Reminisce the day Tatsuya Fujiwara came to Singapore

[Find out how it's like to be with Tatsuya Fujiwara in our sharing below!]
[Watch 3 video clips of Tatsuya Fujiwara!]
Aren't we all glad that Japanese renown actor Tatsuya Fujiwara actually spend his 11-11-11 in Singapore? Yes the renown actor was here to promote his movie Kaiji 2: The Ultimate Gambler which is showing in theatres on 17 November 2011. Click to view its Showtimes at all cineplexes!



This marks the first time the Japanese star is here in Singapore to promote his movie! He was joined by over 170 lucky Japanese fans from his Japan fan club as well as the crew from Japanese TV station, NTV.

Tatsuya arrived early in the morning on 10th November and travelled to several places in Singapore during his stay here. During the press conference, we learnt that Tatsuya had been to a jewellery shop in Little India and had also tried the 'Bungee Ride' at Clarke Quay. He seems to have enjoyed himself over here and he said that he'll come back again to Singapore as a tourist!

• [Tatsuya fans in Singapore should keep your eyes peeled when you're on the streets! If you're lucky enough, you'll never know whom you might meet! Exactly! Tatsuya's been to Bugis as well! How on earth would anyone miss that! Ha!]
  

Not just all, his stay in Singapore was filmed and shown on Japanese TV program ZIP! Remember the crew from Japanese TV station, NTV? And he's got Saturday to continue his tour around Singapore before leaving on Sunday, 13 Nov!



According to one of our fans, Tatsuya was given a dice and the number he rolled will decide how much he would be receiving from the TV station. The number will be multiplied by S$10 and that will be the amount of money he is required to purchase his lunch at Maxwell as well as getting a souvenir for himself. To our surprise, the Ultimate Gambler rolled number 1 and..

That will be S$10 for Tatsuya!

He bought himself a bowl of noodle, ice-kachang and lime juice. He enjoyed the dessert the most, especially its mango sauce. And the Japanese actor finds it rather interesting to have his lime juice in a plastic bag when he ordered takeaway for his drink. His next stop was at Bugis where he bought himself a small keychain with $3 left in his pocket. And the remaining scenes showed Kaiji 2 publicity events at nex Event Plaza B2 and Red Carpet event at The Cathay, 2 Handy Road.

• [Quick Note: Tatsuya briefly took out his Kaiji 2 fan so we're lucky to have taken this photo! To all Kaiji / Tatsuya fans, we still have more photos of Tatsuya and we'll be putting them up when our Tatsuya Facebook album hit 50 'likes'! Current count is 18! So let us know if you would like to view them on our Facebook Page! Also, All InCinemas Facebook Fans are welcomed to like and tag yourself on your favourite photos of Tatsuya Fujiwara!]
  

Check out these wonderful videos below put up by the Razor TV team! For Tatsuya fans, these clips will definitely let you understand your favourite star better! Get swooned over by Tatsuya Fujiwara just by watching him speak! That's how charming he is, even when he's perspiring!



Most importantly, Tatsuya has made known of the possibility of Kaiji 3. Speaking in Japanese, Tatsuya notes, "It all depends on the timing and whether the audience think it's still meaningful to create a part 3. Before we can produce Part 3, Kaiji 2 must be a success."

Another highlight will be the second clip where Mr Tatsuya shares his preference of an ideal partner. "My idea of a Japanese beauty is someone who exudes tenderness from within. So I prefer someone who's calm and at the same time firm on the inside." Enjoy these clips~!





InCinemas also got the opportunity to catch up with 2 lucky Japanese fans who managed to be on the same stage with Tatsuya Fujiwara! Coincidentally, both of them are friends and had been waiting for Tatsuya since 3:30pm! Before the start of the event, we actually approached the 2 Tatsuya fans and took a picture of them with our famous InCinemas Clapper! Find out how they feel about Tatsuya Fujiwara in our exclusive InCterview below!


[From Left to Right: Akane, Ai]

• Questions for Akane!

Q: Tell us about Tatsuya Fujiwara.
Tatsuya Fujiwara is one of the most famous actors in Japan and his famous movies is Battle Royale and Death Note. The characters he play in his movies are extraordinary and he is always very attractive.

Q: Share with us how do you feel when you were selected to play game with Tatsuya?
Akane: I just didn’t expect to be picked especially after Ai (who was beside me) was chosen to go on stage. However, we (me and other 2 who were also chosen) were asked to convince the rest of the fans why we should be the one to play games with Mr Tatsuya. I tried to tell them that we (me and Ai) had been waiting over here since 3:30pm just to get a better spot to see Tatsuya Fujiwara in person.

Fortunately, I was chosen out of the three! I was so excited to see him and I still can’t believe what had happened to me!!!

• [Quick Note: Akane was one of the three who were later picked by the Emcee but only one of them can play games with Tatsuya Fujiwara in person. As such, they had to battle it out by asking the audience to cheer for them.. Rather cruel isn't it? Just like the games in Kaiji 2! Pssk! It'll be interesting if the two friends got to compete against each other for a chance to play with Tatsuya! Wow! That'll really be a Kaiji 2 story!]
  

Q: Tell us what you think about the game? Any difficulties when handling the dice?
Akane: The game was simple and clear. But the dice was too big!!!! I can’t lift it up by myself. I don’t know why the dice have to be so big. *Laughs*

• [Quick Note: Ha! Just before the start of the event, InCinemas helped to carry the dice and we realize immediately that it is too bulky to be lifted up by one person, let alone to say roll on the stage where area is restricted.]
  

Q: You first rolled a 3 and then a 4. What do you think of your score?
Akane: I couldn’t concentrate to the game as the dice was too big and also when I threw the dice for the first time, it almost hit Tatsuya Fujiwara by accident! I feel really sorry to him because I wasn't able to control the huge dice. Actually I couldn’t see the dice so I only found out about my final score when the host announced it.

Q: When Tatsuya first rolled a 6, what was the first thought that comes to your mind?
Akane: I thought he is like Kaiji Ito in the movie who has really good luck! *laughs*

• [Quick Note: Everyone was awed when the emcee annouced that Tatsuya got number 6 in his 1st roll! It was a little hilarious as everyone relates Tatsuya as the lucky gambler Kaiji. Even Tatsuya himself couldn't suppress his smiles.. What's the chances of him rolling a "1" in his next roll?]
  

Q: The emcee hoped that Tatsuya’s next roll will be 1 so that we’ll be able to witness a draw. Were you thinking of the same thing?
Akane: No. I actually hope that he wins! Because he played the character who is really good at these games in Kaiji! So if he wins, it'll be better for him to promote this movie! *laughs*

• [Quick Note: Tatsuya's second roll got 6 yet again! This time, we overheard some of the fans cheering out loud in support of his luck! No chance! Tatsuya managed to convince everyone that only he himself is The Ultimate Gambler! And a closer look, Tatsuya was pretty shy in owning the dice game.. =) The fans are probably using their mind-powers in unison!]
  

Q: What are the prizes you’ve received. Was the movie poster signed?
Akane: I receive the movie poster and DVD of Kaiji which were signed!! But actually the fact that I could meet and talk to him at such close proximity is already the biggest prize for me!

• [Quick Note: As Akane lost the dice game, the prize was split and Tatsuya received part of the prizes. Also, before Tatsuya gave out the prizes to the contestants, we found him browsing through the prizes in the bag. He seems pretty curious about the prizes that were to be given to the contestants.. What really impress me is the fact that Tatsuya gave a courteous bow to each and every contestant who is coming up to receive the prize!]
  

Q: Among all the contestants, you were with Tatsuya the longest. Tell us how you feel to be standing on the same stage with Tatsuya and within a metre away!
Akane: I was very nervous but excited at the same time… He was taller than what I've expected. But I can’t see his face properly as he is too handsome!

Q: He whispered something to you. Could you share with us the conversation(s) the both of you had?
Akane: He asked me if I reached Singapore on the day before of the event. (because the most of Japanese fans who attend the tour had reached on 10th). So I just replied saying that I'm actually living in Singapore. He asked what I'm currently doing in Singapore and I told him that I'm studying as an university student.

Q: What was the most memorable about Tatsuya Fujiwara? Any particular moment with him that has left the deepest impression about this renowned actor?
Akane: I'm just too happy to meet him and I can’t forget the moment when I shook hands with him and receiving the DVD and Movie poster through Mr Tatsuya's very own hands! He is so gentle which is totally different from the characters he had been starring in!

During the Gala Premiere, we (me and Ai) called out his name and said a few words to him in Japanese before he left the movie theater. Mr Tatsuya actually stopped and wave his hands at us!

Q: What do you think of Kaiji 2: The Ultimate Gambler?
Akane: The movie is very exciting! I know the original story of Kaiji. The movie is a bit different from the original story but I like the part when Kaiji drinks the beer (This is famous scene within the Kaiji movie)! 

Although people might not know the story, this movie has an outstanding actors and actresses who are really famous in Japan. I feel that the relationship between people is really valuable after watching this movie! Also, I've already recommended Kaiji 2 to my friends and family!
--

Kaiji 2: The Ultimate Gambler is rated PG and opens InCinemas 17 November 2011. Click to view its Showtimes at all cineplexes!



Allow me to just talk a little bit about our determination to bring our readers the Live Stream of Tatsuya Fujiwara's appearance. Ha! Most of the fans are already waiting for the Meet-The-Fans @ nex Event Plaza B2 at 6:30pm. The next red carpet is scheduled at 8:30pm. So when our charming Tatsuya Fujiwara arrived to the enthusiastic screams at nearly 8pm, we became rather worried about our own transport and the time to meet. Imagine you've got to compete against the crowd on a Friday evening and the many Tatsuya-fans present...

So we rushed out quickly as soon as Tatsuya left the stage and ran through the outskirt of nex! To our surprise, these 2 Tatsuya-fans are running ahead of us! The lady on the right was one of the ten participants to play games on stage and apparently, we knew where they were heading to! So on the MRT, we take the opportunity to take a picture of them!

Don't forget to join our InCinemas Facebook Fan Page!


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Questions for Ai!

Q: You seem to have gotten Tatsuya’s Signature! Tell us the process of getting his signature! Did Tatsuya sign for everyone present? Any difficulties you've met?
Ai: I waited since 11:00am as I wasn't sure what time he would appear. Together with a friend of mine, we stood in front of the immigration gate near the business class check-in counter as we thought that he would be taking business class/first class. True enough, he arrived at the counter with his staff at about 2pm!

As we're near to the immigration counter, there wasn't a lot of difficulties when we quickly approached him up front when he was walking towards us! Other fans rushed towards him from all corners while the staffs attempted to maintain order. 

Mr Tatsuya signed for a lot of fans but I'm not sure if everyone got his autograph.

Q: How has his signature affected you? Was it all worthwhile?
Ai: I didn't expect to be able to get near him at such a close distance as I was only hoping to send him off at the airport and perhaps take a few picures of him. He was reaaaaallyyy handsome and his signature has definitely made my day!

Q: Were there a lot of fans in the airport?
Ai: Around 15-20 fans. I wasn't really expecting that much fans to appear so I was quite surprised.

Q: Did Tatsuya say anything before he departed?
Ai: He didn't say anything but he did bow back to us when he noticed that we were all standing right behind the glass when he was having his baggage checked-in at the immigration area.

Q: How do you feel to be so close with Tatsuya (referring to the nex event)?
Ai: I felt really fortunate because I thought that I wouldn't be able to be so close to him since I've lost the (second) game. I managed to talk to him and he responded to my question! Hence, it was a truly truly great once-in-a-lifetime experience to me. 

Q: What were you thinking when you got selected to play game on stage?
Ai: I truly truly thanked god (and my camera because the host called me "the girl with the camera") when I was chosen. I was unhappy before the event started as the security allowed some fans to go into the Fan-club space.

• [Quick note: Ai was among the first few to be waiting for Tatsuya's appearance at nex Event Plaza. She waited since 3:30pm but didn't get to enter the reserved area.]
  

Q: Tell us about the game. Did you enjoy it? Was it very stressful?
The first game was interesting but the dice (for the second game) was too heavy..

• [Quick Note: The first game was played by 3 lucky fans (who got picked by the emcee) along with 7 participants selected via radio station YES 93.3FM. The game is like Scissors, Paper, Stone only that the participants have to imitate the action of Emperor (Scissors), Citizen (Paper) or Slave (Stone). There will be 5 winners remaining to proceed to the second game - The Dice Roll. Each of them will roll the dice and the one with the highest number will win the game. The winner is said to receive prizes worth S$1000 which includes a stay at Fullerton Hotel.]
  

Q: What was the most memorable about Tatsuya Fujiwara? What was your impression of him in person?
Ai: The most memorable part when meeting Mr Tatsuya is to have a conversation with him! He replied to what I've said to him during the (nex) event! Also, during the premiere, we shouted out to him when he was making his way out and he actually stopped and waved back to us!

I feel that he is an individual who treasures his fans very much! 

Q: What do you think of Kaiji 2: The Ultimate Gambler?
Ai: The movie was truly great. The story line was interesting and exciting. As what Mr Tatsuya has said, "It was a movie that motivates you for whatever you need to do in your life." I guess it has already given me the motivation to study even harder! *laughs*
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Tatsuya Fujiwara went to each hall to meet and greet the audience before the movie starts. Just as he was about to make his way out of Hall 1, Ai and Akane called out to Tatsuya Fujiwara and to their surprise, Tatsuya stopped and waved to them with a smile on his face. That's really thoughtful and nice of Tatsuya! His little guesture is bound to mesmerise these two Tatsuya fans and leave them smiling in their dreams..

"We're there at nex to see Mr Tatsuya and we didn't expect ourselves to actually go on stage and receive the prizes from him directly through his hands! And also to even be here (The Cathay) to watch Kaiji 2!!" Akane said in disbelief and Ai totally agreed with her.

This is definitely one eventful day! And for those with their own wonderful experience with Tatsuya Fujiwara in one way or the other, it is surely going to last for a long time! The date is really easy to remember! 11 November 2011 (11-11-11).. That's how great it is to have something meaningful happening on a special date, isn't it?

Ai told me enthusiastically, "He (Tatsuya Fujiwara) is a really, really nice guy! I really really hope that he would be here again!"