This is the year I'll finally realise my dream of keeping up with a Hello!Project blog. I've tried for many years because I genuinely want to write about Hello!Project (and a few other idols). I mean, I have so many thoughts about H!P and no one close by to share them with. Even if there's hardly a single reader, just the organising of thoughts sprinkled with pictures and video is therapeutic (and then re-reading later for nostalgia, wondering what it was like at that time, ahh....)
Just life always got in the way.
Or stage fright?
No matter.
My love of idols, most particularly H!P is stronger than ever. I've collected so much of my H!P backlog in CDs this year. I've gotten back to keeping up with all the awesome radio shows and blogs fans translate for us. I'm reminded why I love the music and members so much. I don't dislike a single member anymore. Even Katsuta is entertaining now. Even though one of my favorite groups is going on hiatus, my favorite member in all H!P is staying to lead a new group. So many new members were added and though none of them have stolen my preference for Momo, Duu, Maachan, and Zukki, I'm excited for them nonetheless. Even the Kenshuusei are on my radar now that they have original songs and get more screen time on Up Front's YouTube channels. It's a great time to be an H!P fan. Heck, it's a great time to be an international fan. And now there's a member who speaks English again, woohoo!
So yup, I'm in the mood to blog again. Reviews of new stuff. Reviews of all the CDs I've procured (because my enjoyment just doesn't feel complete without carefully listening and reviewing.) Reviews of all the old J-Pop I've managed to procure (mostly 80's idols.) Introductions and thoughts on groups and members (for friends I've utterly confused or people who randomly stumbled upon H!P and want to learn more.) Fan Art. Thoughts on new events and essays on relevant topics. Ranking, always fun! I want to do them all!
For now I'll end with some general thoughts.
I wish for another new group to be added to Hello!Project in 2015. Nothing big, just three members would be perfect (unless C-ute disbands), and made up of Kenshuusei. Crouton, Murotan, Rikako, and Manakan have debuted now. So unless there's a 13th Gen of Morning Musume around the corner, I would really like to see Funakki in particular debut in a new group!
With the number of new additions to Morning Musume, though, I get the sinking feeling one of the 9th or 10th Gen will announce their graduation by the end of 2015 (or 2016 Winter.)
Angerme is an awful name. First I only saw "germ", then everyone started noticing "anger me" and I just can't unsee. Murotan was mean for S/mileage! Uggh, I hope a compilation album comes out with all the recent A-sides and they don't completely start over as Angerme.
Speaking of albums, can Juice=Juice get an album someday, too? At this rate they'll need a best of album with two discs to include all the A-sides and a new track or two. That's the main downside to all these double and triple A-sides... I love buying albums more than singles because I'm thrifty in that regard, and some of these "A-sides" aren't making it to albums (Even coupling albums. I'm looking at you, Morning Musume '14!)
Thank goodness, Berryz Box!
Am I really going to follow a group called "Country Girls? Why, H!P?
Going to Budokan and getting new members were high points for S/mileage, but between the name change and the music, they didn't really have that great a year, huh?
Well, I'm looking forward to next year's Hello!Project! Angerme can only get better from here (I hope) and all the newness has me pumped up!
Now if only Buono! could stay as well...
