Mano Erina To Star In “Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro: Kaiki”

Mano Erina will debut as a film actress with the movie Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro Kaiki, a horror movie based on a TV series. According to Oricon she will also sing the theme song. The movie will premiere in September but a preview will be shown at AX.

Here is a more in-depth summary of the content of the articles (Source: NipponCinema):

The movie was directed by Makoto Shinozaki (Tokyo-jima) and is based on two short films, “Tsukimono” and “Nozomi”, from the omnibus horror television series “Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro”. The original series was broadcast on BS-TBS in 2003 and consisted of around 100 short films directed by major names in J-horror such as Norio Tsuruta (Orochi: Blood) and Takashi Shimizu (Ju-on). Mano will reportedly play two different roles in the film version.

“Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro: Kaiki” is distributed by King Records. After Anime Expo (AX), which will take place in LA from July 1-4, it will be released at Theater N Shibuya in September 2010 with a nation-wide release to follow.

I’m glad that we finally get a confirmation for Mano’s movie since it has been quite some time since we last heard about her appearing in a movie (about 2 months ago). With Mano’s current appearances in DEATH GAME PARK she seems to already have some experience doing more serious roles so I have no doubt in my mind that she will do a great job in the movie.

From what I have found out about the TV series it seems that Mano will have to deal with many ghosts (somewhat similar to Maimi’s zombie movie), which shouldn’t be any problem since she is already a great actress. Here is a summary of the TV show and the story behind the title:

During the Edo Period, a high ranking samurai named Negishi Shizue began collecting the local ghost stories told amongst the prisoners under his guard. Writing each tale down, he collected the stories into a large bag (bukuro), a collection eventually comprised of more than 1000 ghostly tales. Negishi went on to publish this huge anthology in ten volumes entitled Mimi Bukuro, meaning “Bag of Ears”. (“Ears” here, of course, imply tales heard.) The Mimi Bukuro tales ranged widely in genre from the historic to the purely supernatural.

In 2003 an increasingly popular TV series entitled Kaidan Shin Mimi Bukuro began airing in Japan on BS-i (satellite) stations. The series consists of dramatized short films directed by some of the best and newest directors in Japanese horror. Like the original Mimi Bukuro the ghost stories, now approaching 100 in number, have been collected from folk throughout the country by writers Kihara Hirokatsu and Nakayama Ichiro. Each tale is assigned to a director under whose creative vision the horror and nuance of the story is given palpable expression.

Source: Sarudama

According to that source another movie with the same name was released a few years ago and it basically was a collection of 8 folk horror stories which were presented in a range from comedic to the truly spooky, so while we don’t have that much information about the stories in Mano’s movie we will most likely see something along the lines of past releases.

The images from the movie are a great indicator of what to expect and I have to admit that I am very intrigued since I am a fan of horror movies, and if Mano is appearing in one it is definitely a must see for me, as well as all H!P fans.

Hopefully more info is revealed soon since this movie will definitely be among my “must see” list when it is released.

The movie will be released during September.

Cinema Today Article About Mano’s Movie
Oricon Article About Mano’s Movie
TV Life Article About Mano’s Movie
Hollywood Channel Article About Mano’s Movie
Movie Collection Article About Mano’s Movie
Sanspo Article About Mano’s Movie
Eiga Article About Mano’s Movie
MSN Article About Mano’s Movie

S/mileage – “Yume Miru 15sai” PV Preview Released

A preview for S/mileage’s debut single PV titled Yume Miru 15sai has been released on the latest Bijo Gaku episode.

The PV preview mainly consists of S/mileage dancing in front of streamers as well as many close-up shots which all look very impressing. After dancing for most of the song the lights go out and we only see their silhouettes dancing, after which they appear in black costumes.

I have to admit that I am very impressed with how well the PV looks since it is somewhat simple but dramatic in some parts of the PV, most noticeably during the part where the lights turn off and they change costumes.

The close-up shots are all very impressing since they feature many different shots of the girls looking at the camera while smiling or posing, and while I have to admit that they all look incredible, Kanon and Maeda stood out the most for me (mainly because they look incredibly cute).

The preview only features half of the PV so we don’t know how the rest of the PV looks but so far I like how great it looks. The preview gives us a good look at what to expect and with the many costume changes, scenes, stages and effects it manages to be a very impressing major debut PV.

I will wait for the full PV to express my full opinion but so far I like what I see, so hopefully we get the full PV soon since this will most likely be one of S/mileage’s best PVs.

The release date is set for 5/26.

S/mileage – Yume Miru 15sai PV Preview

Video uploaded by: ytsa07

The preview might be taken down soon so I suggest you watch it as soon as possible

Takahashi Ai’s 4th Solo DVD Titled “Figure”

The title for Takahashi Ai’s 4th solo DVD has been revealed to be Figure on Amazon.jp.

The title is somewhat unique and knowing Ai-chan it is very fitting of her since she definitely has a great figure (no one can deny that especially when they look at her soon to be 11 PBs).

While the title doesn’t reveal much (apart from reminding us why she has 11 PBs) it is an appropiate title since it is short, unique as well as cute when accompanied with a picture of Ai.

Hopefully we get the cover soon since the DVD will most likely be a favorite among her fans and most likely H!P fans as well.

The release date is set for 6/2.

Amazon,jp Site For Ai-chan’s 4th Solo DVD

C-ute – “Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~” Single V Cover Released

01. Campus Life ～Umarete Kita Yokatta～
02. Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta～(Natural Lip Ver.)
03. Making Of

The cover for the Single V of C-ute’s 12th single titled Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ has been released.

I have to admit that the cover looks very impressing and while it is blatantly obvious that Airi is in the middle (in a very dramatic pose) it is great that all of the members came out clearly and in cool poses.

The background looks incredible and it matches the outfits really well (it mostly has to do with the matching pink and red lights they used), and while I would have liked to see everyone appear in the front the cover still manages to impress me.

The tracklist is also interesting since we get a somewhat uniquely titled video along with the normal version of the PV and the Making Of: the “Natural Lip Ver” which will most likely be some sort of close-up.

Hopefully we get a preview of the Natural Lip Ver of the PV since it sounds very interesting and while Single V’s don’t normally sell that much it would be great if all C-ute fans got a chance to buy a copy.

The release date is set for 5/12.

HMV Page For C-ute’s 12th Single V

Official H!P Page For C-ute’s 12th Single V