Janakya Mottainai ~An Idol blog~

Janakya Mottainai is moving!

2011-08-20T17:58:00.000-04:00

This is the last post I will be writing on this blog. And that's because Janakya Mottainai is moving over to a new blog. You can read more about it there.
Here's my new site url:

http://intlwota.com/janakyamottainai/

So, come on over to my new blog if you want. And if you want to read my posts in the future please update your links. :D

Blog hiatus

2011-08-18T13:34:00.001-04:00

So, I woke up today and it said all of my bandwidth exceeded on photobucket. Now, I am completely horrible at computers, and had no idea what that even meant. And, after some googling, apparently there is no way to change this or to fix this unless I upgrade my photobucket to pro. And since I don't have a job, or even a bank account, I have absolutely no way to upgrade my account. So, that means I now have to resave and rehost ALL of my pictures on my blog to a site that has unlimited bandwidth. Which is approximately 3,020 images. 3,020! Obviously this is going to take me weeks, if not a month, to do. And I honestly am not looking forward to it at all.

I am so completely upset right. Like on the verge of tears upset. (Whatever, I cry at the drop of a hat) So, yeah don't expect any kind of updates for a while.

The happiest C-ute fan in the world

2011-08-15T14:53:00.000-04:00

The full PV for C-ute's upcoming single, Sekai ichi Happy na Onna no ko, has been released on their official youtube channel. Ad it honestly seems really rushed. The single isn't releases until September 7th but we're getting the PV now. Which is about a week or 2 early. And we're getting the PV with no warning. Not one PV preview was released for this single.

When I first watched the PV I decided I hated it withing the first 10 seconds. But for some reason by the time I finished watching I was in love with the PV. Which is something that never happens with me. Usually it's pretty cut and dry, I either love the PV or I hate it. And everything about this PV points to me hating it. The PV itself is extremely cheap. A majority of the PV is filmed in the exact same place. They have the dance shot up front, and then 5 feet behind them is the space for their close-ups. Which is something they hardly ever do in idol PVs. No matter how low of a budget they have, the dance shot and close-ups are 2 different settings. Even the cheapest of the cheap PVs don't really do this. I can honestly only think of a few PVs that actually do this. Which are Buono's Renai Rider, and actually most of Kusumi Koharu's solo singles. Another reason I should hate it is because of the dance. The dance is extremely simple. But idol dances are hardly ever good. Literally 9/10 are terrible.
I should also hate it because literally nothing happens in the PV. Just cute idol poses and close-ups, and that's it. Yet for some reason, despite all of this, I absolutely adore the PV. Because believe it or not I am pretty easy to please. I might be super critical of idol PVs, but that's not to say I don't enjoy most of them. The PV itself could be god awful, but if my idols look cute and are doing cute things, chances are I'm going to like the PV. It will never be my favorite idol PV of all time, but I will still enjoy it thoroughly. And that's exactly what this PV is like. The PV is simple, but it's not exactly boring. There are still a few cute elements to the PV. And above all, C-ute look absolutely adorable in this PV. They are wearing puffy idol dresses and oversized hair accessories. It's that's not adorable, I don't know what is!

I feel like I've seen this before. But I can't put my finger on it. And not Perfume's One Room Disco, somewhere else.

I challenge anyone to say that every members doesn't look to cute for words in this PV. I'm not the biggest Saki fan, but I want hug her in this PV.

Why does every idol group think this is a move worth repeating?

Airi looks perfect in her close-ups. *O*

Chisa looks pretty fresh and cute.

How is it possible for Maimi to be gorgeous and adorable at the same time?

Airi is so cute.

Gorgeous. MaiMai has been standing out to me a lot more lately.

Adorable smile.

Mai standing out, even in the background.

Creepy smile. Lol.

Airi! *O*

What's with the random orange?

These are probably my favorite scenes. You get to see every member, and they look cute and doll like.

Ring around the Airi.

Lol.

The funky chicken. Seriously?

Adorable.

Look how cute Nacky is.

It's pretty obvious what the dominos are for.

Adorable!

I have to admit, Saki really knows how to make her close-ups interesting.

The laying down scenes remind me of Paramore's The Only Exception music video. ~~American music reference no one cares about. XD~~

Absolutely adorable!

Lolz at Maimi.

Totally saw this coming.

It reminds me too much of Berryz Koubou's Tomodachi wa Tomodachi Nanda PV.

This shot is weird. They almost look fake.

Meet the S/mileage 2nd gen!

2011-08-14T10:32:00.001-04:00

After months of waiting, and a hands on audition experience, the new S/mileage 2nd generation members were finally announced at the Hello! Project 2011 Summer ~Nippon no Mirai wa Wow Wow Live~ concert.

The 5 members who were selected are:

Katsuta Rina

Rina is 13 years old and her nickname for the group is Rinapuu. I have to say I am completely excited that Rina passed the auditions. She was one of my favorites and I was rooting for her. She has a cute voice, and seriously is mini Nono to me. A lot of people seem to think she's ugly. My poor Rinapuu is getting haters already.

Kosuga Fukuya

Fukuya is 13 years old and her nickname for the group is Fuu-chan. Now, I'm not really the biggest fan of Fukuya. I didn't like her voice in the auditions. And it wasn't bad or anything, it just lacked energy. That's something she really needs to work on.

Nakanishi Kana

Kana is 14 years old and her nickname in the group is Kanana. I am actually at lose for words about Kana joining the group. I absolutely did not like her one bit. She had the worst voice in the entire audition. I can't fathom why she joined. Her personality didn't pop to me, like Zukki's did. Zukki was the worst singer in the 9th gen but her energetic personality sold her to me. Kana did seem to smile a lot suring the auditions but she didn't seem to burst with energy to me. It seems she was only picked because she's pretty. And she is, she's absolutely adorable. Hopefully, her personality makes up for the things she lacks. Because right now a KonKon moment happened with her.

Tamura Meimi

Meimi is 12 years old her her nickname for the group is MeiMei. I am ecstatic that 13 made it! She was an obvious fan favorite, and was one of my personal favorites. Her voice was so cute and kind of strong. Her whole image just fit S/mileage perfectly. I couldn't be happier that Meimi was picked. The only real draw back for Meimi is she isn't that great at dancing. Hopefully, something like that won't effect her chances of joining.

Takeuchi Akari

Akari is 13 years old and her nickname for the group is Take-chan. And Maimi's cousin passes the audition. I wonder if things like that helped her pass? Maybe I'm just being cynical. And if it did she probably would have debuted a while age. Akari wasn't really my favorite auditioner. But her years of Egg training has put Akari at such a high level of singing and dancing that she deserved to join the group.

Even though these girls were announced as the winners of the auditions they are not out of the woods yet. Every single girl, yes every single one of them, are not official members of the group yet, instead they are all sub-members. They will appear in the S/mileage's upcoming 7th single and will take part in S/mileage's fall concert. And their performance in the concert will determine their permanence. Apparently the new members have the chances becoming a full member, entering the Eggs, making a new unit, or being dropped completely. Which is a complete 180 from what Tsunku had originally said. He said that if 6 members joined 2 would become members, and the other 4 would become trainee members. It seems Tsunku (or conceivably who ever is really in control of H!P) changed his mind and decided to have the new members tackle yet another hurdle. At first I thought this was a bit harsh, and even a slap in the face. But after I think about it more it almost seems fitting. S/mileage themselves had to get 10,000 smiles just to be able to make their major debut. So, why not make the new members go through a similar ritual? And besides that, it's even more press for S/mileage. Regardless of the outcome, you can be sure it's going to be mentioned somewhere in the media if the members are becoming permanent or not. Which just shows how Tsunku is handling the auditions perfectly to give S/mileage maximum exposure.
As for my reactions to the winners themselves, am I 100% happy? Of course I'm not. I wanted first and foremost, the lovely Miyamoto Karin to win. That girl seriously had everything. She was the best singer, the best dancer, and she is absolutely adorable. I am completely devastated that Karin didn't win. But there's nothing I can really do about it. As a fan, you can't expect to have your favorites picked every single time. Anyone who watched the Morning Musume 8th gen auditions knows that. I am honestly lucky that Suzuki Kanon got picked at all. Having my favorite picked again would obviously be incredible, but obviously incredibly unlikely.
After Karin my favorites were: Miyazaki, Yamaga, Rina, and Meimi. So, I actually didn't make out too bad. Since there were so many good singers in the auditions I secretly hoped that they would add 5 members, and I am actually thrilled they did. I can also hold out the hope that my other favorites auditioned for both the S/mileage 2nd gen and the Morning Musume 10th gen. Karin was talented enough to make it to the finals of both. Despite the general consesus of the fans, I actually don't think she would work that well for Morning Musume. She just fits S/mileage better. But that ship has sailed, and I'd rather have her in Morning Musume than not in a group at all.

And here's a completely unpopular opinion, but a part of me actually wants all the girls to get kicked out. Not for any malicious reason. I am actually really excited by the possibility of another group being formed. Ever since S/mileage first formed I've always wanted S/mileage to be in a Berryz Koubou and C-ute type of situation. Where the groups were formed a year apart and are pretty similar to each other. However, as time keeps passing that possibility gets further and further away.

Morning Musume-Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai radio rip

2011-08-12T07:32:00.000-04:00

We finally have a preview for the second A-side from Morning Musume's upcoming double A-side 47th single, Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo/Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai. However, the preview for Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai is about half of the song or less.

The song sounds nothing like I was expecting at all! The beginning of the song has some random train noises thrown in. Which immediately reminded me of the opening from Harajuku 6:00 Shuugou, just without the speaking parts, or Inspiration. And then the actual music starts and it sounds like a toned down version of Guru Guru Jump. And then theres also these beach party music randomly throughout the song. Which is a tad reminiscent to Berryz Koubou's Madayade. Which is awesome because I wanted an upbeat song with a big instrumental, something along the lines of Lemon Iro to Milk Tea. However, this song isn't that big. It's far too toned down. The song is almost there, they just needed to go all out and push it a little further. But I have to admit, I do like it more than Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo. I don't know, the sound is just better. But overall, this is a really incredible single. It sounds like the songs Morning Musume used to release. Hopefully, this is a sneak peek of things to come.
This song is lead by Sayumi, and surprisingly I don't really care or mind. Sayumi hardly has one of my favorite voices in Morning Musume. But every once in a blue moon she's handed a song that's perfect for her voice and she actually enhances the song. She did it in Fantasy ga Hajimaru, It's You, and to some degree in Appare Kaiten Zushi. And I think Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai is one of those times. That mixed with being sick of hearing nothing but Ai and Reina, anyone else is a nice change. This song does still feature the usual suspects a lot. Ai, Reina, Risa, and Riho get lines. But just adding Sayumi's voice and having her take away some of the lines they woud get, throws off the normal balance and adds a different element to the song. And since this is only half the song we can hope that this means in the second half the other members will get lines. And even if they don't at least have a different 9th gen member sing where Riho's line would go in the second verse. I really want Aika to have a line. You can hear her voice in one of the group parts and she actually sounds good in the song.

Yutorin turns 18!

2011-08-10T05:21:00.000-04:00

It's August 10th, so you know what that means. My favorite underage JE boy turns 18. Even though Yuto is only exactly 1 year and 4 months younger than me, I still felt creepy because he wasn't 18. I'll probably rejoice more when Anderson Casey turns 18. I've been perving on him since he was 15. Him and his "I look exactly like someone you know in real life" face. But I don't really follow Juniors. Therefore, Yuto ~~is still~~ was my favorite underage JE boy.

I'm not even sure why Yuto is my favorite member of Hey! Say! JUMP. He's not the best looking member, which would be Ryosuke or Yabu. He's not the funniest member, which would be Inoo or Hikaru. But there's just something about Yuto that attracts me to him. He's got this dorky and quirky charm that I find appealing. Yuto is just so cute and loveable.

To commerorate this milestone calls for a picspam of epic proportions.

Also here's a Yuto heavy live performance. Since Yuto hasn't gotten a solo song in a hundred years, this performance of Dash is the closest he's come in a long time.

C-ute-Sekai ichi Happy na Onna no ko radio rip

2011-08-06T06:03:00.000-04:00

The radio rip for C-ute's upcoming single, Sekai ichi Happy na Onna no ko, has been released.

I gotta say, I do really like the overall sound of this song. It is incredibly happy and upbeat. And it's also has a hint of a rock vibe, because there's a constant guitar rift in the background. The song is pretty much sounds like a generic idol song. But I still think there's a little something more than that in this song. Momoiro Sparkling was pretty generic too, but I like this song about 30 times more than Momoiro Sparkling.
I really love the super fast lines that Airi and Maimi sing before the chorus. But for the most part, I don't really like the way this song is sung. The girl's are trying too hard to sound cute, and it's making their voices sound a little awkward. Especailly Chisato, Mai, and Saki. There voices are pretty annoying in this song. And don't even get ma started on Saki. Her voice isn't the greatest to begin with, but it's almost ear piercing at some parts.

AKB48's new PV comes through with flying colors

2011-08-06T05:39:00.001-04:00

The PV for AKB48's upcoming single, Flying Get, has been released. I really wanted to say the full PV has been released. But since the PV on the DVD will be a whopping 18 minutes long, this seems more like the short version. Or at least the TV version.

I absolutely love everything about this PV. I think the old martial arts movie theme is incredible. I love that the outfits fit the theme, but are still cute at the same time. I think the fighting scenes are choreographed very well, and are pulled off perfectly. There's a great balance of the member's attacking and taking counter attacks. Overall, I think the PV is very exciting and entertaining. And it has the potential to become an amazing PV. That's right the potential, because I honestly don't think it's at a 10/10 just yet. I'd say it's more of a 7/10. And the reason for that is, while I was watching the PV the entire time everything just seemed rushed. The PV seemed to focus a lot more time on the dancing/singing scenese then they should of. And because of that all the fighting scenes seemed incredibly rushed. It seems like they tried to shorten this PV the best they could. So, they shoved as much fighting, and different girls, as they could in 5 minutes. Making some parts of the PV seem a little choppy.
If anything, this PV seems more like a tease. Now that I'm in intrigued by this PV I really want to see the full version already. I mean, they leave us hanging on Acchan's and Yuko's fight! Even though, since Acchan did win the senbatsu it's 95% likely she wins the fight.

I love how everyone but Acchan stands down here.

I think I'm supposed to be intimidated here, but I'm just not. Lol.

Mayu and Mariko have the cutest hairstyles. And look at Yuki looking all gorgeous.

I absolutely love the set.

I love Yuko's dress. I really wish everyone get to wear the Chinese dresses, and not just Yuko and Atsuko.

Lolz that they are spliting the senbatsu by boots. The media senbatsu get gold gold boots, and the regualr senbatsu get the black boots. I actually think the black boots are prettier.

Also, I hate that the dance shot looks nearly exactly like their live performances of the song. XD

The glowing eyes are just so random. But look how evil Sayaka looks.

Sasshi!

Mayu!

I never really liked this outfits before, but they are actually pretty cute.

Acchan looks pretty here.

Amina's creepy face. XD

Right in the face! Poor, I wanna say Sayaka, but it's too blurry to be 100%.

Despite being attacked, Jurina still manages to look creepy.

I love how Tomomi looks more angry than scared. XD

Um...what?

Yeah, do it Sasshi!

Is that Mayu? It's extremely hard to tell, but those do look like her ears. XD

Lolz just tossed aside. But I'm sure the less popular members are used to that.

Awesome!

This is awesome too.

Mayu is just adorable!

Lolz at Mariko's intense face.

Priceless face.

Asuka looks gorgeous here!

No, don't steal the giant painting of Acchan! Um...what?

Does anyone else think of the crazy 88's from Kill Bill everytime they see these masked guys?

No one messes with Maeda Atsuko!

Awesome.

Yeah, because everyone has magic lightning powers.

The stare down!

Of course you're always more evenly matched if you both have magic powers.

The song is called Flying Get, so of course there has to be flying. XD

Acchan looks so much like a guy here. XD

I really want to know what happens!

A new idol group worth looking into

2011-08-04T06:17:00.000-04:00

The entertainment agency Vision Factory has revealed that they have created a new idol group. The new group is called Fairies and is made up of 7 memebers who's age range from 12-14 years old. Their debut single is entitled More Kiss, which currently doesn't have a release date.

When I first saw pictures of this group a month ago I didn't think anything of it. I was going to blog about them, but I honestly didn't see anything special about them. I thought they were going to be like Tokyo Girl's Style, where their young age kind of turned me off of them. But once I heard a preview of their debut single I was sold on them.
More Kiss is absolutely incredible. It has an amazing beat, and despite the member's ages, is a lot more mature than the majority of idol music out there. I hear elements in this song that remind me of Amuro Namie, Utada Hikaru, and BoA. And the singing is at a pretty high level. Most idol singers have a specific type of cutesy voice, and are sometimes terrible singers. But these girls sound more like legit singers than idols. With much smoother and deeper voices then you would normally hear leading an idol song. And that unique element makes them a stand out to me. And a group I plan on keeping an eye on.

Morning Musume-Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo preview

2011-08-04T05:43:00.001-04:00

The radio rip for the first song from Morning Musume's upcoming double A-side single, Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo! / Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai, has been released. I have been waiting for this rip for weeks now. Since the concert rip wasn't the best quality I've been waiting for the radio rip to finally hear the song.

You know, I wasn't instantly in love with this song when I first started to listen to it. But half way through the song, it just made sense. And I actually do really like the song. It's not my absolutely favorite, and there is an obvious room for improvement. But I think the song sounds good. The beginning of the song has this funky sort of disco vibe, with some jazz undertones. Risa's and Ai's jazzy extended notes during the bridge were just absolutely incredible, and one of my favorite parts of the song. However, I can't really say that about Reina's line there. And then the chorus hits and it sounds like a completely different song. The song gets a lot more upbeat and happy. And for a minute I thought it was Ganbare Nippon Soccer Fight. The chorus is just Ai and Reina but they pretty much kill their lines, so I don't mind. And Reina also hits this high note toward the end of the song and it's nearly flawless.

I really want to complain that the song's line distribution is completely unfair, and it's basically the exact same line distribution from Only You. But this is Ai-chan's last single, so let her sing as much as you want. But, hopefully this single and 12th album will really be an end of an era. And Morning Musume can start fresh and give everyone a decent amount of lines like they used to. I mean when Morning Musume had 12-15 members the line distribution was a lot more fair than it is now! Can someone explain how that even makes sense?

By the way, what are they doing about the PV? Was it already filmed? Becasue Aika and Riho are both on rest now. And Aika has been in a cast for a while, so even if the PV was already filmed what are they going to do about the dance? Is Aika, or Aika and Riho, just not in the dance scenes?

Happy 3rd birthday Janakya Mottainai!

2011-08-03T04:51:00.002-04:00

Yes, my dear readers Janakya Mottainai turns 3 this year. So, happy birthday to JM! Or happy anniversary! It's the same thing anyway. Janakya Mottainai's real birthday was July 25th. Techically it's May 29th. But my first post was on July 25th, hence July is the real birthday. I really wanted to make this post on the July 25th but I've been busy so this post had to be pushed back a bit. But hey, at least I'm making a post! Last year I completely forgot to make one all together.

Wow, time really does fly. I cannot believe that I've been blogging for 3 years already. It seriously feels like yesterday that I wrote my first post. Which was a bit of a mess. It was poorly written and was a review of 3 songs and PVs in one post. Here's my first post for people who haven't read it or haven't been following JM since day one.

I never really know what to write in posts like this. So I read my first anniversary post. Which you can read here if you care. In that post I wrote that my blog had over 11,000 views and got 100 reads a day. Two years later and my blog has over 141,000 views and 300-400 views a day. Which might not seems like much to most people, but I honestly don't care about things like that. I'd be happy with 10 views a day, as long as someone was reading it. I also wrote in my 1st anniversary post that I was happy to be featured on International Wota, and that it was my goal to be featured there. Flash forward to present day, and I became IW's blogger of the month and am constantly being featured. And I am completely thrilled about that, especially since I'm featured on IW a lot more often than I think I deserve.

Overall, this blog is extremely important to me. This blog is like one of the only places where I can really voice my opinions on things. I have very strong opinions about a lot of different subjects, but I hardly ever really voice them outside of my own home. I've been extremely shy my whole life, and I've always avoided confrontation, so I'm always hesitant to voice my opinions in real life. Partly because I don't want my opinions to start arguments, and partly because I'm overly sensitive and think people will judge my opinions, and indirectly me, harshly. So, this blog is one of the only times I can really stand up and say, "You know what, I don't like what's going on here," or, "Actually I think this song is terrible." (Oh yeah, I'm so overly sensitive that I google AimxAim every so often to make sure people online aren't saying how much they hate me or my blog. ~~Does that make me crazy? XD~~)

This blog is also really important to me because its kept me really involved in idol music. Before blogging I was a casual fan, and I didn't realy keep up to date with news or individual idols themselves as much as I do now. Joining H!O is also a reason why I started to know more about H!P, and eventually made this blog. And before that I was such a casual fan that I used to search the idol groups I liked on youtube every couple of months to know if they had a new single. It doesn't get more casual than that.
And as I kept blogging I found out about new idol groups, which I knew hardly anything about. And I wanted to get into them more. So, I started to blog about them. Which forced me to go and learn nearly everything about them, and forced me to keep up to date with them. I mean this blog tracks me getting into Hey! Say! JUMP practically from day one. When I first started blogging about them I was so new to the group that I accidently said Yabu was the only one to get a solo in Jonetsu Jump, when it was actually Ryosuke. I've thought about going back and changing that because it makes me look like a fool, but I can't imagine doing that. If I did I wouldn't be able to look back and laugh at how much of a noob I was.

With each passing year I keep trying to make Janakya Mottainai better. I've been trying to post news as soon as it happens, and I'm trying to keep adding idol groups to cover. I want JM to become a go to blog for all things idol related. News, information, and reviews. Which is a huge daunting task. Which is so large that maybe I'm setting myself up for failure, but I'm actually confident I can do it.
I'm also really trying to improve my writting. Which is probably the biggest task for me and JM. Mostly because I never really thought of myself as a writter. With this blog, even though I am writting I just think of it as blogging. Writting was never really my strong suit. I mean I was good enough at it, but I always seem to have trouble making my paragraphs flow and fluidly transition to another point without making it seem awkward or noticeable.

Well, I'm getting a litte off subject here. I guess I'll just end this post by giving a big virtual toast to all my readers. Readers and comments are what keeps me going. I still get excited for each and every comment I get, and I still get sad when I don't recieve any comments. So, here's to you readers for making this birthday/anniversary possible. And hopefully you'll send me a virtual toast right back.

Here are some idol songs to set the mood!

Berryz Koubou's elegant new PV

2011-08-02T21:13:00.000-04:00

The full PV for Berryz Koubou's upcoming single, Aa, yo ga Akeru, has been released.

I am absolutely in love with the PV. Finally it's a video that's not the same standard idol formula! After I saw the PV preview I had some fears that the entire PV was going to be nothing but them singing on the stairs. But there's actually a lot of elements in this PV. The video is filmed in this beautiful castle, and they actually make use of it. It seems like you get to see a nice chunk of the castle. Some of the girl's walk around, and each girl is in a seperate room for their close-up shots. They are also sitting on the stairs for the group singing parts, and the dance scene also has its own seperate room. Which makes the video pretty interesting because you never really see the same setting for that long. The only real fault you could find with this particular video is there's not actually a storyline. But I'm completely fine with that because there's so many different scenes in this PV you don't even notice that.
The PV really has everything going for it, it's interesting and the girls look gorgeous. Much like Buono's Natus Dakara PV, this PV seems to be one giant beauty shot. Which is an obvious plus.
This video as a whole just has a elegant, classy, and highend. It just has this sort of princess feel to it. The kind of vibe I wanted the Kimagure Princess PV to have.

This castle is beautiful.

Risako's room is gorgeous.

It sucks that Miyabi has to sit by the front door though. Lol.

Yurina looks gorgeous here.

This room is beautiful.

The contrast is so high you can't even see half of Risako's nose. XD

Yurina looks so amazing! *O*

Why does Chinami look so sad?

Risako's looks sad and pretty at the same time.

I love how Massa looks angry. Lol.

Yurina! There are no words! *O*

And all that jazz! XD The dance is actually a little awkward.

Momoko looks really pretty.

Hot! Is she wearing green contacts?

I love this hair on Saki.

Creepy face.

Everyone looks gorgeous here.

But it stil reminds me too much of their Very Beauty PV.

Gorgeous Risako.

I can't get over how super pretty Momoko looks in this PV.

Wow, Miyabi looks amazing.

Gorgeous!

Chinami looks pretty.

Look at Risako's legs. They go on for weeks!

Simple dance is simple.

Yurina just looks incredible in this PV.

And so does Miyabi.

My god! *O*

AKB48-Flying Get PV previews

2011-08-01T21:21:00.000-04:00

Two different morning news shows have released PV previews for AKB48's upcoming single, Flying Get.
When I saw the covers for Flying Get a few days ago, I was completely underwhelmed and didn't know what to expect from the PV. But I am completely surprised by how much I love the PV so far. The PV seems to be one giant fight scene. AKB48 in their Chinese inspired outfits are fighting bad guys and themselves. The PV just seems really itense and powerful. There's a lot of intricate sword fighting going on and the girls flipping people on their backs as well as scenes with the members getting thrown and strangled. Overall the PV looks very interesting and excited. Miles better than the Everyday Kachuusha PV. And it seems like you get to see every senbatsu members. Not like Heavy Rotation where you only really saw the top 10 or so.
The only really fault about this PV is the dance scene. The dance scene looks exactly like the live performances of this song. Which is a little boring in my opinion.

PV preview 1:

PV preview 2:

New AKB48 sub-group announced

2011-08-01T20:56:00.000-04:00

It was announced that AKB48 members Nakaya Sayaka and Tanabe Miku will be forming a new unit called Baby Gamba. The group is based off the children's book Boukenshatachi: Gamba to 15 hiki no Nakama. Their debut single Ee Janai ka will be released on September 14th.

Since this is a unit for children I can't really say that I'm too excited for this new group. However, you seem to make a pretty penny off of children's songs, so more power to them.
The some itself seems pretty cute, so does the PV. It's just obviously far too childish for me to overly care about this group.

Here's a PV preview of their debut single.

DiVA holding auditions for new member

2011-08-01T20:44:00.000-04:00

AKB48 sub-group DiVA, announced they will be holding auditions to add a new member to the group. The auditioners must be between the ages of 18 and 23 and have dance experience. Applications are due by August 20th. The winner or winners will be signed to Office48 and join DiVA.

I remember DiVA mentioning auditions a while ago, but I actualy haven't given it much though since. It's nice to see that we are finally getting some information about it. I still don't really understand why DiVA is auditioning for new members. Couldn't they have just added more girls from AKB48? It honestly seems a little unfair to them. And obviously the winners will only be added to DiVA and not AKB48 as well. Which also seems a little pointless to me. It reminds me of the whole Super Junior and Super Junior M situation. I'm just not to thrilled with the whole idea, it seems really unnecessary to me.

Itano Tomomi to release 3rd single

2011-08-01T20:35:00.000-04:00

It was announced that AKB48 member Itano Tomomi will be releasing her 3rd solo single. The titled has yet to be announced and the single will be released on October 12th.

I'm half excited for this single. Half because Dear J was incredible, but Fui Ni was a disappointment. Other than that I'm getting a little tired of Tomomi constantly releasing solo songs. Her voice is lack luster, and she just released her 2nd single. But, what are you gonna do?

What KAT-TUN's really running from

2011-08-01T20:16:00.000-04:00

The PV for KAT-TUN's upcoming single, Run For You has finally been released.

And I gotta say after watching it I find the PV incredibly weird. I was confused by it, and was scractching my head about it the whole time I was watching it. I was mostly confused because after watching it I was drawn to only one conclusion of the meaning of the PV. That conclusion is, KAT-TUN is being tested or experimented on. It also seems like they are being brainwashed or mind controlled. Which changes the PV from something fun into something serious and weird. If you watch the PV you can see that KAT-TUN are in hospital rooms. They even pan out so you can see each member is right next door to each other. They also show a very large bolted door which means they are in some mental ward in a prison or some sort of special test facility. And each member is in an extremely strange room. Kame is in a room with a projector. Which is the most obvious brainwashing element, and what made me start thinking that was the meaning of the PV. I'm sure everyone is familiar with this because it's like brainwashing 101. You are forced to watch disturbing images over and over to brainwash you. It's not as obvious as the A Clockwork Orange eye speculums scene, but it's still pretty obvious. And then Taguchi is in a room that is freezing. I'm pretty sure being exposed to constant heat or cold eventually breaks you down and makes you more susceptible to mind control. Maru is in a room where time seems to stop. I'm not sure what to make of that, but it's possibly to see how long is takes before he can't stand that anymore. Koki is in a room with a maze of electrical cord. I'm not sure the meaning of this room either. Perhaps to simulate electroshock therapy. Ueda's room seems to be the only one that doesn't make sense. He surrounded by constant sound. There's probably some signifigance in that too. But I have no idea.
And through all of this KAT-TUN is being filmed and carefully monitored on screens in some undisclosed location.

Now I'm not sure what KAT-TUN and mind controll have to do with once another. And I'm also not sure why KAT-TUN would make such a creepy PV. Maybe I'm just reading into this too much. But if anyone can explain this PV in any other way, be my guest. Because I can't think of one other meaning than the obvious.

Creepy bolted door.

No, that's too easy.

Yeah, this makes perfect sense. Except not at all.

I love Newton's cradle. XD

This looks more like a prison hallway, than a hospital one.

Kame's hot, but I can't get over how weird his hair looks in this PV.

Ok, I'm officially over Koki's hair. He looks amazing here.

The dance is pretty awful.

Why are they focusing so much that they are locked in?

Seriously, the same arm move from Michael Jackson's Beat It dance.

This hair makes him look even more like Changmin.

I can't be the only one who sees how similar they look!

Constantly monitored.

Koki's dance move is just lolz.

Yeah, this is totally a normal image and has nothing to do with brainwashing.

Adorable.

The cold just keeps flooding in.

I just don't get Ueda's room.

Aww Kame looks so sad. Actually he looks more hurt than sad.

You don't ask the cameras for help if your there by your own free will.

The magic floating box will fix everything!

So close, yet so far.

Quick, now's your chance to escape.

The spell was broken.

SND48's new PV is bugging me

2011-08-01T18:39:00.000-04:00

A couple of days ago the full PV for SDN48's 3rd single Min.Mi.Min. was released.

My interest in SDN48 has been dwindling greatly sinc etheir debut. GAGAGA was an amazing song, but then Ai Juseyo was just ok, and now Min.Min.Min is even lower than that. The PVs for SND48's singles have always been on the same medicore level. There's just nothing that stands out about this single. The PV does stand out but not for the right reasons. The PV stands out just for sheer weirdness. Which could be a food thing, but in SND48's case it's just not. Most of this PV focuses around SND48 in a giant cage wearing bug wings. Which isn't really explained and is pretty much a mystery to me. There are also close-ups thrown in where they are sitting on the cage. And a few scenes where they are tangled in branches. And that's pretty much the entire PV. No added exciting elements. No suprise endingwhere they all fly into a giant bug zapper. Instead the twist at the end they did add was pretty weird. They were being fished up by some giant who was standing on what looks like 50 different cage boxes. It made absolutely no sense to me.
I guess my real dislike for this PV stems from the fact that this PV is a complete rip off of Miley Cyrus's Can't Be Tamed music video. And since I've seen Min.Min.Min video before I'm obviously not going to be impressed with it.

What does being wrapped in branches have to do with being a bug?

Is it because it kind of looks like a rest?

Even the cages are similar.

Miley has a tree because she's a bird, why do they have one?

This girl is pretty. I just wish the quality wasn't so horrible. :/

This girl is pretty too.

This girl is too flashy.

Yeah, make sure you really emphasise the creepy bug wings.

Ok, maybe this is cool. XD

This girl is pretty adorable.

What's with the ominous floating?

WTF is that?

No, I'm still confused.

Not really impressed.

Um...what?

The embedding for this video is disabled, so what the PV by clicking here.

MomoClo takes a page out of Passpo's book

2011-07-29T18:14:00.000-04:00

During an event held to celebrate the release of the 1st album Momoiro Clover Z member said that if their album doesn't reach number 1 she will cute her hair. Which is following suit to Passpo's recent announcement that Yukimi will go bald if their single doesn't get to number 1.

What is it with idol groups lately putting their hair on the line? Not only that, what's it with them putting their hair on the line when they are obviously going to lose? There's no way in the world ViVi Natsu will beat AKB48's Flying Get. And there's no way Battle and Romance will beat Bz's album C'mon.
At least Momoiro Clover Z's punishment is less severe and a lot more mundane. Obviously when they lose it won't be a big deal that Shiori cuts her hair. She'll most likely look cute with a shortcut anyway.
I understand that idol groups do this to get attention and to inspire a few more sales. But if idol groups do this all the time, it will lose all it's meaning. They won't be unique anymore. And it will become one of those rituals new idol groups do when they form or just to survive in the AKB48 dominated idol world.

SUPER GiRLS announce 3rd single

2011-07-29T17:53:00.000-04:00

It was announced that Avex idol group SUPER GiRLS will be releasing their 3rd single. The single is called Joshiryoku Paradise and will be released on October 5th.

I've been follwing SUPER GiRLS pretty much since day one, so I'm excited to see them release another single. Their last song and PV were upbeat and fun, so I'm curious what kind of song this will turn out to be. Also, since their last PV was a summer and bikini themed PV I wonder what direction this one will take. Hopefully this song will have a nice chunk of Ami like the last one did.

You can of course buy this single from CDJapan by clicking the links below.

SUPER GiRLS - Joshiryoku Paradise [CD+DVD / Type A / Jacket A]

SUPER GiRLS - Joshiryoku Paradise [Type B / Jacket B]

SUPER GiRLS - Joshiryoku Paradise [Type C / Jacket C]

Momusu to release one last album before Ai-chan leaves

2011-07-29T17:39:00.000-04:00

It was recently announced that Morning Musume will be releasing a 12th album. The title is still unknown and it will be released on October 12th. Which is almost a month after Ai officially graduates. That seems like an odd date to me. Fantasy Juuichi was released 2 weeks before LinLin, JunJun, and Eri graduated. I don't get why this is getting released after the fact.

It makes sense to release one final album with Ai-chan. She's the strongest vocalist in the current lineup and she's a cash cow. It only makes sense to squeeze every last drop from heartbroken wota. Just like they did with their 11th album. But I really hope that this isn't a new thing Morning Musume is going to do. Release one final album before members graduate. Because you can say all the remaining girls (Minus Aika. :/ ) are popular enough to have their own last album. But I don't really want that to happen. When you rush an album like this, the music suffers. Fantasy Juuichi did have it's gems, but it was still, in my opinion, one of their weakest albums. And that's because the album had to be rushed. Perhaps, this album will be a little better since Ai-chan's graduation was announced months ago, maybe Tsunku has been writing songs for it ever since. But that seems like a long shot really.

You can order this album from CDJapan by clicking the links below.

Morning Musume - TBA [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]

Morning Musume - TBA [Regular Edition]

S/mileage to release yet another single

2011-07-29T17:23:00.000-04:00

It was announced a few days ago that S/mileage will be releasing their 7th single. The single wil be entitled Tachiagaaru and will be released on September 28th. One month and 25 days after the release of their 8th single, Uchouten Love. This will also be the first single to feature the new 2nd gen member or members.

I am actually really surprised that S/mileage is releasing another single so soon after their last. And a single featured new and untrained members to boot! The new members will be announced on August 14th, giving them only a few weeks to train and prepare for their debut. Morning Musume's 9th gen was announced in January and their debut single came out in April. That's a good 3 months more time the 9th gen will get to prepare compared to the 2nd gen. I sure hope Tsunku knows what he's doing. This all seems a little premature. I understand they have to be thrown into the new S/mileage concert, but a new single as well. Talk about pressure. I wish I could say I have high hopes for this single, but I don't. I don't think the new member or members will be anywhere near ready for this. Could you imagine what Zukki would have done if she only had weeks to learn the Maji Desu ka Ska dance?

Passpo fly into the summer

2011-07-29T16:29:00.000-04:00

The full PV for Passpo's 2nd single, ViVi Natsu, was released yesterday.

When I watched the PV preview I was pretty shocked that Passpo felt the need to release a bikini PV. So, I was a litte apprehensive about the full version. But I am actually really happy with the PV. While there are 2 different setting where they are wearing bikinis, the bikinis aren't in the main focus like I thought they might be. Instead they are pretty much just a footnote in the PV. The rest of the PV just shows doing random cute things together. Like eating and sitting in a bed together. The PV seems to mostly focus on the dance scenes. Which isn't really a problem because the dance is cute and I absolutely adore their main outfits for this PV. And can I also point out that this is the first time that Passpo is wearing normal clothes in a PV. Well, if you don't count the pajamas from GPP. The pajamas seem more like a costume anyway. But my absolute favorite part of the PV is when they eat the summery foods. They are just adorable scenes, and they just scream summer to me.
The only real fault about this PV is I wish they used the summer theme better. They could have went all out and done every single summer cliche known to man. That would have be cheesy, but it would have made for an incredible idol PV. Or they could have taken the summer theme and made it unique like Not Yet's Naminori Kakigori. You can see that little added elements in the PV like the sunflower, tropical drinks, picnic tables, and the bikinis are supposed to give a clear message that this is a summer themed PV. They obviously do have some elements to let you know it's summer, but I just wanted more. A clearer picture painted. I guess I'm just being picky.
Also, I never noticed until I watched the PV how unfair the line distribution is. Mostly because I'm not all that familiar with Passpo's individual voices yet. However, my 3 favorite girls Kaho, Shiori, and Mio sing most of the song. So, I honestly can't complain too much about that.

Everyone looks pretty awkward in the beginning. I suppose they where just told to ad-lib. Shiori looking up unnecessarily is just a lol moment.

Dreaming Mio. She's so adorable. *O*

Cute. Obvious Mio bias is obvious. Sako looks cute in the background too though.

Awkward way to start the dance.

Natsumi is pretty.

Nice hair Yukimi, you shouldn't get used to it. XD Look at Sako looking all gorgeous next to her.

Adorable.

This is too.

Lolz at Shiori. XD

Shiori is so cute.

Ai looks pretty here.

Lolz.

Anna, Ai, and Makoto looks gorgeous here. Am I the only onw who thought it would have been cute for their bikinis to be their group colors. It kinda looks like they almost are. But Makoto's and Natsumi's aren't right. XD

I love Mio's bikini.

Adorable!

Cute! And Naomi looks great.

Anna looks super pretty.

Lol.

Mio!

Makoto is just so cute.

Kanpai!

Look at them try to seductively eat. Lol.

Reminds me of the Heavy Rotation PV.

Cute. But why is Sako just staring off into space? She kinda looks angry. XD

Shiori's face is priceless.

Probably the 2 cutest members. Shiori being a close 3rd.

Lol.

Dramatic running.

The embedding for this PV is disabled, so please click here to watch it.

KAT-TUN-Run For You 2nd PV preview

2011-07-28T16:41:00.000-04:00

There is yet another 15 second commerical for KAT-TUN's upcoming single, Run For You. I actually think this commercial came out the same day as the dwango one, but I think I just completely missed it. XD

Since this PV preview is only 15 seconds long we hardly get to see anything. But unlike the other PV preview that was nothing but dancing, this PV preview shows the close-ups. And everyone can take a sigh of relief that this PV will not become another Ultimate Wheels. The close-ups are a little confusing. I'm not exactly sure what's going on in them. We see Ueda in a solid white room with tons of electrical equipment, and speakers. And also there's a hospital looking bed in the background. In Maru's close-up there's only a hospital looking bed. And in the very beginning of the PV there's this door that's bolted shut.
Which leaves only one conclusion, that KAT-TUN is either in a hospital or a mental institution. Which on the surface is a pretty cool idea. However, that storyline lost all it's appeal when I remembered one thing: wouldn't that theme be too much like N*SYNC's I Dive Myself Crazy music video? And you know what, it competely would! I feel slightly embarrassed just thinking the 2 could have similar videos. XD

Berryz Koubou-Aa, Yoru ga Akeru 2nd PV preview

2011-07-28T16:23:00.000-04:00

A 30 second commercial for Berryz's upcoming single, Aa, Yoru ga Akeru, is beginning to air. Giving us fans yet another sneak peek at the PV.

Most of this PV preview is the same as the last PV preview. Where is shows Berryz Koubou singing on stairs à la the Very Beauty PV. But beyond that we also get to see the close-up scenes, where everyone looks absolutely gorgeous. And from that we can see that it seems like the PV is set in a mansion. Which is a nice setting actually. A big improvement from the Ai no Dangan set. Let's hope they utilize the set to their full advantage. Because even though the setting is good, they could still mess up this PV. Like focusing too much on the stairs. XD

Reactions to the S/mileage 3rd round auditions

2011-07-28T16:03:00.001-04:00

Having S/mileage stream their audition process is one of the most exciting and hands on experience that can happen in the idol world. Sure, you can watch any audition show you want, and it could be 6 hours long. However, nothing really compares to watching it live before your eyes, as if you're the one judging the girls. To pick your favorite girls in real time, and then watch the next round to see if your favorites made it through. It's just one of those things that happen that make me an idol fan, and make being an idol fan so much fun.
And because the audition stream is exciting I made sure that I didn't miss it this time. Last time I feel asleep, and ended up watching the 2nd round maybe a week ago. And I have to say, it's one of those idol experiences I'll never forget and look back fondly on. It also makes me secretly hope that the Morning Musume 10th gen auditions will be streamed live. But that's probably unlikely.

I thought the auditions this round were pretty good. Better than the last round. There were so many girls last time it was impossible to focus on and remember every single girl. Most of them got swallowed up by the sheer amount of girls present. This time, since there were only 12 finalists it was extremely easy to follow every girl and pick personal favorites.
The only realy drawbacks for this was the short awkward wait in the beginning, and sometimes throughout the auditions. And also, the amount of talking going on. It's great to ask a lot of questions, and to get a small peak at their personalities, but as someone who can't speak Japanese. I found the amount of talking to be boring, excessive, and unnecessary.

With that being said it's on to my review. I want to point out that I have not watched the stream since it aired. So, I'm writing this post from memory. Also, my video was lagging a lot during the dance scenes. I was going to download the show because the stream completely cut out during Karin's group. But since I found a video of her dancing on youtube, I have no need to download it now.
I also want to point out how heartbroken I am that Ribbon-chan did not make it to the final round. She had everything going for her. She was adorable and could sing and dance. She was also the only one to sing and dance during the 2nd round! I seriously hope she auditioned for both S/mileage and Morning Musume.

Miyazaki:

This girl was completely a stand out to me. During the second round I became interested in her becuase she was absolutely adorable. I, however, couldn't for the life of me remember what she sounded like when she sang during the 2nd round. XD But I heard her sing here and she was just incedible. Her voice was so sweet and so adorable, that it would be absolutely perfect for S/mileage. While she was singing she looked very unsure of herself, almost frightened. But you know how Tsunku loves to pick girls who are unsure of themselves. The only real problem with her is that she is a bit too old in my opinion to join S/mileage. She's 17, and while that isn't really that old it is too old, in my opinion, to start out as an idol. If she joined she would be the oldest member of S/mileage. Be that as it may, I would still be excited if she got picked.

Kosuga:

This girl did not stand out to me one bit. The only thing I can really remember saying about her was, that I didn't like her voice. Her voice wasn't bad, it was just extremely flat. There's was no passion or energy behind what she was singing. She seemed to not even be trying. I don't know if it was nerves, or trying to remember the lyrics. But she was just not one my favorites.

Yamaga:

When the auditions first started all I kept thining was she has weird teeth. (Which by the way you can't notice when she's smiling, it's more of a weird thing with her gums. XD) But once she started singing I changed my mind. Her voice is completely different than the voices of S/mileage. It's deeper, and it's not exactly cutesy. Her whole image is cool rather that S/mileage's cute image. I'm not sure if that's going to ultimately help her or hurt her. But regardless, I like this girl. There's just something about her. I was also very impressed with her dancing. It's not mind blowing, but for being an amature she's at a pretty high level. All she really needs is a little fine tuning and to be a little bit more polished. The only drawbacks to her is her range. She seems to be to low for S/mileage. They had her sing Best Friend by Nishino Kana (I seriously hope it was this girl, and I'm not getting mixed up) and she couldn't really hit the high notes. S/mileage usually does kinda have a high range in songs. So it might be a problem for her.

Takeuchi Akari:

And Maimi's cousin makes it to the finals. But I think it was obvious she was going to make it. The pipes on this girl! Her voice is incredible. Her voice is not only cute, but at the same time it is strong and stable. And as an Egg of course her dancing is also strong. She would be a great addition to S/mileage. But amazing vocals aside, Akari is still not one of my favorites. I don't know, she just doesn't jump out at me.

Miyamoto Karin:

All I can say about her is, KARIN! I love love love, Karin! Everything about her just screams S/mileage. I honestly can't fathom why people think she would work better in Morning Musume. Ironically, I never really liked Karin before. I didn't particularly like her in Shin Mini Moni, and I didn't understand why all the fans were making such a fuss about her. But then I heard her in the 2nd round, and I was blown away. I didn't realize Karin was that good of a singer. And believe me she is. She killed it in the 3rd round. Her version of Uchouten Love was the best in the entire round. Her dancing is also at an incredibly high level. She was also the best dancer in the entire 3rd round. There's just no way Karin will be passed up! Besides her talents, Karin is almost too cute for words. She looks a bit like Yuuka. And has these adorable bug eyes that may seem a bit weird at first.

Katsuta Rina:

As soon as I saw this girl I was drawn to her. I didn't even find out she was an Egg until midway through the 3rd round. (Like I've said a million times before, I don't follow trainess in any idol agency.) The girl is adorable. She seriously looks like a young Tsuji Nozomi. I can't stop seeing Nono everytime I look at her. If she gets added her and mini Aibon (Fukuda Kanon) should become best friends. XD Rina is also a pretty good singer. Her voice is cute and it's kind of strong. Her voice does need a little bit of work though. Nothing major, just polishing really. Also, her Egg training really pays off when it comes to dancing.

Tamura Meimi:

Meimi, the girl with the theather background. The Sayashi Riho of the auditions. She seriously is. Riho was in Momusu's stage play Fashionable before she was a member. And Meimi was in the Shugo Chara musical. I love this girl. Her voice is incredible. It is absolutely adorable and perfect for S/mileage. She has the best singing voice of the "normal girls." However, having a musical background doesn't really help her when it comes to dancing. She is surprisingly weak at dancing. I seriously hope if doesn't hurt her chances of joining. She is too talented and cute to waste. And she looks a bit like Ogawa Saki.

Aogi:

I don't really remember this girl too well. She was another one who didn't jump out at me. All I can really remember about her is saying her voice was unexpectedly cute. Her dancing isn't too bad either. She just doesn't have that star quality to me.

Nakanishi:

There is not one nice thing I can say about this girl. She was the worst singer there. And she was just awful, terrible, horrible! I can't imagine how she got so far in the competition. Her singing was off key and not in tune at all! I seriously don't want her anywhere near S/mileage. Shove her in the Eggs like Mogi.

Jang Dayeon:

AKA the Korean H!P audition winner. Poor Dayeon to win the auditions just to be shoved to the Eggs and have to fight to debut in a Japanese group. (Because serioulsy, didn't she win to debut in Korea, like the Taiwan auditions did?) It seems like her nerves got the better of her during these auditions. She looked very sheepish from the get go. And she hardly spoke during the questions portion. Dayeon's singing has improved greatly since the Korean auditions. She was terrible in the Korean auditions. But now she's actually not too bad, but obvioulsy there's still a lot of room for improvement. Dayeon is also kind of pretty. She looks a bit like a young Kusumi Koharu. Her dancing on the other hand isn't that great. But that's to be expected since she hasn't been training that long. I honestly don't want Dayeon in S/mileage. I think she would work better in Morning Musume.

Fuji:

I love this girl! She seems very positive and happy. She's also really adorable. Her voice is also pretty cute. It's not the best, but I think it would fit in S/mileage. What I'm really impressed with is Fuji's dancing. For an amature she's amazing! She is seriously at the Egg's level. Which is just amazing.

Ota:

I wish I could say if I love or hate this girl, but I simply cannot remember her one bit.

Wrapped up in SKE48's new PV

2011-07-28T14:17:00.000-04:00

The full PV for SKE48's new single, Pareo wa Emerald, has been released. My PV rewview of this PV is just a tad late. But it has been extremely hot lately, so I've had to put blogging on hold for a bit.

I was pretty enamored with the PV preview when I first saw it. I was nearly half of the PV, so I thought there was going to be a good chance that I would like the PV. But after seeing the whole PV I'm kinda indifferent to it. While I do like the first hald because there is a lot going on. Dancing on the beach, watching a basketball game, an Alice Cooper-esque School's Out mad rush out of the school, rowing, and other summery activities. While that is fine and dandy, and even down right adorable, the rest of the PV lacks the same pizzazz. A good chunk of the rest of the PV is nothing more than cliff diving. Which was a cool element to the PV the first time, but the 8th jump just wasn't as exciting. I also realize the diving is just an excuse to wear bikinis. Well, more bikinis then they are already wearing. But as a female fan, this doesn't really do any thing for me. And instead I find it kind of boring. And there's also this odd side story where Rena watches everyone happily cliff diving in sadness. I guess it's supposed to mean she's afraid to jump off the cliff. But have no fear, just like every other cliché, Rena pulls through and eventually jumps. But in her dress, so no shamless Rena bikini shot for you.

chool's out! Ok, maybe this isn't exactly a mad rush. But it's close enough.

And then practically out of nowhere, there's just intense arm flailing. Which is supposed to pass as dancing

Not even 30 seconds in and Jurina is creeping me out already. XD

I love their uniforms.

Random butt shaking dance move.

This girl is cute. Too bad I don't know SKE48's member's names. There was a time when I did my friend. However, they were all puhsed out of my head when I remembered Passpo's and SUPER GiRL's names. XD

Seriously? A peek-a-boo dance move.

I find it a little sexist and stereotypical that they are cheering on the sidelines for "cute guys" rather than playing a game themselves.

This girl is pretty cute too.

Creepy smile!

Let the excessive bikini shots begin.

I guess everyone wearing the boy short bikinis are the young members. However, they kind of look like actual shorts. XD

I've been noticing purple bikini the whole PV. She's the prettiest member of SKE48.

Overly excited, it looks too fake.

Ok, waving is officially the worst move I've ever seen in an idol dance.

The girl on the far right reminds me of Okai Chisato for some reason. XD

Why are so many idol PVs shot in America?

Um..what?

Ok, this is actually cute.

My god, she has old face. O_O

I love this bikini. XD

This girl is super cute. *O*

Rena is always watching.

This gave me wicked flashbacks.

To Keibetsu Shiteita Aijou.

And of course Everyday Kachuusha.

So much fanservice in one frame. XD

Hey would you look at that, it really was shorts. XD

KAT-TUN-Run For You PV preview

2011-07-25T11:30:00.000-04:00

A commerical for KAT-TUN's Run For You single was just released. Giving us fans a sneak peek at the PV.

The PV preview is extremely short, it's roughly 10 seconds long. Pretty much all we get to see is them dancing to the chorus. They are dancing in all black in a plain white room. Can you say Real Face or Ultimate Wheels anyone? Since the PV preview is so short it's impossible to get a feel of what the PV is going to be like. For all we know this is just the dance scene and there's some other eleborate scenes going on in the rest of the PV. Most likely them dramatically running, like in their recent Suzuki Solio commercial.
However, since all we see is dancing there's also the chance that this is all the PV is going to be. If you remember the entire Ultimate Wheels PV was filmed in a white room. The set of Run For You seems to have more elements than the horrible nothing but white room in Ultimate Wheels. But you still never know.

Here's the PV preview

Also, here's the solio CM if you haven't seen it yet.

Weeping over DiVA's new PV

2011-07-25T11:02:00.000-04:00

The full PV for DiVa's new single, Cry, has just been released.

When I first saw the PV preview I didn't really like what I saw at all. But after I saw the full version I actually really like it. I'm not really sure why because the PV is extremely simple and is the same close-up dance shots I alwasy seem to hate. But there's just something about it I find so captivating and so alluring. I think a main part of this PVs appeal to me are the sets. Yes, the main set is pretty simple and pretty WTF worthly because it's just a empty room with a tree in the background in front of a window with an obviously fake looking sky. But the room had very bright fluorescent lighting, which make the girls look nearly flawless. And I've loved the second set from the moment I saw it. The falling water in the background just works perfectly for the song. And of course the girls look gorgeous. They have much more laid back clothes and hair, giving them an effortlessly pretty vibe.
I also love the dance for this song. Not so much the dance itself becuse the moves are pretty simple and at times awkward looking. But just the way DiVA dances to them makes the whole dance look 100 times better. Even though the dance is simple they are dancing extremely powerfully. That just makes me instantly love it.
But probably my favorite part of the PV is when they make it appear that the tree is crying. I know that would technically make it rain, but it was shot at such an angle to symbolize tears. Which is a pretty awesome effect.

Cheap set but beautiful lighting.

Hot.

Simple moves, but you can tell there's a lot of skill behind them.

Poor Yuka this hair just does nothing for her.

I love how intense Sae looks through the whole PV.

And yet super pretty at the same time.

Gorgeous!

Sayaka has the best close-ups. *O*

Ok, Yuka looks really pretty here.

Beautiful.

There are no words. *O* I think my bias is showing. XD

This is pretty hot.

Count down 3, 2, 1 Breakin' Out!

Right Risa?

Awesome transition.

Sayaka looks gorgeous.

Ok, now everyone look like a deer caught in headlights.

Gorgeous I tell you!

Adorable.

See how much better Yuka looks with this hair.

Crying tree.

Weird move.

Sayaka looks incredible! *O*

Super intense face.

Pretty.

I love that it basically end with a ray of sunshine.

Hey! Say! JUMP-Magic Power preview

2011-07-24T12:14:00.001-04:00

A short radio rip of Hey! Say! JUMP's upcoming single, Magic Power, was released a few days ago. I honestly don't know how I missed it until now. XD

As expected the song is pretty childish. But not as childish as I expected. It's obviously not one of my favorite Hey! Say! JUMP A-sides, but it's not so terrible that I can't listen to it. The music also has more of a motown feel then I thought it would have. The song is pretty cute I'll give it that, but after how mature Over was I was looking forward to HSJ moving away from their cute image. But as the youngest Johnny's group (NYC technically is, but they are more of a sub-group.) I guess there's no escaping it for now.

The line distribution is pretty awful. So far only Chinen and Ryosuke have solo lines. Just like I feared would happen. This is only half the song, so I suppose there could be more member's solos in the second half. But I wouldn't bet on it.

Berryz Koubou-Aa, Yoru ga Akeru PV preview

2011-07-24T11:43:00.000-04:00

A TV show has just released a small preview of Berryz Koubou's upcoming single Aa, Yoru ga Akeru. Small being the operative word here, the PV preview is only about 13 seconds long.

In that 13 seconds we don't get to see a whole lot. All we see in Berryz sitting on stairs and singing the chorus. Which immediately made me flash back to their Very Beauty PV. There's not really much else going on in the preview. Except the girls looking every bit as lovely in this PV as they do on the covers. Which is always a plus.

Everybody roller skate!

2011-07-22T11:07:00.000-04:00

The PV for Kis-My-Ft2's much anticipated debut single, Everybody Go, has just been released.

I actually really do like the PV. There are a lot of elements in this PV and a lot of things are going on in this PV. I doubt there's one frame in the entire PV were something isn't happening. Which is obviously a good thing. The PV looks like it costs a pretty penny to make and it shows. The PV is flashy, (in more than one sense of the word), it has 3 different close-ups, 3 different outfits, 3 different sets, stripper polls, ramps, and overly dramatic fog. This PV seriously has everything. Johnny's really went all out on this debut. It shows you just how much faith JE has in Kisumai becoming bigger than they already are. That's what happens when you're a popular undebuted Junior group for 6 years. Look at how big KAT-TUN, who were in the same situation, where and are. They released a debut album, single, and DVD simultaneously and they all shot to number 1.
I'm actually realy impressed with the PV. A lot more impressed with it then I was after seeing the preview. The only thing I don't particularly like about the PV is the sheer amount of roller skating going on. Now that they are debuting I really wish they would drop their ridiculous Junior shtick. But I guess that's never going to happen. And even I have to admit, ridiculous or not, they utilized the roller skates brilliantly in the PV. I also really love the song too. Kisumai has unexpectedly good vocals and interesting music.
However, I'm trying to watch this PV and be excited for their debut, which I am, but there's just something that's keeping me from enjoying it 100%. It's probably the fact that nearly all the members look like hideous trolls. Yeah, that's probably it. I'm trying to be objective and take this debut from a non-shallow point of view. But you know what? I can't really seem to. Kisumai has everything going for them except for looks. Yes, I'm a horrible shallow person. But excuse me if I'd rather listen to pretty boy idols. Idols, who I might point out, are judged on looks and personality over talent. Which is not just a female idol thing. If that was the case MatsuJun and Chinen Yuri would have never debuted. Taguchi Junnosuke and Kato Shigeaki can't sing, instead their main points are their funny personalities. The same with Yaotome Hikaru. Well Hikaru can actually sing, but he's not the best looking idol in JE.
And let's be honest, looks are the real reason I'm not into Arashi or Kanjani8 as much as I am other JE groups, and why I don't listen to older JE groups. This is why it's just easier to stick to female idols, I don't have to worry about being shallow. XD Maybe it's just my insanly high standards, but I don't see wasting my time fangirling over some one who's not at least a 7. Japanese celebrities or American. XD

I never understood why Hiromistu wasn't credited for his performance in the Troll movies.

Overly dramatic close-ups.

Not even 30 seconds in and they are already roller skating. XD

I think Yuta actually looks cute in this PV. What a difference a new hair color makes.

I think arrogant close-ups should be reserved for people who don't look like they got hit in the face with a frying pan.

Ok, jumping off the ramp is actually pretty awesome.

This has to be the greatest lighting known to mankind because Hiromitsu actually looks cute here. Which is impossible because on a good day he's a 2.

Taisuke let me know when you get your bedhead hairstyle back. Then you'll be hot again.

Fooled by the lighting again. :/

You've been waiting 6 years for a debut and this is the best you come up with for your close-up.

Eww, Toshiya is the ugliest one.

Stupid dance move.

It doesn't make sense that Yuta is the focus of this PV, but Taisuke is shoved in the center of covers of the this single.

I was super impressed with this glove scene transition.

Even with his bad hair, this is still pretty hot.

I wasn't expecting Yuta to appear out of nowhere. It's kind of funny actually.

I love that the top members get the upper level.

When in doubt add a stripper pole.

Or have your roller skates shoot sparks.

No matter what you do roller skating will never be cool. XD

And cue the dramatic fog.

Here's the PV, I suggest you watch the PV before JE takes it down.

Watarirouka Hashiritai7's new PV isn't lacking much

2011-07-22T09:31:00.000-04:00

The full PV for Watarirouka Hashiritai7's new single, Hetappi Wink, has finally been released.

Even though the PV preview for this song was pretty short, the PV preview turned out to show pretty much the entire PV. The PV is basically following the girls, mostly Mayu of course, while they film a commercial for masscara or something like that. And of course since this PV is a behind the scenes PV we get to see the girls in such exciting places as sitting at a table off set and in the makeup room. The PV follows Mayu closely as she struggles with the daunting task of winking. So this PV is filled with Mayu's pouting face, sulking face, dissapointed face, and apathetic face. Which are probably my favorite scenes in the PV. Because she absolutely adorable at those times. The PV also consists of the other girls acing their commericals and winking about a dozen times. Which I think is hilarious, because it's basically saying "in your face" to Mayu. The director is no doubt a sadist.
Besides all the snazzy behind the scenes shots the rest of the PV is a pretty standard close-up and dance shot idol PV. Which is fine. The behind the scenes parts are enough of a storyline to keep me interested in the PV.
Overall I actually really love this PV. The girls looks too cute for words and the PV is entertaining. And it does manage to have a a consistent storyline throughout the PV. I normally don't really like behind the scenes PVs because they are usually all the same. But this one has a pretty fresh feel to it. I don't think any other behind the scenes PV was filmed as behind the scenes at a commercial shoot. And if there are any, I can't think of them off hand.

Who doesn't love Mayu's awkward, innocent, unsure of herself face. It's impossible not to!

She just makes failing miserably so adorable.

She's looks like she's going to cry here, it makes me want to hug her!

I have no idea what the directors are saying, so I'm just going to assume they are talking about replacing her. XD

Poor Mayu looks so defeated.

Can I just say how much I love these dresses? They are like 3 dresses rolled into one. A flamenco inspired dress on top, with a corset in the middle, and a fluffy idol skirt on the bottom.

No need to ask, Mayu's the fairest of them all.

And the insanely simple dance moves begin.

Ok, this move is actually cute. But that's only because it's the epitome of idolness.

Poor huggable Mayu.

Eh, Ayaka does nothing for me. She kind of looks like a vampire. I'm not sure of any other way to explain it. XD

Natsumi on the other hand is gorgeous.

That wink! *O*

Misaki is a cutie too.

This hairstyle is perfect for Aika. It makes her look 10 times more adorable than usual.

Why do idols do this move so often?

Seriously?

Why?

Adorable. *O*

I'm not really sure why Naa-chan is making this face, but I approve. XD

Cute.

You know, holding your eye down like that would actually work. That's how I learned to lift one eyebrow when I was like 8. XD

Take 35 she's doing good. XD

The bright lights actually make them look awkward rather than pretty. The contrast is too high.

Adorable.

Now that's an ameonna.

Aww.

Having a lot of friends isn't going to make you suddenly able to wink.

I always thought Mika was pretty ugly. But she doesn't look that bad in this movie.

Poor Mayu can't wink when it matters.

I love how the Aki-P type guy in the back says not being able to wink is cute. XD

Of course it has to end with Mayu winking.

I love how there's a commercial at the end like it's a real product. Genius!

Here's the PV. You should watch it ASAP, because it won't be up for much longer.

Passpo-ViVi Natsu PV preview

2011-07-21T07:45:00.000-04:00

Universal Music Japan posted a 30 commercial for Passpo's upcoming 2nd single ViVi Natsu. After what felt like an eternity to wait, we finally get a sneak peak at the PV.

When I saw the PV for Shoujo Hikou I wondered what Passpo was going to do in their next PV. Since Shoujo Hikou was nothing but their flight attendant theme. Because of that I wondered what direction the next PV was going to be. Was it going to be their group theme again, or something completely different?
Well, I can honestly say that the ViVi Natsu PV is so far from what I was expecting.
Half of the PV shows them dancing in their flight attendant inspired outfits and the other half of the PV shows them lounging around a pool and I think in a bathtub. Even though this song is about summer I was not expecting Passpo to be bikinis at all. It seems like ever idol group thinks they have to do a bikini PV just to keep up with AKB48. SUPER GIRLS just had their bikini PV recently. I don't know, when I think of Passpo I just don't think of bikinis. But I guess not all idol groups can have summer themed PVs without bikinis like Momoiro Clover did with their Coco Natsu PV.
But I'm pretty ok with the whole theme because it's just like SUPER GIRLS's Max! Otome Gokoro, where it was all done in a playful manner. And besides that, Natsumi and Mio look amazing in their bikinis.

Will Yukki really go bald?

2011-07-18T09:28:00.000-04:00

During Passpo's live at Shibuya-AX Passpo held a press conference and said that if their second single, ViVi Natsu, doesn't go to number 1 member Fujimoto Yukimi will go bald.

Now, when I first heard this I was immediately suprised. I wasn't shocked actually, I was more intrigued by the whole situation. For an idol to go bald is a completely shocking idea. And for a publicity stunt, I think it might actually be on par with something AKB48 would pull. It's interesting. Completely stupid, but interesting nonetheless. However, it will never in a million years work. I love Passpo and all, but they are obviosuly never going to win. ViVi Natsu is releasing on the same day that AKB48 is releasing their Flying Get single. It would take a lot more than saying Yukimi will go bald to beat AKB48. A miracle perhaps? But certainly not this. There are several reasons I don't think this will happen.
First off, Yukimi is the Cheif Purser of Passpo. That title alone must make her a fairly popular member. But something like having her go bald would completely make her lose fans. I mean, I start to lose all faith when my favorite member has a bad haircut. But having no hair at all? I'd probably flip out. There's no way managment will ever let this happen. From a business stand point it's ridiculous.
Another reason is, this was never officially announced. It was more of said on a whim. One of the member's blurted it out during the heat of the moment during a press conference. And because of that I then have to call the legitimacy of this into question. It really just seems like one of those things you say that sounds good at the time but you never actually intend to do it.
The last reason it most likely won't happen is they said if they don't go to number 1 Yukimi will go bald. But what exactly does number 1 really mean. Is it number one for the week or for the day? You can't just assume the week, even though that's usually what number 1 is. However, for a group that has no chance of making it to the number weekly spot, I feel that they would say that to weasel out of it. They having a far better chance of beating AKB48 for the day than for the week.

There is still one aspect of this that really bothers me. Why would they say Yukimi is going to do this? Why isn't Ai going to do this? As the Captain of Passpo shouldn't she be doing this? As the Captain it's her responsability to take the brunt of it if they fail. It only seems logical. And yet Aipon wasn't mentioned at all. Which doesn't really help the credability of this.

Since this would be a completely stupid move on Passpo's part I doubt it will happen. I am 100% sure Passpo will never beat AKB48. At most, when they lose I see Yukimi coming out in a bald cap, causing fans to have a mini heart attack, before taking it off to reveal her hair. I mean, that is technically going bald, or sporting the bald style. I think that's probably the extent of what we'll see. Anything more than that would just ultimately hurt Passpo. Besides if they do that, fans would probably love it. And laugh that Passpo pulled a fast one on them.

Filled with ecstasy over S/mileage

2011-07-18T08:46:00.001-04:00

The full PV for S/mileage's upcoming single, Uchouten Love, was just uploaded tot heir official youtube channel.

When I first saw the previews for the Uchouten Love PV I wasn't all that impressed with the PV. And after seeing the full PV I'm still not 100% impressed wit the PV. Mostly because the PV is one the cheap side. Which is pretty unlike S/mileage. S/mileage has always been pretty interesting PVs that appear to be a high budget. They've only released like 3 that weren't. So, of course it's a bit of surprise that this PV is below average, and under the bar that has been set for S/mileage PVs. The PV is basically exactly like the 30 second commercial showed. If you watched the commerical it's the same feel as watching the PV. This PV is mostly just dance shots and close-ups. Which is little boring. Their Koi ni Booing Boo had that same formula, but they still managed to jazz it up and actually make it interesting to watch.
I am happy that there is another element to the PV that I wasn't expecting. Besides, the standard dance scene and close-ups the PV also has the girls in a school setting wearing school uniforms. Which could be awesome, but is only half way their. Perhaps if the school setting consisted of more than just 4 desks I would be more excited about it. aMa no Jaku was an indie PV and that was actually filmed in a school. It reminds me a lot of the Otona Narutte Muzukashii where there are just 4 rand desks. A lot of the PV reminds me of the Otona Narutte Muzukashii PV. The group close-ups in both PVs are nearly identical. I guess it's hard to come up with a theme for a PV. But if you're going to steal an element from a PV, what's the point of stealing that element from yourself?
The only redeeming aspect of this PV is the girls themselves. They look gorgeous. And they remain adorable and incredibly sweet throughout the PV.

Even though most of my comments for the PV were pretty harsh, I do like the PV though. I find it incredibly adorable. Do I think it's the greatest music video I've ever seen? Of course not. Is it even the best idol PV I've ever seen? Of course not. Does that really matter? It honestly doesn't. Idol PVs are 7 times out of 10 times cheap and disapointing. Maybe other people will think PVs are better than I do. But I have pretty high standards. Maybe even ridiculously high standards. Over the years of being an idol fan I've been learning to just accept this as a fact, and a part of idol culture. Usually during PVs I tend to just focus on the idols themselves. But even though I focus more of the idols then the PV, that's not going to really stop me from judging the PVs as harshly as I see fit. Afterall, I do still have high standards. And I do still hold out for the few PVs that are both entertaining, and the idols look good. Which are actually pretty hard to find. Well, they are for me anyway.

Saki looks super adorable.

It's cute that there are hearts in their eyes.

But it reminds me too much of the Renai Rider PV.

The set is cute, but it reminds me too much of the Aisu Kuriimu to My Purin set.

It's not 100% the same. But it's pretty similar.

Of course this is very similar to the Otona ni Narutte Muzukashii PV.

Granted the Uchouten Love PV's effects are much better and have a wider variety.

I still can't get over how good Saki looks. *O*

When Yuuka first cut her hair short I completely hated it. I didn't think it suited her at all. But with this style I think it completely suits her.

Cheapest school setting ever!

Kanon is so cute.

Hey macarena Aha!

Adorable.

Ok, this is pretty cute too.

Why does Ayaka's book have to be upside down? I don't really find stupidity adorable.

I didn't think it was cute with Momoko either.

Kanon being her cute self. Ayaka's face next to her is priceless.

Saki just looks beyond adorable in this PV.

Chu.

Cute.

How is this not like Ai no Dangan?

It's exactly the same.

All these balloons are starting to remind me of the Chu Shiyouze PV.

There were way were way more balloons in the Chu Shiyouze PV tough.

Adorable.

Lolz.

Saisho wa guu, Janken Pon!

Cool effect, but it's been done before.

Of course if you copy off of my beloved Koharu I'm going to remember.

Cute.

Saki! *O*

Um...what? Are they seriously doing the wave but just sideways?

My love-hate relationship with AAA

2011-07-17T04:10:00.001-04:00

The title of this post pretty much says it all. And from that it should be obvious what this post is going to in entail of. Most of this post is my personal back story. So, if you could care less about that I suggest you skip this post. I think I might have already posted about some of this back story before, but I can't really remember. But even if I have it hasn't been written in such detail before. XD
By the way, this post is long overdue. Like, a lot longer than you'd think. But you know how I loved to procrastinate on this blog. Well, I procrastinate with these types of posts. With news posts I tend to try and post them the second I find out about it. XD

When I first got into Japanese music in September 2004 I was instantly in love with it. And because of that instant attraction I knew I was going to be listening to it for a long time. And I wanted to do something special to commemorate what was going to become a rather fond memory. Since I was only 12 at the time I decided to do so in the only way I could think of, through music. I decided the perfect way to commemorate the occasion was to find a group that had just formed and follow them from day 1. And as the years passed, and the group remained intact, I could fondly looked back and see how much the group had evolved. And inturn look at how much I had evolved as a fan of Japanese music. And also to see how far the group had come. So, that every time I listend to them it would make me think of how I had been following them since the beginning and to also think of the exact moment I became a fan of Japanese music. And I did just that, the group I picked was Hinoi Team. And I absolutely loved them. I emerged myself completely in them. I listened to all their songs, I learned about the members, I followed absolutely every move they made, and I also learned a few of their dances. I followed Hinoi Team just as closesly as I follow Hello!Project and Johnny's Entertainment now. So, that should give you a clear picture of just how much I loved them. As we looked back at the fate of Hinochi, I obviously shouldn't have put all my eggs in one basket. The whole Hinoi Team disbanding situation as a whole still makes me angry. Mostly because to this day Avex has never officially announced they broke up. You were supposed to just know because one of the members stopped modeling for the magazines that the Hinoi Team members were modeling for. I can't 100% remember which girl it was. But I'm like 70% sure it was Keika. And the song Please Forgive Me was supposed to tell you they were sorry for breaking up. But Avex never officially said that. And as a devoted fan I wasn't going to believe it until it was official. But after a year with no word about them, I finally accepted they broke up.

But what does any of this have to do with AAA? I'm glad you asked! Or, rather, most likely were thinking this as you just read a seemingly pointless paragraph. If you couldn't figure it out by now, I had every intention of doing the exact same thing with AAA that I did with Hinoi Team. I can still remember when the group AAA was first announced. I was extremely excited. I was beyond happy to add yet another group to commerate becoming a Japanese music fan. I can still remember the rush of excitment vividly. I was in such a euphoric state just because a new Japanese group had been announced.You can tell right from the beginning I was very passionate, and extremely into, Japaneses music. And that type of passion and excitment hasn't changed. It's actually intensified over the years.

However, when I first heard BLOOD on FIRE I was completely turned off. I only ever listened to the song once, and then I completely washed my hands of them. I didn't give the song a second chance. And I didn't bother seeing if their next couple of singles were good. I was done, just completely done. And that snap judgement set the course for how I treated AAA over the years. I'm sure I had a good reason for not liking the song of course. It was probably because the style of music was so different from what I was listening to at the time. It was techo/anime sounding music with a hip hop vibe. It was also probably because there was rapping in it. Back in the day I thought rapping in Japanese was hilarious. And I could never take it seriously. Obviously I grew out of that. And I actually love Tanaka Koki's rapping. But I think it was ultimately because of how much I liked Jrock. Even though I did listen to Jpop back then, and most of it was pretty ubeat, a majority of the music I listened to and focused on was Jrock. I thought a lot of music that wasn't Jrock was inferior. Which in retrospect makes no sense. I must have been bipolar or selectively judgmental back then. Because on one hand I learned the dances to Hinoi Team's Super Euro Flash and Tamaki Nami's My Way, but on the other hand I was trying to completely be Visual Kei/Jrock and practically worshiped Dir en grey. I think it was probably mostly male singers that I judged side by side with Jrock. Because I can clearly remember, after such a fuss was made about them online, looking up Arashi and Super Junior. And then making fun of them a lot. Ironically, now I love both groups. But back then I viewed any male Japanese singer that wasn't Jrock to be too happy and girly for my taste. However, for some reason I really loved Miyavi. Even though his music, and style, has always been pop with guitar rifts and sometime heavy music, he was always given a pass. Probably because he was still under the Jrock umbrella. And ironically my love of idol music now determines what kind of Jrock I listen to. Since the majority of Japanese music I listen to is idol music, I hardly ever listen to Jrock anymore. And the little Jrock I do listen to has moved from heavier music and Visual Kei music to the lighter side of Jrock. Pretty much all I listen to is Oshare Kei because the music is happy and upbeat. It's the most idol like Jrock out there. Pretty funny, huh? But I'm getting way off subject now. Anyway, any of these reasons could be why I wasn't into AAA. I honestly can't remember anymore. It was 7 years ago, and I was 12, give me a break. XD

It was 3 years later when I was ready to give AAA another chance. Mirage had just come out and it was a pretty popular song. Well popular enough in Japan, it didn't really sell all that well. But for some reason it was pretty popular on the internet. Or it seemed to be anyway. So, I thought "Ok, people seem to really love this song. I should give it a try." And a try I gave it. But again I wasn't into the song. My reason behind not liking it is pretty hazy. All I remember is thinking "Why do people like this song so much? It has weird Indian music." Even though that was only 3 years ago I can't really remeber too well what I thought of that song and AAA. Mostly because the song didn't leave a big impression on me, so I saw no reason to remember every little detail about the song.

And yet again I washed my hands of them. It wasn't until about 6 months later I gave them another chance. I heard a group dub of Kuchibiru Kara Romantica. I thought the dub was so well done that it made me want to hear the original song. Which by the way, I had no idea was AAA. I was completely blown away by the song. By then I was completely engulfed with idol music. Both male and female. So, I was apparently ready to give them another chance. I then listened to Get Chu and got addicted to it immediately. But the next song I heard was Q. Which I thought was completely awful, and I became derailed again. The overly intense and weird music threw me off. I also lost interest because I didn't find any of the members attractive. However, today I think Nishijima Takahiro is adorable. In that "he's so odd/unique looking that he's cute." way. Nishi kind of looks like a duck to me, but he's still a cutie. A couple of months later, by accident, I found the Kimono Jet Girl video. Which I also thought was awful. But after the 4th or 5th listen I was hooked. The repetitive nature of the song made it insanely easy for it to get stuck in my head. A complete ear worm!

Since then I've listened to a few more AAA songs. Some I've liked: Music, Dream After Dream ~Yume Kara Sameta Yume~, and Summer Revolution. And some I didn't: Jamboree, Hallelujah, and Aitai Riyuu. But at least thats's an improvement. At least I'm sort of making an effort now.

Well, that brings us up to date. That pretty much shows how I have a legit love-hate relationship with AAA. But AAA has always been an idol group that I've wanted to cover on my blog. Since they were a group I was midly interested in, and was sort of familiar with, I thought it would perfect to cover them. Since blogging would keep up to date on the group, and because I would be blogging about them, I'd have to go back and learn more about them and their music to make decent posts about them. (The same thing with Kanjani, but I've been really lazy with them. XD) Back in 2009 when I officially turned JM into an idol blog, I put focus on how I was going to be covering AAA. However, since then I have yet to make one post about them. It was a perfect plan, but it just never actually happened. And the main reason for that is whenever I hear an AAA song for the first time I never like it. I am usually extremely underwhelmed with the song, and then lose all interest in it. And because of that I feel completely uninspired and skip writing about the single all together. It usually takes a while for AAA's songs to stick. But after they do I'm usually in love with them. Pretty much every AAA song I've ever heard I ended up liking later on. I had every intention to make posts about Paradise, Daiji na Koto, and No Cry No More. They were like the first singles I set out to write about as soon as they were announced. But I didn't like them enough the first 5-6 times I heard them to write about them. But now I am completely in love with them. Well, I love the songs minus No Cry No More. But that's probably because that song is still too new. XD

After writting this post I'm not exactly sure what the point of this post is. It actually doesn't really have one. I guess I wrote it, more or less, to vent my frustation at myself for how I've been putting AAA on the back burner. This post turned into a rant more than anything. I don't know, I just feel really sad about my whole AAA situation. I'm actually starting to really like AAA. I mean, Get Chu and Music are some of my favorite idol songs of all time. It just feels like there's been a lot lot of wasted time. There was a good 6 years I could have spent being an avid AAA fan. Or at least 3. Instead I settled for indifference because of my own high expectations and intense scrutiny of everything.

Kikkawa Yuu-Hapirapi ~Sunrise~ preview

2011-07-17T01:43:00.000-04:00

After officially confirming that Hapirapi ~Sunrise~ is Kikka's 2nd single a few dys ago, releasing on Spetmeber 21st, we now have a short preview of the song.

After hearing the short preview, I gotta say I'm not instantly in love with the song like I was with Kikkake wa You and it's B-sides. The song is a lot calmer and laid back than Kikkake wa You. I was expecting another upbeat and cutesy single from Kikka. This song is pretty slow and on the bland side. I also don't really like how Kikka is singing the song. So has an incredible voice and vocal range, but instead she seems to be forcing her self to sing in a cute voice. But it's so unnatural that's it's coming off as too much and obviously fake. Kind of the same way that Koharu's voice was forced in Papancake. Obviously not to the same screechy degree, but the way that they both were forcing themselves to sound cute is similar.

I don't know, I'm not really feeling the song right now. Maybe it will eventually grow on me.

Kis-My-Ft2-Everybody Go PV preview

2011-07-15T05:13:00.000-04:00

The PV previews for Kis-My-Ft2's debut single, Everybody Go, have just been released. I really wanted to say finally been released, but it actually has been that long. The PV previews came pretty quickly. With nearly a month to the release date. There have been times when the PV previews are only released a week before the release date.

I'm not really liking the look of the PV so far. The PV is just too dark. The whole setting of the PV is shot in a room of glass with this sort of blue, club lighting. And the PV actually kind of hurts my eyes a bit. It's probably because of the constant flashing lights. Despite not being too happy about the lighting the PV does look kind of expensive. Johnny's always seems to have fairly high budgeted debut PVs. The PV has 3 different sets, and 2 different outfits. And luckily only 2/3 sets have super obnoxious and unnecessary flashing lights.
Probbaly the best part of the PV is their close-ups. Mostly because they double as close-ups and what looks like dance solos. Which is actually pretty cool. At least it's a little bit different then the same old dance shot and close-up formula. But the one thing I do hate is that they have to be roller skating in this PV. I know that's their "thing", but I can't stand it. It's just silly, and not in a good way. I get serious secondhand embarassment every time I see them rollerskating.
I still also don't like that there's practically no one is Kisumai that's overly attractive. Taisuke is a little bit cute, but he ruined his hair for Ikemen desu ne. Yuya kind of looks cute in this PV. But that's most likely because of the intense high quality lighting. Well, that and the fact that they keep shoving him in your face every 5 second. I still think Kisumai pretty much look like trolls. Call me shallow all you want. It's the truth. Johnny should send them back to Nilbog already. Oh and, brownie points to anyone that actually gets that reference. XD

PV preview 1

PV preview 2

S/mileage-Uchouten Love PV preview

2011-07-15T04:43:00.000-04:00

A PV preview for S/mileage's upcoming single Uchouten Love has been released. As well as a low qulaity preview of the full version via S/mileage's USTREAM show.
I will only be commenting on the 30 second commercial, because I want to wait for a high quality version of the PV before I watch it.

I'm a little dissapointed by how cheap and low budget the PV looks. S/mileage's PVs have always been low budget, but I think this is their cheapest PV yet. They are pretty much dancing on a small stage with the words Love behind them in giant letters, which is pretty boring. And the set itself reminds me a lot of V-U-DEN's Aisu Kuriimu to my Purin set. They are both pretty small sets, with floor level lights in front of a curtain. And the group close-ups remind me way too much of the group close-ups in their Otona ni Narutte Muzukashii PV. I'm also not the biggest fan of the dance. Since the song sounds a lot like eurobeat I was expecting a para para influenced dance. However, that's not the case. Instead we have a pretty below average idol dance.
The only aspect of the PV i don't have complaints about are the girls themselves. They look completely adorabel. Especially Saki and Yuuka. I think Saki looks the best yet again in this PV. You know, I used to really dislike Saki. Now anymore she's the member I notice first. She has just been looking super adorable and pretty lately. I also love in this PV that there are still some goofy moments that make S/mileage, S/mileage. The weird ways they approach the mic, and the randomly playing with balloons. It's utterly adorable.

Here's the CM PV preview.

And here's the USTREAM preview.

Hey! Say! JUMP to release 8th single

2011-07-15T04:21:00.001-04:00

It was recently announced that Hey! Say! JUMP will be releasing their 8th single. The single is titled Magic Power and will be released sometime in September. The song will be used as the Japanese theme for the Smurfs movie, since Ryosuke and Chinen are voice acting in it.

I'm actually really excited that Hey! Say! JUMP is releasing a new single so quickly after their last one. However, I'm not really excited that it's being used for the theme to the Smufs movie. It most likely means that the song will be pretty immature. Now, Hey! Say! JUMP usually releases pretty simple and slightly immature songs because they are the youngest Johnny's group, and most likely have a lot of young fans. But having a theme for the Smurfs will probably make the song even more immature than usual. Probably extremely child like. Which I'm not 100% excited for. But I guess if I can listen to Berryz sing about a monkey dance and watch S/mileage dance around in pig ears, I can listen to HSJ sing about Magic Power. However, if it's on the same level as Little Princess Pri, I might have to cut my ears off. XD

The song is apparently going to be motown. And the lyrics will be based on the Smurfs catchphrase "Even if we are small, if we work together we can do anything!" Which alone means the song is 100% going to be super childish. And forgive me if I'm wrong, but since when do the Smurfs have a catchphrase? Didn't they mainly just say everything was smurf this and smurf that? I'm actually not a 100% sure on that. Growing up the Smurfs and Snorks annoyed me to no end.

This song also marks the first single with the new 9 member Hey! Say! JUMP. I wish I could say this will be the only 9 member single, they most likely have way more to come. ~~Like all of their singles from now on.~~ And since Ryosuke's and Chinen's involvement in the smurfs movie was announced a while ago they might have had to re-record this song without Ryutaro. Oh, who am I kidding? They probably only had to re-edit the song. They probably just deleted Ryutaro's lines in the chorus, and his lines with 1-3 other members. Because there's no way that Ryutaro would have had a solo line in this single anyway. Actually there's probably not really a chance for any member to have a solo line, who's name isn't Ryosuke or Chinen. Since the song is for their movie, it probably gives them an excuse to turn this into a Ryosuke and Chinen centered single. (As if their other songs aren't like that.) I mean this could possibly turn out to be another Hitomi no Screen, but with a little Chinen thrown in. I shudder to think that.

SDN48-Min.Min.Min PV preview

2011-07-15T03:39:00.000-04:00

The PV preview for SDN48's 3rd single, Min.Min.Min, is out. And of course it has to be a minute and a half to spoil the surprise of the PV.

My reaction to the PV preview can be summed up in 5 words, "what did I just watch?" The main focus of this PV seems to be the dance scenes, like it is in most idol PVs. Hoever, the dance shot for this PV is hardly ordinary idol fare. The members of SDN48 are dancing inside of a giant cage. If that wasn't odd enough, they are also doing so while sporting some shiny silver beetle/insect wings. Which doesn't even begin to make sense. When SDN48 was wearing wings in the Min Min Daho energy drink commercial I though it was a little odd. But never in a million years did I expect them to wear them in the actual PV. It's just completely bizzare. And definitely WTF of Lol worthy. However, that initial reaction only lasted for a minute or two. After that I had the strange feeling that I has seen this all before. And then it dawned on me. That aspect of the PV is a complete rip off of Miley Cyrus's Can't Be Tamed video. But instead of a bird creature, they are bugs. (I'll go more into the similarites most likely in my PV review.) And after I realized that SDN48 was copying that off of Miley, their whole bizzare, what am I looking at, quirky schtick was pretty much lost.
The rest of the PV preview just shows the girl's close-ups, where they are sitting on the cage. And actually I wouldn't mind if the whole PV was one giant close-up. The girls look super gorgeous in those black outfits. With their sexy, flowing hairstyles, and their smokey eyes, they just look to pretty for words. Seriouly phenomenal. This is probably the prettiest they've ever looked in a PV.

KAT-TUN-Run For You preview

2011-07-13T15:48:00.000-04:00

The radio rip for KAT-TUN's upcoming single, Run For You, has just been released. Apparently we first heard this song back in May in a Suzuki commercial. But I do not remember that at all. XD

I was completely not expecting this type of song at all. The song has an extremely heavy electronic/techno beat. It's like Going and The D-Motion times a thousand. I actually really love the overall sound of the song. I love elctronic/club music. And I love auto tuning. However, I don't think KAT-TUN should ever use auto tune. There's just something about the tones of their voices that they sound absolutely horrible when auto tuned. Kame and Koki sound the worst. Kame's voice gets screechy and Koki ends up sounding like a frog. ~~But no one sounds more like a frog than Inoo Kei. XD~~ And actually Taguchi sounds pretty horrible too. His nasally voice becomes more prominent. But whoever did the auto tuning this time fixed Koki's lines. And your really only hear his frog voice once at 2:42. Bur luckly less then half of the song is auto tuned. Anymore and I think the song might have been completely ruined for me.
But there are some good elements to the song. First off, the bridge is amazing. I think it might might actually be catchier than the chorus, which doesn't really happen to often with songs. The chorus is pretty catchy too. Even though it sounds more like Lan Lan Lan For You, then Run. Which is pretty hilarious. Also randomly throughout the song some random person with a deep voice says Run Run Run. Which is pretty weird, and throws the song off a bit. I laughed pretty loud the first time I heard that.
Another thing I love about this song is how it's not just completely Kame. It sounds like Kame only has 1 solo line. But it may actually be more, because it's hard to tell 100% who is singing when their auto tuned. Ueda's and Kame's voice end up sounding very similar. But for most of the song it seems to be Maru and Koki. The only time you really hear Kame is during harmony lines, or group lines where he takes the higher melody. Which I'm not really complaining about. Any song that features Koki a lot is good in my book.

Watarirouka Hashiritai7-Hetappi Wink PV preview

2011-07-12T20:02:00.000-04:00

A morning show has featured a PV preview for Watarirouka Hashiritai's upcoming single Hetappi Wink. Some of this clip is filled with Watarirouka Hashiritai7 talking, and all some random making of the PV footage. So, that brings the PV preview down to about 30 seconds. Which is actually perfect. Because like I've said before, anything more than that and it ruins the surprise.

Now since I wasn't really too impressed with the song, I was half expected to be just as underwhelmed with the PV. Luckily, I actually really like the PV. It is a little bit only cheap and simple side, but it's absolutely adorable. But this is Watarirouka Hashiritai7. They could be just standing there the entire PV, and I would still think it was adorable.
The main theme of this PV is behind the scenes of making a commercial. I'm not really impressed with behind the scenes PVs since they are a dime a dozen. Kitahara Sayaka's Yappa Seishun PV just had a similar kind of PV. However, the way that they are doing the behind the scenes theme is this PV makes it interesting. And it really does work for this PV. It seems that Mayu has to wink for some product that she's selling. But she just doesn't seem to know how to wink. So, most of the PV so far shows Mayu trying to learn how to wink. No doubt at the very end of the full length PV she'll wink for the first time. It's pretty cute since the song is about winking to focus on that. But I'm not sure there are too many people in the world who can't wink. But I do remember my friend's British grandmother telling me it was impolite to wink in England. So, she literally couldn't/didn't know how to. I guess it is possible then. XD
The PV is cute but I think the dance scenes ruin it a bit. Not because the dance is simple, because it is. But Watarirouka Hashiritai always has really simple dances. The dance set itself is what makes this PV look so cheap. The set itself is cute. A checked floor with a very Italian looking garden. With very pretty climbing roses. Which is fine and dandy looking, but only close up. When the camera zooms out and pans the entire dance set, you can see just how cheap the set is. It's just obviously fake looking. Like you can make out where the top of the set ends. However, since the PV has a behind the scenes theme they might have actually been going for that kind of look. But I think it's still pretty lazy on their part.

AKB48-Flying Get preview

2011-07-10T13:12:00.000-04:00

The first episode of Hana Kimi aired today, so that means we finally have a preview of AKB48's upcoming 22nd single, Flying Get.

I have been in love with this song since the first listen. As of right now I've been listening to the song on a loop for about 10-15minutes now. The music is just incredible. It has this sort of island or tropical feel to it. I'm sure there's a legit name for this type of music, but I have no idea what it is. XD The music is just energetic, upbeat, and super happy. There's a lot going on with the music. It sounds like there's horns and bongos. The song is just amazing, and it has a very distinct summer feel to it. It blows Everyday Kachuusha out of the water. And I think I might this song more than SKE48's Pareo wa Emerald. Which I didn't even think was possible. I don't know, words can't properlly describe how awesome this song is or how much I love it.

Since this song is really amazing, and with the drama tie-in, there's no doubt that this song will easily top Everyday Kachuusha's sales. Which I'm kinda excited about. Have this song beat the record for the best first week sales. And then I'd actually be happy. Because I think this song deserves it.

I would recomend watching this video quickly, if you want to hear the song. Since the video is the actual ending to Hana Kimi, this video most likely won't be up for much longer.

Berryz Koubou-Aa, Yoru ga Akeru

2011-07-10T12:49:00.001-04:00

The radio rip for Berryz Koubou's upcoming 27th single, Aa, Yoru ga Akeru, has just been released.

When I first listened to the radio rip, I wasn't expecting what I heard at all. The song is very weird sounding. It's like 2 different genres at once. It sounds like techno, diso, funk, and a ballad all rolled into one. And the music sounds like a bunch of different H!P songs jumbled together. It sounds like Furare Pattern, Suki Sugite Baka Mitai, Grand Demo Rouka Demo Medatsu Kimi, Happy! Stand Up, and Koi no Jubaku. Even though the song is almost a jumbled mess at times, I absolutely love every second of this song. The music is incredibly weird, infectious, and slightly addicting. And I love all the high notes at the end of the chorus. They sound really amazing. Especially Miyabi's. And I love all the little harmonizing she does in the middle of the song. But Yurina is really bringing it too. The one line she hits at the end is really amazing. I never really noticed how high of a range Yurina really has until I heard Heroine ni Narou ka. Now, if only she was better at singing live. XD

Even though I am love with the song, I'm a little dissapointed by the line distribution. The song is back to what most Berryz songs are. The 4 main singers and then you never hear the other members at all. I literally can't hear the other members. I'm sure they sing. But even at group parts you can barely hear their voices. I think the only other one you can kinda hear cleatly is Saki. And not only that, this song seems to mainly focus on Risako. Which is always boring, because they always focus on her. Just when it seems like Berryz is finally letting the other members sing, they make a song like this.

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Kanjani8 to release yet another single

2011-07-09T12:43:00.001-04:00

It was announced that Kanjani8 will be releasing yet another single. The single is entitled Tsubusa ni Koi and will be released on August 17th. The song will be used as the ending theme for Nishikido Ryo's drama Zenkai Girl. This wil also be Kanjani8's 4th single this year.

Geez 4 singles and it's only July. At this rate they could squeeze out another single or 2 before the year ends. However, that would be extreme overkill. Since one of those 4 singles was a double A-side, ot already feels like this will be their 5th single this year. But more power to them I guess. But I guess this means there's absolutely no hope for NEWS to release a single this year. Unless they pull another Fighting Man and release something in November again.

I'm not really the biggest Kanjani8 fan. I'm trying to get into them more. But as of right now, I'm not super interested in them. But my readers seem to like when I cover Kanjani8, so here we are.

Of course you can order this single from CDJapan by clicking the links below.

Kanjani8 - Tsubusa ni Koi [w/ DVD, Limited Edition]

Kanjani8 - Tsubusa ni Koi [Regular Edition]

Kikkawa Yuu announces new song

2011-07-09T12:25:00.001-04:00

Kikkawa Yuu announced, via her Kikka Mail, the she will be releasing a new song. The new song is entitled Hapirapi~Sunrise~, but no other details about the song are known. Not even the release date, or whether this song is an upcoming single or just a B-side track to one.

Regardless of the information being pretty vauge as of now, I'm just really excited that we're getting new info on her music. Which means it won't be much longer until we get another single from Kikka. Which is great news because I absolutely love Kikka and I adored Kikkake wa You. She's only released one single and I already like her 10 times more than ManoEri. Since Kikkake wa You was released in May we probably won't get another single until September. But I honestly don't mind waititng a bit.

Kis-My-Ft2-Everybody Go radio rip

2011-07-09T12:09:00.002-04:00

The radio rip for Kis-My-Ft2's debut single, Everybody Go, has just been released.

Now, I didn't really plan on making an entire blog post about the Everbody Go radio rip when it was released. Mostly because I already posted their Shounen Club performance of this song about a month ago. But I was listening to the radio rip and I noticed how the music sounds different. Which I wasn't really expecting. The music sounds about 80% the same, but it seems like they added a lot for effects to the music to pump it up a bit. There's also this weird sort of twinkling bells in the very beginning of the song. Which is so out of place it makes me laugh. XD
And I am nowhere near familiar with Kisumai's voices but it sounds like more people are singing in the radio rip compared to the Shounen Club performance. During the Shounen Cub performance only Taisuke and Hiromitsu had solos. But in the radio rip it sounds like there are 4 or 5 different people singing in this song.

Even though the music is slightly different I still absolutely love the song. It's the type of song that could make some one like me, who never paid attention to them before, possibly become a fan.

DiVA-Cry preview

2011-07-09T11:48:00.002-04:00

Avex's official youtube channel has posted a commercial for DiVA's upcoming 2nd single Cry. The commercial is about 30 seconds long and is the first time the fans get to hear the song.

I really had high hopes for DiVA to become my favorite AKB48 sub-group. They are the best singers in AKB48, and after watching the little bit of AKB48 shows I've watched I'm starting to really like Sayaka. I wasn't really impressed with Tsuki no Uragawa all that much. Lyric wise the song is beautiful. Singing and music wise, it was pretty lack luster. The music was too soft and the singing was too bland. They didn't use their full singing potential. However, in this song that's not the case. During the chorus we get to hear some fairly high and powerful notes sung beautifully. I mean, the notes are held seamlessly. And we get to hear each member have a solo line. At least I think, I'm like 80% sure the last solo in the commercial was Ayaka.
Even though I am really excited that we finally have some high notes in a DiVA song, I'm not really impressed so much with the song itself. The song is basically the same as Tuski no Uragawa. Except that the music it's a fraction higher. I know that slow songs and ballads show off a singer's vocal ability. But does that really mean that all the songs they release have to be slow? Not really. They could have a regular idol type of song but then hit some really high notes along the way or during the chorus. The songs also seem to be this tempo because DiVA is going with a more mature and adult image. Which is why I don't really like mature idol groups that much. They're boring. Mature and idol groups should never really be used in the same sentence. At least in my opinion. But there I go jumping to conclusions. This is only the chorus of this song, no one knows what the verse sound like yet. But I'm willing to bet it's nearly the same as the chorus.

Now on to the PV. Wow, for being an AKB48 subgroup they release some pretty cheap PVs. At least the set for Tsuki no Uragawa was pretty, despite also being a cheap PV. But are they serious with the Cry set? They are dancing in front of a plastic tree! And the insanely bright setting of the dance space doesn't fit with the tempo or theme of the song at all. The close-up shots don't really get anymore cutting edge either. They are just standing in front of falling water. Which makes sense because the song is called Cry. But it's been done before. Give us something new and exciting.
However, the PV isn't all bad. The girls look absolutely gorgeous. I love the military inspired outfits. The lighting makes them look practically flawless. And I love that the close-ups have their hair styled simple.

2nd interview of S/mileage's auditions to be streamed live!

2011-07-08T10:55:00.000-04:00

It was announced that the second intreview for S/mileage's 2nd generation will be streamed live on Nico Nico Douga. The stream will start at 1 PM JST. Click here for the Nico Nico Douga stream page.

The Nico Nico Douga page says the following about the stream:

2000 girls participated the selection
50 girls passed the first interview.
They will stream all the process of the second interview .
It will be from the interviewer angle - the second interview will consist of: introduction, singing, forehead and dental check, dancing, etc.Also some notice:
Respect their privacy.
No S/mileage girls will appear.
They may change the background music.

I think it is incredibly exciting that they are going to stream the audtion process live. I mean, it's the 2nd best thing to being there. This is the closest us fans have ever gotten to the audition. Usually we have to wait to see clips, or the entire show, weeks after it happened. But seeing it while it happens, and being able to pick your favorite girl while it's happening, is is an incredible hands on experience for the fans. It's things like this that make me excited to be a fan.

2nd peek at the S/mileage auditions

2011-07-08T10:37:00.001-04:00

S/mileage's official youtube channel has uploaded another video of the 2nd generation audition process. Which gives us fans a nice peak at the types of girls who auditioned. And this is more of a peak than we got of Morning Musume's 9th generation. With them showing us so many girls during the S/mileage audition, we might have actually seen a girl who will become a finalist or new member. Which is an exciting thought. And only time will tell if that happens.

And another zooming shot, like last time, to show the majority of auditioners.

I think the girl on the left is cute, she looks energetic. The girl on the right looks super nervous.

I wasn't really blown away by this girl at first glance. But I do think she has potential as an idol. I an odd way she reminds me of Ogawa Makoto.

Woah, the girl looking toward the camera looks like Nakajima Saki and Tokunaga Chinamis' love child. XD

During the pan of the crowd in the beginning this was the girl I was focused on! She looks a bit like Miyazawa Sae.

This girl is hardly a looker, but she seems lively.

Did anyone else immediately flash to Fukuda Asuka? XD

Meh. XD

I love that this girl said how much she loves S/mileage. Makes me like her even more. XD She is pretty. And she looks a tiny, tiny bit like Maeda Atsuko.

Yuke yuke monkey face. That's hilarious. But probably too harsh of a comment for some.

This girl looks kind of angry. I'm not sure how well a yankee would fit in S/mileage.

She's kind of cute.

All I see is teeth. XD

I wish we could see her face. She looks like she might be cute. Her hair is cute, so maybe she is? XD

Because it's Buono!

2011-07-06T12:42:00.000-04:00

Buono's official Youtube channel has just uploaded the PV for Buono's upcoming 12th single, Natsu Dakara.

The PV isn't all that different than the PV preview we saw a week ago. There's only like a handful of new scenes. And after seeing the PV preview I was expecting a whole lot more than what we had already seen. For most of the PV it's just the girls standing in front of a door or sitting on a couch. With a few random activites thrown in so the PV doesn't seem as simple as it is. But like I said before I am actually ok with such a simple PV. After thei last single had 2 expensive PVs with a lot going on, it's actual a nice change to have this PV be a bit more simple. It actually fits really nicely with the tempo of the song. I love how the whole PV is nothing but a giant beauty shot because my girls look simply gorgeous. The only thing I am not really that happy with is how Airi centered the song and PV is. Since Buono only has 3 members they have always been extremely fair song and PV wise. But it seems since Buono switched to Zetima they've been throwing Airi a couple more lines than the other girls. Which I'm not really into.

Nice wedges. XD

They look super pretty in natural lighting.

They might be doing nothing but shoving Airi in your face, but with good reason. She looks really pretty and cute here.

The dresses are beautiful too. Very simple and elegant.

Miyabi is the real standout of this PV though. She's look gorgeous.

Airi looks beyond adorable in this hat.

I think Momo's a little overexcited. She's making way too intense a face for saying the word sunshine.

Gorgeous, just gorgeous. She's only looking a way, and she looks incredible.

Momoko looks really cute here.

And she's back to looking creepy. This is why I love Momo. XD

Miyabi looks great here. She looks super friendly and approachable. And I love how her dress is 70's inspired.

Airi's pouty face is so cute.

Gorgeous.

I don't get why they keep waving.

Miya's innocent face is so adorable.

I love how Airi is making more of a sultry face.

But lolz that Momoko is just giving a blank stare.

Airi is always watching. Airi kind of looks scary here. XD

Adorable!

Airi is such a cutie.

Momoko is so cute and lovely.

There are so many scenes in these PV where the girls look amazing. Like, look how cute Miyabi looks.

Miyabi's too into this.

Himitsu da yo~

The bubbles make me think of C-ute's Momoiro Sparkling PV and Guardians4's Party Time PV.

Adorable!

I just had a serious flashback to Buono's Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! PV.

SDN48-Min.Min.Min. preview

2011-07-05T08:12:00.000-04:00

A commercial for Min Min Daho energy drink featuring SDN48 has started airing. In the commercial we get to hear a short preview of SDN48's 3rd single Min.Min.Min. And I mean a short preview. The commerical is only 18 seconds longs, so we pretty much only get to hear the very beginning of the chorus.

The song sounds completely different than their last 2 singles. GAGAGA and Ai Juseyo both had fairly heavy dance beats. This song is just completely toned down, and not really what I was expecting at all. I know SDN48 has a few slow B-sides, so it's not really that new for them to make a song this slow. But this song so far doesn't really fit with their theme. The song sounds too cute for SDN48's sexy/adult image. I don't know, I'm just a little thrown off by the song. I mean, it doesn't sound that bad so far. But it just doesn't fit them.

SDN48 to release 3rd single

2011-07-04T07:41:00.000-04:00

It was just announced that SDN48 will be releasing their 3rd single. The song is entitled Min.Min.Min. and will be released on August 17th.

I have a pretty love hate relationship with SDN48. It's mostly hate though because I'm not into their overall theme. The only only really comes in because I absolutely loved GAGAGA. However, I wasn't really impressed with Ai Juseyo. I do like Ai Juseyo more now than when it first came out, I'm still not all that enamored with it. Hopefully, SDN48 will mkae me incredibly happy and will release another song like GAGAGA. It seems to be a similar single already because both GAGAGA and Min.Min.Min. aren't actual words. Now hire the same Korean composer from GAGAGA, and I'll be happy.

Of course you can buy this single from CDJapan by clicking the links below.

SDN48 - Min.Min.Min.[CD+DVD / Type A]

SDN48 - Min.Min.Min.[CD+DVD / Type B]

Watarirouka Hashiritai 7-Hetappi Wink preview

2011-07-04T07:29:00.000-04:00

The radio rip for Watarirouka Hashiritai 7's 8th single, Hetappi Wink, has been released. Can I just say that I was under the impression that the 8th single was just going to be Watarirouka Hashiritai. Boy, do I feel stupid now. XD

After hearing the song I am actually a little underwhelmed by the song. As of right now, the song doesn't really have that wow factor. Pretty much all of Watarirouka Hashiritai's songs have been effortlessly cute. But with this song it's missing the immediate cute factor you get with songs like Gyu or Valentine Kiss. The song is pretty heavy and upbeat, which would usually be a big plus for me. But for some reason the music just reminds me of Shugo Chara Eggs songs. Not even because the music is similar, because it's not. There's just something similar about it that I can't quite put my finger on.
I am also completely unimpressed with the singing. I know Watarirouka Hashiritai isn't exactly known for having the best voices, but at some parts of the song the singing sounds a lot more strained than usual. And right after the chorus they repeat the word wink like 8 times, which comes off more as annoying than cute. Just the way they are saying wink sounds like they are trying to hard for it to sound cute instead of letting it naturally happen.

I'm a little sad by how lackluster the song is. Watarirouka Hashiritai is my favorite AKB48 sub-group. And I was expecting a lot more from this song. Hopefully, the song will eventually grow on me. But for now it's not one of my favorites.

AKB48 to hold 2nd Janken Tournament

2011-07-03T07:47:00.000-04:00

It was just announced that AKB48 will be golding their 2nd Janken Tounament. The Tournament will take place at the Budokan on September 20th. All AKB48 members and Research Students, as well as 5 SKE48 members and 5 NMB48 members, will take part in the Tournament. There will also be a preliminary round to determine which SKE48 and NMB48 members will be in the Janken Tournament.

Maybe it's because I don't follow AKB48 as close as other fans, or as close as I'd like to, but I actually wasn't expecting this at all. Not to say that I wasn't expecting another Janken Tournament, because I was. But I wasn't really expected them to do one so soon. I mean, they just finished the Senbatsu Election. I guess I shouldn't really be that surprised, because last year the Senbatsu Election results, and the announcement for the Janken Tournament, all happened at pretty much the exact same time as this years. Both Senbatsu Elections ended on June 9th. The only real differnces are, the Janken Tournament was announced last year on June 11th, and took place on September 21st. Which means, I guess both are going to be a yearly events.

I am actually really excited for another Janken tournament. I didn't really pay that close attention to the first Janken Tournament. Mostly because I had pretty much just started to follow AKB48. But that's only half of why I'm excited. The real reason I'm excited is because while the Senbatsu is nothing but a popularity contest the Janken is completely random. And therefore it evens the playing field and absolutely everyone has a chance. It was nice to have relatively unknown, or less popular members, featured in the A-side. And I'm not sure if most people know this about me, but I absolutely love rooting for the underdog. It's one of the reasons why I love Mitsui Aika so much. (That and the fact that she's incredibly sweet and gets mountains of hate for no reason.)

I would absolutely love for the results to be so far from what anyone is expecting. I want to be thrown a curveball and have the center be a pretty obscure member. It would be ideal for a Team 4 member or NMB48 member to win and become center. Mostly because both are fairly new (obviosly Team 4 is newer) and haven't really done that much so far. All NBM48 has done is release a single. Yamamoto Sayaka was in Everyday Kachuusha and is part of the Under Girls for Flying Get. But besides Sayaka, the other girls are pretty obscure.

All I really ask from this Janken, is that the 24th single turns out better than last year's Janken single. Chance no Junban was a pretty terrible song and PV. AKB48 can do a lot better than that.

Itano Tomomi-Fui Ni PV preview

2011-06-30T08:43:00.000-04:00

A PV preview for Itano Tomomi's 2nd single, Fui Ni, has been released.

This PV seems to have a higher budget than Dear J did. Dear J was pretty much just a dance PV. Which I guess worked because it was a dance song. The Fui Ni PV on the other hand seems to have an actual storyline.
The whole storyline of this PV seems to be that Tomomi is some sort of socialite. She's dressed high end while being driven around, and they make point of flashes her diamond earings. And besides that she's shoving her Juicy Couture bag in our face. I'm only 80% sure it's a Juicy bag. It has the charm that they're known for, and it looks like the charm is their label. You have no idea how much it's eating me up that I'm not 100% sure what bag that is. XD
Besides that socilaite aspect of the PV, the PV is filled with a lot of fanservice. Tomomi's laying in a bed with her cleavage emphasized, suggestivly eating a strawberry, and with wet hair that eludes to her have taken a shower.

The PV looks pretty mediocre to me. I'm actually only looking forward to it for the fashion aspect.

Buono-Natsu Dakara PV preview

2011-06-30T08:16:00.000-04:00

The PV preview for Buono's upcoming 12th single, Natsu Dakara, has just been released. Actually a full radio rip of the song has been released too, but I can't find it on youtube. So, I've yet to hear the full song. Mostly because I don't like donwloading things.

Coming after their last single, Zassou no Uta, which had some pretty rockish songs and awesome PVs this single is a little more tame. Both the song and the PV. Buono hasn't released as song this clam since Take It Easy. Which was my least favorite Buono A-side to date. However, this song is a bit more upbeat than Take It Easy. Thank god. It actually has a more co.no.mi.chi feel. Where the song wasn't 100% rock, but it wasn't too soft. Natsu Dakara has a much lighter and softer feel than co.no.mi.chi though, but it's similar to it in that sense. And also because of that I'm not that thrilled with the song. It's not bad, but Buono has definitely done better.

While on the other side, I am completely in love with the PV. Because the PV is shot outside/by an open door, the girls are shot in this beautiful soft, natural lighting. Making them look absolutely gorgeous. And making the PV almost like one giant beauty shot. Other than the girls looking stunning, the PV itself is pretty simple. So far there doesn't seem to be any dance shots. So the whole PV preivew is filled with the girls close-ups, standing in front of a door, and sitting on a couch. Which doesn't really make for the most exciting PV ever. But my girls look amazing, and that's really all I can ask for from an H!P, or pretty much any PV in general. If the PV was nothing but them fighting giant octopi, but they looked flawless doing it, I won't really mind.

The black haired girls are no longer extinct!

2011-06-30T07:57:00.001-04:00

After releasing their first PV preview just yesterday, the full PV for NMB48's debut single, Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shoujo has been released.

I know I complained a lot about this PV yesterday. Well, I tend to complain a lot in generally. I'm very critical, and full of opinions, when it comes to idol music. Hence why this blog exists in the first place. But anyway, in my post about the PV preview my only really fault about it was that it wasn't Japanese enough. Well, who ever directed this PV must be a dedicated reader of this blog, because the actual PV is everything I hoped it would be! The PV is bursting with Japanese references. Okay maybe bursting is an exaggeration, but there are quite a few. The opening of the PV starts off with one of the girls walking in front of a rice paper screen and shamisen music is playing. From then on out I knew the PV was going to have more Japanese elements. And I was pretty excited about it. However, most of the references are in the second half of the PV. Which isn't actually that big of a deal. It would have nice to have them more spread out through the entire PV. But that's a tiny flaw. The Japanese elements throughout are calligraphy, traditionally drinking tea, karate, using a katana, focusing on the girl's kanzashi, wearing kimonos, and even falling cherry blossom petals.
I loved this PV from start to finish. I like how it wasn't an average PV with just close-up shots and dance scenes because it could have been. SKE48's and SDN48's debut PVs were basically just that. I love that it had a clear storyline, and stuck with it. Even if it was relatively simple, and nothing more than a few random shots edited together. People might brush this PV off as being too gimmicky, or a tad underwhelming. But I actually don't think it's either of those. There was a perfect balance of the standard PV formula and sticking to a theme. Besides, this is idol music there's a certain cheese factor in pretty much every release. I actually still would have liked to have seen a little more from the dance. But that's a tiny flaw as well.

To me this embodies Japan. It has that standard Japanese art feel to it.

Cheap effect but still pretty cool.

This effect is awesome too. It takes so little to impress me. XD

This dance move is a litte awkward, and would honestly only work for Passpo.

This girl is cute. Too bad I don't know any NMB48 members name. Expect for Nana of course.

The snake seriously? That move is so 90's. XD

The dance is just too easy to poke fun at.

It's a hair flip, it's whatever. ~~Chris Crocker reference FTW? I'm suck a loser. XD~~

Nana looks really cute in this PV. However, I can't get a good cap of her.

This is a really beautiful kimono and kanzashi.

Ok, this is an adorable dance move.

GURIIN TII no otenami wo haiken shite~ That's Seriously the first thing I though of. XD Also, really pretty kimonos.

I've been paying attention to this girl throughout the PV. She's a cutie.

At fist I thought this said love. But I realized two things. It obviously doesn't and I can't read Japanese. XD

She's so pretty. *O*

Awesome.

Cool effect! XD

Apparently nothing's more Japanese than skimpy outfits. Lol.

I love the falling cherry blossom petals.

It reminds me of the Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game PV.

The girl on the right is super pretty.

Vogue, strike a pose.

This angle isn't really the most flattering. From this angle she looks like a young Kitagawa Keiko.

Adorable!

Am I the only one who thinks this girl looks a bit like Ogawa Saki?

Bowing was the absolute perfect way to end the PV.

Since you can't embed this video from vimeo you have to click here to watch the PV.