hello!girl

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Wed, 06 May 2009 16:00:00 +0000

Hello!Girl has moved to wordpress

Happy Birthday Hitomi!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Thu, 12 Apr 2007 15:31:00 +0000

I've been way too busy to really post anything as of late, but I wated to drop a quick birthday greeting to my favorite gal in H!P, Yoshizawa Hitomi!

Sexy 8 Beat

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Wed, 28 Mar 2007 05:55:00 +0000

I had a whole huge review of the album ready to post when Blogger crashed and ate it. I had saved it, but every time I try to post it in, blogger crashes again. So instead, I'll just say that the album is fantastic! Of new tracks that aren't singles, I would have to say that Genki+ SHOULD be a single, it's my new favorite Momusu song. Secondly, Haru Beautiful Everday is my second favorite new track on the album.

Scans from the limited edition CD booklet can be found here.

Kago Ai has been fired from H!P & UFA

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Mon, 26 Mar 2007 14:06:00 +0000

Yes, it's true. After the latest scandal involving her smoking AGAIN AND running away to spend the night with her boyfriend who is twice her age, Kago Ai has been fired from H!P. I'm on my way out the door for work, so I just thought I'd post a quick reaction for now.

From a fan's point of view I am extremely angry about this, and angry at Kago herself. For a year the fans were kept on tenterhooks, hoping against hope for her comeback and checking the news sites everyday for good news. Now, less than a month after the announcement that she was back and on her way again (albeit slowly) she fucks up royally again and is fired completely.

I understand it is her life, and she can live it how she chooses to, it's just frustrating to see someone you think had so much potential piss it all away.

In the end, I am more upset for Tsuji, who has gotten quite the shaft due to Kago's actions. Her idol career has been going steadily, but her singing career has come to a standstill with the hiatus of W. Hopefully, as she has an excellent voice, Tsunku will see fot to launch a solo career for her.

2 more girls in 8th gen!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 18:50:00 +0000

And they're Chinese! Story at Hello!Online

To quote:

At the same time as the 8th gen auditions in Japan, there was another audition in Beijing, China. The result of that was Linlin. Jujnun was recommended to Tsunku by a friend and joined the H!P eggs. After seeing her perform at concerts, he was impressed by her abilities. Tsunku says that these two will be key for their planned expansion into Asia for their 10th anniversary year.

Junjun and Linlin will be considered part of 8th Gen along with Mitsui Aika. While Aika was chosen for her singing abilities, these two impressed Tsunku with their experience on the piano and other instruments.

No wonder Tsunku only picked one girl from those auditions, he had two more on the sly. Wow! This is completely shocking isn't it? I guess that was a little wink he was giving us after Aika's acceptance with the conquering Asia speech. I thought he meant the 10th Anniversary single and was like, Well that wasn't much of a campaign. Little did I know!

I will reserve judgement until I see them in action. The man's been Oh so Right before, so I'll have faith. But still. WOW!

Official announcements:
Hello Project Online
Tsunku's Official Comment

Yay for Tax Refunds!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Tue, 13 Mar 2007 07:11:00 +0000

I just got mine today and after putting down a little on my car loan I put in a substantial order at CDJapan.

Ordered:
Morning Musume 2006 Spring Concert - Rainbow 7
W - Duo U&U (first album)
Morning Musume - Egao Yes Nude single (regular pressing, first edition. All limited editions sold out. Rats!)
Kusumi Koharu - Mitsuboshi (limited edition)

Pre-Ordered
Morning Musume - Sexy 8 Beat album (limited edition)
Hello! Project 2007 Winter Live DVD Box (Limited Release)

I was also going to order the next Momusu single, and the last for Hitomi, Kanashimi Twilight, but I saved that for a future order. I have an anime con coming up and need to save the rest for that. Woohoo! In relation, it was at an anime con that I first bought Morning Musume merchandise. A couple packs of trading cards and the 2004 Spring concert wristband. Here's hoping I come across some more Momusu loot this year.

Berryz Koubo - Very Beauty

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Mon, 12 Mar 2007 01:27:00 +0000

I finally got around to watching the PV. I have to admit that out off all the Berryz releases, the only two I've ever really loved are "Anata nashide wa sekite yukena" and "Munasawagi Scarlett", but this one would probably rank as third.

Very Beauty is a song I can easily see growing on me. At first listen the melody reminds me of a warm lazy afternoon. There's something nostalgic about it. The video is very nice, washed out colors and cute outfits that fit the song well. There are several high notes in the chorus that are strained to be hit, but it doesn't in any way detract from the song.

The single was released on March 7.

Tsuji? A solo single?

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Thu, 01 Mar 2007 16:50:00 +0000

It's true! Why? After announcing Kago's return to UFA? And why a retread of Koko ni Iruzee? Hopefully it is attatched to a play she's involved with and H!P isn't splitting up one of their most successful duos.

Hallelujah!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Thu, 22 Feb 2007 16:46:00 +0000

It has been confirmed by UFA that Kago will be returning to H!P sometime in the future! Sources Ikkimashoi and Hello!Online have the full details, but I'll recap.

Aibon has been working at the agency since January 23, serving tea to customers and answering the phones. The agency wants to build up her confidence again, and show her how the company works from the bottom up. She really wants to sing again, and is tremendously sorry about the scandal of the previous year. UFA wants to bring her back, but the manner and time has yet to be decided.

This is fantastic news! What a terrific thing to wake up to this morning! I am so damn excited, 2007 looks like it's shaping up to be a good year.

The problem with being foreign fan

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Fri, 09 Feb 2007 21:55:00 +0000

There are many, but one that concerns me the most at the moment, showing support for the return of Kago Ai.

Being a foreign fan, you really have NO VOICE when it comes to showing support. More often than not you can't attend concerts or special events, can't watch TV shows as they are, which is important to measure ratings, and can't shop at any of the H!P stores with any regularity. You can show support by buying merchandise online, but it's really just a drop in the bucket if you think about it. We represent a very marginal section of the fan community.

Another problem with being a foreign fan is having different view points regarding idol behavior. Being an American, and a girl besides, I don't see the girls as untouchable, infallible virgins. Aibon getting caught smoking shattered no preconceived fantasy notions of mine regarding her virtues. I frowned on her behavior, in the sense that it's not healthy especially if you are a singer! but also because as an idol she is a role model to children. Still, none of this would have prevented me from buying W's 3rd album, which was slated for release so soon after the scandal broke.

In the end all we can do is hope for her return in the very near future.

Aibon

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Wed, 07 Feb 2007 01:38:00 +0000

Speculation is running rampant regarding the return of Kago Ai as the anniversary of her suspension draws near. Everyone remains hopeful, but as time continues to march forward with nary a word from Tsunku, H!P or UFA, hope begins to diminish.

Personally I find myself really missing her lately. Rumor has it a fan spotted her in the audience weeping at the 10th Anniversary Concert. (Rumor also has it she attended with Konno Asami who made a surprise appearance to wish graduating members Miuna and Asami from Country Musume a fond farewell). Was Aibon weeping because she couldn't take part, or because she'll never take part again? All rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, but it is more than a little disheartening.

For some reason I have the feeling that if/when she returns, it will be sometime in March. I don't know why I do, I just do. It's based purely on gut feeling.

Test

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Tue, 06 Feb 2007 18:02:00 +0000

Having problems with blogger lately. This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. Ah, ah. Mike check 1,2 - 1,2

Making out like a bandit

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Sat, 27 Jan 2007 07:56:00 +0000

I've been away, then came back home and had computer troubles, but I just HAD to tell you about my new favorite store in NYC. Book Off. I had heard about this chain in Japan, and was excited to find out they had a store in New York City, a short walk off Broadway. As I was visiting my parents in the area, I couldn't help but request a stop.

This store is fantastic. I expected to walk out with a bunch of photobooks, as they are a used and new bookstore, but what I walked out with instead was a BOATLOAD of CDs. Which will be added to the collection shortly. I cleaned them out of Hello! Project material though. Used CDs were $3 - $7, and in immaculate condition! You'd think they'd never been played.

DVDs
Kiiro.Aoiro.Akagumi Singles PVs
Morning Musume - Roman My Dear Boy Single PV
Morning Musume - Musical - Edokko Chuushingura

CDs
Tanpopo - All of Tanpopo
Pucchi Moni - Zenbu
Maki Goto - Premium Best - First Press w/bonuses

Manga
Musume Monogatari 2
Musume Monogatari 3

I did pick up a lot of non-H!P related stuff as well, my absolute favorites being the limited edition Buck-Tick Devil and Freud boxset. (Holy crap!) and Yuki's album Wave, which is just a fantastic album.

We were planning on hitting a couple other major Japanese bookstores in the area, but it was bordering on 20 degrees outside and we were frozen solid after walking almost 2 miles to get to the store in the first place. If you're in NYC this store is a must stop shopping destination!

Egao Yes Nude Preview

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 19:14:00 +0000

Oh my prayers have been answered! Finally, we have again been blessed with a Momusu single that has a great pop sound and a sweet dance beat. I absolutely LOVE this song. A terrific send off for Hitomi and perfect introduction for Aika, whose voice, I must say is fantastic! Very mature. She's definitely proved that her addition to the group was the right choice by Tsunku.

I cannot wait to see the PV. This is definitely a single worth buying.

Head on over to Hello!Online to get the radio rip via bittorrent. I'd upload it myself here, but I'm in NYC at the moment and don't have the means. Color coded romanized lyrics are available here.

Favorite PVs: I WISH

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Sun, 14 Jan 2007 02:30:00 +0000

And now for the second entry in favorite PVs! This time around is Morning Musume's I WISH. This song really means a lot to me. The first time I heard it was on the Best of Morning Musume album, which was actually the first fully Momusu album I owned. I loved it immediately, and was really struck by Kago's high note at the end of the song. (I really wish I could sing like that.) But I digress.

At about the time I bought this album I was going through an incredibly tough time in my life. We had just moved to Maine not too long before, I missed my friends back in New Hampshire, had just quit a job where I was treated horrendously by my co-workers, I had just started a job I really wasn't sure I was qualified for, and my general mood was just severly depressed. I have never been as depressed before, nor have I since.

This song was a beacon of light to me. Whenever I listened to it I felt better, and I listened to it a lot. To this day (3 years or so later) I cannot watch the PV without feeling warmer inside, and I cannot sing along to it in the car without getting teary-eyed. It's true that music has the power to heal. My japanese isn't the greatest, but I got the message of the song in the melody and in the girl's voices, and was quite surprised that the actual lyrics of the song matched pretty closely to what I felt they meant.

The PV itself is pretty cute, the girls dance around in a small town set and enact little scenarios while a glittering castle, well... glitters up on a hill side (looks like Oz a bit doesn't it)? I would love to get one of those varsity jackets they are wearing at the beginning, and personally, I love Mari's hooker outfit, what a riot.

Hitomi's brother killed in traffic accident

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Sat, 13 Jan 2007 00:34:00 +0000

Yoshizawa Hitomi's younger brother was killed on January 11 in an unfortunate traffic accident. This is truly horrible news and a complete tragedy. He was 16 years old at the time of his death.

Heartfelt condolences go out to Hitomi and her family.

There is no word yet from Up Front Agency on how this will affect concerts and/or Hitomi's graduation. I am sure she'll be given the proper time to grieve, and we should all support her in any decisions she decides to make.

EDIT Slight translation of news article

The article states that Hitomi's younger brother (Kouta?) who was 16 was involved in a traffic accident around 10pm on the 11th, and that he passed away shortly after midnight on the morning of the 12th, from severe head and neck injuries. The accident took place at the Kagurazaka crossing in Shinjuku-ku, Tokyo.

The driver of the car is being investigated for negligence. Apparently he is 20 years old and a vocational student, he received slight head injuries due to the accident.

Apparently through a relative, the staff (of the paper) has learned that Hitomi and her parents are not making comments about the situation, and ask that the funeral be a family affair.

I will never get tired of this

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 06:59:00 +0000

Via bittorrent on Hello! Online's tracker, you can now download Mari and Kei singing a translated version of Y.M.C.A. on Uta Doki.

I originally downloaded it as it featured both Mari and Kei, and was delighted when I realized what they were singing. This one is a keeper for sure. You can get it here.

"Growing up" songs. Indeed.

Favorite PVs: As For One Day

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Tue, 09 Jan 2007 06:41:00 +0000

What with me being flat broke at the moment, and with no cash to spare for H!P related goods, added with the current lack of news.... I decided to do a couple features on my favorite H!P PVs.

First up is one of my all time favorites, Morning Musume's As For One Day.

In all honesty, it was the viewing of the PV itself that introduced me to the song, and I was immediately blown away by it. I think I watched it four times in a row and almost made myself late for work because of it. Something about the video, and the song, really struck a chord. I think it was the first Morning Musume song I heard that wasn't like The Peace, Happy Summer Wedding, or Koi no Dance Site. It had a somber element to it and a much heavier and powerful beat. I am a sucker for the songs with the heavier beats, such as Osaka koi no uta, Do It! Now and The Manpower!. (Expect to see features on those videos to come). It was also the first Momusu song that had me humming it and trying to attempt the cool head dip thing during the "As For One Day" line.

I never get tired of watching the PV. Something about the lighting, water and breeze effects give it an entirely clean feeling. Like spring rain. Somehow, it's like a breath of fresh air. Watching it now, a few years after discovering Momusu, I realize all the members in the song who aren't present in Morning Musume anymore. A few I didn't realize I'd miss until my fandom really hit it's stride, which is a shame.

This year I'm hoping Tsunku will release a new Momusu single with a powerful beat behind it. The singles for 2006, while good, were light-hearted in fare, and I look forward to something with a little more oomph!

Bokura ga Ikiru MY ASIA preview!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Thu, 04 Jan 2007 07:19:00 +0000

Here is a radio preview of the upcoming single! I have no idea why but I really expected this song to be more upbeat, almost techno-ish. I guess the single covers deluded me into thinking it would be a dance song. I'm not dispappointed though, it really is a nice song. This doesn't in any way seem to be celebrating the 10th anniversary of Morning Musume, as it is celebrating Asia.

Click here to download.

Downloaded off Jpopsuki tracker.

Yoshizawa Hitomi to Graduate!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Tue, 02 Jan 2007 19:57:00 +0000

Yes, it's true! Yoshizawa Hitomi will graduate from Morning Musume and become a solo artist for Hello! Project on May 6, 2007. If there is a God he'll let me win the lottery so I can be there for her graduation concert. XD The concert tour is titled "Sexy 8 Beat" The possible title of a new album? We can hope?

Fujimoto Miki will become the new leader, with Takahashi Ai acting as sub-leader.

Anyway, this opens up lots of doors for Hitomi, and while I'll miss her around Momusu, I'll be excited for her solo stuff. Hopefully she doesn't get the shaft as Kaori and Kei have, but I doubt it as not only is she going solo, but she will be participating in group units as well.

Hopefully she'll get a new photo book as well. As for solo artist material, consensus seems to lean towards upbeat and funky songs. One has to wonder what her solo image will be like though. I don't think Tsunku will go for the ero-kawaii angle that Maki has taken, I'm sure he'll keep her girl next door image going strong. It remains to be seen if any changes will be made, or if she'll evolve over time as a solo artist after being allowed to break free from the cute girly style of Momusu.

Happy New Year!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 20:50:00 +0000

Jay Navok of Genvid recently attended Comiket 71, where he snapped this photo of two cosplayers dressed as Kirarin aka Kusumi Koharu!

This we can take as one of two ways or both, either that Kirarin Revolution has it's fanbase (and it is a cute series) or/and that Koharu has a fanbase that isn't strictly Wota. Whatever the case, it bodes well for H!P.

You can click on the image to the left to see the actual picture itself, which is used with permission.

Updates!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Sun, 31 Dec 2006 05:59:00 +0000

It snowed today! Woohoo! Too bad it's a week too late for Christmas. T_T Anyway no news today, just a note that I updated the collection section, so that is now active.

I'll try to get parts of the other sections active as time permits this week. Hopefully I can preorder Bokura ga ikiru MY ASIA sometime this week too.

H!P releases are making me realize how much I need a new/second job. T_T

Bokura ga ikiru MY ASIA single covers revealed!

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Sat, 30 Dec 2006 06:30:00 +0000

From Hello! Project's official site the covers of the 10th Anniversary singles are revealed!

This special edition CD features 5 girls of Momusu present and past, as an homage to the original Momusu group. Iida Kaori, Abe Natsumi, Maki Goto, Niigaki Riisa and Koharu Kusumi are all taking part in this one time unit release.

This single is the first step in Tsunku's plan to make Momusu an Asian phenomenon and not just a Japanese one. (As he stated on Mitsui Aika's membership announcement special.)

You can special order Bokura ga ikiru MY ASIA from CDJapan here. Link goes to regular edition. There are two special editions being produced, one that comes with a DVD, presumably of the promotional video, the other with a photo booklet.

Testing Testing

noreply@blogger.com (hello!girl) — Fri, 29 Dec 2006 20:16:00 +0000

Mike check... Mike check.... 1,2,3

This is the first post at Hello! Girl! I am attemtping to work out the kinks. I'll have a real post up soon!