Rena Sasamoto says rumours about her dating Hiroki Uchi are a misunderstanding

Actress Rena Sasamoto (left) promoting her upcoming musical

Actress Rena Sasamoto told the press she is not dating Johnny’s talent Hiroki Uchi, reports Sankei Sports.

 

The actress was promoting her latest stage musical “Jekyll & Hyde” on March 6.  A few weeks ago, a photo of her with Uchi was published in gossip magazines.

 

It has been reported today was her first time in front of the press, who asked her, “what about that rumours of you dating someone”.

“There’s nothing to be worried about.  I’m sorry for the misunderstanding.”

 

The actress had continued to emphasise her point.

“Are you just friends,” asked one reporter.

“Yes, that’s right,” she said.

Toma Ikuta makes surprise guest appearance at girls high school

Actress Yuriko Yoshitaka tries to quieten down high school students (photo thanks to Sapporo Keizai Shimbun)

Toma Ikuta and Yuriko Yoshitaka were welcomed by screaming girls during their latest PR event for “僕等がいた (Bokura ga ita)” on March 5, reports Nikkan Sports and Sapporo Keizai Shimbun.

 

The two were surprise guests at Sapporo city’s Hokusei Gakuen Girls’ Junior & Senior High School, where the film’s producer Kei Haruna was promoting the movie.  After Mr Haruna had explained about how the movie was made, he introduced his guests.

“I’ll call on my guest now.  Please welcome them with a polite applause even if it’s only the movie’s director.”

It has been reported as Ikuta and Yoshitaka came walking down from the back of the hall, all 650 girls stood up and started screaming.

“Wow, girls schools have a lot of power,” Ikuta said.

 

The Johnny’s talent said he hoped the girls would enjoy his new movie.

“The movie’s filled with beautiful Hokkaido skies and green landscapes.  I hope you love it.  Everyone wonders what their future holds.  I hope it becomes a memorable experience for you all.  (The movie is about) what happens in the seven years from when you’re 17 to 23.  I think you’ll all understand what it means when you’re there.  It’s a bittersweet story so I hope you get to see it.”

 

“僕等がいた (Bokura ga ita)” part 1 opens in Japan cinemas on March 17, and part 2 opens on April 21.

 

Eightranger movie coming out this July

Catching up on old news… Momo

Kanjani8’s superhero concert act “Eightranger” will turn into a real feature movie to be released this summer, reports Yomiuri Online and Movie Walker.

 

The group’s “Eightranger” act was first performed during their December concert in 2005.  A parody to superhero ranger team series, the act has been a regular performance during Kanjani8 concerts for the past seven years, during which the group had created various stories.  The movie will use the concert acts as a foundation, and it will be a human drama about seven heroes living in Eight City, a metropolis in the future.  An evil organisation starts destroying this world, prompting a team of seven heroes to stand up and fight to bring back peace to their home.

 

It is the first time in five years a Johnny’s group have all starred in a feature film together.  The last was Arashi in 2007 with “黄色い涙 (Kiroi Namida, Yellow Tears)”.

 

Yu Yokoyama, who was the original brains behind Eightranger, had said he was overwhelmed with making the movie.

“I was so surprised.  I had no idea something that I was playing around with would get an opportunity like this,” he said.

 

Yokoyama also said the movie’s friendship theme was important.

“I think it’s what society needs today.  I also think people will enjoy seeing how seriously we take our fooling around.”

 

On top of this, each Kanjani8 hero’s real identity has a very real weakness.  Black Ranger (Yokoyama) has an gambling addiction, Red Ranger (Subaru Shibutani) is an alcoholic, Purple Ranger (Shingo Murakami) is too nice, Orange Ranger (Ryuhei Maruyama) is addicted to online shopping and does not like socialising, Blue Ranger (Shota Yasuda) loves anything blue and is too nice, Yellow Ranger (Ryo Nishikido) is a show-off and really stubborn, and Green Ranger (Tadayoshi Okura) can never say ‘no’ to something.  The team’s leader is legendary hero Captain Silver, played by actor Hiroshi Tachi.

 

“Eightranger” will start filming on March 6 and is expected to finish by mid-April.  The film will open in Japan cinemas on July 28.