Did a Korean Video Game Company Steal Namie Amuro’s Face for Their New Game?

On September 22, Korean video game company NHN PixelCube Corporation released their new mobile RPG game “Kill Me Again: Infectors” for Android smartphones. In the game, a zombie apocalypse has taken place and the player’s character fights to survive. The game is available worldwide, and is available in 10 different languages, including English, Korean, Japanese, Spanish, and Russian.

However, one of the images used to promote the game bears a striking resemblance to one of Namie’s Amuro’s single covers.

Mika Nakashima to Release New Single “Hanataba”

On October 28, Mika Nakashima will release her new single, “Hanataba.” This is Mika’s first single since June 2014’s collaboration single with Kato Miliyah, “Fighter / Gift.” “Hanataba” was written and composed by Tamaki Koji, and arranged by Tomi Yo. The song is described as a heartwarming number about overcoming everyday obstacles to find joy. “Hanataba” will serve as the theme song for the new Fuji TV drama “Otona Joshi”, starring Ryoko Shinohara. The drama premieres on October 15 at 10 PM.

The single’s B-side is Mika’s recent digital single “Ai no Uta.” The song is an insert song in the TBS drama “Omotesando Koukou Gasshoubu!”

Check out the covers and tracklist for “Hanataba” after the jump!

#1 Song Review: Week of 8/26 – 9/1 (AKB48 v. Leo Ieiri)

Hello Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Leo Ieiri beat out Masaharu Fukuyama to take the top spot for the second week in a row. Leo is back again this week, and she’s up against a newcomer. Find out what various staff members thought of the songs that topped the physical and digital charts this week and share your thoughts on them too!

SEKAI NO OWARI and DREAMS COME TRUE Top the Soundscan Charts for the Week of 9/21 – 9/27

On the single side, SEKAI NO OWARI topped the chart with “SOS / Present”, with its CD+DVD Limited Edition B selling 31,869 copies. Between its 3 editions, “SOS / Present” sold 66,692 copies, making it the best selling single this week.

On the album side, DREAMS COME TRUE reclaimed the top spot with “DREAMS COME TRUE THE BEST! Watashi no Dorikamu”, with its 1 3CD edition selling 13,830 copies. However, the best selling album this week is EXILE TAKAHIRO’s “the VISIONALUX.” Between its 3 editions, “the VISIONALUX” sold 22,793 copies, making it the best selling album this week.

Japanese Stars Attend the 20th Busan International Film Festival

Last October 1, the 20th Busan International Film Festival kicked off in Busan, South Korea. Director Eisuke Naito’s “Lychee Light Club” and Isao Yukisada’s “Pink and Gray” join the festival as part of the “A Window on Asian Cinema”.

Unfortunately however, only director Eisuke Naito was able to walk at the red carpet, due to delayed flights. Mamiya Shotaro and Ayami Nakajo of “Lychee Light Club” were able to catch up with the opening ceremony.

Director Isao Yukisada of “Pink and Gray” and the the film’s stars Hey! Say! JUMP’s Nakajima Yuto and Suda Masaki were not able to walk the red carpet but they attended the outdoor stage greeting for the film.

Mamiya Shotaro came in a classic bow tied suit and Ayami wore a long white dress. Nakajima showed up in a gray suit while Suda stands out with his pink hair and purple suit.

Mamiya updated his twitter account sharing that he took a walk together with Suda and Nakajima in Busan the night after the opening festival. Check out some pictures from the event below.

E-girls and Creephyp Perform on CDTV for October 3

This week’s guests were E-girls and Creephyp.

E-girls – Dance Dance Dance

Creephyp – Reversiblue

Nishino Kana, E-girls, and More Perform on Music Fair for October 3

This week’s guests were Every Little Thing, E-girls, Nishino Kana, and chay.

Every Little Thing x E-girls – Deatta Koro no You ni

Nishino Kana – Torisetsu

E-girls – Dance Dance Dance

chay – Suki de Suki de Suki Sugite

Every Little Thing – Konoha

Japan Box Office Ranking (Week of Sep 26 -27)

Heroine Shikkaku overtook Attack on Titan: End of The World to take the top of the box office chart this week. This is bad news for the Attack on Titan franchise which opened at number 1 last week at half of the first movie’s revenue and admission numbers (AoT End of the World: 237K tickets, 328 million Yen vs Aot Part 1: 460K tickets, 600 million Yen). The movie’s second part saw another  50% drop on its second week on the charts.

Check out the latest ranking below.