Erika Toda photobook gets 100,000 copies in first printing

Publisher Shueisha has revealed that Erika Toda's (20) upcoming photobook "Vivace" will have an unusually large print run for its first edition - 100,000 copies. Lately, it is said that typical photobooks have initial print runs of several thousands, with the most popular actresses and idols topping out at about 50,000.

However, Shueisha is confident that Toda can sell plenty of books, given her popularity among both men and women. Males frequently see her in gravure and idol magazines, while young women view her as a leader among fashion models.

In fact, the photobook emphasizes her connection to fashion, essentially doubling as a catalog for popular brand CECIL McBEE, which was the top-selling brand at Shibuya 109 for six straight years starting in 2000. Toda was photographed in Rome and Tokyo wearing only CECIL McBEE apparel, with a focus on the brand's new spring and summer products. The clothes also include a few that Toda designed herself. Shueisha is even bundling the photobook with a special booklet for placing orders for many of the items.

The photobook goes on sale May 1 and should appeal to the younger generations with a price tag of only 980 yen.

How to Buy Vivace Photobook ? Here!

Source : TOKYOGRAPH

Oricon: ideal new co-worker

With springtime meaning lots of fresh graduates entering companies for the first time, Oricon conducted a survey of 20- to 40-year-olds, asking them which famous person they would like to have as their new co-worker. Sho Sakurai of Arashi and talento Becky took the top spots in the men's and women's rankings, respectively.

For the male rankings, one female stated that Sakurai "thinks quickly and seems like the type to remember things about work quickly." Working as a newscaster for NTV's "NEWS ZERO," Sakurai has gained a lot of attention for his opinions. In the survey, he was followed by Teppei Koike of the duo WaT and pro golfer Ryo Ishikawa.

1. Sho Sakurai
2. Teppei Koike
3. Ryo Ishikawa
4. Hiro Mizushima
5. Haruma Miura
6. Satoshi Tsumabuki
7. Yusuke Kamiji
8. Takeru Sato
9. Junpei Mizobata
10. Eiji Wentz

Among the women, Becky's regular TV appearances have given her a very cheerful image. Some of the survey takers described her as someone who can "read the situation at hand," and as someone "so lively and cheerful that it'd be a nice breath of fresh air to have her around in the company." Right behind her in the rankings were actresses Aya Ueto and Yui Aragaki.

1. Becky
2. Aya Ueto
3. Yui Aragaki
4. Maki Horikita
5. Masami Nagasawa
6. Aoi Miyazaki
7. Haruka Ayase
8. Saki Aibu
9. Erika Toda
10. Mikako Tabe

Source : TOKYOGRAPH

2009 Elan d'or Awards

The 2009 Elan d'or Awards, sponsored by the All Nippon Producers Association, were presented in Tokyo on Thursday. The highlight of the ceremony was the newcomer awards, given to six young celebrities: Eita, Meisa Kuroki, Erika Toda, Shota Matsuda, Haruma Miura, and Aoi Miyazaki.

"Okuribito" won the prize for best film, while "Atsuhime" was chosen as best drama. The respective producers of those works, Toshiaki Nakazawa and Motohiko Sano, earned Best Producer honors. Producers Masaaki Wakasugi, Junichi Kozuki, and Motohiro Matsumoto received honorable mention awards.

Special prizes were given to the late director Kon Ichikawa and the late actor Ken Ogata.

Source : TOKYOGRAPH

Drama Grand Prix: "Ryusei no Kizuna" dominates

Nikkan Sports has revealed the results of its fall 2008 Nikkan Sports Drama Grand Prix survey. The survey ran between January 6 and January 15, resulting in a total of 5,623 votes. The TBS series "Ryusei no Kizuna" proved to be the clear favorite, winning four of the five categories by very large margins.

Best Drama:

1. Ryusei no Kizuna - 3610
2. Atsuhime - 341
3. Scrap Teacher - 331
4. Bloody Monday - 316
5. Innocent Love - 199

Best Actor:

1. Kazunari Ninomiya (Ryusei no Kizuna) - 3564
2. Haruma Miura (Bloody Monday) - 604
3. Yutaka Mizutani (Aibou) - 326
4. Ryosuke Yamada (Scrap Teacher) - 275
5. Kiichi Nakai (Kaze no Garden) - 266

Best Actress:

1. Aoi Miyazaki (Atsuhime) - 2127
2. Aya Ueto (Celeb to Binbou Taro) - 1009
3. Maki Horikita (Innocent Love) - 746
4. Asami Mizukawa (Yume wo Kanaeru Zou) - 594
5. Kyoka Suzuki (SCANDAL) - 384

Best Supporting Actor:

1. Ryo Nishikido (Ryusei no Kizuna) - 2485
2. Tomokazu Miura (Ryusei no Kizuna) - 373
3. Jun Kaname (Ryusei no Kizuna) - 338
4. Masato Sakai (Atsuhime) - 237
5. Ken Ogata (Kaze no Garden) - 215
Yusuke Kamiji (Scrap Teacher) - 215

Best Supporting Actress:

1. Erika Toda (Ryusei no Kizuna) - 2916
2. Maki Horikita (Atsuhime) - 359
3. Michiko Kichise (Bloody Monday) - 355
4. Keiko Matsuzaka (Atsuhime) - 290
5. Ai Kato (Scrap Teacher) - 210

In April, after the winter drama season is over, the annual Drama Grand Prix awards will be decided.

Related Link :

• Erika Toda star in drama based on Higashino Novel : Ryusei no Kizuna
  

Source: TOKYOGRAPH