Takashi Fujii

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Takashi Fujii (Japanese: 藤井隆, Fujii Takashi, born March 10, 1972 in Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan) is a Japanese 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 マシュー南, Mashū Minami or Matthew Minami) 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 Otoha (乙葉), 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.

Contents 1 Acting Career 1.1 Matthew Minami 1.2 Himself 1.3 Now Showing 1.4 Past Appearances 2 Music Career 2.1 Discography 2.2 Singles 2.3 Albums 3 External links

[edit] Acting Career

An established celebrity among Japanese television, Takashi Fujii is most active as an actor and a comedic host.

[edit] Matthew Minami

As Matthew Minami, his trademark blonde wig and garish suits complement his effeminate but wacky personality. Apparently, his image is meant to parody a homosexual westerner.

In the western world, and particularly the United States, he is perhaps most famous for his appearance (as Matthew Minami, hosting his own show) with Bill Murray's character Bob Harris in the 2003 movie Lost in Translation.

Although Bill Murray has never been a guest, Matthew Minami actually hosts such a program, now called Matthew's Best Hit UV, and it is characterized by mindless banter and contests typical of many other Japanese shows. Largely consisting of musicians and popular Japanese talents, 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, with themes ranging as widely as cooking and kids.

[edit] Himself

Takashi Fujii is also a popular talent himself and appears frequently on many Japanese variety shows. 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.

[edit] Now Showing

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 YTV
• 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 TX as a travelling host
• Matthew's Best Hit TV+ on ANB 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 スカイパーフェクトTV

[edit] Past Appearances

• 1999 天国のkiss (Heaven's Kiss/Tokyo Ghost Story, Tengoku-no kiss) (Drama)
• 2001 明日があるさ (There's Always Tomorrow, Ashita-ga arusa) (Drama)
• 2001 明日があるさ (There's Always Tomorrow, Ashita-ga arusa) (Movie)
• 2001 ビューティ７ (Beauty 7) (Drama)
• 2002 まんてん (Manten) (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.

[edit] Music Career

Though less active as a musician, Takashi Fujii's style transfers well into the J-pop world and with the release of his latest single, attention was once again focused on Fujii the artist. "OH MY JULIET!", produced by popular J-pop artist Tommy february6, marks a refreshing success in the comedian's music career, and was an instant hit.

Along with Tomoko Kawase, he has also done works with many big names 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's not usual for him to release less than one single per year.

[edit] Discography

[edit] Singles

• OH MY JULIET! (19 October 2005)

1. OH MY JULIET!
2. STAR BRIGHT LOVE
3. RAIN RAIN RAIN...
4. I HOLD YOU TIGHT

• Watashi no Aoi Sora (7 July 2004)

1. Watashi no Aoi Sora
2. Aru Yoru, Boku wa Nigedashitanda

• Mikakunin Hikoutai (14 February 2002)

1. Mikakunin Hikoutai

• Zetsubou Good Bye (12 December 2001)

1. Zetsubou Good Bye
2. Zetsubou Good Bye (Karaoke)

• Ai mo Kawarazu (1 November 2000)

1. Ai mo Kawarazu
2. Ai mo Kawarazu ~ deep Autumn extended mix

• NANDA KANDA (8 March 2000)

1. NANDA KANDA
2. NANDA KANDA [anta nanda tsugi no ban wa]

[edit] Albums

• SHANGHAI TA-WAN (26 April 2006) (CD+DVD set)

1. Amai Kaori
2. *~Asterisk~
3. vestige
4. Me ga Kirai
5. NO MORE CRY
6. Rirura Riruha
7. T&T
8. OH MY JULIET!
9. Get Down
10. T&T Remix Version

• All By My Self (28 July 2004)

1. Watashi no Aoi Sora
2. Aru Yoru Boku wa Nige Dashitanda
3. Aka to Kuro
4. Sa ra Sa
5. Ka-ra-su
6. Socket
7. TAMEIKI
8. Mirai -SEX-
9. Utsukushii Wakare
10. Tsuki no Sabaku to
11. 1/2 no Kodoku

• Romio Dokou (14 February 2002)

1. Mikakunihikoutai
2. Kyuukyoku Kyuuto
3. Chikyuu ni Idakarete
4. Suhada ni Sweater
5. Koufuku Interview
6. Zetsubou Good Bye
7. Taikanyama EREJI
8. Mosukuwa no Yoru
9. Ranhansha
10. RELAX
11. NANDA KANDA

[edit] External links

• Takashi Fujii Official Fan Club
• Official website for Matthew's Best Hit UV on TV Asahi
• IMDB entry
• R&C Official Page
• Sony Official Page