Arashi.NewS

J-Excite Arashi Ranker

2009-10-18T18:38:24Z

<table style="width:271px; font-size:14px; line-height:120%; margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto; border:1px solid #666666; border-collapse:collapse" align="center"><tr><td style="color:#ffffff; background-color:#666666; text-align:center;">Rank</td><td style="color:#ffffff; background-color:#666666; text-align:center;"><a href="http://j-excite.com/arashi-ranker/">Arashi Ranking</a> Favorite (Top) to Least Favorite (Bottom)</td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid #666666; text-align:right; padding-right:5px;"><img src=http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/a5.jpg></td><td style="border:1px solid #666666;"><img src="http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/ohnosatoshi.jpg"></td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid #666666; text-align:right; padding-right:5px;"><img src=http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/a6.jpg></td><td style="border:1px solid #666666;"><img src="http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/sakuraisho.jpg"></td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid #666666; text-align:right; padding-right:5px;"><img src=http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/a7.jpg></td><td style="border:1px solid #666666;"><img src="http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/ninomiyakazunari.jpg"></td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid #666666; text-align:right; padding-right:5px;"><img src=http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/a8.jpg></td><td style="border:1px solid #666666;"><img src="http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/aibamasaki.jpg"></td></tr><tr><td style="border:1px solid #666666; text-align:right; padding-right:5px;"><img src=http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/a9.jpg></td><td style="border:1px solid #666666;"><img src="http://www.j-excite.com/graphics_arashiranker/matsumotojun.jpg"></td></tr></table>

1st ever Meme that i grabbed from An-chan (arashitonews)

2009-10-17T08:30:07Z

<h2>LJ Friends Meme by <a href="http://www.livejournal.com/userinfo.bml?user=coolerq">coolerq</a></h2><style type="text/css">.embresponse {font-weight: bolder;}</style>• You must tell 3 people about this game. • Satoshi Ohno is the one that you love. • Sho Sakurai is one you like but can't work out. • You care most about Isa Arias. • Kim Felicano is the one who knows you very well. • Frances Punzalan is your lucky star. • One Love is the song that matches with Satoshi Ohno. • Paretto is the song for Sho Sakurai. • Aozora Pedal is the song that tells you most about YOUR mind. • and Be With You is the song telling you how you feel about life <a href="http://www.comclub.org/lj/fsquiz.php">Take this quiz</a>

arigatou An-chan~~ \^o^/

V6's Hiroshi Nagano causes car accident

2009-10-15T19:57:08Z

Hiroshi Nagano (37), a member of the group V6, caused a rear-end collision earlier this week.

On Monday evening, Nagano was driving on one of the Saitama routes of the Shuto Expressway. He collided with the back of a car that was stopped due to traffic. The car's driver, a 62-year-old female, fortunately suffered no injuries.

Police say that Nagano was not properly paying attention to the road in front of him.

Source: Sankei Sports

Drama Grand Prix: "Buzzer Beat" wins big

2009-10-15T19:55:28Z

Nikkan Sports has revealed the results of its summer season Drama Grand Prix, which was almost completely swept by the Fuji TV series "Buzzer Beat." It lost only in the Best Supporting Actor category.

A total of 12,693 votes were counted in the poll. Except for Best Supporting Actor, "Buzzer Beat" received around 5,000 votes in each of the categories.

Best Drama:

Buzzer Beat - 4755
Orthros no Inu - 2731
Ninkyo Helper - 2436
Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji - 769
Tenchijin - 346

Best Actor:

Tomohisa Yamashita (Buzzer Beat) - 4991
Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (Ninkyo Helper) - 2530
Hideaki Takizawa (Orthros no Inu) - 2170
Yosuke Eguchi (Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji) - 734
Satoshi Tsumabuki (Tenchijin) - 468

Best Actress:

Keiko Kitagawa (Buzzer Beat) - 5028
Nanako Matsushima (Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji) - 3186
Mikako Tabe (Tsubasa) - 885
Yasuko Sawaguchi (Kasouken no Onna) - 787
Kyoko Fukada (Karei Naru Spy) - 691

Best Supporting Actor:

Ryo Nishikido (Orthros no Inu) - 2940
Junpei Mizobata (Buzzer Beat) - 2105
Seishiro Kato (Ninkyo Helper) - 1564
Hideaki Ito (Buzzer Beat) - 995
Yusuke Santamaria (Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji) - 516

Best Supporting Actress:

Shihori Kanjiya (Buzzer Beat) - 2501
Saki Aibu (Buzzer Beat) - 2174
Meisa Kuroki (Ninkyo Helper) - 1920
Asami Mizukawa (Orthros no Inu) - 1474
Yui Natsukawa (Ninkyo Helper) - 608

Source: Nikkan Sports

Big Bang does "Ohitorisama" opening

2009-10-15T19:52:43Z

Korean group Big Bang has landed their first tie-in with a Japanese television drama. Their new song, "Koe wo Kikasete," will be used as the opening theme of TBS's "Ohitorisama," which stars Alisa Mizuki and Teppei Koike.

This song also marks the return of Daesung (D-LITE), who was injured in a car accident this past August.

"Ohitorisama" starts this coming Friday. Big Bang will release "Koe wo Kikasete" as a single on November 4.

Source: Sankei Sports

KinKi Kids return to Tokyo Dome

2009-10-15T19:49:54Z

Koichi Domoto's (30) performance at the Yokohama Arena on Monday night marked the end of his solo tour, which was his first one since three years ago. During the show, he announced that he and Tsuyoshi Domoto (30) will once again be holding their New Year's concerts at the Tokyo Dome.

KinKi Kids began performing annual New Year's concerts at the Tokyo Dome in 1998. Last year, they held the concerts at the Osaka Dome instead. With their return to Tokyo this year, they will be extending their record of "most concerts by a single artist at the Tokyo Dome," jumping from 34 to 37.

The three shows are scheduled from December 30 to January 1.

Source: Sankei Sports

"Nakushita Kioku" gets release window, official title

2009-10-15T19:47:42Z

Last November, it was announced that Maki Horikita (21) and Kenichi Matsuyama (24) were co-starring in a movie tentatively called "Nakushita Kioku," directed by American filmmaker Hans Canosa. On Sunday, a press conference was held to announce the film's release window and official title.

The picture will be titled "Dareka ga Watashi ni Kiss wo Shita" and is slated for theatrical release in March 2010. Based on the novel "Memoirs of a Teenage Amnesiac" by American author Gabrielle Zevin, the story tells of a high school student (Horikita) who loses part of her memory in an accident.

Although the movie is in Japanese, Horikita's character attends an international school, so about 40% of her lines are in English. She commented that she was surprised when she first saw the script, and she had a lot of trouble with the English lines. However, Canosa praised her, saying that she has the potential to become an international star.

NEWS member Yuya Tegoshi (21) and American actor Anton Yelchin (20) have also been cast in the movie.

Source: Sankei Sports

Nino, MatsuKen star in live-action "Gantz" movies

2009-10-08T13:49:37Z

Hiroya Oku's sci-fi action manga "GANTZ" is being adapted into two live-action films planned to be released in 2011. The movies will star Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya (26) and actor Kenichi Matsuyama (24).

Shinsuke Sato is directing the films, which have reportedly been given a budget of 4 billion yen, with lots of CG involved. It is said that producers are aiming to make the film suitable for general audiences, which means that it may likely lack the violence of the original manga.

"GANTZ" has been serialized in Young Jump since 2000. Kei Kurono (Ninomiya) and Masaru Kato (Matsuyama) are two young man who should be dead after a train accident, but they are summoned back to life by an entity known as GANTZ. Under GANTZ's orders, the two are repeatedly sent on missions to fight against alien beings. So far, 26 volumes of the manga have been released in Japan, selling more than 10 million copies combined.

Although Kei and Masaru are high school students in the manga, their characters will be older in the movie. Kei has been turned into a college student looking for work, while Masaru is already working and taking care of his younger brother. The two childhood friends happen to meet again on a subway platform.

Oku's manga is still being serialized, but the two movies will tell a complete story with an original ending.

Filming is scheduled to start next month. The first movie is expected to hit theaters in winter 2011, while the second is slated for spring 2011.
Source: Sponichi Annex

Kumi Koda and Masahiro Nakai have split up?

2009-10-08T13:45:28Z

Back in 2007, pop star Kumi Koda (26) and SMAP leader Masahiro Nakai (37) were widely reported to be dating, though their agencies never officially commented on the rumor. Now, the magazine Josei Seven says that the two have broken up.

The magazine's article included some comments by a friend of Koda, who explained that the couple separated before the start of this summer. The friend said that Koda had been worried because she and Nakai had not been seeing each other much. Also around that time, Koda suddenly replaced her mobile phone.

Naturally, Koda's and Nakai's agencies have not commented on the matter.
Source: Sports Hochi

More celebrities struck by flu

2009-10-08T13:43:07Z

It was recently reported that several celebrities were infected with influenza, including Kanjani8 member Shota Yasuda (25). Since then a few more infections have been reported, including two more members of Kanjani8.

Former D-BOYS member Yu Shirota (23) was diagnosed with influenza type A at the start of this week, causing him to miss a press event for the upcoming drama series "Samurai High School."

Shortly after that, it was learned that Yasuda was not the only Kanjani8 member with the flu. Tadayoshi Okura (24) and Yu Yokoyama (28) were diagnosed with influenza type A this week, reducing Kanjani8 to only four members for a TV show recording on Wednesday. Okura and Yasuda also were absent from a press conference on Tuesday for their drama series, "ROMES: Kuukou Bougyo System."

The latest case to be reported is former AKB48 member Mai Oshima (22). She has canceled an appearance on this coming Sunday's episode of "Akko ni Omakase!"

Source Sanspo

Rinko Kikuchi plays Shota Matsuda's rival in new "Liar Game"

2009-10-08T13:38:27Z

Actress Rinko Kikuchi (28) has been cast in the second season of the hit drama series "LIAR GAME." This is her first regular role in a drama since "Churasan" in 2001.

"Liar Game" stars Erika Toda (21) as an ordinary college student named Nao Kanzaki, and Shota Matsuda (24) as a master swindler named Shinichi Akiyama. They must work together to survive and escape a dangerous game of deception run by a mysterious organization.

Kikuchi plays a new character named Ryo Katsuragi, who does not appear in the original manga that the series is based on. Katsuragi is a former classmate of Akiyama who has become the youngest psychology professor in history at a famous university. She is the only person Akiyama has ever lost to in a battle of wits.

The new season of "LIAR GAME" is airing on Fuji TV at 9:00pm on Tuesday nights. The first episode has been scheduled for November 10. A feature-length film will come after the season's end, opening in theaters on February 6.

Source: Sports Hochi

∞ Kanjani emergency ... Okura, and Yokoyama down

2009-10-07T04:39:57Z

"okay.. basically, the english is weird since it was translated directly from the website using the google translator.. but yes, i think you'll get the point ^o^. now im really worried for Ohno.."

Kanjani ∞ is an emergency situation occurs. ! Popular group Kanjani ∞ Tadayoshi Okura (24) on May 6 because of the fever down. RIA Novosti Furthermore, the members said Yu Yokoyama (28) found that influenza A infection types.

According to Johnny, Okura this morning, because he left a high fever of 38.2 degrees, was a simple test for influenza in a hospital in Tokyo. The results were negative, two days take care of Shibuya, Tokyo was held from the time starring in the NHK drama "ROMES / airport protection system" (starting 15 days after Thursday 8.0) attend the meeting. Re-examined seven days.

According to officials, "We apologize for the inconvenience Shimatsu" and had to apologize. The conference is a three night influenza A Yasuda Shota infection was found to co-star type (25) absences. "Hero" of the two who did not was very unusual interview.

Meanwhile, Yokoyama around 6 pm when four managers reported a 38-degree heat and swelling of the tonsils. Flu at a hospital in Tokyo's six o'clock was diagnosed with type A, has canceled all of the work had been scheduled for this day.

Incidentally, three of three fans who attended the event held in Nagoya on Tuesday afternoon. Last Thursday, Kansai "∞ Tsutomu Seki Jani Jani's" While there will be Journal of three absent, as recorded in the remaining four members.

source: sanspo.com

Influenza updates: Kuro-chan, Yuki Himura, Shota Yasuda, Shirota Yu

2009-10-06T06:57:55Z

With flu fear still high in Japan, at least three more celebrity infections were announced within the past week.

Kuro-chan (32) of the comedy trio Yasuda Dai Circus and Yuki Himura (37) of the duo Bananaman were both confirmed to have the new H1N1 strain, and they have canceled their public appearances for the time being.

Kanjani8 member Shota Yasuda (25) has been diagnosed with influenza type A, with some reports saying that it is also the new H1N1 strain. Yasuda is a supporting cast member in NHK's upcoming drama "ROMES: Kuukou Bougyo System" (starring Tadayoshi Okura), which has already started filming. Because of the flu, he will miss several days of filming, as well as a press conference on October 6.

UPDATE: Yu Shirota also has been infected with influenza type A.

Source: JapanSoc and Sanspo

Arashi tops '09 album sales

2009-10-01T16:14:21Z

Arashi's "All the BEST! 1999-2009" has just captured the crown for the highest sales of any album in 2009. The collection has now sold 1.240 million copies, barely passing Mr.Children's "SUPERMARKET FANTASY."

"All the BEST!" sold 753,000 copies in the first week after its release on August 19, setting this year's record for first-week sales. Now, in its fifth week, it sold 40,000 more copies to push it past the 1.239 million total of Mr.Children's album. That one, however, has been on sale for 41 weeks, starting in December 2008.

Arashi already holds this year's current highest selling single ("Believe / Kumori Nochi, Kaisei" with 655,000 copies) and music DVD ("ARASHI AROUND ASIA 2008 in Tokyo" with 401,000 copies).

Source: Oricon

Stardust seeks to sack Sawajiri?

2009-10-01T16:13:03Z

Management agency Stardust Promotion is reportedly considering the dismissal of actress Erika Sawajiri (23) for breach of contract. Sawajiri's conduct has long caused headaches for the company, and it seems that they have decided to finally put an end to it.

Sources say that Stardust began talks of canceling Sawajiri's contract earlier this month. The actress still has some time remaining on her contract, and she is said to be cast in a major movie project. However, the agency has apparently determined that she is guilty of a serious breach of contract, and they do not plan to wait until the contract's expiration.

When asked about the story, Stardust replied with "no comment."

Sawajiri has long had a reputation of a difficult personality, earning her the nickname of "Erika-sama." In 2007, she was heavily criticized by the media for her unprofessional attitude during a PR event for the movie "Closed Note." Around the same time, she was also discovered to be in a relationship with multimedia creator Tsuyoshi Takashiro (45), whom she married this past January.

Despite her career being mostly quiet since the "Closed Note" incident, Sawajiri has been in the newspapers several times. One recent incident happened in July, when she visited Amami Oshima for the solar eclipse. While there, she was filmed operating a motorized bicycle, and it was later noticed that the bicycle was not properly registered, as it should have been.

Sawajiri also caused trouble for Stardust in February, when she visited New York and participated in the promotion of a popular fashion brand without going through her agency.

In addition, rumors have surfaced that Sawajiri frequently used drugs while in Europe with Takashiro. In particular, they are said to have often attended drug parties in Ibiza. There are further reports that while they were at Amami Oshima, they went to an event that Noriko Sakai and Yuichi Takaso also attended.

Although Sawajiri's dismissal is not official yet, it appears likely to happen. This would have a significant effect on her career, though she may be able to continue independently.

Source: Sports Hochi

Tomohisa Yamashita's first solo concerts

2009-10-01T16:12:05Z

NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita (24) has scheduled his first solo concerts, to be held at Yokohama Arena this November. Just before that, he will also release a new solo single, his first in more than three years.

Yamashita's first single as a soloist was "Daite Senorita" in May 2006, used as the theme song of the drama series "Kurosagi." The song has sold more than 800,000 copies.

His new song is an R&B tune titled "Loveless." It will be released on November 18. Then, on November 21-23, he will do a total of five shows at the Yokohama Arena.

Source: Sankei Sports

Meisa Kuroki to replace Sawajiri in "Yamato"

2009-10-01T16:10:50Z

With Stardust Promotion looking to terminate its contract with actress Erika Sawajiri (23), it appears that rising star Meisa Kuroki (21) may be filling in for her in the live-action "Space Battleship Yamato" movie.

The movie itself was confirmed in July, with SMAP member Takuya Kimura (36) playing the lead. Sawajiri was tentatively offered the part of the heroine, Yuki Mori, and this was expected to be her comeback as an actress. She returned to Japan earlier this month, but her agency later refused to approve her appearance in "Yamato."

Sawajiri has previously caused problems for Stardust, and the company has reportedly decided to cancel her contract. Her dismissal is expected to be made official on September 28.

Along with Sawajiri, Kuroki is one of several actresses who were initially considered for the role of Yuki Mori. With Sawajiri out of the picture now, Kuroki has been chosen to replace her, and she was given an unofficial offer last week.

"Yamato" is scheduled to start filming during mid-October, with theatrical release planned for 2010.

Source: Sports Hochi

Publisher sued over unauthorized books of Arashi, KAT-TUN

2009-10-01T16:06:03Z

Tokyo-based publisher R's Shuppan is being sued over sales of unauthorized books featuring the members of idol groups Arashi and KAT-TUN. The first hearing was held in court on Tuesday.

R's Shuppan is accused of publishing twelve books between 2005 and 2008, using the names and photos of the groups' members for commercial purpose without permission. The plaintiffs are reportedly seeking more than 170 million yen in damages.

The publisher requested to have the lawsuit dismissed, claiming that the books simply traced the history of the groups and did not count as a violation of their right to publicity. However, the plaintiffs argued that the violation is clear, pointing out that the majority of the books' pages contain unauthorized images.

Source: Sports Hochi

Yamapi dating model Kagami?

2009-09-17T11:07:59Z

NEWS member Tomohisa Yamashita (24) is rumored to be in a relationship with fashion model Seira Kagami (22). They are said to have been dating for about three months.

Born to a Canadian father and Japanese mother, Kagami made her modeling debut at the age of 12. In 2001, she gained attention on television for her appearance in a Zexy commercial. Kagami also debuted as a singer in 2007 and has had five consecutive songs on top of the iTunes dance charts.

The couple reportedly were introduced to each other by a friend earlier this year, and it developed into romance before the summer. In July, Yamashita was seen attending a live performance by Kagami. Witnesses apparently saw the two of them together, looking happy.

Neither side has commented yet on the rumor.

Source: Sports Hochi

Yu Shirota joins cast of "Samurai High School"

2009-09-17T11:06:22Z

Earlier this month, it was revealed that Haruma Miura (19) will star in a school comedy on NTV next season. The show's title has now been finalized as "Samurai High School," and Miura's supporting cast will include actor Yu Shirota (23).

Miura's character is a mild-mannered high school student named Kotaro, but whenever trouble arises, he somehow transforms into a samurai and saves the day. Shirota, on the other hand, plays a classmate who becomes a victim of bullying, a departure from his usual image as a tough guy.

Fashion model Anne (23) plays the heroine, a classmate and childhood friend of Kotaro, while Goro Kishitani (44) plays Kotaro's father. Shigeru Muroi, Mikako Ichikawa, and Suzuka Ohgo will also appear in the drama.

The show starts next month, airing at 9:00pm on Saturday nights.

Source: Sports Hochi

Nishikido, Yamapi struck by flu

2009-09-01T11:42:56Z

Popular idols Ryo Nishikido (24) and Tomohisa Yamashita (24) have reportedly been infected with influenza A, according to a fax sent out by their management on Tuesday. It is said that there is a possibility that they have the H1N1 strain.

Nishikido was diagnosed with the flu on Monday, and Yamashita was diagnosed the following day. Their doctor has instructed them to take a break from work and remain confined to their homes until they recover.

Nishikido currently appears in the TBS drama series "Orthros no Inu." The seventh episode is scheduled to air on Friday, September 4, but some of Nishikido's scenes have still not yet been filmed. As a result, there may be changes to this week's broadcast, and future episodes will depend on his recovery.

Source: Sankei Sports

Ryosuke Yamada plays "Left-Eye Detective"

2009-09-01T11:41:53Z

Hey! Say! JUMP member Ryosuke Yamada (16) will star in a drama special called "Hidarime Tantei EYE" ("Left-Eye Detective EYE"). NTV will broadcast the episode at 9:00pm on October 3.

Yamada plays junior high school student Ainosuke Tanaka. He receives a corneal transplant in his left eye from his dead older brother (Kanjani8's Yu Yokoyama, 28), who was a researcher. Because of that eye, he begins seeing strange visions hinting at a crime, possibly related to his brother's death. While searching for the truth, he becomes involved in a major case.

Yamada previously played detective roles in "Tantei Gakuen Q" and "Furuhata Chugakusei," but this is his first one with a special ability.

Satomi Ishihara (22) plays a teacher who supports Ainosuke. Other cast members include Yasufumi Terawaki (47), Neptune's Ken Horiuchi (39), and Nagisa Katahira (50).

Source: Sports Hochi

Osamu Mukai stars in drama based on courtroom manga

2009-08-27T10:25:58Z

Rising actor Osamu Mukai (27) has landed his first starring role in a television drama series. The show is tentatively titled "Bouchou Mania 09."

The drama is adapted from Toro Kitao's manga "Saibancho! Koko wa Choeki 4 Nen de, Dousuka?" Mukai plays a part-timer who winds up sitting in the audience at a trial for the first time. He instantly becomes fascinated with the human interactions that take place inside the courtroom, and he turns it into a hobby.

The series will air on NTV on Thursday nights at 11:58pm, starting on October 22.

Source: Sports Hochi

Shingo Murakami added to "My Girl" cast

2009-08-27T10:25:28Z

Kanjani8 member Shingo Murakami (27) will be appearing in the upcoming TV Asahi drama series "My Girl." The show was first announced earlier this month with Arashi's Masaki Aiba as the star.

The show is based on Mizu Sahara's manga of the same name about a young man (Aiba) who learns of the death of his former girlfriend (Yuka), who left him six years earlier. She had secretly given birth to his daughter (Momoka Ishii), whom he begins to raise.

Murakami plays a staff member at the nursery school that the daughter attends. The character does not appear in the original manga. Murakami and Aiba previously acted together in a four-episode drama in 2003, which was part of Fuji TV's "Engimono" series.

"My Girl" is scheduled to start on October 9.

Source: Nikkan Sports

Mao Inoue stars in "My Darling is a Foreigner"

2009-08-27T10:24:41Z

Actress Mao Inoue (22) is teaming up with actor Jonathan Sherr (35) for a movie adaptation of the manga series "Darling wa Gaikokujin" ("My Darling is a Foreigner").

The original comics, written by mangaka Saori Oguri (42), depict her experiences throughout her relationship with her husband, American journalist Tony Laszlo (48). The manga began publication in 2002 and has sold more than 2 million copies of its four volumes released so far. The latest one, which covered the birth of their son, was published last year.

Filming is already in progress. The official website has opened, though few details are available. Theatrical release is set for spring 2010.

Source: Cinema Today (via Japan Probe)