Preview of "Masshiro" - Winter 2015

Title: Masshiro まっしろ
Official website: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 13 Jan 2015
Timeslot: Tuesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Cast: Horikita Maki, Yagira Yuya, Shida Mirai, Takanashi Rin, Nanao, MEGUMI, Takeuchi Miyako, Nisho Mari, Nobukawa Seijun, Watanabe Mai, Shumoto Erika, Ito Mamiko, Mikami Kensei, Tsuda Eisuke, Mashima Hidekazu, Ishiguro Ken, Mizuno Miki, Kimura Tae

Preview of "Wagaya" (drama SP)

Title: Wagaya わが家 (My Family)
Official website here
O.A. Date: 4 Jan 2014, 9pm
Broadcast by: TBS / MBS
Theme song: Home ni te by Takahata Mitsuki feat. KOBUDO
Cast: Mukai Osamu, Nagazuka Kyozo, Tanaka Yuko, Murakawa Eri, Ichikawa Mikako, Kitaro, Kusamura Reiko, Hamada Mari

Preview of "Ouroboros" - Winter 2015

Title: Ouroboros ウロボロス
Official website: here
Official Facebook page: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 16 Jan 2015
Timeslot: Fridays 10pm
Original work by: Kanzaki Yuya
Cast: Ikuta Toma, Oguri Shun, Ueno Juri, Yoshida Yo, Muro Tsuyoshi, Seino Nana, Takeda Kumiko, Mitsuishi Ken, Takito Kenichi, Yoshida Kotaro, Nakamura Hashinosuke

Preview of "Zeni no Sensou" - Winter 2015

Title: Zeni no Sensou 銭の戦争 (Money Wars)
Official website: here
Official Facebook page: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 6 Jan 2015
Timeslot; Tuesdays 10pm (9pm for the first OA)
Broadcast by: FujiTV / Kansai TV
Original work by: Park In Gwon
Cast: Kusanagi Tsuyoshi, Oshima Yuko, Kimura Fumino, Takada Sho, Tamamori Yuta, Tsugawa Masahiko, Judy Ong, Osugi Ren, Watabe Atsuro

Preview of "Orient Kyuukou Satsujin Jiken" (drama SP)

Title: Orient Kyuukou Satsujin Jiken オリエント急行殺人事件 (Murder On the Orient Express)
Official website: here
O.A. Dates: 11th and 12th Jan 2015, 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original novel by: Agatha Christie
Scriptwriter: Mitani Koki
Cast: Nomura Manzai, Matsushima Nanako, Ninomiya Kazunari, An, Tamaki Hiroshi, Sawamura Ikki, Kichise Michiko, Ishimaru Kanji, Ikematsu Sosuke, Kuroki Haru, Yagi Akiko, Aoki Sayaka, Fujimoto Takahiro, Fuji Sumiko, Takahashi Katsumi, Sasano Takashi, Kobayashi Takashi, Kusabue Mitsuko, Nishida Toshiyuki, Sato Koichi

Preview of "Taishi Kakka no Ryorinin" (drama SP)

Title: Taishi Kakka no Ryorinin 大使閣下の料理人 (The Ambassador's Chef)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Date: 3 Jan 2015, 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original manga by: Nishimura Mitsuru & Kawasumi Hiroshi
Cast: Sakurai Sho, Gouriki Ayame, Okura Koji, Kato Shigeaki (NEWS), Takenaka Naoto, Otani Naoko, Hirosue Ryoko, Nishida Toshiyuki

Top 10 bestselling DVDs of 2014 (Oricon)

Figures in brackets indicate the number of units sold:

1) ARASHI Arafes'13 NATIONAL STADIUM 2013 - Arashi (711,139)

2) ARASHI Live Tour 2013 "LOVE" - Arashi (629,042)

3) KANJANI 8 LIVE TOUR JUKE BOX - Kanjani 8 (298,824)

4) SNOW DOME no Yakusoku IN TOKYO DOME 2013.11.16 - Kis-My-Ft2 (206,801)

5) Sandaime J Soul Brothers LIVE TOUR 2014 "BLUE IMPACT" - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (206,245)

6) namie amuro FEEL tour 2013 - Amuro Namie (167,997)

7) B'z LIVE-GYM Pleasure 2013 ENDLESS SUMMER - XXV BEST - B'z (159,826)

8) Tohoshinki LIVE TOUR 2014 TREE - Tohoshinki (136,297)

9) Mr.Children [ (an imitation) blood orange] Tour - Mr.Children (133,387)

10) EXILE LIVE TOUR 2013 "EXILE PRIDE" 9.27 FINAL - EXILE (121,292)

Source: Oricon

Top 10 bestselling CD albums of 2014 (Oricon)

Figures in brackets indicate the number of units sold:

1) Tsugi no Ashiato - AKB48 (1,041,355)

2) Frozen OST - Various Artists (980,383)

3) THE DIGITALIAN - Arashi (784,933)

4) Ballada - Amuro Namie (431,356)

5) Sekai no chuushin wa Osaka ya ~ Nanba Jichiku ~ - NMB48 (397,661)

6) THE BEST/BLUE IMPACT - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (347,363)

7) HUMAN - Fukuyama Masaharu (344,036)

8) EXILE TRIBE REVOLUTION - EXILE TRIBE (333,998)

9) Kanjani-ism - Kanjani 8 (327,752)

10) HIT! HIT! HIT! - Kis-My-Ft2 (293,309)

Source: Oricon

Top 10 bestselling CD singles of 2014 (Oricon)

Figures in brackets indicate the number of units sold:

1) Labrador Retriever - AKB48 (1,786,825)

2) Kibou teki Refrain - AKB48 (1,156,706)

3) Mae shika mukanee - AKB 48 (1,153,906)

4) Suzukake no Ki no Michi de 'Kimi no Hohoemi o Yume ni Miru' to Itte Shimattara Bokutachi no Kankei wa Dō Kawatte Shimau no ka, Bokunari ni Nannichi ka Kangaeta Ue de no Yaya Kihazukashii Ketsuron no Yō na Mono - AKB48 (1,086,491)

5) Kokoro no Placard - AKB48 (1,058,059)

6) GUTS! - Arashi (604,654)

7) Bittersweet - Arashi (591,847)

8) Nandome no Aozora ka? - Nogizaka 46 (578,174)

9) THE REVOLUTION - EXILE TRIBE (573,268)

10) Kizuitara Kataomoi by Nogizaka 46 (546,832)

Source: Oricon

Top 5 bestselling artistes in 2014 (Oricon)

Figures in brackets indicate the total sales of CDs and DVDs accumulated in 2014:

1) Arashi (JPY 13,823,000,000)

2) AKB48 (JPY 13,075,000,000)

3) Kanjani 8 (JPY 5,862,000,000)

4) Kis-My-Ft2 (JPY 5,258,000,000)

5) Tohoshinki (JPY 3,691,000,000)

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Marumaru Tsuma" - Winter 2015

Title: Marumaru Tsuma
Official website: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 14 Jan 2015
Broadcast by: NTV
Timeslot: Wednesdays 10pm
Cast: Shibasaki Kou, Kuroki Hitomi, Shirota Yu, Renbutsu Misako, Okunuki Kaoru, Watanabe Makiko, Iwamoto Tayo, Hiraizumi Sei, Higashiyama Noriyuki

Top 10 actors who have made a breakthrough in 2014 (Oricon)

1) Fukushi Sota

2) Nishijima Hidetoshi

3) Sakai Masato

4) Higashide Masahiro

5) Ayano Go

6) Ikematsu Sosuke

7) Saito Takumi

8) Takito Kenichi

9) Yamazaki Kento

10) Kataoka Ainosuke

Source: Oricon

Uchida Asahi announces his impending marriage to a civil servant

Uchida Asahi will be getting married to a civil servant 7 years younger than him early next year, as announced by his agency on 8 December. The couple reportedly met at Moscow, Russia, in July 2012 when Uchida was there for the filming of a programme and his girlfriend was on a tour with her mother. Soon after they returned to Japan, they started their long-distance relationship as Uchida was based in Tokyo and his girlfriend was based in Mie Prefecture. Nonetheless, the couple would meet up for holidays within Japan or go for dates at museums. It was said that Uchida proposed to her in October last year and their wedding will be held in spring next year.

Source: Sponichi

Top 10 actresses who have made a breakthrough in 2014 (Oricon)

1) Arimura Kasumi

2) An

3) Nounen Rena

4) Ishihara Satomi

5) Nikaido Fumi

6) Yoshitaka Yuriko

7) Matsu Takako / Takahata Mitsuki

9) Ayase Haruka / Takei Emi

Source: Oricon

Aibu Saki to star in new WOWOW drama "Garasu no Ashi"

Aibu Saki will be starring in the new WOWOW drama "Garasu no Ashi" (The Glass Reed) which is due to be shown from 21 February in the Saturdays 10pm timeslot. In this drama adapted from Naoki Award winner Sakuragi Shino's same-titled novel set in Kushiro, Hokkaido, Aibu  will take on the role of Setsuko, a woman who had been raised by an abusive mother and later marries her mother's lover. However, even after getting married, Setsuko is involved with another man and eventually kills her mother and other people.

Filming begins around the 20th of this month.

As Aibu has been taking on baddie roles of late which had gained her quite a bit of attention, she said that she is fine with the intimate scenes but finds it difficult to imagine having to kill her mother like what Setsuko does. In addition, she finds the idea of having an extramarital affair unacceptable so these are the emotional hurdles she has to overcome while playing her character.

Source: Sanspo

Romaji lyrics of "Fall" by Makihara Noriyuki (Theme song of "Kyouwa Kaisha Yasumimasu")

Title: Fall
Artiste: Makihara Noriyuki
Lyrics & Melody: Makihara Noriyuki

itsu demo kimatta koto wo
hitori de tantan to konasu
hito ga karamanai bun dake
mondai mo okoranai kedo
kinou to kyou ga shirazu ni
ire kawatteta toshitemo
kizukenai you na hibi wo
rekishi to yobezu nayandeta

sonna toki kimi ga arawarete
kocchi e oide to te wo nobasu
sono te ni isshun fureta dakede
sekai ga chigatte mieta

hontou wa konna taimingu
matteta no kamo shirenai
mita koto mo nai sekai e
dare ka to ochiru sono toki wo
koi no hitotsu mo shiranai de
issho wo owaru nante iyada!
kokoro no sakebu koe ni mimi wo
fusagu te wo dokereba
IT'S TIME TO FALL!

kizutsuketari kizutsuitari
gaman shitari kojiretari
hito ga karameba mondai mo
okottari mo suru keredo

dare ka to iru koto deshika
mienai mono ga aru nara
sono aite wa kimi shika inai
nigitta te wo hanasanai

hontou wa konna taimingu
matteta no kamo shirenai
mita koto mo nai sekai e
dare ka to ochiru sono toki wo
mada nemuru kao wo minagara
kaisha ni ireta hajimete no
zuru yasumi no denwa kara
kimi to ochite iku
IT'S TIME TO FALL!

zaiakukan nomi komu hodo no
setsunasa de tsuita uso ga
zettai kawaranai to omotteta
kono jibun wo kaete iku

hontou wa konna taimingu
matteta no kamo shirenai
mita koto mo nai sekai e
dare ka to ochiru sono toki wo
koi mo shirazu owaru nante
iyada! iyada! iyada! iyada!
kokoro no sakebu koe ni mimi wo
fusagu te wo dokereba
3.2.1 FALL!

Hirose Suzu & Kamiki Ryunosuke to star in NTV Winter 2015 drama "Gakkou no Kaidan"

Hirose Suzu and Kamiki Ryunosuke will be starring in the NTV Winter 2015 drama "Gakkou no Kaidan" which is due to begin its run from 10 Jan in the Saturdays 9pm timeslot. Hirose plays the role of an ordinary girl who is forced to become the president of the student council and accidentally meets a speech writer (Kamiki) known as the Magician. Although she doesn't know much about him or whether he is an ally or foe, she develops skills of making good speeches through her interaction with him. Co-stars include Namase Katsuhisa, Asano Atsuko and Sugisaki Hana.

Source: Sanspo

Takasugi Mahiro to play Nakatani Miki's son in FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Ghost Writer"

Takasugi Mahiro will be playing Nakatani Miki's son in the upcoming FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Ghost Writer". The two of them had worked in the movie "Kawaki" previously but did not have any scenes together. This time, Takasugi plays Daiki, the son of Risa (Nakatani) who is in senior high school and creating lots of problems for his mother due to his rebellious attitude especially after news of his existence is revealed to the public.

Nakatani commented that she is looking forward to having Takasugi play her son in the drama especially since she had found his performance in "Kawaki" very memorable when he had to change quickly from a gentle expression to one that was menacing. As for Takasugi, he expressed his eagerness to learn from his co-stars who are all more experienced than him.

Source: Sanspo

Okada Junichi & Eikura Nana to reunite in new movie "Toshokan Sensou - THE LAST MISSION - "

V6's Okada Junichi and Eikura Nana will reunite in the new movie "Toshokan Sensou - THE LAST MISSION -" which will be shown in cinemas next October. This film will be the sequel of "Toshokan Sensou" which was screened in April last year and the cast will be largely the same including Okada, Eikura and Fukushi Sota. Filming is due to begin in the middle of this month but physical training already begun two months ago where the cast members would gather once a week to be trained by a former Self Defense Forces member.

Source: Sanspo

Ashida Mana to play the president of a company in NHK drama SP "Rugged!"

The press conference for NHK BS drama SP "Rugged!" was held on 5 Dec which was attended by the cast members Ashida Mana, Iwaki Koichi, Ishida Ayumi, Kurosawa Toshio, Ono Takehiko and Maeda Gin. The drama SP which will be shown on 21st and 28th February at 7.30pm, features Ashida as a 10-year-old girl Noa who has to take over her father's company after he passed away while trying to get back JPY 300m from a fraud group which had cheated him. Thanks to the help of a group of elderly men, Noa manages to tap into their skills and experience to fight against the bad people around her.

This is Ashida's first leading role in a NHK role and she commented that it is a very interesting experience to play the president of a factory but it's something unlikely to happen in reality. However, she is very happy about taking on this challenging role and hoped that she won't be a burden to her co-stars who are more than 50 years older than her.

Source: Sponichi

Further cast announcements for FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~"

Further cast announcements for the FujiTV Winter 2015 drama "Date ~ Koi to wa donna mono kashira ~" were made on 5 Dec. Kuninaka Ryoko will play the role of Shimada Kaori, a former delinquent who is a carefree person that shows a lot of concern towards anyone. As she had played mostly good characters in the past, Kuninaka expressed her surprise when she got the offer and viewed it as a new challenge for her in the new year. As Kuninaka and Mukai Osamu are expected to get married in December, this drama will be her first after her marriage. Hey! Say! Jump! member Nakajima Yuto will play Washio Yutaka, a kendo expert who works at a sporting goods manufacturer and hates to go around the bush. Kaori's brother Sotaro will be played by Matsuo Satoru.

As for the role Yabushita Yoriko's (An) mother, this will be taken on by Wakui Emi while her father will be played by Matsushige Yutaka. As for Taniguchi Takumi's (Hasegawa Hiroki) mother, this will be played by Fubuki Jun.

Source: Sponichi

Sato Takeru to star in new TBS Spring 2015 drama "Tenno no Ryoriban"

Sato Takeru will be playing a chef for the first time in the upcoming TBS 60th anniversary drama "Tenno no Ryoriban" (The Emperor's Cook) to be shown from April next year in the Spring 2015 season. He will play the role of Akiyama Tokuzo who was the head chef in the Imperial Household Department during the Taisho and Showa eras. In order to prepare for the role, Sato cut his hair by 20cm and remarked that he had never cut his hair so short since his junior high days when he was in the baseball team. He also started taking cooking lessons since August this year and practiced cutting vegetables such as onions and potatoes at home.

Akiyama came to Tokyo from his hometown at the age of 16 in order to realise his dream of being a chef. After working at a top-class hotel in Paris, he became the head chef at the young age of 26 for the royal family. Kuroki Haru will play the wife of Akiyama while Kobayashi Kaoru will play his teacher.

Source: Sponichi

The 27th Nikkansports Movie Awards / Ishihara Yujiro Award (2014)

Best Movie: Eien no Zero

Best Director: Yamazaki Takashi (Eien no Zero / STAND BY ME Doraemon)

Best Leading Actor: Okada Junichi (Eien no Zero / Higurashi no Ki)

Best Leading Actress: Miyazawa Rie (Kami no Tsuki)

Best Supporting Actor: Ikematsu Sosuke (Umi wo Kanjiru toki / Kami no Tsuki / Bokutachi no Kazoku)

Best Supporting Actress: Hirosue Ryoko (Omoi Nokoshi)

Best Newcomer: Nounen Rena (Hot Road)

Best Foreign Film: Frozen

Ishihara Yujiro Award: Rurouni Kenshin

Ishihara Yujiro Newcomer: Higashide Masahiro (Kiseijuu / CROWS EXPLODE)

Ishihara Yujiro Special Contribution Award: Hashimoto Seizo

Special Award: Takakura Ken

Source: Nikkansports

Romaji lyrics of "Silly" by Ieiri Leo (Theme Song of "N no tame ni")

Title: Silly
Artiste: Ieiri Leo
Lyrics: Ieiri Leo
Melody: Nishio Yoshihiko

muzukashii koto ga oosugiru ai
kyou mo kawarazu furi tsuzuiteiru ame ga
toiki no sukima de namae wo yobare
aenai hi no kodoku kaki kesarerunda
Rainy day oh Rainy day
kishimu hadou ni nomarete

Oh It's so silly
nani ka wo motome tashikame takute kyou wo ikiteru
Oh It's so silly
damaseru no nara genjitsu nante hitsuyo janai
nogarerarenai kanashimi ni Oh It's so silly

tsuyogari kakushita namida no ato ni
kizukanai soburi hada wo kasaneru yoru wa
asai nemuri kuri kaeshi nagara mo
tonari no omomi wo tashikamete irunda
Rainy day oh Rainy day
otona ni narikire nakute

Oh It's so silly
sukui wo motome mitasaretakute kyou wo ikiteru
Oh It's so silly
yurusareru nara kono ai dake wo dakishimetai
nogarerarenai itami demo Oh It's so silly

imi no nai nani mo nai ashita wa
mitenai wakaranai furi de
nigedashiteru So Silly
furueru tsumi no nai sore wo ushinaeba ii
yugamu kimochi wa anata ga hoshii

Oh It's so silly
nani ka wo motome tashikame takute kyou wo ikiteru
Oh It's so silly
damaseru no nara genjitsu nante hitsuyo janai
nogarerarenai kanashimi ni
kizu mo ima dewa itoshikute
Oh It's so silly

Preview of "Sayonara Watashi" (NHK)

Title: Sayonara Watashi さよなら私 (Goodbye to me)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 14 Oct 2014
Timeslot: Tuesdays 10pm
Total number of episodes: 9
Broadcast by: NHK
Theme Song: Onaji Samishisa by Hirai Ken
Cast: Nagasaku Hiromi, Ishida Yuriko, Fujiki Naohito, Sato Hitomi, Tanimura Mitsuki, Lily, Omi Toshinori

Preview of "Shokuzai no Sonata" (WOWOW)

Title: Shokuzai no Sonata 贖罪の奏鳴曲 (The Sonata of Atonement)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 24 Jan 2014
Timeslot: Saturdays 10pm
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Total number of episodes: 4
Original novel by: Nakayama Shichiri
Cast: Mikami Hiroshi, Sometani Shota, Toyota Maho, Shiraishi Shunya, Nomaguchi Toru, Yamashita Yorie, Horibe Keisuke, Nakahara Takeo, Lily Frankie

Preview of "Kiri no Hata" (drama SP)

Title: Kiri no Hata 霧の旗 (The Flag of Mist)
Official website: here
O.A. Date: 7 Dec 2014, 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Cast: Horikita Maki, Takahashi Katsumi, Kimura Yoshino, Furuhata Niino, Fukuda Seiji, Tanimura Mitsuki, Denden, Watanabe Ikkei, Hashizume Isao, Shiina Kippei

Preview of "Sakamichi no Ie" (drama SP)

Title: Sakamichi no Ie 坂道の家 (The House on the Slope)
Official website: here
O.A. Date: 6 Dec 2014, 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Cast: Ono Machiko, Emoto Akira, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Watanabe Eri, Fueki Yuko, Marie, Shofukutei Tsuruko, Kazuki Saya