Super Junior and SHINee put their names on the Oricon top ten single/album chart

The Oricon Chart, the most renowned Japanese music chart, showed on December 8 that Super Junior’s second Japanese single, “Mr. Simple,” released on December 7, vaulted to the first place on the Daily Single Chart on the same day of its release. Considering that the leading group of the Korean Wave has yet settled down to the advancement into Japan, it can be viewed satisfactory. Super Junior’s first Japanese single, “Bonamana,” released in June this year, climbed to the second position on the Daily Oricon Chart.

The power of K-pop singers was also reflected in the Oricon Album Chart.

SHINee released its first Japanese regular album, The First, on December 7, vaulting to the third position on the Oricon Daily Album Chart without any hesitation. SHINee’s second single “Juliet,” released at the end of August this year, also ranked top on the Oricon Daily Album Chart. These records well reflect how popular they are in Japan these days.

Kara, a representative Korean girl group which carries out passionate activities in Japan, is still remaining on higher positions of the Oricon Daily Album Chart with its new Japanese regular album, Super Girl. When the album was released on November 23, the album immediately took the first position of the same chart.

On the December 8 chart, six Korean singer groups were included among top ten best singles and albums

Source: Starnews
Translation by: minongzi | Korea.com
Shared at sup3rjunior.wordpress.com by supergirlRain
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DBSK/TVXQ is the Most Searched Male Group on the Internet in Japan

This year, DBSK was the most searched male group on the Internet in Japan.

MSN Japan released charts listing the rankings of search keywords in 2011. On the "Male Celebrity Top 50" chart, DBSK trumped other famous Japanese artists and took the number one spot.

Additionally, Yahoo Japan released the rankings of top search keywords of 2011. DBSK came in as a close second , behind the popular Japanese group, Arashi.

This past January, DBSK released their single, "Why? (Keep Your Head Down)" and took the number one spot on the Oricon Daily Single Chart as well as the weekly and monthly charts. Their official album, "Tone," which was released in September, sold 200,000 copies in the first week, breaking a record for the first time in 11 years as foreign male artists.

Due to their immense popularity, DBSK was able to hold a performance stage at the "2011 FNS Music Festival," which was hosted by Fuji TV on December 7. Also, on December 30, DBSK will take home an award of excellence at the "53rd Japan Record Awards." DBSK will be attending year-end music award shows and festivals for their third year.

Talk of the Town: Anti-Korean Wave?

Following Japanese actor Sousuke Takaoka’s controversial anti-Hallyu comments last week, hostility towards the proliferation of Korean pop culture has been growing in Japan.

On July 23rd, Takaoka wrote on his Twitter account that, “I don’t really watch channel 8 (Fuji TV) anymore. It sometimes makes me wonder if it’s a Korean channel. Japanese people want traditional Japanese programs.”Later he added, “It feels like Korean programs brainwash you, and it really makes me feel bad. Broadcasters need to realize its negative effect,” which resulted in him losing his contract with his management agency on July 28th.

This prompted the largely underground anti-Hallyu netizens in Japan to voice their support for Takaoka, and organize a group boycott on Fuji TV. They are organizing an event on August 8th to suggest tuning out of Fuji TV during the whole day to bring massive drops to their TV ratings. Fuji TV, the leading Japanese channel with the most Korean TV shows on, is shown on channel eight, which is why they picked August 8th.

Netziens are screaming, “No more Hallyu!” “Let’s show the power of Twitterians,” “Our goal is to make 0% TV ratings,” and “Japan is going through a tough period, and there’s no need to watch a broadcaster that supports other countries.”

On the other hand, however, there are people who strongly oppose this anti-Hallyu sentiment too. Mogi Genichiro, a prominent Japanese scientist who’s also well-known for his influence in Japan’s pop culture, wrote on his Twitter on July 30th in response to the Fuji TV-boycott organizers, “This is all too stupid. What is so wrong with Hallyu? We live in an era of globalism. Stupid nationalism is not just silly, but will worsen Japan’s overall situation.”

He added, “You guys should all stop making dumb statements, and let’s all study more. If we remain this way, Japan will become a third-world country. Fake nationalism, weak self-assertions, and no respect for other cultures, if we don’t get rid of this mindset, Japan has no hope. Everyone just watch Fuji TV!” He later added that he doesn’t understand why people are upset about Fuji TV showing lots of Korean TV programs, because for any broadcaster the goal is to record high TV ratings and make more profits, which means Korean TV shows are the most in demand and profitable.

Even with a long-week full of going back and forth between conservative Japanese netizens against the spread of Hallyu and more progressive fans that support the influx of Korean TV shows, the Japanese press and public still remain largely divided on this issue. What is your take on this? Could the spread of Korean pop culture possibly be a bad thing? How does Hallyu influence your country?

KAT-TUN New Song "Run For You"

Fuji TV aired their “HEY! HEY! HEY! Music Champ Special” today for a multitude of amazing performances, including KAT-TUN with their latest song!

For this special episode, KAT-TUN performed the title track of their upcoming single, “RUN FOR YOU“.

Check out their performance beneath the cut!

Which manga was best adapted into a live action drama?

It has become a recent trend within the past couple of years for popular manga series to be adapted into a live action drama. Manga series have rich story lines, but because most fans have strong impressions of the manga they commonly are disappointed with the result of a live action adaptation. Of course there’s many exceptions to this and ORICON STYLE polled 1,000 people and asked the question, “Which manga was best adapted into a live action drama?”

Popular music manga, ‘Nodame Cantabile‘ starring Ueno Juri and Tamaki Hiroshi ranked number one in the poll. The comical essence of the drama on top of the real orchestra performances was more than people expected.

‘Nodame Cantabile’ is a manga written by Ninomiya Tomoko, and follows the story of a strange yet very talented pianist named “Nodame” as well as the people she associates with in this musical comedy. A poll taker commented, “The acting of the cast members playing these unique characters perfectly matched” proving that the exquisite casting did justice even to a fan of the original manga. However, the performance scenes, which the cast learned and practiced for, was the main thing that impressed everyone. What could not be brought to life in the manga was made a reality through the drama series bringing out the music within the story. Nodame Cantabile brought about the “classical music boom” and changed the impression and stereotype of classical music.

The second manga chosen by fans was the teen love story of ’Hana Yori Dango‘ by Kamio Yok. The manga itself is very popular internationally and has been adapted into a drama even in the neighboring country of South Korea. In the Japanese adaptation Inoue Mao plays the character of Makino Tsukushi, a strong willed and sturdy young girl, and Arashi’s Matsumoto Jun plays the character ofDomyouji Tsukasa, a high and mighty heir to a major corporation. The chemistry between the duo was brilliantly brought to life just like it is in the manga. A poll taker remarks, “There were parts that were slightly different from the manga, but as a drama it was very amusing“. After it’s airtime in 2005, the series came back with a sequel and even released a movie.

The medical history manga series that sold 6,800,000 copies in total, ‘JIN‘, ranked in third place. JIN follows the story of Dr. Minakata Jin, played by Osawa Takao, who goes back to a time where medical practices were not highly advanced and learns the preciousness of life. This year in May it won the “15th Tezuka Osamu Bunka-sho Manga-sho” and has also received much praise. The realistic surgery scenes and the historical being incorporated into the story “made it exciting to watch the following week.” The series, loved by both men and women, finished it’s final episode with an average viewership rating of 26.1% and was praised with satisfaction.

When it comes to manga series being adapted into live action dramas, fans become very strict and critical. Although the popularity of the manga could mean it’ll become a hot topic, but it could also mean that with one mistake the drama will be referred to as a bad drama. In the midst of that pressure, the top 10 dramas below have been adapted well enough to receive the approval of many fans and may even be considered “masterpieces”. With this increasing trend in bringing manga characters to life, it will be exciting to see which character will be next to appear on the television screen in live action.

Check out the top 10 for “Which manga was best adapted into a live action drama?”

1. ‘Nodame Cantabile’ by Ninomiya Tomoko (Starring: Ueno Juri & Tamaki Hiroshi)
2. ‘Hana Yori Dango’ by Kamio Yoko (Starring: Inoue Mao & Matsumoto Jun)
3. ‘JIN’ by Murakami Motoka (Starring: Osawa Takao & Ayase Haruka)
4. ‘Kindaichi Shounen no Jikenbo’ by Amagi Seimaru, Kanari Youzaburo, and Satou Fumiya (Starring: Doumoto Tsuyoshi, Tomosaka Rie, Matsumoto Jun, and Suzuki Ann)
5. ‘ROOKIES’ by Morita Masanori (Starring: Sato Ryuta & Ichihara Hayato)
6. ‘Gokusen’ by Morimoto Kozueko (Starring: Nakama Yukie)
7. ‘Dr. Koto Shinryoujo’ by Yamada Takatoshi (Starring: Yoshioka Hidetaka & Shibasaki Kou)
8. ‘Umizaru’ by Sato Shuho (Starring: Ito Hideaki & Kato Ai)
9. ‘GTO’ by Fujisawa Toru (Starring: Sorimachi Takashi & Matsushima Nanako)
10. ‘Tokyo Love Story’ by Saimon Fumi (Starring: Suzuki Honami &Oda Yuji)

Source: ORICON STYLE

"You're Beautiful" in Japanese Drama Version " Ikemen Desu Ka?"

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My Favourite drama 'You're Beautiful' will get had japanese version which will airing in this july with the title "Ikemen desu Ka?' 

Yaotome Hikaru will be in a new TV drama. He will star alongside Kis-My-Ft.2‘s Tamamori Yuta and Fujigaya Taisuke and the female lead Takimoto Miori in this korean remake.

The story it revolves around Takimoto who joins the popular boyband A.N.Jell posing as her own twin brother and getting caught up in a “love square” with the other three members (Tamamori, Fujigaya, Yaotome).

The Korean drama aired in 2009 and achieved a somewhat mediocre audience share of 10.1%, which might be because it was up against strong competition or simply because it the actor/actress.

Ikemen desu ne will air from July through September 2011, Fridays at 10pm onTBS.The official website is here, and there’s also an official Twitter account here.

There’s one very interesting tidbit of information about the Korean original, and that’s the fact that because the drama features concert footage in it, A.N.JELL actually performed a mini-concert in front of some 25,000 people. I wonder if something similar is planned for the Japanese version of the drama. Also, I think it would be a great idea to have A.N.Jell actually release a soundtrack CD and go on Music Station and all that, kinda like Lands did for that Bandage movie. However, that’s probably not going to happen as it’s been reported that Kis-My-Ft.2‘s debut song will be featured in the drama, so instead of A.N.Jell it’ll be KMF2 who will release a CD and do all the promotion.

Another updated about "Ikemen Desu Ka"

Twenty-three-year-old Kojima Haruna of the all-female theater and idol group AKB48 was recently cast in the Japanese remake of the popular Korean drama "You Are Beautiful." Kojima is set to take on the role of NANA, a two-faced idol-actress. The outwardly kind but mean-spirited character was named Yoo He Yi in the original version and was played by After School’s UEE.

Kojima joins other previously announced cast members Takimoto Miori, Kis-My-Ft2’s Tamamori Yuta, Fujigaya Taisuke, and Hey!Say!JUMP’s Yaotome Hikaru in the adaptation to be called “Ikemen Desu ka.” “Ikemen Desu ka” will closely follow the story of “You Are Beautiful,” where a female singer masquerades as a young man to join an all-male idol group. The success of the drama spawned widespread popularity for its main cast members, Jang Geun Suk, Park Shin Hye, Jung Yong Hwa (CN Blue) and Lee Hong Ki (FT Island.)

“Ikemen Desu ka” is set to air over TBS, every Friday night at 10 PM in July 2011.

Daito Shunsuke & Saotome Taichi make their voice acting debuts in “Prince of Tennis”

Actor Daito Shunsuke and kabuki actor Saotome Taichi, the latter famous for playing female roles, will make their voice acting debut in “Prince of Tennis The Movie – Eikoku Teikyu Kessen!“, set for release on September 3rd.

Set in the holy land of tennis, Wimbledon, the completely original story has the “Prince of Tennis” all-stars challenging tennis champions from all over the world. Daito will play the main guest characterShiu, and Saotome will play Keith, the leader of an organization that stands in the main characters’ way.

The movie is based on Konomi Takeshi’s popular comic of same title that was first serialized in the magazine, “Weekly Shonen Jump“. An anime version of the series aired on TV Tokyo from 2001 to 2005, and was followed by a musical in 2003, an anime movie in 2005, a live-action movie in 2006, and a straight-to-video sequel to the anime series.

To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the anime, a festival was held, called “TeniPuriFesta 2001 in Budokan“, with more than 24 thousand fans attending the three shows. The story continues to attract more and more fans with a force that shows no signs of stopping.

Four schools, Seigaku, Hyotei, Tatsumi, and Shitenhoji, have been chosen to represent Japan in the junior tennis world championships. However, behind the facade of the tournament is a dangerous operation that threatens the lives of the world-famous players. As the danger approaches the young Japanese representatives, they find themselves fighting not on the tennis court, but throughout an old English castle.

Also, Irino Miyu has been cast as Peter, one of Keith’s underlings. You may know him as the voice ofHaku in “Sprited Away“.

Voice cast for new Pokémon movie includes Ishihara Satomi, Takahashi Hideki, and more!

The 14th Pokémon movie will open in Japan this summer, and today, the prominent guest line-up of voice actors for the special characters came together with a public recording at the Avaco Creative Studio in Tokyo.

The special voice cast is made up of Takahashi Hideki, Tanihara Shosuke, Ishihara Satomi,Yamadera Koichi, Nakagawa Shoko, and Daichi Mao.

The new movie will be released in two versions, “Pocket Monsters Best Wishes! The Movie: Victini and the Black Hero: Zekrom” and “[...] White Hero: Reshiram“. It is the first time in history that an anime is going to open in theaters in two different versions at the same day.

Both movies will be about Dread, the descendant of the People of the Earth, that once ruled over the land, who seeks revenge for the fall of his people with the help of the Sword of the Earth in the city of Eindoke, and our three heroes – Satoshi, Iris and Dent – who must stop him at all costs. However, similar to the video games,each movie will feature different Pokémon, many different scenes and lines, and different techniques used by the Pokémon.

Ishihara lent her voice to Carlita, the younger sister of Dread. She commented, “It’s a huge honor for me to participate in a Pokémon movie, since it’s such an immensely popular series worldwide. I received some strict coaching this time and learned a lot of new things.”

The mother of Carlita was voiced by Daichi, who never dubbed an anime before. She clearly enjoyed the new challenge, “I’m already having a certain affinity to my character who belongs to the People of the Earth (Daichi no Tami), since she has the same surname as me. It was a lot of fun playing the role of a mother with guts.”

For Takahashi, who voiced Zekrom, it was also the first time to work on an anime. He stated, “I was happy that I was able to challenge myself as a voice actor for the first time in my 40-year-long career as an actor. All the kids of my foreign friends are engrossed into Pokémon, so now I have something I can boast about.” Life-sized Pokémon characters were present during the special dubbing session for the press, and the veteran surprised everyone with his innocent remark, “Aren’t they cute! I want to take them home with me!”

The double-dose of Pokémon action will open in Japan on July 16th.

 

 

“Rock Musical BLEACH” to have completely new cast members!

In July, for the 10th year anniversary of the manga “BLEACH”, the super popular musical “Rock Musical BLEACH” will be held with a completely new cast. Since its creation in 2005, the musical has been seen by 130,000 people.

Kida Tsuyoshi is in charge of the script and production. Out of 4,500 auditions, Norizuki Kouhei has been chosen as the lead role ofKurosaki Ichigo. Fresh actors like Sato Mikiand Kujirai Kousuke will be working alongside veteran actors like Ishizaka Isamuand Niiro Shinya. Together they will all create an original story with amazing action scenes, singing and dancing.

The musical will hit 6 different locations starting on July 1st.

Here i put some preview various of "Rock Musical Bleach" from year 2006.....enjoy the show...

Sato Koichi and Miura Haruma to star New drama series in July

Actors Sato Koichi and Miura Haruma will be starring in TV Asahi’s upcoming drama series in July. The currently untitled drama will be a continuation of the special drama “Saigo no Bansan ~Keiji Toono Kazuyuki to Shichinin no Yogisha~” (translation: “Last Dinner ~Detective Toono Kazuyuki and the Seven Suspects~”), which aired on May 14th and starred Sato.
The drama will start with detective Toono Kazuyuki (played by Sato) being transferred to a police academy as a teacher. Miura will play Miyata Eiji, a student at the academy who has led a smart life without having to face difficulties or failures. The drama will focus on the interactions between Toono and his young students, as well as an unsolved case from Toono’s detective days.

Sato, who play a teacher in a drama series for the first time, commented, “I want to create a teacher role that has not been seen before… I have a feeling the drama will be exciting to watch and full of many different factors, so I want to work hard in acting. (My) impression of Miura Haruma-kun’s generation is that they give a lot of thought to their life and their future, but how does Miura-kun himself live? It would be great if I could also find that out through filiming this drama.”
Miura commented, “I want to challenge (the drama) with all of my strength and work hard to keep up with Sato-san. I am hopeful that this work will be ‘a drama that doesn’t exist in the past or the future’. In order to make that kind of drama, we will have to work hard, and I will act with this thought in mind.”

Sato and Miura’s drama is scheduled to air on Thursday nights at 9 o’clock JST.

Oh i Can't wait to see miura new drama ^_^ more update will be coming soon >_<

KAT-TUN New Single "White"

It’s been announced that KAT-TUN will be releasing their 15th single titled “WHITE” on May 18th, 2011. The single will include the tracks, “WHITE” and “PERFECT” which are both currently used as theme songs for two different commercials.

The track “WHITE” is used in the “Sofina Otona no Bihaku” commercial, while “PERFECT” is currently used in Kamenashi Kazuya’s AOKI’s “3D Slim Suits” commercial. As usual, they will release multiple editions including: Regular edition, Regular edition (first press), Limited edition and a Set edition which includes both the limited and regular editions. There will be two different songs (Unknown title A & B) included in both the Regular edition & Regular edition (first press). The Limited Edition will come with a DVD which includes a music video and making of video for the track, “WHITE.”

Now you can expand it to visual pleasure as their full PV has been released! Check it out below and it should help get you into the summer feel.

Frankly said that i'm not really a fan of shojo manga. (Shounen always in my heart ^_^). I do read them just recently after i fall in love with Kaichu Wa Maid Sama!. Also thanks a lot to my good cyber buddy "Mapleleaf" since she always introduce a good shojo manga to me. (She really a big fan of Shojo manga).

So, today "Paradise Kiss" is the anime/manga that i want to story about. I watch the anime long before when it's airing in animax. WARNING: contain inappropriate scene.

Paradise Kiss is a short anime about how a young 18 year old girl's life is changed completely when a group of fashion design students kidnap her off the street to model their dress for a school fashion show. The main female protagonist falls in love with the main male protagonist and a love story is revealed. What sets this anime aside from the rest of the 'typical shoujo/romance' anime is that the relationship between the two are not as simple as it seems. The story itself has a realistic element to it making it more suitable for a mature audience rather than what the word shoujo literally implies.

Yamapi takes it off at his Tokyo concert!

Yamashita Tomohisa (26) of popular group NEWS held another solo concert at the Yoyogi Gymnasium in Tokyo on May 8th. With more than 13,000 fans in attendance, he sent out a call to the devastated areas of Japan: “Don’t give up, Japan!”

The Tokyo concert was one in a string of shows for Yamashita’s solo Asian tour, which began in January. Beginning May 7th, he was to hold a total of 6 shows over 4 days in the same location. The Tokyo concerts were originally scheduled to be the final stop on the tour, but due to the massive earthquake, the late March concerts in Sapporo and Taiwan were rescheduled for later this month. “It was hard to make the decision, but I’m glad that I could reschedule the concerts. I want to make the fans happy”, he explained.

Meanwhile, during his May 8th concert, Tokyo was over 25 degrees Celsius (77 degrees Fahrenheit). Due to the energy-saving measures imposed in concerts these days, the air conditioning was turned off. Sweating in the stuffy auditorium, Yamashita remarked, “It’s hot today…!”. The temperature in the room turned up even more after a fan asked a daring question during the Q&A session with fans. One girl asked him, “What color panties do you like on a girl?” In response to the daring question, he cheekily answered, “How should I answer this question?…Any color is okay!”.

What the Hell of question is that? >_<

“Bokura ga Ita” to get film adaptation starring Ikuta Toma & Yoshitaka Yuriko

It’s been announced that Ikuta Toma and Yoshitaka Yuriko will star in “Bokura ga Ita“, which is a film adaptation of the popular manga. This will be the first time for Ikuta and Yoshitaka to co-star alongside each other.

“Bokura ga Ita” is Obata Yuki’s ongoing manga on “Betsucomi“, and it tells of a pure love story between a couple who met in high school. It tracks their growth over 10 years, following their time during high school, college, and professional career days. The story will take places in Hokkaido and in Tokyo.

Ikuta will play ‘Yano Motoharu’, a popular guy with a shadow in his heart due to his ex-girlfriend’s death through a car accident. Ikuta commented, “This may be the last time for me to wear a school uniform, so I would like to enjoy the sweet and sour school life.”

The heroine Yoshitaka plays is named ‘Takahashi Nanami’, who falls in love with Yano, and tries to accept the shadow in his heart while loving him sincerely. She commented, “It’s a wonderful and well-loved manga which has been read by many people, so I will try my best to play the role without betraying the fans of manga.”

Meanwhile, Takaoka Sosuke will play the role of Yano’s best friend, ‘Takeuchi Masafumi’, and Nanami’s classmate will be played by Motokariya Yuika.

The shoot for the movie will start in May, and it’ll be released as a two-part film in spring of 2012.

Source & Image: Oricon

Check out a trailer for “Paradise Kiss: After School”!

Even though the movie “Paradise Kiss” (by Yazawa Ai) won’t be released until June 4th, the movie is already getting a spin-off, “Paradise Kiss: After School“.

Yukada Yuichi of “THE 3 People” will be doing the screenplay and storyline for the drama, which will be available via LISMO on au on May 6th.

The mobile drama is actually a prologue to the movie, and it will take place in George’s luxurious apartment, where we see him behave like no ordinary man performs. It’s a love comedy that is a little different from the movie.

A trailer for the “Paradise Kiss” spin-off drama, “Paradise Kiss: After School“, has just been revealed!

As we previously reported, “Paradise Kiss: After School” will be released as a mobile drama on May 6th, serving as a prologue to the upcoming movie. The story will take place in George’s apartment and is said to be a love comedy different from the plot of the main movie.

Take a look at the teaser below!

“Paradise Kiss” to come out as a live action movie!

Have you ever read the manga “Paradise Kiss” by Yazawa Ai? ”Paradise Kiss” is a love story, but at the same time, focused on fashion. Although there’s already an anime version, fashion magazine “Zipper” announced that “Paradise Kiss” will also be released as a movie!. I do watch the anime but yet to read the manga. Maybe later i will post some preview for the manga and anime.

Main character, Hayasaka Yukari, will be played by Kitagawa Keiko, and Mukai Osamu will play Jo-ji (George). As other cast members, Yamamoto Yusuke, Igarashi Shunji, Kaku Kento, Ohmasa Aya, and Kato Natsuki will also make appearances, but their roles have not been announced yet.

“Isabella” role casted, sneak peeks for “Paradise Kiss” revealed!

The film’s release date has been set for May 2011, but to indulge the hungry fans, some scene stills as well as a more-detailed cast list has just been revealed!

Igarashi Shunji (D-BOYS) will play the role of Isabella (actual birth name, ‘Yamamoto Daisuke’). ‘Isabella’ is a transgendered character who identifies herself as a woman by dressing and acting like one. To prepare for the role, Shunji lost 8 kg., removed his facial hair through laser procedures, and learned how to act like a lady (as Isabella is very well-mannered, feminine person).

Shunji revealed that he uses three false eyelashes on each eye. He also confessed, “I learned how hard it is to live as a woman through make-up and stuff, and to be honest, I almost got into it (to disguise in woman’s clothes).” ”Paradise Kiss” will also star Ohmasa Aya as ‘Sakurada Miwako‘ and Kaku Kento as ‘Nagase Arashi. Check out the sneak pics from the filming scene below!

The poster includes the catchphrase of the movie, which is “Encounter by Destiny? That’s not enough to describe it.”

It’s been reported that many apparel brands supplied their latest wardrobe to shape George’s unique fashion, so it will be one of the highlights of the movie, as well as the original ending which was made specifically for the film.

In the new poster, Kitagawa Keiko, Mukai Osamu, Yamamoto Yusuke, Igarashi Shunji, Ohmasa Aya, Kaku Kento, and Kato Natsuki pose at their “atelier”, which was designed with various ideas in order to catch the essence of the original manga set.

Before the official release, there will be advance tickets on sale starting on the 26th; those who purchase the advance tickets will receive a special clear file, which has limited quantities.

First new “Rurouni Kenshin” or 'Samurai X' anime in 9 years + compilation album

In the latest issue of “JUMP SQUARE” (released on April 21st), it was announced that the first new release of the anime “Rurouni Kenshin” will happen after nine years, though no details about it have been revealed yet.

Watsuki Nobuhiro’s popular manga, “Rurouni Kenshin”, was serialized in Weekly Shonen Jump from 1994~1999, and its TV anime series was aired during 1996~1998 on Fuji TV. This year is the 15th anniversary since “Rurouni Kenshin” got its anime adaptation, and to celebrate the 15th year, many projects are going on.

Other than the new anime, a compilation album, “Rurouni Kenshin Complete Collection“, which includes all opening and ending theme songs of TV anime, as well as the theme song of anime film, will be released on July 27th. For the limited edition, a DVD which consists of non-credit opening & ending videos, other privilege videos, and a booklet will be included.

Moreover, starting in August, three titles (anime film which was released in 1997, and two OVA series) will be released as Blu-Ray discs; “Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story- Tsuioku-hen” on August 25th, “Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story- Seisou-hen” on September 21st, and “Gekijouban Rurouni Kenshin -Meiji Swordsman Romantic Story- Ishin Shishi e no Requiem” on October 26th.

Below is the track list of the compilation album:

1. JUDY AND MARY – “Sobakasu”
2. THE YELLOW MONKEY – “TACTICS”
3. Suzukaze Mayo – “Namida wa Shitteiru”
4. T.M.Revolution – “HEART OF SWORD ~Yoake mae~”
5. Kawamoto Makoto – “1/2″
6. L’Arc~en~Ciel – “the Fourth Avenue Café”
7. Bonnie Pink – “It’s gonna rain!”
8. SIAM SHADE - “1/3 no Junjou na Kanjou”
9. CURIO – “Kimi ni Fureru dake de”
10. Izumi You – “Dame!”
11.＜Bonus Track＞ L’Arc~en~Ciel – “Niji” ※Theme song for anime film

Source & Image: natalie (Tokyohive)

YAMAPI holds his first solo concert in Korea

NEWS member Yamashita Tomohisa held his first solo concert in Korea on the 16th. This concert was part of his Asia tour, “TOMOHISA YAMASHITA ASIA TOUR 2011 Super Good Super Bad.”

When the concert began, Yamashita thanked his Korean fans for all their support for Japan during these turbulent times. Soon after, the KBS88 Gymnasium was filled the screams of “YamaP!!” Yamashita commented that of all the stops on his tour, Korea had the most power. He said, “I’d like to share this power with Japan.“ Yamashita also shared that he loves to drink but during the concert he wanted to have fun as if he were drinking with everyone. With Johnny’s Entertainment group ABC-Z as his backup dancers, Yamashita and his fans got fired up for an entertaining concert.

Yamashita constantly shouted out “Thank you” and “I love you” out to the fans in Korean. When he tried to speak in English, the fans spoke by shouting out that they would prefer him to speak in Japanese. A surprised Yamashita promised that he will practice more Korean for his next concert. He also expressed his interest for the Korean culture, telling everyone that he esst Korean food at least three times a week and even had a lot of Korean food when he arrived in Korea. He also shared that he reads letters from his Korean fans as well.

The two hour concert brought in a total of 4,000 fans. Pleased with the theatrics of the concert, fans called Yamashita up for two encores. Yamashita will have another concert on the 17th.

Source & Photo: Yonhap News

According to Japanese men, which male celebrity has ideal skin?

In recent years, men’s beauty and skin care has taken a step into the spotlight in Japan. More and more men have become aware and careful about their skin and maintaining a clean look.

Oricon recently surveyed men between the ages of 10 and 40, asking ,“Who has the ideal skin”, and the results have been revealed!

Captivating the attention of many people after his win at the 14th Annual Junon Boy Contest, Koike Teppei has been deemed to be an “ikemen” since his debut. Through his activities in acting and singing, he’s managed to maintain beautiful skin. Koike commented, “I was never really conscious about my skincare but I’m happy. I don’t have much advice but I eat a lot of vegetables. I also have dry skin so I always use lotion.”

Partner in singing duo WaT, Wentz Eiji was chosen in second place. Many people seemed to have been captivated by his appearance in a shaving commercial. Poll takers commented, “He is half so I get the impression that his skin is clean and is a nice pale color.” Third place was SMAP’s Kimura Takuya. What seemed to have captured the attention of many men taking the survey was that despite the fact that Kimura is nearing his 40s, he himself remains youthful but his skin is also amazing as well.

Check out more of the survey results below!

1. Teppei Koikei

2. Eiji Wentz

3. Takuya Kimura

4. Haruma Miura

5. Osamu Mukai

6. Satoshi Tsumabuki

7. Masaharu Fukuyama

8. GACKT

9. Masaki Okada 

10. Tomihisa Yamashita (Yamapi)