 | [JAPAN] The return of the Brilliant Green |
May 31, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
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It has been five years since the band, the Brilliant Green went on hiatus. Lead singer Kawase Tomoko continued to perform as Tommy february6 and Tommy heavenly6 but news has come out that the band will reunite just in time for it’s tenth year anniversary by performing the ending theme for the NTV anime “Tantei Gakuen Q” which starts on July 3rd.
The song is tentatively titled “Stand by Me” and Kawase will continue using her “Tommy” name.
In a press release, Tommy said, “These last ten years is like an adventure where we keep searching for that box of treasure. In the future, we want to create music aimed towards everyone’s hearts.”
Photo courtesy of Sankei Sports
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| [JAPAN] Media continue to wonder if Shinohara Ryoko is pregnant |
May 31, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
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Each time Shinohara Ryoko makes a public appearance, media are quick to point out that she is or isn’t pregnant. Last time, Shinohara Ryoko wore a slimming black clothing, media said that she didn’t look pregnant but others say that her face shows pregnancy.
This time at the 44th Galaxy Awards Show where Shinohara won an award, the theories began with more speculating if she is or isn’t pregnant.
Photo courtesy of Sankei Sports
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| [VIDEO GAMES] Nintendo to release two more colors for the DS |
May 31, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Mainichi Shimbun reports that Nintendo will be releasing two more colors for their DS portable console.
According to the article, “The “metallic rose” and “gloss silver” versions of DS Lite will go on sale from June 23. Each machine costs 16,800 yen.”
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| [JAPAN] TV Ratings for Fujiwara Norika and Jinnai Tomonori hit 40% |
May 31, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
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Mainichi Shimbun reports on how Fujiwara Norika and Jinnai Tomonori’s televised wedding made ratings gold in the Kansai region.
According to the article, “TV viewer ratings for the wedding party of actress Norika Fujiwara and comedian Tomonori Jinnai reached 40 percent in the Kansai area and 24.7 percent in Kanto, ratings firm Video Research said Thursday.”
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| [PR] Momoi Halko to be at Anime Expo |
May 31, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Anaheim, California (May 31, 2007) — Famous Akihabara Street Performer,
singer and celebrity Halko Momoi is the latest addition to the hottest line
up of Anime Expo® 2007 Guests of Honors for the highly anticipated 2007
convention June 29-July 2 at the Long Beach Convention Center. More
information can be found on the website www.anime-expo.org
<http://www.anime-expo.org> .
From a very young age, Ms. Momoi has always had an interest in anime, video
games and computers. In high school, Ms. Momoi discovered internet
communications and began her on-line journal. Her on-line journal caught the
eye of a magazine editor, and was published as a serial column that led to
more and more requests for writing contributions and interviews.
She was also the MC (Mistress of Ceremonies) for various idol events and
appeared in the regular live talk program; “Haruko no Himitsu (Haruko’s
Secret)” at Shinjuku’s Loft Plus One. In 1997, she produced a name clone of
herself called; “Indie Virtual Mobidol Moai Haruko”.
Ms. Momoi’s live street performances has gathered major attention from media
which has launched her career as a TV/radio/anime voice actress, lyricist,
songwriter, and as a singer soon thereafter. The single “Mail Me” marked
her major singing debut in 2000. It was during this time that Ms. Momoi
applied her experiences as a popular street performer in the Akihabara area
and was soon dubbed the “Queen of Akihabara.”
In 2001, Ms. Momoi made history as the role of Komugi Nakahara in the
historic world’s first ever anime internet radio show NAKAHARA KOMUGI NO
KONGURI.
In February 2002, she joined the unit UNDER17, and was the glasses-wearing
lead vocalist until its disbandment in 2004. Ms. Momoi’s performance of
anime and game songs at her Final Tour at Yokohama Blitz is considered
legendary by fans with Ms. Momoi’s famous signature final bow of leaving her
glasses on stage at the very end of the concert performance. In 2005, in
conjunction with her maxi single “Wonder momo-i~New recording~”, she held
the hugely successful “Wonder momo-I Live Tour” in Tokyo, Osaka, and Nagoya.
Since then, Ms. Momoi has released her chart busting first solo album, a
2-part autobiographical DVD drama “HarukoÅôUP DATEÅh Part 1 & 2 and
self-authored a book ÅgAkhiaba LOVE-Growing Up Together with AkihabaraÅh.
Ms. Momoi will be performing a full one hour live concert at Anime Expo® on
Monday; July 2, 2007 at the Anime Expo® Main Events Hall (Long Beach Arena).
Halko Momoi joins Tetsuro Araki, Michael Arias, Minori Chihara, Yuko Goto,
Aya Hirano, Eisaku Inoue, Masaru Kitao, Mary Elizabeth McGlynn and
ORESKABAND as Anime Expo® 2007 Official Guests of Honor.
Secure pre-registration can be done via online at
https://secure.rhq.com/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi
<file://localhost/anime/anime2007/attreg/index.cgi> .
Attendees interested in booking flights, car rentals and/or other hotels for
Anime Expo® 2007 can do so via the AX Travel Store located at
www.AXTravelStore.com <http://www.AXTravelStore.com> .
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| [VIDEO GAMES] NINTENDO NEWS: NINTENDO DS GAMING SERVICE TOPS 5 MILLION USERS, 200 MILLION GAME SESSIONS |
May 31, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
Nintendo® Wi-Fi Connection has crossed two huge milestones within just days of one another. Worldwide, since its launch in November 2005, Nintendo’s wireless gaming service has now connected more than 5 million unique Nintendo DS™ owners, and those gamers have racked up more than 200 million game-play sessions. Worldwide, nearly 65 games can be played via Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection. The five most popular globally are Animal Crossing®: Wild World, Mario Kart® DS, Metroid® Prime Hunters, Pokémon® Diamond and Pokémon Pearl.
“Nintendo DS gamers globally use Nintendo Wi-Fi Connection as an easy, fun place to find fellow players, all without paying anything extra for the service,” explains Nintendo of America President Reggie Fils-Aime. “The milestones represent millions of hours of fun and camaraderie despite miles between players.”
Nintendo DS continues to enjoy record-breaking success. According to new figures from the independent NPD Group, DS was again the top-selling video game system in April, with more than 470,000 units sold in the United States alone. That’s nearly 16,000 per day.
Nintendo DS also finds success beyond the stereotypical young male gamer. According to internal Nintendo demographic tracking studies, in less than 18 months, DS purchases have increased by 42 percent among women, 127 percent among people 30 and older and 212 percent among people 35 and older.
For more information about Nintendo DS, please visit www.NintendoDS.com.
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| [JAPAN] The funeral of Sakai Izumi |
May 30, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
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Around 20 family members attended the funeral of ZARD singer Sakai Izumi (40) on Wednesday morning (11:00 a.m., funeral ended at noon), the popular singer who died on Sunday after falling from a stairwell at the hospital she was being treated for cancer.
At the funeral, her mother held a photo of her daughter close to her, while outside several dozen fans cried and screamed their thank you’s when they saw the casket.
Photo courtesy of Sankei Sports
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| [JAPAN] Fujiwara Norika and Jinnai Tomonori have wedding reception |
May 30, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
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Several months since their marriage back in Feb. 17th, actress/model Fujiwara Norika and comedian Jinnai Tomonori celebrated their wedding reception.
The two are known for their busy work schedules and were able to celebrate in style.
In fact, the wedding reception cost Y500 Million and was televised. Featuring live performances from Go Hiromi, video messages from fellow SHREK 3 friend Cameron Diaz (Fujiwara does the Japanese voice acting for Princess Fiona) and a surprise performance by Jinnai who learned to play the piano and sung her favorite Kobukuro song “Eien no Tomo ni”.
Kyodo News reports, “Their marriage is likely to have an economic impact worth up to 12 billion yen on the prefecture, according to an estimate by the Kobe branch of the Bank of Japan. The bank said the shrine would draw tourists who would spend money in the region and many people may be encouraged to hold wedding receptions in emulation of the couple. The reception was televised live by Nippon Television Network affiliate station.”
Photo courtesy of Sankei Sports
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| [JAPAN] ZARD CD Skyrockets in charts |
May 30, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
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ZARD’s “Golden Best ~15th Anniversary~” CD released last October is staying strong on the charts since the death of Sakai Izumi (40).
Mainichi Shimbun reports, “ZARD’s most recent hit compilation has skyrocketed up the charts in the wake of singer Izumi Sakai’s death on Sunday, coming from outside the Top 100 to reach No. 6, according to Oricon’s Daily Ranking Chart.”
“Golden Best 15th Anniversary,” the CD, went on sale on Oct. 25 last year and reached the top of the Nov. 6 weekly chart.”
“Sales have remained constant ever since and have totaled about 490,000. The CD re-entered Oricon’s Daily Ranking Chart for the first time since Nov. 20 last year. It is expected to place well on the weekly chart when it is announced next week.”
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| [JAPAN] Oricon Daily Chart – Top 10 CD Singles – L’Arc~en~Ciel takes the #1 spot 5.30.07 |
May 30, 2007 by Dennis Amith · Leave a Comment
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It’s Wednesday and that means new releases. Who fared well in new releases?
NOTE: L’Arc~en~Ciel is back with their #1 CD single “Seventh Heaven”, Aiko shows no sign of slowing down and Onitsuka Chihiro is back! As for Leah Dizon, the American continues to break the top 10.
- L’Arc~en~Ciel – SEVENTH HEAVEN
- aiko – Shiawase
- UVERworld – endscape
- Trio the Shakin – Itoshi no Napolitan
- Kururi – JUBILEE
- Kuwata Keisuke – Ashita Harerukana
- Onitsuka Chihiro – everyhome
- Leah Dizon – Koishiyou
- GReeeN – Aiuta
- Kawashima Ai – Kimi ni…..
