The Facts over Fiction of Idol Groups/Hello! Pro Rant! (Teh Sola Version XD) February 20, 2012

So if you’re a blogger and love H!P, recently there’s been posts with questions initially a collaboration post between Chiima from Okay! Musume Time and Momoka from Momo Musu and of course it grew with other people stating their viewpoints of the matter as I will do as well because it’s actually an interesting set of 21 Questions XD  So let us dive into the list huh?!

1. If your favourite member were to leave a group, you would abandon that group.

First of all, this is false for me since my favorite member was Konkon and she left a LONG time ago!  That being said of the current members of H!P, honestly it wouldn’t determine my enjoyment of the group at all.  I mean it does rather piss me off when I see that when a member leaves there’s always a butt-ton of people that say…YOU KNOW WHAT, SO & SO IS GONA AND SO AM I…it’s like wow…shallow view on a group don’t ya think?  I know I’ll never get that way with any group idol/rock/k-pop…because I’m a little more fair and equal to member adoration.  If my current favs (Aika, Haruna, Kanana, Rinapuu, Akari, Chinami, Maimi, Yurina, and Maasa) left I’ll be depressed of course but at the same time, I can enjoy what the other members bring to the table!

2. Your favourite member/group is obviously the best member/group to exist and without them, the group/project would fail.

Uh oh, the god complex!  A member doesn’t make the group, the individual talents coming as one is the group so false for me.  I mean to a lot of people and putting this in perspective a LOT of people said that Takitty was the sole reason Momusu still were going strong and that’s a deft lie right there!  Yes, she has the vocals but the other members were better than her in many ways like personality and dancing and other things.  To say something like without her the group is nothing is a bit of wishy-washy thing to say! 

Sometimes I’m a little negative with the reverse side of it like there’s members that we could live without and we would’ve been fine but that’s not in the H!P area to be honest.

3. The new members (Gen 9/10 MM & Gen 2 S/mileage) are too new to handle the loss of so many senpai (Aichan, Gaki, and Yuuka) so soon after joining.

Lies and slander here!  To me why would this need to be challenged?  I mean Morning Musume has been a revolving group full of new girls and girls leaving for so long that it shouldn’t be surprising.  I mean the 6th Gen were basically pushed to the front immediately when they debuted with “Shabondama” (especially Reina of course) so seeing the Kyuukies being pushed fast is no new news to me. 

Jyuukies are the same way but in a different situation because while they weren’t THAT busy in either “Pyokopyoko Ultra” and “Kanashiki Koi no Melody”…I mean I did think pushing them to promote “Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku” when they weren’t initially involved was a tad strange to me (and they could’ve had more training than throwing them into lives SO QUICKLY…yeah. 

As for the 4 2nd Gen S/mileage members, I think they came in at a rather unusual time since the process did come out of nowhere and having half the troupe leave just as much!  I think they’re having the hardest time because they’re having to reset the fanbase basically and start anew almost. 

Now for the girls themselves I think caking on Riho so hard on the fans is a bit hard but didn’t they do that with Reina….exactly.  The other girls in Momusu are being pushed normally and some being forgotten which is nothing new and that’s normal to me.  Also for S/mileage with Akari and Meimi taking up where Saki and Yuuka left it’s blatant to see that Rinapuu and Kanana are kind of just there when it comes to lines…so it’s back and forth

4. Idols should be forever pure – They should not marry, or date, or even think about anyone other than their fans.

Personally, I just want the girl to be happy and have real emotions.  In reality though, it seems that that can’t happen due to the idol status quo of not ever dating or falling in love because the fans are kind of selfish and want the girls to themselves (but let’s be honest here, it’s never gonna happen).  I read one version of this rant and agreed that it’s kind of not fair for the girls to not have dates while Johnny’s can freely mooch on any girl or housewife they want…It’s so annoying to me. 

I mean off-topic but seeing Natsumi and Rumi from ABK48 get kicked out because they had dates is just total bullshit and shouldn’t had elevated to then having their contracts evoked basically…Same with Marippe and Mikitty…they shouldn’t have left just because a guy came into their lives…UGH…

To me, I just don’t like the rules of idolism in Japan, it’s just sexist and limits the girls happiness (well at their older age…young ones are well too young to do that so underage-ness works here).

5. H!P members should be allowed to date/marry so they can stay members forever.

Ok, I think the girls should be allowed to date whoever they want (if they’re legal).  HOWEVER, it should be the girl’s decision if she wants to stay as a member because I’m sure some of them get tired of that kind of life so they opt out of it (like in the case of Maiha from Berryz and Saki from S/mileage)  I doubt some of the girls don’t wanna end up like Seiko Matsuda or something XD…a bajillion albums and still an idol…jeeze…

6. When a member graduated, suddenly, everyone loves them.

I think everyone gets that way whether or not they like/not like them.  Well, it’s really random to see people that bash them and then all of a sudden see them do a pity dance for the member because “the group will never be the same without her” AKA #2 Question.  I mean I’ve shown that I’ll miss a gal because she contributed something to the group even if she’s not well-liked and all that.  So in a way, it’s a way of life and other times it’s kind of annoying to get empty pity from people (at least how I see it).

7. When a new member gets more lines than other new members, everyone either hates that member or loves them. (No in between)

The biggest case of this in recent times is in the case of Riho Sayashi.  I mean when she joined Momosu she’s been essentially taking almost center roles in everything (not as much in “Pyokopyoko Ultra” but that was a different scenario.  Now people bitch because Riho is so up-front and pushed as the next best thing but let’s be honest it’s the fan’s fault as I look at it.  During auditions she was THE POPULAR ONE and every fan really did want her in one way or another, but then all of a sudden since “Only you” everyone was taking their word back and starting to dislike her for having many solo lines

To me, I think she deserved the lines she’s got since she’s a great dancer and she has decent vocals for a young’n.  Now most people will disagree with that statement and state that the other Kyuukies are better which I can agree to in certain situations.  Erina can do cute, I’m sure Kanon could do ballads and songs that need a deeper voice, and Mizuki is the all-around like Riho.  Though TBH, I’m on team I’m happy with Riho being the new face.

8. The new Members of Morning Musume (or specific members) don’t look like they belong there.

Wow, that’s just all kinds of unecessary!  I mean Morning Musume once again showcases different sides of girls in one tight group so saying that girls don’t look like they belong there is kind of beating the point of the group in the first place. 

The only time anyone looks out of place in Morning Musume..is if a member is a dude…

9. Morning Musume are a Sinking Ship.

Well we got to look at it in different concepts

Music: Not at all, the music is still charming to this day even though they aren’t like they once were but the music still has that spark and feel to them and even the recent “Pyokopyoko Ultra” has its unique charm IMO. 

Sales: This is true, sales-wise H!P has been going down in recent times but it does fluctuate once in a while if a single is promoted well…but yeah Momusu’s sales are a bit of a sinking ship! 

Though not related, I think H!P as a whole have been a sinking ship since the Elder Club graduated because we really haven’t had new groups since Guardians 4 (I mean there were a few, but they didn’t last very long or were just one-single groups). 

Overall, even though the times have changed the quality is still quite great and I still enjoying the A-sides (i think there’s only 3 A-sides I don’t like from them).  Morning Musume is definitely still a group that has push behind them.

10. Morning Musume are too childish, so naturally people won’t like them any more.

I actually disagree with this and to the people that hate the childish nature of “Pyokopyoko Ultra” and leaving them just because it’s too childish kind makes them childish as well! 

I mean Momusu has done kiddy-ish songs in the past like “Koko ni Iruzee!”, “Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyotanjima”, “Appare Kaitan Zushi!” and “Kare to Issho ni Omise ga Shitai!” and loads of album tracks as well so people are just either too new to the group to fully understand how the group works or just dull.  I persoanlly like the ideas of switching from deep and meaningful songs to dance tracks to happy songs…

The viewpoint though that most of the group is younger, well yeah I guess they are a little child-heavy but I think it’s the company’s fault for not having auditions during the Koha/Eri/Jun/Lin era and adding at that time.  So it’s kind of their punishment for holding out for so long and letting it get down to the 5-nin Momusu before the Kyuukies joined.

Plus “Ren’ai Hunter” is looking to be less childish…so people that are jumping ship are weenies

11. S/mileage has become more mature than Morning Musume as of 2012.

Until the group releases something like “Shabondama”, “AS FOR ONE DAY”, “Kanashimi Twilight” or even “Namida ga Tomaranai Houkago”, consistently, they’ll never be mature in my eyes.  Personality-wise, they still are quite young and while they are older than some of the Morning Musume members, they still act quite Minimoni-like for me….especially Meimi…have you seen her these days…she’s super hyperactive!!!

12. S/mileage ARE the new Morning Musume.

To be honest, I think it’s too early to tell if they are or not but the revolving graduation/audition shpeal does make it so that S/mileage would move like the flagship group. 

In some ways, I think they need to have a third audition to confirm my thoughts that somehow they’ll be the same waylike Morning Musume…like rivals almost.

13. C-ute is only still “cute” because they owe it to their group name.

Sometimes.  Recently they’ve upped it to some mature stuff like most of the “Chou!WONDERFUL6″ era has been a lot of mature stuff and hard sounding things that has been pretty popular.  Add in “Namida no Iro”, “SHOCK!”, and “Tokkaiko Junjou” they’ve been pretty good in halving between cute and mature but I don’t think they own the cuteness to their name as it suggests.  Though it does make me wonder why they were given that name in the first place.

14. Berryz and C-ute might disband soon.

It’s going to happen eventually, we as fans can’t deny that these two groups will eventually dissolve unless major things happen to either/or.

I mean the girls are getting quite old (C-ute’s members are a little younger so they have a longer life span than the Berryz do) so I mean due to age I’m sure the girls want to go on and live their lives but we have to cherish what time we have left with either group!

They could quite being a group and morph into one, but that won’t be well liked I’m sure but there’ll be some fans that would enjoy

The other idea that I could remotely think of but will either destroy the groups internally or turn off the fans to a great amount is having all the girls graduate but replace them with new members (whether it be the Kenshuusei girls or brand new girls but have them keep the names).  Problem with this idea is that it’s a total dissolution to the group’s sound and it’d be like working from ground zero again.  Not many people would enjoy the sudden transition IMO…but it is an idea, you can’t deny it and it could be on UFA’s minds in the future should they choose to just let the Berryz/C-ute members graduate.

15. Aika should graduate.

Just because she’s been out because of her injuries shouldn’t say she should just graduate and call it a day.  I do agree she is holding the group back to a small degree but it’s not enough to say OK, we had enough and she just needs to quit because if that was the case UFA would’ve pulled the plug a lot earlier here.

Aika is definitely determined to return to the stage and she’s still performing with the group at lives (not a lot but that’s not the point, she’s performing and she’s keeping up with the group). 

I think she’s a great idol and her determination to getting back to the stage does wonders and kind of sets a rather great influence to future idols out there!

16. The fans are the real problem behind Morning Musume’s problems.

Momusu has problems since when?  I mean beside Aika being sidelined, there’s no real problems.  Now in a otherworldy version of this I do think the fans are the suggestion to the company because they hear fans sometimes but not all the time I mean the biggest case was with “Koi wa Hassau Do the Hustle” where it was disliked so much at lives that they made it a B-side and got “Chokkan 2″ to be the leading track.  So sometimes the fans are at fault but most of the time it’s the company that fails to promote the single/album or other things.  Also the lower sales could also be counted as the fans because the internet exists XD and all that spazzing going on…yeah…

17. Sayashi Riho and Tamura Meimi are only in H!P because they previously performed in Stage Plays with H!P members/groups.

To be honest, it could’ve been the reason but there’s other reasons I’m sure behind Riho and Meimi passing the auditions and getting into said group.  I mean Riho has her dancing that was exceptional.  However, I’m not sure how Meimi got in otherwise because she’s a little TOO OVER EXCITED BOUT SHIT and her voice was godawful in the audition…soooo I don’t know.

18. Tanaka Reina needs to graduate.

To me, Reina is now like the Takitty of the current era where she’s now the primary lead vocalist of the group, though I don’t think it’ll be quite as long of a tenure as Ai did but she does seem to getting tired of it.  Besides the drama, she looks rather uninterested in the group and only really speaks up with Sayu or when she leads interviews.  I’m sure Momusu fans are split as well because there’s people that love her and some people that think she hogs too much and she has hogged many-a-lines in her tenure so far.  Even her debut she was lead vocalist in “Shabondama”…I mean, I think it would be nice to see her in the back for once!

19. A-sides are better than B-sides, or else the B-side would be the A-side.

Logic says it’s the company’s decision on what is the A or B-side.  I will say hearing Momusu’s singles, there are better A-sides currently than B’s but I have seen a surge of where this is not the case and I’m curious to why they’re having much better B’s than A’s.  In the last two era’s all but one B-side IMO were better than it’s lead track and it’s like well…logic for company needs to notice that fans are enjoying the B’s more and take advantage on making that happen.

20. Berryz Koubou shouldn’t be “Sexy” suddenly after being “childish” for so long.

Ever since “6th Otakebi Album” Berryz have been progressively getting more mature and deeper and with “Aa, Yo ga Akeru” was rather sexy of a PV but let’s be honest they’re getting older and so the area of people to impress is changing as well and the fans that have followed them since the beginning shouldn’t be bothered by the fact they’re getting more sexier because it is a direction they need to take because I doubt anyone wants to see them pull off monkey outfits again “Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance” is definitely a strange thing.  Add in the the recent failings of chicken outfits on Momusu and you got a GREAT reason they should avoid going back to childish.  Plus they are old and mature I think, they can pull this off!  Though I’ll admit they’re like C-ute in the way that they also switch styles up as well so it’s shouldn’t be a surprise but I do think leaving the uber cute songs will do them good I think.

21. IT’S ALL TSUNKU’S FAULT!

Well…the music is mostly him so if it’s the music you have a problem with than yeah it is all him but if it’s down to who gets what line and who gets promoted and the who gets in…it’s all UFA so it’s kind of half and half…it shouldn’t be just one person’s fault XD. 

SO HERE YA GO MY OPINIONS!!!

Morning Musume 9th Gen!!! January 7, 2011

Yep, this was what Momosu looked like at the end of 2010.  Only Ai Takahashi, Risa Niigaki, Reina Tanaka, Sayumi Michishige, and Aika Mitsui.  While there hasn’t been a lot of just 5-nin stuff to hear, the “Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game” performance before the announcement of the ninth generation was very strange and empty without Kamei, Junjun, and Linlin.  Either way, by the end of the night the group morphed back into a very well deserved 9-nin.  So let’s see who did make it and well the possibilities of what could’ve been.

THE ACTUAL 9TH GENERATION!

Riho Sayashi (on the right)

Already having the biggest fanbase of the 4 members, I think Riho probably deserves it knowing that she’s already a great dancer for sure, but her singing could get work done.  She isn’t my favorite and so far from her attitude, she seems like she’s a tad prissy and overconfident, but it could just be me.  I mean she can dance for sure, almost the best (not sure how good of a dancer Mizuki is).  She’s got time to fully impress me hopefully their first single will show that off!

Kanon Suzuki (on the left)

I will say this right now, Kanon is my favorite of 9th Gen already.  By going on her audition route, she seems so funny and outgoing and Sayumi likes her already for her being so sweet and giving the members food.  Soneone like that should be in Momosu and I’m happy they gave Kanon a chance (she was who I wanted to join initially as well).  Though there’s not much to say but I think her vocals are a tad better than her dancing so it’s not bad and her demeanor is what the group needs at this point! LET’S GO KANON!!

Erina Ikuta (in the middle)

To me, I think Erina was more of the leftover choice at least in my eyes.  There’s not much really known about her quite yet unlike Kanon and Riho, but so far what I got was that she’s kind of shy and awkward, but it’s not a totally bad thing since there isn’t many of those in H!P (at least I think so).  I’m not sure what she excels in yet but she’s definitely not a dancer like Riho or a strong singer like Kanon.  We’ll see once I see more of her personality and talent shine a bit more.

Mizuki Fukumura

As if it wasn’t enough as shown on TV and such, Tsunku surprised the 8-nin group by even more news that he’s chosen an Egg to join Momosu.  To me, Fukumura was a pretty big surprise given that both Yuu Kikkawa and Minami Sengoku both graduated from being eggs (however, that same night it was announced Kikkawa was going to have a solo career) AND YES I’M REVIEWING KIKKAWA!  Anyways, I don’t know much about Mizuki besides the fact she was 1/4 of Shugo Chara Egg! and was a back-up dancer for two Mano PVs.  So I have no clue about her, but she’s pretty and has the most experience under H!P so, who knows, but I hope we see her personality soon!

 

Unfortunately it meant that Aina Otsuka and Minami Mogi didn’t make the cut (former, I’m not sure…but I think she just wasn’t standing out and Mogi was a surprise because she was a Koharu-type and quite the underdog in which Tsunku loves to go for, but I guess not this year).  It also leaves in the air of what Minami Sengoku is going to do now since many people kind of guessed she would’ve joined Momosu…but there’s a chance she’ll go solo too.  Who knows, but I’M HAPPY WITH THIS GENERATION!!!!! 

Avatar: The Last Airbender…Did Shymalan choose wisely and how he did things film-wise ~SPOILERS~ July 14, 2010

If you had to ask me what my favorite cartoon was of the last 10 years, I’ll clearly say it’s Avatar because the art style was so amazing, the humor was there, and just something fresh and epic for Nickelodeon.  I just came back from seeing M.Night Shymalan’s first chapter of the epic series and Imma go ahead and tell you what’s what through each of the episodes from the cartoon whether or not he remained faithful.

Episode 1 & 2: The Boy In the Iceberg / The Avatar Returns

Yeah the show began with an hour-long episode explaining the beginnings of this wild ass journey that we’ll be taking.  Now Shymalan really did compress this dual episode to like a 20 minute scene and to me there were some things missing or quite absurdly changed.

• Well, before we get into the episodes, I really had a hard time getting used to Sokka being called “Soaka” and Aang being “Ong” and too many people screwing up saying Avatar….Shymalan needs to stick with what the kids know and not be selfish to how he thinks it should be.
• ANYWAY, Shymalan really did do The Boy In the Iceberg on the right mindset and remained mostly faithful to it…but the one thing that was prolly pinpointed out was that Aang knew he was the Avatar in the show, but not in the movie….first slip-up I guess and he does get eventually told by Iroh later on.
• Another problem I had was that we never get to see Aang’s playful, naive, child-like side to him AT ALL in the movie because he was too busy being serious or emo.
• The fact that his naivete was cut short was painful and showed off a lot of problems in the movie since y’know it’s the mainstay of the show.
• As for The Avatar Returns, no major fights, but Aang’s escape was touched upon.

Episode 3: The Southern Air Temple

This episode for all purposes was more of a history to Aang and sort of how he came to end up frozen near the Southern Water Tribe.  Shymalan did get into this episode for a short bit. 

• Once again, lack of Aang’s personality was shown here and it kind of made the entire scene seem rather lifeless and uber weird.
• Momo does appear and he looks adorable of course…but he plays almost no role in the entire movie as much as he does on the show. 
• History lesson was there of course
• Aang’s distress after figuring out the Air Nomads was also there as well with Aang’s first touch in the Spirit World, but if I remember…we don’t get to see that world this early in the show…

Episode 4: The Warriors of Kyoshi

While yes it was confirmed that Suki and her bitches wouldn’t make the cut because Shymalan said officially that “It would’ve taken too much time to go through there”.  While I do see where he’s coming with that statement, it seems way too important to have cut out fully and it was my truly first disappointment in the movie that Suki wasn’t introduced nor Sokka get some personality

Episode 5: The King of Omashu

I know Bumi is also an important character as well since he does become pretty important in the 2nd Book and all, but I totally saw this coming with no mentioning of this going on in the movie.  It is a filler episode for all purposes and the only main thing we get is to know the Earth Kingdom’s king is Bumi who’s Aang’s old friend.

Episode 6: Imprisoned

The next episode touched upon was Impriosoned and I thought the movie compressed a little too much for some reason

• Haru, the first real important Earthbender wasn’t even named in the movie and just seemed like a fraidycat on all terms
• Most of the episode isn’t even touched upon, not even where Katara gets arrested and thrown onto the jail-boat with other Earthbenders like Haru’s father. 
• The end where Aang gives the Earthbenders the pep talk and everything else that followed happens (in the village of course….wtf).
• The ending scene where Zuko finds Katara’s necklace doesn’t happen either.

Episode 7 & 8: The Spirit World  / Avatar Roku

Not surprisingly, both episodes were skipped over in the movie and I guess it’s probably for the best since other episodes explained stuff a little better in later seasons and Sozin’s Comet is too early at this point, I can see why Shymalan passed over these two since they really don’t need to be there to make more sense.  I guess maybe a little more about The Spirit World, but yea.

Episode 9: The Waterbending Scroll

The item itself was in the movie, but the episode wasn’t. 

• In the show, Katara actually sees and steals it and pirates do the same which makes for the episode.  The movie was like, so you beat the Firebenders and saved our village (this came right after Haru and the resurging of Earthbenders fighting back) so they let the group take a scroll and Momo flies around, knocks it off and they took it and that’s the Waterbending scroll.  Not the most exciting way to deal with an episode, but it sort of works to get out unnecessary stuff otherwise.

Episode 10: Jet

I was so disappointed to not have any mention of Jet either because he becomes really important in Book 2 and so does his friends.  Now I wonder the reason he was cut because this was an opportunity for Katara to get some personality points and was just not touched upon.  Very saddened to not see anything happen here.

Episode 11: The Great Divide

If there was any episode to have called it filler, it was this one.  I’m not surprised this never made the cut because there’s just nothing about the episode worth trying to put into the film.  I mean we get backstories from the two arguing groups and after that it just fades away into obscurity.  I think the only thing important mentioned was the main city Ba Sing Se.

Episode 12: The Storm

While the main part of the episode was never touched upon, I think Shymalan took small bits and pieces from the episode and snuck them in. 

• Well, the only probably thing mentioned was how het got sealed into the iceberg.  Though it was rather tweaked around to where Aang couldnt bow to the monks and he ran away…(even though earlier in the movie he said he was given a test)…continuity issues perhaps?

Episode 13: The Blue Spirit

Oh lordy lordy, was this episode touched upon quite enough

• Katara and Sokka don’t get sick from anything…another meh point.  Aang left because he was worried about his Waterbending skills in the movie so he left. 
• Zhao does come into the picture of course and takes Aang, Zuko/Blue Spirit saves Aang…then epic fight scene Zuko kidnaps Aang away before getting knocked out by the Fire Nation and Aang finds out it’s Zuko.  Only major thing missing is the talk the two had before Aang’s departure
• Of course they didn’t explain what was Zuko’s reason in being The Blue Spirit…nor in the show so hmmm.

Episode 14 & 15: The Fortuneteller / Bato of the Water Tribe

Neither episodes really contributed to the plot of the movie because once again, character progression is a no-no to Shymalan so these two, rather important personality episodes just didn’t happen.

Episode 16: The Deserter

I put this episode on its own simply because this was a pretty big plothole and missed out episode.  The episode brought two important things (maybe three) that were easily left out.  1. There is a good Firebender, 2. Aang’s first try with bending fire and 3. Katara’s ability to heal herself.  None of these things were touched upon especially shocking bout Katara’s healing properties.  So much opportunity wasted.

Episode 17: The Northern Air Temple

To me this episode also has no relevence to the movie either simply because it’s just another filler episode with not much going on it it except more history lessons

Episode 18: The Waterbending Master

The only major things to take from this episode that was in the movie was that the group made it to the Northern Water Tribe and Sokka meeting Yue.  The rest of the episode is unfortunately cut off.  That means we don’t get to see sexism on the screen nor Katara whooping a lot of ass in this episode.  However, we do get the murder attempt from Zhao at Zuko…but there was no mention of pirates being involved. 

Episode 19: The Siege of the North pt. 1

Here’s where the rest of the movie lies

• Yes, the Fire Nation did infiltrate the Northern Water Tribe like the show, but they never stopped attacking during the onslaught of the powerful Waterbenders which was interesting to note. 
• Zuko does leave on his own and gets in his own way into the tribe
• Aang goes to the sacred area and meditates for a little bit and enters the Spirit World.
• Katara gets whooped by Zuko…although in the movie this was officially the first time she says his name
• Zuko kidnaps Aang

Episode 20: Siege of the North pt. 2

As it is the final episode in this book, there’s a lot of nuances found here….oh boy

• Zuko kidnaps Aang of course and tries to walk through the snow and finds a cave and relaxes there and tells him the story of his past (even though it was explained earlier in the season).  However the movie makes it where Zuko kidnaps him to a small room somewhere in the tribe and does his talking there, but it’s covered up by the fact that we were in the Spirit World while he was talking and we missed that (Zuko’s story was explained earlier in the film as well).
• That being said, Aang and Zuko fight and in the end is frozen by Katara who’s not with Sokka and Yue.
• In the show Zhao burned the fish dead while the movie had him stab it
• Shymalan oddly enough stuck to the legend of the Moon Spirit and Ocean Spirit quite tightly and that was good.
• The only thing I think the movie did better was how they killed of Admiral Zhao.  The show had Zuko and Zhao fight and Zuko won and Zhao got swallowed up by the Ocean Spirit.  The movie actually snuck a small part from “The Southern Air Temple” where Zhao got mad when Zuko and Iroh left and he attacked and Iroh blocked it.  This time though the Waterbenders drowned the bitch in a ball of water (so much more epic IMO)
• Talking about the Ocean Spirit, forget about it…it’s not even there.  Aang conjured up a big wall of water to frighten the Firebenders that was outside the walls of the tribe while the show had the Ocean Spirit comes towards the tribe and kill off as many of the Firebenders.
• Yue dies of course
• There was no saddening farewell for her either or afterthoughts with Sokka….basically the relationship was so sparse it didn’t feel like there was any in the movie…
• The movie ended basically with the Waterbenders bowing down to Aang and he did this Avatar pose x.x
• Of course in both the show and movie it really ended with Azula showing her face and giving a wicked smile.  LOVE HER!

 

 

For the most part Shymalan tried to stay faithful to the entire season and for the most part it was done right minus the compressed ones.  Though the poor acting and lack of character development entirely made it lifeless and one-dimensional.  I mean I’m ok with the cast being all whiteys…but there’s just nothing between these characters to make them lively.  I mean Zuko and Iroh had more personality than the gang.  Some important parts are missing as well and should be noted for the 2nd Book.  Ugh, basically keep Shymalan away from the script and let someone else write it.

How does this make you feel? April 1, 2010

So anyway, today’s April Fool’s and well YouTube decided to give us a neat little trick with the videos like FREE FREE here…can you guess what that is?

H!P POLL TIME ONCE AGAIN! March 30, 2010

So here we are again with a new poll for the new year.  Since last year had way too many people XD, this year has been slimmed down to just the 7 main acts since the elder club is gone.

So here’s the reasons for the pickings this year

1. Miyabi Natsuyaki – I think for me she has been standing out all year in both Buono! and Berryz Koubou.  Like in most of the PV’s she’s been in here recently she’s caught my eyes alot and the fact that she sings pretty good also helped her case. 

2. Ai Takahashi – Still the strongest member of Momosu, she’s just never gonna quit being such a kickass singer.  Though this year it seems it slipped, but I blame those last two singles they shot out of their asses.  She’s still pretty amazing.

3. Reina Tanaka – Another one of the girls that just seemed to just pop out of nowhere and just surprise me.  It all started with “Resonant Blue” and ever since she’s actually has gotten better.  Let’s say Winky is good for something!

4. Momoko Tsugunaga

Damn, she’s grown up since last year.  Her vocals have gotten so much better thanks to Buono! and even recently shown off her pipes in “Otakebi Boy WAO!”.  I swear a few more months and she’ll be one of the strongest members in Berryz.

5. Saki Shimizu

Yeah, she’s the group’s best dancer what are you gonna do about it?  I love that offshot of the “Otakebi Boy WAO!” PV, she was kickass and so damn cute about it too.  Definitely remember her as the short-haired gal in BK.

6. Maimi Yajima

Ever since I started listening to C-ute, Maimi popped out at me as the better singer out of the group and taking Airi’s spotlight for a while.  Gotta say, she’s impressing me quite a bit.

7-8. Junjun & Yurina Kumai

Hey, these girls have great deep vocals and recently has been sounding better as well.  Junjun gets more brownie points from me because she’s Chinese…I know total racist right? PSSSSH.  At least I can tell who Yurina is because she’s amazingly taller than the girls she works with…G4 & BK.

9. Airi Suzuki

Yeah, last year she was at the top of my list, but this year she’s kind of fallen back because of the new vocals coming from the other gals of H!P.  Though she still is pretty good, just not as memorable during the last poll.

10. Risako Sugaya

Yeah, she kicked ass this year.  Risako can bring the hurt like most of the songs she sung in this year and her angry voice is so cool.  Maybe she’ll continue to pull this off and make me love her even more!!!

The others:

• Linlin
• Sayumi Michishige
• Risa Niigaki
• Eri Kamei
• Maasa Sudo
• Saki Nakajima
• Chinami Tokunaga
• Mano Erina
• Chisato Okai
• Mai Hagiwara
• Aika Mitsui
• Kanon Fukuda
• Ayaka Wada
• Yuka Maeda
• Saki Ogawa

Basically majority of everyone that isn’t in the top 10 is because I just don’t know much about them, but I wanna try to by the end of this year.  Even more so with S/mileage since to me they’re basically unknowns to me while all of the other girls have been known for a long time.

1. Buono!

You know it’s two years in the running that Buono! has actually been the most exciting group to have come from H!P in recent years.  Being their recent album, “We are Buono!” blowing me away and kicked their previous two albums out has shown that they aren’t done kicking ass and the core members Miyabi, Airi, and Momoko were perfect as a whole.

2. Berryz Koubou

Yeah, Berryz Koubou has also shown some great tunes this year.  With their most recent album “6th Otakebi Album” they sure got marbles together for it, even though the new songs were kind of underwheling under the fantastic singles released.  Even more of the members are heard this time around and damn, can Berryz get angry music? XD

3. Morning Musume

If there was a poll for this last year, Momosu would’ve been 2nd easily…but that’s just because I didn’t listen to Berryz or C-ute and G4 and S/mileage didn’t exist so hahaha.  This year though has been somewhat good and somewhat bad for the group.  First off, Koharu left which was bad, and then with Kimagure Princess is just got really weird.  At least the album wasn’t entirely bad, but I still prefer Platinum 9 DISC.

4. C-ute

I’ll admit, C-ute is just not having a good year this year.  With the mess of losing two members and an era of disappointing singles which lead to “Shocking 5″ which was shocking they even decided to put the songs and more bleh ones on there, it just wasn’t their year.

5. S/mileage

This group just started this year and for the most part they aren’t really exciting right now, but I bet by their major label debut (maybe?) that it’ll all change.  The girls still need time for me to figure out who’s who.  Got a bit more to go before you surpass the 4 groups ahead.

6. Mano Erina

As the only soloist going here, Manoeri did release her first album after so many damn singles, but she just seems too reserved for something like what the groups above have been releasing.  Maybe she’ll change up somewhat but for now, she’s kind of there and not really punching the fans like the others have.

7. Guardians 4

Unfortunately I don’t see G4 lasting much longer.  It could be just cuz of the fact that Aika, Saki, Risako, and Yurina all have their own groups to deal with and this anime group just doesn’t work for any of them especially Yurina and Risako who have deeper vocals and Aika is just meh and Saki being the cute one…I don’t it just doesn’t seem like it’ll go anywhere anymore.

When did they debut? RUNDOWN TIME! June 14, 2009

So I’m gonna list when did each of my artists debut starting with earliest to most recent (if they have disbanded, I’ll to the enddate too) J-POP ONLY!!! so no Korean or other countries beforehand xD

1986

• BUCK-TICK – October

1988

• ALI PROJECT – January

1989

• Megumi Hayashibara – May

1991

• Chara – September

1992

• access – November

1993

• Kaori Mochida – November

1994

• hitomi – November

1995

• TWO-MIX – April
• MAX – May
• T.M.Revolution – May
• Ayumi Hamasaki – September
• BONNIE PINK – September
• Namie Amuro – October
• Nanase Aikawa – November

1996

• Maaya Sakamoto – April
• PUFFY – May
• ICEMAN – July
• Plastic Tree – September

1997

• DIR EN GREY – February
• m.o.v.e – October
• Morning Musume – November

1998

• MISIA – February
• KOKIA – April
• Ami Suzuki – July
• Masami Okui – August
• Utada Hikaru – December

1999

• OLIVIA – February
• POLYSICS – February
• Eri Takenaka – April
• Gackt – May
• Chiaki Ishikawa – June
• Crystal Kay – July
• Hitomi Shimatani – July
• metronome – July
• MAXIMUM THE HORMONE – August
• Do As Infinity – September
• Porno Graffitti – September
• Mai Kuraki – October
• Onmyo-za – December

2000

• Angela Aki – January
• dream – January
• Mao Denda – January
• Chihiro Onitsuka – February
• Rina Aiuchi – March (2000-2011)
• Momoi Haruko – May
• RIZE – August
• Kana – September
• Koda Kumi – December
• KOTOKO – December
• Nana Mizuki – December

2001

• Jade Villalon – January
• capsule – March
• Maki Goto – March
• Tsukiko Amano – April
• BoA – May
• Tommy february6 – July
• FLOW – October
• Haruka Shimotsuki – October
• RURUTIA – October
• Akiko Shikata – November
• MEG – November
• Mika Nakashima – November
• Sound Horizon – November
• Eiko Shimamiya – December
• Lia – December
• Strawberry Flower – December

2002

• Mami Kawada – January
• ORANGE RANGE – February
• YUKI – February
• Perfume – March
• RENTRER EN SOI – March (2002-2008)
• Sowelu – April
• the GazettE – April
• MONKEY MAJIK – May
• Suneohair – May
• Kou Shibasaki – July
• Aya Ueto – August
• day after tomorrow – August (2002-2005)
• miyavi – October

2003

• melody. – February
• Yuka Kagiyama – March (as Minato)
• fripSide – April
• Nami Tamaki – April
• angela – May
• Aya Kamiki – May
• RADWIMPS – May
• RYTHEM – May
• D – July
• mihimaru GT – July
• Sukima Switch – July
• Tommy heavenly6 – July
• ikimono-gakari – August
• Ai Otsuka – September
• eufonius – October
• Nana Kitade – October
• NEWS – November
• Ayaka Hirahara – December

2004

• DOES – February
• Kanako Ito – February
• Berryz Koubou – March
• Rie fu – March
• SID – March
• The Candy Spooky Theater – March
• Eri Kitamura – April
• Kaela Kimura – May
• w – May (2004-2007)
• Zwei – May
• Hanako Oku – August
• JUJU – August
• Yui Sakakibara – August
• Miliyah Kato – September
• Aki Misato – November
• SNoW – November
• Tohoshinki – November
• YMCK – November
• Eri Nobuchika – December
• Minori Chihara – December
• Phantasmagoria – December (2004-2010)
• YUI – December

2005

• FLOPPY – January
• HIGH and MIGHTY COLOR – January (2005-2010)
• exist†trace – February
• lecca – February
• Daichi Miura – March
• TЁЯRA – March
• May’n – April
• sifow – April
• Ataru Nakamura – June
• Junko Akimoto – July
• UVERworld – July
• Harenchi☆Punch – August
• AAA – September
• Yuna Ito – September
• Aural Vampire – October
• chatmonchy – November
• GRANRODEO – November
• Yousei Teikoku – November (earliest known)
• Rain – December

2006

• Anna Tsuchiya – January
• Shoko Nakagawa -  January
• 9nine – February
• ayaka – February
• AKB48 – February
• NICO Touches the Walls – February
• Aya Hirano – March
• DJ OZMA – March
• misono – March
• AYUSE KOZUE – April
• COLTEMONIKHA – May
• °C-ute – May
• Miho Fukuhara – May
• Kaya – June
• MELL – June
• SHANADOO – June
• moumoon – July
• ONE OK ROCK – July
• Q;indivi – July
• Asriel – August
• ERIKA – August
• LEO Imai – September
• LM.C – October
• marino – October
• pLumsonic! – November
• THE Possible – November
• abingdon boys school – December
• JYONGRI – December

2007

• Kie Kitano – January
• ON/OFF – January
• Vanilla Beans – January
• Ceui – February
• Leah Dizon – February
• Nichika – February (2007-2009)
• xTRiPx – February
• faylan – April
• School Food Punishment – April
• Nana Tanimura – May
• Sakanaction – May
• Stephanie – May
• Versailles – June
• Acid Black Cherry – July
• BREAKERZ – July
• Genki Rockets – July
• Aira Mitsuki – August
• anNina / annabel – August
• CASSIS – August
• Daisy×Daisy – August
• SuG – August
• Joe Inoue – September
• Buono! – October
• ELISA – October
• Mix Speaker’s, Inc. – October
• Seira Kagami – October
• alan – November
• immi – November
• Masami Mitsuoka – November
• Sweet Vacation – November
• Ifu Sarasa – December
• miwa – December
• Saori@destiny – December
• supercell – December

2008

• 9GOATS BLACK OUT – January
• BESPA☆KUMAMERO – January
• Kalafina – January
• JERO – February
• Kana Nishino – February
• DUSTZ – March
• Rina – March
• SCANDAL – March
• MilkyWay – April
• Kanon Wakeshima – May
• SAWA – May
• FLiP – June
• Karen Girl’s – June
• Mano Erina – June
• MiChi – June
• Super Junior – July
• VAMPS – July
• KU-TYU-BUNKAI – August
• Safarii – August
• Fudanjuku – September
• girl next door - September
• Haruka Tomatsu – September
• Hidemi Uematsu – October
• Meisa Kuroki – October
• portable – October (2008-2009)
• YAZIMA Beauty Salon – October
• cosmeticROBOT – November (2008-2010)
• Miyu Kasegi – November
• HANGRY & ANGRY – November
• Diggy-MO’ – November
• no3b – November
• ravex – November
• Shion Tsuji – November
• Stereopony – November
• Yuya Matsushita – November
• Kylee – December
• Sayuri Sugawara – December

2009

• Ayaka Ikio – January
• hinaco – January
• Minami Kizuki – January
• Nana Nishino – January
• Naoya Urata – January
• Watarirouka Hashirtai – January
• Ayumi Sakai – February
• FictionJunction – February
• DOMINO – February
• Bentley Jones – March
• Mari Yaguchi – March
• LIL – April
• SPYAIR – April
• MOSH UNDER THE SUN – April (2009-2010)
• sherry – April
• sphere – April
• Tomato n’Pine – April
• Guardians 4 – May
• HIMEKA – May
• Maria – May
• Natsuko Aso – May
• Satsuki – May
• Ai Kago – June
• JASMINE – June
• S/mileage – June
• Kazusa – July
• Piko – July
• Saihuun – July
• Yuki Suzuki – July
• Akiko Hasegawa – August
• Juliet – August
• Momoiro Clover – August
• High Speed Boyz – September
• Prague – September
• Aki Toyosaki – October
• AMWE – October
• Etsuko Yakushimaru – October
• kumi – October
• WEAVER – October
• Ayumu – November
• Dream5 – November
• Fear, and Loathing in Las Vegas – November
• ICONIQ – December
• Team Dekaris – December (2009-2010)

2010

• IMALU – January
• Maika – January
• Sayaka Sasaki – January
• Airi Takasaki – February
• CHiAKi KURiYAMA – February
• Shiritsu Ebisu Chuugaku – February
• Kyarypamyupamyu – March
• mini – March
• PASSPO☆ – March
• mochA – April
• Riisa Naka – April
• 4minute – May
• KOR=GIRL – May
• TOKYO GIRL’S STYLE – May
• XIAH junsu – May
• YuiKaori – May
• ROOKiEZ is PUNK’D – June
• Ayahi Takagaki – July
• Angelababy – August
• ARTERY VEIN – August
• ClariS – August
• KARA – August
• Girls’ Generation – September
• JUNSU / JEJUNG / YUCHUN – September
• MAA – September
• Maon Kurosaki – September
• Minako Kotobuki – September
• SDN48 – November
• NIKIIE – December
• miCKun – December
• SUPER☆GiRLS – December
• Sakura Gakuin – December

2011

• Brown Eyed Girls – January
• HIROKO – January
• 2NE1 – February
• Jin Akanishi – March
• Not yet – March
• Columbia Girls Collection – April
• Dream Morning Musume – April
• LiSA – April
• 2PM – May
• Aimer – May
• DiVA – May
• Marina Kawano – May
• You Kikkawa – May
• HYNA – June
• Sayaka Kitahara – June
• Larval Stage Planning – July
• AFTERSCHOOL – August
• RO-KYU-BU! – August
• Fairies – September
• RAINBOW – September
• YELLOW FRIED CHICKENz – September
• Chiaki Takahashi – October
• FLOWER – October
• ALTIMA – December
• IU – December
• U-KISS – December

2012

• Leo Ieiri – February
• Mayu Watanabe – February
• SHOW – February
• StylipS – February
• yanaginagi – February
• Yukino – February
• BABYMETAL – March
• Up Up Girls – March
• Konomi Suzuki – April
• Kavka Shishido – May
• MYNAME – July
• Rola – July
• AMOYAMO – August
• Model Girls – October
• panache! – October
• Weather Girls – October
• i☆Ris – November
• Takuma Terashima – November
• Yun*Chi – November
• Yurika – November

Look at this big list….you know I’m gonna keep with this list as i continue to add more people xD

H!P Poll Results – The Lookthrough April 20, 2009

So now that’s the top 10 right?  Well, is it much of a surprise that the majority of the top 10 is filled with Morning Musume members?  I know right.  Let’s go through them!

10. Momoko Tsugunaga

Even though I still consider her more of a Buono! member rather than a Berryz Koubou member, Momoko was a surprise for me.  But I think her adorable cute factor was what made her catch the 10 spot.  I still don’t think she’s that good of a singer, but she is cute all-around.

9. Maimi Yajima

If you really wanna know, I haven’t delved into all of H!P’s current projects, Berryz being one and °C-ute being the other.  Now by saying that I have no idea how or why she’s up here, but w/e.

8. Koharu Kusumi

Yikes, Y’know I feel bad to see other H!P members being shafted for Koharu.  I mean I know she’s cute and all and being a huge factor to Kirarin…she’s gotta be one of the worst singers IMO.  If it wasn’t because she’s tall and girly.  There’d be a flame war going on.

7. Miyabi Natsuyaki

It’s nice to see Miyabi this far on the list.  To me she’s been a fun gal, but also the motherly one of Buono!.  Once again though I don’t know how her presence happens within Berryz, but got to say WTG!

6, 5, 4, 3.  Sayumi Michishige, Risa Niigaki, Eri Kamei, and Reina Tanaka

Basically they were voted because of their Momosu fandom.  I can’t blame them, Each one brings something fierce into the group…I don’t know about Sayu, but yeah I’ll say that. 

2. Airi Suzuki

Is this the first time where an entire group was in the top 10?  I’m so happy that all of Buono! made in the top ten and especially the fact that Airi’s popularity has been driving across the forums like wildfire.  I’m waiting to see if she’s going to be in a new group or just going solo…Now that’d be something amazing. 

1. Ai Takahashi

I’m definitly not surprised to see that Ai is the top member.  I mean with everything that’s been happening she kind of deserves this spot as she is the leader of everything except the other groups, but she’s the leader of everyone. 

 

 

I’m kind of not surprised at the final results.  I mean the members are mostly popular in their own way.  I don’t know Maimi much, but the rest I can really see.  The whole Buono! squad being in the top 10 is a very gratifying achievement for them and I praise it.  Now it’s funny that none of the 8th gen. Momosu members made it on…I mean no Junjun, Linlin, or Aika? WTF.  I swear though Maimi just looks like the outcast being the only member of  °C-ute to make it.  Another sad thing is that no one from the Elder Club made the top 10 which is a little saddening but whatever.  Where Gocchin and Aibon anyways?  Good ending though ^_^

Now where did my top 10 end up?  I’ll tell you!  This is out of 60 members

• 10. Hitomi Saito – 52nd
• 9. Reina Tanaka – 3rd
• 8. Nozomi Tsuji – 17th
• 7. Airi Suzuki – 2nd
• 6. Mano Erina – 18th
• 5. Yuu Kikkawa – 38th
• 4. Ai Takahashi – 1st
• 3. Makoto Ogawa – 34th
• 2. Mari Yaguchi – 16th
• 1. Hitomi Yoshizawa – 14th

Chroniclizing through my entry into the J-pop World April 10, 2009

So you’ve guys probably are wondering how I ended up as what I am today to this blog.  Well, basically What I’ll do is go through the first 10 artists that basically introduced me into the whole

Literally, she’s what started this whole storyline.  Basically, I’m a huge gamer and I follow the Final Fantasy series pretty closely.  When I got Final Fantasy X-2 The first thing I heard was Jade Valerie’s version of real Emotion and just fell hard in love with the song showing off some of the sexy side.  Anyways, what does this have to do with Kuu?  Well, I loved the song so much that I decided to go and download it, but the version I got was different from the game, this version real Emotion (English Version was a lot more fierce and though lost the sex appeal, it was actually so much better so I kept it.  Later on, I also figured out that “1000 Words” and 1000 no Kotoba were also alike and which brought me to download a few songs: Chase, Believe, and D.D.D. Right about this time, BUT/Aishou was released and then instantly fell in love with her and I ended up getting her full discography.

Basically, the same thing happened when I was first introduced to Hikki.  Kingdom Hearts was the introductory game and Simple and Clean was the first track I’ve ever heard from her.  Things then got different with how I was introduced into her stuff.  See, I went to a county fair and they sold JPN stuff at the time (which I was dumb not to notice).  But, point was they had the OST for KH and I bought it.  When I first listened to it, Hikari was the song that was playing.  At that time I didn’t like that song much and to this day still inferior to it’s English counterpart.  Then I went to the nearest Barnes & Noble and saw EXODUS on sale and said, I gotta hear this and brought my love to the entire album.  Now at the time, You Make Me Want To Be A Man was just being released as a single.  For her JPN career was when KH2 was announcing that Hikki was doing Passion, so after that release I started to follow pretty closely.

All of you should know that Nami Tamaki is my favorite artist of all time.  She’s the reason that I stuck with J-pop unlike the last two artists.  When Youtube was slowly fluorishing into popularity, Nami Tamaki was the first artist I found out about via the site.  Believe was easily the first track I remembered seeing and I was fascinated by her amazing dance moves and her connection to the GUNDAM series (I like it alot).  She’s also the first artist I’ve collected all her songs.  To that addition, she was also the first artist I bought a CD from.  That same B&N where I got Hikki’s album also sold greeting (Around the release of Sanctuary)when Tofu Records was still up and running.  Since then, I’ve managed to get ALLLLLLL of her albums.  Even to this day, I thank her for really introducing me into J-pop.

Right around the same time that I found her, I crashed into T.M.Revolution which at the time I only listened to INVOKE and Albireo the former being a GUNDAM track, he was my first male J-pop artist.  Once again xD, B&N warranted my first purchase of him with Vertical Infinity which oddly I don’t enjoy, but I’ll review that when the time comes.  It wasn’t until about the time the blog appeared where I started to delve into his past stuff and I honestly prefer his stuff from coordinate up, he’s got a pretty great past and his music brings such energy to me.

The next two artists I remember finding on the same day.  Ayu was pretty meh with me when I found her on youtube with her PV of evolution.  Now at that moment I knew I had to hear a little more of her music so I went and downloaded M, YOU (Aggressive Mix) (which at the time, thought it was the original mix), and Powder Snow.  With the only exception being YOU, I didn’t like her and pretty much shelved her until her release of glitter/fated in which I fell back in love and today I have her entire discography.  Whopping because of all the various remix albums she as well.  I still think her earlier stuff is harder to swallow, but today she’s sweet.

Ok, here’s the fact.  I wasn’t introduced to the Line-up that was in this picture when I first heard them.  I was introduced to the Momosu of when LOVE Machine was out.  So being me at the time, I didn’t know there were change-ups and graduations and I didn’t even know the women of the group.  So for a long time, I’ve been hiding under a rock only knowing that track and Say Yeah! Motto Miracle Night were my only temptations from them at the time.  It wasn’t until Mikan that I started to re-notice them and get some of their tracks from the previous albums like, Koi no Dance Site, Joshi Kashimashi Monogatari, and KoiING.  Nowadays, I know the members of the current lineup and now more in tune with H!P as well.

Yeah, Mai-K was also another artist I was introduced via YouTube and she actually wasn’t high on my list of artists to listen to at the time.  I had specific songs like DANCING, Simply Wonderful, Double Rainbow, and DIAMOND WAVE which was the most recent song of hers at the time that I started with her.  I still don’t listen to her as faithfully as the artists above, but I do have her discography (minus remixes). 

Interestingly, Rina Aiuchi was found via listening to AOL Radio before XM’s take over.  Everything started from double hearted and Run up. It took awhile to find her stuff because AOL can’t spell her name right.  They spelled it like Rina Auichi and that’s fail.  If I remember the timing of her release, I think she released DELIGHT when I got into her and I was doubting my interest because I download her discography early and found out that there was a lot of song’s I liked from first listen.  So I followed when she started releasing Mint.

Ami was before those two, but she didn’t start to flourish on my computer until I started searching for her.  Also found out through YouTube the first things I saw were the blue lights of her Delightful PV.  Then I went searching and ended up with Eventful, Drive Me Crazy, and Fantastic (which was the latest release at the time.  Then I learned that she had troubles and was on SONY previously and got her stuff and gotten her CONNETTA album when it was released and followed her since.

I actually remembered the exact thing I was doing when I found out about them.  I was actually introduced to them by a friend online sending me come together which is exactly my favorite song from them.  Then I was on a very agonizing search for FREAKY PLANET which ended up in a crappy sounding version.  So when I started the blog, I was like hey, I’m gonna look up their stuff and ended up with their discography (minus singles). 

The last group that really made an impact and the decision to create KM, I learned from them from Efanz (at the time, he was leading Psycho Butterfly, which is not defunct)  with AKIHABALOVE but my curiousity peaked when that day on Jpopsuki, they uploaded Perfume’s discography and I downloaded it and went on a Perfume spree for like a good two weeks where it was nothing but them.  I then progressed into the PV’s and fell in love with Electro World, Computer City, Polyrhythm, and Chocolate Disco. The other videos filled in later, but I kept switching back and forth between those four. 

Now, those were the 11 artists that fueled to the early beginnings of the site, should I continue with how I got into the other artists and give a reason?

Definitly random! but H!P poll FTW April 2, 2009

Yep, here’s the list and I’ll go down through the following.

1. Hitomi Yoshizawa

OMFG, I don’t think I would’ve been a huge fan of Momosu if it wasn’t for our tomboy, Yossie.  Got to give credit to her that she stuck with the group as long as she had because she really went from being awkward to being kickass in “Kanashimi Twilight”.  Even now with HANGRY & ANGRY under her belt, she’s continuing this kickass run.

2. Mari Yaguchi

SEXY BEAAAAAM! Sorry, Marippe has definitly won me over with that ever so loving term.  Even though she led the Momosu team not very long, you gotta give credit for being so cute and affectious.  I mean my memorable was the whole Utaban thing where Takaaki was making fun of her Vietnam photobook.  That made me laugh too hard.  Doesn’t help she gets pwned by a later gal on the list.  I find it great she’s continuing with music though ^_^

3. Makoto Ogawa

Poofy faced Makoto has always been the funnest one of the Momosu bunch to me.  I mean first off, she’s got freaky way of speaking, I mean it’s not like squeaky cute, but she’s got a different voice all her own.  It was sad to see her graduate and learn English and to not even really do anything when she got back because of the Elder Club grad, it’s like they killed any chances.  Hope she can get back into music soon!

4. Ai Takahashi

The current leader of Momosu, Ai also has come a long way from being “that” girl to the leader with the best singing voice of the current line-up.  Now I know she’s got one solo single, but when she graduates from Momosu, she’ll definitly have the backbone to continue her career for sure.  Plus she’s quite hot GO AI!!!!

5. Yuu Kikkawa

We’re at our midway point and NO. 5 definitly has to go to Yuu.  I mean she’s got the best voice of MilkyWay…Then again Sayaka and Koharu aren’t ones to really sound good anyways, Yuu definitly showed some potential to be a soloist, now if that comes to fruition, then I’ll be in love!!!!!

6. Mano Erina

She’s actually the only H!P artist nowadays to be a soloist and not be involved in a group of some sorts and y’know what I like that.  With Otome no Inori just being released, can’t help but love this in girl in some way.  Great songs BTW

7. Airi Suzuki

Actually I based this off of the fact she’s part of Buono!.  Airi also comes with the fact that she’s got the best vocals of the trio like Yuu.  Now her on this poll being from C-ute, I’ve never been able to get into them, so I don’t know how she’s shown off in that group, but Airi is definitly my favorite from Buono!

8. Nozomi Tsuji

Likewise, Tsuji never made a real impression on me during her days in Momosu, but when she got into groups like w and Mini Moni, she really showed off in those groups.  As she got older she got badder, which is surprising, because I wouldnt expect that from Tsuji.  I guess it preludes back when she punched Marippe in the no-no zone.

9. Reina Tanaka

I’m probably the only one who likes her good.  Reina to me is considered to forgettable one because she’s not as profound as the other reigning members. (Shabondama does count)  Yeah, she friggin got solos in her debut.  Still, I feel she’s got a long way to go and I hope she gets more time!

10. Hitomi Saito

Yeah, lack of Maki Goto fails the list badly.  Hitomi reigns from Melon Kinenbi and honestly I’ve never gotten into them either, but damn is Hitomi one fine lady.  So kill me for not knowing her presence, but she’s one of the hottest H!P gals I’ve seen!!!!!

Part 2: The Singles, what, how, and why!!!

Yep it’s time to rundown what the singles are all about

A-Sides

Well, A-sides are basically the representatives of an album.  They are the tracks that the company or artist thinks that’ll profit them the most.  Now, sometimes these A-sides are popular due to a fact that they have a significant tie-on, mostly from Animes or Dorama’s.  Either way they are the most important songs before an album.  Shockingly, rarely an artist will leave out an A-side for who knows what reason.  Just like:

Then we get double A-sides like:

The double A-side usually provide PV’s to both of the tracks promoted.  Once in a while they don’t and leave the first written one with the PV while the other might get one on the album. 

Yep, these do exist as well.  Not as frequent as the double, but triple’s are pretty much for sure all on the albums.  Freaky right?

Then we come to quad A-sides.  By then artists usually make them center around a theme which is pretty much calling them a mini-album.  Still, they consider them singles and you don’t see these a lot.

B-sides

B-sides are basically the secondary songs to the more important A-sides.  Ranging to have 1, 2, or even 3 B-sides they basically can be less memorable than the A-sides, but more normally they are better in some cases.  Now, they are various because they can appear on an album, or just be forgotton and left on its single.

Remixes

So remixes are found on “almost” every single.  There’s no way you can’t get away from the fact there’s there’s one.  Now, there’s tons of remixes and remixers for that matter.  Seriously though once again Ayu is the queen of remixes in the singles area as well.  Now these vary, because sometimes they are better than the original, sometimes worse.  Even remixes of past tracks makes it on the single which is strange but cool. 

Instrumentals, Karaoke, Vocal-less, etc.

Just like remixes, almost every single has these.  Take out the vocals and you’ve pretty much got one of these.  Now what’s the use for these is for the hardcore fans that just wanna hear what makes the song w/o the vocals and hear the intricacies.  Me?  Not so much, means more space wasted on the computer. 

Other things

• Acoutics, Ballad, Orchestra versions take songs with a more flowing entry that separates the songs into different sounds and such. 

• Live Versions – Seriously…what do I have to explain.  Songs that are played live.  They usually are instantly recognizable by the audience making sound through the performance.  Pretty Straightforward if you ask me.

• Short Versions – Yep, main track gets shortened due to either long length or a possibly a annoyance…depends…Sorairo Days is different because it had the song split in half basically for two tracks.

• They are short also because of the fact they are the ending and openings to it’s tie-in and seriously, probably not the needed track, but a treat to the fans.

• Extended Versions – Of course, who doesn’t love a good long song right? xD  As you guess they take the longer route

• mp3-mastering versions – Now it’s only well-known by D-TOPIA releases these versions of tracks are actually changed little to actually sound better on mp3′s like iPod’s.  Strange but true.

• Yep LEO actually had some outside things with his song.  If you played two versions of the same track together, you get a different experience…HOW AMAZING!

• Mega-mixes – These usually long ass tracks find their way on the final single of the era.  Now being available on both albums and singles these tracks and are a mix of previous tracks mashed into one song, that’s usually remixed. 

Re-cut Single

Basically after an album an artist due to some huge-ass promotinal timing will take an album track and re-release it as a single.  Now in my perspective it’s not a smart idea, but I guess it works since the first two got pretty high on Oricon.  In the sense of the last one,  Ai decided to rearrange the track so it could provide some new versions to rework it better.

Anime Singles

Mostly known character singles.  They usually are sung by the characters VA’s and by seiyuus (same thing).  Though the main difference is that artists like Nana Mizuki or Momoi Haruko never consider these to be official releases and that’s why you don’t see them talked about much or even see them on their official discographies.  Strange? But it’s probably a good thing. 

Enka Artists

Enka artists are the only well-known style to still sell their singles via CD’s and Tape’s….Seriously tapes are so 90′s.  I just had to point that out as well.