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.

Don't Cry Anymore...

I think this is the rough translation of Nanku Monka.

Or maybe it's 'Ain't gonna cry.' Whichever it is, it's almost as if Eri chose this song for a reason. I can't help but wonder if she had made the decision to leave before the 'Rokkies Dinner Show 2010' event. And whether the other members knew. What about Sayumi? Her closest friend in the group. Did she keep it from her too?

I really feel that she was singing this song to herself. And maybe to the fans as well. Especially after knowing what the lyrics mean *sobs* It's so heartbreaking. I just wanna bawl my eyes out. And I already did many times before.

In my opinion, the original Naku Monka by Ikimonogakari can't compare to the turtle's version :P Maybe it's because I prefer ballads, which her version happens to be, accompanied by a sole piano. *Sigh* It was beautiful. So beautifully rendered that I can't put in words how much I love it.

Eririn sang with so much emotion and her voice was incredible throughout the song. I can't bear to think about the days after 12 December 2010.

This OPV by the ever amazing Sukoshi-chan breaks my heart. Admire the pictures, understand the lyrics and listen with your heart. I can tell you with certainty that you will fall in love with the gentleness of the girl named Kamei Eri all over again. Because I did.

56kkies Saikou~~!

YAY!! The Gokkies have an event!!! But BOOO cuz I'm not there to attend it :( Double boo that I won't be able to get my hands on any of these goods. But that's not a reason to not gush over them right?

The outer covering of this album doesn't seem like much, but I'm curious about what's inside. Could it be personal doodles by the girls? Photos? What?? I wanna seeeeeeeeeeeeee *whines* With my crappy Japanese, it seems like there will be special photos taken on the day itself. What else is in it? I have no idea.

I'm doing guesswork here again. I think these are photos of which there are 10 different designs? They probably come with some sweets or chocolates like how it was for the 'Pika Pika' tour.

Not too thrilled with the design of this tote. But from experience, you definitely need a bag to stash away all the goods you've bought. It would make an okay grocery shopping bag :D

Again, the design on the shirt isn't fantastic, but I liked how they arranged their names. From shortest to longest instead of by age. It looks better this way. I do like the group photo though. They look so cute with flowers. And I'm happy that Risa got to be next to Ai ^_^

Now, I REALLY want this. Not only does the AiGaki pics look adorable. I LOVE Gaki's!! *shrieks* That necklace is so cool! It would make a great accessory for a normal day out. I can think of a few outfits I can wear it with.

And I REALLY REALLY REALLY want this strap!!! Although trinkets can't be attached to my AiPhone, if I can buy this, I'll make sure it can be hung. That's how much I want this! I love the vibrant colors on a black length of string and the number 5 in silver. It's pretty!! Why can't UFA sell these merchandise overseas *pouts* XD Haha, I don't really pout so obviously I'm in one of those moods at the moment.

The standard microfiber towel. I don't usually feel the urge to get this unless the picture printed on it is to die for. For example Eri's in the event with Gaki and Lin. This one though, is really quite nice. I like Risa's smile :) And the fact that she's next to Ai again :D

This product was a surprise. I wanted to laugh cuz I was reminded of a similar plate with my mom's face on it in the living room :P I still think these plates are kinda useless? But because it's related to the 5kkies, I'm gonna be biased and say that this is a nice item XD You can compare whose handwriting is large, whose is tiny and whose is pretty or messy. And how could I miss the ultra adorable squishy hug pic!?? Poor Ai looks like she got squashed the most though. Guess it's tough when everyone loves you? ;D I also like the other pic. It gives me a feel good vibe looking at it.

I'm a fan of autographed pics. I love seeing the signatures of the girls.

More Aigaki goodness! Well actually they had all the girls pose with everyone but my eyes automatically zoom in on the bean and monkey duo :P Is it me or are these 2 closer body language wise?

Awwww, pics of them lying down. Kawaii~~~ Ai's gives off a more sexy feel while Risa's is cute. Together, they make euro-kawaii!! XD That lucky pillow that they are lying on!!! I wanna be it!!! XDDD There's the added bonus of a special message written by the girls on the photo.

Here comes the solo shots.

Gaki-san... I like the left pic on the bottom row. Her smile is adorable *heart thumps*

Ai-chan...cute drawing there. The way she draws the "teardrop" eye on her cartoon makes me :D and is that a tongue sticking out I see? Leader just looks gorgeous with stuff on her head huh? This set of pics and her headband in the 'Pika Pika' concert.

Makono = Mako + Konno :P

Now for the 6kkies!!

Hmmmm, what can this glass and stirrer be used for? That's not important cuz what is, is owning this set with the 3 photos. Any idea what sign they are making with their hands? The digit 6 perhaps?

More cute 6th gen photos. What would I give to owe them all. Especially since it's one of Eri's last photo sets :(

This is an extra pic given out if you buy all of the merchandise. If I was participating in this event, I'll so get the entire batch of stuff. Totally worth it just for KameShige. The TanaShige-ness is really strong here.

I don't like Sayu's hair. It's too cutesy for my taste. And Reina! For god's sake, please change ya hairstyle!! And is it just me or does her hair seem thicker recently? Eri is adorable as usual. How is it that she can always have the best expressions? Those that make me fall in love with her even more?

Awww Kame... *catches the heart she is making with her hands* That's kinda cute too Sayu :) Oh Reina, how high up are you thinking of lifting your dress? :P

Hate to Hear You Cry

I kinda braced myself prior to listening to this because I knew Eri would cry. But I didn't expect her to sound like she did! OMG it was heartbreaking!! I could feel my tummy all squishing up inside of me *sobs* This was from the 9 August 2010 episode of Five Stars Monday.

I was glad Gaki was there to console her. I hope she reached over the table to hug the poor turtle. The good folks in Kame's thread at H!O said Risa told her stuff like "If you return, I'll wait for you here." (on GakiKame) Awwww that's so sweet. Made me turn into mush XD

And "Don't cry baka!" This might sound mean in words but it really wasn't. I think the bean was trying to cheer Eri up a little by tsukkomi-ing her.

Sigh, I'm gonna miss the interaction between these two. They remind me of sisters or good friends with a really close relationship :)

Take care of yourself Kameha!!

PS: I hate the fact that many of the fans who support MM will leave with Eririn's graduation :( The remaining girls need the support. I wish they would stay, I'm sure Kame wouldn't wanna see them stop supporting MM either.