おめでとうございます！

Congratulations!

I think it’s really interesting seeing that they’re having a tour based on the shuffle groups – I’m interested to see what kind of songs they’ll sing. Old favourites? New ones?  Also… High King is in it?! Considering it was a shuffle group made for promoting Cinderella the Musical, I thought it was just a one-shot. Which made me sad, because I loved C/C (Cinderella Complex). The tour goods on this one looks pretty good, although I’m not to crazy about the designs for the muffler towels. (Do anyone really use these logo towels anyway? They’re so small! Outside on a sunny day, maybe…) What I really do like, however, are the signed A4 sized photos! Those are a real treat! I don’t know if it’s actually hand signed or just a print-out, but I want one of High King real bad. How could I not love this unit when both Ai-chan and Reina, my two top-favourite members,  are in it? Their live performance is great too:

And then, of course, there’s Shin Mini Moni! Having seen their performance of Jyankenpyon! I think Linlin is doing a great job of it. With Fukuda Kanon in there as well, I’m excited to see what they’ll be doing. Still, I think they’ll have a hard time knocking knocking the original. Aibon, Nono, Yaguchi, Mika and then Ai… now that’s a tough combo!

Zoku Biyuuden looks interesting as well. Junjun! Having heard this live performance, I think I might really like this unit despite Sayumi being in it (lol):

Now, why didn’t I notice this unit before?!

(OK, I know, the answer is simple: Morning Musume.)

Now, like I said, I don’t really pay that much attention to other groups or people outside of Momusu or the now graduated W and Mini Moni. The odd exception to that rule is H!P eggs’ Fukuda Kanon.

Now why is that, you say?

Well, I saw Shugo Chara Egg‘s Minna no Tamago PV, and my first thought was: ZOMB! MINI AIBON!! Kago Ai and Tsuji Nozomi were one of the main reasons I got into H!P in the first place, and thus hold a special place in my wota heart. So, seeing a cute girl looking so much like Aibon jumping around in a green costume, complete with a cute, kirakira PV made me go <__< !

This, in turn, led to my discovering S/mileage on MorningBerryz‘ blog. Fukuda Kanon’s in it, along with Ogawa Saki and fellow Shugo Chara members Maeda Yuuka and Wada Ayaka. So far I think Fukuda Kanon is one of the better singers out of the members – at least considering what I heard of their live clip on YouTube just now. I won’t say it’s the best vocal performances in H!P either (no where near the likes of Aichan, Linlin or Aya), but they’re so friggin’ adorable and cute  that they can get away with it. I’m turning into a soft shell. For the eggs. I’m doomed. xD

Far right – Aibon much?

It all started when my sister let me read her Manga Mania magazines when I was 14 – I started reading manga and eventually got interested in anime, Japan and Japanese. I started listening to songs from my favourite anime shows, which lead to my interest in J-music (J-pop) and the discovery of artists such as Hamasaki Ayumi, Horie Yui and Onitsuka Chihiro.

I’ve been a H!P fan since I randomly discovered Morning Musume on youtube sometime back in 2006. (I think it was…) My favourite H!P groups (past and present) are Morning Musume, Mini Moni and W. I haven’t really been bothered to listen to C-ute or Berryz Kobou yet, seeing as I stick to Morning Musume.

~ Morning Musume~

Tanaka Reina – her yankee image and her singing makes for a great combo! Her solos are rockin’ and she’s got an attitude! She comes off as kind of sassy, but I think she really cares for the people around her.  Reina and Junjun make a wonderful pair! She looks stunning in her PB releases too. Also, you know there’s always that Otsukareina~!

Takahashi Ai – she’s got a great voice and she’s a wonderful leader. She always seems to be looking out for the other members, taking care of the pandas and all. Her personality seems more of the subtle kind, yet she has the confidence and those surprisingly funny moments that make you laugh. Her being super cute just adds to the pot.

Junjun – “the Chinese assassin!” lol. She’s funny and “tsumetai”  - nothing seems to faze her! Her comments make for great comedy. She sings well too, although I think her personality outshines her voice. This is not a bad thing, though. Junjun is also stunningly beautiful imo. She needs a solo PB…

Kamei Eri – lately I’ve come to like the turtle a lot more. She’s cute and random, and she’s got a good singing voice. I love her solo “Kataomoi no Owari ni” on Plainum 9 Disc! She’s both really cute and beautiful – no denying the iroke. Also, she’s originally from Kagoshima, witch earns her a plus in my book (exchange and all).

Niigaki Risa – her smile would brighten any day, and she looks great in her PBs! (Happy Girl, anyone?) She seems like an interesting personality too,  though I think I need to see some of her DVDs before making a judgement.

Aika – she’s always got a smile on her face and she seems like a really positive girl. Seeing the videos of her first concert with Momsu I got the impression that she’s a really earnest, hardworking girl. I guess that might have hit a weak spot with me. She’s cute and funny, but I haven’t really seen that much of her. Still kind of undecided.

Koharu – I’m surprised to see her rank this high, actually. Her ‘hyper and in-your-face’ personality, her loud, high-pitched voice and her lack of vocal talent bugged me to no end while she was still in Momusu. Still,  her personality did add something to the group, and so it was strange seeing her leave. She was always giving it her all, and you’ve got to admire that. Had she sung in a less nasal, cutesy voice I might have liked her better. In truth I have mixed feelings about this girl.

Linlin - although I think she has a great voice (especially during live concerts!), I just don’t find her personality that interesting. She seems energetic and positive, but I still don’t really know what kind of character she is. To me she just doesn’t stand out that much as some of the other members. (This might change once I see more of her.)

Sayumi – I think it’s fair to say I dislike Sayumi, mainly because she cannot sing. She has this overly-cutesy image, but frankly I can’t see what’s so cute about her. Granted, she can be funny, but for me she is just kind of meh.

My other favourite (graduated) H!P members:

Kago Ai – She’s was hyper, funny and cute without being over-the-top.  She’s also quite a good singer. Her humour and impersonations made for many amusing and funny moments, and she and Tsuji were a great duo. Did I mention she’s cute?

Tsuji Nozomi - always such a quirky personality, Nono’s a joy to watch. Although quite nasal at times I love her singing, especially within W. She’s funny and always gives it her best on stage, jumping about.

Yoshizawa Hitomi – aaah, Yossy! She’s like the boyish, cool big sister. She sings well, and I love her attitude. She pokes fun at the other members and makes you laugh.  She might seem a little rough at times, but I love how she cares for and help the other members, like during Koha’s introduction where Koharu forgets the lines and Yossi saves her.  Her graduation concert is brilliant, and one of my favourite Yossy-moments.

After watching Idol wo sagase! I think I’m also starting to like Nakazawa Yuko quite a bit. Her yankee-style personality and goofing around is great! I haven’t seen recent footage of her, though.