Tsumabuki Satoshi and Aoi Yu in stage Minami Be

Actor Tsumabuki Satoshi (30) appeared at a press conference yesterday for his upcoming stage play 'Minami he'. Actress Aoi Yu (25), who co-stars with him in the stage play was also in attendance. Tsumabuki describes working with Aoi for the first time: "It was quite a good feeling. We were very compatible during practice. She's easy to get along with and takes her work seriously. She has a very pure heart." Aoi in turn praises Tsumabuki for having a lot of patience.

Written by Noda Hideki, 'Minami he' will be performed at the Tokyo Metropolitan Art Space in West Ikebukuro from February 10 to March 31.


Tsumabuki Satoshi at Press Conference for 'Minami he'
Source: Sanspo
Translated by: sparkles_n15 @ asianfanatics.net

Tsumabuki Satoshi in Tenchijin as best drama 2009

Japanese website Oricon Style announced yesterday the 10 Best Rated Dramas of 2009. Tsumabuki Satoshi's Tenchijin had the highest ratings at 26% for its third episode, taking the top spot on the list. In second place, the drama JIN, starring Osawa Takao had 25.3% ratings for its last episode. Third place was Kimura Takuya's Mr. Brain, which had 24.8% ratings for its first episode, while fourth place went to Yamashita Tomohisa's Code Blue Special with 23.1% ratings.

The fifth, sixth, and eighth spots went to Aibou Season 7 with 21.7% ratings for its eighteenth episode, Keiji Ichidai with 21.6% for its second episode, and Amami Yuki's police drama Boss, with 20.7% for its final episode. Adapted from a manga, Sazae-san, starring Mizuki Arisa had 20.9% ratings taking the seventh spot, while the ninth and tenth spots went to Welkame (20.6%) and NTV's 24 Hour Television Special Drama Niini no Koto wo Wasurenaide (20.5%).

Tenchijin Highest Ratings for 09 Dramas
Source: Mingpao
Translated by: sparkles_n15 @ asianfanatics.net

Tsumabuki turns bad in Sang-il Lee's "Akunin"

Satoshi Tsumabuki (28) has landed the starring role in "Akunin," a new film by director Sang-il Lee ("Hula Girls"). The movie is based on a novel by prize-winning author Shuichi Yoshida.

Although Tsumabuki has generally played likable characters in the past, here he has been cast as an antihero. Tsumabuki plays a man named Yuichi, whose dark deeds include killing a woman he meets through a dating website and forcibly taking a woman to a love hotel. However, the story examines the causes behind his character's actions, as well as the painful romance that develops between him and a woman he encounters.

The female lead will be played by Eri Fukatsu (36). She and Tsumabuki previously co-starred in the drama series "Slow Dance."

"Akunin" is scheduled for a fall 2010 release.

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