(Apparently, its the Summer Of KAT-TUN Members Appearing In The Third Episode Of SMAP Dramas!)

Incidentally, “Kochikame” also stars Mocomichi Hayami, who, as we all know, played Tsucchi in Gokusen 2005.

The highly anticipated “Gokusen: The Movie” opened on 409 screens in Japan this past weekend. On Saturday and Sunday, more than 402,000 fans saw the film in theaters, earning “Gokusen” close to 490 million yen.

According to a statement by distributor Toho on Monday, the movie is projected to gross more than 4 billion yen by the end of its run.

In comparison, the “ROOKIES” movie opened several weeks ago on 428 screens, and it earned over 1.2 billion yen in its first two days.

On the 11th, at the opening day stage greetings of Gokusen THE MOVIE, taking place at Tokyo’s TOHO Cinemas Roppongi Hills, Nakama Yukie (29) and Kamenashi Kazuya (23) made an appearance. Nakama, who plays Yankumi, the story’s protagonist, said, “I think, from the bottom of my heart, that the series continued for seven years thanks to everyone’s efforts.” Kamenashi, appearing after four years since the drama, said, “I’m proud to be able to participate in a work that has history.”

Source

“Haha no Okurimono,” a work by the late screenwriter Kuniko Mukoda, is being adapted to both the small screen and the stage. The two versions will be completed later this year, in honor of the 80th anniversary of Mukoda’s birth.

The story focuses on the two mothers of a couple that is about to get married. In the drama version, which will air as a single episode on TBS this fall, Keiko Takeshita and Hisako Manda play the mothers, while Yuki Shimizu and KAT-TUN’s Yuichi Nakamaru play the couple. Other cast members include B-Saku Sato and Koji Ishizaka.

The stage version will be performed in October at Tokyo’s Mitsukoshi Theater. Shimizu will still play the bride, but the groom will by played by fellow Johnny’s member Mizuki Sano.

Official site: http://www.tbs.co.jp/hahanookurimono/

Here’s a pic of the cast:

(Image source: miyake1028)

With “Gokusen: The Movie” less than a couple months away, a new announcement has revealed that six more actors from the drama’s earlier seasons will be returning, including Shun Oguri and Mocomichi Hayami.

The movie is already known to focus on the cast of the show’s third season, which aired in 2008. It was previously announced that Yuya Takaki, Haruma Miura, and Yuta Tamamori are part of the main cast. At the end of last month, it was also revealed that the second season’s Kazuya Kamenashi was added to the cast.

Now, the number of returning alumni has again increased, adding three students each from the drama’s first two seasons. Oguri will represent the first season, along with Yuma Ishigaki and Hiroki Narimiya. From the second season, Hayami will be joined by Teppei Koike and Keisuke Koide.

Although all six played delinquent students in their respective seasons, they have grown up to become respectable members of society. Together with Kamenashi’s character, who has become a teacher in training, these graduates will lend their support to the beloved teacher “Yankumi,” played by starring actress Yukie Nakama. This movie is said to be Nakama’s last time to take on this role.

Filming for the movie finished on May 13. The picture opens in theaters on July 11.

It was made known on Tuesday that Kazuya Kamenashi (23) will appear in a guest role in the new TBS drama series “MR.BRAIN” that stars SMAP’s Takuya Kimura (36). It will be the first time the two act together in a project.

Kamenashi expressed his happiness about the opportunity. “I’m really happy to be called upon for my senpai’s drama. On the set, I’m quite nervous but having fun. I’m grateful towards Kimura-kun.” He also explained, “I couldn’t have imagined acting together with Kimura-kun. I have to work hard and do my best.”

Kimura was also positive. “I was really happy to hear that Kamenashi was coming in. I hope that he enjoys this view of the world.” He then added in a compliment, “And above all, Kamenashi looks good in whatever he wears.”

The series, which premieres on May 23, features Kimura as a neuroscientist who helps solve cases for the National Police Agency. Kamenashi will appear in the third episode (June 6), playing the role of a young elite doctor of a university hospital where a murder takes place.

More info is here at Yorokobi no Uta.

KAT-TUN Live Document Photobook
“BREAK the RECORDS”
For sale in bookstores across the country in August of 2009.

An unprecedented 10 days at Tokyo Dome
In the summer of 2009, the wild enthusiasm of the concerts will be revived in a photobook!

It has been decided that, in the center of the white heat of the live performance, KAT-TUN’s hard struggle to perform 10 days at Tokyo Dome will be documented and released as a photobook! The members who are challenged in rehearsals will show their true side in valuable off-shots. And in interview, their enthusiasm and excitement will be completely shown. This summer, that moment of glory will become eternal!

——————————————————————————–

Photography: Kanno Panda, Komatsu Yousuke, Ebizaki Kouyuu*
Publication: M.Co.
On sale: Kadokawa Group Publishing
Details: Hardcover, B4 size, 208 pages
Expected price: 2,100 yen (tax included)

※Title is subject to change.

* Names might be wrong. I’m not good with name kanji.

(Source)

Kazuya Kamenashi is making his big screen debut in the upcoming “Gokusen” movie, it was announced on Wednesday. Kamenashi previously co-starred with Yukie Nakama in the second season of the television drama in 2005.

In the drama, Kamenashi played the role of Ryu Odagiri, the delinquent leader of Class 3D. Now, Odagiri is returning four years later as a teacher in training, teaming up with his former teacher “Yankumi” (Nakama).

The movie’s cast also features students from the show’s third season and subsequent special, including Yuya Takaki, Haruma Miura, and Yuta Tamamori. The film is scheduled to hit theaters on July 11.

No word yet whether or not Akanishi will be in the movie.

Koki Tanaka of popular group KAT-TUN has just been revealed as an addition to the cast of the TV Asahi drama series “Hissatsu Shigotonin 2009.”

The period drama, which is continuing from last season, initially starred Shonentai’s Noriyuki Higashiyama, TOKIO’s Masahiro Matsuoka, and Kanjani8’s Tadayoshi Okura. Tanaka will play the successor to Okura’s character, which is no longer on the show.

Tanaka will make his first appearance on the April 24 episode.

KAT-TUN’s Tatsuya Ueda will appear in his first role on a television drama series. He has been announced as a cast member in Fuji TV’s Monday night serial “Konkatsu!,” which stars Masahiro Nakai and Aya Ueto.

The story revolves around a single salaryman in his mid-thirties (Nakai) who loses his job, and in order to find new work, he is forced to seek out a marriage partner. Ueda plays his younger brother.

The series begins on April 20.