The Thing with Hello! Project... (and my waning interest in the company itself)

Okay, so recently I opened up an Ask.FM account for this blog and myself, so if people wanted to ask me a question, it's there to do so. I haven't done such a thing in a long while, so it would be intriguing to see what people have to say to me... though, it could also open up a can of worms, because whilst I may be charming and all that crap, I also have a few who dislike me heavily for the fact I bash some groups, and say what is on my mind. I don't own a filter, and for many, that is a big issue. So, yeah, this can be a double edged sword, but hey-ho, there we go!

Anyways, in regards to my Ask.FM account, I currently only have one question and answer, which goes as follows:

What do you think it would take to peak your interest in H!P again? Or do you think the thought is futile at this point?

I honestly don't think it's futile, because I'm pretty sure they'll bounce back again and peak my interest. However, as of late, their music (aside from that of CG and ANGERME) is a bit rehashed, and my interest in their sound has waned considerably because of it. I think if they finally changed their sound after so many years of what they've been producing, it'll interest me. That, or a new group that is consistent in producing quality sound like Country Girls, and one that won't become boring and stagnant after their first five releases.

Now, I really want to change this answer, because I've realised quite quickly that, when it comes to H!P and me voicing my dislike for them as well as my waning interest, people immediately think that I hate the music, and that I hate the PV's, which, actually, I do not. If 2016 is indicative of anything, Hello! Project has actually had a fabulous year, and I have liked a good chunk of the music they have put out. Some I don't like, granted, but that comes with anything you get in the music industry - you don't like everything thrown out there, no matter how much you want to. Music is subjective, as are music videos. Your opinions also happen to change over time, so what you might not like now, you could like in a few years.

Like, for example, Dot Bikini is a song I hated way back when, however I quite like it now. Same with Moonlight Night by Morning Musume; I really did not like that song, however now, I find it really great. This is how it goes sometimes, and for me it is no different. It's a 50/50 chance, always.

What I don't like about Hello! Project is the Management. What I don't like is the constant abuse of recycling songs and refusing to change up their leads. What I don't like is how they're slowing down their releases - for ALL groups - or how they only bother with pushing one or two groups and leaving the other so many floundering. The way they make it very clear that one group is getting better PV's than the others is also highly annoying to see, though sometimes their cheap ways are nice to look at, too, because they can get creative... if they want to.

There is also that issue where, as of late, Hello! Project really do not seem to push their members as personalities. This may be more to do with the fact I myself do not keep up with current affairs, or watch variety shows and TV specials, however, I very rarely see many members outside of Iikubo Haruna, Kudo Haruka and Ikuta Erina doing much outside of Hello! Project itself. Reasons why other groups prosper are because the agencies and companies allow their members to flourish on TV, and let them shine elsewhere, away from the stage and PV camera lens.

Even though I hardly watch variety shows, I know this can be an issue for a group when they don't do it, and it really is becoming a big one for H!P. There is only so much that can be done with concert MC's and weekly questionnaires, both of which I hardly look at, but really, that's my issue there.

So, when I say that I dislike Hello! Project, it honestly has nothing to do with the girls or the music they put out, but the management itself. The music and videos are 100% subjective to you, but the management these girls are under is, in my opinion, shocking, and that is what is pulling me away from them altogether. They are doing the bare-minimum, if that, and I honestly ignored it long enough, until finally that piece of string snapped in two, leaving me at this point.

So, to answer that Ask.FM question again; To get me interested in Hello! Project as a collective again, management would need to start caring. They would need to start pushing all their groups, showing off all the girls, and basically start showcasing the many talents that lie within Hello! Project, because Hell, it is there, you just need to look closely and pray they make use of such talent and personality, because when they don't, it's wasted, and when they do, it's highly overused to a point where the girls have just had enough - just look at what happened with Suzuki Kanon and Sayashi Riho.

And no, this does not just go for Hello! Project; all companies and units have their own issues. Heck, if I said CuteBlack - of which holds Houkago Princess - was perfect, I would be lying. It's just that in this time where Idols shine and stand out amid the crowd, everyone but Hello! Project is doing what they can to get their girls noticed, and that's... well, that is pretty devastating, if you ask me.

I want to say I hope that Hello! Project will turn around, that they will push other girls and start giving all groups a fair chance in single and video releases, but right now, I don't think that's ever going to be the case. Sure, they are currently pushing Makino Maria of Morning Musume to being a center, however that's been a clear promotion since Sayashi Riho graduated. So, I don't hold much faith, and for a long time I probably won't, because this is Hello! Project, and I just seem to feel disappointed by them time, and time, again.

If you want to ask me any questions or throw out a general inquiry, feel free to go to my Ask.FM and fire away. It'll be interesting to see what you have on your minds in regards to Idols, Blogging, or general stuff. Until I see you next time, though, take care, and live long and prosper!

Toodle pip~
Chiima

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.

On Idols, Rivalry, Image and Idoling!!! by Chiima & Steve - Part 2

All opinions within this post are those of Chiima and Steve. Please respect BOTH opinions, and do not bash anyone for what they think or feel. There are two sides to every coin, just like there are two sides to an opinion; positive and negative. Take what we say with a grain of rice or a pinch of salt, and bear with it. You may not like what you read, but please, just tolerate it. Thank you.

NOTE* This is Part 2 of 2 of this Discussion. Please be sure to read Part 1 if you have yet to do so. Thank you.

READ PART 1 HERE!!!

Please jump after the break for the full post!

On Idols, Rivalry, Image and Idoling!!! by Chiima & Steve - Part 1

All opinions within this post are those of Chiima and Steve. Please respect BOTH opinions, and do not bash anyone for what they think or feel. There are two sides to every coin, just like there are two sides to an opinion; positive and negative. Take what we say with a grain of rice or a pinch of salt, and bear with it. You may not like what you read, but please, just tolerate it. Thank you.

NOTE* This is Part 1 of 2 of a discussion between Steve and I. Be sure to read Part 2 if you read this part. Thank you.

READ PART 2 HERE!!!

For a few days now, my mind has been on one topic, and I have wanted to write about it badly... the thing is, how does one start such a topic? It could be easy enough, but my inspiration for this specific topic, Idols vs Idols (or: Idol x Rivalry, as it was originally going to be called) was pretty much at Zero... and then, I decided to ask the very person who inspired the Topic to collab with me on it.

... Don't ask.

So, I asked Steve, one of many fantastic writers of Selective Hearing (I do not include myself, because I am an idiot.) if he would like to collaborate with me on the topic of Idols x Rivalry. This was actually a spur of the moment thing, but I am really glad that I asked him if he would talk about this subject with me. It did, of course, spurn many other topics concerning Idols, as you will when talking about a subject like this, but the conversation itself was interesting, and it really made me want to write this as we said it... with a few omits, that is.

Either way, my Journalistic juices are flowing (that sounds gross...) and I really just wanted to share this with everyone, because the conversation itself was fun to write and talk about with Steve. Originally, I did think of simply a half/half essay, but Steve suggested this format early on when we discussed how it would turn out, and in the end, I like the idea of just writing it out as it is because it is just so much more natural, and it allows for you, the readers, to understand what we are talking about more, I believe.

And, as Steve said at the end of our discussion, we have come to understand each other a little more now that we have talked extensively about this topic of Idols, and honestly, I am really happy to share this all with you. It was a lot of fun to talk about it, and I hope that it is quite fun to read it, too!

I also think that this is a great chance for people to take a look at what Steve genuinely thinks. He has a strong opinion, and it can come across pretty brutal for those who are new to what he says, so I feel like this is a great chance to see things from his perspective, and learn a little about him and his views on groups. You may not agree with him still, or me for that matter, but I hope that this will bring a little bit of an understanding towards him and what he says.
 I like a strong opinion, though. This is why I get along well with him, I believe. Anyways...

I hope you all give this post a chance, regardless of how long it may be, and enjoy!

Please jump after the break for the full post!