Upcoming Releases

I'm sorry I haven't been doing these lately.  I've been pretty busy, but I have a moment to spare and I wanted to put something together.  I know, a lot of singles just came out (SCANDAL, Arashi, Kat-Tun, AKB48).  So here they go:

DOCUMENTARY of AKB48 to be continued
4800yen
Release Date: 2011/04/22



Q10 DVD Box Set
14580yen (10% off)
Release Date: 2011/03/18
External Bonus:
cell phone strap
postcards
18 First Press Copies Left

週末Not yet [CD+DVD / Type-A]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/16
External Bonus:
photo
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. 週末Not yet
2. ひらひら
3. 素直になりたい
[DVD]
1. 週末Not yet PV (Nakamura Taikou ver.)
2. Sorezore no Not yet “Oshima Yuko”
3. Sorezore no Not yet “Yokoyama Yui”

週末Not yet [CD+DVD / Type-B]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/16
External Bonus:
photo
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. 週末Not yet
2. ひらひら
3. 笑うがいい
[DVD]
1. 週末Not yet PV (Irie Yu ver.)
2. Sorezore no Not yet “Kitahara Rie”
3. Sorezore no Not yet “Sashihara Rino”
4. Short Films
5. Making Of
6. Not Yet Interview

週末Not yet [CD+Booklet / Type-C]
1143yen
Release Date: 2011/03/16
External Bonus:
photo
32-page color photobook
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. 週末Not yet
2. ひらひら
3. 泣きながら微笑んで (Not yet ver.)

Answer [Regular Edition]
1143yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
External Bonus:
trading card
Only 20 First Press Copies Left
Tracklist:
1. Answer
2. モノズキ1号
3. Answer (Anime ver.)

Answer [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type A (Kojima feat. Version)]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
First Press Sold Out
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. Answer
2. モノズキ1号
3. ☆の向こう側 (no3b ver.)
[DVD]
1. Answer PV
2. Making of Answer
3. Kojima Haruna "Cloudy sky"

Answer [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type B (Takahashi feat. Version)]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
First Press Sold Out
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. Answer
2. モノズキ1号
3. 愛しさのアクセル (Takahashi Minami Solo)
[DVD]
1. Answer PV
2. Making of Answer
3. Takahashi Minami "Kiseki wa Umareru"

Answer [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type C (Minegishi feat. Ver)]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
First Press Sold Out
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. Answer
2. モノズキ1号
3. 逆転王子様 (no3b ver.)
[DVD]
1. Answer PV
2. Making of Answer
3. Minegishi Minami "Watashi wa Watashi"

AKB49 Renai Kinshi Jorei 1 [Limited Edition] w/ 5 changing covers

800yen
This came out a while back, but I thought I should include it anyway.

Single V "Kiss me 愛してる" DVD
1500yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
Only 2 Copies Left In Stock
Tracklist:
[DVD]
1. Kiss me 愛してる
2. Kiss me 愛してる (Close-up Ver.)
3. Making of

Kiss me 愛してる [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type A]

1600yen
Release Date: 2011/02/23
Only 4 Copies Left In Stock
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. Kiss me 愛してる
2. 二十歳前の女の子

Kiss me 愛してる [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type B]
1600yen
Release Date: 2011/02/23
Only 10 Copies Left In Stock
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. Kiss me 愛してる
2. 二十歳前の女の子

Kiss me 愛してる [Regular Edition]
1000yen
Release Date: 2011/02/23
First Press Sold Out
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. Kiss me 愛してる
2. 二十歳前の女の子

ヒロインになろうか！[Regular Edition]
1000yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
Only 7 Copies Left
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. ヒロインになろうか!
2. ヒーロー現る!

ヒロインになろうか！[w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type A]
1600yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
Only 9 Copies Left
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. ヒロインになろうか!
2. ヒーロー現る!
[DVD]
1. ヒロインになろうか! PV (Dance shot ver.)

ヒロインになろうか！[w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type B]
1600yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
Only 6 Copies Left
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. ヒロインになろうか!
2. ヒーロー現る!
[DVD]
1. ヒロインになろうか! PV (Dance solo mix ver.)

ヒロインになろうか！[Limited Edition / Type C]
1000yen
Release Date: 2011/03/02
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. ヒロインになろうか!
2. ヒーロー現る!

ミライボウル [Regular Edition]
1143yen
Release Date: 2011/03/09
External Bonus:
photo
Only 4 More Copies of First Press Left
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. ミライボウル
2. Chai Maxx
3. 全力少女
4. (予定情報)他カラオケ3曲/計6曲収録

ミライボウル [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type A]
1619yen
Release Date: 2011/03/09
External Bonus:
photo
Only 14 More Copies Left to Pre-Order
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. ミライボウル
2. Chai Maxx
3. (予定情報)他カラオケ2曲/計4曲収録

ミライボウル [w/ DVD, Limited Edition / Type B]
1619yen
Release Date: 2011/03/09
External Bonus:
photo
Only 17 More Copies Left to Pre-Order
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. ミライボウル
2. Chai Maxx
3. (予定情報)他カラオケ2曲/計4曲収録

バンザイVenus [CD+DVD / Type A]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/09
First Press Sold Out
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. バンザイVenus
2. 愛の数 (Team KII)
3. 卒業式の忘れもの (White Team)

バンザイVenus [CD+DVD / Type B]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/09
First Press Sold Out
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. バンザイVenus
2. 愛の数 (Team KII)
3. 誰かのせいにはしない (Red Team)

Morning Musume Concert Tour 2010 Aki - Rival Survival -
4762yen
Release Date: 2011/02/23
Only 21 Copies Left

愛、チュセヨ [CD+DVD / Type A]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/23
External Bonus:
photo
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. 愛、チュセヨ
2. 天国のドアは3回目のベルで開あく (アンダーガールズA)
3. 淡路島のタマネギ (アンダーガールズB)
[DVD]
1. 愛、チュセヨ PV
8. 天国のドアは3回目のベルで開あく PV
9. 淡路島のタマネギ PV
10. Recording and PV Makring of (Type A version)
11. 「愛、チュセヨ」選抜メンバー発表ドキュメント

愛、チュセヨ [CD+DVD / Type B]
1524yen
Release Date: 2011/03/23
External Bonus:
photo
Tracklist:
[CD]
1. 愛、チュセヨ
2. 天国のドアは3回目のベルで開あく (アンダーガールズA)
3. 愛よ 動かないで (レイチェル)
[DVD]
1. 愛、チュセヨ PV
8. 天国のドアは3回目のベルで開あく PV
9. 愛よ 動かないで PV
10. Recording and PV Makring of (Type B version)
11. 「GAGAGA」韓国プロモーションドキュメント

Ooku - Danjo Gyakuten
Release Date: 2011/04/08

• DVD (Region 2)

3420yen (10% off)
Only 23 First Press Copies Left
External Bonus:
Folder (A5)

• Blu-ray (Region Free)

4230yen (10% off)
Only 2 First Press Copies Left

• Deluxe Edition DVD [Limited Edition]

5220yen (10% off)

Akimoto Sayaka Regains Team K Captain Position

Wow, did I start crying when I heard the announcement.  The happy news came by text message, while Sayaka was surrounded by three original Team K members (Miyazawa, Umeda, Masuda), after she had finished the 2011 Tokyo Marathon.  The main reason she accepted the challenge was because of the scandal that took place last year, which caused her to give up her position as Team K captain.  She wanted to start off the new year right.  Although she is athletic,  she said that she isn't good at long distance running.  Sayaka has been training for awhile, and I am proud of her at the moment.
ｵｶｴﾘヽ(*^ｖ^)人(^ｖ^*)ノ  

AKB48 and Plastic Surgery + Other Topics

This subject, specially in the case of Tomomi Itano, came up quite a while back, but I didn't post anything on the matter.  I thought the post on Tokyohive settled the matter, but I became frustrated recently when seeing videos suggesting she did as well as comments.  This is nothing unusual.  Pretty much any asian celebrities' name can be typed into google and it will suggest to add plastic surgery.  I know that I can't help what other people of the internet say, but I wish they would at least try to have some integrity when they accuse someone of getting work done (at least seeing better evidence than a picture from before and after puberty).  It probably just ignorance because if you were familiar enough with AKB48 you would know that cosmetic surgery would be impossible to pull off without being noticed.  But, even more so after the director of the beauty clinic "Takasu Clinic", Takasu Mikiya argued the unlikeliness of the rumors:

“The members of AKB are currently at the peak of their popularity and they wouldn’t have the spare time for such a procedure. In Tomochin’s case, the down time would take up to three to six months. People like them rather use eye tape and eye pieces to freely change the appearance of their eyes to a certain degree, e.g. double eyelids. Many people always think of plastic surgery first when seeing double eyelids, but that is a common mistake.”

Further, he stated, “It’s not just Tomochin. On the Internet there are a lot of rumors involving members of AKB48 and plastic surgery, especially Maeda Atsuko, Shinoda Mariko, Kojima Haruna, Minegishi Minami, and Watanabe Mayu. I don’t think any of those girls have gone under the knife. Most of them debuted in their early teens and it’s natural for them that certain features, such as their eyes and nose, change over time. Moreover, their faces become a lot thinner over the years, and they started to use more make-up than before. There is no need to say that they also started to use things such as eye tape."

I am a huge fan of Japanese dramas. さいきん、「大切なことはすべて君がおしえてくれた」に興味が有ります。However, when it comes to the also popular Korean dramas. . . fan. . . not so much.  I've mostly come to enjoy Korean films, like Thirst.  But in terms of mainstream films that have a closer resemblance to dramas, I've only found one that I enjoyed: 100 Pounds of Beauty.  When I attempted to make a switch to Korean dramas, because there are so many popular ones available that I've never seen, I started with Boys Before Flowers (because I enjoyed the Japanese version).  While the cast is good-looking (plastic surgery jk! / Korean guys can be a bit too pretty for me), I found the acting intolerable.  I'm not one to get boggled down with the technique of acting, as long as I find it enjoyable I don't mind, but for Korean dramas, acting is what kills it.  (Wow, I feel like I put a lot of commas in sentences.)  Japanese dramas, mostly (romantic) comedies, can be overacted and I find that is resembles anime.  It is charming, funny, and sometimes so outlandish that it is cracky.  In contrast, Korean dramas take it to a point so far that I find it difficult to sit through more than ten minutes.  Mainstream, Korean dramas may just not be my cup of tea.  If you have any recommendations I would appreciate it.

As most of you know by now, Team B's Manami Oku will be graduating sometime this spring (around April).  There have been a handful of trainees who have been promoted, but have yet to be placed in a team.  I believe that, since an actual spot opened up, that Akimoto will replace Oku with one.  My pick is Shiori Nakamata (18) who often performs with Team B and has been accepted into economics department of Waseda University.  She recently appeared in an episode of AKBingo!.  I know, I am bypassing my new trainee favorite: Miorin.  She isn't a full-fledged member yet anyway, and has become a regular on AKBingo! and a favorite of her senpai (specifically the Team A font-girls).  Shiori isn't the only AKB48 member attending a university at the moment, which makes me proud.  Who do you think will get the spot, or who do you desire to be added to Team B?

C-ute has openly talked about their new sexier image.  I am happy to see the changes.  At the moment I am tempted to talk about how much Hello Project is sucking at promoting their groups, but I'll stop myself.
C-ute is in a really good place in terms of members, so I hope they can push it.  Other young idol units like Momoiro Clover and SKE48 are experiencing ever increasing sales and popularity; Momoclo is appearing on Shabekuri 007.  There has been a recent boom in interest in idols in Japan, so it is an ideal time to implement a surge.

When is Acchan just going to go solo already?  I've mentioned my new interest in Seiko Matsuda, who Acchan reminds me of. Although, I think Acchan would prefer to focus on acting versus a solo artist career and Akimoto probably wouldn't want to let her go.

It also seems that AKB48 graduate, Oshima Mai, is experiencing problems at Avex.  After releasing two singles she has seemingly disappeared.  Considering the interest in AKB48, I would think that Avex would at least to try to promote her more.  Since they don't seem to care about pushing her, Mai Mai should appeal to Akimoto to let her join SDN48.  She was quite popular in AKB48 and she is talented.

Goto Maki's still got it!

So I've had a chance to delve into the solo careers of some of the OG Morning Musume members (while I await the newest single with the Kyukkies)

When I look back at the singers of the groups and the lead vocals I always seemed to skip over Maki Goto, after all she wasn't around terribly long and I never really paid much attention to her being wedged between my favorites (Marippe and the W "twins") and I now see that it was a huge mistake on my part. I've recently gotten a few of her mini-albums from Avex and I'm honestly blown away, it's a shame that she hasn't had the chance to produce a full album yet (I'm hoping there is one on the way sometime next year at least.)

Her most recent mini-album, Gloria, came out January 12th and it certainly lives up to her vocal talent in my opinion. The song "Fake" is my favorite blending strong vocals and a soft-rock edge. The rest of the album is slower songs showing off her vocal skills. All in all I love it, I just wish there were more songs.

She has released a "sneak peek" PV (as Avex has taken to doing it seems) and I figured I'd share it here! So enjoy the new Maki Goto~

The Recent Events in Madison, Wisconsin

I know this may not be that important to a lot of you, but I thought if I posted something about winning the Superbowl, this is just as worthy.  So, if this doesn't suit you for whatever reason you can skip past the jump where I have a funny YouTube video for you (it is unlisted so it'll be hard to find on your own).  It is pretty crazy over here, with walk-outs going on for the latter half of last week and people sleeping overnight at the capital.  Public schools in not just Madison, but also the surrounding area were closed for at least one day because so many teachers called in sick (so they could protest).  Professors have been commenting on the situation in class.  Some professors have canceled classes last week.  I've seen walk-out signs and posters all over campus.  The events going on around the Capital have made not only national, but international news.  I follow the BBC and there has been multiple articles there.  The Daily Show spent most of last night's episode talking about it, and Colbert mentioned that he will feature it tonight.  My Japanese TA showed us Japanese articles (including NHK) about the protests.  The union protests have even spread to Ohio and Indiana.  There are even people abroad sending protestors food:

"Attention Badgers, 

As students of UW ourselves, we are thrilled by the action at the Wisconsin capital over the past few days. With advocates on both sides of the aisle expressing their ideologies in peaceful and positive demonstrations, we are proud to be students and Madison residents at such a pivotal time. Watching as the events play out, we are truly honored to be part of the political process and witness democracy in action.  

We have been working closely with our restaurant partners in order to allow food to be delivered to the demonstrators at the Capitol. Today, we had customers from all 50 states, as well as out of country patrons from Norway, Denmark, and more, order food for the demonstrators. We have streamlined this process, as you can see on our homepage, and prepared restaurants who are willing to participate to deliver food to capital square. 

If you, or someone you know would like to feed the demonstrators at the capital, please visit badgerbites.com. Thank you for your interest in keeping Wisconsin great. We're as invested in the unfolding events as you are.  

-Your friends at BadgerBites "

Here is the special gift for those putting up with my non-idoly posts, just a lot of big things going on in my neck of the woods.

Heroine ni Narouka + Confession

Do you know why am I really lame to post vocaloid lyrics again?
Well, because.. May be because now I really addicted with H!P
Yeah you know, I like Airi and from that I almost know all of the member of H!P

Because I have nothing to do, I want to give review to Berryz Koubou's new MV entitled "Heroine ni Narouka 「ヒロインになろうか！」"



•Song
Overall, I don't really like the opening. Yeah a bit digital and so 2000-ish thingy. But going to the reff I really like the song. Yeah they're screaming a bit but that's make the solo art in the reff sounds really good.
And the song is really fair! I mean everyone get much part in this song. Even in intro or reff.

I really admire Kumai's voice here (1.34). The one that I hear in Shining Power she wasn't good at the high pitch part, but here I really love it.
But now it's hard to recognized the voice of Kumai and Risako, their voice are really look alike.

In Maasa's part, there's one line that makes laugh! The way she sang (or may be scream) "mirai" in (4.07) sounds like Indonesia's old creature movie scream,like nyi roro kidul and else (ahahaha weirdo!!)

•Dance
In the opening, the dance is simple but I think it's a bit hard to follow it.
I like the way when Risako and Miyabi got their solo line, they split fom the group and back to the group.
In (1.25) Risako is the only one who spin her head while the others just spinning their hand. I think the way she dance like that is nice.

•Costume and Setting

And the one that makes me shocked

is

the Gaga-look-a-like close up scene.


Wew..


Kumai with wing thingy

Captain with lightning thingy

Momo with heart thingy ♥

Miyabi with weirdo thingy (I don't know it in English ^^;)

Chinami with colorful thingy and colorful eyelash

Maasa with swirl thingy

and Risako with X-sign thingy.
I think Risakko is the one who really look like Gaga..



Lovely long haired captain ♥ She's so gorgeous


The setting behind Momo looks like a gravestone ^^;


Miyabi's big one-piece makes her look like pregnant. Sorry Miya ^^;


Buddha's Hand (Hell Yeah!)


If you notice, they're way to make their hand point to a same direction but it ended not clear


I like the ending set, it looks like disappeared by the wave :D




That's some review from me.
Enjoy ;D

Why MINT and DIVA May Never Debut

Since AKB48 released their 20th single, the second single to include the units DIVA and MINT, there has been some curiosity as to why Akimoto just doesn't make them actual sub-groups.  There has been a handful of sub-groups from AKB48 that've only released one single, but both MINT and DIVA have released two included with AKB's.  Both units have the basic requirement that most AKB units follow: at least one popular/ senbatsu member.  (Nobody knows if they will or not, but) I don't think they will.  So why don't they?

MINT (Maeda At, Katayama, Kasai, Nito, Matsui S)
They have Maeda Atsuko for a center; you could expect amazing sales from this sub-unit.  Plus MINT features the vocally talented Katayama, musically talented Matsui, popular Kasai, and semi-popular Nito.  There are a number of reasons why this unit couldn't debut on their own, besides the fact that Akimoto is producing music for so many groups as is.  I believe the major reason why they won't separate from AKB48 is because Acchan is center.  She is overworked as is, so adding that would just push her to her brink (if she isn't already at that point).  This unit does give the other girls some extra screen-time that they would get if they debut.  Besides Matsui is currently attending college and we don't want another member to graduate because she needs to focus on her studies more.

DIVA (Akimoto, Umeda, Masuda, Kuramochi)
None of these girls are senbatsu for most of their singles, but Akimoto Sayaka did make it into the general election so she counts.  DIVA is home to the super talented members who aren't featured in senbatsu.  DIVA is quite large, but if they were to debut they would be officially just have four members (even though within their two tracks more than those four provided vocals).  I know those who miss old Team K would love to see this group become official because the four main vocalists are all Team K members.  Out of these two units, DIVA is the more likely one to debut, and this would be the best time for them because of all the press anything AKB does gets.  But, I think this unit's purpose was to use the rest of AKB48's members who weren't being included in other part of the single (when MINT was being included).  I think Akimoto liked how it turned out and decided to pull out MINT and DIVA again.  The only weakness of this group is not one member is senbatsu, which means they are not as recognizable.  Maybe Akimoto is including them in singles to build up some interest in them.  Akimoto is a TV show regular and Masuda has done some outside work.  Kuramochi is already in a sub-group though.  What disappoints me about this unit is, not that Amina was left out during the second song, but that while featuring the strong singers they left out Iwasa Misaki (and Nacchi).

Happy Belated Birthday KAITO ^^;

Again I'm late to congratulated them (vocaloid)
huuff..
Well then, let's pic spamming to celebrate it!




Btw almost of the pictures are Kaito with a manly face LOL