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

Ayaka vs Airi

Not sure what the challenge was

but it was pretty entertaining

UsaTEN

S/mileage - Samui ne PV

the camera wobbled in places...i suppose it's intentional, but it looks like to me that the cameraman lost his footing xD

they look quite different, especially kanon, maybe cause I've never seen her in so many angles..lol

akari stood out for me, cho kirei

the song isn't bad, prefer this one over their previous one

and their costumes reminded me a bit of sailor moon lol (best show ever)

I don't really know what to rate it..if i had to 7/10

they coulda done more with the 'cold' theme i think

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 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

KiSu - Dance Battle

Here's the full ver

UsaTEN

BeSu - GameShow

uwa they all look so pretty without makeup

and I wonder what Ayaka said to stir up the other groups..xD;

but watching this made me very sad

stop bullying momoko!

I don't care if they mean it as a joke, it's going too far!!

she must get seriously hurt from all that, and its guys who are like beating her up! they should be ashamed of themselves!

I can understand how momoko can be a bit annoying sometimes, but as Risu said it's probably because the producers make her

and like it's bad enough they all say mean things to her, but now they're kicking her and dragging her!

and what makes me also sad is that berryz just laugh as well =.=, I love berryz, but I'd love you more if you'd help her up rather than point and laugh

so yeah..that's my little rant

everytime she got hit or something I winced for her ><

UsaTEN

S/mileage - Maeda Yuuka is GRADUATING?!

Maeda Yuuka will graduate on 12/31 to focus on her university exams...

O.M.G

I'm...so shocked!

first Saki now Yuuka..

who's next?!

and to focus on school?

no... I can't believe that!

what does she want to be? isn't it a singer

I mean if you want to be a doctor/engineer etc.

you need school

b-b-but..she's already a singer!

and as far as I know thats what she wanted

and she's giving this up for school?!

she trained for 7 years!

and I thought that graduation was mainly for older members..

I really can't accept this

there has to be some other reason why she's graduating honestly

I don't understand why she would choose school completely over S/mileage

cause it's not cause she gets no spotlight! she's centre in S/mileage mostly and even a lot in that H!P PV

and she was verry popular

so I've been thinking of some other reasons;

is it cause she misses Saki too much?

I hear they're close

is it cause she can't stand the new members?

lol jokes

or maybe the problem is tsunku...

anyhow, this is actually shocking

it's I've come out of my hibernation shocking

what do you think?

UsaTEN


http://www.takamaruyo.net/?p=1115


I only just saw this now and I'm just..competely shocked...
Maeda Yuuka!??? The main face of S/mileage?
The girl whose voice everyone wants to have??
She's leaving!?
I don't... I don't understand.
I'm completely shocked over this. It's almost as if H!P is going through an Apocolypse... she's worked so hard and now she's just going to leave it all behind. Well it could be that she's leaving at the highest point before S/mileage makes a lot of changes. The new members could be part of her reason for leaving is what I think? She looked the most unhappiest about the new members I remember from the videos of the announcements.

Oh Yuuka : ( You'll be missed!
I hope you really do focus on your school life then!
So my thought is that with all these changes to S/mileage, it's stressed her out so much that she wants to go back to school life right?
I wonder what she wants to do in University.
How will S/mileage go on from here losing one of their main singers?
Too many questions
Poor S/mileage once again : (

Good luck in studying for your exams Yuuka <3 and good luck S/mileage for losing another important member


-RisuTEN

Mobekimasu - Busu ni Narinai Tetsugaku Performance

random thoughts crossing through my mind whilst watching

wow where is everyone? xD

love risako's hair

oh yeah mano got a haircut, its nice

s/mileage are really jumpy

and do they really have the shortest miniskirts?

yay berryz love^^

hamada was extra rude today I thought loll

esp throwing momo's note haha

UsaTEN

Ohh you beat me to it... xD;
Anyway that was funny!
Momo's message by the way was:
the two of you's favourite idol momochi couldn't come to the studio today..please forgive me nyan~ (from everyone's idol Momochi)

Oh Momo..you're what we call in cantonese: "Chee seen" 

-RisuTEN

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

S/mileage - Kosuga Fuyuka to leave S/mileage due to Anemia

The announcement posted on the official S/mileage website states:

“Thank you for always supporting S/mileage. Due to S/mileage sub-member Kosuga Fuyuka’s poor health being brought to our attention, she underwent a careful examination at a hospital. According to the results of the exam, it was discovered that she has a problem with her blood composition. Due to her severe anemia, she must refrain from exercise and must undergo medical treatment for several months.

It is truly unfortunate, but her activities as a S/mileage sub-member will be cancelled for now, and she will focus on her treatment regimen. After she has completes treatment and her health returns to normal, we plan to have her start again as a member of Hello! Pro Egg [Hello! Project's trainees].“

Hello! Project’s producer Tsunku♂ also commented on the announcement:

“What I was able to say to her was, ‘Please don’t over-do it, and devote yourself to your recuperation.’ When I asked her, ‘After your full recovery, you would be able to continue your lessons as a member of Hello! Pro Egg, but what would you like to do?”, she replied, ‘I want to quickly get better and start over again as an Egg.’

She’s still young, so I would like her to quickly regain her health and start again as an Egg with her wonderful smile.

The newly reborn S/mileage will go forward with the three original members and four sub-members. Everyone, please cheer for the girls!”

translations from Tokyohive

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

woow poor girl

so sudden, she just joined as well

I didn't recognize her name at first, I only know her as the supposedly 'intelligent type' lol

this process was really quick, I hear she was taken to hospital when she was feeling unwell and was diagnosed with a severe case of anemia =/

but at least when she recovers, she'll joing H!P eggs

get well soon!

UsaTEN

Mobekimasu - Busu ni Narinai Tetsugaku Preview

Pictures

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

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

From the C-ute and S/mileage concert~

Ah I should really watch this concert actually hehe

OH WOW! The end just kills me hahahahahaha



-RisuTEN

Ogawa Saki's.....graduation!?

Translated by Tokyo hive, source from Hello! Online:

Tsunku's comment.
“Thank you for always supporting Hello! Project and myself.

This is sudden, but I have an announcement for everyone.
Just the other day, I announced five new sub-members for S/mileage,
However, as of August 27th, Ogawa Saki will be graduating from both S/mileage and Hello! Project.

In the beginning of May this year, she informed me,
“I’ve been hesitant for some time, and I’ve discussed it with the staff a few times, but my feelings of wanting to return to a normal junior high student has strengthened, so please let me quit.”

Although she is the youngest of the group, I have relied on her singing skills.

However, right now is the time to be looking towards the future.
As a group, and as an individual member, we need to have a strong desire for improvement.
And as a producer, I decided that holding back a member who is hesitant, and continuing the group with her would not be good for both the member and the group. So I chose to accept Ogawa’s request.

When the group was first formed, I made a public announcement that the unit may increase or decrease in members.
Because there was this case, I hastily announced in June that we would be recruiting new members for S/mileage.
Please forgive me that I wasn’t able to report the details and intentions until now, as there were many terms and conditions concerning the group and the contract.

Again, Ogawa is still an inexperienced student and a minor.
For a working adult, it would be unacceptable to give up their job halfway.
But please take her straightforward feelings into careful consideration, and watch over her warmly.

With that, please continue your favors towards S/mileage.

Please excuse me for reporting through this letter on my own accord.“

Ogawa Saki's comment.
“Thank you for always supporting me.

I, Ogawa Saki will graduate from Hello! Project and S/mileage on August 27th.

After making our major debut last May, I have enjoyed every day as [a part of] S/mileage.
But somewhere in my heart, the real me and my S/mileage self become distant.
I discussed it with the staff a few times, but I was always troubled. I thought that it would be bad for S/mileage if I was hesitant while everyone else was working with all their might, so I decided to return to being a normal girl.

I’m sorry for the last minute announcement.
I do feel sad, but S/mileage’s trademark is to always smile!

I will do my best to finish with a smile until the end of the event on August 27th. The remaining time is short, but please support me!

After I graduate, I want to continue supporting S/mileage with its new members.

Thank you for all of your support until now.“

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

Is this serious!?? I was in complete awe with my mouth hanging for a good five minutes.
I'm not the biggest fan of S/mileage or even Saki for this matter but...I feel pretty sad!
I suppose if this is really what she wants then good luck to her and I wish her well.

...So I suppose Tsunku hasn't gone completely senile as I keep claiming haha..
In a way, you can see that maybe the current S/mileage members were always looking sad or reluctant about getting new members because they knew that Saki was going to leave and everything in S/mileage would change. 

This feels like a big blow to them for some reason but we have to look at the positive side to these new changes right?
Changes can be for improvement so please continue to support S/mileage everyone eh?

-RisuTEN

I heard this news this morning, when I was half awake
and as soon as I read it properly I was fully awake!
all I kept thinking was 
WHAAAATTTT?


honestly if they didn't say, Saki wanted to quit herself
then I would fully believe it's Tsunku's doing


it sounds so strange!
is she even going to get a graduation?
why are they mentioning this 3 days before the graduation?
I think that's extremely unfair to fans, Uchouten Love was her last single!


I have to say I'm pretty sad with this news
I wasn't a total fan of her voice, but I could tell there was a lot of potential
and, it sounds like she's been training for more than half her life for this
and she just quits?!
and it wasn't like she got shoved to the back like Maiha
I don't understand her decision
tbh, I think she might regret it
but of course this is her decision and I respect it
and she did start extremely young


S/mileage is going through a looot of dramatic changes
I feel bad for the fans
as well as the other members, who are now like swamped with new members


I wonder if she'll come back later, in another agency
but if it really was for education then it seems unlikely
but as I said before
it's too late notice, can't believe S/mileage is already having a grad ><
UsaTEN

Mezamashi Live Event

The S/mileage new members introduce themselves

kyaaa! CN Blue! xD I'm posting this for them actually<33

UsaTEN

H!P - 24H Television

Some performances if you're interested

S/mileage + Kikkawa Yuu + Bump.y

Dream Morning Musume + Morning Musume

there are soo many people in S/mileage now ><

UsaTEN

S/mileage - New sub members

There are now 5 new 'sub' members, and based on their performance, Tsunku will decide if they will become permanent

Nakanishi Kana

14 years old

Kosuga Fuyuka

13 years old

Takeuchi Akari

13 years old

Katsuta Rina

13 years old

Tamura Meimi

12 years old

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

ok well get ready...

WTH IS TSUNKU DOING?

first of all

I'm realllly not impressed with these members

and since it's unfair of me to judge so quickly

I'll rejudge again in their first MV

but first impression isn't great

though Takeuchi Akari is ok, but whhy did she cut her hair like that? why?

and I only really know Tamura Meimi

and I reallly don't like her singing voice, if she's gonna be the main singer

I will probably never listen to S/mileage's new songs xD;

they're so young!

but they don't look it either xD

and appearance wise Kosuga Fuyuka doesn't match S/mileage

who have the cutesy cutesy image

and sub members?

even though I'm not happy with these members

I still feel bad for them

they have to work really hard, but they're not counted as real members

this is just a tough trial run for them!

like wth, they're just toys for Tsunku to play with

and even though in H!P S/mileage is the group I'm least interested in

my heart goes out to the original members

The members themselves don't even like this idea

how do you think they can convince others, if they can't even convince themselves?

and 5 members?

does he want this group to be bigger than Morning Musume

if he honestly wants S/mileage to be the new flagship for H!P

then it seems like he's making a wrong decision

and even if he wants to change, it should be Berryz, they're the next one down

and now it looks like, he'll put less effort with the other groups

he already forgets about Berryz and C-ute

but now he won't even give them another glance I bet.

Tsunku is bad with group time management

or attention management rather lol

which is sad, cause they have soo much potential to be really popular

H!P is already losing to soo many idol groups

I think I covered all I wanted to moan about xD

sorry for this being so long

but overall the message is, I prefer 4nin S/mileage more

and what do you guys think of the new 'sub' members?

UsaTEN