Idol Character - Haruka Kudo

Name: Haruka Kudo

Nickname: Kuduu

Birthdate: October 27, 1999 (12 years old)

Image Color: Orange

Bloodtype: A

Group/Generation: Morning Musume/10th Generation

Debut Date: September 29, 2011 (11 years old)

Other Groups: 

• Reborn 11 (one-shot musical group) - (2011)
• Mobekimasu - (2011 - present)

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.

Kudo-sama~