A veteran of over 300 movies, Osugi Ren (53) is to finally get the spotlight all to himself. In “Life on the Longboard” he will play his first sole starring role, as a man who feels lost after taking early retirement, only to find a new lust for life in surfing. Osugi has had starring roles a couple of times before, but always sharing the limelight with at least one other actor. The “man of many faces” was the natural choice for director Kita Ichiro, even though he had no experience of surfing. Normally, an actor would have time to learn the ropes before shooting, but a tight schedule meant Osugi had just five hours, and that was in between shoots! But the high-school soccer star still managed to get the first wave-riding shot done in the first take. He has since added surfing to his interests listed on his official website. The movie, which incidentally is Osugi’s tenth this year, is scheduled for release in mid-August.
• Another veteran back in the spotlight is singer Wada Akiko (55), whose latest single has set a new record. “Loop in my Heart/Hey!” her collaboration with popular duo m-flo, has entered the Oricon singles chart Top 10 at No.9, more than 33 years since she last made the Top 10 with “Yoake no Yume” in February 1972. The previous record of 22 years and one month was held by the Carpenters.
• Meanwhile, entering at No.1 for the fourth consecutive time are young boy band News with “Teppen.” (One of the younger members of the group was briefly taken into police custody last week for underage drinking. Fuji TV announcer Kikuma Yukino (33), who is reported to have encouraged the 18-year old to go drinking, has had to step down from her regular morning show.) Ketsumeishi kept the No.1 spot in the album chart for the third week with “Ketsunopolis 4”.