Mitsushima Hikari divorces her director husband; currently dating Nagayama Kento

It was reported on 16 May that Mitsushima Hikari and her director husband Ishii Yuya had filed for divorce at the beginning of the year. The couple met when Mitsushima was the female lead for his 2010 movie "Kawa no soko kara konnichiwa" and got married in October the same year. According to Mitsushima's agency, they were informed of the news after the divorce was finalised.

At the same time, reports of Mitsushima being an item with actor Nagayama Kento who is also the younger brother of Eita, were published on the same day. It was said that they had been good friends in the past but only started dating recently. With regard to the news, Nagayama's agency commented that they were told about the relationship by him not long ago and asked for everyone to look upon them favourably from now on.

Mitsushima first achieved a breakthrough in her acting career through the 2009 movie "Ai no Mukidashi" and has starred in many dramas such as NTV's "Woman" which won her various leading actress awards. She was the female lead in two consecutive seasons' dramas i.e. FujiTV Summer 2014's "Wakamonotachi 2014" and TBS Autumn 2014's "Gomen ne Seishun". On the other hand, Nagayama got his first leading role in a movie in 2010 through "Soft Boy" and won the Best Newcomer award in the Nihon Academy Awards. He has appeared in various dramas and movies and can be seen currently in the TBS drama "Juuhan Shuttai!"

Source: Nikkansports / Sponichi / Modelpress

Tsumabuki Satoshi reportedly dating actress Maiko since 2012

Tsumabuki Satoshi and Maiko are said to be dating as reported in various sources on 11 August. When asked about the report, both artistes' agencies did not deny this and said that they will leave things up to the artistes since this is a private matter. According to reports, Tsumabuki and Maiko got to know each other when they worked together in the 2012 FujiTV drama "Higashino Keigo Mysteries" and started dating soon after that.

Maiko has a American father and Japanese mother and was seen in dramas such as "Ryomaden", "Ohisama" and her latest movie is "Kuime". Tsumabuki's latest drama is the ongoing "Wakamonotachi 2014" showing on FujiTV.

Source: Sponichi

Hirosue Ryoko to be the guest star in episode 4 of "Wakamonotachi 2014"

Hirosue Ryoko will be the guest star in the 4th episode of FujiTV summer 2014 drama "Wakamonotachi 2014" to be shown on 30 July. She will play the role of Yoshikawa Mizuki, an ex-girlfriend of Satoru (Eita) who aspired to be a stage actress. While watching the play "Hiryuden" being performed by his younger brother Haru (Emoto Tasuku), Satoru imagines the heroine to be played by Mizuki and reminisces about her.

"Hiryuden" is a play set in the 1970s about the love story between Kanbayashi Michiko, the female chairman of the All-Campus Joint Struggle League, and Yamazaki Ippei, a leader in the riot police. Hirosue had acted in the same play as Kanbayashi back in 2003 where she had to act in intimate scenes with the male lead and marked her formal transition from an idol to an actress. Hirosue commented that it was great that she can relive the passion and memories she had while doing "Hiryuden" through this drama.

Source: Sanspo

Completion screening event of FujiTV summer 2014 drama "Wakamonotachi 2014"

The completion screening event of FujiTV summer 2014 drama "Wakamonotachi 2014" was held on 3 July at La Foret Museum Harajuku which was attended by cast members Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, Emoto Tasuku, Nomura Shuhei, Aoi Yu, Nagasawa Masami, Hashimoto Ai and Yoshioka Hidetaka. The drama which will be shown from 9 July, is the modern remake of the original series in 1966 and features a family of five siblings who strive hard to survive in the current world after losing their parents at a young age.

Tsumabuki who plays the eldest son in the family, commented that he regards this drama as worth dying for and thinks that it will reignite the passion of the youth after watching it. On the other hand, Mitsushima who is the only daughter in the family, expressed her apprehension as to whether she should join in the conversations of her "brothers" and how she should do it. In return, Tsumabuki teased her for being slow to choose what she eats during meal time so that's why she couldn't join their conversations in time.

Source: Sanspo

Preview of "Wakamonotachi 2014" - Summer 2014

Title: Wakamonotachi 2014 若者たち2014 (The Youngsters)
Official website: here
Official blog: here
Official Twitter page: here
O.A. Start Date: 9 July 2014
Timeslot: Wednesdays 10pm
Broadcast by: FujiTV
Theme song: Wakamonotachi by Moriyama Naotaro
Cast: Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, Emoto Tasuku, Nomura Shuhei, Aoi Yu, Nagasawa Masami, Hashimoto Ai, Yoshioka Hidetaka

First episode of "Wakamonotachi 2014" to be shown to Yahoo! Japan premium members before O.A.

FujiTV's 55th anniversary drama "Wakamonotachi 2014" starring Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, Emoto Tasuku, Nomura Shuhei, Aoi Yu, Nagasawa Masami, Hashimoto Ai and Yoshioka Hidetaka will have its first episode shown exclusively to 10,000 Yahoo! Japan premium members before its first O.A. on 9 July at 10pm. Members will have to register for the right to watch the first episode on 5th and 6th July by registering via this website which is a first for the TV station.

The drama is based on the same-titled drama produced in 1966 and talks about how 5 siblings try to survive in the current world after losing their parents at a young age. The theme song of the drama will be sung by Moriyama Naotaro.

Source: Sanspo

Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, Emoto Tasuku & Nomura Shuhei to play siblings in FujiTV summer 2014 drama "Wakamonotachi"

Tsumabuki Satoshi, Eita, Mitsushima Hikari, Emoto Tasuku and Nomura Shuhei will be playing siblings living under the same roof in the upcoming FujiTV 55th anniversary commemorative summer 2014 drama "Wakamonotachi" (The Youngsters) which begins its run from July. The drama will be directed by Sugita Shigemichi who is known for his work in the "Kita no Kuni kara" series.

"Wakamonotachi" was first made in 1966 which featured Tanaka Kunie, Hashimoto Isao, Sato Orie, Yamamoto Kei and Matsuyama Seiji as five siblings who lost their parents at a young age and how they struggled to live in the midst of various social problems such as poverty. The 2014 version will feature the 5 actors facing loneliness, employment woes and discrimination as they try to deal with the gap between their ideals and reality. Co-stars also include Aoi Yu, Hashimoto Ai and Yoshioka Hidetaka.

As for the theme song "Kimi no yuku michi wa hateshinaku tooi" which was sung by Broad Side Four, the new version will be sung by Moriyama Naotaro.

Source: Sponichi / Sanspo