On May 17th, it was announced that Tamamori Yuta from Kis-My-Ft2 will be participating in the “Living on 10,000 yen for 1 month” project on TV Asahi’s variety program ‘Ikinari! Ougon Densetsu‘. He is the first talent from Johnny’s Jimusho to participate in this project.

“Living on 10,000 yen for 1 month” project is one that features participants surviving on 10,000 yen for a month. The 10,000 yen encompasses living costs including their food and utilities. When the month is over, the person with the most money left over is the winner of this challenge.

Besides Tamamori, talent Gal Sone and Takahashi Shigeo from duo Savanna will also be taking part in this challenge.

Tamamori, who has never tried cooking nor buying food for he lives at his parents house, reportedly struggles with this project.

Gal Sone who has an experience with this project, tries recipes that provide a large amount yet still low in calories, while a tragic accident happens to other contestant Takahashi.

‘Ikinari! Ougon Densetsu’ airs every Thursday at 7:00 pm. The episodes featuring Tamamori will air starting from May 31st for several weeks.

Source : Mantan web

On June 27th, Luna Sea guitarist INORAN will be releasing his new album, “Dive youth, Sonik dive“, to commemorate his 15th year anniversary. It’s been revealed that Tsuchiya Anna will be participating in the album with the song “no options“.

INORAN, who wanted to do a rock duet for “no options”, approached Tsuchiya for her powerful voice. Tsuchiya accepted his offer, and it turned out to be a duet song that intertwine their voices together.

The first press limited edition will come with a DVD as well as a 12 inch analog. The analog will contain “no options-mirrorless“, which INORAN sings by himself.

Regarding the duet, Tsuchiya commented, “I was very happy to participate in INORAN-san’s song! It’s a really cool song, and it’s become one of my favorites! I hope to sing with with him at a live someday!”

Additionally, INORAN will be kicking off his tour, “Live Tour 2012 ‘Dive youth, Sonik dive’“, in late June. He’s also added Shibuya O-EAST for July 26th. With this new addition, the tour will now host a total of 9 shows.

Check out the jacket cover for “Dive youth, Sonik dive” below!

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Source & Images: natalie

On May 14th, Fuji TV announced that they will be adapting 11 of Higashino Keigo’s best short stories into one omnibus drama called ‘Mokuyo Gekijo – Higashino Keigo Mysteries‘.

The drama will be comprised of 11 episodes, featuring 11 different stories and starring 11 different actors. Of course the name Higashino stands for amazing mystery novels, but it’s his varied use of different atmospheres from serious to comedic to eerie that make each story stand out from his previous works. This kind of variety becomes even more evident when composed into short stories and that’s exactly what Fuji TV wants to offer their viewers this coming summer season. Airing a weekly drama in an omnibus style is a first in the history of Japanese dramas.

Actor Nakai Kiichi will serve as a story guide and will introduce each of the stories for the viewers with a certain breeze of humor.

The first story ‘Sayonara Coach‘ is from a collection called ‘Hannin no Inai Satsujin no Yoru‘ and stars actor Karasawa Toshiaki. He plays an archery coach whose favorite pupil committed suicide after his dream to participate in the Olympics didn’t come true.

Karasawa commented, “First of all Higashino knows how to create gripping mysteries, but it’s also his depiction of the darkness that dwells within each of us and the weakness and slyness of people that makes his works so fascinating. I can’t wait to portray the depth of human psychology together with the rest of the cast.”

Aside from ‘Hannin no Inai Satsujin no Yoru’, Fuji TV will be adapting short stories from Higashino’s collections called ‘Ayashii Hitobito‘ and ‘Ano Koro no Dareka‘.

The second short story, ‘Endless Night‘, stars Matsushita Nao as a woman whose husband is killed. In the third story called ‘Reiko to Reiko‘, a lawyer played by Mizuki Alisa gets dragged into a mysterious murder case related to a puzzling young girl. In ‘Amai Hazu Nanoni‘, Sorimachi Takashi ends up in an ultimate conflict as a man who loses his daughter in a mysterious incident. Nagasawa Masami will have to solve the mysterious puzzle left behind by her murdered boyfriend in a comedic mystery story called ‘Charade ga Ippai‘.

The cast of the remaining six short stories has yet to be confirmed and will be announced at a later date.

‘Mokuyo Gekijo – Higashino Keigo Mysteries’ will air every Thursday at 10:00 pm next season.

Source: Oricon

Earlier this week, idol group Denpagumi.inc revealed the short version of their upcoming music video for “Tsuyoi Kimochi Tsuyoi Ai” on YouTube!

The song will be released through their new single “Denparade JAPAN / Tsuyoi Kimochi Tsuyoi Ai“, and is a cover of the Ozawa Kenji song of the same name. The music video features the girls of Denpagumi.inc being projected on various surfaces throughout Shibuya and was taken entirely in one shot to give the video a “live” feel.

The PV for “Tsuyoi Kimochi Tsuyoi Ai” was directed by the mysterious video unit BOZO&YGQ, who also directed the PV for their previous work “Kuchizuke Kibonnu“. The full version of the music video and its making-of will be included on the Limited Edition B version of Denpagumi.inc’s new single, which hits stores on May 23rd.

Check out the short version of the video below!

Source + Image: Barks

Hello! Project has revealed through their official website that Morning Musume member Niigaki Risa will be releasing her own physical cover album, “Hello Cover“!

“Hello Cover” was a special cover series in which the Hello! Project members covers Hello! Project tunes, and releases them limitedly as digital downloads from December 2010 until March 2011.

For the release of the physical CD, three more songs, “Chu! Natsu Party“, “25 ~Vingt-Cinq~“, and “My Days for You“, which were newly recorded during this month, will be added into the track list.

The album will be available only on e-Line UP! and fans who would like to purchase the album can pre-order it up until May 31st for 3,000 yen.

Check out the cover and track list for the album below!

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< Track List >
01. Manatsu no Kousen
02. Furusato
03. Seinaru Kane ga Hibiku Yoru
04. Koi wo Shichaimashita!
05. Chu! Natsu Party
06. LOVE Namidairo
07. Kousui
08. Koi no Hana
09. Onegai Miwaku no Target
10. 25 ~Vingt-Cinq~
11. My Days for You

Source + Images: Hello! Project Official Website

On May 15th, actors Okada Masaki and Oguri Shun attended the final stage greeting for their hit film, ‘Uchuu Kyodai‘.

During the event, Okada was moved to tears by Oguri’s surprise letter. As a matter of fact, Okada had first planned to give Oguri a surprise letter on this day. However, upon hearing about the surprise, Oguri also wrote a letter to Okada.

Okada and Oguri only share 5 scenes in the movie, but they’ve spent over a year together with filming and promotional events. At their final event, Okada told Oguri, “During our private time, he would always give me advice about work. It’s like I’ve really gained an older brother. One day I plan to overtake you, and pull pranks on you with all my strength. Please co-star with me again someday.”

Meanwhile, Oguri read his letter aloud, “He’s friendly, hates losing, selfish, and pure. But I, as an older brother, am very happy to have a younger brother like Okada-kun.” As Okada wiped away his tears, the crowd was also deeply touched by the brotherhood.

‘Uchuu Kyodai’ is based on a popular manga series by Koyama Chuuya which is currently being serialized in ‘Morning‘. It tells a story about 2 brothers named Mutta (Oguri) and Hibito (Okada), who promises to become astronauts when they grow up. Over time, Hibito becomes an astronaut while Mutta is unemployed. While the brothers live two different lives, Mutta receives an e-mail from Hibito, which motivates him to reach for his dreams once again.

‘Uchuu Kyodai’ is currently playing in theaters nationwide.

Source & Image: Cinema Today

On May 16th, child actress Ashida Mana held a release event for her 2nd single, “Zutto Zutto Tomodachi“, at Ario Kameari in Tokyo.

Despite it being a weekday, over 2,000 people gathered at the event. Ashida called out, “In 3 days I did my best to memorize the song!” and performed her new song for the very first time.

Together with dancers PiaPia, Ashida danced to “Zutto Zutto Tomodachi” and its coupling track “Nanairo Picnic“. She shared, ”I especially like the dance for ‘yubikiri shiyou!’ (let’s make a pinky promise).”

Finally, Ashida cheerfully stated, “Thank you to everyone who came out on this hot day! Please remember the dance!”

After her performance, Ashida held a high touch event with 500 fans.

Take a look at photos from the event below!

Source & Photos: Oricon

On May 13th and 14th, Saotome Taichi(20) and model Nishiyama Maki(26), reported their heated argument through their blogs with an apology for their fans.

They announced this since they their fight was caught by tabloid magazine ‘Josei Jishin‘ and reports surfaced that photos will be published on May 15th. The couple apologized to their fans directly before the fight would hit the media. During an interview on the 14th, Saotome revealed the fight was over trivial matters, and he once again apologized and stated, “I will not make the same mistake again.”

During the interview, he revealed that they are living together. About the alleged violence towards Nishiyama, he responded, “It might be ‘violence’, but that doesn’t mean I hit or slapped her. When I pulled her, she fell down.” Nishiyama left him right after the fight, but she came back to his house several hours later, and they had a lengthy discussion on the matter.

Although Saotome didn’t reveal details of their fight, tabloid magazine ‘Josei Jishin’ caught some of the details.

On May 10th, around 7:30 PM, the couple were enjoying their time with a game of bowling at an amusement park in Odaiba, Tokyo. After 11:00 PM, they moved to Teppanyaki (restaurants which mainly serve grilled steak or seafood) in Shirogane, Tokyo. According to staff members from the restaurant, they (the couple and their relatives) were livened up by drinking games at private room in the restaurant and Nishiyama got drunk and started to blurt out dirty jokes. When Saotome warned her, the atmosphere suddenly became awkward.

They left the restaurant around 2:00AM. They went back to Saotome’s apartment by taxi, and Nishiyama who was in a sulky mood got off the taxi first, and Saotome followed her. After several minutes, they came outside again and Saotome shouted “Wait!“. Nishiyama tried to get into the taxi, but Saotome pulled her out from the taxi. After the taxi left, Saotome and Nishiyama started their argument on the street, and when Saotome pulled her, she fell down on the street. (According to ‘Josei Jishin’’s report)

During the interview, Saotome mentioned that Nishiyama wasn’t injured, but he stated “I pulled her and made her fall down. I did a really wrong and shameful act as a man.”

Nishiyama also apologized through her blog saying “Our fight will be in the tabloid magazine. Our rash behavior with lack of responsibility and awareness led to this result. I am deeply sorry to have caused this trouble.”

Source : Nikkan Sports & Josei Jishin

Image : TV Asahi & Josei Jishin

On May 16th, it was announced by TV Tokyo that the iconic low-budget adventure drama ‘Yuusha Yoshihiko to Maou no Shiro‘ is going to return with a second season in October.

The original series of ‘Yuusha Yoshihiko to Maou no Shiro’, starring actor Yamada Takayuki, aired last summer and was able to charm many viewers with its homage to the popular ‘Dragon Quest’ franchise and the love for detail despite the extremely low budget. However, it also was the low-budget that gave it the a unique and “handmade” feel that made it such a lovely series. It even became the best-selling Japanese TV drama of 2011 on Amazon Japan, which shows how much people loved this series.

The producers made clear that the second season won’t change this formula at all, which means there won’t be a higher budget nor are they planning to increase its scale.

Of course Yamada will reprise his role as Yoshihiko. He commented, “Just like last time, I’d like to give it my 70% and hope that it will be just as fun and stupid.”

The director of the first season, Fukuda Yuichi, will work on the second season as well. All of Yoshihiko’s comrades played by Kinami Haruka, Muro Tsuyoshi, Sato Jiro, and Takuma Shin, who helped him defeat the devil king at the end of the first season, will also appear in the new season.

The official title for the second season has yet to be announced.

Sources: Sanspo, Oricon

Female visual kei band exist†trace is the focus of Kawaii Girl Japan’s latest interview. In the interview they talked about how they felt when performing in front of their American fans earlier this year.

The band toured the east coast of the United States in March, with performances in places such as New York and Philadelphia. In their interview, you can tell how excited these ladies were to see so much enthusiasm from their Western fans and other things that happened while on tour.

Check out the video interview which is subbed in English below!

Source: Kawaii Girl Japan Official YouTube Channel