A Darker View of what we Once Knew, Princesses of A Midsummer Night's Dream are Not what They Seem... 'Manatsu no Yoru no Yume' PV Review!

As always, with any of these posts, opinions and thoughts, feelings and whatever else are completely my own and no one else's. You don't have to agree with me, you don't even have to put up with me, but please do respect my opinion, that is all I ask. Thank you.

Holy Heck, when was the last time I did a review? Jeebus, it feels like this is THE FIRST TIME IN FOREVEEEER~~~... OW! Stop throwing things at me for singing one of the many Frozen songs, I get it, i'll stop butchering it! Geez... anyway, as I was saying, this is like, the first time in a long time since I last did a PV review of some kind. Good grief, it's been a while, and I feel like I don't know what to do any more. I hate when this happens.

I've done this to myself though. It's my fault.

It's always my fault xD

ANYWAY, now that I am trying attempting, at least to get back into the swing of things (I'm imagining myself doing a Tarzan shtick for some reason) I will be barrelling through with one of my dull and far-too-long-for-its-own-good PV reviews! HELL YEAH! What better way to get back into writing than doing what I guess I do pretty well? Yeah, PV Reviews, BRING IT ON!!! But what PV can I review? I mean, a few have come out, right? Goodness, I don't know which one to pick from...

Whoa Holy HouPri on a stick, this is the one! I mean, I could have done MoMusu or even S/mileage, but seriously, no - HouPri all the way! I wave that flag with pride, and besides, before I got busy with my new life in University this was the PV I had screencapped and was ready to review the second it came out.

Except I never reviewed it, because life. UNTIL NOW!!! -epic music begins-

Anywhoo~ Considering I have no homework (I am ignoring the reading I have to do) and I am already awake and not really that tired (it's nearly 5am, I am screwing up my sleep pattern royally... again~) I decided that, after writing out the 3rd volume to my Q&A session, I would finally get my arse into gear and write this thing out, otherwise I'd put it off until who knows when or, worse, never write it out, and I don't want that. I like this PV too much to do that.

I like HouPri too much to do that. So yeah, here I am, ready to do this thing!

I'm actually really excited to PV Review again, it's been a while! So yeah, here we go... HouPri's latest PV, ready to be reviewed, because it's one of their only sexy PV's ever made (truth!) and also, it's a pretty epic song as well. In fact, it's probably the most well-produced A-side they've ever done, and I'm not kidding when I say that - this group is still indies and weak in ways, but dayumn, they are moving on up! I have high hopes for them if they keep going in this direction.

So, babbling over and done with, I'll get onto the PV Review I planned to do when the video first came out. This is Manatsu no Yoru no Yume, otherwise known as A Midsummer Night's Dream (Hi, Shakespeare title. HouPri seems to dig Shakespeare) and this marks the 7th official release from the group! Are you ready to be whipped? Are you ready for a mature HouPri? ARE YOU READY FOR THIS?

You are? Okay then, let's GO, GO, GO!!! March forward, to your Midsummer Dream this Night!

Eye Spy with my Almost-Blind Eye...

Mother-fuckin' Itoshikute BALLOON costumes. Seriously, I know the group is economical, recycling songs and Graduations and all, but really!? Y'all had to steal the best damn costumes for your new song?

Not that I blame you, I mean... damn, those costumes.

Actually, I retract my statement. I like the recycling. Hello, Saorin in stockings! How you doin'?

Saorin: "Hmph!" -ignores-
Nananyan: "Zzz..."

This is such an unfortunate shot for Maika, but damn gurl, look at Saori moving them hips! She's like a snake!

Nananyan: "Go with the flow, dude."

Look, a Wild Sahochi has appeared! Quick, GET HER!!!

Much needed Boob-stroking going on here.

And from the looks of it, Miran is wailing. Maybe she's singing. Who knows? Either way, the wailing-look fits those Gothic Halls...

Miran: "Knee to the Groin, buster!!!"

The girls are either doing an Irish Jig (popular form of choreography with Idols, apparently) or showing us how they defend themselves against the Wota. Either way, I do not want that knee anywhere near the crown jewels!

Sassy Sassy!

Saorin: "Fabulous, remember, Fab-YOU-Lous!"
Miran: "Oooh look, a penny!"

Wait, is Nananyan's skirt hitched up!? DAAAAMN!!!

The Oricon charts aren't that far away, girls! You can climb the top if you keep using a budget and getting good songs!

Holy heck, there's a Mayuka! God damn, even when forced into sexy(ish) attire, she's still adorable! D'awwwww!

... She looks bored ¬.¬

Saho: "Zzzz... Please promote me, Manager... zzz..."
Himari: "Good God I am FABULOUS!"

Whoa hold the Budget, I see Himari! FINALLY!!! God damn, she's gorgeous.

And SASSY!!! You hit it, sista!

Miran could promote Venus Razors. She would be an awesome spokesperson, I'm sure!

Miran: "Maybe she's born with it... Maybe it's Venus! Silky smooth armpits, with Gilette-Venus! Buy now for $19.99!"

I'm your Venus, I'm your Fire...

YOUR DESIRE!!!

Despite the fact they recycled the costumes, I like that they blew their budget on location; it works!

Also, dem costumes look good in that setting, though I like how the establishment is classy and the costumes are a little more... well, not tacky, but they aren't exactly lady-like, either xD

Himari: "Focus on me, Camera-Bitch."

Good Lordeh, Maika! Why are you so gorgeous? Also, thanks for bringing maturity into the group. It was much needed~

Holy Boobs Batman, Mayuka!!! YOU HAVE BREASTICLES!?

Oh, Hi, Nana.

Nananyan: "You make me cry, Chiima..."

Mayuka: "Thanks for finally noticing I'm more than a pretty face~"

Damnit, her smiles so cute! Kyaaaa!!! Mayuka!!!!

I may just become your fangirl now! Move over, Saorin!

Nananyan: "What about me?"

Maika: "Bitch, Fangirl over ME! I am damn AMAZING!"

Okay Maika, bring on the ATTITUDE! Work it, gurl!

Miho: "... Okay, what the fuck do I do now?"

Maika: "Oh GURL, you did NOT just ruin my shot with your awkwardness again! Do I have to tell you one more time!?"
Mihotan: "Please don't hit me again! I'll smile!!!"

Good grief, Miho is still awkward! But she's cute, so I forgive her... for now ¬.¬

KISSY KISSY!!! ERMAGERD!!!

Saorin: "You want to replace me with Mayuka? Awww man..."#

Ah wait, no! I never said that!!!

Miran: "Bitch, don't make ma ho cry!"

Wait, Miran's with Saorin!? What the heck?

Miran: "Aww yeah I am! Saorin cannot resist the Miran charm!"
Saorin: "Wait, stop! Don't tell them that! It's a scandal!!!"

Miran: "Baby, don't deny it; I'm irresistible..."
Saorin: "Oh, Senpai!"

... What the fuck am I doing? XD

Mayuka... Mayuka, why do you look stoned?

Mayuka: "... Why are you flying, Mr. Pickle?"

That's hallucinogenics, Chiima! >o>

HOLY CRAP, THEY'VE GOT A THRONE!!!

Bitches be surrounding their Lord and Saviour, Nananyan! BOW, PEASENTS, BOW!

Saorin: "HELP ME!!!"

JESUS AND JEBEDIAH, SAORIN!!! How high can that girl kick her leg!? HOLY...

Nananyan: "Eh... Effort."

Look at those shoulders, sexy shoulder shimmy... damn, Himari knows she's working that shoulder.

By the way Mayuka, what the fuck are you doing? That's a shoulder flop, not a shoulder shimmy, pick up the pace, gurl!

Wait, Nanayan, are you high too!?

Nananyan: "... Huh?"

Saorin: "Why do you question us?"

I question you because I am concerned that two of your key members are on drugs! Saorin, that's not a good thing!!!

Saorin: "... It isn't?"

What is this, the Half-Arsed Conga?

Oh wait, Nananyan's trying to poke Miran. Poke!

HELLO, LEGS! Congratulations, this PV now has a PG Rating!

Holy fu--- Miran and Saorin get a dance solo! FINALLY!!! Some God-Damned SPOTLIGHT!

Saorin: "I see the spotlight on me! YAY!!!"

Inwardly screaming right now, leave me be!

Holy damn! From PG to R already!?

Skirts be flyin'! And as always, Saorin looks so fucking cute, but Miran looks cool. It's a weird contrast with this PV, in Saorin's case, but whatevs.

Whatevs.

Hahahahahha, NO! Saorin, stop it. You're too cute to be cool, so let it go.

Miran, on the other hand, keep doing what you're doing.

Maika: "Bitch, please."

Bringing together the Miyashita's of HouPri! Cute and Cool collide!

... Oh wait, I GET IT!!! Cute and Cool collide!!! Geez, I'm dumb! They're Half-Cute, Half-Cool in HouPri! Nananyan's clearly the cute one here (she can't be cool to save her life) and then we have Cool and Cold looking Mihotan.

YEEEEAH I GET IT!!!

... Wait, is Nananyan still stoned? >___>

Saorin: "Don't look at me!!!"

... Miran, did you touch her inappropriately? >_>

Miran: "What do YOU think, Einstein?"

... Forget I asked.

Miran, Miran why are you grinning like that? Miran...

MIRAN!!!

Miran: "Hehehe..."
Nananyan: "I'm a fuckin' QUEEN!!!"

Holy cow, how can she be so cute!? Also, SOLO TIME!!!

Damn, you are so good at singing~ And your beautiful, too!

Maika: "Oh, I know~"

Nananyan, delayed question, but... did you lose weight?

Nananyan: "Fuck off."

Touchy!

Oh oh, we're back to being FABULOUS!!!

And Maika and Saorin are KILLING IT!!!

Miran: "Oooh look, another penny!"

MIRAN! Stop killing the mood!

I've only just noticed this, but damn, that is a pretty looking door behind the girls!

Move out of the way girls, I want to see more of the door! Extra Member, Door-san!!!

Sahochi: "When am I getting my fucking promotion? I've been here longer than Maika, and already she's a feature member. I'm Michishige FUCKING Saho, ffs..."
Himari: "Wait, is that... is that Camera-san?"

Jeebus, Himari is adorable >o> I kinda want a new HouPri MV just to see more of her, she's so damn adorable...

HouPri girls... TAKE FLIGHT!!!

Also, look at that background! There is more than two locations! HALLELUJAH!

Mihotan: "Not again, Nananyan!"
Nananyan: "Shut up, underling!!!"

Er, girls? I thought this was a PG PV, not R-rated...

Oh, wait. We changed it to R-rating when the legs came up. NEVER MIND, CARRY ON!!!

Oooh, a little bit of ballet! Except it looks half-arsed. LOOK ALIVE, GIRLS!!!

Saorin: "If only Miran was holding my hand... sigh~"

Oh, this pose actually looks quite lady like! Rather befitting, don't you think?

And now to finally show off those stockings!
END SCENE!

Thinking about it, I now have to wonder which Shakespeare title HouPri will recycle/borrow for their next singer? Honestly, I would love to see their rendition of Taming of the Shrew or, put in a modern setting, Taming of the Idol.

Actually, Macbeth would be a fun song to create, and an even funner PV to reenact! Just think of all the possibilities! I'm pretty sure HouPri can make it cute and lighthearted~

... No, seriously, I am wondering what they'll do next in terms of a Shakespeare-named song, but I digress from what I'm meant to do, which is basically review the PV at hand (I can't fit a PV into my hand, given my hand is not digital, but that would be cool) and to stop procrastinating on said review! So, with the PV screen captions all done and dusted, let's talk about what we have just experienced, shall we?

Okay, so first and foremost, I love this PV; it's different, it's solid and it looks really good. Sure, it's a budget PV and there really isn't much depth to it in terms of story or new, innovative shots, but it's one of the best videos this group has ever had in terms of style, look and feel; it's new and refreshing, and it has a dark and edgy vibe that I would not put with Houkago Princess, but we can thank the brilliant use of lighting for that. Speaking of the lighting, I really do love the use of it; I like how throughout the video, there are flashes of light to imitate lightning, giving us an eerier feeling to the video as it flickers across the screen, heightening mystery and further enhancing the imagery before us. It looks great, and whilst the effect is simple and easy enough to do, I feel like it really added to this video and made it look a lot less simple. In fact, it made the already Gothic-looking building look that little bit creepier!

The location is also pretty fantastic, and whilst it feels like its a similar setting to the PV for Juliet ~Kimi wo Suki na 100 no Riyuu~ (2013 version), I love the vibe it gives off and the Princess-like quality it has. The location's setting pretty much screams 'rich young lady' thanks to the open space, ornate doors and stone walls with carvings etched into them, and I like that whilst the girls don't exactly look like princesses themselves here (unless you count the tiara's on Himari and Saho) you still get that feeling of them being the ladies of the manor, even if they aren't exactly dressed like the good Princesses they pose as.

 All in all, it's a great location, I love that they used it and chose to have about three different scenes for the MV as well. It looks great, it fits the tone of the song and the girls themselves look great there! Basically, winning location! Good thing that's where most of the budget was spent, right?

Moving away from budget-happy settings (yes, I am stoked about the setting!), the HouPri girls are also pretty amazing here; I love how far this group has come. I mean, I remember when they first appeared on the scene, with their debut PV being one giant mess of awkward girls who couldn't dance and could barely look at the camera without shrinking away. Now when you see them, there is confidence there, the girls can dance a little better and they all have charisma and power in either their singing or dancing - it's amazing to see, and I can't help but smile at how improved they all are! I love that they have walked away from the cutesy Idol PV's and songs for this single's A-side and chosen a strong, mature tune and look that really seems to compliment them. Okay, so it doesn't seem to fit everyone that well (hi, Mayuka), but it still works for them and it just works in their favor, thus making it, to me, fabulous!!!

Thinking of the girls actually, I really loved that quite a few girls had spotlight thrown at them in one way or another throughout the video, more so Miran and Saori. Holy heck, Miran and Saori! Okay, I did not know that either of them were considered the stronger dancers in the group, but holy heck am I glad they are, or seem to be! Miran is awesome, let me get that out there. She has a sharpness about her dancing that the others don't have, and you can see it in how she moves, whilst Saori has a bit more of a fluid, flexible way to her dance style, and they compliment each other big time. When I saw their dance solo sequence in the video, I was floored. Was it perfect? No. Was it anything new or innovative? No, but for HouPri, it was different, and it looked really good. The girls have timing issues and need to work on that more, as a group in general actually, but for their 7th single they did pretty well, and I'm really impressed by how Miran and Saori dance in this. They're definitely the best of the bunch, though Maika is also really good from what I can see, and I was simply impressed by their dance duet.
 In fact, it's my favourite part of the entire MV. It's just... it's whoa!

The other snippets of spotlight throughout the PV come in the form of the solo lines distributed between Nana, Mayuka and Maika, not that this is surprising, though I do find it quite intriguing that three of the girls got solo lines, more specifically, surprised that Mayuka got one. I knew Maika would get some star treatment, given she's now the vocal talent of this entire group, and Nana was a given since she's the face and all, but Mayuka? I did not expect that, so it was a pleasant surprise and I am seriously happy she was given something to sing, because her voice is cute and quite pretty, and stable as well. Concerning Maika, well she's just... she's perfect, and that's all I can say about her. She nailed her lines, and she really brought a mature approach to the song that neither Nana nor Mayuka could do, because they're too sweet in tone. I love Maika's voice, and I really do want to hear it more in the future. She's got a lovely voice, basically.

Okay, so I love this PV, I love the girls in it and I really like the song as well, but I do have my own issues with it; nothing's perfect, after all, and this PV, whilst good, is a far cry from perfect. It has errors, it needs fixing up, but I'm not holding out hope for these errors to be corrected by their next PV or performance - I'm realistic, guys - because I know HouPri have a very long way to go, but still. I want to address what is bad about the PV.

The biggest issue is their dancing. As a group, Houkago Princess needs some serious work in both timing and energy. I'm no dance expert, but even I can see that HouPri are terrible at these things, especially timing, and they really need to work on it. I like this dance a lot, I really do, but when I see how out of time some girls are or how sloppy Nana, Miho and even Saho at points are compared to Miran and Saori, it really grinds my gears, because I think they can do better. That's a fan perspective, I know, but I do think they could do better to put more effort into their dancing, rather than letting a pretty decent PV look quite amateurish thanks to poorly timed choreography moves or members who seem like they can't be arsed to put in a bit more effort and energy. The dancing is, sadly, the weak link of the entire PV, even if it is the feature that they are trying to sell here.

Other minor gripes to note; Where the heck is Miho's feature? I'm a little saddened by the fact that Miho, who is a feature member along with the other main members, wasn't actually shown a lot in the PV save for cameo appearances beside other members when she did a few group lines. I know she isn't the best singer or dancer, but I would have loved to see her featured more. Instead, she's more like Saho and Himari in terms of status in the video; barely seen, but the reason they're rarely shown is because they are a lower rank, but Miho isn't. So yeah, I'm a bit annoyed by that, but what can I do? Nothing, that's what.
 Gripe two comes back to the dancing, because I find a small issue with how close Himari seems to get to the other members in the dance sometimes. There's a lot of space there, so Himari, just... don't try to get too touchy touchy with the other members. Move around your space! You don't need such close proximity, they won't leave the PV!!!

Gripe 3; I want Miho to express a little more. That's a personal thing, but honestly, the girl has little to no expression, so she looks awkward. That said, she does look cute most of the time. Just emote, girl! EMOTE!!!

All in all, it's a pretty good PV. It has its downfalls, but for Houkago Princess, this is probably the best PV they've had since their debut. It's edgy, dark and mature, and it takes a turn that I didn't expect from this group. The video looks and feels stylish, it suits the tone of the song and, surprisingly, the girls fit easily into this new setting. I like it, and I especially like the progress Houkago Princess have made since their debut. Here's to looking forward to further progress in the next PV!

Manatsu no Yoru no Yume, a darker version of the HouPri we knew. What did you think of it? Would you like to see more of this new and improved Princess group? Let me know...

Until next time, amigos.

Chiima~

Me, My Blog & Idols Q&A (Vol. 3)

A/N: Hi, everyone. I've returned again... kinda. I seem to be a ghost right now, with the amount I don't write. Whoops! Well, until I get distracted by life again, I'm here! Ghost Chiima, to the Blog!

 I apologise for my absence, and my sillyness, and I need to write a more detailed account of why I'm not really here much, but for now this summary will have to do. Until then (if it ever happens) let's just go forth, onto the post! Have at thee, arrr!

The Bitch is back~ MWAHAHAHA! Grab your torch and pitchforks!

Oh, I bet y'all forgot this even existed... that, or you may have thought to yourself 'Once again, Chiima has conveniently forgotten to do something'. Either one works, but for once, no, I did not forget this little Q&A started, nor did I decide to simply drop it - I just got a bit too ahead of myself (like always) and decided to put this on the back burner for some time. Okay, maybe a long time, but I did think about it! I've just not found the right time to do it, until now! So, without further ado, it's QUESTION AND ANSWER TIME!!!

As per, I once again thank you all for the Questions you sent in! For now these will the last set of Questions I will be answering as no others have been entered (I would like more, though~ I am a big fan of Q&A's so send in whatever you want!) so, it's sad, but until I gather more Questions (I will poke you for them!) I won't return to this little series here, however fun it may be! Once again, like Vol. 1 and Vol. 2, I will answer Three sets of questions that have been given! To the Questioners who have interrogated me today, thank you for sending in what you wish to know~ I hope I deliver unto you a few satisfying answers ;)

Blathering sorted and written, let's get into Vol. 3 of this Q&A! Today's set of Questions have been asked by Airi Matsui, aichan and Nia! Thank you for allowing me to answer these for you, and also, enjoy! Well, as much as one can enjoy a dull Q&A by a rather weird person, that is...

ONTO THE Q&A!!!

The following Questions have been submitted by Airi Matsui:

Q: What are your favourite anime(s) and/or mangas?

A: I'm quite happy that this answer didn't take me too long to figure out, because I'm very set on what I do and don't like when it comes to my hobbies (as well know xD) and whilst I'm not exactly into Anaime and Manga as much as I used to be, I still know what I love and what manga series have become classics for me. When it comes to Manga and what I consider my favourite(s), it has to be Ayashi no Ceres, Fushigi Yugi ~The Mysterious Play~ and The Gentleman's Alliance Cross!

I am not obsessed with Yuu Watase, I swear >o> She just so happens to be a fantastic being who captures mythology really well in a Shoujo Manga setting, and also creates wonderful characters... yeah, not obsessed, promise... ¬.¬

Oh yeah, and Arina Tanemura's sole non-magical Manga series is in there, too! Ooooh!

Okay, seriously though, I love these series! Fushigi Yugi was the first ever manga book series I actually finished collecting, so it has a place in my heart forevermore I believe, but it's also really good! Yes, it's a bit of a typical Shoujo manga with its character tropes and the whole setting, but the story is pretty solid I would say, and it's cute too! There's a lot going on, and a lot of History is obviously there because it's all about Chinese Gods and Priestesses and a different era to the one we are in now... so yeah, it's pretty interesting if you ask me!

 With Ceres, it's a little bit more opposite; there's a Thriller element there. The genre is Horror/Shoujo, but I say more Thriller, though blood is shed and there are really emotional deaths thrown in there too that just kill me every time I read the manga... and that's what it is, a thriller and an emotional roller coaster in a way. It's good, Ceres has a strong story line and also implements Japanese Mythology in there and a bit of History as well, but not as much as Fushigi Yugi; either way, both are darned good, and the Anime series are pretty solid too, so I recommend both. In fact, I just recommend Yuu Watase, period. Seriously. Check her stuff out!

With Gentleman's Alliance Cross... well, I love it. I consider it my favourite series to ever come from Magic-Girl Genius Tanemura, well this and Kamekaze Kaito Jeanne... I digress though! Seriously, for a non-magi series, I think this is one of Tanemura's best works. The artwork, though familiar to everything she does, is gorgeous, the story is fun but emotional too, the characters are comedic when needed, the personality amazing, and the story line is wonderful. Yeah, it's another shoujo girl series, but one I do highly recommend as well. It's cute and fluffy, but it has it's much needed Drama.

 Also, hot Manga dudes. Need I say more? 

Moving swiftly onto the Anime side of the question, need I really say more? Seriously, Ouran High School Host Club, how can one not love it!? It's a perfect series, and I do wish they had created a second season (pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease!!!!!) and it is by far my favourite series ever created; in fact, it was one of the few series I watched about five times after finishing it! I love it that much! The characters are fun and creative, you get a wide range of Bishi's to choose from, and the heroine is rather different to the typical gluttonous airhead you usually get in shoujo anime's. If anything, this series is more of a satire, but I love it, I just love it! It's incredible, genius, a work of art! I always laugh at the series, and I always seem to quote it (my favourite quote being 'Commoner's Supermarket!') so yeah... it's a great series, one I (once again) highly recommend. It's really just a ball of laughs!

Q: If you could marry any Idol, who would it be?

A:

... Need I say more? xD

Q: Do you still like Pokémon? If so, who is your favourite Pokémon?

A: Amazingly enough, I do indeed still like Pokémon! Not as much as I used to, or would like to, but my love for it is still there. Sadly I can't play the games as much as I used to because I am poor and don't have a 3DS (sob sob!) so yeah... my gaming days are over for now! Anyway, I'm derailing from the question, what was it again? Favourite Pokémon? Well, let me think...

I find it weird how, for some reason, I have an affliction to sheep... maybe I'm destined to become a sheep herder, or to marry a Welsh man? Maybe I am a sheep? Whatever the answer, no matter what, I like sheep a lot or find myself strangely wanting to have sheep-themed things...

 Ironically enough, my older brother is really scared of sheep. Funny how things turn out, right? xD

Okay, originally I was going to say 'SNORLAX!!!!' as my destined to be loved Pokémon, but honestly, it's Mareep. I don't know why I like Mareep so much, I just do. I never cared much for Mareep in the beginning of my Poké-playing days, but when I actually started to think about how my teams worked, Mareep somehow creeped in there (it's a bloody good Pokémon in the newer generations, I've found. ELECTRIC FTW!!!) and this, crept into my cold, dark heart. Seriously though, how can something that's so darned cute (I never let it evolve, by the way. Nope!) be pretty good in battles? Like, whoa. Before Mareep, I never cared a lot for Electric type Pokémon, I was all about fire and psychic (by the way, Chandelure is a good Pokémon for Psychic/Fire me thinks) but Mareep, man...

This is a damn good Pokémon! Cute, but lethal. I want to have one in real life!

Q: How did you discover Houkago Princess? How did you first come to know them?

A: I'm loving this mixed-bag of Idol and more personal nerdy questions here, just so you know! Why didn't I answer them sooner? @.@ Stupid Chii! Er, ahem... back to the Question at hand...

I was browsing Tokyohive one time back in 2011, when the group was set to debut, and at the time it was freshly announced alongside the news that Fairies were an up and coming thing, too. Based on their descriptions, I just attached myself to HouPri and from there on, I just grew as a fan with them. I liked the idea behind them, the original idea that they were a dress up group (not any more in my opinion) and I wanted to see what this rag-tag bunch could do. I just liked them, they were underdogs and needed improvement, so I began to follow them avidly. For a long time, I was probably one of very few foreign fans to follow them! In fact even now, there are so few foreign fans, but they're coming up in popularity I think. They're getting noticed, at least~

And that, my dears, is the story of how I met HouPri~ Goodnight.

Q: What inspired you to start blogging?

A: Anger and hatred towards the PV for APPARE KAITEN ZUSHI, and even now I resent that music video! Seriously, I had set up everything in my mind for a good PV for that song, only to find out it was a cartoon-themed video that didn't really do much for me! I was annoyed, so I wrote out my frustration. That's pretty much it xD The emotion was strong, though I'd wanted to try writing a blog like this before that PV came out. It just so happened APPARE KAITEN ZUSHI was the catalyst in the creation of Okay! Musume Time. Inspiration, not so much, just blind hatred!

Q: What are your TOP TEN most played songs?

A: WAAAAAAH, way to throw a spanner in the works! I can barely remember what I ate, let alone which songs are on repeat almost 24/7! Well, I'll figure it out... Let's see...

In no particular order, we have:

- Koi ING (Morning Musume)

- Beauty and the Beast (Beauty and the Beast OST)

- I'm Not a Girl Not Yet A Woman (Britney Spears)

- Sleeping with the Light On (Busted)

- My Sweet Heart (Tokyo Mew Mew)

- Uchoten Love (S/mileage)

- Mizuiro Melody (Koharu Kusumi)

- Fighting☆Hero (Ono Erena)

- Mother Symphony (Mermaid Melody)

- Simple and Clean (Utada Hikaru)

Okay, I am literally spanning across my entire child, teenage and adulthood here with this random playlist! Honestly, there are the songs I think (some I know for sure, like the Britney Spears one and Koi ING) I have listened to more than I should on here, but yeah, this is the list; the Top 10 most played songs in Chiima's life! Some songs in there are really important (Koi ING and I'm Not a Girl, Not Yet a Woman actually) and some that I just frekain' adore to the point where I've played them to death. Yeah. I just love these songs.

Nice to see that most of them are Japanese xD

The following Questions have been submitted by aichan of Ai's Life as a Wota:

Q: What are your favourite Hello! Project songs?

A: Ah, this is pretty easy! YAY, EASY QUESTIONS!!! Let's have a looksy!

- Koi ING

- Uchoten LOVE

- Waracchaou yo BOYFRIEND

- Sakura Mankai

- My Days for You

Clearly, I have a thing for the titles with giant font xD But yeah, those are my favoured songs. I'm sorry for making C-ute and J=J feel left out here, but this is the truth and I speak it! MWAHA!

Q: What was the first Japanese artist that you ever listened to?

A: Amazingly enough, it was Morning Musume! I just never realised it!

When my sister introduced me to Anime/Manga way back when, you know, when Dinosaurs roamed and meteors showered, we watched a video to Sailor Moon that was an AMV, and the song was Say Yeah! ~Motto Miracle Night~. We didn't know who it was, we just liked the song. Yonks later, I find out that the group I really love now were the singers behind that song. Coincidence? Yep, but it's a good one~

Maybe this is why I love them today? I was conditioned via Sailor Moon!!! ARRRGH!!!

Q: If you could set up your own Idol agency, how would you produce them, treat them, train them and would you have any rules that they would have to follow?

A: This is such a tough question to answer! For a second there I think 'huh, these are easy~ YAY!' and then suddenly I'm thrown a curve ball! Boo! Well, to answer this, I want to just say I don't want to set up an Idol agency; it would flop, because I am terrible at things like that! Figuratively speaking though, I would want to treat any girls who came into the agency with the respect and love they deserve whilst also expecting to be treated as I treat them. So, say I yell, they can yell back because I've done it to them, but only if it's deserved - I want them to know we're on the same page, basically.

 Training wise, I think vocals would be the big thing for me, though I'd want their stamina in dancing up as well. I would want to give them equal training as well, because I know some Idols get better training treatment than the lesser members (Hi, MoMusu~) so I'd do what I could to let them all have equal training time, in dancing or singing. Basically, I want to be a fair manager xD

Production and rules wise, well, I would just want to be fair to them. I want to give them all chances, if I could, but I wouldn't be too lenient either - they need to be serious! I want girls who seriously love singing and dancing and bringing happiness to others, not girls who just think it's an easy job. They have to work hard! And finally, regarding the rules, I would probably do a love ban until they are about 17-18, but once they hit the age where they're old enough to decide whether or not to go to school, then to me they are old enough to pursue a relationship. I'd also have the rule to basically always come to events unless ill or something has happened to the point where you can't make it, and things like that... but regarding the love-ban rule, I'd basically retract it, but if they're too young and still in school, then it would be implemented simply because they're focusing on school and work already, so a relationship would be too much...

Actually, I might change the Love-Ban Law rule thing to 15, because 15 is an age where girls start to really focus on boys I guess (from my experience, at least XD).

Weird how I have implemented the Love-Ban Law in there, somehow o-O

Q: What do you think about Idol Love-Ban?

A: Okay, I don't like the Idol Love-Ban Law, if that's what your thinking xD BUT it is a complicated thing to follow as well, and whilst I say I disagree with it a lot, I do see why it's there; it's been there for years and once upon a time, it was in the British Music industry too, where members of boy or girl bands couldn't have a lover because it could jeopardise their big careers and thus their future. For Idols, it's a little more iffy, if you ask me because they expect more. I know it's to keep the pure image the girls have, to sell them to the public and to basically produce fantasies for the fans in a way, but it still seems weird to me because most of these girls are under the age of 18... so I don't like it for that reason, and also because it does take away the girls' freedom from dating.

Whilst members of Japanese boy groups, on the other hand, can freely date.

Yeah, that pisses me off a lot.

If they can date and not get kicked out of their groups for dating, or even get demoted if we're thinking along the lines of AKB, then why not the guys? That's pure sexism there to me, but I won't get into that because that's another debate for another day if I ever get to it. But yeah. It pisses me off that Love-Ban Law does not apply to the guys of Japanese pop music, just the girls.

Love-Ban is, in a way, needed, but it seems the law itself is cracking in the Idol world, which is a good thing. That said, it's stupid because it's totally one-sided and only affects the girls in J-pop. I do want it gone, but I know it is there to keep the desires of the fans and also to keep the girls a little more focused on their careers... not that the love-ban law always helps, that is.

TLDR; It's weird, but I see why it's there. Still, I find it stupid.

The following Questions have been submitted by Nia of Nia's Wonderland:

Q: Will you accept Perfume as your Lord and Saviour?

A: NEVER! YOU WILL NEVER CONVERT ME!!! I shall not conform!!!! Hiss hisss!!!!!

Okay, no, that's not my real question. But these are!

Always fun to have a bit of a silly question thrown in there once in a while ;D

ONTO THE SERIOUS ONES!!!

Q: Are there any blog posts you wish you could write again?

A: I want to say 'yes', but honestly? No, no I don't. Are there posts I cringe at? Yes. Are there posts I wish that I hadn't been ballsy enough to post? Indeed I do. Do I loathe some of my older posts? HELL YEAH! But honestly, I wouldn't change or re-write any of them because I simply don't believe in that. Those posts, however bad or biased they may be, are posts that allowed me to grow as a writer; they shaped how I am today. Okay, so sometimes I want to bang my head against the wall when I remember that post I did about Riho's fans once upon a time because Good Lord, I was a bitch still am! butI know that if I didn't do that post long ago, then I would have done something equally horrid, and I would probably still be a biased cow... now I'm a less biased cow, thanks to how my writing has helped me to grow.

Point; I wouldn't change any of it. It's helped me to become the Chiima I am today! Stupid, silly and a little less of a biased bitch.

Q: If you could join an idol group (a current one), which one would you pick?

A: Don't be surprised when I say who I pick, but honestly?

Yeah, don't be surrpised XD I usually make a point of saying I won't (figuratively) join a group I like because I don't want my fandom to affect what I do with the group, or work alongside who I love, that kinda stuff, but I would honestly audition for HouPri if I could; I think I'd love it there! I enjoy the songs and the energy they have, and the girls make me so happy! So yeah, HouPri, and if not them, then FUDANJUKU!!! Hello, cross-dressing!!!

Q: Finances and travel arrangements out of the equation, would you rather see a group's performance in Japan or have them come overseas?

A: Oh, the possibilities of financial issues and travel arrangements being out of the way! If only this could happen, but alas, t'was not meant to be! Ah!
 Okay, dramatics over and done with, I don't honestly know; if I wanted to be comfortable, I would pick them coming overseas to my country because it's simply easier access and, well... comfort zone. That said, if I wanted to feel the full power of a Japanese concert, I would happily go to Japan and basically place myself in the middle of the Wota and take on the true experience of a Japanese concert. I want both, to be honest, to go to Japan and to see the groups I love come over to my country, because both settings would be different I suspect. Maybe one day.

Maybe... One day... ; A;

AS FOR ONE DAY!!!

_____________________________________

Okay, so for Vol. 3, which has finally appeared, this about pulls everything together and wraps it all up in a nice bundle fo muddled answers from a very muddled blogger! I'm scared that so far, this is the longest of the Q&A's I've done, because I went a bit overboard on the answers I think! ARRRGH! Why do I do this to myself, to you guys? Because I am me, and I am Chiima. Chiima is a doofus, and she makes things a bit of a bore when she writes lengthy posts like this. Aye aye aye...

Why am I speaking in Third Person?

Anywhoo, those were the final set of Questions that I received long ago, finally answered! Hopefully what I have said is (somewhat) satisfactory, and I apologise for the wait! I didn't mean to just lose track of the Q&A, I seriously didn't, but life. Life got in the way, but hey! I've done it, and I'm happy I've written it out, so to those who read it, thank you~ I hope you enjoyed, and to everyone who has sent in Questions, I thank you once again. It was fun reading them and formulating my answers!

Well, that is all for now~ So, until the next time we meet, I shall bid you farewell!

Many Love and Hugs and all that sappy stuff, and take care! MWAH!

Chiima~

Is 3 the Magic Number!? Introducing the S/mileage 3ki!

Correct me if I'm wrong, but it really wasn't too long ago that the new S/mileage generation was announced, right? I mean sure, we had to wait a bit after the new Morning Musume members were announced (read: a few days) in order to find out just which Kenshuusei members would be picked from the dwindling bunch to be placed into one of Hello! Project's little flop groups (which, admittedly, is beginning to season again. Cripes) in order to help said group grow even more.

Well... they have been picked. Finally.

Colour me surprised, Rikako is in there! And some midget as well, plus a Ponytail girl. Wow. Wow. This new generation of S/mileage...

I'm actually a little excited! Yeah. Me. Excited. For S/mileage. Or what is soon to be Not-S/mileage. They are apparently changing their name too. F/loppage, anyone?

Moving away from name-calling, I really am surprised! Not that the group has new members, I expected that at some point, given this group has that revolving door image similar to Morning Musume's own ever-changing roster, though this group is a tad more sporadic in when or how members come to be added, and already it has been around 3 years since the 2ki were added, so I suppose it was about damn time to add in some fresh blood to the mix. I mean, Nyon and Dawa are getting a little old now, they're getting on in their Idol years. Also, up until recently, this group has been one big mess of 'What the Fuck is going on here?'.

So yeah. I dig this bunch of newbies. I like this change of pace, actually, and I fully welcome the Kenshuusei on board as new S/mileage members. Why the heck not?

Of course, not everyone is in favour of this change of pace, or at least that is what I have speculated. That, or some are a tad too enthusiastic at the prospect of Rikako being a part of S/mileage. Again, speculation, observation... people-watching, if you will. I've just seen a mixed bag of reactions, both positive and negative, regarding the addition of Rikako. The other two? I don't think there is so much controversy, but Rikako is a big deal.

Okay, confession; I did want Rikako in Morning Musume, purely because she is the Golden Girl of the Kenshuusei right now... er, was the Golden Girl. Once Karin was added to the roster of Juice=Juice, it was clear that Rikako was one of the fan favourites for the Western community of Hello! Pro fandom when it came to the Kenshuusei, and why the heck not? She's cute. She can seem to sing quite well, even if she's not the best of the best yet (shoot me, I don't care, that's my opinion) and she has personality it seems. She's a crowd pleaser if anything, so of course, a lot of people wanted her to debut.

They just wanted her to debut in Morning Musume, like I did. So I have a feeling some fans are disappointed that she was added to S/mileage, because seriously, S/mileage? Yeah, my thoughts exactly. But, after finding out that she was instead added to one of the few groups in H!P I choose to ignore, I'm actually happier to see her in S/m than I am Morning Musume, simply because it makes a lot more sense. Well, it does to me at least, because Rikako may be talented in her own way, but I think in MoMusu she would be swamped... it's clear that she would be pushed in S/mileage, because much like C-ute now, and to a degree Juice=Juice, there is actually a fairer distribution in the amount of promotion the members get.

That, and all of the members of S/mileage are actually talented in either singing or dancing; not everyone is in MoMusu. In S/mileage, I feel like Rikako, Maho and Mizuki will actually be able to keep up with the girls, or be pushed to their limits. MoMusu, however amazing I find them, would probably force the girls to lag behind a bit, even if the girls of MoMusu have improved increasingly over the course of the past few years.

So yeah, I'm happy that Rikako, Maho and Mizuki are in S/mileage. In fact, I think their addition will boost the group up quite a bit more, image-wise or something like that. These girls, I hope for them to improve S/mileage, though the group has been improving already with these past few singles... I just hope that their image does not suffer again, because damn, that was a sucky time for S/m. They really were flopping around like Magikarp during their identity crisis.

Alright, enough about what I think, feel... all those emotional words, let's shun them! It's about time to meet the members! Let's GO!!!

Murota Mizuki

Name: Murota Mizuki
Nickname: Murotan
Age: 16
D.O.B: June 12th, 1998
Intriguing Facts: She won't lose to others in Pantomime or robot dancing. In the past, she believes she was a sloth.

Okay. Wait up. THIS KID IS 16!? How in the Hell is that possible, I mean... she's adorably tiny! In fact, she looks younger than Rikako who, is in fact, the youngest of the new S/mileage trio! Okay, I can't pin an age to someone just because they look like they're 10, I get it, but whoa... she's 16. That's weird. She is one of the most adorable 16 year old's I have seen, at least. Damn!

Actually, based on looks alone, I feel like Murotan (I've heard of her vaguely; she seems to be a crowd favourite) will become my precious one in S/mileage, alongside Kanananananananana. We're in the early stages though, my mind is set to change eventually, but based on how she presents herself in the images above, her adorable smile and also her adorable height of shortness, I rather like her. She's sweet looking, one of those girls who is set to shine with... well, her smile.

Also, those eyes. Those eyes sparkle like the 4th of July.

... And that is all I have to say regarding the cute little ball of eyes and shortness that is Murota Mizuki.

Murotan. I want her to inherit the colour Light Pink from Yuuka... ¬.¬

By the way; she looks a tad like Minegishi Minami. Just sayin'

Aikawa Maho

Name: Aikawa Maho
Nickname: Aiai
Age: 15
D.O.B: March 26th, 1999
Intriguing Facts:  She knows classical ballet. She was a Kenshuusei for five months before being added to S/mileage.

Maho. I have no clue about her, and that's because 1) I don't follow the Kenshuusei programme much, and 2) because she's fairly new and already, she has been added to a group! Like Tomato-chan of Juice=Juice (Kanazawa Tomoko, people!) she debuted rather quickly; there is promise there, it seems, because if there wasn't, she would not have been added. Maybe, for Tsunku, this is Project-chan; his underdog of S/mileage, because already, S/mileage is a pool of talent in the vocal area... the last project was possibly Kanananana, and she pretty much improved herself in leaps and bounds! So potential Project-chan, here we come!

From what I have seen of this one in images, and on youtube, she's pretty damn adorable! Actually, I have a feeling that Maho will become my favourite member of the 3ki in S/mileage, because I know that my opinions on members change like the seasons of the year, and I know I like Murotan right now... but Maho has something about her that I know will pull me in. Like... she's derpy-cute, similar to Akari, her smile is infectious... she is just adorable, actually.

Also. Dem Legs. Yowch!

I have a feeling this one will grow on me, and I do look forward to what she brings to the S/mileage pool! Maybe a ballet-based single, hm?

Maho, the girl I peg to be my favourite. Also the one I want to inherit a blue colour, but because Nyon is still around, I have to imagine her with Light Green, or even Teal.

Sasaki Rikako

Name: Sasaki Rikako
Nickname: Rikako
Age: 13
D.O.B: May 28th, 2001
Intriguing Facts: Originally a member of the group SCK GIRLS. She is Half Filipino. She is the first S/mileage member born in the 21st century.

And finally, Rikako, the leading-lady of this all-star cast of nooblets, and the one everyone is rooting for in S/mileage. She's the girl who people are going to have mixed feelings on, if anything, because she's clearly the girl everyone has wanted to debut for a while... albeit, in Morning Musume, not S/mileage. But I look forward to what she brings to S/mileage, in her vocals (dem husky tones) and also her mature looks. Seriously, for a 13 year old, she probably looks the most mature of all the members in S/mileage right now. So yeah... I am anticipating how they will adapt her image within the group, because she's cute, but mature looking.

Bitch, are you saying she looks old!?

As I said prior to this part of the post, I am glad Rikako is here rather than in Morning Musume; I think she will grow well in S/mileage, maybe even pick them up from their rut they are currently getting out of. I don't know the extent of this kids talent, other than that she seems to be a decent singer, but I look forward to seeing her in the group and watching her perform on-camera. I want to see her shine, I really do, and I have no doubt she will be handed the silver tray of spotlight that is set to come her way in her up-coming debut single and any other single after that. Yes, I want the other girls to have spotlight too, especially Maho now that I have fallen in love with her, but I have no doubt in my mind that Rikako will be pushed to high Heaven; she's the Golden Girl.

Everyone is rooting for her, well most people are, and all her fans from the Kenshuusei days have congregated to the S/mileage seats it seems, or are unhappy about it. Well, again, speculation. Let me reaffirm that this is speculation!

Rikako, the chick I want to inherit Orange, because she seems like an Orange kinda girl. I will actually cry if she is given any other colour!

Clearly, she is the one we have to look out for as the new centre! Ah, it will be so nice to see Nyon nowhere near the front... oh I could wish...

New members; always surprising, and always a mixed bag of reactions, even to the current members of S/mileage! Seriously, I am rather happy with this new lineup, though you can't say the same for the rest of the group (look at Nyon, she's fuming!) but yeah... I actually have some hope for S/mileage now! There is promise here, there truly is, in Rikako, Murotan and the barely-known Mahochi! They will bring something to the plate, surely, and yes, I really do anticipate it!

Nyon may not like this setup, or Akari or Dawa and possibly my Gorilla-chan, but to Hell with them! I love it, and I really do wonder what their debut will be like! I am EXCITED! ARE YOU EXCITED, TOO!?

... Now, when is Nyon announcing her Graduation?

Until next time! Chiima, over and out!

Chiima~

Bring on the Golden Girls! Meet Morning Musume '14's Latest Legesis Generation!

Hoo boy, it's been a while... so long, that I don't even know where to begin! EEP! It's scary, getting back into writing!

Okay, let's just GO! Break me in by jumping into the deep end, as per usual. Sounds about right...

Holy Heck New Generations Batman! Who expected four new toddlers to join the ever-growing collective that is Morning Musume!? Not a lot of us, that's for sure. In fact, I think a good chunk of us were praying for two girls, possibly three, but four? NOPE!

Well, they've gone from a one generation member to four... One Four... haha, get it, MoMusu '14... yeeeeeah okay, time to shut up now ¬.¬ I can't tell jokes...

But yeah! Four new girls!? Seriously, I'm happy with this number, though I didn't expect it really. It seemed like Tsunku would never really go over the number 12 at all, but once Sayu leaves the MoMusu ship, we're left with 13 members. Wow. Odd number, indeed. Good thing I like the number 13. For others, it is seriously unlucky! Hopefully 13 will be a good number for MoMusu, however!

Also, yes, I am indeed looking forward to what these kids have to offer towards Morning Musume in terms of performance, personality or just plain cuteness. Who knows? Maybe we have a hidden talent who can finally knock Riho off her pedastool, and actually give us good vocals in the front line in terms of high pitched songs! Seriously... we need someone who can sing those terrible high notes well. Leave the low songs to Riho, she actually can sing those ones.

Enough bitching about current members though! Let's take a looksy at the Nooblets! You know, the ones y'all have been fawning over since they were announced?

I am so late to this party...

FIRST UP!!!

Ogata Haruna

Name: Ogata Haruna

Age: 15

D.O.B: February 15th, 1999

Intriguing Facts: She competed in the 2013 Skating competition. She is the first member to come from Osaka.

I am not ashamed to say that, already, I feel like this one will become a favourite of me. Why? Firstly; Haruna. Duh. That name is a given, if anything, though I was surprised to see another Haruna come along into Morning Musume. Still, whatever. HARUNA! Now I have a Harunan and a Haruru. And, secondly; there is no second. She's just grown on me like a tree.

And just sayin', I may get confused with nicknames from now on. We're back to the Ai x Aibon thing in MM here, but with two Haruna's... yaaaay!

Anyways... Damn, this one is gorgeous! I'm surprised at how lovely this one looks, actually. Though truthfully speaking, I didn't actually care much for Haruna at first; I thought she was plain looking, a tad boring even, but I didn't dismiss her. I just preferred... well, someone else. And then Haruna grew on me like a surprise. That, I did not anticipate.

Then again, I never anticipated liking Zukki at all, either. She was my least favourite of the 9ki originally. I always thought I would be a Riho fan. Look at how well that turned out... These things surprise us, don't they?

But yeah. Haruna. She really has something about her. She looks so demure and sweet, plain and... well, bland, like Mizuki, but I can see the growing beauty of this girl! Also, them legs. Damn them legs!

Actually, whilst I'm on the leggy but of this topic, I must confess that I have a feeling this generation is the gen of Legs! Legesis! It's like S/mileage and their leggyness, but now in MoMusu! FINALLY!

But yeah... Haruna. I like her. She's kinda my favourite right now. Cute. Legs. Pretty smile. Potential to look less bored in the long run. That amazing name.

Also apparently she's fucking nuts. She has a Twitter. She's funny, trust me.

Ogata Haruna. The girl I imagine to have the colour peach. I will cry if she is not given peach as a colour.

Nonaka Miki

Name: Nonaka Miki
Age: 14
D.O.B: October 7th, 1999
Intriguing Facts: Miki lived in the United States for 8 years, and speaks both English and Japanese. She is the first member to come from the Shizuoka Prefecture.

This kid. This kid. I swear, she is the one the foreign fans, including myself here, are going to absolutely bloody adore because, gert damn, she speaks ENGLISH! We haven't had an English-speaking Hello! Project member for yonks, so this comes as a wonderful surprise to many of us, I am sure! Also, she's pretty darned cute, and I know that already quite a few people I talk to absolutely adore this girl. Yeah, I can see why.

Admittedly, at first, I thought 'meh'. I was a total sucker for Maria, but honestly? I think Miki could grow on me. She looks like she's going to be damn beautiful once she's properly polished with that Hello! Project magic. She's cute now, don't get me wrong, in fact she's the prettiest member so far of the Golden Generation, but damn, I think she's going to grow into something more and really shine when the time comes. Seriously. She's. Bloody. Gorgeous.

End of. Yeah right.

But yeah, this kid, she has charm to her, and the lovely perk that she can speak English. I think this brings a lot of hope to the foreign fans, because it means we have less of a barrier in a way now! I swear, this girl will become a fan favourite to the Western part of the fandom for obvious reasons, but also because she seems seriously endearing. I am excited for Miki, if anything, and I want to see what she can do!

Also; HI, LEGS!

Miki, the English Speaking one. The kid I want to harness the Power of the colour that is Light Blue. I like her.

Makino Maria

Name: Makino Maria
Age: 13
D.O.B: February 2nd, 2001
Intriguing Facts: She is one of the first MoMusu members to be born in the 21st century, along with Haga Akane. She wants to become an Idol like Michishige Sayumi.

Can I just say that I am seriously surprised that this kid is only 13? Like, seriously? 13, and already, you have legs like a sunflower stem! WOW! Once again, this reinforces the whole 'Legesis' Generation that is the 12ki.

Ahem... Maria, that chick that Shige seems to pine after from the trainees, or formerly of the training programme, now in Morning Musume. The kid who seems to be the 'pretty' one of her generation, and originally the girl I actually liked! She sure is cute, isn't she? And given that she is in the Kenshuusei, I am wondering what she's like as a performer, in both singing and dancing. Admittedly I have yet to hear her, but honestly, I hope she (or Akane) is good, or even one of the two Unknowns, because we need some more talent in Morning Musume, singing wise... well, we need more talent that is pushed, and I sure hope Maria is pushed, one way or another.

In fact, I hope they are all pushed but Miki is my bet for the one being pushed most.

But yeah, I can't say much else about Maria. She's adorable, her legs are long, and I look forward to what she brings to the plate! I just hope she isn't as boring as she is cute, like Mizuki. I would like some more intriguing members, thanks.

Maria, the girl waiting in line for Sayumi's Pink colour. I believe we are all hoping that she inherits it, to be honest.

Haga Akane

Name: Haga Akane
Age: 12
D.O.B: March 7th, 2002
Intriguing Facts: She is one of the first MoMusu members to be born in the 21st century, along with Makino Maria. She is the first MoMusu member to come from Nagano.

Now, Akane. The second Kenshuusei member to come into the Golden Generation, which is pretty surprising, if you ask me; we usually get one Kenshuusei member, not two, so Akane is a pleasant surprise because obviously, Tsunku saw promise in both her and Maria. Maybe he wanted them to grow in the group, who knows? Either way, I'm glad he's using the trainees. These girls kinda need to be shaped in groups, not the programme most seem to drop out of.

Anyway, back to Akane; she's the one I peg to be the boring one, the girl I won't look at. All the more reason to find her intriguing, because honestly, I thought that Masaki was someone to ignore, but she turned out rather intriguing. Same with Eripon, and Sakura actually. So yeah, because I want to overlook her, and from past experience with dull looking members, I'm probably going to have to watch out for this one, whether it is in personality or her talent, or how endearing she is. You never know; this girl could seriously be the diamond in the rough, the one who comes out on top in personality, looks or talent later on down the line. She could be the Masaki of the 12ki generation.
 Not that we need another Masaki, because Christ, we do not!

Anyway, Akane... she actually seems interesting, from her Trivia that is around the internet! She seems rather mature for a 12 year old (it's weird knowing that, for sure, Duu is no longer the baby of the group! GAH!) and she seems to be pretty level-headed from what I have read on the Hello! Project wikia. Seriously, this girl seems to know what she wants in her future; we need some maturity in the group, because whether you like it or not, I don't think that MoMusu actually has a true mature figure anywhere in the group mind-wise outside of Sayumi, and she graduates soon! So, if she is as mature as she seems to be, I actually look forward to seeing what Akane brings to the plate for MoMusu and its future!

She looks boring and plain, a little like the Underdog actually, but boy Akane could become an intriguing member!

Haga Akane, the member who I think would suit Dark Purple as an image colour! And also; LEGS!

These kids have better legs than I do... (cries)

Honestly, I am really excited for this new generation! I wasn't that excited when I first saw the news, but I put that down to the fact that I was still settling into University life at the time, but a day or so later, I really did feel like it was real. I felt happy for the group, and I was really delighted with the results; the girls they have picked, they were chosen for a reason. Every MoMusu member in the groups History has been fantastic, one way or another, and I have no doubt in my mind or my heart that the 12ki will also be amazing.

It's weird to think that the group will soon be at a magnificent 13, though right now it is at 14 (hello, MoMusu '14! I see what you did there, Tsunku!) but I honestly do look forward to the future these girls have with Morning Musume '15 next year when they debut (eep!), and I honestly can't wait to see them in action! It's great that we now have four new members to fawn over, fresh faces to become attached to and the like. It really does feel great, and whilst I am still getting over the fact that the group is creeping into bigger territory again, I am really... well, elated! Four new members! EEEEEEEEEP!!!

With our new members secured, Shige's graduation looming, and the end of 2014 nearing, a new era of Morning Musume is truly dawning! This is the Golden Generation, and it is time for a brand new chapter in the Morning Musume Legacy! Are you prepared for it, because I sure am! The group is refreshed, and they are raring to go! Bring on 2015, bring on the Golden Girls! I am ready for them, and yes, I am bloody excited!

 Now, let me ask you this; ARE YOU EXCITED, WORLD?

Until next time~ (and hopefully it won't be for too long, because, y'know... this was too long!)

Much Love,
Chiima~