This post contains my thoughts. Don't like it, don't worry - I don't expect everyone to agree with me, or anyone at all, really! Reember, if you find me so offensive, you don't have to read!
*I feel like this is such a passive-aggressive post XD
Just two days shy of Shimamura Uta's withdrawal from Country Girls, it was suddenly announced, much to the surprise of the Hello! Project fandom, that one of the Factories would Major Debut!
Yeah, this ain't no coincidence, I'm sure.
On June 14th, the announcement that Kobushi Factory, the original 'successor' unit to the now defunct Berryz Kobou, would make their major debut this coming Fall with the release of their up-coming second single release, Dosukoi! Kenkyo ni Daitan / Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san no Uta / Nen ni wa Nen (Nen'iri Ver.), a rather intimidating Triple A-side. One of the songs, Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san no Uta, will be a cover of the Sharam Q song Ramen Daisuki Koike-san, and will also be the theme song of the up-coming TV Drama, Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san, which is set to air this June. So already the group is getting a pretty good gig for their major debut, and a rather gigantic release by debuting with a triple A-side.
So... what's the problem?
Okay, so I don't mean to be a negative ninny here,
I don't doubt the fans are happy, because heck, the Kobushi fans are ecstatic about this news, and I am happy for them - but it feels like another Juice=Juice with me. With Juice=Juice, it was way too early to major debut them, having only given them time to grow within three months and nothing more, and it's the same with Kobushi. Instead of three singles though, Kobushi only had one single release.
So yes, I feel like we haven't had time to watch the group grow even a little bit, moreso for us fans who don't follow the Kenshuusei as much as others do. For me as a viewer and listener, it feels like they're just being shoved into our faces rather quickly, and not given a proper demonstration of just what they can do.
I don't doubt the abilities of Kobushi Factory - I've listened to their debut indies single, and whilst it's not to my taste, it's very well done and one of the best set of songs we've had from H!P this year, however I can't help but feel iffy with this group and their rather quick major debut. To me, it's all too convenient, maybe a little rushed.
Again, the major debut would have been in the works already, but I have a feeling the announcement was made so soon after Uta left to give the fandom something positive, and to give them little time to dwell on the bad news. I have a feeling this was supposed to be announced a month or so later, but nope. It was announced now, and I just think it feels like it was thrown in at the last minute.
Honestly though, when I heard this news, I didn't care, nor did I find it overly surprising. With recent events within H!P and the Idol world in general, this news actually fell really flat when I heard it. It wasn't exciting to me. Not to say it isn't to other fans, because again, this news has made a lot of fans happy, but for me, I just don't seem to care because right now, Kobushi Factory do not appeal to me in image or sound.
Honestly, I am probably more of a Tsubaki fan, and they have yet to do anything.
I'm probably sounding super negative on these girls major debuting, and in a way, I am; it feels like Hello! Project are rushing to debut new talent and groups at the drop of the hate, and whilst that is good in some cases, it feels like they aren't giving the groups enough time to ripen in their indies phase, or that they're counting their chickens before they are about to hatch. Already we've had two groups announce their major debuts in under a few months of each other, and Tsubaki have yet to release their own indies single, or we've yet to hear of any other groups second single release of the year that isn't ANGERME. It's a tad overwhelming, actually.
Still, at least H!P are using their trainees this time around, and not kicking them out once they're tired of them like they did with UUG. This way, the fans are happy, I suppose.
Still, would it be too much to ask for H!P to, oh I dunno, slow the f*#% down? Seriously, calm your tits H!P, it won't hurt to wait - we fans should know, given how you like keeping us waiting for new single announcements.
Anyways, until next time. Peace!
Chiima~
The Kobushi Factory announcement seemed rushed to me, too!
ReplyDeleteI think they were set to major debut with this next single, "Ramen Daisuki Koizumi-san" is scheduled pretty soon, and I don't think a group without a major debut would be performing its theme song. So, in my estimation, this announcement was hastened by a week or two.
Whenever I watched Kobushi Factory performed, it looked like the had a chip on their shoulder. I mean that in a good way. They seemed to really believe in what they were doing. That look of determination is a great asset (see: C-ute).
But seriously ..
UF: "Hey guys, we know you loved Uta. Sorry about that. How about that Hamachan?!"
I'M NOT THE ONLY ONE! As we spoke on Twitter, you already know I'm glad to not be the only one feeling this way XD
DeleteHonestly, I understand why they did it - they want to appease the fans, but with Uta's leave and Nyon's graduation announcement, it feels like they're rushing everything just to try and make it look like they've got things together (when they're just panicking, urgh) But, I don't doubt Kobushi's ability; they'll be good once they've major debuted, just the timing of the announcement was all screwed up.
URGH why Hamachan!? She ain't the be all and end all XD In fact to me she looks dodgy XD
Stupid Google obliterated my comment (twice), ack! I'm Chanting, but using my Google account so it's Chin-Ting instead. Anyway, moving on.
ReplyDeleteIt does indeed feel rushed. The girls have barely been indies and then BAM! You guys are debutting!
Given the loss of Uta-chan, I feel like it would've been the respectful thing (to both CG and Kobushi and their fans) to wait, for at least another week or two. It would've allowed CG and their fans to recoup from losing Uta. Kobushi and their fans could've appreciated and celebrated their big moment without it seem like bad taste/move on part of management to distract fans with something positive and bitter sentiments (given the completely opposite emotions graduations/withdrawals vs major debut news elicit).
GOOGLE! STAHP IT!!! We know you suck some days, but urgh, stahp! And CHANTING!!!! Hullo! 8U Sorry for the new log-in thing, someone was spreading hate towards not just me (I don't care about that) but a friend, too, in my comments as an anonymous. I know. Stoopid Dx
DeleteTBH I doubt the girls care about the rushed major debut - they've been a part of Kenshuusei so long, some of them at least, that they would WANT to debut ASAP, I'm sure. Still. Rush rush RUUUUSH!!!
I want to say 'respectful? Do UFP know that word?' but we all know the answer to that... but, UFP just panicked I think, because Nyon's gonna graduate and then suddenly Uta leaves, and it really rocks the fandom up a bit. In a sense, I do feel bitter about it, that it was so rushed, but a lot of Kobushi fans are ecstatic now so oh well, I guess? XD
Honestly though, they do need something GOOD to give to the fans, and with the sadness that's followed since, this was the best they could do I guess?
I understand where you're coming from. I kind of took a break from the fandom for 3 months ish and when I came back like all this stuff had happened. Like seriously H!P is on overdrive since Sayumi's graduation and Berryz Hiatus. Personally Kobushi factory is my favorite of the new groups and I'm really happy about their major debut but I also wouldn't have minded seeing them release more indie singles and grow as a group before a major debut. As an h!p fan it's so hard to focus on one thing these days because there's just so many new groups, new members, new singles, musicals, etc. to focus on. I wish everything would just slow down for a moment I can't keep up with all this!! But anyways I don't doubt that Kobushi Factory is ready for a major debut considering their performance level thus far. Imo the girls are really well trained and I can't wait to see them given more public attention.
ReplyDelete