Movie director Nasu Hiroyuki died yesterday of liver cancer at a hospital in the Tokyo suburb of Chofu. He was 53. He was known for several hit movies that starred popular idols, such as Morning Musume in “Pinch Runner” and last year’s adaptation of the hit manga “Devilman.” But his most influential film was 1985’s “Bebop High School,” another manga adaptation that starred Nakamura Toru and Shimizu Kojiro.
• The movie “Ashurajo no Hitome” closed last weekend’s Yubari International Fantastic Film Festival. Starring kabuki actor Ichikawa Somegoro (32) and actress Miyazawa Rie (photo, 32), the period/fantasy/romance story was adapted from a recent stage play of the same name. The catch phrase is “koi wo suru to, oni ni naru” (fall in love, and you will become a demon). The film will go on general release here on April 16. Producers say they would like to enter the movie at this year’s Cannes Film Festival.
• Talento, pin-up girl and the face of credit company Acom, Ono Mayumi (23) has denied rumors that she and actor Sasaki Kuranosuke (37) are planning to get married in June.