My Hello! Project predictions for 2017 - How wrong was I?

Over a year ago, I wrote a blogpost titled "Hello! Project's future", in which I made several predictions for 2017 and said I'd get back to it after a year, so here I am! I'm at the same time very impressed about how many of my predictions actually came true and very confused about some of the things I said. I know it was reasonable to think so back then, but the change in my opinions - especially concerning Yokoyama Reina and Tsubaki Factory - have been so drastic it's hard to believe it's been only a year.

So! Here are the actual predictions I made:

- Graduations for Angerme and maybe also Morning Musume. 
- New members for Country Girls, and for Angerme and Morning Musume if graduations happen.
- Tsubaki Factory either finding balance or adding charismatic members.
- Morning Musume album
- Sub-unit releases

I'm kind of shook that I was right about graduations. I did not think it would be Duu and I hoped it wouldn't be AiAi, but that's what happened. Both groups also gained members, although not as a result of graduations or in a way I or anyone was expecting, as you can tell by my guess that Country Girls would also be gaining members. More about that mess in a tiny bit!

Tsubaki Factory definitely found balance. Hell, it was the year of Tsubaki. They totally found themselves and they shine so bright now. Of course they're still a new group, but it's been such a strong start I hope they keep it up.

We got a Morning Musume album, bless! And what an album it is. I love it.
We also got sub-/shuffle-units in the form of Upcoming Music Delivery. I'm a bit disappointed that I didn't follow these releases too closely, and there's been some critique about them, but personally I don't think releasing these digital songs took away from other releases, so they were a nice addition.

In addition, I want to point out these extracts from the text (that I didn't include in the final predictions):

"I think the management has something planned for Ruru. Possibly also for Momohime."
"I hope there won't be another Kenshuusei group."

These predictions about the Kenshuusei are a bit amusing as well as hard to talk about, as the results are still kind of hanging in the air. The first one turned out to be true, as Ruru and Momohime were announced as members of the acting unit, and for the second one, Ichioka's group was announced. But since, not much information about either group has surfaced. We'll just have to hope it's around the corner. So, in a way I was both right&wrong to state that there wouldn't be a new Kenshuusei group before 2018.

And finally:

"Juice=Juice with new members...? A wild card! That would be very interesting although I don't think it's very likely."

This brings us back to the Country Girls case: Making the group part-time and adding 3 of the members to other Hello! Project groups - Morito to Morning Musume '17, Yanagawa (with Danbara Ruru) to Juice=Juice, and Funaki (with Kawamura Ayano) to ANGERME.

So, the "wild card" addition to Juice=Juice came true, in an even more surprising way. But frankly, now that everyone has adjusted to these changes, I'm pretty happy about the outcome. The new members fit the groups they were assigned to perfectly, heck, I even started liking Morito a bit more. The only downside is that I'm not good at following digital releases, so I've completely fallen behind in following Country Girls. This, alongside with Duu's graduation, were definitely the most shocking things to happen in 2017. But they were not bad changes. I accept that things sometimes need to change, and things are looking so good for Duu right now I'm only happy for her. I worry about AiAi, but her graduation wasn't that shocking, although it is very sad.

Best things about 2017 definitely include going to my first ever Hello! Project events. I didn't know in the beginning of the year any of these would happen, but I went to both Morning Musume's Spring and Fall tour concerts and a Juice=Juice single release&handshake event (Jidanda Dance / Feel! Kanjiru yo). I feel like it brought me closer as a fan, and I "discovered" love for members I was neutral about before. Ikuta Erina, Yokoyama Reina, Uemura Akari and Miyazaki Yuka rose fast on my rankings this year. I also think it was a great year musically, I enjoyed all of the releases and was particularly delighted by Morning Musume's album and the various OG collaborations they did. Especially Ai no Tane. Gets me every time.

Predictions for 2018

Naturally I should now come up with some? I don't have anything particular in mind, so there are not as thorough as last time, but just for fun:

- Ichioka's group will debut! Really hope so, haha. I wish Ono Kotomi and Maeda Kokoro would debut with her.
- Drastic changes for Kobushi Factory. Three members already left, and the group will need a big push to get back on their feet. I'm thinking 3 new members or something like that.
- I'm pretty sure both graduations and member additions will happen, but have no specific guesses or hopes for that. (Other than don't graduate my faves!)

♥♥♥

This text ended up way longer than I initially thought, I hope it was entertaining to someone! See you again, maybe in a month, maybe in a year..! (I've had this blog for 7 years. Wow?)

Hello! Project's future

I've had a blogpost "Does Morning Musume need an ace?" laying as a sketch here for almost a year. Now that the group got its 13th generation, a lot of thoughts emerged. About Morning Musume, the Kenshuusei, overall the future of Hello! Project. Everyone likes a little speculation!

Morning Musume's 13th Generation + Ace

Yokoyama Reina and Kaga Kaede. I'm particularly happy about Kaede and her being chosen was kind of expected. Personally I would've liked to see Danbara Ruru and Ono Kotomi join with her but I'm satisfied with the outcome. 2nin generation gives a nice balance to the current lineup, I think. It'll be interesting to see how they market the first generation of that kind!

A confession follows: Only now I'm starting to see what the fuss about Nonaka Miki has been all about. She really is the most charismatic performer in 12th gen and I can really see her as a regular center sometime in the future.

Which brings us to the original question, does Morning Musume need an ace? Personally I don't miss one girl being pushed to the front over others at all. I know a group needs to be recognizable to be popular, and an ace might help with that. I know a group needs to sell a lot of cd's!

And that's the thing. Morning Musume are selling. A lot. Scroll down to singles to see what I'm trying to say. Sure, they're not selling anywhere close what AKB48 and such are selling, but let's face it, they never will unless 48G sales somehow drop drastically.

I think the management knows what's the best for sales, and if they knew an ace was needed to sell as much as they want to, they would make one. There was a possibility to add some real ace material in 13th gen, at least I think so - Ruru or Kiyono Monohime would've done the job with a right push. Becoming an ace takes, in my opinion, 40% of talent and 60% or right management.

They didn't add one (no, neither of the new girls will be an ace), so I guess they're trying out a different style of lineup and if that works. I think it does. I think Morning Musume is at its finest.

Of course I'm just a western fan, I don't know how things actually are in Japan - do the people recognize Morning Musume, can they name any members?  But don't worry, they couldn't name Ai Takahashi back when she started as a leader. I recently watched an interview with 9nin Platinum Era and some OG members, and all the hosts of the show said they couldn't name any of the then current members. I'll try to find the video, it's lost somewhere in YouTube.

Future for the Kenshuusei and other groups

From my guesses to join the 13th generation, I think the management has something planned for Ruru. Possibly also for Momohime, but with her I'd say they're more likely still waiting for her to grow a bit. I don't really see her in Morning Musume, nor Angerme. Ruru I'd very much like to see joining Angerme. Ono Kotomi would suit something similar to the Satoyama groups so well..! I hope we'll see her debut one day.

I hope there won't be another Kenshuusei group, that would be very stupid before Tsubaki Factory has properly left the nest. I feel bad for them to be honest, I hope the new members bring some liveliness to the group but if they fail to really cheer it up a lot, it will be a long time before Tsubaki finds success. I'm still wondering how they managed to put together a group that is so monochrome? I hope they find their charm soon enough.

But there could be another Kenshuusei group. There's a lot of potential for a heckin' amazing group! Maybe in 2018. That might work.

Writing this, I can't quite decide which groups I want to gain more members. The groups with rotating member systems will continue on that path, but I think 2017 will be a quiet year in member additions, unless someone graduates. I feel like we might have an Angerme graduation pending. Oh, expect for Country Girls. They're very likely to add members, I think.

I can't see new members in Kobushi Factory. There would need to be at least 3 new members not to break the balance and nope, still can't see it. But Juice=Juice with new members...? A wild card! That would be very interesting although I don't think it's very likely.

Things that might or might not happen:

So, for 2017, I'm predicting graduations for Angerme and maybe also Morning Musume. In addition to ℃-ute and Momoko, of course. New members will be added to Country Girls, and to Angerme and Morning Musume if graduations happen. Tsubaki Factory either finds balance or adds charismatic members. Maybe even Momohime?

Morning Musume might finally release an album? Pretty please? Also sub-unit releases would be soooo nice. I already want to plan my own sub-units!

We'll see how wrong I was in a year..!

Listen to! May

I am almost over whelmed about the quality of music being released right now! Or maybe I just like to get excited! Who cares! Also, everyone loves a good collaboration, right? Lots of them ahead!

Really. Where is all this awesomeness coming from. I didn't know it was possible for me to be even more excited about music than I usually am. And I didn't even include any Hello! Project who've been slaying as well. Figured you already heard of them if you're interested.

Would be nice to know is someone's actually getting something out of this blog. Love a song? Please share! Hated one that I posted? Please share! Would it be nicer to share a playlist instead of separate videos? Comments are always welcome ♥
I also have a new Twitter, focusing on same subjects as this blog, do check it out: @musumenohoshi!

Listen to! March

Long recommendation post ahead because of the long lasted silence!
Hope you enjoy these songs ♥

Also, I'm currently updating the tags on this blog up-to-date, so that it's easier to find stuff you're interested in.
And I've been listening to lots of Arashi. They're popular for a reason.

The best of 2015 [Charts Edition]

2015 is long gone, and at first I wasn't going to do the usual year-end-post, but I have to! A Youtube channel I've been following for a while now, put out the video seen above. It's a real interesting watch! The same channel posts a similar video weekly, so if you want to follow what's hot in Japan easily, do subscribe it!

If I understood right, these are the things measured for Billboard Japan charts: Physical sales, Digital sales, Radio airplay figures, Tweets related to the songs and the number of times a CDs has been registered as being inserted into a computer. At least according to Wikipedia.

Billboard's way, of course, is only one way to measure the popularity, so let's take Oricon's TOP 100, which only measures the physical sales, to this too, and talk about what's going on in Japanese music a bit!

So, the Billboard song chart's TOP 5:

1. Sandaime J Soul Brothers - R.Y.U.S.E.I

2. Arashi - Sakura

3. Arashi - Ai wo Sakebe

4. Arashi - Aozora no Shita, Kimi no Tonari

5. Sekai no Owari - Dragon Night

Oricon album chart's TOP 5:

1. Arashi - Japonism

2. Sandaime J Soul Brothers from EXILE TRIBE - PLANET SEVEN

3. DREAMS COME TRUE - DREAMS COME TRUE THE BEST!
Watashi no Dream Come

4. AKB48 - Koko ga Rhodes da, koko de tobe!

5. AKB48 - 0 to 1 no aida

Oricon singles chart's TOP 5:

1. AKB48 - Bokutachi ha tatakawanai

2. AKB48 - Halloween Night

3. AKB48 - Green Flash

4. AKB48 - Kuchibiru ni Be My Baby

5. SKE48 - Coquettish juutai chuu

Are you seeing the same three names all over?

To sum up this, I'll quote the uploader of the Billboard video: "A new challenger had entered to fight for the top spot which is no longer exclusive to the two 'A' groups", which of course means that Arashi and AKB48, who have been dominating the music scene for years, are facing a new challenger that is Sandaime J Soul Bothers, who did take the #1 spot on the Billboard list.

That isn't a big surprise if you've been following any charts over the past year, but compared to how Arashi topping albums and AKB48 literally ruling singles could possibly be seen coming three years ago, it's a nice refreshment to the scene.

When I started writing, I though I'd have much more to say about the subject, but none of the charts really include any big surprises, at least for me. AKB did not reach the TOP 5 of Billboard, which is on the verge of being interesting, but when you look at physical sales, they're still going strong.

A few names that have been popping up often during the year, could be mentioned. Sekai no Owari is a very popular and trendy group right now, and I think they're still growing. Nishino Kana is a name I wasn't familiar before subscribing to the Billboard channel, but she's featured in most of the videos from last year and did well in the year-end-compilation too. Johnny's groups, as well as old rock groups like Mr. Children and B'z are still as strong as ever.

The most popular Korean group by far is Tohoshinki (TVXQ), and only the biggest western hits reach the top positions of the charts. It makes me really happy that Japanese people haven't stopped listening to Japanese music. Of course they haven't - it rocks - but still.

What did you think of 2015?

Who surprised you? Or disappointed?

Do you think these charts really tell what's good music?

I'm still planning to do a second part of year-end-posts, possibly called "The best of 2015 [Me Edition]" or something. Please stay tuned!

Introducing: Charisma.com

Charisma.com is an electronic rap duo consisting of two office ladies. Feeling it yet?

Introducing: GI

GI, or Global Icon, was a South Korean girl group with a boyish concept. And yeah, was. They debuted in 2013 and released a few real badass songs. After that followed a couple of years of silence and major member changes. It's really a pity there are no more songs from the old GI, but here they are and you should totally listen to them.

GI did come back earlier this year with a digital single called Echo. (The video I had linked got removed, sorry!) It's not particularly a bad song, but shows how yet another unique girl group was ruined along member changes. (Forever bitter about groups such as Fiestar and Hello Venus. And now GI. Maybe I should do a post about that?)

Introducing: Dempagumi.inc

I guess Dempagumi.inc really needs no introduction as a group, but if someone hasn't listened to them, now's the time.  I've been jamming to W.W.D like crazy for a few weeks now.

So Dempagumi.inc is a denpa idol group, consisting of six otakus: Mirin, Risa, Nemu, Eimi, Moga and Ayane (Pinky!). They're great. That's what you need to know, and to listen to their songs. They have a very distinctive style, all of the members are presented greatly as individuals and their music videos are a great big party!

(My lovely friends just bought me a Dempa glowstick from Paris, can't wait to get it!)

Otsukaresummer~

Sick & Tired of Human Boys

I present you a playlist including some of the best Japanese music from the past five decades. I put up this playlist just by picking the songs that I felt like fitted in it from the music I've been listening to lately, with the theme of retro hits, party music and oddness in mind. Thought I'd share, because I've enjoyed this playlist like hell.

Seishun Kozo ga Naiteiru- Another Version

Let's talk about Morning Musume '15's Seishun Kozo ga Naiteiru. And yeah, the regular version is okay. The another version will make your mind blow up and become a part of the greater existence.

The another version is directed by Shuhei Shibue, who won the Big Chance competition with this video. It was quite clear already back then the music video he would get to direct was going to be something completely different. His style is really unique.

Of course I like this MV already a bit better, because it has Zukki! I have nothing against Karin, and I know putting her on Zukki's place in the promotion edit(s) was a considered move, but I just don't think she fits the atmosphere of Morning Musume songs.

Anyway, Seishun Kozo ga Naiteiru. What a great song! And this another version is possibly the best music video from Morning Musume ever.

What's great about Sibue's MV is everything. Seriously, it's innovative, interesting and inspiring. The atmosphere is really fantasy-, even dreamlike throughout the video. It's exciting, even thrilling to follow. It has everything you could ever wish for - references to art, school uniforms, cheerleading, great GC, some fanservice, and an actual idea. (Which of course is the 12kies joining their scary senpais, who already have their personalities sorted out, in a wacky journey trough idolhood.) I'm not actually a big fan of long story MV's, this is just the amount of plot I need.

The best part is when the girls tear their way trough the wall. The shot has a really mysterious, even intimate feel to it and is very unusual. I love the detail when Maachan flips the piece of paper out of her way. Another great scene is when they break to the chorus for the last time and the petals start falling due to lighting. Like, what? Everything makes so little sense it's just utterly great.

There's a lot going on in the MV, and it still doesn't get messy. There's just more and more to discover - which fits the song, it's the same. For once, there's a music video that really embraces the song, its lyrics and the girls, and really is something suitable only for this one song. I wish there were more music videos like this, hell, Morning Musume could get hugely popular again if all their videos were like this.

Lastly, a couple of words about the song. It's written by Tsunku, who recently lost his ability to speak completely because of cancer. (If you're wondering whether I'm extremely sad about his loss or extremely happy he's still with us and working with music, I'm totally both.) The untranslated parts are from an old Japanese poem, and mean something like this:

Even the blossoming flowers
Will eventually scatter
Who in our world
Is unchanging?
The deep mountains of karma
We cross them today
And we shall not have superficial dreams
Nor be deluded.

If you're still not amazed by Seishun Kozo, I'm not sure what I should do with you.

♥ screenshot credits ♥

Listen to! March

The unintended "Girl Groups Rule" -edition.

I've gotta say at first I thought FM was really boring, but now that I've listened to it more, I think it's musically one of Crayon Pop's best songs. They're still quirky and unique, but this is very different from anything they've released. Anyway, girl groups. The best kind. I always find myself getting back to listening almost only girl groups, but then again, they're great! Why avoid greatness? ♥

Ps. Notice Red Velvet and Moso Calibration wear clothes with led lights.
I think it's a thing right now.

Concerning Love Live!

So, obviously, Love Live! has been a huge thing recently.

I've heard some songs from μ's, seen some clips from the anime and I've got a lot of friends who are crazy about this series. I tried downloading the rhythm game once, but it didn't work on my device. I've fancied the character designs of Love Live! for a while, but never really felt like or felt pressured to watch the anime. I never said I never would, either, like the case might have been a few years back, when I was ridiculously negative towards idol animes.

Then, one day I stumbled upon the song Happy Maker!, and I went; "Why not."

Now, I'm not an anime person, I could say I usually watch one to two series a year, and don't even finish most of them. Still, I watched the first season of Love Live! in less than two days, and I was actually surprised how quickly it ended. I really liked the first season, and I wrote most of this after watching it. Season 2 was mainly boring, to be honest. I'd say only the last 2 episodes were actually worth something.

Here, read why Love Live! is so popular.

”When talking about this topic, it's important to note that the "idol" genre had been simmering in some corner of the overall anime media universe for a long while. -- They weren't really shows about idols, at heart. It was always "<x> with idols", x usually being some other already well-established genre, like mecha with idols or mahou shoujo with idols. -- Needless to say, Love Live didn't do that - the story was about the girls, and about the girls only.”

As an long-term idol fan I can say I'm surprised how long it took for an anime like this to appear and to become popular. (We can argue if this is the first pure idol-anime or not, but at least it's the first to go this big. Well, LL does have school genre in it too, but as school idols are an actual thing, you could call it a pure idol anime.) I mentioned how a few years back, when AKB0048 came out, I was really pissed about anime idols. I was the only idol fan I knew outside the internet and suddenly all my friends loved animated idols, do you get me?

Recently the situation has changed. It's partly because of LL and partly it is the reason why LL is so popular. Idols are a thing now. Artists like AKB48 and Kyary Pamyu Pamyu started becoming more popular around the same time Love Live! was released, and K-pop was getting even huger too. Nowadays it's very common to meet other idol fans at conventions and such, and I feel it's because everything just happened to happen at the right time. Japanese and Korean music and Japanese animation together caused an idol-boom. And I couldn't be happier about it. I don't know if people get it but even if it's "just" anime idols, after spazzing about idols alone for years, I feel so delighted to hear people talk about idols, to see people loving idols. (Note: Remember, I can only talk about my personal experiences, and I am only involved in the Finnish con scene.)

Why didn't this happen a few years ago? I think it wasn't only my childishness that was the reason I didn't like anime idols, it was because anime idols weren't ready yet.

Love Live! has nailed anime idols. The animation is beautiful, the girls are interesting each in their own way, and the songs are actually good! All I can compare LL to is random clips from AKB0048 and some other idol animes, but I don't need more to know LL is way out of their league. 0048 was so messy! Everything in that anime drowned under everything in that anime. Really, know how to stop.

So, if we ignore some disturbing facts about Love Live!, like how all the girls can just magically sing quite well and pull off concerts without microphones, or how a bunch of high school students can afford that many glorious costumes, the anime is good. And if I like an anime, boy, then it seriously is good. Sometimes I can't watch even my favourite series because everything that is characteristic to anime tends to disgust me. LL is a very generic anime, and yes, some things in it do annoy me, but it succeeds to hide all that under the great mood that is very genuine and idol-like. In season 2 the anime does become a little slow and lack the feeling, but it's still bearable. Two times 13 episodes is a nicely short anime for someone like me.

Love Live! lacks logic, but it succeeds on fulfilling the most important thing - being a Happy Maker!, like they sing in the song above. So, even if I still prefer my idols in the flesh, I can suggest watching Love Live! if you're even slightly interested in it. At least season 1. 

Itooshikutte Gomen ne / Koi Dorobou

I'm still getting used to the fact that Momoko is part of country girls, to be honest, I don't think she completely fits in there. However, like people have already voiced out, she doesn't really stand out too much in the PV's, which is good. Anyway, Itooshikutte Gomen ne is a song that has that kind of a legendary feeling in it. It feels like a song that will be remembered & that will be sung in concerts for years. I think it's catchy and cute - in a bit cheesy way, but in a good way, I think. Hello!Project has been lacking a cutesy group for a while, so I really like the image given to Country Girls.

The music video is quite basic, but very nice. I like that there are more than one kinds of close-up shots, and god, aren't the girls just adorable. The outfits and the dance fit the song too, even though there's nothing especially great about them. Oh yeah, and each girl has more than one outfit. The casual outfits are perfect!

Song ★★★★☆

Dance Shot ★★★☆☆

Close-up ★★★★★

Clothes ★★★★☆

Overall ★★★★☆

Koi Dorobou one is a bit too pink, but only slightly. The setting is very cute and pretty and looks fabulously fluffy! Flowers are always great. The song is okay, quite a basic double A-side song. I love the chorus, but the counting after that just kinda kills it for me. Everything about this song does fit Itooshikutte and Country Girls' overall image though, and there's not anything actually wrong about it.

Still, the dance is kind of meh, and so are the outfits. I just watched the PV but I have got no idea what the girls were wearing. Oh, okay, they're real cute, I would wear most of those clothes myself, but they maybe they blend into the background too much. I'm starting to be quite sure both of these songs should get a 3½ out of 5 stars, but I haven't given myself that option, so, we'll just go with this. I do these reviews based on first impressions.

Song ★★★☆☆

Dance Shot ★★★☆☆

Close-up ★★★★☆

Clothes ★★★☆☆

Overall ★★★☆☆

Listen to! February

It's March already, but here are some songs I've been listening to lately.

▼

Plus: Yesterday Block B performed in Helsinki, Finland, to some 1500 people. Like my friend said, it's hard to believe there are so many people in Finland who listen to K-Pop. However, the venue was very nice and full and the atmosphere was damn amazing. Block B was sweet and the show was very pleasing!
It's great to have this kinds of events in your homeland. However, the delivery of information about them is still very lacking and the organization of K-Pop events is only taking its baby steps.

I'm eagerly waiting to see how far we can go.

♥

Introducing: Kavka Shishido

Kavka Shishido, real name Yuna Shishido, is a Japanese singer & drummer. Formerly part of a rock band The News, she still plays the drums by herself in all her promotions. She has also worked as a runway model, and no wonder. She's badass. Love her.

As long as I have love, passion and friendship, Miss. Miss Me
Goodbye to instincts, kleshas, emotions and lovesickness, Miss. Miss Me
I’m a woman that can’t shed tears

Taiki Bansei / Otome no Gyakushuu

ANGERME's first single with the new name and with 3rd
generation girls! What do I think of it?

It it even possible to be this excited for a song? Even though I only started following S/mileage properly last year and I'm not still too keen on the name ANGERME, I have been waiting for Taiki Bansei like crazy. One reason might be that alongside Meimi the new members appeal to me more than most old members. Especially Rikako, and I'm super happy too see her as a center here.

I also really like the dance and the setting of the dance shot. There's great energy there, even though its camerawork is slightly too messy. The clothes are casual but classy, which I adore. Only one minus: why oh why is Akari wearing a hoodie? That is only casual and she looks very out of place.

The horrible member introduction parts from the HaroSute version fortunately got deleted, but it wasn't enough to save the MV completely. The rainbow flag as the background of the close-up shots is fugly and doesn't fit the dance shot at all. The lighting makes some of the girls' hair look really messy. I guess they were going for a happier feeling with a colorful background, but let's be honest here - there's no way Taiki Bansei would need more happiness.

Song ★★★★★
Dance Shot ★★★★☆
Close-up ★☆☆☆☆
Clothes ★★★★☆
Overall ★★★★☆

When I saw Otome no Gyakushuu on HaroSute, my first reaction was to dislike it because it was so weird and nothing I had expected to hear after Taiki Bansei. But now that you think about it, Otome no Gyakushuu is the kind of song you would except from a group named ANGERME. And it really grows on you!

I actually really like the high-pitched parts, as well as the chorus. I just think the whole song could have been a lot more melodic instead of singing one particle at a time. There clearly has been a genius idea for a song, but the execution lacks a bit. The lyrics are interesting but don't always make sense, plus the arrangement is a bit off. The last ten seconds of the song are completely useless, I just wish it would have ended with the "la-la-la"s, it would've been so much more powerful.

And the MV is great! The setting is gorgeous, the close-ups are beautiful and there's more than just the dance and close-up shots! I love it! The antique furniture, the roses and the paleness fit the song perfectly. And so does the dance. Even though it's a bit weird, it has really fine parts, especially in the C-part. The outfits are fine. But just that, there's nothing very special about them.

Song ★★★★☆
Dance Shot ★★★★☆
Close-up ★★★★★
Clothes ★★★☆☆
Overall ★★★★☆


To be honest, even though I rate this song lower than Taiki Bansei, I think I will like Otome no Gyakushuu for a longer time. I just have that kind of a feeling. Anyway, overall, I think this is an all-kill single. Very nice start for ANGERME.

Introducing: SPICA

SPICA is one of the most vocally talented k-pop groups. On performances you can really see they concentrate on singing above anything else, so they sound awesome even MR removed.

Even though they're not completely unknown, I think they're still way too underrated. SPICA sounds and looks perfect and their music videos, especially You Don't Love Me and Tonight, which are my favourites, are beautifully executed.

Last fall they also made their US debut with an English song "I did it" in KCON.

Make way for chubby idols!

As one of the most controversial new trends in J-pop, oversized idols begun their conquest to rule the world last year, and I gotta say happiness is guaranteed after listening to these songs! Let's take a look at some chubby idol groups:

The-not-actually-chubby-idols: Chubbiness

380 kilograms of idols: Pottya

And one more round trio: la BIG 3



Now I want to see a chubby idol group that doesn't sing about being chubby and eat delicacies on their videos. An idol group that is purely an idol group that just happens to be chubby, not an idol group whose existence revolves around being chubby. Seriously. Every one of these songs has the word macaron in their lyrics. Look at all the food and the pastel colors. I don't even have to look up the lyrics to know what they're singing about. Like it isn't possible to be chubby and live healthily?

Chubby idols got even the Americans thinking: Is this positive song actually positive?
(This video has surprisingly good arguments. Among the bad ones. Still, watch it!)

They're getting a bit sidetracked, let's return to the point:
These three groups are the exact copies of each others.

So, is every chubby idol destined to be like every other
chubby idol for the rest of their career?

No. This trend is still very young, and only taking its baby steps. I think Japanese music industry will keep evolving as quickly as it has to present day, and one day chubby idols won't be a thing anymore. They'll just be idols that are chubby. This is just the annoying first level of trying something new, where everyone are clones of each others.

I could almost say I know the positive lyrics are meant to be positive. These groups are created to honestly encourage girls to love themselves, not to eat more. A new idol group's survival just depends on having a personality. This "chubby concept" is something really rare in the Japanese music industry, so it will guarantee you the interest of the public. One of the Japanese characteristics is to generalize things and that's why these girls are loving the food.

Many fear Japanese chubby idols will get flushed down the toilet, like their Korean sisters Piggy Dolls got. Read more here. It's a possible scenario.
Then again, I have faith. Chubby idols won't go distinct, but eventually a few groups will be able to maintain the balance between chubbiness and the right concept and to succeed. They'll start making songs about regular idol subjects, they'll stop eating candy in each of their MV's. They'll possibly still be marketed as chubby idols, but by then the trend has got over it's awkward-teenage-phase. That is my hope and belief.

I will be very excited to follow what is next for chubby idols. Stay with me, and while waiting for more controversy, enjoy their great music!


By the way, I'm not saying anything about individual groups, but don't say the entire "chubby concept" is embracing All About That Bass that was released on June 30, 2014, when Chubbiness' auditions were held on June, 2013. And That Bass is so original with the 50's theme!

♥

Introducing: ST.319

ST.319 is a Vietnamese dance group & production tem. Originally a dance crew founded and produced by member Aiden, these guys film the most awesome k-pop dance covers. They also have two recording artists, MIN and MR.A.

Do check them out!

Makes you want to dance too, right?

Introducing: EXILE TRIBE

EXILE TRIBE is another Japanese mess of brother- and sistergroups, units, collective units and subunits. But they're awesome. Their basic idea is that they have vocalists & performers separated - some members of the group are purely dancers. Here's a chart for you to understand the parts of EXILE TRIBE:

Simply: HIRO created J Soul Brothers, which became EXILE. Later, second (Nindaime) and third (Sandaime) generations of J Soul Brothers existed. THE SECOND from EXILE is basically the same group as Nindaime J Soul Brothers. There's also a unit called Generations (from EXILE TRIBE) and some other minor units. Many of these artists above are also part of the main group EXILE. E-Girls is short for EXILE Girls unit, and it consists of units Dream, Flower and Happiness as well as some original members.
EXILE TRIBE is a collective name for these units.
There was nothing simple about that.

What is simple is that their music is great. And that their "Short Versions"
of songs usually last for 5 minutes. It's heaven.