Mina's Favorite Idol Soloist

OSHIMA MAI

This is a hard one because it depends on when period of time I am considering.  If I go way back, Seiko Matsuda.  However, a bit more recent is Aya Matsuura but I didn't love her latest album and she isn't as active as she used to be.  (Plus is she an idol anymore?)  I like Itano Tomomi and Maeda Atsuko, but I'm not going to consider them solo artists because they still are members of AKB48.  Goto Maki just went on hiatus and besides she is trying to be a legit artist so I don't think I can consider her an idol.  Hello Project is working on a new girl who is talented, but her singles haven't impressed me yet.  There are K-Pop idols, but they belong to groups still so they are out too.  I love Mai Mai's personality, look, and voice.  It is just I am unimpressed with Avex and her agency.  She was definitely the most promising solo artist to come out of AKB48 when she graduated, but I've yet to see her reach her full potential.

Mina's PV (Preview) Reviews

This song is a perfect mix for Itano Tomomi.  Because of her unique voice she can liven up a ballad, but her personality suits a dance track.  The PV is mostly showing off Tomochin in a variety of looks.  I like the muted color scheme, it reminds me of the same scheme using in Marie Antoinette.  There is a variety of shots and angles, which keeps the video interesting.  It sold me, so I would say that it is a good PV.
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Those close up shots make me giggle, but I do like the dance shots.  I'm not a fan of this group, just to let you know.  The guys look so goofy during their storyline shots, but I do like that they added a storyline. Notice how the camera rarely isn't moving, this is always a good idea to make a good PV.
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Another disclaimer: I haven't liked Kara since they hit Japanese shores.  I don't like the barbie-esque look to this whole video.  What is with the choreography towards the end of the chorus?  I did enjoy the beach scenes, and the verses.  Besides that, I could live without the Korean barbies and chorus.
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First off if anyone is confused about the storyline and why the little girl becomes Acchan: there was never a little sister, it was always Acchan.  I don't know how to explain it the best, but the little girl is not real.  This PV is perfect for Acchan because it highlights her acting abilities by making her cry a lot.  The whole supposed 'big-little sister relationship' is adorable.  I wish the scene with all the pin wheels on the beach were a larger element because it matches the title.  I didn't mind the fact that there is no close up shot because we get plenty of that while she was promoting the single.
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Yeah, MaiMai gets another single!  It has been a while, which isn't surprising because she hasn't been selling well.  I don't know if I like it from what I've seen.  I adore the extra close up shot of her singing at the beginning, but I want to cut the medium shot.  I was thrilled to see a different set, which isn't a good sign, but I don't know what to make of the three people and her dance shot outfits.  We'll see.
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I like the song, and the dark overtones in the video match it. . .  but the robot girl.  Wait, are the guys robots too?  I like the effort, but something bugs me about the robot girl.
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HANGRY&ANGRY are also back!  They should of ditched the stuffed animals by now.  Besides that, I think the video is great.  The marionette shot is awesome for the slow verses.  Them behind the wires and netting is great.  The lighting is awesome.  I'm not the biggest fan of the costumes, but this is promotion from a fashion brand (so not much you can do about that).
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I wish they just stuck with the white dresses and outdoor scene for the entire video.  They could of done some different things with it, but I love the color contrast and mood.  The jean outfits sitting inside just don't do anything for me.
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Here is the Red Team's preview.  I don't have anything bad to say about this video.  It is perfect.
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Wow, they did a good job with White Team's PV too.  I don't care for the song.
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AKB48's choice PV get away is Guam, is SKE48's Hawaii?  Now that they are with Avex, they probably could afford it.  I like the idea of the blue and white costumes instead of just swimsuits.  The jumping into the ocean shots are cool!  This was a home run for me.
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Solid job so far.  I don't love the song, but the PV improved my impression of the song.
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The PV doesn't do anything for me.  There are some nice things about it, but the main set is used so much that it looks like they were under budget constraint.  It didn't sell this song or the artist to me at all.
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NMB48's first PV, this will set the tone of what style singles they will probably release onwards.  I love the concept because you always notice how new idols have their black hair, but after debut dye it.  I like the effect of adding the traditional pattern.  The dance shot and close ups are basic, but they have different angles, lights, wind, ect so they keep the pace.  I'm thrilled they feature NMB48's sexiness and good dance skills.  Another great thing about this is that it includes each member.  This isn't unusual if you consider AKB48 and SKE48's first PVs.  The question is if this will continue if they release another single before the addition of a second team.
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This is a new look for No Sleeves.  I like the use of various shoots at one time.  I don't care for the passing along different item shots, and them playing cards.  I don't think they add anything to it.  Besides that, they did a great job with adding some edge to the song.
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I don't like the over-use of the word over, or the fact that they keep making the telephone-hand sign in the choreography.  I first heard this song when they were promoting it.  I actually love it.  The dance shot is amazing.  I like the close-ups, but they aren't anything special.  I probably wouldn't have minded having the whole PV be the dance shot.  What ruins this PV for me is the floating objects.  Floating objects have never been used well in a PV except an AAA PV.
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Blue and white colors make a really clean, summer PV.  The lighting, the different angles and pans, and the sets are all on point.  The only thing I would cut out is the running shots.  I am surprised they didn't try anything more complex when it came to the dancing considering they were back up dancers.
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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.

New PV and Previews

Sorry, I was out of town for a while without Internet.  I'm going to be pretty busy for the next couple of days too, so I won't be posting too much.  I should go to bed or study now because I have placement tests in the morning.  (I'm such a poor student!)  Here is an update, a late one.

VIVIVID PARTY！- YuiKaori

愛ってナンダホー - Oshima Mai

YOU CAN'T KISS ME - Beckii (Single Preview)

Undergirls' PV (AKB48)  

JKB48 = Male, Metal Versions of AKB48 Songs!