The Top 10 Hello! Project Members in the fields
Well, I originally did my top 10 rankings before March 31st. I had also planned to get this ranking up before Elder Club graduated…. I obviously failed at that. XD But… Without further ado, here is my top 10 of Hello! Project, pre-Elder Club graduation!!
Anyone shocked with the results?! I know I was… though really only with the 10th member… Allow me to walk through my ranking with you all. 
10. Fujimoto Miki
WTF?! HOW DID YOU GET HERE? o_O Lol. I had an interesting time figuring out the order from 6-9, but for number 10, I got a little stuck trying to figure out who should round out this ranking. I’ve never really followed Miki through her tenure as a Hello! Project member. I definitely never followed her solo career, and while I love her voice, she was never someone I focused on while she was in Morning Musume. However, in picking number 10, I just really didn’t know who would go next… I think her preformance in Ribbon No Kishi really pushed her up in my eyes, even if I didn’t realize the extent to which that happened. Anyway, good job Miki for getting into my top 10! XD
9. Yaguchi Mari
She may be little, but does she ever have a load of energy. Whenever I think of Mari, I see her doing her Hamasaki Ayumi monomane, or fighting with Okamura of Mechaike – on Morning Mume’s field trip and during their endlessly amusing tests with Okamurai-sensei.
8. Ogawa Makoto
Whenever I think of Mako-chan, I always picture her Hello! Morning skit characters. Her genki personality has always been a joy to watch. She was originally my favourite gokkie, but as you can see, my gokkie ranking has since changed. Knowing the gokkies are fully split up now with her and KonKon’s graduation from H!P is such a sad thought. I can’t wait to watch the final gokkie performance of “Suki na Sempai” on the graduation concert. <3 *tear*
7. Yajima Maimi
C-ute’s leader and my favourite absentminded H!P member. She’s definitely come a long way from when she first joined H!P as an awkward looking 10 year old. I to watch her dance, and I’m one who loves her voice… She’s definitely easy on the eyes (just take a look at the lovely photo in my header). I just love her interaction with her fellow C-ute members – like this one with Chisato and Mai:
I feel like Captain doesn’t have to deal with this in Berryz Koubou. XD
6. Yoshizawa Hitomi
Mr. Moonlight is my number 6! She has been one of the funniest Morning Musume members in my mind, and the two people with whom I always found her to have the most interesting relationships with are also in my top 10! Her close and teasing friendships with both Mako-chan and Rika have always been able to put a smile on my face. Her attacks on Charmy during one of their New Years word games on Hello! Morning will forever be one of my favourite Hello! Project moments of all time. ^_^
5. Niigaki Risa
And now we get to my top 5. I have to say that Risa annoyed the heck out of me when she first joined. She was adorable when she first joined, but man oh man… When she sang, I cringed. She has matured into a beautiful young woman, and I absolutely adore her voice now. I feel like someone mentioned that Risa sang “Yowamushi” solo in Morning Musume’s Spring concert… I hope I’m not making up conversations in my head again. I’ll be sad if this was just wishful thinking on my part. -_-; Anyway, if I am remember correctly, I can’t wait to see her performance of the song once the DVD comes out.
4. Takahashi Ai
The current leader of Hello! Project… Wow. Never would have imagined it when she first joined Morning Musume. The gokkies were all so terribly nervous. It’s amazing to think she and Risa have been around for 8 and a half years and are now the longest serving H!P members… It’s also amazing to think I’ve been a H!P fan for 8 and a half years… Where has the time gone? Anyway, Aichan won me over very early on with her voice. And over the years she has endeared herself to me with her awkward persona.
3. Natsuyaki Miyabi
Yes, I’m sure many people are surprised to see that Miya is not #1 (or for those who knew that Aya has almost always been my #1 H!P girl, #2). However, I have my reasoning for my top 2. With the graduation of Elder Club, Miyabi has taken over the #1 spot in my H!P ranking, and again, I don’t think I need to explain why Miya is here… I gush about her too much as it is in every post that involves her. XD *whisper*Check out Last Forever*whisper*
2. Ishikawa Rika
Surprised to see she beat out Miyabi? Rika was the person who truly piqued my interest when I first found out about Morning Musume, and for that reason, she will always hold a special place in my H!P fandom. Unlike Sayumi, Rika’s cute, narcissistic persona always amused the heck out of me. Also, while not having the strongest voice around, I never minded it – used to be quite obsessed with it actually. I find that the songs that Rika sings usually suit her vocal quality quite well. She doesn’t sound out of place at all in Biyuuden (and I’m ashamed to say that I’m only now really looking into the stuff that Biyuuden released -_-;). I’ve got to say that I’m very upset I wasn’t able to go to Seattle to see Hangry & Angry this weekend (seeing as both Rika and Hitomi are in my top 10). When I saw the date of their event and realized it was Easter weekend, I wanted to cry. T__T
1. Matsuura Aya
I think most people knew this was coming, for I have shouted my Aya love from the rooftops calling her “My ultimate H!P idol”. I think that post is pretty self-explanatory as to why Aya gets top spot in my ranking.
And so there you have it! maiZe’s top 10 H!P ranking. 6 Elder Club members to 4 Wonderful Hearts… What can I say? I’m an old schooler. ^_^
I was thinking about what my top 10 of current Hello! Project would be right now, and I’m not quite sure… I can get up to a top 6, but past that I don’t know who would fill in #7-10 at the moment. If anyone’s wondering, #5 would be Okai chisato and #6 would be Suzuki Airi.
Rank your own top 10 on Paul’s Hello!Project 2009 Poll. I think the poll is officially closed now (I know, I failed at the timely posting of my rankings -_-;), but if it’s like his previous polls, you can still do your own and get the lovely graphic that his poll provides.
April 11th, 2009 at 12:49 am
I know these are personal but I’m going to shamelessly say that your ranking is so much better than mine!
I’m currently reading all of your reasoning for each member’s spot and I keep nodding….at this rate I’ll be a full grown bobble head doll by the time I get to #1~. XD Mikitty for her vocals and her sweet “mean” streak! No one messes with the kitty when it comes to body suit sumo action on H!M!! ＼(^o^)／☆ Marippe…just the best overall personality that H!P has ever had the joy of being home to. And yes! Makochan’s characters in H!M’s skits……she really did *shine*. =) Maimichan yay we both have her! Beautiful…immaculate beauty~. I always think of those Devil vs. Anger Yossi vs Charmy skits and Yossi always brought the cool to H!P no doubt! ^ ^ Gakisan really has grown over the years into such a beautiful woman…..awww I adored her early handle bar hair days! XD The bakajo test really brought out the pure honesty in Gakisan’s….un “innocence”….she was much younger though than the other members at the time of the test but still that was just so much of a golden moment~. I love her singing “koe” in concert while Aichan dances and sings backup. I fell in love with Aichan when the pv for “Souda We’re Alive” was first released…..I was so mesmerized by her and I remember thinking that Tsunku was really going to highlight her from that point on. She has a wonderfully quirky side to her personality as well….somewhat subtle but it’s definitely there and it’s really evident in her fun and candid conversation with Gakisan near the river eatery on an episode of Hello Pro Hour. ^ ^ …but truly her best assets aside from her vocals and dancing are her professionalism and role model attributes….Aichan = ♥~ Miya…..I really don’t need to speak of Miya as she’s your now top fave member and deservingly so! When I initially got into BK when “Piririto yukou!” was released it was Miya that was my first favorite…gomen ne, Riichan and Momo have taken over since but Miya will always be my first favorite BK member and that can never change. =) Rikachan….definitely one of H!P’s most beautiful and fun personalities…I’ve always loved her cutesy vocals and so true that they’re not the strongest but Tsunku always did utilize them perfectly as you say…..when I used to do yearly favorite H!P song rankings I had to rank the latter version of “Tanpopo” over the original version as the Rikachan factor was too powerful to be denied! Ayaya…..so true as words aren’t necessary to reason her atop your list! H!P’s best vocalist overall……I hope she continues to pursue a solo career and I’m sure she will~. I got into her music a bit late as it wasn’t until “Momoiro kataomoi” was released that I fell bonkers over that cute pv as I would watch it over and over on my old pc with this tiny file….as her first pv DVD collection had not yet been released and the practice of releasing individual pv DVD singles was not yet fashionable in H!P. I think my mom thought I was a bit strange as I would watch it literally over and over in a single seating only leaving to get something to drink occasionally. 
Your ranking is so much more old school than mine that I’m embarrassed!! XD I so wanted to have Yukosan, Marippe, Ayappe, and even Bunny in there. (*sigh*)………
April 12th, 2009 at 9:43 pm
@MB: Lol… That’s quite the comment you left! XD You know, I enjoy Hello! Project as it is right now, but very few of the members have really endeared themselves to me as the previous generation was able to over the years. I mean, the former Wonderful Hearts have a lot to compete with, for even though the Kids have been around since 2002, they haven’t been given time to shine until recently with shows like Berikyuu and Yorosen (and those shows are nothing compared to the epicness that was Hello! Morning). I’m hoping over time, someone (in addition to the 6 I currently have in my top 6) else can do something to get me to add them to my all-time favourites list.
You know, I was thinking about Rika today, and I thought of another reason why she’s my number 2. In addition to what I said above, she’s the only member from Morning Musume (for me) who had lines that I truly feel are never right when sung by someone other than Rika. For example, “The Peace” monologue, or “Shabondama”… Or the “Renai Revolution 21″ “hoy!!”.
April 13th, 2009 at 7:28 pm
So true….it’s odd at times hearing a newer member sing a line originally written for their senpai..very very true of Rika as her anime like voice just cannot be reproduced by anyone else in H!P. =) Hmm…I guess my ranking should have been a bit more diverse thinking about it now…I mean, I grew up with Momusu from their first five members in 1998 so I place a lot of shame on myself now for my list!
(*sigh*)…..I miss H!M. :/
September 3rd, 2009 at 2:28 pm
Nice tops. Glad Yossie and Gaki are in it (my top 2) -).
I see what u mean with Rika…she definitely keeps her shine on. U know, Konkon was a lot like her(in a more subtle form)…surprised she wasn’t in ur top 10 as Mako was. I know its off topic a little but u know how we h!p crazies love explaining our love for the members. Konkon takes the dance floor by storm but its hardly noticed because Rika dances as good but she gets way more spotlight. Just want to mention this and have ppl notice haha. and I’m not even really a Konkon fan…tho should I be now? -)
I’m not hugely in love with Ayaya but I do enjoy her vocal talent and she’s very emotive which is entertaining. Not in my top ten but I’d say she’s one of the most talented especially watching her singing soul-ish songs live…one of the best things to watch from Japanese artists especially within Hello Project imo -)
I don’t see too much special about Miyabi other than being pretty and seems to be honest with her personality. But who knows, maybe that will change. i tried watching the Last Forever but it bored me too much -x. haha. well I’m not going to sabotage and hate on ur Miyabi love because I understand that people are just attracted to different things. For me, I just really like Yossie because she’s fun and full of love. she isn’t anywhere close to being a #1 idol but she’s on a different level. her beauty is in her confidence, her ability to lead people (two BIG groups so far), her love to just go out there and be herself. That to me is truly beautiful. But then again, you may be seeing just that in Miyabi. -)
wow, didnt realize i’d be writing so much..i was just gonna write 1-2 sentences LOL.
September 4th, 2009 at 9:33 am
@Dexter: Wow, thanks for the huge comment! ^_^ Konno is near my top 10, but with her weaker vocals, she couldn’t quite break through (though, I’m sure people would yell at me for saying that, seeing as Rika is my #2. XD).
Don’t worry, I won’t hold your lack of Miya love against you… So long as you don’t start insulting her around me.. Then there’d be a throw down!! (I’m kidding. XD)
Well, I don’t think I need to start raving about how much and why I love Aya. XD But she’s been my favourite in H!P almost from the start. I’m soooo excite that she has this fall tour starting up. Another live band concert… I adored her Aya the Witch concert, and I’m sure I’m going to love this one too. I can’t wait to watch her perform Omoi Afurete live. I wish I could go to Japan and watch it. T__T
As for Miya.. Yea, it’s all personal preference, right.