Tuesday, March 31, 2015
Uta no Prince Sama Maji Love 1000% Episode Thoughts 5
Kurusu Syo gets his episode as he bonds with Haruka over an idol inspiring him to come to the school and her trying to help him get over his fear of heights.
Monday, March 30, 2015
Tegomass no Seishun concert video release
The home video release for Tegomass' last concert tour, Tegomass no Seishun, is set to come out May 13th. It will come out on both DVD and BD formats with each format having the same two editions. All editions have a pre-order bonus of a clearfile, a different version for the REs and LEs.
The regular editions will have the concert filmed at Yokohama Arena and have a six minute documentary video.
The limited editions will have the same concert footage but will have a 100 minute documentary to include rehearsal footage, backstage footage and more. It will also come with a 52-page booklet.
I have to admit that the limited edition for this release sounds so much better than the regular edition. I mean how much of a documentary can one get for six minutes. Most making ofs for PVs are longer than that.
Even though I do not plan on getting this release I am glad to see that BD releases are becoming the norm finally for Johnny's concerts. With how visual they are it seemed a shame that Johnny's was dragging their feet when it came to putting out HD versions.
The regular editions will have the concert filmed at Yokohama Arena and have a six minute documentary video.
The limited editions will have the same concert footage but will have a 100 minute documentary to include rehearsal footage, backstage footage and more. It will also come with a 52-page booklet.
I have to admit that the limited edition for this release sounds so much better than the regular edition. I mean how much of a documentary can one get for six minutes. Most making ofs for PVs are longer than that.
Even though I do not plan on getting this release I am glad to see that BD releases are becoming the norm finally for Johnny's concerts. With how visual they are it seemed a shame that Johnny's was dragging their feet when it came to putting out HD versions.
Saturday, March 28, 2015
Uta no Prince Sama Maji Love 1000% Episode Thoughts 4
Jinguji Ren is the focus for this episode as things get a little more serious in tone as we learn there is more than meets the eye for the rich playboy.
Friday, March 27, 2015
Yuma's YOLO
Covers are out as well as the rest of the information about Nakayama Yuma's upcoming single, YOLO moment. The title of his upcoming concert tour is also out now.
The coupling track for the limited editions of the single is title Kao. It is exclusive to those editions.
Apparently the untitled B-side on the regular edition will be another song that is not included on the limited editions. It is titled Friday Night ~Konna Mirai~.
His tour title has been announced to be Nakayama Yuma Chapter 1: Utaou ze! Odorou ze! YOLO ze! Tour.
While I still don't care for the use of YOLO, I do like the covers for this single. I am surprised to find that the untitled song on all the editions is not the same for all of them. For me this means I am going to have to get one of the LEs now, as I try to get all the songs from an artist I like. But since I already put my pre-order in for the RE I will probably have that in another batch of pre-orders.
In any case I am looking forward to this release so April cannot come soon enough really.
 |
| LE A |
 |
| LE B |
His tour title has been announced to be Nakayama Yuma Chapter 1: Utaou ze! Odorou ze! YOLO ze! Tour.
While I still don't care for the use of YOLO, I do like the covers for this single. I am surprised to find that the untitled song on all the editions is not the same for all of them. For me this means I am going to have to get one of the LEs now, as I try to get all the songs from an artist I like. But since I already put my pre-order in for the RE I will probably have that in another batch of pre-orders.
In any case I am looking forward to this release so April cannot come soon enough really.
Thursday, March 26, 2015
22 MAR 2015 Amazon order (Sailor Neptune)
I unbox my S.H.Figuarts Sailor Neptune figure to go with my Sailor Uranus.
Wednesday, March 25, 2015
Uta no Prince Sama Maji Love 1000% Episode Thoughts 3
It is Hijirikawa Masato's turn to be in the spotlight this episode as he helps Haruka out with her stage fright. Also hints of other story lines to come in this episode.
Monday, March 23, 2015
Uta no Prince Sama Maji Love 1000% Episode Thoughts 2
Haruka is paired with Otoya Ittoki to come up with a song for him to perform but runs into the problem of not being able to read or write music...
Catching up with MM '15
After taking a bit of a break from blogging I am ready to catch up with things. And for Morning Musume '15 there are a couple of things that I wanted to go over.
First off is that with the Spring concert tour we finally have the official member colors of the 12th generation girls. Nonaka Miki is purple, Makino Maria is light pink, Haga Akane is light orange and Ogata Haruna is sea blue. So the group is a nice spectrum of color, though Sato Masaki's color seems rather close to Haruna's but that has been a color that has been all over the place with what it looks like for different outfits from what I have seen.
I rather hope this year is audition free, I think the fact none have been announced yet is a good indicator it will be, as they are running out of distinctive colors. And I am certain nobody wants the return of brownchocolate. That and I rather like the size of the group now and want to see them work to really place their mark with the group as we start this new era.
Then the covers for their upcoming single Seishun Kozou ga Naiteiru/Yuugure wa Ameagari/Ima Koko Kara have come out.
I can understand what they were probably trying to go for concept wise for the limited A but they really needed more room on the cover to actually pull it off. Even by having a slip cover to give them a little more room would a leave some of the awkwardness of this cover, as it is it is just too crowded. So crowded Riho almost looks like she does not have legs here. I guess at least the tried something different.
This limited B cover first and foremost makes me think 'Spring'. Which I can only assume they are going for with the cherry blossoms around the corners. But I think it does well to make you think of something new and fresh, which can sum up MM'15 well considering the ages of the girls and that this is a new era without any direct links to anything past the 9th generation when it comes to members.
Hello!Project really likes this kind of cover, don't they? I can understand why as the different sizes of the pictures does stop it from looking monotonous and it makes fitting the larger groups all on the cover a bit easier. I may not be tired of it yet but it they do not change things up for a single or two I probably will be soon. But with its color scheme the limited C does stand out from the rest.
And the limited editions continue to be rather boring as re reach limited D. Sure this is different than the rest but the rows of smiling head shots do not feel all that inspiring. It feels like they just wanted to make sure they used a different template than the rest and this was leftover.
I rather like the regular edition A and I am so glad that is the version of the single I am getting. I pre-ordered it with some Johnny's releases coming out around the same time and figured that since I liked the Seishun outfits best then this was the version to get as the song looked to be the lead A-side and thus would be featured on the type A versions. But I love how the girls belong have a sense of action going on that makes them seem dynamic and the 12th gen all look great on the top half.
The regular edition B is nice enough. Kinda boring as it is just the girls sitting/standing together. Somehow the large '15 does make it a little interesting. Perhaps because it breaks the photo up a bit so it forces you to look at it in a different way than you usually would.
Over all the covers are nice. Nothing great but nothing terrible though the limited A is very close to that. Really looking forward to getting this single and I am just so happy we finally have a MM '15 release.
Uta no Prince-sama Maji Love 1000% Episode Thoughts 1
I love anime. I love Japanese idols. Do I love Uta no Prince-sama? Yes, the answer is yes.
Saturday, March 21, 2015
Sailor Moon Crystal episode 18 Episode Thoughts
The last of the Specter Sisters goes up against the remaining Sailor Guardians and we learn more about what is going on with Chibi Usa and the Black Moon. Also new attacks for Venus and even Tuxedo Mask.
Sunday, March 15, 2015
Double Kansai Johnny's release day
April 22nd will be the release date for two Johnny's acts, Nakayama Yuma will be releasing a new single that day and Johnny's WEST will have a mini-album. Yuma's new single is titled YOLO moment and will have three versions, and JWEST's mini-album is titled Paripipo.
For the Yuma single the Limited Edition type A will have a DVD that will come with the PV of the title track and making of footage. It is noted that Yara Tomoyuki choreographed the dance for the song and Travis Japan will be the back dancers in the PV. The CD will have a still untitled B-side and the karaoke version of the title track.
The Limited Edition type B will have a DVD that will have footage from a special event Yuma did in Osaka that was a performance and talk. The run time for that is listed being about 40 minutes. The CD will have the same content as the other limited edition.
The Regular Edition will just be a CD that will have two B-sides not included on the limited editions. Those B-sides do have titles listed as, VOICE and Negaigoto.
There is a bundle of all three editions that you can get that has a special bonus for getting all three together. That bonus is a denim pouch.
For the JWEST mini-album the Limited Edition will have a DVD that has footage from the release event at Yokohama arena they did for their first album. It is listed as running for about 60 minutes and the full track list is up at Johnny's net. The CD will have five tracks with only the first having a title, Paripipo Anthem. It will also have a 8-page booklet.
The Regular Edition is just the CD but with two bonus tracks as well as a 12-page booklet.
There is also a bundle to get both but the only bonus is the bonus you get for the individual releases, a clear file for each one.
I honestly cannot take Yuma's single title seriously at all, but that's okay. As long as the song is on the same level as his previous single I will be happy, and there is always the B-sides.
I do find the fact that the JWEST release is a mini album and not a full album interesting. Especially since it has none of the single tracks of the past two singles on it. But honestly I am rather happy with that as it means more new music from the group. Though it does make me wonder if this means that later this year we will get a full album from the group after another single release or two that will have those single tracks on it.
Though with the title of the first track on the JWEST mini-album I can only assume that the upcoming tour name will be the same as this release. I am curious to see it be explained, as in what it is meant to mean.
Either way I am happy that my prediction of their being a new release from Yuma and JWEST to go with their upcoming concert tours was right.
For the Yuma single the Limited Edition type A will have a DVD that will come with the PV of the title track and making of footage. It is noted that Yara Tomoyuki choreographed the dance for the song and Travis Japan will be the back dancers in the PV. The CD will have a still untitled B-side and the karaoke version of the title track.
The Limited Edition type B will have a DVD that will have footage from a special event Yuma did in Osaka that was a performance and talk. The run time for that is listed being about 40 minutes. The CD will have the same content as the other limited edition.
The Regular Edition will just be a CD that will have two B-sides not included on the limited editions. Those B-sides do have titles listed as, VOICE and Negaigoto.
There is a bundle of all three editions that you can get that has a special bonus for getting all three together. That bonus is a denim pouch.
For the JWEST mini-album the Limited Edition will have a DVD that has footage from the release event at Yokohama arena they did for their first album. It is listed as running for about 60 minutes and the full track list is up at Johnny's net. The CD will have five tracks with only the first having a title, Paripipo Anthem. It will also have a 8-page booklet.
The Regular Edition is just the CD but with two bonus tracks as well as a 12-page booklet.
There is also a bundle to get both but the only bonus is the bonus you get for the individual releases, a clear file for each one.
I honestly cannot take Yuma's single title seriously at all, but that's okay. As long as the song is on the same level as his previous single I will be happy, and there is always the B-sides.
I do find the fact that the JWEST release is a mini album and not a full album interesting. Especially since it has none of the single tracks of the past two singles on it. But honestly I am rather happy with that as it means more new music from the group. Though it does make me wonder if this means that later this year we will get a full album from the group after another single release or two that will have those single tracks on it.
Though with the title of the first track on the JWEST mini-album I can only assume that the upcoming tour name will be the same as this release. I am curious to see it be explained, as in what it is meant to mean.
Either way I am happy that my prediction of their being a new release from Yuma and JWEST to go with their upcoming concert tours was right.
Monday, March 9, 2015
Country Girls colors
Today Country Girls have had their official Youtube channel opened with the first PV for their upcoming major debut single uploaded on it. The channel can be found here.
I've already watched and done my reaction to the video for Itooshikutte Gomen ne and I am mainly just waiting for files to upload, convert and other such editing things. But I wanted to fangirl about this still, especially since with this video it looks like we have member colors revealed for the group.
In the PV all the members draw hearts on what is probably some plexi-glass in a different color marker for each girl. The break down is such;
The colors are not too much of a surprise as the group did a project together a while ago where they all had to pick a color to use for it and the break down for that was basically the same, IIRC. And of course I doubt Momoko is anywhere near ready to give up pink, adoring sempai or not.
I actually rather like green for Risa. With four of the six girls having warm colors having a cool color like green will help her stand out in the group, the same for Mai. And green is honestly one of my favorite colors so I am a little biased there, since Risa is one of my favorite members of this group.
Overall I am so pleased with everything that Country Girls is doing right now. This is an adorable PV for an adorable group and I cannot wait for the next PV to come out for the group. Hopefully we will see it next Monday.
I've already watched and done my reaction to the video for Itooshikutte Gomen ne and I am mainly just waiting for files to upload, convert and other such editing things. But I wanted to fangirl about this still, especially since with this video it looks like we have member colors revealed for the group.
In the PV all the members draw hearts on what is probably some plexi-glass in a different color marker for each girl. The break down is such;
Shimamura Uta is yellow.
Morito Chisaki is orange.
Ozeki Mai is blue.
Yamaki Risa is green.
Tsugunaga Momoko is pink.
Inaba Manaka is red.
The colors are not too much of a surprise as the group did a project together a while ago where they all had to pick a color to use for it and the break down for that was basically the same, IIRC. And of course I doubt Momoko is anywhere near ready to give up pink, adoring sempai or not.
I actually rather like green for Risa. With four of the six girls having warm colors having a cool color like green will help her stand out in the group, the same for Mai. And green is honestly one of my favorite colors so I am a little biased there, since Risa is one of my favorite members of this group.
Overall I am so pleased with everything that Country Girls is doing right now. This is an adorable PV for an adorable group and I cannot wait for the next PV to come out for the group. Hopefully we will see it next Monday.
Sunday, March 8, 2015
2MAR2015 CDJapan order
I go through my latest lot of CDs from CDJapan. This order contains:
Chu-Z - Hana no Arch/Brand Boy Type B single
NEWS - WHITE regular edition album
Johnny's WEST - Zundoku Paradise regular edition single
Chu-Z - Hana no Arch/Brand Boy Type B single
NEWS - WHITE regular edition album
Johnny's WEST - Zundoku Paradise regular edition single
Saturday, March 7, 2015
Sailor Moon Crystal episode 17 Episode Thoughts
Jupiter gets a bit of attention as we learn more about Chibi Usa and the villains of this story line.
Thursday, March 5, 2015
Berryz Kobo's last concert release
While the group is no longer together it does not mean they are completely done with releasing things. Of course this will most likely be the last release of the group before their start of their indefinite hiatus and is something to look forward for fans, so they can relive that emotional final concert. The release will be on June 10th, so there is plenty of time to start saving for it.
The DVD release only has one edition and that will have the final concert at Nippon Budokan on March 3rd.
There will be a regular edition for the Blu Ray that will just have the same content as the DVD version.
Then there is a limited edition that will have the final concert, footage from the Berryz Kobo Matsuri concerts held the two previous days of the final concert, a documentary of an event held on March 2nd, 2 CDs with recordings from the final concert as well as a photo book. Or basically be the definite final live release for Berryz fans.
Honestly I have no surprise whatsoever that this release is happening but the limited edition sounds amazing. It is the version I really want to get and since I am getting good hours at work now I think I may be able to afford to pick up. It will still take a little saving for but considering everything it is coming with the price seems really good. And no matter what I want that final concert and the Berryz Kobo Matsuri footage they will surely have the final Buono! performance on there and I want that as well, since that was the group that lead to my first initial interest in Berryz in the first place.
In fact trying to figure out how that set is 6 BDs I can only assume that we are getting the complete concerts for those days with each day taking up two BDs then the final concert being the fifth disc and the last one being the documentary. And I would not be surprised if that the first CD will have the main concert while the second will be the encores with graduation messages. Or at least if I was putting this together that would be how I would do it. In any case I want this and hopefully I'll be able to get it.
The DVD release only has one edition and that will have the final concert at Nippon Budokan on March 3rd.
There will be a regular edition for the Blu Ray that will just have the same content as the DVD version.
Then there is a limited edition that will have the final concert, footage from the Berryz Kobo Matsuri concerts held the two previous days of the final concert, a documentary of an event held on March 2nd, 2 CDs with recordings from the final concert as well as a photo book. Or basically be the definite final live release for Berryz fans.
Honestly I have no surprise whatsoever that this release is happening but the limited edition sounds amazing. It is the version I really want to get and since I am getting good hours at work now I think I may be able to afford to pick up. It will still take a little saving for but considering everything it is coming with the price seems really good. And no matter what I want that final concert and the Berryz Kobo Matsuri footage they will surely have the final Buono! performance on there and I want that as well, since that was the group that lead to my first initial interest in Berryz in the first place.
In fact trying to figure out how that set is 6 BDs I can only assume that we are getting the complete concerts for those days with each day taking up two BDs then the final concert being the fifth disc and the last one being the documentary. And I would not be surprised if that the first CD will have the main concert while the second will be the encores with graduation messages. Or at least if I was putting this together that would be how I would do it. In any case I want this and hopefully I'll be able to get it.
Tuesday, March 3, 2015
A farewell to Berryz Kobo
This day has come and Berryz Kobo has gone on indefinite hiatus. The words 'indefinite hiatus' do sound much better than what we know to be the truth, that the group has ended, as the girls move on to the next stage of their lives. Though it did not make watching their final concert feel less heartbreaking when they reached the end and there was no avoiding how final it was.
It would seem heartless to be mad at the girls for deciding to break up the group. They spent most of their youth and over a decade of their lives to being idols and if they want to try something else then they undoubtedly deserve that chance. And I look forward to hearing about how they are doing post-Berryz.
I know personally I can at least find comfort in the fact that I can at least easily follow Tsugunaga Momoko, as I have already fallen in love with her new group, Country Girls. Watching her work with the young girls and know that she can share her experience with some of the fresh faces that are set to leave their own mark makes me so happy. It is these kinds of bonds that have gotten me into Hello! Project more as a whole. Plus she still has popularity on variety programs so being in a position to continue with such work is a boon to her and H!P.
Of course Shimizu Saki and Tokunaga Chinami are sticking around H!P in advisory roles, with Saki already getting to start with helping to name the newest H!P group, Kobushi Factory. Chinami has brought up that she will also have a special project to do with her role in the near future. But it is nice to know that all the new groups will be able to have a couple of veterans around to help them out.
Sudo Maasa will be a playing manager of Engeki Joshibu, which is H!P's stage acting branch. So fans can see her acting on stage as she also helps with the productions that it puts on. So it is more of a role like Momoko's just not tied to a single H!P group and she will probably be sticking with it for much longer.
Kumai Yurina has announced that she wants to go into modeling but mostly wants to focus on her education so she can earn her degree at university. I do not think anyone is surprised with Yurina wanting to go into modeling. With her height it seems natural but I am happy to hear that she wants to get her degree first and foremost, as juggling being an idol with university is not something many female idols try to do and it would seem like a waste to go through that trouble just to leave it unfinished.
Sugaya Risako has announced wanting to take a break after Berryz ends, so whatever her next step after that is still a mystery. Though seeing as she has spent over half her life as an idol I think it is very understandable that she would want to take some time to reflect on things before deciding what path she wants to take for her future.
Natsuyaki Miyabi was the last to disclose her plans for the future. While she plans on taking a break for a while afterwards she has said that she wants to continue on being a singer. Of course she wants to learn more about fashion, which is one of her passions, as well. But I think a lot of fans, myself included, are quite happy to hear that another Berryz member is not quite ready to stop performing on stage, even if it may be a while for something to happen with that.
With the future for each girl known the hiatus does not seem as scary as a fan. It is still sad to see something end but there looks to be a lot of new beginnings that will come of that. And it will be interesting to see where those beginnings take these girls.
Berryz will always hold a special place in my heart. Even if they never do anything as a group ever again they still have plenty they have done already to treasure and still bring joy. I know watching all their PVs I was able to gain a greater appreciation of the group and I am so glad I did. And I am glad to have been able to do so before they went on indefinite hiatus and not some point afterwards. Berryz is truly something special and I am glad that their legacy will live on with some of the members deciding to stay around H!P to help the next generation of girls who are starting their idol careers.
Berryz Kobo has undoubtedly left a mark in Hello!Project that is not going to go away anytime soon and that is a legacy the members and their fans can all be proud of. So no matter what this ending is called it can be considered as much as a beginning as the girls start new paths in their lives.
23FEB2015 CDJapan order
Opening my latest order from CDJapan that came in last week. Featuring a Sailor Moon OST re-release, Chu-Z' latest single and concert DVD release and Morning Musume '14's latest concert video release.
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