Akemashite! Year of rabbit!

Happy New Years all!
Well I have nothing to tell right now but I just want to share this.
This is Suzuki Airi, she posted this video on her group's channel in youtube.
Well, it's kinda strange but I just want to support her!



Translation:
hey hey! hello!
I'm the enthusiastic rabbit!
OK! This year is the year of the rabbit
So I did an impression of a rabbit
Please continue to support us in 2011
see you!

AKB Sub-Group New Singles Info

Both French Kiss and Watarirouka Hashiritai will be releasing a new single in the upcoming months.  I slightly feel like I am jumping the gun, but I have my reasons.  The interesting thing is that both singles will come with a poster and a random trading card.  Please use my links if you are planning on purchasing any of these; it'll encourage me to support them too.

On January 19, 2011 (my golden birthday) French Kiss will release their second single 'If'.  Here is a preview:

If [CD+DVD / Type A]
3000yen
1. If
2. Mae wo Muiteru Kimi
DVD: (Drama/ If PV/ (First Press ONLY) Drama Making of)
Extras (First Press)
1. Trading card (1 of 3)
2. Poster

If [CD+DVD / Type B]
1800yen
1. If
2. Chinmoku (Kashiwagi Yuki Solo Ballad)
DVD: (Digital Manga [Kyo, Koi wo Hajimemasu]/ If PV/ (First Press ONLY) Manga Making of)
Extras (First Press)
1. Trading card (1 of 3)
2. Poster

If [CD / Type C]
1200yen
1. If
2. Kuchi Utsushi no Chocolate (B4 Stage [Line Division Unknown])
Extras (First Press)
1. Trading card (1 of 3)
2. Poster

I've ordered Type C.  It is the cheapest and it has my favorite cover.  If I could I would of gone for Type A because the coupling song is better and it includes the drama.  Their debut single's drama was quite good.  I'm excited to see Aki-chan do archery.  

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:

Watarirouka Hashiritai for their 7th single have added two members (Iwasa and Komori) for a grand total of 7 members.  The two new members are only temporary and have been apart of WH for their radio show.  Nothing has really been leaked for this one yet, except the covers.  It will be released on February 2nd.  It will be a Valentine's Day track.  

Type A [Limited Edition]	Type B [Limited Edition]
Regular Edition

So why did I buy mine so early?  Well, I wanted the regular edition and there are only 22 first press copies left at CD Japan.  This is the only single they'll be releasing with seven members, it is valentines themed, the covers are good, and it comes with both a poster and a trading card.  So if you want the cheapest version with a poster hurry up and grab a copy.

Speaking of WH. . . CD Japan is having a 2011 calendar sale and their calendar is included.  Buy it on sale HERE.





PLEASE SUPPORT THE IDOLS!

Morning Musume 2010 Concert Tour ~Rival Survival~ Review

Well, here it goes.  I've already watched parts of it, but not the whole thing in one run.  I'm probably going to talk about the singing quality, which in most of the clips sounded off/ not as good as they usually are.  I thought it was odd, so it might have to do with the quality of the video or how it was aired.  I don't know.

Souda! We're Alive - ALL
Let me start off with saying that these costumes are quite amazing.  It took me a while to figure that there is a system for the colors.  At first I was upset that only Kamei was wearing white and it seemed based off appearance after that (who looks better in white).  I thought all three graduates should wear white, but then I saw the pattern.  Each generation has a color.  The fire is nice, and I love that they added a dance section.  This is one of my favorite songs, but I was disappointed.  One, the dance section is okay.  It is done well, but the moves are pretty simple.  I know they are not dancers, but I thought they were strong enough to be able to pull off something better.  Maybe it is a time constraint or they didn't want to give them anything too hard at the beginning.  The other thing that didn't impress me was the performance seemed half-baked.  For such an energetic and crazy song I felt their performance didn't live up to it.  I've seen better from Morning Musume.  It had all the elements to get at least four stars from me, but I didn't 'really like' it.
☆☆☆ (old rating system = liked it)

Hand Made City
Another one of my favorites!  I kind of wished that they switched Takahashi's lines with the Pandas.  Considering that it is their graduation concert I hoped they would try to highlight them more than they've done in the past (cause we sure as hell know that they haven't gotten a fair shake).  A little dumb to put smoke right into the faces of the fans so it is hard to see the girls when they are that close.  Does anyone else hear it?  They don't sound that on point.  It sounds messy, like they haven't gotten enough rehearsal time.  Will Takahashi stop that!  I don't like it when they keep on yelling 'AI' every single song.  Maybe the reason they sound messy is because they're all singing at their natural pitch.  I understand why Kamei is getting a large portion of the camera shots, but instead of also focusing a lot on Takahashi they should watch Lin Lin and Jun Jun more.  I'm going to change my rating system from here forward because I feel like with the old one I will be giving a lot of twos that would be threes with a different system.
☆☆☆

New Rating System:
☆ bad
☆☆ not good
☆☆☆ okay
☆☆☆☆ good
☆☆☆☆☆ LUV

Appare Kaiten Zushi!
Yeah, the costumes are good again!  Hello Project can be hit or miss with concert costumes, so I am always thrilled when they are good.  I am glad to see that most of them are having fun with this.  I am starting to like this song.  Takahashi either has a blank face or seeming fake about it.  I hate the fact that Niigaki is unflattering to me now.  When she was goofy/ herself before I enjoyed it, but now I don't like it.  I'm going to ignore Takahashi and Niigaki for this one to pump up the rating.  Uh oh, it seems I can't find the rest of the concert on YouTube.  I'm going to have to torrent it.  (This probably isn't that important for you to know, but I just say I what I am thinking anyway.)
☆☆☆☆

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:

In the meantime, yeah I can't just wait and come back to this until I'm done downloading it. . . or I could review a different concert.  I'll stick with what I am going.  Crap the torrent is going up and down on the minute counter, that's no good.  Okay now for intermission!

Ranking of Morning Musume (9-nin / 2 year line-up)
(Note: This will be based on around the time {whatever} of Learn Your Musume)
1. Sayumi Michishige
2. Kamei Eri
3. Mistui Aika
4. Takahashi Ai
5. Kusumi Koharu
6. Tanaka Reina
7. Jun Jun
8. Niigaki Risa
9. Lin Lin
At this period there wasn't a single member that I disliked.  I still adored Lovely Ai.  Niigaki didn't bug me at all.  If you like I can do this in further detail in another post (just let me know in the comments).



Morning Musume (Before Graduations)
1. Michishige Sayumi
2. Lin Lin
3. Jun Jun
4. Kamei Eri
5. Tanaka Reina
6. Mitsui Aika
7. Niigaki Risa
8. Takahashi Ai
Maybe it was Niigaki's hair that got me down on her because looking back at Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai I still like her.  I started to see conceited qualities, more frequently, with Takahashi by then.  A also was getting sick of Mitssi getting the bad album songs and her horrible hair style.      

Morning Musume (Now)
1. Michishige Sayumi
2. Mitsui Aika
3. Reina Tanaka
4. Takahashi Ai
5. Niigaki Risa

I still don't like #4 or #5.

*:--☆--:*:--☆:*:--☆--:*:--☆--:

Nakidasu Kamo Shirenai yo
(This is the DVD version, so I am expecting better sound and visual quality.)  I haven't listened or purchased their latest album.  I like this song.  Up close the costumes don't look as great.  When they are singing all together (and during some of the duo lines) it doesn't sound as good; vocally they are not mashing well.  Niigaki, in my opinion, looks horrible.  I'm glad she has gained back the weight that she lost, but now we have to deal with that hair.  I don't like Takahashi's speaking segment.  
☆☆☆

Onna ga Medatte Naze Ikenai
Oh my word. . . Takahashi has become MatsuJun and I don't think in the good way.
☆☆☆

Tsuyoki de Yukouze!
That was a good concert song.
☆☆☆☆

Watashi No Miryoku Ni Kizukanai Donkan Na Hito – Mitsui Aika
I didn't like the fact that they used Lin Lin and Jun Jun as back-up dancers.
☆☆☆☆

Kira Kira Fuyu no Shiny Gun – Tanaka Reina
Reina's has better solo songs, but I am quite fond of this one.  However, I prefer that anime-like red and white costume she has worn before.  Even though this is good and I don't expect anything better than Reina (this is mostly the song's fault), I didn't think it was worthy of four stars.
☆☆☆

It's You – Michishige Sayumi
THEY GAVE SAYU A WHIP!  My head might explode.  Oh no it is . . . a wand?  She does sexy well, but at times I thought her eyes look more sad/ serious than alluring.
☆☆☆☆

Genki Pikappika! - ALL
They sound better as a group now.  That was short.
☆☆☆☆

Aisaresugiru Koto wa nai no yo
Niigaki, to me, doesn't look like she is enjoying this.  Takahashi is pretty quiet during her solo lines.  I really like this track.  Yeah!  Shige solo lines.  OMG! LIN LIN!  By the way, these costumes remind me of Team A's costumes during A5.    
☆☆☆☆☆

Ookii Hitomi – Kamei Eri, Michishige Sayumi, Tanaka Reina
Reina can be a little too posey.  
☆☆☆☆

Yuugure Sakusen Kaigi – Niigaki Risa
She has a beautiful voice.  I don't care for her performance.  I don't like the fact that she spent most of her time waving her arm back and forth.  At first it is fine but she kept going.  I like what she did towards the end, not the waving part.  
☆☆☆

Supping to Namida – Takahashi Ai
Well done.  Okay, the tears were a little much.  I'm deducting a star for that.  Why don't I believe it because she didn't have it till the very last second and they looked staged.
☆☆☆

Watarasebashi – Lin Lin
Okay this is really crying.  Perfect.
☆☆☆☆☆

Furusato – Jun Jun
Her voice has improved.  I adore this song.
☆☆☆☆

Haru Beautiful Everyday – Kamei Eri
That costume is a bit ridiculous.  I don't like the song.
☆☆☆

Seishun Collection - ALL
Great, thanks Eri you've started the bad costume section.  They sound off again.  Reina forgot the choreography.
☆☆

Kimagure Princess
Still not better.  The dancing is pretty good though.  It seems the only butts we care about are Takahashi and Reina's; they got most of them.
☆☆

Odore! Morning Curry
This sounded better, but I still think they could of done better.
☆☆☆

3, 2, 1 BREAKIN' OUT!
Great, I don't care for this song.  They've performed this song better.  Woah, that was an unnecessary butt shot.
☆☆

Guruguru JUMP
Why do they keep sounding so messy?  At least they are having fun with it.
☆☆

Tomo
They still sound off.  When they get to the solo line sections it sounds much better.  The performance is pretty good.
☆☆

Onna to Otoko no Lullaby Game
I don't like the stuff they added to the single costume.  They do sound better again.  I know the Takahashi fans like her extra long solo lines, but I don't care to watch her more than I have to.  Sorry.
☆☆☆

Ame no Furanai Hoshi de wa Aisenai Darou?
I'm glad that they sung this.
☆☆☆☆

Ai Araba IT'S ALL RIGHT
This was a good song choice.
☆☆☆☆

Namidacchi
This was the best ending song and performance for this concert.
☆☆☆☆☆

I'm Gonna Cry - Pandas' Graduation DVD

I was happy to see that they did, at least, get a DVD.  After the jump I will post the videos so you can watch them with subs.  I might also include some thoughts along the way.



Wow, they are both gorgeous in their yukatas.  One thing I hate about them leaving is how entertaining they both are.  Lin Lin is throwing out puns and jokes.  Jun Jun is either playing the opposite character or playing along.  You guys should join SDN48!  They have a Chinese member too!  Don't leave me!  Is Tsunku an idiot?  He better be planning to form some Chinese group with them in it.  Lin Lin is really pretty, funny, well-spoken, an amazing singer, so I don't know how, as a producer, he can let her walk away.  Then again, he never utilized her talent except for that Chinese song.  Now Jun Jun isn't as great as Lin Lin in terms of singing, but I adore her.  "My Japanese sucks..." made me smile.  Kamei Eri's message was sweet.  I like the fact that the Pandas now just speak weird Japanese (reading too much manga are we?).  Oh god Jun Jun, I think we would say the same things.  After watching the VTR the first thing Jun Jun says is: "She called us weirdos."  Jun Jun is so sassy!  You can tell that Lin Lin doesn't want to graduate.  She keeps on saying how much she loves Japan and Hello Project.  Maybe they should stay in Japan and try to be talents on their own, or together if they wanted to.  They've always fit in quite well with TV personalities.  Yep, I think Jun Jun and I are soul sisters.

Mitssi mentioned tea, so now I am craving for some Bubble Tea.  Wait, what, JUN JUN!  Jun Jun have you been sleeping with your girlfriend's little sister/ best friend?!?  I don't think they needed to segments with Mitssi.  LIES! Reina since when do you consider Jun Jun your mom?  Reina thought Lin Lin was hitting on her, lol.  Reina always has good stories.  Reina is starting to remind me of Yuko (first leader).  The yankee appearance and a sharp tung (and scary).  Oh my god, Reina would make a great leader.  That was so sweet what Reina did for Lin Lin.

Oh it seems that only the first three parts have been uploaded.  Sorry!

Award Again!

Like before, thanks for the award.
If anyone want this just take it ^^
Award from Karin

Award

I got another award!
If anyone want this just take it, okay? :D
Award from Michelle (Thank you Chelle)

Happy Birthday KAGAMINE-tachi!

Happy birthday kagamine-tachi!
I love you two so much♥
by Cyaa Crovanscha

Sankaku Summary and Review (Spoiler Alert)

I'll try not to give everything away, but to summarize it I obviously will talk about the plot and events of the film.  Maybe I will move the review above the jump and have the summary after so you can avoid reading.  To make it up to you I am going to include some pervy shots they included in the film.  Why I am reviewing this?  Besides the fact that it is a well made, interesting, and entertaining, Japanese film, it also stars then-current member of AKB48 Erena Ono.  This was her biggest film yet.  It was probably her turning point from being an idol to turning her complete attention to acting.  She graduated this year to go study acting in London.  Sankaku won Best Picture at the 20th TAMA Cinema Forum festival on Sunday, November 28th of this year.  Warning: I didn't watch this with English subtitles so I could only understand parts of the dialogue.  If you know where I can watch it with subs I would be very happy.

Review:
To be honest I mostly watch this film because of my warm feelings towards Erepyon.  While the film is well made, you must always remember that trailers tend to warp the film.  Momo is only a major force for the first 40 minutes of the film.  She does return to play a role towards the end, but only reveal the destruction the relationship (if you can call it that) has caused between Momo and Kayo, and Momo and Momose.  In fact, while the film seems light and sweet at the start the mood takes a complete 180.  Early on you can sense that something is disturbing, but it is just a feeling that can be written off as just the film being realistic and complex.  The fact that there wasn't subtitles and Erena Ono was no longer present really demotivated me to watch the film.  I decided that I can sit through the whole thing once I find the subtitles so I skipped around trying to find a place where I might want to begin watching.  I was unsettled by the bits and pieces that I saw.  It isn't explicit or graphic.  However the emotions and events didn't sit well with me.  I wasn't in the mood to watch a relationship break-up and two people have emotional break-downs.  Even when Momo made her second appearance the dramatic mood persisted.  It was nice though to see Erena Ono again, but I'll wait for the subs.  It is a good film, but the pure romance lasts only part of the film and the rest isn't a happy tale. 


Fan service (the summary of the pleasant section is after the jump):

Summary of Momo's Summer Break/ 1st Part of the Film:

We first meet the couple having drinks with Kayo's friend.  He is blunt, which seemed kind of rude and inconsiderate.  Kayo gets a phone call from her younger sister, who is 15, Momo.  Momo comes to stay with Kayo and her boyfriend Momose during her summer vacation. 

Fortunately, Momose isn't a complete loser.  He works as a sales associate at (I believe) a sporting goods store.

We then see Momo go out on a date with an older classmate.  However, it tells her that he already has a girlfriend.

Momo stands across the street from a cafe where her crush works part-time with his girlfriend, who looks and sounds just like Oshima Yuko.  She calls Momo a stalker (but Momo can't hear her) and Momo wanders off.  She pouts a while.

Momose and Momo start to hit things off when Momo admires Momose's pimped out car.  (I think she says that he reminds her of her older classmate.)  They go and have dinner where they talk.  Quick note: Momose is an ex-yankee.

Kayo isn't pleased about what happens.  Momose, like a typical guy, just says it is over (nothing they can do about it now) so she storms out.  Momo then complains that her hair smells like yaki niku.

Momo has an encounter with a pervert.  A man passes by her while she is riding her bike.  He then turns around and speeds past her so he can touch her chest and get away.

Kayo, sensing that their relationship isn't in a good place, buys herself and Momose clothes.  However, she buys Momose a sweatshirt that is too small and tries to suggest that it looks fine but Momose insists it isn't.  Momo does this adorable little move where she sneaks Kayo's dress.  Kayo gets upset and Momo storms into the bedroom.  Kayo and Momose argue for a second and then Kayo also storms into the bedroom where she sees free-spirit Momo looking at her make-up.  Kayo yells at Momo again.  Momo leaves the room again.  Momo and Momose whisper jokes to each other in the other room.  You can tell that Momose is paying more attention to Momo. 

Everything is calm for a while.  One night Momose and Momo hands touch while watching TV.  Momose, as the audience can see, senses that it is inappropriate, but he doesn't move his hand.  There are a couple more moments until Momo leaves because her summer break is over.

Everything falls apart after Momo leaves.  Each link in the triangle breaks and the bad feelings that form at the beginning resonant.