Thursday, November 5, 2009
Tuesday, November 3, 2009
Dir en grey ~ US Tour Dates
Miyavi tour dates have yet to be rescheduled, but here's some US tour dates worth looking into:
November 2 - Houston, TX - Warehouse Live - 7pm
November 3 - Dallas, TX - Trees - 7pm
November 11 - New York, NY - The Gramercy Theatre - 7pm
November 13 - New York, NY - The Gramercy Theatre - 7pm
November 14 - New York, NY - The Gramercy Theatre - 7pm
November 16 - Chicago, IL - Metro - 6pm
November 18 - Englewood, CO - Gothic Theatre - 7pm
November 20 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues Sunset Strip - 8pm
November 22 - Los Angeles, CA - House of Blues Sunset Strip - 7pm
November 23 - San Francisco, CA - The Fillmore - 7pm
There's also a rumor of a possible Utada tour to the US in 2010! Maybe so, maybe so. Right now this J-rocker is just hoping Miyavi recovers and is able to reschedule his US tour. *waves ticket*
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Upcoming Releases
D'espairsRay: As said before, it's their 10th Anniversary! Their latest single "Final Call" will be released on September 9, a live DVD of their 10th Anniversary concert will also be released. And there's also a Greatest Hits album coming out with their best songs from 1999 to 2008.
Merry: They have a life DVD coming out on November 7th. Like the music, but not too sure about getting a dvd of the girls. But, if that's your thing, its up for pre-order now.
NEWS: YES! "NEWS Live Diamond" DVD is finally coming out! (it's almost been a year since the concert). It comes in limited and regular editions, but there's not that much difference so I'd go for the cheaper regular addition. It comes out on November 4! Pre-order now!
GACKT: Another dearly awaited DVD! His (long winded) GACKT Visualive Tour 2008-2009 Requiem et Reminiscence II- Saisei to Kaiko-" live DVD is coming out December 2, along with another new single.
Girugamesh: Mentioned this one before, and it deserves a second mentioning. Their third album is coming out along with a DVD featuring the music videos of "Alive" and "Border" and documentary from "Summer Evolution" and some backstage/interview footage. It comes out on December 16th.
Dir en grey: They're coming out with their music video DVD! Comes out Tomorrow, October 28th.
Oh, and cdJapan.co.jp is having a pretty good sale. There's Kra, Acid Black Cherry, Alice Nine, Vidoll, Angelo, the GazettE, even Mucc and BUCK-TICK.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Sad News For US Miyavi Fans...
Yup. The US Tour is now postponed. Miyavi's injury in his Europe tour proved to be worse than he or his staff thought at first, and the doctor in Mexico suggested that he go back to Japan immediately for treatment. Get well soon, Miyavi, and take your time in healing! US fans will wait patiently.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Saturday, October 10, 2009
Asian Drama Review: Atashinchi no Danshi (My Boys)
Title: Atashinchi no Danshi (My Boys)
Genre: Drama/Comedy
Language: Japanese
Year: 2009
Episodes: 11
Summery:
Chisato (Horikita Maki) is a 20 year old homeless girl. She’s homeless because she running from the yukaza (Japanese mafia). She’s running from the yukaza because her father, unbeknownst to Chisato, made her a co-signer of a hefty loan he took out and gambled away. Instead of taking on the dept himself, her ran and left Chisato and her mother. After her mother died, Chisato left out on her own living in a tent city in a park or a local net café.
When the yukaza finally catch up to her, Okura Shinzo (Kusakari Masao), the president of “Miracle Toymaker” shows up on the scene and pays off her debt. The catch? She has to agree to be his wife for 30 days, since he only had 30 days left to live.
Chisato agrees, but after Shinzo dies, she finds more to the contract she signed. Now in order to not repay the debt, she has to become the “mother” of Shinzo’s six adopted sons and complete the “Mother’s Duties”. But the boys (ranging from 30-12 years old) don’t want anything to do with Chisato and are only there for Shinzo’s fortune.
Characters:
Okura Fu (Kaname Jun): First son- 30 years old. He’s very free-spirited and has a range of talents, but never settles on a job. He couldn’t care less about his “brothers” and most of the time no one knows where he is.
Okura Takeru (Okada Yoshinori): Second son- 27 years old. Takeru dons a “fighting” jacket all the time and is a member of a bike gang, but despite his outward appearance and his phony front, he’s sensitive and kind. He holds a grudge against Sho for leaving Trick Heart Castle for an unknown reason. Takeru was adopted by Shinzo when his father was arrested. He takes pride in stating that he has the power to create miracles in the time of need. (Also guest-stared in Hana Kimi as Ashiya's brother)
Okura Sho (Mukai Osamu): Third son- 25 years old. Sho is a ladies man and works at a hostclub. He left Trick Heart Castle to live on his own for a reason that is revealed later in the story. It becomes apparent that Sho and Takeru were once close.
Okura Masaru (Yamamoto Yusuke): Fourth son- 22 years old. Masaru is a popular magazine model and popular among women, but there’s one small problem. Masaru has a strong phobia of women because of an accident that happened in his past. Masaru was adopted by Shinzo after his parents were killed in a house fire. (also stared in Hana Kimi as Nakatsu's roommate, Kayashima)
Okura Satoru (Seto Koji!!! ^.^): Fifth son- 17 years old. Satoru was once a great magician, even performing on TV specials, but because of a deal with his parents was marked never to perform publically again. Because of this Satoru locked himself in his room for a year, only emerging once coaxed by Chisato.
Okura Akira (Okayama Tomoki): Sixth son- 12 years old. Akira is a genius but couldn’t careless about anyone. He doesn’t even care about Shinzo’s fortune, since he makes his own fortune in stocks. He has one very strange trait: at exactly 9pm he falls asleep no matter where or what position he’s in.
Review: This drama was created by the same team that worked on “Hanazakari no Kimitachi e” in 2007, in which Maki Horikita also stars in. The first episode starts a little slow, but eventually starts getting good when Chisato moves into Trick Heart Castle.
Trick Heart Castle is a funny thing all on its own. Anyone who wishes to enter must know the answer to the gates questions, which tend to change without notice and all center around Shinzo’s favorite performer. Inside the castle there are doors that look like walls and walls that look like doors, trap doors, hidden passages, rooms that only have the purpose for playing tricks on the enterers, and rooms that even the sons never knew existed. The worse room is Chisato’s “bedroom” which is actually a clocktower that is deafening when the clock strikes an hour.
The boys are all amazing, each with contrasting personalities and deep secrets that sometimes the boys themselves don’t even know about. Seto Koji (Kamen Rider Kiva’s Wataru) was an excellent addition to the cast. Somehow he always plays a shut-in. Hm. Takeru and Masaru have to be the two best characters. There’s so much development in these two throughout the series that it’s hard to take your eyes off of them.
The story is more than just between Chisato vs. the boys. She has to face her real father and secrets of her past. The boys have their own secrets that they must share with each other to overcome their pasts. In the drama they learn what a "family" is and how to start relying on people.
Overall, the series is most defiantly worth the watch. Great characters, great story, only complaint is that it can get slow at times.
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
Asian Movie Spotlight: Azumi
Summary:
Azumi is a Japanese movie that takes place during the Tokugawa era. A samurai is told to take a band of kids orphaned by the war and to raise them as assassins to destroy Toyotomi and the other warlords to prevent another war. Azumi (Aya Ueto) is the only girl in the band of assassins. She was found as a small girl by Nachi (Shun Oguri ^.^) and taken in by their master.
The 10 (Azumi, Nachi, Ukiha, Hyuga, Amagi, Nagara, Yura, Awa, Hiei, and Komoru) grow up as brothers and sister. One day their master finally says it's time to leave their secluded hut in the mountains and go on the "mission" they had been trained for their entire lives, but first he has one more thing to teach them. In order to make sure the teenage assassins have no emotions on who they kill, they are ordered to pair up... then kill the other.
Review:
The movie is amazing on action, BUT, if you are looking for as-real-as-it-gets effects you won't get it. Azumi's style is artistic violence, so to speak. Larger blood splatters, but not "gory". Aya Ueto portrays her roll perfectly. Azumi is NOT a cold blooded killer, but she does her "mission" and still carries the burdens of her friends and the victims with her, making her an emotional turmoil on the inside and a sleek, sword-wielding assassin on the outside.
Other:
There is also an Azumi 2 out, which is also fantastic. I suggest watching them both. ^.^
Friday, September 25, 2009
*Spotlight* Five-For "The Only Japanese Music Magazine You Need"
Five-For is a bi-monthly Japanese music magazine written in ENGLISH! It's written by the fans, for the fans. The latest issue (12) features Miyavi (^.^), Kra, FAKE?, YOMI, Suicide Ali, Nightmare, Alice Nine, Merry, and Ondekoza. Every issue includes things like what is "Big" in Japan, a guide to different places to see in Japan (including a Repeat or Delete? feature about if a place is worth the visit), and a Style guide. Order your copy here!
Monday, September 21, 2009
Miyavi. Is. Coming. 2009 World Tour
You heard right Co-Miyavi! It was just announced on Miyavi's official website that he has opened up THREE US tour dates! This fan-girl is raring to go!
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
Asian Drama Review: Smiling Pasta
Title: Wei Xiao Pasta (Smiling Pasta)
Genre: Romance/Comedy
Language: Taiwanese
Year: 2006
Episodes: 17
Summery: Xiao Shi is a girl who lives with her family that owns an Italian pasta restaurant. She was cursed by Ah Zhe, the guy she had feelings for from her university, so none of her relationships would last longer than 3 months. He Qun, a famous singer, was dumped by his long term girlfriend, Rita, for his brother, Ah Zhe. On the way home after her 17th boyfriend dumped her on their 3 month anniversary, she is bumped into by He Qun and the paparazzi take pictures of their “kiss” in the streets. After the picture of He Qun and Xiao Shi’s “kiss” is published, He Qun’s manager, Vincent, announces Xiao Shi as He Qun’s fiancée to maintain the pop star's reputation, and so begins their “relationship”.
Review: This drama is full of great singers. Nicholas Teo plays as He Qun,
and Cyndi Wang plays as Cheng Xiao Shi. Nicholas’s character wasn’t snobby as most pop-idols are portrayed in dramas. Instead, his character can get quite deep with a traumatic past and a passion to write and sing his OWN songs. He also has big problems with his father who works in politics. Because of the accident involving Ah Zhe and his old girlfriend, Ah Zhe moves out and their father pushes the blame on He Qun for the accident. He also doesn’t keep it a secret that he hates both of his sons’ passion for music.
Xiao Shi is a strange girl. She works with her family (mom, dad, grandpa, brother, sister-in-law, and a random guy who says Xiao Shi is his) at their family’s pasta restaurant. I would say her personality would be simpleminded and kindhearted. She always seems to see the best in people and is quick to overlook minor details in their attitudes. Her motto is "There is nothing you cannot overcome, as long as you smile".
Ah Zhe, played by Gino (Cai Shang Fu), is a character you love to love, or
love to hate, or both.He keeps a deep grudge against his brother for an accident involving his old girlfriend, and more recently for “selling out” and becoming a pop-idol. Ah Zhe is actually a surprisingly good guy though, if you don’t count the attitude toward his brother. He’s the school’s idol, so to speak, as he takes care of the students of the school and bails them out of trouble whenever he can.
Best Small Character: A surprisingly likeable character was He Qun’s manager, Vincent, played by Di Zhi Jie. He keeps the band together through all the ordeals He Qun and Xiao Shi put them through. He also pushes He Qun to keep up his “act” and do things for Xiao Shi to keep them looking like a real couple.
Monday, September 14, 2009
New and Upcoming Releases J/K Rock
First on the list is Girugemesh's new release coming out on December 16. There's three types of releases. The Limited Type A includes 9 songs plus 1 special arranged song, and a DVD that includes the music videos to "Alive" and "Border" and also includes behind the scenes and lots of other special features. Type B has the 9 songs and a DVD with a different version of the "Border" music video and Behind scenes. The regular edition includes 9 songs plus 3 new songs. Also Girugemesh's new single "Crying Rain" is going to be out on October 17.
Dir en grey has a music video collection coming out October 28th. The DVD has 13 tracks including the FULL version of "Vinashka", "Conceived Sorrow", and "Uroboros".
Kagraa has a limited edition cd with DVD featuring the "Shiki" music video coming out on October 21.
On October 7th the Gazette has a new single "Before I Decay" with a bonus DVD with the music video.
Okay, here's a good one. It's D'espairsRay tenth anniversary single "Final Call" with a documentary DVD of their European tour. It came out on September 9th.
Here's another of my favorites, Arashi. On September 10th they came out with their "All the BEST 1999-2009" cd which also includes a new song dedicated to their fans for their 10th anniversary, "5x10".
Stepping over to Korea for a moment, there's G-Dragon from Big Bang with the lead singer's first solo album! It's called "Heartbreaker" and was released August 31st. It is WELL worth looking into. Of course, there was a slight drama over the title song. Some believe the song to be plagiarized because the beginning sounds like Florida's "Right Round". Right now it's decided that it IS NOT plagiarized, but just in case it has been sent to the original creators of "Right Round" to make sure. Watch the music video on youtube and you'll see G-Dragon does an excellent job on his own, but I still love the group together. If you're new to Big Bang I suggest viewing "Haru Haru".
Credits:
Happy Birthday, Miyavi!
Happy Birthday to Miyavi-san! Yes, today is Miyavi's birthday and as he stated months ago he's celebrating his birthday with his fans. His 2nd world tour kicks off today at Tokyo Dome. Good luck!
(Picture is Miyavi's reaction from his fans Birthday wishes on his official Myspace page. Notice the new hairdo. ^.^)
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Windows 7 and *NEW* blog.
Okay, I was sick of my old blogging site so I moved. I'll be posting past blogs here as well just to preview later on. I'm working on getting a domain of my own. ;D
Now, if you're a PC user, please just bear with this. I try to remain unbiased about Windows and Mac, but I am a Mac user. I've been hearing about Windows 7 and all its great NEW features, so I went to the website today to check out these NEW features for myself. The first thing I see mentioned is the new Taskbar that allows Windows users to place their most used programs on it to keep them within a one-click reach. :| Ummm... yeah... it's called "Dock" and Mac has had it for years.
On to the next feature. Oh. Wow. You can scroll over files and see a preview before you open it. :| It's called "Stacks" and, yes, Mac has had it for awhile now. Next NEW feature, please.
Oooo... desktop enhancements... what's this? "To see your desktop just move your mouse to the lower right corner of your desktop. That'll make all the open Windows transparent—so your desktop is immediately visible. Want to get all but one window out of your way? Grab the top of that window..." Wait... are they talking about Expose? Yes, yes they are.
Let me shorten this up a bit:
Windows: Mac:
Windows Search Spotlight
Homegroup Uhhh.. you really have to have a name for something so simple?
VAN Again... you have to NAME that feature? Isn't it standard?
"Enhancements" Expose and Stacks
Please, please, PLEASE don't let this be another OS like Vista. Well, if it is, I don't think Windows will have any other choice but to start making XP available again.
Credit link.
Friday, September 11, 2009
Miyavi back in the US?!
Recently I heard the news that Miyavi was trying to make a US venue for his 2nd world tour, "Neo Tokyo Samurai Black Tour 2009". This is his first major project as the President of his own company, J-Glam, after leaving the PS Company.
Skeptic, I went in search on the official sites for confirmation. On Miyavi’s official site under the tour dates list is a *New* column with a pending US and European listing!
Still not exactly satisfied, I went to Miyavi’s blog on Myspace where he stated, “U.S.~ASIA it will be a lil bit until we can announce some dates, so stay tuned.” So I guess THAT makes it official! Miyavi IS looking for venues in the US. Start making plans now fanboys and girls, the Japanese Samurai Guitarist may be coming back to rock the US again!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Apple Press Conference '09
Yep, it’s that time again! Earlier today the Apple press conference was held with the talk of all the new gadgets and play-pretties. First that caught my eye was the new iTunes9. It has a new LP feature which not only downloads songs, but also lyrics, notes, videos, and photos. Very cool. The store layout any everything is new and shiny as well.
One feature it’s still missing is being able to buy songs internationally. So if you want that new Yuna Ito album you still have to make a separate account on iTunes Japan and order a Japanese iTunes card.
The BIGGEST announcement was the price cut on all the iPods and the NEW iPod Nano. Here’s where it gets good. Try a VIDEO RECORDER with SOUND on your iPod. Sweet, huh? Now take that same iPod and add a FM radio with a live pause feature. Sweeeeeet.
Also, if you have a Mac and haven’t loaded Snow Leopard yet, do so. It’s worth it just to get the new Quicktime X and flashy new Stacks features. ;)
Friday, September 4, 2009
*Spotlight* Walawala.net
If you love Asian drama/movies/anime etc... this is most defiantly going to be one your favorite websites. Where else can you buy goods like the ENTIRE “Kamen Rider Kiva” series english subbed for only $40 (including shipping)? Yesasia.com charges $75 for this! It is also the original Japanese version, with original DVDs, not copies like those cheaper versions floating around. It's well worth the look.
Thursday, September 3, 2009
What's with Gackt?
Gackt (excuse me, GACKT as he now uses all caps. lol.) has not been very... Gackt-ish as of late. Sure, he put out a few new good songs including “The New Decade” and “Jesus”, but he also had a few follies like with “Ghost”. Honestly, what happened to the artistic one-of-a-kind Gackt? It seems as if our Gackt has fallen to mainstream. Of course, all fans know about his announcement to retire in 2010, and hopefully he’ll end on a better note than “Flower”.
Also, be looking for his Hollywood movie “Bunraku” (with Josh Hartnett and Demi Moore) to be released in 2009/2010. Can’t wait for that one!
(Maybe he wants to focus on a movie career instead?)
Sunday, August 9, 2009
R.I.P Jasmine You
Tis a sad, sad day for any Versailles fan. Jasmine You, the bassist, has passed away. The cause of death is still being withheld from the public, but Jasmine You had taken a leave from the band for awhile because of “sickness”. He will be missed and Versailles will have a hard time replacing such a talented bassist.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
Papa Miyavi!
Yup! All you Co-Miyavi out there go check out his MySpace blog to see a cute picture of Miyavi and the new little one, Lovelie Miyavi Ishihara. (愛理 in Japanese, meaning “The Reason of Love”) Omedetou, Miyavi-san! ^.^
And, just as a reminder, go to the J-glam website and sign-up to be notified when the Co-Miyavi Worldwide International Family (Miyavi’s international fanclub) will be open to your country.
Friday, July 17, 2009
Hana Yori Dango
Title: Hana Yori Dango
Genre: Romance
Language: Japanese
Year: 2005-2008
Episodes: Season 1- 9epps; Season 2- 11epps; + Special
Summery: Season 1: Eitoku Gakuen is a school where only the richest families send their children, and the sons of the richest of the rich rule the school. They called themselves the Flower 4, or F4. Mimasaka Akira’s (Abe Tsuyoshi) family works in the underground world, and he only dates older women. Nishikado Sojiro’s (Matsuda Shota) family owns a tea ceremony school and he is the biggest player of the four. Hanazawa Rui’s (Oguri Shun!!) family owns a large company. He’s very quiet and hardly gets involved in anything unless his childhood sweetheart, Todo Shizuka (Sada Mayumi) , is involved. Domyoji Tsukasa (Matsumoto Jun, of boy group "Arashi") is the heir to the Domyoji World Finance Group, is the richest of the four, and is also their leader. If a student so much as looks at Domyoji wrong, the leader will send out the “Red Notice” on that student. From then on the others will harass the student until the student is driven out of the school.
Makino Tsukushi (Inoue Mao) is a poor girl whose family forced her to go to Eitoku despite the costs, hoping she would find a rich boy to marry. She had hoped just to get through school without being noticed, but one day a friend received a Red Notice and she was forced to face Domyoji.
Season 2 (**SPOILERS if you haven’t watched season 1**):
Months after Domyoji left for New York, Makino has fallen out of touch with him. She calls only to be sent to voice message. With the encouragement from Rui and the other F4, she goes to New York to find him on her own. Both eventually return to Japan, and Domyoji seems to be over Makino, but will not let the waiting Rui take her as a girlfriend. Discovering Domyoji is engaged, Makino gives up all hope, but Domyoji isn't quite ready to let her go, but his mother Keade (Kaga Mariko) is still bent on keeping the two away from each other.
Review: Hana Yori Dango is a drama in every sense of the work. It seems every time the main characters get a nice break, they are interrupted in some fashion. Matsumoto Jun is the perfect character for Tsukasa, and Oguri Shun, of course, is great as always. Defiantly worth the watch if you don't mind chewing off a few fingernails in suspense!
Tuesday, March 31, 2009
Miyavi wasn't expecting the information to leak out, but he and former singer melody. are hitched and having a baby! His official announcement will be during his performance on April 5. It seems like he's getting a lot of so called "fans" angry by the news, people going as far as posting hate messages on his Myspace and website, but this fan is 100% happy for Miyavi and melody., wishing them the best of luck and lots of love! Source: JapanToday Miyavi's myspace blog
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