Preview of "Boku no hatsukoi wo kimi ni sasagu" - Winter 2019

Title: Boku no hatsukoi wo kimi ni sasagu 僕の初恋をキミに捧ぐ (I offer my first love to you)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 19 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Saturdays 11.15pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Original manga by: Aoki Kotomi
Theme Song: "Maybe Tomorrow" by Dean Fujioka
Cast: Nomura Shuhei, Sakurai Hinako, Miyazawa Hio, Sato Kanta, Baba Fumika, Matsui Airi, Yahagi Honoka, Kizu Takumi, Tomita Kentaro, Fukumoto Riko, Korenaga Hitomi, Matobu Sei, Kojima Kazuya, Ishida Hikari & Namase Katsuhisa

Preview of "Haken Uranashi Ataru" - Winter 2019

Title: Haken Uranashi Ataru ハケン占い師アタル (Despatch Fortune Teller Ataru)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 17 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Thursdays 9pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Cast: Sugisaki Hana, Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Shida Mirai, Mamiya Shotaro, Shison Jun, Nonami Maho, Itaya Yuka, Wakamura Mayumi & Oikawa Mitsuhiro

Preview of "Watashi no ojisan WATAOJI" - Winter 2019

Title: Watashi no ojisan WATAOJI 私のおじさん WATAOJI (My uncle WATAOJI)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 11 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Fridays 11.15pm
Broadcast by: TV Asahi
Cast: Okada Yui, Endo Kenichi, Shirota Yu, Kote Shinya, Totsuka Junki, Aoki Sayaka and Tanabe Seiichi

Top 10 bestselling Japanese movies in 2018

Note that numbers in brackets indicate the total box office takings for the movie:

1) Gekijouban Code Blue Doctor Heli Kinkyuu Kyuumei (JPY 9.23bn)

2) Meitantei Conan Zero no Shikkounin (JPY 9.18bn)

3) Doraemon Nobita no Takarajima (JPY 5.37bn)

4) Manbiki Kazoku (JPY 4.53bn)

5) Gintama 2 Okite wa yaburu tame ni koso aru (JPY 3.65bn)

6) DESTINY Kamakura Monogatari (JPY 3.21bn)

7) Camera wo tomeruna (JPY 3.12bn) - up till mid December

8) Gekijouban Pocket Monster Minna no Monogatari (JPY 3.09bn)

9) Kensatsugawa no Zainin (JPY 2.9bn)

10) Mirai no Mirai (JPY 2.88bn)

Source: Eiga.com

Oricon's interview with Fukuda Yasushi, the scriptwriter of NHK morning drama "Manpuku"

Oricon published an interview with Fukuda Yasushi, the scriptwriter of NHK morning drama "Manpuku" back in October where he revealed some behind-the-scenes stories about the drama. I won't be translating the whole interview but will just mention some of the key points here.

- After he wrote the script for the Taiga drama "Ryomaden", he actually thought that there might be a day when he could be asked to write a script for a morning drama. As such, when the offer came for him to write "Manpuku", his first thought was that "this has finally come!".

- However, Fukuda had written stories mostly about adults so he was unsure how he could do the same for a lead character who is a young woman. The fact that each episode was just 15 minutes also made him worried if he could tackle this. When he remembered that he did a similar project back in 2004 for NHK i.e. "Tokio Chichi e no dengon" (starring Sakurai Sho) which had 20 episodes of 15 minutes each, he became confident that he could manage this and changed his mindset to make this into something which is not just about a young woman's life.

- Initially, there was a discussion with the producer on whether they should do an entirely original story on a fictitious character or use a real-life model instead. Among the choices they came up with, they finally decided on Ando Masako who was the wife of Nissin Foods' founder Ando Momofuku. Unfortunately, although there were tons of information about Momofuku who had many superb achievements such as creating the instant ramen in packets and cups, there was nothing about Masako even after searching on the Internet, using a database used by the media or going to museums. This was because Masako was someone who seemed to stay in the background rather than share the limelight with her famous husband. As such, "Manpuku" can be considered as an original story since it is actually 80% fiction.

- He spoke to Masako's descendants and heard many touching stories about the couple and how she was a very kind and gentle person. However, to create a "selling point" in the story rather than just make it into one where the wife simply follows the lead of her husband, he created Fukuko as someone who is optimistic, flexible enough to adapt to changing situations such as the initial conflicts between her husband and mother and become a peacemaker between Manpei and Suzu rather than be a modest and quiet supporter of Manpei.

- He created Manpei with the image of Steve Jobs. Back then in Manpei's era, nobody actually expressed a need or demand for instant ramen so Manpei's invention / business venture was very risky because it could have flopped with no demand and no consumer market to sell to.

- He imagined that Suzu would probably find it hard to understand her son-in-law's "crazy ideas" and deliberately designed her to be someone who would keep making discouraging remarks about her son-in-law. This indirectly created a form of comedy between Suzu and Manpei which would make the story more interesting.

- What's real and identical between Masako and Fukuko were that the two of them were both the third daughter in the family and their eldest sisters were so beautiful and popular with men. Their second sisters were both married to artists whose houses attracted lots of birds for some reason. And to top it off, there was a dentist who did come riding a horse to their house and kept making marriage proposals to the eldest sister. Fukuda joked that Maki Zennosuke (Hamano Kenta), the dentist who liked the eldest sister Saki (Uchida Yuki) was probably his most favourite character! He expected that NHK would have a way somehow in bringing a horse into the studio for the filming and was pleasantly surprised that they managed to do it.

Preview of "Sannen A-gumi Ima kara minnasan wa hitojichi desu" - Winter 2019

Title: Sannen A-gumi Ima kara minnasan wa, hitojichi desu 3年A組今から皆さんは、人質です (Class 3A From now on, everyone is a hostage)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 6 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Sundays 10pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Theme Song: "Ikiru" by The Cro-Magnons
Cast: Suda Masaki, Nagano Mei, Tanabe Seiichi, Hotta Akane, Bengal, Kamio Yu, Buffalo Goro A, Shiina Kippei, Tsuchimura Kaho, Yajima Kenichi, Hosoda Yoshihiko, Ootomo Kohei, Hagiwara Riku, Akita Shiori, Wakabayashi Kaoru, Sakumoto Takara, Tomita Miu, Katayose Ryota, Kawaei Rina, Kamishiraishi Moka, Shinjo Yume, Suzuki Jin, Furukawa Tsuyoshi, Mochizuki Ayumu, Imada Mio, Oohara Yuuno, Yokota Mayu, Wakabayashi Jiei, Tobita Hikari & Kamio Fuuju etc.

Preview of "Innocence Enzai Bengoshi" - Winter 2019

Title: Innocence Enzai Bengoshi イノセンス冤罪弁護士 (Innocence False Charge Lawyer)
Official website: here
Official Facebook: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 19 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Saturdays 10pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Cast: Sakaguchi Kentaro, Kawaguchi Haruna, Shuri, Koichi Mantaro, Masano Bokuzo, Akaso Eiji, Nakajima Hiroki, Sugimoto Tetta, Shiga Kotaro, Ichikawa Mikako, Kusakari Masao & Fujiki Naohito

Preview of "Setsuyaku Rock" - Winter 2019

Title: Setsuyaku Rock 節約ロック (Thrifty Rock)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 21 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Mondays 12.59am
Broadcast by: NTV
Original manga by: Okubo Hiromi
Theme Song by: KAT-TUN
Cast: Ueda Tatsuya, Shigeoka Daiki, Fujii Mina, Ayaka Wilson & Ukaji Takashi

Preview of "Atarashii Ousama" - Winter 2019

Title: Atarashii Ousama 新しい王様 (The New King)
Official website: here
Season 1 O.A. Start Date: 8 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Tuesdays 11.56pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Season 2 O.A. Start Date: 17 Jan 2019 at 12.26am
Broadcast by: Paravi
Cast: Fujiwara Tatsuya, Sugino Yosuke, Takeda Rena, Natsuna, Izumi Rika, Ashina Sei, Mao, Takahashi Maryjun, Nonami Maho, Aijima Kazuyuki, Yamanaka Takashi, Nakamaru Shinsho, Tsurumi Shingo, Koseki Yuta, MEGUMI, Moro Morooka, Ishiguro Ken, Yashima Norito & Kagawa Teruyuki

Details about the Singapore Japanese Film Festival 2019

The Singapore Japanese Film Festival 2019 will be held between 18 Jan and 10 Feb 2019 which straddles across the Chinese New Year holidays. However, most of the screenings are in January while there are two "outlier" sessions for the classics in February.

There are also some changes compared to past editions. For example, the commercial films are shown at Shaw Lido this time while the short films and classics will be shown at *SCAPE Gallery and The Projector respectively unlike in the past few years when the Gallery Theatre at National Museum was the primary venue. I actually like the Gallery Theatre for the convenience of its location and the vibe of the place but I guess having a commercial cinema support this film festival will be good especially in terms of the graphics and audio quality in presenting these films.

Do check out the schedule here so that you can plan ahead before ticket sales open from 3 Jan 2019. However, ticket prices have not been announced yet and it's still not clear if the presalewill be done on the respective venue's website or on the film festival's website. And in Shaw Lido's case, it's also unknown whether they will be using bigger or smaller halls for these screenings and if it will be free seating as per in the past.

If you wish to find out more about the films in the contemporary category (some of them have been featured on this blog before), you can click the title tags at the bottom of this post.

In case you are curious, here are the films which I am considering to watch. I probably may not be able to watch everything especially that screening on a Wednesday evening so will have to give some serious thought on what to catch based on my schedule. I usually limit my selection to 3 so I still have some time to consider before tickets go on sale.

Opening Film: Camera wo tomeru na! - NC16
This film was featured during the Singapore International Film Festival where the sole screening was sold out. As such, if you missed this before, you may want to catch it this time where there are two screenings. The opening film screening at 9pm on 18 Jan (Fri) will feature a post-Q&A with the director who will be here. I'm not sure if the director will appear at the other screening on the following day at 3.20pm though.

Sanposuru Shinryakusha - PG13 - 19 Jan (Sat) at 9.30pm
Cast: Nagasawa Masami, Matsuda Ryuuhei, Takasugi Mahiro, Tsunematsu Yuri, Maeda Atsuko, Mitsushima Shinnosuke, Kojima Kazuya, Mitsuishi Ken, Higashide Masahiro, Koizumi Kyoko, Sasano Takashi & Hasegawa Hiroki

Inori no maku ga orirutoki - PG - 20 Jan (Sun) at 7pm
Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Matsushima Nanako, Mizobata Junpei, Tanaka Rena, Kimura Midoriko, Iitoyo Marie, An, Kagawa Teruyuki, Oikawa Mitsuhiro, Ito Ran, Kohinata Fumiyo & Yamazaki Tsutomu etc.

Suteki na Dynamite Scandal - R21 - 23 Jan (Wed) at 6.45pm
Cast: Emoto Tasuku, Maeda Atsuko, Miura Touko, Mineta Kazunobu, Matsushige Yutaka, Murakami Jun & Ono Machiko

Ikiterudake de, Ai - NC16 - 26 Jan (Sat) - 4.30pm
Cast: Shuri, Suda Masaki, Tanaka Tetsushi, Nishida Naomi and Matsushige Yutaka

What are the films you would be interested in watching from this year's film festival? How about sharing your choices with me?

Actually, at first glance, I think the selection this year is pretty impressive so you should be able to find something of interest. In the past, the film festival tended to give the impression that the chosen films were rather indie which attracted a niche audience. Credit ought to be given to the organisers especially seen from the selection of very new movies (some even shown within the same year in Japan) and getting a mix of films with commercial appeal vs. those which tend to be more on the artistic side to attract a wider audience.

If you happen to be in Singapore in January, do support this film festival if you can by watching these movies.

Preview of "Hajimete koi wo shita hi ni yomu hanashi" - Winter 2019

Title: Hajimete koi wo shita hi ni yomu hanashi 初めて恋をした日に読む話 (The story to read on the first time I fall in love)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 15 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Tuesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original manga by: Mochida Aki
Cast: Fukada Kyoko, Nagayama Kento, Yokohama Ryuusei, Nakamura Tomoya, Takahashi Yo, Hamanaka Bunichi, Yoshikawa Ai, Nagata Takato, Horike Kazuki, Sakurai Keisuke, Wakabayashi Takuya, Kato Konatsu, Kurosaki Reina, Ishimaru Kenjiro, Tsurumi Shingo, Adachi Yumi, Minagawa Sarutoki, Namase Katsuhisa & Dan Fumi

Preview of "Maison de Police Taishoku Keiji no Sharehouse" - Winter 2019

Title: Maison de Police Taishoku Keiji no Sharehouse メゾン・ド・ポリス 退職刑事のシェアハウス (Maison de Police The sharehouse of retired police detectives)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 11 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Fridays 10pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original novel by: Kato Miaki
Theme Song: "Again" by WANIMA
Cast: Takahata Mitsuki, Nishijima Hidetoshi, Nishida Naomi, Ryuusei Ryo, Kimura Ryo, Toda Masahiro, Kohinata Fumiyo, Noguchi Goro, Kadono Takuzo & Kondo Masaomi

The 15th Favourite Music Artist Ranking 2018 as chosen by 20,000 people (Oricon)

Oricon conducts this survey every year where 20,000 music fans from teens to those in their 40s are asked to choose their favourites. Here is the top 50 ranking for this year where numbers in the brackets represent their rankings in 2017 while those with a dash means that they were not in the top 50 last year.

Looking at the top 10 rankings for each age group, Nogizaka46 was the top choice for teenagers while eventual winner Arashi was chosen by those in their 20s and 40s. Amuro Namie emerged as No.1 for those in their 30s:

1) Arashi (3)
2) Amuro Namie (15)
3) Nogizaka46 (19)
4) Mr.Children (1)
5) Utada Hikaru (2)
6) B'z (4)
7) Perfume (11)
8) DREAMS COME TRUE (21)
9) Yonezu Kenshi (-)
10) Aimyon (-)

11) Shiina Ringo (33)
12) Ikimonogakari (5)
13) SMAP (10)
14) back number (6)
15) TWICE (-)
16) Superfly (29)
17) Southern All Stars (24)
18) KinKi Kids (14)
19) Keyakizaka46 (28)
20) Kanjani 8 (20)

21) BUMP OF CHICKEN (13)
22) Nishino Kana (12)
23) ZARD (25)
24) AAA (17)
25) King & Prince (-)
26) aiko (23)
27) Nakajima Miyuki (27)
28) Yuzu (7)
29) Aimer (-)
30) Spitz (8)

31) Hoshino Gen (9)
32) JUJU (43)
33) YUKI (-)
34) ALEXANDROS (22)
35) Momoiro Clover Z (-)
36) Kis-My-Ft2 (49)
37) L'Arc~en~Ciel (34)
38) AKB48 (31)
39) Hey!Say!JUMP (46)
40) Kuraki Mai (44)

41) NEWS (-)
42) GLAY (41)
43) X JAPAN (-)
44) GReeeeN (16)
45) KAT-TUN (47)
46) Porno Graffitti (36)
47) E-girls (-)
48) LiSA (-)
49) Taylor Swift (-)
50) Kobukuro (30)

Source: Oricon

Preview of "QUEEN Scandal Senmon Bengoshi" - Winter 2019

Title: QUEEN Scandal Senmon Bengoshi / QUEEN スキャンダル専門弁護士 / QUEEN A lawyer who specialises in scandals
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 10 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Thursdays 10pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Theme Song by: YUKI
Opening theme by: milet
BGM by: SOIL&"PIMP" SESSIONS
Cast: Takeuchi Yuko, Mizukawa Asami, Nakagawa Taishi, Izumi Rika, Baka Rhythm & Saito Yuki

Preview of "JOKER x FACE" - Winter 2019

Title: JOKER x FACE
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 14 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Mondays 12.55am
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Total number of episodes: 10
Cast: Matsumoto Honoka, Matsuo Satoshi & Sudo Ren

Preview of "Monroe ga shinda hi" - Winter 2019

Title: Monroe ga shinda hi モンローが死んだ日 (The day when Monroe died)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 6 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Sundays 10pm
Total number of episodes: 4
Broadcast by: NHK
Original novel by: Koike Mariko
Cast: Suzuki Kyoka, Kusakari Masao, Asou Yumi, Satsukawa Aimi, Uzaki Ryudo & Negishi Toshie

Preview of "Kodoku no Gurume New Year's Eve SP 2018" (Drama SP)

Title: Kodoku no Gurume New Year's Eve SP 2018 孤独のグルメ大晦日スペシャル
Official website: here
Official Facebook: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Date: 31 Dec 2018 at 10pm
Original manga by: Kusumi Masayuki & Taniguchi Jiro
Cast: Matsushige Yutaka, Tsuruta Mayu, Nakamura Yuri, Nakagawake, Hashimoto Ichiro, Takahashi Hitomi, Sakai Maki & Ito Shiro

Top 25 most downloaded albums in 2018 (Oricon)

Note that the numbers in brackets indicate the number of downloads:

1) The Greatest Showman OST  - Various Artists (113,097)

2) BOOTLEG - Yonezu Kenshi (98,787)

3) Hatsukoi - Utada Hikaru (86,455)

4) Everybody!! - WANIMA (47,764)

5) Encore - back number (44,976)

6) 15 YEARS - BEST HIT SELECTION - globe (41,138)

7) Umi no Oh, Yeah!! - Southern All Stars (33,489)

8) Bohemian Rhapsody OST - Queen (27,969)

9) Sakana Zukan - Sakanaction (23,937)

10) Mr.Children 1992-2002 Thanksgiving 25 - Mr.Children (21,412)

11) YANKEE - Yonezu Kenshi (21,087)

12) Umi no Yeah!! - Southern All Stars (21,085)

13) Queen Jewels - Queen (20,165)

14) Mr.Children 2003-2015 Thanksgiving 25 - Mr.Children (19,728)

15) GREATEST HITS 2011-2017 "ALTER EGO" - EGOIST (19,349)

16) A COMPLETE ~ ALL SINGLES ~ - Hamasaki Ayumi (18,955)

17) 24K Magic - Bruno Mars (18,890)

18) Anfang - Roselia (18,215)

19) Fling Posse VS Matenro - Fling Posse & Matenro (18,110)

20) Fruit Défendu - Various Artists (17,996)

21) Chasing the Horizon - MAN WITH A MISSION (17,403)

22) ÷ - Ed Sheeran (16,943)

23) 40th Anniversary Memorial Best Album Nihon no koi to, Yuumin to  - Matsutoya Yumi (16,785)

24) Seishun no Excitement - Aimyon (16,478)

25) LOVE YOURSELF: Answer - BTS (16,245)

Source: Oricon

Top 25 most downloaded singles in 2018 (Oricon)

With digital music becoming more popular these days, it is probably not surprising that Oricon has released the ranking for digital music downloads in 2018. It is interesting to note that the results here differ quite a bit from the physical CD sales ranking which can probably be attributed to various reasons. In AKB48's case, it's really hard to ignore the fact that their tactics to tie CD sales with getting votes for the annual election do play a part in ensuring their dominance in the singles chart and their absence from the top 25 songs here is especially obvious.

Yonezu Kenshi's Lemon is indeed the mega hit for this year as seen from its number of downloads which is more than 3 times of the No.2 song from DA PUMP. And to top it off, he has 7 songs in the top 25 ranking!

This is definitely Yonezu's year.

Note that the figures in brackets indicate the number of downloads for the song:

1) Lemon - Yonezu Kenshi (1,796,953)

2) U.S.A. - DA PUMP (541,356)

3) Mabataki - back number (434,455)

4) LOSER - Yonezu Kenshi (382,506)

5) Idea - Hoshino Gen (374,465)

6) Ai no katachi feat. HIDE (GReeeeN) - MISIA (298,189)

7) Uchiage Hanabi - DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi (286,771)

8) Anata - Utada Hikaru (284,694)

9) Doraemon - Hoshino Gen (283,746)

10) here comes my love - Mr.Children (277,409)

11) Hero - Amuro Namie (267,966)

12) Change - ONE OK ROCK (267,499)

13) Sayonara Elegy - Suda Masaki (266,174)

14) Peace Sign - Yonezu Kenshi (248,428)

15) Haiiro to Ao (+Suda Masaki) - Yonezu Kenshi (233,280)

16) Daifuseikai - back number (232,585)

17) Hatsukoi - Utada Hikaru (227,528)

18) Flamingo - Yonezu Kenshi (209,085)

19) Eine Kleine - Yonezu Kenshi (202,422)

20) Old Fashion - back number (200,156)

21) Hope (from BEST AL [Finally]) - Amuro Namie (191,421)

22) Prologue - Uru (182,278)

23) Moshi kimi wo yurusetara - Ieiri Leo (152,067)

24) Tomoni - WANIMA (152,037)

25) Sazanka - SEKAI NO OWARI (149,393)

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Ie uru onna no gyakushu" - Winter 2019

Title: Ie uru onna no gyakushu 家売るオンナの逆襲 (The counterattack of the woman who sells houses)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 9 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Wednesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: NTV
Theme Song: "Are" by Saito Kazuyoshi
Cast: Kitagawa Keiko, Matsuda Shota, Kudo Asuka, Imoto Ayako, Suzuki Hiroki, Honda Chikara, Kusakawa Takuya, Nagai Mijika, Chiba Yuudai, Usuda Asami, Kajiwara Zen & Nakamura Tooru

Preview of "Ikutake no Asa" - Autumn 2018

Title: Ikutake no Asa 生田家の朝 (The Ikuta Family's Morning)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 10 Dec 2018
Timeslot: Mondays to Fridays at 7.50am
Broadcast by: NTV
Total number of episodes: 13
Theme Song: "Itterasshai" by Fukuyama Masaharu
Producer: Fukuyama Masaharu
Scriptwriter: Baka Rhythm
Cast: Yusuke Santa Maria, Ono Machiko, Sekiya Ruki & Torigoe Souma

Top 5 bestselling artists in 2018 (Oricon)

The numbers in brackets indicate the total sales which were accumulated from singles, albums, DVD and Blu-ray releases within the year:

1) Amuro Namie (JPY 18,999,000,000)

2) Nogizaka46 (JPY 10,329,000,000)

3) AKB48 (JPY 7,795,000,000)

4) Arashi (JPY 6,707,000,000)

5) Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (JPY 5,827,000,000)

Source: Oricon

Top 20 bestselling music DVD & Blu-ray in 2018 (Oricon)

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of copies sold:

1) namie amuro Final Tour 2018 ~ Finally ~ - Amuro Namie (1,756,771)

2) ARASHI LIVE TOUR 2017 - 2018 [untitled] - Arashi (729,630)

3) Hey!Say!JUMP I/Oth Anniversary Tour 2017-2018 - Hey!Say!JUMP (366,373)

4) Sandaime J Soul Brothers LIVE TOUR 2016-2017 "METROPOLIZ" - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (283,335)

5) Kanjani's Eitatainment Jam - Kanjani 8 (253,699)

6) LIVE TOUR 2017 MUSIC COLOSSEUM - Kis-My-Ft2 (206,012)

7) Sandaime J Soul Brothers LIVE TOUR 2017 "UNKNOWN METROPOLIZ" - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (204,117)

8) Mr.Children DOME & STADIUM TOUR 2017 Thanksgiving 25 - Mr.Children (197,075)

9) LIVE TOUR 2018 Yummy!! you&me - Kis-My-Ft2 (184,049)

10) NEWS LIVE TOUR 2017 NEVERLAND - NEWS (140,576)

11) Live Tour "Continues" - Hoshino Gen (118,291)

12) ONE OK ROCK 2016 SPECIAL LIVE IN NAGISAEN - ONE OK ROCK (117,580)

13) Keyaki Kyouwakoku 2017 - Keyakizaka46 (115,073)

14) KinKi Kids CONCERT 20.2.21 - Everything happens for a reason - KinKi Kids (114,732)

15) B'z LIVE - GYM 2017 - 2018 "LIVE DINOSAUR" - B'z (109,537)

16) GENERATIONS LIVE TOUR 2017 MAD CYCLONE - GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE (109,377)

17) AAA DOME TOUR 2017 - WAY OF GLORY - AAA (107,772)

18) ONE OK ROCK 2017 "Ambitions" JAPAN TOUR - ONE OK ROCK (100,268)

19) LIVE TOUR 2017 The ONES - V6 (99,990)

20) Manatsu no zenkoku tour - 2017 FINAL! IN TOKYO DOME - Nogizaka46 (98,512)

Source: Oricon

Top 25 bestselling albums in 2018 (Oricon)

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of copies sold:

1) Finally - Amuro Namie (638,939)

2) Bokutachi wa, ano hi no yoake wo shitteiru - AKB48 (611,056)

3) Umi no Oh, Yeah!! - Southern All Stars (562,392)

4) Juuryoku to kokyuu - Mr.Children (429,913)

5) Hatsukoi - Utada Hikaru (367,720)

6) GR8EST - Kanjani 8 (351,306)

7) FACE YOURSELF - BTS (338,324)

8) BDZ - TWICE (274,585)

9) Yummy!! - Kis-My-Ft2 (250,555)

10) SENSE or LOVE - Hey!Say!JUMP (233,858)

11) Everybody!! - WANIMA (230,512)

12) FUTURE - Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE (227,705)

13) BOOTLEG - Yonezu Kenshi (223,135)

14) LOVE YOURSELF: Answer - BTS (222,330)

15) Greatest Showman (OST) - Various Artists (219,362)

16) Yuumin kara no, koi no uta - Matsutoya Yumi (219,252)

17) Love to Pop ~ Sukidatta hito wo omoidasu uta ga aru ~ mixed by DJ Kazu - DJ Kazu (219,127)

18) LOVE YOURSELF: Tear - BTS (197,180)

19) BEST GENERATION - GENERATIONS from EXILE TRIBE (191,641)

20) Hashiridasu shunkan - Keyakizaka46 (185,472)

21) STAR OF WISH - EXILE (183,387)

22) 092 - HKT48 (167,037)

23) ALL TIME BEST 1998 - 2018 - Kobukuro (161,835)

24) XYZ=repainting - Sexy Zone (156,107)

25) TOMORROW - Tohoshinki (153,262)

Source: Oricon

Top 25 bestselling singles in 2018 (Oricon)

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of copies sold:

1) Teacher Teacher - AKB48 (1,819,237)

2) Sentimental Train - AKB48 (1,417,958)

3) Synchronicity - Nogizaka46 (1,306,247)

4) Jikochuu de ikou! - Nogizaka46 (1,281,625)

5) NO WAY MAN - AKB48 (1,213,501)

6) Ja ba ja - AKB48 (1,172,399)

7) Kaerimichi wa toomawari shitakunaru - Nogizaka46 (1,160,784)

8) Garasu wo ware! - Keyakizaka46 (1,021,450)

9) Ambivalent - Keyakizaka46 (970,268)

10) Cinderella Girl - King & Prince (688,112)

11) Natsuhayate - Arashi (538,150)

12) FAKE LOVE / Airplane pt.2 - BTS (471,083)

13) Memorial - King & Prince (451,851)

14) Find The Answer - Arashi (439,525)

15) Kimi no uta - Arashi (412,207)

16) Ikinari Punchline - SKE48 (390,770)

17) Muishiki no iro - SKE48 (386,683)

18) Lemon - Yonezu Kenshi (382,896)

19) Wake Me Up - TWICE (354,088)

20) Candy Pop - TWICE (340,992)

21) Warota Pii Poo - NMB48 (338,133)

22) White Love - Hey!Say!JUMP (320,310)

23) Boku datte naichauyo - NMB48 (290,563)

24) Kokoni - Kanjani 8 (277,501)

25) Hayaokuri Calendar - HKT48 (272,811)

Source: Oricon

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 22nd & 23rd Dec 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Ralph breaks the Internet (374)

2) Dragon Ball Super Broly (361)

3) Heisei Kamen Rider 20 Saku Kinen Kamen Rider Heisei Generations FOREVER (330)

4) Bohemian Rhapsody (368)

5) Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (358)

6) A Star is Born (340)

7) The Grinch (365)

8) Eiga Youkai Watch FOREVER FRIENDS (367)

9) Nisekoi (294)

10) Kuru (330)

Source: Eiga.com

Preview of "Good Wife" - Winter 2019

Title: Good Wife グッドワイフ
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 13 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Sundays 9pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original drama: The Good Wife by CBS
Cast: Tokiwa Takako, Koizumi Kotaro, Mizuhara Kiko, Kitamura Takumi, Nomaguchi Tooru, Nakabayashi Daiki, Suenaga Miyu, Kobayashi Kika, Ando Miyu, Takito Kenichi, Takabayashi Yukiko, Hakata Hanamaru, Kaku Chikako, Yoshida Kotaro & Karasawa Toshiaki

Preview of "Shitamachi Rocket New Year SP" (Drama SP)

Title: Shitamachi Rocket New Year SP 下町ロケット新春ドラマ特別編
Official website: here
Official Facebook: here
Official Instagram: here
Official LINE: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Date: 2 Jan 2019 at 9pm
Broadcast by: TBS
Original novel by: Ikeido Jun
Cast: Abe Hiroshi, Tsuchiya Tao, Takeuchi Ryoma, Yasuda Ken, Tokushige Satoshi, Wada Toshihiro, Konno Hiroki, Nakamoto Ken, Tanida Ayumi, Tsubokura Yoshiyuki, Baba Tooru, Asakura Aki, Tateishi Ryoko, Yamamoto Keisuke, Yamada Yuusuke, Matsukawa Naruki, Sugaya Tetsuya, Kanno Rio, Hara Anna, Bokumoto Sakiko, Imoto Ayako, Maya Miki, Uchiba Katsunori, Rokkaku Seiji, Okada Kouki, Megumi Toshiaki, Ikehata Shinnosuke, Furutachi Ichiro, Kinoshita Houka, Yamamoto Gaku, Nakamura Baijaku, Baisho Mitsuko, Onoe Kikunosuke, Tatekawa Danshun, Kanda Masaki, Kikkawa Koji & Sugi Ryoutarou

JOYSOUND Karaoke Annual Rankings 2018

JOYSOUND Karaoke announced the list of the most popular artists and songs chosen by its customers at their karaoke outlets. For more detailed results, please check their website from the link below.

First up is the list of artists whose songs were played the most times this year:

Top 20 Most Popular Artists
1) Yonezu Kenshi
2) back number
3) Mr.Children
4) RADWIMPS
5) Nakajima Miyuki
6) Arashi
7) Southern All Stars
8) Hoshino Gen
9) Amuro Namie
10) Nishino Kana
11) GReeeeN
12) AAA
13) Porno Graffitti
14) ONE OK ROCK
15) Spitz
16) Misora Hibari
17) AKB48
18) EXILE
19) Yuzu
20) Itsuki Hiroshi

And here are the top 30 songs of 2018:

1) Lemon - Yonezu Kenshi
2) Ito - Nakajima Miyuki
3) Chiisana koi no uta - MONGOL800
4) Zankoku na tenshi teeze - Takahashi Yoko
5) Sayonara Elegy - Suda Masaki
6) Himawari no yakusoku - Hata Motohiro
7) Sharuru - balloon
8) Hanamizuki - Hitoto Yo
9) Dancing Hero (Eat You Up) - Oginome Yoko
10) Eine Kleine - Yonezu Kenshi
11) Kanade - Sukima Switch
12) Koi - Hoshino Gen
13) Peace Sign - Yonezu Kenshi
14) Uchiage Hanabi - DAOKO x Yonezu Kenshi
15) Haiiro to ao - Yonezu Kenshi (+Suda Masaki)
16) Takane no Hana-san - back number
17) U.S.A. - DA PUMP
18) Mabataki - back number
19) LOSER - Yonezu Kenshi
20) Sangatsu kokonoka - Remioromen
21) Sugar song and bitter step - UNISON SQUARE GARDEN
22) I LOVE YOU - Chris Hart
23) HANABI - Mr.Children
24) Eikou no kakehashi - Yuzu
25) Ai wo komete hanataba wo - Superfly
26) Zenzenzense (movie ver.) - RADWIMPS
27) Kiseki - GReeeeN
28) 366 Nichi - HY
29) Umi no koe - Urashima Taro (Kiritani Kenta)
30) Cherry - Spitz

Source: JOYSOUND

Preview of "Trace Kasouken no Otoko" - Winter 2019

Title: Trace Kasouken no Otoko トレース科捜研の男 (Trace The Forensic Investigator Man)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 7 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Mondays 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original manga by: Koga Kei
Cast: Nishikido Ryo, Araki Yuuko, Yamazaki Shigenori, Okazaki Sae, Yamoto Yuuma, Kato Toranosuke, Yamaya Kasumi, Koyuki, Toyama Toshiya, Sasai Eisuke, Chihara Junior & Funakoshi Eiichiro

Preview of "Les Miserables Owarinaki Tabiji" (Drama SP)

Title: Les Miserables Owarinaki Tabiji レ・ミゼラブル 終わりなき旅路 (Les Miserables The never-ending journey)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Date: 6 Jan 2019 at 9pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Original novel by: Victor Hugo
Theme Song: "Sailing" by Aimer
Cast: Dean Fujioka, Iura Arata, Yamamoto Mizuki, Yoshizawa Ryo, Murakami Nijiro, Kiyohara Kaya, Matsushita Kohei, Shimizu Hiroya, Fukuda Mayuko, Hasegawa Kyoko, Kaneko Nobuaki, Tomita Yasuko, Terawaki Yasufumi, Ibu Masato, Katase Rino, Karina & Okuda Eiji

2018 Ranking of celebrities with the most CM deals (Nihon Monitor)

This ranking released by Nihon Monitor list the top celebrities with the most CM deals between 1 January 2018 and 30 November 2018. The number of CM deals held by each celebrity is presented within the brackets:

Top male celebrities with the most CM deals
1) Degawa Tetsuro (14)
2) Akiyama Ryuji / Takahashi Issei (11)
3) Nishikori Kei (10)
4) Aiba Masaki / Endo Kenichi / Sakurai Sho / Sandwich Man / Nagatomo Yuto / Ninomiya Kazunari (9)
5) Uchimura Kohei / Kamiki Ryuunosuke / Saito Takumi / Nagase Tomoya / Nishijima Hidetoshi / Hamada Gaku / Matsushige Yutaka / Matsumoto Jun (8)

Top female celebrities with the most CM deals
1) Shiraishi Mai (18)
2) Hirose Suzu (15)
3) Arimura Kasumi / Rola / Watanabe Naomi (12)
4) Ayase Haruka / Kawaei Rina / Saito Asuka / Nishino Nanase / Yoshida Yo (11)
5) Ashida Mana (10)
6) Aragaki Yui / Iitoyo Marie / Ishihara Satomi / Ueto Aya / Kitagawa Keiko / Seino Nana / Takahata Mitsuki / Tsuchiya Tao / Nanao / Hirose Arisu / Fukada Kyoko / Matsuoka Mayu (9)
7) Asami Kokoro / Kimura Fumino / Kiritani Mirei / Komatsu Nana / Nakajo Ayami / Hamabe Minami / Honda Miyu / Miyazaki Aoi / Yoshioka Riho (8)

In case you are wondering, here are the CM kings and queens for the past 5 years:

Male celebrities
2017: Endo Kenichi (12)
2016: Aiba Masaki / Nishikori Kei (12)
2015: Aiba Masaki (12)
2014: Sakurai Sho / Matsuoka Shuzo (11)
2013: Ishikawa Ryo (12)

Female celebrities
2017: Rola (15)
2016: Yoshida Yo (13)
2015: Ueto Aya (13)
2014: Rola (14)
2013: Takei Emi (17)

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Gosaigyo" - Winter 2019

Title: Gosaigyo 後妻業 (The second wife business)
Official website: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 22 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Tuesdays 9pm
Broadcast by: Kansai TV / FujiTV
Original novel by: Kurokawa Hiroyuki
Cast: Kimura Yoshino, Takahashi Katsunori, Kimura Tae, Hayama Shono, Hasegawa Tomoharu, Shinoda Mariko, Hirayama Yusuke, Tanaka Michiko, Komoto Junichi, Hamada Mari, Toyota Maho, Izumiya Shigeru and Ihara Tsuyoshi

Nominees for the 73rd Mainichi Film Awards (2018)

Here are the nominees for the 73rd Mainichi Film Awards (2018) - note that I have only included the best movie and individual acting categories' nominees here:

Best Japanese Movie
Kiku to Guillotine
Kimi no tori wa utaeru
Korou no Chi
Netemo Sametemo
Manbiki Kazoku

Best Foreign Movie
Shape of Water
Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri
Phantom Thread
The Post
1987: When the Day Comes

Best Leading Actor
Emoto Tasuku - Kimi no tori wa utaeru
Okada Junichi - Chiri Tsubaki
Higashide Masahiro - Netemo Sametemo
Yakusho Koji - Korou no Chi
Yamazaki Tsutomu - Mori no iru basho
Lily Franky - Manbiki Kazoku

Best Leading Actress
Ando Sakura - Manbiki Kazoku
Kadowaki Mugi - Tomerareuka, oretachi wo
Kuroki Haru - Nichinichi kore koujitsu
Shuri - Ikiterudakede, Ai
Matsuoka Mayu - Katte ni Furuetero

Best Supporting Actor
Arai Hirofumi - Kenen
Eita - Yuuzai
Sakou Yoshi - Kensatsugawa no Zainin
Sometani Shota - Kimi no tori wa utaeru
Tsukamoto Shinya - Zan
Ninomiya Kazunari - Kensatsugawa no Zainin
Matsuzaka Toori - Korou no Chi

Best Supporting Actress
Ishibashi Shizuka - Kimi no tori wa utaeru
Kan Hanae - Kiku to Guillotine
Kiki Kirin - Nichinichi kore koujitsu / Manbiki Kazoku
Kino Hana - Itoshi no Irene
Hara Hideko - Suzukike no Uso
Matsuoka Mayu - Manbiki Kazoku

Sponichi Grand Prix Male Newcomer
Kanichiro - Kiku to Guillotine
Jou Kairi - Manbiki Kazoku
Tamaoki Reo - Kyoukaishi
Narita Ryo - Niwatori Star
Maeda Ryusei - Zan
Yoshizawa Ryo - River's Edge

Sponichi Grand Prix Female Newcomer
Karata Erika - Netemo Sametemo
Kiryuu Mai - Kiku to Guillotine / Suzukike no uso
Sasaki Miyu - Manbiki Kazoku
Hirate Yurina - HIBIKI
Makita Aju - Shino-chan wa jibun no namae ga ienai
Minami Sara - Shino-chan wa jibun no namae ga ienai

Tanaka Kinuyo Award
Ando Sakura
Shirakawa Kazuko
Terajima Shinobu
Hara Hideko
Fubuki Jun

Source: Natalie

Preview of "Inugamike no Ichizoku" (2018 drama SP)

Title: Inugamike no Ichizoku 犬神家の一族 (The Inugami clan)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 24 Dec 2018 at 9.30pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Cast: Kato Shigeaki, Kaku Kento, Takanashi Rin, Yabu Kouta, Shinagawa Toru, Kasahara Hideyuki, Ando Sei, Tanabe Kenichiro, Shoji Yusuke, Sakaguchi Ryotaro, Matsuda Miyuki, Ryo, Kajiwara Zen, Satoi Kenta, Ookura Koji, Ono Takehiko, Kaji Meiko, Itao Itsuji, Namase Katsuhisa, Satomi Kotaro & Kuroki Hitomi

Top 10 actors who made a breakthrough in 2018 (Oricon)

The following survey was done by Oricon Monitor Research on 1,000 respondents from their teens to 50s between 25 October and 2 November where they chose which actor they felt had made a breakthrough in 2018. Other than the teenagers who chose Hirano Sho, Tanaka Kei was the No.1 pick for all age groups i.e. from 20s to 50s:

1) Tanaka Kei

2) Hirano Sho

3) Nakamura Tomoya

4) Shison Jun

5) Yoshizawa Ryo

6) Arata Mackenyu

7) Yamazaki Kento

8) Kaku Kento

9) Chiba Yuudai

10) Yoshida Kotaro

Source: Oricon

Preview of "Nukemairu ~ Onna Sannin Isemairi ~" - Autumn 2018

Title: Nukemairu ~ Onna Sannin Isemairi ~ ぬけまいる ~ 女三人伊勢参り ~
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 27 Oct 2018
Timeslot: Saturdays 6.05pm
Broadcast by: NHK
Total number of episodes: 8
Original novel by: Asai Makate
Cast: Tanaka Rena, Tomosaka Rie, Sato Eriko, Fukushi Seiji & Daichi Mao
Guests: Takizawa Hideaki (Ep 3) & Tachi Hiroshi (Eps 4 and 5)

Preview of "Sore wo ai to machigaeru kara" - Winter 2019

Title: Sore wo ai to machigaeru kara それを愛とまちがえるから (Because you mistook that as love)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 9 Feb 2019
Timeslot: Saturdays 10pm
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Total number of episodes: 5
Original novel by: Inoue Areno
Cast: Inamori Izumi, Suzuki Kosuke, Naka Riisa, Ando Masanobu, Watanabe Daichi, LiLiCo and MEGUMI

Top 10 actresses who made a breakthrough in 2018 (Oricon)

The following survey was done by Oricon Monitor Research on 1,000 respondents from their teens to 50s between 22 November and 28 November where they chose which actress they felt had made a breakthrough in 2018. For the teenagers and those in their 20s, Imada Mio was their top pick while Nagano Mei was ranked No.1 by those in their 30s and 40s and Hirose Arisu was chosen by those in their 50s:

1) Nagano Mei

2) Hirose Arisu

3) Hamabe Minami

4) Ando Sakura

5) Imada Mio

6) Sugisaki Hana

7) Nakajo Ayami

8) Araki Yuuko

9) Shuri

10) Aoi Wakana

Source: Oricon

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 15th & 16th Dec 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Dragon Ball Super Broly (361)

2) Bohemian Rhapsody (368)

3) Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (358)

4) Eiga Youkai Watch FOREVER FRIENDS (367)

5) The Grinch (365)

6) Kuru (330)

7) Haru matsu bokura (307)

8) The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (271)

9) Kido Senshi Gundam NT (91)

10) Sumaho wo otoshitadake nanoni (314)

Source: Eiga.com

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 8th & 9th Dec 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (358)

2) Bohemian Rhapsody (368)

3) Kuru (330)

4) The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (271)

5) Kido Senshi Gundam NT (91)

6) Sumaho wo otoshitadake nanoni (314)

7) Ningyo no nemuru ie (327)

8) Uirabu (215)

9) Venom (352)

10) Kazokuiro RAILWAYS Watashitachi no shuppatsu (209)

Source: Eiga.com

Winners of the Yahoo! Japan Search Awards 2018

Yahoo! Japan Search Awards is an annual event which lists the people and things that experienced a surge in online searches via Yahoo! Japan as compared to the previous year. This is a barometer of the amount of attention which the person or thing has enjoyed in the past year. The measurement period is from 1 January to 1 November of the current year.

As the list of winners is very long, I will only feature winners in the people and culture categories which are more related to J-ent in general:

Grand Prix: King & Prince

Actor: Nakamura Tomoya

Actress: Imada Mio

Comedian: Hyokkorihan

Athlete: Hanyuu Yuzuru

Model: Koki

Musician: Amuro Namie

Idol: King & Prince

Voice Actor: Kobayashi Yumiko

Writer: Yabe Taro

Anime: Pop Team Epic

Movie: The Greatest Showman

Game: Monster Hunter: World

Novel: Otto no chinpo ga hairanai

Drama: Hanbun, Aoi

* Interestingly, "Segodon" was the most-searched keyword in Kagoshima Prefecture probably because it was the lead character Saigo Takamori's hometown. Meanwhile in Okinawa Prefecture, the locals were the most interested in Amuro Namie, their homegrown diva who retired this year.

Source: Yahoo! Japan

Preview of "Kokou no Mesu" - Winter 2019

Title: Kokou no Mesu 孤高のメス (A Lone Scalpel)
Official website: here
O.A. Start Date: 13 Jan 2019
Timeslot: Sundays 10pm
Broadcast by: WOWOW
Total number of episodes: 8
Original novel by: Ohgane Toshihiko
Cast: Takizawa Hideaki, Nakamura Tooru, Kudo Asuka, Yamamoto Mizuki, Ishimaru Kanji, Nagatsuka Kyozo, Miyakawa Ichirota, Riju Go, Miura Masaki, Kondo Koen, Musaka Naomasa, Honda Hirotaro & Kimura Midoriko

Winners of the 31st Nikkansports Movie Awards & Ishihara Yujiro Award (2018)

Best Movie: Manbiki Kazoku

Best Director: Shiraishi Kazuya (Sunny 32 / Korou no Chi / Tomerareruka, oretachi wo)

Best Leading Actor: Matsuzaka Toori (Funouhan / Shounen)

Best Leading Actress: Ando Sakura (Manbiki Kazoku)

Best Supporting Actor: Takahashi Issei (Uso wo aisuru onna / Soratobu Taiya / Oku Otoko)

Best Supporting Actress: Kiki Kirin (Manbiki Kazoku / Mori no iru basho / Nichinichi kore koujitsu)

Best Newcomer: Hirate Yurina (HIBIKI)

Best Foreign Movie: Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri

Ishihara Yujiro Award: Camera wo tomeru na!

Ishihara Yujiro Newcomer Award: Iwata Takanori (Kyounen no fuyu, kimi to wakare / Vision / Perfect World Kimi to iru kiseki)

Source: Natalie

Preview of "Kono koi wa tsumi nanoka!?" - Autumn 2018

Title: Kono koi wa tsumi nanoka!? この恋はツミなのか!? (Is this love a sin!?)
Official website: here
Official Instagram: here
Official Twitter: here
O.A. Start Date: 2 Dec 2018 (MBS) / 4 Dec 2018 (TBS)
Timeslot: Sundays 12.50am (MBS) / Tuesdays 1.28am (TBS)
Broadcast by: MBS & TBS
Original manga by: Torishima Hyte
Opening Theme Song: "Sokkenai kimi" by Kashiwagi Yuki
Ending Theme Song: "Moshimo boku ga sekai wo kaeretara" by MAG!C☆PRINCE
Cast: Kashiwagi Yuki, Ito Kentaro, Yamoto Yuuma, Mao, Katou Shinsuke, Tanaka Makoto, Abe Shuuhei, Kuroda Daisuke, Saito Takumi &  Murakami Jun

Preview of "Sakura no Oyakodon 2" - Autumn 2018

Title: Sakura no Oyakodon 2 さくらの親子丼2 (Sakura's Oyakodon 2)
Official website: here 
O.A. Start Date: 1 Dec 2018
Timeslot: Saturdays 11.40pm
Broadcast by: Tokai TV
Theme Song: "Hikari" by RINA
Cast: Maya Miki, Emoto Tokio, Igashira Manami, Okamoto Natsumi, Shibata Kyoka, Osaki Ichika, Inori Kirara, Hibi Mikoto, Uragami Seishuu, Shiono Akihisa, Aijima Kazuyuki & Natori Yuko

Top 10 movies box office ranking for the weekend of 1st & 2nd Dec 2018

Numbers in brackets indicate the number of cinemas showing the movie:

1) Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald (358)

2) Bohemian Rhapsody (368)

3) The Nutcracker and the Four Realms (271)

4) Kido Senshi Gundam NT (91)

5) Sumaho wo otoshitadake nanoni (314)

6) Ningyo no nemuru ie (327)

7) Venom (352)

8) Uirabu (215)

9) Kazokuiro RAILWAYS Watashitachi no shuppatsu (209)

10) Burn the Stage the Movie (95)

Source: Eiga.com

Winners of the 40th Yokohama Film Festival (2018)

Best Ten Movies
1) Netemo Sametemo
2) Korou no Chi
3) Manbiki Kazoku
4) HANAGATAMI
5) Camera wo tomeruna!
6) Kiku to Guillotine
7) Tomerareruka, oretachi wo
8) Suzukike no Uso
10) Mori no iru basho / Nichinichi kore koujitsu

Best Movie: Netemo Sametemo

Best Director: Hamaguchi Ryusuke (Netemo Sametemo) / Zeze Takahisa (Kiku to Guillotine / Yuuzai / Hachinengoshi no Hanayome Kiseki no Jitsuwa)

Morita Yoshimitsu Memorial New Director: Nojiri Katsumi (Suzukike no Uso)

Best Scriptwriter: Okita Shuichi (Mori no iru basho)

Best Cinematography: Sasaki Yasuyuki (Netemo Sametemo / Taisou shiyouyo)

Best Leading Actor: Higashide Masahiro (Netemo Sametemo) / Yakusho Koji (Korou no Chi)

Best Leading Actress: Ando Sakura (Manbiki Kazoku)

Best Supporting Actor: Matsuzaka Toori (Korou no Chi)

Best Supporting Actress: Matsuoka Mayu (Manbiki Kazoku / blank13 / Chihayafuru - Musubi -) / Ito Sairi (Netemo Sametemo / Enokida Bouekidou)

Best Newcomer: Karata Erika (Netemo Sametemo) / Yoshizawa Ryo (River's Edge, Gintama 2 Okite wa yaburutame ni koso aru / Marmalade Boy) / Kiryuu Mai (Kiku to Guillotine / Suzukike no Uso)

Judges' Special Award: Camera wo tomeruna!

Special Award: Yamazaki Tsutomu

Source: Natalie