Kanjani8’s Ryuhei Maruyama beats former pro boxer at boxing game

Kanjani8’s Ryuhei Maruyama and his drama co-stars started punching sand bags in front of the press on June 28 to see which of them was a better boxer, reports Daily Sports Online and Walker plus news.

 

Maruyama plays a virgin learning to box in his upcoming drama series “Boys On The Run“, which is based on the manga series of the same name.  Other cast members include KAT-TUN’s Tatsuya Ueda, Akina Minami, Eriko Sato, and Takanori Jinnai.

“We’re working on a drama during a particularly tough time (with the Olympics starting in July), but I think this story is just as entertaining.  I just watched through the first episode and it’s like watching something that has so many things packed into it.  Try watching even the first episode please,” Maruyama said.

 

It has been reported during their promotional press conference in Tokyo on Thursday, a punching machine was brought out to see how good the actors were at boxing.  Special guest and former WBC bantamweight boxing champion Yasuei Yakushiji set the first record, throwing 195 punches in 30 seconds.  KAT-TUN’s Ueda scored 172 punches, while Maruyama scored 269 punches.

“I’m sorry, while watching you guys I got an idea about what works best,” he said.

 

Another question thrown at the cast was about which actress they found most attractive.

“I’d choose Shiho-san (played by Sato).  She has a kind of older-woman seductiveness, she’s open-minded.  She’s the best female character who says the right thing and it sticks in your mind, so I think that makes her a very amazing lady,” Maruyama said.

“The one lady who I can really trust as a trainer is Hana-san (played by Airi Taira), but then the ladies next to me (Minami and Sato) are really pretty too…  They’re all too beautiful that I couldn’t choose,” Ueda said.

“What are you, some pure-hearted teen idol!” Maruyama said in response to Ueda’s comment.

 

“Boys On The Run” begins on July 6.

Taisuke Fujigaya (Kis-My-Ft2) in his first drama series lead role

Kis-My-Ft2 member Taisuke Fujigaya and his upcoming drama co-stars came together to promote “Beginners” in Yokohama on June 27, reports Nikkan Sports, Sankei Sports, and Daily Sports Online.

 

The drama is set in a police boarding school.  The place is full of loser students, but every week they grow stronger and grow as people.  It is Fujigaya’s first go at a drama series lead role.

“[My character is] stupid and lame, but there’s a lot of coming-of-age drama and ambition in it,” Fujigaya said.

 

It has been reported one of the police instructor characters gives Fujigaya’s character a hard time, and there is a scene where Fujigaya gets slapped in the face for causing trouble.

“I think my parents are going to be surprised when they see it,” he said.

But the Johnny’s talent said it was also something funny to watch.

“I get beaten up every time so I hope the fans enjoy looking out for it,” he said.

 

Fujigaya’s co-stars also include his fellow Kis-My-Ft2 member Hiromitsu Kitayama and actress Ayame Gouriki.

“A lot of the cast are the same age so it was easy to become a team,” Fujigaya said.

 

It has been reported during the press conference, a cake was brought out to celebrate Fujigaya’s 25th birthday, which was on June 25.

 

“Beginners” goes on air from July 12.