Perhaps the loveliest promotional video of the year, Morning Musume ’15 do an awful lot of stretching toward the light in “Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki”. The lovely painted sky from the title card doesn’t lie; the orange creamsicle colored sky appears and reappears throughout the PV. The sunrise/sunset clearly means to suggest the beginning of a new era, but more on this later.



You’ll probably know “Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki” as the song from the 59th Morning Musume
single that was not written by Tsunku. Composition credits don’t travel too far out of the Hello! stable since the Tsunku’s Sharam Q bandmate, Taisei, charts the song.

Taisei gives us a melodically rich song with a dramatic flair. Unlike some recent singles, the arrangement doesn’t get in the way of the melodies, instead complimenting the vocals with piano leads, light strings and an understated acoustic guitar. Typing that last sentence out, might give the impression of a traditional band arrangement, but actually, “Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki” falls in line with most of Morning Musume’s electro arrangements, only with less of Tsunku’s penchant for offbeat electronic accents and dubstep influences.

The Sato Masaki and Nonaka Miki leads were surprising, as was all the leads for this single

So was the Ikuta Erina solo line!

And then, Eripon goes and eats up the camera. Look at the intensity in her eyes!

For a basic PV with minimal sets, “Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki” feels higher concept than its budget lets on. Like with “Sukatto My Heart” and “TIKI BUN“, lights play an important part in the PV. Unlike the other two, “Ima Sugu…” uses light as a metaphor as well as set design. With “The Courage to Jump In Right Now”, you probably expected a theme of change. The sun hangs low on the horizon, just ripe for the new day. As Morning Musume ’15 gaze upwards, their faces are illuminated by a sun that lends them strength and resolve. The light glimmers everywhere occasionally overexposing skin, set, and screen.

Oda Sakura in the light

Ogata Haruna looks skyward

Makino Maria shares second verse lead with Sayashi Riho … and in the sun

It’s very difficult to capture the glimmering light around the girls

The shots of the girls encased in small boxes puzzles me. Note the light motif again as illumination comes in through the cracks and corners

In more mysterious visual play, solo shots of the girls in a starkly lit and misty room show them turning towards the light. I’m left to think about these members in heeaven’s waiting room, like in the movie “After Life (Wonderful Life)“. These shots are meant to indicate the girls’ movements to a new life, new place, or new self. But, with such a right visual tradition under employ I find it difficult not to think of the big idol change: graduation.

And, the graduation thoughts make some sense. The previous single’s “Yuugure wa Ameagari” spoke to the new generation as they abandoned their old lives in favor of their lives as idols. Giving this song to “older” girls as they contemplate graduation and life after idol-dom completes the logic puzzle. Consider also that the current longest tenured generation, the ninth generation, are well past the median tenure length for Morning Musume and have released as many singles with the group as Tsuji Nozomi, Kago Ai, Fujimoto Miki, and Kusumi Koharu. If you think they haven’t been in the group long enough to warrant a graduation, you’re wrong.

Before we go, let’s take a look at how the 12th generation are doing in their second release.
Ogata Haruna

Nonaka Miki

Makino Maria

Haga Akane

“Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki” strikes me with the same tone as last year’s “Toki wo Koe, Sora wo Koe“: beautiful, haunting, and bittersweet. The tension and drama of the song and the song’s as-yet-deciphered meanings make for great discussion of the group’s direction and impending personnel changes. The question begs asking- who among these 13 girls has the courage to jump in, and to where is she jumping?

And, scene.

You can buy “Oh My Wish! / Ima Sugu Tobikomu Yuuki / Sukatto My Heart” at CD Japan.

Regular A

Regular B

Regular C

Limited A

Limited B

Limited C

I won’t even say much here. I’ll just present the majesty of Morning Musume ’15 leader Fukumura Mizuki. Fukuchan. Fukuhime. Mizupon.

Now it’s time for Hello! Project’s leader to look yummy! Note: she’s promoting her photobook “Nobody Knows 23”.

You can buy Yajima Maimi’s “Nobody Knows 23” at CDJapan.

I know: everyone has been waiting to see what Haa-chin’s been keeping under wraps. Let’s just say that years of ice-skating training make for a a nice bikini body.

Country Girls seem to be trying Morito Chisaki as their face. This photo shoot all but solidifies that theory. What do you think? Does Chisaki look like the face of the future to you?

Are you ready, OK?

As the second part in my “catching up” series, we get Cheeky Parade’s debut from 2013, “Bunbun Nine9′”. As a major debut, the song did well on the weekly charts, placing fourth with roughly 22K sold. Distinctive for many reasons, the song remains a staple of the girls’ setlist. This marks the first song I heard from the group- right around the release date. I remember being struck the strangeness of the choreography and the young fresh look of the girls. So, of course, it took me 3 years to write about the song. My bad.

The song sets the tone for the group’s musical output early. In the first 30 seconds, “BUNBUN NINE9′” goes from a bratty cheer to a synth led melody accented with hyperactive drums and electric guitars. The only thing missing from the Cheeky Parade instrumental palette is the 8-bit sounds that persists in their later output. I don’t want to mislead; I know when I hear about guitars I immediately think about a rock arrangement. “BUNBUN NINE9′” is an upbeat idol dance track all the way through. The bass pounds a bit heavier in the song than you’ll find in future Cheeky Parade releases- which may irk new listeners to the group. The sound rings unique to my ears, and provides an off-beat backdrop for this offbeat group.

Being the major debut, the girls look fresh from middle school. Freshly done up in their distinctive outfits, the girls appear more unified visually than their previous release “Cheeky Dreamer“. Colorfully patterned mishmash tops paired with plaid skirts hint at the irreverent vibe of the group. Their alternate school uniform look … well, it’s a school uniform look.

They probably waited all day to get the sun in the perfect position

The dancing remains as crisp as ever. The girls lock into a distinctive shoulder and elbow choreography that matches the instrumental. I love seeing the group as they kick and jump their way through the dance. I don’t know how they’re not out of breathe by the end of the song!

And, there is nothing more distinctive than Cheeky Parade’s choreography during the bridge of “BUNBUN NINE9””. Like, what is that? Seriously, that choreography still looks alien, like it was dropped off from a transient UFO.

As I continue to learn more about the group, I see the main vocal pattern in this song. The group maintains a three vocalist approach with Nagai Hina, Suzuki Yuriya, and Yamamoto Marin. These three complement each other well. Hina provides a stability to the three and can be called on for practically any line. While Yuriya isn’t as stable as Hina, her voice provides expressiveness and emotion. On top of those two, Marin’s voice lends distinctiveness with a pleasing tone unmatched by the other two. The other girls round out the songs with group vocals and occasional solo lines. Personally, I love how they call on Mariya if they need an extra dose of brattiness.

Then there’s the puzzling scenes with the glowing orbs a la every anime you’ve ever seen. To review- the lights are their inner essences, literally that which makes them glow. When the orbs synchronize and launch skyward together … well, you should know what that means. Hey! Maybe my UFO statement from earlier really holds something!

“BUNBUN NINE'” is a favorite song for many. The debut gently gives listeners a taste of the cheeky life. It’s melodies remain engaging and catchy years after the fact. If nothing else, it’s probably the most accessible release by Cheeky Parade. As always, I make no effort to disguise my opinion here- and I think you all should give this song a listen!

Are you ready, OK?

For educational purposes:
Watanabe Asami

Sekine Yuna

Shimazaki Rino

Suzuki Yuriya

Mizorogi Seran

Yamamoto Marin

Nagai Hina

Kodakari Momoka

Suzuki Mariya

You can buy “BUN BUN NINE9′” at CD JAPAN

Jacket A

Jacket B

You know, I’ve been a fan of Sasaki Rikako since a bit before her days as a Hello! Project trainee. Her story as a refugee of the 2011 Tohoku Earthquake and floods is staggering. The story becomes more insane when you find out Rikako became an idol (in the local group SCK Girls) because her parents wanted singing and dancing to cheer her up from the lose of her family’s house and fishery.

Well, none of her rise to fame wouldn’t be possible if she wasn’t so darn cute.


cover … and my coffee table

back cover, still in plastic

All of these previews are from my copy of her debut photobook, “Rikako”. I know better scans exist out there, but I wanted to share my personal things.

Please consider buying Sasaki Rikako’s photobook “Rikako”. You can buy a copy at CD JAPAN

RIKAKO

The blonde one from Dempagumi.inc returns to us in this new set of photos. Moga doesn’t hold much back as she brings you “Various Erotic Styles” (I can’t make that up)


(You’ll have to forgive the picture quality- these aren’t scans. These are my iPhone + my magazine.

Sharing with you : photos of Cheeky Parades visual book “CPGB – Cheeky Parade Gallery Bomb” which documents their trip to New York in 2014. These aren’t professional scans. Me + Cheeky Parade + iPhone = preview post. I don’t know how much you’ll mind- I don’t see any scans of this book anywhere.

Hopefully these photos will entice you to attend Cheeky Parade’s visit to Los Angeles on October 16-18. I see three dates: October 16 at UTB Hall in Hollywood, and October 17-18 at Japan Expo at the Los Angeles Convention Center. More information.

If you listen to the HaroWota at all, you probably heard the screams over Kobushi Factory. Starting with their indie single, “Nen ni wa Nen / Survivor”, there’s been a collective gasp at the tightness and performance level of the group. For the many who follow the Kenshuusei (Hello! Project Trainees), Kobushi Factory makes good on the promise of quality girls coming up through the system. The debut single, “Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan / Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san no Uta / Nen niwa Nen (Neniri Ver.)” charted an Oricon Weekly no. 3 with 34,639 units sold. Using an antiquated metric of sales, the single performed better than five Morning Musume singles (in the Platinum Era).

Fujii Rio bangs the drum

“Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan” starts with some muscular guitar riffs and rhythms that immediately ring Japanese. In the PV, Fujii Rio helps this impression by banging the taiko under the watchful eye and ear of a sumo. From there on out, the sound, and the members of Kobushi Factory, explode out of the classroom. Hirose Ayaka, Fujii Rio, Nomura Minami, Ogawa Rena, Hamaura Ayano, Taguchi Natsumi, Wada Sakurako, and Inoue Rei play a game of pass the baton / tag that leads the girls through their school campus.

ReiRei: you lose

Scissors is always a bad move.

The look of determination .. and BEGIN!

As the girls run through the campus hallways, labs, cafeterias, and library, we get a refreshing look at this youngest set of Hello! Project. Thinking through the “Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan” promotional video, I like to remember that the girls went through some serious trials and immense mental obstacles to arrive at their debut. Sure, the PV asks the girls to play tag and pass the baton. We see Fujii Rio, Nomura Minami, and Taguchi Natsumi abandon their group mates when cornered by the baton wielding Inoue Rei, Hirose Ayaka, and Hamaura Ayano. Doesn’t this ring a bit too true? While this baton may not be an omen or an evil talisman, when the girls are cornered they needed to think about self-preservation above even their group mates. This mirrors what these girls must have done in order to make their dreams of debuting in Hello! Project reality. Let’s not even talk about how the sumo acts like a surrogate wota: impeding some girls and aiding different ones beyond logical thinking.

Ayapan on the stalk

MinaMina is sorry for ditching Renako

Renako turns the tables on Hama-chan

The Colonel will find you!

The lyrics, while they can be read as a generic cheer song, also read like a manifesto on survival in the Kenshuusei system. “Once is easy, but the second time is hard. Nothing is permanent in life”, “To win consistently, study hard steadily, and keep it up”, and “Even if it rains, even if spears drop, never forget the first resolution” might be spray painted on the walls of the Hello! Project rehearsal studios. “Humble but bold, very chic” could be the mission statement written on all the H!P memos!

Rooftop dance. Silver outfits.

Energy

The camera makes sweeping moves. The more difficult it is to capture, the better the quality, right?

Just as easily, “Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan” should be mandatory viewing and lessons for the scores of H!P trainees to come. The release serves as an example of how their work as trainees can pay dividends, produce stunning results, and even outsell other longtime favorite idol groups. Read the writings on the wall: be humble but bold, very chic.

And, scene!

You can buy “Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan / Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san no Uta / Nen niwa Nen (Neniri Ver.)” at CD Japan
Regular Edition A

Regular Edition B

Regular Edition C

Limited Edition A

Limited Edition B

Limited Edition C

The fall season is barely upon us, and Fuku-hime reminds us of the warmer sunnier days of the past. No complaints. Mizuki is a blessing no matter which way you look at it.

I think I should start out with a reminder: you can see Cheeky Parade live in the LA Area this weekend October 16-18. Details here, tickets here. Real talk: we’re not going to get many idol events outside of Japan, let alone the Los Angeles area. $15 for an idol event is worth a look if you know nothing about Cheeky Parade or are even lukewarm on Cheeky Parade. I hope I see you there.

Let’s take a good look at the second release from Cheeky Parade, “C.P.U!?”. Oldsters like me recognize CPU as “Central Processing Unit”, but in the case of the Cheeky, they mean “Cheeky Parade Understand!?”. The hyperactive song fills itself with guitars, big beats, and retro-gaming sounds. The girls chip in with vocals that flit from member to member in a way reminiscent of Momoiro Clover. In fact, the wackiness of the whole thing once gave the (incorrect) impression of Cheeky Parade as a bit of a MomoClo knock-off brand.

Running, jumping

Suzuki Mariya caught midflight

Well, you can’t trademark energy, and Cheeky Parade deliver a focused package with “C.P.U!?”. To start, the song doesn’t really switch genres the way one might think. Sure, the feel of the song changes from part to part, but I think we expect that nowadays. The retro sounds from before fit together with a song named (cheekily) in reference to the brains of a computer or a gaming unit, for that matter.

In the cockpit

like a blur

a nice moment of pause

The promotional video most notably ties everything together with its collage of retro-gaming images straight from a 1989 arcade. In keeping with that retro theme, the PV chooses to project the backdrop of the PV rather than use a green-screen (you can see this effect in Fairies’ PV for “Hikari no Hate ni“. The effect immerses the group into the graphics in a tangibly as the projection reflects off of the group in a way that can also be described as contamination. Is this contamination really a bad thing? Of course, the clear negative of this effect is the lack of lighting of the group. Thankfully, “C.P.U!?” provides us with solo shots of the girls to compensate.

actually, the darkness works here

Feel the contamination

solo, so low


Mariya making cheeky faces

“C.P.U!?” probably ranks as one of the more well-loved releases by Cheeky Parade. The group’s identity and this PV seem to wrap around each other like the serpent and the rod of Asclepius. Even now, the name Cheeky Parade closely associates with images of those preteen/young teen girls running and jumping feverishly around a dimly lit stage. Like all strong identities, the double edge of this association is the need to grow beyond those indelible images. Of course, that’s a discussion for another time.

And, scene!

—-
You can buy Cheeky Parade “C.P.U!?” at CD Japan

CDMaxi

CD + DVD

This is a second reminder: you can see Cheeky Parade live in the LA Area this weekend October 16-18. Details here, tickets here. This is the (not so) hidden agenda for all of these Cheeky Parade articles in the past few weeks. Real talk: we’re not going to get many idol events outside of Japan, let alone the Los Angeles area. $15 for an idol event is worth a look if you know nothing about Cheeky Parade or are even lukewarm on Cheeky Parade. I hope I see you there.

Entering the ring

Mystery

As the girls gather from all directions into the ring, the tension heightens. Their outlandish getups instantly conjures images of futuristic warriors and tokusatsu films while their bright, almost neon embellishments plant Cheeky Parade firmly in the idol arena. The camera swirls around the group mimicking the point and counterpoint string melodies. Could it be that Cheeky Parade got serious between the last two releases?

A good look at the costuming

“Mugendai Shoujo ∀ (無限大少女∀)” released in September 2013 was the third major release from Cheeky Parade. The song became their best selling single to date with a respectable 28, 340 units sold in its first week. Chances are, if you’ve seen any press photography of the girls performing live, you’ve seen a bit of the choreography of “Mugendai Shoujo ∀”. For me, the song seems to indicate a dividing line in the group’s history.

I don’t know if we can call the song serious, but “Mugendai Shoujo ∀” (or “Infinity Girl ∀”) moves beyond much of the playfulness of the group’s previous releases. The song’s intro signals this change clearly. This new gravity is probably felt best with the Cheeky’s impassioned delivery of the verse’s B melody. For a non-speaker like myself, the impression of the girls yearning for a better future comes across very strongly. Then, in an instant, the song switches tone from emotional sobbing to cheer and hope with the chorus melody. The set even changes from a dusk shoot to a daylight shoot. This lighting change will hit you over the head if nothing I’ve written here ever does.

It should be noted that “Mugendai Shoujo ∀” translates to “Infinity Girl ∀”. Now, that’s a right proper superhero name, isn’t it? Using that thought, Cheeky Parade’s third release starts to look like a meditation on the girl’s relationship with this Infinity Girl. Who is this Infinity Girl? The name implies some sort of time travel or alternate dimension. The musical tone shift accompanies every mention of her, so Infinity Girl (from the future) brings a relief and escape from pain and struggle. But, do you think the joy arises from her actual arrival, or does it come simply from the expectation of Infinity Girl?

The promotional video features some quality cinematic camera movements. The dolly track literally encircles the girls in their dance shots. Usually, exposing the machinery behind the scenes smacks of unprofessional production, but in this case the circle adds some interesting perspective to the video. The ring evokes images of a Mexican shootout (see For a Few Dollars More“) or a sumo dohyo.

This is a good place to talk more about the set. The location appears to be a burned out ruin. What happened here in the continuum of “Mugendai Shoujo ∀”? Is this the aftermath of the struggle, or just the beginning?

Much jumping. The future will have much jumping.

All of this struggle, this futuristic theme, this jump heavy choreography leads me to think about time leaps à la The Girl Who Leapt Through Time“. The fight against time, against aging, and against one’s hormonal self is very real. The desire to skip through all of those struggles weighs heavy on a young person- I know it did for me. Yet, skipping through the angst filled teen years also means skipping through the innocent joy of youth: the carefree moments and the moments of timeless joy. Cheeky Parade, as they stood in 2013, were still a young group. As we see them yearn and live the struggle as idols and young girls, we remember that the struggle is just as integral to youth as the joy.

And, scene.

You can buy Cheeky Parade’s “Mugendai Shoujo ∀” at CD Japan
CD only

CD + DVD

The lovely 12th generation Morning Musume member graces us with some lovely photos from the latest Young Jump magazine. The baseball freak couldn’t resist posing with a ball and glove! Maria is as cute as ever, and finally fulfilling her role as “the cute one”.
Enjoy!

In news dear to my heart, Country Girls added two new members to their ranks. Joining the kawaii assault are Hello! Project Kenshuusei members Funaki Musubi and Yanagawa Nanami. The timing of the announcement coincided with the girls’ First Anniversary event in Shinjuku. One year since the group’s formation and they’re already adding new members, eh?

I don’t think anyone can blame them. The loss of original Country Girls member Shimamura Uta opened a huge hole in the plans for the resurrection of Country Musume. If the member that emerges as the visual center of the group vanishes, a reformulation of plans is definitely warranted. Rather than look at this as a vote of “no confidence” in the current members, think of it as a vote of confidence for the Country Girls as a group. Someone up there believes the Country Girls can rise to prominence with the correct mixture of girls. Let’s just patch a few holes in this ship and see how far we can sail, right?

Here’s video of the announcement:

So, who are these new girls?

Funaki Musubu (船木結)




vitals:
Nickname: Funakki (ふなっき)
Birthday: May 10, 2002 (13 years old)
Hometown: Osaka
Blood Type: O
Height: 145 cm

Damn. This girl is SHORT. If the Country Girls were going to get new recruits, then I guess they need to be Momoko sized. The Osaka girls are always the fun ones, hopefully Funakki isn’t the exception. Funakki participated in the first Morning Musume 12th generation audition in 2013 (a.k.a. the one where no one won), and eventually found herself in the Projects as a Kenshuusei. She is member of the incredibly successful 20th generation Kenshuusei- Yamaki Risa (Country Girls), Yokogawa Yumei, Niinuma Kisora (Tsubaki Factory), Oura Hirona, Danbara Ruru and Haga Akane (Morning Musume). You saw that right: Musubu and Risa are Kenshuusei generation mates. I don’t really think it’s a coincidence.

Fun Fact- Funakki is the youngest member of Country Girls!

Yanagawa Nanami (梁川奈々美)



vitals:
Nickname: (she’s super new)
Birthday: January 6, 2002 (age 13)
Hometown: Kanagawa
Blood Type: A
Height: 143 cm
Oh man. They just get smaller and smaller! Nanami hasn’t been in the Hello! Project system for very long, so there is less data on the girl. Her data sheet indicates Nanami enjoys reading and plays the saxophone. Nanami, alongside Ono Mizuho, Nakano Rion, Maeda Kokoro, Akiyama Mao, Kanatsu Mizuki, Kasahara Momona and Okamoto Honoka, is a member of the newest Kenshuusei batch: the 24th generation. Needless to say, Nanami is the first girl of the bunch to debut. In other words: I don’t have much to say about this girl because she still has the new-hire shine to her. Welcome to the Projects.

The other more dreadful thought in my head is Tsugunaga Momoko. The lone Berry holds the “Playing Manager” role for the group, but for how much longer? I’m sure she can continue for a little while more, but there needs to be an end-game for her and the rest of the Country Girls. The number of new girls suspiciously matches the number of replacements needed for the original configuration of Country Girls: one girl to replace Uta, one girl to replace Momoko. This is complete speculation on my part, but Country Girls look to be preparing itself for life after Momochi.

Anyways, what do you think of the new girls? Do you have a favorite? Is your personal ranking of the Country Girls affected, or is Ozeki Mai still your number one?

Let me know in the comments!

External Links
Mitsui Aika / Up Front Link comments
Blog Coverage
Morning Girls on the Run
The Hello Project-er
Okay Musume Time

Surely by now you’ve already heard the news. Sayashi Riho, the center of Morning Musume for the roughly the last 3 ½ years holds her graduation concert on the last day of 2015. On December 31, with all of Hello! Project in attendance at Nakano Sun Plaza, RihoRiho takes center stage for the last time. From what I understand, Sayashi had the option of graduating on the last day of the current “Morning Musume. ’15 Concert tour Aki ~ PRISM ~” on December 8 in Nippon Budokan, but instead she chose the smaller venue. Perhaps the drama of a “year-end to end all year-ends” proved too irresistible. When the time comes, Sayashi Riho will have served in Hello! Project for 1,824 days, or just shy of 5 years.

Thank you for always supporting Morning Musume.’15.

I have something that I must convey to you all.

I, Sayashi Riho,
will graduate from Morning Musume. on December 31 of this year.

It’s been about 5 years since the 6th grade, when I joined the Morning Musume. that I had admired since I was in kindergarten,
Starting from Tsunku♂-san, all of the numerous staff, all of the Morning Musume. and Hello! Project members, and even more so from all of the fans, by all of you I have been supported as I continued run forward.

However, in the midst of continuing to run forward, this year I began to think of my life from here on out.
Are there not other experiences that I must have, so that I can live strongly, as one person? Is how I have come to think.

I consulted many times with the management, and after taking the time to confirm the growth of my juniors the 12ki this year, I have come to the decision to graduate from Morning Musume.
In regard to my graduation day, when it will have been 5 years since I joined Morning Musume.,
as well as the last day of “Morning Musume.’15,” it has been decided that I will graduate at the Countdown Live on December 31.
For the Morning Musume. tour, December 7th and 8th at the Nippon Budokan will be my last performances.

I am sorry for the abrupt announcement.
I think I have probably surprised you.
But I have been worrying about this within myself up until now.
And from that this decision came to be.

I am thinking of going abroad to study dance and English from now on.
In doing so, I’ll get a lot of experience and grow from it, and I will do my best so that I may return quickly.

Although I only have two months until my graduation,
until then, I want to complete “Morning Musume.’15” together with the other members.

I want to run forward with all of my strength until December 31, so everyone, please treat me well!

Morning Musume.’15
Sayashi Riho

Translation from Blog-Project
Original Ameblo Graduation Announcement

Grad announcement at “Morning Musume ’15 Fall Tour ~PRISM~” in Hiroshima

Riho talks about her graduation IN ENGLISH

When I remember Riho during the Ninth Generation Auditions, I remember a girl with intense focus and incredible skills. Riho seemed to know she was good; she wasn’t afraid to show off the skills she acquired during her schooling at the Actor’s School Hiroshima (see: Perfume). Her clear talent made her an instant favorite among Morning Musume fans. I knew I wanted the girl to succeed in this audition because at the time the group was in the middle of a talent drain that would empty the group of it’s best singers and dancers in a matter of months. When Riho was introduced on January 2, 2011 I felt Morning Musume took a huge step in keeping itself stocked with talent for at least the next five years (look how prophetic that was!).

As Riho put Morning Musume on her shoulders (as we all wanted her to do), an interesting phenomenon developed. Riho’s smug-looking smile won her more fans, increased singing lines, and more photobooks (I’m still waiting for the first Ikuta Erina photobook); yet, resentment towards the young savior grew. I don’t get it. Sayashi Riho turned out more talented, interesting, and resilient than anyone dreamed in 2011. A 16/17 year-old girl captained one of the longest running and storied idol groups in Japanese history. Yet, many (Westerners) call her overrated. I think Riho was born to occupy center stage, and I’m grateful she spent some of the time at the center of Morning Musume stages.

I’d like to be very clear about Sayashi Riho: I’m sad to see her leave the group. Her performance intensity, talent, and professionalism will be difficult to replace. I don’t believe Morning Musume and Hello! Project wanted Riho to leave. She really seems to have made this choice on her own, with her own future in mind. I must commend the girl. Continuing with Morning Musume would have been the safe choice for her future.

Sayashi already accomplished her goals with the group. How strange to have accomplished your five-year old self’s dream (when I was five I wanted to be an airline pilot!). The group made its dramatic return to prominence. Morning Musume is once again one the best selling idol groups in Japan. With Sayashi Riho at center, Morning Musume exploded with an unprecedented five straight number one singles. The group dipped its foot into foreign markets with a successful solo concert in New York. Right now, the future looks pretty good for Morning Musume, Riho’s dream since kindergarten.

While no one wants her to leave Morning Musume, there’s a flipside to Sayashi Riho’s graduation announcement. If Riho continues with the group, she would definitely continue at center position. This means less lines for the other girls. This means less focus for the other girls. This means less development for the other girls. Less development means an even greater catastrophe down the line had Riho chosen to stay. The time will come when the new 12th generation will be the backbone of Morning Musume. And now, while most of the ninth and tenth generation girls are still intact, is a good time for them to get their start.

I say this with full seriousness and gravity: what about Nonaka Miki? When I mention the future of Morning Musume, I’m really saying Nonaka Miki. By all accounts, Miki possesses talent similar to Riho. Like Sayashi, Miki attended performing arts schools, practiced dance, practiced singing, and performed at an amatuer level throughout her childhood. But unlike Riho, Miki did it in the USA speaking English. Contrary to the YouTube J-Pop blockade, I really think Hello! Project sees its future in the world market. Nonaka Miki seems like the perfect girl to launch Morning Musume into the west with undreamed penetration. After overseeing her growth over the last year, after staying on a year to insure against sudden collapse, now is the time. Remember that huge step forward Morning Musume took with Sayashi Riho? Now is the time again; only this time it’s with Nonaka Miki.

Do you feel it now? Do you feel Sayashi Riho pushing Morning Musume toward its future? Do you really think she’s graduating for purely selfish reasons?

As for Sayashi Riho, I don’t think her continued participation in the group serves her any purpose. She’s now at the proper place and the proper age to decide on the course for the next few years, if not the rest of her life. Don’t feel too sad for her: her time with Morning Musume was (mostly) beautiful, magical, and filled with success. When you accomplish your goals, you leave on a high note. When you accomplish your goals, you find new lands to conquer. I wish Sayashi Riho the best, and I hope to see her somewhere in Los Angeles soon (see: Goto Maki). “Hentai ja nai yo!”

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Itsumo Genki
Morning Meteora
Okay Musume Time

In the audition that nobody wanted, the winner is a girl from outside the Projects named Kamikokuryou Moe. That sound very harsh, but I think it rings true. At least, it rang true last week. Now that we’ve seen and heard her, Moe is very welcome to the clan of gremlins known as S/mileage Angerme. Vital details follow:

Name: Kamikokuryou Moe (上國料萌衣)
Birthday: October 24, 1999
Age: 16 … barely
Hometown: Kumamoto
Bloodtype: O
Height: 150 cm (Mini Moni sized)

Some photos from Hello Station #143
Maimi and Captain (H!P Queen Bitches™) about to break the news to Moe

Kamiko-chan’s entrance

Cries. Check out her eyes getting all red


The hazing begins!

They’re literally chanting “L-O-V-E Lovely Kamisama!”

Kamiko- air drums, Takechan- air guitar, Dracula- vocals, Murotan- being weird

Singing along to “Taiki Bansei” in a circle .. they all fall down!

Moe is so new. She doesn’t even know to look at the camera!

In a related note, the girl plays the drums. No footage yet.

Being new to Hello! Project, a scant amount of data exists for Kami-chan Kamiko-chan. I’ve seen reports where she either missed the Morning Musume 12-ki audition or failed the 12-ki audition. She’s 16, so it’s more likely she failed the audition. Interesting fact, considering some footage of the girl singing karaoke exists, and she’s not terrible!

By the way, “not terrible” is my way of saying “pretty good”.

Also, there seems to be some symmetry at play. Kamiko-chan failed the Morning Musume audition, but ended up in S/mileage Angerme. OdaSaku failed the S/mileage audition, but ended up in Morning Musume. I would never make the trade back.

Honestly, she seems cute enough. Already, the hordes have been comparing Moe’s looks to other girls both in and out of the projects. She’s short, has good hair and a pleasant smile. Plus, Moe can hold a note and stay in key. That’s a good combination. With little data to go on, all I can say is “Welcome to the Projects”. This girl’s world is about to be turned upside-down!

Bonus:
Here’s more Kamiko-chan from her now-defunct (obv) Twitter. It looks like her lunch at school and feels like an invasion of privacy. Well, it WAS on Twitter.

Related blogs:
Chia’s Blog
Okay! Musume Time
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I’ve planned to write about Fukuda Kanon for a while, and now these words are reaching the void days after her graduation from S/mileage, ANGERME, and Hello! Project. My difficulty with words manifested, and I stopped and started writing about Fukuda Kanon many times now. I attribute this to the complex character that Kanon formulated . Sometimes she seemed very troll-ish and sometimes even resentful of her idol career. Reports of disinterested handshakes and cold fan interactions didn’t really help either. Why so I love this girl?

One thing seems true: Fukuda Kanon loves Hello! Project probably more than most of us. Like most of the Eggs who graduated from the early years of the program, Kanon spent half her life in the Projects. Steadfast and determined, Kanon continued her career despite slaps in her face and ample opportunity to search out greener pastures. If her resilience doesn’t indicate some degree of passion, then I’m not sure I’m passionate about anything.

For the early part of her career, Kanon was known mainly as the latest candidate in the Hello! Project cloning program. Specifically, Nyon bore a resemblance to the tragic star of the Projects- Kago Ai. When I first glimpsed the projects in 2007, I learned about Aibon, her incredible talent and charisma, and her dismissal from Hello! Project under disgrace. Unfairly, the young Kanon seemed to shoulder the hopes of HaroWota in succeeding Aibon because of her looks.

Kanon was chosen as a member of Shugo Chara Egg!, a back dancer for Mano Erina, and finally a member of S/mileage (the first new group in H!P since I started my fandom). Her career was on an upward trajectory, and she became her Cinderella character fully. But then, things happened. I think the first sign of trouble was Tsunku, the grand wizard himself, publically ridiculed Kanon’s Cinderella character in one of his challenges to S/mileage. Doubt began to set in. Focus seemed to shift from Kanon’s rise in the Projects to her faults. Kanon stood in the shadow of the other S/mileage members in terms of looks and (interestingly) singing talent. Things really spiralled when it became clear that Kanon was not going to possess then super thin idol body or the voluptuous idol body. Cruelly, some referred to Kanon as a seal. I mean, that just really hurts. It hurts me just thinking about it. Silently or not, Kanon couldn’t measure up to the other girls using those metrics that seemed to matter to others.

Sad as this seems, this is the part of Fukuda Kanon to which I relate the best. A first rate idol in my eyes, Kanon was made to feel second rate. I remember in 2011, the sparkly new Ikuta Erina sang and danced the choreography of “Uchouten Love” for Kanon and the camera person (I think it was Maeda Yuuka) said to Kanon “She’s cuter than Kanon”. Weirdly, Kanon responded with “I know!”. Why would she say such a thing? Where is her confidence? Kanon believed she was a second rate idol. She was a reincarnation of Cinderella who could not hold on to her glorious transformation. I don’t want to get into my personal life too much, but man- I feel this. Part of my personal psychology is the middle-child syndrome and this feeling of living the life of a disappointment. Without going into much detail, I’ll reiterate what I’ve already said on Twitter- not one person invited me to their Thanksgiving dinner in the last two years. Without going into detail, I feel like a seal or a beached manatee on even my thinnest days. I open up to you not because I want your pity. I want you to know how I understand Fukuda Kanon.

Watching Fukuda Kanon always gives me strength because she survived so many tumultuous events in her career. All of the member changes, name changes, character assassination, fickle fans, and life as a doppelganger. I can understand how she is insecure, grumpy, and even troll-ish. I can be all of those things as well. And, like me, Kanon loves Hello! Project like a fan (with an oshii even!).

I say of this speculatively, but Kanon probably understood that she was never destined to be the superstar center of the group. But, loving Hello! Project and S/mileage as she did, Nyon saw that she could contribute by become a foil for the new members. Just think about how poison tongue Michishige Sayumi shone the spotlight on the other members by playing the vain sharp-witted character. When Kanon said Eripon was cuter than her, maybe she was really trying to promote the new members of Hello! Project in a twisted, self-deprecating way. Kanon’s disinterested handshakes make Nakanishi Kana’s warmth seem all the more warmer, right? Maybe Kanon was really trying to push her wota onto the other S/mileage members?

I know- wild speculation that may or may not have any truth behind it. But, think about Kanon’s graduation. She hinted that she was going to do something special, something never before done. By her own design Kanon sang a duet with every member of Angerme in a show-stopping medley that proved a highlight of her graduation. The medley, like Nyon’s graduation, was unprecedented. I could easily see the medley becoming a mainstay for ANGERME graduations in years to come. But, the important part here is that Fukuda Kanon took the spotlight she earned from years of work in the Projects and made her kouhai members shine. She didn’t need to do that. Selfish and self-important? In this moment at least, I don’t see it.

I think Fukuda Kanon chose her graduation timely wisely. Things were very touch-and-go for her group for so long. For years, S/mileage felt like it was on the brink of destruction. Now that her group is reborn as ANGERME (literally died and gone to heaven), Kanon can get some rest. I known Fukuda Kanon for so long. I have loved Fukuda Kanon in ways that I don’t even fully understand. I want so much for Kanon to love her life and return to us only when she feels at peace with her demons. And, I WANT Kanon to vanquish those demons so I can feel reassured I can vanquish my own demons. We can fight together from across the sea. We are not alone with our troubles. Thank you, Kanon. You will always be my Cinderella: born from ashes, returned to ashes, and ultimately the princess you always were.

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You remember Christmas Idol Heaven last year, right? Well, we got the same thing going on in 2015, with some of the more popular idols in idoldom lending their assistance. Santa’s little helpers indeed!
Let’s get things started!


First up we have Kodama Haruka from HKT48 and AKB48. You know me, ever the AKB philistine. No, I don’t know much about this girl, but I’m sure you won’t need help looking for more evidence.

Takeda Saki from Palet is next. Yes, the PASSPO auditionees have taken on a life of their own with Palet.

Asakawa Nana from Super Girls is in this next photo. This is also why I don’t look more into Super Girls. I’m all for a little bikini action with my idols, but I get the impression they push the envelope way too much for my taste. Maybe I’m wrong?

Nogizaka46 brings us Saito Asuka. Of all the AKS groups, I find myself getting more into N46. So, she has that going for her.

Kyouka from Yumemiru Adolescence is the next girl in this feature. I’ve only just begun listening to YumeAdo, so I’m not very familiar with the group. But, Kyouka’s got something going on- my moe alarms are ringing for this Santa’s Helper

Regular readers of my blog should be familiar with the next model: Fukumura Mizuki. She really is something special, isn’t she? Don’t you wanna go total RihoRiho and caress her arm?

This is Kaneko Shiori. Sources close to me (the internet) tell me she’s a graduated member of SKE48. I’m sure you will approve.

The penultimate model in this very special edition is Ono Nonoka. Well, Nonoka has a fun name to say, doesn’t she? Judging from my Google search, Nonoka is a gravure model cum actress who was first discovered as a beer salesgirl at Tokyo Dome baseball games. I’ll be clear here: I love baseball.

The last Santa Helper is C-ute’s Suzuki Airi. Man, I’ve been tweeting the Dickens out of Airi. I mean, just look at the way she is playing with the hem of her skirt. What is that? Is she trying to kill me?

I think it’s fair to say that I’m intermittently a fan of Fairies. Their releases are always solid with relatively few dips in quality. Mr. Platonic, released on November 18, 2015, is one of the cases where the group that focuses on dance performance and likable dance tracks gets things right. The girls look great in the PV, the outfits they wear are interesting and flattering, and the song “Mr. Platonic” is a fun listen.

The song alternates between a funky beat in the verses to a solid drive during the choruses. Melodically, the song is instantly singable with an instantly recognizable chorus. Personally, I really enjoy the verse instrumentals. The kick and the bass play together rhythmically giving the song a tight and focused sound. A couple of guitars are heard in the back playing some tasty licks and accents a la Prince’s “Kiss“. Things don’t get too busy like many Japanese arrangements, and there’s just enough interesting textures and rhythms to spice things.



The video for “Mr. Platonic” sets itself up in a dance club-cum-fashion show. Or maybe it’s just a club with a stage that happens to terminate in a catwalk. Honestly, most of the time I see this arrangement, there are poles going from the ceiling to the floors. Whatever. The fashion show bit doesn’t particularly interest me as much as the performance shots of the girls wearing their black-and-white mini cape outfits. I really love the shiny leather accents on the outfits. I even love the impracticality of their leather half gloves (really, go check those out).

Of course, idols on runways are always a dicey situation. You know, they’re not runway models. Also, runway modeling is not as easy as it may appear. I much prefer the girls walking down and lipping the words than trying to pose in those 80’s catastrophe outfits. Honestly, are Sora’s pants always painted on to her, or am I just imagining that?

Just a little awkward

Painted.

And, let’s say that Shimomura Miki is the MVP of this release. She looks fabulous in every shot, and owns the second verse. Yes, management still has it bad for Ito Momoka (I like her, too). I’m sure all the Fairies people are glad the playing field has leveled out.


With almost dead certainty, “Mr. Platonic” will be Fairies’ entry into my 2015 Single of the Year post. You probably remember that Fairies did very well last year with “Bling Bling My Love“. I guess this proves that the Fairies that I like are the big dumb dance track Fairies.

And, scene.

Watch the PV [short version]

You can buy Fairies “Mr. Platonic” at CD Japan

Mr. Platonic [CD+DVD]


Mr. Platonic [Fairies ver.]


Mr. Platonic [Limited Edition/Momoka Ito Ver.]


Mr. Platonic [Limited Edition/Mahiro Hayashida Ver.]


Mr. Platonic [Limited Edition/Miria Fujita Ver.]


Mr. Platonic [Limited Edition/Rikako Inoue Ver.]

Mr. Platonic [Limited Edition/Sora Nomoto Ver.]


Mr. Platonic [Limited Edition/Miki Shimomura Ver.]

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