'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.

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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

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Source: Oricon
Image: Johnny's net

Ayase Haruka & Arashi chosen as hosts for this year's Kohaku

On Oct 18th, it has been confirmed that Arashi and actress Ayase Haruka will be the chairpersons for the 64th NHK Kohaku Uta Gassen. This is the 4th consecutive year that Arashi will be the “White team” leader while this will be the first time for Ayase to lead the “Red Team”.

Ayase currently plays the lead role in NHK’s Taiga drama “Yae no Sakura“; in addition, she’s also one of the most popular actress and has been active in both TV dramas and movies. As a judge of last year’s Kohaku, Ayase is nervous to be this year’s chairman though she also said that it was her ambition to convey the splendor of music with Arashi.

On the other hand, this is the 4th consecutive year that the 5-member Arashi will host the show. Sakurai Sho commented that being the chairpersons, they were supported by all singers who participated and that they only wanted to connect to the world through songs.

In addition, Ninomiya Kazunari said that he will work hard as possible so that the singers will be able to convey their songs as easily as possible.

NHK’s New Year’s Eve song show theme will be “Uta ga koko ni aru” (A song is right here).

The 64th Kohaku Uta Gassen will be broadcasted at NHK starting at 7:15PM (JST) on Dec 31st.

Read more at Arama They Didn't: http://aramatheydidnt.livejournal.com/5084601.html#ixzz2iL0oOG4x

Matsumoto Jun encourages Morisanchu's Oshima Miyuki for 24-Hour TV marathon

On August 10, comedian trio Morisanchu's Oshima Miyuki, who will be the charity runner for this year's '24-Hour Television 36 Ai wa Chikyuu wo Sukuu' (August 24th & 25th), held a public workout in Kanagawa. Matsumoto Jun of popular group Arashi came to encourage Oshima for the second time.


Oshima, who claims to be a big fan of Arashi, ran the last 4 km (about 2.5 mi) side-by-side with Matsumoto in the 36ºC (about 97ºF) heat. She revealed, "This training is like a dream. When we were running together, I was smiling from start to finish," and said, "I have enough spirit. I absolutely want to make the goal at Budokan."

This was the first day of Oshima's 2-day training camp. In the intense heat, she ran 7 km (about 4.3 mi) in the morning and 9 km (about 5.6 mi) in the afternoon. Matsumoto was surprised at Oshima's transformation, "In the past 3 months, she become a different person. Both her weight and her frame of mind, I can see that she's gradually improving in order to run the marathon." He also commented, "I can't imagine what Oshima-san will be like when she's done running."

When Oshima first received the offer, she weighed 88 kg (194 lbs) and aimed to get her weight down to 73 kg (160 lbs). With 2 weeks left until the marathon, she explained, "I was able to get my weight down close to the goal. My body has become light." She added, "This is the first time I've been so stoic. I want to be a little more lighter, and gain a little more physical strength. I want to shed at least 2 more kilograms."

'24-Hour Television' is held every summer and this is its 36th time. The charity marathon has been running since 1992. Arashi will serve as the main personality for their 2nd consecutive year.

Source & Image: Mantan Web

Sakurai Sho Gets in Line in Raffles Hotel’s “Hall of Fame”

Singapore- Arashi‘s Sakurai Sho recently attended the premier of his upcoming movie, “Nazo toki wa dinner no ato de“, which was held in Marina bay Sands Theater. 1,500 fans attended the event where fans even sang “Meikyu Love Song” while the cast was walking on the red carpet. Together with Sakurai is Kitagawa Keiko and Shiina Kippei.

Sakurai did the stage greeting with a mixture of Malay and Singlish (Singapore-English), which was received greatly by the audience.

Aside from the movie’s premier, Sakurai’s photograph was also inducted in Raffles Hotel’s “Hall of Fame”, which includes VIPs who have stayed in this globally distinguished hotel, like: Charlie Chaplin and the British Royal Family.

Sakurai’s usual calm demeanor was broken after seeing his photograph, “I- oh–George Lucas! Err, to be with someone so amazing, it’s unbelievable.” The said hall in the hotel consists of VIP photographs who have stayed in Raffles Hotel. Sakurai used his mobile phone to take a picture of his own photograph in the hall.

“This is something I can boast to my child and grandchild. Raffles Hotel is a place basked with history and dignity; I must work harder so I can catch up with this photograph,” he commented.

There are a total of 128 photographs in the said hall, Sakurai is the second Japanese entertainer to be inducted in the hall of fame after Japanese actress, Fuji Sumiko. Sakurai stayed at the hotel for 1 night during the filming for Nazodi last year and 2 nights this time around.

“Nazo toki wa dinner no ato de” will hit the theaters in Singapore on Aug 22nd, Taiwan on Aug 9th, and Hong Kong on Sept 5th.

Nikkan Sports and Hochi Yomiuri