing their 26th single “Ai no Dangan” on June 8th, and the PV preview was revealed way back at the beginning of the month.
Now though, the full PV has been revealed, so check it out below!
Oricon has just revealed the covers and track list to AKB48’s ace Maeda Atsuko’s solo single “Flower”, which will be released on June 22nd.
There will be three different versions: “ACT.1”, “ACT.2”, and “ACT.3”. All three versions will include “Flower” and the B-side, “Kono Mune no Melody”. However, the 3rd track on each will be different, as ACT.1 will include “Hoozue to Caffe Macchiato”, ACT.2 will have “Yoake Made”, and ACT.3 will include “La Brea Ave.”.
Each edition will also include a DVD that has the music video. Aside from that, “ACT.1” includes a special interview, called “Ima, Kangaeteiru Koto”, “ACT.2” is Maeda Atsuko’s history up until the blooming of Flower, and “ACT.3” includes a fashion book “Ima, Kite Mitai Oyoufuku”.
Sandara Park releases an angelic CF for “Nikon”
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Nikon Imaging Korea has just released a jaw-dropping commercial with 2NE1‘s
Sandara Park.
The idol shed her quirky style and emerged as a gorgeous woman w...
Actress Inoue Mao (24) is currently starring as the heroine in NHK’s morning drama, “Ohisama”.
It has been confirmed that Horie Yui will make a guest appearance at this year’s “Animelo Summer Live“. Animelo is Japan’s largest anime song event, and will be held August 27 and 28 at the Saitama Super Arena.
On May 28th, 15 talents from Up-Front Agency went to the disaster stricken area from the Great Tohoku Earthquake as part of their “Ganbarou Nippon Ai wa Katsu Project”.
Idol group AKB48’s sister unit, SDN48, announced the members of their third generation at their performance at Tokyo Dome City Hall on May 27th.
The girls of AKB48 left some impressions of Music Station on their blogs recently.
Visual-kei band Versailles has recently released the PV to their latest song “MASQUERADE”.
Actress Takei Emi appeared at Tiffany & Co.’s “Tiffany & Co. Leather Collection” event on May 26th, stunning the audience with the worth of the items she was wearing.
J-Urban singer Hinouchi Emi will release a new mini-album this summer, titled “VOICE“!
Four girls from Singapore who love the Japanese anime scene have come together to form an idol group called ‘Sea☆A‘. According to their official site, “Sea” stands for “Southeast Asia”, the ☆ represents the stars that they want to become, and the ‘A’ stands for “anime”.
We originally reported that Buono! would be releasing their new single on June 15th, but it has since been pushed back to July 20th.
Oricon has just revealed the covers and track list to AKB48’s ace Maeda Atsuko’s solo single “Flower”, which will be released on June 22nd.
