FNS + The Chicken Suit

It's been a long time since MM last went on FNS. This year, they managed to secure an appearance. That's the only good news. The down side is they never got to sing since they were just 陪跳 for DMM. Maybe I should be thankful that they even got to be backup dancers considering Reina did get one line. BUT! It irks me that the H!P costume was so bad as compared to KARA and SNSD's.

Why couldn't UFA's costume designers update their skills and fashion sense? Those horrid furry garments have been in their performances since years ago! And stop letting the girls sing LM and RR21. They are 10 year old songs and the members aren't all below 14 anymore. It's ridiculous to pick such songs when MM has better music to offer.

I can't understand what the management is thinking. It really saddens to to see the other guests (especially the males ones) unable to take their eyes away from the Korean acts. I've always been a Jpop supporter and I love MM. I really hate to see how badly they are standing against the flood of Kpop groups entering the Japanese market and succeeding with mind boggling sales figures. Please Tsunku, do something right fast if you don't want MM to become a joke in the industry. Either that or graduate Risa and Sayumi so I can stop following the group. It hurts to see how much they have slided. I hope that MM can regain their former glory. I want MM to be popular again.

As if the FNS perf wasn't bad enough. What's with the crazy bright yellow chicken suit?! I know I've mentioned something about this recently but it's really too terrible to bear. It's not just the dress, it's also about the yucky chicken feet and head gear. Maybe it's a duck and not chicken but whatever it is, it's bad. Does Tsunku and UFA really think such a concept will sell? It doesn't take a genius to know it will fail. Big time. Even if MM is not compared with the Korean girl groups but with their own. They still lose to AKB in terms of song and costume. The school uniform and plaid might be dated but at least it's still somewhat hawt and provides a little bit of lolliness. May I know what fowl suits provide? It just makes people think they are selling fried chicken. Agh, stop ruining the girls like this. I think they might be embarrassed to go on shows wearing those outfits.

Aren't you supposed to be talented Tsunku? Then show me what you've got!

Storyline at Last

Hmmm I'm both excited and dreading the new DMM single. Looking forward to how UFA finally gives their group a PV with a storyline. And it's rather interesting, as it looks like a guy Rika likes has visited the nightclub where she is working at. But he entered with Kei and Koharu. She wants to confront him or something but Yuko stops her while Mari looks on.

For one, I think Rika's acting has somewhat improved, since she was really bad before =P Yuko was cool! And she could emote quite well. Mari was believable too. I wonder how Nacchi and Miki will fit into this. Makoto and Kaori too. Can Yossui be the pimp? =x Just kidding. It's kinda funny that the guy would pick Kei over Rika though. Maybe she lied about her occupation so he doesn't know she works here. But if that were true, then shouldn't she try and hide instead of going up to him?? Hmmm, so many questions.

The most intriguing portion will have to be Ai's appearance. She isn't dressed like a hostess. So is she the new girl who is on her first visit to her future workplace? Or is she here to look for someone? Perhaps one of the hostess is her sister? Or mom? =P Her outfit reminds me of High King. It's nice, I like it =) But I don't hope that they put her in the group. Being solo seems to be better for now.

And so it seems that MM's next single will have horrible costumes. And I do agree. What is that yellow thing?!?!? Unless they are gonna get a good deal promoting KFC, I seriously think they gotta change the clothes. What's wrong with the management??? Do they really think such a cover will attract buyers? OMG.... Please rectify the mistake soon! I don't want to see even more dramatic falling sales figures =(

Mobekimasu

You know when people say kids learn better when they see both visuals and sound? That's right you know. Cuz I couldn't for the life of me remember the H!P group name until I saw the Hey!x3 episode that they went on. After the groups introduced themselves individually, their name finally stuck in my mind. I don't understand why C-ute is represented by "ki" and not "kyu" though.

Let's talk about impressions. Gaki looks good, amazingly =P Both her hair and size aka figure is nice. The only bit that made me go a little hmmmm was during the perf when she tried too hard...again ^^;

Sayumi was alright. Pretty overall but I couldn't see much of her. Not a single scene during the song at all =(

Reina seriously needs a new hairdo. She is smart to wear a garter? Too bad it wasn't as sexy as it shouldn't been. Perhaps it would have worked better if someone else had it on =x

UFA really doesn't know how to educate children. How could they put Riho in the middle of the entire mess of people???! This would make her think that she is the ace of H!P. Even if they intend to mould her as that, they shouldn't make her big headed so soon. Anyway, Airi is a more talented artiste and the kappa-chan should become the face of H!P more than Sayashi.

Miyabi's chin seems be have shrunk =x She is more beautiful now. The short bob really suits her. I like Masaa. I do. But that girl and Risako both need to go on a diet...badly. Seeing how long these two have been tipping the scales, it only goes to show how lax their management is. The girls should go through some form of Kpop girlgroup training. That way, they might become more successful =x

I'm surprised Momoko wasn't around. It couldn't have been because of age, cuz she definitely isn't that young. Did she have other job commitments? That card she drew was ultra adorable. It's surprising that she has taken over Kei as the butt of jokes. I thought such roles usually went to the non-babes? But since she's good at it and seems to be able to take it, I hope she becomes more popular after people watch her on shows.

Maimi was stunning! But somehow I kept mistaking her for Airi during the dance ^^;

Mano looked good too. Athough her skin seemed a little bad. I can't figure out why she is pretty every other time except in that Kamen Rider movie I'm so looking forward to watching. To think that movie could have given her a shot at international fame since the franchise is known overseas. *sigh* She either doesn't have the luck, or someone is out to sabotage her.

Nothing much about S/mileage except that most of the girls in this group look quite nice.

I'm more than a little shocked that I can hear quite a number of females in the audience screaming. But whatever interest the non-fans might have gotten after watching the talk segment would have flown out the window after the girls removed their outfits onstage. UFA sucks at marketing and promotion >.< If they had to include that portion, at least let the camera feature the girls doing the actual removing of costume? =P

The song is only so-so. And sales wasn't great at 54,000+. Will H!P never see the day of million copies sale again? *Sigh* Unlikely, possibly never in my lifetime =(

1 more day to D-day + Evil (?) Airi

This is the best AiGaki clip in ages. I love how huge and round Ai's eyes were when Risa appeared. The smacks on the head she gave the poor bean were ultra cute. It's clear that Gaki had tears in her eyes as she looked at Ai. I love how she went to hold leader in her arms. Awwwwwwwwwww it's so sweet. I almost shed a few tears myself when Risa said it was lonely that everyone is graduating or has graduated. Though Ai says it will be alright, I doubt sub-leader fully believes it at this point. It's hard to when the most popular member and her longest comrade will be leaving tomorrow!



4:36 min Schoolgirl Ai is cuteeeeeeeeeeeeee! I love her oufit. Why does she always get the best clothes??

Damn UFA for releasing more concert goods only now (it's too freaking late damnit!) when there is no way for me to beg anyone to get them. I'm in love with Ai's solo poster and the photosets of her with Risa and Sayumi. And those heartshaped keychains!!! THEY ARE KAWAII!!!!! I NEED THEM!!!!!!!!!!!

Why am I not living in Japan =( Or better yet, why isn't MM a local group =(

-----

This new movie has Yurina as the lead and Airi in a smaller role. Is she 2nd lead? I have no idea. But boy can she pull off the evil look. Is she the evil girl in the movie?

I think it's proven that the evil expression is easiest to do that's why no matter how bad an actress someone is, they can always succeed in evil roles.

Oh yes, how are they gonna find a guy tall enough for Yurina? And is everyone else gonna have to stand on a step ladder to film scene with her? =X I wanna watch this, along with the vampire movies. Why can't local theatres scene them?

Earthquake Situation in Japan 110311

The first time I heard about the earthquake that tookplace in Japan was via text message. I wasn't too surprised since it's pretty often that earthquakes hit the country. That night, when I watched the news, I still wasn't very worried since the devastation footage didn't look too bad. And since I was confident that one of the world's most advanced countries would have prepared itself for when disaster strikes.

But now after the initial earthquake, I'm feeling more and more disillusioned with the unfolding events. The earthquake itself was bad enough. With the tsunami, things were made worse. And now Fukushima nuclear plants have run into trouble with problems with the cooling mechanism and keeping radiation levels at a safe level. I'm beginning to think that things will only continue to spiral out of control. Sure, for now the girls in MM, Berryz, C-ute, Mano Erina, etc and the rest of the Japanese population are safe, but for how long?

I don't want Japan, or any part of the world to be faced with a crisis of such a magnitude. And I'm made more anxious with the various conflicting reports which can't seem to come to a consensus on the number of killed and injured or how many times the radiation levels have risen in Fukushima and the surrounding areas.

But the one thing that irks me the most is inconsiderate individuals gloating about the disaster. On all accounts, this is a tragedy. And despite what has happened in the past, it should not be carried over to the current generation. Everyone should do their part be it in terms of praying for the victims or helping out in monetary forms or through actions.

Please don't continue saying that this horrible event happening to Japan is retribution for events which have taken place in the past. People should look to the future. And now, the most pressing issue is stopping the spread of radiation and saving people.

Daily ChioBu: C-utie Leader

I'm so sad when I see the number of posts I have for Feb. It's so lowwwwwwwwwwwww!!! XD Damn me for not blogging more. Feb 2011 will always be a blemish in the history of my blog. LOL! I'm being nuts at the moment so I'm talking rubbish. It's all thanks to being XXX and XXX that I couldn't update more often. But hopefully that will change. Cuz I got a plan....kekeke :D

So onto the actual topic of this post. Daily ChioBu: C-ute version. I had originally wanted to see if Berryz Koubou or C-ute had any members who made it up this blog but I totally forgot about it until this came up in a conversation I had with someone some time back. So ta---daaaaaaa~! Here is Maimi in all her glory :)

I can't remember if I have the scans of her 17 pb. But I do know I have her 1st photobook on my shelf. It's still brand new and sealed by the way. So if anyone wants to take it off my hands I'll let it go at a good price :P I still like C-ute and Maimi of course, but the other groups can't seem to hold my attention and love as much as MM does ^^;

So, back to Maimi. I always thought that she could look non Japanese? And her appearance is rather versatile. Cuz I can totally envision her as a lady in the olden/ancient period or a modern woman. That said, this girl needs a drama period! And I don't mean that vampire chaser/killer one or the recent show where she was dressed in a cheongsam for the DVD cover.

BUT!! That torture scene is gonna get some people...*trails off* LOL! And what is it with putting Maimi in roles which are sadistic? Does she give off the S vibe? XDDDD

I mean a real, good plot *ahemcoughidoldramacough* series (with another girl, prefably Airi) acting the lead, LOL!! Can you tell I want a XXX movie featuring the H!P girls really badly? XD See, the below movie would have been tons better if the other lead character was played by a H!P girl. *nods head* I'm actually pretty exicted to watch this one. I wanna know if Airi can act :P And the show actually looks pretty interesting. Unless I'm just being a sucker for such plots :P Pity this is a straight to DVD release. I would love to go to the cinema to watch it and eavesdrop on what other moviegoers think of Airi and the show. And is it just me or does the other lead girl look like Mano Erina from some angles?

FanKora Special Edition

I finally had time to sit down and watch the special edition of the H!P 2010 Summer FanKora concert DVD. My first impressions after letting the video run was, "My eyes!!! They are going blind!" XD Hee hee the outfits this time were really a mix up of colors and most of them didn't go very well?

Surprisingly the girls still looked good though. See, this is the advantage of being pretty. They will look good no matter what they wear.

For some reason I found that there was a lot of S/mileage and Mano Erina in the video? (Or was I being biased without realizing it XD) I would much rather have more of MM ^^; Despite saying that, I liked almost all of the songs that these 2 acts performed. Very good choices there.

I'll comment on my fave K4 and maybe a few of the other H!P members. I'll see what I can remember about them XD

Ai-chan: This woman is fierce! I loved it when her hair was messy and flying all over the place as she was performing. It was just so darn sexy XD When she had the pink bow on her head, it was a little distracting but nevertheless she was still super duper cute. How can Ai be 24 and still look way younger? @@ She was perhaps one of the few who could maintain her singing throughout the vid. Most of the rest had cracking voices and panting sounds *ahem Mano and Sayumin ahem*, lol.

Gaki-san: Omg, her costume was the worst. The worst! Lol, but at least her hair was nice? And it's a bonus that she wasn't chubby :P Risa was awesome as long as she wasn't in that horrible multi-colored top with leopard/tiger/cheetah prints. When she was performing the ZYX song, I was worried she would run out of air during the part where she had to go "woaaaaaaaaaaaaaaahhhhh woah woahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh~" lol. Thankfully she survived XD

Eri: Ahhh Kame, she had this crazy weird but very nice looking top. Either she had the better set of clothes or she made the outfit look better than it was. She does have that ability so I wouldn't be surprised if that was really what happened. I don't know if I've noticed this before but Kame has very little hair and a lot of forehead? XD And when she sweats, her hair ends up sticking to her head which isn't necessarily the most flattering. BUT, she beats any other person with thin hair hands down in any situation :D

Sayumi: She is the luckiest girl in the world cuz she doesn't have to be afraid of putting on weight on her legs. It's as if Sayu would never end up with fat thighs. She isn't exactly tall but whenever I look at the bunny's legs, they seem to go on forever and are so silky white and smooth. Gah... I should banish these thoughts from my mind XD Oh and I don't know why the fact that she has this little bits of fats at the part where the top of her dress ends (above her boobs and beneath her armpits) make her so much more adorable. If I'm weird for this at least I'm not the only one cuz OD agrees with me on this XDDDDD

I said I might talk about the other girls? But I think I won't after all. I realize I can't really remember anything much about the rest XD My mind is always focused on K4 only ^^;

I wanna watch the full perfs of all these songs! UFA should follow WWE and make it a pay per view thing XD Cuz if they adopt this method, there would be some way to enjoy these performances completely.

MM Kimagure Princess

H!P's Popularity Ranking for China

I've always liked rankings/polls, both doing them myself and seeing the results after the completion. There was one done by CDJapan recently and now there's another by Chinese fans. I have to say I was surprised by some of the girls' rankings.

1) Ai

I no longer have any doubt that Ai is the most popular member within MM in any country. And I mean ANY. It's obvious from the amount of attention she gets in every nation that the group visits and it's not hard to see why. I'm fully supportive of leader getting first spot.

2) Reina

However, Reina getting 2nd place baffles me. I mean, I thought that her attitude would be the type that most females dislike. So is she polled so high due to the efforts of male fans? But then again, I always thought that more girls as compared to guys bother with such online rankings or even following idols so closely. Maybe I thought wrong and Momosu has just as many guy and girl fans who are enthusiastic :)

3) Lin Lin

JunLin in the top 5 is to be expected. Their fellowmen would vote for them no? And being a Chinese speaking country, they would most probably like someone whom they can understand. I don't know if I should be surprised that Lin is 2 spots higher than the elder.

4) Airi

I really didn't expect the lead singer of C-ute to be #4. Is the group that known there?

5) Jun Jun

See point 3 above.

6) Eri

7) Risa

I didn't think Kame would be out of the top 5. And I definitely didn't see Gaki as a top 10 contender. So maybe the sales of the bean's goods in H!P official stores doesn't reflect her general popularity out of Japan?

8) Risako

Just like C-ute's star, the face of Berryz is in the front 10 as well. And again I wonder, how known is the 'Monkey dance' group there? They don't even have overseas versions of their concerts DVD.

9) Sayumi

How could the bunny be almost out of all 10 positions? I thought she would be placed much higher since a lot of positive comments were made about the "Doll-like looking girl with the fair skin and dark hair" on that Tian Tian Xiang Shang show screened on China (Hunan) TV.

10) Miyabi

Funnily the other lead singer of BK is ranked but not Maimi? How could that be???

B.L.T Entry #1

The thing about such publications as the recent B.LT one is that it's filled with interesting stuff that any H!P fan would wanna know about. You definitely have to be good at Japanese to understand what's written inside. If you do, this would make a good addition to flip through again on a rainy day :)

The 10 questions posed to the entire H!P family are as follows:

1) If you were free to form your own group, who are the members and group name you would pick?

Question 2 involves the person whose ability you admire:

2.1) Voice and singing technique

2.2) Dance moves

2.3) Talking ability

2.4) Character

2.5) Physical appearance (Looks maybe?)

3) Only I know [The person who looks this but is actually this]

4) The one you would want as your elder sister

5) Younger sister

6) The person you feel would be nice as your mom

7) You would want her as a pet to dote on. What animal would she be?

8) Your comedy duo partner

9) If you were a boy, you would want her as your girlfriend

10) If he were a guy, you would want him as your girlfriend

All of the questions are amusing and I laughed when I read Q4-6 since I had answers of my own for these. I chose Eri as someone I would like as a sister and Aika as my mom (Oh man, I would love Aika to death if she was my mom :P). If only I could then I would really hope to get the replies of all the girls to Q3. I don't know why but I feel that you could really tell the personalities of both the person answering and the person being commented upon with this question.

Obviously I would find Q9 and 10 interesting. But that's just me since I'm always hoping for there to be actual couple pairings within the H!P family ^^;

Since AA would surely post about Ai, I'll just write about the rest briefly. Haha, though can you trust me when I say briefly for anything that concerns MM? :P

MM's replies to Q1 are:

Risa: Eri, Yurina, Ayaka Wada (Dekopoke?) I can't tell if the part with ? is jyu or tsu ^^;

I'm surprised that she would pick someone from S/mileage? I didn't know the bean was close to them? And apparently she and Yurina are the tsukkomis while the other 2 are the bokes. I didn't know the kuma was such a character.

Eri: Yurina (Kame and Bear)

Again I was surprised. Is it a coincidence that both KameMame want Kumai in their group? What did I miss? Since when did they start hanging out?

Sayumi: Ai, Risako, Airi, Ayaka Wada (Michishige Family)

It's a no brainer that the usagi would pick the 2 people she adores other than herself :P I'm just shocked that there was no Eri. Why is Ayaka so popular? (Gaki wants her too) I guess I would never know unless I start to take more notice of S/mileage.

Reina: Aika, Miyabi, Mai, Kanon Fukuda, Saki Ogawa (Tanaka Army)

The Tanaka Army was formed in another DVD magazine no? So she has 1/3 of Aa! but not Airi. I wonder why. Ahhh I know, she gave her up to her beloved Sayu? :P Of course her ever loyal Mittsui must be included in her team. It's funny how TanaShige both have group names which include their family names? Must be destined that this pair belong together :P

Aika: Mai (M&A)

A duet? You neve cease to amaze me Aika :D A twosome is certainly rare.

JJ: Ai, Eri, Captain, Miyabi, Maimi, Chisato, Yuuka (8to1)

It's obvious who this Chinese girl likes from MM. And she has professed her "love" to captain so nothing new there. Miya went with her to China so perhaps she finds that they can get along. Maimi is the all round nice girl. It is a good move to include her. Not to mention she is quite the looker and can pull in fans. Yuuka would appeal to lollita fans and Chisato is pure talent. Hmmm, looks like JJ's may be the group that does the best XD

LL: All 25 girl (2MBKS)

Always the one to not hurt anyone's feelings.

H!P Invades Land of the Kimchi!

UFA is really late in getting on the band wagon in terms of trying to secure an overseas market. The Koreans have been at it for years with their whole 'Korean Wave' thingy and they have seen considerable success.

Although I don't want to sound like a wet blanket, I have to say that I'm not particularly optimistic about H!P's success. Still, its good to see them try. With spiraling sales in Japan, the girls desperately need an alternative fanbase.

And where does the company set their sights on after a failed attempt in China? Land of the Kimchi aka South Korea.

So there's this audition held in Korea called 東京少女 'Tokyo Girl' where one or more girls get picked to enter the amazing idol making factory known as Hello! Project. As long as they don't mess with MM by stuffing one of these random girls into the current line-up, I'm fine with whoever they choose.

Previously many of the girls have made a visit to Korea either for concerts or promotional activities. Let's take a look at the list shall we? From the top of my head I can think of these.

1. Ai, Risa and Koharu (MM) - Promo for 'All Singles Daizenshu' concert


2. MM - 'All Singles Daizenshu' concert


3. Captain (Berryz Koubou) and Maimi (C-ute) - Promo for 'Tokyo Girl'


4. Berryz Koubou - Asia Music Fest


5. Maimi and Erika (C-ute)


6. Ai, Risa, Reina and Lin Lin (MM) - Promo for 'Tokyo Girl'

Berryz Koubou was supposed to hold a mini-live on the 22th of May. No mention of the event anywhere after the day so I'm not sure if it went through.

Number 6 occured recently. I think it was in the beginning of May 2009. The girls got to appear on Mnet's Jpop Wave and in a park (?) to meet with the hosts and contestants of 'Tokyo Girl'.

There was a handshake session. Those incredibly lucky fans got to hold Gaki-san's hand!!!!!!!!!!!!!! *Yells like a mad person* I'm never gonna get over why Korean fans have handshake sessions bestowned on them so often. There was definitely one for number 1 at a shopping mall and number 3 as well. *grumbles*

THAT'S IT! If I can't be reborn as a Japanese in my next life then I wanna be Korean XD

Mnet Jpop Wave

There is more to this vid but the other parts got taken off YT :(

'Tokyo Girl' Event

I expected Risa to talk more. Major bummer :( At least her hair was awesome ^^ Ai-chan had this aura about her. It was like she had suddenly gotten more confident or something? Whatever caused it, it made her so darn attractive! Her action of jerking her head to get her fringe out of her eyes was incredibly sexy *nosebleed*

'Tokyo Girl' CM

Kamo Kamo Kamo :D

Since we're on the topic, here are more videos about H!P girls and Korea.

Take a Break with H!P

This will most likely be my last post for April. The dreaded exams are looming *cries* Because I was putting off revising, I ended up stumbling on vids from the two latest H!P concerts. I couldn't help sneeking a peek and tada~~ I realized it was impossible for me to not purchase the DVDs. Sigh, my poor pocket and bank account.

Here are some of the perfs I couldn't stop rewatching.

KameMame Suki, Suki, SUKI~~! Er...yes you too Ai-chan :P

How can Risa and Eri be so perfect in every way?? Their voice, looks, dance, personality...basically everything, EVERYTHING, about them is perfect <3




Smexy to the MAX. Someone please turn up the airconditioning? It's getting hot in here *fans self*

Super upbeat and addicting song with Koharu and the JunLin. Nice starting there by the MM girls and XD at Ai-chan's expression and :D at Eri's adorable face. I have to say, Koharu was mighty cute in this perf. And boy did she nail that super high line *Impressed*

MM's Naichau Kamo. Need I say more?




Same as above. It's MM! What complains could I have? :P




BUONO! doesn't get enough love in my blog. Which is a pity cuz I love these girls. They are my top 3 H!PKids. Besides, Co.No.Mi.Chi is a great song ^^

Can't Love in a World Without Rain?

雨の降らない星では愛せないだろうか？(Ame no Furanai Hoshi de wa Aisenai Darou)

It's a pity this song wasn't released officially. I fell in love with it the first time I heard it. And it was a lousy low quality recording mind you. With visuals and in much better quality, the song is beautiful. And to prove it...

this.

The piano intro is awesome and so is the build up to the part where the orchestral comes in. All the girls are trying their darnest to look sad/touched/gentle (?) A few pull this off (Captain, Sayumi, Maimi). Sayumi especially. I wanna reach into the monitor and hug her whenever she appears on screen. I don’t know why but I wanna laugh when I see Risa do it. Jun Jun (what's with the face touching? XD) and Lin Lin sang their parts well. Lin Lin was the better singer here in my personal opinion. I thought it was funny when everyone was looking at her when she was singing. Again, Risa cracked me up with her over-emoting during the hand action bit XD

Yurina’s face zoomed in on the large screen was kinda awkward. I wonder how they decided on Miyabi's hand over her chest (I'm sorry for having p**** thoughts here when I shouldn't have) to focus on out of all the 50 (?) odd girls?

Fan-made OPV

Most of the pictures used in this I have never seen before. Great choices since all of them show off the closeness and great relations between the girls. Do I feel a tear emerging? I think I do *sniff*