bmwracer wrote:

Japan's newest pop singer is actually a CGI creation By Andrew Couts | Digital Trends Fans of the popular Japanese pop group AKB 48 received a shocking surprise recently when an entirely new member appeared with the group in a commercial for candy maker Ezaki Glico. The pretty new star�fs name was Aimi Eguchi, according to her profile on the AKB 48 website, and everybody was frantically trying to discover more about this 16-year-old singer who had appeared suddenly in the limelight, seemingly out of nowhere. It turns out, however, that Aimi Eguchi doesn�ft really exist. The AKB 48 member is actually a 100 percent computer-generated character, created entirely for the Ezaki Glico ad campaign. Her look is a composite of all the �gbest features�h from the real-life members of AKB 48 that appear in the commercial: a nose from one, eyes from another, mouth from another, etc. Her name is derived from the name of the candy company. And her alleged birthday, February 11, is, in fact, the date on which the company was founded. The candy maker finally revealed its massive marketing prank this past Sunday when it released a making-of video that showed how Aimi Eguchi came into this world. If you�fre thinking that you�fd be able to catch the fake, take a look at the video below and see the masterful CGI work by the commercial�fs creators. Even after giving the quick (15 second) clip repeat viewings, knowing full well the truth, Eguchi still looks just as real as the rest of them. Another mind-blowing factor that likely played a role in fooling AKB 48 fans is that the group has 61 (real) members. Yes, that�fs right: There are 61 members of AKB 48. With that in mind, it doesn�ft seem so improbable that fans would accept a new member just popping out of thin air. While some fans were surely devastated that the new AKB 48 member was nothing more than 150 gigabytes of data, other�fs reportedly took a more philosophical approach to the revelation. �gAlthough Eguchi is not a real person,�h says Channel News Asia, �gsome observers say she possesses the purest essence of what an idol is – a completely artificial persona created by putting together the traits that fans love the most.�h Ain�ft that the truth�c

Domo Arigato. Mr. Roboto.

^ Haha.

bmwracer wrote:

^ Haha.

^_^

1,001-song Hibari Misora box set to go on sale from Aug
ENTERTAINMENT JUN. 22, 2011 - 05:49AM JST ( 6 )

The altar at the ceremony for Hibari Misora
Hibari Production
TOKYO �\
A Buddhist ceremony commemorating the death of one of Japan�fs most beloved entertainers, Hibari Misora, was held in Tokyo this week at the Imperial Hotel, where she performed her final dinner show. Some 620 relatives and acquaintances attended the ceremony.

Her eldest son Kazuya Kato, 39, who is the president of Hibari Production, a company that continues to serve her fans, announced that a luxury box set of Misora�fs songs, featuring 1,001 songs on 58 CDs will go on sale for 120,000 yen on Aug 3. He also announced plans to hold a music festival in his mother�fs memory.

Misora died in a Tokyo hospital in 1989 at the age of 52 after contracting pneumonia. Her death was mourned by millions of people across Japan. From the year following her death, television and radio stations began to play her song �gKawa no Nagare no Yō ni�h annually on her birthday to show respect. In 1997, an NHK poll showed that over 10 million people believed it to be the greatest Japanese song of all time.

The altar at the ceremony was adorned with the image of a phoenix to represent her continued popularity and success even after death. After Misora passed away, demand for her albums grew significantly. During her lifetime, she recorded some 1,200 songs. By the year 2001, Misora had sold 80 million records. It wasn�ft until after her death that she was awarded the People�fs Honor Award for her notable contributions to music. She became the first woman to win the accolade.




I think there can be a legitimate argument made that Misora Hibari was the most popular entertainer ever in Japan. During her professional career, which began when she was a child, she sold millions of records, put on thousands of stage shows and concerts, made over 150 films, and performed on television innumerable times. Furthermore, in the first few years following the war as Japan struggled, Misora, who was still not yet an adult, was singled out as the person who brought comfort and hope to a beaten weary people through her best-selling songs. In her prime she was a truly versatile performer whose singing, dancing, and acting ran the gamut from the traditional to the modern which made her popular with audiences of all ages.

Norika has the ideal body
HEALTH JUN. 22, 2011 - 03:00AM JST ( 51 )

Norika Fujiwara
Image.net
TOKYO �\
Actress Norika Fujiwara, 39, came first in a beautiful body survey conducted by health food producer Sun Chlorella in May. The survey, which was conducted via the Internet and attracted responses from 309 women across Japan, asked health food shoppers to name the celebrity who they thought had the ideal proportions. 11% of respondents chose Fujiwara as their model figure.

According to Sun Chorella�fs data breakdown, each age group made different selections relative to their own self image. Second place went to actress Ryoko Yonekura, 35, who received 8% of the votes. In third place was singer Namie Amuro, 33, who was followed by actress Nanako Matsushima, 37, who received 2% of the vote and in fifth place was Meisa Kuroki, 23.

The company added, however, that among respondents aged in their 20s, Namie Amuro received the largest share of the votes.

The number one reason for dieting, according to 76% of respondents, was for beauty. The second most popular reason for dieting was for health reasons, and the third most popular was in order to better fit into stylish clothes.



While admittedly yet another example of an inane poll, I did find it interesting that the top four women listed are all in their 30's (in fact Norika will be turning 40 the end of this month).

shin2 wrote:

third most popular was in order to better fit into stylish clothes.

Always an important reason to diet.

Highest-paid actresses for dramas

Japanese tabloid �gShukan Jitsuwa�h was able to gather some info on Japanese actresses during Golden Week and recently published a detailed list of the current market situation.

The list ranks the actresses in relation to the minimum fee they get paid for appearing in a drama series per episode. In addition to the fee, reporters also managed find out the potential ratings that are expected from them by TV stations. Of course, the market value changes depending on the actress�f popularity and her recent success, but right now Yoshitaka Yuriko seems to be the most expensive actress one can cast for a drama.

===

Current (Minimum) Fees per Drama Episode and Potential TV Ratings of Japanese Actresses

01 – 28,444 USD – 12.1% – Yoshitaka Yuriko
02 – 25,970 USD – 12.5% – Ayase Haruka
03 – 24,734 USD – 12.0% – Ueno Juri
04 – 24,734 USD – 11.4% – Matsushita Nao
05 – 22,260 USD – 11.3% – Kanno Miho
06 – 19,787 USD – 11.2% – Ueto Aya
07 – 19,787 USD – 10.0% – Fukada Kyoko
08 – 19,787 USD – 09.8% – Fukatsu Eri
09 – 19,787 USD – 09.7% – Amami Yuki
10 – 19,787 USD – 04.7% – Shinohara Ryoko
11 – 18,550 USD – 11.5% – Kitagawa Keiko
12 – 18,550 USD – 06.9% – Nakama Yukie
13 – 18,550 USD – 06.6% – Yonekura Ryoko
14 – 18,550 USD – 00.1% – Fujiwara Norika
15 – 18,550 USD – 00.1% – Matsushima Nanako
16 – 17,313 USD – 10.9% – Toda Erika
17 – 17,313 USD – 10.3% – Shibasaki Kou
18 – 17,313 USD – 10.1% – Maki Yoko
19 – 17,313 USD – 09.6% – Aibu Saki
20 – 17,313 USD – 09.4% – Suzuki Kyoka

===

The list clearly shows that a high fee doesn�ft equal high potential ratings. For example, Shinohara Ryoko gets paid a lot but still has to prove her profitability after a longer break from acting and a bad decision to make her comeback via a Kimura Takuya drama. On the other hand, women like Fujiwara Norika and Matsushima Nanako simply get paid a lot just because they�fre worth it, not because they�fre outstanding actresses that can attract a high number of people.

It should also be taken into consideration that sheer success doesn�ft determine one�fs market value. The relationships between the agencies and TV stations are a highly influential factor as well. TV stations can�ft try lowering the fee if the popularity of an actresses suddenly decreases; it would hurt their relationship with her agency and future collaborations.

Looking at Yoshitaka�fs current value, it�fs interesting to know that by the beginning of the year, she started out with a minimum fee of $18,550 USD. However, her recent exposure in the �gGANTZ�h movies and her extremely popular CM for Suntory�fs whiskey brand, �gTorys Highball�g, boosted her potential rating as well as her market value. Only Ayase Haruka has a higher potential rating."

Credit: Doram @ D-Addicts

bmwracer wrote:

Highest-paid actresses for dramas Japanese tabloid �gShukan Jitsuwa�h was able to gather some info on Japanese actresses during Golden Week and recently published a detailed list of the current market situation. The list ranks the actresses in relation to the minimum fee they get paid for appearing in a drama series per episode. In addition to the fee, reporters also managed find out the potential ratings that are expected from them by TV stations. Of course, the market value changes depending on the actress�f popularity and her recent success, but right now Yoshitaka Yuriko seems to be the most expensive actress one can cast for a drama. === Current (Minimum) Fees per Drama Episode and Potential TV Ratings of Japanese Actresses 01 – 28,444 USD – 12.1% – Yoshitaka Yuriko 02 – 25,970 USD – 12.5% – Ayase Haruka 03 – 24,734 USD – 12.0% – Ueno Juri 04 – 24,734 USD – 11.4% – Matsushita Nao 05 – 22,260 USD – 11.3% – Kanno Miho 06 – 19,787 USD – 11.2% – Ueto Aya 07 – 19,787 USD – 10.0% – Fukada Kyoko 08 – 19,787 USD – 09.8% – Fukatsu Eri 09 – 19,787 USD – 09.7% – Amami Yuki 10 – 19,787 USD – 04.7% – Shinohara Ryoko 11 – 18,550 USD – 11.5% – Kitagawa Keiko 12 – 18,550 USD – 06.9% – Nakama Yukie 13 – 18,550 USD – 06.6% – Yonekura Ryoko 14 – 18,550 USD – 00.1% – Fujiwara Norika 15 – 18,550 USD – 00.1% – Matsushima Nanako 16 – 17,313 USD – 10.9% – Toda Erika 17 – 17,313 USD – 10.3% – Shibasaki Kou 18 – 17,313 USD – 10.1% – Maki Yoko 19 – 17,313 USD – 09.6% – Aibu Saki 20 – 17,313 USD – 09.4% – Suzuki Kyoka === The list clearly shows that a high fee doesn�ft equal high potential ratings. For example, Shinohara Ryoko gets paid a lot but still has to prove her profitability after a longer break from acting and a bad decision to make her comeback via a Kimura Takuya drama. On the other hand, women like Fujiwara Norika and Matsushima Nanako simply get paid a lot just because they�fre worth it, not because they�fre outstanding actresses that can attract a high number of people. It should also be taken into consideration that sheer success doesn�ft determine one�fs market value. The relationships between the agencies and TV stations are a highly influential factor as well. TV stations can�ft try lowering the fee if the popularity of an actresses suddenly decreases; it would hurt their relationship with her agency and future collaborations. Looking at Yoshitaka�fs current value, it�fs interesting to know that by the beginning of the year, she started out with a minimum fee of $18,550 USD. However, her recent exposure in the �gGANTZ�h movies and her extremely popular CM for Suntory�fs whiskey brand, �gTorys Highball�g, boosted her potential rating as well as her market value. Only Ayase Haruka has a higher potential rating." Credit: Doram @ D-Addicts

Justin Bieber makes money in a day than all these people combined. And he uses ProActiv.

Tu_triky wrote:

Justin Bieber makes money in a day than all these people combined. And he uses ProActiv.

And he's a little twerp.

bmwracer wrote:

And he's a little twerp.

With a nice haircut.

Tu_triky wrote:

With a nice haircut.

That apparently every male pop star in Korea has.

bmwracer wrote:

That apparently every male pop star in Korea has.

He's the new Eddie Munster.

Tu_triky wrote:

He's the new Eddie Munster.

Only shorter.

Famous comedian Shimada Shinsuke is retiring because of apparent link to yakuza. So sad.

http://mdn.mainichi.jp/mdnnews/news/20110824p2a00m0na012000c.html

^ That never stopped Sinatra.

bmwracer wrote:

^ That never stopped Sinatra.

There are reports that he spit in a woman's face and beat another. Sounds like a douche, really.

Interesting article on Ashida Mana...

Why are more and more people starting to worry about Ashida Mana?

In Japan, there isn�ft a day you don�ft see child actress Ashida Mana (7) on TV. Whether it�fs a CM, a movie, a drama, a music or a variety show, this young girl seems to be everywhere.

Many people love her and can�ft get enough of her charming personality, which becomes evident when looking at the numbers. Tabloid �eShukan Bunshun�e wanted to get some insider information about her from within the industry and found an official from a TV network, who explained, �gEvery show that Ashida appears on experiences an increase in ratings. She is one of the biggest viewer magnets at the moment and can pull up viewer ratings by 3~4% all by herself. Everyone knows that and everyone wants to have her on their shows.�h

However, there are also a lot of people who are becoming more and more worried about Ashida�fs busy schedule.

Actress Adachi Yumi (30) is one of them and commented, �gIs it really okay for Mana-chan to be that busy?�h Adachi started out as a child actress 21 years ago herself and had her big breakthrough in 1994. She was still in junior high school around that time and already had trouble living a life between work and school, but her schedule was nothing compared to Ashida�fs, and that girl just entered primary school!

Ashida�fs duet with Suzuki Fuku (7) is still charting and already sold over 650,000 copies. This month she is even having her own solo debut. Further, she appeared in three different movies this year, has CM contracts with 10 major companies, appeared in NHK�fs taiga drama �gGou�h for two different roles, starred in her first drama and drama special, and is going to appear alongside drama legend Kimura Takuya in the upcoming drama �gNankyoku Tairiku�g. Ashida even became a regular on the show �gMeringue no Kimochi�h making her the youngest MC to host a weekly TV show in history.

However, no matter how many filming sessions for dramas or variety shows are on her schedule, she still has to go to school.

The TV official continued, �gIn spring she enrolled in a public primary school and they have been able to squeeze most of her obligations to the weekends and vacations, when she doesn�ft have to go to school, but even on school days it�fs almost impossible for her to attend all classes. At least once every week she has to leave early for one or two hours.�h

Further he added, �gEven if she gets to stay at home after school and work, she can�ft really relax and has to learn the script for the filming on the next day. She already has dark circles around her eyes and often looks exhausted when arriving to sets. Ashida is on the level of a top-class actress, always accompanied by at least 4-5 people, including the 3-4 managers from her agency and her mother. However, in the dressing room she still looks more like a normal child, taking a nap or studying for school.�h

Ashida has an innocent face and the talent of making all that stress look like it�fs nothing to her, which makes it difficult for the viewers to notice her exhaustion as they are too charmed by her smile.

Finally, the official once again explained Ashida�fs popularity stating, �gShe has such an enormous popularity that all networks actually rearrange their programs in order to avoid direct competition with her shows. Her agency is clearly aware of her popularity and already managed to negotiate fees ten times higher than her actual market price. All the networks are willing to pay such sums, because they know that her popularity ranges from children her age to the generation of her grandparents. None of the networks would want to fail a deal, get on bad terms with her agency, and eventually lose their viewers to another network.�h

One can only hope that Ashida doesn�ft lose too much of her childhood because of her work.

Source: http://www.tokyohive.com/2011/10/why-are-more-and-more-people-starting-to-worry-about-ashida-mana/#disqus_thread

niknik wrote:

Why are more and more people starting to worry about Ashida Mana?

And I'm one of them. Seems like everytime I watch FujiTV News they've got something new that she's appearing in.

I have a bad feeling about all this. If something doesn't change this could have a very bad ending.

^ Agree. Let's hope the mother comes to her senses and let her enjoy being a kid.

And for those who love seeing her, here's a subbed version of "Shabekuri 007" which she appeared from 3/28/11..

http://jburogu-godzillaradio.blogspot.com/search/label/Ashida%20Mana

+ 2!
In this 8 days that I have been now in Japan (and I haven't been watching a lot of TV), I have seen her in the Marumo SP, the first episode of the Kimutaku drama and an interview prior to that drama airing, 2 entertainment shows and a few ads.
It's not good at all! At her age she should be doing one movie per year and maybe one drama, not more.