Okay, so this is pretty mean. It was drawn months before Yuuka announced her graduation from S/mileage (I drew this last Spring.) At the time, Kanyon was my favorite member and Yuuka, my least favorite, got more attention from both fans and whoever is in charge of S/mileage. So as a jealous disgruntled fangirl, I imagined what "evil brat" Kanyon would do. I hope this wasn't too offensive to Yuuka fans (if I liked Yuuka more, I'd probably make meaner jokes about her, actually.)
Sakichy
Caricature of Saki Ogawa. Another girl with unique looks that was easy to caricature. I think I drew this when she was twelve, possibly thirteen, so it was before she got her short Oha Girl haircut (or before I noticed it, because at the time I was only casually into S/mileage. I liked their music, but didn't follow the girls much outside their music videos.) When Sakitty/Sakichy was announced as a member of S/mileage, I thought she was cute, but troll-like. I don't mean any offense by this! I thought she was cute. It's sad that she was the first to leave. Especially after her reactions to the new member business (which supposedly happened because she wanted to leave, but still suspicious.)
Another AKB48 illustration, this time of Sayaka Akimoto. I tried to accentuate her athletic and muscular nature, but I think I can do better on that aspect now. Right now the slight hint of abs looks strange. But I think her face looks alright. Not perfect, but enough for me to remember who I drew (can't say the same for some of the other AKB48 members I drew.)
Dawa
Caricature of Ayaka Wada, Dawa. S/mileage's original screech (which I made fun of in the background with broken music notes.) She's grown up a bit since I drew this, and changed her hairstyle, but she's still the cute, perky, sunshiny brat she's been since the beginning of S/mileage. Though now her trademark seems to be hilariously grotesque faces. I'm iffy on this caricature. It looks like her, but ten years younger. This might need a major re-draw.
Junko the Chinese Assassin. I miss JunJun so much... and they didn't really utilize that one nickname. It would have been a wonderful running gag to keep up. I actually don't know what I scribbled on the back of her top. It could have been a dragon or a bunch of bananas, knowing JunJun.
Yuukarin
Caricature of Yuuka Maeda, Yuukarin. I am such a terrible person, always making references to her neck mole. But I think I portrayed her other features well (for a caricature) and portrayed the snobbish nature I perceived in her. (At least she's happy here! I usually think of Yuukarin as grumpy!) Her shirt is supposed to say "She's All That", like a movie title I heard of (the girls have worn Avril Lavigne shirts, so why not?) But the words on the shirt got cut off in the scan.
A tribute to LinLin. Besides her unfailing cheerfulness that would make her a great infomercial presenter, I'll always remember her for her love of One Piece. Sure Mari Yaguchi has more One Piece nerd-cred (Oda-sensei's autograph, a huge Chopper toy, and she even sang a theme song.) But when LinLin says she likes something, its like there is nothing better in the world. If enough people paid attention to LinLin, she may have helped the already insane One Piece fandom grow.
(But I don't have time to be part of the One Piece fandom or keep up with it, lolol.)
Maimai
Mai Hagiwara caricature. Maimai, Hagitty, whatever fans are calling her these days. Because she has such unique features (and a big head), she was pretty easy to draw and I think this actually looks like her. One of my better "caricatures."
A tribute to JunJun. She's eating a banana while a panda appears to be eating her. It's really supposed to be hugging her, though. I actually didn't like how fans (and even H!P) always associated JunJun and LinLin with pandas just because they are Chinese. Fans even called them "the Pandas." I found it demeaning. Yet I began to find myself even referring to them by that nickname and called my panda plushie JunLin. Does that make me a bad person?
Maimi Yajima
Sweaty Maimi Yajima caricature. The sweat is the only thing that looks like her, I think. In other words, she looks nothing like Maimi. She has high cheekbones and a strong jaw, but from there, her features were difficult to make stand out for me.What makes Maimi, Maimi?! Besides awesome legs, that is...
This lady is completely crazy. I actually came across her by accident when looking at Yellow Magic Orchestra related videos. The thumbnail for Jun Togawa's "Suki Suki Daisuki" (1985) looked very 80's and idoly. So I clicked on it. I was totally unprepared for the strange, awkward over-emoting (even by idol standards.) It was like, "What did I just watch?!" the first time I watched and then giggles and pure glee the second, third, and so on times. The expressions she makes when she says she'll kill her crush if her love goes unrequited are priceless!
She sings like both a hyper six-year-old and like an opera singer, which makes her voice both annoying and amazing all in the same song. It's complete madness, but I love it. From other videos that I watched, it sounds like her cracky voice is her trademark. I don't know whether she's considered an idol, but I never intended to write about idol-only retro songs anyway, just mostly idol. According to Wikipedia, she sang the vocals for some bands (like the YMO-related collaborations I first stumbled upon.) I definitely want to look up more of her work in the future, because I can never get enough crazy in my life, heh.
I like groups with prominent color-coding (image colors.) It is easier to recognize members in an unfamiliar group and more fun to learn the members. And it gives an immediate recognizable symbol for being a fan, like a flag. Wear a pink shirt to a Berryz Koubou concert and fans will think you're a Momo fan. But outside the idol context, color-coded characters are probably more familiar in the form of super-heroes/magical heroine kinds of shows. Sailor Moon, Madoka Magica, Super Sentai... a.k.a. Power Rangers! It's not unusual for idols to actually play female Rangers. And H!P's Berryz Koubou and C-ute has used the concept of Sentai-style color-coded teams in their Berryz Kamen vs. Cutie Ranger concert (recently revived!) But Momoiro Clover Z's "Densetsu ~Owarinaki Kakumei~" took it a step further, with actual suits (as in with helmets, not just another funky themed idol outfit) and makes references that those familiar with Sentai/Rangers will appreciate.
(It's pretty lucky that the bottomless pit of the group has the image color 'Yellow'. Perhaps they started from there?)
I was worried that I'd lose interest in Momoiro Clover after Akari/Blue left last year. She was my favorite and I thought she was the best singer. As the first Akari-less video, "Densetsu ~Owarinaki Kakumei~" reassured me that the group was still going to be fun to follow. I still haven't picked a new favorite, so I'm still a casual listener, but these goofy girls are still worth my time to listen to and watch their music videos. Their music is actually really catchy and fun-sounding and they have cute anime character-like voices! At the moment, they are probably my favorite non-H!P group.
This was a roundabout way of saying every second of this video is pure awesome!
The professional character, she's a competitive prodigy that acts twice her age. Kudo has really taken the mechanics behind the idol industry to heart, making every decision she makes seem calculated. She has crafted her image from the very beginning, skipping the awkward stage when an idol grows into an image like a blank slate being written upon. She also has a boyish character that is quite different by idol standards. In outward appearance, she can look cute and girlish, but her mannerisms, interests (not just sports, she said she wasn't interested in girl toys as a child), and even voice are decidedly not. She's the kind of girl that could easily mask her gender if she communicated through written or typed words. It's wonderful that she breaks up the stereotype of girls, giving girls that follow Morning Musume but aren't interested in girly things like make-up and shopping someone to identify with. Oh, and she appears to be a little prankster. That's going to be interesting.
As far as talent goes... that voice. Her rough, husky voice is actually really cool to listen to. I'd love to hear her cover an 80's rock song, like Heart's "Black Velvet". Kudo has amazing talent in singing for her age, and I think she has potential to be one of Morning Musume's best singers ever. In the auditions, the singing instructor noted her lack of focus on the audience, and Haruka does look like she's constantly thinking while ignoring the outside world. It's her intelligence that I think is her biggest "talent", and if she uses it to her advantage while performing, as she does in her advanced public speaking, then she may even give Airi (H!P's current genius) a scare in the future. Haruka may be just what Hello!Project needs to get the girls super competitive. And Haruka will even critique her rivals! Overall quality of the groups will probably go up from here, in part from Haruka, because honestly, who wants to lose to the youngest?
In addition to singing and speaking, Haruka is athletic and a competent dancer. I wouldn't be surprised if she's up front and center along with Riho and Reina in Morning Musume's future singles.
Momo has been training Haruka since she was training as an egg, which I think is enough reason to take an interest in Haruka's future. Momo may have an annoying single-dimensional character, but we shouldn't forget that it's all crafted to make her image recognizable. Momo keeps getting invited on TV shows because they know she'll do something cutesy and silly. And now she seems to have seen that Haruka has the same potential, just with an exaggerated boyish and sharp personality. Her pranks and blunt honesty, which can annoy just as much as Momo's antics, could help bring more of a demand for Morning Musume's presence on television. I don't think Haruka's personality would be as strong at debut if it wasn't for Momo's behind-the-scenes mentoring. I love this Sith Lord/Apprentice combo!
And what's just as much and sometimes even more fun than following Haruka herself? Following her fan community! Already her forum threads and fanart have brought a new depth to her character. Right now she's somewhere in between mobster boss, Jedi/Sith apprentice, and Chuck Norris. If she was a Pokemon, her type would be Legendary. I think she's a major part of H!P's bright future.
Buono! is Hello!Project's experiment, allowing a break from the typical yet varied idol songs and just lets the girls rock out. All three girls are great singers, with natural charisma. They even have a fun chemistry (sometimes they are like The Three Stooges, just less stupid.) I really think they are a great group for introducing new fans to idols.
They started out singing theme songs for the anime Shugo Chara in 2007. At first, they were still cutesy and idoly, just with a cooler and less sparkly fashion sense. But single after single, their discography filled more with pop-rock than any other genre. As the girls' voices matured as they reached their late teens and adulthood, their harmonies became more prominent, too. This idol group focuses as much on the quality of music as the charm of the girls (that can be said for H!P in general, but with Buono! this is even more apparent.)
And it's very cool when one can recognize references to other rock songs in their songs. They're just an epic group all around, and I'm glad they were still able to survive after Shugo Chara ended. Like a genie granted freedom.
The Members
* Though they don't play their own instruments (instead they perform with their backing band, Dolce), they do have "image instruments" they are sometimes identified with in photos. And they have even "played" those instruments a couple times!
Personality: Acts impossibly cute, to the point of annoying. Her character always seeks attention and pouts or glares when anyone tries to dent her overconfidence. Talent: She's a high energy performer, and she's actually a powerful singer, when the song or particular performance calls for it. But she has her particular, consistent character, so her unique, nasally voice often sounds high and cutesy. She's like a voice actress playing a character rather than using her natural voice. She's a bit more natural in Buono!, though. Quirk: She holds her pinky out all the time. She says it is an antenna to pick up the love from her fans. When she uses her pinky as a weapon, she calls it her "Pinky Drill".
Personality: Cool, chill, sometimes nicknamed the "ice queen". She can have fun and tease, but never hesitates to roll her eyes at Momo's antics. The most serious of the trio. Talent: One of the most skilled singers in Hello!Project. Quirk: Fashionable and constantly changes her hairstyle through cuts, extensions, and dyes. Has a long face.
Airi Suzuki (Airin) / C-ute / 17 / Green / Guitar
Personality: An easy-going, dorky genius. She's a very lovable person that makes hard work look simple. Talent: One of the best singers in Hello!Project. But she's also a great dancer, actress, and artist. Signs point to her being a good student, too. Airi's the kind of person that if she sets out to do something, 9 times out of 10, she'll be a success. Quirk: Her dad is a professional golfer. Her mom used to be one, too. Airi is actually not that great at golf. This may be the one thing she's not good at. Also, she created a type of being called Suu-san that she illustrates her autographs and messages with.
Music Recommendations
Young, rockin' Buono! and their humor! - "Renai Rider"
Morning Musume was formed in 1997 from the five losing finalists in an audition show. They sold 50,000 copies of their indies single, as part of a challenge, allowing them to become a permanent group.
They regularly add new members through auditions (forming generations) and old members graduate the group to either further their career, go back to a normal life, or make room for new members. This dynamic system can make it fun for fans to follow, giving the group a rich historical narrative that, in theory, could keep going forever. While all the groups of H!P bounce around between different styles, Morning Musume has a special case where their overall style changes to fit the current members. Have a Morning Musume with mostly older members and a couple with standout talent? More mature songs that show off the vocals of the talented girls will be more predominant. Have younger girls that have lots of room for improvement? Expect more energetic songs where everyone works together and uses strength of variety and character to entertain rather than pure vocal ability.
Leave Morning Musume alone for a year and you probably won't come back to the same group. If you think this system sounds neat, Morning Musume may be the idol group for you. If you get attached to your group's chemisty, though, you might want to follow a more stable idol group. But their music is still fun and varied, so even if Morning Musume's history and system and members are not for you, it's still worth it to subscribe to their YouTube channel and follow their music casually!
The Members
Risa Niigaki (Gaki) / Leader / 5th Gen / 23 / Green
Personality: Sarcastic and over-reacts to the stupid things her fellow members do. She's very patient and understanding, though, and talented at firing up a crowd. Talent: Her voice is deep, smooth, and powerful. Quirk: Is obsessed with Disney, particularly Stitch.
Sayumi Michishige (Sayu) / 6th Gen / 22 / Pink
Personality: Narcissistic and very girly. Has a poison tongue. Talent: She's hilariously bad at singing, and her dancing isn't that great either. Her job in the group is looking pretty and being entertaining on television. Quirk: She is a rival of Berryz Koubou's Momoko Tsugunaga because they both think they are the cutest.
Reina Tanaka (Reina) / 6th Gen / 22 / Blue
Personality: Blunt and harsh. The lone wolf with a cool, but somewhat scary, disposition. Talent: Great at singing, though her voice can be a bit shrill. Quirk: Her wonky eye makes her look badass with her angry faces, but derpy when she tries to act cute.
Aika Mitsui (Mitsii) / 8th Gen / 19 / Purple
Personality: Mischievously cute, like a little sister. Now that there are younger members, though, she seems to be transitioning to a strict character. Talent: She can handle deep, cool lines. But overall, she's a decent member, not stand-out in anything. Quirk: The group's animal lover. She loves white tigers, lions, and huskies.
Mizuki Fukumura (Fukuchan) / 9th Gen / 15 / Dark Pink
Personality: Shy and sensitive, but regal. Talent: She's decent at singing and dancing, but tends to blend in with whomever she is performing with. Quirk: She's the artist of the group. Her doodles are cute and impressive compared to most of the girls and their kindergarten-level drawings.
Erina Ikuta (Eripon) / 9th Gen / 14 / Dark Purple
Personality: She's incredibly awkward, from her smiles to the things she says, earning her the other nickname, "KY", which means she can't read the situation. Talent: She's still not the best at singing and it took her a while to catch on to dancing. But she's very good at modeling. The awkwardness just slips away in "fierce" mode. Quirk: Was a big idol fan before joining the group and still is. She buys goods of her favorite members just like fans do!
Riho Sayashi (Yasshi) / 9th Gen / 13 / Red
Personality: Professional, ambitiously determined, and quiet. Talent: She has excellent, precise dancing from her six years at a school for performing arts. Her singing is decent and has some power live. She's a fast learner. Quirk: She's not very good at expressing her emotions. Some fans call her "Smugleaf" (like the nickname for the Pokemon, Snivy) for her smug smile in some photos, and some of her emotions come out fake or forced.
Kanon Suzuki (Zukki) / 9th Gen / 13 / Dark Green
Personality: A completely random goof-ball who always looks like she's having the time of her life. Her charm and charisma is not that of a popstar, but a class clown. Talent: Her singing has a lot of potential, being deep and powerful. Once she controls it, she'll be one of the top singers in the group. Quirk: She loves to do impressions, particularly of bugs.
Haruna Iikubo (Harunan) / 10th Gen / 17 / Dark Red (almost Brown)
Personality: She's very polite and sweet, "pure", as Producer Tsunku has labeled her. But she's also like a cool big sister and has a great sense of humor in conversations. Talent: Her high-pitched voice gets pretty soft at times. Both her singing and dancing will need work. But she has experience as a teen model, so she could have a role more similar to Sayu. Quirk: She has huge eyes and can play "ping pong" with them by moving them independently from side to side.
Ayumi Ishida (Daa-Ishi "The Rock") / 10th Gen / 15 / Dark Blue
Personality: She's like Riho's doppleganger, just with more emotion. She's a very serious, direct girl. Modest, too. Talent: She was a backdancer in another idol group before joining Morning Musume, so she's another sharp dancer. Singing needs improvement, though. Quirk: Her smile is kind of creepy because it is unnaturally wide with tiny teeth. Chiima from Okay! Musume Time calls her "Baby Predator."
Masaki Sato (Masaki) / 10th Gen / 12 / Teal
Personality: Clumsy and airheaded. She's still shy and messes up on formalities or will look off camera in pictures. Talent: During the auditions, her shyness would get the better of her and she would forget the lines and either mumble or stop singing. But in the studio, she's amazingly clear, with great pitch. Her dancing is not the best, but she can improve. And she's been noted as photogenic, so she may be a future model. Quirk: She has latched on to fellow member Haruka Kudo like a sidekick.
Haruka Kudo (Kuduu) / 10th Gen / 12 / Orange
Personality: Boyish know-it-all perfectionist. She knows how idols work as an industry. She's very blunt and has a dry or teasing humor. Talent: She has a low, husky voice. She's good at both singing and dancing, and with her serious perfectionism, she can only get better. She also has a talent for public speaking. Quirk: She may be the youngest, but she acts like the oldest. Her roughness already has fans making Chuck Norris-style jokes about her.
Music Recommendations
* Most of these songs have few if any of the current line-up.
FUNKY OLD-SCHOOL - "Renai Revolution 21"
FUNTIMES - "Morning Musume no Hyokkori Hyoutanjima"
Or watch/listen to all their singles HERE! Morning Musume has so many styles and songs, the list of various recommendations is huge. And even though I tried to add some cooler songs to the list, my own tastes skew happy and fun. So it's really just best to listen to the playlist and decide for yourself!
Mizuki Fukumura of Morning Musume. She just seems so gentle and calm. I can't imagine this girl deliberately causing harm or upset to anyone (even though such a contrast hidden within her would make her more interesting.)
Part of me thinks she would make a good leader when the rest of the older members graduate (then again, it doesn't sound right that someone can become leader of Morning Musume before they are eighteen, yet Mizuki may become the youngest Momusu leader ever!) She'd be very kind and helpful, which would be great for 11th gen and onward. But then I also see the girls walking all over her and just doing what they want (Anarchy Musume!) Maybe she wouldn't want the leadership position anyway and pass the baton onto Eripon. Or Riho would ninja it from her.
At first I though Mizuki was boring when she joined. Even though she's still my least favorite 9th gen, I have come to appreciate this sweet-natured Musume.
