Happy to see Kame in the world stage again!

As reported,

It was announced that Director Ishii Yuya‘s “Vancouver no Asahi” will have its world premier at the 33rd Vancouver International Film Festival, which will kicked-off this Sept 25th. Actor Tsumabuki Satoshi is thrilled that the movie will be shown with the best [movies] of the world and in the place where the movie is set. He also added that he wanted the locals to feel the pride that the Asahi army has.

Special screenings for the movie is to be formally exhibited in Gala presentation. Director Ishii, Tsumabuki and co-star Kamenashi Kazuya have visited the site and it was also announced that they will attend the red carpet and world premier. “The spectacle from the Japanese section of the town where the figure of Asahi army have existed should surely be fresh in the eyes of the people of Vancouver,” Ishii commented. He also added that the during those days, the Canadians were just absorbed with how Asahi plays and hopes that they will also enjoy the movie.

Director Ishii is familiar with Vancouver International Film Festival as some of his works have been shown in the said festival, like: “Bare-assed Japan”, “Sawako Decides”, “Hara Ga Kore Nande”, and “The Great Passage”.

“Vancouver no Asahi” is a true story of Japanese immigrants before the World War II, who fought poverty and discrimination, by playing baseball and giving pride and courage to their fellow immigrants. Tsumabuki plays the shortstop and leader of the team, Kamenashi as the pitcher, Katsuji Ryo as 2nd baseman, Kamiki Yusuke as the catcher, and Ikematsu Sosuke as one of the players.

“Vancouver no Asahi” will be released in Japan on Dec 20th.

via Eiga and News Ameba

Some news and not-so news that I’m too lazy to translate but I still feel like you should know…or maybe not. Anyway, here is “Bits & Pieces” Digest 003 collated from Sept 4th to 6th. Invovled parties, are: Yamapi, Kikuchi Fuma, Jin Akanishi, Sakurai Sho, and Maruyama Ryuhei. 

• Catch the TV premier of Yamapi‘s latest PV titled “Your Step” that was filmed in Los Angeles. “Your Step” will be the new song for his Fuji TV show, “Otona no KISS no Eigo” where he challenged directing. “Your Step” will be shown on Sept 7th and you check-out the site for more. BTW, the show is still looking for English-speaking families to hire Yamapi as a nanny.

(c) 山Pindo ❥Sweetie @yamapindo | So chic and hot Yamapi!

• Speaking of Yamapi, he made a surprise appearance at Saitama Super Arena for TGC 2014 together with Komatsu Nana and Yamamoto Mizuki for “Kinkyori Renai”. Sadly, Nakajima Yuto and Takaki Yuya aren’t there even though the rest of Suikyu Yankees are present.

(c)geinounews0412 | Kikuchi Fuma with brother

Jin Akanishi from his WORK HARD PLAY HARD photobook | (c)jin-akanishi

• Sexy Zone‘s Kikuchi Fuma was seen in Disney Sea treating his siblings. Anyway, privacy aside, it has become a hot topic how Kikuchi dresses like Jin Akanishi. Well, we all know he worships Jin. Kikuchi’s Disney Sea outfit is very much the same with one of Jin’s outfit from his recently-released “WORK HARD,PLAY HARD” photobook as well as his outfit from KAT-TUN‘s “Keep the faith“. Some even speculated that Kikuchi must have joined Jin Akanishi’s fan club. This is LOL.

• Speaking of Jin Akanishi, he arrived in Shanghai on Sept 6th for a show and he arrived wearing something that could pass as a dress. Let’s all wait for Kikuchi to copy that one. Nevertheless, he received huge welcome from his Chinese fans.

(c)silzephyrfa

• Fancy moon-gazing with Arashi’s Sakurai Sho? Well, you’re not alone as 77 out of 300 respondents in Only Star also wished to see the moon with Sho. Other Johnny’s who made the poll, are: Aiba Masaki, Ohno Satoshi, Kamenashi Kazuya, Ninomiya Kazunari, Matsumoto Jun, Domoto Tsuyoshi, Okura Tadayoshi, and Fujigaya Taisuke. In short, the rest are Johnny’s except for #2 spot which is Fukuyama Masaharu.

(c)8murasakiss

• “Jigoku Sensei Nube” have started filming last Sept 6th and Kanjani8‘s Maruyama Ryuhei arrives wearing a tuxedo and everyone was just impress. You’re such a dear, Maru. Feel free to follow @DramaNube, the drama’s official twitter account for more.

That’s all for now. Since there’s a Subaru rumor floating around, I’m leaving you this cute Subaru gif.

(c)mikanpurin

Kame as a spy is HOT, as hot as his kissing and action scenes…

As reported,

It has been announced that “Joker Game” movie starring KAT-TUN‘s Kamenashi Kazuya will be shown in theaters on Jan 31, 2015. The said movie has published its first teaser in the movie’s website.

“Joker Game” is based from a bestselling novel of the same title written by Koji Yanagi, which was awarded with Yoshikawa Eiji’s Prize for New Writers and the Mystery Writers of Japan Award.

Set in World War II, it tells the story of a fictional spy organization where Kato Jiro (Kamenashi) gets recruited by a top-secret military organization- D Kikan-. The said organization is headed by a mysterious man named Yuki (Iseya Yusuke), who will established the ultimate brain game revolving around the secret document called “black notebook” that is also the aim of the rest of the world.

In the trailer, Kamenashi as Kato challenges a full-scale action scene and a kissing scene with actress Fukuda Kyoko, who plays the mysterious mistress of United States Ambassador Graham who has a “black notebook”.

Joining the rest of the cast, are: Ozawa Yukiyoshi, Koide Keisuke, Yamamoto Koji, Shibukawa Kiyohiko, Hiromasa Taguchi, Mitsuishi Ken, and Shimada Kyusaku.

“Joker Game” will hit the theaters on Jan 31, 2015.

via cinema today and jokergame-movie

I decided to change the way I write my “Rants & Raves” where I’ll stop writing as if I have a double personality.

Here is my occasional Rants & Raves for everything Johnny’s.

(c)Kse ‏@KseniyaYazeva

• Kamenashi Kazuya did the ceremonial first pitch at the Koshien for professional baseball’s 80th anniversary game between Hanshin-Giant Union Team and MLB All-Stars.

This is not a first for Kame since he did a ceremonial pitch for an exhibition game that also involves MLB players back in 2012. As a fan, I’m just happy that he gets to live one of his dreams of playing baseball despite his idol activities and I hope that aside from “Vancouver no Asahi”, he gets to play another baseball player role for TV drama.

• “Hikkoshi Zamurai“, a moving company, did a survey from 1,109 respondents for their “Ideal Moving workers ranking 2014” and TOKIO ranked 4th.

Aside from being farmers and carpenters, TOKIO can add being “movers” to their wide-array of talents and occupations. Well, if Tomoya or Mabo are gonna be the movers then I don’t mind moving places each week.

(c)mavera90

• Yamapi, or Johnny’s, settled Yamapi’s case with a staggering amount of 3 million Yen. Subsequently, the case has been dropped by the prosecution.

It’s a good thing that Yamapi’s movie and recent album have done well because this amount will surely be deducted from his paycheck. He needs more endorsements now.

• ex-SDN48‘s Serina denies dating Kanjani8‘s Okura Tadayoshi. Serina attended the premier night for “X-MEN: Days of the Future Past” and when she was asked if she’s dating the “nobility of idol community“, she said that there’s nothing (between them).

Well, no one will admit anything anyway, that’s the irony of dating someone from Johnny’s unless you’re someone as big as Ayumi Hamasaki. Oh well, at least Serina has more sense than Murashige Anna.

(c)sofapotatos

• In Johnny’s Recomen featuring KAT-TUN‘s Nakamaru Yuichi and Junnosuke Taguchi, Junno reveals that he has gotten close with his co-star in “Kyou wa kaisha Yasumimasu“, Chiba Yudai. Junno says that Chiba is so cute that he wants him as his brother. Chiba has worked with most Johnny’s before from Yamapi’s “SUMMER NUDE” to Yuto’s “Suikyu Yankees”.

I can’t blame him, Chiba is really cute. Let the brotherly love begin!

• “Jigoku Sensei Nube” is still fighting in the ratings game though their 4th episode had a dipped from 10.3% to 9.9%. Sadly, “Gomen ne Seishun” is not doing any better as its 4th episode remained with 6.7% in ratings.

I’ve stopped watching JSN but GNS is really good so this ratings are such a shame.

Well, that’s all for now!

Kame gets a new drama for winter 2015 and his “JOKER GAME” co-star, the gorgeous Fukada Kyoko, will be his love interest.

As reported,

It was announced that KAT-TUN‘s Kamenashi Kazuya will star in “Second Love” written by love story expert, Oishi Shizuka. Kamenashi stars together with Fukada Kyoko in this scandalous new genre called “night melodrama”, an adult dangerous love that is more painful than a soap opera.

Kamenashi plays the role of Taira Kei, a young man who pursues his dream of becoming a contemporary dancer while being earnestly in love with an older woman. In his teens, Kei was seen with talent for contemporary dance, he has won many awards that he was likened to a “prodigy”. He went to Germany to join a dance company; however, he suffered a setback in the middle of it and got frustrated. He returns to Tokyo and busies himself with part-time work while he tries to re-capture his dream again.

Fukada Kyoko plays the role Nishihara Yui, a woman in her 30s who teaches Chemistry at a prestigious high school. She sleeps with her male colleague but she was still lonely until she meets Kei and gets swallowed in passion. It’s a  love story where the two will face various hurdles such as age difference, living environment, sense of values, and the like.

Kamenashi’s last drama was in NTV with “Tokyo Bandwagon” and “Second Love” will be his first drama for TV Asahi. This is also Kamenashi’s first time to work with Oishi.

“I look at my photos but I’ve never felt sexy. So when I was told that I will do an adult love story, I ask, ‘are you okay with me’, ” Kamenashi commented. Nevertheless, Kamenashi adds that he will devote himself with this night melodrama. He won’t get shy now as he would like to take a peek at the intense love patterns of men and women; and starring in a night melodrama about adult love, he wants to do his best.

“Second Love” will air every Friday at 23:25 (JST) on Jan 2015.

via jnews1 and Yahoo!Japan

Image credits : peoplecallmedion

Love/Sex scenes?! A must see! So please don’t tame this one Johnny-sama!

It’s a busy time this season and I’m having problems with my memory. I’m so forgetful that I’m looking for some money and I can’t recall where I have spent it, if I have ever spent it. ORZ. So, before I forget anything else that is Johnny’s relevant, here is my occasional Rants and Raves…

(c)masaki82

• Aiba Masaki mentioned during “MIRACLE” stage greeting to celebrate their box office earnings that his father became a fan of Anna (Eikura Nana’s character). Aiba’s dad is not someone who goes to cinema a lot but he told Aiba (Masaki) that if he watch the movie again, it’ll be because of Anna. Also, his dad prefers Anna over So-Yeon (Han Hyo Joo) that his father was saying “kyunkyun” much to Masaki’s embarrassment.

So, do Aiba’s dad like Anna for himself or for his son? Well, they looked together and I would have shipped them if I weren’t shipping Eikura with Okada. XD

• It’s raining idols for the 65th Kohaku Uta Gassen is like Johnny’s and AKB Festival as they occupy 3/4 of the entire artist line-up.

Talent and popularity aside, Kohaku is also a display of agency power and influence. I like Johnny’s so I don’t mind if I will see one JE group every hour in Kohaku but for non-fans, watching Kohaku is like watching an idol concert.

• Comment on Johnny’s Medley during NTV‘s the BEST ARTIST 2014

I love Johnny’s medley because there’s so much to rant about. Anyway, Arashi and NEWS paid homage to Japan’s athletes while the rest paid homage to their dramas. XD. Matsujun looked like he was not feeling well that he came across as bored and pissed. I wonder if he had some lovers quarrel or whatever.

NEWS sang “ONE for the WIN” which is kinda awkward since Japan lost the World Cup. HSJ babies looked adorable, as always, and I love the rap part of the “Weekender”. Shingo joining them at the end is also cute.

Kanjani8’s performance is very Maru-centered, which I love, but the choreography is such a let down. Why do they insist on making Kanjani8 dance? I have no idea.Also, the wore one of the worst costumes for the evening. Lastly, TOKIO are a bunch of awesome ossans!

(c)mireiseele

• 71 Johnny’s will pay tribute to their senpai, Masahiko Kondo, for his 35th Anniversary at the “37th FNS Kayousai“

OMG! This will be like The Johnny’s medley of all the medleys that they did. It’s amazing that Iijima and Julie factions decides to merge for once for Matchy. If I were not mistaken, it has always been SMAP who is always in FNS, then Kisumai and Yamapi followed since they are also under Iijima’s wing. So, it will be a blast to see KAT-TUN, Kanjani8, NEWS, Hey!Say!JUMP, and Arashi in Iijima’s stage for a change.

(c)sakumoto-world

But wait…all of these will be LIVE right? I’m afraid that they’ll do a mash-up sort of thing which will be disappointing.

• JOKER GAME movie starring KAT-TUN‘s Kamenashi Kazuya have updated their website with a new poster.

Everything about it is cool and there’s no denying that I like Kame but after watching the trailer, Iseya Yusuke is just perfect in his role.

That’s all for now! Have a nice weekend even though it’s only Wednesday. XD

If Arashi and SMAP gets to rub elbows with PM Shinzo Abe, Kame gets to meet a member of Japan’s Royal family.

As reported,

Last Dec 16th, Her Royal Imperial Highness Princess Takamado attended the movie premier of “Vancouver no Asahi” at Tokyo Prince Shinagawa. Also in attendance are the stars of the movie, KAT-TUN’s Kamenashi Kazuya, Tsumabuki Satoshi and director Ishii Yuya.

Kamenashi and Tsumabuki managed to chat with the Princess after the movie screening and Kamenashi said that the Princess thought that the movie was a good thing since there weren’t too many movies that focuses on immigrants. Princess Takamado has maintained years of friendship with Canada and is also the honorary President of Canada-Japan Society. In addition, the Princess also attended the premier because she’s familiar with the sport.

Kamenashi said that this is his second encounter with Her Royal Imperial Highness after 10 years. Princess Takamado informed him that she had seen a stage play where Kamenashi appeared in Imperial Theater before he debuted in KAT-TUN. Kamenashi is delighted the Princess remembered him. Seated and laughing beside the Princess during the movie, Tsumabuki is confident that the movie will become a hit.

“Vancouver no Asahi” will hit the theaters on Dec 20th.

via Nikkan Sports and Walker Plus

Image credit: kiri223

Christmas is here and in Japan, Christmas is for couples! It totally makes sense why a certain cafe chose to banned all couples on New Year’s eve. Anyway, if you can spend you Christmas moment with a male celebrity, who would it be?

Only★Star surveyed 300 women readers as to who (guy) they want to spend Christmas eve with and here are the results: (warning: Johnny’s heavy)

TOP 10 “I want to spend my Christmas Eve with” Ranking

1) Aiba Masaki

2) Sakurai Sho

3) Fukuyama Masaharu

4) Matsumoto Jun

5) Ohno Satoshi

6) Tusyoshi Domoto

7) Ninomiya Kazunari

8) Kamenashi Kazuya

9) Sakurai Kazutoshi Mr. Children)

10) Koichi Domoto

via jnews1

I know you people are not asking but if I’m gonna answer this survey, I’ll pick Kame all the time but since Fukuyama is also here, I’ll just do teleportation.

Some snippets news and not-so-news that I’ve missed on or before Christmas. Involved parties, are: Kamenashi Kazuya, Koyama Keiichiro, Junnosuke Taguchi, Hiroki Uchi, Sakurai Sho, Chinen Yuri, Ohno Satoshi, and Okura Tadayoshi.

• For those who fancy themselves as Kato (Kamenashi Kazuya), or better yet as Rin (Fukada Kyoko) since she gets to kissed Kato; well, you can start by playing the mystery solving game of Joker Game. You can be your own spy as you solve mysteries one after another by participating in the movie’s campaign. The first out of 100 questions to be solved can be found at the movie’s website with “Dead or Alive” logo, which is also KAT-TUN‘s single and theme song for the movie. Aside from the website, questions were also hidden in various places from 300 theaters and 4000 bookstores. If you’re lucky enough to solve them all, you can win a priority pass for the movie’s stage greeting and you can have your name included in the ending credits for the movie’s DVD or Blu-Ray. I sure hope I got the figures correct. haha.

• NEWS‘ Koyama Keiichiro have returned to “news every” on Dec 25th after taking a leave due to influenza. Another good news to all NEWS fans, the group might embark on a tour next year as their post-Christmas present.

• KAT-TUN‘s Junnosuke Taguchi revealed in Ousama no Brunch‘s “kaimono no tatsujin” corner that he and Hiroki Uchi get along so well they even go to theme parks together. Two ikemens together will surely make everyone’s ovaries explode.

• Arashi‘s Sakurai Sho, 1/5 of the White Team moderators for the 65th Kohaku Uta Gassen said in NHK’s “Ohayou” that this year’s production will be the most amazing. Well, let’s all look forward to that one!

(c)silistaya

• Fanboy and Hey!Say!JUMP‘s Chinen Yuri mentioned in his radio program that his forever idol, Ohno Satoshi, greeted him on his birthday. Chinen is just happy that his senpai remembered his birthday. Chinen’s birthday fall on Nov 30th.

(c)さとすば加工屋さん ‏@satomade

• 200 men in their 20s were surveyed with question, “If you will reborn, whose face do you wish to have?” Two Johnny’s made it to Top 10 with Kamenashi Kazuya at no.2 and his Arashi-Hawaii-buddy Kanjani8‘s Okura Tadayoshi in no.8. Kame aside, Okura’s face is pretty but he got too much moles, I can play connect the dots with his face.

That’s all for now, I’m leaving you with a cool gif of Ikuta Toma for his upcoming winter drama, “Ouroboros”.

(c)ogurin-tomasu

Its Winter and while most winter drama SPs have started, I’m nowhere near in finishing my GnS recap. I don’t have too much free time to do a drama preview, also because 1 drama have started and 2 SPs are over so I’ll just do this post along with other things.

Here is my occasional Rants & Raves : Winter Dramas

• Kusanagi Tsuyoshi’s “Zeni no Sensou” premiered with 14.1% in ratings 

I think that’s pretty high compared to most Johnny’s-starring dramas that usually earned 11% or lower for their drama’s pilot episode. However, the 14.1% rating got a lot of criticisms considering that the Korean original, “War of Money”, received more than 30% in ratings during its run. I guess making a remake isn’t such a good choice and dramas with high ratings doesn’t mean that their counterpart will receive the same.

• Taishi Kakka no Ryourinin 2015 SP

Sakurai Sho playing a chef, father, and husband looks good and his fans would be like, “this is the future that I see in him” (or is it just me? Move along…). Shige is also in this drama but the biggest factor why I’m so unmotivated to watch this drama is Ayame Gouriki.

• Ninomiya Kazunari joins a stellar cast in “Murder on the Orient Express” SP

One of the most-awaited SPs this season that should not be missed. I’m particularly excited to see how Koki Mitani will make a Japanese adaptation of a classic novel and since I haven’t read the book, I’m ecstatic to make guesses on whodunit.

• Ikuta Toma on “Ouroboros”

Ever since “Ouroboros” was announced last fall, I knew then that I will watch this drama. Not only does BFFs Ikuta Toma and Oguri Shun are in one drama, I also want to see one of my favorite JP actress, Ueno Juri,doing a deka drama. The plot is interesting since the “revenge” factor spells suspense and lots plot twists, but I’m more eager to see Ryuzaki’s (Ikuta) and Danno’s (Oguri) contrasting personalities in making this drama worth to watch. Aside from that, Ikuta and Oguri look so much alike their manga counterparts.

• Bunch of Johnny’s Juniors in “Oniichan, Gacha” lead by Kishii Yuta

This late night drama is kawaii overload starting with Suzuki Rio, and Kishii Yuta have proven from his last drama, “Kinkyori Renai~Season Zero~” that he’s just as adorable and more importantly, he can act. I don’t know how the director will make him transform from a toy to a human being and I hope it’s not some cringe-worthy graphics.

• Kamenashi Kazuya Romances Fukada Kyoko in “Second Love”

Kame always has a dating rumor when he has a new drama and this time, it’s with the über gorgeous Fukada. Well, I can’t blame the tabloids for creating a love affair between the two since they have worked together for “Joker Game” and now in “Second Love”. The drama’s stills is such a tease and it makes me expect a lot, which I know is wrong since “too much expectations leads to too many disappointments”. But I like Kame and it’s been so long since he did a melodrama (Tatta no hitotsu koi with Ayase Haruka, 2006) and the forbidden love plot is too intriguing to past up. I searched about Oishi Shizuka, the drama’s writer, and it’s such a shame that of all the love stories she wrote, I’ve only seen “Otenki onee-san” and it’s not even a love story!

That’s all for now.For the rest of the Johnny-starring dramas,check HERE.