As an avid fan of anime, I’ve grown to love the work of specific seiyuus or Japanese voice actors over the years. With vivid dialogue, dynamic speeches and colorful sounds, two dimensional, dormant individuals are transformed into life. I absolutely adore them and it’s amazing how they are able to portray each character so uniquely. Here is my list of top 5, in order of favoritism:
I recently finished the anime, Antique Bakery, and found the opening theme to be a gem. The series itself was a delight to watch — fun and hilarious. There is a bit of a yaoi theme, but it’s still highly recommended for slice-of-life fans. The deserts in the show were always so mouth-watering, simply puting you in a mood for sweets.
The song is quite soothing and uplifting; it seem to heal my spirits after each session, especially after a long and tiring day at work. The vocals performed by CHEMISTRY are amazing, balancing wonderfully with the catchy rhythm and techno beat. Also, the lyrics are sweet, reminding you of the smaller things in life that can bring happiness and joy.
BTW, there is another version of the song which served as the ending theme for the same anime. Life goes on ~side D ~ provided more of an acoustic and sentimental tone. It’s nicely performed, but not as addictive as ~side K~.
Kanashii toki ni “kanashii” to tsugeru no wa yowaitte koto kana
Tsurai toki ni “tsurai” to uchi akete ii kana
During a sad time, is telling you I’m “sad” being weak?
During a tough time, can I confide in you that it’s “tough”?
I’ve just got to believe.
Yami ga semari ikiba ushinatta toshitemo
Ima wa kimi ga soba ni iru mayowazu ni fumi dasun da
I’ve just got to believe.
Even if I have no place to go as darkness closes in
Now you’re at my side, so I won’t hesitate to step forward
Nagashita namida wa kitto hikaru kesshou e to kawaru
Yasashiku tsutsunde I’ll be with you. ×2
Kimi ga oshiete kureta jibun rashiku aru koto o
Dakara donna toki mo shinjite susumu yo
Life goes on.
The tears I’ve cried will surely become shining crystals
I’ll gently hold you, I’ll be with you. ×2
You taught me to be myself
So at anytime, I believe as I move forward
Life goes on.
Boku ga kimi ni shite agerareru kototte nani ga arun darou
Nigate na koto nara takusan aru to iu no ni
I’m trying to figure out what’s there that I can do for you
It looks like there are plenty of things I’m bad at
I am to be with you.
Kimi no kotoba futo omoidashite unazuku
Hoshi ga tsukame sou na yoru owaranu ai o chikao
I am to be with you.
I suddenly remember your words and nod my head
On a night when the stars are close enough to grab, we’ll pledge eternal love
Nagashita namida wa kitto hikaru kesshou e to kawaru
Furueru kokoro de You’re by my side. ×2
Kono koe ga todokazu ni akirame sou ni natte mo
Nigitta te dake wa hanasazu susumu yo
Life goes on.
The tears I’ve cried will surely become shining crystals
With a trembling heart, you’re by my side. ×2
Even if my voice won’t reach you and I feel like giving up
I’ll never let go of your hand as I move forward
Life goes on.
Kaze wa taezu ugoite bokura no senaka o osu yo
Toki ga nagarete mo You’re my sweet heart. ×2
Mabataku hoshi no mukou yume mita mirai egakou
Dakara sono toki wa isshoni iyou yo
Life goes on.
The wind never stops and pushes us forward from the back
Even when time flows, you’re my sweetheart. ×2
Across the twinkling stars we’ll make the future we dreamed of
So we’ll be together when the time comes
Life goes on.
More cast members have been revealed for Fuji TV’s upcoming drama series “Lucky Seven.” The biggest announcement is that “Kaseifu no Mita” star Matsushima Nanako (38) will be in it, playing the boss of the detective agency of the “Lucky Seven” team.
The drama was unveiled last month, starring Arashi member Matsumoto Jun (28) as a rookie detective named Tokita Shuntaro. At the time, Eita (28) and Oizumi Yo (38) were revealed as two other members of the detective team. It is now known that Naka Riisa (22), Kadono Takuzo (63), and Iriki Mari (21) are also part of the team.
Fukiishi Kazue (29) will play a police inspector who has connections with the agency. Okae Kumiko (55) will play Shuntaro’s mother.
Matsushima and Matsumoto previously appeared together in the drama series “Hana Yori Dango” in 2005 and its sequel in 2007.
This will be Matsushima’s first role in one of Fuji TV’s “Getsu 9” dramas since “Yamato Nadeshiko” in 2000, which had ratings of 26.4%, peaking at 34.2% for its final episode. She currently appears in NTV’s “Kaseifu no Mita,” which has so far reached ratings as high as 29.6%.
I’ve been wondering who the female cast would be for Jun-kun’s new drama and to my surprise, Matsushima-san will be the lead. It’s been a while since I have seen her in action, super happy that she will be shared the screen with Jun-kun. Definitely looking forward to this!
It’s been announced that Arashi members Sakurai Sho and Matsumoto Jun will make guest appearance on fellow member Ohno Satoshi’s upcoming special drama “Mou Yuukai nante Shinai“.
This special drama is a comical mystery about a freeter (Ohno) who receives the odd request to fake the kidnapping of racketeer boss daughter, (Aragaki Yui).
Sakurai will appear in the special drama as the butler “Kageyama” which is from Sakurai’s ongoing drama “Nazotoki wa Dinner no Ato de“, while Matsumoto will make an appearance as “Tokita Shuntaro” which is from Matsumoto’s upcoming “Getsu9″ drama “Lucky Seven.”
The announcement for Sakurai and Matsumoto’s guest appearance on Ohno’s drama was made during the press conference for “Fuku Arashi” campaign which is to promote the special TV programs on Fuji TV in which Arashi appears at the end of the year and New Year season. There will be a special CM for the campaign starring Arashi during December 17th ~ January 3rd for a limited term, and on Fuji TV’s official site, there will also be an original game “Fuku Arashi Warai.”
At the press conference, Sakurai who received the script for the drama a few days ago, commented, “I saw Ohno’s name on the first page, and my name and Matsumoto’s name on the following pages on the script. I’m happy to see it, so I am carrying it around with me everyday.” Matsumoto also commented, “He (Ohno) has different atmosphere at the shoot for drama which is not Arashi-like. So I’m looking forward to see it at the shoot.”
On the other hand, other members Ninomiya Kazunari and Aiba Masaki seem to be little dissatisfied, as Aiba said to Ohno at the press conference, “Ohno-kun, what about us? Though we don’t have any role we have with us right now, it’s not too late if you guys are still shooting. Where are you guys filming at?“, and Ninomiya also said, “I haven’t been offered yet. I don’t mind if I have to meet you at the filming location.” Unfortunately, Ohno refused them saying, “Not this time.” Therefore the two said while consoling each other, “Shall we do our best on ‘VS Arashi‘ then?”
“Mou Yuukai nante Shinai” is scheduled to be aired on January 3rd on Fuji TV.
Fans have been waiting a long time to hear which artists will appear on NHK’s 62nd ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen‘, and that list has finally been revealed!
Just a few minutes ago, the names were announced through a live stream on Kohaku’s official website. Check out the list below to see if your favorite artists will be at the most highly-anticipated event of the year!
-
Red Team (Female)
aiko
Ashida Mana
Ayaka
Angela Aki
Ikimonogakari
Ishikawa Sayuri
AKB48
KARA
Kawanaka Miyuki
Kanda Sayaka
Koda Kumi
Godai Natsuko
Kobayashi Sachiko
Sakamoto Fuyumi
Shiina Ringo
Shoujo Jidai
Tendou Yoshimi
Natsukawa Rimi
Nishino Kana
Perfume
Hamasaki Ayumi
Matsuda Seiko
Matsutouya Yumi
Mizuki Nana
Mizumori Kaori
Wada Akiko
The ‘Kohaku Uta Gassen’ is the biggest end-of-the-year music event in Japan, where female and male artists compete against each other in front of a panel of judges.
Arashi and Inoue Mao will be this year’s hosts. AKB48 became the official supporters for the show for the first time, and are featured on Kohaku’s official website, counting down the days to the show.
This year’s lineup has so many idols compared to previous ones. It took Arashi a decade to appeared on Kohaku, I’m guessing NHK really wants to wheel in the ratings with popular artists. It’s just not what is use to be…., but I’m still looking forward to it, especially my beloved boys and Mao-chan.
I recently finished the anime, Antique Bakery, and found the opening theme to be a gem. The series itself was a delight to watch — fun and hilarious. There is a bit of a yaoi theme, but it’s still highly recommended for slice-of-life fans. The deserts in the show were always so mouth-watering, simply puting you in a mood for sweets. 
