Danbara Ruru’s Got Her Mojo Workin’

The latest episode of Hello! Station is out, and it includes footage of Juice=Juice n00bs Danbara Ruru and Yanagawa Nanami recording their lines for “fiesta! fiesta!” Yanagawa is first, and she’s as solid as we were told she was. Nothing special, but above average for an idol. Ruru, however, appears to be even better than advertised, and her hype was large. The power, control, personality, and soul on display is all noticeably advanced for an idol, but beyond all of that, she has that special mojo in her voice. That spark, that energy that can’t be taught — that “thing” you either have or don’t have.

Ruru has it.

It’s too early in the game to make any grand pronouncements — if we were talking about a pro athlete the phrase “small sample size” would be in play — but Ruru appears to be on track for H!P greatness. The fact that she was passed over for any of Morning Musume’s 12th gen audition winners is fucking dumb.

Check it out (go to 4:04 if it doesn’t start there automatically):