It's Showtime! Konno Asami Back to Fuel Hello! Project!!

This news is too good to not be documented real time. Incidentally, my boss is not around yet anyways... ^_^ (Special thanks to Anna for the headsup!)

And yes, ladies and gentlemen! Konno Asami who has graduated from Morning Musume last year in July, is back with Hello! Project. After so many speculations of whether Konkon is coming back to showbiz, it's finally official. (^_^)/

UFA has released a comment saying that it was Konkon's wish to rejoin and play in Gatas after she is able to enter the university of Keio University Shonan Fujisawa Campus. Her first stage for a comeback will be held at Nagoya Century Hall with Hello! Project tour concert in July.

Konkon on the other hand, have commented that "Although I am worried if I am able to balance (Gatas) with my studies, but I am determined to try my best to make it happen. To all the people who have given their support through my entry to the university, I am most eager to meet them again. However, if there is a conflict between Gatas and studies, I wish to give priority to my studies first."

She will be participating in a single, performed by a combination of Gatas Brilhantes Futsal Club and some members from Hello! Project Eggs.

The single will be titled "Nari hajimeta koi no Bell ~ 鳴り始めた恋のBell" (Meaning: The bells of love have begun to ring) and produced by none other than Tsunku. This single will also be the image song for Dralion Cirque Du Soleil circus troupe. This will be the second "supporter song" written for Dralion, the first being "Bokura ga Ikiru My Asia" by the Morning Musume A-Team. I expect the song style would be similar, depending who is doing the song arrangement. It will be released on the 22nd of August.

The line-up are as follows:

Name	Group	Gatas Tag
Yoshizawa Hitomi	Former Morning Musume	Gatas☆Spirit
Ishikawa Rika	Viyuuden	Full Throttle☆Attacker
Satoda Mai	Country Musume	Ultima☆Register
Korenaga Miki	Hello! Project Eggs	Miss☆Dream Maker
Konno Asami	Former Morning Musume	Little☆Braver
Mano Erina	Hello! Project Eggs
Noto Arisa	Hello! Project Eggs
Sawada Yuri	Hello! Project Eggs
Sengoku Minami	Hello! Project Eggs
Mutoh Mika	Hello! Project Eggs

Funny though, Konkon is still listed in the Skylark site as one of the graduated members. Are they not going to update that page yet?
Players of Gatas (senior) that are not involved are -> Fujimoto Miki, Tsuji Nozomi and Shibata Ayumi. I can understand why Fujimoto and Tsuji are not involved, but Shibata? Actually, I have my speculations, but that is another story.


On topic, I'm ecstatic! My favourite extracurricular-all-rounder, slow-eater, "My Pace" idol Pon-chan is back!! I was so devastated last year when she graduated, and the feeling of never going to ever see her again is one that I cannot describe. This exciting news is truly an upside event, giving us a break from all those scandals and stuff. What's more, we get to see more of the Hello! Project Eggs in action (Which I hope won't be just doing backup dancing). Looking forward to it!



Another thing.... For those who haven't heard, apparently Konkon has dyed her hair blonde since entering the university. In other words, had become a real Gyaru. We don't have pictures of that yet, but I have been hearing stories from eyewitnesses seeing her in blonde. Let's see how blonde it got, or if she is going to dye it with another colour again. I wonder if she has put on some weight as well....... BUT anyways, I think she should keep the blonde hair, so that she can be inducted into Gyaruru. Now THAT is cool! (*Bites green apple*)


Lastly, some videos for your enjoyment.

Alo-Hello Konno Asami. Yup, she can play basketball too. I'm sure fellow ballers will recognise that is one good lookin' shoot and follow-through~~~! (^o^)/


Gatas Brilhantes FC Highlights - Konno Asami's last game and graduation. This small girl can HUSTLE! (^_^)b


News from Sanspo

ハロプロに“久々”ハッピーニュース！元モー娘。紺野が電撃復帰

　大学受験のため昨年７月にモーニング娘。を卒業し、芸能界を引退した紺野あさ美（２０）が電撃復帰することが１８日、発表された。ハロー！プロジェクトのフットサルチーム「ガッタス　ブリリャンチスＨ．Ｐ．」が８月にＣＤデビューするのに合わせて、メンバーに復活。７月１５日のハロプロ名古屋公演で１年ぶりにステージに立つ。紺野は「学業との両立で頑張ります」と張り切っている。

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　昨年１２月に慶応大学環境情報学部に合格し、４月から神奈川・藤沢キャンパスに通う女子大生、紺野が芸能界に電撃復帰することになった。

　所属事務所によると、モー娘。を卒業する際、紺野から「大学に合格できたら、ガッタスでフットサルを続けさせてほしい」との強い申し入れがあったという。そこで、慶大に無事入学し、順調な学生生活を送る紺野と話し合いを重ね、復帰が決まった。

　活動の場は彼女の申し入れ通り、フットサルチーム、ガッタスになったが、奇しくもガッタスがハロプロの新ユニットとしてＣＤデビューすることから、紺野の歌手復帰も決まった。復活ステージは、名古屋センチュリーホールで行われるハロプロ夏ツアーの初日公演になる。

　紺野は「大学生活と両立できるか悩みましたが、両立して頑張っていこうと決意が固まりました。大学受験を応援してくれたみなさんにまた会えることを、とても楽しみにしています」とファンに発表した。ただ、しっかり学んで、卒業することを第一目標に掲げる紺野は「ガッタスと大学の予定が重なった時は、学業を優先させていただきたい」としている。

　紺野が参加する音楽ユニットとしてのガッタスは、音楽プロデューサー、つんく♂（３８）が２１人の選手から紺野をはじめ、吉澤ひとみ（２２）、石川梨華（２２）ら９人を選抜。つんく♂が作詞作曲したノリのいいポップナンバー「鳴り始めた恋のＢｅｌｌ」で８月２２日にデビューする。

　同曲は、シルク・ドュ・ソレイユが日本で上演中のスーパーサーカス「ドラリオン」のイメージソングに決定。７月２１日からフジテレビ系のテレビＣＭでオンエアされる。また、ガッタスも、「ドラリオン」のスペシャルサポーターに就任する。

Source from WHG 1 and 2
News from Nikkan Sports
News from Sports Hochi
News from Sponichi Annex
News from Tokyo Web
News from Japan-Zone
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Tsuji Nozomi Cries while Watching Missed Theater

Slowly coming back to blogging... how could I resist? ^_^

Tsuji Nozomi attended the theater show of "Itsu no hi ka kimi kaeru" at Nissay Theatre in Tokyo, in which she dropped out due to her pregnancy. Before the start of the show, she visited the dressing room, to apologize to the acting leads Kakei Toshio and Kuroki Meisa. Everyone responded with a "Congratulations, Tsuji-chan!", and caused her to weep loudly.

Tsuji proceeded to watch the show from the audience seats. During the show, moved by the performance of Ishikawa Rika and her character's storyline, Tsuji cried again. As the show ends with the curtain call, Tsuji applauded over and over again when her replacement Yoshizawa Hitomi appeared.

降板舞台千秋楽訪れ…辻ちゃん大泣き

　元「モーニング娘。」メンバーで俳優杉浦太陽（２６）と結婚する辻希美（１９）が２２日、妊娠で降板した舞台「何日君再来　イツノヒカキミカエル」（東京・日生劇場）の千秋楽を訪れた。

　開演前、楽屋を訪れて主演の筧利夫（４４）黒木メイサ（１８）ら出演陣に「ご迷惑をお掛けしました」と謝罪。全員から「辻ちゃん、おめでとう！」と祝福されると「うえ〜ん」と声に出して大泣き。客席では眼鏡を掛けて観賞し、同期の石川梨華（２２）の奮闘ぶりと感動のストーリーに再び感涙。カーテンコールでは代役出演した吉澤ひとみ（２２）も舞台に登場。辻は立ち上がって何度も拍手を送った

Source from Sponichi Annex
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Tsuji Nozomi Exits from Theater, Yoshizawa Hitomi Substitutes

Following up with yesterday's news of Tsuji Nozomi dropping out of the theater performance, it is confirmed that Tsuji's condition was a case of acute gastroenteritis (bacterial infection of the gastro-intestinal area). Think stomach ulcer or gastritis but worse. Coupled with vomiting and frequent stomach cramps, and you'll have hell on earth. Believe me, I know... my wife's had it twice within the last 12 months.

Apparently, Nono had complained to the agency that she's not feeling well for the past week. After she was diagnosed with the condition, it is advised that she required 10 days of rest and medical treatment, and thus unable to participate in the theater performance. She is also unable to make it for the Tsuji Nozomi Fanclub event on the 28th and 30th. Currently she is recuperating at home.

Yoshizawa Hitomi will be stepping in, in place of Nono's role in the upcoming theater performance. The play starts next month. And since it was a double cast with Rika Ishikawa, Rika will be playing the role from 4th onwards, replacing Nono on the 7th, 8th, 10th and on the 14th. While Yossie will take over from the 13th onwards, replacing 7 of Nono's remaining performances. Good lord... what a HECTIC schedule!

The agency are accepting all requests for reimbursements of tickets due to the casting change.

Furthermore, Yossie's dinner show with Satoda Mai on the 24th and 25th on May will also be postponed.

I wish Tsuji Nozomi a speedy recovery, and may God watch over you.




......... but not without a few observations, I've been thinking.....

Why was Yossie chosen? I mean, I'm excited that Yossie's the substitute. BUT when considering the height, voice and acting ability.... the differences between her and Nono is way too many. Takahashi Ai would have been a better choice. We've seen her perform on Ribbon no Kishi, she'll do fine. BUT UFA have to go out of their way to push Yossie to act right after her graduation day, and postponed her dinner show schedules. Probably have delayed the schedule of her solo single or whatever new unit the agency have in store for her.

Was Yossie chosen because her graduation event is recent and therefore have more value to attract more patrons? No, that's not it... the tickets have been sold already.

Then why not Ai-chan? She's has something else lined up for her on May? Something BIG?
Maybe, because Ai-chan is still part of Morning Musume, while Yossie will be a solo act by then, therefore may have more schedule time compared to Ai-chan........


........ Sorry for the monologue, just typing along as I think..........

Back on topic..... Yossie's comments:

Due to my graduation on 6th of May, the practice period has become short. I will give my very best with all my might, so as not to inconvenience the co-stars and other related personnels.

Wikipedia entry on gastroenteritis
Announcement from Hello! Project official site
Source from Sponichi Annex
Source from Sanspo
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Tsuji Nozomi Down with Illness, Drops Out of Theater

Source from Daily Sports Online

Translation:

Tsuji Nozomi who was scheduled to appear in a musical stage "Itsu no Hi ka Kimi Kaeru" ~ "何日君再来　イツノヒカキミカエル", is forced to drop out of the lineup due to health problems.

Tsuji was double casted with Ishikawa Rika to participate in this play, that tells the story of tribulence based on the life of the late Teresa Teng, a young singer who made her debut after a substitute stint. Yoshizawa Hitomi is being considered to stand-in for Tsuji.

It was not made clear as what the health condition was, but a related personnel revealed that Tsuji was on painkillers, in order to participate in the launch event yesterday for the newly formed unit "Gyaruru" in Tsuchiurashi, Ibaraki prefecture. Since the theater includes many intense action scenes, it was decided that she should not participate.

After Tsuji's pledge to start on a new beginning, following her partner in W(DoubleU) Kago Ai's (19 yrs) 2nd smoking scandal and termination from the agency, she had to retire from stage with regret.

Tsuji have also dropped out of the Hello! Project Sports Festival in 2003 during the 1500m dash, due to hyperpnea syndrome (abnormal increase in the depth and rate of breathing; hyperventilation). Also, due to a leg injury in a concert July last year, she had to miss all performances that follow.

Damn... Why NOW of all times? Please get well soon! I wish you speedy recovery, dear Nono!

(T-T)/
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H!P Theater Works... and Tsuji Nozomi Finally Opens Up

After Tsuji Nozomi's "no comment" on Kago Ai's scandal back when she was promoting her participation in the anime "Robby and Kerobby" as voice cast for "Atena", AND after Tsunku has told his side of the story.... still nothing from Nono? Not directly, no.

A month ago it was reported by Ikimasshoi that Ishikawa Rika & Tsuji Nozomi will be double casted in a theater play entitled "何日君再来" or "Itsu no hika kimi kaeru", from the title of the same song covered by the late Teresa Teng.



(Ironic, I might add, because the title literally means "When are you coming back again?")


Yesterday, the theater team held a production announcement press conference. Double casts Ishikawa Rika and Tsuji were also present, along with the main casts Kakei Toshio, Kuroki Meisa and Fujiwara Kazuhiro. In the article Rika-chan and Nono shares their experience and hardships encountered in the play.

EDIT:
Rika-chan commented "It was difficult to remember the script, and we have to go through the ordeal of 30-minute warming-up session before the practice. Because of that alone, we're so exhausted everytime.". Nono who plays the same role as Rika says "It was terrible because I couldn't read Kanji characters. Now I am at the stage of knowing the words and deliver them smoothly. But, until the actual performance, I will do my best so as not to fall behind Rika-chan or anyone else. Come and see a 'desperate' Tsuji Nozomi!". (The 'desperate' here means "driven to do one's best", I just can't find the right word for it.)

Additionally, Nono added that "From this theater, I realised the importance of companions, in a way it has become a great stage of love and dreams".

With that statement, after the conference has ended, a reporter asked Nono "Aren't you lonesome now (without Kago Ai)?", to which Nono, though perplexed, replies bravely with "Right now, I want to give my best, above all things".



Nono has "said it" herself - it's time to move on. SHE wants to move on.

For those reading this post who are still grieving over Aibon - have strength. It's okay, to move on... life's like that.


Sources:
News from Oricon
Headlines in Yahoo! News
Press image and news from Nikkan Sports.
News from Sanspo





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Bar Host Swoons Ishikawa Rika

Last week's Hello!Morning show was really entertaining. Yes, the usual zoo documentaries are still around. While it's cool to see the girls in their casual mode, I'm more focussed on the World Pucchi Game corner and Ishikawa Rika. (The last remnant of Haromoni tradition)

In the World Pucchi Game ( ワールド・プッチ・ゲーム ), the girls are to play a nursery game with random guests every week for food.



This time the guest is one Shirosaki Jin. - 城咲仁. A Bar Host in Kabuki-cho. So far he has acted in a couple dramas, and has released a CD.



He starts the show acting like a bar host and has Rika Ishikawa blushing already.


So the game proceeds and ends, but the girls lost most of the rations of the food-prize. Yoshizawa Hitomi then asks Shirosaki to "persuade" Rika, as she is weak for words.



The strategy worked, and had Rika once again blushing (she had to fan herself with her quiz-card to cool down :) ), and so she increased the rations of food-prize. Out of gratitude, Shirosaki offers to feed her. By this time, Rika face is so red that her make-up really couldn't hide it anymore.



Finally, alls well that ends well, the two lovebirds gathered together after the feeding for a memorable two-shot. (While Yossie remarks that Rika's ear was scarlet red in the background.) :D


To me, it's really amazing to see a 21 year-old girl charmed away so easily, with only a few words and gestures. These girls really do not get out much. Kinda dangerous isn't it? I see now how dangerous it is to have boys around the Momusu girls. One wrong move and it's all over.

But then again, that's the always-girlish Ishikawa Rika for you. ^_^


(Didn't have her recent picture.)
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Rika? Is that you?

Who is this in this picture below? Ishikawa Rika? Yup, that's her.


How about this one here? Ishikawa Rika too? ........NOPE!


The latter is a G-cup gravure idol known simply as "Ai", 18 years old this year, probably best known for her Ishikawa Rika lookalike face. Other than the smile and chin, like Rika-chan, she also did gymnastics in school. So her body is also very flexible. I think she looks like Rika-chan only on front shots, and when she smiles.

I cannot imagine Rika-chan having such voluptuous boobs, she's fine as she is. Which makes me wonder - how does Ai do the gymnastics when her boobs would obviously cause problems for her on balancing?

Nevertheless, look great for an 18 year old.


Ai self introduction



However, make no mistake about it. Our Rika-chan can also be as sexy as you want her to be. See here -->

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