All thoughts and opinions that are written within this post are completely my own. You don't have to agree with what is said, but please, do respect what I think, and how I feel. If you don't, then don't expect me to respect what you say. Respect goes two ways, people!
This PV Review is dedicated to my Angel. You know who you are!!!
I'm the sort of person who likes all four of the seasons for different reasons, and whilst I can be a grumpy so-and-so in the Spring, it is one of those times of the year that I cherish, too, because FLOWERS and SUNLIGHT!
And also because we get freakin' cute Idol PV's! Eeeeee!!!!
Though they released their first Sakura-themed Spring PV last year, in the winter of all seasons (pfft), Doll☆Elements have recently unveiled another Spring-themed PV that will become the groups second release of 2015, titled Kimi to Mirai Tsukuritai!, which will be released on April 1st... at least, I hope it will, and that this single isn't a hoax.
By the way, they sure do like that Kimi hanging around in their song titles, don't they?
Anywhoo...
Since this PV was released all the way back at the tail-end of February, I've been itching to review and look at it in a little more depth, because it's a highly enjoyable piece from one of my ever-growing favourite groups. Seriously, the more these girls release, the more impressed I am by them, and the more I like them. By the end of this year, I honestly won't be surprised if they are one of my Top 5 groups.
Just sayin'.
But, yeah, I've wanted to review this song and video since it came out, I like it that much. Of the latest releases from my favoured groups, too, this is the song that I have enjoyed the most, and the one I have claimed as my 'Spring Song'. Aside from Country Girls'Itoshikute Gomen ne, it's pretty safe to say that Kimi to Mirai Tsukuritai! is one of the most addictive Idol songs I have stumbled upon for various groups' up-coming releases.
It's catchy as heck, yo.
I'm also currently kicking myself in the butt for not putting Doll☆Elements as one of my groups to look out for in 2015. Real sad, cause these girls are strong contenders this year. Train of thought, derailing...
Getting back on track, in short, I am gonna review this thang! Why? Because I like it, and because I need to get y'all to look at this PV, and get hooked on the Doll☆Elements choo choo train like me. SO, with that said and done, all aboard the Kimi express! Sit tight, because we're heading for Spring time in full-force, with an extra dose of cuteness!
Heading towards a Future Spring with You, will you share with me the many experiences of Friendship and Love? This is Doll☆Elements' Kimi to Mirari Tsukuritai!, and our journey is only just beginning. Are you ready to come along with me?
For over 10 years, you have brought music and life to many. You have gained fans, you have lost fans, and you have kept fans, but no matter what, all of these fans loved you together, even if their time in loving you was short.
Together, you gave these fans joy and music, and you made them feel complete.
For myself, though I was never truly a fan, there was something there that I did like about you. Mostly, it would have been your music, but looking back these past two weeks at your older works, I also realised that I had come to like, enjoy, maybe even love, the community that you had together as kids, that sense of unity and closeness that was so evident and wonderful back in your childhood years. You were fun, and you made me wish that I had liked you more, that I had been a fan when you were so happy and carefree.
Alas, it was never meant to be, so the way I came to know you was bittersweet.
I do not regret caring little for you, I admit that wholeheartedly, but I do wish that I had come to know you more. I wish that I loved the members of this group like I love the members of Morning Musume or Juice=Juice, that I cared so much that I researched and watched videos on all of you, and fell in love with the personality of the group, rather than the shallow aspect of your videos or how you looked and what you did. I wish, deep down, that I had spent more time wanting to get to know you, as members and characters, rather than watching what was on the surface.
For ignoring you as individuals, truly, I am sorry.
For the past year or so, it is obvious that I wished you were gone, that you would disband and go away, and finally, this has happened. It has happened today, and whilst it is sad to know that the girls I like are going away from the Idol industry, I won't lie and say that I am sad; I am happy. I am happy that, finally, all of you will be able to go your separate ways and live your lives, to become the adults that you want to be, and to all pursue your own careers and activities that suit you. I am glad that you won't be held back, that you won't have to play a facade just to keep the fans satisfied.
I am glad that, finally, all of you are free. You do not have to put up a charade any more.
For a long time, it has been obvious that you were going your separate ways, that you had grown apart and had new ideas with what you wanted to do. It has been clear for a while that you didn't want to be Idols any more, and that you just wanted to grow up and be yourselves, or at least it was to me. That is fine, though, because now you don't have to play this Idol game, and you don't have to pretend. You can do what you want, and you can be free.
I honestly won't miss you, Berryz Kobou, because for these past few years, you have bored me. The enthusiasm and charm was lost long ago, your smiles became strained and your happiness became dull. I won't miss the sub-par music videos or your lack of emotions in the same videos, nor will I miss the sloppy choreography or terrible hair and costumes. There is a lot that I won't miss about you, and a lot I will be glad to see gone, but I will tell you this;
I will miss the girls. I will miss the funny, charming, energetic personas of Berryz that, somewhere deep down, are still there. I will miss the love the girls had for the group, and the dedication each and every one of them had to keep the group going for 10 years. Your music, I will really miss it, and I will miss the unity you once again showed within Towa no Uta.
Though it's not a lot, these are the things that I will miss about you, Berryz Kobou.
Though this is a somewhat bittersweet goodbye, I am happier to see you go than I am sad about it, but that's okay; you will be missed by far more people than you will be cheered at for leaving, and I am happy that all of these fans will miss you. You deserve these fans, and they deserve you.
In all of your futures, please, be happy. Pursue your dreams, and become the person you have always wanted to be, but forever and always, remember that you are Berryz Kobou, and that you have made so many people happy, even in your days of darkness.
For over 13 years, thank you. Even though I couldn't be your fan, and even though I said I wanted you to go away, I really do appreciate you and what you did for Hello! Project. No matter what, even when I say I am happy to see you go, I know that deep down I will miss you.
Berryz Kobou, omedetou! Thank you for being here for so long, and thank you for being our Idols!
Until the day where you all return to the stage hand-in-hand, please, be successful, and be happy!
All thoughts and opinions within this post are totally my own, and no one else's. Got an issue? Ah, well~
The Appreciation Posts have come to an end, with my final post on Berryz Kobou's beloved Leader and Captain, a girl who has pretty much been the Heart of Berryz from beginning until end.
She is the girl who changed greatly, but someone who never gave up on her beloved group. She is their Captain, Shimizu Saki!
Of all the Berryz members, Captain is the one who changed the most. Much like the Ugly Duckling, she had her years of being awkward and a little less attractive than the average Idol, but slowly, she became the Swan that others would envy, an Idol who truly became a beauty.
Sexy and cute, Captain may have never been my favourite member of Berryz, but of them all, she was one many loved and adored, and a person who is truly respected.
Captain is Love.
I admit that, up until very recently, Captain was someone I took very little notice of. Looks wise, she wasn't my type when it came to Idols, and I've never been a fan of her voice, so for me, there was little to find charming, I suppose. Yes, I like my Idols awkward, but with Saki... well, there was a lot of awkwardness, to the point where it made me feel a little awkward. So, because of that, I really found no reason to fangirl over her.
I still don't fangirl over her, however, I do appreciate her, and I appreciate the love she has for Berryz. But, she is certainly not my favourite, and never will be. I respect her greatly as an Idol though, because as a leader, she has been put through a lot, watched her groups downfall and seen them become what they are, all the while trying to keep them together and make Berryz work.
She is strong, and whilst she wasn't like Sayumi was when it came to leadership, she did love what she did, and she loved the group she got to do it with, that much is obvious. The fact that she never gave up or threw in the towel, too, shows how strong and loving she was towards the group.
Like any true Captain, she would stay until the very end, even f her ship sank. Up until now, she was their Captain, and she loved her Berryz girls with all of her heart, and really, I can't fault her for that. Who could?
Now I wouldn't say that I think Captain is one of the best leaders out there, because I haven't looked into her a lot like I did with Sayu, what with not being that interested in her and all, but I do applaud her for being the groups Captain from beginning until end, for the past 11 or so years - that's a long time, and she stuck it out, making it work to the best of her ability. That shows how dedicated she is, and how amazing an Idol she has become. She grew up with this group, and she lead them to what they are now with a smile and the love in her heart for them.
She stayed, she evolved with them, and basically, she really did do good. Shimizu Saki, though not an amazing leader, is pretty great at what she did for Berryz, because she loved them. If she didn't, then why else would she have stayed for this long?
Now, whilst I do think she's a good leader and someone others should aspire to be like in the long run, I have to admit that now that Berryz are gone, I probably won't miss her much, mostly because she was one of those members that I really did pay little to no attention at all to. The only times I did truly look at here had to be in recent videos, where she is at her best, and where she's still a tad awkward, but gorgeous even so. That's not enough for me, however - her looks won't make me miss her greatly, because that's what Yurina's for I suppose, and in general, she just never stood out to me.
I will, however, miss her dancing skills, because Saki was a prime dancer. So, yeah; her talent in dancing is something I will miss, especially now that I know she won't become a choreographer like I had hoped she would...
Still, this girl is going to go onto greater things, and she will shine backstage more than anything, and be given the respect she deserves. Behind closed doors, I think she will be just as good a leader there as she was within Berryz Kobou.
In a way, I'm not that sad to see Captain go, but that's because I know she's not really gone; she's still going to be a part of Hello! Project, but as a bridge between the members and staff, and will be giving a voice to the future generation of Idols that come along, rather than being an Idol herself. I know, it sounds mean to say I won't miss her much, but it is the truth - I never really noticed her before, not until fairly recently, and even though I recognise her dedication and talent, I do think that Saki is someone who deserves to be heard rather than seen, and that is just what is going to happen. She's going to be a manager, of sorts, and help newer Idols out. In that, I do believe she will do greater things, and shape the future of H!P.
... or at least, I hope she does that.
She's a good Idol, a great girl, and whilst I don't think about her much, I do respect who she is and what she has done for Berryz Kobou over the past 11 years or more, and I think she is a great dancer and a good leader. Yeah, I may not have really cared for her much as an Idol, but I do think highly of her, too... just not as much as I do the other members.
Captain is someone who everyone holds dearly in their hearts, and whilst I may not hold that same love for her, I do want to say this;
Thank you for all these years of hardwork, Captain, and thank you for leading Berryz Kobou the way you did. Even when they fell, even when they were struggling and trying to find their voice again, you stayed put and guided your group as best as you could. You never left this ship, and you never gave up on the group you so clearly loved. So, for all of this, I thank you. Even to those of us who may not follow or love Berryz the way others do, you are someone to look up to, and someone to respect dearly.
Captain, you are Love. The Heart of Berryz lies within you.
It was never about herself, but always about Berryz. That is the true strength of Shimizu Saki, Berryz Kobou's beloved Captain.
All thoughts and opinions within this post are my own, and no one else's. That is all... for now.
This post may be jumbled due to a raging headache, and my persistence to write this despite said headache killing me right now. Hopefully the garbage I have written will suffice. I apologise for terrible writing ;w;
Though I wonder if I should call this an 'Appreciation' post, let's appreciate one of the most annoying members of Berryz, but also the most respectable!
She's the second oldest, and someone we want to kick a little. It's Tsugunaga Momoko!
Tsugunaga Momoko is an anomaly, to me; of all the Idols I have ever experienced as a fan, she is one of those rarities that confuses me to high Heaven, even now. There are times where I like her, times where I am frustrated by her, and plenty of days where I respect and adore her.
Of all the Berryz members, she is the one who confuses me the most, and the one that I probably would have happily see go, right next to Miyabi and Risako... and yet, she's the one that I am glad will be continuing an Idol career, too.
This is Momoko, and holy heck, she confuses my feels!
The first time I was introduced to Momoko was back when Buono were still all shiny and new, and the only group bringing in the dough for H!P. In that group, she was this spunky little thing who was cute and all shades of adorable, as well as my favourite member and what I thought to be one of most adorable singers ever, right after Koharu. Seriously, I liked her.
Momoko was cute!
To me, she wasn't annoying at that point - she was just some Idol who looked like she was loving what she did, and who was having a blast in her little 3nin group, and I adored that about her at the time. She basically represented everything an Idol was meant to be, if you will; small, cute, innocent, energetic and sweet, a nice enough voice and the personality of a child... she was wonderful, and she was thoroughly entertaining. So yeah, I enjoyed the entertainment she provided. It was fun watching her.
I didn't seem to care much for her in Berryz, however. Still, in Buono, she was my little star.
It was around the time that Berryz became boring when my feelings for her got a little muddled. On the one hand, I really enjoyed her in Buono and how great she was in that group, but on the other hand, she did nothing for me in Berryz, and I found her dull.
That was before she put on the 'Momochi' act, mind. When that little character of annoyance came along, however, my feelings towards Momoko, or Momochi if you will, were definitely mixed.
Irritation. Frustration. Annoyance. Deep dislike. A wish to burn those fucking pigtails and yell at Momoko for her stupid character.
It all made me rage, and it made me feel differently towards Momoko for a while, though in a way, that was the point; Momochi was created to cause tension and discord, made to annoy and produced to frustrate. She created a persona that was, in many ways, an annoyance and distraction, but a character that also brought some life into Berryz. Yeah, they were boring, but there was only one girl who made them stand out with her stupid persona that managed to capture everyone's attention when on TV.
And, for that, I do think Momoko is a bit of a genius, though an annoying one. Oh, all these conflicted feelings...
Despite my absolute dislike for her at that time, though, I was also feeling something else for her; respect. Of all the members, I think that Momoko is the one I've learnt the most about, in terms of her Idol persona. Not only an Idol, she also went to school and University, and earned her degree. She had ambitions beyond her career within Hello! Project, such as wishing to work with kids when she left the industry, and I knew that she was juggling a lot of things all at once, whilst also managing to keep Berryz afloat off her back, knowing well that despite being an annoying character, she was still keeping her group and career alive.
For all of that, I really do respect her, because it showed her dedication and love for Berryz, as well as her own future.
Much like Michishige Sayumi, in that respect, Momoko did all she could to keep Berryz Kobou within the public eye through creating a pest of a persona, and letting her presence be known. She promoted and boasted about the group, allowed their name to be known and songs to be heard, despite the backlash she may have received from fans. She kept her head held high throughout the abuse she received, and smiled no matter what, always doing it not for herself, but for the group. Yeah, she may have seemed conceited and annoying, but it was something that got her noticed, and it allowed for Berryz to be known.
Where the others couldn't create something to attract attention, Momoko was the key to a dwindling Berryz' success. Through devotion, love and dedication, she was able to come out on top, and to show people that Berryz were still around, and that they were still pretty good Idols.
It's not just her dedication to Berryz or her University work that makes me like and respect Momoko, but also her talent; I won't deny that Momoko is one talented girl. Sure, her voice can get annoying, but that comes with her persona sometimes, but she does have good vocal pipes on her, and I like that. She's also fun to watch, being quite an energetic performer and all, so even with those atrocious pigtails (which seem to have disappeared... for now), she is still really entertaining to watch.
Of all the Berryz members, aside from Chinami, Momoko has to be one of the most charming and energetic of the lot - she has expression, a bundle of energy, and great charisma in front of the camera. She knows how to charm the viewer, whilst also slightly irking them, and brings the video to life.
Of all the members, I do think she is the one who can be called a 'True Idol'.
Though I find her annoying, and though I feel a little cheated with the fact that she's still going to be an Idol, even after Berryz have disbanded, there is a part of me that is really happy to see Momoko continue as an Idol, despite this change in her career. She's the only one who could do it, for one, and also, Momoko is far too young and talented to let go of right now, and is certainly a great benefit to Country Girls now that she is mentoring and watching over them as both a member and sorta-manager to the group. So, yeah, I am happy that she's staying, despite how annoying she can be.
She's someone who conflicts how I feel, an Idol who can rile me up and rub me the wrong way, but also someone who entertains and pleases me, too. I find her fun and appealing, but I find her annoying and stupid, too, but that is the strange appeal of Tsugunaga Momoko, I suppose - she's an Idol who can do so much to you, and still have you feel like you want to watch her, no matter what she does.
As an Idol, she's not done yet, and it may be a while before we get rid of this annoyance once and for all, however I don't mind so much, really; she's a respectable girl, one who has done a lot for Berryz and her own career, and will continue doing so, but with Country Girls instead.
She lead one group out of complete darkness, and now it's time for her to lead a new group into the shining Idol light. Sure, she may make me want to kick her in the face sometimes, but damn, I can't help but respect this girl and what she has done for Berryz Kobou, and H!P as a whole.
This song may annoy the fuck out of me, but because this is my 'Appreciation' post, let's add it here for old times sake.
She's not gone yet, but hey! So long as those pigtails don't resurface any time soon, we'll be okay!
It's no lie that Tokunaga Chinami has been my favourite for a while; I adore this girl. Of all the Berryz members, she is a stand-out girl, one who demands my attention and commands my love, a girl who is so bright, she truly does shine above the rest of the group. I don't know what brought me to loving her as much as I do now, though I vaguely remember legs may have been involved, but I really do adore this girl, and of all the Berryz gals, she is the one at the Top for me.
She is my Happy, and of them all, she is the one I do not want to let go.
Though I have little love for Berryz as a whole, Chinami is the one member I have enjoyed and liked the most, at least consistently; along with Maasa and Yurina, she is a member that I cherish and think greatly of, and not just because she's cute - Chinami is funny, her smile feels authentic, and her eyes light up when she performs. Also, I actually like her personality.
Go figure, Chiima likes Berryz member for their personality. Surprise!
In all seriousness though, Chinami is a winner for me mostly because of her smile and charming personality; she's a pretty funny girl, but it's how she adapts that personality onto camera that fascinates me the most. Of all the members of Berryz, Chinami is one of the rare few who looks like she genuinely adores performing in the MV's, and someone who manages to bring forth her shining character without seeming fake. She charms you, with both her smile and her actions, and she brings you into the video.
She is truly a doll, and someone who has great camera presence, even if she isn't always in the front, and I really do love that about her.
Even during the harder times for Berryz, when most of the girls looked bored and less invested than usual, Chinami was one of those members that shined the most because of her vibrant nature. This allowed her to stand out to me, to see that she truly was someone who enjoyed performing and being a part of the group and industry, and not just playing along because it was simply her job. She really made me believe that she loved what she was doing, and that was enjoyable for me.
There is nothing better than seeing an Idol who is happy and invested, and that was Chinami all over. She wasn't acting 'cool' or 'emotionless', but herself. She never put up a facade, and she never let the bad days of Berryz get to her. I think that, during those days especially, this was when I really started to adore Chinami, because when everyone else bored me to death, Chinami was thats hining light with a beaming smile to keep the darkness at bay.
The Light of Berryz, that's what she was.
She's fun and cute, so why wouldn't I like her!? The shallow part of me also loves Chinami because of how beautiful she is, and of course, because of her legs - of all the members, aside from Yurina, I think Chinami has the nicest legs, and yeah, I look at them. How could I not!? She's a babe, and as of late I feel like she's become sexier as opposed to cute... it's a strange transition, but I suppose that's womanhood, for ya. Chinami is becoming a woman, and there is nothing we can do about it, other than celebrate!
She is gorgeous, though, and someone who captured me by her smile and antics, and how she seems to just light up when performing with Berryz. Truly, she is a force to be reckoned with, and someone who kept me even a little interested in the group. Sure, she's not the best of singers, but as a performer, she is pretty great - she pulls you in, and she keeps you entertained, which is exactly what an entertainer is supposed to do, and Tokunaga Chinami is a prime entertainer, if you ask me.
Like a Clown, she is there to please and entertain. She just-so happens to be cuter than a clown, and a lot less scary!
Tokunaga Chinami is fun, bright and the sunshine to the downpour that was Berryz in their final years, and though she won't be performing any time soon again, I am happy to know that she will be working between the staff and members, and teaching the new generation of Hello! Project members what it is like to be an Idol. There is no one better for the job, if you ask me, and I do hope that Chinami, alongside Captain, will help to revitalize and make Hello! Project a better place, and to try and bring in fresh ideas. She has experience, and it is this experience that she will pass on with her new role, and I don't think that they could have chosen anyone better to do it.
Though her smile will be hidden behind the scenes from here on out, we can still remember how wonderful and cheerful Chinami was in videos. I won't forget her, nor will I forget the fact that, to me, she was the light at the end of the tunnel, a ray of hope amongst clouds of gray when Berryz were at their worst.
Despite the fact that she wasn't a front member, Chinami will, forever and beyond, be at the front of my heart... at least, when it comes to Berryz, that is.
Though Hello! Project will lose a shining Idol, they will gain a new tea member who knows exactly what she is doing. I just hope that, one day, we will get to see her wonderful smile on the screen once again, and become engulfed by all that is Chinami!
She is my Happy, and I love her! Chinami, thank you for being in Berryz! Thank you for being their light!
