Friday 29 January 2016

I Kill: DEEP GIRL Music Video & Bullying Discussion (Reader Discretion Advised)


All thoughts and opinions are simply my own. That is how it works here.

For my first Music Video Review of 2016, we're going to tackle a dark and emotional subject. Reader and Viewer discretion is advised.



I Kill is only the second single release from DEEP GIRL. A Rock-Idol unit who debuted just last year, these girls have their own TV show (DEEP GIRL), and are already tackling some of the worlds leading issues head on: Bullying, self-harm and suicide. There will be at least one topic here that we familiarise with, and yes, this will get personal.

It is a heavy topic to think and write about, so if you feel uncomfortable with such things, please do leave this post now. Thank you.

Monday 25 January 2016

So, You Want to be an Idol Blogger? An Introduction to Idol Blogging: Part 2 (Design and Layout)

After sitting in limbo since July 2015, I have finally typed out and finished 'An Introduction to Idol Blogging: Part 2'! Hopefully you will all enjoy~

You can find Part 1 of this Introduction to Blogging Series HERE! Part 3 is also available HERE!

When you begin your journey as an Idol Blogger, there are a lot of things to take into consideration when creating and shaping your blog. From platforms to the content that you will eventually publish, there is a lot that goes into being a blogger, no matter what the topic you happen to write about. With Idol Bloggers, it's more about what Idols we would like to promote, and how we would like to present these Idols to potential readers and future fans. How to start out this journey, though?

We all have to begin somewhere within this community, and though blogging will take a lot of time, dedication, sweat and tears, it will all be worthwhile in the long run as you slowly build up your online profile, readership and dedicated followers. It does not all come at once, I am sorry to say, but if you stick it out long enough, you will see that all of your hard work and effort has become something amazing, and that you are noticed for what you are doing.

In this small series, I hope to introduce to beginner and potential writers advice regarding the ins and outs of Idol blogging, and to give them a step up in this ever-expanding community so that we can pave the way for the future Idol Bloggers of today. What I write here is knowledge from my own experience as a blogger of five years, as well as a desire to help out new and enthusiastic bloggers who may not know where to start in this world of Idols and writing. If I can help only a little bit, then I have done my job.

By no means am I an expert in the field of blogging or Idols, nor am I the sort of person who feels they can offer great advice, however what I can give is my insight and experience with blogging, and try to help others as much as I can. With this, I hope to show the joys of writing about Idols, and to bring even more bloggers to the realm of Idols, so that we can all share our passion together! If this is the post for you, then please, read on and enjoy!
















Sunday 24 January 2016

Leaving with Honors: Ayase Miho to Graduate Houkago Princess this March

On January 24th 2016, Ayase Miho made the announcement that, at the end of March this year, she would be graduating from Houkago Princess. Junpaku Antoinette will be her final single.


Ayase Miho, also known as Mihotan, made the announcement during her 25th Birthday live (her Birthday is officially on January 30th). Her reasons for leaving include that, currently, she believes this is the best lineup the group has had since its inception, and that she would like to leave on a high note. She also feels that right now, she would like to pursue something that is not within the entertainment industry.

As well as thanking the fans for their support and asking them to continue supporting her until her final performance, Miho has stated that she made this decision with no regrets, and that in order for Houkago Princess and herself to shine even more, this is the right thing for her to do.

You can find the announcement here.


...

Sigh.

My friend Akeda linked me to this announcement via Twitter, and when I saw the link, even in Japanese, I knew that an announcement was going to be announced. When he said that I would cry when I read it, I knew it was going to be Miho.

I cried. Of course I cried, because for over a year now, Mihotan was the member I wanted to know the most about. She was the member I liked the most.

The thing is, I expected a graduation announcement at some point this year from HouPri, but I don't think Miho was one of the girls I expected it from. Nana or Mayuka, yeah, but Mihotan? Not really. That said, I'm not entirely surprised, either.

This year on January 30th, Mihotan will turn 25, a big number to hit, if you ask me. She's an adult, she has been an adult for a while now, but for three years she has pursued activities within Houkago Princess and experienced the life of an idol, from the hardships to the fun times. She has done a lot since being a part of the group, including being a part of their major debut process.

And now, after 7 singles, a mini album and three years, Miho has decided that she would like to the leave the group with the best lineup it has ever had and pursue other things in her life. It's a big change, and it's one she's going to take with confidence and a smile on her face, because that is what Miho does.
 And of course, she will do it all at her own pace.

I am sad that it is Miho graduating. I would be sad if it was anyone else, too, but I know that this is a part of the Idol package; to graduate and move on, and to allow others a chance at being a part of the Idol group that is Houkago Princess. I just hope that when she does graduate, Miho will leave with the love and adoration she deserves from not only the fans, but the other members as well.

I will miss you dearly, Mihotan, but I am happy to know that you are confident in this choice of yours, and that you are ready to leave on a positive note in HouPri's history. Thank you you, for all you have done, and for all you will achieve.


"And, after my graduation, I will leave my entertainment activities behind and become an ordinary girl." - Miho Ayase, January 24th, 2016

 Until next time everyone. Please, love your Idols, and cherish the time that you have watching over them.

Chiima

Friday 22 January 2016

So, You Want to be an Idol Blogger? An Introduction to Idol Blogging: Part 1 (Starting Your Blog)

You can find Part 2 HERE and Part 3 HERE. Thank you.

This post was originally created and written in July of 2015. It never made it to publication, despite being completed, due to Part 2 sitting in a state of unfinished limbo. Now, however, I will present to you a piece I have been excited about for a while now. Please, enjoy.

The Idol community is an ever-changing platform that will always bring in new fans and see old ones depart to new pastures overtime. For over five years now I have watched the community change along with my own fandom and desires, experienced fans who will come and go along with the changes in the Universe of the Idols. Sometimes, these fans move on to new groups, or maybe even leave this realm altogether. Not everyone stays here forever, you find.
 It's a community that, though sometimes difficult to be a part of, is one I love and adore, a passion that I am happy to share with others in a variety of ways. My favourite way to share my crazed love for Idols is here, on my blog. For many others, they also enjoy sharing what they love on their own blogs, youtube accounts or tumblr's - it depends on the fan and how you wish to show off your love and dedication to the group you have formed a bond with. Everyone is different.

Recently in the community of Idols, I have seen a sudden surge of interest in Idol Blogging come forth from a few of my friends and fellow Idol lovers, and surprisingly, some have even asked for my advice on starting a blog and how to go about it, asking for feedback and wanting to improve on their writing and content that they create. I try to help as much as I can, but honestly, I am no expert in this field - it's just something I love to do, a passion that is fueled from my love of Idols and Writing, however I do want to help people as much as I can if they have an interest in this field and want to pursue it as a pastime.

So, because of this surge of interest in Idol Blogging, I have decided to create a small series of posts that will, hopefully, introduce you all to Idol Blogging and try, as much as I can, to help others get into it, as well as to see the benefits of being an Idol Blogger and Lover.
 Even though I haven't done this as long as others have, I do hope that what I provide you all with will help you all to kick-start your own blogs and to become writers of the Idol Fandom many will follow!

So, with all said and done, I think that it is about time to start this post and introduce you all to the charms of Idol Blogging! Are you ready to go? Let's START!















Tuesday 19 January 2016

A New Princess Stands in Line for the Throne! Welcome, Horii Nina of Houpriyusu!

Hello, all! I apologise for my lack of updates and posts thus far, however University and life have taken priority, as well as some much needed mind-rest. I have also not neglected my contest, and have recently been able to look through all the entries. Hopefully a winner shall be announced soon, however I must look through my 3 finalists once again before making a solid decision!

For now, however, I shall be updating you all on the world of Houkago Princess! I wonder what they will have announced this joyous January?



On January 17th 2016, it was revealed during the Miss iD 2016 Grand Prix that contestant #87, Horii Nina, had been added Houkago Princesses little sister unit, Houpriyusu!

Both Nagasawa Marina, Houpriyusu's Gravure Queen and first member of the unit since its creation, and Horii Nina had participated in the annual Modelling competition where Idols, aspiring actresses, models, gravure models and singers all compete for the grand prize. Both girls made it to the semi-finals of the competitions, with Nagasawa Marina being crowned #1 during the CHEERZ voting portion of the contest back in November, though she did not win the overall crown at the Grand Prix.



Horii Nina, who had joined the competition in order to make her dream of becoming a singer and an idol come true, is 16 years old and from the Fukui Prefecture. A high schooler, Nina loves to sing and dance, and is a fan of both Uverworld and Momoiro Clover Z. For her, the ultimate idol is MomoClo Z's Tamai Shiori. Being 16 years old, Nina is now the youngest member of Houpriyusu, as all other members are the age of 20 years or over.


Regarding my own thoughts on Horii Nina, honestly, I find her charming. From some of her images, as well as her introduction video on the Miss iD youtube, she has this rather sweet awkwardness about her that is quite adorable, as well as endearing to see. Sure, her posture could use some work, and I feel that her confidence could be risen a tad, however everything else about her? I like it. I like her, because there is this quality of innocence about her that I think all the other members of Houkago Princess and Houpriyusu lack a little.
 Naive innocence. That's what Nina seems to have when I look at her, and I rather like that about her.

I also enjoy the persistence this girl seems to have; despite not being an Idol previously or even an entertainer (from what my own research has told me at least), she went ahead from Fukui to Tokyo in order to audition for the Miss iD competition, which is known for being a contest between the indie and unknown Idols of the Japanese entertainment world, with a dream of becoming a singer and an Idol after being a part of the contest. Despite any odds or the fact she might have had little to no experience prior to this, Nina had the get-up and go to follow her dream through a contest as opposed to an audition, and basically put her name and face out there for Japan to see, and heck, she made it to the semi-finals of Miss iD 2016!
 This girl has gumption, and she goes for what she wants. Despite her meek looks, she is hardly a wallflower, but indeed a fighter, it seems.


Honestly, this girl is adorable, and she is inspiring to boot. She chased a dream, and through that dream, she became a Princess and an Idol, conquering one of her aspirations by joining a contest that she hoped would give her a leg up in the career she wanted to pursue.

And, in the words of my friend Danielle, 'she gives me princess vibes', which is completely true. She has that HouPri vibe, and reminds me a little of Odagiri Nana when the group first debuted (though admittedly, a better singer by far)., what with her awkward stance and her cute look. She's adorable, but she dreams big and worked to get where she is now, and honestly, I am happy to see her in Houpriyusu, because even though they are small, I think that Nina will still be able to achieve a lot with them, as well as gain experience in singing, dancing and being an Idol in the long run.


Horii Nina is a cutie, and I can't wait to see her growth as a member of Houpriyusu, and maybe one day, Houkago Princess. A diamond in the rough, I do hope that this girl will become a polished gem whose dreams only continue to grow.

Congratulations, Horii Nina, and welcome to the Kingdom of Houkago Princess and Houpriyusu! I hope to see more of you in the future, and I anticipate your progress!

Until next time everyone, please stay happy, healthy and, of course, keep loving your Idols!

Much Love,
Chiima~

Source(s):

Saturday 2 January 2016

Hark! Auditions are Nigh! Morning Musume '16 to Look for 'New Century' Members! ~Talk Time with Chiima~

-insert disgruntled mumbling here...-

Are. You. Fucking. KIDDING ME!?

It's only just the start of 2016, and already H!P are dashing my fucking hopes and dreams for the year!

Fuck you, you hope defying bastards ^3^

Turns out I have already forgotten my own predictions and hopes for the new year, because hey, guess what! I hoped and predicted this.
 Fuck my life, one prediction has already come true!

Also, Happy New Year, guys! ;D Way to start the first couple of days, aye? xD


Honestly though, this prediction was kind of predictable, if you ask me. I mean, every year now since they started the 9th generation auditions, they have held a new audition to find fresh blood with complete dedication, with most of these auditions turning out new members (unless you count the one where no 12ki were added, whoops!), and of course, some new talent for the Hello! Hell Hounds to sell and throw money at.
 It is how it goes, and yeah, I'm used to it now I guess, though that won't dampen my surprise at these kinds of announcements any time soon.

I mean, I woke up, saw the news, and made this face;


Because "are you fuckin' kidding me, bruh!?" is the correct away to react to this kind of announcement when I check my facebook first thing in the morning!

I will admit that, before I was actually reminded of the fact that I had hoped for and even predicted this audition in my End of Year Hopes, Dreams, Fears and Predictions post, I was actually quite pissed off, because I thought it was something I didn't want to happen. And in a way, I kind of don't want it to happen, because it feels unnecessary in a way. Sure, I get it, Hello! Project need to fill a gap they created for themselves when they shoved everything onto Riho at the beginning without giving her help from the others, but do they need another member to take that burden in the future? No, not really. They kind of have 12 other girls they could potentially allow to become Ace and Center now, without having to suffer the consequences they did with Riho.
 As in, like, y'know, sharing out the lines and center positions for once. Like they did in the olden days.

Anyway, once I had remembered the fact that I had kind of hoped for this... well, I was still a little annoyed, but now I feel a lot more sound about it. As in, I'm okay with it, because it's H!P, and they will always hold these auditions, whether we like it or not.
 Sure, it's way too soon to announce this kind of thing in my mind, but also, we have about half a year or longer before a new face or five million are announced, and about another half a year until we find out that some of the 13th gen rejects have been placed into another unit or made into a new one themselves.

Or worse; they go to AKB, or potentially HKT, and become the next Meru. One way or another, they're gonna go somewhere, whether they became a 13th generation member or not.

Picture 'borrowed' from natalie~

That said, what I do hope for this audition is this; that H!P realise the strength of the girls they currently have (subsequently leaving the auditions for another year, another day), or to see that they only need one member at most, because the group is already full of talent as is.
 Seriously, it doesn't take a genius to figure out that H!P need to use what they already have, before they lose more of it like they did with Linlin.

I mean, I like the girls H!P has, I really do, but they neglect a lot of the talented ones in favour of the ones they want to push nowadays. I shouldn't compare things to the past, I know, but you have to admit that, with the golden era, there was a lot more fairness, not only in concerts but singles, too. You had the odd single that was pandering to certain girls, sure, but you still had a good amount of fairness that is less apparent these days. And really, up until the last two singles from MoMusu '15, it was still pretty much centered around Riho.

I just hope that, with Riho graduated now and the auditions going on, management tries to experiment at least a little bit with who they already have, and switch the centers once in a while, for the sake of diversity and figuring out who their next vocal lead will be. I mean, I am about 99.9% sure that the next vocal lead will be Masaki, however it will be nice to see H!P make an attempt at rotating their girls and seeing how it plays out.
 I know it's nice to rely on one girl, but as we have seen, once that girl goes, you're kinda left in a muddle as to what to do next.

So yeah, I'm a little half and half on this one; I don't want it, but I kind of do, however I do also see why it is happening. I get it, this is how it works, so I'll get over it as quickly as I got annoyed by it.


And with that, I can now go on to dream about my personal preference for Center, even though I know it may, and possibly never will, happen...

Stay strong, Zukki! Both you and Eripon will stay the Centers of my heart!

Until next time everyone, I hope that you are all enjoying your new year so far, and that you are all happy, healthy and of course, loving them Idols!

Take care!
Chiima~

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Friday 1 January 2016

UPDATE: Okay! Musume Time 5th Anniversary Contest Reminder

HAPPY NEW YEAR Y'ALL! Hope you're having a great January 1st of 2016 so far ;)

I just wanted to make a quick update to remind you all that, on January 3rd, my contest for my 5th Anniversary here on O!MT will have closed, so if you wanted to enter... now is kinda the time!

You can find information regarding the contest HERE, but for a basic run down...
  • The topic is 'Why Am I An Idol Fan'
  • One entry per person
  • All entries to be sent to: OMTChiima15@gmx.com
  • If you are under the age of 18, please get some parental permission!
  • I need a valid address to ship the potential winners CD to
  • The prize is a regular Edition Single (no albums) of your choice
Again, you can find the full post here for all of the information you will ever need!

Thought I would try and remind all about this, though so far I have had some fantastic entries submitted, so to all who have already handed their entries in, thank you very much! <3

GOOD LUCK! I love you all!

Chiima of 2k16! MUAHAHA!