KIZUNA { aya ueto fansite }

# Welcome..

to kizuna, my small fan site to singer/actress Aya Ueto. To navigate, use the menu situated under the 'kizuna' of the layout, have fun!

>> Aya's Voice | Archives <<

2009/04/23: 5th album on 7/8!

According to Tower Records, Aya will be releasing her fifth studio album on July 8. The yet untitled album will be released in CD + DVD + Photo book edition and regular edition. Stay tuned for more information!

2009/04/21: New special drama!

It was announced on the 22, that Aya will star alongside Tetsuya Watari in a new special drama produced by Fukuko Ishii and Sugako Hashida. The simply titled "Kekkon", set to air sometime this year on TV Asahi, will tell the story of an overprotective father (Watari) who refuses to give his daughter (Aya) away in marriage. Aya commented on her co-star, "He will say yes to anything and really spoils me!" and on her first role in a Hashida production, "It's a dream job. Good things keep happening". Watari commented on Aya, saying "She is cheerful, refreshing and good-mannered, just like on TV. Coming to set becomes more fun just with her being there". He had a different comment for Aya's canine Softbank CM co-star, Kai-kun "(If I have to) I'll become a dog too. They just haven't offered yet. I won't give her away to you, woof!" Also starring in the drama are, in the role of the wife and mother, Reiko Takahashi and Satoshi Tokushige, who plays Aya's groom to be.

2009/04/19: New single, album + more!

Aya was the main guest at a PR event on the 19 in Tokyo promoting her new drama "Konkatsu!" which airs tomorrow at 9pm on Fuji TV. The event, held outside the Shibuya Suibe Movida department store, drew over 3000 spectators. Aya took the stage in a gold mini dress alongside models who wore wedding dresses from her bridal brand "U". She commented "(I'd be very happy) if I could help in giving a good start to a happy marriage". She also praised her co-stars, commenting "Masahiro Nakai is very sweet and Sato Ryuta is always a good mood maker. On set we're always talking about relationships and things you wouldn't hear on TV".

After a two year hiatus, Aya returns to music with a new double A-side single and album! "Smile for...", written and composed by singer Kohmi Hirose, will serve as ending theme for the TV Tokyo anime series "Katekyo Hitman Reborn!" starting April 4. The song is said to be an uplifting pop tune perfect for spring as well as being the theme song of the Smile Project 2009, the working title of Aya's fifth studio album. Recochoku will also have the chaku-uta up for download on April 1 while the CD release is planned for June 3. The second A-side, "Mou Ichido Dake", a ballad produced by RYOJI from Ketsumeishi, is currently the ending theme for the TV Asahi program "Renai Hyakkei". This new release will be included in a new concept album to be released this summer. Aya is also said to be going on tour to promote the new album sometime this summer. The new single will be released in regular CD, limited CD+DVD and "Reborn!" editions.

On April 9, Aya and the cast of "Konkatsu!" attended a PR event in Tokyo to promote the latest "Getsuku" drama. Aya commented, "Nakai is always talking like Sanma-san, so we are always laughing and having fun". Later the cast quizzed each other on their thoughts on marriage. Masahiro Nakai was asked, by Aya, to name three conditions he would impose his partner to which he answered "It must be someone who can fall asleep fast, be able to live on their own and who can cook". "Konkatsu!" which also stars Sato Ryuta, Shousuke Tanihara, Ryou and KAT-TUN member Tatsuya Ueda starts April 20 on Fuji TV.

Aya and Takeshi Kitano were chosen as the image characters for the "Aoku, Utsukushii, Chikyuu e, Keep Blue with Gas" TV campaign by Osaka Gas. The CM, which raises awareness on and promotes the use of natural gas, goes on air March 28. Aya, who's often quoted as being very eco-friendly herself, commented "I can get very noisy about proper recycling!"

On March 12, Aya was present at a PR event to promote the release of the new "Tinkerbell" animation film on DVD and Blu-ray, for which she will narrate the TV commercials that go on air March 25. She appeared on stage with six young girls dressed in fairy costumes. When asked on her family prospects, Aya joked "I'd like to have five kids and have my home be like a nursery school but I don't want to go through the pain more than once!" She also revealed that her real acting debut was in fact the role of Tinker bell in a third-grade elementary school play.

Professional badminton players Kumiko Ogura and Reiko Shiota, known as the Ogushio pair, are making a come back! On February 27, a PR event announced that the two Beijing returnees will be the guest characters in Aya's latest "Oronamin C" commercial which goes on air March 28. Aya commented that "the commercial is sort of like a very unique musical".

2009/02/17: Aya's first 'Getsuku' + more!

It was announced on the 16th that Aya will play the female lead in Masahiro Nakai's first Getsuku drama role in eleven years, also starring Ryuta Sato. The drama is said to be a light comedy focusing on the growth of Nakai's character. He will play the lead role of a career-oriented man in his late 30s who still thinks he has time for marriage but when cornered by his friends and family, embarks in "marriage hunting" activities.

On February 5, Aya and Hayato Ichihara both attended the PR event for the new animated film, "BATON", produced in commemoration of the Port of Yokohama's 150th anniversary. The film, produced by Junji Iwai, was directed by Ryuhei Kitamura who also directed Aya's first film, "Azumi". It's their first project together in 6 years. She said she was very happy to work with him again. Also, the event staffers surprised Ichihara with a cake and flower bouquet to celebrate his upcoming birthday.

Oscar Promotion will be holding the 12th All-Japan National Bishoujo Contest after a 3 year hiatus. Aya, alongside Tantan Hayashi and Shiori Kutsuna attended the PR event on February 4. She commented: "I always wanted to do a peace sign during the weather forecasts. I still can't see myself as a celebrity. I'm just eternally on camera". "My mom was the one who signed me up for the contest, all I wanted was the 2 million yen prize money but I won the special award, which didn't come with anything else" she shared.

On January 29, Aya was present at the launch event of her wedding dress collection titled "U AYA UETO DRESSES". The bridal line was created in collaboration with Joyful Eli. "We've had countless meetings and have put a lot of effort in this. It was my first time designing but I really enjoyed it" she said. When asked about her own wedding, she replied: "I want to get married while in my 20s, preferably before Becky. I don't like surprising people so I'll let things happen naturally". Aya's "U" dresses will be available for rental on March 1.

Note:
I'm back!
...and so are the blog translations! I will add more soon enough :)

>> news archives:
2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2003