January 2012
December 2011
I'm Here
Aino Minako
I'm Here by Komatsu Ayaka (Aino Minako)Dare mo kizukanai kono yume no ketsumatsu o Towa no sayonara ni obiete naite ita Ushinau koto sae kowaku wa nakatta yo Mirai wa jibun de kiri hirakeru mono da to shinjita kara Miageru hoshizora ni tsuyosa no imi o toi kaketa Furueru te o nobashi watashi wa koko ni iru Tachidomarazu aruiteku Sono saki ni tsuzuku michi wa hateshinaku Dare ni mo ienai hontou no kimochi o Jibun no sadame mo taningoto ni shika omoenakatta yo Kono mama nani mo kamo subete wasurete nemuritai Anata to sugosu hi wa hikari kagayaiteta Toki o koete mata itsuka aeru koto o shinjite hitomi tojiru Moshimo itsu no hi ka umare kawareru no nara ba Seiippai no egao de anata no soba ni yorisou Sore ga negai I'm here Hoshizora ni tsuyosa no imi o toi kaketa Furueru te o nobashi watashi wa koko ni iru Tachidomarazu aruiteku Sono saki ni tsuzuku michi wa hateshinaku Akiramezu aruiteku anata wa yuku beki michi o mayowazu niNo one noticed the demise of my dream Fearful for an eternal farewell, I cried often I wasn't even afraid of losing it. Because I believed that the future was something you found for yourself. Gazing at the starry sky, I asked what "strength" was. Stretching out my trembling hand, I am here. Without stopping, I will walk on. The road before me is endless. I can't tell anyone my true feelings. I didn't even have sympathy for my own fate. I want to forget about everything and fall asleep. The days I spent with you shined. I close my eyes, having faith that we will meet again. If I'm able to be reborn someday in the future, With a smile as big as I can make, I'll be by your side. That is my prayer I'm here I asked the starry sky what "strength" was. Stretching out my trembling hand, I am here. Without stopping, I will walk on. The road before me is endless. You continue to walk along your chosen path, without faltering.
Ayaka Komatsu 2012 Calendar
Do keep in mind that I could be reading this wrong, but I don’t think I am.
Rather than releasing a print calendar for 2012, Ayaka and her team have decided to release a digital calendar for Android devices. I don’t know if this would be available outside of Japan, but if you have an Android, give it a shot and share the wealth if you succeed! xD
See her blog for full details.
Keiko Kitagawa Reacts to Director Morita Yoshimitsu's Death
This afternoon I was astonished to learn of director Morita Yoshimitsu’s death. This astonishment and a deep grief still feel like they’re overwhelming me. A great director has been lost, leaving many people in sorrow.
Meeting director Morita at age 18 at the auditions for the movie “Mamiya Brothers”; him introducing himself to nervous me, “I’m director Morita”, with a warm smile; saying, “Please continue as an actress, okay?”, when filming ended; that day he gave me a T-shirt with “It (Kitagawa Keiko) is (always) on me (Morita)” on it; sending me mail saying, “How are you?”, sometimes; are past moments from which I remember him vividly, and each time I look back at how he was I break out in tears.
He was always a relaxing and calm presence on the set, who with his gentle smile was a really impressive person.
By always smiling, by always retaining his good sense of humour, he had a unique, one of a kind sensibility to him that I loved. I felt relieved somehow when we met, he had that strange charm about him. I wanted to meet him once more. I’m so so sorry.
He was my mentor, who taught me who knew nothing about movies and the fun of acting, who gave me a dream and an objective, and who guided me on the way. I want to say from the bottom of my heart, “Thank you for everything.”
Loved by people all over Japan, mourned by those close to him for his sudden death, I humbly give my deepest sympathies, and pray from the bottom of my heart that he will find happiness in the next world.
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According to various sources, Keiko was seen openly weeping at the director’s funeral, held on Christmas day. Afterwards, she was asked to comment. She said,
“I adored him as a precious teacher whom I owe so much and I cannot put my grief into words… […] He once told me, ‘I think you are great the way you are. Please don’t stop and continue as an actress.’ It was exactly those words that kept me going forward and… He just was a really important person in my life. I wish I could meet him once more.”
For more information on Morita Yoshimitsu, please go here. See ‘Related News.’
Keiko Kitagawa, Miki Maya & Mana Ashida for “Magic Tree House” premiere →
youtube.com
Keiko Kitagawa, Miki Maya & Mana Ashida at the premiere of Magic Tree House. Also includes video of the Christmas lights ceremony. You also get a tiny peek at the anime with Keiko and Mana’s voices! Mana’s recognizable of course, but it sounds like Keiko did a good job of adjusting her voice for the role!
Mew Azama admits she’s in a relationship with announcer Kamishige Satoshi
On November 3rd, model Azama Mew (24) attended Onward Kashiyama and Shogakukan’s collaboration fashion show, where she admitted to her rumored relationship with announcer Kamishige Satoshi (31).
Azama shared her goals for this winter by saying, “I want to try skiing and snowboarding. I can’t do it alone, so I want to go with someone who’s good at snowboarding.” Reporters seized the opening and asked, “With an announcer?” Azama hesitated for a moment before she said, “We are getting along. Are we dating? Yes.”
Azama then told the reporters that their relationship is going steady; however, there are no plans for marriage yet.
——
AAAAAAAHHHHHHH!
I am so mad I forgot to check Tokyo Hive for Mew-news. It’s so rare it often slips my mind.
Kudos to that reporter who jumped on that. I would have asked about Rika, but that’s because I am a crazed fangirl.
Also, who says going steady?
Keiko Kitagawa, Miki Maya & Mana Ashida attend stage greeting for “Magic Tree House”
On December 13th, Kitagawa Keiko, Maya Miki, and Ashida Mana attended a stage greeting for their upcoming anime film, “Magic Tree House“.
Kitagawa, who tried voice acting for the first time as the main character ‘Jack’, commented, “I did my best. I saw the original version, but it feels like my voice doesn’t belong.” Hearing this, Maya thoughtfully complimented, “I thought it was a man providing the voice, but when I found out it was Kitagawa-san, I was surprised,” to which Kitagawa replied, “Really? I’m happy.”
“Magic Tree House” is a best-selling children’s book series with over 100 million copies sold worldwide. It tells the story of siblings Jack and Annie, who discover a magical tree house and with it, embark on adventures of dreams, magic, and thrills.
“It’s an exciting movie that both children and adults can enjoy. Without thinking too much, I want people to go home with a positive attitude,” said Kitagawa.
During the stage greeting, the three actresses also held a Christmas lighting ceremony at Yokohama World Porters. “It’s already beautiful, but it’s become even more beautiful,” mused Kitagawa, while Maya stated, “It’s like a winter fireworks show.”
Other attendees included director Nishikiori Hiroshi and singer-songwriter Uemura Kana.
“Magic Tree House” will hit theaters on January 7th, 2012.
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I hadn’t realized in addition to this being her 1st seiyuu gig, that Keiko provided a voice for a boy. That’s a tough debut! I’d really like to see this movie and see how she does. Maybe this will open up a whole new career venue for her (because she needs more to do, right?)
