Digest Weekly #100 ~Thank You~

DISCLAIMER:
This Digest may not contain an Idol group that you like, or that you follow. If this post does not contain an Idol group you yourself actively follow, then my deepest apologies, but I cannot follow each and every Idol group on the planet. I am one person, and whilst I do post about groups that I like as well as groups that I barely even follow (read: BABYMETAL) that does not mean I will also actively look for news on the Idols you may follow. If I do not have the resources, I will not be able to post much or anything about them. Please respect this, as I don't have the time to go scouring across the internet for Idols that I know next to nothing about, or that I have little to no resources to. Again, I am ONE person; if I had a team behind me it would be a lot easier, however this is something that I do for me, in my own free time, because I want to. I could just as easily not do this, however I do it because I want to, and I find it fun. Thank you.

(Warning; Long, random talky bit in the beginning. Skip if you wish to)

DIGEST #100! We're onto the big digits, peeps! So, what News have our Idols delivered to us this week? Let's find out!

This week, in Idol Digest News...

MoMusu and Vegetable Juice? Whaaat? Karin grips Balls! Baseballs! Also, Karin PV Previews! Oooh La La! Abe Natsumi to release a self-cover album! Don't forget to smile! Mano Erina in a KFC CM!? Takajo Aki to star in her first drama! Perfume release a Lyric video! JKT48 still don't have their own original song, waaah! X21 and LinQ to release summer singles, and boy band news!? AND A BIT MORE!!! Are you ready to Digest for the 100th time?

~Chiima Gets Sappy Edition~

We did it! We got to Digest #100, guys! Onto triple digits! AHHHHHH! I'm rather excited, aren't you!?

What makes this more exciting is that, coincidentally, I have also uploaded my 100th video to my Youtube channel. It's not like one of my typical reaction videos, but rather a thank you video, because I realised at the very last minute that I was actually hitting the #100 mark on both my blog and youtube channel for both this Digest and, of course, my videos of idiocy and randomness.

And yes, I cried. I cried tears of happiness. Why? Because A) I am an emotional sap, and B) I really did not think that I would get to the #100 mark on either my Digest or my Youtube channel. I always thought that at some point, I would give up and abandon what I was doing thanks to that depressing part of my brain which constantly tells me that I am useless, and that no one likes what I do. And no, I am not kidding. I'm pretty sure you all have this sort of voice in your brain, too.

There have been so many times where I thought, for both writing the Digests and creating video content, I should quit. I still think at times I should quit, and when I went on my Hiatus for my videos and then my blog, I really had a long think about stopping all together; stopping my blog, stopping my videos and just leaving it to rot. I was at a low point, and it hurt a lot to think about that, because videos and writing are pretty much my whole life. I've been writing since I was 7, and I have been editing videos since I was 13. This isn't something I recently picked up thanks to Idols; I've been in this game for a long time.

Thing is, doing what I do is difficult, and I feel that sometimes the difficulty of both writing (which takes time, and lots of it) and creating a video (which takes even more time and mental effort, and it wears me out quickly) both get to me and can just drain me mentally, and thus I wish to stop for a while. Luckily I know when to stop instead of beating myself to the ground until I hate doing what I love, which was why I stopped doing videos back in October '13 in the first place; I knew I didn't want to lose that passion, but I also knew that it was draining me and I was starting to dislike it, so I announced my Hiatus. It was hard, but it was worth it to get those few months off and regain my desire to do videos again. That, and I also had trouble with my laptop, so my Hiatus came in handy for that too!

I think we all find what we do difficult no matter what, and it's good to take a break sometimes just to regain your strength, desire and imagination for it all again. It was hard stopping both of the things I loved for a while, yes, but it was all worth it; it made coming back that much sweeter and happier for me.

To reach this amazing milestone, the #100 Digest post and my 100th video, it's really wonderful. I wouldn't have gotten to this point without everyone who backed me up on it; starting this Digest, I really thought no one would like it, but the response I received from the get-go was absolutely overwhelming. On days where I thought 'My Digest sucks, no one even reads it!' despite the view counts it would get, I would always think of giving up on it and then, suddenly, a comment would come in as if it knew I was being a depressed monkey and someone who reads the digest would applaud it or talk about how they liked my comments, and it would spur me on. It's the same with my videos; doing my reaction videos, I would think 'who wants to see an idiotic foreigner fangirling over Japanese music videos?', but then I would get responses from people, and then requests, and that spurred me on too. In the end, it was everyone's effort to comment and comfort me on what I did that made me continue. On days where I would think negatively, there would always be a review or a comment waiting for me telling me differently, and it always made me think that I should keep going for everyone, so from the bottom of my heart, I thank you all.

#100 has happened because of all of you, the readers and the viewers. You have kept me going, and without you these Digests and my videos would not have existed up to this number. You guys are amazing <3

From here on today, Okay! Musume Digest will now be called Digest Weekly. It's a bit classier, and also less creative, but so what? Here's to another 100 Digests, and hopefully another 100 videos. Cheers!

I love you all <3 ~Thank you~

ARGH, MY FACE!

AS ALWAYS, be sure to continue through the Digest this week at your own pace and ease with ctrl + f! ENJOY~

#Weekly Happenings
#Video of the Week
#Picture of the Week
#News of the Week
#Hello! Project News

#Up-Front Promotion News

#AKS News

#Misc Idols and Groups News

#PV/Song Previews
#Press Release/Promotional Videos

Weekly Happenings

Youtube

ARGH, MY FACE!

Video of the Week

Ai wa Itsumo Kimi no Naka ni by Berryz Kobo

Oh good Lord, I'm going soft on the group who lack visual appeal ._.

... I can't help it that their song is damn catchy, okau!? And for once, their video looks good. Apparently dressing up as Hard Gay works fucking wonders for this mess of a group in the visual department. Damn.

Still, can't help what I like, y'know? It's good (the song) and the video is nicely done too (even if it's so unimaginative it screams 'GIVE ME CREATIVITY ;W;') so yeah... Berryz, you win... ow, that hurt to type that...

Picture of the Week

Reach up high! I'll watch you from down here~

Officially commemorating my 100th Digest with Mayuyu's ass(ets).

(This ones for you, Tony!)

NEWS OF THE WEEK

Hello! Project News

Morning Musume

Morning Musume '14 will star in a promotional campaign for KAGOME, who produce healthy drinks made from vegetables!

Comments:

Wait, aren't Team Syachihoko also campaigners for this drink?

Also, holy fuck, another campaign that MoMusu are doing? And here I was, thinking it was amazing that they had au. BUT HOLY FUCK 8D

Rakuten

Michishige Sayumi, Ikuta Erina and Iikubo Haruna will be on NHK Studio Park kara Konnichiwa as the main guests on May 28th.

Comments:

Will Eripon show off her yummy tummy? Please?

JPLOP | NHK

Berryz Kobo

The cover art for the DVD and Blu-ray ~Real Berryz Kobo~ 10th Anniversary concert tour DVD has been revealed!

Comments:

For once the editors of Hello! Project have realised that simplicity can sometimes create a rather nice cover. Well done on learning the basics of photoshop, editor-san!

DVD | Blu-ray

Juice=Juice

Miyamoto Karin has graced the cover of Baseball Game Magazine!

Comments:

Already grabbing balls, I see.

Amazon

UTB+ have graced us previews from Miyamoto Karin's up-coming photobook! More images within the source link!

Comments:

Oh holy heck, now I know why people want this photobook o-o

-proceeds to plug nose with tissue-

Imgur

Hello! Pro Kenshuusei

A music video for the song Wonderful Hachi-kun has been uploaded and features Yamaki Risa and Sasaki Rikako in the video dancing alongside Hachi-kun!

Be sure to check it out to see the girls dancing cutely!

Comments:

It's a pretty catchy song admittedly, though the maturity of the voice surprised me, and combined with the tone and pace of the instrumental, it sounds rather nostalgic and old-fashioned, but still great for kids. It's a nice relaxing song, actually... really different to the Idol music I listen to.

It's still good, though! As I said, it reminds me of old-fashioned children's songs.

Up-Front Promotion News

Up Up Girls (Kakko Kari) will release their newest single on July 1st! The single will be a double A-side titled Zenryoku! Pump Up!! / Kono Melody wo Kimi to. The group collaborated with michitomo and fu_mo for their latest songs.

Comments:

So this will be yet another awesome set of songs from the Eggs H!P fired, eh? Keep stickin' it to the staff, girls! MAKE 'EM REGRET FIRING YOU!!!

J-Pop Idols

It has been revealed that Abe Natsumi will release a self-cover album titled Smile...◆ on August 13th. The album will include songs from Morning Musume as well.

There will be 10 songs on the album.

J-Pop Idols | Natalie | Tokyohive

Check out Mano Erina's cosplay of Ling Xiayou as part of a collaboration between Next Generation: PATLABOR X Tekken!

Comments:

My childhood!!! MANOOOOOO, YOU COMPLETE MEEEE ;W; <3

Cinema Today

Both LoVendoЯ and Bitter & Sweet will perform at Morning Musume '14's Evolution tour final, it has been revealed.

Comments:

And here I thought Reina was finally finished with Morning Musume... -sigh-

Hello! Project News

Mano Erina has starred in a CM for KFC Krushers, so check it out!

Comments:

The fuck? XD

But damn, Mano is gorgeous <3

AKS News

AKB48

Takajo Aki of AKB48 will take on her first lead role in TV TOKYO's drama SAVEPOINT where she will take on the role of a special unit police officer, where she will challenge herself with action scenes. For the part, Aki also cuts off her long hair to further perfect her role and character.

[Excerpt from Tokyohive]

Takajo's dream was to become an actress, even before she joined AKB48. "To work in a drama by myself as a lead role is like a dream so I'm extremely happy," she expressed. Regarding the scene where she cuts her hair, she revealed, "Honestly, I was uneasy about it, but I made up my mind to do it in order to perfect my role."

The drama series SAVEPOINT is set to premier on June 5th.

Comments:

Holy fuck, this girls doing a Mulan on us all O-O Except she's kinda not fighting for her country, or... is she? o-O

Tokyohive | Tokyo Girls Update

The DVD Trailer for AKB48 Haru Con in National Olympic Stadium ~Omoide wa Zenbu Koko ni Suteteike!~ has been revealed! The DVD will be released on June 13th.

The event was held on March 29th and the 30th, however the second day performance, which was also scheduled to be Oshima Yujo's graduation performance, was cancelled due to stormy weather.

55 songs were performed on the day, and the concert gathered 70,000 fans to see the performance.

Comments:

Holy fuck, that is one giant teddy bear o-O Also, Heavy Fucking ROTEESHON!!! <3

Tokyo Girls Update | J-Pop Idols

NMB48

NMB48 have revealed that the title of their next single will be Ibiza Girl, and that it will be released on June 25th.

Kashiwagi Yuki, who holds a concurrent position in both AKB48 and NMB48, has secured a role in this single.

Comments:

Oh boy, Kashiwagi Yuki! The girl who bores me to tears in MV's!

I'm not looking forward to this, unless you force Yuki into a bikini. That girls like Maimi from C-ute; good to look at, though Maimi has more expression that Yuki does...

J-Pop Idols

JKT48

JKT48's 6th single will be Gingham Check, with an undetermined release date. This single will also serve as the first single featuring the Senbatsu chosen by the fans, with Melody Nurramdhani Laksani serving as the centre.

Comments:

There really is no hope for these overseas units having their own songs, is there? URRRRGH!!!

J-Pop Idols

Misc Idols and Groups News

(Top Row: CD+DVD edition, Regular edition Bottom Row: Limited edition w/ Photobook)

Idol group X21 will release their new summer single Koi Suru Natsu! on June 25th. This is the groups 2nd single overall since their debut.

The coupling track on the single is a Japanese cover of the song Gwiyomi by the singer Hari, which became popular on youtube and was re-enacted by many youtubers and even K-Pop artists.

There are 3 editions available for purchase; CD+DVD edition, Regular edition and a Limited edition with a photobook.

Comments:

Oh these girls are still around? I remember their debut, but then I forgot about them XD I'm too cruel ;w; I have actually heard the song, I went looking for it, and it just sounds like some girls yelling into their microphones. Basically, I find it loud. The instrumental sounds nice, but the vocals completely put me off the song XD

The Gwiyomi song is better XD

J-Pop Idols

LinQ will release a new summer song titled Natsu Koi, which is set for a July 30th release! This will be the groups 4th major single.

There will be 3 editions available; Regular edition, Limited edition, and a special Tenjin edition which will only be available at Tenjin Hall.

The Track Lists for the single can be found in the source.

Comments:

Oooooh, a new LinQ song, aye? Boy, I remember when they were indies, my sister really liked them! I bet the new song will be cute, I can't wait!

J-Pop Idols | Tokyohive

On May 18th Dempagumi.inc announced that they will simultaneously release their new single Chururi Chururira and their live DVD Wild World☆Dempa Tour 2014 in Nippon Budokan ~Yume de Owaran yo!~ on July 30th. The title track of their new single was written by Maeyamada Kenichi, also known as Hyadain. Currently, the song is being used as the CM track for Nisshin Cup Noodle.

The single will be released in 3 different versions; Limited Edition A, Limited Edition B and Regular Edition.

Comments:

I feel the urge to listen to their songs... I listened to one a little while back, and really liked it, so I have that urge to listen to them again...

I also want cup noodle, now o-o

Tokyohive

It has been revealed that Perfume will release their 20th single, titled Cling Cling, on July 16th! The title track has already been picked up as the CM song Chocola BB. The CM, which stars Perfume, will begin airing in mid-July.

The full track list can be found in the source link!

Comments:

I can hear so many 'FINALLY'S' from the Perfume fans being yelled around the world. Also... dem dresses <3

Tokyohive | Tokyo Girls Update

It has been revealed that Kis-My-Ft2 will release a 3rd album, currently titled Kis-My-Journey. The album will be released on July 2nd.

4 editions will be available for purchase; Limited Edition A, Limited Edition B, Regular Edition and KisMy SHOP Edition. The Limited A and B editions will come with a DVD each containing different material, whilst the Regular edition will include a bonus track.

Comments:

I have to say, the name Kis-My-Ft2 is quite fun to read, and I like how they used the title within the album (for now, at least). Next, please give me a song titled 'Kis-My-A55' XD

Tokyohive

The LQ covers for NEWS' new single, ONE -for the win- have been revealed! There will be 3 editions available; Limited A, Limited B and a Regular edition.

Comments:

If I didn't know any better, I would say that this is a basketball-themed single? ;)

Johnny's-net | JE News Daily

Kanjani8 have revealed that they will hold their live event Jussai at Ajinomoto Stadium in Tokyo and Yanmar Stadium Nagai in Osaka this August. These lives will be held to commemorate the groups 10 year anniversary since their CD debut. They will hold 2-day lives at both venues.

Comments:

So CD-wise, they've been around just as long as Berryz? HOLY CRAP!

Tokyohive

PV/Song Previews

Perfume have released their first ever Lyric Video for their song Hold Your Hand, which is currently being used as the theme song for NHK's drama Silent Poor.

The lyrics have been written on different people's hands, including the members of Perfume.

Comments:

That's a really sweet video, and the song is nice too! I would like to see the full lyric video!

Tokyohive | Tokyo Girls Update | SG Cafe

Press Release/Promotional Videos

The Making-Of video for the KFC Krushers CM starring Mano Erina has been uploaded, so be sure to take a look!

Comments:

God DAMN, she is hot!

MAiDiGi TV have uploaded the latest Peach John CM starring Kojima Haruna! This time, the short movie CM tells the story of who I assume to be Little Red Riding Hood meeting the Ice Queen, who is waiting for a handsome prince to melt her heart and free her of everything but her underwear.

Check it out and have fun watching!

Comments:

Somehow, Peach John made the typically dull-looking KojiHaru hot o-O Also, obligatory 'stop that camera right on the bewbs' shot.

...

And that is all for this weeks 100th Digest! Thank you all for tuning into my Digests and awaiting the updates patiently, and of course thank you all for keeping me going and helping me to reach this amazing number! I am so grateful to you all, and I couldn't have done this without you. Please, remember that.

I love you~

Chiima~