Images From '17: The PV Awards Of The Year

2017 is ending, and 2018 is on its way, but before the year wraps up and leaves us to start anew, it's time to take another look back at just a few of the PV's that made our year of Idols wonderful, and just a tad disappointing.

It's my favourite post of the Year End series, and it's all about the things I pretend to know about best. We're heading into the PV Awards of the year, people, and we're gonna see which ones made it. ARE YA READY, READERS?

SURPRISE! There's a bunch of H!P in here, and boy oh boy, I hate myself for it. Not because I think my taste in videos is lacking (dude, I'm actually confident in that area. I pride myself on liking good videos), but because there seems to be a lack of diversity here, at least to me. Still, it is what it is - H!P released some solid music videos in the Year gone by, ones that I have thoroughly enjoyed and remembered since they made their debut.

At least there's that positive to come out of H!P for this year, amongst all the fuck-ups and whatnot. They had to get one thing right, at least.

Anyways, with this post, I'm going to do my usual course of action, and rank the PV's based on random titles. I really see no point in doing a Top 10~20 of videos, because I like so many of them throughout the year, and I can never place them in a numbered order. Plus, I like doing the titles.

Of course I have a definitive favourite that stood out more than the others, even a nope or two from 2017, and they will be rewarded accordingly, just as I did last year. For the rest, though, I have grouped them into categories, based on various factors. Some categories will have more than others, and a few will have less, but that's how it is. Depending on the category, I can be stupidly picky.

As with music and most things, all videos included in this Ranking of sorts are the videos that, throughout the year, I have remembered the most. They are the ones that I recall out of all that I have seen, and the ones that are so impressive, I just had to include them. Of course, I won't list every video I have seen; that would take ages, and I don't have the time, and obviously, I won't include all your personal favourites.

As one blogger, and this being my blog, all videos included are subject to my own, acquired tastes. You may not agree with me on any of these listings, but I do hope that you respect what I have chosen to put in this list. I am catering to my own love for videos, though catering to your love for videos is an added bonus.

This is it, Reader dears. The PV Awards of the year 2017, in full. Which videos stuck out to me, and which ones are left in the dusty depths of the Honorable Mentions? Just who ranks the highest of them all, and who has hit rock bottom?

Plug in your earphones, grab a drink and get your viewing eyes switched on. These are the Images of '17, and it's time to press play...~

Will your group reign supreme in this unofficial ranking? Read on, find out, and enjoy~

[Music Selection] May 2016: PV Side

My damn timing is completely out of whack. Let's blame no internet, crappy library internet (it's internet, at least), packing / moving and being ill. So, if this isn't as lengthy as usual, I apologise. Is what it is.

This PV Selection post for the month of May is going to be a lot snappier than usual, so don't expect me to drone on with the PV descriptions. I am literally gonna leave what was in my head at the time, and hey, I might keep it that way for the future PV Selection posts! I actually enjoy not giving too much away sometimes, and how quick my thought process is upon my first view of a video. So, yeah, it might stay this way, it might not. We shall seeeeeeee!

Anywhoo... Music Selection is a monthly post, in which I create two separate articles about the Music and Videos I have enjoyed from the month gone by. This is of course all for fun, and if something is not listed here that you have enjoyed yourself, do not fret; this is not a serious release at all, just something made for the heck of it, and to keep on top of Idol releases. Don't read too much into whatever I post. Opinions be different from every which way, y'know.

Okay, PV TIME!!!

The Queens are Born! Houkago Princess Release 'Junpaku Antoinette's' Short MV and Covers!

On February 1st 2016, Houkago Princess released the short Music Video for their second singles title song, Junpaku Antoinette!

And to say that this was a highly anticipated release for the fans of the HouPri Kingdom is certainly an understatement!

A new story is about to begin...

A song that celebrates Odagiri Nana's up-coming 26th Birthday (February 18th, 2016) as well as Japan's White Day (March 14th), Junpaku Antoinette is said to be a song full of beautiful grace and yearning that is pure and enchanting.

Themed around the iconic French Queen, Marie Antoinette, Houkago Princess take their first step into becoming Queens for this beautiful Music Video whilst indulging in the popular confectionery macarons, and singing amidst scattered rose petals.

We also see the return of the story book here, of which was present in Seifuku Cinderella, and are royally transported into a world of beauty and grace that we have yet to see from Houkago Princess, one which I am ready to fall into and indulge in forever more.

I am already in love with this Music video. Honestly, just looking at its preview, I can already see that this is going to be one of the best directed Music Videos from the group since... well, since any of their latest Music Videos, because yeah, HouPri are always improving one way or another, whether its in their choreography, or how their videos look.

 And hey, it seems the terrible lighting situation is gone from Kiete, Shirayukihime, as well as the use of a terrible border... hooray for all!

But really, this is such a pretty Music Video, and the song! It's so sweet and sounds just like a chocolate bar commercial, In some ways, it reminds me of Endless Sky, except it has better vocals and feels that little bit more romanticised. I like that about it, and yeah, hearing this song makes me happy... especially knowing that, dang, Nana sounds really freakin' good! I didn't think that would happen any time soon!

 Also, I am looooving how they went from cute (Seifuku Cinderella) to cool (Kiete, Shirayukihime) to Romantic (Junpaku Antoinette). Their diversity in sound makes me so happy, and their consistency with this Princess / Royal theme makes me even giddier!

By the way, have you guys seen these covers yet? They're so regal and poised!

(Left: Regular Edition  |  Right: Limited DVD)

(Left: Odagiri Nana Solo ver.  |  Right: Miyashita Mayuka Solo ver.)

(Left: Yamaguchi Miran Solo ver.  |  Right: Ayase Miho Solo ver.)

(Left: Kizuki Saori Solo ver.  |  Right: Maika Solo ver.)

(Left: Sirosaki Himari Solo ver.  |  Right: Saho Michishige Solo ver.)

These honestly have to be their best costumes yet, they're so fluffy! I mean, I know they use the same kind of style from their previous two costumes, but I do enjoy seeing what the designers will come up with in the end, and honestly? These happen to by my favourite costumes since the Sailor Moon-esque ones used in Smile x3 ~Egao Zutto Saita mama de~. They are just so gorgeous and fluttery, and they don't look cheap! Score!

Also, I absolutely adore these covers! I felt that the Kiete, Shirayukihime covers seemed a bit doll like and lifeless, but these ones are definitely a step up and feel a lot more real and gentle. Plus, that backdrop! DANG!

 Flowers are becoming a somewhat significant theme in their covers as of late though, huh?

Really though, this PV, the costumes, the song... they make me feel so excited and happy, and I can't wait to see the full version when I can eventually get my hands on it! It's pretty, the video is one of their best, and I think that vocals wise, this is superb for HouPri. They keep stepping up their game, and I am forever left impressed. Seriously, this group... they make me so happy.

On a more somber note, Junpaku Antoinette happens to be the final single for 3rd generation member Ayase Miho, who will be leaving this coming March in order to pursue other things in life outside of the entertainment field. I'm sad, considering she is my Top member of HouPri currently, as well as my favourite Idol from all of 2015, however I know that Graduations happen, and this is meant to be.

 I still love her, and I will miss her, but I know she will have to leave and move on no matter what, and so I will also have to move on, no matter what. I will never forget the happiness she and delight she has brought me.

And rounding that up, the b-side for Junpaku Antoinette was recently revealed to be titled Sakura saku, a song that is about graduation. Sakura Saku will be Houkago Princesses second Graduation themed song after Sotsugyoushiki, released back in 2013. Members have stated that during recordings and performances, they cried many tears through the beauty and sadness of the lyrics.

 And yes, if it's that beautiful, I may cry too... because I will forever know this as Mihotan's final song, her Graduation piece. I pray she gets a solo line in it, at least!

A second story is about to begin, and Houkago Princess want to take you along with them! Will you indulge and fall into this beautiful world of Royalty and enchantment?

Junpaku Antoinette is set to be released on February 17th 2016, and your royal invitation has been delivered! Let's partake in all the sweets and delight HouPri are sure to deliver!

Until next time! Please stay happy, healthy, and always love your Idols!

Much Love,

Chiima~

Grab your own copy of Junpaku Antoinette (Regular Edition) today, and support HouPri, too! You know you wanna! ;) <3

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.

Be Charmed this Season! A Sweet and Tacky Summer with Lovely★DOLL is Nigh in their 'Calendar Girl' PV!

All thoughts and opinions within this post are completely my own. They do not, and should not, reflect the thoughts of others. My opinion is here to simply share, and to show you all what I see from a video, why I like it, what I dislike, etc... may aim is to simply show you what I see, and when I read other reviews, I want to see what others have seen that I missed. There is charm to all PV's, but we all take a look at different aspects that will appeal divinely to us, and not another viewer.

... Okay, that's some very confusing stuff I've written up there. YAY for trying to be insightful!

Neglecting my blog to read books and nothing much else. Ah, that's the life, ain't it?

So, after starting this post and not finishing it for well over two or so weeks, I think it's about time to actually get on with it, and do this Review. So, let's get summer rolling, and listen to some more sunny Idol tunes, shall we? Whomever could we be watching today, hm?

Oh, hey, Lovely★DOLL! Now here's a group I ignore for a good part of the year, and one I don't really have much of an opinion of, either. Not to say this group is dull, because I actually do think their music is decent, it's just... well, they not like Doll☆Elements, and I love the heck out Doll☆Elements.

 Lovely★DOLL, to me, is like the boring older sister counterpart to a fun and creative unit. It's like they had the name originally, but didn't implement the idea that made Doll☆Elements noticeable. Basically, they're just another unit, a rather basic one at that, though they do have their merits, of course.

I'm really throwing this group under the bus here, in terms of how much I prefer their sister unit over them, but I do genuinely find these girls good, just not always... they're like what S/mileage was to me in Hello! Project, last year - on / off. I don't always find myself paying attention to them, and then suddenly, BAM! They make a release that catches my eye, and my attention is on them like white on rice. Generally though, that intrigue is rather short-lived.

 And yes, the intrigue has peaked, because it is summer, and summer is an awesome time for the groups I rarely watch to make their mark, and entertain the heck out of me.

SO, after all of that horrible piece of text about how I basically find this group a bit dull, let's get into the overdose of pictures, and take a look at the PV and song that has, somehow, intrigued me this summer season! Though it isn't amazing, it may just charm the pants off of you! So, are you ready to go? Do you want some Idol summer fun, in a cheap and friendly way? Then Lovely★DOLL is for you!

Let's jump into it, and take a look at Lovely★DOLL's summer fling, Calendar Girl! Will you be marking your Calendars for their next release after this? Let's find out!

1, 2, 3... GO!!!!