Mitsui Aika Wins Game to Voice Gurocchan In Kirari Revolution

So last week's Haromoni's big announcement was nothing we had expected.

This week's Haromoni hosted a voice casting competition to decide who will be the one to voice the new cat character "Gurocchan" in Kirari Revolution, which was revealed on last week's Haromoni. Pity... since it was Michishige Sayumi who created the character, I thought it would be more appropriate for her to play the part. Oh well...

The competition began where the candidates, Takahashi Ai, Niigaki Risa, Tanaka Reina, Jyun Jyun, Rin Rin and Mitsui Aika. Each are required to deliver the best Yankee line as intimidating as possible... while sucking on helium. ^_^

And here is the winner... Mittsi!!

Namenayo!

"Namennayo" (なめんなよ) literally means "Don't lick me", but this Japanese slang meant "Don't play with me" or "Don't look down on me". It is befitting that Mittsi wins this game, because "Namennayo" is also the name of a cultural boom that hit Japan in the 1980's involving pictures of cats in Yankee attire.

It all began when a man named Satoru Tsuda found an abandoned kitten at the dry cleaners and took it into his care. Although he hated cats, but this particular kitten changed his mind, and he gave it a name "Matakichi", after the dry cleaner's name. As his fondness towards the feline creature grows, one day the kitten was playing with some doll clothes and an idea struck him - he would dress up the kitten in doll clothes and took pictures of it. This gave birth to a nationwide boom called "Namennayo Cats". Since then he has been taking pictures of cats dressed in various costumes and attire. It was a big hit for men and women alike. One of his trademark was being able to make the cats/kittens stand on two legs when posing for the camera. I only look forward to the day he is able to train the cats to do Kishidan performances. ^_^
More information and pictures here.

My take: The decision to cast Mittsi to voice Gurocchan has gotta be pre-decided by the agency already. I mean, the association with Gurocchan as a cat character and the line "Namennayo" has to be more than a coincidence. In any case, I think Mittsi will do very well. But she better not be sucking helium every time she deliver a line for the cartoon character. ^_^


* In other news, Mittsi also won the voice casting role for the new T-Rex character in Robby and Keroppi, in which Niigaki Risa voiced Athena. This time she is required to put on a mohawk hairdo and some accessories, and deliver the baddest line she can. And here is the result:

I PITY THE FOOL!

* Fictional account. (^_^)v
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What's it going to be THIS time?

What’s it going to be THIS time?

I don’t know how this one will turn out, but the last one (JJ and LL) still left some impact on the fans. The latest Haromoni@ (11/18/07) briefly mentioned a big announcement for next week’s episode. My first reaction; “-_-. Again? Really? I hope this is a good one.”

I then thought about possible announcements and tried to think outside the box a bit more, since I really don’t know what may be up. I rewatched Haromoni@ and I think that the preview for JJ and LL’s announcement had Tsunku’s VTR in it, but this one just had a simple text saying "ANNOUNCEMENT NEXT WEEK." So maybe it has nothing to do with Tsunku?

Here are just some ideas that might show up:

Kikkawa Yuu to Debut with °C-ute
She’s been busy lately as an H!P Egg and recently performed with them (and a few other eggs I think) on the °C-ute Cutie Circuit 2007 ~MAGICAL CUTIE TOUR~. Also, she isn’t on the list for the 3rd newcomer’s concert.

More visits to Asia or a tour
Seeing how this was a success of Taiwan and Korea went, I’m sure with or without the announcement it’ll come soon.



Revamping Haromoni@
Maybe the production team thought it’s a time for some new ideas? It is a bit dry. ^-^

Nice Girl Project
This could be old news to some and new to others, but maybe Tsunku will officially publicly about his new project now.

Maki Goto Update
Maybe there will be more info regarding about her?

Ogawa Makoto Comeback
Some people in forums mentioned this, but I doubt it. We know for a fact she’s keeps in contact with H!P though. There still might be a chance.

Hello! Project Kansai to Debut as a Group
They have been busy lately, so why not? Start off the New Year with another new group. xD



Oh yes, I just remembered wasn’t the JJ and LL news leaked out a few days before it Hello! Morning showed? So I guess we’ll find out about it before it shows, if it’s THAT big of an announcement. Also, I wonder what all of you guys think? Big news or small news?

P.S. – I wonder if DANCE☆MAN will start producing more H!P songs, since he recently did Ongaku Gata’s second single. [Check out their PV!]
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HaroMoni@ Episode #3 - Summary

Because I enjoyed the last two episodes of HaroMoni@, I'm writing a short review on them. Man, it's tedious work making screencaps off of the show. Clearly it's not my forte, so I don't know if I'll ever do this again.

This Sunday is a monumental moment, where Yoshizawa Hitomi will be graduating in the Saitama Super Arena concert. I wonder if this week's HaroMoni@ will feature a graduation episode or just the regular one. Obviously they have pre-taped shows to air. So we'll see what happens.

Now... while I'm doing this summary, I find that the formating and style is eerily similar Arashi of hello!girl. In the interest of diversity, I have re-formated and rewrote my version. Also check out her reviews from a fangirl's point of view and more screencaps.

====================================

HaroMoni@ Episode #3 - Asagaya

Location: Asagaya
Mission item: Round shaped marble tablet
Owner: Isago-san

Song List
Opening / Closing
Cecilia - Simon and Garfunkel

Others Songs:
Mr Postman - Carpenters
Mrs Robinson - Simon and Garfunkel
Going Home To Mary Lou - Neil Sedaka
Mickey Mouse Song
The Little Old Lady from Pasadena - Jan and Dean
My Guy - The Supremes
A little bit of me, a little bit of you - The Monkees (spotted by Arashi ^_^)
Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - The Beatles
Other songs I cannot identify...

Story
The HaroMoni@ team arrives at Asagaya Station. We have an additional participant Tsuji Nozomi, wearing a sheep motif. Tsuji = Hitsuji = Sheep (Get it? ^_^)
Immediately, Nono began to try her luck in exploiting the show for food "I'm hungry, do we have any thing to eat?" ^_^

The first route is through Asagaya Pearl Center, at the southern entrance, about 700m long with approx. 240 shops.

The King began to give some history lecture, and this time the girls pay attention. In this case, the origin of Asagaya. It was an area of shallow swamps (浅い谷地 - asaiyachi) and the name somehow evolved into 阿佐ケ谷 Asagaya.

As the girls walked they were talking about food food food all the time, but due to monetary restrains they could only watch. But not Nono, where food is of paramount importance, she made the first request to stop at a fish shop "Totoya", where the shop owner seems excited with their visit. Kame immediately presented her with the HaroMoni@ ad-tissue. For those who don't know how the tissue looks like -->

Nono got a piece of minced cutlet (an Okinawan delicacy sold for 120 yen per piece). The others didn't buy it, and they do not know what meat it was. (Oh, Nono doesn't give a damn, as long as it's MEAT! ^_^) Actually, it is called くじら - Kujira, it's whale meat.

As the journey continues, the girls reminisce their school days by singing the Pikachuu rhyme. Mikitty and Reina noticed a banner with pictures of an old dude in bikinis and polka dot dresses. And in front they spot him walking around in a Minnie Mouse dress! Out of curiosity, the team sends Nono and Sayu to investigate. And they found him in a sporting goods shop "Takiguchi Sports". Nono curiously asked "Why did you dress like THIS?", to which sharp-tongued Sayu interrupted by saying "Ah, but it's no different from ours!", reminding Nono that they've got animal ears on their heads and a sling bag with a tail on it. The man was revealed to be 滝口正幸 Takiguchi Masayuki, 55 years old. Did cosplay for 20 years... ever since he fell out of love in high school. He did it because he loves the attention and he is famous around the area for this strange fascination. His son, however, thinks his Dad is cool. ^_^

Next turn, the north street in Asagaya where 200 shops line along the way. Next stop ... a second hand shop, discovered by Gaki-san. The shop collects old items, recondition and fix it, then resell it. Fixed an air-conditioner outside so people can see. My family used have one of those old black-and-white TVs at home. We switched the channels by twisting a knob, not like the push-buttons we have now. :)

After a while Nono shouts for food - Manjyuu (prosperity buns?) that sells for 10 yen perpiece. Reina excitedly agrees "That's so cheap!". It's got black sugar in it. You can hear the King banter with his favourite Ai-chan in the background.

Again it's Gaki-san's Disvovery time. She spots a sign on a pole that says:

いつもの方蒲(ガマ)を折らないで下さいはック入れないで下さい
Please do not break the 'gama', and do not put litter bins here.

Everyone wonders what "Gama" was while Yossie jokes that Sadako (the Ring) comes out of the covered concrete well. They send the Special Investigator Kamei to find out. The shop in front was closed, so she had went to another restaurant, where an old auntie answered her questions.

Kame's findings: About two years ago, there's Medaka メダカ or Japanese killifish, was in the well. Therefore the sign was there to prevent people from putting litter bins beside it. But Kame forgotten to ask what 'Gama' was. So she was instructed to RE-INVESTIGATE. This time she wisely pulled Mikitty along.

Apparently Gama ~ ガマ is a Cat-o'-nine-tails plant, the type that grows on riverbanks, and grows as high as 2m and turns orange in summer. Additionally, the King notes that the ol' shop auntie have "cool" hairstyle.

The team continued to walk on. Everyone was tired, and finally Ai-chan shows temper and shakes the baby-cart in fury, sending a shockwave to King Akachin. :)

Finally they arrive at the destination - a cake house "Sugar Rose", where Isago-san greeted them. The mission item was revealed to be a cake turntable, used to rotate the cake as while it is decorated with icing and stuff.

Isago-san demonstrates for all to see. The King notes Yossie's curious expression with a gaping mouth as she watched the chef go to work. Long time friend and fellow 4th gen member Nono knows that look, said that it is a "I WANNA TRY DOING THAT TOO!" face. The HaroMoni@ team were given a slice of cake to eat and went on their way.

Fin.

So much for a "Summary". ^_^

And it's a show with lots of insight into Japanese urban culture and information from the eyes of the HaroMoni@ girls.



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Thoughts on Haromoni@ 2 - Lesson Learned

After an observation of the first two HaroMoni@ episodes, and comparing with the 3rd and 4th episodes, I noticed big improvements.

Now it's more organized and more focussed. Instead having the Morning Musume girls running around aimlessly and randomly doing things, we have a proper controlled variety show.


As a result we have this --> The 10 running features/gags of HaroMoni@:
1) Proper intros with previews - Finally, the producers realize that they need to keep the viewers tuned in from the start with proper intros, instead of diving right into content.

2) Segmentation of trivia and discoveries - Proper organization of the show presentation and making use of CG's to highlight events and discoveries. I still don't understand the cabbage-guy interludes though. Must be TV Tokyo thing...

3) The girls continue to give out ad-tissues and promote the show - Well, I guess it's important to advertise themselves.

4) Less music clips used, but longer duration for each clip - So that it's less distracting

5) More interaction with the King - The girls pay attention to his lectures, and also try and guess the mission item beforehand with him.

6) Gaki-Discovery - Niigaki Risa the one to spot interesting stuff for the show. (at most times)

7) Catchphrase - Repeat "The King's Orders are Absolute" at the beginning of the show.

8) The King crack lame jokes - He's just.... trying to be funny.

9) Takahashi Ai is the King's favorite subject - Special attention and favoritism is given for Ai-chan, the baby-cart pusher.

10) Designated Special Investigator - Kamei Eri for impromptu reporting. Special Assistant (or victim) Fujimoto Miki is often dragged into helping. ^_^

Also, I think the producers of the show have probably limited the amount of money allowed for spending, having learned their lesson of allowing the girls to walk into any restaurants freely in the previous episodes. The kind of food they stop to buy are always below 1000 yen. However, knowing the girls, this will be exploited very, very soon. ^_^

In the middle of watching the show, I find that the girls are given many opportunities to test their skills at on-location reporting. Impromptu interviewing at a passer-by, and walk-ins to enquire stuff... etc. In HaroMoni@, Morning Musume are not idols, but TV talents. A way of allowing the girls to learn an extra skill? Or a strategy of attracting non-wota viewers?


Overall, I find the whole documentary variety show that HaroMoni@ has become, much more enjoyable. Probably it's because I enjoy watching documentaries and culture shows. I think HaroMoni@ will turn out alright..... Though I still think that the narrator's giggling and overall deliverance darn annoying.


As for their TV ratings, they are safe at the moment, it'll survive just like any other variety show on the TV Tokyo programme schedule. Just that it doesn't stand out in crowd, that's all. Not yet anyway.... ^_^



Coming up... a summary review of HaroMoni@ episodes 3 and 4.
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Thoughts on HaroMoni@ [Edited]

Re-wrote this article, because I forgot to add a few things. Some reader comments inadvertently removed by mistake, sorry~~~ m(_ _)m

On April 2000, the morning show Hello! Morning was born. It featured ALL of members of Hello! Project family. Check out the lineup - Morning Musume, T&C Bomber, Coconuts Musume, Country Musume, Melon Kinenbi... etc. But as time goes by, probably about a year later, Hello! Morning seems to be reserved to Morning Musume only.

7 years later, on April 2007 Hello! Morning is now replaced with its second incarnation - HaroMoni@, and its airtime cut to half.

This time, it's definitely all Morning Musume. Now that the other units like Melon Kinenbi have been kept busy with other schedules like radio shows and variety shows, I guess it's understandable. Sole member of Country Musume Satoda Mai for that matter has made a name for herself as a popular TV talent - for her simple-mindedness no doubt.

It also have a SNS (Social Networking System) called "Haromoni@SNS Kingdom" where fans can join in and submit their feedback and other activities. From this pattern, I'm guessing that probably there will be more stuff added to it once they think of more segments for the show e.g. HaroMoni@XXXX. (replace XXXX with segment name). Unfortunately, this SNS is invitation-only, and not all fanclubs have access to it.

So far two episodes of HaroMoni@ have been aired, and honestly, I'm having love-hate feelings on this show.


The storyline goes like this:
King Akachin (meaning King Baby) lives in HaroMoni Kingdom. He will selfishly drag his animal citizens, who have been living peacefully on the island, to company him on numerous misadventures.


Trivia: The email that King Akachin sends out using his cellphone reads ->

Email
To: HONEY POT
Code name
H.R.M.N.@
Impervious
Command
processing duty

Weekly Tasks:
Morning Musume wear animal motifs on their head and a sling bag with a tail on it to pose as the animal citizens of HaroMoni@ Kingdom e.g. Gaki-san is a squirrel, Mittsi is a panda etc. They push a baby cart where a remote-controlled doll King Akachin sits and goes around to complete the mission for the week.

The missions so far is to return an item that a guest of the king have left behind on his last visit. During the journey, the girls are free to explore around and report whatever "interesting things" to their king. The narrator is a bit annoying though, with the way she talked. And I don't get that cabbage guy interlude...

The theme song for the HaroMoni@ gang is 'Cecilia' by Simon and Garfunkel. Other short classic song clips were played too:
E.g.
Beatles - With A Little Help From My Friends
The Jackson 5 - One more chance
Middle of the Road - Where's your Mama Gone
The Monkees - Daydream believer
Daniel Boone - Beautiful Sunday

In the first episode, the gang visits Kinsi-cho and on the second episode Kameari, both are districts in Tokyo. The overall enthusiasm has been mediocre at best. There were funny moments. Sometimes, the girls even ignores the king's lectures about the history and origin of the town and does things as they like. Even dumped the baby cart aside when they hear a ice-cream truck coming from afar. ^_^
Throughout the journey, the girls handed out ad tissues to people along the way and exclaimed "HaroMoni@ Desu~~~!" to people they met, in order to promote their show.



One thing I noticed is that the girls have totally exploited the show to get food...... or so I thought. In the end, turns out the girls are even more hard to handle than the king himself. ^_^



OK~~~ As usual, analysis time! (^_^)v

Reactions
There so many variety shows in the Japanese cable network, which makes me wonder why the producers of HaroMoni@ want to come into direct competition with the other TV programmes. It is so easy for the viewers to switch channels if they find the show a little boring, and it's only a half hour show. Rumours were circulating around that the TV ratings for the show have dropped below 1%. Maybe it's exaggerated, maybe it's not. Maybe the figure are not even accurate, but it has to come from somewhere. But... wherever the figures came from, one thing's for sure - the results aren't positive and fans/viewers acknowledged it.

Japanese BBS goers speculated that HaroMoni@ wouldn't last for more than 3 months, A Japanese friend that I got to know recently also confirms this and also expressed his disappointment.

Personally, I looked at this from a different angle. Here's what I think...



Advertise, advertise, advertise.
Supposing the idea of the old Hello! Morning show is considered as an investment by UFA to market the Hello! Project girls (the cost are covered with a few sponsors of course), then I'm assuming that beginning from last year's Hello! Morning episodes until now, that objective has morphed into 'generating revenue'.

Televisions networks/shows sustains mostly on one thing, and it is one of the most profitable among all their resources - advertisement. Doesn't matter if some of their shows sucks, if they can sustain themselves with sponsors and advertisers, it will be on the airtime slot for a time no matter what. Of course, if the advertisers find that their business and recognition have not improved after a while, or the cable network (TV Tokyo in HaroMoni@'s case) find that less sponsors are coming in, then eventually TV network will pull the plug. End of the day, what's important is making money.

With HaroMoni@ there are 3 types of advertising -> The first type is sponsor advertisements in between the breaks. The second is 'guerrilla advertising' -> the girls were handing out ad tissues and saying "We're HaroMoni@!" to passer-bys. It's a new show, so I guess it's understandable that they were instructed to promote themselves.


The third type is my focus, which is 'embedded advertisements' within the show itself. This way, out of HaroMoni@'s 30 minutes airtime, 6 minutes are for sponsor advertising. With embedded advertising, the remaining 24 minutes are also fully utilised to advertise other stuff. Now THAT's Japanese variety show industry.

Because, I don't think that those restaurants that the HaroMoni@ gang walked into, are by means a coincidence. It has to be scripted somehow. For example, in the second episode a 72 year old owner of the a monjyayaki restaurant came out to greet Kamei at the front door just as she was about to enter the restaurant. He must have been pre-contacted before the HaroMoni@ gang came.

Also, I personally don't buy the idea that Mikitty and Gaki-san are the type of girls that are into listening to amateur folk songs, written and produced by the owner of an ice-cream truck that they have never met. Yet they bought the CD, Mikitty showed it to the camera for a good close-up look, and the cameraman took a clear shot of the CD poster on the truck (with songlist and price) for good measure. That ice-cream truck only comes once a week to that area, it's no wonder the girls chased after the truck to stop it.

As for the acting part... probably a trend in Japanese variety shows. If TV Tokyo were ever questioned on this I wouldn't worry. Their response may be similar to TBS' response, when they were caught prearranging 'off-the-street' interview in the beginning of this month -> "We consider it to be within the permissible scope of acting for a variety show". Whether it is good or bad for the image, you decide. ^_^






Conclusion
HaroMoni@ has turned into a documentary variety show, endorsing commercial attractions and merchandise, featuring location culture & fun-facts, and battling for TV ratings with other variety shows at the same time. Morning Musume will be primary TV talents for this show.
Is HaroMoni@ doomed?

To be hopeful, I think it's still to early to decide the future of HaroMoni@. I guess they have moved on to the next phase, and we fans were expected to keep up with them.

To be fair, Japan IS currently embracing a TV trend of producing variety shows. Fine if the dudes at UFA want to do it this way, but it just... well, although I DO find some of those facts and culture stuff interesting, it is just not the like in the good ol' days of fun-games and electric-chair-quizzes, which I prefer very much.

So far it's only been two episodes, and the SNS network have only just begun building up. On the plus side, we saw some interactions and natural banters between the girls that we may never get see in the Hello! Morning studio recordings. I'm hoping that when the show's popularity picks up, the ROI(return on investment) will be worth it. And things may start to get a little more fun. Hopefully.

Another wait and see again, eh?


Peace (^_^)v
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Hello! Morning Slot Gets Cut

Hello! Online reports that the Hello! Morning (Haromoni) airtime is cut to half, from 55 minutes to 30 minutes. Actually, I'm happy. Now before you start throwing rotten eggs at me, I will explain.



I stumbled on this news earlier. But I brushed it off, thinking that it was just another rumour. This was not the first time I heard of news like this. There were also rumours of Berryz Koubou taking over the Haromoni slot with their own show. Surely enough, when the Haromoni episode on September last year where Berryz Koubou starred the entire show with a trip to the country side and a junior school, I grew even more worrier. But the following weeks seem to resume as usual, and I soon forgot about it. Perhaps there WAS a plan in the works but UFA shelved it in the final minutes.......? I guess we'll never know.

Personally, I was worried with a bigger issue - that the Haromoni show will be shelved entirely, and surrendered the airtime slot. For a long time, other than the drop in the sales of CDs, fans were also concerned with the falling ratings of the Haromoni show. Compared with the Golden Age times, of course it is abysmal, but I blame the lack of follow-up by the management. There was a notice on the Hello! Morning official site at TV Tokyo, where they will be broadcasting selective memorable scenes in the past Haromoni episodes for two consecutive weeks - 25th March and 1st April. The show will be collecting requests from viewers for the scenes that they want to watch again. I was shocked. From my point of view, it smells like a "final episode". Coupled with the rumours of Haromoni airtime, I felt a cramp in my stomach... Is Hello! Morning finally over??!



To my relief, Hello! Online finally highlighted that it was only an airtime "cut", not a "cancellation". Though I could not locate this news from TV Tokyo itself and nothing on the Haromoni official BBS as well, but I believe H!O's news is reliable. From their source, apparently TV Tokyo with their TV network TXN, is making the adjustments to achieve their goal of reaching consistent tv ratings of 10% during their "Golden Hour". So the same TV station where Morning Musume was born now cuts the Haromoni airtime. I assume UFA has failed to negotiate (or did not try) to reverse the decision, but then again the decision is too way up in the corporate level to change. Welp, they're the boss...


In the net (well, in the Hello!Online community actually), while some were dissapointed upon hearing the news, there were others that remain positive on this issue - citing that it is a good time for Haromoni to reflect on their show material, perhaps strive to provide a much more compact but quality show. And I agree with this. After all, Haromoni started out with less than 20 minutes back in the year 2000 and the showtime gradually increased to the current 55 minutes. What the show needs now is more enthusiasm and participation from the Morning Musume members. Rather than depending on the show writers to arrange for visits to Disneyland, theme parks, zoos and animal farms for them. I remember the time during a (now defunct) Hello Pro Wide segment where Nakazawa Yuko and Ishikawa Rika boasted that they could have their own independent show with HPW. That's the type of enthusiasm I wished to see more in the current lineup.



However......... I can't help but think --> Will Hello! Morning eventually be removed from the slot altogether? Maybe yes...... maybe no.......



Thinking about it makes me shudder......
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Where the heck is Ai-chan?

Takahashi Ai is missing from the Hello! Morning show for 3 consecutive weeks. What happened to her?

7th January 2007 - Haromoni New Year Special. Missing from show. Why?
14th January 2007 - Haromoni Awards Special. She's in the concert but not available for comments?
21st January 2007 - Not in World Pucchi Game, not in Haro Bowling segment, not in the new Hello Project Channel corner. Why? Why? Why?

Is she being punished for something we don't know? Is she occupied with some solo activity?..... Is she on vacation(with family perhaps)?



It's times like this I wish the girls have their own personal blog like Gocchin....
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Niigaki Risa - the next push?

Ladies and gentlemen, the Niigaki Risa boom has come.

Some crazy points here, coming from a huge Gaki-san fan. Apologies in advance if this sounded bias.

Old news made new. Way back (I think a couple months) before Yossie's graduation announcement, read from somewhere that there were some 'insider' rumour from internal staffs, that Yoshizawa Hitomi, Fujimoto Miki and Takahashi Ai have their solo plans scheduled already. Was it true? Now Yossie's gone, two to go. When? This year? Next year? I don't know. But one thing's for sure, the year 2007 has to be Gaki-san's time to shine.

Sometimes I don't get UFA nor Tsunku's rationale. They have been pushing Tanaka Reina and Kusumi Koharu all this while, but lately it's Gaki-san have been getting some good spots. I'm guessing, Gaki-san is being pushed to the front in preparation to take the lead of Morning Musume once Mikitty and Takitty has graduated.



Firstly, flashback ->

Niigaki Risa was the one who "shined during the final studio recording", according to Tsunku. Actually, Gaki-san was not new to the media. Prior to joining Momusu she has done karaoke commercials with Tomy Corp. Even took part in a local fashion competition. There has been talks amongst Momusu fans over the net, that there were suspected connections between that competition and her possible chances in joining Momusu. As a result, she had a certain amount of following before she finally joined Momusu in 2001.

Initially, Tsunku did make use of Gaki-san's modelling experience for the Tin Tin Town Fashion programme. Even put her in Tanpopo along with Shibata Ayumi. But years gone by, Tsunku seemed to forgot the reason why he chose Gaki-san, and she barely have many opportunities. But then again, she was outshone by her peers(namely Takahashi Ai) and the Tsuji-Kago combo at that time.

After the graduation of Nono and Aibon, Gaki-san became more outspoken, and not afraid to speak her mind. And after the graduation of Ogawa Makoto and Konno Asami, Gaki-san gets more attention - from the management agency and from the fans.


I think I speak for everyone when I say Gaki-san has opened our eyes(and ears) and proved to us that she is well capable of carrying her own weight, with reference to her famous solo rendition of "Koe" in the internet-only programme "Hello Pro Hour".

Video Link



Other than that, here are some noteworthy track record of Gaki-san, since the mid of last year till now:

1) Most appeal time and appearance time in Hello! Morning. Appeared in ALL segments in a single episode at one point. (Variety segment, Pucchi Game, Zekkyu Commercial)

Don't underestimate the lure of the Haromoni show. Yes, the ratings have dropped somewhat compared to the golden years. But when any of the girls are not scheduled for other prime-time TV programs such as Waratte Itomo and Music Station, Haromoni is the next best available place for self-appeal.




2) Centre position and lead lines.

Morning Curry - 2006 Fuyu Fuyu Special

Thanks! Aruiteru 2006 Ambitious Version - Kouhaku

3) Lined up next to Yossie on position and lead lines. Whether it's the sequence of camera shots in Kouhaku, lead lines in the upcoming "Egao Yes Nude", or dance position, she is arranged to be next to Yossie at a lot of times. I wonder if this is deliberate, perhaps to signify anything at all. (Seems like my dream last week was trying to tell me something)



4) Of course, who could leave out the Momusu A-Team.

I had thought since in the "Bokura ga ikiru My Asia" jacket photo Gaki-san is positioned to the far side, opposite of Iida Kaori, she was going to be another flower-vase yet again.

But after watching the Haromoni on Sunday, it presented otherwise, they're not shy to present Gaki-san (along with Koharu-chan) at the same level with the golden girls Nacchi, Kaorin and Gocchin. If Tsunku's plan of expanding to the Asian market works, with Gaki-san's chinese-like look, she may become even popular.




All this while, Gaki-san knows her place and remained in the background supporting others when it's not her time. She is one young pro, who loves her job and her fans, and she deserves her share of the limelight someday.

I'm not trying to predict anything, or make any brave statement. Just noting that it has been a good year of 2006 for Niigaki Risa. And the year of 2007 has started with a big bang for her too.

Let's hope this little Momusu veteran of 6 years will finally show us the power of her "Mayuge Beam".


Thanks for reading. Peace ^_^
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Morning Musume Happy 8 Audition - The Analysis

It's that question again - Why?

It's been many days since Mitsui Aika was chosen as the lucky intake in the Morning Musume Happy 8 Audition. So has the anger of the fans died down yet? Some of us probably haven't gotten over the addition of Kusumi Koharu during the 7th Audition. From all the forums and blogs I read, most are still optimistic and supportive of Mitsui. So we'll see what happens...

Now I am attempting to analyze why, out of the six girls comprising of Mitsui Aika, Satou Sumire, Kikkawa Yuu, Hanada Natsumi, and Okumura Minami (Masuda Ayami not included because she have withdrawn from the final audition on the last day), Miss "Face with Braces" was chosen, based on the Hello! Morning broadcasts of the audition episodes that I have watched. Lots of guesses and speculations, and made many references. Have lots of my personal observation of the girls' character, judging from their behaviour, body language, and speech. So please do not take this as gospel.



First of all, Morning Musume auditions is not American Idol or any other talent contest where the viewers can submit their votes. One vote is enough, and it is Tsunku's. I'm sure that if the fans were allowed to vote, either Satou or Masuda will be the winner (If not both).

After watching the Hello! Morning broadcasting of the audition, I realised that my previous ratings for each of the girls have changed, now that we are able to see bit the girls' informal behaviors.


After watching, I have tonnes of questions in my head, among them:
1) Was Mitsui already chosen before the final audition day? If so, was that Haromoni show last week edited to show minimum mistakes and blunders displayed by Mitsui?
2) Was that Haromoni also re-edited to showcase some emotional moments, for the sake of television?
3) Did Tsunku have someone else in mind? Did Tsunku favour Masuda Ayami, but have to switch to Mitsui since she took off?
4) Was Masuda's departure a sabotage attempt made by Avex?
5) What was Tsunku's criteria for choosing the 8th gen member? Or any Morning Musume intake as a whole?

Will discuss it below.

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Hanada Natsumi

The one with the least confidence, poor in singing and dancing ability, and low self-esteem. She had the desire and adapts well. From what I see during the boot camp, after the dance lesson crash course, her dancing is better on the second day. However, she cannot perform under pressure, and did horribly during the recording sessions and live performance. Definitely the most quiet of the lot, and doesn't interact well with the others. Her screen-time is so limited. Not surprised that she didn't make it.

Okumura Minami

This is a grown-up girl with lots of pride. Judging from her blog entries and the Purikura (Print Club) pictures that she displays regularly, she is one typical Harajuku gal. (Not that I've met one in my life, but she definitely fits the stereotyped image). I think Okumura's got problems with authority and superiors, avoided looking at the voice coach in the eye as he is lecturing her during the vocal drills. The funny scene is during the stayover night, when she was ranting with Masuda Ayami, citing "Singing is about yourself, while dancing is about teamwork", probably upset with the voice coach and dance instructor. Seems like Okumura lacks work ethics, and underestimated the entertainment biz. If you cannot carry your own weight (with singing and dancing), don't expect others in your team to work with you, because you'll bring them down with you. I think Okumura is definitely the one of the best dancing performance - solo wise. She cannot work in a team.
Overall, you can't teach an old dog new tricks. If she is chosen, she will be handful to control, and may land herself (and the people around her) into loads of trouble later on.
Side note: Reading Okumura's recent blog entries, it seems that after her dropout she was clearly devastated, and became really emotional. Later on, she said that she felt better, glad that she had given her best, and expressed her thanks to those who offered their support through email. She also added although she was dissapointed that she didn't win, she was happy that "Mitsui-chan" whom she was closest with, made the audition. We all know that she is a big fan of Morning Musume, and I wonder how all this had affected her...

Satou Sumire

This is a big lady in a little girl's body. Full of confidence, friendly, plenty of energy and good leadership quality. Had dance lessons before. Zero mistakes, a well all-rounder. We saw her getting friendly with the other girls, and practically leading her team in a short dance practice in their dorm room. Makes me forget that this girl is only 12 years old. Not sure if it's a good idea for her to act alpha-female despite being the youngest of the six. Her constant bobbing around while singing is cute, and is well noted by all. But I find that she doesn't bounce to the beat. (She is just bouncing for the sake of it) During the sing and dance group performance, Sumire's team was asked to show a simple dance steps for him. So they did some two-steps, half-box...etc. Afterwards, he singled Sumire out, brought in the other team to join her and did dance steps again. Tsunku didn't explain why. Sumire seemed puzzled. But I think Tsunku probably acknowledged her dancing skills, and used her to compare with the other three. So Tsunku knows that she is good, but just not the girl he wanted. Dang...


Kikkawa Yuu

The one who did the least homework before joining the final audition. As a result she is most self-conscious after comparing herself with the others. She tries hard to keep up, and hates being left behind. The voice coach notes that she has no sense of tempo, but I think she's just nervous. Overall, She has the spirit, and works hard when being pushed. The BBS' however, notes the size of her boobs, despite her being only 14. :) I like how she looked on performance day, absolutely pretty and cute. Presentation bland, but did a good job singing. I love to see a hard-working, high-spirited girl joining Morning Musume but her ability lies somewhere in the middle - not too bad, but not too good.

Mitsui Aika

Tsunku was right, Mitsui Aika did not give her all. At "62% output" as he puts it, she has not shown everything she's got. She hesitates when she dances, but on dance performance day, it is visible that she can do well if she wants to. Her casual interaction with the elder Okumura, shows that she can be outgoing. She learns by watching, obedient, willing to learn, and adapts quickly. A teacher's pet, the type that any tutor would love to teach and train. Obviously she was already chosen before the final audition episode was aired, which is why I felt that the episode have been re-edited to display minimal mistakes made by her, and tries to show her good sides. One thing I noticed, during the finalists' first meeting with Tsunku, on dance performance day, while all other 5 girls stood with their feet together, only Mitsui's feet are standing apart. My observation (and experience) from this body language, shows that Mitsui is the most eager of the rest and is not 100% intimidated by Tsunku. She knows what she wants and knows (how to take charge of) her own future. Just like Ishikawa Rika. In other words, she has a hidden character and spirit that is stronger than you think, unlike her shy and timid outlook.
But these are not the only reasons Tsunku chose her. Will explain later...
[Edited last few sentences on 19-12-2006]

Masuda Ayami

This is one starlet with the highest potential. She is probably better off in Avex, where they notice your talents and put them to good use. The way she handles the mic, making full use of the free hand (that is not holding the mic), taking small rhythmic steps while singing so as to not cause vibration to the singing voice, eye contact... man, she's got skillz and she is professional material. (She HAD taken dance and singing lessons before) Obviously, she displays influence from R&B divas, judging from her gestures. She can be a huge star, but she lacks the height. In contrast to what people say about her over-confidence, she is still a plain, young 13 year old girl. From the way she happily wept over the voice coach's compliments, and the way she asks Mitsui if she "can snuggle next to her because she felt lonely" during the lights-off. In my opinion, Morning Musume could use a girl like her. With her, she can draw some younger audience that share the modern musical tastes that she have.
Side note: After referring to various sources, I am not sure of the timeline of her auditioning for Avex. It is said that she took part in the Avex 2006 audition and Momusuu 8th Gen at the same time (hence the same T-shirt). When she heard that she wasn't chosen for Avex, she continued on to the final audition round for Momusu. Then later, Avex called her in, and she went off. I sense a sabotage, an apparent act to deny potential talent to UFA, ... but I'm not sure. But I know that the Avex 2006 audition is not only for singers, but for dancers, actors/actress, TV talents, models... and not specifically for finding backup dancers for Koda Kumi as many people believed - Avex can always refer to their professionally trained dancer troupe for that.


So now comes the million dollar question:
Why? Tsunku, why?
From Tsunku's comment on his official website, he mentions that while this audition saw a high degree of talent participating, he is looking for a girl that is "raw but gets your attention, because of her languidness (slow-paced, weak-like, lack of enthusiasm)" ... gosh, this reminds me of Konno Asami. Furthermore, he adds that he is attracted about "the voice. High treble-like, but can find resonance in (the listener's) heart. However, to be honest, her dancing is bad.".... Is this "Konkon 2"? Then he adds that this means that Morning Musume needs more of the fans' love and attention.

So now, you know...

In conclusion, I still feel Satou Sumire or Masuda Ayami should be chosen into Morning Musume as well. It's a terrible feeling to watch good talents gone to waste. There have been rumours on the Japanese BBS that the producers of AKB48 have been luring the Momusu 8th Gen dropouts under their wing. Honestly, I don't know to happy about it or not. But I hope to see more of Masuda in the future.

Tsunku also mentions in Hello! Morning and in his website comment, that he will be targeting Asia as Morning Musume's future direction. I have high expectations for this ambitious plan, and hope that they can achieve what they announced.

Thanks for reading long post. Peace ^_^
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Morning Musume Happy 8 Audition Blues 2

Morning Musume Happy 8 Audition Blues 2
Episode 2: So, Ya wanna be an idol?

Last week's Haromoni was enjoyable. All the previous Haromoni traditions are back: the games, the rivalries, funny faces, crazy antics, Nakazawa Yuko, and Tsuji Nozomi's close-ups and gags. I'm guessing everyone has watched them already, so I'm skipping straight to the auditions part.

And so the game begins. The H!P reality show is back.



And so Tsunku sent the six girls to a mini boot camp, where they will train for the final performance. There Tsunku will pick his 8th Audition winner(s), after reviewing their overall performance, plus their attitude and character. By now, the mini boot camp has ended already, and the results will be revealed this coming weekend, which is a day away. I also think the decision has ALREADY been made. Have patrolled the BBS and found some interesting spoiler info. Are they only speculations? Or reliable information? I don't know, but the outcome may not be what you expect, methinks. I'm rooting for the younger four of the six finalists.

On topic, Tsunku's words echoed mine -> "Wants to see if (the girls) have what it takes to join a group like Morning Musume and the entertainment biz. Wants to see how much they can show/express themselves within the rules."


Do our future 8th gen intake have the guts? The passion? The desire? All for the hope of being in Morning Musume?

Actually, is that even what Momusu currently stands for? Don't mind me saying that the current Momusu has lots of privileges. Sure, they still have to work hard, but not as hard as the first and second gens, I think. Compared to before, now everything is systematic, and catered for. You don't have to be the one doing the hard work, the thinking and planning is mostly left to the producers, managers, PRs and promoters.

Being an idol is not a walk in the park. Thinking back at the recent kaisans and graduation that we have seen over the year -> The graduation of Konno Asami and Ogawa Makoto for studies. The graduation of Asami and Miuna of Country Musume to find their future. Murakami Megumi's leaving because she wants to get back to her school life, Kago Ai and Mari Yaguchi's scandal... etc.

Really, I think the girls have finally opened their eyes to what the entertainment business is all about. Fierce competition, rivalries, hard work, hectic schedules, straineous traveling, pressure from friends and family, minimal social life, minimal freedom, and of course rules, rules, rules. It's a game of "survival of the fittest".

On receiving the privilege of being a national idol, comes with the huge responsibility maintaining one's own image, working within the rules and regulations, yet trying to make it big in the biz. Amidst the glitter and glamour, there are lots of things to cry for and fight for. Being bullied is a small part of the initiation. Even Reggie Miller had being played the fool in his rookie year - was forced to pick up basketballs that his senpais deliberately kicked to the audience stands. Remember how Kusumi Koharu had to face off with all members of the Morning Musume in a series of Haromoni games in one show. She took her licking but has done it all with a smile. Now that's what I call having a huge heart to stay in the game.

So do our 6 finalist have that same heart? That same desire? Don't get me wrong. It's okay to cry, but what you do after that counts. It's part of life.




I know a local artiste that worked so hard, suffer so bad, entered so many talent competitions just to get his talent noticed and geting a wee bit of consideration by a recording label. He practically camped outside the building just to get that spark of attention from the producers to listen to his demo. Now he is so well known in Taiwan and the Mando-pop world because of his commitment and hard work.

Our always unpredictable Tsunku has high expectations. So we'll see what happens.


I mentioned that I wasn't too hopeful about this intake. But I have been utterly wrong before. So we'll just have to wait and see what happens. Who knows? Some good may come out of it.




Oh, and the spoilers? The announcement will be made only 1 day away. Pointless for me to say anything now. But here's little of what I found, that we can use for our guessing game - apparently, only TWO will be chosen this time. Observe the images below:

Satou Sumire, Hanada Natsumi, Kikkawa Yu


Masuda Ayami, Mitsui Aika, Okumura Minami


.... and pick one from each group.

I have to sleep now... Bye! \(^o^)/
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