[℃-utie Week] Living A Life of Vibrant Tones! Why Not? 'Tokai no Hitorigurashi' MV Review!

*[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

Day 4 of ℃-utie Week is about to begin! Continuing our journey to the past in music and video, we move toward the year 2013, a time when Hello! Project's editing team were making progress and showing us just what they could do with their music videos. With a catchy tune to accompany it, this release is by far one of the most interesting music video releases the group has ever put out.

It's time to experience some colour and energy! Why not give it a try?

I love the music video for Tokai no Hitorigurashi. It is one of my favourite PV's from ℃-ute, mostly for its colourful graphics, swish camera movements, and its energetic feel. It's an entertaining visual release, and one of the best that H!P has put out in recent years. At the time of its release, it was also one of the first Hello! Pro MV's to take on these kinds of bold, quick graphics, giving it a unique feel against the other singles. Since then, H!P have continued to use this method in future music videos, and while they have always had a knack for editing, I wholeheartedly believe that ℃-ute was the practice group for things like this.

And why not? They were the best group, performance wise, for something as savvy as this way back when. They also had the personalities and diverse music style to pull something as quirky as Tokai no Hitorigurashi off, whilst other groups at the time were stuck in the 'mature, cool' rut.

This was a refreshing change of pace at the time, and against all other releases from ℃-ute, it really does stand out as one of the more diverse and imaginative music videos out there. It's like a paint palette; it mixes and blends colours together, and creates something truly extraordinary. It's a worthwhile experience, one that I will happily keep on reliving, and it makes the video lover inside of me such a happy person.

I can only hope other people like it as much as me, of course XD

Now, before I gush even more, we're going to take a look at the music video in all its pic and gif spammy glory, and enjoy the burst of colourful delight that Tokai no Hitorigurashi brings us! For all that is fun and glorious (and because this is the video that I remember best, because it is the best), let's take a dive into this video of colour and smiles! Are you ready to have some fun?

Press play. You know you wanna! :p

WHY NOT?

[℃-utie Week] I Want to Listen to The Most Heavenly Music! - 'Aitai Aitai Aitai na' Single Review

*[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

℃-utie Week marches on, and in our third post celebrating the delight of ℃-ute comes in the form of a single review, where we will take a look at a single that celebrates the cool and intense side of the adorably named unit, as well as the surprising addition of the powerful B-side that pretty much bowled over the fandom, before earning a spot as its own A-side in a later release.

It's a slice of Heaven, if ever there was one.

Rock on, 2012. Though a bit of a slow year in terms of ℃-ute themed single releases, (they only had two. The other was Kono Machi) there is a single from that very year that stands out, for both its sound and its quality. Dispute either of those statements all you like, but for my terribly tuned ears, Aitai Aitai Aitai na is a splendid release. So, why the heck have I overlooked it before now?

Because I am an idiot, that's why. My inadequacy as a music lover is no secret, though, so yeah. There we goesy.

Of all the releases I will be reviewing this week, I admit that this is the one I have less of an attachment to. I do some have familiarity with it, for one, I remember the core sound of the leading track. I also remember some shoulder shimmies from the music video, and of course, I know one of the two coupling tracks really well. The rest, however, I forget. I couldn't recall the music video at all, nor did I remember much about the leading A-side, apart from its catchy use of the title and its chorus. It's not Campus Life; I don't remember it, ergo I do not care for it.

Oh, and it's a lot better than Kiss Me Aishiteru. Please don't hit me!

Before I further dig my grave, I'm going to take a look at ℃-ute's 19th single release, Aitai Aitai Aitai na. Is it as heavenly in sound as you had hoped it would be, or will the music leave behind a tinge of sadness once you have finished listening?

I want. I want. I want... to listen to something good today.

[℃-utie Week] A Shift in Style! Awkward Kisses and Terrible Dance Moves, Courtesy of 'Kiss Me Aishiteru' (MV Review!)

*[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

Continuing our week of celebration in the form of ℃-ute, we will take a look at 2011, a year that showed a new direction in ℃-ute's sound and look, shaking the fandom with this sudden change of pace. It was different, it was new, and it was something that a lot of us were not ready for.

But does it hold up? Let's take a look, and find out.

After questioning a few friends about which PV I should review - Kiss Me Aishiteru, or Adam to Eve no Dilemma - the one that won was, clearly, Kiss Me Aishiteru, though everyone had their reasons. Both songs and videos are clearly adored, however, this was the first music video to really shock people. It was one of the first truly 'sexy' concepts for ℃-ute, and the song itself was highly entertaining and memorable. It was a turning point for the group at the time of its release, showing them off as adults rather than kids, and it paved the way for future songs, such as Crazy Kanzen na Otona and Adam to Eve no Dilemma. It was a different tone to what everyone was used to, at least in image.

Of course, a different tone doesn't mean it's going to be good or bad, either, does it? This time around, I would say it's probably the latter, though you can feel free to disagree, as per usual.

I'm not saying that Kiss Me Aihisiteru is terrible. It isn't, but it's definitely not my favourite, and there are things going on here that just look plain boring, or feel questionable. But we will get to those details later on, after I've finished spamming you all with pictures and gifs of some choice moments from the music video itself.

It was a turning point in ℃-ute's image upon Kiss Me Aishiteru's release, and though it wasn't as signifcant to me as a follower way back when, it was a big part of ℃-ute's career,. So, looking back at one of the pivotal moments in ℃-ute's history, we're gonna put on our headphones, throw on some metallic purple hot pants, and pretend we can dance. Are you ready for a throwback?

Get yo Jelly legs on, we're doing the Kiss Me Aishiteru!

Nee nee nee nee~

[℃-utie Week] The Beginning of Five ~Where Fandom Was Born~ - 'Campus Life ~Uamrete Kite Yokatta~' MV Review!

*To add some (un)necessary info dump: The [Week with...] series is a week-long series of posts, dedicated to graduating members or groups of Idols I enjoy / love. It is something I began with Tanaka Reina during her Graduation, in order to fully appreciate the member before she left Morning Musume. This series has continued with many other members since, in order to enjoy the releases these groups or members have been a part of, and to look back at some of their finer moments. Posts can vary from reviews, to solo song footage, birthday lives, and more, depending. 

**[℃-utie Week] is a small, week-long series dedicated to the group that is ℃-ute, to commemorate one of Hello! Projects longest standing units before the members graduate and disband to find their own paths in life. Here, the aim is to cherish and appreciate the joy that ℃-ute has brought to us fans, all in the form of reviews and appreciation posts! So, to celebrate ℃-ute in all their glory before they go, let's look back at some of their releases, and enjoy all that made us love this wonderful group, and think back to why we became fans in the first place. Before the departure of ℃-ute falls upon us, let's enjoy the little time we have left with them, and fall in love all over again!

With only two weeks to go until the departure of one of Hello! Project's better groups, it's about time to celebrate all things ℃-ute this week here on Okay! Musume Time. And, what better way to kick-start this set of nostalgia-riddled posts, than with the music video that started it all?

And no, I'm not talking about Maasara Blue Jeans. I'm going a bit further into their career, than that. Are ya ready?

When I was thinking about this week and the posts I would do, my original intention was to delve into the extensive ℃-ute single collection, and pull out things from the very beginning. The thing is, I was not a fan then. My fandom did not start until around the Shock! era - the era where they became the five we know now. And, unlike Berryz, who lost one member and never changed since, ℃-ute has met a few more member changes, until finally coming to the Final Five. It is this form of ℃-ute that I have known and enjoyed, and so, I have made the choice to focus on only this version of the group.

It is, after all, the ℃-ute that I know best. So, apologies to all the hardcore ℃-uties out there, but I'm not going to be reviewing from the very beginning. We're starting from the middle.

Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ holds a lot of memories. It was the first ℃-ute song I truly enjoyed that had been released at the time I knew of them. It was also a song I played to the death, and one I danced to a lot. Before blogging, way back in the day, little Chiima at the age of 17 danced. She also danced in heels, that looked fairly similar to the ones ℃-ute are wearing in the music video, with minor success. Seriously, those were the days. I was heavily into my singing and dancing, way back when.

Fat chance you will see me doing something like that, now. It was hard back then, and I'm pretty sure I'd just fall flat on my face, now.

So, yeah, Campus Life holds some good memories for me. It's why I wanted to take a look at the song, and review it. I'm pretty sure I would have reviewed it anyway, at some point during this nostalgia week of all things ℃-ute, because it's one of my favourites, if only because I have this giant attachment of carefree delight pinned to it. It brings me joy, and again, it was one of the first ℃-ute songs at the time that I really enjoyed, that was a new release of theirs.

And because of this, today I will be taking a look at the music video for Campus Life ~Umarete Kite Yokatta~ by ℃-ute, released all the way back in 2010! 7 years ago, there were five who brought delight with this song and dance, but does it still hold up to this day? Let's take a look, and find out.

Suki, Suki, Suki~

[PV Selection] April '17

I need to get this out before I even dar think about starting off my Week for C-ute before they graduate, and well before May creeps upon us. Let's not have another March scenario, where the PV Selection is a month late, shall we...?

Another month, another post! We are back with the PV Selection for April 2017, and oh boy oh boy, what a month it was! Every dang time, there's a bunch of PV's that I enjoy watching, though let's be honest, a lot of them follow familiar formulas. I like what I like, though, so yeah... We have certain styles that we enjoy most, and hey can, ya blame a girl for liking the simple things in life?

Still, even if some music videos have similar formulas to others, it's fun to see what Idols put out for us viewers. We love to see groups and companies improve, and we like to see how the songs fit with the idea behind the PV, too. No matter how simple or complex it is, if we like it, it's a good MV!

And now, as per the usual here, all MV's listed on this post are the ones I personally enjoyed myself. This is a post where I promote the videos and groups I found most entertaining, so if there is something on here you do not enjoy, well, it's my post, my opinion. If there isn't a video on here you enjoyed, however, bear in mind that I either have not seen it, or I didn't enjoy it as much as you did. Tastes differ, and also, I'm one person! I can't and won't watch every video that comes out in the Idol realm! That's far too many for one person, especially if I have things to do in my everyday life, so... yeah. There's that.

And finally, please do enjoy the videos I post here, but don't feel obligated to like them, just cause I found them somewhat entertaining! We have distinct tastes, and we can't all enjoy the same thing. But please, give the videos a go, and enjoy some Idol goodness! Try before you decide, and all that jazz!

Se, no... VIDEO!

Adulthood Can Wait! Let's Live Freely in BONUSBaby's 'Eoreuni Doendamyeon' (If I Become An Adult) Music Video [Review!]

Adulthood can creep up on you very quickly, however, to have a carefree mindset and an innocent outlook on the world is something most adults wish they still had. To see the world through the eyes of youth, despite the corruption and dismay we may find in the everyday world we live in, is a beautiful thing to possess. Thankfully, Idols allow us to see just how bright the world can be, and the stories they spin allow us to cast away our tinted glasses for a few hours a day, giving us the freedom to experience the joys of the world in all its rich, pigmented colour and sweetness.

But sometimes, we adults don't want to grow up. So for the time being, as both an Idol fan and a legal adult, I will cast away this dreaded notion of adulthood, and enjoy myself! It's time to live carefree and happily!

We aren't even halfway through the year, and already I have two K-pop reviews on my blog! What is the world coming to!? First, there was Dreamcatcher's mesmirising Chase Me, and now we will be looking at the very opposite in BONUSBaby's If I Become An Adult (Eoreuni Doendamyeon), a cute and playful music video that feels unlike any other K-pop music video I have ever come across! So let's cast away this notion that all K-pop is cool and sexy in tone, and have a look at the sweetest sound of K-pop I have ever experienced.

As with any K-pop song and music video, this one was introduced to me, and in this case, by a reader. Balma commented on one of my PV Selection posts, requesting if I could video react to BONUSBaby's latest music video, as they felt it would be something I might enjoy due to its similarities to a Japanese Pop Music Video. After some time, I finally got around to watching the music video and reacting to it, and well... here we are. I'm going one step farther, and actually reviewing it, too. I like it that much!

It's a fun MV, what can I say? Too bad it's so damn short.

So, yeah. We're gonna talk about and take a look at another K-pop music video, this time by the cute as pie BONUSBaby. It's not my usual affair, but in a way, it is, too. So, it's time to get into the cutest K-pop group around (that I know of, at least) and check out If I Become An Adult. Are you ready for some sweet music and fun shenanigans?

Let's GO!

[Music Selection] April '17

Music is in the air, and Spring is slowly but surely coming to its end! With the warmer weather and longer days approaching, Summer is well on its way! For now, though, let's cherish the sweet sounds of Spring in Idol Music! What will our Idols deliver to us in sound today?

April 2017's Music Selection is here, and as per the usual, all music listed, whether it past, present or from the future, is placed her because I enjoy it! I want to share with everyone the music and PV's I am enjoying from the months gone by, so that you can find something new to enjoy, as well!

Of course, as my tastes are 100% my own, I do not expect everything everyone else likes to be on here, nor do I think you will like everything I enjoy! It's a matter of preference, and truth be told, my musical tastes are kind of bad in comparison to everyone else's! So, apologies if my terrible music doesn't appeal to any of you dear readers!

Now, shall we get into the music, and enjoy some sweet Idol tracks? Ready... Set...

GO!!!

A Factory Worker Resigns! Kobushi Factories Fujii Rio to Graduate Hello! Project and Kobushi Factory This Summer!

Not even a month has passed since the Graduation Announcement of Kudo Haruka from Morning Musume and Hello! Project, and already we have another announcement regarding the leave of an Hello! Pro Idol.

Good grief, H!P are gonna need a few new Factory workers to come play Idol if they keep letting the ones people actually care about get away :/

With the announcement made on May 12th concerning Fujii Rio's desire to graduate, the Kobushi Factory sub-leader has revealed that she will leave both her group and the company this Summer, at the end of the Hello! Project Summer 2017 concert tour. She has expressed her desire to continue her studies now that she has finished Highschool, and look towards becoming a teacher or a nurse.

Up-Front LINK has translated both the staff comment, and Fujii Rio's comment in regards to her Graduation announcement.

[PV Selection] March '17

AAAAAND I am hella late with this one, and honestly, what excuse can I give this time? Deadlines... Trips abroad... Yeah, those are the two excuses I have, and I'll stick with them, cause they are the truth. I was a busy bee last month (and early this month), and yes, life trumps blogging. I did what I had to in order to keep on top of deadlines, and also to spend as much time enjoying myself as possible.

Who said I have to keep to a blog schedule? Er, me. And yet I break that promise I make myself XD Oh, welp~

Anyway, it's time! Let's talk Music Videos! Ya ready for a Month-Late March PV Selection? :p

As always, all Music Videos added to the list are subject to my opinions and personal taste! If there is something in here you dislike, or something absent that you enjoyed, chances are, I was not all that keen, or did not find it as riveting as your wonderful self. That is how taste works, my dears, but suck it up! We can't all enjoy the same thing, can we now?

Of course, what I put on here does not stop you from enjoying what you love, so I say, make a list yourself, or just share your favourites with someone via word of mouth! Sharing is caring, after all, and we should all let people know of our love for Idols! So, why not share? ;)

... AND IT'S TIME TO TALK PV'S! Let's GO!!!

Stepping Down from Royal Duties! Houkago Princess Candidates to Graduate! Michishige Saho Prepares for A Study Break!

On May 8th 2017, the two members of Houkago Princesses Candidate section both announced that they would graduate from the group and its programme on June 3rd, 2017. A further announcement revealed that Regular member, Michishige Saho, would be stepping back and taking a 'Study Break' from the group in order to improve herself as a performer.

(Translations may not be correct, or rough. Apologies.)

In regards to both Horii Nina and Tanaka Asami of the Candidate programme: