Archives for the ‘Hello! Project’ Category
[Special Single] Abe Natsumi-Takaramono[2005-11-30]
Nekocafe draws a very personal connection with this 2005 single from Nacchi, describing its impact in a vivid manner.
Ray • May 16th, 2008
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Review of Dschinghis Khan (Jingisukan) - Berryz Koubou
Review of Resonant Blue - Morning Musume
Review of Namida no Iro - C-ute
The latest singles from the most important groups in Hello! Project - and Morning Musume - are all reviewed briefly, taking into account four different aspects. For some reason I’m kind of surprised at which release did best in these reviews.
Ray • May 15th, 2008
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The Lone (Currently Active) H!P Kid Shuffle Alumni
Recommended reading. Our own maiZe goes back in time to consider this wonderful shuffle unit song featuring Miya, Megukami, and Mikitty. I love this line from the write-up, on maiZe’s initial reaction:
I was completely turned off due to the fact that Miyabi and Megumi were so young and wearing these sensual outfits singing a pretty sensual sounding song.
See, that was the SELLING POINT for me. Anyway, it’s good to see maiZe catching up to how great this song is, even if she doesn’t notice the Evil Mikitty subtext involved.
Ray • May 15th, 2008
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Only after 2 singles and an album they lost 2 members… >.<
Okai Maasa shares some thoughts on how Ongaku Gatas is turning out, and on a tangent asks what the heck happened to Metro Rabbits. So yeah, what did happen to them?
Ray • May 15th, 2008
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Haromoni@…Why I Love That Stupid Show!
Recommended reading. Chris has a detailed explanation of why he loves Haromoni@. Personally, Haromoni@ simply can’t hold a candle to Hello! Morning, but to each their own.
He gives his top 5 reasons for being a Haromoni@ fan and I have to say that the number one reason surprised me. However, I think CJ of So Hot She Shits Fire will appreciate Chris’ wall of text regarding his number one reason.
maiZe • May 15th, 2008
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°C-ute in YanYan Magazine
Buono! in BOMB
Recommended ogling. I have to say that these scans made my day. Just keep giving me more eyecandy of C-ute in their ‘Namida no Iro’ outfits, and I’ll be a happy camper. Buono! in their ‘Kiss!Kiss!Kiss’ outfits doesn’t hurt either. Hugs for Miya! 
maiZe • May 15th, 2008
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Berikyuu! Episode 12: Dance Like You Want To Win!
Berikyuu! Episode 13: Risako’s Special Gift
Berikyuu! Episode 14: It Turns Freakin’ Ugly
Berikyuu! Episode 15: Morning Musumes Of Joy
Recommended reading. Our own Ray is churning out the Berikyuu! episode reviews like… something that churns things out quickly.
The first two episodes reviewed here are of the Berryz vs. C-ute battle concert practices. I must say that I enjoyed Ray’s Manoeri version of “How Much Is That Doggy?” (or whatever that song is actually called). I love Ray’s tension filled dialogue and prose. And I love how Momoko has become the Berryz Assassin.
Saki isn’t worried that Maimi has a good six to eight inches reach over her, mostly because Momoko’s around to tear out the jugular of anyone who threatens Captain.
I was surprised there was no mention of Chisato protecting her leader by challenging the peach child to a knife fight… Though, I have to say, Captain chose a bad day to air out dirty laundry regarding Risako… On her birthday of all days…
The latter two posts cover the anomoly that was Morning Musume taking over the show supposedly for the H!P Kids. As Ray points out, there is no Beri or kyuu to be found in these two episodes. Lots of snark and insults to enjoy in here, but what killed me was his bit on Koharu.
She looks quite lovely in this shot, doesn’t she? Mature - demure, even, and I really like her hair here. She seems so normal, so clearly a young woman who is making her way in the world.
Of course, the only conclusion one can make is that when it’s time for her to play Kirarin, they reach into her skull and pull out the left hemisphere of her brain. She is a medical miracle, able to function with half a brain and thus able to portray mentally damaged anime characters to perfection when it’s called upon. When it’s time to sing “Konnichi Pa”, they yank out her medulla oblangata as well.
maiZe • May 15th, 2008
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[single] 16sai no Koi Nante - Abe Natsumi & Yajima Maimi
Recommended reading. Second Blossoming is fairly new to the Hello! Project fandom, and one of his latest finds is the Great Abe and Yajima’s single, 16sai no Koi Nante. He’s got lots of praise for both Maimi and Nacchi and he thoroughly enjoys the lyrics of the single. I love his breakdown of the lyrics:
The lyrics are extremely interesting also. You know the feeling where you think you know everything, but then someone crushes everything and totally destroys your argument/theory and you look like a dickhead? Yeah, this song is that. But without the dickhead bit. It’s more like an “ohhhh” expression. Hahaha.
Though, for all his praise of Nacchi, I have to say that Maimi outshone Nacchi in the H!P 2008 Winter Concert performance, both vocally and through the (simplistic) dance.
maiZe • May 15th, 2008
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Recommended reading and ogling. I have to give this to Shirow: he manages to slip in the pervy observations real slick-like, so you almost don’t notice them even as you shake your head in agreement. He has some really choice lines in here, even as he makes some interesting observations about the current arc of Ishikawa Rika’s career. And of course, eyecandy!
Ray • May 14th, 2008
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High King’s Cinderella Complex
C/C (Cinderella/Complex) Tracklist
Cinderella the Musical: And the Lead is…
Various blogs bring us updates on Morning Musume’s Cinderella Musical and the associated “High-King” unit. HNPH, Strawberrie, and Some Boys! Blog have the artist photos and track list. Maimi looks like some kind of giant, and Maeda Yuuka looks more like a pretty little sad doll than ever. Shanimuni Paradise likes the pimp hats, and Strawberrie also has a translation of Tsunku’s comments about the unit and some casting information for the musical. Anyone want to take a wild guess as to who is playing the lead??
celestia_414 • May 14th, 2008
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Recommended ogling. chibon has been looking through Eri, Risa and Rika’s most recent photobooks and shares their favourite shots. THe girls all look quite lovely, but I must admit I’m partial to Risa’s pics. Go Gaki-san! ^_^
maiZe • May 14th, 2008
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Review of Anataboshi - Milky Way
Guu breaks down the release in terms of Song, Video, Dance, and Outfits. There’s some harshness in the judgment, but it’s fair game.
Ray • May 14th, 2008
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H!P Eggs Taiwan Auditions (H!P Fangirling like Nobody’s Business)
HelloProject New Egg 2008 audition (Nekocafe’s World!)
Recommended reading. More non-Japanese Eggs are going to be added to the mix, and DJ MaiMai and nekocafe have the details. The Asian expansion seems to finally be taking hold.
Ray • May 14th, 2008
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So guess who was sitting beside each other again…
Johpan brings us the next batch of JunJun goodies, and the second photo needs to be in good resolution. Is that JunJun holding a big cuddly panda??? Should I read into the ideology or should I just pass it off as a cute girl holding a cute thing? Oh, and Aika’s still made to sit by JunJun. No doubt the producers are trying to fool us into thinking they’re getting along. I choose not to believe it.
wu-san • May 14th, 2008
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Ojamarushe Intros (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, KONKON!! - Part 2)
HarimaKenji shares a healthy dose of KonKon via H!M News segments. You know the ones, where she role-played a host of characters along side Ogawa and Yuko. My favourite one has to be of her kitted up in baseball attire. She’s just too adorable in, actually, in everything she does. Thanks to HK for bringing these to our attention, and breathing a little life into past H!P happenings.
wu-san • May 14th, 2008
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Our own Celestia’s high on graduation - rightfully so - and she shares a few H!P songs she thinks are graduation-worthy. Anything bright and forward looking I suppose. Some nice picks I must admit, including momusu’s ‘I wish’, of course. A nice, simple in premise post that has a lovely vibe about it. Clearly because our Celestia’s a graduate and all 
wu-san • May 14th, 2008
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Kiss! x 3 Ltd Edt DVD - part 2
Our own Zush has another screen captured post of BK’s ‘Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!’ PV. Expect lots of legs, and really, you cant fail on this one. Zush points out a very sneaky monkey in the mis-en-scene, and quite frankly I’m shocked…or jealous.
Now, one has to start to wonder why I could possibly recommend a post on legs…well, I’m surprised too. Here we are though.
wu-san • May 14th, 2008
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Berikyuu! Episode 11: At Wii’s End
Another snark instalment of Ray’s imagination which is geared towards idols and Berykuu!, that is to say it’s all rather mad. This time around we have murdering and the right way to go about and dispose of all, well, of all these murders. Of course, Momo’s an old hand at this sort of thing. As if you weren’t all thinking it already. A fun read.
wu-san • May 14th, 2008
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The One In Which CJ Plays Catch-Up With Tanakamesen Installments
Our own CJ has the 23rd installment of Reina’s CD Data column before the 24th one becomes widely available, noting the interesting T-shirt she’s wearing.
Ray • May 13th, 2008
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DJ MaiMai shares yet another version of “Resonant Blue” and makes an observation on the Messianic qualities of Tanaka Reina. Maybe if she changed the water she was walking on into wine, Yuko’d appear out of nowhere to chug it down…?
Ray • May 13th, 2008
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[Review] Haromoni@ - May 11, 2008
SFGundam shares a short review of and a bevy of screencaps from the penultimate Memory King Competition on Haromoni@. Certainly more intriguing fare than MouTube, that’s for sure. Some of the objects the girls are asked to remember are just insane (pipettes? Seriously???), but the fun isn’t in the competition itself, to me. The fun is in the facial expressions, especially of Kamei and LinLin. Those two may not win the competition, but they sure do own at pouting adorably. And then Ai-chan, the winner, lets out a delirious scream of victory. It will be interesting to see her face off against Aika in the finals.
There will be blood. Or…well…tears, at least. I hope.
Vee • May 13th, 2008
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New Music Review: Anataboshi (MilkyWay)
A quick track-by-track review of the debut single from the new power trio of Hello! Project.
Ray • May 13th, 2008
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Vintage Inaba
More Vintage Inaba
Recommending viewing. Charmy☆Renai has some clips to share on her Atsuko Inaba worship blog. These are some old school Inaba bits from her days in Osaka Performance Doll. The first clip is of a performance, and the big hair is great to see. Gotta love the ’90s… As for the second clip, I’m not quite sure where it’s from, and Charmy☆Renai is not quite sure what’s going on in it, but it’s got a cute Inaba moment.
maiZe • May 13th, 2008
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More details on the movie Aibon’s going to be working on. Hopefully even more details will follow.
Ray • May 13th, 2008
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Recommended reading. Blogger Okai Maasa suffers a bit too much from being self-conscious, but the first few posts show strong opinions and a lively sense of humor. Worth keeping an eye on, and hopefully it’ll be sticking around.
Ray • May 13th, 2008
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Terawaki, Yoshizawa, Ishikawa chosen as volleyball casters
Recommended reading. Yoshizawa Hitomi and Ishikawa Rika will be guest casters for the World Olympic Qualification Tournament for volleyball. Other much-beloved, top-notch idols will be doing the Japanese team’s support song: Hey! Say! JUMP and their “Dreams come true”.
Ray • May 13th, 2008
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Recommended reading. Samantha goes through some potential pitfalls that idols can make in their line of work, using examples to illustrate each point. I like how she stresses the subjectivity in having a favorite idol, as well as her willingness to point out flaws in idols she likes, not just those she doesn’t like. As always, Samantha shows a clarity and thoughtfulness that never fails to impress.
Ray • May 12th, 2008
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Recommended reading. sauder has a review of this week’s Haromoni@, which is a continuation of last week’s memory test battle. This week, the other side of the bracket step up to battle it out. The review goes round by round with screencaps galore, and I have to say that the Koha picture for round 7 is simply GOLD. I take a strange pleasure in weird Koharu pics. I can’t explain it. Though I have to agree with sauder about her round 9 screencap. It definitely makes up for the funny round 7 shot.
It looks like sauder quite enjoyed this episode of Haromoni@, even if it was filled with tension. It looks like next week we’ll see the finals of the memory test, and we’re back to more MouTube.
maiZe • May 12th, 2008
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Recommended reading. Our own wu-san has an interesting write-up on the hot legged Berryz member, Chinami. He’s still slowly learning more about Berryz, and uses wiki.thePPN as the source of his insider information. Looks like wu-san and Chinami have a lot of things in common… It may just be a match made in heaven. XD I don’t know how I missed her habit of sleeping with her eyes half open, but I know about it now, and it’s all thanks to wu-san. ^_^
maiZe • May 12th, 2008
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Recommended listening. So, Kawaiirrhea’s got a new remix up on the remix blog, and wowzers!! I’m totally loving this one. I don’t know if it beats AS FOR ONE KISS or VERY Hyacinth for me, but it’s pretty close. How about I put all three in a tie? How the heck am I supposed to pick between Aa!, Aya and Buono!?
It’s quite amazing how well the vocals for Kiss!Kiss!Kiss! mix with the instrumental for The Peace! Really, this one should not be missed! Oh… And Kawaiirrhea has a PV to go with it… Be warned, it’s very trippy! But I like it. ^_^
maiZe • May 12th, 2008
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New Music Review: Nanni mo Iwazu ni I LOVE YOU (v-u-den)
A quick review of the swan song from this H!P trio - and like everyone else who cares, some concern on where Erika and Yui are winding up after this.
Ray • May 12th, 2008
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Kaori Iida +06+
Kanna & Airi & Saki
Will’s latest set of pictures feature Kaori Iida, and they’re pretty damn great on the simple premise that it’s Iida. The third picture’s a lot of fun.
An earlier entry has Kanna, Airi and Saki all looking happy together. I think what Kanna’s wearing is pretty neat, in a kind of indies way.
wu-san • May 12th, 2008
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510 Day: Sometimes, An Idol Changes Your Life Forever…
A little bit of eyecandy, a little bit of snark - Chiakii pays tribute to Goto Maki in her own fashion.
Ray • May 12th, 2008
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Paul admits to being drawn in by C-ute’s visual screen merchandise, and why bloody hell not? They look fantastic: the members donning the outfits from ‘Namida no Iro’. Maimi and Erika look very yummy. If I enjoyed eating people, I’d be dining on those two. I’ve no doubt about that.
wu-san • May 12th, 2008
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Memorable Snippets: Part 2 - Matsuura Aya “Ayaya Knows”
Our very own MaiZe has the next instalment of her ‘Memorable Snippets’, and it’s all to do with Ayaya this time around. The fist shared clip consists of Aya performing ‘I know’ and forgetting the lyrics near the beginning. As MaiZe points out nicely, Aya handles it with ease, and that certainly translates positively to the fans. God, she’s such a good performer. The second clip has her teaching the fans the lyrics and some silly arm movements, which is one charm part of the song I suppose. Vocally, well, Ayaya shines, and that’s not really a suprise. As far as H!P goes, she’s near, if not at the top. The clips are from 2003 and I have to thank MaiZe for taking me back to a happy place. I mean, ‘I know’ is pretty damn awesome.
wu-san • May 12th, 2008
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Um, is that hair on your head, or a really ugly hat?
Misa takes a brief look at some awful H!P hairstyles, and really, there’s so many to choose from. Misa manages to jest about a few, but you know what, I liked the Aichan style she picks apart. Wait, actually I was always too busy staring at her body in that jumper thingy to be honest. Yes, her hairstyle for Kanashimi Twightlight was certainly arresting, and maybe not for good reasons. Ha, but I like the Aika bangs on show in the post, contrary to Misa’s misgivings.
wu-san • May 12th, 2008
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Kiss! x 3 Ltd Edt DVD - part 1
Pretty baby, un petite ingenue
Our own Zush screen capture’s a segment of Buono!’s making of DVD for their ‘Kiss! Kiss! Kiss!’ single, and Miya’s having a little trouble keeping her drink down. Bless.
An earlier post sees Zush reinstate his love for Rii with some Blondie lyrics, and of course, they’re rather fitting.
wu-san • May 12th, 2008
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Recommended reading. From our own maiZe, a gorgeous site devoted to one of the most talented of H!P Kids. Beautifully designed, as well written as maiZe’s main blog, and hey - Miya FTW! Miya! So even among blogs I surely check upon, I think “Last” owes voracious eyes.
Ray • May 12th, 2008
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Hello!Project Engrish T-Shirts - First Impressions
Here’s a nice selection of amusing T-shirts worn by various H!P girls… but where’s “Drug Dealer”, “Rock Like Fuck”, and “True Life Seek”?
Ray • May 12th, 2008
Blogs, Eyecandy, Hello! Project • 6 Comments
Recommended reading. Here’s a new H!P blog which shows a good deal of promise. There’s already an interesting post on Top 10 H!P Singles of 2007, so hopefully there will be more to follow.
Ray • May 11th, 2008
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Recommended ogling. aiwish472 rankes the top and bottom smiles in Hello! Project - I’m glad to see Chinami made it to the top, but Miyabi at the bottom seems kind of unfair. The Domo-kun line made me laugh out loud, though.
Ray • May 11th, 2008
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And from myself and everyone…to MILF or otherwise. But especially (as far as this post) to newest H!P moms Nono and Kaori.
I would add Tsunku. But FZ is…close? Whatever, I love that clip. And Tsuji’s take on Furusato will make you cry and/or call your mom at least. But don’t do both at the same time cause she will never let you live it down.
jim • May 11th, 2008
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I’m a Hello!Project Fangirl
Kiss! Kiss! Kiss! Reveiw
DJ_MaiMai of Just Another H!P Blog has moved from wordpress over to vox and has started fresh with a new blog titled “H!P Fangirling like Nobody’s Business”. The first post is an introduction for new and old readers alike.
The second post is a review of Buono!’s ‘Kiss!Kiss!Kiss!’. The review on the c/w ‘Minna Daisuki’ is interesting for she did it as she listened to the song. I have to agree and say that I love that “Hop step jump” is in this song too. But really, I guess I shouldn’t have been too surprised since it’s the new opening theme for Shugo Chara!
maiZe • May 10th, 2008
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J-pop Obession has a variety of H!P icons - a few Milky Way, some Momusu, Berryz Koubou and C-ute. There are also so AKB48 and miscellanious J-pop icons. I’m really liking these icons (particularly the Berryz and C-ute ones) as they have this pretty glow which surrounds them. They definitely strike my fancy.
maiZe • May 10th, 2008
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Wota Want To Be Kanna, Or: Possibly TMI Fun In Relation To Kid Idols
Arihara Kanna is the favorite C-ute of two-thirds of Intl Wota’s admin troika, so it’s nice to see a write-up on her and that comment she made a while back about preferring girls. Vulpi recounts some of the negative reactions directed to Kanna’s preference, then looking at her situation as an idol and how that may relate.
Ray • May 10th, 2008
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Hay guys, since when was Chinami this hot…
Looks like Chinami’s popular today, with Misa also posting some Chinami eyecandy today. In addition to noticing Chinami’s hotness, Misa has also taken note of Chinami’s hot legs and proposes starting a new subgroup of GMC (like the car company) for the Great Maimi and Chinami. This would basically be the hot legs group of H!P.
Seeing as Misa’s just noticed Chinami’s hot legs, I’m assuming she hasn’t seen Chinami and Yurina’s performance of ‘Nicchoku ~Geinoujin no Kaiwa~’ from Berryz Koubou’s Sakura Mankai concert. Her legs look like the go on for miles there…
maiZe • May 10th, 2008
Blogs, Hello! Project • 2 Comments
hide-chan has 3 photos of Chinami, depicting her through the years (all with the same pose). She’s looking mighty fine in her battle concert t-shirt.
maiZe • May 10th, 2008
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Recommended reading. Hocchan reviews the latest Haromoni@ and lo and behold, it’s not a Moutube episode! It looks like they’re doing a 2 parter on memory test battles betwee the girls, and this episode had one half of the group battling it out. From the read, it looks to be an interesting episode to catch, and I particularly want to see it just for the moment that Hocchan describes regarding Risa.
Risa’s card on the fifth round turned out to be the most troublesome one of them all. The name of the vegetable was ‘o-o-ku-ro-gu-wa-i’. Risa got the third syllable wrong and it was deemed incorrect. I absolutely adored her “Huh!?” when the narrator went, “Oh?” after hearing her first answer. It was like, “Huh!? Don’t ask me to repeat myself, punk, or I’ll hurt you!”.
maiZe • May 10th, 2008
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Hocchan continues her series of counting Morning Musume members on screen appearances and has Haromoni@ episodes from March 30 to April 13 tallied up. It was a welcome surprise to see that JunJun was able to be in a 3-way tie for first place in one of the episodes.
However, it looks like she’s running out of steam and this series may not continue for much longer.
maiZe • May 10th, 2008
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Recommended viewing. Intrigued by celestia’s post on Morning Musume and Disney, Chris discovered this performance of Ayaya doing a Disney medley of “Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah, Bippity Boppity Boo, and Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious”. She shares a dance with the one and only Mickey Mouse, and I had no idea that he could play the drums.
maiZe • May 9th, 2008
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