Kabuki star Nakamura Shido (35) and actress Takeuchi Yuko (27) have finally settled their divorce. Sources say that the two agreed that Nakamura would not pay any alimony but would provide child support until their 2-year-old son reaches adulthood. Divorce negotiations began between lawyers for both parties in October 2006. They’ve since met in person only once and Nakamura has not seen his son in that year and five months. Takeuchi returned to work full time last year. She’s currently appearing in five TV commercials, the Fuji TV drama series “Baranonai Hanaya” and the medical mystery movie “Chiimu Bachisuta no Eikou” (The Glory of Team Batista). Nakamura is currently starring in the stage musical “Turandot.”
• Already billed as a major event, the three-part live-action manga adaptation “20th Century Boys” just got even bigger. In addition to the main cast members we revealed when filming started earlier this month, the ¥6-billion project is to feature some 300 speaking parts. Other big names announced yesterday included Kagawa Teruyuki (as Yoshitsune) and Kuroki Hitomi (as Kiriko), Ishizuka Hidehiko, Ukaji Takashi, Katase Nana, and Sasaki Kuranosuke.
• Comedian Sumitani Masaki (32) and his wife, idol Anna Suzuki (24), are expecting their first child. Suzuki is five and a half months pregnant and is expected to give birth at the end of July. The couple married in August 2006. Though constantly on TV in 2005-06, the popularity of Sumitani’s Razor Ramon Hard Gay character went into decline, due probably to overexposure. He has said that he will be appearing using his real name this spring in a period drama stage production.
• As the hugely popular group Southern All Stars approaches its 30th anniversary in June, two members announced new solo projects at the weekend. Drummer Matsuda Hiroshi (51) has taken on the disco persona Boogie Matsuda and teamed up with several other artists. Calling themselves collectively the “Funky Freaks”, they are currently recording the six-track mini album “Good Celebration.” And bassist Sekiguchi Kazuyuki (52) is to release the follow up to his 2000 album “Kuchibue to Ukurere” that features whistling and ukelele. He’s joined again by whistling actor Takenaka Naoto (51) and has added last year’s world champion whistler Wakiyama Kimiko (35).