Country Girls - Wakatteirunoni Gomen ne / Tamerai Summer Time RE single

Title: Wakatteirunoni Gomen ne / Tamerai Summer Time
Artists: Country Girls
Release date: 01 JUL 2015
Type: single
Version: Regular edition Type A

Packaging: Being one of the regular editions the packaging is about as basic as it gets. The jewel case is thin so there is only the front jacket with no back. I did pick this version of the single to get based on the cover, which I like as I think the red outfits are cute and they really draw your attention in towards them with the simple background. There are profile headshots on the back of the cover jacket of the five members with their colors used as the border of the top and bottom of the photos. Inside though it is mostly just the lyrics to the song. I do like that they used a photo of the location they were in for the PV as a background for one of the two pages.

Track listing:

1. わかっているのにごめんね (Wakatteirunoni Gomenne)
While this song takes a leaf from the song off their debut single, Itoshikutte Gomen ne, it does not feel as strong as a song. The dialog that helps tell the story of the song that the girls do is as cute as the dialog in Itoshikutte but the rest of the song is not as catchy. It is still a fun song though and listening to it you can tell that the girls have gotten stronger with their vocals from their first single. It also keeps the throwback style of the first single which helps cement this sound as one for the group.

2. ためらい サマータイム (Tamerai Summer Time)
After a string of upbeat songs Tamerai Summer Time changes things up by being a slower paced pop song. It still has that 50s retro sound to it, with sha la las and everything. It is a nice song to listen to though not very dynamic. But after three songs that have cute and upbeat feel to them something calmer and sweet works well. Also this song features the older members a bit more than the other so the change in style works well to reflect that as well.


3. わかっているのにごめんね (Wakatteirunoni Gomenne) (instrumental)
4. ためらい サマータイム (Tamerai Summer Time) (instrumental)


Overall:

A nice sophomore single from the group that solidifies their group sound while at the same time works to expand on it. Despite the loss of Shimamura Uta between singles management kept things on course and as a fan of the group I did find it relieving as losing a group member is never an easy thing, especially when the member was the one that was treated as the center of the group. But this single proves that the rest of the group is plenty capable enough to keep going and that they still hold plenty of promise.

While not as strong as their debut single it is still a solid release for the group to help stabilize them after the loss of a member.

CDJapan 24NOV2015

Still working to catch up with uploading these. This is the first of two November unboxings from CDJapan.

Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 2000% - Idol Song Syo Kurusu CD review

Title: Uta no Prince-sama - Maji Love 2000% Idol Song Syo Kurusu
Artists: Kurusu Syo (Shimono Hiro)
Release date: 01 May 2013
Version: n/a

Packaging: Syo kicks off the second seasons single series and the design for the most part is the same across the releases. This is probably my favorite of the three so far with design. I love the "classy" look to them and even though it took me some time to realize it I love how with each the character being featured is holding something up in front of them that looks to fit precisely with the picture. For Syo that is the record cover with his face on it that is covering most of his head. His image color is used throughout the covers and booklet but in a more muted variation to fit with the overall design. The CD is made to look like a record to really perfect it all.

Track listing:

1. TRUE WING
A high energy song that sounds at times like a cheer song but it works in keeping the energy up with the song. Shimono gets a bit shouty at times but for the song it works out for the most part. I love the use of the violin in the song, something that I would not think would fit so well with a song like this that leans more to a pop rock sound. But the violin is a great touch, especially at the start and end.

2. CHALLENGE!
Whoever decided that Shimono needed to shout his lines in this song needs to be slapped. Repeatedly. This song is actually unpleasant for me to listen to because of how Shimono is singing in it. And I know he can sing better, he did in the other track, last seasons single and in all the group songs. The song is more pop with an electronic sound to it, even though they incorporate the violin into this as well, though not as well. In fact it comes off as an after thought as it does not mesh nearly as well as in TRUE WING. This is one of the very few Utapri songs I actually dislike.

3. TRUE WING (instrumental)
4. CHALLENGE! (instrumental)


Overall: Honestly I just love the design of this single series and would bought this just for it. In a way I feel like I have as the songs are not my favorite for Syo's, though TRUE WING is a few steps above CHALLENGE!. But I can find things with TRUE WING that I like and have come to appreciate more with repeated listens so it is more of a positive than a negative. I just cannot say the same about the other song on this single.

So a rather mixed bag to start this series of character singles with. But there is still plenty more to come and look forward to.

Little Glee Monster - Jinsei wa Ichido Kiri / Gao Gao All Star iTunes (US/JP) single

Title: Jinsei wa Ichido Kiri / Gao Gao All Star
Artists: Little Glee Monster
Release date: 01 JUL 2015
Type: single
Version: U.S. iTunes/JP iTunes*

*Only the first two tracks are available for purchase in the U.S. iTunes store, the B-sides were purchased from the JP iTunes store.

Packaging: None.

Track listing:

1. 人生は一度きり (Jinsei wa Ichido Kiri)
One of the two A-sides and the one that fits right in with the songs the group has released before. I love that it starts off so soft to move into the energetic chorus, it gives it a nice dynamism to it. Of course I am still just in love with the harmonies this group does, as it really makes them stand out in the slew of Japanese girl groups right now. A really solid pop song with that bit of a throwback style that fits the group so well.

2. ガオガオ・オールスター(Gao Gao All Star)
This A-side is a tie-in as the theme song to one of the Pokemon movies. It breaks away from the usual style of the group as it is something more of a light pop song with a childish tone to it. While the kiddie tone does work with the youth of the group considering all they have sung beforehand it is a bit jarring to listen to as a fan of the group. I really just cannot get into it as it just feels too cutesy in style for LGM and could easily be done by any other girl group.

3. Brand New Me
The first of the B-sides that I had to purchase off the JP iTunes store to get them. It returns the group to form with a pop song very much in the usual style for the group. It is a lot of fun as an upbeat number that still gives plenty of chances for the girls' vocals to shine. I love all the little "calls" that are scattered throughout the song, it really helps give it the fun vibe to it and this is much more in line when I think of a cute and fun song from the group.

4. 君を今でも (Kimi o Ima demo)
A ballad to end things and it rather standard but is a pleasant listen. The vocals do really focus on whoever is singing the solo lines with the rest just providing background harmonies though. And for a ballad like this is does work but is still rather disappointing as all six members are strong vocalists and it would be nice to hear them all more and there is no reason they could not have switched main vocals from verse to verse at least.


Overall: Outside of Gao Gao All Star this is a pretty standard release for the group. Not a bad thing as the group's releases are all rather solid. Jinsei and BNM are the stand out tracks and most in line with the previous releases from the group. Even with the issue of lines aside Kimi o Ima demo lacks anything to really make it memorable not just in general but also in the group's discography.

I am disappointed that the U.S. iTunes releases of the group's music seems to have tapered off. Of this review this is the latest single available in the store and it is only for the A-sides. It looks for future releases I will just have to go to the JP iTunes as I do not care to play this waiting game on whether or not their releases are going to be added to the U.S. store. Especially if it will not even be the full release anyway.

Utapri anime's 4th season release season announced

It looks like the wait for the series' 4th season will not be nearly as long as it has been for previous seasons as we will be getting it this year. It was announced that the 4th anime season for the series will be released in the fall of this year. (Anime News Network)

With the way Japanese TV schedules are set up this will mean the release date shall be sometime in September. I am glad it is not the usual ~2 year wait between seasons this time with how they ended the 3rd season and were so quick to announce this one.

I also like that there is plenty time for me to start saving up for the CD releases that are bound to come out with the series. I am curious how that will pan out since it looks like HEAVENS is going to play a bigger role in the series than they have before from how the 3rd season ended. I guess the closer to the release date the clearer that will get. Either way this is going to be an expensive fall for me.

Buono! returns!

It was announced earlier this month that Buono! is going to have a concert at Nippon Budokan August 25th of this year. The group will have the groups of the members, C-ute for Suzuki Airi, Country Girls for Tsugunaga Momoko and whatever Natsuyaki Miyabi's group that they seem to still be trying to put together will be called, will also be performing at the concert.

Before I even got into Hello! Project I was a Buono! fan and I just loved their music. My love for the group was a reason I kept wanting to give H!P another chance in case I found another group that I loved as much. And I am pretty sure I have done that with Country Girls at least and there are plenty of other groups I have come to like. So I am so happy to hear that the unit is not completely defunct yet.

Ever since Berryz Kobo went on indefinite hiatus but most of the girls, including Tsugunaga Momoko and Natsuyaki Miyabi, staying with Up-Front at least I had been hoping that Buono! would make some kind of return. So to know that they will be around, at least for concerts, as there is no word if they will release anything new to go with the concert, makes me happy. I want to see them perform live one day so that dream can be kept alive for at least a bit longer now.

I am also excited to hear that Miyabi's group may still happen yet. Miyabi was of my favorite Berryz members so I really would love to see her return to performing again. Just hope they are able to get something going in time for this summer concert.

Chu-Z - Tell me why Umarete Kita Imi o Shiritai single

Title: Tell me why Umarete Kita Imi o Shiritai
Artists: Chu-Z
Release date: 01 JUL 2015
Type: single
Version: n/a

Packaging: This single only has a single version and it is rather standard with a jewel case and a front and back cover. The entire single keeps to the hatching theme seen with the front jacket cover. The CD and the art work behind it mixes in imagery of music and a baby bird. The back of the jacket has the eggs from the front but empty with footprints leading away from them. The back cover has the girls positioned to look like they are piled on each other in a pyramid of sorts, but it is a nice close up of them. The inside of the jacket booklet is rather plain with just the lyrics and standard credits, though the credits are hard to read being white text on an orange background.

Track listing:

1. Tell me why 生まれて来た意味を知りたい (Tell me why Umarete Kita Imi o Shiritai)
This track helped get the group some press with it being written by Tsunku of SharanQ and Hello! Project fame. It is a strong song though and a great addition to the group's discography as it gives them a song that really stands out being from another songwriter than what they usually use, especially as the song is most definitely a Tsunku composition. It sounds like something that could have come out during Morning Musume's Golden Era with some jazzy influence to go with the pop sound. It does give Kaede a chance to have a few rap lines in it though and by going with something of a throwback sound for Tsunku the song does not sound like a rejected song from H!P but something that the girls can claim as their own.

2. #PANAiii
The B-side is a energetic pop track with a strong beat that runs through it. It has the more familiar sound of the group's songs, being written by one of the usual composers for the group. It works as a balance to the title track with being a return to the group's usual sound as well as having a vibe that is more a blend of the group's cute and cool style. I do like how it starts off soft before it kicks into gear and the return to a softer sound with the instruments pulling back to let the vocals shine.

3. Tell me why 生まれて来た意味を知りたい (Tell me why Umarete Kita Imi o Shiritai) (instrumental)
4. #PANAiii (instrumental)


Overall: This group just keeps coming out with strong singles since their major debut. This single leans more to the group's cute side, though the B-side does have a bit of the cool side as well, which fits well for the concept of group to be both cute and cool.

Fans of Tsunku's songwriting will not be disappointed, especially those who enjoy his work from some years ago as this fits that style more than some of his more recent compositions. Though a part of that just goes to Tsunku understanding the needs and limits of the group. So no need to have something to show off a formation dance for a six member group.

Real solid single from the group and I cannot wait for their album to come out later this year.

Country Girls' 3rd single for 3rd line up

It was announced a few days ago that Country Girls will be releasing their next single on March 9th. It will be a triple A-side with the songs included being; Boogie Woogie LOVE, Mousou Rehersal and Kiss Yori Saki ni Dekiru Koto. This will be the third single for the group and the first with the two latest addictions to the group, Funaki Musubu and Tanagawa Nanami.

Previews are out for the songs as the group has performed them in concert already and the first track definitely is going the big band/swing route which keeps the retro sound the group has had up to now. The other two fall into the same retro sound as well so I am looking forward to the single as it is something I love about the group.

I do hope that the next single will not come with a change in members for the group. I really want to see the group grow with the current line up and I feel Tsugunaga Momoko will not feel like she can step back from the group until it settles some. That and I hope this year will give us CG's first album, and from their concert performances we could be getting a new version of Itoshikute Gomen ne with the group as seven members for one if it happens.

Overall I hope 2016 is a smoother year for the group as the two new members show a lot of promise and the other girls just keep getting stronger. I continue to look forward to continue following this group this year and for hopefully many more.

December 2015 Marvel Collector Corps unboxing

Catching up with videos and this puts me back on track with Marvel Collector Corps unboxing. This is definitely one of my favorite boxes so far as I am a sucker for scarves.

Maji Love 2000% - STARISH CD review

Title: Maji Love 2000%
Artists: STARISH
Release date: 24 April 2013
Version: n/a

Packaging: A rather standard packaging for a single, the usual jewel case with a front and back cover. The main artwork is on the front cover that doubles as the booklet cover. Within the booklet the artwork is reused to give each character a small head shot mixed in with the lyrics. The lyrics do have the line breakdown of who sings what line. The CD itself is picture labeled with the same head shots that are in the booklet but in blue monochrome.

Tracks:

1. Maji Love 2000%
The song incorporates some of the sounds of the first season's opening theme, Maji Love 1000% but does enough new to take it at least a step above being just a rehash of that song so it can stand on its own. I do like that with this song it starts off with each character getting to say the letter of the group's name that corresponds with their own name. As a fan of Japanese boy bands that tend to use the same naming conventions I find it a nice nod to that. Overall another fun song with a lot of energy and after listening to the shortened version of it watching the second season it is nice to hear the full thing as it makes it sound fresh again.

2. 夢追人へのSymphony (Yumeoibito e no Symphony)
Like with the first season there is a slower song that the group sings together during the series that is the B-side to the theme song single. This is very much in the same vein. I do love that being a quieter song that it lets the vocals stand as the focus of the song. And like it usually is with real life boy bands everyone in the group gets a good amount of solo lines throughout the song. The instrumental is nice, helping bring out the flourishes in the song and a really nice way to bring it to a close. After the high energy of the first track this one brings things down to a more relaxing place.

3. Maji Love 2000% (off vocal)
4. 夢追人へのSymphony (Yumeoibito e no Symphony) (off vocal)


Overall: A nice addition to the ever growing discography for the Uta no Prince-sama series. The title song strikes a good balance of borrowing from the first theme song to adding something new to it. And the coupling track acts as a nice balance to the first track with the difference in sound and energy.

Honestly if you liked the single for the first season theme song than you will most likely like this one as well. And if you are a fan of the series then it is nice to hear the full versions of these instead of the shortened versions used in the series. I actually like Maji Love 2000% much more as a full song and feel it comes off as being much stronger in full.

A.B.C-Z - A.B.Sea Market RE album review

Artist: A.B.C-Z
Title: A.B.Sea Market
Release date: 13 MAY 2015
Type: album
Version: RE

Packaging: Being a regular edition I was not expecting much and Pony Canyon did not disappoint. It is a standard jewel case with a plain back cover, for both sides. The disc has the logo of the album and a little drawing of a market on it and that is about it. The jacket booklet with the lyrics does have a bit more going for it. I like the use of borders in it, especially with the member colors for the pages that have solo shots of the members with the lyrics. But each of the five have one full body shot then a waist up shot that is spread across the booklet with each being on a page with lyrics.

I did manage to get a first press edition so I have one of the alternate covers, mine is of Kawai Fumito. I honestly prefer the group cover but it is a nice little first press bonus that probably is better appreciated by fans that have a strong favorite, provided they get the one with that member on it.

Tracks:

1. Shower Gate
The lead track of the album and the one used to promote it on music programs. Like most of their songs it has a throwback sound to it, but for the group it works and helps separate them from other Johnny's groups. The song took a bit to grow on me but I enjoy it now. It is a simple pop song with some nice brass instruments thrown in to give it something special. I also love that it has proper backing vocals, as not many Johnny's groups do that with their songs. The chorus is one that sticks with you and I find no trouble in recalling how it goes off the top of my head long after listening to the song.

2. In The Name Of Love ～ 誓い (In The Name Of Love ~ Chikai)
This has a bit more of a contemporary pop sound to it and it has become one of my favorite songs off the album. It has a nice beat that runs through the verses and moves it through the chorus. The chorus is easily the highlight of the song though I do like the break near the end as well. I also appreciate that the song never overpowers the vocals so it is easy to hear what is going on with the vocals and figure out the solo lines.

3. どこまで Happy!!! (Doko made Happy!!!)
A fun bouncy pop song that sounds like the perfect song to be listening to driving around in the summer, especially with "sunshine" repeated often in the chorus. The chorus itself is rather catchy and is really the heart of the fun sound of the song. The few moments where it slows down really stand out, but in a good way as they seem natural and give your ears a bit of a break before moving into the more energetic parts of the song.

4. Stay with me / Hashimoto Ryosuke
The first of the solo songs on the album. It fits quite well after Doko made Happy!!! as it another light pop song. In fact it even has something of a summer vibe to it as well, though nothing as prominent as the previous track but its sound just fits so well. As lead vocalist of the group it is no surprise that Hasshi sounds great in this. And I appreciate the fact that even though it have been easy to have given him a ballad he instead has a fun pop song instead.

5. 僕らのこたえ ～Here We Go～ (Bokura no Kotae ~Here We Go~)
The first track to have a rockish sound to it which has been one of the group's staple sounds since their Junior days. It is a change up from the previous two tracks but works with the instrumental introduction to lead into the harder sound. One thing I love about Ebi's rock sounds is that they tend to have an epic sound to them and this song is no exception. The only minus I will give it is that it does not stand out too much, except for an instrumental break just past the middle of the song. Though I am certain this is a song that has one of the more outstanding performances attached to it for concerts.

6. DARKNESS (LOVEです☆ver.) (DARKNESS (LOVEdesu ver.)) / Tsukadarkness Feat. Tsuka Rika
This is one of those songs that either you love it or you hate it. The key to loving it is being able to realize that this is not meant to be serious whatsoever and just enjoy the weirdness that is Tsukada Ryuichi. The song is all over the place though starts with a rock sound to go with Tsukadarkness while a whimsy pop tune enters for Tsuka Rika. The two go back and forth and a bit of a storyline plays out between the two characters before they have a "duet" to end the song. I am certain the greatest highlight of this song is seeing it performed live but it is a fun listen.

7. 未来は明るいかい? (Mirai wa Akarui kai?) / Kawai Fumito
This song brings us back the throwback sound of earlier songs on the album. I am not a big fan of Kawai's voice but for the most part he sounds fine as long as he stays within his range. At the start of the song he seems to be out of it but for the rest of it he stays in and it is a much more pleasant listen. The song itself is a fun pop number with some brass that helps make it stand out. Outside of the start I do like it, though it is not a favorite even though I do like Kawai.

8. 特別な君へ (Tokubetsu na Kimi e)
A ballad that works as there seems to be a general winding down with each track on the album at this point. It also has that bit of a throwback sound to it that helps tie it with other tracks on the album. I love the build to the chorus in this song and how it moves to an uplifting sound. It is a really pleasant ballad without getting sleepy.

9. メクルメク (Mekurumeku)
Kicking the energy levels back up again comes Mekurumeku with a big band/swing influenced pop song. The brass in this is front and center to help give it that retro feel and they just shine in general all throughout the song. It is another song that is just fun to bounce around to and good for lifting your mood.

10. We're Fighters / Goseki Koichi
The next solo that takes a more serious turn with a pop song that is probably the most electronic sounding of them all. It actually sounds like something KAT-TUN would have released in their early years with the rock elements and harder sounds. The switching back and forth from the sung lines to the spoken lines with a voice filter works well in giving the song the right atmosphere to match the music. And it stands as a song that has just the right amount of auto-tune/voice distortion to it.

11. ドラマ (Drama) / Totsuka Shota
The song was an uplifting sound to it that takes the album back to the more standard pop sound. I love the driving beat that runs through the song and Totsuka sounds great in this. The change up hits just at the right time to continue the momentum of the song while breaking it away from its set pattern to transition to the final chorus repeat. It is my favorite song of the solos and a favorite song from the album in general.

12. Legend Story
The final track on the album before the bonus tracks and it works very well at the end. In fact I'm not surprised at all that this is one of the final songs in the group's setlist for their concerts as it does start bringing the energy down for that usual final run of songs. I love the use of strings with the instruments as it gives it a gentle feel while the brass that kicks in about midway livens it up. The transition works well as the overall slower pace of the song could easily bring it into the sleepy territory but instead it feels like it wakes up just in time to bring it all together.

13. SPACE TRAVELERS (album ver.)
With this being my first A.B.C-Z purchase I cannot say I am familiar with the single version of this song to know what was changed up for this version. I do enjoy the song, especially with the jazzy sound to it that really helps it fit in with other songs from the album. Really like the chorus of this one and it comes off as the strongest part of the song. There are a couple of parts that I wish the mixing had the vocals a bit stronger as it sounds like the instruments, especially the brass, are drowning them out.

14. Finally Over
Easily my favorite track on the entire album and as a bonus track for the regular edition I am very glad this was the version I picked up. The rock sound to it goes well with just how epic in sound the song is and the rap portion works well and helps drive the song forward avoiding it feeling out of place. While most of the songs on the album follow the same pattern of solo lines for the verses and full group for the chorus there is a real impact when the group sings together in the chorus in this one, elevating it just a bit more than some of the other songs on the album. The different elements just all work so well together to bring out the energy of the song.


Overall: I am so glad I decided to give this group more of a try as I enjoy this album quite a bit and the members keep winning me over the more I see of them. I really like the fact that the group has a general sound to them that helps set them apart from the other Johnny's groups. The retro and rock-pop really makes them stand out musically. And it just fits the group's image with how they have presented themselves so far.

A rather solid album with the most questionable song being Tsukada's solo, which again I am certain is a love or hate thing depending on if you care for those types of songs in the first place. I definitely have plans on getting their first album now and I am happy that I did get their first CD single that I will be reviewing latter.

Morning Musume's 13th generation auditions

When there is graduation in the air there does tend to be auditions as well with Hello! Project, and with Sayashi Riho now graduated there has been an announcement for a new round of auditions for the group.

There is not much known for the auditions, even the date for the applications has yet to be announced, other than the fact most are speculating H!P are looking for a potential new Ace.

Honestly even if they find a new girl to be the main face of MM I hope it will not be to the extent Riho was. There are girls in the group that are really starting to shine and still hold plenty of potential that should not be stifled by being shoved in the back once more. Not to mention the pressure Riho was under was a reason she decided to leave so soon so it would be better if some of that was.distributed to other girls.

I also hope it is not another single generation or another set of four. Two or three new members seems like the best, so there is not too much pressure out the gate and the group does not feel like it has gotten too big.

Considering there are no dates yet it makes me wonder if the winners of the audition will even be in MM '16. If they drag it out long enough they could be announcing the new members in the fall and having them debut at the end of year concerts as a part of MM '17, like how 12th gen were announced before the end of 2014 but were not really active until 2015. And they were hardly the first gen that had to wait a while before being properly in the group.

I really do hope MM '16 will be the current line up, that way the current members get to try to prove themselves more in a post-Riho group. That and it would probably be easier to release an album before changing the group once more so there is little need to change the single tracks to reflect the group changes. And the group is overdue for an album at this point. Even if Riho has graduated it would not be the first time a graduated member was still on the album with the singles songs included.

Of course the audition could always end with no one being selected again. I somehow doubt it, but that is part of the fun/agony of auditions: You never know what we get until the results come out.

IDOLiSH7 -For those who don't have enough 2-D boybands to follow-

Soon after getting into the Love Live School Idol Festival mobile game I wanted to see if I could find a male idol version of it and there seems to be quite a few. Went with IDOLiSH7 as I was the most familiar with it as the character designs being done by Tanemura Arina has been covered on Anime News Network. Also as it only focuses on two groups (IDOLiSH7 and TRIGGER) while some of the other games have more and I knew if I was going to get sucked into a game with media release I would not like to go completely broke with it. Especially since I am not done catching up with Uta no Prince-sama releases as it is.

IDOLiSH7 is a rhythm game not too different from Love Live SIF in that the object is to play rhythm games to collect "cards" that have characters that you can upgrade. Of course the specifics differ quite a bit and I7 is only available for the Japanese versions of the mobile stores and not internationally like LLSIF is. But if you can use iTunes then and are using an Apple device it is as simple as having a iTunes Japan account and just switching back and forth whenever there is an update to download as it will play no matter which account is logged in.

The actual rhythm game is a bit deceptive as it looks like it should be really easy, which on the easy mode it is, but with the speed and special orbs it can be challenging on the higher levels. Especially since the orbs gain speed as they near the rings you are to tap. There are only four ranks for taps, Perfect, Good, Bad and Miss. Both Perfect and Good will count towards your combo score but a Bad or a Miss will break it.

For each play you get experience that goes towards your rank, gold, friend points, sometimes you will get a drop like a common card, and then the members of the team used get their own experience points and bond points that unlock special chats with them.

The story mode is an important part of the game, as there is no anime adaption and the manga only has a single volume out so far. So if you want to learn more about the characters and groups then playing the story is essential. That said there is not much to the story mode than reading/listening to scenes and achieving goals to unlock it at times. Thankfully there are fan translations that can found on the tumblr for the game. (This is actually the best source for game information in English in general.)

Since the game only just launched in July 2015 there is only the one story, which is 20 chapters long. Recently some side stories were added to it and at the end of the first story they have a screen for the second story with two new characters which is set to be released sometime after the current event ends later today.

The cards can be leveled up in several ways. By combining matching cards they go up in rarity from N (Normal) to R (Rare) to SR (Star Rare) then up to SSR (Super Star Rare). Normal though is only for the trainee cards, which are characters that are not featured in the story at all. Rare and above are where the main characters start at, with some starting at the SR level while others are SSR only.

Experience for the cards can be earned two ways, playing the games or by using other cards. The second method costs gold and the higher the level the higher the cost. And each time you rank up a card, like a N to an R, the level of the card goes back to 1. There are no bonuses to leveling up the cards to their max level though so there is little reason to keep trainee cards once you have ranked them up. The main cast cards are worth hanging onto as each has a special attribute that helps you play the rhythm game.

The character gallery not only lets you look at everything you have collected so far but also cards that the support you choose for the game has as their main. The ones you have had are lit up with the ones shadowed are ones that belonged to other players. And each version of the card is displayed so you can see the evolution of them.

One of the options when you are looking at your teams is to view the card in full without any of the added design/text that they usually have. I unfortunately do not have any of the sets to show but there are cards that go together that will create a scene. Like the final card on the right has one that matches one that will show the character Iori is looking annoyed at, Tamaki.


I already have the two CD singles that have been released so far on their way with the next Uta no Prince-sama Shining Theater release and will be adding them to my reviews on one of the off weeks from reviewing another Utapri CD. And I want to see about getting the light novel and manga to see if I cannot get the card codes for those. Or I have fallen for this series and this is how I am going to get through the wait for something new for Utapri. Not like I needed another series to get invested in, but I still got one and I am enjoying the hell out of it.

Shine on Riho

I am so horribly disorganized recently I realize I should have had this written up sooner. But to be honest while Sayashi Riho's graduation is most certainly a big deal it is not so much for me.

When I got into Morning Musume it was after she joined and from friends that were already into MM I already knew something of the group post 9th gen's addition from them. I am sure that colored my interest in the girls when they showed up in my viewing of MM's PVs. None were Riho fans so she did not have the bonus interest others had, though from the start I could tell that she had something special with her presence.

Yet I am rarely someone who connects with the Ace of a group so while I could appreciate Riho for what she brought to the group my interest was focused on other girls. Which is probably why I feel as positive as I do about the future of the group. I know losing Riho, especially after losing Michishige Sayumi, is going to be hard for the group. She may not have been my favorite but she was well loved by many. But I believe in the girls that are still with the group. I would like to believe Riho does as well, which is why she chose in part when she did to graduate.

Seeing Riho smile as she is in the image included makes me truly believe that she is doing something that she believes to be right for her. She will be missed as a member of MM but she still has plenty of time to do something on her own. And hopefully without all the pressure of being the group's Ace she can continue to shine brightly, for herself and for her fans.