…so sorry my responses have been so so late as it's been extra work occupying me so much, will respond soon though and i appologize so much for my blog delinquency :(….in the meantime there's just this from last night below……
While lingerie can be most comfortable~* @ times don't you ever get a most distinct feeling that a man is behind designing it all?….I mean from materials used through every step of the "planning" stages as I can't imagine most of us thinking huh~* if this rode up like this it would be most comfortable to wear…(^q^)! It is most cute~* though, just thinking out loud again XD.So what did you wear last night……?
It’s been a little over two weeks now since the Team Acchan vs. Team Yukorin voting began and judging by the votes cast so far I’m thinking that everyone has voted??…I mean everyone who visits here has voted of course XD!
While a breakdown of votes cast in the U.S. would have been interesting like if they were being cast to see which states would be won by each idol♥ for like an idol presidency of sorts……hm
………
..I do wonder how an idol presidency would work. Maybe she could end world hunger and stop all wars…wait no that’s Miss America :P! Hmm all I know is that with an idol presidency everything would be so cute and then surely shortly after being sworn in an official “Seifuku♥Day” would be set into our calendars as one of her first actions of being on the job =).
Okay so here’s an international look at the voting to see what it reveals:
Team Acchan:
Chile
Indonesia
Singapore
Philippines
South Korea
Japan
Belgium
France
Team Yukorin:
United States
Canada
United Kingdom
Mexico
New Zealand
Romania
Poland
Czech Republic
Germany
Spain
Ties:
Brazil
Australia
Malaysia
Taiwan
A~h! mite mite!!!…….Erepyon ♥'zzzzz Mr.Children too!!!!!!!!! I just never imagined something like this, I mean Mr.Children♥ has long been my most favorite band in the world! (additional Mr.Children posts here♥) and to now learn from Erepyon's blog…(thank you~* Harimakenji for linking me!!) that she's a really big fan too it's just so awesome っo(*´∀｀)o♪～！！！！。。her entry can be read here♥!! Um there's also nothing like needing to borrow a computer XD! With continuing issues with not being able to create caps from my VLC despite reinstalling =( and this new weird problem where I seem to not be able to delete or move some video files I've created for upload to Vox)….I've now become a rather frequent visitor here away from home so happy~* that sharing♥ runs in the family =). Oh I've gotten off topic :P……so!…
..in Erepyon's entry she says how much she loves Mr.Children….Sakuraisan's vocals♥♥♥..and how just listening the their music can bring her to tears (´⌒｀。)．．．！So awesome~*! And as you can read on her ipod it's all cued up with Mr.Children (often said "Misuchiru").
So now I'm watching Misuchiru's most recent DVD concert release~* "Mr.Children Dome Tour 2009 SUPERMARKET FANTASY"….うれしー(*≧∀≦)ノ♪！！
This alone would move Erepyon up!! up!! in my member rankings if I were to do them again now, I mean she loves the most amazing~* and greatest band in the world!!!!!…I can't help but ♥ that!!
Hmm….so again while I'm watching Mr.Children's newest concert DVD they do perform a few songs which are on Erepyon's i-pod screen above so I've included a couple of them just below ＾ ＾♥。
Misuchiru♥ performances whether in smaller venues like during and before their "[es]" days, for a t.v. appearances or if in the largest of Japan's domes they all have one sure thing in common!! Epic!! epic!! majestic!! majestical!! Mm that's not even a word (^q^)!
First up will be "Worlds end" which is the first track on Erepyon's i-pod and at times this song reminds me so much of U2 can you hear it too?…it's pure adrenalin, "Hanabi" which is a top 5 favorite song of mine, "esora" which Sakuraisan always gets so amp~ed! up for and if you haven't yet watched its pv♥ it's soooooooooo cute!!!! and somewhat mystical, "Koe" has such a sweet melody and I just love the live version's intro here and "koe" is also the theme~* here for my Vox…see the kanji in the background =), "and I love you" this song is always performed so deeply emotionally and the title says it all ♥♥♥!, and last but certainly not least is Misuchiru's golden classic "Namonaki uta" which served as an amazing drama theme song for "Pure" and has the distinction of being the best selling single for first week's sales in Japan all time with over 1.2 million sold, then reaching over 2.3 million in sales overall. So so many accolades to speak of for Misuchiru♥ but since I've already gushed on ヽ(。´▽`。)ノ。。！！about those and their amazing~* history here, I'll let their live performances below speak for themselves further…..
…so why Mayuyu first? She's really the member who first caught my eye as it was ultimately Watarirouka Hashiritai that did it =). Well there were other strong factors involved but still Mayuyu is most special to me in this way♥.
These photos are actually from awhile back, the January issue of Yan Yan but no matter what AKB's "RIVER" wardrobe will never ever get old!!! I'm a sucker for checkers, plaid, black & white, Yukorin's dimples…..the way her skirt is shredded neatly into strips like no one else's, it's almost as if……..wait! okay here are the scans before my obsessive behavior takes over here (*´∀｀)♥．．．
Don't you think so?.."RIVER"'s outfits are some of the very best!..ultra stylish~* and cool! And I got a kick out of learning some of the member's heights here and especially when I see the tinier heights as I sort of have tall~people envy so I always gravitate towards the shorter idols because we could literally see eye~to~eye because if you're too tall my neck will strain from always looking up or otherwise I'd always be looking @ your chest…..hm that didn't come out quite right (*≧▽≦)♪！
No Sleeves gets a cute feature too! and Watarirouka Hashiritai's red & gray seifuku♥ is most eye catching and pretty~*!
I wasn't sure if J.J. would be able to catch back up with the laps winding down so the finale was quite an edge~of~your~seat affair really!! to put it lightly.
Okay, I'm okay………..really. ♥ J.J. isn't he amazing~!* (*´∀｀)！！
In an amazing~*!! collaboration effort with ar CONOMI you can now dress just like your favorite♥ idols do or more specifically like Tomochin っo(*´∀｀)o！！！。。as she’s designed a cardigan so cute♥ I think it’s must have and just released today!!! Oh dear…heart buttons? what’s not to love!! （8510￥！！）
Oh wait!…in order to complete that seifuku♥♥♥ look you’ll also be needing a few other necessities like a….
~Essentially kawaii♥! is there anything sexier?..I don’t think so!! I’m liking the black!!~
+
for ribbons, vests, bags & neckties…..
Cdjapan has you covered for everything seifuku ＾ ＾♥。
Hmm…I just had a seifuku meltdown ヽ(。´▽`。)ノ。。！！。。and I’m not even affiliated with Cdjapan 😛
It may be true that after 42 singles and so many accolades one may have seen and somewhat done everything? However it doesn't mean that your creative juices ever stop in the process but here now with their 43rd single release Momusu seems to have done just that.
First "Seishun Collection" isn't an awful song by any means as it's rather pleasant I think with its well polished sound, those sweet whimsical strings and personified vocals we've all come to appreciate. But that's really where it all begins, "Seishun Collection" is comfortable in its direction, melody and even so even keel by its very appearance…..however with comfortable are we now hearing a sound which is in line with ”あぐらをかく”。。。 or resting on one's laurels? I do think it's a most pretty~* song but my thinking today lies elsewhere…
And as you watch their pvs which are embedded just below you'll notice something. Even the production minds at UFI appear to have resigned to present what was once tried and true but perhaps today has become a bit redundant? 
"Close up version", "Dance version", "original version"….with the exception of the "Close up version" certainly the other two are essential I think as "dance versions" provide the best look at all of the wonderful choreography going into these songs while the "original" brings it all together with edited scenes from everything shot~. The redundancy however stems from how the producers are directing the girls and you can definitely see a mold set here as "Seishun Collection" fails to move anywhere outside of this box so to speak. And for some odd reason it's really only happening with Momusu as BK, C-ute and Buono! all have presented looks going outside of the close up blue screen footage…..straightforward dance footage..and even while watching this most recent "Close up version" you can't help but sense a feeling of overwhelming familiarity…done this seen that. Mini story board ideas…that's what's recently been missing as when you go back to earlier Momusu the presentation of their singles were never so much alike…safe…..inside the box~.
And before anyone suggests that my love of Momusu is wavering let me snip that thought in the bud…it's not and it never will. You see it's not about loyalty or saying that "I'll always love them no matter what or I thought this song was great and I'll always be a fan and support them….." It has everything to do with their creative team, their direction and how they're being presented, you see "Seisun Collection" isn't awful, it's just in a safe place where Momusu isn't leaving an impression, breaking new ground or maximizing their potential which we all know so well that they certainly have. Just where has it gone? Momusu needs their groove back~ ＾ ＾♥。Ways to break the template?…continued just below…
~the pvs~
~the coupling with track~
It's a heart sinking feeling to see one of your most beloved groups see sales now of their newest single reach a level which is second lowest in their history, and what a rich history Momusu has. A group who helped revolutionize~* so much for aspiring idols and for creating an unprecedented longevity for their said genre…a group who represented the very center of the J~idol pop universe~.
But no it isn't specifically the recent tally of sales for the week, I mean sales for any group will fluctuate over time and it isn't a reason to go into panic mode….no certainly not. What has me concerned has far more to do with this template in which Momusu seems to have taken to or rather their production team has taken a liking to in that you can always predict with most accuracy what you'll be seeing with each upcoming release. Remember a time when Momusu releases always had you deep in anticipation? Eagerly awaiting to see which new direction not only their music would turn but also the artistry aspect of the group? The visuals, the creativity.
Lose the separate pv releases or at least release them on the same day as their "accompanying" CD single releases…
To begin with the aesthetics, you can be sure that their singles will be packaged alike….DVD extra each containing a single extra pv (dance version, close up version) gone seemingly are the days of including much more enticing extras such as outer slip cases, posters, photo card sets, alternate jackets, note holder…..and that brings up the still existing separate release which houses their original pv versions along with making of footage, the pv DVD single. The pv DVD single surely had its time and it was most awesome in that for one it was released on the very same day as the single it was "accompanying" (now they're released one, two and on occasion even three weeks after the single CD has been released…what became of striking "when the iron is hot" so to speak? and especially now more than ever as pvs are streamed online by record labels prior to even the CD single's release, the promotion aspect truly being promotional) and being all inclusive of pv versions fans perhaps would want to see the most it also allowed CD singles to truly shine on their own (lose the extra DVD) with much more favorable extras~. I remember having such a conversation with PTom @ Hello!Blog awhile back with us both agreeing so much and also speaking of the worry that such trends could bring. Fast forward to today and it's all fully realized pretty much verbatim. And if you speak of the high cost of purchasing import singles not to mention perhaps shrinking shelf space, fans could all benefit so much if singles became all inclusive even if the price went up a bit as would be expected, still it would be so much more fan friendly than needing to purchase three versions just to receive two additional pv versions which could have easily have been included with a much smaller release listing.
Shoot pvs for your b~sides….
Find a new direction….
Incorporate story boards for single releases….
Say good~bye to the "Close up versions" as most of what you see in these are already present in the "original versions."
If releasing multiple versions entice with something new. That would mean also perhaps placing more pv alternate versions into the "original/a~type" release, it can be done as other idol groups are currently doing it making acquiring releases and their extras much more fan friendly =). Include sets or randomly inserted photos, shitajiki, cards, outer slip cases, key chain straps, etc. as these are far much more "collectible" than DVDs and would certainly entice fans much more in wanting to collect multiple editions~*. And certainly none of these ideas are unrealistic in terms of cost or practicality to record labels or unfeasible as they're occurring right now in our idol music world with great success….(think 3 letters of the alphabet) Momusu just needs to explore~ ＾ ＾。
Again this isn't a negative posting as I like "Seishun Collection" the song, but rather thoughts on asserting the potential and positives that we all know Momusu possesses so much….and open letter if you will っo(*´∀｀)o。
I was so worried that moving to major releases~* would result in S/mileage leaving behind their strong "J" style which they've embraced so far in all of their indies single releases. Sometimes J~Pop groups can truly "grow~up" too quickly moving to a much more American R&B style which already floods the airways…..happily~* that's no where the case here!!!
Tsunku's music writing keeps very much to their previous form before going major~ although interestingly he left the lyrics for the coupling with track to another composer. I was most impressed with how each girl's vocals were pushed so much and in particular with the title track "Yume miru 15sai" where they're challenged to a bit of falsetto styling and while the title track has nice dramatic touches with so many hooks♥ abound! its coupling with partner "Thank you! Creme Brulee no Yuujou" is absolutely no slouch either! Love love all of their covers and as usual I wasn't able to hold back so I got both LE's and their pv DVD single =).
This song's actually a lot cuter than the main track!..and somehow even the entire production here sounds a lot more youthful if that makes any sense at all XD.
When it comes to pvs♥, S/mileage has you covered with 4 versions including a "Dance version" (included with LE type A single), one titled "Another Version" XD! (included with LE type B single) while both the original and a "Close~Up Versions" are included with their separate pv DVD single release.
If there's one tiny complaint it would be that I so wished~* they had performed their "Dance Version" pv in those black, red & blue plaid outfits (see very top picture of this post) and although they're wearing jackets they still somehow resemble seifuku very much it seems and that's always win win! look for idols no matter what the occasion….song style…..air temperature….weather….time of day….time of night……what you had for dinner….when you woke up that morning…well, you get the idea (^q^)! Sadly those outfits make very scarce appearances here, still the pvs are most cute and a bit retro~like with that oh so glittery background you see!! Some may feel that they lack the creativeness of their previous pvs and I do agree you know with "Ama no jaku" being shot on location with schools scenes and I so loved all of those photos taken by the girls themselves which went up on the classroom blackboard!…and maybe even more so with "Otona ni narutte muzukashii!!!" which was just off the charts for its fun creative touches which were non~stop with the stage animated slide show coupled with more cute happenings than you can shake a stick at!!! I actually have no idea of what that actually means…..you know the thing with the "stick???" 😛
The accompanying pv DVD single runs approximately 20 minutes and S/mileage continues to have the most fun behind the scenes footage from H!P as of late….just the things you say during your youth (￣▽￣)。。。！！the giddy conversations, gestures and little games to pass the time between takes, oh and so soooo much eating it's funny!!
This single's so cute~*!!!..it's like 3/4's S/mileage with Maeda Yuuka, Fukuda Kanon and Wada Ayaka representing "Takashiro Reira", "Sasahara Natsuki" and "Yukimori Ringo" respectfully..hmm one more character to represent and it would have been S/mileage?
The main theme really grows on you and of course keep in mind that it's for an anime so it's a pure genki jingle~* and who knew that transformed, 3/4's S/mileage could sound so chipmunk(*´∀｀)♥ like? The coupling with track "Happy Go Lucky Puri!" is also very electronic poppy while on a strawberry slushy high~*~~* and it serves as the ending theme for the same anime titled "Hime Chen! Otogi Chikku Idol Lilpri." Rounding out the songs is "Otona ni narutte muzukashii!!!" which was previously released as a single.
After a quick check I see that numerous episodes are available for viewing online here~* and the first episode's just below and with auto play on the episode's stream seamlessly from each part to the next =). A really cute series with quickly engaging characters and it's great to see H!P members continue to venture into anime..love both theme songs ＾ ＾。So let's see….fairytale land is in trouble and they now seek out three girls who are "princess" like to help restore the happiness sounds simple enough right? Well……XD! And it now seems that Gweneth Paltrow naming her daughter "Apple" isn't so strange after all!
Surely a lot of scrutiny would go into anyone naming whom they consider to be perhaps the greatest vocalist they’ve had the pleasure of listening to over years of being a music lover and most definitely it’s an absolutely subjective outcome for each individual’s taste. Not an easy task by any means but for me personally while there are so many seemingly countless accomplished vocalists from generations past till present one name keeps coming to mind each and every time I hear him sing♪♪…
Fukuyama Masaharu♥ has long been one of Japan’s most beloved~* icons and constant figures as both a most accomplished musician and actor~…..his talents reach even further though as he writes, produces and has also charmed~* in the likes of radio and stage~.
It’s funny how the very initial aesthetics are obvious when it comes to accessorizing as a single cute~♥ hair bow atop is a constant and a fashion statement must!! Mmm but when you really dig a bit “deeper”….Blossom and Takamina….Takamina and Blossom….Blossom and Takamina….Takamina and Blossom…..and soon you can’t tell the two apart or you just feel a bit zany like I do at times :P.
And what’s so different about “Kimi wa, boku no mono” is that it isn’t shot in your typical “idol” way and what I mean by that is that it’s not chaptered into camera seducing♥ segments but rather “Kimi, wa boku no mono” is presented very much like a documentary instead and it’s very warm and candidly~revealing of how production goes on a day~to~day basis~....
While I think most everyone has either seen or worn seifuku♥ wouldn’t it be cute and sexy* to be able to witness the variations in style and the dressing and undressing of a most adorable idol~♥ as if you were her mirror on the wall~? Um…for educational purposes only of course :P!
~Every scene..a single brush stroke upon the canvas. Films to savor, for film making of this beauty and depth and scale don’t grace us very often..and the fates truly lie in ways of the wind. I couldn’t recommend two films any more than the John Woo directed epics “Red Clliff” and “Red Cliff II” and if grading on a ☆ scale these films receive 10 out of 10☆’ｓ。
Every now and then we’re graced with something so unique and special in music♪♪～, artists that move us with their melodies…relate to us with their lyrics and capture us with their hearts~. Sakai Izumi debuted as the lead vocalist for the group Zard in 1991 and for over a decade and a half her powerful vocals would resonate beautifully over 45 single releases and 20 albums (including compilations & tributes)…..she’s truly an artist that has left us too soon~...
Now @ 28 Fukada Kyoko has reached iconic heights as an idol who’s captivated and entertained in the vast opportunistic world of Japanese media where it’s most common for a talent to explore everything from modeling to television to movies and beyond~. Fukakyon♥ was born on November 2nd, 1982 and has remained with a single management agency (HORIPRO) since her early teens when she first began appearing regularly as either a cover~girl or featured girl in numerous idol magazine publications, then most notably with her early Bomb magazine appearances. Her acting career also began early in her mid teens and although Fukakyon is primarily known as a drama/t.v. actress having appeared in an impressive number of dramas which now total over 40 to date she also has a modest but noteworthy movie resume which includes standout performances first, in the dark realism of an idol’s world brought to screen in the 2002 film “Doll’s which mixes dark short stories and the 2004 cinematic~masterpiece “Shimotsuma Monogatari”...
In a musical era where AkiP has brought attention and overwhelming success back to purely~styled J~pop compositions and an approach as well as a product which resonates all that reflects upon Japan’s uniqueness…a purity which over the years has been blurred by outside influences of hip~hop…r&b…euro~pop..and Ameri~pop to name just a few~. Ichikawa Yui in hindsight may have been just a few years too early as she ventured from model/actress into music, too early for the old~school resurgence which is topping the Japanese music charts of today~ and in a lot of ways I think she’s been one of J~pop’s much more underappreciated artists of the millenium~.
Getting my very first taste of what could be Japan’s currently most aggressive all girl band! Four Osaka high school students with a garage~band aura? That was enough to pull me in and now after a little over one week of listening, “Temptation Box” is quickly becoming one of my favorite albums and where to begin?..there’s so much to say!
~Simply gorgeous♥, and it’s so much of what you’d envision of a production circled around one of Taiwan’s most popular, *sexiest* and successful models also turned actress and singer～ ＾ ＾。
Sooo what to do in the whee early morning hours??? Watch Dragon Half!
This is so much one of my most favorite animes ever!! I can’t even begin to tell you how much it continues to crack me up no matter how many times I’ve watched it! XD
Feeling tired (_´Д｀)ノ。。of your same old wardrobe? Want to feel the euphoria~* of custom idol♥gear? ………(゜∀゜)………。 …but low on cash$? Well now there’s a way~ to get a~hold of rare concert merchandise.. ..and its free!!!! っo(*´∀｀)o! …
1. The opening credits reflects so much of the show’s personality and is one of the cutest ever!! One of J-Pop’s finest, Arashi presents you the main theme song…here hit play while I ramble for a little while…
…..and the bartender says: “is it *cold* in here or are you just happy to see me?”…(^q^)
あっ！すごいかわいく～♥！！かわいく～♥！！！ Harugon, Nacchan, Rabutan, Ayarin & Mayuyu continue to be the cutest~* of units!…and I’m just listening to their 6th single I know so late XD! While I so adore Mayuyu’s vocals and we’ve had plenty till now with her solo songs~♥, but the more I hear Rabutan’s voice the more she’s beginning to become my favorite vocal in the group =)……and while watching the making of she just sounded so anime~like saying “gyu♥!” each time, like the cutest cutest cutest character you can imagine っo(*´∀｀)o！！
Firstly, I wasn’t ever sure if I would see the day in which SPEED’s all time record sales for an all girl group would be broken and not by a slim margin by any means as AKB48 has eclipsed this record (reaching in excess of 826,000 copies sold) which has stood for I think…over a decade now?..and if there were any single which was worthy of such an achievement surely “Beginner” is deservingly so~. At the top of the Oricon this past week, AKB48 has also eclipsed omg!!! even Arashi’s~♥ used to be leading single’s sales plateau for the year for a single release :O and from the outside one may wonder why this single in particular?..and why now?
In late ’97 a flash of J-Pop goodness appeared on Japan’s horizon in the form of a most unlikely group of members…in a time when “idol” groups were just about to break free from their brief hiatus of unpopularity there came a group comprised of 2 comedians and a very very cute Taiwanese model...
