ASAHI.CO.JP: Geinoujin Kakuzuke CHECK! 2017 New Year's Day Special

Geinoujin Kakuzuke CHECK! This is the real first-class product! 2017 New Year's Day Special

Broadcasting on January 1 2017 (Sun)　6:00 p.m. ~ 9:00 p.m.!

MC: Hamada Masatoshi ・Ito Shiro ・Hirodo Ayumi (ABC announcer)

Guests: Team Ogosho: Mita Yoshiko, Takahashi Hideki
Team HoriPro: Wada Akiko, Yamase Mami
Team Nakayoshi: Nakayama Miho, Wentz Eiji
Team GACKT: GACKT, Horie Takafumi
Team Nippon no Maeda (Japan’s Maeda’s): Maeda Gin, Maeda Kenta
Team Qualifying Celebrities: Qualifying celebrities
Team Nogizaka: Shiraishi Mai (Nogizaka46), Akimoto Manatsu (Nogizaka46),
Takayama Kazumi (Nogizaka46), Matsumura Sayuri (Nogizaka46)

Program overview
「Geinoujin Kakuzuke CHECK (Celebrity Rating Check)」, where celebrities put their pride and honour of being first-class on the line to take on 6 checks, will be broadcast on 2017 New Year’s Day!!
To make sure that they 「won’t be put to shame from New Year’s Day onwards!」, big name celebrities will risk their honour and compete in earnest!
This time, GACKT, who tasted indignity when he fell to the rank of a “normal celebrity” last year, will be taking part with Takafumi Horie, a.k.a. Horiemon, as a team!
How much further can he bring his unprecedented personal rating (kakuzuke) check winning streak of 42…!?

In the 「Taste Check」, for the first time on the program, there will be a special rule which introduces 3 choices!
In addition to the usual 2 choices, if someone picks the unmistakable 『absolutely worthless ingredient』, they will drop by 2 ranks!!

And following the success of this rule, could it be that 「Not worthy to be shown on screen」 teams appear one after another…!? Don’t miss the last of the most shocking event in the history of this show!!

Rating checks

Check 1 「Wine」
For the annual wine tasting and comparison, we have a super rare vintage of 「Château Haut-Brion」 from Bordeaux, France! 「Château Haut-Brion」 is a superior red wine that comes from one of Bordeaux’s top 5 chateaus. It is known as the oldest and most historical chateau, characterised by a unique noble fragrance. Furthermore, this year’s vintage wine was bottled in 1928, making it almost 90 years old. A wine from 1928 is extremely difficult to find, thus increasing its rarity value a little more. If it is had in a top-class hotel, this rare gem will cost at least 1 million yen. This will be compared against a 5,000 yen bottle of table wine from France.

Check 2 「Musicality」
Next is the 「Musicality」 check, where they listen to the sounds of a violin and cello trio. The first violin is the famous instrument 「Stradivarius Marca」, which was made in 1708 during Stradivarius’ finest golden age. The second violin is the famous Stradivarius instrument nicknamed 「Guarneri del Gesù」, which is used by the Russian world-class violinist Repin. This a precious violin that is one of only 60 in the world. And the cello is one that possess a strong tone that even surpasses a Stradivarius, the 「David Tecchler」. This check requires them to pick up on the sound of these 3 pieces which are valued at 2.8 billion yen.

They will be compared with a violin and cello trio used by beginners (valued at 800,000 yen).

Check 3 「Taste」
The next check is on 「Taste」. Here, they will taste the flavours of food made from the finest ingredients and cooked with top-notch techniques by the famous Michelin-list regulars that serve Japanese, French, Chinese and other cuisines. Another one of the highlights of the program is where teams debate their opinions among themselves when their choices conflict each others’. Although the quality of the ingredients differ vastly, this is a tough check that many a first-class celebrity have struggled with. This time, there will be three options; A, B, and C, a first in the history of the program. In addition to the usual two options, a third, which is the 『absolutely worthless ingredient』 for which there is 「no way that anyone can get it wrong」 is included. If that option is picked, the team will fall by two ranks. Compared to the 『luxury food』, the 『absolutely worthless ingredient』 is completely made up of ingredients like pudding instead of sea urchin, carassius instead of sea bream, vermicelli instead of shark’s fin, and other ingredients that cannot be mistaken for the real thing.

Check 4 「Jazz Band」
Listen and distinguish between the professional jazz band 「Tsunoda Kenichi Big Band」 and the amateur jazz band circle 「Waseda University High Society Orchestra」. Started in 1990, 「Tsunoda Kenichi Big Band」 is one of the best jazz bands in the country that continues to be a spectacular success, including winning the Cultural Affairs Art Festival Excellence Award. On the other hand, 「Waseda University High Society Orchestra」 is a circle that is celebrating their 60th anniversary this year, and has always had the ability to be top in competitions. Thus far, they have won the nationwide jazz contest more than 10 times.

Check 5 「Bonsai」
Visually compare a candy bonsai made with mochi and red beans, with the piece 「Unryuu (Dynasty)」 (100 million yen), which was created by Kobayashi Kunio-san, an award winning bonsai artist who represents Japan and has won awards such as the Prime Minister’s Award. Guest may eagerly say that 「It’s common sense to know the difference between candy and a bonsai!」, but with the realism in this time’s candy bonsai, this will become an exceptionally difficult check!

Final Check 「Beef」
Matsusaka beef, one of Japan’s top 3 wagyu beef. This time, they will be served a fillet of Matsusaka beef that is found in an area close to the cow’s tail, the 「Fillet Mignon」 which accounts for only 600 grams of a whole cow. With exceptional softness and the finest flavours condensed in it, it is said that it’s taste surpasses that of a Chateaubriand steak. Using this ultimate fillet, the ultimate steak from famous restaurant 「Teppanyaki　Hanezu」 will be served! Comparing with the extremely luxurious steak that is priced at an unbelievable 18,000 yen per 100 grams, is American beef (900 yen per 100 grams) from the supermarket.

Sure enough, as the final check concludes, how will the celebrities’ rankings change!? Also, will GACKT be able to add on to his unprecedented 42 win streak!?

Source: asahi.co.jp/kakuzuke/

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

DWANGO.JP: GACKT「Men who have no girlfriends for Christmas」 Live on Nico Live

GACKT Special 「Men who have no girlfriends for Christmas」 Live Exclusive Broadcast on Nico Live

There will be an exclusive broadcast of the December 20 (Tue) GACKT live and talk X’mas premium event on 「NicoNico Live」.

GACKT’s official channel on NicoNico, 「OH!!MY!!GACKT!!」, which underwent a renewal and powered up in July this year, will be holding a 「"Only for us men who have no girlfriends" Live & Talk X’mas Premium event ＜Yeay, a men’s only 『Kuri… Smash!』＞」, that only single men can participate in, on December 20 (Tue) at Roppongi Nicofarre. In this event, only “men who have no girlfriends for Christmas” can join in to be live audience. However, the event will be livestreamed exclusively on Nico Live for women and men with girlfriends, along with all other fans who can’t join the live audience.

This live event will bring a fulfilling 90 minutes, with a live performance of winter songs by female artistes along with his own ballads, and also be a talk corner where GACKT teaches motivational secrets for the “men who have no girlfriends” who will be gathered at the venue.

Event tickets from niconico will cost 2,525 yen, and can be purchased through the event page posted on the GACKT channel 「OH!!MY!!GACKT!!」.

＜Program details＞
Title: OH!!MY!!GACKT!! presents “Only for us men who have no girlfriends” Live & Talk X’mas Premium Event ＜Yeay, a men’s only 『Kuri… Smash!』＞
Broadcast date/time: December 20 (Tue) 18:00 ～ 22:30 (※The event will run from 21:00 ～ 22:30)
Starring: GACKT
※To watch the first half of the program, Premium membership is required.
※To watch the second half of the program, 「OH!! MY!! GACKT!!」 NicoNico Channel registration is required.

Source: news.dwango.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA 

by SaiKaiAngel

(EXTRACT) DWANGO.JP: GACKT Special on Nico Live

GACKT, LOUDNESS, Wa-suta and more Music Live Special on Nico Live

From December 10 (Sat) to January 22, 2017 (Sun), there will be a daily broadcast of live music performances and music videos on 「NicoNico Live」.

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On December 20, 2016 (Tue), from 18:00, 「OH!!MY!!GACKT!! presents "Only for us men who have no girlfriends" Live & Talk X’mas Premium event <Yeay, a men’s only 『Kuri… Smash!』>」GACKT’s “men who have no girlfriends for Christmas” -only live and talk X’mas premium event will be held! There will be an exclusive live broadcast of this event on Nico Live!!

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Please note that live broadcasts will be added on from time to time. This winter, indulge in lives on 「Nico Live」.

Source: news.dwango.jp

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

TAKUMI OFFICIAL WEIBO – DEC 08

Been recording since afternoon...

In progress now is the minute final editing for big bro G's new song

Like an artisan at work, just a few more millimeters of excellence, will create the perfect song.

This song should be releasing early next year, look forward to it!

Source: TAKUMI WEIBO

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel

YASUHIRO HAMANO FACEBOOK 09 Dec

1.
Movie 「Karanukan」 Director's Diary December 9, 2016
Things were cranked up early in the morning, or you could say it was late at night.
The key she passed me is shaking.
Issou Maki-san, who acts as Oyama Hikaru, the main character's lover in Tokyo gave us a wonderful and deep performance. She took on the role in a short time, cranked up.
She really performed the complex feelings, unsettled heart, and the end of an adult's love outstandingly.
Thank you. We've hit many walls in the selection of GACKT's last partner, and I'm sincerely grateful that I was able to meet her.

2.
Movie 「Karanukan」 Director's Diary
A cosmopolitan, Oyama Hikaru (GACKT) and Terry Cohen, who serves at Antonio and has a large farm of natural foods in the Italian Piedmont region.
Thank you for all the sublime performances yesterday.
GACKT-san will definitely make a masterpiece. Cohen-san's passion for slow food, the farm in Piedmont, and Okinawa's green business ties together.

3.
Movie 「Karanukan」 Director's Diary
GACKT, who acts as a top-class photographer
receives tips on photo composition from top-class cameraman Kanoh Tenmei
Director Hamano Yasuhiro strongly suggests acting pointers
GACKT, too, persists. Tenmei also cuts in... The discussion on film and drama deepens.
An amazing filming scene was shot.

4.
Movie 「Karanukan」 Director's Diary
Kimura Yuuichi-san, nicknamed Kimunii, acts as the president of a small and medium advertising agency, who is amazed at the transformation of photographer Hikaru, played by GACKT, after his time in Okinawa.
He successfully portrayed the difficulties faced by agency managers who specialise in international brands.
Thank you.

5.
Movie 「Karanukan」 Director's Diary
I fell asleep!
Without saying OK or "cut!" to the last shot, while dreaming of myself fighting a bonefish under a rainbow,
it appears that I could fall asleep, snoring loudly, next to GACKT, without noticing at all.
After spending a long time thinking, consulting GACKT, location hunting, and I checked and decided everything with my own eyes and feet. Now is the time when we finish all filming.
I was reminded of Andy Warhol's film which consisted of nothing but a man sleeping.
My apologies! Thank you everyone, for supporting me thus far...
Truly! Thank you

6.
Movie Karanukan Tokyo filming has concluded. Thank you everyone for the hard work. You've showed me a lot of emotions. I'm humbled by everyone's discussions and advice.
Thank you.

7.
Movie Karanukan's filming has ended, when I look up in the night sky, I see the blue midnight sky, white clouds.
The Aoyama landmark that I produced, AO, is lit up by Christmas versio LED.
All the shots are clear. Thank you gods of Nirai-Kanai.

Source: Yasuhiro Hamano Facebook

Translation: GACKT ITALIA Team

Translation © GACKT ITALIA

by SaiKaiAngel