47 posts tagged “morning musume”

Finally a post that is focused on Hello! Project.  But first...

I love that all of the idol groups seem to be omnipresent around Japan.  I was walking through a department store yesterday and they had Kimagure Princess playing in the store's audio system.  I was LOLing at that.  And on the JR trains I have seen a video ad for some website featuring Idoling!!!, and a promotion for Kojima Haruna's upcoming photobook.  But what I really love are the billboards!

The first one I noticed was this ad for Pino featuring Perfume at Tamachi station.  I haven't big as big a fan of them as some others, but I love the ad.  Really cute!  The next one is a little dark because I took it in bad weather at night...

I was walking to dinner with some friends in Ueno, and I grabbed this pick quickly as they weren't interested in hunting for Idol stuff.  But that is AKB48's Fujie Reina and Chikano Rina promoting...ice cream???  I think that is what it's for, I'm not sure.  Finally...

I think the funniest thing about this Manoeri ad is that it is right next to the AKB48 theater!  (hehe)

Okay, I finally got to do something H!P related other than hunting for pics at the H!P stores.  I was a little bit disappointed because I tried to strategize the day so I could see both AKB48 and Berryz Kobo.  But the AKB48 email system screwed me up by sending me a phantom message hinting that I won a show, then it turned out I didn't.  Some sort of glitch in the system.  Whatever, I was kinda tired yesterday, so two shows would have definitely wiped me out!  But I made it to Tokyo Koseinenkin Keikan in plenty of time, bought my Maasa shirt and photoset, and I was ready for action!

As I got to my thirteenth row seat i was a little bit further to the left than i thought I was going to be.  That's okay, I was still in front of the stage.  The best gauge is whether I am paying more attention to the monitors or the girls on stage, and I was definitely focused on the live action.  Scanning the audience, most of the people around me were either Risako or Momo fans.  Although there seemed to be a good mix of all the girls different colors.  I would say the least represented color there was for Captain, but I did have a Saki fan right in front of me.  A girl, and her wotagei-ing was as intense as anyone's!  behind me was another girl in Yurina colors, to my left was a Miyabi fan, and to my delight another Maasa fan sat down on my right!

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The moment the show started...WOW!  Everyone around me was dancing like crazy!  Both of the guys next to me knew every step and hand gesture to the first three songs, which were the new single tracks and Tsukiatteru no ni Kataomoi.  The first thing I noticed was Maasa (of course).  Oh man, she is turning into a total woman!  She is still thin, and her dancing has gotten much better.  She was smiling and jumping down to the front of the stage ala Gaki-san, beckoning the fans to sing along.  She also led the opening intro MC.  She is a new and improved Maasa, and I love it!  BTW, Ryuusei Boy is a great song to open with!

After Madayade and Munasawagi Scarlet, they did a cute little skit (starring Maasa again, see a pattern forming here?) and went into Chinami's solo.  As high a voice she has, I was a bit surprised she was having trouble hitting the high notes.  So I was slightly disappointed, unlike the next two "unit songs".  I especially like Helation Summer.  But one of the coolest performances of the night was the "beatbox" version of Dschingis Khan.  In fact I will go as far as saying that this version is better than the original.  Chinami and Captain voiced the percussion parts, with Miyabi doing the bass.  It is really cool!

And for those of you who know the setlist and were wondering, Momoko did an excellent job with Very Beauty.  She is just a fantastic performer, and makes it look easy the entire show.  The next great moment came in Special Generation.  Huh?  I usually complain about that song being overplayed.  But the Sea Breem cosplay costumes were hilarious.  And they kept wearing them during Nigiyaki na Fuyu, which I had never heard before.  I loved it!!!

I was excited about the "special medley" because it had so many great songs in it.  I only wish they had done more of Kiche Desse.  And unlike what it says on H!O, it was Momo on the Xylophone for this show,  But Maasa carried it onto the stage.  Hehe, Maasa is strong!  Suhada Pichi Pichi was another great performance, especially by the fans.  For some reason my hangover came back during Monkey Dance.  I dunno, maybe it was the song itself.  I quickly felt better once they started singing Rival.  And for the encore...

BTW, what is it the fans say during the encore chant for Berryz?  "Berryz something or other"  Whatever it is, I thought it was cool, just like the "Berryz saiko!" chant after the show.  Clap was a nice song to end with.

Keep in mind that I watch the show with "Maasa colored glasses" on, but I thought she was absolutely sensational.  She is a totally different performer from when i saw Berryz Kobo live last year.  The only bummer is that she seems to be taking the leadership role away from Captain, who barely said a word throughout the show.  I was also impressed with Risako.  Her singing has gotten much better, and she was always smiling when I watched her.  I think she is becoming slightly less self-conscious, which may have been her problem before.  And Momo is always great!  Miyabi is a great singer, but she just doesn't stand out to me for some reason.  So at the end of the day I adore Maasa even more than before, and Riichan takes a huge leap in my BK pecking order.  Who'da thunk it?  Oh, and the coolest part...at the end of the show the guy to my right shook my hand as he was glad to meet another Maasa fanatic.  Partners in battle!!!

So there ya go, Berryz are great.  My next H!P review will be Morning Musume this Sunday.  That will surely be an awesome show!  between then and now i have more AKB fun in store, and you never know what surprises might pop up.  I will leave you with another pic of my latest infatuation, the adorable Chisaki Hatakeyama from SDN48.  I have also been checking out her Ameba blog, very nice!

CK in Tokyo

Yes, I am back in Japan, but it was "touch and go" for a while...

I am sure this is going to be another awesome trip.  But the way it started made me a little unsure.  So if you will indulge me for a moment, I need to lament.  Beginning with Friday morning when I slept through my alarm, and woke up when I should have already been en-route to the airport!!!  That was an even bigger issue considering the major bridge between my house and SFO has been closed for the last 5 days.  Getting a taxi was just as hard, as the entire transportation system is in total breakdown.  But I made it to the train, and made it to the airport on time.  However, in my haste a forgot to pack a few important items...oh well!

My flight left on-time, which was important since I had a show to go to my first night in town.  It was a nice flight up until about 1500 miles outside of Tokyo, where we hit MAJOR turbulence.  It was the roughest flight I have ever been on.  they even had to suspend the meal service because it was too dangerous for the crew to stand up.  Then the plane was late because we had to sit in a holding pattern for 30 minutes due to Narita Traffic.  Then the luggage was late for some unknown reason.  And then...traffic into Tokyo was horrible, it took almost two hours to get to my hotel.  All in all it took almost 3 1/2 hours from landing to hotel check-in, sheesh!  The good news was that I still had time to make the show!  But I digress...

This is my fourth trip to Japan in less than two years.  People always find it remarkable how many shows and events I am able to see.  There is a bit of a strategy to it, although it doesn't leave me a lot of time to explore the many other wonderful things about this country.  That's okay, one day I will have time to do all of that stuff.  But I come here with a specific purpose.  So since AKB48's schedule is usually a last minute thing, I try to come when there are multiple Hello! Project events going on, and schedule my trip around that.  As a result this trip is shaping up to be just as hectic as the last one, concert-wise!

Morning Musume:  Going to the evening show on 11/8.  According to Celestia, we have 5th row seats.  Awesome!!!!!
Berryz Kobo:  Planning on going to the 11/3 evening show in Shinjuku, but I don't have a ticket yet.  That is my quest for today and tomorrow.  Find a berryz ticket!
AKB Infinity:  AKB48's new play!!!  I have 7th row for both performances on Saturday the 7th.  That means I will get to see both casts, Sayaka/Takamina and Sae/Yukirin.
SKE48;  I have one last chance to win tickets for Wednesday 11/4.  If i win it will be my first visit to Nagoya!
AKB48:  So far i have won three shows, today for Team Kenkyuusei, Tuesday Team A matinee and Wednesday Team Kenkyuusei again.  I will need to cancel that win if I win for SKE48.
SDN48:  This is what I wanted to see more than anything else while I am visiting.  The new "adults only" team from the world of AKB.  I have won twice so far.  Once for tonight...and once for last night.  Yes, THAT was the show I was in such a hurry to see, and i made it.  SDN48 on Halloween night!!!!

SDN48 was soooooo EPIC!  The show far exceeded my expectations, and that was even with Ohori Megumi, my favorite member being out with an injury.  I will post a more complete review of the show after I see it tonight.  But in summary, they are amazing dancers!   The choreography is on a completely different level from all of the other idol groups.  The show is super super sexy!  Now I know why it is "Rated R'.  The girls grind, hump, thrust, gyrate, kiss, mount, make-out...you name it!  It was far more risque than any of the previews suggest.  And Chisaki Hatakeyama is one of the sexiest girls I have ever seen!!!  BTW, most of the girls are much prettier in person than their promo pics on the official site suggest.  And since it was Halloween, the members had a special treat for the audience.  Post-show "Trick-or-Treat"!!!

After the show, the girls all went into the lobby each with a basket of candy.  As you left you got to pick a member and go up to her station for Trick-or-Treat, she then gave you candy and you could talk to her for a few moments.  Since Meetan wasn't there I had to pick someone else.  I thought about going to Chisaki because she is sooo adorable, but I ultimately went with Sayaka Kondo since she speaks English.  She was excited that I came all the way from the US to see them, and then just as we started to talk about NYAF the theater manager ushered me away,  My time was up!!!  But the entire experience was great, and I can't wait for tonight's show!!!

I haven't purchased any souvenirs yet.  But my good buddy Hiro had a great bag of gifts for me when I arrived last night.  I knew he had the autographed copy of Meetan's book for me.  But there were a few other cool surprises, as well as another awesome gift from another Meetan wota.  Geez, there are a lot of us!  I got a bunch of old magazines featuring AKB, as well as a bunch of their newspaper promos.  The Theater versions of Namida Surprise and Iiwake Maybe.  Those Nissin soup mugs are awesome!  One is signed by Tomo-mi, one by Myao, and I'm not sure who the third one is.  It might be Tomochin.  I will check.  And I love these...

Meetan Ameba Pigg fans!!!!!  If you are familiar with Ameba Pigg, that is the little virtual world where all of the Ameba bloggers hang out and chat.  And they get to create little characters that walk around in the rooms.  I love Ohori Megumi's Ameba Pigg character...kawaii!!!!

Alright, so there is lots to do today,  Hopefully this trip will have enough new and unique adventures, so it's not like i am just re-hashing my last trip.  Until tomorrow...

CK in California

CK in California
(inspired by...you know who!)

After spending the last 24 hours covering a multitude of blog posts about Koharu's graduation, there is very little I can possibly say that would be completely original.  But the best part about reading all of those articles is seeing everyone's perspective.  And even 20-25 posts in I can still find commentary that I am touched by.

So as this is the first Morning Musume graduation since I started this site, I feel it is my duty to say something.  Even if it just a marking of the time.  If nothing else, I think Koharu deserves that.

As surprised as I am about this announcement, I have learned that when it comes to idol graduations I should never be surprised.  Idols leave their groups for so many different reasons.  Some noble, some not so noble.  Some leave when their popularity is at an apex.  Some wait until the popularity train has long passed by.  For Koha, she is a young and bright star in a twelve year old group.  She has her entire adulthood ahead of her.  And we have long known that her best talents aren't in the singing department.  But she is talented...extremely talented.

She is funny

She is gorgeous

She is a great performer

She has a great voice for anime

Koharu has a lot to offer the entertainment world.  And to have that kind of career in Japan you can't waste any time.  So is it a surprise that she would want to test the waters of modeling and other realms of entertainment now?  Some might say "Yeah, but she had a great thing going with Morning Musume, why mess with it?"  To be honest I really don't know the answer to that question.  But I do wonder what kind of success limits might be in place when one works for UFA and H!P...

For one, you are limited to working in mediums that fit UFA's sensibilities.  For anyone who saw Koha's last photobook, it really pushed the envelope as far as H!P PBs go.  Like Goto Maki before her, maybe her vision of the future differed with UFA's.

From a monetary standpoint, I have no idea what the girls of Berryz, C-ute or MoMusu make in a year.  But given the amount of talent in the stable, coupled with mediocre sales and a sagging economy, I have a feeling they make less than we think they do.  Perhaps there are more fruitful opportunities being presented to Koharu.  I wouldn't be the least bit surprised.

At the end of the day, Koharu is the sixteenth member of Morning Musume to leave the group.  Many of whom left the band in the prime of their careers.  The good news is many of those former members are still seen on television, in movies and in print.  And all of them are still well loved by their fans.  Morning Musume will go on, and for me will be just as great as when I first layed my eyes on them.

And Koharu?  Given what a great idol and a great talent she is, I am sure she will be fine.

Thank you Koharu, for being who you are!

CK in California 

So the next couple of months are shaping up to be filled with exciting J-music adventures for me.  In some ways I am completely overwhelmed, but it should be a total blast anyway.  Leading off with...

This will be the easiest one for me to handle, as I just have to drive across the bay bridge for it.  Actually...jeez!  That's the day after the planned completion of the Oakland/SF Bay Bridge construction.  I hope they finish on time, or else I am going to be in big trouble.  I am actually covering this for International Wota.  I have never seen Glay.  And to be honest they aren't the type of band I am usually into.  But I do get their history, and for that reason alone I am excited.  It should be a great show, and you can count on a report!

Hehehe, did you think I would be missing this one?  Actually, I originally wasn't planning on making the trip.  But people kept asking me "Are you going?  Are you going?"  It finally inspired me to at least check the flight schedule.  And when I saw how inexpensive the flights were it was a "no-brainer".  $260 round trip from San Francisco to New York?  The hotel cost does take a bite.  Then again, this is New York City we're talking about.  I love that town, and I haven't been there in ages.  The thought of a combination of AKB, Broadway, Carnegie Deli and the New York Yankees?  Pinch me, that is too awesome.  I only wish I was getting there a little sooner.  Just like LA's Anime Expo, I am showing up a day late.  Hopefully I won't miss much.

I say tentative because this is the day before my last event (below), and I don't know if I will have the time to get over to the city.  But I have been a fan of Shonen Knife since High School, and I have never seen them before.  So it would be cool to see them at least once before they retire.

And finally..........

Back to Awesome Island I go!  Jeez, I should just find a way to move there.  I keep putting that into the universe.  Hopefully it will come true one of these days.  I never know exactly what this trip will look like beforehand because of the "AKB Factor"  In fact the only show I am sure I am going to is Morning Musume, but I am fairly sure Berryz Kobo is playing in Tokyo during that time.  My biggest goal is to win a ticket to see SDN48, the new "adult oriented" unit from the land of AKB.  Anything else will be gravy.  But merely being in Japan is freakin' awesome!

So yeah, I should be pretty tired come Thanksgiving.  Tired...but happy!

CK in California

 

I am guessing Sigmund Freud might have something to say about this too...

Everyone has their favorite idols.  I certainly do.  And I adore the girls I choose to fanboy over.  Whenever I see a J-pop concert live, be it Morning Musume, AKB48 or any of my other fave acts, there is always one particular girl that I seem to fixate on.  And that's the way it should be.  At least that is what the Japanese fans tell me.  You need to pick an idol and support her 100%.  

There is a little joke that has gone around the idol chatrooms regarding my idols of choice.  Believe me, it has never been lost on me that my girls all seem to share a similar persona.  I have even hinted about it on my many blogs.  But the way I see it, all idols need love.  And that can especially be said about my little "Dream Team".  Apparently I have an "eye" for a certain kind of personality.  It is probably the same quality I subliminally look for in my girlfriends.  That is the little joke going around wotachat.  It makes me wonder...

What would a group comprised of all of my favorite idols be like?  With that spirit in mind here is my dream lineup, comprised of my #1 favorite member from each of my favorite idol groups, and probably a good look into my own psyche.

In fact, that is a great idea!  Since my good friend Ray Mescallado, founder of Cult of Pop, American Wota and International Wota has tirelessly poked fun at me for my choice of idol, why not have him analyze me?  Let's see what he really thinks about my idol fandom.  This should be right up his alley.  That is coming up at the end of the post.  But first I present...
 

Meetan is my obvious choice for leader since I am head over heels in love with her,  and she actually knows who I am IRL!  Meetan came to my attention at the first idol concert I ever went to, AKB48 live at Shibuya AX in 2008.  When Ohori ripped her clothes off in the middle of "Blue Rose" I was completely captivated.  Couple that with her well-known sweet persona...all of her groupmates adore her and think of her as a team mom.  Ohori loves to get naked, or at least close to it.  She has done that multiple times on AKB48's television program, as well as in her pre-AKB gravure career.  She shamelessly oozes sex all of the time and loves the attention it affords her, although in person she sometimes comes off as quite shy.  It makes her unique as an idol and our perfect group leader.
 

When I first started liking SNSD I couldn't settle on a favorite since they mesh very well as a group.  But then I started reading a little more about them, and TaeYeon immediately rose from the proverbial pack.  It's no accident that she always tops the lists of K-pop stars that the fans want to marry, date etc.  She is smokin hawt!  Now add the "foot in mouth" factor.  TaeYeon has an affinity for getting herself into hot water by saying stupid crap.  Let's see...she once outraged the nurses of the world by collectively chastising them when she couldn't get immediate treatment at a local hospital.  And for her encore, who could forget her "Alicia Keys is pretty for a black girl" moment?  One prerequisite for my dream team is the possibility of controversy at any given time.  With TaeYeon as our co-spokesperson, we have that covered.

Tanaka is the perfect H!P girl.  She is amazingly cute, but all the while gives off a very sexy aura.  She is a master at playing both personas at the same time.  She is H!P's queen of fashion, and also puts out some of the sexiest photobooks, which she has been doing consistently since she was 15.  Along with our other co-front girl, she is also very playful.  Reina will play with the audience, she will toy with her bandmates, treating us to plenty of sexy winking and peace signs.  That is her trademark "come-hither!"  Although some people feel it gives off a "loose" quality.  The streetwalker scene in the Resonant Blue PV didn't help either.  But it's the wink that made me fall in love with her the first time I watched the closeup PV of "Chokkan 2"  Reina loves to be the center of attention.  Like Tsunku, I will be happy to give her the lionshare of the solo lines.  

My first ever favorite idol.  I discovered her amidst her infamous smoking controversy, and it was all downhill from there.  Even at age twelve Kago had a bit of a rebellious streak to her, and she has always been mischevious.  But as she has grown into an adult her mischief has turned into a series of national controversies.  She seems to have an affection for older guys, and like our leader she aspires to do more gravure.  Kago has no trouble getting (almost) naked in front of the camera.  But aside from all of that, she is a great singer and performer.  Her angelic voice will keep the CD's selling while the most hardcore Wota continue to dream of "something more".  Kago's antics along with her newfound appreciation for all of her fans makes every Wota think they might have a shot!

If you take a good look at Idoling!!! there is one member who always stands out from the rest, and that is Yazawa.  It is for good reason too, as there are very few pop-idols built like her.  That is all the more surprising considering how petite she is.  At 16, and before Erika was ever a singer she was doing gravure.  BTW, gravure experience is always a plus when I check through an idol resume (hehe!)  She is by far the most playful girl in her group.  If you ever watch an episode of Idoling!!! you will always find her causing trouble and mixing it up.  She also happens to have an angelic face.  Yazawa exists within our group to be the ultimate eyecandy, along with her partner in crime...
 

ZOMG!!!  Transforming from J-cup gravure idol Harada Ourei to "slightly less busty singing idol" Maeda Eiko...The powers that be over at AKS must have been laughing their asses off when they decided to hire this girl to be in SKE48 Team KII.  They made an age exception to hire her as well, so what does that tell you?  I have no idea what kind of singer or dancer she is.  But look at her....just look at her.  I will forgive her for committing the ultimate crime (removing her implants).  The moment I heard she was one of SKE48's newest members, I knew she would be my favorite.  I am sort of going on faith with Eiko.  But judging by her past she is a good bet.  I just hope she doesn't give Erika a complex, or any of the other girls for that matter.  Heaven knows they don't need any more insecurities!
 

Our last member is more of a "Dream Team" idol in training.  She just turned 17, so I figure in a year she will be ready for the "Big Show".  I have always adored Maasa.  At first it was because she has the most adorable face and cutest cheeks.  But what really got me was the way she acted during the release of her first photobook.  It was the first time I had seen an idol act "insecure" in public.  During one particular promotion Momo and Chinami were ogling her book.  Maasa was so antsy, you could tell she really wanted them to like it, but wasn't sure they would.  I am positive the rest of our members share a similar insecurity, but usually do a better job of hiding it.  But that is what makes "Awesome Maasa" the perfect trainee.  Her need for approval is evident, and she is probably willing to do whatever it takes to make it as an idol.  It is that quality that makes me want to root for her.  Oh, and she's a great actress!

BTW, I am not joking.  If you have read this blog for the past 2 years you'll know that those ARE really my favorite idols.  Oh, and the Dream Team is looking for a good group name.  Some suggested names include "JAV48", "ATM48", "The Reverse Cowgirls"...Any other suggestions?

The AKB48 Theater will soon be presenting a new show called SDN48, which is being touted as an adult-oriented idol show.  Needless to say I am looking forward to the debut, as the dream team would fit that bill perfectly.  When I look at my favorite idol collective I have to laugh, but I am proud that these are my favorite girls.  And I will unconditionally support them despite whatever scandal might befall them in the future.

The "real point of this article is what does this say about me as an idol fan?  As I said earlier I have asked Ray for his "expert" opinion. 

Oh Ray...

For CK...

CK thinks I've been teasing him for his ability to single out - and champion - the most emotionally vulnerable member of an idol group. In actuality, I am in awe of this incredible gift he possesses.

Spider-Man has his spider-senses which tingle when trouble is imminent. In Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, Humbert Humbert writes of how the true nymphophile is able to pick out the true nymphette in a group of girls, and not just the one adults find the prettiest. There is gaydar, which is when one is able to tell who is homosexual and who is not. 

CK's gift falls along these lines, and should have a name of its own. I'm going to go with "preydar". (As opposed to praydar, which is in the urban dictionary as the ability to detect Bible thumpers.)
 
What does it say about CK that he possesses such gifts? Should we chase after him with pitchforks and rakes and declare him a foul creature of the night? Should we tie CK to a stake and beat him mercilessly in the groinal area until he moans for mercy, sweet sweet mercy, while we all stand and laugh and pass around the tire irons and lead pipes and vibrating plastic phallic toys?

Well, sure. For sport. But before we do that, we should also praise him for his unique generosity of spirit.

Look at it this way: when you boil her down to her core - metaphorically, that is, as opposed to disposing of a body with industrial-strength acid - a pop idol is nothing more than a young person wanting to be loved by as many strangers as possible. An idol wants to be worshiped, and on the flimsiest basis possible: the ability to look cute, the ability to sing half-decently, the ability to dance with a modicum of skill. In short, the pop idol wants to be loved for being charming, really, and little else.

But what if you're part of a pack of idols? And what if there are more charming girls in the pack, leaving you the runt of the litter? Or what if you're doing well enough as an idol but really really want more attention because you're a filthy attention whore who can't stop winking at the audience? Or what if you started at the top of the idol heap, only to plummet to the very dregs for placing certain objects in one's mouth and being caught by the tabloids for doing so?

Is it fair, then, to go ignored by the general wota crowd, who pine for the Nacchis and Acchans and Yuris of the idol world? Is it fair to be deemed "damaged goods" or lacking in idol skillz because you're at the bottom of the totem pole of idol hawtness and desirability?

Of course not! When placed in that position, a true idol - in spirit, if not in popularity - will over-extend herself in order to get noticed. She can allow herself to get slapped around (or at least pummeled by a dodgeball) and treated like a worthless bitch by the hosts of Utaban. She can die her hair a frightening blonde and cut it fugly short. She can offer to hug people who'll buy her solo recording - and in doing so, distill the whole idol-wota relationship to its purest, most creepy form yet. She can keep winking at the audience until people start wondering if she's a neurologically damaged cousin of Frankenhooker. She can get breast implants that make each boob the same size as her head. She can pose as a worthless whore in a poorly-lit poorly-shot poorly-posed photobook and hope nobody mistakes her as a real whore in the process.

What CK does is respect the effort of these poor, misbegotten creatures, these idols seeking attention and feeling they haven't gotten their fair share yet. CK is motivated, not just by a willingness to root for these girls, but to encourage these girls to continue doing what they do to try to earn extra attention. The triumph of the idol will in his selected dream team is stirring in that it crosses all hurdles of common sense and self-awareness in favor of blind adulation and the encouragement of predatory impulses.

One could even say that CK is willing to over-extend himself - or at least a part of his anatomy - for the sake of such idols, knowing full well that these idols would probably be more willing to accept this over-extensions than somebody with, you know, dignity and a conscience.

Oh, if only more of us were as strongly gifted with preydar as CK is. In such a world, the relationship between idol and wota would deepen - by inches upon inches - as the most desperate of idols will at least feel loved in the Sally Fields-ian sense of wonderment. They would show their appreciation with an intimacy and flagrancy that the current top idols would never dare attempt, and wota-dom would be richer for it.

The Anime Expo Staff has released some great photos of Morning Musume performing live in L.A.  Here ya go, enjoy!

Excellent show!  And more pics can be found over at International Wota.  Check em out!

CK in California

Driving up and down Interstate 5 in the middle of the summer is a truly harrowing experience.  Around 300 of the 360 miles between my home and LA look just like the pic above...a lonely highway in the middle of nowhere dotted with the occasional set of gas stations.  The 100+ degree heat and endless parade of holiday travelers were enough to fray anyone's nerves.  But it was all worth it for this monumental event.

This will be the pic portion of my AX series...

I think at times we forgot this was Anime Expo and not Hello! Project Expo.  But you were always reminded whenever you went down that long hallway between the buildings.  I have to admit I eventually tired of traversing that sea of cosplayers and photo-oppers.  But some of the costumes were really impressive...

I usually looked for the groups with the hot girls in it!  I especially liked this cute little Sailor Moon...

The Japanfiles and Hello! Project Booths were pretty cool.  The H!P booth played DVD concert footage and had the girls' handprints and New Years messages on display.  This is where you could buy the CDs, poster, photosets and other miscellaneous stuff.   It was also a great place to go if you were looking for anyone you might know.  An IWer or H!O frequenter always seemed to be hanging around.

A few random shots of Hello! Party.  Bryan, CFB and Amy working the sound booth.  Someone gets punished in the Karaoke game.  Hello! Party was a great social event.  Many different Hello! Morning-styled games were played.

 

Oh yeah, I forgot about C-Zone.  This was just like being in Akihabara!  Some random idol group makes the trip from Japan to sell their T-shirts and DVD.  I just wonder why they didn't bring any CDs with them?  I would have bought one!

Some of my booty from the convention.  I had always wanted to see the live-action version of Death Note.  And now that I have I am kicking myself for not buying Death Note 2.  Those AKB48 cards were a gift from Paul Thomas from Hello!Blog.  I love that adorable Moeno card.  She is uber-cute!  Of course I bought the Japanfiles CD's of Momusu and H&A.  I found the new Berryz Kobo at the Kinokuniya Bookstore in Little Tokyo.  They also had some old issues of UTB.

Finally, the autographs.  They touched my book...They touched my book!!!  I will never forget this moment as long as I live!  All of the girls were absolutely charming and adorable.  I think that might be why I didn't feel as nervous as I thought I would.  Their demeanor made me feel at ease.  They all seemed to be genuinely happy to be there! 

Can't forget about Yossie...errrr, I mean Hangry!

I think that's going to be a wrap for my Expo reports.  I didn't do a full review of the actual concert.  I had a great seat in the front row to the right of the stage, decked out in Reina blue with six blue glowsticks in my hand.  When the girls came to the far stage left they would look right at me, which was great.  I loved all of the songs they performed.  But I think my favorite was Mikan, closely followed by that great medley of I Wish, Happy Summer Wedding, Koi no Dance Site, Souda! We're Alive, The Peace and RR21.

My next trip to Japan is tentatively slated for early November.  Morning Musume and Berryz Kobo's fall tours hit Tokyo at about the same time.  I can hardly wait...

CK in California
   

(most of this is a re-post of my entry in the IW AX column.  Part two will be a picspam including my autographs from Morning Musume)

Wow what an event!

This past long weekend was amazing for so many reasons.  I originally figured I would simply be seeing a Morning Musume concert.  And maybe there would be some sort of extra event surrounding it.  Since I have seen MoMusu so many times before perhaps the anticipation in me wasn't quite as high as some others.  But the event ended up being the blast of all blasts.

-It was incredible because the mythical Morning Musume actually came to California and put on an amazing show.  Even with a bare stage and slightly tinny sound system the girls looked and sounded awesome.  They worked very hard to pump up the crowd, and the crowd (especially the people front and center) responded admirably.

-It was incredible because their enigmatic producer Tsunku made multiple appearances at the event, which is something that doesn't even happen in Japan.  Tsunku was great.  And his responses at the Q&A session were forthright and enlightening.  If UFA gets the support and feels the demand, more shows await!  And judging from the MM Q&A the girls have no problem with making the trip!

It was unbelievably incredible because I had the opportunity to stand face to face with each Morning Musume member and interact with them for a brief moment.  Every last one of them was sweet, gracious, humble and absolutely beautiful.  I adore every single one of them.  I don't want to forget about Yoshizawa Hitomi either.  I loved her hair, she was so cute in person!  I owe Bento from #wotachat big time for helping me score autograph tickets.  You are awesome!

And last, but in no way least were all of the friends, colleagues and fellow fans I had the privilege of meeting.  I know many who attended the event felt the same way.  Being able to hang out with people who's work I have read or I have merely spoken to in a chat room/thread was far more amazing than I could have ever imagined.  That was amplified by the post concert Hello! Party event.  What an terrific idea hatched by Bryan and Jen from Hello! Ranking.  A room full of J-pop bloggers, IW writers, Hello! Online, JPH!P and other H!P fanatics.  Every time I saw a name badge I was in awe.  I had a blast narrating the event on UStream with mp from #wotachat!

Some of the names you might recognize from International Wota were the folks I spent the most time with.  Amy (along with brother Rocky and hawt sister Lysa, hehe), Maize, Joh and Kirarin Snow.  I also spent a lot of time hanging out with Catch Five Bats from Obnoxious Wota.  Greg from Selective Hearing, and of course Paul Thomas from Hello!Blog.  I loved running into Langdon from YODC, Sacred Cultivator from Hello! Fansubs, and what a surprise to see Yumestarlet from Stage48 and Egao Yes Idols who I had met two months ago at an AKB48 Team B show in Japan...awesome!!!  Although I am sure like me, part of her would have liked to have been in Paris this weekend for AKB48's overseas extravaganza.

Of course the "senior" set was in full force with me, My old buddy Radicalpatriot from Best in J-pop, Mozenator from Hello! Online and Arden, who goes by Erilaz around Vox. 

But the silliest one of all had to be Pata from Hello!Island and P-chu piano labs, who sat next to me for the entire MoMusu show and never identified himself...instead choosing to tweet about sitting next to me to everyone else.  Bwahahahahaha!  Next time say hi dude!  Jyo-ru from S.P.A.K.A., I would love to spend a "lost weekend" with him along with Henkka and Shirow.  Party on!

I hope I am not forgetting anyone.

The bottom line was everyone was great.  It's one thing to be able to see Morning Musume, but to be able to share the experience with so many incredible people is beyond words.  I have loved reading all of the stories posted this week by everyone.  I have always said that you will find a new level of appreciation for H!P after seeing them in person.  And now so many of my friends have had the opportunity to live the experience.  I am so grateful for that.  Every single moment of this event was like a gift.  A gift I will never forget.

I don't know when or where we will all be able to get together again for such a special event.  But I hope it happens soon.  And I hope some of you that didn't make it last time will find your way there.  It will be sooooo worth it!

CK

Today was beyond epic!  After seeing an amazing show yesterday, today's highlight for me was getting the opportunity to meet Morning Musume and get their autographs.

Before I get started just a couple of quick notes.  First, I have now seen Morning Musume a total of nine times, if you include Hello! Project concerts.  And even though the stage was very basic, there weren't too many costume changes, and the setlist was a tad shorter than usual.  The girls' performances were as awesome as I have ever seen in Japan.  You could tell how enthusiastic they were to be performing in California.  They put on a great show.  And the bonus of seeing Tsunku and Yossie on stage?  That was great!  I loved watching MoMusu's reaction to the OPVs.  They were so cute!

But this is about the autograph session.  Most everyone I was with had a ticket to get autographs today at one of the two sessions.  Maize, Johpan and OpsMonkey all went to the early session.  For the late session it was me, CatchFiveBats, Amy, Kirarin Snow, Mozenator and Paul Thomas.  Amy, K and Moze went in first, then CFB got in a little ahead of Tom and I. As P-Tom and I got to the front of the line it stopped...

OMG, what was happening?  Is it over?  Did Tom and I get shut out?  It couldn't be, there was so much time left!  There was a lot of whispering going on and the ticket people left their posts.  It seemed like at least five minutes went by, and then they came back out.  I was summonned to the door along with Tom...

Now the cool thing was the line had cleared out.  So all the girls were merely waiting for us.  As I entered the room I couldn't believe who was in the first seat.  It was Reina!!!  Would i completely choke and make an ass of myself?  I was brimming with anticipation...

Tanaka Reina:  I fumbled with my book as she stared up at me, smiled and gave me an enthusiastic "Hiiiii!!!"  As she carefully drew a little picture I struggled to say something, but all I could get out was "Awwwww Reina, my favorite.  Arigatou!"  (I greeted all of them by name, except for Sayumi.  You will understand why when you read down)  I have no idea if she understood me, but she looked up at me, smiled and said "Thank You!"  I am such a dork!  I forgot to say "Ganbareina" as I has planned all day!

LinLin:  All of the sudden I felt a little more at ease as I approached LinLin.  Now keep in mind that everyone in front of me had cleared out, so all the girls were watching me come around.  LinLin gave me a big smile and hello as I handed her my book.  As she signed it I said to her "I saw you at Nakano SunPlaza, your solo...beautiful!"  She smiled and thanked me as she returned the book.  Success!  A connection!  (err, I think)

Takahashi Ai:  Aichan enthusiastically took my book and began to sign it.  It was clear to me what I would say.  I just wanted to connect with as many of them as possible on some level.  As she gave me back the book, I looked at her and said in dramatic fashion, Q...E...D!  She laughed as I took my book back.  Risa was already shouting Hello to me!

Niigaki Risa:  Sounded so excited as she greeted me.  I almost called her Gaki-san, as I usually do on my blog.  But instead I said "G.A.K.I. desu"  She laughed as she signed my book.  All of the sudden I hear "It's Mittsi!!!"

Mitsui Aika:  That was so cute!  I think I said "Kawaii" as a response, but I am not to sure.  I thought to myself "Gosh, she is my least favorite but she is so sweet!"  She was really great.  I promise not to be critical of Aika agai....well, not for a while.  Aika was adorable.  Oh, and her short hairstyle is great!

Kamei Eri:  Eri went really quickly.  I had thought of some things to say to her earlier, but had forgotten them by the time I saw her.  So I handed her the book and said "Onegai"  She asked me if she could sign on the writing.  I guess she didn't want to write on her own face.  (hehe)  I said "Hai" and she signed the book.  Arigatou Gozaimasu!

Michishige Sayumi:  I looked up at Sayumi and it seemed like she was waiting for me to say something.  So I looked at her and said "It's You", which got a laugh from both her and Koharu.  Who I glanced over to as Sayumi signed my book.  Koharu waved to me, but I turned back to Sayumi to give her my attention.  She said "Thank You", and I stepped left to...

Kusumi Koharu:  Koharu had that awesome goofy smile on her face as she took my book.  I said to her that I love Anataboshi.  She said "ehhhhhhhh?"  I responed "Anataboshi, Milky Way saiko (sp).  I was trying to tell her how much I loved Milky Way.  Then Sayumi leaned over to her and whispered to her.  Koharu said "Oh, Milky Way.  Thnak You!" and gave me a big thumbs up!  According to Tom after I passed Sayumi and Koharu whispered something else to each other as they looked at me and giggled.  I have a funny feeling I don't want to know what they said.  (hehe)  Then again, I made an impression.  And it wan't like I was a jerk.  So I'm sure it was cool.

JunJun:  Now by this time I was gassed.  JunJun smiled at me and said hello as I handed her my book.  It was almost over!  She handed it back to me and I said Arigatou Gozaimasu JunJun!  Oh shucks, it dawned on me as I was writing this that one of the few phrases I know in Chinese is "Tiemen".  I'm not sure of the spelling but it means "sign please"  Once again, I am such a dork!

(BTW, I don't have pics since I am borrowing PC's while I am here.  I will upload those when I get home)

It took a while to sink in, but I am totally floored by this experience.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity since it isn't likely that I will ever get this close to them again.  On the other hand...

It was been 2 1/2 years since I first discovered H!P and J-pop.  And in that short time I have seen so many H!P shows.  I have been waved to and winked at at concerts.  I have made connections with members of AKB48.  I got an email from Ketchup Mania.  And now this.  Who knows what the future holds?

And as far as this experience is concerned...I was as giddy as a schoolgirl as I made dumb little jokes as an attempt to get them to smile and react.  I did keep moving, so management didn't seem to mind.  And the girls seemed to get a kick out of me.  I was just being enthusiastic, and I think they understood that.  I also believe the entire organization is impressed with how familiar we are with the history and inside info on the groups.  When I go back this fall I will try to purchase a great seat to see if they recognize me.  But ultimately they are all so great live that I am sure I will get some smiles and waves anyway.

There is a lot more to tell about this incredible weekend.  Stay tuned...

CK in California