Did you know that PASSPO☆ have their own airplane that they travel around in/with? I know you are saying hey wait a minute Gaki, how can they have a plane when AKB48 and Morning Musume do not .Simple answer is -They are PASSPO☆ and were there is a will, there is a way. Did you know that PASSPO☆ cares about talent and Happy Music host Becky’s love life so much they got Becky a man to hang out with?
Did you know that PASSPO☆ has a way to make men act silly around them?
Well as a tribute to PASSPO☆ getting their second 40,000 first week release in a row on their first two major singles, I thought that you might like to see their airplane and other acts of wonder by PASSPO☆ .Plus these ladies put the cute in cute in these broadcasts.
Special Bonus PASSPO☆ Talk Segments at Tokyo Idol Festival 2011
When I first wrote about this unit the group had a different name AKG48 .Well it seems that the 48 has been dropped and the unit is now known as AKG .AKG by the way means Akagi .Akagi is a well-known mountain in Gunma.
AKG is very new having made their debut this past march and they are slowly making a home region name. Their live show is made up of almost all AKB48 songs , giving Aki-P a nice royalty check every live ,however they do have a debut single called “Knee High☆Lover” that is pretty catchy and shows that over time ,they will have a nice original set list.
Call them AKG or AKG48 ,it make little difference as no one cares if a number is after their name ,wotas just love idols ,regardless of the name, this unit has a lot of potential as this single shows.
Instead of showing you a mini live filled with AKB48 cover songs, I am going to show you a TV show that they were on recently.
When this show was recorded, the graphics still showed the name as AKG48.
Fairies debut PV is now out [Single out 9/21], while I am and have been from their debut scratching my head as to why they selected the track that displays the least of their dancing and vocal skills to be the lead track, I am not turned back by it. Considering Vision Factory and Avex have hit nothing but homeruns with this unit, I expect this is only a tease of what is to come.
While “More Kiss” is not the punch in the face single I’d like to have seen coming out ,knowing what I do now after all the teasers of the recent lives ,the punch in the face is only a matter of time from our newest fresh face idols.
AKB48 “Flying Get” has continued the AKB48 rewriting of history .With “Flying Get” AKB48 has broken or tied a wide range of industry records. So let’s look at the numbers.
“Flying Get” sold 1.354 million copies in a week after selling 1.025 million in a single day. The single week total was the best opening week sales in Oricon chart history. AKB48 also holds the second spot with “Everyday, Kachuusha“.
For singles that have sold one million in their first week, AKB48 holds the top two spots out selling the likes of Mr. Children and Utada Hikaru.
Since AKB48 has released “RIVER”, the group has had nine consecutive number one singles putting them in a tie with Pink Lady who has held that position for 33 years.
AKB48 with it`s three one million sellers in a row they have now tied Pink Lady for the top spot for million sales singles in a row.
With AKB48 scheduled to have more releases in the future it is only a matter of time before they pass Pink Lady and the standards set by Onyanko Club. While many fans from other agencies may dislike this group and their accomplishments, AKB48 without question when all is said and done and their final release is out, will be known as the greatest female idol unit in the history of the genre.
It is because of AKB48 that the fresh faces of this genre are rising up at a pace last seen in the 80`s .If AKB48 had remained at 20-25,000 sales a release ,there was a good chance that this genre on the female side could have slipped into nothing more then a cult followed ,dusty shelf memory in time .
As much as some rival fans may be against the success of AKB48, the industry needs and has welcomed their achievements. Just as Morning Musume opened the door for the arrival of AKB48 .AKB48 is opening the door for the arrival of the fresh faces .It will be these new next generation idols that PIH has been presenting to you ,that will be the ones who will carry the genre to it`s next great accomplishments.
Fresh Faces: Ricotta★Veil, Sweet Ricotta, Mercy Lapin Mini Live
I am returning to this unit that I previewed not long ago , because one I enjoy this unit and two they have made some adjustments that are not captured properly in that post. It would really help if they had a true web site and not just member blogs.
Ricotta★Veil is an odd group as it is really three groups in one and which unit it is depends who is on the stage at any given time.
Therefore, I will try to explain. Officially currently Ricotta★Veil is often listed and promoted by Hasegawa Risa and Ito Ayami .Sweet Ricotta who also performs with RV is currently simply Nagayoshi Asuka .Simple right ? , not really .Asuka after performing will leave the stage and Risa and Ayami who often start their lives will return for an MC after a costume change .Near the end of the MC Asuka will return to the stage dressed exactly as Risa and Ayami and the three magically become Ricotta★Veil . Confused yet, no, good because it gets even better.
At some point in their lives Asuka, will MC and Risa and Ayami will leave the stage and change costumes and return as a group called Mercy Lapin and many times Risa and Ayami will start the live as Mercy Lapin. In addition, just to make this roster shuffle more interesting there is often another idol in Sweet Ricotta that plays no role in Ricotta★Veil and that member has changed several times as well.
Therefore, Ricotta★Veil can be all things to everyone at all times.
Now if I have not completely confused you all three along with other Kansai Idols have been part of a super unit called KISS x KISS.
Getting away from the who is in what unit Ricotta★Veil and Sweet Ricotta members depend on information releases through their individual blogs and through a growing local cult fan following. Interestingly while these idols are still new and growing , they have managed thanks to fan YouTube postings to start to pick up a following in such places as Eastern Europe and Latin America with their videos being reposted in various video media outlets.
Following this unit can often be hard as they currently do not really travel outside of the Kansai region and as I said earlier, you pretty much have to depend on staying plugged into their blogs and their wota fan base for late breaking news and to make travel plans for event dates. Ricotta★Veil and Sweet Ricotta at times put the term underground in underground idols.
However when your two paths finally meet up it`s a magical moment.
Morning Musume -“Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo! “.
The PV is now out for Morning Musume`s upcoming single “Kono Chikyuu no Heiwa wo Honki de Negatterun da yo! “. While this is Takahashi Ai`s last single ,it is clear by the line distribution as far as the 9th gen goes it is also Ai handing off the ace microphone to Sayashi Riho ,she is spotlighted almost as much as the great leader .
For me this is a great song with a PV that has so much over done CGI that it`s hard to watch at times, was it really necessary to do that. It`s like a young kid got a new toy and is testing out all the features or Morning Musume the video game.
I really like the song and if they had not overdone the CGI, I would give it a 100 score. CGI should complement a song like seeing a beautiful women standing in the distance with her hair gently blowing in the wind, not overshadow it.
Here is an idea H!P that works in hard rock .Rent space in the downtown streets of Shibuya ,put up a stage ,invite fans for free and let the group perform live and film the thing for a live concert style PV. This song is good enough on it`s own to sell even by doing that. If you have full faith in the strength of a song and the group performing it, you don`t need to over power the song with lots of CGI.
I truly think this is the best song the group has released this year and for sometime as for the PV to me, it feels like the opening giant screen intro for a concert then a music video.
On November 16 under the name, Mobekimasu a super unit created from the combined units of Morning Musume + 10th generation members, Berryz Koubou, C-ute, Mano Erina, “new” S/mileage, members of Hello! Pro Egg, are going to be releasing a single called “Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku”.
The single will come in seven editions and each unit will have their own coupling track on an individual single. As an added bonus the single will come with handshake tickets for an H!P fan event.
So as H!P becomes H!P48 for at least one single [ multiple units combined for a single , units with their own coupling tracks ,trainees having an active role and multiple CD versions ,wota handshake tickets] ,I would caution fans of H!P thinking that this will be some kind of epic sales result by counting the average sales of each unit together .
H!P units for the most part share wotas with a few single unit hardcore dedicated fans . A good measuring stick is the old H!P All Stars single which sold 60,000+ copies. Anything less then that would be a disappointment for this release .
While I may find it funny that this has so many comparisons to another company that it`s like being H!P48 ,I think a single of this type just maybe what the agency needs to generate new interest.
I've finally got a chance to try this brand. Yay! I loves wearing lashes and I normally buy either MAC or Ardell because they are so easy to get and that's all I was used to. I have heard a lot of great things about Darkness lashes, or Asian brands eyelashes in general, but I never really bothered to buy any since they are so hard to get. So technically, Darkness is my first Asian brand lashes. I bought it from a beauty store called Palace Beauty in Korea Town Galleria, Los Angeles not too long ago.
Darkness K.Ma 9 lash:
I love the style and the flirty look of the lashes I picked. Darkness K.ma 9 is not super dramatic (the kind of lashes I like) so it is suitable to be worn during the day. I love them! I actually thought I didn't need any eye makeup because the lashes are so pretty that they already enhanced my eyes. Ha!Ha!
What I think about this brand?
Well, Darkness carries many styles by the way, from the simplest one to the most dramatic ones. The price is not that expensive. It is quite affordable actually. I paid $4.50 per box and it comes with 2 pairs of lashes. This K.ma9 style is adorable. I love the criss-cross and the spiky look which I think is super cute! They are great for pictures by the way. The best thing is that the lashes are not as soft and flimsy like most lashes so they will last for a while if you take good care of them. Unfortunately, since the band is harder than the usual American brand lashes, I had a hard time putting these lashes on. Maybe that's because I was used to those flimsy and softer band/lashes. Also throughout the day, I can feel these lashes on my lid, but it's okay because there's always a price for beauty! And with lots of practice, I will get used to putting these lashes on. :) Overall, I still recommend this brand since the lashes are great, super cute and beautiful. Your eyes will stand out that's for sure.
If you know any other Asian brand lashes that you would like to share, please let me know! I'd love to try other brands!
Last week our loveable heroes were locked in a vicious battle of wrestling for a free PR segment. This week we have the second half with a classic main event between two titans, well one titan and one 140 cm Afilia Saga East Panda. The main event features Yurika from the Possible vs the little panda from ASE Kohime .This was an epic battle, which left everyone drained.
Ok maybe I am over promoting it, but it sure was fun to watch the little panda fight for the honor of Afilia Saga East.
The PV is your basic go out in a snow covered forest, set up and perform, throw in some storyline footage and cut.
Nothing fancy, but the song is good enough without the frills. As with all Indies, the song is a required taste not heavily processed, more raw sound and some fans may like the raw sound, while others will simply reject it after being spoiled by years of over produced music.
Fairies are currently on a pre-release tour across Japan drawing 2-3,000 fans a stop. If you have followed my lead in posts on this group, then you know that I mentioned that they have a very impressive opening dance segment. As this is the first time our readers will have seen the dance segment, let me tell you what to expect.
This unit has had serious training and advice by their seniors Amuro Namie, SPEED and staff .Vision has designed this unit to be a major force in the idol genre, and their dance opening will show you just how much time has been invested in this unit.
On the promotional front, this unit has a number of product endorsements and in the major cities have large posters on high-rise buildings.
I don`t know how much their debut will sale, but it will not be for the lack of spending money. Fairies is what happens when you are a major company like Vision Factory and Avex and not one playing as if they are a major company.
I don`t really have a lot to say about this, this is more so a photo send out to fellow bloggers. Things happen very fast in the idol genre, there is a saying that agencies don`t let the body get cold before moving on. H!P is quickly moving on and while Saki fans may not be happy here is what their staff tweets call “New S/mileage ,S/mileage #2”.
Leaving your sadness over Saki to the side ,what do you think ,cute right ?
CANDY-GO! GO! Is another of the fresh faced idol units that has popped up in 2010. The members are from Tokyo, Ibaraki, and Saitama. CANDY-GO! GO! Is a very active unit performing as many as 20 lives a month and are little older then mainstream Idols ranging between 18-20, but more the average age for Indie idols.
What makes this unit win over my heart from a fan standpoint is that their image is that they are a “Shibuya-Kei Girls Rock Idol Unit” [Think Buono!]. This is actually a style that is picking up in the Indies and looks likely to grow even more.
From a live standpoint, this unit performs their own original releases and anime track covers, set to an up-tempo beat. Their fan group is called by the way “Candy Strike”.
CANDY-GO! GO! not only has a full active live event schedule ,they have an 1 hour web show every Monday [subscription fee] and every other Thursday night they have a radio show called “Candy Talking”.
So while this may not be a major name idol unit, they are doing exactly the same things that any unit from Hello! Project would do.
CANDY GO! GO!
TV
Parts 2-3 of TV show
Moving On ,lol
PV :We Are !!!!!!
One of the most covered songs in Indies Don`t Say Lazy
Why Being An Indie Is So Great [Freedom To Play With Fans]
Readers asked earlier what Houkago Princess live stage was like .This is from the 21st at a small live house called Shibuya O-Nest.
It`s not a full broadcast, but enough to wet your appetite for more. As to dancing this unit is going to be more of a vocal unit and very basic dances .It reminds me more of Visual Kei ,when you use your hands to guide the crowd . Houkago Princess Wotas follow the same guide, the girls make hand movements the wotas return the movements.
The young women of S/mileage have gone through a lot in the last few months and now they know and understand the real world of idols, that nothing stays the same or last forever.
The members gave Saki a goodbye the only way they could, the S/mileage way. There is a part when she looks like she is having second thoughts, but is resigned to her new destiny. Saki’s final moments as an idol
The other day I wanted to bring you the full concert from the August 14 by Dorothy Little Happy, however the audio was so bad, that I could not do it. I have however managed to put together some clips from the 14th live and their Q and A, a few hours ago from the Tokyo Idol Festival.
If your not familiar with this Sendai based group .They are made up of five girls aged 14-16 and Mari aged 15 is the lead vocalist and at times lead talker .This adorable idol loves to talk. They also have their own extra back up dancers that can make the unit as large as ten members at times. They are also one of our featured Idol coverage as they are a bright star over Sendai.
Hey everyone ,sorry for the short notice ,really got a lot to do today away from PIH .But I wanted to tell you that if you head over here right now to this link , you can watch some of the Tokyo Idol Festival Live or watch the archives . There will be dead air at times as this is live and guests coming and going ,technical issues and the like ,so bare with the staff of the festival as they do their best.
New Vision Factory Idol unit Fairies has yet to release their debut single and already the group is collecting endorsements .Vision is not playing around here, they are pushing this unit hard to debut strong.
Here is a look at what they have been up to on the endorsement field.
On the music front, this unit has the makings of being a big player in the genre.
I took these pictures for you bloggers - I know some of you are Kim Kardashian's fans. :) Sorry, pictures are a bit dark. I blamed my iPhone for that ;) Hopefully someone will scan the magazine later. In a meantime, enjoy the pictures!
Some of the guests..I don't know most of them except Ryan Seacrest and Eva Longoria from Desperate Housewife.
Overall, I like her makeup look. Very light. She did not have that thick foundation or heavy smokey eye makeup which is good. A wedding is the day where every woman should look like herself, only 1000000 times better - in my opinion. I read from somewhere that she copied Catherine Windsor's makeup look. Who cares really because from the pictures, she looks 5 years younger and fresh! That's all that matters. It makes me think that "less is more". ;) But still, I wont throw away my Smolder eye liner or Black Tied eyeshadow hahaha! But I think towards the end of the night, when she changed dresses, she added more eye makeup. Well, that's it from the magazine.
Just a quick post here. I will be hosting Apothica giveaway sometimes in early September, so I hope every one can participate! :) It opens to all USA residents as well as International, but Apothica does not ship to all countries so please check with them first. For you who don't know, Apothica is an online cosmetic/skincare retailer that carries many popular brands. Skincare RX and SkinBotanica are part of the company as well :)
Some of my favorite products are:
Stila Blush
Tocca Scented Candle
Essie Nail Polish in Fiji
Becca Mineral Powder
Too Faced Smokey Eye Palette
GloMinerals Foundation
..and many more!! Enjoy browsing in a mean time. Remember the giveaway is in September! :)
