One of TOKIO's programs, The Tetsuwan DASH, has been involved with a project to clean up the Tokyo Bay area. It has been successful in returning areas to their natural state, bringing back the native species of the bay and informing the public of the importance of protecting the area that the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism’s Kanto Regional Development Bureau has given the group the Marine Day Award this year.
MomoEdgewood's Mediawatch article (English)
Have to say I'm proud of the group, especially as they are my favorite sempai group. But even so I think it's nice in general to see an idol group do something that helps improves the lives of others in other ways than just being entertaining.
09 August 2010
08 August 2010
TakiCHANnel on air.
Meant to post this yesterday but I've been really busy these past couple of days. I will be responding to comments in the next day or so as I don't have much time on the net for now.
But as I reported earlier there is a new Johnny's net section which is a page for a web program produced by Hideaki Takizawa, TakiCHANnel. The first episode launched a couple of days ago as well as an uphaul of the page itself. It know has a new background image of an imaginary city street with the images of Juniors plastered just about everywhere. (I personally am quite amused at the 'la femme Ryosuke' ad featuring Hashimoto Ryosuke.) If you click on the screen on the cityscape you'll see the first episode featuring Kis-My-Ft2 as they answer trivia questions about their group.
One thing that really jumps out at me is the fact that all the photos used on this site of the Juniors are actually clear with no photo shop layering to make them look a bit strange but they look as clear as any of their magazine photo shoots. I've gone ahead and made a snapshot of the web page for quick reference for people to see what I mean.
Also of note on the page is the J Birthday link which has a calender with the birthdays of several Juniors (both Kansai and Tokyo) listed. One can only assume that these will be the Juniors that will get featured on this web program. From that then the groups that will be featured will be; Kis-My-Ft2, A.B.C.-Z, B.I. Shadow, 7WEST, B.A.D., Snow Prince Gasshoudan, Question?, Veteran, Hip Hop Jump and BOYS. And the un-grouped Juniors are; Takada Sho, Masuda Ryo, Kyomoto Taiga, Anderson Casey Takashi, Morimoto Shintaro and Yasui Kentaro.
There's also a message from the producer (Tackey) and a a contact us link that will let you send an e-mail in. There are two links at the bottom that aren't open yet, one for a gallery and the other is a quiz. I hope those open soon as they seem pretty interesting, though I know I probably won't be able to completely read the questions and answers for the quiz.
All in all though, I'm pretty impressed with this web page so far. I'm really glad Johnny's has decided to branch out more on the net as for overseas fans it's the easiest way to keep in touch with what's going on with the boys as we don't have them featured on TV programs like in Japan.
But as I reported earlier there is a new Johnny's net section which is a page for a web program produced by Hideaki Takizawa, TakiCHANnel. The first episode launched a couple of days ago as well as an uphaul of the page itself. It know has a new background image of an imaginary city street with the images of Juniors plastered just about everywhere. (I personally am quite amused at the 'la femme Ryosuke' ad featuring Hashimoto Ryosuke.) If you click on the screen on the cityscape you'll see the first episode featuring Kis-My-Ft2 as they answer trivia questions about their group.
One thing that really jumps out at me is the fact that all the photos used on this site of the Juniors are actually clear with no photo shop layering to make them look a bit strange but they look as clear as any of their magazine photo shoots. I've gone ahead and made a snapshot of the web page for quick reference for people to see what I mean.
Also of note on the page is the J Birthday link which has a calender with the birthdays of several Juniors (both Kansai and Tokyo) listed. One can only assume that these will be the Juniors that will get featured on this web program. From that then the groups that will be featured will be; Kis-My-Ft2, A.B.C.-Z, B.I. Shadow, 7WEST, B.A.D., Snow Prince Gasshoudan, Question?, Veteran, Hip Hop Jump and BOYS. And the un-grouped Juniors are; Takada Sho, Masuda Ryo, Kyomoto Taiga, Anderson Casey Takashi, Morimoto Shintaro and Yasui Kentaro.
There's also a message from the producer (Tackey) and a a contact us link that will let you send an e-mail in. There are two links at the bottom that aren't open yet, one for a gallery and the other is a quiz. I hope those open soon as they seem pretty interesting, though I know I probably won't be able to completely read the questions and answers for the quiz.
All in all though, I'm pretty impressed with this web page so far. I'm really glad Johnny's has decided to branch out more on the net as for overseas fans it's the easiest way to keep in touch with what's going on with the boys as we don't have them featured on TV programs like in Japan.
06 August 2010
Debut Speculation... B.I. Shadow (as of 05 August, 2010)
I've decided to hop over to one of the younger groups this time for speculating about debuts because honestly the ones with the greatest chances for debuting in the next year or so are the ones that are still in their teens now. I do plan on going back and looking at some of the older Junior groups eventually but for now I want to focus a bit more on the groups that have members that are most likely for debut.
There seem to be a few staples about the Juniors that Johnny's like to hold on to. One of these are having one of younger Juniors be the face of all the young Juniors, like Yabu Kota and Nakajima Yuto once were and Morimoto Shintarou currently is. Another is to have a group of four members which gets a good deal of attention. Perhaps it's a bit of a carry over from the first Johnny's group, named simply Johnny's, who had four members or even the Four Leaves, the Johnny's group that put the agency on the map in the Japanese entertainment industry. But very rarely is there a time where there isn't a popular four member Junior group in recent years with groups such as 4Tops, Ya-Ya-Yah and currently B.I. Shadow. In a way this is a good thing as members of each of those past groups have debuted, but not all of them so it's a bit of a double edged sword.
Looking at B.I. Shadow I definitely see parallels to Ya-Ya-Yah in how they get treated with how much screen time they get on Shounen Club and what concerts they are a part of. Both groups even have a CD release, even though BIS had to share with NYC, as Juniors. There is also how the performances are broken down, main focus on two members with the other two having noticeably smaller parts and screen time, though thankfully so far Yuugo and Hokuto have been able to be more than back dancers for Nakaken and Kikuchi. But even so I honestly feel that BIS will share the fate of 4Tops and Yax3 and won't be debuting as a group.
Going from which members tend to get the spotlight or opportunities to go on shows and be a part of dramas I would say that Nakaken is the shoe in for a debut. He's been in the most dramas and gets a lot of the spotlight and attention in the group. And personally I can't blame Johnny's for the treatment as he has been a flowing with charisma since the moment he got on stage.
Because he gets partnered so much with Nakaken I would say that Kikuchi also has a good shot for debut. I admit he took a while to grow on me but know that he's doing the games for Shounen Club and just getting more chances to show his personality I can't help but find myself liking him.
I also think there is a good chance for Yuugo to debut as well. He still may be the least polished looking during performances but he's been a joy to watch in the Junior Coliseum and I'm sure being on School Kakumei helps with getting people familiar with him.
And as much as I am a fan of his personally I can see Hokuto being the one most likely to be passed up for debut for now. I'm not going to say that I think he'll never debut, especially if the B.I.Shadow break up happens in the next couple of years, but he does not get as much attention or the chances for people to know him better as the other three members as things stand right now.
Of course most of this is based on believing that BIS will be broken up for the next volleyball debut, as if they aren't that will change things as a lot can happen over a few years. But seeing how the Juniors are now I think there's a good chance that it will happen. Especially if Johnny's wants to avoid having fans react so passionately about Yax3's break up. So if they don't have BIS around for as long as Yax3 then they most likely won't have as many die hard fans of the group if fans aren't given as much time to grow attached.
But looking at the history of groups like BIS I am certain at least one member will debut and there is always the chance that Johnny's will go for another large group (as they seem to be all the rage with girl groups like AKB48 and their copycats) and perhaps they will beat the odds and end up having all four debut into a large group like the original Hey! Say! 7 was merged into Hey! Say! JUMP. Whatever the outcome I plan on supporting all the members no matter what happens.
There seem to be a few staples about the Juniors that Johnny's like to hold on to. One of these are having one of younger Juniors be the face of all the young Juniors, like Yabu Kota and Nakajima Yuto once were and Morimoto Shintarou currently is. Another is to have a group of four members which gets a good deal of attention. Perhaps it's a bit of a carry over from the first Johnny's group, named simply Johnny's, who had four members or even the Four Leaves, the Johnny's group that put the agency on the map in the Japanese entertainment industry. But very rarely is there a time where there isn't a popular four member Junior group in recent years with groups such as 4Tops, Ya-Ya-Yah and currently B.I. Shadow. In a way this is a good thing as members of each of those past groups have debuted, but not all of them so it's a bit of a double edged sword.
Looking at B.I. Shadow I definitely see parallels to Ya-Ya-Yah in how they get treated with how much screen time they get on Shounen Club and what concerts they are a part of. Both groups even have a CD release, even though BIS had to share with NYC, as Juniors. There is also how the performances are broken down, main focus on two members with the other two having noticeably smaller parts and screen time, though thankfully so far Yuugo and Hokuto have been able to be more than back dancers for Nakaken and Kikuchi. But even so I honestly feel that BIS will share the fate of 4Tops and Yax3 and won't be debuting as a group.
Going from which members tend to get the spotlight or opportunities to go on shows and be a part of dramas I would say that Nakaken is the shoe in for a debut. He's been in the most dramas and gets a lot of the spotlight and attention in the group. And personally I can't blame Johnny's for the treatment as he has been a flowing with charisma since the moment he got on stage.
Because he gets partnered so much with Nakaken I would say that Kikuchi also has a good shot for debut. I admit he took a while to grow on me but know that he's doing the games for Shounen Club and just getting more chances to show his personality I can't help but find myself liking him.
I also think there is a good chance for Yuugo to debut as well. He still may be the least polished looking during performances but he's been a joy to watch in the Junior Coliseum and I'm sure being on School Kakumei helps with getting people familiar with him.
And as much as I am a fan of his personally I can see Hokuto being the one most likely to be passed up for debut for now. I'm not going to say that I think he'll never debut, especially if the B.I.Shadow break up happens in the next couple of years, but he does not get as much attention or the chances for people to know him better as the other three members as things stand right now.
Of course most of this is based on believing that BIS will be broken up for the next volleyball debut, as if they aren't that will change things as a lot can happen over a few years. But seeing how the Juniors are now I think there's a good chance that it will happen. Especially if Johnny's wants to avoid having fans react so passionately about Yax3's break up. So if they don't have BIS around for as long as Yax3 then they most likely won't have as many die hard fans of the group if fans aren't given as much time to grow attached.
But looking at the history of groups like BIS I am certain at least one member will debut and there is always the chance that Johnny's will go for another large group (as they seem to be all the rage with girl groups like AKB48 and their copycats) and perhaps they will beat the odds and end up having all four debut into a large group like the original Hey! Say! 7 was merged into Hey! Say! JUMP. Whatever the outcome I plan on supporting all the members no matter what happens.
05 August 2010
Takizawa Kabuki to get DVD release & SMAP's ticket lottery
Tackey's Takizawa Kabuki is getting a DVD release on September 22nd. It will come in two editions with the limited version having a Children's Day Special which has a 80 minute run time according to Johnny's net. The regular edition will instead have a 90 minute documentary so both are three discs in total.
Takizawa Kabuki [RE] / Takizawa Hideaki
Takizawa Kabuki [LE] / Takizawa Hideaki
On the release day for their single SMAP announced that the serial numbers that come with the limited editions of the single are for a lottery drawing for 50 lucky fans to attend a SMAP concert from backstage, as well as get a chance to meet the group before the concert.
Tokyo Graph article. (English)
I have to say if this is just the beginning of the lead up to their 20th anniversary I'm curious to what else they plan to do. I guess this is going to be a great time to be a SMAP fan.
On the release day for their single SMAP announced that the serial numbers that come with the limited editions of the single are for a lottery drawing for 50 lucky fans to attend a SMAP concert from backstage, as well as get a chance to meet the group before the concert.
Tokyo Graph article. (English)
I have to say if this is just the beginning of the lead up to their 20th anniversary I'm curious to what else they plan to do. I guess this is going to be a great time to be a SMAP fan.
04 August 2010
Kis-My-Ft2 & A.B.C.-Z joint musical
Kis-My-Ft2 and A.B.C.-Z are headlining together, this time for a musical. The musical is called Shonentachi: Koushi Naki Rougoku and was written by Johnny Kitagawa himself for the first Johnny's boy band Johnny's. SMAP has also performed a version of the play and that was the last time it was performed. This time members of both groups will be starring in this musical that will run through September.
Tokyo Graph article. (English)
It's nice to see that Kis-My-Ft2 will not be lacking work anytime soon, though I am surprised that they aren't just headlining the musical themselves as they did with PLAYZONE 2009. But both groups get along very well and I'm sure they're all looking forward to working together as they don't have many chances as they used to.
Tokyo Graph article. (English)
It's nice to see that Kis-My-Ft2 will not be lacking work anytime soon, though I am surprised that they aren't just headlining the musical themselves as they did with PLAYZONE 2009. But both groups get along very well and I'm sure they're all looking forward to working together as they don't have many chances as they used to.
03 August 2010
Toma to play Genji
It was announced that Ikuta Toma has the lead role in a movie adaptation of The Tale of Genji. The Tale of Genji was written in the Heian period of Japan and is cited as the first Japanese novel. Toma will be playing the lead character Genji in the film and the film is set to be released sometime in 2011.
Tokyo Graph article. (English)
Personally I've read parts of the story and I am curious to how they will do this adaptation because the actions of several characters, especially Genji, are quite questionable for the modern day. I mean I don't think raising a girl as your daughter so you can eventually make her your wife is just not something that does not come off as creepy in this day and age. But considering how long the story is and the length a movie would have to be I'm sure they'll be changing quite a bit of the story anyway.
Tokyo Graph article. (English)
Personally I've read parts of the story and I am curious to how they will do this adaptation because the actions of several characters, especially Genji, are quite questionable for the modern day. I mean I don't think raising a girl as your daughter so you can eventually make her your wife is just not something that does not come off as creepy in this day and age. But considering how long the story is and the length a movie would have to be I'm sure they'll be changing quite a bit of the story anyway.
01 August 2010
New Arashi single
This just popped up in my e-mail account so hopefully by the time I'm done with this post the limited edition won't be sold out.
But Arashi has a new single coming out on September 8th. The single is titled Love Rainbow which is the theme song for Matsumoto Jun's drama, Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku. The regular edition will come with two songs, the B-side is currently untitled, and karaoke tracks for them. The limited edition will have the same two song tracks and include a DVD with the PV for the song Love Rainbow.
Love Rainbow [RE] / Arashi
Love Rainbow [LE] / Arashi
But Arashi has a new single coming out on September 8th. The single is titled Love Rainbow which is the theme song for Matsumoto Jun's drama, Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku. The regular edition will come with two songs, the B-side is currently untitled, and karaoke tracks for them. The limited edition will have the same two song tracks and include a DVD with the PV for the song Love Rainbow.
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