Saturday, November 9, 2013

'Shitsuren Chocolatier' to get a live-action drama adaptation starring Matsumoto Jun


Arashi member Matsumoto Jun will star in Fuji TV's next 'Getsu 9' drama "Shitsuren Chocolatier" which will begin airing in January. This will be the third time that Matsumoto is starring in a 'Getsu 9' drama after "Natsu no Koi wa Nijiiro ni Kagayaku" (2010) and "Lucky Seven"(2012).


"Shitsuren Chocolatier" is a live-action drama adaptation of Mizushiro Setona's popular manga of the same name, which was awarded the '36th Kodansha Manga Award' (Shoujo category).

In the drama, Matsumoto will be playing a Chocolatier who gives his heart to a woman.

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The protagonist "Koyurugi Sota" (Matsumoto) is a student at a confectionary school. He has been in love with a girl one year older than him, named "Saeko", who Sota fell in love at first sight with when he was in high school.

Right before Christmas, Sota and Saeko begin dating. Since Saeko loves chocolates, Sota made chocolate for her and gave it to her on the day before Valentine's day. However, Saeko refused to take it and told him that she was never his girlfriend in the first place. Even so, Sota still can't give up on Saeko. In order to gain her attention, he decided to improve his chocolate-making skills and go over to France to become a first-class chocolatier....

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Matsumoto commented, "Though it's a love story, its theme is a broken heart. I would try to express not only the delight of love, but also the pain of it carefully. I want to make it a 'sweet and fun time' when the viewers would want to support Sota's love while enjoying the chocolates appear in the drama."

Source & Image: Sanspo (1+2+3) & Fuji TV

Arashi tops Oricon weekly album chart 2 weeks in a row


Arashi's 12th original album "LOVE" (released on October 23) sold 62,000 copies in the second week (732,000 copies in total), and it once again topped Oricon's weekly album chart for the 2nd week in a row.

This is the first time in 3 years and 3 months for a group's album to top the weekly chart for 2 consecutive weeks. Arashi was the last to achieve this with their 9th original album "Boku no Miteiru Fukei" (relased in August 2010).

"LOVE" is also the first album in 2013 that sold over 700,000 copies.
Source: Oricon

Arashi's new album tops Oricon weekly chart, currently in 1st place on yearly ranking


Popular group Arashi's 12th original album "LOVE" (released on October 23) topped Oricon's weekly chart selling 670,000 copies in the first week. 


The first week sales have already exceeded the sales of B'z' best-of album "B'z The Best XXV 1988-1998" which sold 579,000 copies, and thus, "LOVE" is currently in 1st place on Oricon yearly ranking for this year.


This is also their 11th consecutive chart-topping album (12th album in total) since their 4th one "Iza, Now" (released in July 2004), and the number of consecutive years for topping the album ranking for the group has reached the 10th year. Arashi is now the 2nd group/male artist to achieve it after EXILE who has topped the album ranking for 11 consecutive years.

Source: Oricon

Arashi tops the annual 'favorite artists' ranking 4 years in a row


On October 25, entertainment magazine 'Ori★Suta' revealed their 10th annual "favorite artist" ranking.

First place for this year's ranking went to none other than Arashi. With this, they have become the first artist to take first place for this ranking 4 years in a row. They have also surpassed Utada Hikaru who held the #1 title a total of 3 times.

Arashi has hosted the 'Kohaku Uta Gassen' for 4 consecutive years and held a live at the National Olympic Stadium for 6 consecutive years. The members have also been successful with their solo careers, starring in various dramas, CMs, variety programs, and movies.

The full ranking can be seen below.

1. Arashi
2. Ikimonogakari
3. Mr.Children
4. Fukuyama Masaharu
5. Yuzu
6. Utada Hikaru
7. B'z
8. Southern All Stars
9. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
10. Kobukuro
11. Amuro Namie
12. Spitz
13. Porno Graffitti
14. Momoiro Clover Z
15. Perfume
16. YUI
17. aiko
18. Kuwata Keisuke
19. EXILE
20. BUMP OF CHICKEN
Source: Oricon
Image: Johnny's net