Fresh Faces: Shimon Chu, Idol Gang Magic, Nagaigoto, Apple Gakuen,

Fresh Faces: Shimon Chu, Idol Gang Magic, Nagaigoto, Apple Gakuen,

It`s time for another round of video profiles of fresh face independent idol units. If you have followed this site for any period of time ,then you know we place a lot of importance on the largest branch of the female idol genre division and that is the independents .There is 100`s of these units across Japan making a name for themselves.
In this video profile I have selected units that have become active this summer and are so new to the idol wars that if they were new cars, they still have that new car smell to them. These units still have much work ahead of them to become national idols, but are making their mark in their regional backyards.

Shimon Chu [しもんchu♪]




http://www.shimonchu.com/

Idol Gang Magic
http://twitter.com/#!/idolgangmagic
http://igm.love-mark.jp/profile/
http://ameblo.jp/i-g-m/

Made their debut this August ,no releases yet . or live video yet

Nagaigoto [Wishes]
Sister unit to Idol Gang Magic
Made their debut this summer





http://ameblo.jp/negaigoto-5/

Apple Gakuen







This unit also has members who compete in professional wrestling and their producer is also a professional wrestler.







Apple Gakuen has these mini shows on their web site to get to know the members better.
Here is the first episode there as of this posting 10 more on the web site.



http://www.apple-gakuen.com/page0006.html
http://applegakuen.naganoblog.jp/
On their blog there is at times English posts or little bits of English

Review: Kelo-cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel

Hello Beautiful Ladies!

I was picked to review Kelo-cote Advanced Formula Scar Gel by Kelo-cote company. I received these two products from them:

 Advanced Formula Scar Gel

Advanced Formula Scar Therapy Spray

I am actually quite excited when I received the products in the mail because I have always wanted to try new things that could help with scars especially acne scars. I had some marks/scars from past acne problem and like most girls, I am quite conscious about it even though it is not that bad. Of course, I did acutane treatment, and that helped get rid of acne, but unfortunately I am left with scars. Yikes! So when I received these Kelo-cote Advanced Formula Scar Therapy, I had to try it right away to see if they would actually work.

What Advanced Formula Scar Gel/Spray Therapy claims:

Kelo-cote is the only patented, transparent, self-drying, flexible, gas permeable, waterproof Silicone Gel Sheet which improves the appearance of scars and prevents abnormal or excessive scar formation. When used as directed, Kelo-cote has been shown to flatten, soften and smooth scars, relieve the itching and discomfort of scars, as well as reduce the discoloration association with scars. Kelo-cote is effective for both old and new scars, and in the prevention of excessive and abnormal scar formation.

Intended use: For the management of old and new scars, including Hypertrophic and Keloid scars, resulting from surgical procedures, trauma, wounds and burns.

My Review:

After using the Advanced Formula Scar Gel consistently day and night for 2 weeks, I can see an improvement on my acne scars. I am quite please to see that the bumps (hypertrophic scars) on my skin have slightly flatten/reduced. Acne scar is my biggest issue you know, and I am sure everyone dislike them. So far, this product hasn't caused any zits on my face. I also use the products (Both Scar Gel and Spray Therapy) on a scar that I got from a car accident and I can seriously say that the scar looks better now! The products have helped reduce the scar discoloration and it looks way smoother than before. I will continue using these products and hopefully I will see more improvements! :)

If you have scars and would like to use something inexpensive to help reduce the appearance of those scars, I suggest to give Kelo-cote Advanced Formula Scar Therapy or Gel a try. To find out more about these products, please visit: http://skincarerx.com/kelo-cote.html

Disclaimer: I was sent these products to review, and my opinion are 100% honest.

Momoiro Clover Z: Roudou Sanka

Momoiro Clover Z: Roudou Sanka

Momoiro Clover Z has released a video for their upcoming November 23 release single “Roudou Sanka”. This PV has a little bit of everything and is shot as a tribute to the working man. Of all the videos this group has made, this is in my opinion alone  is the best PV this group has made. There is a lot in this video and if you are not careful, you will miss something.



In related news
Momoiro Clover Z vs. Tokyo Girls` Style Nov 22

On November 22 an epic battle of sorts will take place at Yokohama BLITZ as the two units will face off in a live concert on USTREAM .The live is titled “The 5th game!” and TGS representative Avex Entertainment regards this as a battle to “Snatch away Yokohama BLITZ” ,while Momoiro Clover Z said that they regard this as the end game of a growing friendly rivalry which has seen the two units hold live USTREAM concerts in the past either at the same time or right after each other from the same venue .
To add a little more spice to the situation both units will be releasing singles on November 23.

Fresh Faces ASAS And More

Fresh Faces ASAS And More

If you watched the newest episode of Tsunku`s new show ,then you saw some new idol groups that had not been on the show ,I thought that it would be a good show you some of the artists outside of Tsunku`s show that we have not covered on PIH .

First up is ASAS which stands for As Soon As. ASAS is a new unit signed under Victor Entertainment and recently had a debut release. The group is from Kansai and they like use Kansai dialect in their music.




Member profile video w/ their blog links in the video



http://www.jvcmusic.co.jp/-/Profile/A023778.html
http://itunes.apple.com/jp/album/id467338880
http://www.youtube.com/user/asaskansai#g/u

GAL♡DOLL
Is a Shibuya based unit that is a part of the whole Shibuya Gal culture of blonde hair and spray on tans.









http://galdoll.jp/?guid=on

http://www.crownrecord.co.jp/artist/galdoll/whats.html

O-SYA-MA
http://o-sya-ma.com/mobile/
http://www.o-sya-ma.com/index.html

AD
For those who don`t know it the girl on the show known as AD is actually an idol and has been a member of a couple of groups


http://www.youtube.com/user/2010MBCS#g/u

http://ameblo.jp/mbcs-nagisa/

Apple-Tale




http://apple-tale.com/

Lovely ★DOLL

http://ameblo.jp/love-lovelydoll/

Related
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2011/10/tsuntube-18.html

Tsuntube #18

Tsuntube #18
Another week and more Tsunku and idols, this week another audition episode for fresh idols for the show and AD becomes a judge.


As an added bonus I have put some of the groups that are in this episode that we have not covered yet on PIH in a separate video and link post.

Related
http://pureidolheart.blogspot.com/2011/10/fresh-faces-asas-and-more.html

Half Term Photoshoot 25th October 2011 HZV Studios

Caramel Rock provided the opportunity for some half term activity offering girl students from Cumberland School, Langdon School, Royal Docks Community School and the YOT (Youth Offending Team) the chance to participate in a photo shoot on the 25th of October 2011 at the HZV Studios London. The girls brought their own clothes and were given the chance to try their hand at a bit of modelling. Check out some of the images!!

Momoiro Clover Z : BIONIC CHERRY Radio Preview

Momoiro Clover Z : BIONIC CHERRY Radio Preview

Momoiro Clover Z has released the radio preview theme song for the movie “Salvage Mice” called “BIONIC CHERRY” and is their second song on the movie ,the first was “CONTRADICTION”.



Bonus CONTRADICTION Live Version

SKE48 Magical Radio #3

SKE48 Magical Radio #3

This episode was a Halloween themed episode. There is tears and yelling in this episode and a guest member from SKE48 . For my English first readers of PIH in the second video look for a white sign with black lettering on the right side of the stage set up and read it for a funny laugh.


SKE48のマジカル・ラジオ 111025 第3話 1 by tennis800v


SKE48のマジカル・ラジオ 111025 第3話 2 by tennis800v

AKB48 Single Day Million Sales

AKB48 Single Day Million Sales

AKB48 has recorded another record with a very special earthquake support single. AKB48`s single “Kaze wa Fuiteiru” has sold a single day record of 1,045,037. This is the second single in a row for AKB48 to sale one million copies on the first day of release. With the improvement of 20,000 sales over their last single, AKB48 broke a record they set themselves, meaning AKB48 has reached new level in their career; they are now breaking their own records.


With the results of this opening day release AKB48 now has four consecutive million seller singles and their 5th as a unit ,placing them above Morning Musume which has had three one million sales singles . Along with that mark, AKB48 has had every single they have released this year go on to sale one million copies.
AKB48 single sales seem to be topping out at 1.570 million, so passing two million for a single [a dream of many AKB48 fans] maybe difficult but not impossible for this unit at this current time.

AKB48`s sales run is nothing short of impressive in a time when a number of international artists struggle to sale a million worldwide let alone in their own backyard.

H!P Heads Nationwide

H!P Heads Nationwide

To celebrate H!P`s Mobekimasu super unit ,they have organized a nationwide single day promotional campaign . On the October 29  all the members of the company will split up and deploy nationwide for a promotional campaign for their upcoming single "Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku".

This nationwide campaign will include concerts and fan talk events ,there will also be restricted to pre order sales only handshake events.

In addition to the location events , members will be on 13 television shows , 5 radio shows , 15 magazine features and Sayu`s web show as part of the promotional events for this single [some of which has already started to air or have been published].

Note-This list is growing faster then I can complete this post ,UF/H!P are gong all in for this single.

Moving into November the super unit will hold a live event on the 23rd at Yomiuri Land Open Theater EAST ,called “Hello! Project☆Festival 2011“.

For some time now our media has called the move of more and more idol groups and companies making a mark on the industry “The age of idol wars” ,many fans and media outlets have wondered if or when H!P would go all in and join this fight ,it looks from this campaign ,that the decision has been made at last at least for one single ,to go all in and join the battle full force with an open checkbook.

The October 29 promotional campaign locations
Sapporo
October 29th @ Ario Sapporo

First Round: 1:00pm -1:30pm SHOW / 1:30pm-2:30pm Handshake Event
Second Round: 3:00pm-3:30pm SHOW / 3:30pm-4:30pm Handshake Event

Tokyo
October 29th @ Tokyo Dome Laqua

First Round: 12:30pm-1:00pm SHOW / 1:00pm-2:00pm Handshake Event
Second Round: 3:00pm-3:30pm SHOW / 3:30pm-4:30pm Handshake Event
Third Round: 5:30pm-6:00pm SHOW / 6:00pm-7:00pm Handshake Event

Tokai Area
October 29th

First Round: 2:30pm-3:00pm SHOW / 3:00pm-3:40pm Handshake Event
Second Round: 4:40pm-5:10pm SHOW / 5:10pm-5:50pm Handshake Event
Third Round: 6:50pm-7:20pm SHOW / 7:20pm-8:00pm Handshake Event

Kansai Area

October 29th @ Minatomachi River Place & Ario Otori
First Round: Minatomachi River Place 1:00pm-1:15pm SHOW (Talk-only) / 1:30pm-2:15pm Handshake Event
Second Round: Ario Otori 5:00pm-5:20pm SHOW / 5:25pm-6:15pm Handshake Event
Third Round: Ario Otori 7:00pm-7:20pm SHOW / 7:25pm-8:15pm Handshake Event

Fukuoka Area
October 29th @ Canal City Hakata & River Walk Kitakyushu

First Round: Canal City Hakata 11:00am-11:30am SHOW / 11:30 am-12:30pm Handshake Event
Second Round: River Walk Kitakyushu 5:00pm-5:30pm SHOW / 5:30pm-6:30pm Handshake Event

Dorothy Little Happy Concert

Dorothy Little Happy Concert

On the 22nd Dorothy Little Happy held a live concert on USTREAM .This actually happens regularly by this group. This concert had a little bit of everything new costumes, TEAM DOROTHY back dancers and a fun time was had by all.
DLH will be releasing another single soon, so be sure to continue to follow the group on PIH.

Note-As to DLH blog translations that we started and stopped ,Ryo has had some personal things to tend to and right now ,I am the only staffer and my time is limited as to what I will cover each day and something’s have had to be sacrificed .
When Ryo takes care of his family needs the DLH blog translations and other projects that are planned for PIH will resume.

http://www.ustream.tv/recorded/18029909

NMB48 Sets Oricon Records

NMB48 Sets Oricon Records

Have you heard this story before if there is a 48 in the name a record is set to be broken. NMB48 has set three records with their current single .With weekly sales of 265,000 this is their second single in a row to debut at number one, making them the first group in Oricon history to have their first two singles debut at number one.

The second achievement
NMB48 is just the third female artist group or soloist to have their first two singles debut at number one. The other two artists are Yakushimaru Hiroko and Sawajiri Erika.

Third achievement
NMB48 became the first female group to have their first two singles sale over 200,000 in its release week.

Overall from majors to indies the genre is in a healthy state and groups are doing well for the levels they are at in their careers .More and more media outlets are paying attention to both the majors and indies with a wide range of groups having  national  or regional weekly television programs .

 The number of groups debuting on the independent level is doubling each month; the genre is in much better shape than it was around 2004-05 when it was showing signs of stalling out.
 2011 has brought a lot of surprises to the genre and fans and 2012 is going to bring many more exciting groups, sales records, television shows.

Milky Holmes Live In Budokan

Milky Holmes Live In Budokan

Seiyuu idol unit Milky Holmes announced at their recent live that on May 20, 2012 they will hold a concert at the famed Nippon Budokan.

For readers unfamiliar with the group Milky Holmes is made of four voice actresses [Seiyuu] who are Mimori Suzuko, Tokui Sora, Sasaki Mikoi, and Kitta Izumi .The members of Milky Holmes are currently the voices for the anime series “Tantei Opera Milky Homes”. The groups costume concept is based on the Sherlock Shellingford series which the four members were the character voices and is also related to the Milky Holmes anime.

The group has been recently on a summer tour and has released a DVD called Colourful Garden.

Nogizaka46 Nogizakatte, Doko? #4

Nogizaka46 Nogizakatte, Doko? #4

This week was a bit more entertaining as we start to see the athletic abilities of the members or in some cases the lack of ability. If you are a fan of idols doing athletic competitions then this is a show for you to watch.

http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzE1NTcwMjQw.html

Tsunku And The Indies #17

Tsunku And The Indies #17
I almost forgot about this episode, because I have been so busy. This episode we have part two of the dart game episode .Tsunku can throw a good game as well.
Overall I feel the show is starting to slip a bit I the creativity department , but what I am excited about is Tsunku has taken the show one step beyond the television , by producing live single day concert festivals with the groups on the show.

Maeda Yuuka To Leave S/mileage

Maeda Yuuka To Leave S/mileage

Maeda Yuuka of S/mileage announced her retirement from the idol industry yesterday, and apologies for not getting this out sooner; I had things to tend to.

Yuuka has announced that her final day as an idol will be December 31, when she will have her graduation so that she can make sure that her grades and studies are at the level to pass her University entrance exams.

Yuuka explained in her announcement that since she entered high school, she has been unable to keep up with my S/mileage work and school at the same time and it has bothered me a great deal.
As time went on her desire to enter university has taken root in her heart and she came to realize that she was leading a half-hearted life and grew unhappy with how things were going .Yuuka said the following when reaching this moment to graduate “I thought to myself “Things aren’t going to work out if it keeps going like this”. “If I let these feelings continue, it would not be fair to the other members, nor to all the fans that support me.”

“I thought a lot about it. I may not be very bright but I put all my energy into thinking about this… and came up with this as the only possible option.”
S/mileage`s upcoming single will be her last as an idol and while it is sad to see any idol leave the industry so early ,she is doing what she and her family feels is best for her future , so we should all enjoy the memories she gave to everyone and the time she has left in S/mileage.

Footnote –apologies for not translating the entire retirement announcement, I much business with my own career to attend to these days and so little time to say everything that I want to.

Baby Metal: Princesses Of Idol Metal

Baby Metal: Princesses Of Idol Metal

Under normal circumstances this would be posted on my hard rock blog, but as I have not opened it yet and the fact these three darlings of cuteness are idols it falls here on PIH.

Please welcome to the site Baby Metal

Baby Metal is a Idol  Metal Group, created from members of the idol group Sakura Gakuin and are all under the age of 14.

Baby Metal members are
SU-METAL [Vocals and Dance]
MOAMETAL [Screamer and Dance]
YUIMETAL [Screamer and Dance]

Baby Metal was born in 2010 to be a mix of Idol and Heavy Metal Music .They made their debut in October 2010 performing their debut single “Doki Doki Morning” .They followed that up with a song this July called “Ijime, Dame, Zettai” .This release became an immediate buzz in both the idol and rock genre for its music and lyrical content along with Baby Metal`s performance abilities for the song.

Because Baby Metal is a heavy metal group ,they have attracted a number of heavy metal wotas to their lives that Baby Metal lovingly calls “WELCOME TO THE MOSH PIT OF CHAOS”, that sees any idol event they play at transformed into a heavy metal mosh pit.

In October they were a part of a music event in Shinjuku called “NO MUSIC,NO IDOL?” and look set to continue their unique brand of mayhem for some time to come. While a few units proclaim that they are heavy metal idols, no one has embraced the concept to the degree that Baby Metal has.

While some metal and hard rock purists may scream this breaks everything we hold of value in the genre, I am not one of them .You see if your secure in your manhood, then you can see what Baby Metal is in its truest form, a tribute to the great genre that is heavy metal  and the “Princesses Of Idol Metal”. And for me, someone who makes his living as a hard rock singer and as a fan of idol genre, I say bring on the chaos and Baby Metal.

http://www.babymetal.jp/

HKT48 Debut

HKT48 Debut

The Fukuoka branch of the 48 sisterhood made their debut at AKB48`s live handshake event  at the Seibu Dome yesterday. 15,000 fans greeted the new idols.

21 members passed their audition and  the group is youngest of all the 48 groups with a group average age of 13.8 yrs. The oldest member being 17 year old Sugamoto Yuko and the youngest being 11 year old Tanaka Natsumi .


Looking at the group photo starting back row left to right the members are in this order
Abe Kyoka, Eto Sayaka, Nakanishi Sayaka, Imada Mina, Shimono Yuki, Kumazawa Serina, Ueki Nao, Nakanishi Chiyori, Moriyasu Madoka, Anai Chihiro, Sugamoto Yuko.

Moving to the front row again left to right
Tanaka Natsumi, Fukagawa Maiko, Komori Yui, Taniguchi Airi, Wakatabe Haruka, Motomura Aoi, Murashige Anna, Miyawaki Sakura, Matsuoka Natsumi, Kodama Haruka.

HP
http://www.hkt48.jp/index.html

AKB48 Bimyo #4

AKB48 Bimyo #4
Here is episode four of the show. It seems the directors are starting to settle on a regular cast as several members are starting to make more and more skits .Don`t be surprised after a few months if you start to see the same faces each episode.


If you have missed past episodes they are in the link on the right side
http://v.youku.com/v_show/id_XMzE0Njk2MzQw.html

Versace for H&M

I am sure many girls are excited about this news. Versace for H&M collection will hit stores nationwide on November 19, 2011 so mark your calendar!

 

So what do you guys think about the collection? 

I am in love with the selection of colors they have. The whole collection is pretty; however, the only item I would wear is that Purple Cutout Silk Dress. I am just not into pattern or flowery design. Beads and sequins are fine!

Have a fabulous Friday everyone!

Fresh Faces: Pureful

Fresh Faces: Pureful
Back in June I made a brief post on two members of this group getting injured in a television taping; now it is time to introduce the group.

Pureful is a heavy metal/rock idol unit and are members of a company known as Alice Project .AP features Pureful their sister units Prism, Cherry Blossom and Alice Juban.
Pureful is made up of the following members Fujisaki Asami, Mori Kanon, Ayakawa Komugi, Koitabashi YU-KI, Tsukimura Reika, and Sakura Nodoka. The absolute number one thing that I like about Pureful is that they stage dive into the wotas at lives. The second thing that I like about Pureful is that on the weekends when not working you can find them out cosplaying with non-idols on their free time and the last reason that I like them is because when you ask them why they stage dive, they will gladly say to you “it reflects our current common sense”.
Pureful made their stage diving assault on the idol genre in 2010 and have two CDs to date. While I love Pureful, I think the idol unit HY4_4YH have a harder music sound to them .While both are heavy metal idol units, HY4_4YH holds a specialness to me for being one brick short of a full load and are just plain insane on stage, Pureful gets a slight edge overall in my heart because of the stage dives at lives and because of their lives, they are an experience that you just have to see to fully understand this unit.

The Stage Diving Idols
Ready set ,2 minutes kick wotas in face and it`s 1,2,3,4, idols stage dive.









Street Live

 

HP
http://www.alice-project.biz/pureful/

Fresh Faces: LSP

Fresh Faces: LSP

LSP [Larval Stage Planning] is a group made up of Kirishima Airi, Maisaki Nami and Asami Rin. LSP belong to a company based in Sapporo called I`ve Sound or I`ve for short .I`ve is a techno/trance style company that have created works for a number of entertainment fields.
LSP is a real fresh faced unit having made their recording debut in June 2010 on an I`ve compilation album before making their single debut this past July with “Kimi+Nazo+Watashi de JUMP!!”

For some reason that I just can`t explain with words [it`s just a gut feeling type thing] this group interests me and I have found their works and live events enjoyable. Would I call them idols? Yes and no ,they are not traditional idols ,but fit the general wotas like them rule ,so they fit ,lol.















HP
http://ive.mu/lsp/

Sea☆A: DELI-DELI☆DELICIOUS PV

Sea☆A: DELI-DELI☆DELICIOUS PV

International idol group Sea☆A is back with their second single titled “DELI-DELI☆DELICIOUS” .The single is the current ending theme for the anime “Toriko”. The PV features the girls being transformed into a video game .I am giving this PV a win score because not only is it cute, the effects are nicely done and set to a fun story.

The single comes out November 23

SKE48 no Magical Radio #2

SKE48 no Magical Radio #2
Week two of SKE48 new variety show “no Magical Radio” has aired .Week two follows the same setup as the first episode and likely every episode will be the same format.


111019sakaeradioshow by iiiat

Hellbent Kat Von D - Lips of The Night

I love red color in general and I think red lips are pretty and sexy, especially in autumn. Unfortunately, it's not that easy for me to find the right color that would match my skin tone. A wrong shade of red would make me look 10 years older!! Or even worse, my boyfriend would ask me to wipe it off. Ha!Ha! :) How I wish that all the red lipsticks out there would look good on me. I am tired of trying and testing, you know? I am NC 42 in MAC and if you have any suggestion, please let me know. :) FYI, I have yet to try MAC Russian Red, but for now..I am loving this Hellbent by Kat Von D. :)

"Beauty, to me, is about being comfortable in your own skin. That, or a kick-ass red lipstick."~ Gwyneth Paltrow

Sorry for the iPhone 4 photo, but I just have to share my excitement with you ladies! :D

X.O.X.O

Tsunku And Indie Idols #16

Tsunku And Indie Idols #16

Episode of Tsuntube, this time he takes the idols for a game of darts
It`s idol & pro player team format.

AKB48 Get Own Anime Series

AKB48 Get Own Anime Series

AKB48 run of success is seeing no end as starting next spring they will have their own anime series.

The untitled anime will center around 9 idol trainees looking to move up the ranks to idol stardom. The characters will be based on  members of AKB48 .  The voices will be selected through a 48 family audition; the members of AKB48, SKE48, and NMB48 will all audition for the roles with the first round results to be announced in mid-November. The finals will be held at a live event.

The winners will also perform the show’s theme songs, in addition to the anime a manga will be created for the series as well.

The writer for the anime is famed “Macross Frontier” writer Kawamori Shoji .Kawamori said that the anime would combine traditional animation and the latest in CGI advancement along with the spirit of idols .Kawamori said the series will make viewers laugh, cry, and dance and feel encouragement.

Footnote- The Anime photo is not the final version of what they will look like in the anime ,it`s just a media release drawing.

The Kardashian Kloset Confidential

Hello ladies,

I just received my favorite magazine InStyle UK Edition and guess what? Your favorite reality TV stars are in it! I just have to share the following articles with you guys because some of you love the Kardashians, and their fabulous lifestyle. :) Well, it's quite amazing to see how these women who once upon a time had closets just like everyone else, you know a simple walk-in, and now each of them has a closet as big as a guest bedroom! I know some of you might say ahhhh, Christina Aguilera and Mariah Carey have the biggest closets of them all (yeah as big as a small house!) but still, for reality TV stars, these closets are great! And that's what fame can do for you - even a bad publicity is a good publicity for them. It keeps the money coming ;). I still think that the two sisters, Kourtney and Khloe (and the rest of the family of course) should all be thankful to Kim as she was the one who started it all - from a racy sex tape with a famous person to a successful reality show and all of the business ventures. So kudos to Kim and the family. :) So here are the articles about their closets! Enjoy!

PS: I would definitely raid Kourtney's closet since we are about the same size!