Mobekimasu Single Announced, Titled “Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku”

A new single for all of the Mobekimasu members within H!P has been announced. It will be titled Busu ni Naranai Tetsugaku (Not ugly philsophy/A philosophy that doesn’t get ugly).

The single will come in 7 different editions, one regular and Limited A, B, C, D, E and F, which will each respectively feature as a c/w a song by a different group, and all of the editions (including regular) come with a special ticket for a handshake and live event.

There was no mention weither the 10th generation members will be participating in this single as a part of Momusu or not (although they should have entered the group by then), but it’s being said that Ai-chan won’t be in this release and that the new S/mileage sub-members will take part in it.

When I first saw the news, I have to say that I was very surprised since I didn’t expect seeing a Mobekimasu release this year because of all of the changes H!P groups undertook, from the 9th generation auditions to the S/mileage’s new members,etc… but I can’t help but think that this single may be released because of those events, to promote H!P in general and probably boost sales for all of the groups.

Even though we have no info apart from the fact that all of the groups will be participating in this which is already a huge event, as well as the release date and the title, we can still see from the title that means something like Not ugly philosophy that the song will probably be something uplifting and happy to boost everyone’s spirits since it would be kind of weird to have a Mobekimasu release turning out to be a sad or fierce song, even though everything is possible.

Apart from that, I’m really excited about getting more information concerning this release, mostly weither there will be a PV for this single or not since it’s an amazing chance to see all of the members together again (this happened back when the song One for All and All for One was released), and I also would like to know weither the c/w’s will be the main song sung by each group or a different c/w for each edition that belongs to a different group.

Overall, I’m highly excited about this release since this is a very important event that doesn’t happen very often within H!P, and I’m impressed by the effort UFA is putting into promoting H!P groups right now.

Hopefully more details will be out soon so that fans can start reserving their copies since it seems like a perfect release that will please every H!P fan thanks to the special feature of different c/ws, that way everyone can pick their favorite group and reserve a copy of the appropriate edition.

The release date is set for 11/16.

SonyMusicShop info page about product

Hello! Channel vol.6 Titled “Hello Channel vol.6 ~Morning Musume Takahashi Ai Sotsugyou Special~”

The full title for Hello! Channel’s sixth release has been revealed to be Hello Channel vol.6 ~Morning Musume Takahashi Ai Sotsugyou Special~.

Since this will be Ai-chan’s last appearance in the mook it’s not that surprising to see that she is the main theme since almost every other release for Hello! Project has some kind of mention of her name in honor of her, and while it might not be that creative to name every release “Takahashi Ai Graduation Special” it’s still a great way for everyone to remember the large impact she has had in Hello! Project with this title.

Apart from the title there isn’t much else to update about since most of the activities that I mentioned last time will be included, along with a mention of the new S/mileage “sub” members and the regular activities, although I expect to see a slight focus on Ai-chan throughout the entire release.

Hopefully everyone can reserve their copy since this will most likely be the most important Hello! Channel release yet.

The release date is set for 9/23.

Hello! Project Site

Hello! Channel vol.6 Mook Announced

The next mook release under the Hello! Channel series titled Hello! Channel vol.6 has been announced.

Like the release date and the description suggest this mook will be focused on Ai-chan since it will be released a few days before she graduates, and while the description doesn’t mention much else it seems like it will be filled with the usual combinations of members doing activities such as camping and BBQ as well as a mention of S/mileage’s new member(s) which we should find out about soon.

Apart from that there have been many mentions from members about who will be with who during these activities and so far here are some of the pairings to expect:

• Gaki, Suzuki Kanon, Maasa, Chinami, Chisato, Yuuka and Sharan Q’s Makoto will have an outdoor BBQ
• Sayumi, Kumai, Nakky, and Maimi will be hotel managers
• Gaki with Mano, Mai, and Miyabi
• Reina, Shimizu, Airi, and Fukuda Kanon will be wearing Summer Jinbei clothing
• Airi with Ikuta Erina

There are most likely many, many more combinations but until we get a few previews or a more descriptive description we will have to wait to find out, although so far it seems like this will be a very interesting release because of the many interesting pairings and articles that will be included.

Hopefully everyone who is interested gets a copy of the mook once it is released since it seems like a must have for any H!P fan.

The release date is set for 9/23.

e-Hon Page

Mobekimasu Official H!P Sites Updated

All of Mobekimau groups now have their official website within H!P’s official site with a new design for each one.

As some might remember, Morning Musume were the first group to have their own official site colored in Yellow a while back with a totally new design and an easier pattern, and now I’m happy to see that all of the groups have followed them since it’s really a nice way to represent each group and artist, and it gives fans a chance to check out the so-called “official websites”.

All of the sites follow a similar pattern which consists of the group’s name  (or artist’s name in Mano’s case) in a specified color and pattern with a group profile picture of their latest single/album with a link to each member’s profile next to their image, along with useful information such as the PV of their latest single with release date for it and single’s promotional photo, as well as the categories featured on the top and links to all of the members blogs and official Ustream, Twitter,etc… pages.

 

Morning Musume

Momusu’s site has been updated a while back and we got to see the yellow design it got with a very original font used for the name and a bright yellow and orange color for the top bar and the “Blog” and “News” categories, and even though we pretty much got used to this design, it’s still nice to see that they went with such a bright color for the flag ship of H!P, specially since it matches their current gold outfits.

Berryz Koubou

Berryz’s site is really one of the best of all since the combination of the rainbow-colored logo for the group on the top of the page and the cute pink and purple theme from the artist’s profile picture and the purple bar and member’s bubbles result in a very cute and cuddly theme. Even though Berryz still have the PV for Ai no Dangan up, it should be soon updated so that everything will fit, and a funny notice is that Captain being the only one with a blog is the only one shown in the “Blog” section, but hopefully we’ll get to see all of the members open official blogs soon so that this section is more lively.

C-ute

C-ute’s site has a dominant blue color with their official logo on top in the same color and everything from the top banner to the member’s bubbles is also blue, so it’s quite cute to see that they went for a one-colored theme since blue suits them really well. They still have their Momoiro Sparkling profile picture up which should be changed soon, and it’s nice to see that the “Blog” section is active.

Mano Erina

Mano’s logo and color have always been red, so it’s nice to see that they went with her official logo that she uses everywhere and matched it with red and pink bars for the unique “Blog&Twitter” section she has as well as the “News”, and even though her page might look a little plain compared to the group ones, it’s still nice since it features all information concerning her last single from the profile picture to the info on the right.

S/mileage

S/mileage’s site is the most colorful of them all probably thanks to their outfits in the profile picture that really stand out, as well as the unique logo they have and have always used. They have a dominant color of pink similar to the one Berryz have, and since they are one of the most active groups in Twitter and on their blogs, this section is really active and should please every fan who stops by.

Overall, I’m really happy to see that each group and artist got their own official site within H!P’s big website since it’s clearer and way easier to browse through, along with a nice new setting for each group and many inportant info featured in an original way on he front page.

Hopefully everyone can check them out and I’m hoping that Buono! gets a new setting for their page too since it’d be somewhat sad to see that the others have new updated pages while Buono! still have the old design.

Morning Musume official site

Berryz Koubou official site

C-ute official site

Mano Erina official site

S/mileage official site

Hello! Project 2012 Calendars Announced

This year’s 2012 Hello! Project calendars have finally been announced.

The groups/artists releasing calendars this year are: Morning Musume, Berryz Koubou, C-ute, Mano Erina, S/mileage and Takahashi Ai.

The long-awaited calnedars for 2012 have finally been announced, and it’s not a surprise to see all of H!P’s groups and artists participate and have their own calendar just like every year, but the nice point for this year that will please every single Ai-chan fan is the fact that Momusu’s soon to graduate leader will have her own solo calendar for everyone to enjoy.

Even though I usually don’t pay much attention to calendars apart from the photos that are included in them, I think that this is yet another amazing release that H!P does every year since many fans anxiously wait for this, and having a calendar from their favorite groups/artists is really nice since you get to follow them all-year long, each month featuring an amazing picture.

Overall, I’m really happy to see that they have finally been announced since it’s a great opportunity for everyone to start reserving their copies, and I’m glad to see that Ai-chan will be getting her own since many fans will like to remember her though the year even if she’s not in Momusu anymore.

The calendars are set to be released in late September.

Hagoromo.com announcement page for 2012 releases

“Hello! Channel Vol.5” DVD Cover Released

The DVD cover for the Hello! Channel mook titled Hello! Channel the DVD Vol.5 has been released.

Like the past release, the cover of the DVD release of the Hello! Channel features the same image as the one used for the mook but without the disturbing blocks of text on both sides, and this is no exception since the cover features one of the main topics of the mook and DVD which is the leaders convention, featuring Takahashi Ai, Yajima Maimi, Shimizu Saki and Wada Ayaka in buisnessmen uniforms posing on the road.

Since there is no text covering up the image, we can clearly see the setting the girls are in which is on a road next to a white building surrounded by trees, and since this cover seems brighter, it’s definitely more eye-catching, specially with the cute doodle drawn next to the “2011 Entertainement DVD” which seems like they forgot to mention the month since June’s release clearly stated “June 2011 Entertainement DVD”…

As for the title’s text, it’s the same font that has been used for the last release too which is a very funky design with a smiling face in the “ro” and hearts instead of dots, and the nice additions are the different background for the image which looks like old newspaper, with many customized cartoon-shaped blocks for “the DVD Vol.5” and on the top left of the cover.

Overall, I suggest everyone that want to be entertained by an amazing release from H!P girls to purchase a copy because unlike the mooks, even if you don’t know Japanese, you can still enjoy seeing the girls in action and interacting with the many activities they are given.

The pre-order session ends tomorrow 8/9.

e-Lineup page about product

[Updated] H!P 2011 Summer Setlists And Rankings

There are a lot of different setlists for this concert because of the Fankora songs rankings and members solos. JPLOP member Sohee has put together an easy to read post about the member solos, Fankora song rankings, member Q & As, etc.

It’s quite long and since the concert is still ongoing this will be updated and it will get longer so please continue after the break.

[Updated] Information from the 7/30 and 7/31 concert have been added. All new info is marked/bolded so you can see it more easily.

H!P X BLT Shirt Collaboration Designs Revealed

Morning Musume

The shirt designs for Hello! Project and BLT magazine’s cooperation release have been revealed.

Also, in a slightly related note the official H!P shop will also be selling tapestries of each member wearing a Yukata (thanks to shinpaul for the info!).

Another H!P and BLT collaboration means shirts designed by each member, and it’s great to see that there are so many cryptic codes used for the numbers of each member along with a unique hand-drawn design since it gives fans a chance to support their favorite member.

The reason why I refer to the numbers as being cryptic is mainly because the significance behind every number is usually their birth date, their name, a reference to their age, or another slightly more hidden meaning, which is interesting since fans have a fun time figuring out each number, and while a confirmed list hasn’t been released and we aren’t sure what the meaning is behind each, a list was done by Starra (mainly) and Erilaz (Momo, Chii, and Maasa) @ JPLOP which has explanations for most of the numbers:

Takahashi Ai: 15 = Ichi-go = strawberry.
Niigaki Risa: 8 = 88 = her birth year (1988).
Michishige Sayumi: 255 = ??
Tanaka Reina: 1 = number 1 (?).
Fukumura Mizuki: 10 = birth month (October).
Ikuta Erina: 777 = her birthday (July 7th).
Sayashi Riho: 384 = sa-ya-shi.
Suzuki Kanon: 985 = her birthday, 5/8/98.
Mitsui Aika : 08 = 8th gen.

Shimizu Saki: 432 = shi-mi-zu.
Tsugunaga Momoko: 29 = her birth year (1992) + her birth month and birth day added (March 6th). /  The first two syllables of Tsugunaga: tsu=two, ku=9
Tokunaga Chinami: 109 = too=10, ku=9 (for Tokunaga)
Sudou Maasa: 03 = her birth month (March). / ma(ru)=0, sa(n)=3
Natsuyaki Miyabi: 38 = mi-ya.
Kumai Yurina: 901 = ku-ma-i
Sugaya Risako: 07 = ???. (might be a reference to her being the seventh member of Berryz or the total members of Berryz)

Yajima Maimi: 910 = kyuu-to.
Nakajima Saki: 100 = ???.
Suzuki Airi: 412 = her birthday (4/12).
Okai Chisato: 910 = kyuu-to.
Hagiwara Mai: 002 = her birth month (February).

Mano Erina: 20 = her age.

Wada Ayaka: 998 = ???.
Maeda Yuuka: 128 = her birthday (December 8th).
Fukuda Kanon: 312 = her birthday (March 12th).
Ogawa Saki: 930 = ???.

Talking about every single shirt would take a lot of time, but briefly I’m happy to see that each member of Momusu have used a unique line for their shirt for example Ai’s I am Ai. (the title of her blog), Gaki’s AHAHAHAHA, Sayu’s THE! PIZZZA (most likely a reference to THE! Peace), as well as the Mizuki and Ikuta’s PONPON (Eripon+Mizupon=PonPon) which all have unique and fun names.

Berryz Koubou

For Berryz Koubou the words underneath the H!P and BLT bar aren’t that hard to decipher since they are basically just their names, but the designs on the back were pretty cute, like Chii’s sunflowers, Miyabi’s fluffy dog with the word “Peace” underneath it, Kumai’s bear, as well as Risako’s slightly empty and simple “Love…” which is pretty unique since most of the members seem to have taken quite a lot of time with their drawings (Risako might have wanted to leave early).

C-ute

For C-ute it’s slightly similar to Berryz since there aren’t that many out of the ordinary words but Maimi’s AMEONNA (or “rain girl”) is pretty cute, and from the designs on the back I was impressed since Maimi’s bug catcher girl (I think that’s what it is), Maimai’s spiky haired boy and girl and bow, as well as Airi’s design she has used in many other H!P pictures are all unique.

S/mileage

S/mileage features half of the members with out of the ordinary names, mainly Kanon with her NYONSAMA and Saki’s BEARSAKI, along with some pretty cool designs in the back, like Ayaka’s cat with a headband, Yuuka’s kid saying hi to the sun, Kanon’s “Idol Revolution!!!”, or Saki’s bear with a square mouth.

Mano Erina

Mano’s design is a bit more mature compared to others which might be due to her character since it doesn’t feature any overly cute names, on the front we see ERINA.M and on the back is her name in Hiragana with the MANO ERI in between hearts and the NAA! under what appears to be a roof (or she probably couldn’t fit it in and added that spelling correction), which is still cute in a Mano way, meaning that’s it’s really cute.

Overall the designs are very unique for each member since there isn’t that much of a similarity. Every single member has a different number (except Chisa and Maimi) along with a unique drawing in the back and their name on a shirt with their member color, which will give fans a good reason to buy them since they are all perfect for every member.

Hopefully those who can get a shirt do so since they will probably be only for sale on the BLT site (Hello! Store USA might have them although I’m not sure if there is an exclusive contract between H!P and BLT), so I encourage those who can to reserve shirts for their favorite members to do so since a hand drawn design and a shirt with many references to the member are the best way for fans to show off their support for their favorite member.

The shirts are on sale starting 7/25.

BLT Main Page For Shirts

BLT Page For Shirts – Morning Musume

BLT Page For Shirts – Berryz Koubou

BLT Page For Shirts – C-ute

BLT Page For Shirts – Mano Erina

BLT Page For Shirts – S/mileage

Official H!P Shop Site

H!P X BLT Collaboration Book “HaroPro Maruwakari BOOK vol.4” Announced

Hello! Project and BLT magazine will once again collaborate to release 26 member designed summer shirts along with a book titled HaroPro Maruwakari BOOK vol.4.

Collaborations between H!P and the BLT magazine are already pretty familiar for fans since they have been done for a while, most recently in February of this year, so it’s not that surprising to see yet another collaboration between them being announced since it’s a great way to promote the members.

The last release didn’t feature the 9th generation for obvious reasons but now we will get a chance to see the members in Yukatas (if these are the outfits they will be wearing in the book), and I am impressed since all of the members look amazing, and with the members lined up according to seniority it is a great way to show off all of the members since Mitsui and the 9th gen all appear clearly (with a great expression from Ikuta).

For now fans who have previous BLT releases already know what’s in store for this release, but I look forward to finding out how the shirts will look since the designs will be done by each member (if I remember correctly).

I’ll update when more info, such as pictures about the shirt designs or the cover of the book (most likely mook) is released.

A release date hasn’t been announced, but we should find out soon enough when the page for this release is open.

H!P 2011 Summer Concert Voting Round 4

The 4th round of member voting for H!P 2011 summer concert tour titled Hello!Project 2011 Summer ~Nippon no Mirai wa WOW WOW Live~ and Hello!Project 2011 Summer ~Nippon no Mirai wa YEAH YEAH Live~ has been opened.

Even though the concert tour already started a couple of days ago, the voting process seems to be continuing which is kind of surprising judging from the already many different setlists and additions the performed concerts had, but it’s still an amazing chance for more variety in the upcoming concerts.

The questions are as following and as usual you have to provide the member’s name as well as a reason for your choice, and as we got to see before, it seems that members who got the most votes for each question will be ranked in a 1,2 and 3rd place ranking.

Thanks to Sohee @ JPLOP, here are the translated questions:

-Who seems like they would be able to act well that they get brain freeze when eating shaved ice?
-Who seems like working as an elevator girl in a department store would suit them?
-Who seems like they would walk the catwalk on a fashion show nicely?
-Who seems like they’re bad with tongue twisters?
-Who seems like could be a good teacher for kindergarten?
-Who seems like they’d be good at acting as a guy?
-Who seems like they’d be good at acting as an old lady?
-Who seems like working in a clothes store would suit them?
-Who seems like they could be the most lazy?
-Who seems like they’d greet the staff one by one the most nicely?

As always, the questions are really funny and each fan has his own opinion about which member could fit in which category, so hopefully everyone who already voted can continue voting for their favorites and I highly encourage everyone who can to do so since it seems that this concert will be a very unique one thanks to this process.

The 4th voting process ends on 8/1.

H!P official page about 4th voting process