Archive for September, 2009

September 28th, 2009

Dream Team a.k.a. H!P Girls Top 10

by Zush

It’s been a while when I last time made my Hello! Project Girls Top Ten list. As you can see my top three seems to be sitting permanently on their places but there is one great surprise, a newcomer who has never before been on my list.

Then I’ve a request to Up-Front International: I certainly would like to see new photo books from Miya and JunJun. Miya’s debut PB was released over two years ago so it’s time to have a new one. And JunJun has not had even her first PB yet. And when you are then shooting all new photo books please use your imagination and creativity. Mizugi shots are fine but there is also plenty of other ways  making girls adorable.


1. MIYABI NATSUYAKI
So what should I do? Should I learn to speak Japanese? Should I then try to get job from Up-Front International? After that should I break all the written and unwritten rules and pick up Miya? Should we have international marriage? A couple of kids? Living happily ever after? Dream on zush, dream on.


2. RISAKO SUGAYA
First I though it’s too risky to love Rii. Now I think it’s too risky not to love. And you know, I’ve never had mixed feelings on her.


3. REINA TANAKA
I can easily imagine Reina ringing my doorbell, coming in and waving two tickets to VAMPS this evening gig. Sugoi! I kiss her and then we go.


4. CHINAMI TOKUNAGA
Chii is a mystery to me. I gladly would like to solve that mystery. What is going on in her head when she has that famous blank face expression? What kind of girl she is when in romantic mood? Questions. So many questions.


5. KOHARU KUSUMI
What’s the fuss with Koha’s graduation? If you have read this blog you know that she is not just-another-girl for me. Maybe I should start making non H!P girls top 10 after Koha’s graduation. Still waiting for my copy of Sugar Doll to arrive from HMV Japan.


6. MAIMI YAJIMA
Earlier I’ve had some problems with Maimi. She was kind of reticent. Still I wonder why was that so. Maybe I just thought that she is too cool. Too perfect. Too dominant? Today I adore her. If she wants to dominate, that’s fine for me. Please!


7. MAI HAGIWARA
What? Now we are making history. Maimai, the youngest of C-uties, is making her all time first entry to my Top 10 list. I guess this was inevitable. Years go by and girls are growing up fast. And remember that Maimai’s debut photo book is soon out. Hands up who has pre-ordered it!


8. MOMOKO TSUGUNAGA
Is Momo dropping down? She sure is as sweet as always. I guess from time to time I just get tired of hyper Momo. Too much helium is not good for my health. But things are not too bad because Momo is still on my list. The big question is: What kind of boyfriend could tolerate Momo’s hyperness? Should he be calm as ice or same kind of helium filled person as Momo herself is?


9. CHUN LI
There is something about JunJun. Although she is not the best dancer in Morning Musume. Although she does not have best looks. Although she has “strange” sense of humor. Although she is not petite. Although all of those and some other things… I desire her. I have a sense that we could have great time together.


10. YURINA KUMAI
Talk to me Kumai-chan. Your sweet voice is like a gentle fall evening as sun has just gone below the horizon and the sky looks so stunning with glowing purple, orange and blue.

September 22nd, 2009

The Emperor has spoken

by Zush

The Emperor of Hello! Project Dynasty has growled. Tsunku clarified on his blog that it was HE who decided Koha’s graduation (translation @ HelloOnline). Why I have this feeling that he monitors closely what’s been witten about H!P and in this case about Koha’s graduation on all kind of Japanese and even foreign H!P related major fan sites?

Anyways, Tsunku’s growl does not change anything. He just wants to show again who’s the boss in his Dynasty. So he underscores that those little subservients like Koha do not make decisions, it’s he who says the last word. OK Tsunku-chan, you made it clear… again. Actually since the early days of H!P that has been clear. Although we still don’t know what were the real reasons Tsunku decided to do this move. Not really a surprise because it’s always been this way in H!P.

As for Koha, I know she is going to do well also outside Tsunku’s Dynasty. My opinion is still the same: She needed to break out from that schizo image she had in H!P.

Koha’s graduation announcement in OhaStar show (September 22.):
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Notice Koha’s fighting pose in the end of this clip vs. Tsunku’s fist pose in his blog entry. Go girl!

September 20th, 2009

Open letter to Koharu

by Zush

Dear Koha,

This is not obituary. Why should this be it? This is not thumb that presses panic button. This is not sorrow. No red eyes. This is not misery. Because this is a new chapter in your still thin book. Because this is the life which has been waiting for you out there.

Finally you have taken your life in your own hands. It’s called “growing up” and “becoming independent”. Koha, you are quite courageous when you are taking this next giant leap in your life. I respect you. I adore you. I think I love you even more than before. And that’s much I can tell you.

Rejoice your coming freedom! Do what you really want to do. I’m sure that’s what is sparkling in your mind these days. Leave behind those silly choreographies, odd & tight H!P rules, bizarre Kirarin outfits and most of all your childish idol image which never attracted me

You deserve better things. Now, go and get ‘em! Go girl!

Best wishes to you and your bright future  from zush.

September 19th, 2009

Scandalous day: October 21st

by Zush

Finally that day comes! So long I’ve been waiting for it. And as that’s the case I rank it one of the most remarkable days in the year 2009.

Because! On that day Japanese all girl rock quartet SCANDAL is releasing their debut album BEST★SCANDAL.

It took over three years before Haruna, Mami, Tomomi and Rina reached this stage. The band was formed on August 2006 and after that they have released three indie singles, indie mini album and three major singles. Before this first album comes out another single named 夢見るつばさ and it’s release date is October 14.

BEST★SCANDAL comes in three different editions. One limited edition has bonus DVD with seven PVs and making of clips and another ltd edit is coupled with “Surprise Photo Book”. Now I got an urgent need to pre-order both ltd editions.

SCANDAL is one of those Japanese girl groups which has been doing concerts also outside Japan. Not yet we have had chance to enjoy them here in Finland but in the US they have been visiting at least once when they did Japan Nite gigs.

So why I love SCANDAL? I’ve always loved girl bands and as I have told here before, I was very upset when Whiteberry and Zone were disbanded some years ago. And then came SCANDAL and filled that empty space those groups had left into my musical life. SCANDAL is cool because it’s a real rock band with dazzling energy, rockin’ songs and “best of all”: girls are dressed in tartan mini skirts. ;)

Scandal – Shoujo S PV:
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Official site of SCANDAL
http://www.myspace.com/scandal4