Hopes, Fears, and Predictions for 2012

This is going to be a strange and fascinating year. Before it has even started, it is apparent that many more will find their proper place in the universe- living to bring the reason for creation, Watanabe Mayu, more happiness. I am not going to waste time arguing what is obvious to all who are open to love in their heart- that Watanabe Mayu is God and the only reason the universe exists- but I am instead going to discuss how this coming year will be the year record numbers come to love her as she loves all of us.

February 29, 2012 will mark the debut of Watanabe Mayu as a solo artist. This monumental event of human history is even more rare and certainly much more significant than the leap year it falls on. The a-side of the single release in question relates to another monumentally significant event in human history- the debut of Watanabe Mayu as the lead actress in a drama. The song in question will be one of the songs for the upcoming 2012 drama. The world will have yet another opportunity to appreciate the beauty and perfection that is Watanabe Mayu.

2012 will also mark the debut of the AKB48 anime, AKB0048. Set in the distant future, the series will follow a group of idols, inspired by the work of the God Watanabe Mayu and the angels of AKB48, as they fight for the freedom and security of humanity. Humanity will again be blessed by another first for Watanabe Mayu. She will bless us with her work as a voice actress in an anime series. I am sure the series will provide us all with inspiration in our fight for a world based in love, justice, reason, and the worship of Watanabe Mayu.

With so many beautiful and amazing things happening in the life of Watanabe Mayu, my greatest pain is that I will not be able to return to Japan this summer. I have to take a class, Spanish for Graduate Students who don't want to learn a Language for their requirement (Spanish 4046), that is only offered this summer. This is because the history department feels my work in Japanese in no way relates to my degree in the legal history of American Indian religious freedom. To be fair, studying Japanese has nothing to do with my degree and everything to do with better understanding God.


Anyway, on to my my hopes, fears, and predictions.


Hopes:

I hope that all will open their hearts to love and accept the absurd beauty of AKB48 and the perfection of the divine Watanabe Mayu and elect her center by universal consent of the populace of the world.

I also hope that the Arab Spring and Occupy Wallstreet movements snowball into a worldwide anarcho-syndicalist revolution that places 48 member girl idol bands as the highest political authorities worldwide.

Fears:

I fear not everyone will open their being to loving and serving Watanabe Mayu. That she has not yet been enthroned as supreme ruler of the universe is symptomatic of human imperfection, rather than any failing with the blessed Mayuyu.

I also fear I will come to love SKE48 more than I love AKB48. This is really troubling me lately. I am finding the more recent SKE48 songs have excited me much more than recent AKB48 songs. With SKE48 now moving to become the queerest band ever with their first single of 2012, AKB48 really has some work to do. Fortunately AKB48 still has the divine and perfect Watanabe Mayu.


Predictions:

Even if the people of the earth fail to unite in peace and harmony behind Watanabe Mayu and AKB48, the world will be a little more beautiful and a little more peaceful for all their hard work.

SKE48 will become the queerest band ever.

Matsui Jurina of SKE48 will be caught dating a girl, and will claim she just loves to kiss pretty things, forgetting that the reason she finds girls so pretty is that she is gay and that when you go everywhere with someone and kiss them all the time- it means you are probably dating.

Kimoto Kanon of SKE48 will have a significantly expanded role in Majisuka Gakuen 3.

The Top 70 Singles of 2011

Before I get into this year's ranking of the best singles from Japan and Korea, in my opinion, I am going to remind you last year's shorter list.  In Japan, the anthem of 2011 was definitely マル・マル・モリ・モリ.  I color coded artists that appear more than once.  For determining the ranking for this year I tried to combine a number of factors: originality in general/ for the artist, how catchy it is, wow factor, and so on.  I did not take PVs or any performance elements into consideration because that would really mess things around.  I wanted to focus on the music.  AKB48 had another good year, the funny thing is that the ranking of singles released during the same periods ended up in similar spots.  The other big force of 2010, Arashi, not so much.  In 2011 you'll see a lot of newer artists versus older idol groups.  Hello!Project groups have been traded out for new idol groups like Fairies and Tokyo Girls Style.  My expanded interests have led to the inclusion of more K-Pop and boy bands.  Completing this ranking reaffirmed my dislike for Korea's Comeback rotation.  For one, that is not a real comeback.  The main thing is that they don't release as many singles.  For example, AKB48 releases five singles, but Brown Eyed Girls only released two.  TWO singles in a year is stupid, at least from the perspective of a fan.  Personally, if you are going to do a comeback rotation I would like to see a tidal wave of singles, at least three.      

Top 20 Singles of 2010:
1. Beginner - AKB48
2. Troublemaker - Arashi
3. 1! 2! 3! 4! Yoroshiku - SKE48
4. Monster - Arashi
5. Ikuze! Kaitou Shoujo - Momoiro Clover
6. Oh! - Girls' Generation
7. Love Song - Rain
8. BBI-RI-BOP-A - Narsha
9. Sakura no Shiori - AKB48
10. Makenai Kokoro - AAA
11. Ponytail to Shushu - AKB48
12. Otakebi Boy WAO! - Berryz Koubou
13. Akkanbe Bashi - Watarirouka Hashiritai
14. Lupin - Kara
15. HUH - 4Minute
16. Onegai Dakara - Mano Erina
17. GAGAGA - SDN48
18. Wild - Amuro Namie
19. Shock! - C-ute
20. ooGanbaranakutemo Eenende!! - S/mileage

The Top 70 Singles of 2011:

1. Sixth Sense (Brown Eyed Girls)
2. Hey和 (ゆず)
3. 風は吹いている (AKB48)
4. Step (Kara)
5. Time (KinKi Kids)
6. 桜の木になろう (AKB48)
7. Beautiful Target (B1A4)
8. ツブサニコイ (関ジャニ∞)
9. ミライボウル (ももいろクローバー)
10. You & I (IU)
11. ひみつ (YUKI)
12. Everyday、カチューシャ (AKB48)
13. Roly Poly (T-ara)
14. PONPONPON (きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ)
15. Change & Go (AAA)
16. I Am The Best (2NE1)
17. Why? (Tohoshinki)
18. Be Mine (INFINITE)
19. A-CHA (Super Junior)
20. Limited addiction (東京女子流)
21. Tempest (安室 奈美恵)
22. Ultimate Wheels (KAT-TUN)
23. SUPERMAN (Super Junior)
24. Flying Get (AKB48)
25. オーマイゴースト？〜わたしが悪霊になっても〜 (私立恵比寿中学)
26. ふいに (板野友美)
27. Hero (Fairies)
28. Superstar (Tohoshinki)
29. LOVE & PEACH (ゆず)
30. OVER (Hey! Say! JUMP)
31. Mr. Simple (Super Junior)
32. Sexy! Honey! Bunny! (V6)
33. つけまつける (きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ)
34. Dear J (板野友美)
35. Tick Tack (U-Kiss)
36. Valentine Kiss (渡り廊下走り隊7)
37. Cry Cry (T-ara)
38. Cleansing Cream (Brown Eyed Girls)
39. Flower (前田敦子)
40. Midnight Circus (SunnyHill)
41. パレオはエメラルド (SKE48)
42. Lotus (嵐)
43. 絶滅黒髪少女 (NMB48)
44. オキドキ (SKE48)
45. Min Min Min (SDN48) 
46. Missing You ~Time To Love~ (玉置成実)
47. まじですかスカ! (モーニング娘。)
48. Love Like Candy Floss (東京女子流)
49. CALL (AAA)
50. Trouble Maker (Trouble Maker)
51. BTD (INFINITE)
52. In Heaven (JYJ)
53. 月の裏側 (DiVA)
54. Goodbye Bady (Miss A)
55. If (フレンチ・キス)
56. 鼓動の秘密 (東京女子流) 
57. バンザイVenus (SKE48)
58. My Home (関ジャニ∞)
59. 愛、チュセヨ (SDN48)
60. Pride (SCANDAL)
61. D'の純情 (ももいろクローバーZ) 
62. RUN FOR YOU (KAT-TUN)
63. More Kiss (Fairies)
64. 女子力←パラダイス (SUPER☆GiRLS)
65. Be My Baby (Wonder Girls)
66. Reconquista (HANGRY+ANGRY-f)
67. Kiss Me (Happiness)
68. Answer (No Sleeves)
69. Syndrome (ChoColat)
70. Go Go Summer! (Kara)

Here are the videos I could find on YouTube, but they are not in order:

The 48 Family 2011 Single Ranking

1. Kaze wa Fuiteiru (AKB) 

2. Sakura no Ki ni Naro (AKB) 

3. Everyday, Katyusha (AKB) 

4. Flying Get (AKB) 

5. Zetsumetsu Kurokami Shojo (NMB) 

6. Dear J (Itano Tomomi)
7. Flower (Maeda Atsuko)

8. Valentine Kiss (WH7) 
9. Okie Dokie (SKE) 
10. Min Min Min (SDN) 

11. Fuini (Itano Tomomi)
12. Tsuki no Uragawa (DiVA)

13. If (French Kiss) 

14. Pareo wa Emerald (SKE) 

15. Ai, Juseyo (SDN) 

16. Answer (No Sleeves) 

17. Banzai Venus (SKE)

18. Kibo Sanmyaku (WH7)

19. Cry (DiVA) 

20. Kuchibiru Furezu... (No Sleeves) 

21. Shumatsu Not Yet (Not Yet) 

22. Hetappi Wink (WH7) 

23. Pedicure Day (No Sleeves) 

24. Oh My God! (NMB)

25. Ue kara Mariko (AKB) 

26. Naminori Kakigori (Not Yet) 

27. Saisho no mail (French Kiss) 

28. Perapera Perao (Not Yet) 

29. Kakko warui I love you (French Kiss)

Why SDN48 'Failed'

No matter how much fans, myself included, complain about Akimoto, I think we all know he is brilliant.  So when I heard he was planning to disband SDN48 I was disappointed, but I trust his judgement.  He gave AKB48 an end date too, therefore I don't think it is only money on his mind.  I think he wants to have some quality; he does write all of their lyrics.  We can then look past the fact that they were doing fine sales-wise.  My guess is that he didn't see them going anywhere.  We can clearly see SKE and NMB's sales increasing.  However, I blame the not as stellar sales on the production of the group.  AKB48 is popular because it is liked by both men and women and from a variety of age groups.  AKB was a conversation starter for me when talking to Japanese people.  (When a maid was leading me to the cafe we talked about AKB48 and our oshi.)  It is obvious that this group is not targeted towards a female audience.  Let's take a look at their last single.  It is some women in sexy outfits surrounding some old guy like this is a hostess club.  I'm not going to buy that.  I don't care how much I like this group; this is by far the worst single they've put out.  The PV preview from AKBingo! disgusted me so much I didn't watch the whole thing.  Not even if Cindy was the center would I grab a copy.

I thought a more adult girl group was a wonderful concept.  For one it pushes the age boundary for women in the entertainment industry.  I did really enjoy all of their singles thus far.  (The B-sides were sometimes a bit much.)  I definitely liked their stage. They were, unfortunately, pushed as an adult (wink, wink) group.  They appeared in lingerie or naked a lot, which isn't wrong in itself it is how it is done.  Plus, don't do it that much.  Keep it classy because it is coming off a bit desperate.

All I wanted was a single of them just having fun and not being overtly sexual.  You can be sexy without being in my face about it.  Don't take it personally, Hyuna sucks balls at it.  You were funny and playful about it (the whole elbow thing was nice).  They could of done something like Perfume: them just walking about in fashionable attire.  They could of done an OL PV.  A pervert gives a little love tap on one of their butts at work, she punches him in the face, and they break out in song.  The girls can be funny, cute, or sexy. WHY!  I would of just upped and quit as soon as I heard the concept of this upcoming single.  These girls could of attracted a way hotter guy than that, besides why can't each of them have a harem of sexy male strippers?

Upcoming Releases (There is Girl on Girl Action)

The one brilliant thing about the time difference is that I can wake up with wonderful news in the morning.  It started off with the HEY!x3 Special where NMB, SKE, and No3b promoted their upcoming singles.  It wasn't until I saw Melos No Michi's post about SKE48 that I started spazzing out.  Unfortunately the news clip that previewed a lot of the PV has been put on private, but I hunted another one down.  

TYPE A 
[CD] 
1. 片想いFinally 
2. はにかみロリーポップ (白組) 
3. 今日までのこと、これからのこと 
[DVD] 
1. 片想いFinally (music video) 
2. はにかみロリーポップ (白組) (music video) 
3. 特典映像「SKE48紅白対抗マル秘芸認定大会・PART1」special movie

TYPE B 
[CD] 
1. 片想いFinally 
2. 声がかすれるくらい (紅組) 
3. 今日までのこと、これからのこと 
[DVD] 
1. 片想いFinally (music video) 
2. 声がかすれるくらい (紅組) (music video) 
3. 特典映像「SKE48紅白対抗マル秘芸認定大会・PART2」special movie

TYPE C
[CD] 
1. 片想いFinally 
2. 寡黙な月 (セレクション8) 
3. 今日までのこと、これからのこと 
[DVD] 
1. 片想いFinally (music video) 
2. 特典映像I「SKE48紅白対抗マル秘芸大会」special movie 
3. 特典映像II「Team KIIオリジナル公演への軌跡」documentary movie



Now NMB48 has also been impressing me with their choreography.  Notice the lift they did 30 seconds into the performance.  I kind of want to look into their ages since I find they are presented sexier than SKE48.  It might be due to Osaka's flavor.

TYPE A
TYPE B 
TYPE C

Fairies has improved in my mind.  I know it is only one more member that is doing most of the singing, but the other members do have some lines which is more than I can say for Happiness.  They are turing out to be a dance-version of Tokyo Girls Style (who has better vocals).  I'm curious to see if these groups lasts considering the shelf life of units like SweetS.

Regular Edition [FIRST PRESS SOLD OUT]

CD+DVD Edition [Only 4 First Press Copies Left]

 The final performance that caught my eye was No Sleeves (No3b).  I didn't love the song when I saw the PV, but it has grown on me. Did I mention that the limited editions come with posters; I love posters.

Regular Edition [FIRST PRESS SOLD OUT] 

Kojima Haruna Version 

Takahashi Minami Version 

Minegishi Minami Version

Do You Guys Think Sexy Zone is Sexy?

Sexy Zone first got my attention when their debut single hit the top of the charts.  I usually find out the charts from YouTube.  When I saw the small clip of the PV I immediately could tell it was JE, but the name of the group. . .  Really?  Maybe they have different standards when it comes to male sexuality, but I thought we were on the same page considering Arashi's solo spreads in Anan.  I mean, AKB48 is so much hotter in those recent AKBingo! cross-dressing episode.  (I vote they release a single in drag.  Mii-chan, Takamina, Tomochin, Tomo~mi, Yui should just get a sex change. . . well maybe not TomoTomo.)  Anyway, so I decided that I was going to pay just as much attention to them as JE's other new group Kiss-My-@ss . . . I mean foot?  I think they, when I mean they I mean three out of the five, could be sexy but they are produced waaay to cutesy.  These guys are making me feel old, and I'm 19.  The oldest is the same age as my sister who is a senior in high school, so I can get that.  The next one is a year younger so that is okay because he would be a junior.  The sophomore meh on age wise, but a definite NO after I watched them live on Hey!x3.

Now I came into this without ever hearing the full song.  At first I still thought they weren't appealing to me in a sexy way.  Then the two youngest members opened their mouth and I was like why is there two female members?  Is JE doing a mix group!  Wait. . . WAIT (check wikipedia) those are boys!  I guess someone hasn't gone through puberty.  I mean they are wearing different styled outfits from the older three.  One looks like Ishida from AKB48 with a bowl cut.  I'm curious.  They got a hit so does that mean girls think they are sexy?  I can see hot, but I don't want to have sex with them because it would be so wrong.  (They look way too pure.)  What do you think?  Would you tap. . . no I can't even ask that.

Mina's Stand Out Songs of 2011

I decided to do my own twist on 'The Best of 2011' list.  I've broken it down to two categories.  The songs that I found most addictive and the ones the grabbed me (had that little something extra).  I need some more time to consider my favorite list for this year, but you'll probably see some overlap from both lists.  Each list started with twenty songs and then whittled down, so artists like Arashi got cut.  

The Most Addictive Songs:
1. オーマイゴースト？〜わたしが悪霊になっても〜 (私立恵比寿中学)
2. Roly Poly (T-ara)
3. ミライボウル (ももいろクローバー)
4. Step (Kara)
5. Everyday、カチューシャ (AKB48)
6. Beautiful Target (B1A4)
7. G.D.M (M.I.B.)
8. Bubble Pop (Hyuna)
9. Don't Spray Perfume (Teen Top)
10. Sexy, Honey, Bunny! (V6)
Runners Up - More Kiss(Fairies) / PONPONPON(きゃりーぱみゅぱみゅ) /
OVER(Hey! Say! JUMP)
The Biggest Stand-Out Tracks:
1. ふいに (板野友美)
2. Hey和 (ゆず)
3. これからWonderland (AKB48)
4. Opera (Super Junior)
5. 風は吹いている (AKB48)
6. Chai Maxx (ももいろクローバー)
7. Time (Kinki Kids)
8. 地下水道 (DiVA)
9. ゼロサム太陽 (チームK)
10. Love Like Candy Floss (東京女子流)
11. 奇跡は夜生まれる (高橋みなみ)
12. Ultimate Wheels (KAT-TUN)
13. Limited addiction (東京女子流)
14. 頬杖とカフェ・マキアート (前田敦子)
15. ひみつ (YUKI)

Itsumo Yori Nakimushi Na Sora 「いつもより泣き虫な空」 - Hatsune Miku

roku jihan wo sugite atari wa
mou kuraku natta kaerimichi
kyuu ni furidashita ame ni
HAZAADO RANPU ga hansha suru

IYAFON wo hazushi tara ama oto ga
sukoshi setsunai kibun ni shite kureta

itsumo yori nakimushi na sora
kasa no nai boku wa marude
dareka no kimagure de
chooshihazure ni hakareta hanauta no kibun sa

itsu made mo nakimushi na sora
dakara boku wa uta wo utattenda
kanashima nai de mata boku wo terashite

itsumo yori nakimushi na sora
kasa no nai boku wa marude
dareka no kimagure de
chooshihazure ni hakareta hanauta no kibun sa

itsu made mo nakimushi na sora
dakara boku wa uta wo utattenda
kanashima nai de mata boku wo terashite



Romanized Title : Itsumoyori Nakimushi na Sora (The sky is raining more than usual)
Singer : Hatsune Miku
Lyric : Reruriri (れるりり)
Kanji Source : @wiki

2NE1 - Best New Artist in the World (MTV)

Forgive me the poor screenshot the program I use didn't care for the live stream.

2NE1, a popular, female Korean-Pop group, just finished their first concert in New York City and received their crowns for Best New Artist from MTV.  It was my first time watching 2NE1 perform.  I was familiar with some of their singles due to K-Pop Music Mondays by Eat Your Kimchi.  (I'm going to skip over all my comments on the entire show because they had a number of other artists perform that were nominated.  Well, except with how much I adore Yuna as a person and I would totally go out with her.  Sorry, I have a thing for Muslim women.)  

My favorite, who is the best dancer of the group,
 Minzy.

Their performance was short and only consisted of singles.  They had some short interview and Q+A sections.  For big fans of 2NE1 I bet they were disappointed because the show seemed to focus more on introducing a ton of new artists, not on the winning group.  I thought their performances were solid and well organized.  I'm surprised they didn't go completely live with the vocals considering American's hypersensitivity to anything lip-synced.  My reaction to 2NE1 was what I expected for the most part.  I came into this knowing that they weren't going to be my favorite thing.  However, what I didn't expect coming in was how I would react to the members.  Overall, I liked them.  CL gave good answers during the talk-portion.  Minzy tried to show off some cool moves.  Their outfits were lively and funky as usual.  Dara was wearing her hair in that ridiculous style.  (I don't care if you are Korean, during the clips where you were running around the town you looked so much better.)  

I never knew that Bom had gotten plastic surgery before
watching this.

The one thing that I couldn't stop obsessing over was Bom.  Oh how plastic does she look.  (Sorry killa, I know you hate when people mention that.)  Here is a fact of life:  East Asian noses look weird on Caucasian faces, and vice versa.  You reminded me of Michael Jackson, which isn't a good thing!  

TANGENT WARNING: My parents listened to the Beatles, my Dad would use MC Hammer to help me fall asleep, and I listened to Shaggy, Britney Spears, Aaron Carter, and boy bands.  My exposure to Michael Jackson was the pedo trials and after ALL OF THE PLASTIC SURGERY.  Let's say I didn't have the best opinion of the guy.  I didn't start listening to his music until after he died and all of the tributes ensued.     

Anyway, I couldn't stop focusing on her.  This was combined with her uber-short dress which would show her butt or crotch if she opened her legs a bit, bent over, or if the camera was a lower angle (which it was).  Not to mention I did not understand her facial expression during Lonely.  It might of been due to too much plastic surgery so her face couldn't move?  [I do not know how much work she has gotten done, but I checked with my 2NE1 friend and she confirmed that she did get stuff done.]  I am aware that it isn't uncommon for Koreans to get work done.  However, considering their edgy image and presenting themselves as a different kind of K-Pop girl group I did not think they would find it necessary.  It just makes me doubt them from being different from the mainstream, manufactured groups.  

There is a reason 2NE1 was nominated over all the other Korean acts, and we all know there is a boat-load of 'em.  They would be easily marketable in the United States.  Europe is a different matter, they are far more accepting of East Asian acts.  They are original and have perfect timing, plus they can speak English.  The United States may be opening up to Asian artists.  Far East Movement had a huge hit, and Jin Akanishi's first single is doing well on the charts.  However, that doesn't mean it will last or reach the same level as their Korean success.  BoA and Utada had mild results.  Far East Movement has had only one number-one hit, and another in the top ten.  Their other singles have not done nearly as well.  

Image is important in America.  Acts like Lady GaGa and Ke$ha would not be where they are without it.  2NE1 has the image.  But will the fact that Asians do not have a hold of major portion of the US entertainment industry prevent them.  (What causes that I am not sure.)  If I could see a Japanese group make it it would be Perfume.  They have a stylistic appeal.  The problem is that they have no interest in leaving the Japanese market.  Japan has the second largest music industry in the world.  Why lose their pretty much guaranteed continued success in Japan for an uphill battle?  Perfume does not have that ambition.  The other problem is that they don't tend to sing live, which is extremely important in the States.  So, yep.

       

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is Idol Royalty

Kyary Pamyu Pamyu is an 18 year-old fashion blogger and model who reached international fame after the release of her first promotional video, PON PON PON.  The video went viral.  MTV deemed it "One of the craziest videos ever!"  It hit the Japan's Billboard Hot 100 at number 72.  I was memorized by the song and video.  But I never pass judgement on a artist based on one single; it could very well be a fluke.  However, with her second PV she comes back at full strength.  Well, this may seem a bit toned down in comparison, but this single is not inspired by decora culture which in itself is wacky.  The title and the subject matter is a bit suspect.  She has a line of false eyelashes.  So am I surprised that fake eyelashes is in the title?  What I adore about her style is the sense of controlled chaos.  It isn't some overly cute fluff which is revealed in the details.  Her videos create a wonderland that is sweet yet mysterious.  She is definitely on my list of people to watch. 

A quick update in the middle of busy weeks..

Konbanwa minna-san! Genki desuka? :D
I'm very sorry to not update this blog frequently. DX
A lot of things to do and it's my last year on High School T^T (kebanyakan tugas apa kebanyak RP, sya? -__-)

Here I want to share some things and wanna ask for suggestion from you guys ^^

• I want to have a big update for this site, well only for the theme.. ^^;
  But seriously, should I change my theme to my previous theme or just edit this current theme? D:
  Please give me your suggestion on my shout box over there ------------>
  The comment box here can't be use atm~



• There are some changes on ma face LOLOL~
  I took a new pic from my phone <3 (OMG thank God i have tthe new one TwT)
  Here's the comparison :
  
  mwahaha my chin~~~



• Few weeks ago me and my friends recorded our singing for the first time :'D
  But i won't post it here! >:P
  But there's an LQ sample of my voice.. It's very bad though -,-
  If you really want to hear it, >>click here<<
  (taken with my cellphone's mic and i use falsetto here -,- and my pronunciation s**ks)

I guess that's all for now guys!
Sorry once again >.<
Ja mata~ ^^

AKB48 LIVE @ Seibu Dome

This is only one of their concerts performed this summer.  It is a little over three hours long.  I've found various places to download it, but I haven't been successful at finding a download that lasted past Itano and Maeda's duet.  Either the files are corrupted or is not suited to work on my Mac.  (I've tried VLC, Quicktime, and MPlayer but none were successful.)  I'm the kind of person who is always excited to hear artists live because often I enjoy the live vocals over the perfected audio track.  I tend to forgive AKB because I have some experience working behind the scenes, and I know that microphones can be difficult.  However, it didn't stop me from tearing up when I heard Tomochin perform Fuini live.  It has some behind the scenes clips mixed into the performances.  It is, for the most part, split into sections:
- Opening Group Songs
- Majisuka Gakuen
- Sub-Groups and Solo Acts
- Trainees/ Team 4
- Album Units
- SKE, SDN, and NMB Singles
- Team Songs (the album and Chance No Junban track, plus a recent and classic stage song)
- Singles (including B-sides)
- Closing Groups Numbers

Message From Mina: Reaching Out to KPop Fans

I've bet you've noticed some developments in the content posted on this blog.  I've been expanding the content barriers to include other music facets in JPop like Super Cell.  We've also crossed some water to include South Korean media.  (Both of the new contributing writers are new fans to AKB48 as well so they are friendlies.)  But I got off topic like I always do.  Personally, I've been writing A LOT about K-Pop all of a sudden.  My perception of K-Pop fans on the internet is very poor, but this is based on my limited interaction with them.  It mostly comes down to two types: them bashing a Japanese group or them responding to any sort of criticism with a 'you're just jealous of how amazing they are' blah blah blah.  I know K-Pop fans in real life, that combined with Eat Your Kimchi is how I really started to take a serious interest.  I'm not going to assume that I'm the only one here who enjoys K-Pop.  I would like to here some recommendations for blogs to follow.  I might make a separate blogroll, or should I just combine the two?

Mina Is Back. . .again With MOAR PV Reviews!

HYUNA stop wipping your crotch while people are looking at you!  Oh, and rubbing your butt against his is not how you do sex.  I get you want to be sexy.  I think you can do it to.  You are trying way to 'effing hard!  Look at the dude.  Everything is covered and he is just being chill and he looks smokin'.  Why must girls be overtly sexual to be sexy, but guys can just be simmering under the surface!  You just need to be confident Hyuna and people will think you are sexy.  Hyuna ruined this video, well that and some of the clothes she wore were a bit how much leg can we show without showing her pussycat.  Wait a second. . . did he just touch her crotch?  The video is quite fashionable and I like how they play off of each other.  I like the choreography where he goes to kiss her but she turns away.      
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It might be because I love Takei Emi but for a ballad PV I was throughly entertained.  When it comes to ballads the trick is to just keep my attention.  The song is lovely.  The sets and costuming is stylish, which makes sense since she is a charisma model.  I was confused at first by the contrast between the spring and winter, which appeared disjointed.  My first guess was that Emi was thinking back to the beginning of a love-relationship.  In Japanese literature spring signifies the beginning of romance, the courtship period.  Summer is when things get hot and heavy.  The relationship becomes strained in the fall.  And everything is dead by winter.  However, it is revealed that the spring segment is in one of the crystal balls.  I do enjoy twists, but I guess I could of realized it earlier because we get a glimpse of the crystal ball towards the beginning.  Takei Emi does a wonderful job at singing a ballad in front of the camera without it appearing stiff.
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The beginning of this video reminds me of K-Pop teasers.  It is very cool and serious and then you see the PV and hear the song, and it is rarely the same in epicness.  Another super group?  Is that going to become a trend now?  Most of these groups irk me because a fair number of the members never sing.  I get it, they are dancers.  Still, this is a music group isn't it?  I want them to at least sing back up.  I wish Happiness' lead vocalist would just go solo.  The dancing is good, as expected.  I like how they approached the outfits.  While the set matches the costumes well, it looks romantic and a bit gothic which does not match the song in the least.  There is also a bit of the Super Junior trapped in a room thing going on too.
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It seems the world is going through a fairytale phase (there are two snow white films coming out).  I love the childlike wonder or this video.  My issues are with the length of her dress.  Her dress looks like something I would wear as a child and the video itself seems innocent.  I just want it a little bit longer, or shorts would work too.  I want that duck by the way.  The song is spectacular and playful, like I'm listening to a fantasy book.  I find it odd that she is bubbly in the storyline shots, but dead-pan in the dance shot.  It weirded me out.  I guess she is suppose to be doll-like like the figures that pop out of clocks.  My last critique was that the dance shot left something to be desired.  Since she had a traditional style dance shot I would of preferred a bit more movement and dancing on her part.  Either that, or more creativity in the angles and pans during the dance shot.
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The cityscapes and the desaturation/ use of cool (as in the temperature) colors.  The problem here is that box!  You can't introduce it as a major character if no one has any idea why it is there.  You need to give at least a hint.  I hate the close-up and solo, box-room shots.  With all the outdoor shots, including the dance shot, using the typical room thing looks out of place.  They needed to have a dance shot in a room complimentary to the outdoor dance shot.  They then could of used the outdoor shots at the climax of the song to give it some extra umph.  They should of introduced more variety towards the beginning because I started to get board.
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In the dark room shot the introduction of different shirt colors was very interesting.  I love when they try something that I've never seen.  See!  There is nothing wrong with a room music video, but you need to add some a little bit of spice to it.  The shots, like of their feet, the consistent movement it all adds a bit.  Notice how they never let there be no movement, either the camera or the members, for too long.  This had an amazing dance shot!  I could of been perfectly satisfied with just that.
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Oh my word, I am loving every second.  What I love about it is that it doesn't try to do anything that different.  It is all in the details.  The variety in cinematography combined with the basic style of a music video is brilliant.  It is simple but still unique at the same time.  Stylish.
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This is adorable.  They are doing cute right, not the annoying aegyo thing.  If you have fun and act natural you don't have to go over the top to look cute.  This is my favorite winter wonderland of the year so far.  
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Let's see, three dance shots in rooms with close ups.  This doesn't sell it to me.  There is nothing horrendous about any individual shot, bur I can see these three dance shots in completely different videos.  Like the plain room could go with a gritty and or retro theme.  The lightning room is kind of hipster.  Then there is the bee-hive which makes me think of 4Minute.     
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Here is my deal with this video.  I feel like their crotch is in my face!  Those short, shorts combined with the camera looking slightly up at them tends to put their junk right near the center of the shot.  Plus the forward pan at that low level doesn't help.  I think 4Minute has a butt fetish.  They keep on popping and touching their tush.  I guess I'll give them a pass and assume that I just randomly noticed that area and started obsessing over it.  (They get an extra star.)
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Same old, same old.  Momoclo are idols on crack.  They have a ton of great shots and they look like they are actually enjoying themselves.  Wait!  Where did the coconuts come from!
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The brilliant thing about this video is that it appears to be just a typical idol video, but then all hell breaks loose.  (I've tested it on my friends on Facebook, it is true.)  I think they are hilarious and I love to join in.  I don't love all their humor, but I understand why they do it.
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I like the styling of the video, it works well with the tone of the track.  HOWEVER, I find the song and the video offensive.  Women= a commodity on the same level of alcohol and cash.  Plus, the concept of the song, and how it is incorporated into the video, is completely unoriginal.  The majority of hip-hop songs in the US are all about men having a lot of all three.  I hate that the song is catchy and video looks amazing, but the context is horrible.  (Um, did you mean anything by taping girls' mouths shut. . .)  They lost a star for the look how much hot ladies, money, and fame I got shots.  Just a different cliche.
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