BiSH, the idol group billed as “the punk band without instruments”, shocked their fans by releasing their new album THE GUERRiLLA BiSH today without warning, four weeks in advance of the official release date. Customers at Tower Records stores across Japan were surprised to see the new album on the shelves, available for just ￥299 (roughly $2.60), and supplies sold out within hours.
Check out the latest in ratings below! It was a holiday in Japan last Friday, so new numbers were released just this Monday.
Ryosuke Yamada (Hey! Say! JUMP) will be starring in the upcoming Winter 2018 drama もみ消して冬～わが家の問題なかったことに～ (Momikeshite Fuyu: Wagaya no Mondai Nakatta Koto ni). This NTV drama will begin airing in January of 2018 on Saturdays at 10 pm. Momikeshite Fuyu will be a family comedy following the elite Kitazawa siblings. Yamada will be the lead role of Shusaku Kitazawa, the youngest of the three siblings and a Todai (Tokyo University) graduate policeman.
The 68th Kohaku Uta Gassen will be held on December 31. The official information on who will be performing will be released in a few weeks, but until then there will be rumors about who will and who won’t be invited this year.
A particular rumor that’s gained traction recently is one about the reduced presence of Johnny & Associates, coming from someone related to NHK. Last year, Arashi, TOKIO, V6, Kanjani8, Sexy Zone, and KinKi Kids performed. In addition, Aiba Masaki of Arashi was the White Team’s host, essentially giving Johnny’s seven spots on Kohaku. Masaki being the host for the White Team was a continuation of idols from Johnny & Associates holding that spot.
Kohaku’s ratings are down, and according to Kohaku fans its due in part to the large number of Johnny’s on the show. Decreasing the number of Johnny’s is the solution. And with demise of SMAP, the group which gave the company a great deal of power, it may very well happen.
This week’s performers were The Cro-Magnons and Yuki Akira. This week’s talk guest was MIYAVI.
The Cro-Magnons – Bo
Yuki Akira – Sonzai Shoumei
This week’s guests were Kanno Yujo, Fuki Harumi, Kitahara Kyoko, Takahashi Shigeo, and Shishido Kavka. Harumi also performed with Kanjani8.
Fuki Harumi x Kanjani8 – Eiga Ongaku Meikyoku Medley
This week’s guests were SHISHAMO, ORANGE RANGE, and miwa.
SHISHAMO – Hora, Waratteru
ORANGE RANGE – Chirachira Rhythm
miwa – We are the light
Voice actress Rika Tachibana announced on November 3rd that she will release her first mini-album next February. Tachibana, best known for her work as character Sae Kobayakawa in the ‘Idol Master Cinderella’ anime series, made the announcement during her first ever fan club event.