Actor Fujiki Naoto (photo, 32) is to get his first job hosting a TV show when he takes over the new version of “Oshare Kankei.” The long-running talk show, which has been on Nippon TV since 1974, will be renamed “Oshare-ism” and will air on Sunday nights from April 10. The show has been hosted since 1994 by Furutachi Ichiro (50), who recently took over as anchor on Houdou Station news show on TV Asahi, and assisted by Watanabe Marina. Their roles will be taken over by Fujiki and Mori Izumi (22), model and grand-daughter of designer Mori Hanae, in her first regular TV spot. Ueda Shinya (34) of the comedy duo Cream Stew will also be a regular, his first solo gig.
• A new anime version of “Hokuto no Kobushi” (Fist of the North Star) will feature Abe Hiroshi (40) narrating the role of Kenshiro. Popular actress and singer Shibasaki Kou (23) will make her “seiyuu” debut in the feature, scheduled for release in 2006. All five series of the popular manga will be made for film or video release by 2008.