With the upcoming graduation of Country Girls and former Berryz Koubou member Tsugunaga Momoko on June 30th, it has been announced today that Country Girls will be implementing a new system.
In order for members Yamaki Risa and Ozeki Mai to focus on their studies, the remaining three members, Morito Chisaki, Yanagawa Nanami and Funaki Musubu, will be “transferred” to other Hello!Project groups. As of yet, these placements have not been announced.
It was also mentioned that Country Girls will regroup during school breaks and holidays with all five members, but their future releases may only be released digitally.
It’s Friday so it’s Open Post time! Feel free to chat with your fellow readers about whatever you like. Enjoy!
This week, AKB48 topped the Oricon single chart with their new single “Negaigoto no Mochigusare”, selling 1,305,747 copies in its first week.
Shiritsu Ebisu Chugaku topped the Oricon album chart their new album “Ebicracy”, selling 47,597 copies in its first week.
Mr.Children topped the Oricon digital album chart for the fourth week in a row with their digital-only best album “Mr.Children 1992-2002 Thanksgiving 25”, selling 6,722 copies in its third week.
Legendary 90s diva Tomomi Kahara appeared on the most recent episode of NTV variety show “Konya Kurabete Mimashita” to talk about the ups and downs of her life: her love (and eventual breakup) with producer Tetsuya Komuro, her contract termination from her agency, and her resulting hiatus.
For perspective, it has been nearly 20 years since the two broke up yet the topic remains one to be discussed.
Before she began her career as a singer, Tomomi Kahara was introduced to Tetsuya Komuro, an at the time up-and-coming record producer and early pioneer of dance music in Japan.
“I started to fall in love with him,” confessed Kahara. She quickly became Komuro’s muse and the couple began dating in 1995. “We mostly had our dates at the studio.”
It has been revealed that SEKAI NO OWARI have provided their song “RAIN” as the theme song for ex-Studio Ghibli director Hiromasa Yonebayashi‘s new anime feature film “Mary and The Witch’s Flower.“
The anime film is based on British novelist Mary Stewart’s children novel “The Little Broomstick” published in 1971.
The studio was established by ex-Ghibli producer Yoshiaki Nishimura on April 15, 2015. He served as the producer for Isao Takahata’s The “Tale of the Princess Kaguya” and Yonebayashi’s “When Marnie Was There“, and left Ghibli along with Yonebayashi in the end of 2014.
Many ex-Ghibli creators and staff have joined the studio for the production of “Mary and The Witch’s Flower.” When launching the project, Nishimura persuaded Yonebayashi to direct the film by saying, “Let’s make the 21st century edition of “Kiki’s Delivery Service”!“
Hear a snippet of it below in the latest official Trailer:
Talent agency Amuse has indefinitely suspended the activities of actor Keisuke Koide (33) following information coming to light concerning alcohol use and “inappropriate relationship” with a 17-year-old high school student.
According to Oricon’s account of the announcement, an article in the upcoming issue of Friday reports that Koide allegedly drank and had an “improper relationship” with a 17-year-old girl in early May during the shooting of a drama in Osaka. After confirming the validity of the report with Koide himself, Amuse announced on Thursday that Koide will be going on indefinite hiatus.
They reportedly had unprotected sex multiple times, even when she said she did not want to continue because it was painful.
In consideration to the weight of the situation, Amuse has decided to suspend his activities indefinitely and continue to consult all concerned parties
On June 7, AI will release her new album, “Wa to Yo.” This is her first studio album since 2013’s “MORIAGARO.” “Wa to Yo” has the concept of Japan versus the West, and is split across two CDs, one in Japanese and the other in English.
The “Wa” CD, the Japan-themed one, features ten songs, including “Saigo wa Kanarazu Seigi ga Katsu”, which serves as the theme song for the second season of the TV Asahi drama “Kinkyu Torishirabeshitsu.” Also featured on this disc is the CM song for the fashion brand GLOBAL WORK, “FEEL IT.”
The “Yo” CD, the Western-themed disc, contains seven songs. Of note is the song “Right Now”, a collaboration with problem child Chris Brown.
AI recently released the music video for “Saigo wa Kanarazu Seigi ga Katsu.” It was directed by British artist Kate Moross, with the theme of an 8-bit video game, reflecting Japan’s legacy in video games. Moross also designed the album cover for “Wa to Yo”, with the theme of Japan as seen from overseas. Check out the video below, along with more information on AI’s new album!
Hello, Arama! Japan readers and welcome to this week’s installment of #1 Song Review! Last week saw Kame to Yamapi defeat Che’Nelle and WANIMA. This week, we have three newcomers facing off against a returnee from a previous week. 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!
