Morning Musume’s new interview with Hot Express
by Aece McCloud on May.18, 2009, under Hello Project, Morning Musume
| Morning Musume’s Takahashi Ai, Kamei Eri and Jun Jun were recently interviewed by online music magazine Hot Express, and we have the full translation for you here.
It’s quite an in-depth interview, where they talk about topics such as the “new” Hello Project following the Elder Club Graduation, Morning Musume’s maturing sound, and their upcoming trip to America. There’s even a small acknowledgment that a new audition *might* be forthcoming. It’s a must read for all Morning Musume fans |
Morning Musume is Undergoing Changes
On March 31, the Hello Project Elder Club members (Abe Natsumi, Yaguchi Mari, Matsuura Aya, etc) all graduated. It was a new beginning for the junior members. What might be called the core of Hello Project from now on, Morning Musume, under the leadership of Takahashi Ai, may be approaching an ideal time right now as the group undergoes these changes. We spoke with Takahashi Ai, Kamei Eri, and JunJun.
(via Hotexpress.co.jp)
– Of course, I’d like to talk about “Shouganai Yumeoibito” today, but first, I’d like to discuss this February’s Hello Project concert and Elder Club Graduation Special. What kind of a day was that for Morning Musume?
Takahashi Ai: It felt like a graduation ceremony, but because it was our elders graduating, it didn’t feel real. It felt sad reading the farewell speech, saying, “We may never get a chance to sing together again…” But it didn’t mean we’d never see each other again. It’s still a strange feeling today.
Kamei Eri: When I open up the mobile site “Pocket Morning”, I can still see the graduated members’ faces anytime. So it feels like they’re still Hello Project members. But when I think about it more, it’s just Morning Musume, Berryz Koubou, °C-ute, Mano (Erina)-chan, and the Hello Project Eggs.
Takahashi Ai: I’m sure there will be more Hello Project concerts, and it might feel more real then. But (former Hello Project leader) Nakazawa (Yuko)-san has handed the baton off to me, making me feel like, “I have to work hard now.”
– With the Elder Club gone, who is currently the oldest in Hello Project?
Takahashi Ai: That’s me. But ever since we started the separate Elder Club and Wonderful Hearts concerts, I was the oldest in Wonderful Hearts. So, it doesn’t really feel special now. (Looking at Kamei) There’s not much difference. The age range has narrowed. Amongst Berryz Koubou, °C-ute, and the 5th generation of Morning Musume, our histories are about the same.
– By the way, before the three of you joined Morning Musume, was there any Hello Project member you admired, or maybe one member you respected once you’d joined?
Takahashi Ai: Goto (Maki)-san really touched my heart. She graduated just after I joined. It was the first graduation ceremony that the 5th generation took part in. So, even though we didn’t work together that much, I learnt a lot from her in that short time. Even though she was so cool, she said, “I grew by watching Yagucchan (Yaguchi Mari), so you should probably watch her or something.” She didn’t talk about herself instead. That’s what really moved me.
Also, Yoshizawa (Hitomi)-san. When she became leader, I really started respecting her more and more. Before that, she was a lone wolf and a bit reckless. So it was like, “Where did that Yoshizawa-san go?” (laugh) She became leader so suddenly, so I’m sure she had a lot of worries. But she looked after us so well. It was similar to how I became leader, so I really feel like, “I want to be the kind of leader Yoshizawa-san was.”
Kamei Eri: Before I joined Morning Musume, I really liked Yagucchan. I thought, “She’s so tiny, so how can she stand out like that?” or “How can she be so energetic on TV? It’s amazing.” Also, she was a bit gal-ish. There was a time when I wanted to be a gal, too. (laugh) I really admired her cute makeup and hairstyles. But once I met her after joining Morning Musume, she taught me something important.
When I was debuting, I had a really quiet voice and that made a lot of people angry at me. (laugh) I didn’t understand why I needed to be louder. But there was a moment when that part of me changed. When we were making the dance lesson video for Sakura Gumi, we each introduced ourselves at the start. But I said, “I’m Kamei Eri,” so quietly. That’s when Yagucchan said to me, “You’re supposed to say ‘I’m Kamei Eri!’ so that everybody can understand you. You have to raise your voice and sound confident.” That’s when I thought, “I’m still a beginner and I don’t know much, so I have to try harder.”
Jun Jun: Before I joined Moning Musume, it was Goto-san. She’s really popular in China. I discovered Morning Musume because I liked Goto-san. Also when I first joined, I played futsal with Fujimoto (Miki)-san.* And at first, I was really scared. (laugh) When we were stretching together, she casually asked me, “Are you used to Japan yet?” It made me realise she was a good senpai. Also, I think Nakazawa-san has such powerful expressiveness. I really look up to her, like, “She’s a perfect senpai.” …But I love bananas, and she really hates them!
*[Note: It had been rumored that Jun Jun practiced with the Gatas Brilhantes futsal team when she first joined Hello Project, although she never actually played in a game. This seems to support that theory.]
– (laugh)
Jun Jun: So, I can’t tell her I love bananas. When I do talk about bananas, it’s always when she’s not around.
– Now that those members you look up to have graduated from Hello Project, what kind of future do you hope for Hello Project and Morning Musume?
Takahashi Ai: They’re the ones who created Morning Musume and developed Hello Project, and I’m sure we took parts of it for granted. So, from now on, I want us to treasure the parts that they all created without taking it for granted. I want to work hard so that we’ll have chances to show more people the current Morning Musume and Hello Project. We have a concert in LA in July, so I want more people to find out about us.
– I’d like to hear about that, but first, is there some image you have of Takahashi Ai’s ideal Morning Musume?
Takahashi Ai: In 2008, we had concerts in Shanghai, Taiwan, and Korea. We were aiming for an Asia tour, and when we achieved it, we started saying, “Next time, we want to aim for the world.” And this year, we’re going to LA. Music goes beyond national borders, you know? Even if they don’t understand the words, something gets across, and they can start crying. So that’s the kind of music I want to sing. And we’re always dancers, performers, and entertainers, so I want to use all of that to make ourselves known across borders. I want to be the kind of group that foreigners can listen to normally, as though it were western music. It’ll take a lot of hard work, but that’s what I’d like to do.
– So you aim to become global. What about you, Kamei-san?
Kamei Eri: This is just a short term goal, but I think that most people see Morning Musume as having a “cute, idol, slightly girlish” image. But lately, our songs, our dancing, and our makeup have all become more stylish. I think those who come to our concerts can tell, but the level of our dancing has been steadily moving up and up. Compared to when Junjun debuted, we’ve really grown. So, I want people to know that “The Morning Musume of today is this stylish” and that we’re not just cute.
– It’s obvious from your current concerts that you’re trying really hard to overcome that image.
Takahashi Ai: Compared to the songs from when we first started, we’ve tried moving on with different styles, both in singing and dancing. That’s what I really want people to know. Morning Musume’s iconic song is definitely “Love Machine”, and that bright, hyper, and cheerful image is what people think of when they think of Morning Musume. That’s important to hold onto. But, like Eri was saying, I want people to see the parts that show “We can do this too.” Not long ago, we had concerts in the hometowns of about four of us, and I invited friends that I hadn’t seen in around six years to see us. They all said things like, “You looked so cool.” That made me really happy, and I want to work hard so more people will think that way.
– I saw the current Morning Musume in concert last May, where you sang all 36 singles for “Morning Musume Concert Tour 2008 Spring ~ Single Daizenshuu! ~”, and it was really moving. I could feel that Morning Musume was a group where everybody would keep running happily towards their goals, no matter what happens.
Takahashi Ai: Thank you very much.
– But I’m sure that both at work and in private, there are things that you don’t like. It must be difficult to have to keep on smiling and give a 100% performance despite any of that.
Jun Jun: That’s right. At concert rehearsals, I get yelled at a lot. (laugh) But if you can’t work hard in rehearsal, you can’t enjoy the actual show, and then the fans won’t enjoy it.
Takahashi Ai: There are a lot of things that can help, though. There are times when you realise, “I have to smile,” and need to try harder. But also seeing the fans’ smiles is enough to completely switch your mood, and it makes us smile deep from within. You forget the bad things.
– That’s a good story. So why do you think Morning Musume is able to continue making people happy?
Takahashi Ai: We’ve come out with so many songs, this one being our 39th single. It even surprises us, like, “We’ve done so much!” This is the 12th year that the group has existed, and Tsunku♂-san has written so many songs, given us so many CD releases, allowed us to do so many concerts… It’s hard to put it into words, but because we’re needed, we can work hard. I want to keep on singing as much as possible.
Kamei Eri: There are people in the world who want to do things but can’t, and so many who want to make their debut but can’t. I was lucky enough to pass my audition, but there are a lot of people who didn’t make it. So it’s like I’m carrying all that on my shoulders in Morning Musume, and that’s what keeps me working hard. And above all else, having so many people watch me sing and dance the songs I love, it makes me truly happy to be in such a great place. When I can make the fans or my family smile, that makes me even happier. I want to really treasure those moments. It’s a little embarrassing.
– (laugh)
Takahashi Ai: But it’s true.
Kamei Eri: That’s what I like. And I think it’s really great that people will pay money to come and see us.
Jun Jun: If you think about it, most of the fans work all week, every week, Monday to Friday. That must be really hard, but when Saturday comes, they always come to our concerts and can laugh and make their tired work faces disappear. When I think of it that way, it makes me want to try harder.
– With Morning Musume chasing after their dreams no matter what like that, you’ve just released a single that embodies that philosophy. It’s called “Shouganai Yumeoibito”[hopeless dream chaser]. What kind of impressions and thoughts do you have from creating it?
Takahashi Ai: This time, the maturity level is high. Tsunku♂-san said it’s about someone roughly my age, so everybody had to act a little bit older for it. It’s a song about someone who’s close to her lover. It seemed like it would be difficult to explain the meaning of the lyrics to Junjun and Linlin, so I explained the meanings while we were in the car. That’s why it feels less like we’re singing sympathetically, and more like we’re acting the part, really getting into it.
Kamei Eri: In that way, it’s easy to get drawn into the world of this song. It’s easy to visualise it specifically.
– “How could you express such complicated feelings in your singing and in your expressions from the video?” It seems as though that was the theme here.
Takahashi Ai: That’s right. When we started recording, I was thinking, “How do I sing this?” It would be strange to sing it too intensely. That was my concern, but the music was quiet and echoed in my heart, so I just expressed that. The “shouganai yumeoibito” part sounds like something you’d hear in the Showa era (laugh) Also, I think that it depends on the person whether you would forgive the man in the song or not.
– Then let’s explore that. Do you like the kind of guy who would chase after a dream forever? Or would you want someone who has a more realistic view?
Kamei Eri: Huh!? Um… But I’m personally the indecisive type. I’m the type who’ll keep dragging something along. So, I think I’d want someone who would do the same. I’m the romantic type though, so I think I’d forgive him if I loved him. But I don’t know about the ironing though.
– You mean, “When I iron your clothes, the tears fall on my hands”? [a lyric from "Shouganai Yumeoibito"]
Kamei Eri: Yeah, I don’t know if I’d go that far. (laugh) But I think I’m the forgiving type. Well, I’m the total opposite of Ai-chan!
Takahashi Ai: Really!? But when I think about the story of this song, I think he’s going off to join a band or a theatre company. An uncertain job. It’s a fine detail (laugh) but that’s how it feels to me. So, it’s like I really want to calm him down and say, “Don’t chase after this dream.” But I want him to follow his dream. So, I don’t think I’d stop him. Because a person really shines when he chases a dream, and I admire that. So, I’d want to leave that alone. And if a person gives up on a dream, they might change completely.
– What about you, Junjun?
Jun Jun: I think it’s good to have a dream. People with dreams work hard. But if it’s someone who’s only thinking about the dream, the dream, the dream, the dream, the dream, I’d be thinking, “I’m here too, you know.” I think I’d work hard for his sake. But if he didn’t look my way at all, I think I’d be sad.
Takahashi Ai: It’s like, “It’s fine to follow your dream, but look at me, too.”
– It’s a balance.
Takahashi Ai: That balance is important.
Kamei Eri: It’s all about balance.
– It seems that this was a pretty heated topic, it got you talking more passionately than any other. Am I right?
All: (big laugh)
Kamei Eri: That’s about right.
– And as for the coupling song, you recorded a funky number called “3, 2, 1 Breakin’ Out!” What were your thoughts and impressions from that one?
Takahashi Ai: That song really feels like a Morning Musume song. It’s really easy to get into, and is the completely opposite image of “Shouganai Yumeoibito”. The rapping part was pretty funny.
Kamei Eri: It made it more interesting having Morning Musume singing something that feels like it goes to the whole world. We’ve had a lot of sad songs lately, so it was fun to have an upbeat song like this for a change.
– This song is going to be the official song of “Anime Expo 2009″ at the Los Angeles Convention Centre. With the concert being held at this event, what kind of show would you like it to be?
Takahashi Ai: Well, I’m really going to do my best! This is our chance. I’m psyched.
– Will you greet everyone in English?
Takahashi Ai: I think, in English… I’ll try my best.
Kamei Eri: Please do your best!
– What about you (laugh)!?
Takahashi Ai: Really!
– You won’t be there?
Kamei Eri: I will! It’s just that I can’t even imagine what it’ll be like. But with “3, 2, 1 Breakin’ Out!” as the theme song, I want to create the impression in America that, “This song is Morning Musume.” I want everyone humming it.
Jun Jun: I can’t really believe it. I’m too happy, so it just feels like, “Really?” And when I first heard “3, 2, 1 Breakin’ Out!”, I thought it was definitely something that foreigners would like. So, I’m sure it’ll be a good show. And the food sizes are so big in America, so I’m sure I’ll get fat. I should probably slim down before we go.
All: (big laugh)
– With your first American concert, Morning Musume is surely going through changes. What else is in store for the group this year?
Takahashi Ai: I’d like to make things new. So the new members…
Jun Jun: She said it!
Kamei Eri: Do you know something?
Takahashi Ai: I don’t. It’s just that the current lineup is the longest Morning Musume has ever gone without changing. About two years. So I think it’s about time something happened.
– Okay, we’re almost done. Each of you please give a message to the readers.
Jun Jun: With our new single “Shouganai Yumeoibito”, Morning Musume has really grown and we’re more like adult women than ever before. Even as we remember the importance of cuteness and energy, we sing with the feelings of an adult woman. Anyway, please listen to it!
Takahashi Ai: Our elders graduated on March 31, and now we in Morning Musume have to forge ahead with energy. We’re going to keep doing concerts, so even though it may take some courage for someone new to come to a Morning Musume concert, why not give it a try? Or something like that (laugh) This new song has a mature feeling, so I hope you’ll try it out once and listen to it.
Kamei Eri: Morning Musume today is really made up of different individual personalities. If you want to find out more about those personalities, we do radio shows, magazine articles, TV appearances, and lots of individual activities. I won’t say quite what Ai-chan said, “Try coming to one of our concerts.” But if you have the time, check out a radio show or something. I’ll be happy if you can get a little closer to Morning Musume like that.
Popularity: 75% [?]
Berryz Koubou “Seishun Bus Guide” PV streaming video
by Aece McCloud on May.17, 2009, under Blogroll, Hello Project
Limited Edition A (PKCP-5138~9)
Limited Edition B (PKCP-5140~1)
Regular Edition (PKCP-5142)
To commemorate The 20th single from Berryz Koubou, this is a double A side release. Both limited editions come with a lottery card for a chance to attend a live Berryz Koubou event. They also come with a DVD; Version A has the PV for Seishun Bus Guide, and version B comes with the PV for Rival. Seishun Bus Guide is the theme song to the new TV Tokyo anime “Inazuma 11″.
By the way, the “Bus Guide” in the PV is TV Tokyo announcer Ooe Mariko.
Tracklist:
1. Seishun Bus Guide
2. Rival
3. Seishun Bus Guide (Instrumental)
4. Rival (Instrumental)
Promotion Video, Hello!Online stream:
Popularity: 52% [?]
..:: Questions & Answers with Nakazawa Yuko ::..
by Aece McCloud on May.15, 2009, under Hello Project, Morning Musume
For the past few weeks, Nakazawa Yuko has been taking questions from all the readers of herblog. We thought they were pretty interesting, so here are all the Q&A’s she’s done from April 28 through today. If there are more in the future, we’ll try to bring them to you here.
Some of the subjects covered are her marriage plans (or lack thereof), her old-school Musume friends, her personal life, her “embarrassing” ringtones, her past jobs, and a whole lot more. Enjoy!
Full Story
2009-04-28 13:15:28
| _Answers ☆ 1 |
Thank you again for all of your questions ☆
I’ll start by answering the most popular ones ☆☆
Q: Aren’t you ever going to get married?
Your juniors are getting married, what about you?
Don’t you think you’re at the right age?
There were a lot of questions like that (＾～＾)
A: Not yet.
Fate can strike at any time ♪
I’ll go at my own pace ☆☆☆
Q: Are you in contact with the former Musume members?
Who are you closest with?
What about the current Musume?
There were a lot of those questions.
A: I’m really close with all the old-school Musume.
We exchange emails all the time.
We go to see each other’s plays ♪
We go out to meals together.
Recently, I went out to eat with Nacchi.
A nice comfortable and relaxed way to spend some time ♥
A little while back, I got an email from Yossie.
“I like soy milk and boiled eggs too.”
Tsuji-chan emailed me, too.
Kao-tan called me suddenly in the middle of the night two days ago.
I was shocked and thought something was wrong.
“What is it?! Did something happen?!?!”
When I asked her that, she said…
“I’ve been thinking about taking up quilting.”
Well… She just responded so casually :*:・(￣∀￣)・:*:
I haven’t heard from Yaguchi in a while, but I think she’s doing well.
I think I’ll try to go somewhere with her when she has the time soon (*^o^*)
So, who is number one?
I think that… I can’t rank them.
The current members are all my cute little juniors.
But this year I think Reina is turning 20…
That’ll be fun.
☆ Continued in part 2…
2009-04-28 18:39:49
| _Answers ☆ 2 ☆ Haircare edition ☆ |
Let’s keep going today ♪
Continuing with the popular questions ☆
Q: What kind of shampoo do you use?
A: Different kinds.
Depending on how I feel on the day, I’ll use one of 2 or 3 different ones.
First, there’s this ♪
Popularity: 66% [?]
Morning Musume wants you to “Make My Video”
by Aece McCloud on May.14, 2009, under Hello Project, Morning Musume
Morning Musume, in collaboration with MySpace and Anime Expo is holding a contest: Make an original PV for “3,2,1, BREAKIN’ OUT!”, with the winner to be announced at Anime Expo this July. This info comes along with the reveal of Morning Musume’s official Myspace page.
They’re even supplying exclusive video footage for everyone to use. Read all the details via the official press release, inside…
UPDATE: added a short Dohhhup video promoting the contest.
Full Story
(Via Dohhhup!)
Morning Musume。X MySpace OPV (Original Promotion Video) Contest
YOU can bring out the attractiveness in MORNING MUSUME。!
MORNING MUSUME。 is collaborating with MySpace to collect OPV (Original Promotion Video) submissions!
Try making the promotion video for “3, 2, 1 BREAKIN’ OUT!” – the coupling song of MORNING MUSUME。’s 39th single “Shouganai Yume Oibito” to be released on May 13. Using a combination of the free distributional video footage of the members and other footage, make a PV to your liking by matching the video to the music clip being distributed, starting from scratch and express the image of the song with self-made animations and more!
It’s all up to your taste to see what kind of PV you can come up with.
The submitted materials will be judged by producer TSUNKU♂ and the members of MORNING MUSUME。 The results will be announced at the ANIME EXPO 2009 to be held in America in July.
This is a world-scale contest, so don’t miss out your chance to win!
CONTEST RULES
Please read before submitting your work
* Submissions
o Visit the website
o Video must contain the assigned music clip being distributed
(example: A video that contains video footage from the distributed video, or an animation made by you)
o Video must be able to be uploaded to MySpace (no restrictions on the video format)
* Qualifications
There are no restrictions on age, sex, nationality, amateur or professional. Must be already registered or will be registered with MySpace.
* Submission Time Frame
May 13, 2009 thru June 19, 2009, Japan time
* Submission Methods:
1. Register on MySpace
2. Visit an official website
3. Read the contest rules carefully
4. Download the assigned music clip
5. Produce the video (you have the choice of whether to use the provided video footage or not)
6. Upload the video onto your MySpace page
7. Send a message to the official page using MySpace’s message function
8. Submission complete
* Permitted Materials (free):
Please read the rules and regulations before you download
Assigned music material
Artist: MORNING MUSUME。
Song title: “3, 2, 1 BREAKIN’ OUT (Short version)”
http://www.up-front-works.jp/morningmusume-opv/index_en.html
Lyrics: “3, 2, 1 BREAKIN’ OUT (Short version)”
Video material: 37 types; original footage can be downloaded (free of charge):
http://www.up-front-works.jp/morningmusume-opv/index_en.html
* Panel of Judges
o TSUNKU♂
o MORNING MUSUME。
o Upfront Works, Inc.
o MySpace
* Announcement of Results:
The results will be announced on stage at the ANIME EXPO 2009 (http://www.anime-expo.org/jp) to be held in LA July 2, 2009 ~ July 5, 2009.
* Awards for best work submitted are:
o 390,000 Yen
o Original comment video from MORNING MUSUME。congratulating the winner
o Work will be included as special footage in future video product from Upfront Works, Inc.
REGULATIONS (ATTENTION) – PLEASE READ BEFORE YOU SUBMIT YOUR WORK!
Only those who have read the contents below, understand all the clauses, and agree to follow all the rules may take part in the contest.
COPYRIGHTED MATERIAL
* All the copyright and license for the free distributional music and video contents are owned and managed by Upfront Works, Inc.
* The music copyright for “3, 2, 1 BREAKIN’ OUT” is owned and managed by Upfront Works, Inc.
* All the rights to the distributed materials and music used in this contest, and so forth to the works submitted, belong to Upfront Works Inc. and Upfront Records.
* All the rights to publicity of portraits of MORNING MUSUME in free distributed video materials belong to Upfront Agency.
* Upfront Works Inc. is providing the free music and video materials for the sole purpose of the contest. It is illegal to use or transfer any of the materials provided for purposes other than that of the contest. Upfront Agency Inc. also DOES NOT permit the resale of products made by using the free music and video materials being distributed.
* All the rights to the submitted works will be transferred to Upfront Works Inc. in exchange for the prize.
WARNINGS ON PRODUCTION
* Soundtrack used in work submitted for the contest must use the music as distributed. Do not attempt to reproduce from retail CD, DVD, ring tones (including purchased ones). In addition, please do not add other sounds/voices, or delete partial or all of the sounds/voices, change the song, or modify/edit the free distributional music clip.
* Contestants are free to use and edit video footage filmed or produced by the contestant, and are not limited to having to use the video materials provided. However, please be careful not to use any works, company names, product names with copyright belonging to a third party, or use any contents which violates the rights of others in the submitted work. In addition, please do not use any contents which violate the privacy of others (video footages of others without obtaining their permission), publicize personal information (including contents that specify personal names and locations).
* Redistribution of the free music and video materials provided is NOT ALLOWED.
* Direct linking to the free music and video materials provided is NOT ALLOWED.
* Other actions not permitted by law are not allowed. In the event that the contestant breaks the law, the contestant will be subject to legal proceedings. Please be aware of such actions as the contest organizer will not be responsible for any of the contestants’ illegal actions.
OTHER INFORMATION
* All contacts to contestants, including winning notification, will be sent out from the official page using MySpace’s message function.
* We will not be able answer any technical questions such as video editing for submissions.
* All costs occurred during production of the submission will be the responsibility of the contestant. The Contest Management Team and related personnel will not be responsible for any of the financial charges incurred by the contestants.
* Any submitted work that is deemed damaging to the artist’s image by the contest management will be deleted from MySpace.
* Any work that violates any of the rules set forth in this document will be deleted from MySpace and the posted site without prior notice.
* Please be aware that details regarding the contest may be changed by the Contest Management Team under unforeseeable circumstances.
* Please be aware that any work submitted found in violation of the rules as set forth in this document will be removed from judging, or have the prize forfeited.
* Please be aware that there may be delays in the announcement of the winning submission.
* Submission of work will be indication that the contestant has read and understood and agree to all the rules set forth in this document.
* This contest is ruled based on Japanese law.
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Popularity: 60% [?]
Guardians 4 “Omakase! Guardian” PV Streaming Video
by Aece McCloud on May.14, 2009, under Hello Project
Guardians 4
Omakase! Guardian
Release Date: May 27, 2009
PCCA-02911 (Limited edition, CD+DVD)
PCCA-02979 (Regular edition, CD Only)
Tracklist:
1. Omakase! Guardian
2. Omakase! Guardian (Shugo Chara Egg! Version)
3. Summer Has Come!
4. Omakase! Guardian (Instrumental)
5. Summer Has Come!(Instrumental)
Omakase! Guardian is the opening theme to the current season of the Shugo Chara anime, which airs every Saturday morning on TV Tokyo. First press editions will come with one randomly-selected Guardians 4 trading card. There are five cards in all.
Guardians 4 is:
Mitsui Aika (Morning Musume)
Sugaya Risako (Berryz Koubou)
Kumai Yurina (Berryz Koubou)
Nakajima Saki (C-ute)
Check out the Guardians 4 official site at http://guardians4.com/
Promotion video, Hello!Online stream:
Article
Popularity: 50% [?]
Fujimoto Miki – First Contact + other downloads
by Aece McCloud on May.10, 2009, under Aya Matsuura, Hello Project, Morning Musume
Here is a short clip of Fujimoto Miki appeared recently, I think its for a program called "First Contact"
[Live!] Morning Musume Shouganai Yume Oibito - Music Japan
Matsuura Aya - In Taiwan (06-01-02)
Sanma's HAPPY X'mas SHOW 2004 - Fujimoto Goto Matsuura (Subtitled)
Hello! Project Sports Festival 2003-12-29
(2009-4-2) Bijo Houdan 01 - Takahashi Ai
Morning Musume - Huge Conflict Battle in Hawaii Extra Footage
Hey!Hey!Hey! 400th Anniversary (03-10-20) Sakuragumi + Otomegumi
Hotel Magic in Arizona - Goto Maki (2004-07-09)
Shin Bishoujo Nikki - Fujimoto Miki Drama + Making Of
Morning Musume in Florida 2002 SP
Super Dream LIVE (2000-6-19) - Morning Musume - Iron Musume of Cooking Battle
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Morning Musume in The Japan Times
by Aece McCloud on May.09, 2009, under Hello Project, Morning Musume
Morning Musume not ready to graduate yet
Three members of the Japanese pop phenomenon (and their manager) insist their mornings are far from numbered
Most artists dream of longevity, but few are afforded significant time in the limelight. The paradox of all-girl group Morning Musume, 12 years since they began, is the enforced time-limit its members face in order for the group to remain forever young.
Pop parade: The eighth generation of Morning Musume is the longest-running incarnation, having served all of two years. Generation eight of the group, with nine members, is the longest-running incarnation so far, celebrating its two-year anniversary this month. Yet under the tutelage of producer Tsunku, “graduation” is likely never far away.
The institution that is Morning Musume (Morning Girls) began under inauspicious circumstances in 1997. TV Tokyo’s celebrated morning show “Asayan” ran a segment in which a contest was held to find a solo female singer for Tsunku, then of pop-rock outfit Sharan Q.
The winner, Michiyo Heike, fared badly, so Tsunku challenged the five runners-up to sell 50,000 copies of their debut indie single, “Ai no Tane” (“Seeds of Love”), within five days. The girls captivated the nation as they sought to achieve the feat by asking strangers on the street, family and friends to help them out.
Success on the fourth day won them a deal with Tsunku as producer of their debut proper, and the single “Morning Coffee” hit No. 6. However, it was Tsunku’s decision to boost the group with three more girls for the second single that began the tradition of “generations” and a phenomenon known as Hello! Project, an enterprise made up of innumerable, member-changing girl groups.
Sitting squeezed together on a cafe sofa in central Tokyo, wide-eyed and eager, are “band leader” Ai Takahashi, age 22, “subleader” Risa Niigaki, 20, and one of the group’s two Chinese members, Lin Lin, 17. One might think the members of this chart-happy Japanese institution would be run off their feet, but they show no signs of it.
“We get winter, summer and New Year holidays for five days each, though it depends on the situation,” explains Niigaki.
Girls interrupted: Morning Musume members (left to right) Ai Takahashi, Risa Niigaki and Lin Lin pull an instant pose for the JT at a Tokyo cafe. ROBERT MICHAEL POOLE PHOTO Exuding self-confidence, Takahashi bursts out, “I went to New York! I saw Blue Man Group and Broadway musicals like ‘Phantom of the Opera,’ ‘The Producers’ and ‘Chicago!’ “
Morning Musume’s music has rarely changed, perhaps not surprising given that one man has produced every song. The hollow keyboard-driven productions may epitomize everything non-Japanese tend to hate about J-pop, but the catchiness of No. 1 hits such as “Happy Summer Wedding” (2000) and “As For One Day” (2003) endear the group to even hardened critics.Takahashi and Niigaki are now the longest- serving members in the group’s history, both having joined in 2001 as part of the fifth generation.
“In my case,” says Takahashi, “since I was little I’ve loved singing in front of people. So, when I saw Morning Musume, I wanted to join them. But more than that, I just wanted to be a singer.
“There was an audition at a training camp for three days and two nights. We got a new song, new dance steps and a new script and had to remember them all,” explains Takahashi. “There were nine girls for the final screening, out of 25,000 applicants. So I was really surprised when I passed the audition!”
Lin Lin (real name Qian Lin), from Hangzhou, China, had an entirely different entrance experience, as the group’s management sought to expand across borders.
“At first, I liked Japanese animation and fell in love with Japanese music,” she says. “So I was very lucky to get an invitation from Japan to join Morning Musume.”
Hail Musume!: The J-Popsters strut their stuff. Established as a TV host and drama actress in China, she was recommended to Tsunku by a friend of his. “And so I came to Japan to join the Hello! Project Egg!” she says.
“The Hello! Project Egg is a kind of training center for pop stars-to-be, where they practice singing and dancing,” explains Takahashi. “Lin Lin became one of us from there, and some join the other groups.”
The “other groups,” such as Tanpopo, Mini Moni and Happy 7, are usually side projects featuring a combination of new and old Morning Musume members and other Hello! Project girls. Most only last for a single or two, but all are produced by one man: the all-controlling Tsunku.
“He decides everything,” explains the group’s manager since September 2008, Kouichi Nishikata. “Usually an artist is controlled by their management, but this group is formed by the producer. It is a rare case.”
Nishikata admits, “I think that the group could never survive without him. Tsunku really produces the songs, concepts, costumes, makeup, live shows, CD-sleeve designs — you name it! I had thought there was a stand-in or something to do all that.”
“Recently, the songs Mr. Tsunku gives us are kind of mature and lonesome,” says Niigaki.
Asked how they may differ if they were in control, Niigaki replies: “If I could write a song, I’d like to write a little funny and jolly tune!”
“(I’d do) something cool. A danceable tune!” says Takahashi. “Like Destiny’s Child.”
Revealing their very different personalities, the perky Lin Lin suggests “rock music! A very crazy song! And the lyrics would be written in Chinese, Japanese and English!”
Morning Musume have recently been on a slow decline in terms of sales, and the group’s revolving-door regeneration has had the negative effect that few consumers today recognize individual members. However, the girls’ different personalities are highly apparent, and it’s clear the management is keen to cultivate their individual abilities to reverse the slide.
“Each one should be recognized as being in Morning Musume in her prime,” says Nishikata. “It used be like that. Morning Musume were well known, but also (original member) Natsumi Abe was well known (in her own right). But nobody knows who is in Morning Musume anymore.”
Each member’s forced “graduation” as they are deemed too old or mature, or the group need a fresh face, is the point by which they must have established themselves enough to go it alone. The inevitability of their young retirement from the group, though, is something the current crop barely consider as a limitation.
“I can’t think of my graduation at all,” says an animated Niigaki, before conceding, “I think of it a little now that I’m one of the longest-serving of the group, but when I first joined, never! I only thought about how to catch up with the other girls.”
“I’d really like to make sure each one of them continues to work after their graduation,” explains Nishikata. “We have promoted them as a group so far, but from now on, we’d like to promote them one by one, so I hope they can do more personal work after this summer.”
Takahashi’s willingness to answer quickly and authoritatively, supported by the considered approach of Niigaki, reflects in their older-sisterly roles as leader and subleader. In reality, they admit that the titles translate to little extra work.
“We sometimes form a circle before a live show or something. And we shout for self-encouragement, like, ‘Ganbatte-ikemasu!’ (‘Let’s go do our best!’) ” says Takahashi.
Niigaki continues, “There is nothing I have to do as a subleader, but I want to support Ai when she’s got a problem. So I have no pressure!”
Meanwhile, the other members of the group seem to be as diverse as Takahashi, Niigaki and Lin Lin.
“The naughty one is Mitsy (Aika Mitsui, age 16). She won’t let us sleep on a plane!” reveals Niigaki. “The funniest is Koharu Kusumi” (16) — the only girl selected in the audition for the seventh generation. “So her nickname was ‘Miracle Koharu.’ Eri Kamei, 20, is the messy one. She can’t put things in order!”
Despite spending so much time together, the girls admit that even in their free time, they are rarely separated. They are rather coy, though, on the topic of seemingly inevitable group in-fighting.
“We always discuss a problem all together,” says Niigaki.
“Sometimes one of our staff advises us to discuss a problem,” adds Takahashi. “We are doing fine!”
At Morning Musume’s inception, the group’s fan base was diverse, attracting young girls, boys and parents. But another probable reason for their recent decline can be attributed to the resurgent otaku (obsessive fans). At a recent Hello! Project show in front of around 14,000 in Yokohama Arena, barely a single woman could be spotted among the dedicated and exuberant middle-age male crowd.
In April 2004, audio footage recorded backstage reportedly captured then-member Rika Ishikawa exclaiming: “Look at them. Grownups screaming like that! I can’t believe it. So stupid!” Although such a scandal is rare in the micromanaged Musume life, standing in front of such frenzied supporters clearly affects the girls.
“I’ve been doing this for eight years but I still get as nervous as I did the first time,” says Takahashi.
“I get a little nervous,” states Niigaki, “but I love live shows so much, and being able to see the joyful faces of the fans.”
Lin Lin, meanwhile, finds it “too enjoyable to stay nervous!”
“The fans know about us in great detail,” continues Niigaki, “and they can perform all our dance moves perfectly at the live shows!” Nevertheless, all the girls surprisingly admit that they walk comfortably on the streets without a disguise.
Conversely, “there are a lot of female fans in China and Korea,” says Takahashi. “So we get to hear fans shouting in high-pitched voices, not the usual low (otaku) voices!”
“Chinese people applaud a lot and we all love (them waving) glittering light sticks,” says Lin Lin. “You can’t see the applause, but you can see the lights!”
Morning Musume’s move into China has been seen as the next logical step for the group. However, all has not gone according to plan.
“The attempt to launch Morning Musume into China hasn’t gone very well,” admits Nishikata. “CDs don’t sell well, because they are soon pirated. Two years ago, when Lin Lin and Jun Jun (22) joined, we tried to push them hard to China, but it didn’t go so well. We are still trying to find a way.”
The future of succeeding generations of Morning Musume is clearly something Nishikata is working hard to secure. And a move to the West is a definite possibility.
“In Europe and the U.S., there are many fans of Morning Musume and Japaneseidoru (manufactured entertainers), thanks to the Internet,” says Nishikata. “(We) were invited to an event in L.A. called A.X. (Anime Expo) as a music guest this July. There are already a lot of fans of Japanese animation (in the U.S.), so it might be easy to get in through that.”
No matter where they go next, the curiosity is that Morning Musume, the concept, will no doubt continue to outlast any of its members.
Morning Musume’s ninth album, “Purachina 9 Disc,” (“Platinum 9 Disc”) is out March 18.
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Morning Musume in The Japan Times
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Morning Musume scans
by Aece McCloud on May.03, 2009, under Hello Project, Morning Musume
Morning Musume – Mikan
This is the normal edition of Morning Musume’s 35th single, Mikan, released on 2007.11.21. The first press came with a photocard randomly selected from each of the members and a group one. I got Niigaki Risa, and the scan of that is included.
Download scans here!
Morning Musume – Mikan
This is the limited edition A version of Morning Musume’s 35th single Mikan, released on 2007.11.21. The limited edition comes with a bonus DVD and a photocard- again, randomly selected. For this one I got Kusumi Koharu, and I included the scan.
Download scans here!
Morning Musume – Mikan
Last but not least, the limited edition B version of Mikan. This limited edition comes with a mini-photobook and a randomly selected photocard. I got Michishige Sayumi for the photocard, and scans of both the photocard and the photobook are included.
Download scans here!
Go here to see the original:
Morning Musume scans
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..::Shinshun Morning Musume Special – Haregi to Mizugi de Otoshidama Daisakusen::..
by Aece McCloud on May.01, 2009, under Hello Project, Morning Musume
Hello!Fansubs had made lots of project during their recent 2nd anniversary. I promised to choose one, and I did, and it’s finally done. Thanks to Musume-Central that is. I used the download link provided there instead from Hello-Online coz I find it to be faster than using the torrent ‘thingy’. But hey, I’m not saying that Hello-Online is bad, but for someone who is having problem with torrents like me, now you have a new source to download Hello!Fansubs’ awesome works. Anyway, the project I chose to watch is Shinshun Morning Musume Special – Haregi to Mizugi de Otoshidama Daisakusen. A long title, and I understand nothing beside ‘Morning Musume Special’. This is a show which was aired first thing on 1 January 2001. It’s a nice date, and please note that this year’s September 9th might (I say might, don’t believe it!) bring something nice, especially from Morning Musume coz the number 9 is somewhat revolving around them this year- 9 members, Platinum 9 DISC… haha. Again, don’t believe that. Oh where was I? I’m getting the habit of drifting off lately.
Okay, in this show, ten of them (Yuu-chan, Kei-chan, Yagu-chan, Nacchi, Kaorin, Yossie, Charmy, Gocchin, Nono & Aibon) will be divided into four groups and split around the world to find and get lucky new year presents for the fans. The project begins right after their final concert on New Year’s Eve. After the concert, they are ‘ambushed’ by a man who is known as ‘the devil from Hawaii’ coz he had once hosted their show called the Legendary Hawaii Battle or something. And he comes with a bad news; at the end of the Hawaii Battle show, Yagu-chan said something about “definitely going to win NEXT TIME”. So here’s the ‘NEXT TIME’, Yagu-chan!
Anway, they are quickly divided to four groups; Yossie, Kaorin, Aibon and Nono are the Saipan Team. They will be making an original calendar there. Second is the Japan Sea Team which consist of Nacchi, Charmy and Gocchin who will be making a lucky charm from squids (!?). Yagu-chan and Kei-chan will be making hand-made Morning Musume dolls in Russia! Finally, left alone, Yuu-chan will be bringing back wind from Shanghai. Huh, didn’t she has a single titled Shanghai no Kaze? So this fits her perfectly! And so, the project begins!!!
The Japan Sea team boards the plane to Akita, and after two hours, they arrived… back to Tokyo! It’s because the way to Akita is full in mist, so the plane practically made a U-turn in the air and return to Tokyo.
Is that even possible? As for the Saipan team, they arrived safely in Saipan. They get a call from ‘Mr. Devil’, he says that he has prepared a welcome drink for the girls and they will be receiving the first instruction too. As for Yuu-chan, well…
At least she finds herself a bike. And of course, it was prepared by our dear ‘Mr. Devil’ specially for Yuu-chan. Back to Saipan, the girls enjoy their welcome drink and receive the first instruction. They need to come up with a balding old man, a Ganguro girl and two school girls for the calendar. The individual for each character will be decided by the queen, which is decided from the drink. The one who drinks the juice that doesn’t have mustard in it will become the queen for this round. And the winner? Yossie! So she’s the queen this time.
And who ends up becoming the balding old man?
XD There are lots of funny parts here involving Kaoring and Yossie. I like the relationship between them here. Kaorin said that Yossie is mistreating her upperclassmen. Haha, right. That’s my Yossie! Poor Nono, chosen as the Ganguro girl.
Next we take a look at the Japan Sea team which has finally arrives Akita. They get to learn some Akita dialect as soon as they arrived. My first impression on Gocchin when watching this part is that she’s a really cold person. I mean, she doesn’t speak much and she seems to usually ignore the others. But I think I kinda got that wrong towards the end of this show.
And here we get a quick shot at our leader… pitiful…
She asked for some directions to Shanghai, but failed to get one. And they take a break. Yagu-chan and Kei-chan complain that they aren’t in the first part. Mr Devil here says that they hasn’t arrived yet at that time. Here, Nacchi also said something about the bottle Yuu-chan is carrying around her neck…
As for the Russia team, they are studying Russian while on the plane. But the phrase seems meaningless, I’d say. Something about Tom Cruise… The Saipan team is preparing for the the second photo. They ride a Banana Boat for the next competition as this time, the instruction says that the last one to fall into the water will be the queen and decides the rule for the photo. They need to take a photo in the pose as if you were telling a one-liner gag. After some sharp curves on the water…
And so…
The final is hillarious. But then, Nono got into a serious breakedown. Finally, it’s decided that both of them are tied, and hence both of them are crowned as queens. And this is what happens when two little devils got the title Queen…
And that settles the second photo. Back to Yuu-chan, she finally lays her eyes on Shanghai city, but she has a problem of crossing a bridge to the city. No bike is allowed! While waiting for Yuu-chan to find another route, the Japan Sea team has reached the town of Fukaura. They meet some locals and start fishing, but not for squids, instead, for pure fun. Back to Yuu-chan, she finally finds a ship-crossing centre, where bikers could cross the water with their bike to Shanghai town. On the ship, Yuu-chan kindly thinks about the others…
Here, Charmy sounds really cute, saying that they should go back since it’s cold. But Nacchi simply says she wants more and lets fish for the squids next time. In other words, “ignore the squids, this is a lot more fun”. Then, they have dinner…
The difference here is like heaven and hell…
Drifted by her feelings, she forgets… XP
Yuu-chan sure is funny. I never really pay attention to the early generation members, but after watching this show, I kinda like their characters. As for the Saipan team, Yossie and Kaorin infiltrate Aibon and Nono’s room. Gee, they look like a pair of couple, really, with two kids! Aw~ 
I love watching Nono smacking Yossie’s butt! Yuu-chan again, alone, finally finds a park full of dating couples. She asked one of the couples, and this is the answer she gets.
Finally, the Russia team arrives! After getting some instructions, they start searching for the place to make dolls. They even plan to buy some and bring those back instead of making them! Yagu-chan is another interesting character here. I know she’s noisy and all that, but this is where we get more of her naughty attitude. I seriously enjoy all of her parts during the show.
Russian taxis sure are scary~
They arrive Moscow City and search for some clothes before proceeding. They asked for the place to make dolls and they finally get the name of the location. Too bad, Yagu-chan can’t even pronounce the word Yaroslavsky. The train isn’t working at that moment, so…
…they wonder off in the beautiful city of Moscow
Another break, they talked a bit more about the taxi in Russia. They talked about Japan Sea team’s dinner, where we get a chance to see Gocchin actually says something. Nono explains a bit about her situation during the Banana Boat competition.
First thing on the next day…
little bit of morning exercise might bring luck…
As for the Japan Sea team…
…and henshin!
They had a hard time a really hard time on the sea, as the waves are really rough. While Gochinn is acting cool and all that, Charmy cutely reminds the uncle that she had only done squid fishing in games. She’s like, “please take care of me”. Aw~ I can’t stand her voice.
Anyway, the Saipan team are ready for the next challenge. This time, whoever carries the most amount of namako (a sea cucumber) will be crowned as queen. This is rather a disgusting one, but funny. Kaorin is determined this time, Yossie is trying her best, but Aibon keep releasing Yossie’s catch again and again, so she lose the game!
Here is the determined Kaorin, and there’s the furious Yossie chasing Aibon!
The winner? Kaorin! Yossie, frustrated, did this after the competition…
…threw her namako to Aibon!
And this…
watch out, Kaorin!
Which make Kaorin cries real hard! Go Yossie!!!
Anyway, the Russia team wakes up early, and…
They had their breakfast and finally get on the train. Yagu-chan, without a doubt, says that the breakfast they had is not good! XP Mean there, Yagu-chan!
As for the Saipan team, they completed their third photo. Haha, Yossie as reindeer.
The sea of Japan is getting rougher, but the girls aren’t catching anything yet.
cool eh?
Back to our lonely Yuu-chan, she finally finds a clue, that is, to ask the feng-shui master. The Russia team are still on the train. I can’t believe Yagu-chan actually complains on everything she gets! After the breakfast earlier, now she complains about the chocolates and peanuts on the train.
in other word: bad
They arrived Sergiev Posad and start looking for the toy museum. They ask around but most of them ignored these pests. Haha XD And Yagu-chan…
As for the Japan Sea team…
Charmy also catches a bera, but Nacchi… well, nothing yet…
Yagu-chan and Kei-chan finally find the toy museum. They are given the name of the toy factory and off they go for another looonggg walk. Too bad they don’t have the bike like Yuu-chan does! She finds the feng-shui master and he tells her the place to get her wind. The master is even kind enough to take Yuu-chan to the temple.
future husband and wife… XP
The last break, and the Saipan team talks on the ‘namako battle’, Gocchin talks a bit more. Hey, I’m sorry, but to me, Gocchin speaking is really precious to me. 
It’s because she’s so quiet during the show, so when she gets the chance to speak, I get the chance to listen from Gocchin!
Their journey is drawing nearer to an end. Yuu-chan purifies her heart, following some customs, pray for the others and climbed a pagoda with the master. Surprisingly, it’s a real thing! I mean, the wind did blow!
And with that, our leader has completed her task.
Next is Saipan team. The final instruction ordered them to take a picture with the setting sun in the background.
Finally, they’re done with the calendar. And it’s a cute (and funny) one, really. Even more, the dates are hand-written and each sheets has it’s own trick. Want to know what it is? Watch the show! XP
The Russia team has finally find the factory. They introduce themselves as idols and even show their single! Haha, what a brilliant way to promote Morning Musume in Russia. They don’t have much time left, so they start making those dolls right away. Geez, they sure are noisy.
As the dateline approaches, they start focusing on the dolls, instead of biting each others head off. Some flashbacks here and tadaa!!!
Finally, the last team, Japan Sea team. It’s getting late, and most of them are suffering from seasick. Charmy gets a flounder while Nacchi finally catches something; a huge buri. Charmy makes some short weather reports here. Eventually, even Gocchin gets seasick! And out of nowhere…
congratulations, Gocchin! It’s a boy!
And that great catch by Charmy gets Gocchin fully revived! She doesn’t have to wait long, and finally…
Then Charmy…
After that, there’s not much. The girls do some blessing ceremony with the squids and prepare to go home with their squid-charm. All three of them shed their tears here, and even Gocchin! Anyway, here’s a glimpse of that charm.
Personally, it’s not very good looking, but funny. Even Charmy said it’s scary. XP Nacchi, failed to get any squids, made a fishprint out of the buri.
And that’s the end of the show. Thank you for reading this till the end. It’s a tough one, but worth it and the show is not disappointing at all.
Here is the original:
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Do You Love Morning Musume ? Show it to them
by Aece McCloud on Apr.29, 2009, under Hello Project, Morning Musume
Lucky French we are ! In the Japan Expo Festival, a channel call “NoLife” has diffused some H!P and Morning Musume PV so, this year in the Japan Expo they made a stand and all fans can make a VTR and send it to the Morning Musume, The Hello!Project assured that messages will be show to Morning Musume ! So, the French FanClub will make a big fan message ! GOD ! Morning Musume and Aichan will see us ! HAN ! <3
Translation of the official annoucement in the Nolife website :
Since many weeks, you can see some Hello!Project artists PV and specially the Morning Musume !.
If you like there music and if you want to support this group, Go at the Nolife Stand at the Japan Expo and record a video message to them !Attention, the message must be in english or japanese, this second choice will be better !
They will see your message so, do your best !
Read the original here:
Do You Love Morning Musume ? Show it to them
Popularity: 29% [?]
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Tsunku’s :: HelloProject - Morning Musume & Aya Matsuura news
HelloProject has been a star group of Japan representing caliber of several groups of girls. These groups are moderated by one of the Japan’s top artist Tsunku who has been writing and producing music for them. The purpose of the Blog is to dissect the events around HelloProject and analyze the strategies of UFA.
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