This week’s guests were Yamauchi Shinji, Kosaki Satoru, Tomita Akihiro, Hamaguchi Masaru, Miyata Toshiya, Shida Mirai, and LiSA. LiSA also performed with Kanjani8.

LiSA x Kanjani8 – oath sign

Recently, Metal Wani released an interview on their YouTube channel with CROSSFAITH. The English-language interview was conducted in London, while the band was on tour there. In the interview, they discussed various topics, including their music, their touring, and their growing fanbase, but one segment of the interview has garnered the most attention: their thoughts on BABYMETAL.

When asked about the metal scene in Japan, the interviewer lumped CROSSFAITH and BABYMETAL together, to the confusion of CROSSFAITH. “BABYMETAL is not a metal band”, replied bassist Hiroki Ikegawa. The interviewer expressed confusion at his statement, with frontman Kenta Koie somewhat agreeing with her point. Kenta went on to clarify that BABYMETAL “has a metal influence.”

BABYMETAL is considered by some to be an actual metal band, despite not being involved with or playing the music they sing over. Some of the people who don’t see BABYMETAL as a real metal band consider them to merely be an idol group, akin to AKB48 or Nogizaka46, but with metal instead of the usual pop sound.

So what does it mean when their supposed peers in the loud rock scene don’t see them as part of that scene? Check out the video below and tell us your thoughts!

These popular announcers are seen every morning on television, “A day can’t start without seeing this face”, Oricon has announced its survey results for “Morning Face” ranking 2017.  Whether it’s their smile, language, or friendliness, there are several reasons why these announcers are liked.

NTV ZIP!’s Masu Taichi topped the list for the second consecutive year. Do you know that Masu is a Tokyo University graduate and is geeky about clams? He introduces a variety of organisms every Wednesdays on his corner “Naruhodo Massu College”.

The duo of NHK’s Asaichi program, V6’s Inohara Yoshiko and Udo Yumiko ranked 2nd and 3rd respectively. At 4th place is Hatori Shinichi who gained popularity as NTV’s announcer and maintained so after becoming a freelancer in 2011. FUJI TV’s Mezamashi  TV program has 3 announcers on the list – Miyake Masaharu, Karube Shinichi and Nagashima Yumi.

This week’s guests were V6, Nishino Kana, and Mrs. GREEN APPLE.

V6 – COLORS

Nishino Kana – Pa

Mrs. GREEN APPLE – Dokoka de Hi wa Noboru

Teasers and images are out for Higashino Keigo’s movie adaptation of “Namiya Zakkaten no Kiseki” (The Miracles of the Namiya General Store) starring Yamada Ryosuke and Nishida Toshiyuki which tells the story of two people living in different eras (1980 and 2012) which will be connected by a letter, a story depicting human bonds and miracles.

Yamada plays Atsuya and is joined by Murakami Nijiro and Kanichiro, playing the three delinquents who discover that their hideout, a run-off-the-mill general store, was owned by an elderly man who gave free advice to worried people through letters. Kanichiro is Sato Koichi’s son and this marks his first time filming for a movie. Other cast includes Machiko Ono, Hayashi Kento, Narumi Riko, Kadowaki Mugi and Hagiwara Masato. Film opens September 23.

The first teaser visual was produced by Comic Wave Films (“Your Name”, “The Garden of Words”, “5 cm per Second”), displaying a nostalgic and warm image of the “Namiya General Store”. Catch the mystery and fantasy in the teaser trailers and images released below.

Aoi Yu and Abe Sadao star in the upcoming film “Kanojo ga Sono Na o Shiranai Toritachi”. The film is based on the 2006 novel of same name by Numata Mahokaru and directed by Shiraishi Kazuya.

Aoi plays Towako who married an older man Jinji (Abe) out of convenience. She cheats on him with a married man Mizushima Makoto (Matsuzaka Tori) who reminds her of her first love Kurosaki Shunichi (Takenouchi Yutaka).

Poster, still images and teaser trailer are out! Check them out below. Film opens October 28.

Check out the latest numbers in ratings below!

I am not sure why there were no ratings update for several of the dramas starting Tuesday, probably because of Golden Week.

Singer/songwriter Keisuke Kuwata recently revealed that he would be providing his new song “Oasis to Kajuen” as the latest CM track for travel agency JTB.  The commercial in question finds Kuwata wandering around Hawaii and appreciating the state’s many different sights while he belts out the chorus to this rather upbeat tune.

In addition, we’d previously reported that he would be providing the theme song for Spring’s Asadora series, “Hiyokko”.  You can find a snippet of this track, titled “Wakai Hiroba”, in the drama’s opening here.

You’ll also find the JTB commercial featuring “Oasis to Kajuen” just beneath the cut.