Takashi Fujii

This article is about the comedian. For the footballer, see Takashi Fujii (footballer).

Takashi Fujii
Born	March 10, 1972 (1972-03-10) (age 39) Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
Nationality	Japanese
Occupation	Comedian, singer

Takashi Fujii (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 Matthew Minami (マシュー南, Mashū 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.

On May 7, 2007, he and his wife Otoha announced that they are expecting a child.

Acting career

An established celebrity among Japanese television,^{[citation needed]} Takashi Fujii is most active as an actor and a comedic host.

Matthew Minami

In the western world, and particularly the United States, 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.

As 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. 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 TV Asahi 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 Heaven's Kiss/Tokyo Ghost Story (天国のkiss, Tengoku-no kiss^?) (Drama)^[1]
• 2001 There's Always Tomorrow (明日があるさ, Ashita-ga arusa^?) (Drama)^[2]
• 2001 There's Always Tomorrow (明日があるさ, Ashita-ga arusa^?) (Movie)
• 2001 Beauty 7) (Drama)^[3]
• 2002 Manten (Drama)^[4]
• 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-pop. 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.

Discography

Singles

• Manatsu No Yono Yume (1 August 2007)

1. Manatsu No Yono Yume Duet with Seiko Matsuda
2. Futari Naraba

• 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]

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

• Romeo Michiyuki (14 February 2002)

1. Mikakunin Hikoutai
2. Kyuukyoku Cute
3. Chikyuu ni Dakarete
4. Suhada ni Sweater
5. Koufuku Interview
6. Zetsubou Good Bye
7. Taikanyama Elegy
8. Moscow no Yoru
9. Ranhansha
10. RELAX
11. NANDA KANDA

References

1. ^ 天国のkiss on jdrama.com
2. ^ 明日があるさ on jdrama.com
3. ^ ビューティ7 on jdrama.com
4. ^ まんてん on jdrama.com

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

Persondata
Name	Fujii, Takashi
Alternative names
Short description	Comedian
Date of birth	March 10, 1972
Place of birth	Toyonaka, Osaka, Japan
Date of death
Place of death