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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Hello！Project 2007 Winter 〜 Shuugetsu！10th Anniversary 〜 Concert....... Distrations, distractions...

Hello！Project 2007 Winter 〜 集結！10th Anniversary 〜 concert took place yesterday. 16 Morning Musume members of past and present was in this concert. And from what other news I managed to find out.... Man, I wish I was there. ^_^



For me, I'm happy of Hello! Project and Morning Musume reaching this milestone with the monumental concert.... but very distracted.

Ikimasshoi provided a detailed report. And another blogger here who provided a different description of the concert proceedings.

This concert was to celebrate not only 10 years of Morning Musume but also featured the graduation of Country Musume Miuna and Asami, leaving Satoda Mai to be the sole member. But the concert was riddled with lots of surprises and possible speculations it deviated my attention from them... which wasn't huge anyway, cos' I'm not a big fan of Country Musume.



Graduation of Miuna and Asami
I didn't notice both of them much. Asami was there back in the Momusu Golden age years (she joined at 2000), and Miuna is just plain good to look at (joined about 3 years ago). Until Gatas Brilhantes futsal team was formed. And I truly enjoyed watching them working the football. And this the area I'm worried about. Will talk about that in a while below.

Anyways, Konno Asami attended the concert and together with Fujimoto Miki (who apparently cried while giving her farewell speech) wished them good luck and goodbye. Konkon who also graduated from Hello! Project to pursue personal goals (studying in university), wished them with "Lets do our best to pursue towards each of our own dreams".
Konkon and Mikitty were featured in Country Musume ni Konno to Fujimoto, and were also Gatas team mates with Miuna and Asami. I guess the bond formed within their futsal team was stronger than we think. There were calls of "Country Musume Saikou!" by the fans to celebrate Kimura Asami and Saitou Miuna's service.
News from Nikkan Sports


Some pics here....


Mitsui Aika debut concert

..... And she's only 14 years old. But looking great in costumes. Micchi~~~~!


Screencaps - Of costumes and girls

Mmm~~... Takahashi Ai and Tanaka Reina especially looking deliciously good to eat. That white thingie on the chest should be removed, so we can enjoy some cleavage. (Well, not all of the have it but at least some do.)





Lastly, other things that I am distracted with...



The disbanding of Gatas?
With Miuna and Asami gone, preceded by Konno Asami's graduation and Saito Hitomi's leave. Gatas Brilhantes will be down with only 6 players and one goalkeeper. (Assuming that Yossie is staying in Gatas). There have been rumours and talks about the disbanding of Gatas because they couldn't find replacements in time.


Return of OG (Old Girls)
I am so excited to see the OG come back to support the concert. Because, without them there wouldn't be a Morning Musume that we have today.
So we know Konkon came back, Ishiguro Aya was also there (mentioned in her blog here and here)


AND......... A news clip from the uploaders said that.... Kago Ai was there too.
It says "... as a new member appeared on stage, and showcased 'Egao YES Nude'(releasing on 14th Feb). Morning Musume has celebrated their 10th year anniversary on the 28th. OG participated on stage, and also the suspended Kago Ai(18 yrs old) was spotted in the event venue". (0_o)

Is Aibon is being grouped and described as an OG?
The real truth or a mistake made by the journalist?



Now you know why I'm distracted? Because I don't have time to research the authenticity of that news clip at the moment...... I am going to work today with the infinite loop of "Was that true?" and "Or is she coming back?" echoing in my head............................
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Life after Konkon and Mako-chan

It's been a month and more since the graduation of two of the probably most underrated members in Morning Musume, Konno Asami and Ogawa Makoto. So how's life with Morning Musume without them?

Morning Musume has now become more of a variety group more than music artists now. After the finish of the stage musical tour Ribbon no Kishi, this seems more apparent. There were many activities in queue. The bunkasai cultural festival, the anti global warming campaign, Ecology Environment Culture festival, radio shows, the World Volleyball promotion etc. Their focus have now taken a different direction. No longer riding on the fading fame that they have attained during their "golden era". Personally, I don't know if it is a good thing, because I would prefer to see them in performance, than promoting campaigns. Yes, their appearances have their firmed up their existance more than other idol groups, but that has probably caused fans turn their attention to other groups for performance-entertainment. Many have started to think that their popularity has declined, and will inevitably disband someday. "Nothing is forever" I would say, but I want to see how far they would go before they do.

As for Konkon and Mako-chan, well... there may have been many speculations to their "real reason" behind their graduation. Yes, it is officially reported that Konkon is graduating from Momusu to concentrate on her studies, and she is aiming to enter a university. Mako-chan wants to study language abroad. But many have thought otherwise. Here is what I have heard so far:

- They are involved in some romantic scandal and are prematurely removed before any more development.
- Their producer Tsunku, had just got married to a former model, and it is said that it is under her influence that the "ugly ones" need to be filtered out of Momusu.
- Konkon has been partying around and drinking too. To avoid this being discovered and turned into scandal news, she is terminated early.
- Konkon and Makoto do not forsee a favourable future with Momusu if they stayed longer to graduate, as they are kept in the background most of the time. So they decided to plan for their own future.

These are just rumours and speculations, and even though they have even appeared on the newspapers, most deem this to be publicity stint for their own press company. I have the scans of those clippings, but I do not want be seen as jumping the wagon in order to get more hits for my blog. So I'll let you guys search for it yourselves, it shouldn't be hard to find based on the point I have here. Good luck!

On a separate note,
Konno Asami: She is still in Japan preparing for her pre-university examinations. She is spotted recently with Tsuji Nozomi attending a AAA concert together. Some people had taken raw pictures of them and are auctioning them at Yahoo!. Strange to see Hello!Project artists attending an Avex concert. They are supposed to be rival companies.
And Ogawa Makoto: It is reported from someone had spotted her at New Zealand. I'm skeptical about it, but I'll let you guys decide if it was fact, fluke or fiction. Read it here. Don't worry, the English excerpts are there too.

Hmm.... I seem to be sourcing from WHG a lot these days. But that's because that BBS has Japanese news by the Japanese themselves.
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