I guess I saw Koyuki for the 1st of many times in The Last Samurai (2003). She had a key-role in the film as Taka, the widow of a warrior slain by Captain Nathan Algren (Tom Cruise). In her role she spoke only Japanese, but it was her ethereal beauty, and her soulful eyes that captured my attention.
I’ve since watched this film again and again. The reality is that Koyuki was so mesmerizing, that I’ve wanted to see her in other roles. I’ve been fortunate in that I’ve been able to see Koyuki in a good number of Television drama series. Read more…
Remember Yuka, or was it Yuuka? Maybe you called her Yu-ka? However her name appeared in print, she was unforgettable. Her series of gravure videos back in 1998 and 1999: Breath, to, and be, became instant classic collectors’ items.
And if you look closely on the cdjapan page for each of these DVDs, you will see that on each of the DVD covers, her name appears as Yu-ka. Despite this, cdjapan lists her as Yuuka. And as you will see, her name has undergone yet another change.
She took leave of the gravure world after her Yuuka DVD in 2002, and headed for TV, print ads, and movies. She got work, and was never forgotten, but she was no longer a headliner.
Read more…
Source: Tokyograph.com & Natalie.mu
Links: Mikie Hara & Mikie Hara (Photos)
“Ryo Kurashina’s manga series “Jyouou Virgin ~Roppongi Night GP Part II~” (illustrated by Nao Kurebayashi) is getting a TV drama adaptation, it has been learned. Popular idol Mikie Hara (22) will take on the starring role.
Currently serialized in Shueisha’s Business Jump, “Jyouou Virgin” revolves around young kyabakura hostesses competing for a big prize. It is the sequel to Kurashina’s earlier “Jyouou,” which was also turned into a drama series in 2005. The new show will air in the same late night Drama 24 (12:12am) time slot on TV Tokyo, allowing for some nudity. Like the previous series, the supporting cast features idols from the gravure and AV industries, including Natsuko Tatsumi, Reon Kadena, Saori Hara, and Yuma Asami.
The series will premiere on October 2.”
Source: Japantoday.com
“TOKYO — Actress Erika Toda, 20, and actor Shota Matsuda, 23, were on hand recently at an event announcing the simultaneous production of the Fuji TV serial drama, “Liar Game Season 2” (which begins in November, Tuesdays at 9 p.m.) and the movie “Liar Game: The Final Stage” (directed by Hiroaki Matsumoto and scheduled for release Feb 6, 2010).
The show skyrocketed to popularity since its start in April of last year, moving from 11 p.m. on Saturdays to a prime time slot, and is now celebrating a second season and plans for the creation of a movie. The second season will focus on the semifinals of the white-knuckle brain game, while the movie will document the finals competition.
When asked what she would do if she won the 5 billion yen grand prize, Toda replied, “I’d buy a house in some place like Okinawa, then save the rest,” while Matsuda said, “I’d make a movie theater and name it after myself. Then I’d only show movies I made.”
Toda’s character is a university student who plays the game to the bitter end despite being repeatedly fooled. When tested with the game at the event, she lost hands down. On the other hand, Matsuda made it to the final two, keeping up appearances for his swindler character.”
Get out your hankies or your tissues. This one is a real weeper. This TV Drama, entitled Love & Forgiveness, produced by NTV, recently concluded its run. The broadcast period was mid April 2009, to mid-June 2009. It has an alternate title as well, Aishiteru.
Though the series had three attractive ladies, Izumi Inamura, Yuka Itaya, in the lead roles, and Misako Tanaka, in the supporting role who connects them, each of these actresses have all graduated from their youthful days. They don’t do winsome ingenues any more. So this series is about a story and acting rather than eye-candy. Read more…
Source: Japantoday.com
“TOKYO — Celebrity Kaori Manabe, 28, has returned to her regular Thursday spot on Fuji TV’s morning show “Tokudane!” yesterday. Manabe apologized for her absence from the show due to the kerfuffle caused by an election poster featuring her photo.
Minoru Kiuchi, 44, a politician who was asked to leave the Liberal Democratic Party in 2005 and is running as an independent in the upcoming Lower House election on Aug 30, had planned to use posters featuring a picture of Manabe. He has since canceled the move after Manabe wrote on her blog that she did not support any party or candidate.
Manabe said she had met Kiuchi just once over a year ago, and that she didn’t understand why her picture was being used. Kiuchi’s campaign team said that Manabe’s office had approved the posters, but that they will no longer use them.”
Link: Kaori Manabe (Photos)
Japanese TV Drama series actress, movie star, and former gravure idol, Kyoko Hasegawa made a lot of news in the spring of 2008 after signing to appear in a spy-thriller movie called Rain Fall. Read more…
