Hiroki Nakadoi to take Lead in drama

They are conquering the drama world by storm.

This time Lead leader, Hiroki Nakadoi, has been chosen to play ace gymnast in a new drama, Tumbling. The drama starts in April on TBS.

The drama is a comedy about a boys gymnastics team. Also starring is Yusuke Yamamoto, Kouji Seto, Shouhei Miura, Takahiro Nishijima (AAA), Azusa Okamoto and introducing a new face, Rei Okamoto.

Hiroki was chosen for the role because in every drama that he has appeared in he has played a high school student.

“Although I don’t have a lot of experience in doing dramas and I am really nervous about this one, I am thankful for this role that will let me use my athletic ability. I’ll give this my all,” said Hiroki with a lot of enthusiasm.

Lead will also be having their fan club event this summer, Leaders Party 7, starting 3/27.

If you didn’t know Hiroki is also a B-boy, so doing all those gymnastic moves should be easy. I’m happy that they chose him to play a lead role.

Lead Upturn 2009 Dance cut

source: natalie

Filed under: Avex Entertainment, Drama, Entertainment, Events, J-Pop, Japanese entertainment, News, Vision News, aaa, aszua okamoto, hiroki nakadoi, j-drama, kouji seto, Lead, rei okamoto, shouhei miura, takahiro nishijima, vision factory, wfl, yusuke yamamoto

Shinya Taniuchi is Leading the Shinsengumi

Shinya Taniuchi of J-Pop group Lead is starring in the drama adaptation of Shisengumi Peace Maker. The comic was popularized a few years ago and is the prequel to “Peace Maker Kurogane.” This live action drama has a pretty amazing ikemen cast.

This is the story of a young boy, Tetsunosuke Ichimura (Suga Kenta), who wants to join the Shinsengumi after witnessing the death of his parents by Choshu rebels before the Meiji Restoration.

Shinya plays Toshizou Hijikata, the ‘demon’ of the Shinsengumi. He accepts Tetsunosuke’s acceptance into the Shinsengumi, but as his page. While he is a major player during those times, we have yet to see how the drama will play out the role. The story revolves around Tetsunosuke and thus far have not seen much of this character.

Also joining Shinya is fellow Takoyaki Boys member, Yusuke Izaki from FLAME. He plays Sanosuke Harada, one of three members who befriend and look after Testu. Yuuta Furukawa joins as Tatsunosuke Ichimura, accountant for the Shinsengumi and Tetsu’s older brother.

D-Boys members Tomo Yanigishita plays Souji Okita, the Shinsengumi’s #1 swordsman; Hirofumi Araki as Choshu rebel leader, Toshimaru Yoshida.

Yuuta Furukawa

Tomo Yanigishita

Hirofumi Araki

Filed under: Drama, Entertainment, J-Pop, Japan, Japanese entertainment, Models, News, Vision News, d-boys, flame, hirofumi araki, Lead, shinya taniuchi, tomo yanigishita, vision factory, wfl, yusuke izaki, Yuuta furukawa

Spend a Summer Day & Night Fever with Lead

If you didn’t get to see Lead this summer, then why not have them for a whole night? Lead will be releasing their Upturn 2009 tour Summer Day & Night Fever.

release date: 2009.12.09
4600yen ($50.36)
Pre-order: CDJ | Amazon Japan

While I’m still prone to their 2007 live dvd, I’m looking forward to this years tour.

Filed under: Entertainment, J-Pop, Japan, Japanese entertainment, New Releases, News, Vision News, Lead, night fever, summer day, upturn 2009, vision factory

Lead’s Akira Kagimoto & TOMMY collboration

Akira Kagimoto revealed on his blog that the collaboration he did with TOMMY is now coming to an end and that orders will end at the end next month for the parka.

“Lately, it’s been cold and I’ve been wearing short sleeves.“

He then had Shinya pose along with himself, check it out.

He also wants you to buy the parka too, while you still can.

source: akira blog

Filed under: Entertainment, Fashion, J-Pop, Japan, Japanese entertainment, Vision News, Akira Kagimoto, Lead, shinya taniuchi, TOMMY, vision factory

J-Pop has its Takoyaki boys and then some

Akira of Lead and fellow member Shinya had a little takoyaki party with the Izaki brothers (FLAME).

While Yusuke and Hisato Izaki are busy making the food, Akira sat back, relaxed as the two ‘experts’ in making takoyaki show off their skills (aka let them do all the work, while he just waits to eat).

Shinya did lend a helping hand, but Akira explains that, “the Izaki brothers are very serious when they make takoyaki,” and also explains that they have the ‘Hiten Mitsurugi-ryu’ when it comes to handling a knife. If you don’t know that reference, go watch Rurouni Kenshin.

source: akira’s blog

Filed under: Entertainment, gossip, J-Pop, Japan, Japanese entertainment, Vision News, Akira Kagimoto, anime, flame, hisato izaki, izaki brothers, izaki twins, Lead, manga, rurouni kenshin, shinya taniuchi, takoyaki brothers, vision factory, wfl, yusuke izaki

Lead’s mini live cut short!

So Lead, just released their new single “GIRA GIRA Romantic” and held a mini release live along with a handshake event to celebrate their new single. Three thousand fans showed up at Lazona Plaza in Kawasaki to see their four favorite boys in action.

Although, due to the unbearable heat, the mini live was cut down to 25 minutes. The guys were sweating up a storm and were told they had to cut the show short. It’s OK though, they did a handshake event that had over 1100 fans show. It was quite funny at the end, as the last girl had 5 tickets, so she went and made 5 rounds to boys. It was cute though, it showed how much she loved the boys and how to make Akira playful. The last round she made, he just stood there, as if he was just gonna let her through and not even touch her. But then he smiled and shook her hand one last time, as all of them did.

Imagine standing there for 3 1/2 hours or so and shaking 1100 hands. I don’t know about you, but I think I would have kept a hand santizer with me.

Doing handshake events is hard. I give artists props for standing there and bearing with the fact that they have to stand there for hours and touch strangers. Even though the Japanese staff push you on, it’s to keep the line going (that and they don’t want you chit chatting with the artist). It’s all in good fun?

Set List:
1. Manatsu no Magic
2. Show Me the Way
-MC-
3. GIRA GIRA Romantic

Also, Lead will be doing a mini live in Odaiba at Fuji TV Land for “Kai! Music Show” on 8/8 and 8/9, starting at 4PM. In order to get into the event, you need to have a ticket that came with the new single.

Lead backstage after the Osaka cd release event.

thanks to akkun for the photos.

Filed under: Drama, Entertainment, Events, Issues, J-Pop, Japan, Japanese entertainment, News, Vision News, gira gira romantic, Lead, mini live, release event