Idol group Maison book girl has scheduled their major label debut single “river (cloudy irony)” for next November 30th, but that didn’t prevent them from already announcing their major label debut album (second album overall) in a recent concert! Titled “image”, this album will see its release on early Spring 2017. There has been already some controversy whether their sound and creativity has stagnated or not, so “image” will be quite an anticipated album for fans and followers of the group who are interested in knowing if they still have something to show. Check the announcement image just after the jump!

Actress and former idol Erina Mano has revealed the covers for her 9th solo photobook “KAGEROH”. This photobook is being released in commemoration of her introduction into show business 10 years ago. Back in 2006 Erina successfully passed Hello!Projects Up-Front “Egg” Audition in-order to become a trainee for the popular idol troupe. Erina traveled to Los Angeles for the project, originally telling her management “I want to go to the desert”. Filled with beautiful scenery and a wide variety of outfits, she hopes the photobook will fully showcase the “current Erina.”

After graduating Hello!Project in 2013 Erina made acting her primary focus, she still holds the occasional concert however.

Those who order KAGEROH from amazon.jp will receive an exclusive cover, the photobook will be released on November 25th. Check out both covers below!

Last November 7, the main event of the “International Drama Festival in TOKYO 2016″ in Tokyo, the “Tokyo Drama Awards 2016” was held. NHK’s Asadora “Asa ga Kita” won 3 awards including best drama series grand prix, best actress and best supporting actor.

The 9th “Tokyo Drama Awards” recognizes excellent dramas that the Japanese are excited to bring overseas. In order to achieve further global exposure of the nominated programs, the award’s judging criteria place emphasis not only on quality but also “marketability” and “merchantability”.

Check out the rest of the winners below. More pictures at Modelpress.

This year’s edition of NHK’s annual New Year’s Eve music special, Kohaku Uta Gassen, airs from 5:15 PM JST – 11:45 PM JST. The theme of this year’s show is “Yume wo Utaou” (“Let’s sing a dream”). Today, the television channel revealed who will be moderating the two teams that compete against each other on the show. The Red Team (the women’s team) will be lead by Arimura Kasumi, while the White Team (the men’s team) will be by Arashi’s Aiba Masaki.

Teasers and visuals are out for the live-action film of Samura Hiroaki’s “neo period drama” Mugen no Junin” (Blade of the Immortal)! Kimura Takuya will play the lead character Manji, a ronin warrior cursed with an immortal body. To regain his mortality, he sets on a mission to kill 1,000 evil men. The manga follows Manji’s journey of revenge as the bodyguard of Rin, a young woman who swears vengeance against a group of sword fighters who murdered her parents. Sugisaki Hana will play the role of Rin.

The teasers previews the climactic scene with Manji and Rin surrounded by 300 enemies. He asks her, “Rin, who should I cut down?” Rin replies, “Anyone who tries to cut me down.”

Takashi Miike serves as director. Filming took place in Kyoto in extremely cold weather, and the climax of Manji and Rin versus 300 enemies took about 15 days to shoot. The film will open in Japan on April 29 during Golden Week.

Get ready for the return of the King of Jdramas! Kimura Takuya leads TBS’ next Sunday golden drama timeslot with “A LIFE ~ Itoshiki Hito” (A LIFE ~ Beloved). He reunites with Takeuchi Yuko, heroine for his popular drama “Pride”, after 13 years,. Also joining him are Asano Tadanobu, Matsuyama Kenichi, Kimura Fumino, Nanao, Emoto Akira, Tanaka Min, Kobayashi Takashi, and Oikawa Mitsuhiro. With a huge cast, this is undoubtedly going to be the biggest drama to watch out for, next season. This is Kimura’s first drama two years since TV Asahi’s “I’m Home” in 2015. This is also his first drama after SMAP disbands on December 31.

Kimura has challenged numerous roles in numerous dramas, such as hairdresser, pilot, ice hockey player, and even a Prime Minister. He plays his 20th occupation as a skilled surgeon with this new drama. Original story is written by Hashibe Atsuko. The drama will start airing January 2017, Sundays, 9pm.

This update is delayed so numbers for 2 weeks are in! Check out the latest chart below.

This week’s guests were [Alexandros], Kanna Chise, Nishino Kana, Yu Takahashi, and B.A.P.

[Alexandros] – Feel like

Kanna Chise – Heaven’s Door ~Hi no Ataru Basho~

Nishino Kana – Dear Bride

Yu Takahashi – Ashita wa Kitto Ii Hi ni Naru

B.A.P – FLY HIGH