news about arashi

12 October 2009 - Nino stars in live-action "Gantz" movies



Hiroya Oku's sci-fi action manga "GANTZ" is being adapted into two live-action films planned to be released in 2011. The movies will star Arashi's Kazunari Ninomiya (26) and actor Kenichi Matsuyama (24).

Shinsuke Sato is directing the films, which have reportedly been given a budget of 4 billion yen, with lots of CG involved. It is said that producers are aiming to make the film suitable for general audiences, which means that it may likely lack the violence of the original manga.

"GANTZ" has been serialized in Young Jump since 2000. Kei Kurono (Ninomiya) and Masaru Kato (Matsuyama) are two young man who should be dead after a train accident, but they are summoned back to life by an entity known as GANTZ. Under GANTZ's orders, the two are repeatedly sent on missions to fight against alien beings. So far, 26 volumes of the manga have been released in Japan, selling more than 10 million copies combined.

Although Kei and Masaru are high school students in the manga, their characters will be older in the movie. Kei has been turned into a college student looking for work, while Masaru is already working and taking care of his younger brother. The two childhood friends happen to meet again on a subway platform.

Oku's manga is still being serialized, but the two movies will tell a complete story with an original ending.

Filming is scheduled to start next month. The first movie is expected to hit theaters in winter 2011, while the second is slated for spring 2011.



11 October 2009 - NEW SINGLE



My Girl - New single release from Arashi including the theme song of the TV drama "My Girl," starring Masaki Aiba. Also includes the theme song of the TV drama "0 Go Shitsu no Kyaku," "Tokei Jikake no Umbrella." Limited edition includes bonus DVD with a music video of "My Girl."



Release date :11 November 20009


Track listing :

Limited Edition

1. My Girl

2. Tokei Jikake no Umbrella

3. My Girl (Music Video)

Preorder now on CDJapan II YesAsia



Regular Edition

1. My Girl

2. Tokei Jikake no Umbrella

3. To be announced

4. My Girl (Original Karaoke)

5. Tokei Jikake no Umbrella (Original Karaoke)

6. To be announced (Original Karaoke)