Getting To Know The New Idols On The Block: Tokyo Girls Style

Tokyo Girls Style is one of the new idol groups who stand out for their musical style. Out of the new idols groups who have released an album, theirs was my favorite. I also think they are quite strong vocally. They were the first idol group formed by Avex since SweetS. Their seventh single was their first to hit the Oricon Top 5.


Member Profiles:

Konishi Ayano (14)
Birthplace: Osaka Prefecture
Favorite Color: white and pink
Talent: piano
Favorite Artists: BoA and TVXQ
Favorite Brands: RONI and FANTAJIA
Favorite Foods: Potatoes, pancakes, grilled monja, Hiroshima grill
Dream: write and sing her own song

Arai Hitomi (14)
Birthplace: Miyagi Prefecture
Talent: Para Para
Hobby: Snowboarding
Favorite Class: PE and Art
Favorite Sports: Sprinting and Swimming
Favorite Artist: Koda Kumi, Hamasaki Ayumi, Amuro Namie
Dream: A popular artist

Shoji Mei (14)
Birthplace: Yamagata Prefecture
Likes: New Year Cards
- Former member of Crystal Children

Nakae Yuri (14)
Birthplace: Osaka Prefectures
Talents: Bushido and sword battles
Favorite Colors: Purple and Black
Favorite Artist: TVXQ
Hobby: ollects tuffed nimals
Favorite Foods: Baked noodles, Chinese-style noodles
Dream: acting in films and dramas
- left handed

Yamabe Miyu (15)
Birthplace: Chiba Prefecture
Hobby: Drawing and Dancing
Talents: Guitar
Favorite Class: Art
Favorite Sport: Basketball
Favorite Artist: Hamasaki Ayumi
Favorite Food: Chocolate
Favorite Color: Pink
- leader

Mina's Top Ten Female Idols/ Groups Ranking & Explanation

I tend to get good feedback when I do explanations for my rankings, and I wanted to post something.  If there is a subject you want me to weigh in on let me know.  I'm always looking for something to talk about.  The reason I'm not including guys in this is because boy bands can be a little inconsistent.  The majority I only care for their singles.  Arashi and Super Junior are probably my top two, but I haven't heard much from Super Junior and Arashi hasn't been as good since 2010.  Arashi, seriously what happened to those amazing singles.  (Their most recent album had some great songs, but really lacking when it came to hit singles.)


I think you guys will enjoy this because I explain why I like who I like.  I hope you find someone new that you like.  I tend to find being called 'biased' offensive because I don't follow groups based on looks or the members.  For me if I don't like the music then it is really hard for me to follow a group.  Personality and looks help, but I don't listen to music for their personality.  


1. AKB48
Why do I like AKB48 so much?  There are a lot of factors that play into it, but the main reason is that I enjoy a significant amount of their music.  The fact that they release so much, through singles, subgroups, and stages, likely increases the probability that I'll like some of it.  I also adore the variety in styles.  Yes, the majority is standard Pop, which is perfectly fine by my book, they also have songs that incorporate Rock and Hip-Hop.  Akimoto went through a little latin phase (Team A's 6th Stage).  I have a wide range of music I enjoy (from Nicki Minaj to Florence + the Machine, and so on).  Plus, a lot of the songs have nice lyrics.  They've also challenge themselves creatively.  Even their earlier singles had captivating promotional videos and choreography.  They are using their popularity to their advantage by working with some amazing artists and directors for their releases.  I'm looking forward to see how the new lyricists will do.  (If you haven't heard, Akimoto is hiring people to help him write music.)  With new influences coming in I hope to see the music develop.   


When I consider the interesting concept of 'a classroom' and watching the girls develop (Akimoto's CNN interview), I can overlook that some of the members aren't as talented as I would like them to be.  This is a major negative to me.  It also hurts the group because there are some strong vocalists, but the weaker members make them look bad.  Another thing that makes up for that is the range in members.  They have different personalities, and looks; there is pretty much someone for everyone.    



2. Brown Eyed Girls
Brown Eyed Girls are quite different than AKB48, which is probably why I am tempted to put them on top.  First off, the fact that they have members who are in their mid-twenties to thirties is lovely.  The entertainment industry in a lot of countries, especially for women, is very youth-orientated.  They are likely the most talented K-Pop, female, idol group.  They are the perfect kind of sexy.  (Confident and powerful sexy, not look-at-me and buy-my-music sexy.)  Both their singles and solo work tend to be spectacular.  My issue with them is, besides their singles, I don't like their music all too much.  Also, they don't release music all too often.  However, that is mostly the 'comeback' system in their industry's fault.  So basically, they are more talented than AKB48, equal in personality, but AKB48 has more music that I like.  However, the songs that I do like are so superb that they beat out SKE48 (who also have more songs that I like than BEG).  


3. SKE48
I have similar reasons why I like SKE48 compared to AKB48,  not unexpected since they have the same concept.  What surprised me was how different stylistically they are.  Their singles often make me imagine a lake or some body of water. They also tend to be more energetic dancers, this might be a Team S thing though.  SKE48's members have a different look compared to AKB48.  I really recommend watching their Zepp Nagoya (042910) and (122509) concerts; after I watched those I became a big fan.  They lack a variety show like AKBingo!, which is why I don't know their names or personalities well.  They've also improved the last couple of years.    


4. Perfume
I don't blog much about Perfume.  I don't have anything interesting to say about them.  I believe they are the definition of idols.  They seem perfect at all times, and reflect an ideal for women.  They also follow the guideline of being popular.  Perfume also has a good chance of continued long-term success, which is usually limited to male units.  Perfume's musical style, while unique, isn't my favorite.  I love it in the same way I love Enya.  It isn't exactly party music or something I would listen to often, but it is relaxing and enjoyable.    

5. NMB48
I had some trouble deciding where to place NMB48 on this ranking.  Their singles have been good, but nothing outstanding.  The members are surprising, considering how new they are to the industry, good performers.  I originally placed it lower, but then I considered their stage.  If you don't recall, I raved about their first stage.  This is partly due to AKB and SKE's debut stages weren't as good, in my opinion.  I can also see the Osaka flavor.  I didn't care for the song or PV for Oh My God!, however their performance made me like the song.  I think that is a good quality.  It was a really bland song, but they were so adorable.  They made me associate the two together.  Now I actually want to listen to the song.     


6. Morning Musume
You know how I said the main reason I love AKB is because of their music, that is what is hurting my interest in Morning Musume.  After viewing the PV for Renai Hunter, I've decided that I like the 10th generation.  (not as much as 9th gen.)  Plus, with Takahashi and Niigaki gone I adore all the members.  So, idol-wise they are in a great spot.  (there is a concern about talent because as far as I know Reina is the only strong vocalist, but I don't know about 9th and 10th gen.)  They just need to be more consistent with releases (that I like).  Renai Hunter was in the right direction.  (still want something more on the level of 10 MY ME and Maji Desu Ka Ska.)  I'm still hanging on because it wasn't too long ago from when I really enjoyed their releases.  Although, I'm impatient so I'm getting sick of waiting and disappointment.   


7. Tokyo Girls Style
I wasn't expecting much after their debut single, but they've done an amazing job thus far.  Their singles and albums have been good or better.  I like how they infuse the typical idol sound with other genres.  Keep it up ladies.  


 8. Kyary Pamyu Pamyu
Kyary had me at hello.  I find her singles addicting, but I wouldn't love them as much without the packaging.  Her PVs are spectacular.  Each one is different, but you see common imagery.  Kyary is not the most talented idol walking around vocally or in terms of music.  Excluding her singles, I don't care for her songs.  Her selling point is her concepts and creativity.  She knows how to sell it, and that is why I am always at the edge of my seat waiting for a new single.

9. Chocolat
I know this may piss off K-Pop fans when I've ranked this rookie group higher than most major groups like SNSD, Kara, and 2NE1.  I just like them better.  Their singles have been improving.  The fact that three members are biracial interests me.  Their dance practice videos are fun to watch.  I enjoy their performances.  Chocolat, especially my favorite Melanie, has strong vocals.  I root for them.  They also have the best English version for a Korean song that I've heard.  (I think SNSD's sucked.)       


10. Fairies
This is another rookie group, but from Japan.  They could surpass some of the above groups if they divided up the singing more.  I reject the E-girl groups because only two or three members sing when they have like seven members.  On that point, they've been improving.  Their dancing is wonderful.  I also adore most of their singles.  I also love their professional image.  (older groups could perform in the same clothes.)


Honorable Mention: Super Girls, C-ute, BiS, Momoiro Clover Z, 2NE1, and Kara.

PV Reviews 110903

This is pretty good quality considering what it is for.  It is a bit dull.  I mostly watched this just because Yui from YuiKaori is in the video.
☆☆☆



This video is disappointing after their last couple PVs that they released.  It is a typical, low quality, idol PV.  
☆☆



This is basically footage from the album photo-shoot, the Mr. Simple MV making of, and their tour.  It is good, but I would of preferred a dance shot because of the strong wall of sound that this song is.
☆☆☆  



This looks like something any one can pull off with the right equipment.  I've seen better quality YouTube videos.  BiS made a video with a bunch of cellphones and it was something I enjoyed as much as the large production PVs.
☆☆



I like this PV.  The use of colors and basic, fun patterns combined with the other elements (like the extras) make for a playful video.  They use some cool pans and angles.  
☆☆☆



I adore the stylish style of this video.  The stop motion and comic produces a fun and entertaining video.  It looks like a video you and your friends could make (while lubricated) with better production quality.  
☆☆☆☆☆


I do like the concept and the return to fun PVs.  The close ups look spectacular.  I however disapprove of the dance shot.  The CGI isn't used effectively.  It looks both basic and overdone at the same time.  The universe shot is better, but I don't love it.  The outfits are cool for the most part but I don't think it is flattering on all the girls.  Takahashi's doesn't suit her in my opinion.  I also dislike the choreography.  It reminds me of the bland dance section AKB did in Flying Get, but I like the rest of AKB's dancing with their microphones.  I don't like the fact that they are dancing in a line.  I like to be impressed by formations and how they transition between them.  Theirs just looks lazy.  Unfortunately the main shot is the dance shot.  
☆☆


This is like a better version of their PV for Anime Expo.  The stop motion and bright colors if fun.  The costumes reminds me older Morning Musume videos.  It is odd at parts that I don't even try to figure out like PONPONPON.  I don't like the far-away shot in the clouds with members clumped together.  It lacks a focus.   
☆☆☆☆ 



I've reviewed the preview, but they added in some cool behind the scenes shots at the beginning.  After watching Morning Musume's PV I have to compliment them for their choreography.  It isn't even that difficult, but combined with their strong dancing abilities and formations it is the best part of the video.  Good, considering this video is mostly dance shots.  I don't love the zoom in single shots of the various girls.  It seems stiff at times.  The center is good in her close-ups.  I have to mention the fact that I hate that these groups exist: one girl singing in what they call a girl group.  I want them all to sing or it is a solo artist with back up dancers!   
☆☆☆☆



Part of me wishes that this whole video was Ayu singing in the profile-close up.  It is just the preview so maybe they'll do some other interesting shots besides them zooming past people.  (I'm only going to review some of the previews Ayu released.)  
☆☆☆☆



The guy in drag sining to her is kind of awkward, but I like the group shot of her singing among half-naked guys.  
☆☆☆☆☆



I love the simplistic beauty of this PV.
☆☆☆☆☆



I can't even tell if she is in the Happy Girl Project or in Hello Project.  This video is just vanilla, which is sad after hearing that she has a strong voice.  This isn't going to help her be successful.  Mano Erina is way more intriguing than her. 
☆☆



NOOOO!  A whole entire cat girl video?  Really?  I like the song, but the video makes me think the girls are cheap.  AKB48's was only a segment and was playful.  This is just annoying like girls on halloween who dress up in sexy clothes and just add animal ears and more make-up.  
☆

Are they all seducing the same guy?  They should of cast some other guys for more man candy.  I like how they messed with the traditional dance shot, which looks more like they are performing at a club.  
☆☆☆☆



Too much guy-liner for me (emokid *cough cough ; ).  The choreography is wonderful.  I don't get the winter theme.  Is it the lyrics?  Oh. . . they are saying they are so hot that they make ice melt in winter right?  The close up shots are meh.  I like a couple like the one with diagonal lines of light.  Besides the dance shots there isn't much worth watching.  
☆☆☆

Old Favorites & Recent Fascinations

BiS - Fresh Faced Idols?

The member in pigtails has left the group to be replaced by Yufu.

Most of you know by now that Japan and Korea are having an idol boom.  New groups are sprouting up and gaining attention every which way (sorry if that doesn't make sense to you it is a phrase I use. . . Midwest thing?).  One unit, BiS [Brand new Idol Society], has released their (major?) debut single and hit the Oricon charts.  (Another unit Kiss-My-Ft2, from JE, got the number one spot.  How is their name pronounced?  Kiss My Foot?)  They have an edgier image, rebelling against the idea that idols have to be clean and proper.  I saw them first through Pure Idol Heart and I responded well to the PV posted.  I checked them out on YouTube and I was intrigued.  However, I was a bit dumbfounded when I started watching their hit single:

I was shocked, but then I was distracted by some beautiful shots and realized they did a good job.  Nudity can be done tastefully and it reminded me of various paintings.  (My favorite place in LA is the Getty.  I went there twice while I was in LA for the first time.)  Once I regained myself I went wait, we are missing someone!  The member, which happens to be my favorite, is no longer in the group.  Which sucks if it was because of the nudity thing.  They found a replacement, but I'm bummed.  See I like variety in groups and now it feels like they are missing an element, and overly cute one.  I was a huge fan of t.A.T.u, still am but not as big.  They did a tribute to t.A.T.u. which was great.  But, my favorite has to be this one:

Anyway, with my favorite member gone I am a bit undecided if I should continue following them.  I will stick around to see how I like the new member, but she will be missed.  (Fortunately my second favorite, girl with short hair and extra piercings, is still there.)

Do I Still Care?

Hello Project has been luke-warm for me as of late, to none of your surprise.  Why do I keep bringing it up?  Because I still want to like and enjoy being a fan.  I want to keep one foot on each side of the river(?).  I got S/mileage's first album which was pretty good, mostly because I adored their singles.  Berryz Koubou still releases likable singles. . . I really like their latest at least.  C-ute has sooooo much potential.  (If only they had a different producer!)  Morning Musume has all those great new members!  Most of my disappointment falls on their producer Tsunku.  I mean, everything would be peachy if they had better music.  But who can blame him, he is distracted by the indie idols like Afilia Saga East.  Honestly, I've stopped caring about Morning Musume and S/mileage.  I'm paying them as much attention as Kiss-My-Ft2 and SNSD.  I've even deleted my tags on Tumblr for Hello Project and Morning Musume, which means I don't even want to look at pictures or videos of them.  I'm still rooting for C-ute.

Hello Project isn't the only idols I've deleted my tag on Tumblr for: Momoiro Clover.  The management just keeps pissing me off then Akari leaves and I've had it.  They aren't the same without Akari.  They look like a more miss-matched, older version of Tokyo Girls Style (who I am recently entranced by).

Oh, and I think Beckii Cruel's upcoming single sounds horrible and she isn't that good of a dancer (if you've watched her recent Morning Musume dance cover).

Rising Stars (the brighter side of things)
NMB48 (polished in very little time)
Tokyo Girls Style (avex is pulling through)
Hey Say Jump (their latest was a stupendous improvement)
Afilia Saga East (we'll see, seems a bit only fan service)
Super Girls (another we shall see case)

Recent Cravings 
I've been going through some odd obsessions.  I'm a DD when it comes to AKB48, so I shouldn't be so surprised when I jump from one member interest to another.  Today I was watching old footage of Ayaka Kikuchi, before she was fired.  All of a sudden I've missed Oshima's pervy cuteness.  Then there is Iwasa Misaki's powerhouse vocals.  I've changed my wallpaper to Kasai Tomomi.  Akimoto Sayaka's awesome~ness.  I'm literally all over the place.  Now I found some subtitled videos which has an adorable Takamina (I mean her hair and that hat are super flattering) and then Sasshi accidentally causing dirty jokes.  Why don't I dislike anyone within AKB48?  They have so many membersssss. . . oh yeah Haruka Ishida is the only one out of what is it now 75?


Am I Suffering From a K-Pop Phase?
I've been addicted to Nine Muses' No Playboy.  My friends and I want to learn the dance to HyunA's Bubble Pop.  I keep on hearing bollywood in my favorite Super Junior Korean singles.  I've been voting in Eat Your Kimchi polls.  I went through a huge K-drama stint while in Japan.  What is happening to me?

Can Happiness Be Considered a Girl Group?
If you've seen them perform or have watched one of their PVs you might of noticed that only two girls sing.  It almost feels like one center with a support singer and then a whole bunch of back up dancers.  I was looking forward to the group since   they were good dancers, but WTF is this?  I'm all for dancers getting a bigger spotlight, but can they not sing at all?  Their lead vocalist is spectacular!  I almost prefer her to go solo.  You see I adore Matsuda Seiko, an idol-soloist from way back.  For some reason I keep on seeking out her replacement or equal for today.  One of the candidates is Happiness' lead vocalist, the other is Acchan from AKB48.  What do you think?  I will post some videos after the jump to give you a better perspective.

Matsuda Seiko Performing on a Music Program

Happiness Dancing at a Concert

Happiness Performing on a Music Program

Acchan Performing her First Solo Single