Another little update

This is just a short entry to keep you guys updated. Sorry for not updating at all this week. I guess for me it's been a bit of a slow news week.That said, I do have a couple things to report.First off, the blog now has a custom domain name, and can now be reached at www.berryzkyuuden.com. I'm hoping this will help my traffic as I get more return visitors, because it is shorter and easier to remember, I find, than the old URL. People say things like "I don't write for the views. I write because I want to write." Or something like that. And while that's partially true of me, I do want my words to be read by others. When people read my entries and comment on them, it gives me some feeling of accomplishment.And on a not-too-distant note, I've also added a chatbox to the left. I hope it will make...

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Iida Kaori's son passed away

This news is a few days old by now, and I'm sure you've already heard it. But I wasn't sure if I actually wanted to post about this or not. It's hard to find words to say, to be honest. But I've decided to post about it afterall. It was announced yesterday that former Morning Musume member Iida Kaori's son passed away at 6 months-old on July 27th, 2008 due to kidney failure. Back in mid-2007, it was announced that she was 10-weeks pregnant and would be married to Kenji of 7House, a now defunct band formed by Tsunku. It was a shock, but everyone was happy and supportive. People were saying, "I'm sure she'd make a great mother." And then when she announced her son's birth on February 3rd, everyone was happy for her. We all assumed that the...

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Momo Beach

Before I go on. Let's just take a moment to enjoy that picture, shall we? I dunno what it is, but there's something so "eye-catching" about that picture. Nor am I particularly sure why I think it's so sexy. Perhaps it's one of those inner answers which requires deep meditation to discover. But I can wager a guess. Maybe it's the top she's wearing, which appears, at a glance, to be a little more revealing than it really is. Or perhaps I'm just falling in love with Momoko. It will go down as one of life's greatest mysteries. That said, Momoko really is maturing, both physically and mentally, I bet. Although judging from her week of Yorosen, she's still as insane as ever, but it was more of an intellectual kind of crazy... Ah, who am I kidding?...

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Family & Friends

Well, I'm sorry for not posting up the rest of the "Stories of a Collection" posts (although is anyone actually reading them?) but here's an entirely new post, and not something I've really talked about in the blog either. By posting this here, I'm assuming that none of my family and friends actually read this blog. Oh sure, I've dropped the occasional hint, plugged my blog, whatever. But no bites. So I'm going to assume it's safe to say whatever I want. So, what do these people actually think of my J-Idol "obsession"? Well, let's start with my brother - some of you may know him as Azgaroth over at Hello!Online, I hear he's quite an active poster in the Reina thread. Anyway, I got into Morning Musume back in early 2007, which I've mentioned...

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Hello!Project - Stories of a Collection! [Part II]

So, following the concert, I'd been propelled down the path to Berryz fandom, and ultimately wotagei. And I had decided that my next purchase would be dedicated to my new favourite Hello!Project group. And my chance came when the Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance previews came out. I instantly fell in love with it, and the PV just increased that sheer volume of win.So I bought a couple of CDs...That's right. Jingisukan and Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance. Argueably the best singles Berryz have done to date (although I do love MADAYADE). So let's talk about Jingisukan first.Jingisukan was the first Berryz song I can remember hearing, no doubt I'd listened to them before, but I was still new to H!P at the time, and was still getting used to Morning Musume, I didn't...

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Hello!Project - Stories of a Collection! [Part I]

Well, the 7th was pay day for me, and so the first thing I did was put in my order for several H!P releases that are either just out or bordering on release. Just thought I'd make a little entry to talk about the H!P goodies I've bought over the last 2 years.Well... I say 2 years, but I didn't actually buy anything until the start of this year when I got my very first Concert DVD and H!P item. Hello!Project Winter 2008. This was an expensive first purchase, but worth every penny I spent. (I believe it consumed the remainder of the money I had "requisitioned" over Christmas) 4 Discs. (Wonderful Hearts, Elder Club, Haro!Pro awards, and bonus backstage footage), and the Wonderful Hearts concert instantly became my favourite concert. I've not enjoyed...

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Layout Update

Just a quick entry to tell you guys about the new look of the site.Some of you may have noticed last month that the place changed a little. Namely the position of the side-bar switched from the right to the left. This was just the first part in a (hopeful) number of changes being made to the look of the place. But now, as you can see, the banner is gone and has been replaced with an entirely new one (courtesy of Liamers over at Mayuge Madness) and a new colour scheme to match.I changed, mostly because the colours of the old look were really starting to bore me, and I wanted a bit of a change. And since white technically isn't a colour, it can't be a boring one. Also, this new theme provides a lot of room for future updates to the look, where as the old theme was fairly static and there wasn't...

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LIFE: It's all about the bullies

Have you ever been bullied? No? Well I have, and I'm sure most of you reading this have been the victim to (or cause of) bullying at some point in your lives, albeit at work or school or even at home.LIFE (or ライフ) is a story about bullying. The TV Drama was based on a manga of the same name by Keiko Suenobu. And it's not an average High School drama, in that this has slightly darker themes and plots than some may be used to with other dramas, and as such, is probably aimed at a slightly older audience. The focus is on bullying, but it does touch on themes such as suicide, rape and domestic violence.The drama follows Shiiba Ayumu (Kii Kitano) who tries to get into Nishiko High School along with her friend Yuko, whom she calls Shii-chan....

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What happened to Berryz Kyuuden?

Well, I'm slightly dissapointed in myself, to be perfectly honest. Last month was looking to be my most active month yet with 6 entries by the 14th. Then I stopped. Even despite the ocean of great topics I could have written about. So I'd like to appologise to those who actually read this blog (that's right! All 3 of you!) for the inactivity over the last fortnight. But I'll work to update, and make this month even better than what I hoped for last month!Anyway. Last week, I was in London at the London Games Festival, went to see Video Games Live on the 24th. Sadly it was the only event I had the chance to go to, as my train was leaving the morning after. But it was brilliant. And if there are any fans of games reading this, be sure to come next year if you weren't there this year. I may post...

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What is the future of Morning Musume?

"What is the future for Morning Musume?"A question that a lot of people are asking, and have been for quite some time. And now, without their weekly midday TV show, after it, along with Berikyuu, was replaced with the new show Yorosen last week, the question is more relevent than ever. These are some of my opinions and predictions on the matter...Yorosen could either rekindle that dying flame that some would call Morning Musume as it is exponentially more interesting than the Haromoni@ that so many people have complained about. Now, however, a lot of people are revealing the hypocrisy in their opinions after claiming that nothing could be worse than HM@, they say that they would rather HM@ or no show at all over the current Yorosen. I couldn't...

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"Hangry & Angry" Rocking the World

Well, this is shocking news. It's just been revealed that former Morning Musume members Yoshizawa Hitomi and former Biyuden leader Ishikawa Rika will be teamed up in a brand new Hello!Project Unit.Hangry & Angry, named after the Harajuku gothic-lolita fashion store which the new unit seems to be promoting, are a very interesting unit. Not because of the members, as an IshiYoshi unit is something alot of fans have been begging for for quite a while.No, what is interesting about this unit is the style. The Punk-Rock feel to, not only the costumes, but their debut single Kill Me Kiss Me makes this unit feel very fresh and original. I think it's safe to say that this is something UFA have never tried before.The song carries with the style very...

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Jingisukan Tarutaru Mix - New PV

Earlier I was recommended a look at a new Jingisukan PV by a couple of people, including shwee who said "Maasa is center". My friends know me well. Anyway, I've checked it out, and I love it. The old PV we saw before with the dancing sheep was weird, and it may have been fun, but it was in no way a great PV - not in comparison to this one, anyway. And indeed, just as I had been told, Maasa is the center of the PV as she takes the most prominant place at the top of the stairs, and with slight alterations to her costume to help match the original song by German pop-group Dschingis khan, she stands out the most in the video, despite being stuck at the back of the group. What I love about this one is that it has a healthy combination of footage...

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Yorosen : So it Begins

TV-Tokyo 月曜～金曜 (Monday-Friday) テレビ東京「よろセン！」 (Yorosen) ※10/6（月）スタート！ 月・火・木 - 24:53～25:00 水 - 25:13～25：20 金 - 25:53～26：00 Yorishiku Sensei (Yorosen) has just aired for the first time, you will probably find the episode on Hello!Online tracker or on YouTube within the next few hours. (And as soon as I find it, I'll embed it in this post). Those of you who have read my post on (or were already using) KeyholeTV may have been lucky enough to watch it live. If not, don't fall behind, find my previous post on Keyhole while you have the oppertunity and get the software (or anything better you find elsewhere). The broadcasting times are found above. Don't read Japanese? Want to know what those times are in your respective time zone? Refer to this:Monday: Japanese (JST) - 24:53~25:00 | British...

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Berikore! shirts to be owned.

Well, I just put my order into Ohta's store for the shirt you see above. It'll be my first Hello!Project shirt and I'm happy it'll be my favourite idol's one. Although I was tempted to go for Miyabi's instead, for the sole reason that I liked the colour.If you're interested in ordering one too, you can find them on Ohta's store here. But be fast, if you try after October 9th it'll be too late, as he'll have already sent away for the order.I'm looking forward to recieving mine. And I'm sorry that this entry wasn't very interesting. But there are two pretty Maasa pics up above to keep you parasites hap...

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Berryz Koubou go head to head!

I've just learned about something spectacular. Something that will change my world forever. Berryz Koubou will be appearing in a new Stage Play in November. A play that, interestingly, has been titled 「Berryz工房　VS　Berryz工房」. Clearly such a confrontation, Berryz clashing with none other than themselves, would be so sweet - triple coated in a thick layer of pure win - that it would melt the eyes of anyone to even look at it with the simplistic awesomeness. Surely, anyone who goes to see this play live will return home a changed man. And I envy anyone lucky enough to be in Japan during the 12 days that it is being performed. Now the Video Games Live concert which I'll be going to see in London on the 24th of October (anyone else going? Drop...

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Kumai Yurina's Moon Diary

Yurina KumaiUploaded by artisttongI just found this excellent Kumai Yurina OPV, titled "Moon Diary - The Power of Perfect Circle".This OPV is simply beautiful, there are no other words to describe it.The video, itself, is about 2 years old, so there isn't any up-to-date footage included. And most footage seems to come from the 2002-2005 era. So we get to see lot's of video and pictures of Yurina (and the other girls) looking quite young, and very cute.It starts off with a brief interlude, stating that the OPV was made for the creator's sister's birthday. Then at about 0:37 begins the introduction. With a "Yutta Factory Presents" and a beautiful nightscape view of Tokyo all lit up. The image dissapears briefly for a nifty animation with "Kumai Yurina"'s name in both romaji and kanji, and the...

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Jingisukan Tarutaru Mix

Well, it's been out for a while now. But I haven't posted in a while, and this is a good excuse to do so. As soon as I heard the remix, I fell in love with it. It was the last thing I expected. I expected something a little like the Special Generation remix, perhaps. And then it started and I was left in awe. That song wouldn't be at all out of place at some night-club/rave. It's also somewhat amusing listening to high-pitched (Yes, the pitch of the girl's voices now border on chipmunk) Berryz members singing, what is essentially a song aimed at kids, and then Dschinghis Khan come in with their significantly deeper voices and finish off a line, singing their own version which is essentially NOT a children's song. Keep in mind that dance music isn't my preffered genre of choice. In fact, quite...

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Chinami's Phone Stolen?

It's been a bit of a hot-topic in the Chinami thread at Hello!Online the last few days. I think I'll mention it here. There are rumours going around now that Chinami's cellphone has been stolen, either some one deliberately stole it, or she lost it and someone picked it up. I'll let you be your own judge. Anyway. Wether or not this rumour is true is anyones guess. But the facts are that several unseen pictures have recently appeared on 2ch. Pictures featuring other members of Berryz and C-ute. The image quality seems fairly consistent with cellphone cameras. Some are noticably lower-quality than others, mind. But it does seem that a fan has managed to get Chinami's phone and has taken pictures from it's memory. There's also a related rumour...

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Berryz Koubou's 5(FIVE)

I'm a little slow making this entry, I know. But I've had my hands full with my other blog and college work. So just pretend you haven't heard any of this yet! (*smile*) Anyway, Berryz Koubou's new album is out, and I've got it ordered (along with the new calendar - I was indecisive between the Berryz or the C-ute one - but I can't resist anything with Maasa on the cover). The album went up on the tracker a couple of days ago, and I downloaded it. After listening to it, it just moved up my wishlist. I planned to by it before I heard it. And I went and ordered it after listening. The album is very different from most of Berryz usual work, in that most of the songs aren't as genki as Jingisukan or Monkey Dance. The songs are often much slower...

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KeyholeTV

I recently discovered the wonders of Keyhole TV. A free program that allows people to watch LIVE Japanese Television absolutely free! I've been using it all week now, and I thought I'd blog about it here to share with you guys.The software is simple and easy to use, even though it's in Japanese it doesn't take any knowledge whatsoever of the Japanese language to work, or to enjoy. The quality, however, isn't great. But when you get to watch your favourite Japanese TV Shows live for free, what's there really to complain about?This week I've been watching Berikyuu with it, and just this afternoon I watched this week's Utaban! The novelty just doesn't wear off.So I hear you asking, "Dran, how do I get this software?" And I'll tell you. The first thing is to download the installer, which can be...

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Berryz Koubou's 18th Single!

Regular Edition: http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=PKCP-5129 Limited Edition [w\ DVD] http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=PKCP-5127 Single V http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=PKBP-5103 New Berryz Koubou Single. The release date has been announced as the 22nd of October. The Title, however, is still to be determined. The Single V, will also be released on the 5th of November. There is little more information out at the moment than this, but I'll try to keep you up to date on it. It seems that the Kids units have been really busy. We've had new Singles from Berryz, C-ute and Buono! as well as the new Berryz album, 5 [FIVE], being announced. There's also the Spring concert which was one of the best concerts to come from Hello! Project yet, in my opinion. Although...

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Ongaku Gatas 3rd Single!

Well, there's good news and bad news...The good news is that I've just got the radio rip for the upcomming Gatas single.The bad news is it's awful. No, not the quality of the rip, but the quality of the song itself.The song is like a Buono! song that, thankfully, never was, in my honest opinion. I keep hoping for a massive build up in tempo and suddenly catch me, so I can get over the rest of the really boring parts of the song... But it just never comes. The song feels like it should be fast and genki, but it just isn't. Even those pretty cool guitar riffs aren't doing anything for me. This song, honestly, makes me feel sleepy.Don't believe me? Then have a listen for yourself: Get this widget | Track details | eSnips Social DNA See what I mean? Not that a great song at all.Then...

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Buono! - Gachinko de Ikou

The PV for Buono!'s new single (that will make 4!) has been released on Dohhhup! So this post is dedicated to that video - which you can find at the top of this post. The video starts out with the three girls sitting around a table in a darkened room wearing khaki-coloured suits. I guess this is supposed to create the look of a poker ring, and it does that just fine once you get past the fact that they are staring at a tower of Jenga blocks. The music finally begins with clips from that Dance Shot. And they've put away those old suits for something much more fitting to the Buono! image. And it is here, for the first time, we get to see clearly Miyabi's new hair! I'm not sure if it was just for this PV, but I'd like to think that she'll keep it like this. Miyabi hasn't had her hair red...

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B.L.T.U-17 Sizzleful Girls

The new BLT is out today. And it seems they've already been scanned! This issue of BLT features Berryz member Sudou Maasa, in Side A, and C-ute member Arihara Kanna, in Side B, among others. As you can see, the pics are awesome and the girls are looking better than ever. I'll admit, I've yet to order my own copy of the magazine - I've been planning to since it was announced that Maasa would be appearing in it, but I just haven't had the money to spend on Hello!Project. :/ I hope I can get it soon, there are a few other H!P things that I'm hoping to get too. UFA sure know how to lighten a guys wall...

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Morning Musume 37th Single!?

CD [Regular Edition] http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=EPCE-5579 CD [w/ photo booklet, Limited Edition] Includes bonus photobook plus bonus serial-numbered application card. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=EPCE-5578 CD [w/ DVD, Limited Edition] Includes bonus DVD plus bonus serial-numbered application card. http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=EPCE-5576 Single V DVD http://www.cdjapan.co.jp/detailview.html?KEY=EPBE-5305 It seems Morning Musume are due to release their new single (that'll make 37!) on September 24th! This is all that has been announced at the moment. It's just been announced, it seems, so the name hasn't been decided yet. I really wish they would decide on a name BEFORE announcing the single. It gives us something to identify it by,...

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"Arihara Kanna Dating?" and "5 (FIVE)"!

The Japanese tabloud magazine, Bubka, has published an article (see pictures above) about C-ute member Arihara Kanna spotted going to the movies with Johnny's member Ryosuke Hashimoto. According to said article, they were spotted going to see Hana Yori Dango: Final together - a film starring fellow Johnny's member Matsumoto Jun. The article does make clear, however that they only met for the movie. After the film ended, they went their seperate ways. It seems it's C-ute's turn to get a bit of unwanted attention. I suspect that, like Miyabi's Scandal several weeks ago, this will be completely ignored by UpFront. This isn't the best way to go about it, but who can deny the fact that it worked? I have to say that following Miya's scandal,...

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Edo no Temari Uta II

Well, it seems that the latest C-ute single, Edo no Temari Uta II, is finally out. Have you all ordered it yet? The song is really interesting, at first I really didn't like it, I thought it was a little too removed from their previous work, but I'm listening to it right now as I type and it really isn't so bad. It's still quite a mature song but does have a sound a little more consistent with a lot of other Hello!Project songs being released at the moment, such as High-King's Cinderella/Complex. The one problem I have with this song is length, the A-Side only lasts for about 2:30, so it's a very short song - by H!P standards, anyway. So it reaches the end and leaves you thinking, "Was that it? That only lasted for about 10 seconds!" The...

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Morning Musume Concert Tour 2008 Spring - Single Daizenshuu

Well. Morning Musume's Spring concert is about to be released on DVD. It will be released on the 30th July! Have you all ordered your copy? No? Well hurry up! You've had over a month to do so! For those of you who haven't been following the news very recently, Morning Musume's newest concert tour DVD, which features footage from the concert held in Tokyo on May 18th, 2008, will probably be one of the biggest Morning Musume concerts of the last couple of years. Definately the best since around this time last year when Yoshizawa Hitomi graduated with the 2007 Spring concert Sexy 8 Beat. Why? Well, this concert has performances of every A-side track Morning Musume have ever released. No one can complain about this concert as their favourite...

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