It was announced that FUJI TV’s HERO drama starring SMAP’s Kimura Takuya will return as a movie after 8 years since the last HERO movie. To be released on July 18 next year, the movie will be directed again by Matsuyuki Suzuki and will include Kitagawa Keiko, the new heroine in HERO 2, Takako Matsu, the primary heroine in the first season and, Koichi Sato, in a role that will be in confilct with Kuryu Kohei (Kimura).

This time, Public Prosecutor Kuryuu Kohei investigates an incident involving an embassy of a certain country, which holds the key for resolve. However, the right to criminal investigation involving an embassy or a diplomat is challenged with the “the barrier of the extraterritorial rights.”

HERO became a hit in 2001, recording an average audience rating 34.3%. This was followed by an SP in 2006 and a movie in 2007. The second season aired July this year, 13 years after the first season and recorded an average audience rating 21.3%.

(via Sanspo)

The covers and tracklist for Tomomi Itano’s 6th single “COME PARTY!” have been released! The self-described “party anthem” will be available in three standard physical versions, as well as six “music card” editions.  Each version comes with a special bonus photo determined by the retailer. “COME PARTY!” will be released December 17th.

Hello AramaJapan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review!  Last week, Namie Amuro came in first, ahead of NMB48 and Che’Nelle. She’s looking to continue her reign against Che’Nelle once again this week but there is a new challenger as well! 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!

On November 24, popular idol group Momoiro Clover Z held Onna Matsuri 2014 ～Ristorante da MCZ～ in Osaka Jo Hall. It’s reported via Natalie, the venue was filled by 9,847 female Mononofu  and managed to mobilize another 6,713 on live viewing in 28 theaters throughout Japan.

Onna matsuri was held with definite rules, males are not allowed. As previous one which held in 2012 at Nippon Budokan, Momoclo’s choreographer, Yumi Ishikawa was responsible for the entire production of this concert. A bit different from their usual concert, Onna Matsuri concerts are always so girly with a lot of female accessories involved as concert decorations.

e-girls – Mr.Snowman

KANA-BOON – Silhouette

AKB48 – Kibouteki Refrain

Moriyama Naotaro – Gosenfu wo Hikoki ni Shite

Superfly – Ai wo Karada ni Fukikonde

miwa – Kibou no Wa (WA)

FLOW x GRANRODEO – 7 -seven-

Rock legend Yoshiki made an appearance at Hello Kitty’s 40th anniversary parade, held at Tokyo’s Sanrio Puroland theme park.

Yoshiki’s love for Hello Kitty has been well documented. Earlier this month he debuted the official Hello Kitty theme song “Hello Hello” at the first Hello Kitty convention, and in 2009 he was turned into his own Hello Kitty character “Yoshikitty”. Yoshiki rode on top a beautiful float with Kitty, took some selfies, and then held an interview after. Yoshiki revealed that the EDM inspired sound behind “Hello Hello” was inspired by David Guetta and ZEDD. Plans for releasing “Hello Hello” in various other languages and genres are in the works too. The reason for this is so that Hello Kitty fans of all walks of life can enjoy her universal message of love and friendship.

Talk of X-Japan‘s long awaited new album was also mentioned. The band is currently touching up songs they’re unsatisfied with and is aiming to complete the album by April next year.

The full trailer for the spy suspense movie “Joker Game” starring Kamenashi Kazuya has been released. Filmed in Japan, Singapore and Batam, Indonesia, the newly released trailer showcases more action scenes as it gives a peek inside the intimate brain game revolving around the secret document called “black notebook”. 

As also previewed from the trailer, KAT-TUN will be singing the theme song titled “Dead or Alive”. No single release has been confirmed yet.

On the eve of World War II, an international Asian city becomes a hub of a high-stakes “spy game” as spies from countries such as Japan, the UK, the Soviet Union, and Germany in order to give their respective countries any possible advantage in world diplomacy.

Mai Kuraki – Love, Day After Tomorrow / Muteki na Heart / Secret of my heart