Impressionable PV

despite H!P being labelled the cheap pv maker

there have been some awesome pvs

and there's always one or two that'll leave you with an incredibly strong impression

and first impressions are especially important right?

for me generally after watching those pvs it's the start of a turning point, i.e. that's when I start to like them

so I thought to list my H!P impressionable pvs

Morning Musume 

I watched this suuch a long time ago!

I think Risu showed me this, and at that time we didn't know it was Morning Musume, but after watching I found out. and then even though I didn't immediately like them after, I used to go back and watch this several times.

I think this is my first momusu pv

It's such a fun song! and the lyrics make me laugh

definitely have to watch it with eng sub

Rika and Miki left a great impression on me

you can tell they all have so much fun singing this

and it's a good way to learn who everyone is

ahh I miss all the OGs!

but morning musume was quite confusing, with all these members coming in and out

so after another impressionable pv, I began to really like them

this song is really catchy

ue ue!

you can't go wrong with miki x ai x reina (and eri) leading

sayumi looks really nice here

Berryz Kobo

The first vid I watched from them is Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance, and of course that really stands out!

another incredibly addicting song

but the pv that made me start liking Berryz was Rival!

Even now I still love to watch it, it's so cute!

and I like what they're wearing

and the hula hoop part was also cute

C-ute

I can't remember for certain which was the first video I watched

I think maybe Shochuu Omimai Moshiagemasu

that's a really pretty pv, I love the scenery, and the sort of story

but the video I that made me like C-ute is...

I just love the set and costumes

not to mention it's an awesome song! I think it was nominated for an award as well

Mano Erina

she recently graduated! all the best^^

I wasn't a fan of her songs really

but after watching this video, I thought, wow. and went and watched her other videos

such a cool video!

it's like an anime game, I love how she's running around ripping the the posters down

something's actually happening

and I thought it was really interesting, the white Mano was the evil one, rather than the black Mano
the sunset is stunning!

it totally showed Mano in a different light (pardon the pun xP)

S/mileage

hmm for S/mileage, I can't really choose which video left the strongest impression

I never really got into S/mileage, cause I guess their image was too young for me. 

I always think they're really little kids, but some of them are older than Mai!

but, I think their indies were really good (apart from their first one), they all had big budget pvs, with some sort of story

even now I'd prefer their indies to singles (with some exceptions)

I didn't really have a turning point, but if I had to choose

this song is seriously catchy!

it was like a 180 turn from ama no jaku (and I didn't like that)

and it's such a bigscale production, for an indie especially

ah I miss Yuuka and Saki

listening to this now, I'm reminded of how cute it is

Suki Chan comes pretty close

Buono!

as soon as I watched this video I was sold

this was my first H!P video ever!

I love everything about it, the sets, the fashion, the scenes loveeee

tbh a lot of buono's pv are impressionable to me

one of the best pv's ever!

another strong one is Rottara Rottara

since I didn't like this song before watching the video. I was addicted afterwards tho

the theme is so cute, and the dance

and I like the lyrics

there are many more impressionable videos

but for this post, I just focused on first impressions

do you remember the video that made you start liking H!P artists? 

UsaTEN

Mano Erina - Next Myself PV

was about to turn in for the night, when I saw this

aw its Mano's last single!

I was quite surprised at first when I heard she was graduating, but I'm happy for her if that's what she wants. I'm thinking she wants to focus on acting? sounds good

anyways, I remember there was an ad for mano fans to participate in the video, which is a really nice idea I think.

at first I thought the people dressed in different clothes were, and I thought wow they're good!

but then I saw that her fans were all in red

I managed to spot 1 girl fan...lol

she looks really pretty in her close up

and is it me, or is her hair just getting shorter and shorter, didn't realize it was that short

but it suits her

I remember thinking did they every do anything with her (old) hair? since it was a typical asian girl style it could get boring easily, and this one frames her face more

the song itself was ok, there were a few parts I liked, but there wasn't anything that really grabbed me

I'm thinking the lyrics are quite meaningful...or at least I hope so

I never really understood the title of this single, Next Myself...

first of all it doesn't sound right and secondly, so is she not doing anything for herself now? or is she saying she's going to be by herself from now on..? but she's a soloist, so she's on her own anyway

the pv is good for the average HP videos, but mano has had some awesome pv's before, sooo this wasn't her best. there was only two shots, one closeup and one in a car park I assume. I think they could have at least another shot, or make the car park more interesting.

I really liked the end though

wow this came out longer than I expected!

I shall give this a 7.5/10

the end bumped it up, plus it's her last single

UsaTEN

H!P Best and Worst Selling singles

hey nice to meet you, I'm Usagi, we met a while back if you remember....

well! it was a stressful couple of months for RisUsagi whilst we were facing our school exams, hence the exponential decrease in posts...but we've never lost our Buono! love, not one bit!

but I find I do miss blogging. so hopefully I'll pick things up again, veerry slowly. 

but enough about Usagi!

The other day I read that C-ute's newest single has surpassed all others and has become their best selling single! this made me think, what about the other groups?

Morning Musume

Best Selling Single - Love Machine

after all these years!

thank goodness for the official channels where we can watch everything easily

I remember when I first got into H!P and was trying to find this mv, it was so hard!

but seeing this makes me think how much momusu has changed! 

my favourite part is the chorus and the nice body body part lol, but it's not my fave momusu single

total sales: 1 760 000

Usa's rating: 6/10

Worst Selling Single - Pyoko Pyoko Ultra

honestly I'm not surprised

as soon as I saw the costumes I had a bad feeling

and the song itself isn't great either

glad this wasn't Risa's graduation single

the costumes...they look like they have yellow lobster claws!

total sales: 34 050

Usa's rating: 3/10 

Berryz Koubou

Best Selling Single - Dschinghis Khan

this is such a hard name to spell!

at first I really didn't like this song

but then I grew to love it (as I did with many other crazy hp songs)

I think Berryz looks so nice here

do you notice the kids are doing wota dances?

total sales: 38 125

Usa's rating: 7.5/10

Worst Selling Single - Fighting Pose wa Date Janai

I didn't mind this single much, it's pretty catchy too

total sales: 10 326

Usa's rating: 6/10

C-ute

Best Selling Single - Aitai Aitai Aitaina

I love this single! with the B sides as well

in fact I prefer Kanashiku Heaven...

I'm also surprised with the TWO B sides, we're getting spoilt

I'm glad this single did so well (I was not a fan of kimi wa jitensha)

however after watching the dance shot, I feel the dance could be better

total sales: 48 480 (and counting)

Usa's rating: 8.5/10

Worst Selling Single - Sekai Ichi HAPPY na Onno no Ko

this single was alright for me, but I didn't like their tones of their dresses and rooms, I thought it kinda clashed

but as Risu described it as "it was practically momoiro sparking part 2" 

so timing I guess

total sales: 19 830

Usa's rating: 6.5/10

Mano Erina

Best Selling Single - Otomo no Inori

I've never really paid attention to Manoeri, but recently I'm liking her more

that being said her first few singles weren't interesting to me

but I kinda miss her playing piano, they should give her a really fast and impressive piece to show off her skills, she could just play her own instrumental!

total sales: 25 228

Usa's rating: 4/10

Worst Selling Single - My Days for You

I quite like the video, but then again I always like outside videos
the song is alright, but I feel it's better when you watch the video as well

total sales: 12 622

5/10

S/mileage

Best Selling Single - Please Miniskirt Postwoman!

when they added the new members, I felt like S/mileage changed completely

and even though I wasn't a big s/mileage fan, I thought the 4nin worked out pretty well

so I was iffy about the new lineup 

however I quite enjoyed this single, it's certainly my favorite with the new members

and this was yuuka's last single! (she was my fave s/mileage member)
sad she didn't get much lines here

but actually when I first heard the name I thought I wouldn't like it (they love to rub the miniskirt part in...)

total sales: 36 513

Usa's rating: 7/10
(7 for Yuuka)

Worst Selling Single - Koi ni Booing Buu!

once again...the costumes =.=

and the moral of the story is, don't dress up like farm animals

total sales: 20 954

Usa's rating: 3/10

Buono!

Best Selling Single - Honto no Jibun

oh the memories!

love how Airi is dressed up like Amu!

total sales: 42 035

Usa's rating: 9/10

Worst Selling Single - Natsu Dakara

I really liked this song, their vocals are amazing!
this song deserves more love
plus the B side Ice Mermaid totally rocks!
total sales: 12 554
9/10

well there you have it

the comeback post

it's pretty long, I realized...

I doubt anyone would be reading this, but if there is, what do you think about these sales? do you agree with their best and worst sales?

also thanks soo much to the followers for still following, even though we've been a phantom blog 

gomennasai
p.s. sales figures are from j-ongaku and generasia
not totally accurate

EDIT: mano erina and buono's worst selling singles
thanks Shayna and ForeverLove for the tip

UsaTEN

Usaa's Weekly Review 17-30 Dec'11

Sorry, it's been a while

hope everyone had a nice christmas^^

these are in random orders xD

Kikkawa Yuu

Konna Watashi de Yokkatara

I love the puppet scenes its cute, the editing of PV makes it more interesting, but I don't like the 'white' scenes where she's in the white dress with a beige background, it's really plain, and since the song mentions dance a bit, I think she coulda had a cooler dance

7.5/10

Mano Erina

Glory Days

the pictures are nice, I didn't like the autotune thing at the beginning. the song isn't too bad, but sorry I just don't like her singing voice

6/10

Morning Musume

Pyoko Pyoko Ultra

...I was speechless watching this...

I really don't like their costumes, the worst part are the things they have on their hands, its so awkward

I mean couldn't they have got a better costume designer?

and couldn't they have another (more sensible and appealing) costume as well, like Berryz in Yuke Yuke Monkey Dance

and the song isn't that interesting

the PV looks amateurish, especially the fake blue sky...

this single reallly doesn't sell it for me

and when they're moving their heads left and right...thats more scary than cute to me, especially when you can't see their bodies, looks like they're just a moving head

4.5/10

Hello!Stop

Mano Erina's 1st album is called 'FRIENDS'

2nd album is called 'MORE FRIENDS'

and now 3rd album is called 'MORE FRIENDS OVER'

..........

LOL

can they not think of any better names? I think my suggestion, 'Even More Friends' sounds better than their 3rd album name

the first name is ok

but second and third are just silly

C-ute's 7th album tracklist~

1. Momoiro Sparkling
2. Hitorijime Shitakatta Dake na no ni
3. Ike! Genki-kun (Hagiwara Mai solo)
4. Sekaiichi HAPPY na Onna no ko
5. ZUNTAKA MARCH ~Hitorashiku Ikiyou~
6. Tokai no NEON ga Odoroku Kurai no Utsukushisa ga Hoshii (Okai Chisato solo)
7. Kagayake! Houkago (Nakajima Saki solo)
8. Shiawase no Tochuu
9. Amazuppai Haru ni Sakurasaku (Original Berikyuu Ver.)
10. Seishun Gekijou (C-ute Ver.)

I'm happy that Chisa, Nakki and Mai have solos!

this sounds interesting

hope Berryz give out solos in their new album *cough*Miyabi*cough*

Buono's Hatsukoi Cider will be the ending theme song for Happy MUSIC during January

Yatta! congrats buono! it's a good song

hopefully this gives buono more exposure so they can get more recognition~

 UsaTEN

Usaa's Weekly Review 3-9 Dec'11

Mano Erina - Doki Doki Baby

haven't seen Mano's PV in a while

I really like the PV! I always love outdoor ones

or where theres more than just close up and dance shots

even though she was just window shopping, the scenes were really pretty

but what's with the red bow and blue dress? clash!

but I think she looks pretty here, and its nice that they did something else with the hair

I'm not a great fan of the song though

and she's in her twenties ne

I think its babyish giving her these cutesy songs...

I wish they could let her grow more, but I know her fans probably like these type of songs =.=

and I still think her voice needs a lot of improving, since she's a solo singer

if she was in a group it wouldn't matter as much.

7/10 for single

8.5/10 for PV

Kikkawa Yuu - Kon na wastashi de Yokattara

the expressions at the beginning are cute!

tbh I didn't get a great impression from her first single

but here, she shows off her voice a lot more

and the song is interesting

there's not much colour in the PV but I quite like her outfit

in one of the shots it looks like she's in the middle of loads of shower cubicles xD

8/10

I have to say it's very cutesy

but I quite like it

like Ayaka and Meimi's lines at the start, the 'koto yuu' bits are really cute

I like the tune at the beginning up to the 'yeahh~'

the PV has a story which is always nice, and it actually relates to the title

but I didn't think much of the dance, and it seems like their skirts got in the way of their actions too

I prefer this single to Tachiaagaru, but I still think this is a silly single name xD

why do they have to bring up miniskirts in everything? Is it not enough that they wear one all the time?

also I do think there should be more shots of Yuuka, as its her last single sadly.

there voices are still too cutesy for me, but apart from that the score is

8/10

I think there should be a rule that, for members last PV, they should get to be the center!

cause I understand why they might not get lots of lines cause when they leave other people have to cover it, but for the PV it won't matter if they get a bit more screentime. It'll make fans happier too.


Mobekimasu - Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku
there have been more versions of the pv released
but my fave ver is...

lots of awkward moments lol as they try to get screen time
love miya's wink
8/10
the dance shot is good too

Hello!Stop
Ok for some short news now!

the mother of h!p is getting married!

congrats Nakazawa Yuko!

wish you a happy marriage^^
10/10


Dream Morning Musume has a new single!!
called Shining Butterfly
out on february 15th
which reminds me of their gold, glittery and only costume 
I'm excited for this, love the old gen!
9/10


this isn't from this week but
omg buono double a side!
can't waiiiit
100/10

phew!
UsaTEN

Usaa's Video Corner! 59 ~Hello!Winter

Some performances from H!P Winter concerts

loving the ears<3

Extra Performance

>Maji Bomber<

H!P kids pawn~

UsaTEN

Polls! Who do you think is the Best Actress?

Results

Surprisingly there isn't a big range of answers for this poll xD

ok, winner by is Airii

she's in a lot of films nee

but to be honest, I really disagree with this outcome

to me, she excels by far, strong points in singing and dancing and school

but I don't think acting is one

I mean she's good at imitations (love her Risu one) but imitating and acting are different

whilst she's probably better than a lot of people, I can't say she's the best

tied in second are Maimi and Ai

I haven't really seen Maimi act, only from long ago, but I did see the Ran rehearsal, and she did well there

but Ai for me is probably one of the best (if not the best), I watched her acting lessons in Hawaii, and she could produce real tears on the spot! and also watched the beginning of Cinderella, she's good in that too. though I'd prefer if she didn't always play the timid characters.

Just grabbing third is Nakki

I haven't seen  her acting either xP, but I hear from people she's good, and I can imagine it, hope she gets more roles

Next is Momo

I have seen her acting, in the film with all the H!P kids, where Momo was the main character

I was amazed! she was soo young and can act so well!

she is known as the best actress in H!P kids (along with Megumi)

so yeah she'd be the top of my list~

Mai in fifth

xD um I dunno much about Mai either, she seems alright

Then it's Risa/Chinami/Chisato/Mano

ok starting with Risa, I think she's a good actress and deserves to be higher up. she was really good as Prince Charming in Cinderella, and good in Fashionable too. for her she always plays the cool type ne.

um tbh I don't think Chii is that great at acting, but then again she's never had an actual role to judge from

Chisato seems ok, I remember seeing a clip from a C-ute film or something, she kept bursting out laughing though lol

lastly Mano, she's in a loot of films! she looks like she would be good, in like serious roles mainly, I watched this idol drama she was in, Mano spy? or something...I wasn't really impressed with that, but I thought that type of role won't show acting skills well, so I gave her the BOD

ok that concludess it

thank you for voting everyone^^

please vote again for the next poll

Who do you think will always win an argument?

I literally just thought that up on the spot lol xD

and I'm happy to say I'm quite early with this update xD

UsaTEN

H!P - 2012 Calendars!

ja jaan!

Morning Musume

Berryz Kobo

C-ute

Mano Erina

aww they're all pretty^^

My fave is probably Berryz, it's colourful, you can see them clearly and the layout is fair

Chii and Miya are my fave pics~

C-ute and Mano's are also pretty, though Mano's cover reminds me of another of her covers....it's the hair xD

I actually like Momusu's the least,

I really don't like that Riho is at the front and Gaki is behind her

it's... not seniority!

though Riho does look cute here xD

but I do feel bad for Gaki, she's not even in the middle =.=

S/mileage is currently printing

I guess they can't do their usual hug pose

btw my internet on my computer is not working =.=

so I may be a lil slow

UsaTEN

Mano Erina - Cast in new play Ikemen Desu ne!

From October 8th - 20th

Cast

Kitayama Hiromitsu as Katsuragi Ren
Uchi Hiroki (24) as “Fujishiro Shu”
Miyata Toshiya (22) as Hongo YuukiTakahata Mitsuki (19) as Sakuraba Mio/Miko,
Mano Erina (20) as NANA.

 ------------------------------------------------

wow first remake, now a stage play!

they really do love You're Beautiful

I'm watching the korean version now! (slow, I know xP)
It's a really good drama, great story, great music and great cast! I very much recommend it

not sure about the Japanese version, haven't watched it, debating on whether to also (I'm only watching it for Hikaru anyways xP)

but yeah, Mano will be playing the the mean girl (I actually call that character by another name, but thought it might be inappropriate here lol)

so that'll be interesting as Mano's such a nice person lol

I think she could do a good job though

so I would actually like to watch that

Man they're really milking this show with Kiss my ft people, two of them are the stars of the drama

and another three will be in the play

it's only of for a short time I see, wonder if they'll rotate cast later (with more kiss my ft people no doubt lol)

UsaTEN

Mobekimasu - Busu ni Narinai Tetsugaku Preview

Pictures

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it sounds like a serious song

and I'm a lil disappointed it's not a cute genki one like One for All and All for one

but this doesn't sound bad

the pv doesn't look like much, but I'm still looking forward to it

as for the pictures, I see they have two different outfits

woow it's weird without Ai xD

and I don't like that Riho is in the middle, she looks out of place

I think she should switch with Gaki

and it's weird seeing soo many S/mileage members...

Wada stands out to me cause she's more tanned lol

the single will be released 16th of November

UsaTEN