Of Album Releases and Graduations: Houkago Princess to Release 2nd Album as Three Members Descend The Throne!

On December 22nd 2019, Houkago Princess finally revealed the covers for their second studio-album release. Ttitled My Princess II, the album will act as a sequel to the groups first album, My Princess.

Two editions will be available to purchase, both in a Regular Edition form and a Limited edition release. The Limited version will include a DVD that contains the groups three most recent music videos. Both editions will come with 13 tracks from the groups latest releases, as well as three '2020' renditions of their more popular and recognisable songs.

Left: Regular Edition  |  Right: Limited Edition

Taking on the theme of My Princess, My Hero, My Princess II aims to showcase both the cute and strong sides to a Princess. By creating an expression of strength on both covers, whilst still maintaining the individual cuteness of each girl,  My Princess II is the groups representation of a Princess who will face adversity head-on and become her own type of Hero.

The Regular Edition cover features the groups most recent costumes from their single releases for Abrakatabu Luv!, Kaguya ni Negai wo and Shin Jidai Princess / Princess no Teigi. The Limited Edition, on the other hand, includes costumes from the groups major debut release Seifuku Cinderella up until Shin Jidai Princess, with the only costume missing being the outfit for Sayonara Duarena.

This will also be the last release for members Yukino Yuria, Yamamoto Natsumi and Takano Hiyori, who will all be graduating from the group at the end of the release events for My Princess II.

Idols Of Advent: The Sparkling Snow's Illumination - SODA's 'ILLUMINATE☆SNOW' (Quick-Spam Review)

Sometimes it is just nice to watch it snow...

Merry Pic-Spam, and a Giffy New Year!

Corny? Yes, but it had to be done, because this is acting as my Christmas Eve / Christmas Day hybrid post, and also 'cause it includes a few gifs and pics in a smaller quantity than usual. Which leads me to my next bit...

This is a Quick-Spam, a brand new kind of post that I may never return to, because I am a one-off kinda gal with these sorts of posts. With that said, the reason for this being a Quick-Spam kind of post is mostly due to the fact that the PV in question - SODA's ILLUMINATE☆SNOW - is very short at only 1 minute and 40 seconds long. And I will be whizzing through this, so please don't expect a hefty post this time around.

My main reason for choosing such a short music video for review (which I never do) is mostly down to time, but also because I found this one pretty endearing. Sure, it doesn't have that much depth in terms of story line or editing, but it has charm. It's an easy video to watch as well, and the song is darned cute. So, yeah... I chose it because it's cute. What more do I need for Christmas Eve / Day? After all, it's a day that is about fun, spending time with others, eating food and spending stupid amounts of money on sometimes pointless presents.

And before I head into this Quick-Spam Review, SODA is a 3-piece Idol unit that was created for the purpose of singing for and promoting AppFreaks' smartphone game, Idol Girls. Each of the girls are voice actors for the game itself, which will explain their high-pitched, chipper tone of voices. Debuting just this year, ILLUMINATE☆SNOW is the groups second single. They are managed by SubZero.

Now it's time to start the review. In order to celebrate Christmas, let's get into the spirit with something cute, fun and... foody! Are you ready to celebrate Christmas the right way this year by eating plenty of delicious food, just like the SODA girls? Or will you spend it watching Idol videos all day long, singing and dancing to the beat...

It's time to dig in and have a Merry Christmas!

Idols Of Advent: A Memory Of One Snowy Night... - 26ji no Masquerade's 'Snow Memory' (PV Review)

Winter is that one time of the year where everyone is expected to be happy. Eating delicious food, listening to and singing along with festive songs and spending time with those you love are a part of the winter appeal, and throughout the world winter and christmas is broadcasted as a fun, festive season that all can enjoy.

But what if the cold nights and gentle snow fall only bring you sorrow? With memories buried deep beneath a blanket of snow, each snowflake that drifts down from the sky pierces your thoughts until all of the memories you had buried away resurface, as fresh as newly fallen snow...

With time constraints galore, work taking over my life and tiredness engulfing me, I was originally going to forfeit writing any additional posts related to winter, snow and Christmas after posting my review of Nan kini!'s Snow Dome. I am just too tired... BUT! But, but but, I really wanted to review this music video in particular , firstly because it has 'Snow' within the title, and secondly because it's one of my favourite song and PV releases from 26ji no Masquerade.

It was with this strong desire that, despite my lack of sleep since 14:00pm yesterday afternoon and having worked all day, I sat myself down and began screen-grabbing and giffing the heck out of this music video, all with the intent of creating a smaller, more compiled pic spam related post.

Well, that never went to plan, because what we have here is another hefty, 83 piece set of images in one bulky ol' post. Condensing? Don't know her. Whittling down my content for efficiency? Who the heck is that? No matter what, I seem to forget all reasoning when it comes to these types of posts, because in my mind the lengthier it is, the better. After all, my pic spams are created for fun, to showcase the visuals of the PV and to create some weird commentary along the way. These posts were never meant to be about efficient reviewing or elegant script - it's all about the pictures, the commentary and the quick end-of-review that I tack onto the end of it all.

So, yes - this is a hefty post once more, though I managed to do everything in record time in regards to gifs and screen captures of the music video in question. Honestly, I just couldn't help myself; Snow Memory is extremely pretty. It is honestly mesmerising to watch, as well as a great track to listen to. And hey, don't let the gorgeous environment and well-edited shots fool you: This is an indies PV, and a mighty fine one that that!

Yet unlike the previous PV I reviewed - Snow Dome by Nan kini! - Snow Memory stands on the opposite end when it comes to what it portrays and the emotion it sets out to deliver. With a melancholy sound and even sadder story line, 26ji no Masquerade create a beautiful piece that depicts the sadness the snow can bring, as well as the bitter memories you had hoped would fade away in the years gone by.

No matter how much time has passed, no matter how much the snow melts away and the seasons change, these memories will stay with you. And even when you try and stop time to ease the memories you locked away, one way or another, the past will always come back to haunt you...

Times change, but even when you grow older you will always remember that Snow Memory you buried all those years ago...

Idols Of Advent: Under The Snowy Dome - Nan kini's! 'Snow Dome' (PV Review)

... Oh crap, Christmas is four days away. *cue cheesy spiel*

As the night grows dark and the air begins to bite at your cheeks, with cotton gloves clinging to your finger tips, the scent of winter falls upon you. Crisp and fresh, a smile or a grimace might fall upon your lips. Like it or not, with the tell-tale signs of winter comes one thought:

"The holiday season is upon us."

And if you're lucky, this season will come with the magic of snow...

Let's get ready to celebrate~

Nan kini! are new to both this blog and myself, mostly because i discovered this PV last year and only happened to rediscover it in the run towards December, back when I was figuring out what PV's I would be reviewing for this year's set of festive posts. Immediately this one stood out for its name, look and sound, which happens to full under the category of: Very Christmas Idol.

Or something like that. It makes 0 sense, I know, but let's just go with that for now.

Anyway, I fell in love with this music video after watching it, and during my adventures in screen grabbing and gif-ing the heck out of this PV for the fun of this post, I decided to learn about the group in question whilst also checking up on the members themselves to see if my favourite from the video was still in the group. As it so happens, none of the members present within this music video are apart of the group, with all of them having graduated by April of 2019. To further that slight blow, I also came to learn that this video has also been unlisted, something that confused me at first... until I started digging, that is.

Here's a run down of the graduations and events, just to keep everyone up to speed before we delve into this adorable Christmas music video:

Inui Michiko, a second generation member, left in January of this year to pursue academics, whilst the other three - founding members Shiratori Yuuna and Nagisa Hoshino, as well as 2nd generations Chonan Mai - left the group in early May, however the groups activities had been suspended from April 27th, with all of their activities being cancelled up until May 10th this year.

The group has since been restarted with 7 members, and a CD debut is set for January 2020, however the sudden departure of the Nan kini! system that we see in this music video was not a happy one. With issues regarding how the management treated the members being cited as one of the reasons for the members' quick leave of the group, it makes sense why the video in question has been unlisted, especially as management are now 'restarting' Nan kini! as a whole with this new generation and single release. So,if you decide to search for this PV on YouTube, please be aware that you will have a hard time finding it thanks to its 'Unlisted' status.

As luck would have it, however, I had previously saved the link in a draft I keep specifically for Christmas videos, ultimately allowing me access to the video despite it being hidden from general viewing.

With that said, I didn't actually know it was unlisted or even find out about the drama behind the group until I had finished the task of screen grabbing and gif-ing the PV itself. Yet once I found everything out about the groups history and all that had happened, I was of two minds: scrap the review altogether, or go on with it. Given that I am currently writing this, you can see that I chose the latter, and it's mostly because I love the video itself, and I find the song charming in a cute-but-weak type of way.

What can I say, it charmed me.

Anyways, in regards to the song: Snow Dome comes from the groups first album, Boku no mado ni, kimi no kazegafuku, and may have been one of a few PV's from the album, which actually dropped on January 13th this year, and is still available to buy on Amazon Japan, as well as to listen to on Spotify.

Now it's time to watch a cute music video and get ready for the festive season! Snuggle up in your PJ's and get the hot chocolate out, because winter is coming and we need to keep warm!

As the nights get colder and the snow starts falling, you snuggle up all warm and cosy inside your house. And then when you put your favourite Idol winter songs on you can't but think "Ah, the festive season has finally begun...~"

The 9th Cake Day

Okay! Musume Time turned 9 today. It has been nine years since I started writing on this blog, yet despite the number of posts decreasing, I'm still here celebrating the life of this blog.

I have created a lot of memories here, most that are happy, weird and wonderful, and some that were stressful and a burden on my mental well-being. Regardless of the harder times though, I'm happy that this place has become a sanctuary for me in recent years. I'm happy that something I created when I was 18 has become a source of comfort for me.

It feels a little silly, celebrating the birthday of a blog and thinking of it in such an emotive way, but this platform is a big part of who I am. This is - and was - my way of keeping my love for Idols alive, sharing that same love, fuelling my desire to write, as well as a means of finding other people who loved the same groups as I do (and did). It also became a way to improve myself as a writer, vent and review, and it furthered my love of music videos and music. This blog is a big part of who I am, and 9 years since I started Okay! Musume Time I have grown alongside this blog as both a writer and an Idol fan, and you have all helped me to grow in how I think, how I see things and how I hear, too. Without everyone who commented, messaged or encouraged me, I don't think I would have improved in writing or in how I think.

I love this place and its readers with all my heart.

Last year I didn't celebrate Okay! Musume Time's 8th Cake Day. I was so caught up with this idea that I would shut it down and stop talking about Idols that I lost all sense of time. I don't believe in regrets, but I do feel sad that I didn't celebrate my blog's cake day like I usually do, which is why I wanted to do something this year, even if it was just in the form of a brief post.

Okay! Musume Time is special to me. It will always be a place of Idols and happiness, and I am proud that it has lasted this long. I think that the reason it stands at 9 years is because of the readers and my friends who encouraged me a lot, especially during the times where I thought I couldn't continue or that I was so bad at writing or talking about Idols.

I have wanted to quit many times, but there's always a pull that brings me back to Okay! Musume Time. So thank you to everyone who has read it for all these years and for those who have only recently started coming to the site. Even without words, you encourage me to keep going.

Thank you for letting Okay! Musume Time reach its 9th Cake Day. You are all wonderful.

Much Love,
Chiima / Kelly~

Idol'ween: The Rise of Lucifer Bear - Summon Alongside Iketeru Hearts in 'Ziashou no Lucifer' (PV Review)

It's finally halloween, the evening of October 31st where children dress up in cute or terrifying outfits and roam the streets. Will candy be thrown into their bags, or are tricks littering the streets this horrifying night? Whatever it may be, the magic, mischief and malevolence is high in the air tonight, and Idol'ween is coming to a close. But before we say goodbye to our spirited Idols in their cutest get-up, let's take a look at the grand finale they have in store for us all tonight...

Tonight's offering: Idols who summon! Are you prepared for what these girls have in store for you this Hallows Eve...?

HAPPY HALLOWEEN!

I have wanted to review Zaishou no Lucifer for a while now, ever since it first came out actually, however never got around to actually doing the review or the Halloween series itself until now. Procrastination is a bitch, but thanks to my desire to return to Halloween PV Pic Spams - and a major thanks to everyone on Twitter who voted for this Music Video to be reviewed - I am finally getting around to checking out Zaishou no Lucifer, the first and only PV to get me interested in the idol group Iketeru Hearts!

Not to say this group isn't interesting - pretty sure they are - but they have never really managed to capture me as a listener or a viewer. With all of their recent and past endeavours in music, I have been left unimpressed, often wondering just why others want me to check them out. I've checked them out plenty, often hoping for something unique, wonderful and catchy that will keep my eyes trained on this group, and more often than not the exact opposite happens. I just can't get into this group.

And yet Zaishou no Lucifer is the exception to the rule here, because this is an incredible masterpiece of a music video, as well as a wonderful song. Catchy, entertaining... it's everything I could have ever wished for from a group that rarely stands out to me, and I do continually wish that they would bring something this edgy and unique to the rest of their discography, but... alas! Tis not meant to be!

I am happy this exists however, because regardless of my feelings towards Iketeru Hearts, I love Ziashou no Lucifer a great deal, and it's thanks to the voices of Twitter (your votes), as well as this love I hold for the song and video that allowed me to get through this heavy Pic and Gif spam review today.

And without any further delay, let's sit our asses down and enjoy some Idol antics, sacrificial lambs, summoning Lucifer Bears and more. It's time to fall into our own cute Hell, Dear Readers, so prepare yourselves.

They might look cute and innocent, but if you step into their territory then your body and soul are up for grabs! In this atmospheric land of idols and Bears named lucifer, let's summon our Overlord together and go on an adventure. Now's the time to prove to the world that Lucifer truly exists...

Let the summoning begin!

Idol'ween: The Simulation of Death - Fall at The Mercy Of JyuJyu in 'Noroi Hajime' (PV Review)

With magic, mischief and malevolence on the horizon this Hallows Eve, let's celebrate the day of tricks, treats and dress up with our very own Idol'ween where I will review a selection of PV's themed around magic, nightmares, dress up and horror! Whether it's cute or spooky depends on the group in question, but with a collection of cute idols, fun themes and one or two spooky PV's thrown into the cauldron, there will be something for everyone to enjoy!

Tonight we enter a simulation of death, one that is difficult to escape. With a lot of persistence, a little bit of knowledge and some evasive skills, you might just manage to get out of your little predicament. But be careful, because no matter where you run, no matter how much you hide, the members of JyuJyu will try their best to find you!

It's time to tip toe our way through the house and use our skills as Horror Game masters to get through this hellish nightmare that is JyuJyu's horrific PV. Are you ready to fight for your life, dear readers...?

Formed in 2014 and currently active with four members - Neu, Miori, Yurane and Chiyun -, JyuJyu are an alt-idol unit who focus on the cursed, the darkness, the absurd and jealousy. Toting one of the earlier 'dark themed idol groups' gimmick ahead of a few other groups, I was initially intrigued by JyuJyu some time ago, but never continued this interest in pursuit of my stereotypical 'cute' idols. Of course I try to keep up with them, however life gets in the way of that. Therefore, I watch their music videos every now and again, often stumbling upon hidden gems.

And boy oh boy is this a hidden gem. Perfect for the season of horror and malice, JyuJyu's Noroi Hajime creates a wonderfully hostile environment that creates fear of ones surroundings, fear of the unknown and more. Viewer discretion must be advised, however: This PV is violent and dark, with depictions of death and blood throughout. So for your sake I am leaving a trigger warning before the pic spam begins for those of you who do not like seeing violence or horror themes in your media.

With a quick revelation to add, the PV for JyuJyu's Noroi Hajime was released on October 29th, 2016. Without even realising it, I procrastinated this review until its third anniversary. So, Happy 3rd Anniversary, Noroi Hajime!

Now, for those of you who will take on JyuJyu's challenge of survival however, I hope you are prepared for what's about to come your way. What will you do in your moment of danger, and will you find a solution to your problem? Or will you perish like many others have done before? It's time to find out in this game of cat and mouse, so get ready.

Chosen your character? Good. 

G A M E ▷ S T A R T!