That is exactly what I think UpFront is doing with Hello!Project recently.
Now, I don't mean it in a negative way. I'm actually very pleased with how 2011 is turning out so far in the world of H!P. But I still see complaints, and it makes me sad, because it shows that no matter how much a company tries to answer their fans, there's still going to be a large vocal segment unhappy.
Now, why do I think they are fan pandering?
* 9th Generation is number one on the list. They added the fan favorite Riho AND made it a generation of four. So many people were waiting for another big generation after the lonely and awkward 7th and 8th generations (I still love them so much, though!)
* Foreign news blogs in English and French. Yes, they aren't stand-out quality, and we probably get our news from faster and more entertaining places, but hey, they made the EFFORT.
* They bumped up the quality of music. Or at least the catchy-factor (I probably shouldn't be trusted with the word "quality" since I rarely pay attention to the lyrics and only care if it has a hook or melody I like.) Last year, the songs were decent, but not very memorable. Whenever I try to get "Seishun Collection" in my head, my head played, "Genki Pika Pika" instead. Now it looks like Pucchi Best 12 (the one that releases at the end of THIS year) will really sound like a best of collection and not just a yearly portrait.
* Buono! finally getting another single (and hopefully more to come!) Arguably the best shuffle/sub-unit/non-main act to come out of H!P in the last couple years (aside from Koharu's anime tie-in, maybe), I suppose it wasn't that much of a surprise. But still, a lot of fans were getting worried.
* A chance for the underdogs. We're getting photobooks, solo songs, and solo DVDs by the truckloads for the idols that some were sure were going to graduate the Project long before they had a chance (like Jun Jun and Lin Lin.) Now the fans have to make good on the words of "I'll totally buy a photobook if "x" gets one" so they won't go back to only Ai, Reina, Airi, Momo, Risako, Sayumi, and Maimi.
* Happy Morning Musume. This is related to the 9th generation, but deserves its own bullet, because they could have just as easily continued with their former sad/sexy/not happy style. They're mimicking their style from the era when they were relevant. Hopefully the long wait will translate into success instead of sounding retro in a bad way. It DOES sound different from what other idols are doing currently, and it has a very distinct Momusu sound, so I do hope it will do well.
* Possible new TV show. That looks like it's aimed at more than just bored nightowls and the hardcore. It's about time. Zukki, show 'em what you're made of.
Wow, I wonder if I actually made a point with this post. Maybe the point is just this:
Good work, Hello!Project! I will support you in my own humble ways this year (Berryz CD GET~!) because I truly appreciate your effort this year and I wish the best for you in this competitive idol market. I want Morning Musume to break 100k sales again just to prove they're still awesome. :)
Anyway...
It's 5AM on MOMO'S BIRTHDAY (Happy birthday, Pinky Peach Princess/Goddess!) and POKEMON DAY (Happy day, life!) so I'll get some rest. And hopefully return next week for some sleep deprived rambling or insight or reviews. :)
