Takashi Fujii
Encyclopedia
, born March 10, 1972 in Toyonaka
, Osaka
, Japan
) is a Japan
ese comedian
and singer who belongs to the Japanese entertainment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo
and is the popular host of Matthew's Best Hit TV
(as the character , and various other related shows on TV Asahi
, a major television network in Japan.
On May 7, 2005, he officially announced his intention to marry , a Japanese idol
, and they were married on July 30, 2005 at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo
, with an audience of 340 guests including many famous Japanese personalities and celebrities.
On May 7, 2007, he and his wife Otoha announced that they are expecting a child.
, he is perhaps best known for his appearance as Matthew Minami, hosting his own show, with Bill Murray
's character Bob Harris in the 2003 movie Lost in Translation
. As Matthew, his trademark blonde wig and garish suits complement his effeminate but wacky personality.
Although Bill Murray has never been a guest, Fujii (as Matthew Minami) actually hosts such a program, now called Matthew's Best Hit UV
, largely consisting of musicians and popular Japanese celebrities, the show's guests are often subject to fierce competition by Matthew Minami himself.
The character Matthew Minami also appears in a handful of programs and shorts related to Best Hit TV.
s. He is considerably less flamboyant
while appearing as himself, but his frequent seemingly random comments and odd gestures are all part of his signature performances. He has even made appearances in the U.S.
and China
showing off both his comedy and music. Takashi Fujii is currently featured on the following programs (titles are loose translations):
Takashi Fujii has also made numerous other minor appearances as well as contributing his voice talent on various animated movies including 2004's Mind Game.
. His most recent single, "OH MY JULIET!", was produced by popular J-pop artist Tommy february6
. The song was subsequently featured in the soundtrack to the movie Babel.
Along with Tomoko Kawase
, he has also worked with well-known artists such as Daisuke Asakura
, Tetsuya Komuro
, and Fayray
.
In 2004, he did a "World Tour" concert in Los Angeles
, U.S. and Shanghai
, China.
As he is usually busy hosting shows and giving guest appearances, it is not unusual for him to release less than one single per year.
Toyonaka, Osaka
is a city located in Osaka Prefecture, Japan.As of 2010, the city has an estimated population of 388,633 and a population density of 10,680 persons per km². The total area is 36.38 km²...
, Osaka
Osaka Prefecture
is a prefecture located in the Kansai region on Honshū, the main island of Japan. The capital is the city of Osaka. It is the center of Osaka-Kobe-Kyoto area.- History :...
, Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
) is a Japan
Japan
Japan is an island nation in East Asia. Located in the Pacific Ocean, it lies to the east of the Sea of Japan, China, North Korea, South Korea and Russia, stretching from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north to the East China Sea and Taiwan in the south...
ese comedian
Comedian
A comedian or comic is a person who seeks to entertain an audience, primarily by making them laugh. This might be through jokes or amusing situations, or acting a fool, as in slapstick, or employing prop comedy...
and singer who belongs to the Japanese entertainment conglomerate Yoshimoto Kogyo
Yoshimoto Kogyo
is a major Japanese entertainment conglomerate, with its headquarters based in Osaka. It was founded in 1912 as a traditional theatre, and has since grown to be one of the most influential companies in Japan, employing most of Japan's popular owarai talent, producing and promoting the shows they...
and is the popular host of Matthew's Best Hit TV
Matthew's Best Hit TV
is a show on TV Asahi hosted by Matthew Minami. It was featured in the 2003 film Lost in Translation.-Titles:*April, 2001 - March, 2002: BEST HIT TV*April, 2002 - March, 2005: Matthew's Best Hit TV*April, 2005 - March, 2006: Matthew's Best Hit TV+...
(as the character , and various other related shows on TV Asahi
TV Asahi
, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
, a major television network in Japan.
On May 7, 2005, he officially announced his intention to marry , a Japanese idol
Japanese idol
In Japanese culture, are media personalities in their teens and early twenties who are considered particularly attractive or cute and who will, for a period ranging from several months to a few years, regularly appear in the mass media, e.g...
, and they were married on July 30, 2005 at the Grand Hyatt in Tokyo
Tokyo
, ; officially , is one of the 47 prefectures of Japan. Tokyo is the capital of Japan, the center of the Greater Tokyo Area, and the largest metropolitan area of Japan. It is the seat of the Japanese government and the Imperial Palace, and the home of the Japanese Imperial Family...
, with an audience of 340 guests including many famous Japanese personalities and celebrities.
On May 7, 2007, he and his wife Otoha announced that they are expecting a child.
Acting career
An established celebrity among Japanese television, Takashi Fujii is most active as an actor and a comedic host.Matthew Minami
In the western world, and particularly the United StatesUnited States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, he is perhaps best known for his appearance as Matthew Minami, hosting his own show, with Bill Murray
Bill Murray
William James "Bill" Murray is an American actor and comedian. He first gained national exposure on Saturday Night Live in which he earned an Emmy Award and later went on to star in a number of critically and commercially successful comedic films, including Caddyshack , Ghostbusters , and...
's character Bob Harris in the 2003 movie Lost in Translation
Lost in Translation (film)
Lost in Translation is a 2003 American film written and directed by Sofia Coppola; her second feature film after The Virgin Suicides and it stars Bill Murray and Scarlett Johansson...
. As Matthew, his trademark blonde wig and garish suits complement his effeminate but wacky personality.
Although Bill Murray has never been a guest, Fujii (as Matthew Minami) actually hosts such a program, now called Matthew's Best Hit UV
Matthew's Best Hit TV
is a show on TV Asahi hosted by Matthew Minami. It was featured in the 2003 film Lost in Translation.-Titles:*April, 2001 - March, 2002: BEST HIT TV*April, 2002 - March, 2005: Matthew's Best Hit TV*April, 2005 - March, 2006: Matthew's Best Hit TV+...
, largely consisting of musicians and popular Japanese celebrities, the show's guests are often subject to fierce competition by Matthew Minami himself.
The character Matthew Minami also appears in a handful of programs and shorts related to Best Hit TV.
As himself
Takashi Fujii is also a popular talent himself and appears frequently on many Japanese variety showVariety show
A variety show, also known as variety arts or variety entertainment, is an entertainment made up of a variety of acts, especially musical performances and sketch comedy, and normally introduced by a compère or host. Other types of acts include magic, animal and circus acts, acrobatics, juggling...
s. He is considerably less flamboyant
Flamboyant
Flamboyant is the name given to a florid style of late Gothic architecture in vogue in France from the 14th to the early 16th century, a version of which spread to Spain and Portugal during the 15th century; the equivalent stylistic period in English architecture is called the Decorated Style, and...
while appearing as himself, but his frequent seemingly random comments and odd gestures are all part of his signature performances. He has even made appearances in the U.S.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and China
People's Republic of China
China , officially the People's Republic of China , is the most populous country in the world, with over 1.3 billion citizens. Located in East Asia, the country covers approximately 9.6 million square kilometres...
showing off both his comedy and music. Takashi Fujii is currently featured on the following programs (titles are loose translations):
- 発見!仰天!!プレミアもん!!! 土曜はダメよ! (Hakken! Gyōten!! Puremia mon!!! Doyō-wa dame-yo!) on ytvYomiuri Telecasting Corporationis a TV station joining Nippon News Network and Nippon Television Network System in Osaka Business Park, Osaka, Japan founded as "" on February 13, 1958...
- ベリーベリーサタデー (Very very Saturday, Berī berī Saturday) on KTV
- 上海大腕 (Shanghai Daiwan) on TXTV Tokyois a television station headquartered in Toranomon, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. Also known as , a blend of "terebi" and "Tokyo", it is the key station of TX Network. It is one of the major Tokyo television stations, particularly specializing in anime...
as a travelling host - Matthew's Best Hit TV+ on TV AsahiTV Asahi, also known as EX and , is a Japanese television network headquartered in Roppongi, Minato, Tokyo, Japan. The company writes its name in lower-case letters, tv asahi, in its logo and public-image materials. The company also owns All-Nippon News Network....
as Matthew Minami - サルヂエ (Monkey Wisdom, Sarujie) on CTV as a monkey (host)
- 藤井隆のスカパー110BANG! (Takashi Fujii's SkyPerfect 110BANG!) on SkyPerfecTV
Past Appearances
- 1999 (DramaDramaDrama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
) - 2001 (Drama)
- 2001 (Movie)
- 2001 Beauty 7) (DramaDramaDrama is the specific mode of fiction represented in performance. The term comes from a Greek word meaning "action" , which is derived from "to do","to act" . The enactment of drama in theatre, performed by actors on a stage before an audience, presupposes collaborative modes of production and a...
) - 2002 Manten (Drama)
- 2006 The School of Water Business (Drama)
Takashi Fujii has also made numerous other minor appearances as well as contributing his voice talent on various animated movies including 2004's Mind Game.
Music career
Although Fujii is less active as a musician, his style has transferred successfully into the world of J-popJ-pop
, an abbreviation for Japanese pop, is a musical genre that entered the musical mainstream of Japan in the 1990s. Modern J-pop has its roots in 1960s music, such as The Beatles, and replaced kayōkyoku in the Japanese music scene...
. His most recent single, "OH MY JULIET!", was produced by popular J-pop artist Tommy february6
Tomoko Kawase
Tomoko Kawase is a Japanese female singer. Tomoko is the lead vocalist of the rock/pop group The Brilliant Green, and as a solo artist she has released music under the alter-ego pseudonyms Tommy february6 and later as Tommy heavenly6.-1995-2002: The Brilliant Green:In 1995, after bassist Shunsaku...
. The song was subsequently featured in the soundtrack to the movie Babel.
Along with Tomoko Kawase
Tomoko Kawase
Tomoko Kawase is a Japanese female singer. Tomoko is the lead vocalist of the rock/pop group The Brilliant Green, and as a solo artist she has released music under the alter-ego pseudonyms Tommy february6 and later as Tommy heavenly6.-1995-2002: The Brilliant Green:In 1995, after bassist Shunsaku...
, he has also worked with well-known artists such as Daisuke Asakura
Daisuke Asakura
is a male Japanese pop artist.His childhood consisted of electronic organ lessons and the expectations to follow the family trade of plumbing.Asakura began his career with landing a job at Yamaha right after high school. While under Yamaha, Asakura worked on the EOS synthesizer; he was also...
, Tetsuya Komuro
Tetsuya Komuro
, also known as TK, is a Japanese keyboardist, guitarist, singer, songwriter and music producer born on November 27, 1958 in Fuchu, Tokyo, Japan. He is recognized as being the most successful producer in Japanese music history and introduced dance music to the Japanese mainstream...
, and Fayray
Fayray
Fayray is a female Japanese singer-songwriter and former actress. She made her debut in July 1998 with the single "Taiyō no Gravity". She grew up in the United States and speaks English.-Biography:...
.
In 2004, he did a "World Tour" concert in Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, U.S. and Shanghai
Shanghai
Shanghai is the largest city by population in China and the largest city proper in the world. It is one of the four province-level municipalities in the People's Republic of China, with a total population of over 23 million as of 2010...
, China.
As he is usually busy hosting shows and giving guest appearances, it is not unusual for him to release less than one single per year.
Singles
- Manatsu No Yono Yume (1 August 2007)
- Manatsu No Yono Yume Duet with Seiko MatsudaSeiko Matsudais a Japanese pop singer-songwriter. Due to her popularity in the 1980s and her long career, she has been dubbed the "Eternal idol" by the Japanese media.- Biography :...
- Futari Naraba
- OH MY JULIET! (19 October 2005)
- OH MY JULIET!
- STAR BRIGHT LOVE
- RAIN RAIN RAIN...
- I HOLD YOU TIGHT
- Watashi no Aoi Sora (7 July 2004)
- Watashi no Aoi Sora
- Aru Yoru, Boku wa Nigedashitanda
- Mikakunin Hikoutai (14 February 2002)
- Mikakunin Hikoutai
- Zetsubou Good Bye (12 December 2001)
- Zetsubou Good Bye
- Zetsubou Good Bye (Karaoke)
- Ai mo Kawarazu (1 November 2000)
- Ai mo Kawarazu
- Ai mo Kawarazu ~ deep Autumn extended mix
- NANDA KANDA (8 March 2000)
- NANDA KANDA
- NANDA KANDA [anta nanda tsugi no ban wa]
Albums
- SHANGHAI TA-WAN (26 April 2006) (CD+DVD set)
- Amai Kaori
- *~Asterisk~
- vestige
- Me ga Kirai
- NO MORE CRY
- Rirura Riruha
- T&T
- OH MY JULIET!
- Get Down
- T&T Remix Version
- All By My Self (28 July 2004)
- Watashi no Aoi Sora
- Aru Yoru Boku wa Nige Dashitanda
- Aka to Kuro
- Sa ra Sa
- Ka-ra-su
- Socket
- TAMEIKI
- Mirai -SEX-
- Utsukushii Wakare
- Tsuki no Sabaku to
- 1/2 no Kodoku
- Romeo Michiyuki (14 February 2002)
- Mikakunin Hikoutai
- Kyuukyoku Cute
- Chikyuu ni Dakarete
- Suhada ni Sweater
- Koufuku Interview
- Zetsubou Good Bye
- Taikanyama Elegy
- Moscow no Yoru
- Ranhansha
- RELAX
- NANDA KANDA