Category: Japanese

  • Itoh Tube and Yu Aoi?

    I have no idea abut this, but I ran into this story from Walkerplus~

    As most fans know, Yu Aoi is represented by Itoh Company — whatever their actual reputation is — and here comes a story with the title “Itoh Tube leaking Voyeuristic Videos of Popular Actresses!?” WHAT? I hope that by “Voyeuristic” in Kanji, they mean “insightful” otherwise… WHAT? LOL

    From what I could gather… meaning from what makes sense on the Google Translate. It seems like Itoh Company is re-vamping their YouTube Account (because prior to these random releases, their channel was rubbish) by creating a sort of a series featuring their signed artists… including Yu. It seems like those VH1 “Diary of…” where they followed x singer/group while they were preparing a concert, etc. It’s supposed to be going into the life of x idol while they go about their business and personal life… I think.

    Here’s Yu’s Itoh Tube space. There’s two videos at the moment — one of Yu’s Itoh Channel intro and her own intro *minna-san, aoi yuu desu* xD and a short Making of the latest dancing Kirin CM. I only understood, “It’s been a while since you last dance” or something like that.

    I’m impressed at how she manages to change her voice when talking and sponsoring. One seems very serious and even very grown-up, and then she goes on her “work voice” totally high and chirpy. Like two different people. LOL

    What you think?

  • Kazuraki Adobe Font

    kazuraki-adobe-001

    Adobe’s Type team has developed a typeface called Kazuraki, inspired by the calligraphy of 12th century poet Fujiwara-no-Teika. While it may not be wise to use this for book content, it’s worth a spazz at the idea that it could be used on movie posters, movie titles, book covers, and many other pieces of copy.

    It’s gorgeous.

    kazuraki-adobe-002

    More info at the Japan Society of Northern California.

  • Yu Aoi for Shiseido Shampoo – Tsubaki CM + Photos

    I wasn’t gonna post this CM, but Yu’s blog was updated with a couple snaps from it. Why so important? Because it’s Yu in trousers, shirt and a tie, and such very long hair.

    Seems a waste to have her only for a few frames on this CM. LOL

    but then again, I’m biased.

    Also, I know guys love silky long hair… so you can’t get better than Yu Aoi’s hair for a shampoo commercial. Shampoo Commercial Hair is surreal.

    photos after the break
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  • Otouto – Younger Brother Trailer

    This does not compute.
    Yu Aoi as a bride? LOL

    Actually, film looks interesting (even without subs), though… random question~

    Is Ryo Kase Koharu’s (Yu Aoi) friend or husband-to-be? I couldn’t make it out on the scene. And I know Nippon Cinema says it’s her friend, but their scene seemed too close to be just friends. Over-reading! You can tell I’m starving for a new film.

    [iframe width=”480″ height=”360″ src=”https://www.nipponcinema.com/v2/play.swf?config=https://www.nipponcinema.com/cfg/ototo-trailer]

    Also, aoinohoho has a video of the Otouto press conference.

  • Yu Aoi Film Discussion – Tokyo! – Shaking Tokyo

    Woah, long time~ Has it been two months already? Well, I thought since One Million Yen has come out (finally!) with English subtitles on an “official” release, that I’d give this a push. I know most of you would have seen Tokyo!, Hyakuman-en and Honokaa Boy by now, but we’re trying to space them out because there hasn’t been any new project announcement since Otouto, which opens this coming January.

    In the meantime, you’ll have to enjoy these things.

    Here we go~~~

    Something about the film:
    Tokyo! Is the short film anthology by Michel Gondry, Leos Carax and Bong Joon-ho, in which they tell three different stories related to the city.

    Genre: Drama
    Starring: Ayako Fujitani, Ryo Kase, Ayumi Ito, Satoshi Tsumabuki, Denis Lavant, Julie Dreyfus, Teruyuki Kagawa, Yu Aoi, Naoto Takenaka
    Segments: Interior Design (Gondry), Merde (Carax), Shaking Tokyo (Bong)
    Duration: Nearly 2hr

    Below, overall film and Shaking Tokyo minor spoilers~

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  • Experiment Awards’ 2006

    First, let me begin saying that I thought 2006 was a great year to watch films. Also, funny thing to point out — it was really, and I mean… REALLY tough to pick my Best Supporting Actress picks~

    Many of my favorite films have a 2006 tag in them, so this list might seem a little bias, even though I really tried hard to not be. You might noticed how hard I tried not to be bias. LOL — check the Best Actress category~

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  • More Yu Aoi for Club Keiba CM and Ads

    You’ve seen this.

    I’ve found a new Club Keiba CM, plus photos — and also decided to post other Club Keiba printed ads. Club Keiba should be paying me for this post, but I’m an idiot. LOL

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  • Academy Awards 2009-2010 Updates

    Let’s see~~~ There’s 65 Countries competing for 5 spots on the Foreign Film category this time around, from which I have seen… around… TWO, hahaha. I’ve seen only Madeo (Mother) from Korea, and La Teta Asustada (Milk of Sorrow) from Peru. But I’m watching No Puedo Vivir Sin Ti from Taiwan this weekend~

    Also want to watch Mei Lanfang (Forever Enthralled) from China, The White Ribbon from Germany, and Dare mo Mamotte Kurenai (Nobody to Watch Over me) from Japan. I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to find some of those Asian contenders if I look hard enough…

    On Animated news~ apparently there are 20 Animated Features that could compete for possible 5 spots for Best Animated Feature. Among these 20 animated films? The kind of Peruvian The Dolphin – Story of a Dreamer. Yup, that’s right. From these 20 films, 7 have yet to be released in the US market (including Dolphin), in the case they can’t meet the deadline, they wouldn’t be able to compete.

    There should be at least 16 films that meet the requirement, otherwise we’d be stuck with the 3 regular nominations, which wouldn’t be bad… we just have to be more picky. LOL

    From those 20, I’ve seen 5… Coraline, Mary and Max, Monsters vs. Aliens, Ponyo, and UP. And I plan to watch 9 (Nine) over the weekend~~~ so I’ll let you know how that goes~

  • Experiment Awards’ 2005

    I should be really working on these more often because there are 3 more left before I get to choose the ones from 2009~~~ This time around, I kind of feel like i didn’t get to watch many good films. It was really tough to find 3 animated films to include, and considered to just choose two instead, but I found 3 xD so I hope it’s not mostly filler~

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  • CatchPlay Taiwan for One Million Yen Girl with English Subs!

    YesAsia keyword alerts suck. LOL

    CatchPlay Taiwan has released One Million Yen Girl with English Subtitles on Region 3, if anyone is interested. I will wait a month or so, in case a Hong Kong version shows up — though both would be Region 3 DVDs. In any case, I need to make a bigger order if I want to get it.

    If you enjoyed One Million Yen Girl, you should buy the film =D

    you know, to support Yu’s career, and that whole “she can carry a film on her own” concept.

    Plus, it’s English subs, man!!! You need to be supporting Yu Aoi English Subbed projects~