Latest news with #Arashi
Time Out
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Film adaptation of cult indie game ‘The Exit 8' due for release in late August
Gamers and horror movie buffs alike are gearing up for the release of one of this summer's most interesting-looking Japanese flicks: Exit 8, the film adaptation of the cult indie game The Exit 8. The original game, released in May 2023, quickly developed a huge following. Transcending language barriers with its use of psychological tension and the liminal space aesthetic, it's since received millions of downloads globally as well as numerous awards, and spawned a genre of 'Exit 8-likes'. For the uninitiated, here's a quick intro. In The Exit 8, players must navigate their way through a seemingly endless Tokyo subway corridor, spotting 'anomalies' along the way. As the rules of the game state, 'Do not overlook anything out of the ordinary. If you see an anomaly, turn back immediately. If you don't, continue forward. Only leave through Exit 8.' Armed with a simple premise and minimalist gameplay, the game has enthralled a legion of fans for its ability to incite paranoia, claustrophobia and introspection. Its creator, the enigmatic Kotake Create, has since gone on to become a freelance developer and produce a popular sequel entitled Platform 8. Typically straying from public attention, Kotake Create has remained fairly stoic about his success, but has admitted that he's happy his idea has pioneered a genre. The film adaptation has already garnered rave reviews from critics. Screened to a sold-out crowd of 2,300 during the Cannes Festival's coveted Midnight Screening programme in May, it received a – perhaps not coincidental – eight-minute standing ovation. Genki Kawamura oversaw the writing, production and direction of the film, which was shot primarily on set in Tokyo. Perhaps best known for his novel If Cats Disappeared from the World, Kawamura has also produced a number of films, including Monster (2023) and animated features like Your Name (2016), Weathering With You (2019) and Suzume (2022). Exit 8 's protagonist, Lost Man, is played by Kazunari Ninomiya, at 42 still going strong as a member of the boy band Arashi while continuing an acting career that includes films such as Letters from Iwo Jima (2006), Gantz (2010) and Assassination Classroom (2015). Nana Komatsu (The World of Kanako (2014), Destruction Babies (2016), Silence (2016) and Drowning Love (2016)) will costar, while the breakout fan favourite from the videogame, Walking Man, will be played by Yamato Kochi, known mainly for minor roles in Japanese television series such as Kyo Kara Hittoman, Vivant and Antiohero. Despite its relatively minimalist source material, the film has in early reviews been praised for its creativity and complexity, with some critics already calling it 'possibly the best video game adaptation ever made' (Josh Korngut, Dread Central). The film's poster also won the Prix Luciole Award for best poster design at Cannes. Exit 8 is due for release in Japan on August 29, with an international release set to follow in September. Toho Cinemas will be hosting a special pre-release IMAX screening in Hibiya on August 8, complete with a live post-screening greeting from Kazunari Ninomiya. In addition, advance screenings featuring a live broadcast of Ninomiya's greeting will take place simultaneously in eight other cinemas across the country. You can check out the latest teaser below and follow the film's official website and Instagram for updates. More from Time Out Tokyo
Asahi Shimbun
16-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Asahi Shimbun
Arashi member seeks apologies from Kitagawa in new book
Kazunari Ninomiya with his book, 'Dokudan to Henken' (Provided by Shueisha Inc.) Kazunari Ninomiya, a member of popular idol group Arashi, said he expects an apology from a now-dead show-business guru whose sex abuse scandal led to the demise of the group's talent agency. In a book to be published on June 17, Ninomiya responded to a question: 'Who do you want to meet most now, and what do you want to hear and get from the person?' He named Johnny Kitagawa, the founder of Arashi's former agency, Johnny & Associates Inc. An internal investigation by the company found that Kitagawa had sexually abused hundreds of boys and young men who belonged to the agency. 'I want Johnny Kitagawa to apologize with all his heart and soul,' Ninomiya wrote in the book 'Dokudan to Henken' (My personal views). 'I want him to apologize for depriving me of the office I had cherished or the place I had belonged to.' Ninomiya, known as Nino among fans, did not directly mention his views of the sex abuse scandal of Kitagawa, who died in 2019 at age 87. But he wrote that he has no objection to dropping the name 'Johnny' from the agency's name. Johnny & Associates announced on Oct. 2, 2023, that it would change its name to Smile-Up Inc. to focus on providing compensation to sex abuse victims and also establish a new company to take over its talent management business. Ninomiya left Johnny & Associates as an individual the same month, becoming one of the first members to review their relationships with the agency. Arashi has suspended group activities since 2020. 'When I thought about my future work, I could not stay with the office, which was unlikely to gain trust and recognition based on global standards,' Ninomiya wrote. 'It is not something for me to speak about lightly because there are victims (of sexual abuse), but I had never thought that office would be gone.' During a meeting with reporters before the publication, Ninomiya was asked why he chose Kitagawa as the person he wanted to meet most. 'If he had not caused others trouble, the office I had been with would not have disappeared and I would not have followed the path I have done,' he said. Referring to Kitagawa as 'aitsu' (that guy), he added, 'Apart from the problem that attracted public attention, I had long thought that something is wrong with him being completely silent.' Ninomiya also said he wants Kitagawa to apologize for the scandal. Although Kitagawa is dead, Ninomiya said he wants to discuss the issue with him 'person to person.' Ninomiya said he believes Kitagawa would apologize if he were to meet with him. In the book to be published by Shueisha Inc., Ninomiya shares his thoughts in response to 100 questions about topics ranging from Arashi to his work after leaving the agency.
Kyodo News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
First karaoke machine recognized as entertainment tech "milestone"
KYODO NEWS - 2 hours ago - 17:50 | Arts, All The world's first karaoke machine was honored Thursday as a "milestone" that created a new brand of entertainment by a U.S. organization dedicated to promoting technological advancement. At a ceremony in Tokyo, a plaque was handed to the family of Shigeichi Negishi, who invented the machine that was manufactured and sold as the "Music Box" in 1967. Negishi died last year at age 100. "He was very grateful for people enjoying karaoke around the world, although he didn't imagine it to spread globally when he created it," said Akihiro Negishi, the inventor's son, at the ceremony. The original karaoke machine was a cube measuring 30 centimeters on each side. It had a microphone, tape player, and coin box for payment. The honor, named the IEEE Milestone, is bestowed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers on technologies that have made significant contributions to advance society and industry. Items become eligible to receive the award 25 years or more after they were developed. Related coverage: Japanese idol group Arashi to disband after spring tour next year Unreleased song of late Taiwan singer Teresa Teng discovered in Japan
Kyodo News
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Kyodo News
First karaoke machine recognized as entertainment tech "milestone"
KYODO NEWS - 7 minutes ago - 17:50 | Arts, All The world's first karaoke machine was honored Thursday as a "milestone" that created a new brand of entertainment by a U.S. organization dedicated to promoting technological advancement. At a ceremony in Tokyo, a plaque was handed to the family of Shigeichi Negishi, who invented the machine that was manufactured and sold as the "Music Box" in 1967. Negishi died last year at age 100. "He was very grateful for people enjoying karaoke around the world, although he didn't imagine it to spread globally when he created it," said Akihiro Negishi, the inventor's son, at the ceremony. The original karaoke machine was a cube measuring 30 centimeters on each side. It had a microphone, tape player, and coin box for payment. The honor, named the IEEE Milestone, is bestowed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers on technologies that have made significant contributions to advance society and industry. Items become eligible to receive the award 25 years or more after they were developed. Related coverage: Japanese idol group Arashi to disband after spring tour next year Unreleased song of late Taiwan singer Teresa Teng discovered in Japan
Tokyo Weekender
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Tokyo Weekender
Japanese Horror Game Exit 8's Movie Adaptation Becomes Cannes Film Festival Hit
What started as a viral indie game with 1.4 million downloads worldwide has transformed into one of the most talked-about films at the 2025 Cannes Film Festival. Exit 8 , a Japanese horror film adaptation, was officially selected for the prestigious Midnight Screening section and received an eight-minute standing ovation from a sold-out crowd of 2,300 viewers. From Indie Game to Cannes-worthy Cinema The original 'The Exit 8' game, created by Kotake Create, presents players with a deceptively simple premise: navigate an endless underground passage in Japan while following cryptic guidance to detect 'abnormalities.' If you spot something wrong, turn back. If everything seems normal, keep moving toward the elusive 8th exit. The game's genius lies in its psychological tension — each loop through the mundane subway corridor becomes increasingly unsettling as players question their own perception, all while stuck in an infinite loop riddled with danger at every corner. But rather than relying on jumpscares, the game instills fear by slowly suffocating the player in a looping, liminal space, lined with endless subway advertisements and haunted by the fleeting presence of a strange passerby who lingers disturbingly in the uncanny valley. Starring Kazunari Ninomiya from the soon-to-disband group Arashi and co-star Nana Komatsu, the Japanese game was transformed into a film under Genki Kawamura, renowned for writing the novels and directing the film adaptation s for If Cats Disappeared From The World and Okuotoko . The award-winning poster for the Exit 8 film depicts star Kazunari Ninomiya overlayed by the number '8' The Midnight Screening Cannes section, traditionally reserved for genre-bending and experimental films, provided the perfect platform for this unique adaptation, while the movie's poster even won the 'Prix Luciole' award for best poster design among Cannes submissions. An alternate poster for the film adaptation of Exit 8, starring Kochi Yamato as the eerie passerby Coming to Screens This Summer Exit 8 will be released in Japanese theaters on August 29, 2025, following its successful Cannes premiere. If you can't wait for the film release, you can experience the original game on Steam , the Android and Apple app stores, or through various gaming platforms like Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4 and 5, and Xbox Series X/S. Check out the Exit 8 Official Japanese website and follow the film's official Instagram account at @exit8_movie for more updates. Related Posts 6 Japanese and Japan-inspired Indie Horror Games to Spook Out To Japan's Golden Legacy at the Cannes Film Festival Chie Hayakawa's Renoir Competes for Palme d'Or at Cannes Film Festival 2025
