Sooo can't wait for this

Paradise Kiss, or Parakiss is an manga written and illustrated by Yazawa Ai. It became an anime in 2005 and is now currently being made into a full length live action movie! Starring Kitagawa Keiko was Yukari (Caroline) and Mukai Osamu as George.

I was just reading that George was loosely based off of the character Brian Slade from the movie Velvet Goldmine. Brian Slade was a glam rocker played by Jonathan Rhys Meyers. (Ewan McGregor was also in this movie, as well as Christian Bale) I really liked that movie, but I realise its not someting everyone would like. haha.

but yes, I'm really excited about this. Its supposed to start in theaters in Japan in May 2011.

http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/parakiss/
The flash site is kind of cute. <3

Top 10 of the 60 most popular Japanese word/phrases of 2010

1. Gegege no
2. That's a good question!
3. Ikumen
4. AKB48
5. Women's get-togethers
6. Ozawa defectors
7. Edible chili oil
8. Totonoimashita!
9. ~nau
10. Alienated society

See a more detailed post over at Pink Tentacle! :D

REally Interesting!

Happy Christmas Hyadian style :D

Breakerz new PV

Is it wrong for me to think this is completely Hawt.

Come Fly With Meeee

Arashi fangirls have probably heard by now, because I heard it a week or two ago but was too lazy to blog. BUT, Arashi are going to be soaring the skies on a Boeing 777.

I want to fly on that!

Unfortunately for those who do not live in Japan, it wont be possible because it's for domestic flights only. It lifted off on September 5th and will run until about January 2011. IF you are in Japan, and want to take a flight in this fantabulous flying machine, check out the flight schedule.

The picture is taken from their newst album “Boku no miteiru fukei” (which my friend Elizabeth was so kind to bring home for me from her Japan trip ^_^ I'm STILL estatic about that)

Um, I might take back what I said last time?

Last time I posted about how sexy I thought Koichi was...now, I dont know if I take it back completly (because come on, as cheesy as the video is, he was really meccha sexy) But, I'm not sure what to think.

Poor Aiba :P

Kon Satoshi

My friend introduced me to Satoshi Kon years ago with Millenium Actress and Perfect Blue. I really enjoyed the films very much, but never really thought much into it's creator. Just this past winter she encouraged me to watch Paprika. I loved it.

We were both looking forward to more of his work when yesterday I saw a tweet about his death. Clicking on the link I learned that he had pancreatic cancer. I immediately told my friend about this news.

Satoshi Kon was a Japanese was a manga artist and film director. He directed classic anime films such as perfect blue, millenium actress and Paprika. As well as Paranoia Agent. He was 46 years old when he passed away on August 24th,2010.

Domoto Koichi

Oh dear. I think I am in love.

Tomorrow is my birthday (August 14th)

I had a dream where every member of Arashi gave me a kiss for my birthday. Arashi doesn;t have any Birthday related songs...so I'll choose you NewS!

(My friend who is just finishing up her Japan trip saw Tegoshi while watching Hanbi. He was in a shiny yukata, lol.)

Nujabes

Was reading Tokyo Mango and saw that Nujabes (Jun Seba) died in a car acccident Feb 26. He was only 36 years old. Very young. He was a very talented DJ and did a lot of the music for the anime Samurai Champloo which is where I first heard of him.

Tokyo Mango Article

Pedo Bear member of Vancouver 2010 Mascot group?

The Gazeta Olsztynska, a polish newspaper recently published an image showing PEDO BEAR alongside the Vancouver 2010 official Olympic mascots. Quatchi, Sumi, Miga and Mukmuk .

I hear that the newspaper took the picture from google,obviously not knowing that it was actually a parody illustration by Canadian graphic desiger/artist Michael Barrick.

We all know Pedo Bear right? Well, since I dont know much about him myself I'll fill you in. (I only know though people at my college) Pedobear appears on far right of the pic. Or, the drawing of the bear who looks a bit out of place.He is originally from 4chan message board, making fun of members who express sexual feelings for younger people.



Isn;t it funny that my teacher asked who Pedo Bear was today, and asked if he was an olympic mascot. Maybe he saw this article before we did??

Nose-picking Japanese style

Hillarious article over at 7:10 to Tokyo about Asian men and nose-picking.

"A couple of days later, I was enjoying Morning Mac in a Yokohama Mickey D’s. Just as I was finishing up my McGriddle, I noticed that the oyaji sitting right across from me was going for the gold. In a fucking restaurant! Ok, a fast-food restaurant, but still an eating establishment, goddamnit!"

Digging for nose treasures

Maki Goto's mother found dead

On the 23rd of January at appox 11pm the mother of former Morning Musume singer, Maki Goto passed away.

Tokiko Goto (55) fell from a 3rd story window of her home in the Edogawa ward, Tokyo. She was taken to the hospital but passed away a short time later. Apparently she was drunk, and police are still investigating wether it was an accident or suicide.


Japan times article

Spider-man in Japanese

Scat Ultraman

Japan Air Lines new Doraemon JET!

Yikes! Its Doraemon! Its a plane...no really, its a Doraemon plane!

Doraemon is a manga series that was created by Fujiko F. Fujio, pen name of two manga artists, Hiroshi Fujimoto and Motō Abiko. The manga first appeared in magazines December 1969 and have been popular ever since. The story is about a robotic cat named Doraemon who is from the 22nd century who travels back in time to help a young boy, Nobita Nobi.

To celebrate the 30th anniversary of the Doraemon movies,and the latest Doraemon movie (Doraemon: Nobita's Great Battle of the Mermaid King) Japan Arilines (JAL) has a brand new 777-300/Doraemon jet. As you can see from the pictures, A large Doraemon along with his friends have been painted on this shiny new jet. The flights will be domestic only, going to Sapporo, Haneda, Itami, Nagoya, Fukuoka, and Okinawa between the middle of February to the end of April 2010.

Thats not all folks! JAL will also organize daily Doraemon tours to Okinawa from Tokyo, Osaka, Nagoya, Fukuoka and Kitakyushu between February 15 and April 30 2010. Ticket sales will begin on January 18 2010. In flight you can expect Doraemon anime In Feburary and April, and the Doraemon movie, Doraemon: Nobita's Dinosaur 2006 during April and March. The audio channel will also play the new Doraemon Movie theme song!

Doraemon: Nobita's Great Bettle of the Mermaid King hits theaters March 6, 2010.

JAL press release

With everything going on over at Japan Airlines I wonder how this Doraemon jet is possible? Well, I hope it works out for them. It looks really freaking cool to me. Doraemon is soooo cute!! ^__^

23 year old drives home with body on windshield

Um.wut?

So, from what I understood, a 23 year old woman hit an old lady on sunday morning in tokyo. She then drove 7km home with the old lady's body stuck in the broken windsheild.

Yikes

Her name is Michiko Sato, a catering school student. Her boyfriend called police to report the accident and she was arrested. Apprently Ms.Sato was so shocked she didnt know what to do. She was not under the influence of drugs or alcohol.

She was charged with escaping after running over a person with a car, and a traffic accident resulting in death. She faces 17 years in jail, or a fine of 23,000.


Photo from msn japan
9news

Remember to dontate to your local red cross to help victims of the Haiti earthquake.

Donate to your local Red Cross

Sorry I didn't post yesterday, a lot has been going on on my end. For example, waiting for my student loan so I can pay the rent, feed myself and my cats. Luckily, it went though just this morning.

But the thing is, thats all I had to really worry about.

When I look at the reports of the devistation in Haiti, it makes me really want to do something. At this moment, I am at home, driking a cup of jasmine tea with milk in it, while my cats play at my feet (and knock dvd discs over....) and my boyfriend is snug in his bed. I'm about to head off to my class.

People in Haiti...at this time, have nothing...I dont have a whole lot of money, but I intend to make some sort of a donation, and I encourage you to make one too.

I personally suggest your local red cross, mainly because its safe, and you know where your money is going.

I know this is not related to Japan directly, but I think as it affects the world right now, it will affect Japan.

So please contribute!
Edit: I made a contribution this afternoon :)

Canadian Red Cross

American Red Cross

American Red Cross Yokosuka - Southern Japan

List of red cross and red crecent societies

--Amy

Latest Tsuribaka film to be last...

Satoshi Ohno sure will be sad after hearing this, if he hasn't already.

Tsuribaka Nisshi (Fishing Maniac) was originally a fishing manga created by Juzo Yamasaki and Kenichi Kitami (illustration) that was serialized with Big Comic Original since 1979

The main character is salaryman Densuke Hamasaki, also known as Hama-chan, or, as he is nicknamed by his Supervisor Sasaki, Tsuribaka. He has an intense passion for fishing. (just like Arashi's Oh-chan :P) One day Hamasaki befriends an older fisherman named Su-san, who is actually CEO of Suzuki Construction Ichinosuke Suzuki. This is the company that Hamasaki works for. The story follows their relationship.

This popular series has been turned into an anime, and has 22 movies in 22 years, this year being its last.

The Tsuribaka stars Toshiyuki Nishda as Hamasaki-san, and Rentaro Mikuni as Su-san.

Coming of Age Day

Seijin no hi, 成人の日, coming of age day is a Japanese holiday held on the second Monday of January.

When a youth turns twenty years old they participate in this holiday to celebrate their becoming an adult, the age of majority. The holiday was created to celebrate and congratulate young adults in a special ceremony held at local/prefectural offices, as well as after-parties for families.

It is estimated that the ceremony has been around in Japan since about 714 AD, when it is said a young Emperor was given new robes and hairstyle to mark his transition into adulthood.

The holiday itself was created in 1948, and was held every year on January 15th, until the year 2000 when the Happy Monday System/ハッピーマンデー制度/Happī Mandē Seido was created. So the coming of age day was changed to the second monday in january. The purpose of the Happy Monday system was to create a three day weekend for those who work five day weeks.


Many young women wear furisode to the ceremonies, which is a style of Kimono that has very bright coloues and very long sleeves, and zōri sandals. Young Men sometimes wear traditional Kimono with Hakama, but many wear a suit and tie.

At twenty years old a person can vote, drink and marry with out permission from parents. It certainly is a special day of the youth of Japan. Omedetou to all of those who have become adults!

Saigo no Yakusoku

If you are an Arashi fan like me, you too were up early to watch Saigo No Yakusoku. Its been a while since they all worked together in the same film, so I, along with every other Arashi fangirl, were super excited to see this.


This began at 8am in my time zone, luckily during the week I have class in the mornings, and so I'm usually up around this time anyway. The bad part is I had to leave 45min before it was over to go out for breakfast with my mother and grandmother. However, if you check youtube there is someone uploading the drama in parts as I type this. How long it will be there, I'm not sure, so for those of you who completly missed the drama head on over to YT.

The quality was pretty bad on the stream I was watching, but there is nothing like tweeting about it while you watch with other fans. #Arashi unfortunately has not trended on twitter yet, but you never know what may happen.

I was lucky enough to be part of #Tsuribaka and #miracleboy and see them trend for a short time. next is Sho Sakurai's birthday!
(I wrote Sakurai Sho, but I said I would make it easy for the people who get confused when we do the family name first thing. ^_^)

Heavy Snow for Shirakawa City, Japan

Snow really isn't anything new for a Canadian like me, and neither is it for those living in the northern part of Japan. However, on Wednesday Shirakawa City and other places in Hokkaido Japan received 30 to 40 centimeters of snowfall in 24 hours! They already broke several records for the month of January and its only the 9th!

Shirakawa Village is located in the Northwestern part of Gifu Prefecture, in Hokkaido. Forest and Mountains account for 96% of the area, and the rest is 0.4% cultivated land. According to their website Shirakawa Village

In Erimo, Hokkaido, snow accumulated to over 115 cm, making it one of three places in Hokkaido to set a new record for this month. Heavy snowalso stranded roughly 30 cars on a national road Tues night, forcing 111 people to leave their the vehicles. 84 out of the 111 people had to spend the night at nearby community centers.

Over 40cm of snow fell in places like Fukushima, and Shiga prefectures in 24hrs on wednesday. Cape Erimo recorded winds up to 111.24 kph.


I'd like to add that in my part of Canada we had just finished a Storm that passed last weekend, in which we had warnings for High wind, heavy snow and storm surges. A local fishing town had very bad flooding, a lot of people losing their cottages. So I totally know what its like to see snow and bad weather like this!

Hokkaido, Ganbatte!


Below is a news report.

JapanTimes

Nico Nico Douga - Ronald McDonald and Lucky Star

Bloody Monday 2

Eh oh! A lot of awesome dramas are reappearing lately, first I talked about Code Blue 2 and now we have Bloody Monday 2.

I'm sure you wonderful people have already been aware of this, for a while, as have I. But, I'm just getting around to it ... now. Ha!

So, this time we are not looking at a Russian made virus, but a nuclear weapon of mass destruction just flying in a plane over Tokyo.... I want to say something here, but I think I will keep my fingers busy typing in more details about this AWESOME DRAMA!

So, yes, Takagi is at it again, trying to save Tokyo (again) two years after the whole deadly virus pandemic thing.

Based on the manga of the same name, Bloody Monday season one did really good. Ratings for the drama in the Kanto region (according to dramawiki) was 11.4%

Instead of a roll call, I think I will just talk about some of the actors I like. It goes without saying, but I will say it anyway Miura Haruma. He plays Takagi Fujimaru aka Falcon. The hacker genius kid who 'Saves the world'.

I first saw him in Gokusen 3, and like him immediately. I've also enjoyed his acting in the few episodes I have seen in one of his recent dramas "Samurai high School"

Bloody Monday 2 Starts Saturday Januray 23rd . I'll be watching this drama, will YOU?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9WMmVkPCgk

Code Blue 2

Hey! Fangirls!

Everyone excited? From the first episode of the first season I was a fan, glued to my screen and on the edge of my seat. Now, Aizawa, Shiraishi, Hiyama and Fujikawa are back in CODE BLUE 2.

I'm thinking there may even be a movie in the works? What do you think? Many popular dramas that are lucky enough to get a second season or a SP usally end up with movies. For example Hana Yori Dango, Gokusen, Unfair...just to name a few.

The cast is absolutely wonderful.

ROLL CALL!!!!

(in which I name the actor, their character and a drama they've been in, of my choice)

• Yamashita Tomohisa as Aizawa Kosaku (Kurosagi, Buzzer Beat)
  
• Aragaki Yui as Shiraishi Megumi (Smile, My boss my hero)
  
• Toda Erika as as Hiyama Mihoko (Ryusei no Kizuna, Liar Game)
  
• Higa Manami as Saejima Haruka (Majo Saiban)
  
• Asari Yosuke as Fujikawa Kazuo (RESCUE)
• Kodama Kiyoshi as Tadokoro Yoshiaki (News Sokuho was Nagareta)
• Katsumura Masanobu as Morimoto Tadashi (Smile)
  
• Terajima Susumu as Kaji Toshi (Ryusei no Kizuna)
  
• Sugimoto Tetta as Saijo Susumu (Kurosagi, the quiz show)
  
• Ryo as Mitsui Kanna (Ryusei no Kizuna)
  
• Shiina Kippei as Tachibana Keisuke (unfair:the movie)

Okm there are two actors that I haven't seen any of their dramas, everyone else I have seen more than once. But, still, all the cast is back, (except Dr. Kuroda)and an impressive cast at that!

Code Blue 2 begins Monday January 11th at 9 PM on Fuji tv. Here is the trailer with subtitles. :)

JE 2009 drama ratings

JE 2009 drama ratings


Ratings are from drama wiki, which state the viewership ratings are from the Kanto region. If I missed any JE dramas let me know.I went through the drama's by season (it was easier that way) but still may have missed some.
* represents drama's I've seen
+ represents drama's I haven't finished yet


1. "MR. BRAIN" (TBS) 20.0% Takyua Kimura (KimuTaku of SMAP) *

2. "Ninkyo Helper" (Fuji) 14.9% Tsuyoshi Kusanagi (SMAP) , Kouta Yabu (hey!say!jump!)

3. "Voice ~Inochi Naki Mono no Koe~" (Fuji) 14.5% Toma Ikuta *

4. "Buzzer Beat ~Gakeppuchi no Hero~" (Fuji) 14.3% Tomohisa Yamashita (YamaPi, NewS) *

5. "Triangle" (Fuji) 12.3% Goro Inagaki (SMAP)

6. "The Quiz Show" (NTV) 12.0% Sho Sakurai (ARASHI),Yu Yokoyama (Kanjani8) *

7. "Uta no Oniisan" (TV Asahi) 10.8% Satoshi Ohno (ARASHI) *

8. "Karei Naru Spy" (NTV) 10.6% Tomoya Nagase (TOKIO)

9. "Konkatsu!" (Fuji) 10.4% Masahiro Nakai (SMAP), Tatsuya Ueda (KAT-TUN)

10. "Smile" (TBS) 10.1% Jun Matsumoto (ARASHI) *

11. "RESCUE ~Tokubetsukodo Kyujotai~" (TBS) 9.7% Yuichi Nakamaru (KAT-TUN), Takahisa Masuda (NewS)

12. "Kaette Kosaserareta 33pun Tantei" (Fuji) 9.1% Tsuyoshi Domoto (KinKi Kids) +

13. My Girl" (TV Asahi) 8.8% Masaki Aiba (ARASHI) *

14. "Kochira Katsushika-ku Kameari Koen-mae Hashutsujo" (TBS) 8.8% Shingo Katori (SMAP)

15. "Orthros no Inu" (TBS) 8.3% Hideaki Takizawa (Tackey & Tsubasa), Ryo Nishikido (NewS, Kanjani8), Hikaru Yaotome (Hey!Say!Jump!) +

16. "Majo Saiban" (Fuji) 7.3% Toma Ikuta +

17. "Koishite Akuma ~Vampire Boy~" (Fuji) 6.6% Yuma Nakayama (Hey!Say 7 West), Masahiko Kondou (formerlly represented by JE as a solo singer, but is now a race car driver. Still performs under Sony Music Japan)

18. "Kami no Shizuku" (NTV) 6.1% Kazuya Kamenashi (KAT-TUN)

Yu Yamada and Shun Oguri off to Hawaii!

I'm an Shun Oguri fan. LOVE HIM. Perfect Rui Hanazawa in Hana Yori Dango, and was amazing in Tokyo Dogs. I first saw him in the drama Gokusen, (his first appearance with Jun Matsumoto), I also enjoyed him in STAND UP! With Kazunari Ninomiya, and then HanaKimi with TOMA-CHAN! (I love me some Johnny's boys)


It is reported that on the 4th of January Shun was seen boarding a plane from Narita airport to Hawaii with actress Yu Yamada Who happened to be in one of my favorite drama's of 2009 Mei-chan no Shitsuji. (but I say one of, because I loved so many dramas last year sooo yeah.)

Oguri and Yamada tried to avoid being in photos together, going so far as to boarding at different gates at different times. Both of them denied that they were going on a trip together. Oguri commented that this was a family vacation, and he intended to take it easy. When asked if they were getting married sometime this year, Oguri smiled and told the press a simple "No." But look closely, Yu is obviously trying to hide her ring finger. Ooooh! ;P

Shun is 27 (same age as yours truly) and Yu is 25. (Closer in age than Ayumi and Jin, me thinks...but I have an age issue at the ripe old age of 27. So I say, Nyah)

While I can read some Japanese, the translation over at Unleash The Geek, Helped greatly!

Japan Today says that the Tabloid this was reported in states they have been dating since appearing in a drama together in January 2008 (Binbo Danshi). The website also states that according to Sports Nippon, Oguri and model Miho Tanaka (25) broke up and Yamada and Ito Hideaki Ito (32) split so they could be together.

(aw, I like Hideaki Ito!)

Hi Hi Yumi!

Yumi Yoshimura of the group, PUFFY, also known as Puffy Ami Yumi in North America has re married! CONGRATULATIONS!

Ami posted over at her Myspace confirming the couples Marriage. Mainichi is also reporting the marriage as well. Apparently they married New Year's eve, and the couple had been friends for about 7 years.

There are only minor details in the Mainichi report, and Ami also comments that she does not know all the details. Yumi is 34, and her new husband is 29

Between 1999 and 2002, she was married to Takanori Nishikawa.

PUFFY - WEDDING BELLS (live)

Ayumi Hamasaki and Jin Akanishi

Imma interupt this post to say that when it comes to using Japanese names, I like to use the Japanese order. Last name first (Akanishi Jin, Hamasaki Ayumi) But, I will westernize it for this blog to make things easier for those who are not in the know. But I just explained it! So you should know.

Geez. XD

Moving on...YES, thanks to a twitter friend I was sent this link from YAHOO! Singapore that talks about a rumor that now that Ayumi Hamasaki is no longer with Tomoya Nagase (of the Johnnys group TOKIO) she is now seeing Jin Akanishi (from the group KAT-TUN, managed by the same company)

Ayumi is born Oct 7,1978 and Jin's birthday is July 4, 1984. Yeesh, and I thought he was too young for me! (being born in 1982) Well, two years isn't too bad, I'm being a bit over dramatic.almost 6 years...I guess it isn't terrible...but she is quite a bit older still.

Here is the Y!Singapore article Ayumi and Jin Rabu Rabu?

Yikes! Another (former) Johnny's in trouble (and its NOT a SMAP member)

Former Johnnys and associates pop idol Akira Akasaka was arrested. Apparently for using stimulants, according to Police. This is actually his second drug-related arrest in less than three years.

Akasaka is a former member of the now disbanded Johnnys group Hikaru Genji, who were managed by Johnny Jimusho between 1987 and 1995.

The group was named after the character Hikaru Genji from Murasaki Shibiku's novel "The Tale of the Genji", which was written during the Heian Period (1020 AD) .

Some Hikaru Genji Trivia

• They held the record for the youngest male group to top Japan's Oricon singles chart until HEY!SAY! 7 appeared in 2007. (For those of you not in the know, Oricon charts Japan's most hottest music, kind of like Billboard, etc)
  

• They were the second group in history to hold the top three spots on the Oricon Singles chart in 1988, and the third in history to take over the top two spots on the charts.
  

• They won a Japan Record Award for the song "Paradise Ginga" (Before Johnny and Associates decided no Johnnys group would be able to be nomiated for the the Japanese Record Awards, and Japanese academy award)
  

Two members left the group in 1994 (Mikio Osawa and Hiroyuki Sato) So the remaining members created Hikaru Genji 5, but they broke up only a year later. Two members had left the company after that (Kazumi Morohoshi and Junichi Yamamoto) Two members remain with Johnnys (from what I can tell) Atsuhiro Sato and Kohiji Uchiumi.

But, the man of the hour, Akira Akasaka was fired from Johnnys as on October 28,2007 he was arrested for Methemphetamines and received an 18 month prison sentence.

AND NOW, DUN DUN DUN

Akira Akasaka was arrested again on tuesday December 29th after police seached a Shinjuku hotel room Monday in relation to a seperate drug case. It was there that they found Akasaka and some woman in her 30s. He was arrested Tuesday after a urine test came back postive for drugs.

According to investigators, he used stimulants from about the middle of december to Monday, and has admitted to the allegations.

Original Japanese article

Space Battleship Yamato Live-action

Honestly, I'm an ARASHI fan girl, so how is it that I have more posts about SMAP members?

Actually, I saw the ad for this trailer while watching this years JOHNNY'S COUNTDOWN. (thanks to the person who uploaded to youtube :D) There is also torrents going around, which are much clearer (*fans self*) but anyway, thats not what this post is about!!!

While watching the trailer for Yamato, my first thoughts were.....is that KimuTaku? and why is the Highliner Fish stick man there with him? See the trailer for yourself and you will see what I mean...



But seriously, this looks pretty damn good. I also hear Meisa Kuroki is in this movie as well. She seems to be doing well these days, especially with her new album coming out. Not going to give away my sources, but there was a leak in this album "Attitude" and its really good!!! ;) Everyone should purchase when it comes on sale in the next month or so.

Sho Sakurai GQ Japan Man of the year 2009

Arashi fans like myself are excited to hear that SHO SAKURAI has been voted as Japan's MAN OF THE YEAR 2009! Omedetou Sho-san.

This award is actually fairly new, only around for the past four years. Sakurai actually joins group member Jun Matsumoto in this small group of award winners. Matsumoto having winning the Man of the year award in 2008.

Award winners in other categories include Koki Mitani, Eikoh Hirada, Hisashi Iwakuma, and Tsurube Shoufukutei. Awards and bouquets were presented by actress Meisa Kuroki.