Maeda Atsuko wrote in her blog today that she got married to fellow AKB48 member Minegishi Minami during their handshake event at Saitama Super Arena on March 5th.
Maeda happily wrote, “She kindly accepted me as her wife ♪ I’m so glad!!!!! She accepted me~”.
Where do you think the cute couple should go for their honeymoon?
source: tokyohive
San Jose’s FanimeCon 2011 announced on their official website that Japanese Pop/R&B singer Matsushita Yuya will be a guest of honor at their MusicFest concert. This will be Matsushita’s first performance outside of Japan.
FanimeCon is the largest anime convention in Northern California, and this year’s event will occur on the weekend of May 27th to May 30th.
It looks like Matsushita will be quite busy in May, with the promotion for his upcoming single, “Naturally“, also happening around the same time.
We’ll keep you posted as more details are revealed, and registration info can be found on the FanimeCon site.
Source: FanimeCon 2011 Official Website
source: tokyohive
On March 4th, AKB48’s Kashiwagi Yuki was recording an episode of “Kiseki Getter Bootbaaas!!”. She’s a regular on the show, and while filming today, she got a nice present from her co-star, VERBAL.
Kashiwagi wrote in her blog, “VERBAL gave me his new album (VISIONAIR)!! It gets released on the 16th, but I got it a bit earlier…＼(・∇・)／ I’m so happy I’m so happy! ♪ After this I want to listen to it and put it on my iPod!!”
There’s nothing like getting free promotion from AKB48!
source: tokyohive
On March 2nd, actress Horikita Maki participated in the fashion show for women’s magazine, “spring“. Actor Tanihara Shosuke was also present as the MC for the event.
At the event, Horikita walked on the runway in clothes designed by the popular brand, “JILL by JILL STUART“. Reflecting on her runway experience, she expressed, “I was a little nervous at first. I can’t walk as well as models, but I tried to showcase the cuteness of my outfit while walking.”
When Horikita commented, “This spring, I want to challenge feminine fashion like lace, and become a ‘naturally cute’ woman“, Tanimura told her she was “so cute, [I] want to give you a kiss“, drawing laughter from the crowd.
Check out photos from the event below!
source: tokyohive
Visual kei band AYABIE has just unveiled the “Type-A” PV for their upcoming single, “Melody”!
Unlike the ‘Type-B’ version that was previously released, the Type-A version only features shots of the band playing.
Check out the PV below!
source: tokyohive
Not yet’s “Hirahira” has just been confirmed as the CM song for NTT Higashinihon’s upcoming commercial!
The telegram company wants to encourage people to send telegrams this spring – a time of festivities and graduations – and will be employing model/actress Hashimoto Ai, who will be graduating from middle school this year. In the CM, Hashimoto is moved to tears by a surprise congratulatory telegram.
“Hirahira” is the B-side to all versions of the AKB48 sub-unit’s debut single, “Shuumatsu Not Yet,” which will be released on March 16th. The CM will begin airing nationwide and over the internet on March 5th, while a “making-of” video will also be uploaded onto the official site at a later date.
source: tokyohive
Hello! Project members have been participating in a special cover song project, titled “Hello! Cover”, and the fifth batch of songs has just been unveiled!
This time around, Morning Musume member Tanaka Reina is covering Melon Kinenbi’s singles, “Onegai Miwaku no Target” and “Kousui,” while Momusu leader Takahashi Ai will take on Matsuura Aya’s 2001 hit, “LOVE Namida Iro”.
The other two members of Hello! Project participating in the fifth round of “Hello! Cover” are Yajima Maimi (C-ute), who will be providing an additional cover of Ayaya’s “Egao ni Namida ~DEAR MY FRIENDS~”, and Natsuyaki Miyabi (Berryz Koubou), who tackled the Momusu song, “Furusato”.
All of the songs are currently available on iTunes for download.
source: allkpop
Techno-pop unit Perfume has announced that they will have their comeback this year with a brand new single!
The trio are still riding off of their massively successful and critically acclaimed live in Tokyo Dome in November, where they reminded Japan – and most of the world – exactly why their dancing and singing routines brought them to the top.
Perfume’s first single of 2011 will be released in two different formats: CD+DVD and CD-only. The currently untitled single is slated for an April 20th release.
NHK will also be re-airing a special about the trio’s experience at Tokyo Dome, “Micchaku! Perfume Dome 5-mannin Live e no Chousen“, in which fans get to see the challenges behind the Tokyo Dome live, on March 19th.
source: tokyohive
On the March 3rd episode of Arashi’s hit variety show, “Himitsu no Arashi-chan“, the singers will reveal secrets they’ve kept from even their own group members!
The guest in the segment called “VIP Room” will be singer-songwriter aiko, and she will talking about the real life experiences behind her three most popular singles. In addition, she asks the Arashi members to reveal a secret they’ve never told anyone before.
In the segment “Mannequin Five“, the members of Arashi will compete with actors Sato Ryuta and Shinagawa Hiroshi to coordinate the ultimate outfit with the theme of “Jeans”.
The episode will air at 10 PM on Thursday night in Japan (noon on Thursday, EST).
source: tokyohive
It’s been revealed that 29-year-old actress Shibasaki Kou will make her Hollywood debut in the film “47 RONIN“, slated for release in December, 2012.
The film is based on the Japanese story of “Chūshingura“, a fictionalized retelling of the 47 samurais who avenged the death of their master, Asano Naganori, in the 18th century. Numerous plays, films, and TV shows have been based on this story, and Universal Pictures will be bringing it to America as a 3D film on a 200 million dollar budget.
“The Matrix” actor Keanu Reeves will play the lead role of the half-British, half-Japanese Kai, who is one of the 47 samurais. Shibasaki will play the female lead, Mika, the daughter of Asano who falls in love with Kai.
Auditions for the female lead role were secretly conducted last November, and Shibasaki won the role by impressing the director with her outstanding acting skills.
At the press reveal for the film, the director excitedly proclaimed the Shibasaki, “Has a feminine quality that isn’t found in the West, and elegance like (Audrey) Hepburn. She’s clearly able to become an international star, and I’ve discovered her.”
Her co-star, Reeves, said, “She’s mysterious and beautiful, and an actress who can portray any role.”
The 4-month filming process for the film will begin on March 14th in Hungary, and continue in London, England, and Japan.
Shibasaki has been studying English for a few hours everyday since last December, as the script is entirely in English. She told reporters in English that she was “so excited!” when she found out she got the part.
source: tokyohive
Singer-songwriter miwa recently announced through her official Sony Music Japan page that she’ll be releasing her first album!
The album was named “guitarissimo”, and it will hit stores on March 30th. Two versions of miwa’s debut album will be available: a regular ‘CD-only’ version and a limited ‘CD+DVD’ version, which comes with an exclusive live DVD, a 28-page color booklet, and a ticket reservation to her upcoming 2011 tour.
The tour - “miwa live tour 2011 ‘guitarissimo’” – is currently scheduled to make four stops across Japan, and will officially kick off on June 4th. Tickets for the general public will go on sale April 23rd.
Check out the official covers for her upcoming album below!
Limited Edition (CD+DVD+BOOKLET)
source: tokyohive
According to an announcement on JUJU’s official website, genius producer Nakata Yasutaka will be remixing her upcoming song “Sayonara no Kawari ni”!
Officially titled as “Sayonara no Kawari ni -Yasutaka Nakata Remix-”, the remix will be included on the R&B singer’s latest single “Sayonara no Kawari ni / Negai”, which hits stores on March 23rd.
Nakata Yasutaka is the mastermind behind popular techno artists Perfume, MEG, Suzuki Ami, and his own unit capsule. This remix marks his first collaboration with the “smoky-voiced” singer.
source: tokyohive
Singer-songwriter aiko has just confirmed that she’ll be appearing on the variety show, “Waratte Iitomo!”
aiko will guest on the “Telephone Shocking” corner, which will mark her first appearance on the segment in almost a year. Because she and aiko are very close, comedian and fellow guest Itou Asako will personally call the singer-songwriter during the segment.
Make sure you catch this fun episode of “Waratte Iitomo!” when it broadcasts on March 2nd at 12:00 PM JST.
source: tokyohive
Japanese R&B duo MAY’S updated their official blog with pictures from a very special concert!
MAY’S dropped by Suijo Senior High School’s graduation ceremony as a special treat for the graduating class. Katagiri Maiko, the duo’s vocalist, recounted, “Everyone was SOOOOO excited~ When I first came out (on stage), everyone was like no waaaaaay (lol) But when we started the live, everybody began smiling all at once.”
Sounds like it was an amazing experience for the 2011 graduating class! Kudos to the duo for such a heart-warming gift!
source: tokyohive
AKB48 sub-unit French Kiss was selected as “principles for a day” for Tokyo Fire and Disaster Management Agency’s Fire Fighting School.
March 1st is the beginning of the spring fire prevention exercises in Tokyo, and the girls are out to make people more aware of where they’re making fires. The girls are also in charge of giving the firefighter’s directions for the day and watching them train.
Member Kashiwagi Yuki gives a friendly reminder to everyone, “You need to be careful of where you make fires!! Everyone, pay attention, okay? ♪♪“.
source: tokyohive
