An audition announcement has revealed that Morning Musume member Niigaki Risa (22) is set to appear in a movie tentatively titled ‘Bad Days Reason,’ part of the omnibus ‘Twilight File IX.’ Specific details about the film are not yet known, but shooting is scheduled to start in fall 2011, presumably for a 2012 release. [...] … Continue reading
[updated] Video is no longer available since Avex pulled it. Hopefully, Avex will release an official version that fans can view. PV of Namie Amuro’s song “Unusual” (featuring Tomohisa Yamashita) from her upcoming best collaboration album “Checkmate!” which will be released on March 23, 2011. (Via @fyiMango.)
Available for a limited time are two wallpapers from Sony Records commemorating the release of Meisa Kuroki’s latest single “LOL.” The single will be released on 10/6/10 and is currently used in the CM she stars in for Kit Kat. Download your copy here. (Via 壁紙fan!)
The Hawaii International Film Festival gets underway from October 14th to the 24th and we’re in for a treat as they’re screening two films that feature actresses from Okinawa. Official Website “Abacus and Sword (武士の家計簿 Bushi no Kakeibo)” (Japan, 2010) stars Yukie Nakama and will be shown on 10/23/10 at 8:45 PM and on 10/24/10 … Continue reading
Singer BENI (24), who just achieved her first #1 album this past week with “Lovebox,” has been confirmed as an official Guest of Honor for this year’s Anime Expo convention in Los Angeles. Anime Expo 2010 is being held on July 1-4 at the Los Angeles Convention Center. BENI is scheduled to perform a concert … Continue reading
J-pop artist Cocco (one of our favorites) recently released her meaningful single “NIRAI-KANAI” on June 9th featuring Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko and artist Curly Giraffe — both are also in the PV. In the PV, Cocco’s holding a jiifaa made by her good friend Kenjiro Matayoshi, a 7th generation maker of Ryukyu kanzeeku. According to her … Continue reading
Having a group named after one of Okinawa’s most well-known sweets, Saataa Andagii is a trio led by Shintaro Yamada (actress Yu Yamada’s younger brother). Formed from the variety show “Quiz! Hexagon II,” one wonders if they’ll become as popular as Shuchishin — also a product of the show. The trio’s first single was released … Continue reading
RYCOME is a new J-pop unit from Okinawa who just released their debut single, “Koi,” on December 16, 2009. The duo of ma-mi (vocals) and Jacky (DJ, chorus) have created a very nice pop song in “Koi” that’s coupled on the single with “Tears of the moon.” The entire PV for “Koi” is up on … Continue reading
Namie Amuro’s “PAST < FUTURE” was the top selling album this past week, with close to 331,000 units sold. At the age of 32, she has now become the first female solo artist to achieve #1 with an original album in her 10s, 20s, and 30s. She had three of them before her 20th birthday … Continue reading
Ask me about the song that I’ve been humming a lot of lately and I’ll answer Owl City’s “Fireflies” — not! (*ahem* I’m a fan of The Postal Service.) The song that’s been stuck in my head the past week is Namie Amuro’s “The Meaning Of Us” from her newly released original album, “Past<Future” — … Continue reading