Yet another Maji Desu ka Ska PV preview

On today's Bijo Gaku episode they continued with the 9th gen segment and this time showed they a short making of the Maji Desu ka Ska PV as well as a minute and a half preview of the PV.

I have to say that I caved and watched the whole segment. I know when the short version of NYC's Yume Tamago came out I make a big deal about watching it because it would ruin the PV. However, I couldn't resist watching about Maji Desu ka Ska. Mostly because I am so in love with the song and what we have seen of the PV so far.
But I will not comment on the preview of the PV because the full PV is going to be released any day now, and it would ruin my PV post. But I will say that I am even more excited for the PV. There seem to be more elements to the PV that us fans have never seen before, and didn't even know existed. And I would also say look out for Fuku and Zukki. They are the most energetic and interesting during the filming. I was actually surprised by how lack luster Riho and Erina were. Especially, since she said how she wanted to be the most energetic one. Come on, no one could possibly beat Kanon. Well, that aren't so lack luster that they are boring. Riho and Erina are enjoyable to watch but they Kanon and Mizuki stand out the most.


Here's the full 9th gen segment, for anyone who wants to watch the whole thing.



And here's just the clip of the PV preview.

YuiKaori-Shooting Smile PV preview

Even though YuiKaori's new single, Shooting Smile, isn't being released for another month they've just released a PV preview for the song. The preview is a minute and 20 seconds long, and is more like a short version of the PV. 

I absolutely love this song and am glad that we finally get to hear more than 30 seconds of it.  The PV reminds me a lot of their PV for Heartbeat ga Tomaranai. Where it's them dancing in a separate place, with their matching outfits, and then them running around town in their school uniforms. Granted that Heartbeat ga Tomaranai was filmed during the day, and had more of a storyline beyond that. I still think the two PVs are similar regardless. I do really like the oufits they are wearing though. Despite the fact that they are yellow, they're cute. They actually kind of look like the Doublemint Twins in those dresses. XD
I'm a little dissapointed by the dance. Dancing is usually YuiKaori's strong point, their dances are always incredible. But this dance is too stiff and robotic. But at the end of the preview it alludes to the PV having a robot theme, so it most likely interconnects that way. But we won't know 100% until the full PV is out.





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

YuiKaori - Shooting Smile [w/DVD, Limited Edition]

YuiKaori - Shooting Smile [Regular Edition]

C-ute-Iza! Susume! Steady Go preview

Yet another song preview from C-ute's upcoming album Chou WONDERFUL6 has been released. This time it's Nakajima Saki's center song, Iza! Susume! Steady Go.

I was a little hesitant to listen to this song because I think Saki is the worst singer in C-ute. But I was pleasenty surprised by how much I love this song. The song has fairly heavy rock beat mixed with an almost electronic beat. But what really makes this song fun to listen to is all the voices in the background. Like the "iza susume, iza susume tsuppare" and the chants on certain words instead of average haromonies. And the chorus parts that go "Wow, wow, wow happy" are also an awesome addition.

And I think this song is actually the perfect choice for Nakky because it actually compliments her voice beautifully. Her tone blends together seamlessly. And even though it's a Saki center song you can still hear the other girls pretty evenly, while still being able to tell it's Saki's song. Besides Saki I think Airi, Chisato, and Maimi are completely rocking this song. Overall this is the absolute best song so far. Sorry Midnight Temptaion, you've been replaced. XD

High standards or fan biases: Are Morning Musume PVs really that bad?

As I'm sure most idol fans or just Hello!Project fans already know, a short PV preview was released for Morning Musume's upcoming new single Maji Desu ka Ska. This is the second PV preview we've gotten and the second time the fan's reactions have been split. Of course the reactions are split for all PVs. Opinions differ, personal preferences are taken into consideration, and quite honestly you can't please everyone. Despite, how hard you try some fans will always be disappointed by a PV due to their own high expectations. But, when I saw the PV previews for Maji Desu ka Ska I was impressed. I was honestly impressed. The song is upbeat, the dance is simple but high energy and cute, the outfits are vibrant, vivid, and cute. But I still found that a lot of Morning Musume fans still thought the PV was terrible. Because it follows the same formula that Morning Musume PVs have followed lately.

But then I started to think, why do fans hate this formula so much? Do they not realize this is how Morning Musume has always made their PVs? If they haven't, were they following the same group as I was? Morning Musume is my absolute favorite idol group. I follow them the closest, and I critic them the closest. When I dislike something they are doing I strongly voice my opinion about it. But it seems fans are negatively voicing their opinions just to voice their opinion. If you go back and watch all of Morning Musume's PVs they all follow the same formula. Close-up shot, dance shot, and then random scenes of the girls when no one is singing, which is usually a mixture of close-ups or full body shots.

Morning Musume has hardly ever made a PV with an actual story line, or something else going on besides this formula. I can literally only name a handful of Morning Musume PVs that aren't like this. And those PV are: Aruiteru, The Peace, Namida Tomaranai Houkago, Roman My Dear Boy, I Wish, Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutan-jima, Do It! Now, Mr. Moonligh ~Ai no Big Band~, and Koko ni Iruzee.

You could also argue that Egao Yes Nude, Go Girl ~Koi no Victory~, Naichau Kamo, Souda! We're Alive, and Ambitious! Yashinteki de Ii jan count as well. But I don't count rolling in a bed, saying suki up-close, crying up close, jumping in heigh, or breaking fake glass as a story line.

I'm sure a lot of people reading this find that hard to believe. Since a lot of fans are waiting for them to make interesting PVs again. But all of their PVs have been the same. Even if you're consciously unaware of that fact. But make no mistake, Morning Musume follows that formula and so do most idol groups. And when I say you might not be consciously aware of this, I mean because directors have tricks to make a seemingly boring/low budget PV look more exciting or entertaining.

Now, that might be them having their close-ups in a more exciting setting then the rest of the PV.

Showing more shots of the setting/having them look like they are doing something. That eludes to a storyline without actually establishing one.

Have more than one shot of the dance. Seeing the same dance in different outfits adds the illusion that you're seeing something new, even though you're not.

Have them do something more interesting during their close-ups. Just because they are spinning and not standing doesn't make it less of just another close-up.

Have them wear more than one outfit, having another outfit makes the PV more dynamic. It also makes it look like it has a high budget and fans will often over look the lack of a storyline if there is more than one outfit.


Now, all of this might have been visually appealing and exciting but that doesn't make it a storyline. A storyline has dialogue that lets you know what's going on in it. Or it silently follows a storyline. Like falling in love, going to the beach, committing suicide, or just about anything really. Something that actually tells you a story while you watch it. Apparently Morning Musume fans want of all of Momusu's PVs to be Michael Jackson's Thriller video. But aside from AKB48, most idols aren't making PVs like this. Name the last idol PV you actually saw that had a storyline. I mean like the ones you see in American music videos. I honestly can't think of any. Within or outside of H!P.

Then if the storyline isn't a problem, what is? If you take the storyline out of a PV you're left only with the other pieces. Which are the dance shots and close-ups. Which are the PVs that JE and some 48 groups and subgroups are making, as well as lesser know idol groups. But I hardly ever see any of those fans complain. And I have to wonder if it's because the fans like that formula, or is it that these groups are so popular and on top of their genres (male and female idols separately of course) that they have nothing to complain about? I'm going to go with the second one.

Here are some idol PVs that are the same caliber as Morning Musume's PVs.

KAT-TUN-Ultimate Wheels

Hey! Say! JUMP-Arigatou Sekai no Doko ni itemo

SDN48-GAGAGA

Idoling!!!-Eve

Canary Club-Daisukki

Not Yet-Shuumatsu Not Yet

AKB48-Chance no Junban


And of course there are plenty more. But these are just the ones I could think of on the top of my head because they are recent.

But despite all this, it always seems like Morning Musume are judged more harshly. That Morning Musume is the only group making bad PVs. I don't understand the bias between fans. And I don't understand how harshly PVs are judged. I understand that sometimes a PV is so awful you have to complain. But every single Momusu PV gets judged harshly. No matter how much better it is than a previous PV or how similar other idol PVs are. It makes absolutely no sense to me. I might like H!P and JE the most but when their PVs suck I'm the first one to say it. And when their PVs don't suck I'm there praising it. These are idol PVs, and to expect them to be a masterpiece is ridiculous.

It seems like fans are also judging Momusu too harshy is because they have been around for a long time and are dwindling a bit. And hating on them is the cool thing to do in the idol fandom. But what about Arashi? They hardly ever release interesting PVs or ones that break the standard formula. But they have been around nearly as long as Momusu and sell significantly higher than them. And yet rabid Arashi fangirls hardly complain about anything they do.

I don't know, this is basically just a rant. And I'm sure I'll get a lot of comments telling me I don't know what I'm talking about. Or that they are an unbiased fan, so that in some way means all fans are unbiased. I think I might actually be one of the few truly unbiased fans out there. And I know that sounds extremely arrogant, but sometimes it does feel that way. I just really wanted to get all of this off of my chest. So, what does everyone think? Thoughts, opinions, disagreements. I'd love to hear other fan's inputs.

Morning Musume-Maji Desu ka Ska 2nd PV preview

With it getting extremely close to the release date of Morning Musume's new single, Maji Desu ka Ska, CDTV has released a 12 second preview of the PV. It honestly looks like CDTV is just airing the commercial of Maji Desu ka Ska, but a preview is a preview.

This PV preview is a little bit different that the preview we saw on Bijo Gaku. This one shows the dance head on. And it also shows the girls and set more clearly. We also see the 9th gen in colored boxes in the beginning, which gives up a great hint at what the close ups are going to look like. It also shows the girls jacket colors better, which still makes me wonder if these are the new official colors. I would actually be happy if they were. Most of the colors are amazing. Only Risa's and Reina's suck. Reina has a white or cream color. And Risa has a auburn or light brown shade. Which I hope is supposed to be burnt orange. XD
The PV does look a little low budget, which makes me sad. But the energetic song and dance brings the PV up a bit.

NYC hatch their dreams

After JE has successfully teased us with this song, having it performed live 4 times and given us 2 previews of the PV, the full PV for NYC's Yume Tamago was released yesterday. With only 4 days until the release date I might add. Which is cutting it extremely close. Also, the PV and caps are pretty low quality, but I did not want to wait to make this post in hopes that a few days from now someone will upload a high quality version to youtube.


The PV pretty much is pretty much what we've already seen in the Zoom In preview. There's only 1 extra scene that we've haven't seen. The very childish dollhouse in the beginning. But the dollhouse and the various outfits fit with the lyrics of the song. Following your dreams and being whatever you want to become. So, the whole aspect of them as dolls as their dreaming of what to become makes perfect sense. A childish interpretation of the lyrics, for a childish song. But I actually don't mind that the song and PV is for children. They are both absolutely adorable. And even though I did like Yoku Asobi Yoku Manabe more because it was the most mature sounding NYC single, this single is my second favorite. And of course my favorite part of the PV is when the dress up as different occupations. Because it's just down right adorable.
 

The dollhouse actually makes me feel oddly nostalgic. XD
 

Ryosuke is so adorable.
 

I love Chinen's outfit. And the thing behind him totally looks like the pringles guy!
 

I though this background was supposed to represent childrens' drawings. But that castle was outside the window of the dollhouse, so idk. XD
 

Look at Chinen's girl hair. Lol.
 

It's cute that they are little teapots teacups.
 

Right here the CG looks terrible. :/
 

Is Ryosuke ever not adorable?
 

The answer is obviously no.
 

How cute.
 

The dream cloud, it must time to dress up. XD
 

Cunductor of the philharmonic ochestra, good luck with that one maestro. XD
 

Somehow, this just fits Chinen.
 

It's annoying how NYC has to make everything about New York City in their PVs. I mean, that is obviously supposed to be the New York Yankee's pin stripes. Yuma's name is even written in red, white, and blue. :/
 

Adorable.
 

Chinen actually looks pretty cute as a pilot.
 

Ok, the egg is bursting with dreams. But I don't undersatnd, why an egg? Is an egg supposed to represent a heart or something? In  Buono's song the Egg was supposed to be in your heart, that marked you as good or bad, or something. And in Shugo Chara Egg's song the egg in your heart was supposed to define you. But that never made sense to me either. Maybe it's just like a saying in Japanese? I honestly have no idea though.
 

I don't understand why Ryosuke always makes this intense face when he is singing or lip synching. XD

YY becomes Yan Yan

Johnnys Net has officially announced that this April  that Hey! Say! JUMP members Yaotome Hikaru's and Yabu Kota's show YY JUMPing will be replaced with a new show called Yan Yan JUMP. Yan Yan JUMP is said to be a show featuring Hey! Say! JUMP and Johnny's Junior.

Now, even thought the commercial says it's going to feature Hey! Say! JUMP and Johnny's Junior doesn't mean it's going to feature all of them. Obviously they can't feature all of Johnny's Junior, there are just too many of them. I suppose they could shuffle the Juniors every week, but I doubt they would do that because that would be a lot of extra work and effort. And besides, School Kakumei and YY JUMPing pretty much use the same Juniors ever week. But what's really important is if they are going to have all 10 HSJ members or not. A couple of weeks back Yabu mentioned that he wanted to have a show with all 10 Hey! Say! JUMP members. So, was his comment actually giving fans a hint of what to expect? I actually kind of doubt it, but I really want it to be true. I'm tired of only about 7 members of HSJ being on TV shows, while the other 3 do nothing. And I'm even more tired of those TV shows not being just one TV show. Even if the members get shuffled every week, I would love for their to be a show that is for all 10 of Hey! Say! JUMP.

However, watching the commercial makes me doubt that's actually going to happen.

The commerical shows Hikaru, Daiki, and two ABC-Z members. One of which is Hashimoto Ryosuke, who is completely the reason my beloved Arihara Kanna had to leave C-ute to "finish her studies."
Which makes me think that Yan Yan JUMP is going to be exactly like YY JUMPing. But instead of Hikaru and Yabu, it's Hikaru and Daiki. Which is completely unfair, if that turns out to be what Yan Yan JUMP is like. If we were going for fair Yan Yan JUMP should consist of Yabu, Ryutaro, Keito, and Inoo. Hikaru, Chinen, and Ryosuke have School Kakumei and come April Takaki, Yuto, and Daiki will have Shounen Club. Technically Shounen Club is supposed to be Hey! Say! JUMP as hosts, but it's totally only going to be those 3.  And some could argue that Shounen Club doesn't count as they are only MCing and it's not a variety show. But, whatever.

Come April JUMP fans are either going to be really happy or really dissapointed.


Embedding is disabled, so click here to watch the commercial.