Welcome to J!-ENT. A website covering Japanese and Asian entertainment pop culture. We have been around since 1993 (the old 2400-28.8k baud modem nt2099 BBS old school years) and over a decade later, still going strong. We want to thank you for your ongoing support. New Release Wednesday:    The #1 album of the day goes to BENNIE K for "BEST OF THE BESTEST" and the #1 CD single of the day goes to NEWS for "SUMMER TIME". The #1 Indies Single of the day goes to Ling Toshite Sigure for "Telecastic fake show". The #1 selling music DVD of the day goes to "Hey! Say! JUMP Debut and Fast Concert Ikinari! in Tokyo Dome". For Oricon Weekly Chart ratings: Single | Album NINKI Poll: Predictions for CD singles and Album sales DON'T MISS A BEAT! Get the latest Japanese and Asian entertainment and pop culture news from J!-ENT via RSS. CLICK HERE! Miyake Hitomi to be a voice actress in "Code Geass Lelouche of the Rebellion R2" anime Photo courtesy of Sankei Sports. Watanabe Entertainment B-Girl audition Grand Prix winner Miyake Hitomi (15) will have her first challenge as a voice actress for the TBS anime "Code Geass Lelouche of the Rebellion R2". The actress also showed the media another talent of hers which is balancing. NOTE: "Code Geass" season 1 premiered in the US last Saturday on Cartoon Network. RECENT NEWS [J-ENT] Shinohara Ryoko gives birth to baby boy 0 days ago-13 May 2008 12:35:am Mainichi Daily News reported, “Actress Ryoko Shinohara, 34, and actor Masachika Ichimura had their first child, a baby boy, her talent agency announced Sunday.” More on this article Tags: Ryoko Shinohara, Shinohara Ryoko Read More / Discuss It... [JAPAN] Bae Yong-jun - “Yong-sama” lunch boxes to be sold in Japan’s 7-11 stores 0 days ago-13 May 2008 12:34:am JapanToday.com reported, “Convenience store Seven-Eleven Japan on Monday started accepting reservations for its new special lunch box product in cooperation with the agent of popular Korean actor Bae Yong-jun.” More on this article Tags: Bae Yong-jun, Yong-sama Read More / Discuss It... [J-ENT] Anna Tsuchiya and Sakaguchi Kenji promote Quicksilver 0 days ago-13 May 2008 12:31:am JapanToday.com reported, “Singer-actress Anna Tsuchiya, 24, and actor Kenji Sakaguchi 32, on Monday attended an event to promote sports brand “Quick Silverâ€� surfing gear in Tokyo. Tsuchiya, who has a 3-year-old son, was asked what she thought of actress Ryoko Shinohara, 34, who has just given birth to a baby boy. “Boys are good because [...] Read More / Discuss It... [J-ENT] KAT-TUN’s Akanishi Jin to do voice work dub for Japanese release of “Speed Racer” film 0 days ago-13 May 2008 12:29:am JapanToday.com reported, “KAT-TUN member Jin Akanishi, 23, will do the voiceover for American actor Emile Hirsch, 23, in the Japanese-language version of “Speed Racer.â€� Akanishi said, “This is my first dubbing experience. It’s an honor to work for the creators of the ‘Matrix’ series and for such an entertaining move.â€� More on this article Tags: Akanishi Jin, Jin [...] Read More / Discuss It... [WII] NINTENDO LAUNCHES WIIWARE: AN OPEN PLAYGROUND FOR CREATIVITY 1 days ago-12 May 2008 1:18:pm Downloadable Game Service Delivers Developers’ New Ideas Directly to Consumers REDMOND, Wash., May 12, 2008 - Nintendo’s Wiiâ„¢ console has already changed the way people play games. Now its new WiiWareâ„¢ service decisively tears down limitations for how developers create games - and the way people receive them. Starting today, Wii owners with an Internet connection [...] Read More / Discuss It... [WII] NINTENDO’S WII-KLY UPDATE TAKES A WEEK OFF 1 days ago-12 May 2008 1:17:pm May 12, 2008 To celebrate today’s launch of the new WiiWareâ„¢ downloadable game service for Wiiâ„¢, there will be no Virtual Consoleâ„¢ games added today. But don’t worry - next week the Wii-kly Update will be back to its regular Monday schedule, bringing Wii owners information about the best classic Virtual Console titles and coolest new [...] Read More / Discuss It... [HearJapan.com] Two new D’espairsRay tracks “brilliant” and “Cocoon” to be released on May 14th 1 days ago-12 May 2008 1:16:pm That’s right, On May 14th at MIDNIGHT Japanese Standard Time, a quick download from HearJapan.com and the two new D’espairs Ray tracks “brilliant” and “cocoon” will be YOURS in a matter of seconds.  No importing fees, weeks of waiting, nor scouring the internet for sub-par uploads!  For only about 4 dollars you can show your [...] Read More / Discuss It... Do As Infinity - DEEP FOREST (J!-ENT World Groove Classic Album Review) 1 days ago-12 May 2008 12:29:am “Do As Infinity’s 3rd album “DEEP FOREST” (2001), showcases the band’s music and vocals and in my opinion, is the best DAI album released!â€� BAND: Do As Infinity ALBUM: DEEP FORST LABEL: avex trax CATALOG #: AVCD-17913 DURATION: 50:46 RELEASE DATE: September 19, 2001 OFFICIAL WEBSITE Fukai Mori Tokumade (Album Version) Tadaima Get Yourself Tsubasa no Keikaku Koko Kaikaku Koi Otome Week! Hang out Boukensha Tachi Enrai Signal (Album Remix) In 2001, Do As [...] Read More / Discuss It... [EVENT] ! LA VEUVE MOUSTACHUE BACK IN EUROPE ! 2 days ago-11 May 2008 11:40:pm ! LA VEUVE MOUSTACHUE BACK IN EUROPE ! Strong and unique character, highly involved in the japanese music scene since years, Kishino Yuichi is back with La Veuve Moustachue project, unique ultra easy pop karaoke show, merging cabaret chanson, easy-retro orchestrations and dada attitude in a sweet and humoristic gender-confusion. Featuring Miura Yoko at the piano, the live also develops a [...] Read More / Discuss It... [J-ENT] Matsuda Seiko to emcee “All Night Nippon” 2 days ago-11 May 2008 11:23:pm JapanToday.com reported, “Radio broadcaster Nippon Broadcasting System (NBS) on Sunday said singer Seiko Matsuda, 46, will be the MC for its midnight programâ€�All Night Nipponâ€� on May 19. It will be her first appearance on the program in 19 years.” More on this article Tags: Matsuda Seiko, Seiko Matsuda Read More / Discuss It... [More News]

So, you want to watch the latest Japanese drama, variety show, music show, etc.? One way is through the local Japanese video stores near you.

Click here for Japanese video stores that
carry Japanese entertainment in the US.

The following TV ratings are from Video Research Ltd. There are usual ratings focusing on the Kanto (Tokyo) area and the Kansai (Osaka) area and a good representation of what the audiences throughout the country are watching. The top 10 are broken down into several categories. They are:

NEWS, EDUCATION/CULTURE, MUSIC, DORAMA, ANIME, MOVIE, SPORTS & VARIETY

The ratings are updated every week around Tuesday (US).

For Japanese entertainment TV site access ratings on the Web, check out WADAIN.

Please e-mail us with any concert information of upcoming Japanese and Asian performances in North America.

2008:

May 14 - YOSHIDA BROTHERS to perform at El Rey Theater in Los Angeles

MAY 14 and 16: Miyavi to perform at House of Blue in Anaheim and Avalon in Hollywood

May 16-18: HALCALI to perform at Anime Central in Chicago, IL

May 23-26: An Cafe to perform at FANIME, San Jose, CA

May 30-June 1: Budou Grape at A-Kon Dallas, TX

June 22: A.I. benefit concert at Go For Broke Charity event, Redondo Beach, CA

July 3-6: Nakagawa Shoko, Jyukai at Anime Expo, Los Angeles, CA

August 8-10: JAM Project at Otakon, Baltimore, Maryland

SEPTEMBER: X Japan at Madison Square Garden, NYC

Welcome to our interview and articles section of J!-ENT. Where we interview Japanese and Asian/Asian American entertainers and professionals. We have a large list of interviews and features, so if you are looking for a previous interview or article that was featured on J!-ENT? Please click here (1993-2003) or click here (2004-Present).

The following entertainment interviews are PDF's. To view a PDF, please download Adobe Reader (or Acrobat Reader) by clicking on the logo on the right.

	J!-ENT SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE & INTERVIEW: Shimatani Hitomi by Dennis A. Amith and Hiroshi Tagawa. CLICK HERE!
	J!-ENT SPECIAL PICTORIAL: PUFFY AmiYumi Honey Sweeper Tour by Nergene Arquelada! CLICK HERE!
	J!-ENT SPECIAL FEATURE ARTICLE & INTERVIEW: CHRIS by Dennis A. Amith! CLICK HERE!
	J!-ENT SPECIAL 15th ANNIVERSARY FEATURE ARTICLE & INTERVIEW: TRF by Dennis A. Amith and Hiroshi Tagawa. CLICK HERE!
	J!-ENT SPECIAL FEATURE: ANNA TSUCHIYA by Wynne Ip. CLICK HERE!

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INTERVIEWS

Disclaimer: Our blog reviews are pretty much done off the cuff... blogged at home, cafe, traveling on the road and just posted on the site. A little bit more of the hook type of review than what we do on our PDF reviews.

MUSIC:

	4/11/08: J!-ENT short "World Groove" blog CD single review for "Shimatani Hitomi - Nakitai Nara". Click here.
	5/2/08: J!-ENT short "World Groove" blog album review for "Kosaka Riyu - every struggle". CLICK HERE
	5/3/08: J!-ENT "World Groove" blog Classic album review for "globe - FACES PLACES". CLICK HERE

MORE MUSIC REVIEWS (WORLD GROOVE)

VIDEO GAMES:

	5/7/08: J! -ENT first glance review of the Sega XBOX360 game "SEGA SUPERSTARS TENNIS". Click here
	5/7/08: J!-ENT first glance review of XSEED Games Wii game "VICTORIOUS BOXERS REVOLUTION". Click here
	4/24/08: J!-ENT first glance review for the Square Enix DS video game "The World Ends With You". Click here

MORE J!-ENT VIDEO GAME REVIEWS

m-create: JAPAN VIDEO GAME SALES CHARTS , Oricon Video Games Sales Charts

DVD:

Disclaimer: For film, DVD or video game reviews, please bare in mind that they may contain spoilers.

	5/11/08: J!-ENTDVD review for Bandai Visual's ""HARUKA ~Beyond the Streams of Time~ A Tale of the Eight Guardians" vol. 2". Click here
	5/5/08: J!-ENTDVD review for Bandai Visual's MOBILE SUIT GUNDAM MS IGLOO - THE HIDDEN ONE-YEAR WAR". Click here
	4/30/08: J!-ENT anime DVD review for Bandai Visual's "SOS! TOKYO METRO EXPLORERS: THE NEXT". Click here
	4/23/08: J!-ENT DVD review for Bandai Visual's "HARUKA ~Beyond the Streams of Time~ A Tale of the Eight Guardians" vol. 1. Click here [PDF]
	4/22/08: J!-ENTDVD review for Bandai Visual's "GUNBUSTER 2 Vol. 3". Click here

MORE ANIME REVIEWS

MORE ASIAN DVD REVIEWS

ORICON JAPAN MUSIC DVD CHARTS | ORICON DVD CHARTS

POP CULTURE RELATED BOOK REVIEWS:

	5/11/08: J!-ENT Book Review for "Anime Figures: Tokyo’s Hottest 50 Figurines". Click here.
	4/20/08: J!-ENT Book Review for "THE ART TRUCKS OF JAPAN". Click here.
	4/17/08: J!-ENT Book Review for "WE LOVE COSPLAY GIRLS". Click here.

MORE BOOK REVIEWS