Mole Removal

So, Yuuka Maeda of S/mileage has officially left Hello!Project today. She has been my least favorite H!P member ever since S/mileage debuted as an official group. Even back when she was added to High-King and Shugo Chara Egg!, instinct told me I wouldn't be able to stand her.

So I should be happy that Holy Moley has left and I don't have to look at her lazy or withering smiles anymore when I watch S/mileage videos or look at their CD covers. I should be happy that she has made way for the vampire to become a front girl. Well, I am happy for that last part. But at the same time, there is an empty feeling. It's nice to see her absent in the newest Hello!Project images. But now...

Who am I going to despise in H!P?! Mai Hagiwara of C-ute used to be my least favorite. Now it's either her again or Rina Katsuta of neo-S/mileage. Even though Maimai's attitude annoys me a lot of times, sometimes she's really interesting and cute. But Maimai has to be my new least favorite (again) because Rinapu...

Well, Rinapu is boring. She's very content and seems to goof off if the other girls are involved. But she reminds me of a grandmother. I can't despise her. I may not be a fan, but she makes me want to walk her across the street or let her teach me knitting. Aika may have the "granny" voice among H!P, but Rinapu has the "grandma" aura." Aww... so Maimai it is then for the least favorite. I guess that means I don't despise anyone anymore.

Even with that out of the way, though, I'm worried for S/mileage. Yuuka was the most popular, and without her, I can see their supporters plummeting. I haven't bought any S/mileage releases yet, because I love other groups more, among other reasons. But now, I really want to find a way to support my little vampire so her group doesn't get axed just as she's starting out in it! C'mon, Meimei, charm the masses with your hyperness and fangs! (You might have to convert some people with a bite to the jugular...)

When the title for Yuuka's last photobook came out, "See You-karin", I really hoped that meant Karin was going to replace her, just to spite her for leaving. But sadly, that doesn't seem to be the case (Karin isn't in the next single's covers.) Oh well, I guess they can't be too mean since Yuuka's graduation was possibly a result of flunking school. It just sounds suspicious since the submember system was said to be a way for members to step down for a bit if they weren't doing too well in school, but I guess Sakichy and Yuukarin didn't want to hurt their pride like that.

I'll laugh and then cry if she turns up as a new ace for AKB48.

Karin for President in 2012

In 2010, I did a list of hopes and predictions for Hello!Project. Some of them came true over the past two years, like ninth generation auditions and I think I wished for happier music. Well, now I'll give my hopes and predictions for 2012, which seem more possible now after 2011, the year of change!

Karin. The Messiah comes in 2012.

1.) No one graduates. After a lot of changes, they need a bit more stability. They need to promote the members and make them known again, which is confusing if too many people leave the main groups in a short period of time. I don't want another relatively stable period like 2007-2010, though. Someone's got to at least announce their graduation, probably Gaki, Aika (she needs to re-define her character now to remain viable to the group, I think), or someone from Berryz Koubou or C-ute. And if there is a graduation at the end of year, that's fine, it's just I enjoy where H!P is at right now (especially Morning Musume) and I want to enjoy them in their current state for the greater part of 2012.

2.) If Berryz Koubou and/or C-ute split up, they'll at least keep Buono! These groups are aging fast and Berryz seems to be getting a lot of negative reactions from overseas fans (I don't know what Japanese fans think, but Berryz' sales are going down and down, if that's any indication.) But Buono! is a epic group and it would be safer than girls having "solo" careers under Up-Front only. Safety in numbers! I would really miss Chinami and Chisato, though...

3.) A new indies group of Eggs is formed to make a major debut in 2013. After refilling the Egg roster after weeding or debuting the older Eggs, H!P can spare two to eight (or more, but unlikely) to make a new group to test (especially if neo-Momusu and neo-S/mileage are a success, allowing for a bigger budget.) I have a feeling Karin might go solo in 2012, but being a front girl in a new group would be more interesting. (Save the next solo act for Jang!)

4.) Auditions for Morning Musume and/or S/mileage announced by the end of the year. They have to keep this up! Auditions are fun to watch, get fans interested and involved (look at all the audition blog and forum posts), and get media attention.

5.) One of H!P's groups gets a 100,000 seller single. Dream Morning Musume does not count, even though I wish them well. But if current Morning Musume or S/mileage achieves such sales, it will be a victory. And with Momusu's 50th single coming up, it just may be possible.

6.) Dolls or figurines are sold. I still want this! But not like that crazy-expensive Erina Mano figure. More like how Barbie has celebrity dolls or the Spice Girls had fashion dolls. I would totally collect my favorites (which means at least ten, but I just may go overboard!)

7.) They get a manga or 4-panel comic strip tie-in. AKB48 has had a couple, and now an anime is coming out in April. The Reinya anime was okay. H!P needs more! Crossovers reach a wider audience and are fun! Mizuki could draw it. I was about to suggest Airi, but the poor girl already has so much work to do already. But Mizuki needs to shine somehow, so I totally think they could use her art as a gimmick with an occasional comic strip.

8.) More overseas releases and events. The more American conventions they attend, the greater chance they'll stop by a city near me. And American CDs are cheaper than the Japan and Taiwan versions and sometimes the Korea version. This is totally selfish, I know. I like my physical media, but I have so many hobbies, I don't have enough money to get every release I want, and definitely not at Japan's prices (yeah, I'm a terrible fan because I spend way more money on Pokemon toys and games.)

9.) They get another show other than Hello!Pro Time. Even if it is a webshow, because Sayu's Ustream was pretty informative and cool. It sounds like at least Fan Club members will get this with the new Morning Musume members at the beginning of 2012. I would really like to see some sketch/variety again, though. H!P Time is fun in its own candid way, but I like seeing the girls define themselves in skits, too. I'm jealous of AKB48 and their half-dozen or more programs.

10.) They continue to make stranger concepts with catchy songs. They can still be cool and catchy with singles, but alternate between strange, cute, and cool. Catchy is the bottom line. But seriously, the new chicken suits are totally awesome. They're even cooler than the S/mileage piggies.


I'm crossing my fingers for an awesome 2012 for H!P!

Idol Challenge 14 - The Original Pon's Work of Art

Day #14 - The Idol With the Best Body.

This feels weird to say, but of all the H!P girls' bodies that I feel most envious of, it's Erina Ikuta's.

When the promo images of Morning Musume's latest single, "Kono Chikyuu", came out with the girls in the shiny gold dresses, I realized how amazing her proportions were. They're practically perfect, fit yet shapely. And I know this is probably the work of Photoshop, but her skin looks really healthy and flawless, like a sculpture come to life.

I think she's only going to get more beautiful and grow into that cute awkward smile of hers. Watch out, Miya!

I also think Chisato's muscles are awesome and Zukki's cuddly figure is super cute, but Eripon just stands out. She could be a future model!

Idol Challenge 13 - She Turned Me Into a Brony

Day #13 - Favorite Berryz Koubou Member.

Obviously it's Momo, and I already said why I love her so much, so it's my second favorite Berryz' turn- Miyabi Natsuyaki!

She's an awesome singer, has beautiful, unique looks (neigh!), and she makes a great foil to Momo in both Berryz Koubou and Buono! Miya and Airi's varying calmness balance out Momo's hyperness, and the way Miya gets annoyed at or picks on Momo is often entertaining. And I still think she's one of the most beautiful, if not the most beautiful girl in the Project.

And I just have to be honest, all the horsey jokes make me love her all the more.

Idol Challenge 12 - Darth Cider

Day #12 - The Evilest Idol

There are plenty of girls that are evil, at least comically so, in Hello!Project (like Momo and Sayu.) But there also happens to be a possible sociopath among its ranks (and a cute little vampire, but she wouldn't hurt anyo- *chomp*)

Riho Sayashi of Morning Musume is just plain creepy. Okay, she's super cute, but also seriously creepy. She used to have a smug smirk on her face most of the time, but she learned from other idols and fixed it, turning it into a deceivingly adorable smile of energy.

Yes, the ambitious girl learns from her betters and quickly incorporates it into her talents, like some evil ability-stealing robot. I'd hate to find out what will happen when Airi, Miya, and Reina outlive their usefulness...

Imagine a dark, quiet place.

Rihoriho creeping out of the shadows, little red hammer fast in her right hand.

And then Sayu glomps her from behind, takes the hammer, clubs her over the head, and takes her back to her room.

That had a happy ending after all!

Idol Challenge 11 - Stuck-up Diva

Day #11 - The One Who's Not Your Type But Totally Won You Over Eventually.

Sayumi Michishige of Morning Musume. I liked cuteness, but not super girliness. And snobby characters tend to bug me. (Koharu was another member that I had to warm up to later... how she related anything to her name if possible annoyed me and made me think she was too full of herself.) Sayu seemed to be all the negative stereotypical traits of a female wrapped up in one. She was too delicate, narcissistic, too occupied with her appearance, and just too girly!!

I know what you're thinking. Momo. Momo came later for me and she was so over-the-top, it was funny.

But back to Sayu, the Rainbow Pink duo of her and Koha were my most disliked Morning Musume members for awhile. (I liked the song, though, for its annoying troll-worthiness.) But then that changed in 2009. I realized how boring 5th generation was and appreciated the silliness and strength of Sayu and Koha's female caricatures.

And Sayu turned out not to be as bad as I first thought. She's interested in Math and Tetris, and she admits her flaws. Plus she really is a cute and beautiful girl. A cute and beautiful person.