If you're reading this blog, you're probably already aware that Up Front has decided to pull the plug on Kobushi Factory. Their final single, "Seishun no Hana / Start Line," will be released on March 4th, with their farewell performance set for March 30th. And as one would expect of KF, the announcement was released … Continue reading Kobushi. RIP.
Hello! Project
Did “One•Two•Three” Save H!P?
I saw this pop up in my Twitter feed a few days ago: https://twitter.com/ainogundan/status/1208394441142292481 This is an interesting theory. There's no question that "One•Two•Three" (OTT) returned Morning Musume to relevance in the J-idol world, but it's effect on the Hello! Project itself is something I'd never considered. I did some research using data from the … Continue reading Did “One•Two•Three” Save H!P?
Tsubaki Factory — “Ishiki Takai Otome no Dilemma / Dakishimerarete Mitai” single
The sixth major single from Tsubaki Factory is so Tsubaki Factory, and I mean that in a positive way. Sure, they're channeling "Teion Yakedo" on "Dakishimerarete Mitai", which shouldn't be too surprising considering both were written by the same team (Kodama Ameko and Ohashi Riko), but "Dakishimerarete Mitai" is more subtle and restrained in terms … Continue reading Tsubaki Factory — “Ishiki Takai Otome no Dilemma / Dakishimerarete Mitai” single
Angerme – Koi wa Accha Accha / Yumemita Fifteen
As Angerme prepares to send off Ayaka Wada -- the last remaining founding member of S/mileage -- we're treated to another of H!P's "ethnic" themed song as the lead to their latest -- and Wada's last -- single. "Koi wa Accha Accha" isn't the first H!P song to borrow Indian influences, but it is the … Continue reading Angerme – Koi wa Accha Accha / Yumemita Fifteen
W Choi Waru Devil EP
When it was announced that Kago Ai would return to the H!P stage as part of their 20th Anniversary celebrations in 2018, speculation for her future was rampant. Was this a one-off? Would she take part in future OG Musume? Will we get a W reunion? W's finished, yet unreleased, 7th single and 3rd album … Continue reading W Choi Waru Devil EP
ANGERME – “Nakenai ze・・・Kyoukan Sagi” Single Review
Note: This is the second on a series of posts where I catch up with Hello! Project music released during my hiatus. ANGERME’s latest single represents a return to form after an odd video-only triple A-side release. It was odd not only because of the video-only format, but the music was a departure from the … Continue reading ANGERME – “Nakenai ze・・・Kyoukan Sagi” Single Review
On the Occasion of Haruna Ogata’s Graduation
I goofed on Ogata earlier by pinning my old “what you wanted/what you'd accept/what you got” joke about her to the top of the blog. It's funny, because it's true, but it's also sad because it's true. I mean Haruna no ill-will, and I wish nothing but the best for her in whatever it is … Continue reading On the Occasion of Haruna Ogata’s Graduation
Kobushi Factory – “Kore Kara da!” Single Review
Note: This is the first on a series of posts where I catch up with Hello! Project music released during my hiatus. When we last left Kobushi Factory, they were in the midst of the single greatest act of self-destruction of any group in Hello! Project history. Over a seven month period covering May to … Continue reading Kobushi Factory – “Kore Kara da!” Single Review
The return of Kago Ai to H!P
Fucking FINALLY! Kago will take part in the Hello! Project 2018 SUMMER ~ALL FOR ONE~/~ONE FOR ALL~ concert tour, specifically, the Nakano shows on August 25 and 26th. On the 25th, she’ll appear with Airi Suzuki in the early show, and with Kanon Fukuda in the late show. On the 26th Kago will appear with … Continue reading The return of Kago Ai to H!P
“Ai no Tane (20th Anniversary Ver)”
The Hello! Project dropped it's 20th Anniversary bomb today; a (slight) reworking of Morning Musume's first recording, "Ai no Tane", originally released on this day in 1997. The group, dubbed Morning Musume 20th, consists of the current MM'17 lineup and the full original 1st Generation. It's a digital-only release, which is understandable, as the target … Continue reading “Ai no Tane (20th Anniversary Ver)”