Dear Friends Theme Song [Dec. 15, 2006]

   The Dear Friends official site has semi-updated the main page! Now you can tune in to hear a snippet of the theme song by a presently unknown artist. No biggie, she sings really well and I hazard to guess that the title of the song is indeed "Dear Friends." I thanks God, Yoshi decided to go with an artist other than Misono. The song is very nostalgic of the sad songs that usually accompany a movie like Dear Friends.

Dear Friends Site Update! [ Dec. 9, 2006]

    The Dear Friends official site has FINALLY been updated to include a bangin' new layout and information regarding the storyline and cast. Keiko looks SEXY! The movie and original story was written by Yoshi and the movie itself was directed by Kazuya Morosawa who is famous for his Jdrama work!





 

Yaguchi Hitori  [Dec. 6, 2006]

   Keiko will make a guest appearance on the Japanese late night talk show Yaguchi Hitori with Gekidan Hitori and Yaguchi Mari for Dear Friends promotion work. It will air on January 30th and  it's Keiko's first talk show appearance so, as stated in her blog, she was definitely nervous. She had a really good time so keep your eyes peeled for this talk show appearance. As soon as Ryuu can get his hands on it you better believe IKK will have it available for download so be sure to check back here over the next couple of days.





 

Stardust Christmas Project 2006  [Dec. 4, 2006]

Stardust Promotion is making their fan's dreams come true by launching it's Christmas Project 2006. Boasting the lovely catch phrase of "Merry Christmas from Stardust," through this site some lucky fans could win a chance to receive a gift, letter, or video card from your favorite Stardust performer! And guess who is listed? KEIKO! Woot! I'm not sure how you sign up but wouldn't it be awesome to win?! Unfortunately, only people who live in Japan can enter so unless you're a resident of Japan you are SOL. But anyway, Stardust Section 3 has finally began a little advertising for Dear Friends, using the movie poster and linking to Keiko's Section 3 profile. It's a little, but it's a start. I can't wait till mid-December! Keiko goodies galore are sure to come!

REAL G Magazine  [Dec. 4, 2006]

   Stardust Promotion is starting a new magazine called REAL G. It looks like this magazine is to feature Stardust performers only with special interviews, photo shoots, and information on upcoming movies. In honor of Dear Friends, Keiko will be appearing along side her costar Yuika Motokariya  for a special photo shoot called "Prizma X Keiko and Yuika." Even though Ichihara Hayato  graces the cover, at the bottom Keiko's name appears in kanji along side "PrizamaX." I suppose you can say that Keiko is clearly climbing the Stardust ladder if her name is used as attraction, ne? This magazine will go on sale officially January 23, 2007, but people who live in Japan can preorder it by mail! ^_^

Dear Friends Teaser Trailer and Magazine Interviews

FINALLY, the Dear Friends site has been updated with what Yoshi's site was boasting for almost a week--- a teaser trailer! Yes! Keiko looks sexy and distressed at the final scream at the end. I can't WAIT for this movie to come out! AHHHHH! In Keiko's most recent blog entry she's posing with Yuika Motokariya (Maki) for an upcoming appearance in a new Japanese magazine called, Real G. A weird name but maybe we can hope for a cover appearance? Also, keep your eyes open for a Dear Friends interview to be featured in the December issue of Nihon Eigo navi so be sure to buy it! IKK's Shopping Guide has been refined to include more ordering information. Click on the picture to the left for an enlarged picture of the Dear Friends movie poster. *sniffles* She cries!

Dear Friends Completion! [October 27, 2006]

FINALLY Dear Friends is finished filming and the movie is set to come out February 3, 2006! woot! It's only been a month but it> seems like forever, ne? A lot has been going of for Keiko but since the movie is finished this marks the first lull in career movement since Keiko wrapped up PGSM and began Mizu ni Sumu Hana.

     Lol, 'cause in case you haven't noticed, IKK has more than tripled in size since it's debut in October of last year MOSTLY because Keiko was doing things back to back to back. Seriously!  Mamiya, Tokyo Drift, Heat Island, and Dear Friends were practically filmed back to back! I wonder how she fit in school work, interviews, and TV spots but chick sure did it and I'm proud of her!

   Now with her eyes turned towards acting let's cheer Keiko on as her lead role in Dear Friends is sure to draw more attention than the indies film Cherry Pie! With appearances by Kidawada Masaya (our dear Motoki for Pretty Guardian Sailor Moon) in blonde hair and blue contacts you KNOW Dear Friends will entertain to the fullest.  Go Rina, GO!



 

Keiko as Nao [movie info source]

According to dchart, BEEF, and Kayruudan  from IKK forums (and yeah, technically according to Keiko's Blog) Keiko landed herself the role of a girl named Nao in a new film called Heat Island based on a book of the same title written by Kakine Ryuosuke. You'll probably remember that she read the book a while back....now we know she wasn't just doing it for fun. ^_^ Heat Island

     The premiere is set for early summer 2007! Looks like we have a while to wait....hope it's worth it. The story is basically about a street gangster (Shirota Yu) who moves around Shibuya (a district in Tokyo) causing trouble, I suppose? He accidentally obtains a large sum of money that actually belongs to a crime group. The money was taken by an illegal casino operated by the Yakuza so now both groups are after the boy. Sounds suspenseful. But seeing how I got next to no information of the other members of the cast it is safe for me to assume that this movie might be on the same low budget scale of Mizu ni Sumu Hana. At least THAT was interesting.....somehow Heat Island is turning up NOT to be.... The information I've been able to gather on it is pretty vague.... Besides starring Keiko it also stars (Japanese way with last name first of course)  Shirota Yu, Kimura Ryo, Urata Naoya, ect. Why is she the only chick?! O_O

Interviews/ Appearances (order a copy yourself! ^_^) [BEEF] [September 1, 2006]

SEVENTEEN NO.22 "Kitagawa Keiko's Beauty Honey" 9月1日 on sale
Nikkei entertainment!　★8月16日 on sale (movie supplement)
ROADSHOW　★8月21日 on sale
Eigahiho　★8月21日 on sale
BIDAN 10月 issue "HIT people"　★9月1日 on sale
Kinema Junpo　★9月5日 on sale (actress feature)
MORE 11月 issue "NEW STAR interview"　★9月28日 on sale
DAZED&CONFUSED JAPAN #52　★10月12日 on sale

Book Deal and Secret Movie [September 1, 2006]

     Keiko has a book being released on September 8th entitled " STYLISH STREET BOOK: I went to Hollywood" On top of that she has another movie coming out called "Cherry Pie" in which she plays the lead role as Kiyohara and is set to premiere October 7th. This, I believe, is not the movie she was talking about that she's going to be filming after "Heat Island." She will be starring next to fellow Stardust member Takezai Terunosuke (Mizu ni Sumu Hana). So far that is three more movies plus the Japanese premiere of Wild Speed x 3: Tokyo Drift that Keiko has tucked under her belt after her Hollywood debut! All of this before her 20th B-day, Good job Keiko-chan!


from the movie "Cherry Pie"

Mizu ni Sumu Hana DVD Release [September 1, 2006]

Mizu ni Sumu Hana is set for DVD release on September 20, 2006. You can pre order your own copy here:  http://www.amazon.co.jp/gp/product/B000GIXUEE/503-8111423-7532705 unfortunately, there are no English subtitles but you can bet your bottom dollar SOMEONE will do the hard subs and I'll be sure to try my hardest to make it available here for download. ^_^

Release Dates [July 7, 2006]

Mizu ni Sumu Hana is set for DVD release on September 20, 2006 and Wild Speed x 3: Tokyo Drfit (FFTD) is set to enter Japanese theaters on September 16, 2006.

To pre-order your copy of Mizu ni Sumu Hana see here: http://www.amazon.co.jp/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000GIXUEE/qid%3D1152141720/249-7056390-8014724 if you can read and understand Japanese. ^_^;;

And it's GOOD! [April 27, 2006]

 Let's just say, Izzy has maaaad connections. He just happened to ask this guy what he thought of Keiko when he interviewed her. I'm totally jealous. lol Below is commentary made on Keiko's English by that dude who interviewed her for some magazine. Don't know much about him yet, but keep your eyes on the forums to find out more information on this topic as it comes along! ^_^  And I quote:

>I have to wait another 2 weeks before I get my final okay + details on
>the magazine article. However, until then I will upload all the PGSM
>location tour stuff + pictures. Just working on the wording and layout
>right know.
>
>
>> I'm impressed too. Her English is incredibly good.
>> I sure as heck haven't anywhere near her amount of
>> clue in Japanese, that's for certain.
>
>Yes, and what's even more impressive is that she is able to actually
>speak English fluently and without the heavy Japanese accent. The
>interview was done mostly in English - the questions asked in English
>and the answers given by her in English, putting my Japanese to shame.
>All I could do was to add in a "sugoi" or "sou desu ne" every once in
>a while. I have to say I'm more than impressed -- I'm overwhelmed with
>strange emotions taking control of my brain :-) There's really nothing
>standing between her and a Hollywood career. She just has to do it.
>
>-Kagemusha

     I'm sure his name isn't really Kagemusha..probably some screen name but this is some interesting stuff. For all of you losers complaining about her English, there you go. Now just hold your breaths and wait till the June release and judge for yourself but IKK will be ALL over that movie when it comes out, FOR SURE! lol, For Keiko to hold her own so well, no matter HOW hard she is on herself certainly explains how she knocked down another actress for her part. ESPECIALLY with good english. Ladies and germs, this COULD mean more lines! o_O ack! yay! HOLLYWOOD!

Feel the Drift [April 20, 2006]

   I don't know about you guys, but I really don't know much about drifting. And with there being a movie about it, well, wouldn't you wanna know  how it's done? How about who's helping to make it crazy popular? Meet, Ken Gushi (19), who is probably the most daredevil Japanese beast man on the face of the earth. He's got a shoe named for him AND he's cute! XD

The Journal Gazette
Drifting to mainstream
Fledgling motor sport melds speed, brakes, finesse

By Ryan Pearson
Associated Press

     LONG BEACH, Calif. – Ken Gushi was 15 the first time he got arrested for reckless driving. He was doing doughnuts at an empty parking lot when the cops showed up and revoked his learner’s permit for three years.

    The second arrest came a year later, at age 16, when he was already a rising star in the Japanese-born motorsport of drifting – an oddly balletic blend of speed, style and smoke. He whipped his dad’s 1992 Nissan 240SX around a right turn at 90 mph. A patrol car followed. Lights, sirens. Busted. “Get out of the car! What do you think you’re doing?” Gushi recalls the deputy asking. “Let me see your license, insurance, registration.” License? Oh. That. With driving privileges suspended another three years, Gushi got his friends to drive him to race tracks, where he could burn rubber and careen around corners without a license and without fear of arrest.

     Gushi – along with his sport – was going legit. For the uninitiated, witnessing a drift race for the first time from anywhere near the track certainly feels unsafe. Modified and supercharged Vipers, Pontiac GTOs, Corollas and 240SXs whip around corners at speeds of 60-plus mph into what appear to be uncontrolled slides. They’re fishtailing, or as drifters say, powersliding. Smoke from tires consumes the track as cars float dangerously near concrete walls. Drivers then pull out of slides using a mind-boggling combination of sudden finesse steering, left-foot braking, emergency braking, gas and perhaps a bit of luck. And then the rear of each car swings out in the other direction. The sensation that a crash is imminent swells all over again. And crashes do happen. “We concentrate on speed as well as angle, speed aggressiveness, the crowd-pleasing factor: hitting walls, getting close to walls, smoking a lot,” Gushi explained.

     Now 19, Gushi is a baby-faced star of the Formula Drift series, an effort to organize and mainstream the sport. He was signing autographs recently at the Long Beach Grand Prix street track, where the series kicked off its third season this month in front of nearly 10,000 people. In between posing for pictures with fans, Gushi stopped to assess his current driving habits. He peaks out at 40 mph on freeways, he says. “I can’t take it just driving straight. It feels weird. And it feels unsafe, too.” To up the ante, drifters race in tandem battles, with one car following the other, sometimes just inches apart. Of course, they also collide. In a tandem battle in Long Beach, Gushi knocked the bumper off competitor Hiro Sumida’s car.

     All part of the fun in a sport that seems determined to ruin as many cars as possible. And isn’t the tantalizing lure of the crash and the near-crash what draws fans to races in the first place? Jim Liaw, who helped found Formula Drift, thinks so. Fans of NASCAR, Formula One, Baja and rally racing would all at least get a kick out of drifting if they only knew about it. When Liaw has shown images of the sport to such enthusiasts, he said, “It’s just like a light bulb goes off in their head. If we could get this seen, there’d be a much bigger audience than just the tuner car subculture.” For now, though, that’s where drifting lives – in a world populated largely by teenagers and people in their 20s who play at the sport in video games and watch underground DVDs from Japan.

     But now Hollywood is looking to cash in, setting the third “The Fast and the Furious” movie, due in theaters June 16, in the drifting capital of Tokyo. The race industry is reacting. In Northern California, a track near Tracy is adding a dedicated drifting space, to open May 1 as part of its expansion. “When we were laying out the track here we said we think drifting is going to be around a while,” said John Condren, CEO of Altamont Motorsports Park. “It’s been probably one of the fastest-growing segments of the motorsports industry.” The Formula Drift Championship series this year heads to Chicago. Top-tier racers from Japan’s D1 are now competing in the U.S., where they say the skill level is rising. And drifting has drawn talented drivers from other auto disciplines, such as rally racer Rhys Millen, 33.

     “This sport will teach you a bag of tricks that’s not applied in any other form of motorsport,” Millen said. “It’s so challenging, and so rewarding when you get it right.” Millen, who won the Formula Drift championship last year and does stunt driving in “Furious,” insists that although the winner in a drift contest isn’t necessarily who finishes first, “it’s still focusing on speed. Although we’re sliding our cars through the corners, we’re still trying to be as quick and clean as we can,” he said. “This is racing.”

     And now, even the youngest drifters can do it without worrying about the authorities. Gushi picked up his driver’s license last year.

http://www.fortwayne.com/mld/journalgazette/living/14386286.htm  

Ready...Set.....GO! [April 13, 2006]

Tsumabuki Says Go! to Hollywood

    "Actor Tsumabuki Satoshi (25) is to make his Hollywood debut in the latest sequel to "The Fast and The Furious". Known in Japan as "Wild Speed x 3 - Tokyo Drift", the movie is about the local drift racing scene and set almost entirely in the capital. Tsumabuki plays a race starter and spent a week in LA filming several early scenes, though he has only one line - "Go!" The part is said to have been created for the popular young actor, described by director Justin Lin as "unbelievably handsome", after plans for him to have a bigger role fell through.

    He and former "Seventeen" model Kitagawa Keiko - who has appeared in several Sailor Moon movies - are the only Japanese actors included in the cast list. Incidentally, a quick read of the storyline on the IMDB website raises questions of authenticity (US military officer living in "a cramped apartment in a low-rent section of Tokyo"! If you want to see for yourself, the movie is due to open during the summer."

http://www.japan-zone.com/news/archives/2006_04_11.shtml#000891

                                                                             *        *         *

    Wow! How sad is THAT! Poor, sexy Satoshi-kun. Actor in numerous movies and TV shows only to make an American debut saying, "GO!" Don't believe me? Watch the trailer for TD, you'll see I'm not lying.

     There are two things that disturb me about this article. 1.) That Satoshi and Keiko are the only Japanese people included in the cast list. Really, Tokyo Drift without Japanese people?! Just like Memoirs of a Geisha, TD's cast is mostly Chinese. *sighs* 2.) It lists Keiko as a FORMER Seventeen model. If that doesn't get to ya, I don't know what will. Yes, Keiko hasn't appear in ST for a while, but to call it....."former"?! I'm dying! Unless she's moving up to PINKY like her fellow sailor senshi, Mew Azama, this is sore news indeed.

Keiko speaks out! [April 9, 2006]

     Lookit! In a recent blog entry Keiko denies her association with Yamapi. NOW, those of you who are familiar with IKK will already know about the Rumors section does a detailed analysis of the pretty old rumor. Now, as much as I like to fantasize of Keiko finding true love, even I know where to draw the line. I would LOVE to see those two together BUT after some psycho Yamapi fans blew up Keiko's blog comments section with reference to the rumor, Keiko decided it was an issue that needed to be addressed. Now, notice how (a) she doesn't mention the name of who it may concern outright and (b) she explains it in a clear and simple way not to allow any misconceptions. Smart girl.

     Let me stress that this whole Keiko<3 Yamapi thingy is just a RUMOR! RUMOR! Do you read me? RUMOR!!!!!!!!! So don't take it to heart (which sort of throws of my Rumors section now, ne?) Since Keiko herself just came out and addressed the issue herself and denied it, *sighs* just take her word for it and say "okay", okay? *weeps* There goes my fantasy! *sighs* Ignorance is bliss ne? Damn you Yamapi stalkers!!!!!!! How DARE you antagonize Keiko!!!!! Well, it was nice to hope. I STILL think in the back of my mind that the kissy pic was no joke, but ehh, let's say nay for now. I'll keep the rumors section open but it has officially expired for additional information as of  this day. Sorry for all of you who liked the page. But BEEF is right, time to call it quits. ^_^

For the Losers and the Fans [April Fools! 2006]

      Once again, Google is my friend! Now, for all of you "keiko-won't-have-a-significant-role-in-tokyo-drift" loser people, here, Keiko is listed on the Yahoo Movie section devoted to Tokyo Drift. On the SHORTENED list, mind you. Obviously she's got more than a few lines. (catch my drift...lol....get it?)

     For the fans, just thought you ought to know that this site revealed that the band, Rip Slyme will be singing the theme song, "Hey, Brother," for the movie! Yay! Don't know much about them, but I GUESS they're good. ^_^






 

I <3 Karyuudan!!!! [March 17, 2006]

     Once again I was beat by the King of "keiko-nites." Karyuudan got his hands on the trailer first (darn you! lol) for Tokyo Drift. Look it!



     If you cannot see Keiko you are not a fan! Lol, she only appears for like, 2 seconds but who freakin' cares! She's in the movie gosh darnit! The trailer is maad hot. Lol, "speed needs no translation." Check it out for yourselves on the official site.

Also, Minako <3 Rei from Shingetsu Forums as well, put up this link for the Mamiya Kyoudai promotional conference:

http://www.mainichi-msn.co.jp/entertainment/geinou/graph/20060313_2/

Keiko looks GORGEUOS! Geez, I'm way in over my head with work to do! Wait till you guys see the reconstructed Gallery, I'm not even kidding.

It's Official! [March 15, 2006]

     It's official! I don't know how long its been up but The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift now has an official site so keep your eyes open! Sadly, there's nothing to see but flashing words. *rolls eyes* hopefully they'll step their game up soon. ^_^

Keiko's Blog and Tani? [March 14, 2006]

     Keiko's blog of now official! Yay! With a new layout and avatar it is looking awesome. For those of you who haven't been following her blog ( I honestly don't know why! Her blog is sooooo interesting! And the pictures! o_O) Keiko is in Japan for a little while. She did some modeling for an upcoming ST photo shoot and some promotional work for Mamiya Kyoudai. If I read correctly, I believe the character she is playing in the movie is a girl named Yumi Honma! ^_^

     About Tani. Well, after doing some in depth research on The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo Drift (TD), I noticed some stuff. On a couple of movie search sites that keep good track of movies, in the original script for TD, a girl named Tani (the Drift King's girlfriend) was the Shaun's (main character) love interest. Tani is this stunning Japanese beauty who goes to the same school as Shaun in Tokyo. In later script developments, Tani got replaced by another character (Neela-->Nathallie Kelly is the object of affection now).

     Now, Tani could still be in the posse that hangs out with the heroes as a fellow classmate or drift racer. So what does this have to do with Keiko? When the rumor of Keiko's role in the TD was first proven through an article featured on Yahoo Japan, it said her character "surrounds" the heroes. Would it be wrong for me to assume that she could have been given the role of the Japanese beauty, Tani? Don't get all excited now, lol, I could be DEAD wrong. ^_^

---[EDIT]----
     Okay, I guess I'm just wrong! Lol, gosh I suck at gathering info! Everyone else gets it first!!!!! Anywho, Turns out Keiko's character's name could be Reiko (which is a funny reminiscing of Reiko Mars from PGSM) and RUMOR, she could be Bow Wow's girlfriend in the movie. That I find less than likely, but whatever.

MAMIYA KYOUDAI !!!! [March 4, 2006]

    Thanks to both Minako-Mars and Karyuudan from the Shingetsu forums for discovering the the soon to be official site of Keiko's second movie (After Mizu ni Sumu Hana and before Tokyo Drift) Mamiya Kyoudai! Be sure to view the teaser trailer they have up, Keiko looks so cute! ^_^

MYSTERY PICTURES [February 8, 2006]

----[edit]----

    Well, well, well, right when I think Keiko can't surprise me anymore, she goes and gets herself a blog! Well, that certainly explains every thing..... Behold Keiko's blog and a new section in the Goodies part called Keiko: Up Close and Personal, check it out!

    These pictures were posted in the Shingetsu Forums by Karyuudan. I wonder where they're from. I'm hoping they're' from a photo shoot for a magazine other than ST! *gasp* or maybe a photo book! How about  a calendar? Lol, I know, very unlike Keiko. Still, Israel says he recognized the way in back of Keiko as from Non-no magazine......and one of the photographers as one maybe from ST. Lol, I hope he's wrong. Cross your fingers for a cover appearance on H magazine...or a feature in S Cawaii!

 

PRODUCTION STILLS [February 5, 2006]

       The following pictures I found featured on various movie search databases online. So far, these are the only production photos that are available right now. No Keiko, but still very cool to look at! ^_^

   

MORE TOKYO DRIFT [February 3, 2006]

  This picture was posted by Minako mars from Shingetsu Forums! Lol, good stuff, it is an article from a Japanese magazine about Keiko's role in the movie, I suppose.