LAND OF NEW MOVIES

One of Japan's hit dramas of the 2008 spring season, Zettai Kareshi (a.k.a. Absolute Boyfriend) stars heartthrob Hayami Mokomichi (Tokyo Tower, Gokusen 2) as the perfect boyfriend - only he's a robot! Based on Watase Yu's popular manga, the drama follows the romantic adventures of a young woman, played by Aibu Saki from Attention Please, who finds love in an unlikely guy. Zettai Kareshi also co-stars rising actor Mizushima Hiro from Hanazakari no Kimitachi e and Kamen Rider Kabuto.

Robotics company Kronos Heaven has developed the perfect robot lover named "Tenjo Night", and temp worker Riko (Aibu Saki) gets selected for a free trial of the beta model. Not thinking much of it, Riko takes Night home and sets him up like any other electronic appliance. As time passes, however, she becomes increasingly fond of Night who is selflessly loyal and devoted to her. Next thing she knows, Riko is caught in an odd romantic triangle between dashing young executive Asamoto (Mizushima Hiro) and her robot boyfriend. ~yesasia~

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After traveling to the big screen in 2006, popular josei manga Honey and Clover was adapted for television in 2008 with a fresh new cast of young stars. Talented teen actress Narumi Riko (Shindo, How To Become Myself), popular actor Narimiya Hiroko (NANA), Harada Natsuki (Hanazakari no Kimitachi E), Mukai Osamu (Nodame Cantabile), and Johnny's idol Ikuta Toma, in his first drama after his breakout performance in Hanazakari no Kimitachi E, make up the drama's core group of bumbling, loving friends. Filled with gentle humor, aching sentiments, and youthful cheer, Honey and Clover wistfully follows five friends with very different personalities through the ups and downs of college life and young love.

Yuuta (Ikuta Toma), Takumi (Mukai Osamu), and Shinobu (Narimiya Hiroko) live together whilst studying at art college. Money is tight but they find ways to amuse themselves, especially after they are introduced to quirky first-year art prodigy Hagumi (Narumi Riko). The boyish Yuuta and brazenly charismatic Shinobu both immediately take a liking to her. Meanwhile, straight-collar Takumi is in love with the architect he works for, blind to the affections of Ayumi (Harada Natsuki) who is secretly in love with him. ~yesasia~

Nodame and Chiaki head to the City of Love in the highly anticipated television special Paris Da! Prague Da!! Gyabo!!! Nodame Cantabile in Europe which aired in Japan in January 2008. The two-part SP picks up right where the popular drama left off, with Ueno Juri's quirky piano prodigy and Tamaki Hiroshi's straight-laced aspiring conductor continuing their hilarious musical and romantic adventures in Europe. Nodame Cantabile in Europe comes to video in May, but before that fans can get an early Nodame kick with this Location Map DVD containing interviews, behind-the-scenes footage, and special commentary from Ueno Juri, the producer, and the director. ~yesasia~

A deep rotation of television heartthrobs line up for the new TBS baseball drama Rookies. Based on Morita Masanori's best-selling manga, Rookies is about a high school teacher and coach who tries to turn his delinquent students around Gokusen-style by getting them off the streets and onto his baseball team. Popular comedic actor Sato Ryuta, a familiar face to audiences from dramas like Pride, Kisarazu Cat's Eye, and Tokyo Friends, leads the star-studded cast as the coach, while top young actor Ichihara Hayato (Rainbow Song) clocks in as pitcher and lead delinquent. The rest of the batting lineup includes up-and-coming stars Koide Keisuke (Nodame Cantabile), Shirota Yu (Hanzakari no Kimitache e), Nakao Akiyoshi (Dragon Zakura), Takaoka Sousuke (Pacchigi), and Sato Takeru (Princess Princess D). ~from yesasia~

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A deep rotation of television heartthrobs line up for the new TBS baseball drama Rookies. Based on Morita Masanori's best-selling manga, Rookies is about a high school teacher and coach who tries to turn his delinquent students around Gokusen-style by getting them off the streets and onto his baseball team. Popular comedic actor Sato Ryuta, a familiar face to audiences from dramas like Pride, Kisarazu Cat's Eye, and Tokyo Friends, leads the star-studded cast as the coach, while top young actor Ichihara Hayato (Rainbow Song) clocks in as pitcher and lead delinquent. The rest of the batting lineup includes up-and-coming stars Koide Keisuke (Nodame Cantabile), Shirota Yu (Hanzakari no Kimitache e), Nakao Akiyoshi (Dragon Zakura), Takaoka Sousuke (Pacchigi), and Sato Takeru (Princess Princess D). ~from yesasia~

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Six wealthy misfit students take up mystery solving in the star-studded 2007 school drama Yukan Club. KAT-TUN heartthrob Akanishi Jin (Gokusen 2) leads the cast along with bandmate Taguchi Junnosuke and Kanjani8's Yokoyama Yu for a triple dose of Johnny's idols. Actresses Kashii Yu (Death Note), Minami (Sakuran), and Suzuki Emi (Waterboys 2) complete the photogenic line-up of eccentric characters. Based on a immensely popular shoujo manga, Yukan Club presents suspense, action, and comedy in light and leisurely portions. KAT-TUN provides the drama's hit theme song Keep the Faith.

Cool, laidback, and popular, Miroku (Akanishi Jin) doesn't care for too much in life beyond his motorcycle and dog. Thanks to his police commissioner father, he has plenty of connections and great fighting skills. Calm and collected, Seishiro (Yokoyuma Yu) rivals Miroku in family background and martial arts prowess, plus he has the brains to match. Quirky tomboy Yuri (Minami) can also hold her own in a fight, but her biggest talent and passion is eating. Raised in the traditional arts in a respected family, Noriko (Kashii Yu) has a phobia against men and would rather keep human contact to a minimal. The outgoing members of the group, campus beauty Karen (Suzuki Emi) strives to catch a rich husband, while ambassador's son Granmarie (Taguchi Junnosuke) keeps himself busy and uncommitted with a long string of girlfriends. These six unlikely friends make up President High's elite student council. With nothing better to do with their time, they form a leisure club to solve the strange mysteries that crop up around them. ~from yesasia~

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