Happy 22nd Birthday Yossie!

In case you didn't know it's 22nd birthday for current Morning Musume leader, Yoshizawa Hitomi!

Happy Birthday to you, Yossie!

I have two things lined-up to do in commemoration of this happy day - a Yossie OPV and a instrumental guitar song for Yossie's solo "Yoshite, yoshite".

Unfortunately, due to lack of time, I am unable to get it up by midnight yesterday.
Will see if I can manage to finish it up before the day is over tonight. *sweats* (^_^;A

Also I have a couple blog drafts in queue in which I hope to publish by Friday. Wait a minute... isn't tomorrow FRIDAY?! Oh, man..... (T.T)

.....But anyways, HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
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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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Morning Musume - Kanashimi Twilight ~悲しみトワイライト~ Nihongo lyrics, Romaji and Translation

Nihongo lyrics, Romaji and Translation for Morning Musume's 33rd Single - Kanashimi Twilight ~悲しみトワイライト~ .

I know, I said that I won't do anymore translations. But...

Because I'm doing this for Yossie.
Because Gaki-san and Kame mentioned/promoted the song on their GAKI*KAME radio show.
Because, heck, I LOVE this song!

Get the single, let it go on to hit Oricon at No. 1!


I'm letting the translation here to be as accurate and poetic at the same time as much as possible. As usual, if there are mistakes, please let me know. Thanks in advance.


Nihongo | Romaji | Translation <-- [ UPDATED - 4/10/07 10:53 AM ]

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

Nihongo

悲しみトワイライト - モーニング娘｡

好きにさせといて【藤本】　急にいなくならないで【藤本】
だから口づけも【高橋】　長く拒んでたの【高橋】
いつもこまめで優しくて【藤本道重】　電話もつかまるし【高橋久住】
気が付きゃどんどん許してた【吉澤新垣亀井田中光井】

男なんてなんて信じない【吉澤藤本】
だってだって　嘘ばかり【高橋亀井】
言い訳ぐらいしてみてよ【光井】

他のなんかなんか　男とは【藤本新垣】
きっときっと違うとか【高橋田中】　思い込んでたトワイライト【藤本】

恋に落ちていった【藤本】　それが恋とも知らずに【藤本】
心震えてる【高橋】　涙となる予感【高橋】
わざとわがまま言ったのに【藤本道重】　迎えに来てくれた 【高橋久住】
好きになるしかなかったみたい【吉澤新垣亀井田中光井】

私なんかなんか夢見てた【吉澤藤本】
なんかなんか　のぼせてた【高橋亀井】
謝られても意味がない【田中】

いつかきっときっと　こうなると【藤本新垣】
全部全部分かってた【高橋田中】　悲しき恋のトワイライト【新垣】

私なんかなんか夢見てた【吉澤】
なんかなんか　のぼせてた【吉澤】
謝られても意味がない【吉澤】

いつかきっときっと　こうなると【藤本新垣】
全部全部分かってた【高橋田中】　悲しき恋のトワイライト【高橋】

Romaji. Sourced from Some Boys! Blog. Fixed some typos.

Kanashimi Twilight - Morning Musume

Suki ni sasetoite     kyuu ni inaku naranaide
dakara kuchizuke wo     nagaku kobandeta no
Itsumo komame de yasashikute     denwa mo tsukamaru shi
kigatsukya dondon yurushiteta

Otoko nante nante shinjinai
datte datte     uso bakari
iiwake gurai shite mite yo

Hoka no nanka nanka     otoko to wa
kitto kitto chigau to ka     omoi kondeta Twilight

Koi ni ochiteitta     sore ga koi to mo shirazu ni
kokoro furueteru     namida to naru yokan
Wazato wagamama itta no ni     mukae ni kite kureta
suki ni naru shikanakatta mitai

Watashi nanka nanka yume miteta
nanka nanka     noboseteta
ayamararete mo imi ga nai

Itsuka kitto kitto     kou naru to
zenbu zenbu wakatteta     kanashiki koi no towairaito

Watashi nanka nanka yume miteta
nanka nanka     noboseteta
ayamararete mo imi ga nai

Itsuka kitto kitto kou naru to
zenbu zenbu wakatteta     kanashiki koi no towairaito

Translation
Update 4/10/07 10:53 AM: Edited the translations this morning, with corrections by Malmeingehr (Thanks!).

Sorrowful Twilight - Morning Musume

You caused me to like you, so don't leave me suddenly after that
That's why, I refused to be kissed for a long time
He was always gentle without fail, always received his phone calls
I found myself gradually letting my guard down

Why can't I trust boys?
Because they are nothing but lies
At least, try and give me an explanation (excuse)

Surely, he was different from some other boys
I was at the twilight of being convinced

I fell in love, even though I don't know if this is love at all
My heart is shivering, I have a premonition to cry
Even though I selfishly said it on purpose, but he came to welcome me
Seems like I had no choice but to fall in love

I dreamt of something, been dazed of something
There is no meaning to it, even if apologised

I had knew it all,
that surely, someday it will become like this
At the twilight of becoming a sorrowful love...

I dreamt of something, been dazed of something
There is no meaning to it, even if apologised

I had knew it all,
that surely, someday it will become like this
At the twilight of becoming a sorrowful love...

Enjoy! Peace ^_^
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Morning Musume Performs "Kanashimi Twilight" on Music Station

Morning Musume performed "Kanashimi Twilight ~ 悲しみトワイライト" in Music Station live. I must say that I enjoyed the song and the performance overall. But... Gaki-san's hairdo is just... not right. (-_-;)
And the outfits looks like a rehash from "Roman ~MY DEAR BOY~" design.


Video Link

One thing that is just too obvious - Yossie is heavily highlighted in the entire performance. The dance formation put Yossie right in the center at most times. Or more accurately, in HTML terms "absmiddle" (absolute middle). Did the hosts talk about Yossie's graduation during the interview segment? And therefore gave her lots of screentime? Or maybe was it executed on the request of Morning Musume's agency, to prominently feature Yossie, as a precursor to her solo career later on.

I have a feeling that when Yossie goes solo, her genre will be J-Rock, like Aikawa Nanase.

This will be the last single for our beloved Yoshizawa Hitomi as a member of Morning Musume. *sniff* (T^T)

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Hello! Project Shinjin Kouen Concert..... Surprise, Surprise....

Moving on! Well, I have to... otherwise this blog may turn into a Kago Ai vent-site. Been busy these days, I have a lot to write, and made many drafts. Unfortunately, by now most of them drafts have outlive its spice, and is outdated news already. Oh well... ^_^

Last week's Hello! Morning gave us a surprise news. Tsunku announces that there will be a concert on May 13th, tentatively titled Hello! Project Newcomer's Performance or "Hello! Project Shinjin Kouen - ハロー！プロジェクト新人公演".

The Official Site - 第一回　ハロー！プロジェクト新人公演　さるの刻・とりの刻

The performers are:
Hello! Project Eggs
Mitsui Aika - 8th gen Morning Musume
Qian Li (Rin Rin) - 8th gen Morning Musume
Li Chun (Jyun Jyun) - 8th gen Morning Musume
The Possible
Arihara Kanna - C-ute

... Much to the surprise of Jyun Jyun, of course. Because she just got off the plane, and was told that she will be involved in a concert in a couple months time. Hehe!

It's split into two performance times named "Saru no Koku" and "Tori no Koku", literally "Monkey's Time" and "Chicken's Time" respectively. Don't ask me why. ^_^

Note that it says there "First Round", meaning that there will be more concerts like this coming up. I think it's a very good idea for a concert. At least the Eggs won't be stuck to being just backup-dancers for other H!P concerts all the time. Although I am only familiar with Fukuda Kanon(for her pedoliciousness) and Korenaga Miki(for her athletic ability in Gatas Brilhantes futsal team), it seems that I have overlooked the Hello! Project Eggs all this while, without knowing that there are good looking girls in there.

The set list for this concert of consists of many past Hello! Project songs, including Morning Musume, H!P Shuffles, Matsuura Aya, Pucchi Moni... etc. The Possible are the only ones with their own singles to perform. The performers list will be updated soon.

But guess what? Surprise number 2... guess who else is also in it?
Performers Profile List



That's right, ladies and gentlemen... Kikkawa Yuu is inducted into Hello! Project Eggs!

So after she failed to join Morning Musume in the Happy 8 Auditions, and after I speculated that she would be a Ayaya ver 2.0, it was decided that she join the Hello! Project Eggs instead.

Why, she even have a nickname - "Kikka". Check her profile.

I guess all Kikka fans now can rest easy, because we will finally be able to see her as a performer on stage. What a pleasant surprise, though I heard stories of her joining H!P before. I thought that she may be forming a new unit with some others, but I didn't expect she would be an Eggs member. *sigh* How I wish that Satou Sumire is involved in it as well.


On the side note: For those interested to know, Satou Sumire is currently involved in a musical Freddie the Leaf as noted in the musical's official blog and her personal blog - Sumire Melody.


The official site of Shinjin Kouen concert also have a rehearsal diary, where the performers tell their experience and show some photos.




Yup, that's Kikka there with the "Love" T-shirt. Seems like the girls have gotten along pretty well!

However... Mitsui Aika is in this concert as well. I wonder what Mittsi and Kikka is thinking and how are they feeling right now? One is a winner of the 8th gen audition and joined Momusu, while the other is a audition dropout to be inducted into H!P Eggs. Will there be a battle of pride between the two? Is there a feeling of uneasiness between them? Does Mittsi have sense of superiority over Kikka? Will Kikka repeat the history of Fujimoto Miki's career path and be included into Momusu later on?

Personally, I think the scales are quite even. Since they're both relatively new to showbiz and H!P, and they both suck at dancing. (^o^)/


Best of luck to all girls and I hope the concert is a great success!

Peace ^_^
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Tsunku comments about Kago Ai

Tsunku attended a press conference in Harajuku, Tokyo. Because of his producing of comedian duo Ogiyahagi's debut single. What transpired there, and why he is producing a comedy group's song I don't know (well, the song was supposed to be released as a tune to some commercial also). My focus is that he finally talks about Kago Ai. After the "no comment" from Tsuji Nozomi, finally Tsunku himself comments about Aibon.




Oricon's version. Also in Yahoo! News.

"It is regrettable, because I was looking forward towards the comeback. Whether she will return to the entertainment biz (in the future) or not, I will give support from a different parental love, and a teacher's heart. But rules are rules. We will take it (seriously)."

Actually, I don't quite understand that second last sentence => "芸能界に復帰するかどうかは別として親心、師匠気分で応援はしていきたい". "別として親心"?? Can anyone help, please? Malmeingehr, if you are reading this, I need your help please... Onegai shimasu~~ m(_ _)m


Nikkan Sports's version is a bit different. Where he was quoted:

"Rules are rules. Whether it is her or us, we have no choice but to accept it."

Sports Hochi has a different version. Also in Yahoo! News.

"It is regrettable, although we* have worked hard on the comeback. Aside from the return to the entertainment biz, will continue to give my support from a producer's parental love in an important way/sense."

* I'm not sure Tsunku is referring to himself or Aibon. So I'm don't know if it was a "we" or a "she".



I know that there are always some discrepancies in the news reports depending on the reporter. But this time the differences are significant to me..... because I understand them with totally different meanings.

I mean....
- Who decided on the termination? UFA? Tsunku? Or both?
- It sounded as if Tsunku wasn't part of the decision making.... Or was he?
- Does he want to take Aibon under his wing (TNX) after this?
- Was the comeback forced on Aibon or not?




So what's next... oh yeah, Flash (a men's magazine) have released their topic titles, and will talk about "the background history of the man who destroyed Kago Ai". This dude will be hounded with news till the end of the year, it seems.

This is not going anywhere... when will all this END??

UPDATE:
In the comments section, Malmeingehr pointed another version of the news clip. Additionally, added a link where a video stream of the interview can be found, and a full transcript of the interview... Well, just Tsunku's part at the final 45 seconds of the video.

Credit: Image taken from Oricon.
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Amateurism Revolution 21 - a Morning Musume and Rhymester Collaboration

"Amateurism Revolution 21" Morning Musume featuring Rhymester... or was it the other way 'round?

I discovered this video on the net about mid of last year, back when it was widely circulated among bloggers and in websites. It was uploaded on Youtube but as usual due to their rules and violation of copyrights, it was promptly taken down.


A couple months back, after some hard searching, I found it uploaded elsewhere. Thought I'd share it here, for those who have not seen it before. -->


モーニング娘。にライムスター／アマチュアリズム・レボリューション２１
music mashup by onn@man(arashi no kemono@J-POP only party)
visual mashup by kamikaze(HONKY PRODUCTION)

It's slow to load. If you're having trouble with it go here, so at least we get a pause/start button.


Note:
"Amateurism Revolution 21" is a fan-made mashup video of Rhymester's "The Great Amateurism" and Morning Musume's "Renai Revolution 21". Very nicely done~~~! (^o^)/

"The Great Amateurism" is one of my all-time favourite songs by Rhymester, as is "Renai Revolution 21" by Morning Musume. The mashup vid is a little bit too noisy, and omitted/drowned out the Hip Hop elements of TGA. But after listening for a while, it was really enjoyable, and blended really well during the chorus.
If Momusu ever plan to go Hip Pop, this probably serves as a good preview. ^_^
Hey yo yo Mummy-D, please consider a collaboration project for real, man... (^_^)v

Now if I can only find a way to rip the FLV file and archive it in my hard disk...

---

EDIT 30-05-2007: This was re-uploaded on da Tube again.

Video Link.


The original videos here

The Great Amateurism - Rhymester

Video Link


Renai Revolution 21 - Morning Musume

Video Link
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