Okay! Musume Digest #99

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.

Minna, it's Digest #99! Waaah! Are you ready to Digest before we get to '100!? KYAAA!!! Let's DIGEST!!!

This week, in Idol Digest News....

Miyamoto Karina's Photobook cover revealed! Itano Tomomi has S×W×A×G! The Senbatsu lineup for Nogizaka46!? Will Yuko ever graduate? Kyary Pamyu Pamyu to release a new single! Another Idoling!!! member to graduate!? And is that a new member of HouPri I see? And a bit more! Are you ready to D-D-D-DIGEST!!!!!!!

Okay! Musume Digest #97

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.

This week, on the late late LAAAAAAAAATE Digest...

Berryz Kobo to release their 35 single! The long-awaited photobook of Miaymoto Karin is to be released, so order your two or three copies! Kanazawa Tomoko to release her debut e-lineup DVD! New Squeaks added the Hello! Pro Kenshuusei! Kosuga Fuyuka has finished her training, NOOOOO!!! Kikka will finally release a new single! Takahashi Ai to star in a movie! Barely any '48 news! A boat-load of Misc News, including single release and MORE!!! Are you ready to Digest?

Okay! Musume Digest #96

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.

This week, in Idol News and Digest...

The Hello! Project site gets an update, finally! Koha gets nekkid from the waist up!? Obaasan Musume? Terrible Fashion choices for Berryz yet again! Akimoto Sayaka to star in a super-cool looking psychological thriller movie! Labrador Retriever covers revealed! E-girls lose another member! Attack on Titan sell 30 million copies of volume 13! And a bit more! Are you ready to Digest?

Okay! Musume Digest #95

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.

This week, in Idol News...

That Vampire Play's Flyer! BK and C-ute to go to Japan Expo in PARIS!!! Music Station + MoMusu = Many Happy Fans! Yossie FINALLY opens up a damn blog! Another one Bites the Duest from NMB! Get Out, AKB members are leaving! AKB's Obaasan member has been chosen! Meet Ange☆Reve! HECK YEAH, BABYRAIDS! Two Voice actress confirmed for the newest Ghibli movie, AND MORE! Are you ready to Digest?

Okay! Musume Digest #88

Chiima, you're late! -slaps round the face with a frying pan- DON'T DO IT AGAIN!!!!

... Happy Post-Valentine's Day, yo!

This week, in Digest Times...

Graduations from READY TO KISS and Prizmmy☆! Design costumes for Morning Musume '14's concert! Iikubo Haruna starts a Manga column in Top Yell magazine! Wada Ayaka to release an Art Review Book! LinQ's Himesaki Ami to become a Vocaloid Idol! X21 TO FINALLY DEBUT!!!!! AKB48 star in a Zombie game! Kyary to hold a student-only event! Yokoyama Rurika to release her first Album!!! AND MORE!!! Are you ready to Digest!?

2014 ~Hope, Dreams, Fears and Predictions of the New Year~

2013 is drawing to an end, and soon we shall all be celebrating the New Year of 2014! Of course for some that has already happened, but for others it is just a few hours of waiting!

Of course, the end of another year can only mean one thing on Okay! Musume Time... IT'S TIME FOR MY NEW YEAR'S PREDICTIONS!!! HELL YEEEEAH!!! The excitement ends here in 2013 with this post, but we begin a New Year with these Hopes, Fears, Dreams, Wishes and Predictions all in one place, either hoping that some come true, and others don't. This is the one post of the year where I bring forth what I truly wish for in the coming year, and like past years before this (er... two past years, actually) we shall be looking at what I would love out of 2014, wheter it is Idol related, or for my own personal life!

But before we get into the Predictions of 2014, I want to say that this year has been fun. I do think that it wasn't as good as last year in writing, but in my own personal life and with Idols, a lot has indeed happened. I started to become more sociable myself, and my Idols have also been a big part of my year too with their amazing comebacks into the Media, especially in the forms of Morning Musume and Houkago Princess.
 In terms of writing however, I do think that I have lacked in many places. I feel like I was weak his year, but in the New Year, I do hope to get a bit stronger. Fingers crossed...

So, it's time to bring on the Predictions, Dreams, Hopes, Wishes, Fear... all of it for the on-coming year of 2014! This will officially be my 5th (actually, 6th in August) year since becoming a Hello! Project and Idol fan! How exciting is that? I am already getting old... -sobs-

Bring on the Year, and bring on the Idols! Are you ready for it?

The Hello! Project x UFP
Hope, Dreams, Fears and Predictions '14

1. Niigaki Risa gets married... or at least a boyfriend

Given that our hopes and dreams of a Gaki-Ai wedding have now been shattered thanks to the realisation that our darling Ai-butt is into men and not our gorgeous Lord Gaki, I have come to realise that it would be nice to see my original Oshi settle down into a relationship, or even married life. Thing is, this is only a Hope, a Dream... in reality, I have a feeling she'll do a Yuko on us and marry someone then have a baby just before she hits 40. Boohoo!

Gaki, makes this Dream Come True!!!

2. Zukkini gets a PUSH!!! (Pushing the Chubby character, but whatevers, it's a PUSH!)

... Didn't I wish for this last year? Yeah, I did, and I am gonna continue to wish for it until it happens... and whilst it may have happened slightly in Egao no Kimi wa Taiyou sa, it was only briefly, and my terms of push is equal to that of the push Masaki has been given. So, a few more TV or magazine appearances, a little bit more screen time during videos, and possibly one or two solo lines. The push I want to see is clearly a visual one, because whilst I do adore Zukkini's gorgeous voice, it's clear that she won't get to sing when Masakins, Sakuranbo or Dayashi are there. So visually, on TV or in magazines, I want her to have a push. Give it to her. Nao.

I can Dream~

3. Iikubo Haruna gets a Solo PB

Last year it was Eripon who I wanted to have a PB, and whilst I still do, my desire for a PB this coming year goes to Harunan. Seriously, HOW has she not had a PB yet!? Like... DAYUMN! That body, that face, those legs, that stomach... she needs a photobook, and quickly. And if it has to be a dual photobook, then just snap her with Dawa in rather risky, provocative positions. The fans will love it!

4. Morning Musume get to Kouhaku 2014-2015!

This is pretty much Sayashi Riho's dream, and I know that this year, a lot of fans were disappointed when Morning Musume didn't make it on the show, but newer Oricon Idols did; like E-girls, or NMB48. Whilst I was also sad, Kouhaku generally doesn't affect me, but it would have been nice for Morning Musume to go on... so this coming year, I hope they do. It would bring Sayashi's dream to life, and I am sure many fans will revel in it too.

5. C-ute interest me more

I will admit that this year, whilst C-ute held more interest than Berryz in terms of their looks and PV's, they were one of the boring H!P groups this year. Sure, they didn't rile me up like Berryz and their crap group chemistry did this year, but they didn't exactly capture my undivided attention, either. S/mileage had the magic of Yattaruchan, Berryz had an amazing song in the form of Sayonara Usotsuki Watashi ni, and Morning Musume showed off their dancing skills and the fact that their songs were sounding better than ever. C-ute? They played on the safe side a bit, so I kind of hope that they just... dare to be different, rather than continuing down that sexy route.

I love the sexy route though, so if this doesn't happen, it'll be okay!

6. Michishige Sayumi Announces her Graduation (CALLED IT)

This is more a prediction than a Hope, Wish or Fear... I actually think that this year, Sayumi will announce her Graduation. Whether she graduates in the same year or the next will be up to her, but I do think that this year we shall see Sayumi say that she is leaving Morning Musume because she feels that the new members can now carry it alone. 2013 has been a fantastic year for her, and I am sure 2014 will be as well... but it does feel like this year, it is Sayu's time to announce her departure from the group she loves so much.

And if she doesn't announce it... YAY!!!

7. Morning Musume hold 12ki Auditions... AGAIN!!! (KNEW IT)

Given that I feel like Sayu will announce her leave soon, I think it would also be a good time to once again hold auditions for Morning Musume... but this is a Hope more than anything. I doubt they will do it, but it would be nice to see them hold auditions once again.

8. The Kenkyuusei debut more new groups

Everyone was hpyed for Juice=Juice, and when Tsunku had announced that 2013 would see more new groups, we kind of hoped for more permanent new groups... not just one + some SatoUmi units that won't ever do anything again in terms of single release for years to come. So yeah, I would like to see the H!P Trainees bring out a new group, because whilst I like what we have, Berryz are boring in terms of their visual aspect, and C-ute are getting a bit dull for my tastes... please, bring on a new group!

9. Mizukingdom becomes interesting...

Whilst I am sure many love Fukuhime and her two Mizuki empires on her chest, I find her rather dull. Currently, she is the least interesting member of Morning Musume for me, so I hope that in the new year, she becomes a lot more interesting.

... Oh wow, someone beat out Dayashi >o>

10. H!P/UFP gets a Soloist

This is probably one of those Dreams that will never come true, but hey, I can wish right? And I will wish for a new soloist, given that now UFP have halted Asahi's career in soloism to give her a new unit.

Put bluntly, I need a new Mano. STAT!!!

11. S/mileage bring out more fun songs

Do I even need to explain myself? I like their fun songs, and whilst their new direction is proving positive, this auto-tuned S/mileage ain't got nothing on the cute derpiness of Yattaruchan S/mileage!!! Bring on Fun S/mileage '14!!!

12. Either Berryz lose a member/disband, or C-ute disband (HALF HAS COME TRUE!)

In terms of C-ute disbanding, this is a fear, but also a prediction. For Berryz, it's a prediction; I have a feeling that either one of these groups will lose a member, or disband. It kind of scares me that this might happen. I hope it won't, but it might. Berryz songs are still strong, and the image of C-ute is strong too, but I do think that we may see the end of someone, or one of these groups, in 2014...

I kind of pray it doesn't happen though. Fingers crossed for good things, and staying together!

13. Berryz Kobo get better PV's

Don't pull the wool over your eyes; it's undeniable that out of all the groups except maybe S/mileage, Berryz have the worst videos... they also have the worst group chemistry on camera, so if they finally get a decent PV with a good budget, and better group chemistry, I will be happy. At least, for a while.

But in general these guys are a visual mess, so I hold out little Hope for this one to come true!

14. Ai-butt announces her pregnancy

This is more of a jokey prediction, but honestly, wouldn't it be funny if she did announce her pregnancy just after her marriage? Yeah, I'd laugh my butt off! And then I would be deliriously happy that Ai has a little prodigy running around, singing...

Oh wait, that's Oda Sakura I'm talking about. See! She already has a baby!

15. DaaishiPon get a Rap duo

Wouldn't it be just cool to see these two pretty terrible singers get a rap duet together as a coupling song? Yeah, it would be awesome. I kind of want it... a lot I want to hear that awakward, but still better than Miyabi, rapping! I wish for this sooooo much!

.. Wow, that's a short prediction list for H!P 2014!!! OH welp!

The '48 Family
Hope, Dreams, Fears and Predictions '14

... Yup, the '48's now have their own section here! Treasure it, 48 fans!

1. AKB48 get better songs

I hated their selection of terrible songs this year, I won't deny it, so next year I hope that AKB48 will produce better singles, songs with body, character and charm... not generic crap just to cash in on the popular members. Please, Aki-P, deliver some quality sounds! ONEGAI!!!

2. HKT48 appeal to me more

Much like my Hope last year where I wished to find NMB48 more appealing, the same now applies for HKT in the coming New Year. Really, I would like to like them, but despite their cuteness, I found the group too childish and much like a play group for toddlers. I want to find something I like about them... like Tentoumu Chu! I like them, despite their age range, but HKT... I have no clue what to enjoy about them yet.

Here's to hoping this one comes true!!!

3. Yamamoto Sayaka goes solo

Of all the '48 girls, I think that Yamamoto Sayaka is the one I would like to see go solo the most. She is cute, popular, and I am sure she has a really nice voice to boot! So yeah, I want to see her go solo... it would be a nice treat for the fans, and like many other girls in the '48's, she deserves it.

4. Matsui Jurina takes a break

Whether it is a hiatus or just a months break from activities, I don't care, this girl needs a rest! She works herself to the bone and is clearly the one member of the entire 48's who is the most overworked, and it shows a lot. She is a front girl for two groups, and then she has handshake events and more... and a lot of fans are worried about her, me included. I want her to have a damn rest, and I know she would be missed, but girl... you need a break and a hamburger! Go on, eat it and snooze!

5. Kojima Haruna Graduates

Much like I think Sayu will announce her impending graduation this year, I also feel like 2014 will be the year where Kojima Haruna jumps ship and sails away cackling. I know that may be a mean thing to think for some, but I can't help but feel like KojiHaru will leave AKB48 towards the middle of the year.

Yeah. Middle. I am getting damn specific here!

6. Watanabe Mayu wins Senabtsu (FUCKING CALLED IT!)

This is more of a prediction and possibly a fact; she's gonna win it this coming year I believe, especially given Sasshi won it this time around. I don't want her to win it, mostly because I believe she can't hold down the centre of such a large group, but I do think it will happen.

... And then we will just have a Creeper Smile filled video. Good Lord!

And I think that that is it for the '48's! Short, but sweet! ONTO THE OTHERS!!! 

The J-Pop x K-Pop
Hope, Dreams, Fears and Predictions '14

1. Yuuka Ueno continues her beautiful career

Soloists in Japan, especially younger ones who are new and fresh, are kind of dwindling right now, especially since Idols are so big on the market, so I really do hope and wish that Yuuka Ueno is able to stay on the market and make a name for herself and gain a good following. I adore this girl, she has a Heavenly voice and a charming approach, so I want to see her grow more in 2014 and watch her become a young adult. It will be nice to see more singles out of her too! Please!?

2. I get into SHINee more

There are a few groups I want to try and get into more, with SHINee being the one I want to get into most. They are K-pop, a genre I usually don't find myself looking into, but this year it seems that they have taken my interest a little more than usual, and I want to try and see if I like them more.

I also want to learn they names and faces off by heart too, which will be a challenge in itself, but you never know. It could happen!

3. I get into Idoling!!! a bit more

I'm not going to say that this is a big hope or wish, but I would like to get into Idoling!!! a little more, if anything for their music. I don't follow them like I once did, back in my earlier days of enjoying Idols, so it would honestly be nice to try and ease myself back into them and see if I like their music. If not, then I guess I just outgrew them.

But I want to try.

4. I love Dream5 even more!

This year, Dream5 caught my attention more, but in 2014 I want them to reign supreme! I already like them a lot, but I want to go to the next level; Loving them! They deserve it, so hopefully in 2014 my love for them will flourish! Here is to hoping!

5. READY TO KISS release a CD + PV

This one might not happen, given that it seems this group is more performance based than what HouPri are, but I would honestly like to see a solid single and PV release from this group, even if it is low budget and generic. I am pretty sure that many Sakipyon fans want this, too!

6. Houkago Princess introduce new members! (CALLED IT!)

This is actually very likely to happen, given that HouPri have added millions of members each year since their debut, so I would like to see it happen again... even if I do like the current line-up. Still, it's nice to see different, fresh faces once in a while!

Speaking of new members...

7. Michishige Saho becomes a full member

I want to see SahoShige become a full member of HouPri, though this one may just take a while; she's still an Apprentice, which means she needs to become a Cadet before she can graduate to full member status. Still, with HouPri's system it isn't impossible, and so I would like to see her become a fully-fledged Gen 6 member before the end of the year, or the start of 2015... either way, debut the girl fully!

8. HouPri bring out more singles and PV's, and go back TIF '14! (THIS BITCH CALLED IT!)

Another HouPri one!? Yeah, of course! I would honestly love to see Houpri release more in 2014, because this year they were so promising. I don't expect a major debut any time soon, but I would enjoy to see the girls release new stuff, and of course make it to TIF 2014! They went this year, so to see them there in 2014 again... that would be amazing! So bring it on, HouPri!!!

9. I watch LinQ more

Rather than getting into this group more, I actually want to watch them more. LinQ as a whole are interesting, they have a good look to them, and their songs can be really fun! But I just don't watch them enough, and I really don't think I want to get into them until I have seen more of stuff... sadly with LinQ, I go on/off them a lot, but if I try to watch them more, I think that I will pay more attention to them.

10. Fudanjuku bring in a new member

Given that Fudanjuku lost Renji this year, I really do hope that they bring in someone new even more now. I hoped for this last year as well, but instead of gaining a member, we ended up losing one, so this year I do want them to bring in a new face! I think that Fudanjuku are perfect as they are now to be honest, but I like the idea of a refreshing, new face joining this beautiful team. Someone who could be a little brother to Ryouma-kun, perhaps?

11. Ono Erena releases more amazing singles

I loved the releases from Erepyon this year, so of course I want more of it in the New Year... I just hope that she continues bringing out great songs. I don't hold out for a second album, that would be too soon, but another three or four singles would suffice... ;)

12. StylipS release more in 2014

This year, StylipS didn't realease much, and I felt withdrawn from them. So in 2014, I would love to see this glorious group give us more in terms of singles. They are a great group, and I know that YuiKaori's departure greatly hurt them, especially since they were the two most popular members, but I do want 2014 to be a brighter year for them.

Also, I know that Arisa has her solo career, and Maho has her side-band plus singing for games, but I truly would like to see more from StylipS. It's a shame that this year, they really did not shine as much as they did during their debut year.

12. Otome Shinto continue to amaze me and release catchy cute songs

I actually want to fully fall in love with this group in the New Year, but I do want them to also continue releasing cute and catchy songs that amaze me, too. They are very addictive, regardless of how untalented they are, and I really like their look and sound. Their childish ways amuse me in a way that no other kiddy groups do (Hi, HKT!) so I want that to continue into the New Year. Please make me even more addicted, Otome Shinto!

13. I get into more Japanese boy groups

... How long will it take me to actually go through with this one? Either way, I'm going to hope for this until it eventually happens, so there we go! Here's to hoping!!!

14. Nogizaka46 continue their amazing songs and PV streak

Is this asking/wishing for too much? No? GOOD!

Also, add in 'Fall for NG46' in there. Let's see if the year will be kind and shock me into falling for them properly!

15. Naaboudoufu@Nana release a new single

... Yeah, I kind of missed her this year. A lot. And I would love to see her release a new single! I still adore her vocals and her amazing ability to just bend those yummy legs.

Please, give me more Nana songs? Pweeeease? ;w;

My Personal
Hopes, Dreams and Wishes of 2014

1. I write more for other blogs that I am a part of

This year, I really did feel like I neglected the other blogs I am a part of, so one of the things I want to do the most in 2014 is blog more on those sites. Writing with others is a great opportunity, one that I have been slacking on so much this year, so I resolve to write more for these blogs. I really hope that I can do this.

2. I write more in general

Given that my future career plan is to become a writer, whether I am writing in script, Journalism or even stories, I want to write more this year, especially creative writing. I want to create stories again like I used to and basically just try and better myself in my writing. This is one thing that I desire to do the most for the next year, other than to write more on the other blogs I am a part of, that is.

3. I see my friends more + go travelling (HAHAHAHA OH YEAH CALLED IT)

I like seeing my friends, so I want to try and see them more in the New Year before I (hopefully) go to University. I also want to travel this coming year, as one of my friends has invited me to go travel with her to France. It would be nice to go, so that is a dream/wish I really want to come true.

4. Finish my Request Chronicles (before November '14)

This one is kind of self explanatory... xD And yeah, I need to finish them. As I said, this year I slacked, and I want to do better. So what better than to actually finish the requests?

5. I get into University (sexy face, Chii) and keep up with blogging

I have been accepted into my University of choice, but that does not mean I can go; I first need money, so I hope that I can get that together and then go off to University. It will be an amazing, scary opportunity, but I want to do it so that I can gain a bit more experience in the writing field (I will be doing Creative Writing and Film Studies, Joint Honors) and to try and grow a little more as a person. It will also mean that I have to fend for myself, kind of. That will be the scary part. But I want to try it.

I also want to go to University and continue my blogging, though I know I will be busier. It will be tough if it happens, but I want to try it. I really do!

And so, with that said and done, ends Chiima's boring year-end post... YAY!!!

So yeah, another year and another predictions/wishes posts. Hopefully 2014 will be filled with many fun surprises instead of chaotic ones, or ones that make us weep. I also hope that the year of '14 brings us even more Idol happiness than this last year has brought us! Here's to a New Year filled with Idols and love once again. KAMPAI!!!

Do you yourself have any New Year's Predictions, Hopes or Dreams for 2014? If so, let me know if you want! It will be fun to read! If not, then just enjoy what the New Year brings you all!

Here is to all of you and your New Year. I hope that it's a good one for you guys, because you are all amazing! -clinks glass-

Much Love from 2013 to 2014 onwards,

Chiima~

Okay! Musume Digest #83 Day of the Digest, 2013 FINAL!

Minna, Digest Day... OH! It's the Final Digest of 2013! What will this past week bring us?

This week, in Idol News...

Morning Musume release a new PV! A CM for the up-coming H!P Countdown Live! Ai-butt to get married on Day of the Valentine! AKB's 5th Album title and cover has been revealed! An AKB member to release a book! Up Up Girls to cover Disney! Sexy Zone to release their second album! Oha Girl Chu! Chu! Chu! to release their first and final album! Umeda Erika CM for her debut solo album! AND MORE!!! Are you ready to Digest until the New Year?

12 Days of Idols: On the Cold Eve of Winter...

May your opinions be with you always~ Let them Out, Loud and Clear!!!

It is Christmas Eve, with very few hours to go before we come into the Winter's most festive time of the year. Are you prepared for the Season of Joy to spring up...?

On the Night before Christmas, my Idols sent to me...
A Cold Winter Idoling!!! PV

The 12 Days of Idols is on its last day, and I still have a review to do! Weirdly enough, this time around I am taking a look at an Idoling!!! PV with a winter title and a cold feeling to the look of the video. And by cold, I pretty much mean the clothes the girls are wearing outside! Brr! And by weirdly enough, I actually mean that I never anticipated to review an Idoling!!! PV after I had an initial idea of what I would be reviewing for the 12 Days of Idols; I found very few, if no, songs or PV's by this group that I wanted to review. And then this one popped up.

... In fact, it only just popped up yesterday! Amazing coincidence, I have to say.

 Though I will be honest, there is a reason behind reviewing this one, and that's because I know Steve of Selective Hearing likes Idoling!!! greatly and hails the ground they walk on... so in a sense, I am trying to people please. But I like being a people pleaser, so there!

But people pleasing only gets you so far, and whilst I do like the idea of making others happy by the fact that I am reviewing something they enjoy, it does not mean that I will agree with everything they say, or sing the same praises as them. I have my own opinions, and I have no intent on hiding them at all just for the sake of someone I get along with. So there we go~

So first blow to the group, I really was not keen on this song when it opened up. Admittedly both the song and video get better the longer it goes on, and towards the end I was far more impressed than I was in the beginning, but my initial impression for both the visuals and sound were these lovely thoughts; Bland, boring, and they can't sing together as a chorus well at all. I still think that the opening is horrible, because the sound of the girls all singing together is rather grating on my ears, but my impression of the song and video are far better now than they were the first time I watched this video and heard the song.

But as I said, it gets better as it goes on, which I'm extremely grateful for. If I hated it or found it stupidly boring like I thought I would at first, then this review would not be here. Ouch.

That said, the video is my favourite thing about the release itself. It's extremely simplistic, but it looks nice in my opinion. It's all shot outside during the night time, and bright lights are switching into various shapes and moving around behind the members of Idoling!!! as they perform their dance and music number of Samui Yoru Dakara... it's really nicely done, though I must admit that there were far too many times where I would stop watching Idoling!!! and just look at the lights in the background, because they weren't that entertaining. Second blow, and double ouch.

Given that this is a performance PV, I do think that a better dance number or more thrilling uses of expression, or even different solo shots, would have worked in favour of the video, because the simplicity and Idol-ness of the dance is rather dull and over-used.

There were some cute moments in the PV though, don't get me wrong, it's just that I was more aware of the pretty lights in the background sometimes when I was getting bored of the dance and the lack of change in pace the video used (maybe it's because I am part magpie). Of course, some of those Idol-like dance moves used were cute and caught my attention, but I was also aware of how sweet some of the girls looked. A few big smiles and bright eyes caught me off-guard and brought me back to watching Idoling!!!, charming me into giving them a bit more of my attention and swaying me from the lights. Not all the girls were sparkling though, some looked rather bored or were concentrating too hard to smile much, but the few who did are girls I will probably take more notice of if I ever decide to watch more Idoling!!! after this.

I actually really like the idea behind the PV for Samui Yoru Dakara... with the use of the lights in Japan, showing off that Christmassy feel and the excitement of the brightness it brings to us when we prepare for it, as well as showing the girls dancing in the night air, wearing clothes that will truly make them feel cold but, despite that, still dancing happily, bringing joy to not only themselves but their spectators. With what has been used, for such a simple PV, it is still bright and joyful in its own way and feels pretty festive for me, reminding me of the beautiful views we get during this time of the year thanks to bright, colourful Christmas lights and the displays that we see in town.

I think that a picture of the beautiful Rurika, who has a smile with the ability to melt all icy hearts, is very much needed here. So please, enjoy that~

The video does have some very pretty scenes, mostly the ones taken at a distance where we can see the full glory of a Japanese city when the lights are on, giving us the full effect of the City at night and just how much it shines.

With all said about the video, the song itself is actually quite nice as well, but I'm still not a fan of the opening, or Idoling!!! singing as a chorus all together in general. It may just be this song, but the slow tone of the opening as well as the similar pace in the bridge of the song is rather grating and annoying to the ears. It does not, in any way, sound pleasant to me at all, and was one of the reasons why I was ready to just stop listening to this song all together. I was about to just ignore it, like I do most Idoling!!! songs now, but because I wanted to hear it for the sake of giving it a chance, or Steve might not be a happy bunny with me (what a funny image), I listened to it, and found that the smaller group parts were much more pleasant and worth the terrible opening and bridge of the song.

Thank goodness that there was some good salvaged from this!

It is a rather pretty song, though not a great song. To be honest, I am not an Idoling!!! fan because I do find a good majority of their music dull or not to my taste (there are a few songs in there I love though) so I did go into this song thinking that I would probably hate it, or at least find it so mind-numbingly dull that I would never want to hear it again, or forget about it within a second. Weirdly enough, this one is catchier than I expected, and I have found myself singing along to it a lot as I write this review. It's one of those songs that embeds the chorus into your brain, and does not let it out. It's cheerful and quite fun, and it drags you in to include you as they perform. I think that this will be such an enjoyable song for those fans who do like to sing along, because it is nice to just sing those chorus lines at the top of your voice.

I was honestly surprised by how fun I found the song after the first two listens, because I honestly did expect to listen to this, and then never hear it again because I felt it would be a boring, forgettable song. Looks like I was kind of wrong there.

As a whole, I find the cover of TRF's Samui Yoru Dakara nice, cute and a good attempt, but I don't think that it is amazing. I kind of expected more from Idoling!!!, because I know Steve sings their praises greatly, but whilst this was nice and good enough for repeat listens, I don't think that I will revisit it any time soon unless I have an urge to hear this specific song again.

I don't hate it, but I am not amazed by it either. Luckily it isn't the worst cover or song I have ever heard (I have reserved the monstrosity of Sentimental Journey by that horrible banshee Maeshima Ami for that title) and I am glad that I gave it a chance, even if it was because I wanted to people please. It's a nice video and a nice song, and it fits the theme of winter and Christmas nicely with the use of performing outside in the cold night air, and with the use of the beautiful flashing lights in the building windows. Such a simple trick, but an amazing one at that, and it brightened up the PV greatly.

It isn't the best or worst video and song I have heard, and I do like Idoling!!!'s effort with this cover, because it is a pretty song at certain points, however there are things that I just don't like about it. Luckily, the good things outweigh the bad, which is why I reviewed the video in the end. It's nice to see that the simplicity of a pure performance PV is still there even in modern Idol days, even if it isn't from a group I follow greatly. Still, it was nice to see that Idoling!!! had painted a simple PV with colour and sweetness, even if it didn't win me over entirely.

An A for effort, I say, but I think that the use of single shots with the girls or a better dance would have made this video a lot more entertaining, and would have allowed me to enjoy it more instead of drifting off into a world of colourful lights and wishful thoughts...

A PV that shows us a cold night, filled with brightness. It truly does remind me of how pretty a Winter night is~

Much Love,
Chiima~