Tuesday, August 14, 2007

Kitagawa Keiko


Profile

* Name: 北川景子 (きたがわ けいこ)
* Name (romaji): Kitagawa Keiko
* Profession: Actress and model
* Birthdate: 1986-Aug-22
* Birthplace: Kobe, Hyogo, Japan
* Height: 160cm
* Weight: 42kg
* Star sign: Leo
* Blood type: O
* Family: Younger brother
* Talent agency: Stardust (http://www.stardust.co.jp/section3/profile/kitagawakeiko.html)


TV Shows

* Taiyo to Umi no Kyoshitsu as Enokido Wakaba (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Mop Girl as Hasegawa Momoko (TV Asahi, 2007)
* Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon as Hino Rei/Sailor Mars (TBS, 2003-2005)

TV Show Theme Songs

* Sakura Fubuki, from Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (TBS, 2003-2005)
* Hoshi Furu Yoake, from Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon (TBS, 2003-2005)

Movies

* Handsome Suit (http://handsome-suits.com/) as Hoshino Hiroko (2008)
* Southbound (http://southbound-movie.com/) as Uehara Youko (2007)
* Sono Toki wa Kare ni Yoroshiku / That Time I Said Hi to My Boyfriend (http://www.sonokare.com/) as Katsuraki Momoko(2007)
* Heat Island (http://www.heatisland.jp/) as Nao (2007)
* Dear Friends (http://www.dear-friends.jp/) as Rina (2007)
* Cherry Pie (http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/cinemusica/cherry-pie/) as Kiyohara (2006)
* The Fast and The Furious 3: Tokyo Drift (http://www.thefastandthefurious3.com/) as Reiko (2006)
* Mamiya Kyoudai (http://www.mamiya-kyoudai.com/) as Honma Yumi (2006)
* Mizu ni Sumu Hana/Romance of Darkness (http://actcine.com/mizunisumuhana/) as Mizuchi Rikka (2006)
* Kirari Super Live as Hino Rei/Sailor Mars (2004)

Endorsements

* Kanaflex (http://www.kanaflex.co.jp/cm/index.html) (2008)
* Glico: Breo (http://www.glico.co.jp/breo/index.htm) (2008)
* Suntory: Capsela (http://www.suntory.co.jp/softdrink/capsela/index.html) (2008)
* Glico: Palitte (http://www.glico.co.jp/ice/palitte/index.htm) (2008)
* Kanebo Cosmetics: Coffret D'Or (http://www.kanebo-cosmetics.jp/coffretdor/index.html) (2007)
* NTT: DoCoMo 2.0 (http://docomo2.jp/top.html) (2007-2008)
* Suntory: Let's Diet Water (http://www.suntory.co.jp/softdrink/lets/) (2007)

Recognitions

* 55th Television Drama Academy Awards: Special Award for Mop Girl

Trivia

* Education: Meiji University (Majoring in Commercial Science)
* Hobbies: Studying, reading, swimming, calligraphy, and badminton
* She won the Miss Seventeen 2003 title and became a model in the Japanese Seventeen magazine from 2003-2006.


Readmore »»

Tanihara Shosuke


Profile

* Name: 谷原章介
* Name (romaji): Tanihara Shosuke
* Profession: Actor
* Birthdate: 1972-Jul-08
* Birthplace: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
* Height: 183cm
* Weight: 72kg
* Star sign: Cancer
* Blood type: A
* Family: Wife/actress Miyake Emi, step-son and daughter
* Talent agency: Japan Music (http://www.japanmusic.jp)

TV Shows

* Gakko ja Oshierarenai! (NTV, 2008)
* Ryokiteki na Kanojo (TBS, 2008)
* Edison no Haha (TBS, 2008)
* Kyo wa Shibuya de Rokuji (Fuji TV, 2008, cameo)
* Shabake (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Mop Girl (TV Asahi, 2007)
* Deru Toko Demasho! (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Yama Onna Kabe Onna (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Watashitachi no Kyokasho (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Erai Tokoro ni Totsuide Shimatta! (TV Asahi 2007)
* Fuurin Kazan as Imagawa Yoshimoto (NHK, 2007)
* Akechi Mitsuhide (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Kiraware Matsuko no Issho (TBS, 2006)
* CA to Oyobi (NTV, 2006)
* Top Caster as Yuuki Masato (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Woman's Island as Fukazawa Hiroto (NTV, 2006)
* Kobayakawa Nobuki no Koi as Takebayashi Hayato (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Onna no Ichidaiki: Koshiji Fubuki as Toshiro Mayuzumi (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Ooku~Hana no Ran~ as Tokugawa Tsunayoshi (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Shiawase ni Naritai! as Hasegawa Junichi (TBS, 2005)
* Koi ni Ochitara as Riku Kamiya (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Gokusen 2 as Kujo Takuma (NTV, 2005)
* Seishu Hanaoka no Tsuma as Hanaoka Seishuu (Unpei) (NHK, 2005)
* Pride (Fuji List, 2004)
* Division 1 Shoubu Shitagi (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Shinsengumi (NHK, 2004)
* Star's Echo (MBC/Fuji TV, 2004)
* Fujiko Hemingu no Kiseki (2003)
* Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari Meiro (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Diamond Girl as Natsume Shinichiro (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Boku no Ikiru Michi as Kubo Masaru (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Otousan as Tamaki Shinji (TBS, 2002)
* Kaidan Hyaku Monogatari Story 7: Kaguya Hime (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Koi no Chikara (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Seikei Bijin as Yajima Tasahi (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Suiyoubi no Jouji as Okajima Akihiro (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Kyumei Byoto 24 Ji 2 (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Mukodono! (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Oyaji (TBS, 2000, cameo, ep1)
* At Home (あっとほーむ) (TBS, 2000)
* Koori no Sekai as Hiyama Toyohiko (Fuji TV, 1999)

Movies

* Handsome Suit (2008)
* Saiyuuki the Movie (http://www.saiyuki.jp/index.html) (2007)
* Love Com (2006)
* Kiraware Matsuko No Isshou (http://kiraware.goo.ne.jp/) (2006)
* Ski Jumping Pairs: Road to Torino 2006 (2006)
* Bokoku no Igisu / Aegis (2005)
* Godzilla: Final Wars (2004)
* Shinkokyuu no Hitsuyou (http://shinkokyu.jp/) (2004)
* GXM: Godzilla vs. Megaguirus (2000)
* Fuyajo (1998)
* Gokudo Sengokushi: Fudo 2 (1997)
* Gokudo Sengokushi: Fudo (1996)
* Hana Yori Dango (Fuji TV, 1995)

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Yamada Yu


Profile

* Name: 山田優 (やまだ ゆう)
* Name (romaji): Yamada Yu
* Real name: 山田優子 / Yamada Yuko
* Profession: Actress, model, and singer
* Birthdate: 1984-Jul-05
* Birthplace: Onna, Okinawa, Japan
* Height: 169cm
* Star sign: Cancer
* Blood type: O
* Family: Two younger brothers (actor Yamada Shintaro)
* Talent agency: K Dash (http://www.kdash.jp/)


TV Shows

* Seigi no Mikata (NTV, 2008)
* Gokusen 3 (NTV, 2008)
* Binbo Danshi (NTV, 2008)
* Nodame Cantabile SP (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Zenibana 2 (NTV, 2007)
* Karei naru Ichizoku (TBS, 2007)
* Damens Walker (TV Asahi, 2006)
* Zenibana (NTV, 2006)
* Tsubasa No Oreta Tenshitachi (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Satomi Hakkenden (TBS, 2006)
* Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari Happunkan (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Be-Bop High School 2 (TBS, 2005)
* Yume de Aimashou (TBS, 2005)
* Fukigen na Gene (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Xmas Nante Daikirai (NTV, 2004)
* Be-Bop High School (TBS, 2004)
* Orange Days (TBS, 2004)
* Sore wa, Totsuzen, Arashi no you ni... (TBS, 2004)
* Nihon no Kowai Yoru (日本のこわい夜 特別版) Dai Namabuki (TBS, 2004)
* Aisuru Tame ni Aisaretai (TBS, 2003)
* Kange! Danjiki Goikkosama (NTV, 2001)
* Shiawase No Shippo (TBS, 2002)
* Kabachitare (Fuji TV, 2001)

Movies

* Kanna-san, Daiseikou Desu! (2008)
* Surf's Up (http://www.sonypictures.jp/movies/surfsup/index.html) (Japanese dub) (2007)
* Purukogi (http://www.yakiniku-movie.com/) (2007)
* Akihabara@Deep (http://www.a-deep.jp/) (2006)
* Route 58 (http://www.cs-tv.net/t/D000000/&movie_id=00003175) (2003)

Endorsements

* Sofina Raycious (http://www.sofina.co.jp/raycious/) (2007~)
* Canon PowerShot (http://cweb.canon.jp/enjoyphoto/index.html), Pixus (http://cweb.canon.jp/enjoyphoto/index.html) (2006~)
* Fujitsu Ten ECLIPSE (http://www.fujitsu-ten.co.jp/eclipse/avn_special/index.html) (2005~)
* Nissin Spa-O (http://www.nissinfoods.co.jp/product/lineup/brand_15.html), Gonbuto Curry Udon Bowl (2005~)
* Shogakukan CanCam (http://cancam.shogakukan.co.jp/) (2004~)
* kanebo ALLIE, T'ESTIMO (2005)
* Marry Juno Royal Glow Diamond (2005)
* Coca-Cola CANADA DRY (2005)
* Ezaki Glico ZACS (2005)
* Tokyo Metro (2005)
* Ki/oon DAZZLES (2005)
* Ezaki Glico Choshoku Ringo Yogurt (2004)
* Vodafone (2004)
* Simree Image (2003)
* ANA ANA Okinawa (2003)
* KDDI au (2003)


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Kimura Takuya


Profile

* Name: 木村拓哉 (きむら たくや)
* Name (romaji): Kimura Takuya
* Nickname: Kimutaku
* Profession: Actor and singer
* Birthdate: 1972-Nov-13
* Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
* Height: 176cm
* Weight: 57kg
* Star sign: Scorpio
* Blood type: O
* Family: Wife/actress Kudo Shizuka, daughters Kokomi & Mitsuki
* Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment (http://www.johnnys-net.jp)


TV Shows

* CHANGE (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Karei naru Ichizoku as Manypo Teppei (TBS, 2007)
* Hero SP as Kuriyu Kouhei (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Saiyuuki as Emperor Genyoku (Fuji TV, 2006, ep1)
* Engine as Kanzaki Jiro (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Pride as Satonaka Halu (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Good Luck!! as Shinkai Hajime (TBS, 2003)
* Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi as Katase Ryo (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Chuushingura 1/47 as Hirobe Yasubei (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Hero as Kuriyu Kouhei (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari BLACK ROOM (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Food Fight as voice of the crow (NTV, 2000)
* Beautiful Life as Okishima Shuji (TBS, 2000)
* Konya wa Eigyouchu (Fuji TV, 1999)
* Nemureru Mori as Ito Naoki (Fuji TV, 1998)
* Oda Nobunaga as Oda Nobunaga (TBS, 1998)
* Love Generation as Katagiri Teppei (Fuji TV, 1997)
* Gift as Yukio/Takehiro (Fuji TV, 1997)
* Ii Hito (Fuji TV, 1997)
* Boku ga Boku de Aru Tame ni as Kurosawa Riki (Fuji TV, 1997)
* Kyousoukyoku as Takakura Kakeru (TBS, 1996)
* Long Vacation as Hidetoshi Senna (Fuji TV, 1996)
* Lieutenant Ninzaburo Furuhata as Hayashi Isao (Fuji TV, 1996, ep17)
* Jinsei wa Jojo da as Ogami Kazuma (TBS, 1995)
* Kimi wa Toki no Kanata e (TV Asahi, 1995)
* Wakamono no Subete as Ueda Takeshi (Fuji TV, 1994)
* Asunaro Hakusho as Toride Osamu (Fuji TV, 1993)
* Izu no Odorikko as Kawabata Yasunari (TV Tokyo, 1993)
* Sono Toki, Heart wa Nusumareta (Fuji TV, 1992)
* Otouto (TBS, 1990)

Movies

* I Come with the Rain (http://imdb.com/title/tt1024744) as Shitao (2008)
* Hero (http://www.hero-movie.net) as Kuriyu Kouhei (2007)
* Bushi no Ichibun / Love and Honor (http://www.ichibun.jp) as Mimura Shinnojo (2006)
* Hauru no Ugoku Shiro / Howl's Moving Castle (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0347149) as Hauru (2005, voice)
* 2046 (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0212712) as Tak/Wang Jing Wen's boyfriend (2004)
* Kimi wo Wasurenai / Fly Boys, Fly! (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0256131) as Ueda Junichiro (1995)
* Shoot (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0184896) as Yoshiharu Kubo (1994)
* Hajimete no Natsu ~Airplane Brothers~ as as Kitayama Hiroshi (1993)
* Kokoro no Kagami ~Mirror of the Heart~ as Takeru (1990)

Endorsements

* Georgia Coffee (2006~ )
* Nikon Camera (2006~ )
* Mandom Gatsby (2006~ )
* Levi's (2000~2001)
* Fujitsu PC (2000~ )
* Kirin Fire White Coffee (1999~ )
* Morinaga Weider in Jelly (1999~2005)

Recognitions

* 12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Spring 2008): Best Actor for CHANGE
* 2nd Seoul Drama Awards: Best Actor for Karei naru Ichizoku (2007)
* 52nd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Karei naru Ichizoku (2007)
* 6th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (02-03): Best Actor for Good Luck!!
* 33rd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Sora Kara Furu Ichioku no Hoshi (2002)
* 28th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Hero (2001)
* 4th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (00-01): Best Actor for Hero
* 24th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Beautiful Life (2000)
* 3rd Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (99-00): Best Actor for Beautiful Life
* 19th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Nemureru Mori (1998)
* 1st Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (97-98): Best Actor for Love Generation
* 15th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Love Generation (1997)
* 9th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Long Vacation (1996)
* 7th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Outfit in Jinsei wa Jojo da (1995)
* 3rd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Outfit in Wakamono no Subete (1994)
* Award: Best Jeanist (1994, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998)

Trivia

* JPOP group: SMAP (http://www.johnnys-net.jp/j/artists/smap/index.html) with Nakai Masahiro, Inagaki Goro, Kusanagi Tsuyoshi and Katori Shingo
* Self taught guitar player
* Became himself a qualified hairdresser after Beautiful Life

Readmore »»

Sunday, August 12, 2007

Tamaki Hiroshi




Profile

* Name: 玉木宏
* Name (romaji): Tamaki Hiroshi
* Profession: Actor, singer and model
* Birthdate: 1980-Jan-14
* Birthplace: Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
* Height: 180cm
* Weight: 55kg
* Star sign: Capricorn
* Blood type: A
* Talent agency: AOI Corporation (http://www.aoi-co.co.jp)


TV Shows

* Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Atsu-hime (NHK, 2008)
* Nodame Cantabile SP (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Teki wa Honnoji ni Ari (TV Asahi, 2007)
* Hoshi Hitotsu no Yoru (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Chibi Maruko-Chan (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Nodame Cantabile (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Top Caster (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Hyouheki (TBS, 2006)
* Koumyou ga Tsuji (NHK, 2006)
* Akai Unmei (TBS, 2005)
* Itoshi Kimi e (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Last Christmas (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Water Boys (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Remote (NTV, 2002)
* Shopping Hero (TV Asahi, 2002)
* Boku ga Chikyu wo Suku (TBS, 2002)
* Wakaresaseya (YTV, 2001, guest)
* Abunai Hokago (TV Asahi, 1999, guest)
* Tengoku ni Ichiban Chikai Otoko (TBS, 1999, guest)
* Great Teacher Onizuka (Fuji TV, 1998, guest)

Movies

* MW (2009)
* KIDS (2008)
* Smile Seiya no Kiseki (http://www.go-smilers.jp/) (2007)
* Midnight Eagle (http://www.midnighteagle.jp/) (2007)
* Tada, Kimi wo Aishiteru (http://www.aishiteru.jp/) (2006)
* Henshin (http://www.henshin.cc/) (2005)
* Naguri Mono (http://www.nagurimono.com/) (2005)
* Gosuto Shauto (http://imdb.com/title/tt0498297/) (2004)
* Renai Shousetsu (http://us.imdb.com/title/tt0475140/) (2004)
* River of First Love (http://www.amemasu.net/) (2004)
* Aoi Haru (http://imdb.com/title/tt0420125/) (2003)
* Rockers (http://www.gaga.ne.jp/rockers/top.html) (2003)
* Ghost System (http://imdb.com/title/tt0452019/) (2003)
* Water Boys (http://imdb.com/title/tt0299213/) (2001)

Endorsements

* 0101
* Asahi Beer
* Citzen XC
* La Parler (Ra Parure)
* Mister Donut
* Nagatanien
* NEC
* Pocari Sweat
* Seed Plusmix Eyewear

Recognitions

* 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 08): Best Actor for Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi

Trivia

* Skill: Swimming
* Record label: Avex Tracks


Readmore »»

Ayase Haruka



Profile

* Name: 綾瀬はるか (あやせ はるか)
* Name (romaji): Ayase Haruka
* Real name: 蓼丸綾 / Tademaru Aya
* Profession: Actress and singer
* Birthdate: 1985-Mar-24
* Birthplace: Asaminami, Hiroshima, Japan
* Height: 165cm
* Weight: 48kg
* Star sign: Aries
* Blood type: B
* Talent agency: Horipro (http://www.horipro.co.jp/talent/PF061)


TV Shows

* ROOKIES as Mikoshiba Kyoko (TBS, 2008, ep1)
* Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi as Fujiwara Michiko (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Hotaru no Hikari as Amemiya Hotaru (NTV, 2007)
* Tatta Hitotsu no Koi as Tsukioka Nao (NTV, 2006)
* Hero SP as Izumitani Ririko (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Byakuyako as Karasawa Yukiho (TBS, 2006)
* Satomi Hakkenden as Hamaji (TBS, 2006)
* Akai Unmei as Shimazaki Naoko (TBS, 2005)
* Aikurushii as Mashiba Michiru (TBS, 2005)
* Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu as Hirose Aki (TBS, 2004)
* Kyokugen Suiri Coliseum as Shinozaki Ami (YTV, 2004)
* Hontou ni Atta Kowai Hanashi as Nakamura Chisato (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Fuyuzora ni Tsuki wa Kagayaku as Imamiya Hanako (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Sore wa, Totsuzen, Arashi no you ni... as Makino Saho (TBS, 2004)
* Taikoki as Shino (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Koufuku no Ouji as Mitsuishi Mayu (NTV, 2003)
* Otoko yu (男湯) as Matsuura Mina (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Blackjack ni Yoroshiku as Nurse Risako (TBS, 2003,ep1-2)
* Hontou ni Atta Kowai Hanashi as Onose Misaki (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Boku no Ikiru Michi as Sugita Megumi (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Kaze no Bon kara as Sugimura Aki (NHK 2002)
* Cosmo Angel (コスモ・エンジェル) as Haruka (Tokai TV, 2001)
* Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo 2 SP as Ninomiya Tomoko (NTV, 2001)

Movies

* The Magic Hour (http://magic-hour.jp/) (2008)
* Ichi (http://wwws.warnerbros.co.jp/ichi/) (2008)
* Boku no Kanojo wa Cyborg / Cyborg Girl (http://cyborg.gyao.jp/) (2008)
* Hero (http://www.hero-movie.net/) (2007)
* Taberuki Shinai (http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/taberukishinai/) (2006)
* Sengoku Jietai 1549 (http://www.sengoku1549.com/) (2005)
* Jam Films S (http://www.cinematopics.com/cinema/works/output2.php?oid=5233) New Horizon (2005)
* The Incredibles (http://www.disney.co.jp/incredible/) (Japanese dub) (2005)
* Amemasu no Kawa / River of First Love (http://www.amemasu.net/) (2004)
* Jam Films (http://www.jam-films.com/1/index_bn.html) Justice (2002)

Endorsements

* Kirin Namacha (2007)
* Toyota Ractis (http://toyota.jp/ractis/) (2007)
* Panasonic Viera (http://panasonic.jp/viera/products/lx8/index.html) (2007~)
* Ezaki Glico Giant Cone (http://www.glico.co.jp/ice/ice/giant_cone.htm) (2007~)
* P&G Max Factor (http://www.mffinity.com/) (2006~)
* Ootsuka Seiyaku Pocari Sweat (2005~)
* P&G Pantene (2003~)

Recognitions

* 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 08): Best Supporting Actress for Shikaotoko Aoniyoshi
* 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (July-Sept 07): Best Actress for Hotaru no Hikari
* 48th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Byakuyakou
* 42nd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress for Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu
* 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Best Supporting Actress ranked 2nd for Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu
* 25th Horipro Talent Scout Contest: Personality Campaign Grand Prix Winner (2000)

Trivia

* Skills: Sports - especially marathon running and basketball
* Hobbies: Watching movies, karaoke
* "Ayase Haruka" is not her real name, but rather chosen by fans in a poll conducted when she made her debut.
* Made her singing debut with her first single "Period" released on her 21st birthday.


Readmore »»

Kamenashi Kazuya


Profile

* Name: 亀梨和也 (かめなし かずや)
* Name (romaji): Kamenashi Kazuya
* Nicknames: Kame, Kame-chan, Ka-kun
* Profession: Actor, singer and host
* Birthdate: 1986-Feb-23
* Birthplace: Edogawa, Tokyo, Japan
* Height: 171cm
* Weight: 54kg
* Star sign: Pisces
* Blood type: B
* Family: Two older brothers, one younger brother, and one niece
* Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment



Early life

Born in Edogawa, Tokyo on February 23, 1986, Kamenashi is the third child of his family. He has two older brothers, Yūichirō and Kōji, and one younger brother, Yūya. He also has one niece from his second brother's marriage. His given name comes from a character from the manga, Touch, written by a famous mangaka, Mitsuru Adachi. An avid baseball fan and player like his namesake, Kamenashi once represented his country in the junior world leagues as shortstop though he had to give up the sport professionally due to lack of spare time after he was accepted into Johnny's Entertainment at age 12. During the audition stages for the agency, he was coincidentally in the same interview group as current KAT-TUN bandmates, Jin Akanishi and Yuichi Nakamaru.

Recording career

Pre-debut

Made up of five other members (Akanishi, Junnosuke Taguchi, Koki Tanaka, Tatsuya Ueda and Nakamaru), Kamenashi is the "K" of KAT-TUN and together with Akanishi, he is one of the two main vocalists and arguably the most popular members of the group. Although he is the youngest of the six, he is considered their unofficial front man being good at public speaking and often acting as MC for KAT-TUN on television programs and concerts.

Though the group was originally chosen and formed as backup dancers for Kōichi Dōmoto of KinKi Kids in 2001, their unexpected popularity led the talent agency to allow them to expand into a separate group which, strangely enough, was not allowed to make their debut until 5 years after their formation. Nakamaru later indicated that over time, the group had become increasingly worried that they would never be an established act and Kamenashi and Akanishi went to their agency's president to talk about the problem. They received assurances that the members needed only to concentrate on their present work and were told to keep the faith.

Solo ventures

In 2005, Kamenashi co-starred in the television school drama, Nobuta wo Produce, with Tomohisa Yamashita of NEWS. The opening theme for the show, Seishun Amigo, was released as a single under the name Shūji to Akira ("Shūji and Akira"), after the names of their respective characters. Seishun Amigo was a massive hit debuting at number 1 upon its release on November 2, 2005 and sold more than 1 million copies in less than 4 weeks. It went on to spend 34 weeks in the Oricon weekly singles chart and became the best-selling single of 2005 in Japan. The song also continued its lengthy chart run into early 2006 and became the third best-selling song of 2006. Kamenashi has also written and performed a song named Kizuna for the second season of Gokusen which was one of the B-sides on the Seishun Amigo single and also penned a duet with bandmate Junnosuke Taguchi called Special Happiness.
Commercial success with KAT-TUN

KAT-TUN's vast fanbase made it one of Japan's most prominent J-pop idol groups by 2006 and the group officially debuted on March 22, 2006 with their single Real Face, which debuted at number 1 on the Oricon weekly singles charts selling over more than 700,000 copies before going on to sell more than a million units by the end of the year. Their debut album, Best of Kat-Tun (also released on the same day as Real Face), featuring songs made popular during their live performances and some which were written for the album, sold more than 500,000 copies in its first week and also topped the Oricon album chart. Two singles from KAT-TUN's second album, SIGNAL and Bokura no Machi de, debuted at number 1 upon their releases selling more than 400,000 units in July and December 2006 respectively in the first week.

Two weeks before the release of the album, the group's late-night talk show, Cartoon KAT-TUN, began airing on April 4, 2007 and is still broadcasted weekly on Wednesday nights on NTV. Their sophomore record, Cartoon KAT-TUN II You, was finally released on April 18, 2007 and continued their chart-topping act when it debuted at number 1 with more than 270,000 copies sold. KAT-TUN's extraordinary chart-run continued when singles from KAT-TUN's third album, Yorokobi no Uta, Keep the Faith and LIPS all debuted at number 1 in June 2007, November 2007 and February 2008 respectively selling more than 1 million units altogether before the group's third album, KAT-TUN III -Queen of Pirates-, was released in June 2008. Their third original album again peaked at number 1 upon its release moving more than 240,000 copies in its first week. The group's seventh single, DON'T U EVER STOP, continued their success on the music charts when it debuted at number 1 selling 381,672 copies. As of July 2008, KAT-TUN has sold over 5 million records in just over two years.

Acting career

Kamenashi made his acting debut in October 1999 in the fifth season of 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi Sensei as Akihiko Fugakawa. Unlike most Japanese television dramas, the series ran for 23 episodes and ended in March 2000. He later reprised his role in the epilogue special episode which aired in 2001. Kamenashi also began appearing on stage in supporting roles of musicals, SHOW geki SHOCK, SHOCK is Real SHOCK and DREAM BOY from 2001 to 2004. In late 2004, he took over the lead role in DREAM BOY from Hideaki Takizawa and also played the lead character in later seasons of the musical in January 2006, September 2007 and March 2008.

Kamenashi only returned to the small screen as an actor four years later in 2005 starring opposite Yukie Nakama and bandmate Jin Akanishi in the second season of Gokusen as Ryū Odagiri, a troubled high school student. The show remained popular with viewers finishing its run with an average viewership rating of 27.8% and was awarded "Best Drama" while Kamenashi was awarded "Best Supporting Actor" at the 44th Television Drama Academy Awards. Additionally, he also won "Best Supporting Actor" for his performance at the 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix. He also co-starred with Juri Ueno the same year in the special television movie of Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo taking over the role of Hajime Kinda'ichi from Jun Matsumoto who last portrayed it in 2001. Kamenashi capped the year with his lead role of Shūji Kiritani in Nobuta wo Produce which won him further acting accolades when he was named "Best Lead Actor" at the 47th Television Drama Academy Awards. The show also won "Best Drama" at the 9th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix.

In 2006, Kamenashi starred in Fuji TV's romance drama, Suppli, and was the lead character in NTV's two-part tv movie, Yuuki, based on a true story of a man who died at 23 years old after being diagnosed with an illness that started with the partial collapse of his cranial bone resulting in a subsequent battle with seven types of incurable diseases. This tanpatsu was highly rated with an average viewership rating of 22.7%. Kamenashi also starred opposite Haruka Ayase and bandmate Koki Tanaka in romance drama, Tatta Hitotsu no Koi, the same year. KAT-TUN's third single, Bokura no Machi de, served as the ending theme for the series. He only made one guest appearance in 2007 in the ninth episode of Tanaka's comedy series, Tokkyu Tanaka 3 Go, before taking on the lead role of Kosaku Hatanaka in the live-action adaptation of manga, 1 Pound no Fukuin, in 2008.

Other ventures

Radio

Kamenashi joined the rest of his KAT-TUN bandmates as a radio host on April 4, 2008 when he launched a twenty-minute radio segment, Kamenashi Kazuya Kase by Kase, which airs every Friday night in two parts. This is in addition to KAT-TUN's other existing radio programs, KAT-TUN STYLE, which is broadcasted from Monday to Thursday from 2006 onwards ( usually airing for 10 minutes) and hosted by Junnosuke Taguchi, Koki Tanaka and formerly Jin Akanishi. R-ONE KAT-TUN, a 30-minute program broadcasted on Tuesdays has been hosted by Tatsuya Ueda and Yuichi Nakamaru also since 2006.

TV Shows

* 1 Pound no Fukuin as Hatanaka Kosaku (NTV, 2008)
* Tokkyu Tanaka San Go as Shibahara Toru (TBS, 2007, ep9)
* Tatta Hitotsu no Koi as Kanzaki Hiroto (NTV, 2006)
* Kuitan (NTV, 2006, SP, cameo)
* Yuuki as Yuuki (NTV, 2006)
* Suppli as Ishida Yuya (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Nobuta wo Produce as Kiritani Shuji (NTV, 2005)
* Kindaichi Shonen no Jikenbo 2005 as Kindaichi Hajime (NTV, 2005)
* Gokusen 2 as Odagiri Ryu (NTV, 2005)
* 3 nen B gumi Kinpachi Sensei 5 as Fukagawa Akihiko (TBS, 1999)


TV Show Theme Songs

* Seishun Amigo, Nobuta wo Produce opening theme song, with Yamashita Tomohisa (2005)
* Kizuna, Gokusen 2 insert song (2005)

Endorsements

* NTT DoCoMo
* SKY PerfecTV!
* Contact Lens Solution
* Lipbalm
* Nintendo Gamecube Dance Dance Revolution (2005)
* Oronamin C
* Lotte Gum (Green Apple, Blue Citrus, Pink Berry)
* Crunky Chocolate

Recognitions

* 1st Astar TV Drama Awards: Best New Asian Star of 2007 for Japan (2007)
* 24th Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist (2007)
* 23rd Best Jeans Award: Best Male Jeanist (2006)
* 1st Annual 2006 NTV Commercial Award (2006)
* 47th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Nobuta wo Produce (2005)
* 44th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for Gokusen 2 (2004)
* 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Best Supporting Actor for Gokusen 2 (2004-05)

Trivia

* Jpop group: KAT-TUN, Shuuji to Akira

Readmore »»

Nagase Tomoya


* Name: 長瀬智也
* Name (romaji): Nagase Tomoya
* Profession: Actor and singer
* Birthdate: 1978-Nov-07
* Birthplace: Yokohama, Kanagawa, Japan
* Height: 184cm
* Weight: 64kg
* Star sign: Scorpio
* Blood type: O
* Family: Older sister
* Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment



Childhood

Nagase was born in Aoba-ku, Yokohama. His father was a professional motorbike-rider. Nagase was sent to nursery at the age of 6 months because no one could look after him. His parents later divorced.

Career

As a member of TOKIO

He was inspired by bands Hikaru Genji and SMAP to answer a recruiting call of Johnny Entertainment and was accepted.

In 1992, he played several stage plays (PLAYZONE and MASK) together with other TOKIO members. He first played tambourine during TOKIO's early performances as SMAP's background dancers.

On September 21, 1994 TOKIO officially debuted as a band and released their first single ever titled LOVE YOU ONLY that was sold for over half of million at that moment.

TV Shows

* Utahime as Shimanto Taro/Koizumi Akira (TBS, 2007)
* My Boss My Hero as Sakaki Makio (NTV, 2006)
* Hakusen Nagashi ~Yume Miru Goro wo Sugitemo as Ookouchi Wataru (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Tiger & Dragon as Yamazaki Kotora (TBS, 2005)
* Akechi Kogoro VS Kindaichi Kosuke (2005)
* Otouto (NTV, 2004)
* Kanojo ga Shinjyatta as Ansai Hajime (NTV, 2004)
* Hakusen Nagashi ~25-sai as Ookouchi Wataru (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Futari (NTV, 2003)
* Mukodono 2003 as Sakuraba Yuichiro (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Yan Papa as Mabuchi Yuusaku (TBS, 2002)
* Big Money as Shirato Norimichi (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Handoku as Hazama Ichiban (TBS, 2001)
* Hakusen Nagashi ~Tabidachi no Uta as Ookouchi Wataru (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Mukodono! as Sakuraba Yuichiro (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Ikebukuro West Gate Park as Makoto Majima (TBS, 2000)
* Sea Side Love (Suna no ue no koibitotachi) (Fuji TV, 1999)
* Hakusen Nagashi ~Hatachi no Kaze as Ookouchi Wataru (Fuji TV, 1999)
* Ringu Saishusho as Takayama Ryuji (Fuji TV, 1999)
* Love And Eros (TBS, 1998)
* Days (Fuji TV, 1998)
* Hakusen Nagashi ~19 no Haru as Ookouchi Wataru (Fuji TV, 1997)
* D×D (NTV, 1997)
* Fuzoroi no Ringotachi 4 (TBS, 1997)
* Ryoma ga Yuku (TBS, 1997)
* Dear Woman (TBS, 1996)
* Hakusen Nagashi as Ookouchi Wataru (Fuji TV, 1996)
* Koibito Yo (Fuji TV, 1995)
* Kakeochi no Susume (TV Asahi, 1995)
* Saiko no Kataomoi (Fuji TV, 1995)
* Ari yo Saraba (TBS, 1994)
* Twins Kyoshi ツインズ教師 (TV Asahi, 1993)

TV Show Theme Songs

* Omae Yanai to Akan Nen, Mukodono 2003 insert song (2003)
* Hitoribotchi no Haburashi, Mukodono! insert song (2001)
* Eternal Flame, D×D theme song, with 3T (1997)

Movies

* Sword of the Stranger (http://www.stranja.jp) (2007, voice)
* Mayonaka no Yaji-san Kita-san (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0468975) as Yajirobei (2005)
* Seoul (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0307440) as Hayase Yutaro (2002)

Endorsements

* Lotte Toppo
* Lotte Coolish
* Subaru
* Eneos - TOKIO
* Morinaga
* Suntory Dry
* FujiFilm Color Printing
* Mazda Zoom Zoom
* Bepu - TOKIO
* XBOX 360 - TOKIO
* ANA
* GUNZE - BODYWILD
* DoCoMo 2.0

Recognitions

* 45th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Tiger & Dragon (2005)
* Nikkan Sports Film Awards: Ishihara Yujiro New Actor Award for "Seoul" (2002)
* 41st Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Mukodono! (2001)

Trivia

* JPOP group: TOKIO (http://www.johnnys-net.jp/j/artists/tokio/index.html) (Lead singer and guitarist)

Readmore »»

Ueno Juri


Profile

* Name: 上野樹里 (うえの じゅり)
* Name (romaji): Ueno Juri
* Nickname: Jurippe
* Birthdate: 1986-May-25
* Birthplace: Kakogawa, Hyogo, Japan
* Height: 167cm
* Star sign: Gemini
* Blood type: A
* Talent agency: Amuse (http://www.amuse.co.jp/artist/ueno_juri/)


Career

Ueno made her television debut in 2002 at the age of 16 in NHK series, Seizon, before making her first film major appearance in 2003 in Chirosoku no Natsu which won her the Sponichi Grand Prize New Talent Award at the Mainichi Film Awards along with her performance in the 2004 film, Swing Girls. Swing Girls proved to be a breakthrough when she received critical acclaim and awards for Best Newcomer at the Yokohama Film Festival (she was also honored for her performance in Joze to Tora to Sakana Tachi) and the Japanese Academy Awards.

In 2004, Ueno took on a supporting role in TBS's romance drama, Orange Days, and co-starred in 2005 with Takuya Kimura in Fuji TV's romantic comedy, Engine, as Misae Hoshino. She also appeared with Kazuya Kamenashi in the special television movie of Kinda'ichi Shōnen no Jikenbo the same year taking over the role of Miyuki Nanase from Anne Suzuki who last portrayed it in the series' third season which aired in 2001.
Ueno and Tamaki as Nodame and Shinichi Chiaki in Nodame Cantabile
Ueno and Tamaki as Nodame and Shinichi Chiaki in Nodame Cantabile

Ueno's popularity rose further when she was cast as Megumi Noda ("Nodame") in the 2006 live-action television adaptation of the popular manga, Nodame Cantabile. Co-starring opposite Hiroshi Tamaki, the series' 11-episode run was a success with an average viewership rating of 18.79% with the season finalé garnering 21.7% of the viewership share for its timeslot. Ueno's portrayal as the eccentric and disorganized but yet extremely affable and talented pianist won her "Best Lead Actress" at the 51st Television Drama Academy Awards while the show won "Best Drama". The show was also recognized overseas at the 2nd Seoul Drama Festival where it was awarded "Best Miniseries". Ueno and Tamaki reprised their roles in 2007 in the two-part special, Nodame Cantabile Shinshun Special in Europe, which chronicles their individual struggles to achieve success on Europe's storied classical music stage whilst being away from each other.

In 2008, Ueno reunited with Nodame co-stars, Eita and Asami Mizukawa, in Fuji TV's drama, Last Friends, as Ruka Kishimoto, a talented motocross racer with a hidden secret she cannot discuss with friends or family. Taeko Asano, the scriptwriter of Last Friends praised Ueno's acting of Ruka, stating that Ueno is a "natural genius" and that she became "the character itself".Ueno won "Best Supporting Actress" at the 12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix for her role.

TV Shows

* Last Friends (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Loss Time Life (Fuji TV, 2008, Story 4)
* Nodame Cantabile SP (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Marumaru Chibi Maruko-chan SP (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Jodan ja nai! (TBS, 2007)
* Nodame Cantabile (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Bokutachi no Sensou TBS (2006)
* Tsubasa No Oreta Tenshitachi Fuji TV (2006)
* Kindaichi_Shonen_no_Jikenbo 2005 (NTV, 2005)
* Yagate Kuruhi no Tameni (やがて来る日のために) (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Engine (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Sayonara, Ozu Sensei (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Orange Days TBS (2004)
* Teruteru Kazoku NHK (2003)
* Okaasan to Issho TBS (2003)
* Seizon (生存) (NHK, 2002)

Movies

* Kodomo no Kodomo (http://kodomonokodomo.jp/) (2008)
* Guu-Guu Datte Neko de Aru (http://www.gou-gou.jp/) (2008)
* Kung Fu Kun (http://www.kung-fukun.jp/) (2008)
* Naoko (http://www.naoko-movie.com/) (2008)
* 7 Gatsu 24 Nichi Toori no Christmas (http://www.724-christmas.com/index.html) (2006)
* Shiawase no Switch (http://www.shiawase-switch.com/main.html) (2006)
* Deguchi no Nai Umi (http://www.deguchi-movie.jp/) (2006)
* Warau Michael (http://www.albatros-film.com/movie/michael.html) (2006)
* Niji no Megami Rainbow Song (http://rainbowsong.jp/) (2006)
* Summer Time Machine Blues (http://stmb.playxmovie.com/) (2005)
* Kame wa Igai to Hayaku Oyogu (2005)
* Swing Girls (http://www.swinggirls.jp/index.html) (2004)
* Joze, the Tiger, and the Fish (http://jozeetora.com/index_f.html) (2003)
* Chirusoku no Natsu (http://www.chirusoku.jp/) (2003)

Recognitions

* 51th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actress - Nodame Cantabile
* 28th Japan Academy Awards: Best Newcomer - Swing Girls (http://www.swinggirls.jp/index.html)
* 59th Everyday Movie Sponichi Grand Prix: Best Newcomer - Swing Girls (http://www.swinggirls.jp/index.html), Chirusoku no Natsu (http://www.chirusoku.jp/)
* Yokohama Film Festival: Best Newcomer - Swing Girls (http://www.swinggirls.jp/index.html)
* 12th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Spring 2008): Best Supporting Actress - Last Friends

Trivia

* Interests: Music, cooking
* Skills: Sprinting, tenor saxophone and piano


Readmore »»

Thursday, August 9, 2007

Ikuta Toma


* Name: 生田斗真
* Name (romaji): Ikuta Toma
* Nicknames: Tomasu, Toma-chan
* Profession: Actor and singer
* Birthdate: 1984-Oct-07
* Birthplace: Noboribetsu, Hokkaido, Japan
* Height: 173cm
* Weight: 58kg
* Star sign: Libra
* Blood type: A
* Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment


TV Shows

* Hanazakari no Kimitachi e SP as Nakatsu Shuichi (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Maou as Serizawa Naoto (TBS, 2008)
* Hachimitsu to Clover as Takemoto Yuta (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Hanazakari no Kimitachi e as Nakatsu Shuichi (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Hana Yori Dango 2 as Oribe Junpei (TBS, 2007, ep1)
* Akihabara@Deep as Box (TBS, 2006)
* Gekidan Engimono Otoko no Yume as Yamazaki (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Asuka e, Soshite Mada Minu Ko e as Sawamura Kazuya (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Dekabeya as Ochi Yukio (TV Asahi, 2005)
* Gekidan Engimono Nemureru Mori no Shitai as Eiji (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Engimono America as Hachida (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Hito ni Yasashiku as Yusuke (Fuji TV, 2002, ep5)
* Neverland as Seto Osamu (TBS, 2002)
* Love and Peace as Horiguchi Yohei (NTV, 1998)
* Agri (NHK, 1997)

Trivia

* Attended Meiji University.
* The name "Tomasu" was used to be his "trademark" as he hosted a show named Meitantei Tomasu in the Shounen Club program.
* His family consists of a father, a mother named Hiromi, a younger brother named Ryuusei, and a dog named JAM-chan.
* His father wanted to name him Ikuta Tamegorou, but his mother changed it to Toma because it was easier to say.


Recognitions

* 11th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix (Jan-Mar 08): Best Supporting Actor for Hachimitsu to Clover
* 54th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actor for Hanazakari no Kimitachi e

Readmore »»

Hasegawa Kyoko


Profile

* Name: 長谷川京子 (はせがわ きょうこ)
* Name (romaji): Hasegawa Kyoko
* Nicknames: Hasekyo / Hasekyon
* Profession: Actress and model
* Birthdate: 1978-Jul-22
* Birthplace: Kashiwa, Chiba, Japan
* Height: 166cm
* Star sign: Cancer
* Blood type: B
* Talent agency: LesPros Entertainment (http://www.lespros.co.jp)


TV Shows

* Kaikyo (NHK, 2007)
* Kodoku no Kake (TBS, 2007)
* Karei naru Ichizoku (TBS, 2007)
* Saigo no Nightingale (NTV, 2006)
* Oishii Proposal as Shiraishi Suzuko (TBS, 2006)
* Yonimo Kimyona Monogatari Inochi-hi (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Komyo ga Tsuji as Garasha (Lady Tama) (NHK, 2006)
* Dragon Zakura as Ino Mamako (TBS, 2005)
* M no Higeki as Aihara Misa (TBS, 2005)
* Wonderful Life (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Sheeraza Do (NHK, 2004)
* Fuyu no Undokai (NTV, 2005)
* Boku dake no Madonna as Kataoka Surumi (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Itsumo Futari de as Fujiwara Hiroko (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Tentai Kansoku as Arisaka Nanae (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Kanojotachi no Christmas (KTV, 2002)
* Kowloon de Aimashou (TV Asahi, 2002)
* Pretty Girls (TBS, 2002)
* Star no Koi (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Big Money (Fuji TV, 2001)

Movies

* Ai no Rukeichi (http://www.airuke-movie.com/index.html) (2007)
* Taitei no ken (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0499261/) (2006)
* Jiyuu renai (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0488306/) (2005)
* Female (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0454147/) (2005)
* Three...Extremes (http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0420251/) (2004)

Endorsements

* Canon Inkjet Printer, PIXUS MP950 (2005)

Recognitions

* 44th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Supporting Actress (M no Higeki)
* 38th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Outfit (Boku dake no Madonna)

Readmore »»

Koike Teppei


Profile

* Name: 小池徹平 (こいけ てっぺい)
* Name (romaji): Koike Teppei
* Profession: Actor and singer
* Birthdate: 1986-Jan-05
* Birthplace: Osakasayama, Osaka, Japan
* Height: 167cm
* Weight: 54kg
* Star sign: Capricorn
* Blood type: B
* Talent agency: Ever Green Entertainment (http://www.evergreen-e.com/)


TV Shows

* Homeless Chugakusei (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Shibatora (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Mada Minu Chichi e, Haha e (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Iryu 2 (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Iryu (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Oniyome Nikki (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Dragon Zakura (TBS, 2005)
* Gokusen 2 (NTV, 2005)
* Water Boys 2 (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Division 1 Houkago (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Yankee Bokou ni Kaeru (TBS, 2003)
* Okaasan to Issho (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Anata no Jinsei Ohakobishimasu (TBS, 2003)
* Tentai Kansoku (Fuji TV, 2002)

Movies

* Homeless Chuugakusei (http://homeless-movie.jp/) (2008)
* KIDS (http://www.kids-kiz.com/) (2008)
* My Favorite Girl (2006)
* Lovely Complex (http://www.lovecom-movie.com/) (2006)
* Taga Tameni (http://www.pal-ep.com/tagatameni/) (2005)

Trivia

* JPop group: WaT


Readmore »»

Ishihara Satomi


Profile

* Name: 石原さとみ
* Name (romaji): Ishihara Satomi
* Real name: 石神国子 / Ishigami Kuniko
* Profession: Actress
* Birthdate: 1986-Dec-24
* Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
* Height: 157cm
* Star sign: Capricorn
* Blood type: A
* Talent agency: Horipro (http://www.horipro.co.jp/)


TV Shows

* Walkin' Butterfly (TV Tokyo, 2008)
* Puzzle as Ayukawa Misako (TV Asahi, 2008)
* Rokumeikan (TV Asahi, 2008)
* Koi no Kara Sawagi Drama Special Love Stories IV (NTV, 2007)
* Hanayome to Papa as Uzaki Aiko (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Tsubasa No Oreta Tenshitachi 2 as Yoshimura Yuri (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Hyoten 2006 as Tsujiguchi Yoko (TV Asahi, 2006)
* Te no Ue no Shabondama as Sakuriba Risa (NTV, 2006)
* Ns' Aoi as Misora Aoi (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Be-Bop High School 2 as Izumi Kyoko (TBS, 2005)
* Akai Giwaku (TBS, 2005)
* H2~Kimi to Itahibi as Koga Haruka (TBS, 2005)
* Joyuu Kaihatsu Project xx Pro (2005)
* Yoshitsune as Shizuka (NHK, 2005)
* Be-Bop High School as Izumi Kyoko (TBS, 2004)
* Water Boys 2 as Yazawa Shiori (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Tengoku e no Ouenka Cheers (2004)
* Teruteru Kazoku as Iwata Fuyuko (NHK, 2003)
* Kimi wa Pet as Shibusawa Rumi (TBS, 2003)
* Mado wo Aketara (2003)

Movies

* Flying Rabbits (http://www.flying-rabbits.jp/) (2008)
* Houtai Club / Bandage Club (http://www.ho-tai.jp/) (2007)
* Year One in the North as Komatsubara Tae (2005)
* Jam Films S - Suberi Dai (2005)
* My Grandpa as Godai Tamako (2003)
* Fune wo Furitara Kanojo no Shima (2003)
* Ho-Gi-La-La (2001)

CM

* Pocky (2005)

Awards

* 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Award: Best Supporting Actress Winner: Water Boys 2 (2004)
* 41st Golden Arrow: Newcomer Prize: Teru Teru Kazoku (2003)
* 16th Nikkan Sports Movie Grand-Prix: Newcomer Prize: My Grandpa (2003)

Readmore »»

Yamada Takayuki


Profile

* Name: 山田孝之 (やまだ たかゆき)
* Name (romaji): Yamada Takayuki
* Profession: Actor and singer
* Birthdate: 1983-Oct-20
* Birthplace: Kagoshima, Japan
* Height: 169cm
* Weight: 50kg
* Star sign: Libra
* Blood type: A
* Family: Two older sisters, and a son
* Talent agency: Stardust (http://www.stardust.co.jp/profile/yamadatakayuki.html)


About Takayuki

Yamada Takayuki is one of the most popular and prolific actors in Japan. At the age of 15 he was discovered by his Talent Agency Stardust (http://www.stardust.co.jp/talent.html) and subsequently made his debut in Psychometrer Eiji 2 (’99). Won recognition for his portrayal as the "cool" younger brother of the heroine in the hit NHK Asadora Drama Churasan

Perhaps, his biggest role to date would have to be starring as Matsumoto Sakutaro in the 2004 TBS drama Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu and stamped his name as a melodramatic actor.

In 2005, the mega-hit movie Densha Otoko (http://www.nifty.com/denshaotoko/) made him a household name all over Asia. Recent projects include his latest drama Taiyo no Uta and the movie Tegami (http://www.tegami-movie.jp/), both with co-star Sawajiri Erika. --written by YT 22:35, 10 Mar 2007 (CST)

TV Shows

* Churasan 4 as Kohagura Keitatsu (NHK, 2007)
* Taiyo no Uta as Fujishiro Kouji (TBS, 2006)
* Byakuyako as Kirihara Ryoji (TBS, 2006)
* Densha Otoko Special (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Start Line as Imai Jun (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Densha Otoko (Fuji TV, 2005, ep1, cameo)
* H2 as Kunimi Hiro (TBS, 2005)
* Churasan 3 as Kohagura Keitatsu (NHK, 2004)
* Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu as Matsumoto Sakutaro (TBS, 2004)
* Jidan Kosho Jinnai Tamako Ura File 3 (TBS, 2004)
* Fire Boys as Asahina Daigo (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Water Boys as Shindo Kankuro (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Churasan 2 as Kohagura Keitatsu (NHK, 2003)
* Hatachi as Shindo Ryuji (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Onmyoji Abe no Seimei as Toya (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Akahige (TBS, 2002)
* Lunch no Joou as Ushijima Minoru (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Jidan Kosho Jinnai Tamako Ura File 2 (TBS, 2002)
* Long Love Letter as Takamatsu Sho (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Koi ga Shitai x3 as Aoshima Wataru (TBS, 2001)
* Jidan Kosho Jinnai Tamako Ura File (TBS, 2001)
* Churasan as Kohagura Keitatsu (NHK, 2001)
* Aoi Tokugawa Sandai (NHK, 2000, ep34-37)
* Rokubanme no Sayoko (NHK, 2000)
* Psychometrer Eiji 2 (NTV, 1999)

Movies

* MW (2009)
* Kamogawa Horumo (Shochiku, 2009)
* 252: Seizonsha Ari (2008)
* Ikigami (http://www.ikigami-movie.jp) (2008)
* Crows ZERO (http://crows-zero.jp/) (2008)
* Sono Toki wa Kare ni Yoroshiku / When You See Him, Say Hello For Me (http://www.sonokare.com/) (2007)
* Maiko Haaaan!!! (http://www.maikohaaaan.com/index.html) (2007)
* Eragon (http://movies.foxjapan.com/eragon/) (2006)
* Tegami / The Letter (http://www.tegami-movie.jp) (2006)
* Densha Otoko / The Train Man (http://www.nifty.com/denshaotoko/) (2005)
* Jenifa (http://www.jenifa.jp) (2004)
* Dragon Head (http://yamada19.tripod.com/movie.html) (2003)
* Neko no Ongaeshi / The Cat Returns (http://yamada19.tripod.com/movie.html) (2002)

Endorsements

* TEPCO Hikari Lifestyle (http://www.tepco.ne.jp) (2005-2006)
* Tokyo Metro (http://www.tokyometro.jp/movie/index.html) (2004)
* Maruchan Ramen Noodle (http://yamada19.tripod.com/cm.html) (2004)
* Blood Bank (http://yamada19.tripod.com/cm.html) with Fukada Kyoko (2003)
* Coca Cola (http://yamada19.tripod.com/cm.html) (2002)

[edit]
Recognitions

* 48th Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Byakuyakou (2006)
* Oricon Best Leading Film Actors: Best Leading Actor ranked 4th for Densha Otoko (http://www.nifty.com/denshaotoko/) (2005)
* 42nd Television Drama Academy Awards: Best Actor for Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu (2004)
* 8th Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix: Best Leading Actor ranked 2nd for Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu (2004)
* Japanese Academy Awards: Best Newcomer (2004)

Trivia

* Skills: Horseback riding and basketball
* Hobbies: Soccer, taking pictures, collecting figurines, and playing the guitar
* Discovered at the age of 15 by talent scouts in Harajuku
* Has a son born in October of 2005 with an ex-girlfriend


Readmore »»

Wednesday, August 8, 2007

Fujiki Naohito


Profile

* Name: 藤木直人
* Name (romaji): Fujiki Naohito
* Profession: Actor and singer
* Birthdate: 1972-Jul-19
* Birthplace: Chiba Prefecture, Japan
* Height: 180cm
* Weight: 62kg
* Star sign: Cancer
* Blood type: A
* Talent agency: CUBE Group (http://www.cubeinc.co.jp/)


About

Naohito Fujiki became an actor when he won a casting competition during his college years at Waseda University. Fujiki is also a pop singer and has held many concerts all around Japan. He married his long time girlfriend in 2005 and she gave birth to their first child in December of 2006.

TV Shows

* Shibatora as as Fujiki Kojiro (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Around 40 as Okamura Keitaro (TBS, 2008)
* Proposal Daisakusen SP as Tada Tetsuya (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Hotaru no Hikari as Takano Seiichi (NTV, 2007)
* Proposal Daisakusen as Tada Tetsuya (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Ichi Rittoru no Namida SP as Mizuno Hiroshi (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Message as Sugiyama Toshi (MBS, 2006)
* Galcir as Kitajima Shinnosuke (NTV, 2006)
* Kobayakawa Nobuki no Koi as Nishi Kyosuke (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Ichi Rittoru no Namida as Mizuno Hiroshi (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Tsumiki Kuzushi Shinso (2005)
* Hoshi ni Negai Wo (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Slow Dance as Serizawa Eisuke (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Shukumei as Uryu Akihiko (WOWOW TV, 2004)
* Itoshi Kimi e as Azumi Shunsuke (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Taikoki as Oda Nobunaga (Fuji TV, 2003)
* Kou Kou Kyoushi 2003 as Koga Ikumi (TBS, 2003)
* Nurse no Oshigoto 4 (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Hatsu Taiken as Hirota Takumi (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Antique as Ono Yusuke (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Platonic Sex as Tanba (Fuji TV, 2001, story 4)
* Love Revolution as Suga Eiichiro (Fuji TV, 2001)
* Nurse no Oshigoto 3 (Fuji TV, 2000)
* Asuka as Hayata Shunsaku (NHK, 1999)
* P.S. Genki desu, Shunpei (TBS, 1999)
* Oni no Sumika (Fuji TV, 1999)
* Nanisama! as Takasugi Makio (TBS, 1998)
* Happy Mania (Fuji TV, 1998)
* Great Teacher Onizuka as Saejima Ryuji (Fuji TV, 1998)
* Don't Worry (Fuji TV, 1998)
* Meitantei Hokenshitsu no Obasan (TV Asahi, 1997)
* Sekaide Ichiban Yasashii Ongaku (Fuji TV, 1996)


TV Series Theme Songs

* HEY!FRIENDS, Galcir (2006)
* Shukumei, Shukumei (2004)
* Namida no Iro, Kochira Hon Ikegami Sho (2002)

Movies

* Hana Yori Dango -Final- (http://www.hanadan-final.jp/index.html) (2008)
* Jam Films S (http://www.jam-films.com/) (2005)
* G@me (http://www.toho.co.jp/movie-press/game/welcome-j.html) (2003)
* Dragon Head (2003)
* Nurse no Oshigoto - The Movie (2002)
* That's Cunning! Shijo Saidan no Sakusen (1996)
* Hana Yori Dango (1995)


Readmore »»

Yamashita Tomohisa


Profile

* Name: 山下智久 (やました ともひさ)
* Name (romaji): Yamashita Tomohisa
* Former name: 青木智久 / Aoki Tomohisa
* Nicknames: Yamapi, Tomo-chan, TomoPi, Pi, P-chan
* Profession: Actor and singer
* Birthdate: 1985-Apr-09
* Birthplace: Chiba, Japan
* Height: 175cm* (http://i18.tinypic.com/4z0te7t.jpg)
* Weight: 60kg* (http://i18.tinypic.com/4z0te7t.jpg)
* Star sign: Aries
* Blood type: A
* Family: Mother (Naomi) and younger sister (Rina)
* Talent agency: Johnny's Entertainment (http://www.johnnys-net.jp)



TV Shows

* Code Blue as Aizawa Kousaku (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Proposal Daisakusen SP as Iwase Ken (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Proposal Daisakusen as Iwase Ken (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Byakkotai as Sakai Shintaro & Sakai Mineji (TV Asahi, 2007)
* Kurosagi as Kurosaki (TBS, 2006)
* Nobuta wo Produce as Kusano Akira (NTV, 2005)
* Dragon Zakura as Yajima Yusuke (TBS, 2005)
* Sore wa, Totsuzen, Arashi no you ni... as Fukazawa Takuma (TBS, 2004)
* Budo no Ki (Grapevine) as Shindo Yosuke (2003)
* Stand Up!! as Iwasaki Kengo (TBS, 2003)
* Lunch no Joou as Nabeshima Koshiro (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Long Love Letter as Otomo Tadashi (Fuji TV, 2002)
* Shounen wa Tori ni Natta as Nagashima Ken (TBS, 2001)
* Kabachitare as Tamura Yuta (Fuji TV, 2001)
* All Star Chushingura Matsuri as Asano Takumi (2000)
* Shijo Saiaku no Date as Okamura Yuki (2000, ep1)
* Ikebukuro West Gate Park as Mizuno Shun (TBS, 2000)
* Kiken na Kankei as Miyabe Satoshi (Fuji TV, 1999, ep10-11)
* Kowai Nichiyobi (NTV, 1999, ep13)
* P.P.O.I. as Amano Tairo (NTV, 1999)
* Nekketsu Renaido (NTV, 1999, ep7)
* Shounentachi as Kakuda Shinya (NHK, 1998)

TV Show Theme Songs

* Daite Senorita, Kurosagi opening theme song (2006)
* Seishun Amigo, Nobuta wo Produce opening theme song, with Kamenashi Kazuya (2005)
* Colorful (カラフル), Dragon Zakura insert song (2005)


Movies

* Kurosagi (http://www.kurosagi-movie.jp/) (2008)
* Shinrei Surfer no Shi (1996)

Biography

He entered Johnny & Associates when he was 11 years old. He is affectionately called YamaPi (short for Yamashita and pink) by his friends, which is a nickname given to him by Hideaki Takizawa. His closest friends call him by the name "Pi", which was first used by his best friend Akanishi Jin.

Yamapi's weight at birth is 3600grams. When he was young, he loved to go to the park and play with the sandpit. His father left the family when he was young, that's why he changed his name. When he was transferred to another school, a boy expressed his love to him. Apparently, the boy mistook him for a girl. The sports that he learned from kindergarten to Primary 4 are karate and baseball. Yamapi got a purple belt for Karate. He joined the Athletes club in Junior High for swimming and short running in which he got a record of 7.6 seconds in 50m short run.

Johnny's Junior


Since joining Johnnys, he has been a member of Jr. groups B.I.G., Four Tops, and most recently NEWS. Yamashita began to appear in television dramas soon after he joined Johnnys. In 2000, at age 15, his performance in Ikebukuro West Gate Park earned him an award for "Best Supporting Actor". That same year, he was voted first place in the Annual Junior Awards for "Best Boyfriend", "Most Beautiful", etc. for the first time.

When Takizawa made his debut with Tsubasa Imai as Tackey & Tsubasa in 2002, he left as the leader of Johnny's Juniors. Around the same time, Yamashita and fellow Juniors Toma Ikuta, Jun Hasegawa, and Shunsuke Kazama formed Four Tops. Four Tops then began to host the Junior television program, The Shōnen Club.

Post-Debut

In September 2003, eight other boys from Johnny's Juniors were chosen to form the group NEWS with Yamashita as the leader. NEWS's formation came as a shock to not only the fans of Four Tops but its own members as well. Yamashita later revealed that at the time, aside from Ryo Nishikido, he had barely talked to any of the other group members since they were all juniors in relation to his status within Johnny's and he had been informed that the group would merely be a temporary one-month unit. In fact, he also shared that he had never met Yuya Tegoshi before, and their first meeting ever was as fellow band mates. At the time Yamashita had been with Johnny's for around 7 years, whereas Tegoshi had only been around for 10 months.

NEWS made its formal debut on May 12, 2004. Since its debut, NEWS has had all consecutive #1 singles on the Oricon Ranking Chart.

In October 2005, Yamashita and Kamenashi Kazuya from KAT-TUN formed Shuuji to Akira to promote their drama, Nobuta wo Produce. It was named after their characters in the show, Shuuji and Akira. They also released a single, Seishun Amigo, as Shuuji to Akira, which sold over one million copies in four weeks. Seishun Amigo was the number one best selling single on the Oricon Yearly Single Rankings for 2005. NEWS, however, was temporarily disbanded and all group activities suspended after the suspension of two of its members for underage drinking.

In spring 2006, Yamashita starred in Kurosagi, a drama based on the manga of the same name. For this purpose, Yamashita recorded his first single as a solo artiste "Daite Señorita" which was #1 in the Oricon ranking.And was ranked 4th best selling single of 2006.

As of June 2006, he became part of an unofficial group within Johnny's Entertainment called "No Border", which includes members: Matsumoto Jun of Arashi, Murakami Shingo of Kanjani8, Satou Atsuhiro of Hikaru Genji, Ikuta Toma of Johnny's Junior's, Domoto Koichi of Kinki Kids, Yamaguchi Tatsuya of TOKIO and Takizawa Hideaki of Tackey & Tsubasa. The group was formed when the 8 members from different JE groups met up for dinner and decided to name themselves No Border. They are known to interact freely, bypassing the sempai-kouhai relationships formed by JE. There is a 7 part round-robin on their jwebs about the formation of the group. Each member has a specific color - White, Black, Red, Pink, Purple, Gold, Blue, Grey. However, who holds which color is still unknown.

In the latter half of 2006, Yamashita and Thai brother duet Golf & Mike teamed up with Kitayama Hiromitsu (Kis-my-ft2), Inoo Kei (J.J. Express), Totsuka Shota (A.B.C.), and Yaotome Hikaru (Ya-Ya-Yah), to form a temporary unit called Kitty GYM, though there has never been a second T. This unit was made to cheer on the Japan Women's Volleyball team, and they released a single in August called "Fever to Future" under the name "GYM" which stands for Golf, Yamashita, and Mike, respectively.

Yamashita returned as a member of NEWS on 31 December 2006 on Johnny's Countdown 2006-2007.

Early 2007, Yamashita along with KAT-TUN's Koki Tanaka and Taisuke Fujigaya of Kis-my-ft2, starred in Byakkotai, a two-part mini-drama.

Kurosagi, a movie spun-off from the TBS drama, was released on 8 March 2008. Yamashita starred in the film, making this his first starring role in a movie. Yamashita announced on March 15, 2008 that he was 6 credits short from graduating from Meiji University. He will aim to graduate in September 2008.

On April 7, 2008, whilst on a private visit to Korea with some friends, Yamashita was harassed by a mob of approximately 1,000 Korean fans while trying to depart from the airport. Although he emerged from the mob unscathed, his clothes were torn and he reportedly had gifts thrown at him, which hit him on the head. Yamashita has stated that it is not such a big deal, and that he is okay.

Readmore »»

Aragaki Yui


Profile

* Name: 新垣結衣 (あらがき ゆい)
* Name (romaji): Aragaki Yui
* Nicknames: Gakki (ガッキー), Yuibo (ゆいぼ)
* Profession: Actress, model and singer
* Birthdate: 1988-Jun-11
* Birthplace: Naha, Okinawa, Japan
* Height: 167cm
* Star sign: Gemini
* Blood type: A
* Family: Parents and two older sisters
* Talent agency: LesPros (http://www.lespros.co.jp)


TV Shows

* Code Blue as Shiraishi Megumi (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Papa to Musume no Nanokakan as Kawahara Koume (TBS, 2007)
* My Boss My Hero as Umemura Hikari (NTV, 2006)
* Galcir as Nagisa (NTV, 2006)
* Kanojo no Koibumi (彼女の恋文) (TV Asahi 2006)
* True Love (トゥルーラブ) (Fuji TV 2006)
* Onna no Ichidaiki: Koshiji Fubuki as Koshiji Fubuki (child) (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Dragon Zakura as Kosaka Yoshino (TBS, 2005)
* Sh15uya as Ema (TV Asahi, 2005)

Personality

Aragaki was very shy as a child. Until now she is shy around strangers, which is uncommon for most celebrities who appear on-screen as outgoing personalities. She and then-popular U-15 idol Ishida Miku belonged to the same agency. They even lived in the same dormitory while debuting in Tokyo.

Career

Overview

After seeing an audition notice for the junior fashion magazine nicola, Aragaki applied for and won the Grand Prix award for the audition. After that, she became a model for the said magazine or popularly called as a nicomo.

In 2004 she put her modeling in nicola on hold to expand her current modeling career into gravure, appearing on variety shows, and acting.

Came 2005, she officially graduated from the magazine. The same year, she was in the TBS drama Dragon Zakura. This began her entrance into the acting world and she has gone on to appear in other shows since. Even though she has graduated from nicola, she still appears in the magazine occasionally.

Currently, Aragaki holds the record for most covers of nicola at 15 covers.

She constantly appears in TV commercials, her Pocky commercials being the most popular ones.

Just recently, Aragaki made her singing debut. The ballad called Memories , the theme song for her first lead role movie, Koisuru Madori, marked the beginning of her career as a singer. She will also release a song called "Heavenly Days" for the movie "Koizora". It is confirmed that Aragaki will be releasing an album on December 5th, 2007 and will perform a debut performance in Budoukan. If this event pushes through, she would be the third song artist to debut in the said location. Aragaki's situation where an album is to be released before a single is very rare to female idols like her.

Besides modeling, acting and singing, Aragaki occasionally hosts a segment in the radio show, SCHOOL OF LOCKS!. GIRLS LOCKS!, the segment where certain young female idols switch slots in hosting, is also hosted by the likes of Maki Horikita, Nana Eikura and Erika Toda.

She debuted as a singer after releasing her debut album "Sora" on December 5, 2007. The album features two songs, "Memories" and "heavenly days", which she sang as theme songs for the movie Koizora. She had her first live concert taken place at Nippon Budoukan on December 22, 2007. She did not participate in singing at the 58th Annual Kōhaku Uta Gassen, but she attended as a guest judge along with actress Aoi Miyazaki and 9 people who took an active part in 2007.

On February 12, 2008, she was awarded the New Actor Award of the 50th Blue Ribbon Awards. She has already been awarded with 4 different new actor awards for starring in three movies in 2007 (Koisuru Madori, Waru Boro, and Koizora). On March 3, 2008, she was awarded the Golden Arrow Award. This award became her 6th award from starring in three movies in 2007.
Readmore »»

Nagasawa Masami


Profile

* Name: 長澤まさみ (ながさわ まさみ)
* Name (romaji): Nagasawa Masami
* Profession: Actress
* Birthdate: 1987-June-03
* Birthplace: Iwata, Shizuoka, Japan
* Height: 168cm
* Weight: 43kg
* Star sign: Gemini
* Blood type: A
* Talent agency: Toho Entertainment (http://www.toho-ent.co.jp)

TV Shows

* Tenchijin (NHK, 2009)
* Fujiko F. Fujio no Parallel Space Nebumi Camera (WOWOW, 2008)
* Last Friends (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Proposal Daisakusen SP (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Hatachi no Koibito (TBS, 2007)
* Ganges Gawa de Butterfly (TV Asahi, 2007)
* Proposal Daisakusen (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Mama ga Ryori wo Tsukuru Wake (Fuji TV, 2007, guest)
* Romeo and Juliet (NTV, 2007)
* Akechi Mitsuhide (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Sailor Fuku to Kikanju (TBS, 2006)
* Komyo ga Tsuji (NHK, 2006)
* Hiroshima Showa 20 nen 8 Gatsu Muika (TBS, 2005)
* Dragon Zakura (TBS, 2005)
* Yasashii Jikan (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Doyo Wide Gekijo Satsujin Stunt (TV Asahi, 2004)
* Tobosha as Onizuka Sari (TBS, 2004)
* Hontoni Atta Kowai Hanashi Ushiro no Onna (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Sakura (NHK, 2002)
* Pure Soul (YTV, 2001)


Movies


* Kakushi Toride no San Akunin / The Last Princess (http://www.kakushi-toride.jp/index.html) (2008)
* Sono Toki wa Kare ni Yoroshiku / That Time I Said Hi to My Boyfriend (http://www.sonokare.com/) (2007)
* Nada Sou Sou (http://www.nada-so.jp/) as Kaoru (2006)
* Rough (http://www.rough-movie.jp/) (2006)
* Touch (http://touch.yahoo.co.jp/) (2005)
* Sekai no Chuushin de, Ai wo Sakebu (http://aiosakebu.yahoo.co.jp/movie/) (2004)
* Shinkokyuu no Hitsuyou (http://shinkokyu.jp/) (2004)
* Godzilla Final Wars (2004)
* Godzilla vs. Mothra vs. Mechagodzilla: Tokyo SOS (2003)
* Ashura no Gotoku (2003)
* Robot Contest (http://www.toho.co.jp/movie-press/robocon_press/) (2003)
* Yomigaeri (2003)
* Nagoriyuki (2001)
* Crossfire (2000)

* In 2000, she auditioned in the 5th (Year 2000) Toho "Cinderella" Contest at the age of 12, and emerged as the youngest winner ever out of a total contestant pool of 35,153 individuals. This marked the beginning of her career in the entertainment industry. She made her debut in the movie, Crossfire, released in the same year. In the following year, she appear to have commented, "I did wonder if it's true that becoming a "Cinderella" mean that I will immediately become a famous actress". Afterwards, she became a professional model for the popular teen magazine, Peach Lemon.
* In 2002, her appearance in the Nabisco CM earned her the title of "The Pretty Girl from the Nabisco CM" in magazines and TV shows, as her name was not yet well-known at the time.
* In 2003, she had her very first leading role in the movie, Robokon. This is a movie about a high school girl who reluctantly participates in the National Robot Contest for High School Students. Masami was awarded the Best Newcomer prize in the 27th Japanese Academy Awards for her excellent performance in this movie. Later, she commented that it was this movie that first brought out her acting skills, and that it remains one of her favourite works to this day.
* She co-starred with Chihiro Otsuka, the Judges' Special Award winner from the 5th Toho "Cinderella" Contest, in the 27th movie of the Godzilla Series, Godzilla: Tokyo SOS in 2003 and the last movie of the series Godzilla: Final Wars in 2004. The two actresses also sang the track, The Song of Mothra, which was later released as part of the Godzilla: Tokyo SOS sound track CD.
* In 2004, Masami starred as the heroine of the story, a teenage girl who died of leukemia, in the big hit movie, Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World. The movie was a box office success in Japan, earning 8500 million Yen in total. Her outstanding performance in this movie earned her numerous awards including the Best Supporting Actress Prize (the youngest ever) in the 28th Japanese Academy Awards. It was in this movie that she decided to shave off all her hair to accommodate her role as a leukemia patient.
* Since then, she has also starred in other movies including, Shinkokyu no Hitsuyou (2004), Touch (2005), Rough (2006), Nada Sousou (2006), and her most recent movie, Sono toki wa kare ni yoroshiku (2007).
* Masami has also been actively involved in dramas and other TV shows. In 2005, she starred as a student along with several others in the all popular high school inspiration drama, Dragon Zakura. In 2006, she starred as a female ninja in her first NHK Taiga Drama, Komyo ga Tsuji, which was immediately followed by her appearance as the female protagonist in the drama remake of the 1981 big hit movie, Sailor Fuku to Kikanjuu (starring Hiroko Yakushimaru). Her first single was subsequently released under the name Hoshi Izumi (name of the female protagonist from the drama). In April 2007, she co-starred with Tomohisa Yamashita for the second time in the fantasy love comedy, Proposal Daisakusen (first time was in Dragon Zakura). She spent nearly one month in India filming for her latest SP drama, Butterfly Stroke in Ganges River, based on Takano Teruko's original travel biography.
* For three consecutive years since 2005, she has been the cover girl for Toho Calendar, which has a history of over 50 years.
* In March 2006, she was voted the Most Popular Actress in Oricon Style. She was also said to be the "top amongst young female movie actresses" according to the movie magazine, Kinema Junpo.
* Sanma-san accidentally revealed on a Fuji TV show that he and Nagasawa will star together in a TBS drama series in late 2007, although TBS are yet to officially announce it.¨
* In Summer 2007, Masami was ranked 9th in 2007 Most Influential People In Japan, the order is as follow:Kimura Takuya, Kitano Takeshi, Suzuki Ichiro, Matsui Hideki, Mino Monta, Akashiya Sanma, Katori Shingo, Matsuzaka Daisuke, Nagasawa Masami, Nakai Masahiro, according to magazine Flash. She is also the only female on the ranking.

Awards

* (2003) 8th Nifty Movie Awards (aka Nihon Internet Movie Award):'Best Newcomer'(Actor Field) Prize in Robokon&Yomigaeri.
* (2004) 25th Yokohama Movie Awards:'Best Newcomer' Prize in Robokon&Ashura no Gotoku.
* (2004) 27th Japanese Academy Awards:'Best Newcomer' Prize in Robokon.
* (2004) 17th Nikkan Sports Movie Awards:'Best Newcomer' Prize in Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.
* (2004) 1st Platinum Film Actress Award in Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.
* (2005) 47th Blue Ribbon Awards:'Best Supporting Actress' Prize in Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.
* (2005) 29th Élan d'or Awards:'Best Newcomer' Prize in Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.
* (2005) 28th Japanese Academy Awards:'Best Supporting Actress' Prize in Crying Out Love, In the Center of the World.
* (2006) Bushun Raspberry Awards (for the worst movies of the year): 'Worst Actress' Award in Nada Sousou.
* (2007) 18th Nihon Jewelry Best Dresser Age Under 20
* (2007) 30th Japanese Academy Awards:nominated as the 'Best Actress' in Nada sousou
* (2007) 4th Cotton USA Award in Japan
* (2007) In June, she was announced as the "Woman Most Men Want To Marry". This was a survey done by Oricon and was released under the title "June Brides".
* (2007) For the Award Most Influential People In Japan, Masami ranks 9th as the only female among its Top 10.
* (2007) November 8th, the Japan Dental Association announced Masami as one of its 2007 Best Smile of the Year awards recipient.
* (2008) Video Research Ltd. TV commercial data for 2007 revealed that for the Kanzai region of Japan, Masami overtook Yukie Nakama to be "CM Queen" by just a couple hours. In Nagoya, Masami took the 2nd place.

Readmore »»

Horikita Maki


Profile

* Name: 堀北真希 (ほりきた まき)
* Name (romaji): Horikita Maki
* Nicknames: Maki-maki, Homaki, Makinpo, Horikitty, Pori chan
* Profession: Actress
* Birthdate: 1988-Oct-06
* Birthplace: Tokyo, Japan
* Height: 160cm
* Star sign: Libra
* Blood type: B
* Talent agency: Sweet Power (http://www.sweetpower.jp/)



TV Shows

* Hanazakari no Kimitachi e SP as Ashiya Mizuki (Fuji TV, 2008)
* Tokyo Daikushu as Sakuragi Haruko (NTV, 2008)
* Atsu-hime as Kazunomiya Chikako (NHK, 2008)
* Koi no Kara Sawagi Drama Special Love Stories IV (NTV, 2007)
* Galileo (Fuji TV, 2007, ep6)
* Deru Toko Demasho! as Shizuka Kamei (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Hanazakari no Kimitachi e as Ashiya Mizuki (Fuji TV, 2007)
* Seito Shokun! as Kimura Juria (TV Asahi, 2007)
* Teppan Shoujo Akane!! as Kagura Akane (TBS, 2006)
* Densha Otoko Deluxe as Yamada Aoi (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Kurosagi as Yoshikawa Tsurara (TBS, 2006)
* Tsubasa no Oreta Tenshitachi as Yuna (Fuji TV, 2006)
* Nobuta wo Produce as Kotani Nobuko (NTV, 2005)
* Densha Otoko as Yamada Aoi (Fuji TV, 2005)
* Akechi Kogorou VS Kindaichi Kousuke (2005)
* Ningen no Shoumei as Kouri Sayaka (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Kaidan Shin Mimibukuro (怪談新耳袋) 幽霊屋敷と呼ばれる家 (TBS, 2004)
* Division 1 Houkago as Michida Mayuko (Fuji TV, 2004)
* Doubutsu no Oisha-san (2003)
* Keitai Deka Zenigata Mai as Zenigata Mai (TBS, 2003)
* Densha (2003)

Movies

* ARCANA (2008)
* Tokyo Shonen (2008)
* Kurosagi (http://www.kurosagi-movie.jp/) (2008)
* Always - Zoku 3chome no Yuhi (http://www.always3.jp/) (2007)
* Koisuru Nichiyoubi Watashi Koishita (http://w3.bs-i.co.jp/jbreak/koisuru/watakoi/index.html) (2007)
* Argentine Baba (http://www.arubaba.com/) (2007)
* Chakusin Ari FINAL / One Missed Call FINAL (http://www.chakuari.jp/web/)(2006)
* Keitai Deka THE MOVIE (2006)
* TRICK Movie 2 (2006)
* Haru no Ibasho (2006)
* Always - 3chome no Yuhi / Always - Sunset on Third Street (http://www.always3.jp/05/) (2005)
* Shinku (http://www.shinku.jp/site.html) (2005)
* HINOKIO (http://www.hinokio-movie.com/index2.html) (2005)
* Gyakkyou Nine (http://www.gk9.jp/) (2005)
* Yogen (2005)
* HIRAKATA (http://www.gaga.ne.jp/hirakata/top.html) (2004)
* Sekai no Chuushin de Ai o Sakebu (2004)
* Shibuya Kaidan 2 (2004)
* Shibuya Kaidan (2004)
* Seventh Anniversary (2003)
* Cosmic Rescue (2003)

BIOGRAPHY

Childhood

Maki Horikita was born the eldest of three girls on 6 October 1988 in Kiyose, Tokyo, Japan. She was boyish during her childhood days, like in middle school, she enjoyed playing basketball and baseball with her friends on holidays. While she was in junior high, she preferred to play Dragon Ball Z with the boys more than playing with the girls. This was because with the girls, she couldn’t play the princess the way she wanted in the princess make-believe games.

When she attended as a guest on KAT-TUN's variety show, Cartoon KAT-TUN, she stated that she loved imitating her mother when she was young.

Education

In her junior high years, she served as student council vice-president and basketball club vice-captain. She was also described as the “Boss of 3-C” in a number of various writings, in recognition of her status as class leader. As she became more active in the entertainment industry, she put her club and council activities on hold. Being unable to meet her many commitments and after much deliberation, she finally withdrew from her school activities, plainly concentrating on her studies and career.

After completing her senior high education, she passed the entrance examination for Chuo University, known for its Law school, but it is uncertain whether she will study Law.

CAREER

Modeling


Later in 2003, Horikita started to model for various advertisements and star in TV dramas and films in supporting roles. Her first photobooks featured her as a mild-themed gravure model. However, her career in the said modeling field was indeed short-lived since she gradually dropped gravure-themed modeling when she started to get busy with TV appearances.

Her well-known commercials are her advertisements for Fujifilm (wherein she appeared alongside Japanese idol Nagase Tomoya) and Lotte (particularly for its sub-brands Ghana and Airs). Her current advertisements for the said chocolate brand are its Ice Yogurt and Shasha.

Horikita has appeared in numerous men's and teenage magazines, most of them featuring her on the cover.

Media

Currently, Horikita is a constantly praised U-20 Japanese idol, her rise to fame seemingly gradual but certain.

Television


In 2005, she gained much recognition from her back-to-back TV dramas, Densha Otoko and Nobuta wo Produce.

Her exemplary portrayal in Nobuta wo Produce as the shy Nobuko Kotani, bagged her a Best Supporting Actress award in a Japanese award-giving body. On the other hand, the chemistry between her character, Nobuko, commonly known as Nobuta, and Kusano Akira, played by Japanese male idol Tomohisa Yamashita, was recognized as well, leading both of them to star in another drama, Kurosagi. Horikita bagged her second Best Supporting Actress award from the same award-giving body for her performance in this drama.

Come 2007, her role as Ashiya Mizuki in the Japanese adaptation of the gender-bender manga Hana-Kimi, or Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, earned her a Best Actress award, her first one to date. After filming the series, she has been attending press conferences for her three projects: the Taiga drama, Atsuhime; the suspense movie where she plays the lead character who has a multiple personality disorder, Tokyo Shōnen, and the sequel of her breakthrough movie, Always: Sunset on Third Street.

All her exceptional work paid off when Horikita was chosen by Vogue Nippon as one of its eleven Women of the Year (award) for 2007. Recipients of this same award include Ayase Haruka and Anna Tsuchiya.

Radio

Horikita is also one of the six young female hosts of the radio show, GIRLS LOCKS!, a sub-portion of the Japanese radio program, SCHOOL OF LOCKS!. She usually gives her letter-senders a call as a form of reply and gives book recommendations to her listeners. Her stint is at ten in the evening, every third or fourth week of the month. Other hosts of this radio show include Yui Aragaki and Erika Toda.

Voice Acting


She has also debuted as an anime seiyu for a Doraemon animated movie, Nobita and the Green Giant Legend 2008‎ as the young princess of the "Green Planet," who transfers all of Earth's plants there because of the Earth's advancing environmental destruction.

On January 20, 2008, she did a public 'after-recording' at a studio in Meguro, Tokyo for the Doraemon movie, along with other guest voice actors like Maria Genesis (GT). She already has done a voice recording for a video game series, Professor Layton series since 2006, but she said it's harder to get used to dubbing in the animation, than it is for the game. She was asked who, in the Doraemon series, is her favorite type of a boy. She replied that she has a lot in common with Nobita; a similar interest in sleeping, string figures, and shooting (as seen in western movies).

Trivia

* When she was young, she wanted to become Sailor Moon, a female ninja, a policewoman, and a rich person.
* On her days off, she generally spends it indoors. If outdoors, she can be spotted shopping with friends or going to the karaoke.
* She treasures her family and enjoys spending time with them. Their family is well accustomed with cooking.
* She can quickly sleep anywhere in any given condition, i.e. standing on a public shuttle train.
* In middle school, she had a boyfriend of three years. “They’d split up time and time again, but they usually worked out their differences and it continued like this for three years," according to acquaintances.
* She has a weird fetish for insects.
* She’s highly capable of reading the questioner’s mind, making her see through the answers in multiple-choice tests. She has mentioned that she can score 40 points on multiple-choice questions alone. (A good proportion of the correct answers in the national language test are “u” ("c" in Western culture), according to her).
* She likes the band EXILE very much. According to her official blog, she even had a miniature flag for EXILE during the band's summer concert.
* She’s under the same agency as Meisa Kuroki and is good friends with her. A year and a half since graduating from middle school, they were on living terms at the agency’s dormitories. (from SPA!) She is highly appreciative of Meisa’s leading stage roles in “Atami Satsujin Jiken (Atami Murder Case)” and “Azumi".
* Because of the shadow patterns that fall on her face and the ambience that results, she has made countless appearances as the lead of horror films.
* She is very comfortable with fellow Hana-Kimi actor, Toma Ikuta. In fact, as of July 2007, Ikuta has guested twice in her radio show.
* She was once rumoured to have been dating Kazuya Kamenashi of J-Pop Idol Group KAT-TUN, her co-star from the 2005 hit drama "Nobuta wo Produce" but apparently Kamenashi is only a friend with whom she chats over the phone.
* The first time she ate Toro (a kind of Japanese Sushi) was during a Sushi Battle between fellow actors of Nobuto wo Produce. This involved each person choosing a piece of sushi from a large plate, one piece of which had a large dollop of wasabi in it. Maki Horikita lost the battle because she ate the wasabi and was speechless for several seconds.

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