Month: January 2016

Juice=Juice “Next is you!” Covers Released

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Juice=Juice Next is you! Regular A
Regular A

The covers for Juice=Juice’s Next is you! / Karada Dake ga Otona ni Nattan ja Nai have been released.

Limited D
Limited C
Limited B
Limited A
Regular B

Release is set for February 3 in six editions, so it seems like we’re in for an amazing single. As you might remember, the single was announced to be tied in with their drama a while back and we’ve been awaiting more news from this release for a while.

Thankfully, the wait for the covers is done and we now get to enjoy the colorful and very pink themed released. In true Hello! Project fashion every cover has a different theme for fans to choose their favorite.

Since the single will be tied in with the drama some covers feature the name of the group Next You, specifically Regular A, Limited A, and Limited C. It’s a nice touch and fans of the drama can find the single easily when they go out and buy a copy.

Personally, I tend to like multiple covers and this release is no different, with Regular B and Limited A being my favorites. The main one I would say I dislike would definitely have to be Limited B. It might be the whole 3D concept but the lines are a bit too distracting (it might be an image glitch though).

Overall, an amazing group of covers for fans to enjoy, make sure to get your copy soon!

Hello! Project OHP | Juice=Juice CDJapan

Hello! Project 2016 Hinamatsuri Festival Announced

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Hello! Project

Hello! Project has just announced their 2016 Hinamatsuri Festival.

All of the dates will be taking place at the Pacifico Yokohama Exchibition Hall in Kanagawa:

Date Starts Group Performing
3/19 12:00 Morning Musume ’16
3/19 17:30 Juice=Juice + Country Girls
3/20 11:00 ANGERME + Kobushi Factory
3/20 17:30 C-ute

With the Hinamatsuri Festival being among Japan’s most unique festivals it seems like Hello! Project fans are in for a treat. Of course, not much else is known in terms of the songs that will be performed but I’m looking forward to finding out!

Source: Hello! Project

Niji no Conquistador “Senjo no St. Valentine” MV Released

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Niji no Conquistador Senjo no St. Valentine

The MV for Niji no Conquistador’s Senjo no St. Valentine has been released.

Out February 11, just in time for St. Valentine’s day and like the title suggests, a perfect fit for the occasion. That depends on your idea of love and if it includes fighting with your rival as you try and win the chance to give your crush some chocolate.

Valentine’s Day in Japan usually involves the girl giving the guy some chocolate, and that seems to be the main point of this MV. The members stand outside to give some chocolate to their crush, only to find themselves in a match to the death with weapons. Overall an interesting concept and one that fans will love.

The song itself is quite impressive, with a catchy beat and a slight disco feel. Definitely one of the best starts for the group since even now I find myself humming the song.

It seems like not much info is known about the single, but we are most likely going to be in for a treat once the release date rolls on by.

Niji no Conquistador OHP | Niji no Conquistador CDJapan

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PASSPO☆ “Mr.Wednesday” MV Released

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Passpo Mr.Wednesday

PASSPO☆ has released the MV for their upcoming single titled Mr.Wednesday.

Type C
Type B
Type A

There will be three versions: Type A will feature a DVD with the MV, Type B will also feature a DVD but this time with the Making Of. The coupling will be titled Musical Party and it will be featured on all of the versions.

Release is set for February 24, but as we mentioned a while ago the new single has been in the works for a while, so it’s a relief to finally get to enjoy it.

Ironically enough the MV starts off on Thursday, but the song itself is nice and catchy with an 80’s feel to it. We get to see some great cuts that make the song feel like it was done with one take, and the cream tone on the video fits the song’s nostalgic sound perfectly.

Definitely  a strong release from the group, and one I will most likely buy the minute it comes out. Check it out and get a copy!

PASSPO☆ OHP | PASSPO☆ CDJapan

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NMB48’s Kondo Rina Announces Graduation

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NMB48 Kondo Rina

Kondo Rina has announced her graduation from NMB48.

The announcement was made during the group’s performance in Osaka. According to her Twitter, it seems like she has dreams of becoming an actress are strong so it seems like that is her most likely path.

Her graduation concert will be soon, in fact just a few weeks away on January 27. This doesn’t give us much time until we get to see her leave, but it seems like her decision was made kind of fast due to her mentioning that she wasn’t sure what she wanted to do immediately.

Best of luck Kondo Rina!

Source: Natalie.mu

Le Lien “Zantetsuken” MV Released

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Le Lien Zantetsuken

Le Lien has released the MV for their upcoming single titled Zantetsuken.

There will be three limited versions alongside a regular version all with the coupling song titled Kimi ni Sachiare. Limited A will feature a DVD, Limited B features a booklet, while Limited C will have 2 bonus tracks titled Tsuyoku Tsuyoku and Otona wa Wakatte Kurenai.

Limited C
Limited B
Limited A
Regular

The single will be out January 27 so it’s just a few weeks away, but from what I can see the MV is turning out to be an amazing release so far.

Fighting in school is a pretty common theme in anime, but this time we get to see it from the eyes of someone the members of Le Lien are helping out. The preview is short but sweet and being defended by the members fighting against swarms of men in suits is nothing short of amazing.

How will the MV end? We’ll have to wait until the MV is out, but until then it’s a nice way to see what this amazing group has in store for us.

Le Lien OHP| Le Lien CDJapan

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Cheeky Parade and GEM Members To Study Abroad

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Cheeky Parade Yamamoto Suzuki GEM Takeda

From Left to Right: Yamamoto Marin, Suzuki Mariya, Takeda Maaya

Cheeky Parade’s Yamamoto Marin and Suzuki Mariya alongside GEM’s Takeda Maaya have announced that they will be taking a hiatus from their respective groups to study abroad in Los Angeles for 2 years.

This announcement was done at their performance at iDOL Street Carnival 2016 ~Shinsun! Kaiun Uta-Matsuri!~. According to all of the members responses they all mentioned their desire to come back to Cheeky Parade and GEM, most notably Marin mentioned she wanted to come back with many experiences overseas.

Their last performance will be on June 25th, so it seems like we’ll have plenty of time to enjoy their singing before the break. Of course, as a fan this must be heavy news but education comes first and having the opportunity to study abroad is a great goal to have.

We’ll be looking forward to their come back, but until then please support Yamamoto, Suzuki, and Takeda!

Source: Cheeky Parade OHP | GEM OHP

 

[Updated] SMAP To Disband

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SMAP

UPDATE: SMAP have confirmed that they won’t be disbanding.

Japan’s arguably most recognizable group SMAP has seemingly announced their disbandment.

According to reports the decision came as a result of the group’s manager announcing her resignation from the Johnny & Associates company.

Four out of five of the members: Masahiro Nakai, Goro Inagaki, Tsuyoshi Kusanagi, and Shingo Katori announced their decision to accompany her as she leaves the company. Takuya Kimura will be staying with the company.

According to a report sent out by the company, it seems to be semi-confirming the issue, but it doesn’t seem to confirm outright whether the group will be disbanding. Here is the report (thanks to TokyoHive).

Recently, there was a report regarding some SMAP members’ leaving and their manager’s resignation from a directors position. It is true that we are having consultation and negotiations about the matter, however, we cannot answer any detailed inquires yet.

It seems like a disbandment isn’t being confirmed outright, but it seems like there are some issues with the group and their company. Of course, until the confirmation is out we can’t say 100% for sure if this is valid.

We’ll keep on updating as the issue proceeds.

Source: Daily Sports Online

Uchida Aya “Floating Heart” MV Released

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Uchida Aya Floating Heart

The MV for Uchida Aya’s Floating Heart has been released.

The track comes from her upcoming album titled Sweet Tears, which will be released on February 10th. There will also be a 2nd album released on the same day titled Bitter Kiss.

Uchida Aya Sweet Tears Cover

While many might not like the more anime-sounding songs, it seems like fans who do like cutely voiced idols are in for a treat.

By itself, the song is nice and catchy, but it didn’t cause much of a lasting impact. Regardless, the visuals are nice and Aya is adorable as she sings in front of the tastefully decorated setting.

A must see for fans of cute anime styled releases!

Uchida Aya OHP | Sweet Tears CDJapan

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